TRTSS31: Martian Encounters! – By Ocramed
Disclaimer: R1/2, SM, ST, War of the Worlds and other properties belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre limited series. C&C are welcomed.
Author's Note: Due to a mistake on my part, here is the epilogue…of sorts. Enjoy!
Part 8
Meanwhile, the target of the SETI team had walked out of a hotel room, carrying a wrapped bundle.
"It will be fine, kiddo," said Patrick Ross, as he spoke to his newborn son.
The baby cooed, as he looked up at his father.
Patrick sighed, as he turned to look at the woman whom he had impregnated. She, an exotic dancer from a local strip club, was sprawled across the bed, bloodied with a gaping hole in her belly. Apparently, when a xenomorph of the type that the astronaut has become are born via the belly, since female xenomorphs have more than birth canal. Unfortunately, since human females did not have this, their xenomorph child will still be born, via the belly button, causing instant death if not immediately treated.
With one more sigh, Patrick closes the door to the hotel room behind him, thinking that the exotic dancer was nothing more than a dead "trick". As for the future, the astronaut had more women to impregnate. After all, he did want to create a race of humanoid xenomorphs who will dominate planet Earth, just as it was done on Mars…
Meanwhile, Eve, the sister clone of Sil, is finally allowed to leave her containment unit.
GLOMP!
"Um, that isn't necessary," Ranma said, as he broke out in a sweat.
"I just want to get to know you…better," Eve said breathlessly, as she began to sniff Ranma's scent. "You smell nice."
"I like to stay clean," Ranma said. He then turned towards the others.
"Look, this isn't going to work, guys," Ranma said.
"Unfortunately, Eve is our only means to find Patrick at this time," said Dr. Fitch said.
"But she's all grab-hands- hey, don't touch me there!"
"But I wanted to make sure all the parts are all there," Eve said. "I DO want my first time be to be special."
"Help, somebody?"
"Wait, what if Ranma is a girl?" Dr. Baker suggested.
"How do you propose him to do that?" Colonel Burgess asked.
"Like this," Ranma said, as he becomes a girl.
"Oh," Eve said, as she immediately broke contact from Ranma-onna. Hesitantly, she grabs one of Ranma-onna's boobs, and squeezed.
"Yes, they are real," Ranma-onna said with embarrassment.
"Are…are you like this, for good?" Eve asked hopefully. She understood that xenomorphs can change genders as a survival mechanism.
"No, but if you continue to be all grabby, I might stay like this…by choice."
"Aw!" Eve said. "It's not fair! I find the perfect mate, and this happens."
"Tell me about it," Dr. Baker said quietly.
"I heard that!" Ranma-onna said. "I knew you liked me, doc."
"How was I supposed to know that you were already married?"
"'Married'?" Eve said, as her claws began to grow from her fingers. "Alright, where can I meet this…competitor? I bet she's not as fertile as I am."
"See what I got to deal with?" Ranma-onna said to Dr. Fitch.
"If we are done with this soap opera, I would really like for us to proceed with this mission," Colonel Burgess said.
"Of course," Dr. Fitch said. "At any rate, I've sent two of our team ahead to interview Major Patrick Ross' crewmate, Major Dennis Gamble at our Los Angeles office. From what Dr. Arden has said, Major Gamble should be cooperative."
"I hope so," Ranma-onna said, as she notices Eve trying to examine her, as her attempt to force Ranma-onna to become male again. "I can control my own body's 'configuration', you know."
"Oh, darn," Eve said. Then, she snaps her fingers in realization.
"Maybe, I can change genders to match YOUR configuration?" Eve said to Ranma-onna. "I really wish to make our coupling work."
"I've been trying to do that for years," Dr. Baker said, before realizing the implication of her statement. "The coupling part, of course…"
Ranma-onna sighs. This was going to be LONG mission…
A few hours later…
"So, let me get this straight," said Gamble, who was a moustache-wearing African-American male. "Patrick has become an alien."
"Xenomorph," Ranma-onna said.
