The Power Rangers series and all associated characters, settings, and events are property of Disney Entertainment. They are used here without permission. All stories on this site are not for sale and not intended for profit.

May 2009, Newtech City

The second letter came almost eight months after the first.

Andrew was out alone on the testing track behind the S.P.D. building, partly to look for any stray fragments of the Deltacycle that had been their latest casualty of testing, and partly just to get away by himself and take a little time to think. He stood, scanning up and down the track, noticing the deep gouges where the �cycle had torn up the ground before coming apart. They were just lucky that Nick Tate hadn�t been hurt beyond a few bruises - bruises he wouldn�t have if his suit had functioned properly.

Andrew sighed. Why did it seem that nothing was going right? Was he expecting too much? Or... was it something else? Or more accurately, someone else? The last person he wanted to ask for help - and yet the person who seemed always to be first in his thoughts.

The tap on his shoulder was so unexpected and startling that Andrew jumped and turned quickly enough to almost lose his balance, falling back another few steps as he saw the person who had touched him. He got his surprise, and his quickened breathing, under control - aliens were far from unknown around S.P.D. after all, although they rarely appeared outside the more secure areas of the main building undisguised.

This one would look human from a distance, though. He was about Andrew�s height, but thin and somehow delicate looking, with long-fingered hands and pale, transparent-looking skin. The only unmistakably alien feature was his hair, or lack of it - his head was covered with fine, downy white and gray feathers. He was wearing a dark gray jumpsuit with an asymmetrical design in light gray and the insignia �SPD� on one shoulder - on second glance it was sleeveless; his arms were covered with a layer of the same gray feathers.

�Sorry,� the man said in a quick, clipped voice, his head nodding in a startlingly bird-like motion.

�It�s all right. I just didn�t hear you coming,� Andrew answered with a hesitant smile. �Excuse me, but I haven�t seen you here before.�

�Not surprising. I am courier. Just arrived. You are Andrew Hartford?�

�Yes, I am.�

�I have letter for you.� With a quick gesture, the feathered man pulled an envelope from a small pouch attached to his belt and held it out.

�A letter?� Andrew took it eagerly, first looking for the return address:

Mack Hartford
Astro Megaship

He raised his brows at both the unfamiliarity and the brevity, but it was from Mack and that was all that mattered. Next he noticed that it was addressed to him care of S.P.D. Earth Base. �Mack sent this through S.P.D?� he asked.

�Many bases. On many worlds. Letter sent from one of them.�

�Thank you.�

�You are welcome. I go now.� The man stepped back.

�Wait!� Andrew exclaimed. �Can I send a reply back?�

�Give reply to Dr. Manx. I go.�

The man spread his arms out to the sides, and Andrew watched in amazement as longer, silky feathers fanned out from their undersides, expanding into broad wings. With a powerful spring, the man leaped into the air and swooped away, circling overhead once and then flying over the S.P.D. building before disappearing into the sky.

�People come and go so quickly around here,� Andrew said, shaking his head. But a mere bird-man couldn�t distract him from his letter, especially when it had been so long since he had heard from Mack. With a grin at himself for being unable to wait even the few minutes it would take to return to his office, he took a seat on a convenient rock outcropping near the track and opened the letter.

�Dear Dad,

I hope you and Spencer are fine. Thanks for the birthday gift, it�s really great! I took the pill and the next day the scar from when my arm was cut was gone. Thanks again, and be sure to thank Rose for me too.

Also thanks for the letter. It�s really great to hear from home. Sometimes out here I feel like Earth is so far away, so it�s nice to know what�s going on there and that you�re working on something new.

Speaking of that, I sent this letter through S.P.D. since my new friends were able to contact them. That�s kind of a long story. I went to a planet called KO-35 with Tyzonn and Vella, and I ended up with a new team. And guess what, they�re Rangers...

�This area seems undamaged,� Tyzonn remarked as they walked through the streets of Karova City on KO-35.

�This is the outskirts of the city. There was little fighting here in the invasion or the war,� explained their guide, Kinwon, whose angular intensity belied his white hair and wrinkles. �Other parts were not so lucky, as you will see soon enough.�

Mack trailed behind Tyzonn and Vella, looking at the city around them and trying to take in as much as he could. As it turned out, the three of them had been the only ones who had chosen to leave Mercuria for this mission, which promised to last several weeks - they had decided to not only help with the recovery of a power source sealed inside a damaged building but to stay and help with the general reconstruction efforts for a time.

After landing only half an hour ago in a spaceport just outside the city, they had left their ship to greet the local authorities and be given this tour by Kinwon, one of the planetary leaders. So far he had to agree with Ty: this seemed like a beautiful and peaceful world that had never seen war and destruction. They had passed parks that were obviously well cared for, seen graceful buildings behind green lawns, and were walking down a wide street passing people who appeared happy and nodded to them pleasantly. They appeared perfectly human - and in fact they were, as Tyzonn had explained, although not directly from Earth.

Their peaceful surroundings began to change as they turned a corner and headed into what appeared to be a more central section, with higher buildings and no longer any room for gardens or lawns. And instead of the traffic increasing, it began to die away even as they started to see a crumbling wall here, a burned-out building there, the scars left by blaster and projectile fire. They saw no rubble, and frequently construction sites where a damaged building had been torn down and was being rebuilt. But then even those disappeared, and soon they were walking through a landscape of desolation and ruin, softened only slightly by more than ten years� growth of grass, weeds, and vines. None of them spoke as they moved farther into what had obviously been the scene of heavy and desperate battle.

