Disclaimer: Oh, you know.

Thanks to Carrie for getting me out of that big plot hole. And to Dagmar, who although HER last chapter posted was about a sentence and a half, is bugging ME to write longer chapters. Of course a sentence and a half by Dagmar is worth about six chapters of mine, so I guess it evens out. Also to Rach and ScarletDeva for all the encouragement. Go read their stuff too.



Legacy, part 23

They were landing. Huddled sleepily beneath the metallic blanket in her corner of the cell, Kim opened one chocolate-brown eye. The drag and shudder and shift of the ship was familiar, similar to the way she felt at the end of each of Zordon's teleports back home. Like a special effect from one of those dumb movies Tommy used to drag her to, where someone would slip into slow-motion and freeze in midair and the camera angle would spin around, giving the viewer whiplash.

Kim sighed, standing and stretching. The pressure suit was really very comfortable. She'd mostly used the blanket to cover herself because she'd had the creepy feeling that someone had been keeping an eye on her. Every request she'd uttered had been considered by someone, the reasonable ones answered, the sillier ones (like knockout gas, a crowbar, the head of So'Vran on a platter) ignored. So it was plain that someone was listening in; it followed that they might be watching too. And that gave her the heebie-jeebies.

She straightened her slim shoulders. Time to implement plan B, Kim thought. The waiting part of watching and waiting was over; time to pay close attention, and find a time to act. For a second she wished her days as a Ranger weren't *quite* so far behind her. On the other hand, all those martial arts lessons in Florida might just pay off. She'd kept up with them, liking the flexibility and strength it gave her to back up her gymnastics training. Later, after the biggest mistake of her life who shall remain nameless but whose initials were Roy the Asshole, she stayed with it because it made her feel closer to Tommy.

Tommy. Her lips tightened against the rush of emotion that flooded her at the thought of him. What idiots they'd both been. He'd pushed her too far; she'd pushed him away. Now he was gone, and the odds of her survival… She looked around the bleak cell. Well. If this was the end, she'd make him proud, anyway.

The air around her shimmered as a teleport beam enfolded her, depositing her in a huge docking bay. Kim looked around quickly. Oh, lord, there had to be hundreds of figures in black bustling about, servicing more spacecraft like the one she'd been taken by. More figures in red moved about on catwalks lining the walls and overhead. Was this the kind of force the Xeryans were up against?

A sharp nudge in her back brought her around; she stumbled forward in the direction the guard indicated. God, she hoped the rebel forces were as well organized as this, but she doubted it. Though they had to have something going for them. Hadn't Zordon said they'd been fighting against So'Vran for thousands of years?

They walked down a corridor, the tiny prisoner flanked by four menacing guards. If she weren't so scared and angry Kim thought she could almost be complimented. They obviously thought she posed some sort of threat. Which brought her back to the why of all this: what did they want with her, of all people? Gave a whole new meaning to being popular when people came across the galaxy looking for you.

She was babbling mentally, Kim thought ruefully. Well, whatever worked to keep the dogs of fear at bay.

A door slid open, Kim was shoved inside, caught by a strong pair of arms. She knew those arms. They'd put countless bandages on her skinned knees, pushed her on countless swings, held countless cameras to take pictures of her and Billy and the others.

"Mr. C.?" she gasped out, smothered against his chest as he wrapped her in a protective hug.

"Kim, honey… did they hurt you?" Peter checked her over; all Kim could do was stand there, surprised into silence. "Are you all right?" He folded her close again. "I'm so sorry you're caught up in this mess, sweetheart."

"What's – what's going on, Mr. C.?" Kim shook her head. "Are you okay? How did they capture you? Are Billy and Jason all right?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, honey. I hope so. The base was attacked; they seemed to be looking for something, and it seems they were looking for me. Iannos tried to stop them, but…" he shuddered. "The boys and Taia weren't there, so it's possible they're all right."

"Is – is Jason's father…?" Kim was aghast.

Peter shrugged again, his shoulders slumping. "I just don't know. Nor do I know what they want with us. Frid took my files and with them has access to everything I know about the rebel forces and Eltaran technology, so I can't imagine what more I could offer So'Vran." His voice trailed off dispiritedly. "The only thing I can think of is as a hostage I'm some sort of liability to Billy, and that's how So'Vran plans to use me, to force Billy's hand."

Kim patted him on the shoulder. "Then he doesn't know Bill very well. Don't worry, he won't do anything stupid."

Peter looked thoughtfully at her. "None of which explains what So'Vran wants with you. I suppose, since you and Bill are so close, you might be in the same position I am."

It was Kim's turn to shrug. "I know Billy loves me and all, but it seems like an awful lot of effort for a friend, don't you think?" Briskly she paced the cell. "Doesn't matter anyway. I don't plan on staying here long enough to find out. Do these guys have any weaknesses? A routine, a chink in their armor, something we can exploit?"

