Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Power Rangers….this is for entertainment
A/N: It will help to remember that Time Force isn't too keen on relationships...
Within the next few chapters, we're going to see how Jen and Wes's relationship blossoms… and Wes's time on the future progresses..
Yes, for everyone's wonder on how Jen will react, here it is!! It gets better within the next few chapters, I promise!!
This chapter was hard for me to write. Bare with me if its kind of bad! It'll only get better!
Enjoy ch 5!!
Steph
The Academy and The Reunion
"Wes?" Jen got up and ran to the exit, looking up and down the hallway.
Wes was standing behind the corner, too paranoid to move. 'Why am I so scared that she'll know I'm here?' Then her footsteps became louder as she walked down towards where he was standing. Jen was a foot away from the corner when…
"Jen!" Jen turned around to see the Ensigns running toward her. "Jen, is everything all right?" Davis asked.
"Yea, you ran out of there like something was wrong." Kyle stated.
Jen was silent, and this worried her friends greatly.
"JEN!" Jamie yelled, which brought Jen back to earth.
'Wha--oh sorry…yes, everything's," she paused. "fine. Just fine."
"Okay, well we're going to go back and finish lunch. Come on." Alli said. Jen didn't move, but was focused on that corner. The corner where Wes stood.
"COME ON!" all four of them yelled.
"All right, all right I'm coming! I'm coming!" Jen took one last look and went back to the cafeteria.
Wes didn't move a muscle until he heard a voice.
"Wes, you can breathe now."
He realized that he indeed needed to breathe. He let out a relieved breath. Logan was standing there, looking at him. He had to do something to get Jen off of his mind.
"Wes, there's one more room I want you to see."
He led Wes to an elevator. Logan called out "Level 27: Command"
The elevator went up. Wes heard a ding. The door opened to reveal a large room. Computers were all over the place with officers stationed at each one.
"Wow. So this is the brain of Time Force." Wes said.
He heard someone call out. "Officer on deck!" With a fast motion every officer stood at attention and saluted sharply. "At ease, Officer Ricardo." Everyone got back to work.
"Yes, Wes. This is the "brain" of Time Force. These computers monitor the time stream making sure no one from our time leaves without authorization. It monitors anything from a minute that was gone back to a minute ahead of time. It's very sensitive. We don't want another incident like what happened with Ransik."
"I guess not." Wes was amazed by his surroundings. All of the computers and the officers busy. Then in the middle of the room he saw a pad, much like the computer that Jen used. Except this one was much nicer.
"The grids set up around you help us to monitor the whole city." He pointed up some stairs. "Up those steps are where we monitor the entire world. We've one of the most hi-tech facilities in the United States today."
Wes was flabbergasted to see this. "It's hard to believe this all started with a business venture from my dad." Wes smiled.
"Well, you've got a big day tomorrow, Wes. Better get some sleep." Logan said. Tomorrow Wes was starting at the Academy, for the last two months of training.
After dinner and a walk, Logan and Wes came to the apartment complex.
"Well, Captain, thanks for the tour." Wes said.
"No problem, Wes. If you need anything just contact the Ensigns or myself. Good night."
"Good night."
The doors of the elevator closed behind him. "Level 15" The elevator moved. After about 5 minutes, Wes came to his floor. Looking at his keys they said Room 14. After finding his room he put the key it its hole. Soon he heard a click. Wes walked into his room and put the keys on the table.
"Home sweet home." Wes went into his room and put on a pair of sweatpants then ventured out into the living room.
"Let's see how this TV thing works." He studied the remote. A button on the top said "power" so he hit it. The screen came to life. After scrolling the channels he found nothing interesting. He looked at his clock. 10:55PM. 'Better get some sleep.'
Wes walked into his bedroom and shut off the lights. But he didn't fall asleep. His thoughts turned to Jen.
