A/N: This chapter (for no particular reason) is dedicated to my faithful
readers!!!
Cmar, Rick, Jen, SilverRider, and Shirley: Thank you all so much for your great advice and encouragement, it's because of YOU that "Alexander" is still going . . .
And Special Thanks to SilverRider for helping me through my writer's block! I hope this has been worth the wait!!!
Sierra
P.S. Cmar, I'm getting to work on "The New Generation", I forgot about it since I haven't been doing much lately---sorry!
***
"Captain?" Alex stepped into the briefing room and stood at attention till he was told to relax, then he continued, sitting down at the table: "I was told to report here, that there are some concerns about the timeline being altered?"
"Yes." Rob Logan shook his head, staring at the papers piled up before him. "You are familiar with the Collins family of the early Twenty-First Century?"
"Yes, sir," Alex said, "why?"
"Alan Collins was killed by Ransik in the year two thousand one," Logan said, "when Bio-Lab was attacked."
Alex blinked. "That's an alteration right there," he said, "Alan Collins obviously wasn't supposed to die at the hands of Ransik. But what else?"
"His son, Wesley Collins, didn't take over Bio-Lab."
Alex frowned, leaning forward and folding his hands on the table, his brow wrinkled. "But why not?" he asked, "logically, he should've been the one to take his father's place at Bio-Lab."
"I know," Logan said, "but remember that he became the Red Ranger that year, as well. And he moved out of the house, too."
"You think because of the Rangers, Wes didn't take over when his father died?" Alex said.
"It appears that way," Logan said, "there's no other explanation for this. According to late Twentieth Century reports, Wesley Collins was supposed to be the person to run Bio-Lab in case his father died. That only changed when the Rangers arrived."
"But what's the harm?" Alex asked, "I mean, it doesn't seem like we've suffered any from having someone else take Alan Collins' place. Should we just leave this alone?"
"No," Logan said, "Wesley Collins was never supposed to be the Red Ranger, that all changed when Ransik took the prison ship back in time. We have to set the timeline back on track. We don't know what kind of alterations have been made."
"But how do we fix it?"
"I don't know yet," Logan admitted, "we'll have to build another timeship, I suppose. Perhaps send some people back in time---"
"I could go back," Alex offered, remembering the incident he had seen between Wes and Jen. "And take over as Red Ranger."
Logan scowled, obviously displeased with the idea but seeing no alternative. "We'll wait and see," he said, "right now you're far too valuable in this time. We'll discuss this later . . . dismissed."
"Yes, sir." Alex rose and left the room, walking down the hall with long strides till he reached his home away from home: The office given to him when he started work on the Time Shadow. It was there that he monitored the Rangers progress, looking for places where he could assist them . . . hoping to find a way to prevent their deaths.
He typed quickly, and a picture appeared of the five Rangers: The picture had been placed in the databanks for historical reference. Wesley Collins with his arms around both Katie and Jen, Lucas and Trip standing on the other side . . . their smiles were bright, but the dullness in Jen's eyes told him something was wrong . . . terribly wrong.
"Computer," he said, "give me the information you have on Wesley Collins in the final months of his life."
"Wesley Collins was given the Red Chrono Morpher," the computer spoke, "he was killed in battle with Ransik in the latter half of the year two thousand one---"
"Stop." Alex sighed, rubbing his eyes. The computer couldn't tell him what he wanted to know . . . or rather, confirm what he already suspected: That his ancestor from almost one thousand years ago had fallen in love with his own fiancee.
Without thinking, he typed in the correct date and images began flashing on the screen before him; in the final battle, only the Red and Pink Rangers remained, and the Quantum Ranger. Lucas, Katie, and Trip had been killed in the fight with Frax's creation: Dragontron.
The Red Ranger was thrown through the air and slammed into a brick building, he demorphed before he fell thirty feet to the ground; Wes' head hit the side mirror of a car and Alex could hear the sickening crack. Blood began oozing out of the back of his skull as the Pink Ranger . . . Jen . . . lunged at Ransik with her Chrono Saber.
