2: Shaken
Set in: "Kick Into Overdrive II"
It was getting quite comfortable.
There were things, Rose thought, that you can always get used to. She had just been part of a spandex-clad team wielding all kinds of super-weapons that seemed to materialise out of thin air, that had just saved the entire city from being destroyed by a volcano, but now… she was cool with it. Immersed in all that technology, all that wonderful detail and information in Overdrive headquarters… she felt quite at home.
She looked to Ronnie beside her – her eyes were glazed with wonder as she stared at their vehicles on the screen, and Rose could've sworn she was drooling. "It's kind of unfortunate Mack won't be able to use all of this," she murmured.
"Yeah," Rose said. "He was pretty good today as Red Ranger."
Will made a noise of assent from her other side. His eyes – gleaming, intelligent, calculating – were constantly roaming the room, taking in everything they possibly could. He was trying desperately to hide his suspicion, Rose could see – she hadn't expected anything else. Being a former spy and safecracker, he was probably their single biggest asset, and also their biggest weak spot.
Dax was wandering around headquarters aimlessly, a huge grin splitting his face and his eyes sparking with delight, like a child at a new amusement park. Rose fought the urge to roll her eyes.
Once again, she looked to the screen and closed her eyes as that beautiful feeling washed through her again. Despite the suddenness of everything that had happened – the calling, the genetic powers, the weapons and the alien villains – everything and everybody was like what she had predicted, calculated. The technology, the detail… the perfect blend of myth, science and power… it was wonderful…
An alarm that resounded through the room broke her out of her thoughts.
"Guys," Ronnie said, "I think that's our signal. We've got to go."
Rose nodded, opened her eyes, turned around and… nearly bumped into him.
A pair of eyes of startling intensity were… were looking at… her, and they… they… belonged to him… Myriad emotions were flitting through them… on display like a lovely kaleidoscope… she fancied a bit of sadness, a hint of regret… interspersed with delight that knew no bounds…
"Rose? Hey, you coming?"
She blinked. "I believe that's 'are you coming', Mr. Lo," she said automatically.
He grinned sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. "Erm… sorry." He turned around. "We should be going."
She followed him, that wonderful feeling inexplicably shattered, shaken.
She suspected it wasn't going to be the first time.