Part 1: Time for Change

"You ready for this boss?"

Blade sighed, keeping his eyes locked on the sky.

"As I'll ever be Maru…"

Maru walked out of his shop, sitting with Blade.

"You sure you're alright with this whole thing? A bigger team is harder to manage."

Blade nodded. "The park needs this… especially after what happened."

Maru put a hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

"I know… and I know despite having those girls and their ghost friend… It won't be enough to protect the park… I just don't want you more stressed out."

"I'll be fine. Got you to keep me sane."

Maru smirked. "Darn right you do." Maru looked to the sky. "So let me see… Permanents and temps?"

"Yeah. With it being the beginning of fire season we're gonna have our hands full so Ol' Jammer insisted. Though they only stay until they're certified since they need to get back to their respective homes."

"Right… Good thing we got the main hangar emptied out for them to stay in…" Maru closed his eyes. "Heh… quite the variety too from the list we got… and if I read right… I think someone we know is coming back."

On cue, they saw a formation of figures flying in along with two aircraft shells in the lead.

"Oh ho ho we got big boys! That's a Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Conair Firecat up there!"

Blade smirked a little. "Guess Cabbie will be in good company then."

It wasn't long before the group landed, all lining up on the runway, waiting for Blade. There was five of them total. Two would go and three would be staying.

Blade walked over to them, all of them giving a salute. Blade nodded to them.

"At ease. I am Chief Blade Ranger, and I welcome you all to Piston Peak." Blade looked to Maru who was coming up behind him. "This is Maru, our mechanic, he will tend to all your medical and mechanical needs. Let's get formalities out of the way. Step forward and state your name and position. After that, Maru will lead you to where you will be staying."

The group members nodded before each one stepped forward saying their names.

"Javelin, temporary member."

"Lorraine Wades, permanent member, happy to be here sir."

"Thrust Sea Wolf Rotors, temporary member." The man seemed to give Blade a bit of a look.

Oh joy I know that look… He'll be an interesting one.

"Bernard." The man smiled. "Permanent member."

Blade gave a small smile, nodding, Maru doing the same.

Back where he belongs.

The last to step forward was a young man with short blond frizzy hair. He looked familiar… but Blade couldn't quite put his finger on it.

"Jake Skylar, permanent member." He gave a bow. "I look forward to training with you, Chief."

Blade's eyes got a little wide as it clicked. He knew very well who this man was… but he hid his surprise for the moment, knowing there was business to be done first.

"It's nice to meet all of you and I welcome you all to Piston Peak. I hope our training can go smoothly. You're dismissed."

They all nodded, following Maru to the hangars. Blade kept his eyes trained on Jake… a haunted look seeming to come into them.

He's come back… and he's gotten so big too…

"You really sure you're gonna be alright?"

Blade looked to the side to see Nick right next to him, concern in his eyes.

"You're getting that haunted look."

"I'll be fine… just surprised to see Jake again…"

"You and me both… He was a squirt last time we saw him… Boy looks like his father now."

Blade nodded. "Yeah…"

Nick gave him a squeeze on the shoulder.

"Just take it easy… if you guys ever need any help the girls and I are on stand by. Just say the word and we'll be out there."

Blade smiled, putting his hand over Nick's.

"Thanks…" He looked to the group as they disappeared into the main hangar.

This is going to be an interesting training session.