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Disclaimer: The basic concept belongs to whoever Disney assigned it to but the characters belong to us. Like our previous fic series Viva La Resistance this series requires a lot of work due to differences in Time Zone and Hemispheres. First off Robert would like to thank Gamine for her help in getting over a major hurdle during the early planning stages of this series. Gamine this fic is in Robert's opinion Dedicated to you. Mistri and the Nine couldn't agree more.
Note from Mistri: For those who have read VLR, these new powers are in no way related to the Equinox Powers. Also, the BBC production show Red Dwarf is known to me, but I'm unsure about Gamine and Robert.
The cosmos can be a lonely place. Here in the Androsian Cluster is a small array of stars on the far side of Andromeda from a galaxy referred to as the Milky Way. One planet in particular is this one Unaka (pronounced You-knock-ah) the fifth planet in a system of planets orbiting the star Dimitrius. Unaka itself is an interesting planet 160 countries which are at peace with each other. And a lot of usable land even the fifteen percent of the land that is covered with mountains is usable for agriculture. About the only areas that aren't real usable are the desert regions which covers thirty-five percent of the land and the 3 percent that is covered year round with snow. Of course those areas aren't completely uninhabited since one being is crazy enough to live in the cold snowy areas of the ice caps at the poles. Also one being is also dumb enough to occupy the deserts of one country.
~*~
One day in the year 4124 in a very hard to spot building in the frozen northern regions of Unaka, a small robot whose body resembled a somewhat squat ball and possessed two arms that stuck out a ways from his body holding a tray noticed a problem emerging.
"Articula, it seems as if he is very close to awakening?"
"If you are correct E-Berg and the long feared Nameless One is about to awaken then it will be nice to see if the Prophecy of the Ten will be fulfilled. Now how did the prophecy read again?"
When the one without a name but a powerful army awakens
A power will also awaken within ten mortals
Who are the descendents of powerful believers in the light
and in truth and justice. These Ten will be empowered with
the powers of the very cosmos itself
White Giant, Green Nova, Black Hole, Pink Comet, Blue Planet,
Yellow Sun, Red Dwarf, Gold Galaxy, Silver Star, Purple Nebula.
~*~
Meanwhile in the Capital City of Unaka the school day was about to end for the day. To add to it that day May 19, 4124 was the last day of school for the year. In the hallway of the school a blond haired girl in her mid teens was cleaning out her locker before heading off for some fun. Just as she was grabbing a small belt off the hook in her locker so she could put it on a dark haired boy spun her around.
"Dek, I'm busy right now. I have to get this done if I'm going to have time to go over to the Hover park and try out some new tricks on my disc," the girl complained. "You know it gets dark early this time of year."
"It's not even 1300 yet Xel," Dek pointed out.
"I know but my locker is a disaster area. You know it's been hard for me since Ger died in that accident. My parents have suddenly gotten extremely protective of Sala and I. Considering how Sala is only nine I can see that but face it I'm 16 for crying out loud. I should be able to do as I wish. Hello what's this?" she said as she held up a sandwich that looked like it had been there for a long time.
"I don't know Xel but I don't think I'd want to eat it. It looks like something that science whiz from Tiarea you read about her Sitarna Lynch would want to analyze."
"Thatçs assuming the postal system didn't refuse it due to it's odor. I think I'll toss it."
An hour later the girl was done.
"Dek, ready to go?" she inquired.
"I'll meet you there I left my Hover Disc at home."
"I'm going home first as it is so I can drop off the stuff I kept from my locker."
The girl Xelia Silvino then threw her bag over her shoulders and activated a small control on her belt quickly porting to her home.
"Xelia, that you?" her mother inquired.
"Yeah it is mom. I'm just dropping off my school stuff. You know where I'll be."
"Not right away you won't be. You have an appointment with Dr. Hialby in half an hour."
"Mom, Dek will be waiting for me. With my luck he's already there."
"He'll just have to wait."
Xelia was a little miffed right then that her parents wouldn't let her get a wrist phone. She did the best thing she could though she ported to the park and saw Deck putting his skeletal pad on.
"Dek, when I got home my mom reminded me of a stupid doctor's appointment. If you want to go on without me go ahead. I'll try and sneak here after my appointment."
"Talk about bummer Xel."
Xelia then ported to the building where her appointment was scheduled for and took a seat in the waiting room. Ten minutes later the nurse had apparently received a call.
"Dr. Hialby's office?"
