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Ishi (c1861 – March 25, 1916) was the last known member of the Native American Yahi people from the present-day state of California in the United States.
2023.06.09 02:25 NickelPlatedEmperor Ishi (c1861 – March 25, 1916) was the last known member of the Native American Yahi people from the present-day state of California in the United States.
 | Ishi (c1861 – March 25, 1916) was the last known member of the Native American Yahi people from the present-day state of California in the United States. The rest of the Yahi (as well as many members of their parent tribe, the Yana) were killed in the California genocide in the 19th century. Ishi, who was widely acclaimed as the "last wild Indian" in the United States, lived most of his life isolated from modern North American culture. In 1911, aged 50, he emerged at a barn and corral, 2 mi (3.2 km) from downtown Oroville, California. submitted by NickelPlatedEmperor to TheWayWeWere [link] [comments] Ishi, which means "man" in the Yana language, is an adopted name. The anthropologist Alfred Kroeber gave him this name because, in the Yahi culture, tradition demanded that he not speak his own name until formally introduced by another Yahi. When asked his name, he said: "I have none, because there were no people to name me," meaning that there was no other Yahi to speak his name on his behalf. Ishi was taken in by anthropologists at the University of California, Berkeley, who both studied him and hired him as a janitor. He lived most of his remaining five years in a university building in San Francisco. His life was depicted and discussed in multiple films and books, notably the biographical account Ishi in Two Worlds published by Theodora Kroeber in 1961. 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 In 1865, Ishi and his family were attacked in the Three Knolls Massacre, in which 40 of their tribesmen were killed. Although 33 Yahi survived to escape, cattlemen killed about half of the survivors. The last survivors, including Ishi and his family, went into hiding for the next 44 years. Their tribe was popularly believed to be extinct. Prior to the California Gold Rush of 1848–1855, the Yahi population numbered 404 in California, but the total Yana in the larger region numbered 2,997. The gold rush brought tens of thousands of miners and settlers to northern California, putting pressure on native populations. Gold mining damaged water supplies and killed fish; the deer left the area. The settlers brought new infectious diseases such as smallpox and measles. The northern Yana group became extinct while the central and southern groups (who later became part of Redding Rancheria) and Yahi populations dropped dramatically. Searching for food, they came into conflict with settlers, who set bounties of 50 cents per scalp and 5 dollars per head on the natives. In 1865, the settlers attacked the Yahi while they were still asleep. 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞, 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝: "In 1865, near the Yahi's special place, Black Rock, the waters of Mill Creek turned red at the Three Knolls Massacre. 'Sixteen' or 'seventeen' Indian fighters killed about forty Yahi, as part of a retaliatory attack for two white women and a man killed at the Workman's household on Lower Concow Creek near Oroville. Eleven of the Indian fighters that day were Robert A. Anderson, Harmon (Hi) Good, Sim Moak, Hardy Thomasson, Jack Houser, Henry Curtis, his brother Frank Curtis, as well as Tom Gore, Bill Matthews, and William Merithew. W. J. Seagraves visited the site, too, but some time after the battle had been fought. Robert Anderson wrote, "Into the stream they leapt, but few got out alive. Instead many dead bodies floated down the rapid current." One captive Indian woman named Mariah from Big Meadows (Lake Almanor today), was one of those who did escape. The Three Knolls massacre is also described in Theodora Kroeber's Ishi in Two Worlds. Since then more has been learned. It is estimated that with this massacre, Ishi's entire cultural group, the Yana/Yahi, may have been reduced to about sixty individuals. From 1859 to 1911, Ishi's remote band became more and more infiltrated by non-Yahi Indian representatives, such as Wintun, Nomlaki, and Pit River individuals. In 1879, the federal government started Indian boarding schools in California. Some men from the reservations became renegades in the hills. Volunteers among the settlers and military troops carried out additional campaigns against the northern California Indian tribes during that period. In late 1908, a group of surveyors came across the camp inhabited by two men, a middle-aged woman, and an elderly woman. These were Ishi, his uncle, his younger sister, and his mother, respectively. The former three fled while the latter hid in blankets to avoid detection, as she was sick and unable to flee. The surveyors ransacked the camp, and Ishi's mother died soon after his return. His sister and uncle never returned, possibly drowning in a nearby river. 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 After the 1908 encounter, Ishi spent three more years alone in the wilderness. Starving and with nowhere to go, Ishi, at around the age of 50, emerged on August 29, 1911, at the Charles Ward slaughterhouse back corral near Oroville, California, after forest fires in the area. He was found pre-sunset by Floyd Hefner, son of the next-door dairy owner (who was in town), who was "hanging out", and who went to harness the horses to the wagon for the ride back to Oroville, for the workers and meat deliveries. Witnessing slaughterhouse workers included Lewis "Diamond Dick" Cassings, a "drugstore cowboy". Later, after Sheriff J.B. Webber arrived, the Sheriff directed Adolph Kessler, a nineteen-year-old slaughterhouse worker, to handcuff Ishi, who smiled and complied. The "wild man" caught the imagination and attention of thousands of onlookers and curiosity seekers. University of California, Berkeley anthropology professors read about him and "brought him" to the Affiliated Colleges Museum (1903—1931), in an old law school building on the University of California's Affiliated Colleges campus on Parnassus Heights, San Francisco. Studied at the university, Ishi also worked as a janitor and lived at the museum for most of the remaining five years of his life. In October 1911, Ishi, Sam Batwi, T. T. Waterman, and A. L. Kroeber, went to the Orpheum Opera House in San Francisco to see Lily Lena (Alice Mary Ann Mathilda Archer, born 1877) the "London Songbird," known for "kaleidoscopic" costume changes. Lena gave Ishi a piece of gum as a token. On May 13, 1914, Ishi, T. T. Waterman, A.L. Kroeber, Dr Saxton Pope, and Saxton Pope Jr. (11 years old), took Southern Pacific's Cascade Limited overnight train, from the Oakland Mole and Pier to Vina, California, on a trek in the homelands of the Deer Creek area of Tehama county, researching and mapping for the University of California, fleeing on May 30, 1914, during the Lassen Peak volcano eruption. T.T. Waterman and A.L. Kroeber, director of the museum, studied Ishi closely over the years and interviewed him at length in an effort to reconstruct Yahi culture. He described family units, naming patterns, and the ceremonies that he knew. Many traditions had already been lost when he was growing up, as there were few older survivors in his group. He identified material items and showed the techniques by which they were made. In February 1915, during Panama–Pacific International Exposition, Ishi was filmed in the Sutro Forest with the actress Grace Darling for Hearst-Selig News Pictorial, No. 30. 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 Lacking acquired immunity to common diseases, Ishi was often ill. He was treated by Saxton T. Pope, a professor of medicine at UCSF. Pope became a close friend of Ishi and learned from him how to make bows and arrows in the Yahi way. He and Ishi often hunted together. Ishi died of tuberculosis on March 25, 1916. It is said that his last words were, "You stay. I go." His friends at the university tried to prevent an autopsy on Ishi's body since Yahi tradition called for the body to remain intact. However, the doctors at the University of California medical school performed an autopsy before Waterman could prevent it. Ishi's brain was preserved and his body was cremated. His friends placed grave goods with his remains before cremation: "one of his bows, five arrows, a basket of acorn meal, a box full of shell bead money, a purse full of tobacco, three rings, and some obsidian flakes." Ishi's remains were interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Colma, California, near San Francisco. Kroeber put Ishi's preserved brain in a deerskin-wrapped Pueblo Indian pottery jar and sent it to the Smithsonian Institution in 1917. It was held there until August 10, 2000, when the Smithsonian repatriated it to the descendants of the Redding Rancheria and Pit River tribes. This was in accordance with the National Museum of the American Indian Act of 1989 (NMAI). According to Robert Fri, director of the National Museum of Natural History, "Contrary to commonly-held belief, Ishi was not the last of his kind. In carrying out the repatriation process, we learned that as a Yahi–Yana Indian his closest living descendants are the Yana people of northern California." His remains were also returned from Colma, and the tribal members intended to bury them in a secret place. (𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞: 𝐈𝐬𝐡𝐢, 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧) (𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞: 𝐈𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬: 𝐀 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 & 𝐖𝐢𝐤𝐢) |
2023.06.09 02:15 enjoyeverysangwich Finished The Deluge by Stephen Markley...
I am going to come out and say that this book is one of the best and most important pieces of literature in recent history.
It is no easy read, it clocks in around 900 pages and describes the very recent history of the United States and then carries into the future. It's main premise is the steadily advancing climate crisis which is rapidly spiraling into worse and worse weather events and contributing to chaos across the country. As the reader, you are taken into the lives of several different key characters - a climatologist, a climate change warrior advocate, an eco-terrorist cell leader, a neurodivergent numbers wizard who turned from sports betting to climate modeling, a poverty-stricken resident of rural-suburban Ohio, a marketing executive, and countless political figures that are fictional but fleshed out in believable and meaningful ways. Each character brings their own angle to the broader story, and each one is written in their own unique style and with their own unique voice in a way that greatly expands the overall story.
Taking place from 2013-2040 and weaving together these story threads into a grand narrative surrounding the political developments of the timeframe, all backed by the growing roar of the climate crisis, The Deluge is a masterpiece of fiction. Its humanity, its set pieces, and its intricacy and care in handling incredibly complicated topics such as climate science or the process of a bill being passed in congress to make them palatable to the average reader is no small feat. Despite its detail, it reads like a page turning thriller. I was astounded by this book, page after page. It captivated me in a way very few books ever have.
I am highly recommending that everyone who sees this post reads this book. It is a book that will stick with you for a long time, leaving your stomach in knots and forcing you to contemplate the contemporaneous moment of our real lives.
submitted by enjoyeverysangwich to books [link] [comments]
It is no easy read, it clocks in around 900 pages and describes the very recent history of the United States and then carries into the future. It's main premise is the steadily advancing climate crisis which is rapidly spiraling into worse and worse weather events and contributing to chaos across the country. As the reader, you are taken into the lives of several different key characters - a climatologist, a climate change warrior advocate, an eco-terrorist cell leader, a neurodivergent numbers wizard who turned from sports betting to climate modeling, a poverty-stricken resident of rural-suburban Ohio, a marketing executive, and countless political figures that are fictional but fleshed out in believable and meaningful ways. Each character brings their own angle to the broader story, and each one is written in their own unique style and with their own unique voice in a way that greatly expands the overall story.
Taking place from 2013-2040 and weaving together these story threads into a grand narrative surrounding the political developments of the timeframe, all backed by the growing roar of the climate crisis, The Deluge is a masterpiece of fiction. Its humanity, its set pieces, and its intricacy and care in handling incredibly complicated topics such as climate science or the process of a bill being passed in congress to make them palatable to the average reader is no small feat. Despite its detail, it reads like a page turning thriller. I was astounded by this book, page after page. It captivated me in a way very few books ever have.
I am highly recommending that everyone who sees this post reads this book. It is a book that will stick with you for a long time, leaving your stomach in knots and forcing you to contemplate the contemporaneous moment of our real lives.
2023.06.09 02:14 mapgreybot2 Roch Valley Self Storage
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https://mapgrey.com/gb/roch-valley-self-storage-99021
2023.06.09 01:06 HausVW Pinup by Brady Alberts @batattoos, done at Meeting House Tattoo in Grand Rapids, MI
 | submitted by HausVW to traditionaltattoos [link] [comments] |
2023.06.09 00:58 Arch-Magistratus The Three Powers of the Tripartite Treaty (and Valentinianism in general)
I recently came to a somewhat complex point in the scriptures of the Tripartite treatise in which the author narrates the emergence of the three powers through the Logos (Sophia Achamoth).
1-Powers of Matter (Imitation) 2-Animic Powers/Soul (Remembrance/Resemblance) 3-Spiritual Powers (Images)
Below is a summary of the Tripartite Treaty on this stage of the myth:
The individuality of the third glorification produces a hierarchy of aeons and creates the possibility of individual action apart from the collective. Acting on this possibility, the youngest aeon, the Word, audaciously approaches the father in an attempt to gain acquaintance of him, but he is prevented by the boundary. The fallen Word consequently resides outside the fullness, but his perfect self returns to it. The Word’s fall, turning back, and subsequent joy generate the material, animate, and spiritual essences, respectively, in the form of cosmic powers. His arrogant thought produces an order of material powers, and his turning back to himself and the fullness (“the remembrance”) results in a similar order of animate powers. The two orders fall into combat, as the material powers’ aggressive love of command infects the animate powers as well. The Word’s appeal to his perfection in the fullness prompts the aeons to unite in intercession to the father, and their joyous harmony produces the savior as its fruit. The savior’s self-revelation outside the fullness heals the Word and separates the warring forces: the animate powers worship the savior, while the material ones fall into chaos. The Word’s gratitude to and praise of the aeons generate the spiritual powers. The three sets of powers are distinguished not only by their essences, but also by their differing modes of correspondence to the aeons of the fullness. The spiritual powers are images of the aeons; the animate powers, likenesses of them; and the material powers, imitations of them. The Word then gives order to the cosmos outside the fullness. He directly forms an aeon for the spiritual powers (“the aeon of the images”), modeled after his vision of all things, including those in the fullness; it includes a place called the church. The Word organizes the animate and material powers into a hierarchy, harnessing their shared love of command to their divinely ordained places of domination and subordination. The Word places the craftsman and ruler, the creator god of Genesis, in charge of the animate and material realms and uses him as a “hand” and “mouth” to arrange their structures. A reference to a servant of the craftsman indicates the existence of a devil-like ruler over materiality (102:32–103:11f ). Throughout this first part the author emphasizes that all things happen in accordance with the father’s will, so that even the Word’s audacious act should not be criticized (77:6–8f ). Here and throughout the treatise the author refers to the “plan”—in Greek, oikonomia, a term that pertained fundamentally to household management, but which in Christian discourse came to refer to God’s providential arrangement of events, often mediated through divinely appointed agents like Christ and the angels (cf. Ep 1:10; 3:9). The father wishes to be known, but only in accordance with his plan, a process of education and formation that his will directs (e.g., 62:14–28f ). Among the aeons in the fullness, unity and order come from the providential harmony of the individual aeons’ self-determining wills; among the animate and material powers of the cosmos, a hierarchical order of domination and subordination both depends on and restrains the love of command that motivates them.(End)
The author devotes considerable discussion to the salvation of animate beings, whether they are cosmic forces (“angels”) or human beings, a problem to which he circles back multiple times. Whatever their origins, animate beings must embrace the savior and turn away from their love of command. Cosmic powers must forsake their own lordships and kingdoms, renounce their claims to worship, and acknowledge the one who has no lord. Animate human beings must confess the father, son, and holy spirit and receive baptism into those names, which are a single name. The author emphasizes that the father has designed a plan to lead beings from lack of acquaintance to acquaintance and that the church plays a key role in that plan. The church exists on at least three levels: the union of aeons in the fullness makes up the true church; the spiritual powers in the aeon of images form an image of that church; and spiritual human beings constitute the earthly church—“we in flesh who are his church” (125:4f). Animate beings will be judged in part by the extent to which they served the church or persecuted it. The author refers to himself and his readers as the savior’s church in the flesh, that is, as spirituals; his extensive consideration of the animates’ ethical dispositions and their potential salvation reflects the responsibility of the spiritual people for guiding and educating animate people (116:8–18f ).(End)
At first glance, the reader is immediately reminded of the wars between "angels" and "demons" which were portrayed by the ancients, whether in the form of art or other means. Below follows the extensive text that refers to the emergence of the three powers in the Tripartite Treaty:
THE OFFSPRING OF THE WORD'S ARROGANT THOUGHT: THE MATERIAL POWERS
Those that came into being from the arrogant thought resemble the fullnesses of which they are imitations, •but they are phantoms, shadows, and illusions, deprived of word and light, things that belong to the empty thought, offspring of nothing. •For this reason too their end will be like their beginning: •they come from what does not exist, so that they will also return to what will not exist. •But in their own estimationa are great and powerful ones, more [beautiful] than the names [that are given] to them, which are only [their] shadows, beautiful by imitation. •For [. . .] of the image takes its beauty from the one whose image it is. •Concerning themselves they thought that they alone existed and that they were without origin because they did not see anything that existed prior to them. •For this reason they exhibited disobedience and acts of rebellion and did not submit to the one because of whom they came into existence. •They wanted to command and dominate one another [in] their vain love of glory. •The glory that they possessed became a cause [of] the structure that would come into existence.b •Therefore, [because] they were imitations of those on high, c exalted themselves to a love of command, each one according to the grandeur of the name of which he was a shadow,d fantasizing that he would become greater than his companions. •The thought of these others was not barren, but in accordance with the likeness e whose shadows they were—•everything they think potentially has children—•the things that they thought became their offspring. •And thus it happened that many came forth from them as offspring: •they were fighters, warriors, troublemakers, rebels, disobedient ones who love to give orders, •and all the others of this sort who come from them.(End)
THE OFFSPRING OF THE WORD’S TURNING BACK AND REMEMBRANCE: THE ANIMATE POWERS
This entire prayer of his and this remembrance were numerous powers, in accordance with the principle that there is nothing barren in his thinking. •These powers were much better and greater than those that belong to the imitation. •For those that belong to the imitation belong to a [false] essence: they came into being from an imitation’s illusion and a [vain,] arrogant [thought.] •These, however, are from the thought that had possessed acquaintance of them beforehand.•Therefore, those are like forgetfulness and heavy sleep; •they are like the people who have disturbed dreams in which sleep haunts them and those who dream are trapped. •These others, however, are for him like luminous beings who are expecting the sunrise, after they have seen sweet dreams in it (sleep). •Truly they < . . . > the emissions of the remembrance.c •They did not have their essence to a greater degree, nor did they have more honor, because theya are not equal to those that preexist,b even if they are superior [to] the imitations. •It is by this alone that they are elevated above them (the imitations): •they are from a good disposition—for they did not come from the sickness that developed—•that is, (they are from) the good disposition belonging to the one who sought for the preexistent after he had prayed and brought himself to what is good. •He sowed in them a will to seek after and pray to the preexistent glorious one, and he sowed in them a thought about him and a contemplation, •so that they might think that something greater than they existed before them, even though they did not understand what it was. •Engendering harmony and love for one another through that thought, they acted in unity and with unanimity, •because it was from unity and unanimity that they received their existence.(End)
CONFLICT BETWEEN THE ANIMATE AND MATERIAL POWERS
Therefore, they (the animate powers) surpassed them (the material powers) in love of command because they were of greater honors than the earlier ones, •who rose up against them. •The latter had not humbled themselves: they thought that they had originated from themselves alone, had no source, and were the first to bring forth in accordance with their birth. •The two orders assaulted one another and fought for domination in such ways that they were swallowed up by powers and essences, as is the condition of mutual combat. •They too had love of command and all other such things as well, •for empty vainglory draws them all to the desire of love of command, and not one of them remembers [. . .] •nor do they acknowledge that the powers of the remembrance were [prepared] by the preexistent one’s actions, whose likenesses they were. •The [order] of this kinda had harmony with itself and with one another, •but it was fighting against the order of those belonging to the imitation, while the order of those belonging to the imitation was making war against the likenesses, •and it was acting against itself because of its wrath. •Because of this it [happened . . .] •there [. . . against] one another, •many [. . .] necessity put them [. . .] •so that they seized [. . .] . . . [. . .] •their envy, [their] malice, wrath, violence, desire, and paralyzing lack of acquaintance, •engendering diverse forms of matter and all kinds of powers, mixed up with one another and numerous, •while the intellect of the Word who had been their generative cause awaited the revelation of the [hope] that would come to him from above.(End)
Basically the duel between soul/matter, ordechaos, Demiurge/Devil, the famous duality expressed but not encompassing the true unknowable God in this "cosmic" war. Faced with this information and others that can also be found mentioning such conflicts, whether cosmic/external or microcosmic/internal, these reports are evident.
Are these powers what they actually appear? Such as angels, demons, or do they represent more dualistic cosmic principles than hordes of angels and demons?
Not forgetting spiritual powers, the Tripartite Treatise also mentions them as images of the Aeons, residing in the Aeon of Images (8th Heaven, below the Pleroma along with Logos/Sophia Achamoth), however, it is not explicit whether the spiritual powers would be just "divine sparks" without individuality or would really be powers endowed with individuality such as the powers described in the matter and soul. Below quote about the emergence of spiritual powers:
THE OFFSPRING OF THE WORD’S THANKS AND PRAISE: THE SPIRITUAL POWERS
After the Word that had become deficient was illuminated, his fullness originated. •He escaped from those who had been disturbing him earlier and became disentangled from them. •He stripped himself of that arrogant thought. •He received the unification of repose, while those who previously had been disobedient to him bowed down and humbled themselves before him. •And hec rejoiced over the care of his siblings who had visited him. •He gave glory and praise to those who had revealed themselves to him for assistance, giving thanks that he had escaped from those who had revolted against him, •and admiring and praising both the greatness and those who had revealed themselves to him from their regions. •He engendered living images of the living faces, which are beautiful and good. •Because they derive from those that exist, they resemble them in beauty, •but they are not truly equal to them because they do not come from a union between him who brought them forth and the one who revealed himself to him. •Still, he worked with wisdom and understanding, uniting the discourse with himself entirely: •therefore, those that came forth from him are great, just as the one who exists is truly great. •After he had admired the beauty of the onesa had appeared to him, he professed gratitude for their care. •The Word accomplished this work through those from whom he received assistance for the establishment of those who had come into being on his account, and so that they might receive something good, •because he was thinking that he should pray that the plan for all those who had come forth from him should extend to them. •For this reason, the ones that he brought forth in accordance with this intention are in chariots, like the ones that had come into being and became manifest, so that they might pass through all regions of lower activities, •and so that each one might be given the place that is established as each one exists. •This was a reversal for those belonging to the imitation, but it was beneficial for those belonging to the remembrance, •and a revelation of the things that are from the unanimous and compassionate ordinance, which are seeds that have not yet come into being on their own.(End)
THE AEON OF THE IMAGES
The Word’s thought, when he returned to his stability and ruled over those who had come into being on his account, was called “aeon” and “place” for all those whom he had brought forth in accordance with the decree. The aeon about which we have spoken is above the two orders of those who fight against one another. •It holds no fellowship with those that dominate, nor is it infected by the illnesses and infirmities belong to the remembrance and the imitation. •For that in which the Word established himself, which is filled with joy, was an aeon that had the form of matter but also had the establishment of its cause, •namely, the one who revealed himself as an image of those that exist in the fullness, those that had come into being from the abundant joy of the one that exists joyfully. •And as for him, the countenance of the one who had revealed himself in the pleasure, expectation, and promise concerning the things that he had requested, •he had the word of the son, along with his essence, power, and form, •the one whom he loved, in whom he took pleasure, •and to whom he lovingly prayed. •It (the aeon) was light, a desire to be established, an openness to instruction, and an eye for vision— things that it has from the exalted ones. •And it was wisdom for his thinking against the ones that exist under [the] plan, a word for speaking, and the perfections of such things.(End)
THE MEMBERS OF THIS AEON: THE CHURCH
The ones that received form with him according to the image of the fullness have their parents, . . .a each one being a small impress of each of the faces. •They are masculine forms because they do not come from the illness, that is, femininity, but from the one who has already left the illness behind. •They have the nameb “church,” for in harmony they resemble the harmony in the assembly of the ones that have revealed themselves. •That which came into being according to the light’s image is itself perfect because it is an image of the single light that exists, which is the entireties. •Even if it was smaller than that whose image it is, it nevertheless possesses its indivisibility because it is a countenance of the indivisible light. •On the other hand, the ones that came into being according to the image of each of the aeons are in terms of essence what we have already said, •but in terms of capability they are not equal (to the aeons) because capability is in each one individually. •In their unity with one another, they have equality, •but individually they have not cast off what belongs to each one. •Therefore, they are passions— for passion is illness—because they are engendered not from the agreement of the fullness but from the one who has not yet received the father.a •Hence, the agreement with his entirety and will was beneficial for the plan that would come to be because it had been granted to them that they should pass through the lower places, •but the places are unable to receive their coming through them rapidly, unless they do so individually, one by one. •Their coming is necessary inasmuch as everything will be perfected though them.(End)
I believe that many here have not yet delved into the Valentinian writings and may not be able to give feedback or insight into the real meaning of these three powers described, if they are literally hordes of beings or if they are just "opposing forces of nature/cosmic" with no individuality.
