POWER
RANGERS: SPACE PATROL DELTA
YEAR TWO
"OMEGA, 2"
"Jack, you can't do this," Sky said.
"Yes, I can," Jack replied, beneath his helmet. "Prepare to be destroyed."
"Jack, no!" Z yelled from the ground, through gritted teeth. Her entire body ached at that moment. Then, an idea popped into her head. Her body, she thought. That was it.
"Jack, please listen to me," Z called out, but it wasn't the person he was looking at on the ground.
The morphed Jack turned away from the fallen cadets, only to see another form of Z standing before him. She looked sad and somber. He tilted his helmet as he looked back at the ground behind him briefly, seeing the other cadet in yellow struggling to even get up. He turned back to the other Z.
"Jack, this isn't you," the Z duplicate spoke. "I don't know what's happened to you, but I want to help. Just listen to me."
The Omega Ranger moved several paces closer to her. He reached out to touch her, only to realize that it was a holographic projection. He snarled with anger.
"Now!" Sky yelled to his teammates.
The five pulled their morphers while they had the chance.
"S.P.D. Emergency!"
The Omega Ranger turned back and saw five morphed S.P.D. Rangers in front of him. His eyes zoomed in on the red one. Jack began to shake his head, almost as if there was an insect caught in his helmet. His brain kept echoing his own voice, but it was distant, a memory...
"He's just jealous cuz he's not the Red Ranger," Jack heard himself say repeatedly.
In that memory he was somewhere else. A safe place, with these people. He shook his head violently, as if he could knock the echoing memory from his head.
"Nooooooo!" Jack yelled in anger as he sprinted towards the five Rangers.
"Jack, stop!" the Blue Ranger had his hands up.
The Omega Ranger took the chance to punch him squarely in his unprotected stomach. Bridge fell away. The Green & Pink Rangers took the chance to attack, grabbing at Omega Ranger's arms, but he used his strength to toss the Pink Ranger aside. She rolled to the ground. He used his now free right hand to grab at the Green Ranger, twisting his arm, which caused him to lose his grip on Jack. He pulled him away, then punched him in the stomach, sending him flying. The Yellow Ranger grabbed him by the shoulder, whipping him around.
"Jack, stop," she yelled.
Jack, however, didn't truly hear her. One swift kick sent Z flying to the ground. He grabbed his morpher's throttle and twisted it in his intense grip.
"Omega morpher, hyper mode!"
The Omega Ranger raised his fist, which began to light up. He aimed for Z, when another voice came from behind.
"Hey! Jack!"
He turned quickly, recognizing his name. He turned to see the Ranger in red with two matching Delta Blasters pointed straight at him. The Red Ranger fired.
"No!" the Yellow Ranger yelled from the ground.
Just as the laser blasts prepared to connect with the Omega Ranger, time seemed to slow for a few moments, allowing him to swat the blasts away.
"He's got all of Sam's morphed powers," Bridge yelled. "Including his ability to slow down time."
It was too late for Sky, though. The Omega Ranger was already on top of him, literally. The Omega Ranger came flying through the air with a flying kick that landed squarely in Sky's chest, which lit up with sparks. The Red Ranger went crashing into Bridge's Patrol Cycle.
"You should have stayed blue," Jack said angrily, from beneath his helmet.
Inside S.P.D. Headquarters, Isinia Cruger rounded a corner, walking purposefully. Every step seemed to get faster until she reached her destination. The doors to the Infirmary opened before her and she gasped upon entering. Dr. Shivan Sevarus turned to see her enter. He followed her as she walked over to the bedside of her husband.
"When you said there was an emergency, I didn't know what to expect," Isinia said, in a low tone, as she took her husband's hand in her own.
"I'm sorry, Isinia," Sevarus responded.
"How is he?" she asked, glancing at Sevarus.
"He took a few heavy blasts from Cartiron. He suffered some second degree burns to critical areas of his body," Sevarus said.
Isinia whimpered. He put a hand on her shoulder.
"He's a tough dog, Isinia. I'm sure he'll pull through," Sevarus said.
His bedside manner was impeccable. He sensed that Isinia would want some time alone with her husband. He walked back over to his terminal to finish his scans on Cruger. Isinia leaned over gently running a hand over Cruger's cheek.
"Anubis," she said quietly. "You've got to wake up. You can beat this."
After a few seconds of silence, several monitors connected to Cruger's body began to beep wildly. Isinia's eyes grew wider, as Dr. Sevarus ran over.
"Doctor?" Isinia panicked. "What's wrong?"
"He's flatlining," Sevarus said, as he gently pushed Isinia away from the bed and began procedures to save Cruger's life. The distance between the couple forced Isinia to let go of him, as several medical personnel rushed into the room, helping Dr. Sevarus to save her husband's life. Isinia watched them rush past her, as her eyes shot back at her husband, lying there, looking helpless. Tears began to form in her eyes.
On board Omallix's base in orbit of Earth, Cartiron appeared in a teleportation beam, still clinging to the child he restrained. Omallix and Jintari were both present in the throne room and noted the appearance of the two arrivals.
"Well well," Omallix said, as he approached young Sam, who looked terrified. "Welcome, Sam."
"What is this place?" Sam asked.
"This is my home and unfortunately for you, it's now yours," Omallix said, in his dark, scratchy voice.
Sam fought against Cartiron's grasp. He knew that if he could only free his hands, he could get himself out of here.
"Good work, Cartiron," Omallix spoke to his alien general.
Cartiron nodded.
"Yes," Jintari chimed in. "The Omega Ranger is at full strength and prepared to finally destroy those S.P.D. Rangers."
The three turned to look at the viewscreen in front of the throne room. Cartiron's movements forced Sam to turn as well. He didn't want to look, but somehow he couldn't turn away either. He didn't like what he was seeing.
Down on the battlefield, Omega Ranger traded punches and kicks with the Blue Ranger, but seemed to get the upper hand. A few meters away, the Pink Ranger was helping up her yellow comrade.
"Syd, we can't fight him," Z told her.
"Z, we don't have much of a choice. Did you see what he did to Sky?" Syd responded.
At that moment, they heard Bridge's wail, as the Blue Ranger went flying past them, landing a few feet away. The two took a fighting stance, turning their attention to the Omega Ranger, but they were too late. His hand was already on the throttle.
"Electro mode," he yelled, as he aimed his hand towards the ground.
A stream of lightning energy came surging towards all three of the Rangers, sending them flying into the air in a flash of yellow lightning surges.
Inside the S.P.D. Command Center, Dr. Kat Manx and E-Squad Cadet Boom watched intently, as the action played out. The Rangers weren't faring well. They watched as the Green Ranger was nailed with a swift kick to the chest, as he tried to score an aerial attack. Kat couldn't stand by doing nothing. She had to help them. Kat sent out a communications signal to Sky's morpher.
