Star Trek: Ranma's Story28 – By DS Wynne

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

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

Special note: This is BOOK THREE of the Ranma ½ saga.

Part 28

Back on the unknown, alien world, Riker and his impromptu landing party trudged to their next destination.

"You seem to take all this with a grain of salt," Commander William T. Riker ("First Officer") commented. He was wondering why Lt. Usagi Tsukino ("Ship's Science Officer") was relaxed in this chaotic situation.

"Commander, I've been at this game for years," Usagi responded. "Besides, if we all die, I'll make sure we will be reborn."

"How is that possible?" Lt. Commander Data (Ship's Operations Officer) asked.

Usagi looked away with a thoughtful look.

"All life-forms have energy signatures called 'auras'. The higher up the life-form, the more defined that aura becomes. Sometimes, when a person dies, that aura can live on. In some cases, that aura creates resonance that can affect the living, while in other cases, these aura can take on the form of 'ghosts'. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, or spirits and the afterlife for that matter, is immaterial. However, the energy signature that a person creates is a definable phenomenon. Observe."

With a few hand gestures, Usagi seemingly split into four people.

"Amazing," Lt. Geordie LaForge (Ship's Engineer) said, as he observed Usagi's actions. "Chief, take a look."

"These…doppelgangers of yours seem vary solid," Chief Petty Officer Miles O'Brien (Transporter Operations) said, as he recorded the demonstration with his Tricorder. "They are not at all different from a transporter pattern."

"Exactly," the Usagi(s) replied, before merging into one person. "People like myself and Ranma can actually utilize our auras to do what I just demonstrated."

"Can you use your duplicates to perform different tasks?" Wesley Crusher asked.

"Sure, though it takes lots of practice to multi-task."

"Such technique would enable one such as myself to become…AN ARMY OF ONE!" Worf declared.

"Riiiii-ight."

"Well, enough of the lessons," Riker said, as he saw the next obstacle on the horizon. "We got work to do…"

Back on the Enterprise…

"Good evening," Guinan, the director of "Ten-Forward", said, as she went over to where Lt. Ranma Saotome (Conn) was sitting.

"Hey, Guinan," Ranma said, as he sat down.

"The usual?"

"Yeah."

Guinan bring Ranma a hot fudge sundae with walnuts, whipped cream and two cherries.

"So, what's up?"

"Well, you know that Q is around, right?"

Guinan rolls her eyes. It was no secret the Al-Aurien had a past with the alien entity, and it was a not too pleasant past at that.

"What about him?"

"Well, he kind of brought my family and friends here."

"So…this is a good thing, right?"

"Well, it would be, except that I don't know if I can relate to them any more."

"Have you at least talked to them yet, about your concerns?"

"Not yet. I am to have dinner with them later, so I'm just trying to collect my thoughts."

"And how are the others taking it?"

"Well…from Counselor Troi's accounts, my family and friends have been interesting to say the least. Deanna says that whenever she is around them, their emotional states tend to rub off her."

FLASHBACK.

"Hey, Counselor," Ranma said, as he was heading down to Engineering, to run a level two diagnostic on the propulsion system.

"You're trying hit on me, you pervert?"

"Um, no," Ranma said. "Is there something the matter?"

"If you want to know, it'll cost you."

"Counselor, I'm just trying to help."

"Oh, Ranma!" Troi said, as she rushed to hug Ranma. "Your acquaintances…they are walking around with their emotions on their sleeves! I don't know what to do! Wah!"

"Now, now," Ranma said, as he patted Troi on the back. "Just take some time off, or something."

"Oh, my! I should have realized my options better. Thank you, Ranma!"

END FLASHBACK.

Guinan chuckled slightly. She had heard that resonance can affect even the most disciplined empathy.

"Any way, I got to go. I got a 'mok'bar' class to teach this afternoon."

"Well, come back any time, Ranma."

And with that, Ranma left.

Back on the mysterious, alien planet…

"I have you now!" Mousse, the long haired (but half-blind) male Amazon said, as he threw out the flurry of chains.

Geordie Laforge caught sight of the attack, and dodged and leaped out, all the time observing his opponent's actions. He noticed that he tend to hold a lot of weapons and objects…more so than a normal person should.

