Chapter 4
Harrison walks into the main computer room in the D.E.T.A. Headquarters.
"Sullivan!" Harrison shouts. Sullivan turns to him.
"Yes sir?" She responds.
"Is there any new information to report on these creatures?" He asks.
"Sir, we've told you all that we know for sure." Sullivan responds.
"For sure?" Harrison says.
"Yes sir." Sullivan responds. "There was some random encounter outside of a small town in California. We aren't sure it was aliens, however."
"What do we know about this encounter?" Harrison asks.
"All we know for sure is that there were 5 people walking outside the town of Angel Grove, California." Sullivan says. "All of a sudden, our scanners showed hundreds of people there for about 4 or 5 minutes. After that time passed, only the 5 people remained again."
"Do we know who these people were?" Harrison asks.
"Our scanners don't identify people." Sullivan says. "They only show us the heat signatures in an area."
"How long ago was this?" Harrison asks.
"Less than 10 minutes ago, sir." She responds.
"Thank you, Sullivan." Harrison says. Sullivan salutes and then Harrison walks away. He walks over to Jones' desk. "Jones, I want you to contact Colonel James Freeman."
"Freeman, sir?" Jones responds. "What for?"
"I want a task squad deployed to Angel Grove, California, immediately." Harrison says.
"Can I ask why?" Jones says.
"You can, but I don't have to answer." Harrison says. "Angel Grove, California. Task force." Jones just looks at him. "Now, Jones."
"But sir, what do you want me to tell Freeman?" Jones says. "He's not just going to send a task force there without a good reason."
"Tell Freeman that we believe there was alien attack outside the city. The people there need to be protected." Harrison says. "That good enough for you?"
"Yes, sir." Jones responds. "Right away, sir." He salutes. Harrison walks away. Jones picks up the phone and dials very quickly.
"Colonel Freeman, this Nathan Jones of D.E.T.A." Jones says. "We believe there was an alien attack outside a small town in California named Angel Grove. Commander Harrison wants a task force there, right away…" He pauses for a second, as Freeman says something on the other end. "No, we do not have confirmation of an attack, to my knowledge. I'm just following orders." Jones says again. There is another slight pause while Freeman is talking. "Of course, sir. I understand you can not devote a large portion of your men to an assumption. A small task force is all we ask." Jones says. "20 men sounds great. How soon can they get there?" Jones asks. "Within the hour? Sounds good. Thank you sir." Jones hangs up the phone. He walks over to Commander Harrison.
"Sir, I just got word from Colonel Freeman that a task force of 20 men will be in Angel Grove within the hour." Jones says.
"Good." Harrison says. "Now, get back to work."
Tommy walks his front door. He sees his uncle in the kitchen, on the phone. His uncle is nodding. Tommy sets his backpack down on the floor and walks into the kitchen.
"Uncle Frank, I'm home." Tommy says. Frank holds 1 finger up to Tommy, as if to indicate just one second.
"Well, thanks for calling." Frank says. "Yep, bye." He hangs up the phone and turns to Tommy. "Well, that was certainly an interesting phone conversation. You have something you want to tell me?"
"About what?" Tommy asks.
"That was Ernie from the Juice Bar." Frank says. Tommy's eyes widen.
"He called you?" Tommy asks.
"Of course he did." Frank says. "I have a right to know when my nephew is starting fights."
"I didn't start that fight!" Tommy shouts. "Those goons were threatening me. What was I supposed to do? Run away?"
"No, but…" Frank says. He pauses for a few seconds, then continues. "I'm just worried about you. You can't go getting in to fights. You're here to get straightened out. Your first day of school, and you're already in trouble."
"I'm not in any trouble." Tommy says. "I got a warning. That's it."
"A warning is still serious." Frank says. Tommy sighs. "What made these guys want to fight you anyway?"
"One of them has a crush on Kim." Tommy says. He chuckles a bit. "I also may have made some sarcastic comments that they didn't like."
"What are you and Kim dating now or something?" Frank asks.
"What?" Tommy says. "No. We're just hanging out."
"Did you tell these guys this?" Frank asks.
"Of course I did." Tommy says. "I'm a smart-ass, not a dumb-ass."
