Title: "Just the Right Amount of Wrong"
Written by: Shawn30 (2/?)
Summary: You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity." - Epicurus
Category: Angsty Drama/Angsty Erotica
Rated: MA Ship: Tommy/Kimberly
Characters: Tommy, Kim, Billy, Jason, Katherine, Zack, Trini, Tanya, Rocky, and Adam. Gangs all here, lol.
Warnings: Graphic Sexual Content/Intense Action Sequences/Language
Timeline: Everything up to and including the end of Dino Thunder. All else is explained and is my AU.
Disclaimer: Saban owns it all again. If that's a good thing or not remains to be seen.
Authors Notes: Not every chapter will be as long as this one or the first as I'm using this verse to have fun and touch on a number of different themes. We'll begin a little here adding a focus on other characters even as this remains a Tommy/Kim centric series. Enjoy.
One Month Later
The N.A.S.A. Board of Directors gala in honor of William Cranston
The Hampton Tower
51st Floor 17 West Niles
Friday, February 10, 2007 8:30 PM
Los Angeles, Ca
"The United States Space Exploration Committee and N.A.S.A. are so very pleased to be gathered here tonight in honor of announcing the newest member of our Board of Directors," N.A.S.A. governing president Kyle Peterson addressed to a jam-packed room of national and international reporters, fellow N.A.S.A. board members, Senators, Congressmen, scientists, and even the President of the United States. The well-respected elder statesman of N.A.S.A. looked out over the crowded hall and smiled, so genuinely pleased to bring aboard such a great mind. Flashbulbs exploded around the broad stage as he continued his introduction. "William's remarkably impressive scientific resume and his unprecedented work with advanced technology via his time as a Power Ranger made him a voice we absolutely could not do without as we push the U.S. space program forward. His accomplishments are astonishing as..."
Their willpower was lost the moment Tommy aggressively shoved Kim inside the small, dark office directly adjacent to the sprawling main conference hall where the huge televised presentation was taking place. The sheer hunger she witnessed lit behind his smoldering gaze left her trembling and wet as she back-peddled over the red carpet. He heel-kicked the door shut, locking it with a audible click. Relentless in his pursuit of her, Tommy threw his black Tuxedo jacket to the floor, and then drew her down upon it. There he wrenched her deliciously snug little black dress up over her slender hips, practically snarling with hunger. Her heart raced when he urgently crawled between her parted thighs, took hold of the thin, damp piece of black cotton covering her womanhood and yanked her thong sideways before burying his mouth around her as crowd outside burst into riotous applause.
Uproarious cheers and laughter accompanied Mr. Peterson s often times humorous approach to public speaking. When Cheron, his beloved wife of twenty-five years gave him a subtle little hand gesture from the audience that he needed to pick up the pace, he winked her way. Years of a good marriage had given them that precious silent talking ability so rare these days. She often teased that he was long-winded, to which he replied he was simply big-lunged and could talk longer than most. He continued as two huge overhead high-definition monitors aired a specially-made video package that accompanied his speech. "From blue Lego blocks to blue overalls to blue spandex and now to the blue boardroom of America's reinvigorated grand movement back to the stars. William Cranston's contributions to the scientific community, to his country, and the world at large echo his intense commitment, character, and skill. He possesses a keen scientific mind, and is incredibly brilliant in that rare once-in-a-lifetime form we can never take for granted. This amazing gentleman accomplished more by the time his high-school senior prom rolled around than most scientist do in a lifetime," he joked before turning serious again. "But first and foremost, I can personally attest to the fact that he is a good man after having worked closely with him the past four years. Entrusted along with his fellow Rangers nothing less than the protection of the entire planet, that sort of responsibility clearly exemplified..."
"Tommy..." she panted his name from behind her right hand covering her mouth. She trembled powerfully, goosebumps tingling over her skin as her neck arched off the floor. The man between her legs fucked her with his tongue until she squirmed over the carpet, her impeccably painted nails digging into the fabric, raking at the fibers. Her left hand braced on top of his head, holding him to her as he slowly massaged her sensitive clit with the wet flat of his tongue, cascading up and down, and then round and round. Her breathing hitched, eyes shut to the darkness, tuning out the loud speech she could hear through the locked door as her hips rocked against his face, feeding him. "Fuck, yes!" she groaned huskily.
"William's personal experience and immense dedication to the advancement of our space endeavors grants us an unprecedented understanding of how future space shuttles should be designed, the state of the galaxy, and what's to be expected out there once we go. As we all know, we are not alone in the universe. As historical as the past seventeen years have been, we must strategically position ourselves for the future. This appointment does just that. Moving forward we must tread at a consistent, responsible pace in order to ensure..."
Her rising moans were the sweetest music to his ears, even slightly muted by her thighs clenching around his head. Several days without her due to her very successful out-of-town business trip and just the sight of her tonight in that damn tight, tiny black dress spiked his desire for her red-hot. Having met her here at the venue as her flight landed late, he had to have her from the very moment he saw her. Damn everything else. And here he was, passionately feasting upon her, his tongue like a paintbrush, lashing the glistening petals of her sex with long, slow strokes. His hands moved up and over her belly to grasp and knead her small breasts through her dress. He felt her nipples peak over his palms, and wanted so badly to taste them if he weren t already sucking on her like a juicy piece of fruit. His endless, shameless hunger for her was justified when he glanced up from between her legs and saw the sweetest pleasure twisted over her face when she came hard. Shaking, nearly turning her body sideways in a silent wail as her juices slicked his suckling mouth.
"So Cheron, please forgive my long-winded introduction," Mr. Peterson teased to the clearly charmed audience and his equally charmed wife, "Without further adieu, it is my utmost honor and privilege to welcome Mr. William Cranston to the Board of Directors for N.A.S.A." Wearing a genuine smile, Kyle stepped aside as Billy walked onto the stage amidst a hail of applause. He shook his mentor's hand, and then proudly peered out over the large crowd. Past the the flood of C.I.A agents spread throughout the massive hall, news photographers, and camera-men. Jason, Zack, Rocky, Aisha, Adam, Tanya, Katherine, Justin, his father, and his fiancee Sinclair Manchester all sat front-row, cheering wildly as he stood at the podium. "Salutations, everyone. I am deeply, profoundly honored..."
