#COTS Embedded Systems

[mastergarryblogs]

Secure, Smart, and Lethal: The Tech Behind Military Embedded Systems

Introduction:

The global military embedded systems market is undergoing significant transformation, driven by technological advancements and evolving defense strategies. As defense forces worldwide prioritize modernization, the integration of sophisticated embedded systems has become paramount to enhance operational efficiency, communication, and security. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the current market dynamics, segmental insights, regional trends, and competitive landscape shaping the future of military embedded systems.

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Military Embedded Systems Market Dynamics:

Technological Advancements Fueling Growth

The relentless pace of technological innovation is a primary catalyst for the expansion of the military embedded systems market. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into embedded systems has revolutionized defense operations. These advancements enable real-time data processing, predictive maintenance, and enhanced decision-making capabilities, thereby improving mission effectiveness and operational readiness.

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Rising Demand for Secure Communication Systems

In an era where information dominance is critical, the demand for secure and reliable communication systems has escalated. Military embedded systems facilitate encrypted communications, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data across various platforms, including land-based units, naval vessels, and airborne systems. This necessity is further amplified by the increasing complexity of modern warfare, which requires seamless interoperability among diverse defense assets.

Integration Challenges and Cybersecurity Concerns

Despite the promising growth trajectory, the military embedded systems market faces challenges related to the integration of new technologies into existing defense infrastructures. Legacy systems often lack the flexibility to accommodate modern embedded solutions, necessitating substantial investments in upgrades and compatibility assessments. Additionally, the heightened risk of cyber threats poses a significant concern. Ensuring the resilience of embedded systems against hacking and electronic warfare is imperative to maintain national security and operational superiority.

Military Embedded Systems Market Segmental Analysis:

By Component

Hardware: This segment holds a substantial share of the military embedded systems market, driven by the continuous demand for robust and reliable physical components capable of withstanding harsh military environments.​

Software: Anticipated to experience significant growth, the software segment benefits from the increasing adoption of software-defined systems and the integration of AI algorithms to enhance functionality and adaptability.​

By Product Type

Telecom Computing Architecture (TCA): Leading the market, TCA supports high-performance computing and communication needs essential for modern military operations.​

Compact-PCI (CPCI) Boards: Projected to witness robust growth, driven by the adoption of modular and scalable systems that offer flexibility and ease of maintenance.​

By Application

Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR): Dominating the application segment, ISR systems rely heavily on embedded technologies for real-time data collection and analysis, providing critical situational awareness.​

Communication and Networking: This segment is poised for growth, reflecting the escalating need for secure and efficient communication channels in defense operations.​

By Platform

Land-Based Systems: Accounting for the largest military embedded systems market share, land platforms utilize embedded systems for enhanced situational awareness, navigation, and control in ground operations.​

Airborne Systems: Experiencing significant growth due to the integration of advanced avionics and communication systems in military aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).​

Military Embedded Systems Market Regional Insights:

North America

North America leads the military embedded systems market, driven by substantial defense budgets and ongoing modernization programs. The United States, in particular, emphasizes technological superiority, investing heavily in research and development of advanced embedded solutions.​

Europe

European nations are actively enhancing their defense capabilities through collaborative projects and increased spending on advanced military technologies. The focus on interoperability among NATO members and the modernization of existing systems contribute to market growth in this region.​

Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing rapid growth, fueled by escalating defense expenditures in countries such as China, India, and Japan. The drive to modernize military infrastructure and develop indigenous defense technologies propels the demand for sophisticated embedded systems.​

Middle East & Africa

Nations in the Middle East are investing in advanced defense technologies to bolster their military capabilities amidst regional tensions. The focus on upgrading naval and airborne platforms with state-of-the-art embedded systems is a notable trend in this region.​

Competitive Landscape

The military embedded systems market is characterized by intense competition among key players striving to innovate and secure significant contracts.​

Recent Developments

Curtiss-Wright Corporation: In January 2025, Curtiss-Wright secured a USD 27 million contract to supply Aircraft Ship Integrated Securing and Traversing (ASIST) systems to the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center for use on Constellation Class Frigates.​

Kontron AG: In December 2024, Kontron AG received an order valued at approximately EUR 165 million to supply high-performance VPX computing and communication units for surveillance applications, highlighting its expanding role in the defense sector.​

These developments underscore the dynamic nature of the market, with companies focusing on technological innovation and strategic partnerships to enhance their market positions.​

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Conclusion

The global military embedded systems market is set for substantial growth, driven by technological advancements and the imperative for defense modernization. As military operations become increasingly complex, the reliance on sophisticated embedded systems will intensify, underscoring the need for continuous innovation and investment in this critical sector.

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[sofreddie]

Resigned 16

Summary: After her arrest at the protest, Y/N was ordered to spend thirty days in an Omega Rehabilitation Center, where they're determined to shape her into a good Omega.

Characters: Alpha!Jensen/Omega!Reader, Alpha!Jared/Omega!Gen, Officer Hanley, Officer Cudgel, Warden Geffin, Others

Warnings: A/B/O Dynamics, Omegas are second-class citizens/treated badly, Incarceration, Forced Obedience, Whipping, Paddling, Beating, Forced Nudity, Untreated Heat, Unconventional Punishments

WC: 3,215

A/N: I struggled finding a good GIF for this chapter. But at least I found the motivation to post it! Please heed the warnings; it's a rough chapter.

Series Masterlist

Part 15

The first week in the facility, Y/N stayed locked inside the small five-by-eight-foot cell they'd placed her in. The concrete walls and floor were cold. The room was equipped with a cot, a toilet and sink combo, and a pathetic, tiny shower in the corner. She wasn't released for anything, not exercise or outdoor time or even for meals, all of her food brought to her room for her to consume alone. The only other people she saw were those who worked at the facility. Though at all hours she heard random screams and sobs from other prisoners, their ghostly voices bouncing against the concrete walls and reverberating through her being.

The TV embedded behind plexiglass constantly played different videos—everything from "Rules and Laws for Omegas" to "Omega Behavior" to "Subservience to Superiors," and many more. It was hard to sleep, with the TV always on and the bright, fluorescent overhead light only going out for a few hours at night, its constant hum grating on her.

In the darkness of her cell in the middle of the night, she missed Jensen the most. He was always a solid, warm comfort beside her as she slept. Now, the bed was too small, uncomfortable, and cold. She didn't even have his scent with her, only the memory of its sweet and musky complexity in her mind. Their connection was like a tangible tether, stretched taut and thin between them. She prayed he couldn't feel or sense her suffering and pain.

On the second day, she received a visit from the facility's warden, Phillip Geffen, and was made to stand in his presence. He inspected her as he circled her, introducing himself.

"You and your Alpha have been quite the nuisances with your antics," he said as he stood before her. "I'm particularly displeased with your Alpha's public denunciation of Omega laws, and for allowing you to go unpunished for your heinous crimes." Y/N fought hard to remain still and quiet, sure the warden wouldn't take any step out of line lightly. His scent was also making her incredibly nauseous.

"As I watch the news, I see riots in our city's streets, protests from unruly Omegas. And I've watched your Alpha's efforts to try and dismantle a perfectly functional system, based on the laws of nature."

She couldn't stop the curl to her lip or her hands balling into fists as Warden Geffen badmouthed Jensen. Geffen smirked at the sight.

"I cannot do much about your Alpha. The law is very lenient toward Alphas. But, I can take action through you, and I fully intend that you both learn a valuable lesson through this experience."

Geffen then stood to the side as he ordered that punishment be dealt for her initial crime of False Representation. They'd forcefully stripped her jumpsuit down to her waist, exposing her back. She received ten lashes before she was released, dropped onto the cot, and she sobbed, her back throbbing from the strikes.

Seemingly satisfied with her whipping and the welts adorning her back, Geffen hummed, then stated to the officer that she was not to receive any meals for twenty-four hours. The solid metal door with a small window and a latch for passing items closed with a loud, ringing thud. Half-naked, in throbbing pain, and crying out for her Alpha, Y/N fell into a fitful slumber.

-

The first week rolled into the second, which was more challenging than the previous week. Warden Geffen hadn't returned, but the same two male officers - Hanley and Cudgel, she'd read on their name tags - delivered her meals and checked in on her every day. Sometimes, they entered her cell to test her. It seemed random; there was no clear way for her to know when they would arrive.

She was made to stand whenever someone entered her room, and they often quizzed her on laws and information from the videos. If she failed to respond or gave the wrong answer, she would receive a shock from her collar. One shock was so harsh, she dropped to her knees under its strength, the breath knocked out of her. Hanley, who seemed to be the superior or lead of the two, knelt beside her and grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. A foreign Alpha touching her made her defensive in her hazy and injured state. She acted on instinct, growling before biting down on his hand, in the soft spot between the thumb and index, tasting his blood on her tongue.

He growled and backhanded her, sending her crashing to the floor. He hit and kicked her repeatedly until she was bloody and barely coherent, and left her to sob on the cold, stained floor. His partner, Officer Cudgel, had to pull him from the cell. It took a few days before she could see or breathe normally again, the facility's medic checking and treating her, and she took stock of her body to the best of her ability without a mirror. She winced at the various bruises and welts that littered her battered body. For the first time since arriving there, she wondered if she'd make it out alive.

When they entered her cell again, she stood tall beside her bed, ready for their questions. She would do her best to curtail her instincts that told her to fight and run. She was surprised, however, when they placed her in cuffs and removed her from her cell for the first time in almost two weeks. She was put into a single-file line with other Omega prisoners, all cuffed with their heads bowed.

They were led outside and into a waiting bus. It wasn't until the bus was in motion that they were told the reason for the trip. As part of their punishment, they will be paddled or whipped publicly as an example. They were brought to a multi-level building at the courthouse complex, and Y/N's stomach dropped like stones. Jensen had come here for his classes, and he'd told her about the Omega paddling in his class. She had to soothe him to calm him down; he was offended and angry over the incident, nearly jumping to save the woman. His retelling terrified her; now, it seemed she just might be one of those Omegas.

The Omegas were led into the building, each to a different room. Y/N could smell Alphas everywhere, which made her tense and on high alert. She was brought into one of the classrooms and trussed up, her jumpsuit stripped to her waist, leaving her exposed, just like when she was whipped in her cell. She tried not to whimper, knowing what was about to happen. Her back was to the room, and she couldn't see anyone; her stomach lurched to her throat, and she took a desperate gasp of air.

That's when she could suddenly feel and smell Jensen. When everyone in the class jumped at his sudden, deep growl, she shivered with its comfort. "Alpha!"

She swelled with pride and awe, however, as her Alpha went full primal, tackling one of the officers and bashing his head against the ground with his hands around the smaller man's throat. She'd never seen Jensen so animalistic; she didn't even know he had it in him. But seeing him like that now, in defense of her, had her dripping slick. She was in preheat and knew this would send her into a harsher heat when it did strike. But the image of him, so brutal, would help her.

He stood, and their eyes met for only a second before a taser dropped him. She watched in horror as he convulsed on the ground, and she was hurriedly led away before he could recover. She screamed and wailed for her Alpha, fighting against the hold of her captors to no avail. When she was returned to her cell at the facility, she was tied up again, her arms high above her head as she faced the ever-running television.

She received fifteen lashes for her prior crime of fighting an Alpha and inciting a riot. Then she received five more for what happened in the classroom with her Alpha. The television played its demeaning videos, black screens with bold, white letters interjecting the words "OBEY" and "SUBMIT" between explaining an Omega's role as submissive to all others. Each lash drove the words into her flesh, and when the punishment was done, she didn't see anyone or receive any food for three days.

-

The third week was by far the most difficult to endure. As expected, her heat arrived, and it was the harshest she'd ever felt. Before Jensen, she took suppressants and blockers, hiding as a Beta and smothering her heats. When she met Jensen, she went off her medication, but he was always there to satiate her needs. Now, she had neither medication nor her Alpha to help her through.

When her heat made itself known, it quickly had her Omega at the forefront, but not in the way the OE anticipated. Y/N crouched in the corner of her cell, snarling and growling at everyone who ever passed by. When Hanley entered the cell, she snarled and leaped at him, scratching and attempting to bite him repeatedly.

