Lina had remained silent throughout the journey back to Delta Base. Not even the occasional, reassuring nudge from Z could improve her sour mood. The second the SPD cruiser pulled up in the parking lot, the blue ranger leapt out like she had been scolded by the seat. She briefly caught a glimpse of the concerned looks on her team mate's face in the window of another cruiser but she ignored them. Walking alone through the corridors of the base, Lina eventually found herself outside the cafeteria.

Pushing open the dull grey double doors Lina was relieved to see the place deserted. She punched a couple of buttons on a nearby vending machine, pouring herself the strongest, blackest coffee the machine could manage. The beverages from this contraption usually tasted like warmed up mud but it was better than nothing.

The B Squad blue ranger took a seat in the middle of the room, wrapping her cold hands around the warm coffee cup. Her thoughts were too preoccupied with family matters to be overly concerned with her future at SPD. Lina had been aware for a very long time that some of her team mate's business hadn't been legitimate. You didn't acquire that wealth without bending a few rules along the way.

Time passed quickly for Lina and her coffee remained untouched. She barely even registered Z's arrival in the cafeteria, "It's time, Tate's waiting for us", the yellow ranger said softly. She had changed back into her SPD uniform and her hair was still damp from the shower. Lina's legs were reluctant to comply with her request to move and it wasn't until Z gently grasped her hand that her focus finally returned to the present. The touch of the yellow ranger's hand filled her with warmth and the reassuring smile drew her gently out of her funk.

Lina stood up, the chair scraping on the floor. To her surprise Z didn't realise the grip on her hand and the pair walked hand in hand towards the elevator. Even during the ride up, the yellow ranger kept a firm grip on Lina's hand, tracing her thumb over the back of the blue ranger's palm. Without thinking Lina rested her head on Z's shoulder and to her joy the yellow ranger didn't shrug her off. If anything she could feel Z relax into the touch.

The pair could've stayed like that forever but the electronic voice from the elevator announced their arrival on the command floor. They instantly separated, straightening out their uniforms in the process, "You'll be fine", Z attempted to reassure her. Lina appreciated the attempt but it would take a miracle to escape confinement.

The two rangers entered the Command Room where JJ, Bridge, Syd and Command Tate were waiting. Also present was Ariel Hammond, dressed in similar uniform to the previous Space Rangers who came a generation ago. The only exception was that instead of the grey pants and jacket, Ariel uniform was black colour. Underneath her jacket was a fitted red top indicating her ranger status, "Good job B Squad", Tate announced, "Lothor been successfully neutralised and their network will struggle to recover from this".

"I would also like to extend my thanks on behalf of Supreme Command", Ariel added, "my father in particular was extremely happy with the outcome of the mission". Her gaze shifted to Bridge, "He was particularly impressed with your command decisions Officer Carson". Bridge's eyes widen at the praise from the Special Ops officer, "I would like to apologise to you Officer Delgardo".

"Me?" Z asked in confusion, "I don't understand".

Ariel sighed deeply, "It wasn't your cover that was blown, it was Gia's", she paused and almost looked ashamed by the failure, "your undercover teacher was clearly better than mine". Lina was certain that Ariel's gaze turned in her direction but she didn't feel like she had earned the respect of the officer.

"A full debriefing will follow another time once we have processed all the arrests", Tate continued, "until then you're all dismissed" Lina frowned for a moment, surely she wasn't going to get away with her disobedience that easily. She was just about to leave when Tate barked, "Not you Song, we need to have a talk about your behaviour today". The other members of B Squad looked apologetically at their blue ranger, none more so that Z. Reluctantly the quartet shuffled out the room.

The doors shut behind them and for almost a minute, Sky stared impassively at the blue ranger. Lina could feel the intense glare of the Command burning into her but decided to wait until Sky spoke, "Well?" he began, "I'm waiting for an explanation Officer Song".

"I couldn't let them face those numbers alone Sir", Lina replied slowly, "if you want an apology you're not going to get one. Knowing the team were facing those odds it was the right thing to do. I'm sure you would've done the same thing too".

"We're not talking about me", Sky snapped irritably. He rubbed his eyes, probably attempting to stave off an oncoming headache, "What am I going to do with you Lina?"

"If I might interject", Ariel spoke up, Lina was surprised that she was still in the room, "from what I understand Officer Song contributed significantly to the success of this assignment. If it wasn't for her training, Officer Delgardo would not have successfully integrated herself with the potential escorts". Sky grunted under his breath, reluctantly conceding the Special Ops officer's point, "Her orders from my father still apply, in fact now we know there is a confirmed connection between Villains and Lord Drakkon, her presence is even more important".

"Is it true?" Lina asked, "has my redemption just to prepare for Drakkon?"

