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

on Astronema carefully, but still kept his distance. He didn't want to ask anything that would give too much away. He was waiting for his friends to milk information from the villainess.

"What do you mean by that?" Cassie asked as gently as possible.

"What do you think it means?!" Astronema yelled suddenly, "Its none of your business anyway!"

"Humor us," TJ said.

"Why should I?" Astronema demanded, "You're just trying to get into my head or something. I have nothing to gain from this little interview."

With that, Astronema rose from her cot, and turned her back to the rangers, walking towards the back wall.

"Or, maybe you have everything to gain," Andros said quietly, "How about we make a deal, Astronema?"

Astronema turned around, and regarded the Red Ranger curiously. "Such as?"

"You give us the information we desire, that will have absolutely nothing to do with Zordon, Dark Spectre, or anything of that nature. Once we have what we need, we set you free."

"What?!" Ashley said in surprise, "You're not serious, Andros!"

Andros held up his hand, signalling silence. Astronema tapped her chin in thought, and then a smile crept onto her face.

"Deal," she answered, making herself comfortable on her cot, "So, shall we begin?"

"Not yet," Andros said, walking towards the brig exit, "Alpha, give Astronema some breakfast."

"You got it," said Alpha, watching as the rangers left the brig. After TJ, the door sealed behind them, completely cutting the rangers' off from Astronema and Alpha.

"What are you doing?!" Ashley demanded, "You're actually gonna let her go?!"

"Yes," Andros affirmed, "We have to get Astronema to open up about her past. Its obviously a touchy subject. If she really is Karone, all we have to do is jog her memory. Then, she'll be willing to help us find Zordon, and end Dark Spectre's reign of tyranny. She's our key to victory."

"And what if she's not Karone?" Ashley pressed, "What then?"

"Then we let her go. Like she said, Dark Spectre won't trade Zordon for her life. Villains don't grow close when they work together, and Dark Spectre is as cold-hearted as they come. He'd kill his own mother if it suited him. So what would we do with her as a prisoner?"

Ashley remained quiet, even though her eyes still gave testimony to her feelings.

"She could be lying to us, Andros," Carlos said, "There's really no way we would know. She could have been lying the whole time, playing on your emotions."

"What would she have to gain from that?" Andros asked.

"Our trust," Ashley spat, contempt evident in her voice.

"Look, Andros, all we're saying is that we should've discussed this before

you made the offer," Cassie said, "You did ask for our help."

"I... I wasn't planning on it," Andros said, "It just came to me after she put up her defenses. You saw it-- she opened up for a second, and actually spoke from her heart. Then, she closed off again. I had to give her a reason to open up, so we can reach her. How else will we know the truth?"

Ashley, Carlos, Cassie, and TJ didn't answer. In fact, they had no answer. Andros' reasoning seemed sound, so they really couldn't object. However, the thought of letting a known villainess go free left a bad tast in their mouths.

Ashley was particularly indignant. Her distrust of Astronema only increased by the show she carried on. Its all an act!

Ashley maintained, Why would she have opened up about the medallion? It was a window, to give Andros the idea that she really does have the answers! But I know deep down that she doesn't! This whole thing is gonna hurt Andros. If it doesn't get us all killed, that is...

"So, what do we do now?" Cassie asked.

"Let's get some breakfast, and plan out our questions," Andros said, "We want her to open up, so we have to appear as non-threatening as possible. Also, we should change clothes."

"Why?" TJ inquired, glancing down at his gray and blue uniform.

"We look too intimidating. The more casual we appear, the more relaxed Astronema will be."

"If you think it'll make a difference," Carlos said with a shrug, "Let's say we change our clothes, and then meet in the mess hall for breakfast?"

Chapter Ten

Andros felt uncomfortable. He continued to finger the collar of his chosen attire. While the other rangers no doubt would select typical human clothing, Andros had chosen to wear something more representative of KO 35, hoping that perhaps it would impress upon Astronema. He stood in front of the mirror, shaking his head at his reflection. The loose black pants, red sash, and maroon sleeveless turtleneck all fit him perfectly, along with the gold headband with his family's shield. Despite the fact that he fit in his old clothing, it felt wrong to him. He hadn't worn anything other than his uniform in years, other than the few hours he'd spent on Earth. But to wear something from KO 35 made him feel cold inside. After his failure to rescue Karone all those years ago, added to the fact that he couldn't save the rest of the planet as the Red Ranger, made the young man ashamed. Too ashamed to ever wear his family's shield proudly.

