The FF.Net Published Version
Disclaimer: The author of this piece would like to state that 90% of the characters featured here are properties of BVS Entertainment Inc and not that of the author. 10% of the characters featured here are original creations of the author. Also, the author understands that this piece automatically negates events that occur any and all PR incarnations that occur after Power Rangers Wild Force. Just thought we should be clear on that.
On a final note: Some people had issues with the way the final moments of the last chapter were handled and how such a situation wouldn’t play out like that in real life. The author appreciates the reviews and criticisms from the folks who read the story.
-o-
A battle cruiser run by the last bit of the Machine Empire towing the battered Megaship to KO-35 isn’t so much a humiliating sight, as far as the Kerovan is concerned. The fact that this sole ship IS the last bit of the Machine Empire left is a scary thought.
He watched through the potholes of the ship as the Astro Megaship, battered and ravaged from its encounter with the planet-killer ship, was being towed. Surprisingly to him and his fellow Rangers, the Machines were taking good care of the ship, doing some ship repairs, refitting with replacement parts… heck, they were even adding a fresh touch of paint on some parts of the ship that desperately needed it.
Despite this, he could tell by his friends’ facial expressions that they weren’t exactly on friendly terms. After all, the last time he and the Empire had met, they took out their head generals.
When the three entered the throne room, they had expected another machine to be sitting at the throne. Instead, what they saw definitely surprised them; a human male, presumably looking to be in his mid-30s, with light-brown hair and green eyes. One hand was a cybernetic hand, while the other was a regular human hand… minus one thumb.
“Greetings,” the humanoid said courteously, “my name is Aradon.”
The three looked at each other confusedly, then turned to face the man standing before them. “Aradon?” Zhane repeated. Aradon was widely regarded as Mondo’s mortal enemy and bitter rival for the throne of the Empire.
Aradon nodded and smiled as he noticed the confused and stunned expressions of his three visitors. “I’m guessing you’re surprised that the new ruler of the Machine Empire,” Aradon paused a bit, trying to rephrase himself, “or rather, what’s left of it, is an android replica.”
Replica, Andros thought to himself, it makes sense.
The three sighed in relief as Aradon waved his hand away at the two gold-armored Cogs, who promptly exited the room. Aradon’s smile quickly faded as he stood and approached the three. “What happened to you three?” he asked.
Andros stiffened, “Before we answer that, would you like to tell us how you’re going to rule an empire whose homeworld was blown apart by a planet-killer?”
“My dear,” Aradon rebutted, “Gorah Khan was the homeworld, not necessarily an Empire in itself. We have five other colony worlds that make up our Empire.”
Now it was Zhane’s turn to cut in, “Colony worlds that followed Venjix and Mondo, not you.” Andros shot Zhane a glance, but Aradon raised his hands, although Zhan’s statement did aggravate him slightly. “Obviously you’re not up to speed with our politics,” he said calmly, “those colony worlds saw a corrupt general serving a corrupt purpose and they went on the side of one who saw the light.”
Aradon noticed the non-believing expressions on his visitors’ faces. Aradon simply shrugged, “I’m a monarch, not a philosopher.”
The three Rangers looked at each other in disbelief, probably thinking the same thing; no wonder Mondo hates this guy.
-o-
A rather annoyed Thomas Oliver stared blankly at Lightspeed Rescue commander Carter Grayson, who was confused to his reaction. Jason Lee Scott and Cole Evans watched from one side of the room as the former Red Lightspeed Ranger and the Red Zeo Ranger went into a heated battle of words over Carter’s vote to hand the rogue Varox the Suicide bomb.
“What did you expect me to do?” he barked, “There were volatile nuclear weapons in there! I couldn’t risk blowing up a shot to capture one potential bounty hunter–” Thomas cut Carter off at that moment. “The most ‘volatile’ nuclear weapon are now in the hands of a deadly hunter who will stop at nothing to blow us all to hell!”
“What’s so bad about a suicide bomb?” Cole whispered to Jason while the two were bickering.
“It’s not really a bomb,” Jason whispered back, “it sends a worldwide signal to every nuke that causes them to self-destruct. Considering how many hidden nukes are out there…” Jason finished his answer by motioning his left hand across his neck in a cutting motion.
Carter’s face grew angrier; he couldn’t believe that this guy is blaming him for something he believes he had no control over. “I have to consider the safety of thousand of people,” he remarked coldly, “I’m not the same man I was two years ago, Oliver. I’m the head of Lightspeed Rescue, which says a lot more than what you’re doing!” This prompted Thomas to go into a fighting stance. Jason stood up and tried to calm his friend, but Thomas wouldn’t have it.
“Back off, Jason,” he told his friend, “this is between me and Mister Lightspeed Rescue over here.”
Carter took off his uniform jacket and went into his own fighting stance. “I’m not a fan of fighting,” he said sternly, “but if I have to, I will fight you.”
