Once A Ranger, Forever A Hero
Chapter 14 – Prevail and Loss
A/N: Hey guys I can't believe it's been so long since I've updated this story. Sorry for the disappearance but I'm here, I'm back and I'll see you guys as we head into the conclusion of this story, Until then, ENJOY! R&R PLZ!
It was impossible. The more they beat back, the more Tengas swarmed in. Battle modes were engaged, max capacity weapons were unleashed. Still it did nothing against the waves of enemies. It didn't help that the ships above were firing on them as well, sending everyone scattering every so often. The rangers desperately wanted to use their zords to take them down but they couldn't spare the manpower. Shane, Dustin, and Tori made effective use of their elemental powers on the ground while Cam, Blake and Hunter summoned a storm to keep the battle contained.
The comms kept them all updated. Medical reports on Marah and Ash told them they were still unconscious but stable. Status calls from the other planets let them know the fight was just as bad there as it was on Earth. Mirinoi did not have the kind of ground support Earth did but they were doing their best.
*ORFH*
Back on the flagship, Kapri and Master Vile were still trapped in the cell. "We have to get out of here." Kap twisted her wrist futilely. "Wait, Grandfather, what are these made out of?"
"Steel why?"
"Because I'm not going to give myself frostbite for nothing." Kapri angled her head and blew her iced breath over the cuff on her wrist. Her eyes winced in pain but she did not stop until the metal was thoroughly frozen. One solid yank and the now brittle metal gave way. She repeated the same on the other side, then set Vile free. Both of them rubbed their wrists gingerly but knew that freezer burn was the least of their concerns at the moment. "Alright how do we stop this?"
"I have to get to the command post," said Vile. "Once there, I can send out the withdrawal order on the invasion."
"And they'll listen? I mean they are loyal to Lothor to some extent. Have to be, to lock you up in here."
"They're following Lothor in my stead but they ought to know who the real authority is."
"Ought to," Kapri repeated skeptically. "Well let's not test that thought and treat this like hostile territory. Steel on the door as well?"
"Yes."
"Okay stand back." Vile tucked himself in a corner as Kapri knelt down at the lock. She took off the band from her arm and tied it around the bar to keep the door from flying open. Then she froze and broke the lock, waited a beat to see if they attracted attention and then gently took off the tie and eased the cell open. The hall was suspiciously unguarded but they didn't have the option to examine that and took off.
*ORFH*
On Mirinoi, Lothor's forces must have realised the discrepancy between the forces there and Earth and increased their attacks tenfold. Either that or they just wanted to get it over with. Didn't matter because there was just now to keep up. The Galaxy and Space rangers were being overwhelmed and Leo called over the comms, "We could really use some back up here guys."
Tommy, "That bad?"
Leo, "Worse."
Andros, "I'm coming with the Megaship, hang tight."
Shane, "Tommy we're struggling too, we need to go to Zords."
Tommy, "We still have these bozos here."
Dustin, "But they're coming from the ships, take down the ships, maybe we'll stem the Tengas."
Carter, "They'll get into the city in the meantime!"
Connor, "I don't think we have a choice anymore."
Tommy, "Alright, let's go big. Everyone on the ground back to the edges and try to keep them contained at least. Andros take Overdrive with you to Mirinoi."
Andros, "Roger that. Leo, hang in there, I'm minutes away."
Leo, "Hurry please!"
*ORFH*
Kapri and Master Vile crept along the corridors, using their lightning to knock out any stray tengas. They made it to the main floor and ducked into a side room with a computer and sealed it shut. "We need to know what's going on," Kapri used the computer to look into Lothor's communications with the fleet. "So there are two strikes happening simultaneously. One on Earth, the other on Mirinoi."
"Almost just like that day," Master Vile commented.
"Yes," Kapri dug deeper. "The forces are evenly split but it looks like Mirinoi is going down. They're losing ground by the minute. Hang on, I think I can hack the rangers' frequency and hear their side."
"When did you learn to do that?"
"Cam is beyond brilliant and an excellent teacher." Kapri typed away rapidly and suddenly they could hear the rangers talking. It was a little fuzzy but they were going to start using the zords and sending backup to the other planet. "Hunter? Tommy? Can you guys hear me?" No response. "Dammit!"
"Keep trying starlet, we need transport for..us. Just in case."
"I can't talk to them directly but I should be able to send them a message."
"Tell them in 20 minutes or so, to have a transport vehicle to come."
Kapri paused, "That's highly specific."
"Best estimation of the timeline," Master Vile said evasively.
Kap wasn't buying it, "What-"
Leo, "GUYS! WE NEED HELP!"
Andros, "I'm a minute away!"
Zhane, "FALL BACK! FALL BACK!"
Damon, "MAYA!"
Kendrick, "DAMON NO!"
Andros, "WE'RE HERE!"
Karone, "GET TO MAYA, SHE FELL! DAMON WENT AFTER HER!"
Mack, "I see them!"
*ORFH*
Tommy's jaw clenched as he wrote himself a note to put in pictures of Damon and Maya in the clip. As if he would forget. He stared at the flashing red dot as if confessing his worst sins. "Damon and Maya Henderson, aged 34 and 30 respectively, passed away after long and illustrious careers as rangers and as civilians. Damon was a leading advanced aeronautics engineer and Maya was known as a voice of ecological preservation. They will be missed."
