Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Power Rangers…this is for entertainment only…I do own all non-PR ideas and characters…
TheDreamerLady: You want angst, don't worry, you're going to get angst…
Don't forget, this is a different story line!! What will Jen's reaction to Wes being in the future this time?
Enjoy ch 2!!
Steph
The Offer
Lieutenant Jennifer Scotts took long strides to her office. It was a long day, and as usual, Galden was still on the loose.
Once to her office, she went over to the couch and collapsed. She looked at the clock, and it read 4:30PM "Only an hour, then I'm out of here." She muttered as she placed her arms over her eyes.
A knock came to her door. "Come in." She said.
A younger officer walked in and promptly saluted her. "Lieutenant, ma'am!"
Jen removed her arm to see the officer. "At ease, Officer Dolan." She sat up. "What can I do for you?"
"Lieutenant, the Captain has asked your signature go on these documents for approval. He needs them back as soon as possible." The officer stated.
Jen sighed. "Nothing like a good packet of paperwork to brighten up the day, huh Officer?" she joked.
The officer smiled. "I can't really say so, but I am guessing yes." He said. "Shall I place these on your desk, ma'am?"
"Please." Jen said. The officer placed them carefully upon her desk. "Thank you. Anything else??" the officer shook his head no. "You're dismissed then."
The officer saluted again. "Yes ma'am. Have a good evening."
"You too, officer." Jen said. The young officer left as two more people walked in.
"Tough day, Jen?" one asked. Jen recognized the voice as Ensign Allie Jackson.
"Yup." Jen said. She sighed heavily.
"Jen, what's wrong?" the other voice belonged to Ensign Jamie Lombardis.
"Headache." Jen muttered as she lay down again. "Ever since Galden started attacking, I'm having migraines literally every day." She massaged her eyes.
"Then take a break, Jen." Allie walked towards her. "Davis, come here!" Allie yelled.
A tall, brown haired officer also walked into Jen's office. "Yes, mother." He said sarcastically.
"Can you get some water and a some Tylenol for Jen?" Allie asked.
"Another migraine?" another officer walked in. It was Ensign Kyle Anders. He had black hair with green eyes.
"Yup." Jen sighed.
"I keep telling you to take off one day, Jen! For Christ's sake, Galden almost killed you once." Jamie stated. "There's four of us and only one of you. Four Ensigns and on ranger."
"I know. Now, I have work to get done." Jen said. Just then, Davis walked back in with a glass of water and a bottle of aspirin. "Thanks, Davis." Jen popped open the bottle and took some out, popped three in her mouth and swallowed them. "That's what I pay him for anyway." Jen laughed as she took a drink. So did everyone else.
"Sure, that's all I am to you people, the dog!" Davis grumbled. "Davis, get this, Davis, get that!" Jamie just laughed and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"But that's why I love you." She said sweetly.
"Come on, love birds. I think Jen is going to kick us out." Kyle winked at Jen. "We'll see you later." Jen nodded as they four ensigns walked out.
After a few more moments, and letting the medicine kick in, Jen reluctantly got up and sat at her desk. She grabbed the envelope Captain Logan sent to her and scanned the papers. But with her head pounding, she just signed them.
"Lieutenant Scotts." Jen looked up to see Captain Logan standing in her doorway.
"Rob, I was just going to see you. Those papers you wanted are signed and sealed." Jen handed him the packet.
"Excellent. But I stopped by to tell you that I will be out of town today and tomorrow. You are in charge. I trust there won't be a problem, will there?" he asked.
Jen smiled at her boss. "Is there ever a problem, Rob?"
Logan laughed. "Never. But Jen, if you need a break, by all means, take one. You are overworked as it is."
"I want Galden off the streets as soon as possible, and there's no rest until he is." Jen said firmly. "And the sooner that happens, the sooner my headaches stop."
Logan sighed. "You're impossible, Lieutenant."
"Thanks." Jen smiled.
He nodded. "I am leaving now. I will have Ensign Anders with me."
"All right. I'll put a report of the events on your desk when you get back." Jen said as she lean back in her chair. Logan nodded and was off.
