Unacceptable Truth
By: Jeanka
Jeava wore a frown as Micko came through the door and sat down in the chair across from her. "I can't believe you ordered the Phantom to turn himself in. He's done nothing but help us, and now you want to stab him in the back," she said bitterly.
Micko starred down at the door with shame. "I did it for the prophesy," he said plainly. "If Andros truly is the one to save our world, then the loss of one life is a fair price to pay to save hundreds."
"Are you mad?" Jeava demanded, looking intensely at him with fire in her eyes. "He risked his life for our people more times then anyone but him is aware of. You have to end this. Don't give into Titian. Please Micko, don't."
Micko looked up at her with despair written on his face. "I can't take back a promise like that without risking the lives of everyone in this complex. You know that better then anyone. If you want him to live, you have to warn him about what I have done. It may be his only chance."
Jeava put on a grim face and left the room. Micko followed out the same door much slower. The curtains rustled as the man calling himself Andros slipped out from behind them. He had no idea what they had been talking about, but one thing was clear, no one was telling him anything.
He stepped to the left side of the open door and looking out and down the hall. Navigating this building was getting easier every time he tried. As he passed a large window, he noticed Jeava mounting a strange looking creature. With nothing better to do, he snuck down and followed her on foot. She went quickly through the forest type vegetation, but the trip still took several hours and Andros was convinced that she was going in circles. Finally, she stopped at the mouth of a cave and got down.
She looked back the way she had come before going inside. Andros followed more slowly. Voices could be heard from inside. "Jeava," a male voice said with concern. "What are you doing here?"
"I had to warn you," she returned.
Andros moved closer and the voices got louder, until he could see the makers of the voices. Jeava could be seen standing front of a young, powerfully-built, man. He had light hair and wore mostly black. There was another man sitting on the ground several yards away drawing in the dirt.
"Micko has made a deal with Titian. If you turn yourself in, he will surrender Andros's two companions," said Jeava as he took her hands in his.
"Andros?" the man asked puzzled. Suddenly a flash of realization appeared on his face. "No, not Andros. Zhane, my little brother."
"He said his name was Zhane, and he seemed quite sure of it," she said.
The man smiled at her. "Blond hair, brown eyes, wears silver?" he asked kindly.
"Yes," she said. "But that doesn't make sense. Why would he call himself Andros if his name is Zhane? Who is Andros?"
The man kissed her fingers. "Because, he has amnesia," he answered. "Andros is his best friend."
"Zarkin, this is all very interesting, but what about his friends that had been captured? Titian won't let them leave."
Zarkin put his arm around her waist and spun her around to face the man playing in dirt. "Just to warn you, he only has the mental capacity of a seven year old. Try to use small words." Jeava nodded as they stepped closer. "Winsom," said Zarkin getting the other's attention.
Winsom looked up from the mud and gave a goofy grin. "Ooo, she's pretty."
Zarkin shook his head with a smirk. "This is Jeava Kaglon of Valic. She is a good friend of mine."
"Oh, that's nice," he said. "Can you make mud pies? I used to make them all the time on KO-27, but Gerri doesn't like to stay on one planet for very long. So, there's never time to make them. Gerri thinks there too messy besides. Gerri doesn't like when I get dirty either. Boy, I miss him."
Jeava looked up at Zarkin for an explanation. "Don't worry, Winsom. Zhane and I will get him back."
"Good," said Winsom before turning back to his work.
"Gerri is his unofficial caretaker," Zarkin said softly as he walked her over to a hot pad his had set up. He had her sit on a rock for a chair while he stood. "He is one of Zhane's friends. I rescued him this morning. Titian is going use Gerri to lure the real Andros here in order to kill him."
"Is Gerri smarter then Winsom? Actually, what's wrong with him?" she asked pointing the other man. Winsom, not paying their any attention, began to hum.
"Gerri was the husband of a Power Ranger. His wife passed on her powers to their daughter, Taline, when she got old enough. Andros was the leader of Taline's team. She was the most beautiful woman on the team and caught the attention of the red and green rangers. Both Andros, red, and Titian, green, fought for her heart. In the end, she chose Andros over Titian, breaking the green ranger's heart and ultimately turning him evil," explained Zarkin. "Titian now seeks revenge on Andros for stealing her. Both men had sworn to kill the other."
"Sounds pleasant," mused Jeava.
"Gerri is a good guy and much smarter then he appears. Everyone thinks he's normal, unlike Winsom. He was just-," he stopped and looked out towards the mouth. "Are you sure no one followed you?"
"Yes," said Jeava following his gaze. "Why? Did you hear something?"
Zarkin didn't answer her. He pushed himself off of the wall and walked carefully toward the entrance, his hand gripping a small ruby that hung on a chain around his neck. Zhane's breathing increased and he knew he had to run, so he did. Zarkin almost cursed as the morph took over and the Phantom Ranger chased the figure that was leaving the cave. Silver flashed into the tree line and Zarkin knew who had been there. The Phantom Ranger hesitated in the doorway.
Zhane was running in the direction on Titian's new military training base. The Phantom Ranger turned to see Jeava and Winsom coming up behind him. "I have to stop him. Will you take Winsom with you and keep him safe?"
Jeava nodded and the lone ranger raced off into the woods.
"Where's he going?" asked Winsom in a weak voice.
Jeava smiled at him. "He has to go save Zhane."
TBC