Star Trek: Ranma's Story
Disclaimer: Neither "Ranma ½" nor "Sailor Moon" nor "Star Trek" belongs to me.
Note: This story is a companion piece to "Sailor Moon ST". However, this
particular story is designed to be read separately if so desired.
Part 2
August 11, 3004: Tokyo, Japan ("Star Trek-Earth").
"Okay, BEGIN! ONE!"
"Huh!"
"TWO!"
"Huh!"
"THREE!"
"Huh!!"
At the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts, in the Nerima district of Tokyo, a
basic skills class is being conducted. At the moment, the headmaster is Robert
Saotome, the son of the founder of the school, is conducting the class. Like his
father Ranma, the founder and Grandmaster of their family's martial arts style,
Robert was cursed like his father. In other words, whenever Robert gets wet with
cold water, he assumes the body of a young girl. It is this very curse that has
given Robert a certain degree of immortality, for whenever his curse is
activated, his male body stops aging. His sisters, thanks again to the Ranma's
curse, are truly immortal. Still, thanks to Ranma, Robert knows the means of
controlling his curse, though the side-effect of the complete dominance of his
own body is regeneration. And it is that aspect of his existence that has
allowed him to live for hundreds of years.
"Okay, that is enough," Robert said, as he stood in the front of his class.
Outside of the blond hair, Robert looked like his father Ranma. "I want you all
to pair up for 'kumate' exercises."
"Yes, sensei!" the class roared.
"Keiko," Robert said, as he turned to his assistant. "Could you handle the class
while I speak with the reporter?"
"Yes, Father," the young girl said. Unlike many of her cousins, Keiko was still
living her first life. If her genes and heritage was predictable, this sixteen
year-old could become an immortal as well.
As Robert leaves the dojo, he casually looks at the plaques that adorned the
hall way. Each one had a name of those students of the Anything Goes Style who
had graduated from the program successfully:
Usagi Tsukino.
Spock of Vulcan.
Hikaru Sulu.
Hoshi Sato.
Aiko Saotome.
Hoshiko Saotome.
Qurzon Dax of Trill.
William Riker.
Worf of Q'onos
Benjamin Sisko.
Kathryn Janeway.
Ezri Dax of Trill.
B'lanna Torres.
And this was but a handful of past students who have went on to become
practitioners of the Saotome school. Robert knew that his father's enthusiasm
for martial arts had deep roots, so much so that not one Starfleet Academy
graduate could say that they haven't been taught an aspect of the "Anything
Goes" martial arts style. However, only those students whose names adorned the
wall of the "Saotome-ke", at least a thousand in number, accumulated over the
past seven hundred years, had a special place in the family-run school. Many of
the students who were fascinated by the basic self-defense that Ranma taught at
the Academy, would go on to petition for a place his school. And those who
complete Ranma's personal instruction would go on to become Starfleet's finest
starship Captains.
Waiting in Robert's office was a reporter for the "New Yorker", who wanted to
gather background information for the up-coming Ranma Saotome issue.
"Miss Merriweather, welcome to the Saotome-ke," Robert said, as he shook the
reporter's hand. "I take your trip here was uneventful?"
"Yes, it was," Merriweather replies. "Now, if you don't mind, I would like to
get this interview over…"
An hour later, and after the reporter has left, Robert muses in his office.
"Dad, the last of the students have left," Keiko says, as she peeks her head
inside Robert's office.
"Thanks, Keiko," Robert replies.
"Oh, and I have a surprise guest for you."
Robert raised one of his eyebrows.
"Fine, send 'em in."
With a smile, Keiko nodded. A moment later, a familiar face walks into Robert's
office.
"Pa?" Robert said, as he raises from his seat.
Ranma Saotome walks into his old office, as he takes off his overcoat. He wore
khaki slacks, semi-casual black shoes and a white, long-sleeved shirt. Since the
Saotome residence was more westernized than most homes in Japan, he did not need
to take off his shoes, with the exception of the dojo, that is.
"Hey, son," Ranma said, as plops down in his old chair.
"I'll bring some tea," Keiko said, as she goes towards the family kitchen.
"Thanks. Robert, how much training in the family Art has she learned?"
"Well, with the exception of the Cat-Fist, and the more esoteric techniques,
Keiko is the best martial artist in her class. I want her to make the choice in
her initiation."
"I see."
"Here you go, grand-dad," Keiko said, as returns with her tray. "Just like you
like it: earl gray, hot, with a wedge of lemon."
"Thanks."
