By Angel Mouse
You could literally cut the tension on the ship with a knife. After the frantic call from Billy, things hadn't exactly been full of joy. They were rushing at top speed to rendezvous with the two rangers that had been on a scouting mission, and were all hoping against hope that everything would be okay. After issuing a slew of orders, Andros had left the bridge, Ashley in tow to try and take a few minutes to relax and plan his next move. The red ranger was feeling the responsibility even more so now of trying to save the universe from an evil they knew nothing about. Cam had gone to the medical room and spent some time getting it ready for Merrick. He spoke softly with DECA, making sure he had plenty of supplies, including of Merricks blood type, and was now sitting quietly in the room, waiting. He had slumped slightly over, sitting on a stool and had his chin in his hand, his fingers absently tapping away at the bed waiting for Merrick's arrival. He had tried meditating but was having troubling concentrating. The soft tap-tap of his fingers on the surface of the bed going unnoticed in the quiet environment. If he had been more aware of what he was doing, he would be amused to discover his fingers were tapping like he constantly told the thunder rangers off for doing, especially Hunter. The two Thunder Rangers seemed to enjoy going out of their way to annoy him. Sighing, he continued his finger tapping and worrying, hoping that things would get moving soon.
Zhane and Karone had stayed on the bridge. Zhane was sitting the pilot's chair, occasionally coaxing more speed from the engines but knowing that they were at top speed already. Karone was monitoring the sensors, at the same time trying to make sense of everything that had happened over the last few days. She kept watching Zhane out of the corner of her eye, studying how he was brooding but she didn't want to interrupt him. Most likely he was deep in conversation with Andros about their next move. The thought of her brother made her automatically reach out with her own mind to him, only to find he was busy, but not as she thought with Zhane, but talking to Ashley. Not wanting to intrude, she drew her mind back and turned to watch Zhane more overtly now. Her boyfriend, lover, what ever she wanted to call him, looked worried and caught her glancing at him. He gave her a warm, wide smile, the one that was hers alone and patted his lap. Smiling at the invitation and wanting the comfort of his arms around her, she slipped into his lap and wrapped her arms around him. She sighed softly as his presence comforted her in a way that she would have never thought possible a long time ago.
Andros was trying to keep himself busy by preparing lunch for them all. He was trying hard not to think of the consequences of sending Billy and Merrick off by themselves and how horribly wrong it seemed to have gone. Ashley was filling the silence of the rec area with some lively chatter, filling him in on the latest comings and goings of their old teammates. Andros remembered that the night before they had embarked on their journey through time that Ashley had spent almost four hours straight on the com channel with Cassie and Carlos, catching up on everything and anything. So, now she filled the silence as he methodically worked in the kitchen, preparing a nice kerovan salad and pasta style dish he had adapted for Ashley since they had moved to KO35 permanently. His mind was mulling over everything that could have possibly gone wrong and he was trying to work out what he was going to do now. They just didn't have enough information to go on, and he was starting to get an inkling of some disaster was upon the horizon. He just wished he could figure it out. Sighing, he smiled gently at Ashley as he began to shuttle food both physically and telekinetically to the table.
Zaron had been wandering the ship. Studying its functions, asking soft questions of DECA or any ranger that he encountered. It was high time that he started pulling his weight for this mission, as he was feeling somewhat relegated to the sidelines since bringing the rangers together. His plans all depended though on what happened when Billy returned with Merrick's body. Everything hinged on the state the lunar wolf ranger was in. Ever since coming across the ancient prophecy all those years ago he had carefully planned each and every move that he had made, right down to the trip to see Dulcea. And so far, everything had gone well, until this. It all now hinged on whether or not Merrick survived. And if he did, what he knew.
They were all assembled on the bridge, except for Cam and Karone, who were waiting, ready in medbay. Andros was at the controls, Zhane next to him. Ashley looked up from the sensors.
"I have the shuttle finally on sensors, coming into range now." The view screen changed to show the approaching ship. Ashley looked up, concerned. "The shuttle's pretty damaged Andros. Looks like they may have been followed."
"DECA, slow speeds to match and open the cargo bay. Ashley, open a link to the shuttle and keep an eye on the sensors."
"Link open now." The view screen flicked again and Billy's face appeared. He looked tired and haggard, dark circles under his eyes and a worried expression on his face. Behind him they could see evidence of fires and damage.
"Thank the Power! Merrick's fading fast, there's nothing more I can do for him." Andros nodded.
"It's okay Billy. Zhane, can you lock on to Merrick's bio signs?" Zhane looked up and nodded.
"Locking on now. Cam, incoming!" There was silence for a moment and then they heard Cam's voice.
