Chapter 9: The Command Center
That Saturday I got up as early as I could. I put on black leggings and finger-less long gloves, along with a light green T-shirt and a green denim mini skirt. Then I organized the luggage. I figured I would have to make two or three trips, so I would have a long day ahead… Suddenly the computer screen blinked and the mobile phone, which was connected to it, rang. I frowned at the caller's number, but I knew I had to answer:
- Mary Jane Dupont, can I know why you have not called in more than a month?!
- Hi Mom - I replied in an overwhelmed tone.
- I was so worried I could not sleep. The news said that the Power Rangers fought in space. Again! And I was here without knowing anything about you.
- I sent an email every week. Don't you open your mails?
- Do you think I have the time to feature how to use emails?
- You're supervisor in a dermatological test lab and dad is administrative counselor... How is it possible to have such posts without knowing how to use the Internet?
- The secretaries deal with that, but we will not allow them snooping into our private affairs.
Mother was so exasperating at times... but I kept folding clothes and stacking boxes anyway, unplugging the phone to be more comfortable.
- How's father by the way? - I asked going to the bathroom to collect what remained on the loose.
- I don't know. In fact, I haven't seen much of him these days. I think that we are getting a divorce this time. I'm tired of this.
The same phrases as always.
- I also heard there had been an incident in Billy Cranston's labs. An explosion or something...
Well, there's no time to see my father but there's plenty to learn what's going on in Adaland.
- It wasn't an explosion. Someone broke to steal something - I explained.
- And surely you were there, right? Seeing what you can catch...
- Billy and I are just friends - I said, trying to not feel too hurt.
- Listen, Mary Jane. Be careful. That young man just wants to play with you, and there you foolishly believe that...
At that point I looked at my watch: it was getting late!
- I have to hang up, mother.
- Wait! Give me your new address and the janitor's phone number.
- No need - I jumped out, alarmed. - I am moving out of downtown anyway.
- Again?! Without consulting us about it?!
- I explained by mail, so guess you have to learn to use it. Talk to you later, ok? Bye mom!
And I hung up. Condemnation, it was awfully late! I would be up moving all day at this rate. I took some boxes and ran out as fast as lightning.
...
It really was a good day outside. My green motorcycle advanced at a fine speed through Green Hills without an excessive burden due to the cargo. A narrow path free of grass led straight to the entrance of our Command Center. By typing some commands in a hidden control on the handle of my bike, I opened the hangar and came down into the depths.
- Hey Meijei - Rocky greeted me, lowering the luggage from a yellow motorcycle.
- Hey guys - I waved descending.
- It's about time you showed up - said Aisha, loading boxes. - The others are unpacking already.
- So you are?...
- Lowering Aisha's second charge - Rocky explained -. I think she went to the Dojo at 3 in the morning to wake us up.
- A medical student who has no time for her books is a lost cause - our friend said.
- If you say so... - I smiled, putting my things down.
- See you upstairs then - waved Aisha, rushing to the hangar's opposite exit.
Rocky said goodbye with a smile and followed her, while I waved my hand. Then I turned back to my stuff. I grabbed my tremendously full backpack, carried a couple of big boxes (to compensate) and started walking sideways. I must have looked like a crab, but as the boxes covered my frontal view, I had no choice but to walk in that way.
The hangar led into an elevator for vehicles that rose by itself as soon as it perceived me. I passed by the main lobby (that broad white enclosure that gave me the impression of being in a sanctuary and not in a center with the latest combat technology), some rooms full of processors and circuits, more hangars of various sizes, a large room full of weapons (interesting, we might as well have a coliseum)... until I came to a carpeted hallway decorated in bright colors.
- Here, please - I said, and the elevator stopped automatically.
Sometimes I have the impression the new Command Center is like a medieval castle, but those windows with special polarizer (we could see out with vivid clarity and color fidelity, although outside the crystals weren't even perceived), the natural light coming from everywhere and the variety in furniture made from polymers could only speak of a modern and cozy home.
I greeted my teammates as I advanced through the wide room. I crossed a place full of beanies and cushions (a living room, I suppose), a long irregularly shaped bar wound between high-backed seats (the dining room?), a narrow and mysterious corridor… And I arrived in front of a wooden door, with apparently nothing else there. A drop came out on my neck. Did I reach the broom closet? That place with a single door looked so narrow, dark and enclosed...
To my surprise, the door opened and Cassie appeared, carrying a pair of empty haversacks.
- Hello Meijei! - she exclaimed happily. - It's about time you came to visit me here.
