'TIL I COLLAPSE- PART THIRTY-SEVEN: JUST IN GOOD COMPANY
SEQUEL TO: ORDINARY WORLD
SUMMARY: After hearing some tragic news, the space rangers head back to Angel Grove with Tommy. They hopes to find some answers they need to help them in battle. Along the way, they run into an old friend that could prove to be beneficial in their battle against Mindshatter.
DISCLAIMER: Power Rangers is not mine and never will. I just own this story and how it will end. You have been warned.
A/N: I know, after a chapter like that last one, you guys must all hate me for that. I told you there would be death in this story, didn't I? It's not that I didn't like those rangers or were gonna try to fit them in, I just had to put something to catch your eye. I'm sorry. This is getting more serious and tragic as we go, just not extremely. And I thought I would bring up more of that past reference stuff. You guys tend to enjoy those, right? So, take a look at the title. Does it give a hint? Well, it should if you've been hanging on to the series on T.V. for awhile. I'll give you one hint... he replaced someone else due to complications. Yeah, okay. Still confused. Just read on. Enjoy! Don't hate me too much.
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"So, this is it. We have to go back to where this all began and hope to find the missing links to this war we are in. I can only hope once we find what we need, a weakness can be found and we can end this for good." -Eclyptyk Neo
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The Space Rangers and Black DT Ranger had to move quickly. They weren't quite sure if they were being followed or if there was a way to get back to Angel Grove without being detected, they just hoped that Mindshatter would back off just a little against them. They all knew his grudge laid more in them than any other ranger team since they were the only ones who served as a huge threat. But the other teams. It crushed each of them in their own way. The Lightspeed Rescue Team and Wild Force Rangers had fought their way to survive and protect their cities, but failed. They wouldn't be forgotten, though. That much was clear by those rangers still standing.
They were all dressed down, hidden by another color in hopes not to attract too much attention. Tommy was the only one set in his miliatry uniform. He had informed them that he would first head over to the NASADA space port and find someone there who could help them out.
"If you can get that far. Even we can't gain access to the megaship in one of their holding bays. Ever since security precautions took place, we've been locked out," TJ stated.
"Don't worry. I got military clearance. And if all else fails, I got another set of tricks up my sleeves." the man in the military outfit replied.
XXXXXXXXXX
In the shadows and comfort of hiding places in the outskirts of Angel Grove, two figures moved against the blazing hot sun toward civilizations. They had left in such a hurry, no one on their squad had any idea where they could have gone or for what real reason.
Both of them were dressed in the uniform accustomed to the Silver Guardians of Silver Hills, CA. Wes ducked behind a boulder catching his breath. Eric knelt down beside him, tapping his awake. They knew they couldn't risk running by vehicle, and relied on a few bus rides, stowing away on semis and running.
"Do you have any idea where we're going?" Eric asked as he looked around, hoping to find no one around.
"Andros told me their base should be another 50 meters due east. Now, I'm not sure if they've heard the news, but you remember that if anything serious should occur, we'd better find shelter at either Angel Grove, Blue Bay Harbor or Reefside. And Angel Grove was the closest place we could have gone to," Wes stated as he forced air back into his lungs. He pulled himself back to his feet as he started for a sprint toward a rocky cliff.
"I cannot believe I'm saying this, but I hope you're right about this. We just sorta got up and jetted out of there like there was no tomorrow," Eric called out as he looked back again.
"Because there might not be for us. Our morphers are now off-line and we can't use them to communicate with anyone. I think that is fair enough to panic now," Wes said as he pulled himself up a path toward the top of the cliff.
Eric could say no more. He, too, had wondered why their morphers had not been functioning, and what exactly would come of them if they stuck around. He could only hope if they found refugee they could also apply some help and knowledge to the remaining rangers.
XXXXXXXXXX
Power Chamber, Angel Grove.
Billy and Karone had been working frantically to locate the rangers they knew were still around and not in the haven of one of three locations. They had just heard the news about the deaths of the Lightspeed Rescue Rangers and the Wild Force Rangers and feared the worse for the others.
"How could this happen? Mindshatter waits until now to brutally attack us?" Billy shook his head as he pushed buttones on one of the panels.
Karone looked over the readouts on one of the screens before her. She shook her head in disbelief as Billy raced over. "But look at these readings. They indicate a disturbance in the morphing grid."
Billy looked over it holding his breath. "Attack when they're most vulnerable. This can't be happening, though. How did he tap into the morphing grid without our detection until it was too late?"
"I don't know. But I'm picking up two energy sources southwest of us," Kaone tapped on another screen as it revealed a heat signature around two objects.
Billy ran a few more codes as the satellite image centered on the two figures. He let out a breath. "It's Wes and Eric."
"Well, teleport them here. They're within range, aren't they?"
Billy shook his head. "Negative. Since their morphing energy has been disturbed, I can't get a complete lock. I'm shut down completely. I've been trying to get a lock on the space rangers, but can't lock on their energy either. They'll have to move in by foot and hope that no one followed them."
