Star Trek Half: TNG Movie Edition! – By Ocramed
Disclaimer: "Ranma ½" and "Star Trek" belong to their respective owners.
Note: This is a crossover/fusion story. C&C are welcomed.
Special Note: This story strictly deals with the characters of both "Ranma ½" and from the Star Trek Franchise.
Part 3: "Insurrection!"
A few years later…
With the "Dominion War" well underway, it became imperative that new alliances for the United Federation of Planets are secured on all fronts. If nothing else, securing such alliances would give Starfleet the breathing room it needs for the war effort...
And spear-heading these efforts fell upon the shoulders of Captain Ranma Saotome, the commanding officer of the Federation starship Enterprise-E.
"…So, it brings me great pleasure to welcome you all into the family of nations," Ranma said, as he rehearsed his speech, while Counselor Troi was helping him get dress. He then turned towards the demi-Betazoid.
"Why can't you do this?" Ranma said. "I'm a soldier, not a diplomat."
"Well, today you are a diplomat, sir," Troi said, as she stepped back to admire her handiwork. Ranma was wearing the new dress uniforms that Starfleet has issued for the gala that the Diplomatic Corps was hosting. There will be a number of new inductees to the Federation, like the Evora for instance, who wanted to meet the legendary starship commander…
"Besides, you are unique in that you are a living legend, having never lost a battle."
"You're implying that all I did was show off my awesome skills, cowering the opponents into submission," Ranma said, as he rolled his eyes. "No, it took experience and team work to succeed then, as they will be needed for us to succeed now."
"Well, coming from me personally, I'm glad you are around," Troi said. "Liberating Betazed Prime and Risa did prove to be a turning point in this war."
"Well, don't forget the efforts by Ben Sisko and his crew," Ranma said. "From what I read, they are in the thick of things, due to the proximity of the Bajoran Wormhole…"
Pause.
"Besides, if we didn't liberate Betazed, I wouldn't hear the end of it from your mother, and, well, who wouldn't want Risa be destroyed anyway?"
"Your dates, perhaps?" Dr. Crusher said, as after entering the room with Commander Riker.
"Oh, don't start with me, Doc," Ranma said. "What I do on MY personal time is personal business…"
Ranma then turned towards Commander Riker.
"Number One, what's the sit-rep?"
"Your guests have arrived, and are waiting," Riker said. "Also, there might be a situation concerning Data."
"What? He finally has given up on his quest to be human?"
"Captain, that's mean," Troi chided.
"It's just silly, that's all," Ranma said, as he leaves his Ready Room with his entourage in tow. "Data should be proud of being Data, by not trying to be anyone else. I say, be proud of who or what you are."
"That sounds rather enlightened of you, sir," Riker said.
"I'm just speaking from experience, Number One," Ranma said. "You know about my…condition, but I've long since accepted that part of me…"
Pause.
"Anyway, what's with Data this time?"
"As you know, Data volunteered to participate on a cultural survey mission to the 'Briar Patch'," Riker began to say.
"That's where the…Ba'ku people live, yes?"
"How did you know?"
"You sound surprise that I actually read the sabbatical requests," Ranma said.
"Well, yes, I suppose I do."
"That's because I have no choice," Ranma said, as he motions towards Troi slightly.
"Sir, I AM empathic, you know," Troi said flatly.
"See what I got to put up with?"
"Tell me about it," Riker said, only to receive a slightly frosty look from Troi. "Or not…"
"So, anyway, from what I have read about the Ba'ku, they are not indigenous to the planet."
"No, they are not," Riker said. "They migrated to their present home 300 years ago, and have given up all technology for a rural lifestyle."
"So, what makes them worthy of study?"
"The Briar Patch is near the territory of our new allies, the Son'a," Troi said, as she brings up a data pad. "Apparently, they have claimed jurisdiction over the Briar Patch."
"That doesn't tell me anything."
"How about the fact that the planet of the Ba'ku has regenerative capabilities?" Dr. Crusher said.
