"I was framed!" Crimson roared.
Red smirked, seeing a raw nerve to prod. "You just don't want to admit you were beaten by the Knight Ranger."
"For the last time, I was weight training when it happened!"
"And it just so happens the weight lifting room doesn't have cameras."
Crimson growled. "That's it, I'm proving my innocence."
"If you're going to drag me around aimlessly might I suggest we corner Zadan?" Red said, taunting clear in his voice. "As Earthlings would say he's got his finger on the pulse of this place."
"Fine, but don't undermine my authority while I'm talking to him." Crimson growled. "I don't know who framed me, but I want to find out."
"Don't you mean need to find out? I think Kalix's extension on your time is about to run out, isn't it?"
Crimson turned to his teammate with a thoughtful look hidden behind his helmet. He knew how to play this game. To get Red's help he would need to offer him something he'd want.
"Listen, you help me find out who framed me and I'll help you get Aurias."
Red balked, taking a step back. "What do you mean? I don't want Aurias."
"Oh don't play stupid with me. I know you like her." Crimson sneered. "I know Aurias better than anyone else. Who better to help you get on her good side?"
"You want my help?"
"And in return I'll help you."
Red contemplated that for a moment, before nodding his head in agreement. "Fine, I'll help you, but if you double cross me or--."
"You get me what I want and I'll get you what you want. It's as simple as that Nartu."
"Don't call me that Handiel." Red snarled, his anger flaring at the derogatory term.
Crimson smirked at the reaction, but didn't push it any further. He started toward the infirmary and felt somewhat triumphant as Red followed without having to be dragged. It was the first time they had actually gone someplace without arguing ten minutes about it. He just hoped the little creep was in there.
"Zadan and Niko are getting awfully close again." Red spoke up suddenly.
Crimson glanced over his shoulder. "Yeah, so?"
"Aren't you at least a little curious as to why?" Red asked.
"Nope, that part is obvious to anyone who knows them." Crimson replied. "Those two have been in love with each other since the third week of our training. You wouldn't know that because you're always too busy moping over our exile."
"Well I'm sorry if I can't get over being exiled from my home." Red snarled.
"Oh save it. You can't tell me you enjoyed being a slave to your system, fighting for a Cause no one believed but continued fighting because of the hatred." Crimson retorted. "I for one don't miss being doped up on drugs to make me obedient or the unsanitary conditions I lived in."
"What are you talking about? Your government preached fair treatment for all citizens."
"I wasn't a citizen Dariv, I was a soldier." Crimson said. "I was no better than mud on their boots and easily expendable. Man I'd like to go back there and teach them all a lesson."
"Don't think so far ahead. First let's find who framed you and deal with the rangers. Maybe then we can both go back and show them how we feel about being exiled."
The two stared at each other and a brief moment of understanding was shared. The moment passed and the two continued to the infirmary in silence. Inside they found Dr. Radkee fixing up an unarmored Dedian that seemed to have strayed too close to the plasma coils in engineering. The doctor looked up as the two approached Psycho Yellow's empty bed.
"I released him already." Radkee announced. "Niko promised to look after him."
Red glanced at Crimson. "See, that worries me."
"Doesn't me. It'll benefit the team if they work together." Crimson replied.
"You're forgetting that one of them is the imposter."
Crimson growled softly but didn't reply. He turned and headed back out of the infirmary. He knew where to find the two. Sitting in the rec. room watching that godforsaken show they'd both gotten addicted to. He couldn't understand what was so great about TV, let alone Earthling TV.
Sure enough Yellow and Navy were seated on one of the rec. room's couches watching TV. Red was surprised to find them still voluntarily unmorphed in front of each other. That was something that had changed drastically after Jaldia. Before they got their Psycho powers they took to staying in their training armor, which were powerless versions of ranger uniforms. After they got their powers they still did the same, everyone opting for body language over facial expressions. Red found it strangely disconcerting to see his two teammates so relaxed around each other.
"There's more to McKay than meets the eye." Niko said.
"He's arrogant, snippy, and just a regular asshole." Zadan replied. "I don't think there's much more to him."
Niko shot his friend a look. "Oh please, no one is that one dimensional."
"He's completely oblivious to the fact that everyone hates him."
"I don't think he's as oblivious as you think."
Zadan growled. "Are you going to argue with everything I say?"
"As long as I don't agree with what you're saying." Niko replied.
"Zadan." Crimson barked, interrupting his teammates. "I want to talk with you."
