POWER
RANGERS: SPACE PATROL DELTA
YEAR TWO
"ESCAPE, 2"
'We're losing.'
Beneath his helmet, Sky Tate let his worst fear creep into his mind. Omallix may have proven to be their toughest opponent, but SPD didn't lose. He never let himself believe it to be possible. But, as he gripped his stomach, he felt as if he was trying to keep his insides from falling out on the ground.
If he weren't completely morphed, he would surely be dead. This was a feeling he had never felt in any battle since becoming a Ranger. But, he had to get up. He couldn't just lie there. He was the Red Ranger. He was the leader. He glanced around and saw his fallen comrades littering the ground around him.
"This is not happening," Sky said aloud, as he drew upon all the strength he had left in his body to pull himself up to his knees.
Omallix stood over the fallen form of the SPD Shadow Ranger. His eyes were squinting upon him. Sky could see what was coming next. Just a minute before, Omallix had hit him with a powerful bolt of energy from those eyes. He was now going to do the same to his commanding officer. Omallix let out a heavy chuckle.
"It is time to say goodbye, for the last time," Omallix said to Doggie Cruger, as the Shadow Ranger tried to muster the strength to take a defensive stance. He could barely stand at all.
Omallix prepared to open his eyes fully upon Cruger and send a final destructive blow to SPD's biggest figurehead. Then, he was blasted from the side yet again. That part of his body was beginning to hurt. He turned to see the blast once again came from the blaster of the Red Ranger.
Omallix turned away from Cruger and made a beeline for Sky. Walking steady and with great purpose, Omallix got closer to Sky.
"You're becoming a thorn in my side, Red Ranger," Omallix stated, in his dark voice that conveyed not only anger, but also intensity. "It's always the red ones."
Omallix grabbed the Red Ranger around the neck. His large, thick paws clenched around Sky's throat, as he lifted him up to his feet, and then higher, off the ground.
"You have no idea how long I've waited to destroy a Red Ranger. If only you were the one who brought me in 15 years ago, my life's goals would be complete. However, this is still going to feel good," Omallix stated.
Sky could feel the monster's paw tightening around his jugular. Was this the end?
As Sky could feel his breathing slowing, he knew it would only be a matter of moments before he lost consciousness. As his head began to clear, he saw the image of his father in his head. He was a valiant Red Ranger. Sky didn't have the time to become just like him.
The sound of a humming motor crept into Sky's vision of his father. Then, Sky realized the noise wasn't in his memory. It was in his present. Omallix dropped the Red Ranger, as a fury of red and white lasers penetrated his body. Omallix was caught off-guard.
He turned to see the speeding green bike coming around for another pass. Omallix found himself confused. That was the only second the rider needed. Omallix was caught in another flurry of laser fire and fell to the ground.
The green SPD Patrol Cycle came to a screeching halt a few meters away from B-Squad. The five fallen Rangers all looked at the vehicle and seemed as shocked as Omallix.
"I thought I destroyed you," Omallix yelled, in anger.
The Green Power Ranger was silent, sitting on the cycle. He began to rev up the bike again. His eyes locked on Omallix, although he knew Omallix couldn't see his eyes burning with rage beneath the green helmet. He started the bike again.
This time, Omallix saw the attack coming. He fired his lightning eye blasts towards the cycle, but the Green Ranger seemed to weave through every blast. As they hit the ground around the cycle, he pulled up on the vehicle, sending in flying into the air. As he flew past the monster, he blasted him once again with the cycle's lasers, as he blasted him with the Deltamax Striker at the same time, sending Omallix flying to the ground in a burst of sparks and smoke.
The Green Ranger dismounted the cycle and stepped slowly closer to the battle scene. Smoke had risen off most of the surfaces in the area, including the living ones. Once he was close enough, he knelt at the side of the Shadow Ranger.
"Are you all right, Commander?" he asked.
"Cadet...Gray?" was all Cruger could say, as he recognized the voice under the helmet.
"Yes, sir."
Omallix began getting to his feet. He was not only furious, but he was confused. He didn't like that feeling. His powers should have destroyed that Ranger before. He remembered seeing the green suit envelop that human's body. Even though it was only for a second, Omallix knew that his blast was strong enough to kill.
"You will pay for this, Ranger. This battle is not won. I will let you all lie in fear and wait. My next strike will leave you all destroyed," Omallix said, before disappearing into the smoke-filled area.
The Green Ranger helped Shadow Ranger to his feet, as the Red Ranger was helped by the other three. The six all came together.
"What's going on?" the Pink Ranger asked.
"Who are you?" the Blue Ranger wondered.
"It's me, Quinn," Cadet Gray spoke.
"Let's get back to base," Cruger spoke, as they all finally got a moment to catch their breath.
He was surrounded in darkness. It was the normal scenario when one was blindfolded. Dr. Felix used his enhanced senses of hearing & smell to explore his environment. He had been there for almost two hours now. It smelled dusty. This place was old. He had heard much commotion since his arrival, but it seemed far away. No one had responded to his cries for help. He stopped trying after the first hour. He was still at a loss as to why he was taken from SPD Headquarters. As a doctor, he craved knowledge and understanding. In this instance, he had neither.
Then, the blindfold was removed. Felix opened his eyes and finally realized where he was. He had been bound, gagged, and thrown into a small closet. The door was now open and light crept inside for the first time in hours. As he tried to adjust his sight to the new light source, a hand grabbed his arm, pulling him from the closet. It was then that he realized just whom he was faced with.
"Cadet, what is going on here?" Felix spoke out.
"Be quiet," Charlie responded, as she pulled him down a long hallway.
"Where are we? Why have you taken me? What is going on?" Felix asked any question that popped into his head.
Then, Charlie stopped dead in her tracks and grabbed both of Felix's arms in her hands. Despite being the smaller of the two, Felix's arms throbbed in her grip. She gave him a few violent shakes.
"I said be quiet!" Charlie yelled to his face. "You will speak only when spoken to and I will not entertain your curiosity."
Felix clamed up quickly, as Charlie once again proceeded to pull him by the arm down the hallway. He sighed. They reached a doorway and she keyed in a code on the door's electronic controls. Her finger paused before hitting a final button. She glared at Felix.
"Oh, and if you call me Cadet again, I'll rip your throat out. You're not going to need it anyway," Charlie said.
