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 35
A week later…
Usagi and the rest of the command crew watched the recording, as a flash from the center of the console erupted.
BOOM!
When the video image cleared, it appeared as if everyone within the blast range had been vaporized.
"End record," said the T'Lani ambassador, as she and her counterpart, the Kellerun ambassador. Though humanoid, and human-looking, the only difference is hairstyles; a typical T'Lani had reddish hair and twin braids that twirled up, while a Kellerun had black hair, with a single braid that twirled up.
"As you can see, the fault of the mishap was on your Chief Engineer's shoulders," said the T'Lani ambassador, who went by the name E'Tyshra, while her counterpart, the Kellerun, went by the name Sharat. Both of their peoples had concluded a nearly devastating war using bio-weapons known as Harvesters. In fact, O'Brien and Dr. Bashir were assisting the scientists in disposing the last batch of Harvesters, on a neutral planetoid, when the mishap occurs.
"We are here, to give our condolences, of course," Sharat said.
"Of course," Sisko said. "We will relay your kind words."
With that, the two ambassadors leave the conference room…
"I can't believe it," Dax said. "Julian and the chief are gone."
"Yeah, something is odd," Kira said. "I mean, I'm not a scientist or an engineer, but I doubt that Miles would be careless in handling such dangerous toxins."
"That's because the ambassadors are lying," Usagi said suddenly.
"Pardon?" Odo asked.
"You have some insight on this, counselor?" Sisko asked.
"Directly, no," Usagi said, as she pulls up some documents onto the main screen. "Only a handful of scientists knew how to both replicate and dispose of Harvesters, and were directed by both sides to a secure location to dispose of the LAST batch of Harvesters."
"That's right," Dax said. "It was odd that when the ambassadors wanted our help in dealing with the Harvesters, they limited to O'Brien and Julian, which is odd since I could have easily assisted in the disposal process."
"Speculation is one thing; proof is another," Sisko said.
"We can start with examining the video footage itself," Odo offered. "If the footage was doctored, I'll know."
"And we still have the Chief and Dr. Bashir's runabout out there to collect," Sisko said, as he gets up. "Dax, counselor, you're with me. Major, you have the fort."
"Aye, sir," Kira replied.
An hour later…
"We're here," Sisko said, as he brings the runabout, The Ganges, out of warped space.
"I'm not detecting any lifesigns aboard the Rio Grande," Dax said, as she scans the drifting runabout. "But, on the surface, I am detecting several lifesigns."
"Is the Chief and Dr. Bashir down there?" Sisko asked.
"Can't tell," Dax replied. "Too much planetary interference."
"One of the reasons why this site was chosen for the disposal of the Harvesters was to limit the ability to know too much of the bio-agents," Usagi replied. "However, there is a small window of opportunity, where the interference clears up."
"Confirmed," Dax said. "But the timing will be a bit tricky."
"For both communications and beaming?" Sisko asked.
"Yes. Forty-five minutes before the interference clears."
"Then we have forty-five minutes to go in without being detected," Sisko replied.
"Sir, maybe I can help?" Usagi asked. "I can go down to the planet before hand, using a stratospheric jump."
"So, you will be using your cosmic armor?"
"No," Usagi replied, as she gets up to get suited.
"I don't understand," Sisko asked.
"When I use my Cosmo-Knight persona, I am very much detectable to sensors," Usagi replied.
"And you weren't the last time?"
"The explosion on Epsilon 119 masked my energy signature," Usagi replied, as she zips up her suit. "As soon as I go cosmic, our presence will be detected."
"But not when you are free-falling," Dax replied.
"Exactly," Usagi said. "Just get me close to the stratosphere; I'll do the rest."
"Interesting plan," Sisko said, as he hands Usagi her space helmet.
"These are interesting times, sir…"
A short time later, on the planet surface…
"You know, I don't think we are going to make it, doctor," Chief O'Brien said, as he and Dr. Bashir were surrounded by both T'Lani AND Kellerun soldiers, both groups with the directive to kill the Starfleet personnel.
"Sure we are, Miles," Dr. Bashir said, as he smiled cockily, while noticing something in the air. "And please, call me Julian."
"Maybe in another life?" O'Brien replied. "And why are you smiling like that?"
