Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter thirty of "Running From Here." There is a little bit of Alan/Ellie. Ranger action will resume in the next chapter. Stay tuned for chapter thirty-one.

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Chapter 30: Still Trying to Get Into the Computer

Billy was still typing on the keyboard in the control room. Lex stood next to him. She watched him carefully. John was seated on a nearby desk. He had his hands on top of his cane. Alan and Ellie were near him, as were Ian, Zack, and Trini. Tim paced back and forth. Penny and Princess looked around very carefully. They sniffed at the air. Tim walked up to Billy and emitted an impatient sigh.

"When are you going to get into the Command Center's computers, Billy?" Tim griped irritatingly. "Those monsters could get in here before you do!"

"Hush, Timmy! He needs to concentrate," Lex said, going to him and slapping him upside the head. "Stop being so impatient."

"Lex is right, Tim. These things take time," John added while tightening his grip on his cane.

"But Billy has done this before. He should've gotten in there by now," Tim pointed out.

"I haven't done this from a Macintosh computer before. That is why it is taking a little longer," Billy said seriously. "Don't rush me, Timmy. It won't get me in there any faster."

"Please, be patient. He is doing the best he can," Alan pleaded.

"Let's not forget Tommy, Jason, and Kim are outside the Visitor Center," Ellie added. "They will fend off the monsters."

Suddenly, Penny and Princess screeched warningly. They took three steps forward as the humans looked toward them. Ian let out a loud gasp. He went to the window.

"Penny and Princess have sensed danger," Ian said, swallowing hard.

"That means Lord Zedd's goons are likely making their way inside," Trini added, joining his side.

Tim jumped up and down as he whimpered fearfully. "What do we do?"

"Calm down, Tim," Billy said as he stopped typing. He caught Trini turning around in the corner of his eye. "You know panicking doesn't help anyone or anything."

"I know, but—" Tim stared.

"Timmy, just shut up!" Lex yelled angrily as she pointed her finger at him. "You are making things worse!"

Zack held up his hand. "Lex is right. Trini and I will go take care of our buddies. The rest of you stay here. Keep working on getting in contact with Zordon and Alpha, Billy."

Billy nodded. "Okay."

Billy turned back to the computer and resumed typing. Zack and Trini headed out to Penny and Princess, who looked at them. They touched their necks very gently. The Velociraptors breathed deeply to calm down. They blinked twice, their talons clicking on the floor.

"Continue guarding this room, you two!" Zack commanded firmly.

"Protect those people with your lives," Trini added.

Princess and Penny seemed to nod at the Black and Yellow Rangers. They observed them taking off. They brought their hands up to their faces. They scratched the areas behind their eyes. They glanced toward the window, seeing Tim was looking at them.

"Do you guys think Zack and Trini will be able to keep those boneheads away from us?" Tim wondered in uncertainty.

"I honestly believe they will, Timmy," Ian answered and rubbed his nose. He suppressed a yawn. "They and the other Rangers risked their lives to free us and get us here."

"Staying together and not letting anyone wander off allowed us to get here faster than normal," Ellie added, crossing her arms.

"I have never understood people who let every member of a group wander around like there is no tomorrow," Alan grumbled with a roll of his eyes.

"That is very dangerous, especially since wild animals could attack without warming if the group is in a wilderness area," John commented and tapped his cane against the floor.

Alan looked around and spotted the gun he attempted to shoot Kim with. He went over to it and picked it up. He clicked his tongue, causing the others to look at him.

"This thing may not have any more bullets, but I can still use it as a weapon," Alan said, chuckling to himself.

"That is a good thing, Alan," Ellie said as he came to her side. "Just about anything can be used a weapon."

"The kids and I threw trash at those monsters during the zoo attack. I managed to make several Putties fall apart by hitting them in their chests with my cane," John said proudly. "If I had thought about it, I could have used that cart as a weapon too."

Ian rubbed his chin. "I have read stories of people using objects such as logs and frying pans to fend off burglars. They didn't have enough time to go and load their guns or didn't own any."

