Power Rangers In Space, Heather Ray [books under 200 pages TXT] 📗

that's it," said Andros, nodding.

"That's what?" asked Cassie, "What's that mean?"

"The bio-structure is a measure of the basic magical immunity of a species. Species with low bio-structure classes are vulnerable to magic, which means they are easily influenced by foreign magic. Humans would be pretty low on the spectrum, at class 2. But species with high bio-structures are far more difficult to manipulate, or even injure with magical assaults. Eltarians are at class 9, for example. Lower bio-structure class organisms tend to also have very little magical power, and the opposite for the higher classes... but that isn't always the case. However, lower class species can be empowered by the magic of others, giving them magical abilities, but filling that one with foreign magic."

"Then that would mean Astronema has a low class bio-structure," Carlos said, "if we're right in assuming the magic that's exuding from her body is foreign in origin. If its natural, then she's a high class."

"But, there's still nothing conclusive," TJ said, "We don't know which case she is."

"What we can be sure of is that she's not Lucian," Andros said, "Like I told you, Lucians don't have so much magical energy so as to throw off such sophisticated scans as the ones we tried on Astronema."

"...and Lucians have high immunity to magic cast on them, so no magic in the cosmos can infuse a Lucian with as much raw magical power as Astronema has," Cassie added, "So she can't be Lucian."

"Then she lied," Ashley said.

"Or maybe she was lied to

," Andros remarked, stepping towards the exit, "I'm taking a break. I need to think about all this."

The four other rangers watched Andros leave the medical lab. Ashley glared furiously at the point where Andros left the room. TJ shook his head.

"This is terrible. Having no answers is far worse than having the answers you weren't looking for."

"This is all too convenient," Ashley said, "Don't you see? She's made sure there is absolutely no way we can prove she isn't Karone! All we have are clues-- not evidence-- that she could be Karone. But nothing solid! I've had enough of this."

With that, Ashley marched toward the exit. Carlos traded glances with TJ and Cassie, and then hurried out into the corridor to follow the Yellow Ranger.

"Wait up!" he called. Ashley stopped, but didn't turn around to face her friend. Carlos caught up with her, and touched her shoulder gently.

"Are you following Andros?" Carlos asked. Ashley frowned.

"I give up on him," she muttered. Carlos walked in front of her, in an attempt to see her face. But Ashley's eyes were focused on the floor, and her arms where folded tightly.

"Are you okay?" he questioned.

"I... I will be," she sighed, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have blown up like that."

"Its okay. We're all under stress."

"Carlos," Ashley said, looking up to face the Black Ranger, "Do you honestly believe Astronema could be Karone?"

Carlos remained quiet for a moment. "Well, I'm one to believe there's two sides to every story. Sure, Astronema's our enemy. But the question is why? And could things be different? I like to consider all possibilities."

Ashley nodded, "I guess I should too. But... I can't shake the feeling that Astronema is lying to us. Sure, I guess its feasible that she's telling the truth. But I just can't accept that. I don't know why."

"I think I do," Carlos said, "I've known you longer than anyone else here, Ashe. I know what kind of friend you are. You're very protective of those you care about. You know what this whole Karone thing means to Andros, and you know how much it'll hurt him if it does turn out Astronema's faking it. And better than anyone else here, you know what Andros has gone through. You're probably the only person here who I can say understands him."

"He's so...pig-headed

!" Ashley complained, "He asked for my help, but he totally disregarded my opinion."

"I don't think he did," Carlos said quietly, "Its in the back of his mind, and it carries weight. But in the end, its Andros who'll have to decide whether or not Astronema is being honest with us. Its his problem. We can only help him out."

"I... I'm just so worried that this whole thing will blow up in all our faces," Ashley sighed, "I usually try to be open-minded, but this time, my instincts won't let me."

"Instincts are often right, Ashe. But, they're not always

right. We'll figure this whole thing out. C'mon."

"Where are we going?" Ashley asked, as Carlos led her back to the medical lab.

"We're going to look over those tests again," Carlos answered, "Maybe there's something we overlooked. If this is just a big hoax, and Astronema did somehow screw up the readings, then there may be something she missed. All we need to do is find it."

"Sounds like a plan," Ashley said with a grin, as the Yellow and Black Rangers hurried through the corridor to join their friends.

Chapter Fourteen

For the third time that day, Andros stepped into the brig. For the first time that day, he came alone. He knew the other Astro Rangers were still in the medical lab, no doubt going over the test results with a fine tooth comb. But Andros' patience was running thin. After all the effort he and his team put into finding the truth, it still alluded them. Andros wasn't a man ruled by his emotions, but nonetheless, he was quite capable of very strong emotions. Recently, when emotion did surface, it was hatred, frustration, or sorrow. Of the three, it was the second that plagued the young Red Ranger.

