Author's Note: Well folks, we've reached the end...sorta. Part 2 will be coming next week. I just want to take this space to thank all of you for reading and for the responses, good and bad. I'll definitely be posting my future work here, so look out for it. Thanks again.

POWER RANGERS: SPACE PATROL DELTA
YEAR TWO

"DESTRUCTION, 1"

What happens when you're tired?

Tired of struggling. Tired of hurting. Tired of crying. I've asked myself that question a lot in the last two days. I've grown tired. Tired of the conflict. Tired of the dying. Tired of the destruction. In a year, I've come so far, further than I ever imagined and further than I ever wanted. I've seen the loss, experienced it first hand. I've fought the battles. Whether they were won or lost, each one of those fights left me bruised. I won't heal soon.

But that's my burden. The only thing I can do now is stop the bruises. Stop them before they get too big, too much for my body, my mind to handle. We've all come so far. We've all lost so much. But, in the back of my mind, even as I saw my best friend die before me, I knew that we had also learned so much. The lessons were taught. It was tough and it was hard, but we learned. And it's then that I discovered the answer to my question. What happens when you're tired?

You stand up and fight. You don't give up, because you know the biggest test is still to come. We've learned the lessons and now it's time to put them to work. So, we fight to the end and we don't let anything stop us.

Z Delgado opened her eyes, as if she had just woken from a year-long dream. But this was no dream. She was still in the corridor, still inside S.P.D. Headquarters, still in front of that wall. In the last day, she had found herself in that position often. The plaque that hung before her was like honey and she was the bee. There wasn't much of him left in this place, but this was going to be here forever, much like Jack's spirit in her heart.

Sam turned the corner and saw Z standing there. He lowered his eyes a bit as he slowly walked over to her. Sam noticed her eyes never left the plaque on the wall, a tribute to a fallen friend. He stood next to Z and stared at the golden plaque hanging in front of them.

In Tribute to Jack Landors...
Forever a Friend, Forever a Ranger, Forever S.P.D.
Forever Missed
(2006-2026)

"I don't like it," Sam said.

Z looked confused as she peered down at the boy, half-her size, but growing by the minute.

"Why not?"

"It doesn't remind me of Jack," Sam responded.

Z smiled a bit.

"It's not really supposed to," she said, quietly. "Nothing can remind us more of Jack than what we remember about him. This is just a way to show he won't be forgotten, you know. For the future cadets who walk through this building."

"Speak for yourself. I plan on being one of those future cadets," Sam said, before lowering his head. His attempt at humor even scared him. "I guess."

"What do you mean, you 'guess'?"

"I don't think I should have gone in the Infirmary with you guys," Sam said, somberly, his head still lowered. "Seeing Jack like that..."

"I know," Z said, rubbing his back. "I didn't handle it well myself."

"It's more than that," Sam said, as he looked up at Z. His eyes conveyed his fear and uncertainty. "That's supposed to be me...in the future. But, he died. Jack was Omega Ranger and he died. How can I do it, if he couldn't?"

Z knelt down to face Sam, looking him in the eyes.

"You can't worry about the future, Sam. Trust me, it'll come faster than you think. But sometimes the best things in life sneak up on you. That's how my friendship with Jack started in the first place. You may be halfway to your destiny, but that doesn't mean you won't be scared to take it. We're all scared when they place that morpher in our hands for the first time. It's human nature," Z explained.

"You know, ever since I found out that I was gonna grow up to become Omega Ranger, I've felt this sense of invincibility, like nothing bad could ever happen to me. But, Jack had those powers too and he's gone."

"Power doesn't make you invincible, Sam," Z said, as she stood back up and looked at Jack's memorial plaque. "For the best of us, power can make you more vulnerable than you could ever imagine."

Sam joined her in staring at the plaque. Z realized Sam had learned a lesson as well. No one is invincible. In her heart, Z knew that those that craved power to become unstoppable were the enemy. She also knew that the enemies of S.P.D. were going to be stopped, by any means necessary. Omallix, Cartiron, Jintari and especially Charlie, for keeping her from helping her friend two days ago.

"It's his birthday! We have to do something," C-Squad Cadet Casey Parker said.

Casey was standing in between two of her closest friends and C-Squad teammates, Duc Sato and Meg Thurman. Inside Kat's laboratory, the trio had been trying to make a case to Dr. Kat Manx. Their efforts however, didn't seem to be moving her.

"Guys, I'm sorry. It's a nice gesture, but there's nothing I can do," Kat responded.

Amid the sighs, Duc shook his head.

"It's not like we want to take over. It's just a short little celebration," he said.

"Yeah," Meg chimed in. "A little cake and blowing out some candles. Nothing major."

"I get what you're trying to do, I really do," Kat said, sadly. "But, there's no way Commander Silverback is going to let you guys celebrate Quinn's birthday in the Command Center."

"And you can't talk to him?" Casey asked.

"Trust me when I say that talking to Silverback about anything is not my strong suit," Kat said. "Look, I care about Quinn too. I've known him since he was a kid, but my hands are tied."

"It was worth a shot," Duc sighed.

"Yeah. I mean we could always have asked him ourselves, but we knew what the answer would be," Casey revealed. "He barely looks at us during our duty shifts in the Command Center."

"He doesn't scare me," Meg said, as she folded her arms.

She projected her tough exterior whenever possible. But this time, it only drew the chuckles of her friends.

"Yeah right," Duc said, with a laugh.

Casey sighed.

"We didn't mean to bug you, Dr. Manx," she said. "We just thought you might be able to help. With everything that's happened around here, we wanted to do something nice for Quinn's birthday. We thought it might help raise everyone's spirits a bit."

"Honestly, at this point I think the only thing that could raise everyone's spirit would be defeating Omallix and his army," Kat said.

"I hear that," Meg chimed in.

"You will keep things a secret, though, right?" Casey asked. "I mean, we have no idea where we're going to spring this on Quinn, but we do want to put something together. At this point we may have to celebrate in the shelter downstairs, since it's the only place we have some clout around here."

"Well, my lips are sealed," Kat said, with a slight smile.

"Thanks," Duc spoke up. "Where is B-Squad anyway?"

Kat smiled a little more, as she turned her monitor towards them. On the screen, all three members of C-Squad looked surprised.

"Are those what I think they are?" Meg asked.

"Yep," Kat said, proudly. "Fresh off the assembly line."

"They look awesome," Duc said.

"Thanks," Kat said.

"That may be just what the Rangers need to get the upper hand in this war," Casey said.

"Cadet Parker, you took the words right out of my mouth," Kat said.

All four of them planted their eyes on the screen and watched the five vehicles speeding through Newtech City. The five newly-created Delta Runners were filled with cutting edge technology. They were sleeker, stronger and more powerful than the Rangers' previous Delta Runners, destroyed by A-Squad a year ago. They weren't as bulky as their predecessors and the smooth design made Kat proud. Inside those zords, were five proud drivers.

"Have I mentioned how much I love this job?" Bridge shouted from several feet off the ground, inside Delta Runner 2, the only flying zord in the bunch.

"I could grow to like this," Sky said, as he punched the throttle on Delta Runner 1, causing the red & white zord, modeled after a two-door patrol cruiser, to speed up down the street, several blocks away from S.P.D. Headquarters.

"I hear ya," Z said, from inside her zord. The yellow and white Delta Runner 4 seemed to move faster under her control than the previous design. She could feel it in the controls.

A few feet behind her, the white & pink Delta Runner 5 was on her tail.

