Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers S.P.D.

Best Friends

Chapter VIII: Moving On Up

"Kat, could I speak to you alone for a moment," Cruger asked.

Boom took that as his cue to leave and left Dr. Manx so that she and Cruger could discuss whatever it was that Cruger wanted to discuss.

"I believe I know why Sky has his powers. Do you remember the mishap back in 2001 when you and some other scientists were working on the technology of the morphers?" Cruger asked.

Realization dawned on Kat's face. Of course! That makes perfect sense. That had to be the reason, but where exactly was Cruger going with this? He didn't appear to be finished yet.

"I suspect that if Sky got powers, then if any of those scientists had children, those children would have powers too. Now it's not clear or not as to whether those powers have even shown themselves yet, but I need you to look into the matter. If in fact those scientists had children, I need you to contact them and see about enrolling them in S.P.D. in the future. I fear that they might be ostracized and ridiculed for being different," Cruger said.

Kat saluted Cruger. "Okay. Will do," she said.

XXXXXXXXXX

Later that evening, the four remaining D-Squad cadets were all studying together in the infirmary. Sky felt fine, but Kat insisted on keeping him in the infirmary overnight for observation. The four cadets had been quizzing one another on the various S.P.D. regulations that would appear on tomorrow's test.

"Sky, we were at simulation training today, when we overheard Kat tell Cruger that Boom was her assistant. I guess that means it's just the four of us now," Lily said.

"Yeah Boom told me about that when he came to visit me earlier today. I think it's a good opportunity for him. Though, I'm still confused as to how that's going to work when we are given our morphers. I mean there will only be four of us, and all power ranger teams have at least five rangers," Sky replied.

The four of them pondered that thought. Maybe they'd be the first power ranger team to have four rangers instead of five. Perhaps the vacant spot will be filled by a new recruit. It was hard to say what would happen with the vacated position on the squad.

"I can't believe you're going to be taking a test on 200 regulations tomorrow Sky. 100 is challenging enough for me," Kim commented.

"Yeah, well I only have two days to make up the test that you guys took today. I've had all day to study, so I think I might as well get it over with tomorrow." Sky responded.

The four of them got back to studying together. Lights out time wasn't that soon, so they could still get a good deal of studying done in the meanwhile.

XXXXXXXXXX

Cruger found Kat in the S.P.D. lab on a computer. That didn't really surprise Cruger though. Kat spent so much time in the lab that she practically lived in the lab.

"Were you able to find out anything?" Cruger asked.

Kat turned around so she was facing Cruger. "Yes. All of the other scientists also had children. Like Sky's mother though, the other scientists only had one kid. The news gets worse from there though. According to the database, only two of the children still live with their parents," Kat stated.

This piece of news startled Cruger. What about the other three? Were they homeless? Were they even still alive? Why weren't they with their parents? Were their parents alive?

"Which two children still live with their parents?" Cruger asked.

"Carson and Drew," Kat replied. "The Carsons had a boy who should be 12 years old right now. The Drews had a girl who should be 13 years old right now."

Unfortunately for Cruger, they were still too young to enroll at the Academy. The minimum age that a new recruit had to be was 14 years old provided that the new recruit would be turning 15 years old in six months from the time they entered the Academy.

"What about their powers. Was their any indication of them having any powers?" Cruger asked.

Kat shook her head no. Even if they had displayed their powers, there was no way that would appear in the database. More than likely, if their powers had already been expressed, the parents would want to keep that information secret.

"Maybe their powers won't be displayed until they are 15 years old. After all, that's how old Sky is. I know you are concerned about providing them a safe haven, but for right now, we just have to believe that their powers are dormant," Kat said.

That wasn't what Cruger had wanted to hear. Still though, rules were rules, and the two children weren't old enough to be entered into the Academy yet. Cruger couldn't go bending rules or else he might lose his job.

"Were you able to at least find out their names?" Cruger asked.

Kat didn't know what difference that would make, but she decided it was just for Cruger's own piece of mind.

"Of the two who are living with their parents, or of all five of them sir?" Kat asked.

"All five of them," Cruger answered.

"The Carson boy is named Bridge. The Drew girl is named Syd. The Landors had a boy, and his name is Jack. According to the database, he is 14 years old. The Delgados had a girl named Elizabeth or Z for short. She is 12 years old. I wasn't able to find any information on the last child other than his name is Sam," Kat replied.

Cruger wondered why there was no more information on Sam. He didn't even know how old he was. The only child who was old enough to enter the Academy was Jack, but he wasn't living with his parents, so there was no telling whether or not he'd ever be able to find him.

XXXXXXXXXXX

The next morning, Kat decided it would be okay for Sky to leave the infirmary as she decided it was no longer necessary to keep him there for observation.

