Ryuranger
11-23-2003, 12:13 PM
“The warriors of Titan were known for their prowess, bravery, are their relentless spirits.
For Tommy, they were simply a reminder of all he had lost.”
-- H.T. Covington, 2110
“The Rise and Fall of INET Vol. 3:
Flight of the Galaxy Mega”
---Ultimate Power Rangers
---Season 05
---Digital Task Force Astro Rangers
---Chapter Six: Beware the Spores
“We’re entering the Drilax System,” Cy said as he and the rangers manned their stations on the bridge of the Megaship.
“Take us out of hyperspace,” Tommy said. “Kat, open a channel to Drilax One.”
A face on the viewscreen appeared that caused a massive surge of anger to well up inside Tommy. It was a cross between an ape and a wolf, and looked almost identical to Goldar.
“State your purpose,” the simian said. Tommy simply wrinkled his brow.
Cy spoke up. “We have an important message for your people. Astronema’s forces are gathering to attack this system. They’re using the Golios Cluster as cover.”
The simian nodded. “We have detected some strange activity in that area…We’ll send you an approach vector. Your ship will be thoroughly scanned before docking at our space port.”
“Understood,” Cy said as the viewscreen blinked off.
“Cy, can I talk to you,” Tommy said as he and Cy entered the turbolift.
“That thing…what was that thing…I thought that planet was Drilax One?”
“It is. Drilax One. Titan,” Cy said. “Why?”
Tommy shook his head. “Goldar…” he muttered quietly with venom in his voice.
***
Astronema sat in her ready room as she gazed out her viewport into the Golios Cluster. It had nebula-like qualities that were pleasing to her eye.
Eclipter walked into the room and stood at attention in front of her desk. “The carrier is ready, princess.”
“Excellent,” Astronema said. “Send him to Titan at once. Then to Drilax Two.”
“It will be done,” Eclipter said. “There is something else. Our spies on Titan have informed us that the Rangers have just arrived.”
A crooked smile spread across Astronema’s face. “How unfortunate for them. Send the carrier.”
***
The Megaship was docked in an orbital spaceport and the teens were led down to Titan’s capital city via one of their shuttles.
The city’s skyscrapers appeared as if they were carved from stone. Giant statues of various winged warriors native to the world lines the streets. They made Tommy’s stomach churn.
“We are honored to have you here,” their guide said as he led them. He was dressed in a suit of bronze armor. “Tales of your exploits have reached even our corner of the quadrant. We are impressed, a feat not accomplished lightly.”
“What are all these statues of?” Kat asked.
“Warriors who have died in battle,” the guide, Balthus, said. “We are a proud race of warriors. To die in battle is a great honor.”
“Dragon Ranger!!”
Tommy’s head whipped around to his right as he saw a Titan dressed in a mixture of gold and silver armor. He was armed with two long-knives a few inches shorter than Tommy’s Drill Saber.
“Vengeance is mine!” the simian warrior yelled as he charged towards Tommy. Their guide stood in front of Tommy to protect him, but he pushed the bronze-plated Titan aside and charged towards his opponent.
“Install, Astro Ranger!” he shouted as he transformed into his armor and leapt towards the Titan. He flying sidekicked the simian in the chest, then landed as he backfisted the warrior across the face.
The Titan rolled with the blow and spun, swinging his blades horizontally while aiming for Astro Red’s chest. Astro Red quickly grabbed the simian’s wrist before the blow could connect and twisted. The longknife fell out of the warrior’s left hand and Astro Red hook kicked the simian across the head.
A barrage of bronze flame slammed into the silver-plated warrior and tossed him backwards as Balthus leapt between him and Astro Red, using his wings to make the jump.
A trio of black-armored warriors swooped down from the air and surrounded the silver-plated assailant. One of the black guards stood behind the silver warrior and held him steady by the arms as the other guards pointed spears at his throat.
“Take him away,” Balthus said.
“Wait,” Tommy said as he demorphed and walked towards the simian that attacked him. The other rangers and Cy stood by watching with peaked curiosity.
“Who are you?” Tommy asked as he stood in front of the silver warrior.
“I am Grifalzor,” he said.
“Doesn’t ring a bell,” Tommy said.
The warrior snarled at him. “You brought dishonor to my family.”