And that's when he remembered the aura technique that allows a person to hold a lot of objects on his or her person. Ever since he wanted to become an engineer, her had sought to learn how to hold as many tools as possible, which is why he asked to learn "The Art of Hidden Weapons" while studying at Starfleet Tactical Operations. Smiling, Geordie made a single strike.

"You think that your little trick can stop me?" Mousse said, as he prepared for another assault.

CLANK!

Too bad all of Mousse's weapons fell to the ground.

"Wha-?" Mousse began.

"You're not the only one who knows 'Hidden Weapons'. Silicon PASTE!"

A flurry of canisters were thrown at Mousse, and exploded on impact.

BLOOSH!

"Duct Tape WRAP!"

Geordie threw rolls of duct-tape at Mousse, wrapping the male Amazon. When Geordie's opponent fell, he, like Kuno, disappeared.

FLASH!

"I didn't know you mastered 'Hidden Weapons'," Riker said. "The only thing I can do is hide a phaser or something."

"Hey, why do you think I'm a good Engineer? Besides, you can't get enough of duct-tape."

Back on the Enterprise…

"Excuse me, Counselor Troi?" Akane asked, as she ran to catch up with the Betazoid.

"Um, I'm not on duty at the moment-"

"No, it's just that I want to find Ranma."

"Oh. Well, let's see," Troi said, as she tapped into her communications badge. "Computer, where is Lt. Saotome?"

"LT. SAOTOME IS IN HOLODECK FOUR."

"Computer, can you show Miss Tendo here the location of Holodeck Four?"

"WORKING. PLEASE FOLLOW THE RED ARROW ON THE WALL."

The walls were lined with touch-screen technology, to allow multi-tasking functions. In this case, red arrows were lined up.

"Just follow the arrows."

"Thank you, Counselor Troi."

"And remember that Ranma is not the same person as you remember him."

"I will. It's just that it's so hard."

"I know. Just give yourself some time."

And with that, Troi left Akane's location.

"Hmmm," Akane said, as she followed the computer's direction. Eventually, the arrows led to a large door.

"Um…Computer? Is Ranma here?"

"YES. PLEASE STAND-BY FOR ADMITTANCE."

With a chirp, the doors to Holodeck Four opens up, revealing a yard with a dojo…

"Computer, this looks like MY dojo!"

"CORRECT. LT. SAOTOME HAS RECREATED THE TENDO TRAINING HALL BASED UPON HIS MEMORIES OF THE ORIGINAL SITE."

"It's amazing that he can remember anything."

And with that, Akane enters the simulation.

"This place feels so weird," Akane said, as she crossed the yard. As she walked closer, she heard the sounds of clangs. Quietly, she crept to a nearby window, and peeked inside.

Inside the dojo proper, two women were sparring using curved like weapons, while an audience watch. One woman was the blond-haired Lt. Tasha Yar (Security Chief), and her opponent was the red-haired-

"Ranma?"

Akane was tempted to barge right into the dojo, but had to remind herself about the proper decorum of conduct. So she decided to simply watch until the Ranma's class was over.

A short time later, after the class was concluded…

"Thank you for subbing for Worf, Ranma," Yar said, as she puts away her "bat'leth".

"It's no problem," Ranma said, as he shifted back to his male form. "It's always good to demonstrate that women can be just as deadly in the Art as men. Besides, I have to put 'mok'bar' to good use, after spending all that time on Q'onos. And Worf and I shouldn't be the only one to know Klingon martial arts."

"Of course. Um, Ranma, I know that it's kind sudden, but do you want to have dinner…sometime?"

Ranma sighed.

"Tasha, you know I feel about that."

"I know. It's just that…we go well together."

"I told you, I'm not ready to date anyone right now, especially now."

"I understand."

Just as Yar was about to leave…

"But we can still have dinner sometimes…as friends perhaps?"

Yar smiled.

"Sure. Just let me know when you are free."

And with that, Yar leaves the dojo proper.

As Ranma looks around…

"You can come out of hiding, Akane."

Akane goes inside from the outside through the silk screen door.

