Star Trek: Ranma's Story 42 – By DS Wynne

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

Note: This is a multi-genre, epic story.

Special note: WARNING! The following contain partial spoilers to "Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" (as if the film, at this point, can get spoiled). I'm doing this because I want to tie this story to "SMST: The Jedi Trial of Sailor Mercury", which was updated on 4/28/05. That story features the adventures of Jedi Padawan Ami ("Sailor Mercury") Mizuno, the apprentice of the Jedi Master Usagi ("Sailor Moon") Tsukino, aka Usagi Ikuko Tsuus-Tetok ("The Onitoyota of Deserts"), as she goes through the Jedi Trials. And the results in THAT story will play into this one. Enjoy!

Part 42

Spring, 2063: Earth Orbit.

The Enterprise-E shunts out of the temporal wake, just in time to see the Borg Sphere begin its assault on one specific target on Earth.

"Data, status report," Captain Jean-Luc Picard said, as he leans forward.

"Primary systems are 'off-line'," Commander Data says, who was an opaque-skinned android. "And the Borg sphere is commencing its bombardment on Earth"

"And what is the status of 'the Defiant'?"

"We lost contact with Commander Saotome's ship during transport."

"Damn," Picard says, as he leans back. He was hoping to have proper back-up, just in case of any surprises. "Commander Yar, prepare a spread of Quantum torpedoes on my mark."

"Aye, sir," said Lt. Commander Tasha Yar, as she prepared her tactical coordinates. "Lt. Saotome, I need proper stabilization."

"Yes ma'am," said Lt. Hoshiko Nodoka Saotome, a red-headed girl who looked like Ranma's female guise. She was still on probation with Starfleet, since she had once been a member of the Borg collective. Her hair was styled in a short bob, not at all dissimilar to the "Prince Valiant" hair-cut. "The thrusters are pretty shaky, but I am compensating."

"Allocating power to the thrusters," Data says. "I recommend that we move to a safe distance."

"Proceed," said Picard.

The Enterprise-E adjusts its trajectory, while the Borg sphere continues its bombardment.

"Fire weapons, Miss Yar."

"Firing, sir."

The Enterprise let loose a spread of Quantum torpedoes, the only ordinance that could penetrate the Borg's defenses…

BOOM!

The Enterprise-E was rocked by the resulting shock-wave.

"The ship is destroyed," Yar says.

"Good," Picard says, as he turns to the rear of the bridge. "Mr. Crusher, can you deduce where and when are we?"

"Already working on it," Lt. Wesley Crusher says, as he works his "magic". He was the ship's designated science officer. "We did go through time. Let's see. Yep, we did."

Wesley feeds the data to Data's stations. Data compares this to what limited readings he could muster.

"Data?" said Commander Will Riker, the bearded ship's "first officer".

Counselor Deanna Troi, the Ship's Counselor looks at her "imzadi" withy apprehension. She was worried about the welfare of her "Uncle Ranma". Riker picks this up.

"It'll be okay," Riker says to her. "'Papa Bear' can take care of himself."

"I hope so, Will," Deanna replies. "I hope so."

While activity was going on around the bridge, like what to do next, no one noticed that a small Borg node had burst through the skin, behind the left earlobe of one Hoshiko Saotome…

Meanwhile, outside of normal time and space, the Defiant was making its way to catch up with the Enterprise-E. After that side-trip into the so-called "Mirror Universe", it was decided that it would be better to play by the numbers when it comes to trying to return to the right universe. So it would take an entire day to catch up with the Enterprise-E, which was ironic considering that fact that time travel is involved.

In the meantime, Ranma gave the crew some R&R, while allowing Counselor Usagi Tsukino, Chief Miles O'Brien and Lt. Commander Worf time to go over every instrument and system that Miss Washu had a hand in "fixing".

As for "Ranma's Fiancées", they decided to use the Defiant's holodeck as a way of getting out of everyone's way.

"Man, did you see what I did to that guy?" said Akane Tendo, as she, Ukyo Kuonji, Shampoo and Kodachi Kuno were walking to their destination. They were wearing swim wear, and were hoping to use the 'deck to create a beach simulation.

"Yes, Akane," Ukyo said tiredly. "And you have been saying that for the 100th time."

"I know, I know, but still…"

"Shampoo fought more!" said the violet haired young warrior. "So there!"

"Uh-uh!"

"Is true!"

"Will you two stop bickering?" Kodachi Kuno says. "I've come to relax, not to hear you carry on like children."

