Ryuranger
03-19-2004, 04:40 PM
---Ultimate Power Rangers
---Season 05
---Digital Task Force Astro Rangers
---Chapter Fifteen: Unlikely Attractions
Darkonda paced back and forth within a dark cave. The cave’s planet had no name. The system itself was only given a numeral designation. It was the perfect meeting place for the vile creature.
Beams of energy flashed before the villain and faded to reveal a humanoid woman. Her eyes were solid white, and her long hair fiery red.
“What took you so long?” Darkonda asked.
The woman bowed mockingly. “I did not mean to keep the almighty and powerful Darkonda waiting.”
Darkonda tensed at the joke. “Have I ever found you amusing, Telsa?”
“I suppose not,” Telsa said as she lifted her head. “Now…why have you brought me here?”
“It’s quite simple,” Darkonda said. “Every being with at least half a brain cell knows this galaxy will belong to Sauron soon. I plan to be at his right side when that happens.”
“What about Astronema?” Telsa asked. “He’s taken quite a fancy to her. Rumor has it that if he had a body…well…you get the point.”
“She’s a child,” Darkonda said, a villainous smile spreading across his face. “Besides…that’s where you come in.”
Telsa arced an eyebrow at the creature. “You must be joking.”
“Not at all,” Darkonda said. “I’ve been doing research, and-”
“Doing research, or torturing until they do research for you?” she asked.
Darkonda waved his hand in a dismissing manner. “It’s the same thing, really. Now…Astronema, it seems, draws all her power from the magick. Killing her is as simple as striping that power.”
Telsa laughed and shook her head. “You always have been insane.”
“That’s besides the point,” Darkonda said. “I have a plan, my white-eyed vixen, and you’re going to help me…”
Darkonda extended his hand and fired a jagged stream of energy lashes that whipped across Telsa, sending her crashing backwards against the cave wall.
***
The Astro Megaship was in orbit around Aquitar. A fleet was massing at the watery world in preparation for a massive assault against Sauron.
The rangers had left the Megaship for the world’s capital city, called Gungan. The city was an intricate layering of bridges, walkways and buildings, all surrounded by a massive energy dome. The dome separated the city from the Nebian Sea just outside.
Tommy and the others had met with the Aquition ranger team, one of which they had already met during their time as Zeo Rangers. Tommy had expected to run into Billy on the water world, but the Kirin ranger was no where to be found. No one, it seemed, was sure where Billy was.
The rangers weren’t in the city long before it came under attack. Namor, a prince who lived in the dark waters, had been fighting the Aquitions for years.
Namor’s forces infiltrated the city. The grunts were creatures that resembled fish/lizard hybrids. Their scales formed blades across their forearms and heads.
The Earth and Aquition rangers joined together and readied their morphers as the creatures advanced.
“Alright guys…” Tommy said. “It’s morphin time!”
“Install, Astro Ranger!” the team shouted as they keyed in their transformation code and morphed into their Ranger forms.
“Astro Red!”
“Astro Black!”
“Astro Blue!”
“Astro Yellow!”
“Astro Pink!”
“Digital Task Force…Astro Rangers!”
The Aquitions readied their morphers. Each brace was engraved with the symbol of a mythological water-dwelling beast.
“Aqua Beast, rebirth!” they shouted while slapping their brace’s activation panels.
“Sea-Dragon Ranger!” the red-armored Ranger shouted.
“Griffandor Ranger!” the black-armored Ranger shouted.
“Pegasaur Ranger!” the blue-armored Ranger shouted.
“Mermaid Ranger!” the white-armored Ranger shouted.
“Water-Bird Ranger!” the pink-armored Ranger shouted.
Namor’s soldiers leapt forward to attack the Ranger teams. Each reptile secreted dripping poison from its fangs and fins.
Astro Red leapt forward with a flying sidekick, smashing his heel against a soldier’s chest and cracking the grunt’s ribs and bone. Another soldier charged towards Astro Red when the Ranger landed. The villain spun through the air while holding its fins out to strike.
“Back off fish face,” Astro Red said, slamming a reverse sidekick against the creature while it was still in midair. The grunt’s body was whipped backwards and fell to the ground.
Another trio of soldiers moved in to attack Astro Red, their mouths wide open to bite down on the Ranger. Sea-Dragon Ranger leapt forward to Astro Red’s aid.
Red Aquition Ranger extended his hands like claws and slammed down on both sides of a grunt’s neck. He followed by drawing his slender blade and turning to his right, running the sword through a creature from its right shoulder to the left side of its hip. Sea-Dragon Ranger pulled the sword free and swung hard to his left, decapitating the third creature’s head with a single strike.
Griffandor Ranger leapt forward, slamming his knee upside a soldier’s head. Astro Black moved in besides the black Aquition Ranger, twirling his staff and bashing in a nearby soldier’s head.
Pegasaur Ranger descended from the air and double kicked a pair of soldiers before twisting and landing. Astro Blue dove over a soldier’s blow and somersaulted across the ground. He rose and flipped a grunt over his shoulder.
