SMST: Deep Space Moon! – By DS Wynne
Disclaimer: SM, R1/2, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story.
Special Note: This story takes place during Seasons 1 through 3 of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine". "The Ranma Trek Chronicles" takes place during Seasons 4 through 7.
Author's Note: This story is designed to be short, and will focus mostly on Sailor Moon, though Ranma Saotome (of "Ranma ½") will make a cameo from time-to-time. As always, C&C are welcomed.
Part 8
Station Log, Stardate: 46531.2. In keeping with the basic mission of Starfleet, I sent Lt. Dax and Counselor Tsukino on a brief survey mission in the Gamma Quadrant. Dax is convinced that it is possible to establish an early warning beacon that will give the station a chance to prepare for new arrivals to the Alpha Quadrant. To that end, Dax chose the Counselor to help her in that task. At first, I was concerned about losing my counselor, until I was reminded that Tsukino has extensive expertise in deep space exploration as the former captain of the legendary "USS Serenity". What's surprising about this information is not that Counselor Tsukino was a starship captain in her own right, but that she gave up her command rank as a precondition for returning to Starfleet duty. It is because of these life choices that I find the counselor a fascinating individual, one I hope to learn more of as time goes on…
Upon the arrival of the runabout, "The Ganges" on Landing Pad #5, Commander Sisko, Major Kira, Dr. Bashir and Chief O'Brien were waiting at the docking ring. For some reason, the runabout's main systems were off-line, including the secondary systems that powered the runabout's primary hatch. Furthermore, Dax informed Sisko in regards to a passenger she and Usagi had picked up, hence the need for Dr. Bashir's services.
"Maybe we should just burn a hole in the hatch?" Kira said, as she points her Bajoran pistol at the Rio Grande.
"Major, that won't be necessary," Sisko replied. He then turns towards O'Brien.
"Miles?"
"As soon as I put this power-pack in place, we should have the hatch repowered," O'Brien said, as he puts the pack into a slot near the door. "Once that's done, we can manually open the hatch."
"Proceed," Sisko said.
"Right," O'Brien said, as he successfully connects the power-pack to the runabout's systems.
The LEDs near the hatch light up.
"Major?" Sisko said, as O'Brien hands Sisko two hooks.
"Right," Kira said, as she took one of the hooks, before placing her hook into one of the indented rings on the hatch.
"Ready?" Sisko asked, as he grips the handle.
"Ready," Kira replied.
With a strong yank on the hooks, the "Starfleeter" and the Bajoran pulls apart the hatch of the Ganges…
Dr. Bashir was the first to enter the runabout. He immediately goes to Dax, who was breathing into an oxygen mask from an emergency kit.
"Dax, are you okay?" Dr. Bashir asked, as he uses his Medical Tricorder on the Trill.
"I'm fine, Julian," Dax said. "Check on our passenger…"
Dr. Bashir goes over to where Usagi was comforting an unknown woman.
"Counselor?" Dr. Bashir asked, as he scanned Usagi's vital signs.
"I'm fine, but Susan isn't as fortunate," Usagi said.
"You know this person?" Dr. Bashir asked, as he performed his scans on the brunet
"From Bunny's previous assignment," said Archeologist Dr. Susan Vash, who was known more for her profiteering of treasures than for her actual work in antiquities…
"I see," Dr. Bashir asked, wondering more about Usagi's past than ever before. "So, what are you doing on board the Ganges?"
"I had an accident in the Gamma Quadrant," Vash said, as she rubbed her face. "Luckily, I came across Dax and Bunny, before my ship totally broke down."
"I didn't know that there were humans in the Gamma Quadrant."
"You'll be surprised by how many, in fact…"
"We should get these people to the Infirmary for a complete check-up," Sisko said. "And then, I want a complete report on what happened, Dax."
"Yes, sir," Dax replied.
As everyone disembarks, O'Brien notices Vash, as she was escorted off the Ganges.
"Vash?" O'Brien said.
"Who?" Vash replied.
"It's me, Miles O'Brien; from the 'USS Enterprise'."
"The one who's married to Ranma's great-granddaughter Keiko," Usagi interjects.
"Oh, yes," Vash replied with a knowing smile. "The Stud."
"Susan, I really wish you didn't say that," Usagi said, as O'Brien made a face.
"Look, I didn't know that when we first met, YOUR Ranma was MY Ranma. And besides, by then, we have long since moved on. Besides, I found Captain Picard to be a better…man in certain areas than Ranma."
"Humph."
"How did you end up in the Gamma Quadrant?" Dr. Bashir asked.
"A friend dropped me off," Vash said, as she and the others went towards the promenade for a check-up.
As the group was about to leave the docking ring, Usagi felt something familiar…
"Counselor?" Kira asked.
"It's…nothing," Usagi said. "Just feeling a sense of déjà vu, I suppose…"
Unknown to all, a familiar being from the Q-Continuum glances towards the departing group, wanting to not reveal himself just yet to his daughter and her friends…
Later, Sisko was having a meeting with Dax and Usagi, with Dr. Bashir, Kira and Chief O'Brien in attendance.
"…And that's how we came across Dr. Vash," Dax said, as she handed in her report.
"And the reason for the drain on Ganges?" Sisko asked.
"I confirmed Dax's report by running a diagnostic on the runabout," O'Brien said. "That weird energy field she mentioned had already destroyed her ship, and was on the verge of destroying ours, before we made it back here."
"I see," Sisko said, as he glances at the photograph that was Vash's.
"And she never explained what she was doing alone in the Gamma Quadrant, or that she never heard of the Bajoran Wormhole?" Kira asked.
