Chapter 29 – Burn It To The Ground

March 25 1998 – Pegasus Garage

When the rangers received the call from Billy they immediately dropped what they were doing. Initially they tried to teleport to the garage but found themselves unable to lock on to the facility. Jumping into Lightning Cruiser and Storm Blaster, they raced through the streets of Angel Grove as quickly as they could. About a quarter of a mile from the garage, they found themselves caught up in traffic. Parking the two alien cars securely, they did the remainder of the journey on foot.

When they reached the garage, the teens were shocked by the scene of devastation in front of them. Only a couple of outer walls of the garage were left standing and the interior was completely destroyed. Several EMTs were dealing with the walking wounded and the more severely injured. They watched with a tear in their eye as an EMT loaded a gurney into an ambulance with a zipped up black bag resting on top. "I really hope that wasn't Billy", Cassie whispered to the other rangers. She was still annoyed with TJ but this situation was much too serious to be worrying about that currently.

TJ scanned the scene and saw a gurney with a sandy haired man in a blue shirt about to be loaded into an ambulance. The red ranger immediately led his team toward the ambulance but found their path blocked by a police officer, "Sorry guys this is a crime scene", a male officer with dark brown hair said to them.

Ashley stepped forward to address the officer. Her father was on the force so she hoped that would have some pull with him, "Look Lieutenant", she looked closely at his badge, "Stone, that's our friend over there, we just want to check he's ok. I'm sure Captain Hammond would appreciate you helping his daughter out".

Lieutenant Stone knew he recognised the girl from somewhere, "I'm sorry Ashley I don't think your father would want you entering an area where a bomb just went off, I'll pass on your best wishes to your friend". Ashley sighed but she knew the Lieutenant was right about her father.

The rangers backed away and into a nearby alley, "So now what are we going to do?" Charlotte asked the group.

TJ though for a moment before he came up with an idea, he pulled out his Turbo Key and called out, "Shift into Turbo". Once the morphing sequence was complete he continued, "Surely the Lieutenant can't refuse you access if you're protected by a Power Ranger".

The rangers smiled and let TJ led them out of the alleyway. He approached Lieutenant Stone and tapped him on the shoulder, "Look Ashley I'm sorry but the answer is", he turned around and stopped instantly when he caught sight of a morphed TJ, "Red ranger, how can I help you?"

"I heard these teens would like to see their friend", TJ began, "don't worry I'll make sure no harm comes to them".

Reluctantly Lieutenant Stone let them through the barricade and the teens rushed over to Billy's side. Trying to retain his cover, TJ hung back a couple of paces and pretended to stand guard over the others. Billy looked to be in bad shape but fortunately there didn't appear to be any obvious broken bones, "Your friend here is lucky", the EMT said to the teens, "just a few nasty cuts and a probable concussion. He's awake but he's a little out of it due to the painkillers". They looked down and Billy opened his eyes slightly, "I'll give you a few moments but we need to get him to the hospital as soon as possible".

When the EMT was out of ear shot, Billy pulled down his oxygen mask, "Hey glad you got here so quickly", he rasped.

"Billy what happened?" Carlos asked.

"Our mole", he replied, "somehow he found a way to activate the garage's self destruct mechanism. The zords should be fine and I asked Alpha to retreat to the Power Chamber for now". Moving his arm slightly, he pointed to a duffel bag in the back of the ambulance, "In there is a Turbo Tracker, it should help you locate the where the hacker accessed our systems, it's somewhere in Agency Headquarters", he didn't get to elaborate further as he began to cough violently.

"Here Billy relax", Ashley said as she placed the oxygen mask back over his face, "we'll catch them don't worry". Billy smiled as the EMT returned and he was loaded into the ambulance. As the doors were closed, the four non morphed rangers gave him a wave.

Suddenly they heard the voice of Lieutenant Stone shouting over the general din, "Ladies and Gentleman we've received word that an office building a block away is on fire as well. Any non essential personnel need to evacuate the area immediately". He eyed the teens as he said this, so TJ made a show to lead them safely away from the vicinity.

"Agency HQ is down there", Cassie said, "can't be a coincidence, think we'd better suit up". The other rangers agreed and summoned their Turbo Keys, "Shift into Turbo", she called.

Once the others had morphed, TJ began strategising, "We don't know what sort of attacks going on so I think we should split into two teams. Myself and Ashley will find the hacker, the rest of you help with the evacuation".

