SPD 3- “Approval”
“Is that the best you got? Are we
A-squad or D-Squad?” I asked.
“Oh my god, we got 87% on the
simulation. Relax.” Ava snapped.
“87%? Do you think Mirloc will be happy with 87%? C’mon guys,
this isn’t just training anymore. We’re talking about the fate of the world!”
“Angie’s right. We could have done
better.” Sam said.
“Maybe, but she doesn’t need to
berate us like children.” Bridget said.
“Then get your act together and
stop acting like children.” I countered.
“That’s a good idea.” Kara said as
she walked in the room.
“Officer Harrington.” I said as I
saluted the senior trainer.
“At ease…and Kara is fine. I’ve
told you.”
“But SPD protocol specifies that
when speaking to a senior officer…” I started.
“Uh.” Kara said as she held her hand up, “Just Kara, and that’s
an order.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Is she always like this?” Bridget
asked.
I made a face, “I just take this
seriously.”
“Too seriously. Ang, you’re like a sister to me and you know I love you,
but you seriously need to chill.” Ava said.
“Ava is right Angie. You want to
take this seriously but you also want to remember you still a teenager. It’s ok
to have fun and not be perfect all the time.” Kara said.
“Fun doesn’t save the world. Simple as that.” I said as I left the room. Why was everyone
always on my case for taking this ‘too seriously’? Didn’t anyone but me realize
what was at stake here? Mirloc was one of the most feared criminals in the
galaxy and he was right here on Earth. As an SPD Ranger I had the chance to
stop him…nay…I had a responsibility to stop him…and I
would…if it was the last thing I did.
I went to my quarters and fell
back on my bed. It was so frustrating to have a team under me that didn’t care.
Ever since I was a little girl and my father told me about his adventures as
the Red SPD Ranger I knew that is what I wanted to be. This was my dream and I
was living it. I just seemed to be the only one taking it seriously.
Let me back up a little. My name
is Angela Landors…Angie for short. I’m 16 and I’ve been at SPD for just over 3
years now. I love it here and I love what SPD stands for. We’re the good guys
in a world full of evil. My father, Jack Landors, is the former SPD Red. He
wasn’t thrilled about me joining SPD because he wasn’t sure I had what it
took…obviously I’ve proved him wrong. My mother, Allison Landors, was unhappy
about me joining SPD because she feels that I’ll get so wrapped up in it that
I’ll lose sight of my real goals. The thing is, SPD is
my real goal. It didn’t matter anyway…I was here and I was leading my team.
I was pulled from my thoughts by
my roommate, Ava, walking in. Ava Turner is SPD Yellow, as her mother was. Her
father was the first Omega Ranger. Both her parents are my Godparents…as mine
are hers. My father has been best friends with her mother since they were kids
so it was natural that Ava and I were raised together. I’m not sure if I’d call
us best friends. We don’t always get along and we don’t have much in common,
but she is like a sister to me and I love her dearly. Anyway, she came in the
room and plopped on my bed next to me.
“Hey Av.” I said.
“What’s your deal?” she asked.
“I’m just tired of being the only
Ranger to take this seriously.”
“But you’re not. Angie, we all
do…well…except Bridget maybe.”
“You don’t act like it.”
“Just because we know how to have
fun doesn’t me we don’t take this seriously.”
“Do you really understand the
severity of the situation?”
“Of fighting
Mirloc? Of course I do! I’m well aware
what Mirloc is capable of…he killed Commander Tate’s father. He could kill us
if we’re not ready for him. I get it. But what good is living if you’re not
enjoying life?”
“You can’t enjoy life if you’re
not living.”
Ava laughed, “That’s a cop out and
you know it.”
“Cadet Angela Landors, please report to Commander Tate’s
office. Cadet Angela Landors, please report to Commander Tate’s office.” A voice said over the intercom.
“What did you do?” Ava asked.
I looked at her, confused, “No
idea.”
“You better go find out.”
“Yeah.” I said as I got up.
I went to Commander Tate’s office
and knocked.
“Enter.” Commander Tate said as
the automatic door opened for me.
“Cadet Landors, you have
visitors.” Commander Tate said as the two people in his office turned to face
me. It was my parents.
“Hey
sweetheart.” Mom said.
“Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?” I
asked as I hugged them. I wasn’t sure if I was actually happy to see them or
not.
“We missed you and wanted to see
how you were doing.”
I found this odd considering they
lived across town but rarely visited.
“You know you can’t push us away
forever.” Dad said.
“I’m not pushing you away.” I
said.
“Yes sweetie, you are. Why do you
think we never visit? Every time we do you treat us like we’re invading your
space.” Mom said.
I sighed, “Do we have to do this
now?”
“No. We do need to talk though.
Sky said we could take you off grounds for dinner.” Dad said.
“But I need to work with my team.
They got an 87% on simulations today.”
“Kara will work with the team.”
Commander Tate said.
“But…”
“Go. Have fun. The team will be
fine, I promise.”
“See, there you have it. Let’s
go.” Dad said.
I sighed, ‘”Fine.”
“Nice seeing you again Sky.” Dad
said.
“Likewise.” Commander Tate said as I walked out with my parents.
We went to a restaurant close to
the Academy. We got a table and ordered our food.
“How are things going?” Dad
finally asked.
“Fine I guess. My team needs work,
but so far it’s been ok.” I said.
“Are you sure you don’t want to
come home?” Mom asked.
“Yes I’m sure! How many times have
you asked me that? Mom, I liked SPD. It’s always been my dream to be SPD Red
and now I finally am. This is where I want to be. This is what I want.”
