The team were in the Dino Lab ahead of their first full day under the new director. They knew that they had to be a little more careful about their activities from the lab. They had already been told that like the majority of their staff, he was ignorant of their activities as Rangers, and the existence of the lab. The good news was, that meant they had somewhere to disappear to for a little bit of privacy when things got too much.
He had spent the previous day sizing up the museum, and while he hadn't been terribly clear on what he wanted to do, he promised sweeping changes. Most of the time on his tour was spent tutting and making non-committal sounds of mulling over his ideas while he wrote down notes that he didn't deign to show anyone else.
Flash had told them to be there half an hour before opening for a full-staff meeting before they opened for the first time under his leadership. The Rangers were usually there very early anyway, and so it wasn't much of an issue. They were killing some time until they found out exactly what Flash wanted. Ivan was watching as Riley was giving Leanne a few pointers on fencing, which clearly didn't interest her much at all, Tyler was exercising, practicing some gymnastics, while Shelby was busy studying for an essay she had due shortly for University.
"Alright, now you want to grip the sword, just like this. Not too tight, just, adjust your hand a little like that." Riley explained, putting his arms around Leanne as he directed her. The young blonde didn't seem to mind at all that he was so close to her, but her expression betrayed the fact that she really wasn't interested at all in this lesson. One of the reasons she was grateful to have left Briarwood was because she was surrounded by knights and mages and adventurers who would talk of little else. "That'll give you a little more power..."
"Do you really think power is a problem for me?" She asked him. He just pointed to her target, a watermelon that was sitting on top of a boulder.
"Just give it a try." Riley told her. "Remember, power itself isn't the only factor. If you strike quickly, the acceleration is a huge component in the overall force..."
His words tailed off as Leanne moved so quickly she could barely be seen. He looked to the watermelon which stood, having not moved an inch.
"Of course, hitting it is also good." He teased her. Leanne just pointed to it, at which the watermelon slowly fell into two equal halves. A moment later, his mouth fell open in shock as the boulder it was sitting on also fell into two halves. She handed him back the sword, and putting a finger under his chin, closed his mouth.
"Being a vampire helps too." She teased him back, before walking away. Ivan nodded in approval, before heading over to a table where Chase was working hard on something. He saw that he was building a model, making a trophy of sorts for her. Allison, like him, was a keen skater. It was one of the things that attracted them to each other, and she had taken part in a lot of competitions. It had been a while since she had competed because of her responsibilities and distractions, but Chase had taken it upon himself to make her something dedicated to the sport they both loved.
It was a statuette of a skater, in the middle of a trick, which Chase had spray-painted gold, and mounted on a wooden plinth. There was a little plaque on it.
"Allison, I'd face the 'grind' for you." Ivan said, reading the inscription aloud. "A strange sentiment, but I'm sure it's well-intended."
"Grinding is when you use the board to slide along a rail." Chase explained. "I kind of feel like we've not been doing much together lately, and after acting like a greedy douchebag thanks to that last monster, I thought I should show Allison I'm thinking about her."
"That's a nice thought Chase." Tyler complimented him. He noticed Leanne rolling her eyes. "What?"
"I never said a word." She told him.
"We've both got a half-day today, so I was going to take her on a picnic to the park." Chase told them. "I figure it's been a while since we spent an afternoon together just the two of us."
"I suppose that is true, we've all had quite a bit on thanks to Heckyl." Tyler answered. He heard Leanne muttering something. "Seriously, what is it?"
"Oh...nothing." Leanne answered. Just then, Koda came along, carrying with him a model of a space shuttle. He had pieces of it stuck all over his clothing, and a lot of pieces in his hair as well.
"I finish my model too." Koda declared proudly, showing them. He had gone with Chase to buy the model kit, and he had decided to give it a go himself. He furrowed his brows as he looked at it, and then to the picture on the box. "But mine look funny. I think I missing pieces."
"I think I know where they are." Tyler chuckled, tearing a piece out of his hair. Kendall came into the lab.
"Flash just pulled up outside, he's...oh good GRIEF." She exclaimed, seeing the mess Koda was in. "Weren't any of you watching him?"
"It's just a model." Chase replied, before looking at Koda, finally registering what the problem was. "Oh..."
"It's a model for experts, and Koda's never built one before!" Kendall reminded him, helping Tyler to pull the pieces from Koda's hair. "Go change your shirt Koda. Maybe later we can get you something that doesn't require glue."
Over on Heckyl's ship, Heckyl was going through his prisoner logs, looking for inspiration as to who to send against the Rangers next. There were a lot of promising prospects. He was arranging them into a short-list in order to think of how best to strategise. He was trying to decide between a hook-bearded monster that had a powerful, magical fishing rod, and a monster that utilised a number of sports-themed weapons when he heard a commotion out in the corridor. It took him a while to figure out what was happening, since he didn't recognise the voices, but as he arrived, he found Poisandra and Curio, together with a vivik, who was clutching and clinging to the pillow-creature like its life depended on it. He hadn't seen much of Poisandra or Curio in a while; Poisandra was still moping over the loss of Sledge, and didn't take much part in the day-to-day running of things now, something of a blessing as it kept her out of his way.
