Chapter Four
By: Jeanka

Andros's shock didn't last very long. "Hold on, Ally," he said signaling to Carlos to accelerate towards the fighting ships. The Megaship rushed towards the two ships, arriving just as they lost transmission with Allyssa.

Ashley and Cassie were given the task of disabling the enemy ship and Andros and Zhane took on the mission of finding away to teleport Allyssa to the Megaship. TJ and Carlos were told to keep the bigger ship from destroying Allyssa's smaller one.

"Ashley, would you hit something productive?" demanded Carlos as he swerved the Megaship to avoid the laser fire from the on-coming ship.

"Don't rush me," she shot back. "These guys are good and I'm partially asleep."

"Cassie, keep those shields up!" exclaimed TJ as Carlos flew in front of the beams to take the blast for Allyssa's ship.

"Shields are down to 72%!" cried Cassie glancing over at Andros and Zhane.

"That isn't going to work," Zhane commented watching over Andros's shoulder at the calibrations.

"No?" asked Andros.

"The settings are off," said Zhane pointing to a few points on the screen. "See this axis here? It may hit the ship, but it'll never lock on it Ally."

"Not yet," agreed Andros. He waited four seconds and the teleporter clasped onto something. Andros pushed the Teleport button and Zhane gasped as the sensor's told him that something teleported into his room.

"What did you do?" he asked stepping back.

Andros didn't turn. Just kept his eyes on the screen in front of him "Go," he whispered as Zhane turned and ran out. He moved back to his seat as the ship shook.

"Shields down to 27%," screamed Cassie as smoke began to fill the room when one of the maintenance ducks exploded in the back left corner of the bridge.

"Laser's are down to 29%," added Ashley.

"I've got very little maneuverability," reported Carlos.

"What should we do, Andros?" asked TJ.

The red ranger glanced up at DECA before pulling up a report of Ship activity in the sector onto the Viewscreen. "Hail the Armalian Ship and tell them that the Astro Rangers are in need of assistance. Make sure you tell them that our attackers are Kaldarin fighters under the command of Admiral Veltex of the New UAE," Andros said to DECA as he kept his eyes on the Viewscreen.

"I am informing them now," confirmed DECA.

Andros looked over at Ashley, then glance at Cassie. "Don't worry. The Armalians have been attacked by Admiral Veltex more then any other species. They will help us," he said.

"Armalian ships closing on our position. They had transmitted a code of surrender to the Kaldarins," DECA informed them.

"I hope they are all locked up and forced to see the sun every day of their miserable lives," growled Jessie.

Andros rolled his eyes in an attempt on to correct her sun reference. "Have they given a response?" asked Andros.

"Confirmed. They are retreating," said DECA.

"They won't get far," promised Andros as an image of the warring ships appeared on the Viewscreen. "Carlos, back to the Richorn Nebula, please."

Carlos nodded and the ship took off with its limitations. Once in hyperush, the traveling was easy. DECA took over and the rangers went to bed, putting Jessie in charge of night shift repair before hand. Andros stopped the Medical Bay to watch his best friend and Allyssa for a moment.

"Hey guys," said Andros as he entered the room.

"Andros," Allyssa said sitting up in the bed.

"How are you?" he asked walking up to right side of the bed. Zhane was standing on the left, frowning as he turned away.

"Worst then I feel," she said laughing. "Lots of pain reliever."

Andros nodded with understanding. "Where is Zarkin?" he asked.

"Captured," she verified.

"Don't worry, we'll get him back. Everything is set up for an infiltration. You are going to stay here and rest, but we're going to stop Admiral Veltex and get the Phantom Ranger back," said Andros.

"Thank you, Andros," said Allyssa lying back down.

"We'll let you sleep," said Andros. "Come on, Zhane."

The silver ranger followed his best friend out. As soon as the door closed, Zhane turned violent. Andros was excepting it. "I am going to kill him," Zhane declared.

"Why?" asked Andros calmly.

"Zarkin should never have taken her with him on this kind of mission. I don't care if they're married or not," stated Zhane.

Andros nodded and led his friend to his room. "Sleep on it. We have a job to do in the morning."

Zhane nodded and disappeared into his room. Andros also went straight to sleep, feeling more tired now then he had all week. Sleep took over the Power Rangers.

The door to the Medical Bay opened and light came into the dark room. Allyssa turned over to see a silhouette standing in the doorway. "Welcome home," said the voice of a woman.

Allyssa sat up as another woman's silhouette came beside the first. "We're happy you're here," said the second.

"Jeanka, cut it out and bring your friend in here," commanded Allyssa as she rest back against the headrest.

The silhouettes stepped inside the door closed. DECA immediately turned on the light to 75% normal levels. "You must be Karone," said Allyssa as she got a good look at the other woman.

"I am," confirmed Karone.

"What are you two doing here?" asked Allyssa looking at Jessie.

"Is there anything we need to know before we go in today?" inquired Jessie.

Allyssa breathed. "I was on Admiral Veltex's committee of evil. Maybe you could use that," said Allyssa. "Veltex thinks Zarkin and I helped him captured the Phantom Rangers. As long as Zarkin is still morphed, that secret is safe."

Jessie nodded with a smile. "This could be fun."

"Don't get carried away," Karone warned. "Is there anything else we can use?"

Allyssa thought about it for a moment. "There is something that will help you, but I'm not sure if Andros is already preparing to use it in some way. If he is, then you can't. Tell me the plan," requested Allyssa.

"Well, in the beginning, it is that Cassie and Carlos would go around one end the ship and deactivate any alarms that they could find. Same go for Ashley and TJ on the other end. Zhane and I are supposed to plant the explosives and detonate them. Andros is going to keep the Admiral busy. However, as the stimulations progressed, plans kept going differently," said Karone.

"I showed up yesterday and everyone blew up. Did I mention that you guys suck?" asked Jessie to Karone.

Karone rolled her eyes. "Several times, yes. And, we agreed with you," Karone reminded her.

Allyssa frowned at that. "Karone, what do you know about me and Jessie?" Allyssa inquired.

"You are the White Astro Ranger and Jessie is the Purple Ranger. She is the adopted daughter of Andros and you are the adopted daughter of Zhane. And by some twist coarse of events, you married Zhane's brother," said Karone.

Allyssa nodded. "We never operated as a real family, so it's not that twisted. Zarkin was never around and we don't really recognize Zhane and Andros as our parents," said Allyssa.

"Karone," said DECA. "Report to the engine room."

"I would like to talk to you again later," said Karone.

"I'll be here," said Allyssa. Karone gave her a friendly smile and left.

"You almost told her," accused Jessie as the door closed.

"No, I didn't," countered Allyssa.

"Yes, you did! Do you have idea what Andros would do to us if she found out? It's not like he's in a good mood. This is the last thing he wants to deal with," said Jeanka.

"I know that," said Allyssa. "Listen, I won't say anything as long as I know you won't say anything."

"How do I know I can trust you?" asked Jessie.

"Are you crazy? The better question is how do I know I can trust you?"

"Good point," said Jessie. "Alright, we'll forget it ever came up and never talk about it again, agreed?"

"Yes," nodded Allyssa. "But what if she does find out?"

"Then, Andros will get to deal with it, because I won't," announced Jessie.

"Me neither," Allyssa said in agreement.

"I need to go repair something. See you in the morning," Jessie said walking to the door.

"Bye," replied Allyssa as her best friend. The lights went dark and Allyssa sighed.

TBC