Disclaimer: "Ranma ½", "Sailor Moon", "Star Trek" and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 86
Location: Romulan Neutral Zone (a week later).
Upon learning of attacks on civilian transport ships, the Enterprise-D is sent to investigate to determine if the cause was Romulan or Ferengi.
It turned out that renegade Klingons, who hated the idea that there is peace between the Federation and the Klingon Empire, caused the attacks. Thus, this splinter group were raising heck, until the own latest attack caused their own ship to self-destruct (an older ship with faulty engineering specs). When these Klingons were picked up by the Enterprise-D, they tried to fend off accusations of being the cause of the attacks. Only a detail analysis of the debris revealed that they were the cause of the mayhem.
With that in mind these Klingons decided to make a break for it…
BLAM!
Tasha Yar dodges the disrupter fire, as she returned fire with her own weapon. She damned herself for not conducting a more thorough strip search.
Korris gritted his teeth, as he and his compatriots tried to make a break from "holding". He wanted to make the female pay for just killing his ally. Damn that Worf for being so "human"! And damn that so-called "Da'Har Master" for his interference!
BLAM! BLAM!
With the last of his companions down, Korris decided to make the crew of this ship pay for their interference!
A short time later, a security squad in Engineering surrounded Korris, as he pointed his disruptor at the engine core.
"You will all die!"
"Only you, Korris," said a voice.
Korris turns around to see Worf and Ranma.
"You two…the traitor and the pretender!"
Ranma steps forward.
Korris, son of Kajorn, as a duly appointed and certified Da'Har Master, as recognized by the House of Kang, I find your actions unbefitting of a Klingon. On this day, I, Ranma Saotome, strip you of your House, your name and your honor. The record will be stricken of your conquests and acts of glory."
"No…NOOOOOO!"
Whether he liked it or not, Korris realized the implication of Ranma's words. So long as the House of Kang has a seat on the Klingon Council, Ranma's word was law.
"I'll kill you-!"
In quick succession, before Korris could act, Worf fires his weapon at Korris, killing him instantly.
Worf steps forth, to check the vital signs of the fallen Korris.
"He is dead."
Ranma bows his head. And then he suddenly screams. He his then joined by Worf, who also screams.
Picard, who was standing nearby, was disturbed slightly from the way his officers were behaving. Still, he understood what the screams represented:
"Beware: a warrior was coming HOME."
Tasha Yar, having holstered her weapon, steps forth.
"What shall we do with the body?" Yar says, thinking that they would return it to the Klingons.
Ranma just looks at Yar, and then at Korris' body.
"Dispose of it; it's nothing more than an empty shell now."
Yar merely nods.
Location: Minos.
A search for the U.S.S. Drake has revealed the cause for its destruction.
BOOM!
"We're taking heavy damage!" Wesley said, as he steered the Secondary Hull of the Enterprise-D. The Saucer Section of the ship had already left the Minos System.
"Great," Ranma said, as he tapped his fingers on the console of the command chair. With virtually all of the command crew on the surface of the planet Minos, he was in charge of the ship. So far, they have successfully warded off several planetary probes, each one stronger than the next. He was tempted to use his Power Ring, but the situation had not reached that critical moment just yet.
Besides, if he relied on his ring to get him out of every jam, Ranma might as well retire from Starfleet-
BOOM!
"We took critical damage to the port nacelle," Engineer LaForge says. Then, an idea had hit him.
"Geordie, get the engines ready for the 'Picard Maneuver'!"
"Right!"
With this done, Ranma was able to destroy the latest probe, which is good since the planetary defense system was about to launch yet another probe, until Picard and Dr. Crusher was able to disable the system…which turned out to be a sentient AI that was trying to demonstrate its capabilities as part of a sells pitch.
Location: The Delos System (a week later).
There was one thing that Ranma Saotome hates more than dealing with the occasional enemy: a drug dealer. So when two run-down freighters needed assistance, after experiencing undue exposure of solar radiation, the discovery of an entire shipment of drugs to enslave an entire planet was unforgivable.
"Captain," Ranma said, as he leaned on the conference table. "We can't let them have their shipment back!"
