Ben watched at the Rangers came into the commissary- or
at least what was left of it. Although the damage to the hidden areas of
the base had been minimal, the more public accessible sections had been damaged
extensively. Fortunately, the little AI Mic and Bill had repaired had
been working overtime repairing the sections the Rangers would need.
All of the aforementioned rangers seemed refreshed and rested, which was more than he could say for himself. He'd been up for almost seventy-two hours by the time he'd gone to bed and had fallen asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Of course, just because he'd fallen asleep didn't mean it had been good sleep. He'd had nightmares all night long- nightmares about the Caribbean Princess, nightmares about his crash in Anchorage, and nightmares about Mic and Kilpatrick. All in all, his sleep had been anything but restful.
Bill sat down next to him, with a plate piled high with food, and Ben wondered if he was experiencing another phyre surge. He had the strangest lopsided grin on his face. "I take it you finally got some rest?"
Bill just grinned at him, "Evidently more than you did."
"I had nightmares all night," Ben told him.
Bill's nodded seeming to understand, "Your wife again?"
"Among other things," Ben told him not really wanting to talk about it. Even after fifteen years, the memory of Melissa's death was painful. Of all the people he'd ever met, only Bill Cranston seemed to understand what it was like to feel the loss of someone so deeply that even to speak about them was painful. "I take it you got some sleep."
Bill blushed deeply and shook his head, "I didn't sleep that much, but I'm rested."
Ben chuckled and told him, "In case I haven't said so, congratulations. I'm glad to see you're finally getting some happiness in your life."
"Does it show that much?" Bill asked.
"Only to those of us who know you," Ben told him. He smiled, "I like Commander Scott, I think you two are a good match."
Bill chuckled, "Now you sound like your sister."
"I guess after all these years, she's rubbed off on me." Ben replied. "She's a good kid, even if she does irritate me all the time."
"Ben, Mic is anything BUT a kid," Billy admonished him. He understood that his friend was a lot like Jason in his own way. He wanted to take care of others, always looking for responsibilities to take on. He as the quintessential big brother.
"She'll always be my kid sister, Bill. She'll always be the little girl who used to give me grief about my television habits," Ben said. "I don't care if we live to be a thousand, she'll still be my little sister."
Bill smiled at him and said, "Well, your kid sister seems to be keeping time with a dragon now."
"I know," Ben smiled. "But at least it's not Kilpatrick."
"You never did tell me what happened there," Bill said.
Ben laughed at his old friend. "I'll make a deal with you. When we get back, if you tell me about that mind shield you tried to develop, I'll tell you about Kilpatrick."
Bill smiled, "That might be worth the embarrassment."
"What might be worth the embarrassment?" Commander Scott asked sitting down next to Bill.
"Just a running joke between Bill and I commander," Ben told him.
The dark eyed man smiled at Ben, and flashed him a huge smile. "Call me Jason, Doctor."
Ben laughed at him, "In that case call me Ben." He looked over at the two men and realized that they was almost glowing with some inner fire. He paid close attention to Jason. He seemed different somehow, as if he was beginning to draw on a power outside himself and his phyre. Briefly, Ben wondered what it was.
Jason smiled and seemed to notice Ben's scrutiny. Smiling he asked, "Something interesting you Ben?"
Ben shrugged, "Just wondering how your adaptation to the phyre is coming along. I would very much like to get some readings on you when I get back from this mission."
"What is it about you doctors, always wanting to poke and prod?" Jason asked, a smile on his face making it clear that he was only teasing Ben.
"It's in the training I think," Ben told him.
"Excuse me," Bill said getting up from the table, his plate in hand. "I think I'll get something else to eat." Ben noticed that his friend had devoured an entire plate full of food in just a few minutes. Again, Ben wondered if Jason wasn't the only one whose phyre was readjusting their body.
"You know he's been breaking his heart over you ever since I've known him." Ben leaned forward, and looked deep into the eyes of the man across from him. "I don't know if you know this, Commander but you have made him extremely happy. Please don't hurt him anymore than he already has been."
