Zhane couldn't hear a thing, but right now he had more immediate concerns. Andros was sprawled over top of him, definitely breathing but otherwise not moving, and he had seen Karone get slammed against the far wall before the hatch crashed shut. He wasn't sure either of them was conscious and he doubted the Psycho Rangers were going to wait for him to find out.

He pushed Andros off of him as gently as he could, wincing when his friend's body slid bonelessly to the floor. His knew his first priority should be to find his blaster, but he reached for Andros' wrist instead. Though he had never doubted that his friend lived, the steady heartbeat reassured him and finally he lifted his gaze to survey the corridor.

Psycho Black had recovered faster than he had. The Psycho Ranger stood over them with a sneer etched into his visor and a rather deadly looking weapon aimed at Zhane's head. The silence was surreal, Zhane couldn't wrap his mind around what was about to happen.

Violet fire illuminated Psycho Black, and his head jerked back as his weapon tumbled to the floor. For a brief moment, he was a silhouette of light in the darkened hallway, a bizarre negative image that faded slowly as the electricity consumed him. It flashed hungrily around the place where he had been before going out, vanishing with more reluctance than the thing it had destroyed.

Karone settled her staff with a pensive look, resting one end against the deck as she considered the space between her and Zhane. He saw a vaguely troubled expression flit across her face as she lifted her gaze to his, and she shook her head. I hate doing that.

He could see the words clearly on her lips, but they made no sound in the oppressive air. The idea that he was the only one unable to hear was unnerving, but he pushed the thought aside as he cast about for Psycho Yellow. She was nowhere to be seen, and he turned to Karone with a frown.

She shook her head before he could ask, and he read the word Gone on her lips. In the-- He couldn't make out the last word, but when she pointed at DECA's camera he understood what she meant. Some villains never bothered to learn new tricks.

Zhane tapped his ear, giving her an inquiring look, and she shook her head again. The explosion had temporarily deafened her too, then. He looked down at Andros, wondering why that wasn't more reassuring.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, and his gaze flicked to Karone as she knelt beside Andros. She looked as worried as he felt, and she lifted her eyes to his in concern. Is he all right?

Zhane couldn't answer that. As he smoothed his friend's hair back, though, Andros stirred a little and they both tensed. He saw Karone take her brother's hand and he resisted the urge to do the same, watching hopefully as Andros shifted. The Red Ranger stilled the moment he opened his eyes, gaze sliding past them with an awareness that belied his semi-conscious state.

The Psychos? Andros frowned even as he formed the words, and his eyes sought Zhane's. I can't hear anything.

Zhane shook his head, gesturing at Karone. Us either. One Psycho-- He mimed pulling an Astro Blaster trigger. The other one-- Zhane pointed at DECA's camera, and he saw his friend wince.

Andros pushed himself up on his elbows, surveying the hallway before locking gazes with Zhane again. The others?

Outside. He pointed to DECA's camera. She sealed us in.

Andros struggled to sit up, a grim expression on his face. We have to get it out of the-- Zhane assumed the last word was "computer", and he nodded in emphatic agreement. Helping his friend to his feet, he caught Karone's impatient gesture out of the corner of his eye.

How do you do that? She gave him an irritated look as she flowed to her feet, glancing from him to Andros and back again. What are you saying?

Zhane looked at her in surprise. You can't tell?

What? She looked more frustrated than ever.

He exchanged glances with Andros, only to find his friend putting more concentration into staying upright than he ought to be. Hey. One arm under Andros' shoulders, he gripped his friend's free hand to get his attention. You all right?

Andros nodded, but then his head jerked up and he froze. Zhane tensed, scanning the hallway in both directions, but it was clear. Andros took his hand before he could ask and pressed it up against the wall.

Zhane's eyes widened. The wall was vibrating, very slightly, but enough to be noticeable if one was accustomed to it. The engines. He stared at Andros, mind rapidly running through the possibilities. Psycho Yellow couldn't really believe she could control a Ranger owned and operated battleship for any significant length of time, let alone get away intact if she did. Which meant she intended a short trip, some quick zord-inflicted destruction, or...

Comprehension dawned at exactly the same time, and he saw it in Andros' eyes before the other even said the words. Self-destruct!

They turned as one, heading for the main engine room as fast as they could go. Andros kept pace remarkably well, but Zhane was so wrapped up in watching out for him that he forgot Psycho Yellow had access to all of DECA's cameras. When the engine room bulkhead fell right in front of them Andros had to catch him to keep him from slamming into it.

It was probably the one working bulkhead on the ship, Zhane reflected wryly. Karovan techs had fixed it the day before in order to reach the engine core, and now it was down again. Only when he heard someone clap their hands did he realize what else the bulkhead had told him.

He turned, startled, as Karone clapped her hands again. Just once, and with a curiously satisfied expression on her face, but she gestured to the bulkhead and then indicated one of her ears. I heard that!

Great, Zhane thought. So when the ship blows up, we'll all know what it sounds like.

Andros was already working on the access panel, trying to get control of the bulkheads back from the entity possessing the ship's computer. DECA must be fighting what amounted to a viral infection in her mainframe, but Zhane supposed it could be worse. Psycho Yellow could have control of the intruder defense system instead of just atmospheric containment.

Andros drew his hand back as though shocked, and Zhane glanced warily in either direction before looking over his friend's shoulder. The access lockouts were failing, one by one and without Andros' help. Zhane's first thought was that DECA had regained control, but then he saw the override code that was in use.

He exchanged grins with Andros as Ashley's override continued to work its inexorable way through the lockout, breaking down barrier after barrier until finally the access flashed clear. Andros punched a series of commands into the control pad, and the bulkhead began to rise. Zhane didn't wait, ducking underneath with Andros on his heels.

Shoulder to shoulder, they worked the consoles with a determined focus that was aided yet again by Ashley's efforts from the outside. Her override was weakening Psycho Yellow's hold on the computer, but it wasn't enough. Even Karone could see what was happening now, as her worried gaze darted between them and an engine core that was rapidly going critical.

"Zhane." The sound startled him enough that he looked up, and Karone nodded to the core. "I can shut it down!"