Tommy glared at Grifalzor. “Maybe your family deserved it…take him away.”
***
Titan’s Grand Hall was circular and lined with 12 pillars. Each pillar represented a different godling that the Titans worshipped. The ceiling of the room domed off, and several slits let the light of the setting sun pour into the room, casting a golden hue across everything.
In the front of the room sat the emperor. He was dressed in a blue cloak that brought out the dark navy color of his fur. His broad wings swept backwards and over the throne he sat upon. Behind the emperor was a statue half the size of a megazord. It was of a large Titan with six wings extending outward, and four hands stretched out holding a sphere that was shaped to resemble their homeworld.
“That is our interpretation of the Lifegiver, He who shaped the cosmos,” Balthus explained to the humans as they filed into the room. The Astros were morphed, but carried their helmets off to their sides, the equivalent of a dress uniform, Cy had told them.
“My lord,” Balthus said as he kneeled before the emperor. “I present the Rangers of Earth.”
The emperor nodded. “Speak.”
Cy stepped forward. “We came to…”
“Ranger speak,” the emperor said, cutting off Cy. Cy looked to Tommy, and Tommy hesitantly stepped forward.
“We came to warn you,” Tommy said. “Astronema’s amassing a fleet in the Golios Cluster. She means to take over your system and use it as a stepping stone into the fourth quadrant of our galaxy.”
The emperor nodded. He stared at Tommy silently as he rose from his throne and walked towards the teen, his robe flowing. “Your fear.”
Tommy wrinkled his brow. “What?”
The emperor snarled. “Sorrow, fear, anger, aggression…”
Tommy took a deep breath to try and stay patient. “We’re not talking about me, we’re talking about Astronema, and while we’re talking, she’s getting ready to invade this whole system.”
The emperor snarled again as he looked Tommy up and down. “You care not.”
Tommy sighed. “I care about stopping Sauron.”
The emperor lifted his head and sniffed the air. “They come.”
A warning bell rang outside as Balthus turned to the Rangers. “We are under attack.”
“Let’s go,” Tommy said as they left the atrium.
***
A moth-type creature was flying through the air over Titan’s capital with a cloud of dust trailing behind it.
The Astro Rangers ran through the street as the monster swooped down low. Astro Red leapt through the air, bounced off a statue and tackled the monster in mid flight. The two went crashing to the ground.
The monster rose to its feet as the Rangers regrouped. The moth creature spread its wings and fired a cloud of dust at the Rangers. The five braced themselves, but the cloud of particles passed harmlessly over them.
“That the best you got?” Astro Red said.
The monster shook its head. “You’ll see.” It spred its wings and shot up through the air and out of sight.
***
Tommy was in his quarters on board the Megaship, the planet Titan visable from his viewport. He was going over the book Gandor had given him when his door chimed.
“Come in,” he said.
The door slid open and Tommy snapped to his feet as a female Titan entered the room.
“How’d you get here?” he asked.
She held up her hands as a sign she meant no harm. “Your friends let me on board and directed me to your quarters. I am Balthus’s mate, Jintara. May I have a seat?”
“Actually I’m…” before Tommy could finish his objection, Jintara took a seat on his bed. The female looked much more wolven and slender than her male counterparts. She also bore no wings. Tommy reluctantly took a seat. “What is it you want?”
“To speak to you,” Jintara said. “About him.”
“What makes you think I want to talk about Goldar?” Tommy asked. “I got rid of him a long time ago.”
She nodded. “You would judge our whole species by the acts of one?”
“I never said that,” Tommy said sternly. “Now if the only reason you’re here is to psychoanalyze me, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“I came to explain the actions of Grifalzor,” she said.
“I could care less,” Tommy said. “I-”
“He is only a pup,” she said before Tommy could object. “Nineteen of your years. For centuries, his family has been of the lower class, without honor, without purpose, all because of Goldar. His ancestor. The actions of Goldar damned his family line.”
“Why does he blame me for having a bad family line?” Tommy asked.
Jintara smiled. “Makes about as much sense as you blaming my entire species for the acts of Goldar.”
“That’s quite a helpful explanation,” Tommy said sarcastically.
