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estinoseHere's part 4 of this continuing fic.
Walking Into Danger with Eyes Wide
Part 4: Getting To Know The Life I Once Knew
Eyes Wide part 4
Wondering if he should ask for permission to leave the team meeting - he really shouldn't have come, he decided - Ziggy decided to keep quiet for the moment. The last thing he needed was to rock any boats after Dillon had just done the same.
"Unfortunately, yes." Doctor K folded her hands in response to what Flynn was saying. "I believe, however, that we should wait to hold this discussion until Summer returns with Dillon."
"Right." Flynn didn't seem fazed at all by the dismissal. "Ziggy, lad, how are you doing? 'Tis your first team meeting as a Ranger, after all."
"Like I don't belong?" he answered. It was the honest truth. He was over his head, and even though he knew he was needed, it didn't make the whole thing any easier. Especially with what was going on with Dillon. But he was the one that was bonded to the morpher because of the person he was originally, so he really didn't think it was fair to the rest of the team to back out. They needed his power and his zord, no matter what he felt about it.
"Due to the original Ziggy Grover's choice to bond the morpher to himself," Doctor K said, "You are essentially Ranger Operator Series Green, Dillon's issues notwithstanding."
"I know that, it's just... a bit hard to be on a team with my parents and people I grew up with," Ziggy said. He didn't have any problem with the duty, oddly enough. He was Ziggy Grover, and whatever promises and commitments his original self had taken on by bonding with the morpher, he could handle. It was just that he wasn't sure he felt comfortable with being the youngest person on the team by far, and trying to complete the mission of a man that was dead and yet not dead. "And, um, people who are avoiding me because I look too much like their dead boyfriend."
"Well, Dillon never did need much excuse for skipping a team meeting," Flynn said casually. "And don't worry, lad. When we got Ziggy, he had no clue how to fight. Had to teach him first thing before he was any good on the battlefield. He realized it, though, did a good job of committing himself to training."
He remembered how big his parents had been on him learning how to fight, no matter how difficult it was for him, and how he'd gradually become a pretty decent fighter despite everything. He'd never known why, other than his parents had been fighters. Of course, if he'd always been in place to take over the green morpher if he had to, it made sense.
"Yeah, learning to fight was hard for me, too," he admitted. "I've always kind of preferred books over battle." But he'd wanted to make his folks happy, so he'd learned to fight. "As long as I can keep learning other things, though, I'm happy." School could become a refuge for him, from a world where he was suddenly the odd person out.
"Your parents have kept me appraised of your studies," Doctor K said. "I will be tutoring you in mathematics, sciences, and biofield manipulation."
He had a bad feeling about the way she said it that school was out of the question. "Dad?"
Running a hand through his hair, Ziggy's father said, "I know you like school, but we're going to have to take you out. Rangering is 24/7; we're just going to have to do the best we can."
"I have been reviewing educational requirements," Doctor K said, "Since you were skipped a year in school, you are actually more advanced than other students your age. You test consistently as someone with above-average IQ. We will take this time to prepare you for college."
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, then. He had the planet's best scientist as a tutor, and Gem and Gemma were not slouches either. He was pretty decent at math and the sciences, though he had to admit that he preferred Social Studies and English best. He could study almost when he wanted.
A thought occurred to him. "But what about Sophie?" he asked.
His father gave him a small smile. He suspected it was mostly because he was thinking about everything that was about to change. "Your mother's arranged for her to stay with her cousin Tracy and her husband."
Oh, yeah, the Vachons. Tracy was nice enough, her husband Javier was kind of sarcastic though. But he knew that his parents wouldn't leave her with relatives they didn't trust.
"This is what I have planned for you," Doctor K said, apparently deciding that while his mom was getting Dillon to come back, she might as well cover something. He listened closely to what she had in mind.
After a few minutes of Doctor K outlining his academic program - which he didn't mind at all - the McAllistairs' door opened, with a sullen Dillon coming back in, followed by Ziggy's mom.
Dillon didn't look at him, taking a seat so he wasn't having to look at Ziggy. Ziggy's mom settled down next to Ziggy's dad. "I guess you can go on with the briefing, Doc," Ziggy's father said, shooting a look at Dillon, as if telling him to behave.
