AN: Still writing. I promise! I realize I'm bringing up questions in here to do with Andros, Zhane, Trey and the Council of Light, but I'm afraid they won't even be answered in this fic. They'll be answered in the prequel (and expanded upon in the sequel but the prequel has a much better chance of being written) which probably won't be written until I've finished this, unless it decides to keep itching at my head as it likes to do. Anyway, please enjoy and please review.

Once a Ranger
Chapter 11: Long Distance Calls
By Daylight

The Venerable Arkant, high steward of Triforia, sat in the majestically crafted, great hall going over reports on water reclamation on his computer console. He sat at a simple desk set next to the base of the grand dais bearing the three ancient thrones. It was his spot. There he could look through reports while at the same time advise and look after the young Lord of Triforia. It was his lord that he was busy trying not to think about at that moment as he buried himself in the routine of the day.

Worrying was unfortunately common practice when your king also happened to be a power ranger. Luckily, it was not common knowledge otherwise Trey would be in even greater danger. Assassins would enjoy the opportunity to take out the two greatest powers of Triforia at once. Admittedly though, the real danger would come from his people who might protest the idea of their king risking his life as their protector, not to mention the controversy it would create amongst the Council of Light. Arkant, himself, wasn't happy with the arrangement, but unfortunately, it was tradition for the power to remain in the royal family and with the passing away of Trey's parents… He just had to get used to worrying.

The high steward was still trying not to worry when the giant doors to the throne room came crashing open marking the entrance of eight morphed power rangers all apparently ready for battle. He looked up, so startled he almost fell out of his chair.

"What! What…?" Flustered, Arkant tried to regain his seat and his composure. "Are we under attack?"

"That's what we were hopping you could tell us," announced the gold ranger. "Some type of shadow creatures attacked us at the temple. Have there been reports of any disturbances?"

"Nothing at all my lord." The steward stood quickly rescanning some of the most recent intelligence he had at hand. "But surely our scanners would have detected something."

"Not with these creatures it seems. Have all sentries perform full sensor sweeps anyway and report anything unusual. Tell them to search the sky with their own eyes as well. I don't want any more enemies sneaking up on us."

"Yes, my lord." Arkant swiftly swept out of the room his staff forgotten in his frantic haste, his robes fluttering behind him.

Finally, allowing himself to relax slightly, the Lord of Triforia collapsed onto his throne and demorphed. The others followed suit.

"I'm sure those creatures were just a scouting party sent for the Zeo Crystal," reassured the green ranger.

"Adam's right," agreed Tanya. "If the whole fleet were with them, surely they would have attacked by now."

Andros nodded. "What we should be more concerned about is if those creatures have gotten this far into Union space.."

Trey's eyes widened. "…where else have they gone. The planet they attacked was in the Outer Regions, but we may have been foolish to believe they were confined to that area."

"You mean they could have reached Earth?" asked Tommy, concerned for the home they had left unprotected.

"Earth, Aquitar. Maybe even as far as Eltar."

"Then why haven't they attacked?" demanded Rocky.

Zhane shrugged. "How should we know? We don't even know who they are or what they want. All we know is they like demolishing planets, kidnapping rangers and stealing crystals."

Andros rubbed his forehead wincing as he brushed the bruise slowly fading there. "We still need more information. I've contacted some people I know in the Outer Regions, but all they could tell me was they've lost contact with a couple of colonies."

Leaning forward, Trey folded his hands across his lap. "We need to contact the other rangers."

Adam frowned. "Exactly how many rangers are we talking about?"

The Lord of Triforia sighed. "Power Rangers tend to come and go as they are needed and most only concern themselves with one planet. The only other rangers I know of currently are those like me who are more permanently stationed: the rangers of Aquitar and the phantom ranger."

"There are also rangers on Terra Venture," reminded Andros. "I'll contact them. They might not be able to help us, but they need to be warned of the danger."

Zhane nodded. "I'll talk to Delphine. Maybe the Aquitians have sensed something. They've always been good at predicting ominous danger."

"And I'll contact Eltar. Hopefully, the phantom ranger is there though I haven't heard from him in months. Have either of you…?" He glanced questioningly at the Kerovians, but they shook their heads. "I'll also contact the Union of Light."

"Planning to make a report to your bosses," commented Zhane letting the snide comment slip.

Bristling, Trey clenched his teeth. "They may have important information. And now is not the time to argue politics." Zhane looked away from his glare.

"Wait," interrupted Tommy as Trey was getting up. "How can we help?"

"I'll set you up with a connection to the Union Archives. Maybe you can come up with something there. I suggest we gather as much information as we can and reconvene in a few hours."

ooooo

"My lord, it is a honour to hear from you. I trust all is well."

Trey inclined his head respectfully towards the communications screen currently occupied by the visage of Triforia's representative on the high council. "The honour is mine councillor Trikard, but I fear not all is well." He observed the lines on the older man's face tightening beneath his white hair. "Has news reached you of the planet that was recently destroyed?"

With a sigh, the councillor leaned forward hands clasped before him. "Which one?"

"There have been more?"

"The Union has received word of four such planets and nothing on the cause of the destruction. All of them were in the Outer Regions near the Wastelands. We've sent scouts from Eltar and Sentura to investigate. Many people on the council believe it to be some sort of exaggeration or hoax, paranoia left over from the war."

"I can assure you it is no hoax." Trey proceeded to explain what Andros had seen and what had happened on Triforia.

Trikard shook his head. "I'll inform the rest of the council, but I'm afraid that without the mutual defence treaty complete, there is little we can do."

"How are the negotiations going?"

