"Lord Zedd"

If he had the choice he would of dissolved the nobles and their influence long ago. But whether Zedd liked it or not, he needed the nobles. Their families had been in power throughout the Empire long before it was named after him and if he disbanded them he would lose the resources of over half of it. It had always been that way since the days of Gorma himself. The core planets of the Empire possessed many of the resources, man power and technology that kept it running. He needed to keep them satisfied with the alliance their five worlds had made many centuries ago. The original alliance was that of cooperation and peaceful diplomacy but Gorma was a charismatic leader that inspired the fire with men to follow him and his talks of conquest. He had given the five nobles complete control over their planets while he came to power and led the military out into the far reaching star systems. After the first ten planets were successfully conquered, and the profits came back to core worlds ten fold, the Empire was formed under his name. So it remained for over sixteen thousand Earth years, until Zedd rose to power.

He looked up into his reflection in the mirror, his damaged and scared red fleshed face bare. Of course he could not see it, his eyes no longer functioned. They were clear white orbs inside his red skull. Once his skin has been smooth like the rest of his species but the attempt on his life had forever cursed him to wear his armour, this feet of combined technology, for the rest of his life. The body pieces protected his skin while the head piece served to help him breath and see the world around him through his visor. He had lived for nearly nine hundred Earth years, seven of them like this. For his species, and many of the others in this section of their galaxy where the core planets lay, it was common to live to over a thousand years by human standards. Of course this was normal to them and time passed far quicker than it did for humans. However ones life could achieve so much more with the extended time they had. His life for instance had been that of gaining and keeping his power, it is what he lived for. As they had ventured further out into their galaxy and onto others the life spans had continued to grow shorter, as a result most of the newly recruited species were put on the front line. Their lives being said to be to short to matter. Now they had reached these humans, and although they only lived for a fraction of their own lives they had managed to beat Zedd's forces time after time. The seventh fleet, the elite task force, was gone. He could have continued to send in all the empire but it would not have mattered. His resources would not be enough. He needed the entire fleet, the technically advanced ships the nobles scientists were developing. He needed it all to defeat this new threat.

Their was a knock on the door behind him and Zedd lifted his mask on before turning toward the sound.

"Enter" his voice growled through the voice modulator on his mask.

"My Lord" an officer entered and bowed "it's time."

***

The council room was circular in shape, the seats arranged against the walls and spreading out around the darkened room forming a full circle. Between the various alcoves where the chairs and subsequently where the nobles were sat there were various drapes of artwork that was the flags of each core world. The original five had expanded in the early years to include twenty planets in total before further worlds stopped being permitted core status.

"You can't expect us to believe this small, insignificant, privative planet is worth such a large scale assault. If we committed all of our ships to such an endeavour the core worlds would be left relatively unprotected if Mondo choose to take advantage and attack" Meleka of Oregon Prime stated in her usual high pitched and pompous tone.

"I as said" Zedd growled as he looked over at her from where he was stood with his personal guards at the centre of the hall "the humans have been given weapons of great power. I am sure the coins we found on Eltar are of a very old and very advanced origin. What I do know and can prove is that the entire seventh fleet including my Chief of Staff was destroyed in the attack. This is not about simply taking this planet but about taking that power away from a very powerful threat and using it to our advantage. If they choose to go on the offensive..."
"They would fail" Vilius, Bandora's farther, cut him off in reply.

"Indeed. But what if they found other weapons of the same origin and strength? What if the people of Earth became an army of 'Power Rangers?' Then our very existence, our Empire, could be at risk. We can not take the chance. We must go in full force and destroy them and take their power before they destroy us!" Zedd hammered home his case.

"You want to take in all eight of your remaining fleets combined with ships of our newly enhanced home guard armada. Even for this threat that is the biggest fleet every assembled for a single campaign" Vilius spoke "even you cannot make such a request."
"Look over the data I have given you, the recordings from the outer recorders on Serpentera. I am sure it will lead you to the correct course of action" Zedd straightened "I will let you deliberate and await your decision."

Zedd turned with his usual stride, picking his staff from the floor and heading for exit. The two guards followed down the steps and the door before them opened out into the hallway of the space hub. Zedd was met with the eager and irritating presence of Master Vilius's other child, Bandora's sibling Ritora.

"Did they agree?" He asked eagerly, he was a general in the Empire but Zedd had made sure he was kept as far away from him as possible.

"Not if your farther has his way. They did not seem to understand the critical nature of this mission" Zedd did not stop walking or turn to face him.

"My farther has always been cautious" Ritora replied as he walked behind Zedd.

Zedd stopped and turned swiftly toward him with intent "if I had noble blood in my veins they would not hesitate."

"My farther won't listen to me. He hates me remember" Ritora said "my sister has always been his favourite."

"Then its a shame I despise your sister" Zedd growled a response and turned, walking off down the hall and leaving Ritora to himself.

"Yeah shame" he nodded.

He then turned his head slightly, he had an idea.

***

Zedd walked into his cabin and threw down his staff, it clattered on the floor as he smoldered in rage.

"Arrogant fools!" He cursed.

He breathed through his respirator mask, trying to calm himself and walked over to the far wall where a picture was placed. In it was a young man who had dreams, hopes for the future.

"If only you had known" Zedd spoke quietly to himself "I only I had seen it I would have found a way to overcome these nobles long ago."

It was then there was a knock at his door. He turned to it with a quick spin of his head.

"What?" He called out, making it evident he was not in the mood.

