Star Trek: Ranma's Chronicles – By DS Wynne

Disclaimer: "Ranma 1/2 ", "Sailor Moon" and other sources (unless stated otherwise) belong to their respective owners.

Note: This is a multi-genre crossover/fusion story.


Part 54: "Normalcy, Act 2".


Location: DS9 (Bajor Sector).

The next day, Ranma finds Worf sulking in the family's practice room. Having seen her wife Usagi train, she decided to at least perform some Tai Chi exercises.

"What are you doing here, Worf?" Ranma says, as she sets down her workout towel and water bottle.

Worf stops his Klingon exercises known as "Mok'bara", which is an aggressive version of Tai'Chi.

"You said that I could use your personal gym, correct?"

"Um, yeah. But this is the first time you actually took up on my offer."

Ranma pauses.

"So why are you hiding from Ezri?"

Worf looks at Ranma sharply.

"I AM NOT HIDING!"

"Calm down, Worf," Ranma says, as she goes up to the Klingon. "I'm a 'Dahar Master', remember?"

Worf visibly calms down.

"Alright, I am not 'hiding' from Ezri. I am here to ask you something."

Worf goes over to the side, and brings up a portrait.

"The counselor gave me a gift that Jadzia left a gift for me."

Ranma looks at the portrait.

"Wow," Ranma says. "I'm impressed that Jadzia is bold enough to do a semi-nude portrait."

"So, you DID paint this?"

"No…why do you say that?"

"Because of this," Worf says, as he points out the signature on the piece.

It was hers.

"Wow…I don't remember signing this before."

"So you are saying that you didn't do this?"

"No, I'm saying that I don't remember signing THIS before," Ranma says. "That doesn't mean that I didn't, or WILL do it."

"'Will'?"

"Yeah. I'm an experienced time-traveler, remember?"

"I see."

"You shouldn't make such a big deal about it, Worf. Obviously, Jadzia had something to do about it. When? Even I am not sure about THAT."

Worf nods his head in satisfaction.

"Say, since you are here, you want to train together?" Ranma asks.

"Very well. But, considering your condition-"

"Look, I appreciate your concern, but I am NOT a helpless cow, you know."

"Very well," Worf says. "Then I shall treat you like the targ that you nick-name is inspired by."

"Right. By the way, O'Brien told me that you've been getting belligerent lately, because of the whole Dax situation."

"Yes, I will apologize for that to those I have offended lately."

"Good. We're family now, and I expect your best behavior, okay?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Ranma gives Worf "The Look".

"My apologies. I meant to say, 'Yes, SIR'."

"That's better."

A short time later, Ranma finds herself in yet another staff meeting, in Fleet Captain Benjamin Sisko's office. Since returning, Sisko has taken over Usagi's duties as the chief executive officer in the Bajor System.

"…Okay," Sisko says, as he pulls out another datapad. "With Worf, Ranma and Usagi going to a Federation induction conference with the 'Evora', I will need Commanders Pert, Hibiki and Kuno to take up the slack a bit, which means that, Pert will switch 'uniforms'."

"Sir?" Pert asks.

"Congratulations, Commander Pert. You will be the new 'XO' for USS Reliant."

"Wait a minute!" Ryouga yells. "That's MY command!"

"It still is, Ryouga," Ranma says, as she beams a smile.

That's when it dawns on him.

"Ohhhh."

"And it seems that more congratulations are also in order…Captain Hibiki," Sisko says.

"Man, Starfleet is certainly giving out the promotions a lot lately," Chief O'Brien says.

"That's because we are loosing many command officers to the Dominion, I am afraid," Usagi says. "Besides, Starfleet wants to utilize Ranma's background as an intelligence officer now more than ever, leaving me in command of the Valiant, and will Worf will work closely with her as the 'Strategic Operations Officer'."

"Great," Ranma says. "I'm stuck on a desk."

"Still, Ranma will remain the executive officer in matters concerning Starfleet," Sisko says.

"But where does THAT leave me?" asked Colonel Kira Nerys.

"You are still the station second-in-command, and can, in matters of Bajor, veto most matters concerning Starfleet operations in this sector. You ARE the Bajoran liaison, after all."

"I see."

"At any rate, Lt. Kiima will be the senior Starfleet Security Specialist, which will mean a promotion for her. Congratulations, Lt/Commander."

