Star Trek: The Return of Ranma Saotome – By DS Wynne *** Disclaimer: None of the character within this fic belongs to me. Note: This is an alternate/crossover story. *** “A Rose By Any Other Name, Part 1” *** Commander Riker was practicing some of the moves that his “mother” Genko Saotome wanted him to learn…as Will Riker, while using the recreated Tendo dojo, on the holodeck, to train in. The yeoman felt that as long as the vampire Nodoka Saotome is around, everyone would be in danger, especially Riker. So far, Nodoka has yet to make a move, as far as she knew. In the meantime, Genko has contacted Deanna Troi’s mother Laxwanna Troi, the Ambassador of the planet Troi, the home of the telepathic Betazoids, in regards to an old family pledge. At the same time, there was the matter of the Chinese Amazon Pert, and the okonomiyaki ninja Hana Kuonji. Somehow, Riker’s “Ranma” persona managed to defeat Pert in a tournament, and thus secured Riker a “fiancé”; Hana, a long time family friend, was a product of a pledge to unite the Saotome and Kuonji clans, though Hana herself is not insisting on it. In fact, Pert is not insisting on her “engagement”, seeing it as an archaic means of getting a spouse. Only her great, grand-mother Shampoo wants Pert to pursue this thing. On another front, Riker will have to deal with the twin foes of Ambassador Kuno, the son of an Earth royal prince, from Japan, and Klingon princess, and Lt. Ryouga Hibiki, who was an Engineering Specialist. Tatewaki, also known as “The Red Storm”, wanted to challenge Riker for Deanna Troi’s hand, while Ryouga carried a centuries-old grudge against Riker’s Ranma persona. Still, thanks to Kuno’s sister Kodachi, who’s infatuated with both Riker and Ranma, and Ryouga’s insistence on Riker/Ranma receiving adequate training first, both battles have been put on hold. So now, with Captain Picard’s approval, Riker is using his spare time to train. The side-effect of his training is greater confidence and better physical conditioning. When Riker heard the holodeck doors opening up. He looked to see Deanna walking towards him with a picnic basket. “After noon, Deanna,” Will said, as he picked up his towel to towel himself off. “What brings you by?” “I just wanted to see if you want to break for lunch,” Deanna replied. “I know that you’ve been working out a lot this morning, so wanted to see if you were hungry.” “Man, I’m famish,” Riker said, as he sat down on a bench. “You know, ever since this thing happened to me, I’ve been more alive than at any time in my life.” “Well it certainly shows,” Deanna replied. “Maybe it’s Ranma’s influence at work.” “Maybe. So…are you fine with all this? I mean, the fiancé thing.” “To be honest, no, but…Lts. Pert and Kuonji are not insisting on it.” “Yeah, I’m glad. I really think Pert and Hana are nice, but this thing about arranged marriage is a bit bizarre.” “Tell me about it. You remember the flak a few years ago when Mother wanted me to marry the son of my Father’s friend, according to Betazoid custom.” “And you weren’t all that against the arrangement.” “I wanted to fulfill my family’s honor. What we shared was immaterial when dealing with that.” “I’m just glad that your fiancé decided to follow his dreams instead.” “Yeah. Say, can I…have lunch with Ranma? I want to get to know him a bit better.” Riker thought for a minute “Sure, why not? We are sharing the same body now. Computer: one cup of hot water, please.” With that, the holodeck materializes a small cup of water in Riker’s hand. “You want to have dinner later on? My treat!” “I would like that, Will,” Deanna replied. “Great! Well, see you around…” And with that, Riker dumped the contents of the cup over his head. “Oy,” Ranma said, as he shook the water from his brow. “Hello, Ranma,” Deanna said. She was a bit nervous about this meeting. “Hey, ‘D’,” Ranma said, as he stretched. It felt good being out and about. “I thought that you could use a refreshment,” Deanna said, as she brought out two bowls. “What’s this?” “This is vegetarian ramen,” Deanna replied, as she handed Ranma a bowl. “I made myself.” “Oh?” Ranma said, as he picked up his chop sticks. Hesitantly, he sniffed the contents, smiled, and took a bite. “Well?” Deanna asked. “Hey, this is good!” “Thank you,” Deanna said with a blush. Somehow, she was feeling like she was when she first met her imzadi William Riker. “I’ve used some spices from Betazed.” Ranma nodded, as he polished off the bowl. “You have another?” “Certainly!” Meanwhile, one of the crewmembers was walking down a darkened corridor, looking around nervously. She was sure that she was being followed- THUNK! THUNK! THUNK! Three mini-spatulas passed through the crewmember harmlessly. The crewmember turned towards the direction of the attack. “Hold it right there!” Hana Kuonji said, as she leaped from the shadows. Hana, a Food Service Manager from Deck Ten, Forward, and Security Specialist “Pert” were tracking down an unknown foe. Several crewmembers have been turning up depleted of blood or energy. So Pert asked Hana to assist her in tracking down the culprit, using her much vaunted Ninja skills. Unfortunately, in her haste to pounce on her prey, Hana was separated from Pert. “You’re not going anywhere!” The crewmember smiled, as her features