Headquarters, Sector 0
Metro City, Canada
July 1st, 2018
6:11 AM
"Stephen "Silver" Silverstone"
A couple weeks after Trojan's defeat, Roger Illiak, a good friend of mine who was at the time, the Assistant Director of the CDI, held a press conference wherein he accidentally let it slip that they originally used my technology to banish Aaron Kingsley into Cyberspace.
This was true, but because Roger wasn't personally involved in that project, the things he said weren't entirely accurate. At first I thought he meant well and had just innocently put his foot in his mouth. Until he then used the publicity surge to oust the current CEO of the CDI and take over as the new CEO.
People then started to form accusations about how I purposefully rigged it so that Trojan would be able to escape after only a few years. Which, obviously is ridiculous. If I had wanted to Trojan to escape and terrorize the world, then why would I have recruited a team of Power Rangers to defeat him?
I even explained all of this to Roger, who, to his credit, did try to explain to everyone, but by then the damage was already done. So you can imagine my confusion and apprehensiveness when I was woke up to someone pounding on my door early this morning.
"Roger?" I asked groggily, after opening the door, "I assume I don't have to tell you how early it is."
"Yeah, sorry about," he said, "But this is urgent! The CIA, FBI, JIO, even MI6 all just received this weird encrypted message."
"What does this have to do with me?" I asked.
"Well, since everyone knows that you and I go way back and that you're the one responsible for assembling the Power Rangers team that defeated Kingsley, I persuaded them to let you get first dibs on the message." said Roger.
"And they were okay with that?" I asked, "My reputation is in shambles!"
"That's why I thought you might be interested," he said, "It's my fault that people think you were in league with Kingsley, so I'm offering you a chance to possibly clear your name."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I leave and let the other agencies decide on what to do this." he said.
"Alright," I said, "I'll take a look, but I can't promise anything."
"That's fine."
"Come on in, I suppose." I said, pulling the door open wider.
Roger closed the door behind him as he stepped inside. I found it strange that he didn't travel with any security or even some lesser agents for backup.
"Wow," he said, looking around, "This place is nice."
"Yeah," I said, "Hey you want to hear a funny story? I almost lost this place when all the banks and investors threatened to cut me off because of my affiliation with Kingsley."
"Huh," said Roger with a nervous chuckle, "But, obviously they didn't, right?"
"Only because my lawyer threatened to sue them for everything they had if they cut me off without having any solid proof that I was actually involved."
"Stephen, I already told you. I didn't do it on purpose." he said.
"I know that," I said, "That's the only reason why I didn't slam the door in your face."
I led him downstairs to the basement. It was still exactly the same as it was three years ago when the Rangers were using it as Headquarters.
"Not even our setup is this elaborate," said Roger, "Tell you what, Stephen, if you can't decipher the message, I'll hire you to upgrade all our equipment."
"Trust me, Roger," I said, "You couldn't afford me."
Roger loosened his tie and fidgeted uncomfortably with his hands momentarily. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small USB key and handed it to me. I noticed that his hands were clammy.
"What's the matter, Roger?" I asked, "Don't you trust me?"
"Of course I do," he said, "I'm just not sure I really want to know what the message says."
I walked over to my chair and sat down. I inserted the USB key into the console in front of me and waited. After a couple seconds, it looked like my computer just had a blue screen error. But when text appeared on the screen, I realized that this was the message.
"I thought you said it was encrypted?" I asked.
"Well, it is, isn't it?" asked Roger.
"No, this is an actual dialect."
"Really, which one?" he asked.
"The symbols look very similar to Klingon."
"Klingon?"
"Yeah, you know," I said, "From Star Trek."
"So what does it say?"
"That's just it," I said, "It doesn't say anything. The symbols look similar to Klingon, but not quite. It's almost like they're backwards..."
A thought formed in my mind as I spoke. I stood up and scratched my head.
"Wait here," I said, "I've got an idea."
I hurried back upstairs and tip toed into the nearest bathroom on the second floor. I didn't want to wake up Jenna or Sawyer.