XXXXXXXXXX
In the streets of Reefside, life had went on. But there were many that mourned, heard the loss of the ranger teams in Turtle Cove and Mariner Bay. They just could not believe it, but could only hope the Rangers of Reefside were still around to protect them.
They had seen the destruction first hand by these armored soldiers, these cybots, as some had learned. And were grateful to have them around. But along the way, innocent bystanders had succomb to death by the destruction of these cybots. The rangers had done all they could, keeping the city safe.
But doubt raged over a few. If the citizens of Turtle Cove and Mariner Bay had lost their own team, they could be next.
A red SUV drove through the streets, at a speed that worried some of the passengers inside. A family of four, two of them were veteran rangers, each holding their own against the terrible news they had heard. Without any hesitation, a few bags were packed and they had left Los Angeles to find refugee in the small city of Reefside.
JasonLee Scotthad not dropped a tear since they had left, but was feeling the hurt. He had come to love the company of the rangers who had just recently died, especially Cole. He had kept his rage under control, but the hurt dwelled in his heart as the images of the ruthless and flawless attacks took out two teams of rangers.
KatherineScott sat in the passenger seat beside her husband speechless. Tears had already scarred her face as she tried to make sense of the attacks on the rangers. It didn't make sense to her that the cybots would attack them. And she couldn't even figure out exactly why they didn't morph either. But even she was feeling a little weird about it. Almost sick to her stomach as if someone took apart of her out and blasted it to pieces. She felt empty inside, but clenched tightly the hand of her husband as he held it out for her.
She turned to see the two sleeping figures in the back. They had been asleep the entire time. Mark only waking up briefly to ask where they were going. She had replied they were taking a trip to go see their uncle in Reefside and would be staying there for a few days. If not weeks, but had not mentioned that.
The other figure, a baby of only almost two months, slept secure in the baby seat. Unlike the other child, she would have no idea what was going on. And Katherine had almost wish that she were that age. An age of innocence where fear never really existed.
"It'll be okay. We're almost there," Jason spoke in a whisper. But as he made the turn into another side street, he slammed on the brakes as the SUV came to a screeching stop.
Only meters away stood what he had been informed about was a robo-dinosaur, arm upraised in their direction.
"Dinoshade," he said mostly to himself. As much as he had been briefed about the situation in Reefside, he had refused to pull his wife into anymore of the ranger tasks. But somehow, she knew and gripped her husbandn's hand tighter.
Jason switched the vehicle into reverse and floored the pedal as the car bolted back. He skidded back onto the busy street, nearly taking out two cars in the rush. They came to a screeching stop, honks blaring. He flipped the car into drive and turned the wheel, gunning the pedal as it raced out of there. A laser blast had missed the back of the SUV by only two feet.
Another powerful laser blast shot the ground, shaking the road behind the SUV. Jason almost lost control as he pulled into another street never looking back. He knew they were in danger and had to find a way out of there and fast.
Then as he moved toward the very street he needed to head into the darkness of the woods, he nearly ran the red light and the incoming cars. Beside him, Katherine cried out in a panic as he fought to control the unstable SUV against the turn and raced out of there.
But it seems like they were still being followed. No, they were. Laser fire rained down from behind them, trying to pop a tire or throw them off the road.
"No. Not now! Back off," Jason breathed through clenched teeth.
Another jolt and awaken the two children. One bursting into tears as the other screamed in a panic.
"Daddy! What's going on?" Mark cried out as tears fell from his eyes.
"Just pray for us, Marcus," Jason replied as his hands tightened on the wheel.
Then as they rounded the corner, four familiar color-coordinated vehicles raced passed them toward the firing enemies. It was the DT teens, suited up and gunning their lasers at the cybot army coming their way.
With a motion by Conner on his raptor cycle, he told them to keep going as they went into battle with the cybots. Laser fired from both sides, but the DT team had the upper hand. They knew how to work they cycles in any sorta battle, using weapons and blasters for close range attacks.
But when all four DT rangers had finally got their fair share of attacks, the cybots had retreated in a flash before they had a chance to do anymore damage. They all came to a halt looking around in confusion.
"Okay, that was weird. One minute they battle us, the next they flee," Kira looked up into the sky where they had disappeared through a portal.
"I'm not liking this. They're pulling back," Ethan said.
"Maybe Dr. O was right. Maybe Mindshatter is gearing up for a bigger battle," Conner said.
"Well, we'd better go find Jason and escort him back to the lab. I doubt we're fully out of this quite yet," Trent said as he revved up his ATV.
The others followed suit and drove off toward the way where the red SUV was heading.
XXXXXXXXXX
Tommy had waited at the base of the cliff as he watched the space rangers make the ascend to the top where the hidden Power Chamber was. Then he turned his jeep around and headed for south toward town where he knew the space port was.
He wasn't quite sure what he should say except that he knew they had to find a way into the space port. Vital information was locked away in there that he hoped to get access into, but wasn't sure what type of mess he would get into.
