Hello everyone! Secretive Writer here.
I'm finally back after over 2 years with the next chapter! Now I know this chapter won't be overly exciting because it isn't an original and doesn't really have anything new, but I did sneak in some original scenes to hopefully spice things up a little. The next chapter is planned to be an original, so hopefully it's more interesting. I also switched up the scene order a bit for this chapter. This technique is also something I will use during this elaboration rewrite when I deem appropriate. I also want to mention that I updated the prologue a little. Like I mentioned, I posted this story much earlier than I anticipated so I might have to go back and work on some things, but of course I am trying to avoid that. Wish I could say that after 2 years I have everything worked out, but unfortunately, that's not true, so please bear with me. My deepest apologizes for this. Without further ado...
DISCLAIMER: Isn't it obvious what Saban owns? Give them due credit.
'PR LIGHTSPEED RESCUE: ON AND OFF THE SCREEN'
Last time on PR Lightspeed Rescue: On and Off the Screen:
Demons have been released from an ancient tomb and they want their palace back where it once was. This means the city of Mariner Bay, where the demons' palace once was, is in trouble. Lightspeed has now brought in the ranger recruits to fight against the demons. Firefighter Carter Grayson as Rescue Red, marine expert Chad Lee as Rescue Blue, stunt pilot Joel Rawlings as Rescue Green, sports extremist Kelsey Winslow as Rescue Yellow, and Lightspeed's very own doctor Dana Mitchell as Rescue Pink. Mariner Bay is now in their hands.
Chapter / Episode 2: Lightspeed Teamwork
As dim light broke through the dead of the night, Joel Rawlings opened his eyes to find himself in an unfamiliar room before recalling that he was now the Green Lightspeed Ranger and had moved in to the Lightspeed Aquabase. Slowly stretching and getting up, Joel pulled on a dark green shirt and a pair of trousers along with his signature cowboy hat. Exiting his private room to the boys' common room, he looked around for his fellow roommates but found neither Carter nor Chad. Joel would have looked for the girls in the adjacent apartment, but his eyes widen when he spotted the digital clock on the wall. It was already 8:53 AM and the tour meeting with Captain Mitchell was scheduled for 9 AM. No wonder he couldn't find the others, they were probably already at Rescue-Ops. It was at this time that Joel's morpher beeped and Dana's voice came on.
"Joel, where are you? The meeting's in a few minutes."
"Right, I got it, be there in a minute," Joel answered.
Joel immediately headed for what he knew as Rescue-Ops to join the others, but not before grabbing a bit of a quick breakfast. As Joel walked down the hall towards Rescue-Ops to join the others right after a quick 5-minute breakfast, he tipped his cowboy hat in greeting to two female Lightspeed operatives coming his way and turned his back. The next thing he knew, Joel found himself on his back after bumping into a cart while his ears picked up the surprised yelp of a third female colleague. As Joel turned to face the female starting to apologize for his clumsiness, he froze at the uniquely serene heart-shaped face that looked back at him. This woman Joel had literally bumped into just had this calm, yet humorous air around her that grabbed his undivided attention.
He stayed there paralyzed for a minute while the curvy 5 foot 8 woman dressed in a blue shirt, black skirt, and a white lab coat picked up her dropped glasses and surveyed the damage. Snapping out of his paralysis, Joel once again apologized for his clumsiness while helping her up and picking up the fallen cart and various other materials that had fallen over.
Joel handed the last of the fallen objects back to the woman taking the opportunity to shake her hand, not really willing to let go. "I'm Joel."
"I'm Miss Fairweather," the lady answered ripping her hand out of Joel's handshake. "You're in quite a hurry."
Joel saw a golden opportunity. She had given him an opening to start a conversation and he was going to take it. Joel knew he was instantly attracted to her and he wasn't afraid to act. He wanted to impress her and he knew just how to do it.
"Uh, yeah, I have a um, meeting with Captain Mitchell."
Miss Fairweather considered that explanation reasonable enough. "Oh."
Joel just continued and walked past her. "It's top secret, probably another one of those life or death missions."
With Joel's back turned, he didn't see the amusing and knowing smile on Miss Fairweather's face. It was overtly obvious at that moment that Joel was a flirt and trying to impress. While Miss Fairweather was currently only feeling amusement at the man's attempt, it was obvious enough a courtship was coming and she decided to let the man make his attempt even though she had a pretty good idea what he wanted to say. He may be kind of arrogant, but there must be something good about him if he's at Lightspeed, so Miss Fairweather allowed herself to give Joel the opening he wanted.
"Sounds very dangerous."
Joel turned back around towards her and flicked his hat. "Well, danger comes with the job."
Joel took this opportunity to display his morpher clearly to Miss Fairweather. "This is called a morpher. You see, I'm the green ranger."
Miss Fairweather started to slowly nod when the said morpher beeped, causing Joel to use the opportunity to illustrate to her his importance. He only got himself in an embarrassing situation because the call was Dana reprimanding Joel for being late again at meeting them even though it was only yesterday that he and the rest of the rangers were brought together, not calling Joel out on a mission just yet.
"JOEL. YOU'RE LATE AGAIN. YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO BE HERE WITH US AT THIS MEETING. HURRY UP," Dana's voice came over the morpher intercom loud and clear.
Joel immediately worked at trying to turn off the communication device of his morpher or something that would stop Dana's voice while turning around and stuttering "On my way, crew." and "Green ranger out." in order to try and get himself out of an embarrassing situation.
