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

Astro Rangers hurried to the cliff, and surrounded their leader.

"Andros!" Ashley cried, helping the Red Ranger to his feet, "Are you okay?"

Andros remained silent, still shaking his head. Ashley gazed at Astronema worriedly. She had heard the villainess' panicked exclaimation, and she knew where she had heard it before. A wave of mistrust struck the Yellow Ranger, as she watched Astronema rise to her feet shakily.

"Very well, Red Ranger," Astronema said, brushing the dust from her black leather uniform, "this round goes to you. As they say on Earth, 'he that fights and runs away,' yadda yadda."

With that, Astronema raised her hand, as she always did when teleporting. But to her surprise, she didn't vanish in her signature display of bright lavender energy. She remained at her position, and then looked towards the cliff, where she had almost fallen.

"My sceptor..." she whispered, touching her forehead, "Well, this is certainly a great way to end a day!"

Astronema then turned to the five Astro Rangers, who were standing in a line. "So, now what are you going to do with me? Chances are, you won't escort me back to my Dark Fortress."

TJ turned to Andros. "What are we gonna do with her?"

Andros remained silent for a moment, apparently staring at Astronema through his visor. Finally, he rose his communicator to his mouth. "Alpha, teleport me a pair of energy-siphoning manacles, on the double. We have a hostage."
Chapter Five

Meanwhile, in the cloaked Dark Fortress that hung in outer space, the wicked Darkonda laughed hysterically, gripping a steaming cup of some alien beverage.

"I'll tell you, Ecliptor," he said, sipping from his glass, "Lady Astronema is one talented actress. I especially loved that whole 'Andros, help me!' bit. It was so perfect! That Red Ranger's probably so shaken, he won't know up from down!"

Ecliptor merely scoffed. "Astronema had to abandon her sceptor, which is the main focus of her magical power. If she is forced to fight the rangers again, she will be at a severe disadvantage."

"So? She's still a powerful sorceress, even without the sceptor. However, the rangers don't know that. So just sit down, and enjoy the show. We'll be able to see everything through Astronema's mind-link with the viewscreen. She's also a talented telepath, and telekinetic-- abilities she may need, if Andros requires further proof of her identity."

"Tell me Darkonda, why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"Helping Astronema defeat the Astro Rangers. Why? You haven't asked for money. What have you to gain from all this? Or are you merely trying to get rid of Astronema, just like you were hired to get rid of Karone all those years ago?"

Darkonda feigned hurt. "Moi? Trust me, Ecliptor, once Astronema becomes Queen of Evil, I do indeed plan to be paid handsomely. If not in money, then at least in connections, or a reliable starship to roam the galaxy in. And even if I don't get paid directly, just having those do-good Power Rangers gone will certainly make the life of a mercenary much easier. After all, it was a Power Ranger that ruined the biggest deal I ever made!"

"Are you referring to the Karone abduction?" Ecliptor asked.

"You know it. My employer was willing to pay me cash up front, but upon delivery, I'd get a galaxy class starship! That would be the biggest payoff imaginable, especially for grabbing a little girl. But the Gold Ranger had to get in my way, and force me to surrender. If it were only a couple of Triforian soldiers, I would've tried to get away. But I knew my ship didn't have the capability to out-maneuvre or out-gun Pyramidas."

"So Prince Trey of Triforia is the one who rescued Karone."

"Yeah. But he obviously didn't return her to KO 35, or Andros wouldn't be searching for her now. I almost wonder what became of that little brat. Her head's still worth a fortune."

"You'd best keep your mind on what will become of Astronema," Ecliptor snapped, "and if anything happens to her, I'll hold you personally responsible."

"Was that intended to be a threat?" Darkonda asked darkly.

"You be the judge," Ecliptor responded, gripping the hilt of his sword.

Chapter Six

Inside the brig, which was the collection of jail cells in the bottom level of the Megaship, Astronema sat on a bench, her arms still tied by energy manacles, and bars of green energy separating her from freedom. Just outside the cell, the five Astro Rangers stood, wearing their gray suits instead of their uniforms. Andros stepped forward, his arms clasped behind his back, and a calm expression on his face.