"Dad, I have to do my homework. May I be excused?"
Robert nods his head.
After Keiko leaves, her father turns to Ranma.
"Okay, what's wrong?"
"What?"
"Well, you coming here is not exactly unexpected, considering that you and Mom
are planning on making one last bid at going home."
"What? You think I'm soul-searching or something?"
"At least, 'something'. What, you think I can't continue your legacy?"
"That isn't it, Robert. Look, I just want to tell my son that I'm proud of him,
that's all. Sheesh."
Robert looks Ranma while sipping tea.
"Well…thank you, Pa. I know that I was not as rough-hewn as you were growing up,
but I paid my dues. You should be proud of the fact that you could pass on the
Saotome techniques without following the path of…THE PANDA."
"Oh, I don't know, you would have liked your grandfather."
"…"
"Okay, scratch that. Still, his training made me the man that I am today."
"I bet there was NO training that was too tough for you to master."
"Actually, there was. Back in 2267, when I enlisted in Starfleet."
"You got to be kidding me. 'Basic Training' was tough?"
"Yeah, it was tough. Oh, I could handle the physical stuff. That part was easy.
No, it was the psychological stuff that was hard."
"Really?"
"Really. Why do you think I was named 'wild horse'?"
As Ranma began to recount his tale, he looks at the old recruiting class
picture, that was hanging on his son's wall…
Chapter 4: Basic Training
Having petitioned to join Starfleet, I was shipped first to Earth. Earth.
Everything seemed so clean. The people seemed so comfortable. It was like every
problem that people have was easily solved. I bet that people like Nabiki would
have to create problems in order to make a profit from them.
Anyway, there I was on Paris Island, where the few and the proud would be
trained to be the best of the best that Starfleet had to offer, and I was more
than determined to be one of them.
Ranma was rubbing his shaved head, wincing at the thought that his pig-tail was
now gone. He, of course, tried to get the barber to just shave his head, but
there was no way to prevent the inevitable. He did regret that his hair problem
of years past had went away, otherwise, it would have grown back within moments.
At least, he kept the dragon's whisker with him, so that he could use it once
his hair grew back in, albeit not for a long while.
The other thing that disturbed Ranma was the co-ed shower arrangements. It
wasn't his Jusenkyo cursed that would be a problem for him. Quite the opposite
in fact. However, it was the fact that he had to deal with other people, people
who seem so…nonchalant about walking around nude. Communal baths were one thing,
but co-ed arrangements were a whole other thing. Ranma was more than ready to
pummel any pervert that reacts to his presence.
The only good thing that has come out of this, is his participation in the
accelerated secondary education program. It allowed him to be functionally
literate in English, as well as receive the equivalent of a high school diploma.
From there, Ranma continue his education, which will run concurrent with his
military training. If he is successful, Ranma will have both a job and a
credentialed skill once his eight-months are completed. And if he is REALLY
successful, Ranma hopes get his first posting aboard the Enterprise.
"Attention!"
Everyone in barrack stood at attention, as the drill instructor begins his
pacing.
"Welcome, recruits. You have been selected to be part of the finest organization
the world has ever known. I am Drill Sergeant Horus, and you will address me as
'Drill Sergeant'. For the next eighteen weeks, your collective arses will be
mine. I will purposely trip you up, so that only the best of the best can serve
Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Drill Sergeant!" the group said in unison.
"Bullcrap! I said, 'Is that CLEAR?'"
"YES, DRILL SERGEANT!!!"
Now, Ranma, being who he is, made the one mistake that he would regret for some
time."
"Feh!"
"Who the hell said that?" Horus said, as he walked towards the source of the
sound. "If I don't see the perpetrator of the offense step forth, we all are
going to do some drill now!"
"I said that, Drill Sergeant," Ranma said simply.
Horus eyes Ranma.
"Well, well. The fem-boy speaks. I read your psych profile, boy. I was wondering
if and when you would step out of line."
"I just want to get this stupid thing over and done with, so that I can go into
Starfleet Security."
"Is that right? Well, let me tell you something. The only way there is through
ME. It will be my pleasure to wash you out of the program."
Ranma eyes Horus.
"You eyeing me, boy? Or should I say, 'girl'?"
Ranma had to control himself. The Guardian insisted that he must become a
Starship Captain, or many people will be harmed without him.
"Well?"
"I have nothing to say, Drill Sergeant."
"Good. Before long, you and I will get to know each other…'Femboy'!"
As the days and weeks rolled by, Drill Instructor Horus pushed Ranma hard. Ranma
could handle the training and the drills. What did irked him was that he had to
take it.
