Star Trek: Ranma's Story 73 – 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: We will take a slight deviation a bit, since we are caught up a bit. The original point of this last batch of stories was to clarify what had happened to Ranma in the new timeline. So, this chapter will conclude Ranma's time during the Decker era and the second Kirk era BRIEFLY. It will also serve to clarify Ranma's relationship with Uhura, since there have been questions about that. And there will be more glimpses of Ranma's time in the Star Wars universe as well.
Part 73
2271 CE: "Spacedock One", Earth Sector.
Because of his familiarity with the Enterprise, Commander Ranma Saotome was supervising the refitting of the ship under the direction of Captain Willard Decker, the son of Commodore Decker, who went crazy (and subsequently died) when he took on the dreaded "Doomsday Weapon". Both Ranma and Usagi regretted not realizing the solution earlier, since THEY could have dealt with the problem rather easily. After all, dealing with the likes of Galactus, the World Devourer was within their bailiwick, so an automatic planet killer would be a piece of cake.
Tearing about the ship and then putting it back together was pretty hard work, mostly because Ranma was so used to having Usagi around. Incidentally, Usagi was on-leave from Starfleet on "family business, which means that she was spending time with T'Sara and Saavik, especially with Spock's mother Amanda getting up in years. Oh, and Spock was back home as well, trying to figure out a way to become a creature of "pure logic", whatever that means. Personally, Ranma thought that Usagi being on Vulcan was Spock's fault, since being T'Sara's mother obligated Usagi, HIS wife, to Vulcan customs. The irony is that ever since he possessed Surek's "kata", Ranma understands why Usagi had to do what she is doing for T'Sara's benefit. Otherwise, T'Sara would be seen as a freak to the rest of Vulcan society. At the very least, it was a necessary thing to do, if T'Pol is allowed to hand over her duties as "Sailor Vulcan" to T'Sara.
"You okay?"
Ranma turns to see his old girlfriend Nyota Uhura, a communications officer with who he has served with for years. They were in the middle of replacing some wiring on the bridge. The two "Starfleeters" had developed feelings for each other during their first tour under Captain Kirk, all the while Ranma wasn't sure where he stood with Usagi. Technically, Usagi and Ranma have a legal separation, thus allowing Usagi to devote her time with her affairs on Vulcan. Usagi herself did not make an issue out of Ranma's relationship with Uhura, feeling guilty for the fact that she was the one who initiated the separation when their daughter Anna Sheridan "died" on Za'Ha'Dum, when Ranma didn't want it. Coupled with the fact that T'Sara's existence complicated matters, Usagi allowed Ranma to follow his heart. In the end, even Uhura, who liked her crewmate, knew that Ranma could not come to actually divorcing Usagi, and thus ended the relationship after Ranma had gotten stuck in a Tholian web. Still, Uhura is a close friend of Ranma, so that was THAT.
"Yeah," Ranma said, as he puts away his tools. "I received a message from…Usagi today."
"Oh?"
"Well, she has just been accepted at the Vulcan Science Academy to teach there."
"Why, that's wonderful!"
"No, it isn't! And now that she has a teaching job, I might loose her forever. I miss…her. And it's all Spock's fault."
"You know that Usagi did what she had to do."
"I understand THAT. I wouldn't want her to have gotten an abortion, or anything, but…never mind!"
Uhura places a hand on Ranma's shoulder.
"I know, Ranma. I know. In your head, Usagi should have terminated her pregnancy. But, in your heart, especially after knowing T'Sara, you would have hated yourself in the end."
Ranma looks at Uhura with a twinkle in his eye.
"I guess I'm being a selfish jerk, huh?"
"Ah. But a jerk that has heart…and the sense in knowing the right thing in the end."
Ranma sigh, as he sits down to drink his coffee.
"You know, now I know how Ani feels in a way."
"Who's 'Ani'?"
"You got a moment?"
"Sure," Uhura says, as she gets her cup of coffee from the nearest drink dispenser. "Go on."
"A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I met a boy named Anakin Skywalker-"
"I better get a sandwich, then. You want anything?"
"Yeah, order me up a beef bowl."
A few minutes later…
"Go ahead, Ranma."
"Anyway, I met this kid named Anakin on the desert world of 'Tattooine'. Good kid, lots of heart. Even, albeit accidentally, stopped an invasion of the planet Naboo-"
"'Naboo'?"
"Different planet. You see, me, Usagi, Ambassador T'Pol of Vulcan, High Queen Hoshi of Crystal and Jedi Master Lady Ami of Mercury-"
"Wow, aren't you the celebrity sycophant."
"Do you mind?"
"Sorry about that. Go on."
"Anyway, all four of us were on a journey that went on for nearly forever. Well, except for Ami; she was along for the ride. So we all helped to free this queen's planet from the clutches of these fish-men. And when that happened, we all got sucked into that galaxy far longer than we needed to be…but it was worth it. Maybe."
FLASHBACK!
Ranma Saotome ran down the hallway of the inner-workings of the castle's power generator. It was built to harness Naboo's geothermal energy. From Usagi's premonitions, Ranma had only minutes before his new friend's demise was assured.
