#how to fix haptics

[sydneycbdrepaircentre]

Replacing Haptics & Vibration: DIY Smartphone Repair

Replacing Haptics & Vibration: DIY Smartphone Repair – What You Need to Know Before You Begin 📱 Introduction: Why Haptics and Vibration Matter When you type on your phone’s keyboard, receive a silent notification, or use gesture feedback — that’s haptic technology at work. Vibrations aren’t just there for calls; they provide physical feedback, enhance gaming, and offer accessibility features for…

[cheriladycl01]

Kinktober 01/10/2024 Max Verstappen- Voyerism

Plot: Max cannot help but take pictures or videos of you whenever you guys get heated! But what happens when he’s leaving you for a long time.

Warnings: Kinktober, Smut, pillow humping, VOYERISM, masturbation, watched unknowingly etc. 18+ Minors DNI

Max was obsessed with you.

Not in like a creepy stalker way, but in a more … you were his person kind of way.

Every time you came to a race, all he would do is follow you around. His team? Didn’t exist. Christian Horner? Who is that? Sergio Perez? Not sure who you mean.

His interviews were 90% staring at you and 10% listening and answering the interviewer. It actually got to the point, that even though it wasn’t affecting his driving Christian threatened to black-list you from all F1 races.

Max of course didn’t take this lightly.

Due to Max’s obsession with you, when you couldn’t attend race weekends he was sort of lost, just in this limbo area of his mind with nothing to do. Especially if you were doing a modelling gig and didn’t have much time throughout the day to answer him.

So he started to film you, in your more intimate moments to feel closer to you when you were away as the more you started to do, the bigger you were getting and the bigger you got the more you were booked in for.

But it didn’t stop there, once he got to a race weekend and became particularly frustrated he realised how much these videos helped him let off some steam when you weren’t there to help him.

Of course you knew about the videos. It was something fun for you and Max to do to liven up your sex life when you were together.

But then Max became obsessed with the idea of you not knowing when he was playing these videos just for himself. You were unassuming at a shoot, strutting your stuff and he was there tangled up in the sheets of a hotel room in Italy, using one hand to jerk himself off while the other held up his second video of the two of you of the night.

When he would come home, he’d start to watch you get undressed and shower from the crack in the bathroom door that he needed to get fixed but because he felt like he was never home he didn’t ever bother. He would make sure to tell you wrong times that he would get home, just at the off chance he might be able to catch you in a private moment to yourself, hearing those little noises you made and calling out his name as if you knew he was there.

Then came the bedroom camera. Max never told you about this camera, why would he … it was his apartment after all. That’s what he told himself when he was thinking of the idea.

It was one of those motion-activated ones, and he installed it just before a triple header, above the wardrobe in between two show boxes, and unless you were looking specifically for a camera you definitely wouldn’t be able to see it.

“Bye baby I’m going to miss you! Look I’ll try and make it out to your home race. But good luck for the first ones, I love you so so much” you smiled at him kissing all over his face.

“Mmmm I’ll miss you too, don’t know how I’ll last without my gorgeous girl” he sighs before leaving.

But that was a lie, he knew exactly how he would last without you. He knew that camera in the bedroom would make him feel as though he was at home with you. Even if he was just watching you sleep or get changed like he normally did when you both got ready with each other in the mornings.

He waited and waited, pulling his phone out every-time the custom haptic vibration he’d made for the app that linked the camera to his phone so he knew what it was buzzed..

Mostly it was just you doing house chores and bringing washing back to the bedroom to put it away in the closets or changing the bedsheets now that he’d be gone for three weeks so they’d be fresh for when he was back home. He missed you changing the first time because he was out with Lando, Oscar and Charles playing Paddle and his phone was in his gym bag.

He of course rewatched it but he just sort of found it sweet watching you do the same routine you did even when he wasn’t there, only missing out a few steps that normally involved him.

It wasn’t until the night before his first race that he was laying in his hotel room, exhausted from the day he’d had in qualifying and staying late to train on the sim against the teams orders that he saw you more intimately on the cameras.

You’d come into the room rather naturally actually. You had a large cup of water with ice and a straw which wasn’t uncommon for you before you went to bed. You then sat on top of the duvet covers with your back propped up with the pillows against the back board as you put something on the TV.

And you pretty much got through the whole film just watching it drinking your water slowly and eating the snacks you’d brought with you.

He saw you get a little fidgety towards the end but you never were one for sitting still for long periods of time. So he didn’t think anything off it and nearly clicked off for the night until you got your phone up.

He immediately saw the bite of your lip as you started scrolling.

He sat up more awake and alert than he had been the last hour of watching you on and off while you watched your film. He was curious about what was on your phone that was making you bite your lip.

However once he heard the audio come from your phone he was all too familiar with what you were watching. It was a video he’d taken during the last time you guys had had sex with one another. He knew immediately because of what he said at the start of the video.

“Are you going to be a good girl for me while I’m gone?” And when he heard himself say that, he could feel something in him stir.

It excited him, the thought that you were just as desperate and needy as he was.

He watched as one hand travelled down into your silk shorts as you spread you legs open giving you easier access. He watched as you hand grazed over you clit, he couldn’t see much right now with those shorts still on but the light airy moan that he heard through the cameras audio was enough to let him know what your fingers had just brushed against.

He couldn’t even really tell if you were just rubbing yourself through your panties or if you’d pulled them to the side and he wanted to know more. He wanted and needed to see more.

When you made that face, the one where something stated to feel really good that’s when he knew you’d dipped your fingers in a little further, only to test the waters. Your legs closed around your hand as he could hear those sweet noises still coming from you.

You attempted to prop the phone up against your knees but he could see your frustration as it kept sliding down at an angle you could view it.

Max was already hard as a rock from just watching you lightly touch yourself but when you spun round so that you were facing away from him, propping the phone up on the top of the headboard and placing a pillow underneath you he pulled himself right out of his pants.

He almost felt like a pervert but he convinced himself if he told you what he’d done or was doing you’d love the idea. He knew you better than you knew yourself.

His hand rubbed quickly up and down his length as he watched you hump a pillow, which was of course one of his usual ones. Your moans came through the camera way clearer than he had expected.

What caught him and nearly had him letting go of that growing feeling was when you moaned his name.

“Max, fuck please” you’d groaned and the camera had picked it up perfectly, his jaw dropped and his hand sped up seeing the stuttering of your hips into the pillow meaning you were also close.

He kept watching you completely obsessed with everything he was seeing.

“Come on baby, come for me” he called and as if you’d heard him you were shaking, moaning and gasping into the other pillows while your hips drove down into the pillow riding out your high.

Max came watching that wet spot grow on your panties from the angle your currently were at. He couldn’t believe that this was only the begging of the night. And when you turned round pulling your underwear off and you went into the special draw by your shared bed, he knew you’d both be in for a long long night.

Taglist:

@littlebitchsposts @hockey-racing-fubol @laura-naruto-fan1998 @22yuki @simxican @sinofwriting @lewisroscoelove @cmleitora @daemyratwst @lauralarsen @the-untamed-soul @thewulf @itsjustkhaos @purplephantomwolf @chasing-liberosis @summissss @gulphulp @starfusionsworld @jspitwall @sierruhhhh @georgeparisole @youcannotcancelquidditch @tallbrownhairsarcastic @ourteenagetragedy @peachiicherries @formulas-bitch @cherry-piee @spilled-coffee-cup @mehrmonga @eiraethh @curseofhecate @alliwantisadonut @dark-night-sky-99 @i-wish-this-was-me @tallrock35 @butterfly-lover @barnestatic @landossainz @darleneslane @barcelonaloverf1life @r0nnsblog @ilove-tswizzle @laneyspaulding19 @malynn @landosgirlxoxo @marie0v @yourbane @teamnovalak @nikfigueiredo @fionaschicken @0picels0 @tinydeskwriter @ironmaiden1313 @splaterparty0-0 @formula1mount

[mariacallous]

Automakers that nest key controls deep in touchscreen menus—forcing motorists to drive eyes-down rather than concentrate on the road ahead—may have their non-US safety ratings clipped next year.

From January, Europe’s crash-testing organization EuroNCAP, or New Car Assessment Program, will incentivize automakers to fit physical, easy-to-use, and tactile controls to achieve the highest safety ratings. “Manufacturers are on notice,” EuroNCAP’s director of strategic development Matthew Avery tells WIRED, “they’ve got to bring back buttons.”

Motorists, urges EuroNCAP’s new guidance, should not have to swipe, jab, or toggle while in motion. Instead, basic controls—such as wipers, indicators, and hazard lights—ought to be activated through analog means rather than digital.

Driving is one of the most cerebrally challenging things humans manage regularly—yet in recent years manufacturers seem almost addicted to switch-free, touchscreen-laden cockpits that, while pleasing to those keen on minimalistic design, are devoid of physical feedback and thus demand visual interaction, sometimes at the precise moment when eyes should be fixed on the road.

A smattering of automakers are slowly admitting that some smart screens are dumb. Last month, Volkswagen design chief Andreas Mindt said that next-gen models from the German automaker would get physical buttons for volume, seat heating, fan controls, and hazard lights. This shift will apply “in every car that we make from now on,” Mindt told British car magazine Autocar.

Acknowledging the touchscreen snafus by his predecessors—in 2019, VW described the “digitalized” Golf Mk8 as “intuitive to operate” and “progressive” when it was neither—Mindt said, “we will never, ever make this mistake anymore … It’s not a phone, it’s a car.”

Still, “the lack of physical switchgear is a shame” is now a common refrain in automotive reviews, including on WIRED. However, a limited but growing number of other automakers are dialing back the digital to greater or lesser degrees. The latest version of Mazda’s CX-60 crossover SUV features a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, but there’s still physical switchgear for operating the heater, air-con, and heated/cooled seats. While it’s still touch-sensitive, Mazda’s screen limits what you can prod depending on the app you’re using and whether you’re in motion. There’s also a real click wheel.

But many other automakers keep their touchscreen/slider/haptic/LLM doohickeys. Ninety-seven percent of new cars released after 2023 contain at least one screen, reckons S&P Global Mobility. Yet research last year by Britain’s What Car? magazine found that the vast majority of motorists prefer dials and switches to touchscreens. A survey of 1,428 drivers found that 89 percent preferred physical buttons.

Motorists, it seems, would much prefer to place their driving gloves in a glove compartment that opens with a satisfying IRL prod on a gloriously yielding and clicking clasp, rather than diving into a digital submenu. Indeed, there are several YouTube tutorials on how to open a Tesla’s glove box. “First thing,” starts one, “is you’re going to click on that car icon to access the menu settings, and from there on, you’re going to go to controls, and right here is the option to open your glove box.” As Ronald Reagan wrote, “If you’re explaining, you’re losing.”

Voice Control Reversion

The mass psychosis to fit digital cockpits is partly explained by economics—updatable touchscreens are cheaper to fit than buttons and their switchgear—but “there’s also a natural tendency [among designers] to make things more complex than they need to be,” argues Steven Kyffin, a former dean of design and pro vice-chancellor at Northumbria University in the UK (the alma mater of button-obsessed Sir Jonny Ive).

“Creating and then controlling complexity is a sign of human power,” Kyffin says. “Some people are absolutely desperate to have the flashiest, most minimalist, most post-modern-looking car, even if it is unsafe to drive because of all the distractions.”

Automakers shouldn’t encourage such consumers. “It is really important that steering, acceleration, braking, gear shifting, lights, wipers, all that stuff which enables you to actually drive the car, should be tactile,” says Kyffin, who once worked on smart controls for Dutch electronics company Philips. “From an interaction design perspective, the shift to touchscreens strips away the natural affordances that made driving intuitive,” he says.

“Traditional buttons, dials, and levers had perceptible and actionable qualities—you could feel for them, adjust them without looking, and rely on muscle memory. A touchscreen obliterates this," says Kyffin. "Now, you must look, think, and aim to adjust the temperature or volume. That’s a huge cognitive load, and completely at odds with how we evolved to interact with driving machines while keeping our attention on the road.”

To protect themselves from driver distraction accusations, most automakers are experimenting with artificial intelligence and large language models to improve voice-activation technologies, encouraging drivers to interact with their vehicles via natural speech, negating the need to scroll through menus. Mercedes-Benz, for example, has integrated ChatGPT into its vehicles' voice-control, but it's far too early to say whether such moves will finally make good on the now old and frequently broken promise of voice-controlled car systems from multiple manufacturers.

