For the Chronic Storm team, one mission already gave way to another.

With the assistance of several Ranger teams out of time, Chronic Storm defeated the Resistance and dismantled the invasion of Earth. However, the infamously mysterious Admiral Axl now loomed overhead. Recent reports labeled him as the primary suspect in an attack on Zordina that left the entire planet crippled.

The Rangers pursued the case immediately to search for any clues as to the nature of this attack. Even with the Astro4's hyperdrive operational once more, the journey this time around would be close to a day. The lengthy trip gave the Chronic Storm team time to take a step back from everything, catch their collective breath, and enjoy each other's company. Even with the heightened threat, a palpable air of confidence hung over the five; all of them certain of victory. All of them, except their leader.

Inside the Astro4, Carter slowly paced around an empty bridge, caught inside his own harrowing thoughts. He could almost hear it; the exploding ships, the eerie shrills of anguish before the comms cut off. The sharp sounds still cut into his eardrums as the memories latched onto his mind. What felt like a lifetime of missions, a lifetime of Rangers and Morphers alike that needed replacing, only spanned 5 years. After two, he couldn't remember their names anymore, even some of their faces. After three, all he could see was the hue of the uniforms cast upon unfamiliar bodies. It became no more complicated than replacing a faulty machine part. Another mission. Another team. The faces changed, but the colors never did.

Taylor entered the bridge while Carter slowly paced around, trying to rub the irritation out of his heavy eyes. She walked up to him and gently nudged the side of his arm, springing him back into reality.

"Hey, is everything okay?"

"Yeah... Yeah, just fine." Carter's tone was decidedly low in pitch.

Taylor quickly took notice. "Are you sure about that?"

"Just tired... I'll be sure to get some more shut-eye after we discuss the mission."

Taylor slowly nodded, only partly assured. "Good... We need you sharp out there."

Kendrix, Jason, and Ethan made their way to the bridge and took their usual seats.

Ethan spent part of the downtime trying to uncover more about Admiral Axl. But his stony expression told a clear tale. "I've been looking for hours through every channel and intel array that this ship has access to, but so far, all we have is a name. And no way to access Triforian servers either. They've got those things locked up tight."

"Axis wasn't engaging in hyperbole with his older brother," Jason said. "Not only did Axl end a planet of strong and respected people, but he knows how to stay off the grid while doing it."

Taylor shook her head. "If we can't even get intelligence on this guy, how do we know he was the one responsible? Queen Diane isn't exactly short on enemies. Any of them could be our culprit."

"My mother has dealt with the Triforians more than anyone. If she thinks that one of them did this, we ought to believe her."

"Guys," Carter added. "We need to focus on the bigger issue. We're dealing with someone who can take out planets much bigger than Earth. We need to find out the what and the how before that kind of force can be used again. Finding Axl should come naturally."

"What's our plan for taking down Admiral Axl when we do find him?" asked Jason.

Carter sighed. "Hopefully, we can find a solution that doesn't involve a direct confrontation. Our mission right now is to gather more intelligence and let Queen Diane make the next call."

Jason shook his head. "Carter, I know you like to plan things out, but Axl might not give us that chance. And more planets could suffer while we work out all the logistics and try to figure out his game. I say if we have a clear shot, we take it."

"We don't know enough about what's going on to take that risk. We'll be better off sticking with our orders and our mission this time around."

"And what if Axl gets the drop on us? We tried outmaneuvering Axis and we barely beat him. And if Axl is even worse... If we just fight together, we can win. And with my new power, I can—"

"Jason, that's enough," Carter stated firmly. "Those weird powers of yours are another wildcard. We know nothing about them, or what effects they might have on you if you keep using them. You tried playing hero once and if it wasn't for Alex, who knows what could have happened? We stick to the mission. Those are my orders."

The bridge grew deadly silent. Even Taylor's brows shot up, caught off guard by Carter's unfamiliar aggression.

Jason started to get up before walking out of the bridge.

"We aren't done discussing the mission yet," said Carter.

"What's to discuss?" Jason asked. "We'll just do things your way. I'll just head over to my quarters where my trying to do the right thing isn't a liability for anyone."

"Jason, wait." Kendrix got up and followed Jason as the sliding bridge doors closed behind him. "Don't worry, I'll talk to him."

Carter sighed and walked back towards the front of the bridge to take a seat. "Ethan, keep looking. Whatever you can find. We've still got a couple of hours."

"Yeah... I'll get right on it." Ethan logged into the computer on his console to continue his search for leads.

...

While in his quarters, Jason sat down upon his firm white bed while thinking back to his meeting outburst. He stared intensely at his hand before closing it into a fist. And then, the memories took over. Lightning and blood washed over his mind and clouded his vision. He tightly gripped his head, trying to contain his screaming before punching the wall. As the blurriness subsided, a flicker of his green aura jumped out from the large indent he created.

His thoughts ran away to the sound of light tapping upon his door, followed by a soothing voice, "Jason? It's me. Is it okay if I come in?"

