The Loss of One Left Behind Part 2
Brandon's unconscious body is lying on a bed in the Bio Base medical bay, Riley sitting at his side while Maddox is looking at the monitor next to him. "How's he looking Colonel?" Riley asks. Maddox shakes her head. "This is insane!" she says. "What?" Riley asks. "I don't know what your friend here has gone through," Maddox says, "but the scan on his body definitely shown that he's been through a rather terrible operation." "What do you mean?" Riley asks. "I don't know." Maddox says, "But just look at this! His entire nervous system is compromised. Even his biological readings are completely haywire. One minute it says that he's human, and then the next, he's a mutant!" "How is that possible though?" Riley asks. "He always seemed human to me!" "I don't know what to tell you Riley," Maddox says, "but there's nothing I can do. Unless your friend wakes up, we really can't do much for him." Riley nods and Maddox gets up, leaving the bay. Riley looks back at Brandon's body, flashing back again.
Riley is with the other officers in the hangar bay at a Bio Force Outpost, when an enlisted man walks up to him. "Lieutenant Sheppard! Sir!" he says as he salutes. Riley returns the salute. "Yes Sergeant. What is it?" he asks. "Major Brogdon has a message for you. He requests your presence pronto!" "Thank you Sergeant!" Riley says. The Sergeant nods and walks off, while Riley walks into the office of the Operations Officer, Major Brogdon standing behind his desk, looking out a window. "1st Lieutenant Riley Sheppard reporting as ordered sir!" Riley says as he stands at attention. "As you were." Brogdon says. Riley relaxes a bit. Brogdon turns around. "You'd better sit down Riley." he says. Riley does as he's told. Brogdon sits down as well. "Our base," he says, "just received reports on the fight on Placidus." "The attack that my friend Brandon was commanding." Riley says. "Yes." Brogdon says. "Well?" Riley asks. Brogdon has a brief pause before speaking again. "The Syndicate had been previously informed of the attack." he says. "Captain Markinson's company didn't last long in the attack. They were ambushed almost immediately when they entered the system. There were. . .no survivors." Riley looks down as he knows what this means. "Markinson's funeral is being held tomorrow." Brogdon says. Riley nods. "You want to talk?" Brogdon asks. Riley shakes his head. "No." he says. "You need to take a few days off?" Brogdon asks. "No." Riley says, as he looks up, trying to hold tears back. "Alright then." Brogdon says. "Then you can report back here at 1300. After Markinson's funeral has concluded." "Yes sir." Riley says. "Dismissed." Brogdon says. Riley nods and gets up. "Riley." Brogdon calls out. Riley turns back. "I'm sorry." Brogdon says. Riley gives a sad smile. "Yeah." he says, and walks out. He leans against the wall of the base, looking upset. Aaron walks up. "What's wrong?" he asks. Riley looks up and quickly wipes his face. "Oh. . .uh. . .nothing!" Riley says. "Just had something in my eye is all!" "Right." Aaron says. The two walk away.
Riley snaps back. He gets up and walks out of the medical bay, Colt looking after him as he walks out.
Aboard the Great Chimaera, Sion is pacing back and forth. "This is terrible!" he says. "Those Rangers have Vulkar! And what's worse, the Blue Ranger has discovered who he originally was! I never thought this would happen!" "I'm more worried about how that happened!" Ahsoka says. "Don't you remember what happened when Verrox actually performed that operation on Captain Brandon Markinson? What he said?" The three officers all flashback.
