Star Trek: Ranma's Story 60 – 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".
Part 60
Location: "The Temple of the Prophets" (Bajoran Wormhole, Bajor Sector).
"So, this is the problem that we face," said Sailor Pluto, as she created a virtual monitor screen. The image was that Praetor Shinzon. "The son of Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo-Saotome, reborn twice, has managed to gain access to 'the Souce' via 'the Cosmic Keyhole'."
'Pluto projected an image of another person, who was once a costumed "super-villain" during the late 20th and early 21st century period on Earth.
"This is the miscreant known as 'The Key'. In his career, used a key-like device to open the locks of any structural barrier, before learning how to use dimensionally warping means to create doorways on his own. The costumed crime-fighters known as 'the Justice League of America' were the ones who prevented the Key from succeeding in his 'career'."
A montage of footage depicted various battles feature the Key, who was dressed in a tacky brown outfit with the symbol of a keyhole on his shirt, pointing a key-shaped gun at the heroes fighting him. The heroes featured were the Kryptonian, the Darknight, the Sea king, the Bird of Prey, the Amazon, the Space Knight, the Scarlet Speedster, the Archer, the Songbird, the Martian, the Wild Horse and the Sailor.
"In this incarnation of the Justice League, the Key was seemingly defeated, when he first tried to access the Cosmic Keyhole, by creating a dimensional doorway to the Source. He theorized that to do so required him to tap into the dreams of his victims. This is based upon the theory that dreams can tap into the 'Immaterial' world, and thus easier access to the literal source of all Creation. In fact, the Key hoped to use the minds of his victims to act as tumblers of a lock; trip the tumblers, and he could gain access to the Cosmic Keyhole. Unfortunately for HIM, he, at the last minute decided to use his creation on himself…and went into a catatonic state for twenty years.
A new screen appears, this time, the Key looked emaciated, and looked something out of "The Mummy".
"He may have been successful after all. By being in a catatonic state, the Key internalized his power, and could now enter into the minds of his victims. However, instead of going after new victims, he decided to get his revenge by tapping into the dreams of the Justice League, and then gave them true form. Of course, the Key manipulated their dreams to suit his style of revenge."
A new screen appeared, depicting a domesticated "Ranko Tendo", being as unmanly as possible.
"In Ranma Saotome's case, the Key wanted to make sure that Ranma was nothing more than, I quote, 'a girly-girl'. As for the Moon Princess, well…"
Yet another view screen appears, showing a male Usagi as a sports jock.
"In this case, the Key knew that Usagi's feminine biology was tied to her powers, being the descendant of the Serenity, Phoebe and Hectate, the triple-goddess aspect of the Moon. Deny that, and deny her…well…HIS…rightful heritage. What the Key did not count on was that fact that Serenity intervened, and thus provided an opening for the 'League to restore reality to its proper form, as well as stopping the Key from entering the Cosmic Keyhole."
"So, how did Braxton and Shinzon gain access to this ability?" Sisko asks.
"The information was found, in all places, a non-encrypted file in the Library of Congress on Earth."
"Oh, my," Belldandy said. The Norn sisters knew that the creation of the Cosmic Keyhole was a failsafe measure to allow the Yggdrasil system to reset in case of emergencies. Even when the access way was re-encrypted, mortals still seem to be able to get into the system somehow.
"I can't believe these mortals are still able to get into our system," Urd interjects.
"Hey, don't look at me!" Skuld says. "It's not my fault, you know!"
"So Shinzon and Braxton has access this information," Sisko ponders. "And since Braxton is a time-traveler, he can get this information at any point in time."
"Correct," 'Pluto says. "Shinzon discovering this information allowed Braxton to also discover this information. Braxton's use of the Cosmic Key created a paradox, as will Shinzon's use of the key. And because of the Moon Princess was caught up in the mix when Braxton tried to use it, yet another timeline changed."
"Father is concerned about that," Belldandy says. "If this debacle continues, the entire timeline will collapse."
"Correct," 'Pluto says. "And it will be up to Ranma to prevent that from happening, when he faces his son."
"And, as we all know, Ranma never looses," Sisko smirks.
Location: Romulus.
"RED ALERT! RED ALERT!" the computer yells out.
Captain Usagi Tsukino steps out unto the bridge. Since the crew of the Enterprise-E didn't need a Sailor Scout at the moment, Usagi wore her Starfleet (cranberry-red) uniform.
"Mr. Data, status report," says Usagi, as she sat down with Commander Riker and Counselor Troi. Absently, she tugged her uniform in the same manner that Captain Picard has done.