"Thank you for the promotion, sir," said the Kiima, as she folded her wings. "I will not disappoint you."

"See that you don't. Next order of business concerns the 'Augments'. Dr. Bashir and Counselor Ezri will be working with them during their stay here."

"Yes," Bashir says. "I believe that I may found a way to cure Sarina's 'catalepsy'."

"What?" Ranma asked.

"It's a rare side effect from the augmentation process that causes a 'disconnect' in the neural pathways," Usagi says.

Everyone stares at Usagi as if she grew another head.

"…"

"What? I used to be a medical doctor a while back, remember? I was certainly trained in physiological psychology as a 'Starfleet Counselor' more recently. Sheesh!"

"What I do not understand is how Sarina and her three other friends managed to circumvent security protocols by poising as Starfleet Officers," Odo says. "With your permission, I would like to make 'suggestions' on how to improve upon them."

"Granted," Sisko says. "And Doctor? Be sure to convey all movements with Odo and Kiima."

"But sir-"

"I'm not talking about what you do during your meetings with your patient; I'm talking about where you and your patents go while they are here."

"Understood. Oh, and if I may, I could use some assistance from Usagi."

"Oh?"

"Yes, considering her background beyond just medical science, we might have a better chance at helping these Augments this time."

"I'll do what I can, Doctor," Usagi replies.

"Thank you, Captain."

"Next order of business is a more…personal," Sisko says.

"We've heard, sir," O'Brien says. "You want to get an 'intra-fleet baseball game' going between you and your 'rival' Captain Solak of the USS T'Kumba."

"That's a 'Phoenix-class' starship, isn't it?" Bashir asks.

"Yep."

Sisko looks at O'Brien and then at Ranma.

"Hey, Solak HIMSELF told me what was going on, when he was here yesterday," Ranma says. "After all, the two of you took my course in 'Advanced Tactics' at the Academy, and Solak considers me his 'honorable fight master'. As if he can act like a samurai…"

"I didn't know you taught at the Academy, Captain," Pert says.

"Oh, yeah…numerous times. Back then, I was a civilian instructor."

"Then, why did you return to duty? Surely you would be an 'Admiral' by now, if you had never retired in the first place."

"Pert, do I look like I belong to a desk?"

"Well…"

"I mean, when I'm not 'with child'," Ranma said, as she rolled her eyes. She hated walking around in maternity wear.

"You are correct, Ranma."

"Damn, right!"

"Anyway," Sisko interjects, "we have a few days to practice before the game. And we need to get our players ready. Any suggestions?"

Silence.

"Well…how about me for starters?" Usagi says.

"You, Captain?" O'Brien says.

"Yes, ME. I have you know that I hold the all time record for pitches thrown as a member of the 'Fraternity of the Galaxy Police' baseball team. They didn't call me 'The Loon' for nothing."

Ranma was about to say something.

"And THAT is ALL, Ranma!" Usagi yelled.

"We have our pitcher, what else?" Sisko says.

"I can be a good catcher," O'Brien says.

"I have not played baseball in centuries," Kiima begins, "but I can relearn the basics."

"I played softball at the Academy," Pert says.

"And Captain Saotome did teach me how to play the game when I lived under her roof," Worf says.

"Since Ranma is with child, I shall take his place," Ryouga smirked, as he looked at his friend.

"Why, you-!" Ranma began. She hated being reminded of her present condition…by Ryouga of all people.

"I prefer cricket to baseball," Bashir says. "But it will be good for my patients if they see that it is possible to see me interact with others."

"We'll need a power hit," Ranma says. She then turns to Amanda. "Doctor-"

"Ranma, don't you DARE say it!" yells Amanda.

"So you are in?" Sisko asks, ignoring the usual outburst that occurs whenever his officers "get into IT".

"Yes, sir," Amanda says. "Count me IN!"

"How about me?" Kira asks. "I don't know much about this 'baseball', but I am willing to learn."

"I can teach you, my dear Colonel," says Taisuke Kuno says. "Like a gardener, I shall make your rose bloom."

"Fat chance, Commander," Kira says. "NO ONE shall touch my flower…but me!"

Everyone sweats-drop.