"How did you know-"

"Well, either I sensed your battle aura, or I noticed you peeking through the window earlier. Your pick."

"Oh. Um, do you have a moment?"

"Sure. What's up?"

"I wanted to say that I'm sorry for being so bull-headed," Akane says. "It's just that I'm so used to…the old Ranma that I failed to realize how different you are now."

"Apology accepted," Ranma replied. "Believe me, this situation is not easy for me either. It took me years to finally get used to the idea that I might never see you again, so I forced myself to move on."

"Oh?"

"Oh yeah. Computer, bring me Artifact #3. Saotome code: Alpha-Omega-One-Two."

In Ranma's hand appeared to be a large rectangular object covered in silk-like envelope.

"I made this about a few years after I came here," Ranma said. "I want you to have it."

Hesitantly, Akane took the envelope, and opened it.

It was a hand drawn portrait of herself.

"Ranma…"

"You have always been my inspiration, Akane, no matter what. Maybe I was a bit bull-headed to admit my feelings for you way back then, but they were always there."

"Thank you, Ranma," Akane said, as she hugged the martial artist.

"You're welcome. Look, I better get cleaned up-"

"Ranma-husband!"

"There you are, son-in-law."

"Ranchan, how could you!"

"Mistress Ukyo, we should wait-!"

Ranma turned to see Shampoo, the bubbly purple-haired, Chinese Amazon, her great grand-mother Cologne, Japanese "pizza" chef Ukyo ("Ucchan") Kuonji, and Ukyo's assistant Konatsu (the cross-dressing ninja).

"Why are you hugging the violent girl?" Shampoo said, as she brought bombori weapons to bare.

"Yeah, why are you hugging Akane?" Ukyo said.

Before Ranma could say anything, Yar returns.

"Ranma, I forgot to…mention…"

Yar looks around, before bringing her attention back to Ranma.

"I take it that this is the work of Q again?"

"Yeah. Better let the Captain know-"

"This girl seemed too familiar with you!" Shampoo said. She wasn't sure if she should confront the new person or not.

That's when Ranma came up with an idea.

"Cologne, I bet that you wonder what's going on."

"That has crossed my mind, son-in-law," the Amazon matriarch said. "Like, for example, why is it that you seemed…different to me."

"I tell you what," Ranma said, as he pushed Akane away slightly. "I'll tell you everything, if you nullify the marriage agreement between Shampoo and I."

Cologne chuckled.

"That is something that I will not do."

"Okay, how about if SHE," Ranma said, as he pointed to Yar, " challenges Shampoo to a sparring match? Friendly, of course."

Cologne sized up Yar and smirked.

"I tell you what, if this…girl defeats my great, grand-daughter, then I will consider it."

Ranma smiled and nodded. Then he looked at Yar.

"Student, you want a challenge? Here's your chance."

Yar looked puzzled at first, before she gained her focus. Ever since Ranma had rescued her from that failed colony years ago, Yar has wanted to emulate her mentor. And though it frustrated her that Ranma still sees her as the little girl that he had took into his home, Yar was glad that he had made her the latest in the long line of practitioners of "Anything Goes" martial arts.

"Shampoo, 'destroy' this interloper," Cologne said.

"Shampoo will destroy you!"

And with that, Shampoo charged.

Yar looked at the girl. It was obviously that she didn't take her seriously. Well, it's time to change all that.

Yar remembered a technique that she learned called "theta wave" manipulation. A normal martial arts fuels his or body with "ki", and could increase strength, speed and stamina. Theta wave manipulation simply increases the awareness of one's perception of the outside world, thereby cutting the need for ki on a physical sense. In this particular case, as far as Yar was concerned, Shampoo's moves were easily readable, and was moving at a snails pace.

WHACK!

With a crescent kick, Shampoo was knocked off her feet. As she was sailing into the air, Yar followed her first strike with a series of blows to key parts of the body. As far as everyone was concerned, Yar was moving so fast that she seemed to be a blur.

"Ooof!"

With Shampoo down and out, Cologne looked at Ranma.

"This is a trick," Cologne said. "I will not let my great, grand-daughter be humiliated!"

