Race to Destiny
Chapter 3
First Stop
As the ship broke out of Earth's atmosphere the communication system activated and Dr. Oliver and Andros appeared on the screen.
"Congratulations on a successful liftoff", Tommy said, "We're thankful to all of you for taking on such a dangerous mission."
"It comes with the spandex", Trent said jokingly.
Tommy chuckled slightly before referring their attention to Andros. He tapped into the ships computers and one one display an image of a planet showed up.
"This is Onyx", he said, "It is a universal hub for villains and less than desirable types of people and we think that this should be your first stop.
"Why is that?" Summer asked.
"Because the people there love to brag about their plans", Andros replied, "There will be someone there that knows something."
"Right", Dillon said, "So expect a fight."
"Good luck rangers", Andros said as he closed the communication.
"DECA", Justin called, "Arrival time to Onyx."
"At top speed, two point five days", the computer responded.
"Set a course and send all data on Onyx to the briefing room", Justin ordered.
The rangers gathered in the briefing room as Justin pulled up the information on the displays set up around the room.
"Like Andros said, these people do not like Power Rangers, and once they know that we're rangers, they will not be so forthcoming with information", Justin said.
Scott looked at the information provided, "Then it would be a good idea to not let them know that we're rangers."
"My thinking exactly", Justin replied, "But we can't go down there without our morphers, just in case something happens. They're also not very trusting of humans, since most rangers are human."
"Then Dillon and Tenaya should do the talking", Cam said, "Since they have cybernetic components, the locals may trust them a little more that the rest of us."
"But we can't send them in without backup", Summer said, "How are we going to be available if needed."
"DECA", Justin said, "Is Onyx still a major hub in galactic slave trades?"
"Affirmative", the computer responded.
"That's our way in", Justin said.
"I don't follow", Cam said.
"Think about it", Justin said, "They'll be let in if they're dealing slaves."
"But you're a known ranger", Trent added.
"But we're not", Scott said.
"And the fact that I'm a known rangers makes me valuable prize", Justin said, but they'll need more than just me to be convincing. Scott and Summer, you will be additional slaves while Trent and Cam try to blend in with the crowd."
Two days later the rangers prepared for their trip to Onyx. Tenaya wore a slightly more sinister looking version of her old armor, while Dillon dressed like he was ready to beat down anyone who so much as looked at him the wrong way. They had dressed Scott in ragged, torn clothes, and Summer wore just enough to strategically cover certain parts of her anatomy. Justin had himself done up to look like he had taken a serious beating at the hands of Dillon, and wore rags similar to Scotts.
"Ok", Justin said, "Trent and Cam are already down on the surface. Tenaya's the slave-master and Dillon is the hired muscle. As a ranger I'll be expected to make a scene, but you two need to look afraid. Don't speak, don't look up, and do what you're told. I must also warn you that to be accepted we may all have to do things we do not like; do not hesitate because the longer we keep our cover, the more info we can gather." Justin added various cuts and bruises to Scott, but left Summer practically untouched with just a minor bruise here and there.
"Why didn't you rough her up too?" Tenaya asked.
"Because female slaves are worth more in tact", Justin answered.
"What kind of things may we have to do", Summer asked dryly.
Justin looked at her, "Let's just say that it's up to the slave-master to maintain the integrity of their slaves before sold, but you may be asked to 'Strut your stuff', so to speak."
"My ass she will", Dillon said angrily.
"Hey", Summer said loudly, "I'll do what needs to be done within reason. If things get too heated all you have to do is protect the merchandise."
Dillon looked at his scantily clad wife and grunted with frustration, "Fine, but if anyone touches you I'll rip his arms off.
"That's the attitude you need", Justin said, "Not because she's your wife, but because she's your property. Keep that in mind and you'll be ok."
"And how are we getting down there?" Dillon asked as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"It's very simple", Justin said as he checked the fake restraints that were placed on them, "DECA energize."