"As soon as it seems we're nearing an agreement someone brings up another niggling detail and everyone takes sides once more. Some still protest the need for one at all, especially since the enormous reduction in the evil presence since the wave of light."

"I would have hoped the recent war would have made everyone realize that a few Union enforcers and a handful of rangers are not enough to protect the universe. We can only hope this news will expedite things." The Lord of Triforia let out a deep breath. "One more thing Trikard, if you wouldn't mind."

"Yes, my lord?"

"Try not to mention Andros' involvement. I know his continued use of the Power remains a matter of contention among the council and I don't want it to distract from the issue at hand."

Trikard frowned. "If you insist, my lord. May the Power protect you."

"And you."

oooooo

"Greetings, silver ranger."

Unable to resist using a nickname he knew she would detest, Zhane grinned at the leader of the Aquitar rangers. "Hey, Delphy. How's things on Aquitar?"

The white ranger's face remained impassive. "Things are well, but I sense it is not so with you."

"Nothing ever gets past you, does it," he replied still trying to bait her. "I suppose you know what's going on already?"

"We on Aquitar have been sensing the approach of a great evil for awhile, but the details of this evil have eluded us."

Turning serious, Zhane let out a sigh. "Well, luckily for you and unfortunately for us, I have the details." He quickly filled her in on everything that had happened.

"This is indeed worrying. I do recall several tales of these creatures, but they are only ancient myths, stories of living shadows who could appear out of nowhere and steal people's souls. They are not something we ever believed to be true."

"Well, it looks like the old tales were right."

Delphine cocked her head to the side. "Something else is troubling you."

"I'm just worried about my friends."

"And you wish you had been there to help them."

"But I wasn't." Zhane shrugged. "It's the story of my life."

"You know you are not to blame for what you could not know."

"I know. But it doesn't make me feel any better." The silver ranger ran a hand through his short hair.

"I hope the other rangers will be returned to us soon. If you need any aid with your quest or with anything at all, feel free to contact us."

"Thank you," replied Zhane smiling gratefully.

Delphine lifted her hands in an Aquitian gesture of goodbye. "Farewell, Zhane. May the Power protect you."

"See ya, Delphy." Before the screen shut off, Zhane was delighted to see a tiny sideways smile cross the face of the white ranger.

ooooo

"Andros!" Damon scrambled out from under a console quickly disentangling himself from various wires. "Hi. How are you? You probably want to speak to Leo. I'll go get Leo."

The red ranger frowned as his fellow ranger dashed off the Megaship bridge and out of view of the communication's screen. Several minutes passed as Andros waited for Leo to appear. His patients was rewarded when a slightly nervous Red Galaxy Ranger edged into view.

"Hey, Andros. How are things?" Leo greeted his eyes flickering to the side.

"I've been better. Is something wrong?"

"No. No," Leo insisted. "Everything's fine."

Andros frowned again. He knew now that something was definitely up. "How are you managing without a pink ranger?"

"Well, actually, we've got a new ranger."

"Who…?" Andros trailed off as another figure entered the screen.

His sister waved apprehensively at him. "Hi."

"Karone!" Either his mental or vocal cry must have reached Zhane, because the silver ranger was soon at his side.

Zhane's jaw dropped in shock. "Karone? What…?"

"I'm the new Pink Galaxy Ranger," she announced.

"Huh?" was Zhane unintelligible response.

"I know you guys are probably mad at me for going off without telling you, but I wanted to help find the Pink Quasar Saber. So, I talked to a few of my old contacts and I managed to trace it to Onyx."

"Onyx?" exclaimed Zhane. "You really are as bad as your brother." Andros was still too shocked to respond to this comment.

"Yeah, well I got the Saber and happened to overhear Trakenna plotting to attack the rangers so I went to rescue them and well, one thing sort of led to another."

"You're the Pink Galaxy Ranger?"

Karone nodded.

Andros glared at his fellow red ranger. "Leo!"

"Hey. It wasn't my choice. Besides…" he glanced sideways at Karone. "Your sister kicks ass."

"But…"

Karone held up her hands. "Don't even get started on all that protective stuff. I can take care of myself."

"I'm your brother. I'm supposed to worry."

"Am I allowed to worry?" She gestured to the fading bruise on his forehead. "You look horrible. Zhane, what have done to him?"

The silver ranger clapped a hand to his chest. "Don't look at me. He can do this to himself perfectly well on his own."

"What happened?"

"I've…" Andros's voice caught in his throat. "I've got some bad news."

Karone put her hand to her mouth as Andros told the tale of what had happened to the others. "Oh…"

Leo put a comforting arm across her shoulder as he turned to Andros. "Do you think these shadows might attack Terra Venture?"

"Right now, they seem concerned with more defenceless targets, but I would keep an eye out."

The Red Galaxy Ranger nodded. "We will. Good luck guys."

"And be careful," added Karone.

"You too. And Leo…"

"I promise I won't let anything happen to her."

"Karone…"

"Yes, Zhane."

"Take care."

She smiled warmly in reply. "I promise."

Once the goodbyes were said, the silver ranger collapsed into a chair besides his best friend and put his head in his hands. "At least we know she's okay," he said when he finally looked up.

Andros nodded still in shock.

"This is a good thing," insisted Zhane as if trying to convince himself.

"I know." Andros sighed. "It's just going to take a little time to get used to the idea that my sister is out there risking her life like the rest of us."

"She'll make a fantastic ranger though."

"One of the best," Andros replied with a smile.

Next:
Chapter 12: Fight and Flight
The rangers face their first battle with the enemy fleet.