Miss Fairweather chuckled quietly to herself as Joel turned his back, finding the situation completely hilarious. She had pretty much known right off the bat that he's the Green Ranger and knew exactly what kind of a meeting he had with Captain Mitchell, but she wouldn't let him know that just yet. She quickly straightened her face before Joel could turn back around so that he wouldn't catch her laughing at him; and turn around he did, reluctant to go, but needing to.
"So, uh, maybe I'll see you again huh?" Joel asked hopefully.
"Oh, I have a feeling we're destined to meet again," Miss Fairweather replied knowingly.
- / - / - / - / - / -
Over in the darkness of the dimension where the demons reside, the demons were plotting their plans to destroy the rangers.
"We must find the Power Rangers' base and destroy it and them along with it," the golden-armored Diabolico stated.
"I've already found it, but it's under water and you know what water does to us," the blue-horned Loki informed.
"The queen won't be pleased," Vypra pointed out.
At the mention of the infant demon's mother, the baby demon cooed out "Mama".
"Jinxer, come here," Diabolico ordered. "Take this card and cast your spell, bring this monster alive."
"Oh, yes sir, Diabolico," Jinxer replied. "Whatever you want."
Diabolico handed the card to Jinxer. "The rangers won't be able handle this monster. Do it."
"At once, your evilness," Jinxer answered.
- / - / - / - / - / -
The tour meeting completely flew out of Joel's mind after that little meeting with Ms. Fairweather. Instead of meeting the others like he should have done, Joel headed out of the base and towards a flower-shop, the only thought on his mind being what kind of flowers Miss Fairweather would like even though he had no idea at the moment. After looking around for a bit, Joel decided he should stick with the classic and therefore bought a bouquet of roses. He took a sniff and decided that yes, this should do the trick before heading back to the Aquabase. While walking down around the base trying to find Miss Fairweather, the alarms went off and at the end of the hall; Joel spotted the rest of the rangers heading out. Joel called out after them asking what's going on, but heard the sound of Captain Mitchell calling him from behind and the captain's voice was anything but pleasant.
"Joel, where have you been?"
Joel immediately turned around and hid the flowers behind his back while hurriedly tried to think of an explanation. "Sir, I was uh.., on a uh... on a top secret mission, so secret, even you didn't know about it."
Joel's cool arrogance prevented him from keeping his hand behind his back and he revealed the roses he was trying to hide anyways.
"At the flower-shop?" Captain Mitchell retorted.
Joel hurriedly tried to hide the flowers behind his back again, but realized he was too late as he stuttered for words.
"You're just lucky there's no time right now," Captain Mitchell reprimanded. "GET GOING."
Joel ran to grab his jacket and catch up with the others, looking like he would fall flat on his face. The other rangers were already in position ready to go. Joel called out to the others just as they were about to leave without him.
"WAIT FOR ME."
"We're ready," Carter told the technician as soon as Joel was in place.
This would be the first time the rangers were on the job officially. The rangers were lowered into the Train-Bay and entered what they were told were the Rail-Rescues, prepared to leave. As the rangers were dispatched, the entire area lifted up out of the water and the rangers were off on their first official day on the job, ready to go into battle. The rail-rescues were fast and no doubt powerful. The rangers were at the scene in hardly any time at all and Joel finally saw what had happened. A huge fireball throwing monster was wreaking havoc in the city. He was blasting the area around him; several small buildings were already destroyed. Luckily, the damage was mainly concentrated in a small area and had not spread yet. Several buildings would have to be rebuilt, and roadwork work would have to be redone because of the lava, but it wasn't anything that would be overtly disastrous. The rangers would have to stop the monster soon though, before the situation escalates into something worse.
"We've arrived Captain," Carter related just as the Rail Rescue pulled up to the scene.
Captain Mitchell immediately gave orders to the rangers through his headset. "Each ranger to their own Rail-Rescue."
Carter immediately responded. "Yes Sir. Let's do it, guys."
The rangers quickly headed for their personal Rail-Rescues, and found their individual Rescue Zords. Initiating the zords for the first time, the rangers headed out. Carter had control of Pyro Rescue One, while Chad controlled Aqua Rescue Two, leaving Joel with Aero Rescue Three. Kelsey and Dana had control of Haz Rescue Four and Med Rescue Five respectively.
Joel was more than excited about his new aircraft. "I can't wait to try some stunts in this puppy."
"Joel, stay focused," Captain Mitchell reminded Joel.
Joel saluted at the order. "Got it, Captain."
It appears the monster had taken a moment to recharge to lay more damage to the city as the monster had retracted into a lava pool. As the rangers headed closer into the scene, their built-in transmission equipment picked up a desperate cry for help.
"Somebody help us, please. We're stuck in the building. Get us out of here," a desperate female voice cried.
Carter's equipment was able to trace the source of the cry for help to a building in front of them. "I'm picking up a signal from inside that building."
Captain Mitchell knew the urgency of the situation immediately. "There are people trapped in that elevator."
Carter immediately set out to work. "Let's go get them, guys."
The other rangers responded immediately. "Right."
Inside the elevator that had now stopped moving, the mom was trying to keep the two kids calm and assured them, pleading mentally that someone can help them.
"It'll be ok kids. Don't worry; we'll get out of here," the mother assured.
Chad voiced the problem they had getting to the building as the rangers pulled up. "The building's surrounded by lava; we can't get to go it."
Carter was quick to point out what they needed to do. "We've got to cool that lava into rock. Joel, you think you can get in there?"
Joel made absolutely to consideration before answering. "Are you kidding? With this thing, I can go anywhere."
The lady Joel had bumped into this morning, Miss Fairweather, who was standing by Captain Mitchell at the base almost jumped due to tension. It didn't look like she agreed.