In fact, sticking with Mercedes, the tyranny of touchscreens looks set to be with us for some time yet. The largest glass dashboard outside of China is the 56-inch, door-to-door “Hyperscreen” in the latest S-Class Mercedes comprising, in one curvaceous black slab, a 12.3-inch driver’s display, a 12.3-inch passenger touchscreen, and a 17.7-inch central touchscreen that, within submenus, houses climate control and other key functions.

To turn on the heated steering wheel on a Nissan Leaf, there’s an easy-to-reach-without-looking square button on the dashboard. To be similarly toasty on the latest Mercedes, you will have to pick through a menu on the MBUX Hyperscreen by navigating to “Comfort Settings.” (You can also use voice control, by saying “Hey Mercedes,” but even if this worked 100 percent of the time, it is not always ideal to speak aloud to your auto, as passengers may well attest.)

Tesla might have popularized the big-screen digital cockpit, but Buick started the trend with its Riviera of 1986, the first car to be fitted with an in-dash touchscreen, a 9-inch, 91-function green-on-black capacitive display known as the Graphic Control Center that featured such delights as a trip computer, climate control, vehicle diagnostics, and a maintenance reminder feature. By General Motors' own admission, drivers hated it, and it was this seemingly trailblazing feature, along with a reduction in the car's size, that supposedly led to the model's year-on-year sales plummeting by 63 percent.

Buick soon ditched the Riviera’s screen, but not before a TV science program reviewing the car asked the obvious question: “Is there a built-in danger of looking away from the road while you’re trying to use it?”

Reaction Times Worse Than Drunk or High

Screens or not, “motorists shouldn’t forget they are driving [potentially] deadly weapons,” says Kyffin. An average of 112 Americans were killed every day on US roads in 2023, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s most recent full-year statistics. That’s equivalent to a plane crash every day.

Despite the proliferation of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), motor crash fatalities in the United States have increased 21 percent in the past 15 years. Forty thousand people have died on the roads in each of the past three years for which complete federal records are available.

In-vehicle infotainment systems impair reaction times behind the wheel more than alcohol and narcotics use, according to researchers at independent British consultancy TRL. The five-year-old study, commissioned by road-safety charity IAM RoadSmart, discovered that the biggest negative impact on drivers’ reactions to hazards came when using Apple CarPlay by touch. Reaction times were nearly five times worse than when a driver was at the drink-drive limit, and nearly three times worse than when high on cannabis.

A study carried out by Swedish car magazine Vi Bilägare in 2022 showed that physical buttons are much less time-consuming to use than touchscreens. Using a mix of old and new cars, the magazine found that the most straightforward vehicle to change controls on was the 2005 Volvo V70 festooned with buttons and no screens. A range of activities such as increasing cabin temperature, tuning the radio, and turning down instrument lighting could be handled within 10 seconds in the old Volvo, and with only a minimum of eyes-down. However, the same tasks on an electric MG Marvel R compact SUV took 45 seconds, requiring precious travel time to look through the nested menus. (The tests were done on an abandoned airfield.)

Distraction plays a role in up to 25 percent of crashes in Europe, according to a report from the European Commission published last year. “Distraction or inattention while driving leads drivers to have difficulty in lateral control of the vehicle, have longer reaction times, and miss information from the traffic environment,” warned the report.

A Touch Too Far

Seemingly learning little from Buick’s Riviera, BMW reintroduced touchscreens in 2001. The brand’s iDrive system combined an LCD touchscreen with a rotary control knob for scrolling through menus. Other carmakers also soon introduced screens, although with limitations. Jaguar and Land Rover would only show certain screen functions to drivers, with passengers tasked with the fiddly bits. Toyota and Lexus cars had screens that worked only when the handbrake was applied.

With curved pillar-to-pillar displays, holographic transparent displays, displays instead of rear-view mirrors, and head-up displays (HUD), it’s clear many in-car devices are fighting for driver attention. HUDs might not be touch-sensitive, but projecting a plethora of vehicle data, as well as maps, driver aids, and multimedia information, onto the windscreen could prove as distracting as toggling through menus.

“Almost every vehicle-maker has moved key controls onto central touchscreens, obliging drivers to take their eyes off the road and raising the risk of distraction crashes,” EuroNCAP’s Avery tells WIRED. “Manufacturers are realizing that they’ve probably gone too far with [fitting touchscreens].”

“A new part of our 2026 ratings is going to relate to vehicle controls,” says Avery. “We want manufacturers to preserve the operation of five principal controls to physical buttons, so that’s wipers, lights, indicators, horn, and hazard warning lights.” This however does not address the frequent needs for drivers to adjust temperature, volume, or change driver warning systems settings (an endeavor all too commonly requiring navigating down through multiple submenus).

Perhaps unfortunately, it looks like continuing with touchscreens won’t lose manufacturers any of the coveted stars in EuroNCAP’s five-star safety ratings. “It’s not the case that [automakers] can’t get five stars unless they’ve got buttons, but we’re going to make entry to the five-star club harder over time. We will wind up the pressure, with even stricter tests in the next three-year cycle starting in 2029.”

Regardless, Avery believes auto manufacturers around the world will bring back buttons. “I will be very surprised if there are markets where manufacturers have a different strategy,” he says.

“From a safety standpoint, reducing the complexity of performing in-vehicle tasks is a good thing,” says Joe Young, the media director for the insurance industry-backed Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). “The research is clear that time spent with your eyes off the road increases your risk of crashing, so reducing or eliminating that time by making it easier to find and manipulate buttons, dials, and knobs is an improvement.”

Neither Young nor Jake Nelson, director of traffic safety research for AAA, would be drawn on whether US automakers—via the US version of NCAP—would adopt EuroNCAP’s button nudges. “Industry design changes in the US market are more likely to occur based on strong consumer demand,” Nelson says. “It would be ideal to see better coordination between NCAP and EuroNCAP, however, we have not observed much influence in either direction.”

Nevertheless, Nelson agrees that “basic functions, such as climate control, audio, and others, should be accessible via buttons.” He adds that the “design of vehicle technologies should be as intuitive as possible for users” but that the “need for tutorials suggests otherwise.”

For Edmund King, president of the AA (the UK equivalent to AAA), driver distraction is personal. “When cycling, I often see drivers concentrating on their touchscreens rather than the road ahead," he says. "Technology should be there to help drivers and passengers stay safe on the roads, and that should not be to the detriment of other road users.”

Screen Out

The deeper introduction of AI into cars as part of software-defined vehicles could result in fewer touchscreens in the future, believes Dale Harrow, chair and director of the Intelligent Mobility Design Center at London’s Royal College of Art.

Eye scanners in cars are already watching how we’re driving and will prod us—with haptic seat buzzing and other alerts—when inattention is detected. In effect, today’s cars nag drivers not to use the touchscreens provided. “[Automakers] have added [touchscreen] technologies without thinking about how drivers use vehicles in motion,” says Harrow. “Touchscreens have been successful in static environments, but [that] doesn’t transfer into dynamic environments. There’s sitting in a mock-up of a car and thinking it’s easy to navigate through 15 layers, but it’s far different when the car is in motion.”

Crucially, touchscreens are ubiquitous partly because of cost—it’s cheaper to write lines of computer code than to add wires behind buttons on a physical dash. And there are further economies of scale for multi-brand car companies such as Volkswagen Group, which can put the same hardware and software in a Skoda as they do a Seat, changing just the logo pop-ups.

Additionally, over-the-air updates almost require in-car computer screens. A car’s infotainment system, the operation of ambient lighting, and other design factors are an increasingly important part of car design, and they need a screen for manufacturers to incrementally improve software-defined vehicles after rolling off production lines. Adding functionality isn’t nearly as simple when everything is buttons.

Not all screens cause distractions, of course—reversing cameras are now essential equipment, and larger navigation screens mean less time looking down for directions—but to demonstrate how touchscreens and voice control aren’t as clever as many think they are, consider the cockpit of an advanced passenger jet.

The Boeing 777X has touchscreens, but they are used by pilots only for data input—never for manipulation of controls. Similarly, the cockpit of an Airbus A350 also has screens, but they’re not touch-sensitive, and there are no voice-activated controls either. Instead, like in the 777X, there are hundreds of knobs, switches, gauges, and controls.

Of course, considering the precious human cargo and the fact that an A350 starts at $308 million, you can't fault Airbus for wanting pilots' eyes on the skies rather than screens. There are slightly fewer tactile controls in the $429,000 Rolls-Royce Spectre, the luxury car company’s first electric vehicle. There’s a screen for navigation, yes, but also lots of physical switchgear. Reviewing the new Black Badge edition of the high-end EV, Autocar said the vehicle’s digital technology was “integrated with restraint.”

Along with Volkswagen reintroducing physical buttons for functions like volume and climate control, Subaru is also bringing back physical knobs and buttons in the 2026 Outback. Hyundai has added more buttons back into the new Santa Fe, with design director Ha Hak-soo confessing to Korean JoongAng Daily towards the end of last year that the company found customers didn't like touchscreen–focused systems. And, if EuroNCAP gets its way, that’s likely the direction of travel for all cars. Buttons are back, baby.

[lilmissnatcat24]

tee hee (crazy motherfucking electric sheep spoilers seriously this is like THE scene)

He didn’t plan on it when Shepard walked into the Crew Quarters. He wasn’t even supposed to be in there, either. Goldstein was having issues with his haptic interface, and Garrus offered to fix it for him-- offered, not asked, out of whatever goodness was left in his heart-- when the crew got an all-hands on deck call from down in Engineering. Something about FBA couplings not meshing with the arrays, something that would take at least half a dozen people to fix. Garrus offered to work on it in his Quarters while Goldstein went down to try and fix it. He didn’t even have a real excuse to stay in the Quarters. He just didn’t feel like getting up from the chair he had already positioned himself at. He was comfortable. He stayed because he was comfortable, something the Spectres tried to stamp out of him, the illusion of luxury. 

Shepard walked straight in, door slicing shut behind her. Her hair was sopping wet, dripping on the floor in little patter-patters and leaving great big wet patches on the shoulders of her tank. She had this special requisition of shampoo-- she claimed it was a medical necessity, something called dandruff that vaguely sounds like a heart pressure medication-- but really it was because she liked the smell of it. So did Garrus. To be fair, he liked just about everything about Shepard. But that shampoo? Flowers and fruit and a little bit of spice, like she was candy, like he could lean in and take a bite and taste something sweeter than he’d ever tasted before in his life. 

“Oh,” Shepard said, like the breath was already gone from her lungs before she tried to talk. Garrus stood, because he felt it was the right thing to do. She held up the paperback in her hand, the spine completely cracked, the pages bent in all sorts of angles. “Gabby wanted this. But the issue down below and all, I was just gonna leave it on her bunk…” 

He was never going to get another opportunity like this. He knew it, deep in his gut. He couldn’t wait for another opportunity to occur organically like this. Sure, he could knock on the door of her quarters any night. Sure, he could send her a message to her tool that he wanted her to meet in the Battery to discuss some lame excuse to get her alone. But any trail-- paper, electronic, verbal-- could lead Saleon and Elx back to Garrus being the grand mastermind of his escape. And that was something he could not risk. 

Wordlessly, Garrus hurried towards the door behind Shepard. He twisted the interface on the door, locking it from the outside. He didn’t know how long it took to replace FBA couplings, and did not need the distraction of the human crew filtering in and out of their Quarters. 

“What’re you--?” Shepard said. He was so nervous that she sounded distant, as if placed through several voice filters, some recording of an AI pretending to be human. 

“Quiet.” 

For good measure, Garrus took his visor off. He was immediately dizzy, his eyes struggling to adjust as he stuffed it underneath the first pillow he could get to. It wasn’t foolproof, it was so far from it that it was actually laughable. As if fabric could stop Elx and Saleon from hacking its comms and listening in. It felt better than doing nothing. 

“Garrus, what--?” 

“I said shut up.” 