She keyed in the final number and the doors opened before them. She pulled Felix inside, where the alien Jintari was waiting for them. He waved his hands about the room, as Charlie pulled Felix in front of him.
"Welcome, to your new home, Doctor," Jintari said, happily.
Felix looked around the room. There were several large spotlights hanging from the ceiling. Two computer interface consoles were located on two tables. A large screen adorned the wall opposite the door. It was similar to the one Felix used for x-ray readings in the SPD Infirmary. He looked around curiously.
His eyes rested on a large picture window that lined another wall. He walked right up to it and peered inside. He couldn't see anything. It was completely dark on the other side.
"Well, Doctor, I hope this will be to your liking," Jintari said.
"What is all of this?" Felix inquired, as he turned around. Charlie made a move towards him and he backed away, bumping into the darkened window. Jintari put an arm up, halting her.
"This is where you will serve Omallix," Jintari responded.
"Never. I am a member of Space Patrol Delta. I would never work for the likes of any of you," Felix said, then trained his eye on Charlie. "Unlike some, loyalty means something to me."
Charlie stormed over to him, getting in his face.
"If your life means something to you, you will do as you're told! Otherwise, you will find yourself busy trying to piece your body back together after I rip you limb from limb," she said.
"I think I'm going to like having you around after all," Jintari said to her, with a laugh.
The SPD Infirmary was quiet. The three figures inside hadn't said a word for almost an hour. They had passed the feelings of shock and the crying had also passed. It had been a day of change for C-Squad, but they never thought this would happen. The trio gathered around the bed occupied by Darren Miller.
"I still can't believe he's really gone," Casey Parker said. She was the heart of C-Squad. This day had tested that status in the group, as they all had shared emotions. She cried the most for their fallen friend.
"We had just talked to him," Duc Sato chimed in. "He was right there with us outside."
Next to him, Meg Thurman shook her head, agreeing. Usually, the strong, silent type, she never let on that this loss was probably affecting her the most. She not only looked up to Darren as a teammate, but often felt he was like a brother to her. They were all like family. She turned away from the bed and glanced down at the wreckage that was once the Infirmary's door. She knelt down and touched the metal. It was still hot.
"Has anyone seen Quinn?" She asked.
"No," Casey shook her head, wiping away another tear. "Dr. Manx said he knows, though. He probably couldn't take seeing Darren like this."
"I don't know how much more I can take," Duc said, as he turned away from Darren's body. He leaned against the bed, with his back to his fallen friend.
For Casey, it was the opposite. She couldn't take her eyes off him. She stared and stared, almost waiting for his eyes to open. But, she knew that wasn't going to happen.
"I don't know about you guys," Meg said, as she got back to her feet and looked to her teammates, "but I want to know exactly what happened."
She was angry. Anyone who met her would tell you the same thing. She was tough and never took the easy way out. Her intense beauty was only matched by her intensity in a fight. Then, a figure appeared at the doorway of the Infirmary. They didn't notice.
"Darren was C-Squad, first and foremost. We owe it to him to do something," Meg said.
"That's just what I thought."
The three C-Squad cadets turned and got the shock of their lives. Although they had never seen him morph, they instinctively looked to Darren, then back at the doorway. The Green Ranger walked in. As he stood before them, they all exchanged confused looks. They had recognized the voice, but it wasn't the one they were supposed to hear coming from that helmet.
"Power down," Quinn spoke aloud, causing his suit to disappear.
"Quinn?" Duc said, still surprised. "What's going on?"
"You heard what happened over the intercom earlier?"
"Of course, we did," Casey said, as she walked over to Quinn, getting closer than her comrades. She & Quinn were always close.
"Omallix did this. He killed Darren," Quinn revealed.
"I knew it," Meg spoke up. "Dr. Manx didn't have time to talk to us, but we figured it had to be."
"That doesn't explain what you're doing morphing," Duc said.
"I couldn't just sit by and do nothing. I had to look him in the eye," Quinn said, as he was on the verge of tears himself. Casey grabbed his arm and hugged him. "I just couldn't sit here and let him do any more damage."
As Casey hugged him, he held up his hand and looked at the SPD morpher. He locked eyes with Duc and tossed it to him. Duc held it for a few seconds, before laying it on top of Darren's body.
Deep in the heart of Newtech City, an old two-story scientific research facility was preparing to take flight. Omallix stood in the large lobby of the building, looking out the glassed wall before him. It included two entrance doors. He took a deep breath, as the green creature known as Jintari scurried into the area.
"We are almost ready, my master," he said.
"Good. I cannot stand to live on this planet any longer," Omallix stated.
"Fifteen years was my limit as well, sir," Jintari said, "However, before we lift off, there are some visitors here to see you."
Omallix gave Jintari a confused look. Jintari let out a large grunt that cued a steady procession of alien creatures to enter the lobby of the building. Omallix regarded them all, as they all stood side-by-side, forming a very large line.
"They all witnessed your battle against the SPD Rangers," Jintari explained.
One of them stepped forward before the rest.
"We are here to serve you, Omallix. You are not the only one who seeks the downfall of SPD," the creature said.
There had to be at least 20 of them there. This was an army. While Omallix wanted to deal the deathblow to SPD himself, he thought these creatures just might come in handy.
"I will listen to what you all have to say," Omallix said, before turning to Jintari, "But not here. Let us take flight, my friend."
Jintari pulled a large remote control from his pocket and began keying in controls on the device. The ground around the building began to rumble. The monsters could feel the windowed wall behind them begin to shake.
"Do not worry. I have reinforced the building for flight and equipped it with all of the necessary technology. I'm particularly impressed with the thrusters," Jintari said, as he pressed another command, which sent the two-story building shooting straight up into the sky.
As the building took off, the fiery waves from the four rocket-shaped thrusters beneath the building sent them speeding up to the stars. Inside one of the rooms on the upper level, Dr. Felix held tight to the walls. He ran over to the door, which did not open. There was no command console for it on his side.
"Help! What's happening out there?" Felix yelled. He tried to brace himself on a large exam bed that was bolted to the middle of the floor.
Outside the laboratory door, Charlie sat on the floor, with her back to it, listening and smiling as she heard the doctor's screams for help.
In the Delta Command Base, Cruger and Kat watched the structure take flight.