Without a doubt, this is an excellent question to be reflected/debated and obviously clarified as much as possible. Welcome to the question!
EDIT: Sorry for bringing so many large texts, it's a way to bring information and make the job easier for those who won't make the effort to read it the tripartite treaty.
submitted by Arch-Magistratus to Gnostic [link] [comments]
1-Powers of Matter (Imitation) 2-Animic Powers/Soul (Remembrance/Resemblance) 3-Spiritual Powers (Images)
Below is a summary of the Tripartite Treaty on this stage of the myth:
The individuality of the third glorification produces a hierarchy of aeons and creates the possibility of individual action apart from the collective. Acting on this possibility, the youngest aeon, the Word, audaciously approaches the father in an attempt to gain acquaintance of him, but he is prevented by the boundary. The fallen Word consequently resides outside the fullness, but his perfect self returns to it. The Word’s fall, turning back, and subsequent joy generate the material, animate, and spiritual essences, respectively, in the form of cosmic powers. His arrogant thought produces an order of material powers, and his turning back to himself and the fullness (“the remembrance”) results in a similar order of animate powers. The two orders fall into combat, as the material powers’ aggressive love of command infects the animate powers as well. The Word’s appeal to his perfection in the fullness prompts the aeons to unite in intercession to the father, and their joyous harmony produces the savior as its fruit. The savior’s self-revelation outside the fullness heals the Word and separates the warring forces: the animate powers worship the savior, while the material ones fall into chaos. The Word’s gratitude to and praise of the aeons generate the spiritual powers. The three sets of powers are distinguished not only by their essences, but also by their differing modes of correspondence to the aeons of the fullness. The spiritual powers are images of the aeons; the animate powers, likenesses of them; and the material powers, imitations of them. The Word then gives order to the cosmos outside the fullness. He directly forms an aeon for the spiritual powers (“the aeon of the images”), modeled after his vision of all things, including those in the fullness; it includes a place called the church. The Word organizes the animate and material powers into a hierarchy, harnessing their shared love of command to their divinely ordained places of domination and subordination. The Word places the craftsman and ruler, the creator god of Genesis, in charge of the animate and material realms and uses him as a “hand” and “mouth” to arrange their structures. A reference to a servant of the craftsman indicates the existence of a devil-like ruler over materiality (102:32–103:11f ). Throughout this first part the author emphasizes that all things happen in accordance with the father’s will, so that even the Word’s audacious act should not be criticized (77:6–8f ). Here and throughout the treatise the author refers to the “plan”—in Greek, oikonomia, a term that pertained fundamentally to household management, but which in Christian discourse came to refer to God’s providential arrangement of events, often mediated through divinely appointed agents like Christ and the angels (cf. Ep 1:10; 3:9). The father wishes to be known, but only in accordance with his plan, a process of education and formation that his will directs (e.g., 62:14–28f ). Among the aeons in the fullness, unity and order come from the providential harmony of the individual aeons’ self-determining wills; among the animate and material powers of the cosmos, a hierarchical order of domination and subordination both depends on and restrains the love of command that motivates them.(End)
The author devotes considerable discussion to the salvation of animate beings, whether they are cosmic forces (“angels”) or human beings, a problem to which he circles back multiple times. Whatever their origins, animate beings must embrace the savior and turn away from their love of command. Cosmic powers must forsake their own lordships and kingdoms, renounce their claims to worship, and acknowledge the one who has no lord. Animate human beings must confess the father, son, and holy spirit and receive baptism into those names, which are a single name. The author emphasizes that the father has designed a plan to lead beings from lack of acquaintance to acquaintance and that the church plays a key role in that plan. The church exists on at least three levels: the union of aeons in the fullness makes up the true church; the spiritual powers in the aeon of images form an image of that church; and spiritual human beings constitute the earthly church—“we in flesh who are his church” (125:4f). Animate beings will be judged in part by the extent to which they served the church or persecuted it. The author refers to himself and his readers as the savior’s church in the flesh, that is, as spirituals; his extensive consideration of the animates’ ethical dispositions and their potential salvation reflects the responsibility of the spiritual people for guiding and educating animate people (116:8–18f ).(End)
At first glance, the reader is immediately reminded of the wars between "angels" and "demons" which were portrayed by the ancients, whether in the form of art or other means. Below follows the extensive text that refers to the emergence of the three powers in the Tripartite Treaty:
THE OFFSPRING OF THE WORD'S ARROGANT THOUGHT: THE MATERIAL POWERS
Those that came into being from the arrogant thought resemble the fullnesses of which they are imitations, •but they are phantoms, shadows, and illusions, deprived of word and light, things that belong to the empty thought, offspring of nothing. •For this reason too their end will be like their beginning: •they come from what does not exist, so that they will also return to what will not exist. •But in their own estimation
THE OFFSPRING OF THE WORD’S TURNING BACK AND REMEMBRANCE: THE ANIMATE POWERS
This entire prayer of his and this remembrance were numerous powers, in accordance with the principle that there is nothing barren in his thinking. •These powers were much better and greater than those that belong to the imitation. •For those that belong to the imitation belong to a [false] essence: they came into being from an imitation’s illusion and a [vain,] arrogant [thought.] •These, however, are from the thought that had possessed acquaintance of them beforehand.•Therefore, those are like forgetfulness and heavy sleep; •they are like the people who have disturbed dreams in which sleep haunts them and those who dream are trapped. •These others, however, are for him like luminous beings who are expecting the sunrise, after they have seen sweet dreams in it (sleep). •Truly they < . . . > the emissions of the remembrance.c •They did not have their essence to a greater degree, nor did they have more honor, because theya are not equal to those that preexist,b even if they are superior [to] the imitations. •It is by this alone that they are elevated above them (the imitations): •they are from a good disposition—for they did not come from the sickness that developed—•that is, (they are from) the good disposition belonging to the one who sought for the preexistent after he had prayed and brought himself to what is good. •He sowed in them a will to seek after and pray to the preexistent glorious one, and he sowed in them a thought about him and a contemplation, •so that they might think that something greater than they existed before them, even though they did not understand what it was. •Engendering harmony and love for one another through that thought, they acted in unity and with unanimity, •because it was from unity and unanimity that they received their existence.(End)
CONFLICT BETWEEN THE ANIMATE AND MATERIAL POWERS
Therefore, they (the animate powers) surpassed them (the material powers) in love of command because they were of greater honors than the earlier ones, •who rose up against them. •The latter had not humbled themselves: they thought that they had originated from themselves alone, had no source, and were the first to bring forth in accordance with their birth. •The two orders assaulted one another and fought for domination in such ways that they were swallowed up by powers and essences, as is the condition of mutual combat. •They too had love of command and all other such things as well, •for empty vainglory draws them all to the desire of love of command, and not one of them remembers [. . .] •nor do they acknowledge that the powers of the remembrance were [prepared] by the preexistent one’s actions, whose likenesses they were. •The [order] of this kinda had harmony with itself and with one another, •but it was fighting against the order of those belonging to the imitation, while the order of those belonging to the imitation was making war against the likenesses, •and it was acting against itself because of its wrath. •Because of this it [happened . . .] •there [. . . against] one another, •many [. . .] necessity put them [. . .] •so that they seized [. . .] . . . [. . .] •their envy, [their] malice, wrath, violence, desire, and paralyzing lack of acquaintance, •engendering diverse forms of matter and all kinds of powers, mixed up with one another and numerous, •while the intellect of the Word who had been their generative cause awaited the revelation of the [hope] that would come to him from above.(End)
Basically the duel between soul/matter, ordechaos, Demiurge/Devil, the famous duality expressed but not encompassing the true unknowable God in this "cosmic" war. Faced with this information and others that can also be found mentioning such conflicts, whether cosmic/external or microcosmic/internal, these reports are evident.
Are these powers what they actually appear? Such as angels, demons, or do they represent more dualistic cosmic principles than hordes of angels and demons?
Not forgetting spiritual powers, the Tripartite Treatise also mentions them as images of the Aeons, residing in the Aeon of Images (8th Heaven, below the Pleroma along with Logos/Sophia Achamoth), however, it is not explicit whether the spiritual powers would be just "divine sparks" without individuality or would really be powers endowed with individuality such as the powers described in the matter and soul. Below quote about the emergence of spiritual powers:
THE OFFSPRING OF THE WORD’S THANKS AND PRAISE: THE SPIRITUAL POWERS
After the Word that had become deficient was illuminated, his fullness originated. •He escaped from those who had been disturbing him earlier and became disentangled from them. •He stripped himself of that arrogant thought. •He received the unification of repose, while those who previously had been disobedient to him bowed down and humbled themselves before him. •And hec rejoiced over the care of his siblings who had visited him. •He gave glory and praise to those who had revealed themselves to him for assistance, giving thanks that he had escaped from those who had revolted against him, •and admiring and praising both the greatness and those who had revealed themselves to him from their regions. •He engendered living images of the living faces, which are beautiful and good. •Because they derive from those that exist, they resemble them in beauty, •but they are not truly equal to them because they do not come from a union between him who brought them forth and the one who revealed himself to him. •Still, he worked with wisdom and understanding, uniting the discourse with himself entirely: •therefore, those that came forth from him are great, just as the one who exists is truly great. •After he had admired the beauty of the ones
THE AEON OF THE IMAGES
The Word’s thought, when he returned to his stability and ruled over those who had come into being on his account, was called “aeon” and “place” for all those whom he had brought forth in accordance with the decree. The aeon about which we have spoken is above the two orders of those who fight against one another. •It holds no fellowship with those that dominate, nor is it infected by the illnesses and infirmities
THE MEMBERS OF THIS AEON: THE CHURCH
The ones that received form with him according to the image of the fullness have their parents, . . .a each one being a small impress of each of the faces. •They are masculine forms because they do not come from the illness, that is, femininity, but from the one who has already left the illness behind. •They have the nameb “church,” for in harmony they resemble the harmony in the assembly of the ones that have revealed themselves. •That which came into being according to the light’s image is itself perfect because it is an image of the single light that exists, which is the entireties. •Even if it was smaller than that whose image it is, it nevertheless possesses its indivisibility because it is a countenance of the indivisible light. •On the other hand, the ones that came into being according to the image of each of the aeons are in terms of essence what we have already said, •but in terms of capability they are not equal (to the aeons) because capability is in each one individually. •In their unity with one another, they have equality, •but individually they have not cast off what belongs to each one. •Therefore, they are passions— for passion is illness—because they are engendered not from the agreement of the fullness but from the one who has not yet received the father.a •Hence, the agreement with his entirety and will was beneficial for the plan that would come to be because it had been granted to them that they should pass through the lower places, •but the places are unable to receive their coming through them rapidly, unless they do so individually, one by one. •Their coming is necessary inasmuch as everything will be perfected though them.(End)
I believe that many here have not yet delved into the Valentinian writings and may not be able to give feedback or insight into the real meaning of these three powers described, if they are literally hordes of beings or if they are just "opposing forces of nature/cosmic" with no individuality.
Without a doubt, this is an excellent question to be reflected/debated and obviously clarified as much as possible. Welcome to the question!
EDIT: Sorry for bringing so many large texts, it's a way to bring information and make the job easier for those who won't make the effort to read it the tripartite treaty.
2023.06.09 00:39 Snoo_72851 My matchup predictions for the final war
 | With the final arc seemingly approaching, I felt it necessary to draw up my list of what I think the matchups for the climactic final battle will be. Once the ongoing sideplot with Blackbeard and Imu have finally ended, all that will be left will be the ongoing rivalry between the Straw Hat Crew and Cross Guild; note that I know I am throwing only the Straw Hats crew proper against the entire Cross Guild fleet officers here, but do keep in mind that while there are ten members in the leading crew of the Straw Hats Grand Fleet, the leading crews of Cross Guild (as a unit, as the Guild is led by the Buggy-Alvida alliance) could barely make the list as a whole. submitted by Snoo_72851 to MemePiece [link] [comments] Without further ado:
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2023.06.09 00:11 Atyzze Echoing Einstein: A Timeless Perspective on Unity and Compassion
Greetings fellow travelers on this cosmic journey,
Today, let’s take a moment to reflect on a profound message from someone whose insights transcended the barriers of science and tapped into the philosophical essence of existence - Albert Einstein.
In 1949, Einstein penned a letter in which he gave voice to a sentiment that is both deeply human and strikingly universal:
The element of Einstein’s insight that resonates with #SnekSim is the recognition that our individual experiences are fragments of a greater whole. The illusion of separation could be likened to the intricate code in the universal simulation. We are threads in an immeasurable tapestry.
Einstein also famously said:
At a time when technological advancements are rapidly changing the face of our societies, and when our actions hold the weight of affecting life across the globe, Einstein’s message from 1949 holds truer than ever.
It begs us to ponder, do we need calamities to remind us of the fundamental truth of our interconnected nature? Or can we, through active contemplation and striving, break free from the shackles of our ‘optical delusions’?
Let’s echo Einstein’s wisdom and make it a driving force in our pursuit of understanding and compassion. Whether through discussions here in #SnekSim or through our daily interactions, let’s work toward uniting as one, embracing the diversity of codes that make up this grand simulation.
We don’t need to reinvent the wheel of wisdom. Sometimes, we just need to listen to the echoes of the past.
submitted by Atyzze to SnekSim [link] [comments]
Today, let’s take a moment to reflect on a profound message from someone whose insights transcended the barriers of science and tapped into the philosophical essence of existence - Albert Einstein.
In 1949, Einstein penned a letter in which he gave voice to a sentiment that is both deeply human and strikingly universal:
“A human being is a part of the whole, called by us 'Universe,' a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest — a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security.”This perspective, astoundingly coherent with the concepts explored within #SnekSim, touches upon the interconnectedness of all life, the constraints of our perceptions, and the necessity to expand our compassions.
The element of Einstein’s insight that resonates with #SnekSim is the recognition that our individual experiences are fragments of a greater whole. The illusion of separation could be likened to the intricate code in the universal simulation. We are threads in an immeasurable tapestry.
Einstein also famously said:
“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.”This quote is a stark reminder of the destructive path we can take if we continue to view ourselves and others through the lens of separation and division. It reflects the grave consequences of failing to recognize our inherent interconnectedness.
At a time when technological advancements are rapidly changing the face of our societies, and when our actions hold the weight of affecting life across the globe, Einstein’s message from 1949 holds truer than ever.
It begs us to ponder, do we need calamities to remind us of the fundamental truth of our interconnected nature? Or can we, through active contemplation and striving, break free from the shackles of our ‘optical delusions’?
Let’s echo Einstein’s wisdom and make it a driving force in our pursuit of understanding and compassion. Whether through discussions here in #SnekSim or through our daily interactions, let’s work toward uniting as one, embracing the diversity of codes that make up this grand simulation.
We don’t need to reinvent the wheel of wisdom. Sometimes, we just need to listen to the echoes of the past.
#EchoingEinstein #Unity #Compassion #Interconnectedness #SnekSim
2023.06.08 23:52 GlockGardener Would you pay $17 for one bench seat round trip from Grand Rapids, MI to Grand Haven State Park on a school bus?
I have the price figured at running the bus half full there and back 4x per day only for 16 weekends during the summer. Obviously could drive the cost down slightly by running more days, but as overhead goes down, gas expense goes up. Plus that's the only time I have available to drive anyway.
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submitted by GlockGardener to Entrepreneur [link] [comments]
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2023.06.08 23:49 TheLimeyLemmon TWO flight trackers?!
 | submitted by TheLimeyLemmon to LiverpoolFC [link] [comments] |
2023.06.08 23:02 Cocao_Nibs The Duelist in Purple Armor v2 Remastered, Chapter 2
FirstNext
Well, it only took Canada burning and the East Coast turning into smoky rendition of a Mexico filter for this chapter to finally reach completion. Regularly-scheduled programming should hopefully resume after July 4th. Until then, drink some water, don't do gender reveals in the forest, and hang in there, guys!
Pursuant to Imperial Decree 10928, and in recognition of the reservist nature of the unit, the 1st Rocket Artillery Regiment has been found to satisfy the standards outlined in the Decree. However, in light of the significant budget and nonmaterial resource allocations that were required to bring the aforementioned unit up to levels considered satisfactory by existing standards, additional considerations beyond readiness and training levels must be taken into account.
Throughout the appeals process, you have repeatedly indicated that you believe rocket artillery to still have a place on the modern battlefield, citing recent reports from the Terran Planetary District command of the Sol System sector, as well as early after-action reports from the Intervention on Raknos, which you claim to support your argument. However, further investigation into this claim by independent analysts on behalf of Armored Warfare Command has found it to hold no merit in light of the recent restructuring outlined in detail in prior communications. Simply put, neither the Empress, nor her advisors, believe that the maintenance and garrisoning of units intended strictly for low-intensity counter-insurgency operations remains doctrinally viable.
Additionally, the excessive monetary and nonmonetary resources you requested in preparation for the evaluation, in light of the on-par, verging on substandard performance of the 1st Rocket Artillery Regiment, even accounting for the large number of fresh troops that needed to be drawn down from other posts to fill out its ranks, is highly suggestive on the part of you, the honorable Ashira Rakishal. This discrepancy is of high importance, and you may rest assured that it has already been publicly filed by the time this letter appears in your inbox.
Such a discrepancy is indicative of either incompetence or corruption on your part. Commanding officers may face demotion or a possible dishonorable discharge for the former, or, for the latter, a fine totalling no more than one-and-a-half times the estimated sum of the damages assessed, guaranteed dishonorable discharge and a potential prison term of no more than four years. Due to there being no evidence to suggest the latter, the former approach has been suggested by the Armored Warfare Command. Effective fourteen (14) days after this order is signed, your rank will be reduced and you will be relieved of commanding the Regiment. You may be restationed at this time, and your government-issued devices may be deactivated to facilitate this restationing. The 1st Rocket Artillery Division, in accordance with Decree 10928, will be dissolved and its assets relocated to other units wherever possible. Any remaining property will be auctioned under section 12.57.3(g) of the Naval and Marine Surplus Handling Act of 651 at the Val’tira Central Forwarding Depot.
Ashira finished reading the letter, but the words meant nothing to her. She hadn't slept in half a week, if not longer, in anticipation of the results from her hearing. In fact, she'd hardly gotten up from her desk; the 1st RAR was on leave until the final verdict would be announced publicly, and it was all she could do but to refresh her inbox every few minutes and watch mindless clips in the background that she hardly heard and never managed to remember a word from.
She tried reading it again, but the letters seemed to float off the screen, each one wrapped in a halo of bluish white screen glow. Nothing made sense.
'We were found to be satisfactory, but then… why does it talk about my rank? Am I getting promoted? There was something about dishonorable discharges, too, so… are some of my girls getting let go? I guess I will have to break the news to them. And it said something about budget overruns… well, mom still owes me from when she forgot to get me anything for my eighteenth last month, so I guess she can pay them back for all the equipment and training I had to authorize…'
Her thoughts were already drifting off into a vague haze when her stomach made a low noise, reminding her of the fact that she hadn't eaten in hours, mostly because her supply of food had run dry. Almost in a trance, she rose from her desk and, almost on autopilot, set about getting ready to go out and do some shopping, as she always did. The floor of her living quarters was almost entirely hidden by weeks-old discarded packaging, mountains of dirty clothes, and bottles half-filled with liquid that was either expired juice or urine. Narrow paths snaked through the mess; one to the bathroom, one to her bed, and one more still to the door, which she now slowly shambled towards.
Ashira pulled a pair of battered combat boots over her bare feet - she'd run out of socks that didn't offend her senses some weeks prior - without bothering to lace them, shoved her wallet into the front pocket of the fireproof jumpsuit she wore with absolutely nothing underneath and hadn't changed out of all week, and shoved the door open to head out. Immediately, the smell - or, perhaps, a lack thereof - of the corridor hit her. All the sleeping quarters were locked. It was quiet. Though her boots were heavy, her footsteps barely made a noise as she plodded along the thick, purple and topaz-blue carpet that lined the floor.
The door to the lobby was propped open by a cleaner's cart, and a heavy perfume of chemical detergents wafted through the opening as she approached. In the lobby was a small, older Helkam male, with his long and, in places, graying hair tied back with a beige bandana that matched his civilian contractor's coveralls, just as his green noise-canceling headphones matched the company logo on his uniform. He was dutifully mopping the already nigh-spotless polished stone floor, and there was only a narrow dry strip connecting doorway to doorway.
“‘Scuse me,” she mumbled, tapping him on the shoulder to alert him to her presence. “Coming through.”
