Disclaimer: "Ranma ½", "Sailor Moon", "Star Trek" and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 71
2265 CE: En route to the "Galactic Rim".
Since the end of the great "Shadow War", Earth, amongst others, has been slowly picking up the pieces. At the moment, the governmental hierarchy goes like this:
There is the "United Nations", which oversees all terrestrial states that exist along early 21st century lines. "Crystal Tokyo" is the seat of the executive branch, while "Empire City" (formerly New York) is the seat of the legislature; London is the seat of the judicial branch.
Then there is the "Earth Alliance", in which Earth and its colonial and commonwealth planets are members of. On this level, "Earth Dome", located in Geneva, is the seat of power for the EA.
Then there was the United Federation of Planets, of which Earth is a member (besides founding members Vulcan, Alpha Centauri, Andor and Tellar). The Federation is located mainly in the Alpha Quadrant of the Milky Way Galaxy. The central authority is located on Earth (the Federation Assembly is located in the City of San Francisco, where Starfleet Command is also located, while the Federation Presidency is located in New Paris).
And now, there was the Galactic Alliance. Formed after the Shadow War, the Interstellar Alliance (founded by the Earth Alliance, Minbar Federation, Narn Regime, and Centauri Republic and the Vorlon Empire) in response to the threat of the Shadows of Za'Ha'Dum. When the Vorlons and the Shadows left for "beyond the Rim", many lesser races decided to take up the slack left behind. Now, Vorlon is the home of a sizeable number of human telepath (since it was the Vorlons who gave many races enhanced telepathic abilities), and Za'Ha'Dum is the home of numerous minions (including the psychotic Drakh) who once served their dark masters. In that particular case, the undisputed ruler of "Sector Z" (where Za'Ha'Dum is located) is Anna Sheridan (formerly Aiko Saotome), also known as "Sailor Z", the Warrior of the Shadows. Officially, Sector Z is off-limits to outsiders, though it's been known that the occasional "Spider ship" can be seen and around that area of space.
At any rate, the IA's capital was first on IA station Babylon Five before being relocated on Minbar recently. President John Sheridan, former member of the Earth Alliance Force, is a the leader of the IA Council, and must ride herd on a lot of outstanding issues.
Incidentally, the Earth Alliance and the Federation is still somewhat at odds at the moment. Since the Federation did not want to participate in the Shadow War, Earth joined the fight alone, and thus gained a seat of power within the new Interstellar Alliance. As a result, the rest of the IA membership will only deal with the Federation through Earth, creating a weird overlap of sorts. There have been concerns that the Earth is ready to officially break away from its responsibilities to the Federation. However, as one diplomat once said, "It's better to have one piece of loaf than none at all." So, while negotiations are still ongoing, EA will have to perform a balancing act between its ties to the Federation and its new ties to IA.
For the Saotome couple, life was finally getting back to normal.
When the Shadow War came, many of Starfleet's finest left in drove, since, by charter, Starfleet Command was a branch of the Federation; Ranma and Usagi joining up with Earth Alliance Force was not seen as a step backwards. Up until then, the EAF was seen as nothing more than the equivalent of the United States Coast Guard of old. Wartime seriously beefed up the EAF into a credible force, after taking heavy casualties. When it became apparent that the EAF was compromised by the Shadows, these same "Starfleeters" went underground, some of which became members of the Anla'Shok (or Rangers); Ranma and Usagi could be counted as being members. After the war, a general amnesty was sent out, allowing the Starfleeters to return to duty (though some sort of discommendation of sorts had to be issued in order to save face). That is why when Ranma and Usagi returned to duty, both of them were demoted to the rank of "Lieutenant Commander". Otherwise, one of them would have been the captain of the Federation starship Enterprise.
At the moment, the Enterprise has been sent to investigate the Galactic Rim, and why the First Ones (including the Vorlons and the Shadows went there). An investigation had been already in the works before the Shadow War, since an Earth ship, the Intrepid, had been sent there to investigate the unique energy signature that existed in that area…as well as determine the crew's possible fate. In meantime, there was much needed rest and relaxation in order…
Location: The Recreation and Mess Hall, Enterprise.