"Praetor Shinzon's ship, The Nemesis, is leaving the Romulan system at a tremendous speed," Data says.
"Mr. Worf, after that ship, posthaste."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Mr. Crusher, I need as much information on that ship as possible."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Miss Kodachi, work with Mr. Crusher in creating a counter-agent to Shinzon's spores. Apparently, they are used to draw out moisture from both animal and plant life."
"But of course, Captain-sama. HOHOHOHOHO-!"
"Captain!" Commander Yar yells, as she looked at her sensor logs. "We have an incoming 'Borg Diamond'!"
"Damn. Counselor?"
"I detect no hostile intentions," said Counselor Troi.
"Hmmm. Yar, open hailing frequencies."
"Frequencies are open, ma'am."
"Borg vessel, this is Captain Tsukino of the Enterprise-E. State your purpose."
CHIRP!
"This is Borg Adjutant Six-of-Nine," began Sailor Borg. "We have come to assist the Federation starship Enterprise-E."
"Hoshiko?" began Usagi.
Sailors Earth, Mercury and Bajor joined Sailor Borg on the view screen.
"It's okay, Captain," said 'Earth says. "Sailor Pluto asked the Sailor Scouts to unite to help you stop Shinzon."
"We already took care of the praetor's power-base," Sailor Mercury says. "Also, we initiated another Sailor Scout."
A Reman girl, dressed in a Sailor fuku, appears.
"'Sailor Remus'?" Usagi asks.
"Yes, Moon Princess," the girl says. "It is an honor to meet you."
Ever since the earliest days of being a member of Starfleet, Usagi or Sailor Pluto initiates a person to become the Senshi of their respective worlds; after the problem concerning the planet Baku was dealt with, Usagi secretly initiated one of the Baku to become the Warrior of Moments "Sailor Baku". Thus far, there are hundreds of Sailor Scouts throughout the Milky Way Galaxy, each one dedicated in protected their home-worlds, even if it meant going against Sailor Moon herself.
"The pleasure is mine," Usagi replies. "If we survive, we have much to discuss."
Usagi then turns to Sailor Bajor.
"Um, 'Bajor, who is minding the store?"
"Dr. Bashir, Lt. Commander Thomas Riker and Lt. Ro Laren are in charge."
Thomas Riker was a transporter clone of Will Riker, from Will's time as the First Officer aboard the USS Hood…before assuming his post aboard the Enterprise-D.
"With Quark around?"
"I'm sure DS9 will still be around when you get back."
"…"
"Honest."
"Captain, shall we…?" began Commander Worf.
"Let's do this. Engage!"
Thus, the Enterprise-E, alongside the Borg Diamond, gives chase.
Meanwhile, aboard the Nemesis…
"Soon, Earth will fall," Shinzon says, as he sees Earth on his holographic map, which was hovering on the bridge. With him was Loren and his prize "Sailor Saturn". It was difficult to warp Dr. Crusher's mind and body to his specifications. Nevertheless, Shinzon succeeded.
"I wonder if you could appreciate my gift, doctor," the Praetor says, as he gently strokes her left facial cheek.
Suddenly, Shinzon sensed the presence of someone with whom he was expecting.
"Father…"
Ranma materialized in the lower aft section of the Nemesis. He knew that if he can disable the ship's engineering section, it might buy Usagi some time to catch up.
With a sigh, Ranma proceeds to "dismantle" the section.
"Hey!" said a Reman guard. "Stop right there-!"
POW!
Even though Remans were a lot stronger than humans, Ranma was a lot stronger than TEN Remans.
Within moments, after dealing with a squad of Remans, Ranma made it to the main control panel…and smashed it.
Meanwhile, aboard the Enterprise-E…
"Captain, they have slowed down!" Worf says.
"Excellent," Usagi says. "Lt. Crusher…?"
"We would need to destroy both wings to prevent the Nemesis from emitting the spores."
"All right. Miss Kuno…?"
"I have developed a possible anti-agent, Captain. I just need more time to confirm my results."
"Do what you can. In the meantime…Commander Yar, lock weapon systems on the Nemesis.
"Standing by."
As the Enterprise-E and the Borg Diamond approached the Nemesis, a voice could be heard over the "air-waves".
"Ah, so you have decided to stop me," said Shinzon. "You DO know that I have anticipated this, right?"
A fleet of cloaked Romulan ships appeared.
"Captain!" Yar exclaims. "Twelve Warbirds have appeared!"
