Frank made his way into the mess hall early the next morning, intent on replicating himself a large stack of flapjacks. He'd been keen to get on the good side of the Rangers, and so had agreed to take over Bridge's shift patrolling the city. He wasn't really fond of patrols, he knew that normally all he'd have to handle was a few parking tickets and maybe the odd shoplifter. Everyone hated the 'traffic cop' shift and tried to avoid it whenever possible. He found Bridge and Z already in the room, sharing some small talk. They did that all the time. He had to admit being a bit jealous of Bridge on that matter, Frank knew that the Oliver men were prone to long periods as singletons and he appeared to be no exception. Like father, like son.

"Hey Frank, I'd like to thank you again for taking this shift for me." Bridge greeted him as he entered. "Z and I were planning on spending the day together before Sky did the rota."

"It's not a problem." Frank answered him, brushing some hair out his face and surveying the replicator. "I didn't have much planned for today. No doubt Sky would have been looking for his re-match."

"Take it as a compliment." Z told him. "It's not often someone matches Sky in a sparring match. Clearly he respects your ability. And I'm still a little bruised up from the last time your sister and I went at it."

"Yeah, she can be a little rough." Frank commented. "She gets her temper from mom's side of the family. Sometimes she forgets the concept of 'Touch Contact'."

"Yeah, we never did get a chance to talk to you about that." Z remarked, sitting down beside Frank. "You just kind of disappeared after the ceremony."

"We just went to spend time with the folks." He told them as he noticed his sister arriving in the room. "We weren't really in the mood for a big party after mom's entrance."

"You should be proud of who your parents are." Bridge told him. "I would have thought it'd be really cool to have a famous parent."

"It has it's downsides." Emma groaned. "What happened yesterday was pretty mild. We had to start ordering our groceries online because the press kept hounding her every time she tried to go shopping. It only got worse since she started producing, now as well as trying to snap her, the press hang around hoping to catch one of her other acts."

Z giggled a little as a thought came to her. "Hey Bridge, remember when Broodwing brought her into the future?"

Frank shifted a little closer, beginning to eat his breakfast as he listened. "You met her?" He asked.

"We met her one time that we can remember." Z told him. "She, Conner McKnight and Ethan James were brought into the future by Broodwing. He tried to get them to fight against us, but they got away. They ended up helping us defeat a huge army of robots."

"I think I still have a picture." Bridge said thoughtfully. "I'll go and talk to Scott in archives, maybe he can find the pictures we took before they left."

"You have pictures of mom when she was young?" Emma quizzed, a slightly wicked grin coming to her face. "I'd be great to see them."

"It'll certainly be interesting payback for the graduation ceremony." Frank laughed. "So why didn't mom ever tell us about that?"

"We had to erase her memory to prevent her knowledge of the future changing the course of time." Bridge explained. "It's a shame really, we convinced her to go back and not stay to fight Grumm by telling her she'd be a huge star in this time. I almost wish we could have let her remember that."

"It's just as well for us that you did." Frank stated. "It might have limited our chances for a career if we'd never been born."

"We left that detail out." Z told them. "We didn't mention that she ended up marrying your dad."

"You knew that?" Emma asked.

"Of course we knew about that." Bridge informed them. "Anyway, why didn't you tell us your mom and dad were Tommy and Kira Oliver?"

"Pretty much this is exactly why." Emma told them. "We wanted to be recognised for our own efforts."

"We didn't want anyone saying that we only made it because we got preferential treatment because of who our parents were." Frank interjected, finishing off his plate. "So, we just made sure we didn't throw around our surname too much. Anyway, it's almost time for me to start patrolling. I'll see you guys later. Have fun guys."

"We will." Bridge told him. "So what are you doing today Emma?"

"SOPHIE and I were planning on hanging out." She told them. "Has anyone seen Johnson? We were planning on playing a little lightball."

"I'm afraid not." Bridge said with a shrug. "He's probably just catching up on some personal time. He hasn't taken a vacation since he got the position on the squad."

"Well, we'll leave him to it." Emma replied as SOPHIE arrived, already strapping on her glove. "Come on SOPHIE, looks like it's just one-on-one."

They left the room, finally leaving Bridge and Z alone together.

"Now what do you suppose we could do to pass the time in an empty room?" He asked, wrestling her playfully onto the couch. Z started laughing and began waffling him with a cushion, until they were both distracted by a bright, golden light. Looking up, they saw a golden figure standing before them, hovering in the air.

