There was a flash of light on Boston Common, heralding the arrival of Argus and The Armada's latest Commander, Blood Stalker. Blood Stalker had been sent to Earth specifically to track down whoever had come through the time portals. Lavira had chosen him specifically because he was famed across the galaxy for his ability to track a target. He was a self-styled assassin, who was a Commander of the Armada in name more than function because in general he preferred to walk alone.
He towered over Argus, head and shoulders clearly above him, and his frame was massively muscled, his shoulders alone looking like they were powerful enough to drag a Land Rover. He was wearing a long, brown leather trench-coat, with massive furs over the shoulders that were black and white striped. Under the coat, it could be seen that he was wearing black metal armour of interlocking plates that looked like they covered his entire body. Around his waist, and crossing his chest, going over each shoulder were ammunition belts. He had a huge blaster rifle slung over his shoulder. His helmet was completely blacked out, the visor incorporating various tracking devices to analyse details of his surroundings. The cops guarding the site of the first portal took one look at Argus and Blood Stalker and immediately ran, screaming into their radios for backup.
"Make this quick Blood Stalker." Argus warned him. "We will not be alone for long."
"I thought that's what you were here for." Blood Stalker said sarcastically as he knelt down, carefully analysing the ground for clues. He picked up some of the scorched earth in his hand, holding it close to his face. "I would be quicker working alone."
"Damaras ordered me to accompany you." Argus told him.
"Then do me a favour and keep up." Blood Stalker responded, throwing the earth aside and dusting off his hands. "Come, this way!"
Argus just followed him, keeping his hand on the hilt of his sword as they went.
A short distance away, a man was standing on a street corner, just outside a bar. He was tall, with long hair tied back with a length of green ribbon. He was wearing a suit that looked like it was straight out of the Colonial period, in a dark green material. He pulled out a communicator.
"Alex, it's me." He began. "There's been a huge flash at our entry point. I think..."
Just then, four cops ran past him, still screaming into their radios. The man just sighed.
"OK, scratch that, I think I can safely say that The Armada has sent their search party." He amended his report.
"Alright, then keep me updated." Alex told him. "I need to know when this plan is going into action."
"There!" He heard a gruff voice yell. He turned to see Blood Stalker and Argus at the end of the street. He stood, staring at them as everyone else ran away.
"That human?" Argus asked him. "He's just some tourist attraction worker..."
"His scent, I recognise it from the portal site!" Blood Stalker told him. "I'm never wrong!"
"Um...Alex?" The man said over his communicator, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a grenade. "Get ready; we're coming your way!"
With that, he threw the grenade at Argus and Blood Stalker, turning and running as it exploded in a blinding flash, giving him a couple of seconds' head start. Blood Stalker started to clear his vision, but as he reached for his rifle, Argus grabbed his hand.
"We can't interrogate a corpse!" Argus reminded him. With that, they both started running after the man in green.
Over at the Motel, the former Time Force Rangers were taking turns watching the monitors as the others took time to sleep. Jen was watching the monitors so intensely; waiting for any sign of Alex's presence that she didn't look like would ever be able to sleep. She still couldn't believe any of this had happened. She knew that there was no choice but her. Alex had evaded capture by Time Force for so long; they knew that their methods simply would never work. He had actually devised many of the techniques they had tried to use to find him. In short, they had to try something that wasn't in the playbook. They needed someone who knew him intimately, knew things that weren't on the records they had tried to use to establish his likely courses of action. Alex was an intensely private person though, and few really knew him as a person at Time Force. The only one that knew him that well, that had anything like Alex's experience and skills was Jen.
She was fidgeting with her hand, keeping her eyes on the screen. She almost jumped out of her skin when Trip placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Jen, it's my shift." He told her. She just shook her head.
"I'll be fine." She told him. "Go back to sleep."
"Jen..."
"Please trip, trust me, I'll be fine." She told him. As he knelt next to her, she realised the folly of this. There really was no point in lying to a Xybrian, especially a fully-grown Xybrian. Trip had been young during their tenure, and many of his abilities were still quite raw and untrained. Even then he was usually pretty spot-on when it came to knowing what people were thinking and feeling. Now though, his talents were so impressive that he was often used to interrogate difficult suspects. He looked to the computer as it suddenly sent up a warning.
"Jen...there's something on the police scanner." He told her. "Two aliens just turned up."
"It's the middle of The Armada War!" She reminded him. "Aliens turn up..."
"But there's another thing. The cops reported them chasing a guy in Colonial style clothes." Trip told her. She smiled.
"I guess Tom thought coming to Boston he could get away with wearing his own gear." Jen commented as she grabbed her jacket and started to wake Katie aggressively. "Come on guys, get up! We've got a hit!"
The former Time Force Rangers moved quickly, getting dressed as fast as they could before heading out the door.
Meanwhile, up on the Red Galleon, the Rangers were all unwinding after training. They had expected a monster attack to come soon, but it seemed like Vekar was a little slow on the uptake this time. Jake was just sitting, his glare burning a hole through Orion as he sat with Gia, looking intently at her.
