Star Trek: Ranma's Chronicles - By DS Wynne

Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2, Sailor Moon and Star Trek belong to their respective owners.

Note: This is a multi-genre story.

Special Note: THERE ARE SOME SPOILERS FOR THE MOVIE "CASINO ROYALE". YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.


Part 56: "Normalcy, Act 4".


Meanwhile on New Genesis…

"Ranma, how do you think Ezri will handle the truth about us?"

Ranma Prime looks over at Jadzia the Trill Goddess, as the two lounge on the front porch of his cottage, while sipping "nectar". The air was cool, and the skies were partially cloudy.

"You think she'll end up developing feelings for me?" Ranma asks.

"Well…would she?" Jadzia asks.

"You know I can't tell you the future."

"Oh, that's right…from YOUR vantage point, what Ezri will learn has already happen."

"Precisely."

"Oh."

Silence.

"So, how DID you get involved on that mission? You know, the one that allowed us to me?"

Ranma looks out into the distance.

"It was two years after I had trans-versed the space-time continuum. A year before, I was confined for 'observation', to see that I was fit to return to duty. However, the only thing I cared about was bidding my time, so I didn't care about serving in Starfleet anymore. And then, one day…a certain 'Ice Queen' walked into my life…"

FLASHBACK!

2163 CE: New Zealand, Earth.

During this time of year on Earth, the island state of New Zealand was in the last throes of summer. The United Federation of Planets was still organizing itself as the premier, humanistic governmental body in the Alpha Quadrant, as well as hammer out various economic and political treaties within its membership. In particular, there were those who were concerned about the power and scope of "Starfleet", particularly since humans will play a leading role in this regard. With Earth's victory over the Romulans, the Federation has a chance to grow into a real political entity.

And none of that mattered to Lt/Commander Ranma Saotome, a member of the elite special operations team known as "MACO", which stands for "Military Assault and Control Organization". MACOs were the equivalent of the old US Navy SEAL units that existed up until the mid-21st century, an irony that was not lost on Ranma, considering his "water-based", shape-shifting Jusenkyo curse. He has served as a MACO aboard the NX-01 Enterprise from its inception, first as a visiting Starfleet Academy cadet, and then as a full member of Starfleet itself. Originally, Ranma wanted to go into Security, but events involving the near-destruction of the Earth by alien forces mitigated a career change. And with all things, the birth of Starfleet meant changes in military protocol, hence designation of "Lt/Commander" instead of "Major" (which will be used in the new "Starfleet Marine Corp").

At any rate, it didn't matter much to Ranma, since, once he is cleared, he planned on retiring to Japan, where he hopes to re-open the Tendo Training Hall to teach martial arts…

"Hey, Ranma!" says an attendant, as he enters the courtyard. New Zealand served as both a correctional facility and a sanitarium; Ranma was placed in the sanitarium for evaluation.

Ranma ignored the call, as he continued to practice his painting. His evaluators suggested this as a hobby, during his stay.

"Ranma, I'm talking to you-!"

Ffft! Ffft! Ffft-!

The attendant suddenly found him self pinned to a nearby tree by paintbrushes.

The enigmatic "N" smirks at this sight. This older, Japanese business-like woman should have expected such a display from the likes of Saotome. She was dressed in a business suit, and a light, tan overcoat. She carried a thin, metal briefcase by her side, while holding a data-pad.

"That will be all," says N, as she casually pulls out the brushes from the tree trunk.

"But ma'am-!"

"I said, 'That will be all'. Now GO."

After the attendant leaves, N turns to Ranma.

"That was an interesting display, Saotome," N says.

Ranma says nothing.

"You haven't returned my messages."

"That's because I am NOT interested in working for you, 'N'…or whatever you call yourself," Ranma says, as he puts his paintbrush down. "One, I've just returned from a LONG, trip. And, two, I don't know who the hell you are."

N nods her head.

