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Post by FangZeronos on Jul 27, 2022 14:45:41 GMT -5
Commander Standridge looked over as Kayla, Hunter, and Adrian walked in, standing in front of his desk. "Dr. Serizawa says both of them are going ot make full recoveries. McCrary-Henderson needed stitches but he'll be fine to walk in a day. DeLuca, on the other hand, if she'd have been left out there, the poison in her blood would have killed her. As it is, Serizawa managed to extract a sample of it and used it to make an antidote, administering it. She'll be on her feet in a few days," he said.
He stood up, tapping a button on the desk and showing the fight from different angles, watching the Rangers get trashed from street cameras and live feeds that had been secured from around hte internet. "As for the five of you. What the fuck happened? Braddock, you and DeLuca sniping at each other gave the enemy a chance to see our weakness. None of you decided to work together. You are a team, regardless of what anyone thinks. I'll be having this same speech with DeLuca and McCrary-Henderson when they're up. I don't give a good goddamn what you think you're doing out there. Personal BULLSHIT stops at the door to the truck when you leave out. I get it, you'd rather be doing your own things out there, but that ain't gonna fly. One more slip up like this, allowing the enemy to get the upper hand, all of you will be on remidial training. I don't care how far along in a ourse you are. UNderstand?"
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Post by y2j1915 on Jul 27, 2022 17:10:23 GMT -5
Adrian was the first to speak up after Commander Standridge was done reprimanding the team "Commander Standridge please don't be too hard on Kingsford and Braddock as far as I am concerned they did their best out there as team leader it should have been up to me to stop the squabbling but I failed in that regard as such I'll take any punishment you deem necessary" the red Ranger said firmly
Kayla spoke up next "Commander Standridge I've never been part of active field duty before but I feel like Adrian does a fine job as leader if my opinion counts for anything sir" Doctor K said coming to Adrian's defense
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Post by FangZeronos on Jul 27, 2022 17:38:48 GMT -5
"It does, Dr. Kingsford," Standridge said. He looked at Adrian, raising an eyebrow. "Really, Airhart? From what I saw on cameras, DeLuca was the only one to land a significant blow to any of them, shooting the snake bitch in the head." He folded his arms, looking at the Red Ranger. "Personal opinions about DeLuca aside, Airhart. How was her performance in the field?"
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Post by venomizer on Jul 27, 2022 19:16:52 GMT -5
"Sir, if I may. I know my actions were not effective in this situation as me and DeLuca was having squabbles. However, this is not a regular war scenario. This is unnatural beings with superhuman power. These were generals. I am not saying that anyone of us are not battle trained, I am saying that these were high ranking officials. In laymen's terms, it would be as if we took on you, yourself, sir. And also, sir, it wasn't just Deluca that landed blows, every one of us did. However, again these are generals in a monster army. Our blows may not be effective at this point until we grow as a unit." Hunter said.
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Post by y2j1915 on Jul 28, 2022 1:04:24 GMT -5
"It does, Dr. Kingsford," Standridge said. He looked at Adrian, raising an eyebrow. "Really, Airhart? From what I saw on cameras, DeLuca was the only one to land a significant blow to any of them, shooting the snake bitch in the head." He folded his arms, looking at the Red Ranger. "Personal opinions about DeLuca aside, Airhart. How was her performance in the field?"
"Honestly sir personal feelings notwithstanding she did excellent in the field she's one of the best fighters I have ever seen and she took to the new power sets like nothing" Adrian said with a smile then he continued "with that being said if I'm free to speak candidly I don't know how to deal with her personally I think it'll be a cold day in hell before she takes orders from me or anyone in this room because she doesn't feel she got what she deserved I've tried being friendly but there's only so much friendliness can do at this point" Adrian said as he finished speaking
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Post by FangZeronos on Jul 28, 2022 10:35:50 GMT -5
"I know what we're up against, Braddock. I have teams researching these beings right now. We have a Multiversal database, and considering these bastards spouted off five different Earths, we an pinpoint their locations and find out what happened," Standridge said. Looking at Adrian, the Commander sighed. "Let me fill you in on something. All three of you. The reason DeLuca coveted that Red Ranger spot." He sat down and tapped his console bringing up a voice prompt. "Standridge, Kingsford. Access Gamma-Beta-Epislon-Niner-Four-Four-Zero-Excelsior." VOICE RECOGNITION CONFIRMED. VOICE PRINT CONFIRMED. ACCESS GAMMA-BETA-EPSILON-NINER-FOUR-FOUR-ZERO EXCELSIOR RECOGNIZED. ACCESSING.....ACCESSING....ACCESSING.... the computer rang out. Afte a minute, a flash drive was produced, and the Commander put it into the computer, opening a file. "Nine months ago, DeLuca was our top recruit. Before any of you four were even chosen for the Ranger Program. She had tested in the top .01% of all recruited to be in the Red Ranger spot. We took her and four others out to the canyon for a