This weeks prompt is by an anonymous contributor: Sick

First thing that comes to mind and Joe and Jason, but that might be too obvious. Hmmmmm......

Well, here's mine: ...Okay, I'll admit it: I just couldn't resist the chance to be a smart a**!

Instalment 2 of Club Aphrodite: Ken spent the first day getting everything in order. He made sure his airfield was in decent shape and locked down. Then he flew his plane to Crescent Coral to park it in the God Phoenix, and in general kept waiting for Joe or one of the others to leap out and crow that this was all one big joke. One of the base techs, a gangly man with round hippy glasses, met him in the hangar. "Dr. Nambu said to provide you with some equipment, Commander." If this was a joke, it was an elaborate setup. Ken nodded crisply, staying professional, just in case. It took him a moment to remember the man's name, but it finally came back. "You know the mission specs, Hal?" "Tourist gear. Suitable for salt water and sand." They started walking. The man led toward engineering, as Ken would have expected. He just nodded so as not to give away mission details. "Your primary task is surveillance, correct?" Ken nodded, again not about to give anything away. Even if this was a joke, they wouldn't laugh at him for being lax on that front. He followed Hal to a cluttered table covered with equipment. Half of it was in various stages of disassembly. "So I figured every tourist needs a camera." Hal picked up a bulky rig. It would fit right in with what Ken had seen tourists carrying elsewhere, but it would also get in his way. Rather than handing it to him, Hal moved it closer, starting to show off its features. "A typical tourist wouldn't carry a ton of lenses," he said. "You can flip this one to a pretty intense zoom. It also has options for infra-red, night mode, limited x-ray capabilities, and more." When Ken picked it up, he was surprised at how light the thing was. That cleared up some of his reservations. He tried some of the modes, making sure he understood how the rig worked. Flipping it to x-ray gave him a startling view under an engineer's coat. Grimacing, he turned the camera away from the elderly man and focused on walls. While he couldn't see through anything structural, he was able to make out some detail behind a thinner internal office wall. "While we could rig that one up for underwater use," said Hal, "it would stand out too much. Here's a smaller camera for that purpose. It offers the same features but is tuned for water, so you'll find it less than optimal on land." Hal pushed a camera case toward him. Ken took the hint and carefully packed both cameras away. "I figured you'd need more bugs and surveillance cameras than usual." Hal pushed a pile of them toward him. "These are all shielded. They shouldn't show up in a bug sweep." Shouldn't being the operative word. Ken nodded, tucking them into the hidden compartments Hal showed him in the camera case. As Hal went through the rest of the gear, this felt like a lot of trouble for a joke. He felt like some movie spy. At any moment, cheesy theme music would start playing. Hal finally handed him a suitcase. "This is shielded as well. If they do a security scan on it, your equipment will look perfectly normal." "Thanks." Ken packed the gear into the suitcase. The cameras, laptop, and other items took up over half the space, but left plenty of room for clothes. "And that's it. Good luck, Commander." Ken shook his hand, making himself smile. "Dr. Nambu said to report to his office when you're done here." He almost sighed with relief. That's when the joke would be over, he was sure of it. Carrying a suitcase toward Nambu's office felt strange. It reminded him of when he was little and his mother's sickness was getting worse. He'd up and decided to run away, but got stymied by the fact that he wasn't allowed off the property alone. Reaching the office without running into anyone on the team felt suspicious. They had to be waiting to end the joke. If this was a real mission, he'd be guaranteed that one of them would see him and ask awkward questions. Buoyed by the hope this insanity would be over soon, he reached Nambu's office, and was waved through. Except he found the man totally alone. After shutting the door, he waited to be acknowledged, nerves spiking. "A few more documents." Nambu pressed an envelope toward him. Ken took it, praying to find a sheet of paper saying "Hah hah." Instead, he found a fake passport and driver's license for his cover name, along with some "family photos" of him and Joe, and a credit card. His stomach sank. "You'll need to be able to fit in," said Nambu. "I know your budget is tight, so the card is so you can do so without additional worries. As I said, I want you to try to relax, so don't treat the expenses as strictly for the mission." "Joe's cover will be Jason Anderson, your older brother." Ken nodded and felt a little sick. This wasn't a joke. "What if the team is needed elsewhere?" "They'll extract you if necessary. Otherwise, it will give Joe a chance to show me he can command without leaving everything in a smoking crater." Something about the doctor's dry tone left Ken wondering if that was the joke. Suddenly he found himself dismissed, and headed toward the dock in a daze. He was really doing this. Shimatta. How the hell would he pull this off?