"I think it's because of my father, sir," Usagi said.
"Your father?" Sisko asked, as he looked up from the report he was reading. "And who is this man?"
"He goes by the designation 'Q', sir," Usagi replied, slightly embarrassed by this revelation.
"Your father…is Q," Sisko asked in disbelief.
"Yes, sir."
"Wait a minute," Dax said. "YOUR father is…Q?"
"Yes, Dax."
"Wow…"
"I can confirm this fact, Commander Sisko," O'Brien said.
"Who or what is…this Q?" Kira asked.
"The Q is a race of nearly omnipotent beings that tend to be on the arrogant side of things," Dax said.
"How powerful is the Q?" Dr. Bashir asked. "I mean, I heard that a Q can do anything, but…come on."
"From what I know of these beings, one Q can make an entire world disappear in a blink of an eye, or create one all the same," Sisko said. "Ultimately, they are a dangerous nuisance who believe that humanity and other 'lesser beings' should be tested before allowed to evolve beyond the corporeal."
"Then…you have the powers of the Q, right?" Kira asked Usagi.
"No, but I can asked for my 'heritage' from my father at any time," Usagi replied.
"Then, why didn't you?"
"The truth of the matter is that there is a set of rules and guidelines called 'The Shadow Proclamation', that all advanced beings have to abide by. Should a lesser people evolve enough, then these greater beings have to abide by a non-interference agreement."
Pause.
"Ergo, if I did become a Q, then I would have to lose everything I hold dear. I would lose my friends, my loved ones and certainly my Starfleet career."
"But the lives you can save with these great powers," Bashir said.
"Doctor, the moment I use said powers, I violate the tenets of the Shadow Proclamation," Usagi replied. "Even if that's the case, what makes you think other beings won't follow pursuit? The next thing you know, you have the return of dominion rule by gods, who would use corporeal beings as pawns and playthings. So, imagine what would happen if I used my inheritance to make the Bajoran people's lives better?"
"You would have a civil war," Kira said bitterly.
"Exactly. Yes, it's awful not to use any means to help others, but the rules are present for omnipotent beings for a reason, and I can only hope to use my existing talents the best way I can, with the fewest lives lost in the process."
"Thank you for informing me of this, Counselor," Sisko said. "Now, as to what to do, Dr. Vash has collected some artifacts from her stint in the Gamma Quadrant. Perhaps Counselor Tsukino can ingratiate herself in determining what those artifacts are, and if they pose a threat."
"I am concerned about the power loss on the Ganges, Commander," O'Brien said. "Although interaction with the cloud was the catalyst to the craft's power drain, the back-ups should not have been affected, since there is suppose to be a redundancy system in place to prevent a complete drain."
"So, a new variable is in play, then," Kira said.
"Well, I want to continue my diagnostics on the Ganges, but there is nothing physically wrong with the craft."
"Then you and Dax continue with the investigation," Sisko said. "Meanwhile, I would want to talk to Dr. Vash herself."
"Is there something the matter, sir?" Usagi said.
"Well, I just received a communiqué from the Daystrom Institute, and, apparently, one of Dr. Vash's former colleagues is interested in learning more of her experiences there."
"Understood."
As time went on, there were noticeable power fluctuations throughout Deep Space Nine. In fact, the power drain was similar to how the power was drained from the Ganges main systems. Whatever was causing the drain was not a natural phenomenon.
Meanwhile, Usagi was in deep meditation in her quarters. She had a feeling that her father was around, due to the ripples in the ether, and the fact that Vash was around.
'Think, Usagi,' Usagi said, as she expanded her consciousness. 'I know that Father is around here on this station-'
Suddenly, Usagi's mind locked on Q's location.
"Quark's," Usagi said, as she opened her eyes. She then places her index and middle finger on her forehead.
"I'm coming, Father," Usagi said, as she used the "Instant Transmission Technique" (a trick she learned from the Dragonball Z Warriors on the planet Chikyuu) to teleport to Q's location.
In a flash of light, Usagi teleports from her quarters to the local bar…
"…And let's not forget that I'm the Q, and you are the lowly human, dear Vash," Q said.
"No, you're the dead-beat father who gallivant across the Universe," Usagi said, as she reappears.
Sisko, who was in the middle of a conversation with Vash when Q appeared, turns towards Usagi.
"Counselor?" Sisko said.
"Sir," Usagi replied with a nod.
"You're Q's daughter?" Vash said in surprised.
"Yes, yes I am," Usagi said, as she sits down behind her commanding officer. "Father, what's going on?"
"My dear, Bunny, I'm simply trying to convince your friend Dr. Susan Vash to continue to be my companion," Q said.
"Maybe if you didn't get me in trouble so many times, I might be more congenial to Q's wishes," Vash replied.
"And what about these power outages?" Sisko asked Q in a terse manner.
"As I told you, I'm not the cause of this. However, if you are still not convinced…"
Suddenly, reality warps a bit. Now, both Sisko and Q (now sporting a handlebar mustache) were dressed as Victorian-era boxers.
"Daddy!" Usagi said, as she realized that her father was trying to provoke Sisko into provoking his wrath.
"Now, now, princess," Q said, as he made sure his fists were properly wrapped in cloth. "Let Daddy do his business."
"I don't have time for this, Q," Sisko said, as the crowd around him roars in approval.
"Five bars of gold-pressed latinum on Sisko," Quark said nearby.
"You're on," Vash said.
"You, sir, dishonor me with your accusations," Q said, as he moves around the station commander with his fists raised. "I demand satisfaction."
With that, the fight between Q and Sisko begins.
Tbc.