"Got him." Andros gave a small sigh of relief.
"We've got him Billy. Are you able to dock?" Billy glanced down at his instruments.
"I think I should be able to." Andros smiled gently
"Good, we'll meet you in the shuttle area." Billy nodded and the view screen changed back to show the shuttle slowly approaching. Andros turned to Zhane.
"Once he's docked Zhane, head us for Phaedos. We have some planning to do, but watch those sensors, what ever attacked him I don't want sneaking up on us." Zhane nodded and gesturing for Ashley to come with him left the bridge. Zhane slid into Andros's pilots chair and moments later Zaron moved over to stand by him and looked at him.
"What will happen now?" Zhane sighed.
"Now, we wait. See if Merrick survives or not." Zaron looked at him.
"And if he doesn't?" Zhane's tone was quiet and realistic, his eyes never leaving the instruments before him.
"Then he dies and we're no better off. Except we're one ranger down and Andros has to tell his Princess that he's not coming back."
"Oh." The silence stretched out for the longest time as they waited.
Cam had the scanner in his hand and began to use it as soon as Merrick appeared on the table in front of him. Karone was ready as well, and began to gently remove his clothes. Cam frowned as the scanner showed his injuries. Karone looked up as she began to put a drip into the back of his hand.
"How does it look?"
"Not good Karone. Massive internal injuries and head trauma. He's lost a lot of blood and fluids. But the little bit Billy was able to do may just have saved his life. Let's get to work and do what we can. Then it'll be up to him and the power." Karone nodded and they got to work.
Andros and Ashley waited while the shuttle bay pressurised. Ashley had taken Andros's hand in hers, trying to offer comfort.
"This isn't your fault you know."
"I know. But I sent them out there."
"You didn't know this would happen. You're not god Andros, as much as you want us to believe you are." Andros just nodded and sighed, clutching Ashley's hand.
"I know. But this is still my fault, I sent them out there." Ashley sighed, knowing that for the moment, she wouldn't be able to break through that stubborn exterior of her husbands. She knew him well. The panel beeped as the shuttle bay pressurised and they opened the door. Billy came staggering out of the shuttle and they rushed to help him. They slung their arms around him and helped him over to a chair and sat him down.
"Billy, are you alright?" Billy blinked a few times, he looked terrible. There were cuts and bruises, burns and his uniform was torn in a few places.
"Ah, I should be okay. Just really tired, I haven't slept since we got to that planet. They followed us from the planet, I don't know how as I had full stealth going. They got a few good shots on the shuttle before I managed to loose them. At least I think I've lost them. I can't be sure Andros." Billy reached into his pocket and handed Andros the scanner that Merrick had used. "This has all the information in it that Merrick gathered. It's a little damaged though, so I don't know how much will be there." Andros took it and put it in his pocket.
"I'll get Cam to look at it once he's finished with Merrick. Now, let's get you to your quarters, cleaned up and you can get some rest. Leave it with us now Billy. You did great work, thank you." Billy gave Andros a tired smile and the two of them helped him to his feet. Billy blushed slightly as they made their way to his quarters and Andros took his meaning.
"Ashley, why don't you go check on Merrick, I'll get Billy settled." Ashley smiled and squeezing Billy's shoulder in a welcome home, she left them to it. Andros helped Billy into his quarters and sat him down on the bed.
"Thanks Andros. I appreciate it. Right now I don't think I could take another step." Andros smiled gently as he helped Billy get undressed and got a wash cloth from the bathroom, handing it to Billy to clean himself up and freshen up slightly. He turned his back while Billy changed into a pair of clean trousers to sleep in. After he did that, Andros turned back and smiled gently.
"Get some sleep Billy. I'll come in and check on you later." Billy couldn't keep his eyes open any longer and nodded.
"Thanks Andros." And with that, he was quickly asleep. Andros covered him up with a blanket and instructing DECA softly to watch over him, left him to sleep.
Ashley stood outside the medbay door, watching Karone and Cam work. Ten minutes had passed and it felt like ten years. Andros came up besides her and took her hand in his, joining her in watching the others work. After a little while, probably about another 30 minutes, Cam finally looked up with a sigh and gave Karone a tired smile.
"I think he'll make it." It was then that he noticed Ashley and Andros watching from the doorway. He gave them a small smile and gestured for them to come in. They walked in and stood looking down at Merrick. He had two IV's on his hand, one for blood and another for fluids. His chest was bandaged as well as his wrist. There were also other areas that were bandaged as well. Cam gave them a reassuring smile.
