Chapter 1
Along with the others I looked at the view of space, it appeared endless and vast and....peaceful. Peaceful, my life used to be peaceful, and so was my mom's and my dad's. I thought sadly. I thought of all the people that I knew, that I have grown close to over the years, whose peaceful lives have been shattered by the evil that has surrounded me for so long, and no matter how hard I fight, or how hard I try to protect the people that I care about, they are still touched by this evil. I glanced at my teammates who were looking out the window and were exclaiming over the vastness and what they saw. I just hope I can do a better job of protecting them. I turned my attention back to my own window and looked at all the planets that we were passing and idly wondered if one of them was Eltar when my computer began to beep rapidly. I whipped my head toward it.
"What is it Amy?"
"Is it Divatox?"
"Is it Goldar?" I continued to look at the screen for a few more moments, then I turned toward the others.
"I–it's a ship and its heading straight toward us!" Surprise registered on all of their faces. They began to ask whether it was an enemy ship, and does the shuttle have any weapons. I shook my head at TJ.
"No. But I'll use what little power I have to protect us." I looked at my computer again, trying to see if I could hail it and find out if the people on the ship were friend or foe. I typed in a message and was all prepared to send it to this ship when I noticed to my surprise that it was right on top of us! What was worse was that the hatch of the other ship was opening, and a blue beam that came from the ship engulfed the shuttle. It was a retractor beam! I struggled to mentally push us away from the gaping hole that was the other ship's hatch, which was prepared to swallow us whole. But I was low on power plus I was exhausted, so there was nothing I could do except listen to my fast beating heart which was filled with fear as to who or what had captured us. That fear also mingling with the fact that my team mates and I could no longer defend ourselves. I took small comfort in the fact that I still had my sword with me and if I was to be killed in unknown place in the outskirts of space....then so be it, I thought of my friends and loved ones and began to regret not alerting them to the dangerous journey that I partook in. Our ship had entered the belly of the other ship, and for a moment everything went dark. Then bright lights flashed on, momentarily blinding all of us. I raised one hand to shield my face, as soon as my eyes adjusted, I lowered my hand and looked out my window and saw what looked like a wall, I turned my head this way and that trying to get a better view but I couldn't see much. I kept expecting the shuttle's door to open to reveal an enemy, possibly Goldar, I also kept excepting to hear voices and shouts coming from the outside of our captured ship......but for some reason there was nothing. We all waited a few moments, glancing uncertainly at each other and looking nervously at the door, sure that it would burst open at any moment and we would be dragged off to our deaths. But nothing happened. Finally the silence, which seemed to be ringing inside my head got to be too much for me. Unstrapping myself from my seat and unhooking my computer from the shuttle's console, I stood up and made my way past the others, unconsciously wrapping up the extension cord and putting it back in it's compartment, who were still looking around in fear. I reached the door and stretched out a hand to unlatch it, but I hesitated. We had no idea what kind of ship that had captured us, much less what kind of people are on it. I glanced at my computer hoping that it could give me a read out on what was out there. But my computer replied back :UnknownI swallowed hard, I began to debate whether it was worth the risk leaving the safety of the shuttle. But if whoever or whatever came bursting into the shuttle to attack us, we would be no match in its small confines. I stood there for a moment hardly aware that the others had joined me. I looked at surprise when I saw TJ and the others, they all looked back at me. I turned back to the door, took a deep breath , pushed down on the latch, opened the door and stepped through it.
I stepped out onto a carpeted floor. I looked down at it in surprise. Carpet? In the back of my mind I was dimly aware that the only space ships that I have been captured in or taken upon had no carpet, only steel floor, the better to send fear rushing down a prisoner's spine when their captor was coming toward them. Ahead of us was a long hallway, brightly lit. The walls on either side of us had columns and windows. Well, might as well not hang around here. Whoever commands this ship could be coming for us.
"Let's go." I said in a low voice to the rookies. I limped forward, and the others followed. Halfway down the hallway, was a plague. Cassie said the words that were on it out loud.
"Astro Megaship." I looked at it for a moment puzzled. Must be the name of the ship. Going onward we passed doors that looked as if they were made of steel and beside the doors were keypads. Beyond that we crept a room, there were no lights in there, except for the glow of a machine and the way that it was glowing I geussed that it was the engine, which shone red on all of our faces and bodies. We all looked around, trying to peer into the darkness in the corners of the room, after a few moments we exited the room and with A-6 trailing behind us we continued to creep down the hall. We came to a fork in the hall way, to the left of us was, it appeared, to be the computer room, Carlos peered into it. TJ spoke which made the rest of us all jump.
