#commodore stone

[departmentq]

Fans celebrate the casting of Nichelle Nichols as Uhura as a moment for actors of color, which they should be.

But I also wanted to spotlight the casting of these iconic guest starring characters, seen in episodes of TOS.

Percy Rodriguez was cast as flag officer Commodore Stone, who was Kirk's superior in the chain of command. Stone is one of the officers that presides over Kirk's court martial.

Booker Bradshaw was the original Dr. M'Benga, seen in two episodes of TOS. at the time, M'Benga was Starfleet's first and only medical specialist in Vulcan Physiology, having spent a year's residency on Vulcan.

One of the finest minds in computer technology in the 23rd century, and creator of the duotronic computer, Dr. Richard Daystrom, was played by William Marshall, whose work in Shakespeare, and his roles as Paul Robeson and Frederick Douglass, added to the gravitas of his portrayal.

A flag officer, a specialist in Vulcan medicine, and one of the finest minds in a field of technology, played by actors of color, during the turbulent 1960s.

[chernobog13]

Kirk was not prepared for how intense Commodore Stone got when playing "Go Fish."

[marlinspirkhall]

TOS Season 1 Episode 20: Court Martial

[ID] TOS Grindr edit. Kirk: You are cute tho. Commodore Stone: Thank yew Kirk: I'm only telling the truth Commodore Stone: That's good because this is a court of law Kirk: Lol Kirk: Your making me even more horny Commodore Stone: Does the spirit of justice turn you on [End ID]

If Star Trek had Grindr [16/17]

[retrocgads]

UK 1985

[krispyweiss]

Quarter Notes: Blurbs & Briefs from Sound Bites

- In this edition: Bill Wyman; Sheldon Reynolds; Paul Simon; and Willie Nelson

BILL WYMAN, AUTHOR: Former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman on May 31 will release “Bill Wyman’s Chelsea: From Medieval Village to Cultural Capital.” A deep-dive into the area Wyman has called home for four decades, the book includes info on walking tours, street listings, historical tidbits and more than 300 photos taken by the author.

FORMER COMMODORES/EWF GUITARIST SHELDON REYNOLDS DEAD AT 63: Guitarist and singer Sheldon Reynolds, who logged stints with the Commodores and Earth, Wind & Fire, has died, EWF’s Philip Bailey said. Reynolds was 63; no cause was given.

“Sheldon was an excellent addition to the band, a great writer and producer and a genuinely kind and loving person,” Bailey said. “He will be missed.”

PAUL SIMON HAS HEARING LOSS: Paul Simon has lost most of his hearing in his left ear, the singer/songwriter told Big Issue magazine.

FOUR WILLIE NELSON REISSUES ON TAP: Four Willie Nelson albums will be reissued on vinyl in 2023. They are: The Great Divide (June 23); Teeter (Aug. 4); Milk Cow Blues (Sept. 15); and Spirit (Oct. 20).

5/30/23

[mmwm]

LINK FEST: 17 JANUARY 2023

Links that may or may not be related to gardens, food, travel, nature, or heterotopias and liminal spaces but probably are. Sources in parentheses. short essay: Nature Connection: Walking The Wrack Line (Mary Richmond/The Cape Cod Chronicle) “Walking a wrack line is a very basic, almost primal, thing to do” article: Getting Lost in the World’s Largest Stack of Menus (Taste), about the Buttolph…

[italianlegolas]

'Now one more cup of coffee and I must attend to my calculus, nearly always a difficult subject.'

'So you have suddenly taken to the calculus?' cried Jack. 'How very glad I am - amazed - quite stunned. By just calculus I take it you mean the differential rather than the infinitesimal? If I can be of any help...'

'You are very good, my dear,' said Stephen, putting down his cup and rising, 'but I mean the vesical calculus, no more: what is commonly known as a stone in the bladder, the utmost reach of my mathematics. I must be away.'

'Oh,' said Jack, feeling oddly dashed.