"Wait I'm the best with computers out of us", Charlotte replied, "I should go with you. Plus I've got the Turbo Tracker", she waived the device in the air.

TJ nodded, "Alright Charlie you're with me, let's go". The rangers ran as fast as they could towards Agency Headquarters, passing several terrified individuals on the way. When they arrived at the building it was surrounded by Piranhatrons and Wumpers. They were blocking the staff from leaving the building. There was also a column of smoke coming from somewhere near the back of the building.

"We need to clear a path for the civilians to escape", Carlos called out and summoned his Thunder Cannon. He blasted a hole in the line of footsoldiers whilst Ashley and Cassie jumped into the gap. Using their blades there were able to keep the gap large enough to let the people over. TJ and Charlotte advanced to the main door and the red ranger used his Lightning Sword to cut down the two Wumpers protecting the entrance. With them out of the way people began pouring out of the door and away to safety.

"Will you three be ok?" Charlotte called out to the three rangers.

"Yeah we'll be fine", Ashley cried back as she cut down another Wumper, "now go".

The red and blue rangers nodded and charged into the building. The Turbo Tracker was telling them that the source of the breach was somewhere in the server room on the second floor. As they made their way through the main communications room, they noted that all the computers had been destroyed along with the viewing screen. Several inky patches on the floor indicated that the Wumpers had been through here. Unfortunately a number of the staff hadn't made it out in time and they were still lying where they fell. Charlotte's gaze lingered on their bodies until she felt a tug on her arm, "Come on we need to keep moving", TJ said, "we can mourn them later".

She nodded and the pair continued through the building. The building was a maze of blank corridors and faceless doors. How anyone found their way around was anyone's guess. Running up the stairs to the second floor, TJ pushed the door open only to find two security staff pointing their rifles at them, "Woah we come in peace", the red ranger said as he and Charlotte put their hands above their heads.

"Who've you found sergeant", a voice called out as Captain Mitchell stepped around the corner. A bruised looking Angela Fairweather soon joined him, "It's ok sergeant they're on our side", he added and the two soldiers lowered their weapons.

"Thank goodness you're ok", Angela greeted, "we saw the explosion at the garage and feared the worse".

"We're ok but Billy's really banged up", TJ began, "apparently he managed to save the zords and some equipment".

"Well the most important thing is that he's ok", Mitchell replied. "After the blast we were invaded by Piranhatrons and Wumpers. They destroyed the lab and most of the important bits of equipment but they seemed to be more interested in keeping us inside".

"We traced the mole to that room", Angela added, pointing at the door behind her, "unfortunately it's reinforced steel and we can't break through with the gear we've been able to save".

TJ nodded, "Ok maybe we can help with that", he pulled out his Turbo Blaster, "give us a couple of minutes if we're not out then send in Rambo and McClain there", he added, indicating to the security team.

The two rangers stepped forward and TJ blasted the lock on the door and it swung open. Inside were several tall computer mainframes and at the far end they saw the shape of a man with brown hair with his back to them. Shutting the door as quietly as possible, they drew their blasters and moved as quietly as possible toward the end of the room. When they were a few paces away, TJ called out, "Alright it's over, why don't you come along quietly".

The man spun around in his chair and the rangers gasped, they knew who this man was. One of them knew him extremely well, "Don't shoot please", Doug Stewart said as he held his hands in the air, "I've got a family".

Charlotte was initially speechless but then everything began to make sense. She remembered that he had mentioned an IT job for an outsourcing company. He would've been sworn to secrecy by the company so he couldn't tell her anything further. "Alright Mr Stewart we're not going to shoot", the blue ranger began and holstered her blaster, "we just want to know why you did it".

"Look I didn't know this would happen", Doug replied, "I was approached by a woman who said she could help me keep my kids safe from Divatox if I helped her access the Agency's network. It was only after the office blast last month that I found out the woman was one of Divatox's minions".

"What about all those people you killed today", TJ began, "we know you set off the Garage's auto destruct sequence".

"That wasn't me", Doug protested, "I found out what Divatox wanted to do and I tried to stop it. I'm not the bad guy here".

TJ looked like he was about to say something but Charlotte forcefully nudged him in the chest. She wasn't done interrogating her father, "So why didn't you contact your bosses or the Power Rangers about this".

Doug snorted, "Like my bosses would believe me and you rangers", he paused, "it's your fault that my wife was killed. If your Megazord hadn't landed on our home then she would still be with me and my kids". Charlotte bit her lip hard underneath her helmet and clenched her fist tightly, "I would never trust you rangers and when someone offered to protect my family I couldn't refuse. You've got to understand I did this for them".

