SPD: Feeling Blue, Seeing Green

[AndromedaAbyss]

This is an indirect sequel to 'Shadows Among the Rangers' and is currently on fanfic net.

Rating: Pg-13

Disclaimer: I don't own power Rangers

Summary: A mysterious letter sends Sky over the edge and Bridge faces some unforseen consequences when he remains the Black Ranger. In addition, there is a traitor at Delta Base.

Jack couldn't help but have a grin on his face as he approached the Space Patrol Delta Base. The previous three months had been hard for all of them, and Jack had opted for some time out to spend with his folks. The two weeks had been fun, but he was pretty eager to be back. He even brought everyone gifts-he got Bridge a rubix cube, Syd a stuffed doggie, Sky a book on war tactics, and Z a golden bracelet. Z never had any gifts for the longest time. He intended to change that.

Jack stopped outside the doors. He punched in his personal access code and the doors opened. With a last look at the outside world Jack stepped through the doors. He knew that he was a few days early but he had been eager to return to his responsibilities, his job-heck, the thrill of being a Red Ranger. He entered the hall, expecting to be greeted by the guard of the base.

Instead he was greeted by no one.

The entire hall was empty, deserted. The only illumination came from a broken light hanging from the ceiling. Furniture was overturned and smashed. And there was the sense of it being deathly quiet.

Jack dropped his backpack, but kept his morpher palmed. "Hello?" he called. "Is someone there?"

No reply. Jack noticed something on the wall by the brief illumination. He touched it and found blood, still fresh. A scream made him look up. Two cadets ran down the hall, followed by a huge green monster. Jack didn't hesitate. He ran after them.

The cadets had taken refuge in the corner of the briefing room. Two kids-a boy and a girl hugging each other in terror. The green monster lifted its pinchers. "I'm going to skin you alive!" it roared.

"Oh yeah?" Jack asked. "Care to pick on someone your own size?"

"Don't mind if I-hey, what?"

Jack gave him a precision hit along the back of its skull. The monster fell, and Jack stepped over it, shaking his head. "Monsters. The bigger they are, the easier they fall. Are you two all right?"

Both cadets nodded, both starring in disbelief.

"What happened here? Where are the other Rangers?" Jack glanced at the cadets and saw that it was no good-they were too petrified to answer. "All right," he said with a sigh and kicked the monster. "I'll take care of this mess and try to reach command. There's an emergency bunker you two can take cover in. The Beta Delta Base."

"The Beta Base? Bit...that's three hundred and fifty-seven miles away!" one cadet said.

"Then you better start running, cadets!" Jack snapped. "GO!"

Hesitantly the two cadets left the room.

Jack found a pair of sturdy chains and wrapped them around the dazed monster and around a metal beam. "Sorry about the rough treatment, but I don't want to confine you in case I need information! How many more of you are there?"

"Just three. But you'll never beat them all! You and the other Rangers are doomed!" The monster made a weird sound, as though trying to hold back laughter.

"Yeah? We'll see about that," Jack said, and gave a final tug on the chains.

&&&&&&&&

A few minutes later Jack walked down the empty, scorched hall. "Sky? Bridge? Z? Are you guys around here?"

A sudden scuttle behind him, and a flash of brown hair. Jack whirled around. "Z? Z!" He hurried down the hall and rounded the corner.

And stopped dead in his tracks.

Standing in front of him was not Z, but another monster. The lower part of her was a snake, and she wore a yellow dress. Moving snakes came from her brown hair. As soon as she saw Jack she laughed. "Cursed Red Ranger! You can never defeat me! Mha ha ha ha!"

Ten minutes later Jack deposited her unconscious on the ground next to the semi-conscience green monster and tied her up. "Two down, two more to go."

A sudden giggling behind him. Jack turned around to see a small girl skipping past the doorway. Mora! Jack's eyes narrowed, and he ran after her.

&&&&&&&&&&

"Hey," the green monster nudged the Medusa monster. "Hey! Wake up, stupid!"

"Oh shut up, ugly! What's happened?"

"We got our butts kicked in a scenario where we shouldn't have been defeated. I think the cadets have an unfair advantage on their side. The cursed Red Ranger!"

"Do you really have to talk like that?"

"Sorry. I'm still in character."

"Come on. Let's get out of here." With a nod both twisted a hidden panel on their arms. They both dissolved. With their mass cut into a third, Bridge and Z were able to easily shrug off the chains as they stood.

"Still, this kind of defeats the purpose of the training scenario if Jack's helping," Bridge said. "Maybe we should tell doggie-"

Z thought for a moment and shook her head, a grin pasted on her face. "Nah. There's no way that even Jack can win the final obstacle. Especially with us helping!"

They ran down the hall. "By the way...ugly?"

"Just staying in character," Z said.

&&&&&&

Jack entered the dark control room. He could see Kat and Boom laying on the floor but had no time to check on them now. Mora was sitting on the counter, wearing a pink dress. A little out of her usual style, but Jack had no time to comment on that either. Especially when Mora said, "Get him, Gruumm!"

Through the billowing smoke Jack saw the massive Emperor wearing blue armor for some reason. Jack grinned and folded his arms. "So. I finally get another round with you."

"You came home a little too early, Red Ranger."

"By my view, I got here just in time," Jack raised his morpher. "SPD, emergency!" A second later he became the Red Ranger. Immediately Gruumm attacked with a fury of blows. Red Ranger blocked. For some odd reason the fighting style was a lot similar to someone else, but he couldn't quite place who.

[AndromedaAbyss]

"What are you doing? Come on, take him down!" Mora demanded.

"Would you be quiet, please? Unless you would like to do the heavy work for once!" Gruumm snapped.

Mora rolled her eyes. "Tell you what. Next time I'll be the big hairy monster and you can be the little girl in the dress!"

Jack had no idea what they were talking about, but before he could inquire, the doors suddenly opened, and five cadets ran past Jack.

"Don't worry, sir, we'll take care of him!" one of them said, a cadet whom Jack vaguely remembered called Cadet Yokosmone. He attacked Gruumm with a furious attack to his jaw, followed in perfect unison by the other four cadets. Cadet Yokosmone rolled into the air, kicking high. Gruumm fell and slid backwards against the ground.

"Ha!" Cadet Yokosmone said, landing with a perfect attack stance. Behind them the Green Monster and Medusa watched from the doorway in partial astonishment.

