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 18

Personal Log, Stardate: 46951.1. For the past month, I had to deal with one crisis after another, with me being the center of it all. I freely admit that I could have dealt with the situation a bit better, but, as my Ranma would say, think too much with my heart, and not enough with my brain. Still, no one can say that my intentions are necessarily "bad", but that I should have been more skillful in handling the various "situations" that came my way, leaving me to wonder how Starfleet Command even tolerate my antics, let alone had given me my own command as the captain of the Constellation-class starship, the USS "Serenity". I guess that as long as the results of my performance are acceptable, I will be given some latitude.

The so-called "Month of Hell" began when I was asked to accompany Major Kira and Lt. Dax to the Bajoran moon of Jeraddo, where the Bajoran government wanted to tap into its molten core for its energy needs. Naturally, the Federation offered assistance in this regard, since tapping into the moon's core would essentially destroy the moon's lush eco-system, and thus make it uninhabitable. The Bajoran Provisional Government balked at this, citing to need to fulfill its own energy needs on its terms. Thus, it was up to Kira to evacuate the inhabitants from the moon, before implementation of the energy extraction plan proceeded…

"What a nice place," Dax said, as she, Usagi and Kira stepped off the runabout.

"Well, don't get to used to this place," Kira said grimly. "We have a job to do…"

Kira turns towards Usagi, who was staring out towards a nearby mountain…

"And you are to perform an evaluation on the mental health of those who will resist leaving here, if you can help me negotiate the move. We're clear?"

Usagi says nothing, as she continues to stare towards the mountain near the settlement…

"Counselor?"

"Hmmm?" Usagi said, as she woke up from her reverie. "Sorry. You want me to negotiate and/or evaluate."

"Correct."

"Just for the record, I'm not going to message my evaluation," Usagi said. "I think what the Bajoran Provisional Government wants to do is unnecessary."

"Duly noted," Kira said. "And just for the record, this is a Bajoran matter. That means that you do not interfere in the execution of my duties. Understood?"

"Like crystal."

"We better get going, then," Dax said with unease. "I want to take some pure sample readings of the moon's eco-system, before we leave here with the evacuees."

"Understood," Kira said.

And, with that, the three women head towards the village, where the local Bajorans, led by an old man named Mullibok, lived. Naturally, the Bajorans did not want to leave their home after 40 years of being away from the Bajoran homeworld. Meanwhile, Usagi went off on her own with Dax, and head towards the mountains…

"If this is a trick to get me alone with you, I am very disappointed in how obvious your attempts are," Dax said, as she and Usagi trudged through the under brush.

"First, I can get you anytime I want," Usagi replied. "Secondly, this will give you the excuse to gather your sensor scans."

"And third?"

"There's something unusual about that mountain we spotted upon our approach here," Usagi said, as she and Dax broke through the brush and sees a cave.

"See?" Usagi said, as she points at the cave.

"So?" Dax said, as she took a sample scan.

"Whatever I have been feeling is coming from within this mountain," Usagi said.

"What do you feel?" Dax asked.

"Something…evil," Usagi said. "And, as the champion of Love and Justice, it is my sacred duty to investigate this."

"Did…did you just make that up?" Dax asked incredulously. "Forget what I said. Usagi, I don't know if we should go in there."

"What is it?" Usagi replied with her hand on her hips. "You scared?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Dax said dismissively. "I simply want to use caution in this decision of yours."

"To quote the Major: duly noted," Usagi said, as she turns to walk towards the entrance of the cave, which seemed to be nearly covered with old growth. "Come on. We're Starfleet; not cowards."

Saying nothing and shaking her head, Dax followed suit…

"Amazing," Dax said, as she shone the light on the walls of the old temple. "This structure was carved straight into the mountain."

"Amazing, isn't it?" Usagi said, as she looked around. "I'm sure that this place is thousands of years old…"

Usagi shivered a bit, as she touched the back wall.

"Usagi?" Dax said, as she moved to comfort her "part-time" lover.

"It's here, in here," Usagi said. "But…I don't think I can reach it."

"What do you mean?"

"When I touched the wall, I received images concerning the future, and that it isn't my time yet to claim what is behind this wall…"

Usagi then turns towards Dax with pleading eyes.

"Dax, do you trust me?" Usagi asked.

"Of course I do…mostly," Dax replied. "What is it?"

"I need to stop the Bajoran Provisional Government from enacting their agenda," Usagi said.

"It's because of this place, yes?"

"Yes."

"Then, we should tell them about it."

"NO!" Usagi shouted. "No one is to know about this place yet, until the 'Senshi of Bajor' is reborn."

"You mean, there is suppose to be a special guardian for Bajor?" Dax asked, having heard about the legendary Sailor Senshi before…

"Yes. Only when 'Sailor Bajor' has come forth, can I or anyone else go into the antechamber…"

Pause.

"I know now why Kai Opaka insisted on my presence, when I last spoke with her."

"Then, we have to convince Kira."

"She is the wildcard, but if she says 'no', then I will have to take it upon myself to do whatever it takes to prevent the Bajorans from destroying this place…"

Shortly thereafter, Kira, convinced that Mullibok and the settlers should stay, went to the governmental minister, Toran, in charge of the energy extraction project. With Dax and Usagi's help, a different, yet slower, means of energy extraction was introduced. However, Toran was undeterred.

"No, the project goes ahead as planned," Toran said stiffly.

"How can you do that?" Usagi yelled. "You will still get the same thing!"

"But it is a Bajoran matter, and we will do things our way."

"You stupid little man-!"

"At ease," Kira said.

"Minister, are you sure there is no other way?" Dax asked.

"As far as I am concerned, we will not be deterred."

"Very well," Usagi said, as she produced a chilling smile. "Then, I won't be either…for YOUR sake."

With that, Usagi stormed out of Minister Toran's office.

"I will be filing a formal complaint, Major Kira," Toran said, when suddenly, a hovercraft comes crashing through the window of the minister's office.

"Gagh!" Toran yelped, as he scrambles for cover.

"Minister!" Dax said, as he goes by the Bajoran's side.

Meanwhile, Kira turns towards the hovercraft, and sees writing on its side…

"What does it say?" Dax asked. She knew that the Universal Translator did not allow people to read alien languages…

"It says, 'For Jeraddo'," Kira said. "Oh, boy…"

Tbc.