training exercise." He stopped as four pictures and names popped up on the screen. " Destiny Krenick, Adam O'Deorain, Amanda Stentler, and Lukas Miller. These four were the ones taht we had selected. When we took them to the canyon to test them for the final time before giving them the Wing Morphers and SoniCallers, it started raining. Rain, plus a canyon, that ain't a good combo. Take it from a Texan. DeLuca tried to get her team out of there, climbing up muddy hills and scrambling for purchase in the muddy rock." Standridge sighed as his hands clenched, and he looked away. "In the end, Krenick, O'Deorain, Miller, and Stentler died when they got caught in a mudslide after DeLuca managed to get them near the top of hte canyon to a safer and somewhat dry position. Stentler poked her head out to look for a break in the clouds that could let them use their gear and climb up, but the rock gave way under her, O'Deorain grabbed her and he slipped, Krenick grabbed him, Miller grabbed her. DeLuca anchored herself in and grabbed Miller, but by then it was too late. The rain made it hard to grab hold of anything secure, and Miller slipped from her grasp, and all four went tumbling down. We found their bodies two days later, clinging to each other and battered to hell from the trees that got washed away in the mudslide." He let the images linger, and he leaned back in his chair. "DeLuca went with me, informing the families what happened. Since they were all Military, they got full Service funerals. Krenick was Army, O'Deorain was Air Force, Miller was a Marine, and Stentler was Navy. DeLua attended each and every funeral, stayed well past time. It's why she trains as hard as she does. Why she has the stick up her ass. It ain't out of selfishness or "I'm better then you". It's because she doesn't want to lose people again." |
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Post by venomizer on Jul 28, 2022 23:33:54 GMT -5
Hunter heard the explanation and it gutted him but it still didn't give Hunter a just reason for DeLuca's piss poor attitude. "Sir, I'm sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to the families. I get why she has the attitude, but honestly sir, if she's concerned about not losing people again, having a fit anyone beats her records is not the way to go about it. If anything, it does the complete opposite. Having a tantrum because she got demoted doesn't promote good social teamwork skills. It basically says you have an ego and that's all she's done to both me and Airhart since we've been here." Hunter stated.
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Post by GoseiYellow on Jul 29, 2022 0:06:10 GMT -5
Tuscon was in medical care, feeling the pain as the medics were stitching his leg, he had been in for a while now and he wondered if the others were doing okay. Even Asha for she had her head in the game. Although he was delighted that he was chosen for the project, he too felt like he had failed as well. Sighing, he continued to wince in pain as his leg was cleaned from the bleeding. "I hope Asha is doing okay," he spoke to himself.
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Post by FangZeronos on Jul 29, 2022 9:53:58 GMT -5
Hunter heard the explanation and it gutted him but it still didn't give Hunter a just reason for DeLuca's piss poor attitude. "Sir, I'm sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to the families. I get why she has the attitude, but honestly sir, if she's concerned about not losing people again, having a fit anyone beats her records is not the way to go about it. If anything, it does the complete opposite. Having a tantrum because she got demoted doesn't promote good social teamwork skills. It basically says you have an ego and that's all she's done to both me and Airhart since we've been here." Hunter stated.
"Then you ain't seein' the bigger picture, Braddock," Standridge said. "She didn't used to be like this. After four funerals, her attitude changed. Used to be she was a damn decent person. Helpful and laughin' all the time. When Stentler and the others died in that canyon, she started pushing everyone away. She's a bitch to everyone because she figures if she ain't friendly, there ain't no attachment. No attachment means if someone dies, she ain't feelin' anything except "It's part of the job." I demoted her not because I wanted to, but because my higher ups said she wasn't fit to lead." He sighed and shook his head.
"At the time, she was dating Stentler. Asha was meant to be Red, O'Deorain was Black, Stentler was White, Miller was Yellow, and Krenick was Blue. Those four deaths broke her in a way that nothing else had managed. And this is after having a goddamn IED blow up and embed shrapnel in her left shoulder and right leg and back. Most of it was taken out of her bak, but the leg and shoulder couldn't be operated on because the metal was too far into the muscle and any hope of removing it would cause her to be removed from the Service and Helix. Don't take her attitude at face value. There's always more lurking under the surface. You just have to break the icy shell to get to the center of it."
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Dr. Serizawa looked over and heard Tuscon. He walked over after checking on Asha, putting his hand on the Yellow Ranger's shoulder. "Don't worry, Tuscon. She'll be alright. She's a fighter. Girl's been through worse shit then this," he said. "She's got shrapnel in her arm and leg from an IED in Afghanistan that cut her time in the Army short. Can't operate or she'll end up out of Helix because it'll take away movement from her muscles."