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"No," Dr. Baker said. "Xenomorphs can be alien in origin, but generally it means that any species can adapt into another species."
"Riiight," Gamble said, as he turned towards Ranma-onna. "And you aren't?"
"Well, my grandfather is a humanoid alien, making me ¼ alien on my mother's side," Ranma-onna said.
"And this ability to change genders?"
"It was the result of a curse caused by training accident, thanks to my bon-headed father."
"And that's not the result of being part alien."
"No, the curse is terrestrial in origin."
"Do tell. And your friend, Eve, is alien," Gamble said, as he turned towards Eve, who leans back away from the group.
"Yes," Dr. Baker said. "She is a xenomorph trained to be a tracker of other aliens."
"Well, she looks human to me."
"Humph," Eve said.
"Pardon?"
"Unfortunately, she thinks that you want to mate with Major Saotome here, seeing you as a competitor," Dr. Arden said with a snicker.
"Well, that's before I realized that the redhead was really a guy," Gamble said. "Kind of a 'boner' killer."
"That's…not want to hear," Ranma-onna said.
"Then why are you a girl right now?"
"Watch," Ranma-onna said, as she becomes male again…
GLOMP!
"I knew you'd be back," Eve said breathlessly. She then turned towards Gamble.
"Stay away from my mate. Understand?"
"Um, okay," Gamble said in a confused manner. "Man, you 'cats' are weird..."
Pause.
"And I'm not even talking about including the 'psychic brotha' here," Gamble said, referring to Don.
"Be as it may, I need your help," Ranma said. "I know that Ross and Dr. Gabrielle Bryce had been infected by the strain of xenomorphic agents, collected from a 'hot spot' on Mars, but you weren't because-"
"It's because I'm 'black' wasn't it?" Gamble said.
"…What?"
"No, you were not infected because of your 'Sickle Cell Anemia', Major Gamble," Dr. Baker said. "Race did not come in play here."
"In fact, a xenomorph adapts to the race it assimilates," Dr. Arden said. "As a matter of fact, there is a school of thought amongst anthropologists that the reason why there are varied species on Earth was due to an intermingling of alien strain. In the case of the xenomorphs, tales abound of shapeshifters who hunted humans at night, giving credence to the legends of werewolves, vampires and other types of creatures from legend."
"Humph," Gamble said. "If I hadn't seen what happened to 'Gabby' in person, I'd a think you guys were full of it."
"Trust me, there are stranger things out there besides vampires and junk," Ranma said.
"So, I'm told," Gamble said, as he notices Eve knitting baby shoes while humming the song "Our Day Will Come".
"Um, where did you get that?" Ranma said, as he broke out in sweat.
"Oh, it's just something I picked up on the way here," Eve said. "I wasn't sure what gender our child will be, so I chose a soft yellow color for now."
"Um, okay," Ranma said, as he broke out in a sweat.
"This fun watching 'fearless leader' get prepped for his 'execution'," Don said with a whisper, even as Dr. Arden giggles.
Dr. Baker merely rolled her eyes, not amused at all by any of this…
Eventually, the trap was sprung, as evidence by the fact that Patrick managed to sneak into where he was suppose to be, and ran off with Eve.
"Help me!" Eve yelled.
"Hang on!" Ranma yelled, as he shook himself to stay awake. He then managed to turn towards Dr. Baker, who began to administer a treatment to his wounds.
"Since when do xenomorphs develop poison in their claws or whatever?" Ranma asked, between winces.
"Xenomorphs are the ultimate survivors," Dr. Baker said. "I theorized that this would be the case with the female of the species, but I didn't know males could develop poisons."
"Well, we know now," Ranma said sarcastically. "I hate surprises."
"As do I," Dr. Baker replied.
"Look, Laura-"
"I know. I shouldn't be so attached to guys like you, but, in many ways, human females are like Eve," Dr. Baker said.
"Really?"
"Yeah, even I can…feel some things."
"I…I don't know what to say…"
"Look, just promise me that you'll be okay, okay?" Dr. Baker said.