There was then a pause.
"Not to worry Mrs. Silvino she is already here."
Shortly after that Xelia went into the examining room. When she got out there her mother was waiting.
"What did you do port here?" Her mother asked a little loud as if she wasn't impressed.
"Yeah I did. I couldn't just keep Dek wondering?"
"Xelia, sometimes I wonder what you two see in each other. Did the doctor have much to say?"
"Not really he just did his usual poking and probing. He was concerned with a couple hormone levels but they weren't grossly high."
"Xelia, as you know your father and I aren't real keen on you doing all those tricks with the hover discs even with your promise to wear pads when you do it but I'll drop you off. Your stuff is in the trunk."
"Thanks Mom," Xelia said.
Soon after that the Xelia's mom landed the car long enough for her to jump out and grab her disc and gear from the trunk.
"Be home by dark Xelia," she called out before returning to the air. Dek landed quickly.
"How did it go?"
"It went OK Dek. Let me just suit up."
"Why didn't you put your pads on in the car?"
"My mom had put them in the trunk so I couldn't."
Soon after that Xelia was working on her usual tricks. She then went into a series of very complicated tricks. At one point she was trying to balance herself using her lower legs as she hung off of the board. It was a challenge to steer it over to Dek and maintain height so that her lips were level with his lips. Right then a car came zooming along past them.
"Hey you crazy kids watch where your going?" The driver yelled towards them.
"Excuse me mister but I believe you were the one who drove your car through an area set aside for hover discs," Xelia glared at him.
"I'm clearly in an area set aside for cars."
"Maybe right now you are but when you almost ran into us you had crossed into a disc area," Xelia insisted.
Right then a policeman on a hover bike flew over.
"Problem people?"
"Yeah, these kids were doing their stunts in a driving area?" The errant driver insisted.
"Sir, I saw the whole thing since my patrol area includes this area and these kids were within the boundaries for discs. I did kind of notice you though driving a little erratically. I'm willing to let you off with a warning though."
Xelia then went back to work on her trick when something seemed to distract her.
Power of the Purple Nebula, Power of the Purple Nebula. Power of the Purple Nebula. almost screamed in her head. At the same time a sort of purple suit seemed to flash over her for a couple seconds. Xelia didn't even notice the coordinates change on her portbelt. She then landed.
"Whoa something wrong Xel?" Dek wondered as he landed.
"All of a sudden I have a bit of a headache. Maybe I should have skipped that one trick."
"What were you trying to do?" Dek wondered.
"Kiss you while hovering upside down."
"You know who I'd really like to meet sometime?"
"No who?"
"That Tiarean science whiz I had tried to get you to send that thing from your locker to. I bet it would be cool to meet her."
"It probably would but there is no chance in that happening. We are out of her league Dek. I bet what ever university she is going to has already accepted her. Dek, I'm going to port home," Xelia told him as she grabbed her disc and hit the reprogrammed port button. Which sent her signal not the three miles to her house but a lot farther away to a structure in the frozen arctic regions.
~*~
Landre Basto.
He looked out the window. Why in God's good name, may He always be praised, did he have to be home-schooled? Sure, he only had to work half the day to do all he needed to do, but he missed his friends. So Landre contemplated his life, and waited for Sita to call.
Of course, she probably made another breakthrough. She's making one a week! He grinned, remembering the first breakthrough . . .
Sita, Radha and he had been four, and they had put together a working Alpha series robot, according to the instructions. Unfortunately, all he could say, (as he was programmed to do) was 'Aiyiyiyiyai!' Sit had spent three minutes listening, and getting that really bored look that he had fallen in love with (and still loved, and she still used it) and finally proceeded to rewire the workings. From then on, they had had a working Alpha series robot, exactly like Alpha 5 of the first Terran Ranger Era. Unfortunately, when they were eleven, Alpha had died. Radha had insisted on a burial, and forced them to attend a funeral and burial.
He was sitting in heavy traffic when he heard the voice.
Power of the Green Nova, Power of the Green Nova, Power of the Green Nova. A green suit flashed over him. Landre felt dizzy, and quickly pulled over to the side. He parked and hit his port belt accidentally. His car disappeared.
Or more accurately, I ported out. . . was his last coherent thought before thinking AAAAHHH!!
~*~
Kylara Kalina.
An almost perfect fling was heard as a young girl at a school in New Ecuador Hispania was letting an arrow fly. A thump was heard after the arrow hit the 8 ring.
