Fandom Power Rangers: Bio Strike

[PenBlade1326]

This place had...less than pleasant memories for Tidal it would seem. At least memory fragments...or are they whole ones? Drew folded his arms at a loss for words as Tidal let go of the wall and wanted out. Before Drew could even extend his arm out to him in support he was outside. Damn, this place clearly upset him. If those names on the wall mean anything? Drew had a pretty clear vision as to why he'd want out of here so badly.
Olivia made the last arrangements with One-Eye and Rusty before breaking from him and contacting her father to update him on the situation. Normal stuff, really.

As nightfall came and the Rangers grouped together for the night inside shelter under a likely-to-collapse roof and funky odored walls. The thought of everybody in a confined space overnight trying to sleep was more exhausting than the days work they'd all got in. Not that Drew or Olivia hated small spaces too much...but God everybody was sweaty and dirty...it got stanky real fast.
Tidal's exposition for why the morphing didn't happen for so long silence Drew. Here he was just about to ask Tidal what the deal was and continue the inner conflict brewing. Not wanting to draw attention to a nearby Rexian facility, thus sparing more lives than lost? Excellent work... Really excellent work. "I understand why you held off on it for so long...but you couldn't have told us that? Ya know...before we arrived?" Drew asked, still a bit salty about everything.
Olivia nodded slowly, just admiring Tidal's growth from the beginning when he was basically mindless. He thought about saving as many people as possible, and then extended the offer of safety to them all...refugees and thugs alike. "I have to say, I'm impressed, Tidal. Truly...what you did? I'm genuinely impressed," Olivia said softly.

Sleeping all together that night wasn't so bad. Not cozy, but not bad either. In the morning as trucks rolled in and everybody was being collected onto transports for the trip back to Inezia, Drew made a few quick checks on the bike since the Rangers would be driving back. He just wanted to see if any sandstorms or anything may have affect the bike he oh-so kindly...borrowed from the auto shop. Olivia lent a hand in reassuring all refugees joining them to Inezia that while the city is safe it is not without conflict. better to be honest with them all. Inezia is safe, and immigration will be easy enough, but the city sees a lot of brutal attacks. These people know that. Hell...some of them may even wish to sign up for the military. Some of these people were bound to want some payback on the Armada, after all. Right?
As they would prepare to make their journey home and deliver the meteor's fragments to HQ and get the refugees taken care of and given shelter, the Captain decided to give the Rangers a break. You see, as everybody was waking up, Olivia discreetly gave the Captain a rundown of what happened. Stuff you would expect for debrief. His response? Captain Scott contacted all of the Rangers via their morphers.
"Rangers: Captain Scott reporting in. It has come to my attention that the meteor is secure and all threats are terminated. I am sure assisting the refugees will come naturally to you all. Also, Tidal. Allow me to congratulate you on a job well done. Your quick-thinking and know-how of the land proved more than useful. Also based on your location, we have determined exact coordinates for the factory near you. We will make efforts into its shut down ASAP. All objectives completed. Excellent work, all of you. And again Tidal, well done. Consider you all dismissed. When you return home, a team will take the meteor off of your hands and allow you all to go home, get some rest, and take a shower. We meet first thing tomorrow morning for training. Dismissed." Captain Scott patched in. So that's it. Drew, Olivia, and the others were now free to go home, relax, and get back to work tomorrow. All in a days work...time to ride off into the horizon ad continue the good fight.

 

[Lady Insanity]

Calvin wandered the ruined city a bit longer before a few of the Landsharks approached him and asked how he fought so...so...good. He smirked and told them he was professionally trained. And he works out. And he's just got a lot of personal experience. And that once he even fought a killer typewriter robot. They didn't believe him...until he told the thugs a story or two about being a Ranger. They thought the colorful vehicles and all of the weapons--all eighteen of the weapons in total--were ridiculous, but awesome sounding. Surely he didn't miscount, did he?

Jane grinned slightly as Abby took Helga and was soon reunited with her parents. Something about seeing a kid go from gloomy to smiley was so refreshing. Same with that stuffed pig. Something about seeing a toy in a rundown area like this, part of the debris and just a memory of the child that had it before? Sad...seeing a toy abandoned like that by the previous owner when toys were supposed to be happy things? Even more sad! Is it weird to associate feelings with inanimate objects? Something in Jane just felt like giving Abby that pig Helga was...right. Like they got a bonus refugee. Okay, that's a weird phrase and a half. Bonus refugee? This isn't the drive thru at a fast food joint on french fry coupon day. Mmm...french fries.
Jane reverted to her tomboy self real quick with Lucas. "I have my moments," She said. "Don't get used to me being as fluffy as that just was...tell anyone and I will stab you in the esophagus." Jane laughed after joking with him. She was a nice girl, really, just she didn't need her reputation as a tomboy with an inner fire to go out!

Making camp inside of an old building with everybody was so cramped. Jane ended up being in between Drew and Tidal in the strange circle they'd all formed, Calvin thrown in beside Lucas and Olivia. Everyone was kind of everywhere, really. But nobody expected to get so blindsided when Tidal spoke about why morphing didn't happen until so late. He didn't want to possibly alert the factory...the Armada's factory...he was literally sparing all of those people from a bigger attack. Sure it made the journey to the meteor/chicken egg harder, but it was so much safer. Ugh...chicken egg. At least that's over with. Calvin gave an approving nod to Tidal as he explained why he had delayed morphing, but also like Drew wondered why Tidal didn't just tell them sooner when he had the chance. Oh well. "Alright, you big cat softy. For not getting more people killed you get points in my book. But you also loose a few for calling me kid. And calling Olivia 'cupcake'. There is an Astro Cannon back at HQ with your name all over it." Jane said....because of course she would. Maybe Tidal should lock his door when he sleeps...and with on eye open, apparently. Tomboy revenge isn't to be taken lightly. Nor is sassy redhead, presumably.

Early as everybody was waking, Calvin and Jane with everyone exited the building. There was something Jane had to do, though. A certain superhero giraffe needed to come with the convoy as a refugee. Can't leave a hero behind can you? The search was on for Raffy...and he was found before Abby woke. She ended up sleeping with her parents, clutching Helga tightly as they both waited for him to come back. When everybody boarded the transports, certain arrangements were made. By the time Abby and her parents boarded? Raffy was sitting in a seat, waiting for her. He'd gotten done with hero work and he came home to her...and his side kick, Helga of course. Jane watched from afar as Abby happily reunited with him on the transport, grabbing him and squeezing him and Helga tight. So not only was Helga being rescued--still sad seeing toys lost like that--but she was going home with a brave little girl and a giraffe. Abby ended up not only going to a safe city...but she had a new friend, and reunited with on too. Job well done.
When the Captain debriefed everyone over their comm system, Jane and Calvin fist pumped. Yes! Booyah! "Finally we can just go home, take out pants off in exchange for sweats and eat Cheetos all hours of the night!" Jane exclaimed. "And we're free of chickens from space!" Calvin added...of course he did.

 

[marorda]

Hearing they wouldn't have to go to HQ, well, except for Tidal since he lived there, was quite a relief. Being out there in the Wasteland and having a long deive getting there was exhausting. Everyone could use some proper rest. And a shower! Wheew, the Wastelands really made someone smelly! Once back in the cty, the refugees were taken care of by City Defense workers and volunteers. Tidal once again apologized for the nickname before everyone departed and went their own ways again. He couldn't wait to be back at HQ again. Not only was there a kitty waiting for him there, he also really wanted to take a shower. And there were a lot of things to process.

