As promised, here's the follow-up to "Gold and Silver Allies". As a quick recap on some things...

Chas was running for mayor of Corinth, but during the campaign, was slipped powerful and addictive painkillers, under orders of Fresno Bob as part of a deal with the other candidate, his father Mr. Winchester. The military, acting on an anonymous tipoff raided his home and searched his car, finding evidence of theft and forgery, and given his addiction, he was arrested.

Meanwhile, Dillon had a massive argument with Summer as he feared that he couldn't offer her a future since he wasn't sure if his implants rendered him unable to have children. He has since discovered that he can, however, Summer has yet to forgive him, and when she found out about the real reason for the fight, she moved out.

Finally, D46 is the leader of a resistance movement that is fighting Venjix out in the wastes, comprised largely of escaped slaves. D46 is the last remaining infiltrator; though he somehow escaped before his memories were altered, meaning he had full recollection of who he was before. He has eliminated all but two of his "brethren", Dillon and Tenaya, but still harbours a deep distrust for them and has made no secret of his desire to destroy them. However, the Rangers are in the position of being forced to trust him, realising that only he can keep those prisoners they can't bring home safe. He also has one last secret that the Rangers do not yet know. He is Marcus Truman. On to the usual, legal stuff.

Rating: T – Adult themes, language and violence.

Legal: I do not own Power Rangers or the associated names, places, events etc. Anything not covered by the above rights is purely the creation of the author. Where the script overlaps with the episodes, Disney owns the rights to the script.

Chas was sitting in his cell in the remand block of the military base, shivering uncontrollably. He had been allowed to change out of his Lightningball armour, and into civilian clothing, before being brought in overnight. After being given a full physical examination and questioned at length about the drugs and the prescription pads found in his apartment, he had been taken to his cell overnight until the courts could convene in the morning to discuss his bail conditions.

He was sweating badly, and he couldn't stop shaking. He had dark circles under his eyes as a result of his sleepless nights. Since he had now not had a dose of the painkillers he had been taking in well over a day, he had already figured out that he was going through withdrawal symptoms. He felt aches and pains that were unbearable, and he couldn't get any rest or respite from his incarceration, but he also knew that asking for anything to help with the symptoms would only make it look more likely that he genuinely was a an addict.

Brie had visited the night before and explained what was happening. The painkillers he had been given by the doctor had been far stronger than he should have been taking, and were highly addictive, a fact he was experiencing the hard way. However, after being questioned, the military had attempted to find the doctor he claimed prescribed him the medication. So far though, there was no sign of him, and the clinic had denied even knowing of a doctor matching his description. It was as though he had dropped off the face of the earth, though to the courts it was beginning to look like he had never existed in the first place.

He looked up as two guards came into the room, bringing Brie and Flynn with them. He smiled as the door was opened, and Brie rushed to his side to hold him.

"How are you?" She asked him, noting his somewhat haggard appearance. "You look dreadful. Are you feeling alright?"

"I've had better nights." Chas told her, already feeling a little better at having seen her. "Brie, what are you doing here so early? You've got to think of the baby, this can't be doing any good."

"Do you really think I could relax anyway?" She asked him. "How have you been treated?"

"I've been fed. They gave me a cell to myself for the night." He told her. "When's my hearing?"

"The lawyer's talking to the judge now." She informed him. "If he manages to get you in first, hopefully your case will be heard and we can get you out of here."

"Is the lawyer confident?" He asked her. Brie nodded sadly, holding his hand gently.

"He said that because we own the apartment you're unlikely to be considered a flight risk." She told him weakly. She managed a small, sarcastic laugh. "I always wondered about that. I mean we do live in a dome right? It's not like you can walk into the wastes and ask Venjix to put you up for a few nights."

"I guess that's true." He replied with a reassuring smirk at the farcical nature of the courts trying to assess the flight risk of those awaiting trial. "If they don't find me at home, they know that I'll be somewhere in the city right?"

"Colonel Truman wanted me to tell you that the military has to suspend you pending trial, but they're still willing to pay you." Flynn added. "He still believes in you, we all do."

"I wish everyone else did." Chas replied. "What are the papers saying?"

