Several months had passed since the appearance of the Ganglers. News of Dayu's former past had spread across the world, drawing more attention to the momo rangers. The momo rangers had been largely out of the public eye. Commander Tate had spun this as an attempt to reduce the hatred and calm the hysteria and whilst this was true, there was a more pressing reason behind the Commander's actions.
A couple of weeks after the news broke, the rangers had been attacked by a group of pordermen in retribution. Fortunately for the Rangers they were more than a match for the Gangler Minions but it highlighted how much danger they were in. There was still the rumour of Dayu being a traitor. The rangers wasn't confined to the mansion but none of them had ventured too far away since that day.
All of the danger of the situation were far from the minds of The rangers that morning though. The team were relaxing with a game of flag football. The game was two a side with Lauren playing for both teams, Dayu and Kong were on one side with Salem and Daniel on the other. "Bring it in guys", the red ranger dragged the yellow and Blue ranger's into the huddle, "Salem is covering you too tight Dayu but Daniel can't keep up with your strength Kong".
"What's the call then coach", Dayu looked out of the huddle towards the defensive duo on the other side, "fly down the side?"
"Something a little more devious", Lauren responded with a devilish smile.
"Clock's running Shiba", Salem called out from her end of the field, "what's the matter, too scared to call a play?"
The red ranger finished explaining his play before breaking them out the huddle. Dayu and Kong lined up as wide left and right receivers respectively and gave their leader a small nod of readiness, "Ready, set", she paused before grunting loudly, "hut!". She dropped back and watched as her two receivers set off down the field before cutting inwards, drawing their defenders with them.
It took Salem and Daniel a second to realise the receiving duo were running straight towards each other, almost certain to collide in the middle of the field. Salem slowed up to avoid crashing into his own team, only to catch a smirk from Dayu . The blue and yellow ranger's stuck out their arms before interlinking them and spinning around the spot. The defenders were too stunned and confused by the little do-si-do, allowing Lauren to pick her receiver with ease. Dayu caught the spiralling football and sprinted for the end zone, "Come on, that's not allowed surely", Daniel complained as the yellow ranger disappeared down the field.
"Learned that one from a Scottish guy I met years ago in Cornith", Lauren chuckled, "he called it the Highland fling. Always wanted to use it but never had a chance". By end Dayu had high stepped her way into the end zone, spiking the ball violently against the turf.
"You're an evil genius", Salem grumbled.
"Hey no one calls her devious", Daniel mock pouted, placing a kiss on the red ranger's cheek, "she thinks outside the box, that's why she's the leader".
"Urgh get a room you two", Dayu jogged up to the huddle with the ball tucked under her arm. There was a loud cough from behind her which could only belong to one person, "Commander Cruger", she began sheepishly, "fancy joining in, we've got room for one more?"
The football looked tiny between Cruger's hands and he gave it a gentle squeeze, "Never understood this sport", he snorted, "you call it football but you barely kick the ball". He turned away from the group, let go of the ball and punted it into the air. It hung for a long time before landing on the running track at the other end of the field with a heavy thud, "I need a quiet word with Lauren, I trust that meets with your approval Ms Dayu".
"No complaints from me Sir", Dayu added with a cheeky grin, "race you guys", she called out and set off in a sprint towards the ball.
As Lauren and Cruger watched the members of set off in pursuit, SPD's Supreme Commander let out a small chuckle, "If you had told me five months ago that Dayu a former Nylok would be a power rangers, I would've called them mad". Cruger's lips formed into a reluctant smile, "I'm not sure whether to be pleased or worried".
The pair began to slowly walk towards the other end of the field with Lauren wondering what the Commander wished to talk to her about, "If this is about Dayu, she's fitting in really well with the team", she began. "Despite her spiky exterior she's actually really easy going".
"Your rangers certainly seem to like her", Cruger added, "nothing but glowing praise from the feedback I've received". He snorted gently, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say someone paid them to say those things".
Lauren frowned, she knew all about the allegations of being a traitor or a spy surrounding Dayu and how she can't be trusted cause she was a Nylok. Lauren found her a touch arrogant but then again most rangers could be accused of that. The one thing she seemed to have was a decent heart, "You don't believe the rumour's, do you?" She asked.
"No", Cruger replied with hesitancy in his voice, "there is no evidence to suggest its true". He placed his hands behind his back, a look of deep thought etched on his face, "We know that it's not her but that doesn't mean it isn't someone else".
"Someone else?" Lauren began, "You think someone os trying to drive my team apart". When Cruger didn't response, the red ranger looked towards SPD Commander, "That's exactly what you think, isn't it Sir?" Lauren was annoyed someone was trying to break her team apart.
The walk continued in silence as Cruger refused to answer Lauren's question. The red ranger thought about asking it again but changed her mind, the Commander probably heard her but either couldn't or didn't want to answer. Instead she turned her attention towards her team, Kong was running around with the football tucked between his arms. Dayu was chasing him across the grass with Salem and Daniel looking on and laughing.
The tension between the roommates had been building almost since the Gangler encounter. "You're thinking exactly what I'm thinking", Cruger's voice suddenly pierced Lauren's thoughts.
"Should I talk to them", she sighed, "get this all out in the open".
"It's your team Ms Shiba, I trust your judgement", came Cruger's rather unhelpful response. "There a rumours of A uprising".
The red ranger nodded slowly, "What do you need us to do?" She asked.
"Do your job Ms Shiba", Cruger hesitated briefly before adding, "Im not the only one here to guide you". Lauren was confused by that statement, the sad look behind the Commander's eyes only added to the mystery, "A floating head once said may the power peotect you". Cruger turned and marched away, leaving a confused Lauren behind.