Lucas had Evie pick him up at the gates. His sister was glad to see everyone got nack in one piece. As a Commander she damn well knew how dangerous the Wastelands could be. She lost many good people out there. But she found some good people there too. Still, she wouldn't want to live there, really. On the way back, Lucas gave her a rundown of what had happed out there. Space-chickens, acting like thugs, ruined cities, a factory run by Armada, Tidal surprising everyone with his true intentions. Evie expressed her feeling sorry on the chicken part. Partially becuase it was a baby alien,moartially because she knew of Tidal's fear for chickens.

Once all done, Tidal flopped down on his bed. Sally immediately leaped on and sat doen on his chest. He absentmindedly petted her. That city out there... It was home once, but there wasn't a trace of anyone having been there in years. How long had it rwally been since Damien died? How long had he been wandering on his own? Were his parents still alive, and if so, where were they? Seeing what once was his homee, but with fractured memories, raised more questions than he could answer. The only ones who knew were the onces who did this to him. Damn you, Armada! He would do anything to get his memories back. One day he would succeed. One day he would finally be himself again.

This mission may have been one of the stranger ones the rangers have had, acting out of character in dangerous territory to retrive a meteor turning out to be an egg. Space was strange, and many things lurking out there were still unknown to mankind. What mattered was that the refugees were safe, and that the thgs were given a second chance, just like how Tidal had been given one. Thugs may be assholes, they may murder people at times, and you may want to ounch them in the face over things they say, but ther's one other thing you can be sure about: ehen worst comes ro worst... There is honor among thugs.

End of Arc 26

 

[Lady Insanity]

PenBlade1326 marorda

Arc 27: Questioning Beliefs

Business as usual. The routine of Inezian City Defense carried on as expected in an average day dictated under Captain Scott's command. The meteor the Rangers had recovered from the wasteland was currently undergoing examination and being used for whatever purposes. Immigration of refugees and the Landsharks gang went smoothly enough with everybody. A few injured and sick among the majority of people entering the city as expected. Anybody who'd ran with the military was more than likely used to that, though. Recovering people from all different backgrounds and bringing them to the city. Sure Inezia isn't perfect, but it's a lot safer than that place. Especially with the added protection of certain colorful heroes.

For most this was a day of business as usual. For those more military, it was a day of work. Falling into routine of training and work, Calvin had put out an offer to the Captain to put in a day of training with the troops and a few military personnel. Of course, some protocol would call for the Captain to supervise should he so desire. After his experience in the wasteland with a giant chicken monster, Calvin needed to just shake it off days after coming back and focus on something he knew.
Commander Taylor stood with a watchful eye as a squad of soldiers ran an obstacle course set up to test their physical ability on a field. A track field area commonly used by athletes. Today, it's the military's. Calvin observed the troops running though all obstacles, some running track, others sparring, etc. Max was here as well, acting as drill sergeant to those on the course. "Come on come one, you've gotta get it moving, move move move!" he blurted to the men on the course unlike his normal care-free self. Max his a fun guy, but he knows when to get serious and tough. Besides, the military is just like this. He would meet the same men and women for a beer later, so yelling at them not was just a routine thing. In between laps of the course, Max would pester Calvin over more details about the wasteland...especially the chicken. Calvin changed the subject and kept him on task.
"Commander Tucker, how are they doing?" Calvin called out to Evie on the track with soldiers running laps and getting in some cardio. Nice to work with Evie. He admired her, in several ways.
Max shook his head, meeting his troops at the end of the course. He looked toward Olivia. "So, Ms Scott, are you gonna tell me anything about the space chicken?" Max asked her eagerly as she too worked on the field.

For the other four Rangers? Jane, Tidal, Lucas and Drew were free to spend this time in their common lives. Work outside of duty, school, etc. It was the middle of the day after all! Jane had class on campus today. Currently she's in History. Not her favorite subject... but after some tutoring and being stuck in a video game before, she'd learned some now habits and became a C student. Hey, it's passing!
Tanner had the class with her and had since moved to a closer seat. As the professor spoke, the two would talk quietly and scribble down notes. Tanner of course would annoy Jane with questions about Ranger stuff, when they'd play a game together again...but not be in it this time, even going so far to ask her if there's anything between her and the grease monkey. Jane replied to all questions with either a short answer, or a jab in Tanner's side. Hehe.

 

[PenBlade1326]

Processing the space rock recovered earlier proved standard enough. Was it that the massive energy source ending up a monster the Rangers had to exterminate made the rock seem...normal by comparison? Useful materials and minerals galore. Probably what kept the egg in tact. Granted the rock was essentially an egg. Still, the minerals were outstanding. Dr Wilson had already begun harvesting the resources for better use in the city. All while leading his team in the lab on more standard procedures. Anomalies caught his attention on a far-off monitor. But they were nothing. Last time he paid attention to an anomaly on the screen out of curiosity...it resulting in a weird outcome. Best not repeat that! Just another weird fact about Garrett Wilson.

What a marvelous day for working out the militia. An open field with plenty of room, a good course, and some of the top military commanders, Commander Taylor and Commander Tucker. Captain Scott happily supervised the events of the training grounds. Hands behind his back, he paced around all obstacles on the field in an official manner. The soldiers were good, tough, durable. Exactly what Inezia needs for its defense. Not just the city. The world. The Captain kept a closer eye on newer recruits in the ranks of his army as few of them adjusted to the 'harsh' realities of the training situations. He, too, took the role of drill sergeant and added a layer of pressure to some troops to motivate them to push through some courses. What kind of mentor would he be otherwise? Okay, maybe that doesn't lend a hand in him being a mentor, but still. He's gotta be the boss somehow. He didn't become Captain for no reason, after all. "Shape up, push through. Remember why all of you are here," he reminded the men and women on the field. He was so proud seeing them all train. Something about watching your soldiers train and progress provided pride to the heart, did it not? It certainly did for him.
Olivia simply monitored progress and timed everybody. Checking how long it took some people to run the course, how long it took them to run a lap--even if Eveline is watching over the track--that sort of business. Basically "keeping score" for lack of better terms. She'd be training herself, but her main job was more of a supervisor in this case. She smirked slightly as Max shot her a question as she marked down a time for one of many soldiers. "Told you, Sanchez, the chicken was big, evil, and ugly. Like most things we fight," she told him. (may or may not have had to look at the ally tab for his last name)

Midday plundering into some greasy old car is exactly what Drew expected to get into today. The auto shop had seen a fair amount of customers today, meaning Drew had his work cut out for him. A man had brought in his car with reports of a funny sound coming from the engine, said it started after an Armada attack. Likely a Dytron had damaged the car. Or given how many times Rangers fly into cars....cue whistle sound. Nevertheless, Drew accepted the work and had his hands in the engine of the old car. The source of the noise was the distributor cap, which if left unattended to could lead to more than a funky sound. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Drew kept his hands in the engine in order to fix the problem by the time the owner returned.

 

[marorda]

Today was an excellent day to bark orders at soldiers and slightly frighten the newest recruits. It kind of amused Eveline that she, not even 5'5" tall, managed to scare men who were close to touching the 6'. On the battlefield or off-duty she was a much different person than en training people. Anyone who knew her could tell you that. Odd as it may be, she thought training had to be more serious than the actual running around the battlefield. With all the things you see out there, it just happen to people. Or her, at least.
"Come on, get moving. My granny ran faster than you lot, and she's an 80-year-old lady! Stick some peppers in your arses and start running," Evie called to the soldiers running on the track. She wasn't quite sure whether "pepper in your arses" was an expression everywhere or just where she spend her life growing up, but hey, it sounded funny enough, and the message was clear. She turned to Calvin as he asked her how the soldiers were doing and gave him a thumbs up. "They're doing just fine Commander Taylor," She responded. Nice to work together indeed. Those were rare times, considering how Calvin was usually off on ranger business with her brother. Hah, maybe they should see if they could hang out more often. Grabbing beers after this training session, for one, was nice. If no evil invaders would show up again. Like more chickens. Eveline chuckled to herself. That was one nice story her brother had told her.