Her nipple hardened in his warm mouth, the tip being suckled firmly. White teeth gritted as the pleasure swept over her. He'd torn the black dress from her body and made love to her breasts, lashing and kissing them as her heart raced. Then he rose to his feet. In the back of her mind she heard Billy being introduced, but was hypnotized by the sight of Tommy tearing off his white dress shirt and bow tie. His suspenders, pants, boxers, and black shoes kicked aside until he lustfully moved over her once more. His cock as hard and thick as she had ever remembered seeing one. Her eyes shut once more when he whispered, "I love you," as he entered her hot inch-by-inch until she was full of him. Her sex stretched deliciously around his solid, bare cock as he began fucking her so damn good. His thrusts surged deeply, rocking them over his tuxedo jacket, grunting and panting in the dark. She drug his warm mouth down to hers as her legs wrapped tightly around his waist. All she had on were her black high heels as they kissed soulfully while vigorously fucking on the floor of the empty, dark office.
"... thank you Sinclair, for helping me pick out this extravagantly expensive black Armani Collezioni tuxedo," Billy teased his stunning fiancee of two months who sat front-row at this proud occasion. She was born to wear Versace, but more than the sinfully gorgeous blonde vision she made, her mind was razor sharp. Focused. Driven. Ambitious. He surmised she likely got it from her father, retired Army General and current U.S. Senator Frank Manchester. Standing there felt surreal, to a degree. This was a new world even for him. A far more political one that he was still learning to navigate. But the Earth was no longer a unknown world to the galaxy at large. As its seven billion eyes were now set to the heavens, alien eyes stared back and not all with the best of intentions. But that was a behind closed doors discussion for another day. Here tonight, there were many faces he recognized that were all a part of his strange journey through life. And though Tommy and Kim's seats were vacant, he knew they were here. He'd seen them both earlier and knew how genuine their affection for him was and how happy they were to be here. "I was called a geek and a nerd in school, and can remember hating those names so much because they made me feel as though there was something wrong with me. I wasn't very good at sports and I loved to read. Science was my sport of choice. I worked out every single day in my sport. And now I wear those titles proudly as I'm still both, only now I'm very rich," he sarcastically declared to the whistles and applause. "My mother passed away when I was three years old, and I hope she is proud of the man I've become. First and foremost, I'd like to thank my father. Jonathon Cranston was a good, hard-working man raising a child all alone and he never complained or ducked any responsibility he had. He wasn't a genius or a scientist or anything like that. He worked at the same factory for twenty-nine years. And even though he was a sports fanatic and I wasn t," his voice cracked as emotion swept over him. "Even though the highest grade of education he'd ever reached was community college while I graduated M.I.T with duel Masters degree's... even though we were just two very different people, he was and is my hero. He encouraged my pursuit of higher education. He instilled in me a great sense of self-worth and pride in who I was long before the man you see today. I owe my character and honor to my father. He loved me for who I was, and still does. Dad, will you please stand and be recognized. None of this would be possible without you." With the use of a cane, Jonathon Cranston rose to his feet as the audience roared with applause.
When Kimberly bit the shell of his ear, gasping that she loved him the soft, sensual tone of her voice practically curled around his cock. Her sexy little grunts as their hips collided faster left him shaking above her. Her inner muscles squeezed around him so pleasurably, so tightly as he fucked her with long, deep thrusts. Damn the carpet burn on his knees, he just couldn't get enough of her. She smelled so good and tasted so sweet. Her love roared through his bloodstream like a out of control locomotive and he just couldn't stop thinking about her. He marked her neck, sucking wildly, while pounding into her, lunging deeply as she cried out, her arms clutching around his neck. He was sure they'd ruined his tuxedo jacket. He couldn't have cared less. Her crimson painted nails clawed at his sweaty back as he fed her every damn inch of him, deeply stroking into her. Kissing her, claiming her as his no matter the loud gala going on just ten feet away outside this office. They rutted on the floor like animals, fucking in a intense frenzy of grunts and swears until she bucked hard beneath him, clenching around him in tight waves, cumming with his name dripping passionately from her lips.
"The purest, most base purpose of science is to better mankind. Its something I hold true to this very day, and as I graciously accept this position I want to promise you all that we are not simply rebuilding N.A.S.A. and America's space program to be ready for the future. We are going back into space within the next five years, and not just to the moon. Our goals are beyond the stars. History tells us..."
As her hips rolled and rocked over his lap, riding him at a urgent gallop, Kimberly thoroughly engaged Tommy in a fiery, soulful kiss. Her smooth legs glided over his tensing thighs as she rode him, rocking back on his lap all the way down, her tongue gliding around his mouth as they made love. He felt so hard inside her as she moved over him, up and down as his strong hands possessively held onto her bare ass. She felt him thrusting up into her, loving how little control he had left as she rode him harder. As her name escaped his lips the harder she grinded over his lap. Every time he groaned her name through gritted teeth her nipples tingled. She wanted, needed, desired and craved this man in a way that made her feel like this was some sort of madness they'd descended into. And yet she intended for them to drown together. Her eye lids fluttered when she felt him swell inside her, his body writhing beneath hers. Her hips curled like a snake, riding him faster, melting around him as her slick inner walls closed tightly. His whole body stiffened, and then he grunted so loudly how much he loved her, all while coming deep inside her, his cock erupting in warm liquid surges so satisfying all he could do was hold onto her for dear life. And with every burst inside her she clenched around him, draining him of every last drop of essence he had until his last breath escaped his lips in a sated gasp.
"... Let us venture forth as Earthlings and not simply as a particular race, culture, or nation. We are one on this planet, and that is how we will face what is to come. In closing, thank you Mr. Peterson and the board of directors for this amazing opportunity. I will work tirelessly to not let you down. I am so honored to be joining your staff and I can't wait until the day we can someday look to the stars and say 'We are from Earth, and we are ready to join you.' Ladies and gentlemen, thank you and goodnight." Roaring applause and whistles rang out as he acknowledged the cheering crowd, and then shook the hand of President Connors. He nodded at his proud dad, exchanged a smile with his fiancee, and then all of his oldest, dearest friends. In the back he caught sight of Kim waving wildly, and jacket-less Tommy clapping loudly. They appeared a bit rumpled and ragged, which made him grin wildly at what was likely to be the gossip to end all gossip once whatever kept them away got out. As it was Trini and Kat launched out of their chairs after the newly reunited couple.
Yes, tonight was a very, very good night. One of the best of his entire life.
And yet...
He still felt a bit removed from it all. No matter the chair at the big boys table he now held, Billy knew he was already one of, if not the most powerful man on the planet. Chief Earth liaison to the Galactic Ranger Alliance, it was on his word when and where to build their Arizona desert base. And it will be on his word, at a time of his choosing, that the governments are granted access to advanced alien technology. Even with the President of the United States present at this dinner in his honor, that man could no more tell him what to do than the waiter at his table.
Billy Cranston commanded the most dangerous weapons on the planet. And those who wielded them.
Taking the board of directors chair meant Earth was willing to listen to his instruction, and little more. They would not gain access to technology or information if they didn't follow the guidelines he set forth to safely venture outside the planet. They weren t ready yet, but they would be in time as they now accepted that it was his way or no way.
