Episode 5
"Moscow Mystery Revealed?"
The Command Center of Alpha-5 was bussing with activity as technicians analyzed the robotic chest plate that Captain Tessz and Sky brought back with them in their dealings in Moscow. The chest plate was suspected to be Alpha-5, the robot assistant of Zordon, the creator of the original power coins. Alpha-5 hadn't been seen in years, and if the plate brought back by Tessz and Sky was indeed him, than Task Force Zordon had an even larger Mystery to unravel.
"So what can you tell me Captain?" Jason asked looking at Tessz and Sky who were inside Jason's office with Andros, the Red Space Ranger
"Sir its like we said. We recovered that from Aphlacor's body, just after we destroyed him. We had our Zords do a quick analysis of the chest plate, and what they found matched their Ranger Archives. It was Alpha-5's. Or so they believed." Tessz said sitting down across Jason.
"What this could mean is incredible. If Alpa-5 is Aphlacor, than he betrayed the Rangers!" Andros comment did not go easy on Jason. He was very upset at the situation, partly because of Alpha-5's death, but also for his betrayal.
"Or reprogrammed. Alpha was after all, just a robot." Tessz stated shrugging his shoulders.
"Listen rookie," Jason said pointing at Tessz "Alpha-5 was more than a robot. He was a friend to a lot of us. We trusted him. He helped us in need. He would never betray us. Ever!"
Tessz seemed to be a little upset at the situation, but Sky calmed him down. "I think what the Captain was trying to say sure, was that Alpha's programing might have been tampered with by Shinra."
"I suppose you maybe right." Jason turned his seat to the side and thought to himself."If that's the case, or even if it's not the case, then Shinra could have files upon files of all our Ranger secrets."
"Not quite. Alpha never really knew much about half the Ranger teams. He wouldn't have known how to take down all of Earth's Rangers. Light Speed Rescue for instance, had almost no contact with Alpha. Or Wild Force." Andros said rejoining the conversation.
"The situation looks bleak sir." Tessz added "At least Task Force Zordon's information on us are a well kept secret."
"We should be so fortunate. Andros, wasn't Alpha-5 traveling with you during the battle of the moon?" Jason asked
"No," he answered "Alpha-6 was the Space Ranger's primary aid. Alpha-5 went with Tommy that day. And from what we know, Dino Thunder didn't work with him."
"I don't suspect Thomas Oliver will be around to aid us in any answers we may seek." Sky added. "So what are your orders now sir?"
"Captain Tessz, Lieutenant Sky, you are dismissed. Report any change in situation. And if any Shinra forces enter the fray, you know what to do. Just be on standby." Jason said
The two Rangers stood up and saluted, Jason returned the salute and they left his office leaving only Jason and Andros.
"You got some good rangers there Jason."
"Thanks Andros, but they're rookies as to what we've been through. The situation just seems to get more worse by the minute. If Alpha was with Shinra, then we are in for a big battle. I'm not too sure this new breed of Rangers is up too it. They're hearts are in the right place, but they're experience..."
"Do you believe in them Jason?"
"Of course I do, but... I was just a teenager when I first put on that red uniform... I've been in this business for a very long time. I just hope it all goes well." Jason said
"Well, I'll have the Space Rangers aid you as soon as I can."
Andros was cut off mid sentence. "I know Andros, you said it a hundred times already. You have your own problems, I have mine. But its different than before."
"How so?" Andros asked
"When I was a Ranger, Zordon called all the shots. And I followed his word to the very end, even when he decided to replace me as leader, and replace me as a Ranger. But this time, this time, I'm Zordon, and Zordon never had to deal with an Earth already invaded. You know when I first got this job, there were Walkers in Washington, and Flyers in Seattle. The planet was being overrun, and the US government asked me to save the world. For the first time in my life Andros... the fate of this planet is squarely on my shoulders, and my shoulders alone. I don't like being Zordon, I'd rather be a Ranger..." Jason slowly lowered his head
"You know Jason, Earth would have already fallen if it weren't for you. I know what its like to have the fate of the world on your shoulder's alone. I've been there. I had to make a decision."
"There's a difference between me and you Andros. You were a Ranger then, and I'm not. And that decision you had to make... I bet Zordon already made it for you."
"You maybe right about Zordon, but you can still be a Ranger. I know you keep your morpher in that desk of yours. Your power coin is still intact. Your powers are still there. All you have to do is say the word."
Jason opened up his desk and sure enough it was there. His power morpher, the morpher in which he used to bring down evil. But Jason just slowly closed his desk and answered Andros. "I can't use that one anymore Andros. Shinra is bound to know its secret weaknesses I don't even know it has."
"Be that as it may, but don't hesitate to use it when the time calls. You are a Power Ranger Jason. You always will be."
Jason looked up and his expression quickly changed to meet the eyes of the woman who just entered the room. "Trini!" Jason lit up a little.
"Colonel Scott. And you most be Andros" Trini shook Andros's hand as them meet for the first time. "I'm Trini Kwan. Psychologist for Task Force Zordon."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Kwan." Andros said smiling at her.
"Thank you. The pleasure is all mine. I heard much about you Andros."
"Really?"
"Yes. A girl does keep busy in learning Ranger history from the archives. But if you will excuse me, I'd like to talk to Colonel Scott for a moment in private."
"Of course." Andros answered as he bowed slightly to Trini and left Jason's office.
"Trini please have a seat." Jason offered
"Don't Jason. I wanted Andros out so he wouldn't hear this. What the hell is going on?" Trini asked
Jason had never known Trini to get angry so this side of her really made him aware of the seriousness of it. "What do you mean Trini?"
"What did you tell them? Why do they know about us.?" Trini looked very upset
"I don't know what you mean? What are you talking about?"
"Jason, they know everything. And I mean everything! Billy, Kimberly, Zack, you, me, Tommy. They even know about my fear of heights Jason. Why do they know about us?"
"Who are you talking about Trini?" Jason asked
"Who do you think Jason? The government. Task Force Zordon! Come on they named the Command Center after Alpha-5. They know everything about every ranger in every team ever! I didn't realize it at first, but then I saw it everywhere. I walk down the corridors and I see section Oliver, section Heart, section KWAN! They named everything after us Jason. I know you had something to do with this. What did you tell them?"
"Trini calm down. I know how you must feel. It upset me too at first, but Trini... It's the government. They knew about us for years. I don't know how, or why they followed us, but what were they suppose to do? When giant aliens are blowing up your cities, are you going to intrust the future of your nations existence to a group of teenagers? Or a group of teenager lead by an alien itself? I guess that's why they investigated us. They didn't want to rely on us. When you close your eyes and place your fate in the hands of strangers then, well sooner or later they're going to fail you; like they did with Shinra. So they made a back up plan. A group of Rangers lead by a ranger, and probably most important, all human. But Trini, you got to believe me, I knew nothing about all this. They came to me remember? Didn't you ever question how they were able to restore you powers?"
"I know Jason, but all of this seems too suspicious. We were the only Super Power in the world, imagine a world were only one nation has the power to save it from alien invasion. Imagine the power that nation would wield after that invasion is over!"
Jason slowly began to see a pattern. If the Government knew all about the Rangers, then maybe they knew all the Rangers weaknesses. Or even worse, gave those weaknesses to Shinra! The Mystery wasn't solved it wasn't even read all the way, and the cloud of confusion over Jason's head just got bigger. Things were getting a little scary.
To Be Continued... Next Episode... Jason and Trini.