Ransik pulled out the same sword that had dealt Alex a nearly fatal blow, he held it out just in time and Jen's saber slammed against it, sending sparks flying into both their faces. Then Ransik grabbed another sword from his body and brought it down . . .
"No!!!" Alex hit a button and the screen flickered, then went blank. He sat still, breathing heavily and shaking, the image of Jen falling to the ground having haunted him since he first discovered it weeks before. 'I've got to find a way . . . ' he told himself.
Shuddering, he rose quickly and left his office, he was off-duty so he had no worries about being caught at the gym; he always worked out when he started to think about Jen. He got out of his uniform and changed into comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, even washing the thick gel out of his hair so it was soft and natural. It was only a ten minute jog to the gym, so he left his car at home; the gym was nearly completely empty, the way he preferred it.
Lying down, he adjusted the settings on the computer and then began pushing up, the pressure intense but not too much. The muscles in his arms slowly stretched out, he winced slightly at the twinging pain he felt, but at the same time it felt good to stay in shape. After a while, it was a struggle each time he lifted his arms, and thoughts of Jen with Wes were still bombarding his mind.
"Dammit," he muttered, his arms trembling as he finally reached over and disabled the machine.
Why? Why would Jen turn from him and to the arms of another man? A man that she could never be with, Time Force officers weren't even supposed to converse with people from the past . . . let alone become involved with one.
'We're engaged,' he thought to himself, 'when she gets home, we're going to be married! Does she think I won't find out?' His love for her was still as strong as ever, but when he started thinking about her, the anger and jealousy seeped into him and ran through his veins . . . every bit as strong. He sat in silence for another ten or fifteen minutes, the other people in the gym went home.
"Sir?"
He looked up quickly.
"It's almost closing time," the young woman said, "only ten more minutes. I don't think you'll be getting much done in that time."
"No," Alex said, quietly. "I guess not."
He could tell she was a little wary of him, after all he was much larger in size and obviously an intimidating figure to a woman no more than eighteen. "Have a good night," he said, smiling a little---in a way, she reminded him of Jen, who was also very young. Short brown hair and big eyes, a few freckles dancing across her cheeks and nose.
"You, too," she replied.
*****
"So," Logan said, "what you're telling me is . . . you think you can find a way to destroy Dragontron with less injury to the Rangers than they originally sustained?"
Alex nodded. "It's not only that, sir," he said, "it was right before Dragontron began attacking Silver Hills that Alan Collins was killed." He paused, wondering if the captain would catch on and realize what his plan was.
"And . . . ?" Logan frowned.
"If I go back," Alex said, "knowing how to defeat Dragontron, Wesley Collins can fulfill his destiny and take over Bio-Lab."
"How so?"
"I'm going to take back the Red Chrono Morpher, of course," Alex said, "giving him the freedom to get on with his life. The only reason he didn't take over as planned was because of his duties as Red Ranger."
"We don't know that for sure," Logan pointed out.
"Sir," Alex said, "why else? Shortly before he joined the team, his father had an interview in which they both stated their plans for the future: Wes would take over for his father. There's no other explanation."
"Well . . . I suppose you're right." Logan gave him a sharp look. "You really think you can defeat Dragontron?"
"Yes, sir," Alex said, "I know where his weak spot is, it took the Rangers a while to figure that out, and that's the reason they lost part of their team. It won't take me that long."
"And you are an experienced Ranger," Logan granted, "but are you sure you're up to it? You're injuries were severe."
"It's been months, sir," Alex said, "I'm fully recovered."
"Not fully."
Alex inwardly cursed, it was well-known that his back still caused him great amounts of pain at time, and would never get back to the way it was before Ransik nearly killed him in battle.
"Sir," he said, "the injury to my back is . . . an annoyance, but really nothing more than that. It won't hinder me in battle."
"Then . . . I suppose your plan makes sense."