"It's too dangerous, Sir," she advised. "His aircraft doesn't have enough power alone."
Captain Mitchell immediately stopped Joel. "Joel, hold on. You've got to work together."
"I'm sure I've got enough power to do this alone," Joel responded.
Miss Fairweather had to confirm to the captain once again. "Negative, Sir."
"Negative," Captain Mitchell reported.
Joel was in disbelief and kind of insulted by the response. "Says who?"
"Says the expert who designed it; who is standing right next to me," Captain Mitchell retorted. "You have to combine your rescue vehicles."
"I can do it alone," Joel said stubbornly even as he gave in and placed his Rescue vehicle above Chad's. "…but if it'll make you happy, I'll do it your way."
"Lowering magnetic hooks now," Joel reported as he lowered the magnetic hooks onto Chad's rescue zord.
Chad was following instructions within his own zord and the back of the Aqua Rescue Two split into two and turned down when the Green Ranger lifted the vehicle up. "Got it. Thanks, Joel."
"Follow me," Dana told Kelsey picking up the cue.
Kelsey didn't have to be told twice. "You got it."
The girls set the back of their rescue vehicles to turn up, and the back panel of their vehicles opened up, allowing room for Joel to place the Aqua Rescue Two into the two vehicles. The three vehicles locked together as Joel placed Chad's vehicle into Kelsey and Dana's.
"Ok guys, you take it from here," Joel told them once he finished.
The combination of the three vehicles had created the legs and waist of a human figure. Chad moved in on the lava and used the water cannons on his rescue vehicle to cool the lava into rock as Kelsey and Dana headed for and entered Carter's vehicle, ready to enter the building for the rescue.
Kelsey exclaimed as soon as the path was created. "That did it."
"You got a safe path," Dana told Carter.
Carter didn't waste any time in driving his rescue vehicle towards the building. "Excellent. Hold on guys, we're moving in."
Setting the stabilizers in place, Carter and the girls headed for the ladder arms that Carter had set to verbal command.
"Ladder punch, NOW," Carter ordered once they were close enough to the building.
The hand at the end of the ladder punched the wall of the building, and the opening allowed the three rangers to get in. As the three rangers ran into the building, several pieces of the burning building fell down, alarming the rangers.
"We don't have much time, we better split up," Carter advised.
"Right," agreed the girls.
Inside the elevator, coughing can be heard as the smell of smoke started to slowly choke them as the rangers worked their way over to the elevator. Kelsey finally made it to a shaft and was able to slide down the cables to the elevator and get inside.
"Hold on, guys," Kelsey called to them
Kelsey realized the situation was worse than they thought once she was inside the elevator. "They're unconscious."
As Kelsey called for them to wake up, Kelsey felt the elevator shake and drop slightly throwing her off balance and onto the floor. She knew things were getting worse by the second. "The cables."
Kelsey immediately ran over to the elevator doors and tried prying the doors open by hand to no avail.
"Need help, elevator three," Kelsey called into her transmitter.
Carter was just rounding the corner when he received Kelsey's transmission. "I'm almost there."
Dana followed suit and arrived as Carter also tried prying the doors open by hand. "Carter, the building's about to go down, we've got to get out of here."
"We've got to get them out of here first," Carter replied.
Before they got a chance to do anything else, the building shook again causing them to fall to the ground and the fire shifted spreading the fire to the side of their current location.
"We may not have time," Dana pointed out.
"Then we'll have to make time," Carter insisted. "We've got to get them out. Aquabase, we're going to need some help."
Back at the Aquabase, Miss Fairweather was working on the control panels before turning to the captain.
"It's operational," Miss Fairweather said quickly.
Captain Mitchell immediately related the news. "Rescue Red, we have a new weapon online. Call for the Rescue Bird."
Carter followed the instruction immediately. "Rescue Bird."
A drill-tip device with a blasting trigger carried by a winged console came upon Carter's call. Taking the spiral beak of the weapon known as the Rescue Bird, Carter slid it into his weapons controller and powered up the Rescue Drill. He immediately drilled into the door gap getting the elevator doors to unlock. Carter pushed the doors open just as Kelsey told him to hurry.
Kelsey finally found a bit of relief. "You did it."
Carter wasted no time in getting everyone back to his zord. "Come on. Let's get you out of here."
Outside, Chad and Joel were watching and monitoring the scene waiting for Carter and the girls to get out of there with the people who were trapped in the elevator. The lava pool exploded in front of their eyes and the two rangers spotted the monster rising up again out of the lava pool. It looks as if the monster had finished recharging. As the other rangers and the people trapped in the elevator neared the ladder arms of the Pyro Rescue One, Joel's voice come on loud and clear.
"Move it guys, the monster's back," Joel told them.
"We're almost out Joel," Carter responded as the group loaded onto the hands of Pyro Rescue One's ladder.
It appeared that somehow any other people who might have been in the building had gotten themselves out, even though that option is practically impossible. It was more probable that there hadn't been any other people in the building or very few people had been in it on the bottom floors and had been able to get out before the lava pool formed. Whatever it may be, the building was void of any other people. As the ladder arm lowered the group to the ground, they spotted the monster coming for them and it was getting close. Carter told the girls to get the people somewhere safe as he got back inside his rescue vehicle and reversed it. Before the full reverse Carter was doing could be completed however, the monster arrived at the building pushed it, destroying it and creating a pile of rubble that got Carter stuck.
A worried cry immediately escaped from the careful and cautious Chad. "CARTER."
Miss Fairweather immediately knew what to do. "Aero Rescue Three, Sir. It can help."
"Joel, you're on it," Captain Mitchell told Joel.
