Power Rangers: Public Enemies
Chapter 1: The Ranger Act of 2011
Do I remember what happened that day? I sure do. Matter of fact, all I have to do to remind me of that day is look at that kid of mine. He was born on that very day, don't you know. October 9, 2011. I'm sure you've read about this in those text books of yours, but the truth is, there's more to that day then what the textbooks say…
"So,"-Taylor paces around the empty lot- "I did it."
"I'm not surprised you registered first out of all the Rangers,"-says Carter- "You beat me to it. I registered this very morning."
"It's my duty as an American,"-she says- "I will do what the Government tells me to do, no questions."
"Good,"-Carter nods his head- "I mean… you know."
"Hard to believe, huh?"-Taylor leans back on the street lamp- "Seven months ago, this was Little Windjig."
"Yep,"-Carter nods his head, and places his hands into his pockets- "President Sears sure did a number on the economy. Most tent cities are things of the past now."
"Ugh, don't remind me of those times,"-Taylor says, disgusted- "I still have nightmares over what happened at Haiti's Daughter."
"I remember too,"-Carter thought back to that awful riot that occurred in the tent city of Haiti's Daughter- "Not my favorite memory."
"Thank God for George Sears,"-Taylor says- "Otherwise, that would still be going on."
"You know that they are planning on rebuilding Angel Grove?'-Carter states.
"I support that decision"-Taylor smiles- "When George Sears runs for President again, he has my vote."
"Mine too,"-Carter laughs.
"I wouldn't have given away my Morpher to any other President but him,"-she says.
"I know the feeling,"-says Carter- "I feel like I can trust the guy."
"Oh! What day is it?'-Taylor asks.
"It's October 2,"-Carter replies.
I remember that day, really clearly. See, my grandma passed away five weeks before that, and she seemed really happy seeing a President that actually served the people. She had been bitter with the government since Nixon, you see. Well, anyway, when I think of that day, I think of Grandma…
"I just can't,"-says Ethan- "And I think I shouldn't have to be obligated to sign up!"
"But Ethan, be reasonable!"-Conner pleads- "I mean… what harm comes from it?"
"Conner, the three of us saved the world!"-Ethan argues- "Why does the Government come around, telling us we have to give up our identities as Rangers, huh? I mean, we don't owe them! They owe us! And what they owe us is a chance to live peaceful lives! Lives without scrutiny…"
"Wow, Ethan,"-Kira says- 'When you put it that way…"
"But Ethan,"-Conner says- "Remember how bad shit was back in 2010? We couldn't do a thing. All that ended with Sears as president. It's thanks to him that the people can finally breathe in a sigh a relief."
"Maybe,"-Ethan says- "But my mind is made up. I'm not registering. The two of you can register if you want, I won't stop you. But I'm not going."
"Maybe I should register,"-Kira says- "I worked my ass off to get my career to where it is today. It survived 2010. I won't allow this Ranger Act to destroy it."
"What makes you think the Ranger Act will destroy your career?'-Conner asks.
"Well, it's just,"-Kira says- "The Overdrive Rangers know my identity. I have a feeling each of them will register. I mean, they HAVE to, everyone knows who they are! When they register, the Government may ask them if they know any other Rangers that have not yet registered. Guess what comes next."
"Shit,"-Ethan buries his head in his hands. His watch reads October 4, 2011.
Oh yeah, see, my wife was giving labor on that day. Yep, she went to work, as usual, that very morning. The fact that she was nine months pregnant, and the baby was a bit overdue, did not deter her in the slightest. Anyway, there I was, in the waiting room, pacing back and forth like a dummy! Ha ha ha, it was quite a funny sight, really. Anyway, I allowed myself a distraction, so I watched the news…
"We are all registering,"-Mack tells his fellow Overdrive teammates.
"Mack…"-Will starts- "I hate the idea."
"You're not the only one, Will,"-Mack says- "But we have no choice!"
"My big directorial debut tanked,"-says Dax- "And it's all because people keep accusing me of being a traitor. I keep trying to reason with everybody! But no one will see my film… they all say I'm in cahoots with Lord Zedd and Osama bin Laden!"
"My latest paper got turned down,"-Rose adds- "They said 'we do not need the opinions of a traitorous swine as yourself'. Mack… it hurts."
"Everyone booed at me last race,"-Ronny says- "I didn't even drive that day… It just hurt too much… I'm with you, Mack!"
"Tomorrow afternoon, right before lunch, the Overdrive Rangers will all register!"-Mack says, holding his fiancée, Rose Ortiz. Inside his mind, however, there was doubt. The calendar reads October 5, 2011.
You know, I never took the Power Rangers as bad guys before. I mean, when I was a kid, I looked up to them. I even dressed up as the Red Ranger for Halloween of 1995! I turned 18 in September 19, 2005. But after… you know, I counted October 9, 2011 as the day my childhood finally ended. No, it's more like the day my childhood finally died…
"So… We finally have the famous Overdrive team, registering?"-General Wade Miles says- "About time, too. Why, you've had a whole week to register!"
"Sorry sir, but,"-Mack says- "I… we wanted it to be a team decision."
"There was no decision to be made, boy,"-Wade Miles says- "It was either register or register. No second options."
"With all due respect, sir,"-Mack keeps himself composed- "The Government has asked a lot from the Power Rangers."
"Really?"-asks General Wade- "Because, far as I'm concerned, we're letting you off the hook. Why, back in World War One, we made Germany pay for everything that happened, God knowing they deserved it!"
"Sir,"-Mack is angry now- "The Treaty of Versailles led to Hitler, and with that, World War 2!"
"Are you saying the Government is making a mistake?'-General Miles looks at Mack darkly- "Because, to be frank, you are the ones that forced millions into starvation. Ha, what with your recklessness and all."
"We…"-Mack could not defend himself.
"Listen, do you know how many Rangers have registered until now?"-The General looms over the young adult- "We have the entire Wild Force and Lightspeed teams. We also have two or three other individuals. And finally, yourselves. Now, I'm just as well informed about the Power Rangers as anyone else is. That means I know for a fact that we are missing several Rangers."
Mack did not like where this was going. He gulps, and begins to sweat. The General grips the young adult's shoulder, and says- "Be a good American, and tell me. Who's missing from this list, that you know of?"
The Calendar reads October 7, 2011. The doorbell rings. Theo and Lilly head to the door.
"Excuse me sir and madam. May I ask why you have not yet registered?"-Theo and Lilly gasp as they confront an Army Soldier and his heavily armed squad…