Operation Lightspeed

Infobox Television episode
Title = Operation Lightspeed
Series = Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue
Season = 8
Episode = 1
Airdate = February 12, 2000
Writer = John Fletcher, Judd Lynn
Director = Isaac Florentine, Worth Keeter
Prev = N/A
Next = Lightspeed Teamwork

"Operation Lightspeed" was the first episode of the series "", the 8th season of the "Power Rangers" franchise.

Plot

In the Sahara desert, three nomadic travelers stumble upon a set of ruins. They wander inside, and unseal the cover on a tomb. This releases a set of ancient demon spirits, which immediately float off towards the United States. They arrive at their Skull Cavern in a pocket dimension located above the city and take up shop. Diabolico, the tall, golden lead demon. Loki, the blue second-in-command. Vypra, the human-appearanced female, , the wizard, and , a small red baby dragon. It's explained that they are preparing for the return of their ruler, Queen Bansheera, by destroying Mariner Bay and restoring the Queen's palace where it once stood.

Word of the spirits' release spreads to a city called Mariner Bay, where a secret operation called "Lightspeed" is held. The man in charge, Captain William Mitchell, responds to this news by unsealing a set of files. He sends his daughter Dana, a member of "Lightspeed" and an in-training Paramedic, to seek out each person listed in the color coded files. Green: Joel Rawlings, a stunt pilot currently doing air-shows under the title of "The Sky Cowboy." Blue: Chad Lee, a professional swimmer currently working at Sea World. Yellow: Kelsey Winslow, an extreme-sports player currently rock climbing in the mountains. And Red: Carter Grayson, a rookie firefighter.

They're brought by helicopter, and then by submarine, to the Lightspeed Aquabase, located beneath the waters of Mariner Bay. There, Captain Mitchell briefs them on the situation. According to him, 5000 years ago, the area Mariner Bay was founded on was run by demons. A Warlock was able to capture them, and imprison their spirits inside a tomb. They've since been awaiting the day when the demons would return to reclaim their land. There were released hours earlier by the nomadics.

Lightspeed has developed technology to combat the demons, by making the four people, each chosen for their special skills, to become the Lightspeed Rescue Power Rangers. At first, the four, especially Joel, have doubts until Carter recalls recently seeing a strange spirit in a burning building. They reconsider, and are given Rescue Morphers. Dana discovers that she will be the fifth member, Pink, having been groomed by her father to be a Ranger for many years.

Meanwhile, the demons send one of their monsters, named Ghouligan and the one Carter saw in the fire, to attack Mariner Bay, along with a group of black-suited bat-winged foot soldiers called Batlings. The five Lightspeed Recruits are called in, heading into the city in their Rescue Rover. They face the Batlings, but are outnumbered by the strong creatures. Captain Mitchell tells them to use their Rescue Morphers, which they do. They morph into Lightspeed Rangers, and use their added strength to save the citizens and destroy Ghouligan with their Rescue Blasters.

They're cheered by the civilians, and are later commended by those at Lightspeed. Captain Mitchell reminds them that what they faced was only one monster, and tougher ones await. They merely salute him, happy to serve and protect.