Beginings: Lessons Learned
By Angel Mouse
Andros padded softly along the corridor, a mug of steaming tea in his hands. He had been unable to get settled down, so he had decided to get something to help him sleep. He walked back into his room, sipping the tea and sat back down on his bed. He crossed his legs and leaned against the bulkhead, sipping his tea.
Once more, his mind brought forward memories that he didn't really want to relive. Sighing, he sipped his tea again, his eyes landing upon the only other photo on his desk, one of him and Zhane, taken almost four years ago, not long after they first became rangers.
Reaching out, it came drifting into his hand and he studied it a moment. The two of them were standing at the entrance hatch for the Mega Ship and they were in uniform, but their expressions were anything but happy. Andros studied the picture for a long moment, remember the circumstances around it.
A few months had passed and the two of them settled into their duties as Rangers. People at first were confused about the slight difference in their uniforms but eventually got used to them. Andros's duty uniform was grey trousers, a grey jacket with the Rangers logo on it and a red undershirt, showing that he was the Red Ranger. Zhane's uniform was the same make but different in the fact that it was black trousers and jacket, with a grey undershirt.
But they didn't care what they looked like, they were Rangers now and their duties took paramount importance. They didn't get much of a chance to relax or play anymore like they had when they were children. During the days they would help where they were needed most and also help plan the defence of their planet.
At night they would return to the Mega Ship where DECA would then tutor them on their schoolwork, something that they had continued while doing their training. They only had another few months of schoolwork to do before they had officially completely their mandatory education. By the time they managed to get to their beds each night, they were exhausted both mentally and physically.
Concerns began being raised over how over worked the boys were until finally their parents stepped in and took charge. They put their foot down and said that their Ranger duties had to be curtailed slightly and their studies concluded sooner.
So it was along those lines that the two boys suddenly found themselves with a week off and being packed off to the seaside, something they hadn't done for over five years. So, off they went, with camping gear and food for a week.
They used their gliders to arrive at the secluded location that they had picked out, deciding it was better to have them nearby in case they needed them than not. They had picked a secluded cove off the main headland of the continent. Somewhere deserted and peaceful, where the fishing was good and the swimming was better.
This was just what they both needed after the last long and hard year for them both. Their studies finally over at last, they were free to spend this last week as young boys, before the duties of a Ranger took over their lives completely. Mera's instructions had been fairly explicit. Have fun and don't worry about anything. That was it. So, they had decided to go to the ocean and have fun.
After they arrived they quickly unpacked their gear and soon had a largish tent set up for them to sleep in. They then went about setting up the camping gear, making light work of it. Not long after finishing that they were quickly running to the ocean's edge, in shorts, yelling in delight.
In no time at all it found them splashing around in a water fight, trying to get each other soaked. They spent a lovely afternoon swimming, playing, diving off the rocks, and splashing each other, diving to the ocean floor and just generally relaxing. When the sun starting sinking in the west they finally made their way back to their camp and quickly drying of, changed into shorts and shirts.
Sitting by the fire they had lit, they ate a rather large supper, and sat watching the stars, talking softly. They were nursing mugs of warm tea, roasting marshmallows and just enjoying being together. Zhane handed a marshmallow to Andros that had been toasted, grinning slightly.
"So tell me again why we choose this spot?" Andros grinned back at him.
"Because I like it and it's quiet." Zhane laughed softly and shook his head, pleased that he had managed to get Andros laughing and beginning to relax. Zhane was the only person Andros would let down his defences around. When he was with Zhane, he was truly himself, not the reserved, quiet persona that he showed everyone else. After a little while they turned in for the night.
The next few days were magical for the two boys. They fished, swam, slept and generally had lots of fun. They were coming back from their latest adventure, fishing poles over their arms and a small bundle of fish that they had caught for dinner. They rounded a corner, laughing, as Zhane had been teasing Andros about how he'd let one get away when they saw something lying on the beach. After a few steps closer, they could see it was a person.
Dropping their gear they ran quickly along the beach and skidded to a halt next to the body. Gently turning it over they saw it was a young woman who looked terrible. There was blood running down her temple and her arm was at an awkward angle, bone sticking out of one side. The two boys quickly looked over the rest of her injuries, Andros first checking to see if there was a pulse or not. With a sigh of relief there was one, weak and thready, but it was there.
