Race to Destiny
Chapter 7
Taking the Next Step
(Four months later)
Justin sat in the command chair as the ship shuttered from clearing the gravity of the outer asteroid belt lining the Vica Galaxy. He silently thanked SPD for giving them this ship because in their last ship they had figured closer to a year to get there. Everyone had been on edge lately so he decided to find a planet that they could get some fresh air on. Luckily a planet with a breathable atmosphere was nearby.
"DECA", Justin said, "Make landing preparations. I think we could all use a break."
"Right away", came the computers reply.
Justin then did what he had done everyday for the last several months. He left the ship on auto control and went down to the mess hall to meet up with his fellow rangers.
A couple of hours later the ship sat down on a planet and the rangers stepped out onto the alien world that almost mirrored a painting.
"It's beautiful", Summer said as she looked around at the scenic beauty surrounding her.
"Sure beats the inside of a ship", Scott said.
"How long are we here for?" Cam asked.
Justin looked around, "I think we can squeeze two days of R&R out of it."
"Good", Cam replied, "Some of the couplers in the core are showing some wear. It will be a perfect chance to get a little maintenance done."
"Well I plan on taking a break and spending some time with my husband", Tenaya said as she wrapped her arms around Scott.
"Sounds like a plan to me", Dillon said as he pulled Summer closer to him.
"So then", Justin said with a smile, "Let's set up camp."
Phenex sat in his command chair as he watched the ranger's ship descend to the planet below and smiled to himself. "Empusa may have failed to destroy these nuisances, but I will rise to the challenge", he though smugly. As he calculated his teleportation trajectory his communication system beeped. With a sigh of annoyance he activated his console, but instead of his commander it was another of his generals.
"Baal", Phenex said with obvious disdain in his voice, "To what do I owe the pleasure."
"Don't patronize me", Baal responded, "This is strictly business, otherwise I wouldn't waste my time talking to a pathetic weakling such as yourself."
"My strength doesn't lie in brute force, but in intelligence. Abbadon respects this, I don't know why the rest of you have a problem with it."
Baal gave a smirk, "Because science doesn't win battles, power does."
"Well considering I designed that monstrous ship that Abbadon plans to use to restore his power, I would say they go hand in hand."
Baal looked speechless, "Report", he barked angrily.
"We are about to attack the rangers on the surface", Phenex preplied.
"You really thing your 'Things' can beat them", Baal scoffed.
"It doesn't matter", Phenex said plainly, "All we have to do is make sure we get to the star first. After that the rangers will be of no consequence."
Baal stared through the screen at him, "I hope so for your sake", he said before closing the communication.
The rangers set up a campsite just outside their ship so they could enjoy being planetside again. They were just about to call it a night when they heard a terrible shriek from the woods around them.
"I thought you said there was no animal life on this planet", Summer said nervously.
"There wasn't", Justin replied, "Scans came back botanical only.
There was another shriek that was much closer and caused the rangers to immediately jump to their feet. They all fell into fighting positions as a swarm of cybernetic creatures jumped out of the woods at them.
"GREAT!", Tenaya yelled, "Even on an uninhabited planet things try to kill us.
"Alright guys, let's do it", Justin said as he readied his morpher.
"IT'S MORPHIN TIME... ZEO RANGER FIVE RED!"
"SHIFT INTO TURBO!"
"SAMURAI STORM, RANGER FORM!"
"WHITE RANGER DINO POWER!"
"RPM GET IN GEAR!"
In a flash of light the rangers were ready to do battle with these monsters.
"Next time I complain about being a cyborg, remind me that at least I don't look like these freaks", Tenaya said.
"Will do", Scott said as he drove a kick into the first of the creatures.
After a few minutes the rangers were staring to make some headway in their fight when a different creature appeared between them.
"Rangers", it said, "Why do you fight, when you have no chance of winning? There are seven of you and I have thousands of Daeva."
"Because it is our duty to protect the universe from people like you!" Justin shouted.
"Once my master has the star and his power is awakened you will not stop him", he answered, "As we speak he has learned it's location is closing in on it. You are out of time, and you will not live to see his victory with your own eyes. This is the will of Phenex and I have spoken. DAEVA ATTACK!"
Phenex disappeared as his minions swarmed the rangers.
"I really don't like that guy", Dillon said as he drew his Nitrosword.
"Join the club", Scott added.
"SUPER SAMURAI MODE", Cam shouted followed by Trent calling, "SUPER DINO MODE!"
The battle raged on for several minutes without the ranger making too much of a dent in the enemy forces.
"What are these things?" Summer said, "Even the grinders weren't this strong."
"It even passes that of an attackbot", Tenaya added.
Dillon hit one in the head with his sword when he went down with red electricity arcing throughout his suit.
"Subject D-44", a voice said, "They were wise to choose you, but it will still not be enough."
"Venjix", Tenaya said.
"And we don't have Dr. K to fix it this time.
Dillon watched helplessly as the Daeva knocked each of the other rangers back causing them to demorph as they lost consciousness.
"I will make you witness your friends deaths, and then I will rebuild my empire", Venjix said.
"I don't think so!", Dillon screamed as he forced his way back to his feet, "I've beaten you before, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let you be the reason my friends and family gets hurt!"
"sys..m... Ov..load... Ca..ot... mai...in c..trol", Vejix said as his voice began to break up. Dillon broke into a run, but seemed to be overtaken as his suit exploded.
"Dillon!" Summer screamed and she forced herself to sit up.
"NO!" came Scott's yell next.
The Daeva once again began making their way towards the vulnerable rangers when they were distracted by a sound. Summer peered into the cloud of smoke that had been her husband a moment ago. She gasped as the smoke cleared and the red ranger stepped out wearing vicious looking armor, and sporting two large blasters.
"Red ranger Venjix Battle-mode!" came Dillon's voice, "Aerial bombardment!"
Dillon took to the air and locked the creatures in his sights. Using one blaster he created a large ball od energy, and using the other fired a shot causing the ball to fly towards the group of Daeva. When it hit there was a large explosion, and once the dust cleared Dillon walked to the other ranges who were observing the smoking crater.
"What was that?" Scott asked in shock.
"I overpowered Venjix, and as his code broke down the suit recycled it into something much more useful", Dillon said with a smile.
"Well", Justin said, "I think I've had enough R&R, how bout you all?"
"Agreed", they all said at once as they started breaking apart their campsite to return to the ship.
A/N: I know it was a short chapter, but the next one will make it worth it. Please read and review.
