Fandom Power Rangers: Bio Strike

[Lady Insanity]

Claire is just breaking their hearts. Calvin had seen many mothers mourn their children in this war. Claire looks like she's mourning who her kids used to be. This woman is so nice to be treated so poorly. Everybody fights with their parents as children but to be so rash and bold is juvenile. After all of these years he's still running, it looks like. Evie, too, having been moved. That's no joke on Earth. Being transported to a new city is just unheard of without reason. She did some terrible, it sounds like. Zalfari is their home. One ran away, the other moved away. Who are these two? Glued to the story, Calvin got a heartbreaking thought in the back of his mind. Claire is from Zalfari. Lucas' home. Her being here as a refugee means one of two things. A, she personally fled that place for some reason her own. B, Zalfari is gone. "Claire... If you're here, what does that mean for your city? For Zalfari?" Calvin asked, thinking about not only her but all of those people. Were they all Zalfarians? Did that thought cross Lucas' mind? His hometown is probably gone and he had no reaction?
It doesn't line up. He's a protector of the planet. No reaction to his city. Lucy's buried there. His home is there. He isn't assuming compassion is Lucas' opposite but... Just why would he be more focused on his mom rather than a whole city possibly being gone? What else happened? That's a brutal thought.

Jane is visibly stunned. No quips, no remarks, no anything. She's silent. Hear about Lucas and Evie. No... Chris and Evie. Her friends being such assholes. Chris ran from home after a fight like a spoiled bratty bitch and his sister got herself kicked out of the city. It's out of character for the two of them. She knew them as honest and good people but this is too much to handle. She's always having a good time and taking things light but this is serious. Jane is hurt. Hurt Chris didn't just come out and say this stuff before. Now learning it in a rush is making it hard to hear. Abandoning his mom like that is just a dick move. Would he abandon them like that, too? "I am wondering, alright," Jane replied to Drew, "wondering about a lot of things. It's like someone who's supposed to be our friend just slapped us in the face with a big mallet. Fucking hell..." she muttered. Chris' mom is right there, though. "Oh, sorry Claire," she apologized on her language, having respect for her friends parent. More respect than he had for her, apparently.

Thinking that Zalfari has fallen just sent chills down her spine. Before Calvin got an answer on the city or Olivia did about their father, the call came in for them to go to work. Getting up from the table, Jane and Calvin smiled at Claire and wished her well. Captain Scott escorting her ey? Had his daughter not been really close with her son, Jane might think those two are going on a date! There was a lot they wanted to talk about but their city needs them. Jane won't run from her problem like Lu--...Chris. Fucking damn it. In a strange way, the incoming attack was a relief. Heavy conversations need good cooldowns and this will be good to process and let someone smash a few heads in.

 

[marorda]

Lucas glanced at his phone as he heard it buzzing. The incoming text from Drew seemed to confirm something he'd been fearing ever since that woman set foot in the city. He understood why the others would be worried, he really did... But he couldn't tell them the truth. It'd be too much. He'd be too much. As always. And would they even listen now? Or had they fallen for the game Claire always played on others. Oh, pity the poor woman. She's so sad and the victim of everything and everyone around her! Lucas took a sharp breath. No, Claire and he were not on speaking terms. Neither were Evie and Claire. He didn't want to go... but how much longer would he be able to keep running? Now that Claire was here everything was bound to catch up on him real fast. And it was going to be a massive wreck when that happened. He ignored his phone for the moment, pacing up and down the room.
"Don't let her get to you, brother. That's exactly what she wants," Evie told him.
"Argh! I know..." Lucas ran his hands through his hair. "But... I just can't."
"I've been telling you all this time you should talk to them," Evie crossed her arms. "And now..."
"You can't honestly be defending her, Eve," Lucas snapped. He quickly recovered himself. "I'm sorry... it's just..."
Eveline placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm not defending her. I know what you're going through. I just wanted to say... if the others knew, Claire wouldn't be able to play them like this."
"I... I guess.. I ran for too long, and now I have to face the consequences," Lucas sighed and slumped down on the couch again, nearly sitting on his phone in the progress.
"You can do it, brother. I believe in you. And deep down inside, so do they," Eveline smiled.
---
Claire perked up slightly as the cooking was mentioned. "Cooking?" she smiled slightly. "I taught him everything I knew. I'm glad to hear there's still something of the boy I knew in there."
"Well, then that's one thing he didn't lie about..." Tidal mumbled under his breath. He agreed with Drew and Jane. He too wondered... he wondered many things. Tidal glanced at Olivia. What if that too...? Now that would be beyond dickish. Tidal would slam Lucas into next month with his own hammer if that turned out to be another one of his lies. Tidal still just couldn't quite wrap his head around the situation. To suddenly call Lucas "Chris" would feel weird. But to keep calling him Lucas while they now knew that wasn't his actual name... that's also weird. How do you refer to someone you thought of as a friend and suddenly learn everything you thought you knew about him was a lie?

More questions were asked, but Claire would owe them the answers at a later moment. The city's on fire. Literally. Again. Blasts and screams were coming just around the corner of... the Corner. Trouble's afoot, and they're close. "A safer place, yes..." Claire nervously glanced towards the window, seeing people running past, screaming in utter terror. "But where can I go? I have no place here..." Really, where could a poor woman like her go now that both her children had cast her aside so coldly? She couldn't possibly stay at the Corner, so close to all of the danger! If anyone knew of a place, or wanted to offer her a place, feel free to do so! The woman would be happy with anything safe and warm.
Tidal stood up and politely nodded at Claire. "I'm afraid I wouldn't know of a place, really. Unless HQ has rooms to spare?" he asked to nobody in particular. That's where he lived too. He felt for Claire, truly. A Wandering Wasteland refugee and a refugee from one of the other cities... which brings to mind the thought.... What happened to Zalfari? Was it gone? Had she simply left on her own terms? All thoughts to be saved for later. Right now they were needed.
---
A new message reached Lucas, and one that couldn't be ignored. Code Red. Monster attack in the city. Meaning he'd have to go there and face his friends after they'd had a chat with Claire. Not something he looked forward to. Ah well... he'd get to cleaning up the mess after the city was saved from whatever was attacking. He rushed outside to his car, Evie following right behind him. She insisted on coming along and nothing he said could change her mind. Deep down inside Lucas knew she meant to come along mainly as emotional support for when the tough bit would come. That, and to give everyone her own two cents on Claire and the whole situation between the twins and their mother. It still didn't sit well with Lucas that she looked exactly like in the picture. Seemed like his friends might be in more danger than just the danger of whatever was attacking in the city. And his friends... well, besides his sister they were the most important people in his life. He'd feel terrible if anything happened to them.

He met the others close to the Corner, conveniently after Captain Scott had evacuated his mother elsewhere. Time to face the monsters, both the ones out there and the ones inside his mind. The looks he got from the others upon his arrival... those didn't promise for much good.

 

[PenBlade1326]

Even if Lucas has hostility toward his mother, he should not be angry to learn the Captain escorted Claire elsewhere. Whatever their problem may be, this woman is a person, one of the few people left on Earth and her life is as precious as any other out there. Captain Scott took her back to base. Claire knowing they're the Rangers, the famed Power Rangers, might not be the best thing to note but she knew they had some layer of involvement in City Defense. Rescue/evac team? He took her to HQ, so he had to make up some reason for their work coinciding with that place. Together the two of them could talk about anything, maybe he asks questions, provides her with some new clothes if these ones are too worn, or she could ask about possibly favorite meals of the team should those cooking skills come into play at any point. Just a thought from one parent to another.
---
Drew's look to Lucas as they met up was less than happy. Drew looked hurt and angry. Olivia, knowing something's up on another level, looked more puzzled at the entire scenario. Claire acts as if Lucas is a monster who used to be her boy. Blowing things out of proportion in a way, but every parent is a little dramatic with their child. Sparing any greetings, the team ignored the silence of seeing Lucas and his sister who tagged along for whatever reason as they made their way to the coordinates of the attack. Randomized bombs going off, multiple explosions, possibly injured civilians. No casualties to be mentioned as of yet.
Dynatron the dynamite robot was on his gleeful rampage in his efforts to blow up the city. No ulterior motive of underlying plan. Straightforward. Direct assaults like this are in ways easier to handle than when they have some other method at hand.

