Disclaimers: I do not own Power Rangers. However the characters that exist as their children are my creation.
.
Their Children
.
Chapter 22: Intruder Alert!
.
"Oh great, another lengthy walk." Rocky grumbled.
Zack scratched the back of his head. "At least we can see this time and know we're going in the right direction."
"There are so many corridors." Jason stated while glancing around. "How big is this place?"
"I don't think the Command Center was nearly so extensive." Aisha remarked, rubbing her wrist around the communicator that now rested on it. Rocky was adamant about her wearing his, should they lose her again. But really, she didn't think it was necessary. Rocky grabbed onto her hand and squeezed it. She looked into her husband's eyes and squeezed back with a smile. "Was the Command Chamber so… wide?" She asked.
Rocky shrugged his shoulders. "Well, sort of, there was a lot of space. It kind of reminded me of the Bat Cave." He answered with a grin.
"If Adam were here, I'm sure he'd be rolling his eyes." Jason said with a chuckled. They all laughed.
Tommy sighed, "In all seriousness, Rocky's not too far off. It was pretty big. But it was really a part of the Command Center, just another level."
"Still, this is a little weird." Zack started. "I mean, everything is so…" He hesitated, looking at his surroundings.
"Plain?" Jason asked, finishing for him.
Zack nodded his head, "Yeah. I mean, there is nothing on the walls, ceiling, or floor." He paused then looked. "Come to think of it, there really isn't anything on the ceiling. Where is the light coming from?"
They all halted in there steps when they realized Zack was right. "Okay, I'll admit, that is weird. But we have to press onward." Tommy told them.
"Yeah, I agree, but… where to?" Aisha asked as she motioned towards the different corridors.
Rocky let out a deep sigh, "Aww man. Why can't anything ever been simple."
"We'll just have to trust out gut instincts." Tommy decided. Then everything went black. But only for a second, as one of the corridors on their left lit up once more.
"Or… we can follow the lighted path." Jason said as they looked in awe at what just happened.
"I second that." Zack said. "I guess it's trying to lead us."
Rocky looked deadpanned. "What and to where?" He didn't trust anything that was happening. "Could be a trap." He pointed out.
Aisha shook her head. "Why let us through the hidden wall if only to lead us to a trap? If whatever it was that let us in didn't want us here, then it would have kept us out." She explained. "No, I have to believe that there is some greater power at work here, leading us to our kids."
Tommy nodded his head. "She's right. We are now in the power ranger's domain. We were once rangers. Maybe it recognizes us."
"Who?" Rocky stressed, still unsure.
"The powers that be." Jason answered him. They were quiet for a few seconds, absorbing the new info. "So, what's the verdict?"
Tommy looked around at his friends. They all silently agreed to go further. With a slight nod from Rocky, Tommy turned to the lit corridor. "Alright guys, let's do this." With that said, they continued their search; keeping close and staying on guard.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"That's it. I can't get them." Billy said, as he shut down the communication radio. He slowly started to pack everything away.
"I can't believe this." Kim voiced out loud.
Kat placed her arms around her friend's shoulders, to try and comfort her. "Maybe there's another way?" She asked pleadingly to Billy.
Billy looked at them and with a sigh shook his head 'no'. "I'm afraid not." He said, as he gently placed everything in a box.
Trini shared a look with her husband as she grabbed one of the packed boxes. "Perhaps they've found where the kids went. Didn't you say there was some sort of electrical interference or barrier in place? Maybe they've gone past it and that's why we can't reach them."
Billy smiled at her. "I suppose, that is a logical assumption."
She smiled at him and looked at her two friends. "I'm sure they're okay. They have to be."
Kim sighed and looked away. Kat looked at Trini and said, "I hope you're right." She moved away from Kim and grabbed one of the boxes on the table.
Adam limped up to them, having already placed the two chairs they had brought, back into Billy's truck. "Should we head back to your place Kim? I'm sure Tanya and Cassie would like an update." He asked.
She nodded her head. "That sounds like a good idea." Kim said before narrowing her eyes on his ankle. "And when we get there, I'm gonna take a look at your foot." She told him in her stern motherly voice. "You really shouldn't be on it."