"Because, my friend, we just got lucky…"
Suddenly, a figure drops from the sky, after releasing the latch that connecter the figure to the open parachute…
WHAM!
"Ow!" Usagi yelped, as she shook her head, after landing on a few soldiers, knocking them out in the process. "You think people would be softer than that…"
Taken advantage of Usagi's distraction of the soldiers, O'Brien and Bashir quickly tackles the other soldiers. And in the ensuing chaos, Usagi managed to subdue a few more solders on her own…
"Whew," Usagi replied, as she removes her helmet.
"Nice save, counselor," O'Brien said.
"Miles, we're family," Usagi said. "I would have gone to ends of the Universe to rescue you."
"What about me?" Dr. Bashir asked.
"Well…if you happened to be around Miles at the time…"
"Okay, I get it. But what now?"
"We have about twenty minutes before our ability to beam out of here closes," Usagi replied. "Anything we need to do before then?"
"Well, these people tried to kill us, for one," O'Brien said.
"And I have some footage from the security camera that proves it," Dr. Bashir said, as he holds up a data rod.
"Good," Usagi replied. "That should help Odo's investigation-"
Suddenly, energy discharges lance the area, as more soldiers pour into the area.
"I think that's our cue to depart," Dr. Bashir said, as he returned fire.
"Agreed," O'Brien said, as he and Usagi beats a retreat, with Dr. Bashir in tow…
After avoiding getting killed by the soldiers, O'Brien, Dr. Bashir and Usagi beamed aboard the Rio Grande.
"Whew, we made it," Usagi said, as she took controls of the space craft.
"We're getting a signal," O'Brien said. "It's from the Ganges."
CHIRP!
"I take it that you were able to get aboard safely?" Sisko asked.
"Yes," Bashir replied.
"Maybe not," Usagi said, as two warships enter the area on an attack vector.
"Confirmed," said Dax, though she could only be heard, and not seen. "I am detecting both a T'Lani…and a Kellerun warship…on approach."
"On screen," Sisko asked.
"You should not have come here," said E'Tyshra, as she and Sharat both appeared on screen, via split screen.
"My people's well-being is at stake, ambassador," Sisko said. "My question is why the subterfuge?"
"Commander, we had ended a terrible war after centuries, using bio-agents," Sharat said. "The Harvesters had to be eliminated, not only in deed, but in memory."
"So, not only did you eliminate your own scientists, but felt that MY people were expendable," Sisko said angrily.
"It was only to protect the peace, commander," E'Tyshra said somberly. "And even you are expendable."
"They are powering up weapons for their attack," O'Brien said.
Usagi twisted lips, before acting.
"Sir, may I speak freely?" Usagi asked.
Sisko thought for a moment before giving his consent.
"Thank you, sir," Usagi said. "Ambassadors, I ask you to look up my name, 'Usagi Tsukino', in the database that the Federation had provided to your peoples."
"This has to be a trick," Sharat said.
"Please. I give you my word that neither I nor myself will leave this area of space, until you have read my record."
"Counselor," Sisko warned.
"Please, sir," Usagi replied. "Have some faith in ME."
"Benjamin," Dax said, as she places a gentle hand on Sisko's shoulder.
Against his gut instincts, Sisko complied.
"It's your show, counselor," Sisko said.
"Please?" Usagi asked.
"Very well," E'Tyshra said.
"But wait a minute!" Sharat began.
"What we have done already is painful enough," E'Tyshra said sadly. "I will give the counselor the benefit of the doubt…"
A minute later…
"I am…sorry, Moon Princess," E'Tyshra said, as she lowers her head in shame.
"I'm…not," Sharat said with defiance. "However, I will stay my hand…"
The two learned that Usagi was not only famous within the Federation, but that her legendary status as the heir to the Silver Millennium reverberated across the Milky Way Galaxy. At its height, every sentient race had a planetary protector, united by the common creed of protecting the people against evil. Sadly, when the Moon Kingdom fell, so did the legions of "senshi". Thus, chaos won that fateful day, but that does not mean the legacy of the Moon Princess and her court had ended within the sands of antiquity…
"Only your people can forgive what you had done," Usagi replied. "However, you have my word that the knowledge of the Harvesters will never leave this place."
"How?" O'Brien asked.
"Vulcan Mind Meld," Dr. Bashir said. "Or something similar."