He hadn't been to the port in a good few years and didn't understand why even the Space Rangers weren't permitted in, if not TJ or Andros, who escorted him and several other red rangers into space.
Red Rangers. The fury in his mind rose at the thought of their demise. They didn't deserve it. None of them did. They were only living a normal life, set away from being some high-class superhero. He clenched his fists as he forced air out of his lungs, trying to feel the calm over it.
Then he had come to the main entrance to the NASADA space port. A guard stood his ground, stepping out of the post to greet him as he pulled up.
Tommy flashed his military ID and dogtags hoping it would be easy enough to let him. The guard gave him a once over look, stern like a doorknob. He was a big guy dressed in a blue uniform and black beret to signify his status as an officer, an Air Force class security guard. Even the license on Tommy's jeep had been changed from the usual California license to one labeled with the US Government insignia.
The man took the ID looking from the card to the man in the vehicle. "What is your business here, Sgt. Oliver?"
"A message for one of your commanding officers on base," Tommy replied calmly, not at all intimidated by the huge man or the pistol around his shoulder. "It's really important."
"No one is cleared to enter without an appointment or to discuss business with those in the base."
"And isn't that what I just said? Look, I'm in a rush. Why don't you call your commanding officer and tell him that Sgt. Thomas Oliver is requesting his presence?"
The man moved into the post as he pulled up a phone and dialed in. For awhile, Tommy just thought about plowing through the gate, but knew it would do no good. He'd get gun down for sure. He could only hope that the commanding officer he was looking for was still around or even in the base at the time.
The man had nodded and muttered a few things before hanging up the phone and returning to the waiting jeep. "You may proceed. He seems to be expecting you. However, I must also take a retinal scan and fingerprint for our own records for your visit."
Tommy held back an annoyed breath as he nodded in turn. All he wanted to do was clear security and be on his way. He didn't have time to be boasted for his rights as a US soldier and what business he had to discuss.
After the minutes of scanning his eye and capturing a fingerprint, he knew he was now locked in the NASADA database, which he swore should have already been in there. He didn't argue as he took the visitor's keycard and proceeded into the base.
Though he hadn't been there in years, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He proceeded to the main building and parked the jeep heading for the main doors. He swiped the card, entered in a code and proceeded into the building.
It was quiet, like any other day on the base. He hadn't been too familiar with the building, but knew it housed mission control to the many space launches in the area. There had only been a few take offs in years on the base, but mostly due to the access granted by government to launch from the site.
He casual walked passed guards, none seeming to notice or mind his presence. Not that he was authorized to move around military facilities, he just knew his limits as an actual soldier. But that didn't stop him at all. He had to get down to business.
He came to a stop as he saw the marking on one of the doors. It read: 'Commanding Officer' and he figured there was one person he could talk to in there. He rattled on the door before knocking as he heard a voice from beyond it permitting him in. He slowly pushed open the door and closed it behind him walking over to the desk at the other end.
"I was beginning to think that after all these years I would never get to see you again," the voice replied from beyond the turned chair at the end of the room.
"Well, I'm here. And I need your help big time," Tommy replied.
The chair turned to reveal the person behind it. Dressed from head to toe in an Air Force style uniform the man looked young behind the uniform, but he seemed to use it well. His face was stern, disciplined and no longer immature to his nature as a young boy. His eyes still danced with the knowledge of any prodigy and anyone could respect him, despite the year difference he was compared to others in the base. His hair was cut like any military style even if it hid under the blue beret on his head. But no matter what, one thing never seemed to changed about the young man that Tommy didn't recognize. His energy and spirit as a Power Ranger.
"What would you do without me?" the small boyish smile split the maturity from the commanding officer.
"We might as well hang up or morphers and surrenders hands up to this guy. C'mon, Justin, this is your time to shine," Tommy said in a steady and serious tone.
"Even after all these years I never would have thought you'd still be leading a team of rangers, Tommy," the young man known as Justin Stewart rose us. And by his height, he really wasn't that little anymore. He had towered over Tommy much like Conner did at six feet. And despite his age, turning 21 in a few weeks, his prodigy mind had gotten him many places.
The two moved out of the office into another office Tommy could only conclude was the next best place for computer work than mission control.
He had learned of Justin's presence at NASADA months before he landed his teacher career at Reefside High. But like many, Justin had wanted to put much of his ranger past behind him and keep focus on space work and life as a commanding officer to the NASADA space port. Many never could contact the old Blue Turbo Ranger, but Tommy always had his connections. Now, in his most desperate hour, Tommy had returned, like he had said, seeking out the expertise of an old ranger.
"So, give me the 411 before I can get down to business. I just heard that an evil being from space has come to take over Earth and that satellite systems have been tampered with. I also have come to learn about this armored army of robotic soldiers this guy has under his wing..." Justin spoke almost like a computer reiterating what was just entered into his database.
