Disclaimers: Yup, in the prologue

Author's Notes: Okay, I use the term "Orglings" for those little nasty creatures that closely resemble putties? Anyone know the name for them? Please let me know so I can make the correction.
And if you're wondering, I find Taylor an interesting character too. I don't think of her as a bitch. Some people got that impression when she didn't open to Cole, but she reacted how anyone would when their "territory" is taken from them. Taylor's probably the first yellow ranger that I liked (Katie comes pretty close, but not much storylines were given to her). The one thing I didn't get about Taylor is her concept of teamwork. I'll explain that in the epilogue. Most of my explainations about the story will be in the epilogue. Read on!

Teamwork
Chapter 2: Bringing up the Past
By: stargazer_1017

"Why are we going to a military base again?" Max asked through his helmet. Since none of the rangers had a car, Taylor and Max had to use the Savage Cycles to get to Albright Air Force base, which was about a ten minute drive from Turtle Cove City.

"I have some business," Taylor replied.

"With who? You've been gone from the military for a long time now," Max asked. When Taylor didn't respond, he shook his head and turned his attention back on the road. They drove into the small town the Air Force base was located in, Windrow, and stopped. Taylor let the power animals revert back to their true forms and head back to the Animarium and she and Max de-morphed. "How far from here is it?" Max asked.

Taylor nodded towards the main street. "We have to go uptown, but it's not that far," she replied. They started their walk and headed towards the main gate of the base. A fence blocked the opening and a guard stood in the post in the middle and each opening for two lanes of traffic had a guard at each gate. "Halt," the guard spoke, putting his hand up.

"Guard, is there any way I can get on base," Taylor asked.

"May I see your ID?"

Taylor's almost let her shoulders slump. Her military ID expired when she was discharged. She told the guard so and the guard shook his head. "I'm sorry, but without military ID, you won't be allowed to enter the base."

Taylor looked past the guard to look at the base. It was the same like it had aways been. She was so close--

"Lieutenant, it's a pleasure seeing you here," a voice boomed behind Taylor and Max. The guard at the gate saluted the person who just spoke. Taylor and Max spun around to see a man in a car. He was in his blues uniform with two stars on his shoulders.

Taylor went to the position of attention. "Sir!" she said, saluting the man.

The man nodded and saluted her back. "Relax, Lieuteant. . .I mean, Taylor. It's been a long time since you've worn one of these, has it?" he asked.

Taylor relaxed. "Yes, General," she agreed, nodding.

The General nodded back. "What's the problem here."

"Sir, this woman wants to get on base, but her ID expired. I'm not allowed to let her in unless she is sponsered by one who works on base," the guard replied.

"Well then get in," the General said, pressing the auto-lock on his doors. "I'm heading back to the squardon anyway."

"Are you sure that's all right, sir?" Taylor asked.

The General nodded. "Hop in before I change my mind," he said.

Taylor nodded to Max and they both climbed in the vehicle. The General turned to Taylor. "We can catch up on how civilian life's treating you," he said, smiling at her.

Taylor smiled back. General Cooper had always been a wonderful commander. He was sympathetic, but tough. He didn't take any slack from anyone. If you gave him excuses, you'd be spending extra hours in the squardon--doing "personal improvement exercises."

As they went through the gate, the General asked, "So how has civilian life been treating you, Taylor?"

"It's been okay, sir. Hanging in there," Taylor replied, not wanting to give out anything.

General Cooper nodded. "Good, good. . ." he looked in the rearview mirror at his other passenger. "What's your name, son?"

Max straightened up. "M-Max, sir," he stuttered. Taylor clamped her mouth shut to keep from laughing. The General picked up the stutter. "M-Max? What kinda name is that?" he demanded.

"Actually, it's just one "M", sir."

The General chuckled. "Well, I'll be! He can talk well after all!" he said. The General looked back at him through the mirror. "You don't have to be nervous son, I'm just a regular guy like you. . .unless you're enlisting, well that's a different story."

Max nodded quickly and the General turned back to Taylor. "Thinking about coming back to us, Taylor?"

Taylor shook her head. "I wish I could say so, sir, but actually, I'm came here to look for Kendra."

"Ah, yes, she's still here."

"Yes sir, I saw her in Turtle Cove yesterday."

The General nodded. "She's trying to get some more young women to join the Force. Been pretty successful too."

Taylor nodded. "If you need to see her, I can get someone to bring you to her," the General continued, "she's not flying today."

"That would be great, sir," Taylor replied as the General made a last turn into the parking lot of his office. Everyone got out of the car and walked into the building.

"Squadron, 'tench hut!" someone yelled. The room immediately snapped to attention.

"As you all were," General Cooper called out and everyone relaxed, going back to what they were doing. General Cooper nodded at a man at the front desk. "Sergeant Wallace," he called the man. Sergeant Wallace approached the three. "Sir?" he asked.

