Star Trek: Ranma's Story 59 – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: "Ranma ½", "Sailor Moon", "Star Trek" and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Special note: This story depicts the events featured in "Star Trek: Nemesis".
Author's note: Once again, it's feedback time! Here it goes…
To "Jerry Unipeg", thanks! Of course Ranma has to do something…it's HIS story, after all!
To "Innortal", thanks! It hasn't been easy, by the way…
To "Wonderbee31", I hope that you are satisfied with what I am doing with Dr. Crusher thus far.
To "MioRuglia", actually, there are two sons that went "bad" for different reasons. Shinzon's story will be revealed how HE became corrupted, but the one you are referring to Genshin Rantsu, the son of Ranma and Usagi from a past timeline (from the "Sailor Moon ST" story). He has nothing to do with this story (not directly, at any rate), so he won't show up. The identity of Shinzon's mother has already been revealed, but how this came to be will be revealed in the next chapter. Stay tuned!
Part 59
Location: Unknown.
Beverly Howard Crusher dreams. She was dreaming of a dark-haired girl whose sole responsibility was to serve as a last line of defense of an ancient, space faring kingdom. But she was not a "soldier"…she was a healer.
The raven-haired girl, who was dressed in an outfit that her friend Usagi Tsukino tends to wear from time to time, was standing alone on a dial…with the darkness in the backdrop. The girl was standing alone, eyes closed, holding a glaive.
"Who are you?" Beverly asked the girl.
The girl opens her eyes, and smiles.
"Why, I'm you, silly!"
Beverly shakes her head.
"That's not possible. I'm NOT you! I'm not some child who couldn't decide her own future…and is nothing more than a pawn!"
The girl raises one of her eyebrows.
"How do you know that, Beverly?"
Beverly was about to say something, but stops herself from speaking. What WAS she talking about? And who was "Hotaru Tomoe"?
"I am, Beverly…and you were. You have to remember who you are, otherwise Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa will die."
"…"
"As well as OUR son Wesley."
"I…I don't understand…"
"You will, Beverly…Beverly…"
"Beverly Crusher?" said a voice.
Dr. Beverly Crusher, the chief medical officer of the Federation starship, Enterprise-E, slowly wakes up. She seems to be in some medical harness, which meant that she was being held against her will.
Beverly looks over to the source of the voice. While she couldn't the person's face, due to it being shadowed, Beverly could see that the man was dressed in a leather body suit (black), while wearing a floor-length, leather "duster". Beverly could see that the man had his fingers interlocked in front of him.
"Who…who are you?" Beverly asks.
"I am 'Shinzon'," the man says. "Are you well?"
"I am…wait! Why are you holding me hostage? I'm sure that my people know that I am gone by now."
"Humph. Actually, no one knows that you have been taken. My agent 'Lore' is using a holographic emitter to simulate your beautiful form. So, my meeting with Captain Picard will proceed as planned."
Shinzon gently strokes Beverly's left cheek.
"As for you, I plan on using your…potential to destroy every man, woman and child on Earth. After all, you ARE, or will become yet again, the 'Senshi of Revolution'."
Location: "Temple of the Prophets" (Bajoran Wormhole, Bajor Sector).
"It's not fair!" said Lt. Amanda Rogers (SciSpec). "It was my turn to become Ranma's wife!"
Amanda Rogers was a member of the "Q Continuum", an omnipotent species. In her first life, she was "Sailor Artemis", the avatar of the Olympian goddess of the hunt and the Moon. In her next life, she was Princess Eowyn of Rohan, Middle Earth, who used her father's sword to slay the Ringwraith that marched on Gandor during the waning days of the "Second Age". In the days before humankind officially took to the stars, Amanda was "Akane Tendo", a young martial artist who was an heir to an eclectic martial arts style, and who would become known as "the Mother of Starfleet". And throughout all this, Amanda sought to be with the one man who had always showed up in her life: Ranma Saotome.
This was the same Ranma who she had met, when she was training to be one of Queen Serenity's warriors. That Ranma, who was disguised in his female guise, snuck into the Moon Kingdom with the desire to obtain genetic samples from the Moon Princess, in order to save the life of one of her future incarnations. Ranma's skills were more that enough to impress Artemis' favorite "daughter" to seek out this mysterious man.
This was the same Ranma who rode with the future king of Gandor, who impressed the princess from the Rohan plains with his courage and valor, both as a "ranger" and a "warrior".
