SPD 11- “London Calling”

“SPD US will be here any moment. Are we ready?” I asked my team.

“Of course we are. What’s to be ready for? It’s just another SPD team.” JJ said.

“They are guests and colleagues. I expect them to be treated as such.” I said.

“Jeremy, relax, I know you’re not keen on sharing jurisdiction with another team but it will be fine.” Merci said.

“I have no issue with jurisdiction…I just want to make sure they know they are guests at our Academy.”

“Like I said, jurisdiction issues.”

My name is Jeremy Jax and I’m Captain of the A-squad of SPD UK’s Power Rangers. That makes me the Red Ranger for those not keeping up. I’d just found out that intergalactic criminal, Mirloc, had eluded the SPD US team from California and so they were following him here, to London.

Merci is right to an extent…I’m not thrilled about sharing this mission with SPD US, but not for the reasons she thinks. SPD US let Mirloc escape three times already over the years. I’m not keen on working with them in an attempt to capture him a third time. I have little faith in the SPD US team from what I know, but my Commander ordered me to work with them, so I’ll make it happen.

“A-squad to the Command Centre.” Libby said over the PA system.

“You heard her, let’s go guys.” I told my team.

We went into the Command Centre and found Commander Jax, my father, with another team that I assumed to be SPD US.

“Rangers, it’s my honor to introduce you to the SPD team of the United States.” My dad said.

“It’s is our honor to be sure. I am Commander Sky Tate and these are my Rangers, Angie Landors, SPD Red; Sage Carson, SPD Blue; Dallas Tate, SPD Green; Ava Turner, SPD Yellow; Samantha McKnight, SPD Pink; Bridget Carson, SPD Purple; and Clarissa Harrington, SPD Crimson.” Commander Tate said.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I am Captain Jeremy Jax, SPD Red, and this is my team, Jamie Dunham, SPD Blue; Chase Brady, SPD Green; JJ Williams, SPD Yellow; Merci Wilson, SPD Pink; Kelli Wilson, SPD Violet; and Morgan Lindsey, SPD Quantum.” I said.

“Now that the introductions are done, Jeremy, would you please show our guests to their quarters? We’ll meet back here in an hour to discuss action against Mirloc.” Dad said.

I nodded, “Yes sir.”

“Dismissed.”

“OK, I want my squad to go to Libby’s lab and see what she has as far as Mirloc’s location. US Squad, come with me and I’ll show you to your quarters.” I said.

“Yes sir.” Jamie said as he led my team off.

“Ok, just so we’re clear, the US Squad is my team and I give the orders. London or not, you don’t out rank me.” Angie said.

“Actually I am Cadet Landors. I’m a Captain, but that’s irrelevant. I have no interest in taking over your team, only in capturing Mirloc, which I’ll remind you is something you failed to do.” I said.

“Which is why we’re here, to contain Mirloc and finish what we started.”

“And you will…with the help of my team. Now, this way.” I said as I led them to the part of the Academy with dorms.

“Thank you for having us.” Samantha said.

“You’re welcome.” I replied with a smile. In spite of myself there was something about Samantha I was drawn to the second I laid eyes on her. She was beautiful to be sure, but there was something more.

“I noticed you, your commander, and Chase don’t have accents like the rest of your team.” She said.

I nodded, “My father is from the US but moved here years ago. Chase is from the States as well. I was born here but being as my father taught me to talk and I was around him most, I developed an American accent as well.”

Samantha nodded, “Makes sense.”

“So here we are. Sage and Dallas, you’ll be sharing this room. Girls, there’s an odd number of you so you can figure out how you want to do this. You have these two rooms between you.” I said.

“Angie and I should get a room and stick the cousins in a room.” Ava said.

“You three are cousins?” I asked.

Samantha nodded, “Sage is my cousin too. He’s Bridget’s brother.”

“I figured at much.”

“And I’m find with rooming with Bre and Rissa.” Samantha added in response to Ava.

“Yeah, works for me too.” Clarissa said.

Bridget nodded in agreement.

“Ok, sounds good.” Angie said.

“OK, this room has three beds already so you’ll want this room.” I said pointing.

“Thanks Jeremy.” Samantha said.

“No problem. I’ll leave you all to settle in. Just be in the Command Centre in about 45 minutes.”

“We’ll be there.”

I went to meet my team in the lab.

“Find anything?” I asked.

“Yes, finding him is easy. Keeping a lock on him is a whole other story.” Libby said.

“Keep trying Lib.”

“Of course. So, what the US team like?”

