Power Rangers: Public Enemies
Chapter 11: Heroes among us. Heroes among them.
The sun rose on the day of October 10th, 2011. Yesterday, the top news story was on the Power Rangers openly rebelling against the US Government. Reports of a dead soldier stir the passions of the nation. All across America, people wave flags in support of their Government, and their nation. Overnight, 'Power Ranger' has become synonymous with terrorist.
"Well… Momma, what do we do now?" Old man Jenkins of Silverfish, Florida, walks towards the fridge. The shaking of his hand has worsened thanks to the news of the Power Rangers. At 77 years of age, he is too old to be living in fear.
"Papa, come on. You need tea to calm those nerves." Mrs. Jenkins serves her husband some green tea. She turns her gaze away, so that her husband does not see the tear in her eye.
"I thought they were heroes, Momma." Mr. Jenkins begins to get teary eyed himself. "I didn't fight in no Vietnam war so that some kids in spandex can run around and ruin my country."
The elderly couple turn their gaze towards the portrait of a young man in uniform. Their eyes get misty. "And I didn't give this country my son, just so they can kneel over and let some Technicolor hooligans do as they please." Mr. Jenkins' eyes are full of tears, remembering the son he lost 20 years ago, during Operation Dessert Storm.
Meanwhile…
Cameron Watanabe drank his tea in a calm fashion. He was surrounded my several coffins. Inside those coffins were the bodies of those soldiers that came yesterday for him. No, they weren't dead.
"Hey, Cam. Uh, what do we do with… those?" Kapri seemed nervous being in the presence of the coffins.
"They will be returned once the Government remembers that this dojo is NOT within their jurisdiction." Cameron sips his tea.
"I can't believe we haven't remade the Ninja seal yet." Marah looks out the window. She fears another intrusion.
"The dark magic that Maximov used within these walls is yet to be undone. We still need another year." Cameron sips his tea again, calm as ever.
"What do we do when they come after us?" Kapri asks. Marah heads over to her sister, and sits next to her.
"We will need someplace to put all those coffins." Cameron sips his tea again. He hears a tapping coming from one of the coffins. He gives a subtle signal to Kapri.
"Ok. Ninja Art, Endless Sleep!" Kapri's jutsu releases a perfume within the coffin The tapping ceases.
"Aren't you glad I taught you the non lethal version of that technique?" Cam smirks, sipping his tea.
Over in Alabama…
"Well… no words, really…" Kenneth fixes his glasses as he stares at the grave of John Hill, the Power Ranger. He was deeply impressed by the words he had heard the night before.
"Dude, this dude… I mean…dude…" Arthur had always been more eloquent with his fists than his tongue. He places his hands in his pockets, thinking about the message left behind by the late, great John Hill and Yuri Patlov.
"You know… in many ways, we are always just repaying our debt to these guys." Jason kneels in front of the tomb, showing his respects. "I mean, John and Yuri gave their LIVES for this Earth! So… we are always making sure their sacrifice was worthwhile…by saving it time and again."
"Is that so?" Bella does the sign of the cross, having finished her prayer for the souls of the two dead men. "I guess you're right. I mean, it'd suck if I gave my life to save this planet, only for it to be destroyed a little while afterward."
"Yeah, that could ruin your day." Wind gives a tiny giggle, for which she quickly apologized for.
"Hey guys, I've been thinking." Kenneth wipes the sweat off his brow. "We need to separate for a while. I mean, six people traveling together could raise a LOT of suspicion."
"I agree." Echo communicates telepathically to all the rangers. "Jason, I believe it is best if you take Blaise and Wind with you. You three can pass for a couple of high school students and their escort. Bella can take Arthur and Kenneth, and pass off for a trio of college kids going on a simple road trip."
"Good idea, Echo." Jason gives a small signal to Blaise and Wind, then directs his attention to Bella and her team. "Incognito! Understand!"
"Sure, Jason!" Arthur gives Jason a thumbs up. "Oh! Uh, I mean, Mr. Scott."
The six Rangers go their separate ways. Echo, sensing something bothering one of the Rangers, searches through their hearts. He is shocked to discover something bothering Kenneth…
"Look, Taylor. I just got some info on some Rangers. Three of them, walking along the Alabama countryside." Chad gives Taylor the paper. She looks it over.
"Finally. These Rangers are getting too elusive." Taylor sighs to herself. "I mean, how did we lose that Pink Zord?"
"Well… she IS a Ranger who uses magic…" Mack tries to stay his shaking hand.
"Chad, give Mack some tea." She gives Mack a slightly tender look. But she once again assumes her hardened persona. She observes Mack drink his tea. "Better now?"
"Yes, thank you." Mack was visibly shaking less. "Ever since I became human… I've been getting more and more nervous."
"Might have something to do with how Maximov once took your soul." Chad offers. Mack nods.
"Well come on. Tea time's over." Taylor commands her team to mobilize.
Kenneth, Arthur and Bella had been walking along the road for a few hours now.
"Hey Bells, ain't ya hot?' Arthur gives her a lecherous look.
"Nice try, Arthur. But I told ya once, I told ya a thousand times. I am not taking my shirt off." Bella shoots him a glare. However, her smile is a clear indicator that she is aware of his harmless nature. "Yo Ken, you sure are quiet."
