Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie by Heather Ray (beach read book .TXT) 📕

can make sure the bad guys don't do any damage until the cavalry comes."

Zordon frowned. "WE CANNOT ANTICIPATE WHAT SORT OF BEING YOU MAY ENCOUNTER, JUSTIN. IT IS UNWISE TO SEND A SINGLE RANGER ALONE IN SUCH A SITUATION."

He then turned to Alpha. "BRING UP TOMMY'S LOCATION ON THE VIEWING GLOBE."

Alpha's pudgy fingers flew across the controls. "He's driving a race car at the Stone Canyon Speedway."

"You can't interrupt him now! What if he gets into an accident?"

Zordon considered the boy's argument. It was potentially fatal to distract the Red Ranger while he was driving at such speeds. They couldn't take such a risk.

"FINE. JUSTIN, GO TO THE POWER PLANT."

Justin pumped his fist in excitement.

"BUT KEEP IN MIND; YOU CANNOT TELEPORT INTO NOR OUT OF THE PLANT. ALPHA CAN SEND YOU TO THE ENTRANCE, BUT ONCE INSIDE, WE CANNOT HELP YOU. I URGE YOU TO TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION. SEEK OUR VISITOR, AND DETERMINE THE THREAT. DO NOT ENGAGE IT IN BATTLE UNTIL TOMMY ARRIVES."

Justin nodded firmly, lifting his wrist into the air. "Mountain Blaster Turbo Power!"

Chapter Sixty-Two

"That takes care of that…"

Kimberly breathed, dusting her hands. The explosive sat nestled within the piping grid surrounding the generator, the detonator set for thirty minutes.

Although she knew next to nothing about power plants, finding the generator was rather easy. It only took about ten minutes of walking, and the absence of any technicians in the area, thanks to the automation of much of the plant, made her search even easier.

She straightened her body, feeling the weight of her bow beneath her cloak. She had to admit, she was a little disappointed. None of the Rangers showed up.

She'd been thirsting for a battle for three weeks…and on her first mission to Angel Grove, it looked like no one paid her any mind.

She smirked. That's sure about to change!

She leapt gracefully from her perch, somersaulting until she reached the ground. After straightening her cape, she began walking at a casual pace.

Suddenly, a loud clang and subsequent whistle rang in her ears.

Chapter Sixty-Three

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Justin berated, clinging to the piping hanging over his head. How could I be such a klutz? None of the others are klutzes!!

Granted, none of the other Power Rangers experienced a growth spurt of over a foot when morphed. While the Power did compensate for his new center of gravity, allowing him ease of motion with ultra-long limbs, he had yet to get used to being over six feet tall and one hundred eighty pounds.

He had leapt onto some thin piping, trying to close the distance between himself and the mysterious black-clad intruder without alerting it to his presence. He'd attempted to climb above it, and get a view of what it was up to.

Unfortunately, he neglected to factor in the added weight of a full-grown man's body.

The piping snapped off, forcing him to clutch desperately to the nearest protrusion that could support his weight. The broken pipe collided with other arms of the web of metal, causing a grating crash that seemed deafening in the relative silence that preceded it. Then, the loud whistle of the escaping steam put the Blue Ranger's teeth on edge.

Gosh…I hope this steam isn't toxic or --

His thoughts gave way to a yelp of pain as out of nowhere, a bolt of fire struck his strained hands. Unable to maintain his grip, Justin slipped off the piping, colliding with the lower network of metal until he finally succumbed to free fall.

He groaned as his body hit the concrete floor indecorously.

"Well, well, well…I was hoping for a bit of company, but I really wasn't expecting to find the Pre-Pubescent Power Ranger playing in a jungle gym."

Justin shook his head to clear the fuzz, and jumped to his feet urgently. He'd heard that voice before…

"No way

!" he exclaimed, slowly inclining his head in the direction the harsh comment originated.

The last child of Maligore smiled wickedly, throwing her arms out theatrically. "Ta da!"

Chapter Sixty-Four

"That kid's unbelievable, Jeff."

