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

top of the door leading out of the hall. Astronema looked at that particular portrait for a longer while, and squinted at it.

"That is Arethusa Wiengart, Prime Minister of the entire planet," Andros said, walking behind her. He stopped at a safe distance from Astronema. "This is the mansion of the Prime Minister, and the scores of noble men and women who held that position are forever remembered in this Hall of Faces. Each Prime Minister is elected for life term, unless he is found unable to accomplish his task. Arethusa was the last Prime Minister to serve. The real mansion is still on KO 35, you know. Its a cold grave, dark and vacant."

"That's what the Kerolians get for standing in Dark Spectre's way," Astronema said nonchalantly, "They deserved it."

Andros stopped himself from responding to Astronema's brazen comment. He then past Astronema, and continued into the reception hall, located right after the Hall of Faces. He climbed the stairs, and soon found himself in the hallway that housed all the bedrooms. He stopped at the first bedroom to the left, and opened the door. He then turned to Astronema. "Go ahead."

Astronema stepped into the room, and surveyed her surroundings. It was obviously a young girl's room, with toys neatly placed on shelves, a stuffed toy atop the cream colored lace bedsheet, and yellow drapes. On the dresser was a photograph, of a middle aged couple and their two children. Astronema scoffed.

"So this is your little family," she smirked, "How sweet."

"Take a closer look at Arethusa," Andros asked, "Notice his medallion, on his neck."

Sure enough, there was a gold medallion, that shimmered with a magical light. Astronema's eyes narrowed.

"Big deal. This whole place is a big illusion. You can't convince me of anything."

"Maybe seeing truly is believing," Andros said, pulling two halves of the medallion from beneath his shirt. He held them before Astronema.

"This one is yours," he said, holding up the half he had taken from her earlier, "and this half has been mine for over ten years. Father gave each of us half of his trusted medallion, to remind us that we drew strength from one another."

To punctuate the statement, Andros held the two medallion halves together. "See the inscription? 'Two halves of a whole, a rope of two strands. Weak is the one, unless with the other he stands.' Karone was far more than just my sister. She was my best friend, my strongest ally. Mother and Father both told us that we would be unbeatable so long as we stood together. And I'm sure we would have been, if only she weren't kidnapped years ago."

"What does that have to do with me?" Astronema asked casually.

"Its simple. My sister had the other half of this medallion, and now, you are in possession of it. You have no recollection of a life before ten years ago, when my sister was taken from us ten years ago."

"Stop right there," Astronema barked, "Don't even suggest it."

"You can't deny the possibility," Andros said, handing Astronema the two halves of the medallion, "See? How could I make this up? This is your medallion, right?"

Astronema remained silent, her eyes nearly burning with anger. Finally, Astronema threw the two halves to the ground, and turned her back to Andros.

"Get me out of here," she said quietly, "I've seen enough."

"DECA," Andros called, "End program."
Chapter Fifteen

In a wash of light, Astronema and Andros materialized inside the brig. Without saying a single word, Astronema lay down on the cot in the corner of the small cell. She turned her back to Andros, as the energy bars emerged once again from the floor, separating her from freedom. She lay perfectly still, her face hidden from view. Andros watched her silently for a few moments, pondering on what his next move should be. Finally, he decided to leave her alone. He slowly left the brig, tightly grasping the two halves of the medallion in his hand. As soon as the door irised closed behind him, Andros noticed that the other Astro Rangers were standing there, waiting for him.

"What happened?" Cassie asked, "Where did you go?"

"I took Astronema to the Simudeck, to show her KO 35," he answered, "I was hoping the images would spark a forgotten memory."

"WHAT?!"

Ashley shrieked, "Are you nuts? Astronema's Dark Spectre's most powerful henchman, and you let her out of her cell?!"

"Calm down, Ashe," Carlos advised, "I'm sure Andros took every precaution." He then glanced at the Red Ranger. "Right?"

"Of course I did," Andros sighed, "DECA's security field was on maximum. There was no way for her to overpower me and make a getaway! Besides, there's nowhere for her to go. As long as she cooperates, I've given her my word that she'll be delivered safe and sound."