"What the hell?" Kat couldn't suppress her first thought, "Omallix?" Kat wondered, aloud.
"I believe so," Cruger said.
"At least he won't be hard to find. A big flying science building shouldn't be hard to spot in space," Kat said, trying to be only mildly humorous. Cruger nodded.
Then, the doors to the Command Center opened and the four active members of B-Squad joined them. None of the Rangers showed any lingering damage from Omallix's attack. Cruger was happy for that.
"Commander, what's up?" Sky asked. They had obviously heard the rumbling.
"It looks like Omallix has chosen his home base," Cruger said, as Kat replayed the footage of the building taking off.
"He's stolen the old A.F. Rawlings Research Center building and flown it into orbit," Kat explained to the Rangers.
"Kat, have you found out exactly how Omallix managed to escape the Containment Room?" Cruger asked her.
"Yes, unfortunately, I have, sir. It was...human error," Kat said.
Sky, Syd, Z & Bridge all exchanged puzzled looks. Cruger shared their confusion.
"Human error?" Cruger repeated.
"Yes, sir. The locking mechanism on the maximum security container seems to have been accidentally opened," Kat said.
"Accidentally opened?" Sky said, incredulously. "How's that even possible?"
"Yeah, I mean do you know what kind of clearance is needed to actually get in the Containment Room?" Bridge asked, loudly. Then he thought. "Well, of course you know, Kat, but I mean...you know what I mean, I hope."
"Bridge is...sorta right. I mean not just anyone has access to the Containment Room," Syd remarked.
"It was a mistake," Kat said, seemingly trying to avoid the inevitable.
"Whose mistake?" Cruger asked the question that they all wanted the answer to.
"Mine."
They all turned to the doorway to see the arrival of Cadet Quinn Gray.
"This is all my fault. I did it," he said, somberly.
Jack slowly extended his hand and offered Ally the strawberry within it. She happily opened her mouth, just enough for Jack to feed it to her. She let out a pleasurable moan, as she tasted it on her tongue.
"I said it before, but I can't help it. This is perfect," Ally said. Jack just laughed.
"Nah. Perfect is good. I'm glad you're enjoying everything. It's still not over, though," Jack said.
It was true, but he wondered if his surprise would go off without a hitch before morning. The sun was falling fast. He couldn't sit and wait anymore.
"You know what? I'm gonna go and pick you a memento. Actually, I'll pick you a whole bouquet of them," he said.
"Jack? You don't have to do that."
"No. I want to," Jack said, as he was already on his feet.
"I'll go with you," Ally offered, but Jack raised his hands motioning for her not to move.
"No. You sit right there. Let me do the work."
"Okay," Ally responded.
Jack walked several meters from the gazebo. He turned away from Ally and knelt in the field of white roses. He stealthily grabbed his cellphone and dialed.
"Come on, Piggy. Answer," Jack said, under his breath. He got his answer.
"Hello?"
"Piggy? Where are you?"
"Uh, Piggy's not here. You can leave a message after the beep...Beep!"
"Piggy, don't play games with me. The sun is going down. I need that ring!" Jack tried to sound angry, while also keeping his voice in a whisper so Ally wouldn't hear.
"I know, Jackie boy. Keep your pants on. I'll be there soon," Piggy answered.
"Oh, you better. If you're not here in the next hour, you are going to regret it. I promise you that," Jack said, sternly.
"All right. All right. I'll be there before dark. I promise," Piggy said, before hanging up quickly. "Jeez, you'd think this was his last sunset or something."
Piggy picked up the pace of his walk, as he looked above, at the sun beginning to set. He still had a ways to go, but he knew he'd make it there in time and Jack would owe him big.
High above the setting sun, the darkness of space surrounded Omallix's new base of operations. The sight of a small floating building seemed desperately out of place. Omallix stared out the glassed entranceway. Jintari appeared behind him.
"Are you ready for the next phase of my upgrades to the building?" Jintari asked.
Omallix turned to him, tilting his head slightly in curiosity.
"There's more, Jintari?"
"Oh yes, master Omallix," Jintari said, as he pressed a few more buttons on his trusty control console.
In that moment, the outside of the A.F. Rawlings Research Center morphed into a fortress of black steel. It resembled a square-shaped asteroid, made of hard, cold metal. Omallix looked again out the front entranceway windows. They were the only things that had not drastically changed with the building's outside appearance.
"We can design the interior anyway you like, of course," Jintari spoke.
Omallix did not have time for that now. He could still see Earth from here. The sight of the planet caused feelings of fury and hatred to build up inside of him, even more than usual. He knew that Space Patrol Delta still stood and so did its Rangers. He had been brought in by them once and he would make them pay forever for that act. Omallix turned to Jintari.
"Bring in the creatures we picked up on Earth, Jintari. It's time to see what they're made of," Omallix said.
Jintari walked over to a nearby hallway and called out for them to come in. Omallix stood surprised as only one of them entered. He tilted his head, staring at the tall red creature. Omallix was instantly drawn to the alien's eyes. They were deep gold and looked as if they might glow if the room were darker. There were no eyeballs, so he could never truly tell where the creature was looking. His deep red skin was in stark contrast to his white mane, which was pulled back over his head. Two horns emanated from the alien's head, while his yellow, fanged-teeth curved upwards, covering his mouth, even as he spoke. He reminded Omallix of an image of Hades, personified. His sharp silver armor and his black, spiked hands accented his gruff exterior.
"Where are the others?" Omallix was curious.
"They will wait," the monster said. His tone was low, deep and fearless.
"Why?" Omallix asked.
"Because I told them to," he answered, confidently. "I am Cartiron, the Dark Hellion. I have been waiting for my chance to show this meager planet what I have to offer."
"And just what is it you have to offer?"
"I am wanted in four star systems for wanton destruction and arson. I take pleasure in the flames."
"That is something we have in common, Cartiron," Omallix said, as he walked closer to the creature. They locked eyes.
"I would be invaluable to you," Cartiron said.
"I don't believe in abstract pledges of loyalty, Cartiron. I'm much more interested in the concrete, in actions and results."
"I can show you what I'm made of, but I will warn you it will not be pretty," Cartiron said.
Omallix paced back over to the glassed wall of his base. He looked out and stared at the swirling ball of blue and white. Then, he turned back to Cartiron swiftly, on his heels.