He shook his head. "No, I'm fine, just a bruise." Before Kim could argue with him, Adam went over to the table and started re-folding it. Billy had placed his last two boxes onto the ground beside the table. She walked over and grabbed the smaller of the two as Billy grabbed the larger. "Okay guys, let's head out." Adam said, with the now folded table at his side.
They all began walking towards the parking lot, when Kat halted in her step. They looked at her questioning. "What's wrong Kat?" Trini asked.
"I just remembered something. On my way here, I saw-" She paused, trying to remember what she saw.
"What'd you see?" Adam asked to urge her along.
Kat walked up closer to her friends, with a look of worry etched on her face. "I saw some of Lord Xian's Goons. They were sneaking around."
"Wait, let me get this straight. Xian's Goons. The big obnoxious loud ones, were 'sneaking' around?" Kim clarified.
Kat nodded her head. "Yeah, I know it sounds strange. But it looked like they were looking for something."
"That does seem peculiar." Billy agreed.
Trini frowned, "Where did you see this group of Goons?" She asked Kat.
"On the east side of the park, where the thick patch of trees are." She answered. "I stayed out of sight, didn't want them to see me."
"Smart choice." Adam voiced; the rest agreed.
Kim shivered at the thought of being caught by a group of Goons alone. "Come on guys," She started walking towards the parking lot, "let's get out of here. This place is starting to give me the creeps."
Kat sighed, "I second that."
They walked to the parking lot and all got into Billy and Trini's SUV. They decided it best if they all rode together and would come back for the other two vehicles in the morning. They headed to the Oliver's home.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"The kids are out again. They must have been really sleepy, to fall back asleep so easily. I know I couldn't even if I tried." Tanya said, rubbing her swollen belly.
Cassie sighed, running her hands through her hair. "Yeah, the poor little dears." She gently removed her daughter's head from her lap and laid it on the soft pillow beside her. She pulled the blanket up to Katie's chin. She then stood up and stretched out her limbs. "How long have we been down here?" She asked.
Tanya leaned her back against the firm wall behind her. She repeated Cassie's actions and pulled Jessie's and Andy's blankets up to their chins. It was a little chilly in the basement, but she wasn't sure if it was the actual temperature or her nerves making her feel this cold. She had her on blanket pulled up to her baby bump. "I don't know Cass, minutes, hours, whatever it's been, it's been torture."
"I'm so restless, just sitting down here, not knowing what's going on." She told Tanya, as she started pacing the floor.
Tanya looked up at Cassie's moving silhouette. It was dark, but there was a little light coming from a high small window, so she could see her friend slightly. "Well, there's no way we can check. If we use any electrical device, we may become a target. You saw the news. The Goons are now hitting residential areas." She responded to her friend.
Cassie stopped pacing, and looked to where her adjusted eyes told her Tanya was. "I know, but I-"
There was a light noise. "What was that?" Tanya whispered.
"I don't know." Cassie answered in a low voice. She moved to the window and used a chair to see through it. She saw nothing.
"You think it was our imagination?" Tanya asked.
Cassie's eyes narrowed. "Maybe." She noticed the neighbors' bushes moving, but that could have easily been the wind. She glanced down at Tanya when they both heard a much louder clanking noise. She turned her gaze back to peer out the window. One of the neighbor's trash can was toppled over. "But that sure wasn't." She hopped down from the chair, and headed for the stairs.
"Where are you going?" Whispered Tanya.
"I'm going to go check it out. You stay with the kids, keep quiet." She placed a foot on the bottom step, before turning back to Tanya. "If I'm not back in five minutes, don't come looking for me and lock the door."
"Cassie…" Tanya started, not sure what to say.
"I mean it Tanya." She told her and headed up the stairs with slow heavy steps. She opened the door at the top and exited the basement, unsure of what could be on the other side.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Yellow and Green raced side by side to the battlefield. Luckily for them, Xian's army and the military had yet to collide. They just might be able to stop this yet. Yellow looked out into the distance. They were much closer, with only a mile to go. She turned to Green. "We're almost there. Are you as nervous as I am?" She asked her teammate.
Green shook her head. "More so." They shared a tense chuckle.
"As we get closer, I'll make a stand between the two forces. Maybe convince our side to retreat." Yellow explained.
"You know they won't." Green stated.
Yellow sighed, "Yeah, I know. Which is why you are going to take out Xian's army from the rear."
