This week's prompt is courtesy of Springie:

Yayyy Springie! Thanks for the pic!

Is he wearing a sheet?

Hmm, a sheet or towel over his shoulders, but wearing driving gloves too, interesting!! Is the rose just a rose, or a bomb? I guess that'll be up to the contributer I think this is going to be quite a challenge!

Or it could be a shirt just draped loosely over the shoulder- could his other arm be hurt?

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Oooo...very interesting...who is talking to Joe?

I posted mine in the rubber room to be safe: http://www.gatchamania.net/thread.php?sid=&postid=144482#post144482

Neat -visual inspiration this week! Intriguing, LW! Especially the reference "they're trying to kill my new body," and "they're alive, but I don't know for how long. Something to do with cyborgs? ghosts?

LW, you've caught my interest. Maybe Lucy?

It got me thinking about Joe being the last survivor - what if he isn't? and the others are alive (well kind off) My muse is thinking that we can tie the bottom three stories together ..but..it's getting real nasty..and the other piece I am working on has the team betrayed big time to the point that what spectra did to them was like a little hissy fit Anyway these stories are old and rough, but when I find a way to piece them all together I will post for feedback and help with the direction It needs to go Forum: The Writers Block : My first story dated 15/4/2010 Forum: The Debating Room: A story experiment -NLP dated 28/06/2011 Forum:The Debating Room: Pt2 -the full sory - experiment NLP dated 1/7/2011

Sorry - tried posting links ..but it didn't like me

Well, this is my contribution for the week..... Coming back to consciousness, Joe felt the feminine beauty his arm was draped over, a tantalising musk reaching his nose, encouraging him back to full awareness. he opened his eyes, slowly against the bright morning sun, but enough to note the unfamiliarity of his surroundings. "Shit," he cursed, moving off the bed, a more desperate call of nature making its presence felt.... He spotted the gun first; the colt automatic was a serious piece, not for the single girl needing defence against possible intruders. Beginning to dress, he donned his gloves before handling the weapon. Loaded too, why wasn't he surprised? If further conformation were needed, the roses provided it. Now he had to act. Not only was she the enemy, she was an amateur too and that made the situation even more dangerous. He had no idea if she knew his identity or not. He took one of the bombs for the ISO to examine, holding it between his teeth, and as he continued to dress, he took aim....

LW, a great start to what I hope will be a gripping story....going to enjoy reading the rest of it when complete!

LW, you certainly know how to leave us asking questions! You come up with such interesting plot ideas! KT, way to turn around a bad situation for Joe!I can see how he could have freaked out, but instead he holds it together... like the Condor he is!

LW: As it stands the snip leaves me a bit too confused, but I look forward to seeing it in a larger context. KT: Poor Joe, another one bites the dust!

Each piece has me dying for more! And all I can get from my muse is "Ooooh, pretty!"

Originally posted by ElectricWhite Each piece has me dying for more! And all I can get from my muse is "Ooooh, pretty!"

Maybe someone commissioned the drawing as a portrait?

Originally posted by ChrisW

Originally posted by ElectricWhite Each piece has me dying for more! And all I can get from my muse is "Ooooh, pretty!"

Maybe someone commissioned the drawing as a portrait?

You'll just have to see if the artist will tell you. All I can say is that it wasn't me. (Believe it or not!)

Originally posted by ElectricWhite And all I can get from my muse is "Ooooh, pretty!"

I'm having the same problem! Nothing is striking me...

Originally posted by Transmute Jun [quote]Originally posted by ElectricWhite And all I can get from my muse is "Ooooh, pretty!"

I'm having the same problem! Nothing is striking me...[/quote Really? The both of you struck silent by a lovely Condor pic? Consider yourselves struck, and start writing... Hee! Couldn't help myself.

Originally posted by k2p2

Originally posted by Transmute Jun [quote]Originally posted by ElectricWhite And all I can get from my muse is "Ooooh, pretty!"

I'm having the same problem! Nothing is striking me...[/quote Really? The both of you struck silent by a lovely Condor pic? Consider yourselves struck, and start writing... Hee! Couldn't help myself.

