I’ll be the Red Ranger
Chapter 144 – Bombs & Rescue

- Astrid -

Joining the Pink Division had never been part of Astrid's plan. She had envisioned herself in the Black Division, or perhaps the Red Division—roles that seemed to align more naturally with her skills and aspirations. The frontline action, the direct engagements, the opportunity to make swift, decisive impacts—that was where she saw herself.

However, after almost two months of intensive training, Astrid began to understand the nuances that set each division apart. She discovered how deeply she resonated with the Pink Division's mission. Many of these Rangers had a medical or nursery background, having pursued those degrees after joining the division. Their expertise was indispensable during rescue operations and provided critical medical support on the battlefield.

Due to a shortage of qualified professionals, Astrid hadn't had the luxury of completing the full medical training or even the basic Ranger training. Her superiors needed boots on the ground, and quick. She was assigned to focus on first aid and casualty extraction techniques—skills essential for immediate field deployment. It was enough to send her to Olympus, granting her the first taste of practical experience.

She could say without a doubt that it had been a singular experience. The fine line between life and death was something she'd flirted with during the Academy and understood a bit from stories shared by her family—several of whom had served in the NEA. But witnessing the chaos of battle firsthand and saving a colleague was unparalleled.

‘With the war cooling down on Olympus, at least I'll have time to finish the basic training for the Pink Rangers,’ Astrid thought, sitting inside one of the escort trucks.

The vehicle rumbled steadily beneath her—a boxy, armored transport reminiscent of the ones used to ferry freshly recruited cadets. Astrid was accompanied by two Yellow Rangers handling the driving duties and another Pink Ranger seated across from her in the rear compartment. They weren't the only truck in the convoy; several identical transports followed in a tight formation.

‘This should be easy enough. Just spend the day sitting, patrolling the city while they hold the event,’ she mused, glancing out through one of the tiny side windows.

The city was abuzz with anticipation for the grand ceremony taking place at the White House, a relic from Earth's earlier days now serving as a symbol of unity for the human colonies scattered across the stars.

Upon returning to the Pink Division base after her last mission, Astrid had been swiftly reassigned. The higher-ups wanted to bolster the number of Rangers present during the event, more for ceremonial presence than any real expectation of trouble. Along with the other convoy trucks, they were tasked with circling the perimeter near the White House. In the unlikely event of an emergency—which hadn't occurred in decades—they would be ready to act.

‘Only the Black Rangers were held accountable on missions like this,’ Astrid thought, her gaze drifting upward to the towering skyscrapers that framed the city skyline. 'Those buildings must be swarming with drones and snipers from every angle,' she mused, mentally marking the strategic vantage points that overlooked the White House.

The transport truck made another steady turn, its engine humming softly as they navigated the familiar route along Constitution Avenue. From there, they would proceed to 15th Street, loop back via H Street, and finally circle around on 17th Street. Throughout the journey, Astrid observed squads of Rangers and officers patrolling diligently, their uniforms crisp against the backdrop of the bustling city.

'There's no way someone could get into any of these buildings without them knowing,' Astrid reassured herself. 'I've never seen so many Mechs at one of these events. Must be extra precautions because of the Lot uprising.'

"It's starting," announced the Pink Ranger seated beside her, nodding toward her gauntlet. "Should last about one to two hours, then we'll wrap up."

"Right," Astrid replied, offering a brief smile.

'I wish I'd received a medal,' she thought wistfully. 'Then I wouldn't be stuck on this boring assignment.' The thought lingered for a moment before she pushed it aside. 'Nah, I hate wearing those tight formal uniforms. I'd rather stay in the truck.'

Minutes stretched into monotony as the convoy continued its path. Astrid found herself fighting the lull of routine, forcing her senses to stay sharp.

"There's someone on top of that building," one of the Yellow Rangers driving the truck said suddenly, breaking the silence.

"Which one?" his companion asked, glancing over.

"The Eisenhower Building."

"Impossible. We've got Rangers stationed up there."