"Don't remind me," Ashley muttered. Andros frowned at the Yellow Ranger.

"Why are you doing this?" he demanded, "Why don't you accept that Astronema's story could be true? How can you be so sure she's lying to me? Do you have any indisputable evidence that confirms that she couldn't possibly be Karone?!"

Ashley bit her lower lip. "I..."

"I didn't think so," Andros said, turning away from her and walking down the hall, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some work to do on the bridge."

Ashley glared at Andros angrily, and then turned on her heel, walking into the brig. TJ, Cassie, and Carlos followed her inside.

"What're you doing, Ashley?" Carlos asked gently. Ashley paid the Black Ranger no heed, and stood right in front of Astronema's cell.

"What kind of fools do you take us for?" Ashley demanded, "Do you really think we're going to fall for this?!"

Ashley's frown deepened when Astronema didn't respond. She remained lying on her cot, her back toward the Yellow Ranger.

"Answer me!!" Ashley shouted, "Or else, the deal Andros made with you is shot! You can spend the rest of your life in that cell."

"Just leave me alone," Astronema said, her voice barely audible, "Please."

TJ's eyes widened when he heard how shaky and unsure Astronema's voice sounded. He stared at her more closely, and saw her shoulders quiver slightly.

"Ashe," TJ said, taking hold of her shoulder, "we should get going."

"Why?" Ashley asked, "She's not gonna weasel her way outta this."

"Later," TJ said, pulling the Yellow Ranger out of the brig. Ashley was shocked by TJ's action, but she didn't fight him. Carlos and Cassie followed, leaving Astronema and Alpha alone in the brig.

"Why did you do that?" Ashley asked once they were out of earshot, "Maybe we can break through her little charade with force!"

"Ashe, she was crying," TJ said, "Couldn't you tell?"

"Probably crocodile tears," Ashley muttered.

"Maybe," TJ conceeded, "but maybe not. If she isn't Karone, then she's one heck of an actress. But if she is Karone, no matter how unlikely that is, then she's been through a lot just now. Andros just took her on a tour of her destroyed home world! No matter what kind of spell she may be under, that's too powerful a stimulus to not evoke any reaction at all."

"So you think she's Karone too?" Ashley said in shock.

"Like I said, its possible. So why badger her now? If she's really lying, and those are false tears, then she really isn't in any weakened emotional state, and therefore it doesn't matter if we interrogate her now, or once she's calmed down a bit. Right?"

"Right," Ashley sighed, "You're right, of course. Sorry, Teej."

"Let's go join Andros on the bridge," Cassie suggested, "I'm actually pretty surprised Ecliptor hasn't done anything to try and save Astronema yet. We should keep our eyes peeled for the Dark Fortress."

"Good idea," Carlos affirmed, "Let's move."

"You guys go ahead," Ashley said, "I'm going back to the medical lab. I'm going over those test results one more time."

"Ashe, we've been over them a dozen times," Cassie said gently, "There's nothing to find there."

"There has to be," Ashley said quietly, "Andros asked for hard evidence, and I'm going to find it!"

Chapter Sixteen

Inside her cell, her brown eyes wet with false tears, Astronema remained with her back towards the energy bars, her eyes on the back wall. She breathed heavily, and sniffled quietly.

"Um, Astronema?" came the timid voice of Alpha.

"Just leave me alone," Astronema muttered.

"Sure thing," he replied, "I just wanted to give you this."

Alpha reached into the brig, and lay down a cotton handkerchief. Astronema turned around, and realizing what the robot left, rose to her feet to accept the token. She then took her seat again, without saying thanks. As she dried the false tears from her cheeks, a small grin crossed her face.

It's working splendidly. Not only do I have the Red Ranger fooled, I even have the rest of the team unsure. Its only that blasted Yellow Ranger who hasn't bought my story, and its her constant meddling that's stopping them all from completely believing me. Still, now is the time to act.

*Ecliptor! Darkonda! Can you hear me?*

Chapter Seventeen

Aboard the cloaked Dark Fortress, Ecliptor and Darkonda heard the echoing sound of Astronema's telepathic voice.

"We hear every