LOL EW

loving it, can't wait till next week ps I like the fact that Joe leaves smoking craters, it gets the Job done.

Originally posted by littlewolf loving it, can't wait till next week ps I like the fact that Joe leaves smoking craters, it gets the Job done.

Certainly does.

Hahahaha...perfect, EW! Chris, I adore that smoking crater line! Great new installment for the Club Aphrodite ficlet! Love the idea of the X ray mode for the camera... and the plot thickens...

Originally posted by Springie Chris, I adore that smoking crater line! Great new installment for the Club Aphrodite ficlet! Love the idea of the X ray mode for the camera... and the plot thickens...

I'm thinking that once Joe shows up, he'll get ahold of that camera ...

Okay, passport, bikini, skimpy cloths, push up bra, protections. Ladies who else needs a holiday? ChrisW - location please?!

Originally posted by littlewolf Okay, passport, bikini, skimpy cloths, push up bra, protections. Ladies who else needs a holiday? ChrisW - location please?!

LOL I'll send you some of their brochures. Good luck and happy hunting!

When you said equipment and talked about jokes, I was expecting other things. Poor Ken. Very nice, Chris.

Originally posted by Becky Rock When you said equipment and talked about jokes, I was expecting other things. Poor Ken. Very nice, Chris.

Oh there may be many other kinds of equipment encountered ...

Poor Ken, he's really not looking forward to Club Aphrodite at all! Somehow I get the feeling that Joe will indeed end up there too -possibly as soon as he finds out just where it is that Ken has been sent... I like the "Bond" similarities here, with the "spy" gadgets and the undercover mission to a glam locale!

Originally posted by lborgia88 Poor Ken, he's really not looking forward to Club Aphrodite at all! Somehow I get the feeling that Joe will indeed end up there too -possibly as soon as he finds out just where it is that Ken has been sent... I like the "Bond" similarities here, with the "spy" gadgets and the undercover mission to a glam locale!

I'm having fun with the Bond stuff because Ken is so anti-bond. Very capable, but so not smooth. And you know the moment Joe finds out, he's going to be there. I can see it now: "Hot babes looking to score? Hang out and have fun? Watch Ken stammer and try not to run screaming? I'll pay my own way!"

Yay EW.... a Zark free post!! athouth can't help thinking that some Zark/wheelchair smut might have been appropriet for this prompt..... Chris.... I can see Ken's about to have an awkward time of it... let Joe show up and demonstrate to him how to have a good time.....

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Originally posted by KT1972 Chris.... I can see Ken's about to have an awkward time of it... let Joe show up and demonstrate to him how to have a good time.....

Indeed. *grin* Gotta either make him miserable/overwhelmed enough to call for a wingman, uh, backup, or put him in a situation where he can't report in and Nambu gets worried enough to risk sending Joe. I like your take on the prompt! A happy day!

Wow, KT! If there's one thing we never expected to hear on Gatchaman... Nice use of the prompt!

Awwww, love it, KT!

Originally posted by KT1972 Yay EW.... a Zark free post!! athouth can't help thinking that some Zark/wheelchair smut might have been appropriet for this prompt....

Sheesh, is that all I'm good for now? You know, I ought to stand up, march right over there, and give you a piece of my mind!...if I could just get past the bit where I look totally preposterous as I fall on my face... Anyway, I liked the spin you put on the prompt!

Ahem.... KT.... I really must insist.... CW, nice addition to the story. Your'e really depicting Ken's personality well here, highlighting it through his inner desire to have this all turn out to be some kind of horrible joke. I am also enjoying Dr. Nambu's perspective, as he tries to get Ken to relax somewhat.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Ahem.... KT.... I really must insist....

NOW what am I supposed to have done??????

Originally posted by KT1972

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Ahem.... KT.... I really must insist....

NOW what am I supposed to have done??????