He'd managed to throw her off roughly, but she righted herself and launched a second attack. Three hearty and long shocks from her collar, and she dropped to the ground, whining and huffing from pain and displeasure. Hanley and Cudgel took advantage of her disorientation, lifting her to the cot and securing her wrists and ankles to the frame with leather straps. She should have been more concerned, but she only felt hostility toward anyone who wasn't her Alpha.

Once secured to the cot, she was again left alone as her heat raged and she could do nothing about it. With the way her legs were tied, she couldn't even clench her thighs to attempt a reprieve from the constant, aching need in her core. As her heat raged on unsatiated, she grew more disoriented, existing outside of time and space, in a never-ending haze of need, pain, and feverish sweat.

She was vaguely aware of someone entering the room after an indeterminable amount of time. Her voice croaked with disuse as she tried to beg for release, but no response came. She winced as a needle was placed in her arm and was able to make out an IV fluid bag. Otherwise, they checked in on her repeatedly, but never spoke to her or touched her as she suffered the effects of her unsatiated heat.

The whole time, the television droned on in the background. How to be a Proper Omega: to obey Betas and Alphas above her; to eat, sleep, and wake when told; and to beg and present during her heats. That part made her whine and ache, the cramps intensifying and the slick pouring from her center. She would do it, she realized. She would beg and present if it made the pain and neglect disappear.

When her heat finally subsided, her OE handlers returned. As always, Cudgel remained guarding the door and watching as Hanley entered the cell and released her bindings.

"On your feet."

She moved as quickly as her weakened body allowed, standing beside her bed, head bowed.

"You stink, Omega," Hanley sneered.

She could smell herself, the mix of sweat and slick from days of heat nearly choking her, the air in the room saturated with her scent. She felt gross, but wouldn't dare to do anything about it without being told. Her Omega was raw, exposed, and desperate for praise and affection. Hanley led her to the shower in the corner, forcing her to strip and clean herself while he watched.

She was uncaring of her nudity or the voyeurism on display, and she cleaned herself from head to toe, paying special attention to her saturated center without arousing herself. She didn't need to give in to the ghostly taunts of need, but she would be grateful if she were asked to do so. When she finished the shower, she stepped out, and Hanley was waiting with a towel. She stood still as he wrapped the towel around her, rubbing her upper arms to help remove some of the moisture.

Y/N swayed slightly at his touch, her Omega needing some contact to soothe her frayed nerves. Once she was dried, Hanley stepped away and handed off the used towel to Cudgel, his eyes never leaving the shivering, naked Omega. When he retrieved a wooden paddle from Cudgel, she knew what was coming and what was expected of her. Without being asked, she turned and lifted her hands to cling to the high-hung hook.

"Very good, Omega," Hanley crooned. She didn't know why she was being punished again, but she swooned at the praise. "Five paddles today," he explained in the most gentle voice she'd ever heard him use. "For Insubordination and the Protest."

The paddling was easier to take than the whipping, though when he directed her to sit on the edge of the bed, her backside stung from the contact. Accepting a pile of clothes from Cudgel, Hanley set them on the bed beside her.

"Get dressed."

She stood and moved quickly, donning her undergarments and jumpsuit, then remained standing beside the bed, waiting for his following instructions. He brought in a tray of food and set it on the cot, the two officers leaving without another word. She sat and rushed to eat, desperate after not having eaten anything for the duration of her heat, too incapacitated to do anything other than suffer. When she was done, she placed the tray at the bottom of her door and sat on the edge of the bed again, her eyes trained on the instructional videos playing.

It was the first good day she'd had in a while, and she decided giving in to the Omega - doing what she was told - was easier and better. Maybe she'd get more rewards and praise. Maybe Hanley would be nicer. She focused on the videos, intent on being the best Omega.

-

The fourth week and her approaching release were abstract concepts to Y/N. The only thing she focused on was her existence as an Omega and what that meant to the world. She was tested repeatedly by Hanley, Cudgel, and other specialty officers. She was told to stand, sit, speak, answer questions, eat only when given permission, strip and shower, and even to present when ordered, though she was fully clothed each time. As she passed each test and received the rewarding words 'good omega', she preened, glad that she had pleased.

On the day of her release, Warden Geffen revisited her, and she stood straight and still as he circled her, inspecting her and testing to ensure that she had been reformed. His inspection concluded with a toothy grin of approval.

"Maybe now you and your Alpha will understand your roles and responsibilities."

"Yes, Alpha Geffen," she responded with her head bowed, missing his pursed lips and nod.

She would get to leave, to go home and see her Alpha. Part of her was scared. What if she messed up again? What if she didn't follow her Alpha's every order? What if she slipped back into being a bad Omega? She had learned a great deal and had come a long way, and was determined to be the best Omega anyone had ever seen. She'd make her Alpha proud.

-

Jensen was anxiously waiting outside for Y/N, pacing as he held flowers and a replacement collar for her. He hated the damn thing and refused to buy a new one after they'd informed him the last one was cut from her neck. Jared convinced him that, because of the law, they had to get her a replacement. He went along, but let Jared do the shopping, sneering the whole time in the little shop. 

"Dude, she'll be out any minute," Jared said, trying to calm the agitated Alpha.

Jared had witnessed his best friend fall to pieces in Y/N's absence. He ached and barely spoke, always hanging his head. They had to force him to eat, and Gen convinced him to take sedatives to help him sleep. It didn't prevent him from crying out with nightmares at night. Jared and Gen, too, felt Y/N's absence. Though the three of them were used to, well, the three of them, Y/N had become an essential and welcome addition to their pack. They'd all struggled over it.

Where Jensen fell into a deep depression, Jared's inner Alpha raged. His friends, his family, his pack were under attack, forcing his primal protection instincts to the forefront.  Gen, however, easily slid into the role of Matriarchal Omega, keeping Jared and Jensen in line and managing their lives and homes until Y/N was returned to them. They all just really wanted her back, and as the three of them grew restless waiting in the cold parking lot in the early morning hours, the side doors to the facility opened.

Jensen and Jared were both on edge the second they scented the male Alpha OE Officer, who represented everything that was ruining their lives,  leading what they presumed to be Y/N. It looked like her, but she had lost some weight and was walking with her head bowed, her hair covering most of her face. She also moved and walked differently, as if every step were carefully measured. If it weren't for her scent, which had soured somehow, they weren't sure they would recognize her.

It took everything Jensen had in him to stay rooted in place beside the others as the Alpha officer escorted Y/N to them. He stood tall and proud, in stark contrast to her meek and bowed demeanor. When they approached, the officer - Hanley Jensen noted - removed her collar as Jared replaced it with the new one. The man scanned both collars into a portable reader, then typed some information and nodded.

"You're good to go. Have a nice day."

Hanley smirked as he walked away, meeting Jensen's eyes, who growled under his breath, clutching the flowers tightly enough to bend, several petals falling to the damp asphalt.  

"Y/N?" Jensen's voice was weak as he stepped toward her. She's had yet to lift her head or even acknowledge that any of them were there.

"Yes, Alpha?"

She still didn't raise her head, and Jensen glanced at the others, who shrugged wide-eyed at the scene before them. Forgoing the flowers, he handed them to Gen before rushing forward, wrapping his arms around Y/N and breathing in her scent. He already felt better having her in his arms. He cupped her cheek and tilted her head to meet his eyes, but they were cold and dark. The Omega was there, but Y/N - his mate, his wife, the woman he loved - was buried. He inhaled a shuddering breath as he carefully wrapped an arm around her and led her to the waiting SUV. 

Jared and Gen shared a look, more than worried, as they followed, ready for their pack to be whole and home again.

PART 17

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[cinnamon--bagel]

Happy pride month here's a sneak peak for the next chapter of Four Riders.

Dingo slips into the ship’s lab while the rest of the world is asleep. He doesn’t bother turning on the light, he’s visited Yonny enough to get around blindfolded. He keeps his steps quiet, unsure if his disruption could disturb the room’s sole occupant. He unlocks one of the rolling chairs and moves it closer to the cot so he can sit and watch more easily.

Sparrow is completely still, their pale skin partially illuminated by a light near the charging cords plugged into their chest. Dingo shivers, the isolation sinking in and leaving little stings of guilt in his chest. What’s on the cot is not alive, he has to keep reminding himself of that. But being here and seeing the lifeless body with cords and wires embedded in its chest sets off every nerve, making his skin crawl as he faces an unfamiliar uncanniness.

Watching Sparrow sleep is like looking at a corpse with the unnatural smoothness of an undressed doll. 

“Damn it,” he whispers, “even if you aren’t alive, I still feel like a creep.” He plants his head in his hands, a futile escape from the reality of his situation. 

Despite that, he can’t find the strength to uproot himself as he tries to reconcile this empty shell with the lifelike, albeit odd, coworker he’s gotten to know over the past few days.   

 “Ah, have you come to admire them as well?” Dingo straightens, his chair spinning to face Russ just as the scientist turns on the overhead lights. Dingo flinches, nearly blinded like a criminal caught by a searchlight. Russ, blind to the atmosphere as always, makes his way over to Sparrow’s side and tilts their head to one side. He brushes aside their hair and presses down on a spot just behind their ear, revealing a small compartment. He reaches in and presses until a small ‘click’ echoes through the lab. When he pulls his hand away, there’s a small chip grasped between his fingers.

“I’ve been working on some compatibility upgrades for our friend here,” he explains as he plugs the chip into the lab’s computer. “Kee hee, it really is exciting, working with such an advanced AI! Now, if I’m correct, they��ll be able to take in sensory information - sight, sound, and the like - as well as the data obtained from our Survey Drone! They’ll be completely hands free after this, no need for a communication tablet at all!” Russ announces giddily.

“And they’re cool with you just… doing that while they’re asleep?” Dingo’s eyes drift back to the open compartment near Sparrow’s face and his stomach churns.

“Of course, of course! It’s not like I’m changing their operating system, I wouldn’t dare touch that. It’s more like I’m… hmm.” Russ spins to face Dingo, his brows furrowed. “They were able to connect to the SPERO Drone ship, back when it was functional. From what they described, they could transfer data between the drone and their android bodies and even command the drone ship from afar! But since the drone ship was destroyed, I’m trying to patch them into our system instead.”

Dingo blinks. “Like replacing an amputated limb?”

“Precisely!” Russ applauds, already refocused on the computer. “And you’ll have the perfect opportunity to test it when you return to the Sun-Speckled Terrace today!” 

“Right,” Dingo muses. He had nearly forgotten that there were still caves they hadn’t explored in that area, all thoughts of the area washed away by the mysterious crash two days ago. They spent the day after the crash investigating the Blossoming Arcadia, and while they had rescued a castaway in the Drafty Gallery, there was still a lot of ground to cover. 

He stands, sliding the chair toward Russ. “Whatever, just… don’t take too long with those upgrades. The sun’ll be up soon and…” he lets himself glance back at Sparrow’s too-still body one last time, “... we still have to find Bernard and Yonny.”

“Of course! I’ll have this done in no time!” Russ plops into the chair, barely pausing his furious typing. Dingo sighs and turns away, finally mustering the strength to leave the lab and prepare for today’s expedition.

[jcmarchi]

Post-RAG Evolution: AI’s Journey from Information Retrieval to Real-Time Reasoning

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/post-rag-evolution-ais-journey-from-information-retrieval-to-real-time-reasoning/

Post-RAG Evolution: AI’s Journey from Information Retrieval to Real-Time Reasoning

For years, search engines and databases relied on essential keyword matching, often leading to fragmented and context-lacking results. The introduction of generative AI and the emergence of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) have transformed traditional information retrieval, enabling AI to extract relevant data from vast sources and generate structured, coherent responses. This development has improved accuracy, reduced misinformation, and made AI-powered search more interactive. However, while RAG excels at retrieving and generating text, it remains limited to surface-level retrieval. It cannot discover new knowledge or explain its reasoning process. Researchers are addressing these gaps by shaping RAG into a real-time thinking machine capable of reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making with transparent, explainable logic. This article explores the latest developments in RAG, highlighting advancements driving RAG toward deeper reasoning, real-time knowledge discovery, and intelligent decision-making.

