Hill country scanner
Texas Hill Country
2010.08.16 20:56 Texas Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country is a 25-county region of Central Texas and South Texas. It includes the Llano Uplift and Enchanted Rock, a state park whose central feature is a granite dome. The region reaches into portions of the two metropolitan areas, namely San Antonio's northern suburbs and the western half of Travis County, west of Downtown Austin. The region is the eastern portion of the Edwards Plateau. It is bounded by the Balcones Fault at the east and the Llano Uplift to the west and north.
2011.08.08 02:43 Texas Hill Country
News, Events, Food, and Photos of the Texas Hill Country
2016.07.16 18:04 moominmanmoomin Hill Country Blues
Mississippi Hill Country Blues. A style characterized by a strong emphasis on rhythm and percussion, steady guitar riffs, few chord changes, unconventional song structures, and heavy emphasis on the groove - known as the "hypnotic boogie". Posts are not limited to blues coming solely from North Mississippi. Any content fitting the criteria is welcome; e.g. Robert Petway doesn't come to mind when we're talking Hill Country, but his Catfish Blues keeps in the spirit of the hypnotic boogie.
2023.06.04 18:40 RazTheExplorer Part 11.5 - Closure
“Hey Raz, I got one!” Raz’s voice was cut by static as he called back, “Great! …at quarry …die.” Well, that wasn’t ominous at all, I thought to myself as I adjusted the rear-view mirror to check on the operator I had just blown past. They were doubled over coughing, their gas mask swayed side to side on the ground next to their feet. I don’t know what compelled me to not flatten what I had thought to be an AQ soldier, but I’m glad I didn’t.
I slammed my hummer in reverse, coming to a stop next to the helpless operator. “Hop in bud, we can get you to final exfill yet.” He slowly hauled himself into the bed of my hummer, landing with a dull thud and a groan as he fell onto his back. We cleared the gas, and I was immediately put on edge as my passenger started to gain consciousness. If he was planning anything nefarious, there wasn’t much I could do about it now. “You good back there? Normally I’d stop to send an invite but given the situation that might have just caused more problems.” He leaned through the non-existent rear window, “Nah, I understand man. When we get further from the gas we can stop and squad up. Don’t need to risk lighting each other up if things get hot at the exfill.” I couldn’t help but chuckle, “I don’t think that would be much of an issue regardless. Hey, we didn’t leave any of your friends back there, did we? I know we peeled out pretty quick.” I saw him shake his head and point to our left in the rear-view mirror. “We got split up, but they were running for a car, so I wasn’t too worried.” I followed his finger, a white hatchback cruised along parallel to us, swerving through buildings trying not to eat too many AQ bullets. “Hey boys, Dutch here is gonna roll with us to final. We’ll squad up when we get there.” I was barely able to make out one of his squad mates call out “Tight!” over his earpiece.
“Hey, listen, I’ve got friend I’m rolling with. His name’s Raz, he’s gonna meet us at final. If you see a red, white, and blue LTV, don’t shoot alright.” Raz chimed in, his radio finally clear of the static, “That’s very kind of you to tell them not to shoot me Dutch.” Before I could respond, a black turreted LTV slid out of Said City ahead of us. “Is that your boy Dutch?” I wanted to give my passenger the benefit of the doubt, it is windy in the box after all, he might not have heard me. “Nah man, wrong colour, and he didn’t have a turreted LTV last I saw.” The black LTV continued North along the main road as we cut away into the quarry proper. “Raz, company is headed your way. Looks like it’s just a solo in that truck but you can never be too careful.” “Thanks for the heads up Dutch.”
I rolled to a stop at the base of the helicopter ramp, gently flattening a couple of AQ who were getting a little to close to the bird for comfort, just shy of the battery running dry. The other two operators in the hatchback slid to a stop just down the hill from us. I got out of the hummer, a tad worried that my good fortune was about to come to an end at the hands of these fellas. As they ran up the hill, the notification finally popped. I accepted and ran down the hill to grab the hatchback, breathing a sigh of relief. “Wait, where you goin’ Dutch?” One of my clients called out. “Raz and I will run interference while we wait for the chopper to take off. Any AQ or unfriendly operators are gonna have to go through us.” “You keep talking about this Raz guy, but I’ve yet to see anyone other than that black LTV.” Almost on queue, a black LTV flew up the hill narrowly missing my hatchback. My clients went into a frenzy. “Operators pushing us! Take ‘em down!” The LTV spun in the sand in front of me, a glorious and perfectly oiled moustache glinting in the Al Mazrah sun. “Hold your fire! It’s Raz!” I called from below my clients. I sent an invite to him which he had hopped out and accepted faster than any of these guys could pull the trigger. “You see the operator that was in that earlier?” Raz shook his head, “No, I pulled up on it and they were gone. Must be out on foot somewhere.”
With 5 seconds left on the clock, there wasn’t enough time to go find them, our clients now panicking as they realized we weren’t on the bird. “What are you two doing?!” They shouted from the air as we waved goodbye. “Al Mazrah is our home gentlemen. That bird was never meant for us.” I gave Raz a pat on the shoulder as the gas rapidly approached, another successful day had come to a close.
The clack of a Kastov charging handle was almost unmistakable. We both turned to see the operator from the LTV standing there, rifle honed on us. “Well shit.” Their rifle dropped towards the dirt as they looked back over their shoulder at the nearly out of sight exfill chopper. They pushed through us, wandering towards the North side of the quarry. Raz and I locked eyes, shrugging in unison. That was one of those moments where we really wouldn’t have blamed them for their decision, whatever it might have been. “We better get back to HQ, Compton said I.T dropped off something for you.” Raz said as the gas engulfed us.
“I’m going back to the island boss.” My hands were shaking as I gripped the file folder that I.T had left for me. “Twitch.” “He’s back, it took him a bit, but he’s managed to re-take the castle and hunker down since we last saw him. And if he’s back then we might finally be able to get some proper intel on those blue tracers, direct from the source.” I handed the folder to Raz. He took it, turning to no doubt address the rest of the crew. I grabbed his shoulder, stopping him before he could speak. “Not everybody, not this time. They’ve doubled the defences; we’d be walking into a slaughterhouse.” “Well, you can’t go in there alone, we look out for our own Dutch, you know that.” Raz’s brow tightened, I could tell he was already trying to figure out what my plan was. “I’m bringing Maze and Alex. They’ll provide sniper cover while I infiltrate the castle. I still have my old uniform. As long as they haven’t drastically changed up their callsigns, I should be able to get in undetected.” I could tell Raz wasn’t convinced. “Dutch, like you said, you’d be walking into a slaughterhouse. How does you going in solo make that any better.” “After what happened in the complex…I’m not putting anyone else at risk, I can’t. The Bomb Maker…Twitch, I’ve gotta face him myself. Look him in the eyes so he knows I crawled out of Hell to drag him back down there.” “Alright, I couldn’t really stop you if I wanted to, could I?” Raz shrugged. “No, not unless you shot me, and honestly, I’d take those odds.” I punched his shoulder and started heading for the breakroom to grab Maze and Alex. “You keep that up I’ll be moving you back out to that sea can of yours.” Raz smirked.
The locks took a bit of fighting to get open. While this footlocker had only been on Ashika Island for a few months, the constant spray of salt water had worn away what little integrity it once had. The black uniform, emblazoned with the Rook and Spade of Shadow Company, was still in excellent condition, save for a bullet hole just under where the plate carrier would sit. I paused for a moment, holding it up in the air, memories of the past flooding in. “Not a lot of fond memories in that uniform I take it.” Maze called out from the catwalk in our home away from home. “I think part of the problem is that there are good memories. It’s a little concerning that such fond memories can hide out amongst so much evil.” “We’ve all done things we aren’t proud of. Some of us just did things other people also wouldn’t be proud of either.” Alex chuckled to himself as he cleaned his rifle on the cot next to me. I grimaced, mostly because he was right. I slipped into the old black fatigues and strapped on my old plate carrier. My weapons were all still intact too, I pulled my Taq-56 out of the footlocker, running my fingers over the engraving in the side, ROOK-XLIV. I cycled the charging handle a few times before loading in a fresh magazine and setting it on the cot next to me. I pulled out a pistol belt, two pearl handled revolvers, one with an ebony Rook on the grip, the other, an ebony Spade. Umbra Catavae engraved along each barrel. Maze had come down from the rafters now, a look of mixed intrigue and concern on her face, “I take it those don’t invoke fond memories.” I had done a poor job of hiding my look of disgust. “No, unfortunately they do.” I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. “Each of these was given to me for completing outstanding performance in the field. I did things I’m not proud of, and I was rewarded for it, handsomely. Holding these in my hands, I feel the same pride I had felt when they were first handed to me. It makes me sick.” I strapped the belt around my waist. The pearl handles shining against my all black silhouette. Alex piped up again, “Hey, at least you are trying to make amends for your sins, not many can say the same.” I let out a long sigh, “I suppose you’re right. You both remember the plan?” “Get to the radio towers and start lighting the place up when shit inevitably hits the fan.” Maze grinned. “Close enough.” I pulled my balaclava up and headed for the door.
The guard at the gate didn’t immediately shoot me which gave me some spark of hope that this might work. “In position!” Alex and Maze called out almost simultaneously. “Jinx, you owe me a beer!” Maze rejoiced. “What? Why would I give you a beer for that?” Alex sounded genuinely confused. “Hey, cut the chatter you two, don’t need to give them any reason to not let me in alright.” The guard held up his hand. “I don’t recognize you, let’s see your I.D.” I held up my old I.D card. “Well I’ll be damned, look who crawled out if his grave.” He pulled my mask down to confirm. “You look pretty good for a corpse, though your I.D card is out of regulation. You might want to stop by the I.T guy to get a new one made.” “Thanks, I’ll head right over.” The first thought that came to my mind was Bob. There’s no way he still worked for these assholes, is there.
“You used your old I.D?! You mad man!” Maze cackled over the radio. “Ok, I’ll admit, this wasn’t my greatest plan. I honestly thought they’d just capture me after seeing who I was.” Alex cut me off, “Go with the flow I suppose.” “Spade-499 up one-two.” The local radio channel began to drown out my squad’s comms. “Rook-3468 down one-one” “This is some odd radio traffic Dutch.” Alex quipped. I watched as a Shadow Company mercenary approached a stairwell, each step primed and ready to pop a leg off whichever unfortunate soul chose to ascend. “Spade-5454 up one-two.” “It’s how they know to deactivate the traps.” I whispered into our secure line. I approached the same stairwell. “Rook-44 up one-two.” I could hear the traps audibly click off. The guard at the to put his hand out as I reached the top step. “Sorry, no ghosts allowed on the second floor.” “Ghost? What…” He bent over laughing. “I’m just messing with you man. They said you died holding off the ULF while Bob and Twitch escaped, going out in a blaze of glory. Clearly, they didn’t have their facts straight. Glad to have you back.” I’m glad I had the balaclava on because I was struggling to hide my confusion. Last I checked I was the scape goat for the largest backstab in Shadow Company history, not a hero. I was never a hero when I worked for them. “I take it you are going to see the boss, call up two-zero, we don’t want people to be just guess on the fly, just in case someone tries to sneak in.” If only he knew.
“We don’t have eyes up there Dutch. Whatever happens, you’re on your own.” I could hear a tinge of worry in Alex’s voice. “Just make sure whoever is in here doesn’t get reinforcements.” “You got it!” Alex and Maze both called out in unison. “Jinx, you owe me another beer.” “There’s free beer at headquarters, why would I owe you a beer for that.” Alex called back clearly still confused. “Radio silence please. I’ve got a rat to kill.” I took a deep breath, pulling my Bryson from its sheath, the chrome exterior brushed over with a dull grey to blend in. “Rook-44 up two-zero.”
“Well, well, well. I was wondering when I’d see you again after our last encounter. Urzikstan and Al Mazrah clearly hadn’t kicked your ass enough so you decided to come crawling back to me for another round.” The traps clicked off. “Come on up, I’ve been looking forward to this.” I slowly ascended, keeping my Bryson trained at the top of the stairs, my eyes scanning each stair for an actual trap. As I crested the stairwell, my eyes were immediately drawn to him. His back turned to me, Trophy Systems whirring and clicking around him. “I missed you Dutch. Well, the old you. The one that would shoot through a hostage just to prove a point, the one that would dangle captives from buildings by their collar until they squawked like a bird, and then still dropped them anyways. I miss the Dutch that smoked Keller because his gas mask worked and yours didn’t when we those crazy Russian’s tried to hit us with mustard gas. I still get a little nauseous when I think about you peeling his face out of there.” “I’ve changed Twitch, I’ve moved past all that. I found a calling that doesn’t require me to be a conniving bastard.” Twitch laughed as he turned around, his hands empty. I kept my Bryson trained on him. “That’s what you think I am huh? I prefer shrewd businessman, but if that’s what helps you sleep at night.” He walked to one of the barred windows. “You really think what you and those taxi driving hooligans are doing matters?” “Clearly it does, or you and the Chemist wouldn’t be working so hard to sabotage us.” I took a few steps towards him. “Well, I suppose it matters to one of us. The Chemist and Raz go way back, but you know that. What I care about is the money, and I get a lot of money for helping that crazy bastard try to wipe out your little band of Merry Men.” “And Women. This guy just loves the sound of his own voice. Can I remove his head already? He’s looking right at me, practically begging me to pull the trigger.” I could hear the contempt in Maze’s voice. Twitch always did love a monologue. “You can still fix your mistakes Twitch. Gives us what info you have on those tracers of yours and I might consider not killing you.” I snarled. “When you went soft Dutch, you lost any respect I might have had for you. We are long past the point where you can intimidate me. Besides, any info I did have, is with the Chemist. He paid a handsome sum to get the formula, and really, it was becoming a logistical nightmare to ship enough of those little blue gems across the sea. Better for everyone to have it made close to the front lines.”
“Spade-101 up two-zero.” Bob’s voice cut through the tension. “Well I’ll be, it looks like we are gonna have a little family reunion.” Bob’s head poked up the stairs, “Hey boss, another server bank has shorted out from the sea air, I told you we should invest in better waterproofing the housings but if you still…” He trailed off as I dropped my Bryson, the sling catching it just before it hit the ground, and drawing my two revolvers. “Oh, hey Dutch. Nice to see you too.” Bob stammered. I cocked the hammer on each one, keeping one trained on each of my old squad mates. “Really Bob? Really! I understand you sticking around the day of the heist. But now? After everything that Shadow Company has done to these countries. To its own people.” Before he could respond, a siren blared over the intercom system. “Defensive positions! Hostile operators have breached the perimeter.” “Dutch you’ve got six operators approaching the castle, I think it’s time to bounce.” Maze was drowned out by her own gun fire, her Signal .50 raining death into the courtyard. “Looks like our time is up here Dutch. Since you clearly don’t have los cojones to pull the trigger, you might as well see yourself out, and let me and my men handle this.”
“Fuck it.” The hammer of the first revolver slammed down, dropping Bob instantly. I turned to face Twitch, his face a mix of surprise and pride. “Maybe I was wrong, the old Dutch still lives.” I charged forward, tackling him through the window and off the roof. Both of us lay on the ground, groaning as the chorus of gunfire roared around us. He dove for one of my pistols, but unfortunately for him, I had managed to hold on to the other, putting a round through his arm just before he could grab the gun. He rolled out of the way of the second round, bringing his one working hand up to the radio on his chest. The explosion from the castle threw both of us across the courtyard, debris raining down around us. I felt like I was reliving one of the worst days of my life all over again. I hauled myself to my feet, Shadow Company mercenaries and operators wandered aimlessly through the ashes. Everyone seemed too disoriented to fight. “I think it’s time to leave Dutch.” “I second that.” Maze and Alex were barely audible over the ringing in my ears. “Regroup at the boat. If I’m not there in 5, go without me.” I never heard a response, even if they tried, they wouldn’t have convinced me to leave, not with him still breathing.
I combed through the smoke and fire, carefully checking every nook and cranny I came across but the slippery rat was nowhere to be seen. “Looks like you 3 aren’t thick as thieves after all, eh Dutch. Poor Alex here was left all alone on the beach, no boat to be seen.” Twitch was sucking in air between words, no doubt kept standing by adrenaline. “You lay a finger on him, and I’ll make you wish you had died in that explosion.” I spat into my mic. “Don’t make me wait too long.”
I limped over a hill towards the beach where we were supposed to regroup. “Alex! Where’s Maze?” I called out as I stumbled down the sand bank. Alex didn’t respond, his head held in a tight headlock by Twitch, my second pistol against his temple. “She abandoned you both, and now I get the pleasure of killing you both after yet another betrayal. When will you learn Dutch. This world is a cruel place. Only the strong survive, clearly Maze knew that.” Twitch cut me off before I could retort. “Save the fight me with honour B.S that I know you are gonna spew.” I’m gonna kill you and your buddy and salvage what little I can of this operation. Then maybe retire to Cuba. I do love a good cigar.” “Adios, pendejo!” Alex brought his arm down, the knife concealed in his hand connecting with Twitch’s thigh. Twitch let out a high-pitched yelp, letting loose a round from the revolver which narrowly grazed Alex’s hair. Alex dove into the sand right as Twitch’s shoulder exploded in a pink mist followed shortly by the unmistakable crack of Maze’s Signal .50. I squinted trying to see where the shot came from, all I caught was the glint from her scope in the sun, the boat hardly visible in the rolling surf.
I limped forward, Bryson in hand, chrome starting to show through the worn grey paint. I kicked the revolver away from Twitch, placing a boot on his chest and the barrel of my Bryson against his forehead. He began to mumble and cry, hardly able to string together an understandable sentence. “Save it, you’re gonna need your energy for what comes next.” Our boat slammed into the shore, Maze hopping off, rifle raised and ready. “Oh shit I actually hit that!” “I’m not gonna lie, I thought you’d actually just bailed.” I laughed as she helped Alex to his feet. “You still go those claymores?” I asked Maze as Twitch continued to writhe in panic under my boot. “You wanted the old Dutch, eh Twitch. Ask and you shall receive.” Maze handed me the claymores, while Alex kept sidearm pointed at Twitch. I planted 4 around him, just far enough away that they wouldn’t go off unless he moved. I drew one of my revolvers, popping the cylinder out and emptying all but one round. I gave the cylinder a spin before flicking it closed. I tossed the revolver at Twitch. “Don’t waste that on me. You’ll only regret it in about an hour.” I took my other revolver, and hurled it towards the sea, the pearl grip glinting in the sun as it spun through the air, disappearing into the crashing waves. “Good riddance.” I sighed, that chapter of my life finally ended. Twitch was silent, his whimpering now just deep, laboured breathing. I turned back before I stepped onto the boat, watching as his hand slowly moved to the pistol in the sand next to him. “Well played Dutch, well played.”
submitted by RazTheExplorer to AlMazrahTaxiService [link] [comments]
I slammed my hummer in reverse, coming to a stop next to the helpless operator. “Hop in bud, we can get you to final exfill yet.” He slowly hauled himself into the bed of my hummer, landing with a dull thud and a groan as he fell onto his back. We cleared the gas, and I was immediately put on edge as my passenger started to gain consciousness. If he was planning anything nefarious, there wasn’t much I could do about it now. “You good back there? Normally I’d stop to send an invite but given the situation that might have just caused more problems.” He leaned through the non-existent rear window, “Nah, I understand man. When we get further from the gas we can stop and squad up. Don’t need to risk lighting each other up if things get hot at the exfill.” I couldn’t help but chuckle, “I don’t think that would be much of an issue regardless. Hey, we didn’t leave any of your friends back there, did we? I know we peeled out pretty quick.” I saw him shake his head and point to our left in the rear-view mirror. “We got split up, but they were running for a car, so I wasn’t too worried.” I followed his finger, a white hatchback cruised along parallel to us, swerving through buildings trying not to eat too many AQ bullets. “Hey boys, Dutch here is gonna roll with us to final. We’ll squad up when we get there.” I was barely able to make out one of his squad mates call out “Tight!” over his earpiece.
“Hey, listen, I’ve got friend I’m rolling with. His name’s Raz, he’s gonna meet us at final. If you see a red, white, and blue LTV, don’t shoot alright.” Raz chimed in, his radio finally clear of the static, “That’s very kind of you to tell them not to shoot me Dutch.” Before I could respond, a black turreted LTV slid out of Said City ahead of us. “Is that your boy Dutch?” I wanted to give my passenger the benefit of the doubt, it is windy in the box after all, he might not have heard me. “Nah man, wrong colour, and he didn’t have a turreted LTV last I saw.” The black LTV continued North along the main road as we cut away into the quarry proper. “Raz, company is headed your way. Looks like it’s just a solo in that truck but you can never be too careful.” “Thanks for the heads up Dutch.”
I rolled to a stop at the base of the helicopter ramp, gently flattening a couple of AQ who were getting a little to close to the bird for comfort, just shy of the battery running dry. The other two operators in the hatchback slid to a stop just down the hill from us. I got out of the hummer, a tad worried that my good fortune was about to come to an end at the hands of these fellas. As they ran up the hill, the notification finally popped. I accepted and ran down the hill to grab the hatchback, breathing a sigh of relief. “Wait, where you goin’ Dutch?” One of my clients called out. “Raz and I will run interference while we wait for the chopper to take off. Any AQ or unfriendly operators are gonna have to go through us.” “You keep talking about this Raz guy, but I’ve yet to see anyone other than that black LTV.” Almost on queue, a black LTV flew up the hill narrowly missing my hatchback. My clients went into a frenzy. “Operators pushing us! Take ‘em down!” The LTV spun in the sand in front of me, a glorious and perfectly oiled moustache glinting in the Al Mazrah sun. “Hold your fire! It’s Raz!” I called from below my clients. I sent an invite to him which he had hopped out and accepted faster than any of these guys could pull the trigger. “You see the operator that was in that earlier?” Raz shook his head, “No, I pulled up on it and they were gone. Must be out on foot somewhere.”
With 5 seconds left on the clock, there wasn’t enough time to go find them, our clients now panicking as they realized we weren’t on the bird. “What are you two doing?!” They shouted from the air as we waved goodbye. “Al Mazrah is our home gentlemen. That bird was never meant for us.” I gave Raz a pat on the shoulder as the gas rapidly approached, another successful day had come to a close.
The clack of a Kastov charging handle was almost unmistakable. We both turned to see the operator from the LTV standing there, rifle honed on us. “Well shit.” Their rifle dropped towards the dirt as they looked back over their shoulder at the nearly out of sight exfill chopper. They pushed through us, wandering towards the North side of the quarry. Raz and I locked eyes, shrugging in unison. That was one of those moments where we really wouldn’t have blamed them for their decision, whatever it might have been. “We better get back to HQ, Compton said I.T dropped off something for you.” Raz said as the gas engulfed us.
“I’m going back to the island boss.” My hands were shaking as I gripped the file folder that I.T had left for me. “Twitch.” “He’s back, it took him a bit, but he’s managed to re-take the castle and hunker down since we last saw him. And if he’s back then we might finally be able to get some proper intel on those blue tracers, direct from the source.” I handed the folder to Raz. He took it, turning to no doubt address the rest of the crew. I grabbed his shoulder, stopping him before he could speak. “Not everybody, not this time. They’ve doubled the defences; we’d be walking into a slaughterhouse.” “Well, you can’t go in there alone, we look out for our own Dutch, you know that.” Raz’s brow tightened, I could tell he was already trying to figure out what my plan was. “I’m bringing Maze and Alex. They’ll provide sniper cover while I infiltrate the castle. I still have my old uniform. As long as they haven’t drastically changed up their callsigns, I should be able to get in undetected.” I could tell Raz wasn’t convinced. “Dutch, like you said, you’d be walking into a slaughterhouse. How does you going in solo make that any better.” “After what happened in the complex…I’m not putting anyone else at risk, I can’t. The Bomb Maker…Twitch, I’ve gotta face him myself. Look him in the eyes so he knows I crawled out of Hell to drag him back down there.” “Alright, I couldn’t really stop you if I wanted to, could I?” Raz shrugged. “No, not unless you shot me, and honestly, I’d take those odds.” I punched his shoulder and started heading for the breakroom to grab Maze and Alex. “You keep that up I’ll be moving you back out to that sea can of yours.” Raz smirked.
The locks took a bit of fighting to get open. While this footlocker had only been on Ashika Island for a few months, the constant spray of salt water had worn away what little integrity it once had. The black uniform, emblazoned with the Rook and Spade of Shadow Company, was still in excellent condition, save for a bullet hole just under where the plate carrier would sit. I paused for a moment, holding it up in the air, memories of the past flooding in. “Not a lot of fond memories in that uniform I take it.” Maze called out from the catwalk in our home away from home. “I think part of the problem is that there are good memories. It’s a little concerning that such fond memories can hide out amongst so much evil.” “We’ve all done things we aren’t proud of. Some of us just did things other people also wouldn’t be proud of either.” Alex chuckled to himself as he cleaned his rifle on the cot next to me. I grimaced, mostly because he was right. I slipped into the old black fatigues and strapped on my old plate carrier. My weapons were all still intact too, I pulled my Taq-56 out of the footlocker, running my fingers over the engraving in the side, ROOK-XLIV. I cycled the charging handle a few times before loading in a fresh magazine and setting it on the cot next to me. I pulled out a pistol belt, two pearl handled revolvers, one with an ebony Rook on the grip, the other, an ebony Spade. Umbra Catavae engraved along each barrel. Maze had come down from the rafters now, a look of mixed intrigue and concern on her face, “I take it those don’t invoke fond memories.” I had done a poor job of hiding my look of disgust. “No, unfortunately they do.” I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. “Each of these was given to me for completing outstanding performance in the field. I did things I’m not proud of, and I was rewarded for it, handsomely. Holding these in my hands, I feel the same pride I had felt when they were first handed to me. It makes me sick.” I strapped the belt around my waist. The pearl handles shining against my all black silhouette. Alex piped up again, “Hey, at least you are trying to make amends for your sins, not many can say the same.” I let out a long sigh, “I suppose you’re right. You both remember the plan?” “Get to the radio towers and start lighting the place up when shit inevitably hits the fan.” Maze grinned. “Close enough.” I pulled my balaclava up and headed for the door.
The guard at the gate didn’t immediately shoot me which gave me some spark of hope that this might work. “In position!” Alex and Maze called out almost simultaneously. “Jinx, you owe me a beer!” Maze rejoiced. “What? Why would I give you a beer for that?” Alex sounded genuinely confused. “Hey, cut the chatter you two, don’t need to give them any reason to not let me in alright.” The guard held up his hand. “I don’t recognize you, let’s see your I.D.” I held up my old I.D card. “Well I’ll be damned, look who crawled out if his grave.” He pulled my mask down to confirm. “You look pretty good for a corpse, though your I.D card is out of regulation. You might want to stop by the I.T guy to get a new one made.” “Thanks, I’ll head right over.” The first thought that came to my mind was Bob. There’s no way he still worked for these assholes, is there.
“You used your old I.D?! You mad man!” Maze cackled over the radio. “Ok, I’ll admit, this wasn’t my greatest plan. I honestly thought they’d just capture me after seeing who I was.” Alex cut me off, “Go with the flow I suppose.” “Spade-499 up one-two.” The local radio channel began to drown out my squad’s comms. “Rook-3468 down one-one” “This is some odd radio traffic Dutch.” Alex quipped. I watched as a Shadow Company mercenary approached a stairwell, each step primed and ready to pop a leg off whichever unfortunate soul chose to ascend. “Spade-5454 up one-two.” “It’s how they know to deactivate the traps.” I whispered into our secure line. I approached the same stairwell. “Rook-44 up one-two.” I could hear the traps audibly click off. The guard at the to put his hand out as I reached the top step. “Sorry, no ghosts allowed on the second floor.” “Ghost? What…” He bent over laughing. “I’m just messing with you man. They said you died holding off the ULF while Bob and Twitch escaped, going out in a blaze of glory. Clearly, they didn’t have their facts straight. Glad to have you back.” I’m glad I had the balaclava on because I was struggling to hide my confusion. Last I checked I was the scape goat for the largest backstab in Shadow Company history, not a hero. I was never a hero when I worked for them. “I take it you are going to see the boss, call up two-zero, we don’t want people to be just guess on the fly, just in case someone tries to sneak in.” If only he knew.
“We don’t have eyes up there Dutch. Whatever happens, you’re on your own.” I could hear a tinge of worry in Alex’s voice. “Just make sure whoever is in here doesn’t get reinforcements.” “You got it!” Alex and Maze both called out in unison. “Jinx, you owe me another beer.” “There’s free beer at headquarters, why would I owe you a beer for that.” Alex called back clearly still confused. “Radio silence please. I’ve got a rat to kill.” I took a deep breath, pulling my Bryson from its sheath, the chrome exterior brushed over with a dull grey to blend in. “Rook-44 up two-zero.”
“Well, well, well. I was wondering when I’d see you again after our last encounter. Urzikstan and Al Mazrah clearly hadn’t kicked your ass enough so you decided to come crawling back to me for another round.” The traps clicked off. “Come on up, I’ve been looking forward to this.” I slowly ascended, keeping my Bryson trained at the top of the stairs, my eyes scanning each stair for an actual trap. As I crested the stairwell, my eyes were immediately drawn to him. His back turned to me, Trophy Systems whirring and clicking around him. “I missed you Dutch. Well, the old you. The one that would shoot through a hostage just to prove a point, the one that would dangle captives from buildings by their collar until they squawked like a bird, and then still dropped them anyways. I miss the Dutch that smoked Keller because his gas mask worked and yours didn’t when we those crazy Russian’s tried to hit us with mustard gas. I still get a little nauseous when I think about you peeling his face out of there.” “I’ve changed Twitch, I’ve moved past all that. I found a calling that doesn’t require me to be a conniving bastard.” Twitch laughed as he turned around, his hands empty. I kept my Bryson trained on him. “That’s what you think I am huh? I prefer shrewd businessman, but if that’s what helps you sleep at night.” He walked to one of the barred windows. “You really think what you and those taxi driving hooligans are doing matters?” “Clearly it does, or you and the Chemist wouldn’t be working so hard to sabotage us.” I took a few steps towards him. “Well, I suppose it matters to one of us. The Chemist and Raz go way back, but you know that. What I care about is the money, and I get a lot of money for helping that crazy bastard try to wipe out your little band of Merry Men.” “And Women. This guy just loves the sound of his own voice. Can I remove his head already? He’s looking right at me, practically begging me to pull the trigger.” I could hear the contempt in Maze’s voice. Twitch always did love a monologue. “You can still fix your mistakes Twitch. Gives us what info you have on those tracers of yours and I might consider not killing you.” I snarled. “When you went soft Dutch, you lost any respect I might have had for you. We are long past the point where you can intimidate me. Besides, any info I did have, is with the Chemist. He paid a handsome sum to get the formula, and really, it was becoming a logistical nightmare to ship enough of those little blue gems across the sea. Better for everyone to have it made close to the front lines.”
“Spade-101 up two-zero.” Bob’s voice cut through the tension. “Well I’ll be, it looks like we are gonna have a little family reunion.” Bob’s head poked up the stairs, “Hey boss, another server bank has shorted out from the sea air, I told you we should invest in better waterproofing the housings but if you still…” He trailed off as I dropped my Bryson, the sling catching it just before it hit the ground, and drawing my two revolvers. “Oh, hey Dutch. Nice to see you too.” Bob stammered. I cocked the hammer on each one, keeping one trained on each of my old squad mates. “Really Bob? Really! I understand you sticking around the day of the heist. But now? After everything that Shadow Company has done to these countries. To its own people.” Before he could respond, a siren blared over the intercom system. “Defensive positions! Hostile operators have breached the perimeter.” “Dutch you’ve got six operators approaching the castle, I think it’s time to bounce.” Maze was drowned out by her own gun fire, her Signal .50 raining death into the courtyard. “Looks like our time is up here Dutch. Since you clearly don’t have los cojones to pull the trigger, you might as well see yourself out, and let me and my men handle this.”
“Fuck it.” The hammer of the first revolver slammed down, dropping Bob instantly. I turned to face Twitch, his face a mix of surprise and pride. “Maybe I was wrong, the old Dutch still lives.” I charged forward, tackling him through the window and off the roof. Both of us lay on the ground, groaning as the chorus of gunfire roared around us. He dove for one of my pistols, but unfortunately for him, I had managed to hold on to the other, putting a round through his arm just before he could grab the gun. He rolled out of the way of the second round, bringing his one working hand up to the radio on his chest. The explosion from the castle threw both of us across the courtyard, debris raining down around us. I felt like I was reliving one of the worst days of my life all over again. I hauled myself to my feet, Shadow Company mercenaries and operators wandered aimlessly through the ashes. Everyone seemed too disoriented to fight. “I think it’s time to leave Dutch.” “I second that.” Maze and Alex were barely audible over the ringing in my ears. “Regroup at the boat. If I’m not there in 5, go without me.” I never heard a response, even if they tried, they wouldn’t have convinced me to leave, not with him still breathing.
I combed through the smoke and fire, carefully checking every nook and cranny I came across but the slippery rat was nowhere to be seen. “Looks like you 3 aren’t thick as thieves after all, eh Dutch. Poor Alex here was left all alone on the beach, no boat to be seen.” Twitch was sucking in air between words, no doubt kept standing by adrenaline. “You lay a finger on him, and I’ll make you wish you had died in that explosion.” I spat into my mic. “Don’t make me wait too long.”
I limped over a hill towards the beach where we were supposed to regroup. “Alex! Where’s Maze?” I called out as I stumbled down the sand bank. Alex didn’t respond, his head held in a tight headlock by Twitch, my second pistol against his temple. “She abandoned you both, and now I get the pleasure of killing you both after yet another betrayal. When will you learn Dutch. This world is a cruel place. Only the strong survive, clearly Maze knew that.” Twitch cut me off before I could retort. “Save the fight me with honour B.S that I know you are gonna spew.” I’m gonna kill you and your buddy and salvage what little I can of this operation. Then maybe retire to Cuba. I do love a good cigar.” “Adios, pendejo!” Alex brought his arm down, the knife concealed in his hand connecting with Twitch’s thigh. Twitch let out a high-pitched yelp, letting loose a round from the revolver which narrowly grazed Alex’s hair. Alex dove into the sand right as Twitch’s shoulder exploded in a pink mist followed shortly by the unmistakable crack of Maze’s Signal .50. I squinted trying to see where the shot came from, all I caught was the glint from her scope in the sun, the boat hardly visible in the rolling surf.
