Chapter8 and it begins

The rangers spent the next day getting ready to land on Fetos. They all double checked the things on their lists. Then they went to be sure they'd gathered all of their stuff.

It was in their quarters that Carter located Ryan. The Titanium ranger was going through the closet.

"I wanted to talk to you." He began and Ryan didn't look up just continued his task. "I know you're the newest member of the team but if anything should happen to me I want you to take over." Ryan paused in his task to turn back and look at the red ranger.

"You want me to be your second? I thought that would be Chad's job."

"Well, I think that he Kelsey and Joel will need all of the support they can get and you're as strong if not stronger than all of us." Carter trailed off not knowing what else to say. He just had to make his new friend understand that he trusted him.

"I see." Ryan seemed to maul that one over. "And Dana?"

"This trip from all accounts will be really rough and she'll."

"She needs you." The words were spoken so softly that Carter wasn't even sure he'd heard them. Ryan didn't seem to notice though, going on. "You have been her support for a long time, maybe not directly but you've been there. You're good for her. You keep her grounded." Ryan then added thoughtfully. "From what I see you love her very much; so," don't hurt her by getting yourself killed." With that Ryan went back to his work leaving Carter to think that one over.

Carter sat there a long moment knowing that he'd been given Ryan's approval and that it didn't come easy. Just as Trust came hard to both men. The fact of what they'd just said meant more than it seemed at first glance. After a minute more Carter got to his feet and headed for the bridge to check on their progress.

*****

Dana was all packed and raring to go. Her hair flying loose about her shoulders as she went through yet another training exercise with Ashley, Karone and Zhane. They'd showed up at her room saying that they were going to do some exercises so her powers would be more homed. They did too; she was exhausted, but ready.

"Ok, I think you're about as ready as you can be." The silver ranger told his student.

"Do you really think so?" the pink clad young girl asked.

"Yes, you're as ready as anyone can be upon landing on a new planet." Karone said and Ashley put in.

"You're more ready than we were."

"Yep, now just remember what we told you, you're the heart of the team and so you have to be strong, no matter what happens. They'll need you, and you'll draw strength from them."

"I'll try." Dana said and hugged each of her new friends in turn.

*****

Chad looked up from where he was rechecking his pack to see Carter coming onto the bridge. The red ranger looked both anxious and in control. But then Chad had rarely ever seen his friend out of control. It was somehow good to know he was so unshakable. At least one of them was. He then saw Kelsey coming. She looked better than she'd been looking her dark hair pulled into a high pony tale, her jumper looking a neat as that of the yellow astro ranger. It was good, that they had all opted to wear the space clothes. It would make things easier, for one they'd be warmer and less inclined to pack too much junk.

Chad glanced to Joel who looked better too, his eyes were solemn but that spark that made him the joker of the group had somewhat reemerged. It was god humor was a key staple to diving into the unknown. The blue ranger had learned that a short time after becoming a ranger.

Carter glanced around at his team and noted that Dana and Ryan were still absent. He wondered if they'd arrive together but when the pink ranger came walking onto the bridge her cane tapping rhythmically with each step he knew she'd been training again. There was a confident look on her face as she went to stand near Kelsey. He almost smiled. She'd been through a lot but was bouncing back like the woman he new her to be.

"We're almost in ranger." Andros called as Ryan joined them, pack in place.

"Alright, everyone have everything? Once we land there's no going back." Carter said looking over his team. They looked nervous, he thought, nervous and excited. Good, this would be a real challenge.

"I think so." Chad said looking first toe Kelsey and then to Joel who both nodded. Dana rummaged in her pack to make sure she had her medicine and things.

"I'm good." She said at last and Ryan gave his answer in a single nod.

"I'm good too." Kelsey said feeling silly.

"Ok Then we're all ready?" Carter looked to Ryan who simply nodded. Then with out another word he took Dana's hand and then they were being teleported from the deck of the ship.

*** 

The six flashes of white light materialized into the six young people, each trying to adjust to teleporting. It was really only their first times so it still made them a little queasy.

"Man look at this place." Joel said in awe of their own surroundings. Their was a beach as far as the eye could see. The sky was an azure so soft it made his eyes water.  The water to the right looked so clear that Joel wondered if anyone had ever dared to drink of it.

To Joel's left Chad was taking in the area as well. It seemed very serine but as a ranger they'd all learned that taking things at face value could be deadly. Glancing over at his friends he saw that Kelsey and Ryan were looking around already taking their duty of scouting around to heart. The pair looked very much at home, even in this new setting. It occurred to the boy in blue that they were very much alike. Both had not had simple childhoods and they loved adventures. Not loved it, Chad mused, thrived on it. He wondered if he'd ever find anyone so suited to him.

