#(excerpt from Rogue Protocol)

[faceofpoe]

re-reading Murderbot all like

[bluetoothschizophrenic]

They called them the Tector class. Said to be created by Nexus Prime himself to stabilize the stirring Primus in the early days of our planet. A dozen behemoths, so in tune with the vibrations of our creator as to weave symphonies from his seismic activity. Or so the legend goes. They were lost of course, as legends often end. Crushed underground, absorbed back into Primus, adrift among the stars with the mythical Titans to stabilize other worlds, driven mad as Primus settled and the vibrations ceased, one story even tells of a Tector simply walking off into the sea of rust to never return. All thought to merely be myth, until today.

- Personal Log, Autobot Anode, Polar Excavation Lead.

As the post war reconstruction has continued, archeological efforts near the poles unearthed a truly historic find. A fully intact, stasis locked member of what is believed to be the mythical Tector class of combiners said to be created by Nexus Prime himself. Representatives have confirmed that plans to extract, refuel, and reactive our ancient sibling are underway.

- Radio Free Cybertron News Broadcast, Autobot Rewind

My name is Tector-03, but if we must, we can use my newfound nickname, Cantus. We, I, was a monument to the ingenuity of the Primes, but of their inflexibility too. We were proud of our purpose, but we were solitary in so doing. We understood of course. Nexus had built us to be efficient, able to function with limbs removed, heads sheered in two, operate continents away from each other. Nexus had no concept of gestalts as all of you do. He was a solitary bot for the most part, but the moment a soul spoke of building, of blending things together, his spark glimmered. If he’d lived to see combiners as they are now, as you have made me, made us, with each limb possessing a will of its own yet working in a more perfect unison with the others, I believe he would be proud of you all.

- Excerpts from Of Five Minds, autobiography of a Tector. Autobot Cantus

Following the completion of Wheeljack’s Nexus Protocol, the threat of a rogue combiner was successfully mitigated. Due to the nature of the Nexus Protocol however, the newfound members must be closely monitored. All relevant dossiers are as follows.

Designation: Tector 3-1

Alias: Inyue (pronounced in-way)

Threat level: Low

Allegiance: Autobot

Bio: Tector 3-1 is likely the least threatening of her team. The team’s vibration based sensory abilities allow her notable perceptiveness when on the ground, but she chooses to use this perceptiveness primarily for medical purposes. Rejected ground based alternate mode in favor of dark green helicopter, removing her vibrational senses in flight. Connection to Autobot Sandstorm noted, monitor for her safety. Could be extremely useful battlefield medic. Recommend recruitment if hostilities resume.

Designation: Tector 3-2

Alias: Vibré

Threat level: Moderately High

Allegiance: Unaligned, Decepticon sympathies

Bio: Tector 3-2 should be closely monitored and all incoming extraplanetary communications should be filtered. Utilizes vibrational sensory abilities for extremely effective melee combat techniques. Sees the motions of Cybertronian society as something that can be forcibly held in place as the moving pieces of Primus were. Decepticon sympathies likely. Selected dark brown wheeled transport as vehicle mode.

Designation: Tector 3-3

Alias: Frémir

Allegiance: Unaligned

Threat level: Moderately Low

Bio: Tector 3-3’s threat profile primarily concerns himself. His psychological evaluations show that the prolonged stasis lock the team endured prior to his being brought online as part of the Nexus Protocol did leave an imprint on his mind. Demonstrates severe fears of the underground and of abandonment. Not very trusting of outsiders with sole exceptions of Autobot Blaster and Decepticon Ambassador Thrust (monitor contact closely), but trusts his team implicitly. Vibration based abilities used as a very skilled mechanic. Dark blue dragster with clearly modified louder engine chosen as alternate mode.

Designation: Tector 3-4

Alias: Avaita

Allegiance: Autobot

Threat Level: Moderate

Bio: Tector 3-4 is the least understood of the group. Only one of the team to maintain original tan and blue color scheme and refuse an alt mode aside from their combined form. Allegiance to Autobot cause seems contingent on connection to the Primes. Their primary point of contact is with team leader, designation Tector 3-0. Brief interactions with operatives have shown them to be defensive, well spoken, and unusually emotionally perceptive. Psychological evaluations indicate the same. Sensory abilities possibly in use in more subtle ways than the rest of the team, but that hypothesis remains unconfirmed.

And that’s a wrap. These guys are some new OCs of mine inspired by a conversation with a good friend. Hope you liked em. Maybe I’ll do something with them in the future.

[chayscribbles]

chayscribbles’ monthly writing update ☆ april and may 2023

i didn't do one last month so we get a double feature today!

☆ STATISTICS.

words written: 6 214 in april; 9 425 in may

projects worked on: once again only wrote for Andromeda Rogue but did a lot of plotting and planning for The Gemini Heist

proudest accomplishment: i've resisted chucking everything i've ever written into a shredder

books read in both april and may: A Rival Most Vial be @ashen-crest; Planetfall by Emma Newman, and Rogue Protocol (Murderbot Diaries #3) by Martha Wells

☆ GENERAL COMMENTS.

i went super hard in the beginning of april, burned out majorly for several weeks, then went hard again in the last 2 or so weeks. april ended in the middle of my burnout so that's why i didn't have an update last month. it just didn't seem worth it.

i'm also trying to make a soft return to writeblr! it's not working.

more specific wip-related comments + featured excerpt below.