"Sky, you have to go S.W.A.T., now!" she ordered. "It may be the only way to incapacitate the Omega Ranger power."
On the other side of the communications link, the Red Ranger nodded.
"Right," he yelled, as he ran to the side of his fallen comrades. "All right, Rangers. S.W.A.T. mode, now!"
Instantly, the five Rangers were outfitted with their Special Weapons and Tactics and back on their feet. With their Delta Enforcers drawn, the five all fired at the Omega Ranger. While trying to block the attacks, he was forcefully pushed back towards the second patrol jeep. When he got too close, Jack stunned them all. He molecularized his body and passed right through the solid vehicle.
"What?" the Pink Ranger shouted.
"How?" the Blue Ranger shouted.
"He can't do that! We can't do that!" the Red Ranger yelled.
No Ranger had been able to use their genetic powers while morphed. But, Jack now did. The blasts from their enforcers lit up the patrol jeep, instead of the Omega Ranger, causing the vehicle to catch fire. Now on the other side of it, Jack reached for the throttle again.
"Omega morpher muscle mode!" he yelled.
Using his enhanced strength, he grabbed the bottom of the jeep. His suit protected him from the heat, as he lifted it high enough to throw forcefully at the other five Rangers. The five all dived in different directions, as the fiery gas-filled jeep came crashing to the ground, exploding. The intensity of the blast sent the Rangers flying even more forcefully to the ground.
Back inside the Command Center, Boom & Kat looked concerned.
"Oh no!" Boom shouted. "I don't think S.W.A.T. mode's enough."
"It will be," Kat said, as she stormed off towards the doors. "Boom, let's go."
Once outside the Command Center, Boom followed Kat's lead, still not knowing what was going on.
"Where are we going?" Boom asked.
"We have to give the Rangers a little extra help," Kat explained, as they turned a corner.
Just then, the S.P.D. computer's monotone, female voice could be heard.
"Dr. Manx to the Infirmary. Dr. Manx to the Infirmary."
"What now?" Kat screamed in frustration.
She stopped at the closest communications panel on the corridor wall and activated it, calling down to the Infirmary.
"This is Kat. What's going on?"
From the other end, she heard the sad voice of Isinia Cruger. She could tell the Sirian female was crying.
"Kat! It's Doggie. He's been taken to surgery. It doesn't look good," Isinia said.
Kat closed her eyes for a moment, taking in the gravity of the situation. Her mind started racing. She took her hand off the communications panel and kept walking down the corridor. Boom was too afraid to ask anymore questions. He knew Kat had to be thinking the worse. They reached the fork at the end of this road. On one side was a corridor that led to the Infirmary and the opposite corridor led to the vehicle holding bay. Boom watched Kat's gaze as it looked in both directions. She took a deep breath and made her choice.
"Let's go Cadet," Kat said, as she pressed on. "The Rangers need our help."
Pushing part of her personal feelings aside, Kat raced down the corridor to her left, followed closely by Boom. She apologized mentally to Isinia, as she knew she would later, in person. It didn't take long for the duo to arrive at their destination. Kat & Boom walked into the large, two-story vehicle holding bay. She grabbed a remote device from the wall and pushed a few buttons. A large panel on the wall to her right slid open. The S.W.A.T. Command Truck, which was hidden behind it, slid out of the wall on an automatic conveyor.
Kat walked right over to the vehicle and began inspecting it. Boom was a few paces behind, as he paused for a second to glance at the Uniforce Cycle. The last time he saw it in action was when the Omega Ranger from the future used it. Boom's mind veered back to the battle going on in Luna Province. He winced, as he joined Kat at the S.W.A.T. truck.
"Kat, I don't understand what you're planning to do," Boom said aloud.
"The laser cannon mounted on top of the truck might be able to incapacitate Jack long enough for the Rangers to bring him in, if I can make a few modifications," Kat said.
"I'll get your tools," Boom said, as he ran a few feet away and pushed an activation button that caused a drawer to slide out from the wall, revealing a case of tools, which he rushed back over to Kat, as she climbed inside the truck.
Aboard Omallix's base, Felix & Charlie were still watching intently, as the battle between the Omega Ranger and his former S.P.D. comrades played out. Felix had been shaking his head ever since Jack used his genetic powers while morphed. He started pacing around the room.
"What's wrong, doctor?" Charlie asked. "You don't like seeing the fruits of your labor?"
"Not when they're used like this," Felix said, angrily. "Forcing me to integrate the Omega powers into his genetic code was dastardly. Jack deserves better than any of this."
"Speak for yourself," Charlie said. "I am personally enjoying the view. I can't think of anything more poetic than those filthy Rangers being destroyed by their old friend in their future friend's suit."
"Poetic? You're disgust—" Then something occurred to Felix. He glared at Charlie. "How?"
"What?" Charlie looked confused.
"How did you know? How did you know about Sam being Omega Ranger? You had to know about Sam being in S.P.D. now. That's the only way the Omega powers could have worked. You needed a DNA sample. How did you know?"
"I guess the cat's out of the bag," Charlie said, as she smiled. She leaned in close to the Felix.
"You told us," she whispered.
"No, I didn't," Felix looked incredulous. "What are you talking about?"
"Well, you didn't actually tell us literally, but your mind betrays you," Charlie said, as she walked around the laboratory, grazing her fingers across the walls. "Let's just say that the walls have ears and when the kitty sleeps, they listen."
"You've got the laboratory bugged?"
"In a way," Charlie said, with a chuckle. "It's actually quite ingenious. Jintari's very crafty. You see, there are tiny microscopic scanners in the walls that allow us to really see what you're thinking, but only when your brain is at it's most inactive point...when you sleep."
"That is a violation," Felix said, looking shocked.
"Don't be so dramatic," Charlie shot back.
"You're probing my brain!" Felix shouted. "Is that why you never let me out of here?"
"Well, if we had you sleeping somewhere else, it wouldn't really work. The scanners have to be patched in through Jintari's lab so that he can download the information," Charlie said with a smile. "It's been extremely helpful."
Inside the S.P.D. vehicle holding bay, Kat finished her modifications and stepped out of the S.W.A.T. Command Truck. Boom was right behind her. She took her case of tools from him. He started to step out.
"Boom, what are you doing?" Kat asked.
"Huh?" Boom looked confused.
"We don't have time to lose. I need you to drive the S.W.A.T. truck out to the Rangers," Kat said.
"Me?"
"Yes, Boom. I've got to get back to the Command Center to monitor the situation," Kat said.
Boom stared at Kat, looking like a deer in the headlights. He took a deep breath. Part of him couldn't help but remember the last S.P.D. officer who took that vehicle out. Officer G'laktu didn't survive to return it.
"Okay," he responded. "For the Rangers."
"They're counting on you, Boom. So am I," Kat said. "When you get there, make sure the Rangers know the laser cannon is the only thing that will stop Omega."