"Strike fear in their hearts, Cartiron. Do that and you will secure your allegiance to my cause," Omallix stated, coldly.
Cartiron simply nodded and was instantly engulfed in flames, disappearing into them. Omallix took a deep breath. He had a feeling about Cartiron. It was a bad feeling and he liked it.
"You?" Syd exclaimed, as all eyes fell on Quinn Gray in the SPD Command Center.
"I did it. I didn't mean to unlock anything," Quinn said, sincerely, just as Sky stormed over to him, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against a wall.
"All of this! All of this is your fault. Do you realize just what you've done? You killed your own friend!" Sky yelled.
"Sky, he didn't kill anybody," Kat yelled.
"Cadet Tate, unhand him," Cruger ordered.
Quinn could see the fury in Sky's eyes. The Red Ranger obeyed orders and let the C-Squad cadet go.
"Don't think for a second that your little stunt out there makes up for what you've done," Sky said, coldly.
"Where is the green morpher?" Cruger asked.
"It's where it was meant to be. I just wanted to help," Quinn said, as he stared at the floor, unable to look his fellow cadets in the face.
"You did help," Z said.
"Z, Shut up," Sky said, angrily.
"No, Sky. You shut up! If it wasn't for Quinn, you might not be here right now," she said.
Sky stared at Z for a long moment, then turned back to Quinn. "Looks like you've got a fan," Sky said. "Try not to get her killed, like you did your best friend," he said, before storming out of the Command Center.
Quinn raised his eyes and looked at the faces of the rest of B-Squad. Syd nodded her head and left, following in Sky's direction. Bridge followed, after glancing back at Quinn solemnly. Z walked up to Quinn.
"It was a mistake. We've all made them, even Sky," she said, before departing as well.
Quinn didn't move from the spot he was in. The officers working in the Command Center went back to their work, as Kat & Cruger shared troubled glances.
Aboard Omallix's base, Charlie strolled into the main area, where Omallix waited.
"Jintari said you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, Charlie. I take it our guest is secure?"
"Very," Charlie responded.
"Good, because there is something else I need you take care of. It is extremely important to my plans for Space Patrol Delta's downfall and it must be accomplished immediately," Omallix revealed.
Charlie gave him a devious grin. "I am yours to command, master."
Cartiron materialized above a high rise building in Newtech City. He looked out over the city, seeing the SPD Delta Command Base in the distance. He then turned is back on the building. He set his sights on an even bigger target.
His golden pupils began to glow. His arms extended out at his sides. A low moan came from deep within him, as he summoned his powers. Red swirls of fire began to develop, swirling around his arms, in a fury. Soon, the swirls were extending beyond his arms in a chain that traveled outward from his sides. This chain of burning rage extended for at least two miles. Cartiron grunted louder and the chain of fire began to extend downward, like a wall of flames, engulfing buildings as it struck them, traveling downward all the way to the ground. Cartiron could hear the sounds of screaming victims.
They made his eyes glow even brighter.
The fiery heat began to melt parts of the streets of the city. Cartiron slowly began to bring his arms together in front of him. As he did so, the walls of fire that extended from them began to come together, burning everything in front of him. They came together like hands on a clock, extending as far as the outskirts of the city. In the middle of it all, lay a quiet beauty of white roses.
Jack picked the tenth rose for his bouquet. He looked up at the sky, as he thought he heard the rumble of thunder for a moment. He shook it off. He figured it was just his nerves. Piggy was still late and the sun was setting. He looked at Ally sitting in the gazebo, smiling at him. She waved.
Then, he noticed the rumbling getting louder. This wasn't nerves and it wasn't thunder either. He looked up to the sky, which was orange, as the sun was setting above them. Jack looked at Ally in the gazebo several meters away from him. He looked troubled.
Ally stood up in the gazebo and stared at the sky, trying to decipher what Jack was seeing. She saw the sun setting and it was beautiful. She lowered her gaze back to her love in the field before her. He was now staring straight at her. Jack seemed to have a look of pure fright in his eyes. Ally didn't understand, until she noticed he was actually staring past her. She turned around and that was when she saw the wall of fire coming at her. Ally screamed. The blaze was coming so fast that it was all she had time to do.
"Ally!" Jack screamed, louder than he ever had before.
In the field, Jack saw the flames engulf her and the gazebo where she stood. He could feel the heat of it all, as it burned through the white field of roses around him. It was then that he could feel the sweat gathering on his back. He turned to see an identical wall coming from the opposite direction. In the middle of the field Jack looked in both
directions, seeing the two walls of fire about to meet...exactly where he was standing.
There was nothing he could do but close his eyes in that moment that the walls of fire met, leaving only burning ash and the stench of death in their wake.
The sound of emergency alarms once again ripped through SPD Headquarters. Sky Tate came running around a corridor followed by Bridge Carson, Syd Drew and Z Delgado. They ran straight into the Command Center, where they found Commander Cruger & Kat watching a monitor. They both looked speechless. Sky locked eyes with Quinn Gray, who was standing nearby.
"What's happening?" Sky said, almost dreading the answer. Cruger & Kat turned back to them.
"There's been another attack," Cruger explained. "Some kind of fire wave just ripped through the entire southern portion of the state."
"What?" Syd asked, looking completely shocked. All the B-Squad Rangers looked stunned.
"It all happened so fast. In a matter of seconds the entire area was just...gone," Cruger said.
Kat accessed a computer terminal. "It looks like whatever did this took out Klaxon City, Motley Point, Luna Province, Greenberry Hollow—"
"Luna Province!" Z yelled. "Jack!"
"What?" Cruger inquired.
"Jack. He told me in his letter. He took Ally to Luna Province," Z said, as her mind began to race. "We have to go, now."
"Let's move," Sky said, as Z was already halfway out the door. The other three B-Squad cadets ran after her. Cruger wasn't far behind. Before exiting, he turned to Quinn.
"You stay here," Cruger ordered, as he disappeared into the corridor, catching up with the Rangers.
Quinn let out a deep sigh, as he looked to Kat at the main control console.
