MUD PART 1.

Kal and Diana walked through the base of the Justice League while talking very evenly about their lives as Power Rangers. They talked about how it felt to use the Power Ranger suit. For a few minutes they talked about professional and simple topics, because nobody wanted to pressure anyone to talk about any personal issue.

Since he had calmed down the issues with John, Kal had seen it as his new priority to fraternize with Diana so that she felt more included in the group, while Barry and Shayera fraternized with John. Kal knew that Diana felt somewhat excluded and that she did not trust him, so she wanted to fix that. Kal was beginning to trust himself and his ability as a leader. Even Kal was happy that John agreed to socialize with Barry and Shayera, since he and Diana had to fraternize, to improve in the field as well as in life.

Meanwhile, Diana wanted to forge ties with Kal, Barry and Shayera. But, Diana had already fraternized with Shayera and they were almost friends. With Barry it was more different, but with a worse result, since Barry passed by pressing Diana so that she would agree to go out with him. In the end, Diana ended up asking him out this was just a formal way out, and that she was willing to have a good time with him. Now, Diana had to fraternize with Kal. She even had to admit, that she was enjoying the company of all her fellow Rangers.

"That's why I do not like being around the commander," Kal said.

"You're the same as Barry." Diana answered.

"Did Barry say the same thing?" Kal asked with some interest in what Diana was saying about his best friend.

"Yes." Diana said with a big smile. "He told me at our exit. He does not like being near the commander because he is afraid of him, and he does not even think he can look him in the eye. It's funny to see him act like that."

"Please, Di." Kal said with some distaste. "That commander is a real bad and scary man. Do not tell me you do not want to leave every time you see that man. It's too hard to be with him. Sometimes I wonder how it is that J'onn supports being the commander's butler. "

Diana laughed a little. She found the conversation with Kal very interesting and funny. A few days ago, Diana thought they were all talking to Major Wayne like her, to investigate some important issue, but now she knew why no one talked to the commander. Diana found it funny that the others feared Major Wayne, since she did not fear any man or woman, so it was very childish but fun for her.

Kal saw Diana's smile and thought he had made an advance in making Diana laugh. This meant that they were making progress in their friendship. Diana and Kal just wanted friendship, and this was a good move. The conversation was interrupted when Major Wayne and J'onn passed in front of them. J'onn held an electronic board, and the commander had the same cold stare as always.

"Cadet El, cadet Prince." Major Wayne said. Diana was somewhat annoyed by the name as he called her, while Kal again felt the discomfort he felt whenever he was with Major Wayne. Diana was upset because the commander had given her the nickname of Princess, but with Kal and J'onn here, she called her back in the proper manner. Diana realized, the commander kept the code in front of the others. She wondered if he would only be with her when he called her by her nickname.

"Commander" said Diana and Kal

"Hi, Diana. Do you need anything?" J'onn said.

"Well, I'm wondering what you are investigating," Diana said.

"She does, sir, I do not," said Kal.

Diana had spoken seriously. She wanted to help in any possible way at the base, even if she had to meddle in important matters. Although she was interested in Major Wayne, she was also focused on her duty as a Power Ranger.

"J'onn, do not tell her anything. Do you need anything else? "The commander asked.

"Please, commander. If it's something urgent, I can help. "Diana said.

"She's right, commander." J'onn said.

"No. Only if we know something with certainty we will inform you. Meanwhile, do not intervene. Understood, Cadet Prince? "The commander asked, bringing his face close to Diana's.

Diana found the commander's cold metal eyes when he brought his face close to hers. Diana found something in them, something hidden, and she was interested in that. She was interested in the commander, not because of his physique or because he was the commander of zone C of the Justice League, but because she saw something intriguing in him. Once she saw that the commander would not back down, she would do something very unexpected.

"No, commander." Diana said smiling.

"Then we'll stay here until you understand," the commander said with a very cold look.

"Well, if you do not mind, commander, I have to go meet with my companions," said Kal, before running away. He could not stand being next to the commander.

The commander, Diana, and J'onn stood there for next ten minutes waiting for something to happen. Diana remained smiling, especially since she was waiting for the commander to surrender and tell her what they were investigating. The commander could not believe that this stubborn woman had not even been a Power Ranger for half a year and was already challenging him, while J'onn understood why the commander did not surrender against Diana, the commander wanted to keep the Rangers under control, over everything to avoid some disaster.