"Get her off me!" Curio whined, trying and failing miserably to shove the vivik away. "She just won't leave me alone!"
"She?" Heckyl asked, looking curiously. "You can tell?"
"Oh, she wants you to be her boyfriend!" Poisandra said, seeming to delight in the thought. As miserable as she was without Sledge, she seemed to take delight in the thought of someone she knew having happiness with another.
"Well I don't want her!" Curio answered. "Who would want something that looks like...that?"
"Oh, I can fix that." Poisandra said, pulling out a large collection of make-up. "I do all my own make-up as you can tell. MAKE OVER!"
She sang the words "make over" over and over again as she brushed the vivik repeatedly. Before Heckyl's eyes, if it was possible, the creature became even more hideous, gaining a blonde bobbed hairstyle, huge, bright red lips that could best be described as clown-like, and a pink feather boa.
"Wow, I look just like a beautiful girl!" The vivik said, almost bowling Heckyl over. Viviks could talk, but not in any kind of language that anyone seemingly other than the Spike Balls, other viviks and many of the monsters understood. "Call me Beauticruel!"
"It...it talks?" Heckyl asked, completely confused.
"Not only does she talk, she's considerably smarter and more powerful than a standard vivik." Poisandra said proudly, looking to her make-up kit. "My make-overs are legendary."
"Well I'm still not interested." Curio huffed. Beauticruel just scoffed at him.
"Now that I'm THIS gorgeous, I'm out of your league anyway!" She stated, grabbing Poisandra by the hand. "Come on; let's find me a worthy boyfriend!"
As they skipped away, Heckyl just shook his head in disbelief.
"And people call me crazy." He remarked. "At least it'll keep them out my way for a little while."
Back at the museum, the entire staff were assembled before Flash, who had assembled them all ahead of the grand opening. He was grinning brightly, eager to get started on his 'new and improved' museum.
"Alright team, are we all excited?" Flash asked them. He got a few murmurs. "I said, are we all EXCITED?"
There were a few louder answers, but nothing terribly committed. They were just eager to get on with whatever he wanted to do.
"Because that's what we are, we're a team!" He told them. "I don't care if you work in security, if you're on the dig team, or you work the fryers, you are all part of the museum family! That is why; I want you all to look like it!"
He reached into a box, pulling out a t-shirt. It was a hideous green t-shirt, with a logo on the front. It was a T-Rex which was chasing down some cavemen, and seemed to be breathing fire!
"Oh good grief." Kendall muttered, seeing the monstrosity he was holding.
"Um...the T-Rex went extinct millions of years before the first men..."
"Oh, who cares about that, it's branding! We want to stand out! Look fresh and exciting! Get the kids talking!" He said, throwing Shelby a red ball-cap. It had the word 'Roar-some' on the front in large, white letters. "And trust me, this will stand out!"
"It'll certainly do that alright!" Tyler said, forcing a smile. Flash didn't notice the sarcasm at all in his voice. Either that or he didn't care.
"Oh, and in case you doubt me, I thought I'd arrange a little modelling! Come on out Allison!" He declared, clapping as he gestured to the door. Allison came in, and her expression said everything that needed to be said. She was wearing the t-shirt and the ball cap, with her hair tied back. The t-shirt appeared to be at least two sizes too small, incredibly tight on her, and short enough that it didn't quite reach her waist line. It wasn't quite a crop-top, but it did expose a little flesh between the top and her tight, short jean-shorts, which given the fact Allison never wore shorts they presumed were also part of the uniform. The neck line was low...too low for coincidence. "What do you think?"
"I...really have no words!" Kendall said, forcing a smile. The others just stared at the ensemble.
"I have some words." Allison sighed as she pulled off the cap. "Are you freaking kidding me?"
"What? What's wrong with...?"
"This is a museum! Not Hooters!" Allison interrupted him.
"Oh, that reminds me, you might want to think about a new bra." He answered, missing her point completely.
"We work with grills, fryers...things that SPIT HOT OIL!" Allison reminded him. "Do you really think it's a good idea to have us wearing outfits that don't cover more than half our bodies?"
"Sex sells love, just think of all those lovely tips!" He said, taking her ball cap and putting it back on her head. "We have a gorgeous staff here; why not take advantage of that?"
"Why do the guys get full-length jeans and we don't?" Shelby asked as he started handing out uniforms.
"This t-shirt's a little tight." Tyler commented, looking to the t-shirt as he pulled it on. He was feeling a little like he was on display.
"Mine doesn't seem so bad." Henry, the man from the gift shop said, inspecting his baggy t-shirt.
"Glad you like it! That's the spirit!" He said, before moving quickly to Kendall, who was inspecting her uniform, looking completely horrified at the thought of it. "Oh, and you're going to need this."
"A name tag?" She asked him. Kendall had NEVER needed a name tag in the museum! Her picture and name were right by the front door! As she looked to the button, she noticed something else. "Kendall?"
