It Ain't Calculus
Ashley is rude. That's true. It's not *always* her fault, but she does seem to have a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And though "always" is stretching it, it usually *is* her fault.
However, I submit that it is not the number of indiscretions committed by a particular Ranger, but rather the frequency of these occurrences that matters. (The chemical formula for this would be, "indiscretion is diluted by time".) In addition, while the "First" series cover a span of two weeks, "After Space" takes place in a single night.
Taking this into account, it is now possible to calculate the frequency--or concentration, if you will--of daily indiscretions (henceforth referred to in units of "DI") by certain Rangers in both series.
Try to follow my math here.
Adri's Ashley
Indiscretion number: one (making out with Andros in a public place, namely, the observatory)
Time span: one night
Concentration: One indiscretion, divided by one night = one DI
Adri's Andros
Indiscretion number: one (making out with Ashley in a public place, namely, the observatory)
Time span: one night
Concentration: One indiscretion, divided by one night = one DI
Adri's Carlos
Indiscretion number: one (spying on Andros and Ashley making out in a public place, namely, the aforementioned observatory)
Time span: one night
Concentration: One indiscretion, divided by one night = one DI
Adri's TJ
Indiscretion number: one (interfering in Cassie's love life by threatening PHANTOM--the moment he boarded, no less)
Time span: one night
Concentration: One indiscretion, divided by one night = one DI
Adri's PHANTOM
Indiscretion number: one (barging into Cassie's room uninvited--he's lucky I didn't count waking her up, the jerk)
Time span: one night
Concentration: One indiscretion, divided by one night = one DI
Adri's Zhane
Indiscretion number: two (spying on Andros and Ashley and barging into the girl's room univited--he's been taking lessons from some of the others, I think)
Time span: one night
Concentration: Two indiscretions, divided by one night = two DI
You'll note that only two "After Space" characters have so far escaped--the evil girls of "First Light", Cassie and the girl. Now, obviously, "First Light"'s Ashley can't compete with them. But I submit that she most certainly *can* compete with every other Ranger in "After Space"--watch.
Starhawk's Ashley
Indiscretion number: "too many to count", otherwise known as, well, lots. Examples: Sneaking into Andros's room univited, making out with Andros in public places, walking in on Cassie and PHANTOM on numerous occasions.
Time span: seventeen days and seventeen nights, for a total of thirty-four twelve-hour periods.
Concentration required to equal even the milder "After Space" offenders: 34 indiscretions, divided by 34 night and day periods = one DI
Concentration required to reach the winner of the "After Space" rudeness award, also known as Zhane: 68 individual indiscretions, divided by 34 night and day periods = two DI
In other words, to be known as "the rudest fic Ranger", Ashley would have to have committed no less than SIXTY-NINE separate indiscretions so far in the "First" series. Sure, she's rude, but is she *that* rude? ::smirk::
The Battle