- Eh? So this is…
- The entrance to my room, of course. Don't you notice the bohemian vibe it has? But what you probably want to find is yours - and laughed, going into the hall from where I had come. - This place is like a maze. Billy can say what he likes, but it can be annoying.
We returned to the dining area and went by some carpeted stairs I had not seen before, finding a square hallway with another narrow corridor.
- Ah ah, not that way - Cassie told me, seeing I was going to follow that path. - You'll arrive to Tommy's place and I don't think that suits you. Look, there's another corridor... but I would recommend you to turn over there - she pointed around the square hallway. – There is an opening at the corner where you'll find a more comfortable corridor. Good luck!
And she went down the steps two at a time. I was curious, so I took the hard path. It was interesting that, as I advanced by the hallway, the corner signaled by Cassie changed shape. There was plenty of furniture that did the same in that amazing house, but it was the first wall of that kind I found. I discovered the opening, barely visible in the whiteness of the walls. It was actually a simple trick, a composition in zigzag form noticeable only when one is nearby. Therefore, I nonchalantly went through it.
That corridor was carpeted in a dark steel gray... but I ran into a bare wall painted in the same color. That's not what I expected. I should have lost my way for sure! But if there was a window to my right...
The wall moved aside. The corridor continued in front, a dark coloured double semicircular door was visible in the distance! Everything indicated that this was my room. But why Billy had taken such trouble to conceal the entrance? He wasn't too alarmed because of the enemies, was he? I was really eager to get comfortable... but I started to tense up, as that presence was very close and...
Billy came through the door on the left. Then I realized that the color of the room behind him was blue. It wasn't a double door leading to one room. They were the doors for two different rooms, one beside the other. I almost threw the boxes because of the impression. I don't know how I kept walking, completely flushed and with my eyes on the carpeted floor.
- Hi Meijei - he told me when I passed by him.
- Hi… I… I hope the walls are not too thin - I said trying to control my nervousness while typing the password in the control at the middle of the doors -. I'd hate to interrupt your studies.
- Don't worry. I took all those factors into account.
- Want me to help you?
- Negative, finish first. We'll get together at night with the robots and Volgara to assess the enemies movements.
- Got you - I nodded as I opened the door, closing it behind me.
I dropped my boxes with some noise and sat on the carpet. My heart was beating a mile a minute.
- OK, tell me he didn't put weird combinations on the doors - I whispered in a rush. - Tell me he will not be able to enter without permission...
Then I looked up. The room was spacious. I could see a queen size bed to the right, flanked by two large windows with curtains. A writing desk was on the left, with a large bookcase, shelves... a dresser and the mirror on the opposite side. There followed one more entry that showed a tiled floor and a sink, a door in the middle of the wall and a large closet on the right. Furniture and carpet were combined in pale green hues, ivory and white.
Air, light and space everywhere. Nothing like the small room for rent that I had left this morning. I walked a few steps to the bed, took off my backpack and sat with caution on the soft mattress.
I hugged the bulging backpack. Everything surrounding me came out of Billy's pocket... and the work he had done with Volgara's robots. Did I have the right to impose conditions? Did I have the right to complain... about the shape of the bedside lamp, for example? Oh God, an authentic Chiffany*1! Bad example, well, about the carpet's color ... but it's so nice! Sure those motifs had been copied from some old Norris*2 mat. Fantastic!
I sighed. The only reason I had not to run out of that room and throw myself into his arms was me being the Zeo Crystal Priestess. How ironic that the reason to move into such housing was the same that kept me apart from the gentleman who had built the place thinking on me. Thinking too much on me, judging by the room distribution.
- This is gonna be more difficult than I thought ... especially if I still have those nightmares - I whispered getting up.
...
Adam stopped his motorcycle just before reaching the Command Center, getting off. The wind had relented so much that it would not move a single blade of grass, but that was not what made him stop. There was no need to have an affinity with the air to hear the noise made by other bike approaching.
- How are you doing, Adam? - Tommy asked, stopping the engine.
- Rocky, Aisha and I are almost done.
- Looks like Billy too. Apparently Cassie and Meijei are lagging behind.
- The four of us will prepare food, then - Adam nodded.
- I forgot a few things so I had to go back - admitted Tommy, embarrassed. - But as soon as I finish, I'm going to help.
- Well, you guys can deal with the dishes later. Surely we will leave many - Adam laughed.
- Tell me about it.
- Especially if Rocky has such good appetite as usual - I said coming.
- How you doing, Meijei? - Tommy asked me. - It's your second round, right?
- Yes, but don't worry, I'll end up moving today even if it takes all night.
- Cassie has been up since the morning and haven't finished - said Adam with a shrug.
