Disclaimer: "Ranma ½", "Sailor Moon", "Star Trek" and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 50
Starfleet officer, and resident Green Lantern, Commander Ranma Saotome saw that the renegade android Starfleet officer Lt/Commander Data had set his modified weapons on his green sphere, which contained himself, Commanders William Riker, Geordie LaForge and Worf.
"Guys, increase your stamina with your 'chi'," Ranma said. "NOW!"
At the last minute, Ranma performed a "drop", which means everyone goes straight down to the planet FAST.
WOOSH!
Everyone grunted, as the full force of gravity took hold. Ranma used his willpower to reinforce the shielding of his green sphere. As the planet came rushing forward, as the sphere entered the Earth's atmosphere, Ranma left the confines of the sphere. Point of fact, Ranma's personal power was potent, thanks to years of martial arts training from all over the universe and beyond. This does not include the fact that he was both the Knight ("Magnificent Mask") and the Warrior of Sol ("Sailor Helios"), the star that Earth circled. Incidentally, the Guardians of the Galaxy had given Ranma's ring two weakness- yellow and wood –to prevent Ranma from being TOO powerful. There was already a precedent for this: a Daxamite named Rhonda Gand is Ranma's Green Lantern partner in his sector. In spite of HER great power, she has enough weaknesses, including the additional weakness to the common element of lead, to balance out her personal power. Generally, the Guardians don't discriminate on who becomes a member of the Green Lantern Corp, but, being the anal-retentive beings that they are, they make sure that their "employees" fit a particular frame of mind, hence, the differing number of weakness per GLC member. Heck, there's a member of the GLC who has FIVE weaknesses built into his ring, but that's because he is a New God. Thus, Ranma got off light in this regard.
Ranma dropped below the falling sphere, and took out his henshin rod.
"Solar Power MAKE UP!"
FLASH!
Now, Ranma was the female "Sailor Helios" the Warrior of the Sun. Interestingly, this transformation affected the properties of her Green Lantern Ring, changing it into a Yellow Lantern Ring. So now that the properties have changed, the color yellow was no longer a weakness…though wood was STILL a weakness. 'Helios floated to the ground, and then pointed her ring at the falling, green sphere. She fired a yellow beam at the sphere, changing it to a yellow sphere. Then, 'Helios caught the sphere, and floated it and herself down to the ground.
"Everyone's okay?" 'Helios asked.
"Yeah," Riker said. Then, he takes a look at 'Helios' mode of dress, and displays a wiry smile. "Every time you wear that outfit, I get a 'special' feeling."
"Very funny, Will," 'Helios says. She then looks up. "Look, I'll be back."
'Helios took to the skies again. Even without her GL ring, 'Helios already knew how to fly. But going head to head in the skies was the least of her problems. By combining the power of Sailor Helios and the Green Lantern, to create her makeshift "yellow ring", 'Helios is drawing a lot more energy from her ring. A fully charged GL ring can last 24 hours; the altered ring will now last for 24 MINUTES.
And 'Helios now has twenty minutes left on her ring…more than enough to put a stop on Data's rampage.
As Data's Interceptor-class shuttle approached, 'Helios created a large baseball bat…and swung.
CRACK!
As the shuttle broke apart, 'Helios went to catch Data. Unfortunately, Data had already bailed, and had flew up behind 'Helios.
"Gah!" 'Helios said, as Data roped his arm under HER arms, and clasped the back of 'Helios' neck. Essentially, Data was trying to break 'Helios' neck from behind.
"Data-!" 'Helios yelled out.
No response.
"Data, you got to stop!"
Still, there was no response.
With a sigh, 'Helios', seeing no other way, created a-
"Solar BURST!"
'Helios used her aura to create a corona around her body. Data tried to hang on a little longer, but was forced to let go. With the two combatants now facing each other, Data backed up, and fired off a-
"Power BEAM."
The energy blast struck 'Helios' yellow shield. 'Helios opened her non-ringed palm.
"Solar BLAST!"
Data duck the blast, and flew straight at 'Helios. 'Helios waited at the last minute to pull a page from an old training buddy. Just as Data was about to ram straight into 'Helios, she formed a triangle with her
"Solar BEAM!"
The "Solar Beam" technique can create a blinding light that blinds the victim. Fueled by the power of a star, this same technique can now be used to neutralize Data's "eyes".
'Helios flitted about, as Data tried to seek her out. With the last ounce of her ring's energy, 'Helios then tied the android up with a series of yellow chains.
"Sorry about this, Data," 'Helios said, as she moved her fingers quickly to shut the android down.