And this was the same Ranma, though much younger, who would become her fiancée, forced upon a stubborn, teenaged girl by meddling parents. Time would allow Ranma and his "uncute" fiancée to first become friends and then lovers.
Amanda had hoped to become close with Ranma in this life. She had made certain of it. However, she has recently learned that the future…her future with Ranma…is becoming less certain. Thus, Amanda traveled to the Temple of the Prophets to investigate this matter.
"We have decided that the Warrior's fate is his own," said the Prophet that looks like "Nabiki Tendo".
"We will not have his path interfered with, Amanda-of-the-Q," said the Prophet who looks like "Akane Tendo", as she cracked her knuckles.
Amanda looks "Akane" with disbelief.
"You have some nerve to look like one of my past lives, you know!"
"We appear in this manner for Ranma's benefit, Amanda-of-the-Q," said the Prophet who looks "Kasumi Tendo". "If you think that this is improper…"
"Never mind that. How can my attempt to be with Ranma be a problem?"
"You know the answer, Lieutenant Rogers," said the Emissary-turned-Prophet Benjamin Sisko, an African-American Starfleet captain. He still appeared with his shaven head, goatee and cranberry-red Starfleet uniform, as if it was yesterday. "Ranma Saotome has to be free of all material obligations, when it is time to lead the Bajoran people to their next evolution. That might mean for him to leave this 'plane of existence'…permanently."
"But…Ranma wouldn't abandon anyone, especially with Ukyo in such distress!"
"And what if to save her life meant taking her to the 'Western Lands'? Or going to the lands of Avalon? Or going 'beyond the Rim'?"
"Does it mean that…Ranma is going to die?"
Sisko merely smirks.
"You should no better to think that Ranma will allow himself to 'die'. Besides…for beings like us, 'death' is only a state of mind."
Amanda merely rolls her eyes at the remark.
Location: Romulus.
The "Away Team" of the Enterprise-E, consisting of Captains Picard and Tsukino, Commanders Riker and Yar, and Counselor Troi, are greeted in the now empty Romulan Senate by-
"Greetings," said Romulan Commander Sela, who was Praetor Shinzon's chief of staff. Save for her ears and hairstyle, Sela was a mirror image of her "mother" Tasha. "Welcome to Romulus."
"Thank you," Picard replies. "I am surprised to see you here receiving us."
"I did serve with the Praetor during the 'Dominion War', so I know that he is worthy of my allegiance. Besides…he did say that a new order would soon make itself known in the Alpha Quadrant."
"'New order'?" Tsukino asks.
"That would be up to the Praetor to explain himself."
"Tell me, how is the Romulan people dealing with this…change in management?" Riker asks.
"As well as expected."
"Sela, I noticed that there haven't been a lot of activity in and around the capital," Yar comments.
"The people need time to…adjust, Mother."
"I see…"
As the Away Team follows Sela to the Praetor's chamber, Counselor Troi says nothing. She was getting some familiar vibes. In fact, it was as if she was reliving a nightmare…
"Deanna, are you…?" Usagi asks.
"I'm fine, Usagi. I'm just…tired, that's all."
Soon, they entered the throne room. Much of it reminded the team of the Manchu Dynasty on Earth. Standing around the room strategic were Reman imperial guards. Each one were at least seven to eight feet tall, decked in leather, and stood at attention with glaives at rest. Standing in front of the throne itself was an even bigger Reman, but had a magus staff instead of a glaive.
"Viceroy," Sela says with a bow. "We are ready to receive His Excellency."
The Reman merely nods, bows, and turns to leave to retrieve his liege.
"We wait for a minute," Sela says.
Location: Somewhere outside of time and space.
Starfleet Commander Ranma Saotome was on a flat, desert field. The air was cool, while the sun drifted across a partially cloudy, blue sky.
CRACK! CRACK!
And he was sparring with his foster son, Son Goku, the legendary "Monkey King". In his last life, Goku merged with the dragon Shin Long, and became a god. And since then, Goku has roamed the cosmos and beyond seeking adventure. At present, Goku was getting Ranma ready for his "meeting" with Shinzon.
"Hey! You've gotten better since the last time we sparred," Goku exclaimed.
"Blame it on Q," Ranma said, as he blocked Goku's blows. "I'm 'remembering' skills that I really shouldn't know."
