Power Rangers Zeo - Venusian Encounters, Heather Ray [best thriller books to read .txt] 📗

That's why she was named Hope.

The birth of the princess was a day of great celebration on Venus Island. Tommy had made it a point to stay with Kimberly as much as possible throughout the pregnancy, teleporting in at least three times a week. By the time the third trimester rolled along, he was at the island all day just about every day. Finally, after a great deal of insistence by Kim, Renee, and even the visiting Dulcea, he remained on Venus Island for the two weeks preceding the birth, and a week after.

During that time, an arrangement was forged.

Hope would live her first year entirely on Venus Island, since a child so young is quite dependent upon its mother. Then, the parents would switch off, each taking a period of three months at a time.

Kimberly was at first reluctant to leave Hope with Tommy for so much time. After all, she didn't want the burden of being a single parent of an infant upon his shoulders, and unlike herself, Tommy didn't have the aid of an entire nation. Yet, he insisted... he wanted to see his baby grow. He wanted to be a father to her... not just some guy who donated half her chromosomes.

Of course, during the months that Tommy had Hope, Kimberly was a frequent guest. And while Hope was on Venus Island, she spent much time with her father.

The first five years of Hope's life were the most wonderful in Kim's memory. The three were as united in love as a family could be, even though they weren't always united in space. Still, they did spend a great deal of time with one another.

After much discussion, both Kim and Tommy concluded that Hope would be better off being raised as a Venusian. It would be problematic for her to enter into the world of mankind, especially since she was born and lived her first year on Venus Island. She wasn't registered as a citizen of the United States, and there would inevitably be questions revolving around her parentage.

No, it was best to avoid that.

Not long after Hope's birth, Tommy had moved from California to Washington, to assist the federal government's preparation for contact with other planets. It didn't take much convincing for the world to accept the fact that intelligent beings crowded the galaxy, which was very much proven by the Countdown. Since Tommy was recognized as being a former leader of the Power Rangers, as well as an accomplished political theorist and author, he was given a position as a sort of diplomat. Earth would finally join the rest of the universe in interplanetary-relations, and Tommy would spearhead the project.

Also, that made it possible for Tommy to conduct the illusion that Hope was his niece, who visited him often. It would be quite difficult to explain her parentage in another means, and for Tommy to have a daughter out of wedlock might have tarnished his reputation as a diplomat.

Of course, if it was known that Tommy was romantically involved with an alien queen, then problems would seriously arise. Especially since the world at large was still unaware of the existence of the magical Venus Island.

The years went by so quickly for Kimberly. It didn't take long before Hope was old enough to go to Phaedos, and discover the spirit of the Nightingale within her. Several years later, NASADA made their first communication with the space colony KO-35. It was a momentous event, and Tommy even went on a mission there, accompanied by the three known alien residents on Earth: Zhane, Karone, and Andros.

Kimberly and Tommy didn't spend very much time together. Kimberly had busied herself with the prospect of moving the Venusian remnant from Earth, and possibly restore the planet Venus to its natural beauty. That way, it would be easier for Venus and Earth to become allied planets, since living on Earth would almost force Venusian culture to assimilate into a country. Also, Tommy was busied by his political duties, and spent a great deal of time with delegates from Aquitar (including Billy and Cestria on several occasions), Edenoi, Inquiris, Liaria, and even distant Eltar. Both found fulfillment in their heavy responsibilities... but they both longed for the happiness that they only felt when they were together.

It became painfully clear to them on Tommy's sixtieth birthday that his time alive was fleeting. It was frightening for Kimberly to even fathom Tommy dying, but since several friends had passed on by that point, it was an inevitability that she was forced to face. Then, Kim, Tommy, and Hope made a momentous decision. They would dedicate a single month each year to being together explicitly. It was difficult for Tommy to schedule, but if broken into four weeks, it was possible. During those four weeks, they were a united, cohesive family unit. Sometimes they stayed on Venus Island. Sometimes they went to a foreign planet. Sometimes they just lived in Angel Grove with friends and family. But they were together, and that was what mattered.

The four-week "vacation" periods became an almost religious observance, and remained consistently throughout their lives. The last week together had taken place just before Kimberly's most recent trip to Phaedos. Hope and Tommy thought Phaedos was a wonderful, relaxing spot to visit, and they decided to travel there with Kimberly, and then leave after the one-week period to allow Kimberly her time for Restoration.

