Disclaimer: I don't own them, wish I did. Thanks to Kahva for suggesting that this story needed a second chapter. Well, it got a second and third chapter. Please, let me know what you think. I really appreciate the great reviews I've gotten so far. Mouse

Storm before the Invasion: Evacuation

By Mouse

It was total and complete chaos.

What had started as an orderly evacuation of the planet's small population had turned into a riot of people demanding to leave immediately. Luckily it was only a small portion of the population that was behaving this badly. The majority of the people were content to go when they were scheduled to. Andros unfortunately didn't get to see his parents, so he was unsure if they made it off the planet or not. But he held onto the hope that they had. The two rangers were stationed outside the main evacuation centre now, as the entire minor ones had either been cleared or over run. So far, casualties had been fairly light. The two rangers hadn't stopped in what felt like days, but realistically was about 18 hours solid work. The attacks had died down a little, so much so that the two rangers took advantage of this and went inside the evacuation centre to get an update. Tikewa came over to them, glasses in her hands, smiling gently at them both.

"Andros. Zhane. I know how hard you have been fighting. Here, medical made these for you. They are energy drinks and should keep you going for a little bit longer." She handed the two of them the glasses. With a sigh, they removed their helmets and accepted the drinks gratefully. Zhane sank down against the wall, landing with a bump on the floor, gulping the drink down. Andros looked at her.

"How's the evacuation going?"

"We're almost done. Just three more ships to load and then it's just the remaining defence forces. And yourselves. Which ship will you use?"

"We'll take the MegaShip and leave last of all. We'll provide cover for the last couple of ships as they leave. We'll then follow you to the evacuation rendezvous."

"Okay then. Good luck." She left them then and Andros slid down the wall until he was next to Zhane. He finished the drink in one gulp as well; he was that tired, hungry and thirsty. He looked over to his friend.

"How are you doing." Zhane's head was resting on his knees, his blonde hair dishevelled. He didn't look up as he answered Andros.

"Okay. How are you doing." Andros snorted as he glanced around.

"Same as you." This got a tiny chuckle from Zhane.

"That good huh." Andros couldn't help the small smile on his face as he glanced over at his best friend. Zhane had turned his head and was looking at him, a tiny smile on his face.

"Yep." Zhane's eyes twinkled a little as the smile widened slightly. With a sigh he sat up straight.

"Hell I'm tired. You?"

"Same." Zhane gave a small snort and glancing around, saw what he was after and reaching up, snagged a couple of pre-packed ration bars from the table near them. He handed one to Andros and tore open the other himself.

"Thanks." Zhane just nodded, eating with a single-minded intensity. Andros hid his smile behind his ration bar as he chewed it. Zhane could and would eat anything and everything sometimes. Especially if he was tired and hungry. Like they both were now.

Right now I'd kill for one of DECA's plate of vebolian stew. Andros almost choked at Zhane's casual thought. He knew how much his friend hated vebolian stew.

Yeah well she'd probably enjoy reminding you how much you don't like it. Zhane just snorted softly in reply and finished eating his bar. Andros did the same, as he head leaned back and he watched the evacuation continue. A small boy came over to them, having gotten away from his parents for a moment and looked at them solemnly.

"Are you really the power rangers?" Andros dredged up a small smile from somewhere.

"Yes. We are. I'm the Red Ranger Andros. And this is the Silver Ranger Zhane." The little boy regarded them and then nodded.

"My Daddy says that you're doing your best to protect us and let us escape. Is that right?" Andros could feel Zhane shift uncomfortably beside him.

"Yes, we are." The little boy nodded and then suddenly smiled.

"Thank you." With that, he turned and went back to his parents. The two rangers tracked his movements and when he reached his parents, the father looked over at them and smiled brief thanks and then they were gone. Zhane sighed and rested his head on his knees again.

I feel like I could sleep for a week. Once this is over I'm taking to my bed and not moving. Andros smiled, leaning his head back and closing his eyes a moment. Don't worry, I'll be joining you. They said nothing more, as nothing needed to be said. For the moment, they just enjoyed these few seconds of quiet and rest.

The major sighed as he listened to the report, wincing at the sounds of the fighting that were coming through his communicator.

"Understood. We'll send them straight away. Hold on for just a few more minutes until they can get to you."

"We'll try." The line went silent and the major looked up, his eyes searching all around the evacuation centre for the people he needed. He found him sitting on the floor in a remote corner. The red ranger had his head back and eyes closed, his whole demeanour screamed exhaustion. The silver ranger wasn't much better except he had his head on his knees. He was loathe to disturb them, especially after the things he had said to them a few weeks ago at the funeral for those that had died on the moon base, but he had no choice. He walked over to where they were and wasn't really surprised when he got within a few feet of them that both heads jerked up, eyes open and alert. He could see the weariness in their eyes but also determination and strength. His admiration for what these two young men were doing went up in spades.