Um, the addition of pain had a different effect...

Originally posted by ElectricWhite Um, the addition of pain had a different effect...

"Dance!" Condor Joe cried, his gun flickering in a menacing manner. When the confused Devilstar refused to comply, he shot a bullet at her feet, causing her to jump. "You want the rose, you'll have to dance." Joe leered, shooting again, smirking as the woman jumped even higher. "You'll be singing a different tune when you run out of bullets." she snarled. "Then I guess I'll just have to pull out my whip." Joe replied smugly. *********************** Okay, I know that's super terrible, but it's all I could come up with under the pressure of the whip!

LOL TJ ... if he's really pissed he should make her dance to disco

Originally posted by ChrisW LOL TJ ... if he's really pissed he should make her dance to disco

Ooooh...that's cruel above and beyond!

Originally posted by ElectricWhite

Originally posted by ChrisW LOL TJ ... if he's really pissed he should make her dance to disco

Ooooh...that's cruel above and beyond!

And people think I'm such a nice person ...

Ooooo...that is one mad Condor! That Devil Star doesn't stand a chance!

LW, very interesting...at first I thought that it was a ghost trying to wake up Joe, then perhaps some sort of android, or something with the talk of the body and all. Intriguing enough that I want to know more, before and after all of this.... Thanks for posting the locations of the rest of this bit of work.

Originally posted by KT1972 He took one of the bombs for the ISO to examine, holding it between his teeth, and as he continued to dress, he took aim....

OOohhh, awesomely nice little bit here, KT. Very well written with good direction. Love to read in this vein...although I really want to believe that he doesn't just off her... DON'T SHOOT, JOE!

Originally posted by Transmute Jun

Originally posted by ElectricWhite Um, the addition of pain had a different effect...

Okay, I know that's super terrible, but it's all I could come up with under the pressure of the whip!

No, I don't think that's terrible at all...good job for thinking on the fly.

Originally posted by k2p2

Originally posted by KT1972 He took one of the bombs for the ISO to examine, holding it between his teeth, and as he continued to dress, he took aim....

OOohhh, awesomely nice little bit here, KT. Very well written with good direction. Love to read in this vein...although I really want to believe that he doesn't just off her... DON'T SHOOT, JOE!

Why not? It's what he does best isn't it?

Originally posted by KT1972 Why not? It's what he does best isn't it?

Because then we wouldn't find out anything about 1) who this girl is? 2) how she ended up in bed with Joe? 3) why she didn't 'off' him right away?

Originally posted by ElectricWhite Each piece has me dying for more! And all I can get from my muse is "Ooooh, pretty!"

Just saw the prompt...and haven't moved past this stage yet! This will take me some time to come up with a story.

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Originally posted by KT1972 He took one of the bombs for the ISO to examine, holding it between his teeth, and as he continued to dress, he took aim....

Cliffhanger here! What is he going to do? Would he shoot someone who's asleep -I'm inclined to hope he'll wake her up and confront her. I mean, there's always a chance he's wrong about her. But then, she might not really be as "amateur" as he thinks...

Originally posted by Transmute Jun "Then I guess I'll just have to pull out my whip." Joe replied smugly.

That could get interesting -there's a reason, after all, that the whip smilie is labelled "kinky"...

Nice one lb

Really enjoyed it LB, Just like the Condor!

Good poem...Poor devilstars, ain't gotta chance.

Great poem, LB! Fits the picture so well!!!

LB, excellent!!! It's difficult to put action scenes into verse, and you've managed brilliantly -- it's almost like a ballad!

LB, that's awesome! You are the queen of rhyming!!!!

Thanks, guys. "I suppose that this rose will explode in my face" sort of popped into my head, and the rest followed from that. I have fun with rhyme schemes, as they're sort of a word game.

I enjoyed it, LB! I was ready to headbang to it!

Originally posted by Transmute Jun

Originally posted by ElectricWhite Um, the addition of pain had a different effect...

