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 16
The DS9 "runabout" lies still, even as the craft vents ions from its exhaust ports while sparks danced about the surface of the runabout's burnt hull. The surrounding landscape was dark, thanks to the evening sky and the apparent fog bank.
"Is everyone functioning?" Sisko said, as he coughed.
"Functioning," Usagi said, as she glanced over at Opaka. "Doctor!"
"Yes?" Bashir said, as he was helping Kira to her feet.
"Medical emergency!" Usagi said, as she immediately goes to Opaka's side.
Kira's ears perked up, as she immediately rushes over to Opaka's side.
"Out of the way!" Kira yelled. "Don't touch her-!"
"Major, at ease," Sisko said calmly.
"But-"
"I can vouch for Counselor Tsukino's medical expertise," Bashir said, as he began to perform a preliminary examination of the Kai. "We need more space-!"
"Leave it to me," Usagi said, as she looks up and around her space. She notices a crack in the hull closest to her…
"Brace yourselves," Usagi said, as she moves to the damaged section of the hull.
"What are you doing?" Sisko asked.
"Making an exit," Usagi said, as she knocks the bolts holding that section of the runabout in place, causing one side to fall away.
WRUNCH!
"I didn't know you were so...strong," Sisko said.
"Received special strength training from a martial arts instructor named 'Roah'," Usagi said. "I'll tell you more about him later."
"I will be looking forward to that," Sisko replied.
Upon exiting the destroyed runabout, Bashir and Usagi immediately apply their medical talents, much to Kira's protestation.
"Come on, live!" Bashir said. "If only my medical equipment hadn't been wrecked-!"
"Doctor, I may be able to keep her life stable, but you have to repair your equipment for the Kai to live," Usagi said.
Bashir looks into Usagi's eyes, and nods his head.
"Okay, I'll see what I can cobble together."
"I'll help," Sisko said.
"Sir?"
"I was an engineer before I became a command officer, doctor."
"Right," Bashir said with a nod. He then turned towards Kira.
"Kira, do you mind?" Bashir asked.
"With the counselor around, yes," Kira said.
"Major, please?" Sisko said.
"I will make an exception in the Kai's case."
"Thank you. Counselor, you don't mind?"
"Of course, sir," Usagi said, as she quickly moved around to be above Opaka head. She then placed her hands on both sides of her head, and began to glow softly. After a while, so did the Kai. In fact, she seemed to be breathing again.
"You…you saved her," Kira said in awe.
"The only thing I did was managed her nervous system through a standard transfer of electrical pulses," Usagi said, as she closed her eyes. "Her organs are still damaged, which is why it is imperative that the doctor make his repairs immediately."
"Then we have no time to wait," Sisko said. "Doctor?"
"Of course," Bashir said with a nod. "Hopefully, we can make something work…
Thirty minutes later, Opaka was alive, although she was very weak. Thankfully, a nearby cave was found for her and everyone to recuperate. Unfortunately, this meant being captured by a group of humanoids called "The Ennis"…
"You saved one of your own," said the leader of the Ennis named Shel-La. Shel-La, like the rest of his people, smelled and looked ragged, and carried non-energy side-arms and rifle, not to mention having access to blade weapons…
"Sorry to disappoint you," Sisko replied. "As soon as our rescue team comes to this moon, we'll be on our way."
"Good luck!" said a female Ennis named Nima with a sneer. "No one leaves here."
"What do you mean by that?" Kira said, as she looks away from the Opaka to face the Ennis.
"She means that the satellite network overhead will prevent any ship from attempting to rescue anyone," Shel-La said. "Not that such a thing is possible anyway."
"Pardon?" Sisko said.
"This place is cursed, Commander Sisko. Not only are we at war with our enemies, the Nol-Ennis, but that once you die your first death, you can never leave this moon. It would have been better if you had allowed your companion to die in the crash of your ship, rather than get shot or hacked to death in order to become…immortal."
"How is that even possible?" Bashir said. "You would have to have a phenomenal regenerative physiology that rivals the legendary perpetual motion achine."
"Actually, it is possible, Doctor Bashir," Usagi said contemplatively. "In my lifetime, I have met beings who are older than Earth's Sun, and I, myself, have lived a long time."
"I read your file, Counselor, and wondered about that," Sisko said. "Just how old are you?"
"Well, it's hard to say, really," Usagi said with a shrug. "Technically, my present body was cloned a little over two hundred years ago, but I have lived over twenty thousand years."
"Fascinating," Bashir said.
"Well, all that experience means nothing here," Nima said. "We have been fighting for just as long, if not longer…"
Pause.
"As you all will soon see, when the Nol-Ennis attacks us."
"Get some rest," Shel-La said. "You are going to need it soon."
And with that, the Ennis leaves Sisko and the others to their own devices, while they prepare for war.
"Doctor, I need for you and Counselor to determine whether or not this 'immortality' is natural or not," Sisko said, as he turned towards Bashir.
"Sir?"
"One, I need to know if this 'curse' will prevent us from leaving this place, and, two, I need to know if there is a bargaining chip I can use to get these people to stand down. They don't have any doctors or scientists on hand; I do."
