Chapter Three
It was early morning, and the camp was deep in slumber. The sun hung low over the ocean, a brilliant golden disc over the horizon, and a cool, grey mist rested lightly over the silent camp. Slowly, the door to the teacher's quarters opened with a creak... and the peace of the early morning was shattered by a high-pitched whistle that carried through the still air, invading every dorm on camp and leaving about a hundred and sixty kids desperately holding their hands over their ears. Whistle in hand, Mr Chamberlain gleefully wandered out to the grassed area, the camp staff behind him - there was a run to be ran, and the kids were gonna like it.
However, Dorm 12 was already empty, and had been for about half an hour. It was the morning we were scheduled to help with the chores, and having been woken early, we were all in the dining hall, helping put out the breakfast things, packing lunches for whichever group was going to SeaWorld today, wiping tables and just generally cleaning. Teresa, Scott, Sarah, Brendan and I all stood around a large bench in the kitchen, buttering bread rolls and filling them with salad toppings for the SeaWorld trip, being largely ignored by the people around us.
"Mmm," mumbled Scott, placing ham and lettuce on the rolls with near impossible precision. "These smell good. I wonder if they'd notice a couple missing?"
Teresa laughed. "I don't think so," she said. "We'd end up with soggy ham sandwiches in our pockets all day."
Scott paused, thinking that over, and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Still..."
Brendan smiled, then turned to me. "Did you talk to Zordon last night?"
I nodded, trying to decide whether cheese takes priority in the salad hierarchy over tomato. "Yeah, I told him everything that happened yesterday, and he totally agrees with our decision. He said he'll support us no matter what we do from here."
Sarah glanced back over her shoulder to where Ian, Lochlan and the other Goondiwindi guys were enthusiastically wiping down tables. "How are we going to ask him though? We don't want to scare the poor guy. I mean, how do we do this?"
"I think we'll just have to be honest," Scott said.
Teresa nodded, busily grating carrot. "Scott's right," she said. "He'll appreciate that more than anything else."
"But anything we do is going to have to be tonight during free time," I said, deciding to go with the tomato. "That gives us a solid couple of hours to take care of everything we need to." I paused. "Hopefully that's enough."
"It's so weird though," said Sarah. "I mean, Zordon's actually letting us choose. That's a pretty massive jump."
"I guess he trusts us to make the right decision," said Teresa. "Which is pretty cool. Oh, and Peter?" And I looked up to her. "Cheese does go on before the tomato," she finished with a grin.
Everyone got back from the beach run soon enough, and the group was excused. After breakfast, we all gathered in the main hall and were told of the day's activities - for the Muddies, it was our turn to go canoeing up Tallebudgera Creek, where we'd find a spot to have lunch and then paddle back in the afternoon. At this, Scott and I glanced ominously to each other - the sky had suddenly grown overcast. Still, provided we weren't caught in a hurricane or anything, it sounded like fun, and we all wandered down to the canoe shed.
Each canoe held four people, so everybody chose partners and then paired-up with another couple. Scott and I found ourselves with two Currimundi girls - Sarah Wilmott, a cheerful girl with wavy red hair tied in a ponytail, and Peta Burrows, a friendly and usually very quiet brunette. The four of us went into the shed and chose the first canoe we saw - boat 6. Just as Jason had said, in the back corner of the shed sat boat 13. As we left the shed carrying our canoe, I couldn't help but see Matthew, who'd been paired with Damien, looking for a boat to take.
"Guys," I said, not wanting to waste the opportunity, "look in the back. Boat thirteen is still free."
Matthew turned and saw the boat sitting there, unused. "Hey yeah! Geez Pete, you're good for something after all."
We continued down to the water, dropping the canoe into the creek before going back to pick up some life jackets and paddles.
"Peter," said Scott. "That was mean."
I shook my head and turned to him. "No it wasn't," I replied.
He paused for a moment, thinking. "Yeah, you're right, it wasn't," he grinned.
It was a relaxing trip up the river. To our credit, Scott and I only fell in once, and that was because when the canoe bumped up against a shallow sandbank and the two of us stepped out to take a look, Sarah and Peta kept paddling. And we really couldn't be mad because they were laughing so hard at the sight of us tripping and falling flat on our faces. Mr Di Certo meanwhile paddled back and forth alone in a canoe, while Mrs Manderson cruised around in a small motor boat.