I limped forward, Bryson in hand, chrome starting to show through the worn grey paint. I kicked the revolver away from Twitch, placing a boot on his chest and the barrel of my Bryson against his forehead. He began to mumble and cry, hardly able to string together an understandable sentence. “Save it, you’re gonna need your energy for what comes next.” Our boat slammed into the shore, Maze hopping off, rifle raised and ready. “Oh shit I actually hit that!” “I’m not gonna lie, I thought you’d actually just bailed.” I laughed as she helped Alex to his feet. “You still go those claymores?” I asked Maze as Twitch continued to writhe in panic under my boot. “You wanted the old Dutch, eh Twitch. Ask and you shall receive.” Maze handed me the claymores, while Alex kept sidearm pointed at Twitch. I planted 4 around him, just far enough away that they wouldn’t go off unless he moved. I drew one of my revolvers, popping the cylinder out and emptying all but one round. I gave the cylinder a spin before flicking it closed. I tossed the revolver at Twitch. “Don’t waste that on me. You’ll only regret it in about an hour.” I took my other revolver, and hurled it towards the sea, the pearl grip glinting in the sun as it spun through the air, disappearing into the crashing waves. “Good riddance.” I sighed, that chapter of my life finally ended. Twitch was silent, his whimpering now just deep, laboured breathing. I turned back before I stepped onto the boat, watching as his hand slowly moved to the pistol in the sand next to him. “Well played Dutch, well played.”
2023.06.04 17:52 CT_Patriot Careful driving back country roads in Greenwich.
Just a little while ago while I was driving on a back country road in Greenwich (Round Hill Road) all of a sudden a Porsche 718 Cayman, a BMW and an Audi SUV flew by me passing me on left. SICK!
submitted by CT_Patriot to Connecticut [link] [comments]
2023.06.04 17:40 Vaughen1919 Chronicles of Defiance: Part 5, Demand
The Dogma Armored Fighting Vehicle raced through the desolate landscape of Cepcis six. Rodney continued to grin madly as he drove like a madman, he had long since drowned out the complaints of the others. He began laughing as he saw a hill fast approaching.
"Who's ready for some airtime!?" He shouted over the interior comms.
The only thing he heard from the others was a garbled mix of 'NO, DON'T YOU DARE, and What does he mean.' before they soared over the hill. As they started to come down, he hit the emergency thrusters to slow their descent so no one would be seriously hurt. Once they hit the ground he began laughing maniacally.
After about ten or so minutes they had finally reached the general area where the power source was coming from. But oddly enough the scanners were now struggling to read anything.
"Alright, eyes peeled, something is screwing the sensors, and it sure as hell ain't pirates." he said, his voice now devoid of joy.
~~~
Trala's feathers tried to stand but were stopped by her environmental suite, something about the captain's sudden change in demeanor unsettled her and she could tell that she wasn't the only one. Kasto and Sergios looked to each other before ensuring that their weapons were ready. The vehicle slowed down, and she could hear the turret begin to move around.
*SSLLOOOM-BZANG*
The vehicle shook as the distinctive sound and impact of a medium energy cannon rang out.
"CONTACT, SEVEN O'CLOCK, TWO HUNDRED METERS!" Rodney shouted.
"TARGETS IDENTIFIED, THREE COALITION ATMBT'S!" Diaz called.
"ENGAGING PISSANTS!" Cried Takashima.
*SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK*
Trala felt herself vibrate slightly as the human began to return fire. Then she lurched to her right, they were going in reverse now.
"SIX MORE ATMBT'S AT OUR TWELVE, IT A FUCKING TRAP!" Rodney shouted, "OUR COMMS ARE BEING JAMMED, LAUNCH THE RED FLARE!"
Trala felt the vehicle spin around as more energy cannon bolts flew past, while the human cannon continued to fire repetitiously.
~~~
"Sir, I can't get through to the FOB." said Alex's radio operator.
Before Alex could reply, the doors to the reactor opened with a hiss. He turned, expecting to see a reactor, but only saw a battalion sized element of coalition troops. The first few energy bolts flew past.
"OPEN FIRE!" Alex shouted as he blew a hole into one of the coalition's soldiers. "BACK TO THE FOB!"
Third platoon began bounding back to the FOB. The squads took turns providing covering fire as they made their way back.
~~~
"I can't get through to the FOB." Seta's RO declared, just before a bolt of energy slammed into Seta's shoulder.
"CONTACT, LIGHT THEM UP!" She shouted as more energy bolts flew out of the Storage Bay.
Seta threw an ionized smoke grenade inside and got back up. Once there was a sufficient amount of smoke there was a sufficient amount of smoke preventing the enemy from firing their weapons, she motioned for her troops to follow her. Second Platoon began rushing back to the FOB.
~~~
Calvin paced on the command tower as Keyla worked her magic on the terminal.
"Chief, there is nothing on this terminal, or anywhere." Keyla stated confused.
Before Calvin could respond he caught a red glimmer in the corner of his eye. He turned his head to see a red flair in the distance. His eyes widened as he saw more flashes bellow the flare moving closer.
"BACK TO THE FOB, MOVE!" He ordered.
The squad packed up and began moving down the shaft, Calvin grabbed his flare gun and shot a red flare of his own out of a broken window. As he went to turn around however, he caught a glimpse of something moving below. He glanced at the movement and saw an All-terrain Heavy Tank aiming a cannon up at him.
*SSSLLLOOOOM*
He ran towards the shaft, leaping onto his cable and sliding down.
*BWAZANG*
The Command Center blew apart above him, snapping his cable. He pushed off of the wall down towards the lift door, landing with a roll as flaming debris landed behind him. The others helped him up.
"Let me guess, a trap?" Beau asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yeah, we need to move before that heavy tank can cut us off, it was outside the hangar." Calvin declared.
The platoon began running back, as they neared the hangar the distinctive sound of a coalition hover tank was absent. They entered the Hangar indenting to run straight through.
*SSSLLLOOOOM-BWAZANG*
A large blue explosion erupted in front of them, knocking several marines down, injuring them. They injured were grabbed and dragged back into cover as coalition infantry began to fill the hangar, cutting them off.
~~~
O'Neil waited in the FOB for status updates from the other platoons, something didn't feel right about the situation. His head shot up when the sound of gun and energy fire filled the station.
"GET READY EVERYONE!" He shouted, grabbing his carbine.
The FOB quickly filled with motion as the crew and marines of the 'Defiance' prepared for a fight. Third platoon burst into the room followed by bolts of energy, then Second platoon entered. He turned, expecting to see Calvin and First platoon, but seeing nothing.
"First squad with me, we need to get First platoon." HE ordered calmly moving towards the hall that Calvin had gone down.
~~~
Griggs watched as the two red flares fell from the sky, followed by the command center exploding. Not a moment later the landing pad was surrounded by bolts of energy. His security personnel immediately returned fire while taking cover.
"Well shit, can never have an easy mission." He stated annoyed, firing his own red flare into the sky. "Hopefully they ain't hitting us in space."
~~~
Irine stared at the readings in slight dismay. Three red flares, they were being attacked on multiple fronts by coalition forces.
"Miss Irene, we have three coalition ships entering the system." The ships AI, Amie, called out. "Two Frigates and a Heavy Cruiser."
Irine groaned and activated the ships intercom. "All hands to your battle stations, I say again, All hands to your battle stations. Angel Squadron, prepare to deploy and provide cover for the away team."
Irine took direct control of the ship and turned it to face the incoming fleet. She found it annoying that they decided to send three ships to try and destroy the most advanced warship in the galaxy. She gave a small and sadistic smile as all of the ship's weapons trained on the hostile fleet.
"Incoming transmission" Amie stated.
"Put it through." Irene replied.
The screen came activated. showing a Quaratik, like the prisoner Trala. "Surrender, you are outnumbered." he stated confidently.
Irene barked out a harsh laugh. "You should have brought more ships, but if you want to throw more lives away then go ahead." She cut the transmission and licked her lips.
~~~
Grinak took cover with the other volunteers from his crew as coalition troops began firing into the FOB, trying to enter the room.
"Sir, now is our chance, we can escape." said one of the volunteers.
"DID YOU MISS THE PART WHERE THEY SHOT AT US, NO HESITATION, I LOCKED EYES WITH ONE AND HE STILL SHOT AT ME!" barked another.
Grinak grimaced, 'I guess we're all traitors now.' he thought, watching the fight ensue. He felt his heart clench as he watched a crewman of the defiance get hit three times, falling clutching his burned side. The sound of battle was quickly drowned out by the cries of the injured human.
"OH GOD, MEDIC!" the human cried out. "IT BURNS, MAMA!"
Grinak broke cover and bolted straight for the injured human. His crew watched in confusion as he grabbed and picked up the injured human, carrying him back to his cover, he gingerly set him down. Grinak looked back to see a medic pinned down and unable to reach the wounded.
"I will repay my debt tenfold." He whispered before diving for the injured crewman's weapon.
He grasped the weapon in his claws and glanced at the other humans, watching how they used it properly. He mimicked their movements and began firing the weapon back at the coalition troops.
"SIR WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" demanded one of his crew.
Grinak turned his head and scowled, "EITHER HELP DEFEND THIS POSITION OR DRAG THE WOUNDED INTO COVER, THAT IS AN ORDER!"
A moment later the others leapt into action, some grabbing weapons from injured humans, while the rest helped drag the injured into better cover.
~~~
O'Neil moved down the hall with his squad before stopping at the hangar, noticing the large amount of enemy fire that was keeping Calvin and First platoon pinned.
"Well, it's just another one of THOSE missions today isn't it." He said exasperated.
https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/1335ek4/chronicles_of_the_defiance/ (First)
https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/13gy1ve/chronicles_of_defiance_part_4_supply/ (Previous)
submitted by Vaughen1919 to HFY [link] [comments]
"Who's ready for some airtime!?" He shouted over the interior comms.
The only thing he heard from the others was a garbled mix of 'NO, DON'T YOU DARE, and What does he mean.' before they soared over the hill. As they started to come down, he hit the emergency thrusters to slow their descent so no one would be seriously hurt. Once they hit the ground he began laughing maniacally.
After about ten or so minutes they had finally reached the general area where the power source was coming from. But oddly enough the scanners were now struggling to read anything.
"Alright, eyes peeled, something is screwing the sensors, and it sure as hell ain't pirates." he said, his voice now devoid of joy.
~~~
Trala's feathers tried to stand but were stopped by her environmental suite, something about the captain's sudden change in demeanor unsettled her and she could tell that she wasn't the only one. Kasto and Sergios looked to each other before ensuring that their weapons were ready. The vehicle slowed down, and she could hear the turret begin to move around.
*SSLLOOOM-BZANG*
The vehicle shook as the distinctive sound and impact of a medium energy cannon rang out.
"CONTACT, SEVEN O'CLOCK, TWO HUNDRED METERS!" Rodney shouted.
"TARGETS IDENTIFIED, THREE COALITION ATMBT'S!" Diaz called.
"ENGAGING PISSANTS!" Cried Takashima.
*SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK SHUNK*
Trala felt herself vibrate slightly as the human began to return fire. Then she lurched to her right, they were going in reverse now.
"SIX MORE ATMBT'S AT OUR TWELVE, IT A FUCKING TRAP!" Rodney shouted, "OUR COMMS ARE BEING JAMMED, LAUNCH THE RED FLARE!"
Trala felt the vehicle spin around as more energy cannon bolts flew past, while the human cannon continued to fire repetitiously.
~~~
"Sir, I can't get through to the FOB." said Alex's radio operator.
Before Alex could reply, the doors to the reactor opened with a hiss. He turned, expecting to see a reactor, but only saw a battalion sized element of coalition troops. The first few energy bolts flew past.
"OPEN FIRE!" Alex shouted as he blew a hole into one of the coalition's soldiers. "BACK TO THE FOB!"
Third platoon began bounding back to the FOB. The squads took turns providing covering fire as they made their way back.
~~~
"I can't get through to the FOB." Seta's RO declared, just before a bolt of energy slammed into Seta's shoulder.
"CONTACT, LIGHT THEM UP!" She shouted as more energy bolts flew out of the Storage Bay.
Seta threw an ionized smoke grenade inside and got back up. Once there was a sufficient amount of smoke there was a sufficient amount of smoke preventing the enemy from firing their weapons, she motioned for her troops to follow her. Second Platoon began rushing back to the FOB.
~~~
Calvin paced on the command tower as Keyla worked her magic on the terminal.
"Chief, there is nothing on this terminal, or anywhere." Keyla stated confused.
Before Calvin could respond he caught a red glimmer in the corner of his eye. He turned his head to see a red flair in the distance. His eyes widened as he saw more flashes bellow the flare moving closer.
"BACK TO THE FOB, MOVE!" He ordered.
The squad packed up and began moving down the shaft, Calvin grabbed his flare gun and shot a red flare of his own out of a broken window. As he went to turn around however, he caught a glimpse of something moving below. He glanced at the movement and saw an All-terrain Heavy Tank aiming a cannon up at him.
*SSSLLLOOOOM*
He ran towards the shaft, leaping onto his cable and sliding down.
*BWAZANG*
The Command Center blew apart above him, snapping his cable. He pushed off of the wall down towards the lift door, landing with a roll as flaming debris landed behind him. The others helped him up.
"Let me guess, a trap?" Beau asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yeah, we need to move before that heavy tank can cut us off, it was outside the hangar." Calvin declared.
The platoon began running back, as they neared the hangar the distinctive sound of a coalition hover tank was absent. They entered the Hangar indenting to run straight through.
*SSSLLLOOOOM-BWAZANG*
A large blue explosion erupted in front of them, knocking several marines down, injuring them. They injured were grabbed and dragged back into cover as coalition infantry began to fill the hangar, cutting them off.
~~~
O'Neil waited in the FOB for status updates from the other platoons, something didn't feel right about the situation. His head shot up when the sound of gun and energy fire filled the station.
"GET READY EVERYONE!" He shouted, grabbing his carbine.
The FOB quickly filled with motion as the crew and marines of the 'Defiance' prepared for a fight. Third platoon burst into the room followed by bolts of energy, then Second platoon entered. He turned, expecting to see Calvin and First platoon, but seeing nothing.
"First squad with me, we need to get First platoon." HE ordered calmly moving towards the hall that Calvin had gone down.
~~~
Griggs watched as the two red flares fell from the sky, followed by the command center exploding. Not a moment later the landing pad was surrounded by bolts of energy. His security personnel immediately returned fire while taking cover.
"Well shit, can never have an easy mission." He stated annoyed, firing his own red flare into the sky. "Hopefully they ain't hitting us in space."
~~~
Irine stared at the readings in slight dismay. Three red flares, they were being attacked on multiple fronts by coalition forces.
"Miss Irene, we have three coalition ships entering the system." The ships AI, Amie, called out. "Two Frigates and a Heavy Cruiser."
Irine groaned and activated the ships intercom. "All hands to your battle stations, I say again, All hands to your battle stations. Angel Squadron, prepare to deploy and provide cover for the away team."
Irine took direct control of the ship and turned it to face the incoming fleet. She found it annoying that they decided to send three ships to try and destroy the most advanced warship in the galaxy. She gave a small and sadistic smile as all of the ship's weapons trained on the hostile fleet.
"Incoming transmission" Amie stated.
"Put it through." Irene replied.
The screen came activated. showing a Quaratik, like the prisoner Trala. "Surrender, you are outnumbered." he stated confidently.
Irene barked out a harsh laugh. "You should have brought more ships, but if you want to throw more lives away then go ahead." She cut the transmission and licked her lips.
~~~
Grinak took cover with the other volunteers from his crew as coalition troops began firing into the FOB, trying to enter the room.
"Sir, now is our chance, we can escape." said one of the volunteers.
"DID YOU MISS THE PART WHERE THEY SHOT AT US, NO HESITATION, I LOCKED EYES WITH ONE AND HE STILL SHOT AT ME!" barked another.
Grinak grimaced, 'I guess we're all traitors now.' he thought, watching the fight ensue. He felt his heart clench as he watched a crewman of the defiance get hit three times, falling clutching his burned side. The sound of battle was quickly drowned out by the cries of the injured human.
"OH GOD, MEDIC!" the human cried out. "IT BURNS, MAMA!"
Grinak broke cover and bolted straight for the injured human. His crew watched in confusion as he grabbed and picked up the injured human, carrying him back to his cover, he gingerly set him down. Grinak looked back to see a medic pinned down and unable to reach the wounded.
"I will repay my debt tenfold." He whispered before diving for the injured crewman's weapon.
He grasped the weapon in his claws and glanced at the other humans, watching how they used it properly. He mimicked their movements and began firing the weapon back at the coalition troops.
"SIR WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" demanded one of his crew.
Grinak turned his head and scowled, "EITHER HELP DEFEND THIS POSITION OR DRAG THE WOUNDED INTO COVER, THAT IS AN ORDER!"
A moment later the others leapt into action, some grabbing weapons from injured humans, while the rest helped drag the injured into better cover.
~~~
O'Neil moved down the hall with his squad before stopping at the hangar, noticing the large amount of enemy fire that was keeping Calvin and First platoon pinned.
"Well, it's just another one of THOSE missions today isn't it." He said exasperated.
https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/1335ek4/chronicles_of_the_defiance/ (First)
https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/13gy1ve/chronicles_of_defiance_part_4_supply/ (Previous)
2023.06.04 17:15 lilacteardrop Just discovered the eerie connection between Faith Hill & Reba McEntire
Faith Hill used to sell t-shirts for Reba McEntire. She once auditioned to be Reba's backup singer, but lost the gig to Paula Kaye Evans. In 1991, Paula Kaye Evans was killed in a plane crash with 6 other members of Reba's band and the band's manager. Reba herself wasn't on the plane because she had bronchitis. It just makes you think of all the what ifs. What if Faith had gotten that job? What if Reba hadn't been sick? The country music industry would be a lot different from what it is now. Reba's career would've been cut short. There would be no Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Their careers skyrocketed after they got married and became a power couple. Faith was Taylor Swift's mentor. Taylor also wrote a song about Tim.
submitted by lilacteardrop to CountryMusic [link] [comments]
2023.06.04 17:13 AlexRD19 NLMB Fallen Members Part 6/The War With PocketTown
 | 2019 was a hard year for NLMB, losing members back to back to different opps and starting a new bloody war with DeathRow, in 2020 the war will slow down due to a lot of factors. Most members who put in work in that war will get locked up and NLMB will focus on other opps just like DeathRow, we will come back in the summer of 2022 to that beef. submitted by AlexRD19 to Chiraqhits [link] [comments] Willie "Ghost 🕊️" Coker08/31/2019I didn't had space to include Ghost in the last part so i decided to do it here, it's not that important to the NLMB/DeathRow beef so it's ok if i include it at the beginning. Ghost also known as Rat was a respected OG from GME, i am not sure if he was the target or not but DeathRow and Lakeside dissed him a lot, Fa Fa Fa said they killed Ghost and ever since then GME didn't do anything for him, ignore the video from the store, that's not Ghost, it's a mistake by the one who made the post, the one who died in the store was an innocent as far as i know and it happen way after Ghost died. This happen in the same month DeathRow killed Willie, DeathRow was sliding a lot in 2019. Ghost was outside with multiple people in his own hood when shots rang out from an unknown direction, he was shot multiple times in the chest and he died at the hospital. "Ghost got hit up" 0:58 Michael "Aero 🕊️" Portis01/05/2020One of the reasons i believed Savo 🕊️ was killed by kings was Aero death, months after Savo died, Aero was sliding with FatLord 🔒 on some kings, which made sense at least during that time, Savo died in a hood cool with the kings, Aero is sliding on the kings, it was making sense into my head that Aero died trying to get revenge for Savo + that's what i was told, again i was wrong. As i said in my previous post, Savo was killed by NLMB, Aero was just a hothead who was sliding on his opps, nothing weird. Aero was on the frontline and did a lot of dirt for DeathRow, he earned the nickname "23" for a reason, in my previous post i put a screenshot with Fa Fa Fa straight up saying Aero killed G Dottie 🕊️. I know a lot of people believed Aero killed an innocent, but people told me that Garcia 🕊️ was a known king, why would Aero and FatLord slide on some innocents and specifically target them? Aero and FatLord were driving a turquoise SUV when they made a U-turn at the end of the street and parked in the block close to a king hood, both got out of the SUV with armed 9-mm handguns and approached Garcia and his neighbor as they were outside talking, they opened fire hitting the neighbor in the arm and hitting Garcia multiple times, Garcia returned fire with his own weapon striking Aero multiple times who died at the scene, FatLord was also shot multiple times, FatLord left Aero there and went to a hospital with the SUV in the same clothes that CPD saw on the footage. Garcia was pronounced dead at the hospital, police recovered 19 9-mm shell casings and 10 .40-caliber shell casings from the crime scene. This is a very controversial situation because at first, people said after FatLord recovered from his wounds, he told the police what happen and also snitched on BD 🕊️ but now they saying free him, they saying that someone else ratted and not him, but according to this article, CPD is using FatLord as a source, FatLord was the one who allegedly was the driver on the Willie hit, FatLord is still locked up so who knows. The scanner also confirms that they was sliding on some kings because they was having problems lately, it could be possible that some kings gave the location of Savo to NLMB, Savo was killed right at his home so NLMB probably got the drop from someone. NLMB and ABK will diss Aero hard because he killed G Dottie, someone also recorded Aero on the ground, which was heavily mocked by his opps. "Lil Aero a dumbass got hit on a hit" 0:23 Tristan "Tedo G 🕊️" Rogers04/05/2020NLMB first loss in 2020 but not because of gun violence, Tedo was from the MuskegonBoyz clique, he was killed by a car in DucciWay 🔱 hood, there is not a lot to say about him, he was a respected OG who was either related to Kobe 🕊️ or close to him. Shianne "Anna 🕊️" Reynolds04/19/2020Anna was a very loved member from MTG 079 now more known as BiyoBlock, she was Biyo 🕊️ sister, at first people believed that she was not gangbanging but that's false, there is a lot of captions with her saying she was using guns to slide, i don't think she was active when she died in that life and she probably was not the target either. However, she probably was active in the past and as we all know, the past is catching up to you, her vigil was also shot, allegedly by NLMB again. What i know is this, allegedly NLMB saw some MTG 079 members in traffic in SirconnCity 🔱 hood, they sped up behind them and shot the whole car, Anna was just unlucky since she was in the car with them, she was hit in the head and CPD pronounced her dead at the scene. This was one of the first getback NLMB got for Capo, but it will not stop here, NLMB will get more getback for Capo months later. 2020 was a hard year for MTG 079, they lost 4 members, Anna 🕊️, Pook 🕊️ who was not killed by any opps, LB 🕊️ an original who was also close to Biyo, LB was killed in DrillCity 📶🔱🅱️ hood, last one is Jeezy Snow 🕊️, we will get later to him. Anthony "C-Note 🕊️" Smith04/27/2020C-Note was an OG from NLMB, to be more specific he was from the MuskegonBoyz clique, from what i know he passed away from natural causes, nothing to do with gun violence. He was born in 1985 so he was old compared to a lot of main members from MuskegonBoyz clique like G Farro for example, you could say he was from that White Folks generation. Junius "BoBo 🕊️" Thurston05/07/2020BoBo was a very loved member from ABK, he was one of the main faces from there. BoBo was also a rapper, one of his best songs Pigs Hot where you can see a lot of ABK members including Yogi 🕊️, BoBo was close to NLMB as well, he did a song with Juvie and before his death you could see him around G Herbo. BlackMobb was having a field day when BoBo was killed, even though BoBo left that life behind while starting a truck company, it's not like your opps will forgive you or forget that you did dirt in the streets or hurt their people, that shit is stucked until you die, even if you are 30, 40, as long as you put yourself in danger(go back to the city) you can get killed anywhere. BoBo exit his car and went to a gas station in a relatively safe area far away from any hood, a black Audi pull up and a rear passenger open fire, he ran north from the station but then a gunman got out of the car and chased after him, firing more shots. BoBo collapsed and the gunman caught up to him standing over him and fired more shots, BoBo was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said he was shot multiple times. BlackMobb were not the only ones having a field day with his death, PocketTown also dissed him: "BoBo got his ass smoked, 20 bullets took his soul" 2:45 It is sad because BlackMobb and ABK were like this, but friends are turning to enemies and both sides lost main members in this war. Lee "KTS Rio 🕊️" Cameron07/12/2020If you follow the drill scene, then you know who was KTS Rio, one of the main faces from PocketTown and Lil Los 🔒 little brother, he was a huge loss for PocketTown, after his death a lot of stuff went down. Rio was driving a vehicle with two other teenagers near a gas station in KakiWorld 🔱🅱️⭐️✊🏿 hood when a silver SUV pulled up and someone inside started shooting, Rio was shot multiple times and he was pronounced dead at the hospital. The 14-year-old boy was shot in the back and a 17-year-old boy was hit in the right arm, both were taken to the hospital in good condition. After his death PocketTown goes by "RioGang" in his honour, Rio was also one of their main rappers, one of his most known song is NLMBK, Faro dissed him in a song after he died: "Rio got hit and they left his ass twitching" 0:38 "Rio got hit, y'all ain't get your getback" 1:05 A lot of people are saying NLMB killed KTS Rio but if you watch Freeband BoBo 🕊️ video that CH88 made, it is very clear that NLMB didn't do anything to Rio, because the war started when Lil Greg 🕊️ was killed, that's also what BoBo said. The beef was not serious until Lil Greg died, BoBo also said the whole war started because of a bitch, Lil Greg wanted to call his guys to kill BoBo because of a girl. Feel free to watch the video, it's explaining a lot of stuff. Remember there is a difference between "twitter beef" like disses and blood beef, KTS Dre did dirt on NLMB but he did that for Lakeside while PocketTown was his second hood(he started to claim PocketTown after KTS Von died), so Lil Greg was the first guy to die in that beef, we will get later to him. Now honestly it is not known who killed KTS Rio, but one of the most plausible theory is that SirconnCity killed him, months after KTS Rio died, PocketTown lost KDawg 🕊️, another top member while sliding on SirconnCity hood, his article doesn't mention anything about sliding but both sides said that. "We doing hits without hoodies and masks, Rio got hit, he got stretched like an elastic" 1:08 "KDawg got hit on a hit, he dead" 0:24 They are main opps but since PocketTown top members were sliding, i think that means something, especially after Rio died. This won't stop at KTS Rio, this year would be the most hardest year for PocketTown, they will lose 6 members in one year and they was all top members, but not all of them were killed by opps. Big Glizzy/Lil James 🕊️ (June 07 2020), killed at a party in Robbins, a suburb of Chicago. KTS Rio 🕊️ (July 12 2020), KDawg 🕊️ (September 27 2020), Nuke 30 🕊️ (November 25 2020), killed OT, LA Glizzy/Lil Ant 🕊️ (January 12 2021), killed OT, Killa Spook 🕊️ (March 26 2021), we will get later to Killa Spook. "They lost 6 niggas in one year, tryna make the rest of them disappear" 1:53 Antoine "BT 🕊️" Rose08/22/2020BT was a very loved member from NLMM and 358Gang, he claimed both sets, he was also close to NLMB, one of the reasons he died. Even though NLMB and 358Gang are opps, as i said in my previous parts, NLMM was always a set focusing on money, they was never known to slide like that, so that's probably why he was close to NLMB and cool with NLMB opps, 358Gang. BT also appeared on the Maurice show. I think everyone knows that Fa Fa Fa straight up said they killed BT, so why they killed him? Well even though BT was not involved in their beef, it doesn't matter, he was close to NLMB and 358Gang killed Mook 🕊️ in 2019, so DeathRow got their getback for him. I don't think BT was the specific target because the shooting occured in TheBush 👑🦁 territory, which are opps to DeathRow. BT was shot in the head and in the abdomen, CPD pronounced him dead at the scene, a 32 year old man was also shot in the abdomen and in the leg, he was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Sean "Cello Da Shoota 🕊️" Wilson09/07/2020There was a lot of back and forth between NoGood and NLMB, mainly because NLMB killed Montae 🕊️ and it was forever stuck there, even though NoGood and NLMB are old opps, that beef was really inactive compared to Lakeside for example, but this all changed when Montae was killed, Montae was very loved by NoGood and like Jeff Fort said "there is not going to be any killing without killing" Cello was not really a main face from NLMB, he was from the NoLimit clique but his original hood was JBG 🔱 also known as MoneGang. Cello was driving with someone else in the car in NoGood ⭐️✊🏿 hood, Jay Savage and Deonte 🔒 fired shots and the person in the backseat fired back, hitting one of them in the forearm, Cello was hit in the neck and died at the hospital, the other person was listed in good condition after being shot in his thigh, he has a license to carry his gun. Jay Savage and Deonte were both charged with his murder, both were from NoGood and close to Montae. Deshawn "Jeezy Snow 🕊️" Fletcher10/15/2020Jeezy was in ABK 4️⃣🍸⭐️✊🏿🔱 hood driving his car when Mally 🔒 opened fire from the sunroof of a silver Chrysler 300, he was shot multiple times in the head, neck and upper torso, he died at the hospital two days later. There is a lot of contradiction of the car used in the murder, what we know for sure is that Mally shot from the sunroof. Mally also searched the murder on google to see if Jeezy died. This was a a crazy hit for many reasons, one of them is that Lil Wet was driving the car, Lil Wet did this two months after he beat his quadruple murder case, the case is complicated but to this day Mally is still locked up for it. The full foia if you want to read more, from what i know the case is very strong against Mally but let's be real, Lil Wet beat a quadruple murder, everything is possible in Chicago, so i won't be surprised if he is beating it. Lil Wet also hinted in his song "Nun Stop" about the hit, the music video was deleted or made private, but the audio version is still up. "Gotta ride for my gang, Steph got the wheel, Lil Mally might come out the roof " 0:44 Jeezy was actually very close to DoggPound 🅱️, you can see him around them in old videos and i think he was related to some members from there too, i am not sure if he was claiming DoggPound at one point but members from there still say rip to him, again it doesn't mean every DoggPound member was close to him. It is a complicated situation but this was another getback NLMB got for Capo, a top member from MTG 079 and very loved. Gregory "Lil Greg 🕊️" Jackson III01/28/2021The death that started all and guess what caused this? Well if you didn't guess it, it was a bitch, Lil Greg 🕊️ got into his feelings because BoBo 🕊️ was messing with a girl that he liked so when Lil Greg saw him, he tried to get the green light from other members to come and kill him right there, allegedly NLMB told him BoBo is not an opp and that he is staying out of the way, Lil Greg tried to call other members but it was too late. PocketTown members got the drop from BoBo and went to kill Lil Greg who was in a barbershop far away from EastSide, Lil Don 🔒 walked up to him and shot Lil Greg in the face inside the barbershop, he was pronounced dead shortly after at the hospital, CK was actually charged because they found him in the same car that was used in the murder, he stayed solid and beat the case, CK was the one driving. Lil Greg was a very loved member from NLMB and a main face from there, he was from the MuskegonBoyz clique but very close to G Herbo and even celebrities like 21 Savage paid respects to him, he was respected because he was a trapper making money from drugs to raise his kids, his death hurt a lot of people and you could say that his death made "DrenchGang" more famous because the getback was huge in terms of impact on the media, i am of course speaking about KTS Dre, his death was international news because of the way he died + Killa Spook, we will get later to them. "Me and Gregg was sharin' clothes, but we weren't really bros" 0:18 "Lil Greg died, that started some shit, but how many checked after broski got hit?" 0:36 he is also upping 4 fingers, which is probably a reference to Killa Spook, KTS Dre, BoBo and probably Lil Don from PaxTown. Moowop 🔒 also confirmed 3 opps died for Lil Greg, again most likely a reference to Killa Spook, KTS Dre and BoBo. Lil Don was also shot multiple times but he survived NLMB was hurt but the opps were dissing Lil Greg hard, especially Lil Don: Lil Don called Lil Greg biggest score of 2021 This started a new bloody war in the EastSide which caused a lot of damage, members getting locked up, members getting killed, members getting shot and so on, PocketTown was also unlucky to get hit with a "RICO" and most of their top members got locked up, there is barely any main faces out there besides Denny G and Lil Ant, they also have internal beef now. The indictment also mentions they found the gun which was used in Lil Greg murder, the whole situation was fucked up for PocketTown, they lost like 10 members to this indictment + Lil Don got locked up + internal beef, the whole hood was hit hard by this indictment and a lot of "snitching" rumours are in the air. The members who got locked up are Lil Rah 🔒, EJ(he was released), Rello 🔒, Dreski 🔒 MT Larry🔒 who actually shot back when Spook died, Corey Got Clout 🔒, PacMigo 🔒, Dwight 🔒 and DreadHead Larry 🔒 Dante "Killa Spook 🕊️" Thomas03/26/2021Killa Spook was like a leader in PocketTown, he had a lot of respect and his name says it all "Killa Spook" it's not a name you earn for doing nothing, he was a known killer who did a lot for PocketTown, him and KTS Von 🕊️ went to slide on Lamron in the past, he was very active, him and Denny G were sliding on SirconnCity as well. Spook 🕊️ was partying with a lot of members inside StainCity🔱⭐️✊🏿 hood, it was a party for their fallen member KDawg 🕊️ who was killed sliding on SirconnCity in 2020, two shooters(this might be PocketTown shooting back but i personally think those are the offenders), NLMB and GME got the drop from a bitch and shot the whole party up, Killa Spook was shot by a stray bullet through a window, he was pronounced dead at the scene, Lord was shot in the head and he was taken to the hospital in critical condition, Denny G was taken to the hospital in critical condition and he recovered after some time, other members got shot as well but it was nothing serious like the ones i mentioned above. Right after the party got shot up, PocketTown went to slide on NLMB and hit someone in the leg, there are a lot of things that points NLMB for doing this hit but it is confirmed that GME was also involved, Lil B from GME was arrested by CPD with the car used in the murder, he was released because CPD didn't had proof that he did the murder. There are many names around Spook death, Faro, Lil Ro, Twino 🕊️, EMoe from GME, 7Moe 🕊️ from GME, it is not known exactly who killed Spook but it is hard to tell, what should be confirmed for sure is that it was a NLMB/GME hit, even CPD and FBI believes that. In case you guys don't know, FBI was trying to build a RICO but their main suspect Max 🕊️ was killed, so i think the case is really not that strong anymore. I do think FBI is monitoring what is going on between NLMB and PocketTown now. PocketTown was hurt to the core by his death, NLMB and GME were dissing like crazy and celebrating Lil Greg a lot, it's a lot of disses that i am sure most of you saw, if you want way more details, watch CH88 video. Londre "KTS Dre 🕊️" Sylvester07/10/2021Dre was getting out of prison after his fiancee paid his $5,000 bond on Friday, for some reason Dre decided to leave only on Saturday, what Dre didn't knew is that his decision will cost him his life and potentially the life of two other innocent females. Dre was shot around 64 times by multiple shooters from two different vehicles far away from EastSide in every side of his body, a 60 year old female was shot in the knee and a 35 year old female suffered a graze to her mouth while walking by, both were taken to the hospital in good condition. Dre was DOA and his death will have a huge impact in the streets, after his death the president of America, Joe Biden, was forced to do a meeting to slow the violence in Chicago, this was because his death had an immense impact in the international news because of the way that he died. I would leave in the comments a list of some the countries news speaking about KTS Dre, because it would take too much space in the post. Dre was an upcoming rapper in the drill scene, his most famous song being a feature with Rio called "NLMBK Pt. 2" but in the drill scene he mostly became known for punching Kyro, one of the many reasons Kyro diss him a lot. Dre was very active in the streets before his death, he did a lot of dirt and a lot of his opps wanted him gone. Dre was also suspected by CPD for killing Magic 🕊️ in 2019. He was originally from LakeSide but he started to claim PocketTown after the death of his brother in 2015, he is what people believe Von was, don't get me wrong, Von was active in the streets but Dre was something else. I heard many names around Dre death, Faro, the DrenchGang Twins, Moowop, Kyro, Lil Hot, honestly i am not sure who killed Dre but NLMB and even PocketTown/LakeSide made it known who did it on social media. Faro being pretty clear that this was a getback for Lil Greg. Losing so many people in such a short time affected PocketTown in many ways, a lot of them decided to step down because when shit gets real, you need to think about your life too, most of them have families, it might be a coward way but can you blame them? 10 members locked up for indictment, 9 top members killed between 2020-2022, Denny G was almost killed, Meechie was almost killed, Lil Don got locked up, Lil Art barely survived after being shot 20 times, Lord was left in critical condition, this is the worst period for PocketTown and Lil Don also confirmed that his people are scared and he only got four guys who are willing to slide. Sadly the ones who will suffer the most is the family, his mom was devastated that she can't even give him a proper funeral because of the way that he died. Christopher "Gucci 🕊️" Daniels08/05/2021Gucci was near the sidewalk in GhettoWorld 4️⃣🍸 hood when a vehicle passed by and someone fired shots at him, he was shot in the chest and he was pronounced dead at the hospital. This is one month after Dre was killed, Gucci was a member from the MuskegonBoyz clique, i didn't saw PocketTown or LakeSide celebrating anything, in fact they still say "getback got no date" for Spook and Dre, it might be other opps that NLMB have, remember NLMB beefs with 30+ sets, it could also be personal beef, mistaken identity and so on. Felder "Stro Dolla 🕊️" Tatum Jr.08/15/2021Stro Dolla was with a group of people inside GottiWorld 🔱 hood when someone opened and hit him in the chest, he was pronounced dead at the hospital, a 34 year old woman was also shot in the leg, she was taken to the hospital in good condition. Again i don't think he was the target but who knows, i didn't saw any opps celebrating, Stro Dolla was claiming NLMM but he was close to NLMB.He was also close to BT 🕊️ who was killed in 2020 by DeathRow, he was also a rapper, most likely Stro Dolla was just at the wrong time, wrong place, to my knowledge GottiWorld and NLMM or NLMB don't have beef. GottiWorld are actually opps to PocketTown. |
2023.06.04 14:59 Danklyy The second Rayne administration: my headcanon for a second term in office (Chapter 1, part 2)
This is my headcanon for the events following Suzerain as the game played out in my (communist) playthrough:
Disclaimer 1: This obviously includes many spoilers from the game.
