Part IV

"Premier Dutch has given me complete authority to deal with the coming crisis," Vice President Garson spoke to Commander Walsh and Dr. Nagata. "That is what this meeting is about, to discuss strategy. And that is why we are all here to determine what course we must take next."

"I can understand Cain but why is he here?" Commander Walsh pointed at Wheiner. Only Wheiner and Cain were waiting for them in the room.

"BETA is under my sub committees' jurisdiction," Wheiner growled. "Despite your attempts to sabotage me I still have a lot of authority when it comes to military matters so don't you forget it!"

"Oh please! You're lucky we let you sit at the big kid's table after all the screw ups you've pulled Wheiner," Cain sneered.

"Can we get on with this meeting?" Dr. Nagata asked. "Or are we going to continue with petty bickering?"

"I agree," Garson nodded. "All right as you have all read from the reports the Series Five Rangers have dealt a major blow to the Queen of the Crown. But at a price. It seems that that last mission took a serious toll on their bodies as well."

"After what they have been through they are all lucky to be alive," Dr. Nagata said. "There's no choice but to allow Captain Foxx, Rangers Hartford and Niko at least a month off for compassionate leave. And Ranger Gooseman will need three months to recover."

"What do you mean? We can't afford those rangers to just take a vacation!" Wheiner snapped. "That will leave us more vulnerable than ever."

"It can't be helped," Garson said. "I don't like it any more than you do but to push them back into the field when they are not ready would be disastrous. They are our most valuable assets and we can't afford to lose them."

"Look I think the Series Five Program has been more than proven," Cain said. "It should be standard by now. Instead of only four Series Five Rangers we should have four dozen or so. Think of how much we can accomplish with rangers like them."

"I have to admit Cain has a point," Wheiner said. "Despite my personal issues with some members of Captain Foxx's team, they have been instrumental in proving the human race capable to the aliens in the League of Planets. We wouldn't have half the respect we do now if it wasn't for them."

"And it just kills you, doesn't it Wheiner?" Walsh challenged. "Especially with a Supertrooper proving himself to be a valuable member of the team.

"Not that you didn't have a hand in that didn't you Walsh?" Cain smirked.

"Yes Walsh you've trained your pet well," Wheiner sneered. "It's uncanny isn't it how Gooseman so willingly follows your commands. Obedience to you must be ingrained in his DNA."

"Hmm, I've been meaning to follow up on those tests Walsh," Garson frowned. "They suggest that Gooseman's bio-defenses are evolving. I don't like the sound of that."

"I think a tame Supertrooper is the least of our worries for now," Cain pointed out. "That last mission the Series Five Rangers dealt a serious blow to the Queen of the Crown. In addition to blowing up both her space gun and her cloning operation, they took out half the palace, wrecked Mind Net and stole back Eliza Foxx's crystal. The only crystal she had made from a human. Fifty will get you a hundred she is not going to take that lying down. We're already getting reports of curfews and mass arrests on Tortuna. It's only a matter of time before she will be ready to get revenge on Earth again."

"He's right," Walsh agreed. "We have to be prepared for the worst."

"All the more reason to step up the Series Five Program," Cain added.

"Maybe we should break up Captain Foxx's team and have them overseeing other ranger units?" Wheiner asked. "Except for Gooseman of course."

"Not a good idea," Cain spoke up. "I'd like to keep an eye on them in one place. And they are a good team. Separating them would only cause more headaches in the future."

"All right," Garson nodded. "Walsh, I'm going to select a few candidates for a Series Five Team of my own. Inform Q-Ball that he will be expected to work on five to seven implants within a week."

"You already have some people in mind?" Walsh raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," Garson smiled. "These individuals will be perfect for the job they have to do."

"That's also because you want this next batch of Series Five Rangers to be a bit more, how shall we say…? Controllable?" Cain asked.

"You perceive correctly Cain," Garson said. "Captain Foxx's team is far too loyal for Commander Walsh for my own taste." Walsh stiffened at that but said nothing.

"In that case I'd like to suggest a candidate of my own to assist you," Cain put forth a data pad with information on it. "Now I know your first instinct will be to dismiss him but I can assure you he will work perfectly in your team. I mean we are going for an improved copy of Foxx's Rangers after all. It makes sense to have a psychic on your team if we can't get a Supertrooper. At least for the moment anyway."

"Well since that is out of the question a psychic does make sense," Garson thought. "But I don't think I should put one of your people on. Besides I have a psychic candidate of my own."

"You both have psychics?" Walsh was stunned.

"You aren't the only one that knows how to recruit people," Cain raised an eyebrow. "Now onto new business. What's happening in Tortuna. We're getting reports from our spies and informants that the Crown has been very busy since the Rangers encountered them. They've been arresting people left and right and set a severe curfew on Tortuna City. Not that it's been doing them much good."

"Yes there have been more reports of Kilbane and the other escaped Supertroopers running amok in the Crown Empire blowing things up," Wheiner snorted. "Who would have thought those escaped rejects would have done some good after all."

"Let's not forget those escaped rejects are still dangerous," Garson pointed out. "They could turn on Earth again just as quickly. However, I must admit considering the situation they are a low priority."

"As long as they stay on Tortuna and away from Earth," Dr. Nagata said.

"We have to prepare ourselves for the Queen's next attack," Walsh said. "She's our most dangerous opponent."

Little did Walsh realize how wrong he was.