Under Artificial Skies
The sins of man have no where to hide

Note: I do not own Power Rangers: RPM, but I commend Disney for the good job so far!
Timeline: After "Handshake" and "Ranger Red" but the events of "Ranger Yellow", "Ranger Blue" and "Doctor K" and "Blitz" will come in.
Rating: T (Language, Violence)
Genre: Drama/Angst/General

----The Firewall----

"So what are you going to do to me?" Tenaya asked, watching the short girl type furiously, eyeing the nearby violin with caution. The girl looked up and then looked back to her computer.

"I'm modifying a firewall from a simple program to a chip that will be fitted to the slot in your neck that feeds to your spine. I created the firewall to stop the spread of Venjix, I want to see the effects it will have on you."

"I knew it had to be you. From the way that I've heard you name spoken by him, he reveres you. He treats you as God…since you gave him life."

"If I had any beliefs, Tenaya Seven, I would find that comparison unspeakable. He was simple a program that got out of control because I was unable to install the firewall that was meant to go with the program."

"Why not believe? Do most humans not hold on to some hope?" Tenaya asked, and was met with a weary gaze.

"I brought something into the world that destroyed it and murdered countless people, I cannot be forgive for what I have done. Since I would be condemned to hell in every religion for my crimes, I choose not to believe and since I am having trouble creating weaponry to help fight off what he creates, I have little hope yet."

"Well you've reprogrammed me if that is a start. I could help the fight." Tenaya suggested, Doctor K let out a soft laugh.

"I didn't reprogram you Tenaya Seven, I do not know what you've think I've done to you but I've done very little in the way of actually fixing anything of that nature. I've only changed your voice command, your loyalty has always been in your hands…so to speak since I've yet to reattach them. Your peace with the Rangers and I comes from the human part of you that is still left that is reaching for the last two people you felt something for. Your Brother, and Ranger Green, which I cannot fathom why."

"He makes me laugh and he's fun to play with…he's so…twitchy."

"Whatever you say…" Doctor K muttered, shaking her head.

"Its fine, we all know your preference is towards your first three Rangers anyways, especially Red."

"He's team leader, we must have an understanding or it would divide the team."

"That and he's perfect. You constantly berate Ranger Green because you didn't choose him. Even if Ranger Red had failed even one of your test you would have let him in, anyway."

"Perhaps but that isn't the case, Tenaya now would you please be quiet. I need to think."

"Can I have my hands back?"

"Would you like me to get the violin?" Doctor K retorted.

"No."

"I didn't think so."

Tenaya paced the lab, watching the young girl work diligently with her calculations and equipment. Her eyes would wander to the monitoring screens to see the Rangers now engaging in a game of pool. That brought her glee since she recalled last time she had her hand in it, they were beating Ranger Red with pool cues.

"Why are you smiling, Tenaya?"

"Oh…the memories…"

"You enjoyed that, didn't you?"

"What? The Other Rangers beating Red with cue sticks? Quite. Now, Doctor K, I have a question for you."

"What, Tenaya Seven?"

"Do you intend on fixing me eventually? Changing me back to human?" Doctor K looked at her.

"No. I know that there is no possible way to do so. Do you want to be changed back? Do you remember what it was like to even be human to want to?"

"No. I do not. I cannot remember but what my former Master has told me is that I had been born without sight, I depended much on the people around me. I do not wish to live like that again. I like the power I have gained."

"I can see that."

"There is nothing wrong with it. It seems to be your own nature."

"If that is what you believe, Tenaya Seven, you are wrong. I do not crave power, I want peace, I want to be…like everyone else."

"But you can't."

"And neither can you."

"I know that, Doctor K. And no matter how hard you try, you never will either. You will always be used as a weapon. You will only matter for your mind, nothing else. You are aware of that." A sigh billowed from Doctor K's lips and she looked to the robotic girl.

"I know, Tenaya Seven."

"But you don't notice your Rangers don't see you in that light."

"We are not here to discuss them or myself, we are here so I can see what exactly my firewall will do to you." Doctor K said, her voice going cold.

"And what was its original purpose?"

"To contain Project Venjix. What it will do to a creation is unknown." Doctor K stood, a small disk in her hand. "Stay still Tenaya Seven."

Unable to disobey, the robotic girl sat still as the young Doctor slid the disk into the slot on the back of her neck. For a moment, there was nothing, she heard and saw nothing and then she felt her body burn from the inside. She swore she could smell her artificial skin smoldering. That's when she let out a scream.

