Chapter 8 – Do You Believe What You Hear?
August 16 2001 – The Clock Tower
Albert Collins had been discharged from Silver Hills General the previous day, stunning doctors and experts alike. Even the press were amazed by the speed of his recovery, several papers and news channels had already dusted off his obituary ready to use at a moment's notice. The news reporters were still camped outside the Collins Mansion, only this time they were confirming his good health,
"After reportedly being at death's door just a few days ago, Albert Collins looks in remarkable condition". The rangers were huddled around a small television in the main living area of the Clock Tower watching a broadcast from the city's local reporter. The image on screen showed Mr Collins walking across the ground of his home and waiving for the cameras, "Shares in BioLab rose significantly with news of his good health, leading some Wall Street experts to question the earlier medical reports that had been issued by the company".
"What a total bitch", Wes shook his head, "this isn't the first time she's run a shoddy report about our family and her daughter's just as bad".
"Some people will do anything for a story", Jen tried to soothe the red ranger.
"There's no word on when Mr Collins will return to work full time, however, we understand that his son and acting CEO Wesley has stepped down from that role".
"At least she got that right", Trip stated. Almost the second Mr Collins left hospital he had relieved Wes of his duties, much to the relief of the red ranger. Whilst he hadn't fared too badly in the role, Wes knew that he wasn't cut out to lead a company like BioLab just yet.
"I'm sure you'll join myself and the rest of the team in wishing Albert Collins a speedy recover. This is Caitlin Cornell for NBC News".
Lucas reached over and switched the television off, "Well that's enough of that", he clapped his hands together, "now who fancies some lunch?" he asked.
The others began to move off their chairs they heard a voice shout up the stairs, "Avon calling".
Katie looked at the others and frowned, "Is that Eric?" Moments later the Quantum Ranger's head appeared from the stairs, "Twice in one week Eric, we'll have to start charging you rent". It was then that she noticed a large orange and silver case in his hand, "Seems like you're eager to move in", she added.
"Ha ha very funny", Eric began, "a couple of my boys found this at the beach, thought you'd want to see it". He placed the case on the floor and showed them a logo that was printed on the side.
"That's the Time Force emblem", Trip stated, "but we cleared everything off the beach months ago".
"Maybe you forgot something", Eric replied, "it appears to be ticking as well", on the top of the case was a digital display that was counting down towards something. "I analysed it before bringing it here so I know it's not a bomb".
"Gee you do care after all", Jen gave him a small smile, "I know what this is, it's a time lock box".
"Sounds hard to say", Wes joked.
"Don't get smart Wes", the pink ranger replied, "only senior officials at Time Force can use these. They're programmed to open at precisely the right moment in time".
Lucas bent down and examined the case, "I've heard of these but I've never seen one, I wonder what's inside".
"Looks like you'll find out in about 10 minutes", Eric pointed at the display, "assuming you still display time the same way in the future".
The rangers from the future were about to reply but a buzzing from another case stopped them, "That's Time Force Command", Jen stated and immediately began to unload the communication device. Two small metal poles were placed on the nearest table and expanded. Moments later a face appeared between the poles and Jen gave him a salute, "Captain Logan", she stated.
"At ease Lieutenant Scotts", Captain Logan relied, "you too Cadets Kendall, Walker and Regis". Logan looked passed them towards the other two men in the room, "Good Mr Collins and Myers are present too, then we can get started".
"Are we in trouble Sir?" Trip asked nervously.
"Depends on your definition of trouble Cadet Regis", Captain Logan replied, "however, this briefing will be conducted by my superior officer". He looked off screen and called out, "Over to you Major".
"I didn't know that Logan had a superior", Katie whispered to the others, "not in our division anyway".
Moments later another man with slicked back dark hair appeared on screen. Everyone gasped for two reason, firstly he bore a remarkable resemblance to Wes and secondly, he was supposed to be dead, "Alex", the future rangers exclaimed.
"Hello team", he replied stiffly, "Jennifer", he added in the direction of the pink ranger. Wes glanced across at Jen and she was looking a little shaky on her feet.
"Great now there's two of them", Eric broke the mood with his sarcastic comment.
"Hello Eric", Alex rolled his eyes, "I take it you found the box I left on the beach".
"That you left behind", Wes said, "have you been here in 2001?" Alex nodded his head, "wait a sec, did you heal my father?"
"I did but I explain my reasons another time", Alex began, "I've been reading the reports and comparing them against events that happened in the year 2001. Unfortunately the time streams around that era have become muddled due to the presence of Time Force. I was about to return myself to try and fix the damage when a time locked message reactivated in our archives".
Alex looked offscreen and another screen appeared above the one he was on, "This message will be recorded in three days time, however, I can play you its contents as it won't affect events in the future. It might be easier to see it for yourself rather than have me try to explain them".
The image flickered and showed Jen sitting inside the Clock Tower, "This is Lieutenant Jennifer Scotts, ID number 023485. Due to an infection suffered by myself and my team, I am forced to activate protocol D51. Please make all necessary arrangement for permanent relocation to the twenty first century". The Jen on screen paused for a moment and wiped her eyes, "In accordance with Time Force protocol, this message will be time locked until August 10 3000". She stopped again but this time leaned forward and switched off the camera.
The rangers from the future were stunned into silence by the message and all of them stared vacantly at the screen. "Sorry to break the silence again", Eric began, "but what is protocol D51?"