Astro Pink and Water-Bird Ranger stood back to back, each extending their fire arm and sending energy blasts ripping through a group of the water-dwelling soldiers.
Mermaid Ranger slammed a palm-heel strike upside a soldier’s head and spun forward, slamming a knifehand blow across the soldier’s face. Nearby, Astro Yellow launched a flurry of kicks, bashing her way through a group of four soldiers.
Astro Red ran his Drill Saber through the final soldier.
“That’s the last of them,” Astro Red said as he tossed the soldier’s unmoving body to the ground.
The ten rangers powered down their armor. The Earth rangers were taken slightly aback, still not used to the humid air of the Aquition city.
Cestro walked over to Tommy, the Aquition’s hands laced calmly in front of his chest. Like all members of his species, he appeared humanoid except for lines of gills behind his pointed ears.
“I am sorry you had to become involved in our personal affairs,” Cestro said, his voice think with vibrato. “Namor has become more ruthless since Sauron’s appearance.”
“It’s not a problem, Cestro,” Tommy said, placing a hand on the ranger’s shoulders.
Kat nodded in agreement. “It’s the least we can do.”
“Thank you my friends,” Cestro said as he started walking forward. “Now let us return to the business at hand.”
They started walking through the underwater city as civilians passed them by, each dressed in intricate garb.
“We are only waiting on Trey’s battle group to complete the fleet,” Cestro reported. “Then we will be ready to deploy.”
“We should be going with you,” Justin said with his arms crossed. “You could use some Megazord power.”
Cestro nodded. “Our forces will suffice. And you will be needed to keep Astronema off of our backs.”
Cy and Zhane walked over to the group, standing a safe distance away from one another. Just because they could work together, didn’t mean they liked each other.
“We’re done with the modifications,” Cy reported.
Updates tactical charts and schematics and new weapon systems had been added to the Astro Megaship and Delta Mega. New weapons included a pair of photonic pulse cannons. The cannons were mounted to the bottom of the Astro Megaship, on what would be the Megazord’s forearms.
“Good,” Tommy said. “We should get going…”
“Where are we off to first?” Zhane asked.
“The Darkknell sector,” Tommy said. “There’s a group of data smugglers hiding out there. They might have information on Zordon.”
The rangers said their goodbyes to the Aquitions and launched back into space.
***
Astronema’s Dark Fortress twirled through the vacuum of space.
Astronema sat in her ready room, a field of stars visible from the viewport behind her. Her holographic screen was active, scrolling through information on the rangers and other resistance movements.
She found herself slowly running her fingers along the golden locket she wore around her neck. The locket symbolized a part of her life long forgotten.
Her ready room doors slid open and Eclipter walked in. The android served as her lead general and guardian for as long as she could remember. The creature of wires and circuitry was the only constant in her otherwise chaotic life.
“Astronema,” the android said. “I have received a message from…Darkonda.”
Astronema took notice of the way Eclipter said Darkonda’s name. The hate in his low, metallic voice was evident.
“And?” she asked.
“He believes a group of information smugglers in the Darkknell sector have information about Zordon’s whereabouts,” Eclipter said. “Information they’re willing to sell.”
Astronema tilted her head. “What do you believe, Eclipter?”
“That Darkonda is a snake,” Eclipter said. “He is not to be trusted.”
“Of course not,” Astronema said. “But he has proved useful, despite his failures.”
Astronema rose from her desk and stood upright while gripping her staff. “Set a course for Darknell. I’ll be speaking to Sauron…”
Astronema left the ready room, leaving Eclipter at the fortress control station. The android rolled his hands into fists, silently curing the creature known as Darkonda.
***
Darknell Prime was home to quite possibly the tallest trees in the galaxy. They stretched higher than the tallest city skyscraper and formed a complex network of road-width branches more extensive than a large city.
Darkonda walked across one of the branches along with Telsa. The sun’s rays didn’t reach the level of foliage they treaded through, which suited Darkonda just fine. He hated the light.
The villain noticed snake-like creatures rooted into the trees. They were glowing with faint green light.
“Excellent…” Darkonda said as he looked over the snake creatures. “Just as I suspected…”
The villain started to laugh and run his hands along the snakes.
Telsa shook her head. “This is why I risked my life to bring you here? To pet a snake?”
“These are no ordinary snakes, my dear Telsa,” Darkonda said. “These snakes repel The Power.”
“What in the name of Daisatan are you talking about?” she said.
“It’s simple,” Darkonda said. “A breed of creatures here instinctively uses the magick to hunt its prey. These snakes project a bubble that pushes The Power back. It’s a defense mechanism. During the days when Zordon was a Ranger, the shed skin of these creatures would harden into black stone. The Onyx Stones were used as a weapon against the Rangers.”
“What are you saying, Darkonda?” Telsa asked.
“Haven’t you been paying attention?” Darkonda snapped. “We will lure Astronema into these woods. These snakes will render her powerless. Then we will kill her and I will become Sauron’s general.”
