I do Not Own Power Rangers
I do however own this plot and my OCs
Chapter 4 NetScape Special Ops?
A girl with brown hair paced back and forth. Her hair held up by a red scrunchy. Her red Netscape uniform neatly pressed. She tried to sit still, but she was just too anxious. Suddenly the double doors opened and she stood at attention. A man stepped into the foyer where she was waiting and motioned for her to follow him into the chamber. She did so silently.
She followed him to the front of the room. And he directed her to stand behind the railing. In front of her was a committee, and beside her sitting on a long bench where her squad mates. She swallowed a gulp and looked at her commander right as he spoke to her.
"State your name, and your Netscape designation for the record." He began,
"Jessica Ann Collins," She began, "Designation red, squad 5."
"Ms. Collins," The commander began, "Did you have any knowledge or take part in the incident which caused cadet James' injuries?"
"No sir," She spoke truthfully,
"Did you have any idea that something would happen?"
"Yes sir," She responded,
"Elaborate."
"During a squad meeting," She began, "It was suggested that we use any means to defeat Cadet Oliver's squad in our upcoming battle round."
"Who made the suggestion?" The commander asked,
"It was Cadet Adams, sir."
"Your designation blue," He noted, "What was your response?"
"That we would do no such thing," She began, "That we would win or lose with honor."
"Thank you cadet," The Commander began, "We will now deliberate on the evidence and decide squad 5's fate." The committee stood and filed out of the chamber while Jessica's disgraced teammates where lead out of the room.
"Jessie?"
She looked up as David Oliver sat beside her, "yeah."
"I know you had nothing to do with what happened to Becky."
She gave him a weak smile and asked, "How is she?"
"The doctor said she's going to be fine."
David watched as she breathed out a sigh of relief, and a real smile appeared on her face, but that disappeared, when David spoke again.
"But she won't be able to serve as a NetScape operative," He finished, "Her body can't handle that kind of stress."
"I'm sorry,"
"Don't be," he replied, "It's not your fault."
"It feels like it is,"
"That's because you have a good heart."
Once more she smiled and David gave her a one armed hug, and then a bell chimed and Jessica's teammates where led back into the room, and the committee took their seats, as the commander spoke.
"Colin Adams, Brian Park, Lucy Messer, Ava Gonzales, and Michael Richt," The commander began, "Stand up."
The five did so and faced their fate, "We find you five guilty on all charges, and you are hereby striped of your NetScape rank and designation, and are to be reprimanded into SPD custody to face criminal charges." He then looked at Jessica, "And now for you Ms. Collins," he began, "We find you not guilty on all charges but one!"
Jessica went stiff as shocked murmurs went around the council room.
"That charge is failure to secure all knowledge of your teammates and their actions," He began, "It is up to the red designate to know where their squad is, and what they're doing," He continued, "Do you have anything to say to that?"
"No sir," She replied,
"It is the ruling of this court," That you be removed from designation red, and refiled as designation pink, and assigned to Cadet Oliver's squad as Cadet James' replacement." He finished, "That is all."
Everyone stood and went to leave the chamber, but Jessica was stuck. She had trusted her team, and they betrayed her, and now she could no longer proudly wear the color red. She didn't even notice one of the academy guards coming up to her. He tapped her on the shoulder, and motioned for her to follow him. Jessica didn't need to ask where she was going, because she already knew. They where going to exchange her red uniform for a pink one, and then she was going to take Rebecca's place on David's squad. On another note David told his squad to help Jessica transition to their dorm and help her settle in, and went to the commander's office.
The commander stood in his office and ran his hands down face, and pinched the bridge of his nose. Today had been the worst day of his life, and considering his past that was saying something. He went to his bookcase grabbed a cup and filled it with scotch, and took a drink when there was a knock on the door.
"Come!"
The door opened and a beautiful blonde woman wearing a NetScape uniform stepped in, and spoke with her alluring Australian accent.
"Commander," She began, "Cadet Oliver is here to see you."
"Send him in." The commander spoke with a smile,
"As you wish sir," She turned back to the boy in the hall, "Your father will see you now."
The commander snorted nearly laughing, but managing to reign it in, but he couldn't help but chuckle when he heard, "Thanks mom,"
The door opened and in walked David Oliver. Who walked up to his father/commander and saluted.
"What can I do for you son?" He asked,
"Not that I'm complaining about her being assigned to my team, but why are you punishing Jessica for something that was well beyond her control."