- Speak for yourself, lucky guy who lives a few minutes from here - I smiled.
Adam was going to laugh when the wind direction changed suddenly. I looked up and the guys mimicked my gesture just as several Quadra-fighters appeared over us.
- Beware! - shouted Tommy.
It was not easy to maneuver with the bikes loaded, but we repelled them somehow. Tommy and I dismounted, counting quickly. They were more than usual.
- Black Ninja Ranger! - cried Adam.
...
Not far from there, in the mountains of Adaland, a squad of Quadra-fighters was exploring the place accompanied by a red mecha:
- Quick, vassals. We must find the best spot for our purposes. The first part of the mission is to collect energy from the volcanoes of this region. We will draw the Rangers here and capture one, thus completing phase two. And the third will be…
- Divert the lava flows and destroy the city - said the pleased voice of Lady Archerina. - Milord leaves too many loose ends, but I'm not going to leave anything to chance.
...
Cassie was on the road to Adaland when a communicator installed on her motorcycle rang:
- What is it, Volgara?
- Cassie, Quadra-fighters have been detected in the Yana mountain range. You have to watch their movements.
- O.K., I'm coming.
The young woman sped toward the mountains before shouting:
- Pink Ninja Ranger!
...
The group led by lady Archerina and the red mecha had reached the top of the only semi active volcano in Adaland.
- I detect promising activity in my circuits - said the delighted lady, addressing the Quadra-fighters. - Work fast and don't hesitate to attack anyone who tries to stop us. Digster, I'm counting on you.
- Of course my lady - assured the mecha with a quick bow. - Eh slackers, to work!
At that moment they heard a roaring engine coming from the hillside. Lady Archerina looked down with her powerful eyes:
- What do we have here? She appeared much faster than expected. And alone.
- Let us take care of her, my lady - Digster said quickly.
In answer, the mecha picked the bow she always carried across her back and pointed to the approaching pink dot with cold assurance. Cassie could not react until it was too late. An explosion near the front wheel of the bike ejected her, sending her rolling.
- Good shot milady! But we must prevent her escape at all costs - said Digster, and attacked the surrounding rocks with a drill.
Large and heavy grindstones rolled down the hill.
- Damn it! Lovecycle! Are you okay? Kyaaaa!
The rocks practically fell on her and Cassie kept rolling downhill, ending up battered and away from her motorcycle.
- Lovecycle! Can you hear me?! Ouch, my ankle.
The Quadra-fighters surrounded her and she was quick to use the communicator, but:
- It's broken!
The enemies attacked her.
...
Meanwhile, Rocky was on his way to the mountains in his Ninja mode.
- Hurry up, Rocky - urged Volgara's voice. - Cassie is injured and the others are still fighting Quadra-fighters on the Command Center's area.
- Don't worry Volgara, I'm nearly there… whoa!
A group of Quadra Fighters appearing out of nowhere blocked his way. Rocky had to turn on a very tight angle to put distance.
- Always a bother. Looking for trouble, ah? - he exclaimed leaping and spinning in the air to attack them.
...
Cassie was drenched in dust and blood due to the fall, the rocks and the fight. She could barely stand, even when there were less than 10 attackers.
- Stop playing and catch her! - shouted Lady Archerina.
The Quadra-fighters narrowed the circle around the girl.
- No! I will not let you! - cried Cassie raising her Zeo crystal.
One of the mechas snatched it away and other two grabbed her arms.
- Let me go! - cried the young woman handing out kicks, causing more Quadra-fighters to rush to immobilize her.
- Let's go now! - ordered Lady Archerina.
- Cassie!
Tommy, Rocky, and Mary Jane came at full speed on their bikes, calling their friend loudly.
I- said we are leaving! - yelled Lady Archerina looking at the Green Ninja Ranger with rage.
The Quadra-fighters and their prey vanished in a beam of light.
- CASSIE! - cried Mary Jane.
...
I just teleported to the Central Enclosure and already could feel Meijei's nervous state. She sat in a corner, whiter than wax, her eyes wide open.
- We're all here, Volgara - Tommy said looking at the sorceress.
- Rangers, the enemies have changed tactics - she replied. - Watch what they do in the volcano.
We all looked towards the liquid crystal display. A red mecha and several Quadra-fighters were digging near a smoking hole.
- Lady Archerina has taken Cassie to the asteroid, but meanwhile, Digster intends to flood Adaland with a lava river - explained Volgara.
Aisha gave a shout and I clenched my fists. This was too much.
- If they think that by being divided they will stop us, they are wrong - Aisha assured.
- Let's consider the situation first - I said.
- Billy is right. This is not like the time they caught you, Rocky - Tommy added.