"Hey, I'm Ranma Saotome," Ranma said in a cocky manner. "I don't LOSE."
"Well, we're not exactly 'winning', either," said Gamble, as he runs to his side.
"What's the sit-rep?" Ranma asked, as he gets up onto his feet.
"Dan and Dr. Arden managed has Patrick's signals locked," Gamble said. "But I know where Patrick is taking Eve."
"Where?" Dr. Baker asked.
A short time later, at a remote farm owned by Patrick's family…
"You and I will become one," Patrick said, as he began to fondle and kiss Eve.
Eve didn't want to mate with Patrick, but her biological imperatives were already kicking in, even as she and Patrick were morphing into their alien forms.
"I'm…sorry, Ranma," Even said tearfully, as she was about to give in to Patrick's musing…
WHAM!
All eyes turned towards the entrance of the barn, where Ranma and his team stood.
"You," Patrick said with a growl.
"Yeah, ME," Ranma said. He wore only his pants and boots. His body was greased up, even as his muscles rippled in the moonlight from behind. And, his fists were properly bandaged for what will be a fight to the finish.
"And I brought friends," Ranma said, as he cracked his knuckles. With Dan and Dr. Arden outside to make sure that the government stay out of their operation, he and his team can concentrate on containing the situation.
"Patrick, buddy, we can help you," Gamble said. "Dr. Baker said that she has a retro-virus that will mute whatever it is that is happening to you."
"What if I do not WANT your help?" Patrick said. "I LIKE the new me. I don't have to be my father's legacy any more, and I can create a new one."
"But this is wrong," Dr. Baker said. "You've already killed several people, including women you've had sex with."
"Hey, I got to be me," Patrick smiled nastily.
Ranma squint his eyes. Whatever happened to Patrick Ross, he was clearly not human, either physically or mentally. In effect, Ross was a predator that might not be able to be saved.
"Last chance, Patrick," Ranma said. "Surrender."
"And what if I say…no?" Patrick replied.
"Then I will have to end you."
"I would like to see you try."
"Patrick," Gamble said in shock. "Buddy…"
"Ranma, I sense other life signs," Dr. Baker said, as she took her sensor readings. "I believe these are Major Ross' children."
"Doc, can you save them?" Ranma asked.
"Why would you want to save them?" Gamble asked.
"Where I come from, I do believe in the right to live," Ranma said, as he steps forward, not taking his eyes off of Patrick. "If you can save Major Ross' kids, do so. If not, end them."
"Very well," Dr. Baker said with a nod. She knew that Ranma was capable of killing people, but she knew that Ranma did not like doing so, which made him a tragic, yet noble, human being…
"Go," Ranma said. "Gamble, protect the doctor."
"Alright," Gamble said, as he ushers Dr Baker away from the door and towards the stairs on the left side.
"No!" Patrick said, as he charges forward.
Ranma charges forward to intercept Patrick's attack vector. He slides on his knees, and then removes a bladed weapon from its sheath, which was strapped to the small of his back, on his belt, and cuts into Patrick.
SLICE!
"Arrrgh!" Patrick screamed, as he tumbled forward.
Ranma rolls forward, and then hops to his feet. He then flicks Patrick's blood off his blade, and begins to flip the blade in his hand. Normally, Ranma doesn't use weapons in his fights, but he doesn't mind doing so in this case. And, in this case, he was using the Klingon weapon known as a "Mek'leth", a short sword or dagger designed to close-quarters melee combat.
"Strike one, Patrick," Ranma said, as he points his weapon at Patrick. "This fight of ours will end badly for you, if you do not surrender."
"No," Patrick sneered. "You big knife or whatever the hell that is won't stop me…"
Patrick stands up, even as his wound instantly heals.
"Cut me all you want, I will just get better!" Patrick said, as he spits out a volley of spikes from his mouth.
Fft! Ffft! Fft-!
Ranma swats away the volley, but was forced to move to another part of the barn. Patrick sees this, and intercepts Ranma, tackling him through a barrier of a horse stall.
