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"I'll try to stay as brief as possible," Carlos began. "I hope I'm not telling you things that you already know. When Cass and I woke up we were tied up and bitten by that snake thing and changed into monsters ourselves. Cassie is Vypra! I don't know who the other monsters are but I suspect they are also former rangers. I'm pretty sure Loki is. He was already there when we were changed."

Carlos paused waiting to see the reactions of the others. "I don't know what happened to our morphers," Carlos continued. He sensed that by the number of people in the room that if the Space Rangers still existed that he had been replaced. Noting that there were well more than 5 or 6 rangers present Carlos wondered if there were not multiple teams.

"I think I remember where Slythra's base is," Carlos said. "It's almost under our noses here on Earth! It's not walking distance but not far from us either in the outskirts of a city somewhere here in California."

Carlos paused and turned to his former teammates waiting for their updates on things. He could tell the situation was grim, perhaps as bad as their final battle when Zordon sacrificed himself if not maybe even worse.

The grim news behind the identities of Slythra’s forces had not come much of a surprise, but rather proved few theories that their missing friends had indeed been turn into creatures much like Carlos. What not been quite anticipated that the enemy base was located directly on Earth. Absorbing this information in Ashley felt as the air within the room suddenly became very dense. “Even if you knew what happen to your morpher…it would not stand up for what we’re dealing with…” Ashley spoke up, moving across the room. It was best to start at the beginning prior to their separation, from being teleported by an old friend of Zordon’s known as Ninjor, their new teammates (now missing as well), and the lost galaxy powers. The blonde-hair woman then continued how they tried to make contact with Zhane and Karone, which lead them to meeting another brilliant mind, Cam.

“…When you take a moment to think about it….Quite a great ordeal to take in.”

Andros probably had a bigger smile on then any of the other former space rangers as Carlos joined the room as he had not seen him since his recovery. It was such a relief to have an old friend and teammate back in the game with them. Things were finally starting to fall into place for all these ranger teams he thought.

He listened as Carlos explained the situation and confirmed the theory that he had had since he saw Carlos turn back from that monster state. If it had happened to Carlos of course it stood to reason that they’d have done the same to Cassie. Andros was horrified for a moment by the idea that that same nightmare could be happening to Karone. He did not if he could take seeing his poor sister turned into a monster and having to fight her all over again. Andros stopped himself from thinking to strongly about that idea as he listened to the continuing conversation.

"I think I remember where Slythra's base is, It's almost under our noses here on Earth! It's not walking distance but not far from us either in the outskirts of a city somewhere here in California."

Andros looked over at the maps on the screens showing their targeted locations. The marker for this city Reefside looked like it might fit Carlos’s description of Slythra’s base. If he was right then perhaps they’d need to rethink their strategy.

“Even if you knew what happen to your morpher…it would not stand up for what we’re dealing with…”

Andros didn’t say anything but he was a bit insulted by Ashley’s assessment of their lost powers. Sure they had been beaten by that mysteries figure who now that he thought about it they still had not heard or seen since that battle. But they were out of practice and unprepared. Andros probably took it more personally then he should but he’s worked on those powers for years. They were a trusted tool and to him it did not seem right to write them off before an upgrade was even attempted. Andros did not say anything though and allowed Ashley to quickly sum up for Carlos the current situation.

“…When you take a moment to think about it….Quite a great ordeal to take in.”

“That’s for sure, and if we could we’d let you have the time to soak it all in but as it stands we need to get to action and we could sure use your help if you’re ready Carlos?” Andros asked wanting to know if Carlos was up for joining them as quickly as possible so that they could get to action.

------------------------------------------------------

Adam like the others greeted Carlos warmly when he entered the room. He was glad to see his worry over the injuries he himself had inflicted on his younger friend. While Carlos spoke with his friends Adam’s attention was focused on them and anything the others were also saying.

“Tommy, if it is all the same with you and Kira, I would like to at least check on Tyler before we depart. It would not feel right making sure at least.”

Tanya’s question caught Adam’s attention immediately. He saw no reason Tommy would go against the idea. Secretly Adam was a bit ashamed that he had not thought of it himself, this time or before any of the previous fights. And as if to make up for that mistake Adam quickly spoke up to back up his in the simple request to their fearless leader.
“I don’t see why that be a problem if she goes right now and moves quick she should be back in time for you guys to go.” And if Tommy simply okayed her right now she could be to Tyler and back before they had to leave. He would have liked to go check on their son himself as well but having at least one of them still there seemed to be the professional courtesy to Tommy and the other rangers.