Andros had heard too, and he caught Zhane's eye briefly before shaking his head and turning back to the console. Still, Zhane couldn't help asking, "How?"

She lifted her left hand, and violet sparkles swirled around her fingers.

Nice effect, Zhane thought admiringly, but he had to back Andros. "Not unless the manual override fails. There's no telling how the core would react to that kind of power surge."

"She's gone." Andros' voice didn't penetrate the leftover haze in Zhane's ears as well as Karone's, but it was audible nonetheless. "Psycho Yellow's gone! DECA, emergency core shutdown!"

The screen flashed "password access only" at them and Zhane clenched his fists. "Silver lightning!" he exclaimed, thinking dark thoughts about the Psycho that had invaded their network. "Override self-destruct!"

"Password accepted," the screen informed him silently. "Self-destruct aborted. Core shutdown in progress."

He glanced over his shoulder as the pulsing engine core began to darken. All he could think was what a pain it was going to be to reinitialize it after a complete shutdown. Then Andros clapped him on the shoulder, and he had to laugh at the thought. Yeah, a real inconvenience. Too bad we didn't blow up instead.

"So where is she?" Karone demanded, as he and Andros exchanged wrist blocks. "Why would she leave when she was winning?"

"Fear of death?" Zhane suggested, clasping Andros' hands in his own and giving his friend a shove. "Typical villain survival instinct?"

"Typical anyone survival instinct," Andros countered, shoving him back with a grin. "Let's see if DECA can track her."

As Andros let go of him and turned back to the console, Zhane saw him stumble. His eyes narrowed, and he regarded the Red Ranger carefully. "Andros, are you all right? You don't look so good."

"I'm fine," Andros said, not looking up. "There's an incoming transmission from KO-35. It looks like they've been trying to reach us for several minutes. There was a signal reversal... 43 seconds ago."

"She piggybacked the transmission," Zhane realized.

Andros straightened, regarding the now dark engine core with irritation. "We have to go after her. We'd better check on the others first--" He stopped, looking torn. "If Ashley was helping us, they must have won, right?"

"You go," Zhane interjected. "I'll reinitialize the core. Call me if you need me."

"I can send us," Karone volunteered.

They both turned to look at her. "What?" Andros said, as though he hadn't heard her right. "You can send us where?"

"To KO-35." She shrugged, the closest approximation of self-consciousness that Zhane had seen yet. "I can teleport us there."

"Karone, KO-35 is six galaxies away." Andros didn't seem to know whether to believe her or not. "Even the Megaship can't teleport out of the system."

Karone smiled, a smug smile that was closer to a smirk than anything else. "Technology has limits," she reminded him. "Magic is infinite."

Zhane stared at her. "How did we beat you, again?"

She gave him a haughty look. "You cheated, of course."

"We need to find the others," Andros broke in, amusement belying his stern tone. "As soon as we make sure they're okay, you can teleport us to KO-35 to deal with Psycho Yellow."

"We did not cheat," Zhane whispered, as they followed Andros out of the engine room. "You had henchmen and armies and we had--let me think--six people!"

"And you had Zordon," she hissed back. "I never should have fallen for that 'too weak to do anything' routine. He was always more devious than anyone gave him credit for."

"Guys," Andros warned from up ahead. "That's not funny."

"Yes it is," Zhane retorted. "The fact that she's accusing us of cheating at war? I think it's hilarious."

"Dark Specter's army was stronger," Karone insisted. "You should have lost."

Zhane rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well he's dead, isn't he. Guess things don't always work out the way you plan."

"Guys!" Andros had paused by the space hatch to glare at them.

"Lighten up, Andros." Zhane reached past him to key the hatch open. "It's just a joke."

"War isn't a joke!" Andros exclaimed. "People die! That's not a joke, and it's not funny!"

"Look," Zhane said, taking him by the shoulders. "Zordon's death wasn't your fault. We've all gotten stuck with more responsibility than we ever wanted these last few days, but it's better to laugh about it than to pretend it didn't happen!"

"Agreed." TJ's voice left no room for argument as the ramp hit the ground outside. "Zhane's right, Andros. We're only human."

Andros shrugged off his hands, turning toward the assembled Rangers with an inscrutable stare. "Is everyone all right? What happened to the other Psycho Rangers?"

TJ took a step forward. "Andros--"

In his impatience, the Blue Ranger's gaze slid past Andros and Zhane managed to catch his eye. Shaking his head slightly, he indicated that TJ should drop it. TJ didn't look happy about it, but all he said was, "We're all fine. Psycho Pink got away, but the Eltarans took care of Psycho Red and Psycho Blue."

"Psycho Yellow's still loose too." Though he was ostensibly addressing them all, Andros' gaze was fixed on Ashley. "She piggybacked a transmission to KO-35 before we could catch her. It's too late to warn the rebels, but Karone says she can teleport us there before she does too much damage."

"I'm going with you," Ashley said firmly, surprising no one as she stepped up onto the ramp beside them. "It's my Psycho Ranger." Her expression dared Andros to order her to stay, but he moved aside to make room without a word

"We'll take care of Psycho Pink," TJ added, and Andros nodded to him.

When he turned to Karone, she tossed her head and the Megaship was gone. It was the most disconcerting teleportation Zhane had ever felt, but she was as good as her word. One moment they were on Earth, and the next they stood on a barren plain broken only by the surrounding outlines of Kinwon's military encampment.

"This is the last place the Megaship landed," Karone offered, in answer to Andros' questioning look. "I don't know whether Psycho Yellow's here or not."

"She should be, if the transmission came from Kinwon." Zhane scanned the area, wondering what they'd done to deserve such terrible timing. The rebels had probably been transmitting just to prove they could, to let the Megaship know the relays were back up in the Karovan system, and Psycho Yellow had taken advantage of it.

"So where is she?" Ashley voiced the frustration they all felt. The camp was deserted, and with no way of tracking the Psychos it would be almost impossible to find Psycho Yellow if she'd gone to ground somewhere else. "What does she gain by hiding?"

Karone shrugged. "What does she lose?" she countered, sounding distracted. "She must have seen what I did to Psycho Black."