"Nah-se-tray-booh?" She offered tentatively. He just smiled as he shook his head gently.
"Nah-se-TREE-booh." He corrected her, saying the word slowly and sounding it out for her. Gia repeated the word as Jake just shook his head in disbelief.
"Here." Noah stated, holding out an ice-pack. Jake took it, and held it to the side of his face. "Now do you believe he's ready for the team?"
"He's got some moves, I never doubted that." Jake said gruffly.
"Nahsetreebooh, muhk-haya Gia." Gia said, pointing to herself. Orion smiled brightly and nodded his head. Jake just threw up a hand, gesturing to the scene as Gia smiled, elated with her success.
"What's he even doing?" Jake asked.
"I think he's teaching her some Andresian." Noah said, observing the scene and trying to figure it out. "I guess it would be cool to know a REAL alien language. Not, you know...Klingon or something."
"How does she know that? None of us know any Andresian; he could be telling her to say anything!" Jake responded. "He could be teaching her to say she's a giraffe and none of us would know!" Noah just laughed.
"You're just pissed he knocked you on your butt." He chuckled. "I guess he learned a thing or two about fighting in confined spaces working with Lafitte."
"Yeah, being a vicious pirate has to make you good at fighting on board ships." Jake surmised. Before Noah could reply though, Tensou flew into the room, frantically flapping around.
"Rangers, the computer's flagged an alert on the police transmission." Tensou rushed out as he landed in the middle of the room. He activated a viewing screen, showing them images from the city.
"Argus." Noah groaned, seeing the armoured General. He had fought him once before, and had found himself taking a sound beating as a result. It was something that still stuck in his mind.
"They also sent a new Commander." Gia commented, pointing to Blood Stalker. "I notice they aren't travelling with the same cast of thousands."
"Prince Vekar's probably still waiting for his toys to get repaired." Jake said with a shrug as the view switched. It was only then that they saw a man in green Colonial dress running, closely followed by them. It wasn't ESPECIALLY unusual to see people dressed that way in and around Boston, there were so many historical sites that had staff members dress up that people could be seen dressed that way. "Why are they chasing some museum worker?" Before they got an answer though, Orion snatched up his jacket and started running.
"Orion!" Troy called out as the Silver Ranger turned and ran from the room, morphing as he went. He looked to the others and just let out a sigh. "So much for strategy."
With that, the rest of the Rangers followed him, morphing as they went. They could talk to Orion about waiting until they formed a plan before rushing into battle when they got back.
Back on the streets of Boston, the former Time Force Rangers were making their way towards the disturbance, knowing that the man The Armada forces were chasing was one of Alex's known accomplices. As they were starting to get close though, Trip skidded to a halt. Katie quickly noticed and stopped, holding Lucas and Jen back.
"Trip, what is it?" Katie asked.
"The scanner, it got another ping." He informed them. "It's at a hotel not far from here."
"Another attack?" Lucas asked. Trip just shook his head.
"It's a red-flagged credit card." Trip informed them. "Someone used a credit card that was reported missing."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Jen asked incredulously. Trip just showed her the scanner.
"Look at the name on the card." He told her. She took the handset and checked it, furrowing her brows in confusion. "It's one of Alex's guys."
"But that doesn't make sense." Jen told them. "Alex has been so careful for so long...why would he risk anything now by using a flagged credit card?"
"It's not his card." Lucas reminded her. "And that guy only joined his crew like a month ago..."
"Lucas, you come with me!" Jen told him. "Katie, you and Trip go to the hotel. We'll catch up once we've caught Tom."
"On it." They agreed, before heading off in different directions.
Meanwhile, back in the penthouse suite, Alex was busy preparing for a fight, pulling on a shoulder harness, and ensuring the hand-blasters in it were loaded, ready for action. He also had a blaster rifle and several grenades ready for the occasion. He put down his rifle and picked up a steak knife, cutting a piece of steak off, before popping it in his mouth.
"MMM...they are not kidding; the Kobe Beef here is amazing!" He commented as the door opened. His accomplice in white came into the room.
"I'm back, just like you said." He stated, looking Alex up and down, noticing the hardware. He went to the bed, picking up a sword. "I'm guessing we're expecting company."
"Tom's got The Armada's attention." Alex told him, taking another bite. "You should try the steak, it's great."
"You ordered room service?" Trent asked. Alex just shrugged, and showed Trent his credit card.
"Feel free, you paid for it." He stated. The man in white just took the card.
"You used my...I thought you said that was the LAST thing you do!" He yelled in response.
"I had to get Time Force out here somehow Trent." He said with a shrug. "Now, why don't you pull one of your disappearing acts and get ready. I've got a feeling that housekeeping's going to be busy in the morning."
Down in the lobby, Tom came charging through the door, sending an unfortunate bell hop flying as he went. He leapt over a couch on his way towards the elevators, frantically mashing the button as security started to come over to intercept him.
