Part 4
Jarrold looked back at his little sister and was happy that they had finally escaped. Tara was to young to remember a time when they hadn't worked in the Vandairre ore pits, but he wasn't and was glad to be out of the place. They had been walking for the better part of a day and were all tired and hungry but couldn't afford to stop. They were all sure that the Vandiarre would be after them. Jarrold knew that they would be killed in they were found , especially after what had happened to Tharon. Still he was happy to be free.
Jarrold turned his head to look at the man that had made their escape possible. The man hadn't said much since they had gotten away and it made Jarrold a little nervous. Tara could tell his sister was just as nervous but she covered it up by trying to make tem laugh. The stranger simply ignored her. Which in turn made her try even harder to get to him. There seemed to be a battle of wills between the two and the older man had won every round.
Back in the slave camp Tara had been able to make just about everyone at least smile if not fall out laughing outright butt this guy seemed as though he were immune to Tara charm.
The other thing that Jarrold noticed was that he always seemed to walk ahead of them and that his head was constantly moving from side to side as thouh he wee looking for something. He said very little and when approached would always wave either of the two back. It seemed as though he were taking them somewhere in particular and Jarrold wanted to know where it was. He decided that he had better take to the man to find out just what was going on.
Jarrold quickly moved to the mans side. The man tried to wave him back behind him again but this time Jarrold wasn't having it. "Where are we going?" he asked insistantly.
The stranger didn't answer. He didn't even turn his head to ackwoledge him.
"Well then if your not going to answer me I'm taking my sister and were getting out of here.
The man stopped dead in his tracks. Slowly he turned around to face Jarrold. "He spoke in a low vioce that made him seem to be a completely different person than the one that orchestrated the breakout just a day before. "You have to stay with me. I need your trust."
Jarrold looked at him. His eyes seemed cold almost heartless for a moment. He began to wonder how he could trust a man that had those kind of eyes. "Why should we? You haven't even told us your name."
The name seemed to ease up a little. He thought about a time when he was younger and someone had asked him and his friends to give their trust. The person had been a lot friendlier, almost fatherly when he asked them to trust him. Although the person is long dead he was thought of almost daily and even given a silent prayer. The man closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them to look at Jarrold "Jason...my name is Jason."
Tara stepped around her brother and extended her hand. "I'm Tara and this is my big brother Jarrold." Jason took the girls hand and smiled at her, the scowl that he had before completely wiped from his face.
"Nice to meet you Tara. I'm sorry for the way that I've been acting but we are in a hurry and I forgot the first rule of trust is communication."
Jarrold stepped in front of his sister. "Well Jason you said that we were going somewhere. Can you tell us where that wuold be?"
"I'll tell you while we walk." The three then started to walk, only this time they were side by side. "I know this may seem stranger to you but I know of a way to beat the Vandiarre. It will take a while and be very difficult but it can be done."
"Really?" Tara asked, her eyes opening wide.
"Yes and the two of you and a few others like you are the key. Your help is very important. I can't tell you all of the details right now but if you trust me I can show you what needs to be done."
Jarrold looked at the older man, this Jason and nodded. He didn't know what to make of any of it but for now this was all he had and they would have to accept it. "We're with you for now."
"Thank you Jarrold. I hope that I don't disappoint you."
The three looked at each other for a moment and then continued to walk. There was a moment of silence and then Taras stomach started to rumble. "Um guys we need to do something about food."
Jarrold hadn't allowed himself to think about it but he was starting to get hungry to. "Yeah Tara, I know. I'm starting to get hungry to."
"That makes three of us then. Luckily it's going to be dark soon. That's when most of the caravans come out. Hopefully we can find someone willing to share their food with us " Jason said.
"Good lets just put it out of our thoughts and keep moving.
Jarrold and Tara nodded their silent agreement.
The desert had never really agreed with Ashlyn even though she had been hiding out here for the better part of two years. She hated the heat and the dirt but just by virtue of having been out here so long she know that it was the best place to hide. Well would be if the people that she was hiding from hadn't learned to roam the desert as well.
