It had been a few hour since Billy teleported them all back to the ship. Andros of course was upset and drew himself away from the others, taking off on his own on the ship. Everyone thought it was best to let Andros cool off before any of them would talk with him. Most of everyone was resting or getting something to eat in the mess hall. Jen had been with Billy getting some test down. Eric had stayed with her the whole time. He wasn't sure why. He knew Jen would be fine on her own, but perhaps he was doing it more so for Wes, then her. He knew if Wes was here. He wouldn't leave her side, not ever more a second. Billy was running a scan up and down Jen's body, while the computer gathered up the information.
"You have any idea at all why you wouldn't be able to morph?" asked Billy. He knew more information on everyone else's morphers, only because the information on those morphers had come from Zordon or him. He knew nothing about Jens morpher or Erics. Their morphers were 1000 years ahead of his knowledge on morphers. Billy wasn't ever sure if the scanner and computer would be able to pick up on why Jen was unable to morph.
"No. I'm just as confused as you. This has never happened before," Jen responded. She had played the question over and over in her mind for the last few hours and had come up with nothing.
"Would Wes's morpher have anything to do with it?" asked Eric. Billy continued to run the scanner over Jen as the computer gathered the information. Jen shook her head no.
"No, once Wes had activated the red morpher that released mine and the others," Eric nodded his head. He too was just as curious as to why Jen was unable to morph, or more perhaps fearful. What would happen the next time they were fighting against the CellBorgs? He and the others could only protect Jen for so long.
"Have you been sick at all recently?" asked Billy, trying to come up with reasons as to why she hadn't been able to morph. Jen thought about it for a moment.
"I was sick about three or four weeks ago, for a couple of days. Nothing much though," replied Jen. Billy nodded his head. BEEP. That beep let Billy know the scanner was finished gathering up its information. Billy turned to the computer and set the scanner down. He pushed a few buttons.
"Well?" asked Eric looking over at the screen. Billy stared at the screen.
"It's going to take a least a few days or so for the computer to process all the information. Normally it wouldn't take this long, but since your morpher is from the future. It will take longer for the computer to gather up," It wasn't the answer Jen or Eric had been hoping for, but it was better then nothing.
"Thanks Billy," replied Jen giving him a kind smile. Billy nodded his head.
"No problem, that's what I'm here for,"
***********************
Ashley watched from her table as Chad and Kelsey sat close together. They had just finished their meal and now were locking hands with each other. The two looked so happy and in love. Ashley sighed they seemed so much like how her and Andros used to be. But after they had gotten married Andros had went back to his old ways of pushing her away, like he had in the beginning. Sometimes she wondered if Andros was happy being with her, or if he rather be on some mission alone without her.
***********************
Zhane walked into what looked to be the weapon room. There were weapons all over, blaster and swords of all types. Zhane looked to be looking for parts for his sword. He began searching through the parts that were stored away on a shelf. He kept moving parts around as if he were searching for a certain part. "Ah here you are," he grabbed a hold of it. "You should fix my sword up just like new," Zhane started to head out of the room, when he noticed something seemed out of place or was missing. He stared at the wall where he had thought two rifle blasters had been placed, but now only saw one. "Weird I could have sworn Andros had two of those aboard the ship," Zhane stood there for a moment, but then decided that perhaps, he was wrong. Zhane walked out of the weapon storage room, closing the door behind him. Once Zhane was gone a dark shadow crept out. The shadow appeared to be holding some sort of large rifle blaster, laughing darkly.
***********************
Ashley could hear Chad and Kelsey laughing together, enjoying each others company. Ashley smiled briefly, as if she were happy for their happiness, but longed for her own. She looked at her watch it was close to seven at night. Andros was to suppose to have met her about on hour ago. Ashley sighed, knowing very well, where he was and what he was doing. Ashley got up and left the mess hall.
***********************
Zhane was walking down one of the ships halls. He was headed to grab something to eat before he would head in for the night. He knew he and the others would need to be rested up. There was no telling when the next battle would be. "Zhane! Hey buddy!" said Ryan as he came up from behind Zhane. Ryan about jumped Zhane almost knowing the silver ranger over.
"Man you sure know who to sneak up behind a guy," Zhane smiled as Ryan released him. Ryan laughed as he walked in front of Zhane.
"Yeah. Call it a gift,"
"You headed to the mess hall?" asked Zhane.
"Sure am. Hey I'll race you," winked Ryan. Zhane laughed, he was always up for a challenge.
"Sure, but loser cleans up," said Zhane getting into a running position.
"You're on!" Ryan got lined up with Zhane. Jen and Eric had just come out from the hall they had been walking down and found Zhane and Ryan getting ready to race each other.
"Oh man!" Ryan looked at Zhane wondering what the problem was.
"What is it man?" Zhane turned to face Ryan.
"I forgot to drop this part off in my room. Man!" complained Zhane, not wanting to go all the way back, and come all the way back here to head to the mess hall.
"I can take it back for you Zhane. I was headed towards the weapons room anyways. The bunk rooms are on my way," Jen offered.
"Thanks," replied Zhane handing her the part for his sword. "Alright now I'm ready," said Zhane giving Ryan a cocky smile. The two then started running up the hall, almost knocking over Eric and Jen. Eric and Jen had to laugh.
"You going to need any help picking out a weapon?" asked Eric. Everyone thought until they were able to figure out why Jen was unable to morph. That she should have a weapon on her at all time, just in case.
"Thanks. But I think I can handle that one my own," replied Jen.