From Information Retrieval to Intelligent Reasoning

Structured reasoning is a key advancement that has led to the evolution of RAG. Chain-of-thought reasoning (CoT) has improved large language models (LLMs) by enabling them to connect ideas, break down complex problems, and refine responses step by step. This method helps AI better understand context, resolve ambiguities, and adapt to new challenges. The development of agentic AI has further expanded these capabilities, allowing AI to plan and execute tasks and improve its reasoning. These systems can analyze data, navigate complex data environments, and make informed decisions. Researchers are integrating CoT and agentic AI with RAG to move beyond passive retrieval, enabling it to perform deeper reasoning, real-time knowledge discovery, and structured decision-making. This shift has led to innovations like Retrieval-Augmented Thoughts (RAT), Retrieval-Augmented Reasoning (RAR), and Agentic RAR, making AI more proficient at analyzing and applying knowledge in real-time.

The Genesis: Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)

RAG was primarily developed to address a key limitation of large language models (LLMs) – their reliance on static training data. Without access to real-time or domain-specific information, LLMs can generate inaccurate or outdated responses, a phenomenon known as hallucination. RAG enhances LLMs by integrating information retrieval capabilities, allowing them to access external and real-time data sources. This ensures responses are more accurate, grounded in authoritative sources, and contextually relevant. The core functionality of RAG follows a structured process: First, data is converted into embedding – numerical representations in a vector space – and stored in a vector database for efficient retrieval. When a user submits a query, the system retrieves relevant documents by comparing the query’s embedding with stored embeddings. The retrieved data is then integrated into the original query, enriching the LLM context before generating a response. This approach enables applications such as chatbots with access to company data or AI systems that provide information from verified sources. While RAG has improved information retrieval by providing precise answers instead of just listing documents, it still has limitations. It lacks logical reasoning, clear explanations, and autonomy, essential for making AI systems true knowledge discovery tools. Currently, RAG does not truly understand the data it retrieves—it only organizes and presents it in a structured way.

Retrieval-Augmented Thoughts (RAT)

Researchers have introduced Retrieval-Augmented Thoughts (RAT) to enhance RAG with reasoning capabilities. Unlike traditional RAG, which retrieves information once before generating a response, RAT retrieves data at multiple stages throughout the reasoning process. This approach mimics human thinking by continuously gathering and reassessing information to refine conclusions. RAT follows a structured, multi-step retrieval process, allowing AI to improve its responses iteratively. Instead of relying on a single data fetch, it refines its reasoning step by step, leading to more accurate and logical outputs. The multi-step retrieval process also enables the model to outline its reasoning process, making RAT a more explainable and reliable retrieval system. Additionally, dynamic knowledge injections ensure retrieval is adaptive, incorporating new information as needed based on the evolution of reasoning.

Retrieval-Augmented Reasoning (RAR)

While Retrieval-Augmented Thoughts (RAT) enhances multi-step information retrieval, it does not inherently improve logical reasoning. To address this, researchers developed Retrieval-Augmented Reasoning (RAR) – a framework that integrates symbolic reasoning techniques, knowledge graphs, and rule-based systems to ensure AI processes information through structured logical steps rather than purely statistical predictions. RAR’s workflow involves retrieving structured knowledge from domain-specific sources rather than factual snippets. A symbolic reasoning engine then applies logical inference rules to process this information. Instead of passively aggregating data, the system refines its queries iteratively based on intermediate reasoning results, improving response accuracy. Finally, RAR provides explainable answers by detailing the logical steps and references that led to its conclusions. This approach is especially valuable in industries like law, finance, and healthcare, where structured reasoning enables AI to handle complex decision-making more accurately. By applying logical frameworks, AI can provide well-reasoned, transparent, and reliable insights, ensuring that decisions are based on clear, traceable reasoning rather than purely statistical predictions.

Agentic RAR

Despite RAR’s advancements in reasoning, it still operates reactively, responding to queries without actively refining its knowledge discovery approach. Agentic Retrieval-Augmented Reasoning (Agentic RAR) takes AI a step further by embedding autonomous decision-making capabilities. Instead of passively retrieving data, these systems iteratively plan, execute, and refine knowledge acquisition and problem-solving, making them more adaptable to real-world challenges.

Agentic RAR integrates LLMs that can perform complex reasoning tasks, specialized agents trained for domain-specific applications like data analysis or search optimization, and knowledge graphs that dynamically evolve based on new information. These elements work together to create AI systems that can tackle intricate problems, adapt to new insights, and provide transparent, explainable outcomes.

Future Implications

The transition from RAG to RAR and the development of Agentic RAR systems are steps to move RAG beyond static information retrieval, transforming it into a dynamic, real-time thinking machine capable of sophisticated reasoning and decision-making.

The impact of these developments spans various fields. In research and development, AI can assist with complex data analysis, hypothesis generation, and scientific discovery, accelerating innovation. In finance, healthcare, and law, AI can handle intricate problems, provide nuanced insights, and support complex decision-making processes. AI assistants, powered by deep reasoning capabilities, can offer personalized and contextually relevant responses, adapting to users’ evolving needs.

The Bottom Line

The shift from retrieval-based AI to real-time reasoning systems represents a significant evolution in knowledge discovery. While RAG laid the groundwork for better information synthesis, RAR and Agentic RAR push AI toward autonomous reasoning and problem-solving. As these systems mature, AI will transition from mere information assistants to strategic partners in knowledge discovery, critical analysis, and real-time intelligence across multiple domains.

[impactnews-webmaster-us]

New Frontier: ISRO’s Earth Observation Satellite Launch Date Decided ; On Independence Day

ISRO has said its latest Earth observation satellite EOS-08 will be launched onboard the third and final developmental flight of its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 on August 15.

The primary objectives of the EOS-08 mission include designing and developing a microsatellite, creating payload instruments compatible with the microsatellite bus, and incorporating new technologies required for future operational satellites, the Bengaluru-headquartered national space agency said.

“SSLV’s third and final (developmental) flight will launch EOS-08 microsatellite on August 15, 2024, at 09:17 IST from Sriharikota. It completes the SSLV Development Project and enables operational missions by Indian industry and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL),” ISRO posted on ‘X”.

Built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, EOS-08 carries three payloads: Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R), and SiC UV Dosimeter.

The spacecraft has a mission life of one year. It has a mass of approximately 175.5 kg and generates power of around 420 W. The satellite interfaces with the SSLV-D3/IBL-358 launch vehicle, ISRO said.

The EOIR payload is designed to capture images in the Mid-Wave IR (MIR) and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) bands, both during the day and night, for applications such as satellite-based surveillance, disaster monitoring, environmental monitoring, fire detection, volcanic activity observation, and industrial and power plant disaster monitoring.

The GNSS-R payload demonstrates the capability of using GNSS-R-based remote sensing for applications such as ocean surface wind analysis, soil moisture assessment, cryosphere studies over the Himalayan region, flood detection, and inland waterbody detection.

The SiC UV Dosimeter monitors UV irradiance at the viewport of the Crew Module in the Gaganyaan Mission and serves as a high-dose alarm sensor for gamma radiation.

According to ISRO, EOS-08 marks a significant advancement in satellite mainframe systems such as an Integrated Avionics system, known as the Communication, Baseband, Storage, and Positioning (CBSP) Package, which combines multiple functions into a single, efficient unit.

“This system is designed with cold redundant systems using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and evaluation boards, supporting up to 400 Gb of data storage. Additionally, the satellite includes a structural panel embedded with PCB, an embedded battery, a Micro-DGA (Dual Gimbal Antenna), an M-PAA (Phased Array Antenna), and a flexible solar panel, each serving as key components for onboard technology demonstration,” it said.

[digilogic-system]

Advantages Of COTS Vs Embedded Boards In Automated Testing Environments The world of testing and automation has seen a rapid transformation. To meet the ever-evolving needs of the industry, testing procedures should evolve and ensure high testing accuracy and quality output without compromising. Testing equipment with COTS and Embedded Boards is preferred for certain testing environments pertaining to the requirements of the client and the availability of the resource availability in the market. Contact us today to discuss your System requirements

Phone: Hyderabad: (+91) 40 4547 4601 / 02 / 03 Bangalore: (+91) 80 4975 6034 Email: info@digilogicsystems.com Location

102, 1st Floor, DSL Abacus Tech Park Beside DSL Virtue Mall, Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana-500 039, India 216, 3rd floor, Zareen Heights, Varthur Road, Nagavarapalya, C. V. Raman Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560093.

[digilogicsystems]

The advantages of using Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) vs embedded boards in automated testing environments are COTS hardware offers cost-effectiveness, faster deployment, and easier maintenance, while embedded boards provide greater customization and control.

[certifiedskywalker]

The Future - Armitage Hux

livy1391 said: I noticed your requests are open. May I please request an Armitage Hux x Reader where the reader comforts Hux after the destruction of Starkiller please? This can be either romantic or platonic, I don’t mind!

The explosion was horribly spectacular. Some more primal side of you saw the burning remains of Starkiller suspended in space and felt a spark of wonder in your chest. It was a burning sight. Not quite painful but not dull either. All of the work put into the walls, the targeting system, all of it, was gone now; lost and scattered in the cosmos. 

“Have you heard from the General?” 

You peeled your eyes away from the viewpoint, trying to hide your shock. “He’s on the ship? Why was I not notified?”

“I, you are the Sergeant and the General he….” The solider trailed off and you frowned. 

“Where is he?”

“Medbay with-”

You were already walking away, your First Order issued boots clunking against the smooth flooring of the transport ship. With each step, you tried to keep yourself steady. The panic flooding your system made that difficult. You hated that it was difficult.

Why was he in Medbay? Had he been hurt when he made his escape? You hadn’t heard of his arrival on board? Did he not want to see you? With all your worry buzzing about your head, that last one stung. It winded you but you kept pushing, making your way to the Medbay.

Your eyes were glancing around as you marched through the halls. Any sign of a head of ginger hair and you were ready to bolt towards it. As you entered the patient quarters, you heart beat faster. Where was he?

“Sergeant?” You spun on your heels to face a pale orderly. Her eyes were red-rimmed as if she had the air choked out of her. 

“Has the General checked in here?” Warily, she glanced past you, raising a shaking hand up to point over your shoulder. You turned just in time to see a trooper being hurled across the hall. His armor hit the wall with a resounding thwack, sending nurses rushing towards the noise. Before you could even think of what to do, your feet were moving.  

Adrenaline was rushing through your veins. Fear, worry, and anger were all bubbling up inside of you as you rushed forward towards the scene unraveling before your eyes. You passed by other patient rooms; troopers with blaster marks sear into their skin and officers with head wounds still bleeding. You could only think of one thing. 

Just as you rounded the corner the trooper had been thrown past, you saw a shadow. At least, what looked liked a shadow. Only it was more hulking and you could feel the heat of anger wafting off of the darkness as it stomped past you. The metallic scent of blood filled your nose and you realized that the figure was no shadow at all. 

It was Kylo Ren. 

He stormed past you and, despite the heat of his ever-present anger, you felt a cold wash over you. Black fabric whipped before your gaze as the leader of the Knights of Ren rushed past you. For a moment, you swore you saw his eyes. The color of them was a sort of brown that would have appeared soft on anyone else’s face; but with his features, Kylo Ren’s eyes were a mark of death, rarely seen due to his mask. 

You pressed your back against the wall, trying to give the large man as much space as possible to stomp off. As he stormed away, your gaze traced the floor after him. Blood, little crimson droplets stood out starkly against the white tile of the ship. Kylo Ren, just as the rest of you, had lost something on Starkiller.

Once you managed to collect yourself, you gently pushed off of the wall. The trooper that had been thrown was now helmetless and a medical droid was already running an analysis. Orderlies looked at each other wide-eyed, shocked to see their leader without his signature attire. Kylo Ren had been exposed and weakened along with the rest of the First Order.

A stab of worry shot through your chest and you rushed past the nurses to find Hux.

You looked inside each room, checking for any sign of the General. With each step, you saw the blood left in Ren’s wake and grew sick. If he had been hurt where did that put the Order as a whole? Where did it put you and...Hux?

As you thought, an orderly, stepping out of a dimly lit room, nearly collided with you. You stretched your arms out to brace for impact but she ducked away. It was then you saw the fear in her slightly bloodshot eyes. One of her hands was rubbing gently at her throat. Even wounded, Kylo Ren could strike a frightening blow.