"Pick up the pace, Saotome!"
"Yes, Drill Sergeant!"
Horus had Ranma carry the pack of the entire platoon.
Not all encounters between Horus and Ranma were in front of the recruiting
class.
"Want to give up, Saotome?"
"No, drill sergeant!" Ranma said.
Ranma as being punished for eating more than the prescribed amounts of food
allocated for the platoon. So, he was doing WEIGHTED leg lifts all night.
"I said, keep your legs six inches off the ground, Saotome."
"Yes, drill sergeant!"
Horus puts his face right into Ranma's face.
"I can make it real easy for you. Just say the word, and I can cut you from the
rolls."
"No, drill sergeant!"
"Naw, I'm cutting you from the rolls ASAP!"
"No, you don't, drill sergeant!"
"Why? Why should I let you stay?"
"Because I need this! I NEED THIS!"
Horus looks at Saotome.
"Hit the showers, Saotome. And be ready for drills in the morning."
"Yes, drill sergeant!"
The area that Ranma had assailed in was "Combat Tactics", a euphemism for
"martial arts".
"AUUGH!"
Ranma had casually trounced his latest partner.
"Like anyone can beat me," Ranma smirked.
Horus takes one look at Ranma and smiles.
"You, son, are in a world of hurt."
"No one can beat me. I'm the best there is."
Horus nods, as he takes off his shirt and drill instructor's hat.
"Let's see how you deal with a true warrior."
Ranma examined his opponent. He didn't seem any stronger than before…
Ranma's danger senses spiked, as Horus suddenly came upon him. Using a classic
wind mill, Horus almost connected his blow.
Ranma countered, using a backfist to punch the back of Horus's head. Horus, not
looking, intercepted the punch by grabbing it. Horus then yanked a surprised
Ranma off his feet, and threw him towards a wall.
Ranma countered this move, by bouncing off the wall. He was heading for the
Drill Instructor with a flying kick.
Horus smiled, as he intercepted Ranma, grabbed his leg, and slammed him down
into the mat.
Ranma was hurt, but he was not about to go down without a fight.
"Had enough, son?"
"No," Ranma said, as he "kipup". He cupped his hands. "Moko Takibasha!"
An energy discharge made from life-spirit energy called "chi" left Ranma's hand.
As the energy made its mark, Ranma wondered how such an old guy could keep up
with him.
Ranma was shocked when the ki discharge merely singed Horus undershirt.
Horus smirked, as his eyes began blaze with fire…
Ranma was suddenly engulfed in a bonfire.
"Ahhh!"
The flame quickly left as it did arrive, leaving a slightly singed Ranma.
"Have enough NOW, son?"
Ranma dusted himself off.
"Let's try that again."
Horus nodded, and stuck out his palm. A torrent of flames flew out of his hand,
and sped towards Ranma. Ranma increased his speed, and dodged out of the way.
The column of flames funneled towards Ranma's last known position, and then
chased after Ranma. Ranma circled around and headed for Horus position. Horus,
seeing this, got into a fighting position.
"Kid, you think you could use my own attack against me?"
Ranma smiled.
"Yep, but not in the way YOU think!"
Ranma began circling around Horus. Horus delivered some blows, but Ranma's
actions deflected them. Then, when the two combatants were completely encircled
by the flame, Ranma delivered his final "blow":
"Dragon Ascension Revised: COLD SNAP!"
Horus felt Ranma's blow, amplified by the force of the cold-induced vacuum of
the revised "Dragon Ascension" technique. Horus flew up, and then right back
down in a crashed heap. Not taking any chances, Ranma jumped up after Horus,
intending to deliver to finish the fight…
Suddenly, Ranma felt a foot to his groin.
"Auggh!" Ranma said, as he fell into a heap, clutching his groin.
Horus simply got up, and dusted himself off.
"You got a lot of heart, boy. Just remember this: anyone can loose a fight.
Anyone."
And with that, Horus limped away, while the rest of Ranma's class took Ranma to
the infirmary.
However, the most difficult trial that Ranma had to face was the "No Win
Scenario". Each recruit was secretly tested on his or her greatest fears, and
Ranma was no exception.
On the evening that Ranma FINALLY had free, a fire near his barracks broke out.
Ranma, being Ranma, went to investigate the situation.
"Is anyone in there?" Ranma called.
"We're here!" cried a voice.
Ranma covered his face with a damp rag, as he braced himself for the heat. He
looked about wildly, until he saw what he was looking for.