"She's fine, by the way," Drew said with a faint sense of hostility about the twins' mother. "Captain took her to HQ. You gonna lose it and run off or help us?" Drew asked, not even addressing the robot. Evie might want to get clear, by the way. Help the people trapped under debris or something.
Olivia gently tapped his shoulder. "Focus, everybody. We can talk later, please," she reasonably stated, no time for bullshit when there are Rexian forces inbound. Outward to Dynatron she yelled, "Hold it right there! This fireworks show is over." He's just blowing away the streets without a proper greeting. Uncivilized!

"Ready guys?" Drew asked, shaking his head subtly. Olivia confirmed. "Bio Morpher, Initiate!" Morphing as one, the six Rangers phased out of their colored energies now in uniform stance against this bomb bot.
"Red Bio Ranger, ready."
"Pink Bio Ranger, ready." Pulling off their signature styles, Dytrons flooded the scene from every angle. No team call this time, not with flooding robots coming at them. Quickly, the Rangers were thrown into action. Olivia kept to the Dytrons, kicking and waving her arms at them, knowing them over one by one in tight quarters. Dodging a blow, she kicked one aside and grabbed another, swinging into one of its allies.

Drew ran right for Dynatron. "I've got the field commander," he called back. He knocked back a few of the grunts alone the way but he took out his Bio Saber and slashed down at this dynamite douche! Downward, to the side, diagonal! For every bomb he threw at Drew, Drew sliced it in mid air to stop it, blowing them up but in small booms because of logic? Logic as it applies to anything a Power Ranger has ever done.
From a nearby roof, Blood watched and waited for his chance to strike. Six little Rangers scrambling about. Already the tension was rising beautifully.

 

[Lady Insanity]

'Lucy, wherever you may be if there is an afterlife, I'm sorry your remembrance day went to shit,' Jane thought. A day about remembering the twins' old friend having lost the battle with leukemia turned sour like lemons. Lucy, even if Jane didn't know her, would be ashamed to see her friends treat their mom this way. Out of line to think that, sure. Jane's only coming from the place she can right now. Rounding the corner of the Corner and seeing the red heads snapped her out of the pity party played for Claire. Surprisingly Jane didn't convey her feeling openly. Rather she inwardly cursed at them for being jerks and wondered why they'd be so cruel to their mother. Fuck whatever happened years ago. This is their mother. The world is dying. Flesh and blood is one of the only things people have left. Family actually means something. Friends mean something. "Yeah she's okay. And honestly we're not. Thought you trusted us but whatever," Jane commented, running up with the team. So the other two of the original three are pissed... That has to hurt a little more than the others' being upset in some small way right?
Calvin let out a breath. Frustrated but keeping himself reserved. "Infighting will get us killed if we don't pay attention to the big walking bomb," he mentioned as Jane listened to him and Olivia. They're right. Whatever's going on they have a job to do and a city to keep safe.

Debris, fire, screams and a raging lunatic robot from outer space. It's another day in Inezia. "Ready," Jane and Calvin confirmed, morphers up. "Bio Morpher, Initiate!"
"Blue Bio Ranger, ready!" Jane struck the semi salute.
"Green Bio Ranger, ready!" Calvin brought a clenched fist up to his face.

Everybody getting swarmed in an instant left them scrambling. Calvin ducked forward, rolling through a bunch of the Dytrons coming in hot. Bio Baton out he swirled and slashing it around, taking out the legs and mid sections of the robots in blazing sparky fashion. Keeping a calm veneer when things are heated personally is part of his training. Seeing things differently to he can focus on the task at hand. Figures this thing would come out to blow things up as Lucas' past blew up. Swing! Calvin slashed down another one straight against a car door. Insurance agents' tears aside it was a good kill. Quickly he issued any civilians left around to run elsewhere to safety before more things went boom.

"You aren't morphed so don't get close," Jane said to Evie, grunting as she did so, hitting a Dytron over the head with her open palm. "Evacuate people. Now, Commander," Jane sounded like her dad. Authoritative and strict. She's... scary when she's mad. Spunky tomboy fury funtime is over! Sounds like an anime line. Bouncing off the roof of a car and off a wall, Jane fired both the Bio Blaster and Trigger down into the Dytron huddles below in dual fashion. Boom boom bang. By bye, bad guys. When seeing the opening, she jumped around the area, shooting and kicking down Dytrons while providing supportive fire for Drew against Dynatron.

 

[marorda]

"Piss off..." Lucas muttered under his breath at Drew. "As long as she's as far away from us as possible, I'm fine with it." Now if only that meant he wouldn't have to face her again. Probably he would, though. And he owed them all an explanation. But would they even listen now that Claire'd had the chance of playing them? The original other two were pissed, and he could tell from the looks that the other three shared that sentiment to some degree. Not all as openly, but clearly there. He'd say more, but Olivia and Calvin were right. This wasn't the time for arguing among themselves. There was a robot on the loose determined to completely wreck the city. And being quite successful at it too, being a walking bomb. He inhaled sharply, eyeing Dynatron.
"They're right, Evie. Stay clear of that guy." He wasn't going to lose her too. He shared a look with his sister before she nodded.
"I'll help the people over there," she said, nodding at people being driven into a corner while flames crept closer.

Tidal glowered at Lucas. He just didn't understand. He didn't even seem happy his mother was taken to safety. And now somehow he acted like they were in the wrong? Something is messed up about that! But not as messed up at a walking talking bomb giddily blowing the city apart. Once this battle was over, Lucas... Chris... whatever, had a lot to explain to them. And he'd better tell his mom he's sorry for acting like such a dickhead. He scowled.
"Right. Talk later, get rid of that thing first before there's no city left," Tidal said, falling in line with the others.
"Ready," the two confirmed. "Bio Morpher, Initiate!"
"Yellow Bio Ranger, Ready!"
"Bio Shadow, Ready!"

"Rangers!" Dynatron somehow seemed delighted to see them. "Just in time for the party. I am Dynatron. And it's BOOM TIME!" Once again his volume went up to the max. Lucas furrowed a brow underneath his helmet. Wasn't that something he and Evie had said when dealing with the Spire-bombs Gemini had planted all over town? How uncreative. Same applied to the name. Yet another something-tron.
"Do us a favor and blow yourself up already," Lucas called to Dynatron as the Dytrons started swarming them. He eyed his sister, safely distanced from the explosions, helping people who got trapped in rubble and pointing them to safety. Frantically running around herself, but in a more... ordered matter? She knew what she was doing: dodging flames and stay explosives, telling people where to go and give them a hand when they needed it. Even though she was pretty much surrounded by the things she feared (and loved) the most: blazing fires and explosions. He respected her for that. His sister had always been the more heroic one of the pair. But now... well... he was a literal superhero. Oh, how times have changed. But no time to get all reminiscent. There's Dytrons to deal with! He slashed the baton at the incoming horde, reverting it to blaster mode so he could take care of the ones some distance away.

 

[PenBlade1326]

See Drew is bothered by personal stuff but he can let it go for this. Claire showing up at this moment in time is random at best but she's their mother who's not seen them in years. Lucas in 3, Evie even longer. But being told to piss off only added to the length of things going on against Lucas in his mind at the moment. Today went downhill fast. Lucas hasn't even mentioned Lucy at all. But how can he with all of this going on? His mom spilling the beans on him must have eliminated the bullshit facade he's putting up. Ugh. Drew took it out on Dynatron, slashing his saber at the robot again before it had a shot to last him with bombs. Jane's support was welcomed, giving him a chance to get in closer without risk of being blown up in a blaze. The frustration to today is helping to settle his mind against the invading forces. Locking in close with Dynatron Drew held his blade out to him, catching some breath for a minute. "The Armada's sending suicide bombers now? You know that means you were built to be destroyed right?" he asked the field commander, likely pissing it off and leaving himself open to a big boom attack.

