Star Trek: Ranma's Story 72 – 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.
Part 72
2276 CE: Starfleet Academy, Earth Sector.
Every year, Starfleet Academy turns out officers who represent the best and the brightest. For the past ten years, the main emphasis has been to prepare future generations to deal with an ever-expanding role of Starfleet, especially in the matters of security. The Federation was still feeling the effects brought on by the schism created by the Shadow War, and how Earth has been, in recent years, semi-autonomous…by balancing its responsibilities between the Federation of Planets and the Interstellar Alliance. So far, there is a mutual defense pact between these two political entities, as well as talk of a trading arrangement. This would be the equivalent of the United States belong to both the United Nations and NATO, and how the goals of both institutions are not always "congruent".
On this particular day, Cadet T'Sara Spocksdotter, of Vulcan, is receiving her certificate of graduation and rank, as she accepts her commission to be a Starfleet officer. She thanks the commandant, and sits back down. She looks over to where her parents and stepfather and half-sister are sitting.
"Ya-HOO!" Commander Usagi Tsukino-Saotome yells. She was dressed in a white jumpsuit under a long white jacket (A/N: Think Neo's outfit from "Matrix: Reloaded"), which was the standard dress (white) uniform. "YOU did it!"
Commander Spock merely shakes his head, while Commander Ranma Saotome looked positively embarrassed by his wife's actions.
"Dad, let Mom have her moment," said Miss Aiko ("Anna") Saotome-Sheridan, otherwise known as the infamous "Sailor Z". Anna was allowed to leave Sector Z to spend time with her family. Still, the presence of the chief agent of then Shadows of Za'Ha'Dum on Earth has a lot of people nervous. In fact, a pair of Minbari warships and two pairs of White Star vessels is constantly monitoring Anna's personal ship, a standard "Shadow Spider vessel", which is in orbit around Earth. There is also a contingent of "Rangers" nearby, all whom have been given the duty of monitoring Anna personally.
"I know, I know," Ranma replies. "It's just that…well, you know…"
"I know, Dad. You would have felt better if T'Sara was your child as well as Mom's."
"Yeah, I guess so. Don't get me wrong. I love T'Sara as my own, but…"
"I know, Dad. I know."
Later, at the reception…
"Hello, Mr. President," Anna said coolly.
"Hello, Anna," IA President John Sheridan said, as he and his wife First Lady Delenn are surrounded by a pair of Minbari secret service agents (from the Warrior Caste). Since Anna was going to attend her younger sister's graduation, Sheridan elected to participate in the graduation ceremonies as the guest speaker. "You seem well."
"But of course, Mr. President. Thank my mother for my unique…heritage and training."
"We are sorry for your circumstance, Anna," Delenn says. "We all are."
"I bet. If you excuse me, I would rather celebrate my sister's graduation with family. Oh, and by the way, I'd be care about what the Drakh are up to these days."
"What do you mean?" Delenn asks.
"What I am saying, is that while I have authority over what the Drakh does in Sector Z, I cannot guarantee that I can control their actions outside of it. Good day."
The reality is that Anna knew that the Drakh are slowly taking over the Centauri Republic, as revenge against Emperor Lando's betrayal of the Shadows. She also knew that Lando's gift to Sheridan's son was a Drakh trap, which will be "sprung" on his sixteenth birthday…a few years from now. So, while Anna is not actively seeking revenge on her former husband, she is not above allowing him and his third wife to suffer a little.
Meanwhile, T'Sara was eating alone, when her father comes to her.
"Father."
"Daughter."
Silence.
"I am proud of your accomplishments, T'Sara," Spock says.
"Thank you, Father."
More silence.
"Have you decided on your next course of action?"
"I have been accepted at the Vulcan Science Academy, but I am interested going to Minbar to complete my training as a Jedi before doing anything else."
"I see," Spock's nods. Over the number of years, Usagi has been training her daughter T'Sara in the ways of the Force, as she has done with Anna years before. Since T'Sara has three months off before her next assignment (in her case, that means advanced training in her field of study), she would finish her training under Jedi Master Ami Mizuno on Minbar.
"I am sure that your training will prove to be beneficial to all concerns."
"I appreciate that, Father."
