Time Force Delta Squad: Trapped (S2 Game)

Alluka sighs heavily, wishing he doesn’t ask this one since the aftermath remains ongoing. “It comes back at once and believe me, it is not pleasant at all. As for your parents, you will have to ask him. I think he does want to tell you. It is just... he is afraid of your reaction.” She answers, and then she looks at Tanjiro, wondering about his reaction.

Tanjiro sighed softly, folding his arms. "That...does explain a lot. I wish he had told me, but I udnerstand why. I'm the rookie replacemen and it wasn't my place to know."
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“Circuit, when did K’hysh recorded her messages?” Cody asks quietly, waiting for the confirmation if she does this prior to the final battle with Nausis.

Circuit's eyes lit up and he beeped a chirp. "On her way to the lunar colonies. When she was going to meet the M'nhunters and return her brother to Martian custody. Why?"

"I do not think it is the case, Tanjiro." Alluka points out gently. "In fairness, it took a year for him to open up to us. He is very good at hiding his emotions that he refuse to break until it is too late."

"Tanjiro, Cody is the first person to accept you as Red. He enjoys sparring with you, playing darts and pool with you. He even helps you with your strategies. Never forget this."

Tanjiro nodded, sighing softly. "I won't say anything about knowing this. If he approaches me and wants to talk, then I'll say I already knew," he said. "I just hope he's going to be ok in the long run."
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Cody hums, his hand forms into a fist his suspicions heighten. "Back when we’re in 3003, meeting with Captain Logan and the other Rangers, K’hysh left to take care of business on the Waverunner. What was she actually doing?”

Circuit sighed, a mechaniacal beeping coming from his beak as he did. "When she came back to the ship, she...asked me to lock everyone's rooms with a specific restriction code, and she....made a recording for Time Force Command." He tapped teh console, bringing up another hologram of the Red Ranger.

"My name is K'hysh M'los. I'm a Martian from your neighbor, Mars. I lead the Time Force Delta Squad Power Rangers and we hail from the year 3033. We're currently sitting in 3003, attempting to stop a change that radically alters our future." She kept speaking, recounting every trip through time they'd taken, concluding with the arrival of Nausis in 3003. "In the even of my death, incapacitation, capture, or disappearance, this message will be relayed to Time Force Command. My hope is that Commander Scotts sees it, finds out what happened to me, and brings the people responsible down. My Rangers are good people, and I wouldn't have traded a single one of them for anything. It's been my honor and pleasure to serve and fight with them." She saluted, the hologram freezing in place.

"The message was sent after she disappeared on the Moon. Commander Scotts wanted it kept quiet...since this was only meant for her eyes and ears. But I know you'd never stop trying to get the information, that's why I showed you."

After finished her experiments and finally starting to get bored, Kari stood and exited the lab and made her way to the café to grab some food. Seeing Sojiro, she smiled and walked over. "Hey buddy in yellow, how are you today?" She asked grabbing an apple.

Sojiro looked at Kari and he smiled, "I'm feeling alright. However, I'm hoping that Cody is doing okay though," he said.

Alluka reminds Rolo of herself. Earnest, so much more mature than most children his age despite the losses he carry, figuring out what’s important long before many of the adults around him ever do. “Fair enough, kid.” She inhales. “Other than magic, what do you like?”

Rolo purses his lips in a thoughtful manner. “I like horses. They’re majestic. They can run fast for long stretches and are powerful animals.” He explains. “Why?”

Alluka smiles, remembering the time he takes her to the place where it helps her heal from the loss of her parents. “Cody loves horses too. He goes to Equine Therapy Ranch back in our time because the horses like to play with him and they would help ease his sorrows.”

“Really?”

“Indeed. You see, you might not think you know much about your uncle, but you have more in common with him than you realize.” The Umekian assures, and Rolo smiles in acceptance.

Tanjiro nodded, sighing softly. "I won't say anything about knowing this. If he approaches me and wants to talk, then I'll say I already knew," he said. "I just hope he's going to be ok in the long run."