"I…" Kenneth looks at his Morpher. Tears form in his eyes.
"You three." The trio looks at the direction of the voice, and are shocked to see Taylor, Mack and Chad. "Can you please come with us?"
"What do you want!" Arthur assumes his fighting position. "Come on, wanna fight! I can take it!"
"Arthur, shut the hell up!" Bella commands. Arthur stands down. She looks at Taylor directly. "What do you want with us."
"Isabella Black, Red Ranger of Mu. You, and your team, are under arrest." Taylor keeps her steel glance. "You three are charged with failure of registry, resistance of arrest, and murder."
"No we are not." Kenneth's fists are shaking in anger. "One, the three of us HAVE registered. Two, we didn't resist arrest, only Blaise did. And Three, that murder was in defense of an uninvolved team mate. YOUR soldier was the one who held her as hostage, and Blaise killed him to save her! Now go away!"
"Hey! We can arrest you for talking to us like that!" Taylor yells in anger.
"Go ahead, you puppet! You, you're nothing but a puppet for the government of the rich!" Kenneth's gaze was not relenting. "Nothing but the fucking plaything of a government that takes kids away from the ghetto, and sends them on suicide missions, just so the politicians can line their pockets with gold!"
"The hell you talking about, boy! No one took me out of any ghetto! I chose to join the Air Force! By my own free will! I serve my country with pride!"
"Really? So! Proud to be a puppet! That's why you are so proudly coming over to the boonies to arrest three innocent people!"
Taylor grabs her Morpher, and squeezes it in anger. "Who the hell are YOU to criticize! Where were YOU when I was under enemy fire? Ah! That's right! You were all safe and sound back home, calling ME a baby killer! You ate ice cream while I ate expired emergency rations! You slept with blankets while I didn't sleep at all! But you sure as hell don't mind reaping the fruits of MY actions, do you! You say you hate wars for oil, but you quickly RUSH to the gas station when you hear the prices dropped to three dollars a gallon!"
Arthur and Bella looked nervously at Kenneth. Meanwhile, Mack and Chad cautiously grabbed their Morphers, just in case.
"Why the hell are you so loyal to a Government that doesn't give a FUCK about anything!" Kenneth morphs.
"It's YOU people who don't give a fuck!" Taylor morphs. She takes her Eagle Sword, and rushes towards Kenneth. Ken readies his Crab Spear.
"No, Ken, no!" Arthur's screams fall on deaf ears, as Ken and Taylor clash.
"Arthur, Bella, distract those other two Rangers!" Echo warns them through their minds. Arthur and Bella jump in front of Chad and Mack, ready for a fight.
"No! Please, Rangers shouldn't fight each other." Mack begs the Mu Rangers, whilst holding Chad back. "Just… please, give yourselves in."
"But, why should we?" Bella asks. She looks behind her. "No, Ken, stop!"
Ken holds his spear aloft, spins it and strike Taylor. Taylor's suit throws off some sparks as she rolls back a bit. She gets up, jumps, and swings her sword in mid air. Ken blocks the sword with the handle of his spear.
"Every thing I did, I did for the good of my country!" Taylor readies her blade, and lunges forward. "I did it for everybody! And no one ever said so much as a thank you!"
"Why should we thank you!" Ken parries again. "How is dropping bombs on children, or arresting innocent civilians worthy of any thanks!"
"I know! Ok! The Ranger Act is not something I agree with either!"
Ken catches his breath, and strikes her again. "So why! Why are you doing their bidding!"
"My Country, Right or Wrong!" Taylor manages to block that strike.
"You sell-out!" Ken strikes Taylor again. As she stumbles across the ground, Ken rushes towards her, intending to end the battle. That was when several helicopters began to arrive.
"What the!" Ken is stunned.
"Who called for the copters?" Chad looks up at the sky. "Taylor?"
"I didn't…" Taylor looks up in shock. "I didn't ask for reinforcements…"
Several soldiers and special forces agents began to jump out of the helicopters. They surround the Rangers.
"Taylor Earhardt by order of the US Government, you are hereby relieved of your duty. We will take over from here." The heavily armored SF pushes her aside. Mack hurries to her, and picks her up. Bella and Arthur prepare their morphers.
"Stop!" Chad takes out his blaster, and aims at Bella and Arthur. "Please, don't. Stand down, ok?"
"Never!" Kenneth, still morphed, slashes away the soldiers that had surrounded him. As they kneel in pain, Kenneth takes the opportunity to make his escape.
"Kenneth, no!" Echo attempts to communicate with Kenneth to no avail. "No… Jason! Can you hear me!"
"Echo?" Jason manages to communicate with the scarlet dolphin.
"It's Kenneth… he has engaged the US Army… I fear the worst…" Echo hangs his head, powerless to do anything. "Jason… I need to use the Water…"
"Echo… I know… I'll send Blaise and Wind to California. They already know what to do." Jason directs his attention to his two young companions. He is shocked to see Blaise kneeling in the ground.
"Another vision… Jason…" Blaise' eyes are full of tears. "A Ranger laid in a pool of blood. Above him, two Rangers faced each other, brandishing blades. Behind each of them, many Rangers, weapons at hand…"