Mission 5: Part 2

After a long night of helping local rescue crews fight fires and dig out civilians from ruined buildings, the Nova Rangers were given temporary lodging at a vacant building near the historic Topkapi Palace at the east end of the central city district. By morning, several squads of UNAF troops had arrived to assist in the efforts to help the city in the wake of the Xeno attack. The vacant building had now become a makeshift headquarters for the joint defense forces as they regrouped in the morning to be appraised of the situation.

That morning, Ella Catalano rubbed her eyes tiredly as she heard the door knock followed by Bharata's voice, "Wake up sleeping beauties! We've got a new mission briefing in fifteen minutes!"

The Pink Ranger sat up in her sleeping bag and glanced over to see Erin roll over in her own bag with a grumble, "We need to find a new line of work."

The two girls had found an empty room to sleep in for the night and they groggily did what they could to make themselves look presentable before heading down the hallway to an empty conference room. There they found the male members of the their squad not looking much better after only five hours of sleep. As they took a seat and greeted the others, Erik handed them some granola bars and juice pouches while Martin made his way to the front of the room with a dry erase board.

"I wish I could say good morning, but we've got a dicey situation," the Red Ranger began before giving a yawn, "Overnight, we've been joined by a squad from China and another from the local Turkish military. They've given us some intel on the location of that Cyclonus character."

"Where is he?" Ella asked, "Do they know anything about Nigel?"

"It seems the Xeno and a strike group of their Eidolon troops have holed up in the north district across the Golden Horn waterway. They've seized the Galata Tower and haven't moved since."

Erin scratched her chin, "It's a good fortified position. I'm guessing they figure it's a historic landmark so we wouldn't dare risk destroying place right?"

"Unless you guys want me to scale the building and pull a repeat performance from Manilla," Bharata grimly joked.

"Hopefully that won't be necessary," Martin said, "Local defense forces have surrounded the area and secured the air space around the tower."

"Still... it's troubling sir," Erik commented, "It's like the enemy is drawing us into the area to stall us. Why didn't they flee? Do they really think they can hold out there forever?"

The Red Ranger crossed his arms pensively, "I know Erik. It doesn't sit well with me either, but the fact is, the Xenos have a hostage and the more time goes by, the harder its going to be to effect a rescue. Our best bet is going to be to try and draw that commander out."

"How are we going to deal with him?" Bharata asked, "You saw how fast that guy was... and he could fly!"

While the others talked, Ella sat tapping her fingers on the metal chair until she jumped from a small static shock. That was when she got an idea. "Captain... I think I know a way that we can stop that alien, but we're going to need a lot of metal and some electric generators."

Later that day, Nigel Moseby sat huddled in the top floor of the Galata Tower turret. The stones of the old medieval tower were damp and cold and the reporter jumped in fear as Cyclonus entered from the inner doorway followed by two Eidolon soldiers. The Xeno took one look at the tired disheveled young man before giving a sniff and heading toward one of the turret windows. "What a worthless prisoner. Why those Nova Rangers even tried to save you on the streets yesterday, I can't imagine. I have my doubts they'll even come here to retrieve you."

"Who are you? Why are you doing this?" Nigel stammered as the two guards hauled him roughly to his feet. The Xeno commander looked out the turret window to see a small crowd of police and UNAF security forces surrounding the tower. The alien slowly turned around and walked over fixing his gaze on the terrified man.

"I am a Xeno Machina warrior. I am doing my duty... to buy my allies as much time as I can give them. Who knows? You may even live long enough to see your precious world fall into our hands. Wouldn't that be something to report on?"

He was cut off as several flares shot past the tower windows and startled the aliens inside. Cyclonus looked out the window just as he heard the voice of Erik calling out to him over a megaphone below, "All right bird brain! Come on out! We're looking for a little rematch with you... if you're not too scared!"

The Xeno snorted, "I think I could use the exercise. Sitting cooped up in a tower is not my idea of fun."

Down below, the Rangers watched as the Xeno commander emerged from the tower and spread his wings in a challenge. Before the Rangers minus Ella stepped forward to confront the alien, one of the UNAF sergeants turned to Martin while his troops set up a large crane with a heavy metal weight and electric generators. "Are you sure this is going to work sir?"