His uncle can only laugh. "You remind me so much of me at your age." He says.
Tommy looks at his uncle with a puzzled look. "What?" Tommy says. "One minute your hounding me about a fight, the next your telling me I'm like you. I'm nothing like you."
"You're into martial arts like I was." Frank says. "You get into fights with bullies like I did."
"OK, so I'm a little like you." Tommy says, smiling.
"There's a smile." Frank says. "That's what I like to see. You're a senior in high school, Tommy. I know this isn't how you planned it, but you should still try your best to enjoy it. But please, promise me you'll try to avoid getting in fights."
"I'll try, but I'm not guaranteeing anything." Tommy says.
"I was afraid you'd say that." Frank says laughing.
The ranger teens come to the edge of the city. They look around.
"That's weird." Billy says.
"What's weird?" Kim asks. "Everything looks the same."
"That is what's weird." Billy says. "Why would the aliens attack outside the city, but not attack the city?"
"Don't think too hard about it." Zack says. "Looks like something big is about to go down." Zack points down to a street. Around 20 soldiers are standing at attention in the streets.
"I wonder what that's about." Trini asks.
"Gee, I wonder." Zack says, sarcastically. "Maybe it has something to do with imminent alien attack that is about to happen. I don't know. That's just a guess."
"Zack, shut up." Trini says. "We know about that attack, because Zordon told us. Otherwise, we'd have no clue. How would these guys know about it?"
"Oh… right." Zack says.
"Let's find out." Jason says. He takes off running towards the soldiers.
"Jason, wait!" Zack shouts. "Come on guys."
The other follow Jason towards the soldiers. A couple large men step out and stop the teens. They are dressed in Black Suits and are wearing sun glasses. They have name tags across their chest. One of the name tags reads "T. Wells". The other reads "J. Parker".
"Can I help you kids with something?" Wells asks.
"We just wanted to know what this was about." Jason says. "It's not too often we get the military in Angel Grove."
"Sorry, but that information is classified." Parker says. "Now, I'd advise you kids to go home."
"Of course." Jason says. "Sorry for bothering you. Come on guys." The teens, except Zack start to walk away. Zack looks at the men who stopped them.
"Is there something else?" Wells asks Zack.
"Is this about the aliens?" Zack asks. Both men quickly pull out guns from holsters on their sides and point the guns at Zack. The other teens realize Zack didn't follow them and turn around to see this. They run to his side.
"What do you kids know about aliens?" Wells asks. Zack is frozen.
"Please don't shoot me." Zack says.
"Sir, we don't know anything about any aliens." Jason says. "We went for a hike just outside of town, and we saw something that looked kind of odd. This guy is obsessed with aliens, and swears it was one. The rest of us told him he was delusional. That's why we came to ask questions in the first place. To convince him that there were no aliens."
"Oh." The men both say. They put their guns away. Wells looks at Jason. "What is your name, son?"
"Jason Lee Scott." He says.
"Well, Jason, like we said, any and all information regarding why these soldiers are here is classified." Parker says.
"Right." Jason says. "Let's get out of here." The rangers start to walk away. Jason motions his head to the right, telling the others to go that way. They follow him into an alley.
"OK, that was weird." Kim says.
"They know something." Trini says.
"What gave it away?" Zack asks, sarcastically. "When they pulled a gun on me when I brought up aliens? That could mean anything."
"Could you quit with the sarcasm, Zack?" Jason asks. "It's getting old."
"Sorry." Zack responds.
"Now I think our first order of business should be to figure out what they know." Jason says.
"And how do you propose we do that?" Billy asks. "These are military professionals who have been entrusted with classified information. They're not just going to give it up."
"I don't know," Jason says "but, we can't just do nothing."
"Why not?" Zack says. "I'm great at doing nothing. Doing nothing is one of my best things." Jason shoots him a dirty look. Zack sees this. "What? I wasn't being sarcastic." He says.
Jason shakes his head. "Well, I guess we'll just have to keep an eye out. For now, we should probably head home. It's getting kind of late. Our parents might get worried if we're out too much later."
"Alright, let's head home." Trini says. They try to move, but are unable to.
