TRT3: The Ranma Trek Voyage! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 35
March 16, 1937: Oakland, California (North America, Earth).
"Well," Ranma Saotome said, as he doubled-checked the instrument panel of the Lockheed Electra 10E, which was still parked in the hanger at Oakland's North Air Field. "With this panel installed, you'll have a bead on how much fuel you'll have in the new tanks."
"Yes, yes, I know that," said a short-haired, auburn haired woman who was looking at the flight manual and notes. "I read your report, remember?"
"Okay, then," Ranma said, as he began to put away his tools. "Look, Amelia, it's going to be a dangerous flight as it is, since this Lockheed has been redesigned to push the envelope in its flight path."
"You know, you really should relax," Amelia Earhart said, as she sets down her notebook. "After all, this could be a while before we have this opportunity…"
With that, Amelia lunges at Ranma, showering him with kisses.
"Hey, wait!" Ranma said, as he took a breath.
"You're not shy, are you?"
"No, but this flight is important to history. If you can make it, then you'll be world famous. And besides, you're married, and have a boyfriend on the side."
"That's because I learned it from you, 'sensei'," Amelia said. "That, and Oriental martial arts."
"I think you learned more about the 'marital arts' than not," Ranma quipped. "Okay, but I got a dinner date with Usagi."
"Then, I'll make it worth your while, Ronnie," Amelia said, as she begins to undress…
Fred Noonan was walking into the hanger, for a pre-flight check with Ranma for that day, when he noticed that the plane that he would co-pilot in was shaking.
"What the hell?" Fred said, as he slows down his walk. He could see that the windows were steamed up…
WHAP!
Fred also notices Amelia's hand on the window, as it clenches up before disappearing from view.
"Huh," Fred said. "THAT was fast…"
24th Century: Delta Quadrant (Milky Way Galaxy).
Captain's Log, Stardate: 48975.1. With the discovery of the cryo-stasis located in the cave over-looking the alien settlement, I have been given the task of deciding on whether or not to release these people. Based upon Kat's analysis, the technology was indeed non-Terran, and that the chambers were "self-sustaining". And thanks to B'Ellana's efforts, we now have access to main control mechanism that governs the stasis chambers…
"Well, there is nothing more that I can do," Lt. B'Ellana Torres (Chief Engineer, Maquis Agent) said, as she prepares to reactivate the stasis chambers. "But, she's ready…"
"Good," Captain Katherine Janeway (commander of the USS "Voyager") said, as she takes one last look at the sleeping bodies. "Now remember, we have to appear 'human' to these people."
"Which means I have to step outside, huh?" B'Ellana said drolly.
"Don't worry, 'Bee'," Ensign Ranko Tendo (Yeoman) said with a grin. "I'll tell you all about it."
"Then how come SHE can be here?" B'Ellana said, as she points to Kes, Voyager's "Nurse".
"She can hide her ears," Janeway said. "We don't want to give these people cultural shock."
"Yeah, yeah," B'Ellana said, as she gathers her things.
"Tuvok, inform Commander Chakotay to not let anyone in this room," Janeway said.
"As you wish," said Lt. Commander Tuvok (Tactical & Security), as he turned around…
"Well, I just can't wait to meet these people," Lt. Tom Paris said, as took his position.
"You're not the only one," Janeway said. "Once these people have been awakened, we can learn more about Earth's past, as well as how they got here."
With that, Janeway deactivates the stasis chambers…
"Decontamination is commencing, Mom," Kat said, as she monitored the equipment. "Apparently, the analysis has proven correct," Kes said. "We can provide medicines to wake them up, once the decontamination procedures have run their course…"
Soon enough, the decontamination procedures run their course, and the individual chambers were opened.
SNAP! Hssssss…
"It appears that even their clothes were kept in pristine condition," Tom said, as he examined the people's clothes.
"Well, you better get that gun from the Japanese officer," Ranko said, as she points to the gun in the holster of the Japanese soldier.
"Oh, right," Tom said, as he takes the gun from the holster.
"Okay, Kat, Kes, Ranko, Tom…wake them up," Janeway said, as she stood there in anticipation of meeting a legendary figure…
Meanwhile, Amelia Earhart slowly wakes up. At first, she saw only a blur, as light entered her eyes. As her eyes focused, a familiar face came into view…
"Huh?" Amelia said, as she stared at Ranko.
"Hi," Ranko said with a smile.
Amelia steps forward, almost stumbling in the process.
"Easy," Ranko said, as she caught the woman. "You just woke up."
"At least…I woke up in your arms, babe," Amelia said, as she suddenly kissed Ranma.