Joel knew what they wanted him to do, but had a different plan in mind. "But I got another idea. You see, what I can do is..."
The tense Miss Fairweather couldn't take his antics anymore. She grabbed Captain Mitchell's microphone and just snapped into it causing Captain Mitchell to give her a stare. "JUST OBEY THE ORDER!"
"Ok, ok. Chill out," Joel replied before positioning himself above Carter and lowering the magnetic hooks onto Carter's rescue zord.
Carter was so engrossed in his reverse; he didn't know what was happening when his zord shook. "What?"
"Got cha," Joel told Carter.
"Joel? Great, but hurry," Carter told Joel
Joel pulled up and lifted the Pyro Rescue One just as the monster came up and swung at them.
"Carter, prep for Megazord mode," Captain Mitchell ordered from the Aquabase.
Carter immediately followed instructions and initiated the program. "At once, Sir."
"Here we go rangers, megazord mode, Lightspeed," Carter ordered.
The others rangers responded immediately ready to complete the assembly of the zords, Kelsey and Dana having made it back to their zords after getting the people trapped in the elevator to safety. "Lightspeed."
Pyro Rescue One started to change conformation as the back ladder arms of the zord flipped to the left and right, while the bottom back portion under the ladder arms flipped under and locked with the head of the vehicle, which had flipped sideways vertically, causing the top of the vehicle to now be in the front. The vehicle apparently had a turn-able interior wall because Carter was still right-side-up after the shift. Joel positioned what would serve as the upper torso of the megazord onto the top of the walker that had previously been completed, having to blast the monster with his lasers while doing it to keep the monster busy. The top of the Aero Rescue Three flipped opened to reveal a face that would serve as the head of the megazord.
"We're locked, ready?" Carter asked once the megazord was fully locked.
"Ready," the other rangers replied.
As the rangers headed towards the monster, the monster sent blasts their way trying to deter them, but it didn't work that well.
Carter was able to maneuver the megazord through the barrage of blasts causing the monster to back up. "He's hitting us hard, but not hard enough. You're going down."
It was time for the rangers to go on the offensive and Carter set the ladder arms to start punching the monster. "Power thrust, online."
"Let's send this guy back where he came from," Joel suggested.
The idea sounded good to Carter. "Excellent idea, Joel."
The Lightspeed Megazord reached out and grabbed the monster before lifting the monster up into the air and throwing the monster into the lava, rocks, and debris that had accumulated during the whole attack.
"Hope you enjoy your flight," Carter commented.
The monster kicked and yelled in non-coherent groans as the rangers' megazord threw him. The monster blew up as he crashed into the rubble and mess, being destroyed and leaving a whole bunch of mess for the city to clean up.
Miss Fairweather couldn't contain her excitement at the success and victory of the megazord. "YEAH!"
Miss Fairweather composed herself seeing Captain Mitchell's stare once again at her outburst. "Yes."
Joel wasn't absent from cheering either. "Now, that's an airshow. WOHU."
Carter complimented everyone as they broke down the megazord and headed back to the Aquabase. "Great work, everyone."
As the group of rangers walked down the halls of Lightspeed having just gotten back from the fight, Carter was pointing out the importance of teamwork to the Green Ranger. "The only way we're going to beat the demons is if we work as team, like we did today."
"I know you're right. I'm going to concentrate," Joel replied. He was disheartened, but could only agree and handed the roses he had bought for Miss Fairweather to Chad. "No more goofing around."
Carter patted Joel on the arm while the others agreed in the background. "That's the spirit."
Carter continued his speech, but Carter's words started to tune out once Joel spotted Miss Fairweather down the hall behind Carter. "Between the five of us, there aren't going to be any problems we can't handle together. …"
Joel walked towards Miss Fairweather completely ignoring Carter's ongoing speech and call, but doubled back to grab the flowers from Chad without a word before running to catch up with Miss Fairweather leaving the others in disbelief, Kelsey even shaking her head. Apparently, when Joel said no goofing around, he didn't mean that he can't flirt or get himself a girlfriend.
"Miss Fairweather," Joel called to her, flowers and picture autograph in hand.
Miss Fairweather turned her head to give Joel a greeting, but never stopped walking. "Hello, Joel."
Joel followed her into a lab of some sort and watched her pick up some papers from the desk, most likely reports. Looking around, Joel got kind of worried that they were somewhere they shouldn't be.
"Are you allowed to be in here?"
Miss Fairweather was obviously less than worried. "Yes, I work here."
Joel started to feel a little silly. Of course she would be working in a lab; she is wearing a lab coat after-all. "Really? Well, good for you."
Pushing the embarrassment of his oversight out of his mind, Joel pushed on.
"Oh, I got these for you," Joel told her clicking his tongue and gave Miss Fairweather his million-dollar smile while holding out the autographed picture and roses for her to take. "That's me, the Sky Cowboy."
Miss Fairweather turned around and walked over slowly letting out a slight chuckle. "How exciting, I'll uh, pin it up."
Miss Fairweather turned back around and placed the flowers and picture on the desk before working on some kind of equipment that was on it and decided to tease Joel a bit more. "So, how did the, uh, top secret mission go?"
Joel figured this was the perfect moment to impress the lady. "Oh fine, that is until some expert tried to tell me how to fly."
Suspicion clawed at Miss Fairweather as she asked the next question picking up the flowers. "An expert?"
"Some deli-tron designer, trying to tell me how much power my zord has, like I need help, from a computer geek."
Ms. Fairweather was of course less than pleased at the Green Ranger's cocky attitude. This kind of over-confidence is exactly the kind of thing that gets people into trouble. Besides, she more than knew how much power those zords could withstand.