Boom nodded in agreement and disappeared inside. Kat walked over near the entrance and pressed a few commands on the remote device. The doors to the holding bay opened, as the S.W.A.T. Command Truck turned on the conveyor. Within moments, Boom kicked it into high gear and sped off, headed for Luna Province. Kat just hoped he'd make it there in time.
Back inside the laboratory on the second floor of Omallix's base, Felix glared at Charlie.
"You are absolutely despicable. I thought there was something redeeming in you, but now I see you are completely evil, just like them," Felix yelled in anger.
Then, the doors to the laboratory slid open. The two glanced over as Cartiron stepped inside. Felix's eyes grew wide, as he saw young Sam in his grasp. He tossed the boy on the floor and glanced at Charlie.
"Omallix wants us all in his throne room," Cartiron spoke to her.
Charlie nodded, as Cartiron stared back at Sam and chuckled.
"We will meet again little one, and the next time will be your last," he said.
Charlie huffed, as she looked back at Felix. "Wish I could say the same for you," she said, as she joined Cartiron at the doorway. "Oh, and thanks for the compliments, doctor. You have sweet dreams."
Cartiron & Charlie exited, after Charlie gave the doctor an evil grin. Felix heard the slight click of the doors being locked, as he ran over to Sam, kneeling beside him on the floor.
"Sam, are you hurt?"
"My hand," Sam said, as he showed the large cut to Felix.
Seeing it, Felix sighed to himself, realizing just how they had activated the Omega Ranger powers. It was all his fault. He helped Sam off the floor.
"Come on. Let's fix this," Felix said, knowing the bigger problem at hand wasn't going to be fixed so easily.
On the battlefield, the Rangers were giving it all they had, but the blasts from their Delta Enforcers didn't seem to have any effect on Jack, since he could just phase himself out of their range. The Red Ranger ducked behind the patrol cycle, where he found his second-in-command.
"Bridge, we have to do something," Sky said, beneath his helmet.
"You're telling me," Bridge said, sounding desperate. "Any ideas?"
"Divide and conquer," Sky said. "It's all we have. He can't attack us if he's phased."
"But, we can't attack him when he's phased either," Bridge responded.
"That's why we need a distraction."
"Jack, please!" they heard Z's voice yelling.
"Distraction," Bridge & Sky said at the same time.
With their Delta Enforcers drawn, they ran out from behind the patrol cycle and headed in Jack's direction, as he walked towards Z, who had her weapon lowered.
"Jack, I know you're in there. I know my friend is in there...somewhere," she said, beneath her helmet.
Several feet away, the Pink Ranger yelled. "Z, get outta there!"
"No!" Z yelled back. "It's Jack. He can't really hurt us. I know it."
Still phased, he got right in front of her and unphased himself, just as his gloved hand grabbed her at the throat.
"Oh, yes. I can hurt you," Jack said, through gritted teeth.
His grip began to clench around her throat when he was blasted from behind by the Red & Blue Rangers. Both the Omega & Yellow Rangers fell to the ground. With her friend down, Z scrambled to her knees, seeing the smoke coming off of the Omega Ranger suit.
"Jack! Are you all right?" Z yelled.
The sirens from the S.W.A.T. Command Truck could be heard, as the vehicle approached. The Pink & Green Rangers ran over to greet the arriving artillery, as Sky & Bridge still had their weapons trained on the downed Omega. The door to the vehicle slid open and Boom's head popped out.
"Looks like I'm too late," he said.
"I'm not so sure," Quinn said, as he pointed.
The three all looked over at Jack, who began to stir.
"Kat says the laser cannon might be the only thing strong enough to stop him," Boom told them.
"I'll tell Sky," Syd said, as she ran off in the direction of the Red & Blue Rangers.
"Good job, Boom," Quinn said to him. "You better stay inside, though."
"You'll get no argument from me," Boom said, as he disappeared back inside, as the doors slid closed.
After relaying Boom's message to Sky, Syd took his place at Bridge's side, aiming her Delta Enforcer at Jack. Meanwhile, the Red Ranger got a running start and took to the sky, launching himself off the ground and landing on top of the S.W.A.T. truck. He took his position in the cannon's control seat, strapping himself in, just in case. Through his S.W.A.T. helmet's modifications, he knew he could hear what was happening in the truck and Boom could hear him using the instruments inside.
"All right, Boom," Sky spoke up. "Get ready. We just need a clear shot."
The Omega Ranger began getting to his feet.
"Z, move out of the way," Syd yelled.
"No. I can't," she shouted back, beneath her yellow helmet.
She began helping Jack to his feet, but he immediately yanked his arm from her helping hand.
"Jack, please. Just let me help you. I'm your friend," Z said.
"You are my enemy!" Jack yelled back at her.
"Z, move now!" Sky yelled.
Z turned at that moment and saw him sitting atop the S.W.A.T. Command Truck. Beneath her helmet, her eyes widened, as she pieced together his plan.
"No!" she yelled. "You can't!"
"It's the only way, Z," Bridge said nearby, his weapons still trained on Jack.
The Omega Ranger could feel his disorientation wearing off from the last blasts. He looked to the Delta Enforcers trained on him. His hand went for his morpher's throttle.
"No," Z said to him, as she stood between him and the blasters trained on him.
"Z, move away," Bridge yelled.
"I'll get her," Quinn spoke out, as he rushed off closer to the action.
"Get ready, Boom," Sky said. "Keep the truck steady. Here comes our chance."
Omega Ranger's attention veered at the charging Green Ranger. He twisted the throttle.
"Omega morpher blast mode," Jack shouted, as he pounded his fist into the ground, sending a stream of energy bolts trickling across the ground towards the Green Ranger.
Seeing them coming, Quinn jumped into the air, grabbing Z by the shoulders. The two rolled out of the way, as the blast from the S.W.A.T. truck's cannon was released, just as the Omega Ranger got to his feet and turned in it's direction. Sky scored a direct hit on Jack, causing the Omega Ranger to sizzle with sparks and smoke in the wave of the blast.
The Red Ranger jumped off the truck, as the Blue & Pink Rangers approached Omega. Syd kept her Delta Enforcer drawn, as the Blue Ranger knelt by the body, accessing his damage.
"He's out cold," Bridge revealed.
"We need to contain him," Sky said, as he grabbed his morpher from the front of his vest.
"No!" Z said. "He's not a criminal."
"He assaulted us. We can't guarantee that he won't wake up on the way back to the base and attack us again," Sky said.
A moment of silence swept over the group, as they all understood Sky's position, but also understood exactly who was inside that suit. Syd & Bridge both let out sighs of despair.
"Then, we'll get him there as fast as we can," Syd spoke up.
Beneath her helmet, Z smiled at Syd's support. As the Blue & Green Rangers loaded the Omega Ranger into the S.W.A.T. truck, Z climbed inside as well. The Red Ranger sighed, as he looked to the other three.