Before either of them could ask what exactly she had done, there was a stirring from what Cassie had called "Tent City HQ". Taikwa poked her head out of the main ops tent, and her face lit up when she saw them. "Andros! Zhane!" She motioned to them as they all hurried over. "We thought you might be here soon."

Zhane frowned. That didn't make any sense, and he was about to comment on it when Taikwa threw the tent all the way open. He halted in his tracks and drew his blaster, arming and aiming in one smooth motion, and at his side he saw Karone's staff materialize in her hand. Belatedly, he realized that Andros and Ashley were unarmed, but it was too late to do anything about it now.

Directly behind Kinwon's field commander stood Psycho Yellow.

"We had a visitor," Taikwa explained, not seeming at all concerned. "We thought you might be looking for her."

She strode out to meet them, unfazed by the weapons pointed in her directions. The way Psycho Yellow stumbled when she went to follow made Zhane's eyes narrow, and he relaxed slightly when he saw an armed general at the Psycho's back. Her arms were pinned behind her, and the general shoved her again when she didn't move fast enough for him. How they had managed to capture a Psycho Ranger at all was a mystery to him, let alone so quickly, but she did seem to be restrained.

"Militant civilians," he heard Karone mutter, just loud enough for the four of them to hear. "What a nightmare. It's like Angel Grove all over again."

She hefted her staff, motioning for Taikwa to step aside. "I have some loose ends to tie up," Karone said, more loudly. "I told you not to hunt the Power Rangers without my permission. You should have listened."

"If we'd known who you were, we never would have obeyed you in the first place," Psycho Yellow hissed, visor glittering angrily. "You're no better than they are."

"Thank you." Karone seemed to smile. "That means a lot to me. Goodbye, Psycho Ranger."

"Karone." Andros put a hand on her arm. "She's a prisoner, not an opponent."

His sister threw him a disbelieving look. "What?"

"Is the Red Ranger getting cold feet?" Psycho Yellow demanded. If she could have smirked, Zhane was sure she would have been doing it. "It's easier in the heat of battle, isn't it? Not so fun when you have time to think about it.

"And you want to be like them," she sneered, addressing Karone now. "Weak. Pathetic. Well congratulations, princess. You're more like them than you know."

A bolt from Astronema's staff sent Psycho Yellow flying backward, bringing down a corner of the ops tent as she hit the ground. Taikwa and the general who had been guarding Psycho Yellow backed away uncertainly as Karone advanced, but she paid no attention to them. Her fists were clenched as she stared down at the fallen Psycho Ranger, and she radiated the same angry authority that had made Astronema so feared.

"Never call me that," Karone hissed, her tone low and deadly. Swinging her staff with obvious intent, her voice rose rapidly as she declared, "To you, I am queen!"

"Karone!" Andros' shout came too late, and violet fire wrapped itself around the prone Psycho Ranger. Electricity glittered and snapped, pouring into the armored figure as the air around it seemed to twist. For several long seconds, the crackle of lightning drowned out all other sounds.

Then it was over, and Psycho Yellow was gone. In the Psycho Ranger's place was a rodent: small, but very much alive and clearly terrified. It sat frozen in place for a brief moment, then turned and scurried for cover as fast as its short legs could carry it.

As his mind clicked over what had happened, taking into account Karone's fury, Andros' obvious reluctance to dispatch the impotent Psycho Ranger, and the expressions on both their faces as they exchanged glances, Zhane couldn't help it. He burst out laughing. "That'll show her who's weak and pathetic!" he chuckled.

Karone tossed her head, settling her staff against the ground with finality. "No one calls me 'princess' but Ecliptor," she informed them.

"No nicknames," Andros said, giving her a half-smile. "Got it."

She winked at him, and Ashley laughed. "I'm glad you're on our side now," she declared, throwing her arm around Karone's shoulders. "I never would have been able to sleep knowing you could turn people into rats!"

Taikwa lowered her hands from her mouth, staring at Andros' sister in shock. "Karone?" she asked, her tone tinged with incredulity. "Is that you?"

The staff vanished, and Karone ducked her head with a self-conscious smile. "It's me," she agreed, completing the transformation from outraged sorceress to modest teenager with that simple gesture. She didn't look at all sure of her welcome.

"We need to check on the others," Andros said, not giving Taikwa a chance to reply. Zhane couldn't tell whether he was really that concerned or if he was just protecting Karone, but Taikwa nodded anyway.

"You can use our comm equipment," she offered, motioning toward the ops tent. "The last of the relays were fixed just before you arrived."

"That explains how Psycho Yellow got there," TJ muttered, peering around the corner of the dojo as he spoke to his communicator. "Good thing the Karovans were ready for her. I'm going to tell Cassie to stop complaining about military encampments."

Distracted, he didn't quite catch Andros' muttered response. "What was that?" he asked, frowning across the street at the Surf Spot. It was frustrating to think that almost anyone walking through those doors could be Psycho Pink, and he wouldn't know until it was too late.

"Nothing," Andros said, more loudly. "You're sure you don't need us?"

"Between the Eltarans' firepower and Carlos' tracking device, I think we've got it covered," TJ answered. He hoped that was true, but more Rangers weren't what they needed right now. "Cassie's visible enough that Psycho Pink shouldn't have much trouble finding her, and the rest of us are ready for her when she comes."

"Cassie's not alone, is she?" Andros sounded a little skeptical, and TJ grinned to himself. Andros might not have started out as a leader, but it hadn't taken him long to go from strategically gifted to strategically gifted and bossy.

"She's got her own personal bodyguard," TJ assured him, his smile fading a little. He wasn't entirely sure how he felt about that... the Eltarans claimed "Saryn" as one of their own, yet it didn't take a genius to figure out that they were five without him. Unlike the Astro Rangers, the Eltarans didn't have a sixth--so who was Saryn?

"Right," Andros agreed at last. "We're going to stay on KO-35 a little longer, then. There's still a lot to be done here, but if you need us--"

"We know where to find you," TJ interrupted. There was movement around the front of the dojo, and he took a step back. "Andros, I have to go. We'll keep you updated."

He cut off the communication before the Red Ranger had a chance to answer. Peering around the corner again, he saw Carlos' brother frowning in his direction. Catching sight of TJ, the younger boy's expression cleared and he trotted over to his hiding place without a second thought.

