Via Pacifica: Olympia Sector
Starship ANS Odyssey, 10:00 hours
Nearly a week had passed since the liberation of Arcadia and the withdrawal of Imperial forces from the Via Pacifica. By now, the celebrations died down and the attention of the Arcadian people was turned toward organizing their leadership and rebuilding the damage done during the recent occupation. With things seemingly in hand, the crew of the Odyssey enjoyed a brief respite and used the time to make repairs and preparations before receiving new orders from Alliance Command.
On that particular morning, Lt. Aaron Russo busied himself by doing repairs on one of the cruiser's main beam cannons to bring it back online. As he worked, he was assisted by Tiah and Thor. While Tiah fiddled with some circuit boards and power couplings, the large Caltarian warrior shuffled about carrying a light tool box and giving it to his crewmates when they needed it.
"Are you really sure you should be up and about doing light work, Thor?" Tiah asked in concern as she wiped her grease-stained brow and picked up an electronic spanner from him, "You had been hurt pretty badly. I thought Dr. Surya wanted you to rest more."
"I was dying of boredom in Sickbay," Thor mumbled dourly, "Besides… I figured I'd get a little jump start on rehab and do some light exercise. If I can't stand guard or fight, I might was well try to make myself useful."
The petite blonde engineer from Mirinoi nodded in understanding as she continued to work, "I hear you big guy. Speaking of being useful, I can't help but wonder what will happen now that Arcadia's been freed."
She stopped and turned toward Aaron who was busy replacing some compartments in the cannon assembly. "What do you think Lieutenant?"
Aaron continued to work silently, either lost in thought or absorbed in his task before Tiah cleared her throat a little more loudly this time. He blinked and paused with an apologetic expression, "Hmm? I'm sorry, T. What did you say?"
"What do you think is going to happen to us now that Arcadia's been liberated?"
The Red Ranger furrowed his brows with a pensive look and kept working, "I guess it's hard to say. The GSA might order us to pull out and come back home. If the Empire really wants to negotiate peace, then that's an issue for the rest of the Star League to decide."
"In a strange way, it would almost be too bad if we left," Thor mused while surprising the two humans, "A lot has happened out here with all the weird adventures we were on. Even if we're on the outer rim of the galaxy… it still feels like it's become a little more familiar now."
Tiah nodded with a slight nostalgic chuckle, "Yeah… I kinda know what you mean."
Aaron's expression darkened as he kept his eyes on repairing the cannon, "I don't know… maybe it will be good to move on, so that we don't get too tied down or complacent here."
Tiah and Thor exchanged a curious glance before the Caltarian spoke again, "You know… there's also the question about you Power Rangers. Unless you have to return those power morphers to the Arcadians, Alliance High Command will surely see those new weapons as a major asset."
The Red Ranger remained silent, unwilling to openly mention to his friends that there was likely some danger in that too. If there were a few corrupt admirals or flag officers still in the GSA, who knew what they would try to do with those morphers and Ranger tech? The plot with the Typhon Cannon had been bad enough, and even now no one was quite sure what the U'shan Empire was going to do with their work in progress.
His dark thoughts were cast aside for the moment as another familiar face entered the beam cannon assembly area.
The Chrome Ranger Keith Clark stepped inside and took a look around the workspace before giving a polite nod to everyone, "Good morning all. Lt. Russo? I've come to let you know there's a meeting being called shortly on the command deck."
"A meeting? That's a little unusual," Aaron said wiping his hands with a rag, "Why didn't Captain Raines just raise us on the comms?"
"No idea sir," Keith shrugged, "My guess is… it might be something important and the less people that know right now, the better."
They both turned toward Tiah and Thor, but the non-Rangers simply gave a zip of the mouth gesture and got back to work. Tiah gave a wink, "No need to worry about us. We didn't hear anything. Besides, we're going to be stuck here a while fixing this cannon up."
"Thanks, T. I guess that's that," Aaron shrugged turning back toward Keith, "Lead on Petty Officer."
After taking a short walk and a ride up the turbolift, the two Rangers reached the Odyssey's command deck and were led to the captain's conference room. It was there they met Dominic, Hawa, and the rest of the Rangers who were all getting seated. Much to the Rangers' curiosity, a holo-projection of the border between the Via Pacifica and the edge of Imperial space was already displayed along with several other people conferencing in over the comm lines. The icons of the participants all displayed the names and insignias of other high ranking officers and leaders within the Star League coalition, among them the royals of Arcadia's Telesto family.
Once everyone was assembled, the voice of Captain Minerva Regan began to officiate the meeting. Even as she began, there was a grim edge in the veteran Alliance captain's voice, "Welcome everyone. I wish we were gathering under happier circumstances and I wish I didn't have to call this emergency meeting but there have been some new developments. The arrangement of peace talks with the Imperial government have been suspended due to a recent incident."
