This week we have a prompt from Springie: Tattoo This should have been week #78

"What do you mean I can't get a tattoo?" Jason stormed as he glared at the Chief. Anderson sighed and reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose. "Jason think about it," Anderson said patiently. "What would happen if someone got a picture of your tattoo and you were captured and Spectra managed to remove your Birdstyle?" "Like they're going to manage that," Jason snorted. "Everyone has them!" Anderson cocked his head. "Really?" Jason crossed his arms, almost snarling in his anger. "I'm eighteen. You can't stop me." "No I can't, but I would have hoped you'd use some common sense. It's no different than your growing a mustache or beard." "Oh, you mean like Cronus?" Jason countered. "Exactly." Anderson regarded his son, knowing it was a loosing battle. "Since I can't stop you, can I at least request it be small and someplace not easily seen on an everyday basis?" 888 "Let me see it," Mark requested, trying to find where Jason had gotten the tattoo. Jason dodged his hands. "No. It's private." "No one gets a tattoo for it to be private," Tiny said from across the room. "They're meant to be statements." "Well, mine is private." Jason left them in the ready room, retreating to his room farther down the hall. Once there, he stood in front of the mirror on the dresser across from his bed. He pulled off his shorts and briefs, then the white gauze just inside his right hip. The skin was still red, but the inflammation was fading quickly. The heart was small, encasing the word 'family'. It would be his constant reminder of what he fought for. He pulled the cloths back on, knowing it wouldn't be long before his brothers saw it. Until then. it was his private affirmation of his duty.

Good one, Becky! I can totally see him having a tribute to his family! Here's what inspired this prompt...I'm sure there are more Gatch tattoos out there...

Someone actually got a tattoo of Alex's Ross' comic cover of Jason? Would that sort of be copyright infringement? But what body part is that?

Originally posted by Becky Rock But what body part is that?

Good question, Becky!

Trust Jason to be the first one from the team to ask for a tattoo! I'm pretty sure EW has sneaked a peak at it It's very sweet of him to tattoo the word "family" -- and not something I would expect from the hot no. 2, which makes it all the more interesting!

Now wouldn't it be nice if I could think of a cross-over between BoTP and Prison Break (which the only TV show I know built around tattoos, and with which I spent a whole summer when I was back in Athens, and it was too hot to sleep)... But before the pokey stick comes out...that's as far as my inspiration has got until now! If someone wants to use the idea, go right ahead!

EW...we're calling your name....

Originally posted by Becky Rock EW...we're calling your name....

Patience, Grasshopper....

Originally posted by ElectricWhite Patience, Grasshopper....

Grasshopper? I must've missed more Gatchamania sessions than I thought!

Originally posted by Daniella T

Originally posted by ElectricWhite Patience, Grasshopper....

Grasshopper? I must've missed more Gatchamania sessions than I thought!

Sorry. It's a reference to an old tv show called "Kung Fu"; in flashbacks, an old teacher would call his young student "Grasshopper". Many times he'd have to say, "Patience, Grasshopper." because the kid seemed to always be on the verge of rushing in, or he wasn't giving things enough time to happen, etc.

I loved Kung Fu. Used to watch with one of my brothers whose ten years older than me. Prompted me to take Karate and Tae Kwon Do until my RA ended that fun.

Teehee...I read "Kung Fu" but my brain interpreted it..."Hong Kong Phooie"...anyone remember that cartoon? So Becky, does that mean you are a retired Science Ninja? i had better remember to stay on your good side!

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Ooooo...that's deep, EW...very intriguing. Tattooing someone's face against their will...and then killing her...poor girl! Hopefully the Anderson and the team will make everything right for her again!

Reminds me of Raven, and how spectra tattooed his body so he couldn't hide, and his fractured mind must re-read that story again ps Hi all.

Originally posted by littlewolf ps Hi all.

Hey.

Welcome back LW. Hope you are able to be around more.

Originally posted by Springie Teehee...I read "Kung Fu" but my brain interpreted it..."Hong Kong Phooie"...anyone remember that cartoon? So Becky, does that mean you are a retired Science Ninja? i had better remember to stay on your good side!

Only if they got no further than a purple belt. But my son got his 2nd degree black belt when he was 12.

That must have been quite a dream, EW. How horrible. The team's got to figure out a way to save her.

