She knew she had to quit smoking.
Not like in the sense that she was addicted to the stuff (which, in all honesty, she probably was), but she only had the one pack on her. If she ran out, she wouldn't be able to stop the nicotine fit that would result from her boredom. And she certainly couldn't drink while on mission.
Kenzie just wishes that Sky would hurry the fuck up so they could get this over with.
She checks her watch. Less than ten minutes till midnight, at which point their window of opportunity will open. They'll need the noise from the New Years' celebrations as cover.
Carter Greyson had left SPD. Tommy Oliver would be sworn in in a matter of weeks, but many people were still skeptical of Tommy due to Hexagon.
Recent intelligence confirmed the identity of one of the primary leaders (of which there was probably more) who helped organize the art attempted takeover of Earth. Divatox, the pirate who hate earth for whatever the fucking reason. Unfortunately, Divatox's whereabouts were currently unknown to the SPD. Fortunately, there was a weak link in the chain who could be able to point them in the right direction, and his name was Elgar Divatox's nephew. If tonight's operation went smoothly, Elgar would piss his pants and give up Divatox in a heartbeat.
The crowd at the bar was starting to get restless. People speaking in alien languages about idle things, smoking, drinking, dancing, fucking around like everything was peachy. Kenzie didn't care what they did as long as they didn't bother her directly. Zero to Hero by Starlord started playing over the radio; at least this dive bar had good taste in music.
The door to the bar opened and in stepped Sky Tate who, despite it being near midnight, was wearing shades. Kenzie didn't know if he did it for the aesthetic or to draw attention away from the scars on the left side of his face, but it sure as hell wasn't practical. Besides, at this point she knew better than to question Sky's judgment on anything, even something as simple as fashion.
Sky pulled a pack of cigarettes out from his leather jacket pocket and lit one up. He took a puff and blew out the smoke from his nose before turning his head towards Kenzie who was standing next to her table. He gave a slight nod to Kenzie before approaching the table and resting his arms on it.
"Hammond" Sky addressed the younger woman.
"Tate" Kenzie responded, "All clear here."
"Good, good," Sky said, drawing another puff from his cigarette, "Matthews is scouting the perimeter and Landors'll be here soon."
Sky then reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small photograph of their target before handing it to Kenzie.
"Elgar..." Kenzie muttered, "My family dealt with him before. We should just put that motherfucker against the wall and be done with it."
"All in good time," Sky said, "this ain't a hit, it's an op just like any other."
"Hmm," Kenzie said, pulling out her lighter and setting the photograph ablaze before dumping it in the ashtray on the table. She checked her watch; five minutes to midnight.
"You sure SPD won't get involved?" Kenzie asked.
"Doggie will keep them at bay," Sky reassured, and a moment later another man, a dog like alien entered the bar wearing a dark trenchcoat. This was Anubis Doggie Cruger.
"Tate," Cruger said as he approached the table, "Been a while. Where's Landors?"
"Jack's around, but I'll send him your regards," Sky spoke, "This is Kenzie"
Kenzie gave a silent nod in Cruger's direction. Doggie did the same.
"We clear to move in?" Kenzie asked Cruger directly.
Cruger nodded, "Elgar's in his base, but he's well protected. I can keep my men out of the area for 15 minutes but no longer than that. With luck, maybe the fireworks will drown the noise."
"That's very good," Sky responded.
"Good luck," Cruger said,
"Don't worry," Sky assured him,
Sky leaves a couple hundred in Credits on the table. Kenzie does the same right after. Sky then rubs his lit cigarette down on the ashtray before stepping away, and Kenzie follows after him.
Sky and Kenzie exited the bar from the back entrance into an alleyway. Right as they exit a car pulls up and comes to a stop just in front of them. The driver exits the car and reveals himself to be Jack.
"'Bout time you two showed up," Jack grunted.
"Charlie still watching the perimeter?" Sky asked.
"Yep, she's ready to kill the power on your go," Jack responded, walking over to the rear of the car and pulling out his morpher.
"It's morphin time" Jack said, Sky and Kenzie approached and took out their morphers, Charlie was already morpher, "SPD emergency " the three said morphing into their ranger forms.
Kenzie then followed Jack and Smy up the alley.