"Ha! Then you shouldn't mind if I kick it up a notch…"
Now, Goku was a member of an alien species known as "Saiyajins". Bred and built for a fight, all Saiyajins possess the ability to become stronger whenever they reach the threshold of death. Coupled with a tactical skill and high levels of adaptability, Saiyajins are one of the few species that are worthy of being deemed dangerous. Some Saiyajins become so strong, that they can reach the stage known as "the Super-Saiyajin". When that happens, they become even MORE potent. The side effect is that their hair becomes blond and spiky, and their bodies increase in musculature and mass, and his eyes were emerald green. Goku and those like him were able to achieve that level, and more levels after THAT. In fact, only Goku and one other person have ever achieved the fifth level of a Super-Saiyajin, which is pretty much godhood at that point.
At the moment, Goku was at his first level of being a Super-Saiyajin.
Ranma smirked.
"Still going easy on me, eh?" Ranma said with a smile, as his aura turned gold, and his eyes glowed white. "I taught you how to fight, Goku. Remember?"
To be sure, Ranma is human. However, he studied enough esoteric disciplines to expand his "chi" pool. And he has studied enough techniques to perform a trick or two. What was Ranma's pride was his ability to push those limits without artificial enhancements. Breaking down his mental barriers was one thing; doing the equivalent of "juicing" (i.e. serums, biological or mystical "gifts", etc.) was an easy way out to him.
Goku nods his head, and goes at Ranma, testing his foster father's defenses. While Goku tends to be a "heavy hitter", using hard punches and kicks as his modus operandi, Ranma flowed through an opponent's defenses. In later years, Ranma preferred soft martial arts like tai chi to neutralize his opponents. To be sure, he was a heavy hitter himself, but, as he got older, he learned to be efficient with his prowess.
Ranma weaved through the punch, and turned Goku's momentum against him before flipping away. As Goku flipped over, the Saiyajin rotated his body, and delivered a back-kick. Ranma rotated his body just enough to avoid the kick. He quickly recovered, and flipped backwards into a fighting stance.
And all that took less than a moment.
"All right-y," Goku said, as he turned to face Ranma. "Here's some more where that came from-!"
The air around Goku cracked, while the ground shook. He grunted, as he "evolved" to his second Super-Saiyajin level.
Ranma examined Goku's newest form. From this point on, skill becomes an increasingly important factor in his sparring session.
But hey, he wouldn't be "Ranma Saotome" if he walked away from a challenge.
"Humph. Let's do this."
Location: Remus.
"Spirit Triplicate Clone!" Sailor Bajor yelled, as she created three doppelgangers. Each one formed "Spirit Blades", and attacked the Reman squad. Sailor Mercury had formed a fog bank before the 'Bajor began her attack on the compound.
'Mercury sensed an impending attack on her person, and brought out her 'lightsaber.
SNAP! Hzzzzz-!
PING! PING!
With fluid movements, 'Mercury block the energy blast, and redirected the attack back to her attackers. She has been a Jedi Master for nearly 400 years, thanks, in part, to her near-immortality from being a Sailor Scout and magus. When the Neo-Queen Serenity sacrificed her life to save Earth for the last time in the late 21st century, 'Mercury dedicated herself in creating a new branch of the Jedi Order in the Milky Way Galaxy. However, having learned from her experience from her time-traveling adventures in the Lucas Galaxy, the home of the original Jedi, 'Mercury chose only to take a single apprentice to begin the process of the creation of a new order exponentially. Now, there are thousands of Jedi Knights roaming the galaxy from their "home base" on the planet Mercury in the Terran System.
By the way, Mercury is home to a variety of organizations, such as mages of variety of strip (dedicated to the mystic or the hyper-scientific traditions, like the wizardry-minded "Order of Hermes" and Victorian-style, techno-mancing "Sons of Ether"), "The Society of the Flash" (dedicated to the memory of the 20th century hero of speed), and Illuminati University (a college that transect across quite a number of dimensions and realities that boost a reservoir of knowledge and learning, some of which is forbidden) for instance. Much of the reason for trying to conquer the Terran system is because of Mercury was a treasure trove of knowledge; conquer Mercury, and the rest of the galaxy will fall…if you get past Earth first!
On Mercury, a Jedi Council was formed to codify edicts and traditions, with Sailor Mercury as its titular head. Unfortunately, because the council sought to remain neutral during the Shadow War, 'Mercury chose to vacate her position in protest, and left for Minbar with a handful of supporters. By doing this, Minbar's "Anla'Shok", an organization commonly known as "the Rangers", benefited greatly from this. As a result, the Rangers are classified as "Force-users". Still, Sailor Mercury was still a Jedi (she was a Sailor Scout first and foremost), and continued to maintain ties with the branch that she gave birth to. In fact, she was seriously considering returning home, and retakes her position on the council.