CRASH!
"Ranma!" Eve yelled, as she struggled to get out of her tentacle bonds.
Ranma holds back Patrick's maw, even as Patrick morphs parts of his body into living spikes…and uses them as living stabbing weapons.
SPLURCH!
"Urgh!" Ranma said, before he coughed up blood. He then forces himself to use legs, and rolls Patrick away, flipping him in the process.
FLING!
Ranma gets up, slowly, as he holds his stomach. He was more annoyed by the fact that his bracers, created by Tsunami herself, had limited his abilities in combat, than actually getting injured. After all, he was no stranger to pain and suffering, thanks to being who he is, and who his loves and rivals are. Thankfully, he could use a form of bio-manipulation, taught to him by the Hindu yoga masters, the same masters who taught the Street Fighter Dhalsim his fighting arts, to begin the process of healing his wounds.
"I really hate this," Ranma said with a grunt, causing his wounds to heal almost instantaneously.
However, there would be no rest for the martial arts master, just as Patrick attacks again.
"GRROWL!" Patrick roared.
"Oh, shut up," Ranma said, as he leaps forward, spins overhead, and this slices Patrick's head in half.
SLICE!
"RRAARGH!" Patrick screamed, as he clutched his now-distended head.
Meanwhile, Ranma lands on his feet, and then circles back, ready to face Patrick again.
"Strike two," Ranma said.
Patrick seemed the gurgle, as he begins to form two heads.
"Oh, got to be kidding me!" Ranma yelled. He then looked at his bracers again. For some reason, they would not allow him to cut lose.
'There has to be a reason why I can't use my full power on this guy,' Ranma thought to himself. 'What am I missing…?'
Ranma kept his eyes on Patrick, who seemed to become more monstrous by the second.
'Patrick is adapting to his environment, but what can he NOT adapt to-?'
Just then, he remembered something, a key piece of information.
"Wait, that's it!" Ranma said. He then narrowly avoids getting bitten by Patrick's two heads.
"Yow!" Ranma said. He then spies up a support beam. He looks up, and then uses his senses to determine who was on the second floor.
"Ha!" Ranma said, as he kicks the support beam, causing part of upstairs to collapse.
CRASH!
"Ah!" Gamble said, as he fell down.
"You okay down there?" Dr. Baker asked.
"We're fine!" Ranma said.
"What the hell was that for, man?" Gamble asked.
"I apologize for this," Ranma said. "But I need your help."
"Um, fine," Gamble said. "What do you need?"
"I need some of your blood."
"What? How is that going to help?"
"Why do you think you didn't become like Patrick?" Ranma replied.
"Ohhhh," Gamble said. "But how are you going to get some of my blood?"
"Like this," Ranma said, as he took a swipe of Gamble's leg with his blade.
SLICE!
"Yowtch!"
"You'll heal," Ranma said. "But I'll make it up to you."
"You better," Gamble said, as he clutched his leg.
Satisfied that he had enough of Gamble's blood, which was diseased, thanks to Sickle Cell Anemia, Ranma faced Patrick again. In order to stab Patrick in the heart, he would have to get close and personal…
"Okay, Patrick, here comes 'Strike Three'!" Ranma said, as he went full bore, and narrowly avoiding getting "tagged" by what Patrick has become. In a last minute feint, Ranma tricked Patrick into a move that enabled Ranma to deliver the final blow.
"HA!" Ranma yelled, as he stabbed Patrick in the heart.
"Arrrrghhhh!" Patrick yelled, as he flayed about while falling backwards. He ability to adapt was being compromised, as his body began to breakdown…
And then, it was over.
"Damn," Gamble said, as he shook his head in disgust. He then turned towards Ranma.
"What are we going to say about all this?"
"Simple," Ranma said, as he leans back on a nearby post. "Major Patrick Ross died a hero…on Mars…"
Ranma then looked back at what was left of Patrick.
"That thing we dealt with wasn't Ross," Ranma said. "Understood?"