Speaking of said brother, Lucas was hard at work in the college's library, looking up sources both online and on shelves. He had received some rather positive news a few days ago, or well... Possibly positive news. It depended on just a couple more things. And said things meant he had to put in quite the bit of extra work. He went over his notes, scribbled down some book titles, bookmarked some sites... And nearly leaped away from the table as he noticed his phone buzzing. Matt. He hurriedly grabbed his things and went outside to answer the phone. Turns out one of the guys had to leave early due to unforeseen circumstances, and now the Emporium was short-staffed. If he could fill in real quick, just a few hours. Whelp, busy day!

 

[Lady Insanity]

Max rolled his eyes playfully at Olivia. She was his superior, so he wouldn't speak out of line to her. Granted, superiority had never stopped him before... He threw this hands up. "Esto es loco. Nadie me dice nada, te digo que..." He said in Spanish, walking away and returning to his business with the troops on the obstacle course. He gave them small praise and encouragement before having them continue on. Unlike Evie, he thought the training area was the best place to be softer on troops, not harder. That's the battlefields mindset!!! Of course he didn't persist in being a softy, either...Max is weird. But he's Max. So weird is expected. At least he's a good guy and not some weirdo bad guy.

A thumbs up had been shot Evie's way as she reported in with Calvin. "Good work, keep it up, Tucker!" He called to her, keeping his eye on the soldiers along the field. He aided one of the men with posture in a sparring match, helping to better the guys fighting stance, as well as his partners keen eye. Best to keep the best stance possible and watch for your opponent. Also, it never hurt to give your ally a helpful tip when they might need one. No problem! Military life can be rough, but it isn't without support from your friends and fellow soldiers. Calvin strolled over to the Captain on the field. "Sir, mind if I ask you something? Who's on next patrol duty for the team?" Calvin asked out of curiosity. (totally random, doesn't matter, Pen xD)
---
Lurking above Earth's atmosphere, on board the head ship of the Rexian Armada, looming over the human world a certain general hatched a plan. Most interesting readings had showed up on Volmour's radar. He showed them to Actera and asked for her help presenting said information to Urthemial and Splica. The information read a similar energy reading to the meteor that had crashed on Earth a few days ago. Very similar...not another rock, but it was likely an alien life form of some kind. Curious. Volmour approached the throne room, mindless and virus-controlled, monotone presenting himself with his ally. "My lord, my lady, we have reports of a familiar energy signature. And it's head straight for Earth."

 

[PenBlade1326]

Olivia shook her head gently as Max walked off from her location on the field and returned to what he was doing. He was muttering in Spanish at her, or at least to himself vocally. She knew some Spanish, but she was no expert, truthfully. And if she's stated she was in the past, either she confused Spanish for German or she was paying half attention to somebody as she pondered something in her mind. She'd also chuckled at Eveline as she worked with--or barked at--the soldiers on the track around the field. Comparing them to her grandmother, no less. Such is to be expected from her. You wouldn't think it from first meeting her, but Commander Tucker is highly respected by her men. City Defense Forces are respectful in general, though. Save for a few corrupt people in every blue moon. Or androids that had infiltrated them before. But that was only a dream Olivia had when she was a teenager. Great...while she was having these thoughts, she'd completely ignored some of her work. "I guess I'll just say these people did these things and hope they did...and if not...well, oops," she whispered to herself, marking people down for laps and numbers they may or may not completed.

Hands behind his back, the Captain glanced at Calvin as he approached him and nodded. "I believe the next patrol is scheduled to be Olivia and Tidal sometime tomorrow. Why do you ask?" He'd asked Calvin while observing everybody's progress on the training ground. Felt odd just supervising for the most part. What mentor just supervises?
---
Presentations are ever-so boring when the robot gives them. Even if that human-like woman Actera helps him, it's still so dreadful. The loss of the meteor and its valuable substances within weren't the most critical of losses for the Armada but it was still one of many losses lately. If Splica had been in charge or here sooner, that may be different. After all, despite the joint rulers' history, she is the more wicked one. Urthemial may rule a galaxy, but she backs a heavier punch in many situations. Urthemial and Splica on their respective thrones listened as the two generals presented Volmour's readings.
"Familiar energy signature? Not another space rock? After that failure we had outside the domes I don't care for rocks from the starry abyss any longer," Urthemial spat.
"Now now, husband, if it is another rock we must capture it in our beams before it hits Earth. Unless the retraction systems don't work due to your incompetence again?" Splica told him. Urhtmeial hissed and shushed her. Stupid woman...(she sin't wrong though). "Volmour, Actera, please tell us it isn't a waste of time again. All I've noticed is that this fleet wastes time. It had better be a more intelligent alien inside of another secret egg. We need stronger, smarter soldiers. Not overgrown birds," Splica inferred. Really, it's time she stepped up more often.

 

[marorda]

Evie grinned and gave a half salute at Calvin. "On it, Taylor!" she said. She focussed on the soldiers again, encouraging them to keep running and keep up the pace in her own very unique way. When she had just arrived here and started helping out at the Inezian troops, it was quite clear it were only her own men who were used to her way of doing things. The troops here hadn't disobeyed her, but it was quite apparent they found some things to just be flat-out weird. Now that she's been here for a while, they had had the chance to ger used to her and everything was going just as smoothly as with the Tregaron troops.
---
Actera had taken a look at the readings Volmour showed her. Most curious... Yes, she would help presenting these readings to the Emperor and Empress. After recent losses, they couldn't afford yet another failure. She headed to the throne room togethrr with her ally. "This signature most definitely belongs to something more powerful and intelligent than the creature that hatched from the egg, my lady," Actera sais, bowing to Urthemial and Splica. "Similar, but stronger. Possibly an adult version of the hatchling, or a similar but more powerful kind of alien."

 

[Lady Insanity]

The Captain informing him of next patrol made Calvin nod. "Oh. I was just asking because I thought maybe we could start taking troops with us? As crazy as it can get sometimes, it may not hurt to take a couple of soldiers, even fellow Commanders on patrols with us in the future. Just a suggestion, sir, if I may," Calvin spoke professionally with the Captain. A true soldier is always so professional with his or her superior, after all.

Their professor had finally let them out. Jane let out a sigh of relief and packed up her things, Tanner doing the same. On their way out the professor handed them their graded quizzes from a while back. Jane's face lit up as she read her score. "Oh, I got a 70 out of 100! That's a C, booyah, I'm smart. Who said I ain't?" Jane blurted to Tanner as the pair walked out of class and into the remainder of the building. Maybe that statement contradicted her intelligent...or not. Whatever, she passed the quiz!
Tanner snickered in a most uptight manner. "I achieved a perfect score," he gloated. Jane peaked at his paper. She laughed. "Tanner, dude, that's not a 100. That's a 10."
He looked at it closer...unfolding the edge of the paper. His face went from gloating to 'ehhhhhhh?' He smacked his face with the paper, even disrupting his perfect rich-boy hair. "Looks like someone needs to learn a bit of modesty," she told him. Granted that's coming from the girl who just gloated a bit, herself. Ironic?
---
Disputes between the Emperor and Empress were common enough. Just one wished they didn't have disputes when trying to present information. "Well, as Actera said it's definitely possible this signature originates from yet another organic life form. Much like the one from before, but this one almost seems far beyond it. Thermal energy hints that it might in act be an adult version. Stronger, smarter, and a likely solution. I feel as though if we can convince this creature to join us after the Rangers killed the previous one, it may want to avenge its fallen life form," Volmour stated, although that may be mostly speculation. Plus, they're villains. They can just make this creature work for them. Damn any sense of free will for the stupid thing, if it's powerful then they need it!
"My lord, my lady, once this creature is in our reach, I would personally volunteer to obtain it," Volmour stated.
---
Lurking deep within space, quickly approaching the Earth at a steady rate, the energy source beamed for the atmosphere from space. This much had been undetected so far, but it had been traveling inside of a small spacecraft and not a meteor. It was definitely another avian-like creature, but not entire the same as the one from before. Perhaps older? Definitely older, really... Smarter, then. It possessed the intelligence to pilot a small craft so it had to be of some degree of thinking.
Whatever its purpose is for venturing to Earth so soon after the last is unknown. But if an alien is flying in a ship on its way to Earth, caution must be practiced by all. Even the Armada, though they may not feel as so. Muttering to itself on board it's small craft, it seemed most determined; as if it had some type of mission to complete. Whatever mission it may be it's hopefully a non-violent one.