***
Astronema kneeled within her holographic simulation chamber. An illusion shimmered to life of the now barren landscape of Eltar. The skies were scorched as thunder and lightning exploded across crimson clouds.
The landscape below her started accelerating forward towards a tall obsidian castle, piercing into the sky like a spear. The fiery eye of Sauron was on top of the Castle, its gaze cutting through Astronema’s mind.
“My lord,” Astronema said. “I have learned of a large fleet gathering on-”
Sauron answered with a psionic message, making the chamber rumble like a rushing tidal wave or earth quake. The message was of disappointment. Anger frustration. Astronema had failed too many times. Allowed rebel movements to get out of hand. The galaxy should have belonged to Sauron months ago.
She had been trained better.
Should have known better.
Should have been powerful enough.
But she wasn’t.
She had failed.
She was a disappointment.
Utter.
Complete.
Failure.
The rumbling intensified as Astronema lowered her head, a tear streaming down her cheek. Her hand instinctively grasped for her locket.
***
Justin and Kat were leaning against the corridor outside the Megaship’s launch bay/mess hall. Chris walked towards them on his way to the synthatron.
“I wouldn’t go back there, pal,” Justin said.
Chris raised an eyebrow. “How come?”
“Tommy and Ashley,” Kat said.
Justin nodded. “Yep. They’re getting into it…again.”
Chris sighed and shook his head. “What started it this time?”
Justin shrugged. “Tommy said something about the synthatron running slow…and Ashley interpreted that as him calling her a big fat slob, too incompetent to maintain the food processing systems.”
“Ah,” Chris said.
“Yep,” Justin said. “Common mistake.”
“I wish those two would just get together,” Chris said.
“And soon,” Justin said. “I’m starving.”
***
“I’m overreacting?” Tommy said defensively. “I am overreacting?”
“That’s what I just said,” Ashley said, her arms crossed in front of her. “You catch on quick, Oliver.”
“Look,” Tommy said, losing patience. “All I was saying was that the synthatron seemed a little sluggish. That was it. I wasn’t even looking at you when I said it.”
“It wasn’t what you said, it was how you said it,” Ashley said.
Tommy rolled his eyes. “That is so cliché.”
“Meh,” Ashley said as she turned and started to walk away.
“Meh?” Tommy said as he followed her. “What kind of come back is ‘meh?’”
***
The Astro Megaship continued its flight towards the Darkknell sector.
Ashley was suspended from the ceiling of engineering, tinkering with a few overhanging wires and conduits. Nothing was wrong with them, she just needed a constructive way to vent. Fixing things was a way for her to cope, since she often couldn’t fix the real problems she faced in life.
The engineering bay doors opened and Zhane walked through.
Zhane looked up to Ashley. “How’s the view from up there?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be more witty?” Ashley said, keeping her eyes fixed on her work.
Zhane smiled and shrugged. “I heard you were in a bad mood. I didn’t want to risk awakening the beast.”
“Who’d you hear that from?” Ashley asked.
“Ashley,” Zhane said. “There are only seven of us on this ship. Word does tend to get around.”
“Do me a favor,” Ashley said. “Make yourself useful…bring me a plasma torch.”
“Ay-yi, sir,” Zhane said jokingly.
“Don’t push it,” Ashley said.
***
Kat was in the communications room, a small area with a desk and multiple holographic displays. She was sorting through the days comm traffic, searching for any mention of Zordon.
She rubbed the back of her neck. It was sore from the countless hours of sorting through messages, most of which were barely worth noticing.
A chime sounded at the door as Kat looked up from her monitor. “Come in.”
The door slid open and Cy walked in with a data pad in hand. He flashed her a smile, as uncomfortable around her as ever.
“I brought another transmission log,” he said, setting the data pad on her desk. “Nothing interesting…unless you care about relay station worker 11a’s back problem.”
Kat smiled, still rubbing her neck. “Thank you, Cy.”
“Did you hurt yourself?” Cy asked.
She shook her head. “No, it’s just sore…I think it’s the stress.”
Cy took a deep breath. “I could probably help you with that…if you wanted…”
“How?” Kat asked.
“Meet me in my quarters after your shift,” he said.
***
The Dark Fortress entered into orbit around Darknell Prime. Astronema sent a wing of Velocifighters to escort a shuttle up from the surface.
The shuttle docked within the fortress, and Astronema was on deck to meet the passengers.
Telsa descended the ramp along with a pair of body guards. She stopped in front of Astronema and declined her head.
“Princess,” Telsa said. “To what do I owe this honor?”
Astronema tilted her head, staring forward at Telsa with eyes like daggers. “You tell me…”
Telsa kept her head hung low. “I am afraid I don’t know what you are talking about, princess.”
Astronema lifted her hand, signaling her Quantrons to move forward. “Than you won’t mind if I inspect your base. Personally.”
Telsa had to stop herself from smiling. “Of course not, princess.”
