Araiansu

by Lerris

This is a multicross, initially focused mostly on Stargate. Ranma from Ranma 1/2 is added at the start and a couple other series are added later. This is a story about how the great alliance came to be. Politics warning plus some mentions of religion.

26. Chapter 26

Disclaimer: The characters used within this are mostly the property of others. I have a few originals, but the vast majority are not original. Everything here is fiction. This is for entertainment only and not for profit.

-=oOo=-

Araiansu - Chapter 26

-=oOo=-

Rommie merged with Kasumi again as they neared their destination. They said, "Slipping back into normal space."

Nozomi emerged without a ripple to the skies above Mid Childa, and once again was met be the half dozen TSAB cruisers, but this time she was without the escort of the Artha. She was immediately hailed.

An old grizzled veteran appeared on her screen. "Greetings Nozomi. I am captain Anderson of the Eclipse. Welcome to Mid Childa."

Chrono stepped up into view. He said, "It is good to see you Captain Anderson. Is everything set?"

"Your ship has been cleared for dimensional flight through our space. If you have not already done so you are responsible for reviewing and obeying all the relevant laws. Do not, I repeat, do not activate any weapons systems while in orbit around Mid Childa for any reason without explicit approval."

Kasumi and Rommie said, "Understood Eclipse. We are powering down except for final in orbit positioning at your discretion."

"We also ask that you leave your transporters powered down. Requests for transport can be directed to my ship."

"Understood."

"I am sending you directions to your parking orbit now."

"Directions received. Moving to assigned orbit."

A few minutes later they were in their assigned orbit. Captain Anderson said, "There has been a request from our main hospital for the healing adepts to beam down as soon as they reasonably can."

Ranma, in male form, said, "I don't think we have quite mastered the trick that means we can heal without risking cancer. We are pretty good, but…"

"Understood, I'm sure they will appreciate your help nevertheless. We can fix cancer."

"Amy," Chrono asked, "Will you go with them, at least until Lindy or someone we know can take over?"

"Sure. I'm guessing you will be called into a meeting soon."

"Almost certainly," Chrono said with no enthusiasm whatsoever.

Captain Anderson smiled. "As it turns out the assembly is returning back in session and you have been requested."

"Now?" asked Chrono.

"No, you have two hours. Admiral Harlaown suggested you stop by her house for tea."

Chrono smiled. He said, "You can transport me when your ready." Chrono vanished in a flash of light.

Sam asked, "Do we need any vaccinations or anything?"

"Good question, though you may regret asking. One moment."

He opened another connection and asked the head of medical that question. They didn't understand the answer but they could guess. He returned to their conference and said, "Almost certainly. I've gotten new transport coordinates. I'm afraid you will both have to undergo a physical."

"What about Megumi?" asked Amy. "She has been on the planet for a little while now."

"I will check, but we are ready for you now if you are."

"I'm ready," Sam said.

"I am too," chipped in Ranma.

"Just to be clear I don't have to get one too right?" asked Amy, even as all three were transported. It turned out that she did.

Sam grumbled, "I hate medical exams. That is why we have Asgard healing pods, so as to never need them."

Shamal walked in on them with a smile. She said, "Most everyone does. For what it is worth you did need the vaccinations you got. Amy's is the only one that got out without that blessing, given she already had them for her trips to another Earth."

"Thanks," Amy said without a bit of seriousness.

Ranma asked, "What are we facing?"

Shamal said, "We have, unfortunately, an entire ward where magical and our non magical healing can't help. Many of them are in bio stasis."

Sam asked, "Could we send some up to our bio beds?"

"Possibly, would you consent for me to access your ship to monitor them? I would start with those with no significant linker core."

Ranma said, "I assume yes, but you will have to ask Rommie and Kasumi to be sure."

"I'll do that. I hate to abandon you, but would you mind? I'll send someone else to help you with others."

Sam smiled. "Do what you need to do."

They were unsurprised to see an another doctor come through the door. He was early middle aged. He said, "I'm Doctor Tam. How would you like to start?"

Ranma said, "Problems that are simple to explain and affect a relatively small area are going to be easier to fix."

"Not many of those I'm afraid, but let's see what we can find. Wait, you healed Nanoha right?"

Sam said, "We did, though we won't be able to do what happened then I'm afraid."

"Because it required a bond?"

Ranma said, "No, at best we could keep their linker core isolated and protected for a time, but the repairs are beyond us."

"For how long?" he asked with forced calm.

"Not sure. Everybody was working as a team. An hour maybe? Two if we push it?"

"Would you mind doing so now?"

Sam said, "You do know that if this works we are going to be pretty wiped out afterward. We aren't quite fully recovered from the last."

"But you would rate yourself able to do the work with a reasonable amount of safety?"