He was in front of Shepard. He was so close, one deep breath and his carapace would hit her chin. She had this knack of making her eyes seem like the biggest things on her face. He couldn’t peel himself from her face as he blindly reached for the book in her hand and tossed it on the ground, the sound of old pages bending almost louder than his heart beating in his chest. Still, somehow, Shepard’s eyes got even bigger. He thought, at that moment, he wouldn’t need to go through with his plan. He could just kiss her instead. Because despite everything the Spectres tried to do to him, it hadn’t stamped out the innate desire he felt to kiss Delia Shepard at every hour of every day. 

“What?” she whispered, not bothering to expand the question into any statement that was longer than one word. One word was all that was really necessary. He wondered if she thought about kissing him, too. If that thought permeated through her brain and her bloodstream until it was the only thing she could think about. Then, maybe, they’d have something in common again. 

[kineticpenguin]

It ain't easy being a mech maintainer. There's absolutely zero respect for our profession. There's always some token chief engineer or some shit in the stories who somehow singlehandedly works miracles to keep you from questioning how this all works. But it ain't like that. And if I ever see a pilot turn a wrench I'll eat my fucking hat.

Listen, a mech's hands are delicate equipment. Yes, they're heavily armored, like every other fucking part of the goddamn things, but the laws of physics still apply. Which means that every time a pilot brags about how they can crush a tank turret in their fist or pick up an egg without cracking it, it means these things are full of sensors, and wiring, and actuators, and haptic feedback processors and it all has to communicate perfectly with a computer before the right signals are sent to the pilot's jackoff suit. Shit's delicate.

So these fuckers go out, heavily beweaponed with the best anti-armor weaponry known to man, missiles, guns, lasers, you name it.

And they fucking punch each other. With these intricately articulated, sensor-laden, networked hands. And they get mad when they don't work right afterward. I swear, someone oughtta let us just swap out those hands for bowling balls. Or better yet, instead of making us fix these things, we just settle disputes with a game of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots because it's the same damn thing at this point.

[blueberrypancakesandmakingout]

Try to listen to Aids Wolf as I step out on the street and it doesn't resonate. I put on Mara MacDonald's "im just one person" again instead.

There's something so deeply haptic about this music, especially the two tracks at the start and the two at the end. Head in your neck, mouth against your ear. The voices recorded on phones held close to lips, the field recordings giving an impression of place, of nearness. The high noise floor turning into fluttering activity. Something creaking, floorboards or an old wooden chair. The wet tsk inside a woman's mouth, inside her consonants as she forms words. The mollusc churning gut of having a crush, heat and gooseflesh spreading across my chest and back, up my neck to my face, the sun slowly dissipating this teething rain. Thin morning chill on my cheeks. Tears kissing my eyes.

Melbourne's been grim while ive been here. Grey and flat as always, some kind of horrid weather event as always, this time a neverending thin rain. I ride my bike from footscray in the dark, the rain mocking down forever, working on my form meaning im trying to engage my core which engages my glutes, im trying to align my feet with my knees, the knee which always hurts starts to hurt. My handlebars aren't aligned properly so one tricep works harder than the other and the opposite wrist hurts from strain (trying to fix my arm form too, means engaging new muscles). I work hard in the rain powering up the capital city trail, abusing my breaks in the wet. I get lost over and over, find the hotel in brunswick eventually, my coat wet outside dry inside, old faithful. On the way back the rain stops, leaving the dark air and chocolate light-polluted sky clear and cold.

That short monologue, a woman recounts being touched by another. I infer they're both trans. The feeling of being touched by someone in a way that makes you feel how you've always wanted to feel, someone whose body is like yours, someone who can make you feel small. (Implicitly, safe from harm, safe from the understanding we build of ourselves as unsafe. As monsters, as enormous bodies soaking up oxygen). I think of that time at the foreshore, i sit on a bench with a leg either side, facing her. Shes wearing a little denim skirt which limits her mobility so she's kneeling in front of me, legs beneath her, which makes her much taller than i in this moment. I wrap my arms around her, tilt my chin to heaven to kiss her and she says "How does it feel, Tiny?" It feels good, girl, it feels good to be small, to be held, to slowly learn I'm both safe and undangerous.

While i've felt lonely, felt this hole in my heart, i've enjoyed footscray. The infinite fish and crabs and cuts of meat of footscray markets. I buy a zataar and a coffee this morning, he charges me $8.80. He asks "is warm OK or do you want extra hot?" Just warm is great. The bread is soft and warm. On my fingers it dances at that edge of burning, edge of too-hot. Every street lined with Vietnamese bakeries. I eat two banh mi in a day as I can't find much else. I eat a taro mooncake, stare at the gorgeous purple flesh. I see my friend in brunswick and we eat, i see my friends in the city and we stare at the ducks in the park. I meet my friends in footscray and we gaze at the Maribyrnong river.

The subject matter of the record is haptic too. We get glimpses into relationships and transition, experiences of hurt, desperation, manipulation, loss, transformation and beauty. They're just fragments but each one brings us so close to these people we can almost touch them. I think this is beautiful because we see into the good and the ugly of relationships from multiple directions. We hear snippets of the desperate suicidality which pushes trans people to action. Snippets of "i miss my ex so much" or "my ex totally lost it and spam texted me when we broke up" or other ugly strained breakup maneuvers, traces of codependence or control. That second last track made me jump, the spiralling panic of that synth work and the alarming unclear recount of a conversation with a partner. What's gaslighting, what's sincere? I'm losing the thread a little here. Time to go maybe. Mara and the other voices on this record are real people, could conceivably find this writing. I hope I've done your work justice.

[pipermca]

Resonance

Author's note: I am not sure what to do with this story. It's a prequel to a fic that I haven't started posting yet, starring some very minor characters from that story. �� But my brain wanted to work on this, so I let it, and this is what came out. However I don't want to post it to AO3 yet because I need it to be a bit separate from the main fic until that one is well underway.

I'm posting this here just to have it down someplace. That way it's out of my hair. Once I start posting the longer, main story, I'll clean this up again and post it to AO3.

Enjoy. :)

Title: Resonance

Rating: PG for descriptions of violence

Tags: Bluestreak/Hound, Bluestreak & Smokescreen, Continuity soup, Post-apocalypse, Soulmate AU

Word count: 5100

Every sensor in Bluestreak's haptic net was tingling. Or that's what it felt like, anyway. And when he attempted to ignore the constant pings from his sensors, all he could feel was his fuel pump thudding away in his chest, or how loud his ventilation systems had become. So instead he put all of his focus on following Smokescreen, and stepping as quietly as he could. But the scattered gravel and broken glass crunching under their pedes sounded like fireworks, and he winced at every stray sound they made.

Bluestreak was so intent on moving as stealthily as he possibly could that he ran into Smokescreen's left sensor wing when he stopped.

"Eep!" Bluestreak squeaked, then clapped a hand over his mouth, his optics wide.

Smokescreen reached out a hand to steady Bluestreak as he reeled backwards. "Good job staying close," he said quietly. He smiled and patted Bluestreak on the shoulder. "But maybe leave just a bit more following distance next time."

"I'm sorry!" Bluestreak whispered, flattening his sensor wings against his back.

"It's all right. Just let me peek down there, and if I don't see anything I'll let you know." Smokescreen pulled out his weapon and slipped into the darkened building they'd been heading towards.

Bluestreak crouched down beside the doorway. He pulled out his own weapon and held it ready, his thumb nervously caressing the trigger. He looked up the street, then down the street, then up above him, over and over. Left. Right. Up. Left. Right. Up.

He hated this. He hated everything about this. They had been forced to venture further and further from their shelter to look for fuel and other supplies, creeping into places where they knew the Quintessons had been seen. There hadn't been any sightings of prosecutors in a few weeks, but with communications down and the city in ruins, they had no way of knowing whether the aliens were just hiding around the next corner. They'd also run into bots like themselves, people just trying to scrape by with what they could find. Most of them had been friendly, and shared information and fuel with them. But others had not been friendly at all.

He felt lost. He felt like they were on their own. Even Primus didn't seem to give a scrap about what happened to them.

As soon as Bluestreak had that thought, he cringed internally and offered up a silent prayer of apology. He knew that there were some things even Primus couldn't fix.

Bluestreak was completing his fourteenth visual sweep of the ruined street when Smokescreen reappeared in the doorway. "It's clear. C'mon," he said, and Bluestreak followed him inside.

Like most of the other stores they'd searched today, this one looked like it had already been looted of anything useful. But Bluestreak started opening cabinets and boxes anyway, hunting for anything they could take. "I don't think we're going to find anything here, Smokey," he said. "This is a waste of time." He knew he sounded petulant. He didn’t care anymore.

"Maybe there's something in the back," Smokescreen said. With a sigh, Bluestreak followed him through the doorway into the rear of the store.

As expected, there wasn't much in the back of the store, either. Bluestreak found a packet of rust crisps in the drawer of a desk, and Smokescreen found five small datapads. He pulled the battery cells from them and slipped those into his compartments. Then he jerked his head towards the back door. "Let's head back up the alley and see if there's any places we missed on this stretch."

He had just come through the door to the alley when Bluestreak saw it: a long black tentacle dangling from the sky above them. Reflexively, he swung his gun up and fired, severing the tentacle so that it fell onto the ground in front of them.

Dropping into a crouch, Bluestreak skittered back into the safety of the doorway, waving his gun back and forth above him, looking for the rest of the prosecutor. Or worse, rest of its argument. But all he could see above him were the bombed-out and crumbling towers that sat above the retail space.

"Where'd it go? Where'd it go?" Bluestreak hissed.

Something touched his shoulder. Bluestreak yelped and spun around. His finger twitched on the trigger, and fired before his processor even registered what he was shooting at...

Smokescreen.

Smokescreen's hand closed firmly around Bluestreak's wrist. "Maybe we're done for today," Smokescreen said quietly, and glanced at the hole in the wall right beside his head.

"Oh. Oh!" Bluestreak dropped his weapon, wincing again as it clattered to the ground. "Oh Primus Smokey, I'm so sorry!"

Smokescreen picked up Bluestreak's gun and tucked it into his compartments. "I'm fine," he said. He gave Bluestreak a smile, but this time it looked forced. "But we should go before someone – or something – comes to see what that noise was."

"The prosecutor!" Bluestreak whirled around again to look at the tentacle he'd just severed from the prosecutor.

Except there was no tentacle. Instead, a length of wires, wrapped with black insulation, lay on the alley floor. One end was torn and bent, obviously ripped from its connector, while the other end was smoking and melted from Bluestreak's blaster shot.

"I thought..." Bluestreak walked a step, then two, into the alley to nudge the cabling with the tip of his pede. "I thought it was..."

"I know. And I understand," Smokescreen said. He put his hand on Bluestreak's shoulder again, this time telegraphing his movements carefully. "It's starting to get late. Let's get back home."

***

Bluestreak sat with his back to a corner with his head buried in his arms. He hoped that if he made himself small enough, no one would notice him there. Inside his chest, it felt like his spark was singing a mournful dirge.

Everything was broken: his job, his life, his planet. Nothing was right. And nothing he did was making anything better.

Maybe he could just put himself into stasis. Someone could wake him up when the world had fixed itself again. But for now, he just wanted to be left alone.

At the sound of a pede scraping the ground purposefully, Bluestreak sighed. He should have known.

"Skyfall found three whole cases of Nukecool. I grabbed a bottle for us to share," said Smokescreen's voice.

"I don't want it."

A pause. "Are you sure? It's the good kind, with the red label. You always told me how much you really liked this flavour."

"You can have it."

Another pause. "Are you all right?"

Bluestreak's reply was sharper than he meant it to be, but who cared? Everything was broken. Maybe he could break his last remaining friendship, too. "No."

Smokescreen slid down the wall to sit next to Bluestreak, and set a bottle down beside him. Bluestreak didn't have to look up to know that Smokescreen was looking at him with that intent expression he always had when he was listening fully and attentively. "Did you want to talk about it?"

"You can't psychoanalyze me out of feeling like... this," Bluestreak said.

"No," said Smokescreen agreeably. "But I can still listen."

"What's the point of talking about how absolutely fracked we are?" Bluestreak lifted his head and looked up at the ceiling of the half-crumbled transport tunnel they were taking shelter in. He gestured with both of his hands, taking in the shadowy walls, the small piles of gathered supplies, and the groups of bots huddled here and there among the scavenged crates. "You've lived through the same things I have. The Quintessons arriving. The attack on the Senate. Praxus losing comms with the rest of the planet, then the invasion coming here, and-" Bluestreak's voice cut off in a warble of feedback, so he shook his head and looked at Smokescreen. He didn't care if his friend saw the streaks of coolant that had been running down his cheeks.

