Power Rangers In Space/Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, Heather Ray [best novels ever TXT] 📗

/> "Karone?"

"Sorry," she mumbles, turning away from me. "You...just remind me of someone."

Oh.

It only takes her a few moments to regain her composure. Soon her smile returns, only it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"So," she breathes, "shall we see what the translation program found while we were asleep?"

At that moment, I realize that I didn't really appreciate the magnitude of what Karone has done for us. I knew she was going above and beyond the call of duty by coming with Terra Venture, especially since she never intended to join us. But that look in her eyes is unmistakable.

She left someone behind. Someone she really loves.

She left him so she could board a colony of total strangers, and travel to parts unknown...all to fulfill a promise to a woman she'd never even met in the flesh.

I would never have the courage to do that.

Wow...have I been selfish or what, to ask for her help while totally disregarding how isolated she feels?

"You know what? I think I've had enough research for today."

She stares at me. "Huh?"

"I have a better idea. How about I take you on the grand tour of Terra Venture? You've only been aboard for one day, you couldn't possibly have seen it all."

It takes her a few seconds to snap out of her surprise. "Well, I haven't...but --"

"You don't have any other plans, do you?"

"No..."

"Then what else are you going to do today?"

When her eyes angle towards the monitor, I shake my head emphatically.

"I appreciate your help, Karone...really I do...but I won't let you stay cooped up in here. You need a change of scenery!"

She turns to me again, and I see her eyes brighten. "I think you're right."
Chapter Twenty-Eight

-Karone-

There's only one word to describe Terra Venture: spectacular.

Considering I've spent half my life living on star ships and space stations, it takes a lot for a vessel to truly impress me. But Terra Venture is an absolute marvel! The Forest Dome alone is as large as a park, and unlike the uncanny illusions the Simu-deck manifests, everything here is real. The river is real water, pumped beneath the dome and recycled to the beginning like an elaborate fountain. The trees that stretch heavenward are alive, some of them hundreds of years old. It's as if Terra Venture's architects decided to simply transplant a nature preserve whole, and set it atop this great glass-domed platform.

All around us, children are playing, couples are strolling, and officers on leave are enjoying a picnic lunch. This park is so full of life and energy, it's contagious.

We walk in amiable silence, giving me the chance to absorb the splendor of the Forest Dome. Every so often, he points out a landmark of some sort...the first tree he climbed on board, the stable where Maya often visits the horses, even an ice cream stand strategically positioned near a designated playground.

His face lights up, and he urgently grabs my hand. "If you like marshmallows, then you've gotta try Hank's patented Ivory Heaven sundae! We're talking angel food cake and homemade vanilla ice cream drowned in marshmallow sauce and whipped cream, with white chocolate shavings all around. It's amazing!"

I let him guide me to the dessert stand, mesmerized by his mischievous grin and gleaming green eyes.

Gods...I miss Zhane.

I don't think I realized how much his absence has darkened my spirits. Before, I was so driven to get the Quasar Saber I hardly spared him a second thought. Then I had to face the overwhelming responsibility of being a Power Ranger, and trying to forge some kind of understanding with my new teammates. I was so distracted by my new challenges that I didn't really consider what I left behind.

I didn't let

myself dwell on what I've sacrificed.

I may never see him again.

I knew I was risking my life when I went to Onyx, and again when I delivered the Saber to the Rangers on Guinit...but on the day I left Earth, my mission was clear-cut and simple. Get the Quasar Saber.

Never did I imagine joining the Rangers...and settling on Terra Venture.

I know the mission of Terra Venture; a space colony created to seek out a new home. The journey may take years, but at the end...this colony will settle on a world far from Earth. When the call went out for intrepid explorers to man and populate this new colony, they were warned that they'd never return to their native soil.

It may take years

to find Kendrix, and Trakeena seems so consumed with destroying this colony, I'm certain she will remain on our heels no matter how far we travel. It may be years before my mission is complete.

I left Zhane without even a goodbye, thinking I'd see him again within a week. It's already been a week, and I still haven't mustered the courage to contact him. I don't think I can face him. How can I possibly explain the mission I've accepted? What... will he say when he learns of my decision?

"Terra Venture to Karone! Hello?"

