Listen up troops! This starts the second half of this series! The author wanted to get this prologue out to set the stage for events to come. If you're reading this without having finished the first half, then what are you standing around waiting for soldier? Get to it!

Oh yeah, and he doesn't own Power Rangers either.

The familiar sound of chatter and busy base personnel filled the air as Corporal Jake Massey made his way through the large atrium of Atlantis Base's administrative center. Although the area served as the base's home for offices and work rooms, it also served as a hub linking personnel housing, training facilities, rec areas, and the central Command Tower as well. Although Jake had been a Nova Ranger for less than a year, he had started growing accustomed to the sights and sounds of the bustling city base. The large dome of glass panes over the atrium showed the gray light of the late January skies above. They looked to be threatening a snow shower and it made the Silver Ranger glad that he was still indoors doing administrative tasks today.

He made his way toward the records office to drop off some paperwork and though he had been enjoying the relative peace, he wondered just how long it would take for cabin fever to set in. With the winter holidays having passed several weeks ago, now was the time of year when winter doldrums could set in. He debated for a moment if he'd welcome a Xeno attack or if he'd even be content with practicing some combat training maneuvers out in the cold. As he passed though the crowded atrium of soldiers and scientists, he came across his squad's two senior officers.

Captain Martin Sterling and Lieutenant Erik Dobermann Jr. walked together and chatted while holding datapads in their hands. Erik smiled while musing aloud, "Captain, it's really too bad you were late to the mess hall for dinner last night. Staff Sergeant Braun was trying her best to eat with chopsticks again."

"Ah, so it was dinner and a show then?" Martin laughed before he looked over and caught sight of Jake, "Corporal! Good morning to you."

Jake walked over and gave a casual salute, "Captain. Lieutenant. Did your staff meetings get out early today?"

"Actually they were cancelled," Erik said tucking his datapad under his arm, "Instead, Martin and I went to sit in and watch some new enlisted troops get oriented."

"And by oriented, you mean watching their new sergeants drill them and scream at them the whole time?" Jake sighed. He had come from the lower ranks of the enlisted troops, so he knew exactly what all the code words for hazing were.

The two officers exchanged a knowing smile before their morphers chimed. Martin raised his first and replied, "Go ahead."

Lucy's voice replied on the other end, "Martin, is your schedule clear right now?"

"Sure. What's the problem Luce?"

"No problem," she said, "In fact, I'd like you to gather the other Rangers right now. Julian and I have got some things here that you might be interested in seeing."

The three male Rangers in the atrium exchanged a curious look and shrugged, "We'll be there shortly."

After collecting Bharata and the two girls, the six Nova Rangers made their way to the R&D lab where their two most trusted engineers were waiting. Dr. Lucy Beckett stood at a lab table with her younger lab assistant, Julian Wilson. She adjusted her lab coat over her dressy dark skirt and white blouse while Julian took her datapad and set it down on the table. As the Rangers gathered around, Lucy gave a proud smile and cleared her throat, "Rangers, thanks for coming. I wanted to be the first to tell you that you'll be in for a real treat today."

Erin glanced curiously toward several large cases sitting on the tables, "I'm guessing you've been cooking up something fun in the lab these past few weeks?"

Lucy grinned and adjusted her glasses before giving Julian a nod to display the first item, "Cooking is one way to put it. Based on all the Adventi data that Erin had been able to recover and decode, we've been able to make some exciting breakthroughs in our technology. This first item is a food and nutrient synthesizer."

Everyone watched as Julian displayed a nondescript hollow box-like object with a few panels and buttons.

"This little device allows matter to be reconfigured into edible food items. We've only been able to program a few simple things but the downside is the synthesizer still uses a lot of power to operate. It's no solution to world hunger, but it's a start."

"That's amazing Doc," Erik grinned as he came over to examine the appliance, "May I?"

"What'll it be Lieutenant?" Julian asked as he manned the controls.

Erik gave a sidelong look toward Martin, "How about something for the Captain? Tea. Earl Gray. Hot."

