A/N: Without much further ado, here's the long awaited chapter two. I'm going to be a little bit more frequent with my work here and hopefully everything will pick up from there, so here's to many more chapters in the near future (hopefully)!

Chapter 2: The Message

Terra woke up at seven in the morning because of the holographic projector. Its emerald light filled the darkness of her room. Terra's weary eyes could feel the brightness of the beams. She exhaled and turned herself over. She thought that her night of sleep went faster than expected.

Terra's hair was in tangles. It was as disorganized as white sheets that she wrapped herself under every night. Terra was wearing a pink nightgown which flowed all the way down to her shins. She chipped a couple bits of crust away from her eyes and let out a yawn.

It was hard for Terra to keep her eyes wide open. Every inch of her body was sore and heavy. The shoulders drooped, and Terra was half-tempted to sink back into her soft white mattress. The springs of her bed were loose, but good enough. Terra was able to sleep easy at night anyway.

Terra turned towards the holo projector. The time was on display. 7:00 am. Terra thought that maybe she forgot to set the alarm correctly, or probably pressed one too many buttons on the device that tripled as an alarm, schedule, and calendar. Terra laid down in her bed. She was on her back, staring at the ceiling fan that revolved around and around with a rush of cool air reaching Terra's face.

"You have a message from Headquarters."

Terra sat right back up. Her tiny mattress creaked from her movements. She frantically looked around her room. Terra twirled her hair with two fingers and bit her bottom lip. In her mind, she cursed herself out in her native tongue. Where did she put them? Terra hoped that she didn't get into a bad habit. Suddenly, she remembered that they were in her closet. Yes, she hung them up there yesterday.

Terra walked over to a metal door. It had a panel with two yellow buttons that glowed in the dark. Terra pressed one of the buttons and watched as the metal closet door slid open, slowing pulling itself into a slot. A row of clothes were hanging on the inside. For one last time, Terra turned back towards the holo projector as she shuffled through her wardrobe.

A shield was slowly rotating on the surface of the projector. It had three points at the top. Eagle's wings wrapped themselves around the shield from behind, making their way to the front. They partially covered the glitzy "E" and "F" that were diagonal from one another in the center of the emblem. This was the symbol of the Elite Force.

"Would you like me to play the message?" asked a female monotone voice. "It was specifically designed to be delivered to you."

Terra nodded while scratching her disheveled hair.

"Yes please," she said quietly.

"You are required to report to Commander Dunham's office at 0800 hours," said the holoprojector.

Terra nodded as she continued to shuffle through a row of clothes on plastic hangers.

"For purpose am I needed?" she asked.

"That information is unknown," continued the voice. "I am only required to deliver this message to you. Inquiries may be brought up to Commander Dunham and any other authorized personnel when the time is right."

"I understand." Terra smiled. She found what she was looking for. She pulled out two uniforms and laid them out on top of her mattress. One uniform was a black with silver buttons. This was the formal wear of the Elite Force. Another uniform was made out of a different type of fabric, one better suited for the battlefield. The combat uniform of the Elite Force was the most crucial element of an officer's wardrobe.

"Linda," said Terra, "Which uniform am I to wear? The commander is very strict on the requirements of our attire."

"The Commander prefers the formal attire," Linda answered, "But would like you to still prepare for duty at 9:00 am."

"Thank you." Terra walked over to the sole window in her small bedroom. She pulled the strings at her sill and allowed the blinds to come up. Rays of sunlight were starting to come through. The morning star was yet to be over the horizon.

"This morning is so beautiful," Terra whispered.

"The weather is supposed to be 85 degrees farenheit."

"That is good. Linda, where I am from, we don't even have a moon. Do you know that?"

"I'm very familiar with your place of origin due to the data in the systems of the Elite Force and Space Patrol Delta."

"Do you know how it feels to be without something more then?"

"I cannot comprehend the emotions of non-machines. Machines themselves do not have emotions to understand."

"Is there anything else I need to know, Linda?"

"Remember to report to Commander Dunham's quarters at 0800 hours." said Linda.

"I will be sure not to be tardy."