"Sailor Mercury, watch out!" 'Bajor yells, as a "tank" bares down on 'Mercury.
'Mercury merely smirks, as she suddenly moved at "invisible speed" (i.e. moving so fast that a normal person cannot see the runner).
SLICE! SLICE! SLICE-!
Within moments, 'Mercury reappeared…
PING! PING! PING-!
Nuts and bolts popped off the tank falls apart. 'Mercury had taken apart the tank with an efficient manner.
"Impressive," 'Bajor quips, as she surveyed her comrade's handiwork.
"Well, I can introduce you to the Society of the Flash," 'Mercury says, as she shuts off her 'saber. "They actually teach an introductory class on how to tap into the 'Speed Force'."
"Hmmm…"
"I wonder how the others are doing…"
At the central control hub, Sailors Venus and Jupiter was getting last piece of data for Sailor Borg and her crew.
"I almost got it," 'Venus says, as she disconnected her uplink. "I just need a few more minutes-"
A swarm of Reman soldiers swarmed into the hub.
"Protect that uplink!" 'Jupiter says, as she went to engage the troops. She couldn't use her powers, due to how sensitive the computer equipment was. So, she decided to do things the old fashion way: with her fists.
POW!
'Jupiter slammed her fists on the first Reman. The Reman was dazed, so she took his lapel, and slammed him against a nearby wall. Another Reman tried to get her from behind, but Jupiter elbowed him. She then grabbed another Reman, flipped HIM over unto the ground, and then bashed her fist into that Reman's face.
"You okay, over there?" 'Venus says, as she continued her work.
"I'm fine!" 'Jupiter says, as she performed a counter that flipped over yet another Reman. Finally, the remaining Reman squad jumped on top of the Warrior of Thunder…
"Augh!" 'Jupiter cried, as she shook off her attackers like rag-dolls. Living in the Jupiter Sector in the Sol System enabled her to develop her great strength, which is why Jupiter appeared more muscular and stocky, yet still feminine. "Are you done yet?"
"Done," 'Venus says, as she shuts down her uplink. She then spots one of the downed Remans, who was about to shoot 'Jupiter…
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!
PING! PING! PING!
At the last minute, 'Venus stepped forward, and used her bracelets to deflect the attack.
"There may be more Remans on the way," 'Venus says, as she takes out her Golden Lasso. As the present champion of the Amazon Nation on the planet Venus, Sailor Venus had access to Wonder Woman's colors and equipment. In 'Venus' particular case, she wore the old American flag like a sash (clipped by a gold Eagle broach), bracelets over her gloves, the winged sandals of Hermes, and, of course, the fabled Golden Lasso.
Sailor Venus wraps her lasso around the Reman, which will be used to compel him to tell the truth.
"Tells us the tactical nature of your forces in this area…"
Meanwhile, Sailors Shin-Vulcan and Q'onos were setting up the charges to destroy the primary power plant, in the hopes of shutting down the defense grid.
'Q'onos dodged the energy exchange, as she ran around the outside core with her backpack.
"'Vulcan, I need some cover, here!"
Suddenly, several energy bursts enveloped her attackers.
"Gee, thanks!"
Shin-Vulcan was using a special weapon that can shoot through walls that didn't leave a trace.
'Q'onos managed to make it past the primary guards, as she makes her way to the power core. Once there, she opens up the door to the reactor itself, and enters.
Luckily, her Sailor Senshi abilities are fending off the ambient radiation that could be in the area.
"Okay, let's do this," Q'onos said to herself, as she installed the device. Being an engineer allowed the Sailor to know how to dismantle the reactor safely, while making sure that it could not go back online any time soon.
Once her work was done, the demi-Klingon ran out of the core, and was attacked by Reman guards.
"Q'onos Matter SMASH!"
Particles of matter from the air coalesced to form a large, glowing spheroid the size of a basketball. 'Q'onos directed the ball to slam into the Reman. Then more guards show up.
"Q'onos Matter SCATTERSHOT!" 'Q'onos yells.
Dozens of tiny, glowing spheroids appear out of thin air. They orbit around the demi-Klingon, and then burst out of their orbits. They fan out, bounce against the various surfaces within the vicinity, and knock the attackers out.
'Q'onos then turn to run. As soon as she gets to the end, she leaps out of the window, and lands on the ground, two stories down. Waiting for her was 'Shin-Vulcan.
"Let us leave this place, quickly," 'Shin-Vulcan says, as she taps her transponder.
