Star Trek: Ranma's Story25 – By DS Wynne

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

Note: This is multi-epic story with many elements to it.

Special note: While this is a spin-off story to "Sailor Moon ST", you don't have to read that one to enjoy this one.

Part 25

Data.

Ranma Saotome was part of the investigation team that was sent to Omicron Theta, to help investigate the disappearance of the colonists there. Unofficially, he received an intelligence report of an entity that may have destroyed the colony there. And if the entity was still in the area, he was to ascertain its motives…and neutralize it if necessary.

"Abba, we are almost there," said T'Sara Spocksdotter, who would accompany Ranma on this investigation. Even though she was a part of the Diplomatic Corp these days, T'Sara did enjoy the occasional investigative missions for the Federation.

Besides, it gave her a chance to spend time with her pet "cabbit" Tho-Ohki, a rabbit-feline hybrid that can morph into both a mechanized robot and a starship. The cabbit was acquired during one of Usagi adventures, shortly before returning to Starfleet duty under the helm of Captain Christopher Pike, of the original starship Enterprise.

"'Thumper', take us out of warp," T'Sara says, referring to Tho'Ohki's "nickname".

"Th-OWWW!"

A short time later…

"Man, look at this devastation," Ranma said, as he used his Tricorder. All around them was a virtual wasteland, which lacked any sort of vegestation. The planet even lacked bacteria. "You getting anything?"

"Affirmative," T'Sara replies. "I am definitely picking up an unusual form of radiation, though it is not life-threatening."

"Good, 'cuz I would hate to loose all this good hair of mine."

T'Sara rolls her eyes.

Eventually, the two came upon the home of Dr. Noonien Soong, a famous cyberneticist. Ranma's other orders were to secure any data from Dr. Soong's workshop that may have survived. Instead, they found something else.

"Look at this," T'Sara says, as she opened up the stasis, revealing a fully-functional android. Accept for the opaque skin color, the android looked exactly like a young Dr. Soong.

"We should activate it," T'sara suggested.

"I…don't know," Ranma said. "You know how I feel about androids."

"Well, this is Dr. Soong's creation; not Dr. Gero's."

Ranma could remember the incident involving Dr. Gero, and how it all led to the menace known as "Cell".

"Fine, but I will shut this thing down if it causes any problems."

"Agreed."

And with that, T'Sara activated the android. It sat up, and looked at the two. It bugged Ranma that he couldn't sense any "ki" energy from the creature.

"Hello."

"Hello," Ranma and T'Sara replied.

"My name is Data. What is your name?"

Ranma looks at the android. He seemed so…helpless. In a weird way, he couldn't bring himself to remain suspicious of...him. So…

"My name is Ranma Saotome. Would you like to be friends?"

LaForge.

RING!

"Coming!" Hoshi Sato said, as she ran to the front door of the Saotome home. The irony is that it was built on the "bones" of the old Tendo Dojo of yore.

Hoshi has been living with Ranma Saotome for a while now, and while their friendship has not developed into anything other than friendship, Hoshi did like Ranma's company. Besides, it gave her the chance to maintain the Cherry Hill Temple over in the Juuban District of the city of Tokyo.

When Hoshi opens the door, she saw an African couple standing at the door way with their son.

"Is this the…'Tendo Training Hall'?" asked the man.

"Yes. You must be Dr. Laforge."

"That is correct. And this is my wife Silvia."

"Hello."

"No, the pleasure is all mine," said the woman. "It's an honor in meeting a legend."

"Why, thank you! Anyway, I assume that you are here for your appointment?"

"That is correct."

Hoshi turned to see their son, who was obviously blind, based upon the boy's use of the walking cane.

"Just come in, and follow me. I'll show you the way to the dojo proper…"

Hoshi escorted the family to the main dojo, where a training session was taking place.

"Again," Ranma said, as he held one-side of the punching bag.

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!

Ranma's ward Will Riker had came home for Spring break. Even though Starfleet Academy was easy to get to, this first-year cadet was too busy doing extracurricular activities to simply drop in for a visit.

At the moment, Riker was pounding away at the heavy bag.

"Come on, Will! You can hit better than that!"

Riker smirked, as he decided to fuel his punches with increased levels of "ki".

POW!

A wave of pressure knocked some nearby loose items.

BLAM!

The windows began to rattle.

BOOM!

The windows shattered, and Hoshi and the others were moved back a bit by the air pressure.

I better get Ranma's attention, Hoshi thought.

"RANMA!"

Riker stopped and turned his head towards Hoshi, as did Ranma.

"Yo," Ranma replied.

"These are the people with whom you spoke with the other day."

Ranma sized up the family.

"You must be the LaForge family," Ranma said, as he went over to the family. He then saw young Geordie. "And you must be Geordie."

