It was just an average Wednesday night. With the sound of an occasional car turning the corner of the street or a dog barking it was peaceful. Jun was just finishing up cleaning up at the Snack J. She glanced at the clock and then at the two young men sitting at the bar arguing over the concept of weapons systems and smiled to herself. Ken and Joe were always battling over the issue of when to use the Phoenix's missiles. Joe when he saw a target just wanted to fire… no questions until later. Ken wanted an order from Dr. Nambu and tried to follow the rules when all of his crew was aboard, although if the situation only affected him he would take risks. Big risks which drove her nuts. Jinpei always teased her about Ken and she told him to be quiet, but she knew he was right. The problem was her commander was either totally clueless or so into his work that he didn't see the love in her eyes whenever she told him to "be careful". She couldn't remember the number of times that she had yelled this out to him as he ran off to do something stupid.. alone.
"We'll never agree!" says Joe frustrated throwing up his hands. "Galactor will always be shooting ammunition at us and I say we need to upgrade the Phoenix again!"
"We just did that Joe, there is no need for adding more weapons", replies Ken taking a sip of his coffee. "If we could only get Katse we could interrogate him to tell us where the base is."
"How long have we been doing this? I want to do other things with my life, don't you?" says Joe pounding his fist on the bar. "I pass up more races than you can imagine. I could be the world champion, but I can't qualify as I only make a couple of races a month. I have potential Ken…. I want to get this guy so I can LIVE."
"Why do you stay then?", replies Ken calmly as he gives a sideways glance at Jun to see what she is thinking of this conversation. She gives him the "look" like you better smooth this over or we're in for a big problem on the next mission.
"I do it to revenge my parents. I want to get the bastards that killed them on that beach. I want to make the world a better place and I guess I could never abandon my family.. all of you", Joe replies softly looking away so Ken doesn't see his emotions.
"That's the G-2 I know", replies Ken extending his hand to Joe who after looking at it clasps it firmly for a good shake.
"Sorry to cut it short commander, but speaking of G-2 I have to do some maintenance on it. I should be going." Joe gets up and throws some bills on the counter. "Thanks Jun.. see you soon!" He walks to the door and leaves as Jun walks up and takes his dish and looks at the money.'
"He paid! Unlike someone else I know", she smirks at Ken.
"Low blow Jun", replies Ken taking draining his cup of coffee.
"Oh Ken I was just teasing. How about a piece of chocolate cake?", Jun raises her eyebrow. She knows Ken rarely refuses dessert.
"I should really be going, I have an early drop-off tomorrow", replies Ken looking at the clock. "But your chocolate cake rocks and I just can't refuse." He gives her a half smile. She then cuts him a large slice and puts it before him. As he digs in he says, "Where is Jinpei tonight?"
"He went to a video game conference with Ryu. They're staying over tonight and coming back in the morning. I actually miss the little guy", replies Jun as she walks around the counter and plops down on the stool next to Ken.
"He is growing up Jun. You have to let him go eventually", says Ken as he takes a bite of cake.
"I know! It's just so hard. I mean he works with us on such dangerous missions, but when we come home he is just my little brother who I just want to protect. Being an orphan myself.. I don't know what I'd do without him…or you", she says softly as he finishes his cake. Wiping his mouth on his napkin he looks at the girl before him.
"I feel the same way Jun.. I know that things get complicated and you just aren't able to have the life you want to.. Joe reminds me everyday. But if we stay focused, stay alert and get this mission done. We all will be able to have a life.. and I hope that to be very soon." He softly brushes a black strand of hair behind her ear before he realizes what he has done. He awkwardly pulls his hand away and quickly grabs a glass of water and takes a large gulp.
She stares at him a moment as a teardrop falls from her eye. She quickly wipes away the tear not wanting him to see the weakness that she has exhibited. She thinks how out of everyone on the Science Ninja team he knows her best. They don't communicate as much as she wished they would, but she knows that that deep down he cared for her.
"Ken, if we killed Berg Katse.. tomorrow… what would you do?", asks Jun quietly as he puts his glass down. "I mean, suppose all of a sudden Dr. Nambu said that Galactor wasn't a threat anymore. Would you get a different job, move?"
"I'd probably try to extend my delivery business, get a bigger plane. Maybe go into commercial piloting.. I don't really know Jun. I wouldn't move though, everything and everyone I care about is right here. I'd probably build a house on the airfield, one with more than one bedroom,", he snickers before getting serious again. "Are you picking up what I am putting down?", he turns and leans his back against the counter closing his eyes and keeping his eyes away from her. "Things are dangerous right now Jun, there is a war going on and someday I hope that we can all just go with our lives. That Jinpei can go to college, Joe can become that world champion cup holder, that Ryu can own a chain of burger joints and maybe you and I can well….", he sighs and runs a hand through his hair and gives her a sheepish look. Jun nods softly as she stares into the blue eyes of the one person that she has loved since before she could remember. "Jun you have to know … I can't ask you to… well until.." stammers Ken.
"I know Ken.. ", smiles Jun as she grabs his hand and squeezes it softly. He gives her a lopsided grin back.
Just then a large crash occurs at the front of the Snack J and the two jump up in defensive mode. A large tank has rammed itself into the restaurant and a Galactor agent flips open the hatch with a large tube.
"Jun behind the bar", yells Ken as he leaps over the counter. She follows and immediately they transmute into their bird style. Gazing back over the counter Ken nods at Jun to throw her yo-yo at the Galactor agent but before she can make a move, gas fills the restaurant. The air becomes thick and cloudy and choking Ken grabs unto Jun as she loses consciousness. He holds her a moment to him, however he can't hold his breath any longer and he feels his mind go dark as the two of them slip to the floor in one heap.