"I see. Well, then, let me reply. One, I am recruiting you precisely because of your experiences, and, two, I work for a branch within the Federation government that not even the Federation knows about."

"Let me guess…are we talking about 'Section 31'?"

"…"

"Don't be surprised, my dear N. As soon as I was 'asked' to receive an evaluation, I hacked into the Federation's computer network. I figured SOMEONE was interested in me. I do wonder why the same level of scrutiny was not made with…the others."

N clears her throat.

"For one thing, T'Pol, Hoshi Sato, and even Usagi Tsukino do not have the qualities that S31 is looking for. And besides…the mission that I am offering to you is of a highly sensitive nature."

Ranma squinted his eyes.

"This is something that YOU, alone, are offering, with very little to do with S31, isn't it?"

"Actually, you are only partially right," N says, as she hands Saotome a datapad. "As you know, Earth suspected that the Romulans were behind the deaths of Admiral Akane Tendo-Saotome and…your children."

"Yes, I KNOW that," Ranma says. "And I was prevented from making those bastards pay for what they did."

"I know," N says. "And now to the point. S31 managed to track down the people responsible for the assassinations. Officially, the Federation does not want a new war with the Romulans. However…that does not mean that the culprits behind the murders should escape justice. By accepting my offer, you will have a chance at being the instrument of that justice. You will receive a promotion and the appropriate pay-grade, of course."

Ranma looks into N's eyes. Essentially, he was being offered the chance to make right what went wrong…

"Alright, I'm in," Ranma says, as he gets up. "I take it that I'm on my own, if I get caught or something?"

"…"

"On second thought, don't answer that. The last thing we all need is an 'interstellar incident' caused by grief-stricken 'crazy man'."

"You're selling yourself short, Saotome."

"Perhaps, but I prefer to lower expectations as a means of overwhelming the audience. I AM a showman, after all."

"…"

A few weeks later…

The former head of the Vulcan High Council (formerly the Vulcan High Command) silently cursed himself, as he entered his office. The air was starting to cool down, once the sun has set. V'Las had reports that key members of his staff were being found murdered in rather gruesome displays. What clinched it for the Vulcan was the fact that his Romulan contact, Major Talok, was also killed, on Earth at a nightclub (as a disguised Terran). Whoever was killing his network of contacts would surely go after him-

And then, V'Las noticed that a hidden panel on the wall, behind a painting of a famed Vulcan philosopher, was open. Quickly, but calmly, V'Las goes over to check to see which contents within the panel were disturbed-

And then, V'Las turns around to see Ranma sitting there on a nearby chair, nearly swallowed up in the shadows. He was no longer sporting his trademark wild-hair and pigtail. Now, Ranma's hair was clipped short, almost in a crew cut, and slicked back. He wore a mid-length, (black leather) jacket, white t-shirt, khaki slacks, and comfortable black shoes. His legs were crossed, and his arms were resting on the chair's armrest. V'Las looks into Ranma's eyes, and knows instantly who was behind the killings.

"Ah, Commander Saotome," V'Las says, as he takes off his outer robes, and sitting them down on a nearby stool. "I see that you have been released from your…confinement."

"Yes, I have, Councilor V'Las," Ranma replies. "I take it that the fact that I am still referring you as 'Councilor', means that your duplicitous actions has yet to be found out."

V'Las gives Ranma a smile, something that was uncharacteristically "non-Vulcan".

"You know me very well, Saotome," V'Las says, as he peeks into a panel, and levels a disruptor at Ranma. "Which is why I cannot allow you to live," V'Las says, as he pulls on the trigger.

Nothing.

Ranma shows V'Las the energy cartridge used for his weapon.

"I see," V'Las says, as he sets the disruptor down. "So, I take it that SOMEONE has sent you to take care of me?"