Disclaimer 2: This story is written with storytelling and lore at the forefront, not necessarily gameplay accuracy.
Disclaimer 3: This is only the first chapter (and backstory) of this headcanon story/fanfic/whatever you want to call it. I want to write more, but would like to see what people in the Suzerain community think about the writing so far and if they’d like to see more of it. :)
(Part 1 is on my page if you cannot find it elsewhere)
“Thank you for your trust in me Serge. It truly means a lot.” Serge smiled through the rear-view mirror once more before replying “Thank you Mr. President for setting such a great example for the people of this nation.” Anton knew it would be impossible to beat Serge in a humility contest, so he conceded with his usual reply “You are too kind, Serge.” Before long they were off, and it didn’t take them as long as they’d thought to get back to the hill of pride, as the traffic had wound down along with the day. As the car headed up the long and winding road that led to the maroon palace through capitol park Anton noticed the palace gates were open and the driveway was filled with journalists, as opposed to the politicians and oligarchs usually present at the previous inauguration events. As Serge entered the car into the driveway, the journalists made way for the car to park next to the small row of black sedans and limos that had brought the rest of the night’s dinner guests to the palace.
Serge quickly stopped the engine and exited the car to open Anton’s door. As he did so, Anton was met with the now familiar camera flashes and the sounds of journalists speaking over each other to the point of near incomprehension. “Mr. President” started a young woman in a sharp azure pantsuit, holding a microphone up to the President’s lips. “There have been a lot of concerns voiced by the opposition after you used the phrase ‘Sordish Revolution’ at your rally. Is the opposition correct that this is an indication of political violence being endorsed by the presidency?” Anton noticed the ‘Lachaven Times’ label on the woman’s microphone before replying to her question. “No. Revolution does not mean violence. Revolution means that this country has problems, and we need radical and rapid change to address those issues.”
“Mr. President, one more question. This revolution outburst, as well as your administration’s close association with communism and United Contana, has brought fear to the hearts of many business owners in Sordland. Do you plan to completely nationalise our nation’s economy, and will business owners be compensated for the loss of the fruits of their labour? Anton briefly chuckled before opening his mouth to reply. Before he could do so however, he saw a hand cover the woman’s microphone. “The President will not be answering any more questions as of now.” Ranye looked left and saw his newly appointed Vice President, Lucian, looking as stern as ever. He took his other hand on Anton’s back, leading him away from the flock of journalists, into the maroon palace.
As they moved inside, there were still a large amount of journalists, although not as many as there were outside. These journalists however, knew better than to try and approach the President, as Lucian’s glare was warning enough. “It’s good to have you here Mr. President. We’ve already set up everything in the dining room upstairs, both for the dinner itself and the televising of the event. Your wife insisted on waiting on you in your office. It would be good for the press to be able to get pictures of you two together, so I would advise you to go get her so you can welcome the dinner guests together.” Anton now noticed his Vice President was wearing a tuxedo, as were many of the male journalists and camera crew. “Knowing you, there is already a tuxedo in my office as well.” Lucian nodded. “Thank you. I’ll go get ready.”
As the President and Vice President separated, it did not take long before Anton found himself in conversation again, while on his way to his office. This time with the director of the Sordish Radio and Television Supreme Council that Anton had founded during his first administration. In fact this was Anton’s first time meeting the director of the council, as Lucian was the one who appointed him. “Mr. President, it’s an honour to meet you. Damien Ves, at your service.” The stocky and wide man grabbed Anton’s hand and shook it. “It’s a pleasure to finally be able to meet with you Mr. Ves. Lucian told me you’d be in charge of today’s broadcast.” Anton began to increase his pace, which Damien attempted to duplicate. “Yes, it's all very exciting. It will be like you’re having dinner with the entire country! This new technology is amazing!”
“Yes, truly amazing. If you’ll excuse me I have to go get ready. It was nice meeting you.” Anton entered his office and closed the door with a sigh. Before being able to look around the room, he was ambushed by a hug from his daughter Deana. “Papa! You’re finally here!” Anton looked down at his daughter, who looked tired from the eventful day. “How did you like the rally sweetheart?” asked Anton as he got down on one knee to be eye-level with Deana. “There were so many people! Mama talked to so many of them. She talked a lot about exploitation. What is exploitation Papa?”
Before Anton could think of how he was going to explain that to his daughter, Monica came up behind her and picked her up. “Alright, let your papa at least get inside properly before you start asking him harder questions than the journalists outside.” Anton followed his wife into the room as she plopped down Deana on the couch. Only then was he able to see how beautiful his wife looked in her elegant scarlet dress. The only thing he could fathom doing was kissing her, and as he did, she pulled away. “Later. Now you have to get ready. It’s nearly seven.” Before going to the bathroom in his office to change, Anton took a last look at his wife as she started doing Deana’s hair. “You look absolutely gorgeous, honey.” Monica gave her husband a warm smile and a wink back as a reply.
Anton entered the office bathroom, where a tuxedo hung from the door on a hanger. It looked old, yet well-maintained. Its white bowtie and waistcoat, coupled with a long tailcoat reminded Anton of the similar suits worn by the wealthiest students during his time at university in the 1920s. As he put on the tuxedo and started adjusting it, he found a note in the left-hand pocket on the tailcoat.
It read “Anton, as you read this, getting ready for the start of your next term, know that the people of Sordland have reaffirmed their trust in you, and it is your duty to not let them down. This suit belonged to my father, and he used it for events just like the one you’re about to go to all the time when he was president. When he fell, Sordland became cursed with two despots, who ignored the cries of the weak. I believe that you have the power to break that curse, as evident by your first term. I believe that you are the only one who might be able to stop this curse now. But only if you keep true to yourself and your ideals, don’t let the world of politics suck you in too much. Don’t forget that you are where you are to serve the people. Not the powerful, but the weak. Good luck my old student and good friend. -Deivid Wisci.”
Anton had very fond memories of his mentor Deivid Wisci, both as his professor, and as his minister of foreign affairs. The day he retired was a sad day for Sordland. Although he definitely deserved a retirement, after all the good he had done, Anton thought to himself. He put the note back in his pocket and adjusted his bowtie for the final time. Before leaving the bathroom however, he remembered to take the pocket watch he was gifted by Serge from the breast-pocket of his usual attire. He placed it in the breast-pocket of his new tailcoat, slicked back his jet black hair, and headed out of the bathroom. “Ready?” Monica and Deana were sitting on the couch patiently waiting. “Yes, let’s go.” Anton reached out his hand to escort Monica out. As she put her hand into his, he kissed her hand before the pair proceeded out of the office along with Deana.
The Rayne family made their way into the maroon palace’s dining room, where the camera crew had already started filming. Anton and his family took their place in the lounge area that decorated the backdrop for the dining table, where the Rayne cabinet slowly started to assemble to be welcomed by Anton and Monica. First was Lucian who, to nobody’s surprise, came alone. He came up to Anton and shook his hand, followed by that of Monica’s, while Deana tried to hide slightly behind her mother. Lucian took his seat in the lounge, making sure to sit as close to Anton as he could.
He was soon followed by the equally lonesome minister of defence, Iosef Lancea. Unlike nearly every man present in the maroon palace however, Iosef came in his regular military attire, as opposed to a tuxedo, or even a regular suit. Although Anton was unsure, he might’ve added a few medals to his uniform for the occasion. He saluted the President and First Lady, to which Anton replied with an adequate, but not nearly as impressive salute. He took his seat next to Lucian, and they started the obligatory small-talk that was expected of them as dinner guests.
At last came the minister of agriculture, Gus Manger, who was accompanied by his wife and son. They walked up to the President’s family, where Gus proceeded to shake Monica’s hand, while his wife greeted Anton. They then switched places, and Anton welcomed Gus and his family to the palace, and to the dinner. Gus then took his seat beside Iosef, promptly followed by his wife and son. Anton didn’t know much about Gus’ family, however his son somewhat reminded him of Franc, albeit a few years younger. The boy didn’t seem that excited to be here, understandably enough. It seemed as though Monica had noticed the same thing, as she faintly pulled on her husband’s arm, gesturing to him to lead everyone to their seats at the table.
As he was about to do just that, the doors to the eastern wing of the room swung open one more time. It was Ciara. She was wearing an off-white dress, surprisingly similar in shade to the bathrobe she’d worn earlier today, though obviously much more classy. Monica gave Anton’s hand a slight squeeze as she noticed her friend. Anton looked towards a smiling Monica, and gave her a grin back. “You managed to get her to rejoin your cabinet?” Anton smiled even wider “It was a hard task, but I think you had a lot to do with it.” Ciara walked up to Monica and shook her hand, bowing slightly as she did it. She turned to Anton and shook his hand, though not with as much vigour as with Monica. “Mr. President.” “Ms. Walda. Welcome.”
When the rest of the guests noticed Ciara, Iosef flung up out of his seat, looking positively resentful. “What is she doing here? Didn’t you resign you-” Lucian quickly got out of his seat and put his hand on Iosef’s shoulder, or at least as far as he could get to the shoulder of the colossal man. Iosef turned his head sharply and scowled at Lucian, prompting him to remove his hand and gesture to Damien, who was behind the camera, making sure our conversation was out of range for the camera to pick up on. Iosef turned to Anton “Mr. President, with all due respect, did you really invite this woman back to your cabinet after her treacherous resignation?!” Anton had noticed the tension between Iosef and Ciara the few times they’d been in the same room together, and it was clear they were good at pressing each other’s buttons, intentionally or not. Iosef must’ve been glad when she resigned. For her to come back unannounced must’ve been seen as a big middle finger to not just Iosef, but Lucian as well, as Anton hadn’t discussed it with him either. But Lucian, unlike Iosef, knew how to act like a politician, and wouldn’t risk his career for a televised outburst.
“Iosef, with all due respect, I am your superior. We need people in our cabinet, and may I remind you that this event is currently being televised.” Anton stared at Iosef in a way he’d never done before. It was actually quite satisfying for Anton to be able to speak to Iosef like that, as he had real experience on how Iosef treated his subordinates from his time in the army. Iosef mumbled something before speaking up “Of course Mr. President. I am sorry.” Anton could actually see Iosef’s eye visibly twitch as he mouthed that last part. “Good, then we’ll be seated. Follow me everyone, right this way.” President Rayne led the dinner guests towards the table, where Deana and Gus’ son were seated first, followed by Ciara, Monica and Gus’ wife, the two latter of whom were seated by their husbands respectively. After which the rest of the cabinet, along with Anton took their seats.
The camera panned to look directly at Anton, who would deliver his post-inauguration speech to the nation. “Brothers and sisters, today has been a great day, not just for myself, not just for the USP, but for our nation. You have reaffirmed your support for me as your President, as a conduit for the will of the people. In doing so you have reaffirmed your trust in our nation, our collective passion to make the lives of others better. Because that is what a nation is. A nation is a band of people who share a home, and who are passionate enough to help each other and push each other forward to greater things. It is a sentiment to collectivism and what we can accomplish when we band together and fight for each other, with compassion and solidarity. That is what we are, we are brothers and sisters. No matter if you are a sord or blud, man or woman, eight or eighty. If you live in Sordland, your neighbours are your brothers and sisters, together you hold this nation on your backs through your trust and your belief that together we can make the world a better place. United we stand, divided we fall. A Morgna wes core, vectern sis da!”
The camera panned away from Anton’s face but continued filming the dining table. Everyone seated applauded Anton’s speech. He raised his wine glass, which had already been filled prior to everyone being seated. “I’d also like to raise a toast. To Bernard Circas. We sit here, on the four year anniversary of the tragic end of his great life. His words moved millions, and continue to move millions more after his death. He inspired love, compassion and hope. He dreamed of a better Sordland, one where we were free of exploitation and united in proletarian solidarity.” There were mixed reactions across the table, but mainly looks of disagreement. Anton continued nonetheless. “Bernard was killed for his beliefs. After a long investigation the main culprits are finally behind bars, but this does not solve the deeper issue. Fascism. The scourge that kept Bernard’s dream from being realised is what killed him, and he will have died in vain if we do not take that threat seriously, and do what we can to rid this country of the fascism that wants to tear it apart. It was only Bernard who would have the words to give us the hope we need, but while he is gone, his spirit remains, and it remains to give us the willpower we need to do what we can to make sure nothing like what happened four years ago ever happens again. To Bernard, our only strength is the will to survive.”
After Anton finished he took a sip of his bitter wine and sat the glass back down, followed by everyone else. Iosef mumbled something again, but as Anton briefly looked towards Damien, it looked like the speech, and following toast, had been a hit with him and the rest of the camera crew. “Well said Mr. President '' said Lucian, before taking another sip of his wine. A moment later, the chef, a tall and lanky young man, came out followed by servers bearing plates of food. “For the first course we have prepared…” The next few hours flew by as Anton was bored senseless by the conversations, or lack thereof, between the “strictly-work-talk” Vice President, traditionalist minister of defence, radical minister of education, and anrican capitalist minister of agriculture. After hours of dull conversation and several courses, all representing a different region of Sordland, the dinner was finally over and the broadcast finished off with a speech from the first lady. Anton felt bad, being too tired to properly listen to Monica’s speech, although it seemed to have a similar effect on the guests as Anton’s speech did. As the applause following her speech died down, the broadcast was shut off, and nearly everyone in the room let out a sigh of relief, including Anton and Monica.
Anton stood up, and was followed by the rest of the table. The presidential couple bid farewell to their guests as nearly everyone left. As Anton, Monica and Deana were getting ready to go change and head home, Anton was approached by Damien who wanted to have a few words before leaving.
“It was a wonderful broadcast Mr. President!” he said with a fake enthusiasm. Damien knew the basics of political intrigue, but had yet to grasp the subtle art of lying convincingly. Anton simply replied “Thank you, Mr. Ves, you did very well yourself managing the production.'' Unlike Damien, Anton bore no attempt to show his lack of interest in the conversation, as he slowly started making his way out of the dining room area of the palace. “Thank you Mr. President, you honour me!.” he nervously paused for few seconds before continuing “Mr. President, would you please consider having a meeting with me later this week.” “Whenever you have the time!” blurted out the nervous, and now slightly sweaty, man. “I’d be glad to have a meeting with you Damien. In fact I was planning on having one with you anyway, to discuss the goals and strategies of the commission going forward.” Anton again started walking a bit faster, trying to get out of the conversations with the hippo-like man. “How does tuesday 9:30 sound?” Damien struggled to keep up with the President, making him sweat even more profusely as he panted out a reply “Wonderful! Great! Thank you Mr.Presdi..Ray..” He stopped for a second to catch his breath “Thank you Mr. President!” he shouted down the hallway as the President hurried back into his office.
“Why do such social events seem to drain me more than dull meetings about infrastructure development?” joked Anton as he walked into his office to greet his wife. “It wasn’t that bad, I had quite the interesting conversation with Ciara and Erica.” Anton looked confused for a moment before Monica elaborated. “Gus’ wife. Erica Manger.” She sat down on the couch next to a half asleep Deana. “Ah! And what did she have to say?” inquired Anton, loosening his bowtie as he said it. “She was surprisingly supportive of our participation in politics, considering she’s from Anrica, like Gus.” Anton sat next to his wife, wrapping his arm around her before answering. “Well not everyone in Anrica is exactly Curtan Leste. You know he’s been losing a lot of support in the city ever since his stunt in Benfi, interrupting your speech like that.” Monica looked out the window to the view of capitol park. “Still, even with the waning influence of the old guard, both him and Gloria Tory have become increasingly popular with the conservatives now that Soll, Graff, Hawker and the like are all in prison. They are still a real threat, now with even more concentrated support.” Anton stood up and walked over to the window, now looking at dusk settling over the park as well. “I know.” he paused for a second. “We still have a lot of work ahead of us.”
The couple stood there for a few minutes in silence, enjoying a peaceful moment together while contemplating the future. After a while, however, they decided they best head home for the day. They went into the office bathroom to get changed again. After doing so, Anton took his sleeping daughter in his arms and the three of them exited the maroon palace. They had stayed there so long that all the journalists had gotten tired of waiting for them and gone home. The courtyard of the palace was all but empty, aside from a few guards, and of course, the Rayne family’s loyal driver. Serge opened the backseat door for the family to get in the car, where they were able to relax for the long drive home in the quiet of the night.
The new Valgslandian presidential car was slowly making its way towards the presidential residence built during the Alphonso presidency. It was a modern home, inspired by the works of some Arcasian architects. While Anton certainly disagreed with Alphonso about a lot, and despised Arcasia, he had to admit it was a pretty nice home. As he sat in the car he dreamt about getting home and being able to jump into bed after such a long day, and from the looks of it, Monica was thinking about the same thing.
They were driving past a newly built secondary school, Circas Secondary, that was built as part of Anton and Ciara’s education program during the first term. Anton’s mind drifted from the architecture of his own home to the architecture of this school, and was suddenly filled with pride, being able to see the material results of his work as president. He was admiring the building’s large gymnasium when suddenly the white walls of the pristine building turned a fiery orange hue, followed by a loud “BANG!”. Before they could comprehend what had happened the car had been flipped on its head and the glass from the windows shattered. Deana immediately woke up in panic and started crying. Anton was able to get to her quickly, and shield her and Monica. They sat there together in the wreck of the car for what felt like minutes, not being able to move out of pure shock, before they heard a series of coughs followed by the voice of their driver “Anton, Monica, Deana. Are you okay?!” Anton managed to muster a response despite his distress. “I think so Serge. How about you?”
As he felt a hand grab him by the collar of his coat, Serge replied “Don’t worry about me, we need to get out of here!” Before Anton could respond he felt his collar tighten around his neck as he was slowly dragged out of the car wreck along with his wife and daughter. When they were all out of the car Anton opened his eyes to find he was lying on the pavement, looking up at Serge who was examining the family for any serious injuries. He then heard the sound of sirens in the distance, and noticed the night looked very bright. He looked to his right and saw the cause of this brightness, the school was on fire. At least what was left of the school. There was rubble everywhere, it had been blown to pieces. He looked back up at Serge, with the starry night sky behind him. Hints of flashing red and blue lights began to appear as Anton’s eyes began to shut and the night became darker. The previously clear voice of his driver became muffled, as he heard cars approaching and the sound of doors being shut. Before passing out, he felt someone lift him up and put his body onto something soft, followed by the sound of doors being shut again.
To be continued.
submitted by Danklyy to suzerain [link] [comments]
Disclaimer 1: This obviously includes many spoilers from the game.
Disclaimer 2: This story is written with storytelling and lore at the forefront, not necessarily gameplay accuracy.
Disclaimer 3: This is only the first chapter (and backstory) of this headcanon story/fanfic/whatever you want to call it. I want to write more, but would like to see what people in the Suzerain community think about the writing so far and if they’d like to see more of it. :)
(Part 1 is on my page if you cannot find it elsewhere)
Chapter 1: Inauguration Day (Continuation)
Serge had always been one for praise as long as Anton had known him, but it seemed to be out of sheer admiration and trust, unlike the usual political suck-up. It was definitely appreciated praise, but somewhat uncomfortable in a way, as Anton wasn’t used to such high praise from politicians, and was a little afraid all the compliments would bloat his ego. Though he rarely vocally disagreed with Serge’s remarks, as a president shouldn’t appear doubtful of their abilities. That was one of the many rules Anton had learned to follow as a president. He didn’t like it, yet it had still become almost second nature to him by now, something that also concerned him quite a bit.“Thank you for your trust in me Serge. It truly means a lot.” Serge smiled through the rear-view mirror once more before replying “Thank you Mr. President for setting such a great example for the people of this nation.” Anton knew it would be impossible to beat Serge in a humility contest, so he conceded with his usual reply “You are too kind, Serge.” Before long they were off, and it didn’t take them as long as they’d thought to get back to the hill of pride, as the traffic had wound down along with the day. As the car headed up the long and winding road that led to the maroon palace through capitol park Anton noticed the palace gates were open and the driveway was filled with journalists, as opposed to the politicians and oligarchs usually present at the previous inauguration events. As Serge entered the car into the driveway, the journalists made way for the car to park next to the small row of black sedans and limos that had brought the rest of the night’s dinner guests to the palace.
Serge quickly stopped the engine and exited the car to open Anton’s door. As he did so, Anton was met with the now familiar camera flashes and the sounds of journalists speaking over each other to the point of near incomprehension. “Mr. President” started a young woman in a sharp azure pantsuit, holding a microphone up to the President’s lips. “There have been a lot of concerns voiced by the opposition after you used the phrase ‘Sordish Revolution’ at your rally. Is the opposition correct that this is an indication of political violence being endorsed by the presidency?” Anton noticed the ‘Lachaven Times’ label on the woman’s microphone before replying to her question. “No. Revolution does not mean violence. Revolution means that this country has problems, and we need radical and rapid change to address those issues.”
“Mr. President, one more question. This revolution outburst, as well as your administration’s close association with communism and United Contana, has brought fear to the hearts of many business owners in Sordland. Do you plan to completely nationalise our nation’s economy, and will business owners be compensated for the loss of the fruits of their labour? Anton briefly chuckled before opening his mouth to reply. Before he could do so however, he saw a hand cover the woman’s microphone. “The President will not be answering any more questions as of now.” Ranye looked left and saw his newly appointed Vice President, Lucian, looking as stern as ever. He took his other hand on Anton’s back, leading him away from the flock of journalists, into the maroon palace.
As they moved inside, there were still a large amount of journalists, although not as many as there were outside. These journalists however, knew better than to try and approach the President, as Lucian’s glare was warning enough. “It’s good to have you here Mr. President. We’ve already set up everything in the dining room upstairs, both for the dinner itself and the televising of the event. Your wife insisted on waiting on you in your office. It would be good for the press to be able to get pictures of you two together, so I would advise you to go get her so you can welcome the dinner guests together.” Anton now noticed his Vice President was wearing a tuxedo, as were many of the male journalists and camera crew. “Knowing you, there is already a tuxedo in my office as well.” Lucian nodded. “Thank you. I’ll go get ready.”
As the President and Vice President separated, it did not take long before Anton found himself in conversation again, while on his way to his office. This time with the director of the Sordish Radio and Television Supreme Council that Anton had founded during his first administration. In fact this was Anton’s first time meeting the director of the council, as Lucian was the one who appointed him. “Mr. President, it’s an honour to meet you. Damien Ves, at your service.” The stocky and wide man grabbed Anton’s hand and shook it. “It’s a pleasure to finally be able to meet with you Mr. Ves. Lucian told me you’d be in charge of today’s broadcast.” Anton began to increase his pace, which Damien attempted to duplicate. “Yes, it's all very exciting. It will be like you’re having dinner with the entire country! This new technology is amazing!”
“Yes, truly amazing. If you’ll excuse me I have to go get ready. It was nice meeting you.” Anton entered his office and closed the door with a sigh. Before being able to look around the room, he was ambushed by a hug from his daughter Deana. “Papa! You’re finally here!” Anton looked down at his daughter, who looked tired from the eventful day. “How did you like the rally sweetheart?” asked Anton as he got down on one knee to be eye-level with Deana. “There were so many people! Mama talked to so many of them. She talked a lot about exploitation. What is exploitation Papa?”
Before Anton could think of how he was going to explain that to his daughter, Monica came up behind her and picked her up. “Alright, let your papa at least get inside properly before you start asking him harder questions than the journalists outside.” Anton followed his wife into the room as she plopped down Deana on the couch. Only then was he able to see how beautiful his wife looked in her elegant scarlet dress. The only thing he could fathom doing was kissing her, and as he did, she pulled away. “Later. Now you have to get ready. It’s nearly seven.” Before going to the bathroom in his office to change, Anton took a last look at his wife as she started doing Deana’s hair. “You look absolutely gorgeous, honey.” Monica gave her husband a warm smile and a wink back as a reply.
Anton entered the office bathroom, where a tuxedo hung from the door on a hanger. It looked old, yet well-maintained. Its white bowtie and waistcoat, coupled with a long tailcoat reminded Anton of the similar suits worn by the wealthiest students during his time at university in the 1920s. As he put on the tuxedo and started adjusting it, he found a note in the left-hand pocket on the tailcoat.
It read “Anton, as you read this, getting ready for the start of your next term, know that the people of Sordland have reaffirmed their trust in you, and it is your duty to not let them down. This suit belonged to my father, and he used it for events just like the one you’re about to go to all the time when he was president. When he fell, Sordland became cursed with two despots, who ignored the cries of the weak. I believe that you have the power to break that curse, as evident by your first term. I believe that you are the only one who might be able to stop this curse now. But only if you keep true to yourself and your ideals, don’t let the world of politics suck you in too much. Don’t forget that you are where you are to serve the people. Not the powerful, but the weak. Good luck my old student and good friend. -Deivid Wisci.”
Anton had very fond memories of his mentor Deivid Wisci, both as his professor, and as his minister of foreign affairs. The day he retired was a sad day for Sordland. Although he definitely deserved a retirement, after all the good he had done, Anton thought to himself. He put the note back in his pocket and adjusted his bowtie for the final time. Before leaving the bathroom however, he remembered to take the pocket watch he was gifted by Serge from the breast-pocket of his usual attire. He placed it in the breast-pocket of his new tailcoat, slicked back his jet black hair, and headed out of the bathroom. “Ready?” Monica and Deana were sitting on the couch patiently waiting. “Yes, let’s go.” Anton reached out his hand to escort Monica out. As she put her hand into his, he kissed her hand before the pair proceeded out of the office along with Deana.
The Rayne family made their way into the maroon palace’s dining room, where the camera crew had already started filming. Anton and his family took their place in the lounge area that decorated the backdrop for the dining table, where the Rayne cabinet slowly started to assemble to be welcomed by Anton and Monica. First was Lucian who, to nobody’s surprise, came alone. He came up to Anton and shook his hand, followed by that of Monica’s, while Deana tried to hide slightly behind her mother. Lucian took his seat in the lounge, making sure to sit as close to Anton as he could.
He was soon followed by the equally lonesome minister of defence, Iosef Lancea. Unlike nearly every man present in the maroon palace however, Iosef came in his regular military attire, as opposed to a tuxedo, or even a regular suit. Although Anton was unsure, he might’ve added a few medals to his uniform for the occasion. He saluted the President and First Lady, to which Anton replied with an adequate, but not nearly as impressive salute. He took his seat next to Lucian, and they started the obligatory small-talk that was expected of them as dinner guests.
At last came the minister of agriculture, Gus Manger, who was accompanied by his wife and son. They walked up to the President’s family, where Gus proceeded to shake Monica’s hand, while his wife greeted Anton. They then switched places, and Anton welcomed Gus and his family to the palace, and to the dinner. Gus then took his seat beside Iosef, promptly followed by his wife and son. Anton didn’t know much about Gus’ family, however his son somewhat reminded him of Franc, albeit a few years younger. The boy didn’t seem that excited to be here, understandably enough. It seemed as though Monica had noticed the same thing, as she faintly pulled on her husband’s arm, gesturing to him to lead everyone to their seats at the table.
As he was about to do just that, the doors to the eastern wing of the room swung open one more time. It was Ciara. She was wearing an off-white dress, surprisingly similar in shade to the bathrobe she’d worn earlier today, though obviously much more classy. Monica gave Anton’s hand a slight squeeze as she noticed her friend. Anton looked towards a smiling Monica, and gave her a grin back. “You managed to get her to rejoin your cabinet?” Anton smiled even wider “It was a hard task, but I think you had a lot to do with it.” Ciara walked up to Monica and shook her hand, bowing slightly as she did it. She turned to Anton and shook his hand, though not with as much vigour as with Monica. “Mr. President.” “Ms. Walda. Welcome.”
When the rest of the guests noticed Ciara, Iosef flung up out of his seat, looking positively resentful. “What is she doing here? Didn’t you resign you-” Lucian quickly got out of his seat and put his hand on Iosef’s shoulder, or at least as far as he could get to the shoulder of the colossal man. Iosef turned his head sharply and scowled at Lucian, prompting him to remove his hand and gesture to Damien, who was behind the camera, making sure our conversation was out of range for the camera to pick up on. Iosef turned to Anton “Mr. President, with all due respect, did you really invite this woman back to your cabinet after her treacherous resignation?!” Anton had noticed the tension between Iosef and Ciara the few times they’d been in the same room together, and it was clear they were good at pressing each other’s buttons, intentionally or not. Iosef must’ve been glad when she resigned. For her to come back unannounced must’ve been seen as a big middle finger to not just Iosef, but Lucian as well, as Anton hadn’t discussed it with him either. But Lucian, unlike Iosef, knew how to act like a politician, and wouldn’t risk his career for a televised outburst.
“Iosef, with all due respect, I am your superior. We need people in our cabinet, and may I remind you that this event is currently being televised.” Anton stared at Iosef in a way he’d never done before. It was actually quite satisfying for Anton to be able to speak to Iosef like that, as he had real experience on how Iosef treated his subordinates from his time in the army. Iosef mumbled something before speaking up “Of course Mr. President. I am sorry.” Anton could actually see Iosef’s eye visibly twitch as he mouthed that last part. “Good, then we’ll be seated. Follow me everyone, right this way.” President Rayne led the dinner guests towards the table, where Deana and Gus’ son were seated first, followed by Ciara, Monica and Gus’ wife, the two latter of whom were seated by their husbands respectively. After which the rest of the cabinet, along with Anton took their seats.
