Author's note: Anything italicized is mental communication.

Chapter Five
By: Jeanka

Zhane was surprised how well things were going. Andros had just forced everyone to check in and so far things were going according to plan. It would be going better if Allyssa had come with them because she knew the ship and its secrets, but it would have been a huge risk if she had been discovered. The neural interface chips were working perfectly as the teams were communicating after the completion of every task.

It was obvious that Andros was in charge and compensating for every type of situation. Karone and he had made it six stories up, setting explosives on each floor. Karone was ahead of him with a ball of magic floating around her hand, a trail of glitter formed a circle around her hand. It was suppose to warn them if enemies were close. So far, it had kept them hidden twice.

Zhane, Andros's voice spoke in Zhane's. How much longer?

Zhane thought about his reply before he sent it over their net. Everyone with their frequency could hear what was being said and right now, that was all of the Rangers –plus. We need to go up several more levels, he said simply.

The hesitation made the silver ranger nervous. Keep me posted, returned Andros.

Zhane frowned. It wasn't like Andros to cut out like that. Zhane, Andros voice said again, stronger, more direct. This was a telepathic voice that was meant only for Zhane and meant to be replied to by the same kind of voice. There was no way Zhane's mental voice or abilities were as powerful as Andros's, but he could still reply.

What's really going on? asked Zhane.

General Veltex doesn't have the Phantom Ranger, said Andros.

Zhane wasn't sure how to take that. If he had escaped, then it was possible that he was already on the surface or stolen a ship to get to Allyssa. Either of those choices weren't bad, but the way Andros said it made him worry. So, where is he? asked Zhane.

Veltex doesn't know, replied Andros just before his thoughts pulled back sharply and Zhane couldn't sense his presence.

Zhane frowned. He hated when Andros did that.

Beside him, he felt Karone shift to look back at him. She gave him an inquiring look before proceeding forward. Zhane followed her cautiously. Little surprises had kept them very alert. But something else was bothering him. Andros had intentionally not told the teams that the Phantom Ranger was not here. The question on his mind was why.

It couldn't be because of Cassie. She and TJ had been dating for several weeks and Andros knew that. There was on obvious possible reason, but it was only a personal gain, so that was out of character for the red ranger.

All units, a voice said over their net. Karone stopped short and Zhane bumped into her. Alarm was all over her face at the voice that neither of them recognized as she leaned back against the wall to look at him. He followed her example and they listened.

General Veltex is no longer on board this ship. Proceed with caution. The voice went silent.

Zhane met Karone's eye. Neither had any idea who that was. The only thing that knew for certain, they needed to keep going. No matter what, they had to stop General Veltex.

Slowly they made their way up three more levels and slipped into a small unmonitored maintenance room. This would become the explosives control center for the next hour of their mission. Karone began setting up the room with several mini-monitors and detonation systems. Zhane focused his attention on letting the rangers know where they were without telling that mysterious person anything.

Begin stage 2, announced Zhane to everyone.

Karone smiled at him as he turned to help her set up. "How are things going really?" she asked quietly. Neither had spoken since before even reaching the ship. Now that they were in a secure room, they had the chance to talk out loud without worried too much about being over heard.

"Well, Andros said that the Phantom Ranger wasn't on the ship and if that voice was right about General Veltex, then we have a more dangerous problem now then before," said Zhane not taking his attention away from the task at hand.

"When did Andros tell you that the Phantom Ranger wasn't here?" asked Karone shooting him a confused look.

Zhane silently cursed himself. Andros had told him not to tell anyone that they would be talking without using the neutral net. He opened his mouth when Andros's mental voice popped into his head. Zhane, Veltex just called his staff up here and ordered this ship into deep space. If we're going to destroy this ship, we need to pick up the pace a bit.

Zhane closed his mouth and turned away from Karone. We're setting up now, Andros, he said. Any idea who that voice was?

Several, just nothing certain. I get back to you on it. I'm going to be busy for the next couple minutes. I call you back. Zhane frowned as Andros's mental presence vanished. Now, he had to face Karone.

He turned back around to find Karone standing with her hands on her hips. "Well, what's going on?" she demanded.

Zhane sighed and decided that even though Andros wouldn't be happy about, better his sister then anyone else. "If there is one thing Andros hates, it's surprises on a mission like this one. So, we're talking. He's not being really open with me, but I am telling him about any changes that are being made," he told her. "What?" he asked at the like on her face.

"You've been talking with Andros and you didn't even tell me?" she said.

He hid his confusion at the tone of her voice. There was something there, but he could almost bet it wasn't anger.

"Yes," he answered.

Karone was about to speak went a shocked expression flashed on her face at something behind her. Zhane spun around to see the armor of the Phantom Ranger shimmer and disappear as Zarkin fell onto the ground before them. Even as he was falling, Zhane rushed to try to catch him.

Karone looked beyond them to see that he had opened a door and they hadn't even noticed. "Zarkin," she heard Zhane say as she moved to close it. "Zarkin, can you hear me?"

The man who wore the armor of the Phantom Ranger lay in Zhane's arms badly bruised, eyes closed, and barely breathing. Karone was surprised by Zhane calm yet worried reaction over this event. All teams, report, commanded Andros.

Zhane gave Karone a look at said he would handle this.

Team Beta in position, they heard Ashley's voice. No problems. Awaiting final evacuation command. Over.

Team Gamma, Carlos said. We're ready for Phase 3. Over.

Team Delta, Zhane said. He paused and looked from Karone to Zarkin not sure how to tell them. He almost wanted to wait for Andros's order before saying something. Waiting for the signal. Prepare for delayed evacuation. Over.

Karone turned back to her work while Zhane watched over the Phantom Ranger. This definitely was not in any of the training simulations.

"Zhane," a muffled voice grabbed their attention.

"Shh," said Zhane. "It's okay. You need to rest."

The man tried to move into a position to sit up. Zhane held him back. "Zhane," he tried to say, but his words lost air as he lost strength and fell back.

Zhane caught him. "Stop it. You're in no condition to move."

Hey everyone, guess what! Jeanka's voice caught everyone off guard. Zhane could just see Andros rolling his eyes. I found a better way to get off the ship. Hanger bay two.

It would be Andros's call, but it was nice that Jessie was trying to help them. Or was she? It had been Karone's experience with Jessie that the only one this creature cared about was herself. Why was she giving them this information?

All units, the mysterious voice came back into their heads. Avoid Hanger two at all costs.

Zhane did not like this at all and by the look he was seeing from Karone, neither did she.

TBC