"Try not to worry about that." Brie rushed out, hoping to make him think of something else. "Just concentrate on getting through this."

"Brie, you know I'm going to have to face it at some point." He responded. "What are they saying?"

She looked to Flynn, indicating that she wanted to be left alone with her fiancé. Flynn dutifully left them, leaving her to explain. He had already read the papers anyway, and knew it wouldn't be easy to hear.

"They're saying that because of the injuries you suffered, you've been taking too many painkillers." She informed him sympathetically. "They've been saying that your behaviour has been down to addiction. With the medication and the prescription orders they found..."

"Those weren't mine." He told her. "You believe me don't you?"

"Do you really have to ask?" She asked him in response. "I've been trying to tell you that the new meds weren't doing you any good. You've been acting out of sorts for a while now."

"I know that now. I just felt like it was helping, but over time I needed more." He informed her. "The doctor just kept signing off on the meds. I should have realised something was wrong, but..."

"Chas, it's alright. I know you could never do what they're saying." Brie assured him. "Even if you were that desperate for meds, you've never been into that whole scene. You wouldn't know where to begin finding meds or forged prescriptions."

"I wish everyone else believed that." He replied, rubbing his arms for warmth. Brie held him closely.

"Are you alright?" She asked him.

"This isn't the worst I've been." He told her. "The withdrawal symptoms have been pretty harsh."

"There's one more thing you have to know." She said quietly as she tried to tell him the worst part. "Your dad's already talked to the papers."

"I'm sure he's taking every opportunity to stick the boot in." He muttered. "Even if I did still have a chance at winning this election...what's he saying now?"

"He's playing this thing for publicity all the way." She told him, looking to the floor. "He's been saying he doesn't care about the election as long as his son's alright. He's been saying that even though you've fallen out, he's going to support you through this. He's offered to pay for rehab..."

"I think I get the general idea." He said bitterly, waving off the rest of her explanation. "He's trying to look like the perfect dad, all the while reminding everyone that I'm a junkie."

"Chas, you can't talk about yourself like that." She said reassuringly. "You never stole..."

"Look at me Brie, I'm falling apart!" He spat angrily. "I'm going through withdrawals. That bastard's only been giving me that shit for a few days and I'm hooked!"

"You can get over this, you're stronger than that, I know you are!" She replied, holding him tightly to her. "Just have patience. We might have a hard time ahead of us, but that doesn't mean we'll give up. I'll never give up on you."

"Thanks, that really means a lot to me." He replied. They were interrupted as a man in a suit; presumably the military lawyer Colonel Truman had sent to represent him came in, carrying a suit.

"I managed to get the judge to see you first." He told him. "There's no evidence to support your claims, so right now I think your best chance lies in throwing yourself on the mercy of the court."

"You mean you want me to plead guilty." Chas stated.

"The medical examination shows all the hallmarks of addiction." He explained. "This is your first offence, and between your military record and distinctions, the court will look favourably on you. If you plead guilty and submit to rehab, you'll almost certainly never go to jail."

"But I'd have to admit to the thefts and the forgery." Chas replied. "Sorry, I can't do that."

"Chas, you don't have any evidence..."

"I have friends that can help with that." He interrupted his lawyer, pulling off his t-shirt, and picking up the suit. "I'll submit to rehab, I'm going to need it, but I will not plead guilty."

"Chas, I have to remind you that you probably will go to prison if you're found guilty." He reminded the young man.

"Just get the bail hearing over with and get me out of here." Chas instructed him. "Making deals might be my father's way of doing things, but I won't admit to something I didn't do."

The lawyer just nodded, accepting that this was something Chas wouldn't change his mind on, and left. Brie got up to leave, only stopping at the door.

"I'll support you no matter what happens." She assured him.

"That's all that's keeping me going." Chas told her, pulling on his shirt. "I'll see you in court."

Back at the Garage, the Rangers were killing time until Dr. K could send them on their latest mission, to destroy the Alpha Project factory where the Doomsday weapon was being built. They had to coordinate their efforts with when the transport vehicles would be delivering the supplies to the factory, to ensure that the Resistance fighters and themselves would strike in a coordinated attack, that would release the prisoners, without damaging the transport vehicles that would be used to bring them back to Corinth.

