Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Author's Note: I've always hated starting something and not being able to finish it. While my desire to write has diminished over time, it has never gone away completely.
I just haven't had a desire to write anything for a long time. I realize that this story has been worked on for five years and it hasn't been updated in over one and I have no explanation for that other than not having a desire to write. However, my own distain for not finishing something that I started has brought me back here. I never stopped enjoying writing, it just got lost in the shuffle and when I had time, I had no intention of sitting at a computer screen and writing. Whether it is for my own personal release or for entertaining you readers, writing is something I love to do and I've realized it's time to get back to doing what I love.
Chapter 20.
Tommy Oliver did not like that he had just sent one of his rangers into space just a few hours earlier. He understood everything that Andros had told him about the importance Conner had in the mission in space, but it didn't mean he had to like sending Conner into space and into the future. Andros had come and taken Conner with him to the Delta Megaship about five hours prior and he had tried everything he knew to keep his mind off of what might be going on up in the vast area of the stars. Tommy had a house full, his fiance and adopted daughter were in the living room watching TV while his two other rangers, Ethan and Kira had gone down to the basement.
It had not surprised Tommy that the two of them would find solace in the basement that had served as their base of operations when they were active rangers three years prior. With their leader in space and by now most likely over 20 years in the future, the only place that they would find any sort of closeness to the absent red ranger would be the basement. Every 10 minutes Tommy would go and check on the young adults that had occupied many rooms in his house. He knew he didn't have to worry about Kimberly. Kimberly would go where her daughter went and that was what led to Kim sitting on the couch in the living room while Anna sat there and watched TV. Kimberly didn't need to say a word, she was there for her daughter if and when she would need her mother. He would walk into the room to see Anna staring into space, pretending to watch TV but to anyone that knew her, they could tell her mind was a million miles away. Kimberly would look up to Tommy, shake her head and Tommy would go and check on the others. Every time he walked down the stairs to the basement he was met with the same sight. Ethan would be at the main computer refusing to tear his gaze away from the screen while Kira was curled up in the corner with her guitar, but she was not playing it like he had seen her do so many times in that same corner. Instead,
she just held the guitar with her right hand while holding a stuffed red T-Rex that was given to her when she was 17 in her left hand. Tommy recognized the stuffed animal as the one Conner had won her when the entire group had gone to a carnival to celebrate their high school graduation. The tickets to the carnival had been Hayley's surprise for the kids that she had referred to at their graduation. While Kira held the stuffed animal, the light had reflected off of the engagement ring that Conner had placed on her hand right before leaving with Andros. He stood at the base of the stairs that led into the basement and after a few minutes of silence,
he realized that he was doing no good here and had decided to go back upstairs. As he turned to walk back up the stairs, a beep emanated from the computer that Ethan was occupying. Within moments Tommy and Kira were at his side.
"Ethan, that's an incoming message from the Aquitian rangers, open it up. Kira, go get Kim and Anna and have them come down here." Tommy ordered.
"Sure thing Dr. O." Kira said as she was already halfway up the stairs.
As Ethan opened the communication file he felt himself being wheeled out of the way by Tommy. He hadn't meant to knock Ethan out of the way but he had a history with the Aquitian rangers and they knew his face, they had never seen any of the Dino Thunder Rangers and he didn't want to surprise the Aquitian on the other end of the feed.
"Tommy. It is good to see you again. I am sorry it has taken longer to get back to you in regards to the information on Billy's whereabouts." Delphine said.
"There is no need to apologize Delphine. I understand that something in regards to personal information is highly protected on your planet. I thank you for getting back to me in such a quick period of time"
"We had to make sure we weren't being monitored by anyone that would want the information I am sending you. We wouldn't want it to fall into the wrong hands."
"I understand completely. You were able to locate Billy then?"
"I was able to bring up the last known location for him. Keep in mind that he did leave Aquitar several years ago. Thanks to my studies, I have come to find that some humans don't stay in one location for very long."
"That kind of depends on the person Delphine, but yes that is true."
"I'm sending you the information that we have to your computer database. Tommy, I hope you find what you are looking for with this information."
"As do I Delphine, as do I. I thank you. Tommy out."
"She didn't tell us anything about Conner." Ethan pointed out.
"She wouldn't know. Just before Conner left with Andros, John and I had contacted Aquitar to ask to speak with Billy. Delphine told us he left the planet two years ago and settled in a small town in Colorado. The information she's sending us is the last known location for Billy. I'm going to send someone to this location to see what we can find."
"Who are you going to send Tommy?" Kimberly had asked from the stairway. Kira had come back with Anna and Kim shortly before the transmission was cut off. They had heard the last of Tommy's conversation with Delphine and the brief exchange he had with Ethan.
Tommy sighed. "I don't know yet. I haven't thought that far ahead yet." He said as he turned in his chair to look at everyone that had converged to the basement.
"Tommy, why does it feel like we've been on a scavenger hunt for the past several months?" Kim asked.
"Probably because in some ways, we have been. If we had never gone to find that stupid energy reading, I never would have found that communicator. Ever since that day it's just been one clue after another. We played right into Mike and Brandon's trap and now they are one step ahead of us. Even when we find something, it's just another clue or another part of their sick game that they are playing with us and all it does is lead to more questions. Questions that I don't have answers to."
