SMST: Deep Space Moon! – By Ocramed
Disclaimer: SM, R1/2, ST and other genres belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a multi-genre story. As always, C&C are welcomed.
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.
Part 27
The members of the Circle, half of whom were not experienced in advanced tactics, tried desperately to hit their target.
FRAK!
Whoosh!
Usagi, being married to the Ranma Saotome, and trained by the best warriors in the Universe—and beyond—had merely side-stepped the disruptors, allowing them to hit supply crates instead of her.
"Well, aren't we going to do this or what?" the Moon Princess said with a cocked head. "I want to sample my latest shipment of Romulan Ale, you know."
"Why can't we hit this alien whore?" yelled one of the Bajorans.
"You keep calling me that," Usagi said, as she was suddenly behind the offender. "You're not projecting, are you?"
"Gah!" the offender yelped, as she nearly jumped. "How is this even possible for someone to move so fast?"
"Training," Usagi replied, as she gave the offender a Vulcan Nerve Pinch. "And a lot of practice when it comes to having eating contests with one's husband…"
Usagi then turned towards the apparent leader of the assault.
"So, tell me, why are you so hell bent on trying to kill me?" Usagi asked.
"Bajor should be for Bajorans," the man said. "We had to deal with one alien power, but now those fools on the Provisional High Council have turned toward another alien power for help. SOME of us are against THAT."
"Um, you do know that it was the Federation which put pressure on the Cardassian Union to relinquish control over the Bajoran Sector, right?" Usagi said. "And, we have done much to assist your people in getting back on its feet."
"While we appreciate your assistance, Bajor needs to return to what it was before ALL alien interference," the man said, as he notices a power conduit that was behind the counselor. "And if that means killing the very symbol of the Federation, to send a message, then so be it."
"Well, I hope you know that I am a bit hard to eliminate."
"That remains to be determined," the man said, as he suddenly discharged his weapon at the power conduit.
ZZZAAARK!
"What?" Usagi said, as she turned around to see what her assailant was doing. "No-!"
BOOM!
Usagi was blown backwards, and falls on her back.
"Oof!"
As Usagi struggled to her feet, the man took aim at Usagi.
"For Bajor," the man said simply, as he discharged his weapon once again.
ZZZZAAARK!
"Ah-!"
As the man looked at the fallen Moon Princess, he could not help but feel sorry for what he had just done. From what he knew of the alien, Usagi was not a "bad" person. Still, she was an alien, and, as a prominent member of Starfleet, Usagi's death had to serve as an object lesson for the other aliens…
"Still alive," the man said, as he removed a bladed weapon of some kind. "I was told that you had phenomenal regenerative abilities, which is why I was told to use this…"
With a sigh, the man stabbed Usagi in the abdomen, before breaking the blade cleanly in half.
"Urrgh!"
SNAP!
"I was told that the blade's barbs will migrate to your vital organs, killing you slowly," the man said, as he knelt by Usagi's side. "I would rather have removed you cleanly, but you left me no choice."
Usagi coughed, as she looked up at the masked man. Like all the others, his identity was concealed from her using sophisticated electronics.
"Hopefully, the Prophets will allow you safe passage to whatever afterlife you deserve to be in," the man said, as he stood up.
With that, the assailant and his co-conspirators disappear via transporter beam.
BRRRRRRRIIIIINNNNGGGGGGG….
Usagi coughed, as she struggled to tap her combadge.
CHIRP-CHIRP!
"Medical…emergency," Usagi managed to say. "I've fallen…and I think…I can't…get…up…"
When Usagi came to, she realized that she was in Infirmary, located on the Promenade of the station…
"Ugh," Usagi managed to say.
"Ah, counselor, you are awake," said a familiar voice.
Usagi turned towards the source…
"Doctor?" Usagi asked.
Dr. Bashir smiles, as he goes over Usagi's medical logs.
"It appears that you will make a full recovery," Dr. Bashir said with a smile.
"Oh, neat," Usagi said, as she relaxed a bit…
Pause.
