Star Trek: Ranma's Story19 – By DS Wynne

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Disclaimer: "Ranma ½", "Star Trek", and other genres belong to their respective owners.

Note: This is a semi-fusion, alt-crossover story

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Part 19

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Commander Ranma Saotome had just arrived to give his briefing to the assembled Starfleet Command. He and Federation Ambassador Curzon Dax had spent the last month on the Klingon home-world on Q'onos, in light of the potentially catastrophic effect caused by the destruction of the mining world of Praxis. He and Curzon had stayed in the home of Lord Kang, who was the friendlier member of the Klingon High Council. And, after helping to propel a would-be assassination attempt on the House of Kang, Ranma and Curzon was able to secure the preliminary agreement.

"Hey, Ranma," said a voice.

Ranma turned to see Commander Usagi Tsukino, who seemed to have finished speaking with Federation Ambassador Hoshi Sato. Ranma gave a nod to Hoshi, who returned the gesture before turning to leave the hall.

"Hey, Usagi," Ranma said. "I take it that your application to become the next commandant of Starfleet Academy."

"Well, apparently, I am in the running with Commander Relar of Andor. However, I since I have the backing of Vulcan, Alpha Centauri and Earth, the scales may have tipped towards my favor, especially since the Tellerites and the Andorians don't particularly get along."

"Yeah, I guess."

"So, how was your trip to the Klingon homeworld?"

"Believe it or not, it was quite a success, so much so that I've been invited back to become Ambassador Dax's official Starfleet liaison."

"Huh, I guess you found a second home, Ranma-kun."

"I wouldn't take it THAT far. Besides, if I want to have my own captaincy someday, I have to have more diplomatic skills."

"I see. Well, we better get going. You know how Vice-Admiral Cartwright can get if anyone is late."

"Yeah. Oh, by the way, this is for you."

Ranma hands Usagi a classified document.

"What's this?"

"You'll know when you read it."

Usagi read the file, and frowned.

"You're not serious, are you?"

Ranma began to walk away.

"Ranma, you can't be serious!"

Ranma looked back at his old friend.

"I wish I wasn't. But after what had happened on Q'onos, we can't take any chances on this."

Usagi nodded. If Ranma's file was correct, then the next few days will be difficult.

Later…

With the conclusion of the meeting, it was decided, thanks to Captain Spock's advice, that the Enterprise-A would escort Klingon Chancellor Gorkon's flagship. In the meantime, it was decided, as a show of friendship, that the Klingons would have dinner on the Enterprise-A.

"So, what do you think of this…peace overture?" said Chancellor Gorkon, as he unfolded his napkin.

"I do admit that I am skeptical, Chancellor," Kirk replied. "However, Commander Saotome's report indicates that both of our peoples could benefit from a solid peace agreement."

"Ah, the great Commander Saotome," General Chang said, as he ate his meal. "He is a feisty one, no?"

Ranma was slightly embarrassed. He was not the type to accept praises lightly, not since he was a kid. When he was younger, Ranma would lap up the praise.

But now…after everything he has gone through for the past fifteen years, Ranma was a bit more seasoned.

"Commander Saotome is a competent officer," Spock says.

"Yes, an OFFICER. I take it that you have heard of his bravery on Q'onos?"

"I have heard of it," Kirk says.

"Speaking of which, your Shakespeare is a fascinating read, especially when read in Klingon."

"I prefer the original text, thank you very much."

After dinner, Ranma sat to meditate. He was trying to come up with any possible angles that could help the peace accords, when he heard a knock on the door.

"Come."

Lt. Valaris, a protégé of Captain Spock, enters.

"Have I disturbed you?" Valaris asked.

"Um, no. I was just thinking about the conference."

Valaris went, and sat down besides Ranma.

"You know, and I hate to admit this, but I find you most…attractive."

"Um, thanks?"

"Oh, sorry. It is…awkward for me to admit feelings for a non-Vulcan."

Ranma had known Valaris through Usagi, who was once a beau of Captain Spock. And it was through those contacts Valaris had indicated an interest in Ranma.

"May I, Commander?"

Valaris began stroking Ranma's cheek.

Ranma abruptly sat up.

"Look, I'm not ready to go into something right now."

"Oh. Then…I will depart."

As Valaris got up, Ranma abruptly went over to the Vulcan.

"Look, I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings or something."

"I do not want to make you uncomfortable."