The door slid back and Bandora stepped into the room with a swagger that let Zedd know she had intent.

"Busy?" She asked.

"To speak you?" He turned fully toward her way "always."

She smiled with a slight laugh and walked further into the room "small. If I were you I would request a new cabin, one suitable for a man of your stature."
"I don't like luxuries" he growled back as she sat upon his chair and stretched out "is there something you wanted?"
"Actually yes" she looked straight at him "my brother came to me with an idea. One that would give you the power you have always wanted..."
"I have the power I have always wanted" he cut her off.

"Then why is it half the fleet are subject to the council?" she replied "what I mean is absolute power. The power to order every ship in the empire to do you bidding with or without the council's consent. You know that my brother loves the military, thats why my farther hates him so. But I'm sure if I were to carry out his plan my father would warm to you and your imperial ways."

"What has he told you?"
"He really respects you you know. Idolises you even."
"Get to the point!" he walked in closer to her.

"He suggest that we marry. He says, and is right, that with my influence on my farther, his influence on the council and your military power that we could become the most powerful force this side of deities" she rose up toward him.

"Me and you?" Zedd lets out a laugh "marry? Don't be repulsive!"

"Then you don't agree? I'm sure with those facts...with my influence that you could learn to tolerate, even love me."

"Your farther would more likely disown you" Zedd shot back.

"Unlikely. Then he would have no connection to my dear mother" she rose up further so that they were face to face and brought her hand up to touch Zedd's strange,scared skin "I wouldn't care you know. I find it unique, interesting."

Zedd brought his own hand up and grabbed hers tightly "you are pure evil aren't you?"

"And what does that make you? I see the joy you get out of conquering worlds, destroying life. I watched the way you enjoyed killing your Commander Brach."
"Would your influence really get me those ships?" Zedd hissed at her.

"Its more than likely" she replied with quick, devious, raise of her eyebrows.

Zedd throws her hand down and walks back away to the other side of the room "Then I will consider it."

"What happened?" Bandora asks as she sits back in the chair.

"What?" he turns back to her.

"Your body. I have heard stories but what really happened to you?"

"A consequence of my rise to power" Zedd responded.

"I see. Want to fill me in? I would like to know the person I am to marry" she leant in, interested.

"What is to tell? I was second in command of the Rekvak, the flagship of the old fleet, for over thirty full rotations. We were ordered into a battle with no backup, it seemed we had little to gain and so much to lose. We lost the Captain and I took command. Despite tremendous odds, we won the day. It was only after returning that I realised we were not expected to return. The Emperor knew of our Commanders reputation throughout the fleet, knew his name and voice carried support. We were all casualties of his political game" Zedd sat on his bunk and cursed to himself "why am I telling you this? Go look it up!"
"I want to hear it from you. Please, continue" Bandora said "I have never really understood you. Perhaps after I do our marriage can get off to a positive start. Perhaps I may be fully on your side and easier to convince in the time ahead."
"Hmm" Zedd sounded back.

"Please, go on" she repeated.

Zedd sighed and continued "Once I found this out I began making speeches organising my crew. I spoke of how the descendants of Gorma had ruled for far to long, how the Empire had stopped expanding, had grown stale. In the years of Gorma himself we had even found wormholes, gone into other galaxies even. Soon word spread to other ships and before I knew I had the whole military on my side. I knew I had the strength to at least stand against the Emperor, and when I was confident we had enough forces I moved against him."

"A coo" Bandora said with intrigue.

"We overran my home planet, having already gained the surrender of the other core worlds. I killed the fool with my own hand and raised his severed head for all to see. On that day I was proclaimed the new Emperor and the military took control of the Empire. Now I realise my one mistake, I didn't do away with the nobles. Now I am paying for that mistake, they have grown too powerful even for me to oppose alone."

"Thats why I'm here" she smiled "what about your...accident?"
"That happened soon after I took the throne. At first several factions rose up claiming that the Gorma blood line were the rightful rulers, opposed to the marshal law. They had friend in high places. A bomb was planted on my own ship. The Rekvak was destroyed on that day, as was my life as a normal man. I was not killed by the blasts, one of my loyal subjects made sure of that, giving his life for my own. However it did scar my entire body, take my sight and my ability to breath normally on my own" Zedd lowered his head "and now I am...this."
Bandora stood and walked over, sitting on the bunk next to him and bringing his head up with her hand.

"I like it. Makes you look powerful, intimidating. I like my men powerful" she spoke softly but deliberately.

"I still don't like you Bandora" Zedd scowled as she lifted his mask off slowly.

"Call me Rita" she smiled and pressed her lips against his.

***

Bandora and Zedd stood before the council, hand in hand. Vilius looked furious but was trying hard to keep that hidden from the others.

"You are sure this is want you want?" He managed to say through clenched teeth.

"We are bounded to be married farther" Bandora nodded "and as you daughter may I make a formal request that my beloved be granted his request."

Zedd turned his head from looking at his future wife and looked with satisfaction at Vilius. Master Vilius stood firmly and let out a hard breath.

"So be it. Emperor, we grant you request" he said firmly and turned with a start toward the exit.

Zedd's mask hid his face but beneath it he was smiling. He had won and should Bandora get out of hand he would do away with her, he had the means. In time even the council would be gone with only him remaining. And under his command would be five loyal subjects of the Empire, each with a power coin in their hand.

END

Next: As the massive Zedorian task force heads to Earth they are opposed by their neighbours the Machine Empire. Meanwhile the three teams of Rangers attempt to find out where Zordon and this "Site B" are.