Star Trek: The Return of Ranma Saotome (by DS Wynne) *** Part 3: “Cascade Effect, Act 1 Ranma woke up to a throbbing headache. Where am I now? Ranma thought. He appeared to be in some sort of dojo, based upon the decorum of the place. He was about to get up and leave, when he heard a voice. So you must be Ranma,” said the voice. Ranma turned around to see a tall bearded man standing in front of him. He was also wearing the same close he was wearing back when he last woke up. Who are you?” demanded Ranma. My name is William T. Riker. This may sound strange, but we are a part of each other. Or, at the very least, you are a part of me. No, no. That’s a lie! I’m my own man. I know it! Do you really know it, son? From the dojo’s entrance came a husky man wearing a head covering on his head and a white martial arts gi. Pops, where the hell have you been? Probably stealing again. Genma chuckled at the thought. “Son, this may sound strange to you, but I’m not the father you used to know. Hell, I’m not the man I used to be. With that, the image faded, and in came a young woman. You’re that girl who called me ‘son’. What’s going on? Ranma, it’s like this. You died in a place called ‘Jusenkyo’, and Commander Riker here has ‘acquired’ you as a secondary form b/c of it. How is it that I’m talking to him, if I live in his body? This,” pointed Riker to an elaborate looking headband, “allow us to communicate with each other. Within my mind, there are two brain patterns. The computer that controls this environment created a body for this secondary brainwave. Right now, the body you have is a computer-generated image. Observe. Computer, cease primary program. Instantly, the scene collapsed to reveal the Holodeck grid. I…I- Don’t worry Ranma,” said Genko. “We’ll take this very slowly. *** So, Will, what do you think? Actually, I’m starting to get use to the idea of me sharing a body with another person, though I really rather not. Speaking of which, Beverly mentioned that the both the first and second brain patterns within your head are beginning to align themselves. Have you been feeling odd lately? Well, the only thing I’ve been feeling odd lately is to train and eat heavily. The martial arts training I don’t mind, but the eating part? Please. I got to watch my ‘figure’. And we’ll make sure of that real soon,” said a familiar voice. Ah, Genko. Please, pull up a seat. Thankfully, the only other person in Ten-Forward was Hana Kuonji, Guinan’s assistant, so the “Ranma Project” can still be spoken among a select few. Genko, I would like to thank you for helping us in this delicate situation. The pleasure is all mine. I want to make amends for what happened to my son Ranma years ago. Well, we’ll see about that,” replied Riker. Somehow, as his personality is merging with the other personality, he could help feel a bit perturbed about what Ranma’s father has put Ranma through. But that s silly…isn’t? We’ll have to table this discussion until later,” interjected Troi. “Duty calls. I’ll consider your offer, Ensign,” said Riker. Very well. Until then, take care. Genko sat in her seat while looking outside through the forward windows. To think she was getting a second chance at redemption! Unfortunately, with Nodoka’s “return” things have certainly become complicated. Sensei? Yes? Oh, it’s you Hana. How are you? I’m doing fine. I haven’t gotten everything on board yet, but I should be set to be the Quarter Master before we’re ready to ship off. That’s good. Have you kept up with your training? You look like you’re getting kinda soft No, unfortunately,” said an embarrassed Hana. “I’ve been putting my efforts into my career and cooking. Very well then. I’ll let it slide, but we will have to train. I just picked a new student, so I’ll need someone to help me in his training. I’m sure that’ll be fine. Great. I talk to you later about the details. Good day. After Genko left, Hana went to her office and began making inquires. As a ninja from the Kuonji clan, she knows a lot about surveillance and “hacking” (her specialty). Being an Intelligence Agent within Starfleet could afford her the luxury to delve into the role of an ordinary support officer aboard the Enterprise. Whenever something of interest occurs aboard ship, it’s Hana’s duty to monitor the situation, and then file a report directly to Starfleet Command. This time, however, Hana was accessing information that concerns something that Commander Will Riker had just mentioned: The Ranma Project. Hana’s family has known the Saotomes for years…though strangely they’ve only met the female representatives. Strangely, all of them went by the name “Genko”, and all of them seemed to be similar in appearances. It was Hana’s grand-mother that confronted her own “Genko” that the truth was known: “Genko Saotome” was the name of a series of clones that were produced ever since the time of the Eugenics War, and that the series existed to repay a family debt to the Kuonji clan. The exact nature of the debt was never elaborated, but that a Genko would always be there for a Kuonji. Of course, this was yet another lie that Genma Saotome had created soon after he received his permanent curse. The fact of the matter is that when Ukyo Kuonji went to find Genma and his son Ranma, in the matter of the yattai, Genma (now declaring herself as Genma’s younger sister “Genko”) persuaded Ukyo not to seek revenge, since both Genma and Ranma had “died”. As a way of placating her, Genko did three things: first, repay the dowry that she had stolen. Second, serve Ukyo as her helper for ten years. Finally, third, take on Ukyo as her