“Grifalzor believes Goldar was tricked into joining Bandora. When he resurfaced on Earth after centuries of being thought dead…Grifalzor believed that Goldar intended to redeem himself and restore honor to his family,” Jintara said.
“That’s bull,” Tommy said.
Jintara nodded. “As I said. He is only a pup. It would take an act of great honor to restore his family’s status. He had high hopes.”
“Well just explain to him that his family is a bunch of blood thirsty psychopaths,” Tommy said.
Jintara rose from the bed. “I pray your time here will lighten your heart.” She left the room.
***
Cy, Balthus and Jintara called the rangers into the Megaship’s sickbay a few hours later. Two creatures were also in the room that the teens didn’t recognize until they were introduced as Faleans, a cast of healers that coexisted with the Titans. Their features were cat-like.
“I’ve got bad news,” Cy said as the rangers filed in.
“What is it?” Tommy asked.
Cy looked to the orange-furred Falean named Bet’la, who pulled up an image on the medical bay’s monitor. It was a spore interacting with other cells.
“These spores were spread by the creature you fought earlier,” Bet’la said. “They’re designed to attack their hosts on an atomic level, breaking an organism apart quark by quark.
“The spores are highly adaptive,” Bet’la continued. “Even when we simply examine a spore, it changes its own composition, making it almost impossible to counter.”
“Are you saying we’ve all been infected?” Justin asked.
“Yes,” Bet’la said. “You, and half of Titan’s population by now. The spores are easily spread by air and can strive and multiple outside of a host for hours.”
“How long do you have to come up with a cure?” Tommy asked.
Bet’la’s fur bent backwards, a sign of distress. “In 24 hours, those already affected by the spore will die. I can not develop a cure in that amount of time. The spores are too adaptive.”
The rangers turned pale, except for Tommy, who’s face turned blood red. He glared at Balthus and Jintara. “You people are cursed,” he said as he stormed out of sick bay.
***
Astronema was in her ready room, reviewing reports from patrol ships in the sector when Eclipter walked in.
“The carrier has delivered the spores to the capital city and is continuing to circle the planet,” Eclipter said.
“Excellent,” Astronema said. “Prepare our occupation forces.”
“Yes, my princess,” Eclipter said as he stepped out of the room.
For Tommy, they were simply a reminder of all he had lost.”
-- H.T. Covington, 2110
“The Rise and Fall of INET Vol. 3:
Flight of the Galaxy Mega”
---Ultimate Power Rangers
---Season 05
---Digital Task Force Astro Rangers
---Chapter Six: Beware the Spores
“We’re entering the Drilax System,” Cy said as he and the rangers manned their stations on the bridge of the Megaship.
“Take us out of hyperspace,” Tommy said. “Kat, open a channel to Drilax One.”
A face on the viewscreen appeared that caused a massive surge of anger to well up inside Tommy. It was a cross between an ape and a wolf, and looked almost identical to Goldar.
“State your purpose,” the simian said. Tommy simply wrinkled his brow.
Cy spoke up. “We have an important message for your people. Astronema’s forces are gathering to attack this system. They’re using the Golios Cluster as cover.”
The simian nodded. “We have detected some strange activity in that area…We’ll send you an approach vector. Your ship will be thoroughly scanned before docking at our space port.”
“Understood,” Cy said as the viewscreen blinked off.
“Cy, can I talk to you,” Tommy said as he and Cy entered the turbolift.
“That thing…what was that thing…I thought that planet was Drilax One?”
“It is. Drilax One. Titan,” Cy said. “Why?”
Tommy shook his head. “Goldar…” he muttered quietly with venom in his voice.
***
Astronema sat in her ready room as she gazed out her viewport into the Golios Cluster. It had nebula-like qualities that were pleasing to her eye.
Eclipter walked into the room and stood at attention in front of her desk. “The carrier is ready, princess.”
“Excellent,” Astronema said. “Send him to Titan at once. Then to Drilax Two.”
“It will be done,” Eclipter said. “There is something else. Our spies on Titan have informed us that the Rangers have just arrived.”
A crooked smile spread across Astronema’s face. “How unfortunate for them. Send the carrier.”
***
The Megaship was docked in an orbital spaceport and the teens were led down to Titan’s capital city via one of their shuttles.