"Trust me Ben, I don't plan on it," Jason said, the tone of his voice making it clear that he took Ben's words seriously. "Billy and I have a lot to make up for- both of us."
Ben smiled, "Good, I'd hate to have to hurt you."
~*~
Jason watched the two dragonzords take off carrying his friends, both old and new. Standing next to him, were the rest of the Rangers, Billy standing at his side. He could feel the phyre reach out and grow stronger, binding them together in some way he had yet to understand. Looking to his left he saw Tommy, and Kat; Rocky, and Aisha; and Zack and Trini, once again together as a team. "They'll be okay, Jase," Billy said to him.
"I know. I'm just wondering if WE'RE going to be okay," he turned to look at Billy, "If EARTH is going to be okay."
Billy smiled at him, and put a hand on his shoulder, "The damage to Earth has already been done, Jase. I believe that the dragons have irrevocably altered the geo-political balance of the globe. There has been too much death, too much damage. Now, we have to make sure that we survive as a people." He looked up at the departing dragonzords, "And I think you've sent the right people to assure that will happen. If anyone can convince the dragons that we are sentient and are desirous of an alliance, it's Kimberly."
Jason smiled at his lover, "She does have a certain way about her. That's why I picked her to be in charge."
"I think you may have startled Adam by doing that," Billy shook his head and smiled, "Actually, I don't think he'll ever forgive you for it."
"You may have a point there, Bro."
~*~
"Just keep her on a steady course behind Teelo," Ben told Kim as he looked over the Pink Ranger's shoulder watching the readout on the console that Billy had installed. The readout let the 'zords follow Teelo's phyre signature even as he teleported- or as he called it: folded space.
"Got it, Doc," the small brunette smiled up at him keeping her eye on the readout. "I've been doing this for quite a while." With the exception of Jason and his years as a Top Gun pilot, Kimberly was the one Ranger who had the most experience piloting aircraft. Kimberly had even helped Tommy adapt to thinking in three dimensions instead of two after the transfer to Ninjetti powers. Even today, she blushed at the thoughts of some of their quieter moments in the Falconzord. Of course all that was behind her now that she was more than happily married to Adam.
"I'm sure you are a capable pilot, Mrs. Park. I didn't mean to impugn your abilities," the man grinned at her.
She winked at him, "Good. Otherwise I'd feel compelled to prove to you that I'm as good as I say."
He laughed, "I think we can do without that. I had a rather large breakfast, and would like to keep it inside me a little while longer if you don't mind."
Both laughed and settled into and easy silence as Kimberly kept the huge 'zord on an even course as they followed the great ice blue dragon in front of them. After long moments of silent contemplation, Kimberly asked, "So, how do you feel about this whole mission?"
Ben shrugged, "I'm actually looking forward to meeting this Council of Dragons. It sounds interesting." His expression becoming serious he added, "I'm for anything that will help us stop the dragons and deal with the Alien Rangers."
"You can say that again," Kim shook her head, "I can't believe the Aquitian Rangers turned against us. I mean they at least owe Billy for saving their whole planet."
"Sometimes," Ben said, "duty forces us to do things we would rather not." There was such a sad note to his voice that it was clear he'd had experience with that kind of duty.
Kim shook her head, "I can't imagine any kind of duty that would require letting people die."
"Have you ever heard of the city of Dunkirk?" Ben asked.
She nodded, "It's in England isn't it."
Ben nodded. "During the World War Two, the Allied Forces had broken the German secret code, but the Germans didn't know it. The Allies intercepted a message that indicated that the city of Dunkirk was going to be bombed. Churchill was forced with the option of saving the city by evacuating it, which would let the Germans know that we'd broken their code. If they knew that we'd broken the code, then they would have changed it and that would have put other forces in the field in danger. So he had to let the whole city be bombed to protect the greater good of continuing to get information from them."
Kim nodded, "I think I understand. Still, I would have thought the Aquitians would have cut us a little more slack than that."
Ben shrugged, "Perhaps they did what they could. When Cestro warned Billy, he at least put us on our guard, and put himself in jeopardy."