Jack brushed past him. "Good work, Cadet. I'll finish him off. Judgement time!" He was so fixated on doing this that he completly missed the angry glance from Yokosmone. He opened his morpher. "You are charged with mischieveious conduct! How do you answer the charge?"

The morpher flashed green, signaling innocence.

"Huh?" Jack said as he suddenly demorphed.

Clapping all around him. "Congratulations, cadets, in completing the scenario, even with unauthorized help," Doggie said, appearing out of thin air.

"What?" Jack demanded.

Immediately the entire base shifted around him, and the monsters dissolved into Sky, Z, Bridge and Syd respectfully.

"We've been testing out a new base-wide simulation with the C-squad cadets. Though we hadn't really banked on you arriving early, Jack," Bridge said with a grin.

Sky held out a clipboard. "The idea was that the cadets would be facing monsters considered unbeatable, monsters they would need their heads to defeat. Since we didn't have any monsters we felt safe releasing, we had to fit the bill. All right-C squad!"

All of them stood at attention.

"Your final marks will be evaluated by B-Squad and posted the next morning. Though I can tell you, some preformed better then others. Some choose to take the offensive, others choose to hide behind their fellow cadets. Dismissed!"

Smartly the cadets ran off.

Jack looked back and forth. "What's going on?" he demanded.

"Don't you know?" Bridge asked, curious. "This week is the week where we choose our potential replacements as power rangers from C-squad!"

Jack cringed. "Oh, right. That week."

All the others laughed and Z gave him a hug. "Glad that you're back, Jack."

"It's been nothing but dullsville around here without you," Syd said.

"Oh, I'm not sure. I think you're handling things pretty," Jack replied.

"The newest in sim technology," Sky said. "Able to work throughout the entire base."

"Cadet? Cadet Tate?" A messenger asked as he walked through the doors, holding a letter.

Sky turned around. "Over here."

The messenger handed him the letter. Sky broke it open and read through it once-over. He glanced briefly at the messenger. "Thank you."

"Anything interesting?" Jack asked.

"No," Sky said, ripping the letter into two.

&&&&&&&&

"So overall, I think all the cadets did a pretty good job," Bridge said a few minutes later out in the hall, reading from the clipboard.

"Sky did have a point, Bridge. Some cadets did chose to run and hide," Syd replied.

"Hey, sometimes running and hiding is an acceptable strategy. I think we should pass them all!"

"Be that as it may, we still have to cut fifteen out of twenty for the next Rangers," Syd added.

Bridge stopped. "I'm not really for failing. I'm more for giving them all good marks and making them all feel happy inside. We still got two cadets that need to check in and-"

Sky shouldered past them without a backwards look.

"What's his problem?" Bridge wondered outloud.

"I'm not sure-Sky, wait!"

Sky turned around, his face neutral. "What is it?"

Syd shrugged. "Something wrong?"

"No. Everything's cool. I'll see you all at the next training session." With that, Sky walked away.

Bridge had caught up with her and stared at Sky in puzzlement. "Huh. Anyway, you guys up for drinks later tonight-" He stepped aside, allowing two cadets to pass. A weird feeling made him turn around. The cadets were glancing right at him and looked terrified out of their minds. Bridge nodded. "Cadets."

The cadets practically ran away from him. Bridge stared at them for a moment, before taking off his glove.

"Wait-what are you doing?"

"Reading their auroras. They're terrified about something, and I intend to find out what."

"I don't think that's such a good idea," Syd said.

"Wait-are they scared of me? Of what I could be? Is that it?"

"Look, it's nothing against you, Bridge. It's just, you've only been back for three weeks, and you haven't been in action since then."

"I know I'm not crazy! I don't think I should have to prove it!"

"So why haven't you morphed?" Syd asked, not fooled one bit.

Bridge looked away. "All right-maybe I am a little scared too. I mean, the last time I morphed, I turned into the Black Ranger. Am I going to stay that way?" Bridge shook his head when Syd didn't reply. "I've gotta go."

"Hey-wait," Syd grabbed his shoulder. "It's not going to happen again, no matter what. Come on." She led him down the hall. "No more surprises for one day, okay?"

&&&&&&&&&&

Sky waited until he was safely away from the others before the tears trickled down his cheeks.

For the very first time in his life, Sky cried.

[AndromedaAbyss]

The night ended surprisingly busy, with the Delta Rangers taking down three separate monsters. Each time it was the same-Sky sending the monster to containment, a man stepping up to the bars and shouting, "Sky-no, wait, listen to me please! Sky!"

On the third time Bridge had come along, and looked a little puzzled. "Do you know that person incessantly calling your name?"

"What? Oh. Probably wants my autograph," Sky said with a shrug. He walked down the hall.

The man, who had a grizzled beard, pointed at Bridge. "You! You're a Ranger, aren't you? You have to be warned. You don't know what happened! You and the other Rangers might be in terrible danger!"

"Danger?" Bridge repeated.

"Bridge! Come on!" Sky snapped from the other end of the hall.

Bridge gave the man a sympathetic look. "Sorry...I've gotta go."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

(The next morning)

"Well cadets, you've each had a chance to see C-squad in action," Crugar said in the conference room. "You can give me your personal recommendations now. Bridge?"

"I sponsor Cadet Eric," Bridge said.

Sky shook his head. "Too soft-hearted. He'll break into the first battle."

"He showed amazing intuition in the simulation," Bridge said. "I'm sticking with my choice."

"What about you, Sky?"

"Cadet Yokosmone. He took immediate charge of the situation. He's disciplined. Able to follow orders."

"Too rigid," Jack said.

Sky glanced at him sharply. "Oh yeah? Who's your choice, Jack?"

"I personally nominated Cadet Thomas," Jack said.

Sky snicked. "The resident class clown? You're nominating him?"

"The kid has a few problems, but all he needs is a few battles to straighten him out," Jack said.

"Well, you won't like my choice then, Sky," Z said. "Cadet Freya. Thomas's best friend."

"You're forgetting one cadet who shined above all the rest," Syd said. "Cadet Niomi."

"What?" all four Rangers said in unison.

Z stared at Syd. "She didn't do anything! She just sat back and let other people do the work!"

"Exactly. That shows cunning," Syd said.

"I don't believe it!" Sky said.

Bridge shook his head. "With a team as dysfunctional as that, it's a wonder they can survive for one day together, let alone work as an effective unit!"

"Yeah! Not like B-Squad!" Jack said.

"Hm," Crugar said. "Rangers, I respect your choices. All five of them will be put to the next training scenario this morning."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

It was the second day of training. All the C-squad cadets were gathered outside next to a warehouse.