Both nodded.

Doctor Tam said, "If you could follow me?"

They did so, only to enter what appeared to be a break room for the doctors on the staff. Many conversations were taking place. A flash of light appeared in his hands and everyone instantly was quiet and facing him.

He said, "This is a pair of aspiring life adepts. They are also the ones, who with Doctor Camber and Raising Heart managed to heal Nanoha totally."

Several people asked questions like "Really?" and "I would have thought nothing but time and even then.."

He held up his hand. They quieted. He said, "I'd like to try to once again heal sleeping beauty. Do I have volunteers for the magical side of the team?" Almost everyone raised their hands. He picked three others, all senior healers.

Sam asked, "Is that really her name?"

"We don't actually know what her name is. She has been in stasis for a very long time, probably predating our settlement of this planet. Her magic resists all attempts to release the stasis. We think it was conditioned to wait until her energy paths healed, but the stasis is flawed, preventing any healing. She is not in great shape. Her magic, once possibly greater than any alive today, is failing, and we can't heal her. If we fight her to get beyond her magic the shock will kill her. The fact that we have tried and failed several times over my lifetime does not help."

Ranma asked, "Are you sure we should be attempting this?"

"We are running out of time. Had the previous attempts not happened she might have centuries left, but she has weeks if that, and the longer we wait the worse the odds."

"Okay."

Before long they were in a big but empty room with the patient on a hospital bed. Around the room magical script and symbols crawled along the walls. They were all dressed in clean white robes and nothing else. The patient was dressed the same.

He said, "Ignore the runes. They guarantee no interference or spread of disease. They will not interfere."

They nodded.

"What do you need to begin?"

Ranma said, "Touching closer to her core will help, but not much. Perhaps arrange yourselves with space for us and we will figure out the rest."

They arranged themselves to either side of snow white haired young woman. Ranma stood behind her head on the left. Sam took the right. Ranma took Sam's left hand in his right even as they gently covered her forehead with their other hands. Brilliant white fire formed around their hands and quickly covered her entire body before collapsing towards near where her heart was. A minute later she started to breathe.

Doctor Tam asked, "How long can you hold it?"

"Maybe two hours," Sam said. "Hurry. It is fighting us."

"You hear her. Let's get moving."

Lights of every color sprung up as they set about carefully repairing her magical network.

Over an hour later Doctor Tam said, "We are finished. You can ease back, but very slowly."

Several more minutes later they were done. Ranma gently enfolded Sam in his arms and kissed the back of her head.

The woman blinked and stretched tiredly. She said something in a language none there knew. One handed her a glass of water with a straw even as another gently helped her up. She drank greedily.

Doctor Tam said, "Get Yuuno Scrya in here. He is probably our best bet for recognizing her language if none of our devices know it."

Ranma and Sam took several steps back.

Doctor Tam ordered, "Get them a room and see to their needs. Everyone here needs kept away from others for twenty four hours until we can verify we didn't wake any disease up that we won't know how to treat. Assign someone to check them every hour."

They were led to a room by themselves, though it had a nice window, even if it didn't have a way to open it. After a few annoyingly tedious tests by the local doctors they were left alone. Sam had just gotten into their fourth searing kiss when a short blond haired young man walked in and then quickly turned around.

Sam slipped out of the bed and called, "You can come back."

The young man came back in. "Um, sorry for well interrupting."

Ranma asked, "What news do you have for us?"

"First off we are fairly certain she was disease free. Her name is Aya and she was a magical protector very long ago. She apparently had no idea that she did this to herself."

"So she will be okay?" asked Sam.

"The damage to her core is probably permanent. Some may recover, but likely not much. You kept it from getting worse of course and allowed them to repair everything else."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Sam said.

"Me too," Ranma added.

Yuuno said, "It was a better outcome than anyone would have expected. The damage was done prior to you even knowing she existed. It wasn't just the healing attempts. You can't stop time forever for a person without a price, particularly with magic. Life creates it, and nurtures it. A person in stasis isn't really living. You buy time, but not forever."

Ranma asked, "What will she do now?"

"I hate to be the bad guy, but she doesn't meet the requirements to join our mage forces. I offered her a job as an assistant in the infinite library, but she doesn't want that. She also doesn't want to teach. We also mentioned the non magic forces, but so far she doesn't want to do that either. We of course will provide for her, but thought that maybe you would have an idea."

Sam asked, "For Nozomi maybe?"

Ranma shrugged. "We could certainly at least introduce them."

Sam asked, "Are there any other concerns with Aya?"

"We haven't found any. She should live a full life, though likely never regain most of her magic."

"Do you think she would like to meet the crew of our ship?"

"We could ask. I'm afraid I'm the only one that knows the language. If you will follow me?"