"Carlos says to tell you Pscyho Pink's approaching the Surf Spot from the direction of the high school," he said. With a deadpan expression to rival his older brother's, he added, "He also says you should use your cell phone for personal calls."

TJ felt the corner of his mouth quirk upward. "Tell him to invent a communicator with call waiting," he advised. "Next time he can convince Andros to take care of his planet himself."

As if on cue, his communicator chimed. "I'm heading for the Surf Spot," Carlos' voice informed him. "I'm going to circle around back, see if I can catch Psycho Pink before she gets inside. I've already alerted the others."

"I'm on my way," TJ answered. Clapping Carlos' brother on the shoulder, he added, "Thanks, man. You'd better get back to the dojo."

The younger boy rolled his eyes. "How many times do you think I've heard that?" he asked rhetorically, but he headed back toward the door without further complaint.

TJ crossed the parking lot keeping a wary eye out for passersby, hoping it hadn't occurred to Psycho Pink that they might be tracking her. The Psychos were fast when they wanted to be, and if she suspected what they were doing she could thwart their efforts with speed alone. Psycho Pink could be in the front door and out again while they were still gathering behind the building.

The sound of weapons' fire from the direction of the Surf Spot quelled any fear he might have had about missing the Psycho Ranger. Dashing across the nearly deserted street, he wondered how Carlos could have gotten so far ahead of him. The Black Ranger must have left the dojo only seconds before TJ, yet he was nowhere to be seen.

Psycho Pink, unfortunately, was all too easy to locate. He heard her before he saw her, snarling at someone with words that were drowned out by an all too familiar shriek. He rounded the corner just in time to see Cassie jerked roughly into a headlock with a weapon pointed at her temple. Saryn was on the ground, though he was struggling to his feet again by the time TJ reached his side.

Wiping blood from his mouth, Saryn shot Psycho Pink a look of utter fury. "You have no idea who you've challenged," he growled.

"Oh, are you a Power Ranger too?" Psycho Pink taunted. "Then why don't you come and get me? Why don't you just gather your little weapons and crush me?"

She knew. Psycho Pink must have discovered they couldn't morph, and now she was taking full advantage of it. There was no way Cassie could survive a point-blank shot without her armor to protect her, and the only reason the Psycho Ranger hadn't put it to the test yet was the hope of sending more of them with her.

A crash from the fire escape briefly diverted Psycho Pink's attention, but TJ had seen that trick too often to be fooled by it now. He drew his Astro Blaster just as Carlos launched himself from his hiding place on the ground, catching Psycho Pink full in the back while she scanned the area above. Saryn slammed into her from the other side, knocking Cassie to the ground as he twisted Psycho Pink's arm back.

Carlos went for her other arm and Cassie went for her Astro Blaster, but neither she nor TJ could fire with the others so close to their target. There was another sound from the fire escape, and this time Jenkarta's voice rang out. "Everybody back!"

Saryn and Carlos let go of Psycho Pink at exactly the same time, and TJ pulled the trigger instantly. Cassie did the same as the Eltarans opened up from above, catching the last remaining Psycho Ranger in a deadly crossfire. For half a second, it looked as though she might be able to take cover behind the dumpster as Carlos had, but Carlos' blaster caught her as she stepped back, and then Saryn's joined in, and Psycho Pink exploded into fiery oblivion.

The clatter of pounding feet on the fire escape filled the air as the rush of vaporized particulates dissipated. "Is everyone all right?" Jenkarta demanded, bursting into the alley and glancing around with barely a pause. "Saryn?"

It was only natural that he would look to his own teammate first, but Saryn's attention was clearly elsewhere. Clipping his Astro Blaster to his jeans, TJ resisted the urge to check on Cassie himself, choosing instead to watch Saryn help her to her feet. The Eltaran was paying no attention to the Red Ranger; indeed, it seemed possible that he hadn't even heard Jenkarta speak.

"I'm fine," Cassie was insisting, though she had accepted Saryn's hand and didn't seem in any hurry to let it go. "She didn't hurt me. You're bleeding," she added, concern in her voice as she reached for his face.

Once ascertaining that she was all right, TJ looked automatically for Carlos and found him watching Cassie with interest. She had tilted Saryn's head toward her to better study his injury, which seemed to consist of nothing more serious than a split lip. He didn't object to her ministrations, but when the two of them seemed more inclined to stare at each other than anything else, TJ cleared his throat.

"Thanks for the save, guys," Cassie said, pulling away from Saryn as though there had been no pause in the conversation. "That was good timing. Does anyone know if Psycho Yellow's still out there?"

"She isn't," TJ answered, still watching Saryn. "Andros and Ashley took care of her. They're going to stay on KO-35 for a while and help get things under control there."

"As we must do on Eltar," Jenkarta interjected smoothly. "I assume Andros told you of our wish to induct Earth into the League of Allied Worlds?"

"Yeah, and Aquitar wants to sponsor us," Carlos put in. "We have to send a representative to meet with their Council or something."

"It is their privilege as your nearest League neighbor to assist you in this transition," Jenkarta agreed. "A representative will also be required on Eltar, to accept the induction award and to participate in a brief ceremony."

"I don't know about a ceremony," Carlos said warily, "but Cetaci asked if I would go to Aquitar. Something about debts, and honor... I didn't really understand it, but it sounded important."

TJ suppressed a sigh, hoping he didn't sound as resigned as he felt. Norquist wasn't going to be happy to hear this. "Cassie and I will go to Eltar," he told Jenkarta. "But we can't stay long. Earth needs us here."

Jenkarta nodded once. "Of course," he agreed. "A lengthy presence will not be required. In fact, if you are prepared to depart now, we may go and take care of business before the day is out."

It was a tempting offer, to leave without explaining themselves to anyone and just vanish the way Ashley and Andros had earlier. But if they expected to have NASADA's support for the League initiative, they would have to keep the agency informed. And if it came down to it, Adelle deserved to know what was going on too, given everything she'd done for them recently.

"I'll let Adelle know," Cassie volunteered, clearly thinking along the same lines.

