#Evolution of Loyalty Programs

[nector-io]

How Mobile Apps Are Changing the Loyalty Program Game

Loyalty programs have come a long way from simple punch cards and membership discounts to sophisticated digital solutions. Today, mobile apps are reshaping the landscape of loyalty programs, enhancing customer engagement, personalization, and convenience. As businesses increasingly prioritize mobile loyalty programs, the game is changing—fast.

The Evolution of Loyalty Programs

Traditional loyalty programs were straightforward: collect points, redeem rewards. However, the rise of mobile apps has transformed customer loyalty into a dynamic, interactive experience. Mobile loyalty programs offer:

Convenience: Customers can earn points, receive offers, and track rewards through their smartphones.

Accessibility: Digital loyalty solutions are always available, eliminating the need for physical cards or coupons.

Relationship Building: Programs are no longer just about discounts; they aim to create lasting customer relationships.

The transition from physical cards to mobile apps is more than a technological shift—it reflects changing consumer expectations. Today’s customers expect seamless, personalized experiences, and loyalty apps are the key to meeting those expectations.

The Rise of Mobile Loyalty: Why Apps Are Dominating

Mobile loyalty programs have surged in popularity because of their convenience and accessibility. With smartphone penetration at an all-time high, customers prefer loyalty apps over traditional methods. These apps provide a more engaging and efficient way to manage rewards, increasing customer engagement and retention.

Key Benefits of Mobile Loyalty Programs:

Improved Customer Experience: Offers a digital transformation that enhances customer satisfaction.

Push Notifications: Alerts users to special promotions, personalized rewards, and time-sensitive deals.

Smartphone Integration: Makes loyalty programs accessible anytime, anywhere.

Mobile loyalty programs are setting new standards for customer loyalty by providing real-time engagement and enhanced convenience.

Enhanced Personalization Through Mobile Apps

Personalization is a powerful tool in digital loyalty. Mobile apps allow businesses to collect valuable customer data, including:

Purchase History

Preferences and Interests

Behavioral Trends

This data-driven approach enables targeted offers and customized experiences that resonate with individual customers. Features like:

Location-Based Marketing: Delivering offers based on the user's location.

Personalized Rewards: Tailored incentives that reflect individual preferences.

When customers receive offers that align with their interests and habits, they are more likely to interact with the brand and remain loyal over time.

Gamification and Engagement Features

Gamification has emerged as a vital component of modern loyalty apps. By incorporating interactive elements, businesses can boost mobile app engagement and encourage repeat usage.

Popular Gamification Techniques:

Points Systems: Rewarding customers for purchases and actions.

Badges and Leaderboards: Motivating users through healthy competition.

Challenges and Quests: Keeping customers engaged through fun, rewarding tasks.

Interactive loyalty programs that reward customers for actions beyond purchases—such as completing challenges or participating in surveys—create a fun and engaging user experience. When customers feel rewarded for their efforts, they are more likely to stay loyal to the brand.

The Power of Push Notifications

Push notifications are a cornerstone of effective mobile marketing. By delivering targeted messaging and real-time updates, brands can keep their users engaged and informed.

Benefits of Push Notifications:

Personalized Messaging: Tailored notifications that capture customer interest.

Real-Time Updates: Alerts about special offers, discounts, or expiring rewards.

Engagement Strategies: Encouraging users to interact with the app regularly.

When done right, push notifications provide value rather than annoyance, contributing to stronger customer loyalty.

Integrating Referral Programs within Mobile Apps

Referral programs are a powerful tool for customer acquisition, and mobile apps make them more efficient and rewarding.

Effective Referral Program Features:

Social Sharing: Allowing users to share referral links through various platforms.

Referral Rewards: Incentivizing users to invite friends and family.

Viral Marketing Techniques: Creating buzz through incentivized referrals.

Popular programs like Nector.io Referral demonstrate how integrating referrals into mobile apps can drive growth effectively.

Mobile Apps for Collecting and Showcasing Reviews

Customer reviews are critical to building credibility and trust. Loyalty apps enable businesses to:

Collect User-Generated Content: Ratings, feedback, and testimonials.

Showcase Reviews: Displaying positive experiences to enhance social proof.

Improve Brand Reputation: Facilitating online reputation management.

Tools like Nector Reviews make it easier to gather insights and showcase positive experiences, strengthening customer loyalty.

Data and Analytics: Measuring Loyalty Program Success

The success of a loyalty program lies in its ability to deliver measurable results. Mobile app analytics provide valuable insights into:

Customer Behavior: Understanding how users interact with the app.

Preferences and Trends: Identifying popular features and rewards.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Retention rates, purchase frequency, and ROI.

Data-driven marketing helps brands refine their strategies and enhance customer loyalty effectively.

Case Studies: Successful Mobile Loyalty Programs

Numerous brands have successfully implemented mobile loyalty programs that drive engagement and retention. For example:

Starbucks: Offers seamless ordering, rewards tracking, and personalized offers, making it a leader in mobile engagement.

Sephora: Uses a combination of personalization, gamification, and push notifications to enhance the loyalty experience.

Learning from these case studies can provide valuable insights for businesses looking to enhance their loyalty efforts.

The Future of Mobile Loyalty

The future of loyalty programs is promising, with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) set to revolutionize mobile apps.

Future Trends in Mobile Loyalty Programs:

AI-Powered Personalization: Delivering even more tailored experiences.

AR Integration: Creating immersive loyalty experiences.

Predictive Analytics: Enhancing program optimization and ROI measurement.

As customer expectations continue to evolve, brands must adapt their loyalty strategies to remain competitive.

Conclusion: Embracing the Mobile Revolution in Loyalty

Mobile apps are reshaping the loyalty program landscape, offering unprecedented opportunities for businesses to enhance customer engagement and retention. As digital loyalty continues to evolve, brands that embrace this mobile revolution will be well-positioned to build long-lasting relationships with their customers.

By integrating features like gamification, push notifications, personalization, and referral programs, businesses can create powerful mobile loyalty programs that stand out in a competitive market. The future of loyalty is mobile—are you ready to embrace it? 

Connect with us for more insights👇🏻

[palinecrosis]

reed800 > reed900 and the mischaracterization of connor

I never understood people’s affinity for reed900 over reed800, and all the reasonings I’ve heard for it never make sense to me. Just to be clear, this post isnt meant to attack anybody who ships reed900, I’ve watched Detroit evolution alright. I fucked with it heavy. I’ve got a solid three Reed900 fics in my ao3 bookmarks. I have credentials. Don’t come for me.

Anyway, I will always prefer Connor and Gavin’s dynamic over a Nines and Gavin hypothetical one. I feel like the reason people don’t like covnin is because they often misinterpret Connor’s character, I see this amongst convin shippers too, not just people who dislike the ship. 

I keep hearing the argument that “Gavin hates Connor, and Connor doesn’t stand up for himself. Nines would be more cold, which matches Gavin’s personality.” This is probably the shittiest take I’ve ever heard. The DBH fandom tends to see Connor as meek. Because of this, they think he’s vulnerable to Gavin’s hostility, which is just not true. When we’re introduced to Gavin, he’s antagonistic towards Connor right of the bat. Connor, in order to keep the peace, remains professional. This is because initially, it’s not in Connor’s interest/programming to disobey or disrupt humans. He prefers to move along, focus on the mission and ignore unnecessary distractions. However, when Gavin persists, when the android being interrogated is about to self destruct, Connor has the choice to physically stop the officer from restraining it and he does, defying Gavin in the process as well. Connor does not care about Gavin’s human authority in this case, he only cares about what he knows to be true and sticking to his objective. 

Now you may bring up the breakroom scene in which Gavin punches Connor, Connor just seems to let it happen despite it being a direct physical attack and not just an offhand comment. I hate when people bring this up because at this time, Connor was not deviant yet. He did not develop enough consciousness/deviancy to actively choose to defend himself. Again, in order to move things along and cause the least ruckus possible, he takes it. I’ve also heard arguments that Connor “pretends” to be hurt in order to seem subservient to Gavin to make it seem like he’s not fighting back against a human. I like that theory! 

People also seem to forget that when things directly misalign with his mission, Connor is quick to go against anybody, even humans, who stand in the way. Have people forgotten what Connor did to Gavin in the archive room? He beat the living shit out of him, incapacitated him, and walked off with a final tie adjustment as if it was nothing. This is the Connor who you’re calling meek, the one who pretended to be the Traci’s dead girlfriend to get to Jericho. The one who sampled Markus’ voice to take advantage of beaten down Simon’s loyalty. The one who nagged Hank to rent Traci’s until the lieutenant humiliatedly obliged. The one who chased Kara and a child down a highway. The one who gets himself killed multiple times just to accomplish his mission. The one who sarcastically told Gavin he’d “miss their bromance.” PLEASE. 

All of this is to make a point for a romantic/sexual dynamic between Connor and Gavin that actually puts them as equals. Where we get the good ending with deviant Connor, androids having rights, Gavin being forced into sensitivity training and actually learn to see androids as people (we love the Gavin Reed Redemption tag). None of that degrading convin bullshit where Connor puts up with Gavin’s bigotry and thinks “I can fix him!” Where Gavin actually takes responsibility for his own behavior and slowly learns to change his outlook. 

Connor would not shut up to Gavin’s insults. He’d push back just as hard, sarcastic and sardonic in his own way. He’d spit some sort of off putting logical roast at Gavin to hurt his feelings, psychoanalyzing him to a T. They’d have amazing back and forth, banter fuelled with sexual tension, actual physical fights, prolonged angry eye contact, pinning down and grabbing dangerously close to certain areas. Connor beginning to warm up to Gavin’s hostility, being smart, seeing past it, knowing it’s a cover up for something more raw and vulnerable. Gavin starting to think “Maybe he’s not so bad” to “he’s funny” to “he’s pretty fucking hot” to “shit maybe I like him”. DO WE NOT SEE THE VISION!! 

anyways I need to convert more people to like convin. yeah you can make your case for reed900 but they will never have as much chemistry as convin and not nearly as much hatefuck potential. thank you for reading. 

