#AI-powered defense systems

[presswoodterryryan]

Understanding America's Iron Dome Initiative

By Mr. Fluffernutter Greetings, my fellow adventurers! It’s me, Mr. Fluffernutter, your ever-curious, ever-fluffy bunny correspondent, hopping into your hearts with yet another enthralling expedition deep into the realm of big ideas and even grander plans. Buckle up, my friends, for this time, we’re plunging headfirst into a presidential-sized topic straight from the bustling heart of…

[chiokedmachi]

"Chiborga: The Last Firewall"

Chi-Borga In the far reaches of the galaxy, where the line between man and machine had long since blurred, there was one name spoken in whispers across the stars—Chai-Bo, or Chiborga as he was called. Half-man, half-cybernetic enigma, and entirely possessed by the most powerful AI ever conceived, Chiborga was a living legend. Some revered him as a savior, others feared him as a godless force.…

[funnygirlthatbelle]

i suspect that a huge factor in the defense of students using gen ai (and academic dishonesty in general tbh) comes from the fundamental misunderstanding of how school works.

to simplify thousands of educator's theories into the simplest terms, there are two types of stuff you're learning in school: content and skills. content is what we often think of as the material in school- spelling, times tables, names, dates, facts, etc.- whereas skills are usually more subtle. think phonics, mental math, reading comprehension, comparing and contrasting; though students do those things often, the how usually isn't deemed as important as the what.

this leads to a disconnect that's most obvious when students ask the infamous "when will we use this in the real world?" they have- often correctly- identified content that the content is niche, outdated, or not optimized but haven't considered the skills that this class/lesson/assignment will teach.

i can think of two shining examples from when i was a kid. one was in middle school when they announced that we were now gonna be studying latin, and we all wondered why on earth they would choose latin as our foreign language. every adult promised us it'd be helpful if we went into medicine, law, or religion (ignoring that most of us didn't want to go into medicine, law, or religion), but we didn't buy that and never took it seriously. the truth was that our new principal knew that learning languages gets harder as you get older, and so building the skills of learning a language while it was easy for us was more important than which language we learned, and that's an answer twelve year old me would've actually respected.

similarly, my geometry class all hated proofs. we couldn't think of a single situation where you'd have to convince someone a triangle was a triangle and "look at it, of course it's a triangle" wouldn't be an acceptable answer. it was actually the band director who pointed out that it wasn't literally about triangles; it was about being able to prove or disprove something, anything using facts.

and so, so, so many assignments that are annoying as hell in school make more sense when you think about the skills as well as the content. "why do i have to present information about something the teacher obviously already knows about?" because research, verifying sources, summarizing, and public speaking are all really important skills. "why does this have to be a group project?" because you will have to work with other people in your life, and learning how to be a team player (and deal with people who aren't) is an essential skill. "why do we have to read these scientific articles and learn about graphs?" because if you can understand them, people can't lie to you about them.

now, of course, there's a lot we could do better- especially we as in the american school system. the reason i have an education minor but am not teaching is because of those issues. there are plenty of assignments that are busywork and teachers that are assholes and ways that the system is failing us.

but that doesn't mean you should cut off your nose to spite your face!

the ability to learn and grow and think critically is one of our most powerful tools as people. our brains are capable of incredible things! however, the same way you can't lift a car unless you consistently lift and build up to that, your brain needs to train in order to do its best.

so yeah, maybe chatgpt can write a five paragraph essay for you on the differences between thomas jefferson and alexander hamilton's governing philosophies. and maybe it won't even fuck it up! congratulations, you got away with it. but by outright refusing to use your brain and practice these skills, who have you helped? you haven't learned anything. worse, you haven't even learned how to learn.

[ellswritings]

Snowflake

Tony Stark x Shy!Reader

TW: Tony just loves to tease, tooth rotting fluff, that’s it.

。✯ ＼｜／。✯ ＼ ｜ ／✯ 。✯ ＼ ｜ ／✯ 。

The hum of Stark Tower’s AI system was the only sound in the lab as Y/N L/N worked tirelessly over a holographic display of molecular water structures. Her brows furrowed, strands of hair falling into her face as she pushed her glasses back up her nose. The calculations on the display glowed faintly against her features, showcasing her incredible mind at work.

Tony Stark leaned against the doorframe, his signature smirk in place. He’d been watching her for a good five minutes, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Her focus was admirable, but her shy, awkward tendencies made teasing her far too irresistible.

“So, Ice Queen,” Tony’s voice cut through the quiet, making Y/N flinch and nearly drop the stylus in her hand. “What groundbreaking discovery are you cooking up? Let me guess—cure for global warming?”

Y/N turned, her cheeks instantly flushing. “Uh…well, no. It’s a hydrodynamic flow algorithm for the turbine system in—”

“Whoa, slow down, Einstein,” Tony interrupted, stepping further into the room. “Leave some brainpower for the rest of us mortals.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line, a mixture of flustered and defensive. “You’re hardly mortal, Mr. Stark,” she said softly, her tone polite yet carrying a tinge of unintended sass.

Tony’s smirk widened. “Touché. But you’ve gotta call me Tony, sweetheart. We’ve been over this.”

She ducked her head, pretending to fiddle with the hologram again. “Sorry, Mr.—I mean, Tony.”

“Better.” He sauntered over, examining her work over her shoulder. “Impressive. Didn’t think I’d meet someone who could out-nerd Bruce.”

Y/N’s ears turned pink at the compliment. “I wouldn’t say that. Dr. Banner is much more experienced.”

Tony raised an eyebrow, his tone light but probing. “Modest and brilliant. Dangerous combo. You know, most people would jump at the chance to talk about themselves to me. But you? You’re like a human enigma wrapped in an ice cube.”

She blinked, unsure if that was supposed to be a compliment. “I…I don’t like talking about myself much.”

“That, I’ve noticed,” he replied. “So, what do you do for fun, Snowflake? Build ice castles? Freeze annoying neighbors?”

Her gaze darted to him, horrified. “What? No! I’d never—”

“It’s a joke,” Tony said quickly, raising his hands. “Relax, Elsa.”

She bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. “You’re mean.”

“And you’re adorable when you’re flustered,” he shot back without missing a beat.

Y/N froze, her cheeks flaming as she avoided his gaze. “I-I don’t know about that.”

“Trust me, kid. I know,” Tony said, his voice softening slightly. He pulled up a stool beside her, his demeanor shifting. “Look, Y/N, you’re part of this team for a reason. Not just because you’re smart—or because you can create a snowstorm on command—but because you’ve got heart. And, newsflash, that’s something most of us are still working on.”

She looked at him then, her eyes wide with surprise. “You mean that?”

“Do I look like the kind of guy who says things he doesn’t mean?” he asked, then grinned. “Okay, bad example. But yeah, I do.”

A small smile tugged at her lips. “Thanks, Tony.”

“Anytime, Snowflake.” He winked, standing up. “Now, finish your work so we can test this thing out. And maybe—just maybe—you can make me an iced coffee. On the rocks.”

Y/N couldn’t help but laugh, her anxiety easing just a bit as he left the lab with his usual flair. For the first time, she felt like she might actually belong here—with all her quirks, powers, and insecurities.

。✯ ＼｜／。✯ ＼ ｜ ／✯ 。✯ ＼ ｜ ／✯ 。

Y/N loved mornings in the tower—quiet, peaceful, and hers alone. She stood in the kitchen, flipping pancakes, her movements meticulous. The scent of warm batter filled the room, a rare comfort in her otherwise anxious world.

That comfort shattered with Tony’s arrival.

“Morning, Ice Queen,” he greeted, his voice startling her so badly she nearly dropped the spatula.

“Tony!” she exclaimed, pressing a hand to her chest. “Don’t sneak up on me!”

He grinned, unrepentant, and leaned casually against the counter. “Sorry, couldn’t resist. You just looked so... focused. What’s for breakfast? Snowcones?”

Y/N groaned, unable to stop the blush creeping up her neck. “Pancakes,” she replied shortly, flipping another.

“Ah, the classic choice,” he said, inching closer. “Mind if I join you? Or should I worry about catching frostbite if I get too close?”

“You’re a terrible person,” she mutters, hoping the sizzling pancakes would drown out her stammering voice.

“And yet, you’re still making me breakfast,” he quipped, snagging a piece of bacon from the plate she’d set aside.

Later that day, Y/N found herself in the training room, her safe haven. She focused intently on her water manipulation, watching the liquid sphere hover effortlessly in midair. It twisted and transformed, flowing smoothly between shapes as if it were alive. The quiet of the room wrapped around her, and for a moment, her nerves were forgotten.

Then the peace was shattered.

“You know, I should start charging admission,” Tony’s voice rang out, startling her.

The water sphere wobbled, and before she could steady it, it splashed onto the floor. She let out a frustrated sigh, wiping her hands on her leggings. “Tony. Do you have to interrupt me everywhere I go?”

“What can I say? You’ve got this gravitational pull. Can’t help myself,” he replied with a wide grin, hands tucked casually into his pockets.

She turned to face him, crossing her arms. “Is there a reason you’re here? Or do you just like causing chaos?”

“Both, actually.” He stepped further into the room, glancing around. “But I was thinking, you’re always practicing the same thing—water this, ice that. Don’t you want to switch it up? Maybe try some hand-to-hand combat?”