He flinched away from her touch, and she flinched away from him, as though his own shock was contagious. “The fuck, you touch me!?” He exclaimed, whipping around to face her, mop at the ready like a Turox-prod. His face burned a pale but furious violet, contorted with fear and a readiness to fight. But, just as suddenly as he’d come to face her, his expression became one of confusion. His mop dipped down, and they stood in silence for a split second that seemed to drag on for entire minutes. Then, he made an odd face, as if of disgust or contempt, and stepped aside, motioning for her to pass by him.
Ashira would have been puzzled by this, if only she were not so frazzled and caught up in her own thoughts. She stepped outside and was immediately hit by a cool breeze; it was night out, and the wind blew in just as it always did. Not that it bothered her much; over the previous months, she had found that it didn’t seem to affect her very much. The only reason she wasn’t feeling the full brunt of the evening gales was that the buildings around the officer’s quarters were mostly two- and three-story affairs, their height and old, weathered stone cladding the last specters of the prominence and prestige the base enjoyed in the long-before times. Before the Unification Wars were but a distant memory. Before the Periphery had become the final, unconquerable frontier. Before the Empress-damned mess that was Raknos. Before Rocket Artillery had become hopelessly obsolete.
The wind blew, relentless and steadfast, as she trudged towards the only place on-base that still had its lights on. The general store. She didn’t know what she wanted to buy there, nor if there would indeed be anything on the shelves that she’d want to buy, but she felt she had to try, anyway. The only rest she could get now was chemically-assisted, either through over-the-counter sleeping pills, or copious volumes of booze, or, when the going got particularly rough, a combination of both. She was vaguely aware of the damage she was probably inflicting upon her organs, but she figured that they were a worthy sacrifice. Still, some days she couldn't fall asleep, even boozed up and medicated as much as she would dare, so she would lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, hoping that the splitting headaches she would get from that chemical cocktail would make her ears ring loud enough to drown out her intrusive thoughts.
The store wasn't particularly warm when she entered, and it reeked of cigarette smoke and mildew as always. The nearest set of shelves to the door were stocked with bags of some sort of imported breaded meat snacks labeled Pufriyah - Ancestral Recipe, Modern Taste! across the top shelf and cases of Red Grains across the bottom, as if some long-forgotten planner had seen into the future and anticipated Ashira's shopping habits exactly. Without much thought, she pulled a case of the Reds off the bottom shelf, her back, which had been sore for months by then, crying out in pain that just barely cut through her apathy. She threw a few bags of the Pufriyah snacks on top of it, entirely indifferent to their name, slogan, and brown-furred chibi mascot that spoke to their Rakiri intended consumer base.
'It's all just carbs and protein at the end of the day,' she figured. It wasn't like she could taste much of them anyway, had she really cared to learn their flavor. It was close to a month prior that she'd caught a nasty cold, and her constant sleep deprivation and stress hadn't lent themselves to it clearing itself up on its own. Her senses of taste and smell were unnecessary to her whipping her unit into shape, she'd decided, once she learned that the antivirals she needed to take to make her symptoms clear up would need her to be on bed rest for three straight days. She could always take them later, anyway.
The bottles of Red Grain clanked against each other as Ashira heaved the case onto the checkout counter. The bags on top of it slid off, and she only just caught them in time. The noise awoke the lone cashier, another civilian contractor, from her nap atop her wobbly three-legged stool. She quite inelegantly hopped off of it and came to lean against the counter with one hand, the other lazily waving the scanner of a specialized Data-Slate over the merchandise.
"ID for the Reds," the cashier groggily slurred out, patting down her many pockets in search of a cigarette box. "Standard procedure, nothing personal against you."
Ashira stared at her, dumbfounded, for a few moments too many, before it hit her that she needed to pull up her Marine Profile on her Slate. Mumbling an apology mixed with an excuse, she reached into one of the few - albeit cavernously huge - pockets of her fireproof suit and produced the grimy government-issue device in question. The lock screen was set to her ID, just to make such common interactions go by quicker.
She pushed the Slate across the counter, expecting to get it slid back to her in a few moments, and maybe a manufactured smile and a nod if the cashier noticed the Rakishal House crest in the corner and realized she was of noble blood. But this time, none of that happened. The woman across from her frowned, squinting as she analyzed something about the ID, her face no more than perhaps a few centimeters from it. She looked up at Ashira, then back down at the ID, then back at her, and then all of a sudden her confusion melted into some odd mixture of shock and disgust. She wordlessly pushed the Slate back across the counter, scanned the case of Red Grain, and then motioned to a now very baffled and somewhat offended Ashira that she was free to leave.
In her sleep-deprived state, Ashira had barely the mental capacity to remember where the door was, much less to ponder the deeper meaning behind what had transpired. Vowing to come back the next day, after getting a good night's sleep, and get the insolent cashier fired, she trudged out of the shop, back to the officers' quarters, where the Helkam man was still toiling away in the lobby, now wiping down the Turox-leather seats, and into her own suite.
She brushed the most egregious of the trash from her bed, with the arm that wasn't clutching the spoils of her trek to her chest, and allowed gravity to gracelessly guide her into its soft, fitted-sheet embrace. With a sigh of barely-felt relief, she cracked the cap off her first bottle with her tusks and took a long, well-earned swig.
The next thing she knew, it was morning.
Everything hurt. Ashira's muscles all ached like she'd run every Deathshead Commando bootcamp course, back-to-back, without stopping. Her head felt like a bloated, rotten gourd, ready to burst at the slightest touch. Even though her eyes were closed, what little light made it through them felt as though it was piercing straight through her eyeballs and into her brain. However, through it all, she noted an odd, almost pleasant sensation that she hadn't felt in so long, she'd almost forgotten the word for it.
'Empress all-powerful, this must be the first time in almost a year that I've had a full night's sleep!'
Ashira would have kept laying there, exactly where she was. The room was quiet. No one needed her. Her unit was stood down for another few days. She could just stay in bed, in peace, and wait for the pain to subside. But the very second she considered that possibility, her bladder cried in agony, and she simultaneously came to the realizations that she would not be able to hold it in for even a minute longer, and that she was wearing her only set of relatively-clean clothes.
She pushed herself up and onto her feet, and that motion sent showers of sparks cascading through her vision, even as her eyes stayed firmly shut. Her ears rang from the pain as though she'd stuck her head between the prongs of a colossal tuning fork, her limbs felt numb as she stumbled through her room, and the only way she could tell up from down was from the direction gravity kept pulling her every time she lost her balance.
She hit the door frame to the bathroom by chance, only recognizing it as the right one by the light switch her elbow painfully caught. From there, she went entirely by feel. There was the sink, the towel rack, the soap dispenser, the shower door… and finally, having run out of wrong things to blindly grope around for, her hand bumped into the tank of the toilet. Even bending down made her head fill with the pounding beat of her heart, every pulse seeming to try and push her brain out of her skull through her eyes and ears. She nearly blacked out as she sat down.
The next thing Ashira knew, she was doubled over her sink, dry-heaving, her fireproof pants pulled back up around her waist but neither zipped shut nor clipped together at the front. She knew for certain that nothing had come up, because she was newly aware of the desiccated dryness in her mouth and throat, as if all her flesh had been replaced with fine-grit sandpaper. Still lacking the resolve to open her eyes, she blindly clawed at the knobs of the sink until water began to pour, and then began scooping handfuls of it into her mouth.
After a few gulps, she began to feel a bit better. Her mouth, though it still felt dry as ever, was at least now rid of the horrible, sour, metallic taste that she hadn't registered until it was gone, and the unintentional splashing of water onto her face did wonders in helping her start to truly wake up. The very next instant, though, a numbing pain spread across her hands and face, and down her throat. The water was freezing cold.
That didn't deter Ashira, though, and she kept drinking until she knew that she would not be able to swallow a drop more without throwing up. Her hands were numb from the frigid water, as was her face. Icy rivulets streamed down her chin and throat and under her unzipped collar, leaving cool, glistening trails across her breasts and stomach.
Somehow, this numbness that spread across her fingers and cheeks seemed to have carried over to her hangover, as well, though whether it was the rapid cooling, or the much-needed hydration, or both, she neither knew nor cared. Her head now hurt with the intensity of just any old headache, her skin did not feel two sizes too small for her organs, and her muscles and joints barely ached with any more intensity than they usually did.
She opened her eyes for the first time since she'd gotten out of bed, ready and eager to take full advantage of her hangover cure while its effects still lasted, and almost fell over as she stumbled away from the mirror in shock. The reflection in the mirror was decidedly not her.
Bloodshot eyes stared out at her from dark, sunken orbits; two craters on a puffy face rendered a waxy, pale bluish lilac by months of near-total involuntary isolation from the daylight. Raven hair framed that lifeless visage, once kept neat and short, now a wild, greasy, and, above all, long Seetcha's nest. It had once had lively sun-bleached streaks where her beret and headset did not fully cover it, from when she would ride head-out in her trusty command Ishtarti-603, but they were now mere faded tips spread unevenly through the carbon-black tangle.
The rest of her was not in much better shape. Her bust, though always on the fuller size, was nonetheless noticeably larger than it had been the last time Ashira had inspected her reflection, and doubtless was the cause of her incessant back pain. In the same moment, she became aware that her breasts rested not against the top of her six-pack - which, while rarely worked out and never particularly defined, had, in its mere presence, still been a point of quiet pride for her - but at the upper limits of a beer gut, whose faint outline was visible even under the baggy suit she was wearing for the umpteenth day in a row, and which stood as a testament to the inertia she had descended into while trying to force the RAR into motion.
'Fuck, there's the evidence of my battle. Mom was right, I do eat like a Turox before the slaughter. I have no self-control. Why do I even bother with this restructuring business if I can't even keep to my own damn fitness goals?' Her gloom, though deep and all-consuming while it weighed upon her soul, dissipated just as quickly as it set in. 'But I knew it would happen, so why does it surprise me? I knew going in that I was burning myself up in the present to keep future me warm. It's just a few kilos. A dozen at most. No big deal. Just need a bit more exercise for a month or two and I'll be right back in parade shape!'
It did, however, make her think to place an order with the on-base supply depot for some new clothes. With the Unification Day festivities looming, it would simply not do for this quite temporary distortion of her Noble figure to be so brazen, she firmly decided.
The order would have to wait, however. When Ashira brought out her government-issued Data-Slate from her front pocket in a familiar motion, already compiling a list of all the workout gear, field uniforms, and parade garb she would need in a size up, the device, in an apparent bout of unruliness, first resisted her efforts to turn it on, and when it was finally made to do so, simply boot-looped endlessly on the startup screen. For all intents and purposes, it was a Slate-shaped paperweight, and Ashira didn’t even have enough physical documents in her possession to make use of this one purpose it had left.
‘First my clothes, now the one Slate mom can’t track me on. What’s next, is my ID going to expire all of a sudden? Will my physical Chit card have a bad contact?’
There was only so much she could take at one time, so she decided to do the sensible thing and get something to eat before returning to dealing with her problems. She pulled out her Slate. It was almost noon.
'No one needs to see me like this. How can I command the regiment if they see me in such a state? I'll order breakfast - well, lunch now, but who's really counting? - and I can join everyone for dinner, once I get a chance to order in some new clothes, and shower, and maybe do something with my hair.'
With a practiced motion, so automatic it was almost a reflex, she swiped through the interface until she found what she was looking for. There, between Combatters forum sites, was a saved page for the Hungry Gal's order menu. Her chit was already saved in the system. All she needed was to tap on "Large Hot Meal #5 - Drink Combo" and…
CHIT DECLINED - PAYMENT BLOCKED
"That can't be right," Ashira muttered aloud as she tapped the button again, over and over, to the same effect. "It's a government card. Unless- ah, right, it must be the new policy they were talking about! Can't believe they made food expenses count as personal expenditure only, the nerve of these credit-pinching…"
She went into the payment details section of the page, switched the number to her personal one, and selected "Large Hot Meal #5 - Drink Combo" again. This time, a new message appeared.
INVALID ACCOUNT - DEACTIVATED
The gnawing hunger in her stomach disappeared in an instant, replaced by a solid iron bar of dread. Why was her account deactivated? Who could have done it? The only other person with access privileges was her own mother, and why would she…?
Ashira knew the answer. She didn't want to know it, to acknowledge that she knew it for fear of what it meant, but she did. With shaking hands, she opened the notification screen of her Slate, and saw she had unread messages from her family group chat. She tapped that notification, expecting a deluge of fury about her weight, her spending habits, her slovenly appearance in public, or any manner of other things, but there was but one message, sent earlier that morning. It was from her mother, indeed, but it was just four words long.
I got the letter.
She wanted to protest, to scream, "What letter could you possibly mean?," but she couldn't. A memory, hazy from the fog of insomnia that had dulled her thoughts at the time, played against her volition in her mind. The words hadn't made sense to her then, but they did now. Robotically, she closed the message from her mother and searched through her inbox for one marked with a government seal. She opened it, and read it in silence. The last few lines were the hardest to read, because by then the tears had begun to well up in her eyes.
It was over. Her career, her noble status, her finances, her life as she knew it… they were all gone, and it had taken just one letter to send it all crashing down.
submitted by Cocao_Nibs to Sexyspacebabes [link] [comments]
Well, it only took Canada burning and the East Coast turning into smoky rendition of a Mexico filter for this chapter to finally reach completion. Regularly-scheduled programming should hopefully resume after July 4th. Until then, drink some water, don't do gender reveals in the forest, and hang in there, guys!
Pursuant to Imperial Decree 10928, and in recognition of the reservist nature of the unit, the 1st Rocket Artillery Regiment has been found to satisfy the standards outlined in the Decree. However, in light of the significant budget and nonmaterial resource allocations that were required to bring the aforementioned unit up to levels considered satisfactory by existing standards, additional considerations beyond readiness and training levels must be taken into account.
Throughout the appeals process, you have repeatedly indicated that you believe rocket artillery to still have a place on the modern battlefield, citing recent reports from the Terran Planetary District command of the Sol System sector, as well as early after-action reports from the Intervention on Raknos, which you claim to support your argument. However, further investigation into this claim by independent analysts on behalf of Armored Warfare Command has found it to hold no merit in light of the recent restructuring outlined in detail in prior communications. Simply put, neither the Empress, nor her advisors, believe that the maintenance and garrisoning of units intended strictly for low-intensity counter-insurgency operations remains doctrinally viable.
Additionally, the excessive monetary and nonmonetary resources you requested in preparation for the evaluation, in light of the on-par, verging on substandard performance of the 1st Rocket Artillery Regiment, even accounting for the large number of fresh troops that needed to be drawn down from other posts to fill out its ranks, is highly suggestive on the part of you, the honorable Ashira Rakishal. This discrepancy is of high importance, and you may rest assured that it has already been publicly filed by the time this letter appears in your inbox.
Such a discrepancy is indicative of either incompetence or corruption on your part. Commanding officers may face demotion or a possible dishonorable discharge for the former, or, for the latter, a fine totalling no more than one-and-a-half times the estimated sum of the damages assessed, guaranteed dishonorable discharge and a potential prison term of no more than four years. Due to there being no evidence to suggest the latter, the former approach has been suggested by the Armored Warfare Command. Effective fourteen (14) days after this order is signed, your rank will be reduced and you will be relieved of commanding the Regiment. You may be restationed at this time, and your government-issued devices may be deactivated to facilitate this restationing. The 1st Rocket Artillery Division, in accordance with Decree 10928, will be dissolved and its assets relocated to other units wherever possible. Any remaining property will be auctioned under section 12.57.3(g) of the Naval and Marine Surplus Handling Act of 651 at the Val’tira Central Forwarding Depot.
Ashira finished reading the letter, but the words meant nothing to her. She hadn't slept in half a week, if not longer, in anticipation of the results from her hearing. In fact, she'd hardly gotten up from her desk; the 1st RAR was on leave until the final verdict would be announced publicly, and it was all she could do but to refresh her inbox every few minutes and watch mindless clips in the background that she hardly heard and never managed to remember a word from.
She tried reading it again, but the letters seemed to float off the screen, each one wrapped in a halo of bluish white screen glow. Nothing made sense.
'We were found to be satisfactory, but then… why does it talk about my rank? Am I getting promoted? There was something about dishonorable discharges, too, so… are some of my girls getting let go? I guess I will have to break the news to them. And it said something about budget overruns… well, mom still owes me from when she forgot to get me anything for my eighteenth last month, so I guess she can pay them back for all the equipment and training I had to authorize…'
Her thoughts were already drifting off into a vague haze when her stomach made a low noise, reminding her of the fact that she hadn't eaten in hours, mostly because her supply of food had run dry. Almost in a trance, she rose from her desk and, almost on autopilot, set about getting ready to go out and do some shopping, as she always did. The floor of her living quarters was almost entirely hidden by weeks-old discarded packaging, mountains of dirty clothes, and bottles half-filled with liquid that was either expired juice or urine. Narrow paths snaked through the mess; one to the bathroom, one to her bed, and one more still to the door, which she now slowly shambled towards.
Ashira pulled a pair of battered combat boots over her bare feet - she'd run out of socks that didn't offend her senses some weeks prior - without bothering to lace them, shoved her wallet into the front pocket of the fireproof jumpsuit she wore with absolutely nothing underneath and hadn't changed out of all week, and shoved the door open to head out. Immediately, the smell - or, perhaps, a lack thereof - of the corridor hit her. All the sleeping quarters were locked. It was quiet. Though her boots were heavy, her footsteps barely made a noise as she plodded along the thick, purple and topaz-blue carpet that lined the floor.
The door to the lobby was propped open by a cleaner's cart, and a heavy perfume of chemical detergents wafted through the opening as she approached. In the lobby was a small, older Helkam male, with his long and, in places, graying hair tied back with a beige bandana that matched his civilian contractor's coveralls, just as his green noise-canceling headphones matched the company logo on his uniform. He was dutifully mopping the already nigh-spotless polished stone floor, and there was only a narrow dry strip connecting doorway to doorway.
“‘Scuse me,” she mumbled, tapping him on the shoulder to alert him to her presence. “Coming through.”
He flinched away from her touch, and she flinched away from him, as though his own shock was contagious. “The fuck, you touch me!?” He exclaimed, whipping around to face her, mop at the ready like a Turox-prod. His face burned a pale but furious violet, contorted with fear and a readiness to fight. But, just as suddenly as he’d come to face her, his expression became one of confusion. His mop dipped down, and they stood in silence for a split second that seemed to drag on for entire minutes. Then, he made an odd face, as if of disgust or contempt, and stepped aside, motioning for her to pass by him.
Ashira would have been puzzled by this, if only she were not so frazzled and caught up in her own thoughts. She stepped outside and was immediately hit by a cool breeze; it was night out, and the wind blew in just as it always did. Not that it bothered her much; over the previous months, she had found that it didn’t seem to affect her very much. The only reason she wasn’t feeling the full brunt of the evening gales was that the buildings around the officer’s quarters were mostly two- and three-story affairs, their height and old, weathered stone cladding the last specters of the prominence and prestige the base enjoyed in the long-before times. Before the Unification Wars were but a distant memory. Before the Periphery had become the final, unconquerable frontier. Before the Empress-damned mess that was Raknos. Before Rocket Artillery had become hopelessly obsolete.
The wind blew, relentless and steadfast, as she trudged towards the only place on-base that still had its lights on. The general store. She didn’t know what she wanted to buy there, nor if there would indeed be anything on the shelves that she’d want to buy, but she felt she had to try, anyway. The only rest she could get now was chemically-assisted, either through over-the-counter sleeping pills, or copious volumes of booze, or, when the going got particularly rough, a combination of both. She was vaguely aware of the damage she was probably inflicting upon her organs, but she figured that they were a worthy sacrifice. Still, some days she couldn't fall asleep, even boozed up and medicated as much as she would dare, so she would lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, hoping that the splitting headaches she would get from that chemical cocktail would make her ears ring loud enough to drown out her intrusive thoughts.
The store wasn't particularly warm when she entered, and it reeked of cigarette smoke and mildew as always. The nearest set of shelves to the door were stocked with bags of some sort of imported breaded meat snacks labeled Pufriyah - Ancestral Recipe, Modern Taste! across the top shelf and cases of Red Grains across the bottom, as if some long-forgotten planner had seen into the future and anticipated Ashira's shopping habits exactly. Without much thought, she pulled a case of the Reds off the bottom shelf, her back, which had been sore for months by then, crying out in pain that just barely cut through her apathy. She threw a few bags of the Pufriyah snacks on top of it, entirely indifferent to their name, slogan, and brown-furred chibi mascot that spoke to their Rakiri intended consumer base.
'It's all just carbs and protein at the end of the day,' she figured. It wasn't like she could taste much of them anyway, had she really cared to learn their flavor. It was close to a month prior that she'd caught a nasty cold, and her constant sleep deprivation and stress hadn't lent themselves to it clearing itself up on its own. Her senses of taste and smell were unnecessary to her whipping her unit into shape, she'd decided, once she learned that the antivirals she needed to take to make her symptoms clear up would need her to be on bed rest for three straight days. She could always take them later, anyway.
The bottles of Red Grain clanked against each other as Ashira heaved the case onto the checkout counter. The bags on top of it slid off, and she only just caught them in time. The noise awoke the lone cashier, another civilian contractor, from her nap atop her wobbly three-legged stool. She quite inelegantly hopped off of it and came to lean against the counter with one hand, the other lazily waving the scanner of a specialized Data-Slate over the merchandise.
"ID for the Reds," the cashier groggily slurred out, patting down her many pockets in search of a cigarette box. "Standard procedure, nothing personal against you."
Ashira stared at her, dumbfounded, for a few moments too many, before it hit her that she needed to pull up her Marine Profile on her Slate. Mumbling an apology mixed with an excuse, she reached into one of the few - albeit cavernously huge - pockets of her fireproof suit and produced the grimy government-issue device in question. The lock screen was set to her ID, just to make such common interactions go by quicker.
She pushed the Slate across the counter, expecting to get it slid back to her in a few moments, and maybe a manufactured smile and a nod if the cashier noticed the Rakishal House crest in the corner and realized she was of noble blood. But this time, none of that happened. The woman across from her frowned, squinting as she analyzed something about the ID, her face no more than perhaps a few centimeters from it. She looked up at Ashira, then back down at the ID, then back at her, and then all of a sudden her confusion melted into some odd mixture of shock and disgust. She wordlessly pushed the Slate back across the counter, scanned the case of Red Grain, and then motioned to a now very baffled and somewhat offended Ashira that she was free to leave.
In her sleep-deprived state, Ashira had barely the mental capacity to remember where the door was, much less to ponder the deeper meaning behind what had transpired. Vowing to come back the next day, after getting a good night's sleep, and get the insolent cashier fired, she trudged out of the shop, back to the officers' quarters, where the Helkam man was still toiling away in the lobby, now wiping down the Turox-leather seats, and into her own suite.