"He should be okay. He's had massive injuries, but the Power can heal a lot of it. He's got broken ribs, punctured lung and concussion. I've done what I can; we're giving him blood and saline transfusions and wrapped his other injuries, healing what we could. Now, it's up to him and the power." Andros nodded and smiled gently.
"Thank you Cam, Karone. You've did a great job." Cam smiled, running a hand through his hair.
"Not a problem Andros. Just wish I could do more for him." Andros sighed.
"It's up to him now Cam. He has to want to heal; he has to want to let the Power help him."
"I know. I just feel.." Karone put her hand on his arm.
"I know, I feel the same way." Andros smiled gently at the pair of them.
"I'll have DECA monitor him while you guys take a break. We've all been on edge since hearing about what's happened. Once you've had a rest Cam, I'll get you to look at the scanner Merrick had taken with him. Billy say's it's damaged slightly, but between the both of you, once you've both had a rest, you should be able to get some sense out of it." Cam nodded, seeing the sense in that.
"Okay. I could use something to eat and a few hours sleep." Ashley smiled, linking her arm through Cam's and dragging him along with her.
"Andros made lunch, come on, it's time to actually eat something. DECA, tell everyone that lunch is ready and keep an eye on both Billy and Merrick."
"Yes Andros."
They left the med bay and were heading towards the rec room when suddenly the ship gave a lurch. They staggered against the wall and Andros yelled out.
"DECA, what's going on?"
"We are under attack but I can not locate them on my sensors." They staggered to the bridge to find Zhane picking himself up from off the floor. Karone went over to him and helped him to his feet.
"Zhane, are you alright?" Zhane nodded, staggering over to the weapons panel as the mega ship shook with another hit. Andros slid into the pilot's chair, Zhane quickly brining up the weapons. Ashley and Karone moved into their position at the sensor panels and began scanning the readings.
"Is there anything on the sensors? Anything at all?" Ashley shook her head.
"Nothing we can detect." Zhane looked up from where he had finished priming the weapons, Cam standing behind him watching his work with a curious expression on his face.
"What about visually?" Karone quickly began scanning with the visual sensors.
"Good idea, checking now." Zaron moved in to stand behind Andros, not being noticed by the busy rangers. "Got them! Mark seventeen point three five." Zhane nodded, his hands flying and Andros working in time with him.
"Right, adjusting course, Zhane, ready?"
"Ready, adjusting tracking to visual readings only. On your mark I'll commence firing." Andros nodded and Ashley and Karone shared a quick smile. Andros and Zhane worked so well, so in tune with each other it was a pleasure to see. Cam noticed it as well and was reminded of the Thunder rangers, they worked the same way.
"Adjusting course now!" Andros heeled the Mega Ship around and Zhane commenced firing immediately. Suddenly on the view screen showed six ships that were attacking them. Zhane showed what a fast shot he was as almost instantly as soon as the view screen showed the ships, the mega lasers fired quickly and destroyed two of the attacking ships immediately. Andros heeled the mega ship over again, dodging the incoming fire he could see, but the ship was still hit. Zhane fired again and quickly destroyed another ship, leaving three.
"Andros, Merricks vital signs are destabilising." Cam glanced at Andros following DECA's quiet words.
"I'll take care of it." With that he ran out of the bridge and no one noticed Zaron following him after a few moments. Zhane kept firing as Andros kept dodging the attacks. Moment's later Billy came staggering in.
"What's going on?" Ashley looked up from where she and Karone where frantically trying to adjust the sensors to detect those ships.
"Looks like you were right Billy. They must have followed you, we're under attack."
"Got him!" Zhane grinned viscously as another ship was destroyed, leaving two. The two attacking ships then spilt up and attacked from above and below, and different sides. Andros was hard pressed to keep avoiding them. The ship lurched with another hit.
"Andros, the engines have taken some damage." Karone looked up at her brother.
"Billy and I will take care of it." Grabbing Billy, the two of them ran out of the bridge, heading for the engines.
"Zhane, can you get a lock on those other two?"
"Trying, but it's not easy. It's like they are homing in on us or something."
At Zhane's words, something clicked in Andros's mind. His subconscious had been working hard on something for the last week, the few things that hadn't felt quite right that nagged at his mind but now all the pieces fell into place. He froze in place, his mind working fast, and he knew he couldn't be wrong. When he spoke his voice was soft, almost resigned even.
"Ashley, scan the Mega ship please." Ashley looked up, confused.
"Huh? For what Andros?"
"A tracking device, an unknown signal source, anything unusual." Zhane kept firing, scoring another hit and leaving one ship out there. Andros wasn't moving and the ship wasn't dodging at the moment, so it rocked slightly as another hit was scored against the mega ships hull.