student in the Anything Goes style as a way of complimenting the ninja style of the Kuonji. While Ukyo was still upset about not getting revenge, she nevertheless took up Genko’s offer. At the very least, she would have someone to bat around during her mood swings. During the course of their ten-year agreement, Genko and Ukyo became friends. As far as the world was concerned, they were a couple of tom-boys who were afraid of their femininity. When Konatsu, the cross-dressing ninja, came around, it was Genko who pushed these two together as a couple. Actually, it was Genko’s prompting Konatsu to be “more manly” that made Ukyo to take notice of him. And when the ten years of Genko’s servitude was up, Genko was on hand to be Ukyo’s brides-maid at Ukyo and Konatsu’s western-style wedding…and it was the first time Genko had ever voluntarily put on a dress. From that day forth, Genko would pop in and out of Ukyo’s life, either as herself or as her own descendent. That commitment to Ukyo would later transfer to Ukyo’s descendents, al the way up to her present heir Hana. Speaking of whom, as Hana began to tap into classified data, her eyes widened as to the recognition of the name. Unknown to Genko, Ukyo had always hoped that the Saotome and Kuonji lines would someday unite. Thus, the story of how Ukyo got involved with Genma and his son was told, passed down from mother to daughter (since the Kuonji line has long since become a matriarchal one). This was called “The Great Promise”, and it’s necessity has been grilled into the minds of future Kuonji descendents ever since. This can’t be…” mused Hana. She would, of course, double check her facts, but if what she read was true, then Genko has a lot of explaining to do. Curse you Ranma!” said a furious Ryouga, as he punched a boulder to pieces in one of the holodeck. Thankfully, technology has allowed him to engage in such “activities”. “And curse you Genko! If Genma being permanently cursed was bad enough, being cursed to turn into a pig when doused with cold water was worse. This is especially true for Ryouga Habiki, who has suffered his curse for the past 400 years. After following Ranma and his father to China, the so-called “Lost Boy” found himself at the edge of Jusenkyo. Where…where am I,” Ryouga asked himself. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!” screamed a voice. What-? BAM! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!” screamed Ryouga, as he fell into one of Jusenkyo’s springs. Luckily, the caretaker of the place rescued Ryouga, now turned into a small piglet. Unfortunately, this would have meant being eaten as a meal. Thankfully, being drop in hot water returned Ryouga to normal, but the damage had been done. In the days and weeks since being cursed, Ryouga continued his search for his hated foe, only to find out that Ranma had died, and learned from Nodoka (who was slowly going insane with revenge and grief) that Genma had been permanently cursed to be female. While Ryouga was thick headed at times, he realized that it was a hysterical female Genma who knocked over an unsuspecting Ryouga into the Spring of Drowned Pig. He thus turned his attention to getting revenge on Genma, and fought the cursed girl numerous times before Nadoka began her quest for vengeance, this time as a Kuei Jin (an Asian vampire). She had become one after committing ritual suicide, but with a burning rage against her husband. The first incident occurred during the eve of the so-called “Bell Riots”, a social upheaval in San Francisco in the year 2024 ad. Ryouga, thanks to a private investigation firm that he had formed years before, had tracked Genma (now Genko) to the city’s “Japan Town” district, where Genko was living at the time. Unfortunately, Nodoka was using Ryouga to track down her wayward “husband”. I got you now, Saotome!” sneered Ryouga, as he stood in a fighting stance. Shouldn’t you be home with your wife? Leave Akane out of this! The first time Ryouga confronted Genko, was when Genko was living with his friend Soun. Between the time Genma was initially cursed until the time he had come to live at the Tendo residence, a year had passed. Ryouga, after learning of Genko’s true identity, came to the Tendo house as well. It was during this period of time that Ryouga and Akane Tendo, Soun’s daughter, met. One thing led to another, and the two eventually wed. Unfortunately, the true horror of Ryouga’s curse was known when it became apparent that he was not aging. This refueled his quest to get vengeance on Genko, even though Genko herself had long since immigrated to America. Ryouga had originally thought Genko ran away out of cowardice. As he soon found out, it wasn’t the case at all. Ryouga, son, I can’t stress how sorry I am- Doesn’t matter! First, you take your son Ranma away to China. Then YOU curse me. Finally, I can never truly be with Akane because I can’t age. As long as you live, I will never have peace! We don’t have to do this. How would Akane feel about you killing her father’s best friend? I don’t care! You will pay! Very well. The two began trading fast and furious blows. Thankfully, the tenets of the Anything Goes style allowed Genko to adapt to Ryouga’s more linear style. Genko flipped over Ryouga’s punch, caught his neck with her thighs, perform a back flip (with Ryouga in tow), and threw him away. Ryouga couldn’t believe that Genko was faster than the last time they fought. She must have gotten some more training from that Old Ghoul again! Ryouga thought. For Genko’s part, she did receive more training the last time she was in China, not to mention the