Operation Brighton YEAH! Getting attacked by Dim Sun…not great.

hm? Oh right. Team Debonair now. Heh. Unusual name change in the story? While you're wondering why they'd go with that name, read review and enjoy the chapter!

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The two rangers ran through the second floor, on their way to the second floor where the explosion first happened. Murph came up the stairs, running to warn the others (and awfully panicked about it). Just as they did, the second floor wall rang out in another explosion. The ground shook, nearly knocking them off their feet.

"Keith! Take downstairs!" Kate yelled over the loud roar. "I've got things here!"

Keith was hesitant about leaving the girl behind. But they'd need help downstairs. No telling what was going on. So he gave a nod and went straight down the stairs. Debris everywhere, the doors blown up completely. The operators were in total shock, unable to react.

"Well look what we having here! Is it not the same red hair ranger from some time back?"

The messed up accent…big build…creepy feeling….it was Heath. He was the same jerk who nearly destroyed Kate. Keith tried hard not to run over there and beat him to a pulp. Wave was growling fiercely beside his feet, feeling the same way.

"You remembering me, yes?" Heath questioned.

"How could I forget about the guy who almost killed my best friend?" Keith snapped. "Why don't you just back down now before I personally rearrange your face?"

Heath laughed in response. What was holding Keith back from oh so sweet revenge? Not sure.

"That nice rock you give me? It hide away! Yes very careful like inside our tower." Heath said. "GWAHAHAHAHAAAA!"

The leader pumped his fists and brought out a miniremo. Up came the Electrivire, ready to battle. Keith readied his styler for the upcoming capture.

"Now then. Shall we be having funs?"

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Kate gathered with Hastings and Issac on the second floor. From the hole, a figure appeared as the dust started to settle. Unfortunately for Kate, she knew who this person was. She cringed as Ice walked into the Union.

"Why hello Issac. You too, lovely Katia." Ice greeted.

"What's a creep like you doing here?" Kate questioned.

"What? I can't visit you?" Ice innocently asked.

"NO." Kate growled.

"Well I'm not here for you completely. I need Issac to come back with me to Altru Tower. We need him for something important." Ice said.

"Ice! I'm never going back to Altru!" Issac shouted, hiding behind Kate.

Ice flipped his hair in a dramatic way. Kate rolled her eyes, a little tired of his attempts at being cool. What a dork. Hard to believe this guy was Keith's older brother.

"Professor Issac, weren't we once colleagues?" Ice sighed. "I shared my candy with you. And you taught me to operate software. We worked together on many things and had many good times."

"Those weren't good times! They were lies!" Issac objected. "You tricked me, saying it was for the good of Almia. For peace! I was lied to over and over again! And it won't happen again!"

"Honestly, I don't give a damn for peace." Ice shrugged. "But we, Team Dim….er…Team Debonair, are a very peace oriented organization."

"You claim to be peaceful but blew up holes in our Union wall?" Hastings questioned, furious.

"Hey no one's perfect." Ice said.

"GUYS!"

Keith came running up the stairs and over to the group. Seemed to have some bruises and whatnot. What did he encounter down there?

"Ice." Keith glared coldly at the intruder.

"Greetings, little brother." Ice smirked.

"BROTHER?" Hastings and Issac stared at Keith.

"I'm not like him at all!" Keith sweatdropped. "I swear!"

"Cut the reunion, Ice. We've got things to do."

In came a lady about Ice's age. Her hair was a hot pink that matched her outfit. Kate heard about her. This was Lavana, the last of the Sinis Trio.

"The hag's here too?" Keith blinked.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL ME THAT!" Lavana yelled.

"Lavana, handling things like a gentlemen takes time." Ice told her.

"Gentlemen? Yeah right! Not after what you did on the helicopter while I was kidnapped!" Kate protested.

"What did he do?" Keith questioned, concerned.

Kate turned red, almost wondering if it was better to calm up. She whispered Ice's offer to Keith. The redhead blushed, eyes widened but then became enraged immediately. Like a primape about to go on a rampage.

" ^#&$%! YOU ARE SO DEAD!" Keith shouted.

He would've ran over to beat the guy if Kate hadn't held him back. The professors were confused while the Sinis Trio members seemed bored.

"Well drop the gentlemen act then. We're doing it the dirty way." Lavana huffed. "Oh boys!"