"Oh, so now you're going to contribute to the conversation?" Ranma said.
"Yes, I am," Dr. Crusher said. "The Ba'ku's home planet, if properly utilized, could help revolutionize the war effort. I don't have to remind you how vicious the Jem'Ha'Dar are towards their victims."
"No, you don't," Ranma said. "So, how does all this tie into Data's situation?"
"Apparently, Data has malfunctioned, and have taken the survey team hostage," Chief Engineering Geordie LaForge said, as he walks up to Ranma with Worf, having heard the tail end of Ranma's conversation to his staff.
"Commander Worf," Ranma said.
"Sir," Worf said. He was a participant in the conference as Fleet Captain Benjamin Sisko's liaison officer.
"So, Mister LaForge, any reason for his malfunction?"
"Well, it's safe to say that it isn't because of his emotion chip," LaForge said.
"Why is that?"
"He didn't take it with him."
"I see. Alright…"
Ranma then turned towards Riker.
"The moment our participation in this conference concludes, prepare the ship for travel to the Briar Patch," Ranma said. "Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later."
"Yes, sir," Riker said with a smile.
"In the mean time, it's show time…"
Ranma spots a familiar face.
"Oh, hello, ambassador," said Ranma, as he greets Laxwanna Troi of Betazed.
"Oh, hello, my darling captain," said Ambassador Troi, as she gives blow kisses on both sides of Ranma's face. "How is my hero?"
"I'm doing okay," Ranma said through gritted teeth.
"Hello, Mother," Troi said.
"William, Dr. Crusher, hello."
"Hello," Riker said, as Dr. Crusher takes Ambassador Troi's hands in friendship.
"Laxwanna," Dr. Crusher said.
"Now, if you all excuse me, I want your captain away from you for a moment," Ambassador Troi said, as she pulls Ranma with her.
"Um, I got to give me speech-"
"They will be plenty of time for that," Ambassador Troi said. "I want you to meet the ambassador from a species who changes genders as easily as you do."
Ranma turns towards his command crew.
"Help. Me. PLEASE…"
Riker was chuckling, only to be smacked in the arm by Troi.
"Will!" Troi said.
"What?" Riker protested. "I can't laugh or something…?"
A few days later, the Enterprise-D arrives at planet Ba'ku, where Ranma meets the leader of the Son'a.
"Wow," Ranma said, as he stared Ru'fao. Like the other members of the Son'a, Ru'fao's face and skinned were artificially stretched back, before being stapled to their skulls.
"Um, pardon my ignorance, but, what the hell happened to your face?"
"My face is the result of prolonging my youth, captain," Rua'fo said. He then turned towards "Admiral Old Man" (to quote Ranma).
"Admiral Dougherty, are you going to allow you Starfleet officer to insult me like this?"
"I apologize, Lord Rua'fo," Dougherty said. "It was not my decision to assign Captain Saotome to this mission."
"But, I am here anyway," Ranma said. "I need to know where my Operations Officer is now."
"He has commandeered my ship," Dougherty said. "Right now, he is keeping Son'a ships at bay."
"Alright," Ranma said, as he turned towards his Ops Officer. "Tactical, on screen."
"Yes, sir," said Lt. Daniels, who was one of the tactical officers that were on duty that day.
BLIP!
"There," Dougherty said, as he points to a small ship that seemed to be circling about, block the path between the Enterprise-E and the Ba'Ku planet. "That's our ship."
"You came here in a scout vessel," Ranma said.
"Due to the war effort, we had to make do with what we have," Dougherty replied.
"I suggest you do something about your android, Captain Saotome, or we will," Rua'Fo said.
"No, you won't," Ranma retorted. "I may not know Commander Data that very well, but he is a member of THIS crew, and serving under MY command. If he's malfunctioning, or if he's acting alone, I want to know why."
"And if I order you to use extreme measures to neutralize your subordinate?" Dougherty said.
"Then guess who has a long walk back to the nearest starbase?"
"I could have you court-martialed for your threats."
"You can certainly try, but my record speaks for itself, sir," Ranma said.