Tommy stopped him before he could saw anymore. He laid down the details as simple and as quick as he cold get thim across. He had mentioned the background behind Mindshatter, which he did not believe. The origins of the cybots and Dinoshade. The loss of the Lost Galaxy Rangers and the Silver Space Ranger. He narrowed down on some of their battles including going back in time and their most recent battle where Mindshatter had
controlled his mind to think his friends were the enemy. He also mentioned the theories unfolding around how to defeat Mindshatter and the glitch in the morphing grid, ridding the other rangers the ability to morph except for him and his dino team.
Justin nodded slowly as he grasped the news openly. "Well, this is a big miss we've gotten into. We've lost two more ranger teams to Mindshatter. And the only rangers who are capable of morphing is you and your dino rangers. Just so I'm on the same note as you, Tommy. Mind telling me how these dino rangers came into existence again?"
Tommy had to admit since his last meeting with Justin years ago, the dino thunder rangers were not in active duty at the time. He had only mentioned the design of the morphers and the powers, but of only three, not of five. So, he laid down the last few months of his ranger career as a mentor and member of the dino thunder team, now honing color number four in his reign. He had told Justin about his old colleague being the man behind the mutant mind to rule earth in favor of the dinosaurs. And his minions were a man, turned cyborg, who was jealous of Tommy for taking his place by Dr. Mercer's side and a high school principal who worked undercover to try and gain his trust. He mentioned the battles they faces as a team, and of the time where he and several other red rangers had turned to the dark side and almost annihilated the rising legacy.
And how it all connected to their more recent war with Mindshatter and his evil reign.
Justin could not believe his eyes or his ears for the stories his old leader had told him. But he had to believe it, a standing legend in his presence. "Well, that is unbelievable. And you married Kimberly along the way, too? Congratulations, man. I would have thought you guys wouldn't have made it work out, but you're still going."
"Don't jinx it, Justin. I need more information. Like why can't the other rangers exactly morph and is there a way to reverse it. If there is a weakness in Mindshatter. And if we can return Anton back to normal." Tommy said, as he held out a disk. "Among other things. Most of this is in code, but if you can decipher it, it could give us what information we need to get this thing rolling on our side of the street."
Justin took the disk and stuck it into one of the drives as he moved to one of the computer stations. He pushed a few buttons as it began to launch the disk and its contents onto the screen. Tommy had to enter in a line of passwords to continue the search and the screen went blank and a line of code scrolled down the screen at top speed.
"Whoa! You weren't kidding when you said that this was all in code," Justin sighed as he pushed a few keys. It stopped the scrolling code as it slowed down to a more readable speed.
It fell silent as he began to analyze the information, making mental note in his head as the information continued to fill the screen. Tommy was making his own notes, trying to figure it out on his own, but he wasn't as equipped with computer knowledge as he would like.
Minutes passed like hours as Tommy let Justin take in the information like a book of new knowledge. Then the screen went blank as the young commanding officer began to code in another line of codes. The pervious codes were slowly being deciphered before them on a monitor suspended in mid-air in front of them. Tommy fell back into a seat beside Justin as he began to make sense of the code.
"It's a log," Justin spoke slowly. "Records of your past experiments with Dr. Mercer mostly. Layouts of the fortress and re-programming codes to re-start functions on the fortress."
Tommy nodded as the codes began to make more sense to him. He had known about the logs thet Mercer had left in case of any emergency, recording the work. He thought it was lost, but here was most of it. But none of it seemed beneficial to their cause right now. He watched the deciphered code run across the screen. Over layouts, designs, records of experiments, names of people they've worked with, etc.
"There's got to be more here," Tommy stated as the last of the information was completely deciphered.
Justin ran a few more codes trying to look beyond the basic codes on his computer. He shook his head after awhile not sure what to make of the news. "There's nothing more here, Tommy."
Tommy shook his head. He had known Mercer to hide given information among other things, make it less obvious for any untrained eyes to see. He had been told about it before the untimely disappearance years ago, But it seemed like there was nothing more there.
Justin said that's all he could have decoded and apologizes for the lack of his assistance. Tommy thought for a moment as he thought about it again. He had to think back, way back, hoping to find the missing link he locked away in the depths of his mind.
Then the door creaked open and a figure entered the room. The two turned to it somewhat alarmed. "Commander Stewart, I have received information confirming the death toll... Tommy?"
Tommy raised an eyebrow as he looked at the figure, now realizing it was a female. Dressed in a similar Air Force like uniform with Commander Stewart, the woman froze in her tracks as her gaze centered on the man in the army outfit. "Elsa? What are you...? How did you...?"
"Elsa? Wait, this is your informant?" Justin looked over at Tommy with confusion. "But I thought she went by Sgt. Santos?"
"Informant?" Tommy looked over at Elsa in confusion. "Sergenant? Whoa...time out! I thought you were just a high school principal."