The city’s skyscrapers appeared as if they were carved from stone. Giant statues of various winged warriors native to the world lines the streets. They made Tommy’s stomach churn.
“We are honored to have you here,” their guide said as he led them. He was dressed in a suit of bronze armor. “Tales of your exploits have reached even our corner of the quadrant. We are impressed, a feat not accomplished lightly.”
“What are all these statues of?” Kat asked.
“Warriors who have died in battle,” the guide, Balthus, said. “We are a proud race of warriors. To die in battle is a great honor.”
“Dragon Ranger!!”
Tommy’s head whipped around to his right as he saw a Titan dressed in a mixture of gold and silver armor. He was armed with two long-knives a few inches shorter than Tommy’s Drill Saber.
“Vengeance is mine!” the simian warrior yelled as he charged towards Tommy. Their guide stood in front of Tommy to protect him, but he pushed the bronze-plated Titan aside and charged towards his opponent.
“Install, Astro Ranger!” he shouted as he transformed into his armor and leapt towards the Titan. He flying sidekicked the simian in the chest, then landed as he backfisted the warrior across the face.
The Titan rolled with the blow and spun, swinging his blades horizontally while aiming for Astro Red’s chest. Astro Red quickly grabbed the simian’s wrist before the blow could connect and twisted. The longknife fell out of the warrior’s left hand and Astro Red hook kicked the simian across the head.
A barrage of bronze flame slammed into the silver-plated warrior and tossed him backwards as Balthus leapt between him and Astro Red, using his wings to make the jump.
A trio of black-armored warriors swooped down from the air and surrounded the silver-plated assailant. One of the black guards stood behind the silver warrior and held him steady by the arms as the other guards pointed spears at his throat.
“Take him away,” Balthus said.
“Wait,” Tommy said as he demorphed and walked towards the simian that attacked him. The other rangers and Cy stood by watching with peaked curiosity.
“Who are you?” Tommy asked as he stood in front of the silver warrior.
“I am Grifalzor,” he said.
“Doesn’t ring a bell,” Tommy said.
The warrior snarled at him. “You brought dishonor to my family.”
Tommy glared at Grifalzor. “Maybe your family deserved it…take him away.”
***
Titan’s Grand Hall was circular and lined with 12 pillars. Each pillar represented a different godling that the Titans worshipped. The ceiling of the room domed off, and several slits let the light of the setting sun pour into the room, casting a golden hue across everything.
In the front of the room sat the emperor. He was dressed in a blue cloak that brought out the dark navy color of his fur. His broad wings swept backwards and over the throne he sat upon. Behind the emperor was a statue half the size of a megazord. It was of a large Titan with six wings extending outward, and four hands stretched out holding a sphere that was shaped to resemble their homeworld.
“That is our interpretation of the Lifegiver, He who shaped the cosmos,” Balthus explained to the humans as they filed into the room. The Astros were morphed, but carried their helmets off to their sides, the equivalent of a dress uniform, Cy had told them.
“My lord,” Balthus said as he kneeled before the emperor. “I present the Rangers of Earth.”
The emperor nodded. “Speak.”
Cy stepped forward. “We came to…”
“Ranger speak,” the emperor said, cutting off Cy. Cy looked to Tommy, and Tommy hesitantly stepped forward.
“We came to warn you,” Tommy said. “Astronema’s amassing a fleet in the Golios Cluster. She means to take over your system and use it as a stepping stone into the fourth quadrant of our galaxy.”
The emperor nodded. He stared at Tommy silently as he rose from his throne and walked towards the teen, his robe flowing. “Your fear.”
Tommy wrinkled his brow. “What?”
The emperor snarled. “Sorrow, fear, anger, aggression…”
Tommy took a deep breath to try and stay patient. “We’re not talking about me, we’re talking about Astronema, and while we’re talking, she’s getting ready to invade this whole system.”
The emperor snarled again as he looked Tommy up and down. “You care not.”
Tommy sighed. “I care about stopping Sauron.”
The emperor lifted his head and sniffed the air. “They come.”
A warning bell rang outside as Balthus turned to the Rangers. “We are under attack.”
“Let’s go,” Tommy said as they left the atrium.
***
A moth-type creature was flying through the air over Titan’s capital with a cloud of dust trailing behind it.
