"Soul's Bonds", Chapter 17
*chug chug chug*
Chapter 17 (Sky)
"Careful, you guys," I told Bridge and Z when we'd arrived where we presumed Tessie and Syd had been attacked. The Delta Cruiser was parked at the head of a long alleyway, but there was no sign of either of them. "I've got a bad feeling about this." The three of us advanced down the alley, pistols drawn, eyes peeled and ears pricked for any sounds of danger. We emerged in a large clearing between buildings, looking around for our comrades.
"Whoa," said Bridge, kneeling down and scooping something up- a crushed SPD morpher. My heart sank as he prised it open, showing us what was left of Syd's ID badge inside. "There's... lots of blood... on the ground, too. Looks like... there was... a fight here. Let's... keep searching."
"Oh, no," I gasped, spotting something else. "Look over there..." There were some spots of bright green visible through a pile of trash and rubble near us. Z, Bridge and I swiftly dug through it and pulled Tessie out, laying her out in the open. She was morphed, but half of her visor was shattered, and underneath it her glasses were snapped in two at the bridge, the lenses cracked. Several large dents were in her helmet, and there were various rips in her suit through which she was bleeding. "Tess! TESSIE! Answer me!" I cried, shaking her. "What could have done this to her? And why hasn't she demorphed?"
"It might be... because her suit... is damaged," said Bridge. "Or she... didn't take... a hard enough blow. She has... to be conscious... to demorph... in any case. Let's... get her... helmet off, 't least. It'll help her... breathe easier." I pulled Tessie up into a sitting position, feeling her pulse as Bridge gingerly removed her helmet and glasses, brushing shattered glass off her face.
"She still has a strong pulse, she's just unconscious," I said with relief.
"Look, there's a puncture wound near her temple, too," Z said, pointing. "This is brutal. If she hadn't been morphed, whatever hit her could have penetrated her skull and killed her. She's lucky."
"Yeah," Bridge agreed. "You guys... tend to her. I'll see... if my powers... can tell me... what went on." He stood up, pulled a glove off, and started waving his arm back and forth. Tessie suddenly stirred, opening her eyes and squinting at us.
"What... unnnh," she moaned. "My head... no... help me..."
"Take it easy, Tess," Z said in a soothing voice. "Whatever attacked you is gone; your friends are here. Can you tell us what happened?"
"No... don't... Syd..." Tessie gasped out. "Let her... go... creep..."
"WHAT? They... they've got Syd?!" I demanded, and Tessie nodded before passing out again, going limp in my arms. "Shit." Z took hold of her as I called the base on my morpher. "Commander, we've found Tessie. She's injured and says the assassins have taken Syd captive." I heard a growl in response before the Commander said,
"Very well. We must act immediately. One of you transport Tessie back to the base for treatment, the other two search for Syd at once. I'm on my way to assist you."
"Yes, sir. Red Ranger out. Let's get moving," I said. "Z, take her back, and Bridge and I will... Bridge?" He was now leaning against a wall, mouth hanging open, eyes unfocused, his breathing becoming increasingly rapid and shallow. He then cried out and fell to his knees, holding his chest, his eyes snapping shut. "BRIDGE!" I yelled, kneeling beside him and putting my hands on his shoulders. He shoved me away, his hands moving up to grip the top of his head. "Bridge, what is it? What's wrong? Come on, talk to me, pussycat," I coaxed, but he didn't respond.
"He's having a panic attack," said Z. "Didn't you know about that? He had a couple when he was still in the hospital and another one when Jack and Piggy scared him the other day. I thought he'd have told you." I shook my head, for some reason feeling afraid as I watched him. "I don't know what triggered it, but there's nothing we can do except wait for it to pass," Z went on. "I know it looks scary, but it's usually over in a few minutes. Let's get Tessie over to the Cruiser." Knowing that we couldn't afford to waste any more time, we carried Tessie between us to the Delta Cruiser and loaded her in as best we could. We then came back to Bridge, who finally uncurled and stood up. He was very pale and sweaty.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice hoarse. "Don't think... I'll be... much use... in your search. Go on... find Syd. I'll... take Tessie." Z and I looked at each other, then at Bridge with concern as we went back to the Delta Cruiser. "I'm sorry," he said again after he'd climbed in and buckled himself in. "I was... flashing back... to when... I got kidnapped. I don't... think it's... a good idea for me... to come along. Don't know... if I'll be able... to fight. I didn't... get a chance... to see anything... with my powers... before the attack... either."
