I know it might be an early post for most of you, but since here it's already 10.39am of this Sunday morning I'm going to submit this week's prompt now, as this is the only time I know I'd have the chance to do so today! Plus, better now than never, as my mind is extra slippery these days! I also wish to take this opportunity to thank Amethyst for her constant dedication! Now, I'm also aware of the fact that I'm not having the chance to contribute to any of the prompts myself, lately, albeit having a lovely time reading all the various contributions when I can, but I'd love to read what all of you might come up with with the following word: treachery

Oh, wow! That one sends so many shivers through me as I imagine the possibilities. Looking forward to seeing the results.

Ditto what clouddancer said!!

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Ooh, KT! What a scene! And I'm sure Nambu was completely innocent of wrongdoing... but I can see how Joe thought otherwise!

Nice work, KT! I'd love to know why Nambu was doing what he was doing!

Oooohhhhhh KT, now I want to know the background!!!!

I have to echo what Tj and Springie say and it leave me wondering who else may have followed Nambu. I hope you plan on continuing this.

UNNNF. More, please, KT!! This is deliciously dark...

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KT and Lunuet -- Please, could we have more?

Originally posted by gatchamarie I know it might be an early post for most of you, but since here it's already 10.39am of this Sunday morning I'm going to submit this week's prompt now, as this is the only time I know I'd have the chance to do so today!

Marie, as far as I'm concerned, if it's the correct day where the person posting is located, than it's okay! If we were going to get persnickety about it, we'd have to go by GMT or the International Date Line. (Just think of the migraines that would be triggered by those calculations!)

Lunulet, I suspect Nambu knows Ken is lying, he just doesn't want Ken to ultimately betray Joe's trust in case it causes more problems in the long run.....

Lunulet: I don't think that Nambu believed Ken for a second -- he didn't get where he is without a healthy dose of scepticism! But I guess he let Ken take off, hoping to get answers later -- as, by the way, we all are

Oooh KT, hope you're gonna add more to that one. Lunulet ... more, more, more! Good stuff so far!

Lunulet, unlike the others I don't think Ken has told an untruth to Nambu, he probably knows what Joe is doing, just not where he is at this precise moment. And I agree, we need more.

You guys are right about Nambu. I was going to have him accept Ken's word (for now), but when I wrote it, it just didn't feel that way. Thank you so much for the writing encouragement! I love doing these flashfics on the weekends.

Love it, Linulet! What is Joe up to? And does Ken know what's going on- completely?? I've missed reading these Bradbury's Challenges...I'm glad things have settled down enough so I can get back into them!

I know this is cheating- using something old that I did- but this immediately came to mind when I thought of treachery...LOL

Great job, Lunulet & KT! . I wonder what happens next?!

LOL Springie, I suppose you just answered the question of how could Zark be any worse.

Springie, you know how I love that Zark pic! Lunulet, I think Nambu knows Ken's lying... but that he's letting him get away with it because he's trusting in Ken's judgement.

Dear Springie: YIKES! Your friend, EW

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yeah, somehow I wouldn't put this past Jinpei..... although I'm sure he wouldn't want it to go that far.

Eeeeek, EW! The GalactorRats are back! Eeeeeek!

LOL! So the GalactorRat captain is kind of like a Naked Mole Rat...

EW: Truly, Jun's suffering due to Jinpei's animal fetish is legendary.

That's what I asked for, guys! Lovely work ... and, be careful ... always watch your back!! KT ... as Lunulet said, that's deliciously dark! So many questions that need to be answered! Please, please continue! Lunulet ... in need of continuation here, too! I echo TJ's words, and can't wait to see who's hiding what! Springie ... I can never forget that picture! The true two faces of Zark! EW ... Jinpei + animals (which is logical!) + more rats! I'm so prolonging Daniella's eeeeeek! You're managing to introduce them into my own nightmares!

EW, I had been hoping the Galactorrats were gone! Okay, here's a short one from me. ******************************** The rain had become a fine mist in the air, seeming innocuous enough until they reached the stone steps. The thin coating of water had caused oils to rise to the surface of the rock, making the narrow path treacherous. It appeared ominous as it vanished out of sight around the cliff and into the blackness of the night. Ken stepped swiftly but surely, Joe following close behind. Jun moved a little more slowly, still somehow managing to keep up with the other two. It was Jinpei, bringing up the rear, who fell victim to carelessness. His red boots skittered on the slick steps, sending him stumbling down the stairs. He slammed into Jun first, who was knocked off of the steps and over the edge into the canyon below. Joe and Ken weren't far behind, the three of them left with no other option than to glide down through the darkness, only to face the unknown at the bottom of the steep path. Jinpei, sprawled on the steps, suddenly realized what he had done. He scrambled to his feet and immediately began walking down the stairs once more, this time with more caution than before.