As they turned another corner Mack caught sight of another group of people, standing near what had once been a particularly large and important-looking building at the end of the street they were now walking down. An impressive stone fa�ade remained intact, but behind it much of the structure had collapsed.

Kinwon stopped them, and waved a hand around at the destruction. �Our beautiful city, our colony,� he said grimly. �Someday new buildings, a entire new city, will stand here to prove that the evil of Dark Specter could not overcome us. But in the meantime...� He pointed to the building. �Our Research Center, or what remains of it. This is where our Power Ranger program was conducted. It was a primary target during the invasion, with the results you see. And this is where we need your help.�

�This is where the power source you need to recover is located?� Tyzonn asked.

�Yes, the Source. It�s a generator based on a microscopic captive black hole. It supplied power for the Center, and made the Ranger program possible. It�s located deep in the underground complex underneath the building you see. The importance of recovering it is twofold: it would be invaluable in our reconstruction efforts - and more importantly, if it is damaged or becomes unstable through lack of normal maintenance it will explode with the force of a small nuclear weapon.� He paused for a moment, smiling bleakly at their expressions. �That�s why we can�t simply demolish the building. As long as the Source is down there unprotected this entire city is sitting on a time bomb, almost literally.�

�I see,� Tyzonn said slowly. �Then we must act quickly. We need to meet with the team who will do the recovery.�

�Come this way.� Kinwon swept an arm towards the small group of people who were still in conversation in front of the building and led the rescue team towards them.

He stopped a few steps away and cleared his throat, finally attracting the attention of the six, who had been absorbed in their own conversation - not an entirely friendly one, Mack assumed by the hint of raised voices he had caught. They turned, and one - a man with a serious expression whose long brown hair had the thick lighter streaks that Mack had noticed on several Karovians - moved forward to stand a step in front of his companions. They were all wearing uniforms of some kind, five of them in light gray, with insignia on waist-length jackets and for each a different-colored shirt underneath. The sixth was wearing the same design, but in black with a silver-gray shirt. They all appeared to be in their late twenties or very early thirties - and they looked oddly familiar.

�Hello, Kinwon,� the man said, eying the rescue team.

�Andros, this is the backup team we�ve requested from Mercuria.� Kinwon indicated each of them. �Tyzonn, Vella, and Mackenzie Hartford, from Earth.�

The name triggered the memory. �You guys were the Space Rangers, right?� Mack exclaimed. �You stopped the invasion by Astronema ten years ago.�

�Yeah, that�s us,� a pretty Asian woman said. �I wasn�t expecting to see another Earth human here.�

�That�s kind of a long story.�

�I�ll bet.� A tall Black man leaned past Andros to hold out his hand. �We�re from Earth too. Hi, I�m Theodore Jay Jarvis Johnson, but you can call me T.J.�

�That�s a relief,� Mack said with a grin. �And all of you can call me Mack.�

�Cassie Chan,� the woman who had spoken said, shaking his hand firmly and nodding to Tyzonn and Vella.

A handsome Hispanic man introduced himself next as: �Carlos Vallerte. Nice to meet all of you.�

Another pretty woman, this time with light brown hair, smiled at them. �I�m Ashley Hammond, and this is Zhane,� she said, nudging the sixth, a man with hair so blond it was almost white.

�A pleasure,� Zhane said, grinning at all of them.

�You are the team who will be doing the recovery?� Tyzonn asked.

Their new acquaintances exchanged glances, and T.J. said firmly, �Yes.�

�We were told you would be Karovians. Karovian Rangers.�

�We are Karovians,� Andros said, indicating Zhane. �The other members of our team are from Earth. And that�s why only the two of us are going in after that power source.�

�But we�re all Rangers,� Ashley said. �Which is why we stick together, and why we�re all going.�

�Ashley, we�ve been through this...�

�None of us agreed to let the two of you go alone,� Cassie said.

�This is our planet, and our responsibility,� Zhane argued.

�And you�re our teammates-� came from Carlos.

�You�re going to need our help-� from T.J.

�I won�t let you risk your lives when-�

�We�re going with you, and that�s-�

�All right, that�s enough!� Andros said, loudly enough to silence them all. �I�m still team leader, and I�m still making the decisions. I know you don�t like it, but Zhane and I are going alone.� He held up his hand as the others started to protest again. �Sorry, but that�s the way it�s going to be. It�s the logical choice anyway; if Zhane and I fail, the rest of you will have to try.�

The others didn�t like it, Mack could tell, but one by one they nodded reluctantly. Ashley appeared to be the most upset, her eyes fixed on Andros, but she seemed to steel herself with a deep breath and said nothing.

�Okay,� Andros said more quietly. �We�ll go in as soon as we�ve finished surveying the building and finding a clear way in.�

�We can help with that,� Tyzonn said. �Evaluating danger, finding the safest path in and out - that�s our job.�

Fifteen minutes later Tyzonn, Vella, Andros, Zhane, and Kinwon had their heads together over a pile of photographs, diagrams, instruments, and printouts. Mack lacked the training to be of any real help and found himself watching from a little distance away, along with Ashley, Cassie, Carlos, and T.J.

It was a little intimidating, standing near these people who had been Rangers several years before he had been created, especially when they were so silent and obviously wrapped up in unpleasant thoughts. Ashley especially - he followed her gaze to see she was looking at Andros, and glanced down to notice the fingers of her right hand were twisting a gold band on her left third finger.