Astrid perked up, listening intently to their exchange. The urgency in their voices was unmistakable. The driver quickly activated the open communication channel, broadcasting to all units involved in the operation.

"Unknown entity sighted atop the Eisenhower Building. Repeat, unknown enti—"

Before he could finish, a deafening explosion rocked the area. The blast cut off the transmission, and the truck shook violently. Even from 15th Street, Astrid saw a massive plume of smoke billowing upward, fragments of debris, and shredded grass raining down across the avenue.

Chaos erupted over the comms. "All units, report in!" Voices overlapped, tinged with panic and confusion. Dozens of teams were scrambling to make sense of the sudden attack.

A commanding voice sliced through the cacophony. "Maintain radio discipline! Black Rangers, I need someone on that rooftop immediately! Rescue teams, proceed to the target area without delay!"

Astrid didn't recognize the speaker, but the authoritative tone indicated someone high in command. Her fellow Rangers snapped into action, their movements precise and purposeful.

Without hesitation, the Yellow Ranger at the wheel yanked the truck onto the sidewalk, its sirens blaring to clear pedestrians as they barreled across the grassy expanse toward the explosion's epicenter.

"Upon disembarking, focus on securing the Emperor's safety," the senior Pink Ranger ordered, her eyes steely beneath her helmet's visor. "After that, tend to the wounded. Understood?"

"Understood!" came the unified response from everyone in the truck.

They weren't the only rescue team racing toward the chaos, but they appeared to be among the first on the scene. As they closed in, the magnitude of the devastation became apparent.

The once-pristine grounds of the White House were scarred with craters, flames licking hungrily at shattered structures. Smoke hung thick in the air, laced with the acrid smell of burning metal and scorched earth. Shouts and screams echoed amid the wail of sirens and the distant rumble of secondary explosions.

Astrid and the Pink Ranger vaulted through the double doors at the back of the transport truck, sprinting toward the spot where the Emperor was supposed to be seated. Behind them, the Yellow Rangers maneuvered the vehicle into position, creating a makeshift barricade to shield against any threats from the surrounding rooftops.

Dust, dirt, and fragments from the recent explosion filled the air, but Astrid pushed forward, her senses on high alert. She needed visual confirmation of the Emperor's status. Even with an attack of this magnitude, the Silver Armor he wore should have protected him from lethal harm, but it also made him a prominent target.

Breaking through the swirling clouds of smoke, Astrid spotted a Ranger clad in pristine white armor, standing protectively before the Emperor, who was regaining his footing.

"Sir, we need to evacuate you," Astrid urged, her voice steady despite the chaos.

"Don’t approach. What's your badge number?" the White Ranger demanded, his tone authoritative and unyielding.

Astrid recognized that he must be someone of high rank—perhaps a descendant of one of the Great Houses. She responded promptly, "ZX2614."

The White Ranger paused, likely verifying her credentials. After a brief moment, he nodded. "Very well."

Together, they assisted the Emperor in standing. The blast had thrown him aside, and though his armor had absorbed much of the impact, he moved with a slight stiffness. Astrid couldn't see his face—a moment that struck her with a mix of awe and regret—but she could hear the faint groans of pain he uttered.

"You know," a voice echoed from ahead, laced with icy disdain, "it hurt me quite a bit not to be on that list."

Astrid's attention snapped forward. She hadn't noticed anyone approaching, but now, emerging slowly from the veil of smoke and debris, was an imposing silhouette.

The man was tall and lean, his posture exuding effortless confidence. He was draped in a rugged coat of dark shades, accented with bluish-green and gold details that caught the fading light. His eyes were slightly almond-shaped, a rare trait that Astrid had only seen in Oliver.

A heavy rifle rested casually on his shoulder as if it weighed nothing at all. His hair was tied back in a messy bun, with a few rogue strands falling carelessly across his face.

"Who are you?" the Emperor demanded, a hint of anger seeping into his voice.

"For fuck sake. Not even knowing my name. How sad," the stranger replied mockingly. "We are the Children of the Past, and I've come to show that you and all the Rangers are just mortals—just like us."

that you and all the Rangers are just mortals—just like us."

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