"Okay, we'll split up into two teams, try and find whoever runs this ship." I glanced at him and nodded.
"Amy, Carlos check out that room right there. Cassie and I'll check out what's down this hall." Carlos looked uncertain but followed me as I limped into the room. The computer room had two computers facing opposite ends of each other with a transparent screen on top which had the solar system. Like the hallway, it had windows looking out into space. To the right of me over on the wall were some lockers, my eyes narrowed as I studied them. They all had strips of paint that looked like Ranger colors. Could the owners of this ship be Power Rangers as well? Why haven't they shown themselves? I looked in front of me and saw Ranger colored chutes. I limped over to them, climbed the stairs that led to them and peered into the darkness beyond. Better not chance it. I thought to myself fighting an urge to crawl into one of the openings and see where it led to. Limping down the stairs again I saw that Carlos was inspecting a machine that was on the wall to my right, it had the plague Synthetron.I limped over to one of the computers and looked down at it for a moment, wondering if I should plug in my own computer and find out what exactly this ship was and who manned it. But if I plug in my computer I'll probably alert whoever that runs this ship of our presence. After a few more minutes of thinking I turned away thinking that I had better concentrate on finding out if anyone was on this ship. So far we haven't met a soul, it appeared abandoned. I bumped into a chair that had been behind me. Letting out a startled gasp, I looked down and saw that attached to the right side of the computer was a plate of food. It looked half eaten. My stomach rumbled at the sight of it. My last meal had seemed so long ago, and I was tempted to take some of the food on the plate. But I restrained myself dimly remembering those few times that I had gotten yelled at for taking food that wasn't mine from the kitchen table. I backed away from it and turned to face Carlos, who had come around and was also staring at the plate. TJ and the others came in just then, and reported that they couldn't find any sign of life on the ship. Carlos and I pointed out the plate of food.
"Maybe whoever was eating this food left the ship for some reason or another and hasn't come back yet." I suggested. TJ nodded thoughtful.
"Come on let's check out the rest of this ship." He said as he, Carlos and Cassie and A-6 all trooped out of the computer room and down the hall. I stared after them for a bit, suddenly wishing that it were Tommy and my friends who were with me investigating this ship instead of the rookies. Sighing I limped after them. Going down the hall we came to another room, I let out a surprised grunt at the vastness of the room, the others let out gasps.
"This must be the bridge." said Carlos. I nodded but didn't say anything. Each of the walls to our left and right had consoles with chairs, in front of us on the far wall, was the main screen, and before us were more consoles along with chairs before each and every one of them. Hmm, reminds me a bit of the Enterprise. I thought, I was a big fan of Star Trek. Turning my attention back to the room at large, while the others went around and began to investigate the various consoles, I noticed that there were five main chairs and five main consoles. Five. Definitely Ranger numbers. Suddenly I thought of the Aquatar Rangers. Maybe they are the ones that own this ship. Excitement started to go through me but then I thought. But why didn't Billy contact me and tell us that the Rangers had a ship like this? And why didn't they hail us when we were within sight of each other? No. This ship must belong to an entirely different team of Rangers, probably one that Dad himself doesn't know about. A-6 went over to one of the computers and began to push buttons, I glanced at him. I let out a grunt as TJ asked him what he was doing and A-6 responded in gibberish. I opened up my own computer and began typing myself, it was a bit strange that my friends hadn't contacted me. Surely Justin would have told Tommy and the others about what had happened by now. I thought. My mind shifted over to Dex, and felt a pang in my heart. I wonder if any of his people have alerted him of Edenio's fall. Still if they haven't.....then....I don't even want to think about what might have happened to the Edenities. I thought of my father and Tentomon. I hope they're okay. I wonder why they didn't contact me or send an S.O.S. I wanted very much to figure out how to get off this ship, and turn the shuttle back to our original destination. To Edenio. But.....I couldn't just leave the rookies. Not out here. Powerless and defenseless, where they would be at the mercy of both Divatox and Goldar. I looked out a window and drew in a breath. Before us loomed a large orange planet, the others crowded around behind me and let out gasps of awe.