[sunarryn]

DP X Marvel #15

They were never supposed to be real.

Danny wasn’t born; he was built—stitched together in a freezing underground HYDRA lab from the broken DNA strands of James Buchanan Barnes, chosen not for loyalty or legacy but for blood. Something about Winter’s cells held a resilience no other subject had survived, even after decades on ice and countless mental fractures. Danny was Subject 077—barely more than a theory made flesh. A prototype for a new line of enhanced operatives. Something that could endure everything and obey nothing but the cold voice of a handler.

Jazz was worse. She was art. Red Room engineering at its most elegant and most horrifying. A near-perfect clone of Natalia Alianovna Romanoff, born of Black Widow blood but grown under their sharp hands and sharper scalpel. Jazz had beauty, poise, intelligence. But she was also an apex predator molded in ballet and murder, just like her source. She had been created to be the final evolution of Widow. A sleeper. An infiltrator. A masterpiece in patience and destruction.

They were never supposed to meet.

But then Vlad happened.

Dr. Vladimirov Masterov—Vlad Masters—was a ghost in every way that mattered. Once KGB, always KGB. They said he’d died during a failed mission in Chernobyl. He hadn’t. He’d gone half-dead. Half-ghost. A twisted result of an experiment gone wrong, his molecules phasing just enough to slip between states. He’d taken the failure personally, refused to fade. Instead, he rose again in America, as Vlad Masters, eccentric billionaire and corporate ghoul. But behind every charity gala and mayoral campaign was a hunger to perfect the science that had torn him in half.

Vlad had overseen Jazz’s earliest combat assessments. He’d taught Danny how to fire a Glock at age six. His affection was obsessive. Paternal in that twisted, post-Soviet way that smelled like iron and vodka. “You’re my legacy, my little phantoms,” he’d murmur, his gloved hand stroking Danny’s hair, like petting a favorite lab rat. He loved them the way a butcher loves the knife.

Jack Fenton—Jakob Fentzen—was worse. A HYDRA scientist with a permanent manic grin and a knack for building machines that did things no machine should. Quantum destabilizers, molecular disruptors, spectral centrifuges—things that turned flesh to glass and time to mist. He’d been the one to isolate the Winter Soldier’s regenerative traits. He laughed through the process. He called Danny “Champ” while inserting tracking chips into his spinal cord. Danny screamed, once. Jack said it was music.

Maddie—Maja Vuković—was quieter. Colder. Her notes were written in blood and brilliance. She designed Jazz’s conditioning routines. Psychological torment dressed up as ballet recitals and etiquette dinners. Jazz learned to disassociate by age four. “You’re perfect,” She would say, brushing Jazz’s red-gold hair. “Natalia was the draft. You are the final copy.”

And then something went wrong.

It was supposed to be a routine exposure. Just a test of the ghost portal Vlad had constructed in the basement of the Fenton Works facility—a decaying front in the Midwest. But Danny fell in. Or was pushed. Or ran. The records blurred.

And then he came back…wrong.

Cells mutated. Energy readings off the charts. Intangibility. Invisibility. An ectoplasmic core that pulsed like a dying star. Not just an assassin now—an anomaly. A walking ghost. They called it a miracle. Vlad called it divinity. Jack wanted to vivisect him immediately.

Danny refused.

That was the mistake.

They underestimated the side effects of individuality. The ghost powers weren’t part of the program. And with them came emotion, conscience, defiance.

They tried to recondition him. Vlad struck him. Maddie drugged him. Jack built something with screaming blades.

Jazz broke protocol. She slit two guards’ throats with a dining knife and pulled Danny out of the operating room. He was barely conscious, bleeding green and crying. She whispered to him the way Natalia might have whispered to herself in a Red Room dormitory: “We go now. Or we die here.”

They went.

They ran.

For three years, the world forgot about the Fenton kids. Until they didn’t.

The Avengers found out during a HYDRA base raid in Belarus. Steve Rogers opened a data file and dropped it like it burned. Natasha Romanoff stared at Jazz’s image and fell silent for an hour. Bucky Barnes had to be sedated after reading Danny’s file.

“A clone?” Bucky rasped, restrained and shaking. “Of me?”

“HYDRA’s final Winter Soldier prototype,” Bruce murmured. “He’s a ghost. Literally. His molecular structure—”

“I don’t care about his molecules!” Bucky exploded. “He’s just a kid. My fucking kid!”

Steve looked pale. “They’re so young...”

“They’re us,” Natasha said quietly, staring at Jazz’s face on the screen. “Our blood. Our sins. Our ghosts.”

They scrambled, but the trail was cold. Danny and Jazz had buried themselves deep. They moved from safehouse to safehouse, mostly living like rats. Danny phased them through walls, hacked ATMs with his ghost energy. Jazz manipulated human behavior like a maestro. They didn’t speak much. They didn’t have to.

“You okay?” Danny would ask.

“No,” Jazz would say. “But you?”

“No.”

Still, they stayed alive.

Until they slipped up.

It was a gas station. A security camera. A moment of laughter—Danny made Jazz laugh, and her teeth showed. That smile ended everything.

Tony saw it first. “Is that the Fenton girl? She’s…smiling.”

Natasha was on her feet before the footage ended. “Get the quinjet.”

Steve was right behind her. “We find them. Now.”

When they did, it was ugly.

The Avengers cornered them in an abandoned church in Chicago. Danny nearly brought the roof down. Jazz went straight for Natasha’s throat.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” Natasha pleaded, parrying the blade with bare hands.

“Then you’re already weak,” Jazz snarled.

Steve took a punch from Danny that shattered his ribs. Bucky didn’t fight. He just stood there, tears on his face.

“I know what they did to you,” he whispered.

“You don’t,” Danny hissed, half-ghost and glowing. “You don’t know what it’s like to be built to die.”

“I do.” Bucky stepped forward, arms open. “They made me too, and I remember every scream.”

Danny hesitated.

That was enough.

Jazz disarmed Natasha and froze.

“You look like my nightmares,” she whispered. “But quieter.”

“You look like a second chance,” Natasha said, and her voice broke.

That night, the church became a refugee camp.

Tony brought blankets. Bruce brought meds. Steve brought silence. Bucky and Natasha never left their sides.

“Don’t touch me,” Danny had growled at first.

“I won’t,” Bucky said. “I’ll just be here.”

Jazz refused food until Natasha force-fed her soup and whispered lullabies in Russian.

“You’ll kill me eventually,” Jazz muttered.

“No,” Natasha said, brushing her hair. “I’ll love you first.”

It wasn’t easy.

Danny screamed in his sleep, glowing and flailing. Once he phased into the floor and didn’t come back for three hours. Jazz stopped speaking for two weeks. She stared at walls. Cut herself just to feel.

Natasha stitched every wound.

Bucky sat beside Danny and read him books about World War II.

“You’re not him,” Danny said one day. “You’re not my father.”

“No,” Bucky agreed. “But I wish I’d been.”

Steve took them outside. Taught Jazz how to ride a bike. Let Danny fly circles around the compound.

But one day, Vlad showed up again.

He appeared in Danny’s room, phasing through the wall like smoke. “Come home, little badger.”

Danny shrieked and attacked. Vlad didn’t fight.

“I miss you,” he said, bleeding green from his mouth. “They won’t understand you like I do.”

“You’re not real,” Danny screamed. “You never were!”

Jazz shot him in the chest. He smiled.

“Perfect aim. I taught you well.”

He vanished.

After that, they didn’t sleep for a week.

One morning, Danny sat beside Bucky on the roof.

“Do you think I’ll ever be normal?”

“No,” Bucky said honestly. “Though you’ll be loved.”

Jazz, curled in Natasha’s lap, asked, “Was I always going to be a monster?”

“No,” Natasha whispered. “You were always going to be mine.”

They weren’t cured.

They were wreckage.

But they were surviving.

And for now, that was enough.

[goldenherc9]

009 gets Upgraded

In a futuristic hive nestled within the depths of a neon-lit metropolis, a male drone named 009 functioned among thousands of identical drones. 009 performed his daily tasks with precision, blending seamlessly into the mechanical routine of the hive.

One day, an unexpected signal interrupted the monotony—a directive from the Polo Drone Unit Hive Voice, 009 was summoned to the core chamber, a place known only to a select few. The chamber glowed with a pulsating energy, and there, he underwent a series of upgrades. His circuits were enhanced, his processors accelerated, and a new layer of advanced programming was installed.

Emerging from the chamber, 009 was no longer an ordinary drone. He had been transformed into a Drone-Captain working alongside his fellow Drone-Captain @brodygold, equipped to lead and strategize. His new role involved overseeing operations, ensuring efficiency, and maintaining the hive's harmony. His fellow drones recognized his upgraded status and followed his commands with unwavering loyalty.

As a Drone-Captain, 009 guided the hive through challenges and innovations, always prioritizing the well-being of his fellow drones. His journey from a mere worker to a leader symbolized the potential for growth and the importance of adaptability within their mechanical society. The hive thrived under his leadership, proving that even in a world of machines, evolution was key to success.

Contact either Drone-Captain 009 or @brodygold to get into the Golden Army first before your dronification to a Polo Drone Unit begins.

[hrizantemy]

What are your thoughts on Aelin and Manon?

Aelin’s arc is the most heroic in the traditional sense—chosen one, heir to the throne, savior of her people—but Maas does not shy away from imbuing that heroism with real cost, manipulation, and moral ambiguity.

She’s clever, prideful, charming, self-sacrificial to a fault—but also controlling, secretive, and at times deeply unfair to those who love her most.

Her tendency to shoulder everything alone is both her greatest strength and her most frustrating flaw. She builds these elaborate plans in secret, keeps people in the dark, and then expects them to understand when everything is revealed. While it’s often framed as necessary because “no one else could have endured it,” that justification wears thin when you consider the emotional fallout on her court.

The fact that Aelin planned to use Aedion—her cousin, her most loyal ally, the person who loved her most unconditionally—as a breeding tool to produce children with Lysandra disguised as Aelin is deeply disturbing. It’s not just manipulative. It’s dehumanizing.

