I’ll be the Red Ranger
Chapter 143 – Enemies & Heroes

- Oliver -

The first image appeared: Mordred, his face stoic and unyielding, along with the Enceladus flag. The second image showed an Ork seated upon a throne, exuding a menacing aura. But the third image left Oliver utterly stunned—it was a picture of himself in his Green Ranger armor.

"What the hell?!" Oliver exclaimed aloud. Fortunately for him, his helmet had always remained active during the battle, concealing his face and preserving his anonymity. Nonetheless, seeing his own image displayed among the Empire's most wanted sent a chill down his spine. The photo didn't show him battling the Titans or aiding the soldiers; it was a static shot of him in his Green Ranger armor.

The Emperor let a few heavy seconds of silence hang over the crowd before continuing his speech. "Today, I present to you the names and faces of those who threaten our security, our unity, and the glory of the Empire! These individuals are the very embodiment of treachery and chaos, and their actions will not be tolerated!"

The massive screens behind him shifted, zooming in on Mordred's stern visage.

"The first of them is Mordred Lot," the Emperor declared coldly. "A degenerate heir of a bloodline that once served with honor. He has declared the independence of Enceladus—an act of rebellion that cannot go unanswered. Worse still, he has allied himself with the Orks, selling his people's dignity for sordid promises and impure alliances. His actions are nothing short of treason! Anyone who supports him will be deemed an accomplice and treated accordingly. Mordred is an enemy of the Empire, and there will be no mercy for him."

Oliver recognized Mordred, recalling the time he'd seen him during the exams. 'I never imagined he'd be insane enough to go against the Empire itself,' he thought.

Quickly, Mordred's image faded, replaced by an imposing Ork seated atop a throne fashioned from twisted metal and bones.

"The second threat is a witch among the Orks," the Emperor continued, his disdain palpable. "A creature without a name but wielding power that must not be underestimated. She is the one who unified the barbaric hordes, preventing our war against them from reaching its rightful conclusion. She is the beating heart of the Ork resistance, the source of their endless chaos. Her destruction is essential for the Empire's victory. She symbolizes everything we despise: savagery, disorder, and the rejection of true civilization."

'Who is she?' Oliver wondered. The fervor in the Emperor's voice suggested she held a high rank within the Ork hierarchy, perhaps even being the linchpin of their recent offensives.

The Emperor paused, allowing the gravity of his words to settle over the crowd. Then, the screens shifted once more, and the image that appeared sent a spike of dread through Oliver's core—it was himself, clad in the unmistakable Green Ranger armor.

"And lastly," the Emperor's voice dropped to a menacing tone, "we have the most recent and perhaps most insidious threat. This man, whose identity remains unknown, has been sighted on our battlefronts. He wields a Unique Crystal not registered with the NEA nor recognized by the Empire. That alone is a crime. But his presence within our territories, his ability to evade our forces, and the mystery that shrouds him make him a dangerous enemy. Know that this is a direct order from your Emperor: he must be found and eliminated—no questions, no exceptions."

Oliver's mind raced, a maelstrom of confusion and dawning realization.

‘How? Why?! I was helping the battle.’ he thought frantically. ‘Could he know that this armor belongs to another Sovereign? But how would he find out? Could he be our Alpha?’

Oliver tried to consider other possibilities. ‘He might also hear the voice of the crystal and speak with whoever is within the Silver Crystal.’

‘But for him to want the Green Crystal eliminated as well... that seems like an order from a Sovereign,’ Oliver mused, the suspicion gnawing at him.

The Emperor took a deep breath, his voice gaining a renewed intensity that echoed across the grand plaza and through every broadcast channel. "These individuals represent everything the Empire cannot tolerate: treason, chaos, and insubordination. We must act with strength, conviction, and certainty that we are on the right side of history. For the Emperor, for the Empire, and for humanity, we will destroy them!"

Lucius stepped back slightly from the podium, but the fervor in his eyes remained undiminished. As his words hung heavily in the air, he swept his ornate cape aside and quickly descended, making way for the next speaker to take his place.

An officer Oliver didn't recognize approached the podium—a man with streaks of black-and-white hair and a gaze that conveyed both wisdom and authority. Clad in the ceremonial uniform of the NEA, he carried himself with a composed dignity befitting his rank.

The broadcast briefly displayed his name and title.

| General Stewart

‘A General? They didn't mention his division. Would it be Tanks or Mechs?’ Oliver wondered, noting yet another high-ranking figure he was unfamiliar with.