Ziggy knew, intellectually, that Dillon had every right to be upset about having to work with him. But Doctor K was right, if they were dealing with a reactivated Venjix, then there was no time for Dillon to sulk about having to work with him.
The odds were probably against Dillon being comfortable with him, but he had to attempt to get along, meet Dillon halfway, even if Dillon wasn't ready to make the effort yet. He had no desire to die just because a version of him had been dating the strongest fighter, and even if he didn't have a chance of overcoming Dillon's grief, he had to try.
Doctor K nodded at his father's words. "The Venjix code was released about a year ago; my research indicates that someone was attempting to create a benevolent program by using the code." Her tone said what she thought of the person in question, and it was not pretty. "Venjix was able to recreate some of its original factories from scratch; fortunately, all of the current Venjix forces are currently what we would consider early generations - second, third, and fourth."
"Which means, people, we have a good idea of cutting this off early, before Venjix destroys the world again." Scott looked around. "But we have to work together."
Ziggy was sure the comment was aimed at Dillon, but he dared not look at the man's reaction.
"I've checked your zords over and made improvements and upgrades, as needed," Doctor K said. "You'll find them ready when you need them. In addition, all megazord configurations have been brought online."
"And I'll be here to advise Doctor K on Venjix's strategies," Tenaya said. She'd kept silent during the whole discussion about her brother, for which Ziggy didn't know whether or not to be grateful.
"How about housing?" Dillon asked. "Are we expected to-"
"Yes," Doctor K said, cutting off his question. "Corinth military forces are providing us a base of operations, configured to my requests. As I anticipated the housing needs of the entire team this time, as well as testing rooms and other needed areas, we should be amply supplied with working areas. Which will include a small schoolroom for our one minor member."
Well, he could hardly complain. At least it was a school, of sorts. Just not the one he'd planned.
"I will expect all of you to make arrangements for moving into our new base within 72 hours," Doctor K said. "At which point in time I will also have new training and testing schedules for you. Since it has been so long since any of you have been active rangers, I must test your relative fitness and other levels."
There was a groan. Ziggy was sure it had come from Dillon.
"If there aren't any more questions, then you are all dismissed in order to make your arrangements," Doctor K said, looking at all of them.
He watched the others exchange glances, and knew that they were tired, weary. But they were ready.
Walking Into Danger with Eyes Wide
Part 4: Getting To Know The Life I Once Knew
Eyes Wide part 4
Wondering if he should ask for permission to leave the team meeting - he really shouldn't have come, he decided - Ziggy decided to keep quiet for the moment. The last thing he needed was to rock any boats after Dillon had just done the same.
"Unfortunately, yes." Doctor K folded her hands in response to what Flynn was saying. "I believe, however, that we should wait to hold this discussion until Summer returns with Dillon."
"Right." Flynn didn't seem fazed at all by the dismissal. "Ziggy, lad, how are you doing? 'Tis your first team meeting as a Ranger, after all."
"Like I don't belong?" he answered. It was the honest truth. He was over his head, and even though he knew he was needed, it didn't make the whole thing any easier. Especially with what was going on with Dillon. But he was the one that was bonded to the morpher because of the person he was originally, so he really didn't think it was fair to the rest of the team to back out. They needed his power and his zord, no matter what he felt about it.
"Due to the original Ziggy Grover's choice to bond the morpher to himself," Doctor K said, "You are essentially Ranger Operator Series Green, Dillon's issues notwithstanding."
"I know that, it's just... a bit hard to be on a team with my parents and people I grew up with," Ziggy said. He didn't have any problem with the duty, oddly enough. He was Ziggy Grover, and whatever promises and commitments his original self had taken on by bonding with the morpher, he could handle. It was just that he wasn't sure he felt comfortable with being the youngest person on the team by far, and trying to complete the mission of a man that was dead and yet not dead. "And, um, people who are avoiding me because I look too much like their dead boyfriend."
"Well, Dillon never did need much excuse for skipping a team meeting," Flynn said casually. "And don't worry, lad. When we got Ziggy, he had no clue how to fight. Had to teach him first thing before he was any good on the battlefield. He realized it, though, did a good job of committing himself to training."
He remembered how big his parents had been on him learning how to fight, no matter how difficult it was for him, and how he'd gradually become a pretty decent fighter despite everything. He'd never known why, other than his parents had been fighters. Of course, if he'd always been in place to take over the green morpher if he had to, it made sense.