"Actually, had I've known about your involvement in my wife's death before hand, I would have gone after you and your crew on my own a LONG time ago. Though, I do have to admit that with some help, I found your Romulan contact with quite the ease…"

Ranma's mind's eye goes back to the nightclub, where he finds Major Talok, who was undercover disguised as a Terran businessman. Vulcanoids (which include Romulans) are typically stronger than humans, due to their unique physiology. However, Ranma was stronger than most sentient beings in the Milky Way Galaxy; and what he lacked in brute strength, he made up in skills. And when he did not care about finesse, Ranma was thoroughly ruthless in a fight…especially after his experiences on Apocalypse.

BAM!

Ranma slammed Talok on the bathroom stall, breaking it nearly into pieces. He then grabs the man, picks him up, hit him a few times with his fists, knees him and then tosses the Romulan agent against the wash bin, breaking it in the process.

"If I may ask, how did Talok expire?" V'Las asked.

Ranma gives off a smirk.

"Not very well," Ranma replied.

Talok gets up, and rushes at Ranma. The martial artist merely stuck out his right hand, and began to squeeze. Talok found him self gripped in some sort of invisible force, as his body was raised in the air…

"You were responsible for my family's murder," Ranma says, as his eyes began to change color from gray-blue to orange-red. "Prepare to die…"

"Kill with the Force, you must not, Ranma…"

"Stay out of this, old man," Ranma said, as the shade of Yoda, a master of the Jedi Arts from the distant "Lucas Galaxy" appears. It has been eons since Ranma has had any sort of conversation with his former mentor and teacher. "Where were you when I was a thrall of 'The Dark Side'?"

"Some places, I cannot go to," Yoda says from the ether. "Of that, I am sorry. Choice you have now, Ranma. Look within yourself, or surely you will Fall like Anakin."

It was then Ranma notices his reflection from the restroom mirror. He notices the color of his eyes.

They were the first signs of "Sithdom".

He saw this when he fought Anakin on Mustafar.

He saw this when his surrogate daughter Leia fought the Emperor.

Suddenly, Ranma lets go of Talok. He remembered how Granny and Desaad brought out the darkness within with such ease, when, in a fit of arrogance, Ranma took on Darkseid himself. His pride of not being defeated by anyone, something that he should have paid attention when he looked within himself during HIS session in the "Cave of Insight" on Dagobah. Perhaps he used his need to protect others to avoid his own issues…

As Ranma reached down for the Romulan agent's data node (a listing of known contacts), which was dropped during the fight, the Romulan suddenly springs to action to shoot Ranma in the back with a disruptor shot. Ranma quickly spins around, and unleashes a concentrated bolt of "Force Lightning", by pointing his index and middle fingers at his heart.

ZAP!

The force of the bolt went straight through the agent in spectacular fashion, sending the now dead Talok crashing back into the far wall.

"I am sorry to know that, Commander," V'Las says.

"I just want to know one thing," Ranma begins. "Were you actively involved in my family's death, or were you simply the facilitator? And what was the motivation?"

"Simple. You, as the inheritor of Surek's 'katra', are an abomination and a threat to the Vulcan's way of life. If it hadn't been for YOU, Vulcan and Romulus would have been reunified, and it would be WE who would be the strongest race in the Quadrant. But to answer your question…yes, it was I who 'suggested' that you should pay for what you have done to MY plans."

"Uh-huh," Ranma says, as he suddenly pulls out a Romulan disruptor…the one that once belonged to Talok, which was designed for "silenced" kills.

BZT-BZT!

V'Las slump over dead, having died from the kill shot.

"Humph," Ranma says, as he slips the weapon back into his coat pocket. "What a JERK."

"Careful you must be, Young Ranma," Yoda says, as his spectral form appears again in front of Ranma. "Sith, you must not become."

"Master Yoda, Councilor V'Las' actions caused an interstellar war…and his actions, if known, could have caused another. He was as corrupt as any Sith."

The tiny, long-eared green man in solemn robes gives Ranma an arched eyebrow.

"Okay, okay, I promise not to abuse the lessons you have taught me. Sheesh!"