If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say she wants you to flesh out the story a bit more...and, since it's TJ doing the poking, I wouldn't be surprised if she's also like a little bit about how Jun got into her condition...

Originally posted by ElectricWhite

Originally posted by KT1972

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Ahem.... KT.... I really must insist....

NOW what am I supposed to have done??????

If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say she wants you to flesh out the story a bit more...and, since it's TJ doing the poking, I wouldn't be surprised if she's also like a little bit about how Jun got into her condition...

oh, just read the bodies prompt again, the one in the rubber room, although I'd have thought she'd know how it's done by now!!!

Originally posted by Transmute Jun CW, nice addition to the story. Your'e really depicting Ken's personality well here, highlighting it through his inner desire to have this all turn out to be some kind of horrible joke. I am also enjoying Dr. Nambu's perspective, as he tries to get Ken to relax somewhat.

Thanks. I have to wonder if when Ken comes back, he's going to find a way to make Nambu take his own advice. Revenge is sweet!

Nice addition Chris W, although I'd love to see Jun tag along just for fun...Maybe she'd have a good time too! LOve the bond tribute with all the cool little gadgets.

Originally posted by k2p2 Nice addition Chris W, although I'd love to see Jun tag along just for fun...Maybe she'd have a good time too! LOve the bond tribute with all the cool little gadgets.

She'll probably make it there too. What fun is it to send the boys to get into trouble if she doesn't catch them?

Originally posted by ChrisW She'll probably make it there too. What fun is it to send the boys to get into trouble if she doesn't catch them?

Why does she have to be the hall monitor all the time? Let her have some 'fun,' too.

Originally posted by k2p2 Why does she have to be the hall monitor all the time? Let her have some 'fun,' too.

I never said she couldn't have fun. But part of the fun is also embarrassing the guys.

Originally posted by ElectricWhite

Originally posted by KT1972

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Ahem.... KT.... I really must insist....

NOW what am I supposed to have done??????

If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say she wants you to flesh out the story a bit more...and, since it's TJ doing the poking, I wouldn't be surprised if she's also like a little bit about how Jun got into her condition...

EW, you read my mind exactly!!!!! (Not that I'm probably that hard to read...)

Originally posted by Transmute Jun

Originally posted by ElectricWhite

Originally posted by KT1972

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Ahem.... KT.... I really must insist....

NOW what am I supposed to have done??????

If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say she wants you to flesh out the story a bit more...and, since it's TJ doing the poking, I wouldn't be surprised if she's also like a little bit about how Jun got into her condition...

EW, you read my mind exactly!!!!! (Not that I'm probably that hard to read...)

What can I say? You obviously have a thing about fleshing out stories...

Originally posted by ElectricWhite What can I say? You obviously have a thing about fleshing out stories...

Yup, a nice plump juicy backstory would be just right, I concur!

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ps I know I mixed Cronus, ken, Jun and Nambu together, but I could not picture Princess doing this

Hahahaha...great work! You had me going for a minute there...I love that he needed "manscaping"!

Hehe I've been practicing drawing Ken and he does have kinda crazy eyebrows. Joe's are a little crazier though. Would love to know why Nambu felt that was necessary, hehe.

great work,LW, thoroughly enjoyed it!

KT, how sweet. Ken's gonig to be a Daddy.

LW, that was so much fun. The last thing I would have thought of was eyebrows.

I thought it was some kind of massage... wouldn't have thought of eyebrow waxing! What will Ken say when he realizes that Jun has to do it again next month? Maybe Nambu wanted Ken waxed because the eyebrows were scaring him? Why would Ken care if Jun had ever waxed Joe's eyebrows?

