A few weeks later, things were not going as well on the AstroMegaship. Ashley stared across the table at the moping Silver Ranger. He'd been holding that spoonful of cereal halfway between his mouth and his bowl for the last three minutes. This was really getting ridiculous. It was bad enough that the two most experienced Rangers on the team had decided to pick now to have the universe's coldest feud, but for Andros to have run off in the middle of the night? This had to stop. She put her fork down and tapped Zhane on the wrist. He was so startled by this action that he dropped his spoon into the bowlful of cereal with a huge splash. Throwing an irritated glance her way, he started mopping up the spilled milk, "Something I can do for you, Ashley? Or did you just have a sudden sadistic desire to see me wear my breakfast?"

The yellow Ranger scowled right back, "Zhane it's been almost a week since we dropped the Zeo Rangers off on KO-35. It's been a month since you and Andros had that fight. And, if I don't miss my guess, the situation between you two is getting worse, not better. Are you even trying to talk it out?"

A heavy sigh as Zhane paused in his wiping, "What do you think this whole fight has been about, Ashley?" Weary brown eyes raised to meet hers, "Andros doesn't talk about his problems. He just relies on me to do it for him. He always has. That's how we got into this situation to begin with. I can't keep doing it, Ashley. It isn't healthy for either of us. So, either he has to start figuring out a way to communicate with me without my help or our relationship won't survive." Zhane's normally warm expression glazed over with pain, cold and hard, "I can't keep going like this, Ashley. I wish I could, but I can't. We have to find another way and Andros doesn't do subtle. I tried. So, much as I don't like it and as inconvenient as I'm sure it is, throwing him in the proverbial deep end of the emotional pool was the only way I could see that I had a shot at fixing it." He paused, "Even if it kills both of us."

Fighting the urge to throw up her hands in exasperation, Ashley thought to herself, At this rate, it may kill all of us! However, she forced herself to remain calm as she answered Zhane, "Still... for him to take off in the middle of the night like this... Zhane, this isn't good for anyone. We need to stick together, not go running off on our own."

Zhane let out a bitter chuckle, "Well, then you're in for a rude awakening, my dear. Andros pulls these sorts of stunts on a regular basis. Even when things are going perfectly, he still takes off on these little solo jaunts from time to time. In fact, I'll go you one further -- in spite of coincidences to the contrary, I'm sure that this had nothing to do with me and probably had everything to do with Karone. He does not learn, Ashley."

Another voice piped up from the doorway, "Apparently he most emphatically does not. He really isn't rational where his sister is concerned, is he?"

Both turned to face the older Space Ranger as Aerin sat down at the table. Zhane shook his head, "No, ma'am, he certainly isn't. And I think that's the root of the problem."

She sighed as she started sprinkling salt and pepper on her eggs, "And to choose Onyx, of all places..."

Zhane shot up from his chair, eyes wild, "Wait a minute! He went where???"

Completely nonplussed, Aerin started in on her breakfast, "Onyx. Didn't DECA tell you?"

The Silver Ranger whipped eyes around to stare accusingly at DECA's "eye" in this room as he spat out, "No, she did not." He turned back to face the two female Rangers, and with as much control as he could muster said, "If you'll excuse me, ladies, it seems I have to go save my erstwhile boyfriend from his own stupidity." With that last biting comment, he stormed out of the room.

Ashley stared after him for a moment, then turned back to face the older woman with an accusatory stare, "You provoked him on purpose, didn't you?"

Aerin smiled as she took another bite of her eggs, "Sure did. He needed a swift kick in the ass."

The yellow ranger just gaped.

Aerin laughed, "Oh, the look on your face, child... It's just priceless." Putting down her fork, Aerin steepled her fingers in front of her, "The way I see it, Zhane is only mostly right. Andros does need to step up to the plate and learn how to communicate his feelings. But the part where he's wrong is that Andros is never going to learn to do it without a proper example. And the two of them have always been stronger together than apart. So..." she waved her hand in the direction of the glider bays.

The younger ranger just shook her head, "But isn't this just going to prompt them into another argument?"

A mischievous smile, "Indubitably. But at least then they'll be talking again."

Ashley shook her head in disbelief, "If this is how you treat your friends, Lady Aerin, I'd hate to be your enemy."

A beaming smile was her only response.

As much as he wanted to kick himself for not having figured this out sooner, Andros had to admit that it was fortunate that they'd been in this sector when he'd had this flash of insight. He'd taken out the security camera vid of Karone's kidnapping to watch it, yet again hoping to see something he'd missed, but he'd been unable to actually watch. Usually, he was forced to turn it off around the time that her screaming began because he couldn't stand to see her terrified face. This time, however, he'd let it run a little longer. That was when he'd heard it. The evil laughter of the one who'd taken her. Only now... now he knew that laugh. There was no mistaking it. And so, after following a dead trail for 17 years, he finally had the scent again. He would not lose it this time.