Just a little farther until it reaches Earth...

 

[PenBlade1326]

The Captain nodded and scratched his light-stubble chin. "Hmm. Interesting idea. We could certainly afford putting more soldiers out there on patrol duty. Sure we do already but...yes. Fine idea, Commander Taylor," the agreed with Calvin, shaking his hand and genuinely being interested. Nice idea!
"I'll forward a message on the patrol bulletin later today. Excellent thinking," he stated most professionally. Really, putting more troops and commanders out there wasn't a bad idea. Sure usually the Rangers did that, but maybe getting troops involved in Ranger business more would help bolster forces and free up more time. Maybe even send multiple patrols? That isn't a new thing, but maybe multiple teams going out would be useful. More ground to be covered, even if there isn't trouble all over the place. He excused himself from Calvin for a moment to check on some sparring troops. Like Calvin had done, he offered help on posture and stance. "No no, like this," he said to one, demonstrating proper posture, challenging another man to oppose him. Best to show off some of those old moves.
The troop nodded and charged the Captain, met with an immediate counter and--woah! The Captain just flipped the guy! "Huh. I've still got it." The two troops laughed--one groaned--and agreed. Olivia watched from afar. She smirked at her father, shaking her head and monitoring further progress.

Drew had only just finished up on the car once it started acting up again. Something was caught in the engine deep within. He grew curious, reaching his arm as beads of sweat from the heat of the shop got to him. He barely touched something and splat! Oil burst up in his face. The car was fine, though. "Well, I guess that's that then...gross, I hate how motor oil tastes," he said to...himself.
---
Splica tapped her fingers on the arm of the throne she'd sat in. "Intriguing. If this creature is possibly more powerful and lives up to your readings, I say we go for it. After all we need all the advantages we can get, don't we dear husband?" She proposed. Urthemial spat. "Stupid woman. You don't know the first thing about dealing with these matters. If the last one was a flop and we lost it why bother again? We can just send a mass invasion force for an edge," He stated.
She slapped him unlike any would dare. "Now now, foolish husband," if they could even call each other married, "don't be so bold. That's why we keep losing. Well, why you keep losing. Volmour, I will assist you in retrieving this life form and pulling it to our side. And if it denies us, we either force it... or I'll kill it myself." Splica promised, fully determined and ruthless in this matter. She meant business and she was not messing around. Time to display her power for real this time.

 

[marorda]

Evie found herself slightly eavesdropping on the conversation between the Captain and Calvin. It wasn't her place to do so, but she had a curious nature. One of the reasons she used to get in trouble, and one of the reasons that made it bound to happen it would bring her in trouble again at some point. Still... it was an excellent idea to have the soldiers, or Commanders, join in on patrols every now and then. What better practice than the real field work? Even if it usually meant not much more than Dytrons. Ah well, didn't matter. The experience still counted. Plus, more chances to occasionally hang out with the team, even if it was under more work-like circumstances.

Lucas mostly minded his own business at work, advising customers in what books or games they might like, filling the shelves, taking over the register for a bit when his colleague was taking a break. It wasn't exactly a peak-day, but quiet was different. It was enough to keep them all busy for a while. He glanced at a clock on the wall. Just a few more minutes anyway until his replacement would arrive. He'd have the rest of the afternoon and evening to himself. Or to do more research and writing. Graduating was a pain in the arse.
---
Actera mainly quietly listened to the Emperor and Empress having their disputes. As was to be expected of two joint rulers who happened to be married. Or at least used to be, once. Although it was obvious Actera and Splica weren't exactly... fond of one another, she found herself agreeing with the Empress in this case. Because it failed once, didn't mean it was bound to fail again. This first time, the monster had been a hatchling, now, if the readings and suspicions were correct, they'd be dealing with the adult version of the same creature. Surely that had to go better. With the Empress assigning the task of retrieving the creature, she wondered if there was anything she could do to aid them, other than sticking to her lab and continuing to check the readings and scan Earth in general.

 

[Lady Insanity]

PenBlade1326 marorda

Volmour bowed before his Empress as she offered to join him in the retrieval of this anomaly. "Thank you, my lady. It will be an honor to have you with me. If you're truly ready to go, that is," he stated to her. Volmour was sure that this incoming creature would be an interesting sort to deal with. And they might have to kill it if it isn't on their side. Hopefully Splica would be up for such a task. Had she even displayed her ability since her arrival? Whenever they depart, a legion of Dytrons shall accompany them. This will no doubt be an interesting turn of events. "And my lord, I assume you have no issues on the matter?"
---
Approaching Earth with each passing moment, the avian creature in its small craft could see the horizon of the human homeworld. It hoped it would arrive to find what it was searching for, its determination at an all-time high. Just what is it after, however?
---
On the training field as the Captain showed off a bit, Calvin and Max both let out an impressed 'damn' from their lips. Max more so. "Damn, the Captain's got mad skill!" He commented and nudged a fellow soldier near by. Calvin nodded. "Of course. He didn't become our leader just because he's got a loud shout," he told his friend. Max replied with an eye roll. It was also good that the Captain agreed with Calvin on allowing troops and Commanders in on patrols. Good experience for everybody, he thought. And Calvin may get to spend more time working with Max like the old days pre-recruitment. Or even Evie! He admired her on both a professional and personal level so the thought of being together more brought him some humble joy.
"Tucker, Sanchez, why don't we start packing everything up and heading back? I think we've put the men through enough today." And they had. It had been a long training day so stopping her would be nice, so long as Scott approved. Packing up equipment and containers was all they needed to do before loading up some vehicles and driving back to base. Calvin and Max joined some troops in the packing of various field stuff like mats and whatnot, leaving bottles and field stuff to the others. Everyone pitch in and they can be done faster, right?

Tanner stuck his tongue out at Jane in a mature fashion. "I can do better on the next one...I'm a Patrick, after all," he defended. Jane laughed and waved her passing grade in his face.
"You can't buy a good grade, bruh. But you can buy a girl who got a higher score than you a soda from the vending machine," she said and showed the emptiness of her pockets and wallet. And the machines don't have credit card swipers so that's out. "Promise I'll pay you back." After all that gloating she was thirsty for a grape soda! Tanner rolled his eyes and handed her a couple of one dollar bills. "No sweat. I can survive without a couple of bucks. If I couldn't, who would I be?"
Jane stared blankly. "Oh I don't know, an average working class poor person?" Honesty is...well, honesty. Man not all rich people are bad but he is so oblivious to money not being everything...oy. Nevertheless, she gladly strolled over to the machine and bought a bottle of grape soda. Yum! When she did, however, a second bottle started to fall out but got stuck. This happens sometimes. She shrugged and took advantage. She hit the machine on the side and knocked it loose, unintentionally getting a free second bottle and handing it to Tanner. "But one get one free deal." The tomboy gulped on her soda. and Tanner smirked. "Delightful. Grape soda...the drink of the best," he said and sounded not impressed. Is grape not good enough for him?!?!?!? He drank it anyway.

