Power Rangers In Space - Heather Ray (free ereaders .txt) 📗

class="center">But if you want me
I'll be around, forever...
Forever, yeah , yeah

"Well," said the Phantom Ra... uh, I mean Astrid

, Mr. Divine Strength

, as he pulled his hand from my firm grasp, "I must make my introductions to the other Astro Rangers now. I don't mean to hurry, but..."

"It's okay," I say, my plastic smile remaining a mask of my churning feelings, "I understand."

I feel Cassie's eyes on me, and I turn my gaze to meet hers. She looks at me with such confusion! I wish I could just blurt out all that I'm feeling!

"Uh," she says, pulling her eyes from me to turn to Astrid, "why don't you go ahead to the bridge. I'll be right behind you."

Astrid smiles, and salutes us as he went on his way. Cassie then turns back to me, shaking her head slightly.

"You're awfully cold today," she comments.

My eyes went wide. What does she want from me?! "What makes you say that?"

Her eyebrow arches. "Oh, c'mon, Teej... you're not fooling anyone! That smile's as fake as Mr. Caplan's toupee!"

My lips purse, as my eyes scan the room, looking everywhere except

at Cassie. How am I supposed to respond to her?

Should I tell her the truth? Could

I?

Well, it's either now, or never. I chose the former.

"I... can't say I'm... happy Phantom came back," I whisper. I suddenly feel the shame of bearing so much bitterness toward the Phantom Ranger. After all he's done for the team, all I can feel toward him is... jealousy.

I thought I was more mature than that.

"Why?" she asks, completely innocent of the mental torture I'm enduring.

"Because..." I croak, closing my eyes and bracing myself, "Idon'twannaloseyounow!"

Cassie frowns at the Word Soup I spewed at her. "Uh... a little slower this time?"

I swallow hard, and force my eyes open to look directly into hers. "I don't wanna lose you now," I repeat, in clear English this time, "Especially not to some Space-Cowboy Casanova from Eltar."

Epilogue

Don't wanna lose you, lose you now
We're gonna get through somehow
Don't wanna lose you now
Don't wanna lose you
Don't wanna lose you

I was expecting her to be completely shocked by what I had said. I was expecting her to be tongue-tied, and maybe even to apologize for not noticing my feelings earlier, or just out of pity for my broken heart.

I wasn't expecting her to laugh

.

But that's what I get.

"Teej," she says gently, grabbing my upper arm as she fights off laughter, "don't worry. I'm not going anywhere with that... Space-Cowboy, as you put it."

I blink in confusion. She sees my distress, and smiles warmly at me.

For the first time ever, I think I see something a bit more than friendship in her smile... in those eyes.

Just a little bit more than friendship...

"Astrid is going back to Eltar," she explains, pulling me toward the lift so we can join the other Rangers on the bridge, "He just wanted to say good-bye to us all. Remember, Eltar is millions of light-years from here. He needs to catch that wormhole before it closes."

"So, he's not staying with... us?" I whisper, incredulously.

"You mean with me," she observes. A guilty grin tugs at my dry lips. "No, he's not staying. He's got lots of responsibilities at home... including a betrothed."

If a truck had suddenly materialized in the hall, and had run me over, I wouldn't have been so shocked. "Betrothed?" I breathe, "As in... a fiance?"

Cassie nods. "You got it. He's going home to his loved ones, and I'm going home to mine. It's better this way."

I may be dumfounded, but I still can detect the sense of loss in her silver-bell voice. "I... I'm sorry it didn't work out."

Okay... I'm lying to her. Sue me.

Cassie shrugs. "Don't be. Actually, I wasn't as upset about it as I thought I'd be. I guess I wasn't really as interested in him as I thought. I was... curious. I wanted so much to know more about him... what he was like, where he was from, and what he was fighting for. Once I found out all that I wanted to know... the attraction just died."

She's leaning against my body, so closely that I'm sure she felt the sigh of relief that escaped my lungs. She giggles slightly, snuggling closer into my arm.

"Don't worry, Teej," she whispers to me, "You're not losing me anytime soon. And I'm not going to lose you, either."

I wanted to ask her exactly what she meant by that... but I realized that I didn't need to.

She told me all I really needed to know.