***
Kat and Cy sat on the floor of the Kerovian’s quarters on board the Megaship. They were sitting face-to-face in meditative postures, with a candle in between them.
Kat smiled with amusement at Cy. “You do this every day?”
“Yes,” Cy said, his face turning slightly red. “My mother taught me.”
Kat nodded. “You miss her…don’t you?”
“Yes,” Cy said softly. “She lived…a difficult like…”
“How so?” Kat asked.
Cy took in a deep breath. “My family was in the lowest caste. We have no name.”
“What do you mean?” Kat asked.
“Each Kerovian’s name is two part, meant to say together. What you would call a first name and last name. Zhane, Zay-ne. Andros, An-dros. My family has to last name.”
“How come?” Kat asked.
“It’s a long story,” Cy said.
“Tell me…” she said, reaching forward and taking hold of his hand.
Cy nodded, keeping his head low as he told his tale. “It started with my brother…he died in the Kyrana Wars along with the rest of his battle group. He was framed, and dubbed a traitor.
“A few surviving members of his squadron thought my father was working with the enemy as well. They raided our home. They beat my father to the edge of death and made us watch. Then they put a torch to the place.
“I managed to drag my mother and father to safety. We had to live in hiding until the war was over. After that, we stayed in poverty. The rogue soldiers that attacked us were eventually brought to justice. Even so…”
Cy shook his head. “I enrolled in the militia as soon as I was old enough. I was hoping to get our name back. A place in our world. Then Sauron came…”
“They’d be proud of you,” Kat said. “Of what you’ve done here.”
“I’d like to think so,” Cy said.
Kat winced as her hand went up to her neck. “This is getting ridiculous.”
“Let me try something…” Cy said as he stood and moved behind Kat. He slowly went down to his knees and placed his hands on her shoulders.
He slowly started to rub her neck and shoulder. “This might hurt a little at first…”
“No,” she said quietly. “It’s good…”
She reached up and touched his hand as it rubbed over her neck. She turned her head, and their eyes met. They lingered, losing themselves in each others’ eyes for a moment. He leaned in and slowly pressed his lips against her.
“No,” she said sharply, pulling away.
Kat shook her head and stood. “We can’t do this…”
“I’m…I’m sorry,” Cy said as he stood to. “I thought…”
“I’d better go,” Kat said quietly before turning and leaving.
***
The Megaship speared into real space around Darknell Prime. The planet itself separated the Megaship from the Dark Fortress, so neither ranger or foe detected one another.
The rangers gathered in the bridge, each assuming their stations.
“Kat, hail the surface,” Tommy said.
Kat manipulated a few controls. “Channel open.”
“This is the Sol Starship Macross,” Tommy said, identifying the ship by its latest alias. “Please respond…”
The comm was silent.
***
Astronema’s personal shuttle carried her over the surface of Darknell Prime. She stood at the forward viewport with Telsa at one side, and Eclipter at the other. A group of Quantrons stood behind them.
“How much longer?” Astronema asked.
“Right here,” Telsa said as she slapped a hidden arm brace and teleported out in a blue of motion. A large explosion ignited in front of the shuttle as blinding filled the viewport.
***
The Astro Megaship’s viewscreen blinked on, and an image of a frightening humanoid appeared. His face was mostly bone, with large bone-like plates extended from the top of his head. His eyes were solid black. He flashed what looked like a smile.
“We have been expecting you,” the creature said in a contrasting pleasing tone. “We have information you will find useful, rangers. Please follow the proceeding landing path. I look forward to meeting you.”
The viewscreen blinked off.
“Yeah, it’s a trap,” Justin said.
“We don’t know that for sure yet,” Chris said.
Tommy nodded. “Chris is right. We can’t start getting scared away every time we get suspicious.”
“Hey guys…” Zhane said from his side station. “I picked up something just over the surface. It looked like a large explosion.”
“Explosion?” Tommy asked. “What kind?”
“I’m not sure,” Zhane said. “Something in the atmosphere is blocking our scans.”
Cy looked to Tommy. “We should check it out.”
Tommy sighed and nodded. “Zhane, go check out the explosion. Try to stay out of sight.”
***
Telsa stood before her true leader, her arms held stiffly at her side. Her bone-faced leader was pacing back in forth before her. His name was Xon.
“Would you mind telling me, Telsa, what the Astro Rangers and Astronema are doing here? And what more…how we let Astronema’s shuttle come under attack and be destroyed?! Do you have any idea what Sauron will do to us now? We will pay for his loss a thousand times over if she is harmed or dead. You have doomed us.”
“But,” Telsa said. “We are in a position to hand the rangers over to-”
“That would not be playing both sides of the fence, now would it, Telsa. You have betrayed me,” Xon said.
Xon reached for his wrist-cuff communicator, but before he could summon his guards, a blur of orange and red slammed into him, knocking him backwards. It was Darkonda.
The villain materialized, laughing as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Now, now…don’t go and do something you’ll regret.”