"So we are good to go?"

"Within this set of rooms yes. If you beam to the ship, well everyone there will need quarantine for a day too, so better not."

Sam and Ranma took turns telling Aya about their home, about what they were doing, and different jobs that might be available. Yuuno carefully translated their words. They were ten minutes into it when they mentioned that a ship had a possible need for another crew member. That got her attention. She immediately expressed an interest. They didn't mention the exact role.

Ranma casually asked her to tell about why she was interested.

Yuuno could barely keep up the translation. He translated, "There were no ships on the world I grew up on. I always wanted to see the stars. I trained hard as a mage because there was a group I heard of that visited from time to time and it was said they could travel the stars freely. My job as a mage was taken not because I particularly like hunting criminals. I do like saving lives, but it is mostly about travel and seeing new things. That was my dream. I don't want to just serve in the military and go from one mission to another. Teaching is also boring. I'll do it if you need it done, but seeing the stars, meeting new people that is my dream."

Ranma watched her carefully as she spoke, as did Sam.

Sam hesitated and then spoke. "We honestly are not sure if we can help you. A friend of ours is captain of a ship that could use crew, but while there are missions that do end up new places, they may not be frequent. Of course if the crew together wanted to go somewhere and we could afford to have one less ship on defense we wouldn't stop them, but you may spend a lot of time waiting."

She seemed uncertain when Yuuno explained. She then asked something. Yuuno said, "She just asked if she could see the ship and talk to the crew."

Ranma glanced at Sam who shrugged. He then turned to Yuuno.

"Let me run this by a doctor. Maybe you could go up in suits? We think this is all clean, but they aren't going to just let us ignore the procedure."

Ranma asked, "Rommie, Kasumi can you access our communicators history and give us your thoughts?"

"Accessing. Give us a minute."

Less than a minute later he heard their merged voice say, "Sure bring her aboard. We would like to meet her. Actually, now that I think about it and access some of my older records, I believe I know her language. Perhaps you could lend her your communicator?"

"Sure. Would you like us to remain?"

"Please. I would value your opinion, even if you can't follow the language."

He got the message. He pulled his communicator out of his storage space and then their merged voice spoke clearly carefully in Aya's language.

Her eyes lit up as she rapidly started talking back and forth. Ranma and Sam stepped to the back of the room. They both kept their eyes focused on Aya even as they settled against the wall. Ranma gladly pulled Sam into his lap.

"Don't get distracted," she teased.

"Of course not."

Sam smiled a small smile even as she casually stretched her arms to yawn. She then smirked at his reaction.

Yuuno came back in a few minutes later. Four environmental suits were floating behind him in a magical field. He ended up moving beside Ranma and Sam with the suits settling along the wall.

"Is it an interesting conversation?" asked Sam.

"From a historical perspective yes, though life as a girl growing up in the time of Al-Hazard is perhaps something that should be more interesting. Um, can we move on?" asked Yuuno warily.

Sam smiled. "What, are they talking about boys now?"

"And girls, in rather interesting detail," he said absently. Sam blushed furiously, and Ranma wasn't much better.

"Moving on?" Sam suggested.

Ranma said, "You know we could just suggest she beams up into Kasumi's quarters? Guess that other ship has to do it, but they could seal the room."

Yuuno said, "Um, are you sure this is a good idea?"

Sam said, "Nope, not sure at all."

Ranma asked, "Could we perhaps ask General Hammond or Chrono or..?"

"Hayate. We could get Hayate to interview her and um.."

"Make sure Kasumi and Rommie aren't getting in over their head?" suggested Sam.

Yuuno nodded.

"Maybe now?" asked Ranma.

Yuuno focused his thoughts. "Hayate. Are you busy?"

Hayate sent back, "No, I was just finishing dinner. What's up?"

"We are in quarantine in the medical center. It is purely precautionary. We wanted your opinion on something."

"Okay."

"Are you familiar with sleeping beauty?"

"You mean that really really old medical stasis case with the rather attractive white haired young woman?"

"Yes. She is awake." He went on to explain the details of the situation as well as he knew it as well as all he could remember of the conversation Aya had with Kasumi and Rommie.

"I like her," was Hayate's immediate response.

"You don't think she is um manipulating them?"

"Nah, that is just flirting. Besides they would know the truth the first time they linked right?"

"I guess so."

"Your worrying for nothing. I'm almost certain of it, though I'll head that way. I'd quite like to meet her."

"You can take my suit," offered Yuuno.

"I see, your thinking of going to their ship. Be there in a bit."

Yuuno said out loud, "Hayate is coming. She thinks it is just flirting and sees no real problem, but well, she is now interested. I may have complicated things."

"Is that a problem?" asked Sam.

