Part 5 – A New Opponent…
Back on Earth…
Gaeko knelt at the head of his Emperor's throne, "Forgive me Sssire," he said, "Their powersss were too much for me."
Snake-Charmer walked down from the throne, "Sssire," he said, "I sssay we ssshould banisssh thisss ussslessss minion to the farthessst reachesss of the universsse."
"No," the Emperor said, "Like it or not Snake-Charmer, but Gaeko just proved himself useful."
"Sssire?" Snake-Charmer asked.
"Two thousand, two hundred years ago, the astrolabe was stolen from me," he said, "As was its power. The Rangers can't unlock its full potential yet, but soon they will."
"Sssire," Snake-Charmer asked, "Forgive me, but how isss that good?"
"Because," the Emperor said as he pulled out a small sphere that looked like it was made of glass, and had space itself trapped inside with little, tiny stars, "I know how to track it."
"Your mother'sss all ssseeing eye," Snake-Charmer said, "My Lord, that'sss dangerousss!"
"I know the risks Snake-Charmer," the Emperor said, "My mother would have not passed on her empire to me, I'd be a fool not to use all its resources, like you."
"Indeed sssire," Snake-Charmer said, "Ssso, what doesss it sssay?"
The Emperor stroked his finger across the surface of the sphere, and a single start glowed brighter than the other one, "It seems they've taken the astrolabe to the human colony in the Lost Galaxy," the Emperor said, "Take the ship, and bring me the astrolabe."
"Ssshould we sssend him with backup?" Snake-Charmer asked.
"Yes," the Emperor said, "Someone who doesn't mind taking orders."
Snake-Charmer raised his Pungi to his mouth, leveled it towards the small portal on the floor, and played a simple tune.
What rose out of the portal was a humanoid creature that was covered in metal on the right side of his body, and on the left side was the skin pattern very similar to a Komodo Dragon. On his right arm was a triple-barreled gun very similar to a GAU-19 Gatling Gun.
"E-e-emperor," the Serpent said as he knelt in front of the throne, "You have re-e-eturned."
His words were twitchy as if he was a robot with a serious defect, then again, he was half-robot.
"WarMachine," the Emperor said, "Welcome back. Do you know why I have summoned you?"
"The astrola-a-abe has a-a-awoken?" WarMachine asked.
"Yes," the Emperor said, "In the hands of a new breed of Power Rangers."
"The Ra-a-angers," WarMachine asked, "I thought you defe-e-eated them?"
"That's why you're here," the Emperor said as he gestured towards Gaeko, "Take Gaeko, find the astrolabe, and bring it back."
"Y-y-yes, my Emperor." WarMachine said.
Gaeko and WarMachine walked to the Jörmungandr, WarMachine couldn't believe what had happened to the ship he served on during the war against the original Rangers over two thousand years ago.
"W-w-what happened to her?" WarMachine asked.
"The Rangersss happened," Gaeko said, "Their ssship damaged the Jörmungandr, and killed ssseveral brave Ssserpent sssoldiers."
"They w-w-will pay," WarMachine said, "I c-c-can't wait to see what p-p-pathetic creatures h-h-have those powers."
Back on Mirinoi, the United came into drydock, and there was a large crowd gathered waiting for them.
As the crew walked down the docking tube, Carter was walking beside Damien, his arm in a cast because Gaeko had broken his arm.
As they disembarked, Dana ran up to embrace Carter and her brother as Damien found himself tackled to the ground by his charging sister.
"Hey," Damien said as he sat upright, "Didn't know you'd be this happy to see me."
"You bastard," Ellen said, "We thought you could be dead. Major Grayson said you went missing on the planet."
"I'm know," Damien said as he stood up just to have his mother give him a running hug, "I'm fine. Slight problem on the planet."
"What?" Maria asked.
"We were caught in an electromagnetic storm," Damien said, "We had to take shelter in a cave for a few hours. We're fine, we're all ok."
"That's all?" Maria asked.
"Not really," Carter said as he walked over to Damien, "We ran into the same lizard that wounded him during evacuation day."
"What?" Maria asked.
"Don't worry," Carter said as he lifted his broken arm, "Bastard did more of a number on me than him. Your son wiped the floor with him."
"He did?" Maria asked.
"He listened," Carter said as he put his good hand on Damien's shoulder, "He's quickly becoming my best student."
"Thank you Major," Damien said, "What do you say we get out of here?"
"Ok," Maria said, "Let's go home."
"By the way," Damien said as he hooked his arms over his mother and sister's shoulders, "Where's dad?"
"He couldn't make it," Maria said, "Busy on patrol."
"Of course, he is," Damien said, "Where else would he be?"
"He'd be here if he could," Maria said, "I'm sure of it."
"So, do I," Damien said, "But sometimes, you just can't tell."
The next day…
At the Alliance Base's science lab, the team were having their armors examined by the base's main science division.
