Power Rangers: Data Squad
Episode 1:
Boot The System-Part 1
CRANSTON CITY, CALIFORNIA
2009
"And the final round is off to a blazing start here at the under eighteens divisions of the So-Cal Martial Arts finals!" the announcer's voice boomed through the event hall as the crowd stared intently at the two fighters in the center of the ring. The cheering roared across the room, bounding around the stadium and reverberating from the walls.
The energy alone was enough to get him pumped, but Ray was there with a purpose, and he was running out of time.
"Local fighter Ray Granger is in the fight of his life against the tenacious Johnny Ford of Reefside!
The kick soared above Ray's head as he ducked, dropping low to sweep the leg. This was not going to plan. He thought he'd be out by the fifth round; show up, get in a few matches, and then probably be knocked out by the fifth bout. It would have left plenty of time to get to the Shak. But a few well-placed strikes and two lucky blows had launched Ray right into the finals.
Which meant now the clock was ticking.
His opponent sure wasn't making it easy. Ford was agile, outpacing Ray's attacks and keeping on the move. The points were two to two; the next strike would take the win. But this deep in and tied on points meant even with the clock running down they'd be pulled into overtime for a result.
Maybe he had been cutting it fine, booking his first gig so close to the tournament. Maybe he should have had more faith in his own abilities. It would be so easy, to just call it quits here, take the wins he'd had and call it a day. But he'd made it this far, and he'd be damned if he wasn't going to give it his all. He just had to hope that his band wouldn't be too mad doing the sound check without him.
Ford landed on his hands, flipping up onto his feet with a cocky smirk spreading across his lips and daring Ray to take another shot. But while Ford had been showing off, Ray had been watching. His opponent was strong and fast, but his technique was sloppy. He weighed heavily on his right and left himself exposed when he moved to strike. All power, no defense.
All Ray had to do was make an opening.
He tightened his fists, rising them high in guard while leaving a wider gap between them; big enough to be tempting, small enough to look like a mistake.
Ford saw and went for it. The chance was too good to pass up, his opponent surged forward, rocketing into a powerful kick that soared right through the opening. He realized his mistake too late. As Ford's eyes widened as Ray stepped back, foot gliding past as the Ford was left wildly off balance. And then Ray struck, leaping into a soaring pirouette to crack his foot through the gap in Ford's guard. The ball planted flat, tapping the square in the chest, right in the scoring zone.
Ford flew backward, hitting the mat with a satisfying thump as the crowd erupted into applause.
"And Granger pulls the point!" declared the Referee. "Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2009 under-eighteen So-Cal Champion!"
Buckling as breath at least released and slowly returned to his lungs, Ray stumbled over to Ford and offered a hand. Graciously, the young boy with a tied-back ponytail took the grip and allowed Ray to heave him up. The two boys bowed, respectful in their gratitude for the match, and as Ray watched the announcer striding over the mat with the trophy in hand, he, at last, dared a look at the clock.
Now, he was definitely running late.
He'd have to change on the way.
"Is there any chance I could pick up my trophy later?" he asked as the announcer reached him. "I'm kind of running late for something."
"Well sure, but we have an awards ceremony first-"
But Ray was already moving, a short polite bow to the tournament organizers before hurrying toward the exit.
"Thank you!"
Hilary's eyes were glued to the door, moving only to nervously glance at the ticking clock. Dressed in the mustard cardigan she'd thrown on to protect for warmth, her nerves heightened with every passing second.
"They're on in five minutes," she muttered nervously. "What could possibly be taking him?"
Her twin, on the other hand, seemed far less concerned about the whereabouts of his friend.
"He had a tournament beforehand," he pointed out, "He probably got into the finals. Can always trust Ray to do way better than he expected."