---to be continued in part two. this thread. watch for it...
---Season 05
---Digital Task Force Astro Rangers
---Chapter Fifteen: Unlikely Attractions
Darkonda paced back and forth within a dark cave. The cave’s planet had no name. The system itself was only given a numeral designation. It was the perfect meeting place for the vile creature.
Beams of energy flashed before the villain and faded to reveal a humanoid woman. Her eyes were solid white, and her long hair fiery red.
“What took you so long?” Darkonda asked.
The woman bowed mockingly. “I did not mean to keep the almighty and powerful Darkonda waiting.”
Darkonda tensed at the joke. “Have I ever found you amusing, Telsa?”
“I suppose not,” Telsa said as she lifted her head. “Now…why have you brought me here?”
“It’s quite simple,” Darkonda said. “Every being with at least half a brain cell knows this galaxy will belong to Sauron soon. I plan to be at his right side when that happens.”
“What about Astronema?” Telsa asked. “He’s taken quite a fancy to her. Rumor has it that if he had a body…well…you get the point.”
“She’s a child,” Darkonda said, a villainous smile spreading across his face. “Besides…that’s where you come in.”
Telsa arced an eyebrow at the creature. “You must be joking.”
“Not at all,” Darkonda said. “I’ve been doing research, and-”
“Doing research, or torturing until they do research for you?” she asked.
Darkonda waved his hand in a dismissing manner. “It’s the same thing, really. Now…Astronema, it seems, draws all her power from the magick. Killing her is as simple as striping that power.”
Telsa laughed and shook her head. “You always have been insane.”
“That’s besides the point,” Darkonda said. “I have a plan, my white-eyed vixen, and you’re going to help me…”
Darkonda extended his hand and fired a jagged stream of energy lashes that whipped across Telsa, sending her crashing backwards against the cave wall.
***
The Astro Megaship was in orbit around Aquitar. A fleet was massing at the watery world in preparation for a massive assault against Sauron.
The rangers had left the Megaship for the world’s capital city, called Gungan. The city was an intricate layering of bridges, walkways and buildings, all surrounded by a massive energy dome. The dome separated the city from the Nebian Sea just outside.
Tommy and the others had met with the Aquition ranger team, one of which they had already met during their time as Zeo Rangers. Tommy had expected to run into Billy on the water world, but the Kirin ranger was no where to be found. No one, it seemed, was sure where Billy was.
The rangers weren’t in the city long before it came under attack. Namor, a prince who lived in the dark waters, had been fighting the Aquitions for years.
Namor’s forces infiltrated the city. The grunts were creatures that resembled fish/lizard hybrids. Their scales formed blades across their forearms and heads.
The Earth and Aquition rangers joined together and readied their morphers as the creatures advanced.
“Alright guys…” Tommy said. “It’s morphin time!”
“Install, Astro Ranger!” the team shouted as they keyed in their transformation code and morphed into their Ranger forms.
“Astro Red!”
“Astro Black!”
“Astro Blue!”
“Astro Yellow!”
“Astro Pink!”
“Digital Task Force…Astro Rangers!”
The Aquitions readied their morphers. Each brace was engraved with the symbol of a mythological water-dwelling beast.
“Aqua Beast, rebirth!” they shouted while slapping their brace’s activation panels.
“Sea-Dragon Ranger!” the red-armored Ranger shouted.
“Griffandor Ranger!” the black-armored Ranger shouted.
“Pegasaur Ranger!” the blue-armored Ranger shouted.
“Mermaid Ranger!” the white-armored Ranger shouted.
“Water-Bird Ranger!” the pink-armored Ranger shouted.
Namor’s soldiers leapt forward to attack the Ranger teams. Each reptile secreted dripping poison from its fangs and fins.
Astro Red leapt forward with a flying sidekick, smashing his heel against a soldier’s chest and cracking the grunt’s ribs and bone. Another soldier charged towards Astro Red when the Ranger landed. The villain spun through the air while holding its fins out to strike.
“Back off fish face,” Astro Red said, slamming a reverse sidekick against the creature while it was still in midair. The grunt’s body was whipped backwards and fell to the ground.
Another trio of soldiers moved in to attack Astro Red, their mouths wide open to bite down on the Ranger. Sea-Dragon Ranger leapt forward to Astro Red’s aid.
Red Aquition Ranger extended his hands like claws and slammed down on both sides of a grunt’s neck. He followed by drawing his slender blade and turning to his right, running the sword through a creature from its right shoulder to the left side of its hip. Sea-Dragon Ranger pulled the sword free and swung hard to his left, decapitating the third creature’s head with a single strike.
Griffandor Ranger leapt forward, slamming his knee upside a soldier’s head. Astro Black moved in besides the black Aquition Ranger, twirling his staff and bashing in a nearby soldier’s head.
Pegasaur Ranger descended from the air and double kicked a pair of soldiers before twisting and landing. Astro Blue dove over a soldier’s blow and somersaulted across the ground. He rose and flipped a grunt over his shoulder.