"Of course, sir; I will get on it..."
Meanwhile, Usagi tends to Opaka's needs, even as Kira watches over her.
"How are you doing, Your Eminence?" Usagi asked.
"You should have allowed me to die, Moon Princess," Opaka said.
"I could let you sacrifice yourself like this without cause, Kai Opaka," Usagi said.
Kira's ears perked up upon hearing this.
"What does she mean by that?" Kira asked Usagi in an accusing manner.
"Forgive me, but Kira and the others have to know," Usagi said.
"Know what?" Sisko asked.
"Kai Opaka came to the station in order to fulfill the requirements of the prophecy sent to her by the Prophets," Usagi said. "One aspect of the prophecy was that she was to die, but that her death would become a necessity for Bajor."
"Kai Opaka, you can't be serious!" Kira exclaimed. "You knew this was going to happen?"
"No wonder you gave your necklace to Chief O'Brien, to give to his daughter, before we left," Bashir said.
"My child, you know that our people are at a crossroads of sorts," Opaka said tiredly. "I also knew that our people will have to go through a series of trials and tribulations in order to make way for the fulfillment of the roles of the Trinity, if Bajor was to become the paradise it was meant to become. My death would begin all of this."
"What is this…'Trinity', you speak of?" Bashir said out of curiosity.
"In our texts, the Trinity represents the will of the Prophets," Opaka said. "'The Poet' foretells the arrival of the Beast who would devour Bajor."
"That would be Akorem Laan, if I remember correctly," Kira said.
"Correct," Opaka said. "He spoke of his visions from the Prophets, and how the Cardassians would arrive to take Bajor."
"He spoke of the Emissary, the one who met the Prophets," Kira said, as she glanced over at Sisko. "But he also spoke of the Warrior, the third of the Trinity, who would save Bajor from a great shadow."
"Correct, and in order for that to occur, I have to be out of the way."
"But do you know of the chaos that will occur if you did die?" Sisko said.
"I do, commander, but risks have its rewards," Opaka said, as she gently touches Kira's right ear while looking at her. "But I do know that as long as those like Nerys can keep an open mind to the infinite possibilities of the Universe, I am sure Bajor's future will be bright."
"Is that why you wanted to make sure that I was committed to your goals?" Usagi asked.
"You are the key to the arrival of the Warrior," Opaka said, as she began to recite a stanza from the Book of Akorem. "'And I say unto you: behold! A wild stallion arrives from the bosom of the Moon Princess, to sharpen the teeth and tongue of the child of Bajor'."
"'Wild Stallion'?" Sisko said. And then he realized something.
"You're referring to Commander Ranma Saotome, aren't you?"
"Ranma?" Kira exclaimed. "Ranma is coming back to Bajor?"
"Yes, but only if I do not return to Bajor at this time," Opaka said. "At least, according to the Book of Akoreem and the visions I recently received, I can be away from my homeworld, knowing that the future of my people will be bright."
"I really wished you confided in us on this matter earlier, Counselor," Sisko said.
"The Kai told me of this in the strictest of confidence," Usagi said.
"What changed your mind?" Kira asked.
"When I actually saw her dying, is when I felt compelled to break my promise," Usagi said with a sigh. "Especially, in light of the present circumstance."
"I cannot return to Bajor," Opaka said adamantly.
"With all due respect, Your Eminence, you have to return to DS9 for full medical care, if you are to recover," Bashir said.
"And, besides that, I do not think that your people would think highly of the Federation if you are left behind here," Sisko said.
"I understand that my government will make things difficult for you, Commander Sisko, but I assure you that not returning to home is the best way for Bajor to move forward," Opaka said, as she looks around the encampment of the Ennis. "And these people could be the justification that is needed for me to not returning to the Alpha Quadrant."
"Kai Opaka, are you sure that not returning to Bajor is the best way forward for our people?" Kira asked.
"Are you afraid of seeing your old friend and teacher again?" Opaka said with a knowing smile.
"It's…not just that, Your Grace. It's just that Bajor can utilize your guidance. You did see us through the dark times during the Occupation by the Cardassians."
"I became Kai during the Occupation, Nerys; I do not think my guidance will be warranted during Bajor's transition to a better place, just as long as the prophecy is fulfilled. And do not worry; I will return when the time is right."
"You are making things difficult for us, Kai Opaka," Sisko said.
"Life is about struggle, and the possibility of overcoming that struggle…Emissary," Opaka said.
"Humph."
"Moon Princess," Opaka said, as she turned towards Usagi. "I need for you to help the Emissary to get these people to listen to the words of peace. If you can do that, I can devote my time to help the Ennis and their rivals overcome their own trials, and I did for Bajor."
Usagi nods her head, and turns towards Sisko.
"Commander?" Usagi said.
"I don't know what tricks you have in mind, but help the Kai get started on her new mission," Sisko said. "But use discretion."
"Aye, sir," Usagi said, as she stands up. She faces Shel-La, who was in a conversation with Nima.
"Now, no matter what I am about to do, I do this for the sake of peace," Usagi said, as her eyes turn silver…
Tbc.