"Mmmph!"
"Interesting," Tom said.
"I'll say," Janeway said with a frown.
"Oh, Ranma, you found us," Amelia said, as she steps back. "But…why are you in your girl-body?"
"Ummm…"
"Well?"
"I don't know who you are, lady," Ranko said. "But how do you know my real name?"
"Yes, I would like to know as well," Janeway said.
"Ronnie is my avionics mechanic and training pilot," Amelia said. She then gives Ranko a knowing smile. "Among other things…"
"But how do you know my officer?" Janeway asked.
"Well, all I know is that the last thing Ronnie gave me, before my flight out of Oakland was this…"
With that, Amelia reaches into her coat pocket, and presents to everyone a Starfleet issue com-badge.
"You said that this would give me good luck, Ronnie."
Everyone in the room turn to look at Ranko.
"I have NO idea what's going on," Ranko said. "But I know who can tell me…"
Later, in a secret part of Voyager, after dealing with the locals, who turned out to be humans that had also been kidnapped during the same year of Amelia's abduction, Ranko makes her plea…
"No," said the 11th incarnation of the Doctor, as he spoke through a screen.
"But Doc, you know that Amelia and everyone stuck in cryo-stasis don't belong here in this time," Ranko said.
"And you also know that certain events are fixed in Time," the Doctor said. "Bloody Hell, I'm not even supposed to be talking to you right now."
"That bad, huh?"
"Ghastly. You're going to have to tell your new friends that they can't return home to their old era. I'm sorry."
"Well, gee thanks. You know, maybe I should have contacted a different incarnation or something."
"Come now, Ranma," the Doctor said. "You know me better than that."
"Yeah, maybe too well…"
And so, after much debate, the freed humans decided to remain on their new world, at least until the new stargate is up and running in a year or two…
"How come we can't use the stargate to return home?" Ensign Harry Kim (Operations) asked. "Or, better yet, why can't we stay here?"
"The simple fact of the matter is that we have an opportunity to explore this region of space," Janeway said. "Back in the old days of space exploration, starship captains were given 5-year missions, sometimes without seeing home port, as Yeoman Tendo could attest."
"Eh, it was nothing," Ranko said. "Try exploring space in a warp-five craft. Now THAT was a challenge."
"Captain, there are a few crewmembers who would want to explore this culture," said Counselor Stadi. "Certainly, we can do much to bridge Earth to this world."
"Nevertheless, we are explorers, even if it will take a bit longer to return to the Alpha Quadrant," Janeway said. "Of course, I don't want to lose any of you."
"It is tempting," Kat said. "But there is so much to learn out there…"
Pause.
"But I would love to lead the effort in getting the stargate up and running with Lt. Carey of Engineering. Once that occurs, my team and I can return to the ship using the stargate on the ship."
"And he'll stop complaining about my work performance," B'Ellana said.
"Is that what you really want?" Janeway asked, as she leans on the conference. "There is no guarantee of success."
"Well, I'm sure that SOMEONE will return for us, if need be," Kat said, as she turns towards Ranko. "Right, Yeoman?"
"Right…"
Later, outside the ship, Ranko has one last minute with an old friend…
"So, you're staying?" Ranko said, as she stands next to Amelia while she stares at the Voyager.
"Just for a little while," Amelia said. "As soon as that stargate thing you were talking about is ready, I'll make a firm decision then. I want to…get to know this strange, new world first…"
Silence.
"But there is one thing you can do for me, before you go," Amelia said, as she turns towards Ranko.
"What is it?" Ranko asked.
Amelia forms a mischievous grin on her face.
A short while later, Janeway and Fred were out looking for Ranko and Amelia respectively.
"She might have gone back to the plane, since she wanted to see if she could fly it," Fred said. "Maybe Ronnie is fixing something-"
As soon as they came in view of the plane, they see in rocking back and forth.
"What the hell?" Janeway asked, as she notices that the windows were steamed up.
WHAP!
Fred and Janeway see Ranko's hand against the window, before it disappears from view.
"Ah, damn it!' Fred yelled. "I swear, that woman has such an appetite…"
"Appetite for what?" Janeway asked out curiosity.
"Trust me," Fred said, as he escorts Janeway out of the vicinity of the plane. "You don't want to know."
"?"
Tbc.
Author's Note: Not to worry; Kat Janeway will be back. Count on it.
Next time: While captured, Yeoman Ranko Tendo teaches a young Kazon boy how to be a man amongst men…in the art of the Musabetsu Kakuto-ryu! See you then!