☆ COMMENTS: ANDROMEDA ROGUE (draft 2)

this might be a stretch but the 2 year (2 year?????!?!?!!) anniversary of me finishing the first draft of AR1 is coming up on June 13th... so wouldn't it be grand if i finished the second draft by then? a guy can dream.

right now this draft is sitting at nearly 73K, which means i've almost reached the wc of draft one. and i still have a few more chapters to go!

unfortunately i've also left all the Hard Parts up until now becuase i love to make myself suffer!!!! pray for me y'all.

☆ COMMENTS: THE GEMINI HEIST (planning, i guess?)

well the good news is that i actually have the skeleton of an outline! i have 7 acts and a vague idea of what happens in each of them!

the bad news is i can't seem to get myself to actually write any of it! all i've been doing is anything EXCEPT writing. backstory developing, worldbuilding, creating menial lore... but not a single word added to my draft. when will my suffering end.

i did post a fun drawing + worldbuilding thing tho, if you missed it!

☆ FEATURED EXCERPT.

i'm pretty sure i posted this excerpt from AR already a loooong time ago... but it's gotten a small upgrade ever since. you see, back when i first wrote it, i didn't know how long the gang's trip would take. but then i developed a standardized formula to calculate travel time and just happened to end up with the funniest possible result... which lead to this.

Valyan, meanwhile, plopped themself into the co-pilot’s chair. 

“How long have you been able to do that?” they asked, eyes sparkling. “Why don’t your powers look like the Hepplings' from the Order of the Vine? Is it just the healing thing you can do, or can you do other things? Like use the plants as a lasso, or—”

“Look, kid,” Finneas interrupted, “here’s the deal. If you leave me alone for a few hours, I’ll answer every question you have about my… powers. Okay?”

Valyan narrowed their eyes. “How many hours is ‘a few’?”

“Um… seventy?”

“Nice try. That’s about how long it’ll take us to get back to Sayntagnesia. And it’s actually sixty-nine hours.” They grinned. “Nice.”

Of course that would be the one fact they’d remember. “You got me. How about six?”

“Deal.”

☆ TAGLISTS. let me know if you want to be added/removed to any of them.

general taglist:

@nicola-write @dgwriteblr @the-orangeauthor @onomatopiya @quilloftheclouds @ashen-crest @writeblrfantasy @celestepens @stardustspiral @pepperdee @extra-magichours @avi-why @lefttigerobservation@chazzawrites @bardolatrycore @innocentlymacabre

andromeda trilogy taglist:

@bebewrites @nicola-writes @dgwriteblr @the-orangeauthor @onomatopiya @akindofmagictoo @quilloftheclouds @nora-theteawriter @ashen-crest @corpsepng @writeblrfantasy @chaylattes @toboldlywrite @celestepens @stardustspiral @pepperdee @cheerfulmelancholies @extra-magichours @writeouswriter @cilly-the-writer @lefttigerobservation @rose-bookblood @drowsy-quill @chazzawrites @cynic-and-chief @enchanted-lightning-aes @aesa @outpost51

gemini heist taglist:

@florraisons @akindofmagictoo @cream-and-tea @nicola-writes @memento-morri-writes @antique-symbolism @rose-bookblood @afoolandathief @pepperdee @avi-why @zonnemaagd @chazzawrites @analogued @enchanted-lightning-aes @innocentlymacabre @kahvilahuhut @celestepens @cilly-the-writer @extra-magichours @onomatopiya @outpost51

[numberstationtheta]

Chapter 3: Daily Operations Log – Agent Epsilon

—CLASSIFIED—

Security Hub: Pacific Monitoring Station 04

Date: Earth Cycle 247.351.990

Agent ID: Epsilon-17

Clearance Level: Theta-5

⸻

08:00 – Arrival Scientist Interview (Dr. Vey-Lorr, Xyrrhian Exo-Biologist)

The Xyrrhian research team from the deep observation sector arrived via cloaked transport at 07:45 local time. Standard procedure followed—identity confirmation, DNA stabilization check, and memory integration sync. The lead scientist, Dr. Vey-Lorr, was cooperative but impatient. As expected from his species, his form flickered between its natural state and a semi-humanoid projection, a sign of mental agitation.

Interview transcript (excerpt):

Epsilon-17: “Dr. Vey-Lorr, your team was dispatched to study anomalies in human genetic adaptation. Have you found any cause for concern?”

Dr. Vey-Lorr: “Concern? That depends on your perspective, Agent. Evolutionary drift in resettled species is expected, but your humans—” [pauses, skin phase-shifts to deep violet, indicating stress] “—they are adapting beyond projections. Unexplained accelerations in cognitive development, latent abilities surfacing. We are seeing traits that should not manifest for several millennia, if at all.”

Epsilon-17: “Do you suspect external interference?”

Dr. Vey-Lorr: “I suspect everything.”

The scientist refused to elaborate further but submitted his findings to the central archive. His analysis will require further review, particularly in correlation with recent rogue agent activity. It is unclear if this genetic deviation is a natural progression or if something—or someone—is accelerating it.

⸻

10:30 – Space Transport Scheduling to the Mother Base

Transport request logs indicate an increase in personnel rotation.