"Okay. I'll see you in the mess hall," said Eric patting her on the shoulder. He then headed in the direction that Ryan and Zhane had taken off in. Jen headed in the opposite direction.
***********************
Ashley found Andros working alone in the main room. He was going over readings and scans. She walked in and looked at him. He looked up at her, but either he didn't see or he just wasn't acknowledging that he had seen her. Andros looked back down at his work on the computers, and continued to work. "Andros," There was a long pause before Andros would look up.
"Huh," he looked away from his work to see what Ashley wanted. Ashley walked up to face him.
"You didn't come to dinner,"
"I'm working. This is really important Ash you know that. With out having a significant light source, it's going to be difficult to beat the CellBorgs," Ashley sighed. It seemed to her that's all he ever cared about was his work as a ranger. And it wasn't that this mission wasn't important to her, she knew it was. But it seemed to her Andros put more time and effort in his job as a ranger, more than his relationship with her.
"Am I not important?" Andros looked at her confused. What did she mean by that?
"What?" Not seeming to be getting the point.
Ryan ran passed the room, with Zhane not too far behind. A second later Zhane had about passed the room, but stopped suddenly as if the conversation between Ashley and Andros had caught his ear.
"This will always be how it is. Wont it?" Ashley was on the verge of tears. Andros didn't seem to understand what her problem was.
"What do you mean Ash? What's wrong?" asked Andros walking up to her. He put his hand on her shoulder gently, looking into her eyes.
"You'll never be able to give it up. Will you? Not after this mission or the next or the next. Not even for me," Her words caught Andros off guard. He never thought he would ever hear Ashley ask him that.
"Ashley, I….I….." Ashley shook her head, tears going down her face. "Honey," Andros tried to draw her into a hug, but she pushed his arms away and ran out of the room. Andros sighed heavily.
***********************
Jen walked into the weapon room, and began looking at the several different blasters on the table. Some were small and handheld, while others were quit large. A shadow then began to creep behind Jen, without her knowing until it was too late. The dark figure raised his arms up, one heading towards Jens mouth and the other towards her waste. Jen felt hands grab a hold of her, she struggle to get free, but couldn't. She then tried to call for help, but her words were softened by the cold grey silver hand that covered her mouth. The dark figure then turned Jen around, so he could be face to face with her.
"Hello Jen. Miss me, because I've missed you," he laughed. The look of horror and terror showed in Jen's eyes. She was scared to death of who her captor was. Jen again tried to cry for help but couldn't. "I have special plans in store for you," he laughed darkly as Jen tried again and again to break free, but he was much stronger then she was.
***********************
"You know she right," said Zhane as he walked up behind Andros. He had overheard the conversation him and Ashley were having. Andros turned around his face annoyed and upset.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just like it sounds," Zhane crossed his arms over his chest. Andros shook his head not believing his best friend wasn't on his side or understood where he was coming from. "She's your wife Andros. She has a right to want a family. A lot more then all of this," Zhane waved his arms around. Mainly pointing out that they were on another planet, on a mission to destroy the CellBorgs. Andros gave Zhane a dark stare and started to walk pass his friend brushing his shoulder against his.
"Yeah well maybe she should have thought about that before marrying me," replied Andros harshly. Andros started for the exit of the main deck room. But Zhane wasn't finished.
"Who was it again? Who asked who to marry them?" Andros froze right where he stood. It had been him that asked Ashley to marry him. He had done it shortly after they returned to earth and not too long after that, they had gotten married. It was a small wedding, mostly Ashley's family, and some friends they both have shared. Andros slowly turned around to face Zhane once again.
"This is my life Zhane. It's all of ours. We made a promise remember," Andros's face was firm. Zhane nodded his head. He knew Andros took great pride in being a ranger, perhaps too much pride.
"Yeah we did, but we also made a promise to stay true to ourselves. Which is why once this mission is over, I'm turning my morpher in……,"
"WHAT!" Andros was shocked and probably furious. "When did you decide this? How?" Zhane could tell Andros wasn't too happy about this. Zhane bit his lip. He knew this would be how Andros would react, which is why he never told him until now.
"I decided it awhile ago, so have the others, T.J. Cassie, Ashley and Carlos have already prepared to turn them in and send them back to KO-35," Andros just shook his head angrily. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He felt like his friends had turned against him.
"I don't believe this! Ashley never mentioned anything to me about this," Andros snapped. Zhane got right up to Andros face.
"Because she knew how you would react. Andros you make it as though being a ranger is your whole life…."
"IT IS MY WHOLE LIFE!" Andros snapped again.
"No it's not! Look at yourself Andros, you had your whole life right in front of you the whole time and you didn't even know it. Ashley loves you. She wants to have a family with you. She doesn't want to be a ranger for the rest of her life. She wants to have a real life, one that doesn't evolve saving the world twenty-four seven. We all do," Zhanes words were soft, but firm, hitting Andros like a rock. Andros didn't respond. His anger was burning up inside. "You want to know what I think," Andros eyes Zhane his eyes dark and firm. Not sure if he could take anymore of this.
"What?"
"I think you're scared to give up being a ranger. Because for as long as I've know you that all you known," Andros gave a pouting protest look." You wanted to join the ranger program to go and find your sister, fight the monsters, and save the universe. But you've done all that," Zhane knew he was right.
"I'm not scared….." Andros words came out too quick.
"Really," Zhanes eyes just got all wide-eyed. Andros was getting sick and tired of Zhanes smartass remarks.
"You know wh…….." Just as Andros was about to tell Zhane off a loud explosion was heard. The two looked at each other fearful for what it could mean. The two quickly went running into the direction of where the explosion came from.