"Get a load of this," Lieutenant Commander Usagi Tsukino said, as she handed "The Starfleet Bugle" data pad to her friend Lieutenant Nyota Uhura. The 'Bugle was the in-fleet news and information center for the entire fleet.
"Hmmm," Uhura said, as she scanned the information. "So they are really going to make us wear mini-skirts as uniforms…"
"Yeah, can you believe it? I don't want some pervert looking up my skirt!"
This afternoon, most of the crew was enjoying the recreation period in the mess hall. Usagi occasionally stole a glance in Ranma's direction. They were still trying to settle into some sort of relationship, especially with everything they been through for the past thirteen years. Maybe this new assignment will rekindle their relationship.
Sigh, Usagi thought to herself.
"You going to make a move or what?" said Dr. Elizabeth Dehner with a bit of a frustration. Ever since the start of the mission, there was a bit of a rivalry. "Liz" took her love of Space Psychology seriously, while this…this…girl did not. How could a klutzy, irresponsible person like Tsukino have gotten so prominent? She certainly didn't deserve to serve on Earth's finest starship. This is why Liz always challenges Usagi to a game of 3-D Chess. "Well?"
"Hmm? Oh! Okay…Checkmate in four moves."
"Damn! How does she do it?"
"Hey, Usagi here didn't spend her years on Vulcan for nothing," Uhura replied.
"You tell her, girlfriend!"
"Well, don't worry. Someday, I will win-" Liz began.
BRRRRR! BRRRR! BRRRR! BRRRR! BRRRR!
"Battle stations!" exclaimed Usagi, as she got up.
Both Liz and Uhura nodded grimly, as they got up as well. A throng of people left the Recreation Room to get to their stations.
Liz, Usagi and Uhura managed to secure a turbolift.
"Hold it!"
"Sorry ma'am."
When the three women got to the bridge, they immediately got to their station.
"Commander Tsukino, report," ordered Captain Kirk.
"All systems are go," Usagi replied. As the Operations Specialist, she was in charge of making sure everything went smoothly.
"Confirmed," Uhura said. "All stations report ready."
"Well," began Kirk, "What is your analysis of the so-called 'Galactic Barrier', Dr. Dehner?"
"We of the Utopia Planetia development group believe that the new shields will handle the strain of crossing the barrier. I do not foresee any problem on the crews mental health."
"Spock?"
"My analysis confirms Dr. Dehner's research. Therefore, we will avoid the fate that befell the Intrepid."
"But are we sure about what REALLY happened?" Gary Mitchell interjected. "From what I read of the report, the barrier itself wasn't the problem."
"Well, according to Dr. Palmer, there may be some validity to the idea that the barrier can prime latent psychic abilities to epic proportions," Spock said. "But the evidence is not sound enough to result in a conclusion."
Kirk looked at the view screen. Should he risk the Enterprise based upon some theory?
"Commander Mitchell, plot a course to the barrier. Commander Usagi, prepare the ship's systems. Lieutenant Uhura, inform the crew that we are going in."
The U.S.S. Enterprise streaked to the phenomenon known as "The Galactic Barrier". No one knew why it was there, which is why the S.S. Intrepid went to investigate it nearly 100 years ago. According to recently de-classified documents, the commanding officer was forced to destroy the ship after one of his crewmembers began to exhibit "god-like" abilities. Only recently has the Intrepid's "black box" (a recording device) had been recovered. Now, the Enterprise was to investigate this phenomenon.
As soon as the Enterprise hit the barrier, it began to buckle.
"Status report!" yelled Kirk.
"Trajectory is strong and steady!"
"Ship's buffers are at maximum!"
"I'm getting a lot of reports from all over the ship of system problems!"
"Captain, the shields are not going to hold-"
ZAP! ZAP! BANG!
Energy bolt crisscrossed throughout the ship's systems.
"AH!" yelled Usagi, as she felt a bolt of energy course through her body. Her body flew out of her chair and fell limped. Spock immediately went over to Usagi.
"Gary, reverse course now!"
As Gary changed the ship's course, another energy surge went through the system. Liz, closest to Gary and Usagi's station, tried to knock Gary out of the way. He was in danger of getting hurt as well. But, as soon as she touched Gary's shoulder, the energy surge went through the both of them. When it was finally over, both crewmembers slumped to the ground.