"It seems the suits are made out of some kind of composite construct," Eric Rawlings, Joel and Angela (Fairweather) Rawlings' son said as he scanned a small piece of armor he took off Damien's chest plate which grew back the second it was shaved off, "Seems to have a strength to rival titanium or carbon steel, and a hardness and genetic structure index equal to diamonds."
"That would explain the slight transparent appearance," Damien said as he examined the pieces of armor that covered the space between the joints on his fingers.
"It seems the diamonds you found are some ancient form of technology," Eric said, "Still have no idea how it works."
"Well then," Damien said as he walked up to the observation glass that separated them from the scientists studying the astrolabe, "What about that?"
"The Astrolabe you found," Eric asked, "That is a riddle wrapped up in a mystery."
It was then that Commander Tate entered, "Attention!" Damien exclaimed.
"Thank you, Sergeant," Commander Tate said, "Here's the deal, Command's issuing new orders for your entire unit," he handed a small pad to Damien who took it to examine the orders.
"Press Conference?" Damien asked.
"Command wants to make a statement," Commander Tate said, "They want to show the people that we now have a way to fight back against the Serpent Empire."
"We got these powers only three days ago," Damien said, "We still don't know their full extent yet."
"Command is aware of that Sergeant," Commander Tate said, "Unfortunately, I couldn't buy you any time. If it were up to me you'd be keeping those powers a secret from everyone but me, and Majors Grayson and Collins. But Command thinks that having a new team of Power Rangers is going to keep the people's spirits up. They need some morale, and you're the ones that can give them that."
"Maybe," Damien said, "But I'd like to say that Command is rushing this."
"You're not wrong," Commander Tate said, "I'm glad that I'm not the only one who thinks that way."
Damien looked up at Commander Tate, and smiled, knowing that him and his team had an ally high up in the chain of command felt good, he knew his team could count on him.
"Thank you, Commander." Damien said as he shook the Commander's hand.
"Think nothing of it," Commander Tate said, "But if you're going to be new Power Rangers, then you have to start training," he held up four fingers, "Four days a week, you and your team will train for six hours, with breaks of course."
"Yes sir," Damien said as he saluted him, "When do you want us to start?"
"The day following the conference," Commander Tate said, "I suggest you get some rest because tomorrow will be a busy day."
Damien and his team walked out of the base to see that it was about to rain on the colony, and a Colonial Defense car pulling up in front of Alliance Command.
"Excuse me," the officer said as he raised his head out the window, "Which one of you is Damien Winters?"
"It's Sergeant Winters," Damien said as he stepped forward, "Can I help you gentlemen?"
"Your father wanted us to get a status update on your situation," he said, "You seem to be doing well."
"What did he mean by situation?" Damien asked.
"You were damn-near declared M.I.A. not three days ago," the officer said, "He's been busy trying to keep the Colony safe."
"He didn't try to come, and see me himself," Damien asked, "I'm just curious if that was his idea, or if it's because he's too busy trying to keep the Colony safe."
"If I were you I'd keep that opinion to myself," the officer said, "One thing I learned while working with your father is that he doesn't take criticism all that well."
"He's former U.S. Army," Damien said, "You don't talk to him about his performance or you and him won't get along."
"Heard that," the officer said as he held out his hand, "Name's Kit Acklin by the way."
Damien shook his hand, "Good to meet you." He said.
"Likewise," Kit said, "By the way, I'd keep my head above water if I were you."
"Thanks," Damien said, "By the way, I'd keep my TV dialed in tomorrow, the Alliance is going to be making a big announcement."
"Ok," Kit said, "See you."
As Kit drove off, Lara walked up to Damien, "You have any idea what he meant by keep our heads above water?" She asked.
"Not a single clue," Damien said as he turned to his team, "Listen, what just happened stays between us. Not a word to anyone, let alone another member of Colonial Defense. Ok?"
"Sure." Matt said.
"Lips sealed." Steven said.
"Not a word." Jackie said.
"You can count on us." Lara said.
"Good," Damien said, "I'll see you guys tomorrow."
As the team separated, Damien felt his phone vibrating on his wrist, and he opened the cover, he was receiving a call from his mother.
"Talk to me." Damien said.
"Damien," Maria said, "Have you seen Ellen?"
"No," Damien said, "I thought she was at home, her school let out an hour ago."
"She's not here," Maria said, "And her friends don't know where she is."
"I'll find her," Damien said, "Don't worry mom."
As Damien closed the cover on his phone, and walked off.
Damien might have spent some time away from home training with Carter, but if there was one thing he knew above all else was who to speak to about where his sister was.
Damien walked down to a neighborhood about three blocks down from the base, up to a small, unassuming house, and knocked on the door.
The woman that opened the door was a thirty-one year old Chinese woman with long, black hair, and green eyes, "Damien Winters," she said, "Good to see you again."
"Hello Mrs. Hess," Damien said, "Is your daughter here?"
"Yes," Mrs. Hess said before turning, and exclaiming, "Jenny! There's a handsome young man here to see you!"
