SMST: Journey to Adventure! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: ""Sailor Moon", Ranma ½", "Star Trek", DC/Marvel Comics and other genres belong to the respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Special note: This is a companion piece to "SMST: Hero Initiative", "SMST: Journey to Mystery" and "SMST: The Village Hidden in the Moon".
Addendum: This story will not be strictly crossed into "Terminator" territory. All genres related to "time travel", and anything related to space saga and dimensional hopping, will be included in this story.
Part 3
Meanwhile…
Year: 2008 CE.
The Terminator model "T-X" stops her vehicle in front of the Saotome residence. It was easy enough to find, since both the address and the phone number were listed in the phone book. She goes over her files on the subject for "termination". And although she was programmed to mimic human idioms and manners, the machine was still amazed that a seemingly "nice girl" would become the future ruler of human kind…
However, based upon the Moon Princess' history against SkyNet, the T-X knew to not take her lightly.
Year: Alt-2027 CE (Year Thirty of the "War of the Machine").
For months now, the increasingly desperate "SkyNet" had been stalemated, thanks to the Human Resistance. Led by John Connor, the resistance had been able to cut-off its supply lines, which limited the number of "Hunter-Killers" that SkyNet could churn out. The most singular potent advantage that the humans had, was that fact that humans could be grown rather quickly from a single cell; machines had to be assembled using increasingly depleted raw material. The process of advanced cloning, as well as other "gifts", had been mysteriously given to the resistance over the years, confounding SkyNet to no end. However, the big break came in when a certain "Moon Princess" returned from her sojourn from Deep Space…
"Sir!" says a radar man, as he pinpointed a powerful energy signature. Before, he was monitoring activity from the enemy.
John Connor turns to see his radar man. He had been up with his advisors on how to take advantage of the apparent lull in the fighting.
"Let me see that," John says, as he reads the radar man's findings. Sure enough, something BIG was on approach.
"Alright, I want everyone to clear out," John says. "We don't want to take a chance if this is another attack from SkyNet-"
BRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!
A beautiful woman with an unusual hairstyle appears. Still, no one wanted to take any chance, so-
"INCOMING!" says a man, as he pulls out his gun and shoots.
BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!
The rounds and the weapon it came from used a high-velocity cartridge that made it easier to pierce the armor of your typical HKs. However, to the intended target in this situation, the rounds were insignificant.
"Peace," the woman says, as she raised her hand. Soon, the rounds slowed to a crawl before stopping altogether.
"Whoa," says the man who just discharged his weapon.
The woman looks at the rounds, and then at John. When she did that, the immobilized rounds fell harmlessly onto the floor.
CLATTER!
"Is this a way to treat your benefactor, John Connor?" the woman asked.
John, realizing that he couldn't be a Terminator at this point, holstered his weapon. He sees a crescent moon mark on the woman's forehead.
"Then I take it that you are…'The Moon Princess'," John says.
"Indeed. Under normal circumstances, you and I would not meet. However, SkyNet will unleash a monster that could destroy all the progress you have made thus far."
"A 'monster'?" John says incredulously. "What could be FAR worse than what we are facing NOW?"
The Moon Princess raises her palm, and faced it upwards. A holographic image of some sort of amorphous, spider-like, metal thing appears.
"This is the series 'T-1000000'," the Moon Princess began. "It is made from a polymorphous alloy that makes it harder to destroy by conventional means. In a few weeks, this monster will go 'on-line', and there is nothing you can do about it."
"Then why tell us then?" shouts the radar man.
"Kyle, please," John says, as he raised his hand to calm down his man. He then focuses on the Moon Princess.
"Actually, I am wondering the same thing. And why help us behind the scenes until now?"
The Moon Princess looks away for a moment, before turning to face John.
"I cannot give you my reasons for…working behind the scenes at this point in time. However, I will make amends, starting with the destruction of this monster."
John folds his arms.
"YOU will deal with this…T-1000000?"
"Yes, if you let me help you defeat SkyNet."
John muses for a moment.
"Very well," John says with a smile, as he goes to shake the Moon Princess' hand. "You're hired."