“They seem nice enough.” Morgan said.

“Somewhat arrogant, but what can you expect from Americans?” Kelli scoffed.

“Kel, you realize Commander Jax and Chase are both Americans, right?” Merci asked.

“Yeah, but they aren’t typical Americans.”

Merci rolled her eyes.

“The truth is we don’t know them well enough to have an opinion.” Jamie said.

“We do know that Jeremy has a thing for that Pink Ranger.” JJ teased.

“What? I do not!” I cried.

“Oh, you so do. It was obvious in the way you looked at her.” Morgan said.

“Too bad she’s like 10.” JJ said.

“She’s 16 and I’m not interested in her.” I said.

JJ rolled her eyes.

“Enough. Let’s get to the Command Centre. You too Libs.” I said.

We went to the Command Centre and Libby and Chase continued to try to pin down a location for Mirloc while we waited for SPD US. They finally walked in with their Commander.

“Again, welcome. We’ve read the files on Mirloc, but please brief us on anything not in the records.” Dad said.

Commander Tate nodded, “Mirloc is a master of mind manipulation and trickery. He will find what makes you tick and use it against you. He is also the master of escape. He can escape through any reflective surface, which makes containing him extremely difficult.”

“Have you pinpointed him yet?” Angie asked.

“Working on it.” Chase said.

“As I told my team, tracking him is easy, keeping a lock on him, not so much.” Libby added.

“And you are?” Dallas asked.

“Sorry, I’m Libby Miller, SPD lab tech.”

“And before you ask, yes, she’s American too.” I added.

Samantha smiled, “Answered my next question.”

“You’re far too predictable.” I smiled back.

JJ and Kelli snickered and I threw them a glare.

“Ok, so what do we do?” Bridget asked.

“Well, if we split up maybe we can find him.” Sage said.

“No way. Not only are you tourists in an unfamiliar city, but, as I’ve mentioned, you’ve managed to let Mirloc escape more than once. No way am I trusting you to go after him without us now.” I said.

“Dude, we’re SPD too, lay off.” Angie said.

“Yeah, and you’re not in New Tech City anymore. This is London and this is my jurisdiction.” I said.

“And Mirloc is our enemy.”

“A dangerous enemy you can’t contain!”

“I’m not handing my squad over to you so either you’re going to work with us or you’re against us!”

“Enough!” both Commanders yelled.

“Sorry sir.” Angie and I said in unison.

“If this is how US and UK work together then Mirloc has all but won.” Dad said.

Commander Tate nodded in agreement, “Commander Jax is right, you have to work together or this isn’t going to work at all.”

“He’s right. OK, what do we do?” Angie asked.

“Splitting up isn’t a bad idea, but Jeremy is right, the US Squad doesn’t know the city. I think mixing up the teams is probably the best idea.” Dad said.

“OK, so how do we do this?” I asked.

“Jeremy and Angie, you’ll each lead a team. Sage, Chase, JJ, Samantha, Bridget, and Morgan, you’re with Jeremy on Team-A. Jamie, Dallas, Ava, Merci, Kelli, and Clarissa, you’re with Angie on Team-B.”

“Works for me.” Angie said.

I nodded, “Me too.”

“OK, Team-A start on the West End. Team-B, East End.” Libby said.

“Ok, let’s move out.” I commanded.

I took my team to the West End of London. It was London’s premier entertainment district. It was also the perfect place for Mirloc to hide with it’s mass of reflective services. As well, it provided plenty of civilians for him to terrorize.

“Tell me something Libs, any lock on Mirloc yet?” I asked into my communicator.

“Not yet J-man. At one point I did get a blip on him around Oxford Street. You may want to head that direction.” Libby replied.

“Thanks Libs. Jeremy out.” I said, “Ok guys, you heard the lady, this way.”

“This city is so huge.” Samantha said as we walked.

“Yes, it’s quite large.”

“It’s beautiful though. So far I love it.”

“And you’ve only seen a minimal portion. I’ll have to take you to sight see one day when we’re not working.”

“That would be amazing.”

“Ok then, it’s a date.”

JJ stifled a laugh.

“JJ, don’t start.” I said.

“Wouldn’t dream of it Captain.” JJ said, attempting to be serious, but it was obvious she was fighting laughter still.

“Chase, you have the mobile tracker?” I asked.

“Yes sir.” Chase said.

“Oh, let me see that.” Sage said.

“Oh god, here it comes. Geek attack.” Bridget sighed.

“What? This is a very interesting device. It’s two upgrades better than what we have.” Sage said.

