Leo woke up to the sound of engines humming and metal creaking like it was arguing with gravity. The Command Delta Hauler, his gigantic mobile base, was on the move again — slowly rolling across the edge of Newtech City's industrial zone.
He sat up in his pilot chair, helmet off, hair a mess.
> "Morning, everyone," he said to nobody. "Or, afternoon. Or… Wednesday. Whatever time it is when you're technically wanted by every major law enforcement agency."
The Hauler's AI, a calm feminine voice named Delta, answered instantly.
> "Good afternoon, Commander Leo. You have been awake for approximately… sixteen minutes. Would you like a mission briefing, a status report, or coffee?"
> "Coffee," Leo said. "But since you can't make any, I'll settle for chaos."
The holo-screens lit up around him. Five Zord status panels came online, each one flashing with their own distinct personality lines.
> Shadow Enforcer Cruiser: "Engines are stable. You should drive me more often. I don't like rust."
Delta Prowler: "I caught three rats sneaking into the hangar. Can I keep them?"
Sky Saber: "Altitude check complete. Still faster than you."
Guardian Unit 7: "All systems optimal. I await orders. Preferably before retirement age."
Leo smirked. "Good to see everyone's still got jokes."
Delta's voice interrupted, calm but firm.
> "Commander, there is an SPD distress signal downtown. Civilian transport trapped under a power conduit collapse."
Leo raised a brow. "SPD calling for help? Oh, this I gotta see."
He stood, tapping the morph key on his wrist.
> "SPD Invert — Ready!"
Black and crimson light spiraled around him, sealing his armor. The Hauler's floor plates shifted, launching him down into the command bay. His Zords moved into position, responding like well-trained soldiers who happened to have a sense of humor.
> Leo: "All right, squad, today we're saving people. No explosions unless absolutely necessary."
Sky Saber: "Define 'absolutely necessary.'"
Leo: "You'll know it when I start laughing."
The Command Delta Hauler rumbled forward, transforming as it went. The sides split open, forming deployable ramps. The Cruiser shot out first, followed by the Prowler bounding across rooftops. Guardian 7 moved like a walking tank, clearing debris with its shield arms.
Leo took to the air in SPD Rescue Mode — a new armor variation lighter and more flexible, with retractable glider wings and bright red wrist lights for scanning life signs.
> Leo (to himself): "Rescue mode. Less punching, more saving. Let's see how long that lasts."
He swooped down toward the collapsed highway. Fire crews were struggling, SPD officers pinned back. The crowd gasped as a black Ranger armor dropped from the sky, smoke and rain curling around him.
> Officer: "That's— that's the rogue!"
Leo: "Rogue? Harsh. I prefer 'freelance hero with excellent taste in color schemes.'"
He planted a small device into the wreckage, activating the Hauler's support drones. Miniature mechanical arms extended, cutting through metal and stabilizing the structure.
> Delta (over comms): "Rescue support deployed. Structural integrity improving."
Leo: "See, SPD? I can save lives and look cooler doing it."
He crouched, helping pull a trapped driver out. The man looked terrified at first — then realized Leo was actually helping.
> "You're… not arresting me?"
Leo: "Do I look like I've got paperwork on me?"
The situation turned fast. A gas main under the debris ruptured, flames licking toward the wreck.
> Delta Prowler: "Uh, Commander? Fire. Big fire."
Leo: "Thanks, kitty, I can see that!"
He activated his Flight Pack, scooping the injured driver up and jetting clear seconds before the explosion. The fireball reflected off his black armor, turning the visor red like a demon's grin.
He landed hard, handing the driver to an SPD medic.
> "Here you go. He's all yours. Try not to tell Command I was helpful — it'll ruin my street cred."
The Red Ranger arrived late, of course, just in time to see Leo cleaning up his mess.
> Red Ranger: "Leo, what do you think you're doing?!"
Leo: "Your job. But with better PR."
> Red Ranger: "You endangered civilians!"
Leo: "Yeah, and then I un-endangered them. We good?"
SPD scanners whirred to life, trying to lock onto his armor signature, but the Command Delta Hauler rolled in, its cannons releasing a thick wall of smoke. Leo's comm crackled.
> Delta: "Commander, tactical retreat advised."
Leo: "Translation: time to ghost them. Got it."
He saluted the stunned SPD team, the faint glow of his visor gleaming through the smoke.
> "Good talk, everyone. Next time, let's coordinate… or don't. Keeps things spicy."
He vanished into the fog, his Zords retreating into formation.
Back aboard the Hauler, Leo kicked off his boots and dropped into his chair, the AI lights flickering around him.
> Guardian Unit 7: "Commander, mission success. One civilian saved. Zero casualties."
Leo (half-smiling): "And only three near explosions. Personal best."
Delta's voice softened.
> "You helped them, Leo. Even if they won't say it."
He leaned back, looking at the city lights fading behind the rain.
> "Yeah," he muttered. "But they'll remember the shadow before they remember the hand that helped."
Outside, the mobile base rolled on quietly through the night, black metal gleaming under the neon. The world above might've called him rogue… but tonight, even SPD owed him one.
---
To be continued.