Jen closed her eyes as her headache began to subside some. The clock then blinked 5:00PM. It was one half hour until she was out of her office, and she couldn't wait.
Jen grabbed a pen and began to complete yet another batch of paperwork as the seconds ticked down.
Silver Guardian Headquarters, year 2006Commander Wesley Collins sat down at his desk, while Eric Myers say across from him.
"Almost closing time, Wes. What you doing tonight?" Eric asked.
Wes sighed. "I was thinking about going out to the beach, to…think."
Eric shook his head. There was only one reason that Wes went there. "Wes, I'll say the same thing I have for the past four years. Go out, find a woman, get married, and have a few kids. Stop dwelling on the past."
Wes leaned back in his chair. "I wish I could. It's like, there's this barrier she has around me. And I can't break it."
"You really love her, don't you, Wes?" Eric asked.
"Can you blame a guy for falling in love?" Wes muttered. Just then, a smirk came to Eric's face. "On second thought, don't answer that." He got up. "I don't know, I guess you're right. Besides, its not like she's going to come right through the door."
"Commander Collins, there are some people to see you, sir." A voice came over the phone. Wes looked at Eric.
"Send them in, Jackie."
"Well, wonder who that could be." Eric said smugly. Wes just rolled his eyes. A knock came at his door.
"Come in." Wes called. Just then, two people walked in. One in white uniform that Wes and Eric both knew too well. The second man that walked in was in a gray uniform, and Wes knew his face all too well.
"Captain Logan?" Wes asked.
"Wesley Collins, it is a pleasure to finally meet you in person." Logan and Wes shook hands. Then Logan saw Eric. "You must be Eric Myers, Quantum Ranger."
"And you are?" Eric asked.
"Captain Robert Logan, Time Force." Logan said.
"Wes. I have some last minute things I need---" Mr. Collins walked into Wes's office and stopped just as the blasters came into view on Logan and his men. "Son, what is going on here?"
"Mr. Collins. It is good that you are here." Logan said. "Wes, there is something very important I need to talk to you about." He looked at Mr. Collins, then at Eric. "It is necessary that you two be here as well."
"Can it wait, I have things I need to do." Wes said.
"I am sorry to say it can't, Wes. This involves you…and Jen." Logan said. Wes stopped and looked at Logan.
"What does Jen have to do with this?" Wes asked.
"We need a more secure place to talk about this." Logan stated. Wes nodded and the group filed into a conference room.
"Before I forget, Wes, Eric, this is Officer Jack Dellson and Ensign Kyle Anders."
"Officer Collins, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. Lieutenant Scotts has spoken very highly if you." Anders shook Wes's hand. "Commander Myers, a pleasure to meet you as well."
Eric nodded. "So what's so important, Captain?"
"And why does this involve Jen?" Wes added.
Logan drew in a breath and began. "There is a new threat to the future. A mutant named Galden, who has as much firepower as the ranger artillery. And being the only ranger has taken a dangerous toll on Jen's health and her mental abilities."
"Galden has almost killed her once, and I know he'll try to finish her off." Kyle added.
Fear came to Wes's eyes both that Eric and Mr. Collins noticed.
"She has been going back to her apartment every day with a migraine type headache. She needs all the help she can get in capturing him." Kyle said.
Wes couldn't speak. "What happened to the others?" Eric asked.
"Trip and Katie have transferred over to the east coast, to our station in New York City. They are having more of a problem there then we are."
"And Lucas?" Wes asked.
"Lieutenant Kendall has retired early and is in Europe on tour with his racing team." Kyle said. Wes's face dropped.
"And…Alex?" Wes gulped.
"Captain Drake is also at the station in New York and is serving there." Logan said. Wes let out a sigh of relief that didn't go unnoticed by Eric or Mr. Collins.
"Then why are you here?" Mr. Collins asked.
"Like I stated earlier, Jen is having a rather difficult time keeping herself safe. She's to occupied with getting Galden off of the streets, and like I said before, it's taking a toll on her health." Logan paused. "Which brings me to why we are here, Wes."