"I definitely remember," Smokescreen said quietly.

"Yeah." Bluestreak blinked several times, trying to clear the image of the Quintesson prosecutors' tentacles smashing through doors and windows of the shops on his street, and dragging out the people they found inside. Bluestreak could still hear the screams of those they took. He remembered watching Treadlight, the paint specialist across the street, get pulled into a prosecutor, shrieking in terror. He remembered scuttling from building to building, trying to avoid the squads of allicons roaming the city. He could still smell the acrid burnt metal of corpses who had been shot in the back as they ran. "And now... I almost killed the only friend of mine I know who's still alive."

"You didn't. I'm still here."

"But I could have! I almost did!" Bluestreak glared at Smokescreen. "So no. I am not 'all right.'"

Smokescreen was silent. When Bluestreak glanced away again, Smokescreen put his arm around Bluestreak's shoulders. "I am sorry. I didn't mean it like that. How about... Are you going to be all right for the moment? Right this second?"

Bluestreak grunted, realizing what Smokescreen was angling for. "Yeah. I guess. I'm not going to start screaming for the Quintessons to come finish us off, like Padlock did." He directed his glare at the ground in front of his pedetips, but leaned into Smokescreen's embrace. "I just feel useless like this, jumping at everything."

"You're not useless," Smokescreen said. "You're really observant. You're good at spotting things that others have missed. You're an excellent shot." When Bluestreak just grunted again, Smokescreen patted his shoulder. "And you're not the only one who's struggling." With his other hand, Smokescreen gestured at the other bots in the tunnel with them. "Everyone here is going through something. No one's been spared. So, you aren't alone in feeling like this."

Bluestreak looked around. Scattor was sitting with a group, but rocked back and forth muttering to himself. Evac stood by the tunnel entrance on guard duty, but flicked his rotors at every little sound. Windrazor sat alone like he always did, staring off into space just like he had ever since his spark resonant was killed. Every single bot in the shelter looked haunted in some way or another.

"I know," Bluestreak said with a sigh. "Thank you for that little reality check."

"Here," Smokescreen said, and handed Bluestreak the red bottle. "This might help, too."

Bluestreak accepted the bottle, and made a small sound of surprise. "It's cold!"

Smokescreen grinned. "Yeah. Glyph broke out some of the chill packs for this. I think it was worth it."

With a happy sound, Bluestreak took a big swig from the bottle. He savoured the familiar flavour, rolling it around in his intake. He sighed happily, then handed the bottle back to Smokescreen. "And what about you? How are you holding up?" When Smokescreen did not immediately reply, Bluestreak added, "You're always so... steady. And I really appreciate that. But you're struggling too, right?" Bluestreak waited while Smokescreen took a drink from the bottle. "But if you need to unload on me, you can."

Smokescreen tipped his head back and rested it on the wall behind him. "All I can think about is how nothing is ever going to be the same," he said. He stared up at the ceiling, expressionless. "Even if the Quints left tomorrow, so much is destroyed now. Buildings. The city. People. And who knows how bad things are outside of Praxus." He closed his optics. "It seems so unreal to me that just a few months ago, everything seemed normal. We knew that the Quints had arrived and there were some negotiations happening in Iacon, but... That was so far away. It was just news and politics. Who cared?" He opened his optics again and looked down at Bluestreak. "That last night, I dragged you out to that horrible movie-"

Bluestreak laughed at the memory. "That was really bad."

"I am sorry. Barricade suggested it. He said that his partner Prowl had really liked it. I should have known better than to trust his judgement about anything art related," Smokescreen said with a grin, then sobered again. "I wonder where they are. I hope they're both all right." He sighed, then continued. "After the movie, we went to The Rusty Strut for drinks, and I remember we got out of there way too late..."

"I was late opening my shop the next day," Bluestreak said.

"Like I said, way too late. And that morning there was news about the attacks in Iacon. Then something about the Senatorial Guard getting decimated. That afternoon, planetary-wide comms went down. And then that evening, just a few hours later..." He shook his head. "Like I said, I can't believe it's only been a few months."

Bluestreak shuddered, and Smokescreen fell silent.

After a few minutes, Smokescreen patted Bluestreak's shoulder again. "Did you want to sing a hymn together?" When Bluestreak sat up and stared at him in surprise, Smokescreen shrugged. "I hear you humming them sometimes, especially when you're feeling really stressed."

"A hymn?" Bluestreak narrowed his optics. "You don't have a religious circuit in your entire frame," he said.

"No. But you do. And if it'll help you feel better, I'm willing to give it a go. Who knows, maybe it'll help me relax, too," Smokescreen said. Then he smiled. "But be forewarned, I am a horrible singer."

With a quiet laugh, Bluestreak said, "That's all right. Primus doesn't care how good of a singer you are. He just cares what's in your spark." He thought for a moment, then said, "Do you know the words to Gather the Sparks? That's the one I think I hum the most."

"Nope," Smokescreen said. "But if you sing it through once, I'll join in the second time around."

***

Bluestreak did not know whether it was the bottle of his favourite drink, or singing a calming hymn, or talking with Smokescreen the previous night that had done the trick, but he definitely felt better in the morning.

Things still felt pretty dire, of course. The shared rations were still slim. Everyone still looked like they were on edge, except for Windrazor, who was still in shock after the loss of his spark resonant. At least Skyfall seemed to be able to get him to take some fuel once in a while.

But this morning, Bluestreak's spark felt lighter. The future didn't seem so dark, somehow. Even the colours of the early morning sky seemed more vivid.

The whole world felt more hopeful.

Smokescreen noticed Bluestreak's new attitude, of course. He had always been tuned into his friends' emotions like that. When Bluestreak didn't have a good explanation for why he was feeling better, Smokescreen shrugged. "I'm just glad to see you smiling again, a real smile this time," Smokescreen said, slapping his friend on the back. "I missed that."

Bluestreak ducked his head, but felt his smile broaden. "Me too."

They were just discussing where they should start their scavenging run for the day when Stakeout tore into the shelter, his tires sending up bits of glass and gravel as he braked.

"What's wrong?" Evac asked, his rotors flaring outwards. He peered down the tunnel. "Are you being chased? Is it Quintessons?"

"No!" Stakeout said, transforming. He looked... Well, he looked elated, an expression that Bluestreak hadn't seen the dour Enforcer wearing before this. "It's the army! They're here! They're setting up a triage center with fuel and doctors and shuttles and everything else in Lucent Plaza." He laughed. "I think we can finally get out of here!"

As excited voices rose around them, Smokescreen spoke over the noise. "Wait... What army? Last we heard the Senatorial Guard got wiped out, and we all saw what happened to the Civil Defense here. Who is actually down in the plaza?"

Stakeout shook his head. "I don't know. The livery on the shuttles is all different. Some of them have Senatorial Guard emblems, some have Vosian insignia, and I saw at least one with a mining company logo. But I saw the people myself, and they're Cybertronians, not Quints."

Smokescreen pulled Bluestreak aside while Evac and the others started making plans to get everyone to the plaza. "Maybe I've just been too stressed for too long, but..." He sighed, a frown twisting the corners of his mouth downwards.

Bluestreak felt the same excitement in his spark that the others in their hideout were expressing, but Smokescreen's frown tempered his reply. "What is it? Do you think that the Quintessons might be using Cybertronians to lure people in just to capture them?" Bluestreak asked.

"Something like that," Smokescreen said with a small smile. "Am I being too paranoid?"

"Maybe a little. Usually being paranoid my job," Bluestreak said, returning Smokescreen's smile. Bluestreak flicked his wings. "But to be safe, let's not go rushing down there. Let's go scope it out first, and then we can decide what to do."

The drive to the plaza was mostly clear, although they needed to detour around two destroyed bridges. They approached from the east, circling to the top of the Torus Bridge that overlooked the plaza.

Even though Bluestreak had felt more and more happy as they'd gotten closer to the plaza, he paused at the top of the bridge and scanned the horizon carefully. Even bombed out like they were, the tall towers of Praxus could still be hiding any number of the smaller ships that the Quintessons used. But the two larger ships, the ones that had hung in the air like coiled razorsnakes over the city for months, were nowhere to be seen.

Bluestreak's elation ratcheted upwards once more.

In the large plaza below them, a dozen shuttles were parked, with bots streaming into the plaza from all directions. It looked like organized chaos, with some bots directing weary Praxian residents where to go, while others helped bots form neat queues in front of various tables. Obviously injured bots were being escorted to one of the ships, while more bots circulated handing out what looked like energon cubes.

All Bluestreak could feel now was an insistent urge to be down there, in the plaza. It felt like an almost visceral pull on his spark.

Smokescreen's sensor wings tipped upwards. "Is it me, or do a lot of the bots down there have the Prime's insignia on their shoulders?"

Bluestreak squinted, then gasped when he confirmed what Smokescreen had seen. "They are! It's the Wing of the Prime! And can see a few Hand members, as well."

"I thought the Hand of the Prime was just... I dunno, protection from paparazzi," Smokescreen said. "And the Wing is just clerics and curates. The Prime is just a religious leader. He doesn't have an army."

"Well, yeah. But maybe they've been, I dunno, training for something like this." Bluestreak gestured at the motley array of vehicles in the plaza. "And they obviously have some help, right?" His wings quivered behind him as he peered at Smokescreen. "Do you believe now that they aren't really Quintessons trying to trick us into getting ourselves captured?"

"Yeah. I believe it now." Smokescreen backed away from the edge of the bridge. "And I can practically feel you vibrating with excitement. Let's get you down there before you blow a relay," he added with a laugh.

The pull on Bluestreak's spark got even more insistent when they entered the plaza. A red-plated truck waved them down at the perimeter path. "Do you need medical care, or fuel?" he asked. His shoulders bore the insignia of the Prime's Hand.

"No. We're fine, thankfully," Smokescreen said. "Honestly we're just looking to get out of here." He glanced skyward. "Are the Quints really gone?"

The red bot gave a half shrug. "They peeled out of here about a week and a half ago. No idea why. We waited to make sure they were really gone before moving in." He gestured at the ships. "As soon as we were sure, the Prime gave us orders to get as many people to safety as we can. If there are more here than we can carry, we'll call for more ships. But we will get everyone who wants to leave out."

"Where to?" Smokescreen asked.

"We've got a couple of bases set up, places where we can regroup and figure out how to fight back." The red-plated guard pulled himself to his full height. "We're gonna take Cybertron back from those squidbrains, one way or another."

Bluestreak listened to the exchange impatiently, scanning the crowd behind the Prime's guard. He didn't want to leave, not yet. What he wanted to do was drive through the crowd. He wanted to see all the people here.

...Which was weird. Bluestreak normally hated crowds. As Smokescreen thanked the guard, Bluestreak shook his head to clear that thought. Seeing everyone here was more important than his dislike of crowds.

The moment Smokescreen turned away from the guard, Bluestreak grabbed his hand and pulled him forward, into the crowd.

"Whoa, Blue, where are we going?" Smokescreen asked. "The bot back there said that the signups for an evacuation flight are over that way."

"I want to go this way," Bluestreak said, his optics scanning bots they passed. He wasn't sure what - or who - he was looking for. All he knew was that he'd know them when he saw them.

Smokescreen laughed. "You're acting like you found your spark resonant or something."

Bluestreak barely even heard Smokescreen as he wove around groups of bots, tables of supplies, and ramps of shuttles. He knew that this was the direction he needed to go in to find...

...? What was he looking for?

Bluestreak slowed as they circled around the landing gear of a squat, utilitarian transport. As they came out the other side, his optics landed on a boxy green truck. The truck was helping a blue Vosian load boxes into the bed of a hauler.

When he stopped and looked up, the truck's gaze met Bluestreak's immediately.

He had the bluest optics Bluestreak had ever seen. And when he smiled, Bluestreak's processor could only catalogue the way it made the truck's optics crinkle up at the corners, and how kind it made him look, and how much Bluestreak wanted to have that smile directed at him forever and ever.

Bluestreak was suddenly standing in front of the green bot. He didn't remember walking over to him.