Leaning back on his chair, checkered blue paid hanging open over his t-shirt, it would have been easy to assume Ben was far more relaxed about the situation than his sister. But demeanor aside, the truth was he was just as worried. Although the band tolerated Ray's occasional lateness, the venue would likely be less than pleased. Ray and his friends had to practically beg to get the gig in the first place; a late arrival was not going to help them get a return invite.
Suddenly a hand appeared on Ben's shoulder, and both looked up to see Jake Cheng had appeared behind them, beaming in a forest green henley.
"Hey man, what took you?"
"Car broke down," Jake said sadly as he slumped down at the table next to them. "I think it might be the spark plugs. Had to walk instead; mind having a look after?"
"Sure thing, I've got to do something while Hilary fixes my computer."
The jab at her expertise and the speed at which she worked was enough to snap the blonde from her trancelike staring at the door.
"Maybe I'd do it quicker, she sneered. "If you didn't keep breaking it, the second you got it back."
"It's not my fault you put in programs I don't know how to use."
"It's not my fault that you're worse at using a computer than our half-blind grandma."
And they were off. Beside them, Jake could only roll his eyes and brace himself for another infamous rumbling row between the siblings. At least it would stop them from worrying.
Luckily, he was saved by the bell above the door, thrown open as Ray burst inside, rushing to the stage at top speed. He'd already changed from his sweaty martial arts Gi into a red shirt and jeans, stopping only to catch a breath as he realized he'd made it in the nick of time.
"Hey guys!" he greeted them, smiling between the heaving recovered breaths. Thanks for coming!"
As he watched his best friend catch up to his own schedule, hurrying to the stage to loop the cherry red stat over his shoulder, Ben couldn't help but chuckle.
"Classic. Of course, he was cutting it fine."
"That's our Ray," Hilary smiled in agreement, with a glowing warmth she perhaps hadn't realized was so obvious. Especially to her brother. "He doesn't do anything by halves."
A quick strum on the strum to show that everything was working as at last Ray stepped up to the mic. "Hi everybody, we're The Argonauts. Thanks for coming on down tonight and a big thankyou to the Shak for letting us play!"
A clapping filled the room as at last Hilary permitted herself a sigh of relief and the trio turned to the stage. Ben couldn't blame her; that had been way close.
"This song is called 'In Too Deep'."
The guitarist beside him clicked into the flicking notes, the band pulling into time as Ray stepped to the mic to sing.
"The faster we're falling, we're stopping and stalling,
We're running in circles again.
Just as things were looking up, you said it wasn't good enough,
But still, we're trying one more time."
While they'd been uncertain at first, the room was quickly warming to them, heads bopping and faces smiling as they began to fall into the band's groove. By the time Argonauts moved to the palm-muted bridge, they were ready to go, blasting into the courage to the adoration of the crowd.
"Maybe we're just trying too hard,
When really, it's closer than it is too far!
"'Cause I'm in too deep, and I'm trying to keep
Up above in my head, instead of going under!
'Cause I'm in too deep, and I'm trying to keep
Up above in my head, instead of going under,
Instead of going under!"
While down below, the people of Cranston City were bustling about their daily lives, all unaware of the shadow that loomed above them. It emerged from the clouds, a sinister cube that meandered like a predator without any natural challenge. A fortress, built from the darkest steel, held aloft by enormous propulsors that seemed to beat gravity into submission. Its hulking shape pierced through the white plumes and hovered above the cityscape.
From his throne inside, basking before the splendor of his observation deck, a lean, muscular man loomed from his throne. Soon, all he wanted would be within his grasp. His creations were complete, far superior to even his own expectations, and now all his equipment was fully operational.
But then again, so was his
Almost, at least. That man, that lone survivor; the one obstacle to his plans.
But he wouldn't be for long. If his enemy wished to make a move, he would need to emerge from hiding. It would be the last thing he'd ever do. The city map sprawled before him, illuminated against a grand viewscreen as the man watched with patient intent. Then, one of the sideline monitors began to flash: DIGITIZER DETECTED.