"Fine by me," 'Q'onos says. "Captain Tsukino owes me big this time…"
As the two Sailor Scouts are beamed out of the area, the power plant blows up.
BOOM!
Meanwhile, in the Reman mines…
"…And you say that I am…a Sailor Scout?" R'Ma'Na asks, as she huddles with Sailors Earth and Mars.
"Indeed," 'Earth says, as she and Mars huddled around a small fire. "The reason why the Romulans were able to defeat the Reman people is because someone had stolen that power from one of your ancestor."
"Sailor Moon was able to restore the 'star seeds' back to the cosmos," 'Mars says. "It returned to one of your ancestors. Unfortunately, without anyone to initiate that seed, there is no 'Sailor Remus'. We are here to see if you wanted to fulfill your people's destiny."
The Reman girl ponders for a moment.
"My father always felt that a peace could be made between our people and the Romulans. That's why Shinzon had him…had him…"
"We understand if you don't want to join us-"
"Oh it's not that. It's just that I'm scared."
"Everyone is," 'Mars says. "But I wouldn't be here, trying to convince you to join our cause."
R'Ma'Na thought for a minute.
"Excellent," 'Earth says, as she takes out a transponder. She activates it, and all three disappear…
Location: Romulus.
Science Specialists Lt. Wesley Crusher and Ensign Kodachi Kuno enter Enterprise-E's "Sickbay". Ever since they returned from the Delta Quadrant, they had contemplated in taking their relationship to the next logical step. So, they wanted to get Dr. Crusher's advise on what they should do next. By the way, while Wesley specialized in astrophysics and engineering science, Kodachi specialized in horticulture and botany.
When Wesley and Kodachi entered the room, they saw Dr. Crusher at her desk.
"Mom, you got a minute?" Wesley says.
"Sure, Wesley. What's up?"
"I wanted to ask you for some advice about…marriage."
"Oh?"
Kodachi steps forward, and bows her head slightly.
"Beverly-sama, as the mother of Wesley, I seek permission to marry your son."
"Marriage?"
"Yes, Mom. I wish to marry Kodachi."
"That's wonderful!"
Dr. Crusher moved to hug her son. Wesley returned the favor. Then his eyes widened. Quickly, he pushed "Dr. Crusher" away.
"Kodachi, stay back!"
"What's wrong-?"
"That's not my Mom!"
Wesley Crusher was a gifted scientist. More importantly, he had perfected his genius to the point of developing theories pertaining to hyper-science…science that bordered on the mystical. In fact, Wesley Crusher, by rote, could manipulate time and space, and everything in between. Incidentally, the only reason why the U.S.S. Voyager did not return to the Alpha Quadrant sooner, was that Starfleet Command had officially authorized Captain Janeway to chart that region of space, as well as collect data on the Borg. Thus, what was once a "lost" ship became a deep space exploration venture.
By the way, part of Wesley's development was the ability to determine real matter from artificial matter, hence his response.
Kodachi stood back, and whipped out her martial arts ribbon. She charged it with her chi. Even though she no longer pursued her "Ranma-sama", Kodachi was still good friends with Ranma Saotome. On occasion, Ranma would teach her a trick or two to improve her martial arts.
"Corkscrew whip!" Kodachi yelled.
Using her whip, Kodachi pierced Dr. Crusher's form, disrupting the holo-emitter. As the device fell, Wesley caught the device.
"Crusher to Data!"
"Data here," said a voice over the PA. "Go ahead."
"We have a problem."
Down on the planet below, the Away Team was about to meet then new Romulan Praetor…
"You…" Troi says.
Usagi's eyes widen in shock, as did Riker and Yar.
Picard merely squinted his eyes.
"I would like to introduce you to the new Praetor of Romulus," Sela smiled proudly.
What shocked the gathering was the fact that Praetor Shinzon looked liked, saved for the shaven head, exactly like Ranma Saotome.
"Ranma…?" Usagi asks.
"No, I am his son…after a fashion."
Tbc.
Special author's note: Well, there you have it. Shinzon is the son of Ranma Saotome. If so, who is his mother? I have already dropped hints in previous chapters, but I will elaborate on this further. As for the Amanda/Akane thing, this is nothing more than a set up for future chapters, so stay tuned. BTW, how involved should the Sailor Scouts be in this story? More? Less? None? Ranma will always be the center of this story (it's HIS story, btw). One more thing: when this saga wraps up, there will be more than one wedding. So who will get married? Who SHOULD get married? Anyway, we wrap "Nemesis" up next chapter. See you then!