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.
Author's Note: This chapter covers some back story that I had forgotten to include in previous chapters. Enjoy!
Part 49
"Okay, here's the situation," Janeway said, as she looked at her counterpart in her Ready Room. "Somehow, we entered a field of space where two timelines intersect. In one, a rogue Viidian faction is attacking us, in order to harvest the crew's organs."
"Correct," said the other Janeway.
"But, in your case, your Ranko destroyed the invaders."
"Correct," the other Janeway sighed. "Ranko had previously warned the Viidians not to attack Voyager, and, well…"
"They didn't believe 'her'."
"Correct. In fact, they specifically targeted Ranko first, in order to deliver a knockout blow, thereby allowing them to overwhelm MY Voyager."
"Well, I'm glad that clears things," Janeway said, as she turned her eyes towards the two Ranko(s), who were cuddling each other, while one sat down on the other's lap. "Uh-hum?"
"Sorry, Captain," Ranko said, as the other Ranko giggled. "You know how narcissistic I can be sometimes."
"Nevertheless, we have to resolve this situation, by sending the other Voyager and its crew home," Tuvok said.
"If MY Voyager is sent back to its original timeline, we could have Viidian reprisals," the other Tuvok said.
"It seems to me that you have things under control," said Chakotay.
"Perhaps, but we might not be able to return to our proper timeline," replied the other Chakotay.
"Ah, excuse me," said the other Ranko, as she reaches over to her own data pad. "Yes. According to my calculations, to find the point of singularity to enter is astronomical; to find the correct timeline, more so."
"Then what can we do, then?" Janeway asked. "Not to sound egotistical, but this Universe isn't big enough for TWO Janeway(s), I mean, two Voyager(s)."
"Fusion?" Ranko offered.
"Sounds complicated," other Ranko said. "Wait, we should call in a specialist."
"You know, you're right!"
"What are you two talking about?" asked the other Janeway.
Just then, a tweed-suited young man in a bow tie enters the Ready Room.
"The Doctor, is IN!" the Doctor said, as jovially proclaimed himself. He then frowned.
"That sounded a bit…too forward…"
"Who are you?" Janeway asked.
"And how did you arrive here?" Tuvok said, ready to utilize his phaser on the uninvited guest.
"Well, I was sent here thanks to a request 'Ranko' will make in the future," the Doctor said. "You know, timey-whimey sort of stuff."
"I hate these paradoxical matters," Ranko said.
"Why is that?" Chakotay asked.
"'Cuz I have to remember to do it, or BOOM! No more Universe."
"Oh, don't be so overly-dramatic," the Doctor said, as he straightens his bow-tie. He then turned to the two Janeways.
"Now, let's solve a riddle in time…"
A few days later…
"Great, just great," Ranko said, as she scouted the area around the camp she and Tuvok had made, after crashing on some unknown moon. "I'm dealing with a Vulcan who is always questioning my judgment, an injured crewman who wants me to kiss him, as his 'dying request', an alien race that is threatening Voyager for defiling their sacred moon…"
Ranko paused to see three kids that were standing behind her.
"And I am dealing with abandoned kids that are disappearing, one-by-one, due to some invisible monster or something," Ranko said.
"You look pretty," said one of the kids.
"Can I do your hair?" asked another.
"Will you be my girlfriend?" said yet another kid.
"Thanks, later…and NO," Ranko said, as she taps her combadge. "Ranko to Tuvok."
"Tuvok: here," said the voice via Ranko's communications device. "What is your situation?"
"I'm telling you, there aren't any monsters around," Ranko said. "I told you that I'm an experienced tracker."
"Nevertheless, we should rely on our technology more, in light of the situation."
"You know, technically, I outrank you, Tuvok."
"Technically, yes, but not in this case," Tuvok replied. "Keep me informed of your progress. Tuvok: out."
Ranko made a face, before relaxing a bit.
"Well, what now?" one of the boys asked.
"Well, you don't want to return to your people, because you guys say that you three were sent here to die," Ranko said.
"Uh-huh," nodded the girl.