He'd found it; in catching the frequency they could determine the precise location; claim it for their own. A sinister snarl parting across his lips, the man reached for a button on the throne and open the communication line.
"Kelgar?"
"Yes,mylord?" The voice was pitched and crackly, almost every word an impulsive giggle.
"Our scans have locked in on the device remotely; close in on the frequency and prepare for remote access."
"Of course, master! Once I'm inside I can trigger the purge protocol; the detonation will tell us exactly where it is."
"My thought's exactly, but we must move quickly." the man agreed. "If we have caught its frequency then no doubt our enemy has as well. Have Cyrax meet me on the deck; I want the Byte-Bots ready for decent the moment the device has activated."
"Considered it done, my master!"
With his commands given, and his minions rushing to fulfill them, the man cut the line before comfortably lounging back into this throne.
Soon, he thought proudly, Dr. Benson will be nothing but a memory, and I will have all that I need to complete my ultimate goal.
And then nothing would be left to stand in his way.
"That was amazing, Ray!"
Hilary was beaming and Ray couldn't help but shy away as a fresh warmth flushed across his cheeks. The show had been a grand success, the full set earning a standing ovation and the Shak's two owners insisting the band for another show. Ray's friends had vowed on celebrating, and by now had stayed well after the rest of the band and the crowd had gone home. At the late hour, the Shak was nearly empty, with chairs being flipped up on the tables as a signal it was time to leave.
The light streets now beckoned them into the darkening evening.
"I guess that's a sign we should be moving," Jake realized, looking around to see all others had vacated.
"Good idea," Ben agreed. "Do you want me to check your car on the way back?"
"If we're heading to Jake's," said Ray, "we'll lead the way. We know a shortcut."
Jake raised an eyebrow in confusion "There's a shortcut? You mean I didn't have to walk that far?"
"Yeah, we use it all the time," Hilary replied. "You just don't know about it because you drive everywhere."
Jake conceded the point as the four of them finally rose to leave, bidding the café's portly manager farewell before stepping out into the evening.
They headed towards the park, but before entering they turned a corner towards an empty section of the city. Once, the buildings they'd walked around had been factories, but now they lay empty and long abandoned. Ghosts of old industry, of a different era, now forgotten. The city council kept they needed to do something with it, to knock it down and rebuild. But no plans had arisen, and instead, the old metal structures remained as hollow monuments. Ray had to admit the place gave him the creeps, and if it didn't cut twenty minutes off the walk to Jake's they probably would have avoided it altogether. Were his friends not beside him, he almost definitely would have.
"Some shortcut," Jake noted, staring around the hollow husks towering before them.
"Yeah…" Ben agreed. "It's a lot less creepy during the day."
As a snaking wind nipped behind them, the teen steeled themselves and entered. Their pace picked up, not a single one of them wanting to remain longer than they had to. At least it was a known path, a way out they could find. They wouldn't have to traverse the decayed and forgotten buildings for long. About halfway in, they were greeted by another sight. In the distance they spotted another figure, a young boy around their age, wandering nervously, and turning in his steps as surveyed his surroundings. His eyes were uncertain of what he was looking at.
"Any of you guys know who that is?" Hilary asked as the group slowed.
"I don't know," said Ben. "I've never seen him before"
But Ray as he looked closer, eyes narrowing as he peered at the distant newcomer, Ray realized why he felt such a sense of familiarity. It took him a moment, as he looked so different from when Ray had seen him a few hours beforehand, but the longer he looked, the more confident Ray was.
It was the guy from the tournament.
"Hey!" Ray called out, startling the others.
"Dude!" Jake hissed. "What are you doing?"
"It's okay; I've met this guy, he's cool. Hey!"
The boy jumped at the sudden exclamation, shying away as he whipped around to see the four teens approaching. He seemed almost relieved to see a familiar face, and that the teens approaching seemed far from threatening.
"I never got a chance to congratulate you," Ray offered as they approached. "You were awesome out there."