"Why did I run?" He said to no one in particular. "What am I so afraid of? This is Jen we're talking about! Jen…oh sure, she's the Lieutenant, soon to be my command officer, but why should this be different?" He got up and stared out the window. The moon was high and bright. He sighed. "It's hard to believe that I used to think that she was staring up at the same moon. Now she's under the same moon." He sighed again.
In one of his bags he took out a small photo album, of his time with the rangers. He smiled as he flipped though it. He came to one picture of Jen. She was smiling and laughing. He found one that he was surprised at. He remembered it all to clearly. He smiled.
"Jen was getting a bit annoyed with everyone. After I kissed her…" he trailed off. "After I kissed her." All he ever wanted was that one kiss.
He sighed. "Jen…" he laid down on the pillow. " I miss you so much." He fell fast asleep.
Time Force Apartments, 6:30am:
A figure moved. It was dark and mysterious. Wes saw everything in a haze, but he heard a voice call out.
"You're not going top get away from this!" The voice belonged to a female. It was Jen.
"Oh, my dear, I all ready have." The thing raised its weapon, getting ready to strike. Jen was paralyzed with fear.
"WES!" Jen called out. The creature powered up his weapon and brought it down on Jen. The blast was released from its cannon. Jen looked at him. Then BOOM.
Wes jumped up. "Jen!" He awoke in a cold sweat and put his head down in his hands. 'It was all a dream, Collins. She's fine.' But he had to know whether she was fine. The dream was too real for him. Seeing her lying there… helpless…calling his name.
His ears then recognized a buzzing sound, like an alarm.
"Get up boys! Get up! It's time to GET UP!!"
A female voice called over the PA. No, it was a megaphone. Someone banged on his front door. He got up and saw a pair of shorts and a white t-shirt labeled CADET TRAINING UNIFORM on his dresser. He quickly put them on and went to his front door and opened it.
He saw other cadets running around frantic. "What the hell is going on?"
One guy answered him. "Hey man, if I were you, I'd get a move on! Lieutenant Scotts waits for no one!" The man ran off.
Wes grabbed his keys and followed the group. He saw officers blocking the elevators and he followed a group down the stairs.
He saw them run out to a field and leapt over things. One of the officers pulled him aside.
"Well, look who's up."
Wes recognized the voice. It belonged to Ensign Anders. "Ensign Anders, sir!" Wes saluted.
"Morning, Wes. Quickly, here's a bit of advice. Just do what you're told to do. If you're lost, don't worry. This is the first training day. Have fun!" He ran off.
"Fall into line!" Wes heard Jen speak. Everyone began to move into a specific line. Wes just followed a group. Once it was quiet, Jen spoke again.
"Well, good morning, Cadets." There was a mumble of voices. "I said GOOD MORNING CADETS!" Jen yelled at this point. There was an echo of responses.
"Good morning, Lieutenant!"
"That's better. Now. I hope everyone had a good sleep, because today is the beginning of the next two toughest months of your life. Now you start training. In two months time I will turn you from pathetic, weak little boys and girls into the proud men and women of Time Force. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Lieutenant!" the chorus ended. He saw Jen smile.
Jen noticed a few people talking in the back. She calmly walked up to them. "Having a pleasant conversation?"
They snapped back to attention. "Umm, yes I mean no, Lieutenant."
"And what was this conversation about?"
"Umm…how much fun we're going to have in the next two months." The young cadet smiled.
Wes couldn't help but smile to himself. 'And I thought Jen got mad at me easily. I got off easy, with a lecture. Let's see how she handles them.'
Jen smirked. " and your names are?"
"Cadet Vincelli, Jason." She looked at the other one.
"Cadet Greenberg, Josh."
"Well, thanks to Cadet Vincelli and Cadet Greenberg, everyone else can chat. Why not? You're going to have plenty of time to chat while doing LAPS!"
Everyone groaned.
"All right then, let's get a move on, kids! I want 20 laps from everyone, all around the training area! Get moving!"
Wes groaned as he began his run with the group. 'I would have taken a lecture over this any day.'