Jason wiped away the tears collecting inside his eyes while quickly composing himself as best he could before opening the door. "Hey..."

"Hey..." Kendrix replied. "I know that you're frustrated, but you can't keep running off on your own when you don't like the plan."

Jason sighed while shaking his head. "Carter made it pretty clear that we're not allowed to disagree with the plan."

"He came on a little strong, but that's only because he cares about you."

"Yeah... I guess..."

"And he's right. We can't rush things with someone like Axl."

"I know."

"Nobody here wants another incident like back on Axis' ship."

"I get it." Jason turned his back on her. "I screwed up."

Kendrix stepped closer to him. "I know that 'staying the course' might be hard to hear right now. But, I think it's our best option."

"And what if it's not? What if..." But Jason couldn't bring himself to complete the thought.

"There's no way to know. For now, we just need to trust each other."

Jason remained silent as his hands turned into rattling fists.

Kendrix walked closer until she held tight to his trembling hands. "Jason, talk to me."

Jason took a deep breath before responding, "Truth be told, I'm really not looking forward to fighting another war for Earth against a guy we can't even find a picture of, let alone understand. Axis was one thing. He had a face and a few clear motives. But Axl is just this... shadow... and he already scares the hell out of me. Up there, I couldn't even tell if I was alive or not towards the end. I just... I don't know what's going to happen. I just don't wanna lose anyone."

Kendrix slowly nodded. "Unfortunately, that's very possible. And if things end badly, I don't have my Quasar Saber here to save my spirit again. At least, I think that's what happened."

Jason turned to face her with eyes wide open. "How could you talk about that so... casually? It was hard enough just watching that. I can't even imagine experiencing it."

Kendrix' mind forced her back into the memory. One fateful day on Rashon, she thought she powered up for the last time. But somehow, she found a way to gently smile and shake away the thoughts. "I spent a long time gone, and a longer time thinking about what it all meant. Some days, the memories would hurt. And other days, they'd feel so far away, like it never even happened... But, it's okay now. I didn't have any regrets when I sacrificed myself and I still wouldn't if I had to do it again. I want to keep discovering new things and helping people for as long as I can. And, when it's over... I'll have lived two full lives. That's already more than I deserve."

Jason's eyes quivered, petrified by the words.

"I couldn't join the fight, but after Trakenna attacked Terra Venture for the last time, I found out that not everyone was able to be evacuated... Before we settled on Mirinoi and began our new lives, a service was held for everyone lost during that attack. The whole time I sat there, I kept wondering if my Saber's power could have saved them instead. Why did it have to be me?"

"Stop it! You can't mean that! Kendrix, there was nothing you could have done!"

Kendrix took a deep breath and nodded. "I guess you're right. I'm sorry if I freaked you out. I shouldn't have brought it up."

Jason calmed himself down, burying his emotions once more. "It's okay... I mean, who am I to even pretend to understand?"

"I sincerely hope you never do. So, are we okay?"

"Yeah... Of course we are."

"Good."

The pair gave each other a big hug before Kendrix started to depart. As she walked out the door, she turned around to give off one last warm, assured smile.

Her smile. It made Jason believe in things he assumed were nothing but fantasies before now. Even after recanting the details of her death, that smile still shone through.

But worrying thoughts still planted themselves inside Jason's mind. He stared intensely at the indent he made in the wall while he fought back the dread. There's not gonna be any sacrifices this time. Never again.

...

Meanwhile, Carter had made his way up to the observation deck. Taylor soon followed him, but she had yet to remove the concerned look she held onto from the meeting.

Neither said much to each other until Carter finally broke the silence, "I know, Taylor. I know... There was a better way to handle that."

"I thought it was settled that keeping the kid in line was my job. But I wanted to ask you something else."

Carter turned to face her.

"You're a Ranger from a different time, just like the rest of us, minus the kid. But you've been here, in this time, for what seems like a very long time. How'd you end up here? And why have you stayed for so long?"

Carter looked to the dark floor and slowly nodded. "Assemble the team. I think it's their right to know the whole story."

Taylor nodded before contacting everyone else.

The team all made their way back to the bridge a few minutes later. Jason walked a bit slower than normal, hesitant to face further beration. But when he looked at Carter, he didn't see frustration. He saw distress.

It brought on anxious expressions among the group before Carter began to explain, "Guys... there's a reason that I haven't been home in five years. And, as my teammates, you all deserve to know the truth. Queen Diane from a different timeline recruited me to the future to help stop a Triforian victory. The Queen we know was suspicious at first, but together, we managed to build a Ranger Academy and harness the Morphing Grid to create our powers."

"No Sixth Ranger?" asked Ethan.

"Never approved," Carter replied. "The state of the Grid was too weak to risk it at the time."

Jason nodded, still vividly remembering the day Carter arrived from the past. It was an exciting time for him and the kingdom. But, even for as long as he's known Carter, he never heard the full story of what transpired after Power Rangers Chronic Storm officially came to be.