If it will bring my sister back to me, then I'll do it...

he reflected, straightening his headband. He turned away from his reflection when the door chime sounded.

"Enter," he called. Ashley stepped in, her hands clasped behind her back. She had selected a simple pair of black denim shorts and a yellow tank top, just as Andros had predicted.

"You... you look nice," Ashley said, looking at Andros' clothing with interest, "I've never seen you wear something like that. Its Kerolian, right?"

"Yes," Andros said, "Its one of the very few pieces of home I still have."

"And your family's shield," Ashley said, approaching the Red Ranger to see his headband more closely, "A sword and a paintbrush, crossed over a book. A family of fighters, scholars, and artists. Impressive. Why don't you ever wear this?"

"Because I don't want to be constantly reminded of the loved ones I lost, and the hero I should have been when they all needed me."

Ashley remained silent, casting her eyes to the ground. Andros took a step back, to make some room between them. "So why did you come here?"

"Andros," said Ashley, looking up from the ground at her leader, "I... I really think I should be honest."

"How so?"

"Well, you asked for our help regarding this matter, and so its only right that I give you my opinion. I think you have to be really careful about Astronema. I understand that she may be Karone, but we can't forget what we do

know about her. Astronema is a lying, cheating, evil henchwoman of Dark Spectre. You know her better than anyone here! You must know what she's capable of!"

"Can you judge her better than I?" Andros asked calmly, locking eyes with the Yellow Ranger, "Do you know what she's capable of?"

"All I know is what you told me," Ashley responded matter-of-factly, "and from what you've told me, I wouldn't trust Astronema further than I could throw her. That's what I know."

With that, Ashley turned to leave. "Don't forget, you asked us to help you. That's what I'm trying to do. I know you want to find your sister again, but don't let that get in the way. You're a Power Ranger. You know how to tell good from evil. That's your job."

Andros watched as Ashley left the room, the door sliding closed behind her. He kept his gaze fixed on the door for a few moments, reflecting over what Ashley had said. He knew he could have handled the situation better, instead of allowing his frustration over the Astronema incident to bubble to the surface and lash out at his friend. He also knew that Ashley did have a point.

"I have to stop thinking with my heart, and start thinking with my head," he muttered to himself, walking out of his room to meet the others, "But its my heart-- not my head-- that will lead me to my sister. If I can't bring myself to trust that what Astronema tells me is true, then I will never know the truth about her."

Chapter Eleven

Astronema was still picking at her selection of sliced Kerolian fruits when the five rangers walked into the brig. Her eyebrow arched when she realized the teens had traded their formal attire for something more casual.

"Well," she commented, "is it Dress-Down Day or something? Shouldn't you look more professional when you skewer villains for answers?"

"Don't forget, we made a deal," Andros said, "So, whenever you're ready, we'll begin."

"Considering that the sooner we begin, the sooner I can blow this popsicle stand, there's no time like the present," Astronema said, placing her tray on the floor beside the small bench she was sitting on. "So, what's the first question?"

"I want to know more about the medallion," Andros said, "Earlier, you said you had it from 'the beginning' and that it was 'the only thing truly yours'. Would you care to elaborate?"

Astronema's smug grin fell instantly. "I... I'd really rather not talk about that."

"Suit yourself," Cassie commented with a shrug, "Would you like a book to read or something? Those jail cell walls are kinda boring to look at, and that's all you'll be seeing for a while."

Astronema frowned at Cassie's wit, and folded her arms. "The medallion is the only thing that's mine, and that's because everything else was given to me, or I had to steal it. Ecliptor taught me how to fight, and how to use my mental abilities in battle. Dark Spectre gave me the armies I needed, when I demonstrated my fighting prowess and leadership capabilities. The magic I gained was from a planet my armies razed to the ground. But the medallion, I've