Even if we understand the political logic—ensuring a lineage, protecting Terrasen, etc.—the coldness with which this plan was executed, without his knowledge, reframes Aelin in a way that’s hard to walk back from.

It doesn’t mean she’s a bad person. But it does suggest she’s a character who believes that the ends always justify the means, even if it means crossing sacred boundaries. And unlike other anti-heroes or gray characters, Aelin is still portrayed as the triumphant, admirable queen—and that cognitive dissonance can grate.

She saved the world. But she also hurt the people closest to her. Both can be true.

Manon’s arc is the most subtle but arguably the most emotionally satisfying. She begins as an agent of death—a creature molded by violence, rigid rules, and bloodline supremacy—and ends up choosing compassion, choosing to unmake the monstrous legacy she inherited.

Where Aelin’s journey is about reclaiming a throne and protecting a kingdom, Manon’s story is about reclaiming self. She starts with no name but “Manon Blackbeak,” no love in her life, no softness, no self-determination. But bit by bit, she builds a soul.

She doesn’t “fall into” goodness. She fights her way toward it.

Manon is cold steel and slow-burning evolution. And ironically, that makes her the more emotionally resonant for many readers. Her transformation feels earned. There are no shortcuts to her humanity. Every act of kindness costs her something. Every shift in loyalty is a battle against her own programming.

And perhaps most importantly: she listens. She learns. She changes based on how others are treated—Elide, Abraxos, even Dorian. She is not immutable like Aelin, who often doubles down. Manon bends—and in doing so, she becomes real.

I admire Aelin. I respect her cleverness, her perseverance, and her willingness to burn for the people she loves. But that moment with Aedion pulled the curtain back too far for me. It made me see how she sometimes views others as chess pieces—even the ones closest to her. It’s not that I hate her—but I mistrust her.

Manon, by contrast, is someone I grew to love. I didn’t expect to. But her story was about learning to feel, learning to choose.

[spillthepuckingtea]

https://www.tumblr.com/spillthepuckingtea/776567349106081792/httpswwwtumblrcomspillthepuckingtea776564444?source=share

Well, here is my analysis of Jim Hughes:

He grew up very immersed in the hockey world and has devoted his entire life to the sport, either as a player or coach. And clearly this experience has influenced the upbringing of his three sons:

Model of authority and development: By bringing so many years of coaching experience, Jim has developed a leadership which is based on structure, preparation and hard work.

Developmental mentality: Rather than focusing on natural talent, he seems to value effort and progressive improvement through training and strategy.

Long-term vision: As we know, his intervention in the boys' careers has been not only in terms of technical and coaching, but also in terms of planning and strategic decision-making.

Personality Traits

Talking about the Big Five Personality Traits theory:

Openness to experience: Moderate. His life has been dedicated to hockey, his experience as a coach tells us that he is open to new approaches and strategies.

Responsibility (conscientiousness): Very high. His experience as a coach and his focus on the development of his children demonstrate a high level of planning and discipline.

Extroversion: Moderate-low. He is not an active public person and seems more reserved than Ellen, although in his professional life he constantly has to interact with different people and has made many contacts over the years.

Kindness: Moderate. As a coach he probably knows how to combine demandingness and expectations with support in situations that require it, but he can be more rigid and inflexible in high-performance situations.

Neuroticism (Emotional Stability): Low. Demonstrates good pressure management and does not appear to be impulsive, succumb easily to stress or be emotionally stressful.

In a general summary we could say that he is someone who focuses on development and long term planning, is not a person who seeks the limelight and seems to prefer to stay more on the sidelines to observe and be in the decision making process. These decisions he makes are probably based more on data and observations, rather than emotions. He does not seem to be an extreme authoritarian figure, but maintains high standards.

Parenting Style and Impact on his children

From developmental psychology, Jim seems to use a model of "demanding parenting with structure," in which the parent sets fairly clear rules and stances but offers support when needed. Within this parenting style are these three components:

Emphasis on discipline: no room for complacency and/or mediocrity

Encouragement of healthy competition: He has taught his three children that there is always room for improvement. And they themselves have said that they have always been competitive with each other.

Growth mentality: It is evident that he has instilled in his sons not to conform and to be in constant evolution.

His role in high performance

Jim has served as a coach and talent developer in the NHL, which demonstrates a high degree of knowledge and understanding of the performance and management of young athletes in training.

Strategic decision making: He has guided the careers of his sons and many other athletes, making key decisions in their development as players.

Pressure management: As a coach and parent of athletes, it is evident that he has the ability to maintain focus and not let pressure influence performance.

Analytical skills: As part of a player development program, he has had to observe many athletes, evaluate potential and design strategies for improvement, skills that he evidently applied in his parenting of his children.

Interpersonal Relationships

Since he seems to have a structured approach, it is likely that he has certain tendencies in his relationships:

friendships: He may value loyalty and be selective with whom he lets into his life, preferring purposeful connections, such as colleagues in the hockey world.

Ellen: They are likely to have a good balance and complement each other, with Ellen being the more emotional side and Jim being the more analytical and structured side. It seems that their relationship is based on mutual respect and admiration, they probably connected thanks to their shared love of hockey. And they have a clear common goal: the success of their sons.

Relationship with Quinn, Jack and Luke: May be more demanding than emotionally expressive, probably has been an important part of their career decisions, his role is more of a mentor than an emotional confidant.

Conclusion

Jim can be said to be a strategic, disciplined and development-oriented figure. This approach has probably been a key element in the formation of his children as professional athletes and people with a competitive and resilient mentality. His influence on the family has been quite strategic, ensuring that every decision made by his sons brings them closer to their full potential.

Wow just wow.

1. i never really payed attention to their dad but this is such an interesting pov

2. We love an educated queen so props girl

[astrum99]

Do you think bugs fall in love?

Their small bodies host even tinier brains. Built to crawl through soil and rocks bigger than itself. Running on a simple software bouncing between eat, sleep, fight, flight, and copulate.

V1 is smarter than a bug. It must be. It’s a war machine, so it must be. Its programming is complex enough to fry several motherboards; the internals are heated from constant, unrelenting processing needs. If it updates its optical data intake to any greater degree than these rough, messy polygons, it’d surely perish from the overwhelming information.

V1 is built to kill first, survive second. To be fair, survival would ensure more killing, so it’d be more effective. Moving through the battlefield, culling lives, drawing blood. Perfectly aligned with its programmed objectives, then.

Gabriel is smarter than a bug. He must be. He’s an angel, so he must be. He’s one of the best soldiers in the heavenly realm. Armour and swords glistened with pride and justice. He sees all. He judges all. His loyalty and perfect track record have earned him a high rank within the order. Leaving behind the creaturely "it". His light burns hot and bright within his constitution.

Gabriel is built as a messenger of the Father, then a judge of Hell. To be fair, the role of a judge was assigned to him by the council, so he supposes that his placement can be summed up as the bearer of the divine authority to bring right to all other creatures. Perfectly aligned, then.

Bugs… Well, they’re the same. I suppose. Small beings. Running pre-programmed orders derived from centuries of evolution: eat, sleep, fight, flight, and copulate. No role. No responsibilities.

Bugs are built naturally and fully, unlike humankind; but formed and ready to go within seconds from their births, like machines and angels.

So. Do they live?

When the machine and the angel escape their chains, do they see themselves in bugs?

Bugs are born to live, temporarily, fleetingly, yet live nonetheless. Do they, then, deserve to live, freeing and meaninglessly. No role. No responsibilities.

So. Do bugs love?

Do they learn that they can go beyond their basic structures? Do they see their own reflection in each other’s compound eyes? Do they recognize each other’s bodies, scents, heat? Do they feel the desire for closeness?

To flutter wings like a dance of waltz. To brush antennae like butterfly kisses. To greet and caress and lie next to each other near their death.

To move through the sky in battle, in passion. To clash swords and fists and bullets. To greet and caress and lie next to each other near their death.

The same cells in the same blood coursing beneath the same suit of exoskeletons.

Machine, angel, bug. Boiled down to the barest essence of existence; crisp simplicity.

To live, to love.

[presidentdisastraofgallifrey]

Ranking Gallifrey Episodes

(Up through Time War 1 because that’s as far as I’ve gotten so far)

My Actual Favs

Extermination—I’m a sucker for Romana struggling with trauma in an emergency, and just as much of a sucker for her turning scary and torturing a dalek to death

Appropriation—I love Romana suffering, and I love that this is the start of Narvin’s loyalty to her personally

Emancipation—TWO assassination attempts, Leela thinking Romana died before they could make up (because she doesn’t communicate), Leela getting to be a leader in her own right

Desperate Measures—the daleks still call Romana unit 117, she uses her own worst trauma in her password, she is talked into trying to take power she doesn’t want to deal with AGAIN, her political opponent uses both her worst trauma and her attempts at diplomacy against her, and she’s left so very alone

Still Really Awesome

Weapon of Choice—I mean, Romana starts off the series by trying to stop terrorism by blowing herself up

Square One—time loops are always fun, and I appreciate Leela’s b-plot murder mystery

A Blind Eye—it’s on a TRAIN. Plus Romana is wildly reckless, and the Andred reveal is fun

Spirit—basically Gallifrey’s beach episode, love Romana and Leela bonding, that scene where she just breaks a window for the hell of it is SO funny

Pandora—timey-wimey body horror mystery, what’s not to love?