"I hadn't thought about that." She turned to face him, "You don't think he's been stripped of being a Ranger because of it, do you?"
Ben shrugged, "I don't know. I do know that if Jason, Bill, or I had done something like that, then we'd be in the brig now. The military doesn't take lightly to what they consider treason, and what Cestro did could definitely be described as that."
"I guess I hadn't considered that," she shuddered. "I'd hate to think that Cestro was being punished for helping us."
~*~
"What is it Carliss?" Trey looked up from the document he was reading and asked his chamberlain. The man had served his family for years and had been granted a lot more leeway than most of his servants.
"The Hafaar have dropped out of hyperspace," the man said- distaste apparent in his voice.
"And you don't approve?" Trey asked with a smile.
"I am uncomfortable dealing with the Haffar. They are not known for their restraint, and I have the impression that subtly and restraint are going to be the key to dealing with this particular Ranger team."
Trey laughed at his chamberlain and old friend, "I think that you have pretty much summed up the situation." He leaned back in his chair and asked, "What are your suggestions Carliss?"
The old man smiled, "I am but a chamberlain My Lord. I'm neither a diplomat nor a warrior."
"But you are a trusted friend," Trey told him, "and I value your input." He looked around the cabin and smiled, "And you understand politics better than anybody I know."
The old man smiled and bowed slightly, "Thank you My Lord." He looked down to the floor as if he could see the Earth under his feet. "Give Jason Scott the time he needs. Push the rules, stall, do what ever it takes, and then back him up with the Galactic Council. Don't let this become the world where the Rangers turned on each other."
Trey smiled, "Believe me Carliss that is exactly what I'm trying to avoid." He stood, and looked around, "Let's go and deal with the Haffar.
Leaving the room he made his way to the forward section of the cruiser. In a matter of minutes he was striding onto the bridge in time to see the Haffar dreadnaught take up a Trojan position between his own ship and the Aquitian vessel. Beside him, Carliss said, "It looks like a flying gun. Someone needs to teach the Haffar how to build ships."
"I would really rather they didn't," Trey said. "They're aggressive enough without the added impetus of ships that are harder to kill."
"Sir," Trey's tactical officer interrupted, "Two 'zords appear to be pursuing a dragon."
"What!?" Trey asked.
"A dragon has taken flight from the Ranger's Command Center. Two 'zords appear to be in pursuit."
"Tactical," Trey said looking up as the holo-tank displayed the Black and Pink Dragonzords following along behind a rather large ice blue dragon. "Get me Jason," he told the communications specialist. Turning back to the tactical officer, "Have they charged weapons? What's their speed?"
"No sir, they're keeping pace with the dragon sir, but they haven't charged weapons," the tactical officer told him. "According my readouts, they are just below soundspeed. They appear to be pacing the dragon sir."
"Sir, I've got Red Ranger One on standby," the communication specialist said.
"Sir," the tactical officer said, "the Haffar are charging their weapons. They've got a weapon's lock on one of the Dragonzords."
"Open me a direct frequency to that Dragonzord," Trey said quickly. Turning back to the communications specialist, he added, "And tell the Haffar to stand down."
"Too late sir, they're firing."
Trey looked up to the holo-tank to see a Haffar particle bolt slam into the lead Dragonzord. He saw it rock under the blast as its wings shuddered and then disintegrated. Trey looked over at his helmsman, "Move the Trianguls between the Haffar and the planet," he ordered. "Bring all weapons bear. Tell them if they fire another shot, we'll blow them from the sky," he told the communications specialist.
"Sir?" both crewmen asked simultaneously.
"Just do it," he said grimly, "And put Jason on."
"You better have a good reason why one of your ships just fired on our 'Zord's Trey," Jason's voice was cold. He watched as the burly Red Ranger turned to someone behind him. "Billy, disable that cruiser- both of them."
"Yes sir," someone behind him said.
"Helmsman, belay that last order, get us out of range of that cannon."