The sound of sirens was the only thing that cut through the sizzle of the burned structures that once populated the southern tip of California. The sirens got closer and within moments, the speeding SPD Patrol Jeep came speeding around a corner being driven by the Yellow Ranger, followed by the Red Patrol Cycle and the Blue Ranger's white patrol cycle. Close by, the speeding Shadow ATV sped onto the scene. The vehicles came to a quick halt just at the edge of the wave's starting point.
There was no more street. Just mountains of burning ash. Smoke filled the area. If the Rangers weren't morphed, there would be no way for them to survive inhaling the putrid fumes and heat that now covered the area. They exited their vehicles.
The Yellow Ranger seemed intent to go on foot, until the Blue Ranger grabbed her by the arm.
"We have to get closer," Z said, "Jack!"
She yelled, but there was no answer. There couldn't be. Fearing nothing would stop her, the other Rangers let her call out for him, as they surveyed the damage.
"This is brutal," Bridge remarked.
"I didn't know Omallix was this strong," Syd said, beneath the Pink suit.
Feeling the heat of the ground even with his boots on, Shadow Ranger stared into the sky. "I'm not sure he is," Cruger said.
"You think someone else could have done this?" Sky asked.
"Walls of fire aren't in Omallix's repertoire," Cruger told them all.
As they spoke, Z still yelled out for her friend. They were as close to Luna Province as they could get, without being burned themselves. But the miles of gray ash were a clear indication that there was no more Luna Province to get to.
"Jack, please answer me!" Z yelled, as loud as she could. The tears began streaming inside her helmet. Her heavy panting fogged her black visor.
Then, there was a faint whisper of something.
"Ja...," a voice called.
"Did you hear that?" Bridge asked.
"Hello?" Syd yelled. "We can hear you. Just yell louder, so we can find you."
"Jack, help!"
The five Rangers rushed over to a pile of debris just on the edge of the ashy remnants. Someone was trapped on the unburned side of a collapsed building. The Rangers moved bricks and other debris as fast as they could, until they saw an orange hand grasping for something. The Red Ranger took the hand in his own.
"Hold on," Sky said, "We'll have you out in a minute."
The Rangers kept digging until they had cleared enough debris to recognize the trapped alien.
"Piggy!" Z yelled.
"Piggy, are you all right?" Cruger asked. Soon, he realized it was a stupid question.
Falling concrete and brick had trapped him. Syd checked his breathing and nodded negatively to Cruger.
"Hold on, Piggy," Z said, "You're gonna be fine. We're gonna get you some help."
"Z?" Piggy said, barely able to open his eyes or speak.
"Yes, Piggy. I'm here," Z said.
"Ja...ck. Must...get...Jack," Piggy mustered.
"Don't worry about anything, Piggy," Bridge tried to reassure him. "Everything's gonna be fine."
The Rangers cleared enough debris to completely free Piggy, but he wasn't moving.
"His breathing's really faint," Syd said.
"Load him into the jeep," Cruger ordered.
Soon, Piggy was strapped and secure in the back of the Patrol jeep. It was then, that the Rangers were caught off guard by a large gust of wind. It blew ash all around them. As they struggled to see through it, they looked up higher to see Cartiron landing just at the edge of where his wave had begun.
The five Rangers stared him down.
"Did you enjoy my handiwork, Power Rangers?" Cartiron spoke, in his unwavering tone.
"Who are you?" Shadow Ranger spoke first.
"I am Cartiron, the bringer of fire and loyal servant to Omallix."
The revelation stunned the Rangers.
"Not good," Bridge said.
Cartiron laughed, whole-heartedly. "Scared yet?"
"Not a chance," the Red Ranger responded. "You're going down."
"You're gonna pay for what you did," the Yellow Ranger yelled, as her anger boiled over.
"Maybe you missed the show, Rangers, but this graveyard behind me was all generated by my power and I'm not through yet. You see, that was just the prelude. The real target is the place you call home," Cartiron revealed. "The heart of Newtech City will burn today and you along with it."
Cartiron extended his arms. The Rangers were caught off-guard as the swirls of fire began to form slowly around his arms. Cruger didn't need to wait long to figure out what was next.
"Rangers, go!" he yelled.
"No! We have to take him down," Z yelled back to her superior.
"Delgado, get in the jeep! Get Piggy to safety, now!" Cruger yelled directly at her. She joined the Pink Ranger at the jeep, but she couldn't get in.
"You're going to pay for what you did to Jack," she yelled.
The Red & Blue Rangers opened fire on Cartiron. Red aimed his dual blasters and fired at the chest of the creature, catching him off balance, while Bridge struck him with blasts from his Deltamax Striker. The blasts caused Cartiron to stagger, but not stop. He regained his footing each time and proceeded to build up his firepower again. They couldn't stop firing, because they knew what would happen if Cartiron built up to his full strength again.
The Red Ranger looked back and noticed the jeep was still there, as Z had only one foot inside.
"Syd, drive. Go!" Sky yelled.
Syd jumped into the driver's seat and started the engine. She looked to her yellow companion.
"Z, come on!"
Reluctantly, the Yellow Ranger hopped inside and the jeep took off down the street, sirens blazing. Behind them, Cartiron began to advance, as the fire began to swirl past his arms, once again creating a chain. Shadow Ranger jumped at him, slicing him across the chest. The sparks sent Cartiron to one knee and he retaliated with a punch to the Shadow Ranger's chest that sent him flying backwards to the ground. Sky & Bridge ran to his side.
"Commander?" Bridge called out, as they helped him to his feet.
"We have to hold him off for as long as we can," Cruger explained.
Nodding together, the trio hopped onto their vehicles and sped a few meters ahead of Cartiron, who began to march forward towards the heart of the city. The fire extended further from his arms and began to extend downwards to the ground, into the now-familiar fire wall pattern. As their cycles kept a good distance ahead, Sky & Bridge fired blasts behind them, striking Cartiron, but it wasn't enough to break the chains of fire.
Inside the SPD Command Center, Kat Manx & Quinn Gray had their eyes on a satellite view of the area. Four red dots were racing in their direction, followed by the wave.
"Can they make it?" Quinn asked Kat.
"Honestly, I don't know," Kat responded.
Then, the doors to the Command Center came sliding open and Supreme Commander Fowler Birdy came walking in.
"Supreme Commander," Kat said, surprised. "I thought your shuttle left?"
"It did. We heard about the attack and turned around. Cruger & the Rangers?"