"Um… guys." Kim says.
"Not again." Zack says. The teens start to glow the five colors again, and teleport away.
The teens land back in the command center. Alpha is standing by the computer system pressing buttons.
"Welcome back, rangers." Zordon says. "I am pleased that you have accepted your roles as the Power Rangers."
"Hold on a second." Zack says. "First of all, you have to quit teleporting us without any warning. Seriously, it's getting annoying. Secondly, we didn't 'accept our roles'. That gold monkey and those grey goons forced our hand."
"Regardless, you are the Power Rangers, now." Zordon says. "The powers have bonded with you."
"Say what, now?" Zack says.
"Zack, do you ever shut up?" Trini asks. "Zordon, what do you mean, bonded with us?"
"The powers can only be used by those who are considered worthy to be Power Rangers." Zordon explains. "Once they have been activated, without a stronger power source, the powers can not be transferred."
"So, I guess that means we're stuck." Trini says.
"Come on, guys." Jason says. "Look at the bright side. We get to protect the Earth."
"Now that you are officially the Power Rangers, there are 3 rules you must abide by." Zordon explains. The teens turn and look at him. "1. Never use your power for personal gain, 2. Never escalate a fight unless Rita, or another evil force, forces you, and 3. Never reveal your identity. No one must know you are the Power Rangers."
"I have a slightly unrelated question." Billy states.
"Yes, Billy?" Zordon responds.
"Who were those guys that attacked us?" Billy asks. "I know the monkey said his name was Goldar and he called those grey things putty patrollers, but what are they?"
"Goldar is second in command to Rita Repulsa." Zordon says. "He is a powerful warrior, and committed to helping his empress succeed in her goals. The putties are Rita's foot soldiers. Not very smart, but very easy for Rita to mass produce. While most fights will feature some sort of field general, it's likely Rita will also send the putties to give her a numbers advantage."
"OK." Billy says. "But why did they attack us, and not the city?"
"That, I can not say." Zordon says. "I fear Rita was looking for me, but I do not know this."
"Why would Rita be looking for you?" Jason asks.
"I am the only being that can stop her." Zordon explains. "The Power Coins are the only known power source strong enough to stop her. She wouldn't have known I had already granted you the powers. I believe she was trying to stop me from giving anyone these powers. You 5 are now the most important people on Earth. Without you, the Earth will fall."
"What about the military?" Billy asks. "Surely they will try to stop her. They've already dispatched a task force to Angel Grove."
"Your planet's soldiers will not be able to protect it from Rita." Alpha says. "Their weapons will be ineffective against her forces."
"I think you underestimate our military." Trini says.
"I think you underestimate Rita." Zordon says.
"So what do we do now?" Jason asks. "We can't just sit around here, and wait for an attack. We have our own lives. And if we're not supposed to reveal our identities, then you can't just teleport whenever you need us."
"I understand Jason." Zordon explains. He nods to Alpha. Alpha walks away. "At this time, you will return to your normal lives until Rita's next attack. Alpha has been working on a communication device that will allow you us to contact you or you to contact us. Also, it will allow you to access the teleportation grid, allowing you teleport to any location needed. Remember, this is for ranger duties only."
Alpha comes back with a box. He opens it up. The communication devices look like watches, only instead of keeping track of the time, it has a mini speaker and microphone in it. Each one has a slight tint to it, indicating which ranger gets which communicator.
The rangers each grab a communicator and put it on their wrists. "Now Rangers," Zordon says "it is time for you to head home. I will call you if you are needed. May the Power protect you."
The rangers nod. They press the button the side of their communicators and teleport away.
Rita sits in her palace on the moon.
"Ah!" She exclaims. "It is good to be back after all these years." She says.
A monster, with white fur covering it's body, and wearing blue overalls, walks into the room. This is Finster, Rita's smartest servant. His role is mainly to create monsters for her.
"My queen." Finster says. "Goldar is returning to the palace."
"What?" She exclaims. Then Goldar walks in. Rita looks at him. "Why have you returned?"
"Empress Rita, I come with terrible news." Goldar says. "I could not find Zordon's command center, but instead, came across a group of teenagers. They have been given the Power Coins. They were able to defeat us."
