Chapter 7: Problems and Revelations

Note: Wow, we are rapidly approaching the end of the story and there are only I think two chapters left after this one. This sets up the final couple chapters which will change the lives of ever ranger on Earth.

It had been nearly eight months since baby Jason was born and three months since the Tommy, Taylor Wedding. Tommy, Taylor,

and Dickson were sitting in the Oliver family living room watching the Will Smith classic Independence Day when a knock was

heard at the door. When Taylor opened the door her mother embraced her. "It's over. I am now the Ex- Mrs. John Earheardt,"

Jane told Taylor as she was clutching to her daughter. "It's okay mom. You can stay in our guest room. Come in, there is someone I

think you should meet," Taylor told her mother before leading her into the living room.

When they got into the living room Tommy and Dickson were silent as they watched the movie. Tommy was sitting on the couch

while Dickson was nearly asleep in the recliner. "Mom, this is our friend Joe Dickson. Joe this is my mother Jane Potter," Taylor

introduced getting a small snore for her effort. Tommy let out a small chuckle while Jane stifled a laugh at the small snore. Taylor on

the other hand was annoyed with the situation. "Dear why didn't I meet him at the wedding?" Jane asked her daughter. "I had a

meeting on the day of the fitting, and during the wedding I was on assignment," Dickson said giving a small yawn and stretching his

limbs. "Are you in the military? Is that why you are on assignment?" Jane asked nicely. "I work for a top secret government agency

in charge of policing dangerous aliens here on planet earth," Dickson said to the women getting Tommy to explode into a fit of

laughter. "No, seriously I am military, General Joseph Dickson at your service ma'am," Dickson said extending his hand to the

older, Taylor looking woman. As Jane took his hand she had one more question to ask. "Aren't you awful young to be a General?"

Jane asked Dickson skeptically. "I'm forty-eight ma'am. I know I look young but, I guess that is part of my charm," Dickson told

the woman in front of him. "I bet your wife is a happy woman then," Jane said noticing the ring on Dickson's left hand. Jane wasn't

expecting to hear a sigh from one of the men responsible for fixing up her daughter's house. "My wife and unborn son were lost

over twenty years ago ma'am. Son died, wife is in a coma," Dickson told Jane getting a sad look from the group. Obviously none of

them knew of what the man in front of them. "How did they die?" Jane finally asked not liking how the situation was going while

putting her arms around her stomach. "That information is classified," Dickson told her getting a curious look from Tommy and an

outright pissed off look from Taylor. "Mom Tommy and I have an announcement and we think you need to sit down," Taylor said a

little too impatiant for Dickson or Tommy's liking.

Jane consented however before talking. "You're not pregnant again are you Taylor?" Jane asked almost giddy about another

grandchild. "No mom, Tommy and I only started having unprotected sex again this morning in the shower while Joe was fixing

breakfast," At Taylor's statement Tommy turned bright red and hid his face in his hands once again embarrassed while Jane and Joe

let out chuckles at Tommy's expense. "No mom, Tommy and I were Power Rangers. I was Yellow Eagle in Wild Force and

Tommy is known as Black Christmas," Jane was at first shocked by this revelation but then the look of shock was replaced with

one of curiosity before she turned to Tommy. "Black Christmas?" Jane asked causing Tommy to groan and hide his head between

his knees. "Tommy boy here was Original Green Dragon where he was limited in power by a morpher; then he was White Tiger

where he continually fought with his talking sword and flipped his Tiger Zord onto it's back during battle; then he was White Falcon

where he got cocky with a warrior priestess and was nearly killed; then there was Zeo Ranger Five, Red in which he thought it

would be fun to sit in a back room of the Power Chamber and do bad things with a certain busty Pink Ranger; then he was Red

Turbo where he was constantly arguing with his new mentor; finally there was Black Braccio from which he was made invisible,

fossilized, and put in a coma. Put the color's together you get the Black Christmas Tree Ranger," Dickson said which made the two

women burst out laughing and Tommy get a look of sheer horror written all over his face. "Ladies and gentleman! The Greatest

Ranger to ever live, Black Christmas Tommy Oliver!" Dickson announced in his best announcer's voice causing the women to laugh

even harder and leaving Tommy wanting to crawl into a whole and never come out.

After a few minutes Taylor composed herself before looking at Dickson. "Okay, your turn, spill," Taylor told Dickson sternly.

Dickson took his best military posture before answering. "General Joseph Dickson, registry 3941-BK-Alpha. Creator, Field

Commander, and Fleet Leader of the Black Knights Armada and Ground Forces. Our primary objective, Protect the Earth Realms.

Current Project, Psychotic Campaign which is gathering forces to defend my earth from a war. Why am I here, I'm on vacation,"

Dickson said getting a wide eyed response from the group. Dickson then sat down before continuing. "I come here because all my

friends are alive and well Taylor. In my realm my team is dead, Jason is dead, Kat's a widow her daughter fatherless, my daughter

is engaged, my parents are dead, My best friend's eldest son is dead, my wife is in a coma, my son is dead, my daughter's mother is

dead, My biological father is dead, my alliance is preparing for a war that is bound to leave much of the universe in ruins. I need a

break and so I come here where before now no one knew who I was or what my job is. Loss is part of our jobs. However even

we who live in war need a break," Dickson told the stunned people. Tommy was in shock at that fact Jason could be dead. Taylor

was proud she got her answers but a little upset at herself for prying. However everything was finally starting to hit Jane pretty hard

as to the combined company she was sharing and she started feeling completely overwhelmed. "Ms. Potter would you like some

tea? I stowed a box of Earl Gray in the cupboard when I came," Dickson asked kindly. "Yes please, that would be nice," Jane

responded with a smile. "Then we can all have tea and talk about how Tommy blew up an island!" Dickson chirped happily as he

waltzed into the kitchen leaving Tommy with a look of horror on his face yet again.

Later on after Tommy's embarrassment over tea and cookies Dickson was in the kitchen when Jane walked toward the kitchen

door to help. What she heard though was most troubling. "William, Billy said a month. Now is Genesis ready?" Dickson's voice

could be heard. "It is almost a month away. We will have it in orbit in twenty five days," The voice said back. "Now enjoy yourself.

It is your vacation, you shouldn't worry about work," The voice answered back. "My worry isn't for me. My worry is for the

rangers of this world and their families. Dickson out," Dickson told the person who obviously took that as an end of conversation

since she heard him once again beginning to clean. Jane decided she would tell the others after they were done cleaning and tell them

away from the General she was walking in to help.

Note: It is coming down to the nitty gritty folks. Two chapters remain. Enjoy.