Hiding his Galaxy Glider in an alleyway, Andros pulled his brown cloak tight about his frame and pulled the cowl up high over his head. It would not do to be caught here -- Onyx was as dark a planet as could be found in this sector of the galaxy. It was a veritable den of pirates, smugglers, slave traders and evil-doers of every flavor and variety. He'd been here several times before, tracking down any and all leads that he could, though that was not a fact he shared with many people. The reality was, though... in many ways, he felt more at home here among the dregs of society than he did with "normal" people. It wasn't a thought he cared to examine too closely, but he'd always fit in far too easily here than he was comfortable with. And lately, with Zhane so distant, that side of himself was pushing to the fore more and more often. In the deepest, darkest depths of his mind, he could admit -- to himself, at least -- that it frightened him.

Pushing those thoughts to the back of his mind, Andros made his way to the most popular of the bars on Onyx, ironically enough, named "Onyx". He took in the cornucopia of patrons in the bar and the various different illegal activities they were all engaged in. He had hopes that at least one of them would be able to point him in Darkonda's direction.

Luck -- good or bad, even he couldn't have said -- seemed to be with him, however. He didn't need to find someone to lead him to Darkonda, for Darkonda was actually in the bar. Fate was just like that sometimes. And, as luck would have it, he'd just cozied up to a gambling table. Perfect. Before they could deal out the cards, Andros stepped up to the table. Dropping his voice down into the deep undertone that had always made those bigger and stronger than he back down, he said simply, "Wait."

Naturally, they questioned his interruption of their game, demanding to know who he was. He let the coldness of his gaze penetrate the darkness of his cowl, "Just a traveler." That was all these scum needed to know.

Darkonda's eyes met his with a gaze as cold as his own, "Aren't we all." Clearly the reptilian dark lord recognized something in Andros as kin of mind. He might not have looked like much, but Darkonda clearly recognized in him something to be wary of. They were the most dangerous beings in that bar. Recognizing that in each other, everyone else ceased to matter. It was a start. Darkonda motioned at the dealer, "Deal them."

With so much riding on this game of chance, Andros was tempted to use his telekinetic powers to cheat... but, no. He was too many steps down that slippery slope already. And besides... he was a more than fair card player. If he needed that kind of advantage against these scum, then he really had been slipping. He watched with interest as those around the table examined their cards, giving away far more with their "poker faces" than they could ever have imagined. If he was any judge, the two to his right had nothing worth writing home about in their hands. The one on his left, the one Darkonda had allowed to stay in the game because of his "Eltaran artifacts", had just enough of a hand to be cocky about it, but not enough to be a threat. As suspected, it came down to he and Darkonda. And Darkonda wanted those key cards. Andros eyed the reptile, trying to determine what he might be holding in his hands. His eyes were smiling, certain... but not certain enough.

Within the depths of his hood, Andros allowed his lips to stretch into a grin as he upped the ante, "5 crystals."

With everyone in, the cocky one with the key cards laid out his hand proudly, "3 zanabas." An impressive hand... just not impressive enough, if Andros' reading of Darkonda's expression had been anywhere near accurate.

And, sure enough, Darkonda's eyes shone as he laid out his own cards, "Ha! 5 Zanabatar." The other two players threw down their cards in disgust, leaving his the only hand to be revealed. And he did so with great relish, simply laying the cards out on the table and leaning back. Looks like he hadn't lost his touch, after all...

The cocky one stared in shock, "A Zenta??" All at the table, and many in the bar, also turned to stare. The highest hand in this style of poker, not many could ever claim to have drawn one. It wasn't his fault that the cards seemed to favor him whenever he played. Perhaps it was his link to the Power, perhaps the fact that he had righteousness on his side... perhaps he did cheat a little. Sometimes. Ironically enough, this hadn't been one of those times, so it was with great affront that he heard the key card holder's accusation of it. Especially as he did so at gunpoint. Well, what was a traveler to do?

Lashing out with one foot from his seated position, he threw the taller alien off balance, causing him to lose his grip on his weapon and accidentally toss it in the air. Andros calmly rose from his seated position to catch the firearm mid-air. He leveled it at its original owner, now on the ground, and said, coldly, "You're the one who cheated. And not even very well. You're lucky I'm in a good mood."

