Grumm laughed as the Ranger stood before him. With a small wave of his hand, Eric saw the bodies around him stand up.
They weren't bodies at all… all around him were Krybots. He had walked right into a trap. He looked around as the metallic creatures formed a circle around him, with Grumm standing behind them all.
"Coward," Eric said to Grumm.
"Not a coward… just smarter than you!" He raised his hand to the sky, and a creature appeared in front of him.
It's long tentacle-like arms, and rounded head remind Eric of an overgrown squid, and he prepared to fight. Grumm laughed evilly and disappeared in a flash.
Eric turned slowly as he looked on the never-ending crowd of Krybots. Thoughts ran through his head… of his family… the kids… Taylor. He was doing this for them.
Without another word, he began fighting furiously. One after another the Krybots fell. His new powers flowed through him, and he held the upper hand for a time… but the time was short.
The creature came at him and hit him hard in the chest. Sparks flew from his body as he fell limply in a pile.
He looked up as the creature raised one of its arms to strike…
A blast hit the creature and Eric saw Wes and Andros rushing to his side. The creature turned his attention to the other rangers.
Wes helped Eric to stand. "Are you completely out of your mind? What the hell were you thinking!" the Red Time Force Ranger yelled.
"I wasn't," Eric said plainly.
"Well that's apparent."
"Guys," Andros said. "We need to get in there and help the others." Eric and Wes nodded and rejoined the battle.
No matter how many Krybots they defeated, more would appear. Things were not looking good.
Wes and Eric were fighting side by side with the creature. Wes sent a flying kick to the alien and sent him sprawling to the ground. Eric was fighting with a Krybot at the time and Wes turned to him, preparing to join in.
Eric turned quickly, and everything started to go in slow motion from there…
The creature rose and was nearly on top of Wes with his weapon drawn. Eric saw this and did the only thing he could have…
Wes felt himself being thrown to the ground, and when he looked up, Eric received the hit that was meant for him.
Eric's back arched as he cried out in pain. His visor cracked as he hit the ground and Wes felt his stomach turn. The creature turned to Wes again, but Eric wasn't down yet. Wes watched as his best friend stumbled up and grabbed the creature around the waist, throwing him away.
Eric charged at the creature with his Quantum defender drawn, only to have the creature fire his weapon at the exact moment Eric fired his.
Wes covered his eyes as a brilliant flash of light blinded him. A loud explosion erupted; sending sparks and fire into the sky.
When the smoke cleared, all the Krybots were gone… the creature was gone… Eric was gone…
"NO!" Wes cried out as he ran towards the smoldering earth. He tore his helmet off and began searching around for anything to assure him that Eric was alive… all he found was the patch from his uniform, still smoking…
Back on Earth, Lucas tossed and turned in his bed. Images of a great battle filled his mind… he saw his Uncle Wes, and the other cadets his father had taken to space with him. They were all fighting robot-like things… moments later he saw his father fighting with a creature… then an explosion… then his Uncle Wes crying…
He bolted up in bed, a cold sweat dripping down his face, mixed with a few tears.
"Lucky?" Taylor said as she entered his room. She had heard him tossing a bit, and was well aware of the visions her son got. "Are you okay?" she asked as she sat next to him.
Lucas wrapped his arms around her and she rubbed his back.
"Lucky… what did you see?"
Lucas pulled away and wiped his face. "I… I saw papa and the other rangers fighting… papa was fighting this thing with long arms… then there was an explosion… and Uncle Wes was crying… and… and…" the child couldn't continue as he was overcome by tears.
Taylor held him to her and tried to keep her composure. Lucas' visions always came true… they were never wrong…
She held him until he eased off into sleep again. Carefully she went into her room and dialed Jen's number.
Moments later, Jen picked up. "Taylor? What is it? It's… five AM."
"Something's happened," Taylor said as a tear made it's way down her cheek. "Lucky had a dream… and he saw Eric and an explosion and-"
"Taylor, calm down," Jen soothed. "Last time I talked to Wes he said that everything was going fine and that they should be home soon-"
"Damnit Jen! You know Lucas has these things for a reason! Something's happened and I want to know what!"
Just as Jen was about to respond, a second call came in. Jen put Taylor on hold for a moment, and Taylor felt her heart literally stop. She knew deep down that something wasn't right…
"Taylor… that was Cruger. He said the ship will be docking in a few hours," Jen said.
"Was Eric on board?"
Silence.
"Was he on board?" she asked again.
"He didn't say, but several of them are hurt."
Taylor hung up the phone then, fear gripping her soul. Her bedroom door opened slightly, and she saw Collin walk in.
"Mama?" he said carefully. "Are you okay? I… I felt something." Taylor motioned for him to come in. His dark hair and eyes were so much like his father's… she just hugged him and took comfort in her caring son. She broke away from him after a few minutes and kissed his forehead.
"I want you to go get your brother up… we're going to New Tech City."
Collin did as he was told, and Taylor prepared to leave…
Hours later, Taylor was standing with Jen in the receiving bay, awaiting the return of the ship. All the children were in a waiting area, most of them asleep after the journey so early in the morning. Sky and Ani were with them, awaiting their father's return.
Jen gripped Taylor's hand as the ship came in to land. Slowly, the ship opened and the four cadets emerged, each with several bandages and various bruises on their bodies. They all seemed… sad… almost mournful as they made their way to their quarters.
After what seemed like and eternity, a lone figure emerged from the ship. He slowly walked down the ramp and faced his wife.
Jen threw her arms around Wes and he held onto her as if for dear life. Taylor looked up to the ship, waiting for Eric… but she knew…
Wes broke away from Jen and looked at Taylor. "Where's Eric?" she asked. Wes' eyes were already red and puffy as he told her…
"Taylor… I'm…"
"WHERE IS HE?" she asked sternly. Anger filled tears welled up in her eyes. "Wes, where's my husband?"
Tears spilled from Wes' eyes as he did the hardest thing in his life…
"I'm sorry Taylor… he didn't make it."
"No," she said angrily. "You're lying… he's just trying to make a bad joke… he's in there."
"Taylor… he… he saved me… he risked his life for mine…" Wes lifted a white envelope from his pocket. "He left this for you," he said as he handed it to her.
Taylor was numb as she took it. "I don't believe you!" she spat as her tears turned to sobs.
Wes, and Jen, were now openly crying as well as Wes took Taylor's hand. "He's gone."
"No! He's not gone! I don't believe you!" She steadied herself for a moment and stared Wes in the eye. "You go in there and tell my children that their father isn't coming home, because I sure as hell aren't going to." The last part was spoken with such venom, that it made Wes afraid of her.
Everything stopped then for Taylor. She looked at the letter and saw the unmistakable writing of her husband. She opened it and inside found a piece of paper, and something that confirmed all her fears… his wedding ring…
AN: NOW BEFORE YOU ALL KILL ME, I ASSURE YOU THAT THIS WILL ALL WORK OUT IN THE END! I HAVE BIG PLANS FOR THE THIRD PART, AND THIS EVENT WILL HAVE A MAJOR ROLE IN IT.
THERE AREN'T MANY MORE CHAPTERS TO GO IN THIS PART, SO JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT THERE IS A METHOD TO MY MADNESS…