"Whoo hoo!" Syd shouted, as she took her hands off the steering wheel for a split-second. "This is amazing."

"Uh, guys," Quinn spoke up from inside Delta Runner 3. "Why is mine so big?"

"You'll get used to it, buddy," Bridge shouted from his zord.

Quinn tried to turn the green & white zord, modeled after a police transport truck, causing the tail end to swerve into a parked car.

"Sorry!" he yelled out his closest window. "I'm used to being in the air."

"Let's bring them together, before we get sued for damages," Sky shouted.

The five zords quickly transformed, bringing the five B-Squad Rangers together. The only difference in their matching cockpits was the colored number raised on the wall behind each of the Rangers. They made a seemingly perfect formation.

"Delta Squad Megazord Mark 2!" the five of them shouted in victory.

"Good job, everybody," Bridge spoke up.

"Yeah. Too bad Jack wasn't here to see it," Z said, somberly.

The happy feelings fell away like a concrete slab. The five B-Squad Rangers all demorphed, still inside their zords. They all looked troubled and somber. One of their own was indeed gone. Getting new zords might help them prove that Jack didn't die in vain, but the Runners weren't going to help them forget.

On the lowest level of the Delta Command Base, the makeshift shelter was still in operation. Isinia walked around the area, handing out bottles of water. She reached a familiar face and handed over her final two bottles.

"Thank you, Isinia," Kristine Brooks said with a smile.

"It's no problem," Isinia said. "I'm sorry I got to you last."

"It's okay," Kristine said, as she looked down at her son, napping on the cot next to her, holding tight to a stuffed gray elephant. She chuckled. "I don't think Bailey's gonna complain."

"He looks so peaceful."

"For now," Kristine said, sighing. "Give him about an hour and he'll be bouncing off the walls, especially when Sam shows up."

"Well, that is what they do, isn't it?" Isinia said, as she looked lovingly at the sleeping child.

"Boys will be boys. I'm just glad to see him doing so much better," Kristine said, as she looked around. "We all are, thanks to you."

"It's the least S.P.D. could do after everything that happened. None of you had anywhere to go."

"And you all welcomed us with open arms. I heard from my office. It looks like they'll be opening back up in a few weeks at a new location on the north side. We'll be back on our feet in no time. We couldn't have done it without this shelter," Kristine said. "Thank you."

"It's my pleasure," Isinia said, as she sighed. "Besides, it gives me some time to observe the parents here. Could come in handy."

She rubbed her stomach. Kristine was a mother and she knew exactly what that meant.

"Congratulations," Kristine said.

"You took the words right out of my mouth."

Both females turned to see the arrival of Space Patrol Delta's Supreme Commander, Anubis "Doggy" Cruger.

"Doggie," Isinia practically shouted as she trotted over to her husband and hugged him tightly. "You're here."

"How could I not be?"

Isinia pulled away and then lowered her head a bit.

"So, you got my message then?"

"Yes," Cruger said. "I couldn't stay away after hearing all of that. How are you?"

"I'm good, better than most around here," Isinia said, somberly. "It's been so sad since Jack passed away."

"I can imagine," Cruger said. "I wasn't able to take my mind off him the entire trip from Galaxy Command."

"It's such a tragedy."

"Yes, it is. Jack was the best," Cruger said. "He was one of my own."

Cruger looked down at his wife's tummy.

"Speaking of my own, how are you feeling?"

"As well as can be expected. The chemical injections Dr. Sevarus gave me are a little irritating, but I'm getting used to it," Isinia said.

"Good. I'm sorry I wasn't here when you got the news."

"The Supreme Commander's a busy Sirian."

"I promised when we were reunited that I'd never be too busy for you."

"I don't feel abandoned, Doggie," Isinia admitted. "I never could, because I feel your presence even when you're not here."

"But, I am here now."

"I know," Isinia nodded her head. "Have you seen them yet?"

"No," Cruger sighed. "But, I will soon. There's something I should tell you first."

"What?"

"I'm planning on infiltrating Omallix's base in orbit of Earth."

"You're what?" Isinia said, shocked. "I don't understand. You don't have any powers."

"That's why I need to go," Cruger said. "My powers are there. If I can get my Patrol Morpher back, I can help the Rangers win this war."

"So, why don't you send the Rangers. They have their powers. It's too dangerous for you."

"The Rangers will obviously be coming with me," Cruger said. "But I have to do this. I've been behind a desk for too long. It's time for me to take back a part of my life that Omallix stole from me."

"I'm scared, Doggie," Isinia revealed. "Scared that if you do this, Omallix will steal you away from me...forever."

"You've given me the greatest gift I could ever want, my love. You'll never lose me," Cruger said. "You're my salvation."

Isinia hugged her husband even tighter, knowing that it very well could be the last hug they would ever share. But, she hoped in her heart that it wasn't and that he would be there to help her welcome the life she carried inside of her.

"I'm not going anywhere until I get what I want. I will settle for no less than the complete and utter destruction of Space Patrol Delta! And, I can think of no better place to start than with it's glorified heroes."

Inside the S.P.D. Academy Library, Sky watched the video intently, as he sped it up a bit, then stopped it as he saw Omallix fire a burst of red lightning from his eyes, directly at the Red Ranger. He cringed a bit, thinking back to that moment. Omallix was so strong. In one battle, he proved that he was a deadly enemy. They hadn't faced him since, but Sky knew the day would come.

"You're becoming a thorn in my side, Red Ranger. It's always the red ones."

Sky watched more of the video, seeing Omallix grab him by the throat and raise him off the ground. Sky's hand instinctively went to his neck, as he thought back to that feeling of pressure on his throat. He remembered the pain, the despair and the fear that he was about to die. But, Sky also remembered what happened next.

His mind veered to thoughts of his father, as the pain increased. Sky shook his head. That was someone he tried not to think about these days, but he often failed. It was oddly ironic to Sky that in that moment, almost a year ago, he was thinking of his father when that kid arrived. Quinn intervened. They never called it what it was, but he had saved Sky that day. Sky watched the Green Ranger fire the lasers from the green S.P.D. Patrol Cycle. At that moment, someone entered the room, behind him.

"Seems like an eternity has passed since then."

Sky turned to see the voice belonged to Quinn Gray. Sky sighed, as he turned back to the monitor and shut it off.

"Didn't mean to interrupt," Quinn said. "Studying up on Omallix?"

"Yep," Sky said flatly.

Quinn looked around the room, nervously, as he took a deep breath. Sky was silent, but he could sense Quinn's apprehension.

"Is there something you want to say to me, Gray?" Sky asked, his back still turned on his half-brother.

"Actually, there's something I wanted to ask you."

Sky turned, looking confused.

"What?"

"Were you happy?" Quinn asked.

"What are you talking about?"

"As a kid, I mean. Your childhood, was it happy?"

"I guess," Sky asked, still looking confused. "Why?"

"I don't know," Quinn said, uncomfortably. "I guess in the last few weeks I've been thinking a lot about my past, my life. I was never an extremely happy kid. My mom tried hard, but after my dad left, I felt kinda abandoned. I just wondered if it was the same for you."

"My father was there when he needed to be," Sky said, sighing. "It wasn't a typical childhood, but that's what happens when your father's an officer."

"I wouldn't know. I guess we both grew up alone."

"I may have been an only child growing up, but I still had brothers," Sky said, as he stood up and faced Quinn. "S.P.D. became my family. Bridge has always been a brother to me and even though we didn't get along at first, Jack became my brother too. Now, he's gone."