Miss Fairweather slowly turned around and suddenly shoved the roses back into Joel's hands. "Fine. The next time the Sky Cowboy wants to overload his engines and explode, this deli-tron computer geek will just let him."
The smile Joel originally had on melted away at the angered lady shoving the roses back into his hands and storming off. The lady's anger and words stunned Joel silent as his brain started to put two and two together. Hearing some noise, Joel turned his head to look out the lab's window. He spotted the rest of his teammates right outside the lab imitating an out of control aircraft and explosion, followed by a good bye wave, all while laughing. He immediately went to confirm with them.
Joel looked back and forward between the rangers and the last spot he saw Miss Fairweather. "She designed..."
"Everything," Carter finished for him.
Dana leaned forward onto Chad pulling her left arm up onto Chad's left shoulder showing her morpher. "From our morphers to our zords," she added.
Joel immediately fell back leaning of the glass panel wall behind him and hung his head. He just knew that missing the meeting probably cost him his chance with her. He had only been trying to impress her, but his attempt had insulted her intelligence. Joel wanted to just disappear at the moment and buried his face into Chad's shirt, embarrassed. He felt Chad and Kelsey pat him on the arms, followed by Dana as they all laughed before explaining what had happened earlier that day.
"We met Miss Fairweather when you were apparently off at the flower-shop getting roses for her," Kelsey told Joel still giggling.
(Flashback)
Captain Mitchell and the rangers waited for close to 15 minutes after Dana messaged Joel, but Joel still hadn't shown up. Dana was about to message Joel again, but Captain Mitchell stopped her. Captain Mitchell wouldn't wait any longer and decided to just proceed with the tour without Joel. This wasn't a playgroup where you can show up whenever you wanted.
"We'll proceed without Joel," Captain Mitchell told the other rangers.
For the next 45 minutes, Captain Mitchell brought them to the residential, load and storage, maintenance, and machinery wings followed finally by the weapons lab.
"This is the weapons lab," Captain Mitchell introduced. "Everything you'll use to defeat the demons is designed, built, and tested, right here."
There were a bunch of weapon technicians there already working and testing weapons. Even Dana scooted back in surprise as a technician test-fired a fire-extinguishing blaster.
As Captain Mitchell lead the 4 present rangers further into the lab, he headed for a mature, serene looking woman who couldn't have been more than 3-4 years older than Dana. It was the woman whom Joel ran into just a little while ago although the group didn't know.
"Ah, I'd like to meet the genius behind everything, from your Rescue Morphers to your newest weapons. Rangers, this is Miss Angela Fairweather," Captain Mitchell introduced her.
"Thank You, Captain. Welcome to Lightspeed," she greeted before walking down the line of rangers. "Diabolico will stop at nothing to destroy the city. It is my job to make sure you stay one step ahead of him, and his monsters."
Miss Fairweather turned her head and called over to a technician who apparently went by the name of Vincent. The technician turned on a monitor and Miss Fairweather headed towards it with the rest following her.
"Which is why we've developed these," she continued to say referencing the huge black trains cars displayed on the monitor. There were five of them and each of them had accents color-coded to each of the rangers. "These are your Rail-Rescues."
The rangers took a once over of the rail-rescues, but the Rail-Rescues didn't look like anything more than your average train. The mystery was what was so special about the Rail-Rescues.
"Trains?"
Kelsey's blunt remark didn't dampen Miss Fairweather in any way though. "Much more than trains, I assure you."
The next thing the rangers know, the alarm went off, and the report of a molten rock hitting the city came. The group watched as the molten rock transformed into a huge demonic monster right before their very eyes on the monitor.
Carter watched the monitor, he faced scrawled in confusion. "An asteroid?"
Miss Fairweather observed the so called asteroid shift and take form. "It's transforming."
The asteroid exploded open, and the molten rocks rose up as the huge monster unfolded and revealed itself.
"Time to put the Rail-Rescues to work," said Captain Mitchell.
Carter was immediately at attention in military mode, having been trained as disciplinary personnel and serving in the fire department. "YES SIR."
Chad on the other hand, didn't show the same confidence. "The rail rescues? I don't know if I'm ready."
There was a very slight shaking in Kelsey's own voice as she tried to reassure Chad. "Don't worry, none of us are."
"They're programmed to assist you automatically, you'll be fine," Miss Fairweather reassured them.
Carter was already in field commander mode. "Come on, let's go."
The 4 rangers headed for the rail-rescues in the train-bay immediately, leaving Joel to catch up with a hand full of flowers and out of breath on their first official ranger mission.
(End Flashback)
Joel kept his head hung, berating himself for acting the way he did, the other rangers still sharing a laugh at it.
"Why didn't you guys wake up me on time?" Joel questioned desperately.
Now that blame was definitely not on the Red and Blue Rangers. They had wakened Joel up on time. It looked like the Green Ranger just went back to bed.
"We did. You said you would be right there, and for us to go ahead to breakfast, remember?" Chad reminded Joel.
(Flashback)
Chad and Carter had been up right on time, having been disciplined during the course of their lives. That same thing cannot be said about Joel though. He was still sleeping when Carter and Chad were ready to go, so the Red and Blue rangers went to wake the Green Ranger up.
Carter knocked on Joel's private room, door calling out for him to wake up. "Hey Joel, time to get up. We're meeting up with the girls and having breakfast before our tour meeting with Captain Mitchell, remember?"
Joel groggily groaned and turned in his bed opening his eyes, his brain still pretty much asleep. Joel vaguely remembered becoming the Green Ranger and that today was his first day at Lightspeed, but he wanted to sleep just a little more, having stay up a little late last night.