"Good," Yoda says with pride. "One of my favorite students, you are. Turn to the Dark Side, you must not."

Yoda bows his head in salute.

"Be seeing you…"

And with that, Yoda disappears.

Ranma (sometimes referred to as "Ranma ben Yoda", while his surrogate daughter, and student, Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan, is referred to as "Leia ben Ranma" in Jedi lexicon) sighed, as he made sure that he didn't leave any tracks. He conveniently left a message to the security services that V'Las wanted their attention. And when that happened, there will be enough of V'Las' "inside supporters" to want to table the matter as nothing more than a holdover of the "Earth-Romulan War". So, as far as the Federation and Vulcan were concerned, the matter concerning the death of Councilor V'Las of the Vulcan High Council was closed.

Back on Earth, N receives the news of what had happened.

"And so it begins," N says, as she reads the incoming communiqué. She turns to her "executive assistant".

"Miss Midori?"

Yen Midori looks up from her documentation. She was an up-and-coming business major, skilled in organization operations, when S31 recruited her. She was petite and bubbly, which was used to hide the fact that she was a mean shot in marksmanship.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Have 'Administrations' draw up a contract for Commander Saotome ASAP."

"But…don't you think that it's pre-mature for S31 to offer employment to him as one of our agents? The Commander was only just released recently from completing his evaluation."

N gives off a smirk.

"I think that Saotome has 'passed' with flying colors, Miss Midori. Besides, leave the 'sales pitch' to me, my dear. I didn't start 'Section 31' years ago without staying ahead of the game, you know."

A week later, in London, England…

At a secluded park near the old site of the British Secret Service, two people are discussing important matters concerning matters of state.

"What do you want?" Ranma said, as he leaned back on the park bench that he is sitting on. He was wearing casual clothes and a pair of sunglasses. "When you asked me to take down the persons responsible for my family's death, I was happy to oblige."

Ranma's contact, a Japanese, silver haired woman called "N" gives Ranma "The Look".

"This may be too much for a BLUNT instrument like you to understand, but any thug can kill."

N pauses for a moment.

"I want you to take your ego out of the equation, Saotome," N says, with a self-satisfied look. She was wearing a gray business suit with a tan over coat while having a briefcase on her side. "You need to see to big picture beyond your…family's death."

"So what am I going to be? Am I going to be the Federation's 'hit man' or something?" Ranma replied. "I'm not some maniac that goes around killing people on a whim, or on the orders of a bureaucrat."

N shakes her head.

"I knew you weren't ready for this."

Ranma arched an eyebrow.

"And what am I supposed to be ready for?"

"I knew that you were not ready to protect everything that Admiral Tendo built up. YOUR wife—my…friend—pushed for the creation of the United Federation of Planets…and that of Starfleet. We are still in the process of being established, even with the signing of the Federation constitution, but all that could change if the Romulans or some other power tries to undermine what we have started."

Ranma turns to N.

"I just got back from a journey that was violent and unpredictable…and you want me to serve yet another master?" Ranma replies.

"The difference is that you have a choice in the matter," N replies. "No, I can't force you to join 'Section 31', but you know the truth of what I am saying. So, if not for the sake of the Federation, do this for Akane's sake."

Ranma sighs as he gets up. He was tired of all the fighting and violence, but what N offered would serve to protect Akane's memory…

"Where do I sign up, Nabs? Don't think that I wouldn't figure out that 'N' is really Nabiki Kuno, a 'business woman' who is really behind S31. As if your 'guise' of being a middle-aged woman can hide the true you…"

Nabiki Tendo-Kuno, called "N" within the ultra-clandestine organization known as "Section 31", merely smiles at the remark. While she was prohibited from going after the bastards responsible for murdering her younger sister herself, Nabiki was able to get Ranma to do the job for her. Now that her brother-in-law has agreed to join "the firm", she can finally return to the Fourth World while leaving a "flesh puppet" behind to monitor things for her.

At least her time here on Earth has allowed her older sister Kasumi some time to go "sight seeing".