She brushed the most egregious of the trash from her bed, with the arm that wasn't clutching the spoils of her trek to her chest, and allowed gravity to gracelessly guide her into its soft, fitted-sheet embrace. With a sigh of barely-felt relief, she cracked the cap off her first bottle with her tusks and took a long, well-earned swig.
The next thing she knew, it was morning.
Everything hurt. Ashira's muscles all ached like she'd run every Deathshead Commando bootcamp course, back-to-back, without stopping. Her head felt like a bloated, rotten gourd, ready to burst at the slightest touch. Even though her eyes were closed, what little light made it through them felt as though it was piercing straight through her eyeballs and into her brain. However, through it all, she noted an odd, almost pleasant sensation that she hadn't felt in so long, she'd almost forgotten the word for it.
'Empress all-powerful, this must be the first time in almost a year that I've had a full night's sleep!'
Ashira would have kept laying there, exactly where she was. The room was quiet. No one needed her. Her unit was stood down for another few days. She could just stay in bed, in peace, and wait for the pain to subside. But the very second she considered that possibility, her bladder cried in agony, and she simultaneously came to the realizations that she would not be able to hold it in for even a minute longer, and that she was wearing her only set of relatively-clean clothes.
She pushed herself up and onto her feet, and that motion sent showers of sparks cascading through her vision, even as her eyes stayed firmly shut. Her ears rang from the pain as though she'd stuck her head between the prongs of a colossal tuning fork, her limbs felt numb as she stumbled through her room, and the only way she could tell up from down was from the direction gravity kept pulling her every time she lost her balance.
She hit the door frame to the bathroom by chance, only recognizing it as the right one by the light switch her elbow painfully caught. From there, she went entirely by feel. There was the sink, the towel rack, the soap dispenser, the shower door… and finally, having run out of wrong things to blindly grope around for, her hand bumped into the tank of the toilet. Even bending down made her head fill with the pounding beat of her heart, every pulse seeming to try and push her brain out of her skull through her eyes and ears. She nearly blacked out as she sat down.
The next thing Ashira knew, she was doubled over her sink, dry-heaving, her fireproof pants pulled back up around her waist but neither zipped shut nor clipped together at the front. She knew for certain that nothing had come up, because she was newly aware of the desiccated dryness in her mouth and throat, as if all her flesh had been replaced with fine-grit sandpaper. Still lacking the resolve to open her eyes, she blindly clawed at the knobs of the sink until water began to pour, and then began scooping handfuls of it into her mouth.
After a few gulps, she began to feel a bit better. Her mouth, though it still felt dry as ever, was at least now rid of the horrible, sour, metallic taste that she hadn't registered until it was gone, and the unintentional splashing of water onto her face did wonders in helping her start to truly wake up. The very next instant, though, a numbing pain spread across her hands and face, and down her throat. The water was freezing cold.
That didn't deter Ashira, though, and she kept drinking until she knew that she would not be able to swallow a drop more without throwing up. Her hands were numb from the frigid water, as was her face. Icy rivulets streamed down her chin and throat and under her unzipped collar, leaving cool, glistening trails across her breasts and stomach.
Somehow, this numbness that spread across her fingers and cheeks seemed to have carried over to her hangover, as well, though whether it was the rapid cooling, or the much-needed hydration, or both, she neither knew nor cared. Her head now hurt with the intensity of just any old headache, her skin did not feel two sizes too small for her organs, and her muscles and joints barely ached with any more intensity than they usually did.
She opened her eyes for the first time since she'd gotten out of bed, ready and eager to take full advantage of her hangover cure while its effects still lasted, and almost fell over as she stumbled away from the mirror in shock. The reflection in the mirror was decidedly not her.
Bloodshot eyes stared out at her from dark, sunken orbits; two craters on a puffy face rendered a waxy, pale bluish lilac by months of near-total involuntary isolation from the daylight. Raven hair framed that lifeless visage, once kept neat and short, now a wild, greasy, and, above all, long Seetcha's nest. It had once had lively sun-bleached streaks where her beret and headset did not fully cover it, from when she would ride head-out in her trusty command Ishtarti-603, but they were now mere faded tips spread unevenly through the carbon-black tangle.
The rest of her was not in much better shape. Her bust, though always on the fuller size, was nonetheless noticeably larger than it had been the last time Ashira had inspected her reflection, and doubtless was the cause of her incessant back pain. In the same moment, she became aware that her breasts rested not against the top of her six-pack - which, while rarely worked out and never particularly defined, had, in its mere presence, still been a point of quiet pride for her - but at the upper limits of a beer gut, whose faint outline was visible even under the baggy suit she was wearing for the umpteenth day in a row, and which stood as a testament to the inertia she had descended into while trying to force the RAR into motion.
'Fuck, there's the evidence of my battle. Mom was right, I do eat like a Turox before the slaughter. I have no self-control. Why do I even bother with this restructuring business if I can't even keep to my own damn fitness goals?' Her gloom, though deep and all-consuming while it weighed upon her soul, dissipated just as quickly as it set in. 'But I knew it would happen, so why does it surprise me? I knew going in that I was burning myself up in the present to keep future me warm. It's just a few kilos. A dozen at most. No big deal. Just need a bit more exercise for a month or two and I'll be right back in parade shape!'
It did, however, make her think to place an order with the on-base supply depot for some new clothes. With the Unification Day festivities looming, it would simply not do for this quite temporary distortion of her Noble figure to be so brazen, she firmly decided.
The order would have to wait, however. When Ashira brought out her government-issued Data-Slate from her front pocket in a familiar motion, already compiling a list of all the workout gear, field uniforms, and parade garb she would need in a size up, the device, in an apparent bout of unruliness, first resisted her efforts to turn it on, and when it was finally made to do so, simply boot-looped endlessly on the startup screen. For all intents and purposes, it was a Slate-shaped paperweight, and Ashira didn’t even have enough physical documents in her possession to make use of this one purpose it had left.
‘First my clothes, now the one Slate mom can’t track me on. What’s next, is my ID going to expire all of a sudden? Will my physical Chit card have a bad contact?’
There was only so much she could take at one time, so she decided to do the sensible thing and get something to eat before returning to dealing with her problems. She pulled out her Slate. It was almost noon.
'No one needs to see me like this. How can I command the regiment if they see me in such a state? I'll order breakfast - well, lunch now, but who's really counting? - and I can join everyone for dinner, once I get a chance to order in some new clothes, and shower, and maybe do something with my hair.'
With a practiced motion, so automatic it was almost a reflex, she swiped through the interface until she found what she was looking for. There, between Combatters forum sites, was a saved page for the Hungry Gal's order menu. Her chit was already saved in the system. All she needed was to tap on "Large Hot Meal #5 - Drink Combo" and…
CHIT DECLINED - PAYMENT BLOCKED
"That can't be right," Ashira muttered aloud as she tapped the button again, over and over, to the same effect. "It's a government card. Unless- ah, right, it must be the new policy they were talking about! Can't believe they made food expenses count as personal expenditure only, the nerve of these credit-pinching…"
She went into the payment details section of the page, switched the number to her personal one, and selected "Large Hot Meal #5 - Drink Combo" again. This time, a new message appeared.
INVALID ACCOUNT - DEACTIVATED
The gnawing hunger in her stomach disappeared in an instant, replaced by a solid iron bar of dread. Why was her account deactivated? Who could have done it? The only other person with access privileges was her own mother, and why would she…?
Ashira knew the answer. She didn't want to know it, to acknowledge that she knew it for fear of what it meant, but she did. With shaking hands, she opened the notification screen of her Slate, and saw she had unread messages from her family group chat. She tapped that notification, expecting a deluge of fury about her weight, her spending habits, her slovenly appearance in public, or any manner of other things, but there was but one message, sent earlier that morning. It was from her mother, indeed, but it was just four words long.
I got the letter.
She wanted to protest, to scream, "What letter could you possibly mean?," but she couldn't. A memory, hazy from the fog of insomnia that had dulled her thoughts at the time, played against her volition in her mind. The words hadn't made sense to her then, but they did now. Robotically, she closed the message from her mother and searched through her inbox for one marked with a government seal. She opened it, and read it in silence. The last few lines were the hardest to read, because by then the tears had begun to well up in her eyes.
It was over. Her career, her noble status, her finances, her life as she knew it… they were all gone, and it had taken just one letter to send it all crashing down.
2023.06.08 22:32 cglogistic How technology is transforming the logistics industry
In recent years, the logistics sector has been rapidly transforming because of the advent of new technologies. The use of technology plays a significant role in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of logistics operations. CG Logistics, the best logistics company in India, has been leveraging the strength of technology to transform the logistics industry. This article contains discussion regarding how technology is transforming the logistics industry in connection to CGL.
CGL India, an aircraft charter company, has implemented numerous automated warehousing solutions that have helped them improve their operations. In this aspect, one such solution is the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS). This system supports automated storage and retrieval machines to move pallets and other large items in and out of storage places. Further, the ASRS system is also equipped with sensors that can identify the exact location of every pallet, ensuring that they are stored in the correct location and can be retrieved easily when required.
CGL has also implemented automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in their warehouses. AGVs use sensors and GPS techniques to navigate through the warehouse and avoid problems in international warehousing services. They can support the transportation of pallets, boxes, and other items to and from the storage locations, decreasing the requirement for human labor. Additionally, the warehousing system at CGL is also equipped with advanced inventory management capabilities. These systems use sensors and RFID technology to identify the location and status of every item in real-time. This offers CGL greater visibility into their inventory levels, enabling them to make more informed decisions regarding inventory management and order fulfillment.
Ultimately, automated warehousing is one of the critical areas in which technology is transforming the logistics sector. CGL has made significant investments in automation technologies like ASRS, AGVs, and advanced inventory management capabilities. Through the implementation of these technologies, CGL has been able to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and speed of warehousing activities while also decreasing labor expenses and reducing errors.
CGL India has implemented IoT techniques to track and monitor their shipments and vehicles. IoT sensors can be connected to shipping containers, vehicles, and pallets to identify their location, temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions. This information is then transmitted to CGL’s cloud-based logistic platform, where it can be evaluated in real-time for the optimization of shipping routes, monitor the conditions of goods, and avoid damage or loss.
One of the major advantages of IoT in logistics is improved visibility and control over the supply chain. By using IoT sensors to track vehicles and shipments, CGL can offer their clients real-time updates on the location and status of their shipments. This supports an improvement in customer satisfaction and assists CG Logistics to quickly monitoringavoidinginidentifying and address any problem that may arise during transportation.
Another advantage of IoT in logistics is the capability to optimize transportation routes and decrease fuel consumption. Through evaluating real-time data from IoT sensors, CGL can ascertain the most efficient routes for transportation and shipping. This supports the reduction of transportation expenses, the minimization of fuel consumption, and improvements in delivery times.
IoT technology also supports predictive maintenance for vehicles and equipment. Through the collection and evaluation of data from IoT sensors, CG Logistics can ascertain probable maintenance problems before they become serious issues. This supports the reduction of downtime, prevents equipment failure, and enhances the lifespan of equipment and vehicles.
IoT technology is also utilized by CG Logistics for improvements in warehouse operations. IoT sensors could be implemented to observe inventory levels, track the location of goods within a warehouse, and optimize the placement of inventory to decrease the time and labor needed for order fulfillment.
Overall, IoT technology is transforming the logistics industry by offering better visibility and control over the supply chain, optimizing transportation routes, assisting with predictive maintenance, and improving warehouse activities. Through leveraging IoT technology, CG Logistics is capable of delivering their clients addressingitsaster, more effective, and more reliable logistics services.
One of the significant areas in which AI is implemented is in predictive analysis. Through the evaluation of historical information, AI algorithms can estimate future demand and support logistics companies such as CGL in optimizing their inventory management and transportation planning. This supports a reduction in costs and improvement in efficiency by ensuring that the correctways goods are in the right place at the right time.
Another field in which AI is utilized is in the optimization of routes. Through analysis of traffic patterns, forecasting of weather, and other real-time information, AI algorithms can ascertain the most efficient routes for transportation purposes. This supports the reduction of fuel consumption, the minimization of delivery times, and the improvement of complete logistics efficiency.
Moreover, AI-powered chatbots are also being implemented to improve the consumer experience. Through leveraging natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, a chatbot can respond to clients’ queries, give real-time tracking updates, and even support customers in booking shipments. This supports a reduction in response times, an improvement in customer satisfaction, and frees up consumer service staff to focus on more complex issues.
Additionally, AI is also being implemented to improve warehouse operations. AI-supported robots can automate repetitive activities such as picking and packing, enabling CGL to process orders quickly and efficiently. AI algorithms can also be used for the optimization of warehouse layouts and improvements in inventory management, minimizing the time and labor needed for order fulfillment.
Ultimately, AI is also being used to improve supply chain visibility. By collecting and evaluating information from numerous sources, such as IoT sensors, weather prediction, and social media, AI algorithms can give real-time insights into the supply chain. This supports logistics entities like CGL to ascertain probable disruptions, reduce risks, and make data-driven decisions.
Overall, AI is significantly transforming the logistics sector through improvements in predictive analysis, optimization of transportation routes, increasing consumer experience, automation of warehousing operations, and offering real-time visibility into the supply chain. CG Logistics has been leveraging AI technology for the optimization of logistics services, improvement in efficiency, and offering better consumer experiences. Through the adoption of AI-powered solutions, CGL is capable of providing faster, more efficient, and more reliable logistics services to its clients.
One of the main benefits of blockchain technology is its capability to offer a secure and transparent record of transactions. This can support a reduction in fraud and an increase in trust between logistics service providers and their consumers. Through the implementation of blockchain technology, CG Logistics can offer a tamper-proof record of entire transactions in the supply chain, from the origin of a shipment to its ultimate destination.
Additionally, to improve supply chain visibility, blockchain technology is also used. Through the use of IoT sensors and other tracking technologies, logistics service providers such as CG Logistics can track the movement of goods across the supply chain. This information can be recorded on the blockchain, giving real-time visibility into the supply chain for all involved parties. This can support the reduction of delays, the prevention of theft, and an improvement in the efficiency of the supply chain.
Another application of blockchain technology is smart contracts, which can be advantageous to the logistics sector. Smart contracts are self-executing contracts that execute automatically when particular conditions are satisfied. For instance, a smart contract can be formed between a logistics service provider and a customer, demonstrating the conditions for payment and delivery. The smart contract will execute automatically when the shipment reaches its destination, ensuring that payment is made to the providers of logistics services.
Further, in the customs clearance procedure, blockchain technology is also used. By applying blockchain technology, customs authorities can have real-time access to information about shipments, including their origin, contents, and destination. This can support the reduction of delays and improve the efficiency of the customs clearance procedures for the custom clearance agents in India.
Ultimately, blockchain technology can also be used to improve the security of data sharing between customers and logistics service providers. Through the application of blockchain technology, sensitive and confidential information can be stored securely and shared only with authorized parties. This can support the reduction of the risk of data breaches and the improvement of the overall security of logistics activities.
Overall, blockchain technology can revolutionize the logistics sector through improved supply chain visibility, decreased fraud, and increased trust between logistics service providers and their clients. CGL has been exploring the application of blockchain technology for improvements in its logistics services and to offer a better consumer experience. By adopting these blockchain-powered solutions, CG Logistics can offer their clients more secure, reliable, and efficient services.
One of the primary benefits of robotics in logistics operations is their capability to enhance productivity and efficiency. Robots can perform work around the clock and execute repetitive activities with significant accuracy and speed. This can support a reduction in labor costs and an improvement in the efficiency of the supply chain.
Another use of robotics in the logistics sector is the use of autonomous vehicles. In this scenario, autonomous vehicles, like self-driving trucks, could be used for the transportation of goods between warehouses and distribution centers. This can support the reduction of human drivers, a reduction in transportation expenses, and an improvement in the efficiency of the supply chain.
Overall, robotics has the capability to revolutionize the logistics sector through increased efficiency, decreased costs, improved safety, and increased consumer satisfaction. CG Logistics has been exploring the use of robotics in its logistics activities to improve efficiency and reduce costs. By adopting robotic-powered solutions, CGL can offer their clients more efficient, secure, and reliable logistics services.
In a nutshell, the logistics sector is significantly transformed by technology, and CGL has been at the forefront of this transformation. Through investment in automation techniques such as IoT, AI, blockchain, and robotics, CG Logistics has been able to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and speed of its logistics activities. As technology is continuously evolving, we can expect to observe even more significant changes in the logistics sector, and CG Logistics is well-positioned to take advantage of these changes.
submitted by cglogistic to u/cglogistic [link] [comments]
Automated warehousing
Automated warehousing is considered a significant area in which technology is transforming the logistics sector. CGL, a leading logistics company in India, has made investments in automation technologies a the efficiency and accuracy of their warehousing activities. Automated warehousing systems can support a reduction in labor expenses, the minimization of errors, and an increase in the speed of order fulfillment.CGL India, an aircraft charter company, has implemented numerous automated warehousing solutions that have helped them improve their operations. In this aspect, one such solution is the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS). This system supports automated storage and retrieval machines to move pallets and other large items in and out of storage places. Further, the ASRS system is also equipped with sensors that can identify the exact location of every pallet, ensuring that they are stored in the correct location and can be retrieved easily when required.
CGL has also implemented automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in their warehouses. AGVs use sensors and GPS techniques to navigate through the warehouse and avoid problems in international warehousing services. They can support the transportation of pallets, boxes, and other items to and from the storage locations, decreasing the requirement for human labor. Additionally, the warehousing system at CGL is also equipped with advanced inventory management capabilities. These systems use sensors and RFID technology to identify the location and status of every item in real-time. This offers CGL greater visibility into their inventory levels, enabling them to make more informed decisions regarding inventory management and order fulfillment.
Ultimately, automated warehousing is one of the critical areas in which technology is transforming the logistics sector. CGL has made significant investments in automation technologies like ASRS, AGVs, and advanced inventory management capabilities. Through the implementation of these technologies, CGL has been able to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and speed of warehousing activities while also decreasing labor expenses and reducing errors.
Internet of Things (IoT)
In the logistics sector, the role of IoT is significant, as it permits companies like CGL to track and manage their assets to improveitsreal timemore efficiently IoT is defined as a network of devices, sensors, and software that are linked to the internet and can communicate with each other to gather and exchange data.CGL India has implemented IoT techniques to track and monitor their shipments and vehicles. IoT sensors can be connected to shipping containers, vehicles, and pallets to identify their location, temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions. This information is then transmitted to CGL’s cloud-based logistic platform, where it can be evaluated in real-time for the optimization of shipping routes, monitor the conditions of goods, and avoid damage or loss.
One of the major advantages of IoT in logistics is improved visibility and control over the supply chain. By using IoT sensors to track vehicles and shipments, CGL can offer their clients real-time updates on the location and status of their shipments. This supports an improvement in customer satisfaction and assists CG Logistics to quickly monitoringavoidinginidentifying and address any problem that may arise during transportation.
Another advantage of IoT in logistics is the capability to optimize transportation routes and decrease fuel consumption. Through evaluating real-time data from IoT sensors, CGL can ascertain the most efficient routes for transportation and shipping. This supports the reduction of transportation expenses, the minimization of fuel consumption, and improvements in delivery times.
IoT technology also supports predictive maintenance for vehicles and equipment. Through the collection and evaluation of data from IoT sensors, CG Logistics can ascertain probable maintenance problems before they become serious issues. This supports the reduction of downtime, prevents equipment failure, and enhances the lifespan of equipment and vehicles.
IoT technology is also utilized by CG Logistics for improvements in warehouse operations. IoT sensors could be implemented to observe inventory levels, track the location of goods within a warehouse, and optimize the placement of inventory to decrease the time and labor needed for order fulfillment.
Overall, IoT technology is transforming the logistics industry by offering better visibility and control over the supply chain, optimizing transportation routes, assisting with predictive maintenance, and improving warehouse activities. Through leveraging IoT technology, CG Logistics is capable of delivering their clients addressingitsaster, more effective, and more reliable logistics services.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is a technique that supports machines’ ability to learn and execute activities that typically require human intelligence. In the current scenario, the logistics sector is rapidly accepting AI for the optimization of operations and to improve efficiency. CGL has been leveraging AI to increase their logistics services and offer better consumer experiences.One of the significant areas in which AI is implemented is in predictive analysis. Through the evaluation of historical information, AI algorithms can estimate future demand and support logistics companies such as CGL in optimizing their inventory management and transportation planning. This supports a reduction in costs and improvement in efficiency by ensuring that the correctways goods are in the right place at the right time.
Another field in which AI is utilized is in the optimization of routes. Through analysis of traffic patterns, forecasting of weather, and other real-time information, AI algorithms can ascertain the most efficient routes for transportation purposes. This supports the reduction of fuel consumption, the minimization of delivery times, and the improvement of complete logistics efficiency.
Moreover, AI-powered chatbots are also being implemented to improve the consumer experience. Through leveraging natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, a chatbot can respond to clients’ queries, give real-time tracking updates, and even support customers in booking shipments. This supports a reduction in response times, an improvement in customer satisfaction, and frees up consumer service staff to focus on more complex issues.
Additionally, AI is also being implemented to improve warehouse operations. AI-supported robots can automate repetitive activities such as picking and packing, enabling CGL to process orders quickly and efficiently. AI algorithms can also be used for the optimization of warehouse layouts and improvements in inventory management, minimizing the time and labor needed for order fulfillment.
Ultimately, AI is also being used to improve supply chain visibility. By collecting and evaluating information from numerous sources, such as IoT sensors, weather prediction, and social media, AI algorithms can give real-time insights into the supply chain. This supports logistics entities like CGL to ascertain probable disruptions, reduce risks, and make data-driven decisions.
Overall, AI is significantly transforming the logistics sector through improvements in predictive analysis, optimization of transportation routes, increasing consumer experience, automation of warehousing operations, and offering real-time visibility into the supply chain. CG Logistics has been leveraging AI technology for the optimization of logistics services, improvement in efficiency, and offering better consumer experiences. Through the adoption of AI-powered solutions, CGL is capable of providing faster, more efficient, and more reliable logistics services to its clients.
Blockchain technology
Blockchain technology is defined as a distributed ledger technology that permits secure, reliable, transparent, and tamper-proof recording of transactions. It can revolutionize the logistics sector through improvements in supply chain visibility, decreasing fraud, and increasing trust between logistics service providers and their clients. CGL has been exploring the use of blockchain technology to improve its logistics services and offer a better customer experience.One of the main benefits of blockchain technology is its capability to offer a secure and transparent record of transactions. This can support a reduction in fraud and an increase in trust between logistics service providers and their consumers. Through the implementation of blockchain technology, CG Logistics can offer a tamper-proof record of entire transactions in the supply chain, from the origin of a shipment to its ultimate destination.