"At ease, Ranma," Picard said. "We have to weigh all options-"
"The only option that you have is to adhere to your own 'Prime Directive'," said the female Sobi. Both the Sobi's people, the Brekkans, and the Onarians were of the same race (they looked like humans with ridged noses). In fact, a both Brekka and Onaria had suffered from a plague that was cured by the Brekkans. However, the Brekkans discovered a "nice" side effect that the Felicium produced, which was not unlike the effects of Opium. So, without informing the Onarians, the Brekkans have taken advantage of the Brekkans…like a drug dealer would take advantage of the drug addict. Earlier, the Onarian T'Jon had threatened Commander Riker's life, if Picard did not allow the shipment of Felicium to go through, and did so by emitting an electrical discharge over Riker's chest (there was no data that either the Onarians or the Brekkans had possessed "electro-kinesis").
"Give us the drugs, or this human dies!" T'Jon says, as he held his hand over Riker's heart.
Ranma, who was not particularly impressed, simply performed a "Force-lightning" effect.
"No," Ranma said, as he pointed his right index finger at T'Jon…
ZAP!
After T'Jon was knocked backwards, up against a bulkhead, Riker woke up from his stupor.
"What-?"
"Next training session we have, we'll have to go back to basics." Ranma said with a sigh.
Needless to say, Tasha took extra-precautions where the Onarians and the Brekkans are concerned.
And now…
"Captain?" Ranma asked.
"I'm afraid that Miss Sobi and Mr. T'Jon are right," Picard said. "So…we'll give them back their Felicium-"
"Thank you, Captain," Sobi said smugly.
"Without repairing their ship."
"You are going to leave me on Brekka?" Sobi asked.
"As you said, there's that 'Prime Directive' thing to worry about," Picard said smugly.
So, the Felicium was delivered on scheduled. However, without a regular shipment, due to a lack of transport ships, the Felicium will run-out, thus forcing the Brekkans to wean themselves off the drug.
Location: Varga II (a week later).
When Counselor Troi was returning from a conference, while the Enterprise-D was conducting a routine in-ship inspection, a mysterious force had forced her shuttle to crash on an uninhabited planet. Unfortunately, what should have been a routine had turned out to be some far more sinister.
ZAP!
An oily, slick mass had assumed a vaguely humanoid shape. Lt. Yar, not realizing the danger, tried to maneuver around the thing, only to be zapped by it.
"Tasha!" Ranma said, as he ran to his student's side. At the same time, the thing had grabbed Riker, and literally absorbed the First Officer.
"Now, you will entertain me with what you fear the most," said the entity, whose name was Armus.
Ranma rose up to a standing position, and then he turned around to face the creature.
"Ranma?" Usagi asked of Ranma.
"Usagi, do what you can for her."
Usagi nodded, and carried Tasha to safety.
"Tell me of your fear, or the human and your companions will perish."
"You want me to tell you of my fear? Then…let me SHOW you!"
Ranma dived straight into Armus.
"What…what are you doing?"
Armus saw what Ranma had experienced: his fear of cats
Armus experienced the terror that Genma Saotome had inflicted on Ranma, as Armus felt himself being torn limb from limb…over and over again…
"NOOOOOOO-!" Armus screamed, as his "body" began to bubble-
BLOOSH!
Standing in the center of a crater was Ranma, who was holding Riker in his arms.
"Captain-?"
"The force field is gone," Picard said, as he spoke over the communications link.
"And Tasha?"
"She will recover, thanks to Lt. Tsukino."
And with that, Ranma, Riker and Counselor Troi returned to the Enterprise-D.
Location: Vandor System (a week later).
Enterprise-D's gym…
"Okay," Ranma said, as he got in a sparring stance. "Ready?"
Tasha Yar, who was recovering from her experience with Armus, jumped around to loosen herself up.
"Ready!"
The two leaped at each other for some mid-air combat…
BLIP!
Meanwhile, in the Enterprise-D's gym…
"Okay," Ranma said, as he got in a sparring stance. "Ready?"
