Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed the introductory chapter to my new Power Rangers team and story. Things will begin to pick up from here on out so don't worry. I like to do a bit of world building and such, it won't be all fight scenes and megazords. But don't fret, there will also be plenty of those. Please favorite to follow along and review so I know how I'm doing, what you like, don't like, etc. It's Christmas break for me for the next few weeks so hopefully I'll be able to get a chapter out every other day or so. I have so many great ideas and can't wait to share them all. Thanks!
The ground shook beneath Brian's feet as he sprinted forward across the grassy expanse that was the centerpiece of Bay Tech's quad. Energy blasts shot forth from the group of humanoid creatures' weapons sending the groups of fleeing students scattered across the lawn flying through the air. Brian raised his arm to block the flying dirt and debris from getting into his eyes. Darting left and right to avoid energy blasts directed at him, Brian took a leap forward just as the ground beneath his feet erupted as another energy blast struck. He hit the ground hard but managed to tumble forward and brace himself with one knee and hand on the ground. Looking quickly around Brian was pleased to see most everyone had evacuated to the buildings on either side of the lawn. He noticed however a group of three students were injured lying on the ground halfway between him and the approaching group of creatures. Without a second thought he took off once again running full speed at the creatures, letting out a great yell as he approached.
Almost out of breath Doctor McCoy turned the corner of the applied sciences building bringing the campus' quad into view. Before him, where only minutes earlier students happily milled around and enjoyed the beautiful day, were terrified students, screaming and fleeing in all directions as patches of the grass burned where they had been struck by energy blasts. The front facades of the buildings that flanked the grassy field were damaged, and in some places beginning to crumble where they had been struck. The air was filled with acrid smells and smoke was rising all over the place. Mike and Julia finally caught up with the professor huffing and puffing.
"Professor you didn't need to…", Mike began to say in between breaths before he stopped mid-sentence as he began to take in the scene of destruction before him.
"What is going on? Ahhhhh! What are those things?" Julia screeched pointing at the grotesque creatures in black causing the mayhem before their eyes.
"Oh god no. So they truly are real. This is all my fault," Dr. McCoy dejectedly proclaimed. With trembling hands, the professor pulled his cellphone out of his pocket. "I have to alert the Colonel that they are here. They've begun to attack people. And here on the campus of all places."
As he finished dialing his eyes were drawn up to the figure of a young man sprinting across the grass, heading directly for a group of injured students right in front of the creatures.
"Are you ok!" Brian shouted at the two guys and girl who were struggling to stand. They were obviously all disoriented and stunned from one of the blasts that must have struck the ground near them.
"What?" Shouted one the guys who had managed to stand all the way up. "What!?"
"Run! You all need to get out of here right now." Brian responded.
"What?" The guy said again.
Brian realized the sound of the explosion must have caused the boy to temporarily lose his hearing. Deciding arguing with him would take too long as the creatures were almost upon them, Brian grabbed the guy's arm and directed him to help his friends escape while they still could. As the guy began to help his friends up one of the creatures leapt forward at them.
Brian landed a high kick, right in the center of the airborne creature's abdomen sending him flying back a few feet and landing on its back. This grabbed the attention of the largest of the creatures who stood in the center of the swarm. It was at least a foot and a half taller than the other creatures and had a significant amount of extra mass on him. It had bright red eyes that shone through what to Brian appeared to be a spiked helm that covered most of its face. Two large bat-like wings protruded from its shoulder blades. Across its chest was a purple and black sash which was tied to a dark red loin-cloth at its waist. In its right hand was clutched a gruesome looking blade, over four feet long and serrated near the top which curved ever so slightly. Opening its fanged mouth, he began to bark orders at his minions.
"Nanodrones, destroy that nuisance, then continue with the destruction!"
The a few from the swarm of nanodrones broke off and began to converge on where Brian stood. He took a fighting stance bracing himself for the assault. Up close for the first time he was able to make out the details of these so called nanodrones. They all appeared to be almost exact duplicates of each other. A little shorter than him they had legs that resembled a satyr from Greek mythology. Their equine legs however were scaly and had three spiked toes. Their arms were covered from wrist to shoulder with spikes. The most unsettling part of their appearance however was their featureless faces. No eyes, nose, or mouth; which made the fact that they all made a high pitched screeching sound as they approached all the more horrifying.
Brian ducked the punch that the first nanodrone who reached him threw, following with an uppercut of his own to its jaw, sending it sprawling back into two others.
