Mike was sitting with Mentor Ji, who was pacing the room, speaking on his cell phone. Mike had his hands clasped as he watched hit mentor hopefully.
"I understand that it is late, but this is very important." Mentor Ji said to the person at the other end. It was starting to get a little late, and he knew what he was asking for was a big favour to ask at short notice. He just hoped that his friendship with the person on the other end would be enough. He was a little unsure about Mike's idea for the celebration of Emily's graduation, but he could see how important it was to Mike, and knew that the Green Ranger was not to be swayed when he believed in something. "I understand. Thank you very much."
As he hung up, Mike tried to gauge his reaction. Mentor Ji just smiled.
"Some friends of mine will be around first thing in the morning." He told Mike with a smile. "I had to call in some favours, but we should be able to do as you asked."
"YES!" Mike called out excitedly as he leapt off the couch. He rushed over and threw his arms around Mentor Ji, hugging him excitedly, before realising what he had done and backed off a little with an awkward cough.
"Yeah, um...I meant...thanks." He stammered out.
"Aw, isn't that cute?" Emily teased him, announcing the fact she and Mia had returned. Seeing the frame tucked under her arm, it seemed like they had just managed to get to the store in time before it closed. "Look Mia, they're finally getting along!"
"Very amusing Emily." Mentor Ji said a little coldly as he walked away into his study. "If you'll excuse me, I need to put in a very important call to Reefside before bed time. Don't stay up too late, you all have a big day tomorrow."
"We won't." Mia assured him, watching him go. She knew that Mentor Ji had been working on some kind of quest ever since she found those notes in his study. Daisuke had told her something of the legend of kasamune, and she had guessed that was what he was trying to track down. She still wasn't sure why he hadn't asked the Rangers for help, or even why he hadn't even told them about it, after all if there was a weapon out there that would help them in the war against the Nichlocks, shouldn't they be helping?
"Mia, can you help me find somewhere to hang this?" Emily asked her. Mia finally cleared her head as she realised that Emily was talking to her.
"Sure." She replied. "I think we need to wait till tomorrow to start hammering picture hooks into the wall, but I guess we can at least figure out where to put it."
As they left, Mike smiled as he watched her go. Antonio and Kevin came into the room, having finished some prep work for the following day's barbecue party. They found Mike grinning like a Cheshire cat, and almost bouncing with excitement.
"You look a little like Emily there." Kevin chuckled. "What happened? Did Mentor Ji agree to buy you a video game or something?"
"I just can't wait for tomorrow." He told them. "Um...can you guys keep a secret until then?"
"No problem dude." Antonio assured him with a smile, realising Mike had to have something big planned. "What's going on?"
"Come with me." He told them. "Trust me, tomorrow we're going to have to scrape Emily off the ceiling if I pull this off."
Over on the Kensington Estate, Serena was running as hard as she could. The guards had been careful not to do anything that would affect her ability to run too much, but a few heavy kicks to her ribs had left her with some injuries that constantly nagged on her as she ran. Every step hurt as she made her way for the cover of the tree line as quickly as she could.
Frederick watched her through his binoculars as he and the hunt party waited for the signal.
"That's it." He told the hunt party as he put away his binoculars. He pulled out a shotgun and elevated it, firing a shot into the air. "We're off!"
Serena froze for a moment as she heard the shot. She had to remind herself that they were armed with shotguns, and that it would be impossible for them to be in range to hit her by now. Turning, she saw the stake and realised that she had reached the start point. As she looked back to the estate, she could see horses starting to ride out. The shot was obviously the signal for the hunt to begin.
Turning back, she began running into the tree line, finally making it into cover. She knew that it wouldn't hide her for long. Not since she was lo-jacked by that damned collar Frederick had put on her.
"Serena." She heard Hayley's voice in her ear. "Serena, are you clear?"
"Well it's nice of you to finally get back to me!" Serena stated sarcastically. She twirled her collar around, inspecting it for some way to try and remove it. The leather was buckled in place, but she cursed as her fingers found a padlock. "Where the hell have you been?"
"Sorry, I was just pulling up some satellite images of the estate. Hacking into NASA isn't exactly easy." Hayley told her. "I also finally managed to find the original plans to Kensington Manor. It took so long because it isn't on database. I had to have someone fax over the hard copy from National Archives and create the schematic myself..."
"Hayley, as fascinating as all this is, we're kind of on a truncated timetable here!" Serena reminded her as she started to move off again. She didn't want to remain one pace for too long. She started to pull at the collar to no avail. The leather was far too strong for her to tear or break. If she wanted it off, she needed to find something to cut it off with. "They're tracking me with some kind of GPS system."
"Really?" Hayley asked her. "Can't you just take off the device?"
"Gee, I wish I'd thought of that!" Serena scoffed. "Unless you have anything useful to say, I should probably keep my breath for running."
"That's not going to help." Hayley told her. "The estate's almost two miles across in each direction, over wooded, rough ground. Unless you can outrun horses..."
"Something useful?" Serena suggested.
"You said you're being tracked through GPS right?" Hayley asked her.
