The Reluctant Ranger - Chapter 28 - Doctor

The White Ranger, Nicole knew she shouldn’t be surprised that the mysterious researcher that just happened to come check on her turned out to be one of the people he was going on and on about.  If not for the fact that she had just woken up, she might have even made a show of being surprised.  As it was, it was just another reveal in what amounted to an info dump that she was all but certain would be half forgotten by tomorrow. 

“That’s nice,” she said.  “Let me guess, this is the part where you try to recruit me?” 

White chuckled.  “Oh, I’m sure my superiors would love that, but no.  I know better than to try to separate you from little Red out there.  Though, I must warn you, dating another Ranger only ever ends in heartbreak.  Take it from someone who is still grieving.” 

Oh, right.  He had mentioned that White lost his partner, who was apparently a Pink Ranger.  He might have been a bit more literal there than she initially thought.  Nicole had only risked the second transformation because she refused to sit there and watch Grace die.  

“Thank you for not asking,” Nicole said. 

The Ranger inclined his head.  “And thank you for sticking the bastard that killed them.” 

His transformation dropped and he was once again in the guise of a researcher, though it was very possible that he had earned those credentials completely on his own.  Still, that left Nicole with several questions.

“You mentioned anomalous Rangers,” Nicole started, only to stop, worried it might be a sore subject.  Dr. Sinclair smiled and gestured for her to continue, so Nicole took a steadying breath.  “Bartran said something similar, what does that mean?” 

“A fine question.  Tell me, how many Ranger teams do you think there are in the world?” 

Nicole paused to consider that, thinking over the listed information.  “At least two hundred, according to the public data.” 

“Sounds about right,” he said.  “There have been an average of two new Ranger teams appearing across the globe a week.  These teams always arrive in sets of five.  I was a member of the seventh team to appear, and the second anomalous Ranger.  At first glance, I wasn’t all that different from my fellow Rangers.  I have several theories as to why I was unique, but none completely fit.  The one thing that does appear common, however, tell me Nicole, what did the voice say to you?” 

“Such a fierce spirit,” she recalled.  “Willing to put yourself at risk to hold the line in defense of others.  I feared this day would never come, but I finally found someone worthy of the power I was entrusted to guard.  You are worthy to become a Ranger and lead the way to a brighter future.” 

Dr. Sinclair watched her for a moment, something about his gaze was calculating.  “I have only spoken to two others about this, but that is consistent with our own messages.” 

Nicole tilted her head in thought, wondering what made her message so different.  “What did the voice tell you, then?” 

“A great need has arisen,” he said, his tone lending a level of severity to the words.  “Will you stand among the worthy to face the threat we could not?  Will you stand as a Ranger, and hold the line against the unstoppable tide and lead the way to a better future for us all?” 

“Rangers hold the line,” Nicole whispered. 

Dr. Sinclair chuckled.  “Yes, I did help push that phrase into general use, thinking that it would resonate with other Rangers who heard the call, it was what led Pink to seek me out.  It wasn’t until the first time I crossed swords with Bartran that I truly understood what it meant. 

“My team was among the best, we fought and won without much issue.  My former martial experience led to me standing out, and it spurred my team to train harder.  Then, six months after my team first came into power, Bartran came for us.  We fought as well as we could, but he cut down my team one by one.  I was the only one to survive the bite of his sword.” 

He ran a hand along his chest as he continued. 

“I was the last Ranger standing.  I thought I was going to die, only for the military to arrive.  They nailed him with a tank shell, and I used the opening to strike.  The battle continued, but with artillery support, Bartran withdrew.”   

Nicole didn’t believe the man withdrew because he was under threat from the artillery support, but it might have given enough of a distraction that facing the White Ranger alone was too great of a risk.  The General didn’t seem to hesitate to continue fighting when he felt he might win, but if the outcome wasn’t as clear?  His presence had a weight to it, and Nicole wondered just how old the seemingly ancient warrior truly was.

“I was adrift and alone following that loss, which never made it to the media, the government swooped in and covered it up.  It wasn’t until Goldie coined the phrase ‘Rangers lead the way’ that I suspected he was like me.”

Finding out you were different was always terrifying.  She’d felt that fear when she first realized she liked girls.  Becca felt that same fear when she came out of the closet.  Worse, if someone like Bartran was hunting Rangers, then having powerful friends would only help in standing against him.