"It's fine," I said, kissing his cheek. "Z and I can handle it. Get Tessie back to base, then come join us if you feel ready." He nodded and drove off.
"I hope Syd's alright," Z said as we went back to the scene of the attack. "We saw what they did to Bridge... I don't even want to think about it or worse happening to her. And if they do hurt her, they'll be sorry."
"With any luck, we'll be able to rescue her right away and unharmed," I said. "I'm not going to make the same mistake twice." The two of us morphed, then assumed S.W.A.T. Mode to help us in our search. "I'm smelling a trap," I said as we began to check the surrounding area, having found nothing more at the scene of the attack. "What do you think?"
"Agreed," said Z. "Something about this is bothering me. Why would they just take Syd when they had the opportunity to take Tessie, as well- or at least finish her off while she was helpless?"
"It's consistent with their usual mode of operations, though," I said, looking up at the tops of the surrounding buildings. "Rough us up, then leave. But you're right, it bothers me, too. They've had more than enough chances to kill us, yet they won't. That dragon-headed one- Ka'ladra- threatened to kill Bridge so many times both when he was being held captive and when he was in the hospital, but never followed through. They call themselves assassins, but aren't doing much assassinating. It's ODD." I then spotted sunlight glinting off something shiny and instinctively tackled Z to the ground just as something large and spiked thudded to the pavement right where we had been standing. A voice cackled loudly, and we could hear a woman screaming nearby. "That way," I said, pointing, and Z and I ran as fast as we could into another clearing. At the far end stood Ka'ladra, who was holding onto Syd; she appeared to have been knocked out. "PUT HER DOWN!" I roared, then was forced to dive forward as the object thudded into the ground near us again.
"It's about time you showed up, Garo," said Ka'ladra as a second alien- this one with a lion's head on his shoulders- dropped down beside him. He was carrying a spiked ball on the end of a very long chain as a weapon, reeling it in and then twirling it above his head. "What took you so long?"
"Sorry, I was busy knocking the crap out of the green and blue ones," said Garo. "Popped the tires on their cruiser and left them spinning out; I don't think they'll be going anywhere anytime soon." No, I thought. That can't be... Please be okay, Bridge and Tess... "Take the girl to our master, I can fight these two off easily. It took five of them to contain Seragus, they have no chance by themselves."
"I'm not leaving. They won't do anything while I could kill her at any second," Ka'ladra snapped back, one clawed hand poised right over Syd's heart. I saw Z tense up, then jerk her head ever-so-slightly behind her; turning my head to the side somewhat, I spotted two identical copies of her running down the alley behind us, presumably to circle behind the assassins and attack, and nodded. Trying to keep our enemies standing where they were a little longer, I said,
"Alright. Name your terms for her safe return, aliens. And no tricks this time. We want her back alive."
"Same as usual," said Ka'ladra. "SPD goes bye-bye and we get full control of Earth. Oh, and letting our comrade out of containment would be nice, too, bumbling idiot though he is."
"We can't do that," I said, raising my own gun. "Look, just put Syd down, then we'll negotiate with you."
" 'fraid I can't oblige," Ka'ladra said, backing off. "If you're going to be stubborn, I'm taking the girl. Make sure to hold them off, Garo. Once she's with our master, then they might be more willing to talk to us." Z's duplicates then fired their blasters into Ka'ladra's back, startling him and making him drop Syd at the exact moment Garo launched his mace straight into my middle, knocking the wind out of me and making me fall to the ground. Another blow, this time to the top of my head, made my helmet crack and stars burst in front of my eyes before I involuntarily demorphed. I tried in vain to stand back up, to keep fighting, but was too woozy and finally fainted, the last noises I heard being the roar of an approaching motorcycle and a bellow of rage.
* * *
I sat bolt upright when I came to, looking around to see that I was in the SPD infirmary. I was alone except for Tessie, who lay in the bed next to me. She was still unconscious and morphed, her head bandaged. I barely had time to wonder where the others were when Bridge walked in, carrying Tessie's beloved and battered Spider-Man doll. He lovingly tucked it into the crook of her arm before coming over to my side.
