Star Trek: Ranma's Story 80 – 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 takes place a few months before the events featured in "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan".

Part 80

2281 CE: Minbar.

Starfleet Commander Ranma Saotome enters the Great Hall of the Anla'Shok…the home of the Rangers! He took time away from his duties at the Starfleet Academy to meet with the President of the Interstellar Alliance. Earth Alliance has dual membership with both the United Federation of Planets and the Interstellar Alliance, along with Minbar, Narn, Centauri Prime and Vorlon. All five worlds were dedicated in the monitoring of "Sector Z"…the home territory of the infamous home planet of the Shadows: Za'Ha'Dum. During that time, the IA had to deal with numerous problems that had been caused by various denizens of the long-departed Shadows. The Drakh, who sought revenge against all those who forced their masters to leave the galaxy for "Beyond the Rim", caused the most recent problems in the form of the "Great Plague", and the subjugation of Centauri Prime. Although Sailor Z could have benefited from the Drakh's actions, she did assist the IA in putting a stop to the Great Plague. Apparently, Za'Ha'Dum had a wealth of knowledge in determining clues that could lead to a cure for the Great Plague. Furthermore, Sailor Z personally pursued the Drakh, including removing them from Centauri Prime; those Drakh that refused to defer to her authority were slaughter…including their friends and family. In spite of this level of ruthlessness, her actions would go a long way in improving Sailor Z's position as someone the IA could trust, though there are still misgivings.

"'We live by the One-" Ranma began.

"'We die by the One," IA President Delenn Sheridan, as she and Ranma performed a Ranger's salute. A moment later, the two old friends hug.

"How are you, old friend?" Ranma asked.

"I am well," Delenn says. The demi-Minbari has been serving as IA president for a number of years now, having taken her husband's place while John assumes the role of "Ranger One", the leader of the Anla'Shok. "How are things?"

"Well, I'm teaching future 'Starfleeters' on Earth," Ranma replies, as he and Delenn walk down the hall. "It's different from teaching martial arts and all."

"As the Great Maker would say, we are given the hand that is dealt with."

Ranma turns to Delenn.

"That sounds more like an Earth proverb."

"We are ALL reflections of the Great Maker, Master Ranma."

"I see…"

"I wanted to speak with you before John's…farewell party."

"I know. I thought that it was strange that you wanted to meet me here instead of at your residence-"

"I would like to offer you the position of 'Ranger One'."

Ranma sighs.

"Delenn…I don't think that I can. Besides, John is 'the One who will be', or some such thing."

"That is true, and by all accounts, that would be sufficient. However, the position has never been 'static'."

"Well…why not YOU take the position?"

"Ranma, while I can be a member of the Anla'Shok, I am honor-bound to not consolidate my authority by being a part of both the civilian government AND the Rangers full time."

"I see…"

"Ranma, you say that a lot."

"I see- I mean, I KNOW…"

Delenn giggled.

"As much as I love my husband, I always wondered why I never pursued a relationship with you, dear Ranma."

"That's because I'm married…more or less."

"I see…

"See? You're doing it, too!"

"But of course, Ranma. We are all part of the Great Maker."

Ranma shakes his head.

"Delenn, I must decline your offer. After what we all went through during the Shadow War and the Great Plague, Earth needs people like me to salve such wounds."

Delenn sighs, as she hugged Ranma.

"Very well, I will respect your decision.

"Thank you. Look, if you don't mind, I would like to get something for John's 'farewell party'."

"Then, I will see you then."

Soon after Ranma leaves, Lennier, Delenn's assistant comes to the fore from a side entrance.

"It is a shame that Master Saotome will die soon," Lennier says.

"Hush, now," Delenn admonished her old friend. "The discernment of the prophecies is not an exact science."

"However, they are never wrong."

Delenn sighs. She had hoped that the prophecy concerning the death of Ranma Saotome in the Mutara Sector was something that she was willing to face. But this is Ranma Saotome. He can't loose, right?

Later…

"…So I want to give a toast to a man who has kept the faith in the inherent goodness of human beings," Ranma says. "To John Sheridan!"

"Hoorah!" said the assembled people.

"Thanks for that WON-derful speech," John said. "Did Usagi write it for you?"

"Hey!"

"Well, I for one am glad to see this little exchange before John moves on," Michael Garibaldi says, as he toasts his drink.

"Always," says Admiral Susan Ivanova of Earth Force (the military arm of the Earth Alliance). For the past few years, Earth Force has slowly been limiting its jurisdiction internally, leaving Starfleet to deal with things externally. "I never get tired of this…"

"I'll say," said Dr. Franklin, an African-American medical doctor who once worked on Babylon 5.

As the party begins to die down, Delenn turns Ranma.

"I would like to ask you to escort John to Babylon 5," Delenn asks.

"Well…sure," Ranma says. "But…shouldn't John make this request himself?"

"Yes, he should, however I…I need a personal perspective on this one."

Ranma sighs.

"Very well, I will do what I can."

The next day, Ranma, after letting Usagi know what's up, and John leave for Babylon 5. There, they see an old friend…

"Zack!" John says, as he hugs Zack Allen, another old friend. "I wanted to invite you to a party, but I couldn't locate you."

"Yeah, I moved here a few years ago," said the blond-haired man. "I had forwarding problems…"

"Well, I'm glad that you are here," John says. "You remember Ranma, right?"

"Who can forget the guy who can become a chick?"

"Whatever, dude," Ranma replies. "Whatever…"

"Come, let's get a round of drinks together…"

A few hours later, Ranma and John head for the mysterious Coriana System, where John was to meet the alien Lorien, one of the so-called "First Ones". However, there was someone else waiting for them…

"John," Anna Sheridan says, as she appears on John's ship from her Shadow vessel.

"Anna, what are you doing here-?"

Anna gave John a passionate kiss.

"John, for all the trouble that I have caused you, know that it was because I…I was jealous of you and Delenn's relationship."

Anna turns to leave…

"Wait," John says, as he brings his ex-wife back to him. "For what it's worth…I'm sorry I tried to kill you."

Anna smiled.

"Apology accepted. Take care."

Anna turns to her father.

"Dad, are we still on for dinner?"

"Yes," Ranma replies. "Just keep your minions in check."

And with that, Anna returns to her ship, and returns home.

Soon, Lorien shows up. He appears as a bearded man with a huge forehead.

"It is time, John Sheridan," Lorien says.

John nods, as he prepares to leave.

"Ranma, thank you for being both my ally and my friend. And take care of Delenn for me."

"I will, John," Ranma says. "I will."

Lorien smiles, and then turns his attention to Ranma.

"Ranma Saotome, I will be returning for YOU someday. And you will not be alone when I do so."

"Huh?"

"Be seeing you…"

And with that, Lorien and John disappear in a shower of light, as they move "Beyond the Rim."

Ranma sighs, as he sets a course for home. What did Lorien mean…?

Fin.

Author's note: Basically, I set up two things. One, I set up things for Ranma's death during the events of "Star Trek: the Wrath of Khan" (as seen in previous chapters), as well as the fate of Ukyou Kuonji in future chapters. Stay tune for further details.

Next time: "Enterprise Saga" is over. It's on to the "Next Generation Saga", then the "DS9 Saga", then the "Voyager Saga", then the "New Beginnings Saga" and finally the conclusion to our story. See you then!