• Five deep-cover agents recalled to the orbital Mother Base for reassignment.

• One asset retrieval mission approved—designation “Echo-12”, presumed compromised, to be extracted from Central Europe within three cycles.

• Three research teams scheduled for transit to outpost stations in the Proxima System.

Notably, an unauthorized transport request was flagged. A falsified clearance code was detected, originating from an abandoned relay station in South America. This suggests a rogue agent attempting off-world escape. Investigation is pending.

⸻

13:15 – Rogue Agent Report

Cross-referencing field intelligence, we have confirmation of Agent Kappa’s continued evasion. Kappa, formerly a retrieval operative, has successfully neutralized three tracking attempts in the past month. His integration into human society has gone deeper than anticipated, and he appears to have allies.

A recorded message from Kappa was intercepted on an open frequency, embedded within Earth civilian radio static. Transcript as follows:

“You were never meant to stay forever. We were.”

This is a direct challenge to the Council’s authority. The implication is clear—Kappa and his allies believe the original mission is obsolete. They see Earth not as an assignment but as their rightful home.

I have dispatched a covert recon unit to his last known location. Authorization requested for termination protocol if retrieval proves impossible.

⸻

16:45 – Political Disturbance Report: Human Geo-Conflicts

Several hotspots on Earth indicate increasing instability.

• Pacific Region: Anomalous storm patterns suggest unauthorized weather manipulation, possibly by an external force. Investigating.

• Eastern Europe: Human power factions escalating military operations—natural progression, or external influence?

• North America: Increased political polarization. Surveillance suggests embedded assets may be exerting unseen influence. Further monitoring required.

Of greater concern is the evidence of cross-species interference. Recent data hints that at least one off-world faction has made direct contact with human leaders. This violates the Settlement Directives.

A deep investigation into these unauthorized interactions is now top priority.

⸻

Final Log Entry – 22:30

The station remains operational, but the situation on Earth is deteriorating. The humans are evolving beyond projections. The rogue agents are growing bolder. And now, off-world actors may be interfering.

I submit this report for high-level review.

Recommendation: Immediate recalibration of containment strategy. If we do not act soon, Earth may no longer be a controlled variable.

Agent Epsilon-17, End Transmission.

[baymaksu]

Well, thank you @theangrycomet you posed an excellent question about Tadashi and Karmi interacting and... You inspired this scene in my head and I absolutely had to draw and write it out. And now here are the beginnings of a spontaneous one-shot I will complete, called: “BH6: Among Titans.” Here’s the storyboard and an excerpt:

At the Ito Ishioka Robotics Lab, Karmi timidly knocked on the door. Peering her head into the office, she looked towards the SFIT dean who was going through paperwork, “You wanted to see me, Professor Callaghan?”

Taking off his glasses, Professor Robert Callaghan smiled at the teenage prodigy, “Ms. Khan. Yes. I wanted to check in with you. How’s your first semester at SFIT been treating you?” Holding onto her biotech textbook, Karmi smiled back, “It’s been good, Professor. I’m getting a hang of the class schedule.”

Callaghan nodded, “Your professors have been telling me you’ve been doing remarkably well. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, of course.”

Flushing at the compliment, Karmi chuckled, “Oh, thank you, Professor Callaghan. It’s everything I was hoping for. It’s been a good challenge so far.”

“Good. I knew I chose well when I selected you at the Expo. The future is in bright hands. Although, it’s a shame I couldn’t be your mentor. I’m afraid biotech is just not my field of expertise. Unless you’d consider double majoring in Robotics?” The old professor laughed good-naturedly.

Surprised at the offer, Karmi stumbled shyly, “Oh. Th-that would’ve been an honor, Professor Callaghan. I’m already so grateful you chose me to be in SFIT despite my age. But… unfortunately I don’t think robotics is quite a field I see myself in, either.” It truly would be an honor, too. Although she had no inclination towards robotics, she recognized that Professor Callaghan was regarded as one of the “Fathers of Modern Robotics.”

Professor Callaghan frowned lightly for a moment, but quickly laughed as if to expect this response, “Hmmm… I understand, Ms. Khan. I was simply wondering if you’d humor me. I’m still happy to play a part in your growth as a scientist. Well, perhaps you’ll consider it in the future. While I have you here at the Ito Ishioka Robotics Lab, how about I introduce you to one of my proteges?”

“Um. Yes, I’d like that, Professor.” The dean walked over towards her and placed a comforting hand along her shoulder to guide her towards the halls of the robotics lab building. If Karmi was being honest, she found it comforting to be around the dean. She was far away from her parents, from her family. But Professor Callaghan seemed to exude the presence and aura of a very caring father-like figure. And while he wasn’t her mentor in her intended field of biotechnology, he certainly was a mentor that made an exception to accept her to the school of her dreams.

Coming upon an opaque screen door, Professor Callaghan knocked a few times, “Mr. Hamada. Are you free at the moment? I’d like you to meet someone.”

The voice of a young man could be heard into the opaque private lab room, “Yes, Professor. One moment…”

Momentarily, the door opened to reveal a tall young man sporting a grey cardigan sweater and an all-too familiar signature San Fransokyo Ninjas baseball cap that was slicked backwards. The young man had a warm smile on his face. Professor Callaghan looked to Karmi, “Ms. Khan. Meet Mr. Tadashi Hamada. One of SFIT’s best and brightest. His capstone project blends robotics with healthcare and biotech. I think he would be a great student mentor for you.” Now, looking to his protege, “Mr. Hamada, this Ms. Karmi Khan. She’s a first year biotech major.”