"I know what that feels like," Quinn said, looking desperate. "I lost Darren and he was the closest thing to a brother I've ever had. At least you got to say goodbye to Jack on good terms. The last thing I ever said to Darren was that I never wanted to see him again."

"Quinn, why are you doing this?" Sky said, confused. "Why are you bringing all of this up now?"

"Today's my birthday and I don't have my brother. I can't stop thinking of how lonely life can be," Quinn said. "I guess I just wanted to know if that was a family trait."

Quinn walked out without another word. Sky took a deep breath and frowned.

Z walked into the Infirmary, carrying a small container. She held it as far away from her nose as possible. As the doors closed behind her, she smiled at what she saw. Dr. Sevarus was holding an electronic clipboard, watching Piggy as he was walking gingerly around the room.

"Lookin' good," Z called out.

Piggy turned to see the cadet approaching.

"Z, good to see ya."

"Good to see you up and around, Piggy," Z said with a somber smile. "It's been too long."

"I'll let you two talk," Dr. Sevarus spoke up, as he headed for the door. "Just remember to take it easy, Piggy. You're still recovering."

"Gotcha doc," Piggy said, with a mocking salute.

Z tried to help him get over to his bed, but Piggy pulled his arm from her grip and made it there himself.

"Sorry," she said.

"I'm not helpless, you know," Piggy said. "Despite my recent activity."

"You're feeling better?"

"It's still a little hard to speak, but the walrus with the medical degree seems to think I'll make a full recovery," he whispered.

"At least you've got your sense of humor back."

"If they took that away, I'd be dead," Piggy said, before realizing the subject matter might distress Z. "Sorry about that. I guess I picked the wrong time to wake up."

"No, you didn't," Z sighed. "You woke up just in time to say goodbye to him."

"It was all so surreal. I thought I was dreaming, until I felt the pounding headache," Piggy nudged Z on the arm. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay. I feel like I've said goodbye to Jack a million times this year. This time I know he's at peace, though," Z explained.

"Well, I wish I could say the same thing," Piggy said, as he sniffed his gown. "I don't even smell like Piggy anymore."

"Maybe this will help," Z said, as she handed him the container she brought in.

Piggy popped off the lid and took a big sniff, as Z turned her head in disgust.

"Mmm, mystery muffins. My favorite," Piggy said. "How did you get your hands on these?"

"Let's just say that decoding the mystery behind the muffins was quite an eye-opening experience."

"Well, now that you know the secret of my muffins, I'll share the spoils with you?"

"No thanks, Piggy," Z said, as she saw him begin to eat one of the black and green baked goods.

"This might be better than my last batch. Did you add extra muskrat skin?"

Z simply stared at Piggy. Part of her wanted to hug him, glad to have some semblance of normalcy around S.P.D.. The other part of her wanted to puke. She had a feeling that before their conversation was over, she would do both.

"Thanks Piggy."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"For waking up and for being you. I need that," Z responded.

"Any time," Piggy said with a nod, before stuffing his face with another mystery muffin.

Charlie let out a labored breath. Ever since her transformation, she felt different. Obviously, she was different. She was bigger, bulkier and she had a subtle burning sensation throughout every muscle of her body. It took more energy for her to move, to eat and even to breathe.

"A consequence of revenge," she whispered to herself, as she stood inside the laboratory that had actually become a refuge for her, just like it had been for him.

Charlie stood in the corner of the lab, staring through the observation window. The lab next door was dark, but she knew he was in there, lying right on the other side of the glass. Last night, she had spent almost an hour trying to break that glass. Even with her advanced strength, she couldn't even cause a crack. It was a fleeting moment. Of course, she could go over there anytime she wanted, but Charlie was more interested in the fight these days. It was the only way to mask her feelings. If she just walked next door they might overwhelm her and that was something she intended to never let happen again. These days her life would be about destruction and revenge.

The doors to Felix's laboratory opened. Charlie had the urge to turn and see who entered, but she didn't. Behind her back, Omallix walked in, holding Cartiron up, as the Dark Hellion tried to walk, but stumbled. Jintari was right behind them. He scurried over to the large augmentation device protruding from the wall. He fiddled around with it, checking its status, as Omallix helped Cartiron get onto the examination bed.

"We just have to hope the device wasn't damaged the last time around. Someone in here is not a scientist," Jintari said, in an accusatory tone.

Charlie turned from the window only briefly to growl at him, angrily. Jintari moved a bit further away from her, despite there being a bed and several feet already between them.

"You will make it work," Omallix ordered him. "Cartiron is our greatest hope for destroying S.P.D. and it's Rangers. We must make him stronger, like the other monsters."

"The genetically altered blood I used on those other monsters was more concentrated," Jintari said. "Using blood directly from your system will probably make Cartiron even stronger, but it's going to make you less powerful."

"That is a risk I'm willing to take, Jintari," Omallix said, darkly. "I want S.P.D. destroyed. Cartiron will incinerate them all."

Omallix sat on a stool, as Jintari began hooking tubes up to his arm, through an opening on his armor. Charlie saw the activity through the reflection on the window, but her thoughts were still on Felix, lying on the other side of the glass. His time had run out. Charlie wondered if the same was true for them all. Was their time running out to destroy Space Patrol Delta?

The S.P.D. shelter for the displaced residents of Newtech City had been in operation for almost year. As B-Squad Cadet Quinn Gray walked into the area, he noticed how much the population had dwindled there in the last month. There were no longer hundreds of people living inside the Delta Command Base. If was good at math, he probably could have quickly calculated the number, but it didn't look to be more than 40. Quinn sighed, as he realized that maybe life was getting back to normal, back to the way it was before Omallix and his army covered the city with fear.

Quinn spotted the trio he was looking for. They seemed to be sorting through food supplies. As he approached the table, Duc, standing in between the two girls, saw him and nudged his teammates. They all smiled.

"Well, look who it is?" Duc said.

"How's it going, stranger?" Meg asked.

"It's going okay," Quinn said, with a smirk. "I'm sorry."

"Why is it every time we see you, you're apologizing?" Casey asked, looking confused.

"I think it's cuz we only see him once every couple of months," Meg said, smugly.

"I know," Quinn said. "I'm sorry. Things have been really busy and really...intense."

"We know," Duc said, somberly, as his smile faded. "We're just foolin' around. We know how bad it's gotten."

"How could we not?" Casey said.

"I just wish we could do more to help," Meg said. "We know you're doing your best, Gray."

"Thanks," Quinn said. "Still, I feel bad about ignoring you guys. You're my friends and for a long time, you guys were all I had."

"Now you've got B-Squad too," Duc said. "We get that."

"And a brother," Casey chimed in.

Quinn let out a deep sigh.

"That's just it. I don't really 'have' B-Squad. They're all so wrapped up in their own issues that teamwork only comes when we pull out the morphers and even then, it's strained," Quinn explained. "I don't blame them. We all have our problems. I just don't know if we'll ever be totally together."

"Well, for what it's worth, it doesn't show on the battlefield," Meg spoke. "You guys work good together."

"For the most part," Quinn added.

"So, what brought you down here?" Duc asked.

"I know you guys remember today is my birthday," Quinn said. "I just wanted to launch a preemptive strike. I'm not really in the mood to celebrate today."

"We understand," Duc said. "But, it's still your birthday. We can't just ignore it."

"Yeah," Meg chimed in. "You shouldn't either."

"I won't. I promise. I just don't want a big fuss," Quinn said. "There's too much going on."

