The sounds of the blaster fire could be heard all over the ship. Rocky and Jason were in their bunk room resting when they heard the blasts. Rocky rolled off the top bunk, jumping to the ground. Jason sat up from his bunk looking at Rocky in an alarming way. Maybe it had been nothing? Maybe they were just hearing things? Then there was another blast and another. They knew then something was very wrong. The two quickly ran out of the bunk room and were headed straight towards the sound of blaster fire.
"What do you think it is?" asked Rocky as he followed behind Jason.
"I don't know, but I don't like it,"
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Andros and Zhane had been the first to arrive with Chad, Kelsey and Billy not too far behind them. Smoke from the blaster gun hid whatever was behind the dusky smoke. All any of them could see were shadows, unable to tell who or what was behind the smoke. Jason and Rocky were coming up from behind the five running as fast as their feet would carry them. They stopped suddenly almost sliding on their bare feet in the process, before they would run into the others, who were just standing there looking at the smoke. Everyone stood still fearing what could be behind the smoke. They all stood there in silence waiting for the smoke to clear. Eric and Ryan were the last to join up with them. Eric had his blaster pointed and ready to take care of whatever it was that had caused the several blaster shots, they had heard only moment ago "The smokes beginning to clear!" announced Zhane. Eric stepped forward with his defender gun pointed out ready to fire. The others all stood back waiting and fearing for the worst.
The smoke slowly faded away and they were all faced with something none of them had been suspecting. Eric couldn't believe his eyes. It couldn't be? He lowered his arms down, as he said her name. "Jen?"
"Ashley!" yelled Andros started to rush forward but was stopped by Zhane, pulling him back. Andros struggled to get free of Zhane's grip.
"Andros look," Andros looked right at what Zhane had pointed out to him. Jen had a blaster gun pressed against Ashley's neck. Andros felt his whole world begin to tumble down. Andros then saw the fear in Ashley's eyes, she was terrified to death. Everyone was in shock wondering. What the heck was wrong with Jen? Had she lost her mind? Eric started to step forward wanting to get to the bottom of this.
"What going on Jen? Let Ashley go" Jen glared at Eric darkly and snarled at him. That's when Eric saw it. The change in Jen's eyes, they were dark and red around the edges. Eric gulped now knowing this wasn't Jen who they were dealing with. Eric looked at Ashley now very concerned for her life. Eric slowly began to step back knowing any quick movements from him or the others could kill Ashley. "It's not Jen," Eric said. His voice jumpy and terrified.
That was when the rest of them saw the change in Jen. Her form was violent and stern like a wild animal. Everyone gulped. Horror and fear began to grow deeper in all of them. None of them knew what to do or say. They knew they should morph, but that defiantly would get Ashley hurt or even worse, killed. They all knew Jen would have plenty of time to take a shot on her.
Andros had his eyes locked with Ashley's. He couldn't stand to see her in such distress and there wasn't a thing he could do about it. He began breathing deeply. He felt like he was going crazy. "Andros you need to settle down," Zhane said as he firmly grabbed a hold of his friends shoulder. Andros shook his head, Zhane was right he had to get a grip. Kelsey and Chad were still in shock of what was going on. The two just stood there watching, unable to do anything.
"How did this happen? What happened to Jen?" asked Ryan. Not understanding what could have caused Jen to change to the dark side. There was a long pause, where no one answered. Eric's eyes lit up. He had remembered a time when Wes had told him that once Jen had been turned evil and had beaten the crap out of him. But that was impossible. He was a thousand years in the future. Wasn't he?
"It's impossible," said Eric. As if on cue another figure began to emerge from the shadows. He was laughing darkly as he finally reveled himself to the other rangers. A mutant tall and silvery now faced them, smiling darkly. Fear shivered down everyone's back none of them have ever seen this guy before. Who was he? How did he get here? Eric glared at the silver mutant, although he had never been faced with him before. He knew right away who he was. "Steelix," The others were somewhat in shook that Eric knew who this guy was.