Tasha Yar, who was recovering from her experience with Armus, jumped around to loosen herself up.
"Ready!"
The two leaped at each other for some mid-air combat…
BLIP!
Meanwhile in the Enterprise-D's gym…
"Okay," Ranma said, as he got in a sparring stance. "Ready?"
Tasha Yar, who was recovering from her experience with Armus, jumped around to loosen herself up.
"Ready!"
The two leaped at each other for some mid-air combat…
BLIP!
Meanwhile-
"STOP!" Ranma said, as he looked around wildly.
"What is it?" Yar says.
"Just a second," Ranma said, as he tapped his combadge. "Saotome to Bridge. Did anyone…feel something weird?"
"We did, Mr. Saotome," Picad replied likewise. "All hands on deck: red alert!"
A few minutes later, Ranma and Tasha were on the bridge, still dressed in sparring clothes.
"What's going on?" Ranma asked.
"We believe that the source of a temporal wake is the Vandor System," Data says.
Riker turns to Usagi, who was at her science station.
"Do you have anything?"
"Indeed I do," Usagi said. "Somehow, someone tried to tap into the time stream, and caused some 'bleeding'. Hence, we are experiencing the equivalent of 'temporal hiccups'."
"Do we know who is living there?" Picard asked of Data.
"I believe that there is a research center operated by a…Dr. Paul Manheim."
"Anyone familiar with that name?"
"I read his work," Usagi says. "He actually theorized that time can be used as an energy source. Since he was refused funding for his project, he decided to go on his own. I guess that he was successful."
"Okay people," Picard says. "Let's do this by the numbers…"
True to the reports, Dr. Manheim was indeed working on an alternative power source. Unfortunately, in order to get to him and his companion, who turned out to be an old girlfriend of Captain Picard's, the Away Team had to go through several traps that proved to be lethal…
"Ranma…?" Usagi said.
"Don't worry, Usako," Ranma said, as he got his equipment ready. "I'm Ranma Saotome…I don't loose."
One "Instant Transmission" later, and Ranma avoided the "materialization scrambler", which would have made it impossible to fully beam into area.
Once Ranma made it, Ranma casually walked past the disrupters and other traps. After all, he was strong in the Force.
Finally, he made it to the main power coupling, and deactivated the traps. That brought Manheim and his companion to his attention.
"Who are you?" Manheim says.
"I'm Ranma Saotome…sorry about this…"
Later, with information in hand, Picard ordered Data, who wasn't as susceptible to the temporal wakes as living sentient beings were, to reseal Manheim's experiment, thus ending the time crisis. Later, Manheim's companion Jenice has a heart-to-heart talk with Picard about the life they could have had together.
Location: Earth Sector (a week later).
Ranma Saotome was SO looking forward to spend some quality time with Usagi. He had missed his latest wedding anniversary, mostly due to his "Green Lantern" business. With that in mind, he was stoked about taking Usagi to Pacifica, where the Enterprise-D was to have its latest shore leave, when Captain Picard received "Code 47". Now, from his experience, Ranma knew that "Code 47" was a "For the Captain's Eyes only" transmission. However, when Ranma himself received "Code 99" transmission, he instantly knew what was going on. Code 99 is a secured transmission that is designated for "senior members" of Starfleet.
The Conspiracy has made a move.
So, he took a private call from one of his contacts: Princess Setsuna (aka "Sailor Pluto") the Prime Minister of Crystal Tokyo.
"What's up?" Ranma says.
"We believe that Starfleet Command has been taking over by 'The Conspiracy'," Setsuna says. "It is imperative that you protect the Moon Princess at all cost, until further notice."
"Understood, Prime Minister. Saotome out."
As Setsuna turns off her monitor, no one sees a parasitical organism leave her mouth...
At the same time, Ranma tapped directly into the Starfleet comlink.
"Computer, this is Ranma Saotome, call-sign 'Wild Horse'."
"WORKING."
"Code Zero-Zero-Zero-Omega."
Chirp!