Olivia spins around and around, claw in hand, slashing down the Dytrons one by one, two by two and three by three. Her small chunk of them were taken care of so she aided Evie really fast by helping the last of the people get out of here safely. Now she herself can get out of here lest she gets blown up. Damn, the robots normally have to be blown up. They don't come pre-packaged with their own explosive method! This attack is too random. Like they're drawing them out? Reminds her of the Gemini assault. Also of the Volemera strike where he specifically wanted to fight the Rangers. This one's a combo of terror and fighting! Sneaky Dytron caught her thinking and hit her from behind, rolling her over by Calvin's side. The two that were a bit more rational today.

From the roof, it was his time to shine. Seeing an opening too hard to pass up, Blood, morphed, jumped off and soared downward to the ground. Opening his arms, he tackled Lucas and rolled onto the ground with him. Yellow cushions are better than grey concrete. While the other Rangers were all fighting robots, Blood took this chance to deal with Compassion. "Well well, isn't this a surprise?" Blood distanced himself form Lucas, now his target. He drew his blade. Blood spared no time, slashing down diagonally on Lucas' chest. He slashed again, this time colliding his blade on Lucas sidearm and brought himself in close. "Any visitors today, Yellow Ranger? Like my care package? I hope you and your friends like it," he likely referred to Dyantron. "It's a real bang at parties. But you need friends to have a party with. Friends you can be honest with, friends who trust you and your compassionate heart. Compassion like only a mother can teach. And you are so much like your mother." He's toying with him now. "Let's see just what you can say for yourself when your true colors come out," Blood implied he knew what was going on but it sounded both vague and a direct source of the insanity running around. Whatever it is, it's malicious. Blood pushed Lucas away with his shoulder and went for a heavy strike down his chest again.

 

[Lady Insanity]

"Boom time? Where have I heard that before," Jane asked herself, feeling the heat of it all, rolling around as to not get slammed down by metalheads. Not metalheads as in they're just really into metal music, but they have literal heads made of metal. Boom time can be construed as a reference to another bomb-happy foe or some catchphrase from something somewhere. Simple, silly, but fun all the way around. Quickly like a tornado, Jane blasted down all of the Dytrons around her so she could go help Drew fight the bomber bot. Dynatron. Not the worst of the -tron suffix robots they have met. Clever is a stretch but honestly its up there with one of the greater names of something to blow up on the ground and then as a giant technicolor robot. Firing both weapons, Jane shot Dynatron over and over, ditching the blaster and keeping the Trigger. "Smells like somebody made a boom boom," she said. Babies make boom booms! She'll call it that when her future kid/niece or nephew goes poo. Back to the topic of...not poop, she kicked Dynatron so hard in the chest, sparks flew!

Calvin caught incoming blows and pushed them back to manage them clearly. This attack allowed for a minute or two of something familiar in the hands of all this insanity going on around them. Switching gears from group bickering about lack of communication from compassion to beating the hell of out things. Never did he think he'd welcome Dytrons into the city. Olivia rolled over his way. He shot at the Dytron whom had hit her before checking in on her. "You okay, Olivia?" He helped her up while taking in the scenery. Dynamite robot with Jane and Drew, Tidal still on Dytrons, Blood coming down off a roof to tackle Lucas. Everything seems to be in or--wait when did Blood come down and attack? He isn't on the guest list! Calvin shouldn't be so surprised he showed up, though. This guy has a habit of turning up when he is not welcomed. Kind of like a stomach ache with less of the gurgling and more of the bother. "This keeps getting crazier. First Claire shows up and now Blood's going directly after Lucas? A lot of heat on him today. I have a gut feeling," he pieced together something just didn't seem right. Well whaddaya know? A stomach ache, just like Blood is! "Let's help Tidal clear out the Dytrons and get everyone rallied back on Dynatron and Blood," he suggested to her. Lucas might want some help instead of going one on one. And Dynatron may literally blow any second so it's better to not let their friends alone with him. And Tidal's out numbered! Calvin began firing warning shots to Tidal's grouped Dytrons at their feet.

 

[marorda]

Lucas grunted as Blood attacked him from out of nowhere, just jumping at him from thin air and knocking him to the ground. Now being knocked into the ground was the least worse bit of it. Being slashed... now that was more annoying and painful. It took him a second to register just what Blood was telling him. "Should've known a piece of shit like you had something to do with this all," he glowered. He was nothing like his mother. He would never be anything like her. He recovered himself and went back for an attack at Blood, putting more strength than he should in the strike of the baton. Blood was getting on his nerves, was pissing him off. Likely exactly what he planned on doing, but Lucas just couldn't quite care in the moment. Today had been terrible. It could've been nice and peaceful were it not for Claire showing up. Or someone pretending to be her. Whatever the case, a nice day and good mood had completely be ruined. Things could hardly get any worse form here on. "Shut the fuck up," he hissed, wanting to strike at Blood again, but being overpowered, pushed back, and yet another heavy strike down his chest. Lucas coughed, rolling on the ground and trying to recover himself once more. From the corner of his eye he caught Evie watching them, hands clenched to fists. He knew his sis, knew how she wanted to interfere, to punch Blood square in the face. But she was holding herself back, knowing it wasn't very likely she'd survive the attempt.

Tidal held his own fairly well against the horde of Dytrons swarming him from all possible sides. However, backup would be welcomed. He kicked one Dytron back hard, right into an approaching group of them. He hurled around with the baton in hand, slashing down another bunch. However, he couldn't deny it was getting a bit too much. He didn't even know where to look anymore. Didn't matter when you were surrounded, but still. He eyed the others. Lucas seemed to be trapped in a one on one with Blood, and Drew was getting the full heat of Dynatron's explosive attacks. Both looked like they could use a hand or two when the Dytrons would finally be cleared out.

Dynatron seemed to be enjoying himself battling the Rangers. Yes, he was being kicked at, and slashed at... but they were close enough to be hit with an explosive fist to the chest. And Dynatron happily obliged. His only purpose was destruction, after all. "My purpose is to take down as much of the city and as many of you as possible," the field commander answered before kicking Drew back hard and throwing one of his many explosives his way. Being shot at made his metal body heat up. Not the smartest thing to do to a creature made of bombs! "That tickles," Dynatron laughed, now throwing explosives into Jane's direction as well. He laughed even louder, menacingly, manically too, most likely. He readied himself to throw even more bombs at the rangers, distracted ones included... but nothing happened. A click, faltering.... "Aww man... I'm all outta ammo!" Dynatron called, stomping on the ground in frustration. "I need to reload." He eyed Blood, waiting for them to teleport away. They'd be back soon enough.

 

[PenBlade1326]

Olivia's alright, just a little overwhelmed. Funneling out the enemies will reduce some of the stress but only in the immediate danger. Dangers of today still linger. It's been going on for what feels like months. But in reality for them, it's been hours. Readings indicate Lucas' stress levels are though the roof and the tension of the team is only fueling that fire. It's too well-orchestrated. All of the things going wrong today feel off somehow either by chance or by some means of intervention. But this isn't the greatest time to sit and think since there's fighting to be done. "I feel something, too. We should help the others first an then we can talk about it," she said to Calvin, gently patting his forearm in camaraderie. Whipping back into shape, she joined Calvin in helping Tidal by taking his left and right flank off of him, luring Dytrons in with hefty blows of her own baton, taking them down in big groups as urgency arose.

"You are so much like her! It's fun hearing you get mad. Coward. I wonder just what he'd have to say about his little boy becoming a pathetic ingrate," Blood whispered to Lucas in close, his arm backhanding the entirety of Lucas' helmet. "Can't even hit me back. Hard to fight knowing you're losing everything you care for with a swift stroke of truth. Whichever version of truth you choose to use, anyway," he said again. Toying with him. Playing like its some big game. Getting into his mind, his arsenal of secrets and psych profiling gets stronger with each word. Blood's enjoying himself. The polar opposite of Lucas right now.