Green raised a brow from beneath her helmet. "And how do you propose I do that Livvy?"
Yellow smirked from beneath hers. "Once we are halfway there, take flight. We're morphed, so our powers are enhanced, and if I remember correctly, when morphed you-"
Green nodded her head. "Fly like a comet."
"And what do comets do best upon impact?" Yellow asked her.
She slowed to a stop. Yellow followed her, turning to her questioningly. "You want me to crash?"
"We're protected by our suits Sam." Yellow explained. "And you don't have to crash. Just punch through a few hundred or so at that speed."
Green considered this plan. "And Maura and Raptor?"
"They won't see it coming." Yellow said. "Our best bet is a surprise attack. Their attention will be on me. And with your ability to fly, you're the best at sneaking behind."
Green nodded once more. "You're right. But you can do the same from the front. We both know the military is not going to retreat, so save your breath. And Xian's two lackeys will already be distracted by the army. So you should run in invisible." She suggested.
Yellow nodded her head, it all made sense. "Right. Then I could hit them with my sonic boom!" Yellow yelled enthusiastically, punching her fist into the air.
Green laughed. "Sonic Boom? Really? That's what you're calling it?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Yellow replies, "I'm testing it out."
"Well Hun, keep testing." Green patted Yellow on the shoulder with a laugh, before levitating off of the ground. "Regroup after the surprise wears off. I'm betting Maura and Raptor will not be happy."
Yellow looked up at Green. "Bet. Be careful Sami."
"You too Livvy." Green gave Yellow a salute before shouting, "Gotta fly!" And she flew higher into the sky until she could no longer be seen.
'Gotta fly?' Yellow looked at the clouds. "I should get a catch phrase." She said aloud, before she too disappeared while running to the battleground, with only the dust as proof of her presence.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Omega, have you located the entrance?" White asked as they walked along the side of the huge mountain. They were halfway up. Blue walked ahead of him, feeling the groves of the mountain surface, looking for irregularities in its formation.
"Affirmative Tommy! I am sending you the navigation sequence now." Omega said through their com-link.
Blue looked over his shoulder as White asked, puzzled. "Navigation sequence?" Just as the question escaped his lips, they both saw a thick blue line with a flashing green arrow before them. "Umm, Connor? Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
"Yes Tommy." Blue answered as he looked at the path before him. "It appears that our helmets have a GPS system encoded in them. How… remarkable." Blue said, before glancing back at his partner. "Shall we?"
"Yeah man, lead the way." White answered, before following Blue further up the mountain.
Five minutes later, they found their way to a slightly 'hidden from view' entrance. "From the looks of things, no one's been in this area for a long time. I think this might be a secret entrance." Blue said after surveying the undisturbed surroundings.
"Good. That means no guards." White pointed out. He moved closer to the oval shaped door. He felt around it looking for a doorknob or keypad. "Any suggestions as to how we are getting inside?" He asked his blue clad comrade.
Blue sighed, "If I had the specifications for this door, I could have probably found a way…" His voice trailed off as he looked closer. He then pressed in a button under his helmet, near where his ear would be. "Omega, come in please."
"Yes Connor, what can I do for you?"
"Are our helmets equipped with some sort of x-ray vision?" Blue asked. White tilted his head to the side, wondering why Blue was asking such a question.
"Why yes Connor, just shout the command SV2 Activate."
"SV2?" White asked.
"Yes. It stands for Superfluous Visualization Two"
"Superfluous Visualization Two?" White asked.
"Yes Tommy, Superfluous Visualization Two."
Blue was slightly fascinated by this. "Omega, how many are there?"
"There are six. SV1is your Zoomed vision, SV2 is of course your Xray vision, SV3 is your Heat vision, SV4 is your Microscopic vision, SV5 is your Night vision, but becomes default at night or whenever dark. And of course you have your SV Default, your regular vision. Does that answer your question Connor?"
"Yes Omega, thank you." Blue thanked him.
"You are welcome."
Blue disconnected the link. He looked at White. "Who knew?"
White shook his head, "When we get back, I'm finding the owner's manual."
Blue laughed, "Good luck with that." He then moved back to the door. "Okay, here goes nothing. SP2 Activate!" He shouted. "Whoa…" He looked around.