Quite a feat holding the entire planet's space progress in the palm of your hand.
The next two hours were a world-wind of hand shakes, hugs, interviews, and photos. Friends and family were genuine in their affections, while the actually board members reactions ranged from truly accepting to guarded optimism to outright, though privately, fearful. Publicly they would say and do the right things, but behind closed doors he knew there were those that hated he wouldn't just give the United States government anything it wanted. In Billy's eyes the progress and sharing of advanced alien technology had to be global or not at all. And it had to be in tiny bites and not a whole buffet meal.
Peering over the crowd in a quiet, reflective moment he recalled being on his death-bed on Aquitar. Aging faster than even their vaunted tech could handle, he saved his own life. Found through science, as always, served him best. Served him...
Science never failed him. Even when his health had. Even when Cestria had found she could watch him suffer no more... even when she refused to see him after he had cured himself. Even when his deeply introverted heartache choked his spirit.
Billy knew he wasn't the same man he used to be. Leading Earth's Ranger Initiative came with an expected skill-set he wasn't as comfortable with as Tommy and Jason were even as teenagers. He had the knowledge and the analytical ability to pick apart any situation, but leading men and women in life and death situations... he still worked best in a lab than out in the field. Yet out there, where he sent his brave soldiers, a part of him wondered if they would ever see him as one of them.
Not just the commanding voice, but a capable field commander they could rely on in a fox hole.
That angry old wound that disrespected his immense knowledge because he wasn't the Alpha Male type... though now that wasn't exactly the case. Jason and Tommy, Alpha Males if there ever was one, followed his lead without fail. And yet a bitter side of him still wondered if he could fill their shoes. If he was good enough. Able to weather more than the scientific side of what they do.
He was only thirty-two, yet sometimes felt much, much older. Lonely. Misunderstood. Even out of touch with his oldest friends. Almost dying changed him. Having his heart crushed didn't help. And then having the weight of the planet put on his shoulders... he had a lot to live up to.
And the pressure was mounting.
16 Days Later
Kim and Tommy's apartment
17 W. Abbington Drive
Sunday, February 26, 2007 8:30 PM
San Diego, California
Seated oh-so-comfortably atop her brand new California King bed, which was really Tommy's old bed now relocated into her... their bedroom, Kim watched a new episode of Lost she missed earlier in the week while trying to wrap her mind around exactly who the 'Others' were and why they were pretending to be red-neck island dwellers when they had a pretty awesome underwater submarine.
Munching Flaming Hot Cheetos while nursing an ice cold Diet Pepsi, the former Pink Ranger enjoyed peaceful tranquility. She was working remotely from home tomorrow, so there would be no reason she couldn't sleep in. Work, in and of itself had picked up remarkably in the last three months, especially with her traveling more lately. And then there was her amazing personal life that was the icing on the cake. Having a man in her life didn't make her happy. Being in love and having a companion that she truly enjoyed being around did.
Hot, bed-breaking sex aside, she felt her life was pretty awesome these days. And with Tommy's new 'Man Cave', a.k.a 'The Peoples Republic of Tommy' as he cutely coined it, she had somewhere to send him when he got on her nerves or wanted to watch sports or play video games. Love him though she did, and dearly so, a woman sometimes needed her man to just go away for a little while.
And when she didn't want to share her Flaming Hot Cheetos. Like Superman with Kryptonite, they were her one and only weakness.
Dressed to impress in her incredibly comfortable Yogi Bear pajamas, through the closed bedroom door she could faintly hear the pure glee of grown men watching NFL football, eating deep-dish pizza, drinking, and playing Xbox 360 video games. She smiled at them having such a good time.
Tommy, who possessed a very, very healthy bank account decked out his old bedroom into the most awesome bedroom 'Man Cave' ever. First came the two wall-mounted 50'inch HD televisions. One for sports, the other for gaming so that both could be done at the same time. She still hadn't pried out of him how he was able to convince the landlord to let him mount those TV's on the wall, but he was allowed his little secrets. Minus his bed and dressers, his comfort furniture of choice was a Italian leather sectional and a full-sized refrigerator just for the snacks and food necessary to enjoy such a place. Tonight s grand gala saw Jason, Rocky, Adam, and Justin all on hand to enjoy the opening ceremonies for the 'Peoples Republic of Tommy'.
Men loved Football, food, alcohol, and video games. Tommy's 'Man Cave' was Y-Chromosome heaven. Still, she was the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Peoples Republic of Tommy. They knew to stay in line less she strike them down with a communist fury.
Lounging comfortably on the huge bed all by her lonesome, Kim didn't mind at all. She snickered at the "Wooo's" and "Ahh's" emanating from across the hall as the guys watched the New England Patriots play the Indianapolis Colts. The new Call of Duty game was obviously being played as shouts of "You got sniped," and "How could you die so many times so fast," were overheard.
Eh, let'em have their fun. She had Sawyer, Flaming hot Cheetos, and the TV remote all to herself.
When the guys all arrived she greeted and talked to them, but was happy to leave them to a guys-only night as she had a great book to read, her favorite show to watch, and a hot boyfriend who after the guys left will fuck her to Happy Land and then make her some awesome strawberry pancakes in the morning.
Yeah, life was pretty damn good for Kimberly Hart.
Lying back, her eyes shut for a moment, she listened for Tommy's voice and quickly found it. A little smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. She was crazy in love with him, and couldn t recall a time in her whole life that she was happier than she was right now. There was something about what she shared with him that felt so right. And as guarded as she's been over the years with her heart, she couldn't be that way with him if she tried.
He was probably the one.
She says probably in her mind cause it sounds crazy to ever truly know if someone is the one until he's on one knee asking you to spend the rest of your life with him and you have to think in that short period of time, is that what you want too. Yeah, she knows she over thinks everything, but at this age that's not likely to change. Complex, slightly psychotic, slightly neurotic, mildly crazy, majorly awesome, quirky-cool, world-class giver of great hugs, and possessing a wealth of Get-Shit-Doneness best described her in her own head.
Kim Hart was a unique kind of person. And she was hot. Her boyfriend said so. So did their next-door neighbor. And though Harry Minser was blind, he could hear her hotness. That's her story and she's sticking to it.
So she had a great new boyfriend, who was her old boyfriend, and maybe future... wow, he might be the hubby one day. She smiled to herself, having never thought they'd get there because really, who in the real world ever married their high school sweetheart? Life wasn't a romance novel. But the wonderful thing about life was that it never stays the same. It goes on, always. They were able to fix what was broken and create something new. Now was the time to nurture it. Let it grow. Take great care of it. and then get Tommy to a jeweler and a diamond on her hand the size of Mars that would give her Carpal Tunnel syndrome every time she raised it to show people the ring.