Two grunts pushed in a little girl. Hey she seemed familiar. Wasn't that…

"Melody!" Issac exclaimed.

"Hello mushroom-head." Lavana responded. "See your sister? I'm planning on killing her as honor of Altru's completion of the tower tonight. Shall I use a knife and stab her heart? Throw her to the sharpedos? Or end it quickly with a gunshot?"

Issac recoiled in horror.

"But…I might spare her. Assuming I get the Incredible Machine's Architect to make those adjustments we need." Lavana smirked. "So are you going to join us?"

….

"….ok."

Everyone looked at Issac, who glumly stepped forward. Hastings was ticked at this especially.

"I can't let Melody be in harm's way. As long as you don't kill her, then I'll go with you." Issac sighed.

"Perfect! I'm done here." Lavana grabbed Issac. "Ice, you finish things up here."

"We'll get you for this!" Kate called out.

"Yeah hag!" Keith shouted.

"YOU BRAT!" Lavana looked like she'd explode.

The grunts managed to pull her away from the scene. They, along with Issac and Melody, left through the hole.

"So Ice…" Keith cracked his knuckles. "How about we settle some old scores? Brother to brother?"

"I'd love for some brotherly bonding. But…" Ice smirked. "I've got other plans."

ZZZZZTTTTTT!

Right at that moment, the power went out. It was impossible to see anywhere, especially with no more daylight. Keith tried to hear where his older brother was but he couldn't tell at all. Only one thing he was sure of was there was a jump out the window. About two minutes after, the lights were back on.

"Are you alright?" Hastings asked.

"Yeah." Keith nodded. "Kate are you…"

Kate wasn't there.

"Kate? KATE?" Keith called out.

No response.

"DAMMIT!" Keith slammed his fist into the wall. "They took her too! I'm going after those creeps!"

"NO! I forbid it!" Hastings grabbed Keith's shoulder before the redhead could make a run for it. "It only plays right into their hands. What we need to do now is rethink our operation."

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Keith stood in front of Erma and Hastings on the third floor some moments later. He was still shaken up about losing Kate. Damn…after protecting her so closely, one moment and she was stolen away from him. Keith failed his own, personal mission. But he vowed to get Kate back.

"Our priority on Operation Brighton will be shifted." Erma began. "We must rescue Kate, Issac and Melody."

"Hey! We've got a call from Sven!" Rhythmi said. "I'm putting him on speakerphone."

"Sven reporting in!" Sven called. "They threw up a powerful barrier right on top of the tower! Worse, there's three layers to it. It's impossible to get close to that Shadow Crystal!"

"I didn't expect things to go easily." Erma said.

"They must've kept it from the plans for this reason…" Hastings mumbled. "I can't think of a good approach to get rid of that barrier."

"Professor Hastings? Surely you haven't forgotten our other top ranger?" Erma questioned.

"Of course not." Hastings looked away, deep in thought. "But while he is a top ranger, he lacks experience…"

"WHAT? I've been on more dangerous missions than I can count!" Keith burst out.

The Chairperson and Professor stared at him.

"I've helped saved a ship from sinking, dove into a volcano, tackled a castle covered in ice, went to Haruba to recover the Yellow Gem and a whole lot more! I just helped the Union against an attack! Experience? I've gotten more than enough!" Keith fired at them. "I want to help in whatever way I can for Operation Brighton! For Almia's sake!"

A moment of quiet. Even Rhythmi looked over at them with interest.

"Since when did you and Kate grow to be so capable? So confident?" Hastings asked, more to himself than anyone. "I understand now. No more rookie treatment. Ranger's promise."

Keith smiled, proud.

"Your next mission is a top ranger worthy assignment. Listen closely." Hastings said. "Your main goal is to rescue Kate, Issac and Melody. The other one is to retrieve the Yellow Gem. Finally, at the halfway point, you take the gem and circle the tower with the other rangers. Kate will stay behind to disengage the barrier and guide you all to the Shadow Crystal."

"Yes sir." Keith saluted. "Operation Brighton Part 2 is underway!"

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PLOT TWIST OF AWESOMENESS! Naturally Keith would be furious about his girlfriend's capture. He'd probably go after Kate whether Hastings made it a mission or not. Why did Ice kidnap Kate? Well you'll have to read on! Which means waiting for the almost-here update!