Sometimes Jinpei just can't help causing trouble!

Originally posted by Daniella T Eeeeek, EW! The GalactorRats are back! Eeeeeek!

Originally posted by gatchamarie I'm so prolonging Daniella's eeeeeek! You're managing to introduce them into my own nightmares!

Originally posted by Transmute Jun EW, I had been hoping the Galactorrats were gone!

Well, what in the heck did you expect from vermin?!

TJ -- didn't this happen in a BoTP ep? Or am I thinking of Tiny slipping and landing on his ***? Or maybe it's just that I can really see Jinpei doing that!

Originally posted by Daniella T TJ -- didn't this happen in a BoTP ep? Or am I thinking of Tiny slipping and landing on his ***? Or maybe it's just that I can really see Jinpei doing that!

ITA, it could easily have come straight from canon, there are plenty of similar situations, I'm sure. If not, it's an incredibly realistic piece of writing.

Originally posted by Daniella T TJ -- didn't this happen in a BoTP ep? Or am I thinking of Tiny slipping and landing on his ***? Or maybe it's just that I can really see Jinpei doing that!

Hmmm, if this were a training exercise, I could almost see Jinpei and Ryu both hunched over at the top huge grins on their faces as they laughed about the others ending up at the bottom.

Ok, the rodents are definitely out of control now... LOL!! I don't know...the image just stuck in my mind, I guess!

Too funny!! EW, I'm loving the Galactorats- so naughty! TJ- your descriptions are so wonderful- I can totally see that happening! Lunulet- that picture is awesome!!! You are so talented! I really enjoyed your last Gatch pic on Dev Art and this one is just perfect! The little Katse in the corner cracks me up! I really dig your style!!!

Lunulet, you cracked me up with that picture. So great to see some of your artwork. And now I gather from Springie that you are on D.A. Will I find you by the same name over there? I will have to return, I have not been on D.A in ages.

TJ: Now there's a moment to be glad they can glide. There's a few times in the series where I was scratching my head, wondering why they were using ladders, etc., when they could see all the way down/up and could leap and glide. Lunulet: Now that is awesome.

Ahaha .. I don't know what came over me. I don't do much art but I LOVE to draw animals, so.. I am ~lunulet on deviantArt! Not too much Gatchaman stuff, but MORE IN THE WORKS! Yay!! Here is the link to my gallery... I am thinking that as I watch through Gatch II, I'll do little illustrations as a sort of response. Thank you all for the inspiration and the little ficlets and everything!!!

Lunuet, I like it!

You've added more to DA, I see...I like your Harry Potter stuff, too!

Lunulet, so funny, I love it. You really must post more of your artwork if it's as good as this.

Thank you for the link Lunulet. I promise I will comment on your work shortly. I have so many notes and pieces of art to look through after almost a year it is incredible. I can't believe I forgot/stopped visiting that incredible site to see every one's artwork and incredible talent.

Ooooh very interesting, Lunulet! I will also look you up on DA.

Originally posted by Daniella T TJ -- didn't this happen in a BoTP ep? Or am I thinking of Tiny slipping and landing on his ***? Or maybe it's just that I can really see Jinpei doing that!

Perhaps it was in an ep. I don't know. I could just so clearly see it in my mind... Jinpei slipping on his butt and knocking everyone else over...

Lunulet, that's perfect! I can really see the Galactorrats now! Just a little *too* realistic, though....

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Lunulet, that's perfect! I can really see the Galactorrats now! Just a little *too* realistic, though....

Yeah, you know, normally I'm not too worried about rodents, but with EW's prose and Lunulet's art, I'm starting to reconsider

TJ ... as already said, that's some awesome description, and so true to Jinpei! Lunulet ... you're amazing me more and more! I'll surely check your art at DA ... as CD, it's been quite a while since I peeked in! I'm glad you're getting more and more inspired! ... that means more fabulous art for us to enjoy!

Originally posted by Daniella T

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Lunulet, that's perfect! I can really see the Galactorrats now! Just a little *too* realistic, though....