Time Force awards ceremony, Two months laterAll the cadets were standing around, chatting. Wes walked in, wearing his uniform.
"Hey, Wes! Over here!" Wes saw his friends; Jason, Josh and Mitch walk over to him. "Hey, congrats man! We made it!" The four exchanged handshakes.
"Man, two months, I can't believe it! It flew!" Josh stated.
"Well, if I'm not mistaken, you and Jason became very well acquainted with Lieutenant Scotts, very well." Mitch teased.
"All right, cadets, take a seat." Captain Logan said into the microphone. They all sat.
"Captain, where is Lieutenant Scotts?" Senior Commander Steven Datas asked.
"Lieutenant Scotts had a small call to go on, apparently some mutant thought he could get into a store and steal some weapons. She should be arriving shortly."
Just then a vector cycle pulled up behind the stage. Jen jumped off of it and ran up onto the stage, still morphed.
"Ah, Lieutenant Scotts! So good of you to join us!" Commander Datas called. He was a bit annoyed at Jen's late arrival.
"Well, you don't seem to happy to see me! Do you want me to leave" Jen joked. "I'm sure these cadets can run the ceremony!" Everyone laughed.
"Lieutenant…" Commander Datas said sternly.
"Yes, I know." She raised her wrist. "Power Down." A flash of pink and she was back in uniform.
"Ladies and Gentleman, I'd like to introduce you to the officer who has trained your young cadets and got them here today…Lieutenant Jennifer Scotts!"
A few cadets got up and gave her a standing ovation. The crowd of cadets cheered.
"All right, all right. Let's get down to business. I know all of these cadets are eager to get out of here and party!" Jen said as she sat down.
The ceremony went by slow. Speech after speech was given, until finally Jen got back up.
"Now, the boring part is over." She said.Everyone laughed. "One by one, each cadet will come up and receive their badge from the officer closest to them. Please, hold your applause until the end. "
Jen went back into line and Logan took over reading the names. Jen smiled to herself as the names were read off. Each cadet going up and receiving their badges, how proud they were.
"Cadet Collins, Wesley." Jen's heart stopped.
'It can't be. It's impossible!' Her thoughts turned to that day in the lunchroom. She saw his face, but Jen thought she was imagining things. Now…'It's just a coincidence. He's not the same Wes.' She watched as the young man walked up the steps, soon revealing his face. 'Oh my gosh…' Jen's words were lost. 'Wes…'
Wes walked up the steps to receive his badge. He looked down the line of officers who smiled at him. One officer, however, was staring. 'Jen…' After receiving his badge he walked down the line of officers and shook their hands. He was two officers away, one.
'I can't do this. I cant.' Jen turned on her heel and left. Wes stared at her. A mumble of voices erupted. He was about to call out to her when Captain Logan spoke out.
"Everyone, please excuse Lieutenant Scotts, she hasn't been feeling to well." A nod of approval came from everyone. Wes stepped down from the steps and sat with his friends.
'Why did she leave?' He didn't concentrate for the rest of the day. After they were dismissed, Wes and his friends went out for a party at a club. But Wes couldn't concentrate. There was only one question in his mind. 'Why did she leave?'
Wes's apartment: 2:39amThe door opened as Wes entered. He and his friends had came back from the club they were celebrating at. He put his keys down and went to his bedroom.
The clock soon blinked 4:00am. Wes had been lying there not able to go to sleep.
"Why did she leave?" He looked out the window. "Did I do something wrong? Maybe coming here was a mistake…" Wes said. "No, Time Force needs me." He decided. His thoughts turned to his dream. Jen laying helpless, calling his name."Jen needs me." He lie down on the bed and put his head on the pillow. "I need Jen." He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Destruction everywhere. A creature stood over someone. Someone in a white uniform. Jen…
"Well, Lieutenant, this is where it ends." The creature said.
"You won't get away with this!" Jen stated. The creature waved a weapon and powered it up. Jen lay there, paralyzed with fear. The weapon was at full power.