"Not my best shot," the black haired archer said.
"Still you did good Kylara. Even an expert like you can't always hit the 10 ring," her companion said.
"I know Shodi but I almost never miss even the nine ring."
"Kylara, if I had even half your skill I'd be satisfied just to get the six ring," Shodi commented.
"Shodi, you'd be satisfied just to hit the target. After all I've noticed how you tend to spend more time in the grass behind the target trying to find your arrows then most archers even amateurs like me."
"As it is Kylara could turn pro easily. How many trophies are in your bedroom?" Another girl wondered as Kylara set her bow on the ground quiver she was using and went to sit down. Shodi followed her.
"Something wrong Kylara?"
"I've been suffering from headaches all day. Why I don't know. I almost told coach I couldn't compete today because of them."
"Kylara, that's stupid. I've seen you in a lot worse shape and you compete without any difficulty. Youçre the only reason our school made it this far."
Power of the Pink Comet, Power of the Pink Comet Power of the Pink Comet. A pink suit then flashed for a couple seconds.
"Well let's see how they do without me," Kylara said as she went up to the judge.
"Sir, I'm Kylara Kalina with Escuela de Ecuador Neuva. I'm withdrawing," Kylara said as she went to activate her port belt. Little did she know the coordinates were changed and fixed.
~*~
Charda Pepe.
Charda groaned. Some song from the 1990s 2000s was going through his head.
Miracles happen, miracles happen,
You showed me faith is not blind.
I don't need wings to help me fly,
Miracles happen, miracles happen.
He looked through the books and magazines on new science theory of why the Universe was made. Now they're saying there wasn't so much a big bang as a big stuff up? He looked at the magazine cover incredulously, and put it back. Ten credits for one article was stupid. And just who buys these things? Aren't books and magazines outdated?
He grinned as he remembered. Kylara was competing today, and he had better haul his butt over to the competition. Or else he'd have an arrow through his groin.
'I'm quite serious, darling. Don't turn up, and there's an arrow through your groin.'
He just never knew when to take her seriously or not. So he took her seriously all the time, and only copped trouble half as many times as half of half of what he would if he didn't ever take her seriously. He didn't understand her statement, and he guessed neither did she. Sita had tried to explain it to him, but she ended up dumping a milkshake over his head in frustration.
As he neared the competition, he heard a sound.
Power of the Blue Planet, Power of the Blue Planet, Power of the Blue Planet. A suit flashed around him and he fell heavily, surprised. His port belt activated, sending him Grid knew where.
~*~
Adria Tenwa.
"Adria, you ready for the festival this weekend?" One of a set of twin girls asked her twin.
"I think so Athea. This is going to be the best yet. I just hope we don't run into any problems with Mount Meruda. Senjo thinks she right be about ready to send a fresh supply of lava out anytime now."
"At least her ash is fertile since we need it."
"I know Mom and Dad are having enough problems getting ready for planting as it is. You planning on singing at the Festival. You have the best voice of anyone I know."
"Athea, when have you not known me to sing at the festival. You know I rarely need an excuse to sing."
A short time later Adria was sitting on the edge of her village in the suburbs of the capital singing away when she heard something in the breeze.
Power of the Silver Star, Power of the Silver Star, Power of the Silver Star. During all that a silvery colored suit flashed over her for a couple seconds. She looked around and saw no one just as she felt something tug her away and she vanished just as Athea and a younger girl were walking toward her.
~*~
Isidore Cantrell.
Isidore was the first out the door when the bells rang. Not that he didn't like school, much the opposite. He just hated that he was compared to some guy who was a Schoolmaster of the Middle Ages. That was over 2000 years ago, for Grid's sake!
Stopping by the computer store on the way home, he looked at the newest in electronic data storage. Unfortunately, it was out of his price range, twelve thousand credits, so he didn't read the description.
Can't anyone find a decent job anymore? he wondered. And they say kids don't work! It's because they can't find any!!! But then he saw a sign.
Help wanted. He went over, looked the requirements over. Pizza delivery person wanted. Must have personal port system, or a Hover Car. Apply within. Figuring as he had nothing better to do, he walked right in to apply. Unfortunately, he head a voice.
Power of the White Giant, Power of the White Giant, Power of the White Giant. As a barely noticeable suit flickered over him, a guy with a pizza accidently brushed his port belt.
And Isidore Cantrall was suddenly not in the pizza place anymore.
