I really pushed myself to get this done. This will be the last update for a couple of weeks. Going to New York on Saturday and I have tons of school work to finish up, so enjoy. I did my best to proof read as tired as I am. And as always ... leave your comments / reviews!
SPD: Return of the Machines
Chapter 5
Jack Landors was hardly the man to sit still for long periods of time, unless it was navigating a S.W.A.T. Flyer through the nerve-wrecking excitement of enemy fire. He was fully awake from his second nap, knowing the flight had a long way to go before touching down. Most were asleep inside the dimmed cabin, some still watching the in-flight movie and some reading. The flick didn't interest Jack, or his travel companion, who conked out long ago. It was a straight flight now after their third and final stop over in Japan. The two hours at Mikoto International left Jack reminiscing over his last visit to the country. The samurai Katana had been brought into 2025 and was deceived by Broodwing to believe the Rangers wanted to destroy his beloved Kiyoto.
Looking out the window with a reflective gaze, Jack's fondest memories of S.P.D. came pouring in. Was he really going back? He asked himself the question a hundred times and didn't have a clue. Jack's companion gave her opinion the same number of times it seemed. He watched the covered sleeping beauty rest with her head snuggled firmly into the white pillow provided by a flight attendant. He reached his hand to Nahi's and stroked the back of it gently. Going with Jack was a big decision for the India native. She had never been to the United States, or on a plane for the matter. Nahi expressed to Jack her unease of coming to America. There were bad things she was taught as a child to believe, but she wanted to explore things for herself. Jack admired her bravery to step foot into the unknown. It proved to him again how much alike they were.
Brief turbulence shook the plane and the people inside it. It was enough to stir Nahi from her sleep and cause her to wake. Her eyes opened almost immediately, ready and alert.
"What's going on?" Nahi asked turning to her boyfriend for an answer.
"It's fine," Jack said pulling her to his side. He kissed the top of her head to assure her so. "Minor bumps. It's normal."
Nahi unstiffened and relaxed with Jack's muscled arm snaking around her waist.
"I hate flying," she grumbled, poutfully.
"How can you hate it? It's your first time."
"I just do. If we make it off alive and in one piece, then I'll reconsider."
Jack smiled and kissed her head again.
"Go back to sleep, babe. It'll be another few hours until we reach California."
Nahi shut her eyes to slumber once more. Jack began to stroke her head softly as he returned his gaze back out the window. It was clear what the source of the turbulence was – a storm. A crack of lightning filled the darkening sky, then thunder with lightning. Jack's brows knit at the oddity before he pulled down the slider. The former Ranger sat in thought for a moment over what he saw and looked back to the shaded window.
Something doesn't' feel right..
The inclement weather was shared on U.S. soil. New Tech City, having shined brightly beneath the sun, was now lit up as if night had fallen prematurely. The skies succumbed to darkness with clouds moving rapidly and clumping together above the noisy metropolis. People below hurried along the way, having anticipated a foul storm. Cab drivers worked unphased from the conditions and enjoyed the surplus of business from people looking to shield themselves from the pending rain. What they were expecting, however, was far from what they would be receiving.
Street signs and traffic lights blew in the heavy gusts as trash running along the curbside gutters blew wherever the wind would take it. A homeless alien women, her appearance wrinkled and hidden beneath her hooded sackcloth garb, pushed her cart back into the ally way in which she came. She, too, began to look for shelter, wherever she could find it.
The breeze ways and landscapes encompassing Space Patrol Delta were virtually vacant. School was in its final period and the work day for others was nearing its end as well. On the second floor's academic wing, a classroom of ten fifteen somethings sat silently, most of which who tuned out the lecture from hello. The instructor, scribbling a note onto the LED whiteboard at the front, continued writing as she spoke on the topic at the hand. At the top of the giant screen Power Theory 101 was written in the same steel-like style of the police organization's font lettering.
Sam was one of the few who was into the lecture. Beside him sat Nova, who in contrast, was not into the lecture. The Kerovian was now in her second day at Space Patrol High and already found the experience rather dull. Earth television had formed a picture of a free, excitement-packed world in her mind, but thus far her days have been filled with nothing but school and homework. Nova scribbled on her paper whatever notes her selective hearing would pick up, but her attention was directed toward the gloomy display outside the window.