Dougherty purses his lips, but says nothing in return. He knew that Saotome had a predilection to challenge his superior, and only in one instance doing so only resulted in a demotion back to the rank of "captain"…
"Proceed, captain," Dougherty said.
"Thank you sir," Ranma said. "Now, if you excuse me, I have a job to do…"
Rua'Fo wanted to say something, but Dougherty calms him down.
"We can discuss this matter later," Dougherty said.
"We shall," Rua'Fo said, as he stares angrily at Ranma. "Oh, we shall…"
Eventually, a plan was made, in which involved Ranma, with Worf as co-pilot, took on Data. Although Data was an android, Ranma was a superior pilot in his own right, using a maneuver that allowed Ranma to the Enterprise-E's "Captain's Yacht" to interlock with the Starfleet scout vehicle, which was bigger than a standard "runabout". Once linked, Worf was able to subdue Data using a transporter tag, thus ending the crisis.
However, for Ranma, the crisis would be the least of his concerns…
"Captain Saotome," said Sojef, the leader of the Ba'ku community. Sojef was tall, healthy, and had curly hair.
"It is an honor to finally get to meet you."
"Pardon?" Ranma said. He and his team had beamed down to the planet to deal with the possibility that the Prime Directive might have been violated, after Data had revealed to the Ba'Ku that they were being watched. In fact, Ranma wanted to secure the release of Son'a and Federation personnel during the visit…
"My wife told me all about you."
"WHO told you about me?"
Just then, a dark-haired woman, who could otherwise pass for Ranma's girl body, step from amongst the crowd.
"Hello, Father," said the woman.
Ranma's eyes squints, after the starship commander realizes who he was staring at.
"Genko?" Ranma said. "You're here?"
"And I am not the only one…"
The crowd parts, allowing another woman to step forward…
"A-Akane?" Ranma said. In spite of the longer hair, the woman was definitely Akane…his wife."
"Hello, Ranma," Akane said coolly. "I see that you're alive and well."
"Ditto in your case," Ranma said.
For what appeared to be an eternity, Ranma and Akane stared at each other…
POW!
"Ow!" Ranma yelled, after getting socked in the jaw by Akane. "What the hell did you do that for?"
"THAT is for breaking your promise, Ranma!" Akane yelled. "AND, that also includes you getting yourself killed, and then coming back from the dead, and then sleeping around with strange women-!"
"Mother, calm down!" Genko said.
"Yeah, sheesh!" Ranma said, as he continued to rub his jaw. "None of that was my fault, you know!"
"Okay, what about the sleeping part, huh?"
"Hello, I thought I was a widower," Ranma said. "As far as I knew, everyone thought you and the kids were dead."
"No, no excuse," Akane said, as she backed away. "You broke your promise, Ranma."
"But, Akane-"
"Keep away from me. SEE other women, for all I care!"
With that, Akane ran away.
"Akane, wait!" Ranma said.
"Father, please, let me handle this," Genko said, as she stopped her father from pursuing.
"Fine," Ranma groused.
"Thank you," Genko said, as she runs after her mother…
"Captain?" Troi asked. She had been on hand to help with the negotiations.
"I'll be fine," Ranma said, as he turned his attention towards Sojef. "I just want to know how my…wife and daughter managed to be here."
"There is much to discuss, captain," Sojef said. "You are, of course, welcomed here, both as a representative of the Federation, and as my father-in-law."
"Oh, joy…"
Over the next couple of days, the crew of the Enterprise-E conducts their investigation of the Ba'ku and their world. Meanwhile, Ranma engages in introspection, wondering how he will be dealing with the fact that his wife and daughter were alive…
"Alright, what do we have?" Ranma said, as he sat at the head of the table in the conference room.
"From my findings, we determined why the Ba'ku lives on this planet," said Science Officer Ensign Wesley Crusher. Wesley had decided to return to Starfleet Academy after spending some time with a mysterious alien known as "The Traveler". As promised, Ranma allowed Wesley to be posted on the Enterprise-E…
"The Briar Patch emits a radiation known as 'metaphasic radiation', which is why starships haven't really explored this area of space until now."