I blink my eyes, and the amused smile of my companion comes into focus. "What?"

"Do you want two or three scoops of ice cream, Miss?"

My startled gaze slides from Leo to the kindly server behind the counter. This must be 'Hank.'

"Two please. Thanks."

He smiles again as he turns to prepare the treat. I can't help but watch in fascination as Hank carefully pours a ladle full of marshmallow sauce over the ice cream, and artfully swirls the whipped cream in a wide spiral on top. He then drizzles the masterpiece with chunks of white chocolate, and sets the massive dessert on the counter with a flourish.

"That's one Ivory Heaven for the lovely lady. How about you, Leo?"

"The usual," he answers with a grin of anticipation.

Curious, I watch Hank remove a warm brownie from his small oven, and smother it with three scoops of chocolate ice cream, fudge, caramel, crushed nuts, sprinkles, whipped cream, and a cherry on top.

Leo smirks as he holds out his meal card to complete the transaction. "That, Karone, is what we like to call the Cavity King!"

I can't restrain a laugh as Leo sets both our treats on a plastic tray, and nods his head toward the nearby picnic tables. A few moments later we're both comfortably seated under the warm glow of the simulated sun, indulging in the decadence that is Hank's famous ice cream.

"Like it?"

I nod eagerly, my mouth too full of sugar to give a verbal answer. Ever since Zhane first introduced me to the wonder of the marshmallow, I've developed an unhealthy addiction to the vitamin-devoid confection. But while I share his love for puffy candy, I could never comprehend his taste for artificially-flavored carbonated drinks...

A mournful sigh escapes me before I can catch it, and suddenly I have Leo's complete attention.

"What on your mind?"

I feel the heat on my cheeks in response to his inquisitive stare, and from the faint grin that emerges on his face, I get the impression that he's figured out what is distracting me.

I brace myself for the inevitable teasing- he just seems the type to find amusement in my lovelorn daydreaming- but when I meet his eyes again, so serious and resigned, I realize I've misjudged him yet again.

"Yeah," he sighs, "it hurts like hell to lose someone. Even for a little while."

The mood becomes intolerably solemn, and I try to shake off the discomfort by drowning my sorrows in marshmallow sauce until I simply can't eat another spoonful. But Leo doesn't join me in this escape...instead he stares at the ice cream almost blankly.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

-Leo-

I shouldn't have ordered this.

My mind is thrown back to the first time I had one of these sundaes...on my lunch break during the single day I served as part of Terra Venture's crew. Kendrix took me out to lunch to celebrate surviving the first half-day, and introduced me to Hank, and the Chocolate Bliss brownie sundae.

When I asked Hank to top off his signature sundae with caramel and sprinkles, Kendrix stared at me as if I had two heads.

"You must be crazy, Leo! You'll get a cavity eating that!"

So, I decided to christen this custom dessert the Cavity King, in her honor.

...I can't believe how much I miss her.

A sudden squeal of distress yanks me from my thoughts. Reflexes kick in, and I jump from my seat, giving Karone an urgent glance. The temp Pink Ranger nods once, and together we follow the cries over the picnic area and passed the playground, until we see a group of children huddled at the edge of the river.

"Jamie, what happened?" I demand, kneeling beside a young girl in tears. She sniffles, pointing down river.

"We were playing, and our ball got away from us," Terry helpfully explains. "It rolled into the river."

"It's long gone now," Ricky, one of the older kids, comments.

Karone approaches the very edge, holding out her hand. "Don't worry...it's still within reach."

The kids stare in awe as she stretches her fingers into the distance. I'll admit, I'm pretty intrigued too as a small sphere floats casually towards us.

The kids gasp and whisper as the colorful ball lands in Karone's waiting arms. She smiles easily, bending to the girl who was crying moments before.

"Here you go. Make sure to keep your distance from the river, okay?"

Jamie stares wide-eyed at the ball. "It's...alive! And it...flies?"

"No it doesn't!" one of the other boys grumbles. "She

did that."

All eyes turn from the magical ball to Karone.

"How'd you do that?"

"Are you a magician?"

"Nah, I bet she's an alien! They have weird mind-powers!"

"She doesn't look

alien!"

I laugh out loud at Karone's bewildered