"You tell 'em!" said Ukyo.

As soon as they got to the holodeck, they noticed that it was being used.

"Should we…wait?" Ukyo asks.

"Hmmm," Akane says. "Computer, is there anyone in the holodeck?"

"THE HOLODECK IS NOT IN CURRENT USE," said the computer.

"Who was the last to use it?"

"COUNSELOR USAGI TSUKINO," said the computer.

"Maybe we should go back," said Kodachi.

"Shampoo is curious about Meatball-girl's fantasy," Shampoo says.

"It does not matter to me," Kodachi says.

Akane thought for a moment.

"Screw it," Akane said. "She isn't here, and I want to know what that jerk Ranma sees in her."

The girls nodded their head in agreement.

"Okay, here goes nothing."

Akane and the girls enter the holodeck. The girls seemed to be on a floating platform made from light. Suddenly, everything goes into focus, as the girls realized that they were witnessing an epic space battle that was taking place over a large planet. The view pans to the arrival of one particular fleet of huge space cruisers, before the view centers one particular ship. The view then centers to the huge window on the cruiser's upper deck. Standing in that window was-

"What?" yelled the girls in unison.

Counselor Usagi Tsukino. She was dressed in a brown clock, brown jerkin and comfortable, tan clothes and shoes (which reminded the girls of some ninja outfit). Usagi wore a belt that had a pistol on one side and a metal cylinder on the other. She wore her hair in her traditional style (i.e. "twin meatballs"). However, the stern look on her face, and the clasping of her hands behind her back gave off an imposing figure. As Usagi stared out into space, a white (with a helmet with red trim) suited soldier steps forward from behind.

"General Tsuus-Tetok," the soldier says. "We are ready to lead the assault on the 'Invisible Hand'."

Usagi turns her head slightly.

"Thank you, Troop Captain Cody" she replies. "Give me a few minutes to be ready."

"Yes, ma'am."

Once alone, Usagi clasped her hands in prayer, and closed her eyes.

"Mother, Kami, please guide my hand this day. Please give me the wisdom to do the right thing, so that my friends might have a better future. Amen."

Usagi then straightens herself and turns curtly, with her cloak bellowing, hood down.

"Thumper!" Usagi yelled.

Her pet cabbit "Th-Ohki" comes running up. He then hops unto Usagi's shoulder.

"Hey, little guy," Usagi says with a smile. "You're ready to kick butt?"

"Th-OW!"

As Usagi walks towards the docking bay, she is joined by her partner Wing Commander Anakin Skywalker. Both of them were newly minted Jedi Knights, had only recently been given command of their fleet of ships and cloned troops. While Anakin hated the fact that Usagi was the senior partner, they still consider themselves be close friends. Even when Usagi fell under the sway of the Sith a year ago, and fought each other, they still remained friends.

"Ready, partner?" Anakin asks.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Usagi says. Then, seeing the assembled troops and fighter pilots, she turns to the group.

"Listen up," Usagi began. "Our job is two fold. One, we are to break the defenses of the Separatist Count Dooku, and, two, mount a rescue of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. I know that it will be rough, but we've handled tougher situations before."

Anakin steps forward.

"We all have been tested. I lost my hand fighting Dooku, and I will never stop until I see to it that he face justice."

Anakin raised his mechanical fist.

"Are you READY?"

"WE ARE!" responded the crowd.

"Then let's move out!"

"YAY!"

As the soldiers got into position for their assault, Usagi turns to her friend.

"Good luck, Commander," Usagi says, as she shakes Anakin's hand.

"You, too, General," replies Anakin.

"Thumper!" Usagi says. "Transform!"

"TH-OW!"

CH-CHING!

The cabbit transform into a mini-space cruiser. For an organic creature, Thumper was perhaps the most power vessel in existence. Usagi hops into the vehicle. She takes the control-spheres and pilots Thumper out into space, which was followed by several squadrons of fighters…

After wading through a throng of droid fighters, Usagi made it through to the hanger of Count Dooku's ship. Thumper was only slightly damaged from the battle thus far.

"Thumper, transform to Robo-mode!" Usagi responds. Luckily, she has had extensive mecha training before arriving to the territory of the Galactic Republic years ago.

"Th-OW!"

CH-CHING!

"Robo-mode" allowed Thumper to become a large, mechanized robot version of it self.

Usagi adjusted the control panel, so that she could fight the droids by the dozens. Once the hanger was cleared, Usagi pops out of the chassis, with her twin purple sabers in hand.

