An A-Squad fic for the new comm.
Here's a little something I wrote for the new community,
spd_asquad. Also, I created myself a PR mood theme. So there is a chance I'll be giving myself random moods just to show it off. Don't be alarmed. In the interest of full disclosure-today's is totally accurate.
Title: One Question
Author: lilyleia78
Focus: Charlie, Jack
Rating: G
Disclaimer: They're not mine.
Note: This is AU (obviously) as it starts with a non-existent chase. I wrote this on 4 hours of sleep, but I'm fairly certain I caught all the errors. Fairly certain. Enjoy!
*Now with a wonderful remix by Angel Negra Danse avec le Diable
One Question
“Jack! Jack, we’ve lost them. They’ve all disappeared. What’s your status?” Sky’s voice sounded frustrated even through the distortions of the comm. Nothing could offend the blue ranger’s sensibilities more than the betrayal of SPD.
“I have Red in sight. Stand by.” Jack replied shortly.
He ran into an alley, and there she was - A-Squad Red. It wasn’t a dead end, but Charlie was waiting calmly for him. She was unarmed and unmorphed. Jack powered down, and trained his blaster at the woman before him.
Charlie regarded him a moment before speaking. “Is my team free?”
Jack wasn’t expecting that. He stared at her for several minutes trying to decide what to tell her.
“They’re being transported back to base,” Jack finally said. He thought she might lose some resolve if she was on her own. But Charlie just gave a surprisingly gentle half-smile.
“Your base seems to have disappeared. So they must be free,” she surmised.
Jack filed the first bit of information away and shrugged. “It won’t do you any good. I’ll have you contained long before they find you. Are you ready to give yourself up?” he asked.
Charlie nodded. “I’ll go peacefully if you’ll answer a question for me.” Jack eyed her warily and kept his blaster up. She smiled again and added, “No tricks. I promise.”
Jack was still suspicious but curious as well. He nodded.
“If you were sent on an impossible mission with no backup and the only way to save your team was to make a deal with the devil - what would you do?”
“I’d die before I’d let down SPD like that,” Jack responded without hesitation. Charlie held up one hand to stop him.
“Yes, you probably would be willing to sacrifice yourself. But think of your squad before you answer. You are their leader, and they are your responsibility. Would you let them die to protect an organization that gave up on you?” Charlie’s cool gaze met Jack’s.
So Jack thought of his squad. He thought of Sky, the strongest fighter but easily the most fragile member of the team. Of Bridge, whose ability showed him the best and worst of people but who was still endlessly delighted by the simplest things. Of Z, who projected an air of cynical disconnect but who longed for somewhere to belong and something to believe in. Of Syd, spoiled and sometimes (unintentionally) selfish but who would move heaven and earth for her friends. Was there anything he wouldn’t do to protect them? What cost was too high to guarantee their lives?
Jack didn’t know. He’d like to think that he’d find another way in Charlie’s shoes. But he was glad her choice was one he’d never faced. Maybe it was this understanding of Charlie’s decision. Or maybe his heart knew exactly what he would do to protect his family. Whatever the reason, Jack lowered his weapon.
“If I see you again this will end differently,” he told his counterpart. She continued to meet his gaze steadily. “And if I hear even a rumor of A-Squad causing problems I will find you. No matter how far I have to go.”
The red rangers stood a moment longer, taking measure of each other. Then Charlie inclined her head slightly. Jack turned and walked away from questions best left unanswered.
**
The complete list of my Power Rangers fic can be found here.
spd_asquad. Also, I created myself a PR mood theme. So there is a chance I'll be giving myself random moods just to show it off. Don't be alarmed. In the interest of full disclosure-today's is totally accurate.
Title: One Question
Author: lilyleia78
Focus: Charlie, Jack
Rating: G
Disclaimer: They're not mine.
Note: This is AU (obviously) as it starts with a non-existent chase. I wrote this on 4 hours of sleep, but I'm fairly certain I caught all the errors. Fairly certain. Enjoy!
*Now with a wonderful remix by Angel Negra Danse avec le Diable
One Question
“Jack! Jack, we’ve lost them. They’ve all disappeared. What’s your status?” Sky’s voice sounded frustrated even through the distortions of the comm. Nothing could offend the blue ranger’s sensibilities more than the betrayal of SPD.
“I have Red in sight. Stand by.” Jack replied shortly.
He ran into an alley, and there she was - A-Squad Red. It wasn’t a dead end, but Charlie was waiting calmly for him. She was unarmed and unmorphed. Jack powered down, and trained his blaster at the woman before him.
Charlie regarded him a moment before speaking. “Is my team free?”
Jack wasn’t expecting that. He stared at her for several minutes trying to decide what to tell her.
“They’re being transported back to base,” Jack finally said. He thought she might lose some resolve if she was on her own. But Charlie just gave a surprisingly gentle half-smile.
“Your base seems to have disappeared. So they must be free,” she surmised.
Jack filed the first bit of information away and shrugged. “It won’t do you any good. I’ll have you contained long before they find you. Are you ready to give yourself up?” he asked.
Charlie nodded. “I’ll go peacefully if you’ll answer a question for me.” Jack eyed her warily and kept his blaster up. She smiled again and added, “No tricks. I promise.”
Jack was still suspicious but curious as well. He nodded.
“If you were sent on an impossible mission with no backup and the only way to save your team was to make a deal with the devil - what would you do?”
“I’d die before I’d let down SPD like that,” Jack responded without hesitation. Charlie held up one hand to stop him.
“Yes, you probably would be willing to sacrifice yourself. But think of your squad before you answer. You are their leader, and they are your responsibility. Would you let them die to protect an organization that gave up on you?” Charlie’s cool gaze met Jack’s.
So Jack thought of his squad. He thought of Sky, the strongest fighter but easily the most fragile member of the team. Of Bridge, whose ability showed him the best and worst of people but who was still endlessly delighted by the simplest things. Of Z, who projected an air of cynical disconnect but who longed for somewhere to belong and something to believe in. Of Syd, spoiled and sometimes (unintentionally) selfish but who would move heaven and earth for her friends. Was there anything he wouldn’t do to protect them? What cost was too high to guarantee their lives?
Jack didn’t know. He’d like to think that he’d find another way in Charlie’s shoes. But he was glad her choice was one he’d never faced. Maybe it was this understanding of Charlie’s decision. Or maybe his heart knew exactly what he would do to protect his family. Whatever the reason, Jack lowered his weapon.
“If I see you again this will end differently,” he told his counterpart. She continued to meet his gaze steadily. “And if I hear even a rumor of A-Squad causing problems I will find you. No matter how far I have to go.”
The red rangers stood a moment longer, taking measure of each other. Then Charlie inclined her head slightly. Jack turned and walked away from questions best left unanswered.
**
The complete list of my Power Rangers fic can be found here.