"Okay, let's get moving. Syd, go with Quinn. Get the other patrol jeep back to Headquarters. The second one's scrapped. Bridge you lead the way."
"Right," the three responded.
Bridge mounted his patrol cycle, as the Pink & Green Rangers hopped inside the patrol jeep.
"Uh, actually," Boom called out to Sky from the S.W.A.T. Command Truck's driver's seat, as he climbed inside. "I'll take the lead, if you don't mind."
Boom revved up the truck's engines and sped off. The three Rangers in the other two vehicles exchanged glances, before starting their engines and following.
Inside Felix's laboratory, he finished healing Sam's hand with the tissue regenerator. The kid hopped off the examination table.
"Well, I guess it's time to get outta here," Sam said.
"What are you talking about?"
"Stay close," Sam said, as he extended his now-healed hand to Felix, who took it. "We're outta here."
Sam waved his hand over them, but nothing happened. He looked confused. He tried to use his genetic powers again.
"I don't understand," Sam said.
Felix sighed. "I think I do. It's this room. It must nullify your genetic powers being in here. It makes sense. It's just like the one next door. Jack couldn't use his powers in there. You can't use yours in here."
"Jack's the Omega Ranger?" Sam said, as he walked close to the flatscreen, seeing the Rangers leaving the battle scene. "I can't believe it."
"Stick around here long enough and you'll believe anything," Felix groaned.
"How long have you been here?" Sam asked.
"Since Omallix & Charlie escaped containment the day of the fire massacre," Felix revealed to him.
"Oh no. I'm sorry," Sam said.
"Don't feel sorry for me," Felix said, as he took a deep breath and knelt down to face Sam. "We just have to make sure that you don't suffer the same fate. Now, I have a feeling that they put you in here because of your powers, which means they probably will work outside of the lab."
Sam nodded, as Felix pulled him closer, whispering his plan into his ear.
As the doors closed in the vehicle holding bay, Kat watched the S.W.A.T. Command Truck come to a stop on it's assigned conveyor, which would slide it back into place when the Rangers were done unloading. A few seconds later, a small door off to the side of the room opened. In came the unmorphed Pink, Green & Blue Rangers, who had parked their vehicles in the parking deck next door.
Kat nodded to them, as the doors to the S.W.A.T. truck slid open. Boom and Sky, now unmorphed as well, carried the Omega Ranger out followed by Z. Kat took a glance at him.
"He's still unconscious?" Kat asked.
"Thankfully," Sky said. Z frowned.
"Let's get him to a holding cell," Kat said.
"What? It's Jack!" Z protested.
"I know that, Z. We're not taking him there because he's a criminal," Kat explained. "We're taking him there because it's the only place on the base where his genetic powers won't work. I can run some tests from there to figure out what's going on with him."
Kat headed for the doorway, followed by Boom & Sky carrying their cargo. The others followed, until Kat stopped at the exit doors.
"There's something else you should all know. Commander Cruger's in surgery. His injuries from Cartiron's attack were pretty bad," Kat said.
"Oh no," Syd said, as she frowned.
"You guys go check on him," Sky said to her, Quinn and Bridge. "We'll take care of Jack."
The three rushed off, as Kat led the way to the holding cells.
"My master, they've taken your weapon," Cartiron stated the obvious.
Omallix slammed his fist on his self-appointed throne.
"I don't like this," he spoke aloud.
"Do not worry," Jintari said. "The Omega Ranger will not bend to their human whims. He's already programmed to fight for us."
"In my experience, Jintari, the human spirit is a hard thing to break," Omallix stated, glaring at Jintari.
"Especially S.P.D.'s," Charlie chimed in.
"Landors is still under our control. Once he comes around, I have no doubts that he will break free of the Rangers' clutches," Jintari said, still proud of the work he had done to cloud Jack's mind of his own thoughts.
"I hope you're right," Omallix said.
"Well, at least we still have the kid," Charlie said. "He could be of some use."
"The child is meaningless," Omallix said. "I have no more use for him now that the Omega Ranger powers have been activated. He must be eliminated."
Deep down, Charlie was a bit surprised at the announcement. Then, she realized that this was Omallix talking. No price was ever too high for him and he was willing to sacrifice any life on a whim, especially if it was affiliated with S.P.D.
Kat finished her scans and exited the holding cell, deep within S.P.D. Headquarters. On the outside, Sky & Z were standing, watching the Omega Ranger lying inside the cell. The opposite mindsets of Sky and Z were on full display. Sky was watching for any possible movement from Jack. He didn't want another fight to break out, especially inside Headquarters.
Z, on the other hand was watching, hoping for Jack to wake up. She wanted her friend back and she wanted answers as to what was going on. She knew in her heart that there was no way Jack could be evil. Something else was going on here and she was hoping Kat had the answer. She stood between the two cadets, as the glass bars on the cell slid into place, trapping their friend inside.
"Is he all right?" Z asked.
"He's just sleeping," Kat revealed. "He's already regained consciousness."
"Good. Maybe now that he's subdued he'll tell us what that attack was all about," Sky said.
"It wasn't his fault," Z said. "It couldn't be."
"It's going to take me some time to analyze the data I just collected. I can tell you this. I'm getting some erratic brainwaves from him," Kat explained. "Whatever's going on in his head, it's pretty intense."
"Okay," Sky said. "Keep me posted. I'll be in the Infirmary. I'm going to check on Cruger."
Kat nodded to Sky, as she exited the holding area. Sky was about to follow, when he noticed Z hadn't moved from her spot, standing in front of the cell. Sky peeked back inside the cell. Jack hadn't moved.
"Z, you coming?" he asked.
"Gimme a few minutes," Z responded. She never took her eyes off the morphed Ranger in the cell.
Sky simply nodded and exited. Now all alone, Z walked as close to the cell bars as she could.
"Jack," she called out. There was no response or movement. "Jack," she raised her voice, but again there was no response.
Z turned to leave. As she got to the end of the holding area's hallway, she heard a groan. There weren't any other prisoners being held there, so she knew exactly where it came from. Z sprinted back to Jack's cell, as she saw him now sitting up, with his head lowered. She couldn't help but wonder if he had feigned his sleepy state, waiting for her to leave. The Jack she knew was crafty. But, this wasn't the Jack she knew. His behavior the last few hours had her baffled.
"Jack," Z called out again.
The Omega Ranger slowly raised his head. She knew he was looking right at her. She could feel his eyes staring at her, even through that helmet.
"Jack, what happened?"
There was no response.
"Jack, do you recognize me?" Z asked. "Do you know where you are?"
Part of Z knew Sky would throw a fit if he knew she was questioning his prisoner without him. But, the other part of her didn't care what Sky felt right now. It wasn't like Jack was answering her anyway.