The camera panned to look directly at Anton, who would deliver his post-inauguration speech to the nation. “Brothers and sisters, today has been a great day, not just for myself, not just for the USP, but for our nation. You have reaffirmed your support for me as your President, as a conduit for the will of the people. In doing so you have reaffirmed your trust in our nation, our collective passion to make the lives of others better. Because that is what a nation is. A nation is a band of people who share a home, and who are passionate enough to help each other and push each other forward to greater things. It is a sentiment to collectivism and what we can accomplish when we band together and fight for each other, with compassion and solidarity. That is what we are, we are brothers and sisters. No matter if you are a sord or blud, man or woman, eight or eighty. If you live in Sordland, your neighbours are your brothers and sisters, together you hold this nation on your backs through your trust and your belief that together we can make the world a better place. United we stand, divided we fall. A Morgna wes core, vectern sis da!”
The camera panned away from Anton’s face but continued filming the dining table. Everyone seated applauded Anton’s speech. He raised his wine glass, which had already been filled prior to everyone being seated. “I’d also like to raise a toast. To Bernard Circas. We sit here, on the four year anniversary of the tragic end of his great life. His words moved millions, and continue to move millions more after his death. He inspired love, compassion and hope. He dreamed of a better Sordland, one where we were free of exploitation and united in proletarian solidarity.” There were mixed reactions across the table, but mainly looks of disagreement. Anton continued nonetheless. “Bernard was killed for his beliefs. After a long investigation the main culprits are finally behind bars, but this does not solve the deeper issue. Fascism. The scourge that kept Bernard’s dream from being realised is what killed him, and he will have died in vain if we do not take that threat seriously, and do what we can to rid this country of the fascism that wants to tear it apart. It was only Bernard who would have the words to give us the hope we need, but while he is gone, his spirit remains, and it remains to give us the willpower we need to do what we can to make sure nothing like what happened four years ago ever happens again. To Bernard, our only strength is the will to survive.”
After Anton finished he took a sip of his bitter wine and sat the glass back down, followed by everyone else. Iosef mumbled something again, but as Anton briefly looked towards Damien, it looked like the speech, and following toast, had been a hit with him and the rest of the camera crew. “Well said Mr. President '' said Lucian, before taking another sip of his wine. A moment later, the chef, a tall and lanky young man, came out followed by servers bearing plates of food. “For the first course we have prepared…” The next few hours flew by as Anton was bored senseless by the conversations, or lack thereof, between the “strictly-work-talk” Vice President, traditionalist minister of defence, radical minister of education, and anrican capitalist minister of agriculture. After hours of dull conversation and several courses, all representing a different region of Sordland, the dinner was finally over and the broadcast finished off with a speech from the first lady. Anton felt bad, being too tired to properly listen to Monica’s speech, although it seemed to have a similar effect on the guests as Anton’s speech did. As the applause following her speech died down, the broadcast was shut off, and nearly everyone in the room let out a sigh of relief, including Anton and Monica.
Anton stood up, and was followed by the rest of the table. The presidential couple bid farewell to their guests as nearly everyone left. As Anton, Monica and Deana were getting ready to go change and head home, Anton was approached by Damien who wanted to have a few words before leaving.
“It was a wonderful broadcast Mr. President!” he said with a fake enthusiasm. Damien knew the basics of political intrigue, but had yet to grasp the subtle art of lying convincingly. Anton simply replied “Thank you, Mr. Ves, you did very well yourself managing the production.'' Unlike Damien, Anton bore no attempt to show his lack of interest in the conversation, as he slowly started making his way out of the dining room area of the palace. “Thank you Mr. President, you honour me!.” he nervously paused for few seconds before continuing “Mr. President, would you please consider having a meeting with me later this week.” “Whenever you have the time!” blurted out the nervous, and now slightly sweaty, man. “I’d be glad to have a meeting with you Damien. In fact I was planning on having one with you anyway, to discuss the goals and strategies of the commission going forward.” Anton again started walking a bit faster, trying to get out of the conversations with the hippo-like man. “How does tuesday 9:30 sound?” Damien struggled to keep up with the President, making him sweat even more profusely as he panted out a reply “Wonderful! Great! Thank you Mr.Presdi..Ray..” He stopped for a second to catch his breath “Thank you Mr. President!” he shouted down the hallway as the President hurried back into his office.
“Why do such social events seem to drain me more than dull meetings about infrastructure development?” joked Anton as he walked into his office to greet his wife. “It wasn’t that bad, I had quite the interesting conversation with Ciara and Erica.” Anton looked confused for a moment before Monica elaborated. “Gus’ wife. Erica Manger.” She sat down on the couch next to a half asleep Deana. “Ah! And what did she have to say?” inquired Anton, loosening his bowtie as he said it. “She was surprisingly supportive of our participation in politics, considering she’s from Anrica, like Gus.” Anton sat next to his wife, wrapping his arm around her before answering. “Well not everyone in Anrica is exactly Curtan Leste. You know he’s been losing a lot of support in the city ever since his stunt in Benfi, interrupting your speech like that.” Monica looked out the window to the view of capitol park. “Still, even with the waning influence of the old guard, both him and Gloria Tory have become increasingly popular with the conservatives now that Soll, Graff, Hawker and the like are all in prison. They are still a real threat, now with even more concentrated support.” Anton stood up and walked over to the window, now looking at dusk settling over the park as well. “I know.” he paused for a second. “We still have a lot of work ahead of us.”
The couple stood there for a few minutes in silence, enjoying a peaceful moment together while contemplating the future. After a while, however, they decided they best head home for the day. They went into the office bathroom to get changed again. After doing so, Anton took his sleeping daughter in his arms and the three of them exited the maroon palace. They had stayed there so long that all the journalists had gotten tired of waiting for them and gone home. The courtyard of the palace was all but empty, aside from a few guards, and of course, the Rayne family’s loyal driver. Serge opened the backseat door for the family to get in the car, where they were able to relax for the long drive home in the quiet of the night.
The new Valgslandian presidential car was slowly making its way towards the presidential residence built during the Alphonso presidency. It was a modern home, inspired by the works of some Arcasian architects. While Anton certainly disagreed with Alphonso about a lot, and despised Arcasia, he had to admit it was a pretty nice home. As he sat in the car he dreamt about getting home and being able to jump into bed after such a long day, and from the looks of it, Monica was thinking about the same thing.
They were driving past a newly built secondary school, Circas Secondary, that was built as part of Anton and Ciara’s education program during the first term. Anton’s mind drifted from the architecture of his own home to the architecture of this school, and was suddenly filled with pride, being able to see the material results of his work as president. He was admiring the building’s large gymnasium when suddenly the white walls of the pristine building turned a fiery orange hue, followed by a loud “BANG!”. Before they could comprehend what had happened the car had been flipped on its head and the glass from the windows shattered. Deana immediately woke up in panic and started crying. Anton was able to get to her quickly, and shield her and Monica. They sat there together in the wreck of the car for what felt like minutes, not being able to move out of pure shock, before they heard a series of coughs followed by the voice of their driver “Anton, Monica, Deana. Are you okay?!” Anton managed to muster a response despite his distress. “I think so Serge. How about you?”
As he felt a hand grab him by the collar of his coat, Serge replied “Don’t worry about me, we need to get out of here!” Before Anton could respond he felt his collar tighten around his neck as he was slowly dragged out of the car wreck along with his wife and daughter. When they were all out of the car Anton opened his eyes to find he was lying on the pavement, looking up at Serge who was examining the family for any serious injuries. He then heard the sound of sirens in the distance, and noticed the night looked very bright. He looked to his right and saw the cause of this brightness, the school was on fire. At least what was left of the school. There was rubble everywhere, it had been blown to pieces. He looked back up at Serge, with the starry night sky behind him. Hints of flashing red and blue lights began to appear as Anton’s eyes began to shut and the night became darker. The previously clear voice of his driver became muffled, as he heard cars approaching and the sound of doors being shut. Before passing out, he felt someone lift him up and put his body onto something soft, followed by the sound of doors being shut again.
To be continued.
2023.06.04 14:56 Danklyy The second Rayne administration: my headcanon for a second term in office (Chapter 1, part 1)
This is my headcanon for the events following Suzerain as the game played out in my (communist) playthrough:
Disclaimer 1: This obviously includes many spoilers from the game.
Disclaimer 2: This story is written with storytelling and lore at the forefront, not necessarily gameplay accuracy.
(Part 2 is on my page if you can't find it elsewhere)
Disclaimer 3: This is only the first chapter (and backstory) of this headcanon story/fanfic/whatever you want to call it. I want to write more, but would like to see what people in the Suzerain community think about the writing so far and if they’d like to see more of it. :)
Background:
Anton Rayne got elected President of Sordland in his first term by promising progress and an end to the recession. In his term, he managed to fulfill these promises and more.
He ended the recession through several economic programs including an infrastructure program that included the building of a highway in Agnland, the distribution of stimulus checks for people in need, an agricultural revitalisation program in the city of Sarna, an economic revitalisation program in the greater region of Bergia, and the establishment of the Fair Trade and Competition Commission.
Rayne had also enacted his foreign policy that prioritised self-determination and non-intervention, which resulted in improved relations with many nations and many new trade deals with Wehlen, Agnolia, and Valgsland. In slight contrast with this policy, however, Rayne entered Sordland into the Contanan Security Pact. While this move alienated Sordland from some western-alligned nations such as Lespia and Arcasia, it increased trade and cooperation with nations of the east and many of the rising powers in Rika and Xina.
Rayne had also enacted gradual reforms of the economic direction of the country by nationalising several large corporations, most notably Gasom and Bergia steel. In order to temporarily appease the oligarchs, Rayne had through his nationalisation of Bergia steel, let Marcel Koronti, one of Sordland’s most powerful oligarchs, increase his power within his circle of oligarchs. He had also, through the extra income the state had earned from nationalisation and trade deals, been able to cut taxes for all, which further appeased the oligarchs. Rayne, as a communist, saw the oligarchs as a threat, however, he saw the sollists, nationalists, and fascists as a bigger threat that required a temporary appeasement of the oligarchs in order to focus on a larger threat within the nation. Towards the end of his term, however, when the old guard had in large part been brought down, Rayne removed the independence of Sordland’s central bank, a body of financial governing that had long been an extension of the power of the Lothenburg Group.
One of Rayne’s big promises of progressive reform included an increase in the healthcare and education budgets. This was also a promise Rayne was able to deliver on, and through the skillful leadership of education minister Ciara Walda and healthcare minister Paskal Beniwoll, the government was able to efficiently use this budget to make many positive changes to the education and healthcare systems in Sordland.
The increased healthcare budget was used to improve the quality of healthcare services provided in the country, especially in rural areas, as well as a complete subsidisation of dental care and prescription medicine for all and the relocation of doctors to rural areas. The Rayne administration also enacted several taxes on consumer products harmful to the health of the people, including a tax on tobacco and alcohol products.
The large educational reform that Rayne embarked on included a large scholarship program for impoverished families, the building of several hundred schools across rural areas of the country, and the relocation of teachers to rural areas. The reform also radically changed the curriculum of Sordish schools, with desollinisation of schools and an implementation of critical pedagogy and a larger focus on science, physical education, and the teaching of subjects unburdened by sollism. Rayne later established rural education institutes across rural areas of Sordland in order to further improve the availability and quality of education in rural Sordland.
The rights of women and minorities also became a critical issue for the Rayne administration. The first lady, Monica Rayne became a large figurehead in the battle against patriarchy and alongside Ciara Walda they established the Commission on the Status of Women and passed the women’s liberation act that included policies that helped victims of domestic violence, abolished the gender pay gap, affirmed equal access to education for all, and enacted maternity leave laws and state-funded daycare. The support of this commission and its policies, along with Rayne’s personal funding of the Sordish League of Women made them a loyal political ally to Rayne and his inner circle.
President Rayne also became known for his pro-Bludish sentiment that led to a political alliance with Mansoun Leke and the declaration of the minority rights act, the establishment of the minority rights commission that would be headed by Leke, and the granting of amnesty to soll-era political prisoners, many of which were Bludish activists.
Rayne’s other progressive reforms included a vast expansion of the sordish welfare program, that came to include the establishment of the Comission of Social Progress and Uplift, the workers rights act that gave better pay and better conditions to workers across Sordland, two new social benefits programs, one for the unemployed and one for impoverished families, as well as a complete subsidy of public transport and a lowering of the retirement age.
As a communist and subscriber to the ideas of Karlos Marcias, Rayne believed that for Sordland to enter a new age of socialism and communism, the power of the existing dictatorship of the bourgeoisie had to be toppled and replaced with a dictatorship of the proletariat. He saw the judiciary and legislature as being tools of the bourgeoisie. However, the presidency, now under a communist president, was Sordland’s chance for the establishment of a dictatorship of the proletariat. Rayne believed that he had to topple the bourgeois institutions of government, and replace them with new ones that represented the proletariat. During his first term, he started doing this with a very risky play. Namely reforming the constitution to give wide-ranging powers to the presidency while he continued to build a dictatorship of the proletariat.
The constitutional reforms included the replacement of the presidential veto with a pocket veto, removing the supreme court’s power to vote on constitutional amendments, removing the ability for the president to be impeached, decreasing the electoral threshold to 8% thus allowing Rayne’s Bludish and communist allies into the legislature, removing the requirement of reviews of presidential decrees, removing the immunity of judges, and abolishing the honorary position and immunity of Tarquin Soll.
Rayne used his new powers to crush the reactionary forces of Sordland, starting with a complete reshuffling of the supreme court. As an extension of the removal of Tarquin Soll’s immunity, Soll was then put on trial in front of a new supreme court that found him guilty and sentenced him to life in prison. After Soll’s imprisonment the Rayne administration started their de-sollinisation efforts in full. Rayne also established the anti-corruption police that he used to investigate corruption within the old guard.
The ACP found evidence of several sollists collaborating with the Young Sords in order to assassinate communist politician Bernard Circas. The investigation led to the arrest of many sollist politicians, most notably minister of interior Lilias Graff and former members of the supreme court Orso Hawker and Heron Garaci. With the old guard crippled, Rayne took advantage of the situation in order to change the manifesto of the United Sordland Party to move away from sollism and towards socialism.
In order to further consolidate his power, Rayne used his presidential decree powers to purge the general staff and thus remove the military’s power in internal political affairs. In the aftermath of this purge, minister of defence Iosef Lancea was also made commander of the sordish armed forces in place of Valken Kruger. Rayne also established the Sordish Radio and Television Supreme Council that he primarily used to further rein in the propaganda spread by the old guard, liberals and oligarchs. Rayne also started funding the Red Youth, an organisation he had previously been a member of, thus winning him another political ally outside of government.
The rising threat of Rumburg was also handled during Rayne’s first term. Using his diplomatic skill as a former diplomat in the foreign ministry, Rayne de-escalated the conflict and made Rumburg appear as an aggressor on the world stage. Any uncertainty about the threat of invasion was then put to rest when Rayne entered Sordland into a military alliance with Valgsland and later joined the Contanan Security Pact.
But as elections approached instability within the Rayne cabinet appeared. First with a political scandal that led to the arrest of Illana Vance, the Rumburg spy that had posed as President Rayne’s assistant. This scandal also led to Vice President Petr Vectern resigning, retiring from politics, and going to rehab. Lucian Galade was appointed Vice President in his stead. The instability continued however, with the resignation of several ministers including minister of economy Symon Holl due to ideological differences with the President, minister of health Paskal Beniwoll due to concern for the President’s machiavellian tactics, and minister of justice Nia Morgna and minister of education Ciara Walda both due to the President’s constitutional reforms.
This flood of resignations coupled with the arrest of minister of interior Lileas Graf and the retirement of foreign minister Deivid Wisci left a vacuum of power within the administration that Rayne had a clear plan on how to fill after his reelection.
After the election, the results came in with a big change in the political environment of Sordland. The USP came in first with a slight increase in votes since the 1953 election, the NFP came in second, thus becoming the second biggest party in the country, and the PFJP suffered a loss, losing a significant amount of votes to the USP, BFP, WPB, and CPS. The Communist party of Sordland finally made the threshold and due to the popularisation of communism under the Rayne administration they were able to become a legislative power to rival the PFJP. The Workers party of Bludia were unable to make the threshold however, due to the Bludish vote being split between the WPB and the BFP.
As Rayne took to the stage for his victory speech, he reaffirmed his commitment to a turn to the left and to the east and promised further expansion of Sordland’s welfare system and political and social reforms. He declared that this was the start of the Sordish Revolution.
Chapter 1: Inauguration Day
In the aftermath of Rayne’s victory speech and after meeting with the people of Sordland at a USP rally, Anton Rayne entered the black presidential car and was met with a smile through the rear-view mirror and the eternally joyful voice of his driver, Serge, greeting him: “That was a great speech Mr. President, I am glad you got re-elected. Where to now?” Rayne smiled slightly as he always did when hearing the voice of the man who had become one of his closest friends during the last four years. “I am glad to hear that Serge, thank you for all of your support these years, I am really grateful for all your kind words.” Rayne took a slight pause before continuing “We’re off to 137 Wisci Avenue.” “Right away, sir.”
As the two sat in the car in momentary silence, Anton regretted having to leave his wife and daughter at the rally with Lucian. But Monica was strong, he thought to himself. She would be able to handle herself against Lucian if he were to try anything. After another few moments of silence, it was finally broken when Anton realised this wasn’t the same car he had been chauffeured around in earlier in the day. It was similar enough he hadn’t noticed, but it was newer and frankly more comfortable to sit in. “When did you get a new car, Serge?” “Finally noticed it, eh Mr. President?” He continued “But it isn’t my car, it’s yours, you’re the President, I am merely your driver” “The car was a gift. Sent from Chancellor Hegel in Valgsland, as a congratulatory gift for winning the elections. It seems you made quite the impact on him when you visited him in Haelm.” Anton adjusted his posture in his seat and asked Serge what he thought of the Chancellor. “Oh, I don’t follow the politics of other countries that closely sir, but if he made a deal with you he must be a smart man.” Rayne, slightly tired after the rally, simply replied “You’re too kind, Serge” and resorted to staring out the window as the ride continued through the streets of Holsord.
After a while, the two men in the car started to see a gradual decline in the quality of the houses and infrastructure on the streets as they got further from the hill of pride. Once the car rolled onto Wisci Avenue there seemed to be a slight improvement in the quality of the street, however it was still a far cry from the hill of pride. Suddenly the car stopped. “Here we are, sir. 137 Wisci Avenue.” Before Anton could say thank you, Serge was already outside of the car opening the door for his president. Anton stepped out and was then able to thank his driver for the pleasant drive and conversation.
He stepped onto the cracked pavement as Serge got back into the car. Anton instinctively put his hands in his trouser pockets, only to find a packet of cigarettes there. As he took them out of his pocket he was reminded of the time he had caught his son, Franc, smoking, and he further was reminded of the promise he made to Franc to stop smoking. Granted it had become easier to stop after the tobacco tax had been implemented, but it was still a difficult task. Anton promised himself he would call Franc when he got home to see how he was faring in medical school in United Contana. He looked back at Serge and called out his name. “Could you take this and throw it away for me?” Anton threw his last packet of cigarettes to Serge who nodded back at him in acknowledgement. “Thanks, Serge. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Anton said as he walked into the building ahead.
It was a two-story flat-building, more specifically it was the home of Ciara Walda, among other people. As the President walked into the building he was surprised by the interior, which was far more well kept than he expected. As he walked up the stairs however, there was still a quite distinct creak with every step he took. When Anton reached the top he stood directly in front of a door that said “1B Walda Residence”. Rayne knocked on the door and was soon met with a slightly dishevelled former minister of education. Ciara looked her usual self for the most part, aside from looking quite a lot less put together than usual. She was sporting an old bathrobe and slippers, as opposed to her usual political uniform of a pantsuit or dress. “Mr. President?” Ciara blurted out, trying to hide her slight surprise at the situation. “Please Ciara, you don’t work for me anymore, and I know you don’t care for formalities.” Ciara slightly adjusted herself and tried to put on her poker face she had become known for during her time in politics. “Would you care for a drink, Anton?” She didn’t wait for a reply however and simply entered her home, leaving Anton to catch the door and come inside.
“Tea would be nice” Anton replied as he walked into Ciara’s flat. He heard a call from the kitchen “Already started making it.” Anton let out a slight chuckle at Ciara’s unique demeanour as he followed her voice to find his way to the kitchen. The flat was a lot nicer than he expected. Far from luxurious, but it was nicely decorated and brightly lit with large windows, something that was somewhat surprising given that this flat belonged to Ciara Walda of all people.
As Anton found the kitchen, Ciara had already moved into the living room with two cups of tea in her hands. Anton sat down across from her and thanked her for the tea as she sat it down on the coffee table. “I suppose congratulations are in order” she said with a barely detectable sadness in her voice. “I hope congratulations will be in order for you too” Anton said, giving Ciara a slightly puzzled look on her face. Before she could ask what the President meant, he continued “Rejoin my cabinet. I know you miss it.” He paused for a brief moment, “And I need you.” he continued. “You are a talented politician, but you’ve been able to keep your ideals. I need ministers like you. I know you don’t approve of my methods but who will you support if not me? Ricter? Kibener? Leke and Stahler don’t stand much of a chance without my support, so by supporting either of them, you’d be supporting me still. Why not take that opportunity to rejoin the cabinet and make some real change again. Continue the reforms you started with me and Monica.”
Ciara looked down for a few seconds before replying “You know why I left. You know I cannot stand by and support your constitutional reforms, they aren’t democratic and-” Before she could continue, Anton cut her off “What would be democratic then?” He paused before continuing to speak “To give power to an indirectly elected assembly of capitalist leeches and fascists who want to kill half the country and oppress the other? To keep the institutions put in place by a sour old man who wants to stop the world from moving on?” That last comment about Soll made Ciara chuckle slightly. “I’ve never heard you talk about him like that.” Anton replied with a smile “Well, I couldn’t bad-mouth that old fool too much when his lackeys still had such a firm grasp on the country.”
“Listen, I know you might not support my constitutional changes, but-” Before he continued he stopped to rephrase himself “You are familiar with Marcian dialectical materialism I assume?” Ciara looked slightly offended. “Of course I am” “Who do you think you’re talking to?” She said with a slight scoff. “So then you know that class struggle is an antagonistic struggle. You know that capitalists won’t give away the means of production willingly. Oppressors must be taken down by force, not by the systems that gave them power in the first place.” Anton sighed “I know it isn’t ideal, but it isn’t supposed to be. If Karlos Marcias taught us anything, it’s that ideals don’t bring change, material conditions do. Reality does. And reality is messy. Ideals are pure, but as long as they remain that way they are just ideas, they cannot bring real change if they cannot exist within material reality. What does this idealist notion of liberal democracy mean compared to the real material change that comes with socialism?” Ciara sat back on her couch and sighed deeply, looking at Anton the entire time. “I still don’t know, it just doesn’t seem right.” They sat in silence for over a minute before Anton got up and sighed for a final time in defeat. “Thank you for your service to the people of Sordland, we’re going to miss you Ciara. Both me and Monica”. Ciara looked back down at her floor after Anton stopped talking and started walking towards the door.
“Wait” she said as he was on his way out. Anton turned back around. “You stood by me in my educational reforms, you stood by me-” she stopped for a moment “Us, you stood by us as we fought for the rights of our gender.” She looked away out her window for a brief few seconds, “I’m not sure even Leke or Stahler would’ve done that. At least to such an extent. I owe you at least another chance. Both you and Monica” she said with a slight glimmer in her eyes. ”Thank
you Ciara. Really, thank you. Because between Gus, Iosef and Lucian, I could really use an ally in my cabinet” They both smiled at each other as Anton exited the flat. As he started walking down the stairs he heard the door open again. As he looked back Ciara bid him farewell “Good luck, Anton.” “You too, Ciara.”
As Anton walked out of the building he saw Serge leaning on the side of the car. As he noticed Anton he quickly stood upright and opened the backseat door for his President, bowing slightly as he did it. “I got a call while I was waiting for you sir. Your wife and daughter have left the rally along with your cabinet and are on their way to the maroon palace for the celebration dinner.”
While Anton’s first term had been ceremonially opened with a grand ball at the maroon palace, the event had ended catastrophically with the assassination of Bernard Circas, which drew a lot of bad press to the tradition. It had already been criticised before for its over-the-top extravagance, a criticism Anton agreed with. However, the event still occurred during Rayne’s first inauguration as it was still a quite popular affair, particularly with sollists who wanted to honour the traditions of the nation, and with oligarchs who wanted to take the opportunity to cosy up to politicians. But with the assassination, and the loss of power suffered by sollists and oligarchs during the first Rayne administration, it became easier, and frankly more popular, to replace the event with a more modest one. Namely a televised dinner with the President and his cabinet, along with their families.
Due to the wave of resignations at the end of Anton’s first term however, the dinner might come across as a little too modest though. Especially with Lucian who was married to his work, and Iosef who was married to his own idealised version of Sordland. It was unclear if Ciara would attend. She definitely knew about the event, as she was one of the people campaigning for an end to the inaugural ball. She was welcome to attend as she was to rejoin the cabinet, but Anton hadn’t thought to ask her. Especially as she wasn’t fond of any sort of ‘style over substance’ meeting.
Anton was brought out of his deep thoughts as Serge cleared his throat, and he realised he’d stood there for a solid half a minute. He shook his head for a moment and saw a bin in the corner of his eye that he hadn’t noticed stood next to the building he’d walked into. Anton noticed his packet of cigarettes laying there along with another pack that looked just as newly thrown away. He smiled to himself and walked into the car, letting Serge close the door behind him and get back into his own seat in the front.
“You trying to quit as well Serge?” The president’s driver looked shocked for a moment, as Anton realised what that might’ve sounded like. “Cigarettes.” he assured Serge. “Oh! I got a tad confused there for a second Mr. President.” he nervously tapped the steering wheel as he started the car's engine. “Yes! I’ve decided to quit Mr. President. I couldn’t have done it without you though! I saw the press conference you and Mr. Beniwoll did on television before he resigned, warning of the dangers of tobacco.” Anton grinned slightly as he heard Paskal’s name, before Serge continued. “And as I noticed you were throwing away your last pack, I thought I’d do the same. Follow the example of a great leader.”
submitted by Danklyy to suzerain [link] [comments]
Disclaimer 1: This obviously includes many spoilers from the game.
Disclaimer 2: This story is written with storytelling and lore at the forefront, not necessarily gameplay accuracy.
(Part 2 is on my page if you can't find it elsewhere)
Disclaimer 3: This is only the first chapter (and backstory) of this headcanon story/fanfic/whatever you want to call it. I want to write more, but would like to see what people in the Suzerain community think about the writing so far and if they’d like to see more of it. :)
Background:
Anton Rayne got elected President of Sordland in his first term by promising progress and an end to the recession. In his term, he managed to fulfill these promises and more.
He ended the recession through several economic programs including an infrastructure program that included the building of a highway in Agnland, the distribution of stimulus checks for people in need, an agricultural revitalisation program in the city of Sarna, an economic revitalisation program in the greater region of Bergia, and the establishment of the Fair Trade and Competition Commission.
Rayne had also enacted his foreign policy that prioritised self-determination and non-intervention, which resulted in improved relations with many nations and many new trade deals with Wehlen, Agnolia, and Valgsland. In slight contrast with this policy, however, Rayne entered Sordland into the Contanan Security Pact. While this move alienated Sordland from some western-alligned nations such as Lespia and Arcasia, it increased trade and cooperation with nations of the east and many of the rising powers in Rika and Xina.
Rayne had also enacted gradual reforms of the economic direction of the country by nationalising several large corporations, most notably Gasom and Bergia steel. In order to temporarily appease the oligarchs, Rayne had through his nationalisation of Bergia steel, let Marcel Koronti, one of Sordland’s most powerful oligarchs, increase his power within his circle of oligarchs. He had also, through the extra income the state had earned from nationalisation and trade deals, been able to cut taxes for all, which further appeased the oligarchs. Rayne, as a communist, saw the oligarchs as a threat, however, he saw the sollists, nationalists, and fascists as a bigger threat that required a temporary appeasement of the oligarchs in order to focus on a larger threat within the nation. Towards the end of his term, however, when the old guard had in large part been brought down, Rayne removed the independence of Sordland’s central bank, a body of financial governing that had long been an extension of the power of the Lothenburg Group.
One of Rayne’s big promises of progressive reform included an increase in the healthcare and education budgets. This was also a promise Rayne was able to deliver on, and through the skillful leadership of education minister Ciara Walda and healthcare minister Paskal Beniwoll, the government was able to efficiently use this budget to make many positive changes to the education and healthcare systems in Sordland.
The increased healthcare budget was used to improve the quality of healthcare services provided in the country, especially in rural areas, as well as a complete subsidisation of dental care and prescription medicine for all and the relocation of doctors to rural areas. The Rayne administration also enacted several taxes on consumer products harmful to the health of the people, including a tax on tobacco and alcohol products.
The large educational reform that Rayne embarked on included a large scholarship program for impoverished families, the building of several hundred schools across rural areas of the country, and the relocation of teachers to rural areas. The reform also radically changed the curriculum of Sordish schools, with desollinisation of schools and an implementation of critical pedagogy and a larger focus on science, physical education, and the teaching of subjects unburdened by sollism. Rayne later established rural education institutes across rural areas of Sordland in order to further improve the availability and quality of education in rural Sordland.
The rights of women and minorities also became a critical issue for the Rayne administration. The first lady, Monica Rayne became a large figurehead in the battle against patriarchy and alongside Ciara Walda they established the Commission on the Status of Women and passed the women’s liberation act that included policies that helped victims of domestic violence, abolished the gender pay gap, affirmed equal access to education for all, and enacted maternity leave laws and state-funded daycare. The support of this commission and its policies, along with Rayne’s personal funding of the Sordish League of Women made them a loyal political ally to Rayne and his inner circle.
President Rayne also became known for his pro-Bludish sentiment that led to a political alliance with Mansoun Leke and the declaration of the minority rights act, the establishment of the minority rights commission that would be headed by Leke, and the granting of amnesty to soll-era political prisoners, many of which were Bludish activists.
Rayne’s other progressive reforms included a vast expansion of the sordish welfare program, that came to include the establishment of the Comission of Social Progress and Uplift, the workers rights act that gave better pay and better conditions to workers across Sordland, two new social benefits programs, one for the unemployed and one for impoverished families, as well as a complete subsidy of public transport and a lowering of the retirement age.
As a communist and subscriber to the ideas of Karlos Marcias, Rayne believed that for Sordland to enter a new age of socialism and communism, the power of the existing dictatorship of the bourgeoisie had to be toppled and replaced with a dictatorship of the proletariat. He saw the judiciary and legislature as being tools of the bourgeoisie. However, the presidency, now under a communist president, was Sordland’s chance for the establishment of a dictatorship of the proletariat. Rayne believed that he had to topple the bourgeois institutions of government, and replace them with new ones that represented the proletariat. During his first term, he started doing this with a very risky play. Namely reforming the constitution to give wide-ranging powers to the presidency while he continued to build a dictatorship of the proletariat.
The constitutional reforms included the replacement of the presidential veto with a pocket veto, removing the supreme court’s power to vote on constitutional amendments, removing the ability for the president to be impeached, decreasing the electoral threshold to 8% thus allowing Rayne’s Bludish and communist allies into the legislature, removing the requirement of reviews of presidential decrees, removing the immunity of judges, and abolishing the honorary position and immunity of Tarquin Soll.
Rayne used his new powers to crush the reactionary forces of Sordland, starting with a complete reshuffling of the supreme court. As an extension of the removal of Tarquin Soll’s immunity, Soll was then put on trial in front of a new supreme court that found him guilty and sentenced him to life in prison. After Soll’s imprisonment the Rayne administration started their de-sollinisation efforts in full. Rayne also established the anti-corruption police that he used to investigate corruption within the old guard.
The ACP found evidence of several sollists collaborating with the Young Sords in order to assassinate communist politician Bernard Circas. The investigation led to the arrest of many sollist politicians, most notably minister of interior Lilias Graff and former members of the supreme court Orso Hawker and Heron Garaci. With the old guard crippled, Rayne took advantage of the situation in order to change the manifesto of the United Sordland Party to move away from sollism and towards socialism.
In order to further consolidate his power, Rayne used his presidential decree powers to purge the general staff and thus remove the military’s power in internal political affairs. In the aftermath of this purge, minister of defence Iosef Lancea was also made commander of the sordish armed forces in place of Valken Kruger. Rayne also established the Sordish Radio and Television Supreme Council that he primarily used to further rein in the propaganda spread by the old guard, liberals and oligarchs. Rayne also started funding the Red Youth, an organisation he had previously been a member of, thus winning him another political ally outside of government.
The rising threat of Rumburg was also handled during Rayne’s first term. Using his diplomatic skill as a former diplomat in the foreign ministry, Rayne de-escalated the conflict and made Rumburg appear as an aggressor on the world stage. Any uncertainty about the threat of invasion was then put to rest when Rayne entered Sordland into a military alliance with Valgsland and later joined the Contanan Security Pact.
But as elections approached instability within the Rayne cabinet appeared. First with a political scandal that led to the arrest of Illana Vance, the Rumburg spy that had posed as President Rayne’s assistant. This scandal also led to Vice President Petr Vectern resigning, retiring from politics, and going to rehab. Lucian Galade was appointed Vice President in his stead. The instability continued however, with the resignation of several ministers including minister of economy Symon Holl due to ideological differences with the President, minister of health Paskal Beniwoll due to concern for the President’s machiavellian tactics, and minister of justice Nia Morgna and minister of education Ciara Walda both due to the President’s constitutional reforms.
This flood of resignations coupled with the arrest of minister of interior Lileas Graf and the retirement of foreign minister Deivid Wisci left a vacuum of power within the administration that Rayne had a clear plan on how to fill after his reelection.