"Incredible." said Carlos. Cassie nodded in agreement. TJ called over to A-6.
"Alpha what planet is that? Maybe we can figure out where we are." I glanced down at my computer and was about to answer TJ but then stopped myself. Better let them try to answer this question themselves, I don't want them relying on me for answers. I began to remember how my friends and I would always rely on dad for answers concerning the monsters that would be sent down to Angel Grove and how we began to rely on ourselves when Dimitria took over. I began to pray that dad was alright.
I sat down in one of the chairs feeling the tiredness in my body. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes for just a moment. One of the computers beeped. I cracked open one eye and looked at A-6 as he began to gesture wildly for everyone to gather around him. I stayed where I was while the others gathered around A-6.
"What is it Alpha?" asked TJ. They all turned when a Red Ranger appeared in the doorway and froze when he caught sight of us. The others stared at him. I became fully awake and slowly stood up. For a moment no one spoke. Finally taking a breath and stepping forward slowly so as not to appear threatening TJ spoke.
"Hi. Um....listen we.....um.....came onto your ship....but not by choice." He took another step forward while the Red Ranger took a step back and continued to step back until he was in the hallway, then he took off. I glared at TJ as he, Carlos and Cassie dashed off after him. Nice going. I thought as I limped after them as fast as I could. Down the hall we raced, around a corner just in time to see the Ranger disappear down a hatch in the floor, TJ reached it first, he opened it up and peered down. Below was a ladder, TJ went down first, then Cassie, Carlos then me. We landed in another hallway and began to dart down it.
"We just want to talk." I shouted. We rounded a corner, I let out a gasp as the Ranger appeared in front of us and began to attack.
"Stop!" Shouted TJ as he blocked a kick but was sent flying by a punch. Carlos tried to restrain him, but was also punched back. I danced out of the way and ducked as the Ranger focused on me. Cassie was nearly kicked in the face as I ducked but Carlos managed to push her out of the way. Suddenly we all cried out as the ship lurched to the left and we all went tumbling against the wall. Before we could even begin to struggle to our feet, the Ranger leapt up, darted toward a door that was across from us and dart inside the room, while at the same time, pressing a button on the console that was on the wall right next to the door. It slammed shut. TJ managed to regain his footing and was trying to opened it. The rest of us stood up also and were staring at each other. While they were exclaiming over the appearance of the Ranger and came to the conclusion that the ship that we were in must be his and that the reason he attacked us was because he thought we were possible enemies, I was looking at the door, oblivious to their chatter. This Ranger, must be like the Aquatar Rangers, the Phantom Ranger and the Gold Ranger. He must be a Ranger from a different planet. Does he know about us? Is that why his ship captured our shuttle? But then why attack us? Wait....he couldn't have known. He acted pretty startled when he saw us on the bridge. If he wasn't the one that led our shuttle into this ship then who did? I was jolted out of my thoughts when another shake sent me tumbling to the floor, I managed to steady myself but another shake sent me staggering again, I clung to the wall for support and turned to TJ, I was surprised to see that A-6 was with us.
"Someone must be after him." He said as he was thrown against Cassie.
"Yeah. But who?" She asked. My first thought was that Goldar knew that I had left earth and had tracked me down and was attacking the ship because he knew that I was on it. I was knocked off my feet again. But then if he does know that I'm here, why doesn't he teleport himself onto the ship. Unless.....it's not Goldar that's attacking. Another space pirate? I thought as I gave up trying to stand up right. I crouched on the floor and watched the others as they continued to be tossed about against the walls and the floor. Whoever was blasting the ship was doing a pretty good job what with how the ship was rocking. I glanced up and saw with a thrill of horror that the lights were dimming. The ship must be losing power. TJ also noticed and began to look around. He staggered to his feet and began to pull himself along the wall.
"Come on." He tried to rally us.
"We have to help him." Carlos and Cassie both began to follow him as he made his way down the hall. I stared at the rookies as they staggered past me nearly being knocked off their feet as the ship lurched to the right. Help? That Ranger that attacked us? We don't know if he even wants our help. But I remembered the creed of the Power Rangers. Help all those that are in need. I took a breath and let it out. Okay. I thought as I began to duck walk after the rookies. Imagine my surprise when down the hall I saw the rookies in front of the door that led into the Engine Room. I stared at it for a minute, while the others were struggling to open the door that had nearly closed shut. All hallways must led to the same place. I thought as I stood up, staggered over to the others, shouldered my way to the door, gripped it and opened it easily. Without a moments thought(or a thank you) the rookies all rushed into the room. I limped in after them. They were all looking around. Cassie spotted it and pointed upward.