Tossing a Cheeto in the air, she caught it in her mouth and gave a little fist-pump. Life was all about those small victories. Across the room she caught sight of her overnight bag and knew she had to start packing in a few days. Aisha's bachelorette party was coming up fast and it was going to be out of this world... literally.
A knock at the door suddenly caught her attention. She playfully shouted, "JUMP OUT THE WINDOW QUICK! ITS MY BOYFRIEND! HE KNOWS KARATE! RUN!"
Grinning, Tommy entered the bedroom, and then quietly shut the door behind him. "You can never be normal, can you?"
"You wouldn't love me if I were normal."
Tommy crawled over the bed after her, hunting her soft mouth... claiming it with a hungry kiss that saw her hands clutch at his shirt. His fingers tangled in her hair, drawing her closer as his other arm closed tightly around her slender frame. He affectionately pulled her on top of him, his warm mouth dancing over hers as she straddled his lap. Her soft moaning had him rock hard in seconds, his hands now roaming her lower back beneath her pajama top. She tasted like Flaming Hot Cheetos and Pepsi. She tasted like heaven. Like everything he wanted and needed in the world.
Breaking their fiery kiss, Kim panted over his lips, their noses nearly touching. She whispered with her eyes shut, oh so seductively, "You are not going to fuck me with our friends in the next room across the hall." His little growl made her smile, and then her mouth parted with a little tremble when his hard cock flexed over her center. She softly rocked over the thick length, forcing another growl from the pit of his throat. "Nope. Not gonna happen."
"You're evil," Tommy whispered, his tongue brushing wetly over the side of her neck before sucking over her pulse. The slight sting of her nails digging in his chest when he marked her fair skin made him shiver. He ached to flip her over, tear off her clothes and bury his cock so deep inside her... "I missed you."
"Its half-time, isn't it?" She felt rather than saw his smile. He was totally adorable at times. "Who's winning?"
"Who cares," he snarled, kissing her once more. When she pulled away once more, teasing him, he desired to bend her over his knee and spank her bare ass. But when she tucked her head against his chest, just under his chin he loved her more than his own life. He gently caressed the side of her face with his fingers. "I did miss you."
She believed him because she missed him too. They were still so new and this was just huge... this growing love between them. This hot passion that she'd never felt burn like this before. Tossing her hair back, she gazed into his eyes. "I know. It's cute."
His brow rose. "Cute?"
"Yeah," she nodded, her eyes lit with mischief. "Despite being surrounded by your best buds, football, pizza, beer, and video games you miss your totally awesome girlfriend. Hence the cuteness."
She made his heart skip a beat. He was powerless to her charm. He was smiling and he didn't even know it. "So what are you up too?
"Catching up on Lost," she remarked, and then felt his hips grind into her. Felt him so hard pressed against her center. Her thigh muscles clenched in traitorous response. She loved the heat of his breath over her neck, and the way his hands gripped her slender hips. "Munching Cheetos. Plotting to take over the world. Typical Sunday night stuff."
It was exhilarating to be in love again. Most importantly being that it was with her. "Why don't you throw on some clothes and come watch the game with us?"
"I'd rather watch Sawyer walk around the island with his shirt off?"
"What does Sawyer have that I don't have?"
"A sexy Southern drawl. Blue eyes. Con artists skills. Shall I go on?" His glare made her laugh out loud, and then firmly smooch him on the mouth. "He doesn't compare to my Rainbow Brite Ranger in any way."
"Yours?"
"Forever." When his strong hands squeezed her ass a protest died on the tip of her tongue when he sucked it in his mouth, vigorously kissing her. She was hauled firmly to his chest, held tightly as his mouth wetly plundered hers until she wanted all of him in her now! The man made her want to fuck just by how lustfully he kissed her. She was that far gone.
And then her emergency Ranger communicators went off on the night-stand. They halted mid-kiss, both turning their heads. Dreadful, frigid water doused their passion. The sound was unmistakable.
A 'Category 10' off-world disaster alert.
"The Little House"
Galactic Rangers Alliance Earth Headquarters
Level 25 - 'The War Room'
Sunday, February 26, 2007 9:50 PM
Northwestern Arizona The United States
The holographic video footage was unmistakable. Undeniable.
A gorgeous, vivid sunset darkened into an unholy black as a massive object streaked across the sky before slamming into the heart of Zino City. Its towering skyscraper-hotels, so immense it was teased they kissed the clouds crumbled to nothing as the entire area was vaporized in a enormous mushroom cloud of red-death. The sprawling resort landscape burst into monumental wall of pure fire that mercilessly devoured everything in its destructive path.
"The situation before us is grim to say the least," Billy noted in an ominous tone, his face softly shaded in a bluish hue as he stood before the massive planetary holographic image at the front of the Rangers 'War Room'. The ceiling-mounted projector revealed actual footage from ground-zero of Zino City. Present were Tommy, Kim, Rocky, Justin, Trini, Jason, Zack, and Katherine. Seated quietly, learning exactly what brought them in tonight from all over the country. "Twenty-five hours ago the planet Rethirion was hit by a colossal asteroid. As you can see here," he pointed to Galactic Alliance drone footage of the extensive devastation, "The impact crater is nine thousand miles wide, and three miles deep. It would span the continental United States. Everything in the area was vaporized almost instantly."
Satellite imagery revealed the red swarm of fire as it spread across the world. Billy continued, "The cataclysmic global effect of the crash via thermal radiation escalated quickly, destroying cities both on ground and underwater. The loss of life is catastrophic. The world will become un-inhabitable within forty-eight hours."
Wide-eyed terror stalked the expression of all who were present. Horrific images of mammoth tidal waves consuming entire metropolitan cities, followed by a massive starship spaceport being swallowed in a miles wide sinkhole clearly illustrated this was an extinction level event.
Tension in his jaw aside, Billy continued the briefing. "The Galactic Alliance have rerouted thirty Vision-class heavy capacity transport ships to the region, but Rethirion is literally on the other end of where they currently are."
Nearly in tears, Kim shook her head in disgust at the sheer catastrophe of it all. "How long will it take the ships to arrive?"
"Two days," Billy replied, knowing full well what that meant. He saw Zack lower his head, while Katherine looked away, sadly. "No other ships of the size of the Vision-class transports will be able to reach the planet in time. But there are thirty smaller starships from a number of worlds en-route to attempt to rescue as many survivors as they can. That's where we come in. We can reach Rethirion in six hours to assist in the rescue of anyone still alive."
Drinking from a steaming coffee mug, Jason tilted his face to the projection. There were no words to describe what he was seeing. His mind shifted to the mission at hand. "Tell me more about the planet?"
