Scenarios

The Astro Megaship was just entering the Ronvin Sector when it received a transmission from Mal Val, the Red Ronvin Ranger. "Commander Andros," Mal sated with bright eyes as he faced the Astro Rangers. "What brings you to the Ronvin Sector?"

"We received a distress signal from Railma," Andros informed the man before him. "As a team no currently tried to a planet, we want to investigate."

"Our Black Ranger scouted the village a few hours ago," Mal frowned. "Nothing is felt. I welcome you into our sector, but I'm not sure you're not wasting your time. The Ronvin Rangers will assist if you call for us."

"Thank you," Andros bowed his head slightly. "Astro Rangers out." The screen faded to black. "That didn't sound good."

"What didn't?" Carlos asked.

"Railma was scouted because of the distress signal, but the Rangers aren't pursing it," Andros said.

"Are you sure?" TJ asked not drawing the same conclusion.

"He would have said something like, 'we have it under control' or 'if we need help, we'll call'. They weren't planning on checking up on this message," Andros told them.

"Maybe they just didn't know where to begin," Ashley suggested.

"Or the life of one girl doesn't trump their obligation to the whole sector," Carlos offered.

The earth Rangers continued coming up with excuses while Andros plotted their next move. He settled on connecting with a contact on the Vega space station. The plan caused his Rangers to object rather loudly.

"You aren't going alone," TJ stated again.

"You'll need the back-up," Cassie agreed.

"Especially with the Megaship in orbit of a planet two systems away," Ashley told him.

"You're going to stick out like a sore toe," Andros countered, eying TJ who seemed to have been chosen as his companion.

"Thumb and I won't," TJ agrued.

"Andros," DECA broke in.

"Yes?" the Red Ranger asked looking up at the nearest interface.

"I have received a meeting time," DECA announced.

"Excellent," Andros praised. "Let's hear it."

"8 clicks here, on the megaship," DECA informed them. "We've been asked to hold our position."

"That's just under two hours," Ashley calculated. "Is there any danger remaining where we are?"

"I don't know this sector well," Andros admitted. "We'll just have to assume there'll be danger and plan accordingly."

The next hour was filled with test simulations and readiness drills. Carlos and Alpha gave the engines a once over, and Ashley created a cycling lazer set-up. Cassie and TJ ran scenarios by everyone while Andros prepared for his guest.

It was two clicks past two hours when the sensors picked up a small craft. "Is that him?" TJ asked preparing fro the worst.

"Send out the signal," Andros requested unsure. He'd never met this contact away from the Vega space station and was not 100% what to expect.

"The returning signal matches," TJ announced just before DECA added, "the signal is authentic." TJ continued, "Looks like a set of teleportation coordinates too."

"He wants you to go over there?" Carlos stated surprised. "That ship's like 3 decks."

"Two," corrected Cassie. "And I have four lifesigns."

The Rangers turned to Andros waiting for his thoughts. After taking a second to think, he said, "I'm not worried about going over there. If they try to leave the system, stop them. Have a teleportation lock on me and pull me out if you think you need to."

"That sounds great in theory, but let's face it, we were not prepared for this," TJ said. "I think I should go with you."

"No," Andros's tone was final. Ashley frowned in his direction as he added one more piece of information. "I can take on four people. I am a Power Ranger. Let's get this over with."

The team sent back a reply followed closely by Andros appearing on the smaller ship. A tall, well-built man was waiting for him. Without speaking, the man beckoned him into the corridor and down to another area of the vessel. Stopping outside a smaller door, he pushed a small button and pressed himself against the wall. Andros moved around him so when the door opened he could enter the small personal quarters.

"Andros," a young lady stated from the only chair in the small room.

"Arien," Andros greeted as the doors sealed. "What's up with the ship?"

She shrugged and waved the question off. "I thought you weren't coming back around here. What changed?"

"Have you heard of Railma?" Andros asked.

"Oh come on, you can't be going after that kid. That's just a waste of time," Arien asked in disbelief. "Do you know how many people General Kormal abducts? None. It's called a trap. Sorry, Andros, but you're out here for nothing."

"Are you sure?" Andros asked.

"This is what I know," Arien said rising from her seat and taking a step closer to him. "The Ronvin Rangers used to answer every distress signal and General Kormal would attack whole planets while they searched. Don't bother with this."

"It wasn't Kormal gloating. It was a father begging. I need you to be sure," Andros said.

Arien shook her head. "Andros, give up on this one."

Andros nodded. "Thank you, Arien. I'm sorry to bother you."

"Listen," Arien said just before he could turn away. "It's still a noble thing. Stupid, but noble."

The Red Ranger wasn't excited to go back and tell his team that they had been fooled. There was a piece of him wondering if his contact was wrong, but all the other information she'd ever given him had been very accurate. Without any reason to doubt, he set himself up to face the firing squad he knew he was about to confront.

TBC