Sailor Moon ST: Hero Unlimited – DS Wynne
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Ranma ½, Star Trek, Justice League Unlimited and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 14: More "Diana's Bow" & "Respect My Authori-TAH!"
The sector of uncharted space was outside of the normal lines of "space traffic". The Vulcans have only sent a cursory glance, vis-à-vis a space probe, while the Centauri did not want to risk the ire of the Gao'uld "System Lords" for encroaching on their territory. Thus, for the most part, this star system, known to Earth as the "Rigel System", has been left virtually alone.
At least, until now, that is.
The "A01" Javelin exits out of its "space jump", a maneuver that is based upon the principles of "faster-than-light" technology created by Commander John Crichton (USN), by creating a sustained "wormhole". Homeworld Security is wary of implementing this technology due to its over-reliance on the gravitational fields of celestial bodies. However, more importantly, the principles to create wormholes could be used as weapons on a galactic scale, a lesson that was learned with the advent of the atom bomb circa 1945 CE. Furthermore, if a ship that uses such an engine was suddenly dropped out of a wormhole in mid-transport, one faces the possibility of being lost in outer space while stuck between star systems.
"Status report," Sailor Moon says, as she pilots the craft into orbit. The Javelins come in three types: the lighter "Alpha" series (which serves a smaller crew compliment), the roomier "Beta" series (which serves a slighter larger crew compliment, and could be used for extended missions), and the "Gamma" series (which serves as a warship). Since the training mission was strictly short-term, there was no need for a Beta Javelin.
"Hmmm," Hawkgirl says, as she reads the scans. "There's nothing unusual thus far, but the distress signal is coming from within a mountain."
"Great, just great," Sailor Diana says, as she slumps into her seat. "For all we know, this could be a trap."
"Maybe," Vigilante says with assurance. "But if there ARE people in trouble, we got to help."
"Joy," Vixen says with a smirk.
"Ah, we're heroes, right?" Sailor Jupiter says. "We ought to take risks."
"I guess so," 'Diana replies. "After all, it's a martial artist's duty to protect the weak and helpless!"
"Well, I guess the decision has been made," 'Moon whispers (towards Hawkgirl). "Okay, people…buckle up, for we are about to go 'planet-side'."
'Diana gulped. As brave as she was, the Warrior of Diana wanted to go home…
Meanwhile, back on Earth…"Kasumi," Nabiki Tendo asked her sister Kasumi.
"Yes, Nabiki?" Kasumi replied.
"Do you…do you think that Akane is acting odd?"
Kasumi turns her head to see a cheerful Akane Tendo, who was washing the dishes.
"Well…she has been helpful in washing the dishes."
"But that's it. Akane doesn't do anything useful."
"Nabiki, that's not very nice."
"Maybe, but she's acting strange to me."
"Perhaps it is because Ranma is not around?" Kasumi offered.
"And that's another thing. Where IS Ranma?"
"Perhaps he is with his friends?"
"Maybe…or maybe not. When I find Ranma, he will have to answer some questions."
'Yeah, right,' 'Akane' thought to herself. 'Like I'm some jerk you can force to do stuff-'
'Akane' felt her wristwatch vibrate. She then tapped the facing, and looked at her watch, as the facing displayed a series of numbers—ones and zeroes—that very few people could translate quickly. And one of those people is Ranma Saotome.
'Akane' grimaced, as she read the message. Apparently, her contact, "The Question", has some information she needs for a particular project she is working on. Quickly, 'Akane' finish washing dishes.
"I got to go do…homework," 'Akane' says, as she plops the dishrag on a nearby rack.
"Well, thank you for helping me," Kasumi says with a smile.
'Akane' nods her head, and hurry upstairs.
"Hmmm," Nabiki says, as she begins to follow her 'sister'…
As soon as 'Akane' got into 'her' room, she flips the facing of the watch.
"Montana: 7-4-1," 'Akane' said into the exposed facing.
A trap door suddenly opens underneath 'Akane', allowing her to drop smoothly. On the other side of the door, Nabiki was using a glass to listen to the words that 'Akane' had spoke.
"Hmmm," Nabiki thought.
At the same time, 'Akane' drops onto the deck of 31st century starship, which looked smaller from the outside. The ship was in the shape of a spheroid, and was, in fact, a smooth as a silver marble. In fact, the ship, called the USS Rantsu ("Wild Rabbit" in Japanese), looked like one big pinball marble (which was buried underneath the vacant lot behind the Tendo Compound).
"Whew," Ranma-chan said, as she took off her 'flesh-suit' of his "true fiancée" Akane Tendo. Such a suit was an advanced version of the skins that were used for clandestine purposes, but not as advance as the suits used by gods and alien intelligences…the kind of stuff that the "Men-in-Black" have to deal with.
"Man, it's nice to lose all that weight," Ranma-chan said with a chuckle, as she tossed the suit into the recycler.
Somewhere in space, a certain un-cute tomboy sneezes…and gets angry for some reason…
"SELMA!" Ranma yelled out.
A holographic image of Ranma's mother appears.