"No," Martin admitted, "But I trust Catalano. She's a smart girl who knows what she's doing. Rangers? Ready?"

The other three Nova Rangers nodded and morphed as Cyclonus swooped down from the tower to do battle. While the Rangers drew their Nova Striker energy blades and engaged the Xeno in battle, Ella edged around the base of the tower and fired a grappling hook upward to latch on to the top balcony of the building. She fixed the cable to a harness around her and hit a switch causing it to retract and pull her upward along the tower wall. She ascended the tower quickly and as she came over the edge of the balcony, the Eidolon guards all turned in shock to see her barge in. Before they could raise their weapons. Ella reached for her compact assault rifle and squeezed off several shots which struck each target and dropped the enemy troopers with las bolts.

As the weapon fire died down, Nigel looked up in awe to see the Pink Ranger reload her weapon and extend a hand to the startled journalist, "Nigel! There you are! Come on! We've got to get out of here! There might be more guards coming!"

Nigel rushed over in relief, "Ella! You came! Oh, I'm going to make you a hero when we're done here!"

"Less talking, more running!" she shouted as she grabbed him and began to rappel down the side of the tower. No sooner had they jumped off the side, more guards appeared at the top of the tower and began to open fire with their weapons on the balcony.

Nigel gave a fearful cry as they roughly descended down the tower while stones and enemy fire rained down on them. Once they reached the bottom, Ella morphed and cut the rope with a utility knife before pushing Nigel toward the barricades where the police and security forces stood. "Let's go!"

As they charged across the pavement, stray shots from aliens in the tower harried them while they dodged Cyclonus and the other Rangers waging a battle nearby too. To Ella's relief, the enemy fire from the tower stopped as the sound of a high powered rifle sounded. Two Eidolons dropped off the tower as a UNAF sniper sat up from the rooftop of a nearby building and gave Ella a thumbs up. The celebration was short lived as a powerful blast of wind rocked the plaza and swept the other Rangers away. Ella was thrown face first to the pavement and rolled over to see Cyclonus approaching her menacingly. "Not so fast Pink Ranger! Were you really going to ruin my plans? I'll teach you!"

The Xeno rushed forward with his arm cannon raised but Ella drew her Nova Striker and ignited it at full power. The energy blade flared to life and with one swing, she sliced off the Xeno's wind cannon. Cyclonus howled in surprised fury before extending his metallic wings to bat her aside. Despite her efforts to block, Ella was stunned by the blow and thrown backwards to the ground.

The wounded Cyclonus laughed scornfully as he marched forward loomed over her, "You really think you were clever enough to outsmart me Pink Ranger? It's over. There's nothing left that you can do."

"You're wrong," Ella said as she struggled to rise, "I'm going to clip your wings. Hit it now!"

The Xeno froze and looked up toward the large crane truck nearby that Ella had turned her attention to. Behind the controls, a UNAF soldier pulled a lever and activated the newly assembled electromagnet that had been attached to the end of the crane. Cyclonus gave a startled cry and flailed helplessly as the large metal charged with electricty and became magnetized. The Xeno's armor and steel wings were pulled hard and the alien was lifted upwards until he stuck onto the giant weight. Ella gave a smirk as she rolled sideways to get clear of the electromagnet and then pulled her blaster pistol.

"No! What are you doing?" the helpless Xeno cried as he thrashed feebly.

Ella fired several shots at the cable holding the giant heavy weight and in a cloud of sparks, the cable was blown apart. Everyone on the streets watched as the giant weight came crashing down with the Xeno trapped underneath it. He continued to wail as the magnet smashed on the ground with a tremendous impact, shattering concrete and crushing the Xeno warrior to death.

Once the shock and the dust subsided, Ella rose to her feet amid cheers from the local police and the UNAF troopers who were present. The other Rangers made their way over and gathered around to congratulate her.

"Damn Ella! That was badass!" Erik cheered as he picked her up in a bear hug and put her down for Bharata and Erin to pat her helmet. The Pink Ranger gave a tired laugh and turned to her commander who graced her with a slow nod. She glanced over to where Nigel was being looked at by some EMTs.