Drew shrugged. "Your purpose is to blow up when the Armada says to blow up. Face it, your only goal is to die," he said, punched with explosive force on impact. Coughing up what tasted like a little blood, Drew shook his head and got back up from his knees. Only now did he think that hitting and shooting a walking bomb was a bad idea. Rules of detonation weren't exactly clear so he thought he could just hit the bastard over and over. It's been an efficient formula thus far in their career. Then again, looking at the yellow chicken over there, a lot of things are changing today. Distracted, he only just caught wind of the bomb hurdling towards him as it got an inch away. The bomb made contact, exploding against Drew's morphed body directly where it lit him up in flame an completely wiped him off his feet. If not for the suit he'd be done for. Imagine getting blown up without one on! Still it hurt like absolute hell, blasting him against a concrete wall with an indent in his image left behind, falling out of it and demorphing from the impact. He coughed and coughed, covered in soot.

Blood sighed. Out of ammo, really? Nothing ever runs out of ammo these days. Oh well. He kicked Lucas back in the stomach, leaving him and his friends behind. "Come on, then. We'll be back, Power Rangers," Blood proclaimed like they'd all miss him so much.

Olivia exhaled, done with the fight finally. Their enemies were gone, but a lot of destruction stayed. Caught in a crossroads she didn't know where to check on Drew, who's actually coughing some blood up, or Lucas who's had a lot of heat his way on top of the most elite fighter they've faced attacking him alone. And the others are likely tired too. Dear oh dear... She sent Lucas some good vibes but honestly Drew needs medical attention. She addressed Lucas quickly and demorphed to help Drew.

 

[Lady Insanity]

Not the only one thinking things are just off, Calvin agreed with Olivia's plan to help Tidal then regroup as a while unit before things got out of hand. They can talk about anything out of suit, but when they're fighting something that's kind of the more important issue. His gut feeling told him things were just too easily gone to hell. They've been in tight situations before, definitely, though only a couple were up to par with the level of inner tension around the team now. He didn't like it. But the best way to take out the frustration was to hit something. Going with Olivia to help Tidal, Calvin swooped his ax under one of the Dytrons like a shovel and tossed it up in the air, bringing it out of nowhere and whirling the heavy thing into multiple targets at once. The small fries have to dealt with fast.

"Okay but in hindsight, shooting a bomb is a terrible idea," Jane realized, the destructive bot rampaging more by the minute. Kind of a dirty but good tactic, sending something that when hit it gets more dangerous. The monsters and robots tend to blow up anyhow but how do they kill something that's made specifically to blow things up possibly including itself? Would Dynatron blowing up even work? Lots of questions being asked on this day of all days. Overwhelming, really. It's more overwhelming that Jane had a bomb tossed her way. She saw Drew go up in a massive blaze, avoiding the same fate. Instead of being hit by a bomb, it instead hit behind her with a blast radius so powerful, the wave knocked her off her feet. Horizontally she spun in the air, energy pulses of fire hitting her suit before she hit the ground rolling, dropping her weapon in the streets and demorphing. Pained and straining, she lay on her back stunned. Dynatron clicked. Out of ammo. "Happens to most guys," she joked in character through the strained voice. She felt what all of their enemies must have felt. Exploding feels really really bad. "Yeah you better run..." She slipped out of consciousness for a minute. Moments from passing out and she found it in her to crack one out.

That fight almost never ended! Cleaning this up will be a real... a real... shit. "Jane! Drew!" he shouted, noting both of them being blown up and knocked in critical condition. Demorphing he used field medic tactics and knelt by Jane, shaking her gently until she regained somewhat consciousness. She coughed, groaning as her vision blurred. Calvin stayed with her, calling in for medical to help them out back to base in case they needed help on the way back. "Hey Lucas, you okay?" Calvin asked, calling out to him as well. He'd tangled with Blood and that so far hasn't ended in sunshine and rainbows for anybody.

 

[marorda]

Lucas took a deep breath. And another one. Don't let him get to you. Don't let him get into your mind. Too late. Blood was already in there, making Lucas' insides boil with each word that he spoke. He wasn't even sure what hurt more at the moment. Being pummeled around and backhanded in the head, or the words that cut deep into his soul. Yes, he was a coward. He'd been running away from his problems for years and now everything caught up to him. Now he was losing everything in a sick and twisted version of the truth. Less than half of the story and there was nothing he could do about it. NO. Lucas was practically mentally yelling at himself. This was what Blood wanted. What the Armada wanted. Thoughts and memories raced through his head. Hundreds of them all at the same time. And it was giving him one hell of a headache. "SHUT UP!" he yelled at Blood, lunging at him. The more Blood spoke the more difficult it became to swallow his fury. Every inch of his being ached to punch Blood. To kick him. To hurt him by any means possible. But he lunged at nothing, for Blood and Dynatron teleported back to the main ship.

Tidal very much appreciated the backup from Olivia and Calvin taking care of the flanks. "Thanks for the help," he said, taking down the last of the Dytrons surrounding them. Just in time to see Dynatron fire his bombs art Drew and Jane. Drew being slammed into a wall, Jane being knocked into the concrete. Explosions are only a good thing when they're the ones causing them and not being the ones to blow up. Or get hit by the blast radius. His eyes widened. "No!"
Both were clearly in horrible condition now. Tidal thanked whichever higher power responsible that the two of them were suited up and trained for situations like this. They were still in critical condition, but if they had been ordinary civilians... Cue a flashback to still brainwashed him blowing up a car with at least one civilian in it. Cue a following shudder. He rushed to aid Calvin in ensuring Jane was alive and would stay that way.


He stood trembling on the streets amidst the rubble and chaos of all the explosions. Everything about and around him felt tense, his breathing still heavy. Lucas felt hot, as if the fury had set him on fire from the inside out. His face felt wet underneath his helmet and he wasn't sure whether it were tears or sweat or maybe both. He'd been caught up in his own battle so much that he'd mostly missed Drew and Jane pretty much literally blowing up in front of him. Seeing them downed on the concrete, bleeding and close to being unconscious, pulled him straight back into the moment. Anger almost immediately made place for panic. He couldn't actually be losing the people he cared about the most. "Guys!" he called out, demorphing and rushing over to their side of the battlefield. Lucas briefly nodded to Calvin. "I'm alright... I think. But we should worry about them instead."
Jane was coughing and nearly unconscious. Drew was coughing up blood. And Lucas just stood there, feeling rather hopeless and helpless. He slowly made his way over to Drew and Olivia.
"Thank god you're still in one piece," he said to Drew, extending a hand to help him up as far as reasonable in this condition.

 

[PenBlade1326]

Hoarsely, Drew croaked out a stern "I'm fine" to Lucas before picking himself up off of the ground. Whether it be the tension from before or the agony of blood escaping his body, he had little room to care right now. It hurt like hell but he stood up in full stance, stretching his arms and legs out in spite of the soreness and bruising. Being blown up feels absolutely terrible. To the side he eyed Jane, in equally bad condition. "She okay?" he asked out to Calvin and Tidal by her. He's ignoring Lucas. Olivia quietly arose and placed a hand on his likely sore back. "She'll be okay, she just needs some help. It's on its way, but you should rest for a minute. We'll all go back to HQ and cool down a little bit," she said to him. She's smart and that is the best course of action but Drew is busy walking away from Lucas. He's already a solid 10 paces away from him. Call it dramatic but he's not happy with him right now. Being a dick to his mother so non-apologetically and lying to them about his name? That cuts deeper and hurts more than any bomb ever could. Who is he?
"Bet today didn't go as planned," Drew said rather one-sided, now just waiting for help to arrive. "Get us all together in one spot like it's such a nice thing to do on a sad day, get your sins spilled out in front of everyone, then suddenly your lie of a name is over. Can't say I'm wrong when I say just having been lied to for so long about something simple as a name cuts worse than a blade." Drew's monologuing? He's talking to Lucas but not talking directly to him.

Olivia sighed softly. She signaled so that Evie could rejoin them from wherever she is. "We definitely want some answers right now, but there is a more pressing matter. Walking dynamite, a lot of new refugees and two of use are badly injured," she said to herself under her breath. She checked on Jane, gently picking her up so she can check vitals. Toxic masculinity won't set in between the two guys, will it?
"Father, is Claire at the base with you? Just checking to see if she's safe. There's a lot to talk about," she said while over with Jane, Calvin and Tidal. She kept watching for Evie.
"Claire is secured, yes. I've made sure she is comfortable, as I have the other refugees on follow-up. The field commander?" Captain Scott asked back.
"Escaped. We're awaiting medical for Drew and Jane, but we'll be ready next time." Civil conversation in comparison to the other one happening.