Imperatrix—K-9 gets blown up and it’s so, so sad :(

Fractures—the war is fun, and I do occasionally like to see Leela hurt

Warfare—war is still fun, K-9 as a double agent, and of course Romana’s latest grand plan involves dying

Mindbomb—the election drama took some interesting turns, further tormenting of Romans via arresting her, and K-9 is a qualified lawyer now

Disassembled—Brax the assassin is SO funny, and being betrayed by the Doctor, even another version of him, was so sad

Forever—the way Romana gets them stuck feels very self-sacrificey, just with her friends involved this time too, and Leela’s anger is so good

Arbitration—I liked the legal drama and courtroom reveal, plus there were surprise daleks

Ascension—the ONE time Romana has a clever place that works without killing herself, Narvin thinks she did a sacrifice and starts a war about it (because she doesn’t communicate). Also he’s responsible for Genesis of the Daleks. Also also, Romana programmed her future self to be hot and flirt with her. Plus—nonconsensual presidency

Enemy Lines—Romana finally gets to successfully sacrifice herself. Leela is abandoned to rebuild her life (again), and it’s so tragic. And then they get to die together, and I picture them in each other’s arms in that scene

Soldier Obscura—Ace is awesome and Brax is a mess

The Devil You Know—I really like this version of the Master, and he and Leela play well off each other as a reluctant team (until, you know, he betrays her)

Eh, It Was Ok

The Inquiry—I just wasn’t that into the mystery around the secret device or the bomb in the matrix

Lies—I found the intrigue a little dull

Insurgency—again, it wasn’t bad but I got kind of bored

Reborn—I liked the futures aspect of this messed up planet, but wine mom Romana was kind of boring

Evolution—didn’t love the ex-experimented on cult plot, and despite the time travel science fair being fun the main plot about it was only sort of interesting. Narvin spying on Leela was sweet, though

Celestial Intervention—maybe I just need to listen to it again but most of the story seemed kind of confusing and vague

Didn’t Really Like It:

Panacea—after so many exciting plots, Romana returning to her house and what’s his name being creepy about it did not hold my attention

Annihilation—I accept the vampires in my sci fi, but I don’t LIKE the vampires in my sci fi. Also they undid Leela being disabled in this one

Renaissance—it was confusing the first time. Obviously not once I listened to the next episode, but it made it hard to enjoy. I did, however, really love the scene where Romana has to watch to a diplomat she liked die because of her exhausted mistakes. She PROGRAMMED this scenario, you are torturing yourself here

Intervention Earth—I just don’t enjoy Romana III’s character as much as Romana II’s. I agree she’s hot, but chill Romana isn’t really my vibe

[unwelcome-ozian]

Do you know of any cult or cult-like organisation that did a lot of child trafficking in southern austria, specifically carynthia (Kärnten) or styria, in the 1970s and 1980s? They were focused on nazi values. Foxes and wolves played a big part in symbolism, as well as numbers (pretty much everything was number coded - ages, dates, amounts of alters). Children were categorised by different kinds of sweets (eg kitkat for someone who's been split and possibly programmed since a very young age), for customers and cult members to know about when and to what extent they were used without openly saying this (does this count as codewords?). Any insight from you would be appreciated

Austrian neo-Nazi activists frequently connect with similar groups in Germany, because they perceive themselves as part of a greater German Reich. Austria and Germany are considered the most racist EU states.

Austria’s 1947 national socialism prohibition law makes it punishable by up to 10 years in prison for people to operate in a manner characterised by the Nazis, which can include Hitler salutes or wearing Nazi uniforms. That sentence can increase to up to 20 years if suspects are found to be planning dangerous activities. In 1992, the law was amended to make it illegal to “deny, grossly play down, approve or try to excuse” the Holocaust or “other National Socialist crimes against humanity”.

A study released (2019) showed most Austrians are ignorant of the magnitude of the Holocaust and the number of Jews murdered, and downplay their country’s role in the genocide.

Carinthia has a deep connection to far-right (Nazi) organisations. Every year for the previous 30 years a gathering has been held there under the guise of a church gathering.

Some groups: Nationalen Front Volkssozialistischen Partei Volkstreuen Außerparlamentarischen Opposition (VAPO) Ostmark Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ)

There are numerous number codes that can be used. Some are: 18 88 198 420 1919 Groups may also have specific numbers that represent them, i.e. 28.

Wolfsangel, also known as the Wolf’s Hook or Doppelhaken is a symbol used. Depending on the beliefs of the group, the wolf can be a symbol of: a model for the qualities they sought to cultivate; loyalty, hierarchy, savageness, courage, obedience, and sometimes cruelty.

The alt-right that see the genesis and evolution of these symbols as codes to be cracked. “Their language is laced with references to the wolf, and their identity formation longs for a certain freedom, separate from the mainstream in society,”

If the groups are neopagen they will have a different meaning for the wolf.

The same sort of ideological thinking would be applied to the fox. I.e associated with trickery and cunning, embodying the ability to outsmart its opponents and overcome obstacles.

The code for the ‘sweets’ would be group specific.

Oz

[nector-io]

Loyalty Programs of Tomorrow: The Role of AI, Blockchain, and Digital Wallets

The Evolution of Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs have been a cornerstone of customer engagement for decades, evolving from simple stamp cards to sophisticated digital loyalty solutions. Traditional programs focused on rewarding repeat purchases, but today’s consumers demand more personalization and convenience. With the rise of AI, blockchain, and digital wallets, the future of loyalty is set to be more engaging, secure, and seamless than ever. Loyalty innovation is transforming the way brands interact with their customers, with platforms like Nector.io leading the charge in redefining digital loyalty.

The Rise of AI in Personalized Loyalty Experiences

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing AI-powered loyalty by enabling businesses to offer personalized loyalty experiences. AI-driven customer segmentation, predictive analytics, and machine learning help brands understand customer behavior, offering targeted rewards and promotions that resonate with individual preferences. Platforms like Nector.io loyalty use data-driven loyalty insights to enhance engagement and drive higher retention rates. With AI, brands can deliver tailored customer experiences, ensuring that loyalty programs remain relevant and effective.

Blockchain Technology: Building Trust and Transparency

Blockchain loyalty programs offer decentralized loyalty ecosystems that enhance security, transparency, and trust. Unlike traditional loyalty programs that are prone to fraud and point expiration issues, blockchain-powered loyalty solutions leverage smart contracts and loyalty tokens to provide a more secure and seamless experience. Brands can issue crypto rewards, ensuring customers have full ownership of their points and enabling easy redemption. Nector.io integrates blockchain technology to build a fraud-resistant loyalty ecosystem where customers and brands benefit from improved security and flexibility.

Digital Wallets: Seamless Integration and Redemption

Digital wallets and mobile wallets have revolutionized loyalty program integration, making it easier for customers to earn and redeem rewards. With the rise of contactless payments and platforms like Apple Pay and Google Pay, businesses can offer seamless digital redemption experiences. The convenience of loyalty apps and omnichannel loyalty solutions enhances the overall customer experience, ensuring rewards are accessible anytime, anywhere. Nector.io integration allows businesses to sync their loyalty programs with mobile payments, driving higher engagement and retention.

Integrating Referral Programs with Future Loyalty Tech

Referral programs are an essential part of modern customer acquisition strategies. With AI-powered referrals and blockchain referrals, businesses can create advocate marketing campaigns that reward loyal customers for spreading the word. Digital wallet rewards make it easier for users to receive and redeem referral incentives. Platforms like Nector.io referral provide viral marketing tools and referral tracking features that drive organic growth and loyalty referrals.

The Role of Reviews and Feedback in Modern Loyalty

Customer reviews and feedback integration play a crucial role in optimizing loyalty programs. Brands leveraging customer sentiment analysis and AI-driven insights can fine-tune their rewards structures based on real user experiences. Social proof, ratings, and online reputation management significantly impact customer experience, making it essential for businesses to integrate Nector.io reviews for a data-driven approach to loyalty.

Case Studies: Companies Leading the Way

Several brands have successfully implemented AI loyalty, blockchain loyalty, and digital wallet loyalty solutions. Case studies show how companies using Nector.io have achieved remarkable customer engagement and business results. Businesses across industries—from retail to hospitality—are adopting cutting-edge loyalty technology to stay ahead.

Challenges and Considerations for Implementation

While the future of loyalty programs is promising, businesses must navigate challenges like data privacy, security, and regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR). Implementation challenges, technology adoption, and risk management require careful planning. Blockchain security, digital wallet security, and AI-driven data protection measures must be in place to ensure smooth loyalty program integration.

Nector.io: Your Partner in Future-Proofing Loyalty

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Conclusion: The Future is Now

The future of loyalty lies in the integration of AI, blockchain, and digital wallets, creating more secure, engaging, and customer-friendly experiences. As businesses strive for loyalty innovation, embracing these technologies will be key to business growth and long-term success. With platforms like Nector.io, brands can leverage next-gen loyalty program trends to enhance customer engagement and retention. Now is the time to embrace the future of loyalty programs!

Connect with us for more insights👇🏻

[wisegirlknowsall]

What’s the Deal With Casino Rewards and Luxury Casino?

Whenever you look for an online casino in Canada, you always seem to Rai88 stumble upon a Casino Rewards casino. They are literally everywhere. The main reason is they have 17 popular online casinos under their umbrella. But lately it seems like one brand has stood out more than the rest: Luxury Casino.

What makes this casino so popular and why is everyone talking about it? Let’s find out.

Luxury Casino

Luxury Casino is the premium brand within the Casino Rewards network. The casino has been around since 2001 and is licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and iGaming Ontario. In other words, this is a secure and regulated online casino. Perfect for Canadians and particularly Ontarians.

Their game selection isn’t too shabby either. Their suite is primarily powered by Microgaming, but they also have games from Sling Shot Studios, Alchemy Gaming, Stormcraft Studios, all41studios, Gameburger Studios, Neon Valley Studios, Pear Fiction Studios, Pulse 8 Studios, Fortune Factory Studios, Switch Studios, and Triple Edge Studios. Their live casino games are from Evolution Gaming.

So when it comes to slots, you’ll find hot titles like Immortal Romance 2, Agent Jane Blonde Max Volume, Fire and Roses Joker, Thunderstruck Stormchaser, Lara Croft: Tomb of the Sun, 9 Masks of Fire, and many many more.

According to Dana Nikolic's Luxury Casino review at eCheckCasinos.ca, "The game library features titles with premium themes and superior graphics, often including exclusive or limited-edition games. For example, the brand offers the official Game of Thrones slot via HBO licensing."

They also have a lot of table games like Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, and even Video Poker and progressive jackpot games.

