Jason and Kat are about to receive a message from Space that could be the end of all their worries…

5 Universal Message

The incoming link lit up several green lights as a warning and an alarm rang faintly. Jason found himself turning to look at Kat who stared back with an expression he couldn't fathom, but she had gone tense and expectant. Just thinking about it made him realize that he needed to relax, he slowly let the tension out of his body but he couldn't dispel the expectancy he felt.

'IT IS A MESSAGE FROM ANDROS.' Zordon said suddenly having read the message's signal; it galvanized the two Rangers into action.

Jason typed in the release code and then accepted the incoming link; Andros' face appeared on the screen where he gave a tight a smile. Jason knew something was wrong almost instantly.

"Andros, is everything alright?" Kat got there first.

"I can't be sure," Andros rubbed a hand across his slightly grubby looking face. "I was following up on a lead from the Paltora system-" An explosion rocked him and a spray of sparks shot from the controls behind him.

Jason frowned. "Are you okay, what's going on out there?"

Andros shook his head. "I'm afraid you can't help, you haven't the time and technology for this dilemma Jason; my home planet of KO 35 is under attack at Dark Specter's orders."

"Who?" Jason asked in confusion.

'HE IS THE CURRENT LEADER OF THE EVIL ALLIANCE.' Zordon explained.

"Great." Jason replied with a sigh.

Andros gave a tight nod as another explosion echoed around him. "I am making my way back to my home right now and as you can tell the attack has already begun."

"Are you sure there is nothing we can do?" Kat asked worriedly.

Andros shook his head again. "I am sure but thank you, this is something the Rangers of KO 35 must handle, but I have news for you." He continued. "The information from Paltora led elsewhere in the system, there has been a lot of activity in that area lately but so far as we know it was trade and such. I now have information that says differently; my information came from an injured Kraxen he was dying from his wounds, wounds he claimed were caused by a Power Ranger out in the furthest reaches of the system. He claimed that hundreds of members from the Evil Alliance had converged there to wait for their next orders-"

An explosion fuzzed the screen and for a moment all they could hear was static. "Andros we're losing you!" Jason cried and moved over so Alpha could find the video signal.

When he next appeared on screen Andros had a large sooty smear across his forehead and a grim look on his face. "I'll be brief. He spoke of an arena in which the creatures of evil were pitted against the captives of the alliance, he spoke of a Red Ranger but I don't know if it is Tommy or the Ranger he was sent to retrieve; he has yet to be found either." Another explosion sounded, Andros yelled over the noise. "I was on my way there when my planet came under attack, I am sorry I cannot do more."

"No," Kat interrupted. "Your home is your responsibility; you have helped us more than we can ever repay you for."

Andros gave a sad sigh and seemed unsure whether or not to say his next words. "I must warn you that... the Kraxen was near delirious…it's just that," he took a deep breath. "He spoke of a half crazed Ranger who… he said that his mind was broken, I just…I wanted to warn you. I hope you find Tommy, I hope you find what you are looking for." He finished.

Jason nodded. "Thank you Andros we are in your debt, I hope everything goes well with you…if you need anything."

"I'll call. Good luck." Andros signed off leaving the Command Centre in silence.

'I MUST CONTACT ELTAR,' Zordon said suddenly. 'ALPHA FIND THE PALTORA SYSTEM AND USE THE COORDINATES THAT ANDROS RELAYED TO YOU, WE NEED TO KNOW THE LOCATION OF THE PLANET.' His large face suddenly disappeared and Alpha set to work.

"Do you think it's him?" Kat asked suddenly.

Jason sighed and shook his head. "I really don't know, I mean the other Ranger is still missing but…it has to be a fifty, fifty chance. We'll just have to go and look, let's see if Zordon and Alpha can get us there."

Kat hesitated. "What Andros said…"

"It will be okay." Jason put his arms around her. "Tommy's strong."

"Your Zords should get you there." Alpha said as he tapped away on the controls.

'IDEALLY YOU WOULD NEED A SPACE SHIP,' Zordon continued. 'BUT ALPHA HAS ADJUSTED THE OUTPUT AND THE ENERGY LEVELS, THERE WILL BE ENOUGH FOR YOU TO GET THERE AND BACK.'YSTEM AND USE THE COORDINATES THAT ANDROS RELAYED TO YOU, WE NEED TO KNOW THE LOCATION OF THE PLANET.'he

"I will contact the others now." Alpha said with a little nod of his head.

Adam almost instantly materialized in front of them. "Guys, what's wrong? Is it Tommy, did you find him?" He rushed over to them, eager for news.

Jason nodded. "It's possible," he replied. "We can't be certain; it could be the other missing Ranger or it could be another false lead."

"Are we going to check it out?" Adam looked up expectantly at Zordon.

'YES ADAM, I HAD THOUGHT TO SEND ONLY JASON AND KAT TO ATTRACT AS LITTLE ATTENTION AS POSSIBLE BUT IT MAY BE DANGEROUS AND I BELIEVE IT IS NOW BEST IF YOU GO WITH THEM.'

Adam looked like he wanted to melt in relief and Kat couldn't be sure but she thought he murmured 'thank you.'

"What about the others?" Jason asked. "They'll want to come too when they find out."

'YOUR OLD TEAM CANNOT COME WITHOUT THEIR POWERS,' Zordon replied. 'TANYA AND ROCKY WILL UNDERSTAND, AND I WILL HAVE THEM HERE WAITING FOR YOUR RETURN.'

Rocky's voice came from behind them, he walked over with Tanya. "We want to come too, and if it's dangerous they will need the whole team."

Zordon shook his great head sadly. 'THE MACHINE EMPIRE MAY HAVE BEEN DESTROYED ROCKY BUT THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE TO TAKE THEIR PLACE; YOU MUST CONTINUE TO PROTECT THE EARTH SOME OF YOU MUST STAY BEHIND.' He sighed then. 'IT IS LIKELY THAT THIS RANGER WILL NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION ALPHA WILL NEED YOUR HELP IN PREPARING FOR HIS ARRIVAL.'

Tanya and Rocky didn't look very happy at his words but nodded their understanding; they had put duty over personal issues before and helping Alpha was important as well.

"Stay safe." Tanya said to them all and hugged Adam.

A/N Okay guys things are starting to take off now, I wasn't going to leave Tanya and Rocky behind but then I remembered that the Earth kinda' still needs protecting so don't worry they won't get left out of the story! Reviews are welcome as always! Xxx