There was a startled murmur among the allies as the holo projection zoomed in to a region along the border of Imperial space. Captain Regan continued, "We've received word from the Imperial government that the Exarch Xerxes has gone rogue and is now defying the will of the U'shan Council. They believe he's fled to this area to regroup and prepare his next move. He may be hiding in the Cocytus Gulf within the Damocles Sector."
The Rangers watched as Raines's face darkened and he focused his eyes on the sector of space containing a very large nebula. Sage immediately picked up on his concerns as she spoke up, "I can see why he'd try to hide there. Approaching the Gulf would be treacherous with the volatile gasses of the nebula and the thick thermobaric clouds along its edge."
"Very true Ensign Dael," Minerva said, "What's worse… Xerxes is said to have taken a moderately sized battle fleet with him along with the Typhon Cannon. We believe he means to use it, either against the U'shan homeworld or against one of the planets within the Star League."
Qua'lia clenched a fist on the table, "We can't let that madman run loose with a super weapon like that!"
"At the very least, it wouldn't be at completely full power," Geordi offered, trying to sound positive, "We did prevent one of its energy generators from reaching its destination."
"Even so, we can't let a weapon of that power be used in an act of terrorism," Raines said, "Has there been any word from the GSA?"
Minerva answered, "Alliance High Command wants us to assist the Star League in this battle. Our orders are to capture that cannon or destroy it at all costs."
"Hmm, that doesn't sound ominous either," Rin mumbled quietly earning some muted agreement from her teammates.
At that moment, Princess Sera spoke up and surprised everyone, "What are we waiting for? Let's gather a fleet together and head off!"
"I'm afraid you may have to sit this battle out Your Highness," Captain Regan said, "Given the treacherous region of space and the incursion into Imperial territory, we're only going to be taking half of our forces."
King Telesto interjected and voiced his agreement, "She's right Sera. It's probably for the best that we keep the Acropolis and several other ships in reserve to protect our side of space... just as a precaution."
"Yes, but the Rangers..." Sera began to protest.
Prince Benedict now spoke on the line and tried to reassure her, "Princess, this will be a limited operation. The Odyssey and Albion are some of the best ships we have and the Rangers will be best used on their own cruiser. Besides, we don't even know if the cannon will be operational. If it is, the Acropolis would likely be the first target."
"Indeed," Captain Regan agreed, "Our fleet will be supported by an additional task force of Imperial warships sent by the U'shan government. They seem confident that would be enough force to end the threat of Xerxes."
Queen Telesto put a calming hand on her daughter's shoulder, "Don't worry Sera. I think we can leave this final battle to the professional military people here."
The Princess of Arcadia didn't look entirely convinced but she bit her tongue and relented, "All right... if that's the case. I'll put my trust in you. Be careful Rangers. I'll await your safe return."
Minerva Regan turned her attention back to the crew of the Odyssey, "Captain Raines? Commander Jakende? Your orders are to prepare the Odyssey and be ready to deploy within 24 hours."
Raines nodded, "Yes Ma'am. We'll be ready. Rangers? I hope you don't mind setting your morphers aside for this one and assuming your regular stations again?"
The six Rangers exchanged glances before Aaron answered, "We're ready to do whatever you need us to do, Captain."
"Very good everyone," Minerva said solemnly, "We'll finish preparations and have another briefing en route to the Cocytus Gulf. Good luck everyone."
As the conference call ended, the crew of the Odyssey was left still staring at the tactical map of the Damocles Sector. Hawa cleared her throat and tried to sound a little optimistic, "Well... it looks like there's a light at the end of the tunnel, right?"
"The commander is right," Keith added, "We've made it this far, haven't we? What's one more battle?"
Raines crossed his arms pensively and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, he looked up to everyone assembled there and gave a nod, "Right then... we have our orders. Let's get to it and end this once and for all."
The next morning, a coalition fleet gathered in the high orbit of Arcadia, preparing to set off in what was hoped to be their final mission against the U'shan menace. As the Odyssey's crew were busy with some last minute maintenance and supply checks, the Rangers gathered in the ship's hangar before going on regular duty. It was there they met with Skyler and Amira while the last of some small resupply shuttles departed back toward the planet. As they were Skyler's closest female friends on the ship, both Sage and Rin were the first to offer her big hugs amid the busy activity of the other loading crews nearby.
"It's too bad you're staying behind on this one," Rin said as she let go of Skyler, "After everything we've been through, going on a dangerous mission without you just wouldn't feel right."
"I appreciate the sentiment," Skyler smiled patting Rin's cheek affectionately, "But it's probably best I stay behind. This is a purely naval operation coming up and my ship wouldn't be much good to you."