"They're out there. The monster, Cartiron, is responsible for the attack. They're trying to hold him off. His wave is spreading outward and coming this way," she explained.
"Are the Delta Command Base's new shield systems completed yet?" Birdy asked.
"Yes, sir. But, I don't know if they'll be strong enough to hold off that fire wall."
"We'll have to hope they are," Birdy said, as he turned to the officers working nearby. "Find every available cadet and officer and get out there. Begin evacuations. Get every civilian you can onto the SPD Academy grounds. We have to make sure that we can get as many people within the range of the shields."
The three officers trotted out of the Command Center. Quinn headed for the door.
"Cadet Gray," Birdy called out, negatively.
"Look, sir. My career here may be over, but I'm not going to sit by and do nothing. I've had just as much training as everyone else has. I'm going to help," Quinn said. Without another word, he went running out of SPD, heading for the nearest exit. Birdy grimaced and turned back to Kat.
"How long until the wave hits, Doctor?"
"If it follows the same pattern as the last, we have four minutes, at the most," Kat responded, somberly.
They both took deep breaths.
"Bring the shield systems online," Birdy ordered. Kat keyed in several commands. One of them activated the SPD Headquarters communications systems.
"All civilians within range of Space Patrol Delta Headquarters, please report there immediately," Kat's stoic voice came through. "I repeat. Please, evacuate to SPD Headquarters."
As her voice boomed through, Quinn exited the front entrance, as other officers & cadets were herding people inside. He spotted his C-Squad comrades, Meg, Casey & Duc nearby and he went about helping them get the innocents inside. Soon, the area was bombarded with injured as well. Escapees who were too close to the fire wave heading towards the Delta Command Base.
Just then, a car came to a screeching halt. A woman jumped out of the drivers seat, yelling.
"Help! Someone please. My family!" she screamed in terror.
Quinn's head turned in her direction. "Guys, over there," he yelled to his C-Squad teammates.
They ran over and opened the other doors to find a severely burned teenaged girl, sitting beside her young brother. Casey took hold of the woman driver, noticing the burns on her arm.
"It's gonna be okay. Come with me," Casey said.
"I can't leave them," the woman said, as tears came from her face.
"It's okay," Quinn shouted. "Everyone's going in."
He & Duc reached in and took hold of the woman's injured daughter, racing her inside. Meg grabbed the little boy. C-Squad hustled into the building.
About a mile away, the Red & Green Rangers continued to fire on Cartiron, but he seemed almost invulnerable as he called upon more firepower, making his wave bigger and stronger. Then, Kat's voice came over their vehicles' consoles.
"You have to hurry. I'm going to have to raise the shields in the next two minutes," Kat said. Her voice conveyed her desperation.
2:00
"Sky! Bridge! Just go!" Shadow Ranger yelled.
"No way!" Sky screamed back.
"I said go, Tate," Cruger yelled again.
After letting out a grunt of anger, the Red Ranger refocused on his driving and sped his bike up, followed by the Blue Ranger. In that moment, the Shadow Ranger spun his ATV around, firing its lasers at Cartiron at full blast. He kept the vehicle zooming, riding it in reverse, as he fired on the alien menace.
1:46
Blocks away, the SPD Patrol Jeep came speeding into the parking lot outside SPD Headquarters, just as C-Squad was running out. They ran over, as the Pink & Yellow Rangers exited the jeep. Their eyes were on the wave of fire coming closer.
"Piggy's hurt," Syd yelled. "You have to get him to the Infirmary."
"Duc, help me," Quinn said, as they lifted Piggy out of the jeep, with a little help from Casey & Meg, who kept Piggy's head straight, as they ran into the building with him.
Nearby, cadets & officers were still racing the flurry of civilians inside the grounds. It was then that a small bike was seen speeding into the area, coming from the opposite direction as the wave. The rider came to a speeding halt, as he caught a look at the wave heading his way.
"Whoa," was all the boy could say. Then, someone scooped him off the bike. He turned his head to see who had snatched him.
"Boom, what are you doing?" Sam exclaimed.
"Just saving the future, kid," Boom said, as he ran inside with Sam tight in his arms.
0:51
Inside the Command Center, Birdy & Kat were still watching the wave coming closer.
"We can't wait any longer, Dr. Manx. Activate the shields," Birdy said.
"But sir, Sky, Bridge & Commander Cruger are still out there," Kat said.
"We don't have time," Birdy said. "Do it."
Kat's hands began to graze the control panel, but she didn't press the activation codes.
"Dr. Manx?"
"Just give them a few more seconds," Kat said.
0:38
Bridge & Sky rode their bikes faster than they ever had before, pushing them to their limits. For a moment, Bridge thought he could feel the tires shredding beneath him. He looked back at the impending wave and that was when he realized the tires were shredding from the intense heat that was coming.
Further back, Shadow Ranger kept on firing his lasers, with little effect on Cartiron. It was then that the monster stopped in his tracks. Cruger had a bad feeling. He whipped his ATV back around to its proper position and sped towards Headquarters. As he rode, he looked to his sides, seeing just how far the wave extended to his left and right. It was true.
Cartiron had stopped because the wave was now long enough. All he had to do was bring the two sides together and SPD Headquarters would be caught, smashed in the middle. Cartiron began to pull his arms together, slowly, building up more heat. The walls of fire started to connect, in a "v" shape, with Cruger's ATV racing to get out of the middle.
0:15
"Dr. Manx, raise the shields," Birdy shouted.
"They're almost here," Kat said.
"There are more lives at stake than theirs. You raise those shields now, or I will do it myself," Birdy yelled.
Kat activated the shield sequence.
0:08
Outside Headquarters, the Red & Blue Rangers had joined Pink & Yellow, staring down that long street. They saw the Shadow ATV speeding towards them. It was then, that the shield klaxons started blaring. They all looked up.
"The shields. They're coming up," Bridge shouted.
"Commander, hurry!" Sky yelled into his morpher. "The shields are rising."
Besides drills, this was the first time that the Delta Command Base's dome-style shield systems had been used. The shielding extended about a few blocks outward and would encase not just the base, but all of the property used by SPD.
0:02
The shields began to rise, moving faster, as they extended from the ground. Cruger hit the gas as far as he could and sent the Shadow ATV airborne. The vehicle flew over the shields, just as they raised up behind it. The ATV managed to land on all four wheels and came to a halting stop, just as the shields went up completely.