"Well, it is no threat to life. My dignity, on the other hand has occasionally suffered a bit in her presence."

Sam smiled at that. Less than ten minutes later Hayate complete in ground captain's uniform came jaunting in. "Hey Yuuno. I see someone got you out of that stuffy library."

"Hayate," said Yuuno exasperated. He then remembered his manners and said, "This is Ranma and his wife Sam Carter. The one over there is Aya, the former sleeping beauty."

"Hi," said Sam.

"Hello," added Ranma

"Let's go!"

"Have you had sugar again?" asked Yuuno.

"Just a little. Hey I miss Nanoha and Fate. A girl has to cope. Vivio really misses her mother, though that new girl Megumi is awesome. She can sing."

Sam pulled out her own communicator. "Nozomi?"

"We are here Sam. Sorry for getting distracted."

"Would you like to perhaps meet Aya in person?"

"Sure."

"Just let us get in …"

They were all beamed up before Sam finished her sentence.

They all appeared on the bridge. Captain Anderson appeared on the view screen. He asked dryly, "Please explain the transporter activity."

Sam said, "Sorry about that. Rommie and Kasumi were distracted and I think she beamed us before thinking things fully through."

"You do realize your entire ship is now quarantined for the remainder of the precautionary period."

"Yes."

"Can you activate a shield you can't beam through?."

Rommie and Kasumi looked up from where they were still merged in the captain's chair. They said, "We can. Sorry for the mistake."

"It happens, just be careful."

Rommie got up separating from Kasumi. "I have not made a mistake like that in a very long time. I thank you for your warning."

"Understood. Keep that shield up until you get the official okay from medical. Eclipse out."

The screen went blank.

Kasumi approached Rommie but didn't touch her. "Are you okay?"

"I can't make mistakes like that Kasumi. I can't. I make a mistake and people die."

"I was there Rommie. It was just as much my fault."

"It doesn't matter. Had there been a real disease I could have just killed everyone on this ship."

Aya looked at them in concern. She asked a question in her language. Rommie responded, and then Kasumi also responded, but nothing seemed to be settled.

Hayate walked up to Rommie and carefully enfolded the avatar in a hug.

"What?" Rommie asked.

"Shh," Hayate said. "You made a very small mistake. It happens. I am an SS class mage. People also die when I make mistakes. I have been responsible for some of those. Their screams sometimes haunt me at night. You, however, can't quit living. If you want to reject Aya, that is your choice, but you should not do it just because you made a mistake. Our friends are our strength. We are stronger together."

"How is it you can just grab hold of me, preach about friendship and stuff, and I haven't tossed you on to the other side of the bridge?"

Hayate smiled before gently letting her go.

Yuuno said dryly, "That is Hayate. She hugs." Then for Aya he translated his words.

Aya's laugh was musical. Both Kasumi and Rommie smiled to hear it.

Aya held out her hand to both of them. Rommie glanced at Kasumi who nodded, before once again merging with her. The pair then spoke several long sentences.

Yuuno quietly translated. "They ask if Aya truly understands what she is offering. Aya explains that she knows that a ship bond is for a lifetime, but that she believes she could help. She offers her help and says she knows that it will not always be the types of missions she would wish, but she thinks that this is a good place with good people. She says she is not sure if she will be compatible, but wishes to try."

The duo turned to Ranma and Sam. They asked, "Can you check Aya for life energy potential? We thought we sensed some, but are not unbiased. We are not entirely sure it would work without it."

"Sure," Ranma said. He dumped a bit of water from Kasumi's glass on his arm and changed.

Aya stepped back in surprise, and immediately asked a question to the pair. They explained Ranma's change and what he was going to do. She responded to Kasumi and Rommie who translated. "She says she has or at least had some potential, but that when she was tested in her youth her magical potential was higher."

Aya held out her hands. A soft ball of pinkish white glowing ki formed in her hands.

Ranma gently ran his hands near it, and then seeing her permission touched it briefly before stepping back. She blushed faintly before she controlled herself.

Ranma then turned back to the merged pair and said, "She clearly has the potential. I didn't sense anything of concern." She hesitated then added more dryly, "Other than a pretty severe need of training."

They said, "We can guess the rest of what you sensed."

Ranma blushed furiously.

The merged pair asked a question in the ancient language. Aya responded, apparently positive.

The pair then turned back to Ranma and Sam. "Will you both guard Kasumi's body until this is complete?"

Ranma said, "We would be honored."

"What exactly does that mean?" asked Sam.

They were surprised when they walked into Ranma's arms, and she reflexively held her, even as Sam moved closer to take some of her weight.

