By: Quintin J. Scott
When the Rangers got back to the Command Center, Alpha was working frantically on the control boards. Billy went over to help him while the others rested slightly.
"We killed them," Kimberly whispered to herself before turning her attention to Tommy, who hung his head slightly.
"We didn’t have any choice, Kimberly," Sean said, eyes betraying his words. "We gave them the opportunity to teleport off, and they didn’t take it."
"It was either them or us," Rocky commented.
"Still doesn’t make it right," Adam returned.
"Guys, I have some…" Billy began before taking a breath and releasing it, heavily, "…rather disturbing news."
"What is it, Billy?" Tommy asked.
"Alpha was able to intercept the microwave transmission that the Hykranian ship sent."
"And?"
"Take a look for yourselves," and Billy pressed the Viewing Globe control.
"Observe the Viewing Globe," Zordon commanded.
The orb that served as their viewscreen to the outside world began to glow and shimmer. Suddenly, with a lot of static, a visibly hurt Commander Ruris appeared. In the background, the Rangers could make out small fires, hazy smoke filled the air. The room shook with the force of blasts that the Rangers had placed on their ship. From somewhere, Ruris’s voice began.
"My Master, if you are receiving this, I regret to inform you that we have failed in our mission to capture the human, Sean Morissette. Zordon has trained him and his fellow colleagues well. I offer no excuses for our failure. Failure means death.
"All I must say, my master, is that the invasion of Earth must commence!" Ruris stood up tall and saluted to the screen. "Victory!"
And the transmission ended.
"Invasion…" Sean whispered.
"Invasion!" Kim exclaimed.
Tommy walked over to stand directly in front of Zordon. "An invasion of Earth, Zordon? What will we do?"
"Yeah, if that AstroMegaZord of theirs was any indication of the power that they possess, we in deep trouble!" Aisha noted.
"I concur, Rangers," Zordon proclaimed, "but you have heard what Ruris has stated. His master, whomever that may be, will begin the invasion."
Sean stood up taller, eyes locked as he stared into some far distant place. He un-holstered the Hammer of Hykrania and squeezed it, sending the mental command to ignite.
"So we must stop them," Sean stated in an icy voice. "No matter the cost. Or the Earth is doomed!"