That brought to mind another question, one Nicole was almost afraid to ask. 

“If Bartran is so powerful, why allow Ranger teams to exist at all?  Why not simply crush them the moment they appear?” 

“I wish I had the answer to that,” Dr. Sinclair said.  “I have one last question for you, before I go on my way.  General Maraline has taken an interest in you.” 

He hadn’t phrased it as a question, but it was leading enough to pass off as one.  “She approached me before the Renfaire attack, saw I was depressed and suicidal.  I was actually planning to use the very knives I bought that day to slit my wrists.” 

She hadn’t the heart to admit that to Grace, that she planned to use the pieces of art that her girlfriend had spent hours forging to take her own life.  Those intrusive thoughts still popped up from time to time, but she had a reason to endure now, and that reason was Grace.  She knew how dangerous it was to make a person your reason to carry on, but one reason was better than none, her therapist had drilled that into her head over and over. 

“She stayed with you for several hours, and only vanished in the minutes before the attack.”  He’d said it with surety, and Nicole raised an eyebrow.  “I’ve reviewed all the surveillance footage that we could recover from the Renaissance Faire.  This includes each initial transformation for your entire team.  The organization I work for knows the identity of every Ranger that operates on the continent.” 

Nicole sucked in a sharp breath even as her eyes widened.  The implications of that were horrible, and it made her question all the rumors that the government would try to pick up any Ranger they learned of.  That clearly wasn’t true, or Dr. Sinclair just wasn’t interested in recruiting the average Ranger.  No, he was interested in those that were different, like she apparently was. 

“Ignoring that terrifying thought, what do you know about Maraline?” 

“Very little,” Dr. Sinclair admitted.  “She rarely takes the field, and has only fought twice to our knowledge.  One of those engagements saw the end of the Silver Nippon Ranger, the other saw the end of the Pink.” 

Nicole’s stomach sank, though she wasn’t sure why it bothered her that Maraline had killed Rangers before, or at least assisted in doing so.  She knew that the enemy general believed in their cause, but she had yet to fight Nicole over it.  Would she one day have to face her in battle, fight her to the death?  The same woman that sat with her and helped her through a depressive episode, the woman who played the harp for children in the park. 

Despite being an enemy commander, Nicole had to admit that Maraline might have been the first new friend she made in almost five years, ever since befriending Becca had drawn the ire of petty and small minded children, and her performance on the gymnastics team cemented it. 

Could she bring herself to fight a friend to the death?  Memories of the dead children were still fresh in her mind, but that seemed to be Bartran’s game, not Maraline’s.  At least, she hoped that was the case. 

“You say that,” Nicole started, trying to phrase things carefully, “yet she continues to talk to me, she even expressed sorrow that I became a Ranger.” 

“I imagine you were a curiosity to her that first day, someone looking for death on the eve of a slaughter she was aware was coming.  Did she encourage you to leave?  There were reports that someone of her description had made threats just minutes before the attack, I’m assuming that you were reporting her?” 

“Yeah,” Nicole said, hanging her head.  “I thought she might be planning to shoot the place up or something.” 

“Not far off the mark,” he said, shaking his head.  “I imagine her interest in you won’t wane just because you injured Bartran, so next time, record the conversation, and engage with her further.  She and I will never be able to sit down and just talk, not after Helen, but you don’t have the baggage I do, you can still converse with her.” 

She almost asked how he could speak so calmly about a woman who had a hand in the death of his love, but if they were to truly understand their foe, learning all they could made sense.  Nicole could do something that he could not, even if it didn’t sit well with her to even consider it. 

“I’ll see what I can do,” Nicole finally said.

Dr. Sinclair nodded, pulling a card from his pocket.  “If you have any questions, or ever need assistance, you can reach me at that number.” 

Nicole examined the card, then glanced about for her phone, not finding it.  Oh well, Grace probably knew where it was, she could just ask her.  She set the card aside on the rolling tray beside her hospital bed. 

As the doctor turned to leave, he paused at the door.  “It goes without saying, but if you find yourself facing either the general or commander in combat, it will be a fight to the death.  Do not hesitate just because one of them expressed kindness towards you.  Bartran, just go for the kill, no hesitation, no mercy.  Anything less and people you love may die.” 