"Everyone alright?" Carter asked his team. The answers were in the affirmative and Dana felt his hand still clutching hers. It felt somehow right, the support and knowledge that they weren't alone. That in mind Dana focused her other senses on her surroundings. The air felt light and there was only the faint sea smell of salty air and sun. The breeze was warm but not hot yet pleasant. The ground beneath her feet felt odd, solid but as she bent slightly to touch the earth she found it was as she'd thought sand. So they were on a beach. She heard the others shifting around and turned her face up to Carter.

"Well?"

"We should probably get started; we don't know how much daylight we'll have. Time here could be different." The red clad young man said released Dana's hand and crossed to her brother. "What do you think?"

"Well, from what we can tell we should probably follow the water' line it's a good bet that it will lead us to the rocks in the data files." The silver clad young man said with a nod from his yellow clad comrade.

"Alright why don't you two get a start, we'll be right behind you." Carter said and Ryan cast his sister a look. She was using her Cane to poke at the ground, checking out the area he supposed. It was good to see she was up for the challenge. It was good to see her so ready to do this they'd have to be ready for anything.

From where their leader stood he glanced around again and found Chad doing his own surveying. Carter was glad to see that his friend was doing better, he'd been a little worried about him. Joel was doing better than the other day. He even seemed ready to go.

"Well?" The green ranger asked ad Carter took a deep breath.

"Alright lets go." The three remaining rangers didn't say a word just moved to follow their leader.

Dana didn't say anything as they headed out focusing all of her energy on her surroundings. This would be a real adventure, she thought and wondered what

Ryan and Kelsey would find ahead. Even if she was a liability this WD be fun. And if it gave them the ability to beat the queen all the better.

*** 

They'd been going for about an hour when Carter fell into step with Chad.

"What do you make of this place?"

"It's too quiet. I know it's not earth but I just have this feeling that there's a lot more to this whole place than what we're seeing." The blue clad young man told him and his leader nodded.

"I figured as much. It's too picturesque."

"Naw man you two are just looking for trouble." Joel said shaking his head.

"Joel don't laugh it could be you that finds the trouble. Dana called back to him from where she walked just ahead of him.

"Smart thinking." Chad laughed and moved to walk with Joel. The two joked.

Carter just watched his friends as they went. They seemed as if they were no more than on a nature hike. At least Chad did. Dana was busy using what ever skills Ashley had taught her to move with ease over the now slightly rocky ground. In the distance Carter could see Ryan and his yellow clad partner mounting a group of boulders. They moved as one, it was almost as if they'd always worked together. Carter was glad that they could get along, if their was friction between any of them this would be over 1, 2, 3. Not for the first time Carter glanced skyward. It seemed that the night was coming on. It didn't drop like in some old movie but was slowly changing the marine sky to a soft green/gold. They'd have to find a place to make camp for the night. He surveyed the area and noted a patch of flat stone with little sand; it was near a little outcropping of trees. It would make a good camping spot.

***

Kelsey and Ryan had been going for a while and hadn't done that much talking. For some reason it really wasn't needed. That was just one of the little things about their friendship that felt good. Then there was the knowing, knowing what was needed before it was needed, or how they just understood each other, at times better than they did themselves. That was why they stopped as one at the foot of the weather worn boulders.

"What do you think?" Kelsey asked not looking at him.

"Well, I think we should try and see just how steep they really are. Then if their too bad we can look for a way around them." The silver clad boy said.

"Cool." With that they began to mount the stones.

***

Carter let out a low whistle then two high and waited. Within seconds Ryan's head swiveled in his direction. Carter pointed to his pack and then the spot and his friend gave him a nod of understanding.

Unaware of the exchange, Joel stopped to have a sip of water from his cantina.

"Man, the only bad thing about this place is the heat." The young man commented adjusting his cowboy had so better shade his eyes from the sun.

"Well, lets hope that it stays warm tonight. For all we know the temperature could go below zero at night."

"Yeah right." Joel replied wiping sweat from his brow.

"Hey guys we're going to make camp for the night." Carter said joining the other men.

"Yeah, looks like it's getting dark." Chad studying the ever darkening sky. In truth he'd been wondering when his friends would notice, leave it t Mr. Perfect to pick up on it, Chad thought.

"Hey, where's Dana?" The red clad leader asked frowning at his friends having only then noticed she was not there.

"I don't know, she was just here." Joel said frowning himself as he too scanned the area.

"Hey guys where Dana is?" Kelsey called joining the others.

"I don't um she was just here." Chad told her even as Carter was scanning the ground for her footprints.

"Dana!" Kelsey shouted and soon they were joined by a confused and very concerned Ryan.

"I don't understand it's like she just disappeared." Joel said even as they fanned out to find the missing member of their group.

"Dana! Dana where are you?!" Ryan shouted fear filling him as he and Carter neared the small grove of trees.

"Dana please answer us if you can." Carter's breath wedged in his throat at what he saw. "No!"

TBC