In a flash of light the five were standing in a secluded area of the planet Onyx. Slipping right into his role Dillon shoved Justin and Scott as they started walking towards the only spot of civilization on the planet. After about ten minutes of walking they found themselves outside a bar staring at an armed guard. They tried to enter the establishment, but the guard lowered his gun and pointed it straight at them.
"State your business human", the guard demanded.
"Who are you calling human? skin-bag", Tenaya said with an obstinate tone as she stepped up to him.
"Listen little girl", the guard said, "This gun and I want to know why you're here and if you don't tell me I will put a hole right in the middle of your pretty little head."
With a sigh of annoyance Tenaya activated the blaster that was located in her right hand and blasted a nearby tree. The guard went slack-jawed and lowered his gun letting them inside. As an act of sheer spite Tenaya looked back at him and in the cutest voice she could muster said, "And you thought I was human."
As they entered the main area the bartender looked at them with a suspicious eye, "Slave auctions are over until next month", he said in a snidely voice.
"I think you'll want what I'm selling", Tenaya said as she forced Justin out into the front of the little group.
Immediately the entire bar stood up and leveled weapons at them, "We're not buying today, and nobody wants to throw their money away on an old Power Ranger."
"And why is that?" Tenaya asked snobbishly.
"Are you new?" a massive man with red skin said as he approached them, "Every time a ranger is captured their friends track them down and save them. It's a constant of the universe."
"Maybe for you", Tenaya said as she tossed a fake broken morpher onto the table, "But not me."
"And how did you come across this rare specimen?" a brown alien that resembled a slug asked.
"Aquatarian transports have pitiful defenses", Tenaya said with a smug smile.
"This is still my place, and I said we're not holding slave auctions today", the bartender said firmly.
Without looking up Tenaya blasted a large hole in the wall behind the bartender who promptly hit the floor cowering. "Thank you for your cooperation", she said snidely.
"This one looks a little too well fed to be a slave", one said as he stroked her stomach.
Dillon grabbed the alien by the hair and threw him into a wall, "Don't touch the merchandise unless you are willing to pay for it!" he shouted. He then walked over to the fallen person and pulled a small pouch of coins from the aliens pocket, "This is for your preview." As he turned away he rifled through the pouch. He stopped, chuckled and shook his head before he turned sharply kicked the man in the gut, "And that's for being a cheap bastard." Dillon said as he dumped the coins out on the alien, "This isn't even worth the preview."
"He had a point though", another shouted.
"And what would you prefer?" Tenaya scoffed, "A beaten underfed female or one that you could put through her paces.
"What do you want for the ranger?" an orange skinned alien with massive teeth asked.
"One Million and information", Tenaya answered.
The orange skinned alien looked at the ranger, "Throw in the female and we'll talk."
"Then you had better have valuable information", Tenaya responded cooly.
"What information do you desire to know?" the alien asked
"I want to know about Abbadon and his search for the Frozen Star", she responded.
'That's mighty valuable info", the alien replied, "What would a cybernetic pirate such as yourself do with it?"
"With it I would no longer have to actually work for a living", Tenaya answered.
The alien nodded, "I want to see her dance first", he said, "And make it good."
Tenaya grabbed Summer and thrust her up onto a table, "Dance", she ordered as a strange alien music began playing in the background.
Summer began moving her body as best she could to the awful music, and as the patrons of the bar started shouting and throwing soliciting phrases at her Dillon stood behind them staring with pure fury in his eyes. As the song ended she felt a hand grab and rip her top off leaving her exposed in the middle of a bar full of ruffians. Dillon immediately grabbed the offending alien and launched him through a window, which had the unfortunate consequence of starting a barfight. As everyone started fighting, Summer felt an arm wrap around her waist and yank her off the table. She spun her head to see that the large orange alien that Tenaya was talking to earlier was carrying her towards the door.
"I don't think so", she said as she swung her leg back into the aliens knee causing him to drop her, and in one swift motion delivered a spinning heel kick to the side of his head. She immediately dropped to the ground and swept the legs out from under another assailant.