"I think I remember where Slythra's base is, It's almost under our noses here on Earth! It's not walking distance but not far from us either in the outskirts of a city somewhere here in California."
This caught Adam’s attention. Looking towards the computer displays Adam caught Andros looking in the same direction and caught on to what the other ranger may have been thinking. But Adam decided to speak up to Tommy about it himself.

“Tommy, if that’s true then Reefside looks like it maybe the possible location of Slythra’s base. Maybe we should rethink our teams before we go and focus more of our force there.”
Adam suggested to Tommy. Looking at the scenes on display of all the locations they needed to hit made it clear that they had a lot of work ahead of them, a lot of work that they needed to get started on. “Whatever you decide we will follow Tommy but I think we need to get our plan agreed on now so we can get to action.”

Standing there drawn towards Carlos’s pending decision as well, Ashley could not help sense that her commentary insulted Andros. It was very hard not too. With all consideration that they were out of practice for quite some time and unprepared, Ashley response had made their former powers insignificant and unreliable. Inwardly the blonde-hair woman was cursing herself for being so nearsighted at the selection of her words. The Astro morphers were very important to them all, more so knowing that Andros himself had been responsible. How she wanted they had the chance to upgrade them and use them once more. “We’re glad to have you back Carlos….” giving him a hug, before returning to Andros’s side.

“Andros….I…I need to speak to you in private. There’s something that I need to tell you…rather a few things.” Looking at him apologetically. Ashley reached out touching his hand gently, hoping to make amends amongst few other things.

Andros looked at Ashley more than a bit surprised. The timing was rather odd to request a moment to talk. After all they were trying to prepare to go investigate these locations possible even jumping into battle or a likely trap. Which meant for her to want to take the time to talk like this it must have been important to her.

Judging from the infliction of her voice and that look in Ashley’s eyes it must have been something important to her that she wanted to discuss. Though Andros could not venture any guess to what it was. Had he done something wrong? Had she done something wrong? Was this a ranger matter or was this something more personal between them.
Now that he thought about it since this whole mess began the two of them had barely had a moment to themselves. With all this chaos and none stop battles it was no wonder. Even now they were in the middle of a strategy session and about to leave on separate missions. Still how did the old saying go, when something is important you make the time?

Looking around it seemed discussion was still going on before the others were ready to leave. Enough time at least to let Ashley say whatever seemed to be weighing on her mind at the moment.
“Ok” Andros conceited to her and pointed over to a corner of the room that was currently unoccupied and unwatched. It was not total privacy but it would give them a chance to talk alone and still be accessible to the others if need be.
Walking over to the corner with her he glanced around to make sure they were as alone there as it seemed. Once it was confirmed Andros gave Ashley his full undivided attention. “What is Ashley is everything all right?”

Following the direction Andros’s had pointed out for them to speak in private, Ashley gave a silent nod finding that corner of the room suitable and within range if they were needed. As they walked over toward the corner Ashley’s eyes adverted from the others still conversing to Andros’s backside. When they were alone or at least out of earshot from the others, Ashley inhaled and exhaled slowly. In truth, this was not the best moment when they were within moments departing. Thinking back neither were previous moments prior to the present, so now would have to be.

“Both yes….and no” Ashley replied honestly, “I can tell just minutes ago that you felt insulted from what I had said about our morphers. You’re right and I am truly sorry for insulting you personally. If we had the given time to upgrade the Astro Morphers then we would have a fighting chance as we do now. I should have been clearer towards our current predicament instead of saying what I had said. And no, I know you did not say that directly or any signs of you showing it…” raising her hand in objection, “What I do know it was something that you were feeling.”

Hearing that coming form her own mouth, Ashley wouldn’t blame him for thinking that there was something wrong with her. “The Galaxy powers…” she continued. “The Galaxy powers are more alive as Ninjor had said. Though I wished that he was around right now to explain what’s going on. Not too shortly after pulling the quasar sabers from the stone had noticed a small change. At first I had taken it not to be serious, but more I could feel others emotions….even their pain. I was not sure if it was all in my head…or if I was indeed empathized those that I’ve come in contact with.” glancing over her shoulder to look at TJ, “I am not the only one to feel this too, TJ as well. I can only assume that being from earth the galaxy powers reacts differently. At first I started to believe that I was losing my mind until speaking with TJ”, moving closer “As of now…I…manage to tune out as much possible. This was how…I was able to know that I had offended you.” smiling relieved to have lifted that off her chest, Ashley rested her forehead against his. “I love too much to do that.”