The Commodore by Patrick O'Brian

[bluewinnerangel]

FITF Tour exit songs

- NA LEG - Uncasville: Tina Turner - The Best

Gilford: The Smiths - This Charming Man

Laval: Petula Clark - Downtown

Toronto: Bryan Adams - Summer Of '69

Cuyahoga Falls: The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony

Sterling Heights: Shed Seven - Chasing Rainbows

Cincinnati: The Killers - All These Things That I've Done

Columbus: R.E.M. - The One I Love

Indianapolis: Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart

Maryland Heights (St. Louis): Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode

Kansas City: Van Morrison - Moondance

Milwaukee: Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now

Chicago: Earth, Wind & Fire - September

Minneapolis: Sinéad O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U

Council Bluffs: Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)

Sioux Falls: Don McLean - American Pie

Seattle: The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Vancouver: The Police - King Of Pain

Troutdale: Elvis Presley - Always On My Mind

Berkeley: INXS - Never Tear Us Apart

Los Angeles: 2Pac - California Love

Las Vegas: The Killers - Human

Phoenix: Spear Of Destiny - Liberator

Irving: The Doors - Hello, I Love You

Austin: Wheatus - Teenage Dirtbag

Houston The Woodlands: The Police - Walking On The Moon

St. Augustine: The Police - Every Breath You Take

Hollywood: Elton John - Your Song

Tampa: Pat Benatar - Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Atlanta: The Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want

Nashville: Duran Duran - Hold Back The Rain

Charlotte: Lou Reed - Perfect Day

Raleigh: Van Morrison - Moondance

Columbia: Commodores - Easy

Boston 1: Boston - More Than A Feeling

Boston 2: Pixies - Here Comes Your Man

Philadelphia: Sinéad O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U

Asbury Park: Bruce Springsteen - Dancing In The Dark

New York: Queen - We Are The Champions (dj elf asked a fan to pick between this one and David Bowie - Heroes)

- EU & UK LEG - Hamburg: Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart

Copenhagen: Queen & David Bowie - Under Pressure

Oslo: Green Day - Wake Me Up When September Ends

Stockholm: The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

Helsinki: Elvis Presley - Always On My Mind

Tallinn: Smash Mouth - All Star

Riga: AC/DC - Thunderstruck

Kaunas: Elvis Presley - Can't Help Falling in Love

Krakow: Iggy Pop - Lust For Life

Łódź: Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop

Vienna: Oasis - Supersonic

Ljubljana: The Killers - Smile Like You Mean It

Budapest: Bloc Party - Helicopter

Bucharest: Foo Fighters - My Hero

Sofia: Rage Against The Machine - Bombtrack

Bilbao: Pixies - Where Is My Mind

Lisbon: White Lies - Farewell to the Fairground

Madrid: Editors - Munich

Barcelona: At the Drive-In - One Armed Scissor

Turin: Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way

Bologna: Bloc Party - Helicopter

Luxembourg: Pixies - Where Is My Mind

Antwerp: Queens Of The Stone Age - My God Is The Sun

Paris: Biffy Clyro - Bubbles

Amsterdam: Blur - Song 2

Cologne: The Libertines - Can't Stand Me Now

Prague: Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl

Berlin: The Cure - Friday I'm in Love

Munich: Fatboy Slim - Praise You

Zurich: The Strokes - Last Nite

Dublin: Inhaler - These Are The Days

Sheffield: The Killers - Mr. Brightside

Manchester: The Smiths - This Charming Man

Glasgow: The Snuts - Gloria

Brighton: Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated

Cardiff: T. Rex - 20th Century Boy

London: The Libertines - Can't Stand Me Now

Birmingham: Boyz II Men - End Of The Road

- ASIA & AUS LEG - Jakarta: Iggy Pop - Lust For Life

Melbourne: Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl

Brisbane: The Temper Trap - Fader

Sydney: Oasis - Rock 'N' Roll Star

- LATAM LEG - Panama: Hard-Fi - Living for the Weekend

San Juan: Pixies - Where Is My Mind

Rio de Janeiro: Nirvana - Heart-Shaped Box

Like last time the plan is to keep editing this post as tour goes on - 2022 LTWT here

Apple music playlist here

[chickentenderx]

too late (William Turner x reader)

570 word count

reader was Will’s best friend since childhood, they grew up with him and watched him fall in love with Elizabeth. They of course also loved him. They went on pirate crusades together, eventually reader left bc they couldn’t deal with it anymore and distance helped the pain. eventually they moved on, got married, had kids. Will comes back after a couple years to find them after he realized his feelings once Elizabeth married the commodore. He tries to convince reader to come away with him but realizes it’s too late for them.

prompt:

unrequited love from a childhood friend, distance, the other realizing their feelings too late

-“I just came to see how you were doing” “and now it’s time for you to leave”

-“I’ll always need you, I love you” “it’s too late”

warnings: ANGST, no uses of y/n, reader is called mama and wears a skirt, la la land esk ending. This feels very rushed and I wrote it with a migraine so leave me alone if it absolutely sucks

“Will?” the man I once knew all those years ago, the man I once loved, is walking towards me through the mist. For a moment I think it’s just my eyes playing tricks.