It was only about a week ago...

April 2071

With slow, even strokes, Kimberly brushed the ivory powder over her cheek. The make-up brush glided across her face, leaving a snowy trail along her skin. Kim pursed her lips tightly as she continued the process, covering her entire visage with the thick ritual paint.

Once her face was ghostly white, she lay the brush upon the vanity, and lifted a narrow paintbrush. Dipping it in a small pool of thick magenta liquid, she then lined her full lips with the stain.

While she busily prepared her face for the Restoration ceremony, the slender fingers of her daughter busily wove the queen's long caramel tendrils into an intricate bun, with silver strands of material and small pearls highlighting the style.

"I guess that's it," Hope said, lying her idle fingers on her mother's shoulder. Kim nodded slowly, and rose to her feet. She smoothed the wrinkles from her Ninjetti uniform, and smiled at her daughter.

"I really wish I could have come with you back to Earth," she said, hugging Hope tightly, "I don't know if it's just me, but I sense something... different about your father."

Hope nodded. "It's not just you. There's a cloud about him, and I can't seem to penetrate it. He usually brightens when we're together, but this time, things are different."

Hope's seamless face took on a delicate frown, and she gazed at her mother inquiringly. "Do you think something is gravely wrong?"

Kim pondered this for a moment. "No. I think he'd tell me. He wouldn't hide something serious from me."

She then took a deep breath, and together with her daughter she walked out of the chamber, and onto the plateau upon which the temple stood. The temple was restored from the ruins by Divatox, who had remained on Phaedos to serve the Power she shamed.

Kim gazed toward the setting sun, and noticed a tall, noble form staring out at the Neola jungle, absently rubbing his wrist. Kim could almost see him wearing his white Ninjetti uniform, with a pensive and determined expression on his face as he thought of the great quest ahead of them.

So many years ago... yet so very clear in her mind.

Kim separated from her beloved daughter, and stood beside her love. She craned her head in the direction he gazed, and watched in admiration as the bright sun lowered beneath the horizon.

"It's time," Tommy said, turning back to Kimberly. His aged eyes rested on his only love, who looked exactly the same now as she did so many years ago, when they first came to this magical planet. Her hair was longer, and the glimmer in her eyes was more reserved, but she was still the same.

He, on the other hand, was aged and withered. He still stood tall and proud, with broad shoulders and deep, wise eyes. His hair, still kept long in respect for his Native American heritage, had long since grown gray. His bronze skin had lost much of its radiance, and had accumulated many creases around his narrowed lips and observant eyes.

All the same, he was still the beautiful, gentle, pure-hearted man Kimberly had fallen in love with decades ago.

Kim nodded at him, her hand slowly creeping into his grasp. Her fingers gently wove themselves around his wrinkled, crooked ones, and held on firmly. She did her best to smile, but she felt the overwhelming despondency in Tommy's heart. She gazed at him quizzically.

"What's wrong?" she asked gently, worry furrowing her brow.

Tommy shook his head dismissively, lying his other hand atop hers. "I'm just going to miss you," he answered, smiling weakly, "When will you come back to Earth?"

"Before a month has passed," she answered, leaning against his shoulder slightly as she guided him away from the plateau's edge, "As soon as I return, I'll stop by your house and pay you a visit."

"Will the Venusians mind?" Tommy inquired.

Kim shook her head, an amused smile creeping on her face. "Probably. But we're still making progress with the restoration of Venus. Renee has headed the circle of sorceresses who have devoted themselves to reversing Divatox's spell, and Divatox herself is researching it while serving the Great Power. Still, since the universe is at peace, there is no urgent need for me to be on the island." She then smiled mischievously. "Besides, I'd like to see how your work is coming on your newest novel."

Tommy chuckled, shaking his head. "I've decided not to write another one," he revealed, "My work is done."

Kim blinked in surprise, and locked eyes with him searchingly. "Since when?"

"I guess I'm tired," he answered, sighing deeply, "I might as well take a few moments, and look back on all I've accomplished. There's no need for me to constantly be producing. I should just appreciate what I've