Steelix laughed darkly. "Ah the quantum ranger! I don't think we ever properly introduced, I'm Steelix," Steelix faced Eric holding out his hand in a cunning way. Eric gave the mutant a dirty look.
"Sorry, but I don't shake hands with the likes of you," Steelix smiled darkly, as he lowered his arm down. "Now tell me. What have you've done with Jen?" Eric demanded. Steelix laughed darkly as he made his way back over by Jen and her hostage, Ashley.
"What you don't like the improvement?" Everyone gave Steelix a sickened look. "I think it suites her quit well," Eric felt his anger burning up inside. He raised his arms up high and pointed his blaster right at Steelix.
"Undue whatever you did to her now. Or I blow your lights out so help me God," If Steelix was afraid by Eric's words. He didn't show it.
"You are in no position to be making threats. If you even so attempt to pull your trigger. Jen will take," he pointed at Ashley. "Her out," Eric gulped in, struggling with what to do. It was one thing if it was his life, but he couldn't risk Ashley getting hurt. Eric sighed, dropping his arms to his side. Steelix laughed lightly. He knew Eric wouldn't risk Ashley getting hurt. "Such a good solder," Eric gave Steelix a dark glance, and then turned away feeling like ashamed.
"What do you want?" demand Andros who was on the verge of tears, the agony he was feeling was very visible. Steelix seemed quit pleased with the agony that Andros and the others were going through.
"Lets see. World domination has never been my thing. Money? Been there done that," Eric then knew what Steelix was after and he already had it. "What I want is Jen. I have no use for any of you. Let's just say Jen owes me," Steelix's eyes grew darker. Eric knew he had to do something before it was too late.
"Jen you have to listen to me, were your friends. You have to fight it!" yelled Eric. He would never be able to forgive himself if they lost Jen to Steelix. Eric started forward again saying the same thing over and over. Everything happened so fast, by the time every realized what was happening it was already too late.
Jen pushed Ashley forward and shot her in the back again and again. Everyone dived to the ground to avoid other blaster shots. Everything seemed to be going in slow motion. Zhane dived to the ground taking Andros with him, who was still in shock as he had watched Ashley fall to the ground not moving. Eric had taking two shots in his arm. He dropped to the ground clenching his arm. Even while in pain Eric still tried to get through to Jen.
"Jen. You have to stop this, were a team," But his words hadn't broken through whatever Steelix had down to her. Everyone then watched as Jen and Steelix disappeared away, teleporting off the ship. "JEN!!" yelled out Eric
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Some hours later, Andros found himself sitting near Ashley's still form. She was laying on one of the medic beds, machines were all around her, keeping her alive. She had a large bandage on her forehead and around both of her wrist. She looked like she was dead. Andros sighed heavily as he held back his tears. Why had this happened? Why did it have to be Ashley? It should have been him. If only he hadn't pushed her away when she wanted to talk to him, then maybe this wouldn't have happened. Andros had known what it feels like to lose someone he's close to. He's been there before, when his sister had been kidnapped, when Zhane got hurt. And now he could lose Ashley, forever, all because, he could never give up being a ranger. Zhane was watching from the room, his head down and depressed. He could feel Andros pain and sadness. He felt it too. None of them had been ready for this to happen.
"You were right," Andros voice was so soft that Zhane almost didn't here it. In fact Zhane had thought that Andros had not known he had been standing there. Andros got up and cleared his throat. He turned around to face Zhane. "You were right. You were right Zhane…." Zhane didn't reply. He didn't know what to say or do.
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He was in a dark place. He didn't know where to go. He had been hearing a voice call out to him. The young man searched around looking, but couldn't see anything, only darkness. "Wes you have to go back. It is not your time yet,"
"I don't know where to go, everything is so dark,"
"You have to try. Follow my voice," Wes tried to follow where the voice was coming from. But no mater where he turned, it all looked the same. It was the same darkness and emptiness in every direction.