"Yeah, learning to fight was hard for me, too," he admitted. "I've always kind of preferred books over battle." But he'd wanted to make his folks happy, so he'd learned to fight. "As long as I can keep learning other things, though, I'm happy." School could become a refuge for him, from a world where he was suddenly the odd person out.
"Your parents have kept me appraised of your studies," Doctor K said. "I will be tutoring you in mathematics, sciences, and biofield manipulation."
He had a bad feeling about the way she said it that school was out of the question. "Dad?"
Running a hand through his hair, Ziggy's father said, "I know you like school, but we're going to have to take you out. Rangering is 24/7; we're just going to have to do the best we can."
"I have been reviewing educational requirements," Doctor K said, "Since you were skipped a year in school, you are actually more advanced than other students your age. You test consistently as someone with above-average IQ. We will take this time to prepare you for college."
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, then. He had the planet's best scientist as a tutor, and Gem and Gemma were not slouches either. He was pretty decent at math and the sciences, though he had to admit that he preferred Social Studies and English best. He could study almost when he wanted.
A thought occurred to him. "But what about Sophie?" he asked.
His father gave him a small smile. He suspected it was mostly because he was thinking about everything that was about to change. "Your mother's arranged for her to stay with her cousin Tracy and her husband."
Oh, yeah, the Vachons. Tracy was nice enough, her husband Javier was kind of sarcastic though. But he knew that his parents wouldn't leave her with relatives they didn't trust.
"This is what I have planned for you," Doctor K said, apparently deciding that while his mom was getting Dillon to come back, she might as well cover something. He listened closely to what she had in mind.
After a few minutes of Doctor K outlining his academic program - which he didn't mind at all - the McAllistairs' door opened, with a sullen Dillon coming back in, followed by Ziggy's mom.
Dillon didn't look at him, taking a seat so he wasn't having to look at Ziggy. Ziggy's mom settled down next to Ziggy's dad. "I guess you can go on with the briefing, Doc," Ziggy's father said, shooting a look at Dillon, as if telling him to behave.
Ziggy knew, intellectually, that Dillon had every right to be upset about having to work with him. But Doctor K was right, if they were dealing with a reactivated Venjix, then there was no time for Dillon to sulk about having to work with him.
The odds were probably against Dillon being comfortable with him, but he had to attempt to get along, meet Dillon halfway, even if Dillon wasn't ready to make the effort yet. He had no desire to die just because a version of him had been dating the strongest fighter, and even if he didn't have a chance of overcoming Dillon's grief, he had to try.
Doctor K nodded at his father's words. "The Venjix code was released about a year ago; my research indicates that someone was attempting to create a benevolent program by using the code." Her tone said what she thought of the person in question, and it was not pretty. "Venjix was able to recreate some of its original factories from scratch; fortunately, all of the current Venjix forces are currently what we would consider early generations - second, third, and fourth."
"Which means, people, we have a good idea of cutting this off early, before Venjix destroys the world again." Scott looked around. "But we have to work together."
Ziggy was sure the comment was aimed at Dillon, but he dared not look at the man's reaction.
"I've checked your zords over and made improvements and upgrades, as needed," Doctor K said. "You'll find them ready when you need them. In addition, all megazord configurations have been brought online."
"And I'll be here to advise Doctor K on Venjix's strategies," Tenaya said. She'd kept silent during the whole discussion about her brother, for which Ziggy didn't know whether or not to be grateful.
"How about housing?" Dillon asked. "Are we expected to-"
"Yes," Doctor K said, cutting off his question. "Corinth military forces are providing us a base of operations, configured to my requests. As I anticipated the housing needs of the entire team this time, as well as testing rooms and other needed areas, we should be amply supplied with working areas. Which will include a small schoolroom for our one minor member."
Well, he could hardly complain. At least it was a school, of sorts. Just not the one he'd planned.
"I will expect all of you to make arrangements for moving into our new base within 72 hours," Doctor K said. "At which point in time I will also have new training and testing schedules for you. Since it has been so long since any of you have been active rangers, I must test your relative fitness and other levels."
There was a groan. Ziggy was sure it had come from Dillon.
"If there aren't any more questions, then you are all dismissed in order to make your arrangements," Doctor K said, looking at all of them.
He watched the others exchange glances, and knew that they were tired, weary. But they were ready.
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