~*~
Wildrik Maire.
In another park of Unaka a brown haired male was getting ready to head out on a small hike.
"Wildrik, why are you heading out? Going to spend time with your friends? Oh wait you have no friends since you have rocks for brains," a young girl called out.
"Koryn, will you shut up? You don't know anything you're just a whiny little brat," Wildrik yelled at her sending the girl crying away. This caused an older lady to walk in the room.
"Wildrik, Maire what have I told you about yelling at your sister like that? Now you better apologize to her young man or there will be no rock hunting for a month."
"Mom, the only reason I yelled at her is because she was mouthing off at me as usual. Can't you keep her from making her little comments about my fascination with rocks? If you could I wouldn't have to yell at her yet for some reason I end up constantly in trouble because I have to give her the discipline that you can't seem to impart on her. True she is a little kid yet at her age I was a lot better disciplined then she is."
Wildrik then headed off to a nearby rock formation a few miles from his home in New France United Europa.
This is a pretty good formation right here. Lots of good specimens. Maybe I'll find something good I can give to Koryn as a peace offering even if she does get on my nerves.
Right then he heard something in his head.
Power of the Gold Galaxy, Power of the Gold Galaxy Power of the Gold Galaxy. At the same time a gold suit seemed to flash over him for a few seconds. He then activated his port belt only the coordinates weren't what he thought they were.
~*~
Sita Lynch.
I can't do this anymore! thought Sita. No family whatsobloodyever, and I've GOT to get that place in the course. . . or I, Sitarna Lynch am dead. Literally. She sighed, pushed her hair out of her face, and looked intently at the data.
"Hey, Sitarna!" called a classmate. She turned and looked at him, smiling coolly.
"Sita," she said, dangerously. Her hands went to the insides of the opposite wrists.
"Uh, right... Sita!" he tried again, noticing the warning signs.
"Yes?"
"I can't seem to find the exact locatory coordinate over down in the Arctic - " he said.
"Leave it," she said, cutting him off. "No one's ever done it, and now, it's some sort of crime. Silvino instituted it." She turned back to her own work. Wait a minute, if I input this data through the right channels... connecting it with my other works... we could have some version of time travel... but only in a viewing capacity . . .
"I've got to go," she whispered, saving her work. She packed away her computer and then heard it, as she inputted her port.
Power of the Black Hole, Power of the Black Hole, Power of the Black Hole. A black suit seemed to cover her for a few seconds and it faded. She hit her port button, failing to see she wasn't headed anywhere near the professor's office.
~*~
Valdi Egan.
In yet another area of Unaka a conference is going on at which several people were discussing how they would run a particular political division if they were in charge.
"Well if it was me in the hot seat I would really make some pretty sweeping changes in how things are run," a dark haired male said as he swept his red tie around.
"Yeah right Egan. What would you do make the make the cooks serve hotdogs at every meal?" another member of the group joked.
"You laugh now Belman but thirty years from now when I'm living in the Presidential Palace in Unaka City you won't be laughing," the male designated Egan said.
"Valdi, calm down we all know Belman is a clown. But we have to make sure we don't go overboard on things," a third person said.
"I know Etcock but Belman always seems to say the wrong thing when I try to present sound ideas," Valdi Egan said.
"Valdi, not all of your ideas have been workable ideas. We both know you are a born leader but you haven't put your leadership skills to good practice yet. You have to start small Valdi. Even President Silvino didn't jump right to the Presidency of Unaka. He started out small representing his state interests in the legislature for first Itastria then he represented his whole countries' interests in the Planetary Legislature before returning to Itastria to lead his country. From there he moved on to the Presidency of Unaka. In your case After you get done with school you might want to maybe start out with your local council and work your way up."
Valdi's head then went into his hands.
Power of the Red Dwarf, Power of the Red Dwarf, Power of the Red Dwarf. A red suit also flashed for a mere fraction of a second.
"You feeling OK Valdi, you don't look too hot?" another Junior Legislature wondered.
"Yeah I'm OK Simpner. I'm just going to port over to the Medical Dispensary and get a headache remedy," Valdi said as he went to port not knowing he wasn't heading for the Medical Dispensary.
~*~
Radha Xenta.
"I am love," said Radha. She gazed at her captive audience. "Those were the words of the Lady Radha, as she bid farewell to the woman, who had been her friend." She tossed her blond hair back.
"Was it you, Radha?" asked Famir.
