Two days after the death of Divatox, the fire squad had made it back the SPD supreme base. Upon arrival at headquarters, Sky had met with Kat personally and gave his report detailing both their last mission and the new development concerning Dark Spectre. Kat would then give this intelligence to the analysts before confirming anything with Commander Andros.
Kenzie couldn't help but find the whole situation amusing in a darkly comic sort of way. Ever since she first started working for SPD, she had seen secretaries, and directors come and go through their sphere of operations, but she herself was still here. Hell, Jack, Charlie and Sky were the true "old guard" of the SPD, Kenzie felt old by association.
But the funny part wasn't the natural process of bureaucracy, but the fact that if the intel Divatox gave up confirmed Dark Spectre was indeed active, this was the worst fucking time to shift to an entirely new administration. All this would do is give Dark Spectre a weakness to exploit; it's not like Mike Corbett was planning on resigning his role as General Secretary anytime soon, so Dark Spectre could operate while the nation was still in its transition phase.
All these years after Grumm's invasion, and Kenzie still felt like she was fighting an impossible war. Only this time she was in some stuffy little conference room inside the Supreme Base rather than knee-deep in some fucking swamp.
Kat took three days to compile all the intel she would present as part of the Supreme Commander's brief. A bit longer than Kenzie was expecting, but Dr Kat Manx was meticulous about these sort of things and liked to be precise. Kenzie could tease her for being some perfectionist schoolgirl, but out of respect for Kat she kept her mouth shut.
In this room with her at present were Jack and Charlie, all of whom were looking through the briefs to stay informed (except for Charlie who looked to be skimming the pages of the dossier before her). Kenzie had already read the briefing, she just didn't bother reading it again because everything she knew about Dark Spectre was marked in ink on the papers before her.
Dark Spectre.
That name hadn't been heard for the past thirteen years. The door to the conference room was opened by one of the guards standing at the door, and in stepped Sky and Kat in hushed discussion, and following behind them was Director Doggie Cruger and Secretary of Defense Tommy Oliver.
"We'll discuss this later," Kat had spoken to Sky in a stern tone before the latter nodded. Kenzie had an idea of what they might be talking about.
"Gentlemen and Ladies," Kat addressed the Rangers sitting at the table, and all at once Kenzie stood up alongside Jack and Charlie.
"At ease, Rangers," Tommy raised a hand bidding they sit down, and they obliged. Soon afterward both Tommy and Doggie took seats opposite each other towards the far end of the table. Kat did not sit down but stood at the very end of the table by the projector reel she had prepared.
Sky took a seat opposite of Kenzie, Jack and Charlie. He pulled a cigarette out from a pack and lit it, relaxing back in his chair.
"The Supreme Commander will be arriving shortly," Tommy said, "Dr Manx, would you care to begin?"
"Yes, sir," Kat responded, "If you could all direct your attention to the screen, here..."
Kat pulled down a white sheet from the wall where the film would be projected before turning the projector on. After turning off the lights to the room, he began the film with footage dating back to the Astromina's invasion
"1998" began, "Detailed information from the Astro Rangers, your parents Kenzie. Dark Spectre was the primary villain. The extent of this intel was never confirmed, but is suspected to have been the cause of death of Zordon."
Kat used he remote to switch the content of the film to more recent times. "Five days ago on Onyx," Kat continued, switching to a broadcasting of Divatox's ship's crash on the runway, "Fire Squad acquired intel from the space pirate Divatox, now deceased..."
Kat seemed to glare at Sky before continuing. Sky took another drag from his cigarette.
"... that Dark Spectre is in play once again, and that he's planning an attack on the universe," Kat finished, "Though the connection has been established between Divatox and Dark Spectre, the presence of Wrench of Vivex confirms Sledge's organization's association with the United Alliance of Evil."
" What about Broodwing?" Sky asked.
Kenzie's eyes then darted over to Jack. Whatever haunting Dark Spectre had on her own mind, it was nothing compared to what must've been going on inside Jack's head at the mention of Broodwing. His face remained completely composed as if it was just another briefing, but Kenzie noticed him ball his hand into a very tight fist.
Kenzie only knew as much as she was briefed. And she knew quite a bit about what had happened between Jack and Broodwing a few years ago.
Kat switched the lights back on to the room, waiting for a response from either Tommy or Doggie.
"If I may, Dr Manx," Tommy began finally, "That was a terrific presentation you laid out for us. But Hexagon has already been aware of Dark Spectre for decades now. And based on the evidence provided here today, it appears to me that Dark Spctre is more myth than fact. Personally, I think he's nothing more than a boogeyman."
Kenzie had to exercise a great amount of self-restraint not to laugh at that.
"Forgive me, Mr. Secretary, but how do you mean?" Kat inquired.