Behind the slender Kerovian sat Ty, who also could care less for the lecture. The boy in black played with the golden wrist watch he always carried with him, a gift from his parents before he left for Earth. The hands beneath the classic-style plate always read Triforian time. He looked up from the watch and stared at the back of Nova's head. Her long black hair intrigued him. It stood out, much like his rock-hard black and gold spikes. Subtle blonde streaks ran from her head all the way down to her tips. After their run-in yesterday and a berating from Sam, Ty would expect himself to grow in his disdain for Nova, but instead found himself staring. He tore out a piece of paper, scribbled down a note, and folded it in half. He tapped Nova's shoulder with it, which she turned and hesitantly accepted.
Sam caught the exchange from the corner of his eye and became curious. The distraction was just enough to be caught off guard by the instructor.
"Samuel? I asked you a question," Mrs. Vars said looking at the redhead expectantly.
"Oh, uh.. can you repeat the question please?"
Mrs. Vars, an older Caucasian woman in her late forties, did not have a high threshold for students who made her repeat herself, but Samuel was typically one of her best students, so she granted his request without comment.
"What year did we start to see a major shift in the individual the Power selected to become its Rangers?" Mrs. Vars repeated.
"Depends what you call major I suppose," Sam answered, grinning. "But I'm guessing you're referring to the civilian-based powers."
"Yes, Samuel."
"It was 2003 then."
"Correct," Mrs. Vars said scanning the classroom for someone to answer a follow-up question. Her eyes landed on Nova. "Novella, name the Ranger team."
"Huh?" the girl asked quickly concealing the note with her folder.
Mrs. Vars shook her head, also forgiving her on the account of being new. "Name the team who demonstrated the major shift in the Power's selection of its Rangers."
"Oh. Um ... Wild Storm?"
"Wild Storm, Novella? There is no Wild Storm team of Power Rangers."
"I believe Nova's meaning to answer Ninja Storm, Mrs. Vars," Sam chimed in. "Possibly confusing them with the Wild Force team."
"Possibly," Mrs. Vars said with a raised brow before turning back to the screen. "The Storm Rangers began to demonstrate powers outside Ranger form, namely from air, water, and earth. Since then, almost every team of Power Rangers have revealed some sort of special, innate ability. This is theorized to be in aligned with mankind's evolution, that is his ability to utilize the Power to its greatest heights, unlike ever seen before."
A student, a lizard humanoid, raised his hand. "What do you mean innate? Are you saying civilian powers were with Power Rangers since birth?"
Mrs. Vars smiled, always grateful for the participation. "In theory, Tristan, yes. Based on testimonials from Rangers who experienced these civilian powers early on in the evolution, it appears the Power merely served as the key to unlocking the dormant, supernatural abilities he or she never knew existed. Conner McKnight, former Red Dino Ranger, for instance, gave S.P.D. researchers information that supports this theory. Prior to becoming a Power Ranger, Mr. McKnight spoke of how unusually exceptional his abilities were for playing soccer. Top schools were closely watching him he said, understanding he could execute plays only few in history have the physical capability of performing."
Ty, not looking convinced, raised his hand.
Mrs. Vars, looking surprised, answered. "Yes, Ty?"
"Maybe he was just that good," the Triforian teen offered. "Who's to say the Power had made him some type of super human?"
"Who's to say it didn't?" Mrs. Vars asked in return. "S.P.D. researchers have investigated his claim throughly, ran tests, and compared them with every physical record Mr. McKnight could produce prior to his contact with the dino gem. The study found his claim to be accurate -- to a degree."
"To a degree?"
"Yes. Some questions remained unanswered. Other studies have supported the research and shed some light on the theory, but until we find something more concrete, it remains .. a theory," Mrs. Vars said, clearly happy with Ty's participation. "But one thing is certain ... no one chooses the Power, the Power chooses ... you."
Nova rolled her eyes as Sam and Ty exchanged glances. Lightning cracked the sky, stealing away the class' attention. The sky grew darker and the wind stronger.
"What's up with that?" Ty asked aloud.