"All right, cadets," Sky began. Behind him Bridge and Z were taking notes. "In every situation you can count on the unexpected. In this scenario two of our Rangers are being held captive. You can count on enemies. You can count on surprises. And you can count on two minutes because that's how long before the warehouse explodes. MOVE IT!"

The cadets ran past them into the warehouse.

"Think they'll make it?" Z asked.

"The scenario was designed to be impossible to win even without time constraints," bridge replied.

"If they're Rangers, they'll find a way," Sky said.

A sudden jingle made them all turn around. "Coffee on the go, Rangers?" A familiar voice asked.

Bridge stepped forwards to the vendor. "Is this...Shrian?"

"Bridge, step away from him," Sky ordered.

"Oh relax, Rangers! Once the others learned of my betrayal, they kicked me out of my own restaurant. An eye for an eye. I carry no grudge-neither should you!"

"So is this how you make your money now?" Bridge asked in sympathy.

"You seem like a nice sort. Tell you what-I'm sorry for what I did to you! Have a free coffee, on the house!"

Bridge took an experimental sip. "Taste fine, guys."

"All right," Sky said. "We'll take two more."

"That'll be thirty denars for all three."

Bridge looked up. "But you just said this was on the house!"

"We're wasting time guys," Z said.

"Yep. So pay up, Bridge," Sky said.

With a sigh Bridge gave him the money. All three finished their coffees and ran into the warehouse.

"Have a nice day, Cadets!" Shiran shouted. His eyes narrowed. "I prepared that coffee especially for you."

&&&&&&&&&

In the warehouse Syd and Jack were tied around a barrel with the bomb on top of it. It was slowly counting down from a minute and a half. "Think I should get my hair done?" Syd asked.

"Your hair looks fine," Jack said.

"Just because it looks fine doesn't mean it can't be changed a thousand times!"

The doors opened, and the five cadets rushed in. "Sir! We'll get you out of there!"

"Only one problem, cadet," Jack replied. Five monsters suddenly stepped out of the shadows.

"They're holograms, right?" Cadet Eric asked.

"Afraid not this time They're actual criminals," Syd said.

"Playtime's over, Cadets. This is what Rangers will be dealing with. Now there's an easy way to deal with them, and a hard way. And I don't think you have time for the hard way," Jack said, glancing at the clock. It was counting down from one minute.

"What should we do?" Niomi asked.

"I don't know...I just don't know..." Yokosmone said.

Cadet Thomas looked down, and immediately noticed the ring of water around the monsters, which excluded Jack and Z. "Yokosmone, turn on the generator! Nimoi, hold them back with your powers!"

Niomi, with her elemental powers, was able to hold them off with a field of fire. Yokosmone was able to find the generator switch and turned it on. Thomas immediately noticed a sparking cable and threw it on the ground. The monsters were engulfed in electricity.

Sky, Bridge, and Z entered the building, just as Thomas untied Rangers. "Yes!"

"Just one problem, cadet," Sky said, stopping. "The monsters are dead."

Thomas gaped in astonishment. "What?"

Bridge looked up from the fallen bodies. "Fortunately, these really were holograms." He clapped his gloved hands, and the monsters shimmered and disappeared.

"I don't understand," Thomas said. "What was the point?"

Jack stood, shrugging off the ropes. "Sometimes, cadet, you can't bring them all in. This scenario is designed to teach you one thing only. Even among the B-Squad, we have had five monsters die on our watch. Being a leader means that you will have to face those kind of responsibilities. Cadet Niomo, if you will dismantle the bomb please."

Niomi stepped forwards and unplugged it. It still counted down from ten seconds. "Um...guys, is it supposed to keep counting down after you unplug it?" she asked, holding the bomb up. Her hand was shaking.

"That's not in the scenario," Z remarked.

"And that's not the bomb we used!" Jack added.

"Niomi! Don't panic! The bomb might be sensitive to motion!" Bridge warned.

Niomo shrieked and dropped it.

Sky dived and grabbed it before it could hit the ground. He placed it gently on the barrel. "Everyone stand back! I'll protect us with a shield!" He waved his hand through the air.

Absolutely nothing happened. Sky tried it again without any success. Z and Bridge also had nothing. "Our powers are gone!"

"The coffee!" Z realized.

The bomb was counting down from five seconds.

"Well. Looks like we're going to die, then," Sky said tonelessly. "Great."

"Knock it off, Sky," Jack snapped. There had to be a way out of this. Had too! Jack thought furiously. Then it clicked. He ran forwards and grabbed the bomb from Sky's startled grip. Jack dissolved the wall behind them and chucked the bomb out. It exploded just as the wall reformed, and Jack was hurled backwards into Bridge and Z's arms. All three tumbled backwards onto the floor.

"Okay, I think that's it for this class," Jack said with a laugh to the C-squad. "Any questions?"

&&&&&&&&&&&

An hour later Jack was promoted with a clean bill of health, and he and the other Rangers were gathered around the conference room. "The security cameras definitely showed that the bombs were swapped during the simulation, not before," Bridge said. "Unfortunately, all of us were gathered around the barrel, so it's impossible to tell when it happened...or by who."

"Where does that leave us?" Z asked.

"With a traitor on C-squad," Jack said, folding his arms.

"Or B-Squad," Sky said.

Jack glanced up at him.

"That is true-we were all centered around the bomb. It could be...anyone of us," Bridge finished.

All of them looked up at Bridge.

"Guys, it wasn't me," Bridge said.

He looked so sad and guilt-ridden that Jack sighed and shook his head. "We know it wasn't you, Bridge, but until we get this mess straightened out the base should be on high alert. And I think we should all turn in our morphers."

"Agreed," Commander Crugar said.

Jack, Sky, Syd and Z handed them over to the Commander, Sky, somewhat reluctantly.

Bridge quickly felt his uniform. "Um..."

"Bridge. Where is it?" Crugar said.

"I must have left mine back in the shop," Bridge said. "I was running some tests on it."

"Tests? Never mind. I don't want to know. Go get it, Cadet."

Bridge left the control room, still looking hurt.

"Rangers, you may consider yourself off-duty until the time being. Hopefully, no more problems will arise. Dismissed."

All the Rangers turned to leave.

"Cadet Tate. If I may have a word with you?'

Sky waited until the other Rangers had left the room, and until the doors closed. He looked up at Crugar. "Sir?"