Y/N blinked, unsure if he was serious. “Hand-to-hand? With you?”

“Why does everyone say it like that?” he asked, feigning offense. “I’ve got skills, Snowflake. Don’t let the suits fool you.”

She hesitated, shifting on her feet. “I’m not... really good at fighting without my powers.”

“Good thing I’m an amazing teacher,” Tony said with a wink. “C’mon. No gadgets, no waterworks—just you and me. What’s the worst that could happen?”

Y/N chewed her lip, her anxiety creeping in. The idea of sparring, especially with him, was daunting. She wasn’t exactly the most confident person when it came to physical combat, and the thought of Tony’s sharp wit only made her feel more self-conscious.

“I don’t know…”

“C’mon,” he said, his tone softening. “It’s just a spar. No pressure, no judgment. Promise.”

She hesitated for another moment before finally nodding. “Okay. But if I accidentally freeze you, that’s on you.”

“I like a little danger,” he replied, his grin widening.

They moved to the center of the room, and Tony started bouncing lightly on the balls of his feet, his stance surprisingly disciplined. Y/N mirrored him awkwardly, trying to mimic his movements.

“Relax,” Tony said, noticing her stiff posture. “You’re not going into battle. Loosen up.”

She let out a shaky breath, forcing her shoulders to drop. “Okay. Now what?”

“Simple,” he said. “Try to hit me.”

Her eyes widened. “You want me to hit you?”

“It’s sparring, not a tea party. Go for it.”

Swallowing hard, Y/N threw a hesitant jab. Tony stepped aside effortlessly, his grin never faltering. “You’re holding back. Again.”

She tried again, this time aiming lower. He sidestepped and caught her wrist gently, spinning her around. “Not bad,” he said, holding her arm for a moment. “But you’ve gotta commit.”

Her cheeks flushed as she pulled free, trying to mask her flustered state. “I am committing!”

“Sure you are,” he teased, circling her. “Alright, now try to anticipate my movements. Ready?”

She nodded, focusing intently as he moved in closer. This time, she managed to block his initial feint, surprising him. He raised an eyebrow. “Okay, now we’re getting somewhere.”

Emboldened, Y/N threw another punch, which he easily deflected, his hand brushing against hers. “Careful,” he said, his voice dropping slightly. “You almost got me there.”

Her pulse quickened at his proximity, and she took a quick step back, trying to regain her composure.

“Don’t back down now, Snowflake,” Tony said, his grin turning playful. “I thought you were gonna show me what you’ve got.”

“I’m trying,” she mumbled, cheeks burning.

“That’s what I like to hear,” he quipped, clearly enjoying her flustered state.

The sparring continued, Tony effortlessly dodging and countering her movements. His casual commentary didn’t help her focus.

“You’ve got great form, but you’re hesitating,” he said, dodging another punch. “Is it because you don’t want to hurt me? Or because you’re worried I’ll keep making fun of you?”

“Both!” she snapped, before immediately clamping her mouth shut.

Tony laughed. “See? That’s the kind of honesty I appreciate.”

Frustrated but determined, Y/N threw a quick combination of punches, catching him off guard. One strike landed against his shoulder—not hard, but enough to surprise him.

“Whoa!” he exclaimed, stumbling slightly. “Didn’t see that coming.”

In his momentary distraction, he lost his footing, and before either of them could react, they tumbled onto the mat. Tony landed on top of her, his hands braced on either side of her head.

“Well,” he said, his voice low and amused. “This is a plot twist.”

Y/N’s face turned bright red, her heart pounding as she stared up at him. “I-I—this wasn’t—”

“What’s the matter, Snowflake?” he asked, his grin widening as he leaned just slightly closer. “Cat got your tongue?”

Her breath hitched, and she quickly wriggled out from under him, scrambling to her feet. “I have to go!” she blurted, turning and practically sprinting toward the door.

“Wait, wait, don’t run!” Tony called after her, still lying on the mat. “I’ll let you win next time, I promise!”

She didn’t stop, disappearing around the corner.

Tony let out a laugh, propping himself up on his elbows. “She’s gonna be the death of me,” he muttered, shaking his head

。✯ ＼｜／。✯ ＼ ｜ ／✯ 。✯ ＼ ｜ ／✯ 。

Back in the tower after the mission, Y/N settled into the lounge, a fortress of technical journals stacked around her. She flipped through an article on cryokinetics, her brow furrowed in concentration, grateful for the moment of peace.

Naturally, Tony Stark couldn’t let that last.

“Evening, Snowflake,” he drawled, striding in with his usual swagger. “Still working hard? Or hardly working?”

Y/N’s fingers froze on the page. She glanced up, already bracing herself. “It’s research,” she said, her voice steady despite the way her stomach twisted.

“Research,” Tony repeated, dropping into the chair across from her. “Ah, the language of geniuses. What is it this time? The science of making things colder? Or maybe,” he leaned in, smirking, “how to break hearts without realizing it?”

She sighed, attempting to focus back on the article. “It’s cryokinetics. And I don’t—what?”

“You heard me,” he teased, gesturing vaguely. “You’ve got this whole mysterious, shy thing going on. Bet you broke a lot of hearts back in school, huh?”

Her face went crimson. “I didn’t—no, that’s ridiculous. I was...focused on other things.”

“Like freezing stuff,” Tony guessed, eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Yes, like freezing stuff,” she muttered, feeling her composure slip.

He chuckled, clearly enjoying her discomfort. “Hey, no shame in that. Everyone’s gotta have a hobby. Mine’s making billion-dollar suits and charming the pants off my coworkers. What’s yours? Besides the obvious.”

Y/N set her journal down and looked him in the eye, determined to hold her ground. “Reading,” she said firmly. “And no, you’re not charming me.”

Tony raised an eyebrow, amused. “Oh, really? Not even a little?”

“Not even—” she began, but his grin widened, throwing her completely off track. “Stop looking at me like that!”

“Like what?” he asked, leaning back in his chair, utterly pleased with himself.

“Like you’re trying to...I don’t know!” she stammered, throwing her hands up.

Tony laughed, leaning forward again. “C’mon, Snowflake, give me something to work with here. You’re fun to fluster.”

Y/N narrowed her eyes, attempting to muster some courage. “Well...maybe you’re too easy to charm,” she shot back, trying to sound bold.

Tony blinked, surprised by her attempt to flirt, before bursting into laughter. “Nice try. But you’re blushing so hard you’re about to melt your own ice powers.”

Y/N groaned, burying her face in her hands. “You’re impossible.”

“Impossible to resist, maybe,” he quipped, watching her from across the table. “So, what’s next on your reading list? Something fun? Or more... light reading?”

“Quantum mechanics,” she replied, grateful for the chance to redirect the conversation.

Tony gave a low whistle. “Heavy stuff. Guess I shouldn’t be surprised. You’re, what, a walking library of science and history? Bet you could beat me at Jeopardy.”

Y/N dared a small smile. “I could.”

“There’s that confidence I like to see,” he said, leaning closer. “Careful, though. You’re giving me ideas.”

“I-Ideas?” she asked, her cheeks flushing again.

“Oh, you know,” he said, waving a hand. “Ways to fluster you even more. It’s like a science experiment—what happens when Stark annoys the ice queen?”

Her mouth opened, but no words came out. Instead, she sat there, staring at him, her heart pounding as her brain scrambled for something—anything—to say.

The silence stretched until Tony raised an eyebrow. “Have I rendered you speechless? Or are you planning something?”

Y/N’s eyes darted to the journal, then back to him. Her hands fidgeted nervously, but something about his smug grin made her snap. Without letting herself overthink, she stood abruptly, circled the table, and leaned down to press her lips to his.

It was a quick, shy kiss, more like a brush of their mouths, but it was enough to silence Tony completely. She pulled back just as fast, her face blazing as she stammered, “G-Goodnight, Tony,” and bolted from the room.

Tony sat frozen for a moment, the sensation of her lips still lingering. Slowly, a grin spread across his face, and he jumped to his feet.

“Wait a second!” he called, jogging after her. “You can’t just kiss me and run! That’s my move!”

Y/N’s laughter echoed down the hallway, making him smile even wider.

“Snowflake, you’re full of surprises,” he muttered under his breath, utterly smitten as he followed her retreating figure.

[ltash]

"Wicked" Pt-3

SimonGhostRileyxf!"Rose"reader

From her highschool bully to her wicked bodyguard, from Simon to Ghost.

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai - Midnight.

The lights inside the mansion flickered, once-just a glitch, a flutter of voltage-but Rose's pulse skipped all the same. It always did now. The walls felt too close. The air, too quiet. No house this beautiful should feel like a cage, but hers did. Behind its manicured gardens and imported marble, the mansion wasn't a home. It was a gilded prison.

Massimo had made sure of that.

She hadn't been allowed to leave in weeks. Her phone was replaced. Her laptop filtered. The staff now wore polite smiles that never met their eyes. Rose had grown used to surveillance: the cameras hidden in chandeliers, the microphones embedded in vent grilles, the locks that clicked shut when they weren't supposed to.

But she still had one ghost left in the machine.