"Thank you, sir," Alex said, "so do I have permission?"
"I'm not in charge," Logan said, "let me discuss it with the Admiral. Don't do anything without our consent, remember: You're still on thin ice."
"Yes, sir."
"Dismissed, Commander."
Alex snapped to attention and saluted, then did a crisp about face and walked out of the office, feeling a rush of adrenaline at the anticipation of getting into action again. He knew Logan was worried about him, they had always been rather close, a brother relationship---with Logan always looking out for him. He swore quietly as a familiar pain returned in his spine, he had been on his feet too long and was beginning to feel it.
'Just don't let Logan find out,' he told himself.
Returning to his quarters, he began making preparations for the mission: Getting his uniform ready, making certain his weapons were in good condition. It had been months since he had been in any kind of combat, and although he felt the usual apprehension, he was also excited . . . anxious to begin the fight against Ransik.
He sat down on his bed, looking to his side at the pictures above his desk, silently wondering how the Rangers would react to having him in charge. He had always worked alone when it came to being a Ranger, and he had never commanded Lucas, Katie, or Trip during any mission---what were they like under pressure? Could he trust them to do whatever was necessary?
'You know Lucas,' he reminded himself, 'he's a good soldier. Katie, too. And Trip? Well, he's always been a good kid.' He shook his head, running his fingers through his stiff hair and loosening up the strands of black, frowning at the dark circles he saw beneath his eyes when he caught himself in the mirror across the room.
"This'll all be over soon," he spoke, softly. "Then everything will settle down, get back to some kind of stability."
'Now after Ransik is locked up . . . it's you and me.'
His own words came back to him, and he found himself smiling as he remembered Jen's own reply: "Forever." Perhaps, when they were reunited, her growing feelings for this Wes that had become so clear would diminish; or maybe he was just being paranoid, months of separation would do that. He lied down and closed his eyes, hoping Logan would contact him soon with permission to go ahead with the mission.
He waited for a while, but time continued to drag by . . . 'Don't be ridiculous,' he thought, 'Logan can't get permission tonight. They need time to think about it.' He stiffly rolled onto his side, wincing as he glanced at the clock: 1:22 a.m. Finally giving up, he gave himself to the darkness and allowed morning to come . . .
***
Alex sat alone in his office, watching the events of the past enfolding on the viewing screen: Frax working on Dragontron, the Rangers bonding together as a team, and Mr. Collins facing Ransik in Bio-Lab. He dreaded informing Wes of his father's death, knowing the pain and the shock the young man would have to endure . . . but, unfortunately, it was necessary.
"Logan to Collins."
"Here, Captain."
"You've been approved," Logan said, "you are to join the Rangers in the Twenty-First Century and regain your role as Red Ranger."
"Yes, sir."
He punched the controls a few times to activate the Time Shadow as the Rangers fought against one of Ransik's mutants, then he rose slowly and turned, grabbing the combat uniform draped over a chair. He clenched his fists before slipping into the jacket and zipping it, testing his muscles before going on and walking out of the office . . .
YEAR 2001
He walked through the ancient streets of Silver Hills, oblivious to the stares of the civilians as he passed by, looking for the Clock Tower---he knew the Rangers had taken up headquarters there, although he wasn't certain where it was. Then he saw the smoke in the distance and heard cheers, touching his glasses, they picked up Ranger DNA and transferred the coordinates to him.
In a few minutes, he saw them: Lucas, Katie, and Wes gathered together and slapping hands, celebrating another victory. Trip kneeling down and picking up the shrunken mutant while Jen folded her arms, looking worried even from the distance . . . he barely made out her words:
"We've got to capture Ransik before the future changes!"
"It's already too late," Alex spoke, loudly.
Their heads flew up and he saw their eyes flash with recognition and . . . shock? No one moved as he walked closer, but he saw Jen trembling and the wetness in her eyes.
"History's already shifted," he said, slowly removing his glasses as he stopped in front of them. "And I'm here, to set it back on track."