"Good evening, Captain Saotome," SELMA says. "How have you've been?"
SELMA was a "nano-computer" that possess an advance AI that possess near-sentience. Ranma had received the device as a tool for his job in the "Fugitive Retrieval Program" within the United Nations' "Federal Marshal Services". Over the years, the computer has gained near-sentience, especially after merging with a New Gods computer known as "The Mother Box", which seemed like an appropriate thing to have occurred (considering whose image SELMA is based on).
These days, SLEMA (which looks like a standard "AT&T Universal Phone and Master Card" credit card), is "docked" into the computer systems of the Rantsu, so that SELMA has access to a more powerful technological "platform".
"I've been fine, SELMA," Ranma says, as she shifted back to his male form. "Can you verify the message I received earlier?"
"Working," SELMA replies. "It is indeed from the Question's transponder, although the usual protocols have not been observed."
"Hmmm," Ranma mused. One hand, he could have used "The Mistress" for some help. However, knowing that the Time "Lady" was not to be trusted, he decided to have Usagi take Akane out for some training. With things going they are, Ranma didn't need any more distractions.
"Okay, zero onto the source of the signal," Ranma said, as he activated his monitors.
The screen shows the Earth, as the images began to focus on the exact spot where the Question's transponder was located.
BLIP!
"I don't recognize the image," Ranma says, as he fiddle with the dial. He scanned back to see that the Question's transponder was tucked into the cleavage of the Huntress. And, upon further inspection, the Huntress is most likely trying to place an important object in an area of the body that is the least search (upon capture, that is).
Ranma had the good grace of being embarrassed, since the Huntress was like family to him.
Meanwhile, back in space…"I don't see WHY we have to spit up," 'Diana fumed, as she, 'Moon and Vigilante trudged through the forested area near their ship. Hawkgirl, Vixen (who possess the power to mimic the flight of birds) and Sailor Jupiter (who was taught how to fly by Sailor Moon) flew on ahead to scout out the area. 'Diana was taken aback by the purple sky and the strange fauna. However, she had the sneaky suspicion that they were being watched.
"We split up to cover more ground," 'Moon says. "Besides…you and Mister Vigilante don't know how to fly."
"If man was meant to fly, we'd be born with wings…like the Hawk-lady," said the cowboy.
"I wish that I could learn how," 'Diana says. "Then, perhaps, I'd get respected more by my…friend."
"Well, I can teach you, if you want me to."
"Really?"
"Sure. You know how to generate 'chi', right?"
"Yes…"
"Then it's all about focusing that chi."
'Moon taps her wrist bracelet.
"Sailor Moon to Hawkgirl," 'Moon says.
"Hawkgirl speaking," came the reply. "Go ahead."
"We are going to stop for a ten-minute break."
"You GOT to be kidding."
"No, I am not. Besides, you have two other people with you. But if you need my HELP…"
"No, I get the point. I'll see you and the others in a bit. Hawkgirl: OUT."
"Okay, then," 'Moon says. "This seems like a nice place to practice."
"Here? NOW?"
"Why not? Unless you don't want to learn…"
"No, I do," 'Diana says. "But to learn within ten minutes?"
"That does seems like a bit of a stretch, 'Moonie," Vigilante says.
"Do you want to make a bet out of it, Mister Vigilante?"
"Sure, why not? If you can successfully teach Miss Diana how to fly by the end of this excursion, I'll buy you the biggest beef 'stake' east of the Mississippi."
"And if I fail…then I will treat you to dinner to the finest Kobe beef steak in all of Japan."
"Little lady…you have yourself a DEAL."
'Moon nods her head in approval. She then turns her head.
"Okay, Sailor Diana…let's begin."
At the same time, a pair of eyes were trained on the three.
"We have the targets in sight," says a voice. The source of the voice was speaking into a microphone.
"Excellent," comes the reply. "As soon as we have Hawkgirl in our trap, we will take down the rest of her party. She will pay for siding with the humans-!"
Meanwhile, back on Earth…Fifteen minutes later, Ranma appears behind Huntress, wearing a wool cap and "pea-coat".
"Huntress, I-"
"HA!" Huntress yelled, as she suddenly grabs Ranma by the lapels, and flipped him over. Ranma crashed into several empty boxes and crates.
CRASH!
"Oh, Ranma, I'm sorry," Huntress says, as she helps Ranma up. "Are you okay?"
"Ah, it's no big deal," Ranma replied, as he got to his feat. "You know, only 'Mr. Conspiracy' is suppose to have that transponder."
"I know, but…I've been so worried about him and all, that I…swiped it before he went to see…Luthor."
"What?" Ranma exclaimed. "He was supposed to gather information ONLY."
"I…I know. But he was so afraid that Superman and the rest of the Justice League will end up…like the Justice Lords…"
Ranma grimaced. He was lucky that his counterpart, Justice Lord Sailor Anthelios, was honorable enough to realize the errors of trying to invade another dimension…
FLASHBACK!Sailor Antihelios smirked, as she hovered over the fallen Sailor Helios. Unlike her Sailor-suited counterpart, 'Antihelios wore a body-suit/armor from the Silver Millennium Imperium, and had shorn "locks".