“Where is the General?”

Warily, the orderly raised a shaking hand, pointing into the room she had just come out of. A sudden flood of terror ran through you. Without thinking or caring as to what those around you thought of your newly panicked state, you barged into the room. 

You had expected to see Hux beaten, if not dead, and laid up on the medical cot in the middle of the room. You had expected to see blood. There was blood, falling in the same droplet pattern as the trail you had seen in the hall. Hux, on the other hand, was standing up.

Overwhelmed with relief, you barely had time to catch your breath before you were reaching for him. Still as a tree, Hux did not bend or lean when you grabbed his shoulders. His face remained focused on the bloodied, messed sheets of the medical bed before him.

“Hey,” you tried to get his attention, pulling on the dark fabric of his uniform. “Look at me, tell me what happened. What happened?”

He turned then, cold eyes meeting your gaze. There was something you couldn’t place in his stare. Something was there that you had never seen before you; something that scared you. Normally, you could read him like a holobook and see past his mood, into the depth of his feelings. In this moment, you couldn’t.

“What happened?” There was an edge to his voice that shook you. Carefully, you let your hands fall from his form. “You saw what happened! Even Ren, that pathetic excuse of a Commander saw it to,” he gestured to the blood scattered on the bed. “The whole galaxy has seen it, has seen my fai-”

He cut himself off, leaning over the end of the medical bed with his hands gripping the metal foot of it so tightly that his gloves were pulled taut. Ginger hair, that was normally coiffed and formal, was now obscuring his face. With it, there was more distance between the two of you, more keeping you apart. You needed to see him, you wanted to. 

“You couldn’t have accounted for the attack. There was too many of them an-”

“One.” You furrowed a brow at Hux’s interruption.

“What?”

“One pilot was all it took.”

You shook your head, “no, there was more. We registered multiple explosions not from ion blasts. There was something else going on in that power sector.”

“Does it matter?” He spat out he question, still hunched over, not facing you. “Our forces saw one pilot go in and one pilot come out. There was a weakness and it was exploited. That weakness was in my plan, making it my...my failure.”

You had never heard someone so defeated. 

As if approaching some feral beast, you side stepped slowly over to Hux, your hands slightly raised. With your right hand, you reached out and gently set your palm against his back. You felt him tense under your touch but he didn’t snap at you. After another moment, he relaxed against your touch and started to stand up straight. With the movement, your hand slid higher up his back until your fingertips kissed the back of his neck. 

Under your touch, he came back to life and turned to face you. His eyes were still cold as they normally were, though now there was a twinge of softness in his features. 

“The Order can come back from this,” you insisted, “and you can come back from this, Armitage.” Your hand moved from his neck to his jaw and rested there. At the sound of his name, the General shuddered. He leaned into your hand and tried to pull himself together. “You can not build a new order if you fixate on your failures.”

“What shall I fixate on then?” It was a teasing question, one that surprised you. Hux, nearly always ambitious, had little time for moments of jokes and smiles. Teasing was a treat, a mark of just how close he felt to you; how close you felt with him. He was allowing you past his cold eyes and you could see him truly. You smiled at him and you almost replied.

You almost said what you wanted to: ‘Me’.

“Success,” you breathed, “what else?” 

The slight amusement that had appeared on his features faded away at your question. Disappointment took its place and Hux was frowning again. You bit the inside of your cheek and fought to urge to take it all back. You wanted to tell him to fixate on a future; a future where you two could live without fear or the hunger to keep climbing ranks. A future where you could be happy together.

But that future was far off in the Outer Rim somewhere, far from the reaches of the First Order that you were embedded in. You pulled your hand away at the thought. Sadness, a bitterness pervaded your soul and it was cold. As your hand fell down, something caught your wrist. When you looked down you saw black leather wrapped around your hand.

“Is that all?” His voice was quiet, his grip was gentle. When you met his eyes once more, you could see that he wanted that future too. So, you shook your head.

“No,” you whispered. “There is always more to look forward to, Armitage.”

Hux didn’t smile, or maybe he couldn’t. You had only seen him smile, what he thought was a smile, a scarce few times. Now though, it was clearer. Lines in his face became more apparent, his smile more defined. You wanted to kiss him right then.

What stopped you was the sound of First Ordered issued boots marching down the hall of the ship. Hux let go of your hand as you took a step back. The smile he wore faded as if it had never been there at all. You straightened you posture and looked up at him.

“That sounds like the future calling, General.”

“So it seems, Sergeant.”

[dontcallmecookie]

some titans dick whump??

Sand and Poison

Part 1 of the Dick Grayson Must Die series

Summary: In which a favor for the League goes horribly wrong and Dick and Rachel suffer the consequences. 

Warnings: Whump, canon-typical violence.

~~

Dick collapsed against the door, pounding on it. Kori rushed forward and swung it open. The room exploded in wind and sand as Dick shoved Rachel inside first, stumbling after her. Gar hurried to escort Rachel to a cot as Dick and Kory slammed the door shut behind them. The girl was hot and sweating and covered in sand, coughing loudly. Dick tripped inside and Kori guided him to collapse on a cot by the door. He landed on his stomach, hacking loudly with hair covering his eyes, sand streaking his face.

"Jesus," Kory gasped, eyeing the knife embedded deeply into the back of his thigh. "Stay put. I-I'll go get the kit." She scurried off, leaving Dick quaking and coughing roughly. The sand blew against the walls, pounding like a pressure washer. It was only a matter of time before their impromptu abode fell. They just hoped it was after the storm passed.

"Rache-" Dick rasped, the girl coughing loudly in response. Gar looked up from stroking her back.

"She's good. Well, better?" he guessed, eyeing Dick nervously.

Dick nodded, eyes rolling back. He pressed his face into the stale mattress, wheezing as the fabric wiped the sweat from his brow. It was hot, so hot. Everything was blurred with heat distortions, poison racing through their already overheated systems.

"I'm back," Kory announced, dropping the first aid kit next to him. He cracked an eye open, looking back at her.

"N...knife..."

"I see it. Gar." The boy plowed his way over, ready to help. "Hold it still," she instructed, tilting her head in the direction of the weapon. "Dick, we need to take your pants off."

He closed his eyes tight against the world because of course they did. Kory moved to his waist and he grunted, swallowing and rolling over to his hip. Gar hovered above the blade handle, ready to keep him from accidentally rolling onto it. Kory grabbed his belt and slipped it off, long fingers making quick work of his buckle. Even to the sun woman, his skin was scalding hot.

"Hips," she commanded and a deep cough scratched its way through his throat in protest. Rachel hacked again and the room turned to her in worry. Kory recovered first. "Hips," she repeated sternly. Dick held a breath captive and grunted, managing to lift his hips enough to slip the pants down. Even that meager inch was enough to have him collapsing into the hard mattress, sweat pouring from him as his brain melted with fever and poison. He turned away to avoid coughing on them, Kory guiding him back to his stomach.

Rache made a wheezing sound and Dick waved at her, mumbling at Gar to go check. The boy got confirmation from Kory before stepping around her and rushing to Rachel's side. She was burning up, hair and skin caked in dirt and sand.

"Gar..." she muttered throatily, hand finding the boy's arm. She squeezed and he wiped sweaty curls from her face. The pillow beneath her was already darkened with sweat, her face flushed with splotches of fever and sunburn.

"I'm here," he squeaked out. "What do you need?"

Her eyes closed tightly and she gaped at the air around a word she couldn't say.

"Antidote," Dick supplied.

Gar looked back at him, nodding. "Antidote, on it. Water?"

She nodded vigorously. Dick shook his head, eyes pressed shut against the spinning world. "N-no."

Rachel moaned in protest, more coughs dragging their way through her. Tiny puddles of red formed at the corners of her mouth and Gar tried very hard to pretend those had always been there.

"No water," Dick repeated. Gar swallowed nervously but nodded, understanding.

Dick watched him rush off to get the syringes. Another round of coughing shook him, and he convulsed weakly. His head fell forward, cheek planting against the metal bed frame. It was so hot, even the metal burned. To him, though, it felt like bliss. Eyes slipped closed unconsciously, reveling in the relief.

"Stay awake," Kory demanded, seeing the life drain from him with the fever and poison and sunstroke and whatever else was going on inside his body. She had a scalpel, tearing at the leg of his pants around the knife. The cold steel touched his skin and he flinched as it burned against him. "Sorry," she apologized quickly. She wrapped a palm around the small blade, warming it.

Gar came back with a syringe, offering it to Dick. The former Robin shook his head, blinking lazily, and waved sloppily to Rachel. Her first. Gar understood and sat at the girl's side, finding her arm. The needle went in easily in his skilled hands and immediately she started to relax as the drug took effect. Stupid lab. Stupid trigger happy bad guys with their toxins and sprays and deadly chemicals. Gar set the needle aside and checked her pulse. It was strong and steady, but she was still wracked with fever. He sighed, deflating as her clear eyes fluttered closed.

"She's good," he informed Dick, who sighed tiredly. Then Kory's long fingers ever so delicately touched the handle of the blade in his leg and a scream whistled out through his clenched teeth.

"This has to be removed," she sighed because no one was about to enjoy this. "Gar, come hold it." The boy rounded to Dick's feet and hovered.

"What're you going to do?" he frowned as she repositioned herself by Dick's shoulders.

"Hold him down."

"Shit."

She squatted to force herself into Dick's untrustworthy field of view. "We're going to take it out," she said and he managed to focus on her long enough to nod, hacking softly. A string of goopy blood swung from his mouth. Worried, she wiped it away with her thumb and spared a moment to slip her hand under his bangs, making a face at how hot he was. Even to her, it felt like he was on fire.

"What's the normal human body temperature?" she wondered absently.

Gar shrugged. "Uh, about 98.6?"

"...run low..." Dick added quietly.

Kory nodded, shoving his hair aside and checking again. "He's way too hot."

"How much?"

"Can't tell for sure. Feels like 104?"

"Shit..." Gar gasped, eyes growing wide in concern. "That's, like, dangerously hot. Like he should be in a hospital before his brain starts leaking out of his ears hot."

She swallowed, only slightly relieved to know what they were up against. Sizing down the opponent was the first step of defeating them. Still, she needed to center herself and focus on one thing at a time. His fever was deeply troubling, and a major factor of it was the poison he (and Rachel) had in their systems. They could cure it with Bruce's antidote, but not until the knife was removed. Once the medicine was administered, it was crucial that the subject (her friend) remain as undisturbed as possible. "Okay. Dick, we're going to take the knife out."

Getting the nod from her, Gar raised his hands, gripping the handle carefully but tightly.

Dick's eyes rolled up to her, wide as pale moons. "''t's cu'ved...!" he slurred.

"What?" Kory asked, leaning close.

"'t's n't straight..."

"Gar, wait!" she yelled, but Gar heard his name and yanked, tearing through an inch of skin before the resistance forced the blade to a halt.

Dick screamed quietly, curling into the mattress. His hands gripped the bedframe hard enough to shake the entire structure.

Instantly Gar knew something was wrong and dropped the knife, hands raised. It shook and settled, stealing Dick's breathe.

"Dick! Dick, breathe," Kory instructed, hand squeezing his shoulder tight enough to bruise. He staggered, clamping down on his lip as the pain surged through him. "Breathe," she demanded again and he let out a shuddering breath, every muscle tense. She looked up to Gar, a disapprovingly glare surrounding her green eyes.

The boy shrunk away, shocked and ashamed. "I, I didn't hear..."

"S'okay," Dick gasped, shaking his head minutely. "Jus'... be careful..."

"Okay..." The boy swallowed thickly, fingers curling around the blade again. "It's curved... apparently. Good to know.

"Up..." Dick wheezed.

The chuckle that came out of the boy was borderline hysteric. "Oh, so it's curved up. Right. Of course it is."

Kori was watching him, her gaze reassuring in its steadiness. She gave him the signal and he leaned the handle forward, guiding the blade out of the wound. The tip caught on some flesh inside and he was forced to give it a harsh yank to get it out the rest of the way.

The group took a collective sigh once it was free. Dick deflated like a balloon, wheezing and coughing weakly.