"I can't. It's all the same,"
"YES YOU CAN. Jen is in trouble, she needs you," the voice was growing louder and started to become familiar to Wes.
"Jen….Who are you?" Wes turned around and around but saw nobody.
"I'm an old friend. Open your eyes Wes just open your eyes," the voice began to repeat again and again.
"Wes. Son wake up. Wake up son…." Collins was standing over his son holding his hand tightly.
"I can't see…Jen…..Jen…"
"Wes, come on son open your eyes. Open your eyes son," Collins repeated a few time over.
"JEN!" Wes jumped up in agony pain feeling the great pain in his chest and right shoulder. Wes was breathing heavily, at first he wasn't sure where he was or what had happened.
"Wes you need to take it easy. You've been in a coma close to a week," Collins gently pushed his son back down. Wes looked at his father confused at first. A coma? How had he gotten in a coma? Then it all started to come back to him. The warehouse. He had been shot. That's when his bandaged up ribs became a reality. It hurt to move and even breath.
"Dad?" said Wes softly looking at his father as everything was starting to come clearer to him.
"Yes, son it's me. Your going to be okay," said Collins smiling joyfully, happy to see Wes awake and somewhat alert. Wes took a moment for the pain to lessen in his chest and began to gain control of his breathing.
"Man I had the weirdest dream. I thought Tommy was talking to me, at least I think it was him," Collins looked at Wes with concern. He wasn't making much since, but yet Wes had been in a coma close to weak.
"Well maybe you did. Maybe he brought you back to me," Wes turned and smiled at his father.
"Yeah, maybe," Then it accord to Wes, Jen wasn't in the room. Fear then began to grow in him. Had she been shot? Was she hurt, or worse was she dead?" Dad, Jen where's Jen?" Wes asked, tears almost beginning to show. Collins gulped in, not sure how he was going to tell Wes.
"Now Wes…"
"Oh God, No, please dad. Don't tell me that she was shot too," Collins was a little confused at first, but then it hit him. He laughed lightly, giving his son a bright reassuring smile.
"No. No son. Nothing like that, she and Eric had to go on a mission. It seems the CellBorgs are back,"
"The CellBorgs, but I thought…." Wes started to push himself up, but found it very painful to do so. His ribs were still broken and he only had one free arm to help push him up. His right arm was in a sling and bandaged up. "I have to see her…." Collins pushed his son back down a second time on the bed lightly.
"Not so fast son. You need your rest," That's when Wes realized there was something his father wasn't telling him.
"What aren't you telling me?" Collins sighed. He knew it was only a matter of time, before Wes would realize there was something he had been leaving out. Collins let out a deep breath, this wouldn't be easy.
"The mission Jen went on is on another planet," Wes didn't know what to say. He was more shocked to say the least. Although he knew he couldn't protest against it, Jen had been fine with him going to the moon for a mission. But still he was concerned. He knew what the CellBorgs were capable of. He had come close to dying at their hands.
"Have you've heard anything?" asked Wes looking into his father's eyes.
"No," Wes put his head down, sighing. Collins sighed knowing this was the last thing his son needed. Collins rubbed his sons head softly. "But I'm sure she's fine Wes. You know how Jen is," Wes had to smile at that. Jen was quit capable of taking care of herself.
"Yeah. Your right, she probably doing fine," Collins smiled.
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Everyone was in a resting room, which looked more like a conference room. Everyone looked tired and upset. None of them slept well last night for a number of reasons. That Steelix would come back while they were sleeping, Jen's situation, and deep concern for Ashley's life. Least from their minds was the real reason they had come here. The CellBorgs were still out there and they wouldn't wait for them to find a way to save Ashley or Jen and stop Steelix. Eric was a wreck. He looked like he didn't sleep at all. Silence had seemed to be all there was for the last twelve hours. Not even as much as two words were said between anyone. A door slid open and Andros walked in. Everyone looked at him expecting to see his eyes red from crying, but it was exactly the opposite. He looked firm and determined. He walked into the center of the room so he was facing them all. Everyone looked up at him. Wondering what was up? "As you know were going to need to send in for two backup rangers. I will be contacting Captain Mitchell as soon as I'm finished discussing the situation with Jen," Eric shot a look up at Andros. Where was he going with this?