"Rethirion is, for all intents and purposes, Hawaii in space. A paradise resort-world three times the size of Earth. Its population is around four billion natives, with as many as twelve billion total when accounting for off-world visitors."
Shock and awe nearly choked Trini as she spoke. "How many people can we hope to find alive?"
"Thousands, at best," Billy reported. "This is simply us doing our very best to save as many lives as we can. The planet is utterly lost."
Reaching for Kimberly's hand, Tommy took it in his own, giving it a little squeeze. The sheer amount of lives lost was humbling to say the least. "How many ships are in orbit or on the ground right? What are they reporting? And how many will be there when we arrive?"
"Several ships landed thirty minutes ago, but quickly filled to capacity with the wounded. They are already in space towards the nearest medical facilities. As for their reports, the specifics will be made available to you in your Zords. The most simple description I have read is that this world has been destroyed," Billy offered grimly. "As for our arrival, we will rendezvous with eleven more mid-sized vessels and attack the rescue effort two-fold. One, we will begin constructing a long-range teleportation signal to facilitate a faster rescue effort. Two, we will save as many lives on the ground as we can. We have little time to prepare, but we will do the very best that we can."
Jason nodded, rising to his feet. "Is anything still working on the surface? Communications? Infrastructure? Anything we can scan, hack, or pick up on the find survivors?"
"There are thousands of distress signals going off all over the planet. Its a matter of, and I don't say this lightly, prioritizing the needs of the many over the needs of the few."
The former Red Ranger didn t like the sound of that as all life was precious, but he understood the burdens of leadership and the need to make the tough call. "If its been a full day already, and we're going to lose six more reaching the world, how long will it be safe for us to stay?"
Justin chimed in. "From the initial reports we have, several hours at best. By then the atmosphere, radiation, and earthquakes will make the planet impossible to inhabit."
"Then what are we waiting for," Kim declared. "Lets go to work." As the team assembled in preparation of leaving the War Room, Billy spoke up.
"I'm not staying Earth-bound for this mission. I intend to lead it, personally."
Jason, Tommy, and Trini exchanged a look. Not of shock, but of quiet contemplation. Billy seemed on edge, to a degree.
"Come'on, guys," Rocky interjected. "That world ain't gonna save itself."
Eight Hours Later
Planet "Rethirrion"
Monday, February 27, 2007 5:50 AM
Blustering gusts of violent winds rattled the Falcon Zord and its cargo bay door as it slowly withdrew beneath the tail-end of the winged Zord. From the narrow landing ramp, Tommy and Kimberly gazed out over the vast Ajurru ocean off the coast of Korja City as gigantic rolling waves licked at the dark night sky.
The tremendous current was so dangerous no one but a Ranger was allowed to even attempt this rescue mission. As it was, the word 'suicide' best described it.
While holding tight to handle-mounts as the Falcon Zord shook powerfully, the two Rangers watched in horror as a massive waves viciously raced towards the once heavily-populated tourist city in the far distance. In its terrible path, scores of ion-boats, tankers, and luxury cruise ships were being ripped asunder. Some were tossed high in the air, torn in half, while others sank to the depths never to be seen again. The sheer carnage was beyond anything either of them had ever seen.
Nonetheless, duty called.
"Kat, can you pinpoint the exact location of the Monolith?!" Kim shouted above the howling winds into her wrist communicator while doing a last second check of her black deep-sea jet pack. Tommy did the same behind her, both holding onto wall-mounts with one hand as the Zord rumbled sideways.
From the cockpit, Kat struggled just to keep the Zord level. The throttle of her control stick shot up through her hands and wrists. "Three Earth miles east below the surface, and I'm sending the Monolith's exact coordinates to your individual helmet navi-computers."
Slipping one side over her shoulder, Tommy helped Kim load the three-hundred pound jet-pack onto her back, strapping its harness into place. Their augmented Ranger strength, albeit temporary, made bearing the extra weight a non-issue. "What else do we know, Kat?"
The blond Ranger shouted into her comm, "All contact with the Monolith was lost three hours ago, although it managed to send a garbled distress call before the signal went black. The entire planet's communications infrastructure has been compromised and there's just no way of even knowing if anyone is still alive down there."
"We have to try," Kim noted as she helped Tommy strap his deep-sea jet pack onto his pack, hooking his harness into place. "The Monolith was carrying nearly two thousand passengers. Because of the wide-spread devastation we can't spare any Zords or other relief shuttles. It's us or nothing."
Though concerned greatly, Katherine nodded as she soared the Falcon Zord through the rolling clouds. "You two just be careful."
"You too." Sharing a worried glance with Kim, Tommy grabbed his helmet, and then synced his communicator with hers for the harsh underwater conditions they were about to face. And with so many lives on the line, they didn't have a moment to spare. "Kat, we're jumping in twenty seconds. Soon as we're clear aim skyward and get the hell out of this storm. Rendezvous with Billy's ground team. And please don't crash my Zord."
"Copy that, Rainbow Ranger," Kat replied with a smirk from the pilot's chair before her tone turned serious. "Beware of aftershocks, guys. Once you're down there you're all on your own. There won't be a second rescue attempt. We won't be able to teleport you out of there."
The tension mounted as the Rangers took in the dire gravity of the situation. Tommy gently tugged at Kim's wrist. "Keep in constant radio contact with me at all times."
Kim gave a nod, but recognized that daring look in his eyes. "No heroics either," she warned. "Deal?"
"Deal." Tommy then flashed her a flirtatious grin. "I don't suppose you could spare a kiss for luck."
Kimberly narrowed her gaze at him, and then just for the hell of it, she blew him a little one. "Catch ya on the flip side." With a parting chuckle she donned her helmet, and then leapt from the edge of the ramp, rapidly soaring through the air until she hit the ocean with a splash and disappeared into the deep.
"Time to go to work!" Tommy dove in after her, soaring through the night sky until he hit the frigid waters below. His helmet's internal radar quickly found Kimberly less than twenty-feet away. "Engage deep-sea jet packs."
Their black back-packs lifted outward from their shoulders, revealing twin handle bars that bent forward over their chests. Two propeller columns protruded outward from their sides. In the front of the jet-pack a bright sea-light burst through the dark. Each Ranger grabbed onto their jet-packs handle-bars and then engaged the propeller columns. A hum of energy flowed as the deep-sea jet packs rocketed them towards the oceans floor.
Blurry as far as the eye could see, far unlike the gorgeous blue seas the luxury world was known for made navigating towards the huge vessel a great undertaking. Schools of Rig'Tina fish, each the size of a four-door sedan swam agitated around them, unsure what was going on as groups of other colorful fish and sea life floated lifelessly.
