The Terrorist that Stole Christmas

By Didi

Disclaimers:  Characters are owned not be writer of this particular fan fiction.  Please do not sue me for I'm definitely not making any money off of this story and is for amusement only.

Warning:  Rated R for violence and strong language.   

Note:  This is my sequel to "What Lurks Beneath," where we learn much about the lives of our former Power Rangers as they rush to save the world from a creature out of their past.  Set eight months later, we face a new terror, of man-made this time.  The title should give it away some.

Age check:  Billy, Tommy, Jason- 28.   Adam, Rocky, Trini, Zack-27.  Aisha, Katherine, Tonya, Kimberly-26.  Justin – 20.

Author's Note:  This is my way of distracting myself when schoolwork becomes too much of a pain after a while.  The universe created here is not the same of the one in Saban so anything you think is strange just blame it on my imagination.  It would also help for you to read "What Lurks Beneath" where I first created this universe.  Sometimes I forget and add things from there, so it makes more since when you have the context from the other story to go on.  J

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Chapter Six – Dealing

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December 1, 2002 – 3:45 p.m. PST

The Tech-Hi Dojo

Angel Grove, California

"How is it going, Billy?"  Jason asked as he looked over his friend's shoulders.  The numbers, symbols and signal marks were confusing and disorientating.  But Jason knew that his friend thrived on this kind of things. 

"So far, I've isolated Kimberly and Kat's cell phone signals."  Billy's eyes never left the screen.  He's been at this for almost two hour now and his eyes were beginning to feel the strain.  "Anytime the computer registers them, we'll be ready to track.  I'm working on Aisha's now."

Temporary worktables were set up in the dojo and topped with computers and other machinery.  They were working on a way to track cell phone signals.  Billy and his computer genius mind was doing double overtime as he put together a program that could do so within as close to a location as they could.  So far, it was probably costing someone close to a billion dollars.  Not that anyone in the dojo particularly cares at the moment. 

Trini was on the computer again with her fingers tapping away rapidly.  Several maps of California and the near by states were set out beside her.  Her worktable resembled something from a movie, with all kinds of material. 

"Satellite dish is here!"  Josh said as he walked in with two men.  "Where do you guys want it?"

"Roof!"  Trini and Billy answered at the same time.  They looked at each other with smiles. 

Billy got up and moved toward the big metal dish.  "We want to align it with he local cell phone companies airwaves.  It's on the north western region, which means that we have to…."  Billy scratched his head. 

Trini looked over her shoulders.  "Why don't you boys go up to the roof and position it?  Billy, go with them.  That way you can adjust the angles to where you want it."

Jason nodded.  "Tommy and I can help.  We'll see about getting some tools."

Billy agreed and they all left the room leaving Trini to her thoughts. 

Dr. Kwan was seriously disturbed.  There was something about this whole thing that just stinks.  They were missing a piece of the puzzle here.  First the kidnapping, the grenades, the transportation of hostages, the live broadcast, the demands, this wasn't the work of a frantic deranged man.  Everything was just little too organized.  It was as if he had thought of all the contingencies.  But what they hadn't counted on was capturing a couple of former rangers.  That could possibly throw their whole plan off. 

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December 1, 2002 – 3:55 p.m. PST

Angel Grove Police Department – 5th Precinct

Angel Grove, California

Rocky Descantos sat at his desk digging through the files that Trini had sent him to get.  While the files were important, he had a feeling that Trini sent him away simply because his nerves were shot to hell and she could tell that he needed a few moments away from the other rangers. 

His heart had stopped for those few precious moments when he saw Aisha's name on the list of women taken hostage.  It was one thing to suspect something like that, but it was another to have it typed out in black and white in front of him.  It was a horrifying moment when he realized that he could very well lose her.

As much as he teased Adam for playing damn cupid and causing him to react like a green eyed monster, he will forever be grateful to the guy for showing him what he kept trying to bury in his heart.  God, it had been hard.  He has loved Aisha Campbell for what seemed like forever but they had been friend.  And he couldn't have risked that friendship for anything in the world, not even for a few moments of absolute bliss.  But Adam and his schemes…… 

He came damn close to the edge that time.  Well hell, he even punched Adam in the face for it. 

If anything happened to Aisha now, he wasn't sure if he could handle it.  Everyone understood Tommy's almost petrifying fear of losing Kim and the baby, but him and Aisha…..  they were something else.  Different but very much the same. 

"Descantos!"  Detective Jeremy Bayliss came over and sat on Rocky's desk.  "Okay, spill it."

"Spill what?"  Rocky didn't bother to look up from his search of the files.

"You know what?"  Balyiss nodded at the spanking new ISS badge pined under his detective shield.  "What's with the new assignment?  And what the hell is ISS?  The boss isn't saying a world about all this."