 

[PenBlade1326]

"Tch. I have been ready to debut my power on the field since my arrival and loss of control in the Capital. Whenever you're ready, Volmour. Don't keep me waiting," Splica said to the general and stepped down, scepter in hand and feminine fury radiating from her body. It had been a most boring experience just sitting around on board the ship hovering over the Earth. About time she got out and actually did something on the ground. Besides, she'd be hankering for a real chance to deal with those pesky humans again. If they get in the way, and they surely will, she'll have a lot of fun with them.
Urthemial swatted his hand up. "I haven't got a problem with my wife leaving. Take her. With luck she'll be obliterated before my every eyes," he commented. Splica snickered a sinister snicker. "I love you, too, darling. And I believe the correct phrase would be 'before your very eye.' Singular. Remember, the Red Ranger shot your eye out?" She said. If she could, she'd be smiling. Urhtmeial growled at her like a mad dog.
---
Captain Scott let out a tired breath. "Don't let the title fool you, I can still pull off a few good fights," he said and helped up the troop he'd flipped over. But he certainly did appreciate everybody seemingly raveling in him being an able fighter. If he were to meet trouble, he wouldn't just call for back up. This "old" guy still has a few tricks up his sleeve.
The day was falling into a relaxed state. Still plenty of daylight ahead, however packing up and returning to base sounded most appropriate. The Captain had given his approval and began collecting field gear and loading it up. Olivia had lent a hand as well, mostly by grabbing lighter materials. She wasn't weak, just why waste the opportunity of having a dozen super stronger--not literally super strong--people do the heavy part for her?

Cleaning the oil from his face, Drew threw the used rag down on the auto shop floor. A motor oil clog was the issue this time. After a heavy gulp of a drink to get the taste out of his mouth he proceeded to clean it up and actually finish the engine work for this vehicle. All in a days work.

 

[marorda]

Eveline joined Calvin and Max in watching the Captain display his skills. She let out a small whistle. She nodded in agreement with the guys. "They tend to say the bark's louder than the bite, no?" she asked. "Something's telling me that's not the case with the Captain here." She grinned. Good to know City Defense's Captain was very capable of putting up a fight when needed. Unlike some other people in command, who'd let the others do all the work for them. Man, she really didn't like people like that. Another reason why she used to get in trouble a lot.
"Agreed," she said to Calvin. Enough training for the day. Time to wrap things up, sit back, and relax. Preferably with a nice cold drink and good company. But that wasn't going to be much of a problem, now was it? She realized how well she fit in here with the other commanders and the soldiers, and that people admired her. Some more than others. Yes, that was a thing she could get used to. Plus, these guys were all nice people. Very nice. She strolled over to Olivia, helping out with putting the lighter materials back to where they came from. Plus, she saw an opportunity she definitely wasn't going to pass up here.
"Sooooo... just what's that between you and my brother?" she asked innocently, though her grin hinted something else. Her brother got enough teasing her at home. Time to poke the other side and see what she could figure out. Because come on... obvious things were obvious as could be.

Lucas' shift had ended, meaning he could finally head home and continue some much needed research. He only had a few more days to get everything in order if he wanted to graduate next semester instead of next summer. His mind was set on a subject, and he had some sources already. He just had to find a couple more, and figure out how to present it to make sure the professors would approve as well. And if they did... hey, combining both studies in one thesis. Win-win.

 

[Lady Insanity]

Volmour bowed before his Emperor and Empress. Splica's comments towards Urthemial were sure daring. No one else may ever dare to speak of him in such regards! Perks of being in equal command at their finest. "My lady, if you please?" He spoke to her, suggesting now may be a good time to go. A battalion of Dytrons stood ready to escort the general and Empress to wherever this incoming alien source may end up. Either it joins them, or joins the fallen. Time will tell.
---
A fast-approaching vessel from outer space beat its expected ETA and flew into Earth's atmosphere. Dashing through the intense heat and gases, the vessel shot into the harsh and polluted sky of the planet before tracking the faint remnants of its previous signal from before in the meteor. Calculating flight patterns and the landing, the current location was...under a big dome? The vessel and its pilot hovered over Inezia, the ship humming a low hum and getting in nice and close.
A simple button push and suddenly the vessel gained the ability to phase through solid matter. It flew through the dome and entered Inezia, searching for the meteor/egg. Traces revealed it had been...terminated. The creature inside was gone, no life signs anywhere. But the egg itself was here in the middle of the city in some type of huge building. It had come so far only to discover an abandoned space rock. Curses! Frustrated and seeing this city as cruel evil doers, the alien in the vessel opened fire on HQ and the city. It thought it was doing the right thing, it thinks this city is evil! How dare they kill what was in that egg!
The vessel looked about the size of a Zord, so its pilot could be any size really, Zords are big! Just how big is the pilot? And how much chaos can they get away with before being stopped?
---
Down on the ground, the sounds of blasting echoed in the sky. Calvin and Max jumped slightly, not noticing a craft entering the city before the blasts. "What the hell? Is that the Armada?" Max asked, seeing this ship in the distance firing at HQ. Minimum damage, hopefully. "Doesn't look like any Rexian ship I've ever seen. How'd it get in, what's going on?" Calvin blurted, thinking out loud and looking worried as all Hell. Emergency sirens blared within the city, they're under attack! And an unknown enemy at that!
"Captain, we have to call backup. Max, Evie, get the troops mobilized--" Calvin said, suggesting what to do next when suddenly right in front of them all on the training field... appeared Volmour, Splica, and Dytrons. Beaming down from the main ship. They must have been alerted by this ship as well. Calvin saw them all appear and instantly threw himself in front of the Captain to protect him in a combat stance, nodding to Olivia to get ready to morph. "Volmour! Empress! Is that ship your doing?" He asked.

Volmour laughed. "For once, it isn't. But that is going to be our new ally. Already proving how useful they'll be!" he said, twirling his sword around and presenting Splica as her debut field time was at its start. Dytrons swarmed behind the two villains opposing the two Rangers, their mentor and allied forces. "Watch as the vessel tears your city apart!" he said and loyally turned to Splica. "On your word, my lady," he said and let her decide when they should attack.

 

[PenBlade1326]

Putting and putting supplies away was a simple enough task. A not-so-simple task came to her when Evie strolled over while helping to ask what the deal was with her and her brother. "I...beg your pardon?" She asked her softly, unsure what she meant. "What do you mean, Eveline?" Really, Olivia had no clue what she was talking about. As far as Olivia was concerned she and Lucas just worked together. Sure she likes Lucas well enough and has nice thoughts about him but...

Then out of nowhere the sounds of an attack caught her attention. Blasts from the air, firing off in the distance at HQ, a direct attack. Captain Scott and Olivia both gasped for air at the sight of a large aircraft vessel in the sky from out of nowhere. Calvin was right, it didn't look like it was from the Armada. The Captain jumped into work and contacted Dr Wilson just as the emergency sirens went off. "Dr, what's happening?"
"We have an unknown hostile inbound, the base is under attack, sir!" Dr Wilson replied via comm, static covering his voice. "It's disrupting communications, we need immediate assis--" began the good doctor, but he was cut off. The Captain cursed.
"Damn it, we've lost transmission. Tucker, Sanchez, do as Taylor said and--" he started to command, but then he was also cut off by an unwelcome party of guests.
Beaming down from space into the city, right across from them stood Splica, Volmour and the foot soldiers. Splica held the scepter close and gazed up at the city of Inezia. "So. This is Inezia, how cute. Similar to the Capital, only I haven't taken it over yet," she said upon arrival, laughing maniacally.