"I don't know if I can play-"

"Actually, we can always use some measure of support," Sisko says. "We can use 'cheerleaders'."

"'Cheerleaders', sir?"

"Those are the girls who would give moral support to the home by cheering."

"Oh. Well, I'm sure Leeta can help me in that regard."

"Good. I expect everyone to show up for practiceIf there is nothing further, I say that this meeting is adjourned."

A few minutes later, Ranma and Ezri are in Ezri's office, where a meeting between Ranma and Garak the Tailor will take place. As the on-hand Intelligence Officer, Ranma was to interview Garak for more information regarding Cardassian activity within the Dominion. Being Counselor was more than being just a 'shrink'. In recent years, the Starfleet Counselors had to take on the role of advisor and legal representative, since there was not guarantee that every ship or station would have a proper "JAG" officer on hand (as was the case when Commander Data of the USS Entrprise-E was put "on trial" to determine if he, as a machine, was sentient, and Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Data's commanding officer, was his advocate).

"It is good to see you again, Captain," Garak says. "I take it that your maternal wear is adequate?"

"Yes," Ranma replies, with a slight annoyance. "You do go work. And I take it that Counselor Dax has been helping you on your…claustrophobia?"

Garak glances at Ezri, and then back at Ranma.

"Yes, after a fashion," Garak says. "I was suffering from the illness due to what I had thought stems from my seeming betrayal of Cardassia by actively siding with the Federation Alliance."

"Garak has gotten a lot off his chest, Captain," Ezri says, as she puts a hand on Garak's left knee. "I believe he will make great progress."

"Oh, don't be so modest, Counselor," Garak says. He then turns to Ranma. "You must understand that throughout this time, I was a rude and obnoxious patient. Her patience with ME allowed me to open to her. I have much to apologize for my behavior of late."

"I see," Ranma says. "Garak, you have nothing to apologize for. Many men have sided with their convictions of their principles, rather than siding with the will of the State."

Ranma feels her bulging belly.

"And may be ALL of us must go through Hell in order to reevaluate where our priorities lie."

Garak nods in understanding, knowing how much the Captain has gone through lately, starting with her involvement in the Maquis, acquiring the assistance of the Romulans through duplicitous means, and ending with the necessary kill she had made in order to stop her best friend Ukyo Kuonji (although she was possessed by a "Pagh Wrath"). The Cardassian was amazed that a human with this potential to dominate the galaxy is willing to sacrifice so much to protect those she loved. That was something Garak could respect.

"Of course, Captain," Garak says. "Of that, we can all agree."

"Now then," Ranma says, as she began her interview. "Let's begin…"

Later in the day, Ranma discusses what to do with "Ucchan's" with Shampoo. It hadn't been used since what had happened since Ukyo Kuonji, the shop owner, had died. However, since Nabiki, through Quark, owned the lease to the shop, and since Nabiki has not been around lately (which was not unusual for her), it was up to Ranma, as Nabiki's husband, to handle the matter.

"So let me see," Ranma says, as she goes over the documentation. "YOU want 'Ucchan's' to reopen?"

"Yes, Ranma," said the reigning Joketzouko matriarch. Since the mid-21st century, Xian Pu (or "Shampoo") has led her Amazon tribe well into the 24th century. And thanks to her unique bloodline, she is still as fit as ever; her own great-grandmother Khu Lon (or simply "Cologne") was an adopted Amazon who married into the family, and thus did not have Shampoo's gifts. Shampoo did wonder if she should have waited for Ranma's return, now knowing that Ranma was allowed to legally marry more than one woman. Still, she, like Cologne, was still determined to have Ranma's bloodline into her own family. Even though she now knew that Ranma was one of four people who were the templates of the original Amazon nation, and that Shampoo's ancestor was Prince Yosho of Jurai…Ranma's grandfather. If she were able to convince her own great-granddaughter Pert to marry Ranma (something that the girl did NOT want to do), then the family's bloodline would be strengthen.

And all the while, Ranma knew about this, but could care less. At least Pert agrees with her on THAT particular point.

"But why would YOU want that?" Ranma asked. "Wasn't Ukyo one of your, I don't know, a competitor?"

"She…was, Ranma," Shampoo says. "But her memory should not be forgotten."

Ranma nods, and then turns to her companion.

"You SURE you want to do this, Leeta?" Ranma asked.

