Episode 4

"Moscow Mystery"

"RANGER ON! TASK FORCE ZORDON!" Called Tessz and Sky as they jumped into their Task Force Zords. Thousands of Miles from DC and the other Rangers, Tessz and Sky were busy helping the Russian retake Moscow their ruined Capitol. Although Tessz and Sky did not work for the Reds saving the world meant that any vital member of the Strategic Coalition of Nations had to aid each other against Shinra. America had led the brunt of the fighting thus far but it was now Russia who would launch a major offensive and requested TFZ for direct aid while the rest of Task Force Zordon and the new SPD guarded America.

"Welcome Captain Tessz." Max the on board Zord computer stated

"Good morning Max. How ya doing today?" Tessz asked

"I am operating at 98 efficiency Captain. All weapon systems are on line and shields are at full power. How are you this morning?"

"I'm Sleepy. Haven't gotten use to this new time zone. I should be in bed right now."

"I'm sorry to hear that Captain. I would offer you some coffee but I'm afraid the designers at TFZ didn't think it meet the criteria of a Zord."

"That's alright Max. Put me on line with Field Marshal Zvokov" Tessz stated

"You are now online Captain."

"Thanks Max. Field Marshal, this is Captain Tessz do you read me?" Tessz asked touching the side of his helmet where an ear piece sat.

"Zvokov here, da comrade Ranger, zaut can I help yu with?" said the General in a Russian accent.

"Are your boys ready to roll?" Sky asked entering the conversation

"Da comrade Rangers. They are ready. Standing by vor attack ordars. Should ve launch attack now Comrade Rangers?" asked the Field Marshal.

"That's affirmative Field Marshal. Just handle the walkers and Flyers and cut a path open for us. We'll handle the Galdator, and General Aphlacor." Sky said hovering getting into attack formation with a group of Migs.

"We'll meet you in Red Square Field Marshal." Tessz too began to form ranks with a group of T-90 tanks.

"Das Vedanya Comrade Rangers. Good Luck!" the Field Marshal said as he entered a Helix and began to fly off.

Back at DC

"Try again, this time try to feel the music." the instructor said

Hayes listened to the music and started to move her body to it. The rythim had a great beat to it. She swung her body with it, the drum beat of hip hop moved with her hips and she began to dance. Suddenly she spun once and the second time she spun a spinning heel kick followed her. Her kick landed on the punching bag with great force, but her landing was a flop as she crashed to the floor. "Damn it!" she said dusting herself off.

"It's okay." the instructor said helping her to her feet. "You can't learn Hip Hop Kido in a day. It takes years for anyone to master it, except for yours truly. But Miss Hayes, you already mastered three Marshal arts why learn mine?" he asked

"Because Zachary Taylor's Hip Hop Kido defeated the Nasty Knight. If I'm gonna make a good Ranger, I might as well study under them?" Hayes said

"What are you talking about Linda?" Zack asked

"Mr. Taylor, please don't play me for a fool. The US government has kept track with you for a very long time now. When I first met you and said it was an honor I meant it. You were the best Black Ranger anyone ever saw."

"I haven't been referred to as a Ranger in long time. A long time. I wouldn't be far off if I said that pink karate gee is not the only pink thing you wear when you fight would I?" Zack asked

"You'd be right on the dot Mr. Taylor." Hayes slowly walked out of Zack's Gym and blew Zack a kiss as she left his sight. He shook his head and began to attack the punching bag.

"Man oh man. If I hadn't married Angela. The best Black Ranger of all time. If Adam had heard that..." Zack smiled to himself and carried on with his training.

At Alpha 5 the head quarters of Task Force Zordon

"I wish I could help Jason, but KO-35 has its own problems. A rouge group of Dark Specter's followers is trying to bring back the evil giant from the grave. They believe that a dark surg of energy that was left in Dark Specter's destruction is the key to bringing him back. Myself and the other Space Rangers must quell this rebelion before we can render any aid to Earth." Andros said sitting down in front of Jason's desk

Jason shook his head and looked Andros in the eye. He had great respect for Andros.Hehad fought by Jason's side for the battle of the moon. Together they helped destroy Serpentarra, but after all this time Jason and Earth found themselves without the aid of a much needed Allie.