Olivia also protected the Captain, not about to let anyone harm her father. Not when he's also the most important man in town. She gulped. Splica still scared her. Knowing how powerful she is, remembering the shock of her presence on Earth at first...Olivia was mentally petrified of her, but she'd never physically back down. "I must say, Volmour, that ship is going to be a powerful friend. It's already giving the city something to play with," Splica said. Olivia huffed and whispered to her father. "Call reinforcements."

"Two little Rangers. Precious. And here before me is the Captain of Inezia, himself. A pleasure," Splica greeted.
Captain Scott grunted. "Wish I could say the same, Empress." He said. "Tidal, assume control of the Bio Tank and then Shadow Strike Megazord, deal with that aircraft, attempt to take it down. Drew, Jane, Lucas, rendezvous at out location, we need all hands on deck, Splica is here in addition," Captain Scott contacted the there via private comm system.
The Empress laughed softly and watched the ship attack their base. "Well, now. Volmour, troops....crush them!" She commanded and sent her robots forward to attack the troops, Captain, commanders and two Rangers. Olivia braced for combat, ready to morph and hold off the enemy until help arrives.

Drew got the Captain's message at the auto shop. He heard the echoes of the alarm siren in town and knew something was up, just about to contact them. "Splica's here?" He asked himself, quickly cleaning himself off and remaining in his work attire as he didn't see reason to change. "I'm on my way," he assured the Captain and made haste.

 

[marorda]

"Pretty sure you know what I mean. You're clever enough," Evie grinned. Really, how did the two of them not realize it themselves? It was both adorable and kind of sad. She knew her brother was well aware of what was going on... but he just lacked the guts to do something with it. She swore, if neither of them was going to do anything with this soon... SHE would do it herself. Surely she could arrange to put the two on a date together... setting them up... as often as needed until they would see it. Unfortunately there wasn't a lot of time to ponder on this any longer, or make any plans. Because suddenly, there was a spaceship. And it was attacking HQ and the rest of the city with blasts. "What the... where did that come from?" Eveline asked. Seriously... wasn't the dome supposed to protect the city against sudden spaceships?

She nodded as Calvin suggested they'd get the troops mobilized. "Roger th-..." she didn't get the chance to finish that sentence. Again, out of nowhere appeared something. Lots of somethings. Dytrons weren't something she hadn't seen before. The general and the Empress, however, now that's something different entirely. "Well shite," she cursed quietly. This was definitely something she hadn't hoped to run into. Not today, not any other day. Now that she lived here, Inezia was her city too and she'd stand to fight until the very end. Plus, there were people here she wouldn't mind to impress. Okay, what was that about judging her brother and Olivia again? With Splica commanding the troops and Volmour to attack them all... it seemed clear she would stand and fight. And she gladly would. "Tsk. So this piseag's the Empress, huh?" she said as she braced for combat. The others better get here quickly!

"On it!" Tidal called, hurrying to Zord Bay, getting into the tank. Since he was close to the scene.. or rather, quite literally on the scene already, it was mere moments later that Shadow Strike emerged, ready to take down this unknown aircraft. It didn't look Rexian, but it attacked HQ, so it was probably hostile and had to be taken care of quickly. "Please identify yourself," Tidal said to who- or whatever was inside the aircraft. Really, he'd like to know who or what he was dealing with before having to take it down.

The sirens in the distance obviously meant something was going on. Something bad. Lucas saved his work and closed his laptop. Just before he could contact HQ to ask what was going on when the Captain contacted them. "Splica... here... well, damn," Lucas mumbled to himself. He hadn't forgotten their last run-in with the space bitch. As he quickly checked the location, his heart skipped a beat. Wasn't that where... Fuck, there were more people there he cared about. Quite a lot, too... "I'll be there as fast as I can," he said before hurrying outside. No time to lose.

 

[Lady Insanity]

The final gulp of her drink synced with the city-wide alarms. And then, beep beep! "Duty calls," Jane said to Tanner and twisted the cap back on the bottle. She bopped him on the had with the empty bottle and made him hold it. Hearing the situation and that the Empress was there as well? Jane found herself more than a little nervous. Last time they'd all met her it was weird, even weirder circumstances. It's different now, though. And the Captain is right there with her on that field! Bad mojo!
There's a central point on the way to the location that Jane, Drew and Lucas were heading to. They'd likely all converge together as they got there to make a group entrance. She bolted it as fast as she could, not taking time to drive since really that might take longer with entering a car.

The vessel in the sky did not respond to Tidal in his Megazord. It perceived the city as a threat, under the impression they'd senselessly slaughtered the creature from before. It had come to avenge--what it thought--was only an infant. Oh if only the truth was known... The creature in the ship fired a rocket at Tidal's robot, blasting a heavy hitting attack at its chest, sparks flying and causing the giant to stagger. Tank's firepower might be enough to combat it, but maybe not for long. Man it hit hard!

On Splica's word, Volmour sent the Dytrons forward towards the troops and the others. "Everyone, protect the Captain!" Calvin shouted as soldiers collided with Dytrons. Facing these grunts was no problem for common soldiers, even if unarmed. Max rushed in with the troops, greeting a bot with a swift kick to the metal face. "Como estas?" He asked the robots casually before roundhouse kicking into the crowd of nuts and bolts. He formed a line in front of the Captain to protect him on Calvin's order, making sure nobody got to him. The elimination of the Captain may not be the bad guys' goal right now, but it could sure turn into the goal.
Calvin, too, rushed forward and punched his way through a few of the robots in order to get to the boss' of the baddies. Volmour chuckled and guarded his Empress, running at the unmorphed Calvin--and Olivia--swinging his blade in hopes of slicing them into pieces. Calvin cartwheeled and breakdance-style kicked the general in the side, getting on his feet and dealing a crippling punch.
"Now," he said to Olivia as they were closer to the Empress, letting the troops handle the bots for now. "Bio Morpher, Initiate," he tapped his morpher and let green energy surround him. Not a role call moment, but morphing felt damn good now. "Green Bio-" he began, but was cut off by a slash to the back from Volmour. Sparks flew and he fell forward. Volmour charged for another attack...these Rangers are too close to Splica!!!

After a short time, the remaining three Rangers converged at the mutual point on the way to the location Captain Scott gave. Instamorphing sounded best, so that's what Jane--and the others likely--did. After the primary colored heroes changed, they were at their destination. "Now it's a party!" She called and immediately helped with the Dytrons. The three of them should help with those before getting to the bigger bad guys.

 

[PenBlade1326]

What a strange thing to say. Whatever the red haired woman said didn't translate to her, but it was probably an insult. Best look it up later. Splica just laughed. "I find your Earth languages confusing. Another reason to cut your tongues out."