"Aye sir," the woman replied. Trey felt the ship shudder under him as she did her job. On the holo-tank, he saw the Haffar ship hit by a blast from the Command Center. It's main engine suddenly flared, and spun off from the body trailing sparks and ionic discharge with it.
"Haffar ship is activating it's teleporters."
"Up or down, Lieutenant?" Trey asked.
"They've acquired the pilot and one passenger from the damaged Pink Dragonzord," the tactical officer replied.
"Sir, I'm getting a transmission from the second Dragonzord to their Command Center."
"Put it on the tank."
"It's audio only," the specialist said.
An instant later the voice of the Black Ranger he knew from Earth came over the speaker, "Jason, you tell the Triforians to give them back, or Mic and I are going to in to get them."
"Stand-by Black Ranger Two," Jason was saying from the Command Center. "Billy, see if you can use the 'Morphin Grid and bring them back."
"Jase, I can't get a lock on them. That second ship must have some kind dampening device," Trey heard Billy say.
"Jase," another voice that Trey didn't recognized said, "The Aquitians have climbed to higher orbit, and the Triforians are moving out of range."
"Trey!" Jason demanded.
"I'm here, Jason," Trey answered.
"Just what the hell is going on?! You promised me at least a week. Why did one of your ships fire on us on our way to the negotiations?" Jason asked.
"It wasn't us, Jason. It was the Haffar," Trey replied.
"Haffar huh?" another voice he didn't recognize came from the audio only section of the holo-tank. "I'll be sure to put that on their memorial when I'm done with them. Adam, take this bucket of bolts into orbit."
"One bucket of bolts in orbit," Adam said. "Taking Black Ranger Two to Morphin' Grid in three, two, one, goneā¦." The black 'zord on the screen disappeared.
Trey heard their technician Billy say, "Jason, I think you'd better get Trey to give them back, or Mic and Adam won't leave a Haffar ship with it's hull intact. Remember Jase, Mic helped me build these 'zords. She may not be able to interface with them, but she knows them inside out. AND she IS a cyberpsi."
Jason turned to face the holo-tank, "Trey, I want my people back unharmed."
"Sir," the tactical officer said, "The dragon just winked out and reappeared off the port bow of the Haffar ship. Sir the 'Zord's off the starboard bow."
All of the aforementioned rangers seemed refreshed and rested, which was more than he could say for himself. He'd been up for almost seventy-two hours by the time he'd gone to bed and had fallen asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Of course, just because he'd fallen asleep didn't mean it had been good sleep. He'd had nightmares all night long- nightmares about the Caribbean Princess, nightmares about his crash in Anchorage, and nightmares about Mic and Kilpatrick. All in all, his sleep had been anything but restful.
Bill sat down next to him, with a plate piled high with food, and Ben wondered if he was experiencing another phyre surge. He had the strangest lopsided grin on his face. "I take it you finally got some rest?"
Bill just grinned at him, "Evidently more than you did."
"I had nightmares all night," Ben told him.
Bill's nodded seeming to understand, "Your wife again?"
"Among other things," Ben told him not really wanting to talk about it. Even after fifteen years, the memory of Melissa's death was painful. Of all the people he'd ever met, only Bill Cranston seemed to understand what it was like to feel the loss of someone so deeply that even to speak about them was painful. "I take it you got some sleep."
Bill blushed deeply and shook his head, "I didn't sleep that much, but I'm rested."
Ben chuckled and told him, "In case I haven't said so, congratulations. I'm glad to see you're finally getting some happiness in your life."
"Does it show that much?" Bill asked.
"Only to those of us who know you," Ben told him. He smiled, "I like Commander Scott, I think you two are a good match."
Bill chuckled, "Now you sound like your sister."
"I guess after all these years, she's rubbed off on me." Ben replied. "She's a good kid, even if she does irritate me all the time."
"Ben, Mic is anything BUT a kid," Billy admonished him. He understood that his friend was a lot like Jason in his own way. He wanted to take care of others, always looking for responsibilities to take on. He as the quintessential big brother.
"She'll always be my kid sister, Bill. She'll always be the little girl who used to give me grief about my television habits," Ben said. "I don't care if we live to be a thousand, she'll still be my little sister."