"Very funny Dobermann," Martin replied as a cup of hot steaming tea materialized.

Julian shrugged and handed the tea off, "Sorry Erik. All we can do is simple black tea right now."

Lucy waved the tea aside and led the Rangers to her next station, with holographic displays showing several animated panels. "Next up is something a little more practical to the war effort. The data we've gone over has shown us ways to improve the capabilities of our military forces. All of them are going through trial phases right now, but it looks like we have ways to greatly improve the shielding of our ships and fighter planes. We've also started developing better weapons for our space fleet using ion beam cannons instead of projectile rail guns. The most exciting though is a potential key to warp drive technology."

"Hold on a second... warp drive?" Ella asked incredulously, "Like bending space time for faster than light travel? They said those were just far fetched theories in my Air Force Physics classes."

Lucy smiled and pointed to the display of some engine schematics, "Maybe not so far fetched anymore. We might be able to learn how the Adventi traveled across the stars and go exploring ourselves. My guess is, if the war ends tomorrow and the world puts a collaborative effort together, we may well figure out how to create a warp engine within our lifetime. Maybe even in the next ten years."

"That's all great Dr. Beckett, but is there anything that can help our team directly? Like in the here and now?" Jake asked.

"I'm glad you asked Corporal," Lucy grinned as she led them to her last station. On the table were two large cases. Julian opened one and produced some new hardware. He started with a sleek futuristic looking pistol which had a chrome finish and gave off a light blue light from a glowing attachment.

"Rangers, these are your new and improved Nebula Pistols. Adventi weapons utilized superheated hydrogen gas to make extremely powerful projectile plasma weapons. Not only will they be much stronger than your old blasters, but they should be able to punch through almost any enemy armor you might come across. Just be careful when you do an overcharge shot. Plasma weapons are more prone to overheating and you might need to swap out a new cartridge."

Julian next produced an object resembling their Nova Strikers and activated it creating a pure blade of colored plasma energy. "Rangers, we've also upgraded your vibroblades into beam swords which have increased cutting power and energy output.

"Very nice!" Erik cheered, "They've basically made us lightsabers."

Lucy adjusted her labcoat with a sigh and shrugged, "I suppose that's one way of putting it. In addition to those upgrades, Julian and I have been working on building additional battle gear which might be useful to each of your individual talents."

"Can we see them?" Erin asked hopefully but Julian shook his head.

"Sorry. Not yet. That gear is still in development and only half assembled. Your new blasters and blades are also in the final phases of testing too so just be a little more patient. Dr. Beckett, should we tell the Rangers about the other big project we're working on?"

Lucy bit her lip thoughtfully and drummed her fingers on the table. After a pause, she opened the last case to reveal six small diodes which resembled multicolored crystals. "Rangers, these diodes were created with a fusion of new Adventi technology and special artificial crystals. In time, we're hoping to install these into your morphers to enhance your Ranger abilities even further... to make you stronger, faster, and even more resistant to enemy attacks."

"So... like a super-powered mode?" Bharata asked eagerly, "I like the sound of that."

"It's going to take just a little more time, but we're getting there," she nodded.

The team conference was immediately interrupted as a viewscreen flicked on and the face of General Caldwell appeared, "Ah, Dr. Beckett. I apologize for interrupting. I was hoping I could get a hold of the Rangers once you were finished?"

"Of course General. We were just finishing up here," she answered while closing the case. "Is it something urgent? I can send them now."

He shook his head, "It's all right. I do have some important things to tell them, but it's not a red alert situation either."

"We're on our way General," Martin replied as he gathered his team and headed out the door. Before he exited, he stopped and gave a grateful smile, "Lucy? Julian? Thank you again and keep up the good work. You'll keep us posted on the new arsenal?"

Julian gave a respectful salute while Lucy nodded with a warm smile, "Of course Captain. See you later."

