Written by DTM666
Disclaimer:
The author of this piece would like to state that 90 percent of the
characters featured here are properties of BVS Entertainment Inc and
not that of the author. 10 percent of the characters featured here are
original creations of the author.
Also, the author understands that
this piece automatically negates events that occur any and all PR
incarnations that occur after Power Rangers Wild Force; hence no Dino
Thunder or Ninja Storm is featured here and hence Tommy is not a doctor
of anything. This is an AU, so to speak. Just thought we should be
clear on that.
I was supposed to upload this yesterday, but time conflictions got in the way. Anyway, if all goes well, expect Part 12 to be posted later tonight.
---
After two hours of space flight, the Aradon-led Machine Armada returned to KO-35 orbit, where the Orbital Shipyard was hard at work with repairing and refitting the Astro Megaship. It took some time before Andros was able to convince Kerovan security forces that the armada was on their side and thus the Armade was able to keep orbit. With everything going well with the armada, Andros and TJ took a shuttle to the shipyard.
"How's the repair work going?" Andros asked casually.
Zhane flashed the usual smile he was known for. "We're almost ready to go considering the time they had to get this done. Better shield system, better armor plating. Entire power network was replaced in half an hour. You can't beat service like that."
"Good," said Andros, who sounded more serious, "we're going to need a little extra something." As he spoke, TJ walked into the room, but the Kerovans did not take notice.
"What do you mean?" Zhane asked confusedly.
Finally noticing the other Ranger, Andros turned to him and asked, "Remember the Serpenterra salvage operation from two years ago?"
"Yeah" was TJ's only answer.
"Do you know if the laser was found?" Andros asked.
TJ did not understand at first, but soon realized what he was asking. "Last time I checked, it looked to be in one piece," he explained in a confused tone, "but nobody ever tested it to see if it worked."
Andros turned back to Zhane, who seemed to understand what his long-time friend was saying. "Zhane, see if you can get the weapon and load onto the shuttle compartment. Use whatever power relays you need."
"You want to try the Serpent Laser on that thing?" Zhane's smile returned, wider than before. "That's GENIUS! I'll let them know right away!"
Andros sighed and ran down the deck, prompting TJ to ask, "Hey, where're you going?"
Andros called back. "I gotta make a call to Mike."
---
The chamber of light seemed familiar to Thomas. The control panels and the optical read-outs were the same as before. Although he had been unconscious most of the time, Thomas recognized this place as the hidden laboratory where Zordon and Alpha Five had experimented with a new Power Ranger, the White Ranger. Aside from the fact that it had collected dust over years of inactivity, it is relatively unchanged, as if he had been there for the first time. Clearly, the multiple destructions of the structure above did not affect this chamber at all.
Thomas decided to due away with the nostalgic feelings for the moment and concentrate on the matter at hand. Beside the lab table were several file folders. Curious, Thomas thought to himself, I had never known Zordon to be keeping notes on paper. Grabbing the stack of files, Thomas opened one of them and studied the various documentation. He chuckled to himself; the first folder contained documentation of the White Ranger project. Another folder contained implemented features into the White Ranger project. Everything seemed ordinary; typical schematics, abilities, and other...
Thomas backtracked through the documents he scanned through until he found the one marked "GS-01." Taking the document from the folder, he scanned through the document, looking at handwritten words and diagrams. When Zordon briefed Thomas long ago, he explained that the White Ranger was supposed to be more powerful than any other Ranger, but he hadn't mentioned anything about a "GS-01" of any kind. Thomas sat on a chair near the lab desk and began to read the document with interest and curiosity. Although the information is rather outdated, it could hold something worth mentioning.
For several pages, the document was simple properties of energy absorption through a process unfamiliar to Thomas. The next part of the document had an interesting theory about an ability to gather the absorbed energy with a Ranger and use it to release a discharge of energy that would devastate everything in its path. This did not make sense to Thomas; why would Zordon implement a destructive power into the White Ranger matrix?
Another curious dilemma struck Thomas in the third and final part of the document. In the final three pages were schematics of the White Ranger, except the schematics included components not installed in the final product. In fact, Thomas' eyes widened when he read that the additional components could not be found and therefore, compensations had to be made. Thomas sat there confused. Missing components? Compensations? What does all this mean?
Thomas' study into the White Ranger files intrigued him enough as to spend an hour through the notes. Noticing how much time has past, he set aside the files and approached a computer console. He keyed up the word "Wraith" and the screen displayed over two hundred different entries concerning the term "Wraith." At first Thomas thought his search parameter was too general, but then remembered former Ranger William Cranston saying that the database "knows" what to look for. Thomas also remember Billy explicating telling him not to ask, so he didn't.
The files concerning the Wraith proved to be more useful than Thomas had hoped for. Most of the Wraith's functionality was clearly explained, including the less-than-powerful laser beam that only destroys ravaged planets while causing healthy worlds to become wastelands. In other words, Thomas concluded, a bigger Serpenterra with more guns. Other files has incidents and known encounters with the planet-killer.