"Though I do have a question."

"And what is THAT?"

"You and KUNO? And how are you still alive after all this time?"

"If you want to KNOW, I'll have to charge you, Saotome."

"Yep…you're the Nabiki I know, alright."

"…"

Six months later…

The Orion Belt System was an interesting section of the Alpha Quadrant in this regard: although it was a haven for mercantilists, pirates and mercenaries, it was the Orion green-skinned women, seen as slaves to outsiders, who were the real power. They use outsiders to do their bidding. S31 have long suspected this, but have been unable to penetrate this society as thoroughly as N has wanted. She could use her "extraordinary abilities" to find out, but there were those in the universe who will not allow her to do so. So, she would need to send agents to do her "bidding".

On Orion Prime, caged matches between sapient beings (and sometimes between sapient and beasts and non-beasts alike) were the norm. Based upon intelligence reports, the chameleon-like Suliban had sent an agent to meet with a representative of the Orion's ancillary organizations. If S31 managed to get the representative of the organization that works for the Orions, then, perhaps S31 will be able know who or what has been initiating certain actions while the Federation is still in the throes of its reorganization. From the information that Ranma received, the Suliban contact would be disguise as a human trader, who happens to love caged matches.

"I see our man," Ranma says telepathically, as he casually watched an Andorian fighting an ape-like creature known as a "Mugato". The creature was quite fast for a creature its size. Ranma was wearing a blue/white Hawaiian shirt, Khaki pants and black running shoes. Sweat was glistening off of his skin, but compared to the pits of Apocalypse, the humid weather conditions on the planet was nothing more than a day at the beach. While Ranma scanned the crowd, he notices his partner's presence.

"I see him, too, Ranma," the man replied. He had asked for field experience under Ranma's watch…something that Ranma did NOT want. N told Ranma that it was not up to her who is assigned, but based on seniority.

Ranma was speaking to his partner through his telepathic "earplug".

When the Suliban went to move to another section of the arena, Ranma became alarmed that the agent would see his partner.

"Marcus, put your hand down," Ranma says.

Marcus had his hand on the plug.

Rule number one: NEVER get noticed with an earpiece.

"What?" Marcus says, as the crowd roared with approval, as the fight between the Andorian and the Mugato progressed.

"I said, 'Get you damn hand down'!" Ranma said, as he began to move towards the Suliban.

Sure enough, the Suliban spots Marcus, and runs in the opposite direction.

"Damn!" Ranma yells, as he goes after the Suliban.

"Don't worry, Ranma, I'll-"

"Go home, NOW." Ranma says, as he temporarily immobilized the agent with his Force abilities. "I don't need a newbie screwing things up!"

And with that, Ranma took off after the Suliban.

Members of the Suliban were genetically engineered by "future-tech" to be fast, strong and extremely agile. The intended target rushed out of the arena, and into a construction yard. The Orions were setting up an entire gambling and entertainment complex for visitors. The Suliban immediately leaps over a fence and into the yard itself. He didn't think he was going to be followed…

…Until he sees Ranma casually leap over the fence as well. Even without being trained in the Jedi Arts, Ranma was already a world-class athlete.

Seeing nowhere else to go, the Suliban agent leaped upon a pile of construction material, hopped on a steel beam, and "speed crawl" his way up the unfinished building. Ranma, with a smirk, followed the Suliban without breaking a stride. And by the time he and the Suliban managed to get off the building, and back on solid ground, they had leaped, dodged and fought their way to the Suliban embassy nearby.

That didn't stop Ranma one bit.

"Sir!" said the receptionist. "You can't just-!"

BLAM!

Ranma kicked in the door, where the Suliban agent was trying to gain the proconsul's protection.

POW!

Ranma knocked the agent's head in, just as the proconsul was about to pull out a weapon. Ranma, seeing this, kicked the desk into the Suliban, forcing him to drop the weapon. Ranma knew that fighting Suliban was the like fighting a sentient "Gumby" doll, so he picked up the disruptor.