9 am I stood in the corner, in a shadow just dark enough that I wouldn't be noticed right away. I grinned widely in anticipation; the trap was about to be sprung. "Onechan, I'm done!" I called. "Okay, Jinpei, let me check on..." Jun's sentence choked off with a screech as she entered the main room of the Snack, only to have my perfectly placed bucket overturn and empty onto her head. "You wanted me to wash the dishes," I chortled, "and I did! There's the dirty dishwater to prove it!" Jun stood there, dripping wet, clearly amazed by my clever trick. Her mouth began to open and close as greasy water soaked through her hair and clothes. She had learned her lesson. She wouldn't force me out of bed to do the dishes again! "Jinpei!" she cried, and it suddenly seemed like a good idea to get out of there. "Since I'm done with my chores, I'm heading out!" I disclosed in a cheerful rush, but I couldn't help one last dig. "You know, Sis, you'd better clean yourself up. You're already ugly enough, but if you walk around that way, you'll never catch a man!" I dashed out the door before she could respond, still chuckling to myself over the expression on her face. When I got someone, I got them good. But for now, the rest of the day beckoned. Who cared that it was raining? I had been dying to try out the new amusement park since the day it had opened. Between my duties at the Snack J and on the Science Ninja Team, no one had ever had time to take me. Besides, Jun had complained that we didn't have the money. Well I was going today, no matter what! No one had to take me; I was Jinpei, the Great Swallow! I could take care of myself! As for the admission fee... well, when was the last time a ninja like me let a little fence stop him? noon The amusement park was great! So what if half the rides were closed because of the rain? The other half were awesome! I sure wished I'd brought a little cash for some lunch, though. My stomach was growling and swiping something wasn't nearly as easy as getting over the fence... at least, not if I wanted to do it unnoticed. I was soaking wet and could have used something hot to eat. "Achoo!" I rubbed at my nose, which seemed to be tickling more and more. Something in the weather didn't agree with it. I wrapped my arms around myself and headed for the nearest roller coaster to take my mind off of my troubles. 5 pm My head hurt. My nose throbbed. My whole body ached. The park wasn't fun anymore as the light sprinkles of the morning had given way to drenching downpours during the afternoon. I left through the exit, splashing through puddles as I headed home. I mean, the Snack J. I was headed to the Snack J. The Snack wasn't home. Not really. It was just a crummy old bar that Sis had turned into a slightly cleaner dump. Nothing special, even if Jun liked it so much. Not like a real home, with a Mom who loved you. And yet, when I saw that big J outside the door, I suddenly felt better. Recalling that Jun might not be too pleased with me right now, I jumped onto the fire escape and climbed up the back way, slipping through my open window. My room was freezing, but I was just glad to be out of the rain. I lay down on my bed. It felt so good just to rest for a moment... 8 pm Hot. I was so hot. I reached for the covers to throw them off but only felt my damp clothing. I was thirsty, but I didn't have a glass of water. "Water..." I croaked, rolling over in an attempt to stand. But my head protested, swimming and screaming the instant I took it off of the pillow. My stomach reacted, heaving and retching, making me glad I hadn't had anything to eat. "Onechan..." 2 am I awoke to the pleasant feeling of warm, dry pajamas and fresh sheets. I snuggled under the covers, wanting to fall back asleep, yet my thirst wouldn't allow me to do so. "Water..." I croaked, but before I could even roll over someone gently raised my head a few centimeters. "Here you go, Jinpei." A straw was pushed into my mouth and instiinctively I gulped at it, rewarded with the clear, cool taste of water. I drank greedily until the straw was pulled away. "Not too much. You don't want to make yourself sick again." "Okay..." I mumbled, before snuggling back down under the covers. "I don't know what you thought you were doing, staying out in the rain all day like that. No wonder you're sick! But your fever has broken. You'll feel better in the morning." "Stay with me..." "Of course I'll stay with you. Don't I always stay with you when you're sick?" A soft hand brushed at my forehead and I felt a soft kiss placed there. "Sleep well, Jinpei." "Goodnight Onechan... and... thanks..." "What else are big sisters for?" Huh. Maybe... maybe I was home after all.

ah, typical family life. They might play each other up from time to time, but are there for one another when it really counts.... A lovely story TJ, thanks for posting!

Jinpei's one lucky kid. A sweet story, TJ.

I was thinking about the Dave the Hippie episode, when Jinpei gets all banged up. Afterward Jun is being really nice to him and taking care of him, and Jinpei thinks, 'Maybe she really does love me after all.' So when I saw the prompt was 'sick', that came to mind.

Very nice little story, TJ...Not enough stories with Jinpei in them, but this is one of the best. Thanks for sharing it with us.

LW-That was a laugh I really needed! Very funny, and the dialogue was spot on! Great job.