"I don't know who framed you." Zadan grumbled. "Even if I did, do you think I'd waste the chance of watching you scurry around trying to figure it out."
Crimson growled and strode forward. He reached over the back of the couch, grabbed the front of Zadan's uniform, and yanked him up and over the couch. Zadan managed to get his feet under himself, but still stumbled a little. He caught his balance and jerked away from Crimson's grasp, taking a step back. In and instant Niko was at Zadan's side with a glare of disapproval on his face.
"Back of Terik, he's hardly healed enough for you to torment him." Niko snarled.
Crimson smirked, his voice laced with mocking. "Tell your watch dog to stand down, I just want to talk."
"I'll show you watch dog." Niko growled and started toward Crimson. He was surprised as Red stepped forward and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, lifting him off the ground. "Hey, let me go!"
"This doesn't involve you, runt. Make yourself scarce." Red sneered. He tossed his teammate backwards through the rec. room doors that opened when they sensed his quick approach.
"Hey!" Zadan protested. He started to move to check on his teammate, but Red stepped in his way. He realized with a jolt of fear that they had him cornered and on top of that Dr. Radkee had warned him not to morph just yet. "Back off."
"Calm down Zadan, we just want to talk." Crimson said his voice full of false pleasantness.
"I don't know anything guys. You don't honestly think whoever framed you would tell me, do you?"
"So if it wasn't you, then it must be Niko." Crimson mused.
Zadan's breath nearly caught in his throat and he struggled not to show the panic on his face. "I didn't say that."
"So then you're the one that did it?"
Even though there was only a couch behind him Zadan felt like he was trapped in a box with his two teammates. No matter what he said either he or Niko was going to be insinuated. He couldn't very well suggest it was Aurias since she really didn't have any reason the frame Crimson. So, it was either take the blame on himself or point them in Niko's direction. He knew he should have done it, told them that Niko was the one that had done it not just to frame Crimson but as a traitor. He just couldn't do that. His heart wouldn't let him.
"If I were the one that framed you do you really think I'd admit to it?" Zadan remarked.
"So then it's Niko." Crimson said. He was enjoying making his yellow teammate squirm.
"I didn't say that." Zadan snapped. "Maybe it's Aurias, hell it could even be Dariv. Actually, for all we know it's you Terik."
"I have nothing to gain." Crimson said. "If I was the one I would have gotten myself out of here by now. I'm the one Kalix is getting ready to punish."
"Sucks to be you." Zadan sneered.
Crimson growled and moved to strike Zadan, but Red grabbed his arm. "Leave him Terik, we have other ways of finding the imposter."
Zadan smirked as he watched his two teammates leave the rec. room. He knew he had planted ideas in their minds. They were probably already doubting each other.
ZzZzZ
Tori was relieved that Kalix hadn't come for her yet, but at the same time the feeling of despair in the holding cell was overwhelming. She could tell that all of the men had given up on escaping and why not? They didn't even know how long the two mutes had been there. She couldn't even imagine what must have happened to make them silent like they were. She wanted to hope that she wouldn't end up like them, but it still terrified her that she wouldn't be able to escape and she would be imprisoned for a very long time.
Tori had thought that Lothor was a terrible enemy, until the Psycho Rangers showed up. But even they seemed to pale in Kalix's presence. He apparently had a force greater than anything that had ever threatened Earth before. She wondered how they would ever defeat him if he brought the full power of his armada and his army against them. The Power Rangers of Earth had only ever had to defend one city at a time, how would her team defend the whole planet by themselves? Surely five rangers couldn't actually protect the whole planet if it all came under attack at the same time. They'd be hopelessly outnumbered no matter how powerful they were.
"I didn't mean to make you doubt yourself Tori." Amias spoke up. "I don't want you to give up hope. It's all you have now."
"I know that." Tori said. "But if he's got the army you say he does then it doesn't give me much hope at all. Five rangers can't protect a whole planet."
"No, but Earth has something that most other planets don't." Harper said, jumping into the conversation. He seemed to have recovered from his little episode earlier. "You have many more potential rangers and ranger powers than any planet I've ever seen. I think for some strange reason that's why every evil doer ever has tried to take over Earth."
"It's well known that there's always a team of rangers ready to take on whatever force attacks Earth." Amias added. "If Kalix does try to invade Earth the only things that will stop him are ranger teams."
"But the most important thing of all is to have hope." Harper said. He motioned to the three of them. "We've given up hope and you can see what it's done to us."