Tadashi chuckled warmly, “You know, Professor. If you keep singing my praises, I may never be able to live up to that.” Now focusing his attention to the new student, Tadashi stepped forward to offer a handshake, “Hello, Karmi. Welcome to SFIT, it’s a pleasure to meet you. You’re already the talk of the school with the honor of being our youngest student. It’s quite a feat, you must be proud.”

Karmi awkwardly took his hand and shook it, “Oh, thanks! I.. I am. The honor- or umm… pleasure is all mine, Mr. Tadashi.“ She was utterly taken aback, bashfully processing that he was complimenting her. She was proud, to be sure. But to hear this from the young man that everyone seemed to liken as a “handsome, brilliant white knight.” She had already known about Tadashi. It was hard not to, he really did have an impressive reputation at SFIT.

“You can loosen up, Karmi! Call me Tadashi!” The young man laughed, rubbing the back of his head. He put a hand along his chin contemplatively, “Sixteen years old… You know, if only I could get my little brother to meet you. Maybe you’d inspire him to do something with his big brain, too. He could use a genius friend around his age.”

“Oh…” Once again, Karmi was thrown for a loop. She honestly has never been great with socializing with other people her age, or with most people in fact. But she did feel honored that Tadashi would feel like she would inspire other people like his little brother.

———

Meanwhile, in an alleyway deep within San Fransokyo’s illustrious Good Luck Alley…. With his megabot in hand, Hiro “innocently” walked towards a roaring crowd circling around several bot fighters.

Right before he could weave into the crowd, he suddenly sneezed. The boy had a habit of not covering himself when he sneezed. Some calloused, unsavory characters turned around to scowl at the little boy who sneezed at them. Hiro shrunk with a nervous chuckle, “S-Sorry. It’s… uhhh… dusty here.” With another roar in the crowd, the ruffians looked back towards the action and dismissed the kid. No doubt, their money was betted on the line and wanted to see the victor.

Hiro’s eyes narrowed annoyedly, a finger scratching his nose and sniffling at the sudden sneeze. He muttered to himself, “I sense a disturbance… Tadashi must be talking about me…” The young boy pictured in his head his older brother trying to tell him to go to school like him rather than bot fight…

Hearing the roaring of the crowd at the declared victor. Hiro shrugged his shoulders at the thought, grinning mischievously, “Well, looks like business is good!” The little boy squeezed himself into the crowd, making his way towards the center…

———

Back at the Ito Ishioka Robotics Lab, Tadashi welcomed Karmi and Professor Callaghan into his private lab, “But hey, you caught me at a good time. I was about to conduct another trial test of my project.”

Recalling that Professor Callaghan stated that his project blended robotics and biotech, this piqued Karmi’s interest, “What is your project… if I may ask?”

“Of course. I think it’d be best to show you.” Walking over to his holographic monitor, Tadashi typed away. Until suddenly, a white balloon-like entity inflated from a red station. When it fully inflated, it revealed a marshmallow-like robot, as Tadashi gestured toward his creation, “This is Baymax. He’s a robotic healthcare companion. Fully capable of a comprehensive, non-invasive diagnostic scan and will have over 10,000 medical protocols and procedures coded into him, among other things.”

“He’s…” The summary description of his project was already incredible, Karmi couldn’t quite articulate herself and yelled, “He’s adorable! He looks like you can just hug him!”

With a wide smile, Tadashi crossed his arms proudly, “Yeah. That’s what Dr. Bay and I were going for. He’s going to help a lot of people, so he needs to be approachable.” With an even wider grin, “Want to watch a test trial?” Karmi’s eyes lit up, “Yes, of course!”

With a nod, Tadashi grabbed a labeled object and stood in front of the inflated robot, “This is Tadashi Hamada. And this is the 62nd test of my robotics project.”

They could hear the machine initializing, until suddenly it looked towards Tadashi and spoke, “/Hello. I am Baymax, your personal healthcare- care- Hello. You look like you could use a hug./“ It stepped off of its charging station.

Tadashi mused to himself, “Hmm… A bit out of sequence. Going to have to recode that.” Now addressing his creation, “But ummm… sure, I would love a hug, big guy.” Tadashi raised his arms, preparing himself for a hug.

The robotic healthcare companion waddled towards him, raising its arms to envelope around Tadashi, “/I will hug you now./“

But to Tadashi’s horror, Baymax began wiggling his fingers during the embrace, “W-Wait! B-Baymax! That’s n-not- THAT’S TICKLING!” The young man erupted into an uncontrollable fit of laughter, trying to wrestle out of the machine’s grasp. “/There. There./“

Suddenly, Baymax looked towards Karmi and Professor Callaghan as Tadashi pried himself away, “/Would you like a hug, too?/“ Slyly, Professor Callaghan smoothly sidestepped himself outside of the private lab. But Karmi couldn’t quite process the odd predicament she was in…

“Karmi, look out!” Before the rogue tickle death machine could grab the young prodigy, Tadashi selflessly got in its way and pushed Karmi out of Baymax’s destructive tickling path. Tadashi yelled valiantly, “Save yourselves! I’ll hold him off!”

