Star Trek: The Return of Ranma Saotome (by DS Wynne) Disclaimer: The same. Note: The same. Part 2: “Family Reunion” A week later… Captain’s Log, Stardate 237604.25: After an exhaustive search, we were able to “capture” Commander Riker. It is rather odd that the commander is exhibiting abilities and a personality that is unlike anything I have encountered. Commander Data, who was injured in the process, is examining the historical record behind this “Josenkyo”, as well as its biological components. Hopefully, we will remedy this situation soon, before the Enterprise leaves the Earth sector. “So, Counselor, tell me exactly what happened again?” Counselor Deanna Troi escorted Captain Jean-Luc Picard, captain of the Federation Starship “Enterprise”, to sickbay. He had thought that some rest and relaxation back on Earth would have been a normal one. Instead, he is facing the possibility that his First Officer may not be in any good shape to resume duties. “Well, sir, we went to a remote part of China, when we came upon a series of cursed springs. Commander Riker fell into one of them and became this ‘Ranma’ boy.” “And you say you still can sense Commander Riker?” “Yes, there seems to be a duality at work here.” “I see. Well, I’ve informed the necessary authorities to declare the area a hazard zone, so there shouldn’t be any more ‘accidents’ of this nature. Mr. Data is collecting more information about this phenomenon, in hopes to learn its origin. Deanna, we will find the way to help Will. Trust me on this.” “I appreciate this.” The two Starfleet officers entered Sick Bay, and saw a struggling patient. “Let me outta here!” “Easy, Will,” replied Dr. Beverly Crusher. She was glad that the force fields were in place. “I told you, my name is Ranma!” yelled the boy. “How’s our patient?” asked Picard. “The patient is in peek health condition. In fact, the only thing that is wrong with him is the dual brain patterns.” “Son, my name is Captain Picard. What is your name?” “Ranma Saotome. Can you please tell me what’s going on?” “I was told that the last thing you remember is falling into a pool of water. Is that correct?” “Uh, yeah.” “Tell me, what year do you think this is?” “I’m not sure, but I believe it is the year 2002. Why do you want to know?” “You may find this strange, but it is really the year 2376.” “Ha, ha. Right.” “No, really. Otherwise, how would it be possible for you to suddenly find yourself here? What about being held an invisible barrier here in Sick Bay?” “It must be some trick. Besides, why should I trust you if you are going hold me captive.” “Good point. You say that you are a martial artist, right?” “Yeah.” “So, do you believe in honor?” “Yeah. I’m NOT my Pop, you know.” “Alright. Here’s the deal. I let you go once we determine the location of your family. Okay?” “Alright. It would be good to find out where my old man is.” “Fair enough. Doctor, keep me abreast on our guest.” “Yes, Captain.” Once Captain Picard left, Deanna went up to her “imzadi”. She couldn’t help but notice how cute the boy was, and how much he reminded her of a young Will Riker. “What do you want, Lady?” asked Ranma. “Imzadi,” replied Deanna mentally. “Hey!” shouted Ranma. “How are you doing that?” “We are…close, beloved,” replied Deanna orally. “Only those who are designated as intended mates can communicate with each other telepathically.” “Umm, is it like having a…fiancée?” “In a way, yes.” “Well, I’m not going to marry you or anyone else. No offense.” “None taken. But ask yourself this: why is it that I can speak to you telepathically if we weren’t ‘close’?” “Uh…” “Just think about it. I know how frightened you are about all this, but please, don’t rule anything out.” Meanwhile, in another part of the ship… “How’s the arm, Data?” “It is functional. I am surprised at how resistant Commander Riker had been of our retrieval.” “It was amazing that he exhibited some unusual traits, Geordi.” “Right. So, who are we greeting anyway?” “We have a new Security Chief to replace Lt. Commander Tyler. Her record is impeccable, and supposedly came from the same region that Commander Riker had his accident. She and a few others from the new roster will be the first to beam aboard during this shift.” “Sir, we’re ready,” replied the Transporter Chief. “Very good. Energize.” After a brief light show, four people materialized. One of the passengers, a girl with long blue hair, stepped out and saluted. “Lt. Pert reporting for duty.” “At ease, Miss Pert. I take it that your ‘family business’ has been taken care of?” “Somewhat. I hope to take care of some final details before the Enterprise leaves dry-dock.” “Fair enough. Yeoman Habiki will show you to your quarters.” “Thank you, sir.” “Follow me,” replied the yeoman, as he escorted the group out of the Transporter Room.” “Data, are you sure allowing that new guy to escort our newest editions to their room? Granted, he makes a great Captain’s Assistant, but he couldn’t find his way out of a broom closet.” “Geordi, Starfleet does not discriminate based upon a handicap. I am sure that PPS (personal positioning system) unit will help him in his unusual directional sense.” “If he remembered to put it on.” Later… “Yeoman, why are we in the Jeffrey’s Tube? Aren’t you suppose to take us to our QUARTERS?” “Uh, sorry about that. I’m kinda new here myself.” Curse you Ranma! Ryouga thought. Must you deny me my vengeance?” Meanwhile, a lone woman was walking through a cemetery in an old section of Tokyo. Under her long coat was her Starfleet uniform. In spite of her young appearance, she had enough experiences to fill several lifetimes. It had been years since the girl last been to her native homeland, and was ashamed for past actions. “Karma can be a b*tch, I guess,” the girl