Having suffered a form of writer's block on a couple of my other stories, I suddenly was hit with this idea and have just ran with it. This first chapter is only a preview so if you like it you might have to wait a bit for the next part. Apologies!

Disclaimer: Don't own them. Wish I did. Simple as that.

Summery: A new arrival at SPD causes painful memories to resurface for two of the rangers. But what is the dark secret hidden behind green eyes? And when the truth comes out, will old wounds finally be healed and the past put back to where it belongs?

I've given this a precautionary M rating for future chapter content, but for the most part it's a K/T. Enjoy!

the real vampire

Ultimatum

"You have a choice: join SPD or spend the rest of your sentence in jail."

The words echoed around the hot, dingy room. For the person who had just delivered the ultimatum, it was uncomfortable and stuffy, but for the girl it was addressed to the room was a blessed reprieve from the sweltering sun and back-breaking work that existed outside it. Apart from the wardens' quarters and administrative areas, this room was the coolest place on Prison Planet 9-15.

The girl laughed, "That's not much of a choice is it?"

"It is a choice."

"What'll I be doing at SPD? Laundry duty?"

"You'll be joining B-Squad."

The girl stared at him, "You're kidding. No way. I'm not qualified…"

"You have powers," the other said firmly. "Don't deny it. Just like your brother."

The girl scowled, "I am nothing like my brother. And yes, I had powers. Not anymore."

It was the other's turn to laugh, "Foolish girl, you still have powers."

"I don't use them. I will not use them," she spat at him. "I haven't used them since…" she caught herself. "I won't use them."

The other sighed, "You have reasons for doing what you did." The girl said nothing, but stared stubbornly at him. The five years since he had last seen her had changed her. The soft, vulnerable girl was gone, replaced by a hardened young woman. "Those are the conditions I set. Join SPD as part of B-Squad and be taught control of your abilities, or stay here. Take it or leave it."

The girl bit her lip, "You know my answer."

He nodded, "I will make preparations for your arrival at SPD." He stood to leave, but the girl grabbed his sleeve. The guards tensed and reached for their weapons, but he stopped them with a look. "Yes?"

"What about my brother and…?" She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.

"Let me deal with them." Commander Cruger smiled and walked out. The girl let her arm drop to her side as the guards came to take her back to her cell. She was getting out. No, she was joining SPD, again. Exchanging one kind of hell for another, and she would have to face her brother, and not just her brother but him…

XxX

"Cadets, dismissed." The B-Squad saluted and made to walk out of the Command Centre after the de-briefing following another successful apprehension of a criminal, but Commander Cruger called after their departing backs, "Cadet Carson, a word if you please."

"Uh oh, what have you done this time?" Jack asked with a grin at the green ranger.

Bridge shrugged, he couldn't think of anything the Commander would want to pull him up for, unless it was that toast thing… Sky clapped him on the shoulder as he walked past, "See you in the common room buddy. It's light-ball, girls verses guys."

"And we are so going to kick your butts," Z said as they all walked out. Good-natured bickering was heard outside the door until it faded away.

Bridge walked up to the Commander and stood to attention, "Sir?"

"At ease Bridge," Cruger said, causing Bridge to frown. In formal situations, the Commander never used the cadets' first names. Cruger looked at his green ranger with an unreadable expression on his face, "It's about Dane."

Bridge froze and then glanced behind him, in the direction Sky had gone. The blue ranger was nowhere to be seen. He looked back at the Commander and lowered his voice, "What about her?"