 

[marorda]

Lucas inhaled sharply through his nose as Drew monologued on. "Answers will come when answers will come. Not that it matters much... Bet nobody's even going to listen now that that bitch is around," he muttered to himself. Really, was it still going to be of any use? Claire was already trying everyone around her fingers. Like she always did to people. Always innocent. Always the victim. Lucas clenched his hands to fists. He was so sick of her, so done with her. He tensed up as Olivia mentioned they would all go to HQ.
"I'm not," Lucas said, shaking his head. "My apologies, but I'm going nowhere near where she is. Thought it was pretty clear I want nothing to do with her."
Eveline rejoined them, siding with her brother. "Agreed," she nodded. Of course she sided with her brother. Only the two of them knew what was going on after all. At this moment it seemed the only people they could rely on were each other. "Anything is better than having to look that bitch up or being around her."
The twins exchanged a quick look. The others didn't understand. How could they? Answers would come in due time, but that moment wasn't now. Not with a walking bomb just recharging in outer space before wreaking more havoc upon a city that's already seen too much.

 

[PenBlade1326]

Cutting the conversation with her father, Olivia shook her head in mild frustration. Gently she rubbed Jane's arms to comfort her while they waited for some help to arrive. "Lucas, Eveline.... please, just come with us. I understand you clearly have something against your mother but there's no reason it can't be worked out with civility. Just come to base with us, get yourselves taken care of and we can talk about whatever's going on like adults. Please?" Olivia asked them softly, almost begging for something to make sense. She gave Lucas that unfair eye flutter. Every girl has that power over their fella. Wait...fella? Dear, that isn't going to be how she addresses him from now in is it? Unprofessional! But she isn't asking as his girlfriend. She's asking him and Evie both...kind of as their friend and boss.

Drew shook his head and turned on his heel, blocking Evie and Lucas from leaving. He clearly didn't mean to assert a threat, and they would know that, but he's full of emotional steam right now. "No. Answers have to come now. Whatever's going on, look around. The world is ending. Your mom is back. Better or worse you know she's alive and well. If my mom were back I'd jump at the chance to speak to her again. I'd give anything to have just one more second with my mom. One more fucking second. I don't care what you guys want, I want a damn answer already. She's alive, isn't she? Huh? TALK TO HER." Drew's yelling at the two of them. He's in Lucas' face. Snarling, eyes whelping. The raw emotion of his moms death got to him. He'd give anything for just another second with her, no matter what grudge there may be. Drew demanded an answer here and now, but he didn't know if he'd get one. Maybe they'll run away? Apparently it's what Lucas does best.
Olivia stared at this confrontation. Drew's...coming from a different place, here. Raw and painful. His eyes...

 

[marorda]

Lucas closed his eyes and shook his head, taking a deep breath through his nose. It was Eveline to speak on their behalf.
"Sometimes too much has happened for things to work out again," she said, crossing her arms. "This is one such example." They didn't know the full story. Even Eveline didn't know the details of what exactly had happened after she was taken away. She just knew the lie her mother had told her when she showed up at the doorstep that one say. He's not coming back. Your brother is dead. And Eveline had believed her, hence the surprise to see her brother again. Hence the initial anger. Yes, she could understand the others, how betrayed they felt, but she understood her brother so much better. God knows what he's been through. One thing's for sure: it ain't pretty.

Drew's words hit a nerve with him. And definitely a wrong nerve at that. Lucas glared at him, rage boiling in his chest that he tried to push back. How much longer could he keep everything bottled up? How much longer before things would explode all around them, as terrible of a choice of words as that may be given the circumstances? Yes, Lucas knew how much Drew missed his parents. He knew where he was coming from. But at this particular moment, he simply no longer cared. "Some people aren't worth being called a mother. If your mom was anything, ANYTHING like ours, she's better off dead."

 

[Lady Insanity]

Only so much can be done until more help arrives. Normally they're able to pick themselves up and go on like normal but entangling herself with a bomb that talks is a lot for Jane to handle. Calvin's exhausted but he can take care of himself. With Tidal's help he looked after Jane, going in and out of consciousness in the most vulnerable state the tomboy could be in. She doesn't like being so...limp. Good fight but it's left things tense. Sour taste of the day is really kicking in out of the adrenaline of explosions. Jane felt Olivia checking in on her. The four of them huddled together in the group being quiet and reserved compared to the louder exchange of words from the ketchup and mustard-colored guys over there. Now one can think about the potential condiments matching the other four colors here. "You aren't helping by getting so frustrated, Drew..." Calvin chimed in from afar, although he felt drowned out. Everyone's a little upset with Lucas for not being honest about everything but he's kind of taking it a bit too far.
"I think you can tell us something now. I don't see her around, so why bother with the no talking?" Calvin again chimed in to Lucas this time. Both of these guys are being a bit unreasonable right now and he won't just ignore that. True friends do that. "Guys, just stop it," he said. But he's drowned out. Drew getting so heated...so red, no pun intended. His mom...yes, if he'd had only a minute with her he gets why Drew would be upset now. The way he's thinking makes sense. But Lucas clearly has a lesser affinity for his own mother.

Her eyes opening and back straightening, Jane rolled her neck and popped her knuckles. The arguing is starting to piss her off. No it is pissing her off.
Slamming her hands on the ground she pushed up back to her feet. "Calvin and Olivia are right," she said to herself, "this is getting things nowhere." Marching on over on a mission, she caught wind of the vibes they gave off. Drew in his face, Lucas saying maybe his mom is better off dead, had she been anything like Claire. Jane forced herself in between the two guys, shoving them apart with all of her fucking strength. She slapped them both. "You both need a time out!" Jane shouted. Like really shouted. Her voice cracked.
"Both of you, shut the hell up. Drew, can it with the anger issues. Evie and Lucas, both of you talk to us already. If you can't tell us whatever's going on because we won't understand, then is shows what you think of us. We will listen if you just talk. But you are way out of line with running away and saying what you just fucking said, Lucas. Enough is enough. I can't even be injured without having to talk some sense into you idiots. Get a grip, you two, or I'll take you by the ears and throw you out of the dome and let the wasteland deal with you." Referencing that time she comically dragged both guys the ear over debate of role call necessity. Jane of all people, is trying to make a point. She's mad, but she's only letting it show a little. She's saying what needs to be said. Either they can all talk now away from Claire if that's gonna be a problem or they can get really uncomfortable later.

"Both of you apologize now. You're friends. You know better than this. You k-know..." Jane exerted herself a little too much. She's really hurt and she used all of her strength to yell at them. Tension on the team is a lot. She lost her words and started to fall backward from exertion. Calvin leaped out and caught her before she got familiar with the ground.

 

[PenBlade1326]

Maybe she's better off dead? Maybe she's better off...

Okay. Line has been crossed. No more kid gloves. He could make this a lot uglier. Beyond betrayed Drew is full-on pissed. Never in a million years did he think the most compassionate person he had ever met would be such a prick. Whatever drama is beefing him and his mom is one thing but he had no right to come after Drew's mom like that. "I'm gonna rip your head off, Chris," Drew started raising a fist like he was about to strike him right when Jane came between them and used all of her might to push them apart and slap them. The slap stung like a bee on steroids.
Literally slapping him out of it. Heated arguing isn't going to solve any problem. All the while, Olivia is staring at this entire scene unfolding. She made brief eye contact with Evie to get her perspective on the whole thing. It's insanity that these two are fighting like this and the tomboy has to play peacemaker. Does Evie even care about the drama between friends? Does her hatred of her mother go that far?