“And that was before I did some manual upgrades.” Chase said.

“Manual upgrades? The internal mechanics of this device is so intricate, how did you manually upgrade it?”

“I’m a certified genius.”

“Oh great.” Bridget mumbled.

“Problem Cadet Carson?” I asked.

“No sir, nothing at all.”

“Sibling rivalry?” Morgan asked.

“Something like that.”

“It’s ok, Jeremy and I used to fight all the time.”

“You two are siblings?”

“I’m adopted, but yes, we’re just like siblings.”

“Yes, but I don’t recall ever being mean or fighting with you.” I said.

“Oh please…you were always picking on me Jeremy.”

“No, you’re my baby sister. I love you.”

“Yes, but you also teased the hell out of me.”

“If that’s true you gave as good as you got.”

Morgan laughed, “Yes, I suppose I did.”

“Hey, Captain, I got something here.” Chase said.

“Where?” I asked.

“According to my readings…right over there.” Chase said as he pointed to a building we were right next to.

“If he’s there, where is he?” Bridget asked.

“Right here!” Mirloc cried as he appeared out of a window and attacked us.

“Morph, now!” I cried.

“SPD Emergency!” we all cried.

“You’re not getting away this time.” Samantha said.

“There’s nothing you can do to stop me.” Mirloc said.

“We’ll see about that.” I said as I pulled my sword and went after Mirloc.

“Even two SPD teams can’t take me down.”

“You’ll be on the run forever.”

“I’m ok with that, I get by with a little help from my friends.” Mirloc said as he summoned an army of Krybots.

“Don’t let Mirloc get away!” I cried.

“Not like we’re trying to let him escape!” Bridget cried.

“There’s too many Krybots. I can’t get to him!” JJ cried.

“Mirloc, come back and fight!” I cried.

“Not today my good man…perhaps we’ll meet again another day.” Mirloc said as he vanished, leaving us to fight the Krybots.

“NO!” I cried as I tried to push through the Krybots to stop him.

“Jeremy, stop, he’s gone. You’re gonna get yourself killed.” Samantha said as she grabbed me and pulled me back.

“No…”

“He’s gone. I’m sorry. We need to get rid of these Krybots now.”

I nodded, “Right.”

Samantha and I fought side by side to clear out the Krybots. She was a much better fighter than I would have expected her to be.

Once the Krybots were gone Dad called both teams back to the base.

“You let Mirloc escape?!” Angie cried.

“Not so lame now are we?” Dallas asked.

“Jeremy did everything he could to stop Mirloc.” JJ said.

“Yeah, so did we.” Ava said.

“Enough. Mirloc is a challenging foe to be sure. I’m sure Captain Jax did everything he could to contain him. Mirloc was not looking for a battle today, he just wanted to have it be known that he is here. He showed himself simply to torment us. He will be back and until then we just have to be on guard.” Commander Tate said.

“Agreed. Both teams did good work today. Libby will continue to monitor the situation and we’ll notify you if anything comes up. Until then, US Squad, feel free to explore our great city. If you need any help getting around the UK team will be happy to assist you.” Dad said.

“Of course we will.” Jamie said.

“Good. Anything else Commander Tate?” Dad asked.

“No, I think that covers it.” Commander Tate said.

“OK then, dismissed.”

After we were dismissed I went to the weight room and started punching at the punching bag. I was furious at myself for letting Mirloc escape. I was the Captain of SPD UK. How on Earth had I been so careless?

I was pulled from my thoughts by a voice.

“You ok?”

I turned around and saw Samantha, “Not really.” I replied.

“You did everything you could out there.”

“If I did everything I could then we would have contained Mirloc.”

“Mirloc isn’t an easy catch. You underestimated him, but you didn’t fail. You did all you could with your knowledge of the situation. You know more now and you’ll be ready next time.”

I sighed, “Doesn’t help me feel better, but thanks for trying Samantha.”

She smiled, “You’re welcome…and call me Sammi.”

I nodded, “Ok Sammi.”

“So, how about that tour of London?”

“Another time? I’m not really up to it right now.”

“I’ll hold you to it. How about we just grab some dinner in the cafeteria then? You gotta eat.”

I nodded, “OK, you’re on.”

“Great.”

I walked out with Sammi feeling a multitude of emotions. I still felt like a failure for letting Mirloc escape…but being with Sammi softened the self-hatred I’d normally feel in this situation. Being with Sammi made me feel something I had never felt. I couldn’t explain it but the girl got to me. There was something about her but I couldn’t put my finger on it.