Karmi ran out of the room, a hand at her mouth agape. Trying to see if she could help the young man. Professor Callaghan calmly closed the door on Tadashi and Baymax, smiling coolly as they could hear the young man wrestling with vinyl and howling with laughter. Karmi couldn’t help but giggle. The professor seemed to simply wait until they heard, “I- I’M SATIS- SATISFIED WITH MY CARE!”

They could hear heavy breathing until Tadashi opened the door, “Whew… I’m sorry about that you guys. He still needs a lot of work.”

Karmi’s eyes were still wide at the spectacle. Looking to see that the robot was now powered down. Recovering from the shock, she awkwardly tried to comfort the young man about his project, “He’s still really amazing! I think when he’s ready, he’ll really help a lot of people. And tickling could help? It makes people laugh?”

With a soft chuckle, catching his breath, Tadashi smiled at her, “Thanks, Karmi. He’ll get there. I won’t give up on him.” Finally regaining his initial composure, Tadashi stood tall, “But listen. I know it can be intimidating starting your first year here. I’m no biotech or medical whiz, or a robotics whiz as you can see for that matter… But if you ever need any help, feel free to come see me.”

This brightened up Karmi’s expression, “Thank you, Tadashi. I really appreciate it. It was a pleasure meeting you and Baymax. I’ll come around if I need help.” Tadashi nodded at the young girl, “Good. I’ll hold you to it, then.”

Professor Callaghan chimed in as he looked towards his protege with an approving expression, “Well, we’ll leave you to it, Mr. Hamada. Keep up the progress. You’re making great strides. Good luck on your project.”

“Thanks, Professor Callaghan. See you around, Karmi! As you could see, I have a lot of work ahead of me. So if anything, you know where to find me!” They all waved farewell to each other as Tadashi slowly closed the door to his private lab.

As they walked down the hall together, Karmi was deep in thought as she processed meeting Tadashi. She finally looked up towards her professor and remarked, “62 tests? I don’t know if I’d be able to keep trying like that… He’s just… incredible.”

Professor Callaghan nodded as he hummed, “Even geniuses have to work hard, Ms. Khan. Mr. Hamada believes in his work and adheres himself to a higher standard. As I said, I only chose the best and the brightest who can shape the future. That’s why I chose you.” He looked down to the biotech prodigy proudly and fondly like a father would to his accomplished child.

Karmi was elated to hear this, shyly responding, “Thank you, Professor Callaghan. Although, I think seeing even Tadashi struggling with his robotics project didn’t exactly inspire me to consider taking up robotics…”

The dean laughed heartily, “I just wanted to show you that an interdisciplinary approach could be an interesting path less travelled. And I’d certainly enjoy having you in my class. You never know. There may come a day you’ll take an interest.”

[dragon-swords-prophecies]

Hey! Here's an excerpt from my Camp Nano project!

Exactly what the title says.

--------

“Alright. I'm Captain Carter Sierra, and you will refer to me as Captain or Sir unless stated otherwise. Understood?"

All of them nodded.

"Good.'' Continued Carter. He relaxed a bit. Carer had been terrified that they wouldn't listen to him since he was younger than most, if not all, of them. "Name, city of origin, and profession. You already known who I am, so lets begin with you." He pointed to a dwarven woman with golden brown hair and startling grey eyes.

"Tisra Underhill, I'm from Karthwind and an alchemist."

Two men standing next to Tisra laughed at her. Alchemists were valuable people, but not well respected.

Carter looked at them, channeling all his anger at his father into the gaze. They stopped laughing and the first one introduced himself as Harley, a mason's apprentice from Hythe. The second was John, no last name. He hailed from Hythe too, and had been a mason's apprentice too, before being drafted.

"Vicmer Buraze. Call me Vic. I was a thief." At this Tisra gasped, looked at him, and her mouth fell open in shock. Either because of his previous job or because of something else, Carter didn't know.

"What's your hometown?" Carter asked.

Vic's face clouded and he said, "I don't have one."

"Oh." Carter didn't hear the last human introduce themself, too distracted by Vic's last sentence.

How do you not have a hometown? At the very least, you had to have a town you were born in. Didn't you?

The group went over some basic protocol, then made their way to the main area of the barracks, where Commander Zerve was explaining things to the newest recruits, including the five now commanded by Carter.

"Alright people." Said the Commander. Their accent was confusing to some, but not to Carter.

"Listen up. Everyone, and I mean everyone will be living in the barracks unless otherwise specified. And no one is otherwise specified, as far as I am aware."

--------

Alright, people. Opinions, criticism, desire for Enna to show up soon (or is that just me? It's set post-dragon war by about a decade. And Zerve's playing a minor role so En might show up because she's a sarcastic rogue who shows up in my writing whenever possible and also is kinda dating/married to Zerve at this point)?

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this New York Times story:

Emissions of a banned ozone-destroying gas that had risen unexpectedly since 2012 appear to have declined in the last two years, according to preliminary data reported by scientists on Monday.

The findings suggest that China, which was thought to be the source of most of the rogue emissions of the chemical, CFC-11, has made strides in clamping down on illegal production of the gas. CFC-11 is used to make insulating foams.

“The good news is, the report this morning shows emissions now going down significantly,” said Durwood Zaelke, president of the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, a research and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.

