"We have a mission. Take out this Jark Matter research station." Stinger put up a hologram. "Our sources say that's where the gas is being refined."
Kiba's knees buckled.
Andy nodded before putting a hand on Kiba's shoulder. "It'll be alright. Let's get ready, okay?"
Tetsuya glanced questioningly at Andy.
Stinger sighed. "Tet, I want you to stay here and monitor comms. If they try to call for backup, block it."
His cousin nodded as Kiba moved toward the door shakily. After the rider was gone, he asked "Is he gonna be okay?"
"He's just worried.."
Stinger grimaced. "You should probably make sure he doesn't try to take off without us."
Andy nodded and followed him out the door.
Kiba was slumped against the wall outside, his hands trembling. He had his eyes squeezed shut, so he didn't see her come out.
"Hey, it's going to be okay," she crouched down in front of him.
"If that gas gets out.." He shook his head rapidly. "I don't want you to go."
"It's going to be alright. I know you're scared, but we'll be okay."
He took a deep shuddering breath. "Sorry."
"It's okay," she pulled him into a hug. "Let's just get ready to go."
He nodded and slowly got to his feet. "At least we get to destroy it."
Stinger came out, then stopped. "Everything okay?"
She stood and nodded, "Yeah."
Stinger nodded, then looked at Kiba. "I want you with me. No portaling. We need to stick together."
Kiba nodded quietly. "I'll wait in the bay." He headed down the hall and disappeared.
Stinger frowned. "Maybe he shouldn't go?"
"He'll worry more if he doesn't.."
"Damn it. He's so jumpy I'm afraid he'll do something stupid." Stinger rubbed his face.
"He's just worried about us. I'll try to keep an eye on him, okay?"
"Alright. Go get your supplies and meet us."
Andy went and got her bag before heading down to the bay.
Stinger was talking quietly to a restless Kiba. "Don't go off half cocked. Stay with us and don't panic. Can you do that?"
Kiba slowly nodded.
Stinger opened his voyager and allowed the rider to get in. He turned and gave Andy a thumbs up before joining him.
Andy climbed into her voyager and headed off toward the facility.
They landed and ran to the front door after taking out the guards. They crept in, immediately hearing the unmistakable sound of fists hitting flesh.
Stinger growled. "Beautiful, go see who's at the other end of those fists. We'll plant the charges."
Andy nodded and headed into the room it was coming from. She paused when she recognized the woman who was strung up. Andy quickly took out the enemies and went to her, undoing the chains.
"Andy?" the woman asked quietly.
"Yeah. What are you doing out this way?" Andy asked quietly as she started trying to heal some of the bruises that were forming.
"They wanted the aura stone. They took it but don't know how to use it," Raven admitted.
Andy nodded, "We'll find it. Can you walk?"
Raven moved slowly, "I think so. Let's go."
They headed out into the hall as Andy scanned the building for energy sources. "I think I know where it is." She started down another hall. They soon ran back into Stinger. "How's it going? We have a stop to make then we'll be ready to go."
"Got the charges laid, then idiot ran off after some scientist. Can you track him?" Stinger was annoyed, his tail twitching.
Her eyes glowed as she checked, "He's the way we're going. Come on," she started jogging down the hall, Raven following right behind her.
"I'm going to kill him." Stinger kept pace behind, his eyes scanning for guards.
A group of guards appeared in front of them. Andy started draining them as Raven pushed a large blast of light toward them, vaporizing them where they stood.
"Are we close?" Raven looked over.
"Yeah, just in here," Andy pointed to a room before opening the door.
Kiba was fighting with the scientist, a stone glowing on the nearby table. "You can't have that!"
The scientist snarled "It's mine and you aren't taking it!" He quickly pulled a syringe and injected something into the rider.
Kiba dropped to the floor, convulsing.
Andy cursed as she rushed toward him.
Raven approached the scientist, darkness surrounding her and spreading to him, "What did you give him?"
"My newest creation. A liquid version of our poison gas." The scientist smirked widely.
"Bastard!" Stinger snarled, hefting his spear.
