A.N.: Yes! I'm back. Sorry for disappearing again, but you know how life is. It throws you a loop or two or three and it takes awhile to get back in the habit of writing. But I haven't given up! Only 44 more chapters to go. (The outline has increased by several chapters again) I'd better start on the next one before something else comes up.
Once a Ranger
Chapter 7: Welcome Onboard
By Daylight
"Welcome onboard the MegaWinger. Created by the Kerovian rebels, it is the pride of KO-35, one of the fastest ships in the galaxy, and, when transformed, a hard-hitting Megazord. It's also my baby so please don't get it blown up.
This, as you may have noticed, is the bridge. Originally designed to be piloted by one person, thanks to its refit and upgrade greatly needed after the unfortunate beating it took a year ago, it now can be operated by a crew of up to six allowing for much greater dexterity in battle. There's the viewscreen, various consoles and chairs, you know, the basics. Here, we have Communications, Weapons, Navigation, Operations, Computer Systems, blah, blah, blah. You can familiarize yourselves with them all later. Since a lot of the technology you've used before has been Eltarian based, you shouldn't have too much trouble adjusting to this stuff. It is very similar.
Unfortunately, we are not equipped with an AI, but we do have the next best thing. It's called Andros, who is just now busily setting the course for Triforia. You need the ship to do something just ask him. Feel free to ignore any death glares you will receive in response, like the one I am getting right now. Moving on.
At the back here on either side, we have access ladders to get down below where we have the engine room and the cargo bay, all very boring. Though I'm sure Andros will happily give you a tour of the engine later on. Oh, we have put a mat down there for sparing and a punching bag, a great place to practice and as is necessary with Andros around, a great place to let off some steam.
Alright. On to the next room, where the windows offer a beautiful view of space as you can see the stars streaming by and the various planets of your solar system disappearing. We have on the left, the lounge and on the right, the kitchen. It's not much of a kitchen, just tables, stools and a synthetron. The synthetron can make almost anything you want, and it can make it very badly, but trust me it's better than anything Andros or I can cook up. The lounge, as its name implies, is built for lounging and has various comfy couches for that purpose, though it is often also used for meetings because it's just too comfortable to leave.
As we pass through this corridor, you will see doors on either side. The one on the right leads to the medbay where Andros enjoys spending much of his time. And the one of the left leads to the showers and toilets. Just be glad we have two, before the refit there was only one.
At the back here, we finally have the bunkroom. There are three sets of bunks each with its own locker where you can put all your stuff. Curtains can be drawn across for privacy. The ones on the left have been claimed by Andros and me. The chaos on the top one clearly shows that it is mine. Feel free to choose any of the others.
And that concludes our tour. I'm sorry if it's a bit small but the Megaship is kind of in use at the moment. Any questions?"
"Thank you," replied Andros, his plastered wrist crossed under the other across his chest as he leaned against the back wall. He turned to Tanya. "Ashley and Cassie never had a problem sleeping in here with the guys. But if you'd feel more comfortable, you're welcome to sleep in the medbay."
Smiling, she shook her head plopping her bag onto a bunk. "This is fine. I trust you guys. And it's not like anyone's going to be running around in their underwear."
Rocky opened his mouth to say something but quickly closed it as Adam slapped him on the back of the head.
"Alright, then everyone settle in and get some rest," suggested Andros ignorant of his fellow ranger's antics. "We'll be at Triforia in about 11 hours."
Most were content to comply. Tanya began to unpack as Adam and Rocky argued over who got the top bunk, but Tommy had other concerns. "I think we need to start working on our strategy first."
Andros shook his head. "I'd like to, but first we need to gather more information. We can't exactly do much on what we have."
"Don't you think we should settle on a plan as soon as possible?"
"It's hard to make a plan when we don't know what were dealing with." Dismissing Tommy's concerns, the red space ranger started heading back to the bridge. "I'll send a few messages out to my contacts and see what I can find out. I just need to send a message to my sister on KO-35 first and tell her what's going on."
"Um… Andros."
"Yes?" Turning back, Andros found his best friend's face covered in apprehension and guilt.
"Karone… isn't actually on KO-35."
"What!" His eyes wide, his jaw tight, Andros advanced on Zhane.
Hands up, the silver ranger hastily backed away. "She took off somewhere right before I left. I don't know where."
"And you conveniently forgot to tell me this because?"
"I… ah… I…" Zhane looked around for a way out. "Hey. Rocky, Adam, why don't I show you a few of those bridge controls," he called to the two rangers before hastily escaping. Glancing at each other, the former green and blue rangers decided it was best to join him.
Andros took a step to follow, but was stopped by Tanya's hand on his shoulder.
"He just didn't want you to worry."
"I know." Letting out a sigh, Andros sat down on his bed. "I'm not really that angry at him. It's just… my sister… After everything that's happened to her, I tend to be a little overprotective."
Sitting beside him, Tanya put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure she'll be alright."