She closed her eyes and remembered the day that she found out that her boyfriend was betraying her resistance squad to the Vandairre. She had tried to confront him but he ran. When he escaped she decided to be a good little soldier and report to the nearest resistance unit as was standard procedure when a team member was seperated from the group.
She saw herself walk into the base and imagined the look that she must have had when Trevor was standing there. He had turned around and with an evil gleam in his eye pointed to her. "There she is now," he said. "get that traitor."
To her horror several of the guards turned on her and drew their weapons. She hadn't even tried to explain what she had seen. Trevor had a way of convincing people of what he wanted them to think. She ran as fast as she could and had been on the run ever since. 'Man I should have listened to Jenn when she told me about that guy.' Ashlyn said, referring to the friend that she had given up for Trevor.
A loud blood curdling scream shook Ashlyn from her day dream. She jumped up and looked around. "What the hell was that?" she asked out loud looking around. There was a second scream and Ashlyn caught the direction that it was coming from. She started to run in that direction.
She came to a small dune and climbed it. Below her were a group of Vandairre soldiers, it looked like there were a total of 10 of them. A few feet away was a girl wearing tattered clothing and trying her best to drag herself away from the soldiers. The girl looked absolutely terrified. Then Ashlyn looked over a few fett past the girl and her eyes nearly popped out of her head. She had been waiting for this moment for almost two years. "Scorpina!" she said under her breathe.
"So little one the Prince wants you next. You should consider yourself quite lucky."
"Just let me go." the girl whimpered. "Please."
"Sorry but the Prince always gets what he wants and your next on his list. Nothing personal but it's my job and I do love my work." Scorpina knelt down and took the girl by her arm. "Now come on. The Prince can be quite impatient."
The girl started to struggle. "Let me go" she squealed."
"Yeah let her go you bitch." Ashlyn said as she ran down from the top of the dune.
Scorpina grinned slightly "I don't have the time to deal with you now Ashlyn. The Prince is waiting for me to deliver this, so I can't play. If you leave now I might not hunt you down and kill you." she said as she pulled herscimitar from its place on her back. She took a moment to rub her check and to remember the scar that Ashlyn had left during their last encounter almost two years ago.
"Huh, don't make me laugh Scorpina. I kicked your sorry ass the last time we met and I can or should I say will do it again if you don't leave her alone now." Ashlyn said, taken a defensive stance.
"I went easy on you because I liked you. But this time you will not be so lucky. I was there the day... "
"That the Power Rangers fell. Yeah, yeah I've heard it before but I'm not impressed. If we're going to settle this then lets get it over with.
The warriors circled each other for a moment and then charged.
Tara was starving and she couldn't hold it in any longer. "If I don't eat something soon I'm going to chew my own arm off."
Jarrold looked at his sister in sympathy. He knew how hungry she was especially since the Vandairre barely feed their slaves enough to be kept alive. "I know sis but we should be getting something to eat soon enough."
Jason seemed to be staring off in the distance ata something. "Yeah and there it is now." he said pointing to a cloud of dust that seemed to be raising from a dune about a quarter of a mile away from them. "Lets get over there before the get to far out of reach for us."
All three broke into a run "Oh great I hope we do get some food from them."
Jason reached the top of the dune first and came to sliding halt. When Jarrold reached the top he noticed that Jason was slightly trembling.
"What's wrong Jason?" Jarrold asked.
Jason said one word almost under his breathe "Scorpina." The older man ran down the dune. It had been years since he had last seen the beautiful warrior. At one point he thought that she might change and actually turn to good. It certainly would have been an asset. He had to admit it to himself, even though he had tried to hide his attraction fo her Jason had fallen hard for the warrior that at one time had been one of his biggest enemies. Of course it had all been a trick. She had used him to get in a lay havoc to the Power Chamber. He would never be able to forgive himself for what happened after that. Trini had been hurt bad, almost died because of his foolishness. The only thing good that came out of the whole thing was that he realized that he was in love with his life long friend. The were married soon after but even that hadn't lasted long. During a crucial battle Scorpina had managed to hurt him again by taking his wife. She hadn't killed her. No that would have made it a little easier. Instead she took her away to Emperor Nicandros. The rangers had tried to rescue her several times but could never find out where she was being kept. Scorpina would constantly taunt him and remind him of his failure to protect the person that he loved the most. 'You're going to get yours today you heartless bitch."