Elsa shrugged as she sighed. "I guess the cat's out of the bag, Tommy. I was apart of the Air Force where I had met Anton for the first time, right before I started college. And this whole Elsa/Mesogog fiasco. I've been telling Justin some of the news centered around Mindshatter and the dino rangers for awhile. now. The only way he believed me was that I told him I was your informant and you would send me up here to tell him the news."
"Well, this changes everything now doesn't it?" Justin scratched his head in some confusion.
"So, you've been one busy bee, too?" Tommy sighed as he collapsed into the chair, not answering Justin's statement. "Have you got anything on this matter? Why Mindshatter is attacking, or possibly cracking a few codes on this disk Anton gave me?"
She walked over and pushed a few buttons on the panel just as the screen went blank and the shadowed face of Mesogog came onto the screen. "You mean that?"
Justin and Tommy looked at each other before turning to the screen.
"Congratulations, Tommy," the mutant freak replied, but sounded more like Anton than Mesogog. "If you managed to get this, than you've cracked beyond all of the other records of our experiments. And by the time you are viewing this, you will find out the other rangers can no longer morph and some rangers had become victims to death. A tragedy, I know. But what I am about to pass on to you is crucial to the survival of the rest of us. So, listen up."
The mutant freak paused for a moment before continuing on with his discovery. "I will keep this as simple as I can. The rest of the rangers will remain in their civilian form until Mindshatter is destroyed, meaning this battle is left for you and the other dino rangers alone. But you must know something. Mindshatter has traveled to the outreaches of the Gamma-Tri system to obtain the very powers he needs to drain you of your morphing powers for good. He will start off with the other rangers, I am not quite sure who, and work his way to you and the other dino rangers. In order to protect them, you guys must destroy the candles before the flame goes out, but that shouldn't be new news to you. I also know that in the very room where we had recorded our results and monitored security on the island years before our experiments when haywire, is your only key to re-programming Dinoshade and destroying Mindshatter. But getting him there won't be easy. Those musky halls, which I have learned, disturbs their circuits and systems makes them somewhat vulnerable to attack. But don't underestimate them at all. They may be weak, but they are still powerful."
Again the image paused, giving the trio time to grasp what was going on right before their eyes. "Another thing you should know, Tommy, is that you are the very link Mindshatter needs to get to any surviving rangers. If they haven't succumbed to death, than they will be converted by the grasp of your hand. You are a key player, that's why he has refused to kill me. He knows if he can get you to come back here to save me, Tommy, than he will have his chance. He already has a hold on you and Trent. Your gems are powering it, though you may not feel it. Illusion, he is using it against you, slowly. but in time, it will take mover and no truth will ever break the lies. Be aware of it, Tommy. This has to end soon, or no one is safe."
Then the screen went blank. Eyes dropped and they three zoned into their own worlds, grasping the information like there was no tomorrow. It helped, but not every answer was completely answered. A new rage fell over Tommy as most of those words pulled him into a painful past. It was all of him. No pressure, not really. but it... yeah right. It was a lot of pressure.
"Don't you feel special," Justin spoke trying to lighten the tension in his old leader. "The survival of the world lies in your hands."
"No, not just his. But the dino rangers," Elsa spoke up trying to defend her co-worker.
"But more of it on me," Tommy sighed as he threw his head back, covering his face. "I am the link to the other rangers. And with those remaining, I really am the link to each of them." For a moment he grasped the news of a possible power drain. "The Gamma-Tri system. How did he know?"
"Now, correct me if I'm wrong, Tommy, but the Gamma-Tri system was the very system where Rita had obtained the powers to try and snatch your green ranger powers away, right?" Justin asked as he began to develop a theory.
"Yeah, it was. but Rita failed when I had handed over the coin to Jason. He had assumed the powers of the green dragon coin along with his own."
"And that's what I was hoping you would say," Justin nodded as a smile passed his face. "If we convert their powers to you and the other dino rangers, it should give you more power. Power than could send Mindshatter down to that room and destroy him for good. When it's all over, you can give their powers back. And it will avoid having them being stolen away by Mindshatter since they will be in good hands."
"That sounds like a risk we shouldn't take," Elsa shook her head.
"Don't doubt me on that. The only thing we need is to find an energy source powerful enough to make the transfer to you and from you. It's the oly safe transaction there will be if we're to survive."
Tommy had to admit that that could be bound to work. He hoped that it will. But he would have to look into finding the source, which he knew that Hayley would know about. And he also had other questions to ask about. "So, what about the communications systems? Why can't we make a connection with Angel Grove from Reefside, or vise versa? Tommy had to admit that that could be bound to work. He hoped that it would. But he would have to look into finding the source, which he knew that Hayley knows about. And he also had other questions to ask about. "So, what about the communications systems? Why can't we make a connection with Angel Grove from Reefside, or vise versa?"
Justin sighed as he shook his head. "That is one question I couldn't tell you. As far as I could tell, this guy has some link on the fortress that is throwing everything off."
"Didn't he come to Earth on some sorta spaceship? Where has that gone?" Elsa had to ask, wondering her own set of questions about the matter.