"Come on, you," Ranma says, as he grabbed the Suliban agent by the shirt.

The Suliban tried to swing at Ranma. Ranma responded by jamming his fingers into his back.

"I know that your race is resistant to telepathic manipulation, so I'm placing my fingers into your back. One false move and you'll explode from the inside."

Suliban were nearly impervious to electricity, since their skin was not a conductive substance. However, that didn't mean that the INSIDES were protected.

"Come on, let's go."

And with that, Ranma escorted the Suliban to the nearest gate, leaving a "Happo-Bomb" behind to serve as the distraction.

BOOM!

Too bad the effect leveled half the embassy.

END FLASHBACK!

"You blew up the embassy?" Jadzia asks.

"Only HALF the embassy."

"…"

"At any rate, I was able to get the key encrypted data from the contact. And with that, I received to the first clue towards locating a key financier within the Orion Syndicate."

Ranma looks at Jadzia.

"And that's where you came in."

Meanwhile, near the Cardassian border…

"Come again?" Odo asked.

"I want to defect, Founder," Weyoun says. "Yes, I know that it is hard to believe that I, a servant of the great Dominion Union, would want to defect to the Federation Alliance…but it is the TRUTH."

"That MIGHT be the case," Ranma began, "but you have never been the most trust-worthy of the Vorta."

"Then how about if I trade what I know about recent Dominion activity for asylum then?"

Odo looks at Weyoun and then at Ranma.

"Sure, why not?" Ranma says with a shrug. "I can make the determination of Weyoun's value once we get back to the station…"

A few minutes later, Weyoun is firmly seated next to Odo, while Ranma was at the controls.

"Once a pilot, always a pilot…I always say," Ranma says, as she prepared the craft for takeoff-

CHIRP-CHIRP!

"That's odd," Odo says. "No one should be hailing us at this location."

"Let's find out," Ranma says, as she presses receiver. "This is Captain Ranma Saotome, speaking from the runabout Mississippi."

CHIRP!

The view-screen lights up, showing the new Legate Demar (the supreme leader of Cardassia) and…Weyoun?"

"Hello, Captain Saotome," Demar says. "It is nice to know that you are…healthy."

"Thank you, sir," Ranma replies. "What can I do for you today?"

"I will get to the point," says the other Weyoun. "Weyoun is the sixth clone of the original Weyoun; I am the seventh."

"I do not think the universe is ready for more than one Weyoun," Odo says with a smirk.

"Precisely, which is why you will return that defective to us," Weyoun the Seventh says. "Or face the consequences. And do not think that your status as a 'Founder' will protect you. I have been given permission to do what it takes to prevent my 'brother' from falling into the wrong hands."

"Take a look at this," Odo says, as he pointed out the sensors. Sure enough, a pair of Jem'Hadar ships is in range of their location.

"Speaking as an family man, Captain, I would hate to see your 'future' end prematurely," Damar says.

Ranma knew that Damar was referring to her pregnancy, but chooses not to say anything.

"I'll keep that in mind. Give us a few minutes to…prepare for the handover."

"You have two minutes, Captain," Weyoun says.

CHIRP!

"So, what is your plan, Captain?" asked Weyoun Six.

"Can you not use that…'Instant Transmission' trick of yours?" Odo asks.

"No."

"What do you mean, 'No'?"

"Let me spell it out. If I was just my old self, then I can pull it off. As a pregnant…woman…my life energy is feed for THREE: the twins and me. If I do anything to charge me 'chi' for the technique, I could hurt my…babies."

"Just great…"

"If there is a problem, then perhaps I should turn myself in," Weyoun says.

"No," Ranma says.

"But-" Odo begins.

"Just because one avenue is cut off, that doesn't mean that another is not available."

At that point, Ranma puts on her Green Lantern ring.

