A.N.: Here it is, finally! I'm sorry for leaving it at such a cliffhanger, but I am a slow and lazy writer. I'll start writing the next chapter right now. I promise!
Dedication: To Lyndsey who emailed me about five times demanding that I update.
The blast hit the quantron dead on, but to TJ's disappointment, the shackles had already been passed on to another. He cursed and wished he had time to check up on things in the Megaship. If Zhane didn't find a way to reach Andros…
TJ gestured for Carlos to circle behind the quantrons while he met them head on. Astronema's mechanical lackeys seemed to have given up on enslaving their enemies and were tossing the shackles between them as if teasing the earth rangers. The rangers kept their eyes on the dark metal. The bands were inscribed with the same symbols that currently marked Andros' wrists. They were connected by a large chain that the quantrons swung above their heads taunting the rangers.
The Blue Ranger raised his Astro Axe into the air aiming for the quantron bearing the manacles, but instead of striking, he signalled to Carlos. The Black Ranger quickly used his Astro Blaster to blast the quantron in the back before it had the chance to rid itself of its burden.
The shackles were thrown into the air by the explosion. The Pink Ranger leapt for them, but instead they were grasped by a crystalline shaped hand of green veined ebony.
"Looking for these?" challenged Ecliptor waving the metal bands at the rangers.
The rangers fell into formation behind TJ as the quantrons did the same behind Ecliptor.
"Give it up, Ecliptor!" shouted TJ. "You've already lost. You know these shackles don't work."
If Ecliptor could have, he would have smirked. "Then where, may I ask, are your red and silver friends?"
A dark wave of anger passed through the rangers causing them to clench their fists and grit their teeth. TJ took a step forward.
"I'm sure they'll be joining me soon," continued Ecliptor, "If they're still alive that is."
The rangers charged forward. Ecliptor took advantage of their clumsy move throwing them to the side with slashes of his sword. They fell, sparks flying.
"Give up?" laughed Ecliptor. "Maybe that's an option you should consider rangers."
TJ quickly got to his feet and prepared to face their enemy again, but a hand fell on his shoulder.
"Wait a second, Teej," said Cassie. "I've got an idea."
After a quick conference, the rangers spread out concentrating their attack on the quantrons. Ecliptor eyed them suspiciously.
"Have you rangers no courage without your leader?"
He pressed forward knocking the quantrons out of the way as he prepared to attack the blue ranger.
Suddenly, he found himself caught between the two laser beams from the pink and yellow rangers who had manoeuvred themselves to either side of him. During this moment of disorientation, he was hit from behind and sent sprawling. The force of his landing caused him to release his grip causing the shackles to shoot forward. Recovering quickly, Ecliptor spotted them just a few feet away. He reached forward but before he could grab them, a hook in the shape of a crescent moon scooped them up.
"Why thank you, Ecliptor," said the black ranger as he slid the shackles off his lunar lance.
Ecliptor cursed. Reversing his direction, he stood up and without even a parting threat, teleported away.
"Great job, Carlos," said Cassie patting him on the back.
"Hey, it was your idea," he replied.
TJ took the shackles from Carlos. "I think its time we got rid of these things for good."
"Right," agreed the other rangers.
The blue ranger placed the shackles down in front of the rangers.
"Quadro Blaster!"
The power of the rangers soon reduced the ancient weapon to atomic particles. Their cheer, however, was short lived as they recalled the situation of their friends left on the megaship.
"Let's go guys," commanded TJ.
The other rangers nodded before they disappeared in streams of light.
****
It was usually safer and more energy efficient for the rangers to take their galaxy gliders than to teleport blindly directly onto the ship, but at the moment they didn't care. The health and safety of their fellow rangers was more important.
The rangers appeared at the back of the bridge and froze in shock at what they saw. The bright lights clearly showed the destruction that had occurred. Large gashes were in the metal walls. Some of the consoles were cracked while others had parts broken off and wires torn out, the electricity from them still sending sparks. Shards of metal and glass fallen off damaged equipment littered the floor.
But there was no sign of their friends.
"Deca!" demanded Ashley. "Where are they?"
"Andros and Zhane are in Medbay."
The rangers could easily detect the distress in the computer's normally tone-less voice, but they did not wait for any explanations. They immediately headed for the megalift.
As they swiftly approached the medbay, they could hear Zhane shouting.
"What do you mean, Deca? You have to do something!"
The rangers rushed through the door and were greeted by the sight of their leader lying pale and unconscious on the bed while his best friend leaned over him waving a scanner across his body. A bandage covered the chest of the red ranger. The burnt remains of his shirt had been tossed onto a nearby chair. His hands were scratched and bloody. He lay very still breathing shallowly.
"Come on. Come on," muttered the silver ranger. He quickly adjusted the settings on the scanner and started another scan.
"I still can not find any cause for his condition," announced Deca.
"Zhane! What happened?" demanded TJ.
"He's…he's in a coma," he stuttered, "and…" He stopped and swore as the scan once again turned out to be inconclusive. He threw the scanner against the wall where it shattered into pieces. The other rangers jumped at the unusual burst of anger from the silver ranger. Zhane sat down on the chair by the bed and placed his face in his hands. "And…" he said again looking up, "it's all my fault."