TJ: Jinpei's very lucky that Jun doesn't hold a grudge when he's sick. "Water ..." *splash!* She wouldn't, though. At least, not until he's better.

Awwww...that was so sweet! No wonder Joe is jealous that they have such a close relationship! He wants Jun to treat him like that! *grin*

Even though she was certain there wouldn't be very many people there on Monday morning, ElectricWhite was at the Gatchamania site. A travel mug filled with hot green tea with a touch of lemon and honey was clamped to the right arm of her wheelchair, and a pound of hard candy was in the tote hanging off the back. She checked her cell phone one last time, making sure it was set to vibrate instead of ring. She cleared her throat, hoping to relieve the slight pressure she felt on her windpipe before rolling down one of the main corridors. She didn't know where she was going or what she was going to do there -- she just needed a distraction, even if it was just for a few minutes. As she came to the fourth room on the right, the door opened, and one of the less frequent visitors to the site stepped out into the hall. "Hey, EW!" she said in a slightly hushed tone, "How's it going?" "Oh, pretty good for a Monday. How are you doing?" EW's voice was gravelly. "Oh, spring allergies bothering you, too?" EW shrugged. "I swear, this freaky weather's gonna do us all in by the end of the year!" "If we last that long!" EW croaked. "So, are you here for the impromptu sitting?" "I didn't know anything about it." "Well, you better get in there before there's no room left!" The lesser-known Gatchamaniac opened the door for EW to see. The room was almost completely filled. The Condor was lounging on a counter at the opposite side of the room while two of the site's official artists debated how to have him pose. "I'll be back in a few." the other Gatachamaniac said just before she scurried off toward the nearest restroom. EW quietly made her way into the room and headed toward what she came to call the "shyness shields" -- a group of screens that concealed the identities of the more bashful Gatchamaniacs without obstructing the view of the front of the room. She hadn't gone to this area in quite some time, but she really didn't want the rest of the group to see her face today. While the others pulled out their sketchpads and cameras, EW tried to focus on watching the Condor, studying the steady rise and fall of his chest with each breath. But it was only a couple of minutes later that she had to close her eyes to fight the urge to run over to him and throw herself into his arms while sobbing uncontrollably. Stop being so stupid! she told herself, As soon as you got out of the chair, you'll end up with the impression of the tile floor on your face! She then added, And, anyway, do you have any real reason to go making a crying scene? Of course not! She felt the cell phone vibrate in her pocket. She went to retrieve it, only to have it get tangled in the fabric. She quietly cursed as she fumbled with the phone, and then she allowed a small growl to form in her throat as the call went to voice mail. Finally, the phone came out of her pocket. She glanced around to make sure nobody had been distracted by her small ordeal before she called her voice mail. Miss White, this is Pedrina from Doctor Lohano's office. The results from your ultrasound are in. We found a nodule just to the left of your thyroid. Expect a call from Alice, the lady who schedules biopsies . . .

Aw I'm sorry EW. *hugs* I'm sure we can arrange a private Condor special delivery ...

Big hugs from me too, I'll throw in my condor and owl as well

Awww EW!!!

This might sound stupid, but EW, that's just a fic, right? You're ok?

EW, my DH had a nodule in his thyroid and went through the entire thing: surgery, radiation treatments, iodine-free diet, etc. I know how this can feel. If you need to talk, LMK.

Originally posted by ChrisW TJ: Jinpei's very lucky that Jun doesn't hold a grudge when he's sick. "Water ..." *splash!* She wouldn't, though. At least, not until he's better.

Oh, you can bet that Jun will get him back when he feels better... after all, there are a lot more dishes to be washed...

Originally posted by Becky Rock This might sound stupid, but EW, that's just a fic, right? You're ok?