The data was presented by Stephen A. Montzka, a research chemist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, at a meeting in Rome of signatories to the Montreal Protocol, the landmark environmental accord of the 1980s that banned CFC-11 and similar chemicals collectively known as chlorofluorocarbons.

The 2018 study suggested the source of most of the rogue emissions was East Asia. Additional research this year pinpointed the source more closely, suggesting that at least 40 to 60 percent of the increased emissions were coming from eastern China. Several investigations, including one by The New York Times, found evidence that factories in that part of China were making the gas or using it to make insulating foams.

[taylorsmiththeauthor]

An Empath, A Psychic, & A Human; first chapter

I’ve decided to take some advice from the tumblr writing community and build my empire, so to speak. So here is my first post about writing, despite the fact that I’ve been on this website for over a year lol. Feel free to check out my wattpad, @Real_Taylor_Smith. I’ve also just put up instagram where I’ll be posting news, extra content, and excerpts as well as here! It’s @real.tay.smith and soon I’ll have a website up. A little heads up, this story has a fair amount of foul language, so be warned. Until then, happy reading!

HUMAN

The air in the truck was tense.

No one had really been sure of what we were supposed to fight. The best that had been offered to us were a few blurry pictures of a massive scaly beast with wings, and audio of a terrible scream that seemed to come from the beast. The world quickly claimed that a dragon had somehow come to be – and we were supposed to fight it.

I glanced around me at the faces. They were all of my friends who had signed up to be in reserves, which was part-time military. We all had our reasons; money, benefits, looking good on applications, or whatever. We wanted to serve from the comfort of our homeland, not fight dragons in downtown Toronto, the biggest city in Canada and seventh most populated in the continent.

I took out a picture I always kept in my pocket near my heart; a photo of my girlfriend. It was one of my favourite photos of her, because it captured her almost completely. She was standing on top of a crazy old Mayan ruin, overlooking an ancient plaza, the jungle, and a large river. She grinned at the camera, hands on her hips, smile lines crinkled around her blue eyes, blonde hair escaping from her bun pinned back with a hairpin made by locals. She looked incredibly happy and in awe of the place she was standing on. That had been taken about two years ago on her last March break trip of high school when she went to Belize with the school. I liked to carry the photo in my uniform, remember that she was waiting for me back home.

“Alright pansies, listen up!”

The sharp command from our sergeant had me scrambling to put the photo away as he stood up and handed out new pictures.

“Now I can’t say that I’ve ever fought dragons before, nor have I been taught the protocol, so I don’t really know what to do. But that’s fine because there is one thing I do know – it is our duty to keep this place safe. Toronto has yet to be fully evacuated and the beast is not contained. We still have no idea where the hell it came from or what the hell it is, but we gotta stop it.”

A photo came around to me and I looked at it, my heart plunging into my feet. The thing gripped the top of the CN Tower, green leathery wings spread wide, head open in a snarl, mouth full of jagged teeth. The thing looked huge, at least the size of a T-Rex. I passed the picture.

“Because we have no idea where this fucker is going to go, we’ve set up a perimeter along the Harbour Front, Bloor St, Bathurst, and Don Valley. We’ve got about fifty platoons stationed around to stop wherever this thing decides to go. We’ll be down on King, by the Princess of Wales Theatre. We’ll be there soon so start your praying, because we’ve got a one in fifty chance of being stuck with this beast.”

I looked over to my left and met eyes with one of my oldest friends, Donovan. He, another friend of ours, and myself all joined together. The other friend, Kaiah, was exceedingly lucky as her family had all gone to another city for a funeral. So, Donovan and I were about to face a dragon.

“What’re the odds it has a video-game weak spot?” Donovan asked quietly, “Like, a soft spot on its belly?”

I shrugged, “With your luck, no.”

“Don’t speak of my bad luck, because then we will have to face the damn thing.”

“Knock on wood I guess.”

“Everything near is us metal, so we’re all fucked then.”

We laughed quietly, the impending doom still very much a real threat. We talked for a little bit but soon fell silent and felt the seconds tick past. Far too soon, the sergeant stood up.

“File out in formation!”

We followed, hopping out of the truck and getting into two straight lines, facing east where the monster would be. To my left was the theatre, and I vaguely remembered going to see a play with Hazel. The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Nighttime, I think. Now, all the signs read Hamilton, which I knew Hazel had been dying to see. She said I would like it, but she felt bad because she had already promised Mackenzie she would take her because she was already a huge fan. I smiled, grateful for the memory.

However, I was violently ripped back to reality when I heard a screech. The videos didn’t capture it. Nothing could.

It was as if a T-Rex and a lion roared while someone scraped their nails against a chalkboard and it shook us to our core. I didn’t pray nor did I believe in a god, but I found myself asking that it wouldn’t be us, please let it not be us.

“And just what the hell do you think you’re doing?”

My back straightened automatically and I opened my mouth to make an explanation, but it wasn’t me the sergeant was talking to – two weird civilians had wandered into the area.

One of them was Hazel.

She wore a long white dress with bronze breastplates, shoulder pads, arm guards, and gladiator boots. Her dress was styled like an Ancient Greek chiton,  and the blonde hair piled up on her head sported a style from the same period. From her back sprouted a massive pair of dove wings, the feathers an opal-esque shade, shining dozens of colours, the edges of the wings covered in bronze. At her hip was a woven belt on which hung several drawstring pouches and a dagger.

