Power Rangers In Space by Heather Ray (uplifting book club books .txt) 📕

Zordon. DECA tries to keep the Megaship completely sterile."

"But when we come back aboard, we're going to just infect the ship over again," Carlos commented.

"Not if you go through some simple sanitation procedures when you come aboard. Don't worry, its a painless white mist, somewhat similar in appearance to the chemical found in your fire extinguishers. But it evaporates in seconds."

"So when are we leaving the planet?" Ashley asked.

"As soon as possible," said Andros, "We have to catch up with Dark Spectre, and find some clue as to where he's hiding Zordon. If we don't hurry, we'll never be able to rescue him."

"Well," said Cassie, "Could we maybe leave late tonight, instead of immediately?"

Andros looked up at the Pink Ranger. "Why?"

"There's a party for the entire school," said TJ, "We'd like to say goodbye to all our friends and stuff. After all, we probably won't see them until September."

Andros sighed. "We can't waste any time."

"Its only a couple of hours," Ashley protested, "You can come with us!"

Andros frowned. "That's alright. I'll wait for you in the Megaship. I'll take inventory, to make sure we have everything we need from Earth before our departure. So, can we return to the Megaship now?"

"After we have a snack," said Carlos, picking up the menu, "That food replicator just can't do a chili-dog justice."
Chapter Two

Meanwhile, in the mobile Dark Fortress that has become a home to her, the young, ambitious villainess Astronema sat on her throne, fingering a lock of bright purple hair. Her other hand firmly grasped her sceptor, and she tapped her foot impatiently. To her right stood Ecliptor, the menacing warrior who had served Astronema faithfully for years. Finally, the chamber door opened, and two Quantrons entered. They stepped to either side of the door, and bowed to their leader. Then, a tall, red creature with an evil glare and a cold grin confidently strode into the chamber. He walked towards the throne, but Ecliptor stepped in front of his mistress, and brandished his sharp double-edged sword. The visitor's grin broadened.

"That is as far as you come, Vermin," Ecliptor spat, "You can make your case to the Queen of Evil at a distance."

"A little jumpy there, aren't you, Captain?" the visitor smirked, "And aren't you being a little presumptuous with the title 'Queen of Evil'? After all, rumor has it Astronema must prove herself to be the most vile villainess in the cosmos to earn that title, and the great Dark Spectre assigned her the mission no one else can fulfill-- the destruction of the Power Rangers."

"Indeed," Astronema said, waving Ecliptor out of the way, "and according to the message you sent me, you have a way for me to do just so. Tell me your plan, Darkonda, and make it quick."

"As you wish," Darkonda said, opening his closed fist. Inside his hand was a thin gold chain, with a half of a medallion as a pendant. He tossed it to Astronema, who caught it with her quick reflexes. She glanced at the necklace curiously, and then looked up at Darkonda.

"What is this?" she demanded.

"It is your key to the destruction of the Astro Rangers. You see, about ten years ago, I was offered a great amount of money to kidnap one of the two children of Arethusa Wiengart, the Prime Minister of KO 35, a human colony in the Kerola system. Apparently, my employer had a score to settle with the gentleman. So, after being paid in advance, I went to the planet, and grabbed the child Karone Wiengart, the youngest of the two children. She wore this necklace.

"Once I was safely inside my ship, I gave the girl tranquilizers, to keep her out of my hair during the journey. I also took the necklace, planning on sending it to Arethusa, informing him of his daughter's abduction. But I made the mistake of flying along the trade route of Triforia. I'm notorious on that planet, so the officers escorting a convoy demanded my surrender, and opened fire. I did as was ordered, because they would surely have destroyed my ship. I managed to escape, of course, but not with the girl. So I left, with the necklace."

"What does all this have to do with the Power Rangers?" Ecliptor asked.

"Well, Arethusa had two children. One was Karone, and the other was her older brother Andros."

"The Red Astro Ranger?!" Astronema exclaimed, a dark grin crossing her face.

"The very same. No one knows what has become of Karone Wiengart, but I know for a fact the Red Ranger has never discontinued his search for his sister. Of course, after over ten years, there is no way he would recognize her. Except for the medallion that she wore upon her neck."

Astronema nodded, glancing down at the medallion in her hand. She rose to her feet, and walked along the marble floor, her blue eyes never leaving the smooth golden surface of the medallion half.