"Meaning?" asked Eric. Not sure if he like where this was headed. Andros didn't waste anytime responding to Eric.
"Meaning we stick with our mission and take care of the CellBorgs as planed," Andros glanced at Billy. "Billy I need you to be working on a way to get a light source strong enough to take out the CellBorgs," Billy nodded his head.
"And what about Jen?" demanded Eric. Andros looked back over at Eric.
"I was getting to that," Andros eyes them all and the look in his eyes tells them. Their not going to like what he has to say. "Our main priority is to take out the CellBorgs, so that comes first. If Jen gets in our way, I'm going to have to take her out……" Everyone jumped from their seat.
"WHAT" growled Eric not believing what he had just heard? Jason, Rocky and Billy glanced at each other.
"Last time I checked. Rangers don't take out rangers," stated Rocky. Jason stepped forward.
"Yeah. When Tommy was under a spell we didn't take him out," Andros stared right at Jason.
"Yet. You would have if you had no choice? Which is why I'll be working on a weapon," responded Andros. Jason bit his lip and turned away. There had been a time when he had said they may have to take Tommy out, but luckily it never came to that. Both Rocky and Billy put their heads down, sighing heavily. Everyone else didn't seem to know how to respond to that or didn't want to say. Zhane just stood there motionless, tying to grasp what he was hearing.
Chad put his arm around Kelsey rubbing her back, as if things weren't bad enough as it is. Ryan just stood there shaking his head in disbelief. Eric looked to be getting angrier by the minute. Eric walked right up into Andros's face. Andros stared at Eric firmly.
"I can't believe you. Just because Jen, who I remind you had no control of her actions, injured your wife, you want to kill her!" Andros eyes widen as he got right into Eric's face. Everyone stood back, letting the two dish out what anger they had towards each other. Or they were too afraid of the both of them right now to get in-between them.
"That has nothing to do with it!" Eric shook his head, not believe one word of it. "I will not let this Steelix and whatever he did to Jen, jeopardize this mission. If we do not succeed in destroying the CellBorgs, earth and universe is doom and then we all die," Andros face was firm, his teeth almost grinding. "You think I want to kill Jen, one of our own. Because I DON'T," That was the last thing Andros wanted to do. But they may have no choice. Just like he had no other choice, when Zordon had told him he had to destroy his energy tube. Eric sighed, knowing partly Andros was right. Their mission came first, as much as he hated to admit it. Eric gave Andros a very firm glare in the eyes.
"Fine! But if anyone and I mean if, has to take Jen out. It'll be me," said Eric firmly. Eric felt if anyone should do it. It should be him. Jen was his friend, his partner, his best friend's wife and his boss's daughter-in-law. Andros took a deep breath, knowing this wasn't easy on any of them. In fact it was taking all he had in him to keep from breaking down.
"Alright, but are you sure you can handle it?"
"I'll do my part. You do yours. Jen means nothing to you, but she sure as hell means something to Wes, and that's why it's going to be me. Got it?" said Eric firmly. Andros was about to respond against Eric, but decided not too. It was true he hardly knew Jen perhaps it was better this way. But that still didn't mean he didn't care.
"Okay. Okay," Andros gave everyone a sad look, now realizing what they all have just done. They had just planed to take out one of their own, if it came down to that. It seemed instead of things getting better things had only gotten worse and things would only get worse. And that's when it sunk in to Eric as to what. He just agreed he would do that when it really hit him. He felt this pain in his stomach that wouldn't go away. He never had been one to pray before, but he sure was now. He was praying that it wouldn't come down to him having to take Jen down.
"Ah Jen…" Eric whispered softly so no one could hear, but everyone could tell he was in great agony, just like they all were.