"Dance!" Condor Joe cried, his gun flickering in a menacing manner. When the confused Devilstar refused to comply, he shot a bullet at her feet, causing her to jump. "You want the rose, you'll have to dance." Joe leered, shooting again, smirking as the woman jumped even higher. "You'll be singing a different tune when you run out of bullets." she snarled. "Then I guess I'll just have to pull out my whip." Joe replied smugly. *********************** Okay, I know that's super terrible, but it's all I could come up with under the pressure of the whip!

I thought it was a pokey stick. Whip? A new toy for Joe.

That was great, LB. I hope he killed her oitside and didn;t mess up his place.

Ooh, hadn't thought about the mess-potential there! Now that I think about it, for all the body count that the Science Ninja Team racks up, they never seem to have to deal with any of the bodies (hey -I could have explored this with last week's prompt). I suppose if the mechas or bases containing all the dead goons just blow up -and they often do- then that solves the problem. But otherwise, I guess the UN or local police have to deal with the mess.

And This week recipe for a starving planet Soylent green 3 parts goon 2 parts Devilstar ( being careful to remove and bullet Pellets) 1 part Captain of the week Cook over the open flames of a destroyed mecha. Decorate to taste.

LW, what about using rose petals??? Are these are for the decoration???

Rose Petal sauce Ingredients 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 pinch salt and freshly ground black pepper 3/4 teaspoon ground anise seed 3 prickly pears (cactus fruit), peeled and chopped 12 red or pink organic roses' petals 1 cup chopped walnuts 3 cups chicken broth, or as needed 2 tablespoons honey, or to taste Directions 1.Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add garlic, and saute until fragrant, 2 or 3 minutes. Season with salt, pepper and anise, and cook for another minute to blend the flavors. 2.In the container of a blender or food processor, combine the prickly pears, rose petals (reserving a few for garnish) and walnuts. Pour in just enough broth to cover. Cover, and process until smooth. 3.Pour the rose petal mixture into the saucepan with the garlic. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring gently. If the sauce is too thick, add more broth as needed. Mix in the honey, then taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper or anise if desired. Serve poured over poultry, garnishing with a few rose petals. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/rose-petal-sauce-for-hens/

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Mmmmm....very nice!

LW, you always astound me with your creativity! I enjoyed your poem, but I was over your recipies the most!

This is based on an idea I had for the continuation of the Fic for a Pic series we've been doing with EW: //The auction had barely started, when a group of steaming hot Gatchamaniacs almost caused the e-bay site to collapse. The bidding had reached astronomical heights -- at least for a simple picture of Joe with his trademark accessories of a rose and a gun. Proceeds would go to charity, so it was okay, and this was the only reason Joe had agreed to do the shoot -- the photo shoot, not the other kind. The organisers HAD suggested that he holds the rose and puts the gun in his mouth, for added suspense, but he drew the line at that point. A couple of Gatchamaniacs were really fighting it out over the ethernet, he mused, looking at the bids. There were only a few moments left for the auction to be concluded but even he, who was definitely not a bidder, felt that he wanted to bite his nails with the suspense. There! E-bay had declared the auction closed! And the lucky winner was...// There. I leave it open to your imagination which one of us would win the bid for a Condor pic

Probably not me! I don't think I have the 'aggressiveness' of you Condor girls!!!! Question is, will Joe know the winner?

Originally posted by Transmute Jun [ Okay, I know that's super terrible, but it's all I could come up with under the pressure of the whip!

Hey, I didn't think that was terrible at all. And I'd like to think that the devilstars can give him a little more trouble...

LW: That was powerful! Daniella: I bet Joe's expression at seeing he had to deal with a rose was worse than when they told him to put the gun in his mouth.

LW--once again, you capture in very spare words some incredible imagery...well done, although sad and brutal...well done.

Originally posted by Daniella T There. I leave it open to your imagination which one of us would win the bid for a Condor pic

Wouldn't be me either...I am never good at these auctions...although I might bid to drive the price up for charity.... I just wonder what charity it might be.

Originally posted by Daniella T There. I leave it open to your imagination which one of us would win the bid for a Condor pic

* sat at laptop with fingers crossed* let it be me! Let it be me! Let it be me!

LW, Soylent Green about fits it. I remember that movie. Your poem was deep and disturbing, but I could see it happening.