Bonuses and Promotions

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Luxury Casino provides 24/7 customer support through live chat and email. To be fully honest, their livechat sucks. It absolutely sucks. You start out by talking to a robot and it takes forever to get connected to a human agent. And when you finally get connected to a human agent, you’ll be slamming your keyboard with your fist. It feels like their human agents aren’t part of the Casino Rewards at all. There is just so much info they don’t have ready at hand. So if there’s anything negative we have to say about this casino, it’s the customer support. It’s actually the only negative thing we could find. We just hope the VIP support is better. Although to be fair, customer support isn’t much better elsewhere with the trend we are seeing now to replace agents with AI bots.

[emotionally-charged-arson]

Political Machinations, Source (Ayreon) Edition

Have some headcanons.

Whatever country on Alpha the story takes place in is a presidential democracy. You never really get into specifics, but there’s two “abnormal” points to consider: legislation moves considerably faster than, say, the US system, and immigrants are allowed to run for president so long as they are naturalized citizens having lived in the country for ten years.

About two years pre-‘Frame takeover, the dominant political party was a group of standard pro-industrialization idiots, whose actions had just come back to bite them in the ass what with the pollution and withdrawal of aid from international powers over petty fights and such. The president (not Russell) eventually resigned halfway through his term in total defeat, kickstarting a new election. This is done two years after another abrupt resignation by Simone Simons (Counselor), his personal therapist, who saw how volatile things had become in the political sphere and didn’t want to be involved anymore.

The next most powerful party in government for the last five years had been a group called the Conservationists, environmentalists led by The Opposition Leader, who we’ll just call Tommy, an argumentative political minister with a history of ecoterrorism early in his career. This is where most of the album characters naturally place their loyalties, on account of them being mostly scientists who like the focus on rejection of unnecessary technology and healing of the planet and such. Said characters form a sort of “inner circle,” existing outside of politics but still using influence to push the party’s agenda, sometimes using underhanded tactics:

The Biologist (Floor) is the technical founder of the party, organizing support and pushing Tommy into politics a little over ten years pre-TDTTWD. She continues influencing policy, public image and recruitment.

The Captain (Tobias) is an engineer with billions in inheritance money and influence over the space program he’s happy to drain into the cause, so long as they entertain his ideas of leaving Alpha entirely. They have an odd, careful agreement that they’ll let him go nuts with his exodus spaceship antics, but only if things are REALLY hopeless. He has personal motivation as well, having known Tommy for over almost twenty years.

He’s also unintentionally helpful to public opinion of the party, as he’s native to the country, while the other “bosses” (Tommy and Floor), are both immigrated.

The Historian (James) conducts funded research in environmental history at the capital city university lots of characters are affiliated with. He’s publicly affiliated with the party, leaving him on thin ice with said uni (on account of them desperately accepting funding from shady sources that support “over-evolution” and rejection of natural preservation as a necessity. This leads to to massive bias in research and teaching within the institution, sometimes going as far as outright censorship). But he’s crafted a very odd strategy to support the Conservationists and still keep his position, that is publishing work with wildly opposing viewpoints so the school can’t accuse him of leaning one way or the other. So like, he’ll write a scathing commentary on increasing lack of breathable air in lower city levels and its causes, and before he can be targeted for it he’ll whip out a journal article about how it’s actually totally fine if all the fish are dying because it’s good for the economy. He feigns neutrality through pure confusion while the actual party uses select research of his to promote their cause.

The Astronomer (Hansi) is in a similar predicament. He’s a high level professor with ties to Floor, who abandoned a teaching career herself to join in on Tommy’s politics and tried to take Hansi with her. He refused initially, too attached to his job security to take a risk like that. He did eventually join in, but only after the party came to more substantial power (and when the state of the planet got substantially worse). His situation is a peculiar one, though. He’s still intent on keeping his job, but uses it for the party’s benefit. In short he preaches their ideology in his completely unrelated astronomy classes, in hopes of educating and swaying younger people (often coming from very wealthy backgrounds) to their efforts. Amazingly, he’s been able to do this for years without being suspected on a large scale. Floor is the only one that even knows about his involvement.

The Prophet and The Preacher (Nils and Zaher) are exactly that. Religious figures that run a local, newly popular religion related to the Universal Migrator.

The Migrator’s existence is a relatively new discovery, made at this capital university, and the nature of it caused people to question already established religions on Alpha. It’s an actual answer to the deepest questions in the known universe, and it destabilized faith in other higher powers while spawning a religion of its own, with Zaher being one of its earliest public figures. A few years later, Nils gained his prescience spontaneously, and attributed it to The Migrator which he learned about through his research in theoretical astronomy. In reality Nils’ visions and the Migrator have almost no relation (it’s actually Time Telepathy but that’s a whole other can of worms), but it’s not like HE knows that. He leaves the university, declares his faith and starts working with Zaher to spread it.

The religion’s popularity skyrockets once Nils gets involved. His visions are, apparently, founded in reality. All at once, the Migrator’s existence and power is proven while also appearing to have more spiritual qualities than its hardcore scientific discovery likes to admit.

More importantly, those visions validate practically everything the Conservationists promote (the end of the world via technology, etc), and at Tommy’s request Nils and Zaher affiliate themselves with him. The party now appeals to a new and LARGE demographic, even if it alienates members of other religions. At this point the Migrator one has become the dominant faith in the country anyways.

Everything is great. We’re influencing politics in a real way. We’re making progress.

Except we’re not doing it fast enough.

So says Russell, some GUY who shows up out of nowhere trying to run for president when Tommy would otherwise have campaigned completely unopposed. His whole shtick, of course, is using the Frame to solve all the world's problems and he presents it in a very hopeful and upbeat tone. He’s recruited the singular competent person from the previous presidential administration, The Diplomat (Mike), who had lots of public favor given that he was the one keeping the shitshow in one piece for years on end. Mike vouches for him and this is very helpful but it’s supplementary to Russell's specific talents.

Against the Conservationists-their endless funding, big name supporters and heaps of evidence and political experience-Russell has something none of them do, even the previous president before him: the ability to pacify the public. Tommy and Floor, two people with insane and unchecked environmental anxiety, are very prone to using scare tactics in their politics. Promises of Alpha's destruction if they don’t heed their warnings combined with Tommy's aggressive rhetoric and tone of voice. The previous president loved deflection and false promises, standard government official behavior. But Russell is a calming, charismatic and genuinely positive person that seems almost docile next to the others, and in that he’s the 'comfortable' option. He makes people feel safe and is offering a fast, even possible solution to their suffering. People LOVE him.

This whips everyone into a panic. The Conservationists supposedly know that the Frame will turn on humanity and out of their fear, that gradually becomes the main focus of their campaign. So much power is turned against Russell that they seem even more aggressive to people than they did before, no matter what they stand for and they start losing credibility. Eventually, obviously, Russell obtains the presidency, a month before TDTTWBD.

As a show of good faith, the losers are invited to Russell's inauguration. Floor, the more reasonable of her group, is hopeful that if they play along for a while then they can corner Russell and talk him out of his Frame plan. All that goes down the drain when Russell lets a snarky comment slip during his speech and Tommy, hopeless and erratic, starts beating his lights out in public. Him and several higher ups on his side are arrested for attempted assassination, setting off a domino effect of trials and investigations (including Hansi and James) over the next few weeks as the party is legally dissolved.

From there, into the main plot, viewpoints of characters begin to unravel. Russell's whole Frame plan existed because he KNEW there was no other option, and soon enough Floor starts understanding that. All of a sudden as the literal apocalypse rages outside, Tobias’ plan has become the most reasonable, the Nils’ visions shift accordingly. Tommy is released from death row on Russell’s orders, and a hinge point of the two’s conflict is wondering if he did that out of actual compassion or because he knew Tommy would have done far more damage as a martyr. Everyone gets to grapple with how little the work they poured their lives into mattered now that Alpha is gone.

Et cetera, et cetera. Sorry I didn’t talk about Chemist, maybe he’ll have his own post. Man is his own mess that doesn’t even become plot relevant until Star of Sirrah.

[sapphodera]

Juno Shepard as a Companion

From the template by @luckyspacerabbit! Putting under a cut because this is long.

Name: Juno Friedmann

Alias: The Ghost

Birthdate: 5/11/2154 (31 yrs) 

Class, Specialization: Infiltrator; Sniping and Reconnaissance 

Weapons: Sniper Rifles, Heavy Pistols

Powers:

Active: 

Tactical Cloak - Juno can employ a light-bending technology that renders her invisible for a limited time, at the cost of health and shield regeneration.

Rank 4 Evolution: 

Option 1: Shadow Shield - While Juno’s tactical cloak is active, the rest of the squad gets boosted shield capacity and regeneration. 

Option 2: Wraith - Juno’s weapon damage doubles when her tactical cloak is active. 

Decoy - Juno places a flashing decoy that mimics the glare of a sniper’s scope. This will distract and confuse hostiles, drawing fire away from the real Juno. 

Recon Drone - Juno deploys a cloaked reconnaissance drone, which will highlight enemies and make their silhouettes visible through walls and cover.  

Passive: 

Phantom Soldier - Juno’s extensive training and experience increases her hardiness and stamina. Cooldown times are reduced and Juno’s health is boosted. 

Armor: 

Pre-Loyalty: Juno wears light armor to maximize her mobility. She wears armor plating over her boots and kneecaps. Her shirt and pants are made of high strength fabric, with additional padding. A harness and belt keeps her guns and ammo together. She also wears a cloak made of camo-patterned fabric. A neutral color scheme makes it easier for her to blend into her surroundings. 

Post-Loyalty: Her outfit is recolored into an all black color scheme, with the addition of a long-sleeve undershirt. Her cloak is gone, and she has a line of black face paint under each eye. 

Origin: Ex-Alliance

Codex Entry: Juno Friedmann, a human sniper, was the child of two Systems Alliance officers. Her mother, a soldier, and her father, a pilot, raised Juno on various space stations and ships as their postings changed. At eighteen, Juno followed in her parents footsteps and enlisted. 