Bill smiled at him and said, "Well, your kid sister seems to be keeping time with a dragon now."
"I know," Ben smiled. "But at least it's not Kilpatrick."
"You never did tell me what happened there," Bill said.
Ben laughed at his old friend. "I'll make a deal with you. When we get back, if you tell me about that mind shield you tried to develop, I'll tell you about Kilpatrick."
Bill smiled, "That might be worth the embarrassment."
"What might be worth the embarrassment?" Commander Scott asked sitting down next to Bill.
"Just a running joke between Bill and I commander," Ben told him.
The dark eyed man smiled at Ben, and flashed him a huge smile. "Call me Jason, Doctor."
Ben laughed at him, "In that case call me Ben." He looked over at the two men and realized that they was almost glowing with some inner fire. He paid close attention to Jason. He seemed different somehow, as if he was beginning to draw on a power outside himself and his phyre. Briefly, Ben wondered what it was.
Jason smiled and seemed to notice Ben's scrutiny. Smiling he asked, "Something interesting you Ben?"
Ben shrugged, "Just wondering how your adaptation to the phyre is coming along. I would very much like to get some readings on you when I get back from this mission."
"What is it about you doctors, always wanting to poke and prod?" Jason asked, a smile on his face making it clear that he was only teasing Ben.
"It's in the training I think," Ben told him.
"Excuse me," Bill said getting up from the table, his plate in hand. "I think I'll get something else to eat." Ben noticed that his friend had devoured an entire plate full of food in just a few minutes. Again, Ben wondered if Jason wasn't the only one whose phyre was readjusting their body.
"You know he's been breaking his heart over you ever since I've known him." Ben leaned forward, and looked deep into the eyes of the man across from him. "I don't know if you know this, Commander but you have made him extremely happy. Please don't hurt him anymore than he already has been."
"Trust me Ben, I don't plan on it," Jason said, the tone of his voice making it clear that he took Ben's words seriously. "Billy and I have a lot to make up for- both of us."
Ben smiled, "Good, I'd hate to have to hurt you."
~*~
Jason watched the two dragonzords take off carrying his friends, both old and new. Standing next to him, were the rest of the Rangers, Billy standing at his side. He could feel the phyre reach out and grow stronger, binding them together in some way he had yet to understand. Looking to his left he saw Tommy, and Kat; Rocky, and Aisha; and Zack and Trini, once again together as a team. "They'll be okay, Jase," Billy said to him.
"I know. I'm just wondering if WE'RE going to be okay," he turned to look at Billy, "If EARTH is going to be okay."
Billy smiled at him, and put a hand on his shoulder, "The damage to Earth has already been done, Jase. I believe that the dragons have irrevocably altered the geo-political balance of the globe. There has been too much death, too much damage. Now, we have to make sure that we survive as a people." He looked up at the departing dragonzords, "And I think you've sent the right people to assure that will happen. If anyone can convince the dragons that we are sentient and are desirous of an alliance, it's Kimberly."
Jason smiled at his lover, "She does have a certain way about her. That's why I picked her to be in charge."
"I think you may have startled Adam by doing that," Billy shook his head and smiled, "Actually, I don't think he'll ever forgive you for it."
"You may have a point there, Bro."
~*~
"Just keep her on a steady course behind Teelo," Ben told Kim as he looked over the Pink Ranger's shoulder watching the readout on the console that Billy had installed. The readout let the 'zords follow Teelo's phyre signature even as he teleported- or as he called it: folded space.
"Got it, Doc," the small brunette smiled up at him keeping her eye on the readout. "I've been doing this for quite a while." With the exception of Jason and his years as a Top Gun pilot, Kimberly was the one Ranger who had the most experience piloting aircraft. Kimberly had even helped Tommy adapt to thinking in three dimensions instead of two after the transfer to Ninjetti powers. Even today, she blushed at the thoughts of some of their quieter moments in the Falconzord. Of course all that was behind her now that she was more than happily married to Adam.
