Doc Throws A Party

A few weeks had barely passed before the Galaxy Rangers found themselves in another situation. This was something that they were not looking forward to.

“I can’t believe it’s been almost a whole year already,” Niko sighed. “Two more days and…”

“Yeah time just flies by when your life is constantly in danger,” Doc quipped.

“This is the first year anniversary of the Forty Eight Hour Civil War,” Zach said. “And you know Goose is going to have a hard time with it.”

“No thanks to the news reports,” Niko sighed. “They’ve already shown the footage of us confronting Garson and Commander Walsh on every station twice. And it’s not even noon yet.”

“How’s he handling it?” Doc asked.

CRASH!

“That answer your question?” Niko rolled her eyes as the three rangers ran to check up on their friend.

"Yes, I believe it does," Doc said.

They ran into the Rec room where a large Tri D was smashed into a wall. “You’re giving the Rec Room a whole new meaning my Gooseman,” Doc quipped.

“I’m starting to hate television,” Shane grumbled.

“Oh good you’re all here,” Cain walked in and saw the wrecked television. “I take it you’ve seen the news?”

“Those of us before the TV smashed,” Niko gave Shane a look.

“The media is making a huge hoopla over the first anniversary even though the government is trying to be as low key as possible,” Cain said. “Premier Zoot is only going to have a simple ceremony at one of our military gravesites and make a speech. But the media is going crazy.”

“I noticed,” Shane growled. “Let me guess, they want us to appear at this dog and pony show or what?”

“Actually I was thinking this first year it might be a good idea if we kept your presence low key,” Cain said. “Some way to stay out of the spotlight a little.”

“Hey I just realized something,” Doc said. “It’s also going to be Baby Dawnstar’s first birthday in two days!”

“That’s right!” Niko said. “I can’t believe she’s a year old already!”

“And that gives me an idea,” Doc smiled.

“Uh oh,” Shane groaned. “Here we go again.”

“I can’t believe we’re all going back to Doc’s mansion near Paradise Bay again!” Jessica squealed in her seat. The Galaxy Rangers, the Supertroopers, Waldo, Zozo and all the kids were in one of Doc’s private planes taking them there.

“Yeah it was such a blast the last time,” Shane said sarcastically. He was wearing his black cowboy outfit.

“What do you mean? What happened the last time?” Amy asked.

“Don’t ask,” Shane groaned.

“It wasn’t that big a disaster,” Doc said.

“Doc, your brother in law was murdered,” Zach recounted. “By your other brother in law and your sisters were either being framed for murder or stealing from country clubs. And then Giselle ran off and eloped with that guy who died while being arrested. That created a media frenzy that nearly gave Commander Walsh a heart attack and led him to rush the creation of the Five Point Two Rangers. And we all know what a disaster that was!” (1)

“Let’s not forget the wonderful parties and the elephant stampede,” Niko groaned.

“And the fire in the swimming pool,” Zozo added.

“And that brawl at the bar that led to us getting arrested,” Zach grumbled.

“The murdered transvestite Niko and I found in the shower,” Eliza added.

“Oh and I made friends with a kitty!” Bubblehead chirped.

“By tormenting the hell out of him and wrecking a mansion,” Shane finished.

“Damn,” Stingray whistled. “I missed all the good stuff!”

“And you people say Supertroopers cause a lot of damage?” Darkstar asked.

“Well the kids had a good time,” Doc said.

“That’s because we were kept out of most of the action,” Billy said.

“We had a lot of fun,” Jessica said. “We went swimming in the ocean and the pool. Played a lot of games. Rode horses…”

“Doc even has a petting zoo on the island!” Billy told them.

“You’re kidding?” Amy gasped.

“It’s not really a zoo,” Doc said. “Just a couple of dozen animals I have around the place. You know, some chickens for fresh eggs. Sheep and goats for wool and milk. A few horses.”

“Llamas, elephants, a tiger…” Zach counted down the list.

“A tame Andorian tiger which lost all it’s teeth because it’s old!” Doc said. “It was rescued by my mother from a circus and I’m just letting it live out it’s golden years in a peaceful place.”

“At least this time we won’t be flying into another circus,” Zach sighed.

“Uh Zachery, don’t be so sure,” Eliza pointed out the window.