"I received the letter as well, Cadet. I just wanted to let you know that if you want to talk...you understand."

Sky's face was neutral. "Understand? The only thing I understand is that I don't deserve to be a blue Ranger. Or be in the SPD. Thank you for the offer, sir, but my personal feelings are my own." Sky saluted sharply and left.

"No one blames you for what happened, cadet! You can't keep this buried, Sky!" Crugar called after him, and when Sky didn't stop to reply Crugar bowed his head and sighed deeply. "You heard every word of that?"

Kat stepped out of the shadows. "I recommend that we keep him off-duty, sir, until we give him a full medical evaluation."

"No..it's like what he said. He's a Ranger. If he can handle it, then he can handle it."

"And if he can't?" Kat asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Then he will need all our help," Crugar said. "For now what he needs is our support. And our silence."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Jack caught up with Sky, who brushed past them and seemed in quite a hurry to leave the hall. "Hey-where are you going?"

Sky turned around. "Cadet Yokosmone failed to apply himself yesterday. I figure that fifty laps around the track should help change that."

"Fifty laps? Isn't that a little harsh?" Z demanded.

Sky raised his eyebrow. "Not from the stand point of a Ranger. And believe me, I'll be by his side the entire time." With that, he walked away from them.

Jack glanced at the window, where it was starting to spit hail. "Someone should probably make sure that he doesn't push that kid too hard," he said.

With a smile Syd stepped forwards.

"Wait-where are you going?" Jack demanded.

"Bridge is upset. Someone obviously needs to talk with him," Syd said, and winked. "Good luck with Sky."

Jack sighed and shook his head as she left. "She always picks the easier job."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

A few minutes later Syd entered the science lab to see Bridge hunched over the top of a cotnrol station. His morpher lay in pieces around him.

"Bridge, dissecting your morpher isn't going to help! It can't tell you who you're going to be!" Syd said. "You know there's only one way to be sure. Bridge? Bridge!"

"What?" Bridge asked, looking up.

"You have to morph," Syd said. "It's what I would do. Look, I know what you're going through-"

Bridge went back to the microscope. "No you don't. Unless, you happened to be thinking that you were a little bit worried that as soon as you morphed you went insane and wanted to destroy the world again, and this time around you could actually kill someone unlike last time, well, at least you don't think you killed any people because the only time Mora sent you into the general public was out for coffee and donuts, unless you count Sky almost dying for throwing himself at a machine you created-"

"Okay, I get it!" Syd snapped, stopping what was probably the longest sentence in human history. "But look at it this way...at least here it'll be in a controlled environment. And I'll be right beside you."

Bridge hesitated and looked up at her. With a smile Syd placed a hand on his shoulder. Bridge slowly gathered his pieces and assembled them back into his morpher. He stood in the center of the room, and with a few uneasy breaths lifted his morpher. "SPD, emergency!" There was a flash, and an explosion of green light.

When Syd cleared her eyes the Black Ranger stood in front of her. Syd swallowed and ran out of the room.

"Syd? Wait, what is it?" Bridge asked. He looked down at himself. "Oh, this can't be good."

[AndromedaAbyss]

By the time Jack andZ arrived at the outside track, they had already run thirty laps. Cadet Yokosmone looked exhausted out of his mind. Both of them were drenched with water and mud. "So...tired..." Cadet Yokosmone gasped.

"That's unacceptable, cadet!" Sky shouted. "How can the rest of your team, or anyone else depend on you if you're not willing to go the extra mile, cadet? I saw you yesterday-you did nothing for your team! And why is that?"

"I couldn't think of anything, sir!"

"Well, we're going to teach you to think on your feet, aren't we?" Sky said.

"Cadet Thomas won the scenario for us, sir!" Yokosmone protested.

"Please. You think I don't know your ambition? Do you really expect to be the Red Ranger if someone else steps up to the plate?"

Yokosmone gulped for air and wavered on his knees.

Sky gripped his wet hair and snapped his head back. "Well? Do you?"

"What is Sky doing?" Jack demanded. He andZ ran up to the track.

Yokosmone's eyes rolled up in head. He wheezed and fell to the ground.

"Come on! Get up!" Sky shouted.

"Sky!" Jack shouted. "Leave him alone, man. Come on Z, let's get him to medical." Between the two Rangers, they were able to carry the cadet. As they ran off the track Jack gave Sky a nasty look.

A few minutes later Sky fell to his knees. He waited before Jack and Z were well-out of hearing range before allowing the scream of frustration to escape from his lips.

And a few seconds after that, all his emotions boiled to the surface and he blacked out.

&&&&&&&&&&

Darkness. The only illumination came from the sputtering of a broken cable. The entire command center was in disarray, but this time it wasn't a simulation. It was real.

There were bodies around him-Kat, Boomer, his own Commander whom he respected above anyone else. Syd and Z lay stretched out lifelessly on the briefing room table. They didn't stand a chance. Bridge was hunched over the command station, blood flowing from his cold fingers. Bridge hadn't even tried to hurt Sky, and he was dead anyway. Lastly, Jack was only a few meters from his booted feet. Sky looked down impassively at Jack and took out his delta blaster.

Jack lifted his hand. "No, wait-Sky!"

Sky fired, and Jack fell. After a moment Sky looked up.

He had killed them. He had killed them all.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Sky opened his eyes to the pounding rain. He was probably out for only a few minutes. His body shuddered, and the tears escaped his locked chest. He cried, thankful that no one could see him.

&&&&&&&&&&&

His face calm, Sky entered the locker room, drying his muddy face with a towel. As he closed his locker door he noticed Jack starring accusingly at him. "How is he?"

"The boy has asthma," Jack said. "He'll be in the hospital for a few days."

Sky nodded and moved to get a fresh uniform.

"Sky, is there something I should know about?" Jack demanded.

Sky smiled a little and turned around. "No. But you are right, Jack, I pushed him far too hard. I didn't know he had medical problems. I'll make it up to you him-and you guys. How about drinks tonight at Muligans?"

Jack considered, and nodded. "All right. You've got a deal. But let's not have any more problems."

The locker room opened, and Z entered. "Jack, Sky, we've got a problem-"

"Z! This is the men's change room!" Jack shouted.

"I know, but the thing is, Bridge has disappeared!"

&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Two minutes later all of the Rangers were gathered around the conference room.

"So Bridge is the black Ranger, still," Jack said. "Why did he morph?"

"Because..I sort of encouraged him too," Syd said.