"I didn't like having to demote her David," He replied, "It was among the hardest things I've ever had to do."
"Then why?"
"Leadership negligence," He spat almost as if the words made him sick, "That's what they called it."
"They?" David began, "The other members of the committee?"
"Yes," he began, "David if I had my way she would still be a red, and would have a new squad under her command."
"But?"
"But the other members on the counsel saw what happened as a lack of leadership, that could endanger any member of NetScape," He spat again, "They wanted me to strip her of her rank, her position and expel her."
"What!"
"That's what I said," he began, "But I managed to talk them down to what happened."
"I guess Jessie should count herself lucky," He responded, "Huh?"
"If she is lucky," He began, "It's because she has friends like you," He replied, "Now you have a new member to debrief, and stick with her," He began again, "Something tells me she's going to be blaming herself for everything."
"Me too," David replied heading out the door, "Thanks Dad."
He gave David a you're welcome motion as he left and the secretary walked in.
"He's just like you Tommy," She spoke.
"You know I was just thinking about how much like you he is Kat,"
"Well then he's better off isn't he?"
He smiled and kissed her, "I love you Kat."
"I love you too Tommy."
-Netscape-
It was all quiet as the red hummer pulled onto a mountainside road. It was amazing to every occupant of the vehicle as they where in the mountains traveling up what one could only assume was a back road.
"Neo are you sure we are on the right road?" Alexis asked from her passenger seat,
"This is where the coordinates lead." Neo replied as they went around a corner and up an incline.
The ride kept feeling unusually eerie for the six in the car, but they soon came onto a hut and a man in what appeared to be a forest ranger's uniform stepped out and up to the hummer as Neo rolled down the window. When the ranger saw Neo's uniform his demeanor changed from serious to a little more relaxed.
"PDA?" He asked holding out his hand,
Neo responded by giving the small device over to the guard. He pressed some buttons and then spoke again, "Alright," He began giving back the device, "Keep on this road for about three miles then turn onto the first dirt road on the right."
"Thank you sir."
"No problem," He replied stepping away from the vehicle and back into his hut.
Neo turned back to his squad as if asking, 'What's up with that?' The response a mere shrug as Neo put the car in gear and proceeded down the road. After leaving the hut the PDA's screen went blank. It was noticed, but since they knew where to go no one paid it much mind.
The guard went back into his shack and picked up a radio, "Sir they are here."
"Excellent, ETA?"
"Ten maybe fifteen."
"What are they arriving in?"
"Big red hummer," The guard replied "About miss it."
"Rodger that."
About fifteen minutes later the six cadets stared in awe of the compound they where heading toward. It was massive, but it also stirred questions about what such a place was doing way out here. But they put those thoughts on the back burner as Neo followed the road eventually pulling into a slot and parking. Everyone filed out of the hummer and went inside the main door to a massive lobby that appeared to be light only by the sunlight, and considering the numerous windows all over the place.
"This place is huge," Alexis whispered as they all took in the view.
"Greetings."
With the sudden interjection of a new voice they all spun in its direction on guard, but relaxed as they noticed he was wearing a uniform similar to theirs, but clearly of a very high rank.
"My name in Commander Thomas Oliver," He spoke with added authority, "Welcome to NetScape Special Ops."
******************** A Year Later************************************
It was well after three in the morning when Neo trudged into the dorm that he and his squad lived in. He off loaded his training packs by the door and went to the refrigerator and got himself a cold water. The liquid felt good entering his system. Once he was rehydrated he looked in the microwave and sure enough there was a plate of food waiting for him. He pulled it out and pealed off the saran wrap grabbed a soda and went into the living room to eat, but once there he spotted Alexis on the couch. He set his food down and beheld her. She was in white pajamas that had yellow trim and the outline of a falcon on the pocket. She was also in a yellow robe which came down to the hem of her pants.
He knelt beside her, and couldn't help but notice that she was absolutely gorgeous when she was bathed in the moonlight like she was. He reached down and cupped her cheek and gently stroked it. After a little while her eyes fluttered and slowly creaked open.
"Neo?"
"Yep,"
"Just get in?"
Again Neo smiled and nodded.
Alexis rubbed her eyes and slowly sat up. She let out a yawn as she grabbed a present off the coffee table that he had not noticed before. She handed it to him wishing him a happy birthday.
"Lexi?"
"What," She asked a little more awake, "You know I give you your birthday gift first."