fact that she always competing in some street fight or tournament. While the two fought, another player from Genko’s past was watching them. Now, Genma, thought Nodoka, you will pay! What-?” said Genko. Her danger senses were tingling! Suddenly, Genko began feeling cuts all over her body. Instinctively, Genko ducked and dodged before leaping to a safe distance. To Ryouga, all he could see is a blur. Together with Genko, they could see who was Genko’s attacker. Nodoka…” said Genko, who was in a world of pain from the scars on her body. Hello…’husband’. Miss me? Ryouga used this time to make a strategic retreat. If Genko survived her encounter with this ‘thing’, he can always find his foe later. No words, dear? Nodoka, I told you I’m sorry for my actions. I even spent the last twenty years trying to make up my past. And another thing, what in Kami’s name happened to you? Rage is a funny thing. After fulfilling my obligation as your wife, I was giving a second chance by my master to return to enact final justice on you. I may be a youma now, but it’s the price to pay to get revenge on what you did to my son! Prepared, Genko got into a fighting stance to deal with the Kuei Jin. Vampires by virtue of their existence were stronger and faster than humans were. Still, Genko wasn’t an ordinary human…especially after she became 9th Level practitioner of the Anything Goes martial arts (the 10th level was reserved for her master Happosai, by virtue of him being a founder of that particular style). I will defend myself, Nodoka. And here I thought you loved me. Oh well. The two fought each other. With Ryouga, Genko was doing her best not to injure him during their fight. With Nodoka, though, all bets were off, albeit reluctantly. Thankfully, their activities were attracting undue attention from the local cops. We’ll finish this later, Genma.” Said Nodoka before disappearing into the shadows. Nodoka, I’m sorry,” said Genko before collapsing. Later, when she gave a police report while in the local hospital, due to her injuries, Genko claimed that she was a victim of a mugging. She would get better quickly, and leave town before she would face either Ryouga or Nodoka. In the years since that incident, Genko would face either of them all over the world. Finally, during the second Dark Ages in the mid-21st century, Genko faced her fears and issued a challenge to both of them. There, on the remains of the Tendo dojo, Genko first confronted Ryouga. Ryouga, I am tired of running. This will be the last time we will fight, okay? Certainly,” Ryouga said, as he cracked his knuckles. At that level, the two fought like demi-gods. Still, having finally supplanted her old master, and thus became the Grandmaster of the Anything Goes martial arts, Genko quickly decimated her opponent. With Ryouga in a joint lock, Genko made an ultimatum. Yield, Ryouga! I’m not going to go through this forever! ARRGGH! Yield, damn you! OKAY! I…yield. Very nice, Genma,” said Nodoka, as she clapped her hands. “I must say I am very impressed. I see that you brought the family blade, Nodoka. Of course. You did say you want to settle this, and you know how. Yes, yes I do. Genko took out a knife and knelt down on her knees. Nodoka, who was dressed up in her kimono, calmly went up behind her husband and brought her sword to bare SWOOSH! At the last minute, Genko ducked and performed a back-thrust kick into her former wife’s stomach, knocking the family sword out her hand. What-? I’m sorry that I’ve caused you pain, but I will not die for a mistake. Then why did you want me to…no. Yes,” Genko replied, as she picked up the family sword. “I’m sorry that I tricked you, but I needed the sword to put you to rest. Over the years, Genko had picked up lots of information on how to deal with a Kuei Jin, one of which involved the use of a unique object that is tied to the psyche of the vampire. In Nodoka’s case, it was the Saotome blade. Genko raised the sword over her head and began to fuse it with positive chi. Since Nodoka was a “negative chi” creature, the sword could now do aggravated damage to her. Forgive me I will never forgive you, so long as you are alive. I’ll find a way to destroy you, even if I have to crawl my way out of hell to do so! SWOOSH! CHOK! Nodoka was buried that very night on the Tendo property. Later, her body would be moved to a proper burial plot. As for Ryouga- well, without the quest for vengeance, he faded from Genko’s memory. Over the years, he would become a useful member of society, first helping to rebuild Earth, and then later helping it by joining Starfleet. On occasion, he would take a break by returning to Jusenkyo in the hope of finding a cure. Luckily for him, Ryouga maintained his ties with Starfleet as a Reservist. Recently, he had been spending several months in China, when Will Riker and Deanna Troi visited Jusenkyo. Now, with the apparent return of Ranma, Ryouga has finally found purpose again. He can now redeem himself completely by getting revenge on the one who caused his suffering. He quickly requested an assignment aboard the Enterprise, even if it is as a “Yeoman” (basically, an assistant to the captain of the ship). He hopes to return to his field of expertise in Engineering as soon as a post opens up. Computer,” began Ryouga, “End program. As he walked out of the Holodeck, Ryouga thought of a proper course of action to get his vengeance. He couldn’t go after Ranma just yet, but he hopes to do so real soon. But first, he has someone to talk to. I’ll have my vengeance, with or without Genko’s interference! Tbc. Next time: “Cascade Effect, Act 2