Then, they were surprised when not Rommie, but some blending of Rommie and Kasumi walked out of Kasumi. Together they were, if anything, even more beautiful. The brown hair and eyes were very appealing. The combination appeared oddly fey, with higher cheek bones than either had before. Her chest was perhaps a touch larger, but it fit well with their now slightly taller body. They were also slightly transparent. The clothes they now wore were out of this world and looked more like what you might see on an ancient priestess of Japan.

Ranma gently felt for Kasumi's pulse before saying quietly, "She seems okay." Sam half nodded before focusing back on what was going on.

The blended and now bodiless pair walked to Aya and held out their hands. Aya smiled and took them in hers, before quickly stepping forward and giving the pair a searing kiss. A blinding flash of light later and then there was one. All three together had even lighter hair and eyes. The fey look of before was complete now, and other than the ears they could have been a high elf from fairy tales. They said in English in yet another new voice, "We are well. We can stay like this for minutes only to setup the initial bonding. Longer could damage Kasumi, or worse, lose her as a separate entity."

Ranma asked, "Do you need anything from us? Shall we set your body down on the floor or?"

"Please. Kasumi may be disoriented when she returns."

They gently, as if Kasumi was the most precious thing they had ever carried, set Kasumi's body on the floor, with her head resting on Sam's lap.

A couple minutes later Rommie separated first, leaving a yet lighter haired woman there. A minute after that Kasumi separated and walked back to, knelt down, and merged back with her body.

Ranma and Rommie caught Aya as she started to slump. She turned around, smiled, and said in English, "Thank you. Thank you all."

"You know English already?"

Aya was puzzled by the words.

Rommie said, "She does not. She knows some, but asked us for words of thanks. She will learn it soon though."

Aya nodded.

Kasumi got up carefully, partly with Sam's help and walked over before hugging first Rommie then Aya and then both of them together.

Sam asked, "Are there any problems?"

"No," Rommie said. "It is as it should be." The last was said with imminent satisfaction.

"It really is," added Kasumi.

"It is," added Aya in halting English.

Shamal walked into the bridge. She asked, "What is going on here? I felt something."

Rommie smiled and said proudly, "I have a new and very precious partner."

"Sleeping Beauty?" said Shamal without thinking.

"Aya," Aya said.

"Oh, Sorry. Wait, is this who you two healed?"

"It is," Sam said. "Then we got quarantined for cautions sake, and then we ended up here."

"So, that is why the shield went up. I was wondering why we were locked here. Aya would be the main one to carry something right if there was something?"

"She is fine," Kasumi insisted.

"I'm the doctor. Aya, would you mind if I checked?"

Rommie quickly translated for her.

Aya replied, "No."

Shamal used her ring like device Klarwind to examine Aya in detail. "Good work you two. She seems fine. I'm sorry about the core damage though the bond between you three is something else. Have you figured out telepathy yet?"

Rommie answered. "Unfortunately not yet. Aya did not learn that skill."

Kasumi added sweetly, "She is, however, quite good at transferring emotion."

Ranma whispered absently, "Particularly lust."

Sam elbowed him playfully.

"Is she now?" asked Shamal in an interested tone.

Ranma said quietly, "The former grandmaster of my school would have loved to be here today, not that he would in any way deserve such a thing."

Sam added, "I imagine he would. Now since we are horribly stuck here and can't do anything else…" she replied quietly, hiding a small smile.

Ranma shook his head and sobered. She said, "She is affecting us. We need to get her balanced soon." She turned. "Shamal, how is everyone else doing? I know you brought some people up for the healing beds."

"Oh, they are fine. The quarantine doesn't even matter much, since they apparently need a bit more time than that."

Sam said, "Oh, okay, well call us if you need us." Ranma and Sam walked out of the bridge.

After they left Shamal commented, "Now that the parents are away.."

"Aren't some of us older?" asked Kasumi.

"I was just teasing, though Aya we should probably talk."

"She knows," Rommie said softly.

Kasumi added, "It is mostly her life energy. She pieced together what she knows herself, and well, didn't know about neutral ki. I'm stunned Ranma didn't catch more of it than she did, though they did walk out quite quickly."

"Didn't lie," managed Aya.

Shamal said, "He, well she noticed it. I saw her reactions, and Samantha's. Ranma even mentioned it. I don't think they connected all of it to her, not that there is any point in telling them."

Aya smirked in amusement.

Shamal asked, "Do you have a plan to fix this?"

Rommie said, "One of the reasons she was in favor of the link was that our merging should help reduce the effect, though Kasumi plans to teach her what she knows of neutral ki. Ranma can too. It is going to take time."

"And can you keep your hands to yourselves in the mean time?"

Kasumi asked curiously, "Would it really be so bad if we did not?"

"Just make sure it is your choice, and not your artificially increased libido."