"In the event of contracting an illness that is extinct in the future, the officer in question will be permanently quarantined to the time period they are in", Alex recited off the top of his head, "I'm sorry but we can't risk you bringing back something that could endanger the population of the future".
"But we've been cured", Katie had a few tears forming in her eyes, of the rangers from the future she was the one that missed the future the most, "surely this is some kind of mistake".
"It's not", Jen replied with a small voice, "it's one of the fundamental principles of Time Force. With everything that's happened in the last few days, I completely forgot about it".
"This is why all officers receive boost to their immune system before time travelling. This would've been prevented if you had followed protocol", Alex added with no emotion in his voice. The yellow ranger bit her lip, trying to fight the tears back. She couldn't hold them back though and moments later she ran out of the room, closely followed by Lucas and Trip.
Wes frowned at the man who shared his appearance, "That was a little harsh man, you could at least show some compassion for your staff".
"You think that I don't care", Alex replied, "I've lost four of my best officers and now I've got to explain to their families why they won't be coming back. This isn't a walk in the park for me either".
"Well you could've fooled me", Wes snapped.
"Can we not have this argument right now", Jen rubbed her temples before turning towards Wes and Eric, "can you give us a couple of minutes". The pair reluctantly nodded and stepped onto the balcony that overlooked the city. Jen took a deep breath, "Alex how are you alive, I thought that Ransik killed you?"
"He did", Alex replied, "fortunately the doctors were able to use a healing cube on me but I was outside the usual time restrictions. It was touch and go for a few days but eventually I began to improve. By this point you and the others had already followed Ransik through time".
The pink ranger glanced to the floor and took a few moments to gather her thoughts, "Why didn't you tell me that you were still alive?"
Alex stiffened up for a moment before answering, "Time Force Command decided that you and the others would be more motivated to catch Ransik if you thought I was dead", there was a momentary pause, "and I agreed with them". The silence in the room was deafening as Jen looked away from the screen and took a couple of paces away from the screen, "The cases contains supplies for everyone to start a new life in 2001 along with something for Wes and Eric". Jen still couldn't make eye contact with Alex and stood with her arms folded, "I'll come and issue everyone with their final orders in three days time". Sensing that Jen wasn't going to say anything else, Alex turned off the communicator.
For a few moments Jen stared at the vacant space where Alex's face had been. She didn't know how to react initially but she eventually settled for sweeping the poles off the table in a fit of anger. She leaned on the table, still not sure whether to be furious or break down in tears. "Geez that guy was stone cold", she heard Eric's voice from the other side of the room, "and people call me an asshole".
The pink ranger glared at Eric for a few moments before breaking into a loud chuckle. Moments later the tears began to fall down her cheeks. Wes stepped forward and enveloped her in a tight hug, "Don't worry Jen, everything will be alright".
"How do you know that Wes?" Jen said between bouts of tears, "We've been marooned a thousand years in the past".
"I don't really know", the red ranger whispered, "I just have a feeling".
The pair held each other for a couple of minutes, much to the discomfort of Eric. Suddenly their attention was drawn towards the suitcase when it made a loud clicking noise, "I forgot all about that", Jen wiped her damp face with the sleeve of her jacket.
"Let's see what gifts Mr Stone Cold gave you", Eric crouched down and opened the case. Inside were bundles of papers, along with twenty first century passports, driving licenses and birth certificates, "Looks like you're set up for life", the Quantum Ranger began, "even got some high school transcripts and college degrees. They look pretty authentic as well".
"That's because they are", Jen sniffed, "the national records office has technically reissued old style documents. All we need to do is find a way to input them into the system here and everything will be legal". She took her new birth certificate from Eric and chuckled, "As far as anyone's concerned Jennifer Erin Scotts was born on January 4 1980 and has lived in Washington State all her life".
Internally, Wes was full of conflicting emotions. He was secretly happy that Jen and the others wouldn't have to return to the future but all of them were completely devastated about having to leave their home behind. He remembered that leaving home to go to Prep School was hard enough but he couldn't imagine having to live in a different century. Just then he noticed a folded piece of paper inside the case, "Eric can you pass me that note".
The Quantum Ranger complied and watched as Wes read the note, "What does it say?" he asked.
"Dear Mr Collins and Mr Myers", Wes began to read, "due to your diligent service for Time Force in the most extraordinary of circumstances, you have been officially appointed as Time Force Cadets. Please find enclosed your uniforms and badges". Eric looked a little closer and found a zip in the fabric of the case. Inside were two white uniforms, identical to the ones the other rangers had. There were also two pairs of sunglasses with red tinted lenses and a couple of Time Force Badges. Wes's looked the same as the others but Eric's had a red painted background.
"Now this I wasn't expecting", Jen said, "I wonder why Alex did this?"
"I dunno but I look forward to having a few words with him when he arrives", Eric looked at the uniform with a confused expression, "I'd better be going, my unit were expecting me back by now". He folded the uniform up and placed the badge in his pocket.
Once he had left, Wes and Jen were all alone in the main living area. An uncomfortable silence hung in the air, "So what we going to do now?" Wes asked and for once Jen didn't have an answer. They were going to need some time to process all of these revelations.
A/N – Well that's going to shake things up. Alex is an interesting character and I wouldn't mind exploring it in more detail but that won't happen in this story. Three more chapters to go...