Lifting the key cards and the rest of the loot from the center of the table, Andros made his way to the bar. Darkonda would follow. Of that, he had no doubt. He now had something the other wanted. Unfortunately, knowing what he held in his hand, he also knew that he couldn't give them up. Even if he did so temporarily, he would have to get them back before leaving. Bother upon bother. Why could nothing be simple? He sighed.

Darkonda did not disappoint. He made his way over to join Andros at the bar, just about oozing goodwill, "A skilled card player and a daring fighter." The reptilian dark lord leaned up against him with a leer, "I like that combination." He forced himself to remain still as his mark ordered them both drinks. And then, his mind froze in its tracks. His... mark. Yes... that was why this felt so familiar. Would it not have broken his cover, Andros would have shuddered. He'd heard too many voices use that tone over too many years spent on the streets... if his nightmares weren't already full to quota with visions of Karone, he'd have had nightmares about that, too.

Jerking his thoughts wildly away from that topic, Andros focused back on what Darkonda was saying. Of course... what use could these key cards be to the traveler he was posing as being? What excuse could possibly be good enough? Naturally, only one. Turning to face the reptile, he answered simply that he needed them... to buy information. Information about anything of value on KO-35. And just as naturally, Darkonda took the bait. Passing the cards over, though every Ranger instinct in him rebelled against the action, Andros let his false smile seep into his voice, "Perhaps we can make a trade... Tell me what you know."

Andros turned back to his drink, feigning polite interest as Darkonda began to speak, though in truth, he was listening intently to every word. And with each passing word, he felt the rage inside him building.

"...did a job there. I kidnapped a little girl. I nabbed her while she and her brother were playing..."

Andros' fist clenched around the cup in his hands until he heard a sharp 'crack'. He rose from his seat and turned away from the monster beside him, repeating calming mantras to himself as that all-too-familiar laugh assailed his ears. He forced himself to remain calm as he coolly queried, "And whatever became of the girl?"

Though his heart sang as Darkonda waved off the question with a dismissive, "Oh, she's alive and well," mere moments later he was ready to scream. The other stopped just shy of telling him where his sister was! Instead, the reptilian narrowed his eyes in suspicion, "What did you say your name was?"

It was only then that he realized that as he had raised his clenched fist in frustration, his cloak had slipped back to reveal his Astromorpher. Damn and blast! Not now. Not when he was so bloody close! He ground his teeth in frustration as he tried to play it off, "I didn't."

Darkonda smirked as he began to move, "Well, then let me take a stab at it..." Pulling his sword with a fierce smirk, he advanced upon Andros, "...Red Ranger!"

Andros, having seen this coming and cursing himself for being three kinds of a fool, quickly lifted a weapon from another patron. Then the fight began in earnest. It was fast and furious and it ranged all over the bar. Darkonda taunted him with the fact that though he now had confirmation that he was the one who'd taken Andros' sister, the information would do him no good. Though his heart throbbed in pain with each driving tease, he forced his mind to remain on task. Though the one half of his mission had failed, he had picked up another objective. He needed those key cards. For, if he was correct, they were the key cards to activate the Mega Vehicles -- the zords that would combine to form the Mega Voyager. And another zord would be beyond useful right about now.

Ignoring Darkonda's continued jabs to the best of his ability, he allowed the reptilian in close enough to yank off Andros' cowl. Unbeknownst to Darkonda, that also allowed Andros close enough to him to put another old skill into practice. Flashing a maniacal grin at the monster, he couldn't resist flashing the lifted key cards in his face. Throwing his equally stolen sword at Darkonda's head, he leapt from the balcony and called his Galaxy Glider to him. Racing outside, he morphed as he leapt onto the Glider and beat it out of there as fast as he could.

Unfortunately for him, Darkonda and a squadron of Quantrons and Piranhatrons were equally as fast and backup was nowhere near close by. He managed to evade the vast majority of them... but not all. As the last batch attempted to get him surrounded, he ran right into the fire from the two that had managed to get to their Velocifighters. His Glider took a direct hit, forcing him to make an abrupt landing in a side alleyway. Crouching down to hide himself, he cursed under his breath, wondering -- not for the first time -- why he always had to do things on his own.

And so it was with shock, but no little pleasure, that he heard a sorely missed voice in his mind drop this sarcastic little gem... "You don't really want a response to that, do you?"

He turned his eyes skyward to see the Silver Cycle get behind one Velocifighter and blow it to pieces just in time for its fireball of an explosion to take out the second. Andros commanded the Glider back to the Megaship, knowing it couldn't support his weight in its present condition, then reached up to grab Zhane's lowered hand as he rode by. As they'd done a thousand times in the past, the Silver Ranger pulled him up to ride behind him on the Cycle and Andros wrapped his arms around the other Ranger's waist, tucking himself firmly against him without even thinking about it. Zhane then got them out of there as quickly as he could.