A few moments later two Galactor agents walk behind the bar. Talking into a communication device he calls Katse. "We have two of the Science Ninja team Lord Katse, the woman and Gatchaman himself."
"Excellent, you've done your job well". That insider piece of information was right on the money. NOW.. see the blue bracelets they are wearing? REMOVE them. They should become ordinary teenagers before your eyes and will become more defenseless", replies Katse in a mocking tone.
The Galactor agents quickly remove the bracelets and before their eyes the two white birds turn into just two teenagers with numbered t-shirts. "We've done what you said Lord Katse, These two are nothing but two teenagers in normal clothing".
"Wonderful, now carry out the plan as we discussed. And remember.. we said a remote location where no one will ever find them. Search them thoroughly that they have no hidden weapons. I've heard they keep secret pockets on them. I want them to be completely defenseless where they are going."
The Galactors search the two and find a bird boomerang in Ken's side pocket and Jun's yo-yo in a similar pocket. The head Galactor agent motions for the tank to back out of the building. It slowly backs out and Ken and Jun are carried to the tank. Just as they are being loaded into the tank a car pulls up.
"I can't believe you are such a baby that made me drive all the way back here", says Ryu in disgust.
Jinpei opens the door. "Put a lid on it you fat oaf!", yells Jinpei holding his fist in Ryu's face.
"What the hell is that?", says Ryu looking at the tank. "That's got to be Galactor and they've got Ken…"
"Big Bro… and SIS", exclaims Jinpei as he watches his sister being loaded into the tank.
"G-5 to G-2, come in G-2", yells Ryu into his communicator. "Damn it Joe come in we've got a situation going on."
Meanwhile underneath the G-2 Joe pushes himself out and tosses a wrench aside. "Hold your horses Ryu, what's up and why isn't Ken arranging the formation".
"That's just it", replies Ryu. "Galactor has Ken and Jun and the scary part is that they are in normal clothes.. so".
"They know who we are. This is BAD Ryu. Very bad. Where are you now?", replies Joe jumping into the G-2"
"We're at Jun's, but I've got to get to the Phoenix and oh my God!", yells Ryu"
"Talk to me", says Joe as he speeds down the streets.
"The tank just took off. It can transform into a jet and they are just gone!", replies Ryu as Jinpei comes running up.
"Things look bad… they left communicators behind.. they're going to kill big bro and sis…..whaaa!!!!", Jinpei starts to wail as he holds two blue bracelets up.
"Oh this is not good", says Ryu. "Joe they don't have their communicators with them. There is no way to do a bird scramble or to even track them."
"I'm ready for pick-up you dunce.. get to the Phoenix and calm the small fry down", yells Joe. "I've already transmuted and stop standing around. We'll never get them back if you just stand there and do nothing. Ryu looks at Jinpei and pats his shoulder. Jinpei transmutes and follows Ryu in his helitank mobile. Finally after leaving Center Neptune they pick up the blue racecar and their temporary commander enters the bridge.
"Okay we've assembled and we have to find them as soon as possible. There won't be an arguing, I'm in command of this team while G-1 is disabled", says Joe plopping down in Ken's seat and rubbing his hands over the control panel.
"You sound gleeful that the commander is missing", says Ryu looking sideways at him.
"Of course not you idiot. I just want to remain focused and we'll find them eventually", snaps back Joe.
"Someone's not in good mood… and I'm going to tell big bro you want his job!", says Jinpei looking at Joe.
"Shut up you little runt, I'm doing my job as G-2. Now get over to your seat and you'll be covering for Jun and me back there as there are only three of us so you'll be busy."
"Don't you think that we should call Dr. Nambu and brief him on the situation," says Ryu. "We didn't even report in before we took the Phoenix out.
"Yeah, soon. I just want to get all our facts straight", replies Joe tapping his hand on the panel. "Where would I take them if I was Katse?"
"To headquarters… duh..", yells Jinpei from the background.
Meanwhile.. Ken wakes up with a huge headache. Sitting up he is amazed to find him and Jun untied and sitting in what seems to be a thick rainforest. Nothing in every direction but foliage and the loud cawing of parrots and screams of animals that he doesn't want to know are. He looks down at Jun who has yet to awaken. He gently taps her on the shoulder. "Jun.. wake up.. Jun you got to wake up." She sighs and rolls over..
"Five more minutes Jinpei..stop teasing me. I am NOT dreaming about Ken." Ken raises his eyebrows.. "she dreams about me? Interesting."
"Jun it is Ken…. wake up!". She eyes pop open and she sees her commander there sitting before her. "Where are we? What happened?", she asks as she closes her eyes and rubs her head.
"We've been bird napped… and we have no communicators" he sighs as he points to his naked wrist. She gets a look of panic as she looks at her own wrist.
"No bird scrambles.. they can't track us", exclaims Jun. "Our weapons.." she unzips her side pocket fumbling for her yo-yo.
"Are gone…", states Ken. "I already looked for my boomerang.
"Ken what are we going to do?", asks Jun. "We've always had our weapons and we've never been out in the middle of nowhere." She hears a loud growl and much to the surprise of Ken she launches herself into his lap.
"Have faith Jun. Don't you remember Dr. Nambu made Joe and I be boy scouts to round out our training?"
"You two got kicked out for tying up the leader to a tree after he refused to give your eagle badge early. You said you already were an eagle and you didn't have to earn it", replied Jun with a smirk.
"Oh yeah those were great memories", chuckles Ken to himself as he holds onto Jun for a moment before gently removing her from his lap. "But trust me I do know some survival skills and we'll be just fine."
"I trust you with my life", smiles Jun.
"Yeah…", nods Ken.