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 28
A week later…
"It is official," Commander Sisko said, as he met with his staff at Ops, located within the Command Deck of the station.
"What is, commander?" Chief O'Brien asked.
"In order to alleviate tensions on Bajor, the Provisional Government has agreed to the idea that non-Bajorans were to vacate the station," Sisko replied, as he sets down his PADD. "We have 48 hours to leave."
"I can't believe this," said Navarch Li Nalas, who had already taken Major Kira's place as the Bajoran liaison to the Federation.
"Believe what?" asked Dr. Bashir.
"I didn't fight for the freedom of Bajor, and endured years at a labor camp, just to come back home to see my beloved Bajor be tore apart by the Circle." Li said.
"It is understandable that without an outside threat to unify a people, said people would end up competing with each other," Science Officer Dax said serenely.
"Well, it's not right, and I refuse to just stand by and let more tragedy occur."
"What is the plan for evacuation?" asked Constable Odo.
"In the event that the request to evacuate is given, Starfleet has approved of the idea of moving operations to Jeraddo," Sisko said.
"Isn't that moon technically Bajoran?" Dr. Bashir asked.
"The moon was placed under the sole authority of the Vedek Assembly, due to the Temple of the Pah-Wraiths being there," Sisko said.
"Pah-Wraiths are like the Fallen Prophets?" O'Brien asked.
"According to the lore of my people, there was a split amongst the Prophets, between those who wish to only observe and those who wish to intervene," Li said. "Needless to say, the Prophets who wanted to intervene were cast out into the fires of Bajor. In fact, some have said that these fallen Prophets, called the 'Pah-Wraiths', were cast into the Fire Caves on Bajor."
"Since the Vedek Assembly is independent of the government, the Federation's presence can still be maintained here," Sisko said.
"And if they decided to rescind their sanctuary?" Dr. Bashir asked.
"Consider the fact that, somehow, Vadek Winn and our counselor came to a mutual agreement of sorts, where non-Bajorans are concerned, I'm sure that we'll have no problems with the assembly…"
Sisko turned towards Dax.
"And where did our counselor go to, again?" Sisko asked the Trill.
"She wanted to see Vedek Bareil and Major Kira, and keep them appraise of our situation here," Dax said.
"I was not aware that Bunny took a runabout to Bajor," Odo replied.
"She didn't," Dax replied in a deadpan manner.
"Wait, then how did she leave here?" Dr. Bashir said.
"Trust me, she has a way," Chief O'Brien said flatly.
"It's a smart thing that the counselor traveled on her own accord, since the Bajoran Militia is monitoring, no doubt," Sisko replied.
Meanwhile, the Bajoran Militia was monitoring traffic, to and from Bajor, when something fast comes close to one of their defense rings.
"Sir, what is that?" said an aide, as the glowing object streaked past the range of the monitors.
"I'm not sure, but whatever it is, I want it tracked," said the officer, whose name was Colonel Day Nanum, who was sympathetic to the movement known as the Alliance for Global Unity, aka "The Circle".
"But why?" the aide said.
"The Bajoran Militia will assume control over the Cardassian station," Day replied. "I wouldn't put it past the aliens for wanting to stay long enough to get the Provisional Government to change its mind…"
Day turned towards a nearby screen, which showed an image of Jeraddo.
"It may be necessary to send out a force to Jeraddo, if what I've been hearing about the Federation moving operations to Jeraddo is true," Day replied.
"But…that moon is under the sole jurisdiction of the Vedek Assembly," the aide replied.
"I know, and they will have to be convinced that non-Bajoran have no place on or near Bajor," Day said. "Too bad that 'accident' on the station ten days ago was not enough to convince these aliens that Bajor was for Bajorans."
"If you say so, sir…"
In one of the local monasteries on Bajor, Vadek Bareil paced about frantically. For a second day in a row, his guest, Major Kira was found missing, though there are clues as to what had happened to her…
"I wish the Prophets would give me a sign that Nerys is okay," Bariel mumbled to himself. He then notices a glow above him.
"What in the world?" Bariel said, as he looks up at to see a floating woman clad in silver, shiny armor. He couldn't see the woman's face; only her glowing eyes could be seen through the tiny slit of her facial mask. And upon closer inspection, he could see an etched emblem on her chest, featuring a large, crescent Moon. In fact, there was a smaller crescent moon on the armored woman's forehead, but with the points pointing upward…
"Um, hello?" Bariel asked nervously.