"Okay…"
"But what makes the Ba'ku planet unique is that the planet's rings at as a sort of natural processor, changing the nature of the radiation in the Briar Patch, and acts as a cellular rejuvenator."
"Oh?" Ranma said. He then turned towards Dr. Crusher.
"Doctor?"
"From Wesley's findings, I have determined that many of the adults are over three-hundred years old," Dr. Crusher said.
"Can this same rejuvenation effect act on non-Ba'ku?" Ranma asked.
"Yes," Dr. Crusher said. "It does explain why…your daughter and wife are still young."
"That does explain why the Federation has an interest in this place," Riker said. "However, it may be that there is a price involved."
"How so?" Ranma asked.
"From what I can gather, I've learned that the Son'a has an agreement with the Dominion to manufacture 'ketracel white'," Worf said.
"What?" Ranma said. "You mean…the Federation is in business with a race that is collaborating with the enemy?"
"Apparently so, sir," Worf said. "With approval from the Federation Council, I might add."
"Unbelievable," Ranma said, as he turned towards Chief Engineer LaForge. "What's the status on Data's condition?"
"The radiation that had caused his positronic AI to malfunction has been compensated for," LaForge said. "Data can return to duty."
"Good," Ranma said. "The sooner I can convince 'Admiral Old Man' that Data is harmless, the better."
"Sir, is that really necessary?" Troi asked.
"If you're saying that I shouldn't insult Dougherty behind his back, you're right," Ranma said. "But I don't like people who use their authority to throw their weight around."
"It's a good thing you didn't meet Admiral Nechiev then," Riker said.
"Feh."
A short time later, Ranma and Data go down to the Ba'Ku planet, so that Data could redeem his reputation amongst the people. Ranma also beams down to the planet in order to see his wife and daughter again…
"Father," Genko said, as she hugs Ranma.
"Man, you look like you haven't aged," Ranma said, as he took a good look at Genko.
"Well, living with my husband's people tends to help matters," Genko said with a smile. "And I could say the same thing about you."
"Well, being trapped in a pocket dimension with a Jusenkyo curse tends to help matters," Ranma said with a grin. "Um, I was wondering-"
"Mother is in her garden in the back," Genko said. "Father, she's been crying ever since she realized that you seemed to have returned from the dead."
Ranma sighs, as he looks towards the gate that separates the main house from the backyard.
"Father-"
"No, I got to do this," Ranma said, as he turned his gaze back to his daughter. "But no matter what happens from this point forward, I love you and your mother, kiddo."
"I know, Father," Genko said with a smile. "Just convince Mother of that."
"Alright," Ranma said with a nod. "I'll do it…"
Akane was tending to her vegetable garden, when she felt a familiar presence.
"What do you want, Ranma?" Akane said, as she continued her work without looking up.
"I want to know why you faked your death."
"You really want to know?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Okay," Akane said, as she stands up to face her husband. "I got tired of our family being in the shadow of a legend, that's why."
"What?"
"Yes, that's why. You supposedly died saving lives, and I get the honor of being the widow who would be there for others to 'pay tribute' to. But that's not the worst of it…"
Tears began to roll from Akane's eyes.
"Our son…Kenma felt pressure in living up to HIS father's legacy."
"What legacy?"
"Oh, don't be dense. You, famed captain of the NCC-1701 Enterprise, with your historic five-year mission, became the Federation's most famous celebrity. And don't even get me started on your cheating on me with all those alien women."
"Akane, with both agreed to postpone our marriage, so that we could 'find ourselves' without the burden of being in a committed relationship," Ranma said. "And, if I recall, you DID date other people."
"Yes, a few times, but not like YOU, Ranma."
"And yet I ended up with you, three years into my first assignment," Ranma said. "Clearly, that should have been a sign that I was ready to commit."
"Really, Ranma?" Akane said accusingly.