"And not just any Warbirds," Data says, as his mechanical hands danced across the panel. "I'm reading indication of 'phased' technology at work."
"Damn," Usagi cursed. Ever since the signing of the "Treaty of Algeron", the Federation was prohibited from developing cloaking technology. However, there were those within Starfleet, who was against said treaty, who secretly developed "phasing technology". So they used The Pegasus, a science vessel, to develop such technology.
And Will Riker was a crewmember during that time.
In the end, half the crew committed mutiny as a show of supporting the spirit of the treaty, and disappeared with the ship, until it was found years later by the Enterprise-D. Usagi supported believed that the crew was right to mutiny, while Ranma felt that they didn't need to sacrifice their lives needlessly. Both felt, however, that the Federation was foolish in signing the stipulation banning the use of cloaking technology to begin with, citing that such application would improve exploration prospects better. What's the point in having a "Prime Directive", if less developed worlds can spot you?
With the appearance of phasing Warbirds, it looks like Shinzon got his hands on the Federation's phasing technology after all.
"Mother," Sailor Borg said, as she interjected over the comlink. "Deal with Shinzon, while we deal with his forces."
"Do be care, Sailor Borg," Usagi says.
"Of course. After all…resistance IS futile."
"Don't even joke about that!"
Meanwhile, aboard the Nemesis…
Ranma made it to bridge of the ship, when he spots Lore, a young Dr. Crusher and…Shinzon.
"Hello, Father," Shinzon says, as he clapped his hands. "I am glad that you made it to my party."
"Shinzon, I know why you are doing this," Ranma says, as he steps forward. "If you want to punish me for failing to protect your mother and you, then I am yours to do mete out your revenge."
Shinzon looks at Ranma for a moment, and then burst out laughing.
"You think that I would allow you to get off the hook THAT easily?"
Shinzon turns to Lore.
"Lore, continue to with the operations. Father, follow me if you dare…"
FWOOSH!
A wormhole forms on the bridge of the ship, Shinzon slips into the wormhole.
"Stop-!" Ranma yelled, as he ran after his son.
At then same time, the Enterprise-E and its allied Borg Diamond was in an intense battle. Because of the capability of the newer Romulan ships, even the Borg Diamond was having trouble.
"We are reading damage to 40 percent of the vessel," Sailor Borg says. The weaponry that the war-birds were using went through conventional shielding as if it wasn't there.
Meanwhile, Sailor Mercury was going over 'Borg's database. The Borg possessed a wealth of knowledge, but lacked the ability to use it non-linearly. 'Mercury quickly ran through some conference material…
"Sailor Earth, get me Wesley Crusher on the line!"
"What…?" 'Earth replied.
"Please, it's very important!"
Meanwhile, aboard the Enterprise-E…
"Captain, we're taking heavy damage on the primary hull!" Yar says.
"Confirmed!" said Engineer Geordie LaForge. "Decks surrounding engineering and auxiliary control are disrupted."
"Captain, we are close to taking out that last wing, but the forward phaser bank and primary torpedo bay are off-line," Data says.
While this was going on, Wesley Crusher received a secured incoming hail on his combadge unit.
"This is Wesley, I'm busy. What's up?"
"This is Sailor Mercury. I need authorization to access your files pertaining to 'static warp-shells'."
"And…why?"
"These Romulan ships are using phased technology, and I was thinking of manipulating the physics of that technology-"
"-By creating a new reality!" Wesley finished. "Okay, I see your point. You have my permission."
As soon as the authorization was made, cross-referenced material was immediately apparent.
"Thanks, Wesley. I owe you dinner!"
"Not a problem. And good luck."
At the same time, Riker turns to Usagi.
"What's next?"
Usagi closed her eyes. She knew that the ship lacked the firepower to finish the job of taking down the last wing, and that didn't include the back up array, which could be use to deploy the spores. So…
"Geordie, reinforce the hull plating and the shields. Mr. Worf, take her straight into that wing."
Everyone turned to see if Usagi was crazy.
"Look, we cannot take the chance that Sailor Borg will be able to assist us in taking down the Nemesis. Besides…I designed this ship with Geordie to tear into a Borg Cube, remember?"
"Okay, Captain," says Deanna with assurance. "We believe you."
"All right then. Let's do this. Mr. Worf, is this a good day to die?"
"No, Captain…it is a good day to WIN."
Tbc.
Author's note: I thought that I would be able to wrap this one up, but the juices keep on flowing. Anyway, next time, I promise, we wrap up the Nemesis Saga. See you then!