Chapter Text
Commander Shaw had called everyone into her office to discuss a new mission. This was unusual for her because missions were typically given out at the main lab, that way any specialized equipment for those missions could be given out at the same time. Zoey arrived early, even more so than usual. Because of this, she was stuck outside while Shaw finished a meeting with her own superior, General Burke. She was passing the time by reading a book. This one was about native wildlife in Central America. Typically a book of this kind and quality would hold Zoey's full attention but today her mind kept drifting somewhere else. She thumbed an envelope in her left hand that she was using as a bookmark, tracing invisible circles on its already broken seal as if it would somehow reapply the glue and close up the Pandora's box that she already opened. Her back leaned against the wall with one bent leg pushed against it. Her normal cheerful expression wasn't present, replaced with one of worry and intense thinking. She was so focused on her own thoughts that she didn't notice the Bruke siblings approach until Betty was a bit too close for comfort.
"Hi!" The small girl said a bit too loud for the distance she was at, "Whatcha got there?"
With that Zoey was shaken out of her stooper and nearly slipped off the wall she was using for support. In her attempt to frantically regain composure she dropped the envelope on the floor.
"Oops, you dropped something," Betty said as she crouched down to pick up the envelope, "sorry about startling like that."
"It's no biggie," Zoey responded.
As Zoey bent a bit to take the letter from the still crouching Betty's hand their fingers gently and momentarily brushed against one another. it probably lasted no more than a fraction of a second but with Zoey already hyper-aware from stress it felt like multiple minutes. She tried to make eye contact and play it off like she was fine but Betty saw right through her. She jumped up to her full height and pouted.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. Just worried about a stupid event my mom wants me to come with her to. It's really not a big deal."
"Oh boy, don't me and Ben understand that. Dad has dragged us to more stuffy military balls then we can count. Isn't that right, Ben?"
"So many," Betty's brother finally piped in. Zoey almost forgot he was there. "Me and Betty started making a game out of how many generals and officers we could find wearing the same exact tie."
"And we're not just talking color. We mean same pattern, length, shade, knot. The whole shebang."
"I'm pretty sure they hate being there as much as we do. At least they have stuff to do. Talk to each other I mean. Me and Betty never had anyone our age to hang out with. Felt like Dad was just bringing us to brag about how great his kids were."
"I just came because I liked the fancy outfits Dad would buy me to go because none of my normal stuff would fit the occasion. Oh and the food."
"Heh, it doesn't seem anything like that." Zoey laughed, "I just wish I didn't have to go."
"Then don't," Betty answered.
"What?"
"Just tell your mom you don't want to go," She elaborated, "When me and Ben grew tired enough of all the pageantry and were old enough to realize that some of the guests had families they didn't drag along we put our foot down and told Dad that we were done. He was upset that he had to go it alone at first but he realized that he couldn't force us."
"Yeah, your mom will understand," Ben added.
"You know what? You're right. I'm going to tell her that. She'll just have to make do without me by her side. Thanks, guys."
Zoe was beaming. She was back to her normal level of energy again. Sometimes she overthought things when the answer to the question was staring her right in the face. Ben and Betty helped her realize that sometimes she shouldn't feel obligated to solve the problems of others. She loved her mom but she had to worry about her happiness too. First thing when she gets home she'll tell her no, but right now there was the potential mission at hand.
"So, do you two even know why Shaw asked use here? Typically there's some sort of warning or update but she didn't tell us anything before and nothing the email clarified."
"There are emails?" Both the Burke kids shouted at once.
"Um, yeah, do you guys don't check them? At all?"
"Well I will now," Ben said.
"Honestly the fact that you don't explains a lot," all voice said from around the corner.
The voice turned out to be Ravi, the Blue Ranger. He was accompanied by Devon and Nate, the Red and Gold Rangers respectively. Trailing behind was the mechanical Beast Bot Steel, the Silver Ranger.
"Please do in the future," Nate said, "It's the best way to contact you guys."
"Okay, okay, I'll check my spam folder," Ben said with his hands up.
"Sorry we're late guys," Devon said, ever the cool one. "Though it doesn't seem we missed much. Is Commander Shaw still in her meeting?"
"Yep," Ben answered as he leaned back against the door. "I don't know what's taking so long."
Then, almost on cue, the door swung open, leaving Ben without any support and causing him to fall into the office with a thud. From his back, he had an upside-down meal of the general and the commander.
"Uh, hey Dad. I guess the meeting's over?"
"Uh, hi son. Yes, yes it is."
"Well happy to see you General, and feel free to come back whenever the mood suits you," Shaw said with a hand on his shoulder as Betty and Zoe helped pick up Ben, "but I have been keeping my cadets waiting and time is of the utmost importance."
"Yes, you're right Commander. I'm glad to see you're run a tight ship and sorry to hold you up. I'll check back in soon for another progress report but all seems well right now. Keep up the good work."
"Thank you, Commander Burke,"
"Now, Rangers, please come inside without any more... disruption."