“Oh for crying out loud!” Zach did a double take as he looked out the window. “DOC!”

“Oh, maybe I did go a tad overboard,” Doc whistled as he looked out the window.

“Overboard? It looks like you sank the entire ship!” Shane said. “Doc you did all this?”

“Well yes,” Doc said. “It’s amazing what you can get done by phone.”

“Wow! There’s a huge circus tent down there!” Zach Jr. gasped. “And elephants!”

“Just what we need, more elephants!” Niko groaned.

“That’s one of those bouncy inflatable tents you jump around in isn’t it?” Noah pointed.

“Yeah but I’ve never seen one that big before,” Zach Jr. gasped.

“Doc I know you want Dawnstar’s first birthday to be special but this is too much,” Darkstar gasped.

“Yeah I don’t think she’s gonna remember most of this,” Stingray was stunned.

“Maybe but the other kids will remember,” Doc said. “And I wanted to treat them this time. Some of them have had it kind of rough.”

The children were full of awe as they looked out the window. Even cynical Noah couldn’t help but enjoy himself. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” He had a happy grin on his face.

“This is even bigger than the party they had the last time,” Zach Jr. told him.

“This time we are going to limit the guest list,” Doc smirked. “And have a lot fewer drunks.”

“And hopefully fewer fires in the swimming pool,” Niko quipped.

It wasn’t long before they landed and were at the house. “Oh Walter!” Nana ran over and hugged Doc. “It is so good to see you again!”

“It’s good to see you too, Nana,” Doc smiled. He saw the rest of the staff had arrived. “Mook! Jenkins! Mabel!”

Introductions were quick and simple. “It’s good to see you again boss,” Mook a large nearly four hundred pound Jamaican man who looked more he belonged in the mob than at an estate grinned. “It’s good to also meet more friends.”

“We are so proud and honored to have you here, Ms. Ambassador,” Nana said.

Please just call me Cheyenne, She told them.

“She is so cute!” Mabel and the rest of the staff cooed over Dawnstar.

“Oh she is gonna get spoiled rotten this weekend,” Darkstar groaned.

“I’m the godfather, it’s my prerogative,” Doc told her. “That reminds me, Jenkins how is everything progressing?”

“Everything is going along smoothly sir,” Jenkins, Doc’s British butler spoke calmly. “The trapeze artists and clowns are setting up and we’ve prepared a small show for the children after lunch. And the guest list for the party has finally been finalized. All that remains is for you to go over it and give your approval.”

“Guest list?” Shane asked. “What guest list?”

“Uh yeah. You guys remember that little favor I asked Cain for when I tried to go off and prevent my sister Giselle from getting married?” Doc sighed.

“Vividly,” Shane said.

“Well Cain asked me for a favor of his own,” Doc said. “So in addition to our kids enjoying this party…There’s gonna be a few extra guests.”

“How many extra guests?” Darkstar asked.

“Uh well let’s see, last count there were fifty or sixty guests but since half of them are going to be children…” Doc thought.

“Hold on! Fifty or sixty?” Stingray yelled.

“Whatever happened to a quiet family gathering out of the spotlight?” Niko yelled.

“We will before the main party,” Doc winced. “This part wasn’t my idea!”

“Doc,” Zozo folded his arms. “You have some ‘splaining to do!”

“Cain wants to try and foster more good will among Earth and the other ambassadors of the League of Planets,” Doc said. “And what’s more cheerful and full of good will than a kid’s birthday party?”

“Oh Doc you didn’t!” Niko groaned.

“I had no choice!” Doc said. “Cain called in that favor and I had to do it. Besides it won’t be all bad. Zozo your sister is coming with her husband and your nieces and nephews. It won’t be all bad.”

“Won’t be all bad? A horde of screaming children hyped up on sugar are going to descend on us like a plague of locusts and you say it is not going to be so bad?” Waldo yelled. “And worse, their parents are going to be with them!”

“In other words Cain is foisting all these ambassadors on us in order for some good public relations,” Zach groaned. “Oh goody. I knew this was too good to be true.”

“Don’t worry everyone,” Doc said. The doorbell rang and he went to get it. “Things are going to be fine. I’ve organized everything. We’re going to have a nice week full of fun and family friendly activities with a few dozen ambassadors and their kids. What could go wrong?”