Additionally, to improve supply chain visibility, blockchain technology is also used. Through the use of IoT sensors and other tracking technologies, logistics service providers such as CG Logistics can track the movement of goods across the supply chain. This information can be recorded on the blockchain, giving real-time visibility into the supply chain for all involved parties. This can support the reduction of delays, the prevention of theft, and an improvement in the efficiency of the supply chain.
Another application of blockchain technology is smart contracts, which can be advantageous to the logistics sector. Smart contracts are self-executing contracts that execute automatically when particular conditions are satisfied. For instance, a smart contract can be formed between a logistics service provider and a customer, demonstrating the conditions for payment and delivery. The smart contract will execute automatically when the shipment reaches its destination, ensuring that payment is made to the providers of logistics services.
Further, in the customs clearance procedure, blockchain technology is also used. By applying blockchain technology, customs authorities can have real-time access to information about shipments, including their origin, contents, and destination. This can support the reduction of delays and improve the efficiency of the customs clearance procedures for the custom clearance agents in India.
Ultimately, blockchain technology can also be used to improve the security of data sharing between customers and logistics service providers. Through the application of blockchain technology, sensitive and confidential information can be stored securely and shared only with authorized parties. This can support the reduction of the risk of data breaches and the improvement of the overall security of logistics activities.
Overall, blockchain technology can revolutionize the logistics sector through improved supply chain visibility, decreased fraud, and increased trust between logistics service providers and their clients. CGL has been exploring the application of blockchain technology for improvements in its logistics services and to offer a better consumer experience. By adopting these blockchain-powered solutions, CG Logistics can offer their clients more secure, reliable, and efficient services.
Robotics
In the logistics industry, the use of robotics is becoming increasingly dominant as technology advances. Robotics can be used for the automation of several procedures within the supply chain, like the handling of materials, packaging, and transportation. CG Logistics has been exploring the use of robotics for increasing efficiency and reducing costs in its logistics activities.One of the primary benefits of robotics in logistics operations is their capability to enhance productivity and efficiency. Robots can perform work around the clock and execute repetitive activities with significant accuracy and speed. This can support a reduction in labor costs and an improvement in the efficiency of the supply chain.
Another use of robotics in the logistics sector is the use of autonomous vehicles. In this scenario, autonomous vehicles, like self-driving trucks, could be used for the transportation of goods between warehouses and distribution centers. This can support the reduction of human drivers, a reduction in transportation expenses, and an improvement in the efficiency of the supply chain.
Overall, robotics has the capability to revolutionize the logistics sector through increased efficiency, decreased costs, improved safety, and increased consumer satisfaction. CG Logistics has been exploring the use of robotics in its logistics activities to improve efficiency and reduce costs. By adopting robotic-powered solutions, CGL can offer their clients more efficient, secure, and reliable logistics services.
In a nutshell, the logistics sector is significantly transformed by technology, and CGL has been at the forefront of this transformation. Through investment in automation techniques such as IoT, AI, blockchain, and robotics, CG Logistics has been able to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and speed of its logistics activities. As technology is continuously evolving, we can expect to observe even more significant changes in the logistics sector, and CG Logistics is well-positioned to take advantage of these changes.
2023.06.08 21:54 TheFlagMan123 "El pueblo unido, jamas sera vencido!" A united South America, the new United States of the Americas.
 | submitted by TheFlagMan123 to imaginarymaps [link] [comments] |
2023.06.08 21:28 Oradainer Celestial Empire - Chapter 3
First, Previous, Next
Victor sat at his kitchen table and stared at the tablet in his hand as he blew on his morning coffee. It had been a busy week, setting up areas for construction with enough room for the nano-forge, then using it to build auto-factories to build more mining drones and more forge spiders to gather more resources and clear out more areas.
Thus far he had Ingot Storage 1 complete and the forge spiders pathed to bring back and sort them. Then Hydroponics 1 was complete, the auto-farmers were programmed and with any luck in about six weeks he’d have wheat, oats, barley, corn, beans, rice, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, okra, mushrooms, squash, and many more fruits and vegetables.
Today he was working on Meat Lab 1. Set up was pretty straight forward, the equipment and power were in place, and the specimens were brought from dimensional storage to the grow labs, it was just the pathing necessary to cultivate, harvest and can the meats. His budget was limited here, he had chicken, beef, and pork cultures, and that was it.
Who would have thought his life savings, his parents life savings, and the sale of his ancestral home still couldn’t get him everything he wanted to start a new life on a colony world? He tapped his tablet a few more times before he was satisfied with the pathing, he pretty much copied it over from Hydro 1, they both canned the food in the end anyways.
He then checked on his mining drones, they were busy little beavers, and had found a remarkable amount of usable materials. More than even the satellite estimated for this location, he sent a few of them two days ago to cut a shaft down to the petroleum reserves, it appears that they had indeed succeeded in locating it.
He brought up the auto-factories that he had built from the nano-forge, numbers three and seven were idle, so he started constructing hauler drones to pump the raw petroleum into their internal tanks and then bring them up to Storage 1, where they can unload into new tanks. This will solve my plastics issue… I hope.
Yup, everything was going smoothly. Even if he never made it back to the empire, at least here he could have a little piece of it, with all the modern conveniences he was used to. “Screw living in places like Wuzhen. They didn’t even have indoor plumbing!” He muttered as his attention was brought to a notification on his tablet. INTRUDER ALERT. ____________ Pan ran as though her life depended on it. Well, actually it did, for the instinctive Ox-Kin that were chasing her would kill and eat her if she were caught. Being Rabbit-Kin her small and agile frame allowed her speed and maneuverability, but the Ox-Kin instinctuals didn’t have to run around trees, they could just push them aside!
Her wagon and all her goods were lost, she was dirty and scared. There was a clearing up ahead and her heart dropped, nowhere to hide, and the stream would slow her down, she was trapped now! She frantically looked from left to right as she continued to run, looking for some way out as the Ox-Kin roared behind her tearing up the ground as their razor sharp hoofs slammed into the ground.
She heard a sound as if there were thunderstorm raging, but it did not end, it simply got louder. She looked up in time to see a black figure on wings of fire plunge towards the ground. She didn’t stop, if it would distract the instinctuals then she would use it to her advantage and hopefully escape this terrible fate.
Suddenly she heard a sound as if someone were rubbing the rim of a meditation bowl, only hundreds of times louder, then screams of pain, several thuds, and then silence. She turned her head to see the black figure stand upright and to her astonishment, all the Ox-Kin were down.
No, not down, dead. Cut in half, obviously in mid gallop for the halves of their bodies were separated by meters. She slowed to take in the strange figure, its helmet magically disappeared behind him, showing a foreign face with short cropped black hair and eyes she had only seen on portraits of the Eternal Empress. _____________ “It’s ok, they’re all dead now. Waste of good beef if you ask me, but it’s a little too close to cannibalism for me. Had enough corpo-starch in the guard to last me a lifetime.” He said as she stopped to take a breath. He slowly started walking over to her.
Pan backed up, rather involuntarily, as this man had just slaughtered half a dozen instinctual Ox-Kin in the blink of an eye.
“Whoa, calm down, not gonna hurt you. Just want to ask you a few questions, I’m Victor by the way, what’s your name?” He asked, hands out to show he meant no harm.
Pan finally caught enough wind to take her hands off her thighs and straighten up, one of her bunny ears fell across her face, a sign of how exhausted she truly was. “I’m… Pan… Sorry, still trying to catch my breath.”
The strange man cocked his head to the side and she noticed it wasn’t just a helm he had been wearing, At first she thought he was wearing all black clothing, but it was actually armor, very intricate armor. “Are you a cultivator? I’ve never seen a male cultivator before.”
Victor chuckled, “I’ve been getting that a lot lately. The answer is… complicated. Now, about those questions. Shall we walk back to your home while I ask?”
Pan shook her head, “The only home I had was my wagon. I was a trader who bought and sold goods. The instinctuals destroyed it while I was gathering water. I heard my Ox bellow and when I came up from the stream it was being eaten, the wagon destroyed, my wares nothing more than shredded trash.” She looked down and started to cry as the realization that she had just lost everything took hold.
Victor put on his officers face, oh boy. Here come the water works. “Shh, calm down, it’s only a wagon. It’s a thing, and things can be replaced.”
She looked up to him and lowered her hands, “Perhaps to a powerful cultivator, but I am but a lowly peasant girl. I will have to sell my self on the streets to eat now!” She buried her face back into her hands and wailed.
“Oh for Emperors sakes!” Victor thought as he scooped the small woman up in his arms. This prompted a sharp “Eeek!” From her as he activated his jump jets. _____________ Pan was terrified. Rabbit-Kin were not made for flying. The strange cultivator had scooped her up in his arms as though she were a small child and launched them into the air. She tried to scream, but the air screeching by her face seemed to carry the noise away. Though she doubted anyone could have heard over fire erupting from his wings.
Suddenly they landed and she was set down. She looked around and saw they were on a ledge, far up the mountain where the Ox-Kin had chased her. The ledge had a metal rail all the way around it but she saw no way to reach it other than flight.
The strange man must have brought his helmet back up before they launched into the air, because he had it up now. He turned to the mountain and it split open before him! After retracting his helm he simply said, “Follow me, since you don’t have a home, I’ll bring you to mine.”
She followed him into the mountain, expecting it to be dark and cold, but to her surprise it was warm and light shown down from the ceiling as if it were daylight! The walls were smooth stone, and after a few meters in the mountain closed behind them, only it seemed to do it twice, once inside and once outside.
She continued to walk until they came to a strange door with a wheel in the center. The cultivator spun the wheel and opened the metal door. She had never seen so much worked metal in all her days. Even the blacksmith shops lacked the amount, or skill she saw here.
After she entered into a small chamber, Victor closed the door behind them and walked to a strange outcropping on the wall and turned around. The armor up close was neither new nor perfect, she saw dints and dings, and scorch marks in places. Then she jumped back as it split in half and Victor stepped out in nothing more than short pants covering his man-hood.
She blushed and diverted her eyes, but not before noticing the rippling muscles, scar tissue, and little round metal discs at regular intervals all over his body. He covered himself with a very plush white robe and slippers before opening another door that was identical to the first. “Should I wear slippers as well, Master Cultivator?”
Victor looked back, “That won’t be necessary, the cleaning drones will handle any mess we cause.” Pan pondered on what a drone was. A servant perhaps? Was that why he brought me here, to be one of his servants? Or was it something else? Oh no, she mentioned having to sell herself, did he expect her to be one of his mistresses? She wouldn’t be opposed, for he was a handsome man, but what kin was he?
She almost missed what was said next. “This is my humble abode, you’re welcome to stay here for a time while I get my bearings on this land.” Victor said as he walked over to the table and picked up a piece of see-through glass. Magical runes and pictures flared into existence as he tapped at it before setting it back down.
Pan could barely speak. This place was what she would expect in the Imperial palace. There was no kang, or open fire, but it was the perfect temperature and humidity. She saw a large couch, tables, chairs, cabinets of wood, a countertop with a strange steel bowl and what looked as if it were a well pump above it.
The back wall had multiple doors, the two that were open showed one to be a bed room, with a huge bed, the other was tiled with a white chair, it almost looked like a throne? How strange she thought as she peered into the room to see a chamber of fogged glass also inside the room.
Victor noticed her curiosity, “That is the bathroom. Come here, I’ll show you.”
Pan followed Victor into the bathroom as he demonstrated the toilet, explaining rather embarrassingly how it worked and how to use it, he then showed her the glass chamber with the odd steel handles.
“This one is hot, and this one is cold, you turn them both on until you get the temperature just right to clean yourself. On the wall there is liquid soap, shampoo, and conditioner, though I keep my hair close, so the conditioner wouldn’t be as necessary as say someone with your long hair.” He explained.
Pan was shocked as the saw the stream of water pouring from the wall. What manner of magic was this? “I have never seen a male cultivator, but it is known they are master craftsmen, can you all create such magical wonders?”
Victor shrugged, “No idea, I’ve never met another, uh, male cultivator.”
Pan considered, “Could I, maybe use this chamber to clean up? This mornings activities have left me a little soiled.”
Victor nodded, “Of course.” He reached into a small cabinet and produced a large piece of fluffy cloth and placed it on another steel rail outside the chamber. Before placing a smaller version of it inside the chamber on a rack. Finally he reached back into the cabinet and produced a robe much like he was wearing and placed it on a hook behind the door.
He then pointed to the small one inside the chamber, “That is a wash cloth to clean yourself with the soap, use the shampoo here on your hair, and then after rinsing it out, rub the conditioner in and let it sit a bit before finally rinsing it out. Then dry yourself off with this towel, and put on the robe I placed on the door.”
Pan nodded, “What will you do with my clothes after I remove them?”
Victor sniffed “Probably burn them.” He thought to himself. “I will provide you with clothes to lounge around the house.” He turned around and closed the door behind him.
Pan used the ‘toilet’ surprised at its efficiency to clean itself with water before turning on the water stream and adjusting the knobs until it was pleasant. She took to cleaning herself with gusto, for she had never had such luxury. Even the tubs at the inns she could sometimes visit were not this nice.
She heard the door open, and through the smoked glass she could see that Victor seemed to be gathering her things from the floor and leaving behind something on the ‘toilet’. After getting herself more clean that she thought she ever had in her entire life she sighed and decided she needed to get out.
After fiddling with the knobs and nearly freezing herself before turning them the proper way she reached out and grabbed the ‘towel’ and found it did an amazing job of drying her. Afterwards she tied the cloth up in her hair, careful not to get her ears and examined the clothes he brought her.
There was an article of clothing like what he wore, the short pants, but smaller, and tighter. She assumed it was for the same purpose and put it on, then she found a soft pair of pants, like men would wear, but of much finer and softer material. Finally, there was a form fitting shirt that she found left little to the imagination, but she had little choice to but to put it on. Finally there were thick, luxurious slippers on the floor and the robe on the back of the door.
She came out of the bathroom to find him at the strange counter, cooking. “A man who cooks for a woman? I know he is a foreigner, but I have never heard of this happening.” She thought as he waved her to the large table.
“I missed breakfast this morning, your little tussle with the Ox-Kin ladies kind of put it on hold, have you eaten?” He asked.
Pan felt the hunger pains when he asked as she shook her head.
He chuckled as he continued his work, “No, I guess you didn’t get a chance to eat this morning either.
How do you like your eggs?”
Pan was confused, “Um, I prefer them cooked?”
Victor looked back before saying, “Scrambled it is then.”
After a few minutes and some toiling around the cupboards he dropped off a huge plate in front of her. “Normally I’d let the auto-cook prepare the food, but since I’m getting everything up and running at the moment it’s missing a lot of ingredients. So, I worked with what I had, scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, and toast.”
She stared down at her plate, it mostly looked familiar, but the white porridge was a bit different. He handed her strange utensils before pushing two strange bottles with seasonings in them with holes punched in the top. She watched as he used the utensils to eat, and attempted to do the same.
The spoon was easy, she had used those for soup, but the tiny pitch fork and knife were difficult. Victor noticed this and stood up, went to a cabinet and pulled out a drawer and brought back metal chop sticks.
Pan stared at them, they were perhaps brass, possibly even gold, her mouth dropped, these utensils would have been worth more than her wagon! Victor looked up from his food, “Is everything ok? Is there something wrong with the chopsticks?”
Pan hurriedly put the chopsticks to work grabbing up the slivers of pork. “No, no. This lowly peasant girl was merely in amazement at the quality of the utensils.”
Victor nodded as he watched her eyes go round with amazement after chewing on the bacon. Before she dug into the eggs and tried the grits, deciding they needed the seasonings, which she found was salt and a form of pepper, she nodded before cleaning her plate.
Victor sat back, his own plate clean, “Now that’s a healthy appetite, I wasn’t sure a girl your size could finish a plate like that.”
Pan flushed, a bit embarrassed, “It was no doubt due to your cooking expertise. But I still don’t know why you brought me here.”
Victor stood and took her plate and utensils and opened a strange metal door under the counter and placed them into a metal chamber before closing it back. “You said you were a traveling merchant, which means you go places and hear things. I’m new here and have questions. Therefore we can help each other.”
He ushered Pan to the plush couch and sat down, she took the time to pull her hair out of the towel and he took it from her and went into the ‘bathroom’ a strange name as there was no bathtub inside it and returned to sit at the opposite side of the couch.
Pan let him sit before asking, “Ok, you have questions, what do you want to know?”
Victor took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking, “Why do you have rabbit ears? Why do people in the villages have monkey tails or goats eyes? And what the hell is up with these instinctuals that are more animal that people?” _______________ It had been hours and Pan was actually feeling mentally drained. The man before her was not a cultivator. Whatever he was, she doubted many cultivators except the Empress could hope to match him. The more he showed her, the more she was certain his powers were unlimited. She didn’t know whether to bow in awe, or run in terror.
Not from this plane of existence is how he put it. Meaning from the realm of the divinities maybe? She did not know for sure.
“So, this Eternal Empress came along a few thousand years ago, united the lands, built a wall and a government, and now uses her armies and cultivator sects to maintain law and order across her lands?” He asked.
Pan nodded, “Yes, before her we were broken into tribes that warred against one another constantly.”
Victor paced in front of her, “So she is immortal, like me. That’s good and bad, good in that she may have the knowledge to get me home. Bad, that she could see me as a threat and has tons of resources.” He suddenly stopped pacing. “I’m hungry, are you hungry?”
Pan was not going to say no to a free meal, as she literally had nothing to her name now. Not even her clothes. “I could eat master… er Victor.”
He started off to the ‘kitchen’ and opened the top to the large metal door and produced a round item wrapped in flexible glass? Or was it cloth that looked like glass? “Victor is fine, I’m going to make a Pizza, I doubt you’ve ever had one, but trust me, they’re great.”
As he worked they continued the questions, “So cultivators are broken up into sects, each one with its own goals and agendas, but all loyal to the Empress?”
Pan nodded, “Yes, and then the Iron Legions are armored mortals who keep the peace throughout the empire, although none of the towns around here are large enough to boast a garrison.”
The metal and glass hinged door was opened and the round cake like object that was placed on a pan was put into it and the door closed. “Ok, twenty minutes and we eat. So tell me, what kin is the Empress?”
Pan looked confused, “The Empress is the Empress, she has no kin.”
Victor wiped his hands on a small dish towel, “So you are rabbit-kin, I’ve met tiger-kin and boar-kin, and others, but she has no kin?”
Pan made a sudden connection, “No, she is like you. She has no kin.”
Victor dropped the dish towel on the counter, “So she’s human.” ________________ “Curse that damnable Victor Cane!” Mei swore as she and Xiang pushed the wagon to free it from the mud once more as the Ox pulling it simply lacked the strength to free it.
Xiang looked to her sect sister, “My my, Mei.” She chuckled at her own word play. “If I didn’t know better I’d say you were getting fixated on the male.”
Mei stared daggers at her companion, she knew she could feel the killing intent, but as they were both second tier, it did little. “The male was aloof, arrogant, cared nothing for face, and ignored me on the battlefield!”
Xiang grinned even more as she climbed aboard the wagon and took the reins. “Don’t think the rest of your sisters haven’t noticed the way you talk about him, you cover your interest with complaint, but it is a thin sheet.”
Mei reached down to her left hand, “He put his hand on mine in the Inn before he flew away on wings of fire. He was trying to comfort me on the loss of our sisters.”
Xiang turned her head sharply, “You didn’t put that in your report, this is the first any of us have heard of it.”
Mei sighed, “I don’t know what to think of it. Male cultivators are so rare, just seeing one outside of the the sect inner circles is a rarity. Most of us never get to even speak to a male cultivator unless we ascend to a high tier within the sect, making us worthy of being in their presence. I wanted to cherish it.”
Xiang smiled as she looked back to the ox before snapping the reins, “I would cherish it too, this is a hard life, mortal men would break in our embrace, but a cultivator male would not. He was a good looking man for a foreigner too.”
Mei shuddered, “That he is, even if a bit rugged, he is evidently a soldier after all.”
Xiangs mischievous grin was back, “I knew it, you were pining over this Victor!”
Mei’s killing intent was definitely felt by Xiang this time as she laughed uproariously at her friends discomfort.
“Fear not my OLDER sister, for in one passing of the moon we will be in the Celestial City and you can deliver your prize to the Empress. I am sure after this you will get to see your handsome soldier again. That is, if the Empress doesn’t take him as her own.” Xiang sang the last part with glee.
Mei stopped glaring, “You don’t think she would do that do you?” She asked.
Xiang laughed so hard she almost fell off the wagon.
submitted by Oradainer to HFY [link] [comments]
Victor sat at his kitchen table and stared at the tablet in his hand as he blew on his morning coffee. It had been a busy week, setting up areas for construction with enough room for the nano-forge, then using it to build auto-factories to build more mining drones and more forge spiders to gather more resources and clear out more areas.
Thus far he had Ingot Storage 1 complete and the forge spiders pathed to bring back and sort them. Then Hydroponics 1 was complete, the auto-farmers were programmed and with any luck in about six weeks he’d have wheat, oats, barley, corn, beans, rice, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, okra, mushrooms, squash, and many more fruits and vegetables.
Today he was working on Meat Lab 1. Set up was pretty straight forward, the equipment and power were in place, and the specimens were brought from dimensional storage to the grow labs, it was just the pathing necessary to cultivate, harvest and can the meats. His budget was limited here, he had chicken, beef, and pork cultures, and that was it.
Who would have thought his life savings, his parents life savings, and the sale of his ancestral home still couldn’t get him everything he wanted to start a new life on a colony world? He tapped his tablet a few more times before he was satisfied with the pathing, he pretty much copied it over from Hydro 1, they both canned the food in the end anyways.
He then checked on his mining drones, they were busy little beavers, and had found a remarkable amount of usable materials. More than even the satellite estimated for this location, he sent a few of them two days ago to cut a shaft down to the petroleum reserves, it appears that they had indeed succeeded in locating it.
He brought up the auto-factories that he had built from the nano-forge, numbers three and seven were idle, so he started constructing hauler drones to pump the raw petroleum into their internal tanks and then bring them up to Storage 1, where they can unload into new tanks. This will solve my plastics issue… I hope.