"Jack...please talk to me," Z said, looking somber. Why wasn't he answering, she thought to herself.
Z sighed, closing her eyes.
"Do you remember what happened the day of the fire wave?" Z asked, hoping that would spark some kind of memory for Jack. "I got your letter. I know you took Ally to Luna Province. You wrote that you were going to propose to her. What happened to Ally?"
After a few tense seconds, the morphed Jack stood up and walked swiftly towards Z. She instinctively took two steps back away from the bars, as he collided with them, causing electric shocks to zap him away. He was knocked down to one knee. Z stared, as she saw his hands form fists. She heard a low groan from him.
"Just talk to me," Z said. "Tell me what happened."
"I...must destroy you," he spoke. His tone was low and dark, something Z had never heard before.
Z frowned, as she looked at him. "Then we're gonna have a problem, because I can't destroy you, but I can't let you hurt anyone else either."
Her tone was dark, as well, which surprised her. She didn't know what to do. For years she depended on Jack to be there for her, to help her get the answers to her questions. Now, she was going to have to put her faith in someone else to find the answers she needed. Z turned and exited the holding bay, leaving her best friend behind.
Isinia Cruger paced inside the small waiting room that led to the surgical unit. Walking in the halls of S.P.D. Headquarters, one might pass this area and never even know that life and death struggles were going on inside just a few feet down the hall from the humble Infirmary where cuts and bruises were healed in an instant. The bruises from this day wouldn't heal quickly, if at all, Isinia thought to herself as she looked around the room.
The waiting room had two doors. One led into the hallway and the other led into the surgical unit itself. Isinia stood in the middle of the room. On her left, she saw Syd, Bridge and Quinn seated in a row of three chairs, all looking somber, worried for their leader. On her right was another row of three chairs, but they were empty. She glanced near the door behind her and saw Sky leaning against the wall there with his arms folded, almost as still as a statue. Some part of her, the part that was forever linked to her husband, wanted to reach out to them and comfort them. But at this moment, she was the one who needed comfort. Isinia began to cry.
All four of the cadets noticed. Syd rose from her chair and put an arm around Mrs. Cruger.
"Oh, Isinia," Syd said, sadly. "Here, let's sit down."
She led Isinia to the row of three empty chairs and they sat. Across from them, Quinn & Bridge shared a troubling glance. They hadn't known Cruger's wife for very long, but they always knew she had a strong soul. They watched her lower her head in her hands, as she sobbed.
Isinia jerked up at the sound of doors sliding open. However, they weren't the doors she was looking for. Z entered from the hallway. Isinia wiped her eyes. Z was going through her own hell. Kat had stopped in earlier, telling Isinia about the situation with Jack on her way back to the Command Center after she had sent Boom out to assist them. She had done enough crying then. She didn't need to break down again.
"Any word on DC?" Z asked, as she looked around the waiting room.
Quinn nodded negatively.
"He's been in surgery almost an hour," Bridge said, quietly, trying not to show his fear and keep calm in front of Doggie's wife.
"Did Jack say anything?" Sky asked.
"No," Z said, as she sat down in the empty chair next to Syd and Isinia. Z sighed. "He's awake though."
All four of the other cadets turned their heads quickly in Z's direction.
"And he didn't say anything?" Sky asked again.
"He tried to escape, until he realized he couldn't phase through the bars," Z said. "I just don't understand. Like it's Jack moving and talking, but it's not our Jack."
"I know what you mean," Syd said. "He was brutal out there."
"I never thought I'd say this but Jack is really good as Omega Ranger," Bridge said, shaking his head.
"He sure kicked our butts," Quinn added.
"I don't understand how all of this happened," Z said. "Jack just disappears after the massacre. Then, he shows up, writes me some letters and has Omega power."
"Omallix," Sky said loudly.
A blanket of silence crept over the room, as everyone, including Isinia looked over at Sky, leaning on the wall.
"It's Omallix. He did this. Who else would have a reason to send our own teammate out to destroy us?" Sky said. "He's been playing head games with us for over a month."
"I know I've got a headache from all his mind games," Bridge said, as he scratched his head.
"If that's true," Z said. "He's gone too far this time."
The doors to the waiting room slid open and Kat Manx entered, looking serious.
"Sky's right. Omallix is behind this," Kat stated.
Everyone gave her strange looks.
"Kat, how did you know what we were talking about?" Syd asked.
Kat rubbed her ear.
"Extra sensitive ears," she said, with a grim smile.
"So, you've found some evidence?" Sky asked.
Kat walked further into the room, standing in the middle.
"I have. After my scans on Jack, I've discovered that—"
Kat stopped mid-sentence as the doors to the surgical unit opened and Dr. Sevarus walked out, wearing his scrubs. Isinia shot up out of her seat.
"Shivan, how's Anubis?" she asked.
She asked the same thing that every other being in that room wanted to ask. They all locked eyes with Dr. Sevarus for the answer.
"He pulled through surgery," Sevarus said, proudly. "He's going to be fine."
Sighs of relief were heard throughout the room. Kat reached out, giving Isinia a warm hug.
"He's going to be laid up for a bit, but he'll be back on his feet soon," Sevarus said.
"Can I see him?" Isinia asked.
"Yes. But for now, only you. He needs his rest. He's being transferred back to the Infirmary so I can watch him more closely. Come on," Sevarus said, as he put an arm around Isinia, leading her out.
Now alone with the cadets, Kat took a deep breath.
"Kat, what were you saying about Jack?" Sky asked, wanting to get his mind on a problem he could deal with, unlike Cruger's situation.
"Oh, right. The scans I ran on Jack showed some things we already know. He's got the Omega Ranger powers. When Jintari & Charlie infiltrated the base they stole prototype data that could be used to reconstruct Omega Ranger's morpher," Kat explained.
"What?" Syd said, loudly.
"Why didn't you tell us that? You said they took plans for some kind of artillery," Sky said, looking troubled.
"Commander Cruger and I didn't want to burden you with the details," Kat said, as she heard groans from the cadets. "We didn't think he'd be able to activate the powers."
"Why not?" Bridge asked. "They found a way to clone Cruger. They're capable of anything."
"The only way the Omega Ranger powers can be activated is with DNA from the original owner," Kat said.
"Sam!" Z shouted. "That's why Cartiron took Sam."
Kat nodded in agreement.
"Oh no," Syd said. "This is not good."
"Rangers, there's more," Kat said. "Jack's more connected to the Omega powers than I could have imagined. I kept trying to figure out how he used his genetic abilities while he was morphed. I discovered that somehow Jintari has managed to link Jack's genetic code to the power itself."
"Why would they do that?" Quinn asked.
"My guess is Jintari thought Jack's DNA could power the morpher and somewhere along the way they figured out it didn't work. But, the design, if you can call it that, is gruesome," Kat said.
"What do you mean?" Z said.