"Andros, what are you thinking?" Andros just looked at Zhane and his friend understood immediately. "Oh hell."
"Exactly." Ashley didn't know what they were talking about but followed Andros's request. Andros absently began to take evasive action again while Zhane concentrated on firing hard at the last ship. Just as it was destroyed Ashley jerked her head up, surprise etched over her face.
"According to this, there is a signal coming from us. It's located down in the engine room. I don't know why it hasn't been detected before but it's there now." Andros levelled the mega ship out now they didn't have to dodge fire from other ships as Ashley routed the information she found to his panel in front of him. His face was a mask now, tight but she could see the worry behind his eyes.
"Perhaps the damage that was done down in the engine room worked something loose, something that was masking it. Ashley, stay here for a minute please. Keep your eyes open for any more of those ships, but don't set course yet for anywhere. Zhane, let's check on Merrick first and then the others." Zhane nodded, falling into step with his friend as they left the bridge. Ashley watched them go, worry on her face as she slid into the pilots chair. Something was obviously wrong, but knowing Andros as well as she did, he wouldn't speak about it to the others until he was sure of his facts.
Andros and Zhane practically were running through the ship now, thoughts flying thick and fast between them.
Are you sure about this Andros?
As sure as I can be. Think about it a minute, everything that's happened since we've been here, the discoveries we've made, Dulcea's version of what history should be, the recording from Delphine, the playing with not only our history but everyone's that some one has been doing. It all makes sense now in a terrifying way.
But do you know who it is?
It can only be one person Zhane, and if I'm right, and I'm praying that I'm not, then we're in a lot of trouble. Zhane didn't say anything; there wasn't anything he could say he knew how his friend's mind worked and knew instinctively who he meant. They ran around the corner and skidded to a halt just inside the medical room doorway. Cam was standing over Merrick, starring at the scanner in his hand.
"How is he?" Cam looked up, startled and then frowned harder.
"Okay for the moment. I've managed to stabilise him, but for how long I don't know. The power is healing him, but slowly, too slowly for my liking." Andros moved over and looked down at Merrick.
"That's not good. Can you wake him?" Cam jerked his head up and shook it.
"No way Andros. If I wake him now, it'll cause permanent brain damage." Andros nodded.
"Okay Cam, don't worry, I won't insist on it." Andros reached into his pocket, taking out the damaged scanner Billy had given him earlier. "I need to see the last few minutes of information on this, before it was damaged, can you get it out for me?" Cam took the scanner and frowned, running his hands over it and an experienced eye.
"Should be able to, how urgent is it?"
"Extremely urgent Cam. And Cam, guard Merrick, he may know something very important." Cam looked startled but nodded in understanding. Andros and Zhane then left the medical room and headed out at a run towards the engine room.
Once we've figured this all out and confirmed I'm right Zhane, we'll have to tell everyone everything. Zhane threw a started glance at Andros.
Everything?
Everything. Zhane didn't say anything else, there wasn't any need to. They stopped outside the engine room and went in to see Karone and Billy working hard. Zhane went over to Billy and looked at the tired blue ranger. Adrenaline was a great motivator for a person when they were tired or exhausted or in danger. But Billy still looked tired and exhausted. Andros went straight away to where the sensors said the signal was coming from in the engine room while Zhane smiled gently at Billy, putting his hand on the blue ranger's arm.
"Billy my friend, you look done in. We've blown the bad guy out of the sky, go back to sleep and get some rest." Billy looked for a moment like he was going to protest but he nodded, handing Zhane the tools and stumbling out with murmured thanks. Zhane finished off the repair and went over to Karone, who was finishing with the diagnostics.
"Looks like the damage was fairly minor. The outer hull damage isn't bad, we can repair that when we set down some where." Zhane smiled, squeezing his girlfriend's hand gently.
"Great work Karone, thanks."
"Found it. Come and look and tell me if you see what I'm seeing." Zhane came over to Andros's side, trailed by a very curious Karone. He looked down and then swore softly.
"Your right, it does look like what you think it is." Andros took a tool from Karone's hand and very gently began the task of removing it from the mega ships systems.
"Looks like it's been here a while. What does that tell you?" Zhane's expression was as closed as Andros's, his tone just as flat.
"That someone was prepared, very prepared." Karone looked at the both of them, beginning to feel extremely alarmed.
"Andros, what's going on?" Andros just frowned, removing the item from the Mega ships systems.
"Something bad Karone, very bad." Zhane put his hand on her shoulder as he answered her, needing the physical contact for a moment. "And if Andros is right, we're all in a lot of trouble." And totally unseen or heard by the rangers, a figure in the shadows outside the engine room moved away.