The green light of the holoprojector disappeared. The Elite Force emblem turned into a thin beam of light. It spread itself horizontally, flattening into the darkness. Terra continued to stare outside her window for a few more minutes. She was sure to bring along her Elite Force pin when she changed and briskly walked out of her home.

Headquarters

The day Terra first met Commander Dunham was still vivid in her memory. Terra was nineteen years old when she first saw him extend his hand. Commander Dunham's kind blue eyes beamed at her on that first day. When she returned the grip and clasped her fingers around Commander Dunham's, a smile formed on his fair skinned face.

"We're glad to have you here," Commander Dunham said. "And I know that you'll do a great job."

Terra remembered her parents saying that she had to make sure to accept such a gesture.

"It is how they say hello," Terra's mother said. "It would be rude not to shake their hand in return."

Once Terra was welcomed by Commander Dunham and wore the Elite Force uniform for the first time, Terra started to grin a lot more herself. She hardly smiled before during her life here. Smiles were very rare in Delta City to begin with. Whenever Terra was on the western side of town, all she really focused on were the eyes of others around her. They weren't as kind as Commander Dunham's. Each gaze was fixed on her in a way that caused her gut to become wrenched and her chest to burn like fire.

People were probably staring at her bronze skin. It glowed brighter than anyone else's on this planet. Her hair had the same type of sheen, being more of a copper than regular brunette brown. Both of Terra's eyes were like large golden coins, with pupils shaped like diamonds. Her cheek bones were overly sculpted and her walk almost fairy like. She glided on her feet.

Sometimes, Terra could hear the whispers of onlookers thanks to her pointed ears. Not a single secret escaped her. She had enhanced hearing that only seemed to help make her feel worse on the inside.

"Don't look at her," Terra remembered a woman telling her child. "You don't know what she could do to you. Honey, stop staring or else they'll cause trouble..."

Before joining the Elite Force, Terra had few reasons to smile. However, once Terra started putting on the uniform, life changed. For the first time ever, the Elite Force had an officer who wasn't born on planet Earth. Terra, an alien from a planet of natural healers, was a symbol of hope for unity. Her face made it all over the news. Every news anchor on every local TV station could only say one thing about Terra during reports of her joining the Elite Force; She had a lovely smile.

The smile was fixed on her face this morning as she walked down the halls of Elite Force Headquarters. It was 0752 hours and the corridors of the building were quiet. They were made out of reinforced steel for security and protection. Architects had the organization's safety in mind. Everyone in the building felt pretty safe.

As Terra walked down the hall to Commander Dunham's office, she passed by a couple Elite Force officers. They were humans wearing their combat uniforms. Both seemed to be prepared for morning duty rounds through the city. Terra could hear their hushed conversation as she walked past both of them.

"They have us going to East Side," one of the officers said.

The other one cursed under his breath. "You think they're trying to get us sick or killed?" he muttered.

"Probably both," the first officer scoffed. "I'm surprised she hasn't gotten us sick yet."

"Yeah," the other officer responded. "That's a good thing. I know Dunham means well, but he can't trust everybody."

"You're right. I don't trust her. She's nothing but a-"

Terra stopped listened to the conversation. She stared at the floor and caused her jaw-which was very much like a human's-to clench. Her smile faded.

When Terra reached the Commander's door, she saw three officers standing outside. They were wearing their formal uniforms, complete with their Elite Force badges. Terra joined them and saluted. It was a sign of respect to peers.

"I'm glad to know that I'm not alone," she said, "Did you receive the message as well?" She received no answer.

One of the officers was staring at the wall across the hall from the group. His eyes turned towards Terra. He had a stern look on his face, which added a fierceness to his muscular, six foot frame. Terra went to class with seen this officer. He was easily the best fighter in all of the Elite Force and went by the name of Rudy Torres.

Torres seemed to sneer at Terra before looking straight ahead. There were rumors of him being a guy who didn't like much of anyone, so Terra didn't take his reaction to her personally. She joined the line and waited with the group.

The other two officers were people Terra had never met before. There was a girl with short blonde hair that was styled into what Terra came to know as a "pixie." She had freckles on her cheeks and bright blue eyes just like Commander Dunham's. The girl was much shorter than her two male companions, and even stood at a shorter height than Terra. Still, it looked like she was pretty tough.

