This week we have an anonymous prompt: Safety

I have been enjoying all the stories and ideas that have been posted in the previous weeks prompts. My mind has begun churning on a idea for this one. I think that is a good sign showing me that I am relaxing after the last few months.

That's terrific, CD! I'm really looking forward to seeing what you post!

Glad to see you coming back to us CD...I read your other posts, and my heart truly goes out to you and your difficulties...Please keep us posted on their outcomes and any ways that we can offer you support...

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Poor, poor Ken...that's every male's nightmare, I guess, clothes shopping and bumping into old acquaintences...

Poor Ken, every worst nightmare is coming true for him here, isn't it? Can't wait for the next installment!

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DT and KT: Ken wouldn't be so fun to torment if he didn't react so well. That's my excuse! Though I believe it was TJ who suggested Rumi, so the blame can get shared around for this one. I swear he will eventually have some fun ...

KT: About time! Actually, they do use them for the firebird, some of the time anyway.

Chris I have been enjoying this Club Aphrodite story line. Although I do feel very sorry for Ken. I am beginning to think he needs a shoulder to lean on, for just a little while, to give him some advice - perhaps he will find one at the dinner tonight?

Originally posted by clouddancer Chris I have been enjoying this Club Aphrodite story line. Although I do feel very sorry for Ken. I am beginning to think he needs a shoulder to lean on, for just a little while, to give him some advice - perhaps he will find one at the dinner tonight?

I actually do plan for him to meet someone he's comfortable with at dinner. Poor guy needs a break!

Originally posted by ChrisW

Originally posted by clouddancer Chris I have been enjoying this Club Aphrodite story line. Although I do feel very sorry for Ken. I am beginning to think he needs a shoulder to lean on, for just a little while, to give him some advice - perhaps he will find one at the dinner tonight?

I actually do plan for him to meet someone he's comfortable with at dinner. Poor guy needs a break!

He certainly does - and maybe that will allow him the time to get in the required relaxation he was ordered to take.

Yes, I suggested Rumi... the question is, did the Chief know about this? If Ken contacts the Chief immediately and lets him know Ken's identity is compromised... is Ken still capable of carrying out this mission?

It didn't take long before a perfectly-quaffed man approached

I know it was an honest mistake, Chris, but that Freudian slip had me !!!!

Chris, I caught the quaffed, and changed it in my head to Coiffed...that is what you meant right? Nice addition, but I keep finding myself waiting for a little taste to intrigue to pop up.

KT--very funny...watching those old episodes, I kept thinking....Ninja's don't need no stinking seatbelts...sortal like on the Enterprise on Star Trek..

Originally posted by k2p2...sortal like on the Enterprise on Star Trek..

Starfleet must be horrendous! No seat belts, no toilets....

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Man, I totally missed the "quaffed" thing ... Oh well, ugh TJ: Oh, I'm sure I can maneuver things so Ken has to stay regardless. Maybe Nambu only tells him to minimize contact with her, or tells her father to bring her home. Or just in case, they have to limit Ken's check-ins, so he can't actually call in so soon, or he only has a simple code to work with through some kind of public contact, and so has no way to say, "Um, Rumi Borombo is here and since I let her see my face on the train, she thinks she knows who I am." Come to think of it, Ken might just keep his mouth shut, as otherwise he has to confess he went to see her! k2: I know when the first questionable activity will come up, but I first needed to get him settled in and stuff. EW: When Chris called Jason a buzzard, I half expected you to retort with, "No, he's a Condor!" I'm sure he'd never suspect a PT belt ... with the right distraction, it just might work.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Yes, I suggested Rumi... the question is, did the Chief know about this? If Ken contacts the Chief immediately and lets him know Ken's identity is compromised... is Ken still capable of carrying out this mission?

It didn't take long before a perfectly-quaffed man approached

I know it was an honest mistake, Chris, but that Freudian slip had me !!!!

I'm missing something. Who is Rumi?

Originally posted by k2p2 KT--very funny...watching those old episodes, I kept thinking....Ninja's don't need no stinking seatbelts...sortal like on the Enterprise on Star Trek..

If the God Phoenix had had them back when they went after Galactor, Joe wouldn't have fallen and hit his head.

It's so nice to have Chris protecting you, EW. Jason and buzzard...

Originally posted by Becky Rock I'm missing something. Who is Rumi?