"Sorry about this, Vedek Bariel," said the armored woman, as she gently lands onto the steps. "But I had to find a…way to get past the Circle…"
As the glow surrounding the strange woman dies down, as the armor itself seems to fade away.
"Counselor?" Bariel asked.
"Um, yeah," Usagi breathed a sigh of relief. "I haven't worn my 'Cosmo-Armor' since I was trapped in the Rifts."
"'Cosmo-Armor'?"
"Yeah, I earned it from an alien, sentient artifact in the 'Three Galaxies', and ended up being a part of the 'Cosmo-Knights'," Usagi said, as she looked away a bit while thinking thoughtfully. "Considering the things I've done, I'm surprised that I can still access it…"
"…Right," Beriel said, as he cleared his throat. "What brings you here?"
"Commander Sisko wanted to give Nerys an update on our predicament with the Circle," Usagi said.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible, counselor," Beriel said.
"Oh?"
Beriel quickly explains that Major Kira has gone missing for a day or two…
"I bet it's the Circle," Usagi replied.
"Why would you say that?" Beriel asked.
"Nerys would be the one who would know Deep Space Nine's inner-works, having just left the station recently," Usagi said.
"That would make sense," Beriel said. "But, what should we do to get Nerys back?"
"Hmmm," Usagi said thoughtfully. "Considering the dislike the Circle has for non-Bajorans, and given how popular they are, I'm sure one or two sympathizers are around here."
"Here?" Beriel said.
"Sure. In fact…I have a plan, if you are willing to indulge me a bit."
"Considering your reputation, indulging your 'plans' will always bring about an interesting…outcome," Beriel said with a knowing smile.
"Hmm," Usagi said with a smile of her own.
Forty-eight hours later…
"We found another!" said the Bajoran mercenary, as Jadzia Dax is roughly pushed into a shallow pit, which was over-looked by more guards.
"Ooof!" Jadzia said, as she fell to the ground.
"Hey!" Usagi said, as she went to help her ex-boyfriend up. "You don't have to treat us like this, you know!"
"I will treat non-Bajorans the way I want," the Bajoran sneered. "Just be glad that I was told not to have you all killed."
"On whose authority?" Kira asked. She was surprised that someone like Usagi could be captured so easily, which gave her the sneaking suspicion that there was something else going on.
"That would be mine, Major," said a man, who emerged from the shadows.
"Minister Jaro," Kira said with disgust.
"Indeed," said the distinguished man, as he sat on the edge of the pit. "But really, you should be thanking me for putting Bajor on the right path."
"The Federation has been above-board in its dealings with Bajor, sir," said Usagi.
"Oh, and she speaks," Jaro said, as he turned a contemptuous eye towards the Moon Princess.
"Yes, I am speaking," Usagi said defiantly. "Don't you know that you are putting the welfare of Bajor at risk with your move?"
"What I am doing is making sure that all alien influence does not get cemented in the consciousness of the people of Bajor," Jaro said. "And I am well-aware of YOUR capabilities, so if you do not want your friends harmed, I suggest that you cooperate."
"What do you want with us?" Dax asked.
"We intercepted a communiqué between your Counselor and your people, in regards to moving operations to Jeraddo," Jaro said. "I simply want to know the make-up of your group's…capabilities."
"There isn't really much to tell," Dax said. "We were given sanctuary by the Vedek Assembly, as a precaution."
"I see," Jaro said, as he pondered Dax's words. "Then, I will have to get the assembly to change its mind."
"And if they don't?" Kira asked.
"Then, I will make sure that the Provisional Government is replaced, by force, if necessary, which will be then followed by a vote of no confidence on the actions of the assembly itself," Jaro said. "After that, I seriously doubt that even the Vedek Assembly will be able to ignore the will of the Circle."
Jaro then rises to his feet.
"In the meantime, you three will stay put," Jaro said.
"For what purpose?" Dax asked.
"You never know if one needs hostages to bargain with the Federation," Jaro said, as he turned to walk away…
After Jaro was gone, Kira turned to Dax.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Kira asked.