After the election, the results came in with a big change in the political environment of Sordland. The USP came in first with a slight increase in votes since the 1953 election, the NFP came in second, thus becoming the second biggest party in the country, and the PFJP suffered a loss, losing a significant amount of votes to the USP, BFP, WPB, and CPS. The Communist party of Sordland finally made the threshold and due to the popularisation of communism under the Rayne administration they were able to become a legislative power to rival the PFJP. The Workers party of Bludia were unable to make the threshold however, due to the Bludish vote being split between the WPB and the BFP.
As Rayne took to the stage for his victory speech, he reaffirmed his commitment to a turn to the left and to the east and promised further expansion of Sordland’s welfare system and political and social reforms. He declared that this was the start of the Sordish Revolution.
Chapter 1: Inauguration Day
In the aftermath of Rayne’s victory speech and after meeting with the people of Sordland at a USP rally, Anton Rayne entered the black presidential car and was met with a smile through the rear-view mirror and the eternally joyful voice of his driver, Serge, greeting him: “That was a great speech Mr. President, I am glad you got re-elected. Where to now?” Rayne smiled slightly as he always did when hearing the voice of the man who had become one of his closest friends during the last four years. “I am glad to hear that Serge, thank you for all of your support these years, I am really grateful for all your kind words.” Rayne took a slight pause before continuing “We’re off to 137 Wisci Avenue.” “Right away, sir.”
As the two sat in the car in momentary silence, Anton regretted having to leave his wife and daughter at the rally with Lucian. But Monica was strong, he thought to himself. She would be able to handle herself against Lucian if he were to try anything. After another few moments of silence, it was finally broken when Anton realised this wasn’t the same car he had been chauffeured around in earlier in the day. It was similar enough he hadn’t noticed, but it was newer and frankly more comfortable to sit in. “When did you get a new car, Serge?” “Finally noticed it, eh Mr. President?” He continued “But it isn’t my car, it’s yours, you’re the President, I am merely your driver” “The car was a gift. Sent from Chancellor Hegel in Valgsland, as a congratulatory gift for winning the elections. It seems you made quite the impact on him when you visited him in Haelm.” Anton adjusted his posture in his seat and asked Serge what he thought of the Chancellor. “Oh, I don’t follow the politics of other countries that closely sir, but if he made a deal with you he must be a smart man.” Rayne, slightly tired after the rally, simply replied “You’re too kind, Serge” and resorted to staring out the window as the ride continued through the streets of Holsord.
After a while, the two men in the car started to see a gradual decline in the quality of the houses and infrastructure on the streets as they got further from the hill of pride. Once the car rolled onto Wisci Avenue there seemed to be a slight improvement in the quality of the street, however it was still a far cry from the hill of pride. Suddenly the car stopped. “Here we are, sir. 137 Wisci Avenue.” Before Anton could say thank you, Serge was already outside of the car opening the door for his president. Anton stepped out and was then able to thank his driver for the pleasant drive and conversation.
He stepped onto the cracked pavement as Serge got back into the car. Anton instinctively put his hands in his trouser pockets, only to find a packet of cigarettes there. As he took them out of his pocket he was reminded of the time he had caught his son, Franc, smoking, and he further was reminded of the promise he made to Franc to stop smoking. Granted it had become easier to stop after the tobacco tax had been implemented, but it was still a difficult task. Anton promised himself he would call Franc when he got home to see how he was faring in medical school in United Contana. He looked back at Serge and called out his name. “Could you take this and throw it away for me?” Anton threw his last packet of cigarettes to Serge who nodded back at him in acknowledgement. “Thanks, Serge. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Anton said as he walked into the building ahead.
It was a two-story flat-building, more specifically it was the home of Ciara Walda, among other people. As the President walked into the building he was surprised by the interior, which was far more well kept than he expected. As he walked up the stairs however, there was still a quite distinct creak with every step he took. When Anton reached the top he stood directly in front of a door that said “1B Walda Residence”. Rayne knocked on the door and was soon met with a slightly dishevelled former minister of education. Ciara looked her usual self for the most part, aside from looking quite a lot less put together than usual. She was sporting an old bathrobe and slippers, as opposed to her usual political uniform of a pantsuit or dress. “Mr. President?” Ciara blurted out, trying to hide her slight surprise at the situation. “Please Ciara, you don’t work for me anymore, and I know you don’t care for formalities.” Ciara slightly adjusted herself and tried to put on her poker face she had become known for during her time in politics. “Would you care for a drink, Anton?” She didn’t wait for a reply however and simply entered her home, leaving Anton to catch the door and come inside.
“Tea would be nice” Anton replied as he walked into Ciara’s flat. He heard a call from the kitchen “Already started making it.” Anton let out a slight chuckle at Ciara’s unique demeanour as he followed her voice to find his way to the kitchen. The flat was a lot nicer than he expected. Far from luxurious, but it was nicely decorated and brightly lit with large windows, something that was somewhat surprising given that this flat belonged to Ciara Walda of all people.
As Anton found the kitchen, Ciara had already moved into the living room with two cups of tea in her hands. Anton sat down across from her and thanked her for the tea as she sat it down on the coffee table. “I suppose congratulations are in order” she said with a barely detectable sadness in her voice. “I hope congratulations will be in order for you too” Anton said, giving Ciara a slightly puzzled look on her face. Before she could ask what the President meant, he continued “Rejoin my cabinet. I know you miss it.” He paused for a brief moment, “And I need you.” he continued. “You are a talented politician, but you’ve been able to keep your ideals. I need ministers like you. I know you don’t approve of my methods but who will you support if not me? Ricter? Kibener? Leke and Stahler don’t stand much of a chance without my support, so by supporting either of them, you’d be supporting me still. Why not take that opportunity to rejoin the cabinet and make some real change again. Continue the reforms you started with me and Monica.”
Ciara looked down for a few seconds before replying “You know why I left. You know I cannot stand by and support your constitutional reforms, they aren’t democratic and-” Before she could continue, Anton cut her off “What would be democratic then?” He paused before continuing to speak “To give power to an indirectly elected assembly of capitalist leeches and fascists who want to kill half the country and oppress the other? To keep the institutions put in place by a sour old man who wants to stop the world from moving on?” That last comment about Soll made Ciara chuckle slightly. “I’ve never heard you talk about him like that.” Anton replied with a smile “Well, I couldn’t bad-mouth that old fool too much when his lackeys still had such a firm grasp on the country.”
“Listen, I know you might not support my constitutional changes, but-” Before he continued he stopped to rephrase himself “You are familiar with Marcian dialectical materialism I assume?” Ciara looked slightly offended. “Of course I am” “Who do you think you’re talking to?” She said with a slight scoff. “So then you know that class struggle is an antagonistic struggle. You know that capitalists won’t give away the means of production willingly. Oppressors must be taken down by force, not by the systems that gave them power in the first place.” Anton sighed “I know it isn’t ideal, but it isn’t supposed to be. If Karlos Marcias taught us anything, it’s that ideals don’t bring change, material conditions do. Reality does. And reality is messy. Ideals are pure, but as long as they remain that way they are just ideas, they cannot bring real change if they cannot exist within material reality. What does this idealist notion of liberal democracy mean compared to the real material change that comes with socialism?” Ciara sat back on her couch and sighed deeply, looking at Anton the entire time. “I still don’t know, it just doesn’t seem right.” They sat in silence for over a minute before Anton got up and sighed for a final time in defeat. “Thank you for your service to the people of Sordland, we’re going to miss you Ciara. Both me and Monica”. Ciara looked back down at her floor after Anton stopped talking and started walking towards the door.
“Wait” she said as he was on his way out. Anton turned back around. “You stood by me in my educational reforms, you stood by me-” she stopped for a moment “Us, you stood by us as we fought for the rights of our gender.” She looked away out her window for a brief few seconds, “I’m not sure even Leke or Stahler would’ve done that. At least to such an extent. I owe you at least another chance. Both you and Monica” she said with a slight glimmer in her eyes. ”Thank
you Ciara. Really, thank you. Because between Gus, Iosef and Lucian, I could really use an ally in my cabinet” They both smiled at each other as Anton exited the flat. As he started walking down the stairs he heard the door open again. As he looked back Ciara bid him farewell “Good luck, Anton.” “You too, Ciara.”
As Anton walked out of the building he saw Serge leaning on the side of the car. As he noticed Anton he quickly stood upright and opened the backseat door for his President, bowing slightly as he did it. “I got a call while I was waiting for you sir. Your wife and daughter have left the rally along with your cabinet and are on their way to the maroon palace for the celebration dinner.”
While Anton’s first term had been ceremonially opened with a grand ball at the maroon palace, the event had ended catastrophically with the assassination of Bernard Circas, which drew a lot of bad press to the tradition. It had already been criticised before for its over-the-top extravagance, a criticism Anton agreed with. However, the event still occurred during Rayne’s first inauguration as it was still a quite popular affair, particularly with sollists who wanted to honour the traditions of the nation, and with oligarchs who wanted to take the opportunity to cosy up to politicians. But with the assassination, and the loss of power suffered by sollists and oligarchs during the first Rayne administration, it became easier, and frankly more popular, to replace the event with a more modest one. Namely a televised dinner with the President and his cabinet, along with their families.
Due to the wave of resignations at the end of Anton’s first term however, the dinner might come across as a little too modest though. Especially with Lucian who was married to his work, and Iosef who was married to his own idealised version of Sordland. It was unclear if Ciara would attend. She definitely knew about the event, as she was one of the people campaigning for an end to the inaugural ball. She was welcome to attend as she was to rejoin the cabinet, but Anton hadn’t thought to ask her. Especially as she wasn’t fond of any sort of ‘style over substance’ meeting.
Anton was brought out of his deep thoughts as Serge cleared his throat, and he realised he’d stood there for a solid half a minute. He shook his head for a moment and saw a bin in the corner of his eye that he hadn’t noticed stood next to the building he’d walked into. Anton noticed his packet of cigarettes laying there along with another pack that looked just as newly thrown away. He smiled to himself and walked into the car, letting Serge close the door behind him and get back into his own seat in the front.
“You trying to quit as well Serge?” The president’s driver looked shocked for a moment, as Anton realised what that might’ve sounded like. “Cigarettes.” he assured Serge. “Oh! I got a tad confused there for a second Mr. President.” he nervously tapped the steering wheel as he started the car's engine. “Yes! I’ve decided to quit Mr. President. I couldn’t have done it without you though! I saw the press conference you and Mr. Beniwoll did on television before he resigned, warning of the dangers of tobacco.” Anton grinned slightly as he heard Paskal’s name, before Serge continued. “And as I noticed you were throwing away your last pack, I thought I’d do the same. Follow the example of a great leader.”
2023.06.04 14:37 sjogust Headline: Sordland Declares State of War against Rumburg Following Approval by the Grand National Assembly
Subtitle: President Anton Rayne delivers an emotional speech atop Pride Hill; Minister of Foreign Affairs delivers formal declaration of war to Rumburg.
Holsord - In a sequence of rapid and decisive events, Sordland has officially declared a state of war against Rumburg. President Anton Rayne summoned the Grand National Assembly to vote on and ratify the declaration of war in a secret session that lasted only minutes. According to information obtained from anonymous sources within Rumburg's high military command, shock and surprise have struck the generals, who were caught off guard by Sordland's sudden decision.
Following the Assembly's approval, Rayne took the podium atop Pride Hill and delivered an emotional speech, emphasizing the need to protect Sordland's sovereignty and security in the face of Rumburg's aggression.
While the president spoke, Minister of Foreign Affairs David Wisci headed to Rumburg's embassy in Holsord to deliver the formal declaration of war to the ambassador of the neighboring country. This solemn act marked the official commencement of the conflict between the two nations.
The decision to declare war was motivated by threats and provocations originating from Rumburg, as revealed during deliberations in the Nations Alliance. The swiftness with which the declaration was approved demonstrated the urgency of the situation and Sordland's determination to protect its interests and avert the country's destruction.
The international community received the declaration of war with shock and concern, as diplomatic efforts are intensified to seek a peaceful resolution. However, the region now faces a period of great geopolitical instability, with worrisome global implications.
Currently, Sordland is mobilizing its armed forces and seeking support from its allies, but the consequences of this impending conflict are uncertain. The world watches with apprehension, hoping that a peaceful resolution can be achieved before more lives are lost. In the coming days and weeks, the developments of this war will be crucial in determining the region's future.
Previously:
submitted by sjogust to suzerain [link] [comments]
Holsord - In a sequence of rapid and decisive events, Sordland has officially declared a state of war against Rumburg. President Anton Rayne summoned the Grand National Assembly to vote on and ratify the declaration of war in a secret session that lasted only minutes. According to information obtained from anonymous sources within Rumburg's high military command, shock and surprise have struck the generals, who were caught off guard by Sordland's sudden decision.
Following the Assembly's approval, Rayne took the podium atop Pride Hill and delivered an emotional speech, emphasizing the need to protect Sordland's sovereignty and security in the face of Rumburg's aggression.
While the president spoke, Minister of Foreign Affairs David Wisci headed to Rumburg's embassy in Holsord to deliver the formal declaration of war to the ambassador of the neighboring country. This solemn act marked the official commencement of the conflict between the two nations.
The decision to declare war was motivated by threats and provocations originating from Rumburg, as revealed during deliberations in the Nations Alliance. The swiftness with which the declaration was approved demonstrated the urgency of the situation and Sordland's determination to protect its interests and avert the country's destruction.
The international community received the declaration of war with shock and concern, as diplomatic efforts are intensified to seek a peaceful resolution. However, the region now faces a period of great geopolitical instability, with worrisome global implications.
Currently, Sordland is mobilizing its armed forces and seeking support from its allies, but the consequences of this impending conflict are uncertain. The world watches with apprehension, hoping that a peaceful resolution can be achieved before more lives are lost. In the coming days and weeks, the developments of this war will be crucial in determining the region's future.
Previously:
- Operation Fallen Crown: The Rumburg-Sordland War of 1957 - https://www.reddit.com/suzerain/comments/13zh93i/operation_fallen_crown_the_rumburgsordland_war_of/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
- Reconciliation and Post-War Challenges: The Legacy of the 1957 Rumburg-Sordland War - https://www.reddit.com/suzerain/comments/13zis2u/reconciliation_and_postwar_challenges_the_legacy/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
2023.06.04 14:34 Dirtclodkoolaid AMA RESOLUTION 235
 | AMA RESOLUTION 235 November 2018 INAPPROPRIATE USE OF CDC Guidelines FOR PRESCRIBING OPIOIDS (Entire Document) submitted by Dirtclodkoolaid to ChronicPain [link] [comments] “Resolution 235 asks that our AMA applaud the CDC for its efforts to prevent the incidence of new cases of opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose deaths; and be it further, that no entity should use MME thresholds as anything more than guidance and that MME thresholds should not be used to completely prohibit the prescribing of, or the filling of prescriptions for, medications used in oncology care, palliative medicine care, and addiction medicine care: and be it further, that our AMA communicate with the nation’s largest pharmacy chains and pharmacy benefit managers to recommend that they cease and desist with writing threatening letters to physicians and cease and desist with presenting policies, procedures and directives to retail pharmacists that include a blanket proscription against filling prescriptions for opioids that exceed certain numerical thresholds without taking into account the diagnosis and previous response to treatment for a patient and any clinical nuances that would support such prescribing as falling within standards of good quality patient care; and be it further, that AMA Policy opposing the legislating of numerical limits on medication dosage, duration of therapy, numbers of pills/tablets, etc., be reaffirmed; and be it further, that physicians should not be subject to professional discipline or loss of board certification or loss of clinical privileges simply for prescribing opioids at a quantitative level that exceeds the MME thresholds found in the CDC Guidelines; and be it further, that our AMA encourage the Federation of State Medical Boards and its member boards, medical specialty societies, and other entities to develop improved guidance on management of pain and management of potential withdrawal syndromes and other aspects of patient care for “legacy patients” who may have been treated for extended periods of time with high-dose opioid therapy for chronic non-malignant pain. RESOLVED, that our American Medical Association (AMA) applaud the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its efforts to prevent the incidence of new cases of opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose deaths RESOLVED, that our AMA actively continue to communicate and engage with the nation’s largest pharmacy chains, pharmacy benefit managers, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Federation of State Medical Boards, and National Association of Boards of Pharmacy in opposition to communications being sent to physicians that include a blanket proscription against filing prescriptions for opioids that exceed numerical thresholds without taking into account the diagnosis and previous response to treatment for a patient and any clinical nuances that would support such prescribing as falling within standards of good quality patient care. RESOLVED, that our AMA affirms that some patients with acute or chronic pain can benefit from taking opioid pain medications at doses greater than generally recommended in the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain and that such care may be medically necessary and appropriate, and be it further RESOLVED, that our AMA advocate against misapplication of the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids by pharmacists, health insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, legislatures, and governmental and private regulatory bodies in ways that prevent or limit patients’ medical access to opioid analgesia, and be it further RESOLVED, that our AMA advocate that no entity should use MME (morphine milligram equivalents) thresholds as anything more than guidance, and physicians should not be subject to professional discipline, loss of board certification, loss of clinical privileges, criminal prosecution, civil liability, or other penalties or practice limitations solely for prescribing opioids at a quantitative level above the MME thresholds found in the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids.”” Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force - Draft Report on Pain Management Best Practices: Updates, Gaps, Inconsistencies, and Recommendations Official Health and Human Services Department Released December 2018 “The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) of 2016 led to the creation of the Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force (Task Force), whose mission is to determine whether gaps in or inconsistencies between best practices for acute and chronic pain management exist and to propose updates and recommendations to those best practices. The Task Force consists of 29 experts who have significant experience across the disciplines of pain management, patient advocacy, substance use disorders, mental health, and minority health.” In addition to identifying approximately 60 gaps in clinical best practices and the current treatment of pain in the United States, HHS PMTF provided recommendations for each of these major areas of concern. In alignment with their original charter, the PMTF will submit these recommendations to Congress to become our ‘National Pain Policy’. The 60+ gaps and inconsistencies with their recommendations will serve to fill gaps in pain treatment at both the state and federal level; and the overwhelming consensus was that the treatment of pain should be multimodal and completely individualized based on the individual patient. The heart of each recommendation in each section was a resounding call for individualization for each patient, in regards to both non-pharmacological and pharmacological modalities; including individualizations in both opioid and non-opioid pharmacological treatments. While each of the gap+recommendation sections of what is poised to become our national pain policy is extremely important, one that stands out the most (in regards to opioid prescribing) is the Stigma section. Contained in this section is one of the core statements that shows our Health and Human Services agency - the one that should have always been looked to and followed - knew the true depth of the relationship (or lack of) between the overdose crisis and compassionate prescribing to patients with painful conditions: “The national crisis of illicit drug use, with overdose deaths, is confused with appropriate therapy for patients who are being treated for pain. This confusion has created a stigma that contributes to raise barriers to proper access to care.” The recommendation that follows - “Identify strategies to reduce stigma in opioid use so that it is never a barrier to patients receiving appropriate treatment, with all cautions and considerations for the management of their chronic pain conditions” - illustrates an acknowledgment by the top health agency of the federal government that the current national narrative conflating and confusing compassionate treatment of pain with illicit drug use, addiction, and overdose death is incorrect and only serving to harm patients. Since March of 2016 when the CDC Guidelines were released, advocates, patients, clinicians, stakeholders, and others, have began pointing out limitations and unintended consequences as they emerged. In order to address the unintended consequences emerging from the CDC Guidelines, this task force was also charged with review of these guidelines; from expert selection, evidence selection, creation, and continuing to current misapplication in order to provide recommendations to begin to remedy these issues. “A commentary by Busse et al. identified several limitations to the CDC guideline related to expert selection, evidence inclusion criteria, method of evidence quality grading, support of recommendations with low-quality evidence, and instances of vague recommendations. In addition, the CDC used the criterion of a lack of clinical trials with a duration of one year or longer as lack of evidence for the clinical effectiveness of opioids, whereas Tayeb et al. found that that was true for all common medication and behavioral therapy studies. Interpretation of the guideline, in addition to some gaps in the guideline, have led to unintended consequences, some of which are the result of misapplication or misinterpretation of the CDC guideline. However, at least 28 states have enacted legislation related to opioid prescription limits, and many states and organizations have implemented the guideline without recognizing that the intended audience was PCPs; have used legislation for what should be medical decision making by healthcare professionals; and have applied them to all physicians, dentists, NPs, and PAs, including pain specialists.441–444 Some stakeholders have interpreted the guideline as intended to broadly reduce the amount of opioids prescribed for treating pain; some experts have noted that the guideline emphasizes the risk of opioids while minimizing the benefit of this medication class when properly managed.” “The CDC guideline was not intended to be model legislation for state legislators to enact” “In essence, clinicians should be able to use their clinical judgment to determine opioid duration for their patients” https://www.hhs.gov/ash/advisory-committees/pain/reports/2018-12-draft-report-on-updates-gaps-inconsistencies-recommendations/index.html HHS Review of 2016 CDC Guidelines for responsible opioid prescribing The Pain Management Task Force addressed 8 areas that are in need of update or expansion with recommendations to begin remediation for each problem area: Lack of high-quality data exists for duration of effectiveness of opioids for chronic pain; this has been interpreted as a lack of benefit Conduct studies Focus on patient variability and response for effectiveness of opioids; use real-world applicable trials Absence of criteria for identifying patients for whom opioids make up significant part of their pain treatment Conduct clinical trials and/or reviews to identify sub-populations of patients where long-term opioid treatment is appropriate Wide variation in factors that affect optimal dose of opioids Consider patient variables for opioid therapy: Respiratory compromise Patient metabolic variables Differences in opioid medications/plasma concentrations Preform comprehensive initial assessment it’s understanding of need for comprehensive reevaluations to adjust dose Give careful considerations to patients on opioid pain regimen with additional risk factors for OUD Specific guidelines for opioid tapering and escalation need to be further clarified A thorough assessment of risk-benefit ratio should occur whenever tapering or escalation of dose This should include collaboration with patient whenever possible Develop taper or dose escalation guidelines for sub-populations that include consideration of their comorbidities When benefit outweighs the risk, consider maintaining therapy for stable patients on long term opioid therapy Causes of worsening pain are not often recognized or considered. Non-tolerance related factors: surgery, flares, increased physical demands, or emotional distress Avoid increase in dose for stable patient (2+ month stable dose) until patient is re-evaluated for underlying cause of elevated pain or possible OUD risk Considerations to avoid dose escalation include: Opioid rotation Non-opioid medication Interventional strategies Cognitive behavior strategies Complementary and integrative health approaches Physical therapy In patients with chronic pain AND anxiety or spasticity, benzodiazepine co-prescribed with opioids still have clinical value; although the risk of overdose is well established When clinically indicated, co-prescription should be managed by specialist who have knowledge, training, and experience with co-prescribing. When co-prescribed for anxiety or SUD collaboration with mental health should be considered Develop clinical practice guidelines focused on tapering for co-prescription of benzodiazepines and opioids The risk-benefit balance varies for individual patients. Doses >90MME may be favorable for some where doses <90MME may be for other patients due to individual patient factors. Variability in effectiveness and safety between high and low doses of opioids are not clearly defined. Clinicians should use caution with higher doses in general Using carefully monitored trial with frequent monitoring with each dose adjustment and regular risk reassessment, physicians should individualize doses, using lowest effective opioid dose that balances benefit, risk, and adverse reactions Many factors influence benefits and risk, therefore, guidance of dose should not be applied as strict limits. Use established and measurable goals: Functionality ADL Quality of Life Duration of pain following acute and severely painful event is widely variable Appropriate duration is best considered within guidelines, but is ultimately determined by treating clinician. CDC recommendation for duration should be emphasized as guidance only with individualized patient care as the goal Develop acute pain management guidelines for common surgical procedures and traumas To address variability and provide easy solution, consideration should be given to partial refill system Human Rights Watch December 2018 (Excerpt from 109 page report) “If harms to chronic pain patients are an unintended consequence of policies to reduce inappropriate prescribing, the government should seek to immediately minimize and measure the negative impacts of these policies. Any response should avoid further stigmatizing chronic pain patients, who are increasingly associated with — and sometimes blamed for — the overdose crisis and characterized as “drug seekers,” rather than people with serious health problems that require treatment. Top government officials, including the President, have said the country should aim for drastic cutbacks in prescribing. State legislatures encourage restrictions on prescribing through new legislation or regulations. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has investigated medical practitioners accused of overprescribing or fraudulent practice. State health agencies and insurance companies routinely warn physicians who prescribe more opioids than their peers and encourage them to reduce prescribing. Private insurance companies have imposed additional requirements for covering opioids, some state Medicaid programs have mandated tapering to lower doses for patients, and pharmacy chains are actively trying to reduce the volumes of opioids they dispense. The medical community at large recognized that certain key steps were necessary to tackle the overdose crisis: identifying and cracking down on “pill mills” and reducing the use of opioids for less severe pain, particularly for children and adolescents. However, the urgency to tackle the overdose crisis has put pressure on physicians in other potentially negative ways: our interviews with dozens of physicians found that the atmosphere around prescribing for chronic pain had become so fraught that physicians felt they must avoid opioid analgesics even in cases when it contradicted their view of what would provide the best care for their patients. In some cases, this desire to cut back on opioid prescribing translated to doctors tapering patients off their medications without patient consent, while in others it meant that physicians would no longer accept patients who had a history of needing high-dose opioids. The consequences to patients, according to Human Rights Watch research, have been catastrophic.” [https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/12/18/not-allowed-be-compassionate/chronic-pain-overdose-crisis-and-unintended-harms-us]( Opioid Prescribing Workgroup December 2018 This is material from the Board of Scientific Counselors in regards to their December 12, 2018 meeting that culminated the works of a project titled the “Opioid Prescribing Estimates Project.” This project is a descriptive study that is examining opioid prescribing patterns at a population level. Pain management is a very individualized process that belongs with the patient and provider. The Workgroup reviewed work done by CDC and provided additional recommendations. SUMMARY There were several recurrent themes throughout the sessions. Repeated concern was voiced from many Workgroup members that the CDC may not be able to prevent conclusions from this research (i.e. the benchmarks, developed from limited data) from being used by states or payors or clinical care systems to constrain clinical care or as pay-for- performance standards – i.e. interpreted as “guidelines”. This issue was raised by several members on each of the four calls, raising the possibility that providers or clinical systems could thus be incentivized against caring for patients requiring above average amounts of opioid medication. Risk for misuse of the analysis. Several members expressed concerns that this analysis could be interpreted as guidance by regulators, health plans, or clinical care systems. Even though the CDC does not plan to issue this as a guideline, but instead as research, payors and clinical care systems searching for ways to reign in opioid prescribing may utilize CDC “benchmarks” to establish pay-for-performance or other means to limit opioid prescribing. Such uses of this work could have the unintended effect of incentivizing providers against caring for patients reliant upon opioids. …It was also noted that, in order to obtain sufficient granularity to establish the need for, dosage, and duration of opioid therapy, it would be necessary to have much more extensive electronic medical record data. In addition, pain and functional outcomes are absent from the dataset, but were felt to be important when considering risk and benefit of opioids. ...Tapering: Concerns about benchmarks and the implications for tapering were voiced. If tapering occurs, guidance was felt to be needed regarding how, when, in whom tapering should occur. This issue was felt to be particularly challenging for patients on chronic opioids (i.e. “legacy” patients). In addition, the importance of measuring risk and benefit of tapering was noted. Not all high-dose patient populations benefit from tapering. Post-Surgical Pain General comments. Workgroup members noted that most patients prescribed opioids do not experience adverse events, including use disorder. Many suggested that further discussion of opioids with patients prior to surgery was important, with an emphasis on expectations and duration of treatment. A member suggested that take-back programs would be more effective than prescribing restrictions. Procedure-related care. Members noted that patient factors may drive opioid need more than characteristics of a procedure. Patient-level factors. Members noted that opioid-experienced patients should be considered differently from opioid-inexperienced patients, due to tolerance. Chronic Pain It was noted that anything coming out of the CDC might be considered as guidelines and that this misinterpretation can be difficult to counter. There was extensive discussion of the 50 and 90 MME levels included in the CDC Guidelines. It was recommended that the CDC look into the adverse effects of opioid tapering and discontinuation, such as illicit opioid use, acute care utilization, dropping out of care, and suicide. It was also noted that there are major gaps in guidelines for legacy patients, patients with multiple diagnoses, pediatric and geriatric patients, and patients transitioning to lower doses. There were concerns that insufficient clinical data will be available from the dataset to appropriately consider the individual-level factors that weigh into determination of opioid therapy. The data would also fail to account for the shared decision-making process involved in opioid prescribing for chronic pain conditions, which may be dependent on primary care providers as well as ancillary care providers (e.g. physical therapists, psychologists, etc). Patient-level factors. Members repeatedly noted that opioid-experienced patients should be considered differently from opioid-experienced patients, due to tolerance. Members noted that the current CDC guidelines have been used by states, insurance companies, and some clinical care systems in ways that were not intended by the CDC, resulting in cases of and the perception of patient abandonment. One option raised in this context was to exclude patients on high doses of opioids, as those individuals would be qualitatively different from others. A variant of this concern was about management of “legacy” patients who are inherited on high doses of opioids. Members voiced concerns that results of this work has caused harm to patients currently reliant upon opioids prescribed by their providers. Acute Non-Surgical Pain Patient-level factors. Members felt that opioid naïve versus experienced patients might again be considered separately, as opioid requirements among those experienced could vary widely. ...Guidelines were also noted to be often based on consensus, which may be incorrect. Cancer-Related and Palliative Care Pain It was noted that the CDC guidelines have been misinterpreted to create a limit to the dose of opioids that can be provided to people at all stages of cancer and its treatment. It was also noted that the cancer field is rapidly evolving, with immunotherapy, CAR-T, and other novel treatments that affect response rates and limit our ability to rely upon historical data in establishing opioid prescribing benchmarks. Concern that data would not be able to identify all of the conditions responsible for pain in a patient with a history of cancer (e.g. people who survive cancer but with severe residual pain). Further, it was noted that certain complications of cancer and cancer treatment may require the least restrictive long-term therapy with opioids. The definition of palliative care was also complicated and it was suggested that this include patients with life-limiting conditions. Overall, it was felt that in patients who may not have long to live, and/or for whom returning to work is not a possibility, higher doses of opioids may be warranted. https://www.cdc.gov/injury/pdfs/bsc/NCIPC_BSC_OpioidPrescribingEstimatesWorkgroupReport_December-12_2018-508.pdf CDC Scientists Anonymous ‘Spider Letter’ to CDC Carmen S. Villar, MSW Chief of Staff Office of the Director MS D14 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1600 Clifton Road Atlanta, Georgia 30329-4027 August 29, 2016 Dear Ms. Villar: We are a group of scientists at CDC that are very concerned about the current state of ethics at our agency. It appears that our mission is being influenced and shaped by outside parties and rogue interests. It seems that our mission and Congressional intent for our agency is being circumvented by some of our leaders. What concerns us most, is that it is becoming the norm and not the rare exception. Some senior management officials at CDC are clearly aware and even condone these behaviors. Others see it and turn the other way. Some staff are intimidated and pressed to do things they know are not right. We have representatives from across the agency that witness this unacceptable behavior. It occurs at all levels and in all of our respective units. These questionable and unethical practices threaten to undermine our credibility and reputation as a trusted leader in public health. We would like to see high ethical standards and thoughtful, responsible management restored at CDC. We are asking that you do your part to help clean up this house! It is puzzling to read about transgressions in national media outlets like USA Today, The Huffington Post and The Hill. It is equally puzzling that nothing has changed here at CDC as a result. It’s business as usual. The litany of issues detailed over the summer are of particular concern: Recently, the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) has been implicated in a “cover up” of inaccurate screening data for the Wise Woman (WW) Program. There was a coordinated effort by that Center to “bury” the fact that screening numbers for the WW program were misrepresented in documents sent to Congress; screening numbers for 2014 and 2015 did not meet expectations despite a multimillion dollar investment; and definitions were changed and data “cooked” to make the results look better than they were. Data were clearly manipulated in irregular ways. An “internal review” that involved staff across CDC occurred and its findings were essentially suppressed so media and/or Congressional staff would not become aware of the problems. Now that both the media and Congresswoman DeLauro are aware of these issues, CDC staff have gone out of their way to delay FOIAs and obstruct any inquiry. Shouldn’t NCCDPHP come clean and stop playing games? Would the ethical thing be to answer the questions fully and honestly. The public should know the true results of what they paid for, shouldn’t they? Another troubling issue at the NCCDPHP are the adventures of Drs. Barbara Bowman and Michael Pratt (also detailed in national media outlets). Both seemed to have irregular (if not questionable) relationships with CocaCola and ILSI representatives. Neither of these relationships were necessary (or appropriate) to uphold our mission. Neither organization added any value to the good work and science already underway at CDC. In fact, these ties have now called into question and undermined CDC’s work. A cloud has been cast over the ethical and excellent work of scientists due to this wanton behavior. Was cultivating these relationships worth dragging CDC through the mud? Did Drs. Bowman and Pratt have permission to pursue these relationships from their supervisor Dr. Ursula Bauer? Did they seek and receive approval of these outside activities? CDC has a process by which such things should be vetted and reported in an ethics review, tracking and approval system (EPATS). Furthermore, did they disclose these conflicts of interest on their yearly OGE 450 filing. Is there an approved HHS 520, HHS 521 or “Request for Official Duty Activities Involving an Outside Organization” approved by Dr. Bauer or her Deputy Director Ms. Dana Shelton? An August 28, 2016 item in The Hill details these issues and others related to Dr. Pratt. It appears to us that something very strange is going on with Dr. Pratt. He is an active duty Commissioned Corps Officer in the USPHS, yet he was “assigned to” Emory University for a quite some time. How and under what authority was this done? Did Emory University pay his salary under the terms of an IPA? Did he seek and receive an outside activity approval through EPATS and work at Emory on Annual Leave? Formal supervisor endorsement and approval (from Dr. Bauer or Ms. Shelton) is required whether done as an official duty or outside activity. If deemed official, did he file a “Request for Official Duty Activities Involving an Outside Organization” in EPATS? Apparently Dr. Pratt’s position at Emory University has ended and he has accepted another position at the University of California San Diego? Again, how is this possible while he is still an active duty USPHS Officer. Did he retire and leave government service? Is UCSD paying for his time via an IPA? Does he have an outside activity approval to do this? Will this be done during duty hours? It is rumored that Dr. Pratt will occupy this position while on Annual Leave? Really? Will Dr. Pratt be spending time in Atlanta when not on Annual Leave? Will he make an appearance at NCCDPHP (where he hasn’t been seen for months). Most staff do not enjoy such unique positions supported and approved by a Center Director (Dr. Bauer). Dr. Pratt has scored a sweet deal (not available to most other scientists at CDC). Concerns about these two positions and others were recently described in The Huffington Post and The Hill. His behavior and that of management surrounding this is very troubling. Finally, most of the scientists at CDC operate with the utmost integrity and ethics. However, this “climate of disregard” puts many of us in difficult positions. We are often directed to do things we know are not right. For example, Congress has made it very clear that domestic funding for NCCDPHP (and other CIOs) should be used for domestic work and that the bulk of NCCDPHP funding should be allocated to program (not research). If this is the case, why then is NCCDPHP taking domestic staff resources away from domestic priorities to work on global health issues? Why in FY17 is NCCDPHP diverting money away from program priorities that directly benefit the public to support an expensive research FOA that may not yield anything that benefits the public? These actions do not serve the public well. Why is nothing being done to address these problems? Why has the CDC OD turned a blind eye to these things. The lack of respect for science and scientists that support CDC’s legacy is astonishing. Please do the right thing. Please be an agent of change. Respectfully, CDC Spider (CDC Scientists Preserving Integrity, Diligence and Ethics in Research) https://usrtk.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/CDC_SPIDER_Letter-1.pdf January 13, 2016 Thomas Frieden, MD, MPH Director Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30329-4027 Re: Docket No. CDC-2015-0112; Proposed 2016 Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain Dear Dr. Frieden: There is no question that there is an opioid misuse epidemic and that efforts need to be made to control it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is applauded for its steps to undertake this lofty effort. However, based on the American Academy of Family Physicians’ (AAFP’s) review of the guideline, it is apparent that the presented recommendations are not graded at a level consistent with currently available evidence. The AAFP certainly wants to promote safe and appropriate prescribing of opioids; however, we recommend that the CDC still adhere to the rigorous standards for reliable and trustworthy guidelines set forth by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). The AAFP believes that giving a strong recommendation derived from generalizations based on consensus expert opinion does not adhere to evidence-based standards for developing clinical guideline recommendations. The AAFP’s specific concerns with the CDC’s methodology, evidence base, and recommendations are outlined below. Methodology and Evidence Base All of the recommendations are based on low or very low quality evidence, yet all but one are Category A (or strong) recommendations. The guideline states that in the GRADE methodology "a particular quality of evidence does not necessarily imply a particular strength of recommendation." While this is true, it applies when benefits significantly outweigh harms (or vice versa). When there is insufficient evidence to determine the benefits and harms of a recommendation, that determination should not be made. When evaluating the benefits of opioids, the evidence review only included studies with outcomes of at least one year. However, studies with shorter intervals were allowed for analysis of the benefits of nonopioid treatments. The guideline states that no evidence shows long-term benefit of opioid use (because there are few studies), yet the guideline reports "extensive evidence" of potential harms, even though these studies were of low quality. The accompanying text also states "extensive evidence" of the benefits of non-opioid treatments, yet this evidence was from shorter term studies, was part of the contextual review rather than the clinical systematic review, and did not compare non- opioid treatments to opioids. The patient voice and preferences were not explicitly included in the guideline. This raises concerns about the patient-centeredness of the guideline. https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/advocacy/prevention/risk/LT-CDC-OpioidGuideline011516.pdf The Myth of Morphine Equivalent Daily Dosage Medscape Neuro Perspective For far too many years, pain researchers and clinicians have relied on the concept of the morphine equivalent daily dosage (MEDD), or some variant of it, as a means of comparing the "relative corresponding quantity" of the numerous opioid molecules that are important tools in the treatment of chronic pain. ...And, most unfortunately, opioid prescribing guideline committees have relied on this concept as a means of placing (usually arbitrary) limits on the levels of opioids that a physician or other clinician should be allowed to prescribe. Although these guidelines typically bill themselves as "voluntary," their chilling effect on prescribers and adaptation into state laws[2] makes calling them "voluntary" disingenuous. Although some scientists and clinicians have been questioning the conceptual validity of MEDD for several years, a recent study[3] has indicated that the concept is unequivocally flawed—thereby invalidating its use empirically and as a tool in prescribing guideline development. The authors used survey data from pharmacists, physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to estimate daily morphine equivalents and found great inconsistency in their conversions of hydrocodone, fentanyl transdermal patches, methadone, oxycodone, and hydromorphone—illustrating the potential for dramatic underdosing or, in other cases, fatal overdosing. Patients with chronic pain (particularly that of noncancer origin) who are reliant on opioid analgesia are already sufficiently stigmatized and marginalized[7] to allow this type of practice to continue to be the norm. Although the use of MEDD in research and, to a greater extent, in practice, is probably due to unawareness of its inaccuracy, we posit that the use of MEDD by recent opioid guideline committees (eg, the Washington State Opioid Guideline Committee[8] and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline Committee[9]) in the drafting of their guidelines is based more heavily on disregarding available evidence rather than ignorance. Furthermore, their misconduct in doing so has been more pernicious than the use of MEDD by researchers and individual clinicians, because these guidelines widely affect society as a whole as well as individual patients with persistent pain syndromes. We opine that these committees are strongly dominated by the antiopioid community, whose agenda is to essentially restrict opioid access—irrespective of the lack of data indicating that opioids cannot be a useful tool in the comprehensive treatment of carefully selected and closely monitored patients with chronic pain. Above 100% extracted from: Medscape Journal Brief https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/863477_2 Actual Study https://www.dovepress.com/the-medd-myth-the-impact-of-pseudoscience-on-pain-research-and-prescri-peer-reviewed-article-JPR Are Non-Opioid Medications Superior in Treatment of Pain than Opioid Pain Medicine? Ice Cream Flavor Analogy... In the Oxford University Press, a November 2018 scientific white paper[5] was released that examined the quality of one of the primary studies that have been used to justify the urgent call to drastically reduce opioid pain medication prescribing while claiming that patients are not being harmed in the process. The study is commonly referred to as ‘the Krebs study’. “The authors concluded that treatment with opioids was not superior to treatment with non opioid medications for improving pain-related function over 12 months.” Here is an excerpt from the first paragraph of the design section (usually behind a paywall) from the Krebs study that gives the first hint of the bias that led to them to ‘prove’ that opioids were not effective for chronic pain: “The study was intended to assess long-term outcomes of opioids compared with non opioid medications for chronic pain. The patient selection, though, specifically excluded patients on long-term opioid therapy.”Here is an analogy given in the Oxford Journal white paper to illustrate how the study design was compromised: If I want to do a randomized control study about ice cream flavor preferences (choices being: vanilla, chocolate, or no preference), the results could be manipulated as follows based on these scenarios: Scenario A: If a study was done that included only current ice-cream consumers, the outcome would certainly be vanilla or chocolate, because of course they have tried it and know which they like. Scenario B: If a study was done that included all consumers of all food, then it can change the outcome. If the majority of study participants do not even eat ice-cream, than the result would certainly be ‘no preference’. If the majority do eat ice-cream it would likely be ‘chocolate’. Although this study is wider based, it still does not reflect real world findings. Scenario C: In an even more extreme example, if this same study is conducted excluding anyone who has ever ate ice-cream at all, then the conclusion will again be ‘no preference’ and the entire study/original question becomes so ludicrous that there is no useful information to be extracted from this study and one would logically question why this type of study would even be conducted (although we know the answer to that) Scenario C above is how the study that has been used to shift the attitudes towards the treatment of pain in our nation's medical community was designed. “One has to look deep into the study to find that they began with 9403 possible patients and excluded 3836 of them just because they had opioids in their EMR. In the JAMA article, they do not state these obvious biases and instead begin the explanation of participants stating they started with 4485 patients and excluded 224 who were opioid or benzo users.” That is the tip of the iceberg to how it is extremely misleading. The Oxford white paper goes into further detail of the studies “many flaws and biases (including the narrow focus on conditions that are historically known to respond poorly to opioid medication management of pain)”, but the study design and participant selection criteria is enough to discredit this entire body of work. Based on study design alone, regardless of what happened next, the result would be that opioids are no more effective than NSAIDs and other non-opioid alternatives. The DEA Is Fostering a Bounty Hunter Culture in its Drug Diversion Investigators[8] A Good Man Speaks Truth to Power January 2019 Because I write and speak widely on public health issues and the so-called “opioid crisis”, people frequently send me references to others’ work. One of the more startling articles I’ve seen lately was published November 20, 2018 in Pharmacy Times. It is titled “Should We Believe Patients With Pain?”[9]. The unlikely author is Commander John Burke, “a 40-year veteran of law enforcement, the past president of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, and the president and cofounder of the International Health Facility Diversion Association.” The last paragraph of Commander Burke’s article is worth repeating here. “Let’s get back to dealing with each person claiming to be in legitimate pain and believe them until we have solid evidence that they are scamming the system. If they are, then let’s pursue them through vigorous prosecution, but let’s not punish the majority of people receiving opioids who are legitimate patients with pain.” This seems a remarkable insight from anyone in law enforcement — especially from one who has expressed this view in both Pain News Network, and Dr Lynn Webster’s video “The Painful Truth”. Recognizing Commander Burke’s unique perspective, I followed up by phone to ask several related questions. He has granted permission to publish my paraphrases of his answers here. “Are there any available source documents which establish widely accepted standards for what comprises “over-prescription?” as viewed by diversion investigators?” Burke’s answer was a resounding “NO”. Each State and Federal Agency that investigates doctors for potentially illegal or inappropriate opioid prescribing is pretty much making up their own standards as they go. Some make reference to the 2016 CDC Guidelines, but others do not.
