Chapter 9 the Transmission
"Wow, will you check out this place?"
Hollie exclaimed as they left the submarine bay and followed Captain Mitchell.
"Hollie," Brent hissed and she looked at him innocently. What? Just because they'd all been through the ringer she couldn't be amazed? "
"Well Excuse me," she muttered, "like I've ever seen a ranger base."
"You could try having a little respect for the captain, he nearly lost his sister." Brent hissed and she rolled her eyes.
"Hello I was there, that doesn't mean I can't be in awe of this place."
"Ok children save the bickering." Heath broke in and both glared at him. He just ignored that and went on. "We've all had a long hard day. Let's just save the ice breaking for tomorrow?"
In the front of the group Brian was listening to every word that Captain Mitchell told them.
"And this," The man stopped as they came to a door marked OPS. "Is what we call rescue ops? It's rather like mission control is for NASA."
"This place is really big." Chris noted and Captain Mitchell nodded.
"The neo-Aquabase is twice as large as the original Aquabase." A pretty woman joined them and Brent recognized her from the hospital's waiting room.
"this is Mrs. Angela Rawlings. She created the technology Lightspeed uses."
"Wow, beauty and Brains." Brent said and the scientist just rolled her eyes.
"Alright, we're going to wait until tomorrow for anything more than an introduction." Captain Mitchell told them and then was leading them into a conference room. "Alright, from what you've each said today when we arrived to bring you in you all know of the power rangers." Captain Mitchell began adding. "You also have seen some of the other work we do today. The question remains, are all of you up to the challenge?"
"You want us to be power rangers?" Brian asked and Heath frowned.
"I don't get it, Ok, Brian's a fire fighter, Marie's a trained medical worker but the rest of us?"
"You each are the best at what you do. Heath, your specialty is water rescue, Hollie you're a trained emergency worker and Brent you're a rescue pilot. All of these are skills rangers need. Our first team had a medic, a fire fighter, a Marine specialist, a sports fanatic, a stunt pilot and a trained fighter. Like us you fit together."
"That makes sense." Marie commented and Heath nodded slowly. "We're like your whole, clicking into place."
"But what am I?" Chris asked frowning.
"You're a mechanic and a marshal artist."
"I'd say that fits." Brent said and Captain Mitchell nodded.
"So I ask again are you six up to the challenge?"
"I'm in." Brian said and Marie nodded.
"You don't even have to ask." She smiled.
"Me too, I'm always up for a new adventure." Hollie smiled a spark lighting her eyes.
"Count me in." Heath said and looked to Brent and Chris.
"Yeah," Chris said exchanging a look with Brent. "We're in."
"Good, in the morning you'll begin your training as rangers. The power transfer will have to wait though; we'll need to make sure Doctor Mitchell is healed before Marie receives her morpher."
"Wait, the power helps with healing?" Marie asked surprised.
"Yes, it's a little benefit, just as the protective suits are."
"So there's a reason the rangers always wear spandex?" Brent asked and Captain Mitchell nodded.
"The garments are not ordinary spandex, the fabric is treated to protect it's wearer from most battle wounds."
"It didn't work very well on the doctor today." Heath pointed out and Mrs. Rawlings nodded.
"We'd been working on modifying the pink uniform and there were a few bugs."
"I hope you've gotten them out." Captain Mitchell looked at her grimly and she nodded.
"My staff and I finished about an hour after I left the hospital." The scientist explained and he nodded.
"Good, well," Captain Mitchell turned back to the new rangers. "We'll get you settled in for the night."
***
Astro megaship Mark 2
The ship was racing towards the moon.
"I've contacted Leo on Mirinoi and Orico on Aquatar, they'll meet us there as soon as possible."
"Good." Carter listened to the others talking and planning. He wondered how Dana was doing.
Casting a quick glance at his wrist unit, the doctor's should at least know something by now. He had been wondering how that was going but there was no way to contact any of his friends to find out. Now as he listened to Andros list the E.T.A. And Tommy the other vital information of the mission.
Still all Carter could think was, 3 hours; they'd be in bed by then.
She was always working too hard. but not now, she wasn't working at all. No she was laying in the hospital. For all he new, she could be dead.
Instead of being with the one he really wanted to be with he was speeding to the moon. He wished his communicator had long range abilities. As it was there was no way it'd reach this far from it. He could remember fighting he comet and how their com system had broken up.
When Wes elbowed him Carter snapped back to attention to realize that the briefing was finished.
***
Dana lay there, alone in the hospital room. Ryan having left a time ago to get the new recruits settled back at the base.
She'd been glad. He was so annoying, doting and yet uncertain. Didn't he understand she didn't need anything? She just had some healing to do.
For once she was glad to still have her morpher. Although it had been the power which had gotten her into this, she'd have been in there with out it. It was just a part of her. She could feel that now. It was the same thing that had forced Carter to leave on his mission.