He opened the door to reveal his sister Mina in a bright red designer dress. “Walter, it’s about time you got here. We need to talk.”

“I think I just found one thing that could go wrong!” Shane spoke up.

“Mina, what a surprise,” Doc said acidly. “I can’t believe you stopped by. How much do you want?”

“And hello to you too Walter,” Mina sniffed. “I suppose given the crowd you run around with now, a simple hello is too civilized to you.”

“At least we don’t steal from him lady!” Shane barked.

“Steal?” Darkstar asked.

“The first time we met Ms. Mina here she and her husband were trying to nick stuff from one of Doc’s cabinets,” Shane explained.

“That’s the murderer right?” Dea asked.

“I didn’t know he would become a murderer then!” Mina contested hotly as she stormed into the room. “Who knew that spineless jellyfish had it in him?”

“Yes I thought you smashed the life out of him years ago,” Doc remarked. “Who knew?”

“Walter I have not come here to trade insults,” Mina sniffed. “Believe me, it took a lot for me to come to you especially after what happened the last time our paths met. After what you did.”

“What I did? Besides exposing your husband as a murderer?” Doc folded his arms. “And possibly saving your life?”

“Because of your investigation my…activities were exposed and exaggerated by both the police and the media to such a degree that I no longer have any social standing left in this side of the hemisphere!” Mina fumed.

“You mean like stealing from your ladies’ league, bank fraud and embezzlement from the country club you went to?” Doc asked. “Yes I could see how people would think the worst of that.”

“It was only a temporary loan to help me through a rough patch,” Mina bristled. “I fully intended to put the money back but thanks to you, Carlton and that idiot Giselle I was exposed before I got a chance to! Do you have any idea what I lost because of you?”

“Mina you have no idea how many strings I had to pull just to keep you out of prison!” Doc bristled. “Believe me, you should be grateful that you have your freedom.”

“Oh yes Walter, I am grateful,” Mina said sarcastically. “Grateful to no longer have a house to call my own. Grateful to be made a laughingstock and a source for slanderous gossip throughout half the universe! Grateful to have all my friends, even my most loyal ones turn their backs on me. Grateful to have the door slammed in my face at every social function, every opportunity to clear my name and move on!”

“Well as long as you are grateful,” Doc smiled.

“Walter!” Mina bristled.

“Hold on a second Mina,” Doc held up his hand and looked at his friends. “Somebody take the kids into another room. Because some words are going to be said and I don’t want impressionable youngsters to hear them!”

“Why?” Mata asked. “This is just getting good!”

“Come on sweetie,” Nana took her hand. “Let’s let the grownups deal with the refuse. It’s not good for children to be around trash.”

“Eliza would you take the baby?” Darkstar handed Dawnstar to her. “I want to hear this.”

“Yeah we need to catch up,” Stingray snorted.

“We’ll take her,” Zach said. “I’m going with the kids too. Trust me, I want to be around that woman as little as possible!”

“We’ll give you all a report,” Shane told them.

Zach, Eliza, Mook, the kids and the Ambassadors all left. This left Doc with Shane, Niko, Mabel, Darkstar and Stingray. “All right Mina now let’s get down to the reason why you are really here,” Doc said. “How much do you want?”

“It’s not just for me you know?” Mina said.

“Yes, I expect the people you borrowed money from have a lot of expenses due,” Doc said sarcastically.

“No, you see…” Mina began.

“Mina? Mina have you asked him yet?” An older dignified African American Woman walked in.

“I was about to but I kept getting interrupted by his rudeness,” Mina sniffed. “You know how he is Mama.”

“I am afraid I do,” The woman glared at Doc. “I do not wish to interrupt you while you are…entertaining but I fear that this is an emergency.”

“Everyone this is Mina’s mother Helena from my father’s first marriage,” Doc sighed. “Forgive me for not saying your last name but I don’t know what it is. I heard you got remarried a couple of times while I was away.”

“It was only twice and the first one didn’t count,” Helena said briskly. “It turns out he was already married. And it’s Pratton now. Mrs. George Pratton.”

“Pratton? George Pratton? Any relation to the famous polo player George Pratton?” Doc asked.

“As a matter of fact, he is that very same polo player George Pratton,” Helena sniffed.

