Chapter 6 – There Ain't No Turning Back
October 2 2002 – Turtle Cove, WA
Inside a local coffee shop, two women collected their takeaway drinks and picked their way through the busy crowd. One of the women, a blonde, glared when someone bumped into her, spilling a small amount of her drink over the top of the plastic lid. The brunette woman gently tugged on her friend's arm and pulled her outside before she could start an argument, "Easy Taylor, you don't need to go all commando on the guy", the brunette stated.
"You don't spill an airman's coffee Jen", Taylor replied, "that's the golden rule for survival in the Air Force".
On the surface Jen Scotts and Taylor Earhardt seemed like two people that wouldn't get along. Both of them had a no nonsense attitude that rubbed some people the wrong way and they should've clashed repeated with each other. Instead there was a mutual respect between the Pink Time Force and the Yellow Wild Force rangers. After their meeting during the Mut-Org incident a few weeks ago, the pair had become fast friends. Most of their conversations usually involved Eric Myers and Taylor's frustration with the Quantum Ranger. Jen was still surprised that Taylor and Eric had hooked up, all they seemed to do was bicker with each other.
With Cole away with the other red rangers, Taylor was in temporary charge of the Wild Force rangers. Her first decree was that someone needed to backup the team as they were a member short and Jen was the first person she thought of. Since her two senior field officers were away and business was quiet, the Pink Time Force Ranger quickly agreed.
The pair had walked some distance away from the coffee shop and with Taylor's temper seemingly back under control, Jen took the opportunity to resume their earlier conversation, "So what do you think the mighty red rangers are up to?" she asked.
Taylor snorted, "A tin can full of men, probably drinking beer and watching sports". The pair reached a bench and took a seat, "I dunno, hopefully nothing stupid", the yellow ranger added.
"Is that a possibility, I mean this is a serious mission", Jen replied.
"You've met Eric right", Taylor raised an eyebrow before turning her attention to her coffee, "I don't think she put caramel in my latte", she grumbled.
Jen placed her hand on Taylor's wrist and slowly lowered the coffee cup, "Taylor I know it's early but can you think about something other than coffee", Taylor grumbled and reluctantly placed the lid back on her cup. Satisfied that her friend's attention was back on their conversation Jen continued, "Are you worried about Cole?"
"That big lug survived a plane crash as a kid and has lived in a jungle, I think he'll survive a few days away from Earth". Jen frowned at Taylor, "Alright yes I'm worried about him", the yellow ranger placed her coffee cup on the floor, "Cole isn't like us Jen, he hasn't been hardened by the world".
"I'm not sure where you're going with this", Jen stated.
"Don't get me wrong, he's a tough fighter but he's too naive about the modern world", Taylor paused for a moment, "he's far too trusting and I'm worried that without us, he'll get led astray". The yellow ranger bent down, grabbed her cup and took a quick drink, "We've had Hexagon sniffing around us again".
Jen stiffened slightly at the mention of the ranger organisation, "And?"
"None of us are really opposed but at the same time we're a little indifferent", Taylor began, "personally I think it could help my career and they've offered to pay Alyssa's college fees", Taylor's voice began to trail off.
"You know our stance but don't let that cloud your judgement", Jen replied, "if you think it'll help you then do it but you need to agree as a team".
"And that's what I'm worried about", Taylor sighed, "Cole's all for it and I think they could use this separation as an excuse to get him to sign the contract".
Jen nodded slowly, "He seemed to have a good head on his shoulders, I'm sure he won't do anything rash", she gave Taylor a small smile in an attempt to reassure the yellow ranger. Their conversation was interrupted by a buzzing sound from Jen's morpher. The two women stood up immediately and found a quiet spot to answer the call. When Jen did, she got a nasty surprise, "Wes?" she asked, "what happened to your face?"
On the holographic image Jen could see a huge plaster on the left side of Wes's shape. She could also see some bruising under his eye, "Hey Taylor, good to see you again".
"Don't change the subject Wesley Collins", Jen snapped.
The Red Time Force Ranger bit his lip before answering, "There was a bit of an incident".
Taylor groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose, "Is Eric there with you?" Wes nodded in confirmation. The yellow ranger grabbed Jen's wrist and moved the morpher in front of her face, "Eric Myers get your ass on this communicator right now". There was a brief pause before Eric's face appeared and he was in a worst state than Wes. He had a huge black eye that was so swollen that his eye was almost closed, "Holy shit Eric you look awful", she exclaimed.
"You should see the other guy", Eric shrugged nonchalantly.
Jen manoeuvred her head into line with her morpher, "There better be a really good story behind this", she began, "if there isn't then tell Wes he's sleeping on the sofa for the next month". The pair could see Eric visibly gulp and they instantly knew they weren't going to like this story.
Astro Megaship
In his quarters Jason was counting the cost of the brawl in the mirror. The cuts and bruises would soon heal thanks to accelerated ranger healing but that wasn't his main concern. He pulled his lips apart and poked his tongue into a gap where one of his teeth used to be, "Give TJ some credit, he has a powerful punch", he heard Tommy joke from the doorway.
"This isn't funny", Jason replied, "I don't know what's bruised more, my face or my ego".
Tommy shook his head and closed the door behind him. The Red Zeo Ranger grabbed a chair and took a seat, "This isn't like you Jason, you're temper's been getting worse over the last few months".
The original red ranger leaned on the sink for support and stared at the floor, "Only months", he began, "it feels like so much longer". He reluctantly sat down on his bed and made sure that he didn't look at Tommy, "I've not been sleeping well".