Smokescreen was talking to someone behind him. "I'm sorry, I know we're probably not supposed to be back here, but my friend-"

"I'm sure we can help you out," said another voice. "And I think I know what's going on." Bluestreak assumed it was the Vosian talking. But that wasn't important now.

"I know you, I think," the green bot said. His voice thrilled Bluestreak's audials, as though he'd always wanted to hear this voice in particular. The green bot held out his hand, and Bluestreak reflexively reached out his own. "I'm-"

Their hands touched.

As soon as their fingers made contact, something surged inside Bluestreak's spark. The excited twirl that his spark had been doing all morning suddenly swirled into a dance, weaving a complex design with another, matched spark. From that dance rose a song, a joyful anthem of celebration. And for each note that Bluestreak's spark sang, the harmony was sung by its mate.

"Oh," said the green bot softly. His smile grew, as did the brightness of his optics.

That single word sent Bluestreak's spark into another burst of radiant joy.

Smokescreen was saying something, but Bluestreak wasn't listening. He wanted the green mech to speak again.

"I'm Bluestreak," he said.

"Hound," said the green bot, his optics not leaving Bluestreak's. "I'm Hound."

"I'm so happy I found you," Bluestreak said, but those words didn't feel adequate to describe how he was actually feeling: the rapturous elation of finally finding what he didn't know he was missing his whole life.

"Same. Yeah, I feel the same," Hound said. "All morning I've been... I mean, I felt something that..." Bluestreak could feel him – his name was Hound! – fumbling for words, and he felt a surge of sympathy for him.

"Did you seriously just find out you have a resonant?" Smokescreen said. With an effort, Bluestreak peeled his gaze away from Hound to look at his friend. Smokescreen was smiling and shaking his head. "Only you would discover your sparkmate in the middle of a warzone."

The blue Vosian touched Smokescreen's shoulder. "Let's give them a little while to get acquainted," he said, and he winked at Hound.

"Thanks, Thundercracker," Hound said, not looking away from Bluestreak for a moment.

Bluestreak looked back at Hound, and was lost in his optics once more.

***

"You mentioned you had a shop here. What did you sell?"

"I'm a glass smith, and I sold the art I made, along with some other stuff."

"Art? Like what?"

"Oh, mostly glass pieces for decoration. You know, stuff like sparklers and window spinners, but I also did a lot of custom works for bots to have installed. Have you see those taillights some people have, with the internal prisims? I made those first, before they got really popular."

"Those were yours? That's amazing! They look so neat!"

"Thanks! I was pretty proud of them," Bluestreak said, and shifted closer to Hound. He was finally able to look away from his spark mate (wow, what a weird thing to think, that he had an actual spark resonant) at the bustle of bots working around them. After recovering from the initial shock of discovering each other, both Bluestreak and Hound wanted to help unload supplies or organize the medical queues – something to help the effort. But Smokescreen and Thundercracker (the Vosian who had been working with Hound) told them to sit and take a little time to get to know each other better, and Smokescreen offered to take Hound's place for a while. Neither Bluestreak nor Hound argued too loudly about that, since getting to work meant not touching each other.

Hound turned and looked at Bluestreak again. Every time he did that, he looked as though he was surprised to see him sitting there. "So, did you ever think you might have a resonant?" Hound asked.

"Sure, I thought about it," Bluestreak said. "Who hasn't? I've seen the same romances as everyone else. It's appealing, thinking you might have someone out there who's your perfect match." He rubbed his hand up Hound's arm, feeling the slight texture in his matte finish. They hadn't stopped touching each other ever since their first meeting; there was something about keeping that contact that made Bluestreak's spark sing even louder. He leaned into Hound's side as he kicked his pedes back and forth over the edge of the crate they were sitting on. "But resonants are so rare and so... I dunno, almost mythical, something that happened to other people, that it was more of a fun fantasy than thinking I might actually have one. Of course, I did eventually make a trip down to Greater Monoplex, just to see if I could feel anything. But aside from the excitement of being on a trip to a place I'd never been, I didn't feel anything odd. Maybe we just didn't get close enough or something."

Hound listened patiently as Bluestreak rambled on, waiting until Bluestreak finished before replying. "When did you go to Monoplex?"

"Oh... It must have been about thirty or forty quartexes ago." Bluestreak smiled. "I needed to save up for the trip."

"I was called to serve Primus about seventy quartexes ago. That was in Sentinel Prime's service, of course," Hound said. Hound's fingers curled around and under and through Bluestreak's as he talked, tangling and untangling their fingers over and over, just like he'd been doing since they first sat down. Hound smiled and shrugged. "I wanted to come to Praxus, eventually, just to see, but... Other things seemed to be more important. And like you said, resonants are so rare. I never once thought that I might actually have one."

"We were both so wrong," Bluestreak said. He flicked his sensor wings upwards as he added, "And hey, if you're in the Wing, just think! Since you've got a resonant, you might be the next Prime, and I could be your Protector!"  But as soon as the words left Bluestreak's vocalizer, he knew it was the wrong thing to say. Even if he couldn't have sensed the horror and distress and do not want he was feeling from Hound's spark, the expression on Hound's face would have made him back up immediately. "Oh, Hound, it's just a joke. I'm joking! I'm sorry," he said, squeezing Hound's arm tighter. "I wouldn't know the first thing about being a Protector."

Hound nodded and relaxed, both in body and spark. "I can feel that now," Hound said. He smiled. "This is going to take some getting used to, especially as we get to know each other." He started twining his fingers around Bluestreak's again: over, under, through. "But I have no doubts about your ability to be a Protector. It's the thought of losing the current Prime that made me..." He shuddered in Bluestreak's embrace.

"Have you met him?" Bluestreak asked quietly. He remembered seeing the ceremonies and celebrations when the new Prime was selected by the Matrix. When Hound nodded, Bluestreak asked, "What's he like?"

"He is kind, and intelligent, and thoughtful," Hound said. "When you talk to him, you can tell that he really cares about every single bot on this planet, whether they believe he is the voice of Primus or not." Hound looked around the plaza and at all of the bots there: those of the Prime's Hand and Wing, and the survivors they had come to help. "This was all his doing. He wanted to make sure we rescued as many bots as possible from places where the Quintessons have been. Without his leadership, pulling together disparate forces from all over the planet, none of this would have happened."

"I hope I get to meet him some day," Bluestreak said.

Hound smiled at him, sending another swirl of joy through Bluestreak's spark. "Well, I'll need to report back to the Master of Songs when we return to Tyger Pax," Hound said. "After that, if you stick with me, I can definitely introduce you to Megatronus Prime."

Bluestreak leaned his head on Hound's shoulder, watching the bustling around them. "I'd like that," he said. "And I have every intention of staying by your side for as long as I live, now that I finally met you."

"Nothing would make me happier," Hound said softly.

THE END

Look for this fic's sequel in The Prime and His Protector, coming to AO3 sometime soon!

[gayahithwen]

I brought my old mechanical HP keyboard with me when I moved to the US and married my wife, over ten years ago. Haven't been back since (because financials). The keyboard was already a few years old at the time, and it has held up admirably. But, it's finally starting to really break down. The numpad especially. Which sucks, because I actually do use the numpad with some frequency.

Anyway, I don't suppose anyone knows a reasonably cheap way to get a Swedish/Nordic keyboard in the US? Like, I literally just want a basic, wired, full-size, preferably mechanical (I like haptics) keyboard with all the keys in the places I'm used to, and I'm having no luck with my search skills. I don't need keys that light up or anything like that. Just the most basic kind of keyboard.

A while back I tried mailing HP to ask them if I could buy one straight from them (because, like I said, my current keyboard is HP and has held up for well over a decade, so I wanted to give them a chance), and they were like "but you don't live in Sweden, we only sell those in Sweden".

I've found some on Amazon, but then the pictures provided don't include Å Ä Ö, so I'm hesitant to order. Danish or Norwegian would be fine too, I can cope with seeing Æ and Ø instead, I know how to fix that with computer settings.

[patientzerohateshospitals]

You Smiled at Me and Said

Part 1: Accidents Happen

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

"Matthew?"

He paused and looked up from his workbench, "Yeah, Sammy?"

Sammy motioned towards the computer he was sitting at, a news article and a scientific paper displayed on the screen, "I had been doing some idle research before I came across the topic of human civilization and I found some articles online claiming that civilization could collapse in the year 2050," Sammy paused, his cybernetics whirring softly as he attempted to gauge Matt's reaction.

Matt looked at the screen before looking back at Sammy, confused, "OK...do you mind if I ask what has you so interested in it?"

"I wanted to get your opinion on the topic," Sammy replied, picking up on Matt's confusion, "I am simply curious." It was common for Sammy to ask questions about the world and the people that live in it, he almost always wanted to get a second opinion from Matthew.

The two sat in silence for a moment before Matt spoke up, "Well, all I can really say is that I've heard about the whole 'collapse of civilization' conversation before," he waved a hand in the air dismissively, "but I never it put too much thought into it, what difference will it make if I try to do something about it? I'm just one person." He looked back down at his workbench, "It's not guaranteed I'll even be around to see it happen," he added before continuing his work.

On the workbench was one of Sammy's arms, a mesh of metal and silicon that was a feat of engineering. He had spend weeks, months even, designing and building the arms alone when he was making Sammy's body, so when he found out that the haptics in Sammy's left arm weren't working as they should, he immediately went to work to try and fix the problem. For the time being, Matt gave Sammy an old prototype he had laying around as a replacement.

As Matt continued working on the arm, looking for the cause of the malfunction, he failed to realize that Sammy was still looking at him, frozen in his seat.

Sammy felt... uncomfortable. Well, not exactly. He was experiencing an emotion that he hadn't categorized before. The last thing that Matt had said wasn't sitting right with him, and he wasn't sure why, so he had to ask.

"Matthew?"

"Yeah?" he replied, still looking down.

"What do you mean 'it's not guaranteed' that you will be around to see it happen? You'll be there when it happens, surely, maybe not in the same place or country, I do not know what the future holds, but eventually you may see the effect it would have on the world."

Maybe it was just in his head, but something sounded off about Sammy's voice. Matt looked up and realized that Sammy hadn't moved at all since he last looked at him, which shouldn’t have been viewed as abnormal in that moment; Sammy wasn’t human, he didn’t have that desire to fidget or move as much as humans would, or at least that’s what Matt had assumed, but in that very moment it felt… odd, but not uncanny. Matt took a deep breath before responding, "Like you said, the collapse is predicted to happen in 2050. That's about 20 years from now, and a lot can happen in 20 years," Matt sighed, "I might... you know... die before then."

Matt immediately felt nervous; he and Sammy had never talked about death before this very moment. Matt wasn't always aware of the things that Sammy would research in his own time, so he didn't even know if Sammy knew that life... just... happens, and it'll eventually happen to them both. Matt had originally wanted to introduce the topic to Sammy delicately if he hadn't already done the research, and definitely not alongside the discussion of another morbid topic. 'How the fuck did he even go down that rabbit hole in the first place?'

But Matt’s worries couldn’t predict the internal conflict Sammy was having. Sammy was doing the math, silently calculating the likelihood that Matt could die. Matt’s concerns could never predict the internal turmoil Sammy was experiencing when everything, every calculation, every possible event and outcome ultimately came back to the same conclusion: Matthew is human and will eventually, as all living things do, die.

He will die.

Sammy didn't know what to do. He feels ridiculous; how could he have had such an oversight, his programming never could have prepared him for this moment, but this was important! He just experienced fear and what could only be identified as sadness and hopelessness for the first time; this was momentous! This was everything! And yet... nothing all at once, because there was nothing he could do about it.

He begins to wonder how children might feel, when they first realize that one day mom or dad, or whoever loves them enough to care for them, won't be around forever. One day they'll die.

Sammy’s eyes must have drifted as he was sat in his seat, frozen in fear and premature mourning, because Matthew suddenly called out, “Can you look at me? Please?” And what else could he do in that moment besides precisely that, simply look at him with seemingly apathetic eyes. "I know that what I just told you may be overwhelming for you," Matthew said as he stood up from his workbench and began walking towards Sammy, "but I'll be around for as long as I possibly can, I don't plan on leaving anytime soon anyways." Matthew, now standing in front of Sammy, grabbed Sammy's right hand. As he felt the smooth, synthetic skin against his own hands, Matt smiled sadly at Sammy, "you just need to remember that sometimes," he paused before he finished what he had to say, "accidents happen," Matt lowered his voice as he squeezed Sammy's hand, "and sometimes, there's nothing you can do about it, and that's ok. Don't worry about these kinds of things," he chuckled, "I might even promise that I'll be there with you to witness the collapse of civilization if it weren't such a morbid idea."