“surprised to see me?” he stands at his full height, he’s tanned over the years. His face has matured but still has his boyish charm. Donning pirate attire, he holds an aura of confidence he much lacked in his younger years.

“what are you doing here?” disdain evident in my voice although not intentional.

Although taken aback by my curtness, he continues, “I just came to see how you were doing” I can’t help but notice the hopeful glint in his eyes, the strain in his voice as if he’s trying to find the right words.

“and now it’s time for you to leave” I’m not sure where my sudden irritation came from, perhaps it was the years of waiting, the years of wanting and nothing being returned.

Laughing dryly he quirks his brow as a silent question. “what do you mean? I just got here”

“why are you here Will?” his hopeful expression falls, replaced with something I can’t quite place.

“come away with me, like you did once before,” grabbing my hands he pulls me closer to him. “I need you” Pulling away I take a step away from him and let out a strained laugh. His dislike of my reaction clear on his face.

“no you don’t, you’ve never needed me.” Searching his face I try to find any indication of where he’s going with this.

“I’ll always need you, I love you” oh how long my heart had ached for those words. He tries to step closer but for every step closer he takes, I take a step back. I put my hand up between us to stop him.

The ache in my chest starts to burn with feelings I buried many years ago. “you don’t mean that, and anyways it’s too late now”

“no it’s not, just run away with me. Travel with me, live on the sea” the eagerness in his eyes almost makes me want to but…

“Will…” I’m cut off when his eyes flicker over to my home behind me. The sound of small feet pattering on stone comes close till my son comes up hiding behind my skirt looking at Will skeptically,

“who’s that mama?” the small voice of my young son cuts through the silence between us. Turning to his slightly I whisper with a bittersweet smile,

“no one sweetie, go on back inside.” Gently I pull my son from my leg while gesturing towards our house. “I’ll be there in a minute”

“I- I didn’t know, I’m sorry. I’ll go” before he can turn away I take his hands in mine, still rough from those years of blacksmithing and life at sea,

“a part of my heart will always belong to you, and it always has. But I’ve made a life for myself here, one day I hope the same for you” I can’t bring myself to look into his teary eyes so slowly I bring his knuckles to my mouth, kissing them gently before letting him go. He turns his back and only then do I lift my head up. That was the last time I’d see William Turner, walking away into the morning fog. Only a single tear fell upon the sand that day.

[viric-dreams]

Grand Geode, 1883. Lieutenant Roberts sees a familiar face. Or at least something wearing that face.

There’s a storm coming. Heat and humidity hang in the air, adding strain to each breath. Sweat pools at the back of Roberts’ neck, the droplets sliding down the curve of his spine beneath his uniform. He does his best to ignore the discomfort, gripping the folder in his hands yet tighter as he follows a familiar set of turns down the hall to the Commodore’s office.

In a previous life, he may have regarded his current position as gruntwork–dull, administrative minutia, a world away from any action on the Zee, but in moments like these he finds he doesn’t mind. Any moment now, the heat will break, and the Zee will roil under a torrent of foetid-smelling rain, befouled by the Wax Wind. He does not envy the men on their ships when the storm inevitably hits. Carrying documents up the chain is fine by him, if it means stable stone under his dry feet, and a bed that does not sway with the tides. 

He turns the corner, and before his hand can even touch the office door, Roberts feels the sudden charge in the air, white-hot and electric, and the hairs on his arms stand on end. The sensation calls back to something familiar, half-forgotten in the back of his mind. He wonders if he should leave, perhaps come back later. But before he has time to properly question it, the Commodore’s voice rings out through the door, as if able to sense his presence through the thick wood.

“Who’s there?” 

“It’s Lieutenant Roberts, sir,” he says. 

The Commodore is silent for a beat, then answers softly, as if forgetting the heavy door between them.

“Elias, why don’t you come in.” 

It’s not framed as a question. And so he does.