"We have to get her back to the campsite." Zhane nodded.
"Use the gliders or make a stretcher?"
"Make a stretcher I think, the glider would be faster but I want to move her as little as possible."
"Right, let's get at it." The two boys gently pulled her up out of the surf; hopefully not injuring her further, and quickly gathering their things, went back to camp. About ten minutes later they came running back, a make shift stretcher between them. They gently lifted her onto it and carried her slowly back to their campsite.
Once there, they quickly set about seeing to her injuries and making her comfortable. Zhane got the first aid kit from his glider and began to gently clean and bandage her injuries, while Andros gently took off her wet and destroyed clothes.
Modesty wasn't an issue with Kerovan's, so he ignored the fact she was female. He then he helped Zhane set her broken arm, which she groaned as they did but thankfully she didn't wake, and then they dressed her in a long shirt and trousers. Wrapping her in blankets they made her as comfortable as possible next to the fire.
Zhane scanned her with the portable medical scanner they had brought with them to make sure they hadn't missed anything. As far as they could tell, they hadn't, but the scanner wasn't set up to check for all sorts of things and therefore, unbeknownst to the two young men, it missed the internal injuries she had sustained.
They spent a restless night watching over her, as she had broken out in a high fever. They also debated whether or not to move her and take her back to civilisation. In the end, they decided to wait until her fever broke, and then try and move her, using the gliders. Zhane had gone to get fresh water and Andros was gently wiping a sponge of cold water over her face gently. They both had received some basic medical training during their studies.
In fact, in these dark days, every child and adult was given basic training. Major Feron though had insisted that the two boys had more than the basics. Somehow, he knew their road would be rough and full of injury. Andros studied the girl closely as he wet her face. She was about their height and weight, possibly a year or two older than he and Zhane. Her skin was pale and she had red hair, with stripes of gold through it. Zhane arrived back to their campsite, the canteens filled with fresh water again.
"Any change?" He emptied the bowl of water that Andros had been using and replaced it with clean fresh water.
"No, no change. I wonder what her name is and where she is from." Zhane sat down on the opposite side and began the long, slow task of changing her bandages. They had ended up tearing up one of Zhane's shirts to use as bandages.
"I wonder how she got into this state." Zhane looked up at Andros a moment, his eyes worried. "I hope that what ever did this to her isn't near." Andros nodded, moving to the fire and opening the medical kit again. He got out some antibiotic cream and handed it to Zhane.
"We don't have to worry about that Zhane. We can handle anything, remember?" Zhane gave a tiny smile and took the cream from Andros's hands. He gently began to spread it over the broken arm. They had reset the bone and sealed the wound as best they could, but they couldn't sew up the broken skin. So therefore they put plenty of antibiotic cream on it and kept it clean and dry. Zhane gently began re-wrapping bandages around her arm.
"I just hope what we are doing is enough." The two boys shared a concerned look and then they swiftly continued their work.
It was later that afternoon and Zhane had taken over from Andros. Andros was getting a much-needed nap and Zhane was busy chopping some vegetables they had found and washed for a stew for tea. They had decided to have a hearty fish stew ready for her to eat when she woke up, which they hoped would be some time soon. So, Zhane had volunteered to get it ready while Andros slept. He threw the vegetables into the pot, softly humming a dancing tune that he was fond off.
"That's…that's a nice tune…" Zhane turned abruptly, surprised at the soft, warm voice that spoke. He grinned when he saw that their unexpected guest was awake.
"Thank you." He stood and came over to her side, kneeling down and gently taking the cloth and wiping her forehead again. Her fever had finally broken.
"Where am I?" Zhane grinned at her.
"On a beach off the far northern coast from the city. My friend Andros and I found you on the beach almost two days ago. Oh, how rude of me. My name is Zhane. How are you feeling?" The young woman frowned slightly.
"Like I've been thrown over board and drowned half a dozen times." Zhane laughed softly, wringing out the cloth and kneeling back.
"This is probably what happened to you as near as we can figure. What is your name?"
