Mission Objectives: Become allies with the inhabitants of Dwarf Planet, and find out if the planet is suitable for human colonisation by the end of next year.
Mission Departure: 4am, Tuesday 7thOctober
Rangers: Commander Up, Taz, Krayonder, Specs, February, Tootsie Mega-Girl, Bug, Sock, Mega-Girl Unit

Taz read through the mission once more before pulling on her boots. There was no variety nowadays in the G.L.E.E. This mission included all the same idiotasas last time, and where had that gotten them? Nowhere. They'd simply returned to Earth with a new Ranger and nothing else.

Reading it through again, Taz realized she hadn't been entirely truthful with herself just now. There wasa new ranger on board – someone who went by the name of Sock. She racked her brains, trying to think of anyone she knew called that. Sock...Sock...Sock...Then it hit her. He was a new Ranger, still young. He was short and slightly chubby, with a mass of curly brown hair and sparkling green eyes. She'd never talked to him.

There was a knock on the door, and Taz looked up before barking "Come in!" at them in her heavy Mexican accent.

The door slid open and the familiar, war-beaten face of Up appeared.

"Lieutenant Taz?" he said. "We're just waiting for you now."

Taz jumped up and hurried out the door, following Up through the metallic corridors of the G.L.E.E base, until they reached the familiar white Starship 15A2. The Starship Rangers were gathered by it with the Officials of the G.L.E.E checking that everything was in order.

"Woaahhh! Hey Taz! I haven't seen you for, like, two months!" Krayonder said loudly, causing everyone to turn and look at him.

"Krayonder, shush! I don't think anyone appreciates you shouting at four in the morning," said Up.

"All is in order," said an Official. "Please board the Starship. You will be departing in approximately three minutes."

They all began to climb into the Starship, and Taz grimaced as she saw Tootsie and Mega-Girl exchange a romantic glance.

The Starship hadn't changed at all – probably because it hadn't been used since their mission on Bug World. Taz looked around and couldn't help but notice both Bug and Sock seemed to be in awe of their surroundings. Bug still hadn't got over the fact that he was a Starship Ranger now, and Sock was new, so of course he'd want to look around. Taz reckoned that, if this mission went well, Sock would be moved on to more dangerous missions. This was simply a trial for him. He looked like the sort of person who'd be useful for getting to places no one else could, a bit like her really. But her days as a fighter were over; she was older now, and less agile. Before she knew it she'd be in a sorry state like Up.

"STARSHIP DEPARTURE IN 40 SECONDS."

The statement boomed round the ship and the Rangers began to feel the excitement spreading – they were finally leaving for a new mission.