SNAP! SNAP! Hzzzzzz…

"Thumper, guard the hanger for Anakin," Usagi says, as she ran to the bridge.

"Th-OW!"

Usagi ran down the hall, moving at tremendous speed, thanks to the Force. Unfortunately, her way towards the bridge was blocked by scores of battle-droids.

The droids fire upon Usagi, as she uses her light sabers to block the laser fire. Just as she was about to be overwhelmed-

SNAP! Hzzzzz…

SLICE!

Anakin had just arrived into the docking bay, when Usagi took off. Thumper had transformed to normal, and took off with Anakin and R2-D2.

"Hey, leave some for me," Anakin said, as he parried various energy pikes.

"Ah, you were taking too long," Usagi replied, as she cut the heads of the androids. She then took out a hand grenade from her belt.

"Duck," Usagi said, as she the grenades into a nearby vent. From what she recalled for the debriefing on the Invisible Hand, the ventilation system ran parallel to the power conduit.

"I thought you hated handling those things," Anakin said, as he ran back.

"Hey, you hang out with an ARC Trooper…you pick up a few things."

When that said, Usagi, Anakin, Thumper and R2-D2 got to a safe distance…

BOOM!

Thumper had transformed to Mech-Thumper, in order to shield the blast.

"See? It works!"

Anakin shakes his head.

Finally, after going through yet another throng of droids and "Fish-men" (called "Nemoidians"), Usagi, Anakin and company makes it to the bridge of Count Dooku's flagship. After fighting within the bowels of the ship, the damage caused by the Jedi caused the ship to spiral out of control, and towards to city-planet below. As soon Anakin and Usagi gets to the bridge door, the two took a minute to rest.

"Okay," Usagi says. "Now, remember, we are to capture Dooku alive."

Anakin wanted to take down Dooku for what happened to him, even though Usagi had healed his missing arm thjat first time.

"Fine."

"Alright. Ready…steady…GO!"

The Jedi burst through the command decks' door.

"Well, you two have arrived," said the old, bearded man named Count Dooku. Standing next to him was the mechanical General Grievous. Tied to a chair was Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, who was merely observing the situation.

"Thank goodness you have arrived," said Palpatine.

Usagi nods her head.

"You are under arrest, Count Dooku," Usagi says, as she steps forward.

"How can a little girl like you can arrest ME?" Dooku replied. "General?"

The cyborg rushed at Usagi, while Usagi leaped out of the way. She used her saber to slice away at Grievous' cape, which revealed four mechanical arms…

SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! Hzzzzz…

…each of which had four light sabers.

"Now, we shall end this!" said the cyborg.

Uh, oh! Usagi thought.

"Anakin!" Usagi yelled, as she brought her pair of purple sabers up. "Take care of Dooku-!"

Usagi used her bene gesserit training to "phase" through the bulkhead.

That didn't stop Grievous one bit.

BLAM!

Usagi used her twin 'sabers to counter the General's four. Her fear was sapping her will, when-

"TH-OW!"

Mecha-Thumper blasted Grievous in the back, sending out into space. The vacuum of space began to suck Usagi out, when Thumper grabbed her. As soon as they were at a safe distance, Usagi managed to fine a panel that sealed up the hole. However, upon seeing Grievous seeming flying about, using some sort of jet pack, Usagi knew that she would have to face the Sith Acolyte next time.

"Anakin!" Usagi cried, as she remembered what had happened. So, she ran back to the command deck, only to witness Anakin beheading Count Dooku.

"NO!"

Slice!

As Dooku's head fell onto the floor, Usagi just shook her head.

"Well, done, MASTER Skywalker," Palpatine said. "You do your Jedi Order proud."

A smile is shone on Anakin's face, while Usagi turns away in disgust.

A day later, on Coruscant…

On behalf of Palpatine, Anakin was given a seat on the Jedi Council, much to the consternation of the council itself. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan Kenobi, still grieving the lost of his friend Qui-Gon Jinn, and Usagi were assigned the task of tracking down General Grievous, since he was the key to end this so-called "Clone War".

At the Jedi Temple, two friends were having an argument.

"I thought that you'd be proud of me," Anakin retorted.

"Look, I am, Ani," Usagi says, as she wrapped her robes around her. It seems to get very chili as of late. "I just wish that we could have followed orders, instead of you hot-dogging all the time."

Anakin gets angry.

"Palpatine was right about you."

"And that would be…?"

"You wanted to reap the rewards! YOU wanted to be a member of the Jedi Council!"