changed. “You look…familiar…” Hana said. “My name is Nodoka. I’m sure dear Genma told you about me.” Then, it dawned on Hana. “You’re the demon who’s been after Sensei Genko for centuries!” “Humph. You make it seem like I’m a monster.” “Anyone who is willing to become a creature of the Dark IS a monster!” “Oh well,” Nodoka said with a sigh. “You can’t say that I didn’t try to make you understand.” With fangs bared, Nodoka lunged at Hana, who dodged the attack. However, Nodoka’s nature made her slightly more powerful than your average super-powered martial artist. So, the fight was decidedly one-sided. “Ugh!” Hana said, as she used her large spatula to lop-off one of Nodoka’s outstretched hands. “Ah!” Nodoka yelped, as she clutched her stump. “Do not move!” Hana said, as she tapped her communications badge. “Pert! This is Hana! I have the culprit.” Okay!” Pert replied over the communications link. “Wait for me, and do not do anything foolish!” “Relax, Pert. I got it under control-URG!” Somehow, a tentacle of some kind, snaked out of Nodoka’s stump, and grabbed Hana by the neck. “That was very naughty, little ninja girl.” With that, Nodoka bit down on Hana’s neck. “Ah!” Hana said, as she struggled from the bite. Suddenly, a beam of energy hit Nodoka in the back. Pert and her security detail had arrived just in time. “Ah!” Nodoka said, as she fell away from her prey. “Are you okay?” Pert said, as she knelt down towards her friend. “I…I think so,” Hana replied dizzily. “So, the cavalry has arrived,” Nodoka smirked. “Be seeing you.” And with that, Nodoka turned into a mist, and seeped into the ship’s air-ducts. “Dr. Crusher!” Pert said over the intercom. “I have a medical emergency!” “Standing by,” Dr. Beverly Crusher replied over the intercom. “Here, let me help you up, Hana,” Pert said. “There…” Hana said weakly. Pert noticed a hand on the deck. “I want you to secure that specimen, crewmember. Carefully.” “Aye, ma’am.” *** Later… “Why didn’t you tell us about this Nodoka woman, Yeoman?” Captain Picard demanded. The command crew was assembled in the conference room. “I didn’t know that Nodoka would try to come here, Captain,” Genko replied. “You don’t know how sorry I am for keeping her existence secret, while trying to find a way to deal with her.” “Well, now that she is here, what are our options?” “Due to this Nodoka’s nature, it will be very difficult to track her,” Commander Data, an android, replied. “However, based upon the analysis from Dr. Crusher of Nodoka’s hand, we may be able to modify the ship’s systems to pick her up on the sensor grid,” Chief Engineer Geordi LaForge interjected. “And how is Miss Kuonji, Dr. Crusher?” Picard asked. “She is exhibiting the symptoms that all the other victims are suffering from,” Dr. Beverly Crusher replied. “However, she should be able to make a full recovery soon.” “Sir, I would like to recommend that we do not inform the general crew-roster of this vampire’s presence,” Secuirty Chief Pert said. “Nodoka would pick up our manned sweeps as soon as she notices a pattern.” “I agree, Captain,” Commander Riker said. “We can find Nodoka before she can wreck anymore havoc.” “Understood. Counselor Troi, how is…’Ranma’?” “Ranma Saotome, while a tad impulsive is reasonably well-mannered.” “And your personal assessment?” “He’s…kinda cute.” Riker looked jealous, as did Pert. Not that either of them was willing to admit their feelings openly. “Well, that’s it then. Commander Riker, how are the preparations for the exhibition match between you and the Ambassador coming along?” “Well, the match is set to begin this afternoon, so I’ll be ready then.” “Indeed. I’m looking forward to it. The rest of you, keep me informed of your progress. Dismiss.” Genko and Pert comes over to the First Officer. “Since Hana is out, I will have to have someone take her place as your direct trainer. Be in the holodeck in thirty minutes.” “Fine. But in the future, let me know what is going on, okay?” “Aye…sir.” With that, Genko left. “Sir, I may know someone who could help us track down Nodoka, as well as neutralize her.” “You do that. Say, how do you feel about this whole…fiancé business?” “To be honest, I’m not sure. I’m suppose to marry ‘Ranma Saotome’, but he exists within you…and I don’t know how I feel about you.” “I understand what you mean. I’m sure things will work out.” “I hope so…sir.” And with that, Pert leaves to attend to her duties. “She’s very beautiful, Will,” Deanna said non-chalantly. “Yeah…I mean, no, I mean, it’s not what you think-“ “Relax, Will. We’re adults. Not teenagers with hormonally charged feelings.” And with that, Deanna gave Riker a peck on the cheek. “See you later.” And with that, Deanna left. Riker stood there for a moment, looking out into space. Deanna was his imzadi, his “soul mate”, but would it be fair for him to make a decision with taking into consideration Ranma’s feelings? Sighing, he left for Ten Forward. He’ll definitely need to talk to Guinan about this conundrum. Tbc. Author’s note: Should the one-true fiancée be Deanna Troi? Remember, I made the situation to turn out that “Akane Tendo” is Deanna’s ancestor. Of course, Deanna is nothing like Akane, right? Find out the truth when Laxwanna Troi makes her visit. Next time: Riker versus Kuno! Be there or be square!