"Bridge Carson." He announced in a deep, echoing voice. "I am the Sentinel Knight. Your services are needed in the past. The Overdrive Rangers are in grave peril."

"Oh that's just great." Z grumbled. "You switch shifts so we can spend the day together and this guy shows up to whisk you into the past."

"I'm sure he can return me to the same spot in time." Bridge surmised.

"I'm afraid I cannot." The Sentinel Knight answered. "Your own timeline will continue during your absence."

"I'll be back as soon as I can." Bridge told her, handing her his morpher.

"You will need that." The Sentinel Knight instructed him. "It is your power as a Ranger that is required."

"So much for personal time." Bridge groaned. He leant over and kissed Z passionately. "Tell Sky…something. I'll be back as soon as I can."

With that, he took the Sentinel Knight's hand and vanished in a bright flash. Sky arrived in the room a short time later, his mouth open with amazement.

"Was that…?"

"Yes." Z interrupted him.

"And did he…"

"Yes." She interrupted again.

"And everything's alright?" He asked.

"It was some guy that said Bridge was needed in the past for a mission with…"

"You know what?" Sky interrupted holding up a hand. "I doubt telling me will make me any less confused. Just tell me when he gets back."

With that, Sky just turned sharply on his heel and left the room.

Z picked up a lightball glove and headed down to the recreation area to find Emma and SOPHIE. If she couldn't be with Bridge, then she may as well use her time for something.

Emma whooped with excitement as she finally scored a point against the cyborg. SOPHIE came over beside her, patting her gently on the shoulder. "See, you can score against me." She told her.

"I'm still 39 points behind." Emma reminded her. "But at least I'm not going to be completely shut out."

"Is there room for another player?" Z asked. "Bridge had to…never mind…anyway, he isn't here so I was wondering if you could use another player."

SOPHIE's communicator sounded. She flipped it open, a little confused as she noted that it was Scott from archives who was calling her.

"What can I do for you Scott?" She asked.

"Can you come to archives? I really need your help with something." The familiar Australian accent answered her.

"I'll be right there." SOPHIE answered him. "Sorry guys, I've got to bail. I'll see you later."

"I wonder what that was about." Z said with a shrug. "Oh well, I guess the scores are re-set to zero."

SOPHIE arrived in the archives department finding Scott cursing loudly at the surveillance system and banging on the side of the screen with his left hand. "Come ON! Show me what happened you worthless piece of…"

SOPHIE grabbed his right wrist as he was about to hit the monitor with his other hand. "Remember what happened the last time?" She asked him, nodding in the direction of a ruined monitor. Scott chuckled slightly at the memory.

"I guess I'm still getting used to the touch in this thing." He said, gesturing to his hand. "How long did it take you to get used to the cybernetics?" He asked.

"I can't really remember a time when I didn't have them." She said with a shrug. "How's Dippy?"

"She's doing well, she's still enjoying teaching, but she's a bit disappointed the kids want to go to another school." He told her. "I suppose it's only natural, I suppose they'd only get hassle if they turned up in a school where there's already a teacher with the surname Gacy."

"I guess." Sophie replied. "Anyway, what's the problem?"

"You know how the A-Squad morphers were sent to archives after Doggie disbanded the designation?" He asked. SOPHIE nodded. "They're not here."

"Someone lost them?" She asked.

"I've been the official Ranger historian since I retired from active service." Scott told her. "I designed the logging system. Nothing ever gets lost. Someone must have broken in last night."

"So you want me to jack into the surveillance system?" SOPHIE asked.

"Would you mind?" Scott asked, moving away from the monitor. SOPHIE took a cable from the back of the console and plugged it into the input point on her arm. Within seconds, the monitor sprang to life, cycling through the footage.

"I left at 11PM last night." Scott told her. "Start checking after then."

SOPHIE continued to scroll through the footage, before finding a figure in the Archive room a little after midnight.

"Keep tracing him." Scott requested. SOPHIE followed his movements, finding him opening one of the cabinets and reaching inside. "That's it, that's the morphers being lifted." Scott shouted. SOPHIE froxe the picture and enhanced it as much as she could, finding that the man taking the morphers was Sky.

"What would Sky want with the A-squad morphers?" she asked.