"What if Rin and I paid you to come along?" Sage joked as she took her turn to say goodbye to the smuggler, "It isn't the first time you've been under fire."
Skyler laughed gently, "I generally find that blaster cannons and proton torpedoes are bad for business... and my health. Don't worry, I'll still be hanging around Arcadia when you come back from battle."
Off to the side, Geordi, Qua'lia, and Keith all spoke with Amira who didn't seem to have any luggage. Qua'lia raised a curious eyebrow and pointed it out, "You're not headed planetside for a while, doctor? I don't see any luggage."
"Well... I decided to stick around the ship for a while yet," Amira replied with her trademark serene smile, "Even if I am just a civilian, I thought you all could benefit from having another engineer on board during the battle."
"No complaints here," Geordi smiled, "I'm sure Tiah will be glad to hear it since she's become a big fan of yours. She told me she hopes she can work the machinery as well as you one day and to be just like you."
The doctor laughed and raised her mechanical forearm, "Oh? I'm flattered. I just hope she doesn't go all the way and build herself one of these too."
Keith seemed to really take notice of it for the first time and looked on with interest, "You know... I couldn't help but wonder. Does that thing have any sweet weapon attachments on it?"
The Blue, Pink, and Chrome Rangers continued to speak with Dr. Farbanti while Aaron took his turn to say goodbye to Skyler. He stood straight and the two regarded each other with quiet nods before he cleared his throat, "Skyler. I uh... wanted to say I share Rin's feelings about your absence on this one. But you've done a lot of good out here and I just wanted to thank you again... for all for all the ways you've helped us up to now. And helped me."
There was a moment of silent understanding between them before Skyler gave a genuine smile, "You're welcome, Lieutenant."
Aaron shifted on his feet slightly and offered his hand to shake. Skyler batted it aside and surprised him by throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him into a tight hug instead. She used the moment to whisper in his ear, "Don't worry. I'll watch over Sera and keep her out of trouble while you lot are gone."
Before he could reply, she let go and gave him a quick pat on the cheek before she sauntered off, "Just remember, you owe me."
Sage and Rin laughed quietly as Aaron shook his head with a bemused expression while Skyler walked up the loading ramp and prepared to depart. A few minutes later, the Lusty Scoundrel powered its engines and took off from the hangar, cruising away from the Odyssey toward the safety of the Arcadian orbit below. As the hangar doors closed and the deck crew went to secure the rest of the ship, the Rangers headed for their stations. The fleet would be departing soon and they had to be sure they were ready. The worlds of the Via Pacifica were all counting on them to get this last job done and the Rangers didn't plan on disappointing all the people they had helped up to now... not their closest allies, and especially not Princess Sera.
Meanwhile in the Damocles Sector, Xerxes and his fleet lay in wait, marshaling their forces and waiting as the last of their Separatist allies arrived. From the command deck of his flagship, Xerxes watched the Typhon Cannon float in the center of their formation like a fearsome leviathan monster, ready to wreak havoc on their enemies. In the far distance, the bright purple and pink gases of a nearby nebula wrapped around this area casting an eerie pall on the region of space while the light of distant stars continued their quiet twinkling amid the wisps. Xerxes turned slightly when he heard the doors open along with the footsteps of a visitor. It was the ship's commander.
"So it's treason then, my lord?" Captain Cepheus said calmly, "You would turn this weapon against the homeworld and try to take power for yourself?"
Xerxes shook his head slowly, "No Captain. Not unless I absolutely have to. I am going to do my job... to protect the Empire. No doubt, it will only be a matter of time before the Star League gets bold and invades our space, trying to seize more territory... territory we may likely cede with a peace treaty. I will not allow those who have served me to be shamed in such a way. I will not stand to suffer such shame either."
"You know the Council may send Imperial warships after us too."
"Then they will be the traitors and we will deal with them accordingly," Xerxes said wrinkling his features in distaste, "As much as I would hate to do it."
Cepheus shifted uncomfortably where he stood, "My lord... we don't have to do this."
Xerxes shook his head again, "We have in our possession a powerful weapon... one that can end wars and bring planets to the negotiating table with merely a threat. It would be irresponsible of us not to use it. We ought to crush our enemies first and then restore a new order within the Empire. Only then can we start thinking again of our place among the galactic powers... and even that of the distant GSA. It's times like this, that it comes down to a simple question. Are you with me... or against me, Captain Cepheus?"
The U'shan captain of the Akula hesitated for a long moment before bending to his own fear of the rogue Exarch. He took a deep breath and said quietly, "I am here to serve Lord Xerxes."
"Good," Xerxes said looking back out toward the sinister clouds of the nebulae, "Then make ready for the rest of our fleet and prepare the Typhon Cannon. We should prepare for any honored guests... whether it's the Star League, or the Imperial Navy itself."