She padded barefoot into the darkened study, the only room she was never searched in. Inside the antique desk drawer was a tiny circuit board connected to a hidden port-one she'd built herself back when she still had freedom. It looked like a piece of the HVAC system, but under the hood was a different story.

She was about to use her only remaining ally: an old AI security system she had personally installed before her staff were replaced. It's disguised under the house's climate control and lighting apps-Massimo's men never even noticed it.

Late at night, she writes a command.

A hidden SOS, encrypted and buried under code.

She can't name herself, can't give details.

Just:

Her fingers trembled as she typed into the dim screen.

>High-value civilian. Palm Jumeirah. Hostile containment. Request immediate covert extraction.

She uploads it to an old abandoned GitHub repo registered under a pseudonym she once shared with a boy who used to sit at the back of her chemistry class.

Simon Riley.

The message was anonymous. There was no name, no coordinates. Just metadata buried in lines of an old GitHub repository registered under a long-forgotten pseudonym.

A joke. A nickname from school. One she had once shared with a boy who never smiled.

She didn't even know if he was still alive.

She hit send.

And hoped the wind still remembered her name.

Location: Undisclosed SAS Safehouse, Northern England

Simon was SAS now. Special Forces.

Callsign: Ghost.

The alert came through on a cold Thursday night.

He monitors that GitHub repo out of habit. It's nothing but sentiment, a scar he keeps reopening.

He hasn't checked it in years.

Until he does.

Simon Riley sat in the quiet glow of his monitor, the rain painting war patterns against the window behind him. He barely touched the internet. Except for this.

He hadn't checked the repo in years. It was a dead habit, something he did every few months. Nostalgia with no reward.

Until he saw it.

> Last push: 2 hours ago.

Encrypted within the code wasn't just a distress call.

It was her.

Rose.

He didn't breathe for nearly a full minute.

Ghost stood slowly, fingers curling into fists as a cold burn lit up in his chest. He hadn't heard her name since he'd buried it. Since the night he left without a goodbye.

His blood runs cold.

Encrypted in the code is a name he hasn't heard in half a decade:

"Rose."

He goes to his superiors.

The request is unofficial. Shadow ops.

But the words hostile containment and high-value civilian raise flags.

It gets buried under a private bodyguard detail ordered by a powerful British defense ally with silent interest in Massimo's dealings.

No name. No address. Just Palm Jumeirah, high-value civilian, hostile containment.

Enough for an unofficial op.

And the name that gets assigned?

Lieutenant Simon Riley.

His name was the first one on the assignment.

48 Hours Later a black SUV rolled past the iron gates like it belonged there.

Rose stood in her hallway, arms wrapped around herself, watching from behind the curtains.

One man stepped out. Alone.

Massimo's guards stood straighter.

Tall. Broad. Black tactical gear that looked too sharp for Dubai's heat. A skull mask covering his face, balaclava beneath it. His eyes were cold, unreadable. Like winter.

He didn't speak as he passed the guards. Just handed a sealed letter.

Authorization for close protection detail.

One of Massimo's men, it said.

Rose didn't buy it. But she didn't argue.

She stood at the top of the stairs as he entered, heart hammering.

He looked up at her.

And she, she froze.

There was something about him.

Something terrifying and familiar.

"Who are you?" she whispered.

He stopped just a few steps from her, the skull mask gleaming under the crystal chandelier.

"Ghost," he said. Just that.

The name tasted like ash.

Her voice trembled. "You're one of Massimo's men?"

"Something like that," he answered. Low. Controlled. British accent like frostbite.

She swallowed. The fear in her blood was real. She'd seen hitmen. Thugs. Brutes.

But this one was different.

An Alpha among the wolves.

Massive, silent, lethal.

The black cargo pants hugged his powerful thighs like a sculptor's sketch in motion. Every inch of him said: do not cross.

She stepped back as he approached. He didn't follow.

"You don't have to be afraid of me," Ghost said quietly, almost too softly for a man like him.

But she was.

Terrified.

Because deep inside her, something screamed that she knew him.

And that scared her more than anything else.

The mansion was quiet. Too quiet. Not the peace of luxury, but the silence of surveillance, the kind of silence that watches you breathe.

Ghost stood by the edge of the marble balcony, framed by the dim amber of Dubai’s dying sun. The call had come. The assignment given. No backup, no fanfare, just a flight, a briefing, a skull mask, and a destination: Palm Jumeirah.

He hadn’t expected it to be real. The message hidden in the GitHub code had been too poetic to believe. Too her.

But it was real.

Rose was here.

And she was in trouble.

48 Hours Earlier, She had stared at the blinking cursor for what felt like hours.

> "High-value civilian. Palm Jumeirah. Hostile containment. Request immediate covert extraction."

No names. No cry for help. No traceable language.

Just enough to mean something, to the right person.

Rose encrypted the text in base-64, nested it into an update in an abandoned GitHub repository linked to a fake climate control API, something she and Simon had once joked about building back in school. Back when he was still just Simon. Before he disappeared like mist.

She hit commit.

And prayed.

Now...

The skull mask stepped through the threshold like a shadow that had grown legs. Black tactical gear. Gloves. Thick black cargo pants that stretched over thighs built like war machines. Combat boots that echoed like the ticking of an ending.

The guards nodded, not questioning his clearance. Massimo trusted him now. The cover had been placed well.

She was in the living room. Pale as bone, curled up in a silk robe on the ivory settee.

She looked up, and froze.

The skull.

The mask.

The height.

The weight of him was a presence.

“Who are you?” she asked, voice small, breaking.

He stood still.

"Name's Ghost," he said finally, voice deep and northern, cracked like winter pavement. "Massimo brought me in for security. I’m here to watch you."

Her brows creased, fear threading through the delicate angles of her face. “I don’t need another one of his men watching me.”

He tilted his head, slowly.

“No offense, but I’m not one of his men.”

Her throat worked. She stood, slowly. The robe fell just enough to show a bruise. Faint. But there.

His jaw ticked under the mask.

“I don’t trust anyone,” she whispered.

“Good,” he said. “That means you’re not stupid.”

A beat passed. The chandelier hummed above them.

She turned away, but not before he saw the tremble in her hands.

He had to earn her trust. Carefully. Quietly. Not with the truth, because the truth was dangerous. To both of them.

Not yet.

So he watched. And waited. And followed. Like a loyal shadow.

Simon Riley was gone.

There was only Ghost now.

And she didn’t know him.

Not yet.

But soon, she would.

The sun bled orange into the Gulf, casting golden ripples across the water as the massive white yacht sliced through the marina like a predator in silk. Palm Jumeirah, glittering like a crown in the ocean, had seen its fair share of luxury, but even here, the arrival of Don Massimo Toricelli turned heads.

Ghost watched from the top floor of the mansion through a sliver in the blackout curtain. He recognized the yacht, custom-built, three decks, helipad, and a private lounge with imported marble flooring. He’d studied it in the brief.

His yacht, a gleaming, multi-million dollar Leviathan, rocked gently in the turquoise water, tethered just off the private dock of her Palm Jumeirah estate. It gleamed like his ego, always visible, always looming.

Massimo was coming.

And that meant trouble.

The Italian stepped off the yacht with the confidence of a man who owned the world and everything in it. Black suit sharp enough to cut, sunglasses shielding eyes that never missed a detail.

The black Maserati had barely stopped outside the mansion before Massimo Toricelli stepped out, flanked by his two most loyal bodyguards. He wore his usual armour of a designer three-piece suit, sunglasses despite the low golden sun, and that chilling smirk that made Rose’s stomach turn. The man smelled of cologne and control.

He carried a box in his hand. Velvet black. The kind of box that didn’t contain anything simple.

Rose was summoned to the lobby. Always summoned, never invited.

Inside the mansion, Rose was being prepped. She didn’t want to go downstairs, Ghost could see it in her face. Her robe was replaced by a floor-length designer dress, her makeup immaculate. A doll on display.

She descended the marble staircase slowly, her every step echoing in the grand, hollow luxury of the mansion she couldn't escape. The lobby was vast, double height ceilings, Italian chandeliers, crystal vases she didn’t pick, all curated to reflect a life she no longer had control over.

He stood in the corner of the marble lobby, arms crossed, skull mask reflecting the light from the chandelier above. Every nerve in his body burned.

Then the door opened.

Massimo entered like a storm in human skin.

Massimo sat in one of the velvet armchairs like he owned the place. Because he did. Or at least, he owned the cage around her.

"Bellissima," he purred, his voice smooth and poisonous. “Dubai suits you.”

Rose managed a smile, tight, hollow. “Massimo.”

Ghost stood in the corner, near the mirrored console table. He was motionless, silent, a black sentinel in full tactical gear. Skull mask on. Hands behind his back. The perfect blend of menace and restraint.

Massimo glanced at him once, indifferent. "You can leave us."

Ghost didn’t move.

Rose lifted her chin. "He stays."

Massimo gave a faint chuckle and gestured dismissively. "As you wish, tesoro."

He reached into a bag one of his men handed him and pulled out a velvet box.

"Cartier," he said simply, like it was an apology. "For your good behavior."

She took it with stiff fingers, murmured a thank you that made her mouth taste like ash. The necklace inside was encrusted with diamonds. Cold. Lifeless. Like a chain pretending to be a gift.