It wasn't until they were safely away from Onyx that the Silver Ranger slowed them down. Pausing a moment, he then swerved them off course. Unsure of Zhane's intentions, but unwilling to be the one to break the cold silence that filled the space between them, Andros let him take the lead. After all... it wasn't as though he had a choice. Zhane set them down on Kelturan, a forested world located halfway between Onyx and where the AstroMegaship was currently patrolling. Oh... this was not going to be good. He dismounted the Cycle and removed his helmet, waiting patiently for whatever lecture Zhane felt he needed to deliver.

Zhane stared at the recalcitrant figure that was the Red Lightstar Ranger. The man looked like a stubborn child getting ready to receive a lecture about tromping through the house in muddy boots. As though this latest stunt had been no more dangerous than playing in the rain. He took off his own helmet and placed it carefully on the Cycle's handlebars. Just thinking about it! If Aerin hadn't let slip where Andros had gone... if Zhane hadn't gone after him! He got off the Silver Cycle and slowly turned to face the other Ranger. He tried for calm... he really did. It just didn't happen.

Throwing himself at the younger Ranger with an incoherent cry, he slammed his fist directly into the other's face, then proceeded to do his best to beat Andros bloody. And really... he deserved it. After a few minutes, however, he became aware that Andros wasn't fighting back, was only deflecting the blows so they did minimal damage as he waited for Zhane to wear himself out. That was so much less satisfying than he'd intended that he stopped his attack and stood back, breathing heavily, eyes wild. Andros merely lifted an eyebrow, as though to say, "Are you done being insane, now?"

Finding no appropriate response to that look in his own vernacular, Zhane borrowed one of Cassie's favorite phrases, "What is your damage, Andros??"

Well, at least the Red Ranger was appropriately stunned by the language -- and confused, if his response was anything to go by, "Nothing, besides the bloody nose and split lip you just gave me. But, I don't think I understand why you ask the question, as you're the one who did the damage."

Zhane threw his hands up in disgust, "Damn it, Andros. Damn you." He turned back to face the other Ranger, "Have you completely lost your mind? What in the world possessed you to go to Onyx -- of all places! -- without backup?? Do you have a death-wish?"

Andros frowned as he turned his gaze away from the Silver Ranger's, "I was not in that severe danger, Zhane."

The Silver Ranger narrowed his eyes, "Oh, sure you weren't. And if I hadn't shown up to pull your tail out of the fire? I suppose you would have talked one of the Quantrons into letting you borrow a Velocifighter?"

Arms crossed over a red-clad chest as the tone of voice became defensive, "I'd have figured out something. I always do."

Far from being reassuring, that last nearly sent Zhane into another fit of screaming hysterics, "You always do???" He roared, "How often do you do this???"

Andros' eyes widened at that last scream. He hadn't quite meant to let that slip... He attempted to verbally backpedal, trying desperately to find some way to take that last statement back, "I didn't mean that I always go to Onyx! I meant that no matter how dire the situation looks, I always find a way out! I've had to, Zhane! I was without a partner for two years. I had no choice!"

Well, that did it. Zhane finally quieted, eyes widened in a horrified stare. Then he just... deflated. How could he respond to that? Andros was right. Even though he had had a partner before and a whole team since, Andros had spent two years fighting alone. That had to be a hard habit to unlearn, especially when going into dangerous situations. After all... if you only took yourself, you were the only one who could get hurt. All he could say was, "But Andros... you're not alone anymore. Even though... even though we're having personal problems right now, I'm still your teammate. If you didn't think you could trust the others... Andros, you should know by now that you can trust me." He looked up, mahogany brown eyes shaded with sadness, "Don't you?"

Andros nodded. Still shaken by the depth of the Silver Ranger's fury, he answered without thinking, "I do know that, Zhane. It's just... Of everyone on the team, I'm most afraid of seeing you get hurt."

Zhane caught his breath, "Andros... that may be the nicest thing you've said to me in a long time."

The Red Ranger stared, startled by that revelation. Maybe Zhane really had been right when they'd had that first fight. If that was the nicest thing that he'd said to Zhane in "a long time", then he really had been taking the other Ranger for granted. The silence yawned between them and Andros tried desperately to think of some response, tried to find some way to utilize what Kim had told him all those days ago at the Juice Bar, some way to at least let Zhane know that he wanted to try... but words were not his friends. They never had been and he couldn't quite do it.

Finally, Zhane broke the silence with a sigh, "All right. What's done is done, Andros. Just... promise me that you won't run off like this again. At least tell us where you're going so we can monitor the situation."