"Kat, would it be okay if I took a test today on 200 regulations instead of 100? That way I'll be caught up with the others," Sky said.

"All right, if you really feel like you are prepared, then that's fine with me," Kat answered.

Kat was sure Sky would do fine anyways. He got a perfect score on the first test and that was fill in the blank. Multiple choice by far was much easier. She had no doubt in her mind that Sky would get a perfect score this time around as well.

"Well, the rest of your squad should be heading to the classroom as we speak, so why don't you come with me?" Kat offered.

Kat and Sky left the infirmary and entered the classroom where the rest of D-Squad already were. She distributed the tests to D-Squad and the test began. Surprisingly, Sky was able to finish the test on 200 regulations within the 2 hours time allotted for class.

"The four of you did a much better job on today's test. The low was a 82. The high was a 100. Please come up and collect your test when I call your name. Lily," Kat said.

Lily fetched her test and saw that she got a 97.

"Dru," Kat called out.

Dru got his test and saw that he got an 82.

"Kim," Kat said.

Kim picked up her test and saw that she got a 91.

"Sky," Kat called out.

Sky retrieved his test and saw that he got a 100 despite the fact that he took it on 200 regulations instead of the usual 100.

"Okay. Your homework is to study the next 100 regulations for a test tomorrow. Class dismissed," Kat announced.

Apparently, the four of them studying together had paid off. Lily, Kim, and Dru got the best test scores to date on today's test.

XXXXXXXXXX

Later that day, D-Squad was given their very own civilian blasters. All A-Squad through D-Squad cadets were given one and trained to use it.

"These are your civilian blasters. They are the standard weapon for all cadets A-Squad through D-Squad. Today, you will have target practice using your new civilian blasters. The targets are holographs, and in order to see them, everyone will need to put on these visors. There will be three moving targets. Your civilian blasters can fire three shots before it needs to be reloaded," Kat said.

She modeled how to properly hold the weapon for the D-Squad cadets. She then demonstrated how to fire the weapon.

"Now then, Lily, why don't you go first?" Kat asked.

Lily was nervous about going first. She had no idea why Kat had chose her to go first, but she didn't like it. The first target appeared and Lily fired at it. The shot was too far to the left. The next target appeared and Lily shot her blaster. This time the shot was too far to the right. The final target appeared and Lily managed to nail it this time.

"Not bad for your first time," Kat commented.

Lily was surprised at Kat's assessment of her performance. Lily had thought she had done horribly.

"Kim, you're next," Kat said.

Kim held her civilian blaster at the ready position. The first target appeared, and Kim fired at it. She would have hit it, but she had aimed too high. The next target appeared. Kim adjusted her aim and shot her weapon. This time she was too low. The third target appeared. Kim was able to connect with this one.

"Again, not bad for your first try," Kat remarked.

Kim was pleased with her performance. She didn't really have any expectations going into it, and the fact that she was even able to hit a target surprised her.

"Dru, it's your turn," Kat announced.

The first target appeared. Dru fired at it, but he had aimed too far to the left, and it just missed the target. The next target appeared. Dru took a little bit longer to fire this time, but it was worth it as he managed to hit the target. The final target appeared. Again, Dru took his time and made sure his aim was right on spot before firing. He nailed this target as well.

"Yes!" Dru shouted pumping his fist in celebration.

Kim noticed his enthusiasm as well and just rolled her eyes at Dru.

"I saw that Kimmy," Dru said.

"Whoop-ti-do!" Kim replied sarcastically.

"You're just jealous because I did better than you," Dru commented.

"No, I'm just ashamed to be seen with you," Kim responded.

Lily sighed. Apparently, their team wasn't exactly a cohesive unit yet. She wondered if Kim and Dru would ever get along and stop their petty bickering.

"Oh, is that so?" Dru asked.

"Enough!" Kat shouted. "Sky, it's your turn."

The first target appeared and Sky fired his blaster at it. He nailed it. The second target appeared. Sky aimed his weapon and fired. That target was hit as well. The third target appeared. Sky followed it with his eyes and shot at it. That target went down as well. The holographic display panel read 'Perfect!'

"Well done," Kat said.

Dru just figured that Sky got a perfect score just because he had the advantage of going last. That way, he was able to see what everyone else was doing wrong and make sure that he himself didn't make the same mistakes.

"I'm going to make a recommendation to Cruger about promoting the four of you to C-Squad. Your test scores are improving. Your simulation training has been improving. You performed quite well for your first target practice. I think it's time," Kat said.

D-Squad couldn't believe their ears. They hadn't even been at the Academy for a week, and already they were getting a recommendation for a promotion? After only four days? They didn't know how impressive or unimpressive that was, but it sounded great to them. Kat dismissed D-Squad and went to locate Cruger and give him her recommendation.

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