On the planet Placidus, Sion and Ahsoka stand on the planet with another mutant, two Reptilitrons dragging Brandon Markinson into the room with him, despite his struggles. "Let me go!" Brandon says. "So this is the only survivor of the petty attack made on us!" Sion says. "That is right!" Ahsoka says. Brandon looks at them. "So you're that idiot son of the Emperor?!" he asks. "Can't say that I'm impressed. Even for someone of your reputation!" Sion chuckles. "Your words would mean so much more if our positions were reversed at the moment!" he says. Brandon just glares. "We could just kill you!" Sion says. "But then again, a person as skilled as you who can survive a battle where no other humans have. . .that's an impressive feat." "Which is where I come in!" the other mutant says. "Yes!" Sion says. "This is Verrox, the Syndicate's greatest scientist!" "So what do you intend to do with me then?" Brandon asks, clearly not afraid. "It's simple." Verrox says. "A person of your prowess shouldn't be living with the burdens of being a human. So. . .we'll turn you into what you deserve to be! A mutant!" Brandon just growls. "You'll retain all your skills as a human. But your memories, and all your traits as a human. . .will disappear!" Verrox laughs. "And now for this to take place. Don't worry. It will only be painful for a little bit." "You're making a mistake!" Brandon says. "There's no way you'll win this war! All great empires fall eventually!" he smiles defiantly. "Perhaps." Sion says. "But until the time for our fall comes. . .we'll continue on with our annexation of the universe. And that continues with you joining us!" Verrox laughs as he stands next to Brandon, holding his hand up. His fingers extend out, all of them latching onto Brandon. Electricity crackles through his tentacle-like fingers into Brandon, who groans in pain and agony as the process begins, Brandon's body completely transforming as he screams.
Ahsoka flashes back. "Verrox said that Vulkar would not retain his memories or anything else about his human life as Brandon Markinson." she says. "So in other words, his plan has failed!" "Don't let your rivalry with Verrox get in the way of the present situation Captain!" Ragnos says. "We need to find a way to get Vulkar back on the ship and get him back to his form!" "If that's even possible!" Ahsoka says.
As the night continues on, Brandon, lying alone in his bed in the medical bay, suddenly starts groaning, as if he's about to get up. He's sweating heavily, and starts wincing more as he starts to shake. Then he starts moving, grabbing his head as if he has a headache, his eyes still closed. He keeps groaning and shaking. Then his eyes suddenly open, glowing red.
The morning sun rises as Riley walks out of his room, up before everyone else as usual to make breakfast. Before he heads into the kitchen, though, he heads to the medical bay to check on Brandon. He walks in and turns on the light. His eyes suddenly widen with horror as he looks forward. Brandon's bed is empty, but the covers are torn and thrown askew. Riley rushes out of the room. Maddox walks out of her own room, dressed in her own night clothes as Riley rushes past her. She yawns a bit before she notices Riley. "Good morning Riley. Wha-?!" she says as Riley runs past her without even saying a word. Maddox chases after him. Riley runs into the garage, grabbing his blue leather jacket off the coat rack, and grabbing the keys to one of the Bio Force Motorcycles. Maddox rushes into the garage, just as Riley is on the bike, his jacket on, though he has no helmet, and igniting the engine of the bike. "Riley?!" she calls out. "Where are you going?!" Riley says nothing, and races out of the garage at full speed. Maddox attempts to go after him briefly, but stops, watching Riley race out into the distance. Maddox races back into the medical room, also noticing the empty bed. She stares in shock, knowing what Riley is doing now.
At the warehouse where Riley and Vulkar last had their fight, Vulkar, now fully transformed into his mutant form again, walks over to where his dropped sword is, going to retrieve it. But then, Riley stands in front of him, Vulkar stopping. Riley stares at Vulkar fearlessly, and there's a brief pause. "So you've come for a rematch I presume Blue Ranger?" Vulkar asks. "I knew you'd come here!" Riley says. "Brandon." Vulkar groans in disgust. "I know no Brandon! I am Vulkar! Sworn protector of His Highness Sion!" "That's what the Syndicate told you." Riley says. "How dare you?!" Vulkar yells. "First you destroy one of my students, but now you're claiming me to be human?! That's the most insulting thing I have ever heard!" Riley keeps standing firm. "I know that you're in there Brandon!" he says.
A flashback is shown of Vulkar's fighting Riley and then backing down upon seeing him is shown, Riley's voice over it. "You could have finished me in that fight! But you didn't! You saw my face! You remembered all we went through in training!"