Cartiron's wave, however, was about to put it to the true test. The two walls of fire came together. The five morphed Rangers looked to the sky, as the clear shield began to sizzle under the heated pressure of the fire wave. It was surely tested, as the structure began to shake. The Rangers, however, did not retreat inside.
In the Command Center, Kat & Birdy began to feel the pressure as well, the ground beneath Headquarters was rumbling heavy. Everyone on the grounds struggled to keep on their feet. And just as fast as it was upon them, it was over. The fire smothered itself and was soon burnt out, with nowhere to go.
The shield held and they were safe, although, deep down, every single figure within that shield truly wondered how long they would be.
Two days later, the cleanup was underway. It would take years for Newtech City to be complete again. Crews worked steadily to clear away the debris and ash from the part of the city that had been affected the most. Complete towns had been wiped off the map in a matter of minutes. But, they could be rebuilt. The personal losses could not and the effects of the last forty-eight hours would be felt for some time to come.
The doors to Doggie Cruger's office opened and Kat entered, followed by Quinn Gray. He was wearing his cadet's dress uniform, black just like his normal uniform. Ironically, it marked the occasion well. Kat, too, was dressed all in black, as the doors closed behind them. She turned to Quinn and put a hand on his arm.
"Commander Cruger will be in shortly," Kat said.
"So, this is it, huh? He's gonna send me packing before the memorial service. Talk about a strange twist of fate. Darren and I entered the Academy together and now we'll leave it together," Quinn said, somberly. His thoughts had focused on his best friend for days.
Kat could see the sorrow in his eyes. "I know this has all been very traumatic for you, Quinn."
"It's okay. I'm prepared to take responsibility for what I've done," Quinn said, as he took a seat, in front of Doggie's desk. He stared at the floor. "But, thank you, Kat. For all you've done. You've been great to me."
"You're welcome," Kat sighed and walked back towards the doorway, which slid open. "Quinn, just so you know, that twist of fate you mentioned...I've seen stranger things happen. You've got to learn to expect the unexpected."
Kat departed and the doors closed behind her. Quinn continued to stare at the floor, trying to figure out what Kat meant. It was only seconds later that he was joined once again. Commander Anubis "Doggie" Cruger entered. Quinn jumped up from his seat and saluted his commanding officer.
"At ease, Cadet," Cruger said, as he sat down at his desk. Quinn sat back down.
"Sir, I just want to say that I am completely sorry about what happened, more sorry than you could know," Quinn said.
"Don't be so sure about that Cadet Gray," Cruger said. "I've made some big mistakes in my life and in my career. There are some things that I'll never forgive myself for. We all make mistakes."
"I know that sir, and I'm ready to take responsibility for mine. I've already packed my bags."
"That's good," Cruger said, as he glared at Quinn, "Cadet Carson will be glad to have some company."
Cruger's words floated in the air for a second, as Quinn looked confused.
"Sir?"
"It's customary for B-Squad Cadets to bunk on Level 4. Your current accommodations are on Level 3," Cruger said, maintaining his serious posture.
"Commander, I don't understand. Aren't you dismissing me from the Academy?"
Cruger took a deep breath. "Cadet Gray, for the last two days I've been on a mission to convince Supreme Commander Birdy and the Galactic Council that you deserve to remain at Space Patrol Delta."
"You have?"
"Yes. And with Kat's help, I succeeded. We need cadets like you who are willing to step up and not only claim responsibility but take steps to correct their mistakes," Cruger explained. "If you're willing, we'd like to give you the chance to correct yours. Omallix is the most powerful enemy we've ever faced and we need to be at our best. I saw you out there during battle and you not only held your own, but frankly you came to our rescue."
"You're serious," Quinn said, his tone still conveying his disbelief.
"Deadly, and so is Omallix," Cruger stated. "If you can't perform the duties of a B-Squad Cadet, I need to know. The Power Rangers can't afford any weakness on the team. So, I ask you, Cadet Gray, do you have what it takes?"
Quinn stood up from his seat and nodded affirmatively. "I promise I will not let you down, sir."
Cruger stood up from his seat and extended a hand. "You better not, or we'll both be in a lot of trouble." Quinn shook his hand and couldn't help but smile. This was the happiest moment he had in a long while.
In the SPD Infirmary, Z Delgado stood somberly at the bedside of Piggy. The alien's shallow breathing was about all the noise that Z could hear, even though the doors to the place had yet to be replaced. Things had been quiet all over SPD.
"Piggy," Z spoke softly. "What happened? You were supposed to protect each other. We were supposed to protect each other. How did it all get so hard?"
She looked up at the ceiling. "Oh, Jack," was all she could say before the tears would fall down her face again.
"Jack."
Z looked down to see it was Piggy who spoke. "Piggy, you're gonna be okay. Just stay still."
Piggy couldn't open his eyes completely and she could tell he didn't really know who he was talking to at that moment. Piggy began to paw at his bloody, dust-filled jacket. He reached inside the pocket.
"Jack," Piggy whispered. "I...I kept it safe, Jack."
"It's me, Piggy. It's Z. You kept what safe?"
Piggy pulled out the small box he was set to deliver to Jack at Luna Province. He placed it in Z's hand. "It's safe...I...sorry I was...late," Piggy said, as he had trouble breathing.
Z opened the box and saw the sparkling diamond ring inside. She closed the box slowly and looked down at Piggy.
"You did good, Piggy. You did great," Z said, holding back her own tears as Piggy fell into a deep sleep.
"Z."
She heard a voice call from the doorway. Z turned to see Bridge standing there. Both cadets were dressed formally.
"It's time," Bridge said.
Z nodded her head, agreeing. She tucked the ring box into her pocket and walked to the doorway, joining Bridge. She turned back and looked at Piggy, lying so still on the bed. She hesitated to leave, until she saw his chest compress to make sure he was still breathing. He was. Z turned to leave, as Bridge put an arm around her to comfort her.
On the grounds of SPD Headquarters, the feelings of celebration that once filled the area were now replaced with feelings of sadness. The site of Darren Miller's promotion ceremony was now the site of his memorial service. The same seats were set up. The same stage was set. This time, however, there were only two seats on that stage. Birdy sat in one and Cruger occupied the other. That was all there was room for, with the coffin that was on display. A photograph of Cadet Miller hung in a mounted wreath in front of the coffin, which was closed.