White nodded his head. "How is it?"
Blue turned to him and nearly jumped out of his skin. He could see through Tommy's mask, then past his skin to his muscle, then his organs, and then bones. He turned from his friend, shaking his head. "In the words of Alex, Wicked. The longer you look at something, the more layers you go past. I saw your bones man."
"That is wicked." White said before focusing back on their mission. "Okay man, what do you see on the other side of this door?" He asked, motioning to the odd shaped door.
Blue focused on one spot. "I can see a long corridor. It's empty, so that's a plus." He then focused on pulling the vision back some layers. The door now wasn't totally transparent, he could see a large air lock handle. "Okay, I think I can open the door. I see the handle. I'm going to try and turn it."
White, not wanting to be snuck on, watched their surroundings. "Okay man, make it quick. I think I hear something." White said becoming alert at the sound of something moving closer to them.
Watching the handle, Blue focused his mind to move it counterclockwise. It wasn't budging, so he tried clockwise. "There." He whispered to himself as he noticed it nudge a bit. He focused harder and witnessed it turning fully and smoothly until there was a distinct CLICK! He turned to White, "That's our cue man." He said, before pulling the door open with his mind and stepping through.
White watched Blue disappear through the door, just as he heard voices. 'Just in time.' He thought to himself as he followed his teammate, and allowed the door to shut behind them.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"This is sooo weird. I'm starting to feel like we're trapped in the Twilight Zone." Rocky said, while glancing back behind them to see the lights shutting off. It gave him the chills.
Zack chuckled, "Better that than Twilight. I'm telling you, Cass and Katie cannot get enough of that vampire-werewolf deal." He shook his head. "I don't get it."
"Hey! It's a great book series. And the movies are pretty good." Aisha said, defending one of her favorite shorelines.
Rocky rolled his eyes. "You would say that. All you women are alike." He said, pinching her rear.
"Hey!" She jumped at his touch. Everyone turned to her causing her to fight a blush. "I resent that very much." She said, glaring at her husband. "I'm sure if you guys would just read the book, you'd see how great it is." She suggested.
They immediately started laughing. "Um no thank you. I'd rather sit that one out." Jason said, laughing.
"I'm with Jase on this one Aisha. And please don't repeat that idea to Kim. Last thing I need is for her to have me join her book club." Tommy said cringing at the idea. Jason let out a boisterous laugh. "I don't know what you're laughing for. Kat's president of that book club." He reminded his red clad friend.
That put an abrupt stop to Jason's laughter. He started scratching the back of his head. "Uh, right, forgot about that." He then turned to Aisha. "So… you're not going to mention any of this, right…?"
Aisha tilted her head to the side. "Hmm… tell ya what… I'll sleep on it." His face fell slightly and she bursted out laughing.
"Cold Sha," Zack said with a laugh, "You cold." They all shared a laugh as they turned the next corner. Then suddenly, all was silent.
Aisha gasped, "Do you think… could this be-"
Tommy took a step forward and laid his hand on the double doors before them. He nodded his head in response to Aisha's unasked question. "I think this is it guys."
Rocky glanced over his shoulder. Darkness. "Well, there's no where left to go but forward. Lead the way man." He told Tommy.
Tommy looked at the others. They all nodded their heads.
"Finally, we'll get some answers." Jason stated as he moved to the other door, getting ready to push it.
"Let's do this." Zack added, clenching and unclenching his fist, he was so anxious about finding the kids.
Tommy nodded his head, "Alright." He grinned, then looked at Jason. With a nod of his head, they both pushed the double doors open.
They walked through the threshold and into the lit room. "Oh my God." Aisha couldn't help but gasp. "It's, it's amazing."
The sound of her voice drew the attention of the other occupants in the room. "Aye, yi, yi! The intruders!"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
AN: Yay! New Chapter! And just in time for Labor Day too. :-) I'm awesome. Well I would be if I can get updates on all of my chapters before Monday. Hmmm….. that sounds like a challenge. Well then, I ACCEPT! LOL.
Thanks for reading. Closer to the end yay. I'm excited cuz I never thought the day would come and now it's totally close.
Okay, now for real, tell me what you think. Thanks again for readying.
And PLEASE…
… as Always…
…. …. REVIEW!