Riley snaps back. "The Brandon I know," he says, "values his friendship and the bond he has with those he trains! That's why you didn't kill me then!" Vulkar growls and charges at Riley. He punches at Riley, who dodges and moves back, him and Vulkar now on opposite sides. "You annoying insect!" he says. "How dare you even speak to me with such horrible insults?! I could destroy you without thinking twice if I wanted to!" Now next to his sword, he picks it up and points it at Riley. Riley is still not afraid. "If you're so sure you can," he says, "then go ahead! You couldn't kill me before! And you won't now!" Vulkar tightens the grip on his blade, growling. He charges forward. "I won't forgive a human who speaks to me with such insults!" he says. He growls as he charges forward, swinging his blade at Riley's neck in a forty-five degree angle from the left. As he does, the camera zooms in on Vulkar's head, Brandon's face appearing in an overlay effect. "NO!" Brandon's voice says. "I can't kill him!" Vulkar's blade stops barely a centimeter from Riley's neck, Riley just standing there with a calm expression. Vulkar holds his blade, seeming shocked at his sudden cease in action. Vulkar looks down, than he slowly loosens his grip on his sword until he drops it completely. He slowly screams as he grabs his head again, turning around and falling to his knees. "What's happening to me?!" he yells. "I must kill the Blue Ranger!" Brandon's body appears in an overlay over Vulkar. "I'm not a mutant!" he says. "I'm Captain Brandon Markinson! I'm a soldier of Bio Force! I can't do this!" Riley continues to just stand there, though he smiles a bit. "I knew you couldn't do it!" Riley says. Vulkar continues to struggle, getting to his feet, walking slowly away as he leans against walls to keep himself balanced. "What's happening to me?!" he asks. He continues to struggle forward. Riley looks shocked and attempts to follow him. "Wait!" he says. "Come back! Brandon!" But as Riley moves forward, Praelia, the mutant the Rangers faced before, appears with a huge horde of Reptilitrons. Riley gasps as she appears. "I don't think so Ranger!" Praelia says. "Out of my way!" Riley says. "My master Vulkar is clearly in no position to speak with you!" Praelia says. "Besides, His Highness Sion has plans for him. Plans that I won't let you interfere with." Riley looks on in frustration. "Riley!" Colt's voice calls out, and Riley turns around as the other Rangers run up to him. "You okay?" Aaron asks. "Yeah." Riley says. "But I need to get to Vulkar! And fast!" "We'll try and hold these guys off then!" Tosha says. "Right!" Riley says. Colt takes out his Morpher and Bio Tag. "Let's go!" he says. "Right!" everyone else replies. Everyone inserts their tags into their Morphers and hit the activation switches. "Bio Force! Override!" they all call out, and their shortened Morphing sequences are shown as they Morph. The Rangers all take out their weapons and charge forward against Praelia and the Reptilitrons. As the two forces meet in place, Colt tackles Praelia and pushes her back, pinning her against the wall. "Riley go!" he says. "We'll handle this!" Shelby says, as she ducks at a blow from in front of her, than open fires on her attack with her Bio Sniper, shooting down two additional Reptilitrons on her left and right. "Hurry and help your friend!" Aaron says as he slashes two Reptilitrons in front of him, then jumps back to dodge another attack. "Yeah!" Tosha says as she blocks a blow with her Bio Lance, then counter-slashes. Riley gives a thumbs up. "Right!" he says. "Thanks guys!" and he hurries away as the other Rangers keep fighting.
Vulkar continues to wander mindlessly until he reaches a mountain. "What are these images in my head?!" he asks. "Why can't I kill the Blue Ranger?!" Brandon's body appears overlay again. "Riley is my friend!" he says. "I won't kill him!" Vulkar falls to his knees and holds his arms out, screaming in agony. Then a laser blast from nowhere hits Vulkar, knocking him forward, unconscious. Sion, Ragnos and Ahsoka walk up behind him, Ahsoka carrying a device in her hand. "Don't you think this is unusually cruel to do to one of our own kind Your Highness?" Ragnos asks. "Maybe." Sion says. "But I don't care! Vulkar is far too valuable a servant to me to allow the Rangers to steal away from me! If I must use force to allow his service to continue for me, so be it!" "I couldn't agree more Your Highness!" Ahsoka says happily. She walks over to Vulkar, attaching a small electrode device to Vulkar's head. Then she holds up a detonator, separate from the electrode. "No one betrays His Highness!" she says, and hits the switch. Vulkar's body starts twitching and shaking as his body is electrocuted.