Ghost’s hands curled into fists in the shadow of his sleeves.

Massimo’s eyes flicked toward him.

“And you must be the new shadow. What do they call you? Phantom? Skull?”

Ghost didn’t move.

“Ghost.”

Massimo chuckled. “Fitting. Let’s hope you’re as loyal as the last one.”

Rose shifted, her discomfort palpable. Ghost could feel it in her silence.

Massimo turned his attention back to her. “I’ve missed you. We’ll have dinner this weekend. I’ll have the chef flown in from Florence. You’ll wear the necklace.”

He leaned in closer, voice a whisper of threat and lust. “Say yes.”

She didn’t answer. Just nodded.

Massimo leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You look tired. Are they feeding you well? Are you sleeping?"

Rose said nothing.

He smiled wider. "Still so stubborn. That’s what I like about you. We’ll talk again soon."

Massimo straightened, pleased with himself.

“Until then, cara mia.”

And then he stood. Kissed the air beside her cheek.

Left as quickly as he arrived.

He left the box in her hands and turned, his coat swaying as he walked out. The doors shut behind him.

Only then did Rose exhale.

Ghost stayed still. Watching. Planning. Rage crawling up his spine like wildfire.

He couldn’t move. Not yet.

He hadn’t called Task Force 141.

Because this wasn’t the moment.

But it was coming.

And when it did, Massimo wouldn’t walk away.

The moment the double doors shut and his footsteps faded, she turned and ascended the stairs quickly, almost running.

Ghost followed, his boots quiet behind her.

She reached her bedroom, the velvet box still clutched in her hand like it had burned her.

Once inside, she hurled it across the room. The lid snapped open. The necklace hit the floor with a sharp, cold clatter, scattering light across the marble.

She sat down beside it. On the floor. In her silk gown. Head bowed, fists clenched, tears pooling in her eyes like they had nowhere else to go.

Ghost stood by the door. Watching. Silent.

She didn’t notice when he stepped closer.

Until he knelt down beside her.

"You don't have to do what he says," he said softly.

She looked up, startled.

He reached forward, hesitantly, almost reverently, and wiped the tear trailing down her cheek with a gloved thumb.

Her breath hitched.

And then...

He extended his hand.

Palm up.

The same way she had, years ago, trembling in a glittering gymnasium, her heart in her throat as she offered her hand to a boy who never took it.

"You don't have to deal with this alone," he said gently.

Her eyes widened.

She stared at the hand. At the shape of it. The calloused palm. The curve of his fingers. So familiar.

Her voice was barely a whisper. "Simon...?"

He didn’t say anything at first.

Just nodded.

The silence cracked around them like thunder.

Her lips parted, her chest rising with a thousand emotions she couldn’t name.

He slowly removed the mask.

And there he was.

Simon Riley.

Older. Harder. Scarred. But still him.

His eyes locked onto hers.

"I came back for you, Rose."

And this time, when she took his hand, he didn’t let go.

[zaczenemiji]

Could I request a Kenji x Reader where the reader is an Ailen who is very much stranded on Earth and on The run from the KDF who wants access to their tech

Among the Stars I

Kenji Sato x Alien!Reader

Word Count: 1,766

Genre/Warning: Falling in Love, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn

Author’s Note: To me, reader is an alien in the sense that she is a foreigner to this planet; how she looks is up to you. Takes place after Emi. AND I THINK AOSHIMA DESERVES RECOGNITION LIKE 🫢 AIN’T HE HOT TOO?????

MASTERLIST

The stars twinkled in the dark expanse of space as you navigated through the cosmos. This wasn’t the first time you traversed through the void. In fact, you were a professional at this.

Being one of the respected astrophysicists of your planet, you have always been one sent on space voyages. Your mission was simple, something you were good at, so what could possibly go wrong?

At least that’s what you thought a few moments ago.

"Engine malfunction detected. Immediate landing required.”

As if the flashing red lights and blaring alarms weren’t enough, the onboard AI wouldn’t shut up either, all of them adding up to the panic in your already pounding heart.

“Engine failure. Emergency landing procedure initiated.”

Your struggle to regain control was hopeless. Assessing your options, Earth was the nearest habitable planet. With no time to spare, you steered the spacecraft towards the blue planet.

The descent was turbulent, flames licking at the hull as the spacecraft entered Earth's atmosphere. You gritted your teeth, fighting to maintain the little control you had left.

Scanning the residential area that stretched beneath, you spotted a forested area and made a split-second decision. With expert precision, your maneuver slowed down the descent just enough to avoid a catastrophic impact.

The spacecraft touched down with a jolt, skidding through the underbrush before coming to a stop. Smoke billowed from the damaged engines and you knew you needed to secure the craft first.

Despite the damage, the emergency propulsion system still had enough power for short-distance travel. With steady hands, you activated the system again, guiding the spacecraft toward a nearby body of water.

The craft hovered momentarily above with a soft hum. Carefully pushing the controls, you maneuvered it into a controlled descent where it submerged beneath the water, disappearing from view.

In the control room of the Kaiju Defense Force, monitors flickered with data streams from satellite scans displaying Japan’s airspace and terrestrial activity.

"Report," Aoshima commanded.

"Sir, we've detected a significant impact in sector 7G. Satellite images indicate a disturbance in the forested area, consistent with an object of considerable mass landing."

Aoshima scrutinized the images, noting the telltale signs of a recent crash landing, “Any signs of the object itself?"

"Negative visual confirmation, sir. The object appears to have made impact and then moved into concealment."

"Prepare a recon team," Aoshima ordered crisply. "I want a full scan of the area. Notify all units in the vicinity to be on alert."

Aoshima contemplated the implications. For years, KDF had struggled against the relentless onslaught of kaiju attacks under Dr. Onda. His last will was for the survival of KDF.

Aoshima shared Dr. Onda’s vision and if this alien technology held the key to turning the tide in humanity's favor, they couldn't afford to hesitate.

Meanwhile, having just emerged from the submerged spacecraft, you cautiously explored the area. Your advanced sensors warned you of Earth's surveillance systems, but you had hoped to remain undetected.

Your hope, however, was short-lived as the sound of whirring and a shadow passing overhead alerted you to the arrival of drones. Quickly, you dashed into the forest, heart pounding as you navigated the unfamiliar terrain.

Above you, the drones buzzed in pursuit, their sensors tracking your every move. Their operators relayed your position to ground units, who quickly mobilized to intercept.

You emerged onto the outskirts of a bustling city. Buildings towered overhead and streets were crowded with unsuspecting pedestrians. You had to blend in to evade capture.

Tokyo has always been bustling with a sea of people moving with purpose. Among them was Kenji and today, his life would take a turn he could never have predicted.

He was jogging through a quieter part of the city when suddenly, a force collided with him, nearly knocking him off balance. Looking down, he saw a woman his age, face partially obscured by a hooded cloak.

You looked up at him, eyes wide with fear. "I'm sorry," you gasped, glancing over your shoulder. "I... I need to go."

Before Kenji could respond, you tried to bolt, but he gently grabbed your arm. "Hey, what's going on?” He asked, genuinely concerned. “You look terrified."

You hesitated, clearly torn between fear and the need for help. Before you could decide, KDF agents appeared at the end of the street.

“Surrender peacefully, and we won't harm you," one of them demanded sternly.

"No," you replied, a slight determination in your trembling voice.

Kenji’s instincts flared. To him, KDF has been nothing but trouble. So without a word, he pulled you behind him, putting himself between you and the agents.

They slowed, eyes narrowing at Kenji. "This is official business," the leader said, his voice cold. "Step aside."

Kenji ignored the command, gripping your hand tighter. "Run," he whispered urgently, before leading you in a sprint away from KDF.

The two of you took off with Kenji guiding you through a series of narrow alleyways and bustling streets.

"Over here," he whispered, pulling you into a side street. You dodged through a market, running between stalls and startled shoppers. The KDF was temporarily delayed by the crowd, buying you precious seconds.

Kenji's heart pounded, both from the exertion and the adrenaline. "Keep your hood up," he urged you. "We can't let them see your face."

You continued running, the sound of pursuit growing fainter. Kenji led you through a maze of side streets, finally emerging onto a quieter residential road.

"Almost there," he panted, squeezing your hand reassuringly.

Finally, you reached a house guarded by a big gate on the outskirts of the city. Kenji quickly unlocked the gate and ushered you towards the house.

Inside, Kenji guided you to the living room, where you sank onto the couch, hood falling back and revealing your face.

“Mina, emergency analysis,” he said as a spherical robot hovered towards you, red light scanning your body.

"Scan complete," Mina announced. "Subject is experiencing elevated stress levels and minor physical exhaustion. No immediate threats and no tracking devices detected.”

"Thank you," you said, voice filled with gratitude and lingering fear.

Kenji nodded, breathing heavily. "Are you okay?"

You nodded, her gaze lingering on him with a mix of surprise and curiosity, “I didn't expect anyone to help."

"I'm Kenji," he introduced himself, extending a hand.

You hesitated briefly before shaking his hand, "I'm (y/n)."

"You can catch your breath here,” Kenji said, standing up. “I'll get us some water." He returned with two glasses of water; you accepted one gratefully.