We paddled a fair distance inland and left the city behind us, stopping at noon on a large sand island in the middle of the creek. For lunch, we had hot dogs and a dazzling array of sauces to choose from - tomato, barbecue and tomato. But just as we began the trip back, it began pouring rain. About the same time, boat 13 mysteriously began filling with water. Equipped for just such an emergency, Mrs Manderson pulled some thick twine out of her motor boat, roped all the canoes together and gave everybody a quick ride back down the creek.
True to form, the weather began clearing up just as we arrived home. Once back at camp, everyone had a shower and got into dry clothes. It was the second time in two days that our daily activities had been cut short, so we were again given extended free time, a small piece of luck for the team. I'd spent the entire day thinking about what I was going to say, planning for any contingency or interruption, but even as I got changed, I didn't think I was ready. Needing more time, I declined invitations to join everybody playing sport on the oval, and decided to head over and check out the library. Scott joined me, and we went into the main hall, up the steps and around the landing towards the door marked 'library'.
"Hey Scott! Peter!" came a voice as we walked into the room. Turning, we saw Petey and Luke sitting at a table along the back wall, a pile of board games behind them and what looked like 'Scrabble' in front of them, both of them grinning mischievously.
"Want to join us for a game?" asked Luke.
We both nodded. "Sure," said Scott. "Sounds like fun."
I pulled a seat out and sat down at the table, while beside me, Scott did the same. But turning to the guys, I suddenly caught sight of the words they'd already begun placing on the board, and nearly fell out of my chair. To his credit, Scott kept his cool, calmly glancing over the board.
"Hmm," he said conversationally, looking at a seven-tiled word near the edge of the board. "I didn't even realise that was a word."
The two boys grinned even more wildly at that, and I glanced at Scott, thinking the same thing - monsters and the end of the world we could handle, but a game of Scrabble with the boys just might be our defeat.
Scott and I stayed for about half an hour, nervously glancing around to check where the librarian was every few seconds and frantically shielding the board from view whenever she walked past, all the while with Petey and Luke giggling maniacally. At any rate, I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy myself, and it was with some regret that I glanced to my watch and, seeing that it was four thirty, got up with Scott from the table. We had work to do.
Crossing the library away from the boys, we stopped by the windows overlooking the sportsfield. Down below, a lone figure was leaving the field and walking back towards the cabins. It was Ian.
"I guess this is it, huh?" said Scott.
I nodded. "Now's as good a time as any," I replied. "At least we don't have to ambush the poor guy."
"I'll go round up the troops."
I turned to him. "Don't be too quick though. I don't want to hit him with everyone at once."
"Yeah, that's a good idea." Scott paused for a moment. "Are we really gonna do this? Actually recruit somebody?"
I nodded. "We need him, after all. And who knows? Maybe he needs us."
"Can you imagine if he says no?"
I shrugged. "That's the one thing I hadn't thought about, actually. We'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it, I guess." I glanced over to Scott. "What do you think, though? Have we done the right thing?"
"He's a good guy, and I think he'll be a good Ranger," Scott replied, turning to me. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, I figured Teresa and I had made the right call," I said. "I just wasn't sure until now."
Scott smiled. "Good luck. I'll go get the others."
I watched him go, before turning and quickly browsing the shelves. Well, I was here anyway, I might as well make the most of it. Grabbing a book, I checked it out, descended the stairwell and headed back towards the cabin.
This is where things got interesting.
Across the road on the sports field, a game of soccer had been going between teams composed entirely of Goondiwindi or Currimundi kids. Either side would've told you otherwise, but the score remained a tie for most of the afternoon. Despite the time of day and the weather earlier that morning, the sun was high in the sky, and by half-time, everyone was feeling hot and sweaty.
"Hey," said Ian, as he and Lochlan left the field for a glass of water, "I'm gonna run back and grab my hat from the cabin. I'll catch up with you in a couple of minutes. I can get yours too, if you want."
"You wouldn't mind?" asked Lochlan. "That'd be great. Thanks man."
"No prob," Ian replied, and leaving the field, he jogged back towards the cabins. He knew that students weren't allowed in the cabins at this time of day, but he was only going to be a few seconds, and anyway, a minute or two out of bounds was better than sunburn which lasted for days. Glancing around quickly, he opened the cabin door and ducked inside.
He found his own hat sitting on top of his bunk soon enough, but Lochlan's was nowhere in sight. He was just hunting through the pile of clothes on his friend's bunk when he heard the door swing open behind him.
I stepped into the dorm and shut the door behind me, waiting for a few seconds as my eyes adjusted to the dark. Glancing around the room, I saw Ian standing over by one of the bunks.
"Hey," I said, heading over to my bunk in the corner.
Ian looked up and smiled. "Hi," he said. "You haven't seen Lochlan's hat around have you? For the life of me, I can't find it anywhere."