"What just happened?" I demanded. "What are we doing here? Where are the others? I thought you'd crashed!" My head was pounding and my stomach churned painfully.
"Garo popped our tires... so I spun out," Bridge explained. "I almost went... headfirst into a wall... but managed to stop... just as... Kat and Boom drove up. They took... Tessie back to base... so I went... to join the fight... right when you got... knocked out. You're OK. That mace just... knocked the wind... out of you." I pointed to Tessie, and he went on, "We dunno... for sure... but we think... Tess had... an awful concussion. May be out... for a week... or more... if that's the case." He then fell silent, his eyes fixed on the floor. I noticed he'd neglected two of our team members, and I could feel fear beginning to creep in.
"Syd? Z? What about them?" I prompted. Bridge put his face in his hands, sinking into a chair next to my bed.
"Ka'ladra... managed to escape... with Syd... in the confusion... of the battle," he replied into his gloved palms, and my mouth fell open. "Z hasn't been... heard from... since the fight ended. We think... she went off... to look for Syd... on her own. Made a lot... of clones... of herself... at any rate." He peeked at me between his fingers. "I'm sorry, Sky. This is... all my fault. Should have... waited for... Cruger to come... before I charged... into the fight."
"Don't start that crap," I said warningly. "It's not your fault any more than it is mine for getting myself knocked out."
"Alright," Bridge said, biting his lip. I lay back down, kneading my forehead with one hand. This was the second time a fellow Ranger had been captured since I was made Red... "You're not... a failure... if that's what... you're thinking," Bridge said, looking depressed. "I am."
"I'm sure you did everything you could," I said, reaching for his hand, but he pulled it away. "Oh, for God's sake, stop pitying yourself, Bridge," I told him sharply, starting to feel annoyed. "It's not going to bring Syd back. Get over yourself." He suddenly stood up, turned, and started walking out of the infirmary. "Where are you going?"
"Somewhere... away from you... you jerk."
"What? What did I do? Don't leave," I pleaded, sitting back up. He turned back around, and I was surprised to see that he looked as though he were about to burst into tears. "Oh, c'mere," I sighed, feeling my anger quickly drain away. I patted the bed next to me, and he sat down, laying his head on my shoulder. "I didn't mean to make you cry..."
"Puddy... you have to... understand," he said, wiping his eyes. "I know... exactly what they're... going to be... doing to Syd. It's why I had... a panic attack... when we realized... what had happened... to her. If she gets... hurt or killed... I'd feel... 100% responsible. I was conscious... and able to fight... the whole time. I should have... saved her."
"It's not your fault they took her," I said, nuzzling him. "Look... I'm sorry for snapping at you, but you do need to stop blaming and pitying yourself. I did plenty of that while you were missing, and all it did was make me insomniac and irritable. You need to keep it together for Syd's sake. Next time we fight those aliens, we'll make them pay." Bridge pursed his lips.
"Yeah. We say that... but we're... no closer... to winning... than we were... when I was being held. Starting to think... there's no way... we can beat them."
"No talking like that, pussycat," I said. "Don't give up hope and stop worrying so much. We've gotten through some tough times before. Please cheer up... it's upsetting me to see you so down. Believe me- we WILL get Syd back."
"Always... the strong one... my puddin'," Bridge said, looking at me. "OK. I won't... give up... if you won't."
"Since when have I ever given up?" I asked, tugging his ear in return. "I'll only give up when you do, how's that sound?" He laughed a little.
"OK, it's... a deal. I love you," he said, and we leaned in to kiss before someone clearing their throat nearby startled us. It was Commander Cruger, so we awkwardly scrambled to our feet and saluted him.
"I trust you're not badly injured, then, Cadet Tate?" he asked me as he examined Tessie with concern.
"Just have a stomachache, sir," I said, despite the gravity of the situation feeling horrified that I'd almost kissed my boyfriend in front of my commanding officer. "Otherwise I think I'll be okay."
"Good to hear," he said. "Sky, Bridge, I know the two of you aren't feeling 100% right now, but I need you to go out and track down Z. She's still refusing to respond to Kat and myself, and the last thing she needs to be doing is wandering Newtech City by herself. Get her back here any way you can." The two of us saluted him again and headed off.
