5 Years Ago.

Carrie Brown sat in the recruitment office of her local barracks. Her father had forbidden her from signing up for anything related to the military, but she had decided to spite him by joining anyway. She assumed that he probably had some sexist reason to not want her in service, considering that he himself had fought in Vietnam. Plus all she was signing up for was to be a combat medic, so she didn't expect to face opposition for what she thought to be basic human decency, in addition to serving the country.

It was then that a woman came up to talk to her. "Hello, Miss Brown. My name is June Gordon.", the woman said to her. "I'm here to interview you for your service."

Carrie was surprised. "You mean, you've actually accepted my application?"

"Well, yes and no. I want you to join my unit, but it's not a normal unit. We exist to deal with a threat too dangerous for the general public to deal with.", the woman named June Gordon explained.

Carrie was intrigued by this. "What kind of threat?"

"What would you say if I told you that beings from beyond this planet are coming to bring down this planet's infrastructure and enslave its population?"

Carrie instantly stopped paying too much attention. "I think you'll need to do more than that to get my full co-operation. I mean, aliens?"

"I knew that you wouldn't take me seriously straight away.", June Gordon replied. "Which is why I'll simply allow you to join a regular military platoon until I can provide something more concrete."

"Thank you.", Carrie said, bowing before leaving the room.

Now

Onboard his ship, Algrin showed off his latest creation. This was a piranha fish monster created from the neutron missiles that he had stolen from Cannant. My latest creation Torpisces has massive destructive power that not even the Flying Rangers can counter." Before he could continue, the ship was rocked with turbulence, which sent everyone, including the newest Hybrasect, off balance.

"You seem confident in your biological terror." It was then that Tann, the new King of the Dominion, teleported onto the ship. "Considering that your crew is a half-life who can't carry out a simple plan, a human with delusions of being royalty and a robot that can't follow a simple execution programme, I severely doubt it can back that up."

Torpisces got mad at this. "Ok bub, I'll show you just how tough I can be." He charged at the newcomer, only to be stopped by a wave of Tann's hand, which sent him flying backwards into the wall.

"You're weak, just like your master.", Tann tutted, oblivious to the fact said fight was patently rigged in his favour. He then went over to Fwelf. "I'm going to give you a chance to redeem yourself for your shortcomings. I'm sending you to oversee my human captives as they construct my new war machine. In my absence and with the loss of two of my subordinates to the Rangers, I need someone to keep things on track."

Fwelf gulped at this offer. "You want me to deal with a shipload of captive humans? On my own? What if there's an uprising?"

"There won't be.", Tann assured him. "All of them have been subjected to the Brain Scrape. It would take a significant shock to their cerebral cortex to restore their memories and free will. After all, your friend Halatia is proof of that. Was she not briefly restored to her human persona before being reconditioned?"

"Don't remind me.", "Halatia" interjected. She said it to make them think she was referring to her human life, but in actuality, Mary was referring to her brainwashing at the Dominion's hands, which, unbeknownst to all but Galvahex, had recently been broken.

"It's settled then." Tann pressed a button on his gauntlet, teleporting Fwelf away. "Now then, you three will help me in my objective of destroying Mark Goodman. Can you lead me to his location?", he asked "Halatia", knowing that she had knowledge of the Ranger technology.

Mary briefly gulped, before responding. "As a matter of fact, I can. The communicators the Rangers used had a secret tracking signal installed so that Commander Gordon could make sure none of them would get away with potentially betraying the team." She went over and entered some statistics into the computer, which caused a map to appear on the screen. The map indicated 4 signals in North America, with one more in South-East Asia. "This can't be right. What is the Red Rnager's signal doing in another part of the world?"

"Whatever he's doing, it's ultimately foolish of him.", Tann replied. "He's allowed himself to fall right into my hands. Shall we, my dear?" He took "Halatia" by the hand and they teleported out.

It was then that Torpisces spoke again. "So, what should I do?"

Algrin fumed. "If Tann is going to destroy the Red Ranger once and for all, I'll have to be content with the other 4. So get your scaly hide down to that town and finish them off!"

The Hybrasect nodded, before teleporting out.

2 Years Ago

A man woke up in a hospital bed. There were two women standing over him, one close to his age and one at least 20 years his senior. "Do either of you ladies know who I am?"

"As you can see Medical Officer Brown, complete amnesia. This man hasn't a clue who he is.", the older woman stated.

"This is what you called me back in for, Commander? I'm a doctor, not a psychologist.", the Medical Officer named Brown practically yelled. Then she realised the patient was still awake. "Oh I'm sorry, this just isn't my usual area. Can you tell me what you think your name is?"

"My name…" the man murmured, as he reached for a set of dog tags that had been left on his bedside table. He recognised them as the ones he had been found with, over in the Gulf. "Stephen Hartford.", he read. "Stephen Hartford."

"We think, that given extensive medical care, 'Stephen' could learn more about his past. And since you and he are both candidates for my program, I thought this could help you get to know each other.", the Commander explained.

The medical officer sighed. "Well, since you claim to have found something since we last spoke, I'll give you the benefit of a doubt this time. I'll sign up full time, but only if this situation plays out like you say it will."