Peter shook his head. "Not so far. They've largely left me alone, until now."

"How long have you been here?"

"I'm not sure. A day, two, maybe a little longer."

"Hmm." Kim scanned the door, her delicate fingers tracing the seams. "What's keeping the door shut?"

Peter thought about it. "Electromagnetic bolt, most likely."

"It's not hot, though. No dangerous force field, no electric shock to discourage us, nothing like that." She ran her hands over the door experimentally.

Peter nodded slowly. "I doubt it's occurred to So'Vran that we might be given any opportunity to escape. His soldiers are very well trained."

"Okay." Kim grinned at him. "So then we *make* an opportunity."

*****************

Aji sighed and cuddled closer, her head pillowed on Jason's magnificent chest, her fingers weaving themselves through his. "So my bond with Tommy doesn't bother you, the fact that when armored we're essentially mentally interchangeable?"

He ran a warm hand over her skin, a rumble of laughter spilling from his lips. "I suppose it depends on what the two of you are thinking about. You accepted the lifebond when you were armored; does that mean I should go seduce Tommy too?"

She laughed. "No, idiot. I just don't want anything to mess us up, after I gave us such a difficult start."

Seeing she was serious, Jason gave it some thought. "Because it's Tommy, no," he said after a while. "Though if I'd known the two of you were alone together in a rainforest paradise I probably would have been jealous. Lifebond aside, you're a babe, and I couldn't blame the guy if he made a play for you, since at the time you didn't want me." Aji smiled and rubbed her cheek against him. "What?" Jason tilted her face up to look at her. "Did he?"

She chortled with laughter. "No. His heart is too full of someone else."

"Kim?" He pulled her across his body, wrapping his arms around her. "I always thought Tommy was still in love with her, though he wouldn't talk about it. You think they've gotten through to Zordon yet?" Aji mentally consulted Tommy and frowned deeply at the reply. She rolled off the bed, flicking a glance and a thought at Jason, whose countenance darkened as he began to pull on his suit. "Damn So'Vran," he gritted through his teeth. "If he's hurt Kim, I swear I'll kill him."

Aji's green eyes were hard. "You'll have to get in line." She ran her fingers through her short hair and took his hand. "Let's go."

************

In the pod, Zack glanced over at Trini, who was frowning in concentration. "Rocky," she said abruptly through the commlink, "get up here. I need you at ops. Adam, Tanya, Kat, get to the gunports, just in case." Zack turned his attention to the expanse of space ahead of them. They'd made their final jump within the relative safety of the Eltaran teleportation grid; now they needed to sneak into the Xeryan grid and hope there wouldn't be an armada waiting for them at the other end.

"You know, T, it's just occurred to me," Zack ventured.

"What?" she said, almost absently.

"This is a crap idea."

An involuntary grin crossed her face. "It is, isn't it? Got a better one, Taylor? I'm all ears."

"No," he said airily, glad he'd released some of the tension in her shoulders. "It just needed to be said."

Rocky slipped into the seat behind Zack, sparing him a grin. He punched a few buttons on the ops console. "I got Tom for you, Trini."

She nodded her thanks. "Hey, Shadow, you read?"

"Like a book, Red. You about ready for us?"

"Yep. Making the leap in fifteen seconds. ETA three minutes from then."

"Right. Bill's calculated your reentry point; Light and I will meet you there."

Trini gave a short nod. "See you soon." She took a deep breath, speaking into the comm. "Shields up, Rocky. Final teleportation sequence in five – four – three – two – run silent, everyone."

Zack held his breath as the stars faded from view.

**************

The cell door slid open abruptly; Kim and Peter whirled to face their captors. Black-clad soldiers came into the room and urged the two prisoners to move with none-too-subtle force, prodding them harshly with their weapons when there was a sign of hesitation or resistance. Back to the corridor they were ushered, through a maze of hallways until they came to an impressive archway, beyond which they could see what could only be described as a control room, filled with sophisticated equipment that reminded Kim of the Command Center.

And seated in a stark throne, flanked by armed guards, was the black and fearsome figure of So'Vran himself.

He stood, his shoulders proudly back, his too-dark eyes narrowly focused on his captives. Head to toe in darkest black, the lights in the room glinting off the body armor he wore beneath the hooded robe, So'Vran stood head and shoulders taller than Peter, no slouch himself in the height department. Absolutely dwarfed by the evil majesty before her, Kim shivered when that cold stare passed over her; Peter's lips curled in a derisive snarl.

"So." So'Vran's voice was cold and black as well, deep and rough, harsh and forbidding. He swept from the dais and approached them. Immediately Kim could feel the chill fingers of a stasis beam twine around her, immobilizing her, rendering her vulnerable to So'Vran's inspection. She could just see Peter out of the corner of her eye; he too was frozen in place, his expression defiant.