Riley runs up to the mountain, carrying his Electro Blaster. He hides behind a mountain briefly, than aims his blaster forward to make sure the area is secure before he moves forward. As he arrives at the top of the mountain, he sees Vulkar's unconscious body lying on the ground. "Brandon!" he says, and runs up to him. He holsters his blaster and runs up to him. He kneels down next to Vulkar's body and puts his hand on his shoulder, shaking it a bit. "Are you okay?" he asks. But then Vulkar suddenly gets up, pushing Riley back as he growls. Riley is knocked back five feet away from Vulkar. Vulkar looks at Riley. Vulkar draws his sword and points it at Riley. "Brandon!" Riley says. "Stop this! You know you can't do this!" "I know no Brandon!" Vulkar says. "I am Vulkar! Sworn protector of His Highness Sion!" Vulkar charges forward and slashes at Riley's left. Thinking fast, Riley quickly draws his Electro Sword and parries the attack. "What are you doing Brandon?!" Riley asks. Vulkar growls and fights back, pushing his blade forward, breaking through Riley's defense and slashing his stomach. Riley groans in pain as he's knocked back. "Have you forgotten everything Brandon?" Riley asks. He struggles to his feet. "Why can't you remember?! You're not a mutant! You're human! You're Captain Brandon Markinson!" Vulkar says nothing and keeps again. He and Riley lock blades, Riley twisting the blades to the left and pinning it down. "Brandon!" he says. "Stop this!" he says. "There is no Brandon!" Vulkar says. He forces his elbow forward, knocking Riley back. Riley uses his feet to launch himself up. "I see." Riley says. Riley charges forward again, parrying an attack from Vulkar from the left, then he slashes from above. Vulkar parries and kicks at Riley, who moves to the left before he can get his. Riley flips under another slash attack, than slashes at Vulkar's right, Vulkar parrying. As the two keep fighting, Sion watches the fight from a higher area of the mountain. "Ahsoka did well!" he says. "Now that the electrode has isolated Vulkar's memories of Brandon Markinson, nothing will stop him from defeating the Blue Ranger now!" He laughs as he walks away, teleporting back to the Great Chimaera.Riley and Vulkar lock blades again, than force each other back. Riley grips his blade. "What can I do?" he asks. "If Brandon really has forgotten everything, then that means. . ." Vulkar attacks Riley again. Thinking fast, Riley parries again. Vulkar brings his sword up and swings it down. Riley parries again, Vulkar and Riley lock blades. "Brandon!" he says. "Please stop this!" "IDIOT HUMAN!" Vulkar screams. "THERE IS NO BRANDON! NOW SHUT UP WITH YOUR MINDLESS INSULTS!" Riley groans as Vulkar pushes him back. Then the two hold their arms up and grab the other's sword arms, struggling against each other for control over the other. The two force each other around. Riley groans as he looks forward. "Brandon is gone!" he thinks to himself. "What can I do now?" Then Riley looks forward, and suddenly, Brandon's body appears once again overlay Vulkar's, Riley seeing him this time. "Fight on Riley!" Brandon's voice says. "Now for the both of us!" The camera zooms in on Riley's helmet, showing his upper face as his eyes widen. "That's right!" he says. Vulkar looks at him. "Huh?!" he says. Riley roars in fury as he pushes Vulkar forward. He breaks the lock and kicks Vulkar right in the chest. Vulkar falls back, and struggles up. Riley roars again as he charges forward. Vulkar gets up. "You can't stop me!" he says and throws an energy slash at Riley. But Riley just keeps coming, knocking the slash away and sending a fiery explosion to his left. "What the?!" Vulkar says. Riley slashes right at Vulkar, hitting him. Vulkar looks back and Riley looks at Vulkar briefly before slashing him again. He kicks Vulkar back, knocking him away. Then he takes out his Bio Tag and inserts it into his Electro Sword. "Full power!" he calls out, and sends an energy-slash at Vulkar with a rightward stroke. Vulkar groans in pain and screams in agony as the slash hits him, and knocks him back. Vulkar falls backward, and Riley walks up to him. Vulkar looks up. "Alright then!" Vulkar says. "You have me! Finish it then! Kill me! You've won fair and square!" Riley shakes his head. "No." he says. "I won't kill you Brandon!" Riley says. "I will find a way to bring you back! I will bring you back! But until then. . .I got to help my friends!" Riley holsters his Electro Sword and runs away, Vulkar peering after him.