"Whew," 'Helios said, as she relaxed. Suddenly…
"Sailor Helios" reverted back to Ranma Saotome, just as his Green Lantern ring ran out of "juice".
"AHHHH-!"
The sudden power lost was enough to distract Ranma, causing him to descend rapidly…with a deactivated Data in hand.
"I got you!" said a voice.
"Huh?" Ranma said, as he realized that he was falling into the arms of his former student Commander Riker. He had managed to get his barring straightened out long enough to see Ranma and Data falling from the skies. Riker moved to intercept his old sensei and close friend.
"Thanks," Ranma replied, as he began to float himself. He was glad that Riker remembered how to fly on his own. In fact, Ranma takes on students who he has a connection to, and determines how much of the Art that they should learn; Riker was one of the few who had progressed significantly enough to learn the power of chi-based flight. Once on the ground, Worf and La Forge were there to meet them.
"Geordie, you better check to see if Data is okay, as well as find out what the hell went wrong with him."
Soon after, the Enterprise-E enters orbit around Ba'ku-chikyuu (the name that Usagi had designated for this world). From what was gathered thus far, Data was part of a survey mission dedicated in examining the cultures of planets without risking cultural contamination. Furthermore, there was something familiar about these people…
Later, Ranma used the Enterprise-E's secured communications room to make contact with his old allies within the Anla'Shok…otherwise known as "The Rangers". He knew that Section 31 was involved, based upon the fact that the survey mission was not listed under normal circumstances. Coupled with the fact that he didn't trust the Son'a, a people known to subjugate its neighbors as part of a "caste system". These "leather-face" people are highly narcissistic, going as far as to literally stretch their faces for smoothness, as well as take longevity drugs. Their leader, Adhar Ru'afo, who Ranma had just met at Algeron meeting, was particularly interested in forming an alliance with the Federation, as a means of gaining access to more means of extending his life-span, as well as a means of making the Son'a more youthful. Adhar was very interested in having his scientists examine Ranma and Usagi, something that disturbed Ranma to no end.
"Computer," Ranma began. "Access code Omega-Zero-Zero-One."
Usagi's "Access code" was "Alpha-Zero-Zero-One". Both codes, developed before the founding of the Federation, was used sparingly, and was specifically designed to circumvent the probes of the super-secret "Section 31". In fact, it was a good thing that this was the case, since the Shadows and the Psi-Corp had thoroughly infiltrated that organization during the days of the "Shadow War". Unfortunately, the organization returned to its roots as a paranoid organization dedicated in protecting the Federation…for its own good.
Some things will never change.
A few minutes later, the conference view screen lights up.
"Greetings, Great Ranger," Lady Eranda, a Minbari of the priest caste, bows. "How may I serve thee?"
Lady Eranda was the contact person for the Rangers, which are still active…though more underground these days.
"Lady Eranda, I need to know if I can call upon the assistance of the Rangers for a special project…"
A short time later, Ranma goes into the ship's conference room, where a meeting is taking place.
"…Apparently, Ba'ku-chikyuu is a prize that Starfleet is willing to give to the Son'a, even if it means that the Ba'ku are to be 'removed'," Captain Picard says. "However, Admiral Dougherty said that they are willing forego taking the planet, if Counselor Tsukino is turned over to them for 'study'."
"I'm not going to help them, Captain," Usagi said. "I don't like Adhar, and I'm telling you that he's hiding something."
"Agreed," Counselor Troi says. "And it does not take empathic abilities to deduce the nature of the Son'a."
"I do have to mention that Ba'ku-chikyuu has some interesting properties," Dr. Crusher says, as she got up and lit up a display of the planet. "As you see, the properties of the palnet's rings alter the radiation from the Briar Patch to create a 'rejuvenation field'."
"From what I understand," said Lt/Com. Data, who was restored to normal operations, "The satellite that Starfleet is using for their joint operations with the Son'a is designed to collect the planet rings for a concentrated burst of cellular rejuvenation."
"Confirmed," said La Forge. "Once the collector begins its operations, the process is irreversible."
Picard turns to Lt/Com Yar.
"Commander, as you have discovered, the 'ark' is designed to collect all the inhabitants to the Ba'ku," Picard says. Picard was referring to a large spacecraft that Data, upon being "rebooted" had recalled the location and purpose of the 'craft; it was a Son'a agent that caused Data's original malfunction. "Can we modify it for other operations?"
"Already done, sir," Yar replies. "The control panel has been encrypted to operate to your specifications as."
"Just give the word on when you are ready," Worf says.
Picard gets up, and goes over to the window screen. He then turns to his old sensei.
"Commander, where you successful in your inquiry?"