"Hold on to it Tori, it's all you've got now."
ZzZzZ
Red and Crimson entered the security room and watched a fat, sloppy monster jump to its feet. Earth junk food fell to the floor along with a few cans of something called "Mountain Dew". Crimson glared distastefully at the monster and the creature didn't need to see his face to know it. Red made a quick motion toward the door with his hand and the monster didn't bother to argue. It scampered out of the room leaving a trail of crumbs in its wake.
"Disgusting creature." Crimson sneered. "More trouble than he's worth."
"Forget him." Red snapped. "Stay focused on your goal Terik and you're more likely to succeed."
"Oh so now you're offering me advice?" Crimson taunted.
Red gave him a glare that showed right through his helmet and Crimson stayed quiet. Red moved to sit where the monster had and began typing quickly. As expected the computer asked for his username and password. Nothing detailed with the computers could be done without usernames and passwords. Sure the monster on duty in the security room could observe everything, but it couldn't pull up files or anything of that nature. It was a privilege.
Username: RedDay
Password: xxxxxx Access Granted RedDayCrimson was silently surprised by Red's username. Red Day is what both nations had termed the bloodiest day of the Hykan-Surran War. He wondered if Red had been a part of that day or if it had been someone he knew. In any case he felt a silent bit of respect for the older man.
"Okay, the only footage we have is of the imposter going into the Knight Ranger's holding cell." Red mused. "We need to discus more security cameras with Kalix. You'd think he'd have them already."
"He's too confident, almost too complacent when it comes to the security on the ship." Crimson agreed. He eyed the footage that Red brought up. His anger flared as he watched the imposter. "He even acted like me. Said what I would have said."
"You're not that hard to predict Terik. Your temper is well known." Red said, too distracted to make any insulting barbs. He watched the footage intently for any clues. Then he saw it. "Depths be damned."
"What?" Crimson asked, surprised his companion had found something.
"Watch, watch the imposter just before the Knight Ranger hits him with the electro-disk." Red said, starting the replay a few seconds before the imposter foolishly lunges.
Crimson watched as his look-alike snarled and lunged. He watched as the Knight Ranger dodged and grabbed the electro-disk. And then he saw the imposter tense. Tense like he knew what was coming. Depths be damned indeed!
"That bastard knew it was coming." Crimson exclaimed. "He not only framed me but he's a traitor too!"
"I guess we should have seen that coming. No one would go to such lengths to frame you if they were just going to give the Knight Ranger a beating." Red mused. "Well, I guess it could have gotten you into trouble with Kalix, and so far it has, but now it seems like there was much more to it."
"We have to tell Kalix."
"No," Red snarled. "Which ever one did it did worse than betray Kalix. He betrayed us. This is worse than anything we did to each other on Jaldia."
"We take care of this ourselves."
"And I have a plan."
ZzZzZ
"The Wraith are far more terrifying than the Goa'uld." Niko argued. "They don't want to rule over humans, they want to feed on them."
"I'd rather be killed by the Wraith than forced to worship a false God my whole life." Zadan argued. "It's too much like real life right now."
"You'd rather live your life in fear of a Wraith culling? You'd watch your family and friends get culled?" Niko asked. "You'd rather have your life sucked out of you slowly than be killed quickly by a Jaffa staff weapon?"
"What about those ribbon devices the Goa'uld hav?. That's got to be torturous."
"Still---."
"Do you two always argue over stupid TV shows?" Crimson sneered as he and Red sauntered into the rec. room.
"They're not stupid." The two younger Psychos snapped at the same time. They didn't bother to act surprised they'd spoken in unison.
"Whatever." Red dismissed. "We just came to tell you that we think we've found something on the security footage that'll show who framed Terik."
Zadan and Niko looked quickly at one another, but Zadan quickly looked back at their two shackled teammates. "If you think you've got something why don't you just spit it out?"
"There was some kind of power surge or something, the footage is messed up, but we're going to have that Sizvu punk take a look and see if he can clean it up." Red replied. "We'll know the truth by tomorrow."
Niko tried to hide his worry. He was sure he hadn't left any kind of evidence behind, but he couldn't take any chances. If they had something that might incriminate him it would probably be for more than just framing Crimson. They'd find out he's a traitor and kill him, or worse brainwash him again. He had only one choice. He would sneak into the security room and destroy the footage.
"You're bluffing." Zadan sneered. "You've got nothing and you know it."