The Commander pulled out a briefcase. "I guessed you would say something like that, so I'll give you these for now." The briefcase contained two sets of bracelets, one longer and metallic and one triangular and made of red plastic. "This metal bracelet is a communicator in case there's an update on the situation. The other is only to be activated in the event that we're anticipating happens." With the bracelets given to the two of them, the Commander left the room, stating "I'll let you get to know each other until then.", before leaving.

The medical officer sighed. "Well, since we're going to be spending time together, we might as well be on first-name terms, Steven. I'm Carrie, Carrie Brown."

Today

The Cliffside Hotel in Fenmore was blessed with uncharacteristically good weather for the time of year. As such, the patrons were spending the day by the pool, with the 4 Rangers being no exception. They were sitting by the pool on sun beds except for Lulu, who was soaking in the pool.

"Ah, who knew taking a weekend off would be so relaxing?", Carrie said, all her troubles briefly forgotten.

"I'm definitely going to be picking this place for my next Summer break.", Wayne said in response.

Steven was thinking about his recent revelation as to his past. "Come to think of it, I do have memories of this place. I don't think my family owned it then, but it was still a nice place."

All of them were snapped out of their reverie by Lulu, who splashed them with water. "Come in the pool, guys. The water's lovely."

All of them were clearly annoyed by the teenage girl's playfulness. "Why couldn't Goodman have taken her with him?", Wayne asked.

Carrie waved her hand. "Forget about Mark. He chose to work while we relax and unwind. Nothing's going to happen while he's away."

As if on cue, a man dressed for anywhere but the pool ran into the area, screaming. "There's a walking fish out there! It's the end of the world!"

Everyone ignored him, except for the 4 Rangers. "What was that about nothing happening?", Lulu asked.

"We'd better check it out.", Wayne suggested. Everyone nodded as they headed out.

18 Months Ago.

Wayne Burley was in a sulk. Thanks to Cadet Goodman's blunder, he'd been forced out of the program. And even more insulting, Goodman had not only been allowed to carry on in the program, but he had been given enough points to graduate quicker. "It's not fair.", he fumed. "Now what am I going to with myself?"

"What indeed, Mr. Burley?" He turned around to see a middle-aged woman heading towards him. "My name is Commander June Gordon, and I think I have a place for you in my program."

Wayne tutted at this. "What place could a military group have for a guy with a broken hand that won't be able to fire a gun without extensive rehab?"

"A place that could make use of your other talents.", came the woman's answer. "Am I right in my research that you have a major in Mechanical Science?"

Wayne was intrigued by this question. "Yes. But what mechanical problems do you need me for?"

"We've been having some bugs with our equipment. I need an expert to help identify faults and help us redesign them to be effective. If you do this, you'll be doing a great service both to your country and your planet."

Wayne thought about it briefly, before reaching out for a handshake. "Well, anything to show up Goodman.", he whispered as he shook hands. He was unaware that Gordon had heard him, with her smile being an internal laugh at the irony of the situation.

Now.

Mark Goodman landed the Falcon Corde near the location of the spaceship and went inside the downed craft. He saw that any aliens that had piloted the craft were gone now. In fact, the structures were so covered with dust that Mark forgave himself for thinking that was all that was holding the ship together. "Whatever was inside this ship during the operation 24 years ago seems to be gone now.", he said out loud. But as he continued into the heart of the ship, Mark's vision began to blur and he started to feel faint. He realised that he should be resting right now, but he ignored that. An opportunity to discover the truth about the Group captain like this probably wouldn't come again. And he needed to know the truth.

Soon enough, he found that brain centre, with the room full of old machinery, none of it human in origin, and a skeleton. Mark assumed it must be the ship's original occupant, going over to the consoles to see what he could do. Most of the equipment had been ripped out, but there was some kind of recording device left behind, lying next to the skeleton. He also picked up a bone sample from one of the body's fingers, intending to have it analysed. He then played the recording.

"What … you… want?", said one voice, clearly not human.

Some static occurred before another voice came in, one that Mark recognised all too well. "I… follow orders.", the voice of Gordon said, before more static occurred before a bang and the recording cut out.

Mark was confused by what he had just listened to, as he pocketed the recording device. "So what does this mean? Is Gordon responsible for that thing's demise?"

"You won't live long enough to find out." Mark turned around to see Tann, standing there with Halatia in tow. "Now then, I believe I sentenced you to execution. And like last time, I've brought a witness from your species to watch your demise."

"Tann…", Mark wheezed. "I've humiliated you once, and I plan to do so again."

However, the ensuing fight did not go in the Red Ranger's favour. His exhaustion from constant battles, plus the lack of food and sleep for the last day, made his hits fail to connect, while Tann's hits came too swiftly for him to dodge. Within minutes, Mark Goodman was knocked down to the floor.

Tann laughed at his opponent falling. "You weren't up to fighting me from the beginning. Killing you now wouldn't be worth my time. I'll simply use you as a warning for your fellow Rangers." He then took his defeated opponent into his arms via psychokinesis.