"Odo found evidence that the Circle has been purchasing weapons and equipment from a trader that is working for the Cardassians" Dax said quietly.
"What?" Kira said in surprise.
"Really?" Usagi replied.
"Yep, documentation and everything," Dax said. "Benjamin sent me down to give the information to Beriel, but, well…"
"Okay," Kira said with a nod. "So, where is it?"
Dax blushed a bit.
"You don't mean…down there?" Kira said in surprise.
"No, Julian had it placed in my stomach," Dax said, as she turned towards Usagi. "We kind of, well, figured that Usagi's extraordinary skills could remove the object from my person."
"Then, I shall oblige," Usagi replied. "This is the part of the job that I like the most."
"You would," Kira said.
"Just, relax," Usagi said, as she moves in to kiss Dax.
"Mmmmm," Dax replied.
As the two held each other, Usagi placed her hand on Dax's stomach. Using an invisible "force", Usagi began to move the implanted object out of Dax's stomach, through the throat, and into her own mouth.
THIP!
"P-tuu!" Usagi said, as she spits out the encased isolinear rod, and into her hand. "That should do the trick-"
"Hey!" yelled a Bajoran guard. "What's going on down there?"
"Nothing, but us aliens!" Usagi yelled. She then turned to her co-workers/friends.
"I'll provide the distraction, you guys get this damning information to the right people," Usagi said.
"Alright," Kira said with a nod, just as one of the guards came down the pit to inspect the hostages.
"Let me see that!" said the Bajoran.
"See…this!" Usagi said, as she palmed the guard into the stomach, sending him away. Another guard acts, just as the sound of a commotion alerts others in the cell.
"Guys, close your eyes!" Usagi said, as she placed her fingers around her forehead, even as her crescent Moon mark appears on her forehead.
"What?" Kira said.
"Just do it!" Dax yelled.
"LUNAR FLASH!" Usagi yelled, as an intense burst of light appeared, blinding everyone in the cave.
"Ahh!" yelled the guards.
With everyone but the captives blinded, Usagi, Kira and Dax make their escape. However…
"We got a problem," Kira said.
"Really?" Usagi asked.
"Yeah. Before Usagi arrived, Jaro mentioned that a contingent of Circle sympathizers, within the Bajoran Militia, will try to take the station by surprise."
"A coup, then," Dax said, as she and her companions run out into the field.
"Maybe, I bet that Sisko and the others will be caught unaware," Kira said.
"Actually, I think I can help prevent that," Usagi said.
"How?" Kira asked.
"Just trust me on this. You and Dax get to the Provisional High Council, while I warn the others."
"News flash: they'll know you are coming, Bunny," Dax said.
"I'm counting on that," Usagi said, as she takes on her Cosmo-Knight persona, before taking to the skies…
"You know, she needs to be watched closer," Kira said.
"She is the least of your worries," Dax said, as she points to a Bajoran shuttle. "We should take that to the capital."
"Alright," Kira said. "Follow my lead…"
Meanwhile, Colonel Day and his men were in the process of securing Deep Space Nine, as they went through the command deck.
"I want an ETA on the docking and bulkhead locks," Day said, as he points to the important stations on the deck. "Once we take this station, we'll use it as a launching point to secure Jeraddo."
"But, sir, the Vedek Assembly gave these aliens sanctuary," said a soldier.
"Doesn't matter. Even if Minister Jaro does not get a no-confidence vote, we take Jeraddo anyway."
"I understand, sir."
"Good. Continue what you are doing, while I retrieve Commander Sisko's logs from his office."
"Yes, sir," said the soldier, before re-assuming his duties.
However, as Day enters Sisko's office, something in the calculations of the Circle changes.
SHOOMP!
"What?" Day said, as he suddenly pulls out his pistol while leveling it at the man sitting at Sisko's desk.
"You must be Colonel Day Kannu," Commander Sisko said, as tosses his autographed baseball back-and-forth in his hands.
"Commander Sisko," Day said. "I am surprised that you are here."
"I'm sure. So, tell me, why are you here?"
"I'm here to evict you, that's why," Day replied. "Bajor should be for Bajorans."
"Which is an understandable goal," Sisko said, as he stands up, after putting down his baseball on its stand, on his desk. "Tell me, do you know that the Cardassians are secretly helping the Global Alliance for Unity?"