Jarrold came running down the dune almost as fast as Jason, they were followed by Tara who while staying close behind them was uttering some inconcievable curses about the effect that lack of food can have on someones sanity.
Jason approached Scorpina as she was battling another female. The second female was doing well for herself but was obviously no match for the over ten-thousand years worth of combat skill that Scorpina brought to the fight. Scorpinas moves were fluid and she was still as fast as Jason remembered. With a quick kick she caused the girl to fall. The more experienced warrior got an evil gleam in her eyes and brought her scimitar up as if she were about to finish off the younger fighter.
"Scorpina stop!" Jason called out.
Scorpina turned around to the sound of the familiar voice and a slight amount of fear became evident in her eyes. "Jason, what the hell are you doing here?" she said, her voice a little shaky.
"Step away from her now!" Jason ordered.
"My pleasure Red Ranger or should I say ex Red Ranger. As soon as I seperate her head from her shoulders." Scorpina turned around to finish what she had started with the other girl but was met by a face full of sand.
A quick kick from Ashlyn sent Scorpina sliding towards Jason. "You're not going to get me that easy bitch." Ashlyn yelled at her.
Scorpina wiped the sand from her eyes and backed up slightly. She bumped into something and turned around to see Jason standing behind her. She was in serious trouble now. If Jason were to get his hands on here she was as good as done for. One thing she really missed about Rita was teleportation. To bad she hadn't been born with the ability instead of having to rely on some one else to grant it to her.
"Grab her." Ashlyn called out to the new comer.
Jason grabbed the Scorpian warrior and pinned her arms to her sides. He silently whispered in her ear "now your going to pay."
Scorpinas warriors, who had been busy trying to catch the other girl and returned and saw their leader being held by her arms like a rag doll. Scorpina cracked a smile when she was that they had captured the girl and know that Jasons honor would not allow any to come to harm when he could have prevented it just by releasing her.
"Tell them to let her go." Jason ordered his old nemesis, squeezing her arms slighty.
"I have a better idea" Scorpina laughed "you let me go and I won't order my men to kill her."
Jason knew that Scorpina would do it. He gritted his teeth and threw her to the ground. "Let the girl go Scorpina."
"Not on your life pretty boy." she said walking away. "Oh yeah and I'll tell Emily that you said hello."
Jason and Ashlyn both charged at Scorpina when they realized that she wasn't going to let the girl go.
Scorpina however was to fast for them and jumped back in the vehicle that the had traveled in. The soldiers followed suit and climbed in the transport with the last one dragging the girl behind him. Jarrold moved in fast and grabbed the girl, pulling her out of his grasp and rolling to the side as the vehicle moved away.
Scoprina saw this and lept out of the transport after them. Ashlyn tackled them and the two of them spun of into a pit that was just a few feet away.
"Had enough!" Scorpina said as she threw Ashlyn to the ground and kicked her in the stomach.
"I'm just getting started" Ashlyn returned while sweeping Scorpinas leg from under her causing the warrior to fall hard into a rock. The soldiers saw this and turned their attention and jumped into the pit after Ashlyn.
"Five on ones not very fair" said Jarrold as he leapt over one of the guards and stood in front of Ashlyn. "How about we even up the odds a little."
"Yeah, lets see if you can deal with all of us." Jason added.
"We're gonna kick your sorry asses." Tara finished.
Jarrold looked at his little sister and shook his head. "Tara you co see if she's ok" he said pointing at the girl, who was sitting a rock a few feet away from them.
"Come on Jarrold I want a chance to whup on these guy too." Tara pleaded with her older brother.
"Tara just go!" Jarrold shouted.
"Alright, alright." Tara pouted and the whispered something under her breathe.
"Now for you" said Jarrold while turning around to face his opponents. One of the soldiers pulled his arm back to punch him but Jarrold saw the move coming and spun to the left and grabbed his arm. He then pulled him closer and kicked him in the jaw, knocking his helmet off and sending the soldier into unconsciousness. Then next soldier ran at him and was quickly met with a reverse kick in the chest, which send him flying into a nearby cactus.
