Author's Notes – (stares in shock at the number of reviews for the first chapter) Um, thank you everyone. By the by if I don't update again for a while it's because I'm either in court being sued by a former landlord, or jail for murdering a co-writer and ex-roommate, so ya know…maybe both at this point actually.
Summary – The boys work out their strategy, Jason and Tommy have a chat.
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The Plan
Jason
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Sitting back in my chair and watching silently as Tommy continues to lay out the plan, I have to say I'm torn between being a little jealous and more then a little awed at how well thought out his plan and speech sounds. He always was good at BSing. Me, never could manage it.
"They're gathered here, at the Sea of Tranquility." Showing us another video clip, I feel my breath catch as I get a look at the Zord of destruction I haven't seen in years, nor wanted to see ever again. Zedd was determined to kill us on that planet, if we hadn't grabbed the sword when we did we wouldn't have needed a power transfer because Rocky, Adam, and Aisha could have just taken the coins from what was left of our cold dead hands and harnessed the power themselves.
"Than that's where we have to stop them. If they get Serpentera up and running we're sunk." Suddenly realizing I've spoken out loud, I don't miss the concern in Tommy's eyes. His mind is in the same place as mine.
"I know." Face grim, I can see the underlying guilt. He thinks he should have destroyed it, or at the very least hidden it somewhere else. I know how his mind, no strike that, how his conscious works. Anything for him to feel guilty about and he's drawn to it like a moth to a flame. True it's gotten better over the years. I've seen him grow up, mature, and learn to face the fact that some things just can't be helped or changed. He's come so far from that scrappy little sixteen year old he used to be, but sometimes I can still see that kid in him, hiding just below the surface, like now.
"Why is it even there?" Huh? Suddenly struck with the absurd notion that Cole has managed to read my mind, it's only after a pause that I realize he's not talking about Tommy but about Serpentera. "Why did you bury it there? I mean surely you knew that more than one base of evil operations were set up on the moon. What was the point, to taunt the Evil Alliance?"
Jaw set, he's getting mad and not at the newbie either. I know he's disappointed in himself, mad at himself for doing just that, how many nights has he spent beating himself up over this? He said he and Andros have been on this for years. He's even mentioned it to me and Kat before, though I never planned on it getting this far to where I'd have to go help him stop the thing.
"Back off." Silently cursing myself as an old and long since buried sense of protectiveness flares up in me, I know I shouldn't. He's old enough to fight his own battles. Has been doing it for years now. Still though, I am not about to watch some rookie rub salt into his self inflicted wounds. "You weren't there, we all had our reasons for leaving Serpentera on the moon, none of which you need to know. The only thing that matters now is that we stop General Kan from getting it up and running."
"Agreed." Nodding his head sharply, Eric turns back to the blueprints of the Zord. I've no clue how Andros and Tom got those, but I have to say it's definitely going to help us. "I've been going over these with Wes and we've noticed a central power source. If they do get it operational before we can stop them our only chance to take it out is by hitting the main power supply it seems."
"We've thought about that. If that is the case Tommy will attempt to take it out." How? Hm, by the look on his face I probably shouldn't ask, doesn't look like either Andros or Tom is thrilled with this idea. "But let's hope it doesn't come to that. Our main intention is stopping them before they get it going. If we can do that I'll take it to be destroyed on Triforia."
"Sounds like a plan. So how soon until we arrive?" TJ, don't like him much more than the kid who's giving my friend grief. Morphing in front of hundreds of people just to be dramatic? What the hell was he thinking? And what was Andros thinking letting that happen? Overdramatic idiots.
"About an hour. So as long as everyone is clear on what we're doing you're all dismissed until we get there. Get some food, train, whatever, just make sure you're back here in about fifty minutes."
Nodding and standing, they all head off to their own devices leaving just me and Tom now lounging in the chairs.
"Was a good speech, bro." Smiling and glancing at the blue prints to see what Eric was referring to, I can't help but cringe as I notice that particular power supply is held right in the belly of the beast. How's he going to get to that if it comes down to it?
"Not as good as your bit of fatherly protection." I can't help it, have a child now, comes with the territory. Despite his disapproving look though, I know deep down he's amused if not even a bit grateful for my interference with Cole. Rookies, think they know everything. If he manages to stay alive and continue to Ranger for another few years then he can open his mouth and challenge one of us, but until then, not gonna happen.
"Sorry, sometimes I forget." Forget you're not my kid brother anymore. Forget I have my own little girl to look after and protect now. God please let me get through this and back to her in one piece.
"I know. How's Kat holding up?" Better than I expected her to. She didn't want me to come, but she knew there was no other way.
"She's good. Worried, but knows it has to be done. She sends her love and told me to make sure you come back alive." Smiling as this makes him laugh, I wish he hadn't moved away from us. I know it's not far away, only two hours, but still we miss him. Tristan had come to expect her 'uncle Tommy' to be with us nearly every night for dinner. To take her to the park on the weekends. To baby-sit for free so me and Kat could have a few nights just to ourselves. Definitly miss that one.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't she being telling me that about you?" No, she knows I know better than to go pulling some crazy stunt. You though, not so much. "After all I'm only the kid's godfather, think it'd be a tad more detrimental to her development if she loses you. Hmm though that would mean I'd have a shot at getting Kat back." Funny.