"Yeah." Serena answered. "Frederick said it's got a range of fifty feet. I don't think he has any reason to lie, they want an entertaining hunt."
"I'm trying to trace your signal." Hayley told her. "If I manage to overlay it with the signal from your earwig...Bingo!"
"What?" Serena asked as she looked around. By now, some of the hunters had reached the tree line and were starting to search the woods for her.
"I have a fix on your position." Hayley told her. "I integrated it with the map. I can now guide you through the estate."
"Now we're talking." Serena said, finally feeling like something was beginning to turn in her favour. "So how far..."
"You'll never make it to the edge of the estate." Hayley told her. "It's way too far out."
"Who said anything about the edge of the estate?" Serena asked her. "Michael's still in there."
"Serena, you can't help him. Not with all those guys looking for you." Hayley told her. "You can send the cops when you get away."
"Even if I do escape, they'd have buried him by the time the cops arrive." Serena rushed out. "I have an idea. Guide me back to the mansion."
"The mansion?" Hayley asked her. "Uh...as in the mansion where all those guys with guns are?"
"As in where there're weapons and places to hide." Serena replied. "If he's telling the truth about the GPS, it has a range of fifty feet. Inside the mansion it'll mean next to nothing!"
"Not to mention I doubt the Kensingtons will be happy with their guests shooting up their home and millions of dollars worth of art." Hayley answered, realising her idea. "Not bad."
"Just, try and get me back to the house." Serena told her. "If there are any routes with cover, that would be appreciated."
"Alright, just follow my lead..."
"Hold on Hayley!" Serena whispered as she heard someone coming close. She looked around for a weapon, finding none. She picked up a couple of handfuls of dust, and hid behind a tree as she saw two huntsmen searching for her. They had abandoned their horses because of the terrain.
"The signal says she's around here somewhere." One of them said, hefting his shotgun.
"She's close, I can feel it." Another replied, walking around with his shotgun across his shoulders, kicking some leaves. Serena watched for a moment as they started to look around, sweeping the area. Seizing her opportunity, she leapt from her hiding spot, launching some dust into the first hunter's face.
As he collapsed to the ground, clutching his eyes, she took up his gun. She threw some dust into the other hunter's face before he could get a shot off, and brought the butt of the shotgun into his face with a satisfying crunch. She swung around, kicking the other in the head, putting him down on the ground. They were both out for the count.
Realising the shotgun was pretty much useless; she placed it on the ground. Using it would only attract attention to her position, and the collar was doing that enough as it was.
"Alright Hayley, go ahead." Serena stated, searching each of the men for something more useful as a weapon. A club of some description, or preferably a knife, but unfortunately neither of them had anything on them other than cash, cigars, and extra shells for their shotguns. She just abandoned them, realising there was nothing of note. "Which way?"
"Head south." Hayley told her. "At the south end, there's a hedge maze that will provide great cover between the tree-line and some out-buildings."
"Thanks Hayley." Serena replied, checking the position of the sun and running off. "I'll keep you posted."
"I'll do the same." Hayley replied. "Meanwhile, I'll see if I can turn things in your favour."
"How?" Serena asked.
"Trust me, it'll only take longer if I try and explain." Hayley replied.
"Fine, then shut up and work." Serena answered.
"I thought you might say that." Hayley sighed. "I'll let you know if something comes up."
Back at the Shiba House, Jayden finally made his way back into the house. The lights were all out, suggesting everyone was already in bed.
He made his way into the main room, heading towards the bedroom, but as he got there, he found Mentor Ji sitting there in front of a table with a couple of large candles lit the only light in the room. There was a bottle of whisky there, and two glasses. Mentor Ji poured himself a glass.
"It isn't like you to be gone so long." Mentor Ji commented. "You never called."
"It's late." Jayden answered, gesturing towards his room. "I should..."
"Sit." Mentor Ji instructed him. He sighed and took a seat with Mentor Ji, who started to pour him a glass. He shoved it towards The Red Ranger.
"I'd rather not..."
"You have already been drinking." He announced. "Do not deny it. I can smell it."
"I may have stopped by a bar." Jayden replied. "I am over 21."
"I doubt a couple more will do any harm." Mentor Ji stated, gesturing to the glass. Jayden picked up his glass, taking a sip. "Now more than ever, it is imperative we stay in contact. Going off alone is unadvisable at best, but to be gone for so long without contact..."
"Right, call home." Jayden interrupted him. "Lesson learned. I got it."
"Jayden!" He barked as the Red Ranger started to get up, pointing for him to sit again. Jayden did as he was told, realising that Mentor Ji was far from happy with his behaviour. "Emily graduated today."
"She did?" He asked Mentor Ji.
"A fact you would have been aware of if you had been here." Mentor Ji chastised him. "Tomorrow, we are having a celebration. I expect you to be there."
"Whatever." Jayden muttered. He realised that he had missed an important event for one of his team. Being so far from her family, Emily pretty much relied on the Rangers for moments like this. He hated to think that she had experienced that without him.
"Antonio is making progress with the Black Box." Mentor Ji told him. "Kevin and Mike were working hard on their technique..."