"Where's the antidote?" She surrounded him with a dark fog.
Andy growled, trying not to just drain him where he stood.
The scientist grew frightened, shakily bringing another syringe out. "H-Here."
Kiba had gone still, his breathing erratic. His skin was cold and there was foam drying around his mouth. His eyes were dull, barely moving.
Raven tossed the syringe to Andy who quickly injected it into Kiba before draining the energy from the scientist and pushing it into Kiba. She pulled in more energy, working on trying to handle the damage.
Raven went and grabbed the stone, putting it back on the chain around her neck.
Stinger watched her, then spoke. "Do you want a lift somewhere?"
"I'm not from your universe," she answered.
"Shit. Only Kiba can get you home then." Stinger glanced at Andy. "How is he?"
"She can get herself home but she needs more energy," Andy answered. "I think he's going to be alright."
"We should go." Stinger was nervous, then his blaster chimed.
"Guys if you're done I could use some help!" Tetsuya yelled, laser fire sounding in the background. "The Orion's been boarded!"
Andy's eyes widened, "The kids.."
Stinger picked Kiba up and ran for his voyager. He got the rider settled, then lifted off and disappeared.
Andy rushed toward hers, Raven following behind.
"Get in," Andy ordered. After Raven did, Andy climbed in and lifted off, heading toward the Orion. They landed in the bay and exited quickly. She ran toward where the kids had been.
Stinger intercepted her. "Tet locked them in our room before they were hurt. They're scared, but otherwise fine."
Andy took a deep breath, "Good."
He nodded sadly. "Tet vented the ship of air other than our room. All the intruders are dead. I just finished tossing them out the airlock."
"Is Tet okay?"
He shook his head. "He stayed fighting to the end. I put him in the infirmary. Kiba is unconscious, but alive."
Andy nodded, "I'll see what I can do with Tet." She headed to the infirmary. Raven looked at Stinger, "Can she really do anything to help him?"
"To be honest, I don't know. She's pulled off miracles before though." Stinger leaned against the wall, his face downcast. "I just got him back.."
Raven's eyes glowed as she telepathically talked with past stone holders, trying to find out if there was anything she could do to help. After her eyes quit glowing, she looked back at Stinger, "Show me to the infirmary?"
Stinger straightened, then started walking. Five minutes later, he was walking in.
Raven looked at Andy, "Let me help?"
Andy nodded, her eyes glowing as she held her hands over Tet, pushing energy into him. Raven raised her hands and did the same, her hands beginning to glow a soft yellow.
After about ten minutes, Andy noticed Tet suck in a breath.
His eyes cracked open and struggled to focus on her. "Kids..safe?"
"Yeah, they're fine. Thank you," she said quietly.
He gave her a small smile as his eyes slid closed.
Kiba moaned, one hand upraised against the light. "What happened?"
"You were poisoned," Andy went over to him.
"I really want to hurt that asshole. Did one of you grab that stone?" He lowered his hand to look at her.
"Raven got it back," Andy nodded.
"Good. That thing is way too powerful to leave there." He winced and sat up, noticing Tet. "He okay?"
"He should be fine," Andy nodded.
"I set off the charges so that lab is gone. Hopefully that gas is really history now." Stinger leaned on Tet's bed for a moment, then slid to the floor.
"Stinger!" Kiba rushed to his side. After checking him, he grimaced. "Baka! He told me it was a scratch!"
Andy shook her head, getting Stinger into a bed. She focused on healing him before looking at Raven. "I'm sure your family is missing you."
Raven nodded, "Well, if time moves the same. I've been in your universe for a couple days."
"I'll give you some extra energy so you can head home," Andy smiled as she stepped away from Stinger. "Oh, by the way, meet Stinger and Kiba, my husbands."
"Two of them? You're lucky," she chuckled.
Andy laughed in response before pushing energy into the Kinetic Fury ranger.
After she was done, she gave Raven a quick hug, "It was good to see you, even if the reason wasn't the best."
"You too. We should find time to actually hang out," Raven smiled before closing her eyes and focusing. In seconds, she was gone.