The Bajoran young woman mulls over Ranma's words.

"Thanks to your wife, I'm learning how to be independent," Leeta says, referring to the fact that she became a member of the Bene Gesserit order because of Usagi, as part of her attempt to stop being a 'Dabo-Girl'. "But with this opportunity to operate 'Ucchan's'…I can BE independent."

Ranma nods, as she turns her head back to Shampoo.

"You think Leeta has what it takes to make okonomiyaki?"

"She is able," Shampoo says. "I was thinking that as part of the festivities of the upcoming baseball game, Leeta will sell her wares to the audience while 'The Cat Café' contributes as well."

"That could work. Ezri will be disappointed that she have one-short on her cheerleading squad."

"You and your male proclivities- wait, I forgot…you're of the superior gender now," Shampoo says with a smirk.

"Ha, ha."

Shampoo joins in the laugh, but inwardly, she was a nervous wreck. As far as Ranma knew, Ukyo was interned back home in Japan, and was not missing. She had her Amazon trackers hunting for Ukyo's body. So far, nothing has turned up. Shampoo did not want to tell Ranma what has happened out of fear for both her and her unborn children's well-being. Better to have Ranma angry at her than to risk innocent lives.

"Heh, yeah..."

Meanwhile, Ezri was doing some last minute reading before closing up shop for the day. She hopes to get to meet her "cheerleading squad" before she turns in. As she went over her reports, she seemingly drifts off to sleep…

BRRRRING!

The woman lying in bed wakes up to the sound of an alarm clock.

"Lights," the she says, as the woman known as "Vesper" realizes that she was not alone.

"Oh, that's right," says Vesper with a smile.

In response, she felt strong arms encircling her.

"Hmmm…that feels good, Mr. Saotome."

"I aim to please, Miss Dax," Ranma says, as he cuddles with his beloved.

The green-eyed Trill turns her head towards her male companion. She scans Ranma's head.

"What?"

"Oh, I was just thinking that you'd look better with long-hair."

Ranma chuckled.

"What?"

"You know, I was thinking of the same thing, Ves. I just wanted to look 'hardcore', that's all."

"Well, you're just a teddy-bear-"

DING-DONG!

Vesper looks at the door to their hotel suite and then at Ranma.

"Hold on," Ranma says, as he pulls his pistol from underneath his side of the bed. It was a modified phaser that had a suppressed energy discharge. He crept forward, with his gun cocked to his side. Just as he was about to get to the door-

BLAM!

The door bursts in. Vesper could only make out the silhouette of the intruders.

"Ranma!" Vesper cried out, as the room is "rushed".

"Dax!" Ranma replied.

"Dax, wake up!"

"Huh?" Ezri says, as she felt herself being shaken by Captain Saotome. Ezri's eyes focus on Ranma.

"Dax, are you okay?" Ranma asks. "I was passing by from 'Ucchan's', when I saw you screaming."

"Oh, sorry about that. Just some weird dream I just had. It's probably nothing."

"Well…this may be a bit of a stretch, but maybe you can talk to Usagi. She is still a certified 'Counselor', you know."

"I may take up your offer, Ranma."

"Good. Well…you take care now."

"I will."

And Ranma turns to leave.

"You know, what the funny thing is? In my dream, you, as a guy, were a lover of a past life that I don't remember having. Isn't that weird?"

Ranma froze for a moment.

"Ranma?"

"Hmm? Sorry, something just came over me. Later."

"Okay…"

As Ranma walked back to her home, she was mulling over her thoughts.

Does Ezri know the truth about herself? Ranma thought. But that's impossible! I made SURE that the records concerning "Vesper Dax" were erased from both the database and from living memory!

Meanwhile, Lokidis was in her inner sanctum, observing her handiwork. She certainly likes playing up her role as "The Goddess of Mischief".

"And so it begins," Lokidis says, as she peers into her globe, which she uses to observe everything that takes place aboard the station. "Let's see how Serenity's plans fair now-"

ZAP!

"Oh, FRELL!" Ranko says, as she realizes where she was. "Where am I now?"

She then looks at her clothes.

"And why am dressed like Snow White's evil step-mother?"

Wherever Lokidis was, she was surely yelling expletives at the limited time she has to cause trouble.

Tbc.