Gamble smiles a bit, knowing that his best friend's legacy would not be marred by what became of him.
Later, back at Area 28, a meeting is taking place…
"So, it's agreed," said Dr. Harrison Blackwood, as he sat at a table with Dr. Xavier Fitch and Colonel Brugess, Jr.
"We agreed so that the SETI Program does not get compromised," Dr. Fitch said.
"And I don't like the idea of having to be under the authority of more civilians, frankly," Col. Burgess, Jr. said. "But, considering what has happened, the sooner we sweep the last 48 hours under the rug, the better…"
A short time later, in the cafeteria…
"Well, that's that," Gamble said, as he nursed his wounds. "I get to take over from Colonel Burgess as the military liaison, vis-à-vis the United States Air Force, and you get to be the head of the SETI Institute."
"I guess, so," Dr. Baker said, as she sipped her coffee. "Meanwhile, Dr. Xavier gets to be the execute director of the Blackwood Group, taken over for the group's founder, which oversees all alien encounters, especially those Mars related."
"You don't sound too happy, Doc."
"Well, I was hoping that Ranma would stay on, but, well…"
"I know," Gamble said. "But it would have been awkward considering that Eve would see you as a rival for Saotome's affection."
"I know," Dr. Baker replied. "You know, I don't know how someone like him could make me feel like a school girl with a big crush."
"Beats me," Gamble said. "Say, where is Saotome anyway?"
"He wanted to take Eve out on a date," Dr. Baker said.
Gamble raises an eyebrow.
"No, it's not that type of date," Dr. Baker replied. "At least, I hope not…"
Somewhere out in the desert, Ranma was pointing to Eve the stars, and naming them for her.
"And what's that?" Eve asked.
"That is the constellation Orion," Ranma said. "Legend has it that Orion was a hunter, who had offended the Earth Mother to such a degree that she sent a scorpion to kill him."
"And that is…the constellation Scorpio?"
"Correct."
"I don't see the logic of naming patterns of stars, Ranma," Eve replied.
"That's because you have yet to see the beauty in ordinary things," Ranma said. "Besides, it is those stars that were used to guide ancient sea travelers, mostly."
"Oh, I see," Eve said.
Silence.
"Ranma?"
"Yes, Eve?"
"Why have you not tried to mate with me?" Eve asked. "Am I not attractive?"
"Very," Ranma replied. "But I want you to find yourself first, which is why I managed to convince Dr. Xavier to give you more freedom, including being out in the world."
"Well, I do appreciate that," Eve said, as she leans over and cuddles with her chosen mate. "Then, I shall wait for you until you are ready to mate with me."
"I do appreciate that, Eve," Ranma said, as he breathed a sigh of relief. Last thing he wanted was to be accused of taking advantage of an innocent girl, even if she was part alien predator…
END FLASHBACK!
Eve was looking out towards the stars, on Ranma's back porch, after the conclusion of the football game, when Akane steps out.
"Your bed is ready," Akane said.
"Thanks," Eve said. "Akane?"
"Yes?"
"Do I have permission to mate with our husband?" Eve asked.
"Why do you need…my permission?"
"Just a matter of courtesy, since this is your home," Eve said, as she turned to face her co-wife. "I…waited so long to mate with Ranma, and, well…"
Akane sighs. She wanted to get mad at Ranma for having yet another wife, but, since Eve was Ranma's before she had gotten married…
"Knock yourself out," Akane said.
"Thank you," Eve said, as she hugs her co-wife. "I really appreciate this…"
And, with that, Eve rushes back into the house.
Late in the night, Akane bangs on the wall of her bedroom.
"Would you keep it down?" Akane yelled. "SOME people have to get some sleep, you know!"
"I'll say," Rei said, as she turns over. She was sharing the bed with Akane, since Ranma was otherwise occupied.
"He was never THIS vigorous with me, even on our honeymoon."
Akane merely shook her head in disgust. Still, at least her other guests had went home after the Thanksgiving dinner…
Fin.