Ch 10: Silent Threats

Disclaimer: Dun own PR.

Jack had to come out with a plan—a flawless one quickly. His cell was disconnected before he could trace it to Qudamah's current destination or even hears his first clue. There was no other choice. Either to do it the one man's way or to get backup and Jack had always preferred the former. Right now, he reproached himself again and again for leaving Miranda at the tent.

By the time he returned to his tent to pickup his stuffs, he saw everything was intact. Now, that's weird. Nothing had been touched at all. It all was too peaceful to be true that is, shouldn't Miranda put up a fierce struggle before surrendering or was this some kind of plot.

Jack remembered her mentioning about insider's job but could she be warning him about her being his enemy. Was she trying to get back at him for not accepting her love—no way! Miranda's not that stupid. Qudamah probably crept up to her from behind and hit her with a revolver. That's it, Jack thought. Damn, his head throbbed again. Sorry Syd, you've to wait a little longer.

XXX

Both Sky and Syd drove back to S.P.D in their cruiser. Sydney walked out from the cruiser and was still laughing at one of Sky's joke. Her father stood at the steps, watching them. When Sydney looked up and saw Adrian, she stopped smiling and turned to Sky apologetically, "Sorry Sky, I forgot some notes to be filed. You go ahead, bye."

Sky watched her climbed the stairs hastily and turned the other way.

"Hello, Sky."

"Hi, Adrian. Why are you standing here?" Sky asked. No wonder Sydney walked away, she obviously is trying to avoid her dad.

Adrian did not answer him. "Off duty?"

Sky nodded and both of them walked slowly back to the interior building.

"She's still mad at me." Sky heard Adrian said. "Never mind, so when are you going to take over your dad's business?" Adrian asked casually.

Sky stopped walking and flashed his morpher on the scanner before entering the other side where it was prohibited to others except for officers.

"Business isn't my interest. I can't vision myself on a swivel chair, enclosed in an office trying to pull my hair out over some business proposal. My hands are good for battles, not paper and pen."

"I know…but your dad, Wesley, he needs a successor and you being the only son, is the only heir to his wealth."

Sky kept quiet. There were some things that can't be force. His dad should know, after all he was once the red ranger.

"Let's talk about something else. Sky, you love my daughter, Sydney." It wasn't a question but a statement. Adrian saw Sky flinched. "I could see it in your eyes, yes, it was that obvious."

Sky kept quiet. Adrian continued, "I certainly will be glad if you becomes my son-in-law. Besides, my lovely daughter and you make a compatible couple."

"I don't even know if she likes me—if she does now, that's because she'd lose her memory." Sky mumbled.

"Don't be silly, Sky. I know she does. I'll see that you two get married and bear me a grandson." Adrian smiled proudly, already had plans in his mind. "You two had been the best of friends since childhood."

Yes, and we can only be best friends, Sky thought, no more, no less.

XXX

"Sir." Jack called to his superior.

"Colonel, you're back." Hanks Merrill looked up from a stack of papers. "And," Hank looked behind his back, "Miranda?" It wasn't a secret in the police dept that Miranda had a thing for Jack.

"That's what I was coming here about. I'm the only survivor from Mexico's while Miranda had been captured by Qudamah."

"That explained why no one came to report to me, so you foiled this plan, you telling me right?"

"You don't shout at me, you hear. It's no hush-hush issue that this is my last mission. And you will be my saluting to me soon. I don't wish to rub it in—you force me to. Miranda—yes, I left her in the forest, damn it, she had a gun, she's one of the best shooters we have. But that does it, I suspect foul play. Someone obviously is giving us away."

Jack's cell started to vibrate again. "Listen up jackass, your first clue—East Wind."

"Hello, where…" Before he could continue, the phone hung up on him. "Listen to me Hanks, my cover is blown. Qudamah knows it and he wants to play hide-and-seek with us. I want you to get me your best men. I'm heading to New Tech City, S.P.D to engage further assistance. My gut feel tells me this isn't easy."

"Landors, you kidding my ass right. You need my best men to look for one lady. Ain't going to happen. And S.P.D? What the hell is that?"

"I tell you, don't yell at my face again. We aren't looking for one goddamn lady. We are looking for a syndicate. Qudamah, he's not alone. And, S.P.D is SPACE PATROL DELTA," Jack shouted back. "They have the best gadgets and technologies than you have. While you are playing with your water gun, S.P.D already had blasters and portals. Now get up on your ass and get me those men."

TBC soon - Pls R&R