From the bathroom I grabbed a small handheld mirror and then tip toed back down the stairs. Roger was waiting patiently for me back in the basement.
"Come here," I said, pulling him towards the console by his arm, "Do me a favour. Stand right there and hold this up just like that."
"Why?" he asked, confused.
"You'll see."
When I looked into the mirror, the backwards symbols were shown in the reflection and now I could confirm that it was indeed written in Klingon. Mine was a little rusty, considering how long ago it was since I last watched the TV show, but it was still good enough for me to translate the message.
"It says," I said, "Life forms of Earth, your ignorance of the Teachings of Psion is an affront to us, his children. The teachings clearly state that all those who refuse to follow the teachings must be eradicated!"
"See?" said Roger, "I told you I didn't want to know what it said."
"Whoever sent this message made a puzzle," I said, "Almost like they wanted to see how smart we are."
"Unless it's actually the Klingons that are attacking us." said Roger.
"You never watched Star Trek, did you?" I asked, "The Klingons were only hostile in the original series, in The Next Generation, they become close allies with humans."
"More of a Star Wars fan myself," said Roger, "Anyways... Thanks for your help, Stephen, but we'll take it from here. I'll make sure to mention that you were the one that deciphered it!"
This is why I was glad that I never shut down Headquarters. I just couldn't go through with it. I mean, what if the Trojan we destroyed wasn't the real Trojan, or what someone else just like him shows up later. Or, as seems to be the case right now, something else entirely.
Little did Roger know that my console automatically and undetectably creates a copy of whatever I put in the USB ports. Now I had my very own version of the message that I could examine on my own.
It's not stealing, because I didn't take anything. It's more like borrowing, except I don't actually have to take something away from someone.
Later that day, I called Jenna and Sawyer down to Headquarters. Sawyer still lived here because he was dating a doctor in town and he also a published author. He wrote a book based on the Rangers' adventures, only he changed all the names and made it so they were a different team of heroes that downloaded powers from Cyberspace.
"Roger Illiak came over this morning." I said.
"Isn't that the jerk that made everyone think you and Trojan were accomplices?" asked Sawyer.
"I wasn't thrilled about it either," I said, "But it seemed like he was trying to make things right by giving me a chance to rebuild my image."
"How?" asked Jenna.
"Roger claims that early this morning, every major intelligence agency on Earth received this all at the same time." I said, pressing the button on the console to turn the screen back on.
"A blue screen error?" asked Jenna.
"That's what I thought," I said, "But if you look closely, it's actually a message written in Klingon and then flipped around vertically, just like a mirror."
"What does it say?" asked Sawyer.
"Wait a minute..." I said, looking back at the screen, "It looks like there's a second message now. Maybe whoever sent it is transmitting it right now as we speak."
I went over to the console again. The mirror that I had used to read the first message was still on the console, so I tried to hold it like how Roger had, but I couldn't get the angle right.
"One of you, do me a favour and hold this mirror in place for me." I said.
Sawyer came over and took over for me.
"Tilt it up just a bit," I said, "There! Perfect. Hold it like that."
"What does the second message say?" asked Jenna, coming to stand behind me.
"It says," I said, "We are the Crusaders! We are the tools that the Oracles use to enforce Psion's will upon all those who would dare to refuse His benevolent light! We have destroyed hundreds of other worlds thus far. If you choose to fight or resist, just know that our numbers are in the trillions."
"My god..." muttered Jenna.
"This is exactly why I never got on board with my parents about the whole religion thing." said Sawyer.
"I think it's time to call the Rangers back into active duty." I said.
I spent the next few days working on upgrading the Digitizers. The more power the codecs can generate, the more abilities they can provide to their partners. Three years ago, the Digitizers were state of the art, so they only allowed the rangers to do a few things. But now, with these new and improved Digitizers, the rangers will have access to a bunch of new abilities.
Most notably is that the new Digitizers can handle more power, so the codecs will be able to generate 50% more energy than before. Which according to my research, should mean that each ranger will gain access to a second Zord and an alternate weapon.