"And that the monster takes you into that cave, over there," Ranko said, as she thumbs the cave. "But I don't detect any monsters, though I do detect a lot of energy in there."
"Really?" asked one of the boys.
"Really."
"But…how?"
"Hmmm," Ranko said, as she relaxed her thoughts, before she began to speak. "All around us is life: some small, some great. It binds us, and gives us strength. But most of all, this…life energy is but a sliver of energy that exists throughout the Universe…"
Pause.
"And some people are talented enough to manifest this energy into something visible," Ranko concluded.
"Can we see?" asked one of the kids.
"Eh, sure, why not?" Ranko said with a shrug. She then presents her open palm, facing upward, to her captive audience.
Hummmmm…
"Wow," said the one of the kids, as they all look at the glowing ball of energy. "That is SO cool."
"Yeah, it is," Ranko said with a smile. She then turned her attention back towards the cave.
"You kids stay here," Ranko said, as she gets up.
"But, what about the monster?" the girl asked.
"Eh," Ranko replied with a shrug, as she dissipates her ki sphere. "You've seen one creepy-crawly, you've seen them all."
And, with that, Ranko journeys into the mystery cave, determined as to why this particular place was significant to what was going on the planet surface. She hoped that whatever was causing the aliens above them to get weird about this moon will also be answered…
"I am warning you, Captain Janeway, you are treading on dangerous territory," said a stern-looking female, as she confronted Janeway and her crew.
"I'm not leaving without my people, First Prelate Alicia," Janeway replied.
"It's okay," Ranko said, as she appeared with the kids in tow.
"Why did you not respond to my summons?" Tuvok asked.
"I was busy?" Ranko replied. She then turned towards Janeway.
"Captain, the reason why this place is significant to these people is that this moon stores the life essences of their species," Ranko replied. "And, it's HUGE."
Janeway turned back towards Alicia.
"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" Janeway asked.
"Because, this place is not just a place to store our people's 'lifeforce', captain," Alicia said. "This is a place where our people…pass on."
"Then why did you put children here?" Tuvok asked.
"We do not have children here," Alicia said softly, as she goes up to the kids. "Why don't you tell these people the truth?"
The kids sighed, as the girl steps forth.
"We haven't been honest with you all," the girl said. "We are not…children."
"You do look like children, though," Janeway said.
"That is because, when we are about to die, we regress in physical age, before this moon takes our life-force at the point of…death."
"But I am hold enough to date you, Ranko," said one of the boys with a knowing smile. "In spite of my looks, I think I can satisfy your needs."
"Great," Ranko replied. "I'm dealing with another old pervert…"
"We apologize for the inconvenience, First Prelate," Janeway said, as she motions her people to stand-down.
"And we, as well, captain," Alicia replied. "And, perhaps, we can come to trust outsiders on a case-by-case basis."
"One can only hope…"
A few days later…
"I recognize that missile," Ranko said, as Voyager was chasing a rather large Cardassian, which was on a course to a heavily populated planet in a nearby sector.
"You do?" Janeway asked.
"Yeah. Back during the Federation-Cardassian War, my team came upon a similar prototype weapon, called a 'Dreadnaught Missile'. We had thought that the project was shelved, after the lab facilities were destroyed, but, I guess not."
"Okay, so, then we have to do something about the weapon," Janeway said. "Using standard weapons is not going to cut it, since it has active shielding capabilities, not to mention the fact that it has an AI built into it."
"I could use the Instant Transmission Technique to get inside, circumventing the shield frequency, but deactivating or destroying that thing is going to be a two-person job," Ranko said.
"Then, I want you and B'Ellana to go through the assignment," Janeway said.
"You said about using your technique of yours that first time," Tuvok replied. "What do you mean by that?"
"My technique and transporter technology work using the same principle," Ranko said. "The difference is the intensity of the field, which would make things rough getting through."
"Like trying to swim though honey," Harry Kim replied.
"Precisely."
"Then, this will be some tricky timing," Janeway said. "Get ready."
"Yes, ma'am," Ranko replied.
A short time later, Ranko and B'Ellana managed to slip into the missile. However, the space within was a bit…tight.