I shrugged. "Sorry man, I've been in the library all afternoon."
Ian nodded. "Petey and Luke didn't ask you to play Scrabble with them, did they?"
"Yeah."
"Oh." He turned to me. "You've got my sympathies." I grinned and laughed, stashing the book under my pillow, and Ian continued. "I'm not sure I can believe you borrowing out a book, though. We're on school camp. On the Gold Coast."
"Bookworm at heart," I nodded. "Anyway, I haven't read this one yet. It's the sixth one in a series, and while the first five stand fine on their own," and I paused, suddenly realising what I was saying, "it's just not complete without the sixth. Just don't tell Matthew."
Ian shrugged. "Doesn't worry me. But is he like that all the time?"
I nodded. "He's not even the worst. Scott's working out a way to slip tranquilisers into his chocolate milk."
"Just get the dosage right, otherwise you'll send him hyper," Ian grinned.
"Probably, knowing our luck," I said. Pausing for a minute, I stepped over towards him. "Hey listen, I'm glad you're here, actually. I wanted to let you know, what you did yesterday at SeaWorld was really brave."
Ian shrugged and looked away, and with that one gesture I knew everything about him I needed to know. "Thanks. But I wasn't trying to be a hero or anything, I just did what had to be done," he said. "You're from Currimundi, though. Can I ask you, have you ever actually met any of the Power Rangers? Like anyone from the Junior Team?"
I nodded slowly. "A few times, actually." Again, not technically untrue.
"Do you think they, I don't know, thought that...?"
I nodded. "I think they would've been very impressed." Ian smiled, and I continued. "Which is why I was hoping to see you, funnily enough. Can we talk for a second? Not in here, I mean, somewhere else," I added, knowing that in the cabin, any interruptions would lead to all sorts of interesting questions.
Ian looked a bit lost, but nodded. "Um, yeah, okay. Sure. Lead the way."
"Thanks," I replied. "I don't think they'll miss us, and we shouldn't be too long," and the two of us turned and went back outside.
"Something's up," began Rita Repulsa, turning from her telescope to Goldar standing beside her. "Those power brats are up to something, I can feel it. Why are they so desperate to meet that other boy? What do they want with him?"
Goldar shrugged. "I'm not sure, Empress."
"No matter," the witch replied, returning to her telescope. "Send a troop of putties down to investigate. See if they can find out anything useful." Nodding obediently, Goldar quickly left the observatory.
I led Ian around the side of the cabin, and once we were safely out of sight, I stopped and turned back to him.
"If you wanted my autograph, you could've just asked," he said with a smile. "What did you want to see me for?"
I opened my mouth to reply, and stopped. I'd spent the entire day working out how this conversation was going to go, but it was all suddenly fading away. Teresa was right - standing here, looking into Ian's bright and slightly-confused blue eyes, anything but the truth would have been unforgivable. "See the thing is," and I paused for a second, suddenly realising how quiet this little backlane was, before taking the metaphorical leap. "I'm the Orange Power Ranger. I'm here on behalf of the rest of the team - we need your help."
Ian gave a short laugh. He hadn't been sure what to expect, but that wasn't it. "Are you serious?" he asked, brows raised. "Or is this about what I said inside? I didn't think you'd..."
At that stage, I don't think either of us was in territory we'd expected. "Totally serious," I replied. "I give you my word."
Ian looked me up and down, as if seeing me for the first time. "But, I mean, you can't be. No offense, but you're, well, you're you."
"Geez, is it that hard to believe?" I asked, partly to Ian and partly to myself. "Okay, the suit makes me look a little taller and buffer, but c'mon, cut me some slack." Ian laughed, and I looked up and smiled, suitably deflated. "Okay, you want proof?" And I reached for my back pocket. "Catch."
Ian caught the small metallic object, and turned it over to look at the other side - his eyes suddenly went wide, and with a startled intake of breath, the morpher nearly slid clean out of his shaking hand. He caught it before it fell, gripping the morpher so tightly his fingers went white, and looked back to me. "This, this is your..." he stuttered.
"Stegosaurus Power Coin."
"So you're the real thing?" he said, giving me the morpher and running his gaze over me again. "Wow. It's just, I mean," he paused, searching desperately for the right word. Nothing came to mind, or at the very least, his vocal cords didn't seem to be connected to his brain. "Wow..."
I grinned. "At least you finally believe me. Demolishing a cabin with my zord would've proved the point, but might've been a bit too much."