"Really. Akane, you married me knowing that I was career Starfleet. Even so, three years I was stationed on Earth while the Enterprise underwent a refit, followed by a second five-year tour, and then I chose a teaching position at Starfleet Academy when the Enterprise became a training vessel. It was only after getting demoted, for saving Earth, no less, that I had gotten my final five-year tour…"
Pause.
"Akane, I had every intention to retire after the launch of the Enterprise-B," Ranma said. "But whenever I was posted on Earth, I was there for you and the kids."
"I know, but we missed nearly fifteen years being together, during our marriage," Akane said. "But those missing years were difficult for our children."
"Pardon?"
"Ranma, Kenma followed in your footsteps, trying to live up to the legacy you built up, whether you are aware of it or not," Akane said. "Yes, I am pissed off at you for disappearing on me, but I am angry at you for what your legacy did to our kids. So, when there was an opportunity to disappear, I did, and came here to join Genko in her new home."
"But…faking your death?"
"Ranma, it was the only way to distance myself from the legacy you created," Akane said. "And, for a time, I began to move on with my life. But then, I heard that you came back, and all that baggage came to the forefront…"
Pause.
"And, in a way, I hated you for putting me through that again."
"Akane, I'm sorry," Ranma said. "I never meant to hurt you."
"I know, but that doesn't mean I can't be angry at you," Akane said with a sigh. "Look, I need…I need time to adjust to this situation."
"And us?"
"Will see-"
"Captain!" Data said, as he steps through the gate to the garden.
"Not now, Data," Ranma said in annoyance.
"Sir, it's very important," Data said. "It concerns the Ba'ku."
"Oh?"
It turns out that the Son'a and the Federation wanted more than to exploit the Ba'ku planet's amazing properties. They wanted to relocate the Ba'ku to a new world, using a cloak transport ship (found in the middle of a reservoir near the Ba'ku village), followed by initiating a process that would destroy the planet's properties by distilling the properties into a product that could be transferred elsewhere. In the end, the Ba'ku planet will be made uninhabitable while destroying the planet's ability to both make young and give immortality to those people who live on the planet. Naturally, Ranma had a problem with this…
"Sir, what you are proposing is in direct conflict with the Prime Directive," Ranma said in his Ready Room to Admiral Dougherty.
"Fortunately, the Federation Council disagrees," Dougherty said. "You and the Enterprise are to proceed to the Goren Star System, and resume your mission. THAT is an order."
"Oh, really?"
"Really. Unless, you want to be court-martialed for insubordination, captain."
"I wouldn't want that, sir," Ranma said. Inwardly, he had already made his decision as to what to do next…
"Okay, Number One, you're in charge, while I 'go on vacation'," Ranma said, as he hands Riker his assignment.
Also going on vacation was Data, Troi, Worf and Dr. Crusher. In reality, they were to assist Ranma's efforts in sabotaging Dougherty's efforts in removing the Ba'Ku from their world while Riker delivers evidence to the public of what is really going on. Ranma hoped that between his clout and the evidence that his crew had gathered thus far, Dougherty would back down from supporting, especially thanks to the evidence that both Dr. Crusher and Data had gathered, as to the connection between the Ba'ku and the Son'a.
"Alright," Riker said, as he accepted the personal access data device. "We'll be sure to broadcast it as soon as soon as we exit the Briar Patch."
"And thanks to the ship modifications Wesley and I have made, we should be able to cut down our travel time significantly," LaForge replied.
"Good," Ranma said. He then sees that Riker had shaved his beard off.
"Personally, I think you look better with the beard, commander," Ranma said with a smile.
"Duly noted, sir…"
After making preparations, Ranma and his crew, with the help of Sojef, direct the 600 Ba'ku into the mountains, where it would be harder to locate and transport them off the planet. Of course, Ranma and Akane did have yet another argument.
"This doesn't make up for anything, Ranma," Akane said.
"What I am doing isn't about YOU, Akane," Ranma replied.
"Oh, so I don't matter, all of a sudden?"
