1st April 1995
11:40 GMT - 7
That's not a prop.
My ring can identify
some of the nanotechnology and alchemy flying around the interior, keeping the commander of Earth's power rangers alive and functional. The facial projection he uses to communicate is the
least of its functions, and I'm.. a little concerned about exactly what was done to him that it can't just fix him up. Some sort of… Curse? Something doing progressive damage, and they can't repair the underlying cause?
Similarly, non-prop Alpha looks a good deal more impressive than the plastic mask version I remember from the series. Some of his surface systems make sense to me while others… Don't. Real physics…
Real physics doesn't work like comic physics.
…
"Orange Lantern.
"
I incline my head slightly as his projection stares down at me.
"Zordon. Thank you for consenting to speak with me. I realise that this must seem like.. a bit of a risk.
"
"You are not responsible for the circumstances of your creation.
"
"No, I… Never thought that I was. But from your point of view I can see how this could look like a trick, and I'm.. grateful that you're taking the chance.
"
"You have been scanned extensively by the command centre's sensors. If you were simply another monstrous creation of Rita Repulsa's henchmen we would not be communicating face to face.
"
I fan my hands out to the sides.
"Scan away. Please. You probably know more about me than
I do at this point.
"
"My knowledge of alchemy is not equal to the knowledge Baboo possesses, but I will tell you what I can.
"
"Am I an organic human?
"
"You are not. You are a magic construct given life by alchemy. Your body resembles a human body. It will function like one, until the magic animating you runs out.
"
"That-.
" I bow my head.
"I'm sorry, you're the expert, but I was assuming that.. my body
was a human body. My ring is..
working. Even if I
am made of-. Being
sustained by magic, anything I make is just..
made, isn't it?
"
"My scans are not exhaustive, but
no. Things created by expending magic will be unmade once the power of that magic is gone.
"
"That-.
" I frown.
"Sorry, I… I'm having trouble getting my head around the idea.
"
"That is quite alright.
"
"So… Matter I rearrange? That would snap back?
"
"As far as I can determine, yes.
"
"Then what was the point? I mean, presumably they wanted me to fight the Rangers. If I can't do anything permanent and.. if I killed them they'd.. just come back from the dead when my timer ran out…
"
"With the Rangers incapacitated, Rita Repulsa would be free to strike anywhere on Earth. Furthermore, it is possible that she or Baboo could maintain the effect, or further stabilise it.
"
…
"Damn, that's… That's actually worse than my worst-case scenario. I just…
" I raise my left hand.
"Thought I might have to go without my ring.
"
"I'm sorry, but unless Baboo returns to Earth we lack the knowledge required to aid you.
"
"
What about the morphing grid?" Pink Ranger steps forward. "Could he use that to power him instead?"
"I'm afraid that the energies are incompatible. While he
could draw upon it, it would not sustain him.
"
…
Damn.
Um.
Okay.
It… Sounds like the only way I can survive this is.. either find a source of magic power that by some
miracle happens to be compatible with whatever it was that Baboo did to create me, or-.
"The potion residue.
Is there anything we can do with that?
"
"While Alpha was able to analyse the components, replicating those that were made by magic is not possible. Even if it were, that potion was designed to give life to a fictional character, not to sustain one which already existed.
"
"That would simply be a matter of letting me return to my comic-
" I glance at the console which it is lying on.
"-and applying it again. But you're
sure that there isn't any source of the magic components on Earth?
"
"I cannot be completely sure without conducting a detailed survey of the entire planet, and that is impossible with the resources on hand. However, I am as certain as I can reasonably be.
"
"Does Baboo.. come to Earth.. frequently?
"
Three Rangers shakes their helmeted heads.
Red thinks for a moment. "I think this was only the second time I've ever seen him."
"Does he have anything he's particularly partial to? Something I could use to lure him here?
"
"No, but in any case, given the failure of his task today, it is most likely that he will avoid drawing attention to himself for a time.
"
"O
kay. Ah. Any idea how long I
have?
"
"I will not be able to determine that without more data. I suggest remaining here for the time being.
"
"I appreciate the offer, but you've just told me that you can't help me. And.. I need to be out… Doing something.
"
Zordon looks down at me for a moment.
"I understand. I have altered the security systems to grant you access. You may return at any time.
"
"Thank you. Um.
" I turn to face the Rangers.
"Thank you for trying, I suppose.
"
I brush past the Rangers and head towards the exit in something of a daze.