"Why were those guys after you?" Kenji asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I'm not from Earth. I'm…” you hesitated but you owed him an explanation and also to save you from the trouble of pretending. “…an alien."

"An alien?” He blinked in surprise. “But you look human."

"Alien in the sense that I'm from a distant planet," you explained softly. "I crash-landed here not long ago.”

You told him everything—your mission, how you ended up being chased by what he referred to as the Kaiju Defense Force, and your spacecraft.

“I would like to ask another favor if it’s not too much,” you said with hesitation; Kenji helping you escape and sheltering you was already more than enough. “I need you to help me find Ultraman.”

You knew about Ultraman and his origin. You’ve been sent to Nebula M78 a couple of times already. If there’s someone who could help you get back to your planet, it’s him.

“Ultraman?” Kenji's eyes widened. “Why?"

“I know of him,” you said. "He might be the only one who can help me.”

Kenji took a deep breath, realizing he couldn't keep his secret any longer. "Well, there’s something you should know,” he said.

“What is it?” You asked, confused.

He looked straight into your eyes, his face set with resolve, “I'm Ultraman."

The room fell silent. "You're...” your eyes widened. “Ultraman?"

Kenji nodded, “Yes, and I’m not supposed to tell anyone but if helping you means revealing it, then so be it."

Your eyes teared up with joy. Just when you thought that this day was full of bad luck, here came your silver lining—a stunning man one at that.

Kenji asked you about the whereabouts of your spacecraft so he, in his Ultraman form, can bring it here in no time. His house had a basement submerged underwater which provided an easy way to bring it over.

His dad, the previous Ultra, happened to live with him. Kenji explained the situation and his dad, an expert in this field, generously offered to help.

Hayao circled the craft, examining it closely. "Impressive design," he muttered, running his hands over the hull. "But clearly, it's been through a lot."

"I think it’s the power core," you explained. "It was heavily depleted during the crash, and I can't get the ship operational again."

"I see. A power core like this...” Hayao nodded thoughtfully. “…it's incredibly advanced. Recharging it with Earth's technology would be almost impossible."

"So, there's no way to fix it?" You looked at him, worried and on the brink of tears.

"Not exactly,” he smiled reassuringly. “While we can't recharge it with conventional means, there might be another way. We need an alternative energy source—something with immense power."

"What about the energy that powers Ultraman?” Kenji stepped forward. “Could it work?"

Hayao considered this, nodding slowly. "It's possible,” he said. “Ultraman's energy is vast and unique. We might be able to transfer some of it to the power core."

Your eyes lit up with hope, “Do you think it could really work?" Hayao placed a reassuring hand on your shoulder, "It's worth a try.”

He explained that he would first need to create an energy transfer device. But with the resources here on Earth, it’s a trial and error to see which would be compatible with your spacecraft. Needless to say, it would take a lot longer before you could go back home.

Kenji led you down a hallway to a cozy guest room. He opened the door, revealing a spacious room with a bed, a dresser, and a big window overlooking the bay.

“You can stay here until we figure everything out,” Kenji said. “It's safer than being out there with the KDF looking for you."

"Are you sure?” You looked up at him. “I don't want to be a burden."

"You're not a burden,” he smiled reassuringly. “I’ll leave you to get some rest. We've got a lot to do tomorrow."

With that, you settled into the room with a sense of peace for the first time since crashing on Earth.

Taglist is open! Comment if u wanna be tagged on future Kenji oneshots

@eternallyvenus @puppyminnnie @wattpadsuckssohard @sakura-onesan @reggies-eyeliner @buggs-1 @miffysoo @spencerrxids @stupidbutsmart @marimargirlies @mixvchelle @lannnu @lailuv21 @christiinee @abracarabbit @youngbananamilkshake @flutterfly365 @o-schist @brazilsho @arrozyfrijoles23 @finestflora @mmeerraa @mianbaobaoo @skyeliteratures @themourningfox @despacito-uwu16 @crimson-mage-02 @vinegarjello @btszn @berryjuicyy @https-mika @reader-1290 @bakugouswaif

[odinsblog]

Elena Kagan issued a devastating dissent to the decision of her hard-right fellow supreme court justices to overturn the Chevron doctrine that has been a cornerstone of federal regulation for 40 years, accusing the majority of turning itself into “the country’s administrative czar”.

Kagan said that in one fell swoop, the rightwing majority had snatched the ability to make complex decisions over regulatory matters away from federal agencies and awarded the power to themselves.

“As if it did not have enough on its plate, the majority turns itself into the country’s administrative czar,” she wrote.

For 40 years, she wrote, the Chevron doctrine, set out by the same supreme court in a 1984 ruling, had supported regulatory efforts by the US government by granting federal experts the ability to make reasonable decisions where congressional law was ambiguous. She gave a few examples of the work that was facilitated as a result, such as “keeping air and water clean, food and drugs safe, and financial markets honest”.

Now, the hard-right supermajority had flipped that on its head.

Instead of federal experts adjudicating on all manner of intricate scientific and technical questions – such as addressing the climate crisis, deciding on the country’s healthcare system or controlling AI – now judges would make those critical calls.

Kagan, displaying no desire to pull her punches, portrayed Friday’s ruling as a blatant power grab by the chief justice, John Roberts, and his five ultra-right peers, three of whom were appointed by Trump – Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

“A rule of judicial humility gives way to a rule of judicial hubris,” she wrote.

Not for the first time, her most caustic comments relate to stare decisis – the adherence to legal precedent that is the foundation stone of the rule of law. Respect for the previous judgments of the supreme court is a reminder to judges that “wisdom often lies in what prior judges have done. It is a brake on the urge to convert every new judge’s opinion into a new legal rule or regime.”

By contrast, she went on: “It is impossible to pretend that today’s decision is a one-off, in its treatment of precedent.”

It has become an unquestionable pattern: the new hard-right supermajority has a fondness for tearing up their own court’s precedents stretching back decades. They did it when they eviscerated the right to an abortion in 2022, upending 50 years of settled law; they did it again last year when they prohibited affirmative action in university admissions, casting out 40 years of legal precedent; and now they’ve done it once more after 40 years to Chevron.

“Just my own defenses of stare decisis, my own dissents to this court’s reversals of settled law, by now fill a small volume,” Kagan said, her final words as plaintive as they were defiant.

(continue reading)

[mariacallous]

For American companies grousing about new cybersecurity rules, spyware firms eager to expand their global business, and hackers trying to break AI systems, Donald Trump’s second term as president will be a breath of fresh air.

For nearly four years, president Joe Biden’s administration has tried to make powerful US tech firms and infrastructure operators more responsible for the nation’s cybersecurity posture, as well as restrict the spread of spyware, apply guardrails to AI, and combat online misinformation. But when Trump takes office in January, he will almost certainly eliminate or significantly curtail those programs in favor of cyber strategies that benefit business interests, downplay human-rights concerns, and emphasize aggressive offense against the cyber armies of Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.

“There will be a national security focus, with a strong emphasis on protecting critical infrastructure, government networks, and key industries from cyber threats,” says Brian Harrell, who served as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s assistant director for infrastructure security during Trump’s first term.

From projects whose days are numbered to areas where Trump will go further than Biden, here is what a second Trump administration will likely mean for US cybersecurity policy.

Full Reversal

The incoming Trump administration is likely to scrap Biden’s ambitious effort to impose cyber regulations on sectors of US infrastructure that currently lack meaningful digital-security safeguards. That effort has borne fruit with railroads, pipelines, and aviation but has hit hurdles in sectors like water and health care.

Despite mounting cyberattacks targeting vital systems—and despite this year’s Republican Party platform promising to “raise the security standards for our critical systems and networks”—conservatives are unlikely to support new regulatory mandates on infrastructure operators.

There will be “no more regulation without explicit congressional authorization,” says James Lewis, senior vice president and director of the Strategic Technologies Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Harrell says “more regulation will be dismantled than introduced.” Biden’s presidency was “riddled with new cyber regulation” that sometimes confused and overburdened industry, he adds. “The new White House will be looking to reduce regulatory burdens while streamlining smart compliance.”

This approach may not last, according to a US cyber official who requested anonymity to discuss politically sensitive issues. “I think they’ll eventually recognize that the efforts focused on regulation in cyber are needed to ensure the security of our critical infrastructure.”

“Regulation is the only tool that works,” Lewis says.

Some Biden cyber rules might be overturned in court, now that the Supreme Court has eliminated the deference that judges previously gave to agencies in disputes over their regulations. John Miller, senior vice president of policy at the Information Technology Industry Council, a major tech trade group, says it’s also possible that Trump officials “might not wait for the courts” to void those rules.

Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, predicts that the Trump administration will emphasize cooperation and incentives in its efforts to protect vulnerable industries. He points to a House GOP plan for water cybersecurity standards as an example.

Trump’s election also likely spells doom for CISA’s work to counter mis- and disinformation, especially around elections. After Trump lost the 2020 election, he fired CISA’s first director for debunking right-wing election conspiracy theories, and the conservative backlash to anti-misinformation work has only grown since then.

In 2022, Trump outlined a “free speech policy initiative” to “break up the entire toxic censorship industry that has arisen under the false guise of tackling so-called ‘mis-’ and ‘dis-information.’” Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of Tesla, SpaceX, and X whom Trump has tapped to colead a “government efficiency” initiative, enthusiastically shared the plan last week.

