Hi all, and I get to pick the prompt for the week. I know this might be a bit early for many of you, but I'm taking my inspiration from my tempremental internet connection today, so the word is..... Frustration good luck!!

Frustrating indeed. I miss our chats!

I am sure we can all relate to that word. I am wondering how people see the Condor, Eagle, Owl, Swan and Swallow reacting to it. Can't wait to see the results.

Frustration -- now that's a word that feels familiar this weekend... let's see if my muse will work something up.

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A great prompt. And KT that certainly sounds like Jinpei! If the others chafed at being considered "kids," it had to have been particularly bad for him, since even they saw him as a kid. Hope your Internet behaves soon!

Poor Jinpei. You most certainly can feel his frustration at being caught between two worlds like he is. Good job of "showing not telling!"

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Oh no, Poor Iona.... so many questions...... How on earth did a Blackbird manage to get in there though? And is her mother finally showing her true colours if she wouldn't defend her daughter from one of Galactor's elite fighting squad. Still typical behaviour from anyone involved with Galactor though. maybe Nambu should consider letting Iona have a bracelet so she can summon the team to come to her aid once they've rescued her from their clutches this time. you've got to keep going with this, we want more!!

Ohh, wow. Poor Iona. And like KT I am left wondering how a Blackbird would have gotten anywhere near, let alone onto, the Phoenix. Do they have some sort of "transporter" to allow them access? I guess I will have to wait and see.

The question is now, what are they going to do with Ryu? OR are they trying to sneak onto the Crescent Base? KT, I think you nailed Jinpei perfectly!

KT, how did I miss your posted story yesterday? Sorry, must be something to do with all those 500 errors I keep getting. You do so well at showing us and making us feel what the character is thinking/feeling with so few words. I really like that and keep wishing I could do the same. I guess I will have to keep practicing.

hee hee hee, CD, not just me frustrated with their internet then?

No, you are not the only one. I am about to contact my provider to get them to help me with a noise on the line. I doubt it will help with the server error I keep getting though. That, I think, has something to do with this site.

KT, your story brought me back to one of my fav. episodes... where the young kids were talking to Ken & Jinpei about Gatchaman... I so could see and hear him doing that. k2, this Iona seems to find trouble without trying... don't know as much as others here, but I will be curious to see what happens

k2p2: Uh oh, wonder how long it'll take Ryu to wonder why she's not back yet, and if by then it'll be too late ...

KT, like gatchgirl said, the Jinpei episodes were my FAVORITE when I was young watching the show! This brought me back! In fact, the very first episode of G-Force that I saw was the one where Jinpei grumps and feels left out and goes off alone to pout at the beach. It was love at first sight for me. <3 K2: I love the contrast between the action and Ryu's happy everyday diagnostics on the Phoenix! Great action scene...can't wait to read more!

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Well it's an original take on their "birdstyle" I must say. I'm assuming this is a prequel? I can see how they would be impatient to try out the new technology, and break into Nambu's lab to try it out before it had been perfected, so they would know what to expect when the time comes for them to use it. will this fic be continued?

Lunulet, yay Ken/Joe feelings! And I like this, I can totally picture them sneaking in to try the tech/magic. I can even picture Nambu purposely letting Ken see the code to see what they'll do, and recording the results of each attempt.

Originally posted by KT1972 Well it's an original take on their "birdstyle" I must say. I'm assuming this is a prequel? will this fic be continued?

Oh...hm.. maybe? I secretly love wingfic (apparently) and I'd LOVE to write in this universe again! I'd love to see the team taking care of Jinpei as he gets the hang of transforming, his elation at flying for the first time, etc. Awwwww ermm...and *cough* I'd also like to write the Ken/Joe story because yeah *cough*

Originally posted by ChrisW Lunulet, yay Ken/Joe feelings! And I like this, I can totally picture them sneaking in to try the tech/magic. I can even picture Nambu purposely letting Ken see the code to see what they'll do, and recording the results of each attempt.

YES!!! Come on this prompt is perfect for Ken/Joe. You can write me juuuuuuuuuuuust a little. Will it work to bribe you with art? I need more of your writing. (no pressure though. I know how muses are.) Also, re: Nambu, haha yes exactly!!!