Some time later, the six Nova Rangers made their way to the top floor of the base's central Command Tower. Once there, they reconvened in the large familiar briefing room of the general which offered a panoramic view of the city base and the surrounding waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The six greeted Caldwell with a respectful salute and took their seats as he moved to the head of the table. "Rangers, I assume Dr. Beckett has already filled you in about all the progress made in our weapons development. I called you here today to announce some more change and progress. He took several small boxes from his spot at the table and walked around the room passing them out to the Rangers.

"I'm happy to announce that you will be receiving promotions for your heroism and courage over this past year, and during your raid on the enemy base on the moon. Without it, your team would be one member short and these technological breakthroughs would not be possible."

The old weathered general gave a kind nod toward Jake as the Silver Ranger held up a new rank patch for his uniform, a few sergeant stripes. "Corporal, although you haven't served long enough to qualify for a commission, I still want to recognize your contribution and make you a proper NCO."

He then looked to Bharata and the girls before gesturing them to open their boxes. Inside, each found a pair of single silver bars, "Timothy, Reilly, and Catalano? You three are being elevated to the rank of First Lieutenant a little bit early. I hope you don't mind."

Ella grinned in joy and admired the new insignia, "Not at all sir! Thank you! Now we can finally get rid of those old butter bars."

Erik was the next to open his little box and blinked in surprise while removing a new silver pin in the shape of a double bar. He looked toward the general but was at a complete loss for words. Caldwell gently raised his hand to calm him, "Yes Erik. Your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. You've been doing good work and I've seen the way you've handled the squad in emergencies. Congratulations Captain Dobermann."

Martin gave his friend an approving nod from across the table before Caldwell glanced to the Red Ranger. He gave Martin an apologetic expression and passed a few papers over. "I'm sorry Martin. If it were up to me, I would promote you too but the Powers that Be decided it was best that you maintain your current rank. They believe you're still a bit too young to be a Major and would prefer that you still be able to lead field operations rather than sit behind a desk."

"That's okay General. I understand," Martin answered with a slight hint of disappointment.

Caldwell gestured to the papers, "In lieu of that, I've recommended you for a few awards as well as a generous pay raise."

Erik gave Martin a friendly nudge and looked to the other Rangers, "All right, our acting-Major is still buying us drinks tonight."

A chorus of laughter filled the air as Martin gave a sigh and joined in with a chuckle of his own. When the merriment died down, he looked to Caldwell who remained at the head of the table with an unusual expression. After a long pause, he asked hesitantly, "General? Is something wrong?"

Caldwell forced a weak smile and gave a sigh before straightening his posture. "Rangers, there's one more major change I have to bring to your attention today."

He turned and walked over toward the large windows casting a wistful look out over the ocean, "Effective as of 1200 hours tomorrow, I will no longer be the commander of Atlantis Base."

A stunned silence fell over the table before Caldwell gestured toward the door. They swished open and a dark haired woman in a business suit entered flanked by two unfamiliar UNAF colonels. The woman looked to be in her late thirties and while she still looked to be attractive and well coifed, she still had a chilly stilted air about her. She carried a professional business binder tucked under her arm and the badge that she wore from her blazer had the markings of the United Nations Council.

Caldwell cleared his throat, "Rangers, this is Ms. Lauren Pruitt from the International Oversight Committee. She's been assigned by the UN Council to take charge here for the time being."

Ms. Pruitt took a place at the head of the table and gave a stiff nod, "Thank you General. Rangers, I've heard a lot about your exploits and have been reading the intelligence reports. I look forward to working with you and making Atlantis Base run more efficiently."

The Rangers stared at her in incredulous silence for a moment before Martin turned to Caldwell, "General, with respect… what the hell is going on here?"

Ms. Pruitt cleared her throat and narrowed her eyes making her resemble a bird of prey. "The UN Council decided to relieve General Caldwell of his command here after he authorized that little stunt on the moon and the loss of a valuable alien prisoner who was in your custody."

"That's not fair at all," Erin piped up heatedly, "If Caldwell didn't, I wouldn't be here right now! Besides, we've gained a treasure trove of new technology and planted a spy within the enemy ranks."

