Down for the Count
Disclaimer: I don't own a thing, I'm just borrowing.
Note: Consider this AU. Just an idea I had. I know re-telling the events in 'C2D' has been done to death, but I have this thing about beating dead horses… umm…not literally, of course.
Hmm... no reviews for the last chapter. Kind of disappointing. Please folks, don't be shy. I can take it. Really.
7: Damaged Goods
Elgar was bored.
He'd spent the last two days overseeing the invasion forces on Earth, ordering troops around, beating on defenseless humans, and blowing up what Astronema liked to call 'critical points of infrastructure'… whatever that was. There was a time when such activities would have given him a great deal of pleasure, but such was not the case anymore.
With the Power Rangers out of the way, it was all just too damn easy. Even with the sudden activity of this new rebel group Astronema kept complaining about, the Earthlings were a meek and mild bunch. Frankly, he found it hard to believe that the rangers he'd battled for so long were actually from such a repugnant little lump of stone. They had been formidable adversaries – the people they protected, however, were nothing more than a waste of space. At least, that was his opinion, though no one ever asked for it.
Now, for some reason still unknown to him, his Queen had ordered him to return to the Dark Fortress. At first, he was concerned that she didn't think he was doing a good job. The rebels had managed to slip through his fingers on one occasion, but considering the massive responsibilities he'd been given, it seemed like such a small mistake.
Then, he began to hear the rumors.
He'd certainly been around long enough to know how troublesome the Earth Rangers could be. After all, he did have the distinction of being the only general in Astronema's army that had dealt with not just one, but two different teams, firsthand. He'd even managed to infiltrate their precious sanctuary and blow it into a million pieces. Not even the heavy hitters like Ecliptor or Darkonda could claim such a momentous victory.
But, if the stories were true, if the rebels were actually rangers, maybe even the same ones he and Divatox had first encountered on Muiranthias, then things were about to go from bad to… well, very bad.
"What are you doing in here?"
Elgar jumped back as if struck. He looked around, fearful of incurring Ecliptor's wrath, or worse, Astronema's, then breathed a quiet sigh of relief when he saw who it was.
"Astronema sent me to check up on you," he replied with smug superiority, wearing his trademark smile from ear to ear. The loathsome creature standing in front of him seemed to cower at the mere mention of their Queen's name.
Ghallet was a horrid looking thing, barely three feet tall, with features that resembled a bizarre cross between a monkey and a bat, with the nose of a rhino thrown in for good measure. Originally from Thesuis Sjun, a small planet ruled for centuries by the Machine Empire, his kind where mostly known for their brilliant, if not slightly twisted, scientific minds.
"I am doing exactly what I was instructed to do," Ghallet replied in a high, raspy voice. He now looked annoyed by Elgar's presence, though his initial concern had been obvious. "I certainly don't need you in here messing in my affairs."
"Well, let me just straighten you out on that, Ghullet-"
"It's Ghallet."
"Yeah, whatever." Elgar pushed passed him and began sauntering around the lab, paying particular interest to the little creature's newest project. "Astronema wants to know when they'll be ready." He turned around and pointed a long, razor-sharp talon at the repulsive looking Thesuisian. "And you know she can get a little cranky when you keep her waiting too long."
"I am doing the best I can. Human physiology is not an exact science. What works on a Karovan isn't necessarily going to work on a Terran."
Elgar bent down and peered, closely, at one of the figures lying on a nearby examination table. "This one don't look too good."
Ghallet sighed, impatiently. "He's been very resistant to the technology, so far." He began to fidget, nervously, as Elgar poked around the control console against the wall. "Don't touch that-"
Two of Ghallet's subjects began to scream, writhing in obvious physical agony, their bodies straining against the metal clamps that held them down. Elgar winced and began pressing more buttons, furiously, trying to find a way to undo whatever it was he'd done. Ghallet rushed over and nudged him aside, his chubby digits moving, quickly and deftly, over the controls, sighing in relief when the screaming immediately stopped. He walked around and gave all three figures a cursory examination, then nodded, satisfied that there seemed to be no permanent damage to his precious technology.