"Doctor?"
"Yes, counselor?"
"I bet you checked out my body while I was unconscious, huh?" Usagi said with a knowing smile.
"What?" Dr. Bashir said while being flabbergasted.
"Ha! Got you," Usagi said. "Honestly, you're way too easy to be put off your stride, my dear."
"Huh," Dr. Bashir said, after regaining his composure. "Anyway, thankfully, your…unique regenerative abilities were more than a match to the Bajoran weapon."
"Speaking of which, what was that weapon anyway?"
"It was a weapon used to assassinate the political opposition," said Dax, as she saunters to her old friend's bedside. "This was back before the Prophets were known to the Bajorans."
"Dax," Usagi said with a smile, as she reached for her friend.
"Bunny," Dax smiled, as she held Usagi's hand. "Welcome back."
"Feh. This is nothing…"
"I am glad to hear that, counselor," said Commander Sisko, as he entered into the infirmary, while being flanked by Constable Odo and Major Kira.
"Sir," Usagi said, as she tried to straighten herself up.
"No need," Sisko replied. "I just wanted to check in on you, once you have awakened."
"Thank you, sir."
"Um, I apologize for what was done to you," Kira managed to say. "My people should not be engaging in this…sort of behavior."
"Kira, you don't have to apologize," Usagi said. "I wasn't your fault that someone tried to…kill me."
"But Bajorans aren't supposed to behave like Cardassians."
"From what I know of Cardassian history, Cardassians are not supposed to behave like Cardassians," Dax said.
"That remains to be seen…"
"Be as it may, I need to begin the investigation on who would try to assassinate Counselor Tsukino," Odo said.
"How soon do you need her statement?" Dr. Bashir asked. "The counselor is still in a state of recovery."
"My team is still performing the forensic examination of the crime scene, so we do have some time for your statement."
"I'll o my best to cooperate with your investigation, Odo," Usagi said.
"In the meantime, we'll leave you in good hands," Sisko said, as Chief O'Brien and family entered to room.
"Granny!" said Molly, as she rushed to her great, great-grandmother's side.
"Hey," Usagi said, as she held Molly's hand. She then sees Keiko.
"Hey," Usagi said with a smile. She then sees O'Brien.
"Hey, Chief," Usagi said.
"Counselor," O'Brien said with a smile.
"Honestly, I really wish you two wouldn't be so formal," Keiko said, as she straightened her great-grandmother's pillow.
"What?" O'Brien said.
"We should allow the counselor some rest, with limited visitors," Dr. Bashir said.
"Very well," Dax said. She then turned towards Odo.
"Do you need assistance in your investigation?" Dax asked.
"I could certainly utilize your help," Odo said.
"We'll talk more later," Sisko said. He then turned towards Kira.
"Kira?"
"Coming," Kira said, as she took one last glance at Usagi before departing the Infirmary with Sisko.
"I'll come back later, to check up on your progress," Dax said, as she gave Usagi a kiss on the forehead.
"I'll be looking forward to that," Usagi said.
And then, Dax leaves the Infirmary with Odo, allowing the O'Briens to spend time with their erstwhile family member…
Over the next few days, while Usagi was in recovery, under the watch by Constable Odo and his security forces, tension between the Circle and the Bajoran Provisional High Council escalates, with supporters of the Circle rioting in the capital city. This has forced the council to call in the Bajoran Militia, heightening fears that a civil war on Bajor was brewing.
Meanwhile, Usagi uses her own contacts to uncover the membership roster within the Circle…
"This is all the information that I could gather on such short notice, Empress," Garak said, as he gave Usagi a isolinear rod. He was in Usagi's office, listed officially as a patient of Usagi's. Thanks to her position, Usagi could easily claim patient confidentiality status with anyone who goes to see her, thus providing a perfect cover for her less-than-stellar activities.
"Compliments of the Obsidian Order."
"I thought you were exiled, Mr. Garak?" Usagi said, after accepting the rod from Garak.