"Now, if you excuse me, I will need to check in with the Enterprise…"
T'Sara sighs, as she is left alone. She was a Vulcan-human hybrid, and is caught between her heritage on Earth and on Vulcan. She disliked her human heritage for its frailty; she disliked her Vulcan heritage for all the weirdness that surrounds it…especially the "pon far" aspects. She didn't like being compelled to mate out of need; she wanted love as being the motivating factor for being with someone. One of the reasons why she took up the study of Jedism is because she wanted to be at peace with herself, and Mistress Ami has been helping her in that regard. Interestingly, T'Sara, save for her pointy ears, looked like her mother, which furthers T'Sara's inability to have an identity of her own.
At least her mother's pet cabbit "Thumper" is there to keep her company, during those times she feels lonely.
As she ponders her thoughts, her mind wanders back to those segments that have been meaningful in her life…
FLASHBACK!
2269 CE: Vulcan.
For some time now, Commander Willard Decker was observing the actions of the bridge crew aboard the starship Enterprise. According to those who are in the know, Decker was to assume command of the ship once Captain James Kirk finishes his five-year mission. Already, there have been changes afoot, as indicated by Decker's gray jumpsuit.
"At least I don't have to wear these skirts anymore," Usagi says, as she went over her various correspondences. The couple was on some much-needed down time, after showing Decker around their stations, as well as elaborating on their duties.
"Well, I never had to," Ranma replied, as he stretched on his bed.
"Biiiiiii!"
"So…what do you think of my deal with Hikaru?"
Usagi turns around to face her husband.
"Hey, I personally think that having a betrothed fiancée is romantic. I just think it's not necessary in this day and age."
"Say, does T'Sara have a betrothed fiancée?"
"No, she doesn't. However, Hoshi and I were thinking of setting up an arrangement between her son Darien, who in spite of being 60 years old…is still a confirmed bachelor, and I don't think he is 'gay'. Perhaps T'Sara can be betrothed to Darien."
"Oh, uh, right."
Usagi narrows her eyes.
"You didn't…?"
"When you supposedly died, Hoshi kinda, well, we…"
"Alright, I GET it. Still, I don't think getting Darien and T'Sara together is a problem or anything. Though it DOES complicate matters."
High Queen Hoshi of Crystal Tokyo's only child is Prince Darien, who tends to be a bit high-strung…like his father. He is also quite the ladies' man, who, at the present time, is a world-renowned athlete and humanitarian. As the son of the High Queen, Darien is the Captain of the Royal Guard, and serves as a Viceroy to UN Spacy, Earth's premier defense force. As part of his training, Darien served in UN Spacy, the EAF and Starfleet, and served with the Anla'shok during the Shadow War. Very few people knew that Darien was Ranma's son, as indicated by Usagi's understandable reaction.
"I'll talk to Spock about it tomorrow," Usagi says, as she turns in for a quick nap.
The next day, Ranma and Usagi beam down to the planet, to the compound that Sarek and Amanda lives in. There, they are greeted by-
"Big sister!" young Saavik said, as she ran into Usagi arms. Saavik was an orphan from an abandoned Romulan outpost, and was half-Romulan. The Enterprise had received word of a Romulan facility that held Vulcans against their collective will. Since children of these unfortunate liaisons were frown upon, Spock's parents took in Saavik.
"Hello, Saav-chan," Usagi said, as she held the girl. "How's it going?
"I'm doing great, Usagi."
Saavik looks over at Ranma.
"Hey, Ranma!"
"Hey, kiddo," Ranma says with a smile. "You've been practicing?"
"Yes, sir!" Saavik says, as she throws a fist in the air.
"Good job. I'll have to test you on your 'mad skills."
"Yippee!"
The reason why Usagi wanted to see T'Sara, was that this was her "Day of Ascension", when all Vulcan children, upon reaching the appropriate age, who begin to divest themselves of their emotional ties. T'Sara was a unique case because, just like her father Spock, she was half-Vulcan. At any rate, T'Sara was supposed to have completed her trials in the desert, and would return that day. Think of the up-coming ceremony as a Jewish bar mitzvah for Vulcans.
"Come! Amanda wants to you to help out!" Saavik says, as she pulls on Usagi's arm.
"Okay, okay! I'm coming…"
"Humph," Ranma said to himself, as he puts his hands in his pocket. He knew that Saavik was a good kid, and could make a fine contributor to society…someday.