The Commodore sits at his desk, in the exact position where Roberts has seen him hundreds of times before. But this time is different. This time, he has a visitor. Radiant. That’s the only way he can think of to describe her. A singular point in the centre of the room, the axis around which so many golden threads warp and turn. She does not look happy to see them. In fact, she doesn’t look much of anything, and he struggles to make out her features through the brilliant haze she emanates. 

“Elias, you remember June, don’t you?” There’s a placidness to the Commodore’s voice that he so rarely hears. The man has not taken his eyes off of June since Roberts had entered the room, and he can hardly do so himself. 

Indeed he remembers her. If he squints into that light he can even make out her features, unchanged from when he’d last seen her, nearly two decades prior. He feels warm. Not the muggy heat smothering Zelo’s Town, but a glow, spreading from within his chest out into his limbs. 

“Of course,” he says. How could he forget?

June does not greet him. She does not take her eyes off of the serene face of the Commodore. When her mouth opens, the sound that comes out is otherworldly, timbres not possible on human vocal chords. The sound reverberates through Roberts’ body, like the bass tones of chugging machinery.

It was something of importance. He’s sure of it. She wouldn’t be here, speaking to him, to them, to the Commodore, were it not. A Zee captain will return, and when they do, the Admiralty will be ready. She leaves her instructions. Her voice is so warm, all-encompassing, a rumbling static beating a tune against his eardrums. He will complete the Work. Whatever it is she needs, he will do. They will do. 

He tells her this. At least, he thinks he does. Whether or not he speaks the words out loud she must know this of him. Her eyes are on the Commodore, whose head nods in a slow daze. Of course they can manage. He’ll personally ensure they have the supplies they need. More heat. Pride, this time, that they can do what she requests of them. 

And then she turns to him, golden eyes boring directly through him, setting him alight. Her lips open to speak and–

He comes to at a raucous peel of thunder. June is long gone, and he shivers at the unexpected cold left by her absence, despite the muggy air. Yet despite the chill of her absence, he feels… calm. A slow satisfaction at having done… something right. At least, he feels so. Something worthwhile. 

It’s only several minutes later, when he stands under the building’s awning, the rhythm of rain pounding a frenetic drumbeat into the steel roof, that he realises he’s still clutching the missive meant for the Commodore.

[disco-elysium-via-polls]

I arbitrarily decide to examine the post box again on the way back.

MAIL COLLECTION BOX - The dented yellow mailbox greets you with it's graffito and bullet holes in the front.

"Good mail delivery box." (Pat the box.)

"Fuck you, mail delivery box!" (Kick it.)

[Leave.]

MAIL COLLECTION BOX - The box seems happy.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Easy: Success] - "Eat shit, pig!", "FUCKED BY THE CUNN" and "Saint-G" with a crown have been scribbled on it. "Jennie is a WHORE" and "*Baise cette* mailbox!" also.

I feel you, mail collection box.

Been there, *Poste L'Aventurier* mail collection box... been there.

Mail collection box, you should man the fuck up.

MAIL COLLECTION BOX - The mail collection box seems cathartic, thankful even. So do you. You shudder. Then you swallow.

+1 Morale

The sea breeze carries more than salt: meat. Not rotten, not fresh; grilled.

🎵 Rue de Saint-Ghislane 32B

Waves crashing in the darkness.

Someone has torn down the wall.

BOOK "SIXTEEN DAYS OF COLDEST APRIL"

The cover features a row of concrete buildings with a monochrome rainbow in the sky. It tells a rather excruciating story about two lovers during a period of ethnic unrest in Yugo-Graad. The book has been filed under psychological realism.

Could be useful if we ever need to pass time. Otherwise, I don't see us getting much out of this one.

SAVOIR FAIRE - Master Investigator! You just can't keep yourself away from locked and hidden places, can you?

What do you mean?

It is my duty as a cop to investigate every square inch of this world.

Hey! I am not some sort of a... peeper.

SAVOIR FAIRE - Nothing. Nothing! You're right -- get in there... deep. Invade every personal space, break every lock...

I'm just browsing...

It is my duty as a cop to investigate every square inch of this world.

Hey! I am not some sort of a... peeper.

SAVOIR FAIRE - Attaboy! The world's secrets were made for you. They wait patiently for you to uncover them...