No, Becky, it doesn't sound stupid. This is a case of a little bit of the real world worming its way into my fic. I'd originally planned a different post, but I wasn't feeling very satisfied with it, especially after the events of the past few days. I was at a regular visit when, just a few minutes into it, my doctor said, "How long have you had that little puffy spot on the side of your throat?" Actually, I hadn't noticed it. I did have some other symptoms -- scratchy throat and fatigue, in particular -- but that was normal for me whenever spring allergies decide to kick in. Because of that, I didn't even think of mentioning it at this visit. So I got an ultrasound Friday afternoon. And the results came Monday morning. (Yeah, it was left on voice mail, but only because I don't keep my cell on me when I'm at home.) So, after I called back the doctor's office to ask a couple of questions, I sat back and waited for Alice. And waited. And waited. There was still no word when I posted on Tuesday night, and this was annoying the crap out of me. If the nodule was treatable with just a pill, then no harm done. But, if it needed a more aggressive treatment... Anyway, about an hour and a half ago, Alice finally called. I'm scheduled for the biopsy this Friday at 8:30 am. (I'm GMT-5, if you're wondering...) So it shouldn't be too much longer before we know what's causing this and will have a course of action to take. I can't thank you all enough for the support you've been giving me -- it's been a big help. I'll keep you up to date as more info becomes available.

We're here for you, EW. Lots of warm thoughts headed in your direction.

Yeah, EW, hoping for a positive outcome

EW, I'm hoping for a positive outcome as well. But just know that if the outcome is not what you hope, this *is* something that is treatable. It is something that *can* be cured, as long as you get the right treatment. You're being proactive about this and getting that treatment. No matter what happens with the results on Friday, things will be okay.

EW...we're here for you!

EW, we are HERE for you, and there, and there..and waaayyyy over there too... Nice little fic, although I didn't like the ending...not for MY friends...keep us posted on how things go, please.

Originally posted by k2p2 ...keep us posted on how things go, please.

You got it!

Originally posted by KT1972 Thought I'd put a "positive" spin on this weeks prompt.....

Aww, that is a very good reason to be "sick"!

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Originally posted by Transmute Jun I was thinking about the Dave the Hippie episode, when Jinpei gets all banged up. Afterward Jun is being really nice to him and taking care of him, and Jinpei thinks, 'Maybe she really does love me after all.'

That really is the Jun/Jinpei dynamic, isn't it? For all that they insult, boss around or complain about each other, when it counts they are totally there for each other.

Originally posted by ElectricWhite

Originally posted by k2p2 ...keep us posted on how things go, please.

You got it!

Sending all the positive thoughts that I can muster your way -and I'm in Indy so they don't have too far to go!

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Oh man... What a horrible thing to see -- especially for such a young girl!

eeek, that must be terrifying for her, and you mean she never forgets anything? she'd be haunted by this for life!

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Oooh, at least she was found and rescued, but why did the goons just leave her there in the first place?

Wow, yeah, a perfect memory is definitely not a blessing here. On the plus side she knows what happened to her sister and won't be tempted to stay and find her. On the minus ... no hope of finding her. And brave boys, no wonder she's looking for them.

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That poor girl, no wonder she feels they all suspect her of being a traitor. And what is with the demon headmaster? Every installment just leavs me with more questions... want to keep reading!!! argggg!!!!

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K2, you keep weaving Iona's story inito more intrigue. So the headmaster is playing both sides and it sounded as if Iona's sister and the boys paid the price. I could see the team looking for some vengence if she ever told them about it.

Hi everyone, just got back from a business trip, getting on with reading this week's fics!

EW-It prolly is the worst thing she's ever had to remember... KT- I think she feels boxed in not only by what she is, but what others expect her to be and think that she is. LB-What I was trying to go for, in that last scene, is that to the team, Iona would appear to be having a temper tantrum of some sort...they have no idea what is going on in her life, really, or what has gone on. Maybe Ken even thinks Jinpei said something mean.... Yep--Nambu and Teku have a past together...not a good one at that. That boss-man bit wrote itself...not sure who it would be, just someone further up than the lackey retrieving Ree's body. Becky-yep Teku is one mercenary dude...willing to play whatever side is more 'profitable,' for him...And yes, Harley and Sebastian are dead...but Lew??? I am sure the team would be more than happy to even up the score...but Iona keeps her memories, and her secrets close... Daniella, WELCOME BACK!

LW: loved to see the mighty Eagle in a compromising position I chortled when it you mentioned the ice -- I was still wondering what it would be for! EW: I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! Just going now to check the thyroid update thread...