Chapter 17 (Sky)
"Careful, you guys," I told Bridge and Z when we'd arrived where we presumed Tessie and Syd had been attacked. The Delta Cruiser was parked at the head of a long alleyway, but there was no sign of either of them. "I've got a bad feeling about this." The three of us advanced down the alley, pistols drawn, eyes peeled and ears pricked for any sounds of danger. We emerged in a large clearing between buildings, looking around for our comrades.
"Whoa," said Bridge, kneeling down and scooping something up- a crushed SPD morpher. My heart sank as he prised it open, showing us what was left of Syd's ID badge inside. "There's... lots of blood... on the ground, too. Looks like... there was... a fight here. Let's... keep searching."
"Oh, no," I gasped, spotting something else. "Look over there..." There were some spots of bright green visible through a pile of trash and rubble near us. Z, Bridge and I swiftly dug through it and pulled Tessie out, laying her out in the open. She was morphed, but half of her visor was shattered, and underneath it her glasses were snapped in two at the bridge, the lenses cracked. Several large dents were in her helmet, and there were various rips in her suit through which she was bleeding. "Tess! TESSIE! Answer me!" I cried, shaking her. "What could have done this to her? And why hasn't she demorphed?"
"It might be... because her suit... is damaged," said Bridge. "Or she... didn't take... a hard enough blow. She has... to be conscious... to demorph... in any case. Let's... get her... helmet off, 't least. It'll help her... breathe easier." I pulled Tessie up into a sitting position, feeling her pulse as Bridge gingerly removed her helmet and glasses, brushing shattered glass off her face.
"She still has a strong pulse, she's just unconscious," I said with relief.
"Look, there's a puncture wound near her temple, too," Z said, pointing. "This is brutal. If she hadn't been morphed, whatever hit her could have penetrated her skull and killed her. She's lucky."
"Yeah," Bridge agreed. "You guys... tend to her. I'll see... if my powers... can tell me... what went on." He stood up, pulled a glove off, and started waving his arm back and forth. Tessie suddenly stirred, opening her eyes and squinting at us.
"What... unnnh," she moaned. "My head... no... help me..."
"Take it easy, Tess," Z said in a soothing voice. "Whatever attacked you is gone; your friends are here. Can you tell us what happened?"
"No... don't... Syd..." Tessie gasped out. "Let her... go... creep..."
"WHAT? They... they've got Syd?!" I demanded, and Tessie nodded before passing out again, going limp in my arms. "Shit." Z took hold of her as I called the base on my morpher. "Commander, we've found Tessie. She's injured and says the assassins have taken Syd captive." I heard a growl in response before the Commander said,
"Very well. We must act immediately. One of you transport Tessie back to the base for treatment, the other two search for Syd at once. I'm on my way to assist you."
"Yes, sir. Red Ranger out. Let's get moving," I said. "Z, take her back, and Bridge and I will... Bridge?" He was now leaning against a wall, mouth hanging open, eyes unfocused, his breathing becoming increasingly rapid and shallow. He then cried out and fell to his knees, holding his chest, his eyes snapping shut. "BRIDGE!" I yelled, kneeling beside him and putting my hands on his shoulders. He shoved me away, his hands moving up to grip the top of his head. "Bridge, what is it? What's wrong? Come on, talk to me, pussycat," I coaxed, but he didn't respond.
"He's having a panic attack," said Z. "Didn't you know about that? He had a couple when he was still in the hospital and another one when Jack and Piggy scared him the other day. I thought he'd have told you." I shook my head, for some reason feeling afraid as I watched him. "I don't know what triggered it, but there's nothing we can do except wait for it to pass," Z went on. "I know it looks scary, but it's usually over in a few minutes. Let's get Tessie over to the Cruiser." Knowing that we couldn't afford to waste any more time, we carried Tessie between us to the Delta Cruiser and loaded her in as best we could. We then came back to Bridge, who finally uncurled and stood up. He was very pale and sweaty.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice hoarse. "Don't think... I'll be... much use... in your search. Go on... find Syd. I'll... take Tessie." Z and I looked at each other, then at Bridge with concern as we went back to the Delta Cruiser. "I'm sorry," he said again after he'd climbed in and buckled himself in. "I was... flashing back... to when... I got kidnapped. I don't... think it's... a good idea for me... to come along. Don't know... if I'll be able... to fight. I didn't... get a chance... to see anything... with my powers... before the attack... either."