**************

Tanya smiled softly having her husband convened the request would not delay them only by a few minutes if it was okay. There was no reason why it could not be approved and relieved her knowing Tyler was reassured of their return. Reading her better half perfectly, Tanya would give their son another tightening hug and kiss for him as well. With the new information provided by Carlos, Tanya pondered that question herself looking at the visuals overhead.

Zhane spotted Ms. Fairweather moving down the hall toward the room where the rangers were gathered with her clipboard in her hand. She was completely consumed by whatever she was reading.

***

"You bet I am! Just as soon as I get my powers back I'm ready to Rock it," Carlos said standing ready.

Just then Ashley interjected.

Andros just watched and listened to Ashley say what she had to say. Her apology was not necessary but he appreciated it all the same. She was being honest and forth right about it which is something Andros always liked about her.
But the thing that caught his attention the most as she spoke was how in the world she knew what he had been thinking and feeling. Especially when she admitted that he had shown any signs or vocalizations of them. Did she really know him so well that she could read him that thoroughly? Or was there something else to it? To find out he stayed silent and allowed her to continue.

He heard it but he could not believe it or understand it. How was possible for his friends to experience such a power when there had been no change for him at all. He was sure that he had felt no greater connection to the others thoughts or emotions or anything of the kind since he took the Galaxy Ranger powers. Was it because his body was so different from the Earthlings? Was his desire to make the Space Ranger powers work again just a fondness for the familiar or was he really not fitting with the new powers? Were these powers really even meant for him? He tried not to think too much on it so she would not sense that and worry about him more. Still Andros had to wonder.

Andros smiled at Ashley before leaning over and kissing her lightly.
“Thanks Ashley but you should know I love you too much to be offended by you.” He reassured her before giving her another quick kiss along with a good hug. “I’m glad you told me about this though, I had no idea you two were having this ability. I’m not really sure what it means that I have not felt anything like that. Like you said I wish Ninjor was around even if he wasn’t very forth coming with information to us he might have told us something. Maybe when we get the others back and we have some time we can find a way to investigate these powers, find out what they are and what they can do.”

With any luck that could be soon as the end of the day. If these two locations turned out to be right leads to find their friends and help put some stop to these evil aliens’ plans. Then they might have the time to examine both the galaxy and space powers. That would be a very pleasant change of pace. But that would have to wait. Andros let out a small content sigh before letting Ashley go from his hug.
“In the mean time you and TJ use that new ability the best you can. I’m sure it will come in handy. You can keep track on those of us losing a bit of focus on our friends and what’s truly important.” Andros instructed with a light laugh giving his girlfriend a pat on her shoulder before turning his attention back over towards the others.

Having finally freed at last from the guilt brought along keeping this from him. Ashley had not intended to keep it from him, but it was something she had wanted to figure out on her own. An assumption that should never had been made in the first place. What added to the feeling as the heavy veil was lifted that Andros had taken it very well and had forgiven her. Though what came to more of a surprise and yet very welcoming had been the kisses and shared confessions. Their first kiss.

“It’s funny that I had been thinking the same thing too. Long as we do not rely on it too much. For it could be quite useful and yet might hinder us. We’ll have to be very careful when that times comes.” resting her hand on top of his, joining the direction of his gaze. Rather the teams go together or are divided, Ashley knew that they were ready. Ready to bring their friends back and ready to put and end. Wait you guys, we’re coming to bring you home. Ashley thought leaning against her boyfriend. "It's great to hear that Carlos, for we need all the help and missed you"

Zhane saw Miss Fairweather and smiled slightly.
"Miss Fairweather!" he exclaimed, but then noticed how absorbed she was into her work. He then decided on the spot that there was no time to wait for her, grabbing the clipboard and lowering her arms down gently to grab her attention.
"Miss Fairweather, hi. Sorry to interrupt, but we need to talk. Fast."

----------------------------

TJ absorbed all that was being said, as usual, in his own time. He looked over at Ashley and Andros having their discussion. He saw Ashley glance at him. They must be talking about the freaky-deaky powers thing, he assumed.

TJ was suddenly confused. Did Carlos not fully understand what Ashley said?

"Uh... Carlos," he said. "At the moment, your powers are gone. Our morphers have been destroyed and we've had no luck so far fixing them, or at least, we haven't had the chance to truly try."