"And you bolted when you saw him?" Z demanded.

"I didn't 'bolt'. It was a tactical retreat," Syd replied testily. "We don't know what he's capable of."

"Well, he couldn't have gotten far," Sky said. "Not with the base on high alert and the exits cut off."

Crugar nodded in agreement. "He may try to contact Mora or call for reinforcements. Start by searching the communications stations-"

"Hold it," Jack said, biting his lip. "I think we're misreading Bridge's intentions just a little." He looked at the 3-D map. If he was right, then Bridge would be looking for a quiet place, a feat almost impossible with the base on high alert and with guards checking every room every five minutes.

Unless...

"I think I know where he is sir," Jack said. "Permission to go out alone?"

Crugar nodded. "Granted. The rest of you start searching the communications grid."

&&&&&&&&&&&&

Jack opened the door to the rooftop of the Delta Base and found exactly what he thought he would. Bridge was sitting cross-legged on the cement, starring at the breath-taking view of the outside world. It was still raining heavily and the former Green Ranger was soaked. He glanced behind him as Jack approached. "You don't have to worry, Jack. I'm not going to go crazy on you, or anything."

"I didn't think so," Jack said. He gestured. "Mind if I join you?"

Bridge nodded, and Jack sat in front of Bridge. "So. You're not the Green Ranger anymore."

"Not only that, but look at this!" Bridge removed his glove and traced his hand in the air. A small field shimmered between them. Bridge's eyes were glowing with excitement. "I still have the powers that come with being a Black Ranger!"

Jack nodded. "We'll find a way to change you back, Bridge-"

"You don't understand. I don't think I want to be the Green Ranger again. I mean, besides horribly kill everyone on the face of the planet, what else can I do with my powers? I want to find out.""I...I don't know, Bridge," Jack said with a sigh.

"Jack, I'm not going to abuse my powers!"

"I know that. But I'm just worried that you're using powers that Mora and Gruumm gave you!"

"Maybe they did come from Mora," Bridge admitted, green light dancing between his fingers. "But...what if they came from me too, Jack?"

"They did come from you, Cadet."

Jack and Bridge looked up in surprise as Crugar approached. But then, the Commander always did seem to arrive at the best time. Both of them stood.

"At ease," the Commander said. "I didn't want to mention this at the time, for your own protection. Even without Mora's direct interference Bridge's powers would have naturally developed this way in time. Mora merely sped you along a few years."

"What?" Jack exclaimed. "Sir, is this going to happen to all of us?"

"Yes, cadet, it will. With training and experience all your powers will grow. Unfortunately, for the moment we don't have time to go into more detail. There's been another situation. Cadet Carson, you may consider your status as a Green Ranger voided. You have been promoted to Black Ranger with all ranks and privileges. I need the two of you immediately back in the conference room."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&

"We were lucky," Kat said a few minutes later. "The virus in the computers couldn't go through our hidden firewalls, or else this entire base would have been defenseless within seconds."

"Paving the way for an invasion," Bridge remarked. "That means that someone is definitely working for Gruumm."

"Someone from C-squad, and not B-squad," Jack said with a glance at Sky.

"I agree with that assessment Jack," Crugar said.

Sir, permission to scan their auroras," Bridge said. "It's the only way we're going to know."

"I appreciate the offer, cadet, but your powers are far too unpredictable at the moment. I want you to keep an eye on each and every one of your sponsored cadets. I suspect one of them may have something to do with this. And Bridge, I want you to report to the training room every hour on the hour during active duty. The sooner we understand just what you're capable of, the better. Rangers, dismissed."

"A promotion, huh?" Z asked, smiling at Bridge as they stepped into the hall. "Congratulations."

"Yeah, though it means I'm going to have to switch my wardrobe, and you know, green suited me rather well." Bridge turned to face them. "Hey listen guys-I'm sorry for scaring you. I just needed some time out."

Jack nodded with a smile. A second later it disappeared. "Not a problem. Listen, I'll catch you guys later. I forgot to ask Crugar about something." He hurried back down the hall. He wanted to ask the Commander if he knew exactly what was wrong with Sky.

Immediately he heard raised voices coming from the control room. Jack hid next to the doorway. And listened closely.

"Why didn't you tell him?" Kat demanded. "A leader deserves to know if his own squad is suspect!"

"At the time, with everything happening, it may not be the best idea."

Kat said nothing for a moment. "Who is it?"

"We found tissue samples on the keyboard, belonging to Cadet Carson, even though he denies being in the room all day. But even that can't explain why an earlier attempt to hack into the system was logged just previous minutes before the system was shut down. ID code belongs to the yellow Ranger."

Jack stared at them in astonishment. Z? Z had something to do with this?

"And, we found muddy footprints," Crugar added. "Someone who was on the track a few hours ago. Which implicates Jack, Sky, or Syd at the scene, since their shoe size is roughly the same. Anyone from B-squad could be held suspect. We can't let our guard down for a moment."

Unknown to everyone, even Jack, eyes were watching all of them. Sky looked away from the second doorway, and walked down the hall.

"Sky!" Syd called behind him. "There you are. Do you have a moment?"

Sky shook his head. "Sorry, no I don't." He continued walking down the hall.

Syd rolled her eyes. Since when did Sky become so rude? "Hey, wait up!" She hurried after him. "Look, something is obviously bothering you. All of us can see it."

"I don't know what you're talking about-"

"All right, fine. But you should know...that if you want to talk to someone...Sky, I'd like to think that I'm your oldest and best friend!"

Sky glanced at her and something in his eyes softened. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Syd, if you really think that, then speaking as your oldest and bestest friend-"

He shoved forwards. Syd hurled backwards into the wall, hitting the back of her head. She winced and touched her head with her gloved hand, starring at Sky in astonishment.

"Stay out of my life," Sky finished. He continued to walk down the hall, ignoring Syd. Part of him smiled in spite of himself. He was very surprised at how good that felt.

[AndromedaAbyss]

Thomas entered the control room and saluted. "Sir. You wanted to see me, sir!"

"At ease, Cadet," Crugar said. "I'm afraid I have some rather disturbing news. The entire B-squad is being held suspect on an attempt to infiltrate our computers two hours ago. One of them may be a traitor to this entire establishment."

Thomas swallowed, thinking about the prospect of going against one of the Rangers. His voice was calm as ever, however. "What do you want us to do, sir?"

"Keep your eye out on any suspicious activity. If you see anything, let me know immediately. Do not engage the Rangers on your own."

