My apologies, Ladies and Gentlemen! A critter chewed through a wire on my satellite dish, causing me lose my internet link! Otherwise, I would've jumped in sooner to cover for the person who had signed up for this week. So, I reach into my honkin' huge pill bottle and pull out Disagreement Just don't be so disagreeable that you don't respond!

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Welcome to Gatchamania, Grumpy Ghost Owl! Can't wait to read more about Zoltar's mission -- this has the makings of a very suspenseful story. I also like the interaction between Mala and Zoltar in their more "private" moments (i.e., her admonition to Zoltar to not soil the carpet with slush). It's something we don't really see on the show. P.S. I replied to your post on Crescent Coral Base for the proofreading, giving you my email.

//Anderson had barely finished briefing the team on their next mission, one that would require them to take the war to the enemy -- all the way to Spectra. At first, the team was too shocked to comment -- this was a first, something they hadn't dreamed they would be allowed to dream of one day. Then Jason pumped his fist in the air. "Yay!" he shouted, trying to ignore the pins and needles that had been bothering him for the last few days. Pins and needles in his hands, blurred vision, all of it paled into insignificance at the thought that finally, he would be allowed to train his weapons on the stronghold of Spectra's ruler. Shoulder to shoulder, the team saluted and left the room, talking on top of their voices in excitement as soon as the door was closed. Anderson breathed a sigh, and sat back down behind his desk. He knew the team would be excited -- especially Jason. Even if Jason had seemed more moody and withdrawn recently. Maybe a strike at Spectra would pull him out of his slump. But he had barely woken up his laptop, when the door opened again, and Mark walked in. Anderson looked up enquiringly. "What is it, Commander?" "Chief, may I have a word? In private?" Mark said hesitantly. Anderson gestured at him to sit down. "Chief, I think this is not a good idea. I didn't want to say it in front of the others, not to dampen their enthusiasm, but I think we are not ready to take the fight to Spectra." Anderson frowned. "Commander, the Federation has decided it's about time to strike the enemy on their home ground. There is nothing in the briefings we have received from G-Force that points to possible shortcomings in a future mission against Spectra." Mark hesitated, then took the plunge. "That's because it wasn't in my briefings. It's about Jason, Chief. I don't know if he will be up to it. I didn't want to report him if there was no reason, but I see that that was a mistake. Now we're up against Spectra, with a gunner that seems, on occasion, on the brink of collapse." Anderson remained silent for a moment or two. Mark expected him to rescind the order to go against Spectra, but he was surprised. "Your disagreement is noted, Commander. Thank you for your candour, although I would prefer it if next time you saw fit to keep me in the loop as soon as an issue arises, not when push comes to shove, okay? Now, about Jason, I am aware that he is facing some... challenges... he doesn't want to talk about. I can see him -- you don't need to be a doctor, or his commander, to see that he's deeply troubled. I'm rather hoping this mission will spurn him to action, pull him out of his slump." Mark shook his head. "But what if it doesn't? And we're stuck on Spectra with no support from our gunner?" Anderson sighed, once again feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. "This is about trust, Mark. I trust Jason. I may disagree with him, get angry with him, on occasion get bloody mad at him, but I trust him. He will not let you down."//

Oooooooh! Suspense! IF the tin toad is right and Jason's issues are "just stress" then this mission could be just what he needs, but where's the drama in that, right? Loved it!

I was thinking about this ep... I would have hoped that Mark would have noticed there was something wrong with his second-in-command before heading off to enemy territory... that's what a good leader should do, right?

GrumpyGhostOwl: Intriguing! And I like the little details like the hole in his boot. DT: Mark had to make a hard call, there. IMO he made the right one, as far as at least bringing up the issue.

GrumpyGhostOwl: Hello! I don't believe our paths have crossed before, but your intriguing story certainly makes for one interesting greeting! I can't wait to read more. DT: I agree with Chris. It might not have been his final decision, but he was right in bringing it to Anderson's attention.

Just when I catch up, Gatchmania goes down every time I try to sign on! Sigh ... so I'll try to catch up now and hope for the best in the New Year! *** "I joined the military at the tail-end of the last war," he began, amused at the small jolt of surprise that registered on Jun's face. She was clearly shocked at how far back he was willing to go. He went on. "It was right after I graduated university ...." "You went to university?" Jun gasped out. Red Impulse gave a small chuckle. "Yes, believe it or not, and if you're wondering, I graduated summa cum laude." "Really?" "You think Nambu would have been friends with someone who wasn't? Could you truly envision him going to frat parties every weekend?" "Well, no, not really, but you never struck as someone who was that s-s ... ah ...." "Smart?" "I was going to say 'studious,' but yeah, something like that." Jun felt her cheeks burn, but Red Impulse seemed to take the unintended slight fairly well. Better than she thought he would, at any rate. The last thing she wanted right now was to get into a disagreement with him just when he decided to be so forthcoming. Instantly, she asked another question in the hopes of keeping their conversation going. "What did you major in?" "Accounting." "Seriously?" she burst out with a bubble of laughter. The idea of him at a desk with ledgers and a calculator, crunching numbers, was too funny. "Laugh if you must, but back then, that was a pretty solid field to be in. I was hoping to become a financial analyst or investment broker. Maybe go into financial planning or capital ventures. Back then, it was all wide open." He gave a shrug. "I had been doing some day trading since I was in high school, small stuff in my spare time, during holidays and vacations and the like, you understand, not on a big scale, but still, I did well enough. I graduated without owing any student loans, made a decent amount besides to set me up, and I never heard Nambu complain about the investments I made on his behalf." Jun's breath huffed out in absolute amazement. "You gave him financial advice? You?" "Yes, me. A person can have more than one talent, you know." "Well, yeah, sure, but ...." "How do you think I became the perfect person for ... what I do?" he continued, his voice now quiet and smooth. It sent a chill down Jun's spine and she suppressed a shiver.

RIgirl: There's an AU in here somewhere with the Accountant known as Red Impulse

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KT: Meep, glad they found her in time.