Heart of Innocence
A ranger has the Heart of Innocence; and with it the power of immortal life... A power that a new evil is desperate to get their hands on...
Chapter Six
Spencer walked slowly towards the front door, knowing eh should at least give Andrew a few seconds of just being glad to be home before he dropped a very large bombshell on him. The first thing he heard however was not his Hartford Senior's voice, but Hartford Junior's.
"That was brilliant Dad! The way you figured out that trap door was there! Are there any other Mayan pyramids we can go look at?"
"Mack! Mack. We've just got home! Don't you want a few days of rest and relaxation before we go trotting off all over the globe again?" Laughter could clearly be heard in Andrew's voice as he addressed his son.
"Who needs to relax when we could be off having an adventure?" Mack responded.
"Me. That's who! Now go unpack. I'm going to find Spencer to tell him we're back."
"Because you're assuming he doesn't already know."
Andrew just laughed at that and Spencer heard one set of footsteps ascending the stairs whilst another walked towards him, where he was hidden by a turn in the corridor. As Andrew approached he decided to let his presence be known.
"I'm afraid Master Mack was correct, sir. I did already know you had returned."
"Argh! Spencer!"
"Yes sir?"
"Don't do that! You really shouldn't sneak up on people."
"Excusing your pardon sir, but I wasn't sneaking." Spencer said huffily.
"Alright well, try to not do that again, okay? You almost gave me a heart attack."
"Nonsense sir."
Andrew chuckled "Have you enjoyed your little break from us? I notice the geraniums are flourishing nicely in the front garden."
"Yes, they are. And I'd appreciate very much if you or Master Mack did not do anything that would cause them to stop flourishing."
"Spencer, are you suggesting that Mack or I-"
"As much as I'd like to discuss what you do that affects my geraniums I'm afraid we don't have time sir. There is an urgent response call waiting for you."
Andrew frowned "An urgent call? From who?"
"A Dr. Thomas Oliver. He said you would know what it was about and that you were to call him as soon as possible."
"Thomas Oliver..." Andrew muttered to himself, looking slightly distracted "Tommy Oliver? Spencer, do you have the number?" he continued, his voice suddenly brisk and business-like.
"Of course sir." Spencer replied, watching Andrew carefully.
"Then set up the call."
Less then two minutes later, Andrew was staring at the strained face of Dr. Tommy Oliver.
"Dr. Oliver, how can I be of assistance?"
"I need to speak to you about a matter of great urgency and importance." Tommy began but his eyes flickered to where Spencer was standing in the background "In private."
"Whatever you need to say can be said in front of Spencer Dr. Oliver. I trust him with my life."
"How about other people's lives?" Tommy shot back. "People you care about, family for instance? Or complete strangers?"
"In a heartbeat." Andrew responded, a slight edge to his voice.
Tommy nodded, some of the tension relaxing from his face "Good. What we need to discuss is a series of attacks that has been happening to rangers and their allies."
"Attacks?"
Tommy nodded again "Yes. So far we know of one deceased victim and one attacked, but I haven't heard from a number of my ranger contacts, we could be looking at a much bigger threat here."
"Deceased victim?" Andrew said softly, his voice almost catching. When had he heard last from his rangers? Could it be one of them?
"Yes, the pink galaxy ranger, Kendrix, was killed by the same M.O. that a ranger ally, a ninja student called Marah was attacked. Marah survived but she's still in a critical condition. But like I said I haven't heard from a number of my sources, there could be other casualties or fatalities out there."
Andrew nodded, feeling terrible for the loss of a ranger – and also slightly guilty for feeling relieved that it wasn't one of his own. Turning slightly he addressed Spencer quietly before turning back to Tommy.
"Contact the rangers, find out there whereabouts and then get them here." Spencer nodded and rushed off to another console "o we have any idea who's behind this? What they want?"
Tommy shook his head "At the minute we barely have enough information to get a good description of whoever it is."
Andrew nodded, thinking to himself. Seeing a flashing light on his console his frown deepened suddenly. "Dr. Oliver would you mind going on hold for a minute?"
"Hold?" Tommy looked baffled "You want to put me on hold?"
"Yes, just for a moment. I have another call waiting that I think may help with this."
Tommy frowned, not looking convinced but before he could object further Andrew continued "As soon as you and I had finished talking I had intended to ring someone and get their opinion on this. I find it highly coincidental that she is ringing me out of the blue as we are talking about this. I assure you if it is not for anything related to this crisis I shall send them my apologies and return to you immediately. If not then we may have some more information on our hands."
"Very well." Tommy conceded, hoping he hadn't just lost another ranger some valuable time. His screen went blank for a few minutes, giving Tommy time to think. All in all, Andrew Hartford didn't seem like a bad choice as a mentor for a ranger team. He had heard good things about the Operation Overdrive team and he hoped they would be able to help in this latest ranger crisis. And that none of his rangers would turn out to be another victim...
Tommy's screen suddenly sprang to life and Tommy was greeted by the very serious and grim expression of Andrew Hartford.
"I don't want to say this next information over a channel. Can we meet?"