"Of course not," she smiled. "This was centuries ago." But how do I know it happened? I know it did, I feel it.
"Cool... but what happened to Sita of the Ramayana?"
"Ah, but now you're talking about a different Sita, one of whom I only know facts, not stories. I speak only of Lady Radha, who was love. Her name was love and she was love. And Sita... ah, Sita. Many sad tales of another Sita, a friend of Radha are known to me. But that will be later, Young Ones."
They dispersed, and Radha looked over at the teacher.
"Well done, Radha. Once again, the year has closed. Where do you know so many?"
"That would be telling," smiled Radha. And she left, pondering the answer.
As she walked, she hummed a little, and seeing that some idiots were following her, she calmly inputted her house coordinates into her port belt. Then she heard a voice on the rustle of the wind.
Power of the Yellow Sun, Power of the Yellow Sun, Power of the Yellow Sun. A yellow suit flickered around her and then she hit the button. But she ended up elsewhere, a place defined as not home.
~*~
When the ten individuals came out of their ports they were in the same place. The War Room of Fortress Articia.
"Man is it ever cold. Someone turn up the heat," Sita commented.
Xelia looked over right then. "Oh my god. You're that science whiz Sitarna Lynch."
"Oh boy we better get going that girl over there is President Silvino's daughter," Radha commented having recognized Xelia from news footage.
"OK I recognize a number of faces here but for those of you who don't know me I am Sita Lynch and you are not under threat of death to call me Sitarna."
"I'm sure you recognize me as well Xelia Silvino the first daughter. Try and factor in though I spend my afternoons doing tricks on hover discs so I'm also a normal kid despite my dad being the Planetary President."
The other rangers were introducing themselves when E-Berg came floating in.
"Hot Chocolate anyone?" The robotic assistant asked the group.
"What did you do Silicon Breath sneak poison in it?"
"Sita, calm down, I think we can trust him," Landre said.
"Landre, sometimes you can be too trusting?"
"Sita, before you go all untrusting let's try the hot chocolate. Besides you were the one commenting on how cold it was," Landre pointed out.
"Where are we as it is? Last thing I remember is singing in my village when I was pulled away and ended up here. I see everyone is wearing the same type of accessory," Adria wondered.
"What you've never heard of a port belt? It allows a person to teleport anywhere they want," Charda wondered.
"Try and understand my parents are farmers and well agriculture around Mount Meruda isn't easy so we do what we can and get by but my family looks at things like port belts as a luxury we can do without."
Meanwhile everyone was taking sips of the hot chocolate. E-Berg then gestured them to sit down around a long trapezoid faced table just as a tall male with salt and pepper hair walked into the room from somewhere.
"Greetings everyone. I am Articula, I assume E-Berg has been helpful," The male said.
"Where are we and why are we here?" Sita wondered.
"Welcome to Fortress Articia," the male said. "The reason you all are here is because right now in the deserts of Windegarna a very evil being known as the Nameless One is about to awaken."
"What does that have to do with us?" Kylara wondered. "After all what can ten people do against an evil being?"
"You ten were chosen because within your ancestry are great warriors of long ago. Those warriors were from planets like Earth, Eltare, Capsilon IX, and Mirinoi."
"What warriors were these?" Xelia wondered.
"These warriors were Power Rangers," Articula said as he sat down himself and the huge floor to ceiling view screen started showing images of rangers past including Phaedos, Morphing, Turbo, Space, Galaxy, Lightspeed Rescue, Time Force, Wild Force, Demona, Zordonian, Destinal.
"Articula, are you sure I've heard legends about them but for them to be real it's unbelievable?" Kylara wondered.
"I'm very sure Kylara. Have you picked up anything unusual lately especially right before you came here?"
"Yeah I did right before I withdrew from a very important archery competition that somebody couldn't even show up for as they said they would I heard a voice going Power of the Pink Comet," Kylara responded.
"Kylara, I did make an effort to show up and was almost there only my port belt was triggered after I heard a voice go Power of the Blue Planet."
The others had described similar things right before they teleported.
"So we all had similar experiences right before we teleported away either intentionally or accidentally. This is only a theory but what if these powers we picked up on mean that the ten of us have a chance to be power rangers."
"Very astute and accurate notion Sita. That is exactly what it means."
"Look I admit the idea of helping Unaka is a little appealing but I don't know," Valdi said as he went to leave.