Thought gained: The Jamrock Shuffle

THE JAMROCK SHUFFLE

Temporary research bonus: -1 Esprit de Corps: Confusing behaviour Research time: 1h 5m

By now it’s clear you like to look inside containers. You like to open doors and see what’s behind them. Maybe secrets? Maybe... more juicy containers? Let’s be honest, you like *all* containers. Trash cans, utensil trays, manholes, coat pockets, secret containers left behind by the Filippian kings that hold forbidden relics. Okay, you haven’t come across one of those yet, but *one day*... Wait. Is that why you’re so hellbent on opening containers? Do you think you’ll find the Holy Scepter and the Orbe de Montagne?

Lot of loose change in this cabinet.

A blister pack of medicine peeks out of the box. You should take it!

It's Hypnogamma, which gives us three charges to Morale. Not useful to us right now.

Someone's also left change in their shoes.

Hmm... these shoes come in three different sizes.

This cabinet contains even more Magnesium and... some alcohol.

ALCOHOL "COMMODORE RED"

A large crimson bottle of cheap sugary wine. Made of poverty, sugar, artificial taste enhancers -- and a vague memory of grapes. Guaranteed to colour your lips.

Moss crawls on these bathroom tiles... actual moss.

*Kuuno de Ruyter* is the name on unfinished homework.

Three things occur to Harry at once out here.

Complete silence. Whoever lives here isn't home.

...I think that one was meant to trigger earlier.

You hear distant traffic. Night is falling on the city.

A maroon glow of light pollution rises from the east.

The curtains shift. Just a little. Someone is watching from within.

SMOKER ON THE BALCONY - "Gendarmerie! You found me." The young man on the balcony gives you a bright smile, before taking another drag from his cigarette.

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] - His slender figure is backlit by city lights, its distant streets and motorways flashing like diamonds...

EMPATHY [Medium: Success] - It feels like a Friday. He seems to be in a good mood tonight.

"We got your hint. Found the key right under that stone."

[Leave.]

SMOKER ON THE BALCONY - "Beautiful," he replies, smiling. As he looks at you, something sparkles in his eyes.

"So tell me, are you here to make things *right* again?"

"That's what I'm aiming for, yes."

"Honestly I'm just trying to not screw anything up."

"I'm not going to make things just *right*, I'm going to make them *spectacular*."

(Ignore his question.) "I was hoping to talk to a possible witness. Your balcony overlooks the murder scene."

SMOKER ON THE BALCONY - "Beautiful," he says again. A nearby street lamp casts shadows on his chin, drawing out the slender cheekbones.

"I have some good news for you. My Sunday friend is visiting me tonight. I told him about you and he'd like to say hello. Step in, he's already waiting." He nods towards door #28.

"By the way, I'm really digging the view here." (Point to the city skyline.)

"Is it Friday tonight? It feels like Friday."

"Why would I want to meet your friend?"

"Very well, I'll talk to him, but first I want to talk to *you*. I have so many questions." (Proceed.)

SMOKER ON THE BALCONY - "Mhmh, that's why I chose this place." He looks away, his cigarette end glowing in the dark. "Martinaise is special, isn't it?"

KIM KITSURAGI - "Wait, suddenly you're *digging* things?" the lieutenant whispers to you, shaking his head.

2. "Is it Friday tonight? It feels like Friday."

SMOKER ON THE BALCONY - "Yeah, it does feel like the end of the week. Such gentle weather..."

"Even the rain feels nice." He leans over the railing and sticks out his hand to feel the rain.

3. "Why would I want to meet your friend?"

SMOKER ON THE BALCONY - "Trust me, you do."

4. "Very well, I'll talk to him, but first I want to talk to *you*. I have so many questions." (Proceed.)

SMOKER ON THE BALCONY - "That's nice, but I don't have anything to tell you. It's my friend you're looking for, not me."

He takes another drag of his unfiltered cigarette and looks around. It's getting dark and the neighbouring windows have lit up one by one.

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Medium: Success] - Downstairs a cat crosses the yard, disappearing into the bush.

SMOKER ON THE BALCONY - "Besides, I've got to run."

INLAND EMPIRE [Easy: Success] - He's going to leave you alone again. That's sad.

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] - Something tells you you're never going to talk to an individual this cool or mysterious ever again.

"Run where?"

"But I just *found* you again!"

"Go, if you must, I don't care. I don't care about people leaving me all the time."

SMOKER ON THE BALCONY - "Just look at it..." He gestures towards distant motorways, all leading to golden La Delta. "It's a beautiful night. Who's going to stay in on a night like this?"