"I'll talk to NASADA," TJ agreed with a sigh.

He glanced over at Cassie and found her smirking back at him, perfectly aware of what she had avoided by offering to talk to Adelle. "I'm going to put my flight suit on first," he added, "so if you finish early, maybe it would be faster if you went to see Norquist too."

She rolled her eyes, and he heard Carlos snicker. "Adelle will probably have a lot of questions," Cassie told him. "I'm sure it will take a while to fill her in.

"Besides," she said, almost as an afterthought. "Norquist called looking for you when you ran out on him earlier. I told him you'd be back to explain later."

"Hey, if you want some moral support," Carlos began, finally taking pity on TJ. "I'll go with. Just don't expect me to explain that temporal physics stuff they started going on about last time."

"You've got a deal," TJ said fervently, holding out his fist. He cuffed Carlos' with his own, once on top and once underneath, giving him a relieved grin. "I owe you."

"Just remember that next time when Norquist asks for me," Carlos countered with a smile of his own. "Let's go."

"I'll call you when we're done," TJ said, glancing from Cassie to Jenkarta before he turned away. They both nodded, and he found his gaze sliding involuntarily to Saryn. The mysterious Eltaran stared back inscrutably, but TJ couldn't shake a feeling of familiarity as he followed Carlos across the street to the dojo.

The Black Ranger's car got them to the Megaship faster than anything short of teleporting, but it was hard not to miss instantaneous travel. When it came to Ranger business, they had all gotten used to coming and going at the speed of thought. There was no question about the priority list for repairs.

On the other hand, it gave him time to reflect... almost too much time, for he was restless with curiosity more than impatience when they finally reached NASADA. The guard at the front gate gave their vehicle a suspicious glare before he realized who was in it. He stepped back respectfully, motioning security to let them through without further clearance.

They had to pass through three more checkpoints before they reached the staging area, and TJ wondered if Norquist would consider issuing them some ID. Their recent notoriety guaranteed them access for the foreseeable future, but there was no telling what League connections and intergalactic news would do to the situation. Then there was the question of the League diplomats themselves--

Which led him straight back to the focus of his curiosity. He and Carlos went their separate ways aboard the Megaship, though not before eyebrows were raised over the scorch marks just inside the space hatch. The fight had apparently not made it past deck six, as the living quarters just above were untouched. Or at least, untouched since the day before when the battleship had been pounded by everything Astronema could throw at them.

DECA's speech circuits were still offline, but the other half of the audio interface had been restored and TJ took full advantage of it while he changed. As DECA's replies flashed across his comm screen, he could almost hear her curious voice answering him as it had so many times before. His research usually seemed to amuse her more than anything, but this time her answers had a bemused tone to them.

"Do a visual comparison," he said at last, pulling a blue tank top on over his head. There was no way he was wearing long sleeves in the middle of August, uniform or no. "Match observable physical characteristics."

"96% correlation," the screen informed him silently. "Three percent deviation from average. Probability of identity match based solely on physical data?" she added, before he could ask. "Eight percent."

He considered that as he shrugged into his flight jacket. In other words, the fact that the two looked and sounded startlingly similar wasn't conclusive. But that wasn't what his hunch was based on, either, and he trusted his teammates' reactions as much as his own--especially in this case.

He saw the screen flash out of the corner of his eye, and he glanced over at it again. He felt his mouth quirk upward as he read the question there, and he lifted his gaze to DECA's camera. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. It's not logical."

"That I have no trouble believing," the screen responded impudently, and he grinned. DECA's primary complaint about Alpha, aside from the fact that he kept beating her at chess, was that he displayed no capacity for consistent logical thought. She maintained that it was a result of his long immersion in organic cultures.

"Is Carlos ready?" he asked, throwing a glance over his shoulder as he headed for the door.

There was a pause, and he waited while she relayed the message down the hall. "He is engaged in a comm diagnostic he can not leave," she answered at last. "He will join you at the space hatch as soon as it is complete."

TJ stepped out into the hallway, knowing she could hear him just as well out here. "Thanks, DECA," he said, making his way toward the emergency access ladders. "I'll wait outside."

Under normal circumstances, the Megaship was brightly lit and full of something close enough to daylight to satisfy its crew. Today, though, with most of the lights failing or extinguished altogether, the contrast between the battleship's interior and the sunlit tarmac outside was shocking. TJ couldn't help glancing upward as he stepped outside, soaking in the heat and light of the planet he would always call home.

Movement caught the edge of his awareness, and he turned to find someone watching him from the shadow of the ramp. He almost smiled, somehow not surprised to find this particular person waiting for him here. He had always seemed to have timing that bordered on prescience.

"Saryn," he said, nodding to the figure.

The black-clad figure detached itself from the shadows and came forward, turning to follow TJ's gaze across the sun-drenched facility. "TJ," he answered, returning the greeting just as noncommittally.

The wariness was new, and TJ wondered if the other was expecting his next question. "Or should I say... 'Phantom Ranger'?"

There was a sigh, and the Eltaran who had been introduced as "Saryn" turned to look at him again. TJ met his gaze squarely, seeing confirmation of his hunch in the resigned expression. "I hope my identity is not so easy to deduce as you make it seem."

"Why?" TJ wanted to know. "Why keep it a secret?"

"Because I can be killed," Saryn said simply. "The Phantom Ranger can not. One is either mortal or invincible--not both."

TJ raised an eyebrow, turning over the implications of that in his mind. The goal of mythical status would explain why he had never stopped moving. To have connections, to have a life, was to be vulnerable... Little wonder Divatox had detested him so much: an indestructible Ranger that could appear anywhere at any time, and had, foiling any number of her plans.

"How did you know?" Saryn asked, breaking into his musing.

TJ didn't realize he'd looked away until he had to look back. "Love is everyone's weakness," he said, watching for the other's reaction.

Saryn lowered his gaze, his eyes shuttered as he stared down at the ground. "Cassie," he said quietly. It wasn't a question, but his comprehension was all TJ needed.

"Cassie," TJ agreed. "You treat her exactly the same way the Phantom Ranger does."