Praelia sends an energy slash attack, and Colt takes the hit as he's charging forward, flying back. The other Rangers rush to him. "Colt!" Tosha says, as she kneels next to him while Shelby and Aaron take defensive position in front. "I'm about to put you worthless insects in your place!" Praelia says as she walks forward. But then a laser blast from her left hits her, knocking her back. The Rangers look to the left as Riley walks forward, holding his Bio Crossbow. "I don't think so!" Riley says, as he lowers his bow. "Riley!" Shelby calls out as the other Rangers join him. "You okay?" Aaron asks. "Yeah." Riley says. "Let's finish this mutant off then!" Colt says as he steps forward. The Rangers combine their weapons together to activate the Bio Blaster. Riley holds the blaster out as he wields it. "Bio Blaster!" he calls out. Colt takes Riley's usual place on Riley's right on the side, Aaron takes his usual spot on the left side, and Tosha and Shelby take their usual spots, kneeling down as they grab the front barrel of the blaster. Riley holds up his Bio Tag, than inserts it into the back of the blaster, calling out "Bio Tag! Set!" The Bio Blaster is shown locking onto Praelia. "Fire!" Riley calls out and pulls the trigger, the Bio Blaster firing and scoring a direct hit on Praelia, sending her down in a fiery explosion. Riley looks on. "That's for Brandon!" he says silently to himself.
Aboard the Great Chimaera, Vulkar struggles onto the bridge, heavily wounded. Sion and Ragnos watch him as he struggles on. "Forgive me my Lord!" Vulkar says to Sion. "I have failed you! The Blue Ranger defeated me!" "You are forgiven Vulkar!" Sion says. "But only this time!" He turns to two Reptilitrons standing guard. "Take him to the medical room at once!" The two Reptilitrons nod and help support Vulkar as they take him off the bridge. Ahsoka grabs the laser control blaster from the console. "Now back to business!" she says, and pulls the trigger.
The Rangers look on as Praelia is zapped with the lasers and grows to giant size. "Didn't think you could get rid of me that easily now did you Rangers?!" she asks. Colt takes out his Morpher. "Colonel!" he calls out. "You know the drill!" he says. "They're on the way!" Maddox's voice calls out on Colt's Morpher.
Maddox hits the code on the panel and begins deploying the Bio Zords. "LAUNCH SYSTEM ACTIVATED!" the voice announces.
The Bio Zords arrive in the city. The Rangers are shown jumping into the cockpits of their Zords. "Megazord Mode!" Colt says as he engages his Morpher to his control panel and hits the "*" key. "COMBINATION SYSTEM ACTIVATED!" the voice announces, and we cut right to the final shot of the Bio Force Megazord sequence as the Bio Jet docks with the rest of the Megazord. "Bio Force Megazord!" the Rangers all call out. The Bio Force Megazord stands against Praelia, the two circling each other. "You want a swordfight?!" Riley says. "You got one!" The Bio Force Megazord holds its Saber up. "Let's go then!" Praelia says, and charges forward. She slashes at the Megazord's head. The Megazord ducks and slashes at Praelia in a rightward stroke. Praelia parries and locks blades with the Megazord. The two force each other around, then Praelia kicks the Megazord back with her knee, knocking it back. Aaron's cockpit shutters as it's knocked back. "She's pretty strong!" Aaron says. "Come on!" Colt says. "Just hang in there Aaron!" Praelia charges again and slashes, hitting the Megazord's chest hard and knocks it back. "Ugh!" Shelby groans as sparks blast out from her cockpit's console. "Let's see how you like it!" Tosha says. The Bio Force Megazord energizes it's Saber as it glows with energy, then sends a slash attack at Praelia. "Not good enough!" Praelia says, partially laughing. She sends her own slash attack at the Megazord, which breaks through the Megazord's and hits it. The Megazord is knocked off it's feet and falls backward. The Rangers all groan in pain as their cockpits all shutter violently and sparks blast out all around them. "She's too strong for the Bio Force to handle alone!" Aaron says. "Then I say," Riley says, "we up the fire power!" He takes out his Morpher. "Battle Zords! Deploy!"