Captain Scott smiled coyly as Calvin called for his protection. He broke the line before him of protectors, joining the soldiers in the fray against the Dytrons. "I appreciate the concern, men," he said and elbowed back a robot, "but I can handle myself. Now, let's handle this!" The Captain delivered a quick and hearty punch to a Dytron, grabbing onto another ones arm and twisting, flipping, and possibly breaking it. He certainly still had it!!!
Splica stepped forward with her scepter as a walking stick. She quickly fired a burst of energy into the mix, sparks rising in the air, not hitting anyone but surely throwing people off. "You Earthlings fight like pathetic children."
The Captain tch'd at her. He elbowed yet another of the robots and kicked head-on. "This pathetic children fighting has beat you so far." Point taken.
Dashing behind everyone, Olivia flipped through Dytrons and simply evaded all contact, seeing the more dangerous enemies before them and going after them. She didn't like her father fighting, but she wouldn't stop him. Until the other Rangers arrive, they had no choice! She dodged Volmour's incoming attacks along with Calvin, kicking at his back and using her hands to push him back. She nodded and quickly joined Calvin's side. "Bio Morpher, Initiate!" The morph call followed with pink energy around her and readying for closer range fighting. She gasped as Calvin as struck, going to defend him when Volmour came back at them Splica merely watched and chuckled. She couldn't wait to fight them...why not let them toy longer?

Drew met up with the others, nodding as a greeting and instamorphing at their sides. It had been some time, but the run to the field wasn't long. He had a lot of energy pent up! "Calvary is here!" he alerted the ground forces. Drew ran into the crowd of robots and used the Bio Baton to widen the space, slashing and twirling into the bots smoothly and with ease. He kicked back, using the momentum to leap into another and frenzy around, working his way to Green and Pink.

 

[marorda]

Eveline chuckled to herself. You do that. She thought. 'Twas going to be an interesting reveal when she'd attempt to translate that. "Aight you lot!" she called to her men. "Get in positions, aim and fire. Don't let any of these trashcans standing!" she commanded. She herself picked up one of the rifles too and fired at the Dytrons. Best keep them away from the Rangers... and the Captain. Though the man could fight, it would be a shame if he was turned into mush. City Defense wouldn't be happy with that. Neither would Olivia.
"And at least a pathetic fighting child's got more to learn and more time 'head of themselves than an old hag!" Eveline called in the midst of combat. Heat of the moment thing, she was probably going to regret this at some point. But really... space bitch grannie shouldn't be going around acting all superior because she's murdered half the galaxy. You would think someone was more cautious around someone who actually did murder half the galaxy... but that was reserved for sane people. She continued to fire until help would arrive.

Tidal's talking to the spaceship was merely ignored and responded to with a rocket to the chest. Tidal yelped as the Megazord stumbled backwards and he had to use all possible controls to keep it from falling over. Damn, this thing hit hard! And they hadn't even got a clue yet as of what was in there! Something not Rexian, but equally violent and potentially even more dangerous, it seemed. Well, no more talking then! Tidal fired back at the aircraft, blasting it with as much power as possible without running the zord out of power entirely.

At the meeting point, Lucas greeted the others back with a nod before hurrying along together. Shadow Strike was fighting and not doing well, a bad sign. And they knew Splica was there. Another bad sign. They instamorphed and hurried to the scene of the battle. Eveline was getting herself in obvious trouble as per usual, but other than that she was doing fine. Lucas rushed into the Dytron-fray, a flurry of yellow slashes and strikes taking down nearby robots. "Backup has arrived," he called. Best get to Olivia and Calvin as fast as possible. It seemed that with a portion of the Dytrons down, the soldiers would be able to handle th rest. SO they would focus on taking down Splica. But first: Dytrons.

 

[Lady Insanity]

The green and pink pests proved already too-tiring. Volmour swished and slashed at Olivia once she came to Calvin's aid, striking across her chest with a mighty blow and sending her rolling in the air backwards. He chuckled and watched as Calvin scrambled to her side to make sure she was okay. Calvin took out his blaster and fired quick burst shots at the general, each one deflected by the blade as if it were nothing. He repelled one shot back at Calvin but managed to hit both Rangers with it.
Calvin yelped and skidded backwards, grunting and aiming back at the general for being too damn stubborn today.

Through the crowd of soldiers and allies, blue blasts fired and shot down robots when they were in her way or got too close to Jane's friends on the field. She kicked off of one for leverage and bounced up, somersaulting in the air and landing back down on another of the robots, shooting it down as well as the circle of Dytrons around it in rapid succession. She noticed the Captain kicking ass, too...damn, go Captain!
Max let out a cheer as he witnessed Jane and the others plowing through the robots like nobody's business, headbutting one of the robots--and regretting it--with enthusiasm. He kicked back into the fray. "Tucker, are you sure you should piss off the woman who killed half of the loco galaxy?" Max pointed out to her and dodged and incoming hit. "Maybe not. Evie sin't one to just hold back though, amiright?" Jane asked and skipped into the crowd to clear them out.
Calvin jumped up and kicked Volmour in the chest, letting out a breath of stress and shooting at him once he was down.

As Tidal fired at the mysterious ship, his cannon hit a crucial section of the ship and knocked it unstable. The pilot cursed and struggled to keep it in the air, firing another rocket at Tidal as payback before spiraling out of control and crashing down into the city, not too far off from where the ground battle was taking place.
A soldier soon took control of the transport that brought them here to take the non-Rangers away and retreat so the team can handle this. As the ship crashed, Calvin and Jane both looked in its direction, noting the heavy crash and minor explosions. But it wasn't gone yet. "Everyone! Get out of here, we'll take care of this!" Calvin shouted loudly. Max nodded and gestured for everyone to get in the transport, knocking back ground troops that remained in the process. Volmour pointed out the ship crash to Splica. "My lady, now's your chance to intercept the pilot!" He told her, giving her a clear path to get to that ship and recruit the pilot. He made haste to make sure she'd go, returning focus on the Rangers.

Calvin noticed Splica leaving, or about to, and fired at her feet to stop her. "Oh no you don't!" He shouted. "I'll take the ship and hold the Empress back, you guys take care of this!" Calvin yelled...against all orders and under no word but is own. Heat of the moment thing, it happens. He chased Splica.
Max shook his head once he saw Calvin leaving. "Aye! Tu es stupido!!!" He yelled and threw his hands up. The Dytrons were mostly cleared out now, just a few stragglers remaining. Good fight! Soon enough once they were all loaded up, it was up to the Rangers now. " Don't get killed!" Max called to them as the vehicle pulled out, just Volmour and a couple of bots left aside from the Calvin-Splica chase.
"It's Volmour, how hard will it be?" Jane replied and made sure to take down remaining bots near her. "Hey, Lone Wolf, get your ass down here and give us a hand will ya?" She contacted Tidal via morpher and told him to come and help.
Volmour grunted and charged for the Rangers, unable to chase Calvin but able to attack the others. He swung his blade at them all and hoped to get their chests. Jane dodged and roundhouse kicked his face.

 

[PenBlade1326]

Ouch! Getting hit with a sword hurt! Sparks flew and Olivia yelped as Vomour hit her in the chest, landing on the ground and groaning slightly. She assured Calvin she was okay and got up, knocked back down by reflected blasts at the both of them. She landed on her back. This was getting old, just constantly grinding combat like this in needless fashion. She was trained to just take down the enemy, not pester like this. Oh well, this is how things rolled on duty and how they'd always roll. When do the Rangers get an easy break of a battle? Never. Splica laughed again and leaned on her scepter as the fight unfolded. "Pitiful. I expect better from the Earth's protectors. No wonder we're winning and taking over your planet."
Olivia curled her fist. She was slightly scared of Splica for good reason, but she wouldn't let her just insult Earth like that, damn it!