The thirty-eight year old racer nodded his agreement, watching in awe as the colorful racecar shuttled down the track at a phenomenal speed.

When Tommy appeared at his doorstep sixteen days ago, he looked utterly lost. He looked like his entire world had crumbled around him. He looked like he needed to get away.

So Jeff gave him the keys to his hot rod.

He loved his sister's adopted son like his own. Tommy had turned out to be a terrific young man. Smart, respectful, strong, handsome; there was just so much to be proud of. Plus, Jeff never got around to "settling down"

himself…nor did he intend to. Racing was in his blood; he could never stop moving. He raced on the track for work, then he raced on the waves for sport. Frankly, Tommy was his legacy.

He thought his nephew would get a kick out of sitting behind the wheel of a real "hooked-up"

Pro Stock car. Most teenage boys did. Take the driver's seat, maybe run a few laps at twenty or thirty MPH, waving at some imaginary chick in the stands. Once in a while, a boy would be brave enough to gun it passed fifty.

So when Tommy pulled the car onto the speedway, and topped off a one-twenty, Jeff's chin nearly hit the leather seat he was glued to.

For a moment, Jeff saw his life pass before his eyes. Flying down the track with an inexperienced, crazy

driver! The kid only had his license for two years!

But he'd been wrong. Tommy kept his composure the entire time, his jaw setting with a fierce determination Jeff rarely saw… except in the mirror right before a big race. His hands were steady on the wheel, he glided around the corners with deceptive grace, and his eyes remained fixed on the roadway.

And suddenly, Jeff Rush had realized he was in the presence of something great.

"Unbelievable…and then some," Jeff agreed, tapping his can of Pepsi against the rail. "It's not every day that a kid rolls out of bed with the skills to control a car pushing one-fifty. He's not just good…he's a phenom!" He took a long sip, finishing off the soda, and then fixed his companion with grim eyes. "But his heart isn't in it. That kid's never been a party-boy, but now he's being really grave. Even for him."

Artie, his good friend and mechanic, frowned thoughtfully. "Didn't you say he was dating that athlete that disappeared last month?"

"I thought so, but Lil tells me they broke up months ago. When she found out her son would have been coming out here to race, she made me swear up and down not to even bring it up."

Artie whistled quietly, clicking his stopwatch as the car completed its final lap. "Damn…he beat his personal best by eleven whole seconds! And with only two weeks of racing? If he keeps this up, by the time the Keystone Nationals roll around --"

"Don't even think about it, Art," Jeff interrupted.

Artie's eyebrow rose. "Why not? You said so yourself…he's a phenom!

Jeff shook his head adamantly. "I also said his heart isn't in it. He needs a distraction, and I'll let him play games for now. But I'm not putting any more pressure on that boy's shoulders than there already is."

"You could at least mention it to him," Artie argued, "He just got outta high school… what's he doing this summer? He might want to join us!"

"Trust me, he won't." Jeff jerked his head toward the track. "C'mon…I'll show you what I mean."

The two men made their way down to the track. They found Tommy climbing out of the car, unstrapping the protective helmet.

"Congrats, Tommy!" Jeff proclaimed, clamping his hand on his nephew's shoulder. "You beat your old record by eleven seconds!"

Tommy shrugged. "Thanks."

Artie blinked. "That's incredible, Kid!" he pointed out. "You're a natural!"

The young man offered a wan smile. "Just beginner's luck, I guess."

Artie turned his wide-eyed stare to Jeff, who just grinned a silent 'I told you so.'

It was clear Tommy had no love, or even genuine interest, for racing.

Then what the hell was he doing out there?

The sudden sound of his watch beeping stole Tommy's attention. His eyes widened, as if a shot of life was suddenly injected into his body. "Uh…I gotta get going. I didn't realize how late it was!"

He quickly high-fived his uncle, and waved at Artie. "I'll see you guys later!"

Artie smirked, folding his arms. "Damn…something sure lit a fire under his kiester!"

Chapter Sixty-Five