"Only if you promise that we'll talk again. It's *important*."

"Alright, go then."

KIM KITSURAGI - Something flutters in the corner of the lieutenant's mouth as you're saying those words.

EMPATHY [Formidable: Success] - It's laughter!

SMOKER ON THE BALCONY - "We'll talk," the smoker assures you, brushing his hand through the hair. "Just not tonight."

"Take care, alright?" he says with another disarming smile, before slipping off into the night.

Task complete: The smoker on the balcony

+70 XP

Level up!

New task: Interview the Sunday friend

CONCEPTUALIZATION [Medium: Success] - And he's gone again. Looks like it's becoming a theme for him.

"He's always leaving... Why is he always leaving, Kim?"

"There's something so *different* about him that I just can't put my finger on…"

"Let's go, Kim. We have to interview his Sunday friend." [Leave.]

KIM KITSURAGI - "Who knows, detective? It's a... mystery," he says, turning his face away from you.

EMPATHY [Formidable: Success] - There, he's laughing again!

2. "There's something so *different* about him that I just can't put my finger on…"

KIM KITSURAGI - "Different, of course."

[the-hottest-band-tournament]

Round Three of The Hottest 80s Band Tournament

The Go Go’s

Defeated opponents: Kraftwerk, Commodores

Formed in: 1978

Genres: new wave, power pop, pop rock, punk rock 

Lineup: Belinda Carlisle- vocals 

Jane Weidlin- rhythm guitar

Charlotte Caffey- lead guitar

Gina Schock- drums

Kathy Valentine- bass

Albums from the 80s: 

Beauty and the Beat (1981)

Vacation (1982) 

Talk Show (1984)

Propaganda: While their biggest hits were very bubblegum and upbeat, these girls came up in the LA Punk scene and had the bite to back that up. Rolling Stone ranked the Hardest Partying Bands and The Go Go's came in 3rd, right behind Mötley Crüe and Led Zeppelin. Their songs are certified bops and great to blast on a road trip and their style was pure LA Mall Rat which, frankly, still iconic.

Thin Lizzy

Defeated opponents: The Human League, The Jesus and Mary Chain

Formed in: 1969

Genres: Hard rock, heavy metal

Lineup: Phil Lynott- bass, vocals

Scott Gorham- guitar

Snowy White- guitar

Darren Wharton- keyboards, organ

Brian Downey- drums, percussion

Albums from the 80s:

Chinatown (1980)

Renegade (1981)

Thunder and Lightning (1983)

Propaganda: 

[ionlymadethissoicouldleaveanask]

“Am I your lockscreen?” 

“You weren’t supposed to see that.”

and/or:

"I’m too sober for this.” 

“You don’t even drink.” 

“Maybe I should start.”

(from the sentence starter list!)

Thank you for these prompts! I'm excited to go through them :D

1.

Commander Trouble Kelp dropped his head to his desk. It had been one of those days.

When he was younger, those days mostly meant running around after a particularly crafty criminal, or at most getting hit hard enough to be sent to a warlock for recovery. Now, as Commander of LEP Recon, those days were filled with bureaucratic meetings, enough technobabble from an egocentric centaur to make your ears fall off, and yet another IA review.

He missed the days where he only worried about getting squashed by a Troll.

His personal communicator buzzed beside him. He tried to ignore it. Foaly had, for some reason, decided that it would be a good idea to release his personal number to a whole slew of reporters and paparazzi. Trouble was of half a mind to slash the tech-wizard's budget in half in retaliation.

Then his communicator buzzed again, and he made up his mind.

"What's taking so long?" a bright, cheery voice cut into his introspective complaints. He lifted his head to see Commodore Holly Short, her shock of auburn hair and wide smile poked in through his office door.

In spite of it all, Trouble felt a grin cross his face. Then he dropped back down. "I'm going to kill your friend," he grumbled. "I swear. This time I'm really going to do it."

As Holly laughed and sauntered over to his side, his communicator buzzed again. "What did he do this time?" she asked, casually running a hand through his short brown hair. His comm buzzed three more times in the time it took her to ask the question.

"I'm serious," Trouble said, lifting his head to look at her. "I'm going to-" his voice cut off when he realized that she wasn't looking at him anymore. Her fingers continued to trail idly through his hair, and the grin on her face had only widened, but now she was staring intently at his comm.

"Trouble," she said, picking the device up off the desk, "am I... am I your lockscreen?"