"I didn't start this, Chris started it by running off from a mother seeing her child after how many years. Lucy would be so ashamed of him," Drew said, pretending Lucas just isn't there at this point. Now he's digging into his wounds. Childishly saying 'he started it' isn't going to back up his character, now. He is, however, up in Lucas' face so that was a little uncalled for, hence Jane shoving them both back. If she hadn't stopped him from throwing that punch... The heat and redness in his face cooled a smidgen while remembering that time they were both in fact dragged off. And that time they went to Lucas' apartment for dinner soon after the three of them became a team. How did the three of them go from that to this? Progress isn't exactly the right term. Drew' still really mad at Lucas, however. "I'll apologize when he finally just tells us what's..." he started to say, interrupting Jane but also noticing her losing all of her energy and start to fall. He forgot about Lucas for a second and reached out to grab her, but Calvin got to her with lightning speed first.

"Jane? Hey, you okay?" he asked compassionately. And ironically. Actually it'd be ironic of Chris asked it in that tone.
Olivia darted over to check on her, helping her settle while looking for where help may be. "You two should be ashamed of yourselves. She put all of herself into telling you both to grow up. Just stop it already. Who else has to get hurt for you to just focus?" she asked. The look on her eyes heavily disappointed Drew in himself. And for Lucas? She's beyond the caring girlfriend role right now. Without any trace of a doubt Olivia knew better than this. She knew Lucas wasn't a douchebag, she knew Drew doesn't flare up like the sun.
"You owe Drew an apology for what you said. And you owe Lucas one."
Drew tilted his head. "Seriously? For what?"
"For getting up in his face the way you did," she said. "Lucas, Evie, you're both more than welcome to come with us to talk at the base. Or we can have a conversation on our way there, away from your mother if you need. Whatever's causing the problem you need to confront it. We will listen and try our best to understand. I already have an idea." Olivia fully knew what may be the issue. She knows a lot about everyone but it is kept to herself. Why bring up things that they keep private? That's how good she is at her job and how much she respect them all as people and friends.

Finally, help had arrived. Pulling up in aid vehicles, so an ambulance or two, Olivia waved for the responders to help with Jane carefully. "There, easy does it. Get her to base and everyone cleaned up the best you can, please," Olivia said, taking a wipe from one of them and cleaning her face with it.
She looked at the bickerers and Evie. "Well?"
Drew's going to base, already affirmed. Up to the others now. Still he hasn't said sorry for anything. He doesn't feel the need to as of yet.

 

[marorda]

"Leave Lucy out of it!" Lucas called before running his hands over his face. "The thing is... you wouldn't understand. It has nothing to do with trust. Just with the fact that you haven't been in our position. We wouldn't wish that on any of you. But whatever, I guess." He threw his hands up in the air. This is useless. Lucas was trembling. Was it anger or something else? Most likely a combination of anger and a whole lotta other things... He couldn't handle this much longer. For years he'd tried to run from everything that happened, tried so desperately to leave things behind him. Now things had caught up and hit him like a battering ram. It wasn't that he didn't understand Drew. He had a great relationship with both of his parents, so it made sense he missed them every day. It made sense he thought the way he did and didn't understand what was going on in Lucas' mind. None of them knew the story. Unlike the others, the relationship between the twins and their mother was far from rainbows and sunshine. Quite on the contrary. Evie, by know, knew the full extend of the story. She'd dealt with quite some pain and suffering herself, but it was only a fraction of what Lucas had had to live through. He'd promised himself he wouldn't ever let anyone suffer again, dealing with the pain on his own and in silence. Just that silence was what was now causing even more suffering. God, he felt terrible about everything.

"I agree that's crossing a line," Evie said, crossing her arms. "But I can't say I don't support my brother here. You don't know what she's like, what she does. And I honest to God pray you'll never figure it out. But at the same time I do, otherwise you wouldn't understand. I know I'm babbling a bit... but this whole mess here... I don't think I can think straight anymore." She looked everyone in the eye. She wouldn't go as far in saying the things Lucas had said. Her hatred didn't run as deep, but it was still there very deep inside her soul, burning and festering. A situation she knew would be reversed if it had been her brother who was taken away all those years ago.
"I just..." Tidal spoke up too now. "I just don't... I can't understand how anyone could hate their own parents so much. They're your parents. Or mother in this case, but still." He shook his head. Tidal could only agree with Drew here. To have one more moment with his parents...Drew at least knew his parents were dead and had a grave to visit, as morbid as that may be. Tidal... he had nothing. He didn't know if his parents were alive or whether they'd died in the Wasteland. He didn't know whether they'd had an at least halfway decent funeral or were just left out there to rot. That uncertainty hurt him more than he'd like to admit to these people. So to see and hear so much hatred coming from the nicest people he knew... That was confusing at best.

The slap hurt, almost felt like a burn against his cheek. Though it did pull him back to the here and now, it didn't exactly improve the situation. He ran his hands over his face again, as if it would somehow help against the maelstrom of thoughts and memories fighting over priority in his brain. Yeah.... that was a killer headache coming up there. "Jane's right. You're all right. That was crossing a line..." Lucas said softly. "Drew, I know you love your mother... but I can't say the same for mine." There, he'd said at least that much. He took a deep breath to fight back the tears he felt burning behind his eyes. Not here. Not now. This wasn't the place or time to start bawling. Nor was it the moment to talk. But when ever is it? He knew, he knew damn well he'd have to talk soon. But with his mother in the picture, with her doing what she does best... It complicated things.
"Claire's dangerous," Evie chimed in. "Please.... just don't trust her or anything she says."

Then Jane collapsed right in front of them, having pushed herself too far in scolding Drew and him, making Lucas feel even worse. He felt himself freezing, panic surging in his chest. Who else has to get hurt... Those words certainly hit their mark. He knew Olivia was right. He knew they were all right in getting upset he's been keeping things to himself. The very reason has been mentioned just now. So that nobody would have to get hurt. That sure backfired on him. Lucas sighed and closed his eyes for a moment.

"You know what? Fine. I'm done running," Lucas huffed. If not now, it'll never happen. I won't let her win this.
Evie nodded in silence. She'd come along with her brother. They were going to need each other's support.

 

[PenBlade1326]

"Look all I'm gonna add is that if Claire is so dangerous, you'd better tell us why. I'm starting to lose a lot of respect and trust for you, no matter your reason. I'm not going to forget what you said about my mother," Drew coldly put. Without a second thought he entered a vehicle, seeing first that Jane got the help she needed. Honestly her stepping in how she did embarrassed him. This entire day has gone on for too long and it has stressed him out. Whether he's doubting a friend, having dynamite thrown at him or questioning a poor woman he can't think straight. He's unsure how much more he can really take. Lucas is coming, as is his sister, so there's a step in the right direction. All he had to do now was wait.
Olivia sighed relief. "Good. We can solve this at headquarters like adults." The voice of reason sounds particularly motherly today. Irony to end all irony. A front of anger threatening to break the dam that is regression. Many things have blown up today in every regard. "Enough torture. It's time to tell your story," Olivia said, gesturing for the twins to get in the car behind her. She's proud Lucas is done running. Will she be as proud if he blows up on Claire?

Briefly she pulled Calvin aside. "Calvin... You have that feeling, yes?" she asked. A needling feeling ate away at her that something fishy had been occurring ever since the day went south. "You haven't been pointing fingers at anyone, either. We should be prepared for whatever we're about to hear. If my reports on your guys' background are accurate it's going to be bad," she said. Not to the last detail did she know but she knew things may be getting ugly here soon.
---
Meanwhile on the ship hovering just outside the Earth's gravitational pull, Blood and Splica watched from above at the darkened planet. The air was brown and the crust is dry. Still, places make for good settling grounds with their technology. The spot picked by the Empress had been pinpointed on screen and observed. "The colony will be beautiful. Manufacturing forces will be easier when monitored ground side," Blood told her.
"Yes, yes it will. Your plan is going accordingly, I take it? The Yellow Ranger is losing his friends, his past back to haunt him. Has he been broken?"
"Give it more time. Soon he will be clay in my hands. Just after Dynatron regains his energy reserves. Speaking of which... " Blood tapped his morpher for comm access on the ship. "Hey, boom bot, you loaded and ready yet?" It had been some time, now. Enough for the Rangers to have their spat and drive to HQ.
---
Rested and regrouped, the Rangers find themselves in a secure environment. Olivia prepared a meeting room for them all to convene in after getting medical attention. She waited outside the door for everybody to arrive. Her father would escort Claire and they should be here at any moment. But if the Rangers all get here first, perhaps they can speak while waiting. Drew cleaned himself up and wrapped bandages around his arm and forehead. More presentable than he was all banged up.

