Time Force Delta Squad: Trapped (S2 Game)

"Because you would have gone off half-cocked, not knowing about the enemy that attacked. Once the Battalion turned their attention to Time Force, by that time it was already too late for me to come clean," Jen said. "But with M'yrnn joining and proving K'hysh is alive, even if she's being used by the Battalion, I knew I needed to tell you the truth." She sighed softly, looking away. "I'm sorry."

"No, you're not," M'yrnn said. "If you had told them the truth in the beginning, Commander, perhaps things would be different. After this fight, I will genuinely be surprised if more of them do not leave Time Force behind. Much like my sister tried."

"I wouldn't blame them if they did," Jen said. "I'm already tending my resignation as it is, but I'm going to stay until the Battalion are all brought down and you're returned to 3034."

“I do not know what to comprehend.” Alluka begins with a whisper. “Even if you should have told us the truth to beginning, we would still be annihilated without a plan and finding their location. Just look our first battle against them. You are not wrong about this one.” She explains, her expression mixed with disappointed and understanding. "My question is what is your reason to cover this whole thing up other than trying to stop us from getting killed in an impulsive way?"

Jen sighed softly, looking at Alluka. "Because I know what it's like, losing someone you love and having them be alive later and it fucks with your head," she said. "Before I was the Pink Ranger, my fiancee Alex was killed by Ransik, but because we went back in Time and ended up changing things without realizing it, Alex came back to life. I thought, I suppose selfishly, that if I let you all assume K'hysh was dead, maybe things would have been easier on all of you. But it wasn't. I remember the first few months, how you all were. Cody seemed to accept it quickly, you and Kari didn't want to believe it, and Sojiro was mostly silent and I couldn't read him, much like now."

She looked at the Rangers, the weight of her actions starting to sink in. "Rangers, I'm truly sorry. I didn't want to keep your hopes up just in case things ended up worse then this, but trying to protect you ended up making things worse."

M'yrnn, having been watching everyone, looked at Cody and could see the struggle on the Blue Ranger's face. He would make a note to talk to the Blue Ranger later, hopefully clear things up. "Commander. I know I'm not the leader or the most experianced--being only a few months into this longer then Tanjiro, but I think you need to leave," he said. "My sister, their friend, is alive, and we need to find a way to get her back. That won't involve you. You've done enough damage today, don't you think?"

Alluka internally sighs as she watches Kari leave. As hard as it is, she does not disagree with the Commander's reason to the extent since everyone reacts in such an obvious way. Cody is right, sometimes they don’t understand the reality. Deny all they want, but disappointments come. Speaking of Cody...

It isn't until Kari says her words that cause Cody to laugh so hard. He idly wonders why the tears won’t come. It came so easily before, why won’t it come now? "I don't believe it. I just... wow. At least you tried, Commander. Not the way you wanted, but I don't lay a blame on you. Emotions get the best of everyone. Can't accept the disappointment." He sighs, trying to relax. He feels defeated that he'll never get the peace he wants. Then he stands on his feet, stopping at the entrance. "I will say this, there comes a time when it's impossible to save K'hysh. I know you all will find a way and that's fine. But for me, I just... No, thank you." He takes a deep sigh and went outside, going to pick up his nephew. He tries. He tries to be supportive of his friends and their hopes of finding K'hysh. The more time passes though, the harder it is to continue. He has to move forward with his life and not get trapped by returning ghosts.

After resting and checking in with the doctors, Sojiro was able to walk again and he decided to take a stroll into the city by flying. As much as he enjoys the Silver Guardians HQ, he wanted to get out more. But not before making a stop to the Argonite community to check on the remaining mana-possessed aliens.

"How is everyone doing?"

"Well... I would tell you they are alright but it is the opposite." Alluka sighs. Inside the WaveRunner, she's on video chat with her older sister Est, explains (or venting she would say) about what happened these past few weeks. Between the arrival of M'yrnn, Commander Scotts keeping the huge secret, and the team divided over how to handle K'hysh, who is inside Queen Arianas, it has been the most stressful weeks of her life... and that's saying a lot.

"Tanjiro, Soujiro, and I are doing our best but it is not enough. Kari trusts no one. Cody refuses to join in K'hysh's rescue. Almost everyone wants to quit Time Force once this is all over."

"Almost?" Est raises her eyebrow.

"I do not know Soujiro's answer. He will say in his own time." Alluka shrugs.

"I am referring to you."

"Oh. I just... I will like to leave but I cannot."

"Okay. Why cannot you? You know by now Time Force is not as innocent as it should be. You seen what has become especially towards your friends. There are other opportunities for you to utilize your skills." Est points out with a furrowed look. "Why cannot you leave?"

"Because being the Time Force officer is everything to me." Alluka says, emotions gathering on her eyes. “It is the… the only thing I have ever done that was important and that mattered, okay? Without that, I-I do not have…”

Est frowns. “No, no it is not.” She shakes her head. “You’re a partner, and a friend, and a sister, you are a lot of things, not just a Time Force officer.”

Alluka stares down. “For years,” She says slowly. “For years I have been trying to forge my own path. To make our parents proud. I have searched for what I was good at, for the place I belonged.” A couple of tears made their way down her face. “I underwent a nightmare. Everyone blames me for my failures. I realize I cannot let them down again. So I have to stay, that is where I found it, Est, it gave me everything, I cannot lose it, I cannot.”

“Alluka.” Est says softly, touching her sister's face despite being a hologram. “You are not going to lose your family, or Cody or yourself. You will find a way to make it work.”

"I hope so..."
________

Cody wonders how long will a monster attack come. Things went sour a day after that revelations. Due to the fact, he outright refuses to join in on rescuing K'hysh. One thing leads to another, an argument breaks within the team to the point words are thrown and violence occurs, leaving him with only a black eye. While he keeps his distance from Kari and M'yrnn, the only people he still talked to on a daily basis is Alluka and to most extent, Soujiro. He doesn't want Rolo to see what truly happened because it's too complex for a child like him to understand the factors even though he overhears them. So he has to protect his innocence as he can.

"Uncle Corduroy? Uncle Corduroy?"

Blinking back to focus, Cody looks at Rolo, who expression full of concern. He and his nephew are currently across town for their usual bonding time. "Oh. I am- I am sorry about that, Kid. I was just thinking." He apologizes. "So what is it about water?"

Pursing his lips, Rolo then shrugs his shoulder. "That water finds its own level,” He continues. “And people do, too. Recovery is a bumpy road, but eventually, everyone finds their equilibrium. Even if it is in another country or something. Water symbolisms are so interesting.”

Cody nods along. "Yes, yes it is. When it comes to water, there's life involve."

"Water teaches us to be brave and flows forward. The problem is people can't let go of what's holding them back without wasting time clinging to the past."

'I'll say.' Cody thinks dryly, reminding him of his situation with his team. "It's only a matter of time before they unraveled, and there's no turning back."

"Exactly." Rolo agrees. "I guess my sorcery book does its wonders after all."

"Indeed."

"Yes?" Kari said to the silver ranger as he entered. She didn't miss a beat in driving her fists into the bag. It was better then taking it out on her team even more then she had in the past.