The young Chinese-Caucasian girl that came running down the stairs saw Damien, and her expression dropped from playful to serious.
"Hello Jenny," Damien said as he stood with his hands behind his back.
"Damien," Jenny said as she walked up to Damien, "You look good, are those new boots?"
"Eyes up here," Damien said as he pointed at his eyes, "Where's Ellen?"
"Damien, I…" Jenny said.
"Jenny, I'm not Colonial Defense," Damien said as he pointed at his blue camo uniform, "My uniform is blue, not white. Now please, tell me where Ellen is."
Ten minutes later…
Ellen was sitting in the pool area of the Colony's High School with her best friend Allie, a young African-American Colonist originally from Silver Hill, where they were didn't give Damien a cause to be angry, what gave him a cause to be angry was the fact that Allie had somehow managed to get her hand on a pack of cigarettes, and she and Ellen were smoking them.
"How's your brother doing," Allie asked, "I don't see him very often?"
"He joined the Alliance," Ellen said, "He works with the original Red Lightspeed Rescue Ranger now."
"Seems like a sweet gig," Allie said, "Why don't you join?"
"Because he's only doing it to be like dad," Ellen said, "I have no interest in politics."
"You have an extra one of those," a voice from over their shoulders asked.
As they turned around, they saw Damien kneeling over them, "Hi, Damien." Allie said.
"Hello Allie," Damien said as he held his hand out to the packet of cigarettes, as Allie handed the packet over, he slid it into his pocket, took the cigarettes from the girls, and crushed them under his boot, "Let's go."
Damien brought Allie and Ellen to a small conference room in the school, and called Allie's father, Doctor Michael Bryson, the Colony Hospital's top surgeon, and Maria.
Within thirty minutes of making that call, a very unhappy Doctor Bryson and a very angry Maria walked into the conference room.
"Hey dad." Allie said.
"Don't hey dad me young lady," Doctor Bryson said as he walked up to Damien, "Where are the cigarettes?"
Damien pulled the cigarette box out of his pocket, and handed it to Doctor Bryson, "Found them smoking near the pool." He said.
"Tell me, do you have to make a report?" Doctor Bryson asked.
"Mr. Bryson," Damien said, "I'm an explorer with the Alliance, not cop with Colonial Defense. How you choose to proceed is up to you. But might I make a suggestion?"
Doctor Bryson gestured toward the door, and as they were outside, the three girls could see that Damien was saying something that Doctor Bryson obviously agreed with.
"That's a great idea," Doctor Bryson said as he and Damien walked back into the room, "I'll see you three at the hospital day after tomorrow," he then walked over to his daughter, and signaled for him to follow her.
"Where are we going?" Ellen asked.
"We're not going anywhere," Damien said, "Not until the car I ordered arrives."
"Car," Maria asked, "What car?"
"I asked the city if they would send over some transportation," Damien said, "We're not having this conversation here."
"Can we talk about consequences first?" Maria asked.
"Consequences," Damien asked, "You heard Doctor Bryson, her consequences are that day after tomorrow we're taking her to the hospital."
"What?" Maria and Ellen asked at the same time.
"You'll see what I'm on about," Damien said, "They'll be a method to my madness."
Damien heard his communicator beeping, he raised it to look at it, and saw that the car had arrived.
"Is that the car?" Maria asked.
"Yes," Damien said, "Now come, it's about to rain, and I'd prefer not to get my uniform wet."
"Why?" Maria asked.
"There's a big announcement tomorrow," Damien said, "Major Grayson wants me at the base tomorrow morning, and expect you to be there too."
As they ran outside, they saw that the car they would be taking was a white version of the Lightspeed Rescue, Rescue Rover with a roof, and gold accents in the tires, and in the two stripes running down the hood around the Alliance seal in the very center of the hood.
As they jumped in, Damien got in the driver's seat, while Ellen took the back, and Maria took the seat besides Damien.
"Nice ride," Ellen said, "It's nice."
"Thanks," Damien said as he started the car, and started driving.
"One thing I noticed," Maria said as Damien turned the Rover onto the main street of the colony, "This car had no driver when we entered."
"Experimental Alliance Technology," Damien said, "A.D.C.s, or Automatic Driving Cars. We've been working on technology to help the driver in case he falls asleep, there's no driver on duty, or the driver is distracted. This is the first one ever in service, and it should be able to pick up Alliance personnel anywhere in the city and pick them up if they need a ride."
"It's impressive technology," Maria said, "But how is this even possible? The Alliance only became an entity a week ago?"
"The Alliance has been in the works over the last three years," Damien said, "And we didn't start the Alliance off empty-handed, hundreds of companies, and alien species that joined the Alliance contributed a little something to the Alliance. This happens to be the brain child of various Earth technology companies, and KO-35's best scientists."
As they pulled up in front of their house and Maria and Ellen got out, Damien programmed the base's location into the Rover's computer, and as he stepped out, the Rover took off.
Take a guess at what happens next…