Dynamic Power Rangers

Chapter 11: Fighting Spirit

SkyBase was a hub activity over the past few weeks. Not only was the new staff from NodrozCorp. revitalizing the entire facility, they'd also been engaged in a community outreach program to help the citizens of Starkweather Valley deal with the nearly continuous alien attacks. That meant that the Dynamic Power Rangers had not been idle. Enrique Ramon started his career with a bang. The only problem was, his MicroDyna Zord was still unable to upgrade to a Macro form.

His twin sister, Marisol Ramon, had taken over his duty with the Caervinian computer systems and bailing them out at last minute. He liked to tease her that if he werre still manning the database he'd have found it by now.

Mars, as she was affectionately known, looked over her glasses at him and raised a brow. "Fine, then. You sit here and I'll go out in a shint green suit and play superhero," she told him.

Ram shook his head. "Nah. Green's not your color," he said. Mars just made a sound somewhere between a scoff and snort and went back to work. She actually had come to the conclusion that the code for the MacroZord hadn't been entered into the system yet and it was up to her to write it from scratch.

Although the Rangers managed to keep the forces of the War Stars at bay, Taylor Hicks was no closer to freeing Rena Hart from being possessed by Azula. He hadn't seen her lately nor had Sylon had any direct involvement in the schemes. It made him think they were up to something.

He was pacing the rafters one night after his shift. "Sweetie, you driving my patients crazy," Tempest Strong told him.

"I'd apologize but I know I'm not making any noise," he said and jumped to the floor beside her. He gave her a small, crooked grin.

"Okay, you driving me crazy, then," she said, returning his grin. She yawned and stretched. It had been a long day and watching Taylor stalk around was unsettling. "Something particular eating you up?" she asked. "Or, should I say, <i>someone</i>?" she said pointedly.

"Several someones, not just that particular someone. Although I've had one than one impatient call lately asking about my progress," he groused.

"And have you deciphered whatever mysto-mumbo-jumbo Dr. Crankypants was saying?" she asked.

Taylor bit back a laugh. "You shouldn't keep calling her that. She's liable to be watching you at any moment," he warned her.

Tempest shrugged. "I'll just hide behind you," she said. "It's late. You're shift is over. As the base's leading medical professional, I advise you get some sleep," she told him. "Don't make me get tough with you," she told him, putting her hands on her hips and looking at him sternly.

Taylor chuckled. "Yes, ma'am. Nobody wants that. I'll get some sleep. If not, I can always meditate," he said, rubbing his face. "Good night, Tempe," he said.

"Night, sweetie," she said and they went their sepate ways. Tempest insisted on sleeping on the ground floor and Taylor insisted on sleeping as high as possible.

--/-\--

Taylor was right to worry about Sylon and Azula. Sylon mostly kept to the Warstars ship or his own hidden lair while he worked on several side projects. Azula, having been seen by the Warstars helping the Power Rangers, had kept a low profile. She was going stir crazy. "When will what you promised me be ready?" she demanded of him. "If I don't get some fresh air soon, both my host and I will expire," she told him as she paced.

"Do dial back the dramatics, my love. It is almost complete, but I wanted to try this first," he said, holding up a small metallic device adorned with only one button.

"A garage door opener?" Azula asked, wrinkling her nose.

Sylon sighed and rubbed his face. "I don't want to know what a garage is or why it has a door that must be remotely opened. No, my dear. This will help me defeat the Power Rangers and locate Skycrest once and for all," he gloated.