It was a relief when Carlos apparently decided to break the tension by leaning closer and asking, �Mack - maybe now�s a good time for your story, if you don�t mind telling it.�

�Yeah, how�d you get to be part of a Mercurian rescue team?� T.J. asked.

�Should I start with how I met Tyzonn, or with how I got to be a Ranger?�

�You�re a Ranger?� Cassie asked.

�Yeah, Ty and I were in Operation Overdrive. He gave back his morpher, but I kept my Tracker, just in case.� Mack touched it automatically - still in its place on his belt.

�One of the new teams, right?� T.J. said.

�Not so new anymore.� A thought struck Mack. �Hey, you guys know Adam Park? He was from around your time.�

That got even Ashley�s attention, as she turned to stare at him and asked, �You�ve met Adam?�

�Told you it�s a long story.� Mack grinned.

It took another day before Andros, Zhane, Tyzonn, and Vella decided they had made all the necessary preparations. Ashley had stayed close to Andros, but Mack, T.J., Carlos, and Cassie had found themselves at loose ends for much of that time, and had spent it seeing more of Karova City, getting better acquainted, and finding they had more in common than being Rangers - Mack�s new friends were from Angel Grove in California, not far from San Angeles. He found himself very much liking Cassie�s keen perception and sometimes sharp-edged wit, T.J.�s quick mind and relaxed confidence, and Carlos� quiet friendliness and equally quiet technical knowledge; and wishing they would not be parting in only a few weeks.

Now, he nodded and smiled at them in greeting, but their attention was obviously all for their two teammates, the ones who would be going into danger. The group was just inside the outer doors of the Research Building. At the back of the darkened, dusty, and gloomy lobby, Mack could see a patch of greater darkness that he knew was the door into the interior, leading down to the lower level where the energy source was located.

�You�ll morph before you go inside, just in case,� Tyzonn was saying. He held up two pouches on shoulder straps with one hand. �This should be everything you�ll need: rope, grappling hooks, flashlights, cutting torches. We don�t know what kind of obstructions you�ll encounter.� In the other hand he had two small medallions on thin loops. �You�ll wear these transmission units around your necks. They�ll let us see and hear everything that�s going on.�

�Understood,� Andros said. Zhane nodded.

Their teammates moved in for handshakes, pats on the shoulder, a few words of encouragement. Ashley drew Andros aside, where they stood with fingers interlaced, speaking softly to each other. Mack watched, and then looked away, feeling like an intruder as Ashley took Andros� face between her hands and kissed him.

Finally, Andros and Zhane stood side by side as the others moved back to give them room. They exchanged a glance. �Ready?� Andros asked.

�Ready as I�ll ever be.� Zhane�s usually confident smile seemed a little subdued this time.

They both raised their hands in front of them and flipped open the top of their wrist morphers. �Then, let�s-�

�Hold it!�

The voice was a woman�s, and it seemed to freeze all of the Space Rangers in place for a moment before they turned to look for its source. She stepped from the sunlight outside the outer door, her blonde hair catching its glow before she moved into the shadows to join them. She was tall, very slim, the almost girlish prettiness of her face belied by the snap of her eyes as she said, �I hope the two of you didn�t think you were going to do this without me.�

�Karone!� Andros and Zhane exclaimed in harmony.

�Yes. Nice of you to remember me now, after you seem to have forgotten to inform me about this situation.�

�We thought you were on Mirinoi,� Andros said.

�Right,� Zhane added, his eyes narrowing slightly. �We figured that was more important to you than anything on KO-35.�

�Really? More important than helping my own people when they�re in trouble?� Her voice was soft, but with a dangerous edge.

�That didn�t seem like a priority to you ten years ago,� Zhane responded.

�You know perfectly well why I didn�t stay back then! Just because you�re not interested in helping anyone outside KO-35 doesn�t meant I didn�t have other responsibilities!�

�And apparently none to us--�

Andros interrupted him. �Zhane, cut it out. Karone, we�ve already decided that only the two of us are going in.�

�Not anymore.� Karone advanced and took her place beside them. �I�m a Karovian just as much as you are. I�m going with you, and don�t try to stop me.�

�Whoa,� Zhane said mockingly. �I think I can see a little Astronema in you right now.�

�You should be very glad I�m not Astronema right now!�

�Both of you, stop it!� Andros said sharply. �Karone, the two of us can handle it. All our plans are made. I�m glad you�re here, but without Ranger powers it�s too dangerous for you.�

�I can still call on the pink Quasar Saber when necessary, and use the Galaxy powers.� Karone held up her arm, revealing a morpher on her wrist. Her expression and voice softened. �I have as much right to risk my neck as the two of you. This is my home world and these are my people. Let me help, please.�

Mack could see Andros� decision even before he said it, even before he looked at Zhane, who frowned but nodded slightly.

�All right. And - thanks for coming.�

T.J., Carlos, Ashley, and Cassie had told Mack how they had joined up with Andros on his spaceship, the Astro Megaship, through a set of improbable-sounding circumstances. They had told him how Zhane, Andros� closest friend, had become their sixth Ranger. No one had mentioned Karone. Mack managed to restrain his curiosity as the three of them morphed into Ranger suits that were the same in basic design as his, but different in detail and decoration. He stayed silent as they took their equipment from Tyzonn, turned, and one by one disappeared through the back doorway into the building interior. And he waited as all of the group left behind turned their attention to the monitor Tyzonn and Vella had set up to keep track of their progress.