Originally posted by ChrisW Lunulet, yay Ken/Joe feelings! And I like this, I can totally picture them sneaking in to try the tech/magic. I can even picture Nambu purposely letting Ken see the code to see what they'll do, and recording the results of each attempt.

I was thinking the same thing. Picturing Nambu in a darkened side room (or from another room watching on a monitor) watching the attempt. What I can't figure out is if he would be happy at how they are doing, or upset that they are trying.

Lunluet-nice little intro scene for a much larger story here...maybe a little hint more as to what might be at stake with them trying early? And I found it rather odd, that after supposedly stealing this forbidden artifact that they thought to try it out in lab room, and not someplace a bit more secret... Good scene though, definitely can tell it is a part of something bigger.

Now for my own commentary... KT--how did they get on board? Well remember Iona mentioning her missing I.D.? I needed to add to the previous bit, that Iona isn't sure just how long it has gone missing as she usually has gotten a ride into the base with one of the team members. As far as her rescue...well, you're just going to have to keep on reading. CD-See above. Gatchgirl-Thanks, eventually I will post the "iona," stories in their entirety over at the archive. In order.. Chris--it is never too late...just might not be the ending you were expecting. Lunulet-I was aiming for contrast, glad you liked it. I was also thinking back on the eps where Ryu is just sort of pictured waiting alone on the Godphoenix, half asleep, while the rest of the team has their fun.

Originally posted by Lunulet Oh...hm.. maybe? I secretly love wingfic (apparently) and I'd LOVE to write in this universe again! I'd love to see the team taking care of Jinpei as he gets the hang of transforming, his elation at flying for the first time, etc. Awwwww ermm...and *cough* I'd also like to write the Ken/Joe story because yeah *cough*

I think your secret's out! Have you read the wingfic with angel Ken and devil Joe? And yes, I'm always in favor of more Ken/Joe *cackle*

Originally posted by Lunulet YES!!! Come on this prompt is perfect for Ken/Joe. You can write me juuuuuuuuuuuust a little. Will it work to bribe you with art? I need more of your writing. (no pressure though. I know how muses are.) Also, re: Nambu, haha yes exactly!!!

I've been so terribly stuck on everything it's pathetic. Maybe I'll put my mind to getting something down, even if it's for a new story. (I've been trying not to start new ones in an effort to make myself finish the others.

Hi all, just a quick note to let you know I will not be able to participate this week either, going through an immensely stressful phase...

Originally posted by Daniella T Hi all, just a quick note to let you know I will not be able to participate this week either, going through an immensely stressful phase...

*hugs* DT, hope your stress eases soon!

Originally posted by Daniella T Hi all, just a quick note to let you know I will not be able to participate this week either, going through an immensely stressful phase...

Ah no, Daniella. Keeping you in my thoughts. (although sometimes writing is a great way to relieve stress or work your way through a problem, I've discovered.) Please read, and enjoy what we have to offer, though and we all look forward to when you'll get a chance to write for us again. Hopefully soon!

Awww DT. sorry to hear that, but hopefully it will be over soon. Don't worry about participation this week, of course RL should take priority. Maybe when all has settled down, you can come back and contribute to this thread later.

Sorry to hear Daniella. I hope things get better soon. And not to put pressure on you, you do know you can always go back and submit weeks, or even months later. If a prompt really peaked your interest.

I hope everything calms down for you soon, Daniella!

Hope this stress passes soon, DT!

Thanks, guys! Your messages made me feel a bit better in the middle of the problems that have appeared (it's a vicious circle, because they are due to stress and cause more stress).