 

[Lady Insanity]

Having passed out due to exhaustion Jane was not chatty. Hard to speak when your energy is drained and you start dreaming seconds after speaking. She's off in the land of repressed high school memories and fun fantasies involving dinosaurs. Seriously: that's her dream. Consciousness' warp everything and take the person they belong to on roller coasters when they take over. See now Calvin wasn't dreaming. He's stuck in the moment helping her up onto a carrier. Great timing on aid's part. No telling how much longer he'd have been able to help her with the lack of shit there was to use here. But things will get interesting back where its safe. Dynatron is probably calibrating himself to attack again, they'd all better be ready. Walking bombs with short fuses are nothing to sneeze at.
Before getting in the car he felt Olivia tugging at him. "Yes I have that feeling. Something ain't right here. Say the word I'll elaborate more at the base," he said. Dun dun...dun?
---
"Son of a fucking bitch, my head fuckin hurts," Jane said, holding a cold pack on her head. "When I see that thing again I'm gonna drop a building on him," she started, eyeing a nurse with a 'wtf' expression. "Erhm... a building that is not occupied and has been falling apart anyway?" The nurse just walked away.
"Okay, they're scared of me now. I'm getting reported..." Jane talked to herself. She's kind of kidding but in a way, a little worried she is going to get reported. Way to top off the things that went well today. Certainly a treat. After coming to she was briefed back up to speed on everything, as she wasn't fully clear. Hearing a couple of things jogged her memory back up to speed. The cold pack accompanied her after her exam, walking down the hall to the conference room. She silently prayed this walk they're all about to have didn't add to the ache.
Calvin in an equally silent manner joined Olivia outside the door, standing by for the others to arrive. He heard feint grumbles coming from around the corner. "Guess Jane's awake," he said to Olivia, not even seeing it was her before knowing it was.

 

[marorda]

Lucas rolled his eyes. He understood Drew, he really did. He was also still 100% sure that the others wouldn't fully get where he himself was coming from. They weren't there, they didn't know. All the others had to go off was Claire's story and Lucas refusing to speak with her. He knew the impression it could give. He knew he wasn't showing his best side. How could he, after everything? "You know that isn't really going to be helpful in me telling anything, right?" Lucas mumbled. Eveline rested a hand on his shoulder and gave him that knowing smile of hers. Lucas forced a small smile on his own face as well. When the day started, neither of them could have guessed how things would go south. It seemed like it couldn't possibly get any worse, but with a walking stick of dynamite still out there, that was a thought best kept unsaid.

Today wasn't particularly good. In fact, it had been a strange day that seemed far from over. Lucas wasn't Lucas after all, but Evie was Evie. Both of the twins seemed to have a deep hatred towards their mother. Their father had, so far, strangely gone unmentioned. Well, they tried asking Claire, but then the attack happened. According to the twins Claire couldn't be trusted, but all Tidal saw was a kind woman, a mother desperate to see her children again, only to be treated so coldly. Tidal didn't understand. In fact, it was giving him a pretty nagging headache. He just sighed, shaking his head in confusion. He was with Drew and Jane here. Lucas... Chris... whoever... he was acting really weird. Compassion suddenly seemed ironic here.
---
Dynatron had spend a good while re-calibrating his accuracy and reloading his many bombs. The real firework show still had to begin. And it surely was going to be a blast. Everything had been carefully planned in order to completely break the Yellow Ranger. Only a few targets were important to him, but causing some extra chaos was always welcomed. Dynatron rolled his metallic shoulders, like an athlete warming up before they run a marathon. Probably a comical sight, a massive chunk of metal rolling his bits and joints around. He tapped his fists together.
"Ready to rumble whenever the signal's clear!" he enthusiastically confirmed over the comm system.
---
Now that some time had passed, Lucas noticed he was pretty sore after taking some severe blows from Blood. It just... it didn't add up. His mother suddenly showing up, Dynatron attacking, Blood purely going after him... It just didn't sit well with him. And then there was the suspicious detail that Claire still looked exactly the same. A perfect copy from the pictures, from the last time they'd seen each other. It had been... how long? Four years? By now probably closer to five. Three years ago he'd arrived here in Inezia. The few years that had passed had changed him, but somehow his mother remained untouched. He wasn't sure what gave him a more uneasy feeling. The fact she was here, or the fact she had changed nothing at all. Any moment now she'd show up again. Any moment now there would be no more running and time for a confrontation he'd been trying to desperately to avoid. He nervously wiped his clammy hands on the sides of his jeans.
"So what exactly is this idea you have?" he asked Olivia. Her plans were usually good, and he trusted her. The entire situation just made him highly uncomfortable.

Eveline leaned against the wall. She hadn't been injured in the battle. Mostly because she'd stayed clear from the fighting and just helped trapped civilians getting to safety. She eyed everyone somewhat distantly, her mind wandering. For her it had been even longer since she really spend time with their mother. Seven years since she was torn from her home. And the one time she visited, a few years back now... She shuddered. That had been... unpleasant at best. It had felt like a stab in the heart, like once again she didn't belong anywhere. Claire had lied to her, and he had only learned of the lies when she met her brother again in the Wasteland. Her brother knew. The others didn't. She had wanted to tell them, but she hadn't been able to put it into words.
Why are you here? ... He wouldn't want to see you again if he were still alive. ... Leave. You're no longer welcome. Snippets echoing through her mind. Her hands trembled, and she quickly clenched them to fists at her side. This confrontation... it just couldn't go well. Someone was bound to explode.

 

[PenBlade1326]

"Then ready yourself. You're going back down to Earth," Blood said to Dynatron. "All has gone according to plan and I want you on the frontlines when we execute the rest of it."
Splica listened in and tapped her fingers on the railing by the window looking over Earth. Amused she will be and torn apart will be the Rangers.
---
Drew funneled in with everybody sooner rather than later. He'd been gladdened to see them patched up and he's had time to cool off after the confrontation with Lucas. He did not speak to him, however. Some raw emotion still there. Emotion of the day and how it started to how it's ended up. Riled up into a big pile of crap to be sifted through piece by piece. A mother reuniting with her children has likely never gone like this. If Drew's mom returned even for a second he would speak to her. Tell her things he didn't get to tell her. Saying 'I love you' and hearing it one last time would be the most precious thing. Often overlooked and underappreciated by many. "Your head alright?" Drew asked Jane softly. Stupid question given it took a severe beating.

"Just trust me on this," Olivia said quietly to Lucas. "Calvin, I hope you're feeling okay as well? With the calm before the storm it isn't a bad time to heal yourself." She's completely calm and collected. Lucas' sweaty palms are no doubt getting sweatier...gross! The sides of his jeans must be a swamp from the perspiration. She could show him a nice hand antiperspirant. She shuffled the six of them plus Eveline inside the conference room, everyone taking a seat wherever they like. "When Claire gets here I just want you to let her speak. This personal issue of yours is tampering with your work and the functionality of this team. Given the circumstances of today that can not happen. It is all too convenient. Blood and Dynatron, Claire, resurfacing some tension....on Lucy's death anniversary?" Olivia went on.
"What are you getting at, Liv?" Drew asked, tilting his head a bit. He admits he isn't blind to how odd it all is.

"Oh nothing. A thought, merely. But we aren't going to make a formidable force if we have distrust in one another. Everybody promise me to just listen to all sides of the story. Listen to everything this woman says, and then what they say. The sooner we handle this the sooner we'll be able to redirect focus on the real threat." Business as usual. Like the standards of their more intimate relationship. Work first, feels later. Boy is she feeling. Getting in the way of their duty is unacceptable. That's why they're settling this. Or so that's how she wants it to sound. Drew gestured that he did promise to listen.
Captain Scott escorted Claire into the room. She'd been taken care of and was well looked after in the meantime. "Alright, you're all here. We can get started."
Now the matriarch has the floor with the pink one. "Thank you, father. Claire, he's briefed you on why I called you here. Care to tell us why you're upset? Why this day of reuniting with your children has gone haywire?" With that, she is free to speak.