"Almost done, Dick," Kory warned and he rolled his head in the mattress, too far gone to nod properly. "Gar, get another needle."

"On it." The knife clattered from his shaking hands and Dick flinched nearly to the other side of the room. Kory was on him immediately, calming him back down. A moment later, a syringe was shoved toward her and she scooted to the side, giving Gar access to Dick's arm. She stroked the former Robin's face, taking in his flushed cheeks and fluttering eyelids as the antidote was administered. He wheezed, her palm catching one last weak cough.

Gar moved away and she looked up. "Is it done?"

"Yeah," he replied quietly, eyes downcast. "He should start feeling better any minute now."

She turned to Dick to check, who was nodding sloppily. "Gar..." he croaked, the boy kneeling by his head. Dick's arm twitched and Gar took the hand, holding it firmly. "You... you did well..." And with that he was out, going so still the Titans almost panicked thinking they had killed him.

Gar sniffed, swiping a hand across his face. He blinked and looked away, chewing on his lips. Kory chuckled lovingly at him, rubbing his back. "He's proud of you," she said. "Here, you go check on Rachel."

"No! No, his leg, it still needs to be-"

"I can wrap it."

He shook his head at her. "It needs to be cleaned and stitched. I can do it. I know how."

Smiling fondly, she motioned forward. "Alright, then. Go ahead."

The boy stood quickly, snatching what he needed from the first aid kit. Kory sighed, checking Dick's temperature again. "How do we lower this?"

"His temp?"

"Yeah. It's still too hot."

"Normally, acetaminophen would cut it. But I don't know how it will react to the antidote in his system."

She quirked an eyebrow. "So what do we do abnormally?"

"Cold compress?" he shrugged, threading the stitching needle.

She chewed his lips, looking down at Dick scoldingly. "In the middle of a sandstorm. Right."

"Well, I would say Rachel could help but..."

She sighed, inspecting their makeshift safehouse for anything that could be helpful as Gar set the needle aside and got to work cleaning the wound. "How is it?" she asked, jutting her chin that direction.

"Gnarly. And not in the good way," he replied tightly, squinting as he inspected the damage. "He definitely shouldn't have walked all the way here."

"Right. You wake him up and tell him that."

"Hell no."

[atinydroid]

WIP excerpt: Constellations

fore warning this is going to be lots of description. but like its some of the best description i’ve done in a while? and i had a lot of fun with it so here you go

-------------------------

Altheae never considered herself to be a picky princess. Blood and dirt were common things in her life and she didn’t shy away from either of them. But there was a difference between sometimes getting dirty and then just living in what looked like an accumulation of every item someone had come across in their life stuffed into one room and thrown all over the floor.

Like this engine bay which doubled as Vic and the robot’s room. That Altheae got increasingly distressed about the longer she existed in this space.

There were clothes scattered everywhere on the floor, some of them looked dirty but honestly she wasn’t sure if this ship was even capable of washing clothes. Even if they were clean they were intermingled with tools, that definitely were never cleaned, and other random things that Altheae didn’t have the knowledge to name. Something that looked like a sock could be a sock or literally anything else depending on the color and level of grime that covered it.

It didn’t help the fact that the walls and floor were a steel grey color, some of it actual steel, that just added to the “everything is dirty” feel to the room. Schematics and maps were glued all over the walls. The maps looked kind of like a tunnel system, probably dealing with the lower decks of the ship she guessed. The schematics on the walls ranged all over from cannon guns to the healing ward to the warp-core engine. She didn’t waste too much time looking at those, her mind was never one for numbers and mechanics. 

Altheae made her way through the bay, with nothing else to do she might as well look at everything. There was a workbench shoved up against one of the steel walls that had anything and everything an engineer could possibly have in their pocket thrown onto it. Nuts, bolts, some tools that looked nothing like Earthen tools, parts of something that had a note on it that read “need new part from HB40” whatever that meant. 

There was another note taped to the wall above the bench that read in a scratchy handwriting “reminder: disassemble Repo due to excessive sass.” and below it another note that read in a very neat formulaic handwriting “reminder: increase sass parameters.” There were several more notes of the same variety with the two handwritings that made Altheae smile. The smile turned tight at the small feeling of jealousy she felt at the ease of friendship these two had and how much she wished for something like that. 

She moved on. Beside the workbench was a suspended cot connected to the wall that looked like it could be pushed in if the room was needed. On it was an old lumpy pillow that looked as if all the fluff had gone out of it and a thin blanket. Which made sense given how warm this room was being so close to the engine. Everything about the cot looked old and worn like the person had been sleeping in it for years. Altheae wondered why Vic didn’t have a normal bed but then quickly figured as an engineer she’d need to be near the engine in case anything happened. Still, one would think these pirates would give her a decent bed.

At the head of the cot was a small pile of pillows, almost like a nest, shoved up against the wall. The pillows looked like the newest things in this room and looked like there was barely any wear on them like they weren’t used very often or only for small amounts of time. Altheae was halfway to thinking this was where Vic hung out but then noticed the large electrical dock in the wall. This must be where the robot powers down to recharge. But why were there pillows? Robots didn’t care if they were on the floor or not. She supposed this liberated one wanted the finer things in life.

Beside the pile of pillows was a small and simple table that only held three things that seemed untouched. It was almost like a shrine. One was a chain that had two rings one it, one gold, one silver. Both bands plain except for a tiny single black stone embedded in each of them. Altheae would’ve said it was onyx but the longer she looked at it she noticed it slowly changed color to a soft purple. No stone on Earth did something like that. Beside the rings were two long golden beads that had very old deep carvings in them. They had some wear to them but they looked like someone had taken great care of them. 

And the last thing on the table at the top of it was a small picture. It had creases in it like it had been folded in fourths but that wasn’t the important thing. The people in the picture were a tall black man with thick dreads around his shoulders, a slightly shorter black woman whose head was shaved and a little black girl with large poofy hair that sat on the man’s shoulders. They all had large smiles on their faces and the little girl had her hands thrown into the air. The three of them stood in front of what looked like the side of a ship that read “Light Traveler”. The man had one of the golden beads tied into his hair and both of the adults each had one of the rings on their fingers.

Altheae was confused for a moment, she wasn’t sure why Vic would have these things here but then it finally clicked. These must be her parents. Now that she thought about it Vic seemed to be the only Earthen on board the ship. Where were her parents? How did she end up on this ship? There were so many things she didn’t know about the other girl. From the looks of it she’d lived on this ship for a long time. It didn’t look like she had had a bad relationship with her parents so something must’ve happened for them to be separated in such a way that Vic felt the need to honor them like this. There was really only one conclusion.

------------------------

kind of a bummer end but like man i feel like i really described a lived in place while giving it personality? idk i’m really proud of these descriptions. it’s probably way too purple but i like purple prose so :P

@synwrites​ @carrotgirl-1​ uhhh lmk if you wanna be tagged

[rironomind]

Original work [SH- Cut]

I’m working through the first draft of a fantasy novel but the story has changed pretty drastically since so I’m cutting this whole chunk. I thought it was pretty exciting but it has no place in my novel so I figured I might as well share it before it’s lost forever. 

Summary: During an eclipse, the citizens turn on their leaders. Oz, who has been tasked with protecting the young lord of the citadel, calmly assesses the situation.

“It’s a mirror system,” Needle explains, in Lihese, for the benefit of his brother who is almost certainly about to start screaming for attention. “The crystals aren’t shining bright enough to last out the storm, let alone the eclipse. We could be down here for days.” He interrupts himself with a fit of coughing. Cece hands him a skin of water. “It’s okay,” Needle says. “I’m just tired.” The flesh under his eyes are dark and swollen while his cheeks are sunken, a punishment for taking on all this responsibility. 

“The mirror system relies on a series of silvered glass set up around the Under,” Needle explains. “Ray designed it. But we need to be able to put it up.” He erupts into a fit of coughing again. 

“You’re burning up,” Cece says, trying not to let any harshness creep into her tone. “You need to rest.” She manhandles him into the small cot they have set up in their space. Every evacuee gets an allocated lot. The four of them have been granted one in the centre, under the greatest amount of light. Around them are muffled murmurs of the citizens, their voices hushed by trepidation.

“I’m ok, I can still help,” Needle protests weakly, but Cece’s firm hand keeps him in the cot. 

“Ouou,” Cece says, fixing burning red eyes on Oz. “You need to help Ray.”

Oz doesn’t even bother to summon the energy to be surprised. “What do you need,” he barks.

“Um, the plans are almost done. All we need to do is set up the mirrors.” He unrolls the map of the Under. It’s the parchment he took from his father’s study. The only one in existence but it hardly matters since Oz knows this place like the back of his hand. How many times has he patrolled this damn place? The layout is uneven, it being a natural cave and all, but he knows every rock and bump. 

Ray hands him a stack of mirrors. “Can you, uh,” he starts. “Put them up?”

“Bit by backbreaking bit.”

The next hour or so is spent swinging back and forth the Under, climbing up to fix the mirrors into place, jamming them into the rocks until the angle is just right. By the time the mirrors are up, Needle has rested enough to continue planning with his brother.

“Ridiculous, don’t you think?” Oz mutters to Cece in Tieyen as the two brothers pore over their parchments.

“What?” 

“That I just put up a bunch of glass all over the place. I mean we’re in a room full of Liangers.”

“No one is ready for this eclipse!” Cece hisses back.”No one is properly rested, people are dead!” That would explain the weeping. “And they need to conserve their energy,” Cece says, shaking her head.

Oz is silent. He watches the two brothers prepare a container for a light ball and face it towards the first mirror. The light beams out like an arrow and bounces off the first, and then second mirror, but it misses the third by a hairsbreadth. Everyone looks at Oz.

“Goddammit.” 

Climbing up a second time, he notices other things. People complaining, they start to wander towards the main shelter. When he rejoins the others, Cece has already taken charge. She steps towards the citizens, eyes burning bright. “We protect you. But we protect them first.” 

Oz lifts a shoulder. “She says it because I can’t.”

Liz the Tanner adjusts her stance. “You would fight us?”

“You’re disturbing the peace,” Oz explains, throwing a small dagger into the air. It flips a few times before he catches it by the handle, its sharp blade pointed menacingly towards the crowd.

“What peace? This pit isn't peaceful,” she spits. “The citadel isn't at peace, the kingdom isn't even at peace. We’re less than a decade from the war and we’re all holding our breath in case the flame goes out.” Oz casts a glance at the crystals hanging above. They’re less bright than the glowing fury of the mob of Lumierians before them. “The reason why the shield wasn’t ready-”

“Ouou…” Cece mutters in warning. Oz pretends not to hear her, he hasn’t changed his stance. 

“Ou Zi!” Cece hisses. She can tell. Of course she can, she’s watched him before. Opposite her or from a distance she can smell the danger. Or maybe just the tang of her own fear. 

 Oz surmises that Ray has lost control of the situation and by the looks of the citizens’ raised weapons, they agree. They’re long past the point of excuses. This is three years of uncertainty and two particularly long hard weeks of which to stew the grudges, doubt and hatred.

“You had your chance, Ray.” Liz says, raising her hand. She uses her magic to refine metal and armour. Oz has espied her at work when she came to the castle to carry out more finicky projects for the family. Her focus is absolute, like needlepoint. He’s seen her carve leather, metal and even stab a cow through the heart with light at point-blank. 

But she’s got nothing on a moving target. Liz’s fingers start to glow and out of the corner of his eye, Oz sees the fluttering of a brown cape as Cece’s arm rises to stop him.

“Mother!” A young girl rushes to the front of the fray and grabs Liz by the arm. “Stop this!”

“Lily! Get off me!” 

Oz recognises the girl from Ray’s court. One of the tittering scholars who gazes at him with starry eyes. “Earl Ray is doing his best!”

“Be quiet, Lilly.” Liz, her mother’s eyes are hard, a cold greyish-yellow like a star that’s burned itself down, worn thin over the years. (‘Do your people shine?’ Lady Sana asks. ‘Do they, Oz?’)

“No,” Lilly Tanner responds high and petulant. “What do you have against Ray? He’s doing his best.”

“Lilly! Have you forgotten? Your brother who was supposed to return months ago?” She looks from Lilly to Ray. 