------------------

An hour later Jack entered the cafeteria and joined Bridge, Z, and Syd, who were already seated. "Where's Sky?"

Bridge shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'd thought he'd be here."

"It's probably a good thing that he isn't," Syd said, refusing to look up.

"All right. So what have we got?" Jack asked.

"We've got five cadets and one of them a traitor," Z said.

Bridge stared at the table a few feet away, where the C-squad cadets were eating. "And just think, they have no idea we're talking about them."

---------------------

"Yeah, they definitely have no idea that we're talking about them," Thomas said. "They suspect-"

--------------------

"Us? They think we're the traitors?" Syd demanded from the other table.

Jack nodded. "Yeah, and I want them to keep thinking that way."

-----------------------

Thomas raised his eyebrow and grinned. "It's the perfect strategy. So long as they keep checking us out, it'll leave us free to spy on them."

----------------------

"So let's start with the suspects," Jack said from the first table. They were too far from C-squad to hear what they were talking about, but he was sure it was about nothing important.

-----------------------

"The most obvious choice is Bridge Carson," Thomas said a few feet away. "He's been away for the last three months, programmed to be evil. Maybe old habits die hard."

------------------------

"Jack, that's ridiculous. Cadet Eric hasn't done anything wrong!" Bridge snapped.

Jack frowned. "I don't like the way he looks at me."

"Oh yeah? Let's start with the far more obvious choice." Bridge shifted through the papers. "Cadet Freya. Orphaned at age three and has fifteen counts of petty theft."

-----------------------

"That's ridiculous. You can't accuse Z!" Freya snapped from the second table.

Eric looked up. "Why not? Fifteen charges of petty theft!"

"But she gave that money-"

----------------------

"-to the poor after she was caught!" Z protested.

---------------------

Thomas nodded from the other table. "Which leaves us-"

---------------------

"-back at square one!" Jack sighed, leaning back in his chair.

"Not necessarily," Z said.

-----------------------

"The perfect criminal is one that leaves no evidence," Freya said. "And no one's a better master criminal then the Red Ranger."

----------------------

Jack raised his eyebrow doubtfully. "Thomas. We're suspecting Thomas now."

----------------------

"I don't think Jack did it," Thomas said. "We're forgetting one last person-Syd."

"What!?" Syd and Niomi said in unison.

All cadets from the two tables looked at each other.

Jack managed a fake smile and gave a little wave. "Hi."

"Hello," Thomas replied.

Jack turned back to the Rangers and released an exhaled breath. "Whew. That was-"

--------------------------

"-close," Thomas finished. "Keep your voice down, guys. We can't let them know that we're on to them."

All eight cadets from both tables scrunched closer.

"Okay, Niomi. Why don't you suspect Syd?"

"Guys, she wasn't even at the crime scene!"

------------------------

"Because she has no motive! Hello!" Syd snapped.

"Guys, what time is it?" Bridge suddenly asked.

Jack consulted his watch. "0800. Why?"

"Don't you remember? We said that we would meet up with Sky for drinks later. That's why he's not here!"

All the rangers scrambled to their feet and left the base.

------------------------

Sky checked the clock and sighed impatiently. He had been waiting for how long? Muligan's was jammed pack as it was with monsters from other races. He stood, about to order another drink.

Instead, he got a drink on him.

"Oh, pardon me!" a monster cried out, starring at his half-turned glass. "I'm so sorry, cadet."

Sky looked down at his stained uniform. "You're sorry," he said tonelessly. He moved his chair that was between them out of the way. "Or are you sorry? You know, I see your kind all the time before. I'm beginning to think you're all the same. Just another perk that needs to be put away."

"I said I was sorry, didn't I?" the monster protested.

"Sorry, I'm having a little trouble hearing." Sky grabbed the monster's arm and twisted. He pushed the monster against his table. "I'm going to need to hear that apology again."

Another monster was about to sneak up behind him with a chair over his head. Calmly Sky made a shield as the chair smashed downwards.

----------------------

As the other Rangers arrived there was complete anarchy. All the monsters were cheering as a massive green monster threw Sky upwards into the air. Sky broke through a table and didn't get up.

Jack took the situation at a glance. Sky was in trouble and needed help. It was a shame that they didn't have their morphers, but they would have to make do. Immediately Jack stepped forwards and grabbed the shoulder of the Green monster. "Care to even up the odds a little?"

"Don't mind if I do!" the Green monster smacked Jack against the face, who flew backwards. A quick glance told Jack that two more monsters had engaged Z and Bridge. Syd ran forwards to assist Sky, who nodded once to tell her that he was okay. Jack leapt backwards onto his feet with a grunt of effort. He mercilessly dealt punch after punch at the Green monster. To his right another monster gripped Bridge's arm and hurled him across the length of the room into the arms of an onlooker. Both fell to the floor. Meanwhile, Z had used her powers to double herself into two and was attacking her opponent with increasing fury. Sky had stood and backed up against the corner of the room.

After apologizing to the onlooker, Bridge rejoined the fight against his opponent as Jack leapt forwards, kicking the monster in the chest. "Honestly, we can't have a single night without your kind starting a fight!"

"I didn't start the fight!" the green monster threw at him. "You have your own Ranger to thank for that!"

Jack blinked. "What?"

A sudden cry stopped Jack cold. He turned to his right to see Z hunched on her knees, now only one person. Someone had smashed a chair over her head. With a small sigh she closed her eyes and fell to the ground as three more monsters approached her.

"Z!" Jack cried. "Sky, help her!"

But Sky was standing in a corner.

Laughing at her.

Before Jack could even think to react Bridge yanked off his glove and waved his bare hand through the air. "APOCALYPSE POWER, NOW!"

The bar started to tremble. The people approaching Z started to look at each other nervously. They moved towards the fallen Ranger even so.

Instantly the windows shattered, showering them with glass. That broke through their courage and the men ran away from Z.

In the back corner Sky yawned.

Jack nodded at Bridge, who stopped his power with a clap of his hand. Jack knew that he had to take the leader out fast. He jumped over the table and lifted the monster's arm as he tried to fire a weapon at Jack. The gun shot into the ceiling. He kicked the green monster away, who connected against the counter.

Jack, Bridge, and Syd stood protectively in front of Z. Bridge's bare hand was still glowing with green power.

The green monster pointed at them. "I used to believe in you, Rangers. Believed that you were cleaning up the community. Now I see that you're no better then the rest!"