"It's fine," I said, kissing his cheek. "Z and I can handle it. Get Tessie back to base, then come join us if you feel ready." He nodded and drove off.
"I hope Syd's alright," Z said as we went back to the scene of the attack. "We saw what they did to Bridge... I don't even want to think about it or worse happening to her. And if they do hurt her, they'll be sorry."
"With any luck, we'll be able to rescue her right away and unharmed," I said. "I'm not going to make the same mistake twice." The two of us morphed, then assumed S.W.A.T. Mode to help us in our search. "I'm smelling a trap," I said as we began to check the surrounding area, having found nothing more at the scene of the attack. "What do you think?"
"Agreed," said Z. "Something about this is bothering me. Why would they just take Syd when they had the opportunity to take Tessie, as well- or at least finish her off while she was helpless?"
"It's consistent with their usual mode of operations, though," I said, looking up at the tops of the surrounding buildings. "Rough us up, then leave. But you're right, it bothers me, too. They've had more than enough chances to kill us, yet they won't. That dragon-headed one- Ka'ladra- threatened to kill Bridge so many times both when he was being held captive and when he was in the hospital, but never followed through. They call themselves assassins, but aren't doing much assassinating. It's ODD." I then spotted sunlight glinting off something shiny and instinctively tackled Z to the ground just as something large and spiked thudded to the pavement right where we had been standing. A voice cackled loudly, and we could hear a woman screaming nearby. "That way," I said, pointing, and Z and I ran as fast as we could into another clearing. At the far end stood Ka'ladra, who was holding onto Syd; she appeared to have been knocked out. "PUT HER DOWN!" I roared, then was forced to dive forward as the object thudded into the ground near us again.
"It's about time you showed up, Garo," said Ka'ladra as a second alien- this one with a lion's head on his shoulders- dropped down beside him. He was carrying a spiked ball on the end of a very long chain as a weapon, reeling it in and then twirling it above his head. "What took you so long?"
"Sorry, I was busy knocking the crap out of the green and blue ones," said Garo. "Popped the tires on their cruiser and left them spinning out; I don't think they'll be going anywhere anytime soon." No, I thought. That can't be... Please be okay, Bridge and Tess... "Take the girl to our master, I can fight these two off easily. It took five of them to contain Seragus, they have no chance by themselves."
"I'm not leaving. They won't do anything while I could kill her at any second," Ka'ladra snapped back, one clawed hand poised right over Syd's heart. I saw Z tense up, then jerk her head ever-so-slightly behind her; turning my head to the side somewhat, I spotted two identical copies of her running down the alley behind us, presumably to circle behind the assassins and attack, and nodded. Trying to keep our enemies standing where they were a little longer, I said,
"Alright. Name your terms for her safe return, aliens. And no tricks this time. We want her back alive."
"Same as usual," said Ka'ladra. "SPD goes bye-bye and we get full control of Earth. Oh, and letting our comrade out of containment would be nice, too, bumbling idiot though he is."
"We can't do that," I said, raising my own gun. "Look, just put Syd down, then we'll negotiate with you."
" 'fraid I can't oblige," Ka'ladra said, backing off. "If you're going to be stubborn, I'm taking the girl. Make sure to hold them off, Garo. Once she's with our master, then they might be more willing to talk to us." Z's duplicates then fired their blasters into Ka'ladra's back, startling him and making him drop Syd at the exact moment Garo launched his mace straight into my middle, knocking the wind out of me and making me fall to the ground. Another blow, this time to the top of my head, made my helmet crack and stars burst in front of my eyes before I involuntarily demorphed. I tried in vain to stand back up, to keep fighting, but was too woozy and finally fainted, the last noises I heard being the roar of an approaching motorcycle and a bellow of rage.
* * *
I sat bolt upright when I came to, looking around to see that I was in the SPD infirmary. I was alone except for Tessie, who lay in the bed next to me. She was still unconscious and morphed, her head bandaged. I barely had time to wonder where the others were when Bridge walked in, carrying Tessie's beloved and battered Spider-Man doll. He lovingly tucked it into the crook of her arm before coming over to my side.