"Look ahead, to the far left!" Kim pointed out. A gigantic zig-zagging fissure in the oceans floor was evidence on an incredibly powerful earthquake. The crack stretched for miles. "Keep your eyes out for debris. Our visibility down here isn't near as good as I hoped it would be."
"Using teleportation would have made this rescue mission a breeze."
"No way it would work with all the funky radiation levels in the atmosphere. If we tried to teleport a group of people we'd likely end up with some kind of grisly triple-person." She heard Tommy laugh in her helmet, and smiled. Her boy-toy was easily amused. "Those super fish are freaking me out. I can't get over that one of those fish are bigger than my car."
"When I look at them all I can see are about two-thousand McDonald s Fish Fillets." He heard her snicker in his ear. "Let me guess. Now you're hungry, right?"
"Shut up," she smiled, hating that he knew her all to well.
They descended side-by-side, making sure to keep as much distance between them and the Rig'Tina's as possible. "At least the Monolith is big enough to trace," Tommy said as they piloted past a wide ravine of rocks, having finally reached the bottom of the ocean. "How you holding up?"
"My oxygen is good. Weapons are checked. I'm just hoping we find survivors."
"I didn't mean it that way."
Kim knew that, swallowing at the caring tone of his voice. "I don't think you ever get used to seeing dead bodies, much less children. And I don't care if they're human or alien." She sighed, "We'll be alright."
Tommy had the utmost faith in her. And together, he knew they could accomplish anything. Up ahead his internal helmet sensor began beeping wildly. It found something. And it was big! "Over that gorge!"
"Gotta be the Monolith!"
Both Rangers engaged their jet pack engines to full blast, streaking over a sprawling gorge that finally revealed the Monolith.
Coined by off-worlders as "The Jewel of the Sea," it weighed in at unbelievable one-hundred and thirty-eight thousand tons. The luxury vessel was a bit over two thousand feet in length the twenty-seven deck grand liner was one of the most incredible things to experience in the galaxy. A technologically-advanced undersea vessel so mammoth it was for all intents and purposes a small mobile city of the sea.
Now the humongous gold bullet-shaped submarine lay on its side, resting on the ocean floor. Half the decks were still lit, while the others were pitch black. Lifeless. And from the left tail end, an enormous tear was taking in so much water the Rangers wondered if all they'd found was a underwater tomb.
"I'm trying to hail anyone on board," Kim called out while programming her wrist communicator to transmit on all known alien frequencies in a attempt to reach anyone alive. Her eyes narrowed. "So far, I'm just getting static."
"On all channels?"
"Yes," Kim replied. "They're best hope would be if they Ray-shielded off an entire floor."
"We enter through the tear," Tommy pointed toward the huge metallic gash along the back of the gigantic vessel.
"Right behind you."
They pressed latches on their shoulder blades that released each device. After shrugging them off they began swimming toward the fifty-foot tear of the grand ship.
They entered through the ragged opening, their Ranger helmet-lights illuminated what appeared to be a cavernous hall.
"Schematics say this was the Onsheair restaurant," Kimberly noted as dozens of alien corpses floated lifelessly around them. All still dressed in various forms of stylish attire. Men, women... even children were dead. Pushing her heart aside, her interior scanner was set to seek out the vital signs of all known species. Alas, she found not a single survivor. "These people were overwhelmed as soon as one of the aftershocks launched the Monolith against that Vakrin reef. They didn't stand a chance."
The devastation was absolute as Tommy scanned a long flight of Gorshen marble stairs. Dozens of bodies were piled high atop each other, evidence of those attempting to flee with no clue what was happening. The Rangers ventured deeper into the extravagant restaurant, over a grand circular open-bar and past the sprawling chefs kitchen area. Beneath them were rows of toppled tables, splintered chairs, silverware, and inoperable droid-servers. The dead bodies were so many he swallowed hard in the back of his throat, having to actually push some of them aside as they made their way to the entrance doors. "Dammit!"
Kim's eyes shut, and then slowly re-opened. She sighed, "They never engaged the Ray-shields."
"Probably didn't have time," Tommy offered as he pushed at the double entrance doors and found them easy to open. Ray-shields would have held the oncoming water back using a energy-light wall of sorts that would have been air-tight. It would have signaled that the tear was contained and the probability of finding survivors would have increased exponentially.
But as the Rangers came into the wide open hallway... so many dead bodies... Broken mirrors, paintings, expensive rugs, and detached wall-fixtures littered the dark path ahead. Debris was everywhere as the sight before them was beyond gruesome. Their individual helmet-lights spanned the gigantic floor.
But then Tommy found a faint beeping sensor inside his helmet. "Kim..."
"I got it too. Its a energy signature," she smiled hopefully. "Something's working on this ship." She swam behind Tommy up to a wall-panel, doing her best to ignore the faces of the dead all around them. Though some were quite exotic looking, while others weren't that far from human looking, they were all someones family.
Tommy ripped the wall-panel off and looked closely at the security array. With the interior flooded, their options were few. "We need to re-establish as much power as we can to see if the escape pods are operational in case we find someone alive."
Kim knew he was hoping they'd find survivors. "The ship reportedly has enough for every single passenger, crew member, and a additional two hundred. According to the schematics we have, they are all on Deck 7. We're on Deck 21."
Tommy gave a nod. "Set coordinates for that faint signal and go! I'm heading to the engine room. We need to see what's working on Deck 7 and what isn't. Without those escape pods I don't know how we'd get anyone we did find alive to the surface."
"Okay, sounds like a plan," Kim replied. "Remember, no heroics. You promised," she pointed at him.
"Hey, I'm the greatest Ranger ever."
"And that attitude is what I'm afraid of." She watched him swim away down a long dark corridor. As capable as he was, she would always worry about him. Her heart belonged to him, and if something happened she... there was work to do.
The Pink Ranger vigorously swam through a sprawling casino area, complete with rows of holographic slot machines, game hover-tables, empty drink glasses, and inactive waitress droids. Galactic credits and the dead hung helplessly all around her as she maneuvered around them through a exit until she found a shadowy hallway elevator.
"Here goes nothing." Using her augmented Ranger strength, she pried the doors open, entered, and then used her blaster to carve a ragged hole in the ceiling of the elevator car. When the oval metal hub slowly sank to the floor she ascended through the hole, her helmet light illuminating the flooded elevator shaft.
Thankful she wasn't in the least bit claustrophobic, Kim quickly swam up through the elevator shaft, moving ever closer towards the energy signal that began beeping faster. With each deck she passed her hope faded as the severe flooding and bodies seemed without end. Onward she pushed, duty first and always.
On Deck 18 her perseverance paid off.
After kicking through the elevator shaft doors, she maneuvered inside a wide gateway area that led to a massive dance hall and found the entire entrance Ray-shielded. Her heart began racing. Having conversed with Rethirrion authorities, she attuned her wrist communicator to the Ray-shields frequency.