"I don't CARE about being on the council! Long before YOU were born, I was leading armies! Long before you were born, I was in charge of an empire!"

Usagi was referring about her time when she, Hoshi Sato and T'Pol had spent twenty years on the planet Arrakis, thanks to a temporal rift while on assignment for the Enterprise (under the command of Jonathon Archer). On Arrakis, otherwise known as "Dune", a young man named Paul Atriedes had chosen her to be his "right hand", as he began his ascent towards being a "Messiah". And it was during that time that Paul's mother Jessica had trained Usagi in the ways of the Bene Gesserit, an order that was part nunnery, part witchery (depending on who one asks). Before Usagi and her friends left for home, she became known as "the Chancellor-Princess Serena, the 'Usa'Dib'", the only one to be promoted to the rank of Mother Superior independent of the Order proper. How that came about, is another story.

Usagi sighed.

"Look, Ani, I am proud of you. But the way things went will bring nothing but trouble. Trust me, I've seen enough political intrigue to know when something is about to go down. I'm just looking after your best interest, that's all."

Usagi gave Anakin a peck on the cheek.

"Look, I promise to visit Padme before I leave on my mission with Master Kenobi. Just be careful."

And with that, Usagi left. Had she stayed, she would have noticed a dark cloud hovering around Anakin's aura…

At the quarters of Senator Padme Amidala of Naboo, two friends were celebrating…

"Ah, thank you, Usagi," Padme said, as she hugged her old friend. She received a pair of booties that Usagi managed to make during her spare time.

"It's no problem," Usagi replied. "Had I known you were having twins, I would have made another."

"Ah, it's okay. The thought counts."

Padme was six months pregnant, and was beginning to show. So far, her elaborate clothing was hiding this fact.

"Is there anything going on with Ani?" Padme asked. "I haven't seen him as often as I would like."

"You know how it is," Usagi replies. "War gets to anyone."

"But you seem to be okay."

"That's because I'm already nuts!"

"Seriously, how do you do it?"

"One day at a time, my friend. You got to remember, I've been through more conflicts that I care to remember. You get comfortable with your experiences after a while."

"Well, I hope that Ani can come to me, and talk about what he is feeling."

"Just give him time. He's the big man on campus these days."

Sometime later, Kenobi and Usagi take their troops to the outer rim planet of Utapau, where General Grievous would make his last stand. Since Kenobi would be leading this mission, he was promoted the rank of "High General". Usagi's rank would still be "General". Cody was promoted to "High Colonial".

(A/N: The Star Wars ranking system is loosely based on the ranking system found in the "Star Wars" RPG.)

"I guess that you would want to lead the troops, Master Kenobi," Usagi says.

"Only if I need to, Usagi," Kenobi replied. "You've earned that right."

Usagi smile at that.

Upon touching the surface of the planet, the final assault on the forces of General Grievous was fierce. The war was at a crossroads of sorts. After hours of fight, Kenobi and Usagi had Grievous cornered.

"This is the end of the line, General," said Kenobi, as he and Usagi prepared to do battle.

Grievous merely snarled, as he charged forward.

Working as one, Usagi and Kenobi blocked the attacks. Then, they countered the attacks; Kenobi took the high-road, while Usagi took the low road.

And then, something happened.

At the last second, Grievous threw sand in Usagi's eyes, blinding her. Taken advantage of this, Grievous bared down on her, like a spinning blade of death…

"No!" yelled Kenobi, as he moved to intercept the attack.

SLICE!

Just as Usagi could see again, she saw what had happened Kenobi.

"No…NOOOOOOO!" Usagi cried.

"Well, that's one Jedi," Grievous smirked, as he turned his attention to Usagi.

Something in Usagi snapped, as her henshin rod appeared in her hand. If she was going to defeat this monster, then she would need all the power she could get…

"Moon Prisma MAKE-UP!"

FLASH!

When Grievous could see again, he saw a weirdly dressed Jedi Knight.

"Jedi…?"

"No, not just 'Jedi'," said the girl. "I am SAILOR MOON…champion of Love and Justice!"

Moon didn't bother to pick up her 'sabers. Instead, she picked up Kenobi's 'saber.

SNAP! Hzzzzz….

"And on behalf the Moon…and all the Jedi that you have killed, I WIL punish YOU!"

"Humph! It doesn't matter WHO you are. You will die along with the others."

And with that, the two went at it.