"No law enforcement agency at any level should be rewarded with monetary gain and/or promotion due to their work efforts or successes. This practice has always worried me with Federal investigators and is unheard of at the local or state levels of enforcement.”Commander Burke’s revelation hit me like a thunder-clap. It would explain many of the complaints I have heard from doctors who have been “investigated” or prosecuted. It’s a well known principle that when we subsidize a behavior, we get more of it. Financial rewards to investigators must inevitably foster a “bounty hunter” mentality in some. It seems at least plausible that such bonuses might lead DEA regulators to focus on “low hanging fruit” among doctors who may not be able to defend themselves without being ruined financially. The practice is at the very least unethical. Arguably it can be corrupting.I also inquired concerning a third issue:
Burke’s answer: “I hear the same reports you do – and the irony is that such tactics are unnecessary. Lacking an accepted standard for over-prescribing, the gross volume of a doctor’s prescriptions or the dose levels prescribed to their patients can be poor indicators of professional misbehavior. Investigators should instead be looking into the totality of the case, which can include patient reports of poor doctor oversight, overdose-related hospital admissions, and patterns of overdose related deaths that may be linked to a “cocktail” of illicit prescribing. Especially important can be information gleaned from confidential informants – with independent verification – prior patients, and pharmacy information.”No formal legal prosecution should ever proceed from the testimony of only one witness — even one as well informed as Commander John Burke. But it seems to me that it is high time for the US Senate Judiciary Committee to invite the testimony of others in open public hearings, concerning the practice of possible bounty hunting among Federal investigators.C50 Patient, Civil Rights Attorney, Maine Department of Health, and Maine Legislature Collaborative Enacted Definition of Palliative Care One suggestion that our organization would like to make is altering the definition of “palliative care” in such a manner that it can include high-impact or intractable patients; those who are not dying this year, but our lives have been shattered and/or shortened by our diseases and for whom Quality of Life should be the focus. Many of our conditions may not SIGNIFICANTLY shorten my life, therefore I could legitimately be facing 30-40 years of severe pain with little relief; that is no way to live and therefore the concern is a rapidly increasing suicide rate. This is a definition that one of our coalition members with a civil rights attorney and the Maine Department of Health agreed upon and legislators enacted into statues in Maine. This was in response to a 100mme restriction. This attorney had prepared a lawsuit based on the Americans with Disability Act that the Department of Health in Maine agreed was valid; litigation was never the goal, it was always patient-centered care. A. "Palliative care" means patient-centered and family-focused medical care that optimizes quality of life by anticipating, preventing and treating suffering caused by a medical illness or a physical injury or condition that substantially affects a patient's quality of life, including, but not limited to, addressing physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs; facilitating patient autonomy and choice of care; providing access to information; discussing the patient's goals for treatment and treatment options, including, when appropriate, hospice care; and managing pain and symptoms comprehensively. Palliative care does not always include a requirement for hospice care or attention to spiritual needs. B. "Serious illness" means a medical illness or physical injury or condition that substantially affects quality of life for more than a short period of time. "Serious illness" includes, but is not limited to, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, lung disease, cancer, heart, renal or liver failure and chronic, unremitting or intractable pain such as neuropathic pain. Here is the link to the most recent update, including these definitions within the entire statute: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/22/title22sec1726.html?fbclid=IwAR0dhlwEh56VgZI9HYczdjdyYoJGpMdA9TuuJLlQrO3AsSljIZZG0RICFZc January 23, 2019 Dear Pharmacists, The Board of Pharmacy has had an influx of communication concerning patients not able to get controlled substance prescriptions filled for various reasons, even when signs of forgery or fraudulence were not presented. As a result of the increased “refusals to fill,” the board is issuing the following guidance and reminders regarding the practice of pharmacy and dispensing of controlled substances:
AS 08.80.261 DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS (a)The board may deny a license to an applicant or, after a hearing, impose a disciplinary sanction authorized under AS 08.01.075 on a person licensed under this chapter when the board finds that the applicant or licensee, as applicable, … (7) is incapable of engaging in the practice of pharmacy with reasonable skill, competence, and safety for the public because of (A) professional incompetence; (B) failure to keep informed of or use current professional theories or practices; or (E) other factors determined by the board; (14) engaged in unprofessional conduct, as defined in regulations of the board. 12 AAC 52.920 DISCIPLINARY GUIDELINES (a) In addition to acts specified in AS 08.80 or elsewhere in this chapter, each of the following constitutes engaging in unprofessional conduct and is a basis for the imposition of disciplinary sanctions under AS 08.01.075; … (15) failing to use reasonable knowledge, skills, or judgment in the practice of pharmacy; (b) The board will, in its discretion, revoke a license if the licensee … (4) intentionally or negligently engages in conduct that results in a significant risk to the health or safety of a patient or injury to a patient; (5) is professionally incompetent if the incompetence results in a significant risk of injury to a patient. (c) The board will, in its discretion, suspend a license for up to two years followed by probation of not less than two years if the licensee ... (2) is professionally incompetent if the incompetence results in the public health, safety, or welfare being placed at risk. We all acknowledge that Alaska is in the midst of an opioid crisis. While there are published guidelines and literature to assist all healthcare professionals in up to date approaches and recommendations for medical treatments per diagnosis, do not confuse guidelines with law; they are not the same thing. Pharmacists have an obligation and responsibility under Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations 1306.04(a), and a pharmacist may use professional judgment to refuse filling a prescription. However, how an individual pharmacist approaches that particular situation is unique and can be complex. The Board of Pharmacy does not recommend refusing prescriptions without first trying to resolve your concerns with the prescribing practitioner as the primary member of the healthcare team. Patients may also serve as a basic source of information to understand some aspects of their treatment; do not rule them out in your dialogue. If in doubt, we always recommend partnering with the prescribing practitioner. We are all licensed healthcare professionals and have a duty to use our knowledge, skill, and judgment to improve patient outcomes and keep them safe. Professionally, https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/portals/5/pub/pha_ControlledSubstanceDispensing_2019.01.pdf FDA in Brief: FDA finalizes new policy to encourage widespread innovation and development of new buprenorphine treatments for opioid use disorder February 6, 2018 Media Inquiries Michael Felberbaum 240-402-9548 “The opioid crisis has had a tragic impact on individuals, families, and communities throughout the country. We’re in urgent need of new and better treatment options for opioid use disorder. The guidance we’re finalizing today is one of the many steps we’re taking to help advance the development of new treatments for opioid use disorder, and promote novel formulations or delivery mechanisms of existing drugs to better tailor available medicines to individuals’ needs,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “Our goal is to advance the development of new and better ways of treating opioid use disorder to help more Americans access successful treatments. Unfortunately, far too few people who are addicted to opioids are offered an adequate chance for treatment that uses medications. In part, this is because private insurance coverage for treatment with medications is often inadequate. Even among those who can access some sort of treatment, it’s often prohibitively difficult to access FDA-approved addiction medications. While states are adopting better coverage owing to new legislation and resources, among public insurance plans there are still a number of states that are not covering all three FDA-approved addiction medications. To support more widespread adoption of medication-assisted treatment, the FDA will also continue to take steps to address the unfortunate stigma that’s sometimes associated with use of these products. It’s part of the FDA’s public health mandate to promote appropriate use of therapies. Misunderstanding around these products, even among some in the medical and addiction fields, enables stigma to attach to their use. These views can serve to keep patients who are seeking treatment from reaching their goal. That stigma reflects a perspective some have that a patient is still suffering from addiction even when they’re in full recovery, just because they require medication to treat their illness. This owes to a key misunderstanding of the difference between a physical dependence and an addiction. Because of the biology of the human body, everyone who uses a meaningful dose of opioids for a modest length of time develops a physical dependence. This means that there are withdrawal symptoms after the use stops. A physical dependence to an opioid drug is very different than being addicted to such a medication. Addiction requires the continued use of opioids despite harmful consequences on someone’s life. Addiction involves a psychological preoccupation to obtain and use opioids above and beyond a physical dependence. But someone who is physically dependent on opioids as a result of the treatment of pain but who is not craving the drugs is not addicted. The same principle applies to replacement therapy used to treat opioid addiction. Someone who requires long-term treatment for opioid addiction with medications, including those that are partial or complete opioid agonists and can create a physical dependence, isn’t addicted to those medications. With the right treatments coupled to psychosocial support, recovery from opioid addiction is possible. The FDA remains committed to using all of our tools and authorities to help those currently addicted to opioids, while taking steps to prevent new cases of addiction.” Above is the full statement, find full statement with options for study requests: https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/FDAInBrief/ucm630847.htm Maryland’s co-prescribing new laws/ amendments regarding benzos and opioids Chapter 215 AN ACT concerning Health Care Providers – Opioid and Benzodiazepine Prescriptions – Discussion of Information Benefits and Risks FOR the purpose of requiring that certain patients be advised of the benefits and risks associated with the prescription of certain opioids, and benzodiazepines under certain circumstances, providing that a violation of this Act is grounds for disciplinary action by a certain health occupations board; and generally relating to advice regarding benefits and risks associated with opioids and benzodiazepines that are controlled dangerous substances. Section 1–223 Article – Health Occupations Section 4–315(a)(35), 8–316(a)(36), 14–404(a)(43), and 16–311(a)(8) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article – Health Occupations (a) In this section, “controlled dangerous substance” has the meaning stated in § 5–101 of the Criminal Law Article. Ch. 215 2018 LAWS OF MARYLAND (B) On treatment for pain, a health care provider, based on the clinical judgment of the health care provider, shall prescribe: (1) The lowest effective dose of an opioid; and (2)A quantity that is no greater than the quantity needed for the expected duration of pain severe enough to require an opioid that is a controlled dangerous substance unless the opioid is prescribed to treat: (a.) A substance–related disorder; (b.) Pain associated with a cancer diagnosis; (c.) Pain experienced while the patient is receiving end–of–life, hospice, or palliative care services; or (d.) Chronic pain (C.) The dosage, quantity, and duration of an opioid prescribed under [subsection (b)] of this [section] shall be based on an evidence–based clinical guideline for prescribing controlled dangerous substances that is appropriate for: (1.) The health care service delivery setting for the patient; (2.) The type of health care services required by the patient; (3.) and The age and health status of the patient. (D) (1) WHEN A PATIENT IS PRESCRIBED AN OPIOID UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, THE PATIENT SHALL BE ADVISED OF THE BENEFITS AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPIOID. (2) WHEN A PATIENT IS CO–PRESCRIBED A BENZODIAZEPINE WITH AN OPIOID THAT IS PRESCRIBED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, THE PATIENT SHALL BE ADVISED OF THE BENEFITS AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BENZODIAZEPINE AND THE CO–PRESCRIPTION OF THE BENZODIAZEPINE.(E) A violation of [subsection (b) OR (D) of] this section is grounds for disciplinary action by the health occupations board that regulates the health care provider who commits the violation. 4-315 (a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 4–318 of this subtitle, the Board may deny a general license to practice dentistry, a limited license to practice dentistry, or a teacher’s license to practice dentistry to any applicant, reprimand any licensed dentist, place any licensed dentist on probation, or suspend or revoke the license of any licensed dentist, if the applicant or licensee: (35) Fails to comply with § 1–223 of this article. 8–316. (a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 8–317 of this subtitle, the Board may deny a license or grant a license, including a license subject to a reprimand, probation, or suspension, to any applicant, reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or suspend or revoke the license of a licensee if the applicant or licensee: (36) Fails to comply with § 1–223 of this article. 14–404. (a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 14–405 of this subtitle, a disciplinary panel, on the affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum of the disciplinary panel, may reprimand any licensee, place any licensee on probation, or suspend or revoke a license if the licensee: (43) Fails to comply with § 1–223 of this article. 16–311. (a) Subject to the hearing provisions of § 16–313 of this subtitle, the Board, on the affirmative vote of a majority of its members then serving, may deny a license or a limited license to any applicant, reprimand any licensee or holder of a limited license, impose an administrative monetary penalty not exceeding $50,000 on any licensee or holder of a limited license, place any licensee or holder of a limited license on probation, or suspend or revoke a license or a limited license if the applicant, licensee, or holder: (8) Prescribes or distributes a controlled dangerous substance to any other person in violation of the law, including in violation of § 1–223 of this article; SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect October 1, 2018. Approved by the Governor, April 24, 2018. https://legiscan.com/MD/text/HB653/id/1788719/Maryland-2018-HB653-Chaptered.pdf |
2023.06.04 13:51 JoshAsdvgi The Lost Woman
 | submitted by JoshAsdvgi to Native_Stories [link] [comments] The Lost Woman long time ago the Blackfeet were camped on Backfat Creek. There was in the camp a man who had but one wife, and he thought a great deal of her. He never wanted to have two wives. As time passed they had a child, a little girl. Along toward the end of the summer, this man’s wife wanted to get some berries, and she asked her husband to take her to a certain place where berries grew, so that she could get some. The man said to his wife: “At this time of the year, I do not like to go to that place to pick berries. There are always Snake or Crow war parties travelling about there.” The woman wanted very much to go, and she coaxed her husband about it a great deal; and at last he said he would go, and they started, and many women followed them. When they came to where the berries grew, the man said to his wife: “There are the berries down in that ravine. You may go down there and pick them, and I will go up on this hill and stand guard. If I see any one coming, I will call out to you, and you must all get on your horses and run.” So the women went down to pick berries. The man went up on the hill and sat down and looked over the country. After a little time, he looked down into another ravine not far off, and saw that it was full of horsemen coming. They started to gallop up towards him, and he called out in a loud voice, “Run, run, the enemy is rushing on us.” The women started to run, and he jumped on his horse and followed them. The enemy rushed after them, and he drew his bow and arrows, and got ready to fight and defend the women. After they had gone a little way, the enemy had gained so much that they were shooting at the Blackfeet with their arrows, and the man was riding back and forth behind the women, and whipping up the horses, now of one, now of another, to make them go faster. The enemy kept getting closer, and at last they were so near that they were beginning to thrust at him with their lances, and he was dodging them and throwing himself down, now on one side of his horse, and then on the other. At length he found that he could no longer defend all the women, so he made up his mind to leave those that had the slowest horses to the mercy of the enemy, while he would go on with those that had the faster ones. When he found that he must leave the women, he was excited and rode on ahead; but as he passed, he heard some one call out to him, “Don’t leave me,” and he looked to one side, and saw that he was leaving his wife. When he heard his wife call out thus to him, he said to her: “There is no life for me here. You are a fine-looking woman. They will not kill you, but there is no life for me.” She answered: “No, take pity on me. Do not leave me. My horse is giving out. Let us both get on one horse and then, if we are caught, we will die together.” When he heard this, his heart was touched and he said: “No, wife, I will not leave you. Run up beside my horse and jump on behind me.” The enemy were now so near that they had killed or captured some of the women, and they had come up close enough to the man so that they got ready to hit at him with their war clubs. His horse was now wounded in places with arrows, but it was a good, strong, fast horse. His wife rode up close to him, and jumped on his horse behind him. When he started to run with her, the enemy had come up on either side of him, and some were behind him, but they were afraid to shoot their arrows for fear of hitting their own people, so they struck at the man with their war clubs. But they did not want to kill the woman, and they did not hurt him. They reached out with their hands to try to pull the woman off the horse; but she had put her arms around her husband and held on tight, and they could not get her off, but they tore her clothing off her. As she held her husband, he could not use his arrows, and could not fight to defend himself. His horse was now going very slowly, and all the enemy had caught up to them, and were all around them. The man said to his wife: “Never mind, let them take you: they will not kill you. You are too handsome a woman for them to kill you.” His wife said, “No, it is no harm for us both to die together.” When he saw that his wife would not get off the horse and that he could not fight, he said to her: “Here, look out! You are crowding me on to the neck of the horse. Sit further back.” He began to edge himself back, and at last, when he got his wife pretty far back on the horse, he gave a great push and shoved her off behind. When she fell off, his horse had more speed and began to run away from the enemy, and he would shoot back his arrows; and now, when they would ride up to strike him with their hatchets, he would shoot them and kill them, and they began to be afraid of him, and to edge away from him. His horse was very long-winded; and now, as he was drawing away from the enemy, there were only two who were yet able to keep up with him. The rest were being left behind, and they stopped, and went back to where the others had killed or captured the women; and now only two men were pursuing. After a little while, the Blackfoot jumped off his horse to fight on foot, and the two enemies rode up on either side of him, but a long way off, and jumped off their horses. When he saw the two on either side of him, he took a sheaf of arrows in his hand and began to rush, first toward the one on the right, and then toward the one on the left. As he did this, he saw that one of the men, when he ran toward him and threatened to shoot, would draw away from him, while the other would stand still. Then he knew that one of them was a coward and the other a brave man. But all the time they were closing in on him. When he saw that they were closing in on him, he made a rush at the brave man. This one was shooting arrows all the time; but the Blackfoot did not shoot until he got close to him, and then he shot an arrow into him and ran up to him and hit him with his stone axe and killed him. Then he turned to the cowardly one and ran at him. The man turned to run, but the Blackfoot caught him and hit him with his axe and killed him. After he had killed them, he scalped them and took their arrows, their horses, and the stone knives that they had. Then he went home, and when he rode into the camp he was crying over the loss of his wife. When he came to his lodge and got off his horse, his friends went up to him and asked what was the matter. He told them how all the women had been killed, and how he had been pursued by two enemies, and had fought with them and killed them both, and he showed them the arrows and the horses and the scalps. He told the women’s relations that they had all been killed; and all were in great sorrow, and crying over the loss of their friends. The next morning they held a council, and it was decided that a party should go out and see where the battle had been, and find out what had become of the women. When they got to the place, they found all the women there dead, except this man’s wife Her they could not find. They also found the two Indians that the man had said that he had killed, and, besides, many others that he had killed when he was running away. When he got back to the camp, this Blackfoot picked up his child and put it on his back, and walked round the camp mourning and crying, and the child crying, for four days and four nights, until he was exhausted and worn out, and then he fell asleep. When the rest of the people saw him walking about mourning, and that he would not eat nor drink, their hearts were very sore, and they felt very sorry for him and for the child, for he was a man greatly thought of by the people. While he lay there asleep, the chief of the camp came to him and woke him, and said: “Well, friend, what have you decided on? What is your mind? What are you going to do?” The man answered: “My child is lonely. It will not eat. It is crying for its mother. It will not notice any one. I am going to look for my wife.” The chief said, “I cannot say anything.” He went about to all the lodges and told the people that this man was going away to seek his wife. Now there was in the camp a strong medicine man, who was not married and would not marry at all. He had said, “When I had my dream, it told me that I must never have a wife.” The man who had lost his wife had a very beautiful sister, who had never married. She was very proud and very handsome. Many men had wanted to marry her, but she would not have anything to do with any man. The medicine man secretly loved this handsome girl, the sister of the poor man. When he heard of this poor man’s misfortune, the medicine man was in great sorrow, and cried over it. He sent word to the poor man, saying: “Go and tell this man that I have promised never to take a wife, but that if he will give me his beautiful sister, he need not go to look for his wife. I will send my secret helper in search of her.” When the young girl heard what this medicine man had said, she sent word to him, saying, “Yes, if you bring my brother’s wife home, and I see her sitting here by his side, I will marry you, but not before.” But she did not mean what she said. She intended to deceive him in some way, and not to marry him at all. When the girl sent this message to him, the medicine man sent for her and her brother to come to his lodge. When they had come, he spoke to the poor man and said, “If I bring your wife here, are you willing to give me your sister for my wife?” The poor man answered, “Yes.” But the young girl kept quiet in his presence, and had nothing to say. Then the medicine man said to them: “Go. To-night in the middle of the night you will hear me sing.” He sent everybody out of his lodge, and said to the people: “I will close the door of my lodge, and I do not want any one to come in to-night, nor to look through the door. A spirit will come to me to-night.” He made the people know, by a sign put out before the door of his lodge, that no one must enter it, until such time as he was through making his medicine. Then he built a fire, and began to get out all his medicine. He unwrapped his bundle and took out his pipe and his rattles and his other things. After a time, the fire burned down until it was only coals and his lodge was dark, and on the fire he threw sweet-scented herbs, sweet grass, and sweet pine, so as to draw his dream-helper to him. Now in the middle of the night he was in the lodge singing, when suddenly the people heard a strange voice in the lodge say: “Well, my chief, I have come. What is it?” The medicine man said, “I want you to help me.” The voice said, “Yes, I know it, and I know what you want me to do.” The medicine man asked, “What is it?” The voice said, “You want me to go and get a woman.” The medicine man answered: “That is what I want. I want you to go and get a woman—the lost woman.” The voice said to him, “Did I not tell you never to call me, unless you were in great need of my help?” The medicine man answered, “Yes, but that girl that was never going to be married is going to be given to me through your help.” Then the voice said, “Oh!” and it was silent for a little while. Then it went on and said: “Well, we have a good feeling for you, and you have been a long time not married; so we will help you to get that girl, and you will have her. Yes, we have great pity on you. We will go and look for this woman, and will try to find her, but I cannot promise you that we will bring her; but we will try. We will go, and in four nights I will be back here again at this same time, and I think that I can bring the woman; but I will not promise. While I am gone, I will let you know how I get on. Now I am going away.” And then the people heard in the lodge a sound like a strong wind, and nothing more. He was gone. Some people went and told the sister what the medicine man and the voice had been saying, and the girl was very down-hearted, and cried over the idea that she must be married, and that she had been forced into it in this way. When the dream person went away, he came late at night to the camp of the Snakes, the enemy. The woman who had been captured was always crying over the loss of her man and her child. She had another husband now. The man who had captured her had taken her for his wife. As she was lying there, in her husband’s lodge, crying for sorrow for her loss, the dream person came to her. Her husband was asleep. The dream-helper touched her and pushed her a little, and she looked up and saw a person standing by her side; but she did not know who it was. The person whispered in her ear, “Get up, I want to take you home.” She began to edge away from her husband, and at length got up, and all the time the person was moving toward the door. She followed him out, and saw him walk away from the lodge, and she went after. The person kept ahead, and the woman followed him, and they went away, travelling very fast. After they had travelled some distance, she called out to the dream person to stop, for she was getting tired. Then the person stopped, and when he saw the woman sitting, he would sit down, but he would not talk to her. As they travelled on, the woman, when she got tired, would sit down, and because she was very tired, she would fall asleep; and when she awoke and looked up, she always saw the person walking away from her, and she would get up and follow him. When day came, the shape would be far ahead of her, but at night it would keep closer. When she spoke to this person, the woman would call him “young man.” At one time she said to him, “Young man, my moccasins are all worn out, and my feet are getting very sore, and I am very tired and hungry.” When she had said this, she sat down and fell asleep, and as she was falling asleep, she saw the person going away from her. He went back to the lodge of the medicine man. During this night the camp heard the medicine man singing his song, and they knew that the dream person must be back again, or that his chief must be calling him. The medicine man had unwrapped his bundle, and had taken out all his things, and again had a fire of coals, on which he burned sweet pine and sweet grass. Those who were listening heard a voice say: “Well, my chief, I am back again, and I am here to tell you something. I am bringing the woman you sent me after. She is very hungry and has no moccasins. Get me those things, and I will take them back to her.” The medicine man went out of the lodge, and called to the poor man, who was mourning for his wife, that he wanted to see him. The man came, carrying the child on his back, to hear what the medicine man had to say. He said to him: “Get some moccasins and something to eat for your wife. I want to send them to her. She is coming.” The poor man went to his sister, and told her to give him some moccasins and some pemmican. She made a bundle of these things, and the man took them to the medicine man, who gave them to the dream person; and again he disappeared out of the lodge like a wind. When the woman awoke in the morning and started to get up, she hit her face against a bundle lying by her, and when she opened it, she found in it moccasins and some pemmican; and she put on the moccasins and ate, and while she was putting on the moccasins and eating, she looked over to where she had last seen the person, and he was sitting there with his back toward her. She could never see his face. When she had finished eating, he got up and went on, and she rose and followed. They went on, and the woman thought, “Now I have travelled two days and two nights with this young man, and I wonder what kind of a man he is. He seems to take no notice of me.” So she made up her mind to walk fast and to try to overtake him, and see what sort of a man he was. She started to do so, but however fast she walked, it made no difference. She could not overtake him. Whether she walked fast, or whether she walked slow, he was always the same distance from her. They travelled on until night, and then she lay down again and fell asleep. She dreamed that the young man had left her again. The dream person had really left her, and had gone back to the medicine man’s lodge, and said to him: “Well, my chief, I am back again. I am bringing the woman. You must tell this poor man to get on his horse, and ride back toward Milk River (the Teton). Let him go in among the high hills on this side of the Muddy, and let him wait there until daylight, and look toward the hills of Milk River; and after the sun is up a little way, he will see a band of antelope running toward him, along the trail that the Blackfeet travel. It will be his wife who has frightened these antelope. Let him wait there for a while, and he will see a person coming. This will be his wife. Then let him go to meet her, for she has no moccasins. She will be glad to see him, for she is crying all the time.” The medicine man told the poor man this, and he got on his horse and started, as he had been told. He could not believe that it was true. But he went. At last he got to the place, and a little while after the sun had risen, as he was lying on a hill looking toward the hills of the Milk River, he saw a band of antelope running toward him, as he had been told he would see. He lay there for a long time, but saw nothing else come in sight; and finally he got angry and thought that what had been told him was a lie, and he got up to mount his horse and ride back. Just then he saw, away down, far off on the prairie, a small black speck, but he did not think it was moving, it was so far off,—barely to be seen. He thought maybe it was a rock. He lay down again and took sight on the speck by a straw of grass in front of him, and looked for a long time, and after a while he saw the speck pass the straw, and then he knew it was something. He got on his horse and started to ride up and find out what it was, riding way around it, through the hills and ravines, so that he would not be seen. He rode up in a ravine behind it, pretty near to it, and then he could see it was a person on foot. He got out his bow and arrows and held them ready to use, and then started to ride up to it. He rode toward the person, and at last he got near enough to see that it was his wife. When he saw this, he could not help crying; and as he rode up, the woman looked back, and knew first the horse, and then her husband, and she was so glad that she fell down and knew nothing. After she had come to herself and they had talked together, they got on the horse and rode off toward camp. When he came over the hill in sight of camp, all the people began to say, “Here comes the man”; and at last they could see from a distance that he had some one on the horse behind him, and they knew that it must be his wife, and they were glad to see him bringing her back, for he was a man thought a great deal of, and everybody liked him and liked his wife and the way he was kind to her. Then the handsome girl was given to the medicine man and became his wife. |
2023.06.04 13:29 Zeplight [H] 500+ Games, Absolver, Zombie Army 4, Deathloop, Crusader King 3, Dark Wood etc. [W] Paypal Only.