Ranma turned the corner to see Jedi "Padawan" Obi-Wan Kenobi being stopped by force-fields; in between those force-fields was Jedi "Master" Qui-Gon Jinn. And waiting for them both was the freak (Ranma's words) Seth Lord "Darth Maul". The man was dressed in black, had horns, face was painted (?) red (giving him a demonic appearance), and wielded a double-ended red light saber, which can be used as a lance.
"Hey, Obi," Ranma says
"Ranma!" Obi-Wan say. "Thank goodness you made it!
"What's up?"
"These blast shields are timed so that it's impossible for me to get to Qui-Gon."
Ranma looks at the shields, and then at Qui-Gon and Maul. He was under no illusions that as soon as those shield are open, Maul will lay into the Jedi Master.
So...
"Hmmm…" Ranma mused as he felt the side paneling.
"What are you doing?"
"When I give the word, run."
"But-"
"Please, trust me on this one, okay?"
Obi-wan nods.
And that's when Ranma punched the panel, breaking the support structure that held the blast shields in place.
Just as the shields begin to flicker…
"RUN!"
Obi-wan speeds to Qui-Gon's side, just as Maul wailed into him. Ranma continued to smash into the panel, until the blast-shields were utterly destroyed.
Maul, while outnumbered, was holding his position. He managed to cut into Qui-Gon's stomach, which allowed Obi-Wan to take advantage of the Sith's focus. So he flipped over Maul's head, and performed a wide arc with his "lightsaber".
SLICE!
As the upper and lower half of Darth Maul fell into a nearby chasm, Ranma rushes to Jinn's side.
"Don't worry, I got you covered," Ranma said, as he placed his left hand over Jinn's wound. He then touched a rose tattoo that was stenciled on his left arm with his right hand.
"What are you doing?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I'm healing him with a magic tattoo. Got it from the Rifts…long story."
"We have…time, my friend," Jinn manages to say.
Ranma smiles at the comment.
As a reward for their actions, Ranma and his group were given plum assignments.
Hoshi Sato and T'Pol would work with Queen Amidala, who turned out to be the stuck up girl Padme, as a means of getting to know more about this strange galaxy.
Ranma, Usagi and Ami and Ani were allowed to join the Jedi Order as "Padawan". There were some who did not like this change, since it violated one of the codes pertaining at what age people were inducted into the Jedi.
Besides, the Jedi could benefit from what Ranma and Usagi knew in terms of skills and abilities…and both were already familiar with energy-based swords.
As for assignments:
Jedi Master Yoda, a short and green man who reminded Ranma of a nicer Happosai, chose Ranma to be his Padawan.
Jedi Master Mace Windu chose Ami to be his apprentice, since he preferred to work with a complete novice if he has to accept an older student.
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn got what he wanted when he selected Anakin to be his student.
And Obi-Wan Kenobi, having been "promoted" to Jedi Master for his actions took on-
"Oh, no. Oh, NO!" Kenobi whined.
"Calm down, my former Padawan," Qui-Gon chuckled. "You said that you are ready for the trials, right?"
"But Master Jinn, I rather wrestle a bantha than deal with such a bizarre female!"
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll do fine."
"Well, at least you got what you wanted from the Council."
"With the Sith Lord's demise, I was able to persuade the Council to allow me to train young Anakin."
Meanwhile, a shadowed figure contemplates the future.
"Your presence has disrupted my plans, MISTER Ranma Saotome," says an angered Darth Sidious. "But checkmate will be MINE!"
The day of celebration was a joyous one. A combined Gungan and Nabooan contingent marched down the main street. At the foot of the main hall, where the parade was heading towards, stood the Queen of Naboo, The Captain of the Royal Guard, four Master Jedi and their newest additions.
Ranma stood proud, with young Anakin by his side.
"Ranma?" Anakin begins. "Thanks."
"Hey, it's your time to shine, kid. You earned it.
Meanwhile…
"What are you thinking?" asked Ami.
"Oh, thinking how hungry I am," Usagi says, as she fingers her Padawan braid. "Here, watch Thumper for me."
Usagi made a bee-line to the banquet table.
Ranma looks over to where Usagi was going before shrugging.
"Do you think there is more to this 'Sith' business?" whispered Master Windu.
"Always two, there are," replied Master Yoda.
"And now," began Padme, "I would like to introduce my NEW best friend, a hero of Naboo, Jedi Padawan Usagi Tsukino!"
"Uh, yes?" Usagi replied, as she paused from stuffing cake into her mouth."
"Look! She's acting like some Onitoyota!" says a spectator.
An "Onitoyota" was a ravenous beast that was akin to the Earth fish piranha.
Everyone laughed at the spectacle. Well, everyone except Master Obi-wan Kenobi, who merely shook his head. Now, he has to train this…girl.
It will be a LONG training period indeed.
Tbc.
Author's note: A bit "soap opera-ish", but I don't want to be accused of rushing things. So, stick around, because this is just the beginning!
Next time: Ranma continues his tale of friendship, loss and redemption. See you soon!