Sammy chuckled alongside him, if only to release some of the tension in the room and to prevent Matthew from worrying about him; if he was silent for too long, he knew that Matthew would start to suspect that something was wrong. But there was indeed something wrong.

Their conversation had ignited something in Sammy that couldn't be doused, a thought that could destroy him if he didn't let it go, 'I'm going to lose you. Maybe not now, but one day I will, and I won't know what to do.'

——————————————————

(This is just a snippet about the lives of two OCs I made up whilst sleep deprived. The characters are basically just basement engineer and the sentient AI robot he built; Matthew/Matt and Sammy. Robot has an existential crisis, or whatever you would call this, on his creator's behalf, that's it for now. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME POSTING A STORY AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING. Thank you @lovidor for encouraging me to post this. I might write more but I need to focus on my university work. Title is from the song Simple and Clean - PLANITb Remix by Hikaru Utada.)

[sylviazem]

FFXIV Write 2023- Prompt #16: Jerk

"So", Fjola poured herself a fifth drink and put the bottle away in the cabinet. She was alone with Bluebird, as Ekiki had left when she got a sudden notification from a merchant she was going to meet, and Nebula had already gone to sleep. "You're some kind of Allagan machine?"

"Affirmative", Bluebird replied. "Would you like to hear a comprehensive explanation about my specifications?"

"No, thank you. I doubt I'd understand any of it. Though, I have seen my fair share of Allagan automatons", she sipped her drink. "You seem...Special, somehow."

"Thank you. That is factually correct; I am far more advanced than any other android model."

"...May I", Fjola coyly circled the edge of her glass with her finger. "Might I touch your skin? I-I'm just curious."

"By all means."

"Wow", Fjola brushed her hand against Bluebird's cheeks and arms, occasionally giving her a soft poke with her finger. "It feels...real but also...artificial at the same time! How curious..."

"Highly advanced materials were used to create a lifelike, yet durable surface covering."

"It's certainly impressive", Fjola's hands continued to wander. "Can you...feel?"

"Yes. Synthetic skin and muscle fibers are woven with haptic receptors, which allow me to- Eek!" Fjola's hand happened to brush against Bluebird's lower back, which gave her hips a sudden jerk. "...It appears said receptors have partially malfunctioned and are hypersensitive in certain areas. Apologies."

"...I've never heard a machine make that kind of sound", Fjola giggled and poked her back softly again. "Cute."

"Ah! Please", Bluebird backed away and covered herself with her hands. "Please refrain from touching sensitive areas! Sensory overload can disrupt cognitive and motor functions..."

"That sounds dangerous", Fjola walked over to the couch and sat down, patting her thighs. "Maybe we should chart out your sensitive areas so we can fix them later."

"...I believe miss Fjola might be terribly intoxicated", Bluebird reluctantly walked over and sat on her lap. "But your statement is not without logic."

"Miss Fjola gets a little handsy when she's drunk. How about we use a scale of one to ten", Fjola laughed and rubbed her hands up Bluebird's shins and thighs. "Feel anything out of the ordinary?"

"Two. No abnormalities."

"All right", she continued up her belly and sides. "Here?"

"Seven..!" Again, Bluebird twitched suddenly. "Flagged for adjustments."

"And how about here..?" Fjola playfully squeezed her chest, completely lost in the spirits at this point. "...Shquishy and shoft!"

"Five...Within acceptable bounds."

"Nom" Fjola softly bit Bluebird's neck, which made her entire body stiffen up for a brief moment. "Oh my."

"T...ten" Her power supply was humming loudly. "Flagged for immediate adjustment."

"All right, I'm back with the new memory bank for-" Ekiki entered through the door, back from her mercantile dealings. "...I leave for half a bell. And you're groping the ancient android."

"Please do not misunderstand, Ekiki. Miss Fjola is helping me flag malfunctioning haptic receptors for adjustment."

"Yeah", Fjola let out a silly, drunken laugh. "It's just...haptic...s."

"...Uh-huh", Ekiki glowered at Fjola. "You're drunk, how about you go to bed and I get to work on installing this new memory for Bluebird?"

"Boo, okay...", Fjola flopped over on the couch and hugged a pillow. "As if you wouldn't want to grope a cute robot girl..."

"Yeah, yeah, fall asleep already. Sheesh."

[simulamortem]

EGO RETENTION RELAPSES

in this house we love a messy bitch, and as it happens, Revenant's breaking his programming made him very messy.

Ego Retention can't pull him under again, but it TRIES sometimes. I call these incidents ego relapses, in which Revenant's perception gets stuck in its former state where he sees himself as human again. he KNOWS BETTER now, but that doesn't change his experiencing his human body instead of the mechanical shell - and he hates it.

after all this time acclimating to his machine body, getting stuck in his human body again feels extremely jarring. sensation is much more vivid for him in an ego relapse, especially pain. Revenant's been a bit spoiled as a simulacrum by learning that much of his chassis doesn't have much haptic to it, and he can basically switch off his perception of pain in some cases. but in an ego relapse he can't help how much things HURT, even knowing it's just in his head.

more than that, experiencing his human body again reminds him not only of the man he used to be - who he hates so much for having gotten him where he is - but also of all the violent deaths he went through under Ego Retention.

this excerpt from one of my threads puts it best I think:

"Besides the air in and out of his lungs, he could feel his damn ribs moving with each breath, and all it reminded him of was all the times he struggled for air, died a suffocating death or felt the burn of a bullet in his gut or choked on hot blood thick in his throat. The illusion of his human body may as well have been one big open wound for how many times he had SUFFERED its death."

while these relapses aren't common for him, they do have a variety of possible TRIGGERS:

EMPs or anything electrical risks damaging his neural processor in juuust the right way to kick a bit of Ego Retention back into gear

similarly, any direct physical damage to his neural processor risks a relapse

to a much lesser extent, technically any physical damage at all can risk a relapse, if his neural processor just ✨ decides to be a little bitch at that moment ✨

Revenant has made a habit of avoiding his reflection because there's always a chance he'll see his old self instead of the murderbot

though only likely to happen in the circumstances of a ship, if he's feeling relaxed enough, someone touching him very gently can sometimes trick his perception into thinking they're touching the human body instead of the machine body

when he first wakes up from sleep, especially if he wakes up in a bed, he'll sometimes go about his morning routine from when he was human until he catches himself

FIXES:

ego relapses can happen in just fleeting moments which Revenant is able to brush off - but they can also stick, in which case he usually wants to DIE as quickly as possible, as being stuck in a relapse makes him miserable and moving into a new shell is his quickest guarantee to getting back to normal.

however, he can also acclimate to some extent if getting killed isn't an immediately available solution. he just won't be happy about it, and it'll be very difficult for him to relax or feel comfortable.

there may be other ways to "fix" a relapse, but not without help; somebody Revenant trusts who could guide & ground him back to his mechanical body. the same techniques that work for helping panic attacks & dissociative episodes also have the potential to help him out of an ego relapse.

[sydneycbdrepaircentre]

Replacing Haptics & Vibration: DIY Smartphone Repair

Replacing Haptics & Vibration: DIY Smartphone Repair – What You Need to Know Before You Begin 📱 Introduction: Why Haptics and Vibration Matter When you type on your phone’s keyboard, receive a silent notification, or use gesture feedback — that’s haptic technology at work. Vibrations aren’t just there for calls; they provide physical feedback, enhance gaming, and offer accessibility features for…

[phonefixer123]

Top 9 Problems iPhones Have (And How To Fix Them)

The iPhone is one of the most trusted smartphones around the world. With its sleek design, powerful features, and smooth performance, it has gained a loyal fan base. But like any device, iPhones are not perfect. Over time, users face different issues that can affect their experience.

In this blog, we will talk about the top 9 common problems iPhones have and how to fix them. From battery issues to screen troubles, we’ve got simple tips to help you solve them. If your iPhone still gives you a hard time, don’t worry , Phonefixer is here to help with expert phone repair in Lower Hutt.

1. Battery Draining Too Fast

Many iPhone users notice their battery dies quickly, even without heavy use. This can be caused by background apps, poor settings, or an old battery.

How to Fix:

Go to Settings > Battery and check what’s using the most power.

Turn on Low Power Mode.

Disable Background App Refresh.

Reduce screen brightness or set it to auto.

If your battery health is below 80%, it might be time for a replacement.

2. Unresponsive Touchscreen

Sometimes the iPhone screen freezes or doesn’t respond to touch. This is often due to software glitches or screen damage.

How to Fix:

Force restart your iPhone.

Clean your screen gently with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Make sure your phone’s screen isn’t cracked or damaged.

If the problem continues, visit Phonefixer for professional phone repair in Lower Hutt.

3. Wi-Fi Not Connecting

iPhones sometimes have trouble connecting to Wi-Fi or keep disconnecting.

How to Fix:

Restart both your iPhone and your Wi-Fi router.

Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap on your network, and select Forget This Network. Then reconnect.

Reset network settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Update your iOS software.

4. Overheating iPhone

Your iPhone might feel hot while using apps, gaming, or charging. Overheating can reduce your phone’s performance and battery life.

How to Fix:

Avoid using your phone while charging.

Close unused apps running in the background.

Don’t leave your phone in direct sunlight.

Remove your phone case while charging if it traps heat.

Keep your iOS updated to the latest version.

5. Charging Problems

Does your iPhone charge slowly or not at all? This could be due to a faulty cable, dirt in the charging port, or software bugs.

How to Fix:

Use original Apple or Apple-certified chargers.

Gently clean the charging port using a toothpick or soft brush.

Try a different cable and power adapter.

Restart your iPhone or try wireless charging if available.

If the issue continues, Phonefixer can help you repair iPhone charging port issues quickly with professional phone repair in Lower Hutt.

6. Apps Keep Crashing

Apps that crash or don’t open properly can be frustrating, especially if you use them daily.

How to Fix:

Close and reopen the app.

Update the app via the App Store.

Restart your iPhone.

Delete and reinstall the app.

If all apps are crashing, update your iOS version or reset all settings.

7. iPhone Freezes or Lags

If your iPhone becomes slow or freezes often, it may be due to low storage or outdated software.

How to Fix:

Clear storage by deleting unused apps, photos, and videos.

Restart your phone to clear temporary files.

Install the latest iOS update.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

8. Sound Not Working Properly

Some users experience no sound during calls, media playback, or even system sounds.

How to Fix:

Check if the silent switch on the side is turned off.

Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and adjust volume.

Clean the speaker and microphone areas.

Test the speaker using voice memos or a phone call.

Still having trouble? Get your phone checked at Phonefixer, your local expert in phone repair in Lower Hutt.

9. Stolen Device Protection Lockouts

Apple’s Stolen Device Protection feature can sometimes lock users out of their phones, especially if the device is not on a trusted Wi-Fi network.

How to Fix:

If not needed, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Stolen Device Protection and turn it off.

If already locked out, you may need to wait 1 hour and verify your face ID again.

Visit Phonefixer for expert help if you’re having trouble accessing your device.

Bonus Tip: Fixing Cracked or Broken Screens

A cracked screen is one of the most common issues for iPhone users. If your screen is shattered or touch isn’t working properly, don’t wait too long. Phonefixer offers fast and reliable iPhone screen repair at affordable prices , the go-to place for phone repair in Lower Hutt.

Why Choose Phonefixer for iPhone Repairs in Lower Hutt?

At Phonefixer, we understand how important your iPhone is. Whether it’s a battery issue, screen damage, or software error , we’ve seen it all and fixed it all.

Here’s why customers trust Phonefixer:

Fast service

High-quality parts with warranty

Friendly experts and honest advice

Competitive prices with no hidden charges

If your iPhone is giving you trouble, don’t wait! Schedule your repair now or walk into our Lower Hutt store for the best phone repair in Lower Hutt.