Cologne attacked Yar, who was forced to apply both theta waves and ki to avoid the strikes. Ranma knew that Yar could defend herself, but knew that Cologne was tricky enough to do some serious damage to his student. So, he is forced to intercede.

"Stop."

Cologne looked at Ranma, who held his hand up.

"Get out of the way, son-in-law."

Ranma sighed. As much as he liked the Amazon matriarch, he realized how manipulative Cologne was.

"No. In fact, I want your word of honor that you will never bother me and mine again. I will not be Shampoo's groom. I never will. And if you do this for me, you will have me as an ally to defend the Joketsuzoku from legitimate harm. And I will show you the wisdom in this request."

"Okay, son-in-law, SHOW me this wisdom."

Ranma sighed. Then, he revealed his TRUE power.

Cologne gasped in amazement. It was true that a master in the Art can hide their true status. Up until now, Ranma only exhibited the traits, vis-à-vis his "aura", of a seasoned martial artist. What Cologne was "seeing" now was a virtual demi-god who was on par with the fighting prowess of the phoenix godling Saffron. And it didn't take an outward display to demonstrate this fact.

"Your offer of an alliance sounds…tempting," Cologne said. "I will need time to ponder these new thoughts…Master Saotome."

Ranma beamed.

"You can still call me 'son-in-law'. We're hardly strangers."

"I would like that."

"Oh, and here's something for you, as a token of my friendship."

Ranma concentrated and produced a small, solidified ball of "ki".

"Just embrace it, and you can have your youth back, if you prefer.

Cologne gasped. Usually, only a direct transfer of ki, or a ki-endowed object could go from one person to another. The idea of creating a "solidified ball" of self-contain ki was mind-boggling.

"Thank you…son-in-law. I shall certainly consider it."

"Um, Ranma?" Ukyo said, as she nervously approached Ranma. Seeing Cologne unnerved had the Okonomiyaki chef.

Ranma turns around.

"Ucchan! It's good to see you!"

"Um, hi, Ranchan," Ukyo said. "Can you explain what's going on?"

"I will, but later. I got some business to take care of."

Ranma turns to Yar.

"Tasha, escort Miss Kuonji and her associate to their quarters. I'll talk to the Captain about all this."

"Miss Cologne, Miss Kuonji," Yar said. "If follow me, I can direct you to some quarters for your stay."

"I better go, too, Ranma," Akane said. "And thanks."

And with that, everyone cleared out.

For a moment, Ranma looked around.

"You certainly can't go home again," Ranma said to himself. "Computer! End simulation of Tendo Training Hall."

And with that, the usual grid environment appears, replacing the simulated one.

With a sigh, Ranma leaves the holodeck.

Back on the alien world…

"Miles! Keep up your defenses!" Riker said.

Chief Petty Officer Miles O'Brien was having a hard time for his encounter. He wasn't a martial artist per se, more of a free-style fighter, but his opponent was.

Unfortunately, his opponent could transform into a half-man, half-bull monster that had tentacles in addition to his massive forearms, could fly, and could skirt ink from his pores. Calling himself "Pantyhose Taro", a name he happens to hate by the way, he attacked the party, thinking that they had something to do with either Ranma or his "master" Happosai. So, he attacked.

"Ugh!" Miles said, as he took the ink to the body. He felt himself being clocked in the back of the head, just as his senses flared with danger.

Usagi was watching this, and came up with an idea.

"Hey Miles!"

"Ma'am! I'm kind of busy."

"Well, I just want you to know that Keiko can't go out with you without Ranma's approval.

Now, Miles fell head over-heels in love with Keiko. And knowing that she thought highly of her grandfather's advice was enough to spurn Miles forward.

Wiping the ink on his hands, Miles waited until the last minute before Taro struck the ground.

BAM!

Miles leaped out of the way, ran up Taro's arm, and smeared ink over Taro's eyes.

Taro roared, as he began to flay about. He took to the sky, trying to shake miles off his back. Miles, who was being pulled off by the tentacles, held on, as he continued to pummel into the back of Taro's head. After the latest punch to the head, Taro came crashing down. Thankfully, Miles leaped, tucked and rolled to safety.