Hi, all...I'm playing catch-up again...this one I did have 98% done that week, the idea boinging into my head the moment I saw the prompt. And then... ...Real Life... I finally got it groomed out just a few minutes ago. If I'm breaking the rules by not sending these out the week of the prompt, let me know and I can post elsewhere in the Creative Corner. ----- Under the guise of an early afternoon dinner party, the top echelon officers and emissaries of Gallactor met at the Tuscany estate to report directly to the syndicate's new warlord, Nona. One by one they gave status updates on the various tasks of rebuilding, objectives that remained outstanding, and issues that demanded attention. No one had much appetite as they spoke. They knew their progress had been slow, and correctly surmised that Nona was not at all pleased with any of them. "Many of the rank and file have gone AWOL," a Tallinn faction general was speaking. "They are for the most part being found drifting back to their home territories. Once they are caught up, they are given a choice: be reassigned to their last grade or be terminated." "How many have chosen discharge?" Nona asked. "A majority, I'm afraid to say. I expect, though, that as word gets out about that option, the rate of retention will increase exponentially. We should see most returning in the next few days, actively seeking reassignment." "Thank you, General," Nona said. "See that it is so." The General bowed his head. "Yes, ma-am." No one at the table took any personal notes of the discussion, nor was there any dictation for the record; the subjects at hand were spoken only and orders were committed to memory. There would be no lasting evidence of the meeting, save for the deep sense of uneasiness that each agent would leave it with. An emissary spoke next. "We have a new situation with the Prime Minister of Caucasistan. Citing an increase in EDC focus on his regime, he is pressing for increased compensation and materials. I have tried to convince him that his concerns are being adequately addressed, but to no avail. He is being quite insistent." "No doubt using our access to his airfields as collateral for our cooperation," Nona reckoned. "Unfortunately, yes." She thought for a moment. "His youngest son is studying chemistry at MIT, is he not?" "Yes, ma-am," the agent replied. "Perhaps there is a potential for cross-collateral there." The agent tensed. "Yes, ma-am." Sitting to Nona's right, the Devil Star listened silently and inwardly applauded the level of pressure that Nona was placing on the command. She could see in them all the onset of stress at the ramifications of not meeting the warlord's demands, and out of such stress would inevitably come frustration, which in turn would predicate errors in judgement and oversight. Minute yet important details would be overlooked, mistakes committed unknowingly, until later when they would become critically relevant, even disastrous. The Devil Star surveyed the situation with staid contentment. All was well. -----

Katherine: It's fun to see the satisfaction of an enemy agent watching things already implode. And there's no rules here, really. I'm months behind myself and WILL catch up!

Katherine, another great piece. It is very interesting to read things from the Devil Stars side. A side I so seldom read, let alone think about. Don't worry when you post in the Bradbury's prompts. Or even if you only post in some. They are only intended to help us be more creative, when the time strikes. I too have a couple from way back I started but never posted to their thread.

What CD has said is correct. There is no time limit to these prompts. You are welcome to post them whenever you wish. A new prompt is released each week, to keep things fresh, but everyone is welcome to go back to older ones. There's certainly a lot of tension here! I think the leadership style is being well expressed.

Originally posted by clouddancer I too have a couple from way back I started but never posted to their thread.

Me, too! In fact, once I get caught up with a few other projects, I should go back and find them . . . I think I remember which notebook they are in . . . Katherine, you've got me wondering who the Devil Star is. Is she a loyal Devil Star, or is the spy? Depending upon how one chooses to read the last paragraph, a good case could be made for either.

Originally posted by amethyst

Originally posted by clouddancer I too have a couple from way back I started but never posted to their thread.

Me, too! In fact, once I get caught up with a few other projects, I should go back and find them . . . I think I remember which notebook they are in . . . Katherine, you've got me wondering who the Devil Star is. Is she a loyal Devil Star, or is the spy? Depending upon how one chooses to read the last paragraph, a good case could be made for either.

Thanks, everyone, for the comments and reassurances. I really appreciate it. The Devil Star here is indeed Rachael, just biding her time.

Originally posted by amethyst Katherine, you've got me wondering who the Devil Star is. Is she a loyal Devil Star, or is the spy? Depending upon how one chooses to read the last paragraph, a good case could be made for either.

I wondered the same thing, and hope the answer may come in the next prompt or in a later one.

Nicely done, throughly enjoying this series of stories...although I had a quirky time with POV at first thinking it was omniscent until the very last, when the Devilstar is mentioned...jolly good otherwise, and I might just be tired....