"I still lost." The boy replied, bashful with a smile that failed to hide his disappointment. He seemed to be dressed for warmth, with a leather jacket draped over his black Metallica t-shirt.
Ray offered his hand. "I'm Ray. It was Johnny, right?"
Hesitantly, the boy took the gesture and shook it, still glancing cautiously at the others. Hilary took that as her cue to introduce herself.
"I'm Hilary," she announced. "And this Jake. And the annoying one in blue is Ben."
"An annoying one who shares half her DNA," Ben retorted quickly. "How come we haven't seen you around before?"
"The announcer said you were from Reefside," Ray remembered. "Just taking in the sites?"
"Actually, I just moved here," said Johnny. "I was competing with my old dojo, that's why they didn't say I was from around here."
"New in town huh?" said Jake. "Wanted to get a tour of the famous abandoned factory district?"
The boy looked away sheepishly, cheeks flushing with sudden embarrassment. "I kind of got a little lost."
"That sucks," said Hilary. "Where were you trying to get to?"
"Scott Street?"
"We're headed to Hart Crescent, it's not far from there." Ray offered. "Want to walk with us?
For a moment, Johnny looked like he was going to decline. But after a small rattle in the shadowy distance, he clearly decided that a little company is better than none.
"Sure."
They continued walking, but quickly Ray realized that they were taking longer than normal and should have well been out of the creepy district and back out onto the well-lit streets. He wasn't the only one to notice.
"I told you we should have taken that left back there," Hilary growled at her brother.
"What?" Ben scoffed. "No way, that would have taken us deeper in. The turn's just up ahead. Trust me, I know this place like the back of my hand."
"You barely know your hand when it's blaring daylight," Hilary retorted. "Right now, I'm surprised you can see it in front of you.
"Oh yeah? Well…"
Content to the siblings resume their usual bickering, Ray and Jake fell back to walk with Johnny.
"So where did you learn your martial arts?" Ray asked.
"There was a Rising Sun dojo back in Reefside" the new boy explained. "Been doing it since I was about twelve."
"Wow, that's pretty cool," said Jake. "I know Ray here's been doing it for as long as he could walk. Always was trying to convince us to try it out but…"
He trailed off, head cocking in surprise as his steps slowed to a dead halt. Confused, the others turned to look at him.
"Guys," he asked them. "You said these factories are abandoned, right?"
Ray nodded. "Have been for ages, why?"
"Then why is there a light flickering on and off in that one?"
One by one, all heads turned to where Jake staring. Sure enough, up high and pressed against the cracked, faded glass, a light glowed from inside. The building itself looked like it was barely standing, contained only by the crumbling, chain-link fence at the perimeter.
"Maybe it's just a faulty outlet," Ray suggested. "Left over from when it was abandoned."
"I'm going to go check it out" decided Ben. He'd barely made a step when Hilary's hand snapped out in front of him.
"What are you? Crazy?"
"You're right," said Ben. "It's probably just the local sewer mutants having their cult meeting. It'd be rude of me to interrupt."
Then he continued his stride, completely ignoring his sister.
"Hey, I'm coming with you," Jake insisted. Seeing the losing battle, Hilary grumbled about being related to Ben and followed after. Soon only Johnny and Ray remained.
"I should bring them back," Ray decided, "It's probably dangerous."
"What's the matter?" Johnny dared, already moving to catch up with the others. "Scared?"
"Not scared," Ray clarified, "Just… a feeling. Maybe it's just this place's creepy vibes."
But still, he relented and hurried to follow the others.
The fence was easy, but most of the first floor was completely bordered up. It was only when Jake found a dumpster to push against the wall that they were able to climb to one of the windows and peek inside.
The facility that met them was bare and barren. All equipment and production tools were gone, leaving only empty shelves to create a sprawling maze across the dust-covered floor. The only exception lay in the center of the room, a strange machine, illuminated by a pulsing glow that revealed the disturbance they'd seen from the outside.