Attendees arrived steadily. It was clear to Cruger that there wouldn't be enough seats for everyone. Bridge & Z walked up to the second row on the left, where Syd & Sky were seated. They joined them. The row directly in front of them was filled with the cries of Darren's parents, who sat with Kat and Isinia. Across from them, in the front row on the right side, sat the once proud C-Squad. Cruger looked at their four faces, so solemn. So much had changed indeed. C-Squad would never be the same. There were only three of them left. He had a feeling Quinn wouldn't tell them his news until later. Cruger stood and took the podium.
"This is the saddest occasion a commander is ever asked to officiate. Saying goodbye to one of my own is the hardest thing that I've ever have to do," Cruger began. "Darren Miller was a model cadet. He aced his entrance exams. He was at the top of his class in every subject. He was a natural leader. He may have only been 17 years old, but Darren Miller was a fine man. He was on the cusp of achieving greatness when his life was cut too short, too soon. He will be remembered for his accomplishments and he will be remembered for being a wonderful cadet and a true friend. To me, he will be remembered for his sacrifice. Even in the end, Darren didn't hide from anything. He stood up for what was right and just. SPD has lost a hero. We have lost a piece of our family. Darren can never be replaced, but he can be remembered. He can be remembered for the things he stood for, the things that Space Patrol Delta stands for. To serve and protect, at all costs. Darren will always be one of us. He will always be SPD."
High above, in space, orbiting Earth, sat Omallix's base. Inside, the lord of evil stood tall, joined by Jintari & Charlie in what was now his control room. Omallix stood in front of a viewscreen, embedded in the back wall. He watched the fire wave overtake most of Newtech City for the third time since it happened. He turned and stood once again face to face with Cartiron. If Omallix could show it, they would all see him smiling.
"Cartiron, you have proven yourself to be truly evil," Omallix stated, "I have never seen such a destructive path."
"I told you that I would be invaluable. You wanted them to feel fear. I showed them fear," Cartiron said.
Jintari & Charlie watched from afar. Charlie raised raised her eyebrows, especially after seeing the footage of the attack.
"Yes, you did. I am pleased. Part of me is quite satisfied that you did not destroy SPD. This will allow the fear to linger and tear them apart, as my plans reveal themselves. This battle may have to go longer than I originally thought. I enjoy seeing their spirits drained. They will suffer, like I suffered for 15 years in that card," Omallix yelled, clenching his fists.
"And you, Cartiron will help me accomplish that. I am appointing you to be my lead general in the fight against SPD. With you at my side, I have no doubt that they will all suffer and die at my hands," Omallix said with a deep, darkened laugh.
A few meters away, Charlie found it hard to hide her shock. How could Omallix find Cartiron to be worthier as his top general than she was? Charlie was not happy with this development. But, her own feelings of revenge were enough to keep her loyal to Omallix. She watched quietly, as Omallix and Cartiron stood together at the glassed wall of the base, staring out at Earth.
The crowd at the memorial dispersed. Walking amongst them was Doggie Cruger. His wife, Isinia, held tight to his arm. She had clung to him more than usual in the last day.
"What you said about Cadet Miller was beautiful," she remarked.
"It was the truth," Cruger said, somberly.
"I put house hunting on hold," Isinia revealed.
Cruger stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her.
"You didn't have to," he said.
"You can't leave them...not now. I think we all realize that you, the Rangers, everyone is about to face their greatest challenge. You need to stick together. We need to stick together. It doesn't matter where," Isinia said.
Cruger pulled her into a tight embrace. "Thank you," he said.
"Now, go. You have another memorial to get to, don't you?"
Cruger let out a deep sigh. He was ready to say goodbye to Darren Miller. But, deep down, he didn't know how he would do the same to Jack Landors.
On the roof of the Delta Command Base, the seven figures navigated their way to the edge. As they walked, Syd stopped. She looked up and stared at the shielding surrounding the complex. Each time the faintest hint of ash or wind would hit it, a small sizzle could be heard. She sighed, as Sky walked up and stood next to her.
"It's just not the same, is it?" Sky said.
"It never could be. I never thought things would ever get this bad," Syd said.
"It's up to us to make sure they don't stay that way," Sky said. Syd nodded with him and they continued until they got closer to the edge of the roof, where Cruger, Kat, Boom, Bridge & Z were standing.
Z's foot grazed the edge, as she looked down over the Delta Command Base to the ground below. It was a long way down.
"Part of me just wants to let go," Z said, in a low tone.
Without a word, Bridge walked over to Z, grabbed her by the arms and walked her seven meters back away from the edge. He walked back closer to the edge with the others. Z couldn't help but smile.
"Thanks, Bridge," Z said.
"No problem," Bridge said with a smile.
"Kat, it's time to show the world that SPD doesn't hide," Cruger said to her. She pulled out a small communications device and spoke into it. "Bring it down."
With that, the shield that surrounded SPD Headquarters retracted back into the ground where it emanated. For the first time in days, they all felt the rush of wind against their skin. It was still mixed with dark ash, but the sun was high and the effect almost seemed fitting for this occasion.
Boom stepped forward, holding out a red box. He handed it to Cruger. Before he opened it, Z spoke up.
"Wait," she said, as she pulled a small vile from her pocket. Cruger shielded the box from the wind, as Z opened it to reveal the ashes inside...Jack's ashes. Z gathered what she could into the small glass container and closed the box. She rubbed her left hand over the top of it an extra few seconds, while she held the vile tight in her right.
"Goodbye, Jack," Z said. Cruger turned back to the edge of the building.
"You were the best, Jack," Sky said aloud.
"We're all gonna miss you, so much," Syd chimed in.
"Yeah. It wasn't the same when you left, but now it's never gonna be the same ever again," Bridge said, somberly.
"You changed us all, Jack Landors," Cruger said. "And now, for the last time, we set you free."
Cruger opened the box and the gusting air quickly scattered Jack's remains to the wind. Cruger stood there for about a minute, before turning and heading back to the rooftop hatch. Kat and Boom followed behind. Sky, Syd & Bridge all remained, three feet behind Z, as she stared into the sky while the ashes disappeared in the wind.