Astro Pink and Water-Bird Ranger stood back to back, each extending their fire arm and sending energy blasts ripping through a group of the water-dwelling soldiers.
Mermaid Ranger slammed a palm-heel strike upside a soldier’s head and spun forward, slamming a knifehand blow across the soldier’s face. Nearby, Astro Yellow launched a flurry of kicks, bashing her way through a group of four soldiers.
Astro Red ran his Drill Saber through the final soldier.
“That’s the last of them,” Astro Red said as he tossed the soldier’s unmoving body to the ground.
The ten rangers powered down their armor. The Earth rangers were taken slightly aback, still not used to the humid air of the Aquition city.
Cestro walked over to Tommy, the Aquition’s hands laced calmly in front of his chest. Like all members of his species, he appeared humanoid except for lines of gills behind his pointed ears.
“I am sorry you had to become involved in our personal affairs,” Cestro said, his voice think with vibrato. “Namor has become more ruthless since Sauron’s appearance.”
“It’s not a problem, Cestro,” Tommy said, placing a hand on the ranger’s shoulders.
Kat nodded in agreement. “It’s the least we can do.”
“Thank you my friends,” Cestro said as he started walking forward. “Now let us return to the business at hand.”
They started walking through the underwater city as civilians passed them by, each dressed in intricate garb.
“We are only waiting on Trey’s battle group to complete the fleet,” Cestro reported. “Then we will be ready to deploy.”
“We should be going with you,” Justin said with his arms crossed. “You could use some Megazord power.”
Cestro nodded. “Our forces will suffice. And you will be needed to keep Astronema off of our backs.”
Cy and Zhane walked over to the group, standing a safe distance away from one another. Just because they could work together, didn’t mean they liked each other.
“We’re done with the modifications,” Cy reported.
Updates tactical charts and schematics and new weapon systems had been added to the Astro Megaship and Delta Mega. New weapons included a pair of photonic pulse cannons. The cannons were mounted to the bottom of the Astro Megaship, on what would be the Megazord’s forearms.
“Good,” Tommy said. “We should get going…”
“Where are we off to first?” Zhane asked.
“The Darkknell sector,” Tommy said. “There’s a group of data smugglers hiding out there. They might have information on Zordon.”
The rangers said their goodbyes to the Aquitions and launched back into space.
***
Astronema’s Dark Fortress twirled through the vacuum of space.
Astronema sat in her ready room, a field of stars visible from the viewport behind her. Her holographic screen was active, scrolling through information on the rangers and other resistance movements.
She found herself slowly running her fingers along the golden locket she wore around her neck. The locket symbolized a part of her life long forgotten.
Her ready room doors slid open and Eclipter walked in. The android served as her lead general and guardian for as long as she could remember. The creature of wires and circuitry was the only constant in her otherwise chaotic life.
“Astronema,” the android said. “I have received a message from…Darkonda.”
Astronema took notice of the way Eclipter said Darkonda’s name. The hate in his low, metallic voice was evident.
“And?” she asked.
“He believes a group of information smugglers in the Darkknell sector have information about Zordon’s whereabouts,” Eclipter said. “Information they’re willing to sell.”
Astronema tilted her head. “What do you believe, Eclipter?”
“That Darkonda is a snake,” Eclipter said. “He is not to be trusted.”
“Of course not,” Astronema said. “But he has proved useful, despite his failures.”
Astronema rose from her desk and stood upright while gripping her staff. “Set a course for Darknell. I’ll be speaking to Sauron…”
Astronema left the ready room, leaving Eclipter at the fortress control station. The android rolled his hands into fists, silently curing the creature known as Darkonda.
***
Darknell Prime was home to quite possibly the tallest trees in the galaxy. They stretched higher than the tallest city skyscraper and formed a complex network of road-width branches more extensive than a large city.
Darkonda walked across one of the branches along with Telsa. The sun’s rays didn’t reach the level of foliage they treaded through, which suited Darkonda just fine. He hated the light.
The villain noticed snake-like creatures rooted into the trees. They were glowing with faint green light.
“Excellent…” Darkonda said as he looked over the snake creatures. “Just as I suspected…”
The villain started to laugh and run his hands along the snakes.
Telsa shook her head. “This is why I risked my life to bring you here? To pet a snake?”
“These are no ordinary snakes, my dear Telsa,” Darkonda said. “These snakes repel The Power.”
“What in the name of Daisatan are you talking about?” she said.
“It’s simple,” Darkonda said. “A breed of creatures here instinctively uses the magick to hunt its prey. These snakes project a bubble that pushes The Power back. It’s a defense mechanism. During the days when Zordon was a Ranger, the shed skin of these creatures would harden into black stone. The Onyx Stones were used as a weapon against the Rangers.”
“What are you saying, Darkonda?” Telsa asked.
“Haven’t you been paying attention?” Darkonda snapped. “We will lure Astronema into these woods. These snakes will render her powerless. Then we will kill her and I will become Sauron’s general.”