"What an unusual phenomena," Mrs. Vars said approaching the window. She engaged a button on the wall, which activated the blinds to descend. "So let us continue--"
A silent blue light pulsated over the classroom door, indicating the end of the class -- and the school day.
"Or not," Mrs. Vars said, deflated. "We'll continue civilian power theory tomorrow. Your homework assignment is posted on the student portal, due in my inbox my 7 A.M. sharp and not a minute later. That means you too, Ty."
"You got it, Mrs. V," the Triforian said depositing his pen behind his ear.
Nova, having new life in her face, sprung up from her seat and gathered up her belongings. Ty approached her desk, having blocked Sam unintentionally.
"So we're cool?" Ty asked.
"Sure," Nova smiled. "And to answer your question, you can make it up to me Friday night."
"Cool. Any ideas?"
"I'm the new girl, remember? You show me where the fun is."
Gathering his things, Sam promptly headed out the doors. Nova looked pass Ty, having noticed.
"Hey, um, I'll see you tomorrow, Ty," Nova said playfully punching his shoulder.
The girl hurried out the classroom and scanned the crowded hall. There was Sam opening his locker and depositing his belongings. Nova wove her way through the traffic and approached the brooding redhead.
"Hey! Almost missed you there. In a hurry?" Nova asked trying to make eye contact.
Sam stuffed his final book inside the locker and shrugged. "Lots of homework. Better get started."
"Oh. ... How about you show me that Phat Burger place you were telling me about?"
"In this weather? Not a chance."
"Couldn't you just teleport us there?" Nova asked hoping to hear yes.
Sam's forehead creased at the question. "Most people don't know about that. Who told you?"
"Ty. ... Is that a problem?"
Sam shut his locker, hard. "Yes, it is. I don't want people knowing. I try to avoid people who want to use my abilities for personal gain."
"I'm hardly trying to use you, Sam," Nova said somewhat defensive. "Besides, where's the fun if you don't use your powers for a little convenience?"
"I use my powers where they are needed, responsibly. I'd expect you of all people to understand," Sam said beginning to walk.
Following, Nova answered back. "Ty doesn't have a problem using his powers for fun."
Sam stopped walking and faced Nova. "What Ty can do is not a power. That's him being irresponsible because he won't even try to stay balanced."
"But it's still kind of cool."
"No, it's not. If his parents knew what he was doing, he'd be pulled from S.P.D. so quickly it'd make his head spin."
"At least he can live a little. I'm glad I'm away from my parents. Now I don't have to pretend to be this perfect, submissive daddy's girl. I hate it."
"Both your kind and Ty's have their reputations built on a disciplined lifestyle. That's not something to sneeze at, Nova."
"Will you lighten up? No one my age cares for the Kerovian way of life anymore and I bet kids Ty's age don't care for the Triforians' either."
Sam, forcing himself to digress from further comment, checked his watch.
"I have somewhere to be. Have a good evening, Nova."
Piqued, Nova watched Sam walk away.
An open field .. it was a rare sight in the year 2044. Mostly used for recreational activities, the field was vacant of New Tech citizens who sought a day of fun sans the smog and noise of the city. This was thanks to the brewing lightning storm overhead. The conditions attracted a different crowd that afternoon -- criminals to be precise. A dozen of them marched across the field toward an incredible display of power cut as a wound in mid-air. The swirling pool of purple and red energy crackled, beckoning the criminals to come closer. The gusts of wind grew more violent with every step toward the gateway to the year 2029, and the sky a shade darker.
Each criminal appeared mechanical in apparence, each one with its own unique weapon either attached at the nose, chest, or hand. A figure appeared at the crux of the portal, its cape waving wildly in the wind.
"Brethren! You have answered my call!" Gasket spoke from within the portal. "Today we embark on a great mission, a mission where our triumph is certain. We take S.P.D. down in 2029 and there will be no S.P.D. for us to battle in 2044!"
Cheers erupted from the machines, but they were short lived. Commotion filled the crowd, some turning and pointing.
"Silence! I'm not done giving my speech!" Gasket ordered.
"My prince!" a monster grunted. "It's them!"
Gasket's demeanor changed, having looked past his minions. Four individual vessels came flying across the field. The nose of each vessel bore the legendary dog head insignia, instantly identified them as--
"S.P.D.!" Gasket shouted. "Always getting in my way!"