CISA has already dramatically scaled back its efforts to combat online falsehoods following a right-wing pressure campaign, but Trump appointees are almost certain to smother what remains of that mission. “Disinformation efforts will be eliminated,” Montgomery predicts.

Harrell agrees that Trump would “refocus” CISA on core cyber initiatives, saying the agency’s “priorities have mistakenly bordered on social issues lately.”

Also likely on the chopping block: elements of Biden’s artificial intelligence safety agenda that focus on AI’s social harms, like bias and discrimination, as well as Biden’s requirement for large AI developers to report to the government about their model training.

“I expect the repeal of Biden’s executive order on AI, specifically because of its references to AI regulation,” says Nick Reese, a director of emerging technology policy at the Department of Homeland Security under Trump and Biden. “We should expect a change in direction toward less regulation, which would mean less compulsory AI safety measures.”

Trump is also unlikely to continue the Biden administration’s campaign to limit the proliferation of commercial spyware technologies, which authoritarian governments have used to harass journalists, civil-rights protesters, and opposition politicians. Trump and his allies maintain close political and financial ties with two of the most prolific users of commercial spyware tools, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and he showed little concern about those governments’ human-rights abuses in his first term.

“There’s a high probability that we see big rollbacks on spyware policy,” says Steven Feldstein, a senior fellow in the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program. Trump officials are likely to care more about spyware makers’ counterterrorism arguments than about digital-rights advocates’ criticisms of those tools.

Spyware companies “will undoubtedly receive a more favorable audience under Trump,” Feldstein says—especially market leader NSO Group, which is closely affiliated with the Trump-aligned Israeli government.

Dubious Prospects

Other Biden cyber initiatives are also in jeopardy, even if their fates are not as clear.

Biden’s National Cybersecurity Strategy emphasized the need for greater corporate responsibility, arguing that well-resourced tech firms must do more to prevent hackers from abusing their products in devastating cyberattacks. Over the past few years, CISA launched a messaging campaign to encourage companies to make their products “secure by design,” the Justice Department created a Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative to prosecute contractors that mislead the government about their security practices, and White House officials began considering proposals to make software vendors liable for damaging vulnerabilities.

That corporate-accountability push is unlikely to receive strong support from the incoming Trump administration, which is almost certain to be stocked with former business leaders hostile to government pressure.

Henry Young, senior director of policy at the software trade group BSA, predicts that the secure-by-design campaign will “evolve to more realistically balance the responsibilities of governments, businesses, and customers, and hopefully eschew finger pointing in favor of collaborative efforts to continue to improve security and resilience.”

A Democratic administration might have used the secure-by-design push as a springboard to new corporate regulations. Under Trump, secure-by-design will remain at most a rhetorical slogan. “Turning it into something more tangible will be the challenge,” the US cyber official says.

Chipping Away at the Edges

One landmark cyber program can’t easily be scrapped under a second Trump administration but could still be dramatically transformed.

In 2022, Congress passed a law requiring CISA to create cyber incident reporting regulations for critical infrastructure operators. CISA released the text of the proposed regulations in April, sparking an immediate backlash from industry groups that said it went too far. Corporate America warned that CISA was asking too many companies for too much information about too many incidents.

Trump’s election could throw a wrench in CISA’s ambitious incident-reporting plans. New appointees at the White House, DHS, and CISA itself could force agency staff to rewrite the rules to be more industry-friendly, exempting entire swaths of critical infrastructure or eliminating requirements for companies to report certain data. Trump’s team has months to revise the final rule before its required publication in late 2025.

BSA’s Young expects Trump’s team to scale back the regulations, which he says “take a very broad view of the authority CISA believes Congress granted it.”

The current rule is “particularly vulnerable to a court challenge” because it exceeds Congress’s intent, ITI’s Miller warns, and Trump’s team “may direct CISA to scale it back” if the agency doesn’t “proceed cautiously” on its own.

New Urgency

One area where Trump might pick up the baton from the Biden administration is the government’s use of military hacking operations and its response to foreign adversaries’ cyberattacks.

Under Biden, the military’s US Cyber Command has scaled up its overseas hacker-hunting engagements with allies. But Republicans have pressed Biden to respond more muscularly to Chinese, Russian, and Iranian hacks, and Trump is likely to embrace that approach—particularly after picking representative Mike Waltz, an advocate for cyberattacks on Russia, North Korea, and Mexican cartels, as his national security adviser.

“A much more aggressive stance will be taken against China, which is sorely needed,” Harrell says, predicting that Chinese hackers penetrating US critical infrastructure “will be held to account.”

Montgomery agrees that Trump may “adopt a more aggressive approach” to national cyber defense, including giving the National Guard “a more significant role” in protecting domestic infrastructure.

Montgomery also says he expects more frequent and more muscular offensive operations by Cyber Command, which Trump elevated to a full combatant command during his first term. He predicts the Trump administration will “look more favorably” on creating a separate military cyber service, which the Biden administration opposed, and “take a more skeptical view” of the joint leadership of Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, which the Biden administration supported.

Trump could also harness other tools to constrain China, including authorities he created during his first term to block the use of risky technology in the US. “The Trump administration will look at the full set of policy levers when deciding how to push back on China in cyberspace,” says Kevin Allison, a consultant on geopolitics and technology.

[vague-humanoid]

In a startling admission, a senior defense official is laying bare the Pentagon's accelerating interest in autonomous killer robots.

Speaking to Defense One, which didn't print the official's name so that they could speak freely, that official said that the Pentagon is looking to move away from funding research on the topic and investing in actual AI-powered weaponry instead.

"We're not going to be investing in 'artificial intelligence' because I don’t know what that means," the official told the website. "We're going to invest in autonomous killer robots."

"This administration cares about weapon systems and business systems," they added, "and not 'technologies.'"

That kind of big talk is perfectly fine for policy wonk types, but when it comes to the dollars and cents, another official said that there's an incoming shift that offloads costs onto the private sector.

"We're trying to change a business model from 'the government pays $100 million for research and [the company] builds a prototype' to more of 'us paying a couple million dollars and industry pays $98 million and then they build a prototype,'" the second Pentagon official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, told Defense One.

"As the [Department of Defense] looks ahead toward accelerating the delivery of the most lethal, advanced technologies and capabilities to our warfighters," they continued, "we are examining our current structure to best determine how to align our efforts to achieve maximum effect and efficiency."

Translation: the DOD wants to streamline its acquisitions so it can get autonomous killer robots as fast as possible. While the military has quietly commissioned research and some ground testing with these so-called "lethal autonomous weapons" or LAWs, the Pentagon has been slow to fully embrace killer robots because, basically, they freak everyone out.

[presswoodterryryan]

Understanding America's Iron Dome Initiative

By Mr. Fluffernutter Greetings, my fellow adventurers! It’s me, Mr. Fluffernutter, your ever-curious, ever-fluffy bunny correspondent, hopping into your hearts with yet another enthralling expedition deep into the realm of big ideas and even grander plans. Buckle up, my friends, for this time, we’re plunging headfirst into a presidential-sized topic straight from the bustling heart of…

[darkmaga-returns]

I have long held the view that the globalists’ plan for the final takedown of America will involve getting us into a major international war at the same time we’re engulfed in growing civil strife and possible civil war at home.

In other words, let them fight each other while fighting Russia, China and Iran simultaneously. That’s enough to take down any superpower. In the fog of war and with now comfortable lives turned upside down by death and destruction, the globalists will roll out their AI-powered digital surveillance slave-state — a beast system nobody will be able to avoid or resist because it will make Orwell’s Big Brother look like a benevolent dictator.

And that script is proceeding right on schedule with the riots heating up in Los Angeles and now spreading to other cities, while at the same time we see President Trump’s so-called peace talks breaking down with Russia and Iran.

The latest round of nuclear talks with Iran, set for Sunday, have now been canceled.

The Cradle reports that Iran’s Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said Wednesday that Tehran will strike US military bases in the region if nuclear talks fail and Washington decides to launch an attack on the Islamic Republic. We can also count on countless Islamic cells being activated in the U.S., cells that have been preparing for years for what the Muslim Brotherhood refers to as a “zero hour event.”

[im-not-buying-it-ether]

Okay so I did like when the Infinity stones had a kind of… affect on the people around them/interacting with them. This is kinda a nothing observation post but its important to me

Tesseract/Space Stone was most evident, it was temperamental and "Talked" in a way to Loki and Selvig. It sparks an interest. I see it was, kinda like the ocean in the eyes of a sailor, kinda relating to -naut in a sailor capacity in the odd sense my brain comes up with.

It behaves, it acts up, there's infinite depths to explore in its power and magnitude and entirely unfathomable how much power it could give us. It is an ocean in the palm of someone's hand and it can cause just as much destruction on a whim as any body of water could, this body just so happens to be the literal universe.