One particular file was especially interesting. HISTORY OF THE WRAITH was the header. Thomas selected the file and read an extensive essay. He learned that the Wraith was a weapon built by an ancient civilization, designed to destroy their enemies effortlessly. Most of this information seemed trivial, except for one portion. Thomas had to read and re-read this segment several times, and each time he read it, he couldn't believe it.
During the days of the Repulsa wars, Eltarian troops commanded by Zordon uncovered and used the Wraith to destroy most of Rita Repulsa's border worlds before abandoning the weapon. However, they did not shut down the Wraith and thus the ship went about its original program; destroying uninhabitable worlds high on resources.
I can't believe it, Thomas mouthed. Zordon had a part in this thing's rampage?
Desperate to search for more, Thomas skimmed through Zordon's journals that dated to the period in question. They confirmed his fears about Zordon's involvement:
This weapon seemed like the perfect foil to take out the threat of Rita and end the Repulsa regime. However, it was difficult to control, so I set its mission parameters to go out and destroy rogue worlds that were under Rita's control.
Thomas didn't understand that particular statement and continued down towards the entry's final lines:
The Wraith did not receive any orders to halt its assault and in fact, none of us, not even myself, had thought much about it. By the time we realized our error, the Wraith was gone. Its destination... unknown. Its purpose... mindless destruction. Its target is simply rogue worlds... but I have no doubt that it will stop there. It is a weapon capable of defending itself and will stop at nothing to complete its mission.
Although Andros had told him in his recent email that the Wraith was still pursuing rogue worlds, the thought of Earth being a potential target certainly cross Thomas' mind. However, with Andros taking care of that problem, he needn't worry. So Thomas concentrated on the White Ranger project files, knowing that something within the files could possibly be adapted to the Zeo Ranger powers and could be of help to their conflict against the Varox threat.
---
Jason wanted to wait for Thomas to get back, even after Wes said he'll be a little late. But time is of the essence. He stood in front of a small crowd, consisting of the two Silver Guardians, Carter Grayson, Blue Lightspeed Ranger Chad Lee, and Cole Evans.
"Okay, you obviously know about the Mariner Bay incident and its cause of the widespread destruction." When everyone nodded in affirmation, Jason continued, "Then you probably also know that there is a second Varox running around with a government-built weapon known as the Nukutal, which is a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands." Jason gestured to Carter, who clicked on a remote towards a video monitor. The monitor flashed open and displayed an image of wasteland as Jason proceeded with his commentary, "Thanks to Carter's acquired information from the Lightspeed database, we've managed to use the scanner to search for the device, which is found here."
Carter stood and approached the monitor image of the wasteland. "The Varox hunter is hiding in one of these caverns, but they're all interconnected with each other, so it could lead to a central hub."
"That hub," Jason decreed, "is where we'll find our bomb."
Jason pointed to Wes, who stood and approached the console and pressed a few buttons. The wasteland image faded to a schematic of an armored van. "This is an experimental battle van," Wes began enthusiastically, "it's got missiles, lasers, mines, armor, rockets, the works." His tone adopted some seriousness. "We'll be riding this through the wasteland, in case our friend has some surprises for us."
"I've already made a post to send two squads of troops to meet us as the rendezvous point." Eric added, "they'll take a while, but they'll be there. I've tried to contact"
All the rangers voiced their approval except for Cole, who merely nodded. Noticing the rookie ranger, Jason approached him and laid a hand on the boy's shoulder. "You're coming along too, Cole," he told him, "We need all the help we can get, powers or not. Besides, I got a special mission for you."
Cole raised an eyebrow, wondering what help he could be without a set of powers. Jason nodded at the others to get ready, who promptly stood from their chairs and checked over their gear. Jason pulled out a silver object that resembled a wristwatch. Cole recognized it as a communicator, having seen Jason use it a couple times before. Jason handed the silver communicator to Cole, who accepted without argument.
"This communicator has been specially designed to teleport you close to the Nukutal's location," Jason briefed, "Once there, you'll have to deactivate it before the Varox hunter can use it. No doubt, the Varox won't expect an ex-Ranger to sneak in his lair, but nonetheless watch your ass. Who knows what he's got there?" He paused for a moment to let Cole digest what the Red Ranger told him. "Is everything clear to you?"
Cole looked up to the veteran Red Ranger and smiled. "No problem. Thanks, Jason."
Jason let out a wink. "Get ready, kid."
Cole nodded and ran out the door. As the others prepared for battle, Jason made one last attempt to contact Thomas in the Command Center before leaving. Unfortunately, the comm signal could not get through to either Thomas' cell phone nor his communicator. So Jason took a piece of paper, scribbled some words, and ran out the door after leaving the note on the table.
The note read "Don't be late bro."
To be continued...