"I still have my own contacts within my…old organization, my dear," Garak said. "Few, as they may be."
"Well, I do appreciate this, but, technically, I can't use this information publically."
"Of course, since the Circle could turn the situation their way, by claiming forgery on the part of an alien whore."
Usagi gives Garak the look of disapproval.
"My apologies," Garak said with a bow. "You would be amazed by the kind of euphemisms that are you to describe someone such as yourself."
"I'm sure. Anyway, thank you for your service. Your fee will be deposited as soon as you are logged into your account."
"Thank you," Garak said, as he accepts another isolinear rod from Usagi. The rod contained financial account numbers that had been set up beforehand, making it easy to transfer funds without notice…
"You're welcome," Usagi said with a nod. "And please, make an appointment for your 'other' problem."
"I'll keep that in mind, counselor," Garak said, as he gets up, nods his head, and then leaves…
Ten minutes later, Odo shows up.
"Counselor, did you-?" Odo began to say.
"Odo, you have to make an appointment first," Usagi said. "Officially, speaking, of course."
"Right," Odo said, as he cleared his throat. "Counselor, may I have a moment of your time to discuss a personal matter?"
"Certainly," Usagi said, as she gestured to her patient's chair.
"Thank you," Odo said with hesitance, as he sat down. He then began to feel the material of the chair…
"Constable?" Usagi asked.
"I…I am curious as to how sitting in this chair can cause you humanoids to be so open with a counselor," Odo said.
"Well, then, while you are here, is there anything that you are curious about humanoids?" Usagi asked.
"But I am here to get the information I requested."
"We have time for that. However, if you have something more pressing in mind…?"
"I suppose I can try out your services," Odo said.
"Good. And remember, I am rated to have doctor-patient confidentiality here."
"Very well," Odo said, as he relaxed a bit. "As you know, I believe in strict enforcement of the rules as a matter of public safety."
"Okay, go on," Usagi said, as she began to jot down her notes…
Before departing Usagi's office, she and Odo confer on the list of names that were on the Circle's membership roster, thanks to Garak's efforts. However, both agreed using the list as is was not enough to stop the Circle from toppling the government. No, the best to take advantage of the roster was to force the Circle out into the open, and to do that, they needed to get…dirty.
"You want MY help?" Quark replied, as he continued to clean his mugs at his establishment. "Count me out."
"The individuals who assaulted both you and Counselor Tsukino had to acquire their resources through alternative means," Odo said. "We have the names of those connected to the Circle; we just need for you to connect those names to a contact or two."
"And what if I say…'no'?"
"I could charge you to accessory to the charge of attempted murder of a member of Starfleet."
"But I didn't even know-!"
"Odo, allow me," Usagi said, as she turned to face Quark. "Quark, how can you be so cold to your favorite customer?"
"Look, I like doing business with you, but these…Circle people are bad news," Quark said.
"But how long will it be before you are driven from this station entire?" Usagi said. "Look, you help Odo out, and I'll give you exclusive rights to the 'Luscious Luna' holographic template."
"I see," Quark said, as he begins to work the numbers. "What about the profits?"
"Since I am taking a career risk, I'll give you a cut of twenty percent profit, net."
"Don't make me laugh. Forty."
"Thirty."
"Thirty five, and I'll reimburse you on your loss of Romulan Ale shipment, thanks to your little fight with the Circle."
"Oh, please. You will replace THAT for free. Thirty-three percent, you get that same percentage in merchandising for two cycles, and throw in a case of Saurian Brandy."
"Counselor, you have yourself a deal," said the Ferengi, as he poured himself a shot of Saurian Brandy for himself and one for his favorite customer. "I must say that, for a hu-mon, you're not bad."
"And for a Ferengi, the same can be said about you," Usagi said, as she accepted the glass. "Cheers."
CLINK!
"So, do I have your help on this case or not?" Odo said patiently.
"You have, Odo," Quark replied smugly. "I just want to savor this moment."
Odo could only roll his eyes in reply.
Tbc.