"Don't be so sure." Red replied. "By tomorrow you might be floating in space."
"You don't scare me Dariv. I have nothing to fear." Zadan retorted. I only fear for Niko. Lords please don't let them have anything.
"We'll see about that, won't we?"
"Leave us alone. We just want to watch our shows in peace." Niko snapped.
Crimson and Red left them, knocking knuckles as the rec. room doors closed behind them. The seeds had been planted and very soon they'd have their traitor.
ZzZzZ
They couldn't have anything on him. He'd carefully avoided any place with cameras before he went to see the Knight Ranger. He'd even made sure to change to crimson before going into the tech room and getting the electro-disk. There was no way he'd let himself get incriminated. There was no way they had any footage that would point to him.
But Navy knew he couldn't take that chance. The footage would have to be destroyed before it was cleared up or whatever that meant. Technology had always been a bit beyond him, so he didn't understand how half the things Kalix had actually worked. He just knew they worked and that was good enough. So, if there was really footage getting cleaned up that would show it was him, he would have to make sure no one saw it.
He morphed before he left the room. If he was with Zadan he didn't mind being unmorphed, but by himself he felt the need for the extra power boost. The Lizarians tended to lick their lips whenever they looked at him. He was small enough to make a snack for a hungry pack of the beasts. At least when he was morphed they didn't dare look at him like that.
He didn't have to walk far from his room to the security room, but he took it slow. Something felt wrong to him. His instincts screamed out that there was something not right about the whole situation, but he couldn't take any chances. The rangers needed him as a spy, to do what he could to foil Kalix's plans. They needed him to try and figure out how to bust Tori out without creating as much fuss as he did with Kale. He'd thought framing Crimson had been a stroke of genius, but it was turning out to be more trouble than it was worth.
He stopped in front of the door and waited as it slid open. He barely had time to gasp before a bolt of energy sent him flying across the hall. Navy was quickly on his feet again, ready to defend himself. It was how the Earthlings said "the shit has hit the fan". He was screwed and he knew it.
"So, it was you all along?" Crimson sneered. "Not only did you frame me but you're a traitor as well."
"That's absurd." Navy snarled. "That punk zapped me, I wanted revenge."
"You tensed right before the electro-disk touched your back. You knew it was coming." Red accused. "And now you will suffer like the traitor you are."
At that a horde of Dedians armed with their axe/sword/club-like weapons swarmed from the security room. Navy fought back with all the skill he'd been taught. The Dedians were many, but he was quick and powerful and they could hardly touch him. After mere moments the last Dedian was sent sailing down the corridor. Navy turned his attention back to his teammates or rather ex-teammates.
"Well, they may not have been able to hurt you, but we'll teach you a lesson." Crimson said.
Navy ducked Crimson's fist, but received a kick to the face from Red. He stumbled back, but managed to dodge another attack and put a little room between them. His chance for recovery was brief as the two betrayed Psychos attacked viscously. He jumped a kick to his midsection and planted both feet on the chain stretched between his two attackers. His full weight dragged them to the ground with undignified yelps. With a streak of maliciousness he attacked Crimson and Red while they were down, before he turned and started to take off. He stumbled and fell as something caught his foot. He didn't get a chance to recover. His ex-teammates were on him so fast he barely knew what hit him.
"Stupid little punk." Crimson snarled while viscously beating Navy with his shield.
Navy tried to roll away, but Red stepped down harshly on his wrist, crushing his transporter and exposing his ribs to the full fury of Crimson's shield. Biting back a whimper of pain he unleashed a shockwave of energy that sent his attackers flying. His head swam and he felt like someone had wrapped him in thousand pound weights. He moved sluggishly as he fought to think about where to go.
Zadan. No, he couldn't go there. Yellow would hate him for his betrayal.
He needed to get away, to get to Earth, but his personal transporter was smashed. The tech room wasn't far away, but it was far enough. The transporter was his only hope, as long as his username and password weren't locked out already.
His train of though was derailed violently as Red and Crimson streaked from behind him, catching him between them with the chain. They dragged him ruthlessly to the floor. He kicked out in an attempt to trip one of them, but Red jumped down right on his leg and it made a sickening snap as the bone fractured. He bit his lip hard enough to draw blood as he struggled not to make a sound. They dragged him to his feet and slammed him against the wall. Crimson stood only a few inches away from him and held his shield out between them. Navy could only lean against the wall for support, somewhat aware of what was going on, but not fully grasping the danger anymore.