The person beside her was dressed just as weirdly, but very differently. Their entire outfit was made of brown leather and bronze plates, and it kind of looked like a rogue from D&D. Like, 90% of the pants were extremely tall leather boots with straps and holsters for knives and other things. The top was a green tunic that went just above their elbows and brushed the top of the boots, under which seemed to be brown hide. They had a brown cloak on top with a hood, a green cloth pulled up over their nose, the same pine green as their eyes. They had a mask on their face seemed to be made of moss, covering the area around their eyes. Little flowers sprouted from it as well as small branches with blossoms out the top, making it look like they had antlers. From what little I could see of them, I could tell they had dark brown skin and a very thick afro. I had no clue whether it was a guy or a girl.

“We’re ordering you to evacuate the area,” Hazel said calmly, arms crossed and hip out to the side. That meant she didn’t want any fooling around.

“Except for you, there aren’t any civilians downtown.”

“As far as we’re concerned, you are civilians.”

“Hey, Crybaby, aren’t they militia?” The other asked.

Hazel looked at them and then at the platoon before turning back to her partner, “No, this is the reserve force, it’s part-time military. Civilians, technically.”

“Oh shit, right. Is that thing you were worried about…?”

“Yes.” Hazel spoke curtly and it seemed like she glanced at me, but it was so fast I couldn’t tell.

“We are official military,” the sergeant said angrily, “and you’re civilians! You need to leave immediately, or I will remove you by force, which I do not wish to do.”

“Just try it,” the partner scoffed, but Hazel shot them a look and they rolled their eyes, maintaining quiet.

“I apologize, but you are unfit to deal with this problem,” Hazel said cooly, “We are, however, very well-versed in dealing with wyverns.”

“And just what the fuck is a wyvern?” The sergeant spat.

“What you’re planning to fight,” the partner said, “and my pal here knows that it’s going to be coming this way, so you better get a fucking move on.”

“How in the hell do you know this?” The sergeant asked, seeming to be unsure.

“Classified.” They spoke in unison.

“So please just leave it to us and get your soldiers out of here,” Hazel said, seeming to be losing her patience.

“I can’t do that!” The sergeant was losing his too, “You’re just a couple of wackos who’ll get yourselves killed and land me in a world of trouble.”

“Quite the opposite, I assure you.” Hazel glared at the sergeant and her partner narrowed their eyes, which made him apprehensive.

“Who the fuck are these people?” Donovan asked beside me.

“You serious?” I said, turning to him, “That’s Hazel, I can’t tell who the other is though because of the mask.”

“What?” Donovan asked, looking at them, “How do you know it’s Hazel? She’s wearing a mask too. And what’s with the wings?”

I opened my mouth when another screech ripped through the air.

“You have three minutes before the wyvern gets here,” Hazel warned, danger in her tone, “So either you let us do our jobs or you die and make it a lot harder for us. But one thing is for sure, we will do what we need to do to take this thing down.”

The sergeant shifted, “Well just because you wear weird clothes and know what this is doesn’t mean that you can defeat it.”

“Look, man,” the partner spoke, “we can’t do anymore than is allowed for the situation so how about this – let me fight your best fighter. Whomever wins can kill the beast, old honour style.”

“That’s ridiculous,” the sergeant scoffed.

“Well, your attitude calls for it.”

“Appy,” Hazel warned, “be careful.”

“But you’ll ref, right?” The partner asked, “Fae rules and all?”

Hazel sighed, “Yes, I’ll ref.”

“Great. So good sir, get your best fighter.”

The sergeant scowled but turned to us, “Jackson! Front and centre!”

We all watched as Tyler Jackson, a big muscular prick of a guy, stepped forward with a grin. He was proud and self-centred, and by far the best fighter we had. He had yet to be beaten in hand-to-hand, even from the sergeant. The small person didn’t stand a chance.

“What’re the rules?” Tyler asked, “And do I get a prize?”

“If you lose, you live. If you win, you die with honour. Pick a blade.” The small person didn’t seem to give a shit that Tyler was twice their size.

Tyler grinned and pulled a knife from his pocket. He was deadly with it, and everyone had at least one scar from it.

“Let no blood be spilled,” Hazel said as she and the sergeant stepped back to give the pair space, “Appy, I’m serious.”

“You’re no fun,” the partner complained.

“Where’s your blade?” Tyler teased.

The partner, evidently called Appy for some reason, reached for a bronze armband on their upper arm and pulled it off, glowing as it extended into a massive broadsword. Appy grinned like a maniac and Tyler looked scared shitless.

“Appy,” Hazel warned.

Appy sighed and the sword shrank down to a dagger, “Just wanted to scare the guy,” they complained.

“Make it quick, let no blood be spilled, and may the winner have the honour of defeating the Wyvern. It hath been spoken, thus let it be.” Hazel raised her arms as she spoke, saying it like a chant. A heavy weight settled in, as if the words themselves really carried a spell.

As soon as Hazel finished speaking, Appy lunged for Tyler, but he saw it and dodged. Yet Appy was too fast. They caught him by the middle and flipped him over, causing the blade to fly from his hand. He made an oof as he hit the ground, the wind knocked from him. Appy sat on his chest and pinned his arms with one hand, the other holding a knife to his throat.