Scott was lying back on the mats on the floor, seemingly asleep while Gem and Gemma put the finishing touches on the neutronic charges that would be used to destroy the factory for good. Ziggy and Tenaya were sitting on the steps in the corner, talking quietly as they watched Dillon staring into space, listening to the music from his watch.

"He's been like that since last night." Tenaya commented, nodding in his direction. Ziggy put his arm around her, pulling her into himself.

"Can you blame him?" Ziggy asked her. "Summer did just walk out last night."

"I can't believe that things got that bad between them." She sighed, noting that he was even quieter than usual. He hadn't bothered to irritate Scott, or comment on the twins' boundless enthusiasm. He hadn't even risen to the bait when Dr. K had been talking with him earlier, trying to ascertain whether or not the rift between him and Summer would affect the team. "I can't help feeling guilty. This all happened right after he found out about us."

"I haven't asked him." Ziggy replied. "I'm still trying to give him some space. Right now I don't think he'd want to talk."

"I just wish there was something we could do for him." She muttered, resting her head on his shoulder. "It isn't exactly going to help matters if he and Summer..."

"If nothing else they'll be able to work together." Ziggy interrupted her as she voiced her fear. "They were Rangers before they got together. They both know how important it is that the team functions as a unit."

"It's just not great timing." She replied, squeezing his hand a little. "This is going to be most important assault yet. Maybe I..."

"You know you can't come with us." Ziggy put down flatly. "As much as I'd love you to watch our backs, we have to keep D46 onside for now. We're pushing our luck with Dillon, but at least he has the Series Black rig. We can't take the chance he'll try to take another shot at you. He hasn't exactly made a secret of the fact he hasn't given up on that front."

"I guess so." She replied sadly. "Well I guess I can do one thing for him. Maybe he'll talk to his little sister."

With that, she made her way over to talk to him. Ziggy just noticed Dr. K slipping into her lab with Gem and Gemma, and opted to slip in behind them and see what they were up to. He knew that Dr. K had a stronger bond with the twins than the others, and had already assigned them tasks without informing the other Rangers, of course this was easily the most important offensive they would be taking part in. He wanted to know what was going on.

"Dr. K, are you sure..."

"...This programme will work?" Gem asked her. Dr. K rolled her eyes.

"I'm not certain, but we have to do everything in our power to prevent anything like this happening again." She reminded them. "This flash drive incorporates a worm that will search through the entire database and remove all trace of the Doombot's files, including backups. If it works, we only have to destroy this one before it's airborne, and Venjix will be unable to simply build another one, at least not for some time."

"So you want us to upload this programme..."

"...before we make the place go..."

"...Boom!" They chorused together, high fiving each other and hopping around like gleeful infants. Dr. K just smiled.

"That is exactly the plan." She replied. "I just wish there was some way we could match this kind of firepower. I don't currently have any way to create something to combat something like this. If Venjix ever manages to get something like this operational without our knowledge..."

"Why fight it?" Ziggy asked, revealing himself. The three just looked at him a little confused.

"What are you doing here Ziggy?" Dr. K asked in an exasperated tone. He just smirked.

"You know, back when I was working for the Scorpion Cartel...before coming to Corinth of course...Fresno Bob used to love gambling on street racing. He loved the cars." He told them.

"So?" Dr. K asked.

"At one time, one of the other crime families had an amazing car." He continued with his story. "It was a demon of a creation. The kind of engine that makes Scott's car look like a go-kart, and with more nitrous than a dentist's office. The parts were so rare that it was one of a kind. None of the other cartels could make a car that could compete with it."

"I still don't see your point Ranger Green." Dr. K snapped grumpily. Ziggy just looked at them like it was obvious.

"He jacked it." He explained. "He figured that if he couldn't compete with it, why not make it his?"

Dr. K stopped in her tracks and stared at him dumbfounded. Of all the Rangers, Ziggy had been the one she had looked down on the most. She couldn't believe that he of all people would come up with an idea that she hadn't considered herself.

"Could we..."

"...Do that?" Gemma asked her. Dr. K furrowed her brows and turned to her computer, looking up dormant files of base DNA codes for bio tech zords she had never gotten around to building, comparing them to the schematics of the Doombot.

