Disclaimer: the usual…………………….

CHAPTER 16

Welcome to a New Power

The walk to wherever Commander Stanton was taking her was quiet and nerve racking for Lina. She felt eyes burning into her from the soldiers who walked behind her. She was led into a small office where she stood in front of a desk that Commander Stanton went to sit at. One of the soldiers pushed down on her shoulder, causing her to collapse into a chair.

"Sit down," he ordered. Lina glared up at him and held up her hand threateningly, knowing the soldier knew that she could launch fireballs from her hand. He stepped back next to his comrade, obviously intimidated by the young woman before him. Commander Stanton cleared his throat, gaining Lina's attention as she turned back to him.

"I was informed by your method of arrival on Terra Venture. I must say that I was worried until I was informed of your actions to help a group of children and then witnessing your abilities for myself just now," Commander Stanton explained. There was one thing Lina could not stand and that was to be mistaken for the enemy. She knew Commander Stanton wasn't accusing her of that but she wanted to reassure him.

"I'm not a threat to Terra Venture," she said seriously and reassuringly. Commander Stanton smirked at Lina's professionalism.

"I believe you, for now. I have a feeling I'll need to know your story eventually, but for now it will be your business," Stanton said, taking Lina a little by surprise.

"Thank you," she said, a little confused. She watched as Commander Stanton got up and walked over to his closet, he pulled a bundle of stuff and handed it to Lina. She looked at it, realizing it was a shirt and jacket, similar to the clothes cadets on Terra Venture wore.

"During your stay on Terra Venture, I would like you to work as a temporary/honorary cadet. I'm sure you will pick up on things quickly enough," Commander Stanton explained. Lina sat still in her chair, stunned.

"Okay…sir," she said politely but slightly nervously. Stanton smiled at her immediate obedience.

"All right then. I think I'll cut you loose so you can explore this place a little. I have to go brief some of my soldiers that they are not to attack you. All thought after that display with the fire, I'm not sure who would. I'll come and find you later," Commander Stanton explained. Lina got up from her chair and silently shook Commander Stanton's hand. The two soldiers parted ways, giving Lina enough room to walk out of the door. Meanwhile, Leo, Kai, Mike, and Damon were in an open eating area, talking about the fight they had just witnessed.

"Man, who was that girl?" Damon asked. Kai kept quiet. He knew that she was the girl he had run into earlier, but he didn't know anything about her, aside from the fact that she was beautiful.

"I don't know but I'd like to be a fly on the wall in the meeting with her and Commander Stanton," Leo admitted.

"We'll all probably know soon enough what the deal is with this girl," Mike said, taking a sip of his soda. Kai perked up a little when he saw Lina walk by the eating area, wearing the shirt and other stuff Commander Stanton had given her.

"Uh, I'll catch you guys later," he said, before bolting from his seat and running after Lina.

"KAI!" they called after him, not realizing he was running after Lina. In his sprint to catch up with Lina, Kai nearly collided with Kendrix and Maya.

"Kai!" Maya called.

"Where's the fire!" Kendrix cried after him as he kept on running. Lina was just walking along, exploring the outdoor area of Terra Venture. She saw a huge tree a short distance away and suddenly got a childhood urge to climb it. Laughing all the way up until she got to the highest branch she could get to. On the way up, her hat fell off of her head and slowly floated to the ground. She leaned back against the tree and smiled, relaxing, so it seemed, for the first time since she started this whole power ranger adventure started. She smiled as the makeshift sun beat down on her face and she breathed in the clear air. She sighed happily.

"I miss this," she said quietly to herself. Meanwhile, Kai had finally caught up to Lina but didn't realize it. He was out of breath when he finally realized that Lina was no where in sight.

"Oh man, how can someone walk that fast?" he asked himself before something fell on his head. He fumbled with it for a second before realizing it was a hat. He looked up from where it had fallen only to see a figure sitting on a high branch.

"HEY!" he called up. Lina snapped out of her trance and looked around, trying to figure out where the voice was coming from.

"DOWN HERE!" it called again. Lina looked down over the branch and saw Kai standing at the bottom of the tree.

"Um...hi!" she called to him.

"I'm Kai, can I talk to you!" he asked simply. It was actually refreshing to Lina to meet a guy who was so politely straightforward.

"Uh…sure, I'll be down in a second!" she cried as she got a good grip on the tree. Kai was amazed at how fast and gracefully Lina climbed down the tree. She was close to getting to the ground when she missed a branch and started to fall. Kai immediately reacted and caught her in his arms. It took Lina a second to recover but when the two rangers realized the position they were in, they got a little embarrassed. Feeling his cheeks burning with embarrassment, Kai swallowed hard as did Lina.

"Thanks," Lina said nervously, signaling for Kai to put her down. Kai gently placed her on the ground. She kept one hand on his shoulder to keep herself balanced as she got her bearings together. Kai handed her the hat that Commander Stanton had given her.

"Thanks," Lina said again.

"So, um, what's your name?" Kai asked.

"Lina Baxter," she replied.

"I hope Commander Stanton wasn't too hard on you," Kai said sincerely, although Lina could tell he was struggling to make conversation.

"No, he was nice about it. He said I didn't have to tell him my story just yet but while I'm here, I'm going to be a temporary soldier," Lina explained. Kai smiled.

"That's cool. I could, you know, maybe show you around. Show you the tools and tips of the trade?" Kai offered, having a hopeful look in his smile. Lina smiled.

"That would be great," Lina said, smiling at the Blue Lost Galaxy Ranger as he beamed back at her.

"Excuse me Lina," came a familiar voice. The two turned to see Commander Stanton standing nearby.

"Hello Commander," Kai said. Stanton acknowledged Kai with a polite head nod.

"Come on Lina, I want to show you your room," Commander Stanton said. Lina turned to Kai and smiled.

"I'll catch you later," she said, before following Stanton. Kai waved at her, smiling as the new beauty, who was still a mystery to him walked away. A few minutes later, Stanton and Lina walked into the huge room, that was more like a suite, that Lina would be staying in.

"I hope this will do," Commander Stanton said. Lina was shocked at the immaculate room before her.

"This is perfect sir," Lina said. Stanton smiled.

"I'll leave you to rest up a little," he said before turning to leave. Lina was still taking in her new room with a smile when a sharp pain struck her. She collapsed to her knees, not being able to see the electric currents illuminating from her body as the pain surged through her.

"What is this?" she said as she clutched her stomach. The pain started to intensify and finally got to a point where Lina couldn't take it anymore.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" she cried, a red light and electric current surging through her body and exploding through her room.