Andros gave her a sad smile. "You don't know my sister. I'm sure wherever she is, she's already deep in trouble."
ooooo
"…to switch to manual just press this button. You can input your own targeting coordinates through this screen or download from the sensors. Got it?"
Gazing at the screen, Adam nodded. "It really isn't that different from our Zords or the Command Centre controls, just a few extra systems and a little bit more intercomplexity. Shouldn't be too hard to learn."
"Speak for yourself," Rocky retorted from where he looked over Adam's shoulder. Pulling a chair over, he collapsed into it. "I gave up using my brain after we graduated."
The former green ranger turned to his friend in exasperation. "Don't sell yourself short, man. I'm sure you'll pick this stuff up in no time."
"I don't know. Running the dojo is more my style." His expression turned pensive. "Richie better not mess up anything while we're gone."
Adam chuckled. "Miss it already?"
"Of course! It's my dream, my pride and joy. I've put a lot of work into that place. And here we go again rushing off to fight evil."
"Being a ranger requires a lot of sacrifices," commented Zhane from where he observed the two friends.
"Yeah, and I thought balancing life as a teenager with life as a ranger was tough."
"Don't worry about it." Adam offered Rocky an encouraging pat on his shoulder. "This is only temporary. We'll be back in a few weeks at most."
"Sure." Getting up, Rocky made his way to the back of the bridge where the access ladder to the level below was located. "I'm going to go try out that punching bag, see if it's as Sci-Fi as the rest of the stuff round here. I just hope it doesn't try to hit back."
"Don't worry it doesn't," Zhane called out as Rocky disappeared. "Andros doesn't like that kind anyway."
Unable to tell whether he was joking, Adam glanced at Zhane, but he was busily working on something at the console his expression blank. "Your friend doesn't seem too happy about being here," remarked the silver ranger.
Adam shrugged. "He's just invested a lot of effort into his life back home. When we passed on our powers, we all thought our tour of duty was over. This little adventure is a bit unexpected." He let out a small chuckle. "It's strange when we were chosen to be rangers. Rocky was the one who was excited. He thought it was the most amazing thing that happened to us. I mean I was honoured, but at the same time scared to death at what we were getting into."
Giving the former green ranger an evaluating gaze, Zhane commented, "You don't seem to have any problem redoning the power."
"Well, the truth is… I missed this. Being a ranger changed so much for me, allowed me to break out in ways I didn't think were possible. But most of all I liked being able to help people. It's hard standing on the sidelines, especially when you know there's still evil in the universe."
"I know exactly how you feel."
Frowning, Adam tried to recall what TJ and Carlos had told him about the Kerovian rangers. "You've been a ranger a long time?"
"Seems that way sometimes." Zhane shook his head. "It was only a year after Zordon created the space rangers that KO-35 was abandoned. So, not counting the time I spent in hypersleep, I was only an active ranger for about a year and a half."
"Zordon chose you too? But how…?"
"Being stuck on Earth never stopped Zordon from staying involved in intergalactic affairs." The silver ranger let out a humourless laugh. "But technically no. Zordon chose Andros. The rest is a long story. Let's just say I wasn't letting Andros go anywhere without me."
Adam raised his eyebrows. "I'd love to hear that story."
"Maybe some other time," replied Zhane getting up. "Right now, I have to check on Andros. Hopefully, he's cooled down by now."
"Good luck."
ooooo
Zhane didn't have to go far to find his fellow Kerovian. Andros was sitting at the kitchen table going over some recent scouting reports from the Outer Regions. He glanced up momentarily when Zhane entered, but immediately turned back to his reading. Zhane winced.
"Um… Andros…" He scratched his head as he fumbled for words. "I'm sorry. Look, I know how much your sister means to you. I care about her too. I was just worried about how you'd react."
Not looking up, the red space ranger moved to another report seemingly ignoring his best friend.
"I promise I'll never keep such important information from you ever again. I hope you're not too mad."
The silent response continued.
"And… um… I'm sorry?"
Finally setting the reports aside, Andros turned to Zhane. "I'm not angry at you."
"You're not? Then what's with the cold treatment?"
"You don't think I'd let you off that easy, do you?" he replied with a smirk
Zhane had to resist the strong urge to hit his friend on the back of his head. Instead, he sat down next to him.
"How are you managing?"
"I'm surviving."
Zhane decided it was better not to push. He indicated towards the reports. "Find out anything useful?"
Andros shook his head. "Not much. Some rumours of missing ships, but a lot of things can cause a ship to go missing out here these days. What worries me more is this." He handed Zhane a report.
Skimming it over, Zhane quickly picked out what had caught his friend's attention. "Palaxus and Klaron"
"There's been no contact from either of them for at least a week."
"Those planets are both right on the edge of the Wastelands."
"Exactly like the planet where we found Rita." Andros sighed. "It could be nothing, but…"
"It could also be the start of something big."
Next: Chapter 8Lost Among the Shadows I
We get our first glimpse at the other side of the battle and what has happened to the missing rangers.