Yup, everything was going smoothly. Even if he never made it back to the empire, at least here he could have a little piece of it, with all the modern conveniences he was used to. “Screw living in places like Wuzhen. They didn’t even have indoor plumbing!” He muttered as his attention was brought to a notification on his tablet. INTRUDER ALERT. ____________ Pan ran as though her life depended on it. Well, actually it did, for the instinctive Ox-Kin that were chasing her would kill and eat her if she were caught. Being Rabbit-Kin her small and agile frame allowed her speed and maneuverability, but the Ox-Kin instinctuals didn’t have to run around trees, they could just push them aside!
Her wagon and all her goods were lost, she was dirty and scared. There was a clearing up ahead and her heart dropped, nowhere to hide, and the stream would slow her down, she was trapped now! She frantically looked from left to right as she continued to run, looking for some way out as the Ox-Kin roared behind her tearing up the ground as their razor sharp hoofs slammed into the ground.
She heard a sound as if there were thunderstorm raging, but it did not end, it simply got louder. She looked up in time to see a black figure on wings of fire plunge towards the ground. She didn’t stop, if it would distract the instinctuals then she would use it to her advantage and hopefully escape this terrible fate.
Suddenly she heard a sound as if someone were rubbing the rim of a meditation bowl, only hundreds of times louder, then screams of pain, several thuds, and then silence. She turned her head to see the black figure stand upright and to her astonishment, all the Ox-Kin were down.
No, not down, dead. Cut in half, obviously in mid gallop for the halves of their bodies were separated by meters. She slowed to take in the strange figure, its helmet magically disappeared behind him, showing a foreign face with short cropped black hair and eyes she had only seen on portraits of the Eternal Empress. _____________ “It’s ok, they’re all dead now. Waste of good beef if you ask me, but it’s a little too close to cannibalism for me. Had enough corpo-starch in the guard to last me a lifetime.” He said as she stopped to take a breath. He slowly started walking over to her.
Pan backed up, rather involuntarily, as this man had just slaughtered half a dozen instinctual Ox-Kin in the blink of an eye.
“Whoa, calm down, not gonna hurt you. Just want to ask you a few questions, I’m Victor by the way, what’s your name?” He asked, hands out to show he meant no harm.
Pan finally caught enough wind to take her hands off her thighs and straighten up, one of her bunny ears fell across her face, a sign of how exhausted she truly was. “I’m… Pan… Sorry, still trying to catch my breath.”
The strange man cocked his head to the side and she noticed it wasn’t just a helm he had been wearing, At first she thought he was wearing all black clothing, but it was actually armor, very intricate armor. “Are you a cultivator? I’ve never seen a male cultivator before.”
Victor chuckled, “I’ve been getting that a lot lately. The answer is… complicated. Now, about those questions. Shall we walk back to your home while I ask?”
Pan shook her head, “The only home I had was my wagon. I was a trader who bought and sold goods. The instinctuals destroyed it while I was gathering water. I heard my Ox bellow and when I came up from the stream it was being eaten, the wagon destroyed, my wares nothing more than shredded trash.” She looked down and started to cry as the realization that she had just lost everything took hold.
Victor put on his officers face, oh boy. Here come the water works. “Shh, calm down, it’s only a wagon. It’s a thing, and things can be replaced.”
She looked up to him and lowered her hands, “Perhaps to a powerful cultivator, but I am but a lowly peasant girl. I will have to sell my self on the streets to eat now!” She buried her face back into her hands and wailed.
“Oh for Emperors sakes!” Victor thought as he scooped the small woman up in his arms. This prompted a sharp “Eeek!” From her as he activated his jump jets. _____________ Pan was terrified. Rabbit-Kin were not made for flying. The strange cultivator had scooped her up in his arms as though she were a small child and launched them into the air. She tried to scream, but the air screeching by her face seemed to carry the noise away. Though she doubted anyone could have heard over fire erupting from his wings.
Suddenly they landed and she was set down. She looked around and saw they were on a ledge, far up the mountain where the Ox-Kin had chased her. The ledge had a metal rail all the way around it but she saw no way to reach it other than flight.
The strange man must have brought his helmet back up before they launched into the air, because he had it up now. He turned to the mountain and it split open before him! After retracting his helm he simply said, “Follow me, since you don’t have a home, I’ll bring you to mine.”
She followed him into the mountain, expecting it to be dark and cold, but to her surprise it was warm and light shown down from the ceiling as if it were daylight! The walls were smooth stone, and after a few meters in the mountain closed behind them, only it seemed to do it twice, once inside and once outside.
She continued to walk until they came to a strange door with a wheel in the center. The cultivator spun the wheel and opened the metal door. She had never seen so much worked metal in all her days. Even the blacksmith shops lacked the amount, or skill she saw here.
After she entered into a small chamber, Victor closed the door behind them and walked to a strange outcropping on the wall and turned around. The armor up close was neither new nor perfect, she saw dints and dings, and scorch marks in places. Then she jumped back as it split in half and Victor stepped out in nothing more than short pants covering his man-hood.
She blushed and diverted her eyes, but not before noticing the rippling muscles, scar tissue, and little round metal discs at regular intervals all over his body. He covered himself with a very plush white robe and slippers before opening another door that was identical to the first. “Should I wear slippers as well, Master Cultivator?”
Victor looked back, “That won’t be necessary, the cleaning drones will handle any mess we cause.” Pan pondered on what a drone was. A servant perhaps? Was that why he brought me here, to be one of his servants? Or was it something else? Oh no, she mentioned having to sell herself, did he expect her to be one of his mistresses? She wouldn’t be opposed, for he was a handsome man, but what kin was he?
She almost missed what was said next. “This is my humble abode, you’re welcome to stay here for a time while I get my bearings on this land.” Victor said as he walked over to the table and picked up a piece of see-through glass. Magical runes and pictures flared into existence as he tapped at it before setting it back down.
Pan could barely speak. This place was what she would expect in the Imperial palace. There was no kang, or open fire, but it was the perfect temperature and humidity. She saw a large couch, tables, chairs, cabinets of wood, a countertop with a strange steel bowl and what looked as if it were a well pump above it.
The back wall had multiple doors, the two that were open showed one to be a bed room, with a huge bed, the other was tiled with a white chair, it almost looked like a throne? How strange she thought as she peered into the room to see a chamber of fogged glass also inside the room.
Victor noticed her curiosity, “That is the bathroom. Come here, I’ll show you.”
Pan followed Victor into the bathroom as he demonstrated the toilet, explaining rather embarrassingly how it worked and how to use it, he then showed her the glass chamber with the odd steel handles.
“This one is hot, and this one is cold, you turn them both on until you get the temperature just right to clean yourself. On the wall there is liquid soap, shampoo, and conditioner, though I keep my hair close, so the conditioner wouldn’t be as necessary as say someone with your long hair.” He explained.
Pan was shocked as the saw the stream of water pouring from the wall. What manner of magic was this? “I have never seen a male cultivator, but it is known they are master craftsmen, can you all create such magical wonders?”
Victor shrugged, “No idea, I’ve never met another, uh, male cultivator.”
Pan considered, “Could I, maybe use this chamber to clean up? This mornings activities have left me a little soiled.”
Victor nodded, “Of course.” He reached into a small cabinet and produced a large piece of fluffy cloth and placed it on another steel rail outside the chamber. Before placing a smaller version of it inside the chamber on a rack. Finally he reached back into the cabinet and produced a robe much like he was wearing and placed it on a hook behind the door.
He then pointed to the small one inside the chamber, “That is a wash cloth to clean yourself with the soap, use the shampoo here on your hair, and then after rinsing it out, rub the conditioner in and let it sit a bit before finally rinsing it out. Then dry yourself off with this towel, and put on the robe I placed on the door.”
Pan nodded, “What will you do with my clothes after I remove them?”
Victor sniffed “Probably burn them.” He thought to himself. “I will provide you with clothes to lounge around the house.” He turned around and closed the door behind him.
Pan used the ‘toilet’ surprised at its efficiency to clean itself with water before turning on the water stream and adjusting the knobs until it was pleasant. She took to cleaning herself with gusto, for she had never had such luxury. Even the tubs at the inns she could sometimes visit were not this nice.
She heard the door open, and through the smoked glass she could see that Victor seemed to be gathering her things from the floor and leaving behind something on the ‘toilet’. After getting herself more clean that she thought she ever had in her entire life she sighed and decided she needed to get out.
After fiddling with the knobs and nearly freezing herself before turning them the proper way she reached out and grabbed the ‘towel’ and found it did an amazing job of drying her. Afterwards she tied the cloth up in her hair, careful not to get her ears and examined the clothes he brought her.
There was an article of clothing like what he wore, the short pants, but smaller, and tighter. She assumed it was for the same purpose and put it on, then she found a soft pair of pants, like men would wear, but of much finer and softer material. Finally, there was a form fitting shirt that she found left little to the imagination, but she had little choice to but to put it on. Finally there were thick, luxurious slippers on the floor and the robe on the back of the door.
She came out of the bathroom to find him at the strange counter, cooking. “A man who cooks for a woman? I know he is a foreigner, but I have never heard of this happening.” She thought as he waved her to the large table.
“I missed breakfast this morning, your little tussle with the Ox-Kin ladies kind of put it on hold, have you eaten?” He asked.
Pan felt the hunger pains when he asked as she shook her head.
He chuckled as he continued his work, “No, I guess you didn’t get a chance to eat this morning either.
How do you like your eggs?”
Pan was confused, “Um, I prefer them cooked?”
Victor looked back before saying, “Scrambled it is then.”
After a few minutes and some toiling around the cupboards he dropped off a huge plate in front of her. “Normally I’d let the auto-cook prepare the food, but since I’m getting everything up and running at the moment it’s missing a lot of ingredients. So, I worked with what I had, scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, and toast.”
She stared down at her plate, it mostly looked familiar, but the white porridge was a bit different. He handed her strange utensils before pushing two strange bottles with seasonings in them with holes punched in the top. She watched as he used the utensils to eat, and attempted to do the same.
The spoon was easy, she had used those for soup, but the tiny pitch fork and knife were difficult. Victor noticed this and stood up, went to a cabinet and pulled out a drawer and brought back metal chop sticks.
Pan stared at them, they were perhaps brass, possibly even gold, her mouth dropped, these utensils would have been worth more than her wagon! Victor looked up from his food, “Is everything ok? Is there something wrong with the chopsticks?”
Pan hurriedly put the chopsticks to work grabbing up the slivers of pork. “No, no. This lowly peasant girl was merely in amazement at the quality of the utensils.”
Victor nodded as he watched her eyes go round with amazement after chewing on the bacon. Before she dug into the eggs and tried the grits, deciding they needed the seasonings, which she found was salt and a form of pepper, she nodded before cleaning her plate.
Victor sat back, his own plate clean, “Now that’s a healthy appetite, I wasn’t sure a girl your size could finish a plate like that.”
Pan flushed, a bit embarrassed, “It was no doubt due to your cooking expertise. But I still don’t know why you brought me here.”
Victor stood and took her plate and utensils and opened a strange metal door under the counter and placed them into a metal chamber before closing it back. “You said you were a traveling merchant, which means you go places and hear things. I’m new here and have questions. Therefore we can help each other.”
He ushered Pan to the plush couch and sat down, she took the time to pull her hair out of the towel and he took it from her and went into the ‘bathroom’ a strange name as there was no bathtub inside it and returned to sit at the opposite side of the couch.
Pan let him sit before asking, “Ok, you have questions, what do you want to know?”
Victor took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking, “Why do you have rabbit ears? Why do people in the villages have monkey tails or goats eyes? And what the hell is up with these instinctuals that are more animal that people?” _______________ It had been hours and Pan was actually feeling mentally drained. The man before her was not a cultivator. Whatever he was, she doubted many cultivators except the Empress could hope to match him. The more he showed her, the more she was certain his powers were unlimited. She didn’t know whether to bow in awe, or run in terror.
Not from this plane of existence is how he put it. Meaning from the realm of the divinities maybe? She did not know for sure.
“So, this Eternal Empress came along a few thousand years ago, united the lands, built a wall and a government, and now uses her armies and cultivator sects to maintain law and order across her lands?” He asked.
Pan nodded, “Yes, before her we were broken into tribes that warred against one another constantly.”
Victor paced in front of her, “So she is immortal, like me. That’s good and bad, good in that she may have the knowledge to get me home. Bad, that she could see me as a threat and has tons of resources.” He suddenly stopped pacing. “I’m hungry, are you hungry?”
Pan was not going to say no to a free meal, as she literally had nothing to her name now. Not even her clothes. “I could eat master… er Victor.”
He started off to the ‘kitchen’ and opened the top to the large metal door and produced a round item wrapped in flexible glass? Or was it cloth that looked like glass? “Victor is fine, I’m going to make a Pizza, I doubt you’ve ever had one, but trust me, they’re great.”
As he worked they continued the questions, “So cultivators are broken up into sects, each one with its own goals and agendas, but all loyal to the Empress?”
Pan nodded, “Yes, and then the Iron Legions are armored mortals who keep the peace throughout the empire, although none of the towns around here are large enough to boast a garrison.”
The metal and glass hinged door was opened and the round cake like object that was placed on a pan was put into it and the door closed. “Ok, twenty minutes and we eat. So tell me, what kin is the Empress?”
Pan looked confused, “The Empress is the Empress, she has no kin.”
Victor wiped his hands on a small dish towel, “So you are rabbit-kin, I’ve met tiger-kin and boar-kin, and others, but she has no kin?”
Pan made a sudden connection, “No, she is like you. She has no kin.”
Victor dropped the dish towel on the counter, “So she’s human.” ________________ “Curse that damnable Victor Cane!” Mei swore as she and Xiang pushed the wagon to free it from the mud once more as the Ox pulling it simply lacked the strength to free it.
Xiang looked to her sect sister, “My my, Mei.” She chuckled at her own word play. “If I didn’t know better I’d say you were getting fixated on the male.”
Mei stared daggers at her companion, she knew she could feel the killing intent, but as they were both second tier, it did little. “The male was aloof, arrogant, cared nothing for face, and ignored me on the battlefield!”
Xiang grinned even more as she climbed aboard the wagon and took the reins. “Don’t think the rest of your sisters haven’t noticed the way you talk about him, you cover your interest with complaint, but it is a thin sheet.”
Mei reached down to her left hand, “He put his hand on mine in the Inn before he flew away on wings of fire. He was trying to comfort me on the loss of our sisters.”
Xiang turned her head sharply, “You didn’t put that in your report, this is the first any of us have heard of it.”
Mei sighed, “I don’t know what to think of it. Male cultivators are so rare, just seeing one outside of the the sect inner circles is a rarity. Most of us never get to even speak to a male cultivator unless we ascend to a high tier within the sect, making us worthy of being in their presence. I wanted to cherish it.”
Xiang smiled as she looked back to the ox before snapping the reins, “I would cherish it too, this is a hard life, mortal men would break in our embrace, but a cultivator male would not. He was a good looking man for a foreigner too.”
Mei shuddered, “That he is, even if a bit rugged, he is evidently a soldier after all.”
Xiangs mischievous grin was back, “I knew it, you were pining over this Victor!”
Mei’s killing intent was definitely felt by Xiang this time as she laughed uproariously at her friends discomfort.
“Fear not my OLDER sister, for in one passing of the moon we will be in the Celestial City and you can deliver your prize to the Empress. I am sure after this you will get to see your handsome soldier again. That is, if the Empress doesn’t take him as her own.” Xiang sang the last part with glee.
Mei stopped glaring, “You don’t think she would do that do you?” She asked.
Xiang laughed so hard she almost fell off the wagon.
2023.06.08 20:11 Professional_Disk131 Citech (CSE: CTTT) (OTC: CTTTF) Promising New Tech Company
 | submitted by Professional_Disk131 to trakstocks [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/kn86pwgu1u4b1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=68e7420ad177652d4b04fd47601434d8b9dbe635 CiTech (Critical Infrastructure Technologies) (CSE: CTTT) (OTC: CTTTF). The company’s lead product set is a range of rapidly deployable, high-capacity communications platforms called the NEXUS 16. The shares listed in late February 2023. https://preview.redd.it/9fsc2fbx1u4b1.jpg?width=1397&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=65abdbf42ce62b2431db0263d5e465d81bcf297d Upon completing the rollout of its technology, CTTT aims to become an established player in the high-capacity mobile and rapidly deployable markets, delivering long-range communications systems into those places where they are most critically needed. https://preview.redd.it/4mlhe1sn4u4b1.jpg?width=514&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a4311d0da6d2d4307ae16550c9fa4b643cd51100 Let’s use North American forest fires as the current major disaster and then outline the unparalleled relevance of CTTT’s amazing communications technology. CTTT anticipates expanding its business by combining quick-return sales with annuity-based easing to the blue-chip resource, defence, and government sectors. (CSE). Here is CiTech’s LinkedIn page. One large new fire was reported in New Jersey. Nationally, seven large fires have burned 66,209 acres in six states. Since January 1, 18,403 wildfires have burned 518,698 acres across the United States. These numbers are slightly below the 10-year average of 21,908 wildfires and 1,016,684 acres burned. As well, Canada is on track for its worst-ever year of wildfire destruction as warm and dry conditions are forecast to persist through to the end of the summer after an unprecedented start to the fire season. For a map of North American dates upuntil midday June 6th, click here. https://preview.redd.it/26x53swo4u4b1.jpg?width=595&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c884288cf7d2d054feb6d598a90e1a33036c30a3 It is horrifying. The bravery of these fire fighters is virtually peerless. CiTech has a direct and critical response to disasters with it’s NEXUS 16 comminications tower. Arguably, the first loss in a disaster is critical comunications systems and infrastructure. You’ll likey agree these amazing products have a place in just about evert town on earth and the quick ability to deploy. https://preview.redd.it/fx8urexq4u4b1.jpg?width=302&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=927c60ab176c45ee2f6ae07294e7e9f1bd2ecd88 Once communications are lost, the solar powered, self contained NEXUS can be deployed and restore communications in 30 minute. 30 minutes. Dwell on that for a moment. For all investors—and everyone else—the NEXUS 16 has a minimal environmental impact. The device, with a small equipment room is solar powered, does not need a level base and uses very little diesel. No specialised training or operators are required. "We can get an entire town back on the air again, in 30 minutes without anything other than a truck that can move it," CiTech's engineer Andrew Hill said, "We found a way to build a room which could house the technology that phone companies need or mining companies need, or emergency services need or more importantly defence needs as well." The enclosed article exemplifies the salient points in this article and the expanding awareness of the importance and compelling nature of the Company’s technology. It would be ghoulish to identify CiTech as a proxy for disaster. Instead we should identify as a proxy for safety, help for those in the disaster zone and the lives saved. Estimates (so far) USD1.79 billion merely to restore Ukraine’s communications infrastructure, the potential of quick deployment is obvious, whether Ukraine, raging bush fires or a weather disaster to name a very, very few. Talks with supplying Ukraine are ongoing. The U.S., Latvian and Ukrainian governments have expressed an interest in the product, according to CiTech Chief Executive Brenton Scott. Bottom Line Unlike a lot of tech companies, CiTech is relatively simple to understand. Proprietary technology to restore communication in a remote area, disaster—natural and manmade—and in a conflict such as the Ukraine conflict. Need a clear definition? “The Nexus 16 a 20ft container sized, technology-agnostic platform that supports a walk-in equipment room, batteries, solar arrays, and generators along with a 16m folding tower. Able to be transported to site on any truck that can take a standard 20ft container, the Nexis 16 can unload itself, adapt to sloping or uneven ground and then deploy 16m cyclone rated tower. - All within 30 minutes.” By all measure, patient investors can get in on the ground floor and be part of a technology that saves land, property, and more importantly, lives. |
2023.06.08 19:54 Professional_Disk131 Citech (CSE: CTTT) (OTC: CTTTF) Promising New Tech Company
 | submitted by Professional_Disk131 to Wealthsimple_Penny [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/ewpc012l1u4b1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f211dbbecac225851a48c632e701343f1bb701a9 CiTech (Critical Infrastructure Technologies) (CSE: CTTT) (OTC: CTTTF). The company’s lead product set is a range of rapidly deployable, high-capacity communications platforms called the NEXUS 16. The shares listed in late February 2023. https://preview.redd.it/i1q13zqm1u4b1.jpg?width=1397&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b4b215a035965ad82f8dcc3d73ab13ad3e4b62b Upon completing the rollout of its technology, CTTT aims to become an established player in the high-capacity mobile and rapidly deployable markets, delivering long-range communications systems into those places where they are most critically needed. https://preview.redd.it/g9xwxtzn1u4b1.jpg?width=514&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7d2bcd6f768487510877b6234a01fce2b5d41779 Let’s use North American forest fires as the current major disaster and then outline the unparalleled relevance of CTTT’s amazing communications technology. CTTT anticipates expanding its business by combining quick-return sales with annuity-based easing to the blue-chip resource, defence, and government sectors. (CSE). Here is CiTech’s LinkedIn page. One large new fire was reported in New Jersey. Nationally, seven large fires have burned 66,209 acres in six states. Since January 1, 18,403 wildfires have burned 518,698 acres across the United States. These numbers are slightly below the 10-year average of 21,908 wildfires and 1,016,684 acres burned. As well, Canada is on track for its worst-ever year of wildfire destruction as warm and dry conditions are forecast to persist through to the end of the summer after an unprecedented start to the fire season. For a map of North American dates upuntil midday June 6th, click here. https://preview.redd.it/k8vm3vdp1u4b1.jpg?width=595&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5f6e3aa585db9af6cea7296536eb72583c4c57a8 It is horrifying. The bravery of these fire fighters is virtually peerless. CiTech has a direct and critical response to disasters with it’s NEXUS 16 comminications tower. Arguably, the first loss in a disaster is critical comunications systems and infrastructure. You’ll likey agree these amazing products have a place in just about evert town on earth and the quick ability to deploy. https://preview.redd.it/aim6hjiq1u4b1.jpg?width=302&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=da0f1289da744bb1552c8de532e3576f6d55ef94 Once communications are lost, the solar powered, self contained NEXUS can be deployed and restore communications in 30 minute. 30 minutes. Dwell on that for a moment. For all investors—and everyone else—the NEXUS 16 has a minimal environmental impact. The device, with a small equipment room is solar powered, does not need a level base and uses very little diesel. No specialised training or operators are required. "We can get an entire town back on the air again, in 30 minutes without anything other than a truck that can move it," CiTech's engineer Andrew Hill said, "We found a way to build a room which could house the technology that phone companies need or mining companies need, or emergency services need or more importantly defence needs as well." The enclosed article exemplifies the salient points in this article and the expanding awareness of the importance and compelling nature of the Company’s technology. It would be ghoulish to identify CiTech as a proxy for disaster. Instead we should identify as a proxy for safety, help for those in the disaster zone and the lives saved. Estimates (so far) USD1.79 billion merely to restore Ukraine’s communications infrastructure, the potential of quick deployment is obvious, whether Ukraine, raging bush fires or a weather disaster to name a very, very few. Talks with supplying Ukraine are ongoing. The U.S., Latvian and Ukrainian governments have expressed an interest in the product, according to CiTech Chief Executive Brenton Scott. Bottom Line Unlike a lot of tech companies, CiTech is relatively simple to understand. Proprietary technology to restore communication in a remote area, disaster—natural and manmade—and in a conflict such as the Ukraine conflict. Need a clear definition? “The Nexus 16 a 20ft container sized, technology-agnostic platform that supports a walk-in equipment room, batteries, solar arrays, and generators along with a 16m folding tower. Able to be transported to site on any truck that can take a standard 20ft container, the Nexis 16 can unload itself, adapt to sloping or uneven ground and then deploy 16m cyclone rated tower. - All within 30 minutes.” By all measure, patient investors can get in on the ground floor and be part of a technology that saves land, property, and more importantly, lives. |