"Sorry, but everything in need to know basis."  Rocky said slamming his drawers shut.  "I gotta go."

"Not even a little clue?"

"Let's just say that if I tell you, I'd have to kill you."  Rocky said as he stood up.  "Don't worry, it was on a merit basis so you weren't discriminated against!"  He grinned with amusement.

Bayliss grinned back and shoved him.  "Go on, get out of here, hot shot.  Just get your job done.  Bring them girls back!"

Rocky nodded his head and headed for the door.  "Don't worry, I have every intention of bring them all back, safe and sound."  

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December 1, 2002 – 6:58 p.m. EST

Pentagon – Conference Room

Washington DC

"Tell me you have contingency plan in place?"  General Sherman looked at Ballard as if he's lost his mind.  "Tracking through cell phone signals."

"Three of our people are in there and they have phones.  If we can track them, then we can use the next two days to come up with a way to capture the menace and not have to turn a killer on the loose."  Ballard explained with patience.  The FBI and CIA weren't that much help sitting there like a couple of kids that's done wrong and waiting for punishment. 

"And just now the hell did Esera Trodue get off your radar?"  The general turned to the three agents sitting across the table. "How could you not have kept an eye on the father?"

"We drop the ball, sir."  The CIA agent looked like a young first year that got stuck with the job of reporting the embarrassing stuff to the upper brass cause the big boys at headquarters didn't feel like being yelled at by a five star general.

"Well pick it up!"  The general yelled in the agent's general direction.  "We can't afford for this to go bad on us.  For god sakes, these are pregnant women in there!  The biological procurers of life here."

Ballard stood up now.  "We understand that Pentagon has prepared forces?"

"Yeah," General Sherman handed over three thick files to his left.  "This is the profile on Trodue Sr. and this one is on junior.  The last one is on the bombing.  I'll get you the file on the flyers we have in place outside of Nevada.  As far as the satellites go, we haven't picked up big movements but so close to LA it's impossible to pick them out from space.  You'll have whatever you want."

"Thank you General.  Dr. Kwan has everything under control for now on the West coast.  I've sent three agents there with our own files on Trodue.  Hopefully it would help her while she's working on the tracking.  In the mean time, I need to return to New York."

"We'll be in touch then."  The General stood up and shook hands with Ballard.  "My eldest girl is seven months along with her first.  I hate to be the family members of those women.  I can't imagine as worse kind of torture."

"I think that's what the madman wants.  Emotional pain can spur people and countries on more often than not."

"Yes."  The man nodded.  "This Esera Trodue is a smart man."

"Yes, but we've met smarter ones."

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December 1, 2002 – 3:59 p.m. PST

782 Ember Rose Lane, Apt. 2B – Tanya Sloan's Residence

Angel Grove, California

She felt numb, cold from the inside.  This nightmare has barely begun and she's feeling like it was the end of the world.  The night had been spent tossing and turning in the bed.  All the old nightmares were back in full force this time.  Nightmares that haunted her for so long she can't even remember a time that she didn't have tome around.  Fears of losing and costing the lives of innocents.  This time, it was the unborn innocents. 

The doorbell registered somewhere in the back of her mind.  She got up to answer it, not particularly caring who it was or what they wanted as long as it was quick and not too taxing to the mind.  She vaguely remembered calling in the morning to tell them that she would not be in due to a family emergency.

"Tanya, you all right?"  Adam asked as the wooden figure that stood at the door stared blankly at him.  "What is it?  What's wrong?"

"Nothing."  She opened the door wider to let him in.  Adam she didn't mind having around.  He had brought her home yesterday when it appeared that she was in no state to drive herself.  "Can I get you anything?"

"No, I'm good."  He didn't like the way her eyes were glazed and distance.  Something was lost in them.  "Tanya, talk to me.  What is it?"

She turned chocolate eyes at him.  "Have you ever been so scared that you didn't know what to do?"

"Sure," he sat down and patted the seat next to him.  "When I was shot, I was so afraid that I would die and that I just laid there not even trying to clot the wound.  Lost too much blood cause I couldn't react."

"Did it hurt?"

"The bullet wound, no.  I was in too much shock to feel anything."  Adam smiled reassuringly.  "Is that what you are worried about?  Getting hurt?  Totally understandable given your leg just healed from the last mission."

Tanya glanced down at the scar on her leg.  It was an ugly thing but she didn't mind.  "No, that's not it."

"What is it, Tanya?  You know you can tell me."  He coxed as she sat there in silence.  "Whatever it is, I'll help you get through it.  I promise."

She smiled at him, her eyes alive for the first time since he walked through the door.  "I know you would.  But this is something beyond your help."  She leaned her head against his shoulder and sighed.  "How is everything going with the investigation?"