At the Bio Base, Maddox nods as she hits keys on the main console. In the Holding Bay, the five Battle Zords are all deployed and make their way into the city. "LAUNCH SYSTEM ACTIVATED!" the voice announces.
Riley takes out his Cyan Bio Tag and ejects from the Bio Force Megazord. He hops into the cockpit of his Battle Saw, inserting his Bio Tag into the control panel. "Alright!" he calls out, and engages his Morpher to the control panel, hitting the "*" key. "COMBINATION SYSTEM ACTIVATED!" the voice announces. The Bio Battle Megazord sequence is shown, shortened up to the last shot and final pose. "Bio Battle Megazord!" Riley says. "Online!" The Bio Battle Megazord walks up, the Bio Force Megazord looking to it. "Great job Riley!" Shelby says. "Now she'll be up against two Megazords!" Aaron comments. Riley points forward. "Take this Praelia!" he says. The Bio Battle Megazord fires up it's drill arm, which spins away as it strikes Praelia, who is knocked back. "Saw Blade slash!" Riley says, and the Bio Battle Megazord activates it's saw arm, which slashes at Praelia. Praelia attempts to parry the blow, but the saw cuts right through her blade and slashes at her, knocking her back. "Now for the finisher!" Colt says. The Bio Force Megazord readies it's Saber. "Bio Force Megazord Saber!" he calls out. "Full Power!" The Megazord sends it's energy slash in an "X" shape at Praelia, scoring a hit on her and sending her down in a fiery explosion. Colt leans back in his seat, sighing. "That was tough!" he says. Riley looks down. "What a day." he says silently to himself.
Aboard the Great Chimaera, Vulkar, now fully healed, is standing at the head of the bridge, alone with Sion, Ragnos and Ahsoka all gone. He has a brief flashback (all dialogue is muted) of his confrontation with Riley. Snapping back, Vulkar clenches fists in fury. "For the cruel insults you have given me," he says, "and for killing my two students, I promise I will not show you the mercy you showed me today Blue Ranger!" He growls as he turns around and walks off the bridge.
As the sun begins to set, Riley kneels at Brandon's grave, setting down flowers at the front. "Brandon." he says. "I don't know what the future holds. But I promise that I will fight on for your sake. . .until the day I am able to bring you back!" The other Rangers are revealed to be standing behind him. Aaron walks over to Riley and puts his hand on his shoulder as Riley stands up. "And we'll have your back every step of the way Riley!" he says. Riley looks back at Colt, Tosha and Shelby, who nod. He smiles. "Thanks guys!" he says. "That's what we're here for!" Aaron says. "Now let's get back to the Bio Base! I haven't eaten all day! I'm starving!" "Yeah!" Colt says as the four Rangers move back to the truck. As the other Rangers go back, Riley looks after them for a second, smiling. "I may not have Brandon," he says, "but I'll always have them at least!" he says. "Hey!" Colt calls out. Riley looks up. "Come on Riley!" Aaron says. "You're the cook after all!" Riley smiles and walks over. "Right!" he says. "Now what do you guys want?!" Riley asks. "I want. . ." Aaron begins. "STEAK!" Tosha interrupts. "How'd you guess that?!" Aaron asks. "Women's intuition I guess!" Tosha says jokingly. The Rangers start to get into the truck, an inaudible argument over what Riley will make for dinner starting as the camera pans to the pink sky as the sun begins to set.