"The morpher is literally connected to Jack's body. It's almost acting like a pacemaker. He needs it to survive," Kat explained.
"So Jack was hurt in the massacre?" Syd said, grimly.
"This was their solution to bringing him back to life," Sky said. "If I didn't hate Omallix before, I really do now."
"Poor Jack," Bridge said, somberly.
Z had heard enough. She got up from her seat and walked out into the hallway, without a word. Quinn, Bridge & Syd all stood up quickly, but Sky put up a hand.
"Let her go," Sky said. He couldn't imagine what she was feeling right now.
Jack grumbled, as he sat on the cold hard slab at the back of the cell. The mat that was placed there didn't comfort him, but nothing comforted him these days. He was so confused. He could barely figure out where he was. All he could think about was vengeance against the faces he hated. His last visitor was one of them. He looked around the cell, as he felt a strange sensation. It was a memory, a memory of her in this cell with him. They were here together...
"There's still time for you to be part of the team," she had told him.
"Ha ha. Never," he spoke back to her. "You know, we were a team, Z. I can't believe you just broke that up for nothing."
The memory echoed in his head. Jack hit the side of his helmet with his palm, as if he could knock the memory free of his clouded mind. These people were the enemy. He couldn't be part of their team. He heard footsteps approaching his cell. He stood up, as he saw her walk in front of his cell again. Standing in the middle of the holding cell, Jack glared at her from underneath his helmet. He tilted his head slightly, trying to remember why he hated her.
"Jack," Z called out. "Are you ready to talk about what happened to you, and to Ally?"
The Omega Ranger slowly looked down at the ground. The sound of that name shook him to his core. He could hear and feel the memories flooding back to him. He was somewhere else, some place beautiful...
"Thank you, Jack. This is all so wonderful," Ally said. "I couldn't imagine being in a more perfect place."
"Well, get ready, because this day's not over yet and I have a feeling that before it ends, we'll both have exactly what we want," Jack responded.
It wasn't what he wanted. He wanted to protect her, to save her. He couldn't.
"Ally!"
He screamed like he never had before in his life. He saw her incinerated before his eyes. Jack couldn't stand the pain, as it welled up inside of him. He began violently shaking his head. He could feel it hitting the side of his helmet.
Outside of the cell, Z looked worried when she saw Jack shaking, clutching his helmet.
"Jack! What's wrong?"
Jack fell to his knees, as the memories of being in this cell with her started to come back to him. He could hear another voice, talking to them, telling them something...
"This Academy trains cadets to be the most elite crime-fighting force known to man, the Power Rangers. We defend the Earth against the darkest evils in the galaxy."
It was a dog, a big blue dog, talking to them.
Confusion set in. Darkest evils in the galaxy? Jack's thoughts were racing. They were the evil. He knew it to be true. It must be true. He had to escape, to free himself of these images in his head. There was only one way he knew how.
"Z," he called out. His voice was low, desperate. "Help me."
Z's face went blank. That was the Jack she knew. He needed her.
"Open," Z spoke out as she got closer to the bars.
They slid open and Z rushed inside, trying to help Jack up. As he got to his feet, he elbowed Z in the stomach and grabbed her by the neck, pushing her backwards, almost off her feet. He pushed her out of the cell and all the way back to the wall. Z crashed into the metal wall hard.
"Jack...no," she grumbled. It was hard for her to say anything given Jack's grasp of her neck.
It was then that he saw his thumb had snagged on something around her neck. Jack grabbed it with his free hand. It was a ring on a chain. Seeing it caused Jack's mind to race once again. It was for Ally. Z was the enemy. She took it away. She took it all away. His grasp tightened.
Panicking, Z reached out one hand, trying to break his grip. With the other, she tried to reach the alarm on the wall, but she was too far away. Jack ripped the chain from around her neck and dropped her to the floor, before running off. Choking and holding her neck, Z crawled over to the alarm panel, sounding it.
Inside the S.P.D. Command Center, things were quiet and the place was pretty bare, Boom noticed, as he manned the main console in the middle of the room. That was the biggest reason he didn't mind taking over when Kat asked him. She had work to do.
The alarms sounded. Boom ran his fingers across the control panel, zooming in on the source.
"Oh no," Boom said in a scared tone. "I've got to alert the Rangers."
With the press of a few more buttons, he was patched through to Sky, who was standing in the Rec Room, along with Syd, Quinn and Bridge.
"Boom, what's going on?"
"Jack's escaped from his holding cell."
"What?" Bridge said, looking surprised. "How?"
"I don't know, but Z's there and her vital signs are all over the place," Boom said, as he scanned that area. He looked confused. "It looks like he's heading south on Level 13, Corridor 2. Wait! Now, he's on Level 12. How'd he do that?"
"He got Z," Syd said.
"And he's using his genetic powers," Quinn added.
"Let's move," Sky said. "We can't let Jack leave."
The four cadets rushed out of the Rec Room, running at top speed. As they passed cadets and officers, they moved out of the way, making room for B-Squad and wondering what was going on. They were on Level 10 and Corridor 2 wasn't far away. If their suspicions were correct, Jack was traveling downward, without using stairs or an elevator. The four turned the corner, with Sky in front, just as the form of the Omega Ranger came falling straight through the ceiling. He turned quickly seeing them.
His hand went for his morpher's throttle and without thinking, Sky dove at him, grabbing his arm and preventing the power up. Jack struggled to break his grip on his arm, as the other three all pulled their laser pistols, aiming at the duo.
"I can't get a clear shot. Quinn?" Bridge yelled.
"No. Sky's too close," Quinn replied.
"I don't think it would work anyway," Syd said.
Sky's tactics weren't working either. At that moment, Jack used his strength to gain the upper hand. Instead of fighting Sky's grip, Jack grabbed hold of Sky's arm as well. He pulled him closer, planting a knee in Sky's stomach. He then used all of his strength to throw Sky towards the other three Rangers.
Without a second to lose, Quinn dropped his pistol and grabbed hold of Bridge & Syd. He used his genetic power to lift all three of them off the ground and out of the way. Sky, however, went flying further down the hallway. While in motion, he created a forcefield to try to slow his momentum down, but it wasn't enough to prevent him from crashing into the wall at the end of the corridor.
While Jack regained his bearings, the other three Rangers hovered near the ceiling. Syd took deep breath, reaching her hand up and touched the reinforced steel ceiling. She used her other hand to free herself from Quinn's grip on her waist.
"Fist of steel," Syd yelled, as she launched downward, aiming for Jack.
Thinking quick, the Omega Ranger took one step back, which caused her steel fist to hit the floor, as she landed on one knee. Syd popped right back up to her feet, swinging her fist for his stomach, but Jack blocked it and every blow she attempted after that. He hit a swift kick, which sent Syd flying. Quinn & Bridge landed right behind her, catching her.