"Matthews," Sky spoke into his earpiece, "You set?"
"In position ready" Charlie spoke over the radio chatter,
"Roger that," Sky responded.
"Do we really need to take this son of a bitch alive?" Jack asked.
"We're SPD Jack you know we have to, beside he knows where Divatox is, but everyone else in their we can kill" Sky said as he took out his Delta blaster, Kenzie and Jack did the same as they neared the outside of the complex. Only thirty seconds to midnight now.
"Jack," Sky ordered, "Link up with Chalrie and breach with her through the front. Kenzie and I will cover the rear. Box those bastards in nice and good."
"Alright, just watch your fucking crossfire, y'here?" Jack quipped,
Sky chuckled, "Twenty seconds, go."
Jack took off around the side of the complex to link up with Charlie. Kenzie and Sky took up position behind the brick perimeter surrounding the complex. They got a good look through the sliding glass door to see eight Phiranatrons completely oblivious to the fact they'll all be dead in a few seconds. Two of them were so drunk they could barely stand but that didn't matter.
"In position," Jack spoke over the radio.
"Likewise," Sky responded, "Alright squad, let's help them ring in the New Year."
Kenzie's watch hit midnight, and right on the dot the power went out. Some of the phiranatrons inside started to panic, and this was the cue to move up. Kenzie and Sky stood up from cover and opened fire through the glass. Jack and Charlie stepped in through the front entrance and fired into the group as well.
When the gunfire stopped, at least minions had been killed. One of the survivors dropped to the floor almost instantly while another took position behind a column. Kenzie and Sky rushed in as did Charlie and Jack. The phiranatron on the floor reached for a blaster on top of the table before Kenzie put a few rounds in his back. The one behind the column opened fire, forcing Kenzie and Sky to take cover by the table. Jack opened fire with his Delta runner blasters, before shooting the minion in the head.
There were panicked noises from upstairs as well, and the rangers downstairs heard glass shattering from above.
"Head up the stairs, go!" Sky ordered, Kenzie took point as she rushed up the staircase and disposed of two hostiles, one armed with a shotgun who was firing blindly.
Elgar at that point had ducked for cover outside of Kenzie's line of sight.
"I don't have eyes on Elgar!" Kenzie said.
"He can't escape!" Sky shouted, coming up behind Kenzie, "Let's move!"
The Rangers entered the second floor and was blinded by a flash of light. All at once, another enemy starts firing at them while a door to the rooftop opens up. The lighting from outside leaves the shooter visible, giving the Rangers the opportunity to gun the minions down.
"Get to the rooftop! Go!" Sky orders, taking point as Kenzie got up off the floor and followed before. As the four Rangers went onto the rooftop, Sky saw two hostiles in front of him that he dispatched with ease.
Another hostile came charging forward firing his blaster before Charlie put a shot through his head.
Kenzie took point, but out from behind a chimney some fucker with a handgun whacked her across the head with it, causing Kenzie to drop her blaster in the process. A brief struggle between the two ensued before Kenzie managed to pull e lever on her omega morpher, electrocuting the minion, killing him. She then took a hold of the minions body and blaster, using the former as a human shield against two approaching enemies while shooting at them with the latter. Once the minion were all dead, Kenzie dropped the blaster and the body, and Sky. Jack and Charlie were pushing in front, giving Kenzie a moment to reorient herself and pick up her blaster.
Fireworks sounded out in the sky commemorating the New Year. Hopefully this would drown out the gunshots for long enough.
Jack had eyes on Elgar who was running across the rooftops and started to fire his blaster close to where his feet were.
"Watch it, Jack We need him alive!" Sky ordered him.
"Ah, I'm just softening him up a little!" Jack responded.
"Tango on the left balcony!" Charlie called out, and saw a phirnantron readying an RPD he had mounted on the edge.
"Take cover!" Sky shouted, and everyone dove for cover.
"Well, that's just fucking great!" Charlie shouted, and by then the gunner started opening fire on them.
"Charlie!" Sky ordered, "You and I will lay down suppressing fire! Jack and Kenzie move up and we'll cover you!"
"You gotta be fucking kidding me!" Kenzie complained, and by then Sky started firing on the position.