"It's your name isn't it?" He asked her.
"It's Ms..."
"Sorry love, you're floor staff now. All floor staff need name tags, that's the way I roll." He told her. "Now, before you go and get changed, let's get ourselves fired up with a little morning affirmation!"
"Affirmation?" Shelby asked as he got them all to line up. Flash stood before them, beginning to shake out, like he was about to begin a work out.
"Now, when I say who's number one, I want you all to jump in the air, throw your hands up and yell, 'we are!'" He instructed them. "Now, who's number one?"
They all stared blankly at him, trying to decide if he was being serious.
"Alright, let's try that again! Who's number one?"
They all looked to each other, before figuring that he wasn't going to give up on this. Just for the sake of getting to leave and get on with their jobs, they all leapt into the air half-heartedly.
"We are." They called out.
"Oh come on, we can do so much better than that! I want to see the roof shaking! WHO'S NUMBER ONE?" He called out.
"WE ARE!" They all shouted, finally giving up and giving him what he wanted. Flash applauded them as they picked up their uniforms and started to head off to get changed. Kendall saw some men coming in the door, carrying tool boxes.
"Who are they?" She asked.
"Oh, pay no attention to them; they're just doing some renovations around the place." He told her, taking her by the shoulders and turning her around. "Now, go and get changed, we've got some pockets to empty!"
"Is he for real?" Shelby asked her. Kendall just sighed.
"As real as Cholera." She answered.
Over in Alaska, GMa Betty was busy taking shots with her camera, wanting to leave the cave as undisturbed as possible. She had done some excavation on her travels, but she was always more of an explorer than anything else. She knew that her 'Doodlebug' would bring a team that had the appropriate experience and tools to ensure that they didn't harm anything important when they took the treasures of this place for the museum.
"I don't understand. You've come all this way and we aren't going to take anything?" One of the men on the team asked her.
"Only this." Betty assured him, gesturing to the lens which she had wrapped up carefully in blankets. "This place is a real find. We should leave it to the professionals to get this stuff out of here. Wouldn't want to damage something would we?"
"But what if someone else gets here?" Another asked. "This place isn't exactly secure."
"And yet, we're the only ones that have found it in about, oh...a hundred thousand years?" She reminded him. "So the only way anyone's likely to gut this place is if they somehow find out about it in the couple of weeks it'll take me to get my grand-daughter and her team out here. Since all of you have signed a non-disclosure agreement, that isn't very likely now is it?"
This last part silenced him. Information of this place would be valuable to other collectors and teams, valuable enough that they would pay big money! However, as GMa Betty was nothing if not shrewd. They had all indeed signed a non-disclosure agreement when she hired them for her trip. Given how unlikely it was that a cave that had remained undiscovered for millennia would suddenly be found and ransacked, if they got there to find everything missing without help, it wouldn't take much to infer that someone on the team had to have informed them. Betty took the wrapped-up lens, put it into a backpack and hefted it onto her back.
"Come on slow polks! There's a plane out of the airfield in ten hours, and I have every intention of being on it!" She declared.
At the museum, Allison was doing what she could to get through her first shift under the new regime. It was very different from the way Kendall ran things, that was for sure.
"Alright, there's your check." Allison said, putting the check down on a table. She put her fingers under the man's chin as she saw him looking at her, raising his face. "Hey, my face is up here, the check is down here. There's nothing in the middle that's any of your concern."
As she went into the back, Flash came alongside her, putting his arm around her.
"Now, do you really think that's any way to talk to customers?" He asked her.
"When he's only three inches from motor-boating me, you bet it is." Allison stated, gesturing to her t-shirt. "Look, I don't mind a uniform, but can you at least give us t-shirts that don't make us an exhibit that's more interesting than...you know...the EXHIBITS?"
"Hold that thought love." Flash answered as he went to the table she had just finished serving. She watched him talk to them for a moment, before picking up the check and tearing it up. The table all walked away, looking happy, but Allison was boiling inside. He had completely cut her off at the knees in front of them by siding with the creeps. He came back to her. "Look, there's nothing wrong with giving the customers a little something. I'm not saying sell yourselves, but you know, a wink here, a giggle there and before you know it..."
He was interrupted as he heard an alarm. He watched as Tyler, Chase, Riley, Ivan, Shelby and Koda sprinting out of the door.
"What's going on?" He asked. "Where the hell are they going? What's that alarm?"
"That was...um...the hot line!" Allison explained.
"Hot line?" He asked.
"Yeah, people call and provide information on dig sites. When we get a tip, the dig team heads out." She told him.
"What's the hurry?" He asked her.
"Have you seen this place? Amateur palaeontology is an obsession in this town. Everyone with a shovel is out digging this place up all the time." She explained. "When we get an alarm, we might have minutes to get there before everything's gone."
"Does it take all of them?" He asked her.
"You don't have much of a museum if you don't have any exhibits do you?" She asked, rolling her eyes as she went back to work.
