Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Power Rangers…this is for entertainment only!
So…Wes and Eric have a murderer on their hands…will they be able to counter this mad murderer?
Chapter two is up!
Enjoy!
Notes
It had been two weeks since the first murder, and three more had occurred. All were the same case. Young women with lacerations on their neck, a knife in their heart and a burn on their arm.
But these murders didn't follow a specific pattern, they were all random. Young women that had no relation to anyone and had no common enemies. The only thing they had in common was their injuries. Eric and Wes were baffled by this new case.
What was this killer's motive?
"I don't understand," Wes shook his head. "There's no pattern whatsoever. One blonde, two brunettes and a redhead. None knew each other. I just don't understand."
Everyone was baffled just as Eric and Wes were. Even the forensic lab at the FBI hadn't a clue.
"Whatever this madman is doing, he has to be stopped." Eric stated. Wes gave him a look that meant 'duh.'
Later
The lobby outside was abuzz with activity. Guardians sat around waiting for something to happen. A heavy snow was falling outside and some of the Guardians were having a snowball fight.
This action stopped as a cloaked figure walked towards Headquarters. The figure in black stood out in the white blanket of snow. Their eyes were hidden by a pair of dark sunglasses, the hood making it an eerie sight. Each guardian outside watched in awe of this figure dressed completely in black.
With light footsteps, it walked into the lobby and up to the receptionist desk.
"Can I help you?" the receptionist asked.
"Yes," the figure said. "I wish to speak with Commander Collins."
The receptionist eyed this figure. This strange person was dressed completely in black was about five foot seven. Their glasses were still on its face.
"Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked.
"The information I carry is vital, I must tell the Commander now." There was more force in this voice.
"I'm sorry, but Commander Collins is a very busy man. He's in a conference now; he'll be out later. I can schedule you in…"
"That won't do." The figure seemed worried. They took a piece of paper out from their pocket. "Give this to him, please."
The receptionist gave the figure a weird look and took the paper. "All right."
"I shall take my leave." With one swift movement, the figure headed for the door, its cape rising off of its back.
A strange starburst was visible on the back of a black uniform…
Meanwhile
"Gentlemen," Albert Collins said. "These murders have taken a toll on all of us. The Guardians simply cannot handle these calls. Our friends at the FBI forensic lab are clueless. Wes, show them what information we have gathered."
"Right, Dad." Wes stood up and turned on the computer, an image projected into the wall. "This is not your average murder, nor homicide. This killer has no motive, no specific pattern. All of these murders are random. There's only one thing they have in common. The slashes on their necks, the knife in their heart, and the burn on their arms." He flipped the switch as another image flashed up. "A burn is left on the victim's right arm."
Eric stood up besides Wes. "There have been no traces or residue of gunpowder on the victim's clothes, or in any fabric around them." The image changed to the knife. "We can't find a DNA match on the knife either. There is definitely a print all right, but no one to match it. The FBI, CIA or the immigration committee cannot trace it."
"There's one more thing." The forensic scientist said. Wes and Eric looked at him.
"You found more information?" Wes asked. The doctor nodded.
"The print that was found on the knife had a defect, one that we have no record of." The doctor said. "I'm Elizabeth Zakery."
"Doctor Zakery, what do you mean by defect?" A chairman asked.
She placed a slide up on the projector. "This is a normal human DNA chain." She placed another next to it. "This is the DNA we were able to take from the print." The image was had three strands surrounding a hollow core, but they were misshapen. "We don't have any more information about it, but one thing is for sure. This thing, it isn't human."
The room was quiet, but Wes didn't move. "So you're saying that we could be dealing with a…mutant?"
"More or less, yes Commander." Zakery said. "This city has dealt with mutants before, I'm sure our esteemed Time Force rangers can defeat this threat again."
Eric shook his head. "That, we're not sure of. The other Rangers…well let's just say they're out of commission."
A knock came at the door. Mr. Collins gave the command to enter.
The receptionist at the front desk walked in. "Carla, what is it?" Eric asked.
Carla walked over to the Rangers. "Commander Collins, I was instructed to give this to you when you were finished here, but I think you should read it now."
Wes took the paper from her. "Who gave this to you?"
She shook her head. "I don't know. It was a figure cloaked in black, but the voice I think was female."
Wes looked at Eric who took the note and opened it.
This time it isn't your fight. Keep away from the stairs and you won't fall. The master can see you with its large face and slow hands. If you interfere, the consequences will be fatal. This is not a threat, it's a warning. If you interfere, there will be death, while the clock ticks.
Wes re-read the note twice over. "The master can see you with its large face and slow hands…"
"Keep away from the stairs and you won't fall…" Eric said. "From the murderer maybe?"
Wes shook his head. "No, whoever delivered this is telling us not to interfere with their plans. Its says that if we interfere, people will die."
Eric snorted. "Sounds like a threat to me. So what are we going to do? Interfere or not?"
"Yes, we are going to everything in our power to help, but not interfere." stated Wes.
Collins stood up. "Well, I suggest that we all take a recess for lunch, we'll continue this meeting tomorrow."
Once the good-byes were said Eric and Wes left for lunch.
Thirty minutes later
Wes and Eric sat down for a lunch at a local café. Wes kept reading the note over and over again, trying to make sense of it.
"Wes, what are you thinking?" Eric asked. "I've seen that face before."
The Red Ranger shook his head. "I don't know. But I've got this feeling…that we're missing something here."
The TV above them grew louder. "In local news today, there was a murder in Mariner Bay ah hour ago. A young woman, whose identity is being withheld, was found dead in her apartment, and police are baffled. More on this story at five."