"I'm in, the world needs our help. It sounds like we are the only ones who can help," Sita commented.
"If you ask me it sounds like our destiny to do this," Radha said.
"Well if you two are doing it well why keep the Three apart? I'm in," Landre said.
"Me too," Kylara said.
"Same here. It's our responsibility after all to do our part," Charda said.
"Count me in as well," Xelia said. "It might not be what a normal kid does exactly but hey the reporters would love it The First Daughter taking a stand against evil."
"You couldn't keep me away from this is Mount Meruda was to send out a lava flow right into my hut," Adria said.
"Maybe now my six year old sister won't call me rocks for brains since you all already seem like friends," Will said. "I'm in."
"What about you Isidore?" Sita wondered as she gave him a loving look.
"OK Sita I'll do it."
"Well if everyone else seems gung-ho on this where do I sign up?" Valdi finally inquired.
"I just realized something, How would we become rangers? It looked like the ones in the images Articula showed us require some sort of electronic device?" Kylara wondered.
"I've got an idea. Just give me a second," Sita said as she concentrated in her mind. "Power of the Black Hole."
Suddenly after a few seconds where the Asian girl had been sitting was a Black Ranger.
"Looks like Sita just used up her breakthrough for this week," Landre commented.
"I wouldn't call it a breakthrough Landre. I simply hypothesized that our morphers were internal to our minds. In other words if we concentrate on the words power of our color and power source we can morph. How to keep anyone from noticing we are gone should we have to morph in public that would be a breakthrough."
"Not to mention right up your alley Sita."
Right then an alert went off.
"Looks like he is awake," E-Berg said.
"Let's do it then," Valdi said.
The Rangers then got up and gathered together.
"Ranger Astro Morph," Valdi called "Power of the Red Dwarf."
"Power of the Gold Galaxy," Will barked.
"Power of the White Giant."
"Power of the Purple Nebula."
"Power of the Green Nova."
"Power of the Yellow Sun."
"Power of the Black Hole."
"Power of the Pink Comet."
"Power of the Blue Planet."
"Power of the Silver Star."
The Rangers then teleported out with Adria holding onto Charda due to her lacking a port belt.
They soon arrived at the scene of the battle. A whole bunch of creatures of the same type were on hand with a henchwoman named Dani, who was dressed in white leather, with DANI written across the chest, with long flowing black hair, and dark eyes. She pulled a sword from her wrist and twirled it. She stood six feet tall.
"Well well what have we here?" Dani wondered.
"Try the end of the line You tell your boss to go back to his non awake state."
"Nice try Rangers, Tylai attack," Dani ordered the creatures.
The Tylai, who looked like a variety of human races, suddenly grew blades from their arms and legs and rushed the Rangers. The Rangers then took them on. It was obvious that most of the Rangers knew enough about fighting to be able to hold their own. Eventually the Tylai were defeated and Dani ported off. The Rangers then returned to base.
"For a first battle you all did good. They all won't be that easy though," Articula said.
"Anyone know what time it is in Unaka City?" Xelia inquired.
"1900 why?" Isidore responded.
"Look guys I've gotta run. I'm late," Xelia said.
"Xelia wait a minute. This weekend in my village is a big festival that we hold in preparation for the growing season. Why don't you all and your families consider coming?" Adria suggested.
"I'll see what I can do," Xelia said as she ported off.
The others said the same thing before heading off. Sita made sure Adria made it home safely.
"Articula, why is it so cold in here?"
"It's the arctic wind Sita. Fortress Articia is at about 85® North Latitude."
"So just turn up the heat in here."
"The heat would melt the polar ice cap and that wouldn't be good if that happened. Fortress Articia would not exist because it would fall into the ice. Why don't you go home, spend time with your family Sita?"
"My parents died when I was twelve and I don't have any siblings. In other words no family, Articula."
He pondered this, looking at the girl. "Sita. . would you like to live here?"
"Not if it is this bloody freezing, no. But I've really got no choice... here or the backseat of Landre's car." Articula started at this comment. "Relax, I just use it as a bed, no funny business. But... I've got to go get a few things... and pick up another port belt while I'm at it." She waved a few bills.
E-Berg sidled up. "When was the last time you ate?"
"When Landre knocked me unconscious and forced me to... ah... seventeen days ago was the last proper meal... since then I've had toast."
"Why don't you eat?"
This wasn't answered as she ported out.
Articula looked at E-Berg, who nodded, confirming his suspicions.