Rommie said seriously, "I will make sure they wait. I am deeply affected when I am merged with Aya, but only minimally when not. I will have to merge with her periodically over the next several days to seal the bond, alternating with Kasumi to balance it. Can I ask for you to, well, supervise?"

"Of course."

"You are resisting the effect very well," Rommie pointed out.

"Not as well as you think. Klarwind is helping. I can manage. I also have some experience with Hayate's exuberance."

"Ah."

"Can we start now?" asked Rommie hopefully.

"Sure."

Rommie stepped closer to Aya and held out her hands. Aya smiled and they merged together. Like with Kasumi it was Aya you saw, but when you spoke you heard a blending.

"Thank you Shamal. We apologize for the effect we are having on everyone. The imbalance affects me as well. Merging with only Rommie helps. The fact that she can drain my excess energy helps though we worry the imbalance will affect her eventually."

"I'm sure you will work through it. It would help if you could focus on a task like flying or something. I suppose you could help with the people in the healing pods, but exposing you to more people is probably not a great idea right now."

"Probably not," they agreed.

"How are you doing on absorbing the language?"

"The bond is helping more than I thought it would."

"And your magic? Can you form a circle and keep it as small as possible?"

She gestured and an Ancient Belkan triangle formed under her in bright pink and began spinning slowly in a circle.

"Okay now drop the circle."

It vanished.

"How are you feeling? Is the part that is Rommie affected? Are you Kasumi?"

Kasumi said, "I could kind of feel it, but that was about it."

"I don't sense anything new. It is about time to separate. Kasumi could you?"

Kasumi walked in front of her and pulled her into a hug. She started to turn it into a kiss when Shamal gently pulled her back. Rommie separated and moved backwards.

Kasumi blinked. "That was. Woah, very nice."

Rommie said, "The idea was to build up resistance. I'm not sure that is working very well. It seems to just cut resistance. If anything your getting more intoxicating."

"I am sorry."

"For what?" Rommie asked. "I'm not entirely sure some of this isn't natural attraction feeding the whole thing."

Kasumi said, "I have been attracted to Rommie for some time. We have well…"

"done some things?" suggested Shamal.

Kasumi blushed.

Shamal said, "There is a lot of natural attraction going on. I'm not immune either. Rommie, can you pull me back if I start acting too stupid?"

"Okay."

"Klarwind monitor this. See what you can figure out."

"Affirmative."

Shamal walked up to the lovely fey Aya and pulled her into a hug, gently enfolding her in her arms and hugging her tightly, before slowly stepping back.

"That was harder than it looked, wasn't it?" asked Rommie.

"Oh hell yes. Klarwind your analysis."

"Subjects tainted life energy is interacting with the energy of those nearby. This fact is magnified many times if there is any underlying attraction as was evident in all cases today."

"Well that answers that. I'll get everyone near Aya some medication that will blunt the worst edges. Actually, I have a question Aya, 'Are you attracted to men?'"

Aya tried to puzzle out the question.

Rommie quickly translated.

Aya replied, "No."

Kasumi smiled. "That means Ranma can probably help you in his male form."

Aya frowned.

Kasumi said, "I quite like looking at Ranma's male form."

"Me too," admitted Rommie.

"Me three," admitted Shamal.

Aya pouted.

Kasumi said, "We should get some rest and maybe get up early to make some breakfast. Ranma-kun and Samantha-chan may be hungry."

Aya asked, "I wonder if Ranma stayed as she was."

Shamal laughed. "Not our business of course."

-=oOo=-

George Hammond was exhausted. Daniel and he were doing most of the representation for the alliance since, apparently, Ranma and Sam got involved in some medical mess. Thankfully, he was dealing with people who were not interesting in playing politics. They even flat out asked him if their world might be interested in entrance to their governing body.

He gave an honest answer that politics didn't actually interest him, but if it meant his grandkids could grow up in peace he would play politics with the best of them. What was more he hoped his country and the rest of the world would finally reject all the lies so they could make real progress. At best they could hope that enough woke up that sane people were elected. Did he want another group to take over for Earth? He honestly hadn't thought about it. They certainly seemed to have better leaders here than his own former leaders. There were certainly a lot of outcomes that were worse than that.

Daniel added to that. He said, "Basically you've asked a question that has no answer. Come up with a detailed plan and we will look at it, but honestly, I can't honestly see it working. A lot of people would find a way to blame us for everything if they could, because well they just love finding an other. You would probably just end up being another other."

"We are quite aware of similar problems. Our concern is the level of technology that is within arms reach of an unstable government."

"Yah," Daniel said, "We are concerned too. If we see the need, or the Asgard, or you to pack up and leave, well we almost certainly will. We won't like it, particularly since we lose any ability to influence events, but we would."