Well, that was easy enough, "I can do that."

The Silver Ranger picked up his helmet, fiddling with the buckles as though scared to ask the next question, "So... did you find out anything?"

Understanding, for once, where Zhane's uncertainty was coming from, Andros felt it like a knife to the chest. Because, he could hear the caring radiating through his voice. Zhane cared whether or not he found Karone. Zhane wanted him to find Karone. Zhane wanted to help. But he was afraid to even ask if he'd made any headway in the search because every time he even expressed a bit of that concern, he was coldly rebuffed. It was hard, seeing his lover in this new light. He wasn't sure he liked it. But still... Zhane had said he needed proof. Actions speak louder than words. And actions were something Andros could do. So, he did something he'd never done before. He let Zhane in. "Actually... I did."

Zhane's eyes jerked upward from where they'd been focused on his helmet. He looked like he'd just swallowed a fish. Andros actually found himself smiling a little, "I heard something on the recording this time. Something I'd never heard before." His voice became colder, "Darkonda's laugh."

The Silver Ranger's eyes widened further at the implications, "Darkonda took your sister?"

Andros nodded, "I know that for fact, now."

Leaning back against the Silver Cycle, Zhane let out a breath, "So that's why the sudden need to take off to a dark planet. You were looking for Darkonda." Andros nodded, though that last hadn't been a question. Zhane continued, "Did you find him?"

Another chilling smile, "Yes. I did. And he admitted to kidnapping Karone. He also admitted that she was alive and well."

Zhane jumped up from where he was sitting, a wide smile on his face. He took two steps towards Andros, arms outstretched as though to embrace him, but then he seemed to recollect the predicament they were now in. He aborted that move to awkwardly pat him on the shoulder instead, "Andros, that's wonderful news! So where is she?"

Andros growled and shook his head, "I don't know. He saw my Astromorpher before he let that particular detail go. All I got was that I would 'never believe where she is now.'"

Brown eyes filled with shared pain, "Oh Andros... To get that close..."

"I know." Andros looked away, "I know." He cleared his throat before the silence could get oppressive, "But... it wasn't a total loss." Holding up the key cards, he gave Zhane a small, real smile, "I did manage to win these in a hand of poker."

Zhane's jaw dropped, then stretched into a grin, "A hand of poker?" At Andros' smug look, Zhane broke up laughing, "Only you, Andros... Only you. Are those really the key cards to the Mega Voyager?"

A nod, "I believe they are. I'll have to have Alpha check them for authenticity, but the monster I won them off of said that he'd gotten them while fighting on Eltar... and they certainly look like the real deal."

A low whistle was Zhane's response, "Well... and what a coup that would be."

Feeling in tune with each other for the first time in weeks, they engaged in their special handshake. It might not be everything, but for the first time in a long time, Zhane found himself thinking that there was hope for them yet. He mounted the Silver Cycle and pulled his helmet back on, "All right, Andros. Let's go tell the others. Apparently, we have a 'Mega' voyage to make."

Astronema prowled the upper decks of the Dark Fortress, so far beyond angry that even Ecliptor was staying out of her way. As usual, she'd been held responsible for an event that was not her fault. Darkonda had lost the keycards to the Mega Vehicles -- and why he'd had them in the first place was beyond her -- to the Red Ranger. So now, the Power Rangers had a new zord. A powerful new zord. It was bad enough that they'd had the Astro Megazord and the Delta Megazord. Now they had the Mega Voyager, too! How many zords did a Ranger team need, anyway?

Well... in a backhanded way, she supposed it was a form of flattery. After all, if she wasn't such a difficult opponent to beat and if she didn't scare them, they wouldn't feel the need to face her with such impressive firepower. But that didn't make it any less frustrating! And that Dark Spectre had placed the blame for this on her shoulders... It was enough to make any self-respecting evil villain consider turning to a life of heroics.

Unfortunately, there was no help for it. Dark Spectre wanted the Rangers distracted -- defeated, if possible -- and it was her job to do it. Fortunately, she had a plan. Having no desire to try to take out three zords at once, it seemed more practical to her to try to take the Rangers down from the inside, instead. Striding purposefully back to her throne room, she put out the summons. It was time to call in the Body Switcher.

A/N:

Well, finally working our way towards a bit of resolution, huh? ^_^ Only 3 more parts to go! Bet you're all relieved...

Questions, comments, honeydew?

Coming Soon: The Lightstar Rangers take a short break to visit Earth for Ashley's birthday, but nothing ever goes as easily as planned.

O_O I'm too drained to do better than that without giving away spoilers. Sorry...