"I don't know if it'll work, but it just might." Dr. K told them. "Just give me a while to get this ready."

Meanwhile, out in the main room, Dillon looked up as Tenaya threw herself onto the couch, almost sitting on his legs as he lay there.

"Want to talk about it?" She asked him. Dillon shook his head.

"Talk about what? She's gone." He replied. "She moved in with her parents. She made it clear she didn't want to see me."

"Not right now, maybe she just needs time." She suggested.

"Maybe she just needs to stay away from me." He replied. Tenaya just reached over, taking the watch from him.

"I still remember this tune by heart." She told him. "I remember...I had a necklace, a key that would open it."

"Like this?" Dillon asked her. Tenaya nodded.

"I think we both had one." She told him. "I remember that tune always made me feel...connected to you. Since we both had a key..."

"It was something that only we shared." He responded as though a veil had been lifted. He looked up at her. "I didn't remember any of that until...now."

"We might have a lot of things that we're still not sure of, but we do know we are connected." She reminded him. "Maybe you could tell me what's wrong."

"I saw Summer having a great time with the kids, and I kind of...imagined her like that some day. It just seemed right." He told her, with a little smile on his face. "It was beautiful to see her like that. So peaceful, and happy and...I got scared."

"Scared?" Tenaya asked him, a little confused.

"You know that there are a lot of things we can do that others can't." He replied. "You know...because we are the way we are. Well, I was just thinking, and I don't know how much of my body really is biological."

She stared at him blankly for a second, before the realisation hit her.

"Oh, right. You mean you didn't know if..."

"I didn't want her to miss out because of me, so when I found out about you and Ziggy, I picked a stupid fight with her. I figured if she broke up with me then she could get together with someone that would give her what she wants."

"That plan...has to be about the dumbest thing I've ever heard." Tenaya replied. Dillon glared at her angrily. "Hey, I'm just saying..."

"Flynn got the truth out of me and convinced me to have some tests done." Dillon told her. "Sam ran them, and told me there's no reason I shouldn't be able to have kids."

"If you'd talked to me, I could have told you that." She told him. "I do have..."

"You know, I think that's one of those things brothers and sisters don't talk about." Dillon interrupted her.

"Sorry, I'm still trying to figure that out myself." She stated with a small blush.

"Anyway, she found the report, and I explained everything, but she just told me I didn't get it, and she needed some space." He told her. "That's when she left."

"You really don't know what's wrong?" Tenaya asked him. Dillon shook his head.

"I guess I did say some horrible things to her." He conceded.

"I don't think it's really about that." She told him. "Think about it. Who did you talk to about this?"

"I talked to Flynn and he suggested the tests." He replied. "I talked to Sam about the results, and I guess now I've talked to you..."

"Who haven't you talked to about this?" Tenaya asked him. Dillon just looked like he was ready to slap his own forehead as the penny dropped.

"Summer."

"I can understand why she'd be hurt." She replied. "When I was worried about my...uh...my health...I talked to Ziggy."

"Thanks for trying, but still a little too much information." He replied. "Try not to give me those mental images would you? I'm still not sure about this 'don't kill the boyfriend' agreement."

"I guess I got a little creeped when Dr. K mentioned you and Summer." Tenaya replied with a shudder. "I guess we learned a little about what we should and shouldn't talk about to each other."

Just then, Summer walked in. Tenaya handed Dillon back his watch and left them. Dillon came over to her.

"Summer..."

"I'm just here for the briefing and the mission." She told him as Colonel Truman and a dozen soldiers arrived in an additional two transport vehicles. Scott had decided that it was best to ensure as many workers as possible were removed since they still weren't completely sure about how trustworthy D46 was. "I still need time, until this is over, could we just try and..."

"Summer, we need to talk about this." He replied. "I know that I've hurt you..."

"This really isn't the time. Until this is over, can we just concentrate on the job in hand?" She asked him. At that point, Dr. K arrived in the room.

"If everyone would please follow me into the Ranger room, we'll begin the briefing." She instructed them. The others started to file into the room.

"Summer..."

"Not now." She cut him off abruptly, turning from him and heading into the lab. "Good luck Ranger Series Black."