Casey walked around to the other side of the table, where Quinn stood. She hugged him and then took his hand.

"We're here, if you want to talk, or vent, or celebrate," she said. "Because, we are a family and we're not going anywhere."

Meg extended her hand across the table, and Quinn grabbed it with his free hand. She took Duc's hand and Casey reached hers across the table to grab Duc's other hand. They stood there, all connected for a moment that made Quinn feel ten times better than he had felt in days.

But, within seconds, that chain was broken. Every single person inside S.P.D. Headquarters was caught off-guard by the booming voice of Omallix, pumped through every communications system in the entire Delta Command Base. As soon as Quinn heard the voice, his hands let go of his friends and they all followed suit.

"Space Patrol Delta!" Omallix yelled, as Isinia was walking into the area.

She could feel her pulse quicken in that instant. She stopped, dead in her tracks and raised her head, hearing Omallix's evil voice speak.

"Your time is coming to an end," Omallix shouted. "I will no longer tolerate your attempts to survive. Not even my greatest warrior could be put down by your petty attempts at bravery."

Inside the Infirmary, Z stood up, hearing Omallix reference Jack's fight. From his bed, Piggy saw the look of panic on her face.

"You try and try and try to resist the inevitable, but we all know it to be true. S.P.D. will fall and it will not take forever to happen," Omallix continued, furiously.

From inside the Command Center, Doggie Cruger locked eyes with Silverback, as they listened in. Cruger's hand grazed the Shadow Saber in its sheath at his side.

"S.P.D. is not long for this world and neither are its Rangers. The time for destruction is upon you all," Omallix continued.

In the Rec Room, Bridge and Sophie were both doing handstands against a wall. When Bridge heard this he toppled over to the floor. Sophie took up a position on the floor, as he sat there, clutching his cybernetic arm. They both frowned.

"My greatest warrior, the Dark Hellion, Cartiron will come for the rest of you, just like he did for your Omega Ranger!" Cartiron yelled.

Inside his room, Sam was sitting on his bed, with his arms wrapped around his knees, where he rested his chin. He was scared.

"This time, every single Ranger will find their lives cut short," Omallix yelled even louder. "You will all learn that I have no mercy and I make good on my promises. I guaranteed that Space Patrol Delta would fall at my feet and that is a promise that I will see gloriously played out before me!"

Inside the Rec Room, Syd had been trying to read a magazine, which she had dropped on the floor instantly. Her head was facing the ceiling, as if Omallix was above her, ready to swoop down and attack at this very second. She never noticed Sky enter the Rec Room, listening as well.

"Prepare yourselves!" Omallix yelled. "The countdown is on!"

As Omallix's harsh voice disappeared, Syd still felt the tension. As she lowered her head, she saw Sky doing the same thing across the room. Their eyes met for a few moments. She looked into his eyes and saw the fear that she felt. She also saw the anger. Sky blinked quickly and walked into his room. Syd stood up, facing that direction, as the doors closed. She then bent over and picked up her magazine and retreated into her own room.

Aboard Omallix's base, the evil leader was still on that stool, looking weaker than Charlie had ever seen him. She had been watching him intently as he sent his message to Space Patrol Delta. Jintari had just cut the communication and he was now examining Omallix.

"That was not a good idea, my lord," he said to Omallix. "You're weakened by the loss of your blood."

"I needed to tell them that their destruction was coming!"

"Cartiron isn't even awake yet," Jintari said.

"He will rise soon?"

"Yes, within the hour he should be up and ready, which is more than I can say for you," Jintari said.

"Well, I'm not the one facing the Rangers," Omallix said, sternly.

He looked over at Charlie. Deep down, he admired the anger she used for her latest decision. He liked seeing her changed, more monstrous. But, he also knew she was a loose cannon, who was beginning to be led by her emotions, even if they were negative. He couldn't depend on her. They locked eyes for a moment, before Charlie turned back to the observation window. Omallix made a mental note to get Felix's body off his base.

Inside her laboratory, Kat Manx was working feverishly. For her, that was a good thing. She hated to admit it, but even in the distress of the last few weeks, she had found a new drive in the lab and it was paying off. Not only were the Rangers' new Delta Runners up and running, but the events of the last week had given her another idea that she was close to finishing. This one, however, depended on someone else to work. The doors to her laboratory opened. Sky, Z, Bridge, Syd and Quinn all walked in, quickly.

"I'm guessing you heard?" Sky said to Kat.

"I can't believe this," Z said, surprised. "Cartiron's still alive?"

"Yes. That's why I called you all here," Kat explained. "I had a team go out to study the area of Luna Province where Jack and Cartiron fought."

As Kat spoke, Z lowered her head a bit.

"There were no traces of Cartiron there," Kat deduced.

"How can that be possible?" Syd said, desperately. "Jack maxed out the Omega powers."

"Cartiron's strong," Kat said. "We already knew that. But, this means that he's practically indestructible."

"That's no surprise either," Sky said, frowning. "He's a demon."

"What can we do?" Syd asked.

"Unfortunately, I don't have a clear answer for you," Kat said. "Jack's Light Beam mode didn't contain Cartiron. I've never seen that happen before."

"What about the new Delta Runners?" Quinn offered. "Kat, you said they were more advanced than anything we've got."

"They are, but they haven't been tested in battle yet. I can't guarantee that the Delta Squad Megazord is strong enough to defeat Cartiron. I took all of your battles into consideration when I was putting the finishing touches on them, but like I said, there's no guarantee," Kat explained.

"Guys," Bridge said aloud, as he took up a position next to Kat, staring at his teammates. "You're talking like it's hopeless. It's not."

"Bridge—" Sky started, but Bridge cut him off.

"No! I'm not gonna let us lose all the hope that we've been building all this time. We may be at a disadvantage in Omallix's eyes, but not in mine. Jack may not have destroyed him, but he did some damage. He had to! We'll just have to pick up where Jack left off," Bridge said, proudly. "We can do it."

The doors to Kat's laboratory slid open and Supreme Commander Doggie Cruger walked in. They all saluted immediately, while still looking a bit surprised.

"At ease," Cruger said, as he walked over to Bridge, and put a hand on his shoulder. His keen sense of hearing had allowed him to hear everything Bridge had just said. "Good work, Carson."

"Sir?"

"You said just what I was coming here to say," Cruger said.

As Bridge smiled, Cruger turned to the others.

"Sir, what are you doing back here?" Sky asked.

"I'm here to fight," Cruger said sternly. "I hope that B-Squad is prepared to join me in that fight."

"Yes sir," all five cadets called out.

"I know my morpher is on Omallix's base and I came here with a plan to get it back. But, now, with Cartiron looming, there's no way I can ask you all to leave Earth," Cruger said.

The others all looked as if they wanted to interject but they remained silent.

"Even without a morpher, I'm not going to let this city or this organization fall to evil forces," Cruger said, as his tone grew louder, more forceful. "We will fight with every last breath in us. We won't give up, because S.P.D. never gives up!"

"Yes sir," Sky shouted.

"Now, this is going to be the hardest part," Cruger said. "The wait. We don't know when Cartiron's going to strike and we don't know how, but we'll all be ready. I'm confident in that."

The Rangers all nodded together in agreement.

"Dismissed," Cruger spoke.