Ashley sighed softly as she ran another fairly useless sensor scan. DECA was still unable to detect any sign of those ships or if anything was approaching. It was frustrating and she wished she knew what was going on. Absently she scratched at her healing wrist, glad that tomorrow she'd be able to take off the brace and have full use of her hand again. So lost was she in her thoughts that she didn't see the shadowy figure out in the passageway open a panel and disconnect DECA's vocal systems. Sighing, Ashley ran another scan and never even saw the hand that quickly injected her with something and she slumped over the controls with before she even had time to register something was wrong. The figure in the dark cloak moved back into the corridor, heading towards the medical wing.
Cam sat on the spare bed, a thin tool in his hand, frustration dominant on his features as he tried to get the scanner working. After Andros and Zhane had left, he had shut and locked the door. Something had spooked the older rangers that it had worried him as well. Cam fiddled with a loose connection in the scanner and suddenly the screen sprang to life. A dark shadowy figure was shown pacing around where Merrick must have been standing. Cam tweaked one of the settings and suddenly there was sound.
"You! I should have known, there wasn't something right about you from the start!" That was obviously Merrick's voice.
"Yes, me. You know naturally I can't let you leave here alive." Cam frowned; there was something familiar about that voice that he couldn't quite put his finger on.
"You mean you'll try to kill me. Many people have tried and failed before you."
"But many people don't know you like I do Lunar Wolf ranger. You will die, and I will kill you myself. You and all your friends on the Mega ship." There was a bright flash and the scanner then went dead. Cam frowned, trying to place where he had heard the voice before. It was tantalisingly close and the more he thought about it, the more it slipped away from him. He was spared from trying to work out what it was when suddenly the door flew open faster than it normally would. Before Cam could even leap to his feet though, he had been darted in the neck by something and the last thought he had before he hit the floor was that Merrick had been right, he knew who it was now.
Billy stumbled towards his room, not really noticing where he was going or what he was doing, he was no danger to the cloaked figure, collapsing silently in the corridor when he was attacked from behind. The figure then moved towards the engine room again and stopped when he saw the three Kerovans emerging from the engine room. They saw him and Andros nodded almost in resignation.
"I knew it was you. There's no need to hide who you are any more, we've figured it out."
"You took your time Red Ranger. History told that you were one of the greatest rangers ever, yet you have taken almost two months to work out who was behind everything."
"You didn't make it easy." Andros's tone was flat and even, no surprise really in his voice.
"You really expected me to Red Ranger?" Zhane moved slightly, positioning himself slightly in front of Karone.
"Not really, you played your part well. I must admit you had me fooled, had us all fooled. So, what happens now?" The figured pushed back his hood and it revealed Zaron's face. Karone gasped and the two friends took up fighting stances, bracing themselves.
"So, you reveal yourself." Zaron gave them a tight smile.
"Yes. And this is goodbye Rangers. It was a shame that Merrick discovered who was behind everything, but then, he was always good at ferreting things out. You haven't even been worthy opponents, I'm disappointed in a way." Zaron's voice was sightly regretful.
"You've been the one playing with history, haven't you?" Zhane's tone was accusing and harsh, remembered pain in his voice.
"Yes. It was easy to do. As the last Eltaran I had access to all sorts of things and I realised that if I wanted my people to survive, to flourish, that our ways of being a force of good and light in the universe had to change. But things didn't go as planned. My fellow Eltaran's didn't agree with my vision of us becoming a power in the universe. They opposed me and now they are gone. But they left behind all sorts of good things. Things that I have been using to set my plans in motion so that when everything is in place, I will be the supreme power in the universe and nothing will stop me!" Karone looked confused.
"But why did you bring us here if you want to rule? Why go to all this trouble?" Zaron laughed and shook his head.
"Because of that blasted Prophecy. It has been around since before I was born over a thousand years ago! It was I who made sure Dulcea knew about it and would agree to help me. Because if I didn't enact that Prophecy then I knew my plans would fail and I wasn't going to risk that. Now, as much as I'd love to stay and continue our enthralling discussion, I must go. Good bye rangers." Suddenly he threw out his hand, lightening emerging from his fingertips, sending the rangers flying. He attacked a device to the wall and then disappeared in a blaze of light. The three rangers scrambled to their feet, trying to go after him when Andros noticed the device on the wall. He opened his mouth to yell at them to run, but he didn't get a chance as seconds later, it exploded.
Tbc… In our next chapter we find out who, if anyone survived and what is in store for our heroes..