The young commander felt his cheeks turn red. "What?" he snapped immediately, his voice defensive. "No."

Holly turned on him a look that could freeze molten rock. "You may be able to lie to a lot of people, Trubs," she said tersely, "but I was never one of them." Then she turned his communicator so that he could see it. "So I'm going to ask you again, and I expect you to be honest this time. Am I your lockscreen?"

Trouble's cheeks heated further as he stared at the offending evidence - a beautiful picture he had snapped of her on one of their days off. She was wearing something casual and laughing, her head tossed back and her auburn hair had fallen back from her forehead. It was his favorite picture of her.

"You weren't supposed to see that," he finally answered.

Holly just laughed, the ice-cold expression on her face thawing and the smile sliding back into place on her lips. She bent down to kiss his forehead. "It's time for you to come home, Commander," she whispered with a twinkle in her eye. "I'll help you get back at Foaly for whatever he did in the morning."

She then grabbed his hand and pulled him out of his chair. For once, Trouble didn't mind being told what to do.

----

2.

Clone Commander Fox was many things. He was a fighter. He was a leader. According to Stone he was a control freak.

Right now, Commander Fox was bored.

"You look like you're ready to kill something," a light voice hummed in his ear.

Fox turned sharply to the side, still unaccustomed to the playful attitude of his companion. She smiled and a quiet giggle escaped her lips as her golden eyes burned into his own.

"I'm fine," Fox said, clearing his throat uncomfortably. "Just... enjoying the party, Ma'am."

The young senator laughed again, leaning close enough to brush deliberately against his arm. Fox felt his skin rise as she drew her lips close enough to his ear to let her warm breath wash over his skin as she said, "First, I already told you to just call me Riyo tonight." Though her tone was somewhat reproachful, her eyes still sparkled with laughter. "And second, you promised you would be honest."

Fox took a deep breath. His instinct was to brush her off and try some other polite excuse... exactly what he did every time one of the Senators decided to descend to the lowly clones' level and speak to him for a moment. But one more look into Senator Chuchi's - Riyo's - bewitching eyes and his usual MO was out the window.

"I think that I'm too sober to be here," he answered more sincerely than he had meant to.

Riyo let out a real laugh this time, and for just a moment Fox allowed himself the luxury of imagining spending his entire life doing whatever it took to hear that sound over and over again. "You don't even drink, Fox," she said, resting a hand on his bicep to help support her as she continued to chuckle.

He turned his attention to the crowd around in order to hide the blush on his cheeks. Immediately he caught the sight of several Senators cavorting about and drunkenly cackling. "If you're going to keep dragging me to these things, I think I should start," he commented dryly.

Realizing what he had accidentally said, Fox couldn't help but shoot her a guilty sideways glance.

She was smiling up at him. Her azure eyebrows delicately arched, her eyes wide with an almost childlike delight. The faintest ghost of a smile graced her lips as she stared up at him.

"So, you plan to let me drag you to more of these?" she asked, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

Fox's cheeks burned. "I didn't say that."

"Yes you did," Riyo countered, her grin only widening. She glanced around quickly to ensure that no one was looking at them, then leaned up on her toes and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. "And I'm going to make you live up to it," she whispered before dropping back to her feet.

Fox shook his head ruefully. He was in trouble with this one, he just knew it.

And the worst part? He was going to love every minute of it.

[1americanconservative]

Some of the artists of the '60s are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate baby boomers.

They include:

1. Herman's Hermits--- Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker

2. The Bee Gees--- How Can You Mend a Broken Hip.

3. Bobby Darin--- Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash.

4. Ringo Starr--- I Get By With a Little Help From Depends.

5. Roberta Flack--- The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face.

6. Johnny Nash--- I Can't See Clearly Now.

7. Paul Simon--- Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver.

8. The Commodores--- Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom.

9. Marvin Gaye--- Heard It Through the Grape Nuts.

10. Procol Harem - A Whiter Shade of Hair.

11. Leo Sayer--- You Make Me Feel Like Napping.

12. The Temptations--- Papa's Got a Kidney Stone.

13. Abba--- Denture Queen.

14. Tony Orlando--- Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall.

15. Helen Reddy--- I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore.

16. Willie Nelson--- On the Commode Again

17. Leslie Gore--- It's My Procedure and I'll Cry If I Want To.

[retrocgads]

UK 1985