"Billy is working on tracking them through cell phones.  Trini is making plans to bring in reinforcement.  Jason is worried about Trini overworking herself again.  Tommy is slightly calmer now that that a plan is in place.  Rocky is running around trying to keep from having to worry about Aisha and not doing a very good job of it.  And you and I are sitting here in your living room couch pretending not to be scared shitless over this whole thing."  He looked at her with concerned eyes.  "Does that cover everyone?"

Tanya smiled and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.  "Anyone ever tell you that you're the best medicine for a girl's nightmares?"

"No, but it's nice to hear that."  He glanced at the clock on the wall.  "We need to get back to the dojo.  I'm pretty sure the others are getting ready to get started soon."

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  "Okay, I'm ready."

"Umm…." He glanced at her attire.  "You might want to think about putting some clothes on first."

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December 1, 2002 – 4:31 p.m. PST

The Tech-Hi Dojo

Angel Grove, California

Trini chewed on the end of her pen and looked at the plan in front of her.  Billy had been thorough with his mapping of what can happen.  He has got every contingency completely mapped out and reacted.  It's all very analytical and good but there are always variables that one cannot predict.  That was the trouble, she can't afford for anything to go wrong, not with so many lives at stake. 

Travis Larken stood at the doorway with the biggest grin on his face as he watched the every studious Trini Kwan pick away at the puzzle before her.  She was very much the same girl he remembered from his college days in Oxford.  Damn, she was still every bit as sexy with those mile long legs and ebony hair as she had been back in college. 

"Still chewing on your writing instruments?  I thought you'd have learn to rid yourself of that vile habit by now, my dear doctor."

Turning about, Trini couldn't believe her eyes.  "Oh my god!  It can't be!"

"Ah, but it is."  Travis grinned at her with amusement.  "You're looking rather well, my dear.  How are you?"

The English accent meant nothing as Trini had gotten quite use to it while living in England, but that tone of voice and the way he held himself, no one could be more charming than Lord Travis Christopher Larken, Viscount of Ashbrook.  "What are you doing here?"

"The boys at ISS thought you might like the psych profile on this guy."  He handed over a thick file filled with stuff.  "Edward is on vacation so they sent me as backup for you.  I'm your man in every shape and form.  Whatever you need, you just tell me and I'll get it for you."

She smiled with delight.  It's been too long since she's seen the charming rogue.  "Where have you been in the past year?  I haven't seen you since…. Morocco."

"I've been deep under for the past eight months.  Just pulled out stake three days ago and this thing hit.  They weren't going to put me in until they heard that you too the case.  Heard you quit the force?"  Travis had been terribly disappointed in learning that this was going to be only a temporary assignment since Trini was no longer part of the organization.  He had missed her most of all in his long track through the Arabian underworld. 

"Yeah, I had to get out before I burn out."  She smiled at him, that same deep smile that lit up the room.

"So why did you take this case then?  Can't see it as your thing.  Nothing chemical, medical, or pathological about this case."

"Kimberly got snatched up in it." 

"Kim?"  Travis's brows furrowed in a frown.  "I thought all the hostages were pregnant women."

"Kim's eight months along."  Trini explained.

"What?  But…."

The voices coming from the back cut him off as he was about to ask for more explanation.  Eight men entered the room talking all at once, everyone trying to get their say in at the same time and listening to one another at the same time.  It was quite an interesting scene and Trini seemed particularly amused by it all. 

"Travis!"  Josh pulled the man into a bear hug.  "Where have you been, you dirty dog?"

"Out saving the world, my friend."  He was glad to see another familiar face.  "What are you doing here?"

"They call me in before they found out that Trini wanted in on the case."  Josh smiled.  "How was Arabia?"

"Shut up."  He grinned in reaction.  His darkened skin could attest to the long days in the hot sun.

Trini stood up now realizing that if Travis was here, he's going to need to get along with the others like Edward did.  She could only hope he doesn't make an ass of himself before she gets a chance to clear a few things up.  Of course, that would be amusing to watch all in itself.

"Travis, I want you to meet part of my special unit."  Trini indicated with her head for him to follow her over to where the men were gathered around Billy's computer equipment.  "Guys?  A moment?" 

All four turned as one toward them.  Travis found himself facing some of the most interesting people he's met in a while.  He wondered briefly where Trini picks up these odd people she always seem to be coming up with. 

"Guys, this is Travis Larken.  He was my partner some time back and he and I went to college in Oxford together."  Trini nodded toward them.  "Travis, these are the people from my home town.  This is Billy, our computer expert."

"The guy that helped with the…."  He indicated with his hand but said no more since it was classified material.