"So," So'Vran repeated, eyeing Peter with disdain. "This is the consort of the coward Sentinel, who fled this planet rather than face my wrath. It is a pity your woman could not be here, P'Tyr Krann. I would have enjoyed breaking her." Peter bared his teeth, struggling. "No matter. I think your son will provide me with as much sport."

Peter's blue eyes flashed angrily. "My son will destroy you, So'Vran. Nelin foresaw it, and you know it. You do well to fear him. And any outrage you visit on me or this girl will be returned to you a thousandfold."

So'Vran smiled, and Kim's skin crawled. "This is the vaunted intellect of which I have heard so much? You are mistaken, P'Tyr Krann. Fear your son, an untried Sentinel, and his little playmates? Nonsense. I shall destroy your son, and you will watch. I shall flay the very skin from his body, and you will watch his heart beat its last when I pull it from his chest." So'Vran chuckled. "But you I will not kill, so that you may remember, and know who is your master."

"Oh, for crying out loud," said Kim forcefully. "Who writes your dialogue, Darth?" Her only thought had been to get the tyrant's attention away from Peter; Kim quickly rethought her strategy as So'Vran's gaze settled on her. She flinched as he leaned in close, studying her features, but she kept her chin up. "And by the way, the only guy who could get away with that outfit is the guy on Iron Chef, and I'm not too sure about him."

So'Vran began to laugh, which somehow frightened Kim more than his ire would have. "What an amusing little monkey it is," he smiled. "Perhaps I shall keep it as a pet when it has served me in this endeavor." Still chuckling benevolently, he raised a fist and backhanded her across the face, hard. The stasis field prevented Kim from actually falling. Her eyes stung with tears, something warm and wet crawled down her face from her nose. She could taste the metallic tang of blood in her mouth.

Peter lunged forward ineffectively. "DON'T TOUCH HER!"

So'Vran cocked a heavy eyebrow in his direction; a guard stepped forward and coldcocked him with the butt of his weapon. Peter's knees sagged; Kim screamed in impotent fury. "STOP THIS! What do you want from us?"

He turned back to her, tracing the emerging bruise on her cheek with a thumb. "From you, little. From your loved ones… somewhat more." His fingers curled around her face, pulling her forward painfully as they dug into the soft skin of her jaw. "I would suggest you keep that tongue of yours under control, little monkey. I have no real need for a pet, after all." With that he turned on his heel, crossing to a console, popping it with his thumb. A blank, semi-transparent screen appeared in the middle of the room. "All frequencies open. Attention Sentinel, Guardian, Paladin, Light and Shadow. This is So'Vran." He waited; the screen sputtered with static, then blinked open like a giant eye, showing a concerned Billy, Taia, and Jason. Billy's lip curled in an expression of furious disdain, similar to the one his father had worn; Taia frowned darkly. Jason's entire face drew down thunderously as he studied the blood and tears on Kim's face.

"This won't stop us, So'Vran." Billy's voice was controlled, but Kim could tell he was filled with rage. "You're a fool if you think it will. Hurt them and your end will merely be swifter."

"My end." So'Vran's voice dripped with disgust. "You are much like your mother, boy, full of false portents and impotent threats. In the end she fled me. You will have no such chance. And your father will pay for your insolence. Beginning now." He nodded curtly; a guard stepped forward and wrapped his fingers into Peter's hair, exposing his throat. So'Vran gave Billy's image one of those benevolent smiles Kim was quickly learning to dread. Billy's jaw worked silently, his blue eyes icy. So'Vran nodded again, and without further ado, the soldier cut Peter's throat.

Blood flooded from the wound, drenching him. Wide-eyed, Kim screamed, long and loud, the tendons in her throat cording. Billy leapt forward as if to come through the screen, roaring inarticulately. Peter's stasis field let go suddenly and he pitched forward with a wet gurgle, clawing at his throat.

"I am told, boy, that Sentinel is quite a healer," So'Vran said nonchalantly. "It is a pity that you are not here."

"Dad! DAD!" Billy shouted, ignoring the tyrant. "Oh, God… DAD!"

"Ah well." So'Vran seemed to consider briefly, then crossed to the twitching Peter, laying a hand on him. Peter's body relaxed, then arched up suddenly. "Remember this well, boy. I hold his life, and his death." The wounded man groaned, scrabbling to roll over as So'Vran stood, wiping the blood from his hand. Peter slowly made his way to his hands and knees, slipping slightly in the gore that surrounded him. So'Vran went on. "Tell the creature Shadow that I hold his beloved. I know he seeks to protect the ship that pirates my space. What I have done here I shall do again, and again, until you learn that I am master here." Peter got to his feet, unsteady but defiant. Kim stared in frightened amazement, realizing belatedly that the wound that had circled his throat was gone.

"Don't… listen…" Peter rasped, his voice not remotely the warm baritone Kim knew so well. "Do what you have to, son. Don't let him get to you." He turned to So'Vran and spat on him before a pair of guards lunged forward to drag him back.