"Omega morpher, hyper mode!" Jack yelled, twisting the throttle, preparing to light them up with a barrage of punching attacks, especially the pink one in front.
His fist began to glow and he could feel his power increasing, along with his speed. He aimed, just as Sky jumped in front of the attack.
"Noooo!" Sky yelled, as he stepped in front of Syd and was hit with a flurry of punches.
The force of the attack sent Sky backwards, knocking the three behind him down as well. Jack couldn't wait any longer. He started running at top speed down the corridor. The four Rangers groaned, just as Z Delgado came running around the corner. She saw Jack disappear through the wall at the end of the hallway that Sky had crashed into minutes before. Seeing the others down, she knelt at their side.
"You guys okay?"
"Does it look like it?" Sky said, through the pain he felt in his body.
"We have to go after Jack," she said.
"How? He's gone," Syd said.
"I know," Bridge said, as he got to his feet.
He closed his eyes and pressed his fingers to his temple. He concentrated, reaching out with his mind, through the voices of all the others inside the base. He needed to hear what Jack was thinking.
"Have to escape," Bridge said out loud, as he channeled Jack's mind. "Need to remember how...this place. I need to remember."
As Bridge relayed Jack's thoughts, he began walking down the hallway, closely followed by the team. As he got clearer readings, his pace quickened. Soon, he was running. The others didn't hesitate to keep up.
Several corridors away, Jack turned a corner, making quick glances behind him, to see if any of them were close. He heard something. Someone was coming. He ducked inside the first door he saw. Inside Jack found another familiar setting, but he couldn't place it. The beds, the monitors, they all seemed familiar. It was then that he caught a glimpse of a body on one of those beds that also seemed familiar.
Isinia Cruger had been lying on her husband's arm. She was resting her eyes until the doors to the Infirmary slid open and deposited a familiar form inside. Isinia instinctively stood up at Cruger's side, upon the sight of the Omega Ranger. Her heart began to race, as he came closer to Cruger's bed. Her husband was still sleeping from the sedatives he had been given. He was coming too close. She put up a hand.
"Please, Jack stop," Isinia said.
Jack looked at her, tilting his head. She knew his name. They all knew his name. Was she the enemy too? He looked back at the blue creature on the bed. He was familiar. He was the one who spoke to him in the cell...when was that? When was he here and why? Jack wondered. It was a long time ago. A long long time...
"I see potential in you. You can serve your time in prison or you can become part of something bigger, something that makes a difference."
He remembered the blue dog telling him that. He would no longer be imprisoned. He turned away from the canine couple and that's when his eyes saw something else. It was...he couldn't remember his name. He tried harder. He wanted to remember...
"All right. All right. I'll pick up your little gift and meet you at Luna Province before the sun sets. Should be no problem," Piggy said.
"Let's just say it's gonna require some payments," Jack said, with a sigh.
"Well, it'll be in good hands, I promise..."
A promise? A promise that ended. His hands clenched into fists again. He raised his right hand and looked at the ring on the chain. Ally? He needed her. She could help him remember.
Isinia watched in fear as Jack walked back to the doors. They slid open, just as Dr. Sevarus was walking towards them. The Omega Ranger went running, pushing the doctor into the wall across the hall. Isinia trotted over closer to the door.
"Shivan, are you all right?"
"Yes," Sevarus responded, holding his chest, as he got to his feet.
Isinia's hand pressed the closest communications panel. "This is the Infirmary. Jack just left here."
Sevarus looked down the hallway in the direction he had run.
"It looks like he may be heading for the exit," he said.
Boom patched the information through the communications systems, as Kat came rushing into the Command Center, taking up a position next to him. Kat looked at the signal of Jack's movement throughout the base, when he started phasing through walls. She shook her head. She re-opened the communications link to the Rangers. The five of them were all running as fast as they could.
"No. He's not heading for the main exit," Kat said. "It looks like he's going for the vehicle holding bay."
Moments later, Jack unphased himself and looked around the vast vehicle holding bay. He looked around, looking for something, anything to help him get free of this place. It was then that he spotted the Uniforce Cycle. He hopped aboard the vehicle that matched his suit and started the engine. He couldn't remember if he was terribly familiar with it, but like everything else in this place, it wasn't new. The doors to the holding bay opened behind him. He saw the five cadets enter. He sped off, crashing straight through the doors that led to the outside exit on the opposite end of the room.
Within moments, he was gone. Sky let out a loud groan.
"We're too late," he said.
"I'm sorry guys," Bridge said.
"It's not your fault," Syd responded.
"Rangers."
Sky whipped out his morpher, as Kat's voice was heard.
"Go," he said.
"I'm tracking the Uniforce Cycle. It's headed south. It looks like Jack may be going back to Luna Province."
"We're on our way," Sky said.
"Why didn't I think to implant him with a microscopic camera, like we did with the Cruger clone?" Jintari groaned at his station aboard Omallix's base.
His scans of the S.P.D. Command Base didn't turn up anything. They couldn't turn up anything. Ever since their escape from prison, S.P.D. had beefed up security protocols and they couldn't use their technology to invade the base and scan the area.
"I fear that this plan may be ending," Cartiron said, nearby.
Omallix, who had been quiet for almost an hour since the Omega Ranger had been taken by S.P.D., stood up and walked over to Cartiron.
"I will not except defeat. Not now, not ever!" Omallix said to Cartiron's face.
"Neither will I, master," Cartiron said. "But, we must face facts. S.P.D. has captured your weapon."
"Wait!"
The two turned at the sound of Jintari's voice.
"I'm picking up Omega Ranger's signal. He's headed towards the spot where we dropped him off. The Rangers are pursuing," he explained.
"Yes," Omallix spoke. "Things are not as hopeless as they seem, are they Cartiron?"
"Sir, let me go down and...assist him with his escape."
"No," Omallix said. "I have a feeling that our new friend can take care of himself. Jintari, patch your monitor into the main viewer. I want to see this play out, before I intervene."
A few meters away, Charlie sighed. Then, a beeping device in her hand sounded.
"What is that?" Omallix asked.
"It's feeding time," Charlie said, with an evil grin.
"Oh," Omallix said, as he waved his hand, signaling it was all right for her to leave. "Charlie, don't bother feeding the boy. He won't be staying long."
Charlie gave a nod, but didn't completely understand this tactic.
"Master, you will give me the honor of disposing of him?" Cartiron spoke out.
"Yes, Cartiron. He will be your reward for taking down Cruger," Omallix said, in his dark tone, but Charlie had come to know him long enough to tell that he was happy.
The Uniforce Cycle sped out into the desolate terrain of Luna Province. Jack spun his vehicle around and dismounted. He pulled the ring in his hand up to his face. It was darkened, as he looked at it from beneath the helmet. It was for Ally. He looked around. Where was she? Why couldn't he find the one thing he could clearly remember? She couldn't have been burned. He wasn't burned. How did he escape, he wondered. The sound of approaching sirens caught his attention. The patrol jeep came to a stop in front of him. Those five exited the vehicle. He took a defensive stance.
