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.
Final note: Thanks to those who have read and reviewed this thing.
-o-
Thomas Oliver stood in front of the structure, staring as if it was a ghost from the past.
In some ways, that’s exactly what it might have been. The original home base of the original Power Rangers, destroyed once by means of an implosion device, but was soon restored and served as a entryway to the underground Power Chamber base. That base, along with this structure, was destroyed during the Turbo Rangers’ battle with pirate queen Divatox and the ruins has been dormant all this time.
… or so everyone thought.
In front of him was the very structure thought to have been destroyed and never to return and yet here it is, just as it appeared ten years ago. Realizing he wasn’t alone, he turned towards the two Silver Guardians. “You guys better regroup with the others,” he ordered, although unsure of himself. “Form whatever strategy you can to find and stop the Varox.”
“What about you?” Eric asked implicitly.
Thomas gave a sigh. “I have an old acquaintance to meet with… sort of.”
-o-
“Recall all Quadrafighters back to the ship, we have to retreat.”
At the command of the Machine King Aradon, the fledging battlecruiser, along with several Quadrafighters that have survived the encounter with a pirate cruiser just moments ago, slowly turned away from the Wraith planet-killer that was fast approaching their . Because of a ramming attack by one of the pirate fighters, the battlecruiser suffered heavy damage to their main engines and thus was unable to outrun the ship.
In the cockpit of one of the Quadrafighters, Andros looked ahead at the awesome size of the enemy. Their first encounter with this massive object, even at full operating capacity, had nearly resulted in the destruction of their vessel. The other Quadrafighters simply flew around to the side of the battlecruiser, but a couple were looking in the direction of the ship.
“Whatever you do, do not fire.” Andros commanded to the other fighters through the comm, “we don’t have the firepower.”
Much to the surprise of Aradon (and the confusion of his two allies), the Wraith simply passed by the fleet without laying a single shot. In fact, the Wraith did not even bother to slow down. It was as if it did not notice the relatively small (and drastically weakened) Machine fleet. In the tactical station, Aradon watched the main viewer as it displayed the giant spiked vessel pass by them at intense speeds. Fortunately for them, none of the spikes were in the cruiser’s path.
TJ looked on as the Wraith flew towards a blue sphere. “What is that planet over there?” he asked over the comm.
It took a moment before he heard a distorted Aradon over the comm. “It’s a rogue planet,” he said, “No life signs.”
On the one hand, a sigh of relief. On the other hand, another planet was about to be destroyed.
-o-
For the first time since retirement, Thomas Oliver stepped into the empty room known as the Command Center. He didn’t know if this place had been around during their tenure as Zeo Rangers, even though the Power Chamber was much better equipped to deal with the invading Machine Empire… that last thought brought a slight chuckle to Thomas. It was hard to believe that there is nothing left of the regime… all thanks to something known as the Wraith.
Shaking his head, Thomas approached one of the consoles, specifically the one with the Numeral Pad. Keying in the numbers 5 – 3 – 9 – 4 and following that combination with a Pound key, Thomas turned to see a door of light emanate from the other side of the room.
Glad to see this still works, Thomas thought to himself as he approached the door of light and took the first step.
-o-
“I did it, Commander!” Reno informed Carter Grayson with confidence, “I’m in!”
The former Lightspeed Ranger approached the computer console and watched as various satellite pictures (the images were displayed in four shades of green due to Lightspeed’s older satellite systems) were on display in a slideshow. The images showed nothing more than a black mass behind a starfield and close-up images would should various rocky spikes. Carter’s jaw dropped at the next image, which featured a beam of light cutting through a spherical object, most presumably a moon or planet.
Reno looked at the images with astonishment. “Whatever this ‘Wraith’ is, sir,” he said impressively, “it’s one powerful ass kicker.”
Carter didn’t register Reno’s remark. He stared in awe at the bland yet disturbing images of a powerful threat to this planet. He couldn’t find the words to describe the image he saw. After a minute of silence, Carter approached the keyboard typed in “suicide bomb” as his next search term. Reno expected those files to be classified, but to their astonishment, only one file on the suicide bomb was available and this was viewable to all levels. Even the rookie cadets could study these plans.
“Why would Lightspeed keep the Wraith files classified but not the bomb, Reno?” Carter asked.
Reno did not answer for a while, as he was studying the bomb plans. After a moment, he spoke with an ominous tone, “The bomb plans are pretty detailed, sir. I can’t answer your question as to why.”
Carter read some of the bomb details. There was a lot of information here that should be classified but for some reason isn’t. “Reno, make me a copy on CD.” he told his assistant, “I’m bringing some of this to the Rangers.”