The keys on the list are global unless otherwise stated. Paypal fees if any is on the buyer side. Prices are in USD and included of Paypal Fees. Not open for game trade.
My IGS Rep Page: https://www.reddit.com/IGSRep/comments/xksm8m/zeplights_igs_rep_page/
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submitted by Zeplight to indiegameswap [link] [comments]
My IGS Rep Page: https://www.reddit.com/IGSRep/comments/xksm8m/zeplights_igs_rep_page/
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- Memoria Soundtrack
- Men of War: Assault Squad 2 War Chest Edition
- Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
- Metal Gear Solid V: The Definitive Experience DLC
- Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
- Metal Unit
- Metro Exodus PC Enhanced Edition
- Middle-Earth: Shadows of Mordor GOTY (cannot be activated in Japan)
- Middle-Earth: Shadows of War
- Midnight Protocol
- Milky Way Prince The Vampire Star
- Mind Scanner
- Minit
- Minoria
- MO: Astray
- MOLEK-SYNTEZ
- Monster Crown
- Monster Prom
- Monster Prom 2: Monster Camp
- Monster Sanctuary (sub389091)
- Monster Train First Class Edition
- Moonlighter
- Morbid: The Seven Acolytes
- Morbius Front '83
- Mordhau
- Morkredd
- Mothergunship
- Moving Out (sub444329)
- My Friend Pedro
- My Time At Portia (Asia locked)
- Nairi: Tower of Shirin
- Narcissu 10th Anniversary Anthology Project
- Narcissu 10th Anniversary Anthology Project Season Pass
- Narita Boy
- Nebuchadnezzar
- Necromunda: Hired Gun
- Neon Abyss
- Neoverse
- Neurovoider
- Niche - A Genetic Survival Game
- Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
- Nilfelheim
- Nigate Tale
- Night Call
- Nimbatus The Space Drone Construction
- Not For Breakfast
- Not Tonight
- Nowhere Prophet
- Okami HD
- Old Man's Journey
- Olliolli World - Rad Edition (sub674842)
- Omno
- One Step From Eden (sub436891)
- Opus Magnum
- Orwell: Ignorance Is Strength
- Orwell: Keeping An Eye On You
- Othercide
- Out of Space
- Out of the Park Baseball 18
- Outward (sub350244)
- Overcooked 2
- Overload
- Override: Mech City Brawl
- Panzer Paladin
- Paradigm
- Paradise Killer
- Paradise Lost
- Paratopic
- Partisans 1941
- Party Hard 2
- Path of Giants
- Pathfinder Kingmaker Explorer Edition
- Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
- Pathalogic 2
- Paw Paw Paw
- PC Building Simulator
- Peaky Blinders: Mastermind
- Per Aspera (sub625162)
- Pesterquest
- PGA Tour 2k21 (sub489182)
- Phantom Doctine
- Phoenix Point: Year One Edition
- Pillars of Eternity
- Plague Inc: Evolved
- Planet Alpha
- Planet Coaster
- Planet Coaster - World's Fair Pack
- Planet Zoo (sub430055)
- Police Stories
- Pool Panic
- Popup Dungeon (sub522177)
- Project Winter
- Pumpkin Jack
- Punch Club
- Purrfect Date - Visual Novel/Dating Simulator
- Puss!
- Q.U.B.E 2
- Railroad Corporation (sub772236)
- Railroad Tycoon 2 Platinum
- Railroad Tycoon 3
- Railraod Empire (sub221839)
- Raji: An Ancient Epic
- Rapture Rejects
- Rapture Rejects Safari Outfit DLC
- Rebel Cops
- Rebuild 3: Gangs of Deadsville
- Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mastered
- Red Solstice 2: Survivors x2
- Regular Human Basketball
- Relicta
- Remothered: Broken Porcelain
- Resident Evil Revelations
- Retimed
- Revita
- Ring of Pain (sub500224)
- Rise of Industry
- Rising Storm 2: Vietnam + 2 DLCS
- Road Redemption
- Roboquest
- Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder
- Rock of Ages 3: Make A Break
- Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos (sub530677)
- Rogue Lords
- Roki (sub481264)
- Rollerdrome (sub751973)
- Root Double - Before Crimes * After Days -Xtend Edition
- Rover Mechanic Simulator
- Rustler
- S.W.I.N.E HD Remaster
- Scribblenauts Unlimited
- Secret Neighbor
- Seven: The Days Long Gone
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider
- Shadow Tactics: Aiko's Choice
- Shadows: Awakening
- Shady Part of Me
- Shapez - Puzzle DLC
- She Remembered Caterpillars
- Shenmue 1 & 2
- Shenmue 3
- Shenzen I/O
- Shining Resonance Refrain
- Shoppe Keep 2
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI
- Sid Meier's Civilization VI Platinum Edition
- Sid Meier's Railroads!
- Siege Survival: Glora Victis (sub582859)
- Sigma Theory: Global Cold War
- Silence
- Silver Chains
- SimplePlanes
- Simplerockets 2
- Simulacra
- Simulacra 2
- Size Matters
- Skully
- Slipstream
- Smnile For Me
- Sniper Elite
- Sniper Elite 3
- Sniper Elite V2
- Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts (sub404878)
- Song of Horrow Complete Edition
- Sonic Mania
- Sound of Drop Fall Into Poison
- Space Accident
- SpeedRunners
- Spellcaster University
- Spintires
- Spongebob Squarepants: Battle For Bikini Bottom Rehydrated (sub458837)
- Star Renegade (sub794787)
- Star Wars: Squadrons (Origin Key)
- State of Mind
- Steel Rats
- Still There
- Strange Brigade
- Street Fighter V
- Struggling
- Stubbs The Zombie In Rebel Without A Pulse
- Stygian: Regin of the Old Ones
- Sundered
- Sunless Bundle
- Sunrider: Liberation Day - CAptain's Edition
- Super Daryl Deluxe
- Super Magdot (sub594513)
- Superhot: Mind Control Delete
- Superliminal
- Supraland (sub460236)
- Surviving Mars
- Surviving The Aftermath
- Suzerain
- Swag And Sorcery
- Sword Legacy Omen
- Sowrds and Soldiers 2 Shawarmageddon
- Syberia 3
- Tabletop Playground
- Tales of The Neon Sea
- Tannenberg
- The Adventure Pals
- The Ambassador: Fractured Timelines
- The Anacrusis
- The Ascent
- The Bard's Tale IV: Director's Cut
- The Beast Inside
- The Coma 2: Vicious Sisters
- The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet of Chaos
- The Dwarves
- The Final Station
- The Haunted Island A Frog Detective Game
- The Henry Stickman Collection Farmer's Dynasty
- The Journey Down: Chapter Three
- The King's Bird
- The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante
- The Messenger
- The Occupation
- The Serpent Rogue (sub703028)
- The Shapeshifting Detective
- The Spiral Scouts
- The Stillness of the Winf
- The Suicide of Rachel FOSTER
- The Surge 2
- The Survivalist
- The Swords of Ditto: Mormo's Curse
- The Textorcist: The story of Rey Bibla
- The Uncertain: Last Quiet Day
- The Wild Eight
- This Is The Police 2
- Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales
- Through The Darkest of Times
- Timble
- Toem
- Tohu
- Tokyo 42
- Tools Up
- Total Tank Simulator (sub449434)
- Townsmen - A Kingdom Rebuilt
- Trailmakers
- Train Simulator 2017
- Train Simulator 2017: Platform Clutter Pack
- Train Simulator 2017: Town Scenery Pack
- Train Station Renovation
- Train Valley 2
- Tribes of Midgard
- Trine 4 The Nightmare Prince
- Tropico 6 El Prez Edition (sub309482)
- Truberbrook
- Tsique
- Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion
- Turok 2: Seeds Of Evil
- Underhero
- Unmetal
- Valfaris
- Valkyrie Chronicles 4 Complete Edition
- Valthirian Arc: Hero School Story
- Vampire: The Masquerade - Coteries of New York
- Vampire: The Masuerade - Shadows of New York
- Vampyr
- Verlet Swing
- Void Bastards (sub433886)
- Voidigo
- Wandersong
- Wargroove
- Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War
- Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus x2
- Warhammer: Chaosbane
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2
- Warsaw (sub410235)
- Warsim: The Realm of Aslona
- Warstone TD
- Wasteland 3
- We Need To Go Deeper
- We Were Together
- Werewolf: The Apocalypse Heart of the Forest
- West of Dead
- Where The Water Taste Like Wine
- Wildfire (sub463953)
- Wingspan
- Wizard of Legend
- Worms Rumble (sub519845)
- Wrath: Aeon of Run
- WWE 2K Battlegrounds
- WWE 2K Battlegrounds (sub489191)
- WWE 2K Battlegrounds Ultimate Brawlers Pass
- X-Morph Defense
- XCOM Complete Pack
- XCOM Chimera Squad (sub450756)
- XCOM Ultimate Collection
- XCOM 2 (sub192007)
- XCOM 2 Reinforcement Pack
- XCOM 2 Resistance Warrior Pack
- Xuan-Yuan Sword: The Gate of Firmament
- Yakuza 0
- Yakuza 3 Remastered
- Yakuza Kiwami
- Yakuza Kiwami 2
- Yes, Your Grace
- Yoku's Island Express
- Yooka-Laylee And The Impossible Lair (sub389099)
- Youropa
- Yuppie Pyscho
- Zengeon
- Zombie Army 4
- Zombir Army Trilogy x2
- Zwei: The Arges Adventure
- Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection
2023.06.04 08:06 DisastrousTip3081 What Was This Thing?
My mom lives in SE Ohio at the top of a hill on a country road. One day my son (age 8 at the time) was riding his scooter up and down the road (something he wasn't allowed to do for safety reasons.) So this country road has woods on both sides, but they aren't particulary dense on either side, and fields and a utility crossing splits the roadside woods from the bigger sections of forest.
He suddenly comes running up the hill, white as a ghost, teary-eyed, and says he saw something scary in the woods. He's almost inconsolable. He finally gets calmed down and we ask him what he saw. He says it was kind of like a stick figure but thicker. It was all black, had no facial features, and looked "just like the man on the bathroom signs."
Of course we went to check. He took us to a specific area, pointed out exactly where it was, even showed us how much taller it was than a dead tree in the area (roughly 7ft tall). He was physically shaking the whole time he was showing us and talking about it.
We told him it was probably a warning to stay out of the road, but what could it have been? Anyone ever seen anything like this before?
submitted by DisastrousTip3081 to Paranormal [link] [comments]
He suddenly comes running up the hill, white as a ghost, teary-eyed, and says he saw something scary in the woods. He's almost inconsolable. He finally gets calmed down and we ask him what he saw. He says it was kind of like a stick figure but thicker. It was all black, had no facial features, and looked "just like the man on the bathroom signs."
Of course we went to check. He took us to a specific area, pointed out exactly where it was, even showed us how much taller it was than a dead tree in the area (roughly 7ft tall). He was physically shaking the whole time he was showing us and talking about it.
We told him it was probably a warning to stay out of the road, but what could it have been? Anyone ever seen anything like this before?
2023.06.04 07:42 Fit-Importance1497 Chance a PubPol Kid
I'm an Asian Male applying from International School from a very competitive Asian country, Rising Senior, need not apply for financial aid, but EFC is around 65k USD
I'm applying for Public Policy but I want to have enough flexibility to change to whatever I want later, including the sciences or engineering
No demographic advantages
Type of School: Private, Competitive, has roughly 1 Ivy League each year from a cohort of ~25, generally 3 T10s
SAT: 1550 (760 English, 790 Maths), in my sophomore year
Academics: IGCSE (10th Grade): 9 A*, 1 A IB (11th Grade): 41/42 IB (12th Grade): 45/45 (predicted) AP Calc BC, AP US Gov, AP Micro, AP Macro all 5s, while self studying
Courseload: IB: Maths AA HL, Economics HL, Physics HL, French B SL (this is where I'm getting a 6), English A Literature SL, History SL
Awards and Honours: Over 15 Best Delegates at MUNs A really prestigious fellowship (acceptance rate <0.5%, also has a large scholarship with it) AP Scholar w/ Merit (idk what particular AP award I qualify for)
Extracurriculars:
1) Fighting a case in the Supreme Court of my country currently; lead plaintiff - this is a case on the constitutional validlity of certain health laws (won't discuss further so as to not doxx myself)
2) Managed to get an extra 1.14 Million USD per year in annual funding for healthcare expenses for my community, by lobbying to expanding access to the single payer health insurance we have
3) Collaborated with the national digital ministry to form a forum wherein students directly interact with policy makers and pitch their ideas
4) CEO/President of a youth-focused media organisation with a monthly physical readership of around 20k, digital is another 60k; roughly 100 contributors; we also run courses with classes curated by professional journalists
5) Founder and President of my school's MUN Programme, currently the largest extracurricular activity in the school + did ~40 MUNs
6) Founder and President of my school's Debate and Rationality Club; I have trained students who ultimately got placements in the country's national debate team
7) All expenses paid summer programme about rationality/maths, acceptance rate is around 2%
8) Head of Media and Editor-in-chief of my school's magazine and social medias
9) Researcher, have published papers on the law I'm fighting in the Supreme Court and the systems I got funding for; though these were in mediocre journals (high school/youth-focused journals)
Essays: Will be great I think, are quite unique
LORs: Will be good again, I'll be able to convince my teachers to include what I wish for
Reaches: Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Amherst, Williams, Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, UChicago, Northwestern, UC Berkeley
Targets: Swathmore, UCLA, Georgetown, UVa, UNC Chapel Hill (pls suggest more)
Safeties: pls suggest
Thanks! The supreme court case may seem unrealistic, but the legal system of my country has an oddity which makes it so that I can work without lawyers without compromising the quality of the case
submitted by Fit-Importance1497 to chanceme [link] [comments]
I'm applying for Public Policy but I want to have enough flexibility to change to whatever I want later, including the sciences or engineering
No demographic advantages
Type of School: Private, Competitive, has roughly 1 Ivy League each year from a cohort of ~25, generally 3 T10s
SAT: 1550 (760 English, 790 Maths), in my sophomore year
Academics: IGCSE (10th Grade): 9 A*, 1 A IB (11th Grade): 41/42 IB (12th Grade): 45/45 (predicted) AP Calc BC, AP US Gov, AP Micro, AP Macro all 5s, while self studying
Courseload: IB: Maths AA HL, Economics HL, Physics HL, French B SL (this is where I'm getting a 6), English A Literature SL, History SL
Awards and Honours: Over 15 Best Delegates at MUNs A really prestigious fellowship (acceptance rate <0.5%, also has a large scholarship with it) AP Scholar w/ Merit (idk what particular AP award I qualify for)
Extracurriculars:
1) Fighting a case in the Supreme Court of my country currently; lead plaintiff - this is a case on the constitutional validlity of certain health laws (won't discuss further so as to not doxx myself)
2) Managed to get an extra 1.14 Million USD per year in annual funding for healthcare expenses for my community, by lobbying to expanding access to the single payer health insurance we have
3) Collaborated with the national digital ministry to form a forum wherein students directly interact with policy makers and pitch their ideas
4) CEO/President of a youth-focused media organisation with a monthly physical readership of around 20k, digital is another 60k; roughly 100 contributors; we also run courses with classes curated by professional journalists
5) Founder and President of my school's MUN Programme, currently the largest extracurricular activity in the school + did ~40 MUNs
6) Founder and President of my school's Debate and Rationality Club; I have trained students who ultimately got placements in the country's national debate team
7) All expenses paid summer programme about rationality/maths, acceptance rate is around 2%
8) Head of Media and Editor-in-chief of my school's magazine and social medias
9) Researcher, have published papers on the law I'm fighting in the Supreme Court and the systems I got funding for; though these were in mediocre journals (high school/youth-focused journals)
Essays: Will be great I think, are quite unique
LORs: Will be good again, I'll be able to convince my teachers to include what I wish for
Reaches: Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Amherst, Williams, Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, UChicago, Northwestern, UC Berkeley
Targets: Swathmore, UCLA, Georgetown, UVa, UNC Chapel Hill (pls suggest more)
Safeties: pls suggest
Thanks! The supreme court case may seem unrealistic, but the legal system of my country has an oddity which makes it so that I can work without lawyers without compromising the quality of the case
2023.06.04 06:26 SandovalsNews Amanda Gorman's Book, 📚📖 'The Hill We Climb' Hit the #1 Spot On Amazon!!!! 💯👏💯👏
 | Amanda Gorman's Book 📚📖 'The Hill We Climb' Hit the #1Spot On Amazon!!!! 💯👏💯👏 https://www.instagram.com/p/CtDgpkyuRmJ/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng== submitted by SandovalsNews to Sandovals [link] [comments] |
2023.06.04 04:33 INeedtobeDetained I’ve posted an older version of my list, but I have a huge list of band/album names that I came up with. A lot really suck but I decided unless it’s already a band, I don’t delete anything
Faust
Mountains to Molehills
Beware of Dog
Beware of God
Ghoul
Rusted Crown
Ozymandias
King of Peasants
Petri
Fossil Fueled
Wire Strippers
Springheel
Radio Slaves
Serf
Transmogrify
Throatmeal
Feelworm
Preternatural
Watching Machine
Grendel
Strummingbird
Black Sunday
Bloody Kansas
Anaconda Plan
Supernatal
C Side
Sodbusters
Visigoths
Psychometric Doppelgängers
Gospel of Wealth
Young Salamanders
Gangstalkers
Leningrad Kangaroo Controversy
Echo of Titan
Turkey the Country
Turkey the Bird
Ibis
Lord of the Lizard Eaters
Skid Rowboat
Death Rowboat
Sodomy
Warthog Prolapse
Monteczuma’s Curse
False Awakening
Homer and the Beasts
Belt-fed Machine Fun
Cobblestone Purgatory
Dialogue with a Madman
As Of Yet Unmentioned Beasts
Homesick Astronomers
Figure 3
Fleshbeaks
Morse Code Erotica
Ratmass
Marshall and the Applewhites
Hells Gate
Heavens Late
Ambassadors of Hell
Ambassadors of Chernobyl
Miscellaneous Fire
50,000 Lizards
Masturbating Walrus
Plausible Deniability
Plausible Defiance
Lobotomy Scars
Group Therapy
Melancholy
Melancolleen
Melanchronic
Chronic Rain
Wayward Souls
Lantern Man
The Woodsmen
Lumberjacks and Jills
Lumberjills
Killing Instinctually
Rude Awakening
Brood Awakening
Author’s Note
Authors Purpose
Crystal River Monkeys
Skin Dogs
Gaggle of Freaks
Lobster on a Leash
Homohydra
Blind Optometrists
Fuck the Laundromat
Blood of the Earth
Moon Champions
Liars Cradle
Sons of Bacchus
Choir of Liars
Mr Mammoth
Tumor Head
Late Night Policy
Lemon Scented Guillotine
The should’nt’ve’s
The Shouldn’t Haves
Beast of Brassknocker Hill
Air Rod
Alien Big Cats
Indrid Cold
Cactus Cat
Giant of Kandahar
Fresno Nightcrawlers
Pass by Dyatlov
Dyatlov Passing
Dyatlov Passed
Lighthouse Keepers
I’m Fucking Fed Up
Fred Up
Living is the Most Punk Shit Ever
Fucked Up Lump of a Gourd
Dookie Brown
Masturbating Wallace
DILF
Organ Harvesters
[Singer] et al.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Operahouse
Copper Pipes
Zinc Pole
Magnesia
Hustle Car
Hustle Mass
Punkin Patch
Castaway
Marooned on a Desert Island
Wolfhunter
Asmodeus
Asmodai
Barbatos
Murmur
Murmurings
Malthus
Barbas
Suicide Note
Grylla and the Yule Lads
Phantom Shitter
Mushroomed
Monologue of a Madman
Whispers of Murmurings of Rumors of You
Whispers of You
Children of the Moon
Homicide Note
Sugary Salt
Hyperborea
Lonely Stoners
Agamemnon
Killing the Mood
Party Poopers
Buzzkill
Vessel
Poltergeist
Zeitgeist
LIVID
Punch Drunk
The Nature of Things
How It Is
Drawing the Curtain
Tilted
Tilt Controls
Outside In
Modus Operandi
Drakon
Out of Hospice
Fantasmagorical
Egot Poisoning
Vulf
Delusional and Delirious
Deliriously Delighted
Hedonistic
Cult of Personality
Geocentrists
Heliocentric
Egocentric
Inpatient
Outpatient
False Hope
Closed Casket
Fuckers with Instruments
Hogslobber
Simulacrum of Homosexual
Simulacrum
Out and About
Dour Mood
Dead Man Walking
Lovesick
Bonehead
Ignorant
China in a Bullshop
Glassware
One in the Chamber
Dead on Arrival
People Pleasers
Witching Hour
Against the Dying of the Light
End of an Era
Panopticon
Ultrasonic Music Factory
Wicked Creatures of the Jungle
Wicked Creatures of the Night
Pisswork
Loveless
Misery Code
Rokos Basilisk
Solar Plexus Clown Gliders
7106 Names For Love
Sexually Charged
Platonically Romantic
Romantically Platonic
The Memories of the Memories
Domepiece
Crackpot
Endless Shadow
Fimbulwinter
Bucket List
Borderline Balls
Borderline Bald
Gods Favorite Abomination
Onset of Apathy
Sexual Assault Missiles
Macroplastics
Glittery Blood
Bathtub Argonauts
Queef Grief
Fear of a Queer
Friends of Apparent Imagination
Of My Own Blood
Smoke and Mirrors
Born Too Late
Born Too Early
Woke Mob
Lead-Lined Casket
Pine Gasket
Digital Homunculus
Common Arithmetic
Manifesto
Shotgun Sea Slut
Shotgun Sea Slug
Millipede
Falling Anvil
Faking It
The Hammer Falls
Faking an Organism
Fake and Misleading
Faking an Aneurysm
Unknown Rodent
Premature Gesticulation
Son of Thunder
Internet Woman
Painfully Unaware
High Functioning Artist
Black Umbrella
Shooters, Flashers, Cowboys, and Detectives
Machine Elves
Cult of Horus
Insomniac
Arson the Nature
Crowtalk
London Under Fire
Platonically Romantic
Romantically Platonic
Incredibly Violent Actions
Koopa Troopa Side Profile
submitted by INeedtobeDetained to Bandnames [link] [comments]
Mountains to Molehills
Beware of Dog
Beware of God
Ghoul
Rusted Crown
Ozymandias
King of Peasants
Petri
Fossil Fueled
Wire Strippers
Springheel
Radio Slaves
Serf
Transmogrify
Throatmeal
Feelworm
Preternatural
Watching Machine
Grendel
Strummingbird
Black Sunday
Bloody Kansas
Anaconda Plan
Supernatal
C Side
Sodbusters
Visigoths
Psychometric Doppelgängers
Gospel of Wealth
Young Salamanders
Gangstalkers
Leningrad Kangaroo Controversy
Echo of Titan
Turkey the Country
Turkey the Bird
Ibis
Lord of the Lizard Eaters
Skid Rowboat
Death Rowboat
Sodomy
Warthog Prolapse
Monteczuma’s Curse
False Awakening
Homer and the Beasts
Belt-fed Machine Fun
Cobblestone Purgatory
Dialogue with a Madman
As Of Yet Unmentioned Beasts
Homesick Astronomers
Figure 3
Fleshbeaks
Morse Code Erotica
Ratmass
Marshall and the Applewhites
Hells Gate
Heavens Late
Ambassadors of Hell
Ambassadors of Chernobyl
Miscellaneous Fire
50,000 Lizards
Masturbating Walrus
Plausible Deniability
Plausible Defiance
Lobotomy Scars
Group Therapy
Melancholy
Melancolleen
Melanchronic
Chronic Rain
Wayward Souls
Lantern Man
The Woodsmen
Lumberjacks and Jills
Lumberjills
Killing Instinctually
Rude Awakening
Brood Awakening
Author’s Note
Authors Purpose
Crystal River Monkeys
Skin Dogs
Gaggle of Freaks
Lobster on a Leash
Homohydra
Blind Optometrists
Fuck the Laundromat
Blood of the Earth
Moon Champions
Liars Cradle
Sons of Bacchus
Choir of Liars
Mr Mammoth
Tumor Head
Late Night Policy
Lemon Scented Guillotine
The should’nt’ve’s
The Shouldn’t Haves
Beast of Brassknocker Hill
Air Rod
Alien Big Cats
Indrid Cold
Cactus Cat
Giant of Kandahar
Fresno Nightcrawlers
Pass by Dyatlov
Dyatlov Passing
Dyatlov Passed
Lighthouse Keepers
I’m Fucking Fed Up
Fred Up
Living is the Most Punk Shit Ever
Fucked Up Lump of a Gourd
Dookie Brown
Masturbating Wallace
DILF
Organ Harvesters
[Singer] et al.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Operahouse
Copper Pipes
Zinc Pole
Magnesia
Hustle Car
Hustle Mass
Punkin Patch
Castaway
Marooned on a Desert Island
Wolfhunter
Asmodeus
Asmodai
Barbatos
Murmur
Murmurings
Malthus
Barbas
Suicide Note
Grylla and the Yule Lads
Phantom Shitter
Mushroomed
Monologue of a Madman
Whispers of Murmurings of Rumors of You
Whispers of You
Children of the Moon
Homicide Note
Sugary Salt
Hyperborea
Lonely Stoners
Agamemnon
Killing the Mood
Party Poopers
Buzzkill
Vessel
Poltergeist
Zeitgeist
LIVID
Punch Drunk
The Nature of Things
How It Is
Drawing the Curtain
Tilted
Tilt Controls
Outside In
Modus Operandi
Drakon
Out of Hospice
Fantasmagorical
Egot Poisoning
Vulf
Delusional and Delirious
Deliriously Delighted
Hedonistic
Cult of Personality
Geocentrists
Heliocentric
Egocentric
Inpatient
Outpatient
False Hope
Closed Casket
Fuckers with Instruments
Hogslobber
Simulacrum of Homosexual
Simulacrum
Out and About
Dour Mood
Dead Man Walking
Lovesick
Bonehead
Ignorant
China in a Bullshop
Glassware
One in the Chamber
Dead on Arrival
People Pleasers
Witching Hour
Against the Dying of the Light
End of an Era
Panopticon
Ultrasonic Music Factory
Wicked Creatures of the Jungle
Wicked Creatures of the Night
Pisswork
Loveless
Misery Code
Rokos Basilisk
Solar Plexus Clown Gliders
7106 Names For Love
Sexually Charged
Platonically Romantic
Romantically Platonic
The Memories of the Memories
Domepiece
Crackpot
Endless Shadow
Fimbulwinter
Bucket List
Borderline Balls
Borderline Bald
Gods Favorite Abomination
Onset of Apathy
Sexual Assault Missiles
Macroplastics
Glittery Blood
Bathtub Argonauts
Queef Grief
Fear of a Queer
Friends of Apparent Imagination
Of My Own Blood
Smoke and Mirrors
Born Too Late
Born Too Early
Woke Mob
Lead-Lined Casket
Pine Gasket
Digital Homunculus
Common Arithmetic
Manifesto
Shotgun Sea Slut
Shotgun Sea Slug
Millipede
Falling Anvil
Faking It
The Hammer Falls
Faking an Organism
Fake and Misleading
Faking an Aneurysm
Unknown Rodent
Premature Gesticulation
Son of Thunder
Internet Woman
Painfully Unaware
High Functioning Artist
Black Umbrella
Shooters, Flashers, Cowboys, and Detectives
Machine Elves
Cult of Horus
Insomniac
Arson the Nature
Crowtalk
London Under Fire
Platonically Romantic
Romantically Platonic
Incredibly Violent Actions
Koopa Troopa Side Profile
2023.06.04 03:55 curious1984 Suggestions/Questions for Toddler Ride-On
I am looking to buy a ride-on truck/jeep/dune for my toddler's 3rd birthday. We have also have a 1.5 year old so it'll need to be a 2 seater. I do not plan on doing any upgrades to it myself, but my husband can do any maintenance if necessary.
We live on a small farm and there are some hills that it'll need to get up so I am set on getting a 24V. I have a question about a 2WD vs 4WD drive though. I know they aren't meant to be in wet conditions but its inevitable that there will be some wet grass and some mud puddles that get driven through. How important is it to have a 4WD one?
Also I was initially looking at Big Green Toys Country, but I have seen so many mixed reviews and it's a bit of investment so I'd like to get a decent quality one, even if it means spending a bit extra cash. I have a feeling this thing will get a lot of use over the next 5 years or so.
I am firm on having a parent remote and it being something other than a car as I need a bit more ground clearance for our environment. I like the idea of a little radio and lights, but it's not a deal breaker.
I'm a bit overwhelmed on all the different websites that offer these ride-on toys. Is there a reputable brand that doesn't require me to personally do upgrades?
Thank you for any advice or information!
submitted by curious1984 to PowerWheelsMods [link] [comments]
We live on a small farm and there are some hills that it'll need to get up so I am set on getting a 24V. I have a question about a 2WD vs 4WD drive though. I know they aren't meant to be in wet conditions but its inevitable that there will be some wet grass and some mud puddles that get driven through. How important is it to have a 4WD one?
Also I was initially looking at Big Green Toys Country, but I have seen so many mixed reviews and it's a bit of investment so I'd like to get a decent quality one, even if it means spending a bit extra cash. I have a feeling this thing will get a lot of use over the next 5 years or so.
I am firm on having a parent remote and it being something other than a car as I need a bit more ground clearance for our environment. I like the idea of a little radio and lights, but it's not a deal breaker.
I'm a bit overwhelmed on all the different websites that offer these ride-on toys. Is there a reputable brand that doesn't require me to personally do upgrades?
Thank you for any advice or information!
2023.06.04 03:40 CryptographerDry248 19M looking for anyone anywhere
I’m a 19M from the United States but I’m currently living in South Korea and I’m the hunt for a long lasting friendship! Here is some stuff about me.
I’m really big into video games such as minecraft, warthunder, fallout 4 and much more
My music taste is all over the place ranging from country to metal it all depends on how my day is going. I would be more then happy to send my Spotify playlist to you.I do enjoy reading but I haven’t been as constant with it as I used to be, but when I do it’s mostly motivational stuff or about history.
I’m a big fan of hiking and occasionally fishing, I love hiking through the woods and up hills to find the best views
I always have some type of stupid meme that I’m willing send, I will always try to raise your spirts and I hope you’ll do the same for me. After all life can be hard sometimes.
submitted by CryptographerDry248 to MakeNewFriendsHere [link] [comments]
I’m really big into video games such as minecraft, warthunder, fallout 4 and much more
My music taste is all over the place ranging from country to metal it all depends on how my day is going. I would be more then happy to send my Spotify playlist to you.I do enjoy reading but I haven’t been as constant with it as I used to be, but when I do it’s mostly motivational stuff or about history.
I’m a big fan of hiking and occasionally fishing, I love hiking through the woods and up hills to find the best views
I always have some type of stupid meme that I’m willing send, I will always try to raise your spirts and I hope you’ll do the same for me. After all life can be hard sometimes.
2023.06.04 03:26 Hilluja What is your opinion on how cartoons / animated shows have always depicted trans people?