An image appeared, whirled dizzyingly, and settled into a moving view down a long stairway, harshly lit by flashlight and disappearing into darkness. �We�re descending into the lower level,� Andros� voice informed them. �No sign of danger so far.�

Cassie was standing with Ashley near the screen, a reassuring hand on her shoulder. T.J. and Carlos were farther back, and Mack went to join them. As nothing more happened for a few seconds, he asked in a low voice, �What was that all about? Who�s Karone? And what�s she got to do with Astronema?�

�Talk about your long stories,� T.J. muttered. �The fast version is that Karone is Andros� sister - but she was kidnapped as a child and brainwashed into becoming our worst enemy, Astronema, years ago.�

�Wow. But I guess she reformed?�

�Yeah, after she found out who she really was, and finally got free of Dark Specter�s control,� Carlos answered.

The scene on the viewscreen had changed - it now showed a flat surface which Mack recognized after a few moments as a closed metal door.

�We�re on the level where the Source was kept,� Andros� voice reported. �The security system seems to still be working, but Zhane and I are inputting our codes.� There was a pause and a thump. �It�s stuck!�

�Careful,� Tyzonn said. �No blasters, the impact could start another collapse.�

�Can we use the torches to cut it open?� Zhane asked.

�That could trigger a defense, if that circuitry is still working too,� Andros answered. �We�ll have to get it open the old-fashioned way.�

�If you two push, and I try to pry it open with my saber...� Karone said.

�Right. On my signal.�

There was a shrill creaking as the view slowly changed again to show a short corridor opening into a larger space littered with dust and debris. �We�re through,� Andros� voice said. �Good work, guys.�

Mack let out a breath he hadn�t been aware of holding, and sighed before resuming their conversation. �Is that why Zhane seemed kind of mad at Karone? Because she was Astronema?� he asked.

�No,� Carlos told him. �Actually, Karone and Zhane had a thing going, even while she was still Astronema. They were together after Dark Specter was defeated - until Karone found out the Galaxy Rangers were in trouble after their Pink Ranger was killed and the pink Quasar Saber was stolen. She figured she could pretend to be Astronema again and get the Saber back - and it worked - but then she was offered the chance to become their new Pink Ranger.�

�And? That was a problem?�

T.J. took up the story. �It was to Zhane. KO-35 is his home, and he�s very loyal to it and to the people here. He never stays away for long. Karone went to live on Terra Venture with her team; he wouldn�t leave to join her, and he thought she had run out on him and on her own people. It turned out she only needed to be gone for a few months - but by the time the Galaxy Rangers defeated their enemies and gave up their powers, Zhane and Karone had split up.�

�We�re getting close,� Andros said through the monitor. �We�re seeing more destruction here.� It was hard to make out the picture on the screen, but Mack got flashes of a circle of thick round columns that appeared to be made of stone or marble, some of them leaning inward or crumbling.

�I guess the last time they saw each other was seven years ago, at Ashley and Andros� wedding,� Carlos continued. �They weren�t even speaking to each other.�

�They�re still in love.� Cassie�s voice came from beside Mack.

T.J. snorted. �After all this time?�

�You heard them before. They wouldn�t have been tearing each other new ones if they didn�t still love each other.�

�You have an interesting idea of love.� T.J. smirked.

�No, Cassie�s an expert on carrying a torch,� Carlos said. �Right, Cass? How long has it been since you heard from the Phan- Ow!� With an aggrieved expression he rubbed his shoulder where she had punched it.

�That�s right!� T.J. exclaimed. �Talk about never give up; Cassie and the Phantom Ran- Oww!�

�Guys, cut it out! I think they�ve found it,� Ashley said, beckoning them closer.

The view on the monitor had steadied a little, and was circling the group of columns. Mack caught sight of a glow inside them. It disappeared, then reappeared as the viewpoint changed. �That�s it all right,� Zhane said. They watched as the camera�s viewpoint moved between the pillars, and then showed Zhane and Karone taking up positions around a dimly glowing sphere on a metallic pedestal.

�Okay, so far so good,� Andros said. �Karone, there�s the release. Twist it open while Zhane and I lift the Source out.�

�Okay.� Mack got a quick glimpse of her reaching for a recessed flat handle in a round base, and starting to twist it before the camera focused on the globe, Andros� and Zhane�s gloved hands under it.

�It�s stuck, too,� Zhane said, his voice strained.

�I�ll help.� Karone�s hands came into the picture. With a grinding sound, the glowing sphere moved slightly, and then with a jerk came free.

It happened so fast that Mack wasn�t quite sure what he was seeing. Zhane shouted something; the camera picture tilted crazily; there was the shadowy movement of things falling and the sound of crashing and crumbling, and then the picture was blotted out by gray blankness.

�Andros!� Ashley cried.

Tyzonn grabbed the communications microphone. �Andros!� he called. �Zhane! Karone! Come in!�

�Switching to Zhane�s camera,� Vella said, her voice steady.

The screen blinked and darkened. After a moment, Mack could make out irregular lumps of concrete or stone or whatever the local building material was, and what he recognized as one of Zhane�s gloves. Something else moved at the edge of the picture, and he realized it was Karone�s helmet.

�Andros... Zhane...?� she gasped.

�Karone... are you all right?� It was Andros� voice.