"I get it alright?" Jayden snapped. "I screwed up. I just...needed some space."
"Something is troubling you." Mentor Ji sighed. "This isn't like you Jayden."
The Red Ranger finished his glass and poured another. He was troubled by what was happening to him. It wasn't as though he asked for this. He knew what was expected of him. He knew that he had duties that he needed to perform. He didn't know how he would explain things to Mentor Ji.
"I have raised you almost your entire life." Mentor Ji reminded him. "If there is something you need to talk about..."
"No, really." Jayden replied curtly. "Sorry I went off the radar today. I just needed space to think about things."
"Sometimes thoughts are best sorted out if shared." Mentor Ji reminded him. "I am always here, but if you cannot speak with me, then you know the others..."
"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll be fine." Jayden assured him. Mentor Ji just sighed and shook his head as he realised he was getting nowhere. He just finished his glass, and then got up.
"We're getting up early tomorrow. There's something we need to sort out for Emily's celebration." Mentor Ji told him. "I expect all of us to be there tomorrow. That is non-negotiable. Tomorrow is about Emily."
"I'll be there." Jayden assured him as he turned and left. Mentor Ji didn't bother to tell him to clean up, that much was understood.
Jayden put the bottle away in the liquor cabinet, and the glasses away in the sink, before taking a deep breath. He hated this situation. He needed space; he needed to get away from the problem. Being so close to Antonio was just making it harder for him. If he could just spend a while away from them until he got used to ignoring his own feelings, then he would be able to get through it. Unfortunately, he needed to be there for Emily, he was also Antonio's room-mate. Looking to the bedroom door, he couldn't bring himself to go inside, where he knew Antonio would already be sleeping.
Looking out a blanket, he went to the couch and lay down to sleep.
Back at the Kensington Estate, Serena had finally made her way round to the south side of the woods. It had been a long trek, and she had encountered another hunter, taking him down quietly before setting his horse loose. It would draw attention with the noise, and besides, as far as she was concerned, they were innocent. The hunters had paid for the privilege of being here. They knew what they were doing. The horses only did what the riders instructed them to. She couldn't bring herself to harm the horses.
She got to the edge of the tree line, and saw the hedge maze a few feet ahead of her. Out in the grounds, she only really had the hunters to worry about. In the house, she also had guards to consider, but she was still convinced that in the house, the range of the tracking device would make it next to useless to the hunters.
She saw some gardening tools near the maze. As she waited for the nearest guard to disappear from view, she ran over, stopping by the tools. She quickly picked up a shovel before heading into the maze.
"Alright Hayley, talk to me." She told her.
"The maze is pretty basic." She told her. Serena followed Hayley's instructions for the maze, trusting her to be her eye in the sky so to speak.
"How's your idea working out?" Serena asked.
"With any luck, I should have some very good news for you shortly." Hayley replied as she heard a bleep. "That's IT!"
"OK, what?" Serena asked.
"Your GPS is connected to handsets the hunters are carrying right?" Hayley asked her. "I reversed the signal."
"You can see where they are!" Serena said with a smile. "Hayley, that's brilliant!"
"There are twenty one signals, meaning twenty one hunters. They're all in the woods, heading south. Given their speed, I'd say they've all abandoned the horses."
"They haven't figured out I'm heading for the house yet." Serena replied. "That gives me a little time."
As a guard came to the entrance to the maze, Serena swing the shovel, connecting with his face with a loud, metallic clang. She dragged him into the maze where he wouldn't be seen, and searched him, finding nothing of note.
"Sorry for the interruption." Serena commented. "How close are they?"
"Not close enough." Hayley assured her. "Check for guards, and you're clear to go."
Serena took a look around and sprinted between two out-buildings, keeping out of view. As she got close to the house, she saw the two guards she had injured in the earlier escape attempt busying themselves by a jeep that was up on a jack.
It was about thirty feet; she needed to move quickly but quietly. She hugged the wall as she drew close, finding the one with the bruised face working with a tyre brace, changing a wheel. She ran up to him, smacking the jack out from under the jeep, dropping it on his foot.
As he howled in pain, she grabbed the tyre brace from his hand, and smashed him in the jaw, knocking him out. The other guard came hobbling around, pulling out a knife.
"You!" He growled, seeing her. As she saw him reach for what looked like a radio, she brought the tyre brace down across his wrist, breaking it. She snatched up his knife, and drove it into his right buttock, causing him to fall to the ground in agony.
"Now both sides match!" She stated, kicking him in the face, knocking him unconscious. "Dick!"
Discarding the tyre brace, she took the knife and opened the back door, finding herself in the kitchen.
"Hayley, I'm in." She told her.
"Alright, I've had a look at the Kensingtons' employee records." Hayley replied. "There are at least a dozen listed as guards..."
"You can count three down." Serena told her.
"All I'm saying is be careful." Hayley replied. "I can't track the guards, only the hunters. You need to find a way around them."
"It's alright; I have an idea about that." Serena assured her with a smile as she moved through to another room, seeing something that triggered her memory.
"Care to share?" Hayley asked her.
"Let's just say something Frederick said gave me an idea." Serena replied.