"With everything that has been happening, I've been put on reserve status, while my daughter Aikiko has taken over my duties as the Green Lantern for Sector 2814."

"I didn't know that," Odo says.

"Yes," Ranma replies. "She's working with a senior GL as a trainee."

"So she doesn't want to go into Starfleet?"

"She is not sure, actually. Best case scenario is that she will be a reservist in one organization or another."

"If I may be bold to ask," Weyoun says. "What is the Green Lantern Corp involvement in this little war of ours, Captain?"

"Why should I tell you about 'Corp business?" Ranma asks.

"Out of curiosity, of course."

"Fair enough. The fact of the matter is that our 'little war' is seen as a galactic affair, not a universal one. If the Dominion tries to take over an entire Oan sector, then that's a problem. For now, there are enough prominent galactic powers that will keep the Dominion and other like-minded states in check."

"I see."

"So, let's see how we can circumvent your 'associates' attention," Ranma says, as her Green Lantern power-ring began to glow…

Aboard the lead Jem'Hadar ship, The First Officer, the commanding officer aboard the ship, sees the Mississippi leave the surface of the moon that they were observing.

"Sir, what shall we do?" the First Officer says to Weyoun the Seventh (or "W7") over a secured communication link.

"Destroy that ship," W7 says.

Damar looks at W7 sharply.

"Are you not aware of what might happen if Captain Saotome dies?"

"We are well-aware of what MIGHT occur, Legate," W7 says. "She is just one solid, right? So, First Officer, please destroy THAT ship."

"Yes, sir," the First Officer says, as he directs his weapons officer to fire on the Mississippi-

CHOOM!

BOOM!

"Direct hit, sir," the First Officer says, as he gave a satisfied smirk. "No signs of survivors."

"See?" W7 says. "No harm."

Damar stares at W7 with pitiful eyes.

"You are a fool, Weyoun," Damar says. "You know NOTHING about 'The Chaos Factor'."

"Then enlighten me, Legate."

"Even when I was a child, I've heard of Captain Saotome's exploits. Legend has it that he CHALLENGED a god…and won. Historically, Saotome single-handedly defeated the Romulan Empire when he was still a young man. And even if you did destroy him, Saotome has plenty of allies that WILL seek revenge on what you have just done…if that ditzy wife of his doesn't get to you FIRST."

By this point, Weyoun was displaying signs agitation.

"The Founders will protect me, Legate. They are gods, after all."

"Then you better pray that your gods will be strong enough to withstand the full weight of the Heavens."

Meanwhile, while the Jem'Hadar continue to check for the remains of the Mississippi, the REAL runabout makes its escape.

"The illusion will dissipate when we are out of range," says Ranma, as she maintained her will over her power-ring.

"Amazing," says Weyoun the Sixth. "I will enjoy being a productive member of your crew, Captain."

"We will see," Odo says. "I STILL do not trust you."

"Then I shall prove my worth to you, Founder."

"Feh."

Meanwhile, back at DS9…specifically "Quark's"…

"I'm telling you, Chief," Dax says. "Ranma and Usagi know something about me that I don't."

"You shouldn't sweat it, Counselor," O'Brien says, as he drank his pint of "Guinness" pale ale.

"But it's real weird. I understand that Ranma doesn't like to open up to anyone, but at least Usagi would be."

"What happened?"

"Well, when I asked her about 'Vesper Dax', and how I've been having these weird dreams about her, and suddenly, Usagi has this weird look to her face."

"So what happened?"

"Well, she told me that she cannot say anything about the whole matter, and shooed me out of her office. Weird."

"Well, I wouldn't read anything about it."

"But that's just it. What if this Vesper persona is just like Joran? Is it because of the Dax symbiont? What if I become corrupted by Dax?"

"Well…Jadzia wasn't a bad person, and neither was Curzon, as I recall, Counselor. You have nothing to worry about. I'm sure that this 'Vesper' person is of the same disposition."

"Well, I hope that you are right, Chief. I hope you are right."

Tbc.