-o-
The Space Rangers and Aradon observe the Wraith as it approached a nearby rogue planet, presumably its next target. Left without options on how to stop it, they could do nothing but watch as the Wraith fired several of their pulse weapons at the planet. However, they’ve noticed that the flurry of energy projectiles from the Wraith did not destroy the planet. As they learned before, the Wraith usually destroyed worlds using a super-laser… so why the weapons fire on the planet?
For three straight minutes, they’ve watched the Wraith fire various projectiles at the same rogue planet. Finally, the barrage of projectiles stopped and a blue beam emanated from the Wraith to the rogue world. After several seconds, the planet was consumed in an aura of blinding light and what remained were several asteroids. The Wraith soon veered away from the rumble.
In the tactical room of the battlecruiser, there was silence, save for the background noise of engine humming and computer bleeps. Andros displayed a sense of confusion through his facial expressions, while TJ scratched his head. Aradon stared blankly at the viewer before approaching a console and pressing a few buttons. The viewer showed the Wraith and its barrage on the planet. Another button click and it showed the Wraith using its super laser to destroy the rogue planet. Another button click and it showed the asteroid field.
Turning to his crew, Aradon stared for a moment and spoke softly, “I believe we’ve learned something about our enemy.”
TJ caught on to what the Machine king meant. “The laser isn’t strong enough on its own, so the Wraith uses its weapons to cut the planet down.” TJ noticed nodding heads of the crowd, so he continued, “so we have to figure out how to use that to our advantage.” The nodding heads stopped and now made faces filled with confusion. Silence filled the room until Andros spoke up.
“I have an idea,” he said in a light but serious tone, “but we’re going to need a very important piece of hardware.”
-o-
The chamber of light seemed familiar to Thomas. The control panels and the optical read-outs were the same as before. Although he had been unconscious most of the time, Thomas recognized this place as the hidden laboratory where Zordon and Alpha Five had experimented with a new Power Ranger, the White Ranger. Aside from the fact that it had collected dust over years of inactivity, it is relatively unchanged, as if he had been there for the first time. Clearly, the multiple destructions of the structure above did not affect this chamber at all.
Thomas decided to due away with the nostalgic feelings for the moment and concentrate on the matter at hand. Beside the lab table were several file folders. Curious, Thomas thought to himself, I had never known Zordon to be keeping notes on paper. Grabbing the stack of files, Thomas opened one of them and studied the various documentation. He chuckled to himself; the first folder contained documentation of the White Ranger project. Another folder contained implemented features into the White Ranger project. Everything seemed ordinary; typical schematics, abilities, and other…
Thomas backtracked through the documents he scanned through until he found the one marked “GS-01.” Taking the document from the folder, he scanned through the document, looking at handwritten words and diagrams. When Zordon briefed Thomas long ago, he explained that the White Ranger was supposed to be more powerful than any other Ranger, but he hadn’t mentioned anything about a “GS-01” of any kind. Thomas sat on a chair near the lab desk and began to read the document with interest and curiosity. Although the information is rather outdated, it could hold something worth mentioning.
For several pages, the document was simple properties of energy absorption through a process unfamiliar to Thomas. The next part of the document had an interesting theory about an ability to gather the absorbed energy with a Ranger and use it to release a discharge of energy that would devastate everything in its path. This did not make sense to Thomas; why would Zordon implement a destructive power into the White Ranger matrix?
Another curious dilemma strikes Thomas in the third and final part of the document. In the final three pages were schematics of the White Ranger, except the schematics included components not installed in the final product. In fact, Thomas’ eyes widened when he read that the additional components could not be found and therefore, compensations had to be made. Thomas sat there confused. Missing components? Compensations? What does all this mean?
-o-
“Zhane,” Andros spoke through the comm in an empty room, “how’s the repair work going?”
Zhane took a while to answer – probably due to the comm system on the fritz – but sounded cheerful when he did. “We’re almost ready to go. Better shield system, better armor plating.”
“Good,” said Andros, who sounded more serious, “we’re going to need a little extra something.” As he spoke, TJ walked into the room, but the Kerovan did not take notice.
“What do you mean?” Zhane asked confusedly.
Finally noticing the other Ranger, Andros turned to him and asked, “Remember the Serpenterra salvage operation from two years ago?”
“Yeah” was TJ’s only answer.
“Do you know if the laser was found?” Andros asked.
TJ did not understand at first, but soon realized what he was asking. “Last time I checked, it looked to be in one piece,” he explained in a confused tone, “but nobody ever tested it to see if it worked.”
Andros turned back to the comm system, “Zhane, see if you can get the weapon and load onto the shuttle compartment. Use whatever power relays you need.”
There was a moment of silence on the other line. Andros had thought that the signal was lost, but after a while, Zhane answered, “No problem.” As the comm light went off, Andros stood up quickly and turned to TJ, who figured out his friend’s plan of attack.
“What better way to kill a planet-killer,” TJ smugly suggested, “than with Serpenterra? Or rather, its laser?”