Don't wanna lose you
Don't wanna lose you now...

Character Thesaurus

Space Rangers

The four remaining powerless Turbo Rangers travelled to outer space to prevent Dark Specter from draining Zordon's powers. On their way to Eltare, they met Andros, a Red Ranger from a distant space colony, who took them in as his crew and gave them powers as Space Rangers.

The Rangers travelled in the Astro Megaship, which had living quarters, a training area, jump tubes, a synthetron, and was armed with megalasers. The Megaship was destroyed in battle against Trakeena in Power Rangers Lost Galaxy

.

Andros - Red Space Ranger

Full Name:

Unrevealed
Ranger Designation:

Red Space Ranger
Weapons:

Spiral Saber, Astro Blaster
Gear:

Astro Morpher, Red Battlizer Armor, Red Galaxy Glider
Zords:

Astro Megazord, Delta Megazord, Mega V1

Andros is the stubborn, brooding leader of the Rangers. Upon meeting them, he was unwilling to accept their help, but after a little convincing he let them join him on the Megaship as Power Rangers. Andros is from the planet KO-35, a human colonization which was evacuated. He is serious and decisive, and did not rest until he found his long lost sister Karone, who was revealed to be Astronema. He appealed to the good in her, and successfully brought her over to the side of good. His weapon is the Spiral Sabre, and he piloted Mega V1, the robot. Using the Battlizer, he could control the Delta Megazord, and summon armor and a wings.

After years of inactivity, Andros returned as the Red Space Ranger to help the Galaxy Rangers fight the Psycho Rangers.

Andros was once again called into action to help the legendary Ranger Tommy gather intelligence on the Machine Empire's plans to unearth Serpentera and destroy Earth. Using his new space ship, the Astro Megaship mark 2, he teamed up with 9 other Red Rangers and traveled to the moon to stop the Machine Empire.

TJ - Blue Space Ranger

Full Name:

Theodore J. Jarvis Johnson
Ranger Designation:

Blue Space Ranger
Weapons:

Astro Axe, Astro Blaster
Gear:

Astro Morpher, Blue Galaxy Glider
Zords:

Mega V3

T.J. is the courageous and fearless second in command. After the Turbo Rangers lost their powers, he successfully led the team into space, where they found Andros and the Megaship. While fighting Darkonda, TJ took a serious blow to head, and lost his memory. By remembering his friends and what they meant to him, he was able to regain his memory just in time to help Andros and save his captive friends. His weapon is the Astro Axe, and he pilots Mega V3, the missile.

After years of inactivity, TJ returned as the Blue Space Ranger to help the Galaxy Rangers fight the Psycho Rangers.

When Machine Empire forces unearthed Serpentera to destroy Earth, TJ regained his Turbo powers to team up with 9 other Red Rangers and travel to the moon to stop them.

Carlos - Black Space Ranger

Full Name:

Carlos Vallerte
Ranger Designation:

Black Space Ranger
Weapons:

Lunar Lance, Astro Blaster
Gear:

Astro Morpher, Blue Galaxy Glider
Zords:

Mega V2

Carlos is a good natured and friendly person, and has a strong sense of loyalty and compassion. He has taken a shine to fiddling with the technology on the Megaship, and takes full advantage of his resources. During a battle with a monster who could instantaneously switch places with anyone in contact, Carlos accidentally attacked and injured Cassie, which led to him resigning as a Ranger. With Adam's help, he regained his confidence and overcame his fears, returning to the team. His weapon was the Lunar Lance, and he piloted Mega V2, the shuttle. After years of inactivity, Carlos returned as the Black Space Ranger to help the Galaxy Rangers fight the Psycho Rangers.

Ashley - Yellow Space Ranger

Full Name:

Ashley Hammond
Ranger Designation:

Yellow Space Ranger
Weapons:

Star Slinger, Astro Blaster
Gear:

Astro Morpher, Yellow Galaxy Glider
Zords:

Mega V4

Ashley provides the team with a shoulder to lean on. She is very sweet and caring, and comforts those who need it. Her bright and cheery personality, coupled with her slightly ditzy nature bring a smile to anyone's face. When her grandmother came by for a visit, she was so eager to see Ashley