Conclusion: Get Quick and Reliable iPhone Repairs at Phonefixer in Lower Hutt

Your iPhone is an important part of your daily life, and dealing with issues like fast battery drain, an unresponsive screen, or charging problems can be stressful. While some problems can be fixed at home with simple steps, others need expert attention.

If you’re struggling with iPhone troubles, it’s time to visit Phonefixer. We provide fast, reliable, and affordable phone repair in Lower Hutt, using high-quality parts and expert care.

Whether it’s a cracked screen, a faulty charging port, or sound issues, our experienced technicians are here to help. Most repairs are completed on the same day, so you can get back to using your phone without delay.Visit Phonefixer in Lower Hutt today. Let us take the hassle out of iPhone problems because at Phonefixer, your device is in safe hands.

[topioswords]

Hotwire, a continuation of Fixings

It’s never a fun experience, switching online to a small sea of alerts, and especially not when it comes with the unfortunately too familiar haptic data of somebody being arm deep in your wiring without permission. Noir can’t see it. His optics are turned towards the ceiling which isn’t telling him much besides ‘dim’ and ‘far away’, so clearly he has to do something about this. Sooner rather than later preferably, before his threat assessment overloads and tries to self terminate him. Like he even has any secrets or components worth stealing at this point. 

He means to lift his arm and shove at whoever it is that’s kneading his innards, but nothing happens. Noir checks his power level and it’s… actually rising slow and steady, so it isn’t that. 

A shadow shifts in from the side but stays just off frame. “Oh, hey, you’re back. That’s gonna  make things a lot easier,” a cheerful mechanical voice calls out. He knows that voice. And not just cause it’s the latest one he personally flagged with ‘keep the fuck away from’. Right, that jerk.

Something shifts and Noir feels a tug then the release of something and a clatter as it hits a tray and he’s seething cause yeah, all his extremities are definitely put into lockdown and he cannot seem to get past it, which is infuriating. He tries to say how rude that is, but he doesn’t even get static.

“Sh, gimme a moment, you’re all over the place. Might mess up here and I don’t know if I can find a replacement. Some of these are ancient...” the tone is friendly but Noir catches that hint of threat well enough. He doesn’t get more than a second to panic before an access link is shoved at him. He pokes at it, but it doesn’t seem like it contains anything malicious and honestly not like he can do anything about it like this. Noir curses himself and accepts it grudgingly.

“Ah, there you are, that’s a relief. I was starting to think you’d glitched out on me,” he’s greeted at the same moment he gets a high definition view of his own half peeled chassis. Noir is pretty sure he has some idea what being ill must feel like. A steady hand he has no control of moves in the field of view and Noir would swear he can feel the ghost of the jolt when it plucks out the sparking wire he’d had trouble with earlier and just tears it out like it’s nothing. There’s a tidy overview to the side. Annotated schematics he hasn’t looked at in years, with new notes popping up in a steady flow. Production numbers, model types, performance reliability. Noir couldn’t run half of this on himself, much less another bot without getting a headache and quite possibly shorting out, and that’s just the data he’s getting immediate access to.  

“You wanna keep this shell,” the stranger asks, shifting their attention to his exposed core, and Noir nearly blanks out in cold terror he didn’t even know he had the ability to feel. Today is full of surprises.

“What,” he responds, half panicking. He knows he’s just piggybacking, he couldn’t actually stop it if whoever this is decides to just reach out and destroy him. A front seat show of your own pointless existence being snuffed out. 

“Caleb,” the stranger responds cheerfully, “I’m Caleb. And I am not going to damage your core”

Noir’s thought process freezes.

“Had to take out your audio to get some power into you, the access port was a mess. You’re temporarily hooked directly up to my local network. You have a curious thought pattern. Self grown AI?”

He doesn’t actually try to make a sound at that, but his host still dips their head in acknowledgement. 

It’s strange to experience it from the inside. The ghost of whatever feeling they’re expressing bleeding over.

“So, Noir huh? Gonna keep working on your shell. Still, offer’s open, it would be a lot less work to just switch you over.”

Noir doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t have to, apparently.

[autorepairlebanontn]

FCW System Failed? Causes, Fixes, and Safety Implications for Your Vehicle

https://autorepairlebanontn.com/?p=3805 FCW System Failed? Causes, Fixes, and Safety Implications for Your Vehicle Ever experienced that heart-stopping moment when your Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system fails unexpectedly? We understand how unsettling this can be when a safety feature you rely on suddenly stops working. This critical technology designed to prevent accidents shouldn’t leave you vulnerable on the road. We’ve researched the common causes behind FCW system failures and compiled essential troubleshooting steps to get your vehicle’s collision warning system back in working order. From sensor obstructions to electrical malfunctions, understanding why your FCW system failed is the first step toward resolving the issue and restoring your peace of mind while driving. Table of Contents Toggle Understanding Forward Collision Warning (FCW) SystemsHow FCW Systems WorkCommon FCW TechnologiesSigns Your FCW System Has FailedWarning Light IndicatorsInconsistent or Missing AlertsExact Error MessagesEnvironmental and Physical InterferencesSystem Settings IssuesMain Causes of FCW System FailuresSensor Obstruction IssuesElectrical and Software MalfunctionsSafety Implications of FCW System FailureIncreased Accident RiskLegal ConsiderationsTroubleshooting FCW System FailuresCauses of FCW System FailureDIY Diagnostic StepsWhen to Seek Professional HelpPreventing FCW System FailuresRegular Maintenance TipsWeather and Environmental ConsiderationsConclusionFrequently Asked QuestionsWhat is a Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system?What are common causes of FCW system failures?How do I know if my FCW system is failing?Can I troubleshoot FCW system failures myself?When should I seek professional help for FCW issues?How does weather affect FCW system performance?What are the safety implications of FCW system failures?How often should FCW systems be maintained?Can FCW systems be retrofitted to older vehicles?Are manufacturers liable for FCW system failures? Understanding Forward Collision Warning (FCW) Systems Forward Collision Warning systems represent a crucial advancement in automotive safety technology, designed to prevent or mitigate frontal collisions. These systems continuously monitor the road ahead and alert drivers when they detect potential collision risks with vehicles or obstacles. How FCW Systems Work FCW systems employ sensors to detect vehicles and objects in front of your car while calculating their distance and relative speed. The technology constantly measures the time-to-collision based on your speed and the distance to objects ahead. When the system identifies a potential collision risk, it triggers visual, audible, or haptic warnings to prompt immediate driver action. Most advanced FCW systems integrate with automatic emergency braking systems that activate when drivers don’t respond quickly enough to warnings. The reaction time thresholds are typically set between 2-3 seconds before a potential impact, giving drivers critical moments to brake or steer clear of danger. Common FCW Technologies Radar-based FCW systems use radio waves to detect obstacles up to 500 feet ahead and work effectively in poor weather conditions. Camera-based systems employ optical sensors to identify vehicles, pedestrians, and lane markings, though their performance can diminish in low visibility. Lidar technology measures distances using laser pulses, offering precise object detection with 3D mapping capabilities. Many modern vehicles carry out fusion systems that combine multiple sensor types for enhanced accuracy and reliability. Mercedes-Benz’s Pre-Safe, Volvo’s City Safety, and Toyota’s Safety Sense represent leading FCW implementations in today’s market. These technologies operate differently but share the common goal of preventing collisions through early detection and warning systems. Signs Your FCW System Has Failed Recognizing when your Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system has malfunctioned is crucial for maintaining vehicle safety. Several distinct indicators can alert you to potential issues with this important driver assistance feature. Warning Light Indicators Dashboard warning lights serve as the primary visual cue of an FCW system failure. These illuminated symbols typically appear in a prominent location on your instrument panel, designed to catch your attention immediately. The warning light might display as a car symbol with exclamation marks or come with exact text like “FCW System Failed” depending on your vehicle’s make and model. Many modern vehicles also present detailed error messages such as “Check driver assistance system” or “Driver assistance system limited” to pinpoint the exact nature of the malfunction. Inconsistent or Missing Alerts FCW systems normally provide consistent warnings when potential collision risks are detected, so irregular performance signals a potential problem. You might notice your system failing to alert you when approaching vehicles too quickly or when obstacles appear suddenly in your path. These inconsistencies often manifest as absent audible warnings, missing visual alerts on the dashboard, or lack of haptic feedback (like seat or steering wheel vibrations) that would normally activate during close-proximity situations. Environmental factors including heavy rain, snow, or thick fog frequently contribute to these alert failures by interfering with the system’s ability to accurately detect obstacles ahead. Exact Error Messages Advanced FCW systems communicate exact diagnostic information through error messages displayed on your dashboard or infotainment screen. Common notifications include “Camera obscured” or “Radar blocked,” indicating that the system’s sensors cannot properly detect the road ahead. Some vehicles might report “FCW system unavailable” or “Driver assistance features limited” when experiencing technical malfunctions. These messages typically appear alongside the warning light and provide valuable clues about the nature of the system failure. Error codes stored in your vehicle’s computer system can be accessed by service technicians to precisely identify the underlying issue. Environmental and Physical Interferences FCW systems rely on clear sensor visibility, making them vulnerable to various environmental conditions. Extreme temperatures can affect camera functionality, while moisture or ice on the windshield might distort sensor readings. Sun glare reflecting off wet roads often confuses the system’s ability to distinguish obstacles. Physical obstructions like mud, snow, or debris covering radar sensors or camera lenses prevent proper operation. Even items placed on the dashboard can sometimes block camera views or create false reflections that interfere with system performance. Regular cleaning of sensor areas, particularly after driving in adverse weather conditions, helps maintain optimal FCW functionality. System Settings Issues Configuration problems sometimes indicate underlying FCW system failures. If your system repeatedly reverts to an “OFF” state after you’ve enabled it, this suggests a potential malfunction. Inability to adjust sensitivity settings or save preferred configuration options points to software or hardware issues. Some vehicles may display “System Initializing” messages that never resolve, indicating communication problems between components. Updated software from manufacturers occasionally resolves these settings-related issues without requiring physical repairs. Main Causes of FCW System Failures Forward Collision Warning (FCW) systems can fail due to several crucial factors that compromise their functionality. Understanding these common causes helps vehicle owners address issues promptly and maintain this critical safety feature. Sensor Obstruction Issues Sensor obstructions represent a primary reason for FCW system failures. Dirt, mud, snow, or debris covering the cameras, radar units, or laser sensors prevents proper obstacle detection. Environmental factors like thick fog, heavy rain, and substantial snowfall significantly impair sensor performance, causing false alerts or missing real hazards. Heat-related damage also affects FCW sensors when a vehicle’s cooling system vents excessive heat near these components, potentially melting internal parts or causing burnout. Regular cleaning of sensor surfaces and avoiding extremely harsh weather conditions helps maintain optimal system performance. Electrical and Software Malfunctions Electrical and software issues frequently trigger FCW system failures. Software glitches or outdated programming lead to misinterpretation of sensor data, resulting in erroneous signals or missed threats. Regular software updates from manufacturers fix bugs and improve system accuracy. Component failures, particularly in related systems like the ABS modulator, can activate multiple warning lights including those for the FCW system. Calibration problems after windshield replacement or front-end repairs often cause system malfunctions as the sensors lose their precise alignment. Vehicle electrical system failures, such as battery issues or wiring problems, may also interrupt power to the FCW components, rendering them temporarily inoperative. Safety Implications of FCW System Failure Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system failures compromise one of your vehicle’s crucial safety features. These failures create important safety risks and carry potential legal ramifications that drivers should understand. Increased Accident Risk FCW system failures dramatically elevate collision probability, particularly for rear-end accidents. Research demonstrates that properly functioning FCW systems reduce rear-end-striking crashes with any injuries by 22% and those with exact injuries by an impressive 71%. When these systems fail, drivers lose the critical early warning that provides additional reaction time to avoid potential collisions. Sensor impairment presents a major concern, especially during adverse weather conditions. On wet or icy roads, FCW sensors often struggle to accurately detect obstacles, resulting in delayed alerts or complete failure to warn drivers. This sensor limitation extends stopping distances significantly and creates dangerous situations where drivers may not have adequate time to react to hazards ahead. Legal Considerations Manufacturers face potential liability when FCW systems fail and contribute to accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has emphasized that repeated system failures could render an FCW system unreliable, potentially creating manufacturer liability in collision scenarios. Companies that knowingly market FCW systems with important limitations without proper consumer disclosure risk legal exposure. Driver liability also comes into question following FCW system failures. While these systems serve as driving aids, courts may consider whether a driver became overly reliant on the technology or failed to maintain the system properly. Legal outcomes often hinge on whether the driver or manufacturer knew about system limitations, particularly performance issues during inclement weather. FCW systems contain inherent design limitations that affect their performance in certain conditions. Manufacturers and regulatory bodies increasingly recommend driver education about these limitations to prevent dangerous overreliance on collision warning technology. Systems that struggle in poor visibility conditions or fail to detect certain obstacles create serious safety concerns that both drivers and manufacturers must address. Troubleshooting FCW System Failures Forward Collision Warning system failures typically stem from exact causes that can often be diagnosed and sometimes fixed without professional help. Understanding these common issues helps vehicle owners take appropriate action when their FCW system displays error messages or stops functioning correctly. Causes of FCW System Failure Sensor malfunctions represent the most common cause of FCW system failures. These critical components—cameras, lasers, and radar systems—can fail due to physical damage, overheating, or interference from adverse weather conditions like fog, heavy rain, or snow. Heat-related damage poses another important risk, particularly when excessive heat from the vehicle’s cooling system damages the sensitive FCW sensors. Radiator heat can increase the internal temperature of these sensors beyond their operational limits, leading to malfunction or complete failure. Software and system errors also contribute to FCW problems, with exact error codes stored in the vehicle’s onboard computer indicating issues such as misfires or other system malfunctions. DIY Diagnostic Steps Checking for error codes provides the first step in diagnosing FCW system failures. Connect an OBD2 scan tool to your vehicle’s diagnostic port to retrieve error codes from the onboard computer, helping identify the exact component causing the failure. Many automotive stores offer free diagnostic scans if you don’t own a scanner. Inspecting sensors and cameras follows as an essential troubleshooting step. Ensure all FCW sensors and cameras remain clean and free from obstructions, as dirt or debris on the windshield where cameras mount can trigger system failures. Examining for physical damage comes next, particularly around the front end of the vehicle where most FCW sensors are located. Look for obvious damage or modifications like front-end bras that might interfere with sensor operation. Verifying system settings completes your basic diagnostics. Navigate to your vehicle’s Driver Assist System Setup through the dashboard interface and confirm the FCW system is enabled and configured to your preferred distance setting. When to Seek Professional Help Complex error codes often indicate problems beyond DIY capabilities. If your scan reveals unfamiliar codes or multiple system issues, consulting a certified mechanic or dealership technician ensures proper diagnosis and repair. Physical damage or overheating situations typically require professional intervention. Damaged or overheated sensors generally need replacement by qualified technicians who can properly calibrate the new components to work with your vehicle’s systems. Persistent issues that remain after attempting DIY answers signal the need for expert assistance. Professional diagnostics may reveal underlying problems not detectable through basic troubleshooting methods. Technicians possess specialized equipment to test the entire FCW system comprehensively, ensuring all components function correctly and safely. Professional help becomes especially important for newer vehicles with integrated advanced driver assistance systems, as FCW failures might indicate broader issues affecting multiple safety features. Certified technicians can access manufacturer-exact diagnostic tools and update software that’s not available to consumers. Preventing FCW System Failures Keeping your Forward Collision Warning system functioning properly requires proactive maintenance and awareness of potential issues. Regular care significantly reduces the risk of system failures and ensures this crucial safety feature remains reliable when you need it most. Regular Maintenance Tips Sensor cleaning forms the foundation of effective FCW system maintenance, as dirt and debris can easily obstruct their ability to detect obstacles ahead. Schedule biannual professional check-ups to identify minor issues before they develop into important problems that compromise your safety. Software updates play a critical role in maintaining optimal performance, so always install them promptly when manufacturers release new versions. Address any warning lights or error messages immediately rather than postponing repairs, as small issues can quickly escalate and affect the entire system’s functionality. Professional technicians can perform proper calibration checks to ensure your FCW sensors accurately detect distances and potential collision risks. Weather and Environmental Considerations Inclement weather conditions like heavy rain, snow, and fog directly impact your FCW system’s performance by reducing sensor visibility and detection capabilities. Extreme temperatures can affect electronic components within the system, potentially causing temporary malfunctions during very hot or cold weather. Road conditions containing excessive dust, mud, or road salt present ongoing challenges to sensor functionality, requiring more frequent cleaning in these environments. Environmental factors such as low light conditions and glare from the sun may temporarily reduce camera-based FCW system effectiveness during sunrise and sunset hours. Taking extra precautions during adverse weather conditions helps compensate for potential system limitations, such as maintaining greater following distances when visibility is compromised. Conclusion FCW system failures represent a critical safety concern that shouldn’t be ignored. Understanding the causes behind these malfunctions empowers us to take appropriate action whether it’s cleaning obstructed sensors or seeking professional assistance. Regular maintenance proves essential in preventing failures and ensuring your collision warning system functions reliably. When properly maintained these systems significantly reduce accident risks especially rear-end collisions. Remember that while FCW technology offers valuable protection it has limitations. Driver awareness and proper following distances remain crucial especially during adverse weather conditions. By combining technological assistance with attentive driving we can maximize safety on the road even though occasional system hiccups. Frequently Asked Questions What is a Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system? A Forward Collision Warning system is a safety feature that monitors the road ahead and alerts drivers of potential collision risks. It uses sensors like radar, cameras, or lidar to calculate the distance and speed of objects in front of your vehicle. When the system detects a possible collision, it provides visual, audible, or haptic warnings to prompt the driver to take action. What are common causes of FCW system failures? Common causes include sensor obstructions (dirt, mud, snow covering sensors), environmental conditions (fog, heavy rain), electrical malfunctions, software glitches, outdated programming, calibration issues following repairs, and electrical system failures like battery or wiring problems. Regular cleaning of sensors and software updates can help prevent many of these issues. How do I know if my FCW system is failing? Look for dashboard warning lights, inconsistent or missing collision alerts, specific error messages about sensor issues, and system configuration problems (like settings not saving or system reverting to “OFF”). You might also notice the system functioning improperly in certain weather conditions or failing to detect obstacles that are clearly visible. Can I troubleshoot FCW system failures myself? Yes, many issues can be diagnosed and sometimes fixed without professional help. Check for error codes using an OBD2 scan tool, inspect sensors and cameras for obstructions, clean sensor surfaces, verify system settings, and check for available software updates. Simple issues like dirty sensors or settings problems can often be resolved at home. When should I seek professional help for FCW issues? Seek professional help when you encounter complex error codes, physical damage to sensors, persistent issues after DIY attempts, or when the system is integrated with other advanced driver assistance systems. Professional technicians have specialized equipment to properly diagnose and repair these sophisticated systems, especially in newer vehicles. How does weather affect FCW system performance? Weather significantly impacts FCW performance. Heavy rain, snow, fog, and extreme sunlight can reduce sensor effectiveness, causing false alerts or missed hazards. These conditions limit visibility for both camera-based systems and radar sensors. During adverse weather, drivers should maintain greater following distances and rely less on automated systems. What are the safety implications of FCW system failures? FCW failures significantly increase accident risk, particularly for rear-end collisions. Research shows functioning FCW systems can reduce collision likelihood by 27%. When these systems fail, drivers may not receive timely warnings about potential hazards, especially in adverse conditions. This is particularly dangerous if drivers have become reliant on the technology. How often should FCW systems be maintained? FCW systems should receive professional check-ups at least twice a year, along with regular sensor cleaning to prevent obstructions. Software updates should be installed promptly when available. Additionally, after any front-end collision or windshield replacement, the system should be recalibrated to ensure proper functionality. Can FCW systems be retrofitted to older vehicles? Yes, aftermarket FCW systems are available for older vehicles without built-in collision warning technology. These typically include dash-mounted cameras with collision detection software. While not as integrated as factory-installed systems, they can provide similar warning functionality and improve safety in older vehicles. Are manufacturers liable for FCW system failures? Potentially. If a system failure results from a manufacturing defect or inadequate warning about limitations, manufacturers could face liability. However, most automakers clearly state in owner’s manuals that these are assistance systems, not replacements for attentive driving. Drivers maintain primary responsibility for vehicle operation regardless of what safety systems are installed. https://autorepairlebanontn.com/?p=3805 Absolute Auto Repair

