Author's notes -- sorry about the lack of updates, I had to go away for the week. Only one chapter left, though, so I figured it'd be all good. Koalugirl -- Thanks for your reviews. You're absolutely right -- Peter pegged this back in chapter five, this story was all about Teresa and her driving the team forward. As she said, that rescue mission showed her up close and personal the value of every single human life, even a life like Ryan Anderson's, and I strongly agree with her in everything she says to Ryan at the end, there. That's superheroes to me, right there, and I wanted to do them justice. And the fact that Teresa soloed a guy who kicked the butts of the entire Junior team doesn't hurt :). Anyway, enjoy...
Interlude Seven
Editorial in the 'Suncoast Daily'I don't think anyone can accuse me of exaggeration when I say that this city is not the same Caloundra we all grew up with, and most certainly never will be again. For reasons known only to the Universe at large, Caloundra was given its own team of superhuman defenders, to fight against fearsome threats from the far reaches of space and time. But I don't think we've ever seen anything as frightening as the events of the last few days. And no, I'm not referring to the superpowered serial killer Fury, but the sheer controversy created when the Power Rangers stepped in to aid the police in capturing the vigilante.
While the Rangers were risking their lives, the city was being told that they were up to no good, overstepping their duties and becoming a vigilante force themselves. The Rangers are only children, after all, and this means they cannot be trusted to see the world and all its complexities as mature adults would. Indeed, what is the point of entrusting the safety of the world to a group of people who only see that world through the immature ideals of good and evil? Right and wrong? Morals, we are told, only exist in shades of grey, so why should we support people who are fighting for something that does not even exist?
I feel a great deal of pity for anybody trying to tell me that 'good' is an abstract concept with no basis in reality.
Take away the costumes and invincible battle machines, and you're left with twelve young people simply trying to do the right thing. Putting themselves between us and the monsters who wish us harm, Fury being a prime example. And those who want tangible proof of that need only look into the eyes of the man or woman who has one more day on this Earth because of the Rangers' intervention. One more day to be with the people they love, one more day to hold their children or help a stranger, to worship God or pray for forgiveness.
I believe a best-selling author once wrote that, "Real life is messy and inconsistent." Even so, shouldn't that be all the more reason why it's so important that people choose to make a difference and stand up for what they believe in? If a belief in the ideal of 'right' is childish, then I would dearly like to know what it means to be an adult. As opposed to what we've been told, it has never been a case of, "Gosh, the world would be a neat-o place if only..." but more along the lines of, "The world can be a better place. And here's how..."
Granted people are free to criticise the Rangers all they want - one of the wonders of living in a democracy - but before we give the critics their five minutes in the spotlight, let's hope they've got something better than, "We can't trust the Rangers because they're so young." If the sky is falling, I know who I want at my back, age be damned.
The Power Rangers have had an amazing career in superheroics so far, and who can possibly imagine where their adventures will take them next? I think the only certainty is that wherever the Rangers go, for better or for worse, we'll be following right behind. Go team!