"I'm sure you are a capable pilot, Mrs. Park. I didn't mean to impugn your abilities," the man grinned at her.
She winked at him, "Good. Otherwise I'd feel compelled to prove to you that I'm as good as I say."
He laughed, "I think we can do without that. I had a rather large breakfast, and would like to keep it inside me a little while longer if you don't mind."
Both laughed and settled into and easy silence as Kimberly kept the huge 'zord on an even course as they followed the great ice blue dragon in front of them. After long moments of silent contemplation, Kimberly asked, "So, how do you feel about this whole mission?"
Ben shrugged, "I'm actually looking forward to meeting this Council of Dragons. It sounds interesting." His expression becoming serious he added, "I'm for anything that will help us stop the dragons and deal with the Alien Rangers."
"You can say that again," Kim shook her head, "I can't believe the Aquitian Rangers turned against us. I mean they at least owe Billy for saving their whole planet."
"Sometimes," Ben said, "duty forces us to do things we would rather not." There was such a sad note to his voice that it was clear he'd had experience with that kind of duty.
Kim shook her head, "I can't imagine any kind of duty that would require letting people die."
"Have you ever heard of the city of Dunkirk?" Ben asked.
She nodded, "It's in England isn't it."
Ben nodded. "During the World War Two, the Allied Forces had broken the German secret code, but the Germans didn't know it. The Allies intercepted a message that indicated that the city of Dunkirk was going to be bombed. Churchill was forced with the option of saving the city by evacuating it, which would let the Germans know that we'd broken their code. If they knew that we'd broken the code, then they would have changed it and that would have put other forces in the field in danger. So he had to let the whole city be bombed to protect the greater good of continuing to get information from them."
Kim nodded, "I think I understand. Still, I would have thought the Aquitians would have cut us a little more slack than that."
Ben shrugged, "Perhaps they did what they could. When Cestro warned Billy, he at least put us on our guard, and put himself in jeopardy."
"I hadn't thought about that." She turned to face him, "You don't think he's been stripped of being a Ranger because of it, do you?"
Ben shrugged, "I don't know. I do know that if Jason, Bill, or I had done something like that, then we'd be in the brig now. The military doesn't take lightly to what they consider treason, and what Cestro did could definitely be described as that."
"I guess I hadn't considered that," she shuddered. "I'd hate to think that Cestro was being punished for helping us."
~*~
"What is it Carliss?" Trey looked up from the document he was reading and asked his chamberlain. The man had served his family for years and had been granted a lot more leeway than most of his servants.
"The Hafaar have dropped out of hyperspace," the man said- distaste apparent in his voice.
"And you don't approve?" Trey asked with a smile.
"I am uncomfortable dealing with the Haffar. They are not known for their restraint, and I have the impression that subtly and restraint are going to be the key to dealing with this particular Ranger team."
Trey laughed at his chamberlain and old friend, "I think that you have pretty much summed up the situation." He leaned back in his chair and asked, "What are your suggestions Carliss?"
The old man smiled, "I am but a chamberlain My Lord. I'm neither a diplomat nor a warrior."
"But you are a trusted friend," Trey told him, "and I value your input." He looked around the cabin and smiled, "And you understand politics better than anybody I know."
The old man smiled and bowed slightly, "Thank you My Lord." He looked down to the floor as if he could see the Earth under his feet. "Give Jason Scott the time he needs. Push the rules, stall, do what ever it takes, and then back him up with the Galactic Council. Don't let this become the world where the Rangers turned on each other."
Trey smiled, "Believe me Carliss that is exactly what I'm trying to avoid." He stood, and looked around, "Let's go and deal with the Haffar.
Leaving the room he made his way to the forward section of the cruiser. In a matter of minutes he was striding onto the bridge in time to see the Haffar dreadnaught take up a Trojan position between his own ship and the Aquitian vessel. Beside him, Carliss said, "It looks like a flying gun. Someone needs to teach the Haffar how to build ships."
"I would really rather they didn't," Trey said. "They're aggressive enough without the added impetus of ships that are harder to kill."