It was unlike anything they had ever seen before; a large metal box that easily reached four feet in height, wires sprouting out of it like winding tendrils connecting the machine to the wall, and lying on top was a small box with a protruding screen.
As the others watched in from their vantage, Johnny began to climb down.
"Wait what are you doing?" Ray hissed.
"What does it look like? I'm taking a closer look."
Then he pulled through the open window and dropped down before Ray could say any more. The others held their breath and watch as he walked up and touched the side of the machine, all releasing a sigh of relief when nothing happened.
"I guess it is okay to go over there, then," Ray relented.
Slowly but surely, they all climbed through the window, dropping down into the warehouse for a closer look. The shadows curled around the edges of the room, kept at bay only by the strange blue glowing of the device. As they approached, Ray's unease only continued to grow, prickling at his skin as all of them gawked at the machine before them.
"I don't think we should hand around for very long," Ray warned.
"Yeah, I'm with Ray," Jake agreed as he too stared around the cavernous space that stretched into the darkened warehouse. "This place is seriously weirding me out."
But the others were far too absorbed in the device for their nerves to take precedence.
"What do you think it is?" Ben asked his sister.
"And how am I meant to know?"
"I don't know, maybe because you're a geek? And this looks like a… geek… thing?"
"And suddenly that makes me an expert at all things electronic? You're sometimes impressed by the toaster."
"I'm just saying." Ben insisted. "Anyone's going to have an idea of what this is, it's you."
"Ah guys, I think we may have a problem."
There was something in Johnny's tone that grabbed him, that seized Ray's breath as an icy chill slithered down Ray's spine. Slowly, all heads turned to the machine. The screen that had previously been blank now flashed in a vibrant blue, and as Johnny stepped cautiously back three words and a number burst to life in front of them.
PULSE ACTIVATED IN…
3
The machine began to rumble, violently shaking against the bolts restraining it to the ground.
2
The light was flashing on the screen, all as a sharp whirring began whistling from inside the device.
Like it was about to blow.
1
Ray's eyes widened "Oh cra-!"
And then the clock hit zero.
A thunderous boom erupted from the device, an electric dome of lilac light bursting like a whelming wave, consuming all in its path. Rya's feet were snatched from the floor, the wind smashed from his lungs as the energy slammed into him and his friends, tossing them across the floor as one by one they hit the ground and the dome kept growing. There was tingling on his skin, rhythmic sizzling coming from what felt like within Ray's body. And yet, it didn't hurt. Whatever this sensation was, it wasn't painful.
The dome kept growing, a whirring from the device as the light grew and increased in intensity. Enveloping all, shining brightly until the white was all that Ray could see. And then, with a blinding flash that surged in all directions, the pulse surged outwards, and Ray's world went black.
Up above, a light began blinking on the map, a siren blaring through the halls of the airship. Feet began stamping through the halls, marching at a hurried pace as their owners rushed to their stations.
From his seat on the observation deck, the man on the throne smiled.
All according to plan.
Beside him, a large reptile with a spiked tortoiseshell on its back turned from the console with a gleeful cackle.
"Lord Gideon," he announced. "The pulse has just activated. I've pinpointed the Digitizer's location, and no doubt our enemy will be en route to collect it. Should I send down the Byte-Bots?"
A sinister smile crept across his lips, betraying the bloodthirsty intent behind his eager glee.
"Yes," he agreed. "Send them now. Secure the Digitizer and capture Benson."
"Of course, my lord," the reptile bowed before turning to the controls, hurriedly punching the numbers, and locking the transport coordinates. And then he stopped, realizing an occurring thought as he returned his attention to his master.
"If there are any witnesses?" he realized. "What should our Byte-Bots do?"
The response was a flare of his master's teeth, as the fortress's ruler almost excitedly confirmed the command.
"Eliminate them."