"My name is Keestra, Nice to meet you Zhane. Thank you for rescuing me." Zhane smiled.
"Think nothing of it. Now, do you feel up to something to drink?"
"I am a little thirsty, thank you." Zhane got a glass of water and gently held her head up, letting her sip at it. After a moment she nodded and he lowered her back down.
"Not to much at first, you're hurt pretty badly. We've done the best we can, we should really get you to a proper medical facility, but we don't' want to risk moving you just yet." She opened her mouth to speak when Andros came out of their tent. He gave Zhane a tiny smile and moved over to the other side of her.
"Our sleeper awakes. Hello, I'm Andros."
"Hello Andros, I'm Keestra. Zhane told me that you both found me and have helped me. Thank you." Andros smiled gently at her.
"Glad to be of assistance. Did Zhane explain that we want to wait for you to feel a little better before moving you?"
"Yes. I appreciate that. How hurt am I?" Andros and Zhane shared a glance and Andros gave an almost imperceptible nod to Zhane. Zhane smiled down at her gently.
"Well, a broken arm for starters. We think also possible concussion and quite a few bruises and scrapes. We're almost 100 sure that you don't have any other major injuries, but as I said, we can't be 100. So, in a day or so, we'll head back to the city and get you some proper medical help." Keestra took in this information and nodded slowly.
"Alright, thank you." Zhane handed Andros a mug of tea, taking one for him and made himself comfortable next to her he smiled.
"Now, what happened to you? We've been awfully curious since we found you." Keestra frowned slightly and thought a moment.
"My friends and I were on a boat, a storm came up. The next thing I know my friend Bern shouted at me to duck and then nothing. The next thing I know I'm waking up here." Zhane and Andros shared another glance. There had been a bad storm about five days ago, which's why they hadn't arrived back then. They had waited until it had cleared before coming to the coast. That meant she had been in the water at least four days, no wonder she didn't remember anything. It was a miracle she was still alive.
"Well, you're with us now." Zhane smiled gently at her as he spoke. "You've got us to look after you." She smiled shyly at them both.
"Thank you. I think I'd like to sleep for a little while now."
"Okay." Andros pulled up the blanket and got her settled once more. He smiled gently down at her and she returned it, closing her eyes and moments later she was asleep. Andros and Zhane moved over to the fire and sat down next to each other. They sat in silence for a little while, both of them stealing glances at her at various stages. They caught each other staring at her and suddenly they had sheepish grins on their faces. They laughed at each other and Zhane threw some wood on the fire.
"We should really get her back to a doctor Andros."
"I know. But I don't want to risk moving her until she's a little more stable. I don't want to risk endangering her even further."
"Agreed. You've had a nap, my turn now." Andros gave a small laugh and Zhane stood, placing his hand on Andros's shoulder before moving into the tent and quickly falling asleep. Andros sat their, watching her for a little while before moving off and making sure they had plenty of wood for the fire. It was going to be an interesting next couple of days.
Andros and Zhane had taken turns that night in watching her and getting some sleep themselves. In the early morning dawn Zhane was sitting by the fire when Andros emerged from the tent. Zhane smiled and threw some more wood on the fire and began to stir the pot of warm cereal he was making for them for breakfast.
"Good morning, sleep well?" Andros smiled.
"Yes, thank you." Andros poured himself a drink and sat down opposite Zhane. "Has she woken yet?"
"No, she hasn't. And I think the longer she sleeps the better she'll feel when she does wake up. Andros, I'm worried." Andros nodded, his eyes resting on her as well.
"I feel we should have called for help two days ago when we found her." Zhane gave him a wry smile.
"Except we chose this spot specifically because it was out of com range. And teleportation range. The only thing either of us can do is go back to the city on our gliders and bring back help." Andros nodded in agreement.
"I know. But one of us would have to stay here with her. How long do you think it would take for you to get to the city and back?" Zhane raised an eyebrow and grinned slightly.
"And since when was it decided that I'd be the one to go?" Andros grinned back at him.
"You're the better flier." Zhane raised an eyebrow.
"Since when did you admit that?"
"Since always."