"We think you understand the problem. There are a few people that have considerable experience in integrating populations. It is never easy. With your permission, perhaps we could assist in some of your terraforming work on Mars, and setup offices there?"

George asked, "You can do that?"

"Yes, though it is doubtful we would have better abilities than the Asgard. We, might, however, be able to provide you a terraforming ship. I know there is at least one that was very recently pulled from service. It is in reserve should it be needed."

Daniel said, "That is probably a question for Sam. I don't know enough."

"Would you be able to provide power for it? They go through power cores like we gave you far too quickly."

George said, "Possibly. That would likely depend on the Asgard. How long do the modules last?"

"Flat out about a month in your time. They run more efficiently at about half power. They last around three months then. It typically takes about ten years to convert a planet like Mars. Terraforming is very expensive."

Daniel said, "But that would be without the help we currently have. Can you send information to he Nozomi and let Sam take a look? I don't honestly know if we need this or not."

"Of course, though, if you don't, we would be very curious how you accomplished it."

"Again, apologies that I just don't know the science. Sam would, possibly Rommie, and there are a bunch of people back on Earth."

"That is understandable. I don't either."

George asked, "So, could we start with the alliance of the four races treaty and just go through which parts where we are willing to commit to now?"

"I already have a reduced version of that with what we could agree on. It is a little more than a third."

"That works. Let's take a look," George said.

"You are not disappointed there is not more?" He reached for a pair of tablets on a shelf which already showed the text and handed them out.

Daniel shrugged. "These things take time. If we can get any agreement that is substantial we will probably call that a win. I can't think of what you would include that would be a problem." He quickly paged through the text. The general was still reading.

Daniel said, "I know this text. I know what you have left out and can guess as to why. I doubt anyone will have any real problems with this, but we are going to need to look it over."

"Of course. Would you like to return to your ship to consult with the others? I believe the quarantine that was triggered as a precaution is now complete or nearly so. Had they found any sign of actual disease spreading we would have been informed by now."

Daniel looked over at Lindy who had attended the meeting but said very little. He asked, "Did you have any questions or anything?"

"I as pondering if I should see about getting assigned to your Earth, at least temporarily. I am one of the ones they mentioned with such skills. Also, Vivio wants to see her mothers."

George said, "We certainly have no objection."

She turned to the rest of the assembly. The president said, "You were just who I had in mind."

Lindy said, "I do have one more question. A request was forwarded to me for approval when Shamal requested a fairly large quantity of a restricted drug to suppress libido."

"That is weird," said Daniel.

"Haven't got a clue, but I want to know if there is something going on," added George.

Lindy looked down at her tablet. "Well this is a relief. Chrono got additional information from Shamal. I would ordinarily not release medical information, but the issue needs some attention to avoid problems."

"What is it?" asked Daniel.

"Ranma and Samantha managed to help awaken a patient in our long term ward. She was in a self induced resistive stasis since, we believe, the time of Al-Hazard. She was restored to health for the most part. Her magic remains damaged, but it was damaged before your people ever knew she existed. There was some anomalies that weren't noticed right away. Either way, she volunteered and was accepted as the first officer of your ship. The ah, anomalies have to deal with the fact that she apparently has some skill with life energy, but it is tainted, so is not considered an adept."

"Wait," Daniel said. "I think I can figure this out. Ranma talked about this, how the emotion used becomes dominant."

"It is more than just dominant with her. Her energy is reacting with others."

General Hammond burst out laughing.

"This is no laughing matter," said Lindy seriously.

"I know. I know. It sounds like an SG-1 problem to run across a friendly alien that apparently makes people want to.."

"Go at it like rabbits," added Daniel dryly.

Lindy giggled, though quickly composed herself.

The president sighed, though an amused smile quirked on his lips too. "Okay this is medical information so need to know, and we did. Treat it accordingly, and unless there is some medical reason not to, please approve the request."

"I already have. If it helps, she doesn't like men."

George burst out laughing again, followed by Daniel.

Daniel said, "I really am sorry. This is inappropriate. They are okay right?"

Lindy said, amused, "Well once you two beam up there will be two more she can interact with probably without side affects."

"Sure. Why not. Ready General?"

"Your sure it won't affect us? I'd rather not react like a gibbering thirteen year old."

"Not entirely, but apparently it is kind of a resonant effect, so if she has no interest..."

"Good enough I suppose," the General said.

"Are you coming as well?" he asked.

Lindy said, "I have my own ship, which is conveniently away from all of this."

George said, "Amusing and just in case this gets too weird we can transport anyone affected to it."

"Of course. It might be better to anyway. The drugs are not really pleasant. Such a quantity would have automatically been escalated regardless."

Daniel said, "Well it sounds like we have a plan, and as plans go for our group this one doesn't even rank top ten for strange, so can't complain."