"Rangers. I'm sorry to disturb your rest, I know how much you need it, but the last group of civilians and my men are trapped just outside the buildings perimeter, we need to get them in so we can evacuate them."  Andros sighed and just nodded at him after a moment.

"All right, we'll go. Have everyone else in here in his or her ships, ready to go. Once we break through we'll send those people straight in here. Leave immediately. We'll buy you as much time as we can." The major stood, relief flooding his features.

"Thank you Rangers." Andros just nodded and the major moved away to begin the last stages of the evacuation. Andros groaned softly as he got to his feet. He reached down and pulled Zhane to his.

"Come on, we have work to do." Zhane smiled slightly and nodded.

"I know. Just think, this should be the last battle we fight for a while. Hopefully." Andros nodded in agreement, picking up his helmet.

"I hope so. Ready to go then." Zhane picked his helmet up and just looked at Andros and then suddenly, startling the red ranger, he embraced his friend.

"Andros, you're my best friend. I don't know what I'd do without you. Let's get this over with so we can both get some sleep." Andros was startled by his friend's words and embrace, but returned it gratefully, suddenly realising how much he needed this human contact.

"And you're mine. Come on then, let's get this done." They released each other and just grinned at one another. Placing their helmets back on their heads, they turned and ran out of the centre, minds focused on getting the job done.

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Arriving the short distance away from the evacuation on their gliders, they aimed them at the large number of foot soldiers and ran through them, allowing the defence forces a moment to regroup. They then jumped off their gliders and stood between the defence forces and the attacking forces. The soldier in charge came over to them, grime streaked and looking worried.

"Rangers, thank heaven's you've arrived. I have just this batch of civilians to get out of here."

"We know. Get them ready, we'll break through in a moment and you take these people and make a run for the evacuation centre. We'll cover you."

"Thank you Red Ranger." He moved back to his men and Andros drew his Astro blaster and Zhane called forth his silveriser in blaster mode. They began picking off foot soldiers left right and centre, giving the forces behind them a chance to get ready to run for it. Just then a couple of monsters began running towards them and nodding to each other, they ran towards them.

"Spiral Sabre!"

"Silverizer Blade mode!" They called forth their weapons and engaged the monsters, fighting hard. Behind them, a group of civilians and some defence personal broke off and ran for the evacuation centre. They managed to get the monsters and soldiers to fall back enough so that all bar a few personnel were left.

But then the attacks intensified against the rangers. A couple more monsters ran forward and engaged the rangers. Some of the defence personal joined in the fight and began firing at the quadtrons and piranatrons that were attacking them. But it was too little too late. The two rangers gradually found themselves being forced back. There was a small portion of civilians and defence personal left and the two rangers were beginning to find themselves hard pressed to defend them. They began to take minor blows, as they tired more and more. And each blow hurt just a little bit more than the previous blow, as their suits became damaged and began to loose their effectiveness. But their plan was working, practically all bar a handful of civilians and defence forces were gone. All that remained was for them to push forward for one last attack so that the remaining few could escape.

Andros, we're getting beaten to a pulp. I don't have much left in me. Andros knew what it cost his friend to say that. As the Silver Ranger Zhane had no equal in the galaxy, but even he had limits. I know. I'm feeling the same. One last push Zhane. That's all we have to do. He didn't get an answer but he didn't expect one. Zhane had told him how he was feeling, knew that he would take care of it and that was all that mattered for the silver ranger. Suddenly, two more monsters rushed forward as they finished destroying the last two.

"Andros, there's too many of them!" Andros swung his sword, firing his blaster at the same time, downing more quadtrons.

"This one's mine." Andros rushed forward while Zhane kept fighting the other monster. Zhane dispatched it quickly and turned to see Andros take a hard blow, then another, falling to the ground. Andros gasped for breath and looked up as the monster sword began to descend.

"Andros! No!" Zhane rushed forward, his heart racing, his mind filled with only the thought to save his friend. He leapt forward, his sabre blocking the blow meant for Andros. His attack was so furious it drove the monster back, away from Andros. "Andros, run!" But then the monster fought back and fought back hard. Zhane was hit badly, extremely badly, but he slashed hard at the monster, causing it to falter and growl in anger. Without a thought, it grabbed Zhane just as it exploded and Zhane's world went to black, his last sights of the monster, his last sounds of Andros's voice screaming his name.

"Zhane! No!"