"Back again?" Astronema asked, looking up at Andros, "I suppose you now want to know about my early years in Dark Spectre's army. What is it with you? Are you planning on writing my biography?"

"No," Andros said, standing still right outside the energy bars separating him from the famed villainess, "I... I'm looking for answers. I just thought that you might have them."

Astronema chuckled. "Trust me, I'm not helping you. Whatever answers you're looking for, your asking the wrong girl."

Andros' face remained stone. "DECA, lower the bars."

"Aye yi yi!" Alpha shrieked in surprise, looking at the Red Ranger from his position by the computers.

^That is inadvisable,^

DECA sounded, ^Astronema is a known felon. Any reduction in security measures is prohibited by protocol 321-89973...^

"Enough, DECA," Andros said, "Verbal command, voice scan Andros Wiengart, commander of Megaship."

^Voice scan confirmed.^

"Security override AW1-RR85."

^Override confirmed.^

"Now, lower the energy bars."

Astronema's eyes widened in shock as the green bars of energy lowered from the ceiling down. The only partition between herself and the rest of the Megaship down, Astronema slowly rose to her feet, and kept a watchful eye on Andros. "What exactly do you think you're doing?"

"Tell me, Astronema, you joined Dark Spectre's army right before his invasion of KO 35. Were you part of his attack force?"

Astronema shook her head. "He wouldn't let me set foot on that planet."

"Then I'm going to show it to you. Interior teleport-- two to Simudeck."

^Affirmative,^ said DECA, as the two vanished in bright flashes of red and lavender light. Milliseconds later, they reappeared inside a large black room with high ceilings. The walls, ceiling, and floor were covered in small, pitch black tiles.

"So now what are you gonna do?" Astronema inquired.

"Well, first I'm going to let you know that there's no way you can escape," Andros said sternly, "DECA has a security field around the Simudeck, so you can't leave here without the password. And the passwords must all match my voiceprint. So, no trying to escape. It won't get you anywhere."

"Fine," Astronema mumbled, "Just get to the point."

Andros looked up to the small red light flashing on the ceiling.

"DECA, run Simudeck program A-1."

^Program A-1 is a restricted file. Password.^

"Karone," Andros said quietly.

^Password verified. Initiating program A-1^

Before Astronema's eyes, the blackness of the holographic chamber melted, and in its stead stood a lush garden, with flowers larger than people blossoming near a marble fountain. The fountain stood in a ring of green grass, in the center of a cobblestone walkway. The path led to a gate in one direction, and beyond the gate was a blooming metropolis. In the other direction was a large two story residence, with outer walls of white stone. Above, the bright sun warmed the countryside, and a few clouds passed slowly through the azure sky.

"Does any of this look familiar?" Andros asked, glancing at Astronema. The villainess shook her head, causing her brown locks to tumble over her shoulders.

"Never been here."

"Why?" Andros questioned, "You were part of Dark Spectre's forces for a few years before he launched his invasion of KO 35. Surely by then, you would have been skilled enough to best a good many of his warriors. Lucians are amazing fighters."

Astronema shrugged. "He didn't want me to come here. I did help with the invasion plans, but I wasn't part of the ground forces. So what?"

"So, maybe its more than that. Maybe there's more to your past than you know."

Astronema looked at Andros, and shook her head. "I don't know what you're trying to pull here, but it won't work! I won't betray Dark Spectre!"

"Maybe Dark Spectre betrayed you," Andros suggested calmly. Astronema glared at the Red Ranger furiously.

"You can't manipulate me, Red Ranger. Trust me, you don't know how its done."

Andros met Astronema's gaze without flinching or displaying anger. Astronema then turned away, and began walking through the garden.

"Let me outta here!" she yelled.

"Why does this scene bother you?"

"Maybe you're

the one bothering me!" Astronema snapped.

"Keep our deal in mind, Astronema," Andros said, "I told you before that I wanted answers. Once I have them, you're free to go. We'll teleport you back to Earth, so you can contact your fortress. You know Ecliptor didn't go far without you."

Astronema continued walking through the lush yard. Andros followed her. "What are you so afraid of?"

Astronema stopped dead in her tracks. "I fear nothing and no one."

"Then go over there," Andros said, pointing to the large mansion. Astronema looked at the building, and proceeded to walk in the other directon on the path. She passed Andros and the fountain, and continued into the open front door. Inside the room she entered, the walls were lined with portraits of all the former leaders of KO 35. At the end of the long hall was a new portrait, with the special place of being at the