Ian smiled, and let out the breath he'd been holding in. "It's just kind of, uh, wow." He shook his head, and remembered what I'd said. "But what do you need my help for?"
I was about to reply when something caught my attention, and I held up my hand and gestured for him to be silent. I glanced from right to left, and listened for anything out of place - I could feel that something was in the air, something very wrong. Then it hit me - taking a step back and looking around the side of the cabin, I came face-to-face with two red eyes and a leering grey grin. I instinctively grabbed the putty and threw him behind me. Before he had a chance to recover, I spun around and smashed him against the cabin wall with a high jump kick.
I heard a noise behind me and spun back around - the grey warriors were suddenly everywhere, dropping down from roofs and leaping out from behind walls. I took a few steps back and turned to Ian, who was gazing in shock at our adversaries.
"Stay behind me," I said quickly, and raised my communicator to my mouth. It wasn't that I thought he couldn't take care of himself, but with everything I'd just told him, I didn't want to risk it. "Guys," I began, "bit of a problem behind cabin twelve. I could use some back-up."
"We're on our way," came Scott's voice.
I nodded, taking a fighting stance and glancing from left to right as the grey warriors danced around us, eager to avenge their fallen teammate. Finally, one leaped forward, lunging at me with both arms outstretched. I quickly side-stepped the warrior, landing a judo chop as he turned, striking away a left punch and sending the warrior crashing with a kick to the stomach.
As one, the remaining putties attacked - I ducked a high swipe, grabbed the putty's arm and threw him away towards a second opponent, before knocking two more backwards with a high spin kick. Several more charged towards me, and I blocked blows from both sides, sent the putty facing me back with a high kick, before an elbow to one side and a low kick to the other briefly left me without adversaries. I glanced to the side as one of the warriors recovered, but gritting his teeth, Ian grabbed my shoulder and swung high with a jump kick, the blow sending the putty reeling.
I turned to him as he landed. "Thanks."
His heart pounding in his chest, Ian grinned. "Yeah, well, apparently I have a knack for it."
I turned back to the rest of the grey warriors and suddenly found I wasn't needed. The other four Rangers somersaulted into view, immediately leaping to our defense and engaging the remaining putties. Working together, Sarah and Brendan leaped towards one of the grey warriors, each blocking one of his arms and throwing him backwards, spinning around and dropping him with two powerful high kicks. Behind them, Teresa was nimbly flipping backwards and forwards, remaining a step ahead of her opponents and luring them into place where Scott promptly took them out wielding a piece of metal from the broken clothesline like a staff.
Ian's eyes went wide. "They're... y'know... as well?"
I nodded. "Yep, this is all of us," and I turned back to him. "Listen, we need to get out of here. I'm gonna teleport the two of us to the Command Centre."
"The where?"
"The Command Centre," I repeated. "Kind of like our base of operations."
He nodded. "Okay, cool. We'll be safe there?"
"Definitely," I said. "You'll have all the time in the world to digest all this. So listen, you're about to be teleported. This is gonna feel a bit freaky, but you'll be fine," and with that, I took his hand and placed it on my arm, "hang on," and I gently tapped the top button on my communicator.
The pair of us were immediately immaterial, flying up into the sky towards the western horizon in two distinct energy trails, one orange and the other a neutral grey. Hundreds of kilometres of terrain flashed beneath us within seconds, towns, fields, forests and farms, and the Command Centre soon appeared on the horizon, Ian and I materialising in the Central Chamber a second later.
I quickly turned to Ian. Despite the trip he appeared to be fine, although his eyes had remained wide with shock. Slowly glancing around the room, he took in the control panels and their blinking lights, the dimmed viewing screen and the world map on the continuous round wall, taking a half step back in shock when Alpha cheerfully waved. Finally, he looked up to Zordon's energy tube, and found the interdimensional being staring down to him.
"Welcome," boomed Zordon, in the voice that reaches right into the back of your mind, smiling slightly as Ian jumped at the introduction. "My name is Zordon," he continued, "and you must be Ian Thompson."
Ian tried to reply but found that his voice still wasn't quite hooked up properly, so he nodded.
Zordon beamed. "Excellent. I'm sure your mind is racing, so please, let me try and help. Firstly, as I'm sure Peter has already explained, you were brought here because we wish to offer you the chance to become a Power Ranger, and fight alongside the other Rangers."
"Oh," said Ian, and nodded. "Okay." A second later, his eyes rolled back and he toppled backwards into me, giving me the chance to catch him before he hit the floor. Resting his weight against my left shoulder, I looked up to Zordon and shrugged.
"Well," I said. "All things considered, that went well."