"It's a scam." Scott told her. "Sky is the base commander. He has security clearance for the whole base anyway. If he wanted to get access to those, he'd only have to ask."

"Or use his security clearance." SOPHIE agreed. "He wouldn't need to break in. Someone must have been posing as Sky."

Scott flipped out his communicator and called Sky. "Sir, there's something you should have a look at." He began. "Someone's stolen the A-squad morphers."

"Who?" Sky asked.

"According to the security footage," he explained, "you did."

Sky quickly called a meeting for the remaining Rangers. Emma, SOPHIE, Z and Johnson sat around the table as Sky paced the room nervously.

"I'm sure I don't have to explain what sort of damage someone could do with this kind of power." Sky began. "We need to find those morphers and return them before anything happens."

"Where's Bridge?" Johnson asked. "I haven't seen him…"

"Bridge is not here." Sky interrupted him. "I trust him implicitly. I can't explain to the rest of you right now, but he is off base on important business. I can, however, vouch for the fact that he was not involved."

"So what do we do?" Z asked.

"Just try to be vigilant." Sky responded with a sigh. "Unfortunately, there's not much to go on."

"Commander Tate." Cruger's voice called over the communications relay. His face appeared on a large screen before them.

"Commander." Sky greeted him with a salute. "It's good to see you. How's central command?"

"I'm afraid this isn't a social call Sky." He responded. "A few days ago, a group of four cadets went A.W.O.L. from the KO 12 base. We believe they may be heading your way."

"What makes you think that sir?" Sky asked. Cruger displayed the pictures of the four cadets, Sky instantly recognised one of them.

"Mason." He gasped.

"As you know, Mason may have a score to settle with Bridge." Cruger explained. "Training officers expressed concerns that Mason and the other three had displayed insubordinate attitudes to superior officers. They went missing three days ago and haven't been seen since. In the meantime, everyone should take more care when out on patrol, especially Bridge." Cruger suddenly looked confused and began surveying his screen. "Where is Bridge by the way?"

"He's off site on an important mission." Sky began; still not clear himself as to what had happened to the Red Ranger. "He's safe. I'll make sure everyone remains on standby. There's one more thing Commander. Someone broke into archives last night and stole the A-squad morphers."

"Make sure everyone is on high alert, and no-one leaves the base alone." Cruger instructed. "Something tells me the two incidents occurring so closely together is no coincidence, over and out."

The screen went blank as Doggie concluded the call. Sky turned to the Rangers, the concern on his face obvious. "You heard him, everyone take extra care. Emma?"

"Yes Sky?" She asked.

"Turn in the Pink Morpher." He ordered her. "I'm sorry to do this, but I'm going to call Syd back early. If we are facing another Ranger team, then I'd prefer to have an experienced team on hand."

"I understand." She said, sliding the morpher across the table to him. "Thanks for the opportunity though, I always knew I'd end up handing it back, but it was cool while it lasted."

"You're all dismissed." Sky told them, collecting Syd's morpher. He wasn't overly concerned about the others, he knew they could handle themselves; however, he wasn't looking forward to that talk with Syd. He hated to ask her back early, he just hoped she'd understand.

The Rangers left the room with a slight feeling of foreboding. No-one fancied a battle with another Ranger team.

Early in the afternoon, SOPHIE was walking past the gym when she noticed Johnson taking something out of his locker and wrapping it in a towel, before placing it in his gym bag. He picked it up and was making his way to the exit.

"Where are you going?" She asked. "Sky told us not to go off-site alone."

"I'm going to my mom's place." He told her. "I've got some gym equipment that I've forgotten about. It looks like it's in danger of evolving into a new master species."

"That's way too much information." She told him. "I'll go with you."

"It's ok, my mom's place is only a couple of blocks from here." He told her. "I'll be OK."

"It was a direct order; we have to stick by it." SOPHIE reminded him. "Besides, if nothing else it'll make me feel better. I'd hate to think of you getting jumped by Mason and his goons."

"OK, just this way." He quipped, leading her out of the base.

Syd arrived back at the base a short time after midday. Sky had called her and given her the short version of what was going on. She arrived back in her dorm to find Z staring into space.

"You're missing him, aren't you?" She asked.

"You know, the weird thing is, I can't help being happy that I know he's safe." She whispered, sitting up on her bed. "But at the same time, I really wish he was here. I'd feel a whole lot better about him being with us for this one."