Swimming toward the violet wall of light, her body easily passed through it as she fell to the floor. Upon lifting her head she found herself quickly surrounded by ten well-armed Rethirrions and a entire hall full of survivors. Dozens of them. Scared. Hurt. But alive. "Jackpot!" She adjusted her helmet to translate her words into the Rethirrion language. Lifting her hands, Kim boldly declared, "I'm the Pink Ranger from Earth. I'm here to rescue you. Please, all of you, put down those weapons right now."
"STAND DOWN! STAND DOWN!" was shouted from within the thick crowds of scared alien guests as a Rethirrion raced toward the Pink Ranger. Clearly out of breath as his robust size didn't compliment his diminutive height of barely over five-foot five, his dark uniform bore the same crest as the armed guards. But he wore a sleek shoulder vest bearing the mark, as well as a more commanding tone of voice. His wrinkled face betrayed his advanced age as well. "I am Zion Utes," he announced impatiently.
A Zion was on Rethirrion what a captain was on Earth. Kim greeted him with a polite bow. "My name is Kimberly, and I m one of the Rangers from Earth. My partner, the White Ranger, is currently trying to engage the power relays for the deck that houses the escape pods. Are they operative? Has anyone used them yet?"
Zion Utes peered away suddenly, his hands trebling before he finally addressed the Pink Ranger. He hadn't expected a rescue, assuming they were on their own after all this time. He finally met her gaze. "We have partial power restored on Deck 7, yes... we were just about to begin evacuating... shortly, that is."
There was something about his initial reaction to seeing her that wasn't right. He gave off a bad vibe Kim didn t like in the least. And though the armed Rethirrion guards around her lowered their weapons, none holstered them yet. "Give me a moment," Kim asked, before lifting her communicator. "Tommy, where are you?"
'I'm in the engine room,' he began. 'None of the crew made it, but emergency power to Deck 7 is restored. Not sure how much longer that will last though. You found anything?'
Kim's gaze narrowed at the Zion, who looked far less than pleased to see her, which made no sense at all. "I'm with the Zion and his guard detail, along with a number of survivors. Looks close to a hundred or so. We have wounded here, so I'm about to begin evacuations. My schematics show a route up five flights of stairs and through a un-flooded service tunnel that will get us to Deck 7. How soon can you get here?"
'I'm not coming, Kim. The Plasma-energy core is overheating and we don't have any way cool it. The emergency jettison is crushed and inoperable. I'm going to have to blast a new opening through the engine rooms hull and drag it out of here,' he explained. 'This thing has the power of a small nuclear bomb and it may go off within the next thirty minutes or less. I have to get it as far away from here as possible.'
Cold dread swept over Kimberly. Shutting her eyes briefly, she hoped her tone conveyed how serious she was. "You promised me no heroics."
'I promised you my heart,' Tommy said. 'I intend to keep that promise. I won't let anything hurt you. Not while I'm alive. Not even if it kills me.'
Did she really want to kiss and strangle him at the same time? "Cut the Alpha Male bullshit and just be careful, alright," she tried to sound casual, but it came off tense. "Do what you have to do, and then... come back to me."
'Always.'
Kim lowered her hand, and then walked up to the Zion as the crowds clustered and began shouting their questions and dire worry. "Everyone please calm down! I am about to start coordinating the evacuation."
"MAKE THE ZION TELL THE TRUTH!"
"HE'S LYING!"
"HE'S BEEN OFFERING THE FIRST ESCAPE PODS TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER!"
THE RICHEST WHO PAY HIM OFF THE MOST WILL GO FIRST! HE SAID SO!
"HE'S SELLING OUR LIVES!"
When the Zion took a stumbling step backward, perspiration dampening his brow, Kim's bad feeling about him turned worse. The crowds rallied around the Zion, nearly causing a riot before Kim unloaded her blaster once toward the ceiling. "Is this true, Zion Utes? Are you selling who gets to escape first?"
The Zion scowled venomously, backing away. "Our world is lost! We caught early images of the devastation. We saw the cities crumbling... the roads caving into the very ground! DEATH HAS CONQUERED THIS WORLD! I... I was just... you could share in the profits, you know," he noted in a snarky tone, hands extended as if he were offering her a gift.
Kimberly wanted to choke the life out of him. "I've seen hundreds of dead bodies on my way here, and my partner is risking his life as we speak. You re in the middle of a flipping natural disaster and you're playing with peoples lives over money? You're sick!"
"My men could..."
"Your men aren't wearing body armor, and I am. So if you want to turn this into a gun fight I promise it wont last long. And I will personally make sure you will be on the very last escape pod leaving this ship if you don't help me right now." The Zion cowered where he stood, noting his guards fear in tangling with a Ranger. He nodded his acceptance. "Good," she replied. "NOW LISTEN UP EVERYONE. WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND ELDERLY FIRST! LETS GO AND GET OFF THIS SHIP! EVERYONE STICK TOGETHER AND FOLLOW ME!"
Inside his helmet-scanner, Tommy monitored the ever-increasing heat range of the Plasma-core engine cell while aiming his laser cutter at the far wall of the vast engine room. Grimacing with worry, he focused on the task at hand. The thin blue laser beam cut straight through the ultra-thick outer shell of the vessel, though it wasn't easy as the mammoth ship was designed to repel nearly any attack. "Kim, what's your status?"
'I've finished boarding the first forty passengers, prioritizing the injured, elderly, and children. E.T.A for the rest of the survivors is ten minutes. How about you?'
Nearly finished cutting a ten-foot tall square section of the wall out, Tommy replied, "The one active Plasma-core is fractured and leaking radiation," he explained. "It's overheating and will rupture in less than ten minutes. I have to get it off this ship and as far away from the here as possible."
'And just how are you going to do that without getting yourself killed?' Kim asked with no small amount of annoyance.
"Just get those escape pods to the surface. I've got an idea. I'll be alright." He sensed she wanted to say something more as she paused briefly. "I'll see you on the surface."
'... I'm going to hold you to that. Kim out.'
Having finished cutting through the wall, Tommy used his augmented Ranger strength to mule-kick the gigantic metal slab outward until it finally fell away from the ship. Maneuvering around the dead bodies of the engine room crew members, he quickly swam towards the circular, glowing Plasma-core. Grabbing it by a side-handle, he swam for the opening he just made, clearing it as the core leaked deadly red radiation all around him.
Turning his gaze upward, Tommy watched several escape pods jettison from the Monolith's forward panels. As grateful as he was of the sight, he was essentially carrying a bomb that would still kill them all if he couldn't get it far enough away. Disregarding his own personal safety, Tommy began swimming as hard and fast as he could in the opposite direction, trying to place as much distance as possible between the Plasma-core and the survivors.