At that stern warning, all Nicole could do was nod.  Tipping a non-existent hat, the White Ranger departed, leaving Nicole alone to ponder what he had told her.  For all of two seconds, because Grace rushed in before the door could finish closing and nearly tackled her on the bed.  Nicole grunted at the sudden weight, but relaxed the moment Grace’s lips were on her. 

The tension in her shoulders finally bled out, having her girlfriend back in her arms after a battle that very well could have ended either of them.  Grace had come so close to death, and Nicole knew she came closer still.  She wasn’t quite sure how to process that, but she was content to just lay there and enjoy the moment. 

“I thought I lost you,” Grace eventually said, once her lips were no longer occupied.  “Don’t ever do something as stupid as that again!” 

Nicole chuckled, holding her girlfriend close.  “No promises, not when you’re in danger.” 

“Dummy,” Grace muttered. 

A throat cleared and Grace jerked, looking back to the door where Carlos was leaning against the frame, an amused smirk on his face. 

“Didn’t mean to interrupt, but I know how things can go following a crisis.  Nicole, how are you feeling?” 

“Like my entire body was scraped raw a week ago,” Nicole said.  “I feel mostly better, but there’s still a dull ache or something.” 

“I’m going to assume that your last visitor filled you in on how lucky you were to survive that?” 

Nicole nodded.  “He did.  Are you aware of who he is?” 

Carlos smiled wanly.  “Yeah, I’m guessing he gave you a less direct recruitment offer than what he gave me?” 

“He didn’t give me one at all,” Nicole said.  “Which in a way was an offer all the same.” 

“I’m sorry,” Grace cut in, “but I’m completely lost right now.  Help a girl out?” 

Nicole patted her girlfriend on the head, which got an indignant protest in response.  “Doctor Xavier Sinclair, better known as the White Ranger.” 

“There’s at least six White Rangers in the US right now,” Grace said with a frown.  “None of them are particularly noteworthy besides the…  Oh.  Fuck.” 

“Yeah, he’s that one,” Nicole said, hanging her head.  “And apparently he and I have something in common.” 

Carlos hummed, scratching at his chin.  “Thought you might be like us, but wasn’t sure until you survived that second morph.  Bartran also made it clear, it’s the only reason he would come in person.” 

“Like us?” Grace asked.  “Again, feeling completely lost here.  For the record, I don’t like that.” 

“Sorry,” Nicole said, wincing as she did.  “Apparently some Rangers are different.  Sinclair mentioned something about hearing a voice when I first transformed.  I told him what mine said, he told me his.  I’m guessing you didn’t hear one?” 

Grace looked at her, then at Carlos.  “You both heard a voice?” 

“I see your people have run afoul of our hated foe,” Carlos said.  “I will lend you the power we once wielded, so that you may hold the line against the unending tide.  Go forth, brave Ranger and lead the way to a better tomorrow.” 

“Similar enough to mine,” Nicole said.  “Holding the line and leading the way seems to be a trend with these voices.” 

“Rangers lead the way,” Grace muttered.  “Rangers hold the line.  You’re telling me those phrases came from some alien entity that was passing the power along?” 

“Something like that,” Carlos said.  “I don’t know why so many Ranger teams keep appearing, and last I checked, Xavier claimed he hadn’t cracked it either.”  Carlos looked at Nicole, the silent question lingering.  She shook her head, confirming it was still a mystery.  “But sometimes a different sort of Ranger appears, one that is just a bit faster and stronger, heals faster, and so on.  Bartran calls us anomalies, which may well be a hint to what the rest of the Rangers are.” 

Nicole blinked, because it almost sounded like Carlos had figured it out anyway.  If there were outliers, chosen to wield the power, then what were the rest of the Rangers?  Who or what picked them to receive their own power?  Why doesn’t Bartran just crush each new team the moment they appear?  Why not just storm the planet and be done with it?” 

“You think you have the answer?” Nicole asked, a pit of dread forming in her stomach. 

Carlos nodded grimly.  “This is only speculation, but I am almost certain that Xavier has come to the same conclusion as I have.

“Well, out with it then,” Grace almost growled.

Sighing, Carlos’ expression was grim.  “Unless I am way off the mark with this, the Sylan are cultivating Rangers.”