With that, the Rangers marched out of the laboratory. Quinn and Bridge were ahead of the others. Syd wasn't far behind. Sky stopped for a moment in the hallway and glanced down at the floor. Sensing no movement behind her, Syd stopped and glanced back. Z was coming out of the laboratory. Sky was between them. Z watched, as Syd didn't come back to talk to him. She kept walking on her way. Z watched Sky walk in the opposite direction, passing her. She leaned her back against the wall next to the doors to Kat's lab and took a deep breath. She thought of Jack and the urge to visit his plaque again crept into her mind.

Supreme Commander Cruger walked swiftly towards his living quarters, his former living quarters. The doors opened and he walked over to the desk that he knew was still there. Isinia was never one to lose hope and he knew she wanted her husband back. This desk was one sign of that. It was just as he had left it. He sat down, knowing that someone was eager to speak with him. He raised his head a little, towards the communications speakers in the ceiling.

"Niyako, I'm in my wife's quarters," Cruger spoke to S.P.D.'s communications specialist. "Patch him through in here."

"Yes, Supreme Commander," Niyako's bright, alien voice responded.

Cruger had been alerted to the incoming transmission while in Kat's lab and he had come here for two reasons: it was private and the walk from the lab gave him enough time to prepare himself for the conversation he was about to have. The blank monitor on his desk lit up with the image of Otto Cali, the President of the Galactic Council.

"Cruger!" Cali shouted, angrily. It was the first time that Cruger could truly read emotion in the politician.

"Mr. President, I was getting a secure channel. I apologize for the delay."

"That is irrelevant. Why are you on Earth?" Cali spoke sternly.

"Sir, I had to come. The last transmission I received from here led me to believe that the Rangers needed my assistance," Cruger said.

"And how exactly do you intend to assist them?" Cali asked.

"I intend to get my Patrol Morpher back and after that, I intend to use it to bring Omallix to justice," Cruger said.

"That's not your job anymore, Cruger!"

"It may not be my job anymore, Mr. President. But, it is still my duty," Cruger replied.

"You've been warned, Anubis. I don't know how much more warning I can give you. You are to return to Galaxy Command immediately! We've just gotten word from Silverback that Omallix has made another public threat. This is not time to play hero," Cali said, forcefully.

Cruger could feel his emotions reaching the surface.

"Mr. President, with all due respect, your request for me to return to Galaxy Command is denied," Cruger said, taking a deep breath. "I'm not leaving here until this conflict is resolved. The Power Ranger will win this war and S.P.D.: Earth will survive and I'm not going to abandon them."

"Anubis, listen to me—"

"You listen to me!" Cruger shot back. "I need to make a difference here. It's not just about S.P.D. and it's not just about B-Squad, or even my family, because they are my family. This is about honor and respect. I can't honor S.P.D. behind that desk. I can't respect myself behind that desk, knowing that there's something, anything I can do to help this conflict come to an end!"

"Cruger, you're tying my hands," Cali said, sternly.

"You do what you have to do, Mr. President. Because I'm certainly going to do what I have to do," Cruger said, before cutting the transmission.

Aboard Omallix's floating fortress, Jintari shook his master's arm. Jintari knew that like most humans, Omallix required rest, even in his advanced cybernetic state. This slumber, however, was not due to sleep deprivation. Jintari knew it was caused by weakness, a word that Omallix would never admit to.

"My master," Jintari said, as he shook his leader's arm harder.

Omallix began to stir. As he looked around, he noticed he was now on the floor.

"What happened?"

"I believe you fell asleep," Jintari said. "Your body's systems have been compromised thanks to the amount of blood we had to use to augment Cartiron."

Charlie watched them from afar.

"I will be able to replenish my supply soon," Omallix said.

"Yes, but you'll have to take it easy until then," Jintari said.

"I will rest once the S.P.D. is destroyed!" Omallix shot back.

Then, they all were caught off-guard by another voice in the laboratory.

"Master?"

Jintari helped Omallix to his feet and they peered at Cartiron on the examination bed, as his eyes opened.

"Cartiron," Omallix spoke. "You are better?"

Cartiron began to stir on the examination bed.

"I feel...indestructible," Cartiron said, darkly.

Omallix and Jintari shared a glance, each knowing the other was pleased.

"No way!"

Kat spoke loudly, as she turned the corner, following behind Cruger, who was walking swiftly.

"Kat, there's no time for discussion."

"Yes, there is!" Kat yelled. "I have half a mind to contact Commander Silverback right now and tell him what you're planning!"

Cruger stopped in his tracks in the corridor and turned to face Kat.

"I'm on my way to meet with Silverback right now. I intend to tell him everything."

"What about the Rangers?" Kat said, sounding desperately worried. "And Isinia? Are you going to tell them?"

"I think it will be better if I don't, Kat. I don't want to put them under anymore unneeded stress," Cruger explained.

"It's not unneeded," she said, upset. "You can't do this alone."

"I have to," Cruger said. "There's no other alternative. My morpher is up there and the only way to get it back is to reclaim it myself. The Rangers can't go now, with Cartiron planning an attack."

"But, you'll be unprotected," Kat said.

"I still have this," Cruger said, as he patted his Shadow Saber at his side.

Kat rubbed her hand across her face, attempting to wipe away the horrible feelings she was having at that moment.

"I'll go with you," she said.

"No. The Rangers need you here," Cruger said.

"But—"

"Kat, stop. I'm going and there's nothing that can stop me. If I hurry, I can get in, grab Felix and my morpher and get back here in time to help the Rangers," Cruger revealed.

"Well, if I can't stop you, I'm still going to help you," Kat said. "I have no idea how you're going to get onboard, but I have the schematics in my laboratory and I've charted out the place, thanks to Jack and Sam's memories of being there. Once you get on board, contact me and I should be able to guide you to where Felix said he found the morpher. We just have to hope it's still there."

"Thank you, Kat." Cruger said, as he started to walk away.

"Wait!" Kat called out again, as she dug into her pocket and pulled out a large microchip. She handed it to Cruger. "Take this. I've been waiting for the right time to give it to you."

Cruger looked at the blue chip.

"What is it?"

"It's help," Kat said. "Once you find your morpher it's imperative that you stick this on the back. It's magnetically operable. All you have to do is connect it to your Patrol Morpher and then use it."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome," Kat responded, with a tear falling from her eye. "Be careful, Doggie."

"Always," Cruger said, as he continued on his way, leaving Kat behind.

As Cruger turned another corner, Kat sighed, as she shook her head negatively. She turned around and continued down the hallway, going in the opposite direction. She passed the corner that she & Cruger had just come walking around, but she didn't go back the way she came. If she had, she would have noticed, another person wasn't far behind them. Z peeked her head around that corner, in Cruger's direction. She looked shocked.

Cartiron came storming into the throne room of Omallix's base. He marched right over to the large glass wall at the front of the room, where he could see Earth floating. He stared. Behind him, Jintari was seen, helping Omallix into the throne room. He helped him take a seat on his raised chair.

"You're sure the Omega Ranger perished?" Cartiron asked them.

"Yes," Jintari confirmed. "It was on all the news broadcasts."

"The others will not last much longer, either," Cartiron said, angrily.

"Good, my Dark Hellion," Omallix mustered. "I cannot wait to see you destroy them all."

"I'm on my way, master," Cartiron said, as he disappeared into a ball of flames.

Jintari turned back to his leader.

"Master, are you sure you should remain here and not rest?"

"Rest is for the weary, Jintari," Omallix said. "I am not weary! I am excited. The destruction of S.P.D. is imminent and I intend to watch it happen from right here."

"All right, but I'm keeping an eye on you," Jintari said.