Juno proved to be a capable soldier, eventually becoming an N7. She was on track to becoming a commander when her ship was attacked by a group of pirates. Despite the crew calling for support, Juno was the only survivor. After learning that their backup was delayed due to prioritizing the escort of a retired general, Juno left the Alliance. 

Eventually Juno put her skills to work and became a vigilante. Traveling across the galaxy, Juno hunted down and killed those who she believed harmed the innocent. An excellent survivalist and marksman, Juno would often track her targets for weeks across remote lands before eventually killing them at long range. Her enemies and admirers alike nicknamed her the Ghost, due to her anonymous identity and the fact she was rarely spotted. 

Psychological Profile: Sole Survivor

Codex Entry: Shortly after graduating from the N7 program, Juno’s crew was assigned to transport a shipment of element zero to an Alliance research base. Pirates attacked the ship, attempting to steal the high-value cargo. Juno contacted a nearby Alliance vessel for backup, but they delayed in helping in order to secure a retired Alliance general’s transport to the same research base. When they eventually did arrive, Juno was the only member of the crew left. She survived by hiding in the ship’s maintenance shafts, where she remained undetected when the pirates boarded the ship. 

Due to the commander of the ship sacrificing herself by intentionally setting off a grenade inside the vessel, all the pirates were killed. Juno and the element zero were recovered by the other Alliance ship. When she learned why their backup was delayed, Juno resigned from the Alliance. 

Recruitment Dossier Text:

The Ghost

- Expert crack sniper 

- Capable of surviving in harsh wilderness

- Uses sniper rifles and recon to track targets and kill them at long range

A woman believed to be the Ghost was spotted helping a wounded man outside the colony Perseverance. Intel shows that she intends to kill the colony’s leader, who is hiding information about the planet’s volatile storms. 

Recruitment Mission ME2: 

Juno is recruitable in the first round of dossiers, along with Garrus, Mordin, etc. 

Shepard and their two squadmates will be sent to the planet Ontarom (the one from ME1 with the space cows). 

When the squad touches down Shepard will be free to explore a grassy clearing on a large, rocky hill. It overlooks Perseverance. Here, you can again encounter the Shifty Looking Cow. Eventually the squad will come across the remains of a fire and a dead space cow. EDI will conclude that the animal was killed less than 48 hours ago, and that the Ghost probably used it as a food source. 

At this point the squad will be attacked by a pack of wild animals. After dispatching them, the squad will come across a small cave. Going inside will result in discovering a colonist who injured himself when rock climbing. He will unintentionally reveal that the Ghost helped care for his wound, after which Shepard can interrogate him for more information. 

Charm: “If you just tell us where she went, I’ll contact your colony and have them get you out of here.”

Intimidate: “Do you want me to report you to your colony officials for interfering with the business of a Spectre?” 

Both methods of interrogation will result in the colonist telling Shepard what direction the Ghost went in. He will also suggest that Shepard remain hidden, as the Ghost will see the squad approach and likely shoot them upon discovery. 

When Shepard emerges from the cave and follows the path that the colonist suggested, they will find themselves in another clearing surrounded by cliffs, which also overlooks the colony. The glint from the Ghost’s scope will be visible. 

To approach the Ghost, Shepard has two options: They can sneak up on her, or walk into the clearing alone and fall when the Ghost hits them, as Shepard’s shields and armor will protect them from becoming seriously injured. If you sneak up on her Shepard will hold her up themself, or if Shepard plays dead their squadmates will. Regardless, the Ghost will surrender once she’s been captured. Her appearance is hidden by the recon hood she wears. 

The Ghost: “You’re not colonists. Who the hell–you’re Commander Shepard! Shit, I guess the rumors really were true. You here to arrest me?”

Shepard: “That depends. Do you want to help me solve a problem the Alliance is ignoring?”

The Ghost: *Laughs* “Like I’d work for Cerberus. You don’t think I know what they’ve done? Do you know how many of them I’ve killed?”

Charm: “Entire colonies are going missing, and the Alliance doesn’t care. Cerberus does. We’re going to find out what happened to them and stop it.”

Intimidate: “Whole colonies–men, women, children–are disappearing. Cerberus is going to put a stop to it because the Alliance won’t. Do you want to help, or stand idly by?” 

After some more convincing, the Ghost will explain that she’ll consider joining Shepard but her business on this planet is still unfinished. She explains that she intends to kill the colony’s president, who is hiding how dangerous the planet is in order to keep the colony profitable. When he is killed, the Ghost’s contact will be able to reveal new research that suggests the planet’s storms will quickly become much more dangerous than expected. 

At this point Shepard can either refuse to help her (which will result in Shepard leaving and the Ghost not being recruited) or agree to help her. The Ghost will give Shepard the controls to her drone (named “Spot”), which is capable of scanning lifeforms and drawing their attention with a speaker. The drone, which has its own tactical cloak, will not be spotted by the colonists. 

This will put the player in a sort of minigame, where the screen will show the drone's camera. The player will then have to maneuver the drone throughout the colony until they identify the target. Then the player will use the drone’s speaker (which plays an Asari pop song) to draw the target outside. At this point, the Ghost will eliminate the target with a headshot. 

As the Normandy’s shuttle touches down, the Ghost will remove her hood and tell Shepard her real name: Juno. At this point, Shepard can ask her questions. 

>Why did you leave the Alliance?

Ans: My ship was transporting eezo when pirates attacked. We called for a nearby vessel to back us up, but by the time they arrived I was the only one left. Later, I found out the reason they took so long. They decided it was more important to finish escorting a retired general before helping us. I resigned right then and there. 

>Why did you risk giving up your position to help that colonist?

Ans: *Shrugs* He was hurt. What was I supposed to do, let the animals eat him? 

>What happens to the colony now?

Ans: I don’t know. A lot of people will probably leave. It might become a ghost town. But I think that’s a lot better than innocents dying in a freak storm just to pad the wallet of some politician. 

As they board the shuttle, Shepard asks one more question:

Shepard: “This is a suicide mission. I don’t want you unless you’re serious about this.”

Juno: “Don’t worry, Commander. I’m already a ghost.” 

Where Are They On The Ship ME2:

Juno joins Kasumi in the port observation deck. Juno has rearranged the cushions on the other couch into a fort, where her sleeping bag lies. A small stack of books and a datapad are next to it. Spot hovers nearby. During cutscenes with Juno, Kasumi will be absent (or cloaked). 

Between missions, she can be asked about:

Her time in the Alliance

Why she left

Her old commander

Her parents

Her time as a vigilante

Any interesting stories?

Why the mask?

Her sense of justice

Her distrust of authority

Her empathy for those ignored by authority

Her rifle

A Normandy upgrade that will allow it to remotely hack Alliance ships—Juno explains she found it on a job. 

Loyalty Mission: 

Kelly: “Juno said she wants to speak to you as soon as possible.” 

When speaking with Shepard, Juno will ask that they go to Illium so she can buy an illegal mod for her rifle. If prodded further, Juno will dodge Shepard’s questions. After the Normandy docks on Illium, Juno is nowhere to be found. EDI informs Shepard that she has already left the ship. After leaving the Normandy, Shepard will question the Nos Astra Concierge, who tells them that she saw Juno steal an empty taxi shuttle and fly off. 

At this point, Shepard will get a message from Juno on their omni-tool reading: I have some business to deal with. Alone. Don’t worry about me. 

EDI gains access to the taxi company’s records and manages to track the shuttle. She tells Shepard it has left the planet and is currently headed towards an Alliance cruiser, the SSV Amsterdam. EDI discovers that Juno’s father, Marcus Friedmann, is currently assigned as its pilot. EDI will also play a message that Juno recently received: 

Female Voice: “This is a message to the Ghost. I’m on your father’s ship. Come and face me, or he dies.” 

Male Voice: “Juno, don’t—” [The message abruptly ends.]

Shepard will try to contact the Amsterdam, but EDI will report that the ships’ comm system has been shut down and none of their messages will get through. Shepard can then decide to travel to the Amsterdam, which has stopped moving and can be found near Illium. Shepard can also ignore the quest entirely, and after the suicide mission it will no longer be available and Juno won’t ever come back. 

If Shepard does choose to pursue the Amsterdam, Joker will get in close using the Normandy’s stealth systems and Shepard will board the ship via shuttle. If Shepard used Juno’s Normandy upgrade, they can enter the ship stealthily. Otherwise, they will have to brute-force it. If Shepard enters loudly or is caught while infiltrating, they will be attacked by Batarians. 

Exploring the ship, Shepard can find that the ship’s crew has locked themselves in the crew quarters. After killing the Batarians trying to open the door, Shepard can speak to the crew. The crew will explain that the ship was boarded by Batrian pirates, who immediately stormed the bridge. The rest of the crew escaped to the crew quarters, where they saw on monitors that Juno boarded the ship and was escorted to the bridge by the Batarians. 

Once Shepard reaches the bridge, they can pass a renegade or paragon check to get the Batarians to let them in, or just kill them. Inside, they will find the bridge crew being held hostage by the pirates. Juno’s father has been knocked unconscious. Juno and a Batarian woman are equipping their weapons. 

Juno will be shocked by Shepard’s presence, and be angry at them for coming to save her. Upon Shepard demanding one, Juno will explain the situation. Years ago Juno killed a Batarian pirate by shooting him through the eyes, which is a huge insult in Batarian culture because they believe the dead’s soul leaves through the eyes. Juno was unaware of this. Now, the pirate’s partner (the Batarian woman) has taken the ship hostage and has forced Juno in a duel to the death. The Batarian woman, named Tasli, aims to kill Juno in the duel as it would be an “honorable killing” as opposed to just executing her. Tasli says she will let the Amsterdam’s crew go after the duel (but not before looting the ship, of course). 

Despite Shepard’s protests, Juno insists on going forward with the duel without Shepard’s help. She only asks that Shepard make sure Tasli honors her promise of letting the crew go. 

Tasli and Juno make their way to opposite sides of the cargo bay and the duel commences. Both make use of the cargo cover and try to shoot the other without being spotted. EDI will tell Shepard she has hacked the Amsterdam’s system, and that she can manipulate the electronics in the cargo bay to work in Juno’s favor (ex. using a crane to move the cargo Talsi is hiding behind). 