"Okay. We can hang out, but I don't want to promise anything."

"Then I will not make that promise either."

Early in the morning, the ship's red alert rang out.

Ranma bolted up.

Valaris, who was lying next to Ranma sat up as well.

"Trouble," Ranma said, as he began to put on his clothes.

Valaris did so likewise.

"We'll…talk later," Ranma said, as he bolted from his quarters.

Once Valaris was fully dressed, she activated her wrist communicator.

"My part as been completed," Valaris said. "Proceed to the next phase."

It turned out that the Klingon flagship was struck by a photon torpedo, and that the Enterprise-A's computer logs indicated the ship fired upon the flagship. Furthermore, a pair of assassins had worn spacesuits with gravity boots to take advantage of the Klingon flagship's lack of gravity, to assassinate the Chancellor. It was Ranma who suggested that he beams over to check things out on the Klingon flagship, and it was Kirk who volunteered himself and Dr. McCoy to accompany Ranma.

When Ranma and company beamed over to the Klingon ship, they noticed that the ship was in chaos.

"I scout ahead," Ranma said, as he used his chi to propel himself through the corridor. After a while, he saw the floating form of the Chancellor's daughter Azetbur.

"Don't worry," Ranma said in Klingon. "I got ya."

The beautiful Klingon looked at her hero.

"Commander?"

Ranma floated back down with Azetbur, just as the gravity generator was repaired.

"You're alright?" Ranma asked.

"Wait! My father!"

With Ranma, Azetbur rushed to her father's quarters. There, she could see Dr. McCoy struggling to revive the Klingon Chancellor.

"Please, damn it!" McCoy said, as he desperately tried to keep his vital signs open.

"Doctor, allow me," Ranma said, as he rushed to the chancellor's side. "I'll try it my way."

Ranma rolled up his sleeve, revealing a phoenix tattoo.

"What's that?" Kirk asked.

"Commander Tsukino gave it to me after her last sabbatical." Ranma said.

The phoenix tattoo was a mystical talisman that allows the possessor to heal, restore and even resurrect a person or persons. The only qualifier was that the user had the energy requirement to power the tattoo, especially since the talisman drew directly on the life force to create the desired effect.

When Ranma touched the Chancellor, a slight glow enveloped the Chancellor…

"Huh!" Gorkon woke with a start, followed by a cornucopia of coughing.

"Father!" Azetbur says, as she hugged the chancellor.

"You okay, Saotome?" Kirk asked.

"Yeah, just a little winded."

Suddenly, an armed squadron of Klingons surrounded Ranma, Kirk and McCoy.

"What's the meaning of this?" McCoy demanded.

"I'm afraid that I will have to hold you all custody until this is sorted out," Azetbur says. "However, in light of what Commander Saotome did, you will be treated humanely."

And with that, the Klingon bird of prey chances course, and heads back into Klingon space.

Aboard the Enterprise-A…

"How could you let Starfleet allow the Klingons to hold them?" Captain Scott asked.

Spock looked at Usagi, who nodded.

"Because we have are orders," Spock replied. "In the meantime, we are to be assigned to these coordinates."

Spock hands a data-pad to Scotty. Scotty looks at the pad, and then smiles.

"Understood, Spock."

"I'm glad."

The ship was to do a routine mapping a nebula that was close to the Klingon Neutral Zone.

A day later…

"As these men's counselor, I recommend house arrest," said Colonial Worf.

"Agreed," said the magistrate. "The prisoners will be placed in custody on Rura Penthe for the duration of negotiations between the Federation and the Empire."

CLANG!

As the three Starfleet officers were led, Ranma had a funny feeling that Counselor Worf will play a significant role in his life somehow.

A few days later, Kirk, Saotome and McCoy found themselves on an icy planet, which was the Klingon's version of "house arrest". It was the only way to convince the Klingons to reconvene the peace accords, this time on the neutral world of Khitomer.

Ranma, who was covered in furs skin over her uniform, merely meditated, while Kirk and McCoy interacted with the convicts. Of course, interaction involved an occasional scuffle. Finally, one of the inmates sits next to Ranma.

"Lord Kang sends his regards," the alien woman said. Her dark skin and pale eyes were striking in their dichotomy. "Be glad that he got to me first before someone else did."

"I see. So, is the Albino a part of the conspiracy?"

"Not exactly. He was part of the coup for sure, but there are others who have taken advantage of his…ambition."

"So, when is the next hit?"