The Moon Princess smiles, as she accepts the hand.
"Thank you, John Connor. You won't regret it."
Year: 2239 CE.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence in the conference room.
"Usagi?" Setsuna asked.
Usagi looks at the Senshi of Pluto.
"What?"
"I just said that someone is trying to kill you."
"Oh, that," Usagi says, as she sips her coffee. "What else is new?"
"You seem to be taking this news in strides."
"Perhaps, but I prefer to look at things from a grander perspective."
Silence.
"I assume you kept up with my 'adventures' so to speak? Particularly recently?"
"Yes," Setsuna says, as she sits down. "I was especially concerned when you were absorbed by that THING."
"Humph. I wasn't just absorbed by Majin Buu…I WAS Majin Buu. Well, 'Sailor Buu", at least…"
"Explain."
"I now possess the ability to adapt to any 'condition'. You put me in an environment that could normally kill a person, and I'll adapt to it."
"Yes, I know," Setsuna says with a hint of anger. When she had learned that Usagi had been killed and subsequently cloned by Section 31, through Weyland-Yutani Industries, she vowed vengeance against those responsible. It was only through the intervention of another, more powerful Sailor Scout that stayed her hand.
"Well, instead of Majin Buu absorbing me, I took over…but with Kid Buu's disposition."
Usagi looks outside through the conference room window.
"Do you know how hard it was for me to NOT kill those that I cared for and love? Subconsciously, though, I ended up helping the Ranma and the Z Warriors to defeat me."
"So I take it that you've recovered."
"Perhaps, but there will always be a piece of Buu inside me."
"Just…how so?"
Usagi thinks for a second.
"Hold on," Usagi says, as she takes off her work jacket to exposing her toned arms and shoulders. "Look."
Setsuna looks at the Moon Princess' arms.
"I don't see anything-"
Upon closer inspection, Setsuna see four small holes, one in the shoulder and three on the upper arms…on each limb.
"I'd show you the other holes, but I'd have to get indecent," Usagi says, as she puts back her work jacket.
"…"
"I'm talking about my LEGS, Setsuna."
"OH! Sorry."
"Huh, yeah. But these…things are a constant reminder of being a part of that monster."
"So, what do they do?"
"I'm not sure, but Ranma thinks that they are 'energy exhaust ports'. You know, like the equivalent of having sweet glands."
"I see."
"So when I need to expend a lot of energy, they open up to release it."
Usagi looks outside through the conference room.
"I have a lot to make up for," Usagi says with a sigh. "And helping to build the next generation of starships, with the knowledge that Ranma and I have, is a start."
"You seem very passionate about this…project of yours."
"I am. It's something that Admiral Archer would approve, that's for sure."
Usagi then turns around.
"I don't know about you, but I could use some breakfast."
"I would like that. Where do you have in mind?"
"Nothing is better than a home cooking. Besides, I can see Aiko off to school, and we can discuss this impending death of my with Ranma."
"That…would be very good. By the way, how is Ranma doing these days?"
Usagi raises an eyebrow.
"Why do YOU want to know?"
"I'm just curious."
"Huh, I BET. But as to your question, I don't think he's been the same since that whole Majin Buu incident."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, you'll see when you get there."
"But...what about your job here?"
"Ah, someone will cover me. We're 'union', don't you know?"
"..."
Meanwhile…
"Rise and shine, sleepy head!" Ranma beamed, as he open the drapes. The martial arts adventurer was wearing an apron, and had his cleaning bucket at his side. "It's going to be a wonderful day!"
Aiko wakes up a bit tired.
"But Daddy, do I have to go to school today?"
"Of course, you should. You want to make your Mother proud, right?"
"I…I guess so," Aiko says, as she rubbed her eyes.
"Excellent! Now, if you need help, I'll be in the other bathroom cleaning it. Okay?"
"Okay," Aiko says.
"Excellent! Breakfast will be ready in a half and hour."
And with that, with a happy tune in mouth, and cleaning bucket in hand, Ranma hums his way out the door of Aiko's room.
"I miss the 'old you', Daddy," Aiko says with a sigh.
Tbc.