BAM!

As Taro laid still, his body disappeared.

FLASH!

"See what a little motivation can do, Commander?" Usagi said.

Riker rolled his eyes.

Back on the Enterprise…

"Thanks for coming to dinner," Ranma said, who was dressed in dress uniform. The Starfleet Dress Uniform was a long tunic with collar, with a thin gold trim (Flag Officers, such as "Admirals", have braided gold trim), over the regular uniform. Being part of the command branch, Ranma's colors were cranberry. "My grand-daughter Keiko was kind of enough to cook dinner for us-"

"GRAND-DAUGHTER?!?!" said everyone.

"Here's dinner!" Keiko said, as she brought the meals from the makeshift kitchen. "I haven't cooked in a long time, so I hope that you guys liked it."

"Do you need help?" Kasumi Tendo asked.

"No, that's okay. I can manage."

As Keiko served the meal, everyone, except Ranma, stared at her.

"Still full of surprises," Nabiki smirked.

"Ranma," Nodoka began. "Why didn't you tell me about…her?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise," Ranma said. "Sake, Pop? Mr. Tendo?"

"How could you?" Soun Tendo. "Now, my little girl will never get married!"

"I'll have some," Genma Saotome said, as Genma snatched the bottle. "But you and I are going to have a talk, boy!"

"Sure, but later."

"Akane, I'm surprised you aren't, well, you know…" Nabiki began.

"Angry?" Akane replied. "I'm not happy, but…I understand."

"Ranma, I hate to bring this up, but…"

"Yes, Mom?" Ranma said, as he took a sip of his Sake.

"I found out about your Jusenkyo curse."

Genma wanted to run as quickly as possible.

"What about it?"

Hmmm, Nabiki thought. Ranma is certainly cool about it.

"I don't think you have a female form is manly."

"No, I suppose not."

"You do know about the pledge between myself and your father, correct?"

"I do, actually."

Keiko was worried. She knows when her grandfather begins to act like the tactician, when there is danger present.

"I am honor-bound to request that you commit seppaku, if I do not consider you 'manly'."

"I see."

Ranma sat down his glass, and sat back in his seat.

"When I was younger, I had been stuck in my…female form. It was during a time when I was trapped in another world, far from even this place. A man named Aragorn took pity on me, and taught me that in spite of my status, I was an equal to any one, man or otherwise. He taught me how to be a "ranger", how to live off the land rather than being a leach."

Ranma directed a knowing glance at Genma's direction, before continuing.

"I did manage to unlock my curse, but not before having to fight against hordes of monsters and devils. I even met a girl from the fields of Rohan, who accepted me for who I am…who I was. She didn't care that I was woman half the time, because, as far as she was concerned, I was a better man than any man she has ever met. Had I not still loved…Akane, I might have settled down for her."

And then, Ranma looks at his mother squarely.

"I will NOT submit to any seppaku contract. There's nothing that I can do about my curse, other than find ways to use it to my advantage. So, instead, if I have to, I will challenge you as the head of our clan, thus rendering all agreements nullified. I have children…and grand-children who I adore, and friends and colleagues that I respect and admire. I'm sure that Nabiki neglected to inform you how important my time in this temporal zone is to me, and what impact I have made, which is funny since I tend not to see the results until years later. I do want you in my life, Mom, but I will not become a sheep to anyone."

There was silence at first. All eyes, save for Akane, who was amazed that Ranma would admit his love for her, were on Nodoka.

Nodoka then smiled, tears streaming from her eyes.

"By standing up to me, I hereby rendering the seppaku contract null and void. I…read about your exploits, but I needed to know if you were willing to take a risk where I was concerned."

And with that, Nodoka Saotome, the matriarch of the Saotome clan, took out the seppaku contract, and tore it in half."

"Let it be witnessed by all that the contract to make my son, Ranma Saotome, a man among men, has been fulfilled."

"I'm glad that I didn't fail you, Mom," Ranma said, with a smile.

"Oh, thank you, Nodoka! I-" Genma began.

"YOU, my husband, will have a lot of explaining to do…later."

"Ulp!"

Tbc.