"You're not the only one", Tommy stated but Jason quickly waived him away.
"This has been going on for a while", Jason sighed and reached under his bed. He found a bottle of pills and tossed them at his best friend, "They're the strongest I can get but even they've stopped helping".
"Sleeping pills", Tommy frowned, "how long have you been taking these for?"
"Pretty much since the beginning", Jason replied, not offering any further explanation.
"The beginning of what?" Tommy probed, "beginning of the year", Jason shook his head. Suddenly Tommy realised what Jason was trying to say, "Since you became a ranger?" his friend nodded, "That's nearly ten years bro". Tommy looked at the bottle in his hand and then at Jason, "Why didn't you tell us?"
"That the mighty red ranger couldn't sleep at night due to his horrific nightmares", Jason snorted, "probably due to male pride to begin with. As each year passed, it gradually became harder until I almost forgot what it was like before the dreams started".
"But we could've helped you", Tommy pleaded. The Red Zeo Ranger too had been plagued with many sleepless nights and he knew that Kat still had the occasional ranger related nightmare. Both of them chose to focus on themselves and their son rather than let the nightmares consume them.
"No you couldn't", Jason spat back, "I was meant to be the strong one, the leader. I couldn't burden everyone else with this when they were dealing with their own shit".
There was a very loud silence in the room for a few moments as Tommy tried to process this information, "Why tell me now?" he said with a quiet whisper.
Jason leaned back and looked at Tommy for the first time, "Because I think I've hit rock bottom", he began, "Leo was right, Zordon would be appalled with our behaviour".
"We're all just as guilty for that fight", Tommy tried to reassure Jason.
"But I just had to stir the pot didn't I", Jason cried, "I know that Andros is sensitive about his sister, TJ thinks we look down on him and Eric is a highly combustible person but still I kept kicking that hornet's nest". Silence again descended on the room as Jason held his head in his hands, "Maybe this is what I needed, hitting the bottom like this".
"Don't worry bro, we'll be there for you every step of the way", he reached over and clasped his friend on the shoulder.
"Thanks man", Jason gave him a weak smile, "do you think they'll forgive me".
"Probably", Tommy began, "Andros and TJ will, can't speak for Eric though".
Jason nodded, "I don't really hate them, in fact I'm a little envious", Tommy frowned so he continued, "Andros got what he wanted, he found Karone and made a new home for himself, TJ's extremely successful on Karovia and Eric's such a driven person that he's achieved all the goals he set himself before reaching 25".
"Even if his method was questionable?" Tommy asked.
"Nothing honourable about the monsters we face", he shrugged, "and he's proven himself on more than one occasion". Tommy nodded and the pair fell into silence again but this time it was a little bit more comfortable. For the first time in a while, Jason could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
In the adjoining quarters Carter was using the video link to talk with Phil Spader back on Earth, "How are things today Carter?" the executive asked.
"Pretty quiet sir", he replied, "Leo took control of the situation and confined those involved in the fight to their quarters. Myself, Leo, Aurico and Cole have been doing some strategic planning in preparation for the assault tomorrow".
Spader nodded slowly, "And how is Mr Evans dealing with the situation".
Carter sighed, "I won't lie sir, he's a little overwhelmed with everything".
That comment drew a loud sigh from Spader and he leaned back in his chair, "I'm going to be honest with you here Carter I'm concerned, in fact the entire board is concerned". That comment hung in the air but the Red Lightspeed Ranger didn't respond, "You're fortunate that this happened away from the spotlight and no immediate action could be taken. The foolish actions of your fellow rangers could've lost us a valuable opportunity".
"Serpenterra will be destroyed Sir", Carter said firmly.
"That's not what I'm talking about", Spader frowned, "this could've cost us the chance to add the Wild Force Ranger to our roster". Cater frowned at the comment, feeling that he was slightly missing the point of this mission but he decided that Spader was in a foul enough mood already and kept silent. "Cole Evans is an idealist", Spader continued, "he sees the world in black and white. Watching a group of supposed good guys fighting over their petty differences is not going to convince him to sign the contract".
"What if we showed him that he's important", Carter quickly interjected, "one of TJ's complaints is that the old guys overlooked him and his team when the Turbo Rangers started out".
Spader moved towards the screen, "Go on".
"We're going to vote on the squad leader tomorrow", Carter continued, "if I can convince the others that Cole is the right person for the job, it'll show him that it doesn't matter how experienced you are, you can still make a difference".
There was a brief moment of silence as Spader thought about this. A broad grin eventually appeared on his face, "That's brilliant Carter, have you ever thought about a career in politics". Carter stiffly shook his head, "We might just be able to salvage this after all, report back after the meeting tomorrow".
The line went dead and Carter rubbed his face in a mixture of frustration and relief. Life was so much easier when his orders were simple to follow and didn't involve engaging in subterfuge and a psychological game of chess. He would be extremely happy once this mission was over and he could return to the relatively quiet world of the Fire Department. He stood up quickly and headed for the bridge, the sooner a plan was in place, the quicker he could go home.
A/N - Oh Carter, you're being played like a fiddle aren't you. Now Jason's situation, it surprises me that there are very few stories that touch on PTSD or similar conditions. The rangers are strong but it doesn't change the fact they were kids when they first took up the power. I've attempted to incorporate some of that in this chapter and I'll be honest, I'm satisfied with how it turned out but not overly happy, I just couldn't think of a way to make it better.