Bridge Burning Part 2
January 29 1998 – Agency HQ
A few days after the Zeo and Turbo Rangers battle against General Bara, the key figures in Project Turbo gathered at Agency Headquarters in Angel Grove. Seated at the round table were Captain Mitchell, head of the agency and overall leader of Project Turbo. To his left were Angela Fairweather, primary scientist and Billy Cranston, nominated mentor and head of research and development. Finally there was Aimi Miyamoto, Xander McBride and Trini Kwan, agency agents and ranger liaisons.
"Thank you all for coming today", Captain Mitchell began formally, "it's been brought to my attention that not everyone is happy with how Project Turbo has been run so I've gathered you all here today to give you my proposal for the future". After the fight with General Bara, Captain Mitchell had been chewed out by Tommy Oliver and Jason Lee Scott, two former team leaders regarding the command structure. The Turbo Rangers had largely agreed with the veteran rangers assessment, further condemning the Captain.
"If I may speak freely", Trini began, "I wouldn't necessarily see it as a criticism of your leadership". She paused before delivering the next part, "However the team have noticed the extra work that's been piled onto Billy by your absences from Project Turbo".
Captain Mitchell nodded in agreement, "Unfortunately my duties as agency head has dragged me away from the rangers more than I'd like and I don't think that's going to change in the near future". He took a quick drink from a glass of water that was beside him, "The agency along with NASADA and the GSA has been given the roles of co-ordinating the Terra Venture project by the White House".
"So the rumours are true", Xander began, "the government does plan on moving everyone out of Angel Grove".
"Not immediately", Mitchell replied, "we've been charged with looking at the logistics of the project and that's taking up most of my time". He paused briefly before continuing, "That's why I've decided to step down from Project Ranger". Everyone immediately began firing questions at the Captain at the same time. He raised his hands to quieten everyone down, "If you'd let me continue", he bellowed and immediately everyone went silent, "I acknowledge that I've placed an unfair workload on Billy. So as of today all ranger development will be handled by Miss Fairweather and Billy will take my place as the head of Project Turbo. He will still report to me but everything ranger related will now go through Billy first".
Billy was momentarily stunned into silence but he was able to splutter his thanks. "I know this will be a big adjustment for them so please support them wherever you can", Captain Mitchell added. He then turned to the three agents, "Now onto you three", he began.
"Before you continue sir, there's something I want to say", Trini interrupted. "I've enjoyed my time here, however, I don't think the role of a agent is right for me. I know this may come as a surprise to everyone but I'm going to resign effective immediately". Billy's head whipped around and looked at his girlfriend, she half met his gaze and mouthed that they would talk later on.
"Well you're right this does come as a surprise Miss Kwan", Captain Mitchell began, "but far be it from me to keep you here against your will. He then turned his attention to Aimi and Xander, "Well I guess this will work with just the two of you. As you know there was a security breach at the Power Chamber and we still don't know the source. I'm taking you away from the ranger liaison positions and charging you with investigating where this breach came from". He handed over a couple of manila folders to the pair, "This is the initial research we've come up with so far, hopefully it'll give you a good base to begin your investigations".
"What about our cover jobs?" Aimi asked.
"I would like you continue with them, however, I would ask that you make this your priority", he responded. "I'm going to call on the junior agent program if needed to cover you at the High School Xander. I'm sure they can fix most issues remotely and any computer rebuilds can be done by them". He then turned to Aimi, "I've asked my daughter to cover at the Youth Center as a waitress if for some reason you're away and Cassie is away with the rangers".
"Seems like you've thought of everything Captain", Aimi replied.
"Unless anyone's got anything further to add, then this meeting is adjourned", Captain Mitchell waited for a reply but when no one spoke up, he called the meeting to a close.
As soon as everyone began to stand up, Billy immediately pulled Trini to one side, "That was a bit of bombshell", he began, "how come you didn't tell me about this?"
Trini sighed, "Well you've been so busy that I didn't really get a chance to speak with you, plus I only really decided for definite this morning. I thought it would be fun, being a secret agent but the reality is that I run a garage. I can't even remember the last time I did anything other than that".
"So what are you going to do now?" Billy asked.
"Not sure haven't thought about that, possibly look into going to college", she replied. "Even though I didn't enjoy the garage that much, I have discovered that I like running a business". She paused and took hold of Billy's hands, "whatever I choose to do, I want you to be a part of that. Don't think that because I've left the agency and the ranger business behind that I'm giving up on us".
Billy breathed a small sigh of relief, that thought had briefly crossed his mind, "Hopefully this new role will give me some more time to spend with you". Trini smiled and stretched up to give Billy a kiss, much to the amusement of the others in the room.
"Oi no frolicking in the secret base", Xander called out.
"I really won't miss your cheek McBride", Trini shouted back with a smile on her face. She then turned back to Billy, "Come on the others are still in town for one more day. Why don't we go and hang out at the Youth Center, it'll be like old times".
Billy smiled and led his girlfriend out of the meeting room. Once again it felt like everything was changing but he didn't mind that at all. He hoped that the changes that Captain Mitchell had made would lead to a positive change for the rangers. His real concern was the security breach, someone had discovered the location of the Power Chamber, hacked into the systems and disabled the security systems. Hopefully Aimi and Xander could catch whoever was responsible. But for now he resolved to push it to the back of his mind, he was going to enjoy a day out with his girlfriend and his best friends. Just like a normal teenager.