At that moment, the alarm rang. The three ran to the conference room, and saw that the aggravated assault alert was on. The other four Rangers arrived at the conference room a minute later, so the commander explained the situation and wished them luck.

The Rangers went in their vehicles to the location indicated by J'onn. Diana had to forget the little challenge she had imposed on the commander a few minutes ago to concentrate on her mission as Ranger.

Once they reached the location, they saw two people being savagely beaten by a mysterious thing. Kal knew what to do.

"Stop," Kal said with his gun in his hand. After he said that, the other four Rangers pointed their guns at the thing. "Justice League. Surrender or we will open fire. "

The thing simply left the people and began to run towards the outskirts of the city. Since it was night, the Rangers could not see it, so they ran towards it. So John created a heat detector with his mind so he could see the thing slipping out of the city. But, to make matters worse, it started to rain. Barry ran faster, and reached the outskirts of the city, which was a forest.

When the other Rangers arrived, they found nothing. John did not find anything of the thing that they were pursuing with his visor, so they had nothing. Suddenly, Diana remembered that they must help the fallen men at the hands of the thing. With his Morpho, Kal asked for medical help. When they started running back to the two beaten men, they stumbled and fell into mud. Mud thick and sticky. The Rangers got up and started running. Help was coming.

XXX

After taking a bath in the showers to remove the mud, the Rangers were back in the conference room with Major Wayne and J'onn J'onnz for the explanation of the failed mission with the mysterious attacker. You could not explain how a thing or man managed to sneak into the woods without leaving traces or evidence. This was new.

"Rangers," Major Wayne began. "We have examined all the surroundings with our heat viewers, just as we have reviewed all the security videos, but there is nothing about the subject they chased and disappeared. Because of this, J'onn and I will investigate about this, so you are free to leave for now." Four Rangers left, but Diana stayed.

"Commander, is there anything I can do to help?" Diana asked smiling widely.

"No, cadet Prince. I told you that only J'onn and I will investigate this. No Ranger can interfere with this. We had had this conversation before. "

"No, commander. We only had a pitched battle of looks, but I insist on being able to help with this."

"And I'm telling you that you can not meddle in any of this. It's a harder case for beginer Rangers, and you're not ready for that. "

"That's why I can help. Helping will help me adapt, just like it would for the other Rangers."

Diana meant it. She wanted to help. She always wanted to help, in everything she could. Major Wayne was fed up, but he could not do anything against her. She knocked down every logical point with only three sentences.

"You will not investigate anything, and if I discover that you did, you will receive a serious punishment."

Commander Wayne left with J'onn following him, leaving Diana with a furious and questioning look. She could not believe that man was so stubborn. Diana would not recognize him, but she was also very stubborn, having resisted a light conversation with Major Wayne. She could not wait to tell the other Rangers. She left the conference room, and went to the other Rangers' rooms, but they were all closed, which meant they were all asleep. She would have to wait until the next day, which was bad, because she was also very impatient.

XXX

Diana arrived at the cafeteria to serve the contents in her plastic tray. The food was served on a large table with large metal spoons so that each member of the base would take a reasonable portion. The commander was never in the cafeteria like high-ranking officials, because they had special treatment.

Diana was very anxious to tell the others about her confrontation with Major Wayne. As well as how they should help the commander or other recruits. Once her food was served, Diana found her friends Rangers, who were already eating, but she could see that the three men had a big face of surprise. When Diana arrived, the four Rangers focused their attention on her.

"How could you challenge the commander and not receive any punishment?" Barry asked with too much anguish.

"Did not he punish you ugly?" John asked, very happy.

"Are you going to keep challenging him?" Shayera asked.

"Guys, I wanted to tell you that, but apparently Kal told you first," Diana said smiling, even though Kal ruined her surprise. Although she also found something entertaining.

"But why do you want to challenge the commander and make us work more, Diana?" Kal asked.

"Because I think we can always make more effort." Diana said leaving the tray to put her hands on her hips. "Also, I want there to be a better environment here. The Amazons never sit down while the others work."