This was what it meant to be a Power Ranger. Not the battles or the Zords or cool toys and weapons. It was the absolute sacrifice they would all make to protect and serve the galaxy. Any fear Tommy felt wasn't for himself, but those he was trying to save.
Especially Kimberly. No life was more precious to him than hers.
Pushing himself harder, Tommy moved fast as the Plasma core's radiation leak began drawing the attention of the oversized marine life in the area. As colorful species of fish the size of automobiles surrounded him, suddenly they all swam away... faster than any fish he'd ever seen move before. His neck arched as he watched them blaze away. "Not good."
From around a gigantic coral reef, Tommy heard the horrid wail of something closing in fast. His helmet's internal scanner registered something big coming his way. His eyes widened when he caught sight of a colossal one-eyed sea creature the size of a Zord. It looked like a dark green snake with broad fins, and a mouth of piranha-like razor sharp teeth.
And it looked hungry!
Having come to a full stop, Tommy gulped inside his helmet. He was unsure if he should start firing his blaster right away, or wait and see if the creature moved on. The humongous beast eyed him curiously, seemingly gauging if he was worth the effort. But it seemed entranced by the glowing leakage of the Plasma-core.
In a blinding flash, the creature dove at him!
All at once Tommy reacted, using all his augmented strength to throw the core inside the creature's wide open mouth, and then pulling his blaster. As the Plasma-Core soared inside the creature's mouth, he aimed high, firing rapidly at its one eye. The beast roared in agony, swimming erratically, its teeth trying to chew on the Plasma core as it wasn't sure if it were food or not.
Miraculously, it swam away in a burst of speed, leaving a trail of crimson in its wake.
Exhaling a breath of relief, Tommy spun around to swim away as fast as he could. His piercing gaze ascended to find some thirty escape pods nearly cresting the surface above. Suddenly a powerful explosion plowed into him, sweeping him helplessly into a barrier reef that nearly knocked him unconscious. His helmet scanner began phasing in and out.
With every muscle in his body aching, he fought to reach the surface, chasing the escape pods as he fought off passing out with everything that he had.
Out the corner of his eye he noticed that some ragged debris from the Monolith had struck and damaged one of the escape pod's. It seemed to be drifting rather than rising, and was leaking fuel. With all the strength he had left, Tommy chased after the escape pod.
Upon reaching it he saw through the glass canopy what looked like four young alien children. Beige skin tone, humanoid physical looks, with haunting dark blue eyes. His helmet system was all static, so he couldn't verbally communicate or determine their race. One of them, a young girl, seemed the most alert. Her eyes frightened, but determined. Their little fists beat at the glass canopy as the escape pod lost power.
The White Ranger's options were few. The escape pod was damaged and no doubt wouldn't make it to the surface. He wasn't strong enough to pull it. No other help was coming. Thankfully, the oxygen masks were still embedded on the dashboard controls. He motioned to them.
The little girl, terrified and shaking, nods. She begins fastening them on the other childrens faces... pausing briefly to inspect something, she glances back at Tommy. Fear and courage were written all over her innocent little face. She then switches the third and fourth masks, helping the last child with his mask before donning her own. With a nod she gives Tommy the go ahead.
Using simple hand motions, he tried to convey through the glass canopy that he was going to open it, and that they all needed to hold onto each other. The four youths seemed to understand and did as they were told.
There was no time to think. Using the butt of his blaster, Tommy pulverized the glass canopy as their escape pod quickly flooded. He shoved away the glass and reached for the small alien children. Tucking two under one arm, the little girl clung around his neck, and the other child under the other arm. He swam as fast as he possibly could, pushing himself past all limits, his entire body exerting powerfully as he raced towards the surface.
They were the longest two minutes of his entire life. He just couldn't swim any faster than he was. He had nothing left in the tank, gasping for breath, his chest heaving. He just kept fighting even as he felt as if he were gonna black out.
Upon finally reaching the surface, sprays of water struck him as rescue shuttles hovered overhead. He raised the children as high as he could. Bright beams of search lights illuminated around him. "HELP! I HAVE CHILDREN! ONE IS WOUNDED CHILD! HELP!" Tommy screamed at the top of his lungs. "SOMEBODY HELP ME!"
From her perch atop one of the escape pods, Kim SAW Tommy struggling in the water. Without hesitation she frantically dove back into it, swimming hard towards him. "Shuttle Tiderian, follow me. Emergency medical evac for the White Ranger and survivors. They are in the water. I repeat, they are in the water!."
A small rescue shuttle broke from the group, tracking the Pink Ranger as she swam towards the White Ranger. Reaching them, two belt-secured rescue workers leaped into the ocean, taking two of the children from Tommy. He helped give the little girl around his neck to them, while Kimberly lifted the other child on board the shuttle. Behind blurry vision and in intense pain, Kim had to drag Tommy's barely conscious body on-board. Lying him on his back, her internal helmet scanner registered severe radiation poisoning, a sprained wrist, and four fractured ribs. How he'd survived at all was a miracle.
Unlocking the neck latch, Kim helped pull Tommy's helmet off. Pale and bruised, he was death warmed over, but he was alive. Shivering, but alive. She'd never been so grateful. Tugging him into her arms, she pressed her lips to his forehead, and then rested her head against his, breathing deeply. "You made it," she smiled.
"Barely," he panted as even that hurt. "You get everyone off the ship?"
She nodded, brushing some of his wet hair off the side of his face. "All alive and accounted for."
"How are you doing?"
"Better than you. What happened down there?"
Tommy managed what amounted to a painful chuckle. "Swam with a bomb... almost got ate by alien Moby Dick... lost a fight with a barrier reef that felt like it was made of iron... did some baby-sitting."
"The great and powerful Tommy Oliver," she teased, shaking her head. "Can you ever do anything simple?"
"Not really, no." Tommy coughed hard, and then tried looking over her shoulder. He caught sight of the children, now wrapped in blankets being checked out. Three of them. But there was one he didn't see. "Where... where is about the little girl? Is she alright?"
Kimberly looked to one of the rescue workers. Her heart stopped when he shook his head, and then softly placed a blanket over the girl's small body. Holding up one of the oxygen mask, there was a deep crack on one side of it. The child drowned. "I'm sorry. She didn't make it," Kim gently broke the news, watching Tommy's expression fade into despair, exhaling all the air out of him. "We can't save them all. You know that."
"Yeah..." Tommy bowed his head, so overcome with emotion he was unable to speak. So Kimberly held him tightly, simply sharing the moment. Reminding him that he wasn't alone.
The End of Chapter 2
Chapter 3: The Rethirrion mission continues as an old evil is revealed.