- It's true, even I thought they were playing with me, but I didn't step on the asteroid - said the aforementioned.
- What do they want from Cassie then? - asked Aisha.
- They treat us like guinea pigs - Meijei muttered.
- Guinea Pigs ... That's it! - I cried.
Everyone looked me.
- Don't you see? They are testing us. They want to see how far we can get with and without powers - I explained.
- That's why they didn't mind my Crystal that time - said Rocky.
- Makes sense - Adam nodded.
- We must recover Cassie as soon as possible - assured Volgara -. We don't know what they will be capable of doing this time.
- Right - Tommy agreed, and spoke to us. - We'll split into two groups: we gotta stop Digster and find our friend asap.
- Here is her communicator - Adam said handing it. – It's broken.
Tommy stared at it with concern. I went to the control panels, typing as fast as I could.
- Do you think we can infiltrate the territory of the Machine Empire? - our leader asked.
- The Pink Zeo crystal's signal is very weak. We can not teleport that far with the current scope of our instruments - and I muttered, frustrated - The force fields that protect the asteroid are not easy to get through, even for a communication signal.
- What about Cassie's telepathy?
Meijei was up. It seemed as if she had a headache, but her voice was calm:
- I think that if we amplify its reception, we won't need the communicator.
- Of course! She is the only one who could do that - I exclaimed, amazed that it didn't occur to me. - It might be possible to guide her out of the asteroid.
- And we will be close to block whoever tries to return her in - Meijei muttered almost growling.
- Take care of it then, Billy, Meijei - Tommy nodded.
- Tommy! Digster is placing explosives in the volcano - Aisha exclaimed in alarm.
- We have to go now, before it's too late - said Adam.
- All right Rangers, let's go!
...
Cassie moaned in pain. Her whole body was numb and could not even open her eyes... although she didn't need to do that to perceive that she was in a dark place.
- At least my ribs aren't broken - she mumbled trying to get up.
The first thing she could see was the stars glow, shining from a small window. She felt the granite floor, trying to calculate the size of the cell where they had put her in. If not because she was in pain, she would have beaten the ground with her fists. Tears welled up in her eyes. As the third Pink Ranger, she had always given her best to keep pace with her companions, who were more experienced. If something really hurted was getting into trouble and worry them.
- At least I have my Zeo Crystal. I must calm down first. Only if I can use my big head I'll get out of here.
Thus, still crying, Cassie leaned sideways, curling up. With some effort, she managed to transform to Dame phase.
- I have to get outta here. I have to get out of here! – she whispered again and again.
...
- She seems to be in a larval stage.
- Humans are not classified as insects, doctor.
- It's the most accurate comparison I could do.
The Machine Empire scientists were checking the monitors that allowed them to see Cassie's cell, moving from one control panel to another. They analyzed each outcome however little, leaving the rest of the lab virtually paralyzed.
- Well? - asked Lord Gasket arriving with his usual entourage.
- We are organizing the tests, my lord - a female scientist greeted him. - We have to get a complete genetic map of the specimen first.
- We'll also review her physiological state, once we take the crystal out of the cell - said the oldest scientific.
- Brother, let me do that - growled Kaiser Sprock, watching the monitors with a frown. - Better not let her escape.
- You have my permission - nodded Lord Gasket. - Listen well, all of you: treat the human as any specimen worthy of study. Don't worry if she dies on the process. There still are other 6 like her…
- Although she was hard to capture? - interrupted Lady Archerina.
- A dead Ranger is one problem less for us. Also, if you were skillful enough once, surely you can capture another of those worthless humans.
Lord Gasket retired, but Archerina remained in a corner of the lab, watching the preparations for the intervention.
- So my brother does not appreciate your efforts eh? - laughed Sprock.
- You have no right to speak - she said with dignity. - After all it was I who captured her. And why are you here when you should be in the human's cell?
Sprock gave her a fuming look, but left anyway. Lady Archerina pulled a fan from her belt and waved it.
- Of course that if I could choose... it would've been better to catch the green girl - and smiled. - Humans are so strange. What did she gain by screaming?
... ... ...
Footnotes
*1 Replace the "Ch" with "T" and you will get a famous jewelry brand that also has some expensive home products.
*2 Replace the "N" with "M" and you will get a representative brand of the Art Nouveau style.
And here it is! Totally new chapter! Although it has been revised a lot in the last few years. So, what will happen to Cassie? Will she get out alive? We will find out soon!
All kinds of critics are welcome!
Sakura_Moonprincess
Disclaimer: all characters and trademarks belong to their rightful authors, except those created by me.