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Post by y2j1915 on Jul 29, 2022 11:15:24 GMT -5
"While I understand her better now I am in agreement with Braddock sir we aren't going to be able to compete with the memory of her old team all we can do is try to be the best team we can now" Adrian said firmly
"Adrian I've lost someone close to me as well two people actually having that kind of loss it changes you we'll just have to be willing to be patient with her" Doctor Kay said trying to play devil's advocate for Asha
"With all due respect Doctor K I don't think the enemy is going to wait around and give us an opportunity to work on our teamwork before attacking again" Adrian said trying to be pragmatic then he continued "But if it'll help the team gel more cohesively I am willing to give up my team spot as team leader to DeLuca" the red Ranger told Commander Standridge
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Post by FangZeronos on Jul 29, 2022 12:10:29 GMT -5
"The enemy won't attack all at once. Given the history of Power Ranger enemies, they'll attack sporadically and one at a time for the next several months until they get fed up and do an endgame gambit," Standridge said. "You'll have plenty of opportunity to work together and learn to mesh. As for your offer, Airhart, no. You are Red Ranger. You are team leader in the field. I'll speak with Asha when she's out of medical and see if I can't convince her to start accepting her new role."
He sighed, shutting hte screen off and shaking his head. "Get out. Take the rest of the day, train, drink, whatever strikes your fancy. We've got a press conference in three days, because since this is United Nations funded and US controlled, they want our faces in the public eye. Make sure you've got good dress uniforms. Dismissed."
With the Rangers leving, the Commander knew that things were about to get interesting. Clashing personalities aside, the Rangers first attempt at saving hte day went sideways, and he hoped that things would mesh smoother in the coming days.
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Three days later, with Asha back on her feet and uncharacteristically quiet, the Blue Ranger looked herself over in the mirror after a shower, seeing the bite marks on her skin from Medusa's fangs. She ran her fingers over the punctures, shaking her head.
"You're a damn fool, DeLuca. There's worse things then not being leader or top shot or whatever...you watched your girlfriend and friends die and you let it consume you....you're a fuckin' idiot," she said, walking away to get dressed. With the press conference looming, she dressed in her Army dress uniform, tucking her phone into her jacket pocket before she put her heels on and walked out of her room, making her way toward Helix's entrance.
Commander Standridge stood inside the gate, a cigar in hand as he waited for the Rangers. In the three days since Skeletrix's attack, his so-called "Eggheads" had finally started pinpointing what Dimensions the new enemies were from, and started postulating ideas on how to stop them.
"Hurry up, Rangers. We ain't got all day. Sumbitches are already forming a line longer then a horde of hungry Army Rangers at chow," he muttered.
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Post by GoseiYellow on Jul 29, 2022 21:27:14 GMT -5
"Already set, sir," Tucson said as he was dressed in a nice beige suit despite limping from the stitched leg.
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Post by venomizer on Jul 30, 2022 8:44:13 GMT -5
Hunter walked into the gate area in his marine dress uniform that he ironed and pressed the night before in his room. In the days that past, he spent time training and thinking about DeLuca's situation. If the team could get around the frosty exterior, then maybe they can gel more as a unit. It was just a matter of if and when. "Morning, Sir. I take it by your expression that the media is not your favorite thing to do." Hunter said before shaking hands with Tuscon.
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Post by y2j1915 on Jul 30, 2022 11:28:12 GMT -5
Adrian was already dressed in his old Air Force uniform making sure to pin his multiple commendations on for the media "You can do this Airhart it's just like flying off into the wild blue yonder we go" the red Ranger muttered to himself as he met up with the others making sure to salute Commander Standridge when he saw him to be as formal as possible
"Adrian Airhart reporting for duty sir" the red Ranger said smiling
***
Doctor K was just finishing up the medical reports from the previous day when she noticed the time not being former military she didn't have a uniform but she made sure to dress to impress regardless currently dressed in a formal button up shirt her lab coat and heels which were a pain to walk in but she had to be formal regardless she knew that leaving the command of the medical wing to one of her subordinates she fell in step beside Adrian coming up just a few seconds after the red Ranger saluted
"good morning Commander I'm not ready for this but let's get it done" the good Doctor said optimistically giving everyone a smile
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Post by FangZeronos on Jul 30, 2022 11:39:08 GMT -5
Standridge looked at Hunter as the Black Ranger up walked up behind Tuscon. "No, it ain't. Not since I punched a reporter in the mouth back in 85 for making cracks abuot my platoon that would have got them shot by any other Army Ranger," he said. He nodded to Adrian and Kayla, folding his arms. "WHere's DeLuca?"
"Here, sir," Asha said, walking up behind the others in her dress uniform. She stopped and saluted, lowering her arm and looking at the crowd gathering outside of the gates.
"Now that y'all are here," Standridge said. "I'll be at the podium. You five are on either side of me. When I say your names, y'all step up and then step back. Any showboatin', you'll be due for punishment. Understand?"
"Yes, sir," Asha said, nodding softly. It wasn't lost on the BLue Ranger taht she still owed the Commander a hundred laps and a thousand push-ups from her outburst in the Command Office the first day, and she dreaded having to do those with a still painful arm.
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