General Stewart began to speak, his voice steady and commanding. "I will now start the commendation of each soldier, officer, and Ranger who contributed immensely during the defense operation of Olympus," he announced.

"First and foremost, to the Blue Ranger, Oliver Nameless," Stewart continued. "He was responsible for continuing his operation despite suffering numerous losses in his team, obtaining critical information about the Titan production, and alerting Half Wall of the impending attack." Stewart paused, allowing the significance of the achievements to resonate.

"He will be awarded the Ranger's Distinguished Service Medal. Although he is still recovering and therefore unable to receive it in person, it will be delivered to him directly."

Oliver sat there, jaw slightly agape. ‘I was actually the first to receive a commendation,’ he thought with astonishment and pride. ‘It's a shame I couldn't be there.’

He couldn't help but feel the irony of the situation. Just moments before, the Emperor had branded him an enemy of the Empire in his guise as the Green Ranger, and now he was being honored as a hero under his official identity. The duality of his existence was becoming increasingly confusing.

‘At least they haven't connected me to the Green Ranger... yet,’ Oliver mused.

Many other commendations were presented to numerous individuals, but the next one that caught Oliver's attention was a blond man with disheveled hair that gave him a certain charm.

"The next recipient is Nico Dardanus," General Stewart announced from the podium. "His performance over the past months has been exceptional. Participating in multiple defenses at Half Wall in the north and south bases, his actions have been exemplary and critical for humanity's survival in this war. To you, we award the Legion of Merit."

As Nico ascended the stage, the audience applauded. The general pinned the medal onto the Ranger's uniform, the silver gleam reflecting the lights of the grand hall.

'Wait, he was adopted by a House?' Oliver thought, recalling the significance of the Dardanus name. 'Well, with the number of feats he's accomplished, it was only a matter of time before someone saw beyond the fiasco he had at the NEA.' A genuine smile spread across Oliver's face. He was happy for his mentor and friend.

"The next commendation is a joint award," General Stewart continued. "Hank Scott and Alan Aquila. By piloting a prototype mech, they risked their lives to secure an advantage in battle. Their actions were crucial in repelling the attack from the Lot forces and the Ork armada, as well as during the offensive against the Titans. Both will be awarded the Legion of Merit. Furthermore, co-pilot Alan Aquila will be promoted to pilot, receiving his own mech upon completion of his training."

Oliver sat up straighter, his eyes widening in disbelief. 'I—I was only unconscious for three weeks... How did A—Alan wake up? How on earth did he become a mech co-pilot?' he wondered.

Oliver remembered that before his mission, Alan had not spoken to him once, and he had not even been online. 'Wasn't he still in a coma? Why didn't he reach out to me?' He mulled over the same questions, confusion swirling in his mind.

As the broadcast continued, General Stewart spoke about the next phases of the 10th Wave and what would happen with Olympus. However, Oliver's attention waned. Instead, he opened his chat application on his gauntlet.

Channels

- Exam1Group [4] [Private]

Direct Message

- AquilaAlan [4 New Messages]

Oliver blinked in surprise at the notification of new messages. It seemed surreal that while he had been unconscious, Alan had returned to the world of the living.

He opened the messages from Alan.

AquilaAlan

[AquilaAlan]: Hey... it's been a while, huh?

[AquilaAlan]: Sorry for not saying anything sooner.

[AquilaAlan]: Not the best way to tell you, but I woke up while you were doing the exams.

[AquilaAlan]: I know I should have reached out as soon as... well, as soon as I woke up.

[AquilaAlan]: I guess I just... felt a bit lost. I felt like I got left behind...

[AquilaAlan]: I was too ashamed that I wouldn't be able to become a Ranger and decided to enter the Mecha Squad.

[AquilaAlan]: It's not an excuse, I know.

[AquilaAlan]: Get well soon. Let’s talk.

'Asshole,' Oliver thought with a mix of relief and annoyance. 'You didn't need to worry.' But he couldn't suppress a smile. He would talk more with his friends when they could meet.

Returning his gaze to the broadcast, Oliver's smile faded. The camera was no longer focused on the podium. It trembled and shook erratically. Increasing the volume, he could hear screams and explosions echoing constantly.

As the camera regained focus, a thunderous explosion erupted where the guests had been seated moments before. The screen was filled with blinding light and debris flying in all directions. The force of the blast sent chairs, banners, and fragments of the stage hurtling through the air.

"What the hell is happening?" Oliver whispered, his heart pounding.