I’ll be the Red Ranger
Chapter 124 – Operation Start

- Oliver -

Oliver lingered atop the base's upper levels for a few more minutes, where panoramic observation decks allowed him to see over the colossal wall. The immense forests of Olympus stretched out endlessly before him—a boundless sea of emerald treetops interwoven so tightly that the canopy appeared as a solid, undulating surface. The sight was both awe-inspiring and humbling.

‘Is Nico somewhere out there?’ he questioned, a pang of concern tightening his chest. ‘It's been weeks since I last heard from him. I hope he's alright.’

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in deep purple and gold, Oliver turned away from the vista and began his descent.

By the time Olver reached the barracks, the lights were already dimmed. Quietly, he slipped inside, careful not to disturb the resting Rangers. He made his way to his bunk, exhaustion settling in. Sleep overtook him almost instantly as he sank onto the mattress, pulling him into a deep, dreamless slumber.

It felt like mere moments before the harsh brightness of overhead lights jarred him awake. Blinking against the sudden glare, Oliver sat up groggily. A glance at the gauntlet on his wrist told him it was an hour before the mission was scheduled to start.

The barracks had sprung to life. Rangers moved with purposeful haste, gearing up and double-checking equipment. The air was thick with anticipation and tension.

"Rise and shine," Elliot called across the room, fully kitted in his armor.

"Time to gear up," added Emma, fastening the last clasp on her uniform.

Shaking off the last vestiges of sleep, Oliver swung his legs over the side of the bunk and stood. He quickly began assembling his equipment. Each Ranger was to head into the field not only in their Ranger Armor but also carrying a backpack loaded with essential gear—rations, medical supplies, tools, and additional armaments.

Oliver shrugged into his uniform, the suit's fabric adjusting to fit snugly against his body. His new kinetic rifle rested on the rack nearby. He grabbed it, feeling the weight of the weapon in his hands.

"Great rifle," Elliot remarked, stepping over to examine it. "These kinetic ones don't rely on combustion—just magnetism to propel the rounds. Means no muzzle flash and minimal noise. Perfect for stealth."

Oliver nodded, his fingers tracing the weapon's contours. "It's different from what I'm used to, but it will work."

"You'll get the hang of it in no time," Elliot assured him.

With his gear assembled, Oliver slung the rifle over his shoulder and hoisted his backpack. The trio headed toward the elevators, joining the flow of personnel making their way to the hangar. The corridors buzzed with energy, the heartbeat of the base quickening as the moment of deployment approached.

The hangar was a hive of activity. Just like the day before, ships were in constant motion—some ascending into the skies, others descending on pillars of softly thrumming engines. Maintenance crews scurried about, performing final checks and repairs, their voices merging into a symphony of organized chaos.

"Over here!" called Alex.

They converged near one of the drop ships—a sleek, matte-black VTOL craft. Its elongated body was reminiscent of ancient helicopters but far more advanced. Twin rotors, each forming a figure-eight pattern, began to spin slowly.

The ship could easily accommodate several squads of soldiers, but today, it would carry only the nine Rangers and the flight crew. Along its sides, panels of adaptive camouflage shimmered subtly, composed of millions of micro-LEDs that could mimic the surrounding environment.

"All final checks are complete," reported the pilot, descending the ramp briefly to confer with Alex.

"All right, everyone. Board up and secure yourselves to the launch system." Alex's voice resonated firmly as he made his way to the rear of the transport craft.

Oliver followed closely, stepping onto the boarding platform amidst the low hum of the vessel's idle engines.

"Rookie, activate your armor on your arms and legs—you'll need it to lock in," instructed Chloe, the Yellow Ranger who had spoken with him the previous day. Her gaze was steady yet encouraging.

Oliver hesitated, scratching his head in uncertainty. He hadn't yet mastered the nuanced control of his Ranger Armor, especially when it came to activating individual parts.

Taking a deep breath, Oliver initiated the full armor sequence. Sleek, cobalt-blue segments materialized around his body. He managed to retract his helmet, leaving his head exposed.

"Looks like you’ll need to keep practicing that when we're back," Elliot remarked good-naturedly upon seeing Oliver's all-or-nothing approach. "See this line here? Just grab it with one hand."

Elliot pointed to a metallic bar running along the length of the transport's rear interior. As Oliver gripped it, his armored gauntlet interfaced with the bar, emitting a soft click.

"Now, secure one of your feet to the floor line," Elliot continued, indicating a similar strip embedded in the deck. Oliver placed his boot against it, feeling it lock into place with another audible click.

"When it's time to jump, they'll engage the launch system. It'll catapult us out of the ship," Elliot explained, mimicking Oliver's actions to fasten himself into the system.