2023.06.08 19:53 Professional_Disk131 Citech (CSE: CTTT) (OTC: CTTTF) Promising New Tech Company
 | submitted by Professional_Disk131 to Canadapennystocks [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/ack5ndha1u4b1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=321118d89b91dee34cbcb96699ac6e646dbb5ec9 CiTech (Critical Infrastructure Technologies) (CSE: CTTT) (OTC: CTTTF). The company’s lead product set is a range of rapidly deployable, high-capacity communications platforms called the NEXUS 16. The shares listed in late February 2023. https://preview.redd.it/oc11qpzb1u4b1.jpg?width=1397&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3fb80938e830826de696d98446e68ae4a69465c7 Upon completing the rollout of its technology, CTTT aims to become an established player in the high-capacity mobile and rapidly deployable markets, delivering long-range communications systems into those places where they are most critically needed. https://preview.redd.it/qz0dl2uc1u4b1.jpg?width=514&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a741dc7fee47135ed0d24c9413e8be29b64e2304 Let’s use North American forest fires as the current major disaster and then outline the unparalleled relevance of CTTT’s amazing communications technology. CTTT anticipates expanding its business by combining quick-return sales with annuity-based easing to the blue-chip resource, defence, and government sectors. (CSE). Here is CiTech’s LinkedIn page. One large new fire was reported in New Jersey. Nationally, seven large fires have burned 66,209 acres in six states. Since January 1, 18,403 wildfires have burned 518,698 acres across the United States. These numbers are slightly below the 10-year average of 21,908 wildfires and 1,016,684 acres burned. As well, Canada is on track for its worst-ever year of wildfire destruction as warm and dry conditions are forecast to persist through to the end of the summer after an unprecedented start to the fire season. For a map of North American dates upuntil midday June 6th, click here. https://preview.redd.it/mpb7ejee1u4b1.jpg?width=595&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=786cbab9a6bf12cf8dc9ceecf6bf4a592afe71a6 It is horrifying. The bravery of these fire fighters is virtually peerless. CiTech has a direct and critical response to disasters with it’s NEXUS 16 comminications tower. Arguably, the first loss in a disaster is critical comunications systems and infrastructure. You’ll likey agree these amazing products have a place in just about evert town on earth and the quick ability to deploy. https://preview.redd.it/k1r1fbpf1u4b1.jpg?width=302&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b062aba1c0dbed27e49b6f2b0d6afa1ebe649f38 Once communications are lost, the solar powered, self contained NEXUS can be deployed and restore communications in 30 minute. 30 minutes. Dwell on that for a moment. For all investors—and everyone else—the NEXUS 16 has a minimal environmental impact. The device, with a small equipment room is solar powered, does not need a level base and uses very little diesel. No specialised training or operators are required. "We can get an entire town back on the air again, in 30 minutes without anything other than a truck that can move it," CiTech's engineer Andrew Hill said, "We found a way to build a room which could house the technology that phone companies need or mining companies need, or emergency services need or more importantly defence needs as well." The enclosed article exemplifies the salient points in this article and the expanding awareness of the importance and compelling nature of the Company’s technology. It would be ghoulish to identify CiTech as a proxy for disaster. Instead we should identify as a proxy for safety, help for those in the disaster zone and the lives saved. Estimates (so far) USD1.79 billion merely to restore Ukraine’s communications infrastructure, the potential of quick deployment is obvious, whether Ukraine, raging bush fires or a weather disaster to name a very, very few. Talks with supplying Ukraine are ongoing. The U.S., Latvian and Ukrainian governments have expressed an interest in the product, according to CiTech Chief Executive Brenton Scott. Bottom Line Unlike a lot of tech companies, CiTech is relatively simple to understand. Proprietary technology to restore communication in a remote area, disaster—natural and manmade—and in a conflict such as the Ukraine conflict. Need a clear definition? “The Nexus 16 a 20ft container sized, technology-agnostic platform that supports a walk-in equipment room, batteries, solar arrays, and generators along with a 16m folding tower. Able to be transported to site on any truck that can take a standard 20ft container, the Nexis 16 can unload itself, adapt to sloping or uneven ground and then deploy 16m cyclone rated tower. - All within 30 minutes.” By all measure, patient investors can get in on the ground floor and be part of a technology that saves land, property, and more importantly, lives. |
2023.06.08 19:52 Professional_Disk131 Citech (CSE: CTTT) (OTC: CTTTF) Promising New Tech Company
 | submitted by Professional_Disk131 to PennyQueen [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/d89gsdc20u4b1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4094bb677a896a81a34d9863a831ed7b2635c542 CiTech (Critical Infrastructure Technologies) (CSE: CTTT) (OTC: CTTTF). The company’s lead product set is a range of rapidly deployable, high-capacity communications platforms called the NEXUS 16. The shares listed in late February 2023. https://preview.redd.it/s6r76kgy0u4b1.jpg?width=1397&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3f7813eab6a8116afeb2170bcc7afa2176333eca Upon completing the rollout of its technology, CTTT aims to become an established player in the high-capacity mobile and rapidly deployable markets, delivering long-range communications systems into those places where they are most critically needed. https://preview.redd.it/ogj1wix01u4b1.jpg?width=514&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e6dfcf9c9ffc776af6bc44f8b7ea937eda19e333 Let’s use North American forest fires as the current major disaster and then outline the unparalleled relevance of CTTT’s amazing communications technology. CTTT anticipates expanding its business by combining quick-return sales with annuity-based easing to the blue-chip resource, defence, and government sectors. (CSE). Here is CiTech’s LinkedIn page. One large new fire was reported in New Jersey. Nationally, seven large fires have burned 66,209 acres in six states. Since January 1, 18,403 wildfires have burned 518,698 acres across the United States. These numbers are slightly below the 10-year average of 21,908 wildfires and 1,016,684 acres burned. As well, Canada is on track for its worst-ever year of wildfire destruction as warm and dry conditions are forecast to persist through to the end of the summer after an unprecedented start to the fire season. For a map of North American dates upuntil midday June 6th, click here. https://preview.redd.it/382x5v221u4b1.jpg?width=595&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1901317d35d8ce59f53f32d45b542417b96986f0 It is horrifying. The bravery of these fire fighters is virtually peerless. CiTech has a direct and critical response to disasters with it’s NEXUS 16 comminications tower. Arguably, the first loss in a disaster is critical comunications systems and infrastructure. You’ll likey agree these amazing products have a place in just about evert town on earth and the quick ability to deploy. https://preview.redd.it/fr7o40931u4b1.jpg?width=302&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=37e0aaab0b5132275ee4a33bea78930e7c70416c Once communications are lost, the solar powered, self contained NEXUS can be deployed and restore communications in 30 minute. 30 minutes. Dwell on that for a moment. For all investors—and everyone else—the NEXUS 16 has a minimal environmental impact. The device, with a small equipment room is solar powered, does not need a level base and uses very little diesel. No specialised training or operators are required. "We can get an entire town back on the air again, in 30 minutes without anything other than a truck that can move it," CiTech's engineer Andrew Hill said, "We found a way to build a room which could house the technology that phone companies need or mining companies need, or emergency services need or more importantly defence needs as well." The enclosed article exemplifies the salient points in this article and the expanding awareness of the importance and compelling nature of the Company’s technology. It would be ghoulish to identify CiTech as a proxy for disaster. Instead we should identify as a proxy for safety, help for those in the disaster zone and the lives saved. Estimates (so far) USD1.79 billion merely to restore Ukraine’s communications infrastructure, the potential of quick deployment is obvious, whether Ukraine, raging bush fires or a weather disaster to name a very, very few. Talks with supplying Ukraine are ongoing. The U.S., Latvian and Ukrainian governments have expressed an interest in the product, according to CiTech Chief Executive Brenton Scott. Bottom Line Unlike a lot of tech companies, CiTech is relatively simple to understand. Proprietary technology to restore communication in a remote area, disaster—natural and manmade—and in a conflict such as the Ukraine conflict. Need a clear definition? “The Nexus 16 a 20ft container sized, technology-agnostic platform that supports a walk-in equipment room, batteries, solar arrays, and generators along with a 16m folding tower. Able to be transported to site on any truck that can take a standard 20ft container, the Nexis 16 can unload itself, adapt to sloping or uneven ground and then deploy 16m cyclone rated tower. - All within 30 minutes.” By all measure, patient investors can get in on the ground floor and be part of a technology that saves land, property, and more importantly, lives. |
2023.06.08 19:33 rrmdp 📢 PADNOS is hiring a HRIS Analyst!
Company: PADNOS
Location: Grand Rapids, MI, United States 📍
Date Posted: June 08, 2023 📅
Apply & Description 👉 https://jobboardsearch.com/redirect?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=bot&utm_id=jobboarsearch&utm_term=www.whatjobs.com&rurl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2hhdGpvYnMuY29tL2Nvb3BvYl9fY3BsX19fOTAxXzYyMzg0MzAzX18xOTk2P3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9MTk5NiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWZlZWQma2V5d29yZD1IUklTLUFuYWx5c3QmbG9jYXRpb249R3JhbmQtUmFwaWRz
submitted by rrmdp to jobboardsearch [link] [comments]
Location: Grand Rapids, MI, United States 📍
Date Posted: June 08, 2023 📅
Apply & Description 👉 https://jobboardsearch.com/redirect?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=bot&utm_id=jobboarsearch&utm_term=www.whatjobs.com&rurl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2hhdGpvYnMuY29tL2Nvb3BvYl9fY3BsX19fOTAxXzYyMzg0MzAzX18xOTk2P3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9MTk5NiZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWZlZWQma2V5d29yZD1IUklTLUFuYWx5c3QmbG9jYXRpb249R3JhbmQtUmFwaWRz
2023.06.08 18:25 EastCoastBMX This is Bizzare.
 | People seemed not too worried about breathing this stuff in out in public submitted by EastCoastBMX to mildlyinfuriating [link] [comments] |
2023.06.08 18:04 sepheroni DI with Dr. Wrubel in Grand Rapids, MI. 5'8", ~235 lbs pre-op
 | submitted by sepheroni to TopSurgery [link] [comments] |
2023.06.08 18:02 sepheroni DI with Dr. Wrubel in Grand Rapids, MI. 5'8", ~235 lbs pre-op
 | submitted by sepheroni to FreedTheNips [link] [comments] |
2023.06.08 17:36 Individual_Mess3929 Metal Gear Remake Concepts Part 1
hese are concepts ideas I had for an Metal Gear (1987) remake which I would dub as Metal Gear Solid 6: Outer Haven. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990) would be called Metal Gear Solid 7: Zanzibarland. Both games would be long and give a lot of depth on Solid Snake's past and his relationship with Big Boss, Campbell and Gray Fox. Another game I would push for is Metal Gear Solid: The Philanthropy Chronicles.It would allow players to play as Solid Snake and his supporting cast after the events of Metal Gear Solid 2. Snake’s mission to continue taking out metal gears and track down the Patriots along with Revolver Ocelot. It would lead up to the events of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. I will be working on Metal Gear Solid 7: Zanzibarland concepts soon.
The concept for a Metal Gear Solid 6: Outer Haven (MGS6: OH):
I know its long as Metal Gear (1987) would have to be a game that is remade from the bottom up. A remake of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake would be easier since it was a rock solid game. One wouldn't have to change much from it just expand on the story, elements and characterization it has already. I would love to get feed back from fans here.
Story:
The storytelling aspect is inspired by how MGS (1998) told its story. The game would start with Otacon, a ghost writer that wrote the novel of Snake’s exploits and those that work with Snake during Operation Intrude N313 telling the events of Metal Gear Solid 6: Outer Heaven to journalist they trust. We learn that Snake is paradon for his crimes and is buried as a war hero next to the grave of Big Boss. Given a Medal of Honor award and other awards from other countries for saving the world several times. The world is now knowing about his story and thus even more interested to learn of Snakes exploits during his youth. David Hayter voice being used as a recorded message from a dying Solid Snake giving accounts on what happened in Metal Gear Solid 6 and 7 along with most of his life. Snake hopes that his message and story will inspire others to be better and fight for what is right.
David Hayter wouldn’t voice a young Solid Snake as I feel a voice actor that is younger but can emulate David Hayter mannerism and his voice should do it. A young Solid Snake having a hint of innocence, nativity, vulnerability and self doubt at times.
David Hayter would voice Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid 7: Zanzibarland since Snake is supposed to be older and wiser. David would be able to give us this voice range and kick it out of the park including the duel against the real Big Boss.
Plot:
The year is 1995, the Soviet Union has collapsed and the Cold War is now over. The threat of nuclear war is gone and the world embraces this newfound peace. However, this peace is short-lived as there are those that don’t want it. The world is engulfed with the threat of terrorism and rogue states that want to get their hands on nuclear weapons. The free world is now being threatened once again. The US Government works to combat this threat with its covert U.S. Army unit known as Fox-Hound under the leadership of the legendary war hero known as Big Boss. However, when a government agent goes missing during a mission…The agent last reports a weapon that can shake the foundations of the world known as “Metal Gear”. Big Boss sends in a rookie but talented Fox-Hound agent known as Solid Snake to learn of this new weapon. Will Snake learn the truth about this new weapon or will the world find out what Metal Gear will do if it's unleashed?
Mission:
Like MGS3 there would be a Virtuous Mission in MGS6:OH.
This is where Snake goes to South Africa and has to get to Outer Haven which is a vastly HUGE heavily defended base. Potentially the best soldiers and mercenaries in the world work and defend the base. It is an official mission sponsored by Fox-Hound, NATO, CIA, NSA, UN and top members of the US Government. This means Solid Snake gets a load of equipment, gadgets and weapons for the mission.
MSG3 gameplay elements
Kyle Schneider
submitted by Individual_Mess3929 to metalgearsolid [link] [comments]
The concept for a Metal Gear Solid 6: Outer Haven (MGS6: OH):
I know its long as Metal Gear (1987) would have to be a game that is remade from the bottom up. A remake of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake would be easier since it was a rock solid game. One wouldn't have to change much from it just expand on the story, elements and characterization it has already. I would love to get feed back from fans here.
Story:
The storytelling aspect is inspired by how MGS (1998) told its story. The game would start with Otacon, a ghost writer that wrote the novel of Snake’s exploits and those that work with Snake during Operation Intrude N313 telling the events of Metal Gear Solid 6: Outer Heaven to journalist they trust. We learn that Snake is paradon for his crimes and is buried as a war hero next to the grave of Big Boss. Given a Medal of Honor award and other awards from other countries for saving the world several times. The world is now knowing about his story and thus even more interested to learn of Snakes exploits during his youth. David Hayter voice being used as a recorded message from a dying Solid Snake giving accounts on what happened in Metal Gear Solid 6 and 7 along with most of his life. Snake hopes that his message and story will inspire others to be better and fight for what is right.
David Hayter wouldn’t voice a young Solid Snake as I feel a voice actor that is younger but can emulate David Hayter mannerism and his voice should do it. A young Solid Snake having a hint of innocence, nativity, vulnerability and self doubt at times.
David Hayter would voice Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid 7: Zanzibarland since Snake is supposed to be older and wiser. David would be able to give us this voice range and kick it out of the park including the duel against the real Big Boss.
Plot:
The year is 1995, the Soviet Union has collapsed and the Cold War is now over. The threat of nuclear war is gone and the world embraces this newfound peace. However, this peace is short-lived as there are those that don’t want it. The world is engulfed with the threat of terrorism and rogue states that want to get their hands on nuclear weapons. The free world is now being threatened once again. The US Government works to combat this threat with its covert U.S. Army unit known as Fox-Hound under the leadership of the legendary war hero known as Big Boss. However, when a government agent goes missing during a mission…The agent last reports a weapon that can shake the foundations of the world known as “Metal Gear”. Big Boss sends in a rookie but talented Fox-Hound agent known as Solid Snake to learn of this new weapon. Will Snake learn the truth about this new weapon or will the world find out what Metal Gear will do if it's unleashed?
Mission:
Like MGS3 there would be a Virtuous Mission in MGS6:OH.
- Solid Snake is sent in by Big Boss to sneak into Mother Boss from MGS5 via Los Angeles Class (Block 3).
- Mother Base is set to be demolished by Outer Heaven forces as they move their forces and operations to mainland Galzburg, South Africa.
- Snake’s mission to find and rescue Gray Fox and any of the kidnapped scientists that work for Dr. Madnar. Find out what Metal Gear is and take them to the extraction point aka an Helicopter Pad not in use by Outer Haven units. Afterward, deploy the fulton recovery device for extraction
- Snake learns Gray Fox is being held in South Africa at the Outer Haven main base along with Dr. Madnar and his top scientist team. His low level assistants were to be executed by Outer Heaven soldiers via demolishing Mother Base. Last, that Metal Gear is also in South Africa and that Outer Haven is planning to use a custom made ICBM nuclear tipped missile potentially on any country that threatens them.
- The mission goes bad when Snake is about to have the scientist air lifted off the ground via fulton recovery devices. The scientists are brutally gunned down by Outer Haven Elite soldiers.
- An enraged Snake takes down the Outer Haven soldiers that approach him using his hybrid but deadly CQC system and tries to air lift himself via fulton recovery device. However, he is ambushed by a masked Venom Snake aka The Masked Phantasm.
- Snake puts up one hell of a fight, hitting Venom several times to where the point where Venom can only praise Snake’s skills. However, he loses when Venom plays mind games with him including stating his full code name and kicks up off the rig.
- Mother Base is destroyed by Venom and his men. Snake is adrift at sea until he is saved by the Los Angeles Class Submarine (Block 3) that helped him infiltrate Mother Base. He is later taken back to the states for a debriefing on what happened while he recovers in a hospital.
- In this mission, Snake only has Big Boss communicating with him and does not get much support. He is given only a trap gun, his CQC knife and basic first aid kits.
- The suit he wears is similar to his sneaking suit from MGS. Only this suit is design to swim on to the Mother Base elevator platform and sneak around on the surface at night
This is where Snake goes to South Africa and has to get to Outer Haven which is a vastly HUGE heavily defended base. Potentially the best soldiers and mercenaries in the world work and defend the base. It is an official mission sponsored by Fox-Hound, NATO, CIA, NSA, UN and top members of the US Government. This means Solid Snake gets a load of equipment, gadgets and weapons for the mission.
- The briefing section for the main mission would give Escape from New York vibes. Big Boss, Lt. Colonel Roy Campell and other government officials brief Snake on his mission. It is here Snake sees his weapons, equipment and gadgets he will have for Operation:.
- Snake mission is the following: 1. Rescue Gray Fox, Kyle Schidener and Dr. Madnar. 2. Investigate War Crimes committed by Outer Haven. 3. Aid Resistance Fighters in any way possible. 4. Rescue any other hostages on the base. 5. Destroy Metal Gear and Neutralize the threat Outer Haven poses to the world. 6. Terminate the Masked Phantasm (Venom Snake)
- He is air dropped in South Africa by an C-130 gunship (Reference to Metal Gear NES/MGS3) and is ordered to meet with an Resistance fighter before moving into an areas destroyed by Outer Heaven forces via horse back
- This intro game would be similar to Rambo 3 and gives a hint on what Solid Snake will be going up against as travel though the beginning of the game seeing Outer Heaven air force units from a distance bomb villages
- The main mission would be a large map to roam around. The location being Galzburg, South Africa where the main base of Outer Haven is located at.
- When Gray Fox is rescued, he will provide support and be Snake’s mentor.
- Level boss battles will be intense and hard
- Last, Entering Outer Haven HQ will be intense and the final battle as well.
MSG3 gameplay elements
- Like MGS3, you could change your camouflage and blend into the environment, camouflage meter, survive off the wilderness and eat foods.
- Finding food in the wilderness would boost Snake’s stamina and also assist with him getting his LIFE up when he rests. However, they would not boost his LIFE up like military rations or other foods (Three-Five star food) found in the supply depots or mess halls at Outer Haven bases would.
- The first aid system from MGS3 would play a part in the game. Solid Snake would be able to heal his wounds or stop bleeding like Big Boss did in MGS3 many decades ago. So having first aid items will be vital.
- The game would have different rations from different countries that Snake can eat from if he takes it off an Outer Haven soldier or from their supply depots. Military rations help heal Snake LIFE and give a small or moderate boost depending on the quality of the ration. (ex. American Military rations would give a moderate boost to Snake LIFE but would give a small boost to his stamina as he isn’t in favor of the rations taste. Russian rations would only give Snake a Small boost in LIFE and small boost in stamina due to its taste. Call back to MGS3. French Rations would boost Snake’s LIFE and Stamina completely which would be a call back to MSG4.)
- Different foods found on Outer Haven bases can boost Snake’s stamina up and LIFE better than Rations such as the Calorie Mate, Curry, different sodas, snacks, etc. Also, three or five star meals found in Outer Haven mess halls scatter through-out their many sub bases or garrisons. P.S. I want to have a scene where Solid Snake finds a Calorie Mate and speaks to Big Boss about it and the two have an interesting conversation about it. (Lol)
- Snake can sabotage enemy supply deports and armories to reduce the enemies ability in fighting him if spotted.