They'll also gain the ability to channel a synthetic element in battle that can enhance their physical attacks or enhance their weapons. I also saw something about a power up mode known as Burst Mode, but it seems to be locked away deep inside the codecs. Maybe the rangers have to unlock it or something?
Since I never had an opportunity to do it last time, I took Sawyer's codec and used lasers to trim it so that it would be the same size and shape as the other five. Since they haven't been used for quite a while, the codecs had become dormant, which is the same state they were in when I first found them.
The genetic bond that the codecs formed with their respective ranger will still be there, and once they wake up, it'll be just like how it was three years ago.
After about a week, the Digitizers were finished. I called Sawyer down to Headquarters and first of all, asked him if he was willing to return to active duty.
"Absolutely," he said, "This is my destiny."
"Great," I said, "So then why don't you test out your new 2.0 Digitizer?"
I handed him his codec. Once I placed it in his hand, it exploded with purple light and then went back to glowing softly.
"The new morphing call is individualized for each of you," I said, "So for you, it would be 'Purple Ranger! CYBER POWER!' Oh, and the hand movement is the same one Riley, Rachel, Oz and Chloe use. Give it a try."
Sawyer inserted his codec into the small plastic case on the new Digitizer. He took a minute to examine it, and then nodded at me.
"Purple Ranger! CYBER POWER!" he shouted.
Since he didn't normally perform that particular morphing action, the hand motions were a little sloppy, but that doesn't matter as much as the voice activation, which was spot on.
With a purple flash, Sawyer's ranger suit had materialized around him. He looked at his costume and then moved his fingers curiously.
"How do you feel?" I asked.
"Stronger," he said, "Am I supposed to?"
"Yes. I had to trim your codec to be the same size as the others," I said, "But the new Digitizers can handle more power than the old ones."
"Isn't that a bit of a downgrade for me?" asked Sawyer.
"Not really," I said, "In your case, you're about 20 or 30% stronger. But the others will all be exactly 50% stronger."
"Very cool," he said, "Power down."
"Now that you're officially back on the team," I said, "I have a job for you."
"Recruit Chloe?" he asked, finishing my sentence for me.
"If you don't mind," I said, "Jenna will talk to Oz, and I'll talk to Riley and Rachel."
"We haven't really spoken since we broke up," said Sawyer, "She even changed her phone number."
"Rachel will probably know how to get in touch with her," I said, "So I guess for now, just wait and see how things go."
Last I heard from them, Riley and Rachel were both attending Metro City University part time. She was trying to get her Bachelor's Degree, while Riley was working to get a degree in teaching.
Not exactly what I expected him to go into, but he's still young. He may change his mind and decide he wants to do something different. At least I don't really have to go anywhere to talk to them. I could just take the car and drive to Sector 18.
Seven months after Trojan's defeat, the Mayor of Metro City decided to try rebuilding Sector 21, it took two years, but it's finally finished and is now Metro City's Corporate District. Sector 22 was commissioned halfway into development of Sector 21. They figure it will be finished by Spring of 2019 and it will be the Exchange District.
I sent Riley an email asking him and Rachel to meet me at the cafeteria tomorrow for lunch. It seemed to make more sense and be less assertive than asking them to come over for lunch.
The next day I went to the university and found a table in the cafeteria. I was enjoying a glass of iced tea when none other than Roger Illiak sat down across from me.
"Stephen?" he asked, "What are you doing here?"
I didn't want to tell him that I was planning on bringing the Power Rangers back together because for all I know, he might be trying to ascend even higher and become the next Prime Minister or something.
He might not even have figured out about the second part of the message yet. And if I was to tell him about my plans, how would he react. All it took was one little press conference to nearly ruin me.
If I told him about the Power Rangers, there's no telling what he'd do. With the resources he has at his disposal, he might even be able to learn their true identities.
"Oh, the Computer Science Professor called me and asked if could take over his morning class." I said.
"He couldn't find a substitute?" asked Roger.
"He didn't say," I said, "But there's no way I'd pass on the opportunity."
"Well," said Roger, "I came to visit my sons."
"Right. Charlie and Scott," I said, "How are they doing?"