Daniella, I'm more for Jason than Joe, but I'd still take Joe if I won.

Daniella's ficlet finally got my muse to stop sitting there, saying "ooh, pretty!" and drooling a bit! So, here goes... I stared in disbelief at the computer screen. I won the online auction. I won the online auction!!! I never win these things, and yet there was the confirmation. Okay, this also means I won't be able to afford groceries for the next three years. But it's for charity, and I'm getting a nice picture of the Condor. So it's a win-win, right? I'm sure I had the dumbest-looking grin on my face, because that was when the lights went out, and I felt something metal press against the base of my skull. "You have something I want." a digitally distorted voice behind me said. Since the only light in the room now came from the computer screen, there was no hope of seeing this person's reflection. "Uh, what are you after?" I tried to sound calm. "Slowly back away from the desk." was the response, "If you reach for anything other than your wheels, you'll be sorry." The metal thing -- I could only assume was a gun barrel -- wasn't touching the back of my head any more, but I wasn't about to take any chances. I did as I was told until the stranger told me to stop. A dining room chair was dragged over until it was touching the left side of my wheelchair. "Transfer over." the stranger commanded. "Just so you know," I said, "I'll have to remove the left arm of the wheelchair." "I know." "Well, sometimes it sticks a little, so it's not always smooth --" "Do whatever's necessary, nothing more!" "Okay, I just didn't want any misunderstanding..." Thankfully, the arm didn't stick. It would have been terrible if my brains had been splattered just because this thug was overly nervous... The next thing I knew, a blindfold was being tied around my head. "Pay careful attention." the stranger said, "I want you to stay perfectly still. If you move at all, you'll regret it!" A set of headphones was placed over my ears, and all I could hear was Animetal Marathon. The album had cycled through four times and was about to start on the fifth when I felt a pair of hands grip my shoulders. The headphones and blindfold were pulled off, and my eyes watered fiercely when the light hit them. "Oh God, are you okay?" Chris, my great-nephew cried as he gripped my shoulders again, "Did they hurt you?" I could see the panic growing in his black eyes. "I'm okay." I replied, "They just made me sit really still in this chair." I looked around. "It doesn't look like they took anything in here." He relaxed a little. I tried to stretch a bit -- my muscles burned from sitting still for so long, and my hips felt like they'd explode from being in that uncomfortable chair. "Chris, do you see my wheelchair anywhere? I really need to go lay down for a little bit." "I think I saw it in here --" he said as he rushed out of the room. Then, a minute later, "Uh, I think I'd better hose it off, first." "Why? What's wrong?" "Something's all over it. I don't know what, but it looks and smells really gross." My mind drew a blank. What in the heck --? "Is there anything else weird in there?" I asked. "Well, yeah. It looks like they were dragging some heavy machinery around, judging by the tracks in the carpet..." Machinery...gross stuff...on my wheelchair! Damn that Zark!

EW, the Zark porn just won't die. But you won!!!!

EW: Zark is so scary .. run away, run away!

Ewww, EW, do we even want to think about Zark and your chair?? But you won the auction!!!!!! shucks... still, at least I'll be able to eat sometime soon......

EW: Win some, lose some!

Made me laugh! Thanks EW....hope the wheelchair is okay.

Um.... how does that picture of Joe inspire you to write about Zark and your wheelchair? I'm a little scared!!!!!

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Um.... how does that picture of Joe inspire you to write about Zark and your wheelchair? I'm a little scared!!!!!

Hmm...I guess, subconsciously, I just can't have any joy without some pain!

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Originally posted by Daniella T The bidding had reached astronomical heights -- at least for a simple picture of Joe with his trademark accessories of a rose and a gun. Proceeds would go to charity, so it was okay

Heh, and Ken is probably watching all this frenzy and planning to auction a pic of himself and one-up Joe by raising more money. But would he succeed? That's open to speculation...

At least you still have the pic of Joe, EW, since that wasn't what Zark wanted. Probably a good thing, really, that it wasn't what he wanted!

