GALAXY RANGERS:
BRIEF SYNOPSIS & CHARACTER BIOS

SHOW SYNOPSIS: The year was 2086. The humans of Earth allied themselves with the alien Kiwi and Andorians, forming the League of Planets to stand against the Queen of the Crown. She was an intergalactic despot whose sharp mind, frightening powers, and space armadas were forces to be reckoned with. Her ultimate goal was domination of the galaxy under her iron rule. In return for the humans' help, they were given the secrets behind the Andorian hyperdrive -- enabling faster-than-light travel, greater trade, and rapid off-world colonization.

When Captain Zachary Foxx's cruiser _Phoenix_ was waylaid by pirates, his wife Eliza was captured and sold to the Queen -- who had already kidnapped 80 humans from the planet Kirwin for experimentation. The tyrant was expanding her psychocrystal technology, which was used to create Slaverlords from stolen life-forces. They acted as her eyes and ears throughout the Crown Empire and thus ensured her continued control. She was seeking a race strong enough to withstand the strain and eventual burnout. With humans, she hit the jackpot -- to put it mildly. Zach escaped the pirate attack with serious injuries that required the left half of his body to be replaced with bionic implants.

At his recommendation, BETA (Bureau of Extra-Terrestrial Affairs) formed a new team of Galaxy Rangers -- the Series Fives, given implants that would enhance innate abilities. They were sent to rescue the captured humans and succeeded with all save one: Zach recovered Eliza's comatose body, but the pyschocrystal containing her mental essence was seized by the Queen; without that, she could never awaken.

Since then, the Galaxy Rangers' primary goals were stopping the Queen's attacks, getting Eliza's psychocrystal, and bringing law and order to the new frontier. They also ran into the Black Hole Gang, Brappo, Captain Kidd, Daisy O'Mega, the General, Jackie Subtract, Lazarus Slade, MaCross, Mogul the Space Sorceror, Nimrod the Cat, Princess Maya of Tarkon, the Scarecrow, and many others. The series ended without them reviving Eliza... but there's always the incredible realm of fan fiction! (Grins)

Zach (above) is the leader of the Series Five team, a by-the-book military type who's known for playing hardball. He is an expert fighter, pilot, and shooter. His implant allows him to fire Thunderbolts (HUGE gold energy blasts) from his bionic left arm, jump high with his bionic left leg, and use enhanced strength in both. Until her psychocrystal can be recovered, Eliza (below) sleeps in the Cryocrypt at the Longshot research facility. They have two children: Jessi and Zach Jr. When the Queen uses Eliza's crystal to torment Zach with nightmares, he goes AWOL to get it back. It doesn't work, but their minds briefly make contact. They love and miss each other very much, never giving up hope that someday they will be reunited. Zach has great courage and strength, and his trials have reinforced his determination to succeed.

Doc is a master computer hacker, diplomat, psychologist, and swordsman. He can talk, shoot, and/or fight his way out of trouble. He maintains a cheerful attitude at all times and uses archaic slang in his speech, often adding an element of much-needed humor to grim situations. Doc also seems to have an innate empathy for animals and artificial intelligences, often sympathizing with and winning their trust and help. IMHO, he is the most approachable of the Rangers. Princess Maya falls in love with him after he shows exceptional bravery and heroism on her home panet of Tarkon. His implant animates Tweakers, mobile computer programs he created, to work under his direct mental control (Lifeline: diagnostics, Pathfinder: data-crunching, Tripwire: overriding security systems, etc.)

Goose (left) is a fiery-tempered brawler, gunslinger, and survival expert. He crashes ships on a regular basis (though he IS a great pilot) and attracts every available good-looking woman. Part of the failed Supertrooper program designed by Earth's military to fight "alien invaders," the price for him becoming a Ranger is bringing back his insane bretheren. His implant activates built-in Biodefenses that enable his body to overcome any immediate threat. Niko (right) is a calm, intelligent young woman who has archaeology talents, deadly aim, martial arts prowess, and psychic abilities. An orphan raised by Ariel on the hidden world of Xanadu, she joins the Rangers to learn more about her people. Her implant gives her the energy needed to create mental shields, fire force bolts, scan objects' pasts, and use telekinesis.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: The scenes on this page come from the "Psychocrypt" and "Fire and Iron" episodes, two of the best tales in the series IMHO. My deepest thanks to Kat "Bruinhilda" Anderson for sending me so many wonderful images and generously granting permission to display some here.