"This has got to be the stupidest thing I've ever done. Who, or better yet, what are these things?" Brian thought to himself.
However, before he could question the predicament he had gotten himself into an unexpected kick from behind brought Brian to his knees. He quickly rolled to the side and kicked out, sweeping the legs of one the nanodrones out from underneath him. Quickly rising to his feet Brian was able to land a few more punches on two of the attacking nanodrones before one attacked from his exposed right side punching him square in the ribs. Brian crumples to the ground, grabbing onto his side.
"Gaahhhh," Brian cried out in pain. "Ok this is officially the worst decision I've ever made."
Already heavily bruised from the night before, the latest punch sent pain like a stabbing knife up and down his rib cage. Gasping for breath Brian clawed at the grass with his right hand. Gritting his teeth Brian was able to get on all fours. Hit looked up, and was barely able to make out the leader of the swarm shooting blasts of dark purple energy from left hand at the buildings and groups of terrified fleeing students though the tears of pain in his eyes.
"Run and hide humans! Your days of owning this planet are through. We are Nanoborgs. We are the new inheritors of the Earth. You will either bend the knee in subjugation, or face death at our hands. You are to be the witnesses of our power, and our cruelty! I am Gorlinar! Remember my name."
"The swarm is now able to control and modify bodies. And they are beginning to have self-thought," the professor muttered into his phone. He was peering around the corner of the applied science building watching the events in the middle of the quad unfold. "They must have mutated on their own. Colonel, if this is case then the problem is worse than we imagined. Steps need to be taken to destroy these things."
He stood rooted in place, listening to the caller on the other end of the line for a few moments all while intently watching and listening to what was happening on the field.
"Colonel, I'm sorry, but the Omega Strain is just not ready yet for human testing. I...need to go." He trailed off as he witnessed what had just occurred.
The nanodrones began to shriek and jump up and down at Gorlinar's proclamation. Seeing this as a chance to strike, Brian shook his head to clear his mind then stood up and bolted straight at Gorlinar. His quick strike caught the creature unawares and Brian was able to stagger him with a punch to the back of his jaw, right below his ear.
"Impudent human. How dare you strike me. I am Gorlinar prince of the Nanoborgs!"
Regaining his composure Gorlinar reached out and grabbed ahold of Brian's head, as a basketball player would palm the ball. He lifted Brian up, his feet kicking wildly about as he was pulled two feet into the air.
"You will be the first example of what happens to those who oppose the rule of the Nanoborgs!"
Tossing Brian a few feet higher into the air, Gorlinar struck him down with two lighting fast strikes of his sword, slicing his chest open. Gorlinar laughed as Brian lay twitching on the ground bleeding profusely from the two deep gashes across his chest.
"Nanodrones, our work here is finished...for today." Gorlinar snarled. He and his nanodrones began to break apart until they were a giant cloud of swirling nanobots that then converged in a bright green light and disappeared, teleporting away.
Watching the swarm of nanodrones disperse Mike and Julia began whispering to each other.
"What did the professor mean when he said this is all his fault?" Mike inquired.
"He must have created those...those...things. Do you think this has anything to do with our research? The Colonel seems to be involved in both." Julia replied.
It was then that that they both saw the professor running out to the middle of the field where they saw the bloody body of a boy lying.
"Oh my god Mike. Someone's out there. We need to go help him."
"That's not our job, the paramedics should be here any minute."
The professor turned around noticing that his assistants were not following behind him.
"We need to help that boy. Come give me a hand!" The professor shouted.
Mike sighed and Julia and he ran to join the professor. They arrived and knelt down next to Brian. Julia began to check his vitals as the professor inspected the wounds on his chest.
"No...it cannot be. Or maybe it was meant to be." The professor muttered to himself seeing who it was lying on the ground in front of him. "Maybe, just maybe it will finally work," he thought.
"If he doesn't get severe help soon professor he won't make it. He's in critical condition. We need to get him to the hospital ASAP!" Julia shouted, as she began to shake, believing she was going to witness the death of the young man before her.
"No," Doctor McCoy stated, shaking his head. "There's nothing that a doctor or hospital can do for him now. At this point there is only one thing left that has a chance of saving his life. The Omega Strain."
What is this mysterious Omega Strain? What are the origins of the Nanoborgs, and just what is Professor McCoy hiding? You'll find out soon.
Next chapter: Red Rising - The First Ranger is born!