Originally posted by k2p2 What I was trying to go for, in that last scene, is that to the team, Iona would appear to be having a temper tantrum of some sort...they have no idea what is going on in her life, really, or what has gone on. Maybe Ken even thinks Jinpei said something mean.... Yep--Nambu and Teku have a past together...not a good one at that.

I could easily see Ken, Joe and Ryu assuming that Jinpei might have said/did something to upset her so. The Swallow might have some explaining to do -or some denying. No one has the explanation, really, except Iona, and it seems she might not be ready or able yet to tell anyone. Though she has told Joe about the two boys, hasn't she? Or is the part that had her asking Joe to promise he'd find out what happened to the two boys set, chronologically, after this part?

Originally posted by lborgia88 I could easily see Ken, Joe and Ryu assuming that Jinpei might have said/did something to upset her so. The Swallow might have some explaining to do -or some denying. No one has the explanation, really, except Iona, and it seems she might not be ready or able yet to tell anyone.

Yes, she isn't able to tell anyone...yet...One of the ways Iona has safeguarded herself against her memories is that she compartmentalizes them. Like with a mental drawer, she pulls open what she needs, when she needs it. She keeps the others locked down tight, she knows they are there, but she figures the entire team has their secrets so she just fits hers right in with theirs.

Though she has told Joe about the two boys, hasn't she? Or is the part that had her asking Joe to promise he'd find out what happened to the two boys set, chronologically, after this part?

Yes, Joe knows about her friends...this story is set in the right choronological order. Now would he be willing to dish on that, I'm not so sure. It would seem (and correct me if I am wrong0 Joe Asakura is not the most forthcoming characater of the group--and the most protective of Iona.

Originally posted by k2p2 Now would he be willing to dish on that, I'm not so sure. It would seem (and correct me if I am wrong0 Joe Asakura is not the most forthcoming characater of the group--and the most protective of Iona.

I think you're right -it would take a very extreme situation before Joe would ever break a trust -but I could see him looking for Iona and trying to talk to her privately.

I just got back from a weekend trip and now I'm catching up on all of this. Wow, what a number of installments, K2! This is very powerful, really getting into Iona's head and explaining her emotional responses. She's a little irrational and not able to deal with the flood of emotions, but then, she's only 14, and at that age anyone would have trouble with that, much less someone under stress as Iona has been. There are still so many unanswered questions. Did the Galactors kill Ree, or did they just happen upon her body? Why do they want Iona alive/how do they know she's special? Why does the Headmaster send her to Nambu if he's dealing with Galactor? Or is he double-dealing? If he's working for Galactor, then why didn't he tell Iona's stepmother about the situation? What kind of school was this, and why were these other boys at the school to begin with? What was going on there? Was it some kind of orphanage? If so, what 'home' did the other boys have to go to?

Sounds like TJ wants more info. Me too!

Hey TJ..Glad you are back from your trip. Anyway, I thought I'd do some clearing up for you. Originally I thought about writing it up as another episode and posting, but I just don't have the time, and I guess the characters are unwilling to speak to one another. So I am going to do my best before I have to fly out the door for work.

She's a little irrational and not able to deal with the flood of emotions, but then, she's only 14, and at that age anyone would have trouble with that, much less someone under stress as Iona has been.

In my experience 14 year old girls can be highly irrational at times, especially high-performing ones.

Did the Galactors kill Ree, or did they just happen upon her body?

Writing this from Iona'a perspective, she doesn't know. All she DOES know is that someone did, and someone went back to later try to cover it up.

Why do they want Iona alive/how do they know she's special?

Teku wants her alive, because she is special...Iona possesses what is called an Eidictic Memory She can recall in perfect detail anything she hears, sees, touches, tastes, learns, or smells. In researching this character, I discovered that the sense of smell, is the one that triggers more memory recall than any of the other senses. Remember the Casey Anthony trial, and the evidence hinging on the trunk of her car? Anyway, I figure out it wouldn't take too much to figure out that the kid Iona has an uncanny ability of recall.

Why does the Headmaster send her to Nambu if he's dealing with Galactor? Or is he double-dealing?