Hearing Joel's sleepy groan, Chad knocked on Joel's door as well. "It's close to 8:30. Come on."
Joel grudgingly made himself reply with his eyes still very much closed. "Alright, go on ahead. I'll meet you guys there."
Carter and Chad looked at each other before shrugging and complying with the Green Ranger's request.
(End Flashback)
Apparently, Joel had went back to sleep for the next half hour instead of getting up and meeting them like he said he would. Joel could only keep his head hung as the others got a laugh at his expense. The group's humorous time came to an end when Captain Mitchell approached them. The rangers immediately stood attentive and gave their attention to the captain.
Captain Mitchell looked at the group of ranger with a subtle thin smile. "Ok, rangers. That was an unexpected and un-welcomed interruption, but you dealt with that really well considering it is the first time you used the Rail-Rescues and you didn't get a chance to learn about them yet. Now that the attack is taken care of, we'll finish our tour. And Joel, glad you can join us this time."
The others laughed again at Joel expense, and they were finally brought into Rescue Ops. All 5 of them have of course been and came through here before, but except for Dana, had no clue how this place works.
"This is Rescue Ops. You have all been here before. This is where monitoring, scanning, transmission and all of that happen," Captain Mitchell welcomed them to the operation headquarters of the Lightspeed Aquabase. "Dana already knows how this place works, so she can take over. It's not too hard to figure out. Just meet me here at 3, and I will bring you the training area. I was originally going to show you the training area during your morning training session, and then have Dana show you how Rescue-Ops work, but since you just came back from dealing with that monster, I'll let Dana show you how Rescue-Ops work now, and extend the afternoon training session by an hour. Meet me here at 3 o'clock."
Dana smiled and nodded. She started with the alarms remembering the stunt Joel pulled yesterday. Dana went over maintaining the Aquabase next, followed by scanning and monitoring the city. Finally came sending out weapons. Although a good number of what is done at Rescue-Ops is taken care of by the general operatives, they still needed to know what to do. Before long, the rangers were able to use the Aquabase control panels with ease.
The rangers went to lunch before splitting up for some personal time before their first training session. Carter explored the Aquabase some more making sure he knew his way around. Chad finished settling in as well, but went for a swim after. Joel stayed inside the boys' quarter doing whatever it was he was doing. Kelsey also got finished settling in, but had to do some laundry while Dana read up on some medical material and information. The rangers made sure to keep an eye on the time though, and were back at their quarters by 2:40PM.
Seeing Chad and Joel on the couch upon entering the boys' common room, Carter greeted them. "Hey guys."
Chad's face peeked out from under the towel he was using to dry his hair. "Hey Carter."
Carter would have said something else if Joel had responded, but Joel had remain quiet and completely off in his little world. "What is he doing?"
Chad only shrugged and continued to dry is hair. "Who knows, he was like this when I got back from my swim."
Carter waved his hand in front of Joel's face. "Joel."
"Hi Carter," Joel responded quickly before going back into his thoughts.
Carter looked over to Chad, but Chad only shrugged again.
Carter shook his head. "Are the girls ready?"
"I don't know," Chad answered.
"Let's find out." Carter walked over to the connecting wall-door and knocked. "Are you girls in there?"
The response came in a minute when the wall slid open revealing Kelsey and Dana on the other side.
Kelsey stepped over to the boys' side smiling. "Hey, there."
Dana followed Kelsey with her own greeting. "Hey."
Kelsey spotted Joel sitting there staring into space. "What's up with him?"
Carter and Chad just shrugged at Kelsey's inquiry. It wasn't as if Joel responded to their presence. He was in his own little world ignoring everybody.
"Joel?" Kelsey questioned Joel.
Joel let out a frustrated groan at Kelsey's interruption. "Stop, I'm trying to think of a way to make things up with Miss Fairweather. You guys saw how I angered her."
"Just apologize," Dana told Joel plainly.
Joel didn't think that was enough though. "I know that, but she was really mad. I need to do a bit more than just say "I'm sorry", you know."
The other rangers looked at each other at this. Just what in the world was Joel planning? Whatever it was, it would most probably include a few laughs.
Carter scoffed at Joel's antics. "Just what are you planning, Joel?"
"Something special. Something that will tell her I am truly sorry, and that I was an idiot not to listen to her."
Dana chuckled. "Oh, boy. I don't think I want to know. Did everyone get all their things settled in? If there are still things you need to bring to the Aquabase, we can go later today."
Kelsey flopped down on the couch next to Joel. "No worries, I got all my stuff, just need to do some organizing."
Chad gave his hair a few more scrubs with his towel and laid it around the back of his neck. "I'm alright, probably be done today."
"I was done yesterday," Carter replied.
Kelsey looked over to Carter widening her eyes. "You're quick."
Carter shrugged. "I just don't have a lot of stuff, that's all."
Kelsey shrugged as well. "Everybody ready for the first training session?"
"I'm ready," Carter told them.
Chad looked at them a little nervous. "As ready as I'll ever be."
"Don't worry. I'm sure everything will be alright," Dana reassured them.
Kelsey smiled at Dana's reassurance. "You lived at Lightspeed your whole life, and Captain Mitchell said he trained you for 18 years. I doubt you would have anything to worry about."
"I didn't know at all. I just thought it was a part of the training for Lightspeed. I had no idea that dad had chosen me to be the Pink Ranger."
Carter placed a firm hand on Dana's shoulder. "Well, you're the Pink Ranger now, and that's a good thing. You showed us the way to transport was yesterday. We had just arrived. We wouldn't have known where to go. You also helped us move in yesterday."