�I think so. It�s Zhane - he was hit trying to protect me - he�s not moving!�

The image switched again, to Andros� camera, clearer now as the dust from the collapse settled. Mack could see Zhane�s silver-suited form sprawled over Karone�s pink and white one - with a fallen column lying on top of both of them. The picture spun and bobbed as Andros went nearer, and his gloved hands appeared, pulling at the column.

�Can�t lift it!� he gasped. �Too heavy!� There was an ominous rumbling and more dust and particles began to fall into the field of view.

Mack was going for the doorway leading down to where they were before he was even aware of making a decision, reaching for his Tracker and striking it on the doorframe as he ran through. Morphed, the headlight in his helmet illuminating the stairs, he dashed down, finally reached the bottom, and ran out into the open space of the lower level, pausing for a moment to search the darkness. The sound of Karone�s voice guided him before he saw their flashlights, and a moment later he was pushing Andros aside and bending to get a grip on the fallen column.

There was a cracking sound, and for a second Mack was afraid it would break and bring the whole building down on them, but then he pulled and lifted the stone pillar just enough to free the two Rangers pinned underneath. �Quick!� he said to Andros. �Get them out!�

Karone scrambled up, and she and Andros dragged Zhane free. There was the sound of other voices approaching, and the scuff of footsteps. Mack concentrated on setting the pillar down gently before looking up.

The rest of the Space Rangers were morphed and clustered around their teammates. Zhane was still morphed but seemed to be unconscious; T. J. and Carlos were supporting him between them while Vella ran a medscanner over him and Karone hovered anxiously. Andros was limping heavily but impatiently waved off Tyzonn�s scanner and Ashley�s help. �The Source!� he said. �We dropped it when the columns collapsed. If the building comes down - we�ve got to get it out of here!�

Mack didn�t need to ask where the Source was - two more columns were now leaning crazily against the metal pedestal, and from underneath he could see its pearly glow. It was lying in an open space, but there was no room to get his arm in far enough to reach it.

�I�m smaller, let me try.� Cassie was behind him, and he moved aside for her.

It was no use, not enough space for her to reach it safely either. �Don�t touch anything,� he warned. �If any more of these columns come down...�

�They�re going to fall anyway,� Ashley said as there was another rumble and a fresh scattering of dust drifted around them. �Maybe we should just break through, grab it, and run.�

�You and the others head out,� Andros said. �I�ll stay and try for it.�

�I�m not leaving you.� Ashley�s voice left no room for argument.

�Mack.� Tyzonn tapped his shoulder and pointed. �Vella and I can get at it, but we�ll have to move fast.�

Mack took another look at the columns and the power source under them, realizing what Tyzonn was planning. �Got you. Okay - T. J. and Carlos, get Zhane out of here now. Ashley and Karone, help Andros and go with them. Cassie, get ready to grab the Source and run for it. Ty, I�m ready when you two are.�

�Yes, sir,� T. J. said a little sarcastically, but he and Carlos obeyed, carrying Zhane towards the stairs. Ashley tugged at Andros� arm; he resisted.

�What are you going to do?� Andros asked.

�You�ll see.�

Tyzonn and Vella waited just long enough for T.J., Carlos, and Zhane to reach the stairs before they stepped close and knelt side by side next to the fallen columns. Each held out an arm, and simultaneously their limbs shimmered, wavered, seemed to melt into twin waves of silvery liquid metal which swiftly distorted, streaming through the narrow spaces to surge around the Source. For a moment it seemed as if the sphere was not going to move - but then the two mercury arms flowed underneath and raised it, sending it rolling towards Mack, barely clearing the columns.

Swiftly, Mack grabbed it - heavy, but not too heavy for Ranger strength. �Cassie, take it and head for the stairs!� he said, handing it to her, and saw her nod, whirl, and run.

�Let�s go!� Karone cried. She and Ashley each took one of Andros� arms and pulled him along at a trot.

Tyzonn and Vella were already retracting and reforming their arms. As they became flesh again, the rumbling increased and another column began to tilt, breaking near the bottom with a deafening crack - and falling straight towards Vella.

�Look out!� Mack leaped to catch it as she dived out of the way.

�Let�s get out of here!� Tyzonn shouted.

He grabbed Vella�s hand and ran, with Mack right behind them keeping an eye out for any more falling debris. As they reached the stairs Mack�s last glance back was of the ceiling falling in chunks, the entire research facility the Karovians had once used to develop their Ranger powers disappearing into dust and a rain of rubble.

At the top of the stairs Mack, Tyzonn, and Vella staggered out close behind Andros, Ashley, and Karone, dashing though the now-deserted lobby, through the entrance, and into the street. Mack blinked in the brightness of the sunlight and looked around, grinning as Cassie held the Source high in triumph.

�Welcome to the Megaship.�

�Wow.� Mack tried to look at everything at once and very nearly stumbled over his own feet as they left the elevator Andros had called a megalift, and walked out into a large ship�s bridge filled by several control stations, the walls covered with panels and displays, and dominated by a screen showing a view of the shipyard outside Karova City. It was huge and very futuristic to his eyes, and made Tyzonn�s little spaceship seem cramped and bare.

Behind him, Tyzonn and Vella seemed almost as impressed, both staring wide-eyed. �I�ve never been on a class-1 ship before,� Tyzonn said.

�It�s magnificent,� Vella added.