TBC
Cmar, Rick, Jen, SilverRider, and Shirley: Thank you all so much for your great advice and encouragement, it's because of YOU that "Alexander" is still going . . .
And Special Thanks to SilverRider for helping me through my writer's block! I hope this has been worth the wait!!!
Sierra
P.S. Cmar, I'm getting to work on "The New Generation", I forgot about it since I haven't been doing much lately---sorry!
***
"Captain?" Alex stepped into the briefing room and stood at attention till he was told to relax, then he continued, sitting down at the table: "I was told to report here, that there are some concerns about the timeline being altered?"
"Yes." Rob Logan shook his head, staring at the papers piled up before him. "You are familiar with the Collins family of the early Twenty-First Century?"
"Yes, sir," Alex said, "why?"
"Alan Collins was killed by Ransik in the year two thousand one," Logan said, "when Bio-Lab was attacked."
Alex blinked. "That's an alteration right there," he said, "Alan Collins obviously wasn't supposed to die at the hands of Ransik. But what else?"
"His son, Wesley Collins, didn't take over Bio-Lab."
Alex frowned, leaning forward and folding his hands on the table, his brow wrinkled. "But why not?" he asked, "logically, he should've been the one to take his father's place at Bio-Lab."
"I know," Logan said, "but remember that he became the Red Ranger that year, as well. And he moved out of the house, too."
"You think because of the Rangers, Wes didn't take over when his father died?" Alex said.
"It appears that way," Logan said, "there's no other explanation for this. According to late Twentieth Century reports, Wesley Collins was supposed to be the person to run Bio-Lab in case his father died. That only changed when the Rangers arrived."
"But what's the harm?" Alex asked, "I mean, it doesn't seem like we've suffered any from having someone else take Alan Collins' place. Should we just leave this alone?"
"No," Logan said, "Wesley Collins was never supposed to be the Red Ranger, that all changed when Ransik took the prison ship back in time. We have to set the timeline back on track. We don't know what kind of alterations have been made."
"But how do we fix it?"
"I don't know yet," Logan admitted, "we'll have to build another timeship, I suppose. Perhaps send some people back in time---"
"I could go back," Alex offered, remembering the incident he had seen between Wes and Jen. "And take over as Red Ranger."
Logan scowled, obviously displeased with the idea but seeing no alternative. "We'll wait and see," he said, "right now you're far too valuable in this time. We'll discuss this later . . . dismissed."
"Yes, sir." Alex rose and left the room, walking down the hall with long strides till he reached his home away from home: The office given to him when he started work on the Time Shadow. It was there that he monitored the Rangers progress, looking for places where he could assist them . . . hoping to find a way to prevent their deaths.
He typed quickly, and a picture appeared of the five Rangers: The picture had been placed in the databanks for historical reference. Wesley Collins with his arms around both Katie and Jen, Lucas and Trip standing on the other side . . . their smiles were bright, but the dullness in Jen's eyes told him something was wrong . . . terribly wrong.
"Computer," he said, "give me the information you have on Wesley Collins in the final months of his life."
"Wesley Collins was given the Red Chrono Morpher," the computer spoke, "he was killed in battle with Ransik in the latter half of the year two thousand one---"
"Stop." Alex sighed, rubbing his eyes. The computer couldn't tell him what he wanted to know . . . or rather, confirm what he already suspected: That his ancestor from almost one thousand years ago had fallen in love with his own fiancee.
Without thinking, he typed in the correct date and images began flashing on the screen before him; in the final battle, only the Red and Pink Rangers remained, and the Quantum Ranger. Lucas, Katie, and Trip had been killed in the fight with Frax's creation: Dragontron.
The Red Ranger was thrown through the air and slammed into a brick building, he demorphed before he fell thirty feet to the ground; Wes' head hit the side mirror of a car and Alex could hear the sickening crack. Blood began oozing out of the back of his skull as the Pink Ranger . . . Jen . . . lunged at Ransik with her Chrono Saber.