***
Astronema kneeled within her holographic simulation chamber. An illusion shimmered to life of the now barren landscape of Eltar. The skies were scorched as thunder and lightning exploded across crimson clouds.
The landscape below her started accelerating forward towards a tall obsidian castle, piercing into the sky like a spear. The fiery eye of Sauron was on top of the Castle, its gaze cutting through Astronema’s mind.
“My lord,” Astronema said. “I have learned of a large fleet gathering on-”
Sauron answered with a psionic message, making the chamber rumble like a rushing tidal wave or earth quake. The message was of disappointment. Anger frustration. Astronema had failed too many times. Allowed rebel movements to get out of hand. The galaxy should have belonged to Sauron months ago.
She had been trained better.
Should have known better.
Should have been powerful enough.
But she wasn’t.
She had failed.
She was a disappointment.
Utter.
Complete.
Failure.
The rumbling intensified as Astronema lowered her head, a tear streaming down her cheek. Her hand instinctively grasped for her locket.
***
Justin and Kat were leaning against the corridor outside the Megaship’s launch bay/mess hall. Chris walked towards them on his way to the synthatron.
“I wouldn’t go back there, pal,” Justin said.
Chris raised an eyebrow. “How come?”
“Tommy and Ashley,” Kat said.
Justin nodded. “Yep. They’re getting into it…again.”
Chris sighed and shook his head. “What started it this time?”
Justin shrugged. “Tommy said something about the synthatron running slow…and Ashley interpreted that as him calling her a big fat slob, too incompetent to maintain the food processing systems.”
“Ah,” Chris said.
“Yep,” Justin said. “Common mistake.”
“I wish those two would just get together,” Chris said.
“And soon,” Justin said. “I’m starving.”
***
“I’m overreacting?” Tommy said defensively. “I am overreacting?”
“That’s what I just said,” Ashley said, her arms crossed in front of her. “You catch on quick, Oliver.”
“Look,” Tommy said, losing patience. “All I was saying was that the synthatron seemed a little sluggish. That was it. I wasn’t even looking at you when I said it.”
“It wasn’t what you said, it was how you said it,” Ashley said.
Tommy rolled his eyes. “That is so cliché.”
“Meh,” Ashley said as she turned and started to walk away.
“Meh?” Tommy said as he followed her. “What kind of come back is ‘meh?’”
***
The Astro Megaship continued its flight towards the Darkknell sector.
Ashley was suspended from the ceiling of engineering, tinkering with a few overhanging wires and conduits. Nothing was wrong with them, she just needed a constructive way to vent. Fixing things was a way for her to cope, since she often couldn’t fix the real problems she faced in life.
The engineering bay doors opened and Zhane walked through.
Zhane looked up to Ashley. “How’s the view from up there?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be more witty?” Ashley said, keeping her eyes fixed on her work.
Zhane smiled and shrugged. “I heard you were in a bad mood. I didn’t want to risk awakening the beast.”
“Who’d you hear that from?” Ashley asked.
“Ashley,” Zhane said. “There are only seven of us on this ship. Word does tend to get around.”
“Do me a favor,” Ashley said. “Make yourself useful…bring me a plasma torch.”
“Ay-yi, sir,” Zhane said jokingly.
“Don’t push it,” Ashley said.
***
Kat was in the communications room, a small area with a desk and multiple holographic displays. She was sorting through the days comm traffic, searching for any mention of Zordon.
She rubbed the back of her neck. It was sore from the countless hours of sorting through messages, most of which were barely worth noticing.
A chime sounded at the door as Kat looked up from her monitor. “Come in.”
The door slid open and Cy walked in with a data pad in hand. He flashed her a smile, as uncomfortable around her as ever.
“I brought another transmission log,” he said, setting the data pad on her desk. “Nothing interesting…unless you care about relay station worker 11a’s back problem.”
Kat smiled, still rubbing her neck. “Thank you, Cy.”
“Did you hurt yourself?” Cy asked.
She shook her head. “No, it’s just sore…I think it’s the stress.”
Cy took a deep breath. “I could probably help you with that…if you wanted…”
“How?” Kat asked.
“Meet me in my quarters after your shift,” he said.
***
The Dark Fortress entered into orbit around Darknell Prime. Astronema sent a wing of Velocifighters to escort a shuttle up from the surface.
The shuttle docked within the fortress, and Astronema was on deck to meet the passengers.
Telsa descended the ramp along with a pair of body guards. She stopped in front of Astronema and declined her head.
“Princess,” Telsa said. “To what do I owe this honor?”
Astronema tilted her head, staring forward at Telsa with eyes like daggers. “You tell me…”
Telsa kept her head hung low. “I am afraid I don’t know what you are talking about, princess.”
Astronema lifted her hand, signaling her Quantrons to move forward. “Than you won’t mind if I inspect your base. Personally.”
Telsa had to stop herself from smiling. “Of course not, princess.”