"Andros, after all we've been through, you mean to tell me you can't help me?"

"I'm sorry Jason. What can I say? Earth isn't the only planet fighting off giant monsters.I've help save Earth hundreds of times, but I can't afford to help you this time. You must understand, I have problems too." Andros said in a sincere manner.

"Andros, Earth's been down right overrun by these invaders. We haven't had it this bad since the Count Down of Destruction. The only places currently free of alien aggression are the western nations. Dozens of third world nations are down right overrun, occupied or destroyed. I've got one Ranger team. One. Shinra killed all other teams. Mystic Force, and Dino Thunder are dead, and Anubis Kruger has told me that SPD won't have a ranger team until next year. What am I suppose to do?" Jason relied in a frustrated tone.

"I'm sorry to here about Tommy Jason, but I just can't help you now. I swear once we've defeated this rebellion me and the other Space Rangers will come flying back here to aid you. I promise you Jason." Andros seemed hurt to even deliver such news, he lowered his head in a sense of shame, suddenly an idea came to his head. "Have you tried Aquatar?"

"No such luck. Shinra has already conquered it." Jason said in disappointment

"But how?" Andros asked

"I don't know. It's as if Shinra knows all of our defenses. Aquatar was taken in a day. The Alien Rangers were killed almost immediately. We believe they are holding Billy captured. That said Mystic Force was beaten just as quickly. They tried activating their wands to morph, but Shinra had already cut their source of magic. A ranger may be able withstand explosions and blasts, but take away our powers and we're just as vulnerable as the next man. A single laser blast from a walker was all it took." Jason tapped his pen on his desk shaking his head in disbelief.

"What about Tommy's team?" Andros asked

Jason shook his head again. "I told Tommy not to go, but he rejuvenated the Dino-Gems and attacked Shinra head on. It was a slaughter. Some how they used a machine that shattered the gems instantly. Almost like they knew Dino-Thunder would be coming. After their powers were compromised... it was a slaughter... They brought down Earth's only real line of defense against alien invasion. With the immediate Power Rangers compromised, the gates to Earth were open and in came a flood of the Shinra Vanguard Armies. The only thing that saved us, were people like them." Jason pointed to the Day-Room window were Andros could see the Rangers at rest. "We were set up Andros. I know we were."

"But the Task Force Rangers, how come they weren't taken out just as quickly as the other Power Rangers?" Andros asked

"I believe Shinra didn't consider the fact that Humans could develop Ranger Technology on their own. Shinra some how wiped out all previous Ranger teams, and either killed them, captured them, or rendered them powerless like Light Speed Rescue. Someone kept track of every Ranger team on Earth and naturalized them." Jason said getting into the thinking position

"And Task Force Zordon?" Andros asked

"Created after the invasion. Shinra had no idea we even existed."

"So the question now is who set us up?" Andros said

Suddenly a Staff Sargent bursted into the room. "Sorry Colonel Scott, but we've up linked to Captain Tessz and Sky in Moscow. They've retaken the city, but they found some thing sir. Something very strange. Captain Tessz is demanding answers sir."

"Put him on screen soldier." Jason said. The Soldier complied and activated Jason's viewer in side his office. "Captain Tessz, this is Colonel Scott, what have you found soldier?"

"No offence sir but you can dispense with the pleasantries. What the hell is this sir?" Captain Tessz stated holding up a robotic chest plate. "You wanna explain this to me sir?"

"My God!" Andros said looking into the viewer.

"Where did you get that soldier?" Jason asked looking at the metal plate

"Don't Bull Shit me sir! I know you know were I found it. You wanna explain to me and Sky here why we just taken a robotic chest plate with the Power Ranger logo on it?" Captain Tessz said banging the plate on the side of the ruined Gladator. "It was Shinra's General Aphlacor. It was under his armor. Right under his armor! It was part of Aphlacor's inside. General Aphlacor was a robot. So explain to me sir, why General Aphlacor is really Alpha-5. How come a former Power Ranger Robot is a member of Shinra! Explain to me and Sky why we just killed Alpha-5?"

"Captain Tessz... you are to return to Washington immediately. I want to know everything that happened. Everything!" Jason looked at the robotic chest plate one last time. What was going on?

To Be Continued... Episode 5 "Moscow Mystery Revealed?"