Sky and Ariel looked at each other, "Yes and no", the Commander replied, "we've been tracking suspicious movement for months before your release". Lina's shoulders slumped in defeat, "Having said that, your performance warranted your position on merit. Andors knows when someone can be redeemed".

Lina was slightly surprised by the Commander's statement, "We do suspect that other villains are involved", Ariel continued. Now Lina was genuinely intrigued and angry, "What do I need to do?" she asked through gritted teeth.

"You're assuming that I'm not going to throw your ass back into prison for deliberately going against my orders", Sky growled.

"With all due respect Tate, your orders sucked", Ariel snorted. Lina had to admire the bravery of the young officer, being the child of the legendary Andros and Ashley Hammond gave you some leeway but calling out Commander Tate probably crossed a line.

"Did you ever think my maybe my orders had a purpose Officer Hammond?" Sky grunted in response.

It took Lina a couple of moments to put the pieces together from Sky's veiled statement, "This was all a test wasn't it", Lina grumbled, "one of Sky Tate's copied from Cruger infamous 'let's give some ridiculous order and see how they react' jobs". Now it all made sense to Lina, the last few weeks had been one big test to see where Lina's loyalties lay. The combative attitude aimed in her direction from Sky had also solidified the team around Lina. She had admire the willingness of Sky to do whatever it took for the team to accept her, even if she was unhappy with the way he went about it.

"Would I do such a thing?" Sky asked with a tone of innocence, "you still disobeyed a direct order Song, therefore, you're suspended from duty for two weeks". Lina nodded solemnly, "Perhaps this will give you a chance to dig, see who's planning to take aim in the future"

"Thank you Sir", Lina felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She wasn't going back into a containment card.

"I'll be watching you carefully from now on though, try to be a little more respectful", Sky sighed in exasperation.

Lina nodded and gave the Commander a firm salute, exiting the room before he could change his mind, "Hey Lina wait up", she heard Ariel call out. The Special Ops officer jogged down the corridor after her, "This might give you a few leads", she handed over a data stick to the blue ranger. "I'm hearing good things about Earth branch, heard some good stuff about you too".

"Yeah probably until about a year ago", Lina snorted.

Ariel gave her a half smile in return, "Try not to be too hard on yourself" she patted the blue ranger on the shoulder, "I'm sure you know the story of my Aunt Karone?" Charlie nodded, what ranger didn't know the story and history of the famous Pink Lost Galaxy Ranger. "Don't let this eat away at you", she continued, "despite her claims I don't think Aunt Karone is ever truly happy. She used to be but after what happened to Uncle Leo", her voice trailed off and a sad look descended over her features.

Lina took on the wisdom of the Special Ops officer, maybe there was still a chance for her. The descent in the elevator was quiet and soon they reached the main entrance. The rest of B Squad were waiting patiently, eager for some news of their team mate, "You've got a good squad around you", Ariel smiled, "especially that girlfriend of yours, she's a really cutie".

"You mean Lizzy?" Lina stumbled over her words, "no, no she's not my girlfriend", she said defensively.

Ariel simply smirked in response, "Give it time", she extended her hand to the blue ranger, "good to meet you Lina Song, I'm sure we'll be see much more of each other in the future". Lina nodded, returning the shake enthusiastically. As she approached B Squad Lina thought about Ariel's words, she liked Z but did the yellow ranger feel the same way? The optimistic smile on Z's face as Lina approached gave some clue.

"Still here?" Bridge said in a dry tone, "and I was already filling your vacant spot mentally".

"You'd missed me and you know it Carson", Lina smirked, "but yes I'm still here, suspended for two weeks though", she added glumly.

"Well it's better than nothing", JJ smiled and threw his arm around his new team mate, "now it did come to our attention that you haven't been fully initiated into B Squad".

"An initiation ceremony, can't be as bad as the one Time Force put me through when I made pink ranger", Lina shrugged.

"Bridge is going to feed you warm toast-", JJ began.

"Warm buttery toast", the red ranger corrected.

"Yes whatever", JJ snapped, "Bridge will feed you warm buttery toast whilst Syd talks you through the finer point of colour co-ordinating your wardrobe".

Lina blinked for a couple of seconds with a blank expression, "I stand corrected, that sounds horrific". A look of annoyance flashed over the pink ranger's face before she aimed a playful slap at Bridge's arm.

"Don't worry about them", Z interlocked her arm with Lina's, "I protect you from those nasty people".

"My hero", Lina said warmly, drawing a deep blush from the yellow ranger, "already team lead the way but I warn you, I have a very high tolerance for toast". Z and the rest of B Squad led her away towards their quarters and a broad smile flashed over Lina's face. For the first time at SPD, not even Time Force, she had finally found a place to call home.