"Of course we know about it," Day said. "Minister Jaro believed that we could use one group of aliens to rid ourselves of another group of aliens."
"Even though it means risking the return of the Cardassians?"
"It is a calculation we are more than willing to take," Day said. "We managed to throw off the Cardassians before, and we can do so again!"
"And how many Bajorans will die because of it?" said a voice from behind.
Day and Sisko both see Li Nalas and Odo coming up behind Day.
"How did you get past my men?" Day asked.
"We didn't," Odo said with a smirk, as a Day sees that his men were being manhandled by Odo's security team.
"But…we didn't detect you aliens!"
"Tricking sensors are easy to do," Sisko said. "At any rate, as soon as my people give evidence of cooperation between the Circle and the Cardassians to your government, I really doubt that the Circle will be as successful in its moves as Jaro thinks it will."
"And I will make sure of it," Li said.
Day's face contorts with rage, as he prepares to strike at Sisko with his Bajoran phaser.
"If the Circle can't achieve its goals, you won't live long to achieve YOURS-!"
"No!" Li yelled, as he moves to push Sisko out of the way…
ZZZAARRRRKKKK-!
FLASH!
FWAK!
"Yowtch!" Usagi said, as she stood between Day and Li, still decked in her cosmic armor.
"Who?"
"Counselor, you made it back," Sisko said, as he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yeah, and in time, too," Usagi said. "What's going on here?"
"As resolution, hopefully…"
Station's Log: Supplemental. Thanks to the evidence presented to the Provisional High Council, First Minister Jaro was forced to resign from office. However, due to the sensitivity of the evidence, it was thought that it would be best that the matter be put to rest as quickly and as quietly as possible. Considering the fact that the Bajorans have a long road to travel, in their effort to rebuild in a post-occupation environment, I do agree with the council's decision. On another note, Navarch Li Nalas has decided to resign his post as the Bajoran liaison to the Federation, having decided that he needed to live a normal life before deciding on what to do professionally. I do hope that, one day, he can get back into politics, because the Federation does need people like him to guide Bajor to a better future…
"Well, I will miss working with you, Nerys," said Li, as he prepares to board a shuttle back near the Promenade.
"And I, you," Kira replied. "And thanks for helping me get my old job back."
"Hey, it's the least I can do as 'Navarch'," Li replied with a smile.
Just then, Usagi comes running up.
"Oh, I'm glad I caught you before you left, Nalas," Usagi said, as she presents a large box to her new friend.
"Oh?" Li asked.
"Yes, a good-bye present," Usagi said with a smile. "I had Quark special order it from Earth."
"What did you get him?" Kira asked out of curiosity.
"Open it."
Li opens his gift box, and sees a pair of roller skates.
"Interesting," Li said.
"Well, just because you're back in private life, that doesn't mean we can't hang out and have fun skating," Usagi said.
"I am…honored by your gift," Li said. "And thank you for everything…"
Afterwards, Usagi and Kira head down to Quark's for something to eat.
"I have a question for you," Kira asked.
"What is it?" Usagi asked.
"When I was at Bariel's monastery, I had an opportunity commune with an Orb of the Prophets," Kira said.
"I bet it was a heady experience," Usagi replied.
"Well, that's just it. I peered into the future, and saw me as a…'Sailor Bajor'," Kira said with a laugh.
"Really?"
"Yeah, really. I mean, do I look like the kind of woman that would dress up like you do, sometimes?"
"I'm surprised that you even know that I am…'Sailor Moon'."
"Well, let's just say that I like to get to know the people that I work with," Kira said. "At any rate, the day I have to be a…'Sailor Scout', is the day that I know that we are in BIG trouble."
"Well, hopefully, that day will never come, right?" Usagi said with a laugh.
"Humph," Kira said, as she enters Quark's…
'It looks like she knows,' Usagi thought, as she opened her palm, revealing a magical, Bajoran-style broach. 'I hope you're right, Nerys. I hope that I won't have to give you the burden of being the Guardian of Bajor…"
Tbc.
Next Time: A rogue Trill steals the symbiotic worm from Dax, even as Usagi recalls how she came to know her friend over the years. And if that wasn't enough, the Moon Princess must deal with a custody dispute between the Bajorans and the Cardassians. See you then…