"Is it really so obvious?" Saryn was regarding him intently now, genuine curiosity in his eyes. There was a hint of amusement in his voice when he asked, "Am I so transparent that her mere presence is enough to give me away?"

TJ hesitated, trying to give the question the objective consideration it deserved. But he wasn't objective, not when it came to Cassie, and he suspected the Phantom Ranger knew it. "Yes," he said at last.

Saryn actually smiled at that, and TJ felt his own expression lighten in response. "That is an honest answer," Saryn allowed. "Even if it is not the one I wanted to hear."

The sound of footsteps on the deck behind them kept TJ from replying, and Carlos emerged into the sunshine a moment later. "Hey, Teej," he began, squinting against the light as he glanced around. "Guess we'd better--"

Carlos didn't try to hide his surprise when he caught sight of Saryn. "What are you doing here?" he asked frankly. "Is something wrong?"

Saryn seemed to take no offense. "I suppose I will never escape my reputation as the bearer of bad tidings," he remarked, catching TJ's eye in an invitation to share the humor. "There is nothing wrong; I only came to speak with TJ for a moment."

Carlos gave TJ a puzzled glance, and he nodded slightly. With a shrug and uncharacteristic equanimity, Carlos let it go. "In that case, we'd better get going. The sooner we catch up with Norquist, the sooner we can leave."

"I will await your signal with the others." Saryn lifted one hand to the hexagonal badge on his tunic, glancing over at TJ as he did so. "I leave the immediate future in your hands."

TJ raised an eyebrow as Saryn disappeared into the teleportation stream. He had expected the other to trust him with the secret of the Phantom Ranger, but he hadn't thought Saryn would give tacit permission to share that secret with his teammates. "Interesting," he muttered, mostly to himself.

"What's going on?" Carlos wanted to know. He had stepped off the ramp, allowing the space hatch to close behind him, and it was clear he was more curious than he had let on. "Who is that guy, anyway? I thought Eltare only had five Rangers."

TJ shook his head, wondering how long Saryn thought he could hide his identity without the Power to morph. "I'll tell you on the way," he said at last. "Let's go."

The Megaship was on its way to Aquitar within the hour. Not only had they managed to explain the situation to Norquist's satisfaction, they had also gotten the Dark Fortress off the ground and back into orbit. With the Eltarans' help, Dark Specter's flagship would be safely beyond the reach of civilians in their absence.

"DECA," Carlos said, sliding out from under the ops console. "Is this the only inoperable part of the interface?"

An affirmative flashed on the main screen, indicating that visual and audio communications were both completely functional. Only her speech circuits were still down, and that wouldn't be for much longer if Carlos had anything to say about it. He missed DECA's deadpan delivery almost as much as her constant updates. The lack was accentuated by the fact that he was the only one aboard right now.

Carlos ducked back under the console, wondering if Cassie would have taken the Eltarans up on their offer of a ride even if they hadn't all been headed for the same place. The revelation about Saryn cast Cassie's interaction with him in a new light, and their lingering stares in the alley behind the Surf Spot made more sense now. Carlos had wondered if she might finally be getting over the Phantom Ranger, but apparently it was just the opposite.

"How's that?" he asked, craning his neck to catch another glimpse of the main screen.

DECA's answer was considerably longer this time, so he ignored most of it and went back to work. If she couldn't answer aloud, obviously it wasn't enough. DECA did have a tendency to ramble... probably to compensate for Andros' reticence, Carlos thought with a grin.

The thought made him wonder how the others were doing on KO-35. How long was "for a while," anyway? Andros had wanted his home restored for longer than they'd known him, and now the colony was a reality again. His sister was good and his best friend was at his side... It seemed there was only one thing to keep Andros from abandoning the team for good now.

Unfortunately, Ashley loved space as much as she adored Andros. It didn't seem ridiculous to think that she might leave the Astro Rangers with Andros, if he asked... and not for Earth. Ashley threw herself into adventure with unrivaled enthusiasm, and wouldn't this be the ultimate adventure?

"Carlos?" A familiar voice inserted itself into his thoughts. "I believe you have succeeded."

"Good," he muttered absently. "I'll see if I can--"

He jerked out from underneath the console, staring at the screen in surprise. "DECA?"

"Yes, Carlos?" Her heard a motor whir softly, and when he looked up he found the camera over the ops console pointing straight down at him. "Did I interrupt you?"

"No," he said automatically, then blinked. "I mean, yeah, but... good, I'm glad you can talk again."

The red light on her camera blinked at him. "You seem to have traded your ability for mine," DECA observed. "Perhaps you should reconsider your repair strategy."

"Yeah, thanks," he said wryly. "I'll think about it. What's our ETA?"

"Two and a half minutes," DECA replied without hesitation.

Carlos sighed. He probably shouldn't have spent all his time on repairs, but it had seemed like the thing to do at the time. "Think you can give me a crash course on the Aquitian Rangers in that amount of time? So I don't totally embarrass myself?"

"Yes to the first," DECA answered primly. "As for the second, I make no guarantees."

He rolled his eyes. "Just tell me their names, all right?"

"The Aquitian team consists of five Rangers," DECA replied, and Carlos suppressed the urge to roll his eyes again as he recognized her lecture mode. "Cetaci leads them as the team's White Ranger. She is the youngest and most recent addition to the team.

"Cetaci's second in command is the Yellow Ranger known as Cestria, who has been a Ranger ever since her uncle and one of his teammates retired from the team three years ago. Billy Cranston, the only alien Ranger on the team, joined at the same time.

"Delphinius, like Cestria, is a second-generation Ranger whose recommendation came from the team's former leader. He is the Black Ranger, and one of his classmates filled the next opening a short time later. The Red Ranger powers are held by Aura, whom I believe you've met."

Carlos gave her a startled look. "How did you know that?"

"My speech circuits were offline, not my scanners," DECA pointed out.

Carlos smirked at her tone of voice. "Your speech circuits and your engines. And your thrusters, your shields, the megalasers, the environmental controls... the lights... should I keep going?"

"That will not be necessary." The computer sounded downright sulky, and Carlos relented.

"We'll have you back in working order in no time," he promised, spinning the degausser in his fingers as he headed for the comm station on the other side of the Bridge. "In the meantime, what should I expect from the Council on Aquitar? What does this whole sponsoring thing involve?"