"Geez, do they always scream like that?"
Ghallet spun around and glared at Elgar. "You bumbling idiot! You could have ruined everything!"
Elgar's normally jovial expression suddenly took on a decidedly darker, and far more sinister, look. "You'd better watch your mouth. One word from me and there'll be pieces of you floating all over the universe." He leaned in closer, his mouth twisting into an angry snarl. "You understand me?"
The demure scientist looked at him with a hint of fear. Apparently, Elgar's reputation for being ruthless was just as accurate as the rumors of his legendary stupidity.
"I'm sorry," Ghallet replied, tightly. "I'm just trying to do my best for our Queen." Just as quickly as it had appeared, the hostility on Elgar's face was gone.
"Good. That's the spirit. I'll tell Astronema you'll have an answer for her by tomorrow."
"What? But, I can't possibly-" His words were cut off by the hand that clamped around his throat.
"Oh, I think you can," Elgar grinned, wolfishly, "…if you know what's good for ya." He shoved the little creature aside and strolled out of the lab, whistling a happy tune.
Ghallet sneered at his back, then immediately began to pace around with worry. They weren't ready – in fact, he didn't really know if they ever would be. Their bodies continued to reject the implants, despite all of his efforts to adapt the technology. Frankly, he was amazed the subjects were all still alive. They had amazing resilience for such a delicate species, and he couldn't help but admire their fortitude, even while detesting it.
"I'll get through, somehow," he muttered to himself, tapping a stubby finger against the forehead of the young woman. Her eyes were closed, but he could tell by the slight grimace on her face that she had some awareness of her plight. He took a moment to reapply the metal cover of the implant, hoping that, maybe, this time he would finally unlock the mysterious sequence of electrical and chemical stimuli he needed to seize control of her nervous system.
The creature glanced around, suddenly realizing he didn't have enough supplies for the next phase of tests. Once he began, there would be no stopping until he'd achieved his goal, even if he had to work non-stop to accomplish it. Astronema was expecting results.
And Ghallet knew that if he valued his life, he'd better produce them.
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His eyes were open. Instinctively, he knew that. But, still he couldn't see anything. It didn't feel as though his face was covered by a blindfold, yet something was obviously blocking his vision.
Cassie? Carlos?
Had he spoken their names aloud? He couldn't tell if his lips were moving. He also couldn't hear his own voice… or anything else, for that matter.
What's happened to me? Guys, are you here?
Am I even alive?
Yes. That much he knew for certain. He also knew that his mind was functioning just fine. It was his body that seemed to be the problem.
The last thing T.J. could recall was being dragged from the cell that he'd been sharing with his two teammates. The guards had used some type of stun weapon on him, and he must have passed out shortly after, because he didn't even remember seeing anything beyond the walls of his prison. He wasn't even sure if his friends had been taken along with him.
Still, he could sense them somehow. He could feel that they were close by. Even with his physical senses muted, there was a tangible link between them. He couldn't explain it, but it was there, and it gave him comfort. The blue ranger could only hope that they could feel his presence, as well.
He tried not to panic. The immobility of his body was frightening to him. Maybe they were putting him through some kind of sensory deprivation. He'd read about such things, how it was sometimes employed as a method of torture. And if that were the case here, then T.J. had to admit it was very effective. Being alone, with only his own thoughts for company, not knowing where he was, or what was going on around him, was a cruel punishment. He was literally suffering in silence.
I'm here, guys. Don't give up. We'll find a way out of this… somehow.
T.J. felt a tug of despair, but refused to give in to it. He didn't want to project those thoughts. He didn't want his friends to feel his doubt, or his fear. They were depending on him. He had led them into battle countless times, and they had always come out the other side. Sometimes the worse for wear, but always together, always a team.
This time would be no different. The Power would protect them as it always had. T.J. believed that.
He had to.
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To be continued…