"What we are asking of you is very vital to our decisions that are made at Time Force." Kyle said.
"How does that have to deal with Eric and myself?" Wes asked. He was getting a bit agitated by their hesitations.
"Just you, Wes. Just you." Kyle said. He looked at Logan. "You should tell him, Captain."
Logan nodded. "Wes, this a decision that no one else can make. What I am asking from you is to give up your life here, and go to the year 3005 with us. Work along side Time Force and help stop Galden."
Wes's eyes grew wide. "You mean, I'd go to the future." Logan nodded. "I'd have my morpher, and…I'd be with Jen again?"
"Yes Wes. There is one problem, however. You will need to give up your morpher, for the time being. Now, before you go crazy, let me explain."
"Explain what, Captain? I'd loose my morpher!" Wes threw up his hands.
"Wes, calm down. There are only a few things that you'd give up." Logan said. "All that Commander Datas, my superior officer, wants from you is for you go through the Academy and earn your badge. When the time is right, you will be tested against other officers for your morpher."
"This is bullshit." Wes muttered. "Why would I have to give up my morpher?"
"Datas wants you to prove yourself again, and to see if you still have what it takes to be a ranger." Kyle said. "I'd agree with you on that, though."
Wes was silent for a moment. "What about Jen?"
Logan sighed. "Jen is Lieutenant now. Wes, if you don't want to go, that's understandable. You've made a life here…"
Wes shook his head. "That's not what I mean."
Kyle smiled. "No, she isn't. Your name has always come up in a conversation at least once a day." Kyle added.
"Wes, this is your choice." Logan said. "I need to know now, in order to have your paperwork go through."
Wes sighed. "I have a life here. My friends, my family, and my job." Wes paused and saw the disappointed look upon Logan's face. "But the one thing I don't have is Jen. I don't like the idea of her running herself down, and I especially don't like the idea of not being there to watch over her." He paused. "I'll go."
He saw a wide sight of relief come over Logan and the officers' faces. "Excellent." He paused. "By the way, Wes. I should warn you. Relationships in Time Force aren't highly looked upon with an open heart."
"What do you mean by that?" Wes asked.
"You see, Time Force is very strict about its officers personal life. It has been shown in few occasions that of officers get together, then break it off, there is a major conflict. Not to mention, you'll be starting out as a recruit, and Jen will be training you. It just won't seem…" Logan tried to find a good word. "…appropriate."
Wes sighed. "Tell me the truth, do I really have a chance with her at all?"
Logan sighed. "Like I said, it would be deemed inappropriate. Cadets aren't allowed anywhere near the offices, unless they are called by Jen or myself. Cadets are supposed to train, practice shooting, and train more. Going to the academy for classes is also a major part of the day. I do know Jen is teaching some classes over there, and she trains the cadets. It would be a risky try, Wes."
"Not to mention Datas would flip his lid if he found out about a cadet and the Lieutenant. There would be a possibility that Jen could loose her job." Kyle said.
Wes looked out the window. "Like I said before, I don't like the idea of Jen working herself to death. So I will go, but there is only one thing I ask of you, and Ensign Anders." He paused. "If something does happen between Jen and me, could you keep it a secret?"
"Absolutely." Kyle said.
"There would be no question in my mind that you will make Jen happier then she's been. I wouldn't tell a soul." He nodded.
"Don't worry about things here, Wes. We can take care of it." Eric nodded. "I'll watch out for your father."
"Hey, I think that if I can take Ransik, then I can take care of myself." Collins laughed.
"We leave at midnight tonight, Wes. Meet me at the beach." Logan said.
"Right. Midnight…" Wes trailed off.
"Let's go get you packed up, Wes." Eric said as he slapped his hand on Wes's shoulder.
Wes smiled. "Yup."
The group left Headquarters and left for Wes's house, to prepare him for the future.
Midnight"I never thought that I'd see the day when Wes packs up." Eric said.
"Neither would I." Wes agreed.