"Hello Scorpina long time no see." Jason said sarcastically.
"Yes Jason Lee Scott, it has been a long time. So how are things going now that aren't any Power Rangers to save you?" Scorpina said in a mocking voice.
"I never needed the others to beat you or that big gold goofball Goldar, I could prove that now if you'd like."
"That's what I always liked about you Jason. You could always make me laugh."
"Yeah well laugh this off chuckles." Jason said as he started a wheel kick at Scorpina.
"How do you like that?" Ashlyn screamed as she punched her opponent in the throat. The soldier grabbed his throat barely able to breathe. Ashlyn quickly brought both of her hands down across his back knocking him down. When she was satisfied that he was no longer a threat she turned and started to run towards Jason and Scorpina.
"Well Jason isn't this about the time that you say 'Its morphin time' and put on your spandex." Scorpina laughed as she relentlessly attacked Jason.
"No actually this is about the time that I do this," he said grabbing her leg and jumping towards her. Scorpina was instantly taken off her feet. She stood up angrily and charged at Jason tackling him.
"Isn't it about time for Tommy to come in here with his stolen powers and save you." She said.
"No actually it's about time that I kicked you in the mouth." said Ashlyn as she planted her foot in Scorpinas face. Scorpina fell off of Jason and started to run.
"The next time we meet you won't be so lucky." Scorpina said.
"Yeah and neither will you, you gold plated bimbo." Ashlyn yelled back to her.
Jarrold walked over to Ashlyn and put out his hand "Your pretty good in a fight." he said.
"And you're a pest, who asked for you help anyway?" Ashlyn returned, slapping Jarrolds hand away.
Tara stood up and started to walk over to Ashlyn "You ungrateful bitch, those guys just saved your life." Tara shouted to Ashlyn.
"You wanna piece of me little girl?" Ashlyn scowled, getting in Taras face.
"Yeah I've been wanting to fight all day." Tara answered.
"Stop fighting." came a voice from behind Tara. The two turned around to see the girl that they saved standing there pleading with her eyes.
Ashlyn turned her back and started to walk away "I didn't want to beat you up any way shorty. she said.
Tara was visibly shaken by this and started to walk up behind her but thought better of it and turned around.
Jarrold walked over to his little sister but the whole time he couldn't help but stare at Ashlyn. "She's great isn't she" Jarrold said as he watched her walking toward Jason.
"Jarrold what's your problem? You just risked your life saving her and she didn't even appreciate it."
"Well I appreciate it." the other girl said. "Thanks."
Jarrold simply ignored he and stared at Ashlyn.
"Is that your brother?" the girl asked referring to Jarrold.
"Yeah that's my idiot brother Jarrold." Tara said sarcastically.
"Well he sure is cute."
"Yeah Whatever." Tara said rolling her eyes. "What's your name by the way?"
"My name's Leslie." the girl said. For some reason it seemed as though she were struggling to find the words.
"I'm Tara, you've met my brother Jarrold and the other guy is Jason." Tara said pointing at the group "do you have any idea why those jerks were after you?"
"All they said was that they were going to get a bonus for me and then they attacked me. Other then that I don't know."
"Tara get over here we have things to talk about." Jarrold called.
"Ok I'm on my way" the girl screamed "let's go Leslie."
"I'm leaving." Jason announced.
"What, why?" Tara asked, confused . "Where are you going?"
"I have to go see if some friends of mine are ok. I promised them that I would find them and I'm going to keep that promise." Jason answered.
"I want you to head west, you should find something interesting there. And be careful" Jason finished as he walked away from the group.
The four watched Jason walk away and then Leslie leaned over to take a look at Taras coin. After a moment she reached into her pocket and pulled out a similar coin.
"Where did you get that?" Jarrold asked.
"Don't know." Leslie said, "I've had it as long as I can remember."
"We'll figure it out later" Jarrold said, "We better get going to."
"I'm coming with you" Ashlyn announced. Jarrold smiled at this.
"Oh great, there goes my day." Tara said rolling her eyes.