"Sir, about Moseby..."

"We'll deal with him," Martin reassured her, "The important thing is everyone is safe and the plan was a success. Well done Lieutenant."

Despite her reservations at the moment, Ella couldn't help but deny she was feeling on top of the world. Despite everything that had happened, it seemed the Rangers were one step closer to driving off their alien invaders for good... or so she could only hope.

A few days passed since the fierce battle in Istanbul and the process of dealing with the aftermath began. After having returned to Atlantis Base, the Rangers were given some much needed downtime to rest and recover while the rogue journalist Nigel Moseby was cleared by the medics and confined to his quarters following a lengthy tongue lashing by General Caldwell himself.

On that particular morning, Ella sat relaxing with Erik and Bharata on a park bench in the city's West End to take in some fresh air and sunlight. While they chatted idly, they were surprised to see Erin hurry down the sidewalk carrying something under her arm. The Yellow Ranger gave a wave and called out, "Hey Ella! Guys! Check it out! Moseby's article got published!"

The others looked up in surprise as she headed over to the bench where the others sat. The Yellow Ranger handed off the data slate she was carrying and on it was a major news article written by Moseby which featured Ella front and center. The photos were touched up and the cover shot gave her a bold heroic look with the battle flag of the UNAF waving behind her.

"The Bold and the Beautiful: A Call to Arms!" Erik read from the headline as Ella began skimming over the expose. While the article contained a loose retelling of recent events about the encounter in Turkey, large passages were filled with purple prose and over the top glorification of the war as well as overcoming all kinds of struggles and adversity. Erin sighed and scrolled down the page.

"That's not the best part. Check this out."

She highlighted the last few blocks of text while paraphrasing in a pompous voice, "Let her be an inspiration and an example to us all, especially the women. Do your part and enlist in the war effort! Be just like her! Blah! Seems like Moseby's chosen you as some sort of Joan of Arc figure to inspire the troops and push a recruiting drive."

Ella clenched her fists angrily and stood up, "I never agreed to be portrayed this way! There's nothing glorious about all the killing and dying going on during these battles! I'm not going to let my story be used as pro-war propaganda! Where is Moseby?"

Erik shrugged while reclining on the bench, "I heard he was leaving this morning. Caldwell was sending him away and Dr. Beckett was going to transport him back to London once his bags were packed."

Before anyone else could get a word in, the Pink Ranger began storming off, "Oh he's got one more thing to take with him! Out of my way everyone!"

A short time later, Nigel Moseby stood in the main transport room of the base and waited at the edge of the transit platform. Lucy and her lab assistant Julian stood behind the control panels preparing the teleportation coordinates to London while General Caldwell waited nearby wearing a sour look toward the reporter.

Nigel gripped his suitcase and gave a nervous laugh to try and break the awkward silence, "Well General... it's a shame having to leave so soon and all. I never really got a proper chance to thank your Rangers for saving me earlier in the week... they all seem like a good lot."

"I'll pass the message along," Caldwell replied tersely, "After your little stunt, I'm surprised they decided to rescue you. If any good comes of this, it's going to be the IOC backing off and recalling your lot."

At that moment, the doors opened and Ella barged in. The furious Pink Ranger marched right up to the reporter and pushed the data slate right in his chest, "I hope you're happy with yourself Mr. Moseby! Even after you survived through it, you've still got things completely wrong! War is not some fun glorious adventure and serving in the military is not a game! I gave you an interview because I hoped you'd put a real human element to things! The UN soldiers fighting and dying out there are taking things seriously... dead seriously!"

"I don't get it," Moseby sputtered in alarm, "I just wanted to inspire others! To help you guys on the front lines!"

"You can help us by telling the truth about what war is really like... for the troops and their loved ones!" Ella shot back as she tossed the suitcase on the transit platform and reared back. Before Nigel knew what hit him, Ella hauled off and punched him right in the face. The reporter flew backwards and landed flat on the transit platform just as it energized. In a flash, Nigel was gone and Lucy gave a knowing smirk from behind the control panel. Julian raised a thumbs up while Ella turned to Caldwell who stood by impassively.