The small, hatchless vessels blasted ahead with its silver leader in front and the other three at her side. Police sirens blared beneath the wing tips of the narrow metallic crafts as they drew closer to the gang of fugitives.
Nova Ranger activated the comm. "S.P.D.! We order you to halt!"
"Not this time!" Gasket yelled back, his sword raised high into the air. "Everyone through! I'll handle this!"
The Machine Prince stepped out of the portal way to allow his subjects through. He stalked toward the direction of the oncoming Delta Wingers and charged his sword with cracking blue energy.
"You're in over your heads, Rangers! You can't stop me this time! Take this!"
The bolt of energy released from Gasket's sword and charged toward Nova Ranger. The female leader of A-Squad maneuvered her Winger beneath the blast, just barely missing the attack.
"You're staying right here, Gasket!" Gamma Ranger yelled from his cockpit.
"Yeah! You have something of ours' and we want him back!" Theta Ranger yelled from her's.
"Let's blast this tin can!" Beta Ranger said dialing his attack. "Fire!"
A triple dose of fire power dove at Gasket, which he dodged with a quick leap into the air. The force from the combined attack erupted as an encompassing ring of fire, kicking up grass and debris from the field. Gasket charged his sword in mid-air and fired again. Beta Ranger and Theta Ranger maneuvered the blast by pulling away, forcing them to loop back into formation. Their delay to regroup gave Gasket the opportunity he needed to escape.
"So long, Rangers! Within hours your existence will be no more! Sorry you came for nothing!" Gasket said giving a hearty laugh before disappearing into the portal.
"No!" Nova yelled clenching her controls. "The portal's closing! We have to go after him!"
"But we can't just leave without notifying Commander!" Beta yelled at her.
"We don't have much of a choice. Sam's counting on us!"
Beneath their helmets, Theta, Beta, and Gamma grimaced. They knew it had to be done.
Gasket vaulted through the spectrum of colors that was the tunnelway to 2029. In sight at the portal's end stood Archerina waiting with the inter-dimensional relocater laptop in hand.
"Hurry, husband! The CPU is quickly overloading!" the Machine Princess cried.
"Almost there!"
Behind Gasket, the four Delta Wingers barreled into the tunnel at great speed. Archerina saw A-Squad behind her husband and gasped. Would anyone make it out?
In 2029, the weather was no better, having remained the same for hours. At the heart of S.P.D. Headquarters sat the prestigious Command Center. Blue light stroked the many computers and the occupants within who worked to assess the weather phenomena outside.
Sophie sat at a console sorting through various information bits the scanners were working diligently to decode. Even for a cyborg, filling Kat's boots while away was a daunting task. Having to juggle the preparations for B-Squad's pending tour with the ongoing research of the suspicious energy patterns found earlier outside Fernovia was taking its toll on Sophie's inner-clock work. The pony-tailed blonde silenced her yearn for a reboot and continued working.
The doors of the Command Center slid open for B-Squad as they filed in to discuss the matter at hand.
"What do you got for us, Sophie?" Sky asked wasting no time to start the meeting.
"Trouble, that's what," Sophie said spinning around in her chair. "Officer Tate, huge energy spikes outside are a perfect match with the readings your Flyer's scanners recorded on the day your squad fought on Fernovia."
"And that means what?" Z queried.
"A time portal, or possibly a trans-dimensional rip in space!"
Bridge looked shocked. "That's heavy. How is that possible?"
"The better question is when was it possible?" Sophie asked in return. "This energy shares strong similarities from time portals that opened in 2025, your freshmen year as active Rangers."
B-Squad exchanged glances right as the power inside the Command Center started to wane. The lights dimmed for a moment before returning to normal, having reset most of the smaller workstation units as a result. Thunder and lightning followed next, startling Syd and making her stand closer to the guys.
"This is so not cool," the Pink officer said crossing her arms.
"That sounded like it hit near the academy," Bridge said.
The doors of the Command Center slid open one again. Boom hurried inside with a paper in hand.
"Sorry I'm late," the gadget tester said to everyone. "Sophie, you were right. I ran the data through every possible history file S.P.D. allows us access to and it's virtually impossible to pinpoint a significant match."