"Bull. You always race me around the moon and always cheat." Andros raised his own eyebrow and a genuine smile was flickering at the edges of his mouth.
"I do not cheat!"
"Yes you do! You say go on three and then you take off on two." Andros tried hard to keep his expression serious but the amusement in his eyes was contagious and Zhane's eyes twinkled back at him.
"Just because you can't count."
"Hey, I can count fine!" Zhane's tone was outraged but the hint of humour underneath it.
"Oh yeah, who was the one that needed extra tuition in astronavigation?" Zhane got an outraged look on his face now.
"Hey, that's unfair! You want me to go into who needed the extra help with his diplomatic duties?" Andros glared at him and suddenly Zhane cracked up laughing, moment's later Andros joining him. Suddenly another voice joined in.
"I'm glad that you two are friends, I hate to see you two fight." They turned and laughed at each other. Andros smiled at her and winked at Zhane.
"Well, he takes a lot of getting used to Keestra, but after a while you do."
"Hey, let's talk about you shall we? Mr Control freak!" Keestra laughed softly then and the two boys grinned unrepented at her. Andros moved to her side and knelt down next o her.
"How are you feeling today?"
"Tired, a little sore but not in a lot of pain. That's a good thing, right?" Andros nodded.
"Yes, that's a good thing. Zhane and I were just talking about what to do. Send one of us for help or wait another day or so until you've got some strength back."
"But it'll take you days to walk to the city or your transport where ever it is." Her expression was one of confusion when Zhane suddenly laughed as he dished some cereal into a bowl for her. He brought it over and knelt down next to her, gesturing for Andros to help her sit up. Andros helped her to sit up and made her comfortable.
She was a little pale by the time that she was settled, but her cheeks had some colour in them, which was good. Zhane began to slowly, carefully feed her some cereal.
"It won't take us that long. How long did it take us to get here Zhane? I wasn't really looking." Zhane glanced up from the bowl and got another spoonful for her to eat. He frowned a moment and then grinned slightly.
"About two or so hours at quarter speed, we were taking it easy. At full speed, morphed so we could stand the g-forces, probably about twenty minutes or so. But then to come back with help, it'll be at least another four or five hours." Keestra looked at them both, confused.
"Excuse me, how could you get here that quickly?" Andros smiled at her now.
"Don't you know who we are?" Keestra looked even more confused. It would a first for someone on their planet not to recognise them straight away. Considering the amount of press they had been getting since getting their powers and fighting in their first battle.
"No, your just two friends having a fishing trip aren't you?" That caused them both to laugh and Zhane shook his head.
"Keestra, we're Power Rangers. Trust me when I say we can get back to the city that quickly." She looked at them and then suddenly blushed.
"I thought there was something about you two that I recognised. But my mind has been so befuddled with everything that has happened I wasn't sure." Zhane grinned at her.
"Well that is a first. Someone not knowing who we are makes a nice change if you ask me." Andros looked at him.
"Well, it is nice but I didn't ask you." Zhane just grinned and stuck his tongue out at Andros. Power Rangers they may be but were still young boys. Keestra laughed gently along with them, pleased to see that they were normal young men, unlike the persona's that had been played at on the vids.
Suddenly though, she began to cough, and cough hard. She bent over almost double and Andros held her. When she straightened up and she moved her hand away from her mouth, it came away covered in blood. Panic shot through her eyes and she looked up at them both. They stared at the hand and then at each other. Zhane finally broke the silence, his voice sombre.
"I'll get the med scanner again. We must have missed something." Andros nodded, taking a cloth and gently wiping the blood off Keestra's hand. He smiled gently at her.
"It'll be okay." Keestra looked him in the eyes, hers were full of fear and his were strong.
"I'm frightened."
"No need to be. We're not going anywhere." She managed a small smile in response and Zhane arrived back with the med scanner. He powered it up and began to take readings.
"Now that you're awake and dry Keestra, it should pick up if we missed anything." They were silent while Zhane finished doing the scan. Moments later he looked up at Andros his face expressionless. Andros knew that look from days gone by.
What is it, is it really bad? Zhane swallowed and managed to find a tiny smile somewhere inside for Keestra while he spoke to Andros.
