Disclaimer: still don't own it…

Well, here's what you get from a 4-hour plane ride… chapter 14! This is starting to wind down, with maybe 2-3 chapters left…

Without further adieu, chapter 14! Please review and enjoy!

Loose Ends

The past few days had been quiet around Newtech. Grumm had not made a peep within the last few days, not even a hiccup. However the small amount of activity had given the Rangers a chance to relax somewhat. Syd and Sky were able to look for some things for their wedding, starting with the invitations. Jen and Wes spent time devising a plan to stop the villains, and in the middle of that Wes was begging Eric to call up his ex-girlfriend and reconnect. According to Wes, however, Eric was as stubborn and nervous as ever, considering every time he called and kept hanging up.

Trip, Bridge and Kat were busy designing a new weapon for the SPD Rangers to use as well as upgrades to both the Time Force and SPD morphers. Lucas, Katie, Jack and Z were the lucky guinea pigs to test the new equipment, which proved more complicated than expected. But Kat kept saying that this new equipment would be able to give the Rangers an upper hand in the battle against Grumm.

Cruger paced slowly in Command as the thought out loud. "But the one question that remains is how to defeat Excavious and Doomtron. Grumm will not show his face unless those two are destroyed," His statement earned a nod of agreement from Bridge.

"We have enough weapons," Bridge began.

"But not enough power to defeat Doomtron," Kat spoke up, but cursed as a small jet of sparks came flying from one of the panels on the body armor she began making.

As if inspired by the sparks, an idea popped into Katie's head as she practiced aiming with the new weapons. "Hey! What about the Electro booster Trip designed? We left that there for Wes to use before he sent us back to the future."

Wes and Eric both exchanged glances and chuckled lightly, which immediately sent a red flag up in Jen's head. "What did you two do, Wes, Eric," she said and eyed them suspiciously.

Again they exchanged glances while Wes scratched the back of his head. "Umm, remember how the first clock tower burned down by electrical failure?"

"The electrical failure was a cover-up. You see, the clock tower as being invaded by Ransik's cyclobots and we were surrounded by at least a hundred of them and had no way out. Wes set the Electro booster on self destruct and we escaped after it exploded," Eric stated and grinned. He turned to the green haired Time Force Ranger and bit his lip. "Sorry Trip."

Trip shook his head and huffed. "After all the trouble I go through to finally make something that works well, you two go off and destroy it," he said. "Typical." But he smiled at the two Rangers in jest.

"Okay, so the Electro booster is out of the question," stated Lucas.

"How did the Time Force Rangers defeat Doomtron the first time?" Z asked curiously.

"Now, that was no piece of cake, let me tell you," Jen said. "At first, our Megazord couldn't be sent back to the year 2001 because of the time vortexes that opened due to the Trixyrium Crystals."

"What did the Trixyrium Crystals have to do with it?" asked Jack as he took a seat near the computer.

Trip stood up. "Doomtron was controlled by the Pentor Crystal, the crystal was used as an energy star; a small, opaque yellow three-dimensional star. Frax, the robot who created Doomtron, was controlled by the same crystal, which is why they were so powerful."

"As well, the Q-Rex," he stopped as he saw the confused looks come over the SPD Rangers as be began again to talk about the Q-Rex.

"The Quantasaurus Rex, Q-Rex for short, is the most powerful Megazord created by Time Force. It was sent back in time for us to use along with the Quantum Controller box, which held the powers of the Quantum Ranger. Our friend Eric here found the box and became the possessor of both morpher and Megazord." Jen spoke up.

"And we all know what happened after that," added Wes

Eric shot Wes a look that stuck knives through the Red Ranger, making Wes chuckle even harder. "The Q-Rex is a large mechanical dinosaur and Megazord."

Trip nodded in thanks to Eric and Jen as he continued. "The Q-Rex had the Aquate Crystal, an energy diamond, much like the Pentor Crystal."

Curious, Sky spoke up, "Why couldn't they use one or the other?"

Katie looked to the Blue Ranger. "Each machine has its different ways of using energy. Doomtron ran the same way Frax did, after he broke away from Ransik. Time Force manufactured the Q-Rex, don't forget. Two different machines by two different people can use two different types of energy crystal."

"Okay, so let's get this straight," Jack stood up. "Time Force could not use the Megazord because they were stuck in the year 3000, however the Q-Rex was controlled by Commander Myers. So then what caused the vortexes to open up?"

Wes took the lead on Jack's question, "Doomtron and the Q-Rex had different crystals, and as they were battling, the energy radiations were different hence the vortexes opened over the city and destroyed whatever they opened over. Trip was able to adjust the Quantum Defender, and by doing so was able to transform the Aquate Crystal into a Pentor Crystal."