Sophie took the paper and read it through.
"Well?" Bridge asked.
"He's right," Sophie confirmed. "Random matter particles makes it virtually impossible to know where the time portal leads to, the one outside Fernovia and the one forming outside."
"But that's not the issue," Sky interjected. "It's how it's happening. Look."
The Red officer pointed to main frame which carried a live feed of the inclement weather conditions outside the academy. Trees were becoming uprooted and falling over. Traffic signals fell from their perch and smashed onto the street below. Vehicles were at a stand still in the heart of the metropolis, gridlocked and unable to move safely. Citizens hopped out their cars to find shelter and some just stood gawking at the cruelty of mother nature.
"Majorly creepy," Syd said, her arms still crossed for comfort.
"Whoever's trying to get here is putting through enough power and effort to do so, without care of how much damage they may cause," Sky commented.
"Then let's put an end to it," Z said gasping a hold of her morpher.
"I'm afraid that's not possible, Rangers," Sophie said, grimacing. "It's going to happen. We can only prepare ourselves for what comes through."
"We just can't stay here!" Z said, anxiously.
Sky grimaced, instantly wanting to do something to comfort Z. His attention was diverted however as the howling wind suddenly came to a halt. Everyone in the Command Center stopped what they were doing watched the video feed on main frame. Outside, an eerie silence filled the air. The fleeing citizens of New Tech stopped and turned their faces to the blackened sky. A continuous flashing, presumed to be lightning, lit the clouds. No thunder, no rain, no wind -- only the flashing. Then it happened.
A pool of dark purple energy rent the sky and spiraled downward as if the atmosphere cracked. The abrasion split wider, allowing a swarm of jets entry into the skies of New Tech City. B-Squad and the others inside the Command Center murmured as it became evident what was happening.
"Oh .. my .. God," Syd said cupping her mouth with one hand.
"A full scale invasion," Z whispered, her face reading shock.
The doors of the Command Center slid open, revealing Command Cruger, Commander Sage, and the A-Squad of Fernovia. What they saw on the monitors confirmed their fears. Cruger pointed to his squad.
"Rangers, suit up!"
Nodding, Sky clutched his morpher in one hand and bowed his other arm across the chest.
"Ready!"
Bridge, Z, and Syd drew theirs in the same fashion. "Ready!"
The four thrust their morphers high into the air and made the call.
"S.P.D. S.W.A.T.!"
A blinding display of power tore out the opened shells and deposited holographic images of the B-Squad S.W.A.T. costumes onto the floor. Running forward, Sky, Bridge, Z, and Syd jumped into the holograms allowing the colored light to envelope their entire being, revealing their respective Ranger form.
Opening zord bay tubes!
Without haste, the Power Rangers hopped inside and slid down to their waiting S.W.A.T. Flyers.
"I'm in!" Syd said, her chair harness snapping into place.
"Yellow, logged in!"
"Blue, ready to rumble!"
"Red, ready! Let's move out!"
Sky blasted out the open zord hanger first, followed by Bridge, Z, and Syd. In the Commander Center, Cruger joined Boom and Sophie by main frame. The big blue dog sighed, his animal instincts telling him grave danger lay ahead for his Rangers.
"Be safe..."
No longer gawking, the people of New Tech ran in panic as the mysterious jets swooped down and opened fire. A trolley car flew up in flames and crushed a row of sitting cars before rolling over onto its side. Screams echoed into the sky. The masses started to evacuate the streets, people pushing people to escape. Down the opposite way between the towering glass skyscrapers came the S.W.A.T. Flyers zooming onto the scene. The two by two formation broke off with Sky pulling up first with Bridge tailing behind. Z and Syd stayed at level.
Blue Ranger got a visual lock on the jets ahead. The crafts were similar to the ones they fought on Fernovia, but these had an unusual addition. Tentacled legs extended beneath the undercarriage and began their descent to the streets below. The extensions smashed into the concrete to provide the footing they needed to become mobilized.
"Heinous!" Bridge said aghast. "Sky, did you see that?"
"Yeah. They look like bad news," Red Ranger replied. "Let's cut 'em down to size, buddy."
"I'm all over it! Firing lasers!"
