Chapter 2: Out with the Old …
What the heck are they talking about in there? This was the words of Circuit Maplewood, the adopted dormouse son of Chip and Gadget. The Rangers initially rescued him from a sinking ship when the team was scouring the vessel for survivors. Turns out the dormouse infant had finished coming out of his initial hibernation nap and instantly took Gadget to be his mother. Chip and Gadget decided to keep the child until the authorities could figure out what to do with him. That had been 17 years ago.
Relax Circuit, his younger brother Basil noted. Basil at 18 was a complete reflection of his father, though he tended to be more quiet and observant like his mother rather than headstrong and adventurous like his father. He swore a fedora and bomber jacket similar to that of his famous father, but also carried a tote bag that often contained trusty tools. He also inherited his mother's love of speed. Marah Maplewood, his elder sister by two years set down the novel she had been reading and gave her two brothers a loving glance. Most people from first sight would say Marah Maplewood looked exactly the way her mother Gadget had looked at her age. Long blonde hair, sky blue eyes and a beauty that didn't stun you immediately, rather it had what her father called a Polaroid effect. It's just there, till development finishes and then it whams you out of nowhere. However most careful observers note that while Marah possessed her mother's looks, she was definitely her father's child. Her blue eyes flashed with the same fire and tenacity of Chip. Her mind was sharp in a manner that was almost uncanny. The smallest detail never failed to escape her and she almost had a sixth sense when it came to chasing a lead. Her stance and presence always showed her to be a commanding figure, another trait most believed she inherited from her father. The only thing more daunting than Marah's wit was her temper, though those closest to her and the Rangers could hardly really tell who she inherited that from, being that her temper was fierce much like her father, but it also held a long fuse, a trait many had observed in Gadget, who could also be a wrathful force once her patience had expired. "Basil's right. Nothing we can do but wait until they're done and tell us."
Circuit had to admit his sister was surprising cool about the matter. Probably because she had already either deduced why they were in there or had worse decided on a more subtle approach. Wouldn't surprise him if she had bugged the room, Marah always had that ability to be two steps ahead of whoever or whatever was in her way. "Come on Marah you have to be at least curious? Or do you know something already? Come on talk."
"True I am curious," she replied, rising from her chair and dusting off her dark brown cargo pants that she wore with her polo shirt pulled over a short tee in her trademark colors of purple and red. "It's not the style of the Rescue Rangers to have secret councils first of all, second I'm surprised that Tammy, Sam, and Sparky have been left out of the loop as well. Not Dad's style to have or even allude to secrets." The aforementioned Rangers were sitting calmly on the couch. Tammy sipping a cup of hot chocolate, Sam next to her, his head resting on his fist while Sparky levitated and spun a set of screws in a complex orbit with electromagnetism. Rounding out the gathering were Bianca "Bink" ,though now to call her Bink and not be Tammy, Gadget, Monterey Jack or Sam would earn you that look. Circuit and the others quickly learned that Aunt Bi would be the closest they would ever get to Bink and live. Zahnny, Zipper and Quennie's son and commander of the Bee Guard along with Flash and Trixie, two of Dale and Foxglove's children as well as the youngest of the Maplewood clan, the twins Belle and Rose.
"I don't get it though," Circuit inquired. "They call for all of us to be here saying it's urgent and when we get here they hole themselves in a secret council while we sit out here? I'm going down to the workshop."
"You heard what your father said Circuit, no one is to leave under any circumstances." It was the 36 year old Tammy who spoke. "Those five in there have every right to have a private conversation among themselves. They are the original Rescue Rangers, the ones whose names are now near legendary. After all the time they have vested in us, the most we could do is give them a small portion of ours"
Circuit sighed. "You're right Aunt Tammy. Least we can do is trust them. They've never failed us before." "Besides Circuit," one of the twins garbled, "You know Momma will always straighten Dad out if need be." Circuit smiled, "You're right about that Really Rosie." He teased, ruffling the 14 year old's hair.
The door opened and the original 5 Rescue Rangers strolled into the room. The twelve who had been awaiting them all stood up. "Whoa! Relax!" the Ranger's leader replied. "I'm sure you're all wondering why you were all called here under such urgent circumstances." Flash almost committed an outburst, but Basil elbowed him. "For over 30 years the Rescue Rangers founded by myself, Gadget, Dale, Monterey Jack, and Zipper have helped solved crimes not just here in New York, but around the world. Along the way we've made new enemies and new friends. Some of us fell in love and began families, while others of us rediscovered love in old acquaintances. However we the Original members feel that it's time to change up things. Therefore as of now I will no longer serve as leader of the Rescue Rangers."
12 jaws dropped in shock as the announcement weighed in. Circuit was about to protest but the elder chipmunk raised his hand and even more profound his wife softly shook her head, so he held it as Chip continued.
"In fact as of now all five original Rescue Rangers will no longer engage in field work. Call it retirement if you want. To be honest we had considered on recruiting new members, but a smart voice reminded me that we already have a strong team that more than capable of continuing the tradition of the Rescue Rangers." He turned to Tammy. "Tammy time and time again your medical and mechanical skills as well as your quick thinking and piloting have saved the day. Those skills along with your veteran experience will serve the new Rangers greatly in the years to come." Next he turned to Sam. "Sam, your warrior prowess has given us an edge that has often been the difference between victory and defeat. Your strength and courage will be needed now more than ever. Sparky, your intellect and wit as well as your electromagnetic powers will be a great asset to the Rangers in the years to come." Chip turned to Gadget who stepped toward where her five children stood and placed her hands first on Marah's shoulders.
"Marah, you are strong, courageous and clever. Your determination to see things through to the end will be very much needed among the new Rangers. Basil you're such a chip off both blocks you'll do your father and I proud as Rescue Rangers. And Circuit, oh Circuit my darling boy you're the best of all us. You possess your father's tenacity, my intelligence, and Dale's optimism I know you'll keep everything in tip top shape." Kneeling she hugged the twins to her. Now you two will be strong and do what your sister and brothers tell you. She leaned in closer and whispered softly so only they could hear. "But always follow your heart." She returned to where Chip and the other Rangers were standing. "Bianca," she continued this time to Bink. "Just seems like yesterday you were just little bitty ol' Bink. But you've grown into an intelligent and resourceful woman, your language and research skills will be crucial to the Rangers as they move on to the next stage." She turned back to Chip.
"All of you have what it takes to keep the tradition going. All of you have aided us time and time again. But now its time for the new generation of Rescue Rangers to take their place as we the first move aside."
"But who'll lead us?", Marah exclaimed.
Chip merely smiled. "You'll have to decide that for yourselves. To be honest I never claimed to be the all and out leader of the Rescue Rangers, events just happened to turn out that way. As someone in a movie once said first best destiny I guess." He clasped his daughter on the shoulders. "Leadership is a heavy burden Marah, but it shouldn't be forced on anyone. If each of you do your best to contribute to the team, everything else will fall into place. Trust me."
"But we're so inexperienced when compared to you guys!" Flash added.
"Not really son," Dale chimed. "You've been watching us go about it for years and we weren't that experienced either when we first started."
"But it won't be the same without the five of you?" Tammy added.
"Which is precisely the point, luv" Monterey answered, "Everything changes or things'd get too boring.
"Besides," Gadget added, " its not like we're all going anywhere permanently or anything like that. We'll still be around and contributing to the cause, just in a different manner."
"What manner would that be?" Circuit inquired, still not satisfied with the turn of events.
Chip who stood in the center flanked by his oldest comrades gave a glance to each side before his smile widened. "We're going to be training the next generation of Rangers to follow after you."