Ray’s face blanches. 

“That wasn't Ray’s fault! It isn’t his fault the Duke hasn’t returned. Or…” she drops her voice and looks sulkily away. “Anyone.”

“This is your brother, Lilly. Your own flesh and blood and instead of them, you are defending a family of murderers-”

“And if he hadn't returned that's on him, he always forgets where he is. He didn't even want to take over the business, he just wanted to find father. If it wasn't for the summons-”

A resounding slap and Lilly fell away, clutching her cheek. Liz dropped her hand. “He would still be with us. Hold your tongue. You embarrass me.”

Oz allowed a sneer to cross his face. “Civil unrest, even dividing families, what mischief you get up to Ray.”

“I...I can fix this,” Ray continues to mumble over and over again. Ray’s face contorts which betrays his unease. Oz thinks he’ll lose his nerve. It’s too late. Then Ray opens his mouth and proves him right. “Citizens of Sereto, I speak on behalf of Duke Lamiere.” Ray’s voice is trembling but his fists are clenched by his side. “We ask for your patience, we are doing the best that we can.”

There’s a pause and Ray’s shoulders dip. Oz stares unblinkingly at the crowd. 

A cry rings out. “Is that the best you can do?”

“We are in the process of restoring the light until the eclipse ends. There is ample food and medicine in the centre. We have rationed enough for a few days, but please be courteous or swift action will be taken against you.” Ray tries to get Oz to meet his eyes. 

“You call that courteous?” Shouts the same busybody from the back. This time, Oz spots him. He’s a vendor at the market, sells imported goods, of which imports only come once a year. They used to come every few months. But if he’s worried about making money he shouldn’t have come to this citadel. If he was brought here against his will or perhaps misled like many others, Oz could have sympathised, but it’s not often he gets to follow up on a threat, so he strikes. A dagger leaves his fingers and whips through the crowd, embedding itself in a scaffold next to the naysayer who almost wets himself.

“Ozul!” Ray shouts in alarm.

“What, I followed orders, that’s what I’m supposed to do, right?”

 “That’s right, we can’t blame the dog for who its owner tells it to bite,” Liz says offishly.

Oz spins round, “I resent that. I prefer not to bite, lots of things taste bad.”

Liz cracks her knuckles. “Easily fixed when we remove your teeth.”

[ironidemic]

Poison in the Water

    From where she stood, looking down upon the man’s hunched frame, he could very well be a sleeping child. His limbs were carelessly sprawled about the canvas cot, twisted up in a hospital gown and white linens, his dry lips barely parted. If he was a child, Renee thought, then she ought to be the mother, dressed in blue, with faint traces of shadows underneath her eyes. She held the nameless man’s hand in her gloved ones, separated by nothing but a thin layer of blue latex. It was peaceful like this for a moment. Renee sighed deeply, content to be the mother, the healer of a stranger.

    The man’s hand began to tremble suddenly, forcing her to let go. He murmured and cried out wordlessly, as if in a desperate attempt to escape some feverish nightmare. Renee reacted quickly, reaching onto the metallic bed tray for a syringe and a bottle of clear serum.

    “Anna, can you please hold down this patient while I ready the sedative? He’s having a fit again.”

    Anna, clad in the gray uniform of a trainee, turned away from a patient in the adjacent cot, her eyes sparking to life. She gave a quick nod and fastened the man’s right arm into velcro restraints before rubbing the area with a disinfectant solution.

    Seconds after the drug had entered his system, the trembling had ceased. Renee dabbed his forehead with a wet cloth, careful not to inflame the welts that covered his skin. The man gradually relaxed at her touch, his pained look softening as he fell quietly into a dreamless sleep.

    “Shush, darling,” she said softly. “Everything is going to be alright. I’m here for you.”

    Sometimes, lies were the only comfort one could give.

    “Thank you for your help, Anna. You did well. Can you see to it that patient…” She glanced down at the plastic bracelet on the man’s cuffed wrist, “...1170 makes it to the late stage ward?”

    Anna gave a meek smile. “I’m afraid he doesn't have much time left then, does he?”

    “Sadly no, he doesn't.” Renee looked down at him, the man, the sick child. She pitied him, of course, but there was no saving the dead. The final stage of infection was by far the most gruesome. In some cases, the lungs would collapse in a quick instant, in others it would take months for the body to rot away. Regardless, it could not be prevented or cured, and the best thing that they could do was keep him comfortable until he faded away.

    Renee stared down the endless aisle of cots, each one holding another living corpse, victims of a plague that had killed more efficiently than any genocide, taken more casualties than any war. No, this wasn't a war- the infected had no fight left to give, nor did the abiding survivors. Sickness yielded no martyrs; there was no honor in a slow, quiet death. The only honor, Renee thought with a sense of pride, was in caring for the infected. Compassion was all humanity had left. It had to be.

    A bell sounded from the far end of the infirmary, the droning, robotic voice of the loud speakers crackling to life:

    “All class four nursing personnel are permitted to take their break period. Repeat, all class four nursing personnel are permitted to take their break period. Class two, please report for your shift in the diagnostic ward.” Masked men and women, scattered across the room, rose from their patient’s bedsides. Renee lingered for a moment, only now allowing herself to feel the effects of her fatigue. She had not slept well for days.

    “I suppose I’d better go. Take care of him, Anna.” She gave the sleeping man’s limp hand one final squeeze before joining the rest of her colleagues.

A series of transparent plastic corridors connected the quarantine unit to the remainder of the hospital. Renee navigated the passages with ease, having memorized each turn through countless routine commutes. Outside, the world was bleak and still, devoid of any sign of life. Cities were no longer safe for civilians, who had been forced to scatter, confining themselves to the far and few safe places in the deepest folds of the countryside until they too had been overtaken by sickness. Even when her position required her to come in close contact with the disease, face-to-face with the infected, Renee was far safer here than anywhere else. Every thinkable measure was taken to keep the facilities sterile. The standards were high, and any staff member who threatened to compromise the establishment was dispelled immediately, cast out to fend for themselves. There were worse ways to make ends meet. Thievery and looting had become particularly popular, and undertakers were always needed to burn and bury the dead. Renee knew that she was one of the selected fortunate, and prided herself for the accreditation she had earned.  People relied on her, they trusted her, and she would do anything to defend that.

The hall ended abruptly, leaving Renee face to face with a vault-like metal door. She held her ID badge to the reader beside it, and after a chorus of mechanical clicks and whirs, the door opened, revealing a stark, iridescent-lit room. Renee stepped inside, the only remaining sound soft footfalls resonating off tile. The opening promptly sealed, leaving her isolated in the silent chamber, empty save for exposed piping, ductwork, and an identical door on the opposite side.

Renee removed her gloves and facemask, taking special care not to touch the contaminated parts as she deposited them in the incinerator embedded in the wall. The thin plastics quickly vanished into the flames, leaving only a faint cloud of black fumes lingering in the air. Fluid rushed through the pipes overhead as they began to seethe a white vapor, rapidly encompassing the space. It settled into her exposed skin, killing off any traces of the pathogen that may have embedded itself in her pores or the very fibers of her clothing. Renee outstretched her arms, welcoming the cool, purifying touch. Vents along the walls cleared the room after about thirty seconds, whisking away every trace of the gas. The front door unlocked, allowing a crack of light to come through, tracing over the cement and leading Renee outwards to her destination.

The main hall served as the logistical hub of the facility, packed with quick-moving medical staff clad in blue scrubs and white lab coats. Each of its occupants had an urgent directive, a purpose to fulfill. The walls were covered with backlit monitors, displaying every sort of essential statistic in codes and graphs that could only be interpreted by those they were intended for. Centermost in the display was an outline of a world map, illuminated by dozens of glowing red lights, each one representing another fallen city. There were no rows of plastic chairs or comfortable couches strewn with magazines. This was a place not intended for waiting, but for effectively addressing one issue and then moving on to the next. The only civilians allowed entered on enclosed stretchers, and those begging to see their dying loved ones were turned away in disregard. Desperate times called for such measures, and despite the harshness needed to enforce it, spreading of the plague had to be prevented at all costs. Survival was the staff’s foremost priority, and that was why they had succeeded in doing so thus far.

Renee, of course, carried her own task. Her eyes traced down the center of the room, where a bespectacled woman sat positioned behind a wide reception desk.

“I’d like to turn in my reports for the day,” Renee said, placing a clipboard of handwritten notes on the edge of the worktable. The woman looked up from her computer screen, and a thin smile spread across her narrow face, revealing slight wrinkles around the corners of her mouth.

“Of course, Ms. Landon.” The receptionist, Barbara, picked up the clipboard, scanning over the pages as she began typing up the records. “Seems as if everything’s in order here. By the way, a few new patients are being added to your list; surplus from our sister center. There’s been an influx of of outbreaks across the state, numbers like we’ve never seen before.” Barbara looked up from her work for a moment, wearing a soft expression admiration. “I know you’ll be able to handle it, though I still don’t understand how you manage to keep your head through all of this.”

Renee laughed modestly. “I’m only doing my job, Barbara. This is my calling, I suppose.”

Barbara thought, her fingers lingering over the keyboard. “Yes, but that on its own is such a burden to undertake. There’s such a deficit in doing paperwork on the infecteds and knowing them. Everyone here knows you have twice the enthusiasm of a new recruit. Working with the infected drains all of the life out of some of these nurses. And in times like these…” Barbara paused mid sentence, her cheeks beginning to redden. “Sorry to rant like that. You probably have some place to be.”

“That’s quite alright, I’m really very flattered-” Renee’s broke off, swallowing hard and choking back a cough. Her skin prickled, but she forcefully ignored it.

“Well, I suppose there is a reason behind my vocality,” Barbara leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Between you and me, I heard that we’ve lost three doctors and a technician to illness just this past week. The directors are trying to keep it all quiet to prevent panic, but you ought to be careful about yourself.”

Renee’s face went numb, a coursing heat entering the rest of her body. She steadied herself, putting on a polite smile and keeping her tone of voice even without so much as a beat hesitation. She assured herself that Barbara didn’t know. There was no way she could have.

“Not to worry.” She thrust both hands in her pockets, fists tightly clenched, giving an effort to look convinced. “I’m going to take my break now, if you don’t mind. And thank you, Barbara.”

“Sure, dear. Take your time.” The receptionist nodded, returning to her work with a quiet intensity. She had accepted Renee’s words without a second thought. Barbara's limitless trust was in itself both her greatest asset and her most fatal flaw.

Renee made her way down the hall in a silent hurry. She looked straight ahead, maintaining and even pace despite the escalating dizziness in her head. Her expression remained neutral, and she took care to keep her breaths even. It was flaring up again, worse now than ever before. Stumbling and leaning on the wall for support, Renee began to cough, covering her mouth with her hand. She moved it away, staring blankly at the spots of blood on left behind on her palm.

The dormitory was vacant, a cramped space with four bunks and sparse furnishings. Except for a few scarce hours per day, there was no privacy; resources didn’t allow for such a thing. Coughing still, Renee locked herself in the bathroom, the fear in her face reflecting off the vanity mirror.

White tiles shone under glaring lights. Renee hung over the curved edge of the sink, and staring into her mirrored image, tore off the outer layer of her blue cotton scrubs.

A rash spread over the entirety of Renee’s right arm in blotches of crimson and burgundy,  concealed only at the edges by the straps of her undershirt. Scores of pronounced reddened veins, inflamed and infected, led from the back of her hand and crept up towards the base of her neck. Just the sight caused bile to rise in the back of her throat. This was the first stage of the plague, soon to become contagious before the symptoms escalated. In no more than a few weeks, she would be just like her patient's: covered in bleeding sores and bursting into fits of raging madness until her body and mind had rotted away into something unrecognisable, something barely human. How she of all people had managed to contract the virus eluded all reason. Renee had always been so meticulous in following every procedure and regulation with such flawless precision that failure on her part seemed altogether impossible without some cruel twist of fate, some act of sabotage against her.