Moon added her energy to the power of the Force. With the talk of the corrupting nature of power, she was afraid of that she could fall. However, with the death of her Master, all bets were off.

Moon skillfully dodged the attacks, while parrying the blows. Grievous performed a surprise kick to the chest, knocking her to the ground.

THOOM!

"And you will always be a little girl," Grievous says.

With her eyes glowing white, Moon, lips bloodied, reaches out with her hand.

Grievous found him self unable to move.

"I…can't…move..!"

Without indicating any sign of movement, a huge boulder slams into Grievous, batting him away. Moon, eyes still glowing, stands up. For a long time, she has avoided using her other talents, relying solely on her Jedi training. But now, it was time to get serious.

Grievous, still functioning, picks ups a boulder, and knocks into Moon. Upon impact, the boulder fell into pieces.

"Keep away from me!" Grievous cries out, realizing what a mistake he had made.

Moon raises Kenobi's 'saber, and then charges forward-!

ZIP!

When Grievous could see Moon's back, he turned. Moon deactivates her weapon.

Hzzzzz-SNAP!

"You think that hurt me?" Grievous asks.

"No, I think what I did just killed you," Moon replies.

"What are you…talking…about-!"

PLUNK!

General Grievous, scourge of the galaxy crumples into pieces.

As Moon walks back to where Kenobi lied, she transform back to normal. She kneels by his body, and cries. She cries because of what she did; she cries because she used so much energy to defeat Grievous, that there was nothing left to resurrect her mentor without dying.

Nevertheless, Usagi's actions would mark the turning point in the war…a war that would signal the defeat of the Separatists.

Unfortunately, things would go from bad to worse.

Evidence had mounted that Supreme Chancellor Palpatine had master-minded the events that led to the Clone Wars. In fact, it was Jedi Masters Mace Windu and Yoda that deduced that Palpatine was, in fact the dread Sith Lord Sidious. And when Windu went to arrest Palpatine, he revealed his true prowess by slaying Windu and his entourage…with Anakin Skywalker's help. Over the course of years, Palpatine was grooming Anakin to fight on his side, and was more than willing to sacrifice Darth Maul, Count Dooku (aka "Darth Tyrannus"), and Sith Acolytes Asajj Ventress and General Grievous. And when Anakin stabbed Windu in the back, Anakin became his new apprentice- Darth Vader. And thus, the purging of the Jedi began.

A day later…

"Usagi," said a voice.

"Uhhh," Usagi says, as she wakes up. Ever since that fight with Grievous, she's been out like a light. She sees that she was in a small shuttle, and that Thumper was sitting next to High Colonial Cody. Then, she sees Yoda.

"What's going…?"

"Listen well, young one," Yoda says. "Made their move, the Sith have…"

After Yoda told Usagi what's going on, Usagi became furious.

"I'm going to KILL him."

Yoda had trusted Cody enough to look after Usagi, since she was perhaps the only Jedi that was powerful enough to stop Anakin.

"What about you, Master?"

"Confront Palpatine, I must. Contact you later, I will."

"I understand, sir."

Usagi turns to Thumper.

"Let's go."

"Th-OW!"

Usagi turns to Cody.

"Cody, I-"

"Just do what's right, ma'am. I believe you."

Usagi smiles.

Hours later, Usagi and Thumper goes to the lava planet of Mustafar. There was a mining facility there, and was there that Padme was being held by Anakin.

In the mean time, Usagi was using that time to reflect on the life she has known. She remembered meeting a little boy with big dreams, and how he was a "Chosen One".

And it was all a lie.

Now, it would be up to her to put a stop to Anakin's madness once and for all…

"END SIMULATION," said the computer, as the holodeck resumed its traditional yellow grid look.

"Ah!" Akane said. She was just getting into the story!

The holodeck opens up.

"Sorry about that," Counselor Tsukino says, as she opens up a panel. "I was testing out the main systems, just to make sure that there aren't any kinks."

"…"

"Anyway, go ahead and use it. Oh, by the way, Ranma's cooking dinner tonight, so he wanted me to pass along that message. Have fun!"

After Usagi leaves the holodeck…

"Shampoo not worthy!" Shampoo says, as she cow-tows on her knees. "Shampoo not worthy!"

"Well, now I know where she got that lightsaber," Ukyo smirks.

"Hmmm," says Kodachi.

"Guys, maybe we should find out what happens!" Akane says.

The girls nod in agreement.

Tbc.

Author's note: I know that this chapter is Usagi-centric, but it's all part of a master plan. Stay tuned!