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 36
Personal Log, Stardate: 49005.3. It's been a week since Voyager left "New Earth", the home that "The 37s"—and their descendants—have decided to build a civilization. It's also been a week since Lt. Katrina "Kat" Janeway (Science), Lt. Joseph "Joe" Carey (Engineering) and a team of Starfleet (and Maquis) personnel stayed behind to set up the Stargate there. Captain Janeway is a bit stressed out from Kat's decision to remain behind, but she knows that in a year or two, they'll be reunited. If not, I'll personally go back for her. After all, she's my daughter, too. On another front, Janeway is still a bit peeved over the fact that I had…'relations' with Amelia Earhart, even though Janeway still has her Mark back on Earth. But, I kind of like the attention, if not the abuse…
"You know, you really didn't have to come, Ranma," Commander Chakotay said, as he piloted a shuttle-pod into a nearby sector of space. He was given the opportunity to do so due to the need to map local space, after being warned of the presence of the Kazon Collective, whom Lt. Paris liked to call "Space Hillbillies". The interesting point of that was the fact that only Paris—and maybe "Ensign Ranko Tendo" as well—would know the reference, either because of Paris's familiarity with 20th Century History, or because of Ranma being from the 20th century. At any rate, since the USS Voyager will be in the area for a while, Chakotay decided to do some Amerind meditation rituals alone.
"Well, I don't mind," Ranko said, as she helped Chakotay set up the artifacts on the floor of the shuttle. It's been a while since I last did something like this, and I wanted to…make up for it by performing the ritual in my son's name."
"Oh, that's right," Chakotay said with a nod. "Your son was Chief Ranmak, my grandfather's mentor."
"Exactly. I've been putting this off since…he died at the hands of the Albino."
"I see. Well, in that case, I am glad to have someone here who can appreciate such things."
"Well, I just hope that I have everything set up," Ranko said, as she looked around the floor placing. "Maybe we should include peyote smoking?"
"Maybe some other time-"
Suddenly, the shuttle is attacked, struck by energy discharges. The craft rocked a bit.
"Well, this ritual will have to wait," Ranko said, as she and Chakotay took their seats.
"I'm picking up a lone Kazon attack craft," Chakotay said, as the craft is rocked again.
"You would think that the Kazons have much better things to do than to attack lone ships," Ranko said, as she checked the status of the craft. "The warp coils are offline, and we're being jammed."
"Suggestions?"
"As much as I want to use a 'cheap way' to get out of here, I am curious as to why we're being attacked. The next intel from Seska isn't due for another week."
"Agreed. So, let's see what we can do to end this matter quickly…"
After disabling the Kazon ship, which exploded anyway, a young Kazon was taken aboard.
"Well, our first catch of the day," Ranko smirked. "What's your beef, kid?"
The Kazon, who appeared to be wearing tangled hair (like dreadlocks tied up) and ruddy skin, turns towards Ranko, and sneered.
"Why should I talk to you, female?" the kid said.
"Because I have five reasons for ya, if you don't talk," Ranko said, as she wiggled her right set of fingers, before balling up her fist in the Kazon's face. She then performed a one-handed knuckle crack with her right hand for emphasis.
"…"
"Ranko, at ease," Chakotay said, as he glanced in Ranko's direction. He then turned toward the Kazon.
"Who are you, and why did you attack us?"
"My name is 'Kar'," the Kazon said. "I'm trying to prove myself a 'man amongst men' by taking your ship as a prize."
"You?" Ranko said incredulously.
"You don't think I could have done it?" Kar said angrily.
"No," Chakotay said. "Your ship was barely holding together, and we had more advanced weaponry."
"Well, I could have…tried."
"Look, you want to be a man amongst men, yes?" Ranko said with a glint in her eye.
Chakotay sees this.
"Um, if I'm thinking what YOU are thinking, I think Kar won't make it," Chakotay said out of concern.
"I can do it!" Kar yelled. "I am a Kazon warrior!"
"We'll see about that-"
Suddenly, the shuttle is attacked again, this time by a larger Kazon ship.
"Well, it ain't going to happen, since I'm not alone," Kar said smugly. "YOU two are DONE."
"Watch and learn," Chakotay said, as he takes out a personal access data device (PADD) from a nearby draw. "Since we are already familiar a Kazon ship, we made some…protocols. Observe."
Chakotay presses a button on his pad, activating a "masking transponder"…
"They stopped shooting at us!" Kar said in amazement.
"No big deal," Ranko said. "The 'Masking Transponder' simply gives off a different sensor signature."
"Hiding in plain sight," Chakotay said.
"Well, that's not going to trick them for long," Kar said.
"Right, so, let's go."
"Where?"
"To your training, of course," Ranko said with a grin.
"Really?"
"Well, you did want to be a man amongst men, correct?" Chakotay asked.