Every once in a while, Terra would see the other boy from a distance. He was a rookie that had just graduated from the recent class, but quickly rose up the ranks. Rumors went around saying that he was the best marksman in all of the Elite Force.

The group continued to waited in the corridor. When the clock hit 0800 hours, a woman in a white lab coat came out of Commander Dunham's office. She was an African-American woman with hair somewhat similar to the short blonde's. The woman was wearing high heels that clicked with every step that she took. She was holding an electronic pad made out of glass. This was Dr. Kea Jackson, the head technology specialist for the Elite Force.

"Good," said Dr. Jackson. "You're all on time. As you were, officers, you technically have rank over me, so don't make me feel out of place, please. Thank you. Just to clarify, I need to make sure you're the correct officers. May you please state your names and rank...?" She pointed at Torres with a silver touchscreen pen that she pulled out of one of her coat pockets. "Let's start with you."

Torres saluted Dr. Jackson and stood up straight.

"Sergeant Rudy Torres," he said.

"Good..." Dr. Jackson pressed the tip of her touchscreen pen against the electronic pad's surface. "Please, do not salute me."

Dr. Jackson went to the girl with the pixie while Torres relaxed himself and sneered behind her back. The blonde girl smirked at Dr. Jackson and gave her a tiny wave.

"Yo," she said. "Does a wave work for you?"

"A wave is just fine," Dr. Jackson said, "As long as you give me your name."

"Sergeant Diana Cottrill."

"Thanks. And you?" Dr. Jackson gestured at the marksman.

"Sergeant Clark Hargans," he answered.

Terra was next. She felt herself slouching and straightened herself up.

"Medical Officer Terra Wright," she said. Neither the first or the last name were her real name, but it was hard to pronounce the identity that she carried with her from her home planet. Terra's entire family decided that it was best to find a last name for them to adopt and use for their time on Earth.

Dr. Jackson nodded after hearing Terra say her name and pressed the tip of her pen against touchscreen of her pad. "Who doesn't know you by now Terra?" she said. " You're the only alien to have ever joined the Elite Force. Follow me please."

Everyone walked into Commander Dunham's quarters. Dr. Jackson walked towards a red leather chair. It had its back to the officers. The blinds in the office were open. The sun was shining brightly in the sky, having just fully risen.

Dr. Jackson tapped the chair. "They're here Commander," she said.

"Thank you." The leather chair spun around and sitting on it was the founder and Commander of the Elite Force, Marcus Dunham. He had graying brown hair and a plethora of badges on his Elite Force uniform. There were golden cuff links on his sleeves, and a signet ring on his left hand. He interlocked every finger and rested his elbows on the surface of his wooden desk.

All four officers saluted Commander Dunham. There was no shortage of respect for what Dunahm had done for the city. He was hailed by many as a man with a vision to change the world around him. Even aliens sang praises of Dunham. Terra would usually hear them in cafes and in parks talking about the "kind, blue-eyed human" who took the time to make sure they were safe from all harm.

"As you were," Commander Dunham said. His voice was deep, calm, and full of control. He didn't have to demand respect from anybody. He simply showed he deserved it. Dunham stood up from his chair and walked towards the officers. They had all put their arms down and found themselves being merely inches away from their superior. Commander Dunham continued to speak as he walked down the line.

"I'm calling you in here to let you know something about our mission here at the Elite Force," he said. "When you walked through the door and enlisted into the service, our ideals were the first thing that you saw. They were on a large display behind the front desk, between two mantle pieces that bore our organization's image. You remember what our motto is."

Commander Dunham stopped in front of Terra. She tried to stare straight ahead, but it was difficult not to see Dunham when he was in her line of vision. His blue eyes were like piercing swords. There was something different about him. Terra couldn't feel any warmth.

"To join the Elite Force is protect the citizens of Delta City," Dunham said. "And you four define that more than anybody else in the organization. You're the best of the best. I couldn't ask for more talented recruits."