Ranma began to tap directly into "The Digital Web". To most people, the Digital Web was a "virtual" world filled with conceptual data. In reality, it is another dimension that exists parallel to the astral and spiritual world of the "Immaterial World" (which is the opposite of the physical or "Material World). In the old days, Arab mystics on Old Earth, known as the "Al-Batani", conceptualized a world linked by a hive-like mind known as "Mount Olaf". In modern times, this phenomenon was interpreted as a "virtual world" where "users" can interact with one another, thereby eliminated great distances. Some took this concept to its ultimate conclusion by literally "uploading" their minds unto the web. Those who used this ability for the sake of freedom were called "Virtual Adepts"; those who saw this ability to create order from chaos were called "Iteration X". Back in the 20th century, these two groups fought for supremacy, until the Year of the Reckoning, the end of the Sixth Age of Man, took place, causing havoc to run through both the Immaterial and Material Worlds. The end result forced the Virtual Adepts to be more responsible about their activities on the Web, and forced Iteration X to realize that a "Machine Consciousness" was manipulating them. There was a school of thought amongst Ranma and his "associates" that the Borg was the manifestation of this force. And from Usagi's own take, as a magus in her own right, this "Machine Consciousness" was an aspect of "The Weaver". As part of the Cosmic Triat, Wyld, Weaver and Wyrm, are always in a state of flux; the Wyld represents the primal nature of the universe, which is then replaced by the order-minded Weaver, which is destroyed and broken down by the Wyrm. Thus, after being broken down to the primal essence, which starts the process all over again. However, on occasion, this "balance" can get out of synch.
On Earth, in the late 20th century, three factions existed due to this out-of-balance. In one corner, there was the Technocratic Union, a faction that Iteration X belonged to, who sought recreate the Earth into a soulless construct; the mad "Maruaders" sought to plunge the world into utter chaos, where there are no rules, rhyme or reason; and then there was the Wyrm-tainted "Nephandi", who sought to push the very Universe into "oblivion", while corrupting everything in their path. Thanks to the Reckoning, the Technocratic Union sided with the "Council of the Nine Traditions", servants of balance (called "The Wyrd") before the Earth was destroyed in the 21st century. And thanks to the signing of the "Ascension Accords", the Technocrats and the Traditions forged a partnership that built the virtual paradise that is the Earth today.
It must be noted that on every world, the Cosmic Triat always influences sentient beings. The Weaver has influenced some worlds like Vulcan. However, on that world, the Weaver is not out-of-synch, thanks to Ranma's inadvertent actions in prevent the Romulans from taking over the planet (back when he possessed the "soul" of the Vulcan philosopher Surek, during his time on Captain Archer's NX-01 Enterprise). Thus, there are other worlds, besides Earth, have been influenced by this force.
"This Ranma Saotome, calling Rankiko. Answer me, damn it!"
Suddenly, a stream of energy leaps out of his private monitor.
"HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO-!"
The laughter wafts throughout the room…
The energy stream coalesced into a solid form…a form that looks like a girly-girl version of Ranma's female form. While in the Rifts, an early attempt to get rid of his female form had a peculiar side-effect: a young godling named Rankiko, who is a manifestation of Ranma's higher aspirations…much to Ranma's chagrin. Last time Ranma had anything to do with her, after Hermes Trismegistus (the avatar of the Egyptian god of wisdom Thoth and the Roman god Mercury) adopted her. At the moment, she was studying to become the Digital Goddess of the Web…Third Class.
"Why, hello, 'Mother'," Rankiko said with a giggle. She was dressed in a rather flattering pink kimono with green trim and a black obi.
Ranma groaned. He had literally given birth to Rankiko…after a mere nine hours of labor.
"I told you not to call me that," Ranma said.
"If you want MY help, then you are to allow me to call you 'Mother'."
"Fine. Will you help me?"
"Sure," Rankiko said. "I'm surprised that you didn't get Princess Ami's help on this one."
"Ami is still on Minbar, and I don't want to draw in the Sailor Scouts on this matter."
"Ah. Well, then, let's get to work. Why am I here?"
"I need for you to analyze this data I've gathered on this 'Conspiracy'," Ranma said, as he handed Rankiko his data pad. "I want you to cross-reference this data, and look for the source of this…Conspiracy."
