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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.
July 9th, 4124.
Valdi awoke to some godawful screaming. He smashed his radio off and went back to sleep. He found himself thinking of Cynthea, and wondered if they could make her a Ranger. It would be great to have her on the team.
He drifted off to sleep, and only awoke in time to catch a late breakfast before heading to the beach.
"Isidore, Radha and Sita have been stuck in Articia for ages now," complained Landre as Vadli jogged up. "What can they be doing?"
"They've not said?" asked Valdi, looking around. He cocked his wrist, ready to active the ranger phone.
"They won't answer. Sita's got that look again, and I guess that means they won't say until they're sure of failure or success," said Landre. "It's just annoying. Hey... isn't that Sita's professor?" Indeed it was and he came over.
"Have you seen Sita lately?" he asked. "Professor S. Unli."
"Uh, no," said Kylara. "I think we're scheduled to shop for clothes for me and electronic equipment for her later today, I could pass on a message?"
"If you could tell her that her presence will be required at a demonstration of her invention she showed me in May sometime very soon."
"Um... right," said Kylara said cheerfully. "I'll be sure and tell her."
Soon as the Professor left Kylara keyed her port belt and ported to Articia. E-Berg was floating along.
"E-Berg you have any idea what Sita is up to?"
"Only that it's a matter of Life and Death. She won't let me into the lab to deliver hot chocolate. Not even Articula is allowed in there."
"I really need to speak with her though. See if you can slip in there and lure her out here," Kylara suggested. E-Berg got what for him approached a mischievous grin on his face. A few minutes later Kylara head a very loud scream.
"E-BERG," was screamed. Suddenly the minaractic fox cub came running past Kylara as Sita was chasing her.
"Hi Kylara, have you seen E-Berg? That floating ball let his pet into the lab while I was working."
"By chance were you working on your project for Professor Unli? He would like your presence at a demonstration of some invention from last May sometime very soon."
"Bloody hell. The last time I even worked on that was literally right before we became rangers. I'll have to find a way to get it done. Is that the only reason you are here?"
"Well I was hoping we were still on for shopping this afternoon?"
"I'll try and find a couple minutes but this project is real big and real important. Sorry I can't go into detail right now but I didn't even have time to chase that flea-bitten pest away. My time is further limited by Professor Unli's message. Well I better get back to work."
"Is she ever in a rush," Kylara commented. "I doubt the project is literally life or death."
"Actually Kylara it is. Unfortunately she doesn't want anyone to know what the project involves."
Kylara returned to the beach to find two new figures on hand.
"Adria, how come you aren't working today?"
"I have Sundays off Landre. I figured I would bring Melody here so she could see what a beach is."
At that moment Melody was helping Thala to bury Wildrik in the sand.
"Thala, is there any reason you feel the need to corrupt a child?" Wildrik asked her.
"Actually Will When I was younger then this cutey I was burying people in the sand. I probably buried my grandfather eight times by the time I was this ones age," Thala told him.
"Is your grandpa still alive?"
"No he died two years ago."
"I wish I knew my parents?"
"I know how you feel Melody mine died when I was two."
Before too long Thala and Cynthea were keeping the younger girl occupied. Around two that afternoon the Rangers heard a distinct signal.
"Yeah Articula," Valdi said.
"Actually Valdi it's Sita I need to speak with Kylara."
Valdi signaled her.
"Yeah Sita," Kylara responded.
"Could you come up to the base?"
"Sure," Kylara said as she ported. "What's the situation?"
"I have some time for shopping but well It deals with my various projects. In other words no clothes or show or even cosmetic shopping."
"What are you working on as it is?"
"The project for Professor Unli is very classified. If it falls into the wrong hands it could prove disastrous. The other project I'd rather not get into. Just know that it could affect an entire family whether I succeed or fail."
"That's serious business Sita. You want me to accompany you?"
"Well we did have plans to go shopping so sure."
Shortly after they ported out Adria ported in. She then went looking for Articula.
"Adria, what brings you here?"
"A concern of mine involving Melody. What should I do if duty calls while she is under my care? My ranger duties would have to take priority over the protective needs of a child especially a child who has lived as isolated a life as Melody has. Right now she is why about half the team plus trusted civilians like Thala, and Cynthea. In fact last I knew she was helping Thala bury Wildrik in the sand."
"On man what you ask is especially concerning to even me because an attack would leave her unprotected and could even be a distraction to lure the rangers away so he could grab her. Have Xelia arrange for the Unakan Security Service to provide a touch of extra security. Xelia should almost handpick the agents due to the sensitive nature of the situation."
Meanwhile in the Medical Ward Thalia looked toward Radha.
"Radha, this might sound juvenile but could you tell me another of your stories."
"Sure Thalia," Radha responded. "Well... as I remember, you never really got past the fourth part. So here's part five and more."
Part V.
"So I would say that there is no curse upon you, Sita," said Lady Radha, once Sita had calmed herself. "The curse was the blackness, which is now elsewhere."
"Then why am I not as I was?"
They walked still along the road to Phaeran, and Lady Radha smiled. "Destiny, fate, karma... any one of those, my dear friend. But as for what you are... You have incredible senses... like the vampire and werewolf of old. Your physical ability matches that of the vampire. And in certain ways, you are like a goddess. But for each part not human, there are innumerable parts that are."
Sita nodded. "Merchants are coming up behind us. They seem to have traded quite well, and are in high spirits. Perhaps they may give us a ride?" And indeed it was as Sita had said, only an hour later, when the travelling merchants happened upon them in their caravans.