As he enters the compound, Ranma's mind begins to wander about another kid that showed promise…
Ranma could recall the day he, Usagi, T'Pol of Vulcan and Hoshi had arrived in "Thumper" (actual name was "Tho-Ohki"…if Usagi bothered to even remember) in the distant (and ancient) "Lucas Galaxy", after a mishap involving a space fold. T'Pol had theorized that they could use the space fold effect to send them back to their proper reality. It did, but the course was WAY off. Instead, they ended up in a time long ago, in a galaxy far, far away…
"I'm getting some chop," Usagi said, as she piloted Thumper through the atmosphere of a desert planet. "Thumper, full speed!"
"Th-OWW!" the cabbit says, as he, while in "starship mode", adjusted both his descent.
Ranma nods, as he turns his head back to T'Pol.
"You think we should get The Serenity ready?" Ranma asks.
T'Pol looks at the floating monitors.
"I do not think that it will be necessary for that just yet," T'Pol says.
"Not to mention that a sudden drop will put a strain on the shuttle pod's engines," Hoshi replies, as she looks over her "station". The Serenity lacked the same "horse-power" that Thumper had. While in starship mode, the half-cat/half-rabbit (or "cabbit") was comparable with anything that Starfleet could muster, and yet it was a living creature. Only a litter was actually created, as part of a science project, no less, and Usagi happened to have one for her own…much to Ranma's consternation (due to his cat phobia).
"Well, whatever this place is, I'm sure that it will far away from whatever action we tend to get roped in," Ranma mused…
"You can do it, kid," Ranma says, as he hands little Anakin Skywalker his helmet.
"Thanks, Ranma!" replied the blond-haired boy, as he puts his helmet on. "I'll do my best!"
On this day, Ranma was prepping up Anakin as his crew chief. Ever since Ranma came across the boy, who had lost in the previous "Pod Race" (essentially chariots being pulled along by floating jet engines) in the desert. He later learned that the boy and his mother Shimi were slaves to a merchant named Watto. Of course, as a Cyber-Knight, Ranma had no problem with using force to free them. However, per Usagi's suggestion, which went by a slightly different code as a "Cosmo-Knight", that is a lot more flexible in dealing with alien culture, Ranma decided to work for Watto as payment towards Anakin and Shimi's freedom. And after Ranma threatened to break an engine block over Watto's for treating his employees badly, Watto lightened up his mood considerably.
The whole plan was two-fold. One, determine the nature of this…"Lucas Galaxy" (something that T'Pol and Hoshi would work on), and, two, help Anakin (or simply "Ani") and Shimi out by winning enough races to buy their freedom.
And then, everything changed…
"Here's lunch," Shimi said, as she sat down Ranma's meal. Ranma was working on a rebuilt engine.
"Thanks," Ranma said, as he lowered the chassis back on the stand. He was dressed in overalls and comfortable boots.
"Hey, Ranma!" Watto yells, as he flutters towards Ranma. "No stopping for lunch until the order has been made.
"Look, it's DONE," says Ranma, as he pointed the product on the shipping area.
"And what about-?"
"Done," Usagi said, as she wiped the grease off her fingers. "All serviceable parts have been cleaned and sorted for resale.
While Ranma and Usagi worked at Watto's shop, T'Pol and Hoshi were in Shimi's domicile (where Ranma and company lived). So far, they have been using their free time to either help Shimi out, or conducting information gathering. Both of them looked like peasant women, set in the backdrop of the desert. Unfortunately, Tattooine was in the thrall of the criminally minded Hutt species, not at all different from dealing with the Orion Syndicate back home.
At any rate, life was normal, until Watto received a visitor.
"Ah, hello," Watto said, as he floated over to four people and an astromech droid (with blue trim). "What can I do for you?"
"We are interested in purchasing an engine part for a Nabooan class cruiser," the man said. He wore his brown hair long, and wore a trimmed beard. His clothes were tan, and wore a long poncho over them. "We can pay Galactic Republic credits-"
"Wait, we DON'T accept THOSE credits here!"
Usagi, who was working the front desk, arrives with the paper work. She felt that Watto's shop could attract more business if his business was conducted more professionally.
"What's going on?" Usagi asked, as she sat down the paper work.