"Okay!" Rankiko said, as she took the data pad, and began to float it in her hand. Her goddess markings, a yin-yang symbol on her forehead, glowed. She hovered slightly, as data streams circled her.
"Interesting," Rankiko says, as she kept her eyes closed. "During the height of the empire of the Shadows, colonies of 'larvae' were established as a fail-safe measure."
"In case the Shadows were forced underground?"
"Correct. Apparently, a "Section 31" operation had uncovered such a colony in the guise of a mining contract through the Orion Syndicate. Apparently, they wanted to circumvent the General Order that explicitly states that NO ONE was permitted to utilize Shadow technology. I guess that something went wrong."
"Great."
Then, it dawned on Ranma.
Sailor Pluto was the defacto head of Section 31.
"Thanks for the help," Ranma said, as he ran to the door. "I owe you one-!"
"You quite welcome…Mother…"
With this information in mind, Ranma made preparations to free his ally from the larvae that was in control of Sailor Pluto, while Picard dealt with the larvae that were controlling Starfleet through Lt/Commander Remmick…and he had to do so without exposing Section 31.
Location: Romulan Neutral Zone (a week later).
The Enterprise-D was on a mission to the Romulan Neutral Zone, when then ship came across a derelict satellite. So, an Away Team was assembled to investigate…
"Man, I hate these things," Ranma said, as he opened the main hatch. He didn't like being encumbered by wearing a space suit. "I got no room to move!"
"Aw, don't be such a baby," Usagi said, as she reactivated the main power coupling.
BRRRRRR…
"There," Usagi said, as she and the rest of the team settled down, with the gravity generator activating. "Let's just hope that this place isn't infested with 'Xenomorphs'. Data, we got 80 power, but there is a noticeable drop."
Data examines the instrument panel.
"We should gather the data from the ship's computer before too long…"
While Usagi went to download the data from the ship's computer, Ranma went to examine the other compartments.
"Hey guys, take a look at this!"
What Ranma found was startling…
Back on board the Enterprise-D, Dr. Beverly Crusher examines the bodies of the recently revived, with Captain Picard and the others in attendance.
"How are they?"
"Well…they're fine. Especially these two."
Picard looks at the five people. Two of them were Caucasian males, one was a Caucasian female, one was an Asian male and another was a biracial Asian female…with red hair.
"Have their identities been identified?"
"Well, that is the thing. I didn't need to identify these two."
"Oh?"
In the Saotome quarters…
"I can't believe that Ryouga is back," Ranma said, as he paced back and forth.
"You can't?" Usagi said. "How about the fact that my…best friend Naru is here?"
Just then, Lianna and Keiko enter the room. Keiko was teaching Lianna about horticulture from a mortal's perspective.
"Hello, Ranma Saotome," Lianna said. At the moment, she was dressed in overalls (and ONLY overalls), a sun hat, and possessed a small bucket with her garden shovel and hand gloves.
"Hello, grandfather," Keiko says, who was dressed likewise (but wore a shirt). "What's going on?"
"Apparently, we found some people on a derelict satellite," Ranma replied. "Unfortunately, one of those people is an old friend of mine."
"I thought that this…Ryouga person was mollified?" Usagi asked.
"Maybe…but you never know with THIS guy."
"Hmmmm…"
Meanwhile, Ryouga Hibiki, the person in question, wakes up. The last thing he remembered was shielding his wife Akari and their young son from an explosion…
"Oh…"
"Ah, Mr. Hibiki, you are awake," said a voice. "Just take it easy…"
Ryouga looks at the source of the voice. His vision was blurry, but he could make out red hair-
Red hair.
The voice was female.
Red hair plus female equals-
"RANMA!"
"Oh-!"
Just as Ranma and Usagi enters Sickbay with Security Chief Tasha Yar, Ranma sees Ryouga attacking Dr. Crusher…
Tasha immediately used her phaser on him-
BLAM!
-Stunning him in the process.
"No problem, huh?" Ranma said to Usagi.