"It involves more technical aid than anything else." DECA still did not sound happy, but at least she'd forgiven him enough to answer. "Although, in this case, there will probably be some political maneuvering on your behalf, given Earth's relative isolation until now."

When she didn't elaborate, he realized she wasn't as forgiving as he'd thought. She hadn't actually answered his question at all, though her evasion had been subtle. "What about me?" he repeated. "Will I have to do anything while I'm there?"

"You will be required to speak, which is a skill that we've established you no longer have," she replied smoothly. "You will also need to exercise some amount of tact."

He let out a token sigh, secretly amused by her remarks. The night after they'd left her and Zhane in orbit while they tried to stem the tide of ground forces on Earth, the Astro Rangers had finally faced the possibility of the Megaship's destruction. With no word from either DECA or Zhane for more than six hours, their survival had seemed unlikely at best, and Carlos had seldom been happier to be wrong.

"Did I mention that I'm sorry?" he asked, pretending to be annoyed. "And that nothing could ever beat the Megaship, no matter what condition she's in? Because DECA is the best computer to ever run a battleship, and she's all-knowing and very powerful?"

The camera over his head tilted slightly, giving the impression of a person cocking their head. "You didn't mention that, no," she said, sounding somewhat mollified. "It does, however, go without saying."

"Of course," he agreed readily. "Along with the fact that you're wise and talented and probably the strongest ship in the League. No one needs to say it, but I think it's good to voice our appreciation every now and then."

"I have no objection." If DECA were human, she would have been preening. "It's very perceptive of you to recognize my abilities."

"So you're going to tell this very perceptive human about League sponsorship, right?" he cajoled. "Just enough so that everyone wonders what incredibly intelligent being could have taught him so well?"

"Sponsorship dates back to the earliest days of the League," DECA replied immediately, her tone conciliatory and more than a little condescending. "Anyone wishing to join needed a League planet to vouch for them. Even after being accepted for membership the new ally would allow their sponsor to speak for them until such time as they felt competent to represent themselves.

"As time went on and less advanced planets applied for League membership, it became traditional for the planet's sponsor to assist in the technological upgrades necessary to make League participation possible. This is what Aquitar will be required to do for Earth," DECA added unnecessarily, and Carlos shot a half-hearted glare at her camera.

"For yourself," DECA continued, when he didn't rise to the bait, "you will only need to affirm Earth's wish to join the League, and commit to a partnership with Aquitar for as long as it benefits both planets. The Rangers will no doubt be there to support you."

"You're good," Carlos remarked, as the chime of the comm accentuated her words. "You're very good."

"Yes," DECA agreed smugly. "That's true."

She accepted the incoming transmission without asking and the Aquitian logo appeared on the main screen. The colored half circles were reminiscent of breaking waves, and Carlos supposed that was appropriate for a people that had gills. The Ranger that replaced the logo a moment later was the same one who had contacted them after Aura's departure that morning.

"Greetings," Cetaci said politely. "The Aquitian system welcomes the Astro Megaship. Carlos of Earth, we invite you to join us in the Ranger dome at your earliest convenience."

"Thank you." Carlos tried not to let her formality throw him, remembering the way Aura had talked. "The Megaship can't teleport anyone at the moment, but I can take our shuttle to the surface if you'll give me an approach vector."

"If you supply coordinates, we will teleport you ourselves," the White Ranger offered.

"Thank you," Carlos repeated, glancing back at one of DECA's cameras. He nodded to her, and the camera light flashed in response.

A moment later Cetaci announced, "Coordinates received. I am transmitting an orbital flight path to your ship's computer. Please confirm."

"Flight path confirmed," DECA answered.

"We're all set here," Carlos added, and Cetaci cocked her head in a gesture he took for acknowledgement.

"Preparing to teleport," she warned. Carlos took a step back from the console in front of him, and the world suddenly lit up as black fire pulled him into the teleportation stream.

When it released him, he found himself in what he could only assume was the Ranger dome. His first sensation was of violet humidity, and the dimness surprised him after the glare of the Megaship's Bridge. He would have liked to stare, but a Ranger he hadn't been introduced to caught his attention before he could look around.

"Welcome," she said with a smile. That surprised him too, though it took him a minute to figure out why. He could count on one hand the number of times he'd seen Aura smile, and Cetaci hadn't bothered with the expression at all. "We are glad to have you among us, Carlos of Earth."

"Just Carlos," he said quickly. Hearing "Carlos of Earth" every time he turned around would get old fast. "And thank you. I'm glad to be here."

"Carlos," she said, tilting her head in acquiescence. "My name is Cestria. I greet you for myself, and for Cetaci, who is trying to coordinate too many tasks at once."

He followed her gaze automatically. The White Ranger was on the other side of the room, and it took him a moment to realize that she stood in the foreground of an image he'd seen in two dimensions from the Megaship. He'd had no indication that she was overworked from her comm transmission, and right now she was giving that same degree of attention to someone else.

Just like Andros, he thought, unbidden. Easy to entangle and impossible to distract.

"Aura meant to be here as well," Cestria was saying. "I replaced her some time ago, however, so that she might have time away from Control. Please excuse me while I let her know that you have arrived."

"You will not," Cetaci said sharply. Cestria didn't so much as blink, and it took Carlos a moment to realize that Cetaci was still talking to someone else. As Cestria turned her attention to a wrist communicator much like the ones the Astro Rangers wore, the White Ranger moderated her tone a little.

"Aura." Cestria turned enough to give her conversation the illusion of privacy, but not enough to put her back to him. "The Black Astro Ranger is here. Do you wish to join us?"

"Already?" Aura's voice over the communicator was clearer than any of theirs would be, and it occurred to Carlos to wonder why the design was so similar. "Tell him that he travels faster than he showers."

Cestria gave him a startled look, and Carlos couldn't help laughing. "I'll take that as a compliment," he said good-naturedly. "The last time she showed me what speed was, she almost dislocated my shoulder."

Before Cestria could say anything, Aura inquired rhetorically, "Are you still complaining about that? On some planets it is customary to express gratitude toward someone who saved your life."