"Don't put words in my mouth! Sheesh-"
"Incoming Son'a!" Worf yelled.
"Hiru Shoten Ha!" Ranma yelled, as he directed a tornado-like attack that scatters the Son'a forces.
"Argh!" yelled one of the Son'a minions, as he and his fellow soldiers were carried all the way back to the Ba'ku village. At the same time, everyone present, including the Enterprise-E crew were amazed at what took place.
"Whoa," said a young Ba'ku child.
"Your father is an amazing man, Genko," Sojef said.
"He is," Genko replied.
"I'm telling you that what you just did isn't the result of just martial arts training," Dr. Crusher said.
"Doctor, give it a rest," Ranma said, before returning his attention back to Akane. "Akane, I'm doing this because I believe in something. Sure, I joined Starfleet to get from underneath our Dads whims, but I joined because I thought that I could do the most good in the one thing that I can do: protect others from bullies."
"I know, it's just that I wanted a complete life of us being together," Akane said.
"You think I didn't want that?"
"Sir," Worf said, as he and Data go up to Ranma. "I believe we can seek shelter in the caverns in those mountains."
Ranma turned to Sojef.
"We can at least hide from the transporter tags," Ranma said.
"Very well," Sojef said. "Proceed…"
Unfortunately, the Son'a ups the ante by bombarding the caverns, in an effort to flush the fleeing Ba'ku out of hiding. In a near mishap, Akane is almost killed when part of the cavern nearly collapses on her. However, as the caves in their section began to collapse, Akane demonstrates a learned power…
"Whoa," Ranma said, as Time around them slows down to a crawl, almost freezing the falling rocks into place long enough for Ranma to act.
"Akane!" Ranma yelled, as he manages to pull his wife out of harm's way.
"Ranma?" Akane manages to say.
"I'm here, babe," Ranma said, as he cradles his wife in his arms. "Just hang on."
"Ranma, don't be a jerk," Akane said. "I'm a martial artist too, you know…"
Weakly, Akane stabs at a blocked off section of the cavern, shattering the rock instantly.
"Whoa," Ranma said. "How-?"
"With you not around, I had to carry on the Musabetsu Kakuto-ryu by myself," Akane said. "So, like you, I learned what I can."
"So, you picked up Ryouga's technique?"
"He helped me with running our school as a guest lecturer," Akane said tiredly. "But…let's get out of here…"
Ranma nods his head. He knew that it was only a matter of time before the woman he loved was killed. He would have to end this situation himself, by directly confronting the problem…
"By the way, where did you get that technique?" Ranma asked.
"The Ba'ku has special techniques over Time," Akane said. "Being here long enough enabled me to learn them."
"You don't say…"
Later, Ranma and a group of Ba'ku surrender to Rua'fo and Admiral Dougherty.
"So, you decided to surrender," Ru'afo said.
"You will be court-martialed, Saotome," Dougherty said.
"First, technically, I'm on vacation," Ranma said, as he pulled out a PADD from his satchel. "And secondly, you should read my findings before you decide on anything."
Dougherty frowns, as he takes and reads the report…
"You're serious?" Dougherty asked, as he glances at Rua'fo.
"Admiral, the Son'a and the Ba'ku are the same race," Ranma said.
"It doesn't matter," Rua'fo said.
"It does," Sojef said, as he stepped forward. "Three hundred years ago, we left our original homeworld in order to start a new life. We chose a new way of life, but you and those of your generation didn't want to accept that."
"Of course not," Rua'fo said. "How can we, when we were told stories of how our people were among the most advance civilizations in the Alpha Quadrant? Why would any of us accept being mere throwbacks?"
"And so we allowed you to go, so that you can do what you will with your heritage," Sojef said.
"But that wasn't good enough for you," Ranma said. "You wanted to be right, to show your forebears that a simple life was stupid."
"Of course it was," Rua'fo said. "And with the process radiation, we will be up there with the rest of the galactic powers in importance."
"But at what cost?" Genko asked. "Look at you. What kind of people are you that enslave others to do your bidding, while becoming monsters?"