"Kenzie, with me!" Jack called out. While Charlie and Sky fired on the machine gun, this gave Jack and Kenzie the opportunity they needed to move up and get closer to the gunner. After moving up far enough, the two of them were beneath the gunner's position and fired from below, killing the gunner and clearing the way.
"Let's move!" Jack took charge, firing his weapon at more hostiles. Kenzie followed behind Jack. Elgar was getting ready to jump off the rooftop while two more men covered him.
"Damn, this guy moves fast!" Jack said as he and Kenzie dispatched the two enemies. Sky and Charlie caught up with them.
Elgar had already jumped the gap as more trons came to defend him. The four rangers then looked over the edge to see that they were all in the open on the opposite rooftop. All at once, the four of them jumped across the rooftop, firing their weapons and killing all the enemies on the building adjacent, excluding Elgar. Elgar was cornered and raised his hands as well.
Charlie came forward and knocked the minion to the ground, pointing her gun at its face while pressing her boot to its chest. Kenzie kept her blaster pointed at Elgar he panicked. Meanwhile, Sly and Jack casually strolled up to Elgar, with Sky slinging his weapon over his shoulder.
"W-We can work someth-" Elgar began to timidly speak before Sky broke his nose, the alien clutched his nose in pain as he fell to the ground, and Sky said, "You're up, Jack."
Jack approached Elgar and got on his knees, grabbing his jacket and holding him close to the edge.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait! No, no!" Elgar panicked.
"You're going to tell us where Divatox is. Now." Jack threatened.
"I... I just handle the money. I have no idea where my Aunty is" Elgar timidly responded. Kenzie rolled her eyes; how fucking typical.
"I don't think you understand the situation," Sky informed him, nodding over to Charlie who picked up the surviving hostile from up off the ground. In another moment, Charlie kicked hard against its chest, and the minion was screaming as he fell off the roof before smashing against a car along the side of the road.
"Y-You SPD have rules! You have rules! You have to-" Elgar stammered.
"The rules changed, motherfucker!" Jack shouted, "You took hostages!"
Jack punched Elgar in the face twice. Kenzie didn't flinch; he had seen enough of shit like this in M51 Galaxy that she was numb to it at this point.
After Jack finished his beatdown, he pulled out one of his delta runner blasters and pointed in in Elgar's face.
"W-Wait, wait!" Elgar pleaded, "Onyx Onyx!"
"This ain't fucking Pokemon, you sack of shit," Sky spat, "Spill it. Where on Onyx? Tell us of you'll end up like your friend down there."
"I swear, I don't know if she's going to be there or not, but... She- she mentioned something about some deal at Trabzon Airfield tomorrow night!"
"What kind of deal?" Jack said.
"I don't know, I swear! They use coded messages of some kind, it could be anything! Drugs, weapons, intelligence... I don't know!"
"Alright, we got what we need," Sky told him, "Tag 'em and bag 'em."
"Wait, I gave you-" Elgar stammered before Jack bashed him over the head with his gun, knocking him out cold. Holstering his gun, Kenzie then put Elgar in a containment card.
As Charlie opened up the door to take them downstairs off of the roof, Sky said, "The fucker'll find his voice soon enough."
"Lemme know if he needs some help looking for it," Charlie told him, and Sky nodded.
Sky activated his communicator, then said, "Andros, we got you a little present. Big shiny bow and all."
"He give up the goods?" Andros asked from the other end.
"He sure did," Sky told him, "Divatox is on Onyx."
The Rangers made it back down to their car, sticking Qasim in the backseat with his limbs tied and duct tape over his mouth. Charlie got in the driver's seat with Jack getting in the passenger's seat. Kenzie got in the backseat. While Sky got on his motorcycle.
"So, Onyx huh?" Kenzie asked.
"Yep. It's always Onyx for these evil guys" Jack replied coldly.
"Yeah," Kenzie responded, focusing away from the conversation as the car and bike took off from the area. They heard police sirens in the distance, but their job here was done. Though they were successful tonight, Kenzie couldn't shake this gnawing feeling at the back of her mind that something was wrong. It was this same instinct she had developed in the M51 Galaxy and more often than not she was proven right. Something was gonna go down, she just knew it.
She just had no idea how far it would go.