"Just give the word, sir," Ranma replied.
Picard nods.
"We cannot allow the Ba'ku to be sacrificed on the alter of convenience. And I'm CERTAINLY not going to sacrifice Counselor Tsukino."
He then turns to his crewmates and allies.
"Here's what we are going to do…"
Later…
"Where is Captain Picard?" demanded the gray-beard Admiral Dougherty.
"He had decided to take a leave of absence," Riker says. "We will, of course, mover the Enterprise-E out of the Briar Patch as ordered. Riker OUT."
With the view screen off, Admiral Dougherty turns to his ally Adhar Ru'Afo.
"We have to pull out of this operation, Adhar," Dougherty says. "If the Enterprise-E makes it out of Briar Patch, then the rest of the Federation will know what's going on."
"Which is why WE are going to destroy it."
"I will not be a part of this!"
That's when Ru'Afo exploded, by backhanding the admiral.
"YOU WILL NOT STOP ME FROM GETTING WHAT I WANT, COWARD!"
"What are you talking about-?"
Ru'Afo slammed the admiral in a harness, and stuck needles into the admiral's face.
"Here is your complimentary skin treatment!"
"Arrgh-!"
When the process was over, the admiral's face was blown up like balloon. Without being properly prepared for the treatment, the admiral's demise was complete.
"No one will stop me. NO ONE!"
And with that Adhar leaves what remained of the Starfleet admiral.
Some time later, Picard, Crusher, Data, Worf, Ranma, Usagi and Dr. Crusher go down to the planet to protect the Ba'ku, while Riker, Troi, La Forge and Yar remained on the Enterprise-E. Along the way, this makeshift "Away Team" notices that they have been getting more "youthful".
"I tell you, Usagi, it must be this planet," Crusher says to Usagi; both were engaged in "girl talk" while waiting for Picard to make the next move, as the Ba'ku move away from their pursuers. "I swear that my boobs are getting firmer."
(A/N: This is an actual line from the movie that this story is based on, so don't throw stones my way!)
"I never had much of a problem with sagging breasts, even after my fourth child," Usagi replied nonchalantly.
Crusher gives Usagi a dirty look.
Usagi smiled at the slam, but then notices Data eavesdropping.
"Do you mind?" Usagi says.
"Sorry," Data says. Then, he turns to Worf, who was breaking out in Klingon acne. The android wondered what effects the planet was having on Worf's physiology.
"Mr. Worf, are your boobs getting firmer?"
"?"
"It's a lovely place, sensei," Picard says, as he observes the valley below.
"Yeah," Ranma replied, as he performed yet another tactical diagnostic program.
Picard and crew had recently hid from probes that were "picking them off" the Ba'ku one by one, by transporting them into the space ark. Thankfully, Ranma and Usagi had developed a makeshift anti-tracking device using parts from a Tricorder and a phaser. As a result, this forces Adhar to send in his forces to personally deal with Picard and crew.
Of course, Adhar knew that he was sending in cannon fodder on a regular basis, but he did so in order to draw them out of the makeshift protective zone. As a result, half of the 600 members of the Ba'ku were already "gone". The latest attack almost caused the death of the leader of the Ba'ku, Anji, when the tunnel that led into the valley almost collapsed. Anji had taught Picard a trick to slow time down, which was used to prolong their lives long enough to extend their breathable air, something that was taught to her by a USAF Major Dr. Serena O'Hare of the now defunct "Stargate Command", nearly 400 years before. Anji had assumed that Counselor Usagi Tsukino was this Dr. O'Hare, since Serena and Usagi were identical. But that was impossible! Counselor Tsukino had no recollection of having ever meeting Anji and her people. From what Anji had said, Dr. O'Hare had visited their world with a team of "Tau'ri" (i.e. what humans are called that are from Earth), and, along with her allies, saved them from certain doom at the hands of the fanatical "Priors of the Ori" (the "priors" are the ruthless missionaries of the Ori, while the Ori themselves are those "ascended" Ancients who need to control rather than guide "lesser" humans). Specifically, the Stargate Team bought the Ba'ku (who were survivors from a technological 'reckoning' that nearly wiped them out) time to make their escape, through a stargate to a random planet, while protecting them from the Priors. No one knew where the Ba'ku went, since the new address was never recorded, and they dismantled the stargate on the other end, since they didn't want access to ANY further interference from outsiders.
Still, Anji wondered if Serena and Usagi are one and the same.
"I wonder how Riker and the others are doing," Picard mused.
"Oh, I don't think there's going to be a problem getting out of the Briar Patch.