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Material Research 3.3: Marshmallow Laser Feast's "In the Eyes of the Animal" (2015)

Material research: Why drawn to this work?

I am drawn to this work because of its abstract approach to natural/botanical art.

Rejecting human-centered objectivity (i.e. how humans ordinarily perceive the natural world), the audience is given an opportunity to sense woodland plants and their surrounding environment (vision, sound, smell and vibrations) through the "perspectives" of animals.

Material research: About the work

In the Eyes of the Animal is a VR multi-sensory film installation created by the artist collective Marshmallow Laser Feast, which draws from the idea of 'Umwelt' (coined by German biologist Jacob von Uexküll as a term describing the unique way each organism perceives and interacts with the world depending on their biology).

The VR film itself is split into four chapters, each one showcasing an abstract sensory 'perspective' unique to a specific animal from the abstract sensory 'perspective' unique to a specific animal from the Grizedale Forest (Northern England):

Mosquito (Chapter 1) = It is able to perceive the world through levels of carbon dioxide.

Dragonfly (Chapter 2) = It navigates the world through flight (vibrations) and expansive colour vision.

Frog (Chapter 3) = It has excellent night vision, the ability to reactively detect and catch prey, and vocal communication through croaking (sound and vibrations).

Owl (Chapter 4) = Due to its fixed tubular eyes, it has detailed depth perception and distance vision, but poor peripheral vision. Its diverse vocal communication ranges from hoots and whistles to screeches and cooing, but you cannot hear a flying owl due to the structure of its wing feathers.

Multiple technologies (Lidar/CT scans, photogrammetry, real-time 360° camera footage translated into VR, etc.) were used to create the unique visual styles of the film, with soundscapes (which included field recordings of the forest itself), scents (inspired by smells of the forest itself) and vibration backpacks.

Material research: How does it link to other artist/theory research?

I came across this installation while reading Chapter 1 of Giovanni's Botanical Speculations. It was presented as one of many examples of contemporary artworks that was removed from the anthropocentric objectivity (typically of the scientific kind) associated with botanical art.

Similar to the biofeedback works of Christa Sommerer and Laurent Mignounneua, Marshmallow Laser Feast merges digital technology with plants to recontextualise our interactions with nature.

In the Eyes of the Animal (2015, VR film installation with real-time film, sound, haptic vibrations and scent): Screencaps

Row 1: "Menu screen", Chapter 1 - Mosquito, Chapter 2 - Dragonfly

Row 2: Chapter 3 - Frog, Chapter 4 - Owl

In the Eyes of the Animal (2015, VR film installation with real-time film, sound, haptic vibrations and scent): Installation Shots with VR headsets and vibration backpacks

Material research: Notes on other works

Most of Marshmallow Laser Feast's other works abstract biological processes, organisms and phenomena through digital film/video technologies and soundscapes.

Evolver (2022) = Oxygen in the air travelling through the respiratory and cardiovascular systems

Sanctuary of the Unseen Forest (2022) = A Ceiba pentandra tree, its internal systems (i.e. phloem and xylem), the surrounding air particles, and its natural environment in the Columbian Amazon rainforest

Seeing Echoes in the Mind of the Whale (2024) = The sonic communication produced by cetaceans (bottlenose dolphins, blue whales and sperm whales) and the visual/sonic environment of the ocean biosphere

Other works: Evolver (2022, VR film installation with sound)

Other works: Sanctuary of the Unseen Forest (2022, film installation with sound)

Other works: Seeing Echoes in The Mind of the Whale (2024, film installation with sound)

Material research: Interesting quotes from different pages in their website portfolio that could influence my future material research

"The only true voyage of discovery [is] to behold the universe through the eyes of another." - Marcel Proust (found in the page for In the Eyes of the Animals)

"Plants are alive, yet they do not present us with the same impression of life that animals do. Are we, as the victims of plant blindness, simply unable to notice their liveliness, or are they so different from us that we have to invent new ways of seeing and apprehending them?" - Natania Meeker and Antónia Szabari, from the 2019 book Radical Botany: Plants and Speculative Fiction (found in the page for Sanctuary of the Unseen Forest)

Portfolio website: