TRTSS1: The Warrior of Stars! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Part 6
The years go by on Naboo, as Kasumi moves on from monarch…to the roll of "Senator". Having experienced the thrill of conducting matters of state as "Queen", Kasumi sought the position in order to fight for the values that all people of Naboo hold dear: freedom from the unfair business of the Trade Federation. Although Kasumi had exposed the malfeasance of Viceroy Nute Gunray, the Trade Federation, as directed by the mysterious "phantom menace", was finding other alternatives to exact vengeance of the upstart senator from Naboo…
"We're on final approach," Hoshi says, as she piloted her Naboo fighter. Since taking up residence on Naboo, Hoshi has become a close confidant and advisor to Kasumi.
Kasumi says nothing, as she pilots her own Naboo fighter in a close formation pattern with Hoshi's sister-fighter.
The astromech droid "WD-40" (gray trim) beeps at Hoshi.
"I know, I know," Hoshi says with a smile. "Kasumi is just worried about all this…'Separatist' talk."
"This is NOT just 'Separatist' talk, Hoshi," Kasumi says, over a secured communications link between her fighter and Hoshi's. "With the threat on my life, and with this crucial vote in the Senate, we have to be careful. In fact, we have to disguise myself as an escort pilot JUST to be here for that vote."
"Senator Amidala, you HAVE to maintain 'radio silence'," says the leader of Naboo's royal guard, Captain Typho. Typho had replaced Panaka, after Panaka had become the first commander of the Naboo Militia, a position that was underneath the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness (Hoshi's ministry). The people of Naboo, even after the incident involving the Trade Federation, were still skittish over having a proper military…
"My apologies, Captain Typho," Kasumi says. "I will maintain radio silence…"
Soon, the Naboo governmental transport ship and its escorts land safely at the designated landing site. It was a foggy morning, as the mega-city known as "Coruscant"—the capital of the Galactic Republic—continues being the bustling hub of the Lucas Galaxy.
"Well," Hoshi says, as she removes her helmet, upon stepping out of her fighter, and seeing Kasumi's decoy disembarking from the transport ship. "It looks like we made it okay-"
BOOM!
Typho, Kasumi and Hoshi are knocked back, thanks to the force of the resulting explosion. However, Hoshi was able to erect a magnetic field before debris could cause them injuries.
"Dorme!" Kasumi yells, as she rushes to her cousin's side. "Dorme…"
"Senator, we have to leave!" Typho says. "We can't remain in the open like this."
"Typho, be charitable," Hoshi says, as she used her "Sailor Terra" powers to maintain a shield around the living.
"I understand the senator's feelings, but Lady Dorme did her job. Now, the Senator must do HERS."
"Corde," Kasumi says, as she strokes her cousin's facial cheek.
"I…I failed you," Corde says, as life left her body.
For a moment, another face seemed to super-impose itself upon Corde's. This after-image appeared to be her mother, and yet not…
"My Lady, we have to leave," Typho says urgently.
With great hesitation, Kasumi does.
…
Thanks to the attempt of Kasumi's life, special protection was called for…
"Hey!" Usagi says, as she hugged her old friends.
"Argh!" Ranma replied, as he was glomped.
"Meeow!" Tho-Ohki yowled, as he hugged Ranma as well.
"Good…to see you two again…"
Ami giggles at this ridiculous sight.
"Hello," Anakin says to Kasumi, as he nods his head in a slight bow.
"Um, hello," Kasumi blushed, as she realized how handsome the young boy has become.
"Usagi!!" Jar-Jar Binks shouts in glee, as he goes up to Usagi-
TRIP!
BONK!
"Ow!" Usagi yelped.
"Ooopsie!" Jar-Jar replied.
"Well, this takes me back," mused Ranma.
"Um, yes," Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi (now with shoulder-length hair and sporting a beard) says, as he turns his attention back towards the Senator from Naboo, and then towards the group. "Well, I will leave Senator Amidala in your collective care."
"Who will be in charge, Master Kenobi?" Anakin asked.
'Please, don't let it be me,' Usagi silently prayed. 'PLEASE…not me…'
"Since Padawan Saotome has security experience, he will be charge."
"I see," Anakin says with a touch of disappointment.
"You got it, chief," Ranma says with a jovial expression.
"Um, right. In the mean time, I will assist in the investigation of the assassination of attempt on Senator Amidala's life."
"Please," Kasumi says, as she reaches for Kenonbi. "Let me know as soon as possible, if you find anything of importance."
"Of course," Kenobi says, as he bows his head slightly. He then straightens himself and turns his full attention towards Usagi.
"And I want YOU to stay out of trouble, Usagi."
"Yes, master," Usagi says.
"Okay, then," Kenobi says. "Take care."
After Kenobi leaves Kasumi's private suite, Ami turns to Usagi.
"Now, what was THAT all about?" Ami asked.
"Oh, we had an accident while dealing with a border dispute," Usagi replied. "It was nothing."
"That's not the way I heard it," Ranma says.
"Okay, if you heard what I THINK you heard, then Mistress Luminara's padawan is WRONG."
"You mean Barriss?" Ami asked.
"Yeah," Usagi replied. "Must be his latest girlfriend."
"For your information, Barriss told Aayla…and Aayla told ME."
"Ah, so SHE is your girlfriend."
"I wouldn't call her my girlfriend…"
"I thought Jedi are forbidden from having outside relations?" Kasumi asked.
"Well, technically, Aayla and I are Jedi, so, hypothetically speaking, we're not having relations OUTSIDE the Jedi Order."
"Bravo, Ranma," Usagi says, as she clapped her hands. "You certainly have the thought process…of a gymnast."
"You're just jealous."
"Of you? Please. Besides…you're not the ONLY one to have special interests in the affairs of the heart-"
"I think we should all just turn in for the afternoon," Hoshi says with a blush. She turns towards Kasumi. "Senator?"
"Yes, of course," Kasumi says. She looks at her old friends. "I am glad that you all are here. Have a good afternoon."
And with that, Kasumi and Hoshi go into the inner chambers of the Senator's suite. Typho turns to Ranma.
"I shall provide you with the security detail, of course," Typho says.
"Of course," Ranma says. He then turns to Usagi.
"From Hoshi's expression, something must have happened between you…and HER."
"Really?" Ami asked with a shocking expression.
"Yes, REALLY, okay?" Usagi yelled. "She IS Mamoru's reincarnated self, you know!"
Anakin and Typho were both bewildered as to how this conversation has moved into an un-expectant area…
"Oh, my," Ami says.
"I just…wanted to see if it can work, that's all."
"And did it?"
"No…it wasn't the same," Usagi says with a sigh. "I will cherish Hoshi's friendship, but that's about it."
Silence.
"Usagi, um, sorry for getting opening a can of worms," Ranma says.
"Well, it's not easy for me to be popular in the same way YOU can be, Ranma."
"I understand."
Ranma turns to Typho.
"So, what were you saying?"
Typho could only do a "big-sweat" trick.
"…"
…
In spite of the heightened secuirty, yet another assassination attempt on Kasumi's life was made. This time, large, poisonous worms were inserted into her room.
Everyone in the other room sensed the danger.
BLAM!
Anakin, first in the room, jumped on Kasumi's bed and deftly sliced the critters in half.
SNAP! Hzzzz-!
SLICE-SLICE!
Kasumi woke up with a startled expression.
"Look!" Usagi sees a drone leaving the vicinity.
"Got it," Ranma says, as he immediately leaps through the glass of Kasumi's bedroom, and grabs a hold of the drone.
"We have to go after him," Anakin says, as he leaves the room.
"Then let's go," Usagi says, as she claps her hands twice. "Tho-Ohki?"
The cabbit comes running into the room, and hops unto Usagi's right shoulder.
"Mew?"
"We have to chase after Ranma. Transform!"
"MEOW!"
Tho-Ohki disappears…
BLIP!
…And reappears outside as a smaller version of its usually "starfighter form".
"Come on!" Usagi says, as she grabs Anakin…and leaps outside through the window.
"Ulp-!" Anakin began.
CRASH!
"I wish they didn't do THAT," Hoshi says, as she and the Royal Guard enters the room to comfort Kasumi. She then sat on Kasumi's bedside. "Are you okay, Senator?"
"I…I guess so."
"I'll see about securing another residence," Typho says.
"And I'll contact the Order about this situation," Ami says, as she activates her communications network…
…
"I think, this was a bad idea," Ranma says to himself, as he held to the probe. He looks down to see that he was thousands of feet up…at a guess. In fact, for the life of him, he has never truly been on the surface of the planet itself, since the city-planet itself was built on top of older parts of the city-planet.
"Now, where are you going-?"
BLAM!
POP!
"Oh, hell-!" Ranma yelled, as he begins to plummet…
BOOF!
"Ooof!" Ranma says, as he lands in the cockpit within Tho-Ohki.
"Having fun, yet?" Usagi says, as she tracks the would-be assassin's energy discharge.
"Whatever," Ranma says. "Just after him-"
"Hurry, he's getting away!" Anakin yelled, as he points. "After him!"
"I'm on it," Usagi says, as she pushes Tho-Ohki into high gear.
During the chase, the would-be assassin manages to slip into areas to small for Tho-Ohki to travel through. Eventually…
"Great, that dude got away," Ranma fumes.
"I'm putting Tho-Ohki in hover mode," Usagi says, as she "parks" her cabbit. "Keep an eye out on anything suspicious-"
"I see the assassin's ship!" Anakin says, as he turns to face Usagi. "Let me out!"
Shrugging, Usagi presses a panel.
"Ahhhhhhhh-!" Anakin yells, as he fell through a trapdoor.
Ranma looks Usagi with a bewildered expression.
"Well, he asked, Ranma."
"…"
Luckily, Anakin catches the assassin's hovercraft, and forces it land in an entertainment district.
"He went down there, Ranma," Usagi says.
"Okay, get ready to go in close, and teleport," Ranma says. "Ready?"
"Ready…"
"One…two…three…JUMP!"
BLIP!
Ranma, Usagi and Tho-Ohki—now normal—appear next to the bar where Kasumi's would-be assassin ran into.
"Ranma, Usagi!" Anakin yells. "The assassin went inside! We must-"
"-Not cause a scene," Ranma says. He then turns to Usagi.
"Your show."
"What?" Usagi complained, as she fed Tho-Ohki a carrot. "Just because I like to drink-"Come ON, please," Anakin whined.
"Fine. Guys, just keep you cool, and follow me."
Ranma and Anakin turn to look at each other. With a shrug, the two Jedi padawan follow Usagi inside…
A short while later, Usagi was order a drink from the bar.
"Barkeep?" Usagi began. "Correlian beer, please."
A short man with mild insect features saunters up to the bar.
"Hey, babe," the man says. "You want to, eh, hang out?"
Usagi looks at the man…
"You really don't want to bother me," Usagi says, as she casually waves the man off.
"You know, you look like you don't want to be bothered with me," the man says in a trance-like state.
"But you don't mind paying for my drink-"
"Usagi, don't," Ranma says, as he whispers into Usagi's ear.
"Fine," Usagi says. She then focuses on the man standing next to her.
"Never mind, just go away."
"Never mind," the man says, as he backs off. "I'm going away now…"
Satisfied, Usagi turns to Ranma.
"What?"
"You shouldn't abuse your abilities, you know," Ranma says, as he leans on the bar counter. "And besides…we still have to find the ASSASSIN."
"Look, I was having fun, okay?" Usagi says. "And besides-"
Suddenly, Usagi moved at the blink of an eye.
SNAP! Hzzzz-
SLICE!
"Ah!" the assassin yells, as she held onto her stump, where her hand and blaster once were.
"I got the assassin."
"You got her," Anakin says, as he comes up.
"Yep," Ranma says, as he helped carry the would-be assassin. "We better get out here…"
Through the back door, Ranma sets the would-be assassin down.
"Now," Ranma says. "Tell us the name of your employer."
The would-be assassin struggles to speak, as pain throbbed through her system.
"Well, you tried to kill the Senator?" Anakin yelled.
"Easy, Ani," Usagi says. "Ranma, can you-?"
"Yes," Ranma says, as he places his fingers on the would-be assassin's temples.
"What are you doing?" Anakin asks.
"Channeling an old friend," Ranma says, as he closes his eyes. "Now, who hired you to kill the Senator?"
"A… bounty hunter named 'Jango Fett' hired me-" the would-be assassin begins to say.
FFT!
A small dart-like object embeds itself into the neck of the would-be assassin, killing her instantly…as well as reverting her to her true form.
Meanwhile, all three Jedi padawans turn to see an armored figure make his escape.
FWOOSH!
"Nice," Usagi says sarcastically, as she pulls out the dart from the reptilian's neck. She then turns to Ranma.
"You have it?"
"Have what?" Anakin says.
"We have a major clue as to who is behind the assassination attempt," Ranma says.
"I…I hope you're right," Anakin says. "I don't want to see Padme hurt."
"So you DO like her," Usagi says, as she gets ready to call in planetary security.
"I…I do," Anakin says. "She was nice to me."
"Well, don't focus too much on HER," Ranma says, as he stands.
"Why? You WANT her, too?"
"No, but she doesn't need this distraction."
"Yeah, I bet."
Tbc.