"Show these people to Hangar Bay 2B. They're looking for Lieutenant Kendra Breeman," the General ordered.

Sergeant Wallace nodded. "Yes, sir." He turned to Taylor and Max. "Right this way," he said, leading them back outside.

When they walked outside, the sergeant lead them to a jeep and drove them to hangar 2B. After thanking the sergeant, Taylor and Max walked into the hangar. Then Taylor noticed who she was looking for.

Kendra, who had on BDUs instead of blues this time, was looking over a plane with another person. They were pointing out various parts of the engine. Taylor approached them and asked softly, "Any problems with the plane?"

Kendra and the other man turned to the voice. "Taylor, what are you doing here?" Kendra asked coolly.

"Well, I saw you in town the other day and I had to come and see how you were," Taylor replied.

Kendra raised her eyebrows and said nothing. Then she turned to the man beside her. "Airman Wong, this is Taylor Rowe and. . ."

"Max," he replied, nodding.

Kendra nodded. She turned to Airman Wong. "Why don't you show these two the hangar?" she asked him.

The airman nodded, but Taylor interrupted, "That's okay. I need to talk with the Lieutenant about something. Max, you go ahead."

Max raised his eyebrow at Taylor, but said nothing. He followed Airman Wong out and Kendra started walking around the plane. "Hey, we still have to catch up on things," Taylor tried making conversation, following her.

"Catch up on what? Your new life?" Kendra spat out, not turning around and continuing to circle the plane.

"Well that, and how's everything with you?"

Kendra took the ladder away from the plane and started to head outside the hanger. "Oh, you're actually interested?" she asked.

Taylor caught up with her and walked on her left. "Of course I am," Taylor insisted. "Congratulations on getting your silver bar."

Kendra said nothing. "Good morning, ma'am," someone said and saluted. Kendra saluted him back and then said, "Fine. Anything else?"

Taylor couldn't take it anymore. "Damnit, why are you acting like this? What the hell is going on?" she demanded.

She stopped abruptly in her tracks when Kendra did also. "Why the hell am I acting like this? Don't you remember anything? What went on last year before you left?"

"Before I left?"

Kendra shook her head in disbelief. "You and your short term memory. You know, I still don't believe that nothing happened up there in the sky that day we were testing out the new equipment."

So that was what this was about. "What does that have to do with anything?" Taylor demanded.

Kendra shook her head, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "We were best friends, partners, wingmen," Kendra spat out. "You couldn't even trust me with the truth."

Kendra knew something, Taylor realized. She couldn't have known about Animarium, could she? Maybe she just knew there was something that happened. "That hasn't changed, and you know that, Kendra."

"You couldn't even tell me the truth. . .even after you left me to crash with those missles on me," Kendra said, bitter.

Taylor shook her head. She thought back to that day. . .In the time that she had landed on Animarium, she didn't go back to check on Kendra, to get those missles off her six. "Look, Kendra I--"

"You didn't care at all, did you? I was in the hospital weeks and not once did you come by and see me. We were like sisters," Kendra said, shaking her head. "You were never even sorry," she whispered and then spun around.

Suddenly, alarms split the air. "All Personnel, attention all personnel, we're under Code Red. I repeat, Code Red."

An attack is going on, Taylor realized, remember the command. "What the heck?" Kendra screeched.

Taylor turned to her and saw Orglings running around. What were they doing on base? Why would Master Org want to attack a military base?

"Their attacking the city's water supply!" someone who was running past yelled.

Taylor's eyes widened. That's right! The water supply was on base. . .not too far from the hangar. Taylor started running. "Hey, you can't go that way!" Kendra yelled.

Taylor ran past the personnel who were running in the opposite direction. Probably retrieving weapons, she thought. I'll be done before they get back. She pumped her legs harder to reach the water supply. "Hey, Uglings!" she yelled at them. Some turned around, some kept to their work--which looked like they were trying to contaminate the water supply.

Then they came for her. Taylor clenched her fist and prepared herself to fight, but she was sorely outnumbered. She began fighting her way to the water supply and suddenly realized how badly she was outnumbered when she was hit hard from behind. Taylor fell to the ground and looked up. An Orgling was going to stomp on her and Taylor put her hands up to sheild herself.

"Kyah!"

Taylor moved her arms and saw the Orgling fall right beside her. Taylor looked in the direction of the voice. "Kendra? What are you doing here?"

Kendra was in a fighting stance. 'I told you not to come this way," she replied.

"I can handle these guys."

"Yeah, I saw that from the way you were lying down on the ground."

Taylor got up and stanced. "Just go. Really, I got these guys."

Kendra shook her head. "Guess you forgot another thing the Air Force taught you. You forgot the whole concept of teamwork. Geez, it was only a year ago that you last used the concept, wasn't it?" Kendra asked, wryly.

I use it when I fight Orgs, Taylor thought inwardly, but said nothing. "Guess we'll have to refresh my memory then, Skittles," Taylor said, turning to her once friend.