"Usagi!" Ranma yells, as he rushes from his station to his wife's side. He was connected
"Gary!" Kirk yelled, as he went over to Gary. It was no secret that Gary Mitchell was Kirk's best friend. "Uhura, get a medical team up her. On the double!"
"Aye, sir."
"Sir!" yelled Lieutenant Boyd, as he took over helm control. "We're clear of the barrier!"
"Scotty?"
"Aye," replied Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott. "It's as I feared. The Main Engines are fried, and the Impulse Drive is at 1/3rd of its operational capacity."
"Damn. Ranma?"
Ranma looked down at his beau with a grim expression. Usagi's eyes were…were…
Dr. Palmer and his medical team immediately went over to the injured. Palmer went to Mitchell and Dehner to check on their injuries, but stopped when he noticed their eyes.
"Captain, I…I…" Palmer stammered.
"What? What is wrong?"
"Their eyes…they're…they're…"
Kirk went to his friend Gary and looked at his eyes.
They were of a silvery color.
Oh, boy, Kirk thought to himself.
Ranma paced the waiting room, hoping that his beloved would be okay.
"I see that you're still here, Lieutenant Commander," said the Chief Medical Doctor.
"Yes, I am, Dr. Mark Piper," Ranma replied. "How is my wife?"
"She'll be fine, as will the others."
"I'm glad, doctor. Keep me inform of her progress."
"Of course. Oh, and here are the medical records the captain requested."
"I'll be sure to inform him of the data."
Later, on the bridge…
"How's Usagi, Ranma?" asked Kirk. He was concerned for not only his best friend Gary Mitchell, but also the lives of his two other officers.
"She is sleeping. On the other hand…"
"Hmmm?"
"We might have a problem," Spock interjects, as he brings up a holographic projection of Usagi, Liz and Gary's brain scans. "It seems that there are highly charged brain patterns, within our crewmembers' brains, at work, Captain."
Spock handed over the medical data on Usagi Tsukino, Gary Mitchell and Elizabeth Dehner.
"Interesting. According to this, the electrical discharge is affecting the areas that can stimulate the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex."
"Correct. Let me show you something…"
Spock took Kirk to a monitoring station on the bridge. Piped into Gary's room in sickbay, the two could see the Starfleet officer scan hundreds of documents a second.
"He has been engaging in this activity for the past hour, captain."
"Really? Well, I have to speak to him about that. How are the ship's repairs coming along?"
"Chief Engineer Scott has estimated that the repair time will be a week or more to complete. Unfortunately, the nearest starbase, at our present top speed is a month away."
"So you're saying that in order to repair the ship within a week, we would need access to resources that's a month away from obtaining."
"Correct."
"There is a mining facility within the Delta Vega system," Ranma says, as he brings up his data to the projection screen. "It has not been operational for some time, but do have the equipment for us to repair the ship with. It is only a few days from here."
"Very well then. Ranma, take over Gary's station, and set a course for Delta Vega…maximum safe velocity."
"Aye, sir."
While the Enterprise was limping to Delta Vega, Usagi managed to wake up. However, she was acting very peculiar.
"I am NOT this 'Usagi' person!"
"But," Uhura stammered, "If you're not, then who are you?"
Uhura was doing her best trying to engage this person with the shiny silver eyes.
"I am Princess Serenity, heir to the House of Serenity and future ruler of Crystal Tokyo on Earth. I demand to see my royal consort Prince Endymeon and my Royal Guard!"
As Serenity grew angrier, objects and people were lifted within her Sickbay quarters.
"Now, woman, tell me-"
"Uhura, say nothing," Kirk said, as he, Spock, Ranma and a contingent of Security Guards entered the room. "Dr. Piper, is everything okay?"
Dr. Piper, who was still floating in the air simply nodded.
"Now, Commander Tsukino-"
"I am Serenity, not this 'Commander' person!"
"Regardless of WHO you are, you are on MY ship. I have standards that expect everyone to follow."
"Humph!"
Slowly, everyone and everything gently floated to the ground.
"Dr. Pipper, check on Uhura."
"Okay," Pipper replied, as he took a shaken Uhura to another section of Sickbay.
"Now, 'Serenity', what seems to be the problem?"