Tommy thought for a moment and had wondered that same thing. Why did he use the fortress as his namesake safe haven? And how did the fortress ever survive the blast from their own laser power? And did Zeltrax really tip Mindshatter off about them or was there another source? It was like a line of questions running in his mind like a nightmare. He wanted to know. Needed to know. But even some questions will never get answered, he just hoped these were a list of questions that never would. "It must be something on that ship. But it must be hidden somewhere else on the island. Somewhere we're missing. But where?" Tommy thought for a moment.
"No one knows that island better than you or Anton," Elsa stated.
"But even you did. As did Zeltrax and Trent," Tommy shook his head again, trying to figure out what was missing in this set of questions. "Mind control. Mesogog used mind control on both you and Zeltrax. But Zeltrax should be gone. I watched him die in the past. That only leaves us."
"The layouts of the fortress," Justin spoke up as he began to enter a line of code on the screen. It brought up maps of the fortress as Tommy placed it into is mind, locking the information in another part of his mind for use later.
Elsa moved in and pushed a few keys on the board to bring up another map giving the span of the entire island. "The entire island was made with a list of hidden passageways even I never knew about. No one really did, I think. Except, Anton."
"He had always kept a few things from me, but had told me when the time was right I would find out more than I would have liked about our work on the island," Tommy nodded slowly as he looked over the maps again. He pointed to an area that looked like a hangar off one of the cliffs. "We had stored many experimental bio-zords in that hangar. Those were our first tries at perfecting the zords, but failed. We never did destroy them, and I wouldn't be surprised if Mindshatter's ship would be hidden there." he pointed to a corridor from the fortress leading to the hangar. "There were several corridors leading to the hangar, but the main one was never destroyed, according to this map."
"A great deal of information we're learning about you now, aren't we, Dr. Oliver?" Justin mocked sighed as he looked at his friend. "Now, I don't believe you've told any of this to the rest of the rangers, have you?"
Tommy sighed and shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. I haven't, Commander Stewart. But, only because I thought that it was not important enough to mention. And according to these readouts, much of the original plan of the island is still intact. I didn't know this at the time Mesogog was trying to turn the world into a dino paradise. But now, I do, with this information. I had thought that most of our experiments were lost, and the only ones that still existed were the ones I know hold in my lab in Reefside."
"What other experiments have you been working on?" Elsa asked growing more interested in his findings about his hidden past.
Tommy pushed a few keys on the keyboard to reveal a record of experiments he had been working on with Dr. Mercer. Many of them were side projects, done by one or the other. Some were combined by the two, and according to the log only bared the mark of the two main scientists. "To many, we were the top dogs on the island. We had only asked for the help we thought we could trust. I'm sure you've read a lot of stories about the world we've been perfecting. The entire dino DNA technology was my idea. Anton was more for creating a sorta Jurassic Park- like area to bring in visitors. The real deal, not some ride at Universal Studios. But we had moved away from realistic ideas to thinking more about the future of mankind. What it would be like to create an army of dinosaur-like soldiers, the tyrannodrones, to fight in war for us? To create those bio-zords almost like a defense against terrorists or threats. And using dino DNA to somehow create a way for humans to survive just as long as they did. There were a number of experiments we never got to try out, too. But that remains to be seen. Ever since I've been teaching, I've kinda let that all go. Wanted to forget about it."
"Was there any connections to the development of Dinoshade? He seems to be a facsimile of what Mesogog could have been with the use of cybernetic technology," Elsa stated.
"The origins of Dinoshade came from the planet of KO-35. I had almost forgotten how handy Anton really was with technological advancements. Aside from his museum, he had mastered that right along with numerous engineering techniques," Tommy sighed. "If we could get him back, we may find out more about the island that even I'm forgetting. No one knew it better than he did. I just learned from him. I learned a lot from him."
"Well, Trent had told me that you guys have been working around perfecting new weaponry and new bio-zords, but haven't tested them. Any idea when those could be running?"
Tommy shook his head. "Unfortunately, with the number of limited resources we have and the type of energy we can use, they've all been failures, for the most part. Mindshatter must have brought something with him to halt our means of defense against him. I mean, even we have never gotten close to a victory with the cybots or Dinoshade. They've only fled."
"I also heard that the pyscho rangers are back," Justin jumped in as the leading ranger nodded in turn.
"Two now remain. But that doesn't mean they'll be any easier to defeat. Andros had told me that once one falls, the remaining ones only get stronger. It's gonna take a lot of firepower to destroy them."
"Firepower we don't have. There are only five of you who are well suited for action," Elsa said in a slight defeat and doubt.
Tommy nodded again as he looked back at the layout of the island. For a moment, he knew he would be needing to get back to Reefside and inform the rangers down there about his findings. He also needed to bring the rangers assembled here in Angel Grove and take him back with him to Reefside. All, if he was lucky, or the ones stationed at the Power Chamber.