Sky stood behind him, holding a steel bar. "Believe this." He swung the bar at the monster's head.

"Sky!" All three Rangers shouted in horror.

The monster choked and fell to his knees. Fortunately, his skin was tough enough to protect against hard blows. Sky swung again against the monster's shoulder.

"Syd, stop him!" Jack ordered.

Syd focused hard, and a bolt of electricity danced from her hand and hit Sky. Not really powerful, but enough for Sky to drop the bar and fall to his knees.

"Um...guys!" Bridge warned.

Jack looked up to see that now all the patrons had stood and were now giving them very ugly glances.

And Jack felt like they had earned each and every one of them.

The bartender pointed at the door. "Get out of my bar, Rangers. And don't ever come back! Rest assured I will be reporting each and every one of you to your commander!"

Saying nothing, Jack stormed out, followed by Bridge, who was half-carrying Z in his arms. Sky went up to the counter and grabbed a peanut. He tossed it up in the air and caught it in his mouth. Angrily Syd grabbed his arm and pulled him out.

---------------------------

Thirty minutes later they were back at the base. Z had regained consciousness and was holding a bag of ice to her head. The rest of the Rangers looked so dejected they could barely walk.

All except for Sky, who was giggling, which by itself was very un-Sky like. "Did you see the look on his face-"

Bridge's eyes narrowed and Syd looked as though she was ready to physically attack him. Jack held his hand up, stopping her. "All of you go on ahead. I'd like to talk to Sky alone," he said calmly. He waited until the other three were a suitable distance away, before looking up at Sky. "The monster said that you started the fight. Is that true?"

"Jack, you should know better then anyone that I wouldn't stoop to such behavior," Sky said calmly.

"Under normal circumstances I would agree. But you haven't been acting normally, Sky." Jack sniffed Sky's uniform and looked up. "And just how many drinks did you have before we arrived, anyway?"

Sky rolled his eyes. "All right, maybe I did egg him on a little. But Jack, seriously-we've been off-duty for how many hours now? Tell me you didn't enjoy that!"

"No! Sky, Z could have been seriously hurt!" Jack snapped.

"Oh come on-she's a Ranger! If she can't handle a simple barroom brawl then she has no business being in our line of work."

Before Jack could snap a reply he noticed that Bridge, Z, and Syd had stopped in their tracks. Sky looked up in surprise. Jack turned.

Kat stood in front of them, and it was clear that she was not happy. "Commander Crugar wants to see all of you. Now."

------------------------

"In all my years I have never seen such disgraceful attitudes among my fellow cadets," Crugar said. He turned to face the five Rangers standing in a row, each with their heads bowed. "I'm going to ask this just once. Who was responsible for tonight's activities?"

All the other Rangers were silent. At first Jack was going to bring up Sky's name...but he couldn't do it. Not to Sky, not to any member of his team. "I am, sir. The responsibility was mine alone."

The Rangers looked up in surprise. If Crugar noticed this, he didn't say anything. "I see. At the moment, I hold you all accountable. You are all under suspension until which time I may or may not decide to return your morphers. Dismissed." Crugar walked off.

"Thanks, Jack," Sky muttered.

"Straighten yourself out, Sky. Or I may have to do it for you," Jack replied angrily.

------------------------

All of the Rangers stepped out of the hall. At the first intersection Bridge turned right where the others went left.

"Z, can I talk to you for a moment?" Sky heard from Jack as he hurried to follow Bridge. Noticing that he was being followed, Bridge stopped and turned around.

Sky nodded. "Hey. Where are you going?"

"The training room. Doggie still wanted me to learn my powers...even now," Bridge said with a hint of a sigh.

"Well, why don't I come with you?"

Bridge stared at him doubtfully.

"Come on-I admit it, I screwed up. I want to make it up to you guys," Sky said.

Bridge still looked doubtful.

"Bridge, two weeks ago I gave you the benefit of the doubt. Care to do the same for me?"

"Sky-"

"Trust me," Sky said with a small smile. "I promise you won't regret it."

TBC.

[Magic Force]

Oooh...I LOVE this! Great writing, the characterization is dead on....and it's very creative! I also love the format - the cafeteria scene was very well done when you bounced back and forth between B-Squad and C-Squad. Excellent job!

Please keep writing this!

~MF~

[AndromedaAbyss]

Thanks so much! I should have some more up soon (most of this is already written)

[TBF]

Once again, your story is awesome.

[AndromedaAbyss]

Thanks! Here's the next chapter-


Sky was grinning as he lunged Bridge's attack. "Come on Bridge, you can hit me better then that!"

"I'm not trying to hurt you, Sky," Bridge returned, also smiling. Both Rangers were now in the training room dressed in their training outfits of sweatpants and a t-shirt, blue and black respectfully. Part of him relaxed. For a moment, he could forget everything that had happened in the past few days. It seemed like old Sky in front of him, not a copy that obviously had some serious problem he didn't want to talk about.

"Tell you what-if you actually manage to lay a hit on me one of these days I'll find it in my heart to forgive you," Sky said sarcastically, and smiled again as he crouched down. "Come on-give me your best shot."

Bridge lunged at Sky. Seemingly without any effort Sky threw him over his shoulder. Bridge landed hard on the mat.

Sky clapped away the dust on his hands. "Not bad. But that's not the real reason why Commander Crugar reported you to training. We need to explore your powers and see just what you can do."

Bridge blinked as he stood. "It goes without saying that using powers in a training scenario against a teammate is forbidden, Sky."

"I already disabled the alarms," Sky said. "Seriously-you want to be a Black Ranger? Show me what you can do. Well, what are you waiting for?"

"Sky, that's not a good idea! I can kill people with these powers!"

"Like I said, if you actually manage to hit me one of these days, Bridge, I take full responsibility!"

Checking a sigh, Bridge removed his glove. A green field shimmered in front of him.

"No, not a shield, Bridge," Sky said. "A deathbolt."

"I'm not going to throw a deathbolt at you, Sky!"

Sky straightened. "You want some motivation? All right. If I had it my way, you wouldn't be on this team, Bridge. I mean, you're my friend and all, but I don't believe in second chances. Especially to people who betray the SPD."

With a snort Bridge turned away.

"You're a joke. No one on this team ever respects you or takes you seriously. And why should they?"

"Sky," Bridge began, folding his towel. "It's going to take a lot more then that-"

Sky punched him in the face. Bridge fell to the mat, astonishment in his eyes.

"Call it self-defense, then," Sky said. "Because one way or another, you're not going
to leave this training area alive."

