Chapter 6. New recruits
11:03 A.M.
Heath Williams pulled himself up on to the deck of the sky lady and reached for a nearby towel. He loved swimming so early in the morning; it always got the blood going. Glancing at his diving watch he saw it was not that early. Man he must have lost track of time. Ok so he'd have to work on the map on the way to the Marina.
Sighing HEATH headed below deck and changed into swim trunks and a T shirt. He was reaching for the graphing paper when the hail came in.
"Attention Sky lady, this is the Marina, we need to speak to you." The voice came over the radio.
"This is the sky lady request names and reason." HEATH said and
The voice came back.
"I am Captain Ryan Mitchell of Lightspeed Rescue, we need bespeak with you." At that HEATH frowned. Lightspeed Rescue? What
Would they want with him? He hadn't done anything global? Well, He knew the only way to find out was to wait and see.
"Granted.
Chad nodded to Dana and she smiled. So far so good. Now though
She took the time to study the young man who came to stand on the deck of the other cruiser. He was tall, at least six foot. His hair was a sun bleached brown and his face handsome in a rugged way. She could see his youth, although he had side burns, and a beard. Well that would have to go. The beard could be a hazard. He was all in blue she noted and was glad. It would be a better adjustment, She also had a feeling the power was already deep within him. It had always been in Ryan that was why he'd been able to hold the titanium morpher. It was also why Diabolico had wanted him.
Dana wondered about the others, would they do it too? Looking down at herself she knew though she was no longer an active ranger she wore Pink. She had an opal ring. It had been a gift from their father on her graduation. She felt tears fill her eyes and felt Ryan come up beside her.
"Ready?" He asked and she managed to push back the sadness.
"I am now." She said and it was time. Ryan lifted his medical uniform clad sister over the railing and set her on the deck before climbing over.
"I could have done that." She muttered but he shrugged.
"Normally, but not in a dress."
"It's my uniform." She muttered. Why was it he always did dumb things like that? She'd been a ranger hadn't she? Not that it had no ramifications but still she was very capable.
"Heath Williams?" Ryan asked his face going into formal mode.
Heath nodded, he'd started to wonder if they were really who they said they were but now he knew. The look on the man and the woman's comment about a uniform made sense. Lightspeed Rescue was a military organization, everyone knew about them. They'd been a big part of the workforce in Mariner bay even when he was in school but after the monster attacks they'd really become important. It struck him that the young lady looked slightly familiar but he couldn't exactly place her. Her next words straightened that out for him.
"I'm Dr. Dana Mitchell and this is my brother captain Ryan Mitchell, we're here on behalf of Lightspeed Rescue."
"What does Lightspeed want with me?" Heath asked he'd never met real power rangers but he didn't think awe would be much of a good response.
"We need you to come with us." Dana saw the boys frown at Ryan's tone and sighed. She reached in and pulled out his file from the folders she carried.
"Mr. Williams, we really can't say anything now, but here." Dana thrust the folder at him.
Heath took the folder and quickly scanned the information. Every piece of pertinent information was right there, from his birth to his work with the dolphins at Disney world. He didn't question the two further just handed the booklet back and said.
"I'll have to cancel a swimming class."
Dana shot her brother a smug look and Ryan rolled his eyes. She loved it when she was right and he wrong.
***
12:11 PM
They arrived at the crest of Mortains peak. They'd not said much in the car but Heath seemed to be the kind of guy who was very at ease with silence. He just sat there gazing out the window at the passing scenery.
"Hollie's do to jump anytime now." Ryan informed his little sister as he pulled the car to a stop not far from the target zone. It hadn't taken that long to get there but Dana had an odd feeling something was about to happen and wondered what it could be.
"You know I've been thinking and it sounds as if she is just right for the yellow morpher." Dana informed him in turn. The pair climbed from the car even as they spotted the bright yellow shoot coming downy, Dana knew she'd been right. The power had chosen the girl. She was already all in yellow. Besides that she just had an air about her that echoed the one that Kelsey had often wore. It said "I dare you."