Ransik pulled out the same sword that had dealt Alex a nearly fatal blow, he held it out just in time and Jen's saber slammed against it, sending sparks flying into both their faces. Then Ransik grabbed another sword from his body and brought it down . . .
"No!!!" Alex hit a button and the screen flickered, then went blank. He sat still, breathing heavily and shaking, the image of Jen falling to the ground having haunted him since he first discovered it weeks before. 'I've got to find a way . . . ' he told himself.
Shuddering, he rose quickly and left his office, he was off-duty so he had no worries about being caught at the gym; he always worked out when he started to think about Jen. He got out of his uniform and changed into comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, even washing the thick gel out of his hair so it was soft and natural. It was only a ten minute jog to the gym, so he left his car at home; the gym was nearly completely empty, the way he preferred it.
Lying down, he adjusted the settings on the computer and then began pushing up, the pressure intense but not too much. The muscles in his arms slowly stretched out, he winced slightly at the twinging pain he felt, but at the same time it felt good to stay in shape. After a while, it was a struggle each time he lifted his arms, and thoughts of Jen with Wes were still bombarding his mind.
"Dammit," he muttered, his arms trembling as he finally reached over and disabled the machine.
Why? Why would Jen turn from him and to the arms of another man? A man that she could never be with, Time Force officers weren't even supposed to converse with people from the past . . . let alone become involved with one.
'We're engaged,' he thought to himself, 'when she gets home, we're going to be married! Does she think I won't find out?' His love for her was still as strong as ever, but when he started thinking about her, the anger and jealousy seeped into him and ran through his veins . . . every bit as strong. He sat in silence for another ten or fifteen minutes, the other people in the gym went home.
"Sir?"
He looked up quickly.
"It's almost closing time," the young woman said, "only ten more minutes. I don't think you'll be getting much done in that time."
"No," Alex said, quietly. "I guess not."
He could tell she was a little wary of him, after all he was much larger in size and obviously an intimidating figure to a woman no more than eighteen. "Have a good night," he said, smiling a little---in a way, she reminded him of Jen, who was also very young. Short brown hair and big eyes, a few freckles dancing across her cheeks and nose.
"You, too," she replied.
*****
"So," Logan said, "what you're telling me is . . . you think you can find a way to destroy Dragontron with less injury to the Rangers than they originally sustained?"
Alex nodded. "It's not only that, sir," he said, "it was right before Dragontron began attacking Silver Hills that Alan Collins was killed." He paused, wondering if the captain would catch on and realize what his plan was.
"And . . . ?" Logan frowned.
"If I go back," Alex said, "knowing how to defeat Dragontron, Wesley Collins can fulfill his destiny and take over Bio-Lab."
"How so?"
"I'm going to take back the Red Chrono Morpher, of course," Alex said, "giving him the freedom to get on with his life. The only reason he didn't take over as planned was because of his duties as Red Ranger."
"We don't know that for sure," Logan pointed out.
"Sir," Alex said, "why else? Shortly before he joined the team, his father had an interview in which they both stated their plans for the future: Wes would take over for his father. There's no other explanation."
"Well . . . I suppose you're right." Logan gave him a sharp look. "You really think you can defeat Dragontron?"
"Yes, sir," Alex said, "I know where his weak spot is, it took the Rangers a while to figure that out, and that's the reason they lost part of their team. It won't take me that long."
"And you are an experienced Ranger," Logan granted, "but are you sure you're up to it? You're injuries were severe."
"It's been months, sir," Alex said, "I'm fully recovered."
"Not fully."
Alex inwardly cursed, it was well-known that his back still caused him great amounts of pain at time, and would never get back to the way it was before Ransik nearly killed him in battle.
"Sir," he said, "the injury to my back is . . . an annoyance, but really nothing more than that. It won't hinder me in battle."
"Then . . . I suppose your plan makes sense."
"Thank you, sir," Alex said, "so do I have permission?"