The symptoms had been apparent for more than a week now, but Renee hid it well, with no intention of revealing her condition. Her own death and demise were inevitable, yes, but there was so much to be done before that time came. She had worked too long and too hard for her position to jeopardize it now, and besides that, the world needed her to heal. They called the plague the great equalizer, but she couldn’t allow it bring her to shame. People like her had to rise above, a great example human of hope! On what else could they lay their desperate eyes, whom else could they run to for stable embrace? The populace was doomed anyway, why not give them a picture of something greater to die for?

The choice seemed obvious. Renee felt lightened of all guilt, knowing what she had to do. It didn’t matter who else became a casualty of her treachery, they would understand that her actions were for something greater than one, greater than a thousand individual lives.

    A soft rap brushed against the door.

    “Landon? Are you alright in there?”

    “I’ll be out in a second, Gates, just changing.” Renee pulled the blue scrub over her shoulders, delicately positioning the right sleeve to cover the raw skin. It was as if the pain had completely disappeared. She opened the door, nearly beaming at the stocky man standing before her.

    Gates took a step back, his eyes filling with concern. “God Landon, you’re completely pale! Do you need to lie down or something?” He placed a hand on her shoulder as if to provide comfort, as if she needed support.

    Renee scarcely heard his words. What had she told Barbara earlier? Not to worry… She shook her head in reply, brushing free of the man’s gesture.

“I’m perfectly fine.” She said it so evenly, with such confidence that just for a moment, she convinced herself that the charade was all true. “What was it that you needed?”

“We just got another batch of patients. You’re needed in the children’s ward.” he stammered, hardly able to finish his sentence before Renee had already started down the hall.

“Of course. Thank you for relaying the message.”

Not to worry. She knew that now, she believed it.

[amrutmnm]

Addressing Complex Codes in HPEC: Solutions for Efficient Parallel Programming

The Military Embedded Systems Market is witnessing significant growth, driven by technological advancements in network convergence and the increasing use of advanced navigation and communication systems, electronic warfare systems, and more. However, the development of High-Performance Embedded Computing (HPEC) for defense applications poses unique challenges, particularly in parallel programming. In this blog post, we will explore the critical challenges faced by manufacturers in parallel programming for HPEC and discuss potential tools and solutions to overcome them.

Understanding the Importance of Parallel Programming in HPEC:

Exploring the role of parallel programming in achieving high-performance computing in military embedded systems.

Highlighting the benefits of parallel processing in enhancing system speeds and performance.

Key Challenges in Parallel Programming for HPEC:

Addressing the complexity of managing, developing, and debugging complex codes.

Analyzing the limitations of existing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parallel processing tools.

Examining the high development costs and time associated with proprietary tool development.

Introducing HPEC as a Solution:

Understanding HPEC and its potential as a valuable tool for debugging complex codes efficiently.

Exploring the benefits of utilizing HPEC in parallel programming for military embedded systems.

Leveraging Advanced Technologies:

Exploring the role of technological advancements, such as OpenVPX, in overcoming parallel programming challenges.

Highlighting the improvements in system speeds, reliability, and upgradeability facilitated by OpenVPX.

Collaborative Approaches:

Discussing the importance of collaboration between industry players, academia, and research institutions to address parallel programming challenges.

Analyzing the potential for collaboration in developing effective tools and solutions for parallel programming.

Case Studies and Success Stories:

Showcasing real-world examples of how companies have successfully addressed parallel programming challenges in HPEC.

Highlighting the impact of efficient parallel programming on the performance and functionality of military-embedded systems.

Future Trends and Innovations:

Exploring emerging trends and innovations in parallel programming for HPEC.

Discussing the potential advancements in tools and solutions that can further simplify and streamline the parallel programming process.

Overcoming challenges in parallel programming is crucial for the successful implementation of High-Performance Embedded Computing in defense applications. By understanding the significance of parallel programming, exploring innovative tools like HPEC, leveraging advanced technologies such as OpenVPX, and fostering collaboration, manufacturers can address these challenges effectively. The continuous development of efficient parallel programming solutions will drive the growth and performance of military-embedded systems, ultimately contributing to the advancement of defense capabilities.

To Explore Further Insights and Understand the Assumptions Considered for This Study, Request a Free PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=112996974

Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Don't hesitate to get in touch with our research team for more detailed and latest research by requesting a free pdf brochure.

[codeprint]

giant rambling drablle for the crowns verse with @rexcrystallis while i try to get my mojo back

There are three lies Prompto Aldercapt Izunia has told himself across the years. Lies for his own good and for the good of his people.

The first is that he is Iedolas Aldercapt’s biological son. Born and bred for the crown when the Emperor’s health was failing, as a last ditch effort to secure the throne. Verstael Besithia, bastard half-brother to the Emperor as he was, had no qualms about foraging the birth certificate and backing up the story. Saying that he adopted the child to protect the boy, that the wedding was done in secret and his claim to the throne was true and genuine - though they didn’t believe the latter. The people would not accept the bastard of a bastard to rule them, but with no other option to turn to, they would accept a bastard of their divine emperor to continue the bloodline.

This lie is most commonly accepted as false. But without papers to prove it, without definitive proof that the child is not Iedolas’ - and with the Emperor’s own dying words being a claim to the boy as his own - they have no proof.

The second is that he is sick with a blood defect leading to a poor immune system and a heart disorder. That the reasons for his frequent hospitalizations is simply a byproduct of anemia and low blood pressure, passing the discoloration of his skin off as poor circulation and bruising from falls. The plague doesn’t hide itself in him as it does Ardyn, leaving him bedridden and coughing blood and miasma when it flares up. The people buy it, for what else can they think it would be? They’ve never seen someone suffering from the plague live so long, and the Prince lacks the madness that those afflicted with the scourge have. He may be ill, and he will surely be gone long before his time - but he is sunshine upon their dark land, and most love him for it.

Most. Not all. He’s sick and he is dying. Tabloids rush to speculate on how long he’ll live - will he see himself crowned at twenty-one? Will he drop dead in a ceremony, or slip away gently into that good night? Or will he fool all of them and survive well past their wildest dreams?

Photographs of the prince attached to oxygen and IVs circulate. They precede him when he visits Lucis, when watchful eyes track his movements and note the frailty of his build. Noctis Lucis Caelum escorts him personally to the hospital by chance, and through that chance they become friends.

His physicians recommend he summer in Lucis, to build his immune system in a warmer climate. This secret is kept well, for he has no outward signs of the starscourge - only shredded internal organs that heal themselves so long as he’s given time to rest. Noctis may question, but there is little to suggest that this is anything but a set of terrible genetic disorders from a child born too late in both his parents lives.

The third lie - the third lie is the most important of all.

Prompto tells himself that he is not in love with Noctis Lucis Caelum.

This is the most convincing lie, the most secretive one. One he doesn’t even allow himself to consider. Noctis is the first friend he’s had outside of immediate family and those who were paid to attend to him. The first person to both understand his struggles, and the first to not underestimate him for his health. He’s a worthy opponent in all games, in conversation and debate, and a trusted confidante unlike any he’s ever had.

Ardyn warns him to keep his wits about him.  To not trust blindly, to not give himself completely to a smile and a kind word - and he does his very best to. They keep in touch, they arrange visits, they stay up all night on the phone - he becomes familiar with the soft sounds of Noctis’ snoring, and finds them lulling him to sleep even when his body aches so badly he wants to die. He goes to university in Lucis for a semester to study engineering and design and there’s scarcely a day they aren’t apart.

These secrets are an invisible wedge between them, but he isn’t fool enough to think Noctis doesn’t have secrets of their own. Being best friends does not mean that you’re entitled to all of the other. It means you’re privvy to whatever they wish to give.

He doesn’t know who starts it. Only that they’re both drunk and a little high on the floor of their dorm, a breath too close. Too comfortable.  He is not in love with Noctis but Noctis’ touch feels grounding in a way nothing else does, and he is not in love with Noctis but he aches when they’re apart and calls him each morning to say good morning, and each night to say goodnight. He does not sleep until he hears the sleepy voice on the other end, complaining of how he never remembers the time difference.

Spring break starts tomorrow and they’ve talked of going to Altissa, or of visiting his cousins - but talking gets sidetracked by one of them leaning in too close and the other kissing. Prompto is inexperienced and bumbling, Noctis is smooth and practiced. It escalates quickly, one thing to another until they’re tangled in the sheets and sweating. Years of unspoken want culiminating in a drunken fuck on a too small cot. A scandal behind closed doors.

He is not in love with Noctis Lucis Caelum.

But their fingers are threaded together. Foreheads pressed together, panting as one. Prompto slides his arms around Noctis’ neck once their grip relents and drags him into a crushing kiss.

They don’t say I love you. They can’t. They’re monarchs, the last of their respective lines as it stands, this isn’t permitted. Ardyn may not want to arrange him a wife, but the morning after he and Noctis thumb through the packages of potential brides that have gone ignored. Prompto’s half in his lap, trying not to mock the sour-faced princess who billed herself as adoring of all people while they rifle through her social media and find disparaging comments about the both of them.

“You’d think they’d learn to use an alt,” he laughs, fingers threading through his friend’s hair while the Lucian kisses his neck. “Seriously. Can you imagine being caught dead posting duckfaces with #saynotonilfs to your official account?”

They take a selfie for their instagrams (Prompto takes it, Noctis poses as if he hasn’t a care in the world) and settle for Altissa. Days on the beach, nights spent applying aloe-vera to sunburned skin and kissing new freckles where they form. They fuck and kiss lazily, wake up with teasing and good natured ribbing, and continue on as if nothing had changed.

Because it hasn’t. Not really. He feels no differently, no more strongly - he puts it aside, allows himself to believe that this is normal. That this is college fun, the kind Aranea has been insisting he needs to have. They go back to Lucis at the end of the week. 

They do not stop having sex.

It becomes an affair once Noctis becomes engaged. There’s a pressure to spend more time together even through the courtship, though now they’re no longer college students with all the time in the world. Niflheim loathes the lack of progress under this new Emperor, they see him as weak willed as he is weak bodied and they threaten him with death every other day. He turns up at the party twenty-five and exhausted, but within seconds of being in Noctis’ presence he’s rejuvenated. When they disappear from his bachelor party up to his rooms, no one so much as bats an eye. Straddling him, his suit half undone and his mind fogged with drink, he bends down to draw Noctis into a deep, passionate kiss.

“Marry me instead,” he says, half-joking against his lips but suddenly realizes that he means it. He’s drunk, he’s tired, and so is Noctis. “Noct, you should be marrying me instead.”

It’s impossible. A king and an emperor of wartorn lands, diametrically opposed - destiny demanding that they fight. Prompto is a heathen who doesn’t bend a knee to the Six and fights against their destiny merely by being alive, and Noctis is their chosen one meant to bring it all to order.

They can’t.

Noctis pushes him off. Prompto doesn’t resist. They sit in the silence of the room together, it changes from tense and angry to something softer. A quiet yearning.

“I love you,” Prompto says quietly. A confession as much to himself as it is to his friend.

Noctis doesn’t say it in turn, he tilts his head and strokes a hand down his pale cheek. Conveys it in the look in his eyes, and the tenderness of his gaze. A faint smile - you just now realized this?

They don’t talk. They simply stay like that through the night, thinking how much easier life would be if they could tell the other all they knew. All they wanted. 

Noctis’ wed the next day.

That doesn’t stop them from allowing themselves small pleasures.

They still meet. They do not stop the affair. But adulthood relegates these meetings to a handful of times a year, never for long. There may be no war, but that does not stop the world from being cruel. They say the words more through gestures than aloud, one afraid to be overheard, the other afraid to admit it - interchangably, inarguably, always.

The second lie comes undone next.

Niflheim is starving and the Gods have forsaken it. They loathe Ardyn and loathe his progengy for attempting to foster peace where they want war and corruption. Prompto spends long hours in the laboratories he was born in, coughing into rags and working tirelessly to solve the problem. To find a means to bring spring back to his homeland, and to keep the people fed in the interim.

And to stop the plague.

It’s little surprise that he collapses. That Ardyn finds him unconscious on the floor when he’d missed a meeting, gagging on blood and miasma and unresponsive to the touch. The Emperor is not yet thirty, but time is running short. His own research cannot benefit someone who was born with the curse embedded into the fabric of his being, and all Verstael’s attempts at cloning were not to make one immune. Only to make them last long enough to be useful.

He’s crossed that peak.