"Face it, 'Ranko'," 'Antiheilos says. "You are not strong enough to protect the ones you love."
'Helios looks up at her dimensional counterpart…and laughs.
"What's so funny?"
"ME not strong enough? You may have become a lot more intense than I am, but that doesn't make YOU stronger…than ME."
While Sailor Helios was on the ground, she had used a combination of an "Earth Jutsu" and the "Dragon Rising Ascension" to-
BWOOM!
The ground exploded around 'Antihelios. The debris twirling about created a whirlwind that could easily cut into armor.
"Gah!" 'Antihelios yelped, as she used her aura to shield herself from the affects of the attack. But quickly, she activated her lightsaber-
SNAP! Hzzzz-
BLAM!
'Antihelios and 'Helios' respective lightsabers were locked.
ZzzzAzzzAzzz-!
"You think that your attack was going to distract ME?" 'Antihelios smirked.
'Helios smiled.
"Yep."
Suddenly, 'Antihelios felt her back burning…before suddenly dropping to the ground.
"Ahhh-!"
THUMP!
'Antihelios looks up to see…TWO versions of 'Helios was floating in the air.
"Damn," Antihelios says, knowing that her counterpart must have used the "Ultimate Weakness Moxibustion" on her.
'Helios floated back down to the ground, as she deactivated her lightsaber.
Hzzzz-SNAP!
"Your problem is your need to protect people at all cost…something that I realized now is pretty sloppy on MY part as well. Do you think that this is what your…OUR…Usagi would have wanted? Didn't you learn anything from that alternate timeline where she had become 'Empress'? What about what happened to Anakin?"
'Antihelios tucks her legs in, and turns away.
"Well?"
'Antihelios turns her head back towards 'Helios…with tears brimming.
"It's…funny how the loss of someone you love can skew one's perspective, huh?"
'Helios kneels by her counterpart…and hugs her.
"I know…I know…"
END FLASHBACK!Ranma did hope that his dimensional counterpart found the peace "Sailor Antihelios" desperately needed. And more importantly, Ranma hoped to never face the dilemma that was caused by the death of alt-Usagi Tsukino.
"What are we going to do?" Huntress whined. "We HAVE to find my man!"
Ranma raised an eyebrow, but says nothing.
"First, we need to know where the Question is being held."
"So, you don't think he is being held at Lex Luthor's place?"
"Doubt it. SLEMA."
"Yes, Captain?" says a disembodied voice.
"What was that?" Huntress asked.
"My personal computer. Give me information on all activity in and around 'Lex Towers' and 'Cadmus'."
"Working. Signs indicate that an intruder has been moved to a Cadmus facility fifty miles west of Metropolis."
"Thanks."
"So…?" began Huntress.
"So we have to get help on this one," Ranma said, as he opened the facing of his watch.
"Do we HAVE to?"
"Yes. Unless…you wanted to break into a military compound without the proper tools?"
"You have a point, I guess."
"Good. Saotome to Superman…"
Meanwhile, back in space…"Okay," 'Moon says, as she was behind 'Diana. "Now, direct your anger down into the ground…"
"Okay…" 'Diana said, as she did as she was told. She was nervous about 'Moon being so close to her, but her pointers have been helpful so far.
"Now, close your eyes and concentrate," 'Moon said, as she lifted 'Diana. The air around them began to ripple.
"Okay…"
"That's it," 'Moon said, as she lets go of her trainee.
Sure enough, 'Diana was floating.
"Now…open your eyes."
'Diana opened her eyes, and realized that she was floating. Tears of joy began to fall from her eyes.
"I did it, I did it-"
Suddenly, everyone's danger senses rang. Unfortunately, this broke 'Diana's concentration.
"Ulp!"
BUMP!
"Ow."
"We got company-" Vigilante began, as he removed his guns from his holsters.
Suddenly-
BLAM-BLAM-BLAM-BLAM-BLAM-!
Meanwhile, back on Earth…BOOM!
Superman, Sailor Helios and Huntress broke through the final door that led into the Cadmus complex.
"Fan out," Superman said, as he, 'Helios and Huntress took survey of the situation.
"Right," 'Helios and Huntress says, as they were about to wade into an army of security personnel. However-
FWOOSH!
"Gah!" 'Helios said, as she leaped out of the path of a nuclear blast.
"It seems as if the General was right," said a man (dark, shiny, metal skin), as he floated towards the heroes.
"Remember, Zemick, we are to arrest them," said the other man (silvery, shiny, metal skin), as he followed his partner into the combat zone.
"Ah, stuff it, Adams," said the first man. "Just because you are back with the government, that doesn't mean a THING to me."
"Captain Atom?" Superman said in surprise.
"Yeah, why are you working with a criminal like Major Force?" 'Helios says.
"It doesn't matter," 'Atom says, as he charges his fists with Quantum energy. "You are trespassing on government property. We are authorized to use lethal force…if you do not surrender NOW."
Tbc.