"I know what you mean." Syd sighed, placing an arm around her. "I really could have done with a bit more personal time, but I knew that Sky would feel better if he knew where I was."

"And you'd feel better about being near Sky." Z teased her, noticing the slightly dreamy expression on her face as she mentioned him. Syd whacked her across the head with a pillow and laughed.

"You could say that." She began. "So what was my replacement like?"

"Oh you didn't know?" Z asked her. "You will never guess who her parents were."

SOPHIE and Johnson were walking through the industrial sector when SOPHIE suddenly stopped.

"What are we doing here?" She asked. "I thought you said your mom lived nearby."

"It's not much further." He informed her.

"OK." She remarked, coming to his side. "We'll keep…"

Her words were cut off as a stun-blast hit her in the back of the head. Johnson turned to the old factory where the blast originated from.

"Sorry about that Mason." He began, reaching into his bag. "The office equipment insisted on following me."

"Oh never mind, that was actually kind of fun." He said, putting away his stun blaster. "You two cuff her and take her to the hideout." Tow of his accomplice handcuffed her hands behind her back and proceeded to their waiting van. "Did you get them?"

"That holographic cloaking system worked a treat." Johnson replied, handing over the morphers. "I guess it's time for me to resign." With that, he launched his and Sophie's B-squad morphers into a nearby trash can.

"I always wanted to say this." Mason stated, looking out the Red A-squad morpher. "SPD Emergency."

Sky was in the command centre when Syd and Z approached him. He had been checking flight schedules coming into earth to see if he could find out whether or not Mason really had come back.

"Have you seen Johnson or SOPHIE?" Z asked. "I haven't seen them in ages."

"No I haven't. Sky replied, activating his communicator. "SOPHIE, Johnson, where are you?" He got no answer. "SOPHIE, Johnson, come in, over." He still got no reply.

"Where are they?" Syd asked. Sky traced their energy signature to the industrial zone. "They're in the industrial sector. Syd, Z, get over there and see what's happening."

"I'm in the area." Frank informed them over the airwaves.

"What are you doing out there?" Sky ordered.

"I'm on patrol today remember?" He replied.

Sky suddenly remembered, he had forgotten to relay the message about the rogue Rangers to Frank.

"That's a negative Frank, get back to base, now." He ordered.

"I'm already here." He told him. "At least tell me if their signal's in the area."

"One block west of your location." Sky informed him. "Check it out, and then get back here."

Frank arrived in the area, looking around for some sign of the Rangers, but finding none. "Sky, I can't see them, can you try the communicators again?" He asked. He heard a beeping a short way from him. Looking into a trash can, he found their morphers.

"Sky, I found their morphers, but there's no sign of them." He told him. Sky suddenly got a reading of Ranger energies moving towards him.

"Frank, I'll explain when you get back but there are rogue Rangers in your area, and they're closing in on your location." He told him. "Get out of there!"

"They sent a cadet to search for their friends?" Mason asked, stepping out of the shadows. "Now that's utterly irresponsible."

"This guy's just graduated to active reserve." Johnson informed him.

"Johnson?" Frank shrieked. "You're with them?"

"Who do you think stole the morphers?" He asked. "By the time freaky lab boy gets back, the rest of the Rangers will have been defeated."

"Then he'll pay for getting me transferred." Mason hissed. "Everyone knows I deserved to be on B-squad, but he and his friend the Base Commander conspired against me."

"No-one on B-squad showed me any respect." Johnson spat. "I never get invited to join any of the social activities, hell you never even bothered to learn my first name!"

"Everyone has a sob story." Frank replied, backing away towards his patrol bike.

"Well, I guess we can still have fun with this guy." Johnson responded. "SPD Emergency." With that, the five attackers morphed.

"No need to waste ammo on this chump." Mason laughed arrogantly. "Take him out."

As they rushed him, Frank took a deep breath before unleashing a horrendous, high-pitched scream which bowled the Ranger over. Jumping on the bike, he gunned the engine and raced back towards the base.

"Jeez, way to deafen us," Sky commented, reminding Frank that the communication channels were still open, "how did you do that?"

"Let's just say devilish good looks aren't all we inherited from mom and dad." He answered.

"You never mentioned you had powers." Z said, turning to face Emma. Before their eyes, she disappeared from sight.

"You never asked." She replied.