Chapter Two

//log.on/blue/rocky/05/ This is the only life for me. On the battlefield. I am wielding an unstoppable force. I am an unstoppable force. The bullets rip through their insides just as they should. I am effective. My blade hacks it's way through my victims. They can't even feel the pain, robots. Emotionless. Not like me. I have a fire within me. And I'm loving every second of it. Kicking ass and taking names. The life of a warrior. //log.off/blue/rocky/05/

Day 02.

//log.on/pink/kat/06/ My eyes drift open. I'm moving. I stare at the white lights above me as they fade into a blur. I hear voices. I hear screams. I hear the sounds struggle; fighting for their lives. I'm not on the battlefield. No, there is no presence of war here, only in our minds, in the form of memories. My eye catches a face. A stranger. He looks at me the way a man would if I were seconds from death. The feeling his eyes give me makes my own eyes shift down at my body. His eyes didn't lie. They must of drugged me. I should be screaming. Instead I cry. My eyes close again. I lose control of everything. My world goes dark. //log.off/pink/kat/06/

Eltarian Doctor:"We're loosing her!"

Kat is on the table.

The doctors use all sorts of lifesaving instruments.

She is among the survivors.

Yet she may not be one herself.

Somewhere between the Cogs and the Quadrafighters she lost a section of her armor.

Day 07.

The battle for the capital city of the planet of Aquitar was a success.

But it cost the Aquitians everything.

The planet is now under Power Ranger control.

The machines have been driven back.

Yet most see it as an unacceptable loss.

The Second Machine War has begun.

Location: The Temple of The New Republic of Eltar.

Seven. (Eltarian Time, Sunset)

Tommy travels the through the halls of the temple.

Towards the The Hall of Directorate of Interplanetary Affairs.

//log.on/red/tommy/01/ Five days have gone by. The wounded heal quick here on Eltar. We haven't lost a single trooper. I'm proud. We decided to give them R & R for the time being. While we figure this mess out. This mess being a Goddamn war. Something I myself have never seen. Nor have I lived through. Battles, yes. But never a War. It's going to take every ounce of me to assume command. It's not often that I think about what life could've been like. If I wasn't a ranger. But now, more than ever it haunts my thoughts. Will this ever end//log.on/red/tommy/01/

He reaches his destination.

The two robot sentries gaze outward, their faces emotionless.

It makes Tommy think of his enemy, and of his duty to ensure human existence.

The large doors open.

He joins Trini and Corcus, the black Aquitian ranger under the blinding spotlight in the center of the stadium.

Trini whispers to Tommy:"They're considering an offensive."

Tommy:"Are they mad?"

Corcus:"We deserve retribution, we're bringing the fight to them."

Tommy:"We don't have the numbers."

Corcus:"We have enough."

Trini:"Tommy, I've been considering it."

Tommy:"Do we even know where to find them?"

Corcus:"They've been attacking for a month, their armada is not far from Aquitar."

Tommy:"Do you have Zords?"

Corcus:"Yes."

Trini:"If we can hit them now, while they're down, it will make all the difference."

Tommy:"Who says they're down, by now their forces could be doubled."

Corcus:"Wherever they came from, it was far, they haven't had reinforcements in weeks."

Trini:"This is our time to strike."

Tommy:"Our Zords won't get here for another two days."

Corcus:"Then we strike on the ninth day."

A light ignites, illuminating the Chairman of the Council.

Tommy:"Yes. On the ninth day we strike."

Chairman of the Council:"Welcome generals. We have complied with all your requests adequately."

Trini:"And we thank you greatly for that."

Chairman of the Council:"We have consulted with our advisors and would offer our strategic counsel."

Corcus:"I am not to disrespect you and your people when I say, let us do what we must. This is a military matter, therefore leave it in the hands of the military. I do not concern myself with your public affairs, I ask that you give us the same respect. Be grateful for our presence, for we are the delivers from galactic downfall. We are the soldiers that will ensure protection. So be grateful. We will continue to appreciate the help you have given us thus far."

Corcus storms out.

Trini and Tommy are awestruck.

Not wanting to stand in the spotlight under the angered Eltarians, they too depart.

The doors close behind them.

Tommy:"Corcus, wait!"

Corcus:"And what do you say?"

Tommy:"What?"

Corcus:"What do you say?"

Tommy:"About what?"

Corcus:"In reference to my slaughtered race, please don't attempt to enlighten me. We are to strike on the ninth day. Gather your army, I shall do the same. Until we wear our armor again. Farewell."

Trini:"Don't lose your path. This is not revenge. I have seen to many fall to that emotion."

Corcus doesn't respond, he just continues down the hall.

Tommy turns to address Trini but she gives him a glare, and he knows she does not want to hear him speak.

Trini:"I will be in my quarters."

Tommy:"As will I."

They part.

Eleven. (Eltarian Time)

Within the capital city of Eltar.

Location: A Nightclub.

The hundred and 168 Power Rangers were given living accommodations for the time they will spend of Eltar.

But in the hours they would sleep, they are here.

Being the teenagers they are, they are here.

Enjoying their victory.

Knocking back shot after shot.

Less disciplined than their predecessors.

Rocky walks into the club.

His entourage behind him.

Rave music is blazing.

The people rhythmically skew their bodies to the beats.

They reach the bar.

Rocky:"Bring it on, your looking at a war hero here."

The barkeep slides a double shot of Eltarian liquor at him.

He slams it back into his throat.

A young woman approaches him.

Rocky:"Care to dance?"

Across the bar.

Adam:"So what do you think about all this?"

Kat:"About this war?"

Adam:"Yea."

Kat:"What's there to think, it's a war, and we are it's warriors. I've already felt the severity of battle."

Adam:"How are you doing?"

Kat:"I'm out here with you, tonight. Aren't I?"

Adam:"Yes you are. Want another drink?"

Kat:"Keep em coming."

In the solitude of the Eltarian Archive Tanya shuffles through holographic files.

She processes the knowledge of the Machine Empire at alarming rates.

Especially that of the royal family and the inner workings of their artificial intelligence specifications.

Location: Royal Quarters, Eltar.

Tommy opens the door to his home.

He had been wondering the hall of the complex for hours, traveling through his mind and his memories.

He steps in.

Xenia wakes.

Neither speak.

Tommy stands there paralyzed.

Xenia walks over to him.

Tommy is overcome with welcome.

Him and Xenia meet.

Their bodies pressed up against one another.

Together they succumb to passion.

//log.on/red/tommy/01/ Home. //log.on/red/tommy/01/

On her balcony, overlooking the city.

Trini's eyes fill with tears.

Her broken soul lets out a cry.

Everyday she slowly dies.

At that very instant 170 Zeo Zords are en route Eltar.