"That is not your concern, human."
"It is, since Sojef is my husband."
"And that makes it my business," Ranma said, as he glances at Akane. "And by putting my family in danger, that makes it personal. I'm going to let you get away with what you are planning, Rua'fo."
"We'll see about THAT, captain," Rua'fo said, as he turns and leaves.
"This isn't over," Dougherty said.
"I'm sure it won't be, sir," Ranma said.
After being shut in a cargo hold, Akane goes up to Ranma, and hugs him.
"Ranma, are we going to be alright?" Akane asked.
"Trust me when I say that we'll make it through this situation," Ranma said.
"What makes you say this?" Sojef said. "It will be only a matter of time before we are dealt with permanently."
"Not to mention that the Son'a collector is primed and ready," Ranma said.
"Pardon?"
Ranma quickly explains what is supposed to happen after the Ba'ku are transported.
"Then it's over for our way of life," Sojef laments. "The Son'a have won."
"Sojef, as long as we are around, alive and kicking, we can't lose," Ranma said, as he dug into his skin, behind his earlobe, with his finger nail.
"Ranma, what are you doing?" Akane asked.
"Pulling out a micro-transponder from beneath my skin," Ranma said, as he pulls out a chip. "I had Dr. Crusher implant it just before this latest misadventure."
"Oh, I see…"
Pause.
"Did you and she-?"
"Yes, I dated her for a short time, before taking command of the Enterprise-E," Ranma said, as he takes a good look at the transponder. "Now, let's get to work…"
After Dougherty is murdered by Rua'fo, after Dougherty suggested that they should postpone their operations, Data, using the Captain's Yacht, attacks metaphasic collector, which was in orbit around the Ba'ku planet. Rua'fo, having already assigned an attack fleet to stop the Enterprise-E from broadcasting Ranma's report, orders his remaining ship to attack Data's ship. As a result, this forces Data to flee, forcing his attacker to follow, leaving Rua'fo's ship to handle the crisis alone.
"I want that android destroyed," Rua'fo said.
Suddenly, the door to Rua'fo's command deck blows open. All eyes turned towards the cause.
"Guess who's coming to dinner?" Ranma said, as he points his phaser at Rua'fo. "By the way, where is Dougherty?"
"He's dead, as you will soon be," Rua'fo sneered, as he discharged his pistol, causing an ensuing fire-fight to occur.
Ranma dives, and hits his marks expertly. He rolls over, and points his phaser Rua'fo.
"Surrender…now," Ranma replied.
"Oh, I don't think so," Rua'fo said, as he presses a site-to-site transporting effect. "I will have what I want…"
BRRRRRIIIIIINNNNNGGGGGG…
"Damn," Ranma said, as he lowers his phaser.
Just then, Worf and Rua'fo right-hand man Gallatin enter the Bridge of Rua'fo's flagship. Thankfully, Gallatin has a change of heart in seeking revenge against the Baku, when it was revealed that his mother, who still was on the planet, was in mortal danger…
"Sir, the ship has been secured," Worf said.
"But where did Rua'fo go?" Ranma said. He then turned towards Gallatin.
"Well?"
"If he is not here, then he has to be on the collector," Gallatin said. "He will manually activate it."
"Then the collector should be destroyed immediately," Worf said.
"No," Ranma said. "We had that option, but things have changed…"
Pause.
"Gallatin, want to go over to the collector."
"Alright, but be away that there is sensitive equipment on board," Gallatin replies. "Any significant disruption will cause the collector to…explode."
"I'll keep that in mind…"
Short time later…
"Stay away from me, Saotome," Rua'fo said.
Ranma looks at the Son'a leader, and then at the collector's inside. Although it appears that he and Rua'fo were many stories above, they were actually standing horizontally, due to being in space.
"Rua'fo, this is dumb," Ranma said. "You want revenge on the Ba'ku for rejecting you?"
"Yes. We wanted what was good for our people."
"And yet you became monsters. I mean, really. What's with the stretchy skin?"