"You don't think…" Eric started. Wes was all ready out the door.
Mariner Bay
A man in a yellow Jeep stood outside the city. He saw the black jeep pull up and smiled.
The man watched Wes and Eric get out. "Wes! Eric!" he waved.
"Carter, nice to see you again." Wes shook hands with his fellow Ranger.
"How's it going, Carter?" Eric asked. Carter gave him a look. "Right."
"Hop in and we'll talk on the way there." He said as he turned towards the Jeep. The three rangers piled in and headed off towards the city.
At the Aqua Base
"All right, I need a screw driver, and power up computer one!" a voice called.
"Ms. Fairweather!" Wes called. The jeep had just immerged from the bay and the three Rangers jumped out.
She looked up from behind the computer and smiled. "Eric! Wes! How good of you guys to pay us a visit!" She saw the look on Carter's face. "I take it you're here for the murders?" her mood became more solemn.
Eric nodded. "Yes, I am sorry we can't stay and chat."
Angela nodded. "Right then. Follow me." She walked over to the wall. "Joel, I'll be gone for a while, Wes and Eric are here."
The Green ranger smiled. "Well, look who decided to pop in." He saw the look on his wife's face. "Umm, right. I'll meet you guys there. I'll call Dana as well."
Angela, Carter, Wes and Eric piled into the Jeep again and headed off towards the beach to meet Chad and Kelsey.
At the beach
"Wes, Eric. Nice to see you guys again." Chad shook their hands. "I'm only sorry that we can't be here under better circumstances." He led him up to the apartment where the body was found. Detectives dusted all around.
"Here she is. Her boyfriend came to pick her up for lunch and she was found dead." Chad said.
Just then, Dana and Kelsey walked in, followed by Joel and Angela.
Kelsey looked at the body and burst into tears on Dana's shoulder. "Sh-she's my s-sister." She sobbed. "God, no."
Dana looked at them. "I saw the news last night and it seems like you guys are having the same problem."
A laceration was on her neck, and knife in her heart. Carter nodded as he showed Wes and Eric the burn on the woman's arm. "It's exactly the same. Look." He pointed to it. "The same kind of burn you guys told me about."
"It's been crazy at Headquarters. Four murders in two weeks." Eric said. Joel whistled.
"How about the other Rangers, from the future. Have you heard from them? Maybe they know something." Joel asked.
Angela watched Wes's face shrink. "No." his voice was small. "After helping the Wild Force rangers, Jen and them left again, only this time, they couldn't come back. The portal was disassembled."
"Oh, Wes." Dana said. "You loved her didn't you?"
"Yes, he did. Lover boy and Jen couldn't keep themselves apart before she left." Eric added.
"Commanders, we've found something." A detective called. He handed them a piece of paper.
"Another note." Eric said. The seven rangers gathered around Eric as he read it.
This is your second warning. Abandon all research for this killer. Time is running out for these women, stay away from the bodies. This is not your fight. Call no one else if and when this killer strikes again. This is your last warning, Commanders. The Master does not like to be winded. If you interfere anymore, death will come to all, while the clock ticks.
"It's the same note. Think its from our cloaked friend?" Eric asked.
Wes nodded. "Yes, I do. Listen, we have to get going. When your agency does the autopsy, if you find anything, please, call us."
Carter nodded. "Of course. Good luck you two." Eric nodded and walked over towards Kelsey.
"I'm really sorry, and…I know how you feel. My mom was killed a while back. If you ever want to talk…you can give me a call." Eric stuttered.
Kelsey smiled. "Thanks, Eric." She gave him a hug, and Eric returned it warmly. "I'll see you both soon."
"We'll find him, Kelsey. I promise." Eric said. With a smile, they left.
Outskirts of Mariner Bay
Carter stopped the jeep. "Thank you guys so much for coming out here. I know Kelsey will by okay. Just find this guy and stop him." Carter shook their hands.
"We will, don't worry." Wes said.
"See ya, Carter." Eric got into the car along with Wes.
On their way back, Wes began to laugh. "What?" Eric said as he turned a corner.
"You're sweet on Kelsey, aren't you?" Wes asked.
Eric snorted. "No, not at all."
"I don't know what it is with you and yellow rangers." Wes asked.
The snow had become heavier. "Don't know. What is it with you and pink rangers?" Eric countered.
Wes shook his head as they drive by the clock tower, but something caught his eye. A black figure sat atop the balcony. He blinked, and the figure was gone. But something told him to stop.
"Eric! Stop!" Wes yelled. Eric slammed on the brakes.
"Shit, Wes! If you're going to stop, then give me some prior notice!" Eric yelled angrily.
Wes jumped out and burst through the doors of the odd job shop and up the stairs, Eric closely behind him.
"Wes, what the hell has gotten into your head?" Eric asked. They came to the landing and up one more flight of stairs.
Everything was the same as it was when they were here last.
"Something's different." Wes said. He walked slowly around. He flipped a light on and the darkness was illuminated. The bell still hung overhead, the clock's gears still winded. Nothing had been touched.
"Wes, what's going on?" Eric was now confused at his friends actions. Wes walked around the perimeter room. Nothing had been disturbed for four years. A few inches of snow had gathered on the ledge as he walked over. Each snowflake lay where it had fallen, undisturbed.
Wes took one more look around, trying to remember everything like it was. Eric was right, nothing has been touched. But as he walked towards the center of the room, warm air drifted across it. He walked over to where a heater lay dormant and unplugged. He placed his hand over the coils.
They were still warm…
ch 3 up soon…