The explosion cleared finally and where the silver ranger and the monster had been fighting, there was now only rubble. Andros collapsed to his knees, sobbing. His eyes blinking hard against the flowing tears, he looked over it. And then he saw it. A white clad hand, reaching up through the rubble. It moved slightly and then stopped. But that was all Andros needed. Scrambling to his feet, he tore into the rubble, throwing it clear of Zhane's body. Soon, civilians were helping him, the few defence personal were keeping the attacking monsters and foot soldiers at bay. Within moments they uncovered Zhane's body. He was still morphed, which was probably the only thing that had saved his life. With a trembling hand, Andros reached down and felt for a pulse. It was weak, but there and he breathed a sigh of relief. He gently picked up his friend's body, slinging it over his shoulder. He began walking slowly back to the evacuation centre, the civilians and defence forces following him. For the moment, the attackers seemed content to let them be. They reached the evacuation centre and everyone but the two rangers had left, and the major that was over seeing the last parts of it. He came over to see if Andros needed any help.

"Red Ranger. Can I do anything?" Andros lifted his head from where he was cradling Zhane's body in his arms. Only the barest movement of Zhane's chest gave any indication he was alive.

"No. Just go. We'll follow when we can." He nodded and left. Andros made his way to the MegaShip, instructing DECA to lock the door as he entered. He made his way to the small medical wing, confident that DECA would be able to repair Zhane's injuries. He took off his helmet after he lay Zhane on the bed.

"DECA. Begin scans on Zhane. Tell me how bad it is." The ship computer hummed a moment and Andros held Zhane's hand in his.

"Andros. His injuries are terminal. There is nothing I can do immediately for him."

"What do you mean immediately?"

"Healing Zhane will take time. If we don't put him in a hypersleep-healing chamber, there is nothing I can do to save him. His injuries are so severe that hypersleep is the only option to save him." Andros's heart froze in his chest. Hypersleep was a last resort treatment, only to be used in extreme cases. But there was no way he was going to let his friend die. Taking a deep breath he nodded.

"All right. Get the chamber ready."

"Understood." Andros picked Zhane's body up gently, careful not to disturb it overly much and make things worse. He walked out of the medical room and along towards the engine room. Every Kerovan ship was equipped with a hypersleep tube and support room, and they were always located next to the engine room, as that was the most protected part of the ship. DECA had the door open and waiting for him and he walked in carefully. The cover was already open and the equipment was ready. With a gentleness that would be surprising to those that didn't know him, Andros lay Zhane's still form on the bed. He squeezed Zhane's hand one last time and lowered the cover.

"DECA. Initiate hypersleep sequence." Slowly, the tube frosted over and the monitors began softly beeping. Andros stared at the one that showed Zhane's heartbeat as it slowed down so that the machine could begin it's work. He glanced down once more at the tube, putting his hand on the glass. "I'm so sorry my friend. I wish I could have done more."

"There was nothing more you could have done Andros. For the moment, Zhane lives. He will heal and then you will be together again." Andros said nothing, and just stood there. After a while, the ship rocked and he frowned.

"DECA, what's happening?"

"The attacking quadtrons have found the MegaShip's hanger and are attempting to board." Andros was reluctant to leave his friend, but knew he didn't have a choice.

"Understood. Have all the evacuation vessels got away?"

"Yes." Andros took a deep breath and left slowly, heading for the bridge.

"Shields up, fire up the engines. Let's lift off and get out of here. There's nothing left for us here now."

"Understood." The engines began to whine slightly as Andros finally shook himself out of his shock and raced for the bridge. He got there in time to see a couple of monsters approaching. "Engines ready for lift off Andros."

"Lift off." Guiding the ship carefully with his hands, it rose from its' hiding place, the backwash from it's engines sending monsters and quadtrons flying. Andros gave a smirk at that but it was short lived as they climbed out and out of KO35's atmosphere. Soon, they were in the cold comfort of space. Andros slumped into his chair, to physically and emotionally exhausted to do anything else.

"Shall I set a course to follow the refugee ships? We are being followed by velocifighters." Andros shook his head wearily.

"No. Set a random course DECA. Take us anywhere, I don't care. Hyperrush five will do it. I'm.. I'm going to get some sleep before I fall down." Andros pushed himself to his feet, staggering slightly in his exhaustion.

"It wasn't your fault Andros."

"I know." Andros's words were automatic but in his heart of hearts, he knew it was. Stumbling, he made his way to his quarters and inside. There, he finally demorphed and fell onto the bed, exhausted. His eyes closed and in seconds, he was asleep. DECA watched him for a  moment, running a few quiet scans on his physical condition. Satisfied for the moment that it was just exhaustion and nothing else that was the problem, she carefully guided the ship away from KO35.