Remember the scientist whose daughter was kidnapped, so he smuggles some very important data out of the ISO to give to Katse? Ken puts on shades for a disguise and pretends to be with Galactor, trying to figure out why the guy's suddenly turned traitor, and the scientist "Traps" him then leaves, while the team follows the bug on the scientist's car. It turns out that the guy's beautiful daughter was kidnapped, so Ken manages to track her down, though first he thinks she's attacking him (with a hood over her head) so he punches her. He saves her, she wants to see his face, but he declines ... only to show up on the train later. They don't exchange words, but she's pretty sure it's him, and leaves a flower behind for him. Funny how I find it easier to summarize the episode than look up the number. In BOTP the scientist is someone the team knows and Mark doesn't punch her. Oh, Rumi's the daughter ... I think she's Amanda Gregg in BOTP.

For some reason I wouldn't have said Rumi/Amanda "left" the flower behind. I would have said she dropped it, or it fell. But then I have not watched that episode in a while so others/Chris may have the correct idea.

Originally posted by clouddancer For some reason I wouldn't have said Rumi/Amanda "left" the flower behind. I would have said she dropped it, or it fell. But then I have not watched that episode in a while so others/Chris may have the correct idea.

I think it's open to interpretation. I always felt she purposely left/dropped it. I could totally be wrong.

She did drop the flower, but the implication is that she did so purposely, as an 'invitation' foor him to pick it up and follow her to 'give it back'. EW, I love the 'concerned older brother' routine fro, Chris! It's clear that he has no idea what Jason does for a living...

Sweet story EW....I like that Chris is looking out for you, although wearing a PT belt outside of PT, sounds like it would be uncomfortable.

Originally posted by k2p2 Sweet story EW....I like that Chris is looking out for you, although wearing a PT belt outside of PT, sounds like it would be uncomfortable.

It can be. It depends on how tightly it's fastened and what I'm wearing under it. Once my therapist figured out just the right tension to use, and once I figured out the right type of wardrobe, I hardly ever notice I'm wearing it.

Originally posted by ChrisW Oh, I'm sure I can maneuver things so Ken has to stay regardless. Maybe Nambu only tells him to minimize contact with her, or tells her father to bring her home. Or just in case, they have to limit Ken's check-ins, so he can't actually call in so soon, or he only has a simple code to work with through some kind of public contact, and so has no way to say, "Um, Rumi Borombo is here and since I let her see my face on the train, she thinks she knows who I am." Come to think of it, Ken might just keep his mouth shut, as otherwise he has to confess he went to see her!

My first thought was that she's probably got a reason other than tourism for being at the Club (otherwise it is a rather big coincidence that she's there at the same time as Ken) -either she's working for the ISO now, like her father. Or for Galactor...

Originally posted by KT1972 stopping and staring in disbelief when they found their seats on the bridge.

And how many times did they all have to go tumbling from their chairs and slamming into walls before this happened? No wonder they can't believe it!

EW, that's such a nice scene with Chris. And "buzzard" -hee! Now, if it were Joe instead of Jason, then I think Chris would really have cause for concern -you'd be at great risk for getting killed by Galactor.

Originally posted by lborgia88 My first thought was that she's probably got a reason other than tourism for being at the Club (otherwise it is a rather big coincidence that she's there at the same time as Ken) -either she's working for the ISO now, like her father. Or for Galactor...

Ken could certainly wonder about that. I'm undecided as yet on how big or small a role she'll play. She could be there just as a coincidence on a singles' vacation with friends, or could have been lured there for some reason to do with the nefarious goings on, or could be working for either side, etc. Ooooh, a plot bunny just bit me. *makes notes*

Originally posted by ChrisW Ooooh, a plot bunny just bit me. *makes notes*

oooh, dontcha just love when that happens.

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The young couple fumbled with each other's clothing, making up for their lack of finesse with a sense of eagerness. For too long they had danced around the issue, officially ignoring their feelings yet in reality strengthening them. Yet now there were no more restrictions. The war was over and they were no longer commander and subordinate. The loss of a teammate had brought home their mortality, causing them to seek each other out in a frenzy of fear, lust and emotional need. He kissed her, his need rising, yet even in this unbridled moment, common sense prevailed. He reached for his jeans, scrambling to reach the pocket. It had to be there. He'd been carrying it around for so long, never thinking he might actually need to use it. He needed it now. "What's wrong?" she asked, surprised and worried by his sudden reticence. "Just needed this." he said, holding up the shiny package. Her eyes widened in surprise, her lips curving into a smile as she realized the depth of his committment to her. "Safety first!" he grinned as he unwrapped the prophylactic.

K2, I can see here that Jinpei truly is concerned for Iona. But I wondering why he's the only one who notices what's happening. Is he responsibile for monitoring everyone's life signs?