"No, you aren't."

"What does that mean?"

"There are bigger things to take care of. Cartiron is on his way to Newtech City to destroy the Power Rangers. That destruction will include all of S.P.D.. His fire wave almost destroyed them once and it will do so again, this time for good," Omallix shouted.

"But sir, S.P.D. Headquarters has shield systems that blocked the fire the first time. I'm not sure Cartiron's strong enough to break through them, even with his enhanced power," Jintari explained.

"That's why you will make sure those shields stay down!" Omallix shouted.

"But, how? I can't tap into S.P.D.'s defense systems from here."

Omallix stared into Jintari's eyes. The green alien scientist saw evil in them and he didn't like where this conversation was going.

"Then, you will go down there and storm their base and bring those shields down!"

"Storm their base! I'm no warrior, Omallix. Maybe Charlie would be a better choice," Jintari tried to reason.

"No! Charlie is untrustworthy, especially in her current state. I cannot trust her to keep her mind on the mission. You, however, I can guarantee. I know you will do everything in your power to accomplish your mission. Just think about it. S.P.D. Headquarters would be at your mercy. Surely, your technical mind can figure out how to hit them where it hurts and infiltrate their base?" Omallix stated.

"Yes," Jintari said, as his brain began to formulate several plans of attack, even though he knew he'd only need one. His confidence was building. "This would be my chance to strike back. With the Rangers occupied, the Delta Command Base would be an easy target. I'll take my army of Fericks. I have several squads already produced. We could swarm them!"

"Yes, Jintari," Omallix. "I can see in your eyes that you feel it. S.P.D. is coming to an end on this day!"

Inside S.P.D.'s shuttlebay, Cruger couldn't help but glance in the direction of the shelter, which was only feet away from their position. He was waiting for someone.

"Cruger!"

Cruger swung his head around quickly, as he saw Silverback coming down the escalators, skipping several steps along the way.

"You got my message?" Cruger asked.

"Yes," Silverback said, as he walked over to his boss.

"You here to stop me?"

"No," Silverback said. "I'm here to see you off."

"Really?"

"Doggie, you and I don't see eye to eye on much, but neither of us want to see this war end the wrong way. I admire what you're about to do. If I were in your shoes and there was a morpher waiting for me up there, I'd go too," Silverback revealed.

"I respect you more than you realize, Silverback."

"It goes both ways," Silverback said, as he extended a hand.

Cruger shook it.

"Earth starting to rub off on you?" Cruger asked, tilting his head curiously.

"Not for long," Silverback responded, with a sigh. "Since you're still the Supreme Commander, for at least the next hour or so, I'm letting you know that when you get back, you'll find my request for a transfer. Don't want Earth to rub off too much. I might turn into you."

Silverback smiled.

"We'll deal with that after this conflict is over," Cruger said. "Right now, I need you here. I'm trusting you to keep this place safe, for everyone."

Cruger nodded in the direction of the shelter.

"I didn't say there wasn't any fight left in me," Silverback said, as he screamed out his trademark gorilla call.

Cruger disappeared into the small shuttlecraft, which took off a minute later. Silverback watched it lift off and speed out of the Delta Command Base.

On the northern side of Newtech City, life was going along as usual. People walked and drivers drove. This was the side of town that was almost untouched. The Rangers had battled there on occasion, but the residents of the north felt more secure than their neighbors in the south. That security was about to be shattered.

Two massive fireballs ignited a skyscraper, causing it to explode into shreds. The walking people on the streets, screamed, running for their lives. Those in cars sped up down the streets, but only for a block or so, before they felt the massive footsteps approaching them. People fled their cars and looked up, seeing him. Cartiron's massive form seemed to block out the sun for those on the ground at that moment. He sent a stream of fire from his palm, igniting several cars on the street.

People ran, people jumped, people screamed as the cars exploded when the fire hit their gas tanks. Within moments, chaos reigned on the northern side of Newtech City. Their immunity from the pain had officially come to an end.

Alarms blared throughout the Delta Command Base, as the B-Squad Rangers trotted down the hallways. They ran into the Command Center, knowing this was probably it, the call they had been waiting to get since Omallix's last deadly announcement. The stood side by side, as they noticed that Commander Silverback wasn't there. Sophie was standing at the control console in the middle of the room. Niyako and Ghiren, the alien technicians who had become fixtures in the Command Center, were at their stations. Murphy jumped to his feet, as he saw the Rangers arrival.

"What's happening?" Sky yelled.

"It's Cartiron," Ghiren called out from his station. "He's attacking the north side of the city!"

"Let's see it!" Sky yelled to Sophie.

Sophie nodded, as she pulled up a holographic image of Cartiron's attack going on just north of S.P.D. Headquarters.

"Oh no," Syd said, seeing the destruction.

"This is it," Quinn muttered at her side.

"Where's Silverback?" Bridge wondered aloud.

"I've already contacted him," Niyako spoke from the communications station. "He's on his way here now."

"I have a better question," Quinn said, as he looked around. "Where's Z?"

The others noticed that the Yellow Ranger had not arrived.

"Niyako, beep her," Sky said.

The hovering alien ran her long slender fingers across her station's controls effortlessly. After a few seconds, she turned back towards the Rangers.

"I'm not getting any response from her morpher," Niyako said.

"Where is she?" Syd called out, looking confused.

Aboard Cruger's shuttle, he piloted with precision. He knew Kat had no idea how he was going to get inside, but he did. He wasn't going to hide his position from his enemy. Time was running short. As Cruger began to time the rhythm of his heart, in the quiet shuttle, he started to hear a familiar sound. Cruger put the controls on autopilot and walked to the back compartment, opening a small storage unit to find Z Delgado and her beeping morpher.

"Cadet Delgado, what are you doing here?"

"And here I thought this was the bathroom," Z said, with a slight chuckle, as Cruger grabbed her arm, pulling her out of the storage locker.

"Answer my question," Cruger said sternly.

"Sir, I couldn't let you go alone. I overheard you and Kat talking," Z said.

"Z, this isn't the place for you."

"You don't know what's waiting for you. Besides, Omallix, Cartiron, Jintari and Charlie could all be up there," Z said. "I just thought you could use some backup."

Cruger gave her a long glance and he sighed.

"Are you going to answer that?" he said, as he pointed to her morpher.

Z grabbed it and activated it.

"What?"

"Where are you!" Sky's voice came booming through.

"I'm on Cruger's shuttle," Z admitted.

"Cruger's shuttle? Cartiron's attacking the city and you're going to Galaxy Command!"

"No and neither is he!"

Cruger grabbed the device.

"Sky, listen to me. We don't have much time if Cartiron's attacking. I'm going to get my morpher back," Cruger spoke calmly.

"Sir, that's too dangerous," Sky yelled back.

"That's why I decided to come along," Z chimed in.

Cruger took a deep breath.

"As I said, time is of the essence. I can't turn back now. Good luck Rangers," Cruger said, before closing the morpher and handing it back to Z.

He stormed out of the back compartment and took a seat in the pilot's chair. Z followed him and took the seat next to him.

"I'm sorry, but you need me, whether you want to admit it or not," Z said. "Felix is still there, while you're getting your morpher I can help him escape. Besides, with me along, you'll have some cover."

Cruger didn't respond. He just stared forward, piloting his shuttle towards a mission that just got more complicated.

Back in the Command Center, Sky was pacing.

"Sky, we have to do something," Bridge said. "Cartiron's still attacking!"