“My God, Helena did you actually marry someone that wasn’t a lord and actually works for a living?” Doc was stunned.

“He can buy a lordship with his bank account and he doesn’t ride anymore,” Mina sniffed. “But he is the chairman of his polo club and is looking to put together a professional team.”

“And the fact that he’s nearly thirty years younger than you doesn’t hurt,” Doc added. “So if this guy is rich and all that why do you want to borrow money from me? What can’t you take care of your own daughter?”

“I don’t want bother George any more than I have to,” Helena sniffed. “I can’t sponge off of him for my…little problems.”

“But you have no problem sponging off of me and the rest of my family,” Doc quipped.

“Oh come on Walter! It’s not like you don’t have enough money to give us some!” Mina shouted. “You certainly have enough to waste it on that baby freak and her…”

WHAM!

“Don’t you ever insult my daughter in front of me again!” Darkstar growled at Mina as she shoved her against the wall. “Do you understand?”

“Let go of me you horrible…” Mina screeched.

“Walter! Get that creature off my daughter!” Helena shouted. “You can’t let her do that!”

“You’re right,” Doc smiled. “Niko, Mabel…Would you mind showing these ladies the door?”

“You want us to pat them down first to make sure they didn’t take anything?” Niko asked.

“Well! I never!” Mina huffed as Darkstar let go of her. “Do you see Mother? Do you see the kind of people he runs around with?”

“I thought those rumors were greatly exaggerated! But obviously your brother would rather be with these savages than his own family!” Helena huffed as the women left.

“That should tell you something lady!” Shane called out after them. The door slammed behind them. “Well I could have gone longer than a year not seeing her again!”

“I know, I know…” Doc sighed. “Sorry about that.”

“So that’s why Zach and Eliza left the room?” Darkstar snorted.

“Exactly,” Doc said. “Mabel send someone after them to make sure they don’t get lost on their way to their private jet. Wouldn’t put it past them to try and steal something.”

“I’m on it,” Mabel got the video intercom on. “Joseph, Jimmy. You at the airfield?”

“Yes,” A man answered. “Jimmy here. Oh by the way, tell Doc his sister’s shown up with his mother.”

“Thanks for the warning,” Doc said sarcastically. “Just make sure they leave. And don’t take any detours.”

“We’ll wrangle ‘em boss,” Jimmy spoke. “Their pilot was getting a bit antsy.”

“Thank you,” Doc rolled his eyes and shut off the intercom. The intercom cracked again. “Yes?”

“Boss? That you?” A large man with a beard asked.

“It’s me, Benny. What’s the problem?” Doc asked. “Benny is my head mechanic.”

“I’m afraid we got a slight monkey infestation,” Benny told him. “Apparently they get out a lot and…HEY! GET OUT OF THAT HOT ROD!”

VROOOOOOOM!

“CHEE! CHEE!”

CRASH!

“Uh sir, some of your cars are a little wrecked,” Benny told him. “Don’t worry boss, we’ll catch them.”

“You do that,” Doc groaned. As soon as he shut the intercom off it buzzed again. “Doc Hartford’s Problem Palace. What’s yours?”

“Master Hartford it’s Jenkins. I’m afraid two of our new chefs are having one of their creative differences again.”

CHING! CHING!

“Are they fighting with knives?” Doc saw something in the corner.

“I’m afraid so sir,” Jenkins said. “Don’t worry they usually don’t hit each other.”

“Usually? This has happened before?” Doc yelled.

“I’ll get it,” Mabel sighed as she rushed off. “I hate it when they have knife fights in the kitchen!”

“This place is getting more fun by the minute,” Stingray quipped. “We should book all our vacations here.”

Doc’s wrist communicator went off. “Now what?” Doc groaned as he answered it. “Zachery? What’s going on?”

“Doc we have a problem,” Zach frowned. “It’s about the kids. You know how you didn’t want ‘em to be exposed to anything ugly?”

“Yeah?” Doc asked.

“Well it kind of backfired,” Mook groaned as he showed his face. “I took the kids to the circus stables to see some of the animals. They saw something all right. A dead body.”

“Oh…Goody,” Doc winced.

1. Check out the fic Doc Goes Home. It's a fun one! Next even more fun with murder and mayhem!