"Yes."  She smiled though the guys already knew about that particular mission some two years back.  "This is Justin Stewart.  Billy bought him in on this."

Travis frowned.  "You're a little young for this."

Justin shrugged.  "I'm doing this for Kim and the others."

Travis nodded his understanding.  "Then I thank you for it."

Trini smiled in reaction to that little exchange.  "This is Thomas Oliver, Kimberly's husband and father of her child.  He owns this dojo that we've temporarily transformed into a command center."

"Oh," Travis nodded now that his earlier question has been answered.  "Little Kim married, wow.  I'm totally shocked.  I thought she was never going to get over that guy from her high school years.  Swore she she'd never marry."

Trini laughed, as did the others.  "Same guy, Travis."

"Oh!"  Travis grinned and shook hands with Tommy.  "Well congratulations then.  We'll bring her back, don't you worry about it."  He turned suddenly to Trini and wiggled his eyebrows.  "Well, dreams do come true for people.  What do you say, Trini, even Kim changed her mind.  How about you and me, huh?  We can fly to Rio and get married before the sun even sets."  He was grinning like a fool and all Trini could do was laugh her head off. 

When she finally had control of herself, she moved to stand by Jason.  "Travis, this is Jason Scott.  My fiancé."

Travis cringed visibly and peeked at the muscular arms that poked out from the short sleeve shirt that man was wearing.  "Open mouth, insert foot."

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December 1, 2002 – 5:17 p.m. PST

The Tech-Hi Dojo

Angel Grove, California

"So," Jason leaned against the table that Travis was working on and crossed his arms.  "Just how bad do you want my fiancée?"

Travis winced and shook his head.  "Not bad enough to go up against you and your mega-arms."

Jason smiled and shook his head.  "Relax, I'm not jealous."

"You're not?"  He was surprised.  Heck, if he had Trini, he'd want to smash any man that even looks at her. "Why not?"

"Cause I know Trini."

"Huh?"

"Ever been in love?"  Jason asked as he glanced across the room at where Trini and Billy were busy hooking up whatever it was they were talking about hooking up.

"Several times."

Jason chuckled.  "No, I don't mean infatuations.  I mean, real love.  The stuff that the poets write about and the movies want to capture everyday."

"You lost me."

"I'm in love with Trini, 100%.  And she knows that.  Whatever makes her happy, I'll do.  If being with another person would make her happy, I'd gladly bow out and let them be together, cause it makes her happy.  When you're in love, you'll do anything to make the object of your affection content with life.  Even if it means that I don't get to be a part of it."  Jason smiled at Travis's stunned face.  "I know that Trini is happy with me.  She loves me and has agreed to marry me.  She's loyal, wise, beautiful, and wonderful.  I know that.  So for what reasons do I have to be jealous of?"

Travis shook his head and groaned.  "Okay, now I'm jealous."

Jason laughed with amusement.

Trini glanced at them and smiled.  It was nice to see Jason making an effort to get along with her old comrades.  She knew that she had nothing to worry about where he was concern, ever good-natured, Jason could easily calm their fears, even after the blunter Travis made. 

"You sure it's wise to let them talk together?"  Billy asked as he reconnected the cable for the satellite interface. 

"Why not?"

"Oh, I don't know.  Maybe cause Jason could kill the guy with his bare hands if he wanted to."

"But he won't."

"Travis doesn't know that."

"I think that's what Jason is telling him now."

"How do you know that?"  Billy frowned at the three colored wires that seem to go nowhere.  "What is this?"

"Cause I know Jason.  And that's for the sound interface."

"If it's not turned on, no sound."

"Don't need it then.  But if you're in communication, we can record and analysis background noise for location at a later time."  Trini helped him hook up the speakers.  "Ready?"

"I still need Aisha's SIM card number."

"I have it on file."  Trini said as she reached across to get it.  "Tommy is getting a little edgy again."

"Can you blame him?"

"JASON!"  Trini called as she handed Aisha's card number to Billy for input. 

Jason jogged over and kissed Trini on the cheek.  "You rang?"

She smiled.  "Could you go spar with Tommy or something?  I think he might need the outlet."

He glanced over to where his best friend sat twisting the phone cords into a mess.  "I think you might be right.  Keep working on that while I deal with our friend."  He leaned in and kissed her again as she smiled and watched him jog over to his friend and talk him into a friendly sparring game. 

Billy grinned as he worked.  "You've got him whipped good."

"Does not."  She smacked him over the back of the head.  "What a horrible thing to say!"

"It's only the truth."

"Is not."

"He came when you called, like a good little puppy."

She was seriously tempted to smack him again.  "You're a pain in the ass, Billy.  And he came cause he loves me."

"Like I said, whipped!"