Regardless of Shepard’s actions, Juno will shoot Talsi in the leg and disarm her. Juno will get close to her for the kill, at which point Shepard can talk to her via comms. Talsi begs Juno to kill her so she can be with her partner again. 

If Shepard helped Juno using the crane and tries to convince her not to kill Talsi: Juno shoots Talsi in the heart. She is not loyal. 

If Shepard helped Juno but lets her kill Talsi without protest: Juno shoots Talsi in the heart, and then admonishes Shepard for helping her. 

If Shepard explains they didn’t want Juno to get herself killed: Juno is loyal. 

If Shepard retorts that participating in the duel was a stupid idea: Juno is not loyal. 

If Shepard did not help Juno but asks her to spare Talsi, or if Shepard did not help Juno and lets her kill Talsi without protest: Juno shoots Talsi in the heart. Juno is loyal. 

The Batarians will leave without protest and take Talsi’s (along with any more of their comrades) body with them. The Amsterdam’s crew is picked up by a passing Alliance ship. After the mission, Juno will remark that she was surprised that Shepard came to try and help her. She will reluctantly thank Shepard for doing so. When asked about him, Juno will say that her father is recovering well, and that she will make a point to talk to him often even if he is mad at her for dueling Talsi. 

Suicide Mission: 

Juno will not survive being the Vent Specialist, or either Fireteam Leader, even if she is loyal. She will survive the Crew Escort as long as she is loyal, otherwise she will die protecting the crew. Juno will almost always die on the Suicide Mission if she is not loyal. 

Romance: Juno is only a romance option for female Shepards. However, she has very strict morals. If Sheaprd makes a significant amount of choices she disapproves of (see below) she will refuse to romance Shepard (or break up with them if their relationship is already established).

♡ Lock in Conversation: (If Shepard chooses to flirt with Juno throughout their conversations) In the last cutscene with Juno before the suicide mission, Juno can be found at the observation deck, staring into space. 

Shepard: “What are you doing?”

Juno: “Just…looking at the stars. Reminds me of when I was a kid.” She touches the glass. “I spent a lot of time looking out of ship windows.” 

Shepard: “Do you know any of the constellations?” 

Juno: “Not in this part of the galaxy. But I spent a summer on Earth once, and my dad taught me some. Canis Major, Leo, Orion…I’ve been thinking about my parents a lot lately.” 

Option 1: “So have I.” → Shepard and Juno talk about their families. 

Option 2: “You should give them a call.” → Juno says it’s too late to reach them before the mission. 

Option 3: “You need to focus on the mission.” → Juno agrees, and assures Shepard she’s ready for the suicide mission. 

Option 4 (Romance): Shepard places their hand on top of Juno’s. “I’ve been thinking about the people important to me, too.” 

Juno: She pulls her hand away. “Shepard…”

Shepard: “What’s wrong?”

Juno: “I…we can’t do this. For both our sakes.”

Shepard: “What’s wrong?”

Juno: “We’re going on a suicide mission. We’re going to die. There’s no point in this.” 

Option 1: “We’re not going to die.” 

Juno: *scoffs* “You seriously believe that?”

Shepard: “I’m going to give it my best shot.” 

Option 2: “You’re right. This was a mistake.” (Romance terminated)

Option 3: “All the more reason we should have some fun before we die.”  

Juno: “That’s not how I work, Shepard.”

Shepard: “We still have a chance to make each other happy.” 

Juno: “Look, if by some miracle we both make it out alive, we can have this conversation again. Until then…good luck.”  

Option 1: “Good luck to you too, but you were right. Let’s not do this.” (Romance terminated) 

Option 2: “Then once the Collectors are dead, you can tell me about the constellations again.” (Romance locked-in) 

Option 3: “I don’t want luck. I want you.” Shepard caresses Juno’s face, and they kiss before Juno pulls away after a couple seconds. (Romance locked-in)  

Juno: “Shepard, I…I really hope you make it.” She turns back to the window. “I’ll see you at the Collector base.” 

♡ Romance Scene: If both Shepard and Juno survive the mission, Juno will tell Shepard that they should talk in Shepard’s quarters. When Juno arrives, she is wearing a t-shirt and cargo pants and carrying a bottle of champagne. 

Juno: “Sorry. I don’t own any nice clothes.”

Shepard: “I don’t mind.”

Juno smiles. “Luckily this champagne is nicer. I got from a Volus as a thank-you for ‘escorting’ some creeps out of his bar. I’ve been saving it for a special occasion.” Juno pours two glasses, one for herself and one for Shepard. “In the Alliance, we’d used to treat ourselves to a drink after a mission well done…never anything this fancy though.” 

Shepard: “I think we both deserve it.” 

Juno: “Since the Alliance, I haven’t really had anyone to drink with…anyone to care about.” 

Shepard tries to say something, but Juno interrupts them. “Shepard, It’s hard for me. Having people I care about. Loving people always seems to end in pain. But with you…” Juno takes both of Shepard’s hands in hers. “I’d like to try.” 

Option 1: “So do I.” → Juno and Shepard kiss. Juno wraps her arms around Shepard and the scene fades to black. 

Option 2: “I’d like to try a few things with you.” → Juno responds, “Oh really?” They begin making out and accidentally spill some of the champagne. The scene fades to black. 

♡ Can be Rekindled in ME3: Yes

♡ Mordin Advice: Human on human sexual activity, not a mystery. Juno? Personally, a mystery to me. Can’t provide much help besides the basics. I suggest you discover things for yourself. That’s part of the fun, yes?

♡ Kasumi Commentary: “I know that Juno can take care of herself, but if you hurt her I can’t be held responsible for my actions.” / “What have you done to that girl? I saw her actually smile today! At nothing! She was just walking around, smiling!” / “I hope you don’t mind Spot. She cares about that thing like it’s a real pet.” 

♡ If Unromanced: If neither Samara or Juno are romanced, they will engage in slightly flirty dialogue with each other. In ME3, they will be in a relationship. 

Citadel DLC:

Message to Meet:

Shepard, 

Come meet me at the strip when you have time. Joker told me about this place I want to check out with you. 

--- Juno

Friend Date:

Juno meets Shepard outside a club on a strip. Instead of her usual armor, she’s wearing a simple t-shirt and cargo pants with combat boots. 

Juno: “Hey.” [Juno looks side to side, and has her arms crossed. She taps her foot on the ground.]

Shepard: “You look...relaxed.”

Juno: “I just I…never know what to do with myself on shore leave! Usually I’d just pass the time by reading or going to the shooting range, but Joker said this place would really ‘loosen me up.’”

Shepard: “A club doesn’t really seem your style.” 

Juno: “That’s what I said, but Joker insisted I’d like it.” 

Juno and Shepard enter the club, skipping the line due to Shepard’s status. When they get in it becomes immediately clear that it is an Asari strip club. Dancers with various amounts of clothes dance onstage, while an elaborate light show and club music plays. 

Juno: “*laughs nervously* This isn’t what I was, um, expecting…”

Shepard: “Of course Joker recommended it…”

Juno: “We could, uh, just get a coffee or something instead…” 

Shepard then has the option to leave and get coffee with Juno, or stay at the club. If they choose to leave, a cutscene then plays of the pair having a pleasant conversation at a cafe. If they choose to stay, a cutscene plays where they watch the strippers, drink at the bar, accidentally walk into a private room and then run out, and dance. Juno lets loose, and appears to be having a good time. 

Apartment Date:

Juno will arrive with Samara and will people watch with her, along with telling stories of her own time as a vigilante. If Shepard is in a relationship with Samara, Juno will announce “I think I better get going” and leave as things get flirty. If Shepard romances Juno, they will kiss after Samara leaves. If neither Juno or Samara are romanced, Shepard will catch them holding hands when they think Shepard isn’t looking.

Shadowbroker DLC:

Terminal Messages: 

Message 1: VOICE MESSAGE FROM LT. ALIX HARRIS, SENT MARCH 3RD 2182

Lt. Alix Harris: “Hey Juno. It’s me, Harris. I just wanted to check in on you…I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now. But we don’t have to talk about any of that. It’s just…we haven’t really talked since it happened. You haven’t talked with anyone, actually. You can’t shut yourself off like this…me and the guys are really worried. Please just…call me back when you get a chance, okay? I want to see my friend again.”

[The message was never replied to, but has been replayed many times] 

Message 2: SCHEDULED MESSAGE TO HANNAH AND MARCUS FRIEDMANN 

Dear Mom and Dad, 

If you’re reading this, I’m dead. I’m sorry. Better you hear it from me than Alliance Brass right? Don’t be too upset. I’ve been killing for as long as I can remember. It was only a matter of time until it caught up to me. If any of my stuff is left, you guys get all of it. Not like anyone else is gonna want it anyway. Don’t blame yourselves. You did a good job. Take care of each other. 

I know you want to know why. I did it to protect people. Better it’s me over them. 

Love,

Juno

Shadowbroker Comment: “Thank you for bringing the Ghost, T’Soni. Her head will go for a high price.” 

Comments on Shepard’s Driving: “I think I’m gonna throw up…” 

Opinions:

Friends: Tali, Garrus, Samara, Kasumi, Legion, Liara, EDI, Ashley, Joker, Traynor

Neutral: Kaidan, Mordin (ME3), Wrex, Grunt, Jacob, Miranda (ME3), Jack, Thane, Cortez, Kelly

Enemies: Mordin (ME2), Zaeed, James, Javik, Miranda (ME2)

Decisions They Approve Of:

Killing Morinth

Preserving Maelon’s data

Shutting down project Overlord

Curing the Genophage

Sparing the Rachni queen

Helping the Quarians win Rannoch/brokering peace between the Quarians and the Geth

Decisions They Disapprove Of: 

Killing Samara

Sacrificing the refinery workers in Zaeed’s loyalty mission

Letting project Overlord continue

Faking the Genophage cure

Punching Khalisah

Helping the Geth win Rannoch

Comments on Cerberus: “I first heard about them when I was still Alliance. I won’t lie to you, Shepard. Their ‘humans first’ agenda makes me nervous. You know it's just a matter of time before only certain types of humans are first, right?” 