"We may not have answers yet, but I'm going to get us some." Another voice from the stairway said.
Astro Megaship
Andros had known the second Conner had activated the thumb print lock that it would alert the Conner of that time, so when Conner had told him the alarms had gone off,
he was not the least bit surprised. As long as Conner had his enhanced speed activated at that time, no camera in the headquarters would be able to track him and the guards would have no chance at stopping him. However, just because he expected it, that didn't make those few minutes from the time Conner entered the main control room until the time he reached the roof any less tense. Although he knew Conner would set off the alarms, Andros was not aware that he would not be able to teleport Conner out from the control room. Having to track his climb up the stairs to the roof had brought quite the anxiety. He had watched the whole thing on the megaships video screen. He had seen how close the guards were to getting Conner before he was able finally teleport him back to the megaship. When Conner had landed face down on the bridge of the megaship, Andros let out a breath he did not realize he had been holding.
"You did it kid." Andros said as he held out a hand to Conner.
"Just barely." Conner replied as he took it.
"Let's get you home" Andros said as he pulled the young man to his feet.
"Home. I like the sound of that."
"I figured you would." Andros said with a small smile.
"I think this belongs to you." Conner said as he handed Andros the box.
"Ah the software. Thank you."
"What does this do? Just what did I risk my life for?" Conner wanted to know.
As Andros opened the box, he revealed what looked to be a simple CD disk.
"This software has the ability to regenerate any power source that has been destroyed or damaged. Do you remember Tommy saying that Jason and Kimberly could morph with their coins they have now but it would be a risk?" Conner nodded. "This software will take away the risk. It will restore the powers that were once inside those coins, crystals, keys and any other source of power. It will make those powers brand new again. With this, I can get my ship back up and running at full power. I can also get my morphers back online and the Space Rangers will be able to assist you in the oncoming battle. It will give every ranger that no longer has powers, the ability to morph and not put their lives at risk the way Adam did when he helped Carlos all those years ago. The power will be stable again, and it will be up to the ranger to use it if they want to fight again or not, but without this, no ex ranger would be able to help you guys."
"So when do we check out this software?"
"I'm going to try it on my morphers now. I just have to go and get them from the safe. I'll be right back."
A few moments later, Andros returned with the Astro morphers. He uploaded the software to the Megaship's database and then placed the doormant morphers into a container.
"DECA, start uploading the software to the morphers and let me know when it's done."
"Acknowledged Andros." The online computer replied.
"We wait for it to download to the morphers."
"I don't want to sound ungrateful or anything Andros, but when can I go home?" Conner asked with a hint of hope in his voice.
Andros chuckled a little bit. "Soon Conner. Once we finish the uploading process to the morphers I will call my team back to the megaship and we can test out these powers, see if they are as strong as the records state that they should be. I want to make sure me and my team are at full strength when I send you back to Reefside just in case we are needed."
"Okay. I'm going to go and see if I can get some rest. Let me know when the morphers are online please."
"I will. Get some rest. You'll be home soon enough."
With that Conner retreated back to his living quarters with a smile on his face knowing that soon he would be back with the people he loved the most in the world. He'd be back with her. As Andros watched the red clad body dissappear behind the closing doors he let a small smile creep onto his face.
"You did well Tommy. You should be proud of him. I know I certainly am." Andros whispered into the empty bridge of the megaship.
Back at Tommy's
"Jason? When did you get here? How much did you hear?" Tommy asked his best friend who stood on the stairs in the basement.
"I heard it all Tom. Give me the information, I'm going to Colorado to find out for sure."
"Jason-" Tommy began.
"Tommy" Jason cut him off. "Aside from you, Billy is the closest friend I've got. I need to know what's going on with my little brother. It makes sense for me to go.
None of you can go, you need to be here when Conner returns which could be at any time. I have an emotional connection with Billy, and I got backup with me. I'm not going alone."
"Who's gonna go with you?" Kira asked.
"We are." A voice from behind Jason said as he moved out of the way to show the others who he had brought with him. Walking down the stairs and stepping into the light were three very familiar faces to Tommy and Kimberly. The faces of Zack Taylor, John Zedden, and Rocky DeSantos.
"Zack! You made it." Tommy said with a look of surprise.
"I told you I'd have an answer for you. I'm here to do whatever it takes to help out. We can party later, we got business to attend to."
"John, I can't say I'm surprised you're going with Jason. You've been searching for answers nonstop."
"Now that I finally have a lead on where to go, I'm taking it. You need to stay here and keep everything running smoothly while we are away."
"Rocko?"
"It's me. You got any food? I didn't have a chance to look in the refigerator before we came down here. All joking aside, a part of me feels guilty about taking the blue Zeo power instead of Billy. Even though he told me not to, I still did. Billy has always been a great friend and never gave up. It's time I help him if I can."
"Tommy, can I get that printout? We are going to need to know where to go. Colorado is pretty big." Jason said with a smile.
Tommy handed over the printout that was sent to him from Delphine to Jason, looked at the four guys that were going to try and get the answers they all had so desperately wanted and smiled.
"Here you go Jason, be careful guys. All of you. We don't know what to expect. Anything could be waiting for you in Colorado."
"Or nothing at all." Zack reminded.
"We'll be in touch Tom. We'll see you in a few days." Jason said and the four men retreated back up the stairs and out of the house to begin their own journey.
TBC.