"Come on, come on!" He growled. The first security guard was almost on him, so he turned and held up his hands. "Look man, sorry about the entrance..."
"Just come with us to the office sir." He warned Tom.
"Look, you want to clear the lobby, things are going to get really wild in here." He stated.
"Is that a threat sir?" He asked. He grabbed Tom's jacket, at which Tom immediately twisted his arm and kicked him away. He took down the next two very quickly, making sure not to hurt them too much. He didn't really want to get them involved in this.
Just as the elevator door opened, glass rained in at the front of the hotel. Tom went into the elevator as Blood Stalker and Argus came into the lobby.
"Hey, try to keep up." Tom called out as he swiped his key-card, activating the security lock on the elevator that prevented just anyone going up to the Penthouse floor. As the doors shut, Blood Stalker slammed into the door. He pounded his fist on it in frustration.
"Get the other elevator down!" He yelled at one of the terrified security guards. The guard just complied with the request, handing his keycard over without a fight as the elevator started to come down. Just then, Katie and Trip arrived in the lobby. They just stood, staring at Argus and Blood Stalker.
"They don't look too friendly." Katie stated.
"They're not." Trip assured her, pulling out his hand blaster. The lobby quickly emptied at the sight of weapons being drawn as Katie and Trip opened fire. Argus deflected their blasts with the blade of his sword.
"Go and get the target." Argus told Blood Stalker. "I'll deal with this...interference."
"Be my guest." Blood Stalker said as he got into the elevator, swiping the keycard and heading up to the Penthouse floor. Jen and Lucas got into the lobby, finding the scene of destruction before them. They both pulled out their blasters as they sought out cover. Jen dived over the reception desk, landing next to Trip.
"I appreciate the support." Trip told her. "Did you lose...?"
"Our perp came in here." Jen told him. Trip just looked at her.
"OK, that can't be a coincidence." He told her as they popped up to take a couple of pot shots.
"Trust me, it isn't." Jen assured him. "Alex doesn't do anything by accident."
A short distance away, the Rangers were about to arrive at the hotel, and could already hear the fire-fight before they got into the street. Tensou contacted them on their communicators.
"Rangers, my scans show that they've split up." Tensou told them. "Argus is in the lobby, but the Commander, he's heading up to the Penthouse suite! Troy, there are people up there!"
"They're on the top floor, they'll be trapped!" Noah called out. Troy thought about it for a moment.
"Orion, you and Noah are with me, we'll take Argus." He told them. "The rest of you, get up to the Penthouse Suite."
"Legendary Mode, Wild Force!" Gia called out, turning the Ranger Key in her morpher. She opened out her wings as she went. "Grab on!"
Emma and Jake both grabbed on as she powered her way up into the air, rising sharply. Troy and Noah pulled out their weapons as Orion gripped his Silver Spear.
"Alright, keep an eye out for civilians." Troy reminded them. "Let's make a show of this!"
Meanwhile, up in the Penthouse, Alex pulled on his leather jacket, concealing his shoulder harness, and placing his blaster rifle on the opposite side of the small bar in the room. He took a bottle of bourbon and poured himself a drink as he watched the elevator coming up.
"You caught your breath yet Tom?" He asked. The man in green just nodded his head.
"I forgot how much effort all this stuff is." He said, clutching his side.
"I guess there wasn't much call to morph in Colonial Angel Grove." Alex conceded as he offered Tom a drink. He waved it off.
"I don't drink." He told him. Alex just chuckled and shook his head.
"Fine, more for me." He responded. Just then, the elevator opened and Blood Stalker stepped out. He made his way into the middle of the room. Alex just smiled.
"I was wondering when you'd get here." He told him. Blood Stalker reached up, pulling off his helmet. He used it while tracking, but he found the restriction on his line of sight and hearing was troublesome in battle. He had already found what he was looking for, now he just needed to bring them down.
His head was covered in fur, and had long, floppy ears that hung down when he removed his helmet, almost like he had long hair. He had deep wrinkles on his face, and a dark, black nose. His eyes were blazing red. He just smiled, showing a row of razor sharp canines.
"You made this too easy." He told them. "I recognise your scent. You came through the portal too."
"Well, that won't be a crime for another 950 years." Alex said with a shrug. "Would you like a drink?"
"I want to know what you brought through that portal!" Blood Stalker snarled. Just then, he spun around, his fist connecting with something solid. Trent shifted back into view as he tumbled away, quickly regaining his feet.
"I don't need to see you boy!" Blood Stalker responded, tapping his nose. "Now, I only need one of you to tell me what you brought through with you, so...which one is it going to be?"
"I guess we're done with the talking part of this exchange?" Alex asked, reaching behind the bar. Blood Stalker just nodded. "Well, don't say we didn't try!"
With that, he snatched up the blaster rifle while Trent and Tom rushed Blood Stalker, swords at the ready.
A/N: There it is! You now know who the fugitives are! Sorry this chapter took so long, I had to re-tool it a few times before I was happy with it. Here's hoping you enjoy it!