"My 'problem' is that I do not know why I am here. As a matter of fact, I do not know ANY of you here."
"Well, I am Captain James T. Kirk. And this is my first officer Spock, and this is Ranma Saotome, my Security Chief."
Ranma simply nodded. He was afraid that, like Mitchell, Usagi was showing signs of psychosis. Maybe if he-
"So?" Serenity sneered. "How is that of any consequence to this situation?"
Spock went up to Serenity pensively.
"I would think that our daughter would be affected by this situation the most."
"Oh? Now, why would I have sexual relations with an ALIEN, let alone have a child with one?"
Unperturbed, Spock took out a "holocube" from its case, which looks like a clear colored cube. He sat it on a bed table.
"What is that?"
"It…was suppose to be a surprise for your birthday, Usagi-kam. I received it at our last rest stop."
Serenity looked at the device. What could this alien be up to?
The device glowed, and an image was projected. The image was of a little girl, who was blond and had pointy ears. She was dressed in a floral-patterned dress.
"An elven child…" Serenity mused.
"Mommy, it's me, T'Sara," the image began. "Grandma felt that you could use some cheering-up, since you and Daddy will be gone for so long."
"I am…HER mother?" Serenity asked.
"Indeed, Usagi," Spock said. Then, the image continued.
"I know you and Daddy won't be back in time for your birthday, so I want to give you a present, Mommy."
The girl took out a harp like instrument. She played it, though not on a professional level.
While this was going, James Kirk watched 'Serenity' for some reaction. He could see a tear shedding from her eye.
When the little girl stopped playing, she smiled.
"I hope you like it. I love you, Mommy."
And, with that, the image faded.
"T'Sara…"
Then Serenity turned to Kirk and Spock.
"You are…James Kirk, the captain of the Enterprise."
Kirk nods.
"And you are…Spock, my daughter's father.
She then turns to Ranma, who was looking away. He still hated the idea that his WIFE gave birth to another man's child. Still, he knew that what Usagi did was the right thing to do; he just wish that Usagi wasn't the one to do IT.
And that's when Usagi remembered who she was…
"R…Ranma?"
Ranma looks over to his wife, and gave a painful smile.
"Hey, Usako."
"Oh, Ranma…"
As Usagi began cry, Ranma went over to his beau. Usagi grabbed a hold of her beau, and cried in his arms.
"I'll leave you two alone," Kirk said, as he turns to leave.
"Saotome?" Spock says.
"What?"
"You are a lucky man."
And then Spock leaves Sickbay also.
"I know…I know."
Upon arriving to Delta Vega, Usagi, back to her cheerful, blue-eyed self was making an assessment on what the Enterprise needed for the repairs, since she was coordinating the ship's function. At the moment, a conference was called to discuss ship business.
"We'll be able to have the Enterprise up and running within 48 hours."
"That's great," Kirk said. "Have everything manifested and submitted to me within the hour."
"Aye, sir," Usagi said, as she sat back down.
"And now, what do we do about Gary Mitchell?" Kirk asked.
"We could…eliminate the commander," Spock said.
"Spock!" Usagi said in shock. Sometimes, he can be so cold at times.
"For once, I agree," Ranma nods. "I know that Commander Mitchell is your friend and all, but…"
"Captain, we have do something!"
"Commander Tsukino, you of all people know how dangerous Gary's evolution can be. If it was not the fact you have numerous psychic barriers in place, you could have easily become a monster of sorts."
"I guess…"
"Dr. Dehner, what is your assessment on Mitchell?"
"He is developing despotic tendencies to the extreme, Captain."
"Damn. Well, I certainly won't kill my best friend."
"If you will not," Ranma began, "You could put the ship in danger."
"I am well aware of that. I still don't want to give up hope that Gary can be redeemed somehow."
After much debate, it was decided that Gary would be quarantined on the planet, until a way could be made to solve Gary's problem.
Of course, Gary himself did not see his ascension to "godhood" as a problem.
"I really wish that you didn't leave me here."
Just before the Enterprise's repairs were complete, Gary was drugged and isolated down on the planet's main mining facility. Standing on the outside of the containment field was Kirk, Spock, Ranma and Dehner. Usagi was still coordinating the last of the repair efforts back on the ship.