The Briar Patch had a single, usable corridor that allowed ships in and out the 'Patch.
Too bad the boomerang-shaped Son'a ships, which were comparable to the top-of-the-line Federation starship, began attacking the Enterprise-E.
"Give manual control!" Riker ordered, as a pedestal rose from the deck. Then, a joystick appears. "Let's see what this thing can do!"
Riker uses the joystick to circumvent the first wave of Son'a ships, only to be "jacked" by another wave.
"Commander, I sense a presence," Troi says.
"I know, Deanna," Riker says. "I'm dealing with them now-"
"No, I mean, there is ANOTHER presence!"
Just before the Son'a began their final strike, a pair of sleek and silvery starships appeared behind the Son'a ship. They began to fire upon the engines and weapons banks of the Son'a ships.
Riker smiled, as he recognized the distinctive design of the "White Star" class of ships that belonged to the famed Anla'Shok, otherwise known as the Rangers!
The Enterprise-E's main view-screen lights up. A Minbari female appears.
"The Anla'Shok gives its support to the crew of the Enterprise-E, in it's time of need, Commander Riker of Earth."
"The crew of the Enterprise-E is thankful for the help, Lady Eranda of Minbar."
And thus the battle to do the right thing continues.
Later…
"Thank you for your help," Anji says, as she hugs Picard her good-bye.
"I couldn't allow Adhar to get away with his duplicitous-ness," Picard says.
It turned out that Adhar and the rest of the Son'a were the offspring of the Ba'ku. However, they were so bored with the planet's peaceful nature, that they reactivated the stargate that brought their people to planet, and went back to their original homeworld 300 years ago. From there, they created a territory, using their advance technology, out of the "bones" of the old, and successfully enslaved three races into their services. It was only recently that the Federation came into contact with the Son'a, the name of their original homeworld. Adhar Ru'afo was the one who caused he and his friends to leave Baku-chikyuu, but he wanted revenge against the Ba'ku for barring him and his followers from ever returning to Ba'ku. So while the Ba'ku remained ageless, the Son'a aged and grew old. It was only when certain people within the Federation became interested in the secrets of eternal youth that the alliance between them and the Son'a began. And it was thanks to the Federation that Ba'ku-chikyuu was discovered. In the end, Adhar could have simply sought a peaceful co-existence with the Ba'ku; staying on the planet itself would have rejuvenated the Son'a in a matter of months. However, his anger over being barred from returning was enough to steal the planet's special ness out of spite. Picard confronted Adhar, who would activate the particle collector (i.e. the rings around Ba'ku-chikyuu) manually. Ranma was under orders to destroy the collector, even if Picard was still on board, before the collector was fully active. Thankfully, Picard dealt with Adhar before Ranma did what he needed to do.
Adhar's secondary plan was to kidnap Usagi, since Section 31 had indicated that she knew the secret of eternal youth. Thankfully, Ranma put a stop to that, when he used the space ark, which had a holographic system built in, to trick Adhar into thinking that he had extracted Usagi's star seed. He didn't.
In the end, Adhar died, and the healing between the Son'a and the Ba'ku has begun. The Federation, in an effort to distance itself from the fiasco, would be ready to assist. However, it would be the Rangers, with their Minbari sponsors, who would have direct dealings with the Ba'ku and the Son'a, since neither group could trust the Federation.
Meanwhile, Ranma is looking out over the lake, where the space ark was originally found. Usagi comes running up to him.
"There you are," Usagi says. "Lady Eranda's ship will be leaving orbit shortly, and she wants to know if we can have lunch. I asked the Captain about it, and he said that we could rendezvous with later before heading back to DS9."
Ranma didn't say anything, other than simply hug Usagi.
"What's that for?" Usagi asked.
"Oh, just because," Ranma replies. "With what's been going on lately, it's nice to take time to…smell the roses."
"Yeah…"
As the two Starfleet officers watched the setting sun, time seemingly slowed down, as the two seized the moment. Both Usagi and Ranma knew about the trick they learned, called "Zeta Wave Manipulation", an advanced form of "Beta Wave Manipulation", which allows a user to create a field that slows down time. This trick, popularly called "Time Stalling Omega" was developed for the International Police Academy on Earth during the 22nd century.
The irony is that Usagi's older version, Dr. Serena O'Hare, would be the one who would teach the Ba'ku this trick…in the PAST.
Time travel and dimensional manipulation is STILL a headache to deal with, though there are perks.
Tbc.
Author's note: I have decided to continue on until chapter 100 (that's the goal). From here on out, we will look at Ranma's new timeline, while the events of the DS9 and Voyager sagas unfold. Later!