"Sir," Trey's tactical officer interrupted, "Two 'zords appear to be pursuing a dragon."
"What!?" Trey asked.
"A dragon has taken flight from the Ranger's Command Center. Two 'zords appear to be in pursuit."
"Tactical," Trey said looking up as the holo-tank displayed the Black and Pink Dragonzords following along behind a rather large ice blue dragon. "Get me Jason," he told the communications specialist. Turning back to the tactical officer, "Have they charged weapons? What's their speed?"
"No sir, they're keeping pace with the dragon sir, but they haven't charged weapons," the tactical officer told him. "According my readouts, they are just below soundspeed. They appear to be pacing the dragon sir."
"Sir, I've got Red Ranger One on standby," the communication specialist said.
"Sir," the tactical officer said, "the Haffar are charging their weapons. They've got a weapon's lock on one of the Dragonzords."
"Open me a direct frequency to that Dragonzord," Trey said quickly. Turning back to the communications specialist, he added, "And tell the Haffar to stand down."
"Too late sir, they're firing."
Trey looked up to the holo-tank to see a Haffar particle bolt slam into the lead Dragonzord. He saw it rock under the blast as its wings shuddered and then disintegrated. Trey looked over at his helmsman, "Move the Trianguls between the Haffar and the planet," he ordered. "Bring all weapons bear. Tell them if they fire another shot, we'll blow them from the sky," he told the communications specialist.
"Sir?" both crewmen asked simultaneously.
"Just do it," he said grimly, "And put Jason on."
"You better have a good reason why one of your ships just fired on our 'Zord's Trey," Jason's voice was cold. He watched as the burly Red Ranger turned to someone behind him. "Billy, disable that cruiser- both of them."
"Yes sir," someone behind him said.
"Helmsman, belay that last order, get us out of range of that cannon."
"Aye sir," the woman replied. Trey felt the ship shudder under him as she did her job. On the holo-tank, he saw the Haffar ship hit by a blast from the Command Center. It's main engine suddenly flared, and spun off from the body trailing sparks and ionic discharge with it.
"Haffar ship is activating it's teleporters."
"Up or down, Lieutenant?" Trey asked.
"They've acquired the pilot and one passenger from the damaged Pink Dragonzord," the tactical officer replied.
"Sir, I'm getting a transmission from the second Dragonzord to their Command Center."
"Put it on the tank."
"It's audio only," the specialist said.
An instant later the voice of the Black Ranger he knew from Earth came over the speaker, "Jason, you tell the Triforians to give them back, or Mic and I are going to in to get them."
"Stand-by Black Ranger Two," Jason was saying from the Command Center. "Billy, see if you can use the 'Morphin Grid and bring them back."
"Jase, I can't get a lock on them. That second ship must have some kind dampening device," Trey heard Billy say.
"Jase," another voice that Trey didn't recognized said, "The Aquitians have climbed to higher orbit, and the Triforians are moving out of range."
"Trey!" Jason demanded.
"I'm here, Jason," Trey answered.
"Just what the hell is going on?! You promised me at least a week. Why did one of your ships fire on us on our way to the negotiations?" Jason asked.
"It wasn't us, Jason. It was the Haffar," Trey replied.
"Haffar huh?" another voice he didn't recognize came from the audio only section of the holo-tank. "I'll be sure to put that on their memorial when I'm done with them. Adam, take this bucket of bolts into orbit."
"One bucket of bolts in orbit," Adam said. "Taking Black Ranger Two to Morphin' Grid in three, two, one, goneā¦." The black 'zord on the screen disappeared.
Trey heard their technician Billy say, "Jason, I think you'd better get Trey to give them back, or Mic and Adam won't leave a Haffar ship with it's hull intact. Remember Jase, Mic helped me build these 'zords. She may not be able to interface with them, but she knows them inside out. AND she IS a cyberpsi."
Jason turned to face the holo-tank, "Trey, I want my people back unharmed."
"Sir," the tactical officer said, "The dragon just winked out and reappeared off the port bow of the Haffar ship. Sir the 'Zord's off the starboard bow."