"Yes," said the blind teen. "I…heard that you can help me be more independent."

"Ah, yes. I guess that you've…well, you know…watched that special about me."

Hoshi remembered of a recent televised biography program featuring legendary Starfleet captains. Ranma was depicted as having acquired a virtual "warehouse" of martial arts knowledge, some of which allowed a practitioner to fight blind. Of course, most people, the host of the program included, believed that what Ranma can do was simply exaggerated stories.

In reality, if nothing else, the program underplayed Ranma's prowess, something that Ranma himself wanted.

"We didn't think you can help us," Silvia said. "If nothing else, this trip to Japan was a nice getaway."

"Hold on," Ranma said. "I never said that I couldn't help your son. In fact, I'll teach your son things that won't require an ocular implant. After all, I am familiar with 'the Blind Arts'."

"Really, mister?" Geordie asks excitedly.

Ranma smiled.

"Really."

O'Brien.

"Okay, kid," Ranma said, as he supervised Starfleet's latest recruit. "Just go easy on the joystick."

While not actively involved in Starfleet, Ranma did work for the organization as a civilian flight instructor. This allowed him to keep up his flight rating at a cheaper rate.

At the moment, Ranma was training recruits at the facility at White Sands, New Mexico. One of those recruits was a recent arrival from Ireland.

"Okay, sir," Miles O'Brien says, as he loosened his grip on the throttle. Even though he wanted to be a technician, he liked having to be in the cockpit of a flying vehicle, whether it was an Interceptor or a standard shuttle.

Ranma nodded his approval. He liked this kid. Now, it was time to see what he was really made of. So, Ranma cut the power in such a way that would cause a tailspin.

CLIK!

VRRRRRRRRRRRR-!

"Sir, I'm losing altitude!"

"Fine, so, what are you going to do about? Use your training."

Miles looks at his control panel. He needed to re-compress the intake valve before his craft can regain power.

Meanwhile, Ranma simply sat back in his seat. If there was a problem, he'll take over the operations.

Miles was able to re-start the flow intake, but his craft was still plummeting. Quickly, he adjusted the avionics, and applied full thruster controls. A few seconds later, the recruit up-righted the vehicle, and had coasted to cruising speed.

"Well, good job, recruit," Ranma said.

"Sir, was that really necessary?" Miles asked.

"Were you in serious danger?"

"Um, no…"

"Then it was necessary. Carry on."

Yar.

"You are familiar with the situation. Turkana IV is a...black mark in the annals of Federation politics."

"A failed colony, I see," Ranma Saotome said, as he continued to check his equipment. "You brought me out of retirement...for this?"

"Mr. Saotome, as a former starship captain, you have certain obligations."

"Gee, I thought that you threatening to hold up my re-entrance into the Starfleet Academy was the reason for this mission."

"Well, um..."

"Never mind. I know Ambassador Dax. He's a good man. I just wish that you guys had tried to open up the peace negotiations between the factions in the open."

"You know how delicate these things are."

"Whatever. I'm ready."

"Here is your data pad. Good luck, Mr. Saotome."

"Thanks."

Ranma puts on his helmet, which was part of a suit designed to allow atmospheric insertion from sub-orbit. Taking a shuttle craft would alert the people below of an outsider's presence. So it was up to Ranma, former starship captain, to sneak down to the planet, and retrieve the Federation Ambassador before his capture makes news.

Once fully suited, Ranma gives the thumbs up sign, closed the air-lock behind him, and leaps out into space. Using his "chi", he flew towards the planet below, and began to slip into the atmosphere...

Half a day later…

"This way, mister!" said the teenaged girl, as she directed Ranma and the wounded Federation ambassador went towards a hidden escape pod.

Ranma liked this girl. She almost reminded him of a certain uncute tomboy from his past.

"I think we'll make it, but remember our deal!"

"Sure, whatever. You help me, and I'll help you escape this place.

For the past half-day, Ranma had to wade through bandits and warlords to locate Ambassador Dax's location. He ran into girl, after she tried to steal food from him. After subduing her, he made a deal with her: help him as his guide, and he'll help her in return…as long as the favor was both ethical and moral.

The girl, whose name was Tasha Yar, was impressed by Ranma's behavior. He was nice to her, and certainly did not try to rape her, as it was normal to do with most females on the planet. Before meeting Ranma, she had to avoid the rape gangs that roamed the colony, while trying to protect others from harm.

Finally, the three arrives at the place, only to realize that the reports were wrong about an operational escape pod.

Certainly, the fifty gunmen and a red-suited man, who wore a rose on his lapel, while smoking a cigar, present knew so. "It looks like Starfleet's finest failed."

"Pardon?" Ranma said.