Carlos opened his mouth to reply, but Cestria cut him off. "Perhaps you will join us in Control," she suggested mildly. "This exchange might be more satisfying if you were face to face."

Someone stepped through a door at the other end of the room, and for a moment Carlos thought she was going to get her wish. The Yellow Ranger clearly had other things to be doing, and despite her tactful way of reminding them he couldn't help feeling chagrinned. Aura's familiarity had made him forget where he was for a moment.

It wasn't Aura who had entered the control room, though. Carlos missed her reply to Cestria while he tried to remember the name of the Black Aquitian Ranger. Normally the Power enhanced their memory as well as their physical abilities, but it was an aid he had to do without now.

More puzzling than the new Ranger's name, though, was the expression on his face. He looked downright annoyed, even if Carlos wasn't sure how he knew that. The Aquitians' different facial structure made them hard to read, but there was no doubt in his mind that this one was upset.

"You have no authority over the fighters," he informed Cetaci. It sounded like he was continuing an earlier conversation, and he didn't even seem to see Cestria and Carlos. Only when Cetaci turned away from the comm did Carlos realize that he must have been the one on the other end of the link.

"Actually," Cestria was saying into the pause, "I think I will send him down to you. The zord bay is somewhat quieter than Control."

"Everyone answers to the Rangers in a time of crisis," Cetaci said, ignoring Cestria. "Darren has raised no objections."

"Of course he hasn't objected," the other Ranger told her, his voice dangerously quiet. "Darren knows how to lead."

"I think I'll come with you," Cestria announced, lowering her communicator and turning to Carlos. "The lift is this way."

He raised an eyebrow, but he followed without a word. As they stepped into the cylindrical lift he heard Cetaci snap, "If you think you can do better, why don't you say so? There is no need to insult me without reason."

The lift sealed out whatever reply the other Ranger gave, and Carlos gave Cestria a questioning look. She only shook her head and ran her finger across a glowing bar by the door. The sense of motion was almost nonexistent, but he did get the feeling that they were traveling downward.

"Sometimes they are better behaved when we have company," Cestria said abruptly, and he looked back at her in surprise. "It seems that the stress of the last few days has affected everyone. I hope you can forgive us our lapse."

"That happens often?" he asked, too startled to reassure her. He had never seen such open hostility between Rangers. Andros and Zhane had shouting matches to rival Cassie and Ashley's, but they were friendly squabbles that never lasted long. TJ's distrust of Karone was the closest they had come to team division, and even then TJ hadn't questioned Andros' authority to his face.

Cestria didn't answer, and he apologized quickly. "I'm sorry; it's none of my business. We've all been under a lot of pressure lately; you're right about that. It's no wonder people are getting a little cranky."

"'Cranky'?" Cestria repeated, giving him an odd look. At first he thought she was objecting to the term, but then she said, "I am not familiar with that word."

It took a moment for that to sink in. "Sorry," he said at last, giving her a sheepish smile for his surprise. "You speak English so well that I forget. It just means irritable, or easily annoyed. Quick to get upset over little things."

Cestria smiled at that. "Yes," she murmured. "I think that describes them very well."

The vague sense of motion vanished then and she stepped out of the lift before he could decide what to say to that. A place that could only be the zord bay stretched out in front of them, as cavernous and echoing as the Turbo garage had once been. The hulking figures of the Aquitian zords loomed over them, reaching up into the shadows with a dormant power that only hinted at the ferocious guardians they really were.

Carlos glanced down at the sound of a soft splash, and he sighed inwardly. The floor of the bay was made out of some material he didn't recognize, but more importantly it was covered with a layer of water that glistened and rippled around his boots. He should have worn his sneakers--at least they were already wet.

"Greetings!" Aura's voice hailed them from somewhere off to the right, and he looked up in time to see her watching their progress from the top of one of the zords. "It was polite of you to escort Carlos, Cestria."

There was an implied question in that statement, and Cestria responded just as cryptically. "Cetaci and Delphinius are in the control room. The zord bay is more welcoming right now."

"I see." Aura was climbing down the exterior staging, her back to them momentarily, but the amusement in her voice was obvious. "Your input would be valued, if you chose to stay here for a time."

"Thank you," Cestria replied, an answering smile on her face. "But someone must make sure they are not overheard. The Rangers must present a unified front now, of all times."

"If I can help..." Aura sprang from the bottom of the staging and started toward them, giving Carlos a nod and Cestria a look of sympathy.

"I will tell you," Cestria finished. "Thank you.

"Carlos," she added, nodding to him. "It was nice to meet you. I look forward to speaking with you again in the future. On behalf of Aquitar, may I say that it is an honor to sponsor Earth in the League."

"Nice to meet you too," he said, a little surprised that she was leaving. "Thanks for everything you've done for us."

She inclined her head with a smile. As the lift swallowed her up, he turned to Aura with a frown. "Why did she say it like it was already a sure thing? Don't I have to see the Council or something?"

Aura studied him as though she had no idea what he was talking about. "Excuse me?"

"Cetaci said I'd have to talk to the Council about sponsoring Earth," he said warily. "Cestria sounded like it was already decided."

"It is," Aura agreed. "We have offered, and you have accepted. The Council will follow the Rangers' lead in matters such as this. If there is convincing to be done, it is our responsibility, not yours."

Carlos raised an eyebrow. "Then... no offense, but why am I here?"

"Because Cetaci was testing you," she said matter-of-factly. "It is not the method I would have chosen to affirm your commitment, but it was not my decision. She wished to know whether you would give us the time that I gave you."

He frowned. "She could have just asked," he pointed out. "Andros told you we'd repay you any way we could."

"I reminded her of that," Aura admitted, looking a little uncomfortable. "But it is not my place to rationalize her decision. I apologize if you are offended."

"No," he said slowly. "I'm not. She did try to warn me with that whole speech about honor." He grinned suddenly. "I'll just file it away as my second lesson in Aquitian culture."

"Why?" she asked suspiciously, as though she knew she was walking into a trap. "What was your first?"

She was letting him tease her. It made him want to laugh almost as much as her expression. "Never try to separate an Aquitian from her water bottle."