Wes stood there, weapon in hand. 'No, this cant be happening!' Wes thought.
The creature waved its weapon over Jen. He saw Jen turn to him and call out.
"WES!" Jen called. He tried to move. His feet seemed to be in concrete. The creature brought his weapon down.
Then there was an explosion.
"JEN!" Wes cried as he sat up. His breathing was heavy. He looked around and saw he was sitting in his bed, surrounded by a cold sweat.
'Why am I having this dream?' He sighed and looked at the clock. 6:00am. The sun was beginning to rise. He would have to get up in two hours. He sighed and closed his eyes.
Time Force cafeteria: 4:30pm, two days later
Wes and his friends sat down at their usual table, chatting as usual. An announcement was heard across the cafeteria.
"Lieutenant Scotts, please report to command immediately. Lieutenant Scotts please report to command immediately."
Wes saw her get up, and throw out her trash, then proceed to the exit. He couldn't help but sigh, remembering the events of the past two days.
Time Force cafeteria: 4:30pm"Lieutenant Scotts, please report to command immediately. Lieutenant Scotts please report to command immediately."
'Jeez, can't I get one peaceful day?' Jen asked herself. "I'll see you guys later."
Jen got up and threw out her trash. She began walking toward the exit when she saw Wes sitting by the door. 'Just walk by and say hi, Jen, that's it. Just say hi.'
Her heart pounded as she walked closer to him. She heard one of the guys at his table call to her.
"Lieutenant! Good afternoon!" Officer Vincelli said.
She snapped back to reality. "Afternoon, boys." She looked at him. "Afternoon, Wes."
"Uhh, good afternoon Je—Lieutenant." 'Damn! I did it again!'
She stood there and looked at him, their eyes locked. She shook her head." Well, I better get going. Bye Wes."
"Bye…" his words were lost.
Jason eyed him. "So Wes, when's the date?"
Wes looked at him. "What?'
"Oh come on, man! It's obvious she's into you!" Mitch said.
"Well.." 'Think Collins, think!' "we were good friends in high school." Wes lied. "She must be surprised to see me. That's it." Wes finished up his lunch. He smiled to himself as Jen walked out, turned her head and smiled at him.
Time Force Command, 4:45pm:
The doors opened as Jen walked out. "Officer on deck!" someone called out. All the officers working at the computers stood up and saluted.
"At ease, Officer Ricardo. As you were!" Everyone got back to work. Jen walked across the room and stepped into a room, where Captain Logan stood.
"Rob, what's so urgent that I couldn't finish my lunch?" Jen teased.
"Well, Jen, there's been a new development in the Underground."
Jen tensed. "What is it?"
He moved over to a holographic map of the city. "Sensors indicate that they've been planning an attack on the city. Somewhere around Times Square."
Jen raised an eyebrow. "That's not good. Are there any available officers to cover that location?"
Logan paused. "No…"
"Shit." Jen muttered. Jen raised her head. "Wait. Do we know how many officers we'd need to securely cover the location?"
"What are you getting at, Jen?" Logan looked at her.
She smirked. "If we take a team of 10 officers, we'd have more then enough men to cover the location. I think the underground would be smart not to send too many of its leading men into the attack, knowing that we can capture them easily."
"But who would be willing to do that? That would mean you would need to change shifts around."
"Some of our officers think that Time Force should have a special team, like the S.W.A.T. team back in the 21st century."
"Okay, but who would run this?" Logan all ready knew the answer to this.
"I would. I know there are officers that would be willing to volunteer for this assignment. If it works out, it could be permanent. All I would need is your approval."
"I have no say I this one, Jen. It's your jurisdiction." Logan responded.
"Thank you, Rob. This will succeed." Jen said. She exited out of Command and went back to her office on the 26th floor and began to type up a volunteer form.
There was only one officer who she hoped would sign up for it. If he did, then she'd be able to see him practically everyday. This brought a smile to her face as she began typing.
ch 6 up soon....