"I really hope you're not getting your jollies like this," B'Ellana replied.
"Oh, please," Ranko replied. "If I wanted to 'get with you', I would have done it long before now."
"Humph, you wish!"
"Whatever," Ranko replied, as she takes out her Tricorder. "Okay. Now, the Cardassians might have changed some details of this missiles overall design, but there should be some consistency over all."
"Okay," B'Ellana replied, as she opens her tool kit. "So, what should we work on first?"
"The AI itself," Ranko replied. "If the backdoors are still in place, we should be able to get into 'BOOT mode'. Once done, the AI will not have any access to its additional functions."
"Like going into 'Safe Mode'."
"Precisely. However, considering that we're dealing with an AI, it will attempt to reassert itself within 60 seconds. How long after that, for full control over its systems, I don't know."
"Well, then, we should proceed," B'Ellana said, as she begins her work.
"Aren't you suppose to say something first?"
"Like what?"
"You know, the Klingon proverb, 'It's a good day to die'?"
"I'm only HALF Klingon. So, uh, NO."
"Spoil sport…"
"You should have destroyed that missile," Tuvok said.
"Look, the armament has been removed, and the AI has been salvaged," Ranko said.
"For what purpose?" Chakotay replied.
"We can use the Dreadnaught as an advanced probe," B'Ellana replied, as she hands her findings to Janeway. "It's a win for us."
"Agreed, though I really wish that you have told me about it first," Janeway said.
"It was a last minute thing, captain," Ranko said.
"I'm sure…"
A week later…
"So, let get this straight," Ranko said, as she confront the AI that was determined to torture the surviving colonists of Khol—and Harry Kim—in a virtual environment. "You are willing to allow Harry to go, if I take his place?"
Somehow, within the virtual environment that had been created, thanks to the computer system that was keeping the colonists alive, a malevolent clown had manifested itself. Torres was able to escape with the colonists, but Kim was still trapped in VR. In fact, The Clown, determined to live, was using Kim as a bargaining chip in order to stay alive.
"Why, of course, my dear," The Clown replied jovially. "You seem like the sort of challenge my craft can…undo."
"You think you can torture me to give up MY fears?" Ranko said.
"Of course. After all, this is MY world."
"Alright," Ranko replied. "You're on."
"Oh, joy!" the Clown said happily. He motions his fellow clowns to release Kim from the guillotine.
"You, may go."
"Ranko, are you sure you want to do this?" Kim asked.
"Oh, I'm VERY sure, Harry," Ranko said. "Now, get out here."
Kim takes one last look at Ranko, then at the Clown, and then disappears from VR.
"Now, what fears do you have, little girl?" the Clown said, with an evil grin.
"Interesting that you would say that, because I'm going to show you what I 'fear'," Ranko said, as she touched her mind. "Your first mistake is thinking that I don't know how to navigate VR."
"What…do you mean by that-?"
The Clown now finds himself on his knees.
"What?" the Clown said, as he looks up to see a clown version of Nodoka Saotome, who wielded an exaggerated version of her family sword.
"You are NOT a man-amongst-men!" Nodoka-clown said, as she brought her sword down.
SLICE!
"No!" the Clown said, as he shielded his face.
Suddenly, found himself dangling over a pit of hungry cats.
"This training will make you unbeatable!" said a clown version of Genma Saotome. Well, how about Genma Saotome, since he's already a "clown".
"MRRRRRRRRR!" several hungry cats yowled.
"In you go!"
"No!" the Clown yelled, as he felt his flesh being torn apart.
Finally, a clown version of Akane Tendo hefts a huge mallet overhead.
"PERVERT!" Akane-clown yelled, as she proceeds to play "Whack-a-Mole" with the Clown as the target.
WHAM!
WHAM!
WHAM!
Meanwhile, back in the real world, Ranko hands over a data cub containing the Clown, repurposed as a program.
"Isn't this a bit much?" Janeway asked, as she examines the data cube.
"Hey, that guy had it coming," Ranko said. "And as long as no one hooks that device to the holodeck, we should be fine."
"One can only hope…"
Tbc.