"You know that this is for the best Gary."
"Some friend you are. Well, Spock, I guess you are Jim's right hand man after all."
While this conversation was going on, Gary was using the exposed cables from the cannibalized equipment to kill off the security squad.
"I'm sorry about this Gary."
"So am I, Jim."
Suddenly, the force field holding Gary in place dropped. With a flick of his hand, a bolt of energy was flung out, striking Kirk and Spock.
Ranma immediately went to strike Gary, but found himself frozen.
"That is the result of reading up on your skills, Mr. Saotome. Besides, I am god you know."
SMACK!
With all three on the ground, Gary drew Liz Dehner in.
"My dear Liz. Together, we will be this planet's new 'Adam and Eve'. Only, WE will become gods!"
As Liz and Gary starred in mirror, in the containment cell, Liz's eyes turned silver. Her eyes had been fluctuating throughout this entire ordeal. Now, thanks to Gary, her latent powers were full on…including the psychosis.
"Excellent," Liz smirked.
Meanwhile, back on the ship…
"Okay, re-route the main couplers so that we can perform a full diagnostic-"
Usagi, who was in command of the ship, was in the middle the final phase of the repairs, when she received a psychic image of her beau receiving injuries at the hand of…Gary Mitchell.
Oh, no! Usagi thought to herself.
"Scotty, you're in charge. I'm going down to the surface. Uhura, have Dr, Piper and a security detail beam down to the surface immediately."
"Aye," said Scotty and Uhura in unison.
Once Usagi, Piper and a security beamed down, they immediately went to the dead and dying.
"We're too late…" Piper began.
"No, we are not," replied Usagi, as she lifted her shirt out of her pants. Touching her phoenix tattoo (which was on the small of her back) that she received while in the Rifts, Usagi had activated her Resurrection Ability. Each time she did so, the effort drained a little bit more of her life force. Luckily, Usagi received an extra boost of energy from her ordeal of late. A flash of light later, the process was over.
"Uhhh…" Usagi said, as she began to faint.
"Commander!" said Dr. Piper, as he caught Usagi.
"Go on and check on Kirk and the others. I have to go."
"Where are you going?"
Usagi turned towards Piper, eyes glowing a silvery color.
"I'm going to deal with the man responsible for nearly causing all this death, especially my beau Ranma's."
With that, Usagi disappears.
"So, what do you think of my Garden of Eden, Liz?" asked Gary.
Liz Dehner looked at the garden that her consort had created.
"Will this place be our seat of power?"
"No, it will not. Once we evolve to our full potential, we will make Earth our capital. And from there, we will establish order throughout the galaxy."
Gary Mitchell and Elizabeth Dehner, thanks to the galactic barrier, were evolving to "omni potency". So far, they could create simple objects out of nothing, and control various life forms.
"I suppose so…"
Just then, Gary looks towards one direction.
"Hmmm. It seems that we have a visitor. Liz, see to our guests."
And with that, Gary disappears.
A short distance away, Usagi Tsukino was treading towards the source of the high-energy reading, using Usagi's extraordinary senses to track Liz and Gary down.
Soon…
"Usagi," Gary smirks. "It's good to see you."
Usagi looked to see Liz standing there, where she wasn't moments ago.
"Liz…what happened to you?" Usagi said. "This is not you to be accepting of psychopaths."
"We…want to bring order to chaos."
"And who has the right to do that?" asked Usagi. "You?"
"I…"
"Liz, you are a psychologist. What makes you think you two will be benevolent in your rule? Besides, haven't you heard of Lord Acton's 'Absolute power corrupts absolutely'?"
"I…"
"I think we have had enough of that," Gary interjects.
"I'm only going to say this ONCE. I can cure you of this…condition of yours."
"Condition? What makes you think I want to be cured?"
And, with that, Gary threw an energy bolt, knocking Usagi down.
"Argh!"
"Now," Gary smirked, as he casually walked towards Usagi. "I read your file, and learned that you are a virtual battery of power. Once I take that power of yours, I will accelerate my evolution."
Before Usagi could power up, Gary was on her. Grabbing her by the throat, Gary began to drain Usagi of her energy.