"Well…" Usagi replied.
After a short time while…
"I can't believe that I'm back here," Ryouga said, as he paced back and forth in a nondescript room, along with his companions. "And it all YOUR fault!"
Ranma simply shrugged, as he sipped his tea.
"So…what did I do now?"
Ryouga looks at Ranma for a moment.
"It was five years after I returned from HERE. You and I just signed a pact betrothing your daughter Ranko and my son Ryuuto, and was celebrating, when one of your enemies showed up."
Ranma raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
"A bomb of some kind was thrown, forcing me to shield Akari and Ryuuto from the impending explosion. The next thing I knew…I woke up here."
"Hmmm…"
Meanwhile, Usagi was consoling her old friend Molly Osaka.
"There, there," Usagi said. "It's okay."
"No it's not, Usagi!" Naru cried. "I…I was finally was about to marry Melvin, when…when…"
Usagi nods. According to Molly's recollection, some showed up at a party to celebrate the impending union of the Saotome and Hibiki clans, when someone attacked the party. Unfortunately, Ryouga and Molly took the brunt on the explosion.
"I thought that I was dead!"
Molly looks at Usagi.
"Do you know what happened to me, Usagi?"
Usagi sighed.
"From what records I could find, you and Mr. Hibiki were exposed to a highly toxic biological agent. From what I could gather, you two were placed in isolation in space for treatment. Unfortunately, a system malfunction sent your satellite on an unscheduled flight into a wormhole."
"Oh, my!"
"I know."
"So, what am I going to do?"
"THAT, I don't. We'll think of something in the mean time…"
Some time later, the Enterprise-D makes it to the Romulan Neutral Zone. At least, on the Federation side.
"Captain, I am trying to hail the forward outpost, and I am not getting anything," Tasha Yar says.
"Try hailing the others outposts along the border."
"Aye sir."
"Data, conduct a long-term scan of Outpost 'J', and feed it to 'Tactical'."
"Aye, sir."
Picard turns to his Strategic Operations Officer.
"Mr. Saotome, what do you think?"
Ranma squints his eyes, as he read the sensor readings.
"From the radiation signatures, there has definitely been weapons fire."
"Possible Romulan activity?" Riker asks.
"Not sure. I seriously doubt it. From my experience, even if the Romulans come up with a new weapon, there is still a familiar signature."
"Sir," Troi says. "I detect a presence."
"Sensors, Yar?"
"Nothing on tactical- wait! I'm picking up minute distortions."
"I guess the Romulans improved their cloaking technology," Ensign Crusher says. "Sir?"
"Stand-by," Picard says. "Lt. Yar, open hailing frequencies."
"Frequencies are OPEN."
Picard rose from his seat.
"This Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation starship Enterprise-D. We are quite aware of your presence, but we would like to establish a dialogue."
Suddenly, a ship appears out of "thin air".
It was a Romulan "War Bird", a pale green ship that could match the capabilities of a Galaxy-class starship.
CHIRP!
"Hello, Captain Picard," said the Romulan commander. Then the Romulan sees Ranma. "YOU. I should destroy your ship right now."
Picard looks at Ranma, who nods his head.
"But you won't, will you?"
The Romulan commander grimaced.
"Not today. However…I will take up your offer to exchange data on our shared problem."
"So I take that you did not destroy our outposts?"
"If we did, why would we stop? However, as a show of good faith…I will admit that our outposts have also been destroyed as well, hence our presence here and now."
"Very good-"
"But mark my words, Captain. We will not go away. We are back, and we will be more involved…where your Ranma Saotome is concerned!"
"Great," Ranma smirked.
Later, Ryouga, Molly and the others would be returned to Earth, where they would start new lives. Ranma told Ryouga that he could stay at the Tendo Training Hall until he decides what he wanted to do with his life, while Usagi asked Setsuna to look after Molly, and to see if she could reactivate her powers as "Sailor Neo-Moon".
And thus, Ranma Saotome and his fellow crewmates survived their first year in deep space aboard the starship Enterprise-D.
Fin.
Next time: Sela, Lore and Q (oh my!).