"Do you recall what Karone Wiengart of KO 35 looked like?" she asked.

"I remember well," Darkonda responded, "She had light brown hair, and grayish-brown eyes. Rather pale complexion."

"You mean like this?" Astronema asked, closing her eyes. When she opened them, her bright blue eyes were suddenly a shade of grayish brown. She then ran her gloved fingers through her lavender locks, and each strand she touched became brown. Once her appearance was adequately altered, she flashed a smile at Darkonda, and tossed her dark curls over her shoulder.

"Perfect," he said, nodding.

"Wait a minute," Ecliptor said, stepping forward, "You don't actually think you can impersonate this 'Karone'

girl, do you?"

"Why not?" Darkonda asked, "Lady Astronema, how good are you at deception."

Astronema grinned evilly. "Only Satan himself is better."

"Then it shall be easy!" Darkonda said, "Andros will recognize the medallion easily! We can stage the entire thing. Astronema can lead some Quantrons to attack Earth, and the Astro Rangers will interfere. She can allow herself to be captured, and the rangers will surely find the medallion. You can feign amnesia, claiming that you have no memories before ten years ago, but you were raised according to evil. The medallion will speak for you."

"But what if the rangers do not believe it?" Ecliptor pressed, "What will happen to her?"

"I'll be fine," Astronema said, "All I have to do is get a few minutes of free reign in the ship. I'll sabotage the controls, maybe throwing off the Megazord sequence or the deflector shields. Then, the ship will be an easy target. An excellent plan, Darkonda! Very soon, I will be crowned Queen of Evil!"

Ecliptor frowned, and discretely left the throne room, gripping his sword tightly.

Chapter Three

In the quiet bridge of the Megaship, Andros continued skimming computer readouts of inventory. After making sure the ship had everything necessary for a voyage of a few months, he turned away from the computer, and sat down at the large viewscreen. From his pocket, he pulled a small box, and took the tiny CD from it. He placed the disc into the computer, and sat back, his lips tight and his green eyes glassy.

The static of the screen took shape. In a lush park, two children, one seven and the other ten, were playing a game similar to catch. However, both children were telekinetics, and therefore their hands never touched the ball. The children continued their innocent play, until the ball was accidentally thrown out of their reach. The boy got up, and chased the ball into the bushes. The camera focused on the girl, who waited patiently for her playmate to return. Suddenly, her head snapped up when she heard a branch breaking behind her. Something moved from the shadows, too quickly to be seen, and whisked the child away. All that was left of her was her terrified scream, that echoed through the emptiness of the glade, and the emptiness in Andros' heart.

^Andros!! Andros, help me!! AAAHH!!^

Andros lowered his head, his eyes closed tightly as the image faded, the screams of the girl and the cruel laughter of her captor fading as well. He took a deep breath, and clasped his hands together to release the tension.

"Oh my God..." came a soft whisper from behind.

The second time that day, Andros was startled by the unexpected presence of the Yellow Ranger. She stood at the entrance to the bridge, still wearing her lemon yellow party dress.

"What are you doing here?!" he demanded. Ashley was disturbed by the harshness in his voice.

"I... I wanted to see how you were doing," she said, keeping her distance, "The party was a little dull. The others are still there, though."

Andros nodded, and sat back down. Quickly, he removed the small CD from the computer, and placed it back into its case, and in his pocket. "How much did you see?" he inquired, his back to her.

"Enough," Ashley said gently. She approached the Red Ranger cautiously, as if afraid he would lash out his anger. Of course, Ashley knew he wasn't angry with her perse'. Rather, he was angry at the breach of his privacy. And if there was one word to describe Andros Wiengart, its private.

"She was my sister," Andros said quietly, feeling compelled to answer Ashley's unspoken question, "She was kidnapped over ten years ago, right from our backyard. This recording is from the security cameras. Even the best computer technicians on KO 35 could not clear up the image of the kidnapper. And strangely enough, there was never any ransom asked, or anything. It was as if Karone vanished from the universe."

"And you've been looking for her ever since," Ashley said, nodding slightly, "Have you... found anything?"

Andros shook his head. For some reason, he felt the need to be completely open with Ashley. After all, he sensed her genuine concern. It was something he hadn't experienced for years.

"I've searched for human life in every sector we have ever been in," Andros said, "and each time, I find nothing. Humans are not