"It will proceed during the signing of the accords. Chancellor Gorkon's daughter will be the official dignitary in the signing. Anyway, here."

The woman gives Ranma a micro data unit.

"Thanks."

Ranma gets up.

"You can come with us, you know," Ranma says, while looking back.

"And miss all this action?" the woman replied, while smoking a thin cigar. "Besides, officially, I'm here for another ten of your earth years. Unofficially, I provide a necessary underground for the black market."

Ranma looks at the woman.

"I am being paid well, you know."

"Humph."

The woman, whose name was Martia, used her shape-shifting abilities to allow Kirk and company to escape. At the same time, the Enterprise-A sneaks over into Klingon space to pick the three up from the icy world.

Now on board the ship, Ranma uses the data information to reveal the identities of the conspirators aboard the Enterprise-A. Two of them were crewmen who were in charge of the utility equipment, which includes space-suits and magnetic boots, and the other one was-

"Lt. Valaris," Captain Kirk said, as everyone was assembled on the bridge. "Why?"

Valaris simply turned her head, away from Kirk, refusing to answer. Then, her expression changed, and sharply turned her gaze to Ranma, who was getting a shoulder message from Uhura.

"You…you knew?"

Ranma smirked.

"Not exactly," Ranma said, as he got up. "Kang did warn me that someone close to the command crew of the Enterprise-A would betray them. I didn't want to believe that you would be the traitor, but…you certainly fulfilled your role. It's a good thing that I knew a person like you when I was younger, otherwise I would not have seen signs."

Spock, showing signs of anger, was about to force a mind-meld on Valaris. However, Usagi held him back.

"Don't.' Usagi said. "I'll do it."

Spock was hesitant, but ultimately relented.

"Lt. Valaris," Usagi said, as she approached the young Vulcan. "I am sorry that I will have to do this."

Usagi Tsukino hated to do what she was about to do. She was a Bene Gesserit and Jedi Mistress by training, among other things, and knew the risks of engaging the dark arts of the Mind. Every time she did so, it felt as if she was slipping into skin of an eel. With that in mind, Usagi eyes seemed to change color, from a normal blue to a translucent blue.

"You will tell us exactly what you did, and the reasons for those actions," Usagi said, in a weird, echo-like voice.

Valaris found herself slipping into a trance, in spite of her disciplined mind.

"How-?

"That is not the response I want." Usagi replied. "I have studied the mental disciplines of many worlds, including Vulcan, child. Now…your mind belongs to ME."

Valaris told the assembled crew that she was there to insure that Ranma was distracted, while the assassination attempt took place. She and a few others on both sides (Federation and Klingon) did not believe in the peace accord, and were itching to have a final resolution.

"But that doesn't explain how Gorkon's ship was attacked," Chekov says.

"Simple," Ranma said, as he brought up another video screen. "The Klingons have a cloaked Bird of Prey, courtesy of the Romulan R&D."

"How did you know all this?" McCoy asks.

Ranma smiles.

"Lord Kang sends his regards."

With the information in hand, the Enterprise-A speeds off to Khitomer, where the peace conference was to take place.

"Where is that ship?" Kirk asks.

"Captain, we are receiving a incoming signal," Uhura says. "Audio only."

"Proceed."

"Well, Captain, it looks like you survived," said the voice.

"General Chang," Spock says.

"Chang, what do you want?" Kirk asked.

"What do I want is what YOU want. Come now, do you think you and I can live in a world where the lamb lie with the sheep? So, on that note, as your famous bard once wrote, "Let us release the dogs of war."

Suddenly, a volley of photon torpedoes flew out of the darkness of space, and slams into the Enterprise-A.

BOOM!

The ship is rocked by the impact, but the shields seem to hold firm.

"We have sustained some damage," Usagi said, as she frantically sorted the damage reports that was being streamlined from Uhura's station.

"Saotome," Kirk began. "Fire at will."

Ranma took the weapon control station, and began to think. Obviously, Chang was going to use misdirection as a means to attack the Enterprise-A. All he needs to do is hold off the assault long enough to get within transporter range of Khitomer-

"Brace for impact!" Ranma shouted, having sensed the next volley of torpedoes.

BOOM!

"Tell me, Captain Kirk," Chang said over the audio. "Are you a warrior or a peace-maker?"

Before Kirk could respond, the proverbial Calvary comes in…

"Sir, it's the Excelsior!" Chekov exclaims.