Eric huffed. "Make a long story short, with the Time Force Megazord back with us, and the Q-Rex, we were able to destroy Frax and Doomtron's crystals all in one shot, thereby destroying both robots." He crossed his arms and rolled his eyes, muttering something to himself.

Steelix immerged from the back room after printing out some research he had completed. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we're all forgetting one very important detail," he said.

"What?" Kat asked.

Steelix sighed and turned to Jen as he handed her the printouts. "Doomtron is not powered by a Trixyrium Crystal. Excavious found a way to bypass the crystal chamber with another source, so trying to neutralize a crystal is out."

Distraught, Jen turned around and cursed while throwing down the papers onto the table. They had all thought it was possible, to neutralize the idea that Excavious has used a Crystal to power Doomtron like before, but that idea was out.

"Then how are we going to defeat Doomtron?" asked Bridge slowly. He watched as Jen shook her head and walked over to the window and looked out of it. It was a habit she had whenever she needed to think.

"However, Captain," Steelix said after a few moments of silence. "There… is one possible way to defeat them, but it's risky."

"At this point, I'll hear anything," she sighed and turned to face the gray mutant.

"Again, in theory, perhaps we can give the Q-Rex one final battle."

"The Q-Rex was heavily damaged in its last battle and I do not want it dragged into this," Eric spoke quickly and loudly. "Damage like that would take years to repair, even though it can self repair."

"But if that means finally taking down Doomtron once and for all, maybe we should consider the option, Eric," Lucas said.

With all eyes on Eric he looked at the call button on his morpher and grunted. "I'll think about it, but I won't guarantee anything."

Jen smiled to him. A typical answer from the Quantum Ranger. "Good enough," she nodded calmly. "For now, I think we should all get to bed, it's late." With an approving nod from Cruger, the SPD Rangers left, followed by half of the Time Force team.

"Captain, if it's okay with you, I would like to stay up and continue with my research," asked Steelix.

"Fine with me," she said and turned towards Cruger. "Commander?" He also nodded.

Steelix nodded slightly. "Thank you. Good night, Captain."

"You as well, Steelix," Jen returned the greeting and left with Wes by her side as they went back to their room.

With a heavy sigh, Jen threw down the pen into the bed, rubbed her eyes and looked at the clock, with read 2:37 am. For the past few hours she had been reviewing the printouts Steelix gave her. She had been trying to come up with a solution, but came up with nothing.

Beside her, Wes rolled over onto his stomach and squinted as he opened his eyes to the light besides him. "Jen, what are you doing up?" he yawned.

"I can't find a way out of this. Steelix was right," she shook her head and put the papers down next on the nightstand. "The Q-Rex is the only logical way to defeat Doomtron."

"Maybe there is another way. Come on, go back to sleep. We'll discuss it in the morning." Wes reached across and switched off her light. Defeated, she inched herself back beneath the covers and rested her head against the pillows and yawned. She closed her eyes, trying to get back sleep. She soon smiled as she felt Wes's arm wind its way around her waist as he moved closer to her and kissed her cheek. She turned her head towards him as he moved a piece of hair away from her face.

"Everything will turn out okay, don't worry." Wes whispered to her. "You worry too much, Jen. Like I said, we'll talk about it in the morning. For now, you need to sleep."

Jen smiled as she nodded. He kissed her again as he closed his eyes and Jen nuzzled closer to him, then fell asleep.

"This war is stupid," Mora whined as she spun around in Grumm's chair, giving the Emperor on even bigger headache. "I don't see why we couldn't blast the bloody planet."

Grumm growled lowly as he rubbed his eyes, trying to relieve his headache and the girl's whining wasn't helping at all.

"I mean, come on, Grumm. Just one blast and," she sprang off the chair, "BOOM! Blasted into oblivion!"

"Quiet!" he retaliated angrily, making his head pound even more. "One more peep," he said darkly, "Even an eyelash fall, I'll throw you back in the pit for another four months!"

Instantly Mora was silenced as she fell back into the chair and closed her mouth. The past few months she spent in the pit, with nothing but Sally Sunshine, and the clothes on her back.

The door to his chamber opened slowly as Excavious walked in. "My Emperor," he bowed. "Doomtron is fully recharged as awaits your command."

A smile crept across Grumm's face as he turned around to face Excavious. "Excellent," he said and turned to where Broodwing stood in the shadows. "Broodwing," he commanded, "Ready the krybots, Excavious, see that Doomtron is ready, for tomorrow we attach at full power, and destroy SPD once and for all…"

Chapter 15 coming up soon…