The blue ranger's frustration and anger finally boiled over, "Maybe they didn't need your protection", she reached up and pulled off her helmet, despite the protests of TJ. She threw it on the ground at her father's feet, the sound echoing throughout the small room. She shook some loose hair off her face to make sure her father could see exactly who it was.

"C-Charlotte", he stammered, "but I don't understand".

"No you're right you don't understand", she shouted, "Divatox played you, she's known from day one that I was the blue ranger".

"I just wanted to keep you safe", Doug replied with a small voice.

"And by doing that you've indirectly cost several children one or both of their parents", she seethed. Taking a couple of steps forward so she could look him directly in the eye, "Me and Justin didn't want a heroic knight, we just wanted a father". Doug looked like he wanted to protest further but much to his, TJ's and to an extent Charlotte's, surprise the blue ranger pulled her fist back and punched him directly on the nose. He fell out of the chair with blood pouring from his nose. At that exact moment the two guards burst in with their weapons ready. They were surprised to see a helmetless blue ranger breathing heavily over the prone from of a grown man.

Keeping her back to the guards as to not reveal her identity to anyone else, she picked up her helmet and gathered her hair in one hand. In one fluid motion her helmet was back in place and she took a seat at the computer, "You can take him away now", she said coldly to the guard.

Doug didn't protest as the guard dragged him to his feet and placed him under arrest. Once they were out of the room, TJ carefully approached the blue ranger, "Charlie are you ok?"

"Not really", she replied, "but now's not the time to talk about it", She tapped a few things into the computer, "Looks like there's an attack at the High School and the Youth Center as well. Divatox planned this really well". She a few more key strokes she slammed the laptop closed, "I've severed Divatox's access to the agency's network but I don't have the knowledge to keep her out. I'll see if Angela or my brother know how to do that".

She stood up and began to leave the room, "Come on we need to get to the Youth Center". TJ sighed and followed closely behind the blue ranger.

Angel Grove Youth Center

TJ and Charlotte caught up with the other rangers outside Headquarters. All the footsoldiers were gone so they teleported to the Youth Center immediately. When the rangers arrived, they were greeted by several fire engines battling to put out a significant fire. Seeing there was no danger from Divatox, they powered down and began searching for Aimi. They found the manager sitting on a brick wall in the parking lot. Her clothes were torn and a little burnt but otherwise she looked fine. Sitting next to her was Justin, his clothing was in a similar state to Aimi's, "Divatox?" TJ asked the pair simply.

They both nodded, "Several Wumpers barged in and torched the place. I was able to get everyone out in time before I got to use my biggest guns on them". She threw an arm around Justin, "This little dude was a great help, you've got a brave one here Charlotte", she added.

The blue ranger nodded, "That's good, Justin can I talk to you privately", he nodded and followed closely behind his sister.

"What's that all about", Aimi asked the other rangers.

"We found out who the mole was", TJ began, "it was their Dad". The group watched the Stewart siblings hug each other, both of them with tears in their eyes.

"Wow, never saw that coming", Carlos sighed and was about to join the pair but Aimi stopped him.

"Give them a few minute Carlos", she said. "There was also an attack at the High School, I've heard from Kat, Xander and Adam, they were able to fend the Piranhatrons off but not before significant damage was caused. Unfortunately Xander and Kat got hurt in the process. They're off to the hospital but they sure be fine in a day or two".

The rangers nodded solemnly as the Stewart's made their way back over to the group. Justin wiped his eyes as Carlos threw his arm around Charlotte, "So what now?" she asked.

"Divatox is still out there on Muranthias", TJ began, "she's taken the fight to our backyard, so how about we bring the fight to her's".

"But we don't have Billy with us", Ashley said.

"Then we'll need all hands on deck", the red ranger replied, "even you little bro", he said to Justin. He looked at the rangers in the eye individually and threw his arm out in front of him, "So who's with me?" One by one the nodded and put their hands on TJ's, followed by Aimi and finally Justin. They moved to a quiet corner of the parking lot and teleported to the Power Chamber to plan the final battle with Divatox.

A/N – So who predicted Doug Stewart was the mole? I've portrayed him as borderline neglectful father, he had to get his comeuppance at some point. I wouldn't say he's "evil", grief does weird things to people. Next up rangers vs Divatox/Maligore.