"Well, yeah, but-"
"Then sit down, and shut up," Ranko said, as she relayed a coded transmission to the USS Voyager. "We got a long trip to your training ground…"
Upon setting down on a nearby moon with Kazon space: Tarok. Ironically, it served as a training ground for Kazon initiates, including Kar. Camped far from the nearest Kazon encampment, Kar begins his training for the next month. During the day, either Ranko or Chakotay would work Kar's physical self. At night, they would take turn telling Kar stories about their lives, or teaching him stuff that Kar would need. Slowly, but surely, Kar would come to respect these two off-world strangers, even if he resented the training. Still, the training was difficult nevertheless…
"Come on," Ranko said, as she jogged up a steep, rocky hill. It was late afternoon, and she and Kar were half-way done with their routine for that day.
"I don't got all day…"
"But we've been running for an hour," Kar said, as he huffed. "What kind of person are you?"
Ranko stopped, and turned to face Kar. She was wearing gray, soft body suit with a cranberry-red stripe across the front. She was also carrying a small pack on her back.
"Kar, I was swimming an entire sea on my homeworld when I was your age," Ranko said.
"You're kidding," Kar said, as he stopped in front of Ranko.
"Yeah. I was an only child, and my Pops wanted me to be the best warrior of my generation. So, he pushed me to train all the time. Hell, he dropped me in a pit of…wild animals in order to get tougher."
"Oh, I see…"
"But, you're not me," Ranko said, as she un-slings her pack. "We can take a break, and eat a snack."
"What?" Kar said, as he looks on. "More Starfleet rations?"
"No," Ranko said, as she assembles a longbow. "We get to hunt for food."
"…"
"Besides, you need to learn how to hunt and gather, rather than just steal from people…"
More training commences, and then on the last day of the training, Kar's friends show up…
"So, this is where you've been," said a mean-looking Kazon named First Maje "Raziz", the leader of his band of Kazon of the Kazon-Ogla sect. The Kazon Collective was basically marauders who did not have the unity that the Klingons did. The Kazon Collective are made up of competing sects, which is why they have not been that much of a threat to the other powers…
"Consorting with the aliens," Raziz said, as he ordered his men to bring Ranko to him. "And you have a female with you."
Pause.
"I think I'll take her for myself."
Ranko squint her eyes. She was tempted to end this was a pummeling, but she and Chakotay purposely allowed Kar's leader to find him, so that Kar can take his "test"…
However, Ranko looks at Chakotay, and nods her head.
Chakotay turns towards Kar, and nods his head.
Kar nods his head, and turns to face Raziz.
"No, Raziz," Kar said, as he steps up. "I have extended my protection to her."
"What?" Raziz yelled. "You dare try to stand up to me?"
"Yes. In fact, I challenge for the right to have my name."
"So be it, worm," Raziz said, as he motions everyone to stand back while someone hands him a knife. "You lose, you die."
"Your move," Kar said, as he loosens up…
"Yarrgh!" Raziz said, as he charges forward. He was proud to be the strongest and toughest warrior of his sect…
A moment later, Raziz's corpse smashed against the wall of the cave entrances, before producing a smear of blood while sliding down to the ground. All the other Kazon looked at this, and then at Kar in shocked disbelief.
"Do I have your loyalty?" Kar asked.
"Yes," said Haliz, Raziz second-in-command. "You are the leader of this sect."
"No, I still have a lot to learn," Kar said, as he glances over at Ranko and Chakotay. He then turns towards Raziz in full, and kneels.
"As it is customary, I pledge my loyalty to this sect, First Maje."
"Then, I accept your loyalty," Haliz said. "And I give you a new name: 'Jal Karden'. You, have earned your name."
Pause.
"You may rise."
"Thank you," Kar said, as he rises to his feet. "May I have one boon?"
"Yes. Name it."
"My boon is for us to grant these off-worlders safe passage back to their people."
Haliz looks confused, but-
"Very well."
"Thank you, First Maje," Kar said, as he turns towards Ranko and Chakotay.
"Thank you, off-worlders," Kar said. "Since Raziz is dead, you are free."
Pause.
"But remember this: the next time we meet, we will be enemies."
"We'll remember," Chakotay said with a nod.
"Be sure to prove yourself a worthy challenge, Jal Karden," Ranko said.
"Don't worry, I will," Kar said with a mischievous. "It will be an honor to test my strength against yours, when I'm ready. Now, Go."
As Chakotay and Ranko return to their parked shuttlepod, Chakotay turns towards Ranko.
"Ranma, do you think that we overdid Kar's training?" Chakotay asked.
"Naw," Ranko replied. "By the time he thinks he can challenge me, Kar will have other priorities."
"Like what?"
"That boy has the potential to be a great man someday, one that can unite a people, and bring peace to this part of the galaxy. But, we'll see…"
Tbc.
Next Time: "Ranko" gives her annual report to Nabiki, which consists of the highlights of her time on the USS Voyager thus far. Tales of malfunctioning holodecks, an ovulating Kes, an altered timeline involving Harry Kim, twisted spatial realities, etc. In other words, it's the lightning round time involving filler episodes. See you then!