"Ugh!" Usagi grunted, as her body slowly wasted away. Within moments, Usagi was nearly drained of energy.
"Nothing personal, but I can't have a would-be goddess around to compete with."
Before Gary could finish the job…
ZAP!
"Argh!" Gary yelped, as he was thrown back. He managed to see Ranma Saotome standing there with his raised hands.
"Touch my wife again, and I will KILL you!" Ranma says, as he looks at Gary with an eagle's eye.
"Humph," Gary smirked. "I guess that you don't approve. Oh, well."
With a nod, Gary sent a telekinetic bolt at Ranma, who batted the attack out of the way.
Using his Jedi abilities, Ranma "threw" a large rock at Gary's head.
POW!
"Ah!" Gary screamed.
"Ah, too much for ya?" Ranma mocked.
Meanwhile, Liz, seeing Usagi free of Gary's grip, rushes over to Usagi.
"Are you okay?"
"COUGH! I will be," Usagi said, as she takes out her henshin rod…
"Moon…Prism…Make UP…!"
Sailor Moon was BACK.
"I got to drain off this energy of Gary's," 'Moon says, as she began to draw energy into her…
Ranma picks up on what 'Moon was doing, so…
"I'm going to enjoy THIS!" Ranma replied, as he began to throw punch after punch at Gary. Ranma wasn't sure if what he was doing would work, but he needed a distraction long enough for 'Moon's plan to work.
Gary, already noticing 'Moon's actions, whose face was badly broken, laughed. With a wave, Gary blasted Moon into a cliff.
"Oof!" Moon said, as she fell hard. Her body landed near Liz.
"Usagi!" Ranma cried out.
"See? See how useless you are?" Gary said, as he was about to blast Sailor Moon. "Well, it's been fun, but I am bored of you. Good-bye, Lieutenant Commander."
Suddenly, Moon suddenly disappeared.
"What?"
Then, Gary felt his legs being grabbed. He looked down, and could see 'Moon holding his legs down from within the ground. 'Moon then pulled on his legs, and tripped Gary.
"Oof!"
"Sailor Moon, get out of the way!" Ranma said, as he lifts a huge boulder over his head.
'Moon did as she was told.
Gary looked up, as he sees what was about to happen.
"You can't do this! I'm a god!"
"Even gods can die, Gary," Ranma smirks, as he slams the boulder down…
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO-!"
THOOM!
Ranma slammed the boulder down so hard, that he buried it half way.
"It's…over."
Just then, Kirk and Spock come running over with phaser rifles drawn.
"Where's Gary?" Kirk asks anxiously.
Ranma points to the embedded boulder.
With noticeable sadness, Kirk drops his rifle. As much as he would want to get on Ranma's case for his actions, his actions would be deemed appropriate.
Meanwhile, 'Moon takes her white gloves off, and uses one of her talons to prick her hand. Drawing blood, 'Moon used the results to draw runic symbols on the boulder.
"What are you doing?" Ranma asks.
"Just in case I wasn't able to completely draw out his power, I want to make sure that he is thoroughly sealed away for good."
"He's dead, Usako."
"Just like Apsu?"
"Hmmm…you may have a point."
And with that, the crew of the Enterprise would leave this world behind, making sure that a hazardous buoy was placed to ward off approaching ships…
Nearly 150 years later.
The "insect-like" space pirates have recently set up shop on this abandoned world, rich with the newly discovered "phazon ore", from which they can create the parasitic "metroids" and other mutated creatures. The leakage of radiation from the processing plant is enough to stir up a ghost that should have remained dead…
BOOM!
A nearby boulder is blown to bits, as a humanoid, dressed in an old style Starfleet uniform limbers out of the crater. His corpse-like feature was held together by a will and hatred that knew no bounds. And there was but once name that the man could muster out to say:
"RANMA SAOTOME-!"
Fin?Author's note: Just setting up for a saga that will conclude this story. Also, if there is somethingthat you want me to refer to in detail (i.e. like his time in the "Star Wars" universe), let me know. I'll work it in the form of an omake or something. Other than that, stay tuned for details.
Next time: We look at Ranma's time during the Decker years and the second Kirk years through the eyes of T'Sara, the daughter of Usagi Tsukino and Spock of Vulcan (just to be a little different). See you next time!