-o-
Thomas’ study into the White Ranger files intrigued him enough as to spend an hour through the notes. Noticing how much time has past, he set aside the files and approached a computer console. He keyed up the word “Wraith” and the screen displayed over two hundred different entries concerning the term “Wraith.” At first Thomas thought his search parameter was too general, but then remembered former Ranger William Cranston saying that the database “knows” what to look for. Thomas also remember Billy explicating telling him not to ask, so he didn’t.
The files concerning the Wraith proved to be more useful than Thomas had hoped for. Most of the Wraith’s functionality was clearly explained, including the less-than-powerful laser beam that only destroys ravaged planets while causing healthy worlds to become wastelands. In other words, Thomas concluded, a bigger Serpenterra with more guns. Other files has incidents and known encounters with the planet-killer.
One particular file was especially interesting. HISTORY OF THE WRAITH was the header. Thomas selected the file and read an extensive essay. He learned that the Wraith was a weapon built by an ancient civilization, designed to destroy their enemies effortlessly. Most of this information seemed trivial, except for one portion. Thomas had to read and re-read this segment several times, and each time he read it, he couldn’t believe it.
During the days of the Repulsa wars, Eltarian troops commanded by Zordon uncovered and used the Wraith to destroy most of Rita Repulsa’s border worlds before abandoning the weapon. However, they did not shut down the Wraith and thus the ship went about its original program; destroying uninhabitable worlds high on resources.
I can’t believe it, Thomas mouthed. Zordon had a part in this thing’s rampage?
Desperate to search for more, Thomas skimmed through Zordon’s journals that dated to the period in question. They confirmed his fears about Zordon’s involvement:
This weapon seemed like the perfect foil to take out the threat of Rita and end the Repulsa regime. However, it was difficult to control, so I set its mission parameters to go out and destroy rogue worlds that were under Rita’s control.
Thomas didn’t understand that particular statement and continued down towards the entry’s final lines:
The Wraith did not receive any orders to halt its assault and in fact, none of us, not even myself, had thought much about it. By the time we realized our error, the Wraith was gone. Its destination… unknown. Its purpose… mindless destruction. Its target is simply rogue worlds… but I have no doubt that it will stop there. It is a weapon capable of defending itself and will stop at nothing to complete its mission.
Although Andros had told him in his recent email that the Wraith was still pursuing rogue worlds, the thought of Earth being a potential target certainly cross Thomas’ mind. However, with Andros taking care of that problem, he needn’t worry. So Thomas concentrated on the White Ranger project files, knowing that something within the files could possibly be adapted to the Zeo Ranger powers and could be of help to their conflict against the Varox threat.
-o-
Jason wanted to wait for Thomas to get back, even after Wes said he’ll be a little late. But time is of the essence. He stood in front of a small crowd, consisting of the two Silver Guardians, Carter Grayson, Blue Lightspeed Ranger Chad Lee, and Cole Evans.
“Okay,” he began, “you obviously know about the Mariner Bay incident and its cause of the widespread destruction.”
Everyone nodded in affirmation. Jason continued, “Then you probably also know that there is a second Varox running around with a government-built weapon known as the ‘suicide bomb’ which is a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands.” Jason gestured to Carter, who clicked on a remote towards a video monitor. The monitor flashed open and displayed an image of wasteland as Jason proceeded with his commentary, “Thanks to Carter’s information, we managed to use the scanner to search for the device, which is found here.”
Carter stood and approached the monitor image of the wasteland. “The Varox hunter is hiding in one of these caverns,” he lectured, trying to keep it in a tone as to not sound boring, “but they’re all interconnected with each other, so it could lead to a central hub.”
“That hub,” Jason decreed, “is where we’ll find our bomb.”
Jason pointed to Wes, who stood and approached the console and pressed a few buttons. The wasteland image faded to a schematic of an armored van. “This is an experimental battle van,” Wes began enthusiastically, “it’s got missiles, lasers, mines, armor, rockets, the works.” His tone adopted some seriousness. “We’ll be riding this through the wasteland, in case our friend has some surprises for us.”
“I’ve already made a post to send two squads of troops to meet us as the rendezvous point.” Eric added, “they’ll take a while, but they’ll be there.”
All the rangers voiced their approval except for Cole, who was feeling left out. Noticing the rookie ranger, Jason approached him and laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “You’re coming along too, Cole.” he comforted, “We need all the help we can get. Powers or not.”
Cole looked up to the veteran Red Ranger and smiled. “No problem.”
-o-
As the others prepared for battle, Jason made one last attempt to contact Thomas in the Command Center before leaving. Unfortunately, the comm signal could not get through to either Thomas’ cell phone nor his communicator. So Jason took a piece of paper, scribbled some words, and ran out the door after leaving the note on the table.
The note read “Don’t be late bro.”
To be continued…