 

[Lady Insanity]

Indeed the hallway-cursing voice had been Jane all along. Rounding the corner she rallied together in time for the meeting. Head still pounding, she stretched her shoulders and by reflex moved her neck. Every time he moved her head it hurt. Like one of those headaches that's right on top of your head and working its way through your skull. Simply said, moving her head hurt every time. Medications helped. Enough of a dosage of a pain killer and she'll be good to go. She is getting a little buzz from one... not huge but she feels it lifting. Jane getting high in the base is not what they need, however.
"My head's okay. I guess I'm lucky my helmet didn't crack and burn my face in the blast. How's your...well, everything?" Jane asked Drew. Nice to check in on her. Blast buddies stick together. Everybody here now she looked around. The twins looked nervous. Nervous to finally to their friends whats up before they lose a big chunk of trust. No, that wouldn't play a part in nerves at all.

"I'm alright," Calvin answered Olivia. "A few cuts and bruises. Not like I didn't have a few of those from the fights before Dynatron." Why bother tending to every little cut. The supply of bandages and medicine would be depleted had they go for it every time a minor thing happens. He had faith in Olivia's plan, he had no reason not to have faith. Bits and pieces of Claire's story honestly confused him. Calvin and even Jane found it odd, more so after Olivia's recap. All of this pressure just cracking down on Lucas in one day? Seriously, it's all happened to him. The heat isn't choosing another target, save for Jane and Drew being blasted. Calvin smells a fish. "I promise," Calvin said. No interrupting Claire when she speaks. Give her a fair shot, then it'll be the twins' turn. Jane nodded in agreement.
Damn... Olivia's thought about this. And she has an incredible point. They really won't be so formidable if they distrust one another. The faster they take care of this then the sooner they'll be able to redirect focus on the real threat. The Armada.

Claire and the Captain finally making the meeting it could go underway. "You have the floor, Mrs. Ala... Alla...snack? No, Alanick..." Jane said, slowly lowering her volume as she forget how to say Claire's last name. Not at all embarrassing.
"Allanach," Calvin said.
"Yeah, what he said... "

 

[marorda]

Olivia was right. This was all a bit too convenient. That's something all of them can agree on no matter what else they might think of the entire situation. With everyone there and seated, Claire had the floor to speak and tell everyone why she was so upset with everything that had been going down.
"It's quite alright, sweetheart," she smiled at Jane, not in the slightest bothered by the tomboy butchering her last name. It even made the twins chuckle, albeit briefly. Claire considered her words for a moment before clearing her throat and speaking up.

"Why would I not be upset?" she asked. "First I lose my baby girl, next my husband abandons me. My son was all I had left, and then one day after an argument, he just walks out on me. I did everything, everything in my power to find him back to no avail. It's almost been three years since I've seen Chris, even longer since I've seen Eveline. I'm happy to see they're finally getting along, but it pains me they're only doing this to hurt me."
"Excuse me, but what do you mean with them finally getting along?" Tidal asked. From what he could tell the twins had been close since the moment they'd reunited. So close in fact, that all the time he had assumed the twins must've been close. Was that another lie, then? It seemed a bit off to him, but he wasn't quite sure what to think anymore anyway.
"What I mean," Claire explained. "Is that they used to hate each other as children. Almost as much as Chris hates dogs." She looked her children right in the eyes. "What have I ever done to you to deserve this?"
She fucking didn't...! Lucas inhaled sharply and clenched his hands to fists. Beside him Evie's response was very similar. He had to give it his all to not leap off the couch and start yelling at her. He wanted to, really, but he knew too well that was exactly what Claire was going for. To put his sister and him in a bad daylight. Even worse than they already were in this moment.
"Oh, I don't know," Evie spoke up. "What haven't you done?" The snark was very clear.
"Sweet baby girl... still as ill-tempered as always," Claire shook her head with that small, slightly disappointed-mom-smile. "Have you learned nothing?"
"What I learned is that you're still a complete and utter...!"
"Evie. Don't," Lucas interrupted, placing a hand on her shoulder. No need for more name-calling and sinking to her level. They'd already called her a bitch in front of the others often enough the past few... hours? He turned to his mother. "You're clearly upset and haven't got much positive to say about us. If Eveline and I are truly such horrible people who've lied about everything, why don't you tell them the truth then, mom?" Lucas sounded calm, perhaps even a little cold. The look she shot him was equally cold, if not even colder. A look he knew so well. A look that made him tense up. The look she used to give him before she'd snap and... Lucas held his breath, not wanting to be the first to look away. He released his breath as Claire looked away. The coldness softened into yet another disappointed-mom-smile.
"You think yourself so clever, Chris. You could do so many great and wonderful things if only you'd be a little kinder. If you could just put someone else first, for a change. Why don't you ever do something for someone else?"

Tidal shifted in his seat. This... this wasn't right. The portrait Claire was sketching here... it was off, just didn't fit at all. Sure, he understood why Claire would be upset that her son just left like that... if that was right. He was starting to doubt. Lucas... Chris... He'd done a ton for him and likely many others. Small gestures, random acts of kindness... Like when he, after the team had warmed up to tidal, had shown him around the city and bought him a coffee in an attempt to make Tidal feel more welcome. Just a little thing, but it had been meaningful enough for Tidal to remember even months after it happened. Maybe the twins weren't wrong after all to tell them they shouldn't listen to what Claire said? Well, they were about to find out. It seemed Claire had nothing left to sya, so now it was the twins' turn to speak.

Except that when they were about to speak up, the sirens started blaring. Dynatron had returned to the city, and he was causing quite the fireworks show.
"Saved by the bell, I guess..." Lucas muttered under his breath as he and Tidal jumped up. "Sorry, but this is gonna have to wait. We need to get going."

 

[PenBlade1326]

So it is time to listen. Hours, what had felt like days, had gone by in utter turmoil, hardening everybody's opinions on their friend. It felt dry and cold in the air. Like family drama coming out at Thanksgiving. Only this hasn't been bottled for one year; it had been bottled for at least three. More for Evie. The cork had been unplugged and it was time for everything to come pouring out. A mother's scorn and a child's bane. Tensions in in the air are so thick they could be cut with a knife.
Claire's upset over how things have went down in the past. How her children treated her. Her husband leaving. She's had it hard as many parents have in this world. To some extended degree of hardship, as well.

"Wait until its your turn," Olivia kindly told Evie and Lucas on their minor interjections. Okay, so Evie's apparently still short-fused like she was as a girl. Not like she'd just blow up on somebody, though.
Drew reclined in his seat, only to lean forward as things got a bit more interesting. Claire had began listing things off about her children. Things that didn't add up one hundred percent. "Kinder? Lucas...Chris has cooked us dinner. He even cooked for my brother after just meeting me.." Drew said. He said this not to the group, but more to himself. It is audible so its easy to hear him think aloud. And finally getting along? The twins have been inseparable ever since they were reunited out in the wasteland before the Gemini attack. Drew felt his stress recede and his curiosity bloom, the room getting warmer by the second. That doesn't sound like Lucas, the picture she's painting. Come to think of, everything she's saying is just negative. Drew's really paying attention here. Like heavily...he thought he'd be listening to the twins side more. But Claire's is just odd. She's pointing out how her kids hurt her and nothing else...kind of brutal. He's always been kind... can't fake that, too much.

The alarms sounded off to tell Dynatron was back. "Superb timing as usual. Let's go before he blows the city apart," Drew told the others. His brows furrowed, trying to think about everything Claire has said.
Olivia turned, arms folded and eyes locked. "Please hurry, everyone," she tactfully gestured for everybody to leave the room. As it emptied and the Captain remained with Claire, Olivia made one point. "Oh, Claire? There's something you should know..." she paused, out of range for everyone to hear by this point. "His name is Lucas."
Time to blow up a bomb before it blows anything else up. Sensible? it matters not, there's work to be done!