[unrecoverable text]

[unrecoverable text]

Poor Jun. This mission isn't so great for her self-confidence.

I agree with CW -- Jun needs to get the self-esteem up and stop worrying that Red Impulse will send her back to Nambu. (by the way, RI, you describe her self-doubts and concerns very well!)

//Anderson was blowing steam out of his nostrils when Jason walked inside his office. You could almost see the little puffs of smoke around his head. Jason tried to ignore them. "Well, what?" he asked, standing by the door, in his usual nonchalant pose. He knew very well "what", however. So he kept his hands behind his back, to stop them from trembling. "Jason, I warned you. One more infraction of the rules, and your car goes to the chop shop and you get another vehicle, to use only when needed for your job." Jason would give anything to be able to say the words "please, Chief, give me one more chance." But he couldn't. So he just gazed belligerently at Anderson. Yes, he knew the drill. Anderson had, at last, found what would hurt him most -- losing his car. Strictly speaking, he didn't need it. Any vehicle authorised by Centre Neptune and equipped by its scientists could do the trick -- on his good days, he dreamed of being allocated a James Bond Aston Martin. But then, even if he had been offered a Bond car, he would have still chosen Sweetheart. Which was now going to become spare parts, if Anderson didn't change his mind. The Chief held his gaze. He was waiting for an apology, a word, anything from Jason, and he would be ready to take back his threat. But Jason wouldn't say the words. And Anderson, who could see the pain this would cause his gunner, started to have second thoughts about taking away his car -- Jason's only link to normality in an otherwise abnormal life. He cleared his throat. "However, as it may take us time to build you a new vehicle, I am willing to give you one more chance." Jason's heart leapt in his mouth with joy, but his pride actually got to his vocal chords first. "I don't need your sympathy, Chief. You want to take my car, go ahead and take it." He could have kicked himself as soon as he said the words. Instead, he pushed his fingernails into his palm until he almost drew blood, but kept his gaze on Anderson. Anderson could have kicked him too. In this staring contest, he would be, once again, the one to back down. For the good of the team, he told himself. He would not admit even to himself that he could not bear to see Jason's look when he was told they would take his car away. "Be that as it may, Jason, I cannot have you sitting around waiting for a new vehicle if there is an attack. It's a matter of security." He briefly looked down at his papers, then up again. "Dismissed." Jason saluted, turned on his heel and left, before Anderson could see the huge, silly grin on his face.//

DT: Looks like Jason's lucky the boss is a big softie.

Yeah he is, isn't he? Anderson, I mean.

Jason has that wonderful ability to want to say the right things, but somehow, the wrong things keep coming out of his mouth! Good thing Anderson can see the bigger picture and, no doubt, he knew what Jason was really trying to say!

Sounds like neither Jason nor Anderson like the idea of backing down... but at least one of them has some sense!

[unrecoverable text]

Boy the heads of the ISO are short-sighted! Getting rid of 2 more team members for a technicality! They might as well hand the Earth to Galactor.

Ryu and Jinpei as roommates ... that could be a story unto itself! Jun must be calling them every five minutes to make sure they stay out of trouble!

I agree with Chris, this seems like a bad decision, particularly when Joe is already out of commission.