Did you also grow up watching all the usual cartoon shows on TV? Even if you were not a die-hard fan of cartoons, there was always one on at almost any hour on some channel. In my country here in Northern Europe they ran cartoon show episodes during daytime hours and the late evenings were reserved for the adults and parents with national news and movies in the airing schedule.
The most popular ones for a long time were shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy, King of the Hill and South Park. They have some really good classic jokes that a lot of people relate to. But some of them did not age well. Coming out as gender queer about a year ago I started to notice their really outdated jokes on trans people and other gender identities. Anyone remember Quagmire's father in Family Guy coming out as a trans woman and immediately the showrunners hook him up with Brian, without his knowledge, depicting her "trapping" the family's womanizer dog during her first few days dating as a woman? Or Mister Garrison in South Park, who has a really long character arc as a detransitioner chasing after a medical transplant growth on a lab mouse, which runs away from the laboratory and she has to chase the mouse around town? The Simpsons didn't really include a trans character early on, instead comparing trans people to cultists in S4E10, to spiders and other nuisances to family time on S10E22, to discount/low quality versions of attractive poster models in S10E23, and to sexual predators and social climbers in S16E10 (where Patty thinks she is marrying a "masculine woman", and Marge crashes the wedding revealing that her wife has an Adam's apple, and thus is not "what you think, Veronica is secretly a man!".
All these shows berated trans people for the longest time, and growing up as a cis hetero kid in a cis hetero household, it never really clicked to me as a kid that these shows were peddling potentially hurtful messages, and having laughed at many of them makes me feel sick of myself and that time period now... Its kinda scary how a lot of people romanticise that era nowadays.
Nowadays I dont remember really seeing this kind of stuff in newer episodes, but neither have I seen any legitimate, likeable cartoon or TV show characters that are transgender or any other gender identity outside the norm. It feels like popular media still feels quite weird about us and is afraid to include us in any light in big budget productions now that depicting in negative light is no longer in fashion.
What do you think about all that? My understanding is that this is not the norm in most cartoons anymore (because we fought back), but it was totally a part of everyday life even just 10-15 years ago. Does it make you feel these shows were / are run by awful people and popular culture back then was super harmful to LGBTQ people, or do you still find yourself laughing at these jokes and simply not take it all so seriously? Am I just overreacting to a bygone era here, or is there still a legitimate risk that this kind of stuff becomes the norm in the "West"?
submitted by Hilluja to asktransgender [link] [comments]
The most popular ones for a long time were shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy, King of the Hill and South Park. They have some really good classic jokes that a lot of people relate to. But some of them did not age well. Coming out as gender queer about a year ago I started to notice their really outdated jokes on trans people and other gender identities. Anyone remember Quagmire's father in Family Guy coming out as a trans woman and immediately the showrunners hook him up with Brian, without his knowledge, depicting her "trapping" the family's womanizer dog during her first few days dating as a woman? Or Mister Garrison in South Park, who has a really long character arc as a detransitioner chasing after a medical transplant growth on a lab mouse, which runs away from the laboratory and she has to chase the mouse around town? The Simpsons didn't really include a trans character early on, instead comparing trans people to cultists in S4E10, to spiders and other nuisances to family time on S10E22, to discount/low quality versions of attractive poster models in S10E23, and to sexual predators and social climbers in S16E10 (where Patty thinks she is marrying a "masculine woman", and Marge crashes the wedding revealing that her wife has an Adam's apple, and thus is not "what you think, Veronica is secretly a man!".
All these shows berated trans people for the longest time, and growing up as a cis hetero kid in a cis hetero household, it never really clicked to me as a kid that these shows were peddling potentially hurtful messages, and having laughed at many of them makes me feel sick of myself and that time period now... Its kinda scary how a lot of people romanticise that era nowadays.
Nowadays I dont remember really seeing this kind of stuff in newer episodes, but neither have I seen any legitimate, likeable cartoon or TV show characters that are transgender or any other gender identity outside the norm. It feels like popular media still feels quite weird about us and is afraid to include us in any light in big budget productions now that depicting in negative light is no longer in fashion.
What do you think about all that? My understanding is that this is not the norm in most cartoons anymore (because we fought back), but it was totally a part of everyday life even just 10-15 years ago. Does it make you feel these shows were / are run by awful people and popular culture back then was super harmful to LGBTQ people, or do you still find yourself laughing at these jokes and simply not take it all so seriously? Am I just overreacting to a bygone era here, or is there still a legitimate risk that this kind of stuff becomes the norm in the "West"?
2023.06.04 03:25 Fwes Help with ID. Texas Hill Country
 | Taken with a trail camera, so not the best angle. Any ideas? submitted by Fwes to whatsthisbird [link] [comments] |
2023.06.04 03:18 dear_remnant [CAN-ON] [H]PS1-5,3/DS,GC,GBA,NSW,amiibo,misc [W] lists
Hi,
Here's what I can offer for trades. CIB unless noted otherwise. List may get updated after initial posting.
Notes.
submitted by dear_remnant to gameswap [link] [comments]
Here's what I can offer for trades. CIB unless noted otherwise. List may get updated after initial posting.
Have
| PS1 | |
|---|---|
| Breath of Fire 3 | Manual damaged. Missing first page. Disc plays okay. |
| Breath of Fire 4 | |
| Parasite Eve | Small crack in the case |
| Tactics Ogre | |
| Alundra | missing map |
| Dragon Warrior 7 | |
| Legend of Legaia | |
| Metal Gear Solid | missing manual |
| Lunar Silver Star Story Complete | some damage in outer box |
| Suikoden | small rip in first page of manual |
| Wild Arms 2 | loose disc only |
| Final Fantasy Tactics | |
| Revelations: Persona | box only |
| Star Ocean: The Second Story | |
| Gran Turismo | Brand new. Plastic wrap is gone but seal at the top is still intact. |
| A bug's life | |
| Black Dawn | |
| Formula1 98 | |
| Small soldiers | |
| The next tetris | |
| Star wars: Episode 1 The phantom menace | |
| Twisted metal III | |
| Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style | |
| Apocalypse | |
| Playstation Underground Jampack | |
| NHL FaceOff 99 | |
| NFL Xtreme | |
| NFL GameDay 2001 | Sealed. Small rip in the plastic wrap |
| NFL GameDay 2000 | |
| MLB 2000 | |
| 3Xtreme | |
| Contender | |
| Jampack Summer 99 | |
| Jampack Winter 98 | |
| Interactive CD Sampler Pack Volume 3 | |
| Spyro | |
| Bust A Groove |
| PS2 | |
|---|---|
| Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 [Limited Edition] | outer box showing some wear |
| .Hack Quarantine | Missing anime DVD, Case may not be original |
| Front mission 4 | |
| Katamari Damacy | |
| Silent Hill 3 | |
| Silent Hill 4 | |
| Suikoden 3 | |
| Final Fantasy XII Limited Edition (steelbook) | |
| Xenosaga Episode 1 | |
| Xenosaga Episode 3 | |
| Guitar Hero | |
| Guitar Hero Metallica | |
| Guitar Hero III Legend of Rock | |
| Rockband AC/DC Track Pack | |
| Grandia II | |
| Grandia III | |
| Yakuza 2 | |
| Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne | |
| Kingdom Hearts | GH |
| Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3 |
| PSP | |
|---|---|
| Untold Legends Brotherhood Of The Blade | |
| Prince Of Persia: The Forgotten Sands | |
| Legend Of Heroes III Song Of The Ocean | loose umd only |
| Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories | GH |
| Robots | UMD Movie |
| Vita | |
|---|---|
| Killzone Mercenary | loose |
| PS3 | |
|---|---|
| Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection [Artbook Bundle] | Sealed with artbook |
| Dante's Inferno Divine Edition | with slipcover, missing manual |
| Yakuza 3 | |
| BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend | |
| Batman: Arkham City | |
| Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII | |
| Disney Infinity starter pack | Sealed |
| Record of Agarest War 2 | Sealed, One corner of box is dinged |
| Dead Island Riptide [Rigor Mortis Edition] | Sealed |
| Dead Space 3 Dev-team Edition | Sealed, 4004/5000 |
| Battlefield 3 | |
| Battlefield 4 | |
| Far Cry 2 | |
| Far Cry 4 | |
| Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2010 | |
| Heavy Fire: Afghanistan | |
| Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas | |
| Little Big Planet Karting | |
| Batman: Arkham Asylum - GoTY edition | |
| Medal of Honor: Warfighter | |
| Need for Speed: The Run LE | |
| Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit LE | |
| Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit | loose, GH |
| Need for Speed: Rivals | missing manual |
| Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection | |
| Duke Nukem Forever | |
| Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes | GH |
| Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens | loose |
| Destiny | |
| Lost Planet 3 | Sealed |
| God of War Collection | GH |
| PS4 | |
|---|---|
| Fallout 4 Pipboy edition | Sealed |
| Elder Scrolls Online Tamriel Unlimited Imperial Edition | Sealed |
| Wolfenstein II: The new Colossus Collector's Edition | Sealed |
| Final fantasy vii remake | |
| Final fantasy vii remake deluxe edition | Sealed |
| Neptunia x SENRAN KAGURA: Ninja Wars | digital code |
| Sekiro: Shadows die twice | |
| Kingdom Hearts All-in-one | sealed |
| Fifa 14 | |
| Battlefield 4 | |
| INSIDE / LIMBO double pack | |
| WWE 2K15 Hulkamania Edition | sealed |
| Dying Light | |
| Fallout 4 | |
| Borderlands: The Handsome Collection |
| PS5 | |
|---|---|
| Tales of Arise | Sealed |
| Elden Ring Collector's Edition | Sealed |
| Elden Ring preorder code x3 | Willing to throw this in free with any trade |
| Elden Ring with steelbook bundle | Bundle seems to be Bestbuy Canada exclusive |
| Scarlet Nexus | Sealed |
| Evil Dead | digital code |
| Horizon Forbidden West Collector's Edition | Sealed |
| Xbox | |
|---|---|
| Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines | gamestop sticker on manual |
| Xbox360 | |
|---|---|
| Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation | |
| Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts | |
| Fallout 3 | |
| Halo 4 LE | Sealed |
| Lost Odyssey | |
| Silent Hill: Homecoming | |
| Otomedius Excellent |
| GameCube | |
|---|---|
| Resident Evil | |
| Donkey Konga 2 | Sealed |
| Wii | |
|---|---|
| Super Mario All-Stars: 25th Anniversary Edition | Sealed |
| The Last Story LE | |
| Sin & Punishment: Star Successor | Sealed |
| Switch | |
|---|---|
| Xenoblade Chronicles 2 | |
| Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna the Golden Country | Sealed |
| Xenoblade Chronicles 3 | Sealed |
| Metroid Dread Special Edition | Sealed |
| Shin Megami Tensei V Fall of Men Premium Edition | Sealed |
| Hoa | Sealed |
| Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town Premium Edition | Sealed |
| Prinny Presents NIS Classics Volume 1 [Deluxe Edition] | Sealed |
| AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES – nirvanA Initiative Collectors Edition | Sealed |
| Legend of Zelda the tears of the kingdom Collector's edition | Sealed |
| GBA | |
|---|---|
| Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage | loose |
| Avatar: The Last Airbender | loose |
| SpongeBob SquarePants Movie | loose |
| American Dragon Jake Long Rise Of The Huntsclan | loose |
| Ty The Tasmanian Tiger 3 | loose |
| Pokemon LeafGreen | loose |
| Pokemon Sapphire | loose, dry battery replaced |
| Chronicles Of Narnia Lion Witch And The Wardrobe | loose |
| Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 | loose |
| Tales of Phantasia | loose |
| Shining Soul 2 | loose |
| Kirby and the Amazing Mirror | loose |
| Kirby Nightmare in Dreamland | loose |
| DS | |
|---|---|
| Coral Pink DS Lite | Excellent cosmetic condition, charger included |
| White DSi | no charger, stylus |
| TMNT | |
| Lego Harry Potter Year 1-4 | |
| Phantasy Star 0 | missing manual |
| Flash Focus | |
| Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia | loose |
| Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume | loose |
| Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light | loose |
| Pokemon HeartGold | loose, small damage on label |
| Pokemon HeartGold | Complete minus Pokewalker |
| Pokemon SoulSilver | box only |
| Pokemon Diamond | |
| Pokemon Diamond | loose |
| Pokemon Platinum | loose |
| Pokemon Black | |
| Pokemon Black | missing manual |
| Pokemon Black | box only |
| Hoppie | no manual, some water damage in cover arts |
| Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days | |
| Metroid Prime: Hunters - First Hunt | loose |
| Diddy Kong Racing | |
| Fossil Fighters | |
| Professor Layton And The Curious Village |
| 3DS | |
|---|---|
| 3DS XL Black+Red | CIB, Cave Story digital installed |
| New 3DS XL Galaxy | loose. Charger included. Missing stylus, Dual IPS screen |
| Pokemon X | |
| Rune Factory 4 | |
| Bravely Second: End Layer | Warning booklet missing |
| Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance LE | Missing AR cards |
| Pokemon Sun | loose |
| Pokemon Ultra Sun | loose |
| Pokemon X | loose, have 2 |
| Pokemon Alpha Sapphire | loose |
| Kirby Triple Deluxe | loose |
| LEGO Star Wars The Force Awakens | Case in rough shape. Missing manual |
| Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond The Myth [Launch Edition] | sealed |
| Sonic: Lost World | |
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS | |
| Mario Kart 7 | |
| Kirby: Triple Deluxe | Nintendo Selects |
| Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D | Nintendo Selects |
| Tales of the Abyss | sealed |
| Fantasy Life |
| Amiibo (all SSB except noted otherwise) | All sealed in original box |
|---|---|
| Peach (Super Mario) | 025W1 |
| Yoshi (Super Mario) | 524W2 |
| Mario | 434W2 |
| Bowser | 464S1 |
| Diddy Kong | 424S1 |
| Luigi | 434S1 |
| Pikachu | 474W2 |
| Squirtle | 279W5 |
| Ivysaur | 299W5 |
| Snake | 2559G1 |
| Sonic | 494W2 |
| Peach | 444W3 |
| Link (Link's awakening) | 2079G1 |
| Link | 524S1 |
| Link (Majora's mask) | 187S1 |
| Guides | |
|---|---|
| Tales of Vesperia | BradyGames |
| Dark Souls | FuturePress, Sealed |
| Dark Souls II CE | FuturePress, Sealed |
| Dragon Warrior VII | Prima |
| Breath of Fire IV | Prima |
| Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch | Prima, Hard Cover |
| Wild Arms 4 | Prima |
| God of War III | BradyGames |
| Resident Evil 6 | BradyGames, Hard Cover, Sealed |
| Legend of Zelda Collector's Box Set | Prima, sealed |
| Manuals | |
|---|---|
| https://imgur.com/a/DLa5yM4 | Too many to list. Some 360/PS3 ones may be in French. Please ask. Harvest Moon (GC) is traded. |
| Steelbooks | G1 size unless noted. No games included. |
|---|---|
| Assassin's Creed 3 | in shrink wrap |
| Assassin's Creed Collection | |
| Batman Arkham City Armored Edition | |
| Batman Arkham City | G2 |
| Call of Duty Black Ops II | |
| Dead Space 3 | in shrink wrap |
| Devil May Cry | G2 |
| Dishonored | |
| Duke Nukem Forever | in shrink wrap |
| Epic Mickey 2 | |
| Farcry 3 | in shrink wrap |
| FF XIII Lightning Returns | in shrink wrap |
| Hitman Absolution | |
| Injustice Gods Among Us | |
| Medal of Honor Warfighter | G2 |
| New Super Mario Bros U | |
| NHL 12 | |
| Prototype 2 | in shrink wrap |
| Sleeping Dogs | |
| Thief | |
| World of Warcraft Mist of Pandara |
| Misc | |
|---|---|
| FF X Play Arts Tidus | Still in original box, never displayed out of box |
| FF X Play Arts Yuna | Still in original box, never displayed out of box |
| FF X Play Arts Auron | Still in original box, never displayed out of box |
| FFVII Advent Children Play Arts Sephiroth | Still in original box, never displayed out of box |
| FFVII Advent Children Play Arts Vincent | Still in original box, never displayed out of box |
| FFVII Advent Children Play Arts Cloud with Fenrir | Still in original box, never displayed out of box |
| Steer 'n win jr racing wheel/pedal | compatible with PS1/N64 |
| Diablo III Collector's Edition PC | Sealed |
| Diablo III Reaper of Souls Collector's Edition PC | Sealed |
| Homeworld Collector's Edition PC | Sealed |
Want:
Mostly interested in JRPGs and horrors. Working design, Enix, Falcom, NIS, Atlus, etc. Must be CIB unless noted otherwise.
| PS1 |
|---|
| Adventures of Lomax |
| Deception III: Dark Delusion |
| Echo Night |
| King's Field (Long box) |
| King's Field II |
| Klonoa: Door to Phantomile |
| Koudelka |
| Misadventures of Tron Bonne |
| RayCrisis: Series Termination |
| RayStorm |
| Shadow Tower |
| Tail Concerto |
| Thunder Force V |
| Torneko: The Last Hope |
| Resident evil survivor |
| PS2 |
|---|
| Blood Will Tell |
| Echo Night: Beyond |
| Forever Kingdom |
| Haunting Ground |
| ObsCure |
| Shadow Heart |
| Silent Hill 2 (Greatest Hits) |
| Silent Hill: Shattered Memories |
| Tsugunai: Atonement |
| PS4 |
|---|
| Atelier Ryza LE |
| Atelier Sophie LE |
| Tales of Berseria CE |
| PS5 |
|---|
| The Last of us Part 1 Firefly edition (sealed) |
| Vita |
|---|
| Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Brith 1 LE |
| GBC |
|---|
| Dragon Warrior Monsters |
| Dragon Warrior Monsters 2: Cobi's Journey |
| Dragon Warrior Monsters 2: Tara's Adventure |
| Dragon Warrior I & II |
| Revelations: The Demon Slayer |
| GBA |
|---|
| Klonoa 2: Dream Champ Tournament |
| Klonoa: Empire of Dreams |
| Lunar Legend |
| GameCube | |
|---|---|
| Star Fox: Assault | Manual only |
| Jet Black GameCube box and cardboard inserts | |
| Indigo wired OEM controller | low want |
| Switch | |
|---|---|
| Dragon quest xi | sealed preferred |
| DS | |
|---|---|
| Commando: Steel Disaster | |
| Dragon Quest V | |
| Dragon Quest IV | Box and manual only |
| Etrian Odyssey | |
| Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja | |
| Lunar: Dragon Song | Manual only |
| Resident Evil: Deadly Silence | |
| Sands of Destruction | |
| Super Robot Taisen OG Saga Endless Frontier |
| 3DS |
|---|
| Corpse Party: Back to School Edition |
| Dragon Quest VII |
| Dragon Quest VIII |
| Etrian Mystery Dungeon (Launch soundtrack bundle preferred) |
| Etrian Odyssey Nexus (launch edition) |
| Fire Emblem Fates SE |
| Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology (launch edition) |
| Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers (with soundtrack) |
| Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker (launch edition) |
| Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked |
| Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse Launch Edition |
| Others |
|---|
| Turbografx-16 Console (CIB) and CIB games |
| Dragon Quest Slime controller for Switch |
| All Uncharted Waters games (SNES and Genesis, CIB) |
- Prefer to trade within Canada, but will consider cross border too if offers are attractive.
- Will provide pics upon request.
- I have not listed everything in haves/wants. I will gladly check your list and work something out.
2023.06.04 02:18 Horatius_Flaccus A list of public domain hymns, sorted by page number
 | 1 Morning Breaks--The submitted by Horatius_Flaccus to latterdaysaints [link] [comments] 2 Spirit of God--The 3 Now Let Us Rejoice 4 Truth Eternal 5 High on the Mountain Top 6 Redeemer of Israel 7 Israel--Israel--God Is Calling 10 Come--Sing to the Lord 11 What Was witnessed in the Heavens? 13 An Angel from on High 16 What Glorious Scenes Mine Eyes Behold 17 Awake--Ye Saints of God--Awake! 18 Voice of God Again Is Heard--The 19 We Thank Thee--O God--for a Prophet 23 We Ever Pray for Thee 25 Now We’ll Sing with One Accord 26 Joseph Smith’s First Prayer 27 Praise to the Man 29 A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief 30 Come--Come Ye Saints 31 O God--Our Help in Ages Past 32 Happy Day at Last Has Come--The 33 Our Mountain Home So Dear 34 O Ye Mountains High 35 For the Strength of the Hills 37 Wintry Day--Descending to Its Close--The 38 Come--All Ye Saints of Zion 40 Arise--O Glorious Zion 41 Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise 42 Hail to the Brightness of Zion’s Glad Morning! 43 Zion Stands with Hills Surrounded 44 Beautiful Zion--Built Above 46 Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken 48 Glorious Things Are Sung of Zion 49 Adam-ondi-Ahman 50 Come--Thou Glorious Day of Promise 52 Day Dawn Is Breaking--The 55 Lo--the Mighty God Appearing! 58 Come--Ye Children of the Lord 59 Come--O Thou King of Kings 60 Battle Hymn of the Republic 61 Raise Your Voices to the Lord 65 Come--All Ye Saints Who Dwell on Earth 66 Rejoice--the Lord is King! 67 Glory to God on High 68 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God 69 All Glory--Laud--and Honor 70 Sing Praise to Him 72 Praise to the Lord--the Almighty 74 Praise Ye the Lord 75 In Hymns of Praise 76 God of Our Fathers--We Come unto Thee 77 Great Is the Lord 78 God of Our Fathers--Whose Almighty Hand 83 Guide Us--O Thou Great Jehovah 84 Faith of Our Fathers 85 How Firm a Foundation 87 God Is Love 88 Great God--Attend While Zion Sings 89 Lord Is My Light--The 90 From All That Dwell below the Skies 91 Father--Thy Children to Thee Now Raise 92 For the Beauty of the Earth 93 Prayer of Thanksgiving 94 Come--Ye Thankful People 95 Now Thank We All Our God 96 Dearest Children--God Is Near You 97 Lead--Kindly Light 98 I Need Thee Every Hour 99 Nearer--Dear Savior--to Thee 100 Nearer--My God--to Thee 101 Guide Me to Thee 102 Jesus--Lover of My Soul 103 Precious Savior--Dear Redeemer 104 Jesus--Savior--Pilot Me 105 Master--the Tempest Is Raging 106 God Speed the Right 107 Lord--Accept Our True Devotion 108 Lord Is My Shepherd--The 109 Lord My Pasture Will Prepare--The 110 Cast Thy Burden upon the Lord 111 Rock of Ages 114 Come unto Him 115 Come--Ye Disconsolate 116 Come--Follow Me 117 Come unto Jesus 118 Ye Simple Souls Who Stray 119 Come--We That Love the Lord 120 Learn on My Ample Arm 121 I’m a Pilgrim--I’m a Stranger 122 Through Deepening Trials 125 How Gentle God’s Commands 126 How Long--O Lord Most Holy and True 127 Does the Journey Seem Long? 131 More Holiness Give Me 132 God Is in His Holy Temple 133 Father in Heaven 136 I Know That My Redeemer Lives 140 Did You Think to Pray? 141 Jesus--the Very Thought of Thee 142 Sweet Hour of Prayer 143 Let the Holy Spirit Guide 144 Secret Prayer 145 Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire 146 Gently Raise the Sacred Strain 147 Sweet Is the Work 149 As the Dew from Heaven Distilling 150 O Thou Kind and Gracious Father 152 God Be with You Till We Meet Again 153 Lord--We Ask Thee Ere We Part 156 Sing We Now at Parting 158 Before Thee--Lord--I Bow My Head 159 Now the Day is Over 160 Softly Now the Light of Day 161 Lord Be with Us--The 163 Lord--Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing 164 Great God--to Thee My Evening Song 165 Abide with me; ‘Tis Eventide 166 Abide with Me! 167 Come--Let Us Sing an Evening Hymn 170 God--Our Father--Hear Us Pray 173 While of These Emblems We Partake 175 O God--the Eternal Father 177 ‘Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love 178 O Lord of Hosts 179 Again--Our Dear Redeeming Lord 180 Father in Heaven--We Do Believe 181 Jesus of Nazareth--Savior and King 182 We’ll Sing All Hail to Jesus’ Name 183 In Remembrance of Thy Suffering 185 Reverently and Meekly Now 186 Again We Meet Around the Board 189 O Thou--Before the World Began 191 Behold the Great Redeemer Die 192 He Died! The Great Redeemer Died 193 I Stand All Amazed 194 There is a Green Hill Far Away 195 How Great the Wisdom and the Love 196 Jesus--Once of Humble Birth 199 He Is Risen! 200 Christ the Lord Is Risen Today 201 Joy to the World 202 Oh--Come--All Ye Faithful 203 Angels We Have Heard on High 204 Silent Night 205 Once in Royal David’s City 207 It Came upon the Midnight Clear 208 O Little Town of Bethlehem 209 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing 210 With Wondering Awe 211 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks 212 Far--Far Away on Judea’s Plains 213 First Noel--The 214 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day 216 We Are Sowing 217 Come--Let Us Anew 218 We Give Thee But Thine Own 221 Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd 223 Have I Done Any Good? 224 I Have Work Enough to Do 225 We Are Marching On to Glory 226 Improve the Shining Moments 227 There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today 228 You Can Make the Pathway Bright 229 Today--While the Sun Shines 230 Scatter Sunshine 231 Father--Cheer Our Souls Tonight 232 Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words 233 Nay--Speak No Ill 235 Should You Feel Inclined to Censure 237 Do What Is Right 239 Choose the Right 241 Count Your Blessings 242 Praise God--from Whom All Blessings Flow 243 Let Us All Press On 244 Come Along--Come Along 246 Onward--Christian Soldiers 248 Up Awake--Ye Defenders of Zion 249 Called to Serve 250 We Are All Enlisted 251 Behold! A Royal Army 252 Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel 254 True to the Faith 258 O Thou Rock of Our Salvation 259 Hope of Israel 260 Who’s on the Lord’s Side? 265 Arise--O God--and Shine 266 Time Is Far Spent--The 267 How Wondrous and Great 268 Come--All Whose Souls Are Lighted 269 Jehovah--Lord of Heaven and Earth 270 I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go 271 Oh--Holy Words of Truth and Love 272 Oh Say--What Is Truth? 273 Truth Reflects upon Our Senses 274 Iron Rod--The 276 Come Away to the Sunday School 278 Thanks for the Sabbath School 280 Welcome--Welcome--Sabbath Morning 281 We Meet Again in Sabbath School 283 Glorious Gospel Light Has Shone--The 285 God Moves in a Mysterious Way 286 Oh--What Songs of the Heart 292 O My Father 294 Love at Home 307 In Our Lovely Deseret 312 We Ever Pray for Thee (women) 313 God Is Love (women) 314 How Gentle God’s Commands (women) 315 Jesus--the Very Thought of Thee (women) 316 Lord Is My Shepherd--The (women) 317 Sweet Is the Work (women) 318 Love at Home (women) 319 Ye Elders of Israel (men) 321 Ye Who Are Called to Labor (men) 322 Come--All Ye Sons of God (men) 326 Come--Come--Ye Saints (men) 328 An Angel from on High (men) 330 See--the Mighty Angel Flying (men) 331 Oh Say--What Is Truth? (men) 332 Come--O Thou King of Kings (men) 333 High on the Mountain Top (men) 334 I Need Thee Every Hour (men) 335 Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy (men) 338 America the Beautiful 339 My Country--Tis of Thee 340 Star-Spangled Banner--The 341 God Save the King 323--324 Rise Up--O Men of God I took this PDF: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/create/public-domain-hymns-hymnbook.pdf Converted it to text, cleaned it up, put it in a spreadsheet and sorted it. These are public domain, so you could use them in car commercials if you wanted to. |
2023.06.04 01:20 PsychedelicCinder First Marathon SPIRIT TRAIL RACE
Race Information
- Name: Spirit Trail Race Marathon
- Date: May 28th, 2023
- Distance: 44.69 kilometers
- Location: Buena Vista, CO
- Website: https://www.spirittrailrace.com/
- Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/2962455234293622634
- Time: 7:06:24
Goals
| Goal | Description | Completed? |
|---|---|---|
| A | Finish with no injury | Yes |
| B | Sub 6:00:00 | No |
| C | Sub 7:00:00 | No |
Splits
| Kilometer | Time |
|---|---|
| 1 | 8:17 |
| 2 | 8:09 |
| 3 | 8:11 |
| 4 | 7:57 |
| 5 | 8:44 |
| 6 | 7:49 |
| 7 | 8:04 |
| 8 | 7:01 |
| 9 | 7:15 |
| 10 | 7:31 |
| 11 | 10:02 |
| 12 | 9:02 |
| 13 | 8:54 |
| 14 | 11:02 |
| 15 | 9:43 |
| 16 | 8:38 |
| 17 | 8:42 |
| 18 | 8:54 |
| 19 | 9:02 |
| 20 | 8:38 |
| 21 | 8:03 |
| 22 | 10:29 |
| 23 | 9:44 |
| 24 | 11:18 |
| 25 | 9:40 |
| 26 | 8:22 |
| 27 | 7:11 |
| 28 | 7:58 |
| 29 | 9:56 |
| 30 | 12:48 |
| 31 | 10:33 |
| 32 | 9:50 |
| 33 | 10:00 |
| 34 | 10:46 |
| 35 | 10:31 |
| 36 | 10:44 |
| 37 | 12:32 |
| 38 | 9:03 |
| 39 | 11:25 |
| 40 | 12:58 |
| 41 | 12:59 |
| 42 | 12:51 |
| 43 | 10:10 |
| 44 | 10:16 |
| 45 | 7:39 |
Training
I've been slowly building up to this for the past three years. I got into running during Covid and have been building mileage until I started marathon training back in January. I choose this race because I have been on these trails since I was a baby and I know the trails really well. I loosely followed Higdon's Novice 1 training program because I own a small business and have a 2 yr old daughter. I felt like it was the only program I could reasonably make happen with my already busy schedule. I supplemented a lot of the early mileage with Cross Country Skiing and unfortunately, due to some nasty snow storms, I was forced onto the treadmill more than I would have liked but that comes with the territory when you live at 10,000 ft. The runs that I did get outside I was able to consistently get 500ft of elevation gain and my long runs usually had about 1200ft of gain. Lots and lots of cold exposure over the winter but that didn't do me a lot of favors. I incorporated more traditional strength training than usual during the weeks before as well, lots of goblet squats and split lunges. I also like to do some barefoot running so I lightly added a few miles of that into the last few weeks. I ate pretty clean while training, averaging about 2500cal and 100g of protein a day. I gave up sweets for lent as well so I wasn't gorging myself on any junk food. I did smoke a lot of weed though and I'm not thinking that did me any favors. Unfortunately, I left my running shoes at an AirBnB during the biggest mileage of the training block and I had to wait for new runners in the mail as the closest running store with the shoes I wear is 3hrs away in Boulder, CO. This cost me one of my longest long runs. Also during that same week I did a 3km run on the track barefoot, thinking it would be the safest place, and twisted my ankle pretty badly. This cost me my 32 km run and made me pretty gun-shy for the rest of the training block.Pre-race
Slammed water and LMNT packets for the month before. Did a 36hr fast 5 days before the race and then feasted the next 4 day but I ate fairly light the day before. We stayed at a local hot springs the two nights before the race to just relax and get away from work and my phone. The day before I got a gentle reflexology massage that lasted 30 min. Felt like I was ready. Woke up that morning well rested. Ate an apple, banana, coffee with heavy cream, and protein bar for breakfast. Hung out at the course start line for about 20 min and then kissed my wife and daughter for good luck.Race
Race was brutal and while I have done many 14ers I did not fully comprehend how intense the 3200ft of elevation gain and loss was going to be. The first 10k I felt really good, was holding at my target pace and the temperature was nice and cool. I was late hitting my first gel by about 15 min and stopped at the first major aid station for about 1 min. My family was there and I was feeling really good about the next section. Next section was all uphill and to my dismay I had to stop and use the bathroom, thankfully I always carry running TP. This is also when the sun really started to shine. I was keeping good pace but knowing that the big climb was coming I tried to hold back as much as possible. I rolled into the 2nd large aid station at 21km, my whole family was there and they gave me a shirt drenched in cold water, some honey stingers, and a Maurten 300cal drink mix. I left the aid station and went right into the climb. This climb was brutal, 1000ft over 3 miles, no shade, 9,000ft elevation, and the temp was 79F which is a nightmare at this elevation. I passed about 3 people here but was wishing I had some salt at the top as the heat was really starting to affect me and I was covered in salt from all the sweat I had just shed. Didn't hit the downhill as hard as I would have wanted because the heat was overwhelming. Made it to a water station and had to use the bathroom again! This was 30km in and I was starting to fade, trying to keep myself as cool as possible but I was starting to overheat and not feeling good at all. 32 kilometers in and I ran into a concrete wall. Between the heat and the winding trail I was starting to lose it. Thankfully, the next 3km to the aid station were the portions of the trail I had ran the most and was able to rally around my familiarity. I jogged into the 3rd big aid station at 35km in and my family was able to revive me by dumping water on me and I slammed a bunch of electrolytes. At this point my hips were on fire, my body was overheated, and I was gonna finish if I had to drag my corpse across the finish line. The final section of the course is aptly named 'Broken Boyfriend'. It broke me. I was able to power through it by walking up the hills and gently jogging down. My wife met me and jogged the last km with me which gave me the strength to pull a little faster and I even sprinted the last 10m!Post-race
Crawled into the Arkansas river, smoked a joint with my dad and friends, wobbled around and tried to comprehend why I had chosen such a hard course as my first marathon. Of the 59 racers who started the race only 37 finished, I placed 31st and am quite happy with my efforts. The following days I was so sore I felt like I had been drug through the trails instead of running them! I think the two hiccups I had during training cost me a little in the race but I did my best with the time I had!Made with a new race report generator created by herumph.