"What were you hoping to gain from the remains of the Power Chamber?" he asked. Astronema shrugged.

"I was hoping to find some memento, that I could get Zordon to sign for me, now that he's Dark Spectre's prisoner. Zordon of Eltar is quite famous, you know."

TJ frowned, his arms crossed. "Don't play games with us, Astronema. Don't make us regret saving you life."

"What are you going to do? You're Power Rangers! You wouldn't kill a helpless villainess, who can't even fight back! Its against that bothersome code of ethics you follow so religiously. And if you're thinking of trading me for Zordon, it won't work. Dark Spectre knows you won't do anything to me."

Ashley sighed, and turned to Andros. "Let's call it a day. Maybe a couple of nights in the brig will make her more reasonable."

Andros nodded. "Alpha, do a quick metal detection. I want to make sure she doesn't have any concealed weapons on her."

Alpha nodded, and pressed a few buttons on a panel against the wall just outside the cell. A soft red light brightened the cell, and a light on the panel began to flash. "Its picking up two pieces of metal. One is her body armor, and the other is concealed, around her neck."

"Rather be safe than sorry," said Carlos, "Lower the shield. I'll get it."

Alpha nodded, and the green bars of light vanished. The Black Ranger stepped into the cell, and noticed the gold chain peeking out from Astronema's collar. She glared at the Black Ranger menacingly.

"No one ever touches my necklace," she warned, "That includes you Power Pests."

Carlos ignored her warning, and unclasped the golden chain. He pulled it off of Astronema's neck, despite her wild wiggling to prevent it. Once he had the necklace, he left the cell, and Alpha reconstructed the bars.

"Give it back!!" Astronema screamed, "You'll regret this, you hear me?!?!"

"Maybe we have something to bargain with," Carlos said, holding up the necklace, "It looks like Astronema values this pendant. What do you think Andros?"

But Andros didn't reply. His green eyes were wide, fixed completely on the pendant. Instantly, he grabbed the necklace from his friend's grasp, and turned to Astronema. "Where did you get this?" he demanded.

"Its mine," she responded, "Its always been mine. Now, give it back!!"

"It... can't be," Andros whispered, closing his eyes, "Its impossible!!"

Suddenly, Andros stormed out of the brig, leaving four stunned Power Rangers, a dumfounded robot, and a furious villainess.

"What was that all about?" Cassie asked no one in particular.

Ashley continued to watch the door, which Andros had just left through. She shook her head in disbelief, and turned to her friends. "I'm going to follow him."

Chapter Seven

Inside his quarters, Andros Wiengart sat at a chair, leaning his elbows on the table with his hands clasped tightly together. His eyes were focused on a golden medallion, that floated a few inches in front of him, courtesy of the telekinesis he was trained to use since childhood. Although his pale green eyes seemed to be studying the two halves, that floated millimeters from each other, a closer look would reveal that his eyes were truly unfocused. He didn't see the medallion before him. He saw memories of a time long ago, of a child that was cruelly abducted from her home.

How could it be?

he thought, How could Astronema, an ally of the dark being that destroyed KO 35, actually be Karone? How can I trust her? Although, she never did claim to be Karone. But... how? How could she be evil? My sister... a villainess? There is so much I don't understand. But no matter how unbelievable it seems, even if there is the slightest chance that Astronema is truly Karone, I must consider the possibility. And all the signs tell me that she is...

The sound of the door chime broke Andros' thoughts. He leaned back in his chair, and straightened his gray jacket slightly. "Enter."

Ashley Hammond, the Yellow Astro Ranger, slowly entered the room, her hands clasped behind her back. "Are you okay, Andros?" she asked.

"I'm fine," he replied, turning back to the medallion floating in front of him, "You... recall the recording you saw earlier?"

"Yes," Ashley admitted, sitting down at the table opposite Andros, "I remember the recording. And what you told me about your sister, and the medallion."

Andros nodded, his lips pursed in a tight line. "I thought that when I would see this medallion whole again, all my questions would be answered. And yet, instead I am bombarded with still more questions. Did I find Karone, after over ten years?"

"I... I don't