The Blue S.W.A.T Flyer released a round of lasers aimed at the legs of the spider craft. Having minimal impact at best, the Cog seated in the center cockpit fired back. Bridge barreled out of harm's way just missing the attack.
The Red S.W.A.T. Flyer came against a group of the enemy jets that wasted no time in their attempt to destroy the Ranger seated inside. Sky guided his Flyer around the blasts with skill as his cannons released a fury of red fire power. The futuristic crafts enveloped themselves in a coat of light blue energy and easily reflected the attacks. The force field led Sky to pull away before they could fire back.
"Rangers, they're shielding themselves. I can't get a direct hit," Officer Tate said over the comm. way.
"Same here," Syd attested. "But I bet if we double team 'em, we can take care of it!"
"Sounds like a plan. Let's go, Pinky," Z said thrusting ahead, prompting Syd to do the same.
The Yellow and Pink Flyers raced side by side as their cannons gathered as much energy as possible. A silver craft came their way with the same intentions.
Z looked to Syd from her cockpit and nodded. "Do it!"
Pink and yellow light streaked forward and impacted the nose dead on.
"Did we get him?" Syd asked, unsure.
The smoke cleared, but the craft came out unharmed, save the scorch mark on the nose of the craft.
"This is crazy!" Z said dialing up Sky. "Yellow to Red, team attack failed. We need a new plan."
The Red and Blue Flyers unleashed a salvo of four missiles to one enemy craft, the results being the same as Pink and Yellow's.
"Roger that," Sky responded belatedly. "Enemy remains."
The Cog-piloted planes went every which way to complete the task at hand. Opening fire, buildings became subjected to the wrath of Prince Gasket's forces. Windows of skyscrapers exploded and rained down debris and smoke in its wake. Chaos on the streets increased as civilians scrambled for safety as scurrying rodents. In the midst of Main Street, a second rip in the atmosphere split and touched down with awesome force, smashing a sizable crater in its path. Two figures stepped out the portal first, then four more, then the remaining six. The twelve criminals from 2044 took in their familiar surroundings, all pleased with the carnage that unfolded before their eyes.
"Looks like the party started without us," one monster, Virbo, said flashing a smile that displayed his fang-like teeth. His golden armor covered the majority of his veiny muscled skin and topped his head as a protective cowl.
Behind the fugitives came two more figures, the ones responsible for New Tech's terror. Archerina walked beside her husband with the smoking laptop in hand. Gasket watched the planes above firing away at the prosperous metropolis. He appeared pleased.
"This is going to be too easy. Bah, no matter. I've had enough obstacles to deal with!" Gasket said turning to face his soldiers. "The time has come, my brothers! Down this road lays Space Patrol Delta! We will go now and take her down! Take no prisoners! Have no mercy!"
The Machine Prince raised his sword high and released an endless stream of electric energy into the blackened sky. With carnage-hungry cries, the gang of fugitives began their march toward S.P.D. Gasket sheath his sword and nodded to his wife Archerina. With hatred coursing in every circuit of their bodies, the couple marched.
Horns -- the noise was driving Jack to his wits' end. The bridge leading from the airport to New Tech was bumper to bumper with traffic. Jack slouched in the seat of his rental car figuring an accident must be the cause of the jam. Beside him, Nahi sat flipping through the radio stations on the stereo. The sounds she heard amused her -- the variety of genres, programming and such.
At least one of us is entertained...
It was only a matter of minutes before the rain would begin to pour Jack figured, but observing the city he made the realization that there was no rain. Then he saw it -- the stream of lightning shooting upward from the heart of the city and lighting the clouds above.
"What the..."
Jack sat up in his seat to pay closer attention. The stream of power ended and a mushroom cloud of fire and smoke took its place. Nahi looked up from the stereo with a child-like smile and saw Jack's face.
"Babe, what's wrong?" she asked, her smile fading.
Her eyes turned to where his were staring, having witnessed a skyscraper coming down like raining icicles. Nahi cupped her mouth and looked to Jack.
"What's happening?" she asked him.
"I don't know. ... But I'm going to find out. Stay here."
"Jack!"
He was already gone. Not bothering to open the door, the former Red Ranger phased through the car's frame and began to run with everything in him.