"I think it's time for plan B", she shouted.
"What and ruin all this fun?" Scott replied as he smacked the heads of two aliens together knocking them out.
"In case you've forgotten, I'm fighting without a shirt on!" She yelled back at him.
"Point taken", He answered, "Now!" he shouted. Scott flicked his wrists making his Zeonizer appear what Tenaya and Dillon readied their own morphers. Two hooded figures jumped over a table and tossed morphers to Justin and Summer.
"Zeo Ranger Five Red"
"Shift into Turbo"
"Samurai Storm, Ranger Form"
"White Ranger Dino Power"
"RPM Get in Gear"
Summer looked down and breathed a sigh of relief to now be covered, and Tenaya had to stop briefly to adjust to being in the ranger armor as well as the swell of power that came with it. "It takes a little while to get used to", Summer said as she smashed her elbow into the temple of an alien, "But once you do it'll feel like a second skin."
"They're Rangers!" they heard the bartender shout, "Everyone get out of here!"
As quickly as the brawl started everyone poured out of the bar for their own safety and they saw Dillon running after the orange skinned alien that had the information that they wanted. They followed them outside and stood in shock to see that Dillon already had him pinned to a wall with his knee. Dillon released him as the other came up, and Justin stepped forward to begin questioning him.
"What do you know about Abbadon and the Frozen Star?" Justin asked.
"I'm not telling you anything ranger", the alien spat.
"You were more than willing to talk earlier", Tenaya said as she crossed her arms over her chest.
The alien laughed, "That's when there was something in it for me. That doesn't seem to be the case now."
"How about to save yourself from a world of pain", Dillon shot back angrily.
"I know all about your ranger code", the alien said sarcastically, "You can't harm me without provocation, and I didn't do anything to warrant such provocation."
Dillon removed his helmet and got right in the aliens face, "I don't need to actually harm you to introduce you to intense physical pain." He grabbed the alien on the shoulder and gave a squeeze, causing him to shriek in pain. "I looked up different alien physiologies, and I'll bet I can make you even more uncomfortable."
"Ok", the alien shouted between shrieks, "I'll talk."
"Good choice", Dillon said, "Now, what do you know?"
"Abbadon is old", the alien said as he stood up from the ground, "Very old, and from what I hear he used to be extremely powerful. Rumor has it that this Frozen Star he's looking for can restore is power to what it once was."
"Where is it?" Summer asked.
"I don't know", the alien responded, "From what I've heard, it passed through the Lyxien system during its creation. A scar on a moon is supposed to point the way."
"And where is the Lyxian system?" Justin asked.
"It's is sector Zedd 2927", the alien answered.
"As in Lord Zedd?" Justin asked.
"Yeah, after he dismantled his empire some guy named Grumm took over and formed the Troobian Empire. That sector is right on the edge of their space, and Grumm is not the accommodating type."
"We had best be on our way", Just said as he began walking away.
"One thing before we go", Dillon said as he turned around and punched the alien square in the jaw, "That's for putting my wife in that situation." Without another word Dillon turned on his heel and joined the others.
A shot was heard and when the rangers turned to see what had happened they saw the orange alien fall to the ground with a large smoking hole through his chest. They looked up and saw the same monster that led the attack on the Megaship several months ago standing there holding a blaster rifle.
"This is your fault rangers", the monster said, "Go back to your pathetic decimated world before the blood of more people is on your hands."
"If we do that the blood of the entire universe will be on our hands", Scott yelled back.
"We've been in too many battles to be intimidated by someone like you!" Tent added.
"Suit yourselves rangers", the monster replied, "But I can promise that the coming battles will be like nothing you've ever experienced before!" Dillon tried to attack, but the monster vanished before he made his move.
"Damn it", Dillon yelled, "If they know we're looking for them we're going to be in for a rough time."
"We'll dwell on it later", Justin said, "But for the moment we need to be on our way."
With a touch of his communicator the seven rangers teleported back up to their ship to continue their search.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed chapter three. As always please read and review.