"We would be glad to give a ride to you, o maidens," said the leader. "My name is Liondre. My wares are wooden and long lasting."
"Thank you, gracious merchant," answered Lady Radha, ascending into the caravan, followed by Sita.
"Aju vialia t'osm [The sun is bright]," spoke Sita.
Part VI.
A week had passed in the company of the merchants. Liondre had been most pleasant company, as were the four others who travelled with him: his wife K'taral, a merchant of fabric; Weri, a merchant of glass; Weri's wife Telai, a merchant of clothing; and Xia, a young female.
Lady Radha had made no comment upon meeting Xia, but sighed so softly only Sita caught it and the words afterwards. "Alian r'eli, x'i qura l'tham. FlÃy jÉran, ili øxia. [Realise your destiny, incur not the karma fated to you. The path is near, find and follow.]"
Phaeran was close, when Sita finally made her decision.
"Lady Radha?" she asked quietly. Lady Radha motioned her closer, and indicated she should speak. "I desire not to go to Phaeran and find this person. I have been chosen, it is not for me to cast it away."
"Very well," replied Lady Radha. "Then we will only stop into Phaeran to see my mother and father." Sita smiled, and went to her bed.
"There will be more, Thalia," replied Radha. "But for now, I believe that Sita has returned." This was so, for Sita came into the room, cursing. Her words were absolutely filthy, and Radha only sighed.
"What is it now?"
"I'm extremely busy, and I now have to convince Alpha 238 to complete my project according to my instructions."
"If you can, you'll be fine," soothed Radha. "You're extremely good at doing a project while directing another person."
"Here is the thing Radha they were actual people not Alpha Units. Alpha AI units have a bloody mind of their own most of the time."
Sita sat down with Alpha 238 and attempted to carefully describe how he was to work on one of the projects.
Adria meanwhile was talking to Xelia in her office at the Community Center.
"Let me get this straight Adria. Articula wants me to arrange for the Unakan Security Service to assign a few agents to a six year old kid only I have to hand pick the agents."
"Factor in Xelia Melody would be ripe for the plucking should we get tied up in battle. Besides the battles could be used to distract us from protecting Melody."
"OK. Here is my suggestion. Program a port belt so it can only port to right outside my dad's office. If we have to go to battle Melody is to use that port belt. For security reasons my dad's office is shielded against porting so an assassin can't port in and kill him."
"How trustworthy are your father's protective detail?"
"His top bodyguard has been his bodyguard since he was a member of the Itastrian Legislature. In other words since before Melalia and I were born."
Later on that day Sita was trying to juggle her projects when Articula walked into the lab.
"Sita, if we could talk for a minute?"
"Articula, I'm trying to juggle two projects at one time both of which are equal in priority. Unless my mom, Jolik, or The Nameless One are attacking it will have to wait."
"Sita, remember when I asked you to program the base to only allow the port signatures for the rangers in. Why then did I find a few non ranger signatures programmed in?"
"Oh ah those, well not knowing who the champion is I wanted to be ready you know just in case the champion is someone close to the rangers."
"You really think the Champion could be among Hilestra Egan, Cynthea Minyajko, Dek Luiton, Thala Nuehousner, Bereto Ninjao, Melalia Silvino and Salendra Kalina?"
"It's a far fetched theory but they are some of the more trustworthy civilians."
"Small problem with your explanation Sita I checked to see when they were programmed in and all but Thalia Cantrell's were programmed in before we had translated the portion of the prophecy dealing with the champion."
"Oh," Sita said.
"I already removed the unauthorized signatures from the system and as a safety feature I sort of restricted your log in privileges to your quarters and laboratory functions only. None of the War Room systems are on your privilege list at this time."
"Talk about not fair Articula," Sita said.
"You do the crime you do the time," Articula said.
"Articula, that is old and clichÃ," said Sita.
"Maybe so," replied Articula. "But the point is still clear."
~*~
July 17th, 4124.
Sita waited before the door of Professor Unli's office. With her was Isidore. When they were called in to see him, Sita swallowed hard and entered like a princess.
"Ah, Sita. The demonstration is tonight. It is ready?"
"It is. All ready to do," answered Sita.
"Good. Be at the Presidential Palace tonight at six. President Silvino is making a State Dinner of it." And that was how the Rangers and escorts and whatnot came to be standing in freezing rain outside the Palace. Xelia kicked the door in, quite angry.
Getting inside, they quickly dried off, and made their way to the presentation.
"... and so now, I must ask Miss Sita Lynch to approach the stage and demonstrate her absolutely wonderful invention," Professor Unli concluded, after one hour, fifty-six minutes and twenty-eight seconds, precisely. Sita came onto the stage and delivered a one minute speech, and then turned to the invention, which looked very much like a keyboard and monitor.
"Now. I will now program this to show us the past of Trini Kwan, the first Yellow Ranger of Earth, chosen by Zordon." The monitor lit up and displayed a seven foot tall, ten foot long and three foot wide image; which apparently began with Trini's mother giving birth, at which Sita sighed and pressed two buttons, ceasing image and fastforwarding. It picked up again with Trini's first day of school at Angel Grove Elementary. They watched as Trini walked calmly to school, meeting a shy boy in blue. Billy Cranston.
Sita showed a few more things, before smiling slightly and leaving for her table.
"That was impressive," whispered Xelia, as President Silvino began his speech. It too, was long winded and boring, to which Xelia swore; "I forgot to edit his speech for him!" but his long speech basically congratulated Sita, awarded her some medal and prize money, and set her up in some offical goverment research position.
Sita smiled some more. And she didn't stop smiling until later that night.