TJ...the other's notice, Ken, himself asks for the best chance outlook, maybe you skipped over that line... but for brevity's sake I kept the POV firmly locked into Jinpei's, rather than water the effect down with everyone elses..

Originally posted by k2p2 TJ...the other's notice, Ken, himself asks for the best chance outlook, maybe you skipped over that line... but for brevity's sake I kept the POV firmly locked into Jinpei's, rather than water the effect down with everyone elses..

Oh! I didn't realize that related to Iona! I was under the impression that they were using the Firebird and had just come out of it (on a mission) and that Ken was receiving instructions from Dr. Nambu, unaware of Iona's situation. I guess I'll have to read it again...

TJ, making up for the lack of smut in your "Just had to get this out" thread this week? K2, certainly shorter than your usual contributions, but no less dramatic for it! really enjoyed reading it

k2: Is this coming out of firebird? Is it real and Iona is really not responding? I feel like I'm missing some context. Otherwise, that's definitely not a promising statistic! TJ: Mind you, I think condoms do degrade over time. They could get a nasty shock.

Originally posted by ChrisW k2: Is this coming out of firebird? Is it real and Iona is really not responding? I feel like I'm missing some context. Otherwise, that's definitely not a promising statistic!

First line from the story...

Jinpei watched the main viewscreen even though it was the same throughout the various simulations...

Sigh..thought that was enough...will fluff it up some later on. No it is not promising..but when have I ever made things easy?

Don't let it get you down, K2 -- some days it just takes more to get people to notice what you want them to!

Nah..no worries there. Been writing for too long a time to let it bother me.

My muse has struck again (ouch)! * * * * * Dr. Nambu stood in the observation deck of one of the Science Ninja Team's training areas, glaring at the sight below him. Next to him stood a smaller, balding man with a severe combover. "Now, Nambu," the smaller man said as he clutched a clipboard, "I don't write the Safety Committee's regulations, I just enforce them." "But this will surely get them killed!" "Now I seriously doubt that ..." Standing on the floor below the two men were the Science Ninja Team. The young people were in the newly redesigned BirdStyles required by the ISO's Safety Committee. They looked like toddlers who had just been bundled up to go play in the snow. Their arms held out to their sides and their legs held stiff by all the padding, all the team members could manage was a series of tiny hops each time they wanted to move. "...they look utterly safe to me!"

Got a picture of Maggie Simpson in her snowsuit!!

k2: Don't fret. I'm always thinking I'm really clear then everyone's confused. And that's not even limited to fiction. EW: Springie should draw that!

Originally posted by KT1972 TJ, making up for the lack of smut in your "Just had to get this out" thread this week?

I don't think this was really smut. After all, I didn't post it in the Rubber Room, did I?

Originally posted by ChrisW TJ: Mind you, I think condoms do degrade over time. They could get a nasty shock.

It certainly is possible. But that would be another fic, wouldn't it?

Originally posted by k2p2 First line from the story...

Jinpei watched the main viewscreen even though it was the same throughout the various simulations...

Okay. I took that to mean that they had previous been through simulations, and Jinpei wasn't expecting the current (real) situation to be any different.

Ew, you got me ! Now I'm picturing this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW4IZ0Flh3M

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Ew, you got me ! Now I'm picturing this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW4IZ0Flh3M

...And I was seriously tempted to have one of the ninjas need to use the bathroom, too!

Ooh, now *that* wouldn't be safe....

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Originally posted by Transmute Jun "Safety first!" he grinned as he unwrapped the prophylactic.

Interesting -that's something we don't see too often in fics. Really though, we should. I mean, I suspect one is present at nearly all "first times" -or should be!

Originally posted by ElectricWhite Their arms held out to their sides and their legs held stiff by all the padding, all the team members could manage was a series of tiny hops each time they wanted to move. "...they look utterly safe to me!"

Yes, by modern standards, they're not nearly safe enough -though they do wear helmets, at least! Funny how much has changed since the 1970s, when my parents didn't necessarily care if we were all wearing seatbelts in the back seat of the station wagon, no one had bicycle helmets, I walked to school on the edge of the road (there were no sidewalks), my friends and I swam in the river with no lifeguards or adults watching and we tested if the ice on the river was thick enough for skating in the winter by walking out onto it and then jumping up and down.

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That's a beautiful portrait of what drives Joe, lborgia.

Nice portrait of Joe, LB...how truly alone he really is. Not just the darkness, but the resolution as the sun rises.

LB, you've done a great job describing the conflicting emotions within Joe, and how that drives him.

Catching upon the fics: TJ: good to see they can keep a cool head under hot circumstances EW: Buzzard.... LOL!