"Well, look at the time-frame," Tommy began, "If Dark Spectre was the one behind the invasion in 98 the likelihood of him returning three decades later is astronomical at best."
"Mr. Secretary, I-" Kat began, but he was cut off by Doggie, "Dr Manx, if I may now..."
"Sir," Kat obeyed.
"Secretary Oliver has a point," Doggie said, "The intel you recovered from Onyx confirmed Sledge's presence, yes, but no conclusive proof was given outside of Divatox's word that Dark Spectre was in operation. To perhaps use a better example, maybe Dark Spdtre in this instance is the Zodiac Killer, with copycats replicating his work without actually being him."
"Director, if I may now..." Kat emphasized, but before she could speak the doors to the room opened again. Sky put out his cigarette and everyone stood at attention when two men entered the room.
"Supreme Commander," Doggie spoke first to Supreme Commander Andros.
"Cruger," Andros acknowledged him. Everyone else addressed the Supreme Commander until he stood behind the chair that was at the opposite end of the table from Kat.
First, I want to congratulate you all on the success of your latest mission. This hostage crisis has gone unpunished for far too long, but you did what needed to be done. Your country thanks you, and I thank you for your continued service." Andros said.
"This is the fire squad?"," Andros asked, "Yes sir Commander Sky Tate, Sergeant Jack Landors, Captain Charlie Matthews and Major Kenzie Hammond. Their service with the SPD is unparalleled, and you can trust in both their discretion and their effectiveness in the field."
"I look forward to working more closely with you all," Andros gave a slight smile, and motioned for them all to sit down. Kat was still standing for the sake of her presentation.
"So, you believe this Perseus threat is real?" Tommy asked.
"I do, Tommy," Andros told them, "Dr Manx?"
Kat cleared her throat, "Supreme Commander would know more then anyone about the possibility of Dark Spectre being back."
"Commander Tate," Tommy spoke, "in your professional opinion, why should we take this Perseus threat seriously?"
"You don't have to, sir," Sky said, plainly.
"I'm sorry, I'm not even sure I understand," Doggie commented, "Would you care to clarify more on that bit?"
"I said you don't have to take it seriously," Sky said before pausing, "In fact, we can just end this meeting right now, you can go home, get a good night's sleep, knowing all is right with the world."
"What he's saying, sir, is that a lot of innocent people are going to die," Charlie spoke up in an aggressive manner. Eyes were now fixed upon her, even Andros a bit frightened.
"What makes you say that, Captain Matthews?" Tommy asked.
"Thousands of people died that day," Sky said, "But a great number of those were innocents, only once the town galvanised around the Astro rangers."
Now the focus of the room was all on Kenzie.
"Care to elaborate?" Tommy asked.
Kenzie swallowed nervously, " my parents fought Dark spectre for at least a year and my Aunty was under his control for god knows how many years". Kenzie said, Andros's fists balled slightly. " The fact is Dark Spectre is real and if he's back then the universe is in trouble"
"To answer your questions, Mr. Secretary, Director," Kenzie began, "Commander Tate is correct. You should take Dark Spectre very seriously."
"After thirty years of silence, if he's active, it means something big is gonna happen. Something that will affect the universe."
"And there we have it," Andros spoke up, "Dark Spectre is at play and plotting an attack on the universe and we must do something to prevent it." Andros looked over to Sky who was now facing him, "Can you stop Dark Spectre?"
"We can, sir," Sky said, "I've already submitted the requisitions for my team."
"Supreme Commander, if I may," Tommy spoke up again, "I took the liberty of reviewing Commander Tate's requests, and it seems to extend beyond the normal confines of our operations."
"It's settled, then," Andros said, "Director Cruger, Secretary Oliver, give Commander Tate whatever he wants."
Sky nodded, then Andros cleared his throat.
"Rangers," Andros began, "I leave this in your hands. I will continue to provide you with the support you need to see your task accomplished successfully. Once more, we are in grave danger from the United Alliance of Evil. I know these last four years have had their share of turmoil, but I thank you all for your continued service and the loyalty you all have shown for your planet. You may begin preparations immediately, but above all else, remember this: Dark Spectre must be stopped, no matter the cost."
Andros stood up from his seat, and everyone else followed.
"I know you won't fail us," Andros said, "Good luck. We are all counting on you."
Andros then motioned for Doggie and Tommy to follow him as he exited the room, leaving the rangers by themselves.
"Alright people," Kat began, taking the film reel from the projector, "Let's report back. We leave for Newtech city tomorrow night."
"Newtech City?" Charlie asked.
"We need to take Broodwing off the Table," Sky explained, "We'll talk about it later after we run through the evidence."
"And if anything does come up," Kat began, "targets are to be designated as assets for capture and questioning. They may have information we need about Dark Spectre."
Once again, Kat glared at Sky.
The rangers then all left the room and made their way back topside.