As he walked off, "Halatia" followed, thinking about what Mark had been saying about Gordon. She knew that he had a point when he said something was shady with that woman. She had known that since she first laid eyes on her.

3 Years Ago.

Mary James was sitting in the local recruitment office. She had heard that the woman known as June Gordon tended to be around here, looking for recruits for her "secret project". She wasn't planning to sign up of course. She simply wanted to confront this woman. After waiting for a few minutes to be sent in, it turned out that June Gordon came out to her.

"Now then, Miss James. A mutual source for both of us tells me you have some complaints.", the woman said to her. Though her voice didn't show it, Mary could tell there was some annoyance in the woman's attitude.

"Of course I have complaints.", Mary practically shouted. "My boyfriend's been part of your crazy group for two years now and he's been getting hurt fighting petty crime a lot more lately. I'm worried that if he keeps this up, he might not make it to graduation." She then broke down crying. "I don't want him to be in constant danger."

The older woman seemed concerned to hear this. "Believe me, I'm just hearing about this for the first time. If he's going around getting hurt using faulty equipment, then I'm not responsible."

Mary was surprised to hear this. "You mean you gave him equipment that had bugs in it? Aren't you supposed to have ironed those out?"

"We tried, but none of our technics have the required knowledge of applied physics to eliminate these problems."

Mary had an idea upon hearing this. "I know a little about Applied Physics myself. What if I join up to fix your problems and keep an eye on my boyfriend?"

Gordon smiled, having successfully driven the conversation onto what she had wanted. She had read up on this girl after Goodman had offhandedly mentioned her once. What she had found had convinced her to try and get her into her organisation. "Welcome aboard, Miss James."

Now.

Wayne's group faced down Torpisces in the mountains. Wayne tried leaping at the Hybrasect, only to be knocked back by a pair of missiles launched from its belly, which functioned as a second mouth. The explosion knocked Wayne back, to which the other Rangers ran towards him.

"That's only a taste of what I can do.", Torpisces gloated as he fired a second set of missiles back, which floored the whole group.

"You've been schooled by my mighty missiles."

"Man, this fish is playing hard to catch.", Lulu commented. "How can we get him to take the bait so we can blow him up?"

Steven looked over the Hybrasect in an instant. "We need to shoot at those missiles before he can fire them. Wait until he opens his mouth."

"I like that idea.", Wayne said in response. "Let's do it." As Torpisces opened his mouth, Wayne, Lulu, Carrie and Steven pulled out their Beak Blasters and shot the Hybrasect's load, detonating it and reducing Torpisces to ashes.

Lulu was quick to make a comment on the situation. "Anyone order the fried fish?"

But before any of the usual responses could be made, Tann and "Halatia" teleported onto the top of the hill, carrying the prone body of Mark. "Behold Rangers, I, the Emperor known as Tann, have achieved what my own sister and multiple of our rank and file minions could not. I have felled your leader in single combat. I shall spare you his fate, but know this. One day, the same fate will befall your entire planet, at my hands." He then threw down his prone captive and teleported out with "Halatia", a mere moment before anyone could make out the words "I'm sorry" coming from her mouth.

The 4 ran over to Mark, with all of them worried. "Mark, speak to me. Mark!", Steven cried out.

"Don't be dead, oh please don't be dead.", Carrie practically begged.

"Big bro, please be ok. Oh god, please be ok.", Lulu begged.

Only Wayne stayed level-headed throughout. "Goodman, you'd better not die on us, or I'm going to kill you."

This seemed to have an effect the Red Ranger, who woke up. "Hey, cut me some slack. I was just catching up on some sleep after that creep knocked me out. Maybe I should've just rested up here instead of heading out."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as they embraced their leader. Carrie quickly brought them back to the reason why Mark had struck out on his own in the first place. "What did you find in Korea?"

"Nothing much.", was Mark's answer. "And what I did find only led to more questions that only one person could answer."

"And I think we can guess who.", Wayne added. "We need to find out the answers from Gordon herself, before something bad happens."

Onboard the ship, in the throne room that had once belonged to Queen Uuhcura, Tann had decided to enact punishment upon Algrin for his constant failures to defeat the Rangers. And by punishment, I mean beating him senseless with his psychokinesis. Algrin tried running at the Emperor with his sword, only to have it blown out of his hands by Tann, who used the weapon to telekinetically attack its wielder, knocking him to the ground. "You dare to allow this to happen to your lord?", Algrin berated his two minions.

Before the two could answer, Tann stepped on the Mad Viscount, shutting him down. "I AM YOUR LORD!", he yelled. "Not this fool, me, your Emperor. You are to serve me, or lose your lives. Is that understood?"

"Halatia" nervously nodded, while Galvahex commented. "I am a machine built to serve you. I have no choice."

Tann smiled. "Good. All three of you understand the value of loyalty to your superior." The sheer irony of said statement was not lost on Algrin and Galvahex, but they were too terrified to think too much about it. "Until that foolish half-form completes my project, We'll have to deal with the Flying Rangers. And in that field, there's going to be a few changes to our strategy."