"I know that!" Sky yelled at him. "Look, we may have a better shot at defeating him if we use both the Megazords. Bridge and Syd, you take the S.W.A.T. Megazord and Quinn and I will take the new Delta Squad Megazord. We can attack him on two fronts. It'll give us better odds."

"No," Bridge spoke up. "Quinn's barely had any training in the Delta Runners."

"I hate to agree, but Bridge's right," Quinn said.

"Okay, then Quinn will come with me and pilot the S.W.A.T. Megazord," Syd said.

"Good idea," Bridge said.

Sky's head was spinning, as he saw Quinn take a position next to Syd. His brain went to the worst case scenario. What if something happened to the S.W.A.T. Megazord? He had seen a Megazord destroyed before. What if something happened to them?

"Uh," Sky said, hesitating.

"Rangers!" Sophie called out from the main station. "Cartiron's doing more damage. You have to get out there."

There was no time to waste, no time to even wait for Silverback. Something in Sky wanted to say something, but he just froze.

"Ready?" Bridge yelled at his side, pulling his morpher.

Syd and Quinn grabbed their morphers and had them in the ready position. Sky looked at the two as he grabbed his morpher and took a deep breath.

"Ready!" Sky yelled.

"S.P.D. Emergency!" the four yelled, morphing in an instant.

Elsewhere in the Delta Command Base, Silverback was walking quickly. His natural simian leg structure forced him to walk bow-legged. As he moved faster, his body swayed, almost as if he was hopping. He passed through the lobby on his way. As he walked away from the exit doors, he got a strange sensation, as if someone was watching him. Silverback turned towards those doors and saw two S.P.D. Officers falling to the ground outside. The glassed windows of the door showed him everything. He saw an army of robotic Fericks standing outside. Omallix's right hand, Jintari was standing in front of them, he had a small mechanical device in his hand, pointed at the base.

Silverback ran as quickly as he could to the nearest communications panel and turned it on. The alarms were already blaring.

"Command Center! We are under attack! I repeat, we are under attack!" Silverback yelled.

Inside the Command Center, the three technicians on duty all looked surprised. Ghiren ran his fingers across his console.

"Oh my stars!" Ghiren yelled out, as he turned to Sophie. "We've got an invasion of Fericks outside!"

"Oh no," Sophie said, as she hit the alarms again.

Niyako activated the communications systems for the entire Delta Command Base, knowing exactly what protocol required her to do.

"This is an emergency. I repeat, this is an emergency. All hands to battle stations. The Delta Command Base is under attack," she spoke, as her hand was on the button.

Silverback still had his hand on the communications panel, as he heard everything they said.

"We need to evacuate every civilian from this base, now!" he yelled at them. "And get officers to the lobby! That's where they're coming in!"

"Yes sir," Sophie called back.

Silverback turned towards the entrance, seeing the Fericks getting closer to the doors. Jintari was still ahead of him, pointing that device at the building. Silverback wondered what it was.

"All civilians, please proceed to the nearest emergency exit," Silverback heard Niyako's voice. "I repeat, all civilians, please proceed to the nearest emergency exit. Do not use the main entrances to the Delta Command Base. I repeat do not use—"

Then, the communications went dead. Silverback heard a sizzling sound coming from the communications speakers, as if someone had cut the message and the alarms. He looked back at the front door and saw Jintari smiling and waving the remote control device in his hand. The Fericks began busting through the doors. Officers, with weapons drawn began filing into the area, Silverback waded through them, going deeper into the base, as he headed down a hallway, he called out to one of them.

"Officer Blanks!" Silverback yelled.

"Yes sir?"

"I need your assistance."

Inside the Command Center, there was nothing but smoke in the area. Jintari's device had sent a powerful electrical surge through all of the equipment. The Command Center was dark and none of the terminals were active. For the first time since being in that place, Niyako wasn't hovering. She was on the floor, completely unconscious. At her side, Ghiren was also down and smoking, as both of his hands had been on the controls when they blew. Meters away, Sophie was also down on the floor. Even Murphy was inactive, next to her.

Minutes before, chaos reigned inside the shelter in the lowest level of S.P.D. Headquarters. Isinia Cruger and the three members of C-Squad had been trying to get everyone joined together, but people were getting panicked. It was understandable. They had seen great destruction in their lives, which led them to this place. Amongst the crowd, Isinia tried to calm them.

"Everyone listen!" she tried to shout over the clamoring voices around her. "We must evacuate. Take only what you can carry!"

As the crowds started moving towards the emergency exit, which led out into the street, Sam grabbed a hold of his bike. It was still his most prized possession. He was glad he had brought it along when he came down the shelter to let Bailey and the other kids ride. It was then, that Sam's mind wandered to his friends. They had all heard the first alarms and new a monster attack was underway. Z would be out there, he thought. Then, his mind wandered to something he thought she would want. If the Delta Command Base was overtaken, he couldn't let them get it. He ran back into the interior of the base. The moving crowds of panicked people never noticed his departure.

Nearby, C-Squad was helping to shuffle people out, when everything seemed to silent. They all heard the sudden stop of the alarms and the sizzling sound as Niyako's voice was cut off.

"That didn't sound good," Duc said to his friends.

"I wonder if there's trouble in the Command Center," Casey spoke up.

"One way to find out," Meg said.

As they started to make their way through the crowd, they found Isinia. The crowd was beginning to stall and stand still.

"Do we still have to evacuate?" they heard Kristine Brooks call out. "Is it over?"

"Mrs. Cruger, we're going to check that out," Casey told her.

"Keep everyone moving," Duc chimed in. "Just in case."

"All right. Good luck," Isinia said, as she saw the trio storm out of the shelter. She turned back to the civilians and yelled. "Everyone, keep moving towards the exit. I know it's only one door. Just stay calm and move carefully. We don't want a stampede!"

Back behind her, the three C-Squad Cadets were running at top speed, they passed the shuttlebay and began trotting up the escalators. The three sets were right next to each other. Each of them ran up a different escalator. They stayed side by side. As they reached the top, they kept on running. As they prepared to enter the lobby area, they heard a large explosion. The three cowered a bit, as they saw broken glass and several S.P.D. Officers go flying past them.

"They're inside!" Casey said to her comrades at her side.

Inside her laboratory, Kat waited. She had heard the cut off communications signal and tried to regain communications with the Command Center ever since, but she wasn't getting any answer. That worried her. She was sure there was something wrong and it wasn't just a crossed wire. She headed for the door, as she remembered the evacuation order and that the base was under attack. She turned around and walked over to the shelf next to her desk and grabbed the black box there. She opened it and pulled out her white morpher.

As Kat held it in her hands, she thought back to the last time she had used it and the conversation she had with Doggie Cruger shortly thereafter...

"I understand. So, that's the end of Kat Ranger?"

"Well, by my calculations there's still twenty minutes left on the morpher. But, I'm hoping we never have to use them," Kat said.

Kat tightened her grip around that morpher for few seconds, before placing it in her back pocket. Her mind had veered to Doggie and that worried her too. She hadn't heard from him either. She needed to get to the Command Center, but if she left and communications were down there, Doggie would have no way to contact her. She wouldn't be able to guide him through Omallix's fortress. She took a deep breath and made her decision. She exited the lab and headed towards the Command Center.

On the other side of the base, Commander Silverback stormed into his office, with one thing on his mind: protecting the Delta Command Base. He stared at the classic blaster rifle hanging on his wall. He grabbed the rifle and cocked it, as he climbed up to his desk, pressing a button.