The Excelsior, commanded by Captain Sulu, intercepted the attack.

"Thanks for the save, Captain Sulu," Kirk says with a smile.

"No problem, Captain Kirk," Sulu replies. "And tell Commander Saotome that I still expect him to help unite our clans."

Kirk looks over to Ranma, who merely shrugged.

With the arrival of the Excelsior, the Enterprise-A was able to get close enough to Khitomer, allowing Kirk, Spock and Scotty to beam down to stop the assassination attempt, leaving Ranma in charge.

"So, what are you going to do?" Chekov said.

Having taken the center seat, Ranma thought for a minute. He began to rely on his training of misdirection. Then, he recalled a key detail of the information that he had acquired from Kang.

"That ship out there is using a lot of energy to both clock and fire its weapon, right?" Ranma asked.

Then it dawned on Uhura.

"Maybe there is a way of tracking the exhaust," Uhura replied.

"Like a tail pipe!" Chekov interjected.

Ranma turns to Usagi.

"Usagi, I need for you to modify one of our torpedoes to track the exhaust of that ship out there."

"I'm on it. Dr. McCoy, you're with me."

Dr. McCoy was on the bridge attending to some engineers at the time of the request.

"I'm a doctor, not an engineer-!"

Now with two ships, Ranma was able to direct tactical to intercept the torpedoes. Still, a lesson must be taught.

"Usagi, I need that weapon!" Ranma yelled.

Usagi and McCoy were frantically altering the torpedo.

"Just a second…there!"

"This 'baby' is ready to be born," McCoy says, as both he and the Operations Specialist hurried out of the torpedo bay.

Ranma nods to Uhura, as she flips on the audio.

"General Chang! This is Commander Ranma Saotome, and on behalf of the Enterprise, I have message for you!"

On cue, the modified torpedo is activated.

"And what is that, pup?"

"To quote your favorite author, 'Sweet are the uses of adversity'. Have fun in Stovokor, General!"

That's when Chang saw the incoming torpedo.

"'Alas poor Yorick, I knew you well-"

BOOM!

Once the Bird of Prey was decloaked, the Enterprise-A and the Excelsior rained down another volley of torpedoes, thus rendering the threat that Chang poised against the prospects for peace.

Down in Khitomer, Kirk and the remaining command crew stops the assassination attempt, orchestrated by Vice-Admiral Cartwright himself, of both Gorkon's daughter and the Federation President. Kirk then apologizes to Azetbur for not believing that peace was not possible. Gorkon's daughter accepts the apology gracefully.

Later…

With the Enterprise-A on the verge of decommissioning, Captain Kirk has decided to take the ship out for one last tour. Usagi and Captain Scott feels that the ship's systems were salvageable enough without the need to go to a space-dock.

And speaking of Usagi…

BEEP-BEEP!

Ranma was reading "The Tempest" in his quarters, when the door rang.

"Come," Ranma said, as closed his book.

Usagi steps inside.

"Hey, you got a minute?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"I just want to say how sorry I am for what Valaris did to you."

"It's…nothing," Ranma replied, as he sits the book down. "It wasn't like I was in love with her or nothing."

"Ranma, please. This is me you're talking to. We've been through too much already."

"Yeah. I don't like to share my feelings with anyone, 'cuz I don't want to risk loosing them, especially with the kind of work we do out here."

Usagi places a hand on her friend's hand.

"Ranma, there is a verse that says, to paraphrase, 'There is no greater love than for one to give his life for another'. After what you have done for Kirk and the others, for me for the allies you have made over the years…I say that you know the meaning of the word love more so than those who profess to do the wrong things for the right reasons. This whole episode that we went through illustrates this. Heck, if you were willing to fight the likes of Khan, Chang, Cell, Sauron and even Set, then I say you have a love for the human condition that is greater than any one that I know."

"Yeah, I guess. It's just that I feel further away from what I was than ever before. I don't even know if Akane would accept me as I am."

Usagi sighed.

"I would think that Akane would be proud of you, no matter what. You just have to believe that yourself."

And with that, Usagi gave Ranma a peck on the cheek.

"Good night."

And with that, Usagi was gone.

Ranma blushed slightly. If he had to stay in this dimension longer, he wouldn't mind staying with a girl like Usagi Tsukino.

And on that note, he turned in for the night, not knowing, but not really caring, what the future held for him.

Carpe diem…"Seize the day".

Fin.