"Yeah, having someone who has been with Lightspeed their entire life helps us make the transition into Lightspeed," Kelsey agreed.
"Don't forget that you just taught us about Rescue-Ops just earlier today," Chad added.
Dana smiled. "Glad I was able to help."
Their nice little conversation came to an end when an announcement for the rangers to head to Rescue-Ops came on. The rangers headed for Rescue-Ops as instructed to meet Captain Mitchell for their first training session. Captain Mitchell had changed from his usual Captain's uniform to a military outfit for the occasion.
"Alright rangers, I'll show you the training facilities and then training will begin," Captain Mitchell told them. "You will each get your training gears when we get to the training area. The training area is at the fields up on Mariner Hill, not far from the Aquabase. I'll show you the way; just follow me in the Rescue Rover. Got any questions?"
Following the captain just as instructed without any questions, the rangers were brought to an open field, but brought around to the other side before they stopped, and everyone got off.
Captain Mitchell waved for the rangers to follow him. "Rangers, this is the training area. We will be here numerous times. The field that you traveled around was the back field. We will be there as well. There is a sandy rock hill and field to your right. I will show you around right now before you get your equipment."
The rangers followed Captain Mitchell to a storage-like shack with a railing in front. "This is the Target Shack. There are random places where cardboard monster cut-outs can be placed and set up for you to practice working with blasters and aim. Your real blasters are prohibited in there though. You are only to use glob blasters in there. Real blasters will only be used outside and on monsters and demons."
Captain Mitchell then brought the rangers to a much bigger two story building that had a taller tower on the corner.
Captain Mitchell led the rangers into the building. "This is the main training building. Indoor training will be completed in here. The training pool is in the back on this floor and the training room is on the second floor. The tower over to the right is the Stairs Tower. Rails and pathways have been placed around the outside as well as inside for rope climbing. While you can only go down one flight here in the main part of the building, you can go down several more flights at the Stairs Tower. There are restroom and shower facilities both upstairs and downstairs. There is an equipment warehouse out the back for equipment storage, but only general equipment. Machinery, weapons, and documentation are to be brought back to the base."
"There are going to be several different types of training. There will be physical training, combat training, rescue training, and training exercises or training assignments. Physical training is training your physical stamina and agility, such as races, obstacle courses, etc... Combat training is training your fighting skills, weapons or no weapons. Rescue training is training that involves saving lives and rescues, first aid, drowning, aero rescues, that kind of thing. Exercise or assignment training is when I give each of you an assignment in any of the other categories that you are to complete as quickly and as safely as possible. While you will be evaluated on all types of training, training assignments are the only training for which you will be scored. For the next few days, you will be getting physical and combat training. I will tell you when we start doing rescue and exercise training." Captain Mitchell told them.
"The fields are over to your right. Now, come with me to get your training gear." Captain Mitchell said to them waving them along.
Each ranger was given a pair of military boots and pants, finger-less hand guards, and a t-shirt as training attire. The pants and boots were mandatory, but the top can be interchangeable as long as it doesn't impact training. The rangers were also given glob blasters for the target shack, and some other training equipment including a training bag of course. Once the rangers had received their gear, they were instructed to change in the restrooms in the main training building, and training started.
For the first day, combat training was the main priority in order to make sure that the rangers can fight properly. Yesterday had gone alright, but they needed to be much stronger if they were going to defeat the demons. Following the initial combat training, they also did some physical training that included racing, jumping, obstacle courses, and weight training. The goal was not only to increase their stamina, but also make them more agile. Joel was lagging behind a bit since he never received this much training before, but it worked out fine. Carrying heavy oxygen tanks and fire-fighting equipment, not to mention carrying hundred pound plus people out of hot burning buildings had really trained Carter's stamina and speed so he was ahead in that department. Kelsey was quite agile with all the various sports and activities she had done, but she had less stamina compared to Carter since she didn't usually need to carry majorly heavy equipment or hundred plus pound people. Chad and Dana were the well-rounded ones with decent stamina and agility. For a first training session though, things went quite well.
"Alright rangers. That does it for today. You did well for the first training session. We'll pack up and head back to the base. Tomorrow, we'll continue your combat training, so I will see you here at 10AM, sharp." Captain Mitchell added the last bit looking at Joel.
The other rangers couldn't help but let out a smile and a silent chuckle at that as Joel sighed. The rangers really were tired after that, but they were able to with-stand it. Captain Mitchell has chosen well, of course. The rangers all agreed on taking a shower before eating dinner. The rangers shared the several dishes that they got this time as they discussed the training they just had.
"That was some workout," Joel commented
"Dad was definitely more intense then I remembered, but I didn't think it was THAT bad," Dana responded.
"Easy for you to say," Joel retorted.
"Oh come on Joel. It was a bit lengthy, but it wasn't anything too difficult," Carter said.
"That wasn't what I meant. I'm just tired," Joel defended.
"I think we're all tired to some degree, but we did pretty well, and it looks like we withstood it pretty well too," Chad said.
The happy-go-lucky Kelsey smiled. "Not really a sports game, but still just as active,"
"Let's do our best guys. Mariner Bay is depending on us," Carter encouraged.
"Yeah," Chad agreed.
"Let's do it," Kelsey cheered.
"You got it," Joel added.
"We'll work as a team just like we did today. To friends, and to Mariner Bay." Dana finished raising her cup of water.
The others smiled and raised their cups to toast. The friendship between the five rangers would only get deeper for sure. They were already off to a good start. The rangers took a break after their dinner together, loosening themselves before they went to bed. Chad did some stretching and Joel went back to thinking about what he could do to apologize to Miss Fairweather coming up with an idea, while Kelsey listened to some music. Carter and Dana weren't in their quarters though. Dana had actually gone to see her father, Captain Mitchell, in his office which was connected to his personal room, on the other side of Rescue-Ops. The rangers were located on one side of Rescue-Ops, while Captain Mitchell was located on the other.