Alluka then nods her head at Tanjiro. "Cody must release his sorrows if he wants to be alright moving forward. I can only hope nothing bad happens to him." She says until she decides to catch up with her meal. "And that is all you both need to know about Cody."
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Cody hums, his eyes turn back to the holopanel against the wall, fingers gripping the pieces of shrapnel he picks up, knuckles turning white with the force of his grasp, drawing blood. It all makes sense now. Because K’hysh is let down by Time Force that she choose to write her will down for the Commander to read it, only for her to disappear after the final battle with Nausis. With her disappearance and Epsilon Battalion emerging, he begins to wonder if he should've retract his forgiveness towards his former Red comrade back then. If only he pushes her more. Then maybe, just maybe she doesn't have to throw her life away.

"Thank you, Circuit. I appreciate your help." Cody starts calmly, turning his body around to walk away from the Waverunner. But not before he throws the sharpnel against the holopanel, hearing the contact behind him.

Tanjiro nodded, sighing softly. "Alluka...can you tell me about K'hysh?"

"Oh yeah." Rolo's expression lights up upon the mention of their friend. He then crossed his arms. "You guys told me she's working over-planets, but the way you guys talked about her, it sounded like she was dead or something. Is it not?"

Alluka wants to facepalm, feeling the lie catching up to her. Who would've thought kids are stubborn until they have the answers. Then again, she and her sisters are in Rolo's position when it comes to their dislike of being left in the dark. "Fair enough." She exhales and begins the tale of her former Red comrade to Tanjiro and Rolo.

"K'hysh M'los travels from her home planet Mars to Earth. Our Commander, Jen Scotts, takes her in and enlists her to Time Force until she is rewarded as the Red Ranger alongside your uncle, me, Soujiro, and Kari. While we had to deal with the Xylorgos Empire led by Nausis, we have the opportunity to know one another. Like every superheroes, not everything remains what it seems. K'hysh has dealt with the bullying, her brother, and the rocky relationship with the Commander."

"And you all had to deal with your problems too?" Rolo asks.

"Yes. Some horrible than others." Alluka admits briefly. "When the Xylorgos Empire are defeated, K'hysh takes her imprisoned brother back to Lunar Colonies. She suppose to return, but she is under attack by the Battalion." She ends with small sigh.

"Dang...D-Did she made it?"

"I-I do not know for sure." Alluka admits softly. "I am told by the Commander there is no sign of K'hysh. Even through all the scavenging, there is no trace of her. What become of her remains a mystery."
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Circuit flew out behind Cody, looking at the Blue Ranger. "Cody. If you're angry at her, know that none of what K'hysh decided or did in the last days of the fight with Nausis were because of anything that you four did. Her anger and resentment toward Time Force was always because of the Commander. Jen never had the highest faith in K'hysh, and it showed in how she started to treat her in the end. K'hysh didn't choose to get attacked by the Battalion, didn't choose to lose her life. Her only choice was to leave Time Force and start a better life. Please don't be angry at her for anything."

"I know." Cody answers remotely, refuses to look back as he keeps trudging back to the city. He knows what K'hysh is going through. She mentions her problems every time, and all he does is to accept her regardless. Despite the differences from his end, he sees her as his friend.

The Blue Ranger's hands shake, feeling a familiar itching that comes with being invited only to be abandoned. He thought he come to terms with the loss. That he fares better than his friends. He thought there is hope K'hysh will still be alive... But it doesn't. His brain tells him he's let down. Again.

Cody then hears a sound nearby, prompting him to stop altogether. He stares around, wondering what it comes from exactly. For the past few days, he listens to the faint noises nearby and everytime he turns around, the noises stop. "What is going on?" He whispers.

"I know.." Kari said looking at the yellow ranger. "And I will, I just wanted things to settle a little first." She said with a slight shrug.

"I can see why you guys are sad when K'hysh is mentioned. I feel the same way when I learn what happened to my parents." Rolo says understandably.

"People grieve in different ways. Some openly shown like Kari. Others more subtle like Soujiro, Commander, and I. Just comes down with how we all cope." Alluka admits with a small sigh. Then she pats Tanjiro by the shoulder, assuring him in her own way.
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Shaking himself from the stupor, Cody finally is out from the forest and climbs to his bike he parked earlier. With his mind reeling, he figures some riding will clear his head. "I'll do some patrol work, Circuit. Thanks for helping me out." He gives the robotic owl a reassured smile before he revs his vehicle. "Let the others know I won't return until later."