Alas not at the moment RI keeps knocking my off my feet, every time I try to get up.

well keep getting up LW, don't let it grind you down!!

Hang in there, LW!

LW, don't let that pile of bricks keep you down!

EW -- the idea is actually scary, using tattoos as a weapon of war! Even if you had the possibility to remove them afterwards. P.S. thank you for the Grasshoper explanation

This little ficlet comes right after the Alien Wasp ep, and before the confusion with the continuity of the Sandy Frank BoTP ep order... //Mark had refused to join the others as they gathered in the courtyard of the Galaxy security academy to pay homage to Cronus, killed in action and honoured as a hero by both Earthlings and Rigans. Anderson had stopped short of ordering him to go, and the rest of the team had discreetly avoided mentioning the fact as they were getting ready, clad in their dress uniforms instead of their civvies, which they carried in a backpack. But they saw him following in a distance, and as they stood to attention as the Federation hymn was played by the cadets' band, they could see Mark also -- unconsciously, perhaps -- standing tall, behind a fence, in the distance. Far enough, but not too far. He could still hear the speeches, President Kane droning on about the work Cronus had done as an undercover agent, Anderson trying to keep his emotions in check as he spoke about his friend, the Rigan Ambassador laying a wreath. And when the cadets' band struck up a loud tattoo and followed it with the Last Post, only then did Mark let his tears roll down his cheeks, before turning to go. To go back to the war.// P.S. the first and only reference to this meaning of "tattoo" I've heard in the old Irish song "The foggy dew." However, my dictionary assures me it's indeed a valid term, and still used in military lingo.

LW, Sorry to hear RL is knocking you down, at some stage you must surely win and things will get better. Daniella - a very interesting take on that moment. I like your use of the word tattoo.

Thanks all. Yes I keep getting up, but unfortunalty RI life has been seriously knocking me and my family around for several years Usually I just roll with it, adjust direction, change were needed and get on with the things that need doing But it seems to be something else every few weeks now, I am just exhausted and drained and my ability to cope is shot (and much to my friends and family delight I'm swearing like a sailor)

Daniella- very clever! I hadn't thought of using it in that way...I remember hearing a festival for a military band called the "International Tattoo" when I lived in Virginia. LW, it's good to see you around again...you have your Internet pals to help support you when RL gets you down!

Becky ... a nice touch to reveal the sensitive aspect behind Jason's tough facade! Well done ... and thanks for telling us where he had it! EW ... that's just ingenious! Love the way you used the prompt! Did I well catch a glimpse of a little sense of humour, amongst all the ongoing angst, when Princess was called loyalty?! DT ... I love the way you used the prompt in its other meaning different from the most common one! I know that a military tattoo exists, so really a nice one, with all the emotions involved and all! LW ... endless ! I so hope life would treat you well soon, with lots of ups after the downs! Just so happy to see you here ... at least, you can take your mind off things for a while! Just try to think positive even if I know that it's hard most of the time!

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Now I've finally posted my bit, I can get on with commenting on the others....... Becky - the tattoo is a permanent reminder too, and will stay with him long after the war is over. At least it's small and unobtrusive, I'm sure Anderson would have hit the roof if it had been anything more obvious. EW - I can quite see Spectra doing such a thing, anything to create civil unrest, eh? I felt really sorry for Princess Tozi by the end. DT - Great piece. i can understand how Mark wouldn't want to be part of the tribute, but it seems to me that he couldn't bear to miss it either.

LW - you know we're here for you. KT - you wouldn't think anyone would have the nerve not to tell Joe exactly what they meant.

KT, I can see why Joe might take a chance with this guy, knowing that his brother was killed by Galactor...good use of the word "tattoo", too!

KT -- this is SO Joe! I can picture him saying "do I have idiot tattooed on my forehead" on almost every ep!

Great job, everyone! So many creative uses of the prompt. Becky: loved the image of Anderson pinching the bridge of his nose. That's exactly how that scene would go down. EW: you have to keep writing this! Love the cultural significance of the tattoo. Daniella: So sad. KT: I like how Joe is relaxed in this scene and still manages to scare the guy senseless.

KT ... great use of the prompt, the expression you've put it in so matching to Joe's character! In the guy's place, I'd spill everything out asap!!