Cole took a step forward in an attempt to calm the two, but Jason stopped him. “Don’t bother,” he advised, “they’ll just kick your ass too.” Cole did as he said.
Thomas stared at Carter with rage. Carter stared back at the former Green Ranger with a slight hint of anxiety, although he didn’t show it. Both motioned in a circle for two minutes, neither one attempting or even hinting at making the first move. Thomas breathed heavily while Carter let out quick huffs. Jason noticed that Thomas was willing to get into this fight, while Carter would do anything to get out of it.
“Tom,” Jason said softly, not caring whether Thomas was listening or not, “as much as I don’t like what Carter did, that’s no reason for this stupidity.” No answer from Thomas, just as Jason expected.
“Remember the old days, Tom? Remember when we were under that shark’s spell that brought us against each other?” Still no answer.
“Listen to me, bro. Carter’s not the enemy.” Jason said calmly, although Thomas isn’t even acknowledging it, “This isn’t going to fix things. You’re better than this.”
Carter stopped and let his arms hang. He looked over to Jason, who was smacking himself on the forehead as if saying, “Carter, you idiot!” When he noticed Carter letting his guard down, Thomas proceeded to take a step forward, about to make the first move, but Jason stepped in.
“Get out of my way, Jay.” Thomas barked.
“No way, Tom,” Jason declared, “you want him, you have to go through me.”
Thomas looked at his friend. “My problem’s with Mr. ‘I’m da head of Lightspeed.'”
Jason seemed disappointed by his friend’s behavior. “Look, bro,” he advised, with a bit of threat behind it, “You’re angry and I can understand that. Fighting doesn’t solve anything, but if you really need it, then fight me, not this idiot over here.” The ‘idiot’ response got to Carter, but decided against retaliation. He seems angry at me too, he thoughtfully concluded.
Thomas pulled out his Zeonizer from his pocket. Not exactly what I wanted, Jason thought. Since he couldn’t get Thomas to change his mind, he decided to play along and pulled out his own Morpher. “If we’re going to do this,” Thomas said forcibly, “we’re going to do this outside.”
-o-
“What you’re about see,” Aradon stated in an auditorium with the three Rangers, “is what we know about this planet-killer as you call it.”
Aradon pressed on a button and an image appeared on the giant viewer. The pictures showed of a spiked egg blueprint, followed by several satellite images of a black egg-shaped object in planetary atmospheres. During the clip show, Aradon dictated his notes to his three guests.
“The ship that you’ve encountered is called the Wraith,” he began, “a weapon of unlimited power. It is, remarkably, the most well-armed and well-armored vessel that the Machine Empire has ever encountered.”
“So,” Zhane interjected, “you’ve dealt with this before.”
Aradon nodded, “The destruction of Gorah Khan was the second meeting with the Wraith. The first meeting was near a disputed sector of space where various planets were found to be missing. An battalion of ten battlecruisers and fifty destroyers were sent to either possibly disable or preferably destroy the ship in question.” Andros noticed a bit of sadness in Aradon’s tone, “The entire battalion lasted all six seconds, fallen under a hail of pulse weapons.”
Aradon pressed another button, the image changed to one of the Wraith’s spikes that the Megaship encountered. “Each one of these spikes,” he continued, “has about 12 pulse cannons, the red spots on the surface.”
TJ studied the spike closely while Zhane looked past Aradon to view the outer pothole.
“How would this ‘Wraith’ blow planets apart?” TJ interjected with interest, “I doubt that those cannons will do the job?”
“Of course,” Aradon answered. He pushed another button and an image of the Wraith’s front view was brought up; a round shape with a red pulsating hole in the middle. “The Wraith uses a super laser,” he continued, “whose design is based on the laser weapon of Serpenterra, except somewhat stronger.”
“Wait,” interrupted Andros, trying to keep up, “are you saying that Wraith is a smaller, but stronger version of Serpenterra?”
Aradon nodded.
“Great,” TJ groaned, “several hundred pulse weapons, tough as nails armor, AND a planet-killing super-laser. It can’t get any worse, can it?”
-o-
Out on an open field, two longtime friends face each other in combat for the first time in a long while. Some distance apart, Thomas Oliver and Jason Lee Scott locked eyes with each other for some time. Each one holds their respective morpher, waiting for the right moment. Near the house, Carter Grayson and Cole Evans watched the fight from afar. They were about to see a sight they never thought possible; the battle between two Power Rangers.
Jason looked at his friend; Tom had some anger built in him, he thought to himself, and he needs to vent it out.
Thomas looked back at his friend; Jason knows I need to vent my anger, he thought, but not on him.
“I was going to let this pass, Tom,” Jason said, “but since you really need this, then I should let you know that I’m not holding back.”
Thomas nodded with reluctance, “Agreed. Let’s do this.”
Both Red Rangers stared each down a short while longer before calling out in unison, “IT’S MORPHIN TIME!”
TO BE CONTINUED…
