Chapter 8: This Place Means Everything
Kimberly had her headset out as she was trying to get the Rangers to beat the monster they were up against. "Rangers, try your blasters," she instructed.
"You've got it, Kim," Carter acknowledged.
She watched as the Rangers were losing. "Have anymore ideas, Kim?" Dana asked.
"Just give me a second," Kimberly replied.
She started to work on the calculations on the computer when Captain Mitchell placed a hand on her shoulder to get her stop. "What?" She asked.
"Look," he replied.
She looked up and watched as another set of Rangers defeated the monster. She watched as the monster ran away scared and heard the doors open. "They are magnificent aren't they?" General McKnight asked. Captain Mitchell saluted to the general and he looked at Kimberly. "And who might you be?" He asked. Kimberly was about to answer when Captain Mitchell answered for her.
"This is Kimberly Hart, she's been the Rangers mentor," Captain Mitchell informed.
"Well, what a pleasure to meet you, Miss Hart," he greeted.
"The pleasure is all mine," Kimberly replied, but she could feel his emotions and she didn't like it.
They watched as the Rangers came in. "These Cyborg Rangers are great additions to the team," Joel commented.
"Actually, these Rangers are not going to be additions to your team, they are replacements," General McKnight informed.
Kimberly looked at the general in disbelief. "With all do respect, General McKnight, but you can't just replace the Rangers with a bunch of robots," she insisted.
"Excuse me, Miss Hart, with all do respect, but the Cyborg Rangers are much better than having people go out and do it," he told her.
He then turned to the Rangers. "You are all relieved of your duties, including you, Miss Hart," he informed.
"What!" Kimberly gasped.
"You were a mentor for this team, we have Dr. Harlen to take care of our Cyborg Rangers. You are relieved of your duties," he replied.
"You can't do this," Kimberly objected.
"It looks like I am, Miss Hart, hand in your headset and your badge, you're no longer part of this project," he replied.
Kimberly could feel his anger. "I have four children to take care of, how am I going to take care of them?" She asked.
"I'm sure you'll find a way," he replied.
Captain Mitchell placed a hand on Kimberly's shoulder. Kimberly sighed and removed her headset. She handed it to General McKnight. She slowly removed her badge from her shirt and handed it to him as well. "You're a smart girl, Miss Hart, I'm sure you'll find someway to take care of your children," he assured her. Kimberly lowered her head in defeat. She then looked at Captain Mitchell and Ms. Fairweather as if she were asking them to do something. When they didn't answer, Kimberly just left with the other Rangers.
Once they were outside, Kimberly finally had enough. She kicked the nearest thing close to her and fell to her knees in anger. Dana could see that this project was the only way she could take care of her children. This job was Kimberly's life. "Kim..." Kimberly cut her off.
"Leave me alone right now," she insisted.
Dana nodded and looked at the other Rangers.
(Inside the Aqua-Base)
Ms. Fairweather was pacing back and forth in Captain Mitchell's office. "He shouldn't have done that to Kimberly, this Aqua-Base was her life. She depended on this place to get her at least through a college education here. I provided her that education. He just snatched away her dreams and her hope in just a few seconds," she explained.
"I understand that, but what are we going to do about it?" He asked.
"We have to get him to reconsider letting Kim back on this base," she replied.
"Ms. Fairweather, Kimberly became the Rangers' mentor, the Cyborg Rangers replaced them. Dr. Harlen replaced Kimberly."
"But you should've have brought her back as your assistant."
"He wouldn't have allowed it."
Ms. Fairweather sat down knowing that General McKnight just broke all of Kimberly's hopes and dreams.
(In the City)
Kimberly never had a computer at home because she never thought she'd be needing once because she was taking her courses on the Aqua-Base. "I can't finish college now," she whispered. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Chad standing there.
"Don't worry, Kim, we'll find a way to get you back on track," he assured her.
Kimberly nodded to her friends and then she watched as they saw a fight going on. "Carter, you're not Rangers anymore," she reminded them.
"I don't care, come on," Carter answered.
She then ran after them to see what would happen.
When they came, they saw that the Cyborg Rangers were malfunctioning. "Kimberly, get to safety," Carter instructed. Kimberly gasped when the Pink Cyborg Ranger came at her and Dana.
"Up and over?" She asked.
"Sure thing," Dana replied.
She and Dana flipped over the Cyborg Ranger's head. She then saw a car pull up and Captain Mitchell appeared. "Keep fighting her, Day," she instructed. She gasped when Cyborg Pink came at her. She did a series of back flips until she reached Captain Mitchell.
"Nice moves," he commented.
"Thanks," Kimberly answered.
Captain Mitchell revealed their morphers. "RANGERS! CATCH!" She shouted. She tossed them their morphers and watched as her friends defeated the Rangers. She then ran over and the Rangers all embraced her.
When they came back to the Aqua-Base, General McKnight walked over to Kimberly. "My apologies, Miss Hart. From what I've seen, you're a great asset to the Aqua-Base. Your children must be ever so proud of you," he told her. Captain Mitchell placed a hand on her shoulder.
"We're all proud of her," Captain Mitchell agreed.
"Kim's a great asset to the team," Carter put in.
The rest all nodded their heads in agreement. "Captain Mitchell, you made six wise decisions," he informed. He saluted before leaving. Kimberly let out a long sigh. She then looked at her friends with a huge smile on her face.
"So, how much does this Aqua-Base mean to you?" Joel asked.
Kelsey nudged Joel with a grin. "Besides you guys? Everything," she replied.
"Welcome back," Captain Mitchell greeted.
They nodded before going to get back to training.