Chapter 3 What must be done

The Aquabase's galley was nearly deserted as the threesome sat at the table in the corner. They'd arrived back at the base over three hours ago but none Had been able to sleep. Instead they'd come down here, there would be people and that was what they each craved.

"Man I still can't believe this." Joel said to himself. "She was just out for a walk."

"They wanted revenge on Ryan." Kelsey said and Chad studied her thoughtfully.

"It wasn't his fault." He said at last.

"I know but to think that they'd do something so terrible."

"Well that is why we fight them, because they like to hurt people." Chad reminded his friend.

"Yeah." Kelsey felt sick and wondered if other ranger teams had lost people like this. She knew that Dana would live but still she'd never be able to fightand her whole life was about to change. She'd have to do things like use one of those red and white tipped things and read those bumps, what were they called? Ok, she had to be tired she couldn't think of their name well Joel's next words brought her mind back to her friends.

"I hate to even think about it but we'll have to find another pink ranger." the green ranger said grimly.

"Gees Joel she's barely out of surgery." Kelsey scowled at him.

"What I'm just thinking that if the demons know that we're short a Ranger, then things will get pretty nasty." He shot back trying to explain his comment with out sounding anymore callas than the comment itself was.

"Come on guys, you both have a point." Chad said calmly and gently he rested a hand on Kelsey's arm. "We will have to find a replacement but that doesn't mean she's not one of us." He tried.

"Right, If you really think that your nuts. Didn't you ever see any of the interviews with past rangers who left their teams?" Kelsey said and her voice was pained like her eyes.

"Yes, they said that the others tried to include them but with their lifestyles it was virtually impossible to keep things the way they were." Kelsey said, tears filling her eyes. Dana had become like a sister to her, being that she came from a distant and aloof family she was afraid to lose the closeness with her friend.

"Hey guys thought I'd find you down here." Carter called approaching the table.

"Hey man, how's she doing?"

"They told her the news." He said grimly and then added. "So I'd say about as well as to be expected." The young man in red replied wearily.

"Where are Ryan and the captain?" Chad asked quietly from where he sat sipping his tea.

"Captain Mitchell's here somewhere, probably resting. Ryan opted to stay with Dana. I think he's worried that they could try and finish the job."

"Man it has to be hard on the guy. I mean he just his sister back and now this." Joel said shaking his head.

"Yeah." Carter agreed and he thought about the captain and what would have to come next. He'd come in on the middle of their talk about bringing in a new pink ranger. He never wanted to replace Dana but he knew as well as the others that there was no help for it.

A thought struck him and getting to his feet he went to find the captain.

*****

Angel Grove California

"Hey, need a hand?" Jason Lee Scott asked as his wife came through the door of their small apartment, her arms, hands and every other possible full of groceries.

"That would be great." She said as he took the three plastic bags that were dangling from her fingers and two that were in her arms.

"Let me guess lots of sales." Jason laughed leading the way into the kitchen.

"Yeah, and you know me and sales." She grinned as she set the last of her bags on the counter.

"You know you don't even eat tuna fish." He said and she shrugged.

"Well, with all the work we do at the school I need all of the brain food I can get besides it was 35 cents a can." She replied and they talked about their respective mornings and this and that as they put away Kim's purchases.

"So what do we want for lunch?" Kim asked as she put away the box of pancake mix.

"How about." the ringing of the phone but Jason off and he moved to retrieve the mobile from its cradle on the breakfast bar.

"Scott residence?"

"Hello Is this Jason?" A voice asked and Jason's whole face split into a grin.

"Carter man, how goes it?"

"Not so great." The voice said and Jason could hear the strain in his cousin's voice.

"What's up? Ranger problems?"

"You could say that. Our pink ranger was attacked last night and won't be able to fight anymore. I was wondering if you might know any one to fill the pink ranger's shoes."

"Ouch, I don't know. Can I call you back? I'll need to contact Tom and see." He explained.

"Right, Get back to me when you can. The demons will know we're down one and will probably take advantage of the situation."

"I know man. What's the number there?" Jason scribbled as his cousin rattled off a complex phone number. Then hanging up he turned to look at his wife.

"You heard that?" He asked and Kim nodded.

"Nasty situation."

"Yeah, I guess it's time to call on the others for a little good old powwow."

"Right, I'll get the phone book." She said but then changed her mind. "I'll send Emails it will be faster."