Internal bleeding so bad the scanner has finally picked it up. Nothing we can do but make her comfortable now. She's got 2-3 hours tops. Andros's eyes widened in shock but he kept his composure as Zhane spoke gently to her.
"Keestra, it's not such good news." Keestra nodded slowly.
"I thought so. I've just begun my healers training; I know enough to recognise the symptoms of internal bleeding when I feel it. I haven't got too long, have I?" Zhane swallowed hard, putting away the scanner.
"No you haven't I'm afraid. The scanner has only just picked it up, your other injuries were more urgent I suppose, I just don't know. But you've got a few hours at most. I'm sorry, all we can do is really make you comfortable now." Andros looked away a moment and Zhane knew immediately that his friend would straight away take this as a failure on his part.
Keestra saw him look away and thought back to early when she had been awake. With an effort she strechted out her hand and took Andros's in hers.
"It's not your fault. You weren't to know about it, neither of you were. Let's make the best of the little time I have left." Andros let out a low frustrated growl.
"But we can get you to medical help within those two hours!" Zhane reached over Keestra and put his hand on Andros's shoulder, forcing Andros to look at him.
"Andros, at the speeds we'd be forced to travel, that would kill her to." Zhane kept his voice soft and regretful. Andros nodded reluctantly.
"I know." His voice was so soft, so heart broken that Zhane had to look away a moment, his own heart breaking. They only knew Keestra for a few days and only barely, but still, it was hard and heart breaking. Zhane looked back and managed to find a smile.
"Well, let's make it the best couple hours we can shall we?"
The next two and a half hours were heart breaking for both Zhane and Andros. They sat their, joking and laughing with Keestra. Zhane told her numerous tales of their adventures when they were training, the people they met and the fun they had. Andros told some dryly-factual accounts of some of Zhane's more outrageous pranks that he had pulled on the late Major Feron.
Keestra laughed along with them, when she wasn't coughing up more blood. They had managed to dull her pain, so she wasn't feeling much. She then told them about her family, her friends, her hopes, and her dreams. And finally after a little while she gave them messages to give to her family.
It was too much for Andros to bear, so Zhane sent him into the forest to get more wood. He took down the details for her, smiling warmly and joking softly with her all the while. After a little while her eyes began to droop and Zhane finished recording what she was saying.
Andros, come back now, the end is very near. Moments later Andros reappeared, a load of wood in his arms. He put it down and came and sat down by Keestra's other side. He took her hand in his and smiled warmly at her. Only Zhane could tell how much that hurt him to do that. Andros was still feeling guilty that they hadn't taken her to medical facilities when they found her.
Keestra smiled gently at them both, her breathing was shallow now and her skin was pale. She only had minutes left. The two rangers held her hands, giving her support and warmth in her final moments. When she finally spoke her voice was weak and soft.
"I want you both to promise me that you won't feel guilty because I died. You did all you could, both of you. You'll be the greatest Power Rangers this planet has ever seen; I know it my heart. You will make our people proud. You'll make me proud. And you'll make each other proud. I've watched you both these last few hours, you care for each other so much that you complete each other. I am honoured to gotten to know you both in this short time. Thank you for looking after me, and for being here." Andros nodded, blinking back tears.
"Believe me Keestra, it has been our most singular honour." Zhane managed to blink back the tears as well.
"And we will never forget you." Keestra nodded slightly, her eyes slowly closing.
"Thank you both…" what ever else she was going to say was lost as she took her last breath, her chest deflating slowly and not moving no more. Suddenly sobs broke from Andros and Zhane moved over to his side, wrapping his arms around Andros. Then he broke down and began to cry as well. And they sat that way for a long time.
Three days later the two boys had delivered Keestra's body to her family, advising them of the circumstances of her death. And her final message to them. Her family had been most grateful and thankful that they knew her final fate. They returned to the Mega Ship solum, sadder and wiser. They had learnt one of life's harshest lessons, that they couldn't save everyone, all the time. It was a lesson they took to heart, but wished devoutly that they hadn't had to learn.
Tbc… in the next chapter, the two Rangers are sent off planet on a mission that will change the way they regard each other.