----The Side Effects----

Dillon could hear the screams and he was pounding on the metal door that stood between him and his Sister. The other Rangers were behind him, watching but not making an effort to pry open the doors. They knew it was useless but admired Dillon for trying so hard.

"You're not getting in Ranger Black," came Doctor K's agitated voice from overhead. "Not even the likes of you can get into my sealed lab. Stop distressing, Tenaya will be fine, no matter what I do she will always be fixable."

"Stop treating her like a machine! She's my Sister!" he raged back, Doctor K sighed.

"She is a machine. You are still human where she is not. I installed the firewall that would have prevented Venjix's spread, it tried to destroy her and it failed because it was not designed for her. She will be fine once her systems adjust to the program."

"Is that even possible? Can she adjust to the firewall?" Ziggy asked, his face pale.

"I just said she would be fine didn't I? Then she will be." Doctor K answered shortly.

Summer sighed and tried to wedge herself in between Dillon and the door and succeeded. Placing her hands on his chest she began to slowly yet surely push him away. After a moment, he stared at her, and then walked away. She rolled her eyes and dug her hands into her hair and let out a grunt of frustration.

"Dillon, no matter how hard you fight and rage and scream Doctor K will not stop. She needs to know exactly how to deal with what Venjix did to your Sister."

"But-"

"No 'buts' Dillon. She needs to find out! To stop this from happening to anyone ever again." With that Summer turned and left, clearly needing to be away from Dillon. He was about to go after her when a strong hand seized his arm and tugged him back.

"No, let her go Dillon. You're doing more harm to your relationship with Summer this way." Came Flynn's thick accented voice.

"But-"

"No. Let. Her. Go." Dillon turned to Flynn; he had never heard that man so insistent.

"Wow Flynn, I didn't think you'd have the guts to actually defend anyone against someone on this team."

"Summer is like my own Sister, that lass needs time from your constantly bullying and I will not stand by while you kill her with your words. We all understand that its hard to learn that your flesh and blood is now that monster in the lab but we cannot change the past. Now have a seat and shut your mouth for a while." Ziggy let out an admired whistle at the sight that unfolded in front of him.

"That was intense."

"No kidding. I feel awkward just sitting here."

"I know. Wanna…go…"

"Some where that isn't here?"

"Yes. Desperately."

"Then lets get out of here."

"Right behind you oh fearless leader." Ziggy said, as he and Scott crossed the Garage and exited their home.

In the lab, Tenaya's eyes opened and automatically focused on Doctor K, who was sitting in front of her. The young woman was worried, that was the first thing that calculated within her mind. She watch the Doctor stand, trying to slam her hands into her lab coat and failed. She noticed that happened a lot to the girl.

"Doctor K, you are not only worried but unable to get your hands into the pockets of your lab coat. Why is that?"

"Because they've been sewed shut. They've been sewed shut since Alphabet Soup caught me with a weapon for my own protection. They said it was unnecessary and that it was not to happen again so to ensure that would happen, they stitched it closed."

"But you seem concerned?"

"Yes. Ranger Black is furious with me. If anything were to happen to you now, it's in my hands. I've already taken your life and his is ending. I don't need to add any sins to my list when it comes to your bloodline. Your screams actually had me convinced you were in agony. You've been so believably programmed."

"I was meant to. To feel so human but to be so far superior. I'm sure you know the feeling."

"With the way you phrased it, I do, but it is not a good feeling."

"I agree."

The two sat in silence as Tenaya lay still on the table. Any feelings of wrath and hate were ebbing. She could feel herself becoming more docile. She did not know what the sudden peace meant or how it was brought on but it was a feeling that had been programmed she'd never experienced before. She wanted to speak to the Doctor about it but with one glance to the girl, whose whole demeanor had shifted to utter despair and silent agony of the burden being who she was, she couldn't bring herself to speak. She let her eyes close; the bright lights were too much for the sensitive sensors within her mind. When she opened them again, it was at the sudden reattachment of her hand. She watched Doctor K gently turn her arm and carefully slide the other hand into its socket.

---To be Continued---
Authors Note: I'm proud to say all of this chapter with the exception of the very end was written back in "Blitz" which is why that is the LAST episode I have mentioned in the timeline. This has been waiting all these months for the ending. I was scoffed at by a reviewer, and guess, what, I've been right all along. She is a machine, programmed to act like a human girl. She is not human. This is cannonly factual confirmed with Ancient History.