"I couldn't find them," he said, "I sent them both an email, but I guess they're just busy with school."
"So you're just leaving then?"
"Yeah," he said, "I'll try again later."
"I think I'll have lunch before I leave."
"Okay," said Roger, "Good seeing you again."
"You too." I said.
He left. About 2 minutes later, Riley and Rachel came to sit down in the chairs on other side of the table.
"Wasn't that that Illiak guy?" asked Rachel.
"Unfortunately, yes," I said, "That's actually why I wanted to talk to you."
I pulled out a small handheld tablet. It's the newest model of Silversoft Tablets. The idea is that you can start doing something on your main computer, and then transfer that same session onto the tablet and keep working on it on the go.
So I was able to show them the two blue screen messages and explain to them what they were, how I came across them, even about how I figured out how to read them.
"The Crusaders?" whispered Riley, "Who are the Crusaders?"
"It sounds like they might be aliens," I said, "See here how it says that they've destroyed hundreds of other worlds?"
"And now they're coming to Earth?" asked Rachel, quietly.
"That's why I came here," I said, "I wanted to ask you two if you'd be willing to come back to active duty."
"Nobody messes with Earth and gets away with it," said Rachel, "And I'm only in school part time."
"You can't have the Power Rangers without their fearless leader," I said, "Count me in too."
"I figured you two would say something like that," I said with a smile, "Come to Headquarters after class today and you can test out the new and improved Digitizers."
"Improved?" asked Riley, "I like the sound of that."
"Oh yeah, that's right," I said, "I wanted to ask you if you knew how to contact Chloe."
"I do..." said Rachel, sounding uncomfortable.
"Why? What's wrong with her?" I asked.
"It would probably be easier if I just show you," said Rachel, "How about tonight after we test out the new Digitizers?"
"Okay." I said, very confused.
"You might want to stop at the bank at get some fives..." said Rachel.
When I got back from the university, Jenna and Oz were waiting for me down in Headquarters.
"There he is!" hollered Oz.
He ran up to me and gave me a hug that was made me feel like he was trying to squeeze the life out of me.
"It's good to see you too, Oz," I choked, "Please put me down."
"Oops. Sorry," he chuckled, "Was Jenna telling the truth about aliens?"
"We're not sure that they're aliens, but the messages we received seem to hint that they might be."
"Awesome." said Oz.
"Why is the world being in danger awesome?" asked Jenna.
"Because now I'm here to kick some ass."
"He has a point." said Riley, who must have just arrived.
Oz charged at Riley too, but instead he just held out his hand for a high five.
"Good to see you again." said Oz.
"What am I chopped liver?" asked Rachel.
"Actually liver is pretty good," said Oz, "My Mom used to make it when I was younger. She would bread it and bake it just like chicken breast..."
Oz sighed and then took a deep calming breath.
"I miss her." he said.
Oz's mother died last year. She had an allergic reaction to a new drug that her doctor thought might help her get back on her feet and start working again. It was very sudden. Oz's little sister, Heather was actually living with several people.
Amanda, Riley's older sister would take care of her sometimes. Sometimes she'd come stay with Jenna and I, other times Oz would look after her himself. Oz told us that he didn't want to raise her alone and that putting her in foster care was out of the question.
"Well, now that you're all here, follow me to the basement and I'll give each of you your codecs back." I said.
I led them down into Headquarters and had them line up, not unlike how they did when I first gave them their codecs.
Only this time, since the codecs weren't in the vault, I just went over to my desk and picked up the red, blue and yellow ones and brought them over to where their owners were standing.
The orange one and the green one were left unclaimed. I also made sure to pick up three of the new Digitizers for them.
"Here you go Oz," I said, handing him his yellow codec. "I'll explain the upgrades and new powers later, after we get Chloe back."
"It's good to be back." said Oz.
"Here's yours Rachel." I said. I stepping over to her.
"Thanks."
"And these ones are for you, Riley." I said, moving over to him and handing them to him.
"Back in action." he said, excitedly.
"Alright then," said Rachel, "I guess I can take you to Chloe now."