On one end, Ranma saw a technician pinned underneath a beam.
"You okay?"
"I think so. I can't seem to move, though. But deal with Lt. M'Lynn first. I
think she's suffering from smoke inhalation."
Ranma nodded, as he went through the burning debris. However, when he got to
M'Lynn's position, he stopped cold.
M'Lynn was a cat-girl from the planet Cataan.
"Oh, man," Ranma said, as he fear of cats began to spike. "I don't know if I can
do it!"
"You got to, Saotome! The fuel pumps are heating up!"
Ranma tried to focus. If he went and got the girl, he might go catatonic. If he
tried to go to the man, so that he could be the one to get the girl, they all
may die from the resulting explosion by the fuel tank.
"Get M'Lynn out of here, Saotome!"
"What about you?"
"There's no time! If you don't hurry, we all could die!"
Akane, what should I do? Ranma thought.
Then, he came to a decision.
With great effort, Ranma closed his eyes, picked up the girl, and jumped out of
the window, just as the fuel tanks exploded.
"No, no!" Ranma said. His fear of cats, and his inability to choose cost the
lives of a man.
"CUT!"
Suddenly the place was surrounded by a team of fire-service technicians, as well
as other people. The fire, which seemly blazed uncontrollably, died out
immediately.
"What's going on?" Ranma asked.
"You son have witnessed the 'No-win Scenario', son," Horus said, as he stepped
out from the shadows. "Everyone must face with the possibility of loosing,
including you."
So, you mean-?"
"See for yourself."
Not only was M'Lynn smiling, but the man who was trapped inside the burning
building was up and about.
"Never forget that everyone's time is finite. Everyone's."
And with that Ranma was left to ponder his thoughts. What would have happened if
Akane had died that day at Jusendo, when he fought Saffron? Could he survive
that experience?
In the end, in spite of all the odds, Ranma graduated from Basic Training with
honors. From there, he would go on the Advanced Training, where he would be
trained as a Security Specialist.
On graduation day…
"Congratulations, Saotome," Horus said, as he handed graduation pin and
certificate. "You and your fellow recruits were the last class before I retire,
so I want to make sure that I sent you all off with flying colors. I am proud to
be your Drill Instructor."
"It had been…and honor, Drill Sergeant."
And thus the two saluted each other.
When the ceremony was done, Ranma was milling about. He sighed. There was no one
there to greet him-
"RANMA!"
Ranma saw his new friend, Lt. Commander Usagi Tsukino waving to him. She was
dressed in her own uniform.
"Ma'am," Ranma said, as he snapped to attention.
"Midshipman," Usagi replied likewise. Then, she hugged Ranma. "I'm so proud of
you!"
"How did you-?"
"I asked Captain Kirk if I could take some time off to see you and Horus off-"
"Drill Instructor Horus? How do you know him?"
"Well, he was MY drill instructor, when I first joined."
"Oh."
"Come! We have a day to celebrate!" Usagi said, as she pulled Ranma by the hand.
"Alright, I'm coming!"
And that was that. I had many cruel masters in the past, but none so cruel…so
honorable… than Drill Instructor Horus. Thanks to him, I was able to become the
very axiom that was the hallmark of the Anything Goes martial arts style:
adaptability. Could I have adapted to this strange, new world without Horus'
"encouragement"? Perhaps. However, he insured that this "blade" was tempered to
a finer point, especially when it became time to become a teacher amongst
teacher. Or something like that.
Incidentally, I later found out that "Drill Instructor Horus" was a mortal
incarnation of the Egyptian god Horus, the Hawkgod. I do wonder why no one said
anything about this. Then again, with many alien species around with special
abilities, no one really cared. Nevertheless, I will never forget this period of
time, when I finally became a man amongst men.
Tbc.
Author's note: There you have it. Ranma survives his indoctrination. Much of the
drill sergeant stuff is taken from such films as "Full Metal Jacket" and "An
Officer and a Gentlemen". Check them out. Also, since gods do exist in the world
of "Star Trek" (check out "Plato's Step-children" and "Who Mourns for Adonis"),
then Horus being around in not exactly a stretch in the imagination. Besides,
who could possibly humble Ranma, especially after beating Saffron? C&C are
always welcomed.
Next time: Ranma joins the crew of the Enterprise, as Captain Kirk's historic
five-year mission winds down. So, how would he fair in established "Star Trek"
lore? Find out in "Missions", on another exciting episode of "Star Trek: Ranma's
Story". See you then!