"Not bad." Ryan murmured as the young woman came floating down. Dana cast him a look and there was something in his she'd eyes never before seen, was it interest? She hoped so. In the time since he'd been home he'd not shown much interest in any females. He'd spent too much time trying to learn everything he needed to know to be both a part of the Mitchell family and a ranger. Now though maybe he was about to find something new to learn. It was why she didn't stop him from stepping forward once the jumper had landed.
"Miss Marsh?" A voice called and Hollie cursed, where was the stupid edge of this dumb thing? Who made Para shoots so big anyway? Why if they could create space colonies couldn't someone invent a smaller and less messy Para shoot?
"Hold up will you I'm just..." She felt a tugging at the shoot and then she found herself free and staring up into the most breath taking silver eyes she'd ever seen. They were clear, solid silver and currently amused at her predicament. Annoyance shot through her, who was this guy to be laughing at her? He didn't even know her.
"You know I could have gotten out of the shoot myself." She said waspishly.
"Miss Marsh, we need you to come with us." It o" only then she noted the uniform and the blonde young woman standing a few paces behind him.
"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me who you are and what you want with me." She said and now because she realized at a glance how isolated they were she didn't like this.
"I'm sorry my brother can be a little blunt." The pretty Blonde stepped forward and gave her an apologetic smile. Hollie could see then the similarity between them. They had the same hair and features even if their eyes were different colors.
"I'm Dr. Dana Mitchell," the woman went on. "I work for Lightspeed Rescue. We were..."
"The pink ranger." The girl said and Dana nodded with a self deprecating smile. Hollie's attention went back to the man that her side.
"This is my block headed brother Ryan. We can't say why but we need you to come with us." Her tone was both pleasant and yet authoritative and Hollie already liked her. Her brother on the other hand…
"Just let me pack up my gear." Hollie said not willing to be a dummy. If lightspeed Rescue wanted to see her, she'd be there. Hollie had seen the rangers fighting when she was little; she'd originally lived with her cousin and his parents in Angel Grove. Her own family having been killed in one of the very first monster attacks on the other city. Now though she would see what was needed and if it came down to it she'd give up everything to help. The thing was she'd not yet heard of any aliens or demons in town. Oh well she'd find out soon enough she mused slinging her refolded shoot over her shoulder.
Dana saw her brother's solemn look and knew that there was something on his mind as they got back in the car and smiled. Things would definitely be interesting. Thinking about interesting relationships Dana wondered what she'd say the next time she saw Carter. What would he say? Everything would be different now. They'd crossed the line of friendship. She thought back to all the things they'd talked about. She'd never known he liked Classic rock or that he had never known his father. It was still hard to imagine him as a child, surviving that fire thanks to her own father and then having to move in with his mom's sister until they could find a new apartment. How had he done it? At least when she'd lost her mother and Ryan she'd not been old enough to remember very much but Carter recalled all of it.
Now as Ryan pulled the car out of the spot they'd parked in Dana didn't see the scenery or recall the pair in the back seat, her mind so intent on the things she'd learned about Carter, the things she'd shared with him. Yes it had all changed and that was a little scary, what would happen now?
***
1:32 p.m.
Students sat in the little lounge off the main hall, studying, talking and snacking on junk food bought in the halls only vending machine. Sitting on one of the benches Dana watched a number of girls make their way down the steps. Idly she thought of the thorough-fair of a carnival. That's what it was like. That thought made her smile. She hadn't been to a carnival since she'd been a ranger herself and had dragged her father. He'd been brainwashed into almost surrendering all of light speeds power to the demons a lump formed deep in her throat at the memory of her father back then. He'd been so happy, Ryan was alive and a ranger, she'd been planning to go
Off to school to study medicine and the end of the demons had seemed an eternity away. But it had ended, just like everything ended.
Glancing around Dana wondered if Marie would be able to handle this. The girl had so much promise. She had a heart too; she was good with people and wanted to help those who were suffering. It was exactly what she'd wanted when she was little. She wondered if she'd been just as driven. It would make the coming war rough but the girl would be strong enough to handle it.
Just then the door to the class room opened and students began to file out. Dana got to her feet and scanned the faces for that of her successor.
***
Marie frowned, why was it they always put questions on exams that no prof ever went over? She really hated that. She also hated classes where the professor mumbled, talked about this and that and never relevant things and was a total idiot. Glancing at her watch she was glad to see she'd not miss her bus, she only had a half hour before her shift started at the hospital.