Leslie shifted towards Jarrold as they began to walk. Jarrold rolled his eyes and moved a few feet a ahead of everyone else. "Let's get going." he said.
"Hey Jarrold."
"What's up Tara."
"I'm still hungry."
Jarrold shook his head and the four started off in the moonlight.
Bryan had been wandering around the area for hours and was dead tired. He hadn't eaten in days and was past the point of hunger, he felt as though he were going to faint. What made matters worse is that he couldn't sleep. Every time he closed his eyes he had nightmares about the night that he saw his family die. But as bad as the dreams were what made it even worse was the shadowy figure that he had seen that night and the fact that it kept appearing in his dreams. He had picked up a few leads on the location of the freedom fighters and was following their trail west to the outskirts of a town that had once been known as Angel Grove. He was sure that he was close but it seemed like he would never make it. Then he happened to glance see something out of the corner of his eye. Bryan turned his head quickly and saw what looked like a building. He began to walk towards the building and the closer he got the more buildings he could see. The place was in ruins he could hardly believe what he saw here 'so this is what the Vandairre do' he thought to himself. 'And to think I almost joined their army'.
"Stop right there!" came a voice from behind. Bryan turned around to see a boy who was no older than twelve years old pointing a rifle at him. "Don't move."
"Put that gun down before you hurt somebody kid." Bryan said.
The boy took offense to the remark and pulled the trigger firing a shot that hit the ground just inches away from Bryan's right foot. "You call me kid again and I won't be giving you a demonstration." the kid said "now who the hell are you and what do you want here?"
"Lieu..." Bryan started but thought better of telling anyone that he once with the Vandairre "Bryan Cranston" he said "I'm looking for Captain Sawyer where is she?"
"Jimmy put that gun down, that's no way to treat Senator Cranston's son." came a female from behind a shadow. Bryan's eyes nearly popped out his head when he saw her step out. "So you're Bryan huh?" the girl said looking him over. "Well your father used to talk about you a lot so I hope you don't disappoint us." she said.
Bryan had to calm himself. He had always admired pretty girls but she was beyond pretty, she was absolutley gorgeous. Bryan looked her over and saw that her black hair was cut short around her face, which seemed to bring out a pout inher lips that Bryan really enjoyed looking at. The tattered, drab, olive colored military jumpsuit that she was wearing really didn't do her justice but he could tell that she had a figure to die for. He know that he shouldn't be staring but he couldn't help it she was beautiful.
"I believe you were looking for me," Becky said as she walked over to Bryan. "Where's the senator?"
"My dad didn't make it" Bryan said, trying to hide the fact that his heart was racing from looking at her. "We were attacked by the Vandairre but they murdered parents." he finished. He began to frown and his blood started to boil. He hated thinking about what the monsters had done top him and wanted to make them pay for it. "I think they also took my little brothers" he said, not sure if he wanted to mention shadow figure that he had seen, for fear that they might think that he was crazy.
"I'm sorry Bryan, your father was a good man." Captian Sawyer, trying to comfort the obviously upset man. "Those aliens are going to pay for everything they've done. We'll make sure of that." Captian Sawyer placed her hand on Bryans shoulder. "I hate to bring this up now but your dad was supposed to deliver something very important to me.?"
Bryan thought about it for a second then handed her the note that his father had told him to give her but decided that he would keep the coin as something to remember his father by.
"He didn't give you anything else?" Captian Sawyer asked, looking quit disappointed.
"No that's it." Bryan said feeling bad for lying. But everything else in his life had been destroyed and he at least wanted this coin as a memento to his father.
"Well I guess the map will have to do." said Captian. "Ok we're moving out!" she shouted. Bryans eyes opened up as he saw people coming out of creak and crevice in the around them. It seemed as if they were appearing from thin air and when the last person come out he Bryan could see that there were roughly fifty people there. Most kids between the ages of eleven and fifteen.
"WOW!" Bryan exclaimed, "Who are all these people?"
"This Bryan is my squad of the Earth Liberation Front, and I hope that you'll join us."
"Of course I will." he said. "I have nowhere else to go." The army of youngsters formed up and began to march with their Captian in the lead carrying the map.