Connor had a bad feeling about this.

Normally he would have enjoyed the opportunity to spout a Star Wars quote, but as he was currently engaged in battle with four Tyrannodrones, he was bit too busy. Plus, he wasn't really in a joking mood. Something about this mission gave him a sinking feeling.

It seemed straightforward enough. Haley's constant monitoring of the city had detected an invisoportal opening. The five Rangers arrived just in time to see a swarm of Tyrannodrones haul Cassidy Cornell, aspiring reporter, nosy busybody, and all around

annoying pest through the 'portal. She hadn't gone quietly, but she had no chance against that many drones. Her sidekick and constant companion Devon had been knocked silly by a Tyrannodrone punch, but thankfully was not seriously harmed.

Being, by this point, true to the Ranger heritage, the fact that the victim was someone they didn't like caused no hesitation to the Rangers' rescue attempt. But five hours passed before an increasingly frustrated Haley finally tracked the drones to a factory that had been shut down for two weeks for its' annual maintenance.

The battle was, despite Connor's misgivings, going well. Tyrannodrones, even in significant numbers, simply weren't a match for five morphed Rangers. Strangely, Zeltrax and Elsa had not put in their usual appearance. The two cyborgs rarely passed up a chance to mix it up with the Rangers, even though by now they should have known they weren't going to win.

Connor took down the last drone, and looked around to see the others had finished as well. Without needing to say a word, the team rushed into the factory. They had no trouble at all finding Cassidy.

It's hard to miss that much blood.

"Oh, god..." Kira's soft, horrified whisper spoke for all them. Even Tommy, with all he'd seen in a long career, froze in shock.

A barely identifiable Cassidy lay on her back on the concrete floor, blood pooling all around her. She was naked, her clothes laying in shreds some distance away. It was obvious that all her limbs were broken; they bent at unatural angles. It was almost impossible to find even a single small area of skin that was not either ripped open or covered with blood. Several of the wounds had gone clear to the bone beneath. Even in unconsciousness...or death...her face was twisted in pain and horror.

Ethan recovered first and rushed forward, taking off his glove and feeling for a pulse, not noticing, or at least not caring, about the blood beneath his fingers. He closed his eyes for a moment in relief, and then looked back at the others. "She's still alive!"

"Haley..." Tommy began in a tight voice.

"An ambulance is already on it's way." Haley's voice didn't sound too steady.

The heroes of Reefside gathered around the broken body, waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Suffocating in their helplessness.

---

It was a somber group that waited in Tommy's basement. Tommy sat slumped in a chair, staring stone-faced at the wall. Ethan was supposedly reading a book, but hadn't turned a page in over twenty minutes. Kira and Trent were wrapped in each other's arms on a couch, with Trent looking like he needed the contact as much as Kira. Connor was the most restless, pacing relentlessly back and forth.

Haley determinedly kept her focus on her computer screen. She had easily hacked into the hospital's computer systems, and was waiting for the doctor's report on Cassidy's condition. She thought she had steeled herself for the worst.

But she still made a choking sound when the words finally filled her screen.

It caught Tommy's attention. "Haley?..."

Haley struggled to put on her "mission voice". "Cassidy is expected to survive," she began, and winced at the sighs of relief. She REALLY wished she could just stop there. "But she's in bad shape. She has over twenty broken bones, mostly in her limbs but also five ribs. She's lost a lot of blood. She has head trauma. She was...raped. Repeatedly." She didn't need to look to see the shock on the Ranger's faces. "And..." her voice cracked in spite of her best efforts, "her spine is broken. She's paralyzed from the waist down."

Haley cringed as Connor slammed his fist against the wall, then stormed up the stairs. Kira was sobbing into Trent's shoulder, even as Trent's tears fell on her. Ethan stared into space, seemingly unable to come grips with the situation. Haley turned to Tommy. The two friends communicated without words; their facial expressions sufficed. Are you all right?

No. But we need to stay strong for the kids.

I'm here if you need me.

I know.

Tommy followed Connor up the stairs, albeit at a more sedate pace.

Haley lowered her head into her hands