"Mindshatter can be defeated. Everyone has a weakness of some find. As he done many fights?" Justin asked with much curiosity.
Tommy shook his head. "His biggest weapon is his mind control powers. I've witnessed it, but somehow still feel it. He was even probing minds when he first arrived on Earth. But he isn't like all other evil beings. He hasn't unleashed any of those gruesome monsters to attack the city. None of any kind. Only Dinoshade, his cybots, and a mind-controlled Mesogog, or so we all think. I know Anton is somewhere in Mesogog, but there are rumors that he could remain Mesogog forever."
He had stopped short as he noticed the slight faltering step in the woman of the room. He had known she had much stress over the safety of her boyfriend, and he never could blame her. She had a lot on her mind, but she was still a strong individual with much to say about any of this.
Justin thought for a moment as he began to think through their options. He hadn't believed the origins of where Mindshatter had come, that Zordon was responsible, but as he began to tie it all together, it was linking up the rangers of the past and present even more. He pushed a few buttons on the keyboard. "So, it makes sense why we can't send things into space, whether it is a space shuttle or a distress call. Mindshatter has put a wall up. He was supposed to be controlled by some super massive computer but overcame it and hitch hiked a ride into space with Astronema and had been hanging out in the depths of space until he found the time to attack. He attacked Mirinoi, but only destroyed the rangers and not the entire planet. He stayed in the Gamma-Tri system for a few weeks or so and came to Earth. And has been hanging out doing some dirty work and finally moved to destroy rangers that aren't at all a threat to him. And could not center on his bigger threat, the dino rangers..."
"What's the point, Justin?" Tommy stopped him before he recapped ever little detail of the past few months.
"I got another theory. Mesogog had mentioned something about Mindshatter not liking murky, damp dark places. That's what has come of the underground passageways on the island. Did Mesogog have some sort of machine to create his monsters in?" Justin asked as he looked at the two people in the room.
"The Geno-Randomizer," Elsa spoke up with a shrug. "It was a chamber to create any type of monster using the genetic composition of things located in the main lab on the fortress. But that can't be functioning still, can it?" She looked over at the black DT ranger for more answers.
"You know, for the times I've been up there, I swore I thought it was operational. But didn't look like it had been to much use. And even if it was, I have no idea what it's purpose is now," Tommy replied.
"Cryogenic freezing," Justin stated. "Color of rangers defines their ranks. This blue ranger, Ethan, he is the computer genius, right?" He looked over at Tommy as he nodded. Justin pushed a few buttons on the panel to run a code and program, simulation of what he was talking about. "If you can get Mindshatter in side while some sort of freezing program is loaded into the database it can act as a freezing shower. And you've just won.
No electronical-based object can stand extreme cold."
"Or extreme heat. Wires will melt away at a certain heat. Even an electrical disturbance. He is, after all a machine, right?" Elsa stated.
Tommy thought for a moment, formulating his own plans and theory around it. "It might just work. Ethan can go down to the main computer room and program it into the database of the Geno-Randomizer while the rest of us get Mindshatter into the chamber."
"Only one problem. Mind control. Doesn't he have a way into your mind?" Justin said. "Now, I now you're some big huge ninja guru or whatever. But what about the teens. Those suits won't b able to protect them against his mind control, will they? According to what I've heard it is pretty powerful."
Tommy fell silent as he thought for a moment on his past experiments. "Training. Lots of it. And possibly..it is only a theory. But Anton and I had created a dinosaur with the powers of mind control. Fossilador. We had to battle him months ago, but he was destroyed. But I know there are still some remnants of his DNA in my lab depite the destruction of the main bone to bring him back together. We fuse that our dino gems it should give us an advantage."
"So, tell me again why you didn't come up with this sooner?" Justin asked with a questioning grin.
Tommy shook his head as he got to his feet. "It's all falling into place as we go. But, it is all theory. Theories we may need to consider right now. I gotta go. If you two find anything important, lemme know."
The two had no chance to syay anymore to the legendary ranger as they let him go. Tommy had raced through the halls of the NASADA space port as he made it passed mission control. He stopped for a moment as he just remembered something running back to the main office where his friends were located.
He came up short of breath. "Justin, is there any way I can get access into the Astro Megaship?"
Justin tossed him a keycard and winked. "I was beginning to think you forgot about that. It's stowed away in Hangar 6. Just tell the security guards that the falcon has landed and mountain blaster three has granted permission for its use."
Tommy had kept the comment to himself as a little smile passed his face. He thanked the commanding officer for his time and left the room, hoping to tie in some lose ends he was forgetting.
He had reached Hangar 6, stated the code and ran the keycard through the locked hangar doors. They hissed to life as they moved and unlocked. Hidden behind was the fastest ship he had come to know and love. And he would give to be out among the stars just to enjoy the thrill of being in outer space, but had to focus on the manner at hand.
He raced over to the entry ramp as it allowed him access into the ship. He moved to the main cockpit looking around. Despite the little use it had been since it's depart months ago, it still looked in tip top shape. Things were still running though there was no one to command them or operate it.
