Chapter 18: Say Goodbye

A month went by and Andros woke up to the sound of the intercom going off. He turned on the light and answered his intercom. "Andros," he answered.

"Andros, I have received word from a Tommy Oliver," Kinwon informed.

Andros looked at the clock. It was four in the morning. "Admiral…it's really early, couldn't you tell me later?" He asked.

"This is very important, Andros. Your wife and unborn child could be in danger," Kinwon replied.

Andros looked at Ashley to see her still asleep. He got up and brought the intercom with him.

He sat in the living room now wide awake after what Kinwon had said. "What do you mean that my family could be in danger?" He asked.

"Tommy has warned us that the Machine Empire is going to try to return," Kinwon replied.

Andros rubbed his forehead. "How is that possible, Kinwon? The Zeo Rangers destroyed the Machine Empire years ago," he pointed out.

"The leaders are gone, but their generals have been hiding during the past three years," Kinwon answered.

Andros let out a sigh. "In other words, I have to get my morpher back and I'm leaving KO-35 again," he mumbled.

"I'm afraid so," Kinwon answered.

"But, Kinwon. My wife is pregnant. I can't leave her like this."

"This will protect her and your unborn child."

Andros looked over to see Ashley still asleep. "I will do this, but I have to see the birth of my child one or another I will see the birth of my child," he answered. Kinwon nodded.

"Understood," Kinwon agreed.

Andros took a deep breath. "When do I leave?" He asked. Kinwon sighed sadly.

"You leave as soon as possible," he replied.

Andros nodded his head. "Yes sir," he answered. He shut off the intercom and he placed his head in his hands. He jumped when he felt a pair of hands touch his shoulders.

"Hey," Ashley whispered.

He placed his hand over hers. "How much did you hear?" He asked.

"I've heard enough," she replied.

He let out a sigh and lowered his head. Ashley gave his shoulders a small squeeze and they both just stayed still. She then leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "We'll be okay without you. This is something you have to do," she murmured. She then walked over to a box that was sitting across the living room. She opened it to reveal her and Andros's Space Morphers. After their fight with the Galaxy Rangers, they had kept their morphers, but put them in places just incase they were needed again. She walked back over to Andros and handed him his morpher. Andros lifted his head as he took his morpher and strapped it around his wrist again.

"Never thought to be using this thing again," he mumbled.

Ashley watched as he got up and got ready to leave. He pulled on a familiar uniform. Ashley walked up behind him and she pulled his hair back in a ponytail. Andros turned around and held her hands. "I never wanted it to be this way," he told her.

"I know that," she answered.

She let go one of his hands and placed her hand on his face. "But I know that everything's going to be okay," she whispered. He nodded his head and kissed her forehead. "And before you say it, I will see you again," she told him. Andros nodded his head slowly.

"Yeah," he answered.

Ashley let his hand go and she got herself changed. "What are you doing?" He asked.

"I'm going to see you off," she replied.

Andros nodded and once they were both ready to go, they left.

They stood in front of the ship and Andros looked at Ashley. He let out a sigh as he held her hands. "I'll see our baby the moment he or she is born. One way or another I will see him or her," he told her. Ashley nodded her head slowly trying not to cry. Kinwon stood by the ship watching in the distance. Andros saw the tears threatening to fall down her face. "Come here," he whispered. Ashley hugged him tight with the tears wanting to fall down her face. "I love you," he murmured.

"I love you too, just stay safe," she answered.

Andros pulled back and kissed her. "General," Kinwon called. Andros pulled back and he looked at Kinwon before looking back at Ashley.

"I'll see you soon," he told her.

"Yeah…see you soon," she answered.

Andros walked towards the ship and Ashley held onto his hand until he was out of reach. She stood there and watched as Andros got onto the ship and a tear fell down her face.

Andros walked to the bridge and stood in front of the controls. "DECA get ready for take off," he instructed.

"Acknowledged," DECA answered.

Andros looked at the main viewing screen to see Ashley. He closed his eyes as he started to count down. "Three…two…one," he counted. Then he too off.

Ashley watched him go and the flood gates opened. She wrapped her arms around herself and lowered her head as the tears fell down her face. Kinwon walked over and placed his hand on Ashley's shoulder. "I'm sorry," he told her. Ashley lifted her head and wiped her tears away.

"Not your fault, Kinwon," she assured him.

Then she turned and walked away back to her and Andros's house.

Once she came back, it felt completely empty. She lied down on the bed and pulled Andros's pillow close to her as she buried her head in it and cried.

(In Space)

Andros's face was stone cold as he took off from KO-35. "DECA, scan for the Generals," he instructed.

"Acknowledged," DECA answered.

He sat down and played with his ring. He placed his head in his hands and let out a heavy sigh. Andros was hoping that things wouldn't be the way they were. He was supposed to be back home with Ashley still getting things ready for the arrival of their baby. This was supposed to be the best part of their lives, but he's going to miss it. Andros slammed his hand down on the control panel. "Damn the Machine Empire," he growled silently to himself.