"What just happened?" I demanded. "What are we doing here? Where are the others? I thought you'd crashed!" My head was pounding and my stomach churned painfully.
"Garo popped our tires... so I spun out," Bridge explained. "I almost went... headfirst into a wall... but managed to stop... just as... Kat and Boom drove up. They took... Tessie back to base... so I went... to join the fight... right when you got... knocked out. You're OK. That mace just... knocked the wind... out of you." I pointed to Tessie, and he went on, "We dunno... for sure... but we think... Tess had... an awful concussion. May be out... for a week... or more... if that's the case." He then fell silent, his eyes fixed on the floor. I noticed he'd neglected two of our team members, and I could feel fear beginning to creep in.
"Syd? Z? What about them?" I prompted. Bridge put his face in his hands, sinking into a chair next to my bed.
"Ka'ladra... managed to escape... with Syd... in the confusion... of the battle," he replied into his gloved palms, and my mouth fell open. "Z hasn't been... heard from... since the fight ended. We think... she went off... to look for Syd... on her own. Made a lot... of clones... of herself... at any rate." He peeked at me between his fingers. "I'm sorry, Sky. This is... all my fault. Should have... waited for... Cruger to come... before I charged... into the fight."
"Don't start that crap," I said warningly. "It's not your fault any more than it is mine for getting myself knocked out."
"Alright," Bridge said, biting his lip. I lay back down, kneading my forehead with one hand. This was the second time a fellow Ranger had been captured since I was made Red... "You're not... a failure... if that's what... you're thinking," Bridge said, looking depressed. "I am."
"I'm sure you did everything you could," I said, reaching for his hand, but he pulled it away. "Oh, for God's sake, stop pitying yourself, Bridge," I told him sharply, starting to feel annoyed. "It's not going to bring Syd back. Get over yourself." He suddenly stood up, turned, and started walking out of the infirmary. "Where are you going?"
"Somewhere... away from you... you jerk."
"What? What did I do? Don't leave," I pleaded, sitting back up. He turned back around, and I was surprised to see that he looked as though he were about to burst into tears. "Oh, c'mere," I sighed, feeling my anger quickly drain away. I patted the bed next to me, and he sat down, laying his head on my shoulder. "I didn't mean to make you cry..."
"Puddy... you have to... understand," he said, wiping his eyes. "I know... exactly what they're... going to be... doing to Syd. It's why I had... a panic attack... when we realized... what had happened... to her. If she gets... hurt or killed... I'd feel... 100% responsible. I was conscious... and able to fight... the whole time. I should have... saved her."
"It's not your fault they took her," I said, nuzzling him. "Look... I'm sorry for snapping at you, but you do need to stop blaming and pitying yourself. I did plenty of that while you were missing, and all it did was make me insomniac and irritable. You need to keep it together for Syd's sake. Next time we fight those aliens, we'll make them pay." Bridge pursed his lips.
"Yeah. We say that... but we're... no closer... to winning... than we were... when I was being held. Starting to think... there's no way... we can beat them."
"No talking like that, pussycat," I said. "Don't give up hope and stop worrying so much. We've gotten through some tough times before. Please cheer up... it's upsetting me to see you so down. Believe me- we WILL get Syd back."
"Always... the strong one... my puddin'," Bridge said, looking at me. "OK. I won't... give up... if you won't."
"Since when have I ever given up?" I asked, tugging his ear in return. "I'll only give up when you do, how's that sound?" He laughed a little.
"OK, it's... a deal. I love you," he said, and we leaned in to kiss before someone clearing their throat nearby startled us. It was Commander Cruger, so we awkwardly scrambled to our feet and saluted him.
"I trust you're not badly injured, then, Cadet Tate?" he asked me as he examined Tessie with concern.
"Just have a stomachache, sir," I said, despite the gravity of the situation feeling horrified that I'd almost kissed my boyfriend in front of my commanding officer. "Otherwise I think I'll be okay."
"Good to hear," he said. "Sky, Bridge, I know the two of you aren't feeling 100% right now, but I need you to go out and track down Z. She's still refusing to respond to Kat and myself, and the last thing she needs to be doing is wandering Newtech City by herself. Get her back here any way you can." The two of us saluted him again and headed off.