Yet, Tommy still couldn't understand why the space rangers couldn't gain access into their own ship/command center. He ran a few fingers across the main board as they whirred to life. He had to admit he was still amazed by the technology of the ship, though he had been briefed on it many times.
"Welcome back, Tommy. It has been a long time," a warm female-like electronic voice rang up. The main component to operating the Astro Megaship.
"It has," Tommy smiled lightly. "DECA, are you up for a little trip to Reefside, CA?"
"Did Andros administer this?" DECA asked in some concern. "And despite that, security has been very tight here at NASADA."
"Well, we've been cleared thanks to an old ranger friend. So, we should be fine. Just set up a run to the outskirts of Angel Grove. We gotta go pick up a few people."
The engines roared to life as calculated by DECA. And Tommy had taken control of the main controls on the deck. The launchpad was lifted out of hangar and into the light of day. And with a pullback on the levers, the ship blasted up into the air.
XXXXXXXXXX
The Space Rangers had returned to the Power Chamber as some relief fell over Billy and Karone. They had been monitoring the two other figures looming in the outskirts of Angel Grove.
"It's Wes and Eric," TJ stated as a visual came on the screen before them.
"And they're not alone. Look," Ashley pointed out.
They've been tracked by an army of cybot who were moving on them fast. The team in the chamber looked on with fear as they questioned Billy for teleportation purposes.
"What do you mean teleportation is down?" Carlos asked shaking his head.
"I've been trying to fix it this entire time, but have not gotten anywhere," Billy shook his head as he ran another line of code into the system.
"How long have you been tracking them?" Andros asked.
"I'm lucky I even could. I've noticed your communicators have been locked out due to the glitch in the morphing grid."
"They're sitting ducks out there," Cassie said.
The team watched the monitor. Wes had lost his footing as he nearly fell down the side of the cliff, but Eric had caught him before he fell. The cybots were firing at them from the bottom, but it was clear their objective was their destruction. Some clung to the cliff and sprang up like it was nothing, cutting the distance between the two Time Force Rangers and the other cybots.
"They just won't stop," Ashley breathed.
"And we don't even notice the status in Reefside," Cassie shook her head. She had to turn away just to avoid seeing how far this would go. She could only hope as did the others, that it wouldn't lead to anymore deaths.
Then a shadow cast in the sky over the cybots as laser fire fell on them. Many were hit head on. Few opened fire on the shadowed cast but seemed to have no effect on the object. After some time, the remaining few had fled through an invisi-portal.
Then the shadow had moved to cast over the two exhausted and weak Time Force Rangers. In the moment the shadow fell over them and it had cleared, the two were no longer in sight.
"Wait! What was that? And where did it go?" TJ protested.
Andros smiled lightly to himself as he turned toward the main door of the chamber. It slowly opened to reveal the black DT ranger. He winked back at his fellow ranger indicating their departure.
"Fall out," Tommy instructed. "We're heading back to Reefside. I got some vital information to share with everyone."
"You got it back?" Ashley asked as he tied two and two together.
"Anyone wanting a ride on the Astro Megaship better move out now or you'll be stuck here dealing with cybots on your own." Tommy had to add some humor into his words.
"You really know how to make a entrance, don't you?" Billy let out a smile.
"You'd be surprised, Billy. Now, let's go," Tommy said.
Even though their stay in Angel Grove was now cut short, they didn't have to argue. They knew they had to get to Reefside, the center of this entire battle. And they were eager to know what the rangers in Reefside had found out. The team moved out of the chamber, resetting any and all security codes to avoid a breach.
They had moved into the comfort of the Astro Megaship. The space rangers had taken their positions on the main deck. Eric and Wes were being treated in the medical bay. They had fallen into unconsciousness, but nothing a little rest wouldn't do to fix.
And with many questions and answers in their minds, the rangers had moved back to their main base of Reefside, CA.
XXXXXXXXXX
Mindshatter had held his breath as he had watched the entire battle go down in Angel Grove. He had to admit he was upset for the failure his army of cybots had done to try and take out the other rangers. And he didn't want to hear from Dinoshade of his failure to destroy the other rangers he was sent to destroy. He needed to knock down the numbers and quick.
He clenched his fists as his eyes lit with a fury of anger. "Those rangers will not defeat me. I will make sure of that."
He moved to the other side of the room and lit the candles one by one with the wave of his hand. He had lit the ones connected to the Space and Zeo Rangers. And for a while, he watched as they glowed to life. They slowly danced in the wind of his breath.
"Those rangers will have no idea what hit them before it is too late," Mindshatter laughed. "I will win the day."
to be continued...
A/N: Ooh! Another intense moment. I know it is. I can sense it in my bones...wait, of course I can. I'm the writer. Well, I hope you like this. I told you that there would be a lot of past references. Surprised at what it was? Well, there is more. So, read on and I hope you like these intense moments. See you when I do. May the Powers Always Protect You.