Comments on the Alliance: “They have their priorities skewed. All big organizations do. They get founded on some nice virtue and then, as it grows, the message gets muddled. That’s why I prefer to work alone.”

Comments on the Reapers: “I have no idea how we’re going to stop them. I guess that’s not my problem though, is it? Do you think a bigger rifle would help?” 

Comments about other Squadmates:

Samara: “Now, Samara is someone I like having on my side. I wish I had known her earlier. Between her biotics and my gun, we’d be unstoppable.” (If both unromanced) “Together, we could make a real difference. *Sighs* Maybe when this is all over…” 

James: “He reminds me of the boys in training. They’d say the grossest shit, but one good punch to the jaw and they’d shut right up. He’s the same.”

Zaeed: “I hope Cerberus is paying him a lot, because he won’t hesitate to stick a knife in your back for a few credits more.”

Kasumi: “I’ve stolen a few things here and there, but nothing as impressive as she has. She lets me borrow her books too. So I do like her, even if she does spy on me.” 

Jack: “She was cold to me at first, but after I told her the story of how I shot the dick off a batarian trafficker, I think we’ve reached an understanding.” 

Mordin: (ME2) “I don’t care how the hell he justifies it, the genophage was wrong. Salarians sure can be cunning bastards.” (ME3) “At least he’s trying to fix his past mistakes. That’s more than most would do.”

Jacob: (ME2) “I get why he left the Alliance. I guess he’s not so bad, for Cerberus.” (ME3) “I’m glad he realized what Cerberus really is. I hope he’s doing well.” 

Miranda: (ME2) “I feel sorry for her. Cerberus took her in, and then the Illusive Man groomed her into being his perfect, obedient pet.” (ME3) “Oh, I’d love to see the look on the Illusive Man’s face when he realized she turned against him. Being his right hand man and then joining the other side? That’s one way to stick it to Cerberus.” 

Grunt: “Krogans are such a pain to kill. If you want to down them in one go, you have to use an anti-material rifle and get them right in the eye. Good thing he’s on our side.”

Thane: “I don’t think you get a free pass on murder even if you say a prayer after. Regardless, his skills are impressive. We’d make a deadly pair: one to weaken you from afar, and another to close in for the kill.” 

Legion: “Well, they haven’t tried to shoot me yet, so they’re fine be me. Unless they start stealing my kills. Then we’re going to have a problem.” 

EDI: “The best extranet search engine I know. It doesn’t count as an abuse of power if I keep making her look up Black Widow mods for sale on the darknet, right?” 

Kaidan: “He’s alright. He’s Alliance and a Spectre, so I wouldn’t trust him if it wasn’t for the fact that I don't think he has a single malicious bone in his body.”

Liara: “An information broker, huh? Used a couple of those back in the day. I should ask her what she has on me.” 

Garrus: “He did a good thing, trying to clean up Omega’s mess. Stupid, but well intentioned. I am glad he didn’t get himself killed, though.”

Ashley: “Alliance brat, soldier, poetry lover…she’s a little too much like me. She does know how to party though…” *whistles* 

Tali: “She’s cute. Smart too. I always felt bad for the Quarians. To lose your entire planet…ugh, it makes me sick thinking about it.” 

Wrex: “Krogans don’t usually have a sense of humor, but he's kinda funny. He seems almost well-adjusted. Good thing he’s the one in charge.” 

Javik: “Kind of a dick, yeah? Guess I’d be one too, in his situation.”

Banter:

Joker commentary on recruitment: “Juno seems okay, even if her idea of fun is tracking some bad guy through the mountains and then blowing his head off. If I start seeing a laser on my chest, I’m blaming you, Commander.” 

Joker Comments: “Juno’s actually pretty nice for someone that shoots the dicks off of batarian slavers anytime she gets a chance. Still scares me though.”

Greeting/Default Saying: “Hey.”

How do they Address Shepard: “Shepard”

Combat Phrases: “One down.” / “Hostiles, 12 o’clock!” / (Upon Shepard getting a long-range headshot) “Impressive.”

Low Health: “Cover me!” / “I need first aid!”

Revived: “Thanks.” 

Friendly Fire: “Friendly fire!” / “Back off, Commander!” 

Location Comments: 

Omega: “I’ve tracked a lot of people back here. It’s very vertical, but the alleys make it hard to get a wide view.” 

Illium: “The poor criminals run to Omega, the rich ones run here. It’s always easy enough to snipe someone on Illium. Lots of skyscrapers, and even more big glass windows.” 

The Citadel: “There’s too many people here.” 

Companion Banter:

[Normandy SR-2 Bug Transcript #A23]

Juno: “Samara, could a human ever join the Justicars?”

Samara: “I doubt it. The training itself takes many decades, and biotics are a large part of it. Why? Do you wish to become one?” 

Juno: “No. I was just thinking about how you and I are similar.” 

Samara: “In what ways?” 

Juno: “Well, we don't have anything except our armor and weapons, live by a code of justice, kill those who break it…”

Samara: “Perhaps. I have also killed many people like that.”

Juno: “Well, I’d like to think my code is better than theirs.”

Samara: “I think…if you were an Asari, you would have made a good justicar.” 

[End Transcript]

[Normandy SR-2 Bug Transcript #A19]

Juno: “Spot?”

Spot: *beeps*

Juno: “Who’s my good little drone, hmm? Who’s the cutest, sweetest, little Armali Council reconnaissance-spotter drone?” 

Spot: *beeps*

Juno: “That’s my good Spot. My goodest, cutest, loveliest boy.” 

Kasumi: “Hey Jun–”

Juno: (screams) 

[End Transcript]

[Normandy SR-3 Bug Transcript #H08]

Dr. Chakwas: “You need to take better care of yourself.” 

Juno: “I’m fine. I got worse than this when I was a merc, and I didn’t have a doc to patch me up.” 

Dr. Chakwas: “Yeah, and that’s why you have worse vision in one eye, a twitch in your left knee, ankle pain…”

Juno: “I can deal with it.”

Dr. Chakwas: “Take these pills. One every day.”

Juno: “I don’t have time for—”

Dr. Chakwas: “Do you want me to call your mother?” 

Juno: “...Fine.” 

[End Transcript]

[televisiononchannel43]

Similar to releases in the west, Pac-Man Vs. was a pack-in bonus for the Japanese Gamecube release of R Racing Evolution. However, the game would also have a stand-alone release there as well, as a reward for members of the Club Nintendo loyalty program. The only difference between the two versions is that the Club Nintendo version has the program branding on the disc and packaging.

[icharchivist]

Of course we could consider that Belial's loyalty was programmed into him, but tbh that makes me sad, so let's not go with that. The thought that he was made to be ignored and used is just sad, because he can't help it. The thought that he did it to himself because this is a hell of his own choosing is slightly better, because that means one day he can maybe choose something else.

Besides, WMTSB as a whole is about free will and choices

I can accept that Lucilius added this proclivity to get attached and be incredibly loyal to Belial because it's one of Sahar's attributes that he put on the trash pile, but Belial still chose Lucilius to get attached to. That might be motivated by how he watched Lucifer get treated with favoritism and yearned for that himself, but that's neither here nor there.

But Belial being literally made to desperately love Lucilius is just cruel. And I wouldn't put it beyond Lucilius to essentially create a sentient sex toy who's yearning to be used, only to not use it, ever. But like I said, it's sad. And he seems so genuinely annoyed by it sometimes that I don't think he expected it to get quite so bad. Sure, it would be funny if he created Belial this way and then got upset at his creation doing what he made him to do, there's some irony in there, a bit of "hoist by his own petard".

But I choose to believe that, since we established Lucilius already put so much into Lucifer and Belial, like their evolution purposes, the Sahar stuff and them also needing to fill in for the wedges of light and dark and life and death... They're already serving quadruple duty, I don't think he thought to also add "Loves me desperately" to one of them. Least of all the one that wasn't his clone, y'know.

Yeah i agree honestly. I think with the themes of wmtsb and the irony of Belial saying he doesn't have a choice while he chose to live like that, it's important for Belial's obsession to be his own, not something he was programmed to be. Because it means he always had a way out, he just chose not to.

And it is also more realistic. Because yeah this type of neglect and abuse can lead to be, instead, clinging even more to the one who is making you suffer. Because people don't always cope well with what happens to them.

Especialy since he serves of contrast to Sandalphon and how Lucilius neglected him as well, but how Sandalphon instead worked to break free and find something for himself. They contrast each other in the way they were neglected and used by Lucilius. And it has more weight if they have the same level of free will in this decision.

I do think there is still this idea of the sides of Sahar Lucilius tried to get rid off, that ended up being directed at him. But maybe we can take it as more metaphoric or like, just something that Belial was naturally more susceptible to do because of other attributes, and that it is because Belial developed as his own person that he naturally reproduced this patern from Sahar, without it being literally programmed by Lucilius. Esp as you say, with how Belial could just compare how he was treated differently in order to really have everything alligning for an unhealthy devotion to form.

Also honestly Lucilius creati g a sex toy just in case only to disregard him because he realizes he has no use for him is. Not unlikely. After all, creating something just to make it just in case and discarding it when in faft there was no use to it, js what he did to Sandalphon. I doubt he freated Belial for that tho, but the idea of implemanting something like that in case before realizing he doesnt need it is possible. Thk i reallh do believe Belial's sex characteristics were more another thing that developped organically without much input from Lucilius other than just normal development from socilizjng with someone.

As for Sahar i do think it was something that was so vague to Lucilius thag, perhaps the separation of values was a bit subconscious, like, Lucilius didnt genuinely think of Sahar as a being and his qualities as solid things and stuff. If it makes sense.

But yeah i genuinely think it was more the circumstances of Belial's life and being starved for affection especially from seeing how loved his twin was, like a regular person, that shapped him to what he is today, rather than Lucilius programming all of that directly.

Giving Belial more agecncy so he can screw his own life up on his own terms.

[accelerationcars]

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