Kendra raised her eyebrow and smiled slowly. She turned and with a loud cry, she kicked the Orgling coming at her. Taylor nodded back and started to fight. Even though they seemed like they were outnumbered, they worked together to breakdown the group of Orglings surrounding them. Taylor turned around to look at the water supply--there were about five left. "Back off!" Taylor yelled at them, running and kicking one in the back.

Kendra ran up behind Taylor. "Double team?" she asked. Taylor nodded and then noticed the Orglings were standing in a straight row. "How about a bomb attack?" she suggested.

Kendra grinned, stepping back. "Sounds good to me." Taylor cupped her hands and Kendra ran forward. She stepped with her right foot into Taylor's hands and with Taylor's strength and her jump, she jumped high into the air, and laid her body flat. She crashed perfectly into the four Orglings, knocking them out.

Taylor pumped her fist into the air. "All right!" she yelled, running forward to help Kendra up. "Guess you didn't forget after all," Kendra replied, taking her friend's hand.

Taylor nodded and then took a deep breath. "You know Kendra, I am sorry about leaving you out there that day. I'm sorry that you had to bail your plane," she started.

Kendra stood without saying a word and then nodded slowly. "What exactly are you hiding, Taylor? Isn't it even something you can tell me? We were buddies, we went through everything together--basic training, flight school, military life. . ."

Taylor took a deep breath and sighed. "I would if I could, honestly. It's just. . .something I have to keep," Taylor replied.

"Are you guys okay?" Taylor and Kendra looked up. Max, in his Blue Ranger uniform ran up to them. Taylor nodded. "We're fine."

Kendra looked at him with surprise. "Wow, the Blue Ranger? Aren't you guys usually in Turtle Cove?" she asked, suspiciously.

Max put his gloved hand on his helmet, as if scratching his head. "Well. . .you know. . .we, uh, travel around?" he said. Kendra raised an eyebrow and turned to look at Taylor, then back at Max. She shook her head. "I'll be right back. I have to check on my personnel," she said, and ran back to the hangar.

When Kendra was out of earshot, Taylor nudged her elbow into Max's side. "Nice answer, Max. Anymore uncertain comments?"

"Well what was I supposed to say?" Max asked defensively. "I think we should call the others and let them know what's up. I think the rest of the base is safe."

Taylor nodded and pulled out her Growl Phone. After she had explained things to Alyssa, she closed her phone. Suddenly, Kendra started walking back towards them. "Uh-oh, I better go," Max said and went off.

Kendra had no expression on her face. "Taylor, I want to ask you something. . .and I want to hear the truth. No 'I'm sorry, I can't' or whatever else you might come up with. Okay?"

Taylor felt her stomach knot up slightly. She was uncertain about what Kendra was going to ask. "Okay," she said slowly.
"What's your relationship to the Power Rangers?"

"Excuse me?"

"The Power Rangers. Out of all areas to inspect around the base, the Blue Ranger happened to come here first."

"How do you know that?"

"Just got through asking my personnel, and some others."

Taylor realized that Kendra might have some idea of her secret, but not the true idea. "What do you think is my relationship to the Rangers?" Taylor asked.

Kendra narrowed her eyes. Then Taylor saw something, slightly, pass in her eyes. Kendra shook her head. "After getting an apology, I guess this was too much to ask for."

"You mean this whole not talking to me was because of an apology? That's it?" Taylor asked in disbelief.

"Hey! First, you bailed out on me in that exercise, then you coudln't even ask how I was when I was in the hospital, because you were running around doing whatever you were doing, and then you take your six years in the Air Force and leave without a word," Kendra replied. She and Taylor turned around, heading towards the hangar.

Taylor remembered--after Kendra had crashed, she and her rio stayed about two weeks in the hospital, recovering. Taylor never could visit her--after she got off work, she went to the Animarium, teaching Princess Shayla about how humans lived in the world today. When she wasn't on the Animarium, she was in Turtle Cove, fighting off Orgs that appeared. Then Taylor realized that she couldn't fight the Orgs if she had an obligation to spend forty hours a week somewhere else. So when her six year contract was up, she got out.

"I'm really sorry about that, Skittles. When we ran that exercise, something happened. . .and I just couldn't stay anymore. I know you won't understand it now, but I promise one day, I'll tell you about it." Taylor turned to look at her friend. "Cause you're my wingman, right?"

Kendra turned to look at Taylor and held her first out. "Always, Yellow Eagle." Taylor put her fist down on Kendra's and smiled. "Hey," Taylor said, "I know I don't work in the military anymore, but is there any chance I'd get to fly one of the planes again?"

Kendra raised her eyebrow. "Think you remember everything?" she asked.

Taylor gave her a disbelieving look. "Believe me, I still remember everything we learned in flight school. How about it? Think you'll let me fly your plane?"

Kendra was silent for a moment. "Actually, I think I can," she replied. "Come back on Friday and I'll see what I can do."

"You got it."