Sighing she wondered what he was doing, was he alright? Was he with the wild force team being crushed in Turtle Cove? She'd not been able to miss hearing of the Org battles there. Had they escalated? Had Wes been the one to call him in? Chat had ever happened to Wes?
Had Jen been able to stay after all? She hoped so. According to what Carter had said during the days of the last mutant battles she'd have to go home. That would be horrible to fall in love with someone not of your own time and then to be forced to leave them...
Dana thought of Carter again and really, really wanted to talk to him, to know if he was alright. It was funny but she had the feeling that last night she'd not just crossed one line when she'd kissed him back but all of them. Had she known it and wanted that? Did he? Did he even feel the same way? She didn't know and was not sure if she'd have the courage to ask him. That was just funny, a power ranger who faced death to save a child was afraid of emotions.
***
Astro Mega ship Mark 2
"Carter!" The ex-fire fighter turned when Andros called his name and he turned back to face him.
"Is there something you need?" he asked.
"No but you seem a little distracted." Andros noted adding. "Is anything wrong?"
"No, I just have a lot on my mind." Carter said with a shrug.
"Well, if it's someone you left back on earth I might be able to help." He said and explained the computer's hook up to earth's satellite. After a minute of consideration Carter told them what happened.
"Come on." Andros led him from the room.
***
Ryan sat in his quarters thinking about all that had just happened, he'd not only brought in the new team, and he'd almost lost his sister and given the kids a tour of the base. Talk about one long day. He had the feeling that his father hadn't had to go through this much before.
"Captain Mitchell to Ops, Captain Mitchell to ops!" The page had him on his feet. What now? Had it already started? Was something wrong with Dana? Had something gone wrong with the kids?
As he strode from his quarts he found Joel coming for him.
"What's happening?"
"Carter's on the com."
"Why is something wrong?"
"Don't know Angie just said I should make sure you heard the p.a."
"Right." By then they'd reached rescue ops.
"He wants to speak with both you and Dana." Angela said and Ryan frowned. Why hadn't he just used their communicators? It would have been easier.
"He couldn't just have beeped me?"
"It's rather hard to do from outer space." Came Carter's voice and Ryan found him then, on the satellite monitor. The other man looked exhausted Ryan noted.
"The mission?"
"Yeah. what's happening?"
"Well, the doctor clean Dana up and their keeping her until tomorrow. The new team is resting, I haven't made the transfer. I wanted you 2 be here for that."
"Alright, listen, I don't know what will happen but if something goes wrong tell Dana..." For the first time in the time he'd known Carter Grayson Ryan saw him struggle for words. "Take care of her." He finished and Ryan nodded.
"Do you want to speak to her?"
"I..." Before Carter could finish there was an odd sound and then Angela said.
"I've patched you into her morpher." And then the screen went black.
***
Dana was laying there when her communicator went off.
"Mitchell here."
"I thought the name was Dana." A familiar voice said and she adjusted her arm so she could look at the person.
"Carter..."
"Hey Doc, how you feeling?" He asked and she managed a wan smile, so it had not been a dream. He'd really known.
"I'll live, how about you?"
"I'm not the one who was in a fire."
"Yeah but your the one in danger now."
***
"I'm fine." He said awed. Even with back hurting like the devil she was worried about him. A shot of warmth went through him at that very idea. Maybe it had meant more to her as well...
It was that hope that had hi once more opening his mouth. H didn't even think about his words.
"Dana, I can't say anything about my mission but it could be really dangerous and if something goes wrong and…"
***
Dana's blood ran cold at the somber tone of his voice. Did he really think he might not make it home? Was it truly possible? She felt sick and wanted to go to him, to find a way to be there with him, no matter what the risk. She did not want to lose him.
"Carter," she tried to think of what to say and then it came to her. "Carter, I'll see you when you get home."
"But…" He sounded a little scared and this was the first time she'd heard that from him. At least the first time since…
"Woa!"
She watched, he couldn't reach, he couldn't' reach Ryan's hand.
"Close the lid!"
"Not with out you!"
***
"Dana?" Carter asked frowning. What was wrong? She looked a million miles away. His voice pulled her back and she had tears in her blue eyes.
"I'm sorry I was just um… Thinking about something.' She admitted and he nodded. Still he wondered what could have put such an upset look on her face.
"Dane, I'll see you soon?"
"Yeah, just um Carter…"
"Yeah?"
"Please be really careful."
"I will.' He told her and then gave her a little smile. "You do the same? NO more fires?"
"Deal." She said and managed a little smile. Still he'd have to ask her what was wrong when he got back to the base.
TBC
***
Welll? What do you think? PLZ R&R and let me know. I'll also take suggestions if anyone has any.