Without a miracle, he will die.

A call is placed to Lucis. Ardyn - who for all his willingness to tolerate Noctis, never dared to speak to him or look upon his face - on the other end, not Prompto. He heads off Noctis’ complaint of the time with the news of what he found. How they found the Emperor. Conveying that Prompto has taken a turn for the worse, and he should come to see him off.

Or to use what the Gods gifted him to buy them all enough time to defy their cruel plans.

[dominushq]

❝ “Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore. ❞

KANISHK WELLESLEY-MITTAL is a TWENTY-ONE year old MATERIALS SCIENCE student at TRINITY COLLEGE in the University of Oxford. HE is in his FOURTH YEAR of studies.

DESCRIPTION

You were born into gold. Your cot was lined with gold, and it is with gold that the shroud that will one day deliver you back to the Earth has already been woven. It is not gold that impresses you, but human hands, complex minds that shape senseless metallic lumps into intricate art. Gold is earthly and temporary, and you are carelessly derelict to the duties that by birth are assigned to you. Instead you gaze upon the sun, you gaze upon the stars, and behind all that exists is a question, a history, a mystery—and it is your destiny to deliver answers. Yet you only answer questions that others do not ask, and you perceive signs where others see nothing. This commitment to destiny has made you eccentric, myopic and superstitious in the eyes of others.

Two paths had lain in front of you: one carved for you by privilege, the other by merit. If there are those who strive to merge these two paths into one, but you are of the belief that they are innately irreconcilable. The other path innately requires agreement that bloodline and dynasty are the highest qualities one can hold, and the quest of knowledge has long been burdened by those who seek only connections and titles. Those who, in their entitlement, deprive others more deserving of opportunities, who contribute minimally in the effort they extend into the philosophy. You think yourself the greatest prosecutor of this rhetoric of reunification and you do not hesitate to make your disagreements known; it is poison and you will burn it at its roots.

CONNECTIONS

You, CAESAR, and JUSTINIAN were given the same choice between the two paths. CAESAR chose wealth and power over knowledge, and you did not fault him for it, but it didn’t mean you had to tolerate him either. His rhetorics of reunification disgusted you, and JUSTINIAN’s agreement provoked you to disgust someone who was once a peer. To your chagrin, the death of CAESAR has not killed his ideas. It is up to you, then, to commit this final murder of CAESAR.

The members of Sodalitas are little more than decorated shells, glimmering façades with little substance. MESSALINA seems to you the worst offender of them all. You have crossed numerous paths with them, your family inhabits the same social circles, and yet you do not know them well and you have no desire to know them further. They seem shallow to you, insubstantial. Maybe if you got to know them, you would change your mind, but for now they are the prime example to you as to why the two societies ought never to reunite.

There is no one who embodies all that Pandidakterion stands for as much as IRENE. Except sometimes you wonder if they do not take the ideology a little too radically. They purport that all of humanity has equal right to knowledge—that it must not be kept to a chosen few, whether these few are qualified by merit or bloodline. In truth, the world is unprepared for this knowledge, would not know what to do with it, would view those who partake in it with nothing but disgust. You keep a close eye on her, just in case.

FACECLAIM: Avan Jogia

This character’s tag can be found here.

BIOGRAPHY

One shoulder bore the weight of his mother’s legacy—the illustrious Lady Elizabeth Wellesley, a daughter of the notable Duke of Wellington and a Princess of Prussia, descended from Kaiser Wilhelm II, and, in turn, Queen Victoria. The other shoulder bore the weight of his father’s—not any more lacking in grandeur, Ashok Mittal, the heir of one of the wealthiest families in the United Kingdom, the son of the King of Steel, now a magnate in his own right, driving the chariot in his hands, president of the world’s largest steel manufacturing company. The weight pinned him down to the Earth and duty drew lashes on his skin as he fell to his knees. The paths that lay in front of him have always been illusions of freedom; interweaving paths that crawled to the same destination, and really, what use was resistance? What use was struggle?

And so he followed this path passively: he allowed his mother to shape him, to enter him into Eton and mold him as young men of his birth ought to be molded. She had no titles and neither would he inherit any, and so he would never stand among the House of Lords, but he could stand still with the House of Commons, could rise even to Prime Minister, she posited day through to night. His father, meanwhile, cajoled him towards a different direction. He honed and sharpened what he deemed to be acumen for business, a ruthlessness, an instinct for blood and power, the necessary skills to one day succeed him.

Kanishk took to business as he did politics—that is, he performed pallidly, limply, and disappointed his parents in every turn. He barely bothered to mingle with his peers in Eton, instead burying his nose in books of history and myth, fascinated by the rituals of old, twisted his tongue in Latin and Greek in order to invoke a muse before a daunting task, in order to submerge himself in Homer’s wine dark sea and kiln-fired earth. He cared little for spending time with the social circles of his mother, caring more for the time of the night when the Bengali woman tasked to care for him would recount him the epics of the old, the tales of the avatars as they appeared on Earth, and with her he contemplated the boundless universe as it existed all at once. In his trips with his father, he cared little for the sleek skyscrapers and the men in lush suits, instead begging for more time at the steel mills, to gaze upon the glowing orange of the forge, his shy exterior exploding into wondrous enthusiasm when it came time to ask the scientists questions.

Even as a worthier contender arose—his darling sister, Visakha, who untrained and unshaped had desired so deeply that which he cared so little for, displaying with great potency a proficiency and an affinity for the skills required to navigate both business and politics, the very same skills that Kanishk so weakly attempted to emulate out of obligation—it was he who they hailed their prince, he who they still expect to one day take the reins. It strains on their relations, but there is no other who understands Kanishk as well as Visakha, no other who he trusts or admires as ardently, and if there comes to be power in his hands, then the only good use for it would be to pave the path to allow Visakha to claim the empire that she deserves. What was once disinterest curled sourly into disdain. He grew to despise this same system which privileged him but denied his sister. Shyness and deference blossomed into anger, into passion in every pursuit.

Oxford was an easy choice for him. His study of Materials Science was acceptable to his parents, still under the spell that it might be to understand their industry better, still priming to take the position from his father one day—and they could believe what they wished to believe, but Kanishk studied materials science because the scientists at the mills had filled him with an insatiable curiosity, and together with his interest in an ancient world long gone he had found his niche in Trinity College, where there were tutors present who expressly dealt in this intersection of ancient materials. To the world outside it still seemed as though he was traveling these paths that led to one destination, but Kanishk knew now that he wanted nothing more than a life in pursuit of answers, of knowledge, a life submerged in the academic where since childhood he had exceeded, even stood out—affirmed when, one day, he was approached with an offer. His mother had told him of Sodalitas, even if in vague whispers. She was a member herself. He had received an offer, and this he met with disinterest. It was the invitation from Pandidakterion that filled him with glee, and with Pandidakterion he discovered a home unlike any other. Others to share this passion with, a society so deeply embedded into history itself.

[nita-world]

Vetronics Industry Research Report, Trend Key Players Size, Regional Outlook and Forecast - 2027

Military Vetronics Market Report: Information by Platform (Tanks, Troop Carriers, UGVs, Amphibious Vehicles, & Others), by System (Communication & Navigation, Weapon, Power, & Other Systems), by Fit (Line-Fit & Retrofit) & by Region – Forecast to 2027

The leading market players in the global military vetronics market primarily include Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Oshkosh Corporation, Ultra Electronics Ltd., TE Connectivity, SAAB A.B., Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, General Electric Company, BAE Systems plc, Rheinmetall Defence, Moog, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Elbit Systems Ltd., Thales Group, Raytheon, and General Dynamics Corporation.

Military Vetronics Market – Market Overview

Vetronics (vehicle electronics) are used in military land vehicles to enable navigation, observation, and communication. They can help in the exchange of inter-vehicular or intra-vehicular information. These systems increase warfare capabilities by facilitating the military in their intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

The global military vetronics market is expected to grow steadily in the next few years. This growth is driven by the rising demand for advanced vetronics systems enabling enhanced performance, military modernization programs, and changing nature of warfare (technology-centric warfare) among others. Demand from major markets such as Europe and the US, along with the rising demand from emerging nations in the APAC is also expected to be a major factor for the market growth.  

Over the last decade, there has been an increasing need to rapidly modernize the military systems. It includes the need to upgrade and equip the military land vehicles with optimized military equipment and vetronics. Traditionally, 'bolt-on' systems were largely used for such requirements. It however leads to added weight, reduced flexibility of the system, and power and cooling issues in the vehicles.

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To overcome such possible issues, modular approach are largely being implemented. Modular vetronics approach is based on a layered architecture that enables ease for scaling and implementing configuration changes. This approach emphasizes on standard component design while also providing a significant reduction in the cost of making changes in future requirements. Vehicles with modular system approach thus offer more benefit than the conventional vehicles. Because of the similarity in various components, it is easily available during the need for maintenance, which further reduces the life cycle cost, and also enables a lean supply chain.

 Military Vetronics Market – Competitive Analysis

Western vendors mainly dominate the initiatives for OSA, which has become an integral aspect of vetronics. The British Generic Vehicle Architecture and American VICTORY system is paving the path to ongoing and future OSA adoption.

The military vetronics market is highly competitive and vendors compete on the basis of cost, product quality, reliability, and market share. To survive and succeed in such an intensely competitive environment, it is crucial for vendors to provide cost-effective and high-quality vetronics systems.

As quality, reduced SWaP and 'cost per mile' is getting more importance, offering a cost efficient solution is crucial and will be a major challenge for the vendors. While government and military authorities place strong emphasis on reducing system acquisition and operation costs, COTS is one of the ways to realize cost savings. It could also encourage and pave a way for commercial component and system suppliers to enter the market and offer military solutions. It would further increase the competition in the market.

Curtiss-Wright is one of the major vendors in the market. It provides a comprehensive range of embedded solutions, ranging from processing, subsystems, and data communication, to the most advanced fully integrated custom systems.

Industry/ Innovation/ Related News:

February, 2017:- General Dynamics Land Systems signed a contract worth USD 308 million with the Government of Canada, to upgrade 141 Light Armored Vehicles that would improve the vehicles' performance and survivability while reducing their long-term maintenance costs.

February, 2017:- BAE Systems signed a contract worth USD 28.2 million with the U.S. Army, to provide them with 11 M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System (HERCULES) vehicles and related vetronics.

Military Vetronics Market – Segments

For the convenience of the report and enhanced understanding; the military vetronics market is segmented in to three key dynamics

Segmentation by Vehicle Type: Light Protected Vehicles, Unmanned Ground Vehicles, Armored Amphibious Vehicles, and Special Purpose Vehicles.

Segmentation by System: (Communication, Navigation, C3 Systems, and Power Systems).

Segmentation by Regions: Comprises Geographical regions –Americas, Europe, APAC and Middle East and Africa.

Military Vetronics Market – Regional Analysis

The traditional markets in the US and Europe have been extensively spending for military modernization along with the upgrades of existing military land vehicle fleets. It helps to maintain the operability of the existing land vehicles rather than replacing the entire fleet of ageing vehicles. Meanwhile, the emerging nations are also buying new land vehicles as the additional strength to their respective military forces. Emerging nations such as China, and India, have a large number of military troops, and land military is one of the major force for border defense in both the countries. In the present scenario of increased security concerns, these nations have increased their respective defense budgets, and also for purchase and upgrade of military land vehicles and vetronics.

Many of the major military forces such as the US and the European countries already have a large number of military land vehicles. It is extremely expensive to completely replace the ageing fleet of such vehicles. One of the most efficient ways to maintain the operability of such military land vehicles without compromising on capability or functionality is to upgrade the existing fleet of military land vehicles with modern vetronics systems. Vetronics is the core to any military land vehicle, as in the present day of modern warfare, most of the systems are technology based.

Thus, many countries around the world are modernizing their existing military ground vehicles via vetronics upgrade, which adds capability and functionality to the existing platform. It maintains the operability of the systems and meet immediate defense needs.  

For example, the US Army has upgrade programs to modernize Bradley Fighting Vehicles, convert M1A1 and M1A2 SEPV1 Abram tanks to the M1A2 SEP V2 configuration, and upgrade C4ISR equipment and systems on MRAP vehicles.

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