George said, "Rommie, if you can hear me, can you get Daniel and I beamed up?"

"I'm cleared for beaming again. I can take you now if you wish."

"Please."

After they vanished and everyone but the president and Lindy had left, the president spoke again, "They are a strange group, but interesting. Please look after Sleeping Beauty if you can. Many of us saw her at one time or another and kept hoping somehow foolishly we would be the one to wake her. I'm glad someone finally did, though it will no doubt disappoint many of the male race to learn we never had a chance."

Lindy smiled an amused smile. "I'll look after her. Don't worry."

He nodded.

"When do you think you will return?"

"Well, it will depend on when the treaty is signed. I suspect that they are going to want more help from those two to heal more people. Then again, from the report I have their medical technology is second to none. Of course it isn't their technology, it is the Asgard's. Their healing beds are causing no problems to the linker cores in the patients they are healing. They aren't helping them either, but they don't cause problems which is something we were concerned about."

"How long will it take to work through all the backlog? I know they have a quite a few underground levels in stasis."

"Far too long, but we will do what we can. We could use a copy of those beds. I've already asked. Only the Asgard could give permission, and I doubt we would get plans in any event. This is their technology. The crew of that ship were just granted permission to use it not to make more."

"Do what you can. We trust your judgment. Even a single unit would likely help a great deal over time."

"True, we can place people in partial stasis and heal most life threatening injuries. Our problem is the weird stuff or the stuff that gets tainted magic in it. So far every way we know to purge it causes the area to be blocked from further magical healing and generally resistant altogether. Personally, I'd rather have the true healing adepts, but the beds are likely easier to obtain."

"Have that pair reached that point?"

Lindy said, "They should be close, but as they haven't demonstrated healing of that caliber without using a partial bond, I honestly don't know."

"Try to make sure they reach that point before they leave if you can, and I'm sure I don't need to tell you to make sure copious notes are taken. Skills like this should not have been lost. It angers me more than a little that they were."

Amused, Lindy said dryly, "I don't think we need worry about that. There is a rather long report on their first effort I've only had time to skim. You should read it."

"Must I?"

"I'm sure someone will make you a cliff notes version."

"You know, if you wanted this position."

She sighed. "Not particularly."

"Think about it. You have a year or two, but not much more than that to decide."

"Won't me having a relative in a position of power be a problem?"

"Doubtful. You won't be able to give him any of the help you have given him, though I doubt he will need it as much."

"Is it so wrong to want my son to remain among the living? We stole his childhood as we stole the childhood of Nanoha and the others. It is not right!"

"We know. We have known for some time. You have brought some solutions and some problems. We will keep doing as we have been, to keep making the best choices we can and fixing it when we screw up."

"I know. They say they are worried about their government, but no one paying attention can do anything but worry about government of all types. The story of the strong man, of what the Terran's call Fascism, is a tale as old as time. They list it as: Powerful and continuing displays of Nationalism, a disdain for rights of the other. Identifying enemies and scapegoats. Supremacy of the military. Rampant sexism. Discrimination and Dehumanization, Control of the Media. Obsession with National Security, or governing through fear. Blending religion and government. Blending corporate power and government. An obsession with corporate well being. Labor rights suppression. A disdain for intellectualism and the arts. An obsession with crime and punishment. Cronyism. They end with Fraudulent Elections, though the order can be varied."

"Different words, but the pattern is one we know well. Think about what I asked. I don't think the government here is nearly so fragile, but I would feel better if leadership in these changing times was in the hands of someone we knew we could trust."

"I will."

-=oOo=-

Megumi sang softly to a fussy Vivio.

There is nothing less I would do

Than to stand up for truth

She sang a bit softer as Vivio finally fell asleep before slipping into the other bed on the other side of the room. Lindy had given her her own room, but it seemed that Vivio still had nightmares when her mothers were not near. She was in no way a replacement, but it seemed she could sleep peacefully when she was near.

-=oOo=-

Author's Note: The very brief bit of singing at the end comes from a song called Alchemy of Love by Christopher Franke and performed by Nina Hagen and Rick Jude. It is easy to find on Youtube. With election season over, well I kind of wanted to use that quote somewhere, and here it is.

I'm still amazed how long it takes to just edit and post this many words of chapters. I said originally this was around 300k words, and I suspect it will end somewhere in that area. At the very least I intend to find a good ending somewhere around there. If there is interest later I can add more to it in a second book.

On a side note, if something I write in fanfiction is something someone else can seriously improve, well that I wouldn't mind seeing, but improve has to be more than an extra chapter or two. It would need to be a serious effort comparable to the original effort.

Either way how about some kudos, or bookmarks, or comments, preferably on the AO3 site?