"Are you really certain your friend Taldyr wouldn't turn sides again?" Pruitt asked levelly, I actually find it a bit disturbing that you made efforts to actually befriend that thing 2nd Lt. Reilly."

"First Lieutenant actually," Erin sniped back with defiance.

Pruitt regarded her silently for a moment before waving it off with a dismissive sniff, "The fact of the matter is, we've lost a valuable resource and are now at risk from that Xeno sharing his knowledge of Atlantis Base with his superiors. If you want to talk cost-benefit, this new technology you mentioned is still being tested. In the mean time, there were still other costs of launching that shuttle and conducting the logistics of that raid."

Martin ignored her and continued to look at an apologetic Caldwell, "Sir, I don't agree with this at all. At this stage in the campaign, we can't afford to lose you now. What if the Xenos launch another major attack? For God's sake, Ms. Pruitt is a civilian! I have serious doubts that some bean-counting bureaucrat in a suit will know how to handle herself in a battle situation."

Ms. Pruitt turned her imperious glare on Martin, "Captain Sterling, I may not be as well versed in the art of warfare as you are but I have my two trusted military advisors here. Keep in mind they have greater rank and more experience than you as well. Caldwell may have given you Rangers a wide degree of latitude around here, but I intend to run a much tighter ship."

He started to protest but she raised a hand and silenced him with a stern look, "I will only warn you once Captain. You'd do well to abide by the decision of the Council and show proper respect to me and my advisors."

The Red Ranger stared her down with his own icy glare of defiance before giving a limp salute, "We salute the rank. Not the person. Will that be all?"

Pruitt watched patiently as the other Rangers rose and gave half hearted salutes in reply.

"Dismissed."

Meanwhile, on the dark side of the moon, the field commander of the Xeno Machina invaders made his way into the depths of the grounded mothership, which served as the alien's home base. The cybernetically enhanced warrior known as Hellspont passed the final checkpoints before being allowed into the heart of the ship where the aliens' machine Overlord named Phaeton resided. Hellspont stopped before the massive humanoid form of the Overlord that had been fused to the core of the ship. As he gave a slight bow of the head, he prompted his companion to do the same. The clone soldier Taldyr gaped in awe of the monstrous mechanical Overlord for a moment before following suit.

The two visitors were greeted by their master's booming voice. "It has been close to one earth year that we have languished here Warmaster. What is the status of my ship?"

Hellspont trembled slightly before answering, "We are repairing the damage done from the recent Terran raid. We estimate it will still be a few months before we can get the mothership to fly again."

"Allowing such a raid will not happen again," the Overlord responded, "You have also failed to penetrate the Terrans' defenses and weaken them in any significant way."

"Forgive me," Hellspont answered, "The humans… they have been resisting us with Adventi based weaponry and their orbital defense guns pose too great a risk for a direct assault. It would be far too costly, even for us."

"I will not let these human worms take the technology of our cousins and become like them. The Adventi were weak and cowardly for turning their backs on our kind. We will eradicate any trace of their technology and subjugate any humans who remain. If you and your forces cannot deal with the humans, then I will."

The Warmaster and Taldyr watched in awe as a nearby chamber opened and a Xeno warrior emerged amid a cloud of steam. The warrior had a powerful humanoid build and its body armor was covered in lenses and projector nodes. It had a blank featureless face and stood at eerie silent attention.

"What is it?" Taldyr asked in an unusually timid voice. He had not expected this development and wondered how he would safely get into contact with the Rangers to warn them.

"This is one of the warriors I have created myself for special purposes," the Overlord answered, "This is an Omega Trooper named Refractor."

Hellspont eyed the strange warrior with a mix of curiosity and skepticism, "And just what is this Omega Trooper supposed to do?"

"Refractor has an incredible ability to scan and adapt its defenses to the weapon systems of an enemy and make itself near impervious," the Overlord answered, "Once it renders the weapons of the Rangers powerless, it will finish them off for good."

With that, the Omega Trooper began marching forward toward the door leading out of the Overlord's chambers, "Go now. Destroy the Rangers. Once they are gone, we will destroy the rest of planet Earth too."