Teku, first and foremost is a kind of profiteer. He will work with whomever is going to give him the best advantage in a situation. So yes, he was double dealing, and will continue to 'work,' with whomever will give him the advantage. At the time of this story, there's the little problem of the dead young girl found in the river. Is he involved with that death, yes, in spades. Is there evidence possibly against him, yes, in the child Iona. One way to get rid of the problem other than a second murder, is to hand her over to one group for large sums of cash and or protection....except that Iona happened to be rescued and escaped. Galactacor isn't going to be hanging around enemy territory for him to find her again....So Teku knows of an old acquaintance interested in special kids...so he makes a deal...with Iona..and possibly with Nambu too. How valuable would a maleable child be to Kozaboru Nambu...One that can remember anything and eveything...makes for one heck of a pilot, eh.... Now I gotta go to work and will finish this later, but I hope it helps.

Thanks, K2, that does help. But I'm still confused about why Teku changes his mind... isn't he worried that Galactor will come after him? Generally people who double-cross Galactor don't live to tell the tale.

Glad it is helping...and someday when I post all this in order, there might be little helping bits to add to the charification...Now onto the last of your questions.

If he's working for Galactor, then why didn't he tell Iona's stepmother about the situation?

Teku has no idea what happened to, or who ended up with Iona...

What kind of school was this, and why were these other boys at the school to begin with?

This is the question I feel I failed to address in this draft...The Northland Free School was set up to aid the Ameris refugees, (a severely traumatized people made up the remaining women and children as most of the males were massacered. Teku as well as others saw this as a good way to make some easy gov't money as the school recieved a stipend per kid they boarded. Not that the kids really saw any of it.

If so, what 'home' did the other boys have to go to?

Iona's desire was for Harvey, Lew, and Sebastian to return to their existing relatives as it wasn't really an orphanage to begin with...

But I'm still confused about why Teku changes his mind... isn't he worried that Galactor will come after him?

Teku is one slippery and slimey character, the problem is, he seems to be able to deliver, and deliver well, whatever is asked, to both sides..with neither being the wiser...yeah, it might come back to haunt him in a big way sometime down the road. But right now he feels that Nambu owes him, and owes him big for Iona...So I am sure Dr. Nambu could arrange something for the dear fellow...new identity, location, you name it.

Generally people who double-cross Galactor don't live to tell the tale.

True, but who's gonna rat him out. Teku is one helluva gravy train for a number of people, I suspect...

Thanks for the info. It gives us a taste of your thought process as you write.

Originally posted by Becky Rock Thanks for the info. It gives us a taste of your thought process as you write.

Scary ain't it...

Not at all. You have Iona totally fleshed out in your mind. Those are the best OCs.

I know we are nowhere near Halloween...but the prompt "sick" made me do it!

OMTG, that's hilarious!!! I think I made myself 'sick' laughing at this!!!!!

Fantastic Springie...... at least the Tin Can'e shell hasn't gone to waste!!

To be added to the list of 101 uses for 7-Zark-7!

Laugh out loud funny, Springie! What a great use of the prompt! I think we have a WINNER!

NYARRRRRGH! Oh, wait, it's just a costume...

snigger so, in that costume.. what would he do if you did ask for a Trick? or what TYPE of treat would he ask for?

I'm picturing him playing tricks on Jason...hiding behind he bar...as Jason sits down to relax with a drink...then slowly raising his bulbous Zark head and wiping the bar down with a rag. Jason would think Zark's ghost was haunting him! LOL

Originally posted by Springie I'm picturing him playing tricks on Jason...hiding behind he bar...as Jason sits down to relax with a drink...then slowly raising his bulbous Zark head and wiping the bar down with a rag. Jason would think Zark's ghost was haunting him! LOL

LOLOL I think we'd discover that Jason is capable of a high-pitched girly scream.

Originally posted by Daniella T To be added to the list of 101 uses for 7-Zark-7!

Absolutely -the best one yet!

Originally posted by ChrisW

Originally posted by Springie I'm picturing him playing tricks on Jason...hiding behind he bar...as Jason sits down to relax with a drink...then slowly raising his bulbous Zark head and wiping the bar down with a rag. Jason would think Zark's ghost was haunting him! LOL

LOLOL I think we'd discover that Jason is capable of a high-pitched girly scream.

I'd be more worried about Jason shooting him thinking he was Zark. Thanks for the laugh, Springie!