"Look up there!"
"It's that cable, it came unplugged." said TJ.
"That's why the ship is losing power." said Carlos. And altitude. I thought as I felt the ship's sharp decline. I gave a yelp as I tried to stop myself from doing a face plant.. I managed to catch myself by moving forward and slamming into the wall. Turning back to the others I saw to my horror that TJ was climbing toward the plug that gave of bursts of electricity now and then.
"TJ! What–?" I cried out as the ship gave another lurch and I flew sideways. Hearing the others give out shouts I looked up. TJ was climbing a ladder and was holding on for dear life trying to not be shaken off. As the ship righten itself, he began to climb up again, until a another blast from the enemy that rocked the ship sent TJ flying to the ground. Carlos, Cassie and A-6 were at his side and helping him up. TJ moved toward the ladder again, but I staggered to my feet and began to concentrate. The cable moved on it's own back toward its plug, the others stared at it astonishment on their faces. I kept up my concentration even as the shaking ship sent me to the floor, finally the cable was plugged in again. The engine and the lights lit up strongly. For a few moments the ship righten itself and kept up a steady course. But it was back to the rumbling and shaking, only this time it sent us all flying out into the hall and slammed us against the walls. Finally the rumbling and shaking stopped and we all helped each other to our feet. Takes me back to when my friends and I were Zord battling in the Angel Grove mountains. I thought, I rubbed the back of my head where it had been hit by the wall. Only back then, at least we had seatbelts.
"Is everyone alright?" I asked, they all nodded but our heads turned when we all heard the sound of running footsteps. The Red Ranger appeared, stopped and stared at us.
"Who are you?" He snarled. I felt annoyance raise within me. But before I could tell off the Ranger TJ spoke up.
"We're the Power Rangers." There was a moment of silence from the Ranger. Okay looks like he hasn't heard about us.
"Power Rangers?" He asked. I raised an eyebrow. He doesn't know what a ranger is, when he clearly is one? Carlos spoke up.
"From earth." The Ranger was about to speak when a voice that seemed to come out of nowhere interrupted him.
"Sensors indicate that Astronema's ship is landing." Astronema? Who's she? Was she the one that attacked us? Without another word the Ranger turned and dashed off back down the hall. I scowled. I'm sounded by ingrates. TJ and the others were looking at each other, the very same questions that I had thought were evident on their faces. They took off after him. I stood still for a moment. Rookies. I thought annoyingly as I limped after them We followed the Ranger back to the bridge, where he was busy looking at the screen. I peered over his shoulder and saw that we had crash landed on a planet, from the view from the screen, the planet reminded me of Edenio. No vegetation, nothing but sand and rocks. I jumped as the voice suddenly spoke up.
"Astronema's forces are disembarking." TJ took a step toward the Ranger.
"Listen we are the Power Rangers.....or at least we were." He said when he caught the look that Cassie gave him. On the screen appeared these....creatures with what looked like body armor and long blades.
"Quantrons." breathed the Ranger.
"Look, we were on our way to Edenio to help out Zordon and....." Am I the only one that knows that right now is not the time to tell our story? I thought with a growing sense of anger. Before I could unleash it though, the Ranger had turned his head slightly towards us at the mention of dad. I peered at him. Before I could think though, the voice once again spoke up and informed us that the Quantrons were heading this way and were in an attack position.
"D.E.C.A, can we take off? What's our status?" asked the Ranger. DECA? Is that the name of the voice?
"Negative." said the ship. I looked around trying to pinpoint where the voice was coming from.
"The Mega accelerator is disabled. Flight is impossible. All weapons are down. All systems are running on auxiliary power." The Ranger shook his head, then he turned, and started toward us. At first I thought that he was going to attack again but instead he pushed pass us and out into the hall.
"Open the outer space hatch." He instructed as the door closed after him. TJ, Carlos and Cassie dashed after him slipping through a crack before the door fully closed.. My mouth dropped open in outrage as I heard TJ shout.
"Wait! We're coming with you!"