Terra peeked out the corner of her eye. There was a sense of satisfaction sweeping over all of the officers. Torres had a smirk on his face that he couldn't quite hide, while Cottrill's eyebrows were raised with a brightness in her brow. Clark stayed stone-faced.

"We need officers like you to be examples of what is means to be elite," Commander Dunham said, "And we need you more than ever."

Commander Dunham turned away from the officer and went back to his desk. He pressed a large red button that was in the corner of his desk and a computer keypad emerged from inside the desk. Dunham's fingers quickly typed on the keyboard as a holographic display screen came in the middle of the room. The female voice of Linda, the A.I. assistant of the Elite Force, echoed through the room.

"Voice command activated," it said.

"Linda," Dunham said. "Please pull up case file 0089X, full-screen."

An image appeared. It caused Terra's stomach to sink. Terra's large, cat-like eyes widened. One of her hands nearly covered her mouth in horror. She kept it pressed against her chest. Her fingernails dug right into the part where her heart was at.

Dr. Jackson looked away and closed her eyes. She even turned her attention to her electronic pad, pressing different parts of the screen while breathing deeply. Commander Dunham seemed unphased, but Terra could tell he was affected by the photograph. His jaw-his human jaw-was clenched. He decided not to face the case file.

The other cadets were clearly rattled by the image as well. Torres brow became tense. Cottrill dabbed at her blue eyes with her sleeve. Clark, emotionless through the whole meeting, allowed his bottom lip to tremble.

"This was found by officers called to a scene last night," he said. "It's being heavily investigated and was already on the news this morning...It was difficult telling the families about the loss of their loved ones." He shook his head and ran his hand down his face. "You can close the case file now, Linda."

"Command obeyed." Terra felt her whole body relax as the picture faded away.

"In the most grisly of ways," Commander Dunham said, "We know that this is a message. It's a message that the Haven of Freedom has returned."

The team became quieter beyond imagination. Everyone knew who the Haven of Freedom was. Five years ago, they had almost destroyed the world, but were stopped by the Elite Force themselves. The heroism of the Force's officers on that day saved the city and the world. At the same time, though, it caused a rift between humans and aliens.

"None of us felt that they were powerful enough to make an impact," Commander Dunham said, "But they did. We thought that they were gone, but now, they want to cause more damage."

"I say we go after them then," Torres said. "I say we find them, take them down, and end this once and for all. Give them our own message, sir. With all due respect."

Cottrill grinned and pointed at Torres. "After only knowing this guy for, like, fifteen minutes," she said, "I have to say I really like him! Let's get 'em!"

"You guys should know better," Hargans snapped. "This isn't a joke or contest! We can't go out recklessly and gun for revenge!"

"Did you not see that?" Torres said while pointing at the empty space where the graphic image used to be. "These monsters don't stop. Not even after five years! They think that they can go out, put their mark on some brick wall, and do...that to innocent people? No way, I'm not allowing that to happen again."

"So you're going to do something stupid?" Hargans said. "Great, give people a reason to think we're just as bad as them-"

"That's enough."

Dunham had raised his voice. Without giving much of an effort, he caused the officers to get it. "You don't even know each other all that well and I can already see potential problems. We can't afford to argue amongst ourselves."

"Commander Dunham's right." Dr. Jackson walked towards the keyboard and started typing in a few keys of her own. "If you're going to go after the Haven of Freedom, you have to do it together as a team. That's why you've been called here."

"A team?" Cottrill asked. "You want four regular officers to be a team? I mean, we usually go out in big numbers. Four people can't take on a group that nearly blew up the world."

"You won't be four regular people," Commander Dunham said. "A lot changes over time. We have just the tools necessary to help us take down the Haven for good. You four are the source of that solution."

"How so?" Terra asked.

"I think it would be better to show you," Dr. Jackson answered. "Linda, please open the Eagle Project."

"Command obeyed."

A new hologram came up on the screen. All four officers marveled at the sight of an individual dressed in helmet with a black opaque mask, a suit, boots, and gloves. An Elite Force badge was pinned to the torso, and the figure held a laser blaster in its right hand.

"Officers," said Commander Dunham. "From this day forward, consider yourselves to be power rangers."