The older man simply nodded with a smile and headed calmly out of the room, "My mother had once told me to beware of Italian women... like handling a loaded shotgun, she said. Well done. Carry on Lieutenant."

Later that day, Martin sat at his desk doing paperwork in his quarters. As he finished filling out some requisition forms and began writing a new mission report, he heard his door chime sound. Without looking up, he continued typing, "Come in."

When the doors opened, he glanced in surprise to see the Pink Ranger enter hesitantly. He closed his laptop and sat up curiously, "Lieutenant? Is everything all right?"

"I'm really sorry to bother you Captain. I, uh... needed to talk to you about something important."

He tilted his head slightly and gestured to a nearby chair, "Please... have a seat."

"If it's okay, I prefer to stand right now sir," Ella replied while standing at attention, "I'm sure you've already heard about Nigel's little expose in the papers?"

"You mean the propaganda piece? Or should I call it the shameless recruiting ad?" the Red Ranger nodded, "Yes. Lucy showed me a copy when I had lunch with her this afternoon."

Ella sighed and glanced slightly out toward the windows where the calm blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean rippled. "I didn't know he was going to do that. I... I just wanted to try and do well by the squad and show that I could be dependable. Instead Nigel almost screwed everything up and now he's done this. I'm responsible for what happened and I'm really sorry."

Martin leaned back in his seat and gave a long thoughtful sigh, "Lieutenant, you didn't know Nigel was going to do this. None of us did. I'm still not happy about the way things happened, but I know you were doing your best. That's why I decided to trust you on this... and on the op in Turkey."

"Sir?"

"Ella, if I can be completely honest for a minute... you're a very valuable part of this squad. Among the younger members of the team, you're probably the one I'm least worried about doing something reckless or pushing back when I give an order. I can depend on you to do your duty," Martin answered.

"Oh... then you probably didn't know that I gave Moseby a black eye right before he left. I kinda lost my temper when I saw that article earlier."

"You what?"

Ella lowered her head in mild shame, "I know... it was conduct unbecoming of an officer. Considering how much trouble I caused lately, I wanted to beg you to please not court martial me or enter a formal reprimand in my record! I don't want to leave the military! I want to stay on this team, sir!"

The Red Ranger stared in shock before a small amused smile crossed his lips at the thought of Moseby getting decked. He slowly stood up and walked over to put his hands reassuringly on Ella's shoulders, "Relax Lieutenant. I'm not going to kick you out of the squad or draw up formal charges but I'll still have to discipline you... maybe extra PT and scrubbing latrines for a week."

"I understand... thank you sir," Ella sighed in relief.

Martin stepped back and nodded smartly, "You're welcome. Will that be all Lieutenant?"

Ella thought for a minute and cleared her throat, "Permission to speak freely?"

The Red Ranger gave a confused look before nodding again.

"Captain... I want to thank you for being honest... and for putting some trust in me. I think very highly of you and I just wanted you to know that if we weren't bound by the rules and regs, I'd ask you out for a drink in the officer's lounge."

Martin paused before clearing his throat, "Lieutenant... I appreciate the honesty and I'm very flattered. But I wouldn't be able to return those feelings. In a way, there's kind of someone else in my life right now... it's a complicated thing, but she means a great deal to me."

"I understand sir. This is nothing you need to worry about. It's just a little shallow crush to work through," Ella nodded, "But... I still just wanted you to know."

"I'm glad you told me Ella," he answered gently, "You're a model soldier. Thank you."

With that, the Pink Ranger stepped forward and surprised him with a little innocent kiss on the cheek before stepping back and saluting respectfully, "Thank you for understanding sir. I hope you can overlook that one last minor infraction there."

Martin smiled and slowly returned the salute, "Why don't you gather the rest of the team. I'll join you all in the mess hall for dinner in a little while?"

"Yes sir," Ella chuckled as she headed out the door in relief. As she walked down the corridor, a thought struck her. What better way to end the day than with a special treat for her friends. Before she'd gather her friends for dinner, she headed back to her room to pick up a little surprise addition to the dessert menu. She couldn't wait to see the look on her teammate's faces when they tasted her "new and improved" banana bread.

A/N:
One more Ranger focus story left to go before things get really nuts! Wooo!