"Dad?" Dana called out knocking on her father's door, entering upon hearing her father's response.
"Hey Dana," Captain Mitchell greeted happily
"Hey Dad, you're not busy, are you? I know you have a lot more paperwork now that Lightspeed has gone fully active."
"No, I'm fine. Are you getting along with the other rangers?"
"Yeah, we're all becoming fast friends."
"Good, I was worried that a team of strangers may not get along."
"I don't think you'll have anything to worry about. Some argument will probably come up sometime, but I have a feeling our friendship will become strong enough to pull through it," Dana assured.
"Good, but I want you to keep an eye on them. I choose you to be the fifth because I know you are perfect for it. You brought the team together, and I want you to keep it together," Captain Mitchell told his daughter seriously.
"Don't worry; I think I have already taken up that role. I'll make sure the team develops a friendship that will keep us together," Dana replied wholeheartedly.
Captain Mitchell gave his daughter a hug. "I knew I could count on you."
"I do want to ask you dad, why didn't you tell me? You know that I grew up as a member of Lightspeed."
"I know, but I didn't want to give you such a burden at that young an age. You already had to be taught everything at an accelerated pace, and didn't really get a chance to make friends. I didn't want to put the knowledge on you that you were going to be depended upon to protect this entire city from evil forces. That would have been too much. I wanted you to still have some sense of a childhood. You were always responsible; if I told you, you wouldn't even have the little bit that you did have."
"Thanks dad," Dana said smiling before giving her father a hug. "I won't let you down."
"I know you won't."
"Night, Dad."
"Night, Dana."
The day was over, and a majority of the Lightspeed operatives had called it a night letting the few night-shift Lightspeed operatives take over. Yet Carter was still working on the controls, he couldn't help but scan the city one more time. Carter entered the scan sequence and initiated the scan as he pulled up other images of the city on the monitor. Carter looked on with a wistful look as the images of Mariner pulled up before him almost as if an attack will happen any second or that the city is entirely gone already. As his fingers and eyes continue to work, Dana rounded the corner and entered Rescue-ops, on her way back to her quarters, having just finished talking with her father.
"Carter?" she called walking up to him.
The Red Ranger's head and body turned to face the blond. "Hi Dana. I'm just running some scans."
Dana had to smile at the Red Ranger even if he had turned back around to the monitors. He was so serious and alert. She placed her right hand on Carter's left shoulder with a calm small smile causing him to turn to her.
"Don't worry, Carter. The night staff will be on alert, and scans run on automatic at night," she assured.
Carter nodded silently and the two rangers headed for their respective quarters making small talk along the way.
"I'm just worried, you know. We don't know what they are capable of, at least, not yet. Just look what happened today. A lot of people could have gotten seriously hurt. Luckily no one did, but several buildings were destroyed," Carter said.
"I know, Carter. We'll all new at this. I may have been at Lightspeed for as long as I can remember, but I haven't fought demons or monsters before. But hey, we can make it through this, one step at a time, and working together."
Carter smiled. "Yeah, I know everyone here is competent. They know how to do their jobs, and we need to focus on ours."
Dana nodded while smiling and the two of them entered their respective quarters calling it a night. The others were in their personal rooms as well, about ready to go to bed. Tomorrow would be another day of training and protecting Mariner Bay. It was definitely dangerous to repeatedly go up against demonic monsters, but it had brought together a group of strangers and only time will tell just what the future has in store for everyone.
Next time on PR Lightspeed Rescue: On and Off the Screen:
The day of the press conference has arrived, but things don't look too good. The demons seem to have quite the plan. Does this mean the rangers will be in trouble? But the fight only just started. How can the demons be defeated if the rangers get into trouble this early in the fight? Do the rangers really have what it takes... to be rangers?
My Comments:
Wow, I never thought it would be two years later before I post this chapter. Once again, I'm sorry. Like I said, this is a huge project for me. I have more time now, so hopefully I can work everything out much quicker. By now, I'm sure everyone realized that I changed the rangers' quarters. On the show, the male and female rangers were in separate quarters and there were no private rooms. Carter even had to sleep in a top bunk. While there really isn't anything wrong with that, it isn't really what I want. I want the rangers to have a close relationship, but also have their own personal space. I will also need to make use of that for some scenes in future chapters.
Now for that last scene, I don't want all the Carter/Dana fans to squeal just yet. We are just getting started. I know I gave them a little private moment, but I hope you noticed that it was about work. Work is the connection I want to establish between them first. The reason is that from these two's personality, I most definitely do not in anyway picture them getting together fast. They are just both too serious and won't put love as their first priority. They're just not people to go looking for love. I actually feel that those two might actually try to avoid it. Let me know if you think I'm reading too much into it that I'm imposing how I want the characters to be instead of how the characters really are. In addition, I mentioned that I want to develop all different kind of relationships in this elaboration rewrite so there will be private scenes between other characters as well.
As for Mr. Rawlings, I think the impression I have of him might be a little exaggerated. Please let me know what you guys think. I want to keep things as true to character and story as possible.
The last thing I want to announce is that I would like for past rangers to make some guest appearances, so if there's a ranger you want to see in this story, you should make a suggestion now. Otherwise I will have to make the choices and you might not like them. Unfortunately, no future rangers, so only rangers prior to Lightspeed, alright? Sorry.
Alright, until next time...
~Secretive Writer