The Mind Stone is a different case. It has its affects, all different depending on the person, but how I've always interpreted it was amplifying a trait or part of someone's personality. On Selvig it made his scientific curiosity into frenzied fanaticism, which shines through most in his talks to Loki while building the portal machine and how he reverently speaks to Natasha while he's firing it up. Clint the minute he's touched by the stone switches entirely to Good Soldier, his mind control shifts his loyalties and focuses him entirely on The Mission in firing the portal up and helping Loki. Loki himself is more hateful, his anger and cruelty is amped up to an 11 where he is his most consistently devious and schemes more than any other appearance. They are all twisted into the worst version of a certain part of themselves for the point of the goal when it has direction.

Without direction, when Hydra points it at Wanda and Pietro, it amplifies existing abilities by apparently giving Pietro his speed and canonically getting Wanda using her magic again that hasn't been messed with since she was a child. (Honestly, with the Norse connection the Tesseract had, Pietro's case reminds me of that bit of the myth of Utgard-Loki where Thalfi races the personification of Thought in a footrace.) Wanda's magic acts like a emotional defensive response at first so I can see why the Mind Stone got it acting again with her. Hell, it amplified the Jarvi AI into near full humanity when applied to Vision.

With the Aether it literally fed off of Jane when it was attached to her and caused a few hallucinations, literally altering the reality around her and making her have trouble perceiving her own. It's a parasite that eats at what it gets close to and seems to have a penchant for destruction itself, always reacting violently when something got close to Jane while it was attached.

The Time Stone didn't have as much but I'd say it behaves like a system or tool, will is exerted on it without much difference from what was wanted and what happened. It acts less 'alive' than the other ones.

The Power Stone is similar, but hasty. The minute it has contact with something it tries to burn through it and tries quickly, so if I were to give it a personality like the Aether or Tesseract I'd say it's like something viral or murderous.

Lastly with the Soul Stone, it seems mocking. It demands a price, "You want me, give up someone else. Someone you care about. Eye for an eye." When Thanos holds it there's this whisper, when he uses all the stones it mocks him with the image of Gamora asking him if it was worth it. It's petty, its mocking, and it didn't like what Thanos had to do with it. It's a lot of souls gone in an instant.

And honestly? I freaking love that they all have some sort of personality to them. I want to indulge this somehow.

[thursdayisbetterthanfriday]

“Today, I’m compelled to speak, not as a composer this time, but as a citizen alarmed by the role Microsoft is playing in a very different kind of composition: one that leads to surveillance, violence, and destruction in Palestine,”

“In a blog post dated May 15, 2025, Microsoft acknowledged that it provides Israel’s Ministry of Defense with ‘software, professional services, Azure cloud services and Azure AI services, including language translation.'”

“These ‘services’ support a regime that is engaged in actions described by leading legal scholars and human rights organisations, United Nations experts, and increasing numbers of governments from around the world, as genocidal. The collaboration between Microsoft and the Israeli government and army is no secret and involves the company’s software being used in lethal technologies with ‘funny’ names like ‘Where’s Daddy?’ (guidance systems for tracking Palestinians in order to blow them up in their homes).” “Selling and facilitating advanced AI and cloud services to a government engaged in systematic ethnic cleansing is not ‘business as usual.’ It is complicity,”

“I believe that with such a power comes an absolute ethical responsibility. Accordingly, I call on Microsoft to suspend all services that support any operations that contribute to violations of international law.” - Brian Eno

[bhuyi]

Horizon Omega

NCT DREAM

Synopsis:

In the year 2147, the Geonmu-7 Space Station orbits at the edge of human colonies, serving as a crucial supply hub for outer settlements. Captain Lee Haechan, a logistics officer with no combat experience, sees his life aboard the station as a monotonous routine—until one fateful night when an unknown force launches a sudden attack, reducing everything to ruins.

Within minutes, the commanding officers and security forces are wiped out. Haechan, now the highest-ranking survivor, is forced into leadership despite having never led a team before. Alongside a scattered group of survivors—engineers, scientists, and technicians—he must find a way to stay alive, manage the station’s dwindling resources, and uncover the truth behind the attack.

But as they attempt to send a distress signal, Haechan stumbles upon a chilling discovery: this was no random assault. Someone on board orchestrated it.

With time running out, an AI system behaving strangely, and an unseen threat lurking within the station’s remains, Haechan must rise from a mere logistics officer to a true leader. Can he and his team escape before they become the next victims?

Characters:

1. Lee Haechan – Logistics Officer & Unexpected Leader

Once a simple logistics officer managing supply chains and inventory, Haechan now finds himself the highest-ranking survivor after the attack. Though he has never led a mission before, his sharp problem-solving skills and adaptability make him the team's reluctant but essential leader. As paranoia grows within the group, he must learn to make tough decisions, trust the right people, and uncover the traitor before it’s too late.

2. Mark Lee – Chief Pilot & Navigator

One of the only surviving pilots after the attack, Mark becomes the crew’s best chance at escape. With years of experience piloting space freighters, he is tasked with repairing a damaged evacuation ship before the station collapses. However, the weight of responsibility starts to take its toll—if he fails, no one makes it out alive.

3. Na Jaemin – Chief Medic & Biotech Researcher

The station’s top medical officer, Jaemin is responsible for treating the wounded and maintaining the station’s experimental cryosleep patients. After the attack, he stumbles upon classified files hinting that the station’s secret genetic experiments may have been the real reason for the attack. Now, he must race against time to unravel the truth behind Geonmu-7’s research while keeping his teammates alive.

4. Huang Renjun – Astrophysicist & Communications Expert

An encryption specialist, Renjun discovers that all external communication has been deliberately blocked—as if someone inside doesn’t want them to call for help. As he tries to hack into the station’s systems, he begins to uncover disturbing messages that suggest the attack was planned long before it happened.

5. Lee Jeno – Head Mechanic & Weapons Specialist

Jeno, the chief engineer, is in charge of repairing the station’s power grid and defensive systems. However, as he digs deeper into the damage, he realizes some of the station’s defenses were sabotaged from the inside. With time running out, he must find a way to restore the station’s security and prepare for the next attack—because something or someone is still out there.

6. Zhong Chenle – AI Systems Engineer & Cybersecurity Expert

The station’s artificial intelligence, once designed to protect them, has begun acting unpredictably. As an AI specialist, Chenle attempts to regain control, only to discover that the system may have been altered by an unknown force. With a mix of humor and genius, he must figure out whether the AI is still an ally—or if it has turned against them.

7. Park Jisung – Explorer & Emergency Survival Specialist

Though the youngest member, Jisung is a trained space explorer familiar with extreme survival scenarios. He leads the search for hidden escape routes within the station’s abandoned sectors, but what he finds lurking in the dark makes him question whether escaping is even an option.

Themes

✔ Survival & Leadership

✔ Mystery & Intrigue

✔ Sci-Fi Horror & Action

✔ Brotherhood & Trust

This story blends sci-fi suspense, survival horror, and psychological thriller elements, perfect for fans of The Expanse, Alien, or Dead Space.

I will post the prologue and chapter 1 soon if the votes reach 5 and 3 comments.

[hyperch1ptune]

yk i’ve always wanted to do something like this on tumblr,,,in addition w me being extremely fixated to where I have a lot of ideas I wanna infodump about

ULTIMATE FIDGET & DIGIT HEADCANON SHEET LETS GOOO

•••

Overall Info

—

They were both created by Penny, but not just to be extra defensive weapons for W.O.M.P. ; if anything, Penny found it to be a good excuse to add some extra members to the family.

They’re the twins of the family!! (Fidget only being 30 minutes younger technically due to the early testing & waking was done on Digit first)

(Speaking of, once they were tested in a small room for their first 1 on 1 meeting, Fidget introduced himself to Digit using morse code..he was still very unsure which language was his default)

Although they have the data to know every language, some of their mains are as listed: English, Español, Français, Sign language, Morse code, and Binary code.

(They like to scare Nozzaire sometimes with them knowing french)

Aside from most of their traits being taken off by Gadget, they both have they’re own unique personalities that bounce off of each other naturally.

This was given to them via a unique AI chip she created personally; making the robots being able to feel. One chip has much more intense power than the other, making them individual.

She also downloaded them with as much old & recent info she could by the time they were fresh, giving them a mouthful of knowledge all ranging from history to pop culture; a century full at best.

Because of this, they have the mentality of 20 year olds (Ranging from 20 to 25) having them act reasonable when needed, and a little immature when overwhelmed.

Both robots are agender!!

Digit believes since they’re not human they aren’t as deserving of being put under a specific umbrella; even with pronouns given to them.

Fidget also feels they don’t fit under certain categories, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t embrace it. If anything, he’s the most to experiment with different clothing whenever given the chance.

(Attack Of The Killer Bee’s & Help Wanted are good examples)

(This one’s kinda webcomicy implied but idc i’m impatient)

(Don’t mind how it’s mEssy as well)

From the beginning to the end of GATG, their skeleton has been updated CONSTANTLY for some sort of improvement. With extra tweaking being done as well from another character (wink wink), this is what their functions look on the inside for now.

The main middle surface has been heavily influenced from “The Ultimate Weapon”, where the aftermath has left Digit overwhelmed with a system like that overall, while Fidget still thought it was extremely stimulating.

(Digit still finds Fidget really gross for liking to eat)

To replace the stomach, a little storage cabinet was built inside Digit for a much comfortable fit; in addition giving him more room to collect random objects.