The Astro Rangers ran through the street as the monster swooped down low. Astro Red leapt through the air, bounced off a statue and tackled the monster in mid flight. The two went crashing to the ground.
The monster rose to its feet as the Rangers regrouped. The moth creature spread its wings and fired a cloud of dust at the Rangers. The five braced themselves, but the cloud of particles passed harmlessly over them.
“That the best you got?” Astro Red said.
The monster shook its head. “You’ll see.” It spred its wings and shot up through the air and out of sight.
***
Tommy was in his quarters on board the Megaship, the planet Titan visable from his viewport. He was going over the book Gandor had given him when his door chimed.
“Come in,” he said.
The door slid open and Tommy snapped to his feet as a female Titan entered the room.
“How’d you get here?” he asked.
She held up her hands as a sign she meant no harm. “Your friends let me on board and directed me to your quarters. I am Balthus’s mate, Jintara. May I have a seat?”
“Actually I’m…” before Tommy could finish his objection, Jintara took a seat on his bed. The female looked much more wolven and slender than her male counterparts. She also bore no wings. Tommy reluctantly took a seat. “What is it you want?”
“To speak to you,” Jintara said. “About him.”
“What makes you think I want to talk about Goldar?” Tommy asked. “I got rid of him a long time ago.”
She nodded. “You would judge our whole species by the acts of one?”
“I never said that,” Tommy said sternly. “Now if the only reason you’re here is to psychoanalyze me, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“I came to explain the actions of Grifalzor,” she said.
“I could care less,” Tommy said. “I-”
“He is only a pup,” she said before Tommy could object. “Nineteen of your years. For centuries, his family has been of the lower class, without honor, without purpose, all because of Goldar. His ancestor. The actions of Goldar damned his family line.”
“Why does he blame me for having a bad family line?” Tommy asked.
Jintara smiled. “Makes about as much sense as you blaming my entire species for the acts of Goldar.”
“That’s quite a helpful explanation,” Tommy said sarcastically.
“Grifalzor believes Goldar was tricked into joining Bandora. When he resurfaced on Earth after centuries of being thought dead…Grifalzor believed that Goldar intended to redeem himself and restore honor to his family,” Jintara said.
“That’s bull,” Tommy said.
Jintara nodded. “As I said. He is only a pup. It would take an act of great honor to restore his family’s status. He had high hopes.”
“Well just explain to him that his family is a bunch of blood thirsty psychopaths,” Tommy said.
Jintara rose from the bed. “I pray your time here will lighten your heart.” She left the room.
***
Cy, Balthus and Jintara called the rangers into the Megaship’s sickbay a few hours later. Two creatures were also in the room that the teens didn’t recognize until they were introduced as Faleans, a cast of healers that coexisted with the Titans. Their features were cat-like.
“I’ve got bad news,” Cy said as the rangers filed in.
“What is it?” Tommy asked.
Cy looked to the orange-furred Falean named Bet’la, who pulled up an image on the medical bay’s monitor. It was a spore interacting with other cells.
“These spores were spread by the creature you fought earlier,” Bet’la said. “They’re designed to attack their hosts on an atomic level, breaking an organism apart quark by quark.
“The spores are highly adaptive,” Bet’la continued. “Even when we simply examine a spore, it changes its own composition, making it almost impossible to counter.”
“Are you saying we’ve all been infected?” Justin asked.
“Yes,” Bet’la said. “You, and half of Titan’s population by now. The spores are easily spread by air and can strive and multiple outside of a host for hours.”
“How long do you have to come up with a cure?” Tommy asked.
Bet’la’s fur bent backwards, a sign of distress. “In 24 hours, those already affected by the spore will die. I can not develop a cure in that amount of time. The spores are too adaptive.”
The rangers turned pale, except for Tommy, who’s face turned blood red. He glared at Balthus and Jintara. “You people are cursed,” he said as he stormed out of sick bay.
***
Astronema was in her ready room, reviewing reports from patrol ships in the sector when Eclipter walked in.
“The carrier has delivered the spores to the capital city and is continuing to circle the planet,” Eclipter said.
“Excellent,” Astronema said. “Prepare our occupation forces.”
“Yes, my princess,” Eclipter said as he stepped out of the room.