�Thank you,� said an attractive female voice, seemingly from nowhere. �The Alpha Megaship Mark II was constructed here on KO-35 as a replacement for the original Megaship. It is a galaxy-class light cruiser with full armament, capable of hyper warp speed and serving as vehicle, battleship, headquarters, and living quarters to its crew.�

�That�s DECA,� Andros said, waving a hand at a small camera mounted on a flexible stalk in one corner near the ceiling, �the ship�s computer. She�s a recreation of the original DECA on the first Megaship, complete with most of her memories restored from backup. DECA, this is Tyzonn and Vella from Mercuria, and Mackenzie Hartford from Earth.�

�It�s an honor to welcome the members of a Mercurian rescue team, as well as two Overdrive Rangers.�

�Thank you,� Tyzonn said.

Andros turned towards the other side of the room and indicated a brightly colored robot, a little shorter than most humans, with two arms and legs but with a round domed head, who had been busy at a control panel when they came in. �And this is--�

�Alpha!� Mack exclaimed. �Hey, what are you doing here?�

�I am Alpha Seven,� the little robot answered. �The Alpha you met was another in my line, Alpha Six. He told me he had helped the Overdrive team the last time we communicated, and he told me all about you and Tyzonn. It�s a pleasure to meet you!�

�A pleasure to meet you too.� Now that he looked for them, Mack saw differences - among them, this Alpha was a little shorter and his voice was less tinny than the one he remembered. �I didn�t know there was more than one of you.�

�Seven, so far. There may be more in the future, to carry on our mission as assistants to the Power Rangers.�

DECA�s voice made Mack look up at the camera watching them again. �Andros, you�re injured. You should be in the infirmary along with Zhane.�

�I�m okay, DECA,� Andros said with an impatient sigh. He took a couple of steps. �See? The limp�s almost gone.�

�You still should let us check it out,� Ashley said.

�Come on, Ash, I�m fine. Let�s show Mack, Tyzonn, and Vella the rest of the ship.�

Ashley didn�t look entirely happy, but she nodded. T.J. and Carlos shook their heads, smiling. Cassie was the one who started for the lift, beckoning them to follow.

But the Megaship�s infirmary was where they ended up, to see how Zhane was. They all trooped in through the automatically opening doors, Ashley and Andros having another difference of opinion on his need for medical help, only to stop short and guiltily fall silent as Karone stepped into their path with a finger across her lips in what appeared to be a universal signal for quiet.

�Zhane�s resting,� she said in a lowered voice, nodding towards a doorway leading to an inner room in answer to their questions. �He�ll be okay, but the medical system gave him a mild sedative. He needs to get some sleep.�

�We can come back later,� Andros said, and hesitated, turning back to her with a little smile. �You�ll - keep an eye on him? Be here when he wakes up?�

She returned the same smile, the similar expressions momentarily bringing out their resemblance. �He was hurt saving me; I owe him that much. And - I hope he and I can talk about - things - when he�s better.�

�I think he�ll like that.� Andros reached out to touch her arm. �It�s great to see you again, Karone.�

�And you. All of you.�

They both looked as if they would have liked to say more, but Mack knew uncomfortably that he, Tyzonn, and Vella were still relative strangers in front of whom this tight group of close friends, former lovers, siblings, and spouses would not show that kind of emotion.

Maybe that was why Vella asked softly, �Would it be okay for us to take a look at your medical equipment? We�ll be quiet, and we won�t touch anything.�

�Of course it�s okay,� Andros said. �The rest of us have to get back to the bridge. Just ask DECA if you need anything, and join us there when you�re ready.�

�Thank you.�

A moment later the three of them were alone, as Karone stepped back into the inner room where Zhane was sleeping. Tyzonn and Vella were as good as their word and conferred in near-whispers, heads together as they seemed fascinated by panels of what looked like monitoring equipment and a few machines for basic tests. Mack looked them over too, but such things were not his specialty and he quickly grew bored. In search of something more interesting, he wandered to a back wall behind a divider hiding a line of doors, and opened one to find a medical supplies storage closet. The next was cleaning supplies. The third - he caught a glimpse of metal, the gleam of molded parts, a flash of red and yellow...

Spare parts for Alpha, he realized, or maybe the makings of a replacement, if needed. Mack paused in the doorway and then stepped inside, reaching out hesitantly to touch the cool surface of a domed headpiece. The sight disturbed him - it sent his mind into unwanted directions, like wondering exactly how he was different from the Rangers� little robot helper. More human-like, certainly, perhaps more complex, but those were differences of detail, not essential substance. Take away his artificial skin and replace it with polished metal, and...

And it was pointless to think about it. Mack stayed there for another few seconds, frowning, and then stepped back and shut the door. After putting a more pleasant expression on his face, he turned back and went in search of his friends - only to find the main infirmary room empty. Tyzonn and Vella must have left without realizing where he was - or gone inside to see Zhane. Mack had reached the interior doorway and was about to look inside when he heard a hoarse voice that he recognized as Zhane�s.

�Karone? Is that you?�

�About time you woke up,� Karone answered. �How do you feel?�

�Fine, I guess. A little sleepy. What am I doing in the infirmary?�

�You were hurt; don�t you remember?�

�Oh yeah...� Zhane�s voice was stronger now; half teasing, half mocking. �I was saving your butt at the time, wasn�t I?�

Karone�s reply was sharp. �If you mean you knocked me down and passed out on top of me, yeah.�

�Same thing.� Zhane sounded more serious as he asked, �What happened? Did we get the Source?�

�Yes. The Source is safe, and so is everyone else. We did it, with help from your friends and the rescue team.�

�Good. I�m glad about that, anyway.� The sarcastic note was back when he continued, �So you haven�t taken off yet, to go back to your pals on Mirinoi?�

�I wanted to make sure you were all right. I guess I shouldn�t have bothered.� There was the sound of a step, as if Karone had gotten to her feet.