***
Kat and Cy sat on the floor of the Kerovian’s quarters on board the Megaship. They were sitting face-to-face in meditative postures, with a candle in between them.
Kat smiled with amusement at Cy. “You do this every day?”
“Yes,” Cy said, his face turning slightly red. “My mother taught me.”
Kat nodded. “You miss her…don’t you?”
“Yes,” Cy said softly. “She lived…a difficult like…”
“How so?” Kat asked.
Cy took in a deep breath. “My family was in the lowest caste. We have no name.”
“What do you mean?” Kat asked.
“Each Kerovian’s name is two part, meant to say together. What you would call a first name and last name. Zhane, Zay-ne. Andros, An-dros. My family has to last name.”
“How come?” Kat asked.
“It’s a long story,” Cy said.
“Tell me…” she said, reaching forward and taking hold of his hand.
Cy nodded, keeping his head low as he told his tale. “It started with my brother…he died in the Kyrana Wars along with the rest of his battle group. He was framed, and dubbed a traitor.
“A few surviving members of his squadron thought my father was working with the enemy as well. They raided our home. They beat my father to the edge of death and made us watch. Then they put a torch to the place.
“I managed to drag my mother and father to safety. We had to live in hiding until the war was over. After that, we stayed in poverty. The rogue soldiers that attacked us were eventually brought to justice. Even so…”
Cy shook his head. “I enrolled in the militia as soon as I was old enough. I was hoping to get our name back. A place in our world. Then Sauron came…”
“They’d be proud of you,” Kat said. “Of what you’ve done here.”
“I’d like to think so,” Cy said.
Kat winced as her hand went up to her neck. “This is getting ridiculous.”
“Let me try something…” Cy said as he stood and moved behind Kat. He slowly went down to his knees and placed his hands on her shoulders.
He slowly started to rub her neck and shoulder. “This might hurt a little at first…”
“No,” she said quietly. “It’s good…”
She reached up and touched his hand as it rubbed over her neck. She turned her head, and their eyes met. They lingered, losing themselves in each others’ eyes for a moment. He leaned in and slowly pressed his lips against her.
“No,” she said sharply, pulling away.
Kat shook her head and stood. “We can’t do this…”
“I’m…I’m sorry,” Cy said as he stood to. “I thought…”
“I’d better go,” Kat said quietly before turning and leaving.
***
The Megaship speared into real space around Darknell Prime. The planet itself separated the Megaship from the Dark Fortress, so neither ranger or foe detected one another.
The rangers gathered in the bridge, each assuming their stations.
“Kat, hail the surface,” Tommy said.
Kat manipulated a few controls. “Channel open.”
“This is the Sol Starship Macross,” Tommy said, identifying the ship by its latest alias. “Please respond…”
The comm was silent.
***
Astronema’s personal shuttle carried her over the surface of Darknell Prime. She stood at the forward viewport with Telsa at one side, and Eclipter at the other. A group of Quantrons stood behind them.
“How much longer?” Astronema asked.
“Right here,” Telsa said as she slapped a hidden arm brace and teleported out in a blue of motion. A large explosion ignited in front of the shuttle as blinding filled the viewport.
***
The Astro Megaship’s viewscreen blinked on, and an image of a frightening humanoid appeared. His face was mostly bone, with large bone-like plates extended from the top of his head. His eyes were solid black. He flashed what looked like a smile.
“We have been expecting you,” the creature said in a contrasting pleasing tone. “We have information you will find useful, rangers. Please follow the proceeding landing path. I look forward to meeting you.”
The viewscreen blinked off.
“Yeah, it’s a trap,” Justin said.
“We don’t know that for sure yet,” Chris said.
Tommy nodded. “Chris is right. We can’t start getting scared away every time we get suspicious.”
“Hey guys…” Zhane said from his side station. “I picked up something just over the surface. It looked like a large explosion.”
“Explosion?” Tommy asked. “What kind?”
“I’m not sure,” Zhane said. “Something in the atmosphere is blocking our scans.”
Cy looked to Tommy. “We should check it out.”
Tommy sighed and nodded. “Zhane, go check out the explosion. Try to stay out of sight.”
***
Telsa stood before her true leader, her arms held stiffly at her side. Her bone-faced leader was pacing back in forth before her. His name was Xon.
“Would you mind telling me, Telsa, what the Astro Rangers and Astronema are doing here? And what more…how we let Astronema’s shuttle come under attack and be destroyed?! Do you have any idea what Sauron will do to us now? We will pay for his loss a thousand times over if she is harmed or dead. You have doomed us.”
“But,” Telsa said. “We are in a position to hand the rangers over to-”
“That would not be playing both sides of the fence, now would it, Telsa. You have betrayed me,” Xon said.
Xon reached for his wrist-cuff communicator, but before he could summon his guards, a blur of orange and red slammed into him, knocking him backwards. It was Darkonda.
The villain materialized, laughing as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Now, now…don’t go and do something you’ll regret.”
---to be continued in part two. this thread. watch for it...