"Excuse me, Miss Landy?" A voice asked and she glanced up to see a blonde young woman standing a few feet ahead of her.
"Yes?"
"I need you to come with me." Ryan said and the girl's frown deepened. What was going on, what did this woman want with her?
"Come with you? Why? I'm sorry but for one, I don't know you. For another thing, I have work." She said and started off again attempting to push past the woman.
"Your shift at the hospital has been taken care of Miss Landy." The young woman replied as if understanding and Marie looked at her. She was about her own height if an inch taller; she had blue eyes with silver flecks and looked to be about 22 or so. Still there was an air of authority about her. She was dressed in some sort of uniform, a blue skirt with a matching blue blazer. There was an official looking name tag over the right side of the jacket. Marie scanned the nameplate. Dr. D Mitchell
"My name is Dr. Dana Mitchell; I'm here on behalf of Lightspeed rescue and..."Marie understood then the tag on her right side. Although she'd not grown up in Mariner bay she knew the history of Mariner bay. Not only that but she'd lived for two years in Silver Hills. She'd seen her share of ranger battles. Then at the thought of the rangers she remembered the name of the woman.
"Dana Mitchell, The pink lightspeed ranger." She then frowned, what could they want with her. The city was at peace, weren't they?
Dana saw the questions flicker behind the violet eyes and wanted to smile. Yes she had a good feeling about this young lady.
***
The garage echoed with the sound of Metallica's "unforgiven." Ryan stood there letting his eyes adjust to the inside and then he made out the car with the feet protruding from it's underbelly. Ryan wondered if this was his replacement. Well from what he knew about the zord repairs they could always need someone with know how.
"Christopher McGovern?" He asked when it was clear the young man was still unaware of his presence.
"Awe…" the expletive came along with a thunk and then the figure emerged from beneath the car.
Ryan's first full look at his successor made Ryan shake his head. Chris was a big guy; broad built and looked his age. As he got to his feet he said.
"I'm Chris who are you?" The young man asked.
"Captain Ryan Mitchell, Lightspeed Rescue." Ryan said and Chris frowned. He knew that name, both the name of the organization and the man's.
"I hate to intrude but I'm afraid I'll need you to come with me."
Chris stared wondering why this legendary power ranger would ask him to come with him. He was just an ordinary Joe. He wasn't a rescue working or a doctor or even a pilot. All of the Mariner Bay rangers were service oriented. He could remember that much. He'd lived in Mariner Bay his whole life and had been present for plenty of the attacks.
"If you'll come with me all will be explained.
Chris looked around and hound his partner in the doorway nodding at him.
"I can handle anything that comes up." Jonas assured him and Chris looked back at the other man.
"Let's go."
***
"Not bad."
"Of course not I am the sonic arrow..."
"Add cocky to that." Dana said looking over at Ryan and thinking that this kid was just like Joel.
"Hmm." Ryan said thoughtfully thinking much along the same lines.
"Excuse me Mr. Raffle." Dana was stepping forward before Ryan realized she was even ready.
"Yes?"
"We're from Lightspeed rescue and we'd like you to come with us." Ryan stepped in before she could speak.
"I'd love to but I have to go and…" Brent began and Ryan frowned at the cocky young man.
"I'm sorry but I'm afraid you don't understand this is not optional." Ryan said quickly and Dana sighed, could he any be any tactless?
"Huh?"
"What my brother is trying to say is that we can't say why just now but we will if you just come along with us." Dana tried to smooth it over. Why did Ryan make things so complicated?
"Uh," Brent looked the pair over noting their lightspeed uniforms and then he tried to think back, the woman looked somewhat familiar. Blonde hair, blue eyes and a doctor for lightspeed… Then he had it. "Your doctor Mitchell, the ex-pink ranger."
"Yes and this big bozo is my brother Ryan or um rather Captain Mitchell."
"Oh, well I um guess I can come if it's important enough for the two of you to be doing the leg work." He gave in.
TBC
***
I know it's not all that exciting but just wait, we'll get there. Anyway PLZ R&R.