- Over the shoulder gameplay
- First person view and aiming down the sights
- A fluid polished gun gameplay mechanic
- Customizable weapon system, weapon attachment, swapping out and fixing inventory slot for weapons and/or inventory
- Psyche meter, this goes down when Snake is spotted too much and takes too much damage
- Currency system to upgrade weapons and get ammo when Snake runs into Resistance fighters weapon vendors
- Solid Snake having the option to assist resistance fighters or continue with his mission
- Aiding resistance fighters will help Snake during take segments of the game. They will return favors to Snake by giving him rations, weapons, other foods and ammo
- Saving hostages at Outer Haven facilities will also assist Snake and give him items or information
- Polished CQC system
- Being able to pick up ammo and weapons of dead enemy soldiers. No ID tags for the weapon.
- Polished CQC and fighting system
- Being able to operate vehicles, tanks, apcs and infantry fighting vehicles. However, enemy forces will start to respond more aggressive call in armored units or gunships to Snake out
- Ride horses
- Weather and day changes at random times, Snake can use this for his advantage
- Enemy checkpoints and small bases that Outer Haven use as buffer against intruders and Outer Haven resistance fighters
- Call in support from local Outer Heaven Resistance fighters (only if you assisted them in them battles, gained their respect and they’re nearby to help)
- Gunship helicopter patrols
- Air assault units
- Armored convoy patrol
- Snake can sabotage mini Outer Haven bases, outpost and can knock enemy communications which makes it harder for enemies to call for back up
- Sabotaging Outer Heaven outposts and their infrastructure will cause Outer Heaven to move their forces out to confront the Resistance fighters thus giving Solid Snake a chance to get past them
- Snake can smoke his Lucky Striker cigarettes to bring up his Psyche or allow time to pass by similar to what Venom Snake did with his E-Cigars in MSG5
- The game would allow players/Solid Snake to use stealth mechanics similar to that game to get by or attack Outer Heaven soldiers
- This also means hiding in the shadows and sometimes staying out of the light
- Like GTA games, if you do too much damage to the police they get more aggressive.
- It would be no different when you fight Outer Haven soldiers as they will start to send in more elite soldiers with better weapons and armor.
- They will also be able to be armored units or mechanized units and gunships would be sent to kill Snake.
- Worse, Air strikes and heavy artillery strikes as well. Some OH units would deploy bi-pedal armor vehicles and jet packs along with guard dogs.
- This would strongly support the stealth element of the game and give it a war horror movie vibe if you get spotted by the enemy. It doesn’t matter how many good weapons you have on you. You will be overwhelmed by Outer Heaven soldiers and will die if you get spotted multiple times.
- This would be similar to what you see in GTA if too many law enforcement agents continue to swarm on you
- Non-linear gameplay- meaning random patrols of Outer Soldiers can occur the closer you get to Outer Haven HQ
- Open world map. Goal is to give fans the immersion that the red dead redemption games gave. Basically the Outer Heaven is like a large country in and of itself
- Game would reward you for not being spotted and embracing the stealth elements of the game. This means you will encounter less Outer Heaven patrols in the game and they won’t be heavily geared up when doing them
- If Snake gets spotted too much in the game, Outer Heaven soldiers will be more hype vigilante, heavily armed and geared up. They will change their patrol tactics to make it difficult for Snake to sneak around. Worse double up on patrols or have support from armored units, gunships or unmanned drones.
- Stealth take down system. Snake can perform lethal or non-lethal takedowns rambo style when his enemies get close. The players can make the decision on which take down to use.
- Snake can switch his fighting system from CQC to the various martial arts he knows. If multiple soldiers are near him he can use CQC or use standard martial arts when fighting enemies that can counter his CQC based attacks.
- He can use a CQC take down on enemies not paying attention to him or other forms of melee takedowns.
- This is to showcase how skilled Snake is when it comes to fighting
- Different locations have points that are controlled by the Outer Haven Resistance fighters and Outer Heaven soldiers
- The game will reward players for assisting Outer Heaven resistances and sabotaging Outer Heaven bases
- Liberate occupied villages under Outer Heaven soldiers occupation or avoid them, go though abandoned villages or resistance fighter controlled villages
- The closer you get to Outer Haven, the more patrols and mini bases run by Outer Heaven soldiers you will encounter. This means the game will get very difficult real quick.
- Outer Heaven patrols will be random at time depending on how many times you have raised the alarms or not during your mission
- Caution mode would contribute to this but there will be more patrols if you cause yourself to enter caution phase too much
- The travel to Outer Haven’s main HQ is to parallel MSG3 when Big Boss had to travel to Gronznyj Grad. It short, Snake travels to Outer Haven would be an epic long high adrenaline rush journey to defeat Venom Snake and destroy TX-55 Metal Gear
- South Africa’s map would be vast and large. It is filled with its soft and rough terrain. Snake can use this to his advantage but so can Outer Heaven Soldiers
- Players will have the option to either go to Outer Heaven outpost or avoid them by using the rough terrain to get around the outpost
- Gray Fox will assist Snake in certain parts of the game and provide support either though radio or combat support to take down a level boss.
- At times, Snake and Gray Fox would work together to take down Outer Haven patrols
- The final part of the game involves Solid Snake and Gray Fox having to fight hordes of Elite Outer Heaven soldiers as they fight to stop Venom Snake from using TX-55 to fire a completed experimental long range ICBM nuclear missile on the Patriots
- Last, Solid Snake vs Venom Snake. Venom proclaims that he is Big Boss to Snake after taking off his mask and the two fight. The rest is history.
- The final battle is to parallel the battle between The Boss and Big Boss. Intense gunfight and CQC fight between the two. Snake needs to use an experimental rocket launcher made by Outer Haven to kill Venom Snake
- After beating the game, you can play as Gray Fox and see the story though his eyes and how he is informed by the Real Big Boss to assist Snake and help him take down Venom Snake.
- Being able to blend into the environment Rambo/Navy SEAL tier One style to either get past enemies or take them down one by one
- Snake would have a booby trap system inspire the Rambo movies to help ambush soldiers or distract them while they go to aid wounded soldiers.
- Snake can create ghillie suits to hide from enemy soldiers, covertly sneak past them or use it to ambush them
- Players would have multiple options on how to enter Outer Heaven outpost and the main HQ
- The weapons in the game will be from late 60s to mid 90s. Weapons form both Soviet Union, Warsaw Pact, China and NATO countries. This goes from handgun, submachines, assault rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, and anti tank weapons. Last, grenades and mines.
- Weapons can be customizable for Snake to use if he finds the attachment for the weapons or finds an resistance fighter vendor that is nearby to upgrade his weapons
- Enemies use weapons fitted for the environment that they operate it and it's at random the types they use
- Some weapons will be custom built weapons that don’t exist in the real world to be the spirit of the previous Metal Gear Solid game.
- Some weapons will allow Snake to use his CQC techniques or basic melee attacks with weapons
- Snake's suit is a combination of late 80s and 90s US Army Special Forces attire but modified.
- 90s tactical vest. It can be upgraded for Snake to carry more ammo and to take more damage as time goes on
- Custom built MP5SD6 with a folding stock, an Beretta 92FS with an tactical flashlight/laser sighting, also can be fitted with an suppressor and MK.22 Trap gun. The weapons are modded so he can use his CQC skills
- A small pack that allows Snake to carry items. This can be increased by upgrading it in the game
- Motion-sensing radar that allows him to track enemy soldiers, a precursor to Soliton Radar. It acts more like a sonar device then radar
- Mountain climbing equipment
- Combat Scuba gear (can be refilled by going outer heaven supply deports)
- Snake has a advanced long range radio and a wireless headset to communicate with his team
- Wire cutters
- Different camouflages and face paint to wear
- Idroid like device but advanced
- Fox Hound adaptation of INT-SCOPE but more advanced and has the ability for Snake to switch to different fields of view including Night Vision and Thermal Infrared. Last, a camera system for Snake to take pictures
- INT-SCOPE can be used to help Snake what tier Outer Heaven Soldier that he is dealing with and help him plan acquiring and allow him to listen in
- Tactical flashlights
- Tools to create ghillie suits
- CQC knife
- Survival Knife used for melee take downs
- Limited Fox-Hound issued MRE rations to restore life and stamina along with restore psyche
- A blue bandana that Big Boss gives him
- Vehicles found in the game are jeeps, armored tank, tanks, APCs, artillery vehicles and helicopters along with jets from the late 70s to mid 90s
- Unmanned vehicles that didn’t exist in the mid 90s
- The end of the 80s going into a new era aka the 90s.
- Desert Storm and the aftermath of the war
- The politics behind America being the only SuperpoweHype-power in the 90s
- Child Soldiers, Solid Snake being one.
- NATO, its organization expanding and the conflicts it was involved in though peacekeeping missions
- The fall of the Soviet Union, end of the Cold War, and Post-Cold War politics/events
- The rise of new technology, internet, movies, music CGI and upcoming digital age in the 90s
- The rise of global terrorism and rogue states
- The threat terrorism and rogue states pose and the fear of them getting their hands on nuclear weapons. A true big fear of the 90s going into the 2000s
- Coming of age soldiesecret agent/legend (Solid Snake)
- The Rambo movie series since Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake were heavily influenced by the first three Rambo movies.
- 80s and 90s James Bond movies. Mostly Goldeneye since it follows post-cold war.
- Die Hard movies series, gun battles and intensity between the characters and death defining odds
- Hardboiled (1992), the gun battle that Solid Snake and Gray Fox will have against the swarm of Outer Haven elite soldiers would be heavily influenced off the final gun battle from this movie.
- Running Man, the Boss level villains being similar in design to the villains from the movie, only less colorful, evil like, aggressive and more tactical in fighting.
- Face Off (1997) - action scenes
- Escape from New York, since the first game was influenced by the movie. The main mission where Solid Snake goes to South Africa with official support will give off this type of vibes including the mission briefing he is given as he looks at his equipment.
- The Rock (1996), action scenes and the relationship that Sean Connery as John Patrick Mason and Nicolas Cage as Stanley Goodspeed, FBI. Its similar to the relationship Gray Fox and Solid Snake will have.
- The music for the game would be influenced by the previous MGS games, Rambo movies, Syphon filter and action movies from the 90s. Mixed bag of tones to give different vibes for the game
- The music will be atmospheric in nature as you move around Mother Base and later South Africa
- One set of music to make you feel like a spy, other half giving you the false sense of safety, other places the music will make you feel like your in a warzone and/or being chased
- Real world music from the 80s and 90s that players can listen to when they find a Sony Discman D-145 (1995) laying around or Sony walkmans
- Real world music would 80s - 1995, Rock, Pop, Alternative Rock, R&B, Mainstream hits, Rap, Jaxx and etc. Can listen to game music as well on either device when you the player find them.
- David/Solid Snake:
- A child soldier of sorts. He spent his life being fostered by different foster parents (Patriot handlers) until he reached the age of 6. After that, Solid Snake was trained though-out most of his life by his many handlers at an US Army run school.
- In the US Army run school (Patriots involvement), he was made to engage in a mix of U.S. infantry, Airborne infantry, U.S. Army Ranger, Green Beret and Delta Force style harsh training. Add in the school making him learn different languages at a young age.
- On days he didn’t do military training, Snake was made to endure intense academic schooling. It was here Snake was pushed to understand the general knowledge of Science, Math, Reading, English, Writing, Workshop Skills at a High School to College level. In addition, understand how to operate most vehicles as well.
- At age 18, he was later placed in the US Army as a 2LT to a Green Beret Unit. The Patriots and his handlers, changed his age date so that he was capable of joining the unit and being a junior officer. He is second in command of the unit and sent to fight in Desert Storm (1990-1991).
- Solid Snake had a short but very successful career in the US Army through the multiple successful missions he completed in that war.
- His missions involved him destroying multiple SCUD launchers, sabotaging Iraqi supply lines, disputing their communication lines, assassination or capturing of top Iraqi officers, and deep reconnaissance within Iraq. His unit would also take part in aiding in liberating Kuwait.
- He is awarded a Silver Star and promotion to Captain before personally being recruited into Fox-Hound by Big Boss himself.
- Big Boss and Roy Campell were coordinating Fox-Hound operations in Desert Storm which is why they knew of Snake’s exploits and saw him as a candidate for the unit.
- Prime Solid Snake is a force to reckon with and is considered to be the best all around Fox-Hound agent along with being the finest practitioner of CQC next to Big Boss and The Boss.
- Big Boss states to Gray Fox at the end of the game that Snake could defeat The Boss with ease had they had fought in a straight hand to hand duel in the 1960s. In short, this is Big Boss way of humbling Gray Fox and telling him to NOT underestimate Snake for when the time comes for Fox to kill him (Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake events).
- Snake’s CQC is unique and deadly in design due to his expert knowledge of various different martial arts from his youth, his mastery of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) and knowledge of CQC handed down to him by Big Boss. Snake incorporates many different forms of Martial Arts to his style of CQC where he adds in striking (punching and kicking), fake or faints, foot work, clinch, ground fighting and grappling.
- Despite being inexperienced, Snake makes up for this by being sure of his skills and not being afraid to pull the trigger. Snake’s real fear is that he is going up against experienced killers and soldiers by himself who can kill him
- Snake’s relationship with Gray Fox is similar to the relationship to what we saw in MGS2 between Solid Snake and Raiden. Only a young Solid Snake is more badass when compared to a young Raiden
- Snake’s relationship to Roy Campell is similar to what we see in MGS. However, the two become friends quickly due to the experiences they share being involved in Desert Storm.
- Roy Campell encourages Snake not to give up and to be sure of himself. He also calms down an enraged Snake when they learn that Big Boss is behind everything.
- Solid Snake's relationship with Big Boss is similar to The Boss and Naked Snake in MGS3 but a lot longer as Big Boss continues to “support” Solid Snake with his mission.
- Fox-Hound, NATO, CIA, FBI and NSA start to put the pieces together that Big Boss is behind everything. He goes off the air and Venom Snake confronts Solid Snake. Rest is history after that.
Big Boss: - He is the commander of Fox-Hound and re-organizes the covert special forces unit to combat terrorism and rogue states trying to get their hands on nuclear weapons.
- This was a fear in the 90s and Big Boss being a legendary war hero made him the perfect pick to be the leaders of the organization again
- Under his leadership, Fox-Hound is successful in taking out world terrorists, international arms dealers, their backs and having them arrest by allied countries
- Big Boss and Roy Campell are awarded medals for their efforts
- Big Boss holds the simulated rank of a One Star General in within Fox-Hound due to his vast war experience, successful missions and saving the world several times over
- We learn of Big Boss past and how he was an top NCO before MGS3 before being given an rank of officer
- Big Boss personally trains Solid Snake and passes his legacy down to him after Snake accepts an open challenge to spare him and hits Big Boss multiple times before losing.
- This is a tradition Big Boss would offer recruits during his command. The challenge was that he would train any recruit as his solo student if they could hit him in sparring. Only Snake was the only recruit to do so in Fox-Hound.
- Big Boss does care for Solid Snake in a bizarre way and doesn’t want to see him killed unless it's by his hands which he is secretly plotting to do.
- In the virtuous and main mission, Big Boss provides support to Solid Snake by giving him advice from his war time experience, how to survive in sneaking around Outer Haven and how to survive off the land.
- During Boss battles, Big Boss goes off the air, leaving Campell to assist.
- Everyone becomes suspicious of Big Boss when they discover his spy plane has disappeared off radar and it is not far from Outer Haven.
- Worse, when intelligence agencies learn that Big Boss was sending message to Outer Heaven HQ (Gray Fox) but they are unaware of who
- They create an warrant for his arrest and the rest is history after Venom Snake dies
Roy Campbell : - He isn’t a full bird colonel yet and is an Lt. Colonel. He is second in command of Fox-Hound.
- Big Boss trusted Campell because of the events they shared in MSG:PO and the vast amount of experience he has in counter-terrorism missions to black ops in taking out terrorists leaders.
- Campbell quickly befriends Solid Snake due to their shared war experiences in Desert Storm.
- Campbell is a skilled tactician and strategist, and is heavily supportive of Solid Snake. He gives Snake (Player) hints and clues to move around in the game. In addition, information on weapons and vehicles.
- Last, he gives ideas on how to destroy level bosses
Gray Fox: - He was on a mission to assassinate Venom Snake after Big Boss discovered that Venom wants to use Nuclear Weapons against Patriot run countries that would trigger a nuclear war. Of course, official members of Fox-Hound are unaware of this and believe he is investigating Outer Haven to learn if they’re involved with terrorists.
- He fails his mission that Big Boss assigned to him and is captured by Venom Snake after losing a fight against him.
- Venom spares his life and threatens that if he escape, he will personally take him out next time.
- After being feed by Solid Snake, Gray Fox is ordered by Big Boss in secret to assist Snake in taking out Venom and later assassinate Snake to cover up everything at Outer Heaven.
- However, Gray Fox is unable to help Snake take out Venom after being cut off by a swarm of Outer Haven soldiers. He instead sacrifices himself so that Snake can stop Venom from launching nukes from Metal Gear TX-55. Later, fakes his death so he could return to the real Big Boss and help with Zainabarland
- After beating the game, you can play as Gray Fox and see the story through his eyes. Learn more about him, his fighting style and how he assists Solid Snake
- His fighting is mixed between his fighting style as Null (MGS:PO), CQC concepts Big Boss passed to him, Knife fighting style and pro gun fighting skills.
- Venom Snake would have a huge makeover since the events of Metal Gear Solid 5. He has been given nanomachines so that he can survive future medical surgery and look more like Big Boss and stand in for him.
- The horn in his head is removed which almost kills him but the nanomachines prevent this and heal him. They also grant him superhuman abilities that turn him into a super-soldier of sorts. His bionic hand is replaced with a more human-like bionic hand.
- The nanomachines are a precursor to what Vamp would have many years later. Only Venom’s nanos won’t bring him back from the dead, just heal him faster. However, the side effects is that the nanos in him are making him mentally unhinged
- He is given a new sneaking suit to help harness his new abilities and provide extra protection for him. Snake would need to use an Anti-Tank rifle or Anti-Tank rocket launcher to take him out.
- He is not the same man he was in MSG5. He is more militant towards the Patriots, ruthless and cold blooded. A pure demon at this point and isn’t afraid to commit war crimes or allow his men to do so.
- Venom’s prime mission is to destroy the Patriots and nations they run via nuclear strike using TX-55 Metal Gear. However, he knows that Outer Haven will be hit by NATO countries.
- This causes a rift between Venom and Big Boss. Venom sees Big Boss as being weak and is not willing to do enough to destroy the Patriots and is not willing to do whatever it takes to do so.
- However, the rift is created by Master Miller who kept his promise to help make the sons of Big Boss and Venom Snake stronger then Big Boss
- The rift gets so bad that Big Boss suspects Venom is not being loyal to him anymore and sends in Gray Fox to find out what Venom is doing leading to Metal Gear (1987) events and to assassinate him. Fox fails and loses to Venom in a fight. Venom shows mercy and has Fox locked at a maximum security brig at the Outer Haven prison site.
- A Venom Snake respects Solid Snake as he sees how skilled he is but he also plays mind games with him by hinting his relationship to Big Boss.
- He now wears a mask when he goes out in battlefields to fight aside his men so as to keep Big Boss identity hidden. He is dubbed the Masked Phantasm by world intelligence agencies. As far as the world is concerned, nobody knows who the Masked Phantasm is. Some people think he is a student of Big Boss due to CQC abilities. Near the end, he takes the mask off to reveal to Solid Snake who he is Big Boss (fake one).
- Last, we will know of the tragic story of Venom Snake and how really wanted to be a doctor after his contract with Militaires Sans Frontières end.
- Sadly, no one will ever know about Venom Snake and the man he was before his tragic events.
- He will apologize via radio to Big Boss asking his forgiveness and informs him that Solid Snake is not a man but a demon of their own making. Last, he correctly predicts that Snake will defeat the Patriots and do what they failed to do right before the Outer Haven based self destructs.
Kyle Schneider
- Developer of Outer Haven and help with building the base. Later, becomes the leader of the Outer Haven resistance force in South Africa after learning of Outer Haven’s war crimes in the region.
- He is captured and the resistance fighters try to scramble to rescue him. They agree to help Fox-Hound and Solid Snake in exchange for the safe return of their leader
- Knows where most of the weapons, foods and other important items are on the base will inform Snake on where to find them.
- Also inform Snake of where vital security checkpoints are and more are located at.
- Is caught in the explosion when NATO destroys what is left of Outer Haven. He is saved by the Real Big Boss.
- He will tragically become the Black Ninja and this leads to the event of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake where he will seek revenge against the world for what has happened to him.
- She is the sister of Kyle Scheider. She took it upon herself to go and rescue her brother despite not being a soldier or warrior.
- She disguises herself as a nurse and sneaks into the base. She assist Snakes with information and where weapons are at.
- The original game doesn't say what happened to her. So I have her help Solid Snake escape and they watch Outer Haven from a distance get destroyed with NATO delivering air strikes on reminding Outer Haven bases
- She is present when Solid Snake is giving a medal for completing the mission by President Bill Clinton
- The two have a brief relationship before he moves to Canada to be an undercover CIA agent
- Snake helps her find a job in America for her helping him and getting her a green card to stay in America
- A Goth Punk rocker that has a band called Thin Wall. She performed for Outer Haven several times and knows about the base
- She assists Snake with giving information on Outer Haven bases and the main HQ. Also, info on the mercenaries that operate the bases and informs him of the weakness of the Bosses in the game.
- She has a crush on Solid Snake and is in her early 20s.
- She is present for Solid Snake getting a medal for completing the mission
- The developer of the first Metal Gear. His project, himself, his scientist and his daughter are taken hostage by Outer Heaven soldiers
- He is being used to complete TX-55 Metal Gear and develop an custom built nuclear tipped ICBM that can be fired from Metal Gear
- Informs Solid Snake on how to take out Metal Gear He is taken off base by Jennifer after Snakes saves him
- He informs the US Government to send Snake his regards fos saving him
- The daughter of Dr. Madnar. She is being used as a tool to force Dr. Madnar on continuing his work on TX-55 Metal Gear
- She is saved by Snake and escorted off the base by Jennifer
- She is present for Snake getting a medal for completing the mission and stands in for her father
- Expert in science, engineering and responsible for making all of the gadgets Fox-Hound has
- He is also aware of the weapon systems, gadgets and tools that Outer Heaven Soldiers use
- Son of Donald Anderson
- Gameplay mechanic, he is charge of saving the game for you when you contact him
- Would return in Metal Gear Solid 7: Zanzibar Land and Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy Chronicles to aid Snake. In Philanthropy Chronicles he aids Snake to atone for the sins of his father. He would go into hiring with Snake’s afterwards which is why there is no mention of him in MGS4
- He would leave Fox-Hound after the Zanzibarland incident and work for the CIA as a gadget builder