Shaking my head at his lame attempt at a lustful look, I decide to play along. "You mean you'd rather have her then me? I'm crushed. All these years I was certain you were pining away for me, but no it was all just an elaborate plan to gain my trust by getting me and Kat together, then drive me insane by taking away my free babysitting service, only to finally kill me off on some god awful mission."
Nodding smugly, he looks very pleased that I've decided to play. Hey can't go into a death mission like this without a little fun to ease the tension. Think I don't know that, Tom? Now I really am hurt. "I'm complicated like that."
Nodding in agreement, I'm not sure complicated is the right word but close enough. "You are indeed a puzzle."
"Hey, did I tell you I met someone?" No, and Kat will be very displeased to know you didn't come tell us about this immediately. "We're just friends right now though, we just hang out a lot, study, go get coffee." You hate coffee. "Despite the fact I hate coffee. Her name's Hayley."
"So you two hang out and you're already doing things you don't like to do just to be around her? Right, just friends, sure." Smirking at his mock outrage, I have to lean back to avoid being punched.
"We are! Just because she's nice, funny, cute, smart, really smart actually, like Billy smart, doesn't mean we're going to jump each other." Oh course not. And while we're at it let's pretend you don't have that little smile on your face. You have it bad for this one don't you, bro.
"Right, so when's the wedding?" Not able to move back in time, I give a laugh as his fist contacts with my arm. Not hard, but not gently either.
"Idiot."
"Loner." Ignoring his protests that he hasn't been one of those for several years I'm not sure I agree. I mean it's very reassuring to know he's met someone, but it'd be even more so to know he's made some actual friends. "You should come visit more often. We miss you. Tristan misses you. Kat's got no one to go to the mall with her. Tristan's got no one to take her to the park during the week. Seems like the time between each visit just gets longer and longer." Not to mention I miss you. I know I can hang out with Adam and Zack, but it's not the same. Even after all these years they don't know how to banter, how to keep up with me during sparing sessions, how to be…well you. Plus I'd like to meet this Hayley girl, I'm sure Kat wouldn't mind sizing her up either, make sure she's good enough for you.
"I know. It's just hard, this new job it's…it's taking a lot out of me." I really don't like that answer, because I really don't like who gave him this job.
"I don't like that guy, bro."
"Jase…" Tone warning but also tired, I know I promised before that I wouldn't mention it again, but that guy bothers me. I don't like how close he's been getting to Tommy, nor do I trust his intentions. You don't set up a twenty year old with a scholarship like that unless they have something you want. Granted that was a few years ago and he's working on graduate school now, but still, doesn't mean this guy isn't biding his time.
"I know, I know, I promised I wouldn't interfere, but something about him just…I don't know. I get a bad vibe off him. Just be careful okay." I promise one day I will stop acting like his protective older brother. Maybe in another ten years? Twenty? Forty tops. This Anton Mercer guy will be dead in forty years right? Yeah forty years it is than.
Sighing, he gives me a patient nod. "I will. Promise. Don't worry so much though, okay? I know he's got a bit of a reputation, but he's never given me reason not to like or trust him. He's…a little strange I'll give you that, but he's very smart and he does good work." I've yet to see any of this good work, Tom. All I see is you getting more and more distant from us and looking increasingly tired and on edge.
"Suppose you're right, sounds more like I should be worried about you walking away from this in one piece." Should I push this? Do I really want to know what they're going to do if we don't get there in time to stop it? "What did Andros mean Tommy?"
Suddenly finding the table very interesting, he gives me a shrug. I hate when he does that. It means that the most horrible scenario I can come up with isn't bad enough, it means that whatever he has in mind is worse. If I remember correctly the last time he had that look he was attempting to set me up with Kat. "Don't know what you mean."
"Don't try that with me Tom. You know exactly what I mean. What are you going to do if we don't get there in time to stop Serpentera?"
"It won't come to that. We'll stop Kan before he gets it operational." If you really believed that you wouldn't be shaking. He may be able to fool all the others but not me. I've seen him scared before, only twice have I seen him so scared his hands shake. The first time when his Green Ranger powers failed him at the very end of it all and again when I collapsed at the Youth Center thanks to my own failing powers.
"Don't do it. Whatever it is, don't." How will I tell Kat that I let you be killed? How will I tell your family? The others?
Standing slowly and giving me a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes, he suddenly engulfs me in a tight hug. "Don't worry so much Jase. Everything'll work out like it should, it always has and always will."
"But-"
Shaking his head and letting me go, he's at the door before I can stop him. "Don't worry, have I ever let you down?" You dying won't let me down you idiot, it'll kill me and everyone else that loves you.
Swallowing back the demands for him to tell me, I know it won't do any good. He won't tell no matter how hard I push because he knows I'll try and stop him. "You never let me down, bro."
"And I don't plan on starting now."
To be continued……..