"I'm not in charge," Logan said, "let me discuss it with the Admiral. Don't do anything without our consent, remember: You're still on thin ice."
"Yes, sir."
"Dismissed, Commander."
Alex snapped to attention and saluted, then did a crisp about face and walked out of the office, feeling a rush of adrenaline at the anticipation of getting into action again. He knew Logan was worried about him, they had always been rather close, a brother relationship---with Logan always looking out for him. He swore quietly as a familiar pain returned in his spine, he had been on his feet too long and was beginning to feel it.
'Just don't let Logan find out,' he told himself.
Returning to his quarters, he began making preparations for the mission: Getting his uniform ready, making certain his weapons were in good condition. It had been months since he had been in any kind of combat, and although he felt the usual apprehension, he was also excited . . . anxious to begin the fight against Ransik.
He sat down on his bed, looking to his side at the pictures above his desk, silently wondering how the Rangers would react to having him in charge. He had always worked alone when it came to being a Ranger, and he had never commanded Lucas, Katie, or Trip during any mission---what were they like under pressure? Could he trust them to do whatever was necessary?
'You know Lucas,' he reminded himself, 'he's a good soldier. Katie, too. And Trip? Well, he's always been a good kid.' He shook his head, running his fingers through his stiff hair and loosening up the strands of black, frowning at the dark circles he saw beneath his eyes when he caught himself in the mirror across the room.
"This'll all be over soon," he spoke, softly. "Then everything will settle down, get back to some kind of stability."
'Now after Ransik is locked up . . . it's you and me.'
His own words came back to him, and he found himself smiling as he remembered Jen's own reply: "Forever." Perhaps, when they were reunited, her growing feelings for this Wes that had become so clear would diminish; or maybe he was just being paranoid, months of separation would do that. He lied down and closed his eyes, hoping Logan would contact him soon with permission to go ahead with the mission.
He waited for a while, but time continued to drag by . . . 'Don't be ridiculous,' he thought, 'Logan can't get permission tonight. They need time to think about it.' He stiffly rolled onto his side, wincing as he glanced at the clock: 1:22 a.m. Finally giving up, he gave himself to the darkness and allowed morning to come . . .
***
Alex sat alone in his office, watching the events of the past enfolding on the viewing screen: Frax working on Dragontron, the Rangers bonding together as a team, and Mr. Collins facing Ransik in Bio-Lab. He dreaded informing Wes of his father's death, knowing the pain and the shock the young man would have to endure . . . but, unfortunately, it was necessary.
"Logan to Collins."
"Here, Captain."
"You've been approved," Logan said, "you are to join the Rangers in the Twenty-First Century and regain your role as Red Ranger."
"Yes, sir."
He punched the controls a few times to activate the Time Shadow as the Rangers fought against one of Ransik's mutants, then he rose slowly and turned, grabbing the combat uniform draped over a chair. He clenched his fists before slipping into the jacket and zipping it, testing his muscles before going on and walking out of the office . . .
YEAR 2001
He walked through the ancient streets of Silver Hills, oblivious to the stares of the civilians as he passed by, looking for the Clock Tower---he knew the Rangers had taken up headquarters there, although he wasn't certain where it was. Then he saw the smoke in the distance and heard cheers, touching his glasses, they picked up Ranger DNA and transferred the coordinates to him.
In a few minutes, he saw them: Lucas, Katie, and Wes gathered together and slapping hands, celebrating another victory. Trip kneeling down and picking up the shrunken mutant while Jen folded her arms, looking worried even from the distance . . . he barely made out her words:
"We've got to capture Ransik before the future changes!"
"It's already too late," Alex spoke, loudly.
Their heads flew up and he saw their eyes flash with recognition and . . . shock? No one moved as he walked closer, but he saw Jen trembling and the wetness in her eyes.
"History's already shifted," he said, slowly removing his glasses as he stopped in front of them. "And I'm here, to set it back on track."
TBC