"Psycho Force Rush!"
Navy screamed out in agony as the short distance between them caused the shield to connect with devastating power. His awareness shifted out and by the time he was aware again he was being dragged by his broken leg down the hall. He knew they were taking him to Kalix. He wasn't fully aware of too much, but that thought was terrifying enough that all his survival instincts kicked in.
He unleashed the most powerful energy surge he'd ever attempted and for a moment the world was nothing but a roar in his ears and a bright flash of white. When he could see again properly he saw Red and Crimson slumped in the hall. There was still a dim roar in his ears and he knew if he didn't get away quickly he wouldn't last much longer. He struggled up and hissed at the roaring pain in his fractured leg. With a groan of pain he started to stumble and limp his way down the hall to the transporter room. The door slid open and he stumbled inside, falling to his knees beside the control panel. Pain throbbed through his whole body and he wheezed with every breath. He quickly punched in his username and password and then the coordinates he wanted. He watched as the transporter beam energized, the light bright against the pain in his head. Gathering his strength he pushed away from the control panel and half stumbled and crawled toward the beam.
"Psycho Slash Attack!"
The red energy crackled through the air with frightening power and slammed into Navy's back. His cry of pain was cut off as the force of the attack knocked him into the transporter beam.
ZzZzZ
Kale yawned and rubbed his eyes. He was reading Psycho Yellow's background file. Apparently, unlike the other Psychos, Kalix had been watching Psycho Yellow for much longer. Through his research of the Gems of Power Kalix had found out that one of the first Holders, fully blended with the Gems of Power, had lived there. Kalix had deduced that someone on the planet had to be a descendant of Joutan al Kor'kii (Joutan the destroyer) and would be able to use the Gems of Power much easier. After genetic testing, Kalix had found that descendant to be Zadan, who had no clue whatsoever. Kalix had posted a spy to watch Zadan and see if there was any residual power but the spy had reported that there appeared to be no remaining power in Zadan. Kale was shocked to learn that Kalix had then had the spy plant the Yellow Amulet where Zadan would find it. Zadan, already being the Yellow Solar Ranger, had been immediately affected by the Amulet and had turned on his teammates, betraying his planet to Kalix. Kalix had then promised him a much greater power and from there Zadan's story followed the same lines as Niko's, except for the brainwashing bit.
"My god." Kale murmured. "This kid could either save or destroy us all and he doesn't even know it."
A console to Kale's left beeped and he jumped a little, surprised by the sound. He turned a pushed a few buttons. Immediately a viewscreen came to life in front of him. It took him a moment to realize what he was seeing, but when the implications struck him he cursed in his people's foulest tongues. Psycho Navy was sprawled motionless on the ground, unmorphed and helpless as Psycho Crimson and Psycho Red were closing in for the kill.
"Now you die like the miserable traitor you are." Red snarled.
"I'm going to enjoy this." Crimson sneered.
Kale gaped as both Psychos seemed to charge up, getting ready to deliver a fatal blast. He snapped out of his stupor and reached for the transport console. He smiled triumphantly when it indicated Navy was just within transporting distance. With a few quick keystrokes he teleported the Psycho Ranger onto his ship and immediately into the healing chamber.
"Argggghhhh!" Crimson roared on the viewscreen. "It's that damn Knight Ranger, I know it!"
"Come, we have to report to Kalix. He's not going to like this."
Kale sighed, reached over, and flipped off the viewscreen. He had wondered how long it would take for them to bust Psycho Navy. He had to admit he thought it would be longer. He had hoped they would gain a better advantage through Navy's help, but that was clearly out of the picture. All he had left was to hope that Navy wasn't injured too badly. They couldn't afford to lose an ally as powerful as he was. He sighed and sat down in his seat again. All he could do was wait.
VvVvV
AN: Okay, I do want to apologize for the lack of rangers in this chapter. I know Tori made a brief appearance, but this chapter was all about Navy getting busted. Now, I also want to warn that from here out unless Psycho Navy is morphed he'll be referred to by his real name, Niko, so I hope everyone has caught on to his name. In fact, any time the Psychos aren't morphed I'm going to refer to them by their real names, so if anyone gets confused don't be afraid to let me know.
Nartu-derogatory term for Red's people back on their home planet
Handiel-derogatory term for Crimson's people back on their home planet
Anyway, I want to give a quick thank you to everyone who is still reading. I really appreciated it and I hope you keep enjoying it.