"And Vice Versa."
"But what to get the boy who has everything," She spoke whimsically before adding, "Well come on open it!"
The red operator opened the box and moved the tissue paper and pulled out a white Jacket that had a red eagle embroidered on the back, and had red lining inside. Neo smiled as he beheld it and stood slipping it on.
"Well?"
"You look awesome," Alexis spoke softly standing and the two embraced.
Neo always loved the hugs he and Alexis would share. He could feel her soft body pressed against his, and could take in the scent of her hair, and just her overall essence. He loved her and he loved being this close to her, but the part he dreaded the most was coming up. He could feel her beginning to pull back and he knew he had to do the same. The pulled back slowly until the only parts of them that where still touching where their hands which still rested on each others forearms. Alexis wanted to say something as did Neo, but both where caught in each other's eyes. Neo was held a gasp by the way Lexi's eyes sparkled in the moonlight, while her blonde bangs perfectly framed her face.
Both could feel their wills breaking, but before they did Neo looked down and reluctantly left the yellow designates' arms. He uttered a thank you for the gift and returned it to its box. Then both he and Alexis retired to their rooms for the night, but not before Neo collected his dinner and took it with him.
*******************************NetScape***************************************
"Wow!" was all David could say as the two reds walked the hallway,
"Yeah it's terrific," Neo bit, "Now any advice?"
"Yeah, get over yourself and tell Alexis that you're in love with her."
"This coming from the guy whom is in love with his pink, but hasn't said a word either."
"Look I told you I'm waiting for the right moment to ask her out."
"Really, and when will that be?"
"Well, I'd have to check my calendar, but…"
"But nothing, you won't tell Jessica for the same reason I won't tell Lexi,"
David looked ready to respond but didn't, "When did we lose our spines?"
"I guess at the point we realized that we didn't want to risk them not being around anymore."
"That sounds about right."
"So what do we do?"
"I don't know Neo."
-NetScape-
After his talk with David Neo went back to the dorm changed into his sparring gear and walked into the gym at the back of said dorm. Once there he could see a blonde haired woman waiting for him. He walked over to her, sat down and started doing his warm up stretches, but his mind was on the beautiful Alexis McKnight not the training regimen he was about to start and the woman noticed.
"You seem distracted Neo,"
"It's nothing Brooke."
"Doesn't look like nothing if it is occupying that much space."
The red designate looked at his friend and could see the concern in her eyes. He knew he could continue to deny anything wrong, and she would continue to inquire and they would get nothing down, or he could share with his friend and probably get some better advice than what David had given him. So he told her what had happened last night with Alexis.
Brooke sat quietly while listening to Neo, and the confusion he had in regards to her other friend. She couldn't help but feel for him. After all if not for him and Alexis she and Jaden would be dead right now. And ever since their initial meeting she could see almost instantly that there was a lot more between the two than mere friendship. She also could see why Neo would be afraid to lose the friendship him and her shared it was beyond special. After Neo finished she just shook her head.
"I don't know Neo," She whispered, "I really don't."
The young man in red just sighed and put his head in his hands, and sighed. Brooke hated seeing such a frustrated slash depressed look on her friend's face so she moved forward, and took him into a hug. It was nothing romantic or special just a friendly hug meant for comfort. Neo gladly accepted the embrace and returned it.
"You'll figure out what to do." She whispered, "You always do."
He smiled and hugged her tighter, "Thank You Brooke."
"It's what friends are for,"
"Right," Neo replied separating from the Pink designate and standing, "Now," Begin taking a fighting position, "Where were we?"
"Oh," She began assuming her stance, "I think about right here." She finished throwing a surprise shot at her tutor, but one he easily dodged.
"Nice, but not good enough." He added quickly sweeping Brooke's feet dropping her onto the mat, but she countered by kicking Neo's leg out from under him. Unfortunately he landed on top of the pink designate with a thud driving the wind out of both of them.
"You okay," Neo asked finally managing to catch his breath,
"Yeah," She responded also gasping for air.
Neo went to get up when the door opened, and there stood Alexis. It took a fraction of a second for the red designate to realize what his and Brooke's position looked like. The yellow ranger took a gasp and in a shaky voice said, "Didn't mean to interrupt." Right before she left.
-To Be Continued-
Next Up
What will the squad think of Neo and Brooke's new relationship?
How will it affect team dynamics?
"Can they keep it together for the Battle Round coming up?
Find out next time, please review on the way out.