EW you have to take drastic measures!!! Rent out the pictures you won or sell duplicate copies - (worth more if it's signed) that gets you groceries and money for a "HIT" on Zark Other wise you will be spending money on industrial strength cleaner for your chair or therapy for the trauma it has undergone (I don't know if your chair is male or female, I'm assuming that Zark is male, eww either way) you don't want your chair developing PTSD when you need it the most

I love the hit on Zark. Can we all help?

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Certainly there are a lot of unanswered questions here... I'm a little confused the way things jump around in this story! Still, it drew me in with your vivid description of Joe's dream, and wondering about the symbolism of the tight, narrowing alleyway and the rotting garbage below. Clearly Joe has some connection to Iona that is on a deeper level than he'd like to admit.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Certainly there are a lot of unanswered questions here...

Heh...will edit to clear that up...sorry.

Clearly Joe has some connection to Iona that is on a deeper level than he'd like to admit.

Yes...yes...yes....

Don't know what I've said that was such an inspiration, but thank you nontheless... It is a dark tale, but would probably make sense if it was read in it's correct order... to reiterate what TJ said, there's some interesting description and mystery of the true relationship between Joe and Iona, can't wait to read more!!

k2p2: Definitely a vivid dream. Wondering just what Joe's gonna tell her

owwww! intrique definitely be waiting for more

Very interesting, K2. You're keeping me interested. Joe can bring me some flowers.

OMG! EW...that is so evil! You make me hate Zark even more! (If that's possible...)

K2, that was great! Your description of Joe's dream was so detailed, and it fit the picture so well! Excellent writing!

Originally posted by KT1972 Don't know what I've said that was such an inspiration, but thank you nontheless...

I think it had to do with our conversation of the true nature of Joe. I though that every once in a while he prolly needs to confront that nature square on.

Originally posted by ChrisW k2p2: Definitely a vivid dream.

I tend to have them myself...I have a notebook beside my bed that write some of the best ones, or ones that I can glean story ideas from.

Wondering just what Joe's gonna tell her

No idea...in my outline for prompt #10 Iona seems to be doing all the talking.

Originally posted by littlewolf owwww! intrique definitely be waiting for more

Didn't mean to give you a headache...glad you liked it.

Originally posted by Becky Rock Joe can bring me some flowers.

Hee...Everyone likes the dream....no one's mentioned the fact that he happened to take a turn in the sheets with the Prime Minister's girlfriend....I guess that means it's just par for his course?

Originally posted by Springie K2, that was great! Your description of Joe's dream was so detailed, and it fit the picture so well! Excellent writing!

Thanks Springie! You provided an excellent picture that was fun to write to! Please do so again, sometime in the future, perhaps?

Originally posted by k2p2

Originally posted by Becky Rock Joe can bring me some flowers.

Hee...Everyone likes the dream....no one's mentioned the fact that he happened to take a turn in the sheets with the Prime Minister's girlfriend....I guess that means it's just par for his course?

We do consider that par for the course!

Originally posted by k2p2

Originally posted by Springie K2, that was great! Your description of Joe's dream was so detailed, and it fit the picture so well! Excellent writing!

Thanks Springie! You provided an excellent picture that was fun to write to! Please do so again, sometime in the future, perhaps?

So glad you enjoyed it! I'll be happy to throw in a picture or two whenever anyone wants me to! I'd love to try to interpret pics from some of our other Gatchy artists, too! *poke, poke*

Again, thank you, Springie, for such an intriguing picture prompt. So many great responses, and there's at least one more to come, as soon as I get it typed up (likely Friday). LW, don't worry about direct relevancy in for your responses, whatever a prompt inspires is relevant even if it doesn't seem to come from the prompt. EW, if I were you, I'd consider getting a restraining order for one deviant robot and then suing it and Galaxy Security for damages and emotional distress.

Originally posted by amethystEW, if I were you, I'd consider getting a restraining order for one deviant robot and then suing it and Galaxy Security for damages and emotional distress.

I've got something brewing in my mind that might be a little more emotionally satisfying than court actions!

Sounds fun, EW, care to share?

Originally posted by KT1972 Sounds fun, EW, care to share?

Soon, mi amiga, soon!