"Guns can be very dangerous in the wrong hands. Sometimes, burglars grab the gun away from their victims and shoot them," Billy pointed out matter-of-factly.

"You have to have lightning fast reflexes to grab a weapon away from someone and use it against them," Lex said.

Billy eyed her. "Believe me, Lex. Zedd and Rita's goons have pulled our weapons away from us and used them against us multiple times."

"Ouch," Tim muttered, his body shaking a bit.

"Yes, Timmy. Ouch," Billy agreed.

John licked his lips. "I have to admit I am a bit hungry right now. Unfortunately, the place's food is completely spoiled. The plants outside are poisonous to eat."

"I believe we will all have a huge meal once we get off this island," Alan murmured while rubbing his stomach. He emitted a soft snort. "The question is where we will eat."

"We can go eat at the Youth Center," Billy suggested.

"I say that is a good idea," Ian said with a smile. He laughed when the others voiced their agreement. "I guess that settles it."

Tim snorted. "Let's hope Bulk and Skull don't show up to cause trouble."

Billy shifted his attention back to the computer. He sped up his type a bit while narrowing his eyes at it. Alan glanced toward Penny and Princess. He could see them looking around.

"I always thought raptors were absolutely vicious creatures. I was so glad to be proven wrong," Alan said in relief as he approached the door.

Ellie came to his side. "There is nothing wrong with being mistaken, Alan. It comes to all of us."

"You want to go out and pet them?" Alan asked, gesturing toward the door with his head.

"Sure. We should make it quick, though. We don't want to get caught outside," Ellie pointed out.

Alan nodded in agreement. "Okay. Come on."

Alan grabbed the doorknob and turned it. He opened the door, catching the attention of the Velociraptors. He and Ellie observed them turning around. Penny and Princess approached them. Alan and Ellie moved their hands toward them. They jerked them back twice. They touched their snouts and proceeded to pet them. She gasped in delight.

"I can't believe it. I am actually petting an adult raptor," Ellie whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I felt we should take advantage of the moment. This will likely be the only time we will ever pet raptors," Alan muttered sadly.

"I know," Ellie said. She laughed at Princess's nudging her in the chest. She heard him do the same when Penny mimicked packmate. "These guys are cute when they aren't tearing their prey apart."

"These animals play an important part in the ecosystem. It would change drastically if they were rendered extinct," Alan commented seriously.

"The same would happen if new species were introduced onto the island," Ellie added.

"That's right," Alan said, nodding at her.

The couple resumed petting the Velociraptors. Lex and Tim went close to the door. Their breathing was soft and steady. They pressed their lips together before swallowing hard.

"Dr. Grant and Dr. Sattler are really brave to pet those raptors," Lex whispered, her ears perking up.

"I'd be too scared to do such a thing," Tim replied, chuckling nervously.

Lex shrugged. "Me too."

Suddenly, a delighted laugh came out of nowhere. Lex and Murphy looked over their shoulders at Ian, John, and Billy. Alan and Ellie walked up to the door window. He opened and went into the room, followed by her. They and the children came up behind Billy. Penny and Princess resumed looking around.

"What is going on?" Alan wondered curiously.

"I have gotten into the Command Center's computer system," Billy said, happiness radiating from his voice.

"That's great," Ellie said, laughing.

"How long will it take for you to get into the communication system?" Lex asked, her heart skipping two beats.

"It will likely take several minutes for me to establish full contact with Zordon and Alpha," Billy admitted and rubbed his chin. "When Zordon went missing during Tommy's time as the evil Green Ranger, Alpha hacked into the interdimensional system to reestablish contact with him. It took a while before Zordon came back fully."

"Wow," John whispered in great amazement.

"Yes," Billy agreed with a nod. "Wow."

"Do you think Zordon and Alpha will find a way to shut down the force field after we get off the island? Pilots can't risk crashing planes into them," John commented and laid his hand on his leg.

"I have no doubt they can do that," Billy said, chuckling to himself. "They are very resourceful and clever."

"Just like us," Tim said.

"That's right," Billy responded and exhaled. He proceeded to speed up his typing a little more.