Yeah, you know, normally I'm not too worried about rodents, but with EW's prose and Lunulet's art, I'm starting to reconsider

Gee, I wonder where this could lead.... [Insert evil chuckle here. Thanks.]

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OOOh, well done Marie.... I really don't know who's who. is it Ken talking about Joe? Or maybe Jinpei about Ryu? I'm reluctant to think it's Jun, but can't rule it out completely either. Any combination is possible really.

Originally posted by ElectricWhite

Originally posted by Daniella T

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Lunulet, that's perfect! I can really see the Galactorrats now! Just a little *too* realistic, though....

Yeah, you know, normally I'm not too worried about rodents, but with EW's prose and Lunulet's art, I'm starting to reconsider

Gee, I wonder where this could lead.... [Insert evil chuckle here. Thanks.]

Capybaras? ROUSes??? LOL! (Ok, see, I'm innocent, this is all EW's doing!!!)

Originally posted by gatchamarie Now, who can tell me who's who?!

Ohhh, powerful! Okay. This is definitely open to interpretation but of course my mind went to Ken and Joe...one of them with amnesia and working for Galactor. I love the angst!

Wow, Marie, this is so intense! I'm picturing someone who joined Galactor and betrayed everyone they loved... The 'devil on your face' sounds like a Devilstar, but then calling the person 'brother' doesn't fit with that... Quite the mystery!

Reading it for a second time, from a Spectra perspective, I'm now thinking it could be Mala talking to Zoltar, the devil on his face being the mask he wears..... arghhhh so many possibilities!!!!

Originally posted by KT1972 Reading it for a second time, from a Spectra perspective, I'm now thinking it could be Mala talking to Zoltar, the devil on his face being the mask he wears.....

That's a good thought!

Or maybe Gatch F from the PoV of Egobosser's henchman who faced the firing squad. (I think I'm remembering/interpreting it from ER correctly).

Originally posted by Lunulet

Originally posted by ElectricWhite

Originally posted by Daniella T

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Lunulet, that's perfect! I can really see the Galactorrats now! Just a little *too* realistic, though....

Yeah, you know, normally I'm not too worried about rodents, but with EW's prose and Lunulet's art, I'm starting to reconsider

Gee, I wonder where this could lead.... [Insert evil chuckle here. Thanks.]

Capybaras? ROUSes??? LOL! (Ok, see, I'm innocent, this is all EW's doing!!!)

Innocent. Right. Lun, hon, if you're so dang innocent, what are you doing here? Marie, I love the intensity! But the possibilities...oh, my head's spinning!

Originally posted by amethyst Or maybe Gatch F from the PoV of Egobosser's henchman who faced the firing squad. (I think I'm remembering/interpreting it from ER correctly).

Yes, but the henchman betrayed Egobossler first... although he only did that upon learning that Egobossler had usurped his brother's place.

Marie: as I'm more of a BoTP person, my first thought was, for some reason, of Anderson and Cronus. Don't know where, don't know why, don't know how...

Marie, that was a very powerful and emotional piece. There are so many possibilities for who the two are, and I think that is what is best about this piece .... given the right circumstances it could be any one.

gatchamarie, I think I'm gonna throw in on the Mala to Zoltar side of things ... some powerful imagery there

Thanks, guys! The intention was to leave it open as, as you said, there are so many possibilities ... something which I've also realised whilst I was still writing it! To be honest, I had Ken and Joe in mind, even though I, myself, wouldn't want this to ever happen! Everyone is haunted by his own ghosts, but Joe is one particular character who deals with them a lot, and we all know how tight the relationship between Ken and Joe was! I really have enjoyed reading all the possibilities you all have indicated! As my knowledge is a bit restricted regarding BotP, I don't know exactly what kind of a brother/sister relationship Zoltar and Mala had, but they were brother and sister so the possibility could be there also!

Originally posted by Transmute Jun

Originally posted by amethyst Or maybe Gatch F from the PoV of Egobosser's henchman who faced the firing squad. (I think I'm remembering/interpreting it from ER correctly).

Yes, but the henchman betrayed Egobossler first... although he only did that upon learning that Egobossler had usurped his brother's place.

Good idea, Amethyst! You really let your mind take you to an adequate scene! Even though I don't know how much Egobossler's henchmen looked at him like a brother. He was very loyal, yes, before his betrayal, but I think he had his own reservations!