Fidget on the other hand got a whole update to the first stomach model; it now consisted of an elastic bag filled with much stronger acid, stronger than a humans at least (Battery acid). The size of it has increased as well, a request from Fidget really so he can spend more time stuffing himself without feeling discomfort.

Cushions are for extra defense around their gadgets & differentiating middle areas.

(The cushions and middle hatches both have separate openings, meaning the cushions can act like “skin” whenever it’s only the hatches open)

(Fidget enjoys having his stomach rubbed because of this)

(It’s also better defense for Digit overall if the cushions so happened to break if the evidence is spiked. 2 layers is honestly like a backup for him)

The smaller storage unit was implemented from “Claw’s Collection”, basically a little area where the gadgetinis can store small objects such as magnets or chip pieces.

The Danger sensor evolved more into a heart chip for them, taken from “No Such Thing As Ghosts”, usually from it intensifying whenever the both of them stumble upon something “frightening” & what not.

The speakers are a way the gadgetinis are able to take in and hear information: from them being hunks of metal to begin with, they don’t exactly have proper ear drums..Fidget experiences a lot of distortion from one of his speakers being loose though.

The Poison/Gas identifier & AI chip’s are just fun additions!! The chips giving the gadgetinis more “realistic” interactions, and the identifier making it more easy to see if something’s been spiked or if the air was being poisoned.

(At least thats a easy way 2 make sure their stoves don’t explode)

They’re body parts consist out of heavy metal, and water proof wire coating. This makes them both bullet proof indestructible to water..they still don’t dare to breathe water in due to the risk of their circuiting inside.

But even with these in mind, they’re still at huge risk if they ever get electrocuted, or overheat. They’re circulating can easily go haywire, and have them be broken for a good while.

They both weight 300 pounds respectively (Fidget only weighing 35 more) from all of the wiring & metal connected,,no way would they weight lightly.

(No way IN HELL am I listing off all of their gadgets,,,they showcase a new one every episode & that’s a whole different list on its own. I can say though all the main apartment’s are in they’re arms, legs, hat, and middle)

•••

Digit

—

To start off, he focuses more on the role of being a robot more intensely than his brother.

Maybe a little too much as well..he’s extremely insecure when it comes to failure or flaws within his work or actions overall.

(He’s the type to sit and ponder on situations that don’t go as good as he hoped; not reacting as intense physically, but would probably stay quiet for a good couple of days until he feel the needs to vent.)

It’s a main reason why he bickers about Fidget & his “human” feelings, a self indulgent problem.

He bases his whole personality off of being servile, so showing or feeling genuine emotion has him think he’s imperfect in some way; easily beating himself over it.

(He’s probably envied another robot & their strengths before.)

Him overthinking about it in general also has him thinking it’s something he shouldn’t be doing, so he usually masks it with a nonchalant, strict, or sarcastic attitude.

With these attitudes he’s started to like the feeling of being praised more often, but he never gets selfish about it..he just gloats a lot.

Even with this in mind, he’s still extremely loyal whenever it comes to anyone in his family.

He cares for all of them an overwhelming amount, and doesn’t back down on cheering up or caring any of his family members. Seeing them happy always put him in a better mood overall.

If ANY of the Brown/Gadget family was put under any danger, he comes quick to serve to destroy anyone and anything putting them in a terrible position.

This makes him a good parental figure at best, having him watch & look over anybody underage and or untrusting for wanting to do something “dangerous”.

Because he’s quick to serve, he never says no to any request he’s given..professionally/forcefully speaking.

If a dumb enough of a request was given to him he’d probably turn it down (Or if it’s just something he’s unable to do)

Even if he keeps himself together, he can be easily more frightened than Fidget if you time it right. He never admits to it even if someone tells him about it.

This also plays into the fact he’s EXTREMELY sensitive to loud noises. Even if he knows it’s coming, it hits him like a truck with how overpowering the echos are in his ears.

This doesn’t mean he doesn’t enjoy metal/rock all that often..preferably nothing heavy, but still “dark” enough on a pop fan’s ear. This is one of those moments where he excuses how loud the music can be.

He gained a small habit of collecting things from the extra storage compartment, usually being specific items every time he’s off collecting.

This hobby is usually kept private, but he doesn’t mind showing Fidget some of the small trinkets he’s collected & infodump about their differences.

He likes to infodump to Fidget about random stuff overall, he really enjoys seeing him getting as intrigued as he is with his own hobbies & interests.

Digit’s a Aroace Homoplatonic (Or however you’d call a aroace gay person,,)

He never truly understands the appeal of love, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t interested in getting in a platonic relationship of any kind.

In addition to him not feeling “attraction” to anyone feminine, he usually gets more intrigued in a person if they were as professional as him so they have something to bond over.

•••

Fidget

—

Fidget on the other hand thrives off of his emotions; he doesn’t think much on profession, & overall he’s just having a fun time!!

It’s strangely beautiful for him to not have anything natural to a human but still feel certain pains, emotions, and strengths as would a human.

He isn’t scared on showing whatever it’s feeling; maybe it being pain, hunger, sadness, excitement, he’s gonna show it one way or another.

He’s also the more dramatic and or teasing character, although it’s all in good fun if he’s poking fun at someone close.

He does get a little insecure about his feelings whenever Digit says something on him being unable to do something, but it’s like a small sting he’d feel for a couple minutes.

He usually processes negative emotions more intensely, making a whole fit during the moment until he eventually gets over it.

This doesn’t mean he isn’t emotional, Fidget is extremely sympathetic & worrisome overall.

Usually his mind goes into areas that’d seem silly to scare himself over, but there are times where he uses those feelings for anything more “heavy”.

His brother is a good example of this, with Fidget feeling terrible over Digit giving himself such a strict mindset for as long as they both could remember.

Speaking of, Digit is a huge role model to Fidget aside from the lieutenant. Most of what he dose he’d always think what Digit would do or say in the situation.

(Mostly it’s just a bunch of funny bits where he’d get reminded of how comedically sarcastic he can be)

This is another reason he feels so awful on him beating on himself over the smallest “flaws”, Fidget doesn’t care how Digit acts because he’s apart of family. No matter how he was he was still going to care for him equally.

He does try & get a little bit out of Digit once in a while, usually starting as a fight & them slowly turning into them both comforting each other.

Fidget is scary good at comforting whenever he isn’t in a panic, maybe it’s just a certain tone he uses, but if he’s trying to cheer someone up their in good hands.

If he is in a panic or rush, it’s gonna be really messy with whatever he says; really it’s him trying to find the right words he can’t see.

(He’s the silly one of the duo! Someone’s gotta do it!)

Fidget’s equally loyal about his family as is Digit, but he dose get a little scared at time of what they may be facing off. Piss him off enough & he’ll get just has defensive IF NOT MORE than his twin.

Even then he’d usually be in the one in the trouble..if he ever needs to save someone outside of the lieutenant or Penny he’s probably getting tricked in some way.

(He’s smart enough to not fully fall into the bait, if anything the idea of someone being used as bait for him makes him mad enough)

Type of guy to enjoy hot temperatures, preferably anything that steams, like a hot towel!

It massages the outer plates of his body, as well making his circits more loose to where he could melt like putty. As he’s said before about steam: “It relaxes him for the whole day” (Help Wanted reference again hi)

Although he enjoys consuming many things, this guys a MAJOR sweet tooth.

Anything sweet, rich, sour, chilled, creamy, milky, choc-y even he easily melts over. He’s the type of guy who could eat a cake whole if he wanted; and given his agility, he very much can.

Because of a specific icon of MAD, he’s got a tad bit of fear for most cats..it melts away once he finds out if a said kitty is nice.

His MAIN fear is anything paranormal

Fidget’s a Pansexual-romantic (or just an asexual pansexual!)

This robot understands love much more than intended, almost anyone appealing enough makes his heart race. But even then if someone outside of his family fed him he’d probably think about that longer than intended..

Even with this being the case, he’s never comfortable with anybody getting close-close with him, he’d be confused either way with him not exactly being equipped for what others find appealing. Just some close cuddling & he’s all good.

•••

don’t mind how this got a lil messy around the end,,,but dAmn was this fun to write

[anesidoraa]

some info from the manual of the newly released hg gundnode, courtesy of pics posted by some japanese fans and gundampixel on twitter.

Gundnode

The Gundnode is a mobile suit-type GUND-BIT, developed and produced in secret via Delling Rembran's arrangements. The unit was inspired by design concepts from Shin Sei Development Corporation. Its main purpose is to expand upon Aerial's data storm, functioning as an amp-shifter with additional Gundnodes providing the support to build a massive data storm network. However, it can also provide defensive support with its powerful mid-space combat abilities, and is compatible with an optional mobile armor unit. Even without the use of the GUND FORMAT, it is capable of autonomous movement via AI, which is said to make it the technological successor to drone units from a previous war. Though the Gundnode uses a GUND FORMAT technology that was rejected by the world, the Gundnode was to use this very technology to seize control of all weapons, becoming a pioneer in the project to create a world without war.

Quiet Zero

By connecting Aerial to Quiet Zero, and designating the Gundnode as a relay unit, Quiet Zero can create an enormous data storm network. From mobile suits to warships, everything in the world with a standardized Permet system can have its controls completely overriden under the effects of Quiet Zero, making it capable of considerable widespread damage.