Bridge rolled away Sky's attempt to kick at his stomach. "Sky-what the hell!"

"Just testing you out, Bridge. To make it on the Ranger squad, you either cut it or you don't." Sky took out a delta blaster.

Bridge's eyes widened. How did Sky even get that into the training room?
"And I'm going to figure that out. Right here," Sky charged the blaster. "Right now."

-------------------------

Z smiled at Jack as he sat down next to the table.

"How are you feeling?" Jack asked, a little concerned.

"Nothing that can't be fixed," Z said. "You?"

"Er, I'm a little stressed out," Jack said honestly. "Also I have this constant nagging suspicion that I'm forgetting something."

Z raised her eyebrow. "Anything I can help you with?"

"Not really. So, Z," Jack said with a sigh. "I need to know what you were doing in the control room yesterday."

"What? What are you talking-"

"Crugar found your ID code in the computer," Jack interrupted. "Still wanna tell me you weren't there?"

Z tossed him a hurt glance. "So now you don't trust me, Jack? Is that it?" Shaking her head, she stood.

Jack scrambled to his feet and grabbed her arm. "Z, wait! I'm sorry-look, all of us are on a short fuse right now."

"Then start talking to me like a friend, Jack! And not just as a member of the team!"

"All right," Jack said. "Z, were you in the control room yesterday?"

"No!" She broke free of his grip and moved to walk away.

With another sigh Jack sat down.

Z hesitated, and turned around. "Look...everyone has their own special powers. Bridge can hurt people. Sky can deflect an attack. Syd has her own elemental powers and you...you saved our lives in that warehouse. I keep thinking back to that day and what I could have done. And I can't think of anything."

Jack blinked. "Z...you don't think you're cut out for the team? Is that it!?"

"Well...yeah! That's why I was in the control room earlier. Bridge was showing me how to hack into computers! I thought that if I could learn something else..." Z looked away. "I could be more useful."

Jack said nothing for a moment. At least one thing today was making sense. "Did either of you see anyone else while you were there?"

Z shook her head. "No. No one."

"Z...you're not a failure on this team. We need each other now, more then ever. Some days it feels like I'm the only one who understands that."

--------------------------

Bridge gritted his teeth as the field of energy surrounded him. Trouble is, maintaining the shield was far more taxing then he ever thought possible. Especially with Sky shooting at him constantly. Eventually he had to give up and the field disappeared.

"Shield's gone," Sky said. "Took most of my hits, though. I reckon I only have one bullet left." He aimed at Bridge. "But it should be enough to take you out." He aimed just to the right of Bridge's shoulder so it wouldn't hit him and squeezed the trigger.

Unfortunately, Bridge didn't have the luxury of that perspective. His hand stretched out, and a green bolt shot at Sky. Sky immediately surrounded himself with a shield of blue light. As the green light intensified Sky closed his eyes.

And willingly dropped the shield.

Just in time, Bridge cut his own power when he realized what he was actually doing. If there had been a split-second difference, Sky would have been killed.

Breathing hard, Sky grabbed his towel and wiped his forehead. "Not bad, Bridge." He glanced at the Black Ranger. "I have to admire your self-control." With a small smile he
turned and started to walk away.

Dripping with sweat, Bridge stood, taking off his glove. He scanned Sky's aurora. A few seconds later, after making sure that Sky had enough time to leave, Bridge started out of the room. He had to warn Jack! He had too-

A fire extinguisher jabbed him in the stomach. Hard. Bridge stumbled backwards.

Sky stared at him, exasperated. "Do you really think I'm so stupid, Bridge, that I didn't notice that aurora scan? What were you going to do? Warn Jack that I'm dangerous?"

"Sky, you need help!" Bridge snapped. "Listen-"

"I don't need your help! I don't want your help!" Sky snapped. He moved forwards.
Instinctively Bridge put a hand on Sky's bare arm. Too late he realized that his glove was still off.

Sky looked away, wincing in pain as the inevitable telepathic connection settled upon them both. From an outward perspective, both Rangers were starring at nothing as images flashed through their minds. In that moment Bridge saw everything-knew everything that Sky was going through for the past few days. It was as though Bridge himself was reading the letter, Bridge smashing up the furniture in his room, Bridge stepping on the picture of his father and the glass cracking. Bridge focused. The letter. He had to know what was in the letter. He read it over the frozen Sky's shoulder.
DEAR CADET TATE,
We regret to inform you that your father, Thomas Tate, has been formally charged with conspiracy and for the murder of the fellow Rangers of his squad. Due to the sensitive nature regarding this area we have been unable to post this information to his next of kin. It was with great sorrow that we inform you that your father has been found guilty and sentenced to life in the national prison, without parole. It should be noted, Cadet Tate, that your current standing as a Blue Ranger will remain unchanged without bias. Please keep this information confidential with yourself and your commander.
Best regards in this time,
Ranger Command.

Bridge looked up, and he could see the look of horror buried deeply in Sky's eyes.

The visions abruptly ended. Bridge looked up at Sky, feeling nothing but pity. "Sky, I-"

"Walk away," Sky demanded tersely.

Bridge shook his head. "I can't," he said simply.

Sky slammed the fire extinguisher against Bridge's head.

The next thing Bridge saw was darkness.

------------------------

A few minutes later Sky dragged the unconscious Ranger by the collar, the fire extinguisher still in his right hand. Calmly Sky opened the metal door to the maintenance closet and dragged Bridge inside. There was no exit save for one. Sky stared at the fire extingusher for a moment before angrily slamming it against one of the gas tanks. It ruptured, and green gas started to fill in the room. The gas wasn't life-threatening, but it was toxic. Guaranteed to make anyone seriously ill for a few hours after inhaling too much. Which, Sky figured, should teach meddling Rangers not to peek into their comrade's minds too often. Sky dropped the fire extinguisher and locked the door behind him. For a moment he hesitated, and decided that this was the right thing to do.

Besides, he couldn't let Bridge warn the others while he left the base. For good.

-------------------------------

The next morning Jack entered the command room, yawning. He really was glad to catch that eight-hours sleep. "So what's the status?" he asked Z and Syd.

"All quiet for the time being," Z said.

"Think Crugar has stopped being mad at us so we can have our morphers back?" Syd
asked, a tad hopefully.

Jack shook his head. "I wouldn't count on it. Hey-has anyone seen Bridge today? And where's Sky?"

TBC.

[TBF]

Cool, as usual.