“Don’t get too involved with SPD.”
Dad warned.
“What? Why?”
“SPD isn’t what it seems.”
“What does that mean?”
Dad sighed, “I have suspicions but
no proof. I just don’t want you to get sucked in. Remain loyal to yourself and
your own desires, not SPD’s.”
“You never liked SPD because you
don’t like to conform and you never wanted me to be SPD because you don’t think
I have what it takes.”
“That isn’t true at all!” Dad
cried.
“Yes it is! Well guess what, I did
it. I proved myself. I became SPD Red…and not just of B-squad. I am A-squad SPD
Red and I’ll be the best SPD Red there’s ever been!” I cried as I stood up and
ran out of the restaurant. I was running towards the Academy when I saw a
blast. I stopped then headed the direction of the blast. I saw an alien with an
army of these robot things. “Just what I needed today.”
I sighed as I took a fighting stance.
One of the robots ran at me. I
used my power so that he just passed through me then I started to fight. “OK
bolt brain, I’m so not in the mood for this right now.”
“Stand down Red Ranger. You cannot
beat Mirloc.” The alien said.
“Oh yeah? And who are you?” I asked
“They call me Hyranki…you can call
me your destroyer.”
“Not likely. SPD, Emergency!” I
called, “SPD Red!”
“You think I’m scared of a little
girl in spandex?”
“It’s high grade battle armor for
your information…and I’m anything but a little girl.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“Oh yes, we will.” I said as I
attacked him. I was doing well considering I was out numbered. He had an army.
It was this army that got me tripped up. Hyranki managed to grab me and pick me
up by the neck.
“Say goodnight
little girl.” Hyranki said.
“Say goodbye ugly alien.” Sam said
as the other Rangers showed up.
“Oh look, the whole daycare is
here.”
“This guy wants to be arrested
doesn’t he?” Ava asked.
“I say we grant his wish.”
“With you
Dallas. Let’s do this!” Sage said as he
and
“If the guys got the goon we’ll
take the robots.” I said.
“On it.” Bridget said as we attacked the robots.
“What are these things?” Sam
asked.
“My mom told me about these
things. They’re called Krybots.” Ava said.
“They don’t look like
Krybots…don’t Krybots have silver heads?” I asked.
“Sometimes. These are just blue headed ones. Slightly
more powerful and difficult.”
“Whatever they are, they need an
adjustment.” Bridget said as she kicked one.
“No lie.” Sam agreed.
“You ready to give it up?”
“Not a chance.” Hyranki replied as
he pulled out this bomb looking thing. When he uncorked it, it made him grow.
“I think it’s
Zord time.”
“Kara, we need the Zords!” I said
into my communicator.
“On their way.” Kara replied.
The Zords showed up and we each
got in our given Zord.
“OK, Megazord battle
configuration.” I said as we combined the Zords.
“Power levels
high.” Bridget said.
“All systems
online.” Sam echoed.
“Then let’s show this alien whose
boss.” I said.
We fought the alien and weakened
him substantially. He was forced down to normal size. I jumped out of the Zord
and met him on the ground.
“You’re mine
now. Hyranki, you’re charged with disturbing the peace, destroying public and
private property, and conspiracy to over take a planet. Just
as I thought…guilty. Containment time.” I said
as I contained the alien.
“Glad that’s over.” Ava said.
“Totally.” Sam agreed.
“So, was that better than 87%?”
Bridget asked.
“Oh, here we go.” Sage sighed.
“No, it’s ok. I deserve that I
guess. You all did good work.” I said.
“Saved your
ass.”
I sighed, “Yes, you did. Thanks
guys.”
“That’s what teams do.” Sage said.
“That’s what friends do.” Ava
echoed.
“Let’s go back to the Academy.” I
said.
We arrived back to the Academy and went to the rec room. My
parents were both their waiting for me.
“Ugh.” I sighed.
“Young lady, we need to talk.” Dad said.
“Yes sir.” I said as I walked out with him. We went outside
so we could be alone.
“I didn’t appreciate you running off like that.” He said.
“Why do you even care? You’ve made it clear you have
absolutely no faith in me or my ability to be SPD.”
“Angela Landors, what gave you that ridiculous idea?”
“Your consistent hesitation whenever I talk about SPD.”
“Angie, that isn’t about you and your ability. You’re more
than capable of leading your squad. I know that.”
“You do? So then what is your problem?”
“SPD is my problem.”
“You said something about SPD earlier. What is your deal
with them? You were SPD once.”
“Yes, and I resigned.”
“To be with Mom…I know.”
“There was more to it than that. There’s something deeper in
SPD. I don’t know what it is but I know something isn’t right.”
“Do you have any proof?”
“No, just…a gut instinct. There’s
things that don’t add up.”
“You’re paranoid. SPD isn’t part of some mass conspiracy or
anything. We’re the good guys.”
“I hope you’re right…just be
careful.”
“OK.”
“I’m seriously Angie…keep your eyes open.”
I nodded, “OK, I will…I promise.”
“Thank you. You know I love you right?”
“I know. I love you too Dad.”
“And I think you’re a very strong and capable young woman. I
have no doubt you have the ability to lead your squad to victory against
Mirloc. Just don’t underestimate Mirloc. I know what he’s capable of.”
“Yeah, so do I and I will not let any of my team fall prey
to his tricks.”
Dad smiled, “That’s my girl.”
“You battled him before. I want intell on everything you
know about Mirloc. Don’t leave anything out.” I said as we headed back towards
the Academy.