"You honestly think that I wouldn't know about your little rescue attempt, and that you weren't about to be monitored?"

"Then you should know that what you are doing is wrong. How can you allow this planet to go to hell?"

"Simple. I have special connections with quite a number of alien species. Having a chaotic planet simply allows me to profit from those connections."

Tasha steps forward.

"You mean to say that my parents died…for money? That all this pain and suffering was just for profit!"

"Well…not directly, of course. As for YOU, my dear-"

The man dressed inred licked his lips suggestively.

"You are mere entertainment. After I dispose of Captain Saotome and his friend, you will become a reward for my men."

Ranma, having heard as much as he could, stepped forward.

"Tasha, take care of the ambassador."

As soon as Ranma hands off Dax to Tasha, Ranma steps forth.

"Oh, what are YOU going to do?" the man-in-red sneered.

"Oh, I'm going to 'entertain' myself, and claim my reward."

"And what reward is that?"

"Your death."

And with that, Ranma waded into the man-in-red's men. He broke arms, fractured skulls, and did some serious damage to them. Within minutes, every member of this rogue operation was withering in pain. Ranma then turned his attention to the man-in-red.

"No! Stay away from me!"

Ranma grabbed the man by the neck, and lifted him in the air.

"I ought to-"

Ranma glimpsed in Tasha and Dax's direction. Ranma had a feeling that the Federation was being judged based on his actions.So, he returned his direction to his opponent.

"No, I think I won't."

Ranma dropped his opponent.

"If I see you again, no one else will. Get it? Now, get out!"

After the man-in-red and his men scampered off, Tasha turns to Ranma.

"So, how are you going to get off this planet?"

"Ye of little faith," Ranma said, as he grabbed Dax. "Grab my shoulder."

"Pardon?"

"Well, you want to get out of here, right?"

"Yeah…"

"So, humor me."

Tasha grabbed Ranma's shoulder.

"Okay, now what?"

"Hang on."

Applying the "Instant Transmission" technique, Ranma and company made it back to Earth.

"Wow!" Tasha said, as she disappeared into a brave new world…

Worf.

Ranma was invited by an old friend on the farming world of Gault for the weekend. He and Sergey Rozhenko had served together, back when Sergey was a transporter chief, and Ranma the captain of the Enterprise-B.

"Captain, old friend!" greeted Sergey.

"Chief," replied Ranma. "You seem to be in good spirits these days."

"Aye," Sergey replied. "The missus has been keeping me healthy."

"RANMA!" greeted a dark haired woman.

"Helena," Ranma said, as he hugged Sergey's wife.

"So, how have you been?"

"I've been well."

"And how is Usagi?"

"Actually, I haven't spoke to Usagi in years."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I mean, ever since that tragedy…"

"I know, I know. So, I hear that you adopted a Klingon child."

"Yes. His parents had died during the attack at Khitomer."

"I remember that. The Entrprise-C was destroyed trying to fend off a Romulan attack."

Ranma had known Rachel Garret, the captain of the Enterprise-C, back when she was a cadet at Starfleet Academy. She and her crew had sacrificed their lives in the defense of the Klingons, thus cementing the present Federation-Klingon alliance.

"Yes, well, one of the reasons why I invited you," Sergey began, "was that you're the only person I know who has extensive knowledge of Klingon culture."

"Oh. Well, it's not a problem, Chief. I'll do anything for my favorite transporter chief."

A short time later, in Sergey's backyard…

"Hello, Worf," Ranma said, as he went to greet the young Klingon. Worf was playing "basketball".

Worf was ignoring Ranma.

"Worf, we have a special guest," said Helena.

"So? Why should I care?"

"You should care if you want to master honor, boy," Ranma replied in Klingonese. This fact perked Worf's attention.

"You…you speak my native tongue?" Worf replied likewise.

"Of course I did. Did I stutter?"

Helena was tempted to intervene, but Sergey stopped her.

"What are you doing, Sergey?"

"Don't worry, Helena. He knows what he is doing."

Meanwhile, Ranma told Worf that if he is willing, he'll make sure that he train as a proper Klingon warrior.

"Really?"

"Really. Have you ever heard of 'Ranma the Targ?'"

"Yeah. He's the only human who was honored as a 'Da'Har Master'."

A "Da'Har Master" is a Klingon who reaches legendary status.

"Well…I'm a Da'Har Master."

"Wait. You're THAT Ranma?"

"Indeed, boy. I will say now that only a few have ever mastered my training methods, even if they are Klingons."

Worf stands up, and bows to Ranma.

"Sir, I will be greatly honored, if you take me on as your student."

Ranma nodded his approval.

Pulaski.