"Jack, stop. Just please listen," Z said, with her hands raised.
He saw the bruise on her neck. He didn't kill her. Could he kill her? The five of them got closer, but in an instant he was gone. For a moment, they thought he had phased, but Jack and the Uniforce Cycle were both gone, in a flash that had now become familiar. It was the same technique that Omallix used to visit Earth. It was true. Omallix had gotten a hold of Jack and he was back with him. The five cadets all sighed, upset that Jack was gone.
Aboard Omallix's base, Charlie held the tray with one hand, as she touched the security panel on the outside of the laboratory, keying in her access code to open the door. As the doors slid open, she didn't see either of the prisoners. She knew they couldn't disappear. Sam's powers wouldn't work here. It was only a second, before Felix's body came crashing into her from the side. The tray of food went flying, as they fell to the ground. Felix tried to restrain Charlie, knowing that if she got her arms or legs in control, he would be done for. Things were going perfectly. She hadn't even had time to close the doors behind her.
Sam peeked out from behind the examination table, where he had been out of sight.
"Sam, run now!" Felix yelled.
Sam headed for the door, but stopped in the doorway, turning back to Felix, who was still struggling with Charlie on the ground.
"Come on!" He yelled to him.
"I can't. Just go!" Felix yelled.
Sam winced, as he turned around, thinking back to doing the same thing to Commander Cruger earlier. He had to get help, though. Sam went charging off down the hallway. He remembered exactly where they brought him in. He reached the stairway and began running down. His small feet missed a step and he went sliding forward. A body caught him, as they were heading up the stairs. Sam's eyes closed for a second and when they opened, he saw the white suit. He looked up at the Omega Ranger.
"Jack," he said.
"Sam!" they heard Charlie's voice screaming from upstairs.
She came running down the hallway and stopped at the top of the stairs, when she saw Sam standing by Jack.
"Get him!" Charlie yelled to Jack.
Jack grabbed the boy by the collar. Charlie sneered, as she started walking down towards them.
"You know, Sam, I almost felt sorry for you. But you deserve what you're about to get," Charlie said.
As she got closer, Sam lifted his hand, waving it over himself and the Omega Ranger, causing both of them to disappear in an instant. Charlie looked shocked. She screamed louder and more angrily than she ever had before. She had no way of knowing how she would tell this to Omallix.
Sky and Syd sat in the front of the patrol jeep. They watched as Z seemed to wander around the area, looking at Jack's footprints in the ashes on the ground. Quinn and Bridge were standing out there, calling to her, telling her it was time to go back.
"It's been a long day," Sky sighed.
Syd nodded her head in agreement.
"Thanks," she said.
Sky looked over at her, confused.
"For what?"
"Earlier, in the base, you jumped in front of Jack's attack for me."
"Oh yeah," Sky responded. He managed a slight smile.
Syd did the same. She reached her hand over, taking his.
"I didn't think it could get worse," Syd said. "But, it did."
"Everything's changed in a matter of hours," Sky said.
Then, two saw something. A rippling effect deposited Sam and Jack a few feet away from Z. One of Jack's hands still grasped the ring necklace, while the other had a firm grip on the collar of the blue jumpsuit that Sam wore.
"Jack! Sam!" Z yelled.
Sky and Syd quickly jumped out of the jeep and ran over, joining the other three cadets.
"Z!" Sam yelled.
He tried to run to her, but the Omega Ranger didn't let go.
"Let him go," Sky yelled.
Jack glanced at his fisted hand, with the necklace hanging from it. Then, he glanced back at the boy. He let him go. Sam went running towards Z. He grabbed her arm tight. Her gaze never left Jack.
"It's okay, Jack," Z said. "We can fix everything. You just have to trust us."
She knew he was clinging to that ring and that meant he could remember. He just needed their help, Z thought. Jack looked back at the ring and then at her. Then, he dropped the ring on the ash-covered ground. With one swift motion, he stomped on the ring with his foot, grinding it deep into the ashy ground. Z couldn't believe it. In an instant, he was teleported away from them once again. Z instinctively went towards the spot where he dropped the ring, but Bridge grabbed her arm.
"Don't," Bridge said to her.
"What was he thinking?" Z said aloud.
"Trust me. You don't want to know," Bridge said somberly, knowing from his genetic power that Jack had given up. He just hoped they'd have another chance to help him.
Doggie Cruger's eyes fluttered open inside the Infirmary. He was confused.
"What? Where am I?" Cruger muttered.
His wife was sitting at his side.
"You're in the Infirmary."
"What am I doing here? The last thing I remember was walking with Sam and...Cartiron! He took Sam!" Cruger said, as he tried to get up, but Isinia pushed him back down on the bed.
"It's okay. It's okay. Sam's here. He's fine," she told him.
"The Rangers got him back," Cruger surmised.
"In a way," Isinia said.
Cruger gave her a confused look.
"Don't worry about that now," Isinia said. "You'll be back up to speed in no time."
The doors to the Infirmary opened and Dr. Sevarus walked in, accompanied by Kat Manx. Right behind them were Sky, Syd, Bridge and Quinn.
"We heard you might be waking up soon," Kat said, as she glanced at Sevarus.
"How are you feeling?" Quinn asked.
"I'll be all right," Cruger said, nodding to them.
"Glad to hear it, sir," Sky said. "We've got a lot to talk about and we need our commander."
"I'm glad to be back," Cruger said.
"Well, you're not quite back yet, sir," Dr. Sevarus explained. "You're going to need a couple more days of bed rest."
"Don't worry. He's going to get it," Isinia said.
"I'm in good hands," Cruger said, looking at his wife. He looked back at his cadets and couldn't help but notice one was missing.
"Where's Z?"
Z entered the Rec Room, looking around. Then, she spotted who she was looking for. She walked over to a small chair, where Sam was sitting all by himself.
"Hey," Z said.
"Hey."
"I'm sorry," Z said.
"For what?"
"For not being there. I've been kinda wrapped up in other things, but I don't want you to think that I don't care," she said.
"I know you do, Z. Jack's your best friend. You had to try to help him."
"Yeah, but I wanted to help you too," Z smiled. "Not that you needed it. You did good. You held your own and used your head."
"I couldn't have done it without Dr. Felix's help. I'm sorry he's still up there," Sam said.
"Well, thanks to you, we know where he is and we are going to do everything in our power to help bring him home," Z said, in a determined tone.
Sam knew she was telling the truth. Then, he frowned.
"What about Jack?" he asked. "Do you think he'll come back too?"
Z sighed deeply. She knew that Jack would be in their midst again. Unfortunately, Z didn't know whether that would be a good thing or a bad thing anymore.
"Of course I do," Z said simply.