Once they walked down the path, they saw the outline of a yellow time ship. For the first time, Wes didn't feel sad when he saw this, because he knew that this time, he would be going in it. The door opened, and Captain Logan and Ensign Andes immerged.
"Ready to go, Wes?" the captain asked. We nodded.
He stood in front of Eric. "Well, umm, I'm going to miss ya, Eric." Wes slapped his shoulder. "Stubborn bastard that you are, I'm going to miss you."
"Well, I'm going to miss you too, shitty rich boy." Eric smiled. "Come here." Wes and Eric gave each other a brotherly hug.
Then Wes moved down to his father. "Dad, I can't thank you enough for…everything."
"It was my duty as a father, Wes. I am proud of what you are doing. I just have something for you." Collins smiled as he handed Wes his beret. Wes smiled.
"Thanks, Dad." Wes said. "I love you, pop." A few tears leaked from his eyes.
"I love you too, son." Collins hugged Wes lovingly.
"Wes, I have one more thing to ask of you." Eric said. "When you get there, find Jen, and for Christ's sake, marry her!" Eric said.
Wes nodded. "I promise." He looked at the surrounding beach, memorizing every single grain of sand.
"Ready, Wes?" Kyle asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Wes said. The three walked into the time ship, Wes carrying his bags full of his necessities.
Once strapped down, Wes looked out the window to see his father, and his best friend, both with smiled upon their face.
"Hold on, Wes. It'll be a bumpy ride!" Logan called as the engines began to fire up.
Wes felt the ship lift off of the ground and he was soon swallowed up in a swirl of blue, green and yellow.
After a few moments, he saw a darkness engulf him, then the feeling of being lowered onto the ground. Wes shook his head, trying to take off some of the dizziness he was feeling.
"Okay, Wes. We're here." Logan's voice reached his ears.
Wes got up slowly as a new feeling of nausea came to him. "Easy, Wes. Don't give yourself some desert." Kyle chuckled. "I'll bring him to his apartment."
Wes, now feeling somewhat conscious, began to walk with Kyle through the city. "Wow. So this is the future."
"You think it's nice now, wait until you see it in the morning." The ensign smirked.
A few minutes later, Wes found himself walking into a building that read: TIME FORCE HEADQUARTERS.
Once he entered, there was a tremendous amazement. The building had to be at least 30 stories high, with an opening leading up to the ceiling, revealing a large hole, and each floor circling the perimeter of the building.
They then walked through two double doors, and a large lobby was seen, with a desk.
"Ensign Anders, what are you doing up so late?" asked the lady behind the desk.
"I'm showing one of our new cadets to his room." Kyle turned to Wes. "Wes, this is Brianna. If you need anything, ask her. Speaking of asking, can I have the key to Cadet Collins' room, please?"
Brianna smiled. "Of course." She grabbed a package. "Here you are, Ensign. Have a good night, Cadet."
"Thanks." Wes said. He followed Kyle to the elevator and went in.
"Level 15." Kyle called out. Wes jumped as the elevator began to move.
Once there, Kyle stopped at room number 14. "Here we are." Kyle slipped the key in and a beep was heard, as the door unlocked.
Wes walked in as Kyle turned on the lights. It was a normal sized room. The kitchen was in the corner, with a couch and a plasma screen in the middle of the room. To his right was a table large enough to fit four people comfortably. A computer was in the corner.
"There's a book of things you should know before you begin at the Academy on Monday." Kyle said as Wes looked at the calendar. It was a Saturday. Wes did see a small booklet and nodded. "This is where I leave you, Wes. Have a good night, Cadet."
"Umm, thanks. You too, Ensign." Wes said. Kyle left. Once he was alone, he sighed deeply.
Wes walked into the hallway to find a small linen closet, a bathroom and a bedroom. He sat down on the bed, and looked at his left wrist. It felt naked, since Logan took his morpher before he entered the time ship.
Wes changed into a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. He noticed a package of shorts and a white t-shirt. Around it was a band labeled CADET TRAINING UNIFORM.
His clock blinked 12:45am. Wes lay back on his bed and sighed.
Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
ch 3 up soon…