�Wait.� There was a slight pause. �Sorry. I�m glad you stayed.�

�Do you mean that?� Her voice was small.

�Sure I do.�

A longer pause. �Zhane... we need to talk.�

�I know.�

�Why are you still so angry with me?�

�Why did you leave me?� Zhane countered.

�Why didn�t you come with me?� Another hesitation before Karone continued. �You know why I left. The Galaxy Rangers needed me.�

�They could have gotten someone else.�

�Their Pink Ranger sacrificed herself to save the team and Terra Venture. She wanted me to have the Pink Saber and take her place. As far as we knew then, it was her last wish. How could I possibly have refused?�

�I guess.� Zhane sounded reluctant.

�I�ve never understood why you got so angry. Why you wouldn�t come with me, or wait for me. You�re a Ranger; you should have understood.�

�Karone...� Zhane sighed. �Look, I know it wasn�t fair. Maybe I was being selfish to expect you to have more loyalty to me and to KO-35 than to a bunch of - well, strangers. But your leaving wasn�t the only reason.�

�Well? What was the rest of it?� Karone asked after a few moments of silence.

�It was why you tried to help them in the first place. It was the whole way you acted after everything was over and you were Karone again and realized what you had done while you were under Dark Specter�s mind control. You - changed. Went from a strong woman to - to being meek and sweet and always so damn sorry for everything you ever did as Astronema.�

�I did terrible things as Astronema! What�s wrong with trying to do some good to make up for it?�

�Nothing�s wrong with it, up to a point. But you made it your whole mission in life. You never wanted anything for yourself, you never had an opinion, you always agreed with everything I said. That�s not the woman I fell in love with! And then when you decided you had to go off and join another Ranger team, still trying to make up for Astronema... I started to wonder how long you were going to go on living for guilt, whether you were ever going to forgive yourself for something that wasn�t your fault!�

�Did you expect me to just forget all about it? My fault or not - I spent so much of my life being taught to hate and destroy - and I was a good pupil, wasn�t I? When I realized how Dark Specter and Ecliptor had lied to me, taken me from my family and turned me against my own brother, what they had made me into... Zhane, all I wanted then was to be as different from Astronema as I possibly could, to deny the part of me that was ever her. Can�t you understand that?�

After a few seconds, Zhane�s soft voice answered. �I wish you�d said all that before. When you didn�t confront me when I wouldn�t come with you, didn�t argue, just shrugged and walked away, I thought you didn�t care.�

�I couldn�t have done it then. But working with the Galaxy Rangers - for the first time I knew I was fighting for something good and right. It taught me to be strong again. Over the years since then I think I�ve learned to accept that side of me that was Astronema. To be a whole person again.�

�Karone, I�m so sorry. I should have thought about what you were going through, and helped instead of making it worse.�

�Damn right you should have.�

There was the hint of a chuckle. �That�s the Karone I know and love.�

Hesitation again, and then: �Do you? Still?�

Zhane�s voice sounded uncertain. �It�s been a long time. Neither of us can be sure how we feel - but I�d like to find out.�

There was silence, the kind that meant its occupants had found better things to do than talk. Mack had listened to the whole exchange, frozen in place, embarrassed, fascinated, afraid to move and risk them hearing and realizing they weren�t alone. But now he had to leave, before he could hear anything even more intimate. Luckily the infirmary door opened silently - as quietly as he could, he tiptoed through it and breathed a sigh of relief as he stepped out.

It was another two weeks before Mack saw Zhane again. Karone had joined in on their efforts to help the Karovians with a few of their more difficult recovery and reconstruction projects, when she wasn�t on the Megaship. She looked happy, Mack thought, and smiled often. Andros had taken it easy for a few days to recover from his injury, which was obviously Ashley�s idea and not his. Tyzonn and Vella had begun to talk about returning to Mercuria and getting back to planning for their wedding. Mack had continued to spend his time off relaxing with T.J., Carlos, and Cassie.

When Zhane made his entrance with Karone at his side they happened to all be together, taking a break after clearing out a mass of rubble which had blocked the entrance to an underground transit station. Andros was the first to spot the new arrivals.

�Zhane!� he called, raising a hand to wave. �Hey, nice of you to join us!�

They gathered around the grinning Silver Ranger. �Yeah, about time you stopped goofing off and did some work around here!� Cassie said, smiling happily.

�You notice he waited until we were done with the heavy lifting,� T.J. said.

�I was just going to sit back and watch all of you sweat,� Zhane said, �but I thought I�d give you a break. Seriously, I�m cleared for active duty again - and man, am I glad to get out of that infirmary.�

�Are you sure you�re okay?� Andros asked.