mused. She made her way to the grave of a past love, and was astonished at the site. Sure enough, the grave was opened…from the inside. “Nodaka…” the girl whispered. “Genma.” The girl turned around to see a pale looking woman. In spite of her ethereal-like beauty, Genko knew that this woman was a monster. “What? No words for your wife?” “My wife died a long time ago. A monster took her place.” “A monster. Ha! That’s a laugh, coming from the one who murdered my son!” Within a blink of an eye, Nodaka was upon Genko. In spite of her supernatural strength, the one formerly known as Genma Saotome was well prepared to battle this kuei-jin. She didn’t survive 400 years for nothing. Besides, she was the Grandmaster of Anything Goes Martial Arts. Using a classic air judo move, Genko grabbed what’s left of Nodaka’s kimono and rolled backwards, flipping her opponent away. Genko then turned around to prepare for another attack, but could see that her opponent had disappeared. “I see that you are as skilled as always, Gen-chan,” said Nodaka’s disembodied voice. “Fine. I wasn’t going to kill you…yet. My son is alive, and I intend to find him first. And then we will get together again for one final time. Be seeing you.” Genko, when she felt that she was finally alone, broke down and cried. She has long since given up her manhood, so crying came natural for her these days. No, Genko was crying for the fact that if her son was alive, he will become a pawn in her wife’s quest for vengeance. Guinan was glad to be able to have an assistant for the new “Ten-Forward”. She was surprised that it took this long to install one. However, with so many things happening in the past few years, it was understandable. At any rate, she was glad to have an actual Starfleet officer to act as liaison for a change. “Here’s the finally batch of nutritional data files you wanted, ma’am.” “Thanks, yeoman. I glad that you chose this assignment instead of the one back at Starfleet Academy.” “Well, I felt that it was time to see the universe before taking up the family business. Besides, what would you do without me?” “Heh. Hey, is this yours?” “Hmm? Oh, thanks.” The yeoman picked up a large spatula and placed it over the bar. “And you can fight with this thing?” “Believe or not, yes. You know that I’ve come from a family of cooks, but what you don’t know is that we perfected our trade to a fighting art. Here, let me demonstrate this.” FLICK! FLICK! FLICK! FLICK! FLICK! FLICK! FLICK! FLICK…! The yeoman threw a series of mini-spatulas into the far wall, to form the kanji that made up her family name: Kuonji. “Very impressive, yeoman.” “Thanks. It’s not the only martial arts style that I know, but I prefer to master my family’s style. Only the women in the family know it.” “I see. Oh, take this document to Commander Data. We may need more ‘spirits’ for the launching ceremony, especially when our special guest arrives.” Later, in the Captain’s Ready room… “Okay, Mr. Data. Report.” “We believe that the Josenkyo Training grounds may have been a result of Changeling activity.” “Indeed.” “I concur, captain,” interjected Dr. Crusher. “Commander Riker’s biology has been infected by a retro virus that is similar to the genetic structure of The Founders.” “How is this possible? There aren’t any records of Dominion activity before the Federation’s first encounter.” “Captain, there has always been legends and myths of shape-shifters on Earth and on many other worlds. It is not impossible that Changelings have visited this world without being Founders.” “I see. Dr. Crusher, anything else?” “This may be nothing, but there is one crew member that fits the profile of a victim of Josenkyo.” “Who?” “Ensign Genko Saotome, reporting sir.” “Please, have a seat.” “Thank you, sir” The medical specialist nervously took her seat. When she learned that Doctor Crusher had accessed, an early warning mechanism had sent a signal to her communication system while she was still on Earth. She was nervous that they might have learned her true identity. “Tell me, have you ever been to a place called ‘Josenkyo’?” “’Josenkyo’, sir?” “Yes. Apparently, Commander Riker has become a victim of a shape-shifting virus. Now he’s appears to be a teenaged Japanese boy who is calling himself Ranma Saotome. Do you know anything about this? Ensign?” Genko had to bring herself back to attention. Ranma is alive, she thought to herself. “Ensign?” “Sorry, sir. To answer your question, I’m afraid I do.” Later… Genko, along with Counselor Troi, went into SickBay nervously. So much has happened, and yet Ranma hasn’t changed one bit. Could she get a second chance at parenthood? “Hello, Ranma.” “Finally, THEY got the hint. What do you want?” “I have something to tell you, but I will have to do something first. I’m sorry, Son.” “What-?” Genko poured hot water over Ranma. Immediately, Ranma turned back into the burly Commander Riker. “Deanna…?” “Will, you’re okay!” cried Troi, as she hugged her Imzadi. “What happened? How did I end up here?” “Commander Riker?” began Genko. “I think there’s something that you need to know.” “So, I’m suffering from a case of split personality?” “Indeed. Like you, I am a victim of Josenkyo, only my curse is pernament.” “So, you were a man nearly 400 years ago? How come we didn’t know this?” “I simply didn’t want to anyone to know my past. I did a lot of things that I haven’t been proud of, and I am still paying for it.” “I see. So what had happened to cause all this?” “Well, it began like this…” Tbc. Author’s note: Same as always (i.e. “Comments and criticisms are welcomed.”). Next time: Genko tell her tale, Ranma finds acceptance in his new situation, and the past begins to catch up with both “father” and “son” in “Cascade Effect”. See you there!