"It's all in an effort to stay young."
"If you work with me, maybe we can come to an agreement with Sojef and the others?" Ranma said. "The planet is big enough for you to live on, and recover physically."
"But the process of rejuvenation takes time…"
"Yes, it will, but at least, you have a better chance at life than this," Ranma said. "And here's another thing to consider. You chose to leave your people in an effort to achieve great things, yes? Well, that doesn't mean the situation involving your people and the Ba'ku have to be all or nothing."
"No?"
"No. Even if you don't want to go rustic, you can be the leader that both the Son'a and the Ba'ku can need. You can lead the Son'a as a space faring power while protecting the Ba'ku world as a special retreat within this Briar Patch. Think about it. Many people would love to come here to vacation and rejuvenate their minds and bodies, but they would have to go through you and the Son'a. You will get the respect you crave, while respecting your forebears desires to be who they want to be…"
Pause.
"It's all about compromise, and being able to come up with a workable agreement that everyone can get behind. Not everybody will get what they want, but at least they can get something," Ranma said.
"But…what about Dougherty?" Rua'fo said. "I…well…"
"You will have to answer for that, Rua'fo," Ranma said. "But you will have to trust me on this on doing what's right for all concerned parties."
"Why would you want to go out of your way to do any of this?"
"Simple: my daughter and wife adopted the Ba'ku as their family, so, in that regard, what happens between you and the Ba'ku is MY business…"
Ranma extends his hand in friendship.
"What do you say?" Ranma asked.
Hesitantly, Rua'fo accepts Ranma's offer.
"I hope you know what you are doing, Saotome," Rua'fo said.
"I do, too, Rua'fo," Ranma said.
In the days ahead, the situation in regards to the Ba'ku Affair comes to a head, particularly after the Enterprise-E, under Riker's command, was successful in breaching the Son'a blockade. As a means to make amends over the death of Admiral Dougherty, the Son'a agrees to discontinue the sale of ketracel white to the Dominion, thus delivering a devastating set-back to the enemies of the Federation. Furthermore, after much negotiation, the Ba'ku agrees to allow the Son'a to live on the planet, with the proviso that no technology would be set or constructed on the planet itself. Meanwhile, the Son'a would convert the collector into an actual space station that would serve as a stopping point for visitors to the Ba'ku homeworld. In the end, the Son'a would eventually overcome their physical condition by becoming young again, even as the Ba'ku would accept the fact that not everyone was suited for the rustic lifestyle.
As for Ranma, both he and Akane had much catching up to do…
"Oh, wow," Ranma said, as he lies in bed with his wife. "That was…intense."
"That was the result of not being with anyone since your disappearance, Ranma," Akane said, as she cuddled her husband.
"You mean…you haven't…for a hundred YEARS?" Ranma said in disbelief.
"Why do you think I'm so mad at you?"
"Well, I thought it was because you think I'm some thoughtless jerk."
"That, too," Akane said. "So, what now?"
"Well, technically, I'm still on vacation, so, we have plenty of time to catch up."
"Alright," Akane said disappointedly.
"Akane-"
"I know. You're career Starfleet, but…nevermind."
"Akane, know that no matter what happens, you and our family will be with me," Ranma said, before kissing his wife. "I just want to protect others from the bullies that prey on helpless, like the Dominion, for instance."
"I know, but it's been so long since we were together," Akane said with a sigh. "I just…I just want you for myself. But, I know that you are needed to be out there."
"You believe that?" Ranma said in surprise.
"Yes, I do. Just because I was here on Ba'ku Prime, that doesn't mean I didn't hear about your exploits, for good and for ill…"
Pause.
"So, you and the Borg Queen-"
"Don't get me started on that one," Ranma said. "I mean, the things that I had to do to get the Borg to sign onto a peace agreement between them and the Federation..."
Pause.
"Man, I should be paid triple for THAT one."
Akane merely giggled in reply.
Fin.
Next Time: We know what happened to the wife and the daughter. Find out what happened to the son in "Nemesis". See you next time…