�Ready, willing, and able. If you guys have left anything to do.�

�We�ve made a lot of progress, and things will go faster now that the city�s got more power from the Source. But there�s going to be plenty to do for a long time.� Andros stepped back and rested an arm around Ashley�s shoulders. �We�re going to be leaving in a couple of weeks to go on patrol of the sector, so you�ll have that long to help out.�

�I know. And, well, actually...� Zhane exchanged a glance with Karone, and took her hand. �Karone and I have talked about it, and we�ve both decided to leave the Megaship and stay here.�

�Oh.� Andros� face fell, but he seemed to almost have expected it. �Both of you?�

�It�s about time I came home,� Karone said. �Hopefully for good.�

�And the two of you...?�

�Who knows?� Zhane said with a return of his confident grin. �But we�re going to give it a hell of a try.�

There were a few more minutes of talk before Zhane and Karone headed off, saying they wanted to find Kinwon. When Mack next looked up from disposing of a few leftover pieces of debris, he noticed the remaining Space Rangers huddled in conference and assumed they were discussing what to do about Zhane�s leaving. As it turned out, he was right. As he finally turned to go, arms full of the equipment they had used, he found T.J. and Carlos standing in his way wearing identical grins.

�Yes?� he asked after a puzzled moment.

�We�ve been talking,� Carlos said.

�I saw that.�

�And we were thinking - with Zhane leaving, we�re going to be short one Ranger,� T.J. said.

�Yeah, I guess. So?�

�So...� Carlos continued, �We were wondering if you�d be interested.�

�Me??�

�Sure, why not you? We know we work well together, and we get along well. You did a great job with the Source.�

�We know you�re a member of Tyzonn�s team, and he�s your friend,� T.J. said as Mack stared at them with no idea of how to answer. �If you say no, we�ll understand. But the offer�s there if you want it.�

�Thanks,� Mack said. �I�ll have to think about it, and I�ll have to talk to Tyzonn and Vella.� As the thought of what that offer included began to sink home - the Megaship, travelling around the galaxy, best of all a new Ranger team of people he already felt close to - he found his grin matching theirs, and knew there was no question that he wanted it. �Thanks!� he said again.

And so it was that two weeks later the entire group stood on the spaceport field just outside Karova City, between the Megaship and Tyzonn�s little cruiser. The Space Rangers had almost finished their goodbyes as Mack emerged from the Megaship after stowing his possessions in his new quarters. He joined them, feeling a now-familiar mixture of excitement at the prospect of new adventures and regret at leaving people he cared for behind.

Andros had gone last, hugging Zhane tightly and then Karone. He managed a smile as he stepped back to look at her, hands still on her shoulders. �It seems like I�m always finding you again and then saying goodbye,� he said. �I�m going to miss you.�

�You�ll be here often, so it�s not goodbye, just - so long.� Still, her lips trembled slightly until she suddenly smiled. �Besides, maybe someday soon you and Ashley will decide to stop wandering around space and settle down here, and we can be a real family.�

�Maybe.� Andros exchanged a glance with his wife before turning to Zhane. �Take care of my sister. And take care of yourself.�

�Don�t I always?� Zhane moved closer to Karone, slipping an arm around her waist. �See ya, Andros,� he said softly.

Mack had his own farewells, and hugged Vella first, smiling as he did. �Thanks for everything,� he said. �It�s been great working on the same team with you. Say goodbye to the others for me.�

�I will.� She raised a hand to touch his cheek. �I hope for the best for you, Mack; you deserve it. And please try to come to our wedding.�

�Couldn�t keep me away.� Now came the hardest part, as Tyzonn stepped up with his usual warm smile. �Ty, what can I say? You�ve been the best friend a guy could ask for, and you�ve done so much for me.�

�I�m glad if I could repay a small part of what you did for me on Earth.�

�You�ve done a lot more than that. I still feel bad about leaving like this.�

�Don�t.� Tyzonn�s expression grew serious. �I never expected you to stay forever. You must find your own adventures, and this is the perfect opportunity for you.� He moved in and hugged Mack hard, adding, �Be happy, Mackenzie Hartford.�

�And guess what, they�re Rangers. You probably remember them; they were the team that defeated Astronema when she invaded Earth about ten years ago. Which is weird because I also met Astronema, or rather Karone, who used to be Astronema, but she�s a good guy now. Confusing, huh? They were trying to recover an energy source on the planet KO-35 and we helped them when they got into trouble.

After that we kind of all got to be friends, and I got really friendly with three of them: Carlos, T.J., and Cassie. There�s also Andros and Ashley, who are married. You should see their ship; it�s incredible - Ronny would probably kill to pilot it. Oh, and they have another version of Alpha on board, and the ship�s computer talks. It�s cool.

So anyway they asked me if I wanted to join them when their sixth Ranger, Zhane, decided to leave. I felt bad about leaving Tyzonn, but he wanted me to do it. He�s a terrific friend, the best. And here I am. They�re all great guys, and I�m having a great time so far. We�ve been on a patrol of this sector of the galaxy for a couple of months, and helped out with trouble on a few planets plus doing some scientific research.

I guess that�s about it - I hope your work with SPD is going well. Developing new Ranger tech sounds like it�s right up your alley! Be sure to tell me all about it when you write - just address a letter to me on the Astro Megaship, send it through S.P.D., and I�ll get it sooner or later. And maybe we�ll be travelling near Earth soon, and I can visit. I hope so.

Until next time - so long, and I miss you guys.

Love,

Mack�

Andrew sat, staring at the letter, in the familiar world of the fields behind S.P.D. with a gentle breeze ruffling his hair and a difficult decision he knew he would have to face sooner or later, but trying to imagine a ship deep in space and the people on it - people who were his son�s new friends and teammates. He reread the last few paragraphs. Mack sounded so happy, so excited. It was a perfect situation for him, that was clear. Andrew tried to be glad, but the question kept nagging at him - what if Mack liked it so much that he never came home?

TBC...

Send review...