Rita let's out a frustrated scream. "So, Zordon still has to turn to humans to do his dirty work." She says.
"They are no ordinary humans." Goldar says. "The Power Coins gave them great powers, turning them into mighty warriors known as the Power Rangers."
"I know what the Power Coins do!" Rita says. "Idiot." Goldar snarls.
"My queen, perhaps I should dispatch a monster to take care of the rangers." Finster suggests.
"Yes, yes." Rita says. "That is an excellent idea, Finster, but which monster shall we use?"
"My empress, give me another chance." Goldar says. "Now that I know what I am up against, I am sure I can defeat them."
"No." Rita says. "You are too valuable to me, Goldar. We don't know what this new team of Rangers is capable of. Finster's monsters are strong, fearless creatures, and we can create more if we have to."
"I understand." Goldar says, and then he turns and walks away. Rita turns to Finster.
"Now, which creature shall you create?" Rita says.
She follows Finster into his laboratory. In his lab, there is a large pile of a special clay that Finster uses to shape monsters. There is also a large machine in which he inserts the clay monsters. This machine transforms the special clay monsters into real live creatures. Next to the machine is a table, and on that table is a book. That book features all the monsters that Finster is capable of making.
"Take a look through the book, my queen, and pick out one you like." Finster says.
"They're all just so evil." Rita says. "Can't you make them all?" She asks.
"I'm sorry, but no." Finster says. "The machine can only create one monster at a time. If I create a second monster from the book, the first creature will disappear. Putties are the only thing that I can mass produce."
Rita lets out a frustrated sigh. "Well, then, let's use this one." She points to a monster on the page.
"Ah yes, the mighty Minotaur." Finster says. "An excellent choice. The Minotaur is one of my strongest monsters. With the head of a bull, but the body of a strong man, it serves as a challenge for even the most skilled warriors. It carries a large club and a shield and can…"
Rita cuts him off. "Save the scouting report for someone who cares, Finster. Just make the monster already. And as soon as your finished, send it to city nearest to where Goldar was. That ought to draw the Power Rangers out."
"Yes, my queen." Finster says. "Right away." He begins molding the clay.
An African American man in a military uniform walks back and forth in front of the 20 soldiers. This is Colonel James Freeman. He stands at 6'5, and weighs 220 pounds of pure muscle. His head is shaved. He addresses the troops who have been assigned to Angel Grove.
"I am Colonel James Freeman." He says. "We have been dispatched to this location because of a possible alien attack in the nearby areas. Now, personally, I believe this is a bunch of bullshit, but Commander Harrison is a friend, and he asked me to have a team here, so I obliged. Be ready, men. While I don't buy it, it is a possible that there could be an alien in the area."
The soldiers all salute and say "Yes Sir!" in unison.
Freeman nods and walks off to the side. The soldiers break out of formation, staying in groups of about 4 or 5 people.
One group features only 3 soldiers. One these soldiers laughs. "Can you believe this shit?" one of them asks.
"Shut up, Miller." one of the others says.
"Lighten up, Jackson." The third soldier says.
"Yeah." Miller says. "Listen to Butler, Jackson. You're not telling me you're actually buying this shit, are you? Seriously. Aliens?"
"Yeah, I guess it does sounds far fetched." Jackson says. "It's just, our orders were to be stationed here. We signed up to serve. We're supposed to just follow the orders we're given. Right?"
"Hey, I'm not complaining." Butler says. He laughs. "I needed the break anyway." Miller joins in laughing. Jackson even chuckles.
Their laughter is quickly interrupted by one of their fellow soldiers screaming. "Hey! What the…" This soldier doesn't get to finish, as he is knocked out. The soldiers turn to see what is going on. There, standing in the streets, is the Minotaur monster. He hit the first soldier with his club and then he let out a loud roar. He then charges at another group, knocking them back. The rest of soldiers pull out their guns.
Jackson turns to Miller. "You were saying?"
End Chapter 4
I'm sorry this chapter took so long go get out. I'm trying to get 1 chapter out a week, but I just fell behind a recently. Also, please review. Thanks.