TED Talks

Posted on Wed Jan 28th, 2026 @ 11:43am by Valdana 'Dan' Raadax

1,103 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Graduation Day
Location: Megaship
Timeline: April 18th 2051

Valdana sighed as she scrubbed at her hair and pulled it up out of her face. She hated how hot she felt with her gloves and every inch of her covered but she dared not expose people to her poison when she was struggling to control how potent it was at the moment thanks to all the changes.

“About time you showed up?” She demanded as the door to the megaship opened and her sparring partner came in.

“I am programmed for a great many things. However, punctuality is not a core tenet of that programming.” The white and silver figure with a red trim said as it walked in, almost resembling a heavily armoured Ranger “However, I am more than capable of, as Mr.McGinnis would put it, kick your sorry ass.”

The orange ranger rolled her eyes as she took in the bot. It was a more basic version of Melody designed for fighting and training. It was the one thing that she dared attempt to spar against in her current fluxed state. “It should be part of your core tenets. The Galactic Patrol Force does not seem the type to value tardiness.” She added as an afterthought.

“That may be so, however, you are not a member of the GPF.” The droid noted, crossing it’s arms “Unless someone missed an entry in my memory banks?”

“I believe the president called me a civilian contractor.” Valdana did not care either way; she did not need credits to work after the last few years of music. She just wished she had something to do properly instead of hiding on the megaship. It was not exactly helping her mood.

“So not a member.” The droid noted once more,“Now, shall we begin, civilian contractor?”

The woman rolled her eyes. “Aren’t you a bundle of joy. Do you have a name?” She wondered, thinking back to when Melody had become Melody. This bot was designed for fighting practices, but she will still respect it.

“I don't yet. Apparently it wasn't a priority.” The droid replied sardonically “I'm a tactical exercise droid…. Maybe Ted?”

“Ted works for me. If you believe that being appropriate, and you know why I am fighting you and why, after we finish, you have to decontaminate?” She demanded softly as she flexed her fingers in her gloves.

“Yes, I am familiar with your particular issue.” The droid nodded “Mr.McGinnis referred to you as being the Rogue of the team. I had to spend some time researching his reasoning, and although not a totally accurate descriptor, I can see the way someone could make that error.”

“And what is your rationale for me being the rogue?” She wondered quietly as she looked over at the newly christened ted. She wondered how alike to Melody this unit was suddenly was.

“Not the rogue. The Rogue.” TED corrected “A character from an old Earth Comic Book. Unable to touch any individuals without doing them harm through a form of energy vampirism.”

“Not human. Never heard of it but I also do not acquire energy.” It would be easier if she did have that ability. It would be easier on her mentally and being able to control it but like this she was always weary. “I poison people which is why you decontaminate.” She stated.

“I did say it is an imperfect analogy.” TED replied dryly “Now, shall we begin?”

Valdana nodded and stepped back to the sparing circle. She looked at her leather gloves again and secured them again. “Let’s go.” She declared.

“Very well.” TED nodded, charging in before dropping into a kneeling slide, kicking up into her lower back before flipping back onto his feet “Point to me?”

“I did not realise we were point scoring.” The woman said, turning around to slam her fist into the unit's chest watching with satisfaction that it made a thud sound. Valdana needed this a lot more than she realised.

“From my observation of organics, scoring points is a good way for them to monitor progress and track improvement.” TED noted “I came to this conclusion on the fifth time Mr McGinnis put on the film the Mask of Zorro. In the space of a week.”

“I am not human and I do not keep score to track my progress. I track my progress in not killing anyone.” She murmured. The orange haired woman had no idea what the mask of zorro was but she would enquire maybe it would be a way for her to get to know the red ranger. She was growing bored of constantly being on the Megaship alone because of her fame if she went out unmorphed.

“A noble goal.” TED nodded “I am ready to resume when you are.”

Valdana nodded and started back towards the bot. She kicked and hit the bot back and forth until she was exhausted and ended up on her ass lying on the mat. She looked up at the ceiling and just sighed a little.

“Are you intact, Ranger Orange?” The bot questioned “From my understanding, organics do not usually just lay on the ground for no reason.”

“What does your database say about people who are exhausted?” Valdana wondered lying there still. She was exhausted not having had a good session like that in a long time. It was exactly what she needed after Jamie had left.

“That they should consume water or another liquid.” The bot nodded “Do you require water? Or beer?”

Valadana took a moment before she burst out laughing. A beer would go down a treat but that was not very respectful to her body when she was struggling enough. “I require water though the beer was tempting. Another time.” She laughed a little more as she sat up.

“Coming right up.” The bot replied, turning and beginning to walk out as he called back “Ranger Red had a bartender subroutine input into my coding.”

The woman sat there confused for a moment before she jumped up. “Of course he did. Where are you going?” She wondered worried that he was leaving before sanitising after her potential contamination.

“Decon protocols.” The bot said “Unlike an organic, I can use the teleportation system for them. After all, removing all biological compounds from me will not be fatal.”

Valdana nodded relieved as she quickly wiped her sweat off and pulled her hoodie back over despite the heat and how uncomfortable it made her. “Thank you.” She breathed.

“You are welcome, Ranger Orange.” He replied, “Make your way to the galley. I will meet you there.”

 

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