"We need a key engine part for our ship," the man says.
"And this man will not accept our credits," said one of the girls standing next to him.
Then Usagi looks at the girl with the short blue hair. There was something familiar about her…
"Ami?"
Ami Mizuno, who was dressed in her usual school clothes, smiled.
"Hello, Usagi," Ami says, as she smiles back.
The two rushed to hug each other.
"So, you two DO know each other," the man smiled.
Just then, Ranma comes walking in.
"Usagi, I need you to…check…"
Ranma looks around the front office.
"What's going on?"
Ranma would learn that that Ami was a friend of Usagi's from their own temporal nexus, and, like her other friends, she was sent to protect her "Moon Princess". He liked the other Sailor Scouts that he has met so far. It was ironic when Ranma was reunited with his old girlfriend Makoto Kino on "Middle Earth", and was surprised to learn that "Mako-chan" was "Sailor Jupiter". She certainly proved her worth when she helped Bilbo Baggins, of the Shire, to slay the dragon. At any rate, Ami was to be Usagi's companion for this phase of her journey with Ranma and the others.
The man with the part request was a man named "Qui-Gon Jinn", while his companion was a girl name "Padme", a retainer to some queen, and her astromech droid's name was "R2-D2".
There was also the Gungan "Jar-Jar Binks", who, after tripping over some boxes, was asked to stand outside.
They were on their way to town, when they came across Ami, who was found in the middle of the desert. Since they were on the same path, they became traveling companions.
"Wow," Ranma began. "I-"
Suddenly…
BANG!
"AH!"
"Dang," Ranma said, as he ran out to the main yard.
Curious, everyone ran after him.
Ranma ran to see Anakin stuck under one of the pods of his race.
"Hold on, Ani," Ranma said, as he shuts down engines. He then lifts the engine, one handed, off of the boy.
"You okay, kid?"
"Yeah, I guess so," Ani replied, as he gets up. "I thought about re-routing the valve inductor for greater proficiency, but…"
"Well, let me know if you want to experiment or something. I don't want you to get hurt."
"Okay…"
Everyone, save for Usagi, was amazed at how strong Ranma was.
"Excuse, may I ask you a question?" ask Jinn.
"What's up?"
"Are you familiar with 'The Force'?"
"Huh?"
During lunch at Shimi's, Jinn tells Ranma and the others about the Force and about the Order of the Jedi, a group of knights dedicated to the safety and security of the Galactic Republic.
"Oh, that's pretty neat," said Ranma. "Usagi and I are knights, too."
"Oh?" Jinn asked.
Ranma takes off his shirt, revealing a metal "skin" interwoven in his real skin and muscles.
"Does that hurt?" Padme asks.
"Naw," Ranma replies, after he puts his shirt. "'Cyber-skin' is grafted to form light armor."
"And you, Miss Tsukino, how are you a knight?" asks Jar-Jar, who was trying to be useful.
"Well…here's how," Usagi said, as she stands up. Liquid metal seemed to seep out of her pours, as her form changed. When it was all over, Usagi was covered, head-to-to in form fitting space armor; she almost look like an Emmy statuette.
"Wow," Ani said.
"When I am like this, I am a 'Cosmo-Knight'," Usagi says, as her "eyes" glowed softly. "I can survive and fight in space with this armor."
FLASH!
Usagi was back to normal, as she sat down.
"How does it feel when you put it on?" Padme asks.
"It's like swimming a cool pool on a warm day. It's quite nice."
"Gee, I wish I can be a knight, too," Ani says.
"Perhaps you can," said Jinn. "I need a part, and you and your mother need your freedoms. And I hear that pod racing is a popular sport on this world."
"Yep! Ranma and Usagi have been helping me."
"Then I shall help you as well."
"C3-P0, please clear the dishes," Shimi says, as she turns around.
"Of course, madam," the makeshift protocol droid replied, as it begins to clear the table.
"I don't want you to needlessly risk loosing your ship."
"We will take that chance."
Qui-Gon Jinn used the Nabooan Royal cruiser as collateral as a means of paying for the balance of the entrance fee.
And now, at the Mos Espa Grand Arena…
"Okay, kid," says Ranma, as he leaned over. "Just hug the corners and turns. And watch out for that bastard Sebulba. I hear that he is planning on something."