Within minutes, all the Rangers had boarded and secured themselves. The atmosphere was a blend of anticipation and focused energy.

"0400 hours. Starting operation," Alex announced over the team's comms, his tone clipped and professional.

"Initiating takeoff," the pilot's voice echoed in their earpieces.

Oliver felt a subtle vibration as the transport came to life. Despite the powerful engines and the rotor blades above, the craft was almost entirely silent.

With a gentle lurch, the ship lifted vertically, ascending above the sprawling expanse of the Half Wall. Once clear, it tilted forward, accelerating smoothly into horizontal flight. The world outside the rear hatch blurred into streaks of dark greens and blues, but the colossal Half Wall remained looming on the horizon, its sheer magnitude defying distance.

"We'll reach the drop point in ninety minutes," the pilot informed them.

"Use this time to rest and review the mission data," Alex advised.

Oliver leaned back against the interior wall, doing his best to relax amid the faint vibrations of the vessel. Around him, pockets of conversation emerged among the Rangers.

Two Red Rangers were discussing life back at the colony with a Yellow Ranger, speculating about when they might return to their home planets. Elliot and Emma huddled together, quietly debating the merits of recent research findings and experimental techniques they'd been exploring.

As the minutes ticked by, the chatter gradually subsided. A contemplative silence settled over the group, each Ranger retreating into their thoughts, mentally preparing for the task ahead. The dim lighting inside the transport added to the somber mood, shadows dancing across armored figures.

Oliver closed his eyes, allowing the steady hum of the engines to lull him into a light rest. Images of the dense forests they'd soon be traversing floated through his mind—a labyrinth of ancient trees, hidden dangers, and the unknowns that awaited them at the abandoned Ork base.

A crackle over the comms stirred him from his reverie. "We're approaching the drop zone," the pilot announced, prompting Oliver to open his eyes.

"We're starting our descent. In one minute, we'll reach jump altitude," the pilot continued, his voice composed.

"Prepare yourselves," Alex ordered, his voice cutting through any lingering fatigue.

Oliver could see the intense focus etched on the faces of his fellow Rangers. Mere seconds remained before they would be launched into the mission. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, each pulse amplifying his anticipation. Then, abruptly, the cargo door of the ship swung open with a jolt. Before he could fully register the movement, an immense force clamped onto his hand and foot.

The launch line yanked him forward, dragging him toward the edge of the cargo door. Without time to think, he was hurled out into the open air.

A surge of adrenaline shot through Oliver. Instinctively, he bit down hard, suppressing a shout of surprise. He braced his legs, muscles tensing in preparation for impact. After a brief free fall lasting mere seconds, his armored boots struck the ground with a solid thud. Around him, the other Rangers landed in quick succession, their impacts resonating through the forest floor.

‘That was insane,’ Oliver thought, still reeling from the suddenness of the deployment. He marveled at the fact that he was unscathed. His armor had absorbed the shock of the landing flawlessly despite being launched from over thirty meters above the ground.

"Launch complete. Returning to the Half Wall," the pilot's voice crackled over their communication devices.

"Stay alert, everyone!" Alex's authoritative tone cut through the ambient sounds of the forest.

Oliver swiftly drew his kinetic rifle, cradling it firmly in his hands. His senses sharpened; there was no room for complacency.

The eight Rangers converged around Alex. The Red Ranger stood with most of his armor deployed, lacking only the shoulder plates and helmet. "Conserve your Energy where possible, but do not compromise your safety," he instructed. "We'll begin running downriver, moving through the forest. Keep up, maintain formation, and keep the communication channel open at all times."

Alex glanced at each of them, awaiting acknowledgment.

"Roger that," came the collective response.

"Good. Red Rangers will take point, Yellow Rangers in the middle, and Blue Rangers bring up the rear. Move out!" Alex gave the final command.

They plunged into the dense forest, advancing toward the shadowed interior. Towering trees loomed overhead, their interlaced branches forming a canopy that filtered the early morning light into a dim glow.

‘This place feels a bit like the forests of Aethra,’ Oliver mused as he navigated the uneven terrain. ‘But the trees are closer together, and the humidity is much higher.’

The team moved with practiced efficiency, their footsteps barely whispering against the leaf-strewn ground. They maintained a steady, accelerated pace, pressing forward without pause.

Yet, amidst the rhythm of their march, Oliver felt an unsettling sensation. A prickling at the edge of his awareness. He cast a glance around, noting the calm determination on the faces of his companions. None of them seemed to sense anything amiss.

But there was no denying it—he could feel a distortion in the Energy to their right, like ripples in still water. Something was approaching. Fast.

Without wasting a moment, Oliver tapped his communicator. His voice was low but urgent. "There's something approaching from the right. Inbound in fifty seconds."

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