"Officer Blanks, you ready?" Silverback called out.

"Yes sir."

Silverback nodded.

"I'm on my way!"

Silverback stormed back out of his office and headed into what he knew was going to be a battle for survival.

Inside the newly formed Delta Squad Megazord, Sky couldn't help thinking about the other Rangers who weren't with him. He felt secure with Bridge at his side, but he didn't feel secure knowing that the Syd and Quinn were nowhere in sight.

"Incoming!" he heard the Blue Ranger shout.

The Delta Squad Megazord jumped away, as Cartiron's fiery blast came right at them. The Megazord slid on the ground for a second, before flipping onto its knees and pulling the blaster from its retractable ankle holster.

"Fire!" the Red Ranger yelled.

The blasts hit Cartiron right in the chest. His body began to spark a bit, but he never even staggered.

"What?" Bridge yelled. "That blast didn't even phase him!"

"We have to do more!" Sky yelled. "He isn't even showing damage from his fight with Jack."

"That's where we come in."

They heard Quinn's voice come through their communications systems. The S.W.A.T. Megazord came flying straight down towards Cartiron, with its twin blasters, firing at Cartiron. The hell beast jumped away, sending two huge fireballs straight towards the S.W.A.T. Megazord. One of the fireballs caught the arm of the zord, sending it spinning out of control. Cartiron sent another fiery blast, as the Megazord crashed to the ground.

"No!" Sky yelled. "Syd! Quinn!"

Back in the shelter, as civilians were making their way out of the base, a handful of cadets were coming in, through the same door. Boom was amongst E-Squad. While his comrades tried to get some information from the others, Boom made his way through, until he found Isinia.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"You haven't heard. We're under attack!" Isinia said.

"We were out training," Boom said.

"We have to get these people out of here, Boom!"

"Okay," Boom said, as he climbed on top of one of the tables and blew his fingers.

The high-pitched whistle got everyone's attention and they all stopped.

"Everyone, stay calm! The base is under attack, but you can't panic. E-Squad will set up safety zones outside, away from the base. Just carry whatever you can and stay close to your loved ones," Boom said. "We've been through this before. We just have to remain calm and everything will be okay."

The crowd began to exit in a more orderly fashion. Boom climbed down off the table, where Isinia was shuffling some more people by. Things were going much more smoothly.

"Good job," Isinia said.

"Thanks," Boom said, with a smile.

Then, they saw trouble coming their way. It was Kristine Brooks and her son, Bailey, who was walking Sam's bike.

"What's wrong?" Isinia asked.

"Bailey says Sam went back inside," Kristine said.

"Oh no," Isinia said. "He wouldn't."

"I saw him," Bailey said.

"What are we going to do?" Isinia asked, looking to Boom.

"Get out of here, all of you," Boom said. "I'll find Sam!"

Boom went running back into the interior of the Delta Command Base himself. A feeling of dread entered Isinia's body at that moment. Too many people she knew were going back in there. She shuffled Kristine and Bailey towards the exit, knowing she had a life growing within her that was her top priority, along with the civilians. As she reached the door, she thought of her husband, knowing he was probably inside the base too. If the Rangers were tending to a monster attack, there's no way he could go through with his plan, would he?

Cruger continued to pilot the shuttlecraft, as Omallix's floating space fortress came into view. At his side, in the co-pilot's chair, Z Delgado was fully morphed and sporting her S.W.A.T. gear. As they got closer, she started to get a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"So, how are we getting inside?" she asked.

"Buckle up!" Cruger ordered.

She quickly complied, as he sped the craft up.

"We're gonna make our own entrance!"

Inside Omallix's base, the evil leader had been watching the battle between the Rangers and Cartiron play out, to his amusement. He was feeling much better than before. Then, he heard a beeping sound coming from Jintari's control console. Omallix made his way to the station and pressed a few buttons. The alert told him something was coming his way. He changed the viewscreen in front of him to show a live view out the front of the base. As he made his way back to his chair to sit down, he felt a little dizzy. His vision blurred a bit. As it cleared up, he saw the shuttlecraft coming straight towards him. He had no time to move.

He could almost see through the windows of the craft as it came plowing into the throne room through the glass wall in front of Omallix. The shuttle came to a screeching halt, plugging the hole it had just made in the room. The front glass in the cockpit of the shuttle blew out upon impact. Amongst the rubble, the Yellow Ranger shook her head, regaining her wits. She glanced next to her, seeing Cruger's head bleeding.

"Doggie! Commander!" she yelled.

Cruger began to stir. As he opened his eyes, they looked straight ahead. All he could see was the debris and smoking rubble inside the throne room. Amidst the smoke, he saw Omallix's self-made throne. No one was sitting there. The two unstrapped themselves and the Yellow Ranger climbed right out the front window of the shuttle, landing on a large slab of flooring that had come up thanks to the shuttle's crash. She had her Delta Enforcer drawn, as she quickly looked around the area, checking for any movement.

Cruger was right behind her, with his Shadow Saber in hand. Cruger looked back behind the shuttle and saw the cracked glass wall that he had pierced. It looked to be a clean break, with very little of the outside atmosphere creeping inside. That was a good thing, Cruger thought. He grabbed the small communications device in his hand and activated it.

"Kat, we're inside," he spoke. There was no answer. "Kat? Kat! She's not answering!"

"Jack said Felix's lab was on the second floor," Z said.

"Yes," Cruger agreed. "Felix found my morpher in an adjacent laboratory."

"Then, let's head that way," Z chimed in.

Cruger led the way, with his Shadow Saber drawn in front of him. The Yellow Ranger was close behind, with her back to him most of the time, covering to make sure no one was coming up from behind. They got to the second floor and saw the two doors at the end of the hallway. They slowly headed in that direction. When Cruger got to the first door it opened as he approached. It was completely dark.

"I think this is it," Cruger whispered to Z.

"I'll cover you," Z whispered.

Cruger stepped inside. As he walked a bit further in, he could see the light from the laboratory next door creeping in through a large observation window. There was something on the floor near there. As he walked in further, the doors slid closed behind him, catching him off-guard. Outside in the hallway, Z had her back to the other laboratory, as she noticed the locking mechanism near the door. She would have to wait for Cruger to get inside and help Felix. At that moment, the doors slid open behind her and Charlie grabbed hold of the Yellow Ranger, dragging her inside.

Next door, Cruger got closer to the back wall, where he could see the light coming in. It was then that his foot hit something on the floor. It felt like another foot. He knelt on the floor and felt a leg. As he crawled a bit closer to the body, he saw its face.

"Felix, no," Cruger said quietly, as he saw Felix's face.

He checked for a pulse, but found none. It was then that his eyes veered to something else. An open box was on Felix's lap and sitting outside of it was Cruger's Patrol Morpher. Cruger took a deep breath, as he picked up the morpher. He stood back to his feet and pulled the microchip from his pocket. He had turned away from the observation window and began attaching the microchip. He never saw the Yellow Ranger come into view behind him, in the other lab, fighting with Charlie.

Cruger hoisted Felix over his shoulders and headed for the doors. As they slid open, he was greeted with the figure standing in the hallway. However, it wasn't Z. It was Omallix. Cruger dropped Felix's body on the floor there, as Omallix fired a blast of red lightning energy directly at Cruger's chest, sending him flying backwards into the dark laboratory, falling to the floor. Omallix still stood in the lit corridor.

"We meet again Cruger," Omallix said. "This time I will see to your destruction myself!"

TO BE CONCLUDED