Jack sat with Sky and Syd as a news broadcast played on the holo-screen in the common room. "And the Elite Four have saved the streets of Eltar once again. Thank you, Rangers," the anchorwoman reported before turning to other news. Jack clicked the off button.
"How about that?" said Sky. "We go for some week-long 'training', learn nothing, and they still go out and bring in a Crime Lord."
"Sounds like someone is jealous," said Syd as Jack put the remote on the coffee table.
"Well it wouldn't be so bad if they didn't look like that," said Sky.
"Like what?" asked Jack.
"Take Blackstone for example," said Sky. "Never goes anywhere without a long, flowing cape or strange gloves that go up to his forearms. Or those two earrings. I mean, talk about intimidating."
"And his eyes are Red," added Syd. "I can't decided if they're hot or scary."
"No, hot would look more like Darkshade," said Jack. The statement awarded him a smile from Sky.
"What's so great about her?" asked Syd.
"Well, those Silver highlights are hot," started Jack.
"Her oh-so-tight black stealth suit, with cleavage," added Sky.
"The purple eyes," finished Jack.
"And I suppose the tiny diamond nose ring turns you on too," said Syd.
"You know it," both boys agreed as the door opened and Z walked in.
"How's Sam?" Jack asked immediately on his feet.
"And Bridge?" added Syd.
"Sam's breathing on his own," Z announced. "But Bridge is driving everyone crazy. He got way overprotective while we were gone. I talked to Commander Cruger and he said that Bridge is completely blaming the Elite Four."
"I agree," said Sky.
"You can't agree," Jack returned. "So, don't even think about it."
"Maybe we could ask them for help," suggested Syd.
"With what?" asked Z confused.
"Bridge," said Syd. "Think about it. It was only after Commander Cruger mentioned the Elite Four that Bridge started acting funny."
"So, you think there's a connection?" asked Sky. "Syd, I'm shocked. Did you come up with that all by yourself?"
She swatted him in the chest as Jack took over. "How could the Elite Four help?"
"Why not ask them?" Z suggested.
"You do it," Jack said.
"You're the leader," she countered.
"Sky, you know the most about he SPD rules," said Jack.
"I'm not calling the Elite Four about anything short of a planetary invasion," stated Sky.
Three pairs of eyes looked at Syd and the owner's said, "Nah."
"There has to be something we can do to get his mind off Sam," said Sky.
"How about some toast?" ask Z.
Jack gave her a funny look and Sky simply dismissed it. "A party?" offered Syd.
"Who'd we invite?" asked z.
Syd sat on the couch to think. "We could look up his childhood friends," she said.
"And Sam?" asked Sky.
"He's getting better," Z reminded him.
"Well, I think we have a lot of work to do, people. Let's get to it," said Jack.
"That was the fifth Crime Lord of the year," ShadowTracker said putting away the file as the Elite Four sat around their conference table. "Now, lets discuss the failure of the Rikar Training Academy."
"You sent home its reason for existence on the second day," stated Darkshade.
"It was suppose to be successful?" asked Sunstrike.
"News to me," said Blackstone.
"Cinnamon and Blade, cut the sarcasm," ordered ShadowTracker. He winked at Darkshade who gave him a smile. "Really guys. We have to send it a report."
"It got lost in the mail," said Blade.
"That wasn't funny," replied ShadowTracker.
"I thought it was," said Cinnamon.
"If you two can't be serious, I'll send you to take care of the ore exchange by yourselves," said ShadowTracker.
"Maybe we should focus more on Plan B," said Darkshade.
"And the report?" asked ShadowTracker.
"Can wait," said Blade.
"Who wants it so fast anyway?" Cinnamon asked.
"The Commanding-" he never finished before the objections rang out.
"Skip that," said Blade.
"He'll forgive us," Cinnamon said.
"He's crazy," said Darkshade.
"Alright, alright," ShadowTracker said defeated. "Plan B it is. Cinn, I'm putting you in charge of getting Earth ready. Blade, you have HQ. And Rachael..." He stopped at the look on her face. "I'm not giving you Earth," he said.
"Why not?" she demanded.
"Because Bridge would know in an instant that we were up to something," said ShadowTracker.
"And Cinn won't give that away, why?" asked Rachael.
"You are going to..."
Rachael stood up before he finished. "No, I'm not." She walked out ignoring everything they said to call her back.
"So much for plan B," said Blade.
TBC
A/N: I just got a new direction for the story. Next Chapter will be the beginning.