"But why Commander Wayne?" The three men asked at the same time.

"That man is terrifying, and he would surely shoot us down with a giant cannon if we failed him," Kal said.

"I do not think so, but he does have too many threatening airs," John added. "I do not want to go near him."

Men, Shayera thought. Shayera was not afraid of Commander Wayne, but she was a bit uneasy about being close to him. That's why it made him laugh to see the men fear Major Wayne.

"Please, guys, he's just a man," Diana said.

"Yes, a man."

"A man who has subjected us to terrible situations just by knowing us," Kal said. "Also, I've talked to several people from the base, and they all tell me not to approach the commander or he ends up doing something horrible. That's why I think you're about to kick you out. " All the Rangers nodded.

"I'd like to see him try. Now if you do not mind, I'll eat." Diana said before sitting down and eating.

The conversation at the table went by normally, although Shayera was interested in knowing if Diana would get it right or not. They still did not know each other very well, but at least she and the other Rangers already knew another part of Diana's personality.

XXX

Diana and Shayera were at shooting practice. Kal continued with his initiative to spend time with other members, so he had spent the training camp with Barry and Diana while John and Shayera performed simulations, but then spend time with John and Barry, while the girls spent time in the field of shot, which was good for both.

"Really," Shayera said to Diana, as she continued to fire. "How come you do not fear Major Wayne?"

"I thought you heard me before," Diana told her without changing her eyes.

"Yes, I heard you. But I do not understand how you did that, and above all imposing yourself on the commander. "

"As I said, the Amazons do not fear anyone, just like we never sit and be quiet when someone tells us. The commander is someone very stubborn when I try to tell him that I want to help, then I will make him accept our help. "

"Do not include me in that, please, Diana." Shayera replied. "I do not want to be fired."

"Fine, but I'm tell you he will not fire me."

The girls took a few practice shots before leaving, this time quiet but happy. They were getting to know each other more. And Shayera was surprised at how Diana proved to have a personality different from the one she had imagined, and she already understood where her great impatience against John came from when she told her that she did not trust her.

The alarm sounded. The Rangers went to the conference room, watching Major Wayne waiting for them. J'onn was not in sight. The Rangers were ready for the mission, but also waiting for the commander to retaliate against Diana.

"Rangers," Major Wayne said. "Another attack in the forest. Go." They all hesitated for a second, but then they were happy that he did not do anything wrong.

"Ready?" Kal asked.

"Ready!" The others responded.

"Justice League, activate!"

XXX

This time, the attack was being committed by a simple assailant, but he had camouflage clothes, he was like a soldier in the League, but the League did not have those suits. That assailant was taking three people dressed in elegant clothes.

"Hey!" Kal asked. "How are you a soldier, if you are hitting innocent men?"

"Because they deserve it." The attacker replied.

"No one deserves anything here," Diana said. "You think they deserve something."

"They deserve it." The attacker grabbed the two bodies and picked them up. To be somewhat thin, the aggressor was strong to hold two men. "And stay away from me!" The aggressor threw the bruised and wounded men to the Rangers. They were a distraction, so he could run away.

"Barry, pursue him!" Kal ordered.

Barry was running after him, but he quickly disappeared. There were no signs of him. Barry ran a fast lap in a 15-meter radius, but he did not hear anything or saw something move. He decided to go back with the other Rangers.

"It's gone," Barry said, his face very confused.

"What? How?" Kal asked.

"I checked everywhere, and there is no trace of him."

"Call." Kal ordered. "We have to inform the commander and wait for help for these two." Diana got up and started walking towards the front and looking towards the forest.

"It's here. And if I can help, I will. "

"Diana, this is a forest," John said. "You can not stay here all the time looking for something."

"I'll do it no matter what they tell me, John." Said a very defiant Diana.

"I agree with John," Kal interjected. "You can not stay here. It is obvious that he escaped, but we do not know how. "

"Then I'll find out," Diana said.

"All right. But come back when it's dark. "Kal ordered.

Kal let Diana search for something, even in vain, only to not challenge her. He did not want her to feel less than them. Also, with Diana out for a while, John would interact more with them. Diana started walking, and tripped again, over mud.

NEXT: MUD PART 2.