"Will that be acceptable to you two?" Sisko asked.
"It will be sufficient," E'Tyshra said with relief.
"I will agree upon confirmation that the memory of the Harvesters has been sufficiently excised," Sharat replied.
"But, I don't want my mind being tampered with!" O'Brien complained.
"I know," Usagi said. "But I can't protect you forever. And then there is Keiko and Molly to be concerned about-"
"Okay, fine!" O'Brien said in a huff. "Be that way…"
So, upon returning to DS9, the memory of the Harvesters is successfully erased from the memories of Dr. Bashir and O'Brien. However, since it was Usagi who did the Vulcan Mind Meld, it was she who knew about the Harvesters, not that she would do anything with it, mind you…
A week later…
"Miles, you have to stay calm," Usagi said, as she cautiously approached O'Brien.
"I want to know what the hell is going on!" O'Brien replied, as he leveled his phaser at Usagi, Sisko, Kira, Odo, Dr. Bashir and some aliens on Parada II, located in the Gamma Quadrant. For the past few days, while preparing for a diplomatic conference, Chief O'Brien had gotten the suspicion that all of his friends and colleagues had been acting strange. Well, in Usagi's case, more strange than usual. Finally, thinking that the source of the trouble was back on Parada II, when the trouble had started, O'Brien traced his steps backwards. However, he was now surrounded by…enemies.
"Chief, this is going to be a bit strange," Sisko said.
"How so?" O'Brien said.
"You are…not you," Kira said. "I mean, you are…him."
"What the bloody hell are you talking about-?"
Just then, there was a winding, grinding sound that could be heard, even as a blue, British police box suddenly appeared.
"Doctor?" Usagi asked.
"Yes?" Dr. Bashir asked.
"No, MY 'Doctor'," Usagi replied.
The blue box opens to reveal a man who appeared to be silver haired and cranky-looking. Curiously, he didn't wear a tie.
"Okay, I'm here," said the Twelth Doctor, Time Lord of Gallifrey and all-around rogue scholar and gentleman.
"Doctor?" Usagi said.
"Yes, yes, I am, though I do look different in this body, from the one you saw."
"You look old…er."
"Always the obvious one, aren't ya?"
"Intruder?" said one of the aliens.
"NO…I think," Usagi said, as she shields the Doctor with her body. "He's a friend."
"Counselor, an explanation?" Sisko asked.
"Agreed," O'Brien said.
"Um, I am at a complete lost, sir," Usagi replied.
"Where to begin," the Doctor said. He then raises a finger.
"Ah!"
He takes out his sonic screwdriver, and points to a wall.
ZAPPPP!
A panel opens up to reveal another Miles O'Brien.
"What?" said the other O'Brien.
"You see, sir, you are the replicated version of the one held against his will," the Doctor said.
"How do you know that?" Sisko asked.
"Because, Commander Sisko, your 'counselor' told me everything I needed to know about this moment in time," the Doctor said.
"But…I didn't say a thing," Usagi protested.
"No, YOU didn't, but a future-past YOU told me about this day," the Doctor said. "You know, fulfilled temporal paradox and all."
"Then, what am I?" Replicated O'Brien asked.
"You were intended to be a weapon during the Paradan peace conference," said one of the aliens.
"When we found out about the ruse, we needed to be sure that you were the replicate, and not our chief," Sisko replied. "It was by luck that you returned here, thereby giving us the means to find our chief."
"So, my life is a lie," O'Brien said, as he dropped his weapon. He nearly fell to the ground, when Usagi caught him.
"Don't be like that," Usagi said with a smile. "It just means that you can be your own man…"
Usagi then turned towards the impatient Doctor.
"I must have asked the Doctor to take you with him."
"To do what?" O'Brien asked.
"I don't know," the Doctor replied. "I'm sure we think of something."
"Or, you can stay here, and we can help you adjust," Sisko said.
Replicate O'Brien turns to see the unconscious O'Brien…
"No, I'll go," Replicate O'Brien said with a sigh. "The only reason why I would stay is because of Keiko, and I know that she would never go for me…"
Replicate O'Brien turns towards the Doctor.
"May I go with you?" Replicate O'Brien asked.
"I don't see why not," the Doctor said. "It has been a while since I last had a companion to travel with…"
Tbc.