"Come in, Mr. Saotome," Dr. Katherine Pulaski said, as Ranma was ushered into Pulaski's office. She was the medical examiner at Starfleet Command who would sign off Ranma and Usagi Tsukino's fitness for duty. Both Ranma and Usagi wanted to return to duty, but wanted to do so as in-coming cadets at Starfleet Academy. This medical exam was the last obstacle towards that goal. "Thank you for coming."

"No problem, doctor."

"Now, for the matter at hand. Physically, you two are in tip-top shape. But…I am concerned about Miss Tsukino's mental health."

"Pardon?"

"I am not ready to sign-off on her. You're fine, but I am not sure about Miss Tsukino."

"Is this about what happened six months ago?"

"Yes. From your report, you and Ambassador Spock had to retrieve Miss Tsukino from Earth's distant past, who, and I quote, 'lived with a community of Elves, while in a state of perpetual depression'. Am I correct in reading this?"

"Yes."

"Do you care to elaborate?"

Ranma told Pulaski that Starfleet had wanted to bring both Ranma and Usagi back for active duty. However, only Ambassador Spock and Ranma, who was a private teacher at his dojo in Nerima, knew where Usagi had gone off to. So, using time travel, the two traveled to the world of "Middle Earth", where they, Usagi, and Usagi and Spock's daughter T'Sara Spocksdotter had an epic adventure years before. There, Ranma and Spock had found Usagi in the care of the High Elves, who was suffering from clinical depression. Long after her daughter Aiko had died, Usagi was feeling the pain of the loss of her children, which resulted in Usagi and Ranma getting a divorce.

"Yes, Miss Tsukino did mention that," Pulaski said. "What I don't understand is the method in which she came out of her depression."

"Well, let me explain," Ranma began. "Usagi was staying at the home of Lord Elrond of Rivendall, where she was being watched by Elrond. Elrond was the guardian of Usagi's daughter Titania-"

"'Titania'?"

"Yes, she is Usagi's daughter by Lady Galadriel-"

"Pardon?"

"Lady Galadriel is a High Elf from another region-"

"Excuse me, how did Miss Tsukino and this person you speak of have a child?"

"It's a bit complicated, but it involves shape-shifting and a heavy drinking party."

"Alright, I'll accept that for now. Continue."

"Well, when Spock and I got to Rivendall, Elrond suggested that we take Usagi to see Galadriel. We, along with Titania, our old friends Legolas, Smeagol and Arwen, and Elrond's youngest son Oberon, took Usagi to see Galadriel."

"You know, this reminds me of a book I read as a child."

"Well, the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy did take place; I'm just surprised that the author of that series got as much of that era right than wrong."

"Huh-uh. Go on."

"Well, apparently, Galadriel's sister, known as 'the Mistress of Cats', had returned from her exile to wage a campaign of revenge against her sister. So, she kidnapped me, using her powers of illusion to do so. For a while, I actually thought that I was home back in the 21st century. At any rate, me being kidnapped woke Usagi out of her stupor, and forced her to wage a rescue attempt. I, being here, mean that she was successful."

"I see. So, Miss Tsukino…is no longer depressed?"

"She has her days, but, as long as she is willing to try to face her insecurities, I'll be there for her."

"Fair enough. Thank you for your time."

After Ranma leaves, a man enters from a side office, through a hidden door.

"Well, Dr. Pulaski?" the man-in-black asks.

"Both Saotome and Tsukino will be ready as scheduled. 'Section 31' will have their 'weapons'."

"Excellent."

END FLASHBACK!

After the graduation ceremony, Captain Saotome was milling about the throng of Starfleet's echelon.

"That was a good speech, Captain," said a voice from behind.

Ranma turned to see an old friend.

"Professor Data," Ranma said, as he shook his old comrade's hand. "Thanks."

"You're quite welcome."

"So, how's tenure at Cambridge?"

"Tenure has suited me, though I would love to go do work directly for the Federation."

"I'm sure you'll able to. They can use your experience, you know."

"So, Captain, how's it going?"

Both Data and Ranma turn to see Admiral Tsukino.

"Admiral, good afternoon."

"Hello, Professor. Professor, may I have a word with Captain Saotome?"

"Certainly. If you two can excuse me…"

After Data leaves, Usagi turns to Ranma.

"Ranma, do you ever, you know, regret being here?"

Ranma looks at the throng of Starfleet officers. He has served with, and has taught many of them, over the years. In a weird way, he was "the papa-bear" of a group he is proud to have served with.

"Hmmm…nope."

And on that note, the two continued the festivities.

END OF BOOK II.

Author's note: Well, there you have it. I deliberately left out the dates, in order to work in Ranma's interaction. Furthermore, I dropped hints as to what happened to Usagi and Ranma's relationship (which will be revealed in Book III). So, stay tuned.