Slashing through Dytrons and evading hits was one thing. Managing to work around soldiers and fight alongside the Captain? That's another. Drew in his usual Red Ranger badass style easily cut down the Dytrons and reduced them to scrap piles, kicking and punching through them with the occasional slash of his baton. "Red Bio Slash!" He called for a heavy hitting red slash through the crowd, the Dytrons hit going up in a sarky blaze. He defended soldiers until they'd have a way out of there. Fighting with them was fun and dandy but also very dangerous, and he just wanted to protect them all and keep them alive. Spirit of protection and all. He glanced at the Captain as he served up a challenge for the Dytrons, equal measure in his combat against them. He's got some moves! He may not always engage in combat but when he's supposed to he isn't to be messed with!
"Perhaps you should both cut the banter and focus on taking down the threats at hand?" Captain Scott called to Sanchez and Tucker, flipping a Dytron over on its head. Whenever Tidal managed to take the ship out of the sky, Scott and Drew gave an approving shout. Olivia watched the crash and knew it still wasn't destroyed. Is the pilot alive? If so, is it a threat without its ship properly working?

Captain Scott nodded when the transport was up and running, waving for soldiers to follow him and get on board, not without a few swarming around him to protect him at all costs, of course. Drew and Olivia defended the troops as they went to the truck to ensure no injured or killed troops would be issued today. Splica noted the crash and nodded. "I'll deal with the Rangers later..." she said and swiftly walked in the direction of the crash, not even worried about the Rangers. When Calvin fired at her, she didn't flinch, calmly walking with the scepter to the crash as if it were nothing.
The Captain noticed him leaving to chase Splica alone. He's a huge threat and way too powerful, he is not to go alone! "Commander Taylor! I order you to stop!" he yelled to no avail. Calvin already chose to go. Damn it. He boarded the transport before it pulled out. "Rangers, make sure Calvin doesn't get fried. And deal with the threat." He ordered. Drew saluted. "Yes sir!"
As for Max...well like Jane said, no promises they wouldn't die. But it is just Vomour at the moment, so no big deal to be over worried about. He's tough, but not as tough as the Empress is gonna be for Calvin on his own. Damn it, why'd he go alone?? Drew's baton clashed with Volmour's blade and pushed him back. Olivia rolled on the ground and tripped a leftover bot, distracting Volmour and giving someone a chance to hit. She hoped Calvin knew what he was doing. And that he wouldn't die. Maybe someone can find an opportunity and go after him in a minute?

 

[marorda]

"Nope. And nope again," Evie replied to Max and Jane respectively. Hell, it was probably a very bad idea to piss off the loco bitch who had slaughtered half the galaxy... But it wasn't going to stop her from calling Splica out on being a bitch. Nothing and nobody... or well... few and little would stop her from saying exactly what she meant whenever it was on her mind. She lacked that filter... not her fault! Really, she couldn't help it. There have been times she said things she regretted later, there have been times where she screwed up... and there would definitely be more times that that in the future. But for now... for now the focus was to just keep shooting at Dytrons. "Yessir!" Evie called back to the captain as she was basically told to shut up and keep shooting. Or that's how she took his words, anyway. She fired another round into the fray of Dytrons, watching them fall down and blow up. Oh, how she loved explosions. Especially when the ship went down and crashed. So many explosions... enemy ship going boom... But those explosions likely also damaged buildings of the city and brought people in danger. Suddenly these explosions were a little less nice. Still, she let out an approving shout too as the ship went down.

"You wish, piseag!" Lucas called. He hadn't heard Evie calling Splica by that same insult before, as it had happened before he got there. Another bit of twin telepathy at work here, perhaps? But seriously, since when's Armada winning? So far they've only lost every battle... well, not every of them, bit the largest bit. And where Armada kept losing Dytrons and Field Commanders, the Rangers still stood strong and fought back with everything they had in them. So who's winning here? Lucas summoned his hammer and swung it around, knocking Dytrons into each other and sending them flying off. Splica might be a crazy bitch responsible for wiping out many planets, now having set her eyes on Earth... But no way in Hell they were going to make it easy on her. But when the ship crashed, Splica was the first to leave the scene. To go after the pilot, that is. Whatever was in there was pissed... and possibly quite likely to join Armada. Especially now. Or so Lucas thought.

Transport arrived to take the non-rangers away from the scene to a safer place. With the Empress going after the ship and most of the Dytrons taken care of, the Rangers should be able to handle the remainder of the battle on their own. Eveline motioned her men to get to the truck before hopping in herself. "Take care bro!" she called to Lucas, who raised a hand back at her. He would be fine, really. When didn't they do fine? .... Don't answer that.


Shadow Strike had taken some significant damage, and would definitely need repairs once back in Zord Bay. Dammit that space ship had hit quite hard. But by the looks of it, he had hit harder. Or maybe he was lucky. The ship went down and crashed into the city. Not before firing at Tidal again, though. The rocket hit, and once again it hit hard. Was that an emergency light coming on there? "Know that if you call me by my Wasteland nickname, I'll call you by yours, Kid," Tidal replied to Jane, knowing this was likely going to get him kicked, punched, shot, or all three. "But on it. Before Shadow Strike fries itself." And not a moment too soon. Shadow Strike reverted back to the Tank and made its way back to Zord Bay, now definitely in need of repairs. Not much later, Tidal too joined the fray against the few Dytrons that remained. The much more serious threat at hand? Volmour. Tidal spotted an opening with Olivia having distracted Volmour for a moment, and he gladly took it. Crescent Blade in hand, Tidal leaped in and slashed the robotic General across his chest. "It's been a while, huh?" he said, backing away to give Lucas a chance to bash at Volmour with his hammer. "How many times are you going to try and fail here?" Lucas asked. Bad call... he'd regret that and he already knew. Dammit Evie for being a bad influence!

 

[Lady Insanity]

Moments passed as the transport left with the soldiers and the Captain. They'd head back to HQ and help with any initial damage to the base, not to mention check in with Wilson in the Zord bay. When Tidal joined them on the ground, Jane growled. "Okay, remember that I know where you sleep and I have a big-ass jet with a big-ass gun with your name on it," she said to Tidal Don't you just love friendly outings like this? But no if he calls her kid she will likely gut him like a fish. For now she just backed him up as he attack Volmour.
The general yelped on Tidal's attack, recovering from Drew's weapon and catching the blunt side of Lucas' hammer in his hand. "Tsk tsk. You Rangers are more trouble than you're worth!" He spat and pushed the hammer back, swiping his sword across Lucas' stomach to knock him far back. He then leaped forward and parried the other four, kicking the all back and flipping backward himself. Man, Volmour's on top of it today. He braced for another attack and slashed downward at Drew's chest. Behind him, Jane aimed her blaster and took a shot at his back. Direct hit! Volmour yelped and spun, lashing out at her and harshly striking the tomboy down.

Emerging from the crashed alien vessel was the pilot, dawned in what looked like some kind of armor. They staggered out from the wreckage and said some weird phrase, causing the ship to...implode? Whatever it did, the ship was just gone. Hopefully it had a backup plan for getting off-world and back home. If it survives this next encounter, that is. Calvin was close behind Splica, firing at her feet with a charged up blast. It should at lest stun her and give him an edge. He dashed beyond her...and he nearly yelled at what he saw. More in frustration than anything. As Calvin neared the crashed vessel far off from everyone, he saw the ship was gone. And the pilot? Another one of those damn bird-like monsters. Like before in the wasteland! From the meteor! "Crap, another one of those things? A space chicken?" Calvin asked. He hated chickens...
The alien turned, its bird-like body covered in armor. And it didn't look as...ferocious as the last monster. "You! Human! Are you responsible for the death of my child?" Asked the monster. It speaks??? English? Calvin aimed his blaster at it.
"Your child? How was a thing your size and furiously killing people a child?" He asked. The alien paused...like it was shocked to hear that. What is this aliens deal? Splica would be here any second, nest hurry! "Put your hands in the air, you attack our city, you face the consequences." He said, shakily aiming his blaster. Freaky bird monster....