Random chapter. An idea that just popped into my head.

I have a very prominent memory in my head, from when we were about five or six. I don't know why this memory has lodged itself so firmly, but it has, so I will tell it to you... It was the time when Birdie came to visit. The time Birdie came looking for a new apprentice to the head scientist, and took a fancy to me and my sister...

His visit was unannounced, and Kat was taking us to the beach. We were walking down the corridor, when a huge man loomed out in front of us. He was tall, and covered in feathers with a beak protruding from his face.

"Birdie," My mother stopped suddenly. "... Sir."

I could sense my mothers panic and fear and I hid behind her. I did not know who he was. Now of course, I know him to be my supreme commanding officer, in charge of everyone, even Cruger. But I didn't know that then.

"Dr Manx." His voice was slow and sour and taut. He quickly cast a glance down his nose at me, and Kat put her hand on the back of my head for comfort. "I have come to talk to you and Cruger. Alone." Again with the glance.

My mother took the hint. She bent down to our level, "Zelda, Soara, go to the rec room and find the B-Squad rangers. Stay there until the commander or I come to get you."

We nodded and sped off.

"No running in the corridors!" Kat shouted after us. We dropped back to a walk. I heard her say to the man, "they're good kids."

Half way to the rec room I got a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something about that man and his intentions didn't seem right. "Hey Soara... Wouldn't you like to know what they're talking about?"

X-X-X-X-X-X

"I just don't see commander. They're so young –too young to be separated from me!" It was my mother's voice talking as we approached the command centre.

"Dr Manx," I despised the way that bird like man spoke her name. "I believe on your home planet children under the age of 5 were taken from their mothers for training."

"You don't need to remind me!" Kats voice was raised but I could tell his words had induced tears.

"That was uncalled for Birdie!" Cruger snarled. Soara flinched, and even I felt uncomfortable, at the harshness in his voice.

"What I'm saying is, your girls are 7 years of age. They'd be more than capable of being trained now." Birdie spoke. "You have already said it, the girls will be doing specialised training with SPD, no other education. So surely the sooner we start the better?"

Me and Soara looked at one another. They were talking about us

"This isn't Felle commander." My mother whispered. "Besides, I want to give them choice. Whilst I hope they will fulfil my wishes for them to train with SPD, I don't want to brain wash them into it, and they are too young to make a choice now."

"And wouldn't it be illegal?" Cruger questioned.

"Not if you signed the papers to give me full custody," Birdie stated.

"You... Want to... Adopt... One of my children?" Kat sounded as if she couldn't believe it.

"Well of course!" Birdie twittered. "Dr Manx, Cruger. You don't know how lucky you are to be parents... I can no longer have children due to my age. So you see it's not just the fact I need a scientist. I want someone to grow up to call me 'dad'."

I could sense the disbelief. I couldn't even believe it. Birdie my father? Yuck.

"I don't think that would be appropriate..." Kat stammered. "Not just the adoption but... All of it."

"Why not? Remember Sam, that young boy? He trained with SPD from a very young age, only ever in the art of being a ranger. What's the difference?" Birdie was beginning to get frustrated.

"The difference, Sir, is that Sam had no home, no place in any school, no future. Kat's girls have a home and good education, they're being trained by their mother. And even if they did choose to leave SPD they could quite easily get a job anywhere without problem - just because they grew up in SPD under Manx's care. And Sam was not adopted." Cruger explained.

"Cruger..." I heard the shuffle of Birdie's feet as he moved closer. "I could not help but notice SPD is suffering a little financially."

"We all are. These are tough times." Cruger sounded reproachful. If I had learned anything so far in life it was that money was a delicate subject.

"Give me one of the children." Birdie spoke slowly and clearly. "And I will increase your funding by 75%." there was a pause. "Think about it Cruger, that's an extra $18,750,000. You need it."

Silence. A long one.

"He wouldn't." Soara whispered, eyes wide and scared.

"Doggie..." Kats whimper broke the silence in the command centre.

"Birdie. I can't deny we have difficulties, money wise. An extra chunk of money like would benefit us greatly... Plus you are in terrible need of an apprentice head scientist and the HQ can only have the best. The best would be one of Manx's daughters." Cruger rumbled.

"Thank you Cruger." Birdie sounded chuffed.

"NO DOGGIE!" Kat wailed. "I WILL QUIT!"

"You will not, Manx. I will ensure you get a pay rise as of next month. Thank you commander, one of the girls and I will depart at 1800 hours. Obviously I would like to spend some time with the girls to decide which one I will employ but..."

"I NEVER FINISHED," the commander had to raise his voice to be heard above Birdie's rattling. "You can stop crying Miss Manx, neither of your daughters are going anywhere."

"What?" Birdie was fuming now. "But you... You said..."

"I merely stated we are in need of money and you are in need of a scientist." Cruger growled. "But the custody of Zelda and Soara is not mine to hand over. Their custody is solely in the hands of their mother, Dr Manx. And if their mother is unhappy... I won't allow her children to be taken away from her! Birdie we are an organisation that works together to defend the galaxy, not an organisation that tosses children - who are barely old enough to understand what we do here - from pillar to pillar."

"Oh Doggie, thank you!" I heard the clump of Kat hugging the commander.

"Commander, I think you'd better leave." Cruger growled at Birdie. "Good luck finding a scientist."

"And I think we had better scarper!" I whispered to Soara.

We pegged it to the rec room and pounced on Sky and Z, snatching their controls to the gaming console.

"Hey!" Z protested.

"Manners!" Sky grunted.

"We have been here half an hour! Just go with it!" I insisted. The rangers were perfectly used to this kind of situation, even when we were that age. Looking back on it we were real sneaks...

"Fine." they sighed.

I think that chapter makes more sense in my head than it does on paper. Hmm. Let me know what you think!
I always thought Birdie was a bit of a weirdo...