"Okay," Anakin said, as he puts on his helmet. "If…if I loose, what are we going to do?"
Ranma looks at the boy, and smiles.
"Then we try again. It's not the end of the world."
"Thanks," Anakin replies, as he smiles.
"Break a leg."
"We're ready, Ranma," Usagi says, as she gives the thumbs up sign.
And with that, Usagi and Jar-Jar Binks roll Anakin's pod to the starting line. Usagi would be the pit-crew leader, while Shimi, Qui-Gon and Padme will view the race from their luxury box.
"Now, Jar-Jar," Usagi said, as she went back to their team's pit-stop, "Stay alert."
"I-see knows that!" Binks says. Then, he trips over a loose cable.
BLAM!
"Oopsie!"
Usagi shakes her head. It's hard to believe that SHE was just as clumsy.
Anakin waves at Ranma, just as the signal to start the race was to begin.
READY.
STEADY.
GO!
VOOM!
And the pod race began.
Ranma puts on his HUD unit, so that he could see what Anakin sees. He will help his friend.
Later…
"…And the winner is…ANAKIN SKYWALKER!" yelled the Pod Race announcer
"NOOOOOO!" screamed Watto. He had lost!
"Well, it seems to me that you owe me a part and a favor," said Qui-Gon.
"No! I will not release Anakin from my service!"
"I see. I'm sure the Hutts would like to know that you 'Welch' on a bet."
"Not to mention what I will do to you if you renege on our agreement, Watto," Ranma says, as he cracks his knuckles.
"ARRRGGH! Go. Take the boy. I'm finished…"
"Actually," interjected Usagi, "I may have a solution to your problem, Watto."
Later…
"Well, I don't know…" began Shimi.
"Shimi, you are just as competent as I am, and I'm sure Watto here could use an apprentice," Usagi says. "And you can save enough money to get yourself on your feet."
"I don't think so!" Watto counters.
"Watto, I already bought her freedom AND paid off YOUR debts. YOU owe ME, now. So, we are either partners in this, or else."
Watto, being shrewd as always, knew that Usagi was making an offer he couldn't refuse. And if he didn't, there was Ranma to deal with. So…
"Alright, deal. But I expect my APPRENTICE to earn her keep, eh?"
"Well, Shimi, it's up to you."
"Yeah, mom!" Anakin says "While I can study with Mr. Jinn, you can study with Mr. Watto. It'll be totally neat!"
"If you have that much faith in me, Ani, then you got yourself a deal."
"See, Mr. Jinn?" said Usagi. "Everything works fine in the end."
"What is your next move?"
"That will depend on what the others want to do. Ranma?"
"I have nothing to do in particular," Ranma says. "I am interested in learning more about Jediism, though…"
"Hoshi? T'Pol?"
"We have learned as much as we can here," T'Pol says flatly.
"Besides, I'm sure we can gather more information on Corellia," Hoshi interjects.
"And my place will always be by Usagi's side," Ami says.
"Well, we are going to capital of the Galactic Republic on Coruscant. Maybe you'll find what you are looking for there."
"Yes, please," asked Padme. She was quite impressed by this girl.
"Alright. I better get Thumper and my things ready"
"Eh, what's so special about your pet?"
"You'll see. Thumper!"
"Yee-YOW!"
"Oh my!"
And that's how it all began…
To think Ani turned out the way he did, Ranma thought, as he bowed. He half paid attention to T'Sara's ceremony, as it was well under way.
"Live long and prosper, daughter of Spock and Usagi," Ranma said, as he performed the Vulcan hand salute.
"May you prosper and have long life, son of Genma and Nodoka," T'Sara replied likewise.
Ranma looks at T'Sara. Sure enough, T'Sara's rites of passage had changed her.
Like father, like daughter, I suppose, Ranma thought.
And thus, a major change has taken place in the life of a girl who is now a proper Vulcan woman…
END FLASHBACK!"Say, kid, how's it going?" Ranma says, as he goes over to his stepdaughter.
"I am fine, Abba," T'Sara says. I was just thinking about my immediate future."
"Just promise me NOT to fall to the 'Dark Side of the Force', when you complete Ami's training."
"Please, Abba," T'Sara smirks. "Utilizing such a power requires emotion. I am above such a thing."
"Riiiiight."
Tbc.