“One...two...three. And that’s match. We shall fight the wyvern,” Hazel announced, glancing at the street beyond them, “and just in time. You need to take your soldiers and leave, get as far away from here as possible. But if you see the wyvern, freeze – they like a moving target.”

“What the hell is that?” The sergeant barked, “There had to be some trick!”

“No, trick, I assure you,” Appy said as they got off of Tyler, turning their back to him, “I just guess that military training doesn’t match up to a Knight’s.”

Tyler was enraged, and it was obvious. He had never lost a fight, especially not to someone so weird and small. He snatched his blade from the ground and thrust up on his knees, aiming for Appy’s side.

Appy sidestepped easily and sliced their blade across Tyler’s arm, causing him to cry out in pain and drop his blade.

“That’s one angry dude,” Appy said as they slid their dagger, now an armband, back into place.

“I said no bloodshed,” Hazel huffed as she knelt down next to Tyler and pulled out a roll of gauze.

“The fight was over!” Appy argued, “Besides, he was wanting to give me a scar, everyone in this damn platoon has one from him. Thought I would return the favour.”

“God, you’re like a dumbass Batman villain,” Hazel complained to Tyler as she bandaged his wound, “With less honour than the Joker, you piece of shit.”

“How did you know I was thinking that?” Tyler asked, scared, “You psychic?”

“Term is telepathic,” Hazel said matter-of-factly, “I’m psychic, Appy’s an empath. Now that that’s cleared up, leave.”

The sergeant bristled at the last word as he had watched everything unfold.

“Just because you won one fight-”

“I’m sorry,” Appy snarled, suddenly rounding on the sergeant, pulling their blade out and holding it dangerously close to his face, “Do you not understand basic combat rules, let alone fae? I won, so you leave. You can’t break a deal, or the fae will fuck you up, if I don’t get to you first. Feel fear.”

At this, the sergeant scrambled back, visibly shaken and sweating.

“Appy!” Hazel scolded harshly, “Fear won’t help this, only make him worse. Besides, it’s too late now.”

“Too late?” Someone asked.

“Yeah,” Appy said coolly, “blame these two assholes.” Their head jutted towards the sergeant and Tyler, “If they had only let us do their jobs then y’all’ight’ve lived.”

“No one is going to die,” Hazel assured, taking the sergeant by the arm and picking Tyler up, leading them to where the rest of us were standing. She pushed Tyler off on someone and sharply told the sergeant; “Stay behind this line.” Then she produced a piece of blue chalk from her belt and drew a curved line in front of all of us, chanting quitely all the time. Once she finished, she bent down and kissed it, making the line glow a faint blue. A shimmering wall formed in front of us, Hazel standing on the other side. Then she turned to us, “Don’t move, don’t make a noise, only breathe if you need to. Disobeying any of these will get you and everyone else killed.”

“Crybaby, E.T.A.?” Appy called, a longsword suddenly in their hand as a shriek cut through the air.

“Five. Four. Three. Two. One.”

As soon as Hazel finished saying ‘one’, she pulled something from her pocket, watched by the wyvern as it rounded the corner.

“Oh, we are so fucked.”

[atamascolily]

Thoughts on Coruscant Nights: Jedi Twilight

Jedi Twilight, the first book in the Coruscant Nights series by Michael Reaves, was surprisingly good, considering my very low expectations for the old Star Wars EU. I am not heavily invested in the new characters, but the neo-noir-ish undertones of the seedy Coruscant underworld in the early days of the Empire was a fun setting, with a lot of interesting details I plan on borrowing for future fics, as per @teagrl's recommendations.

Jax Pavan was declared a Jedi three weeks before Order 66, and has been on the run ever since. When his master dies in an ambush, Jax is sent on a quest to retrieve a droid for the fledgling resistance movement, and enlists the aid of Grey Paladin Laranth, a badass Twi'lek from a rogue splinter sect of Force-users that forgo the use of lightsabers and the Force in favor of blasters and martial arts. As Jax muses, those are the very skills you need to survive in the new Empire with gangs of clone troopers hunting you down. Laranth is awesome, and I wish she had more screen time; I'm definitely intrigued by these splinter Jedi sects - again, great fic material here!

Jax was also kinda-sorta friends with Anakin Skywalker, and keeps wondering what happened to him, even as Darth Vader hunts him down. (That's gonna be awkward in future books when Jax finds out the truth.) Then there's a sentient protocol droid, friends with Jax's father, who is also hunting him down to fulfill his father's last request - much to Jax's chagrin (he has no interest in his biological family) and the droid's Sullustan companion (who just wants to stay out of trouble). There's some interesting discussions of droid rights and droid sentience, and the resulting prejudice, plus a mention of Artoo and Threepio as possible sentients based on their behavior - which, yet again, is more fodder for future fics!

In addition to Reaves' OCs, we also have guest appearances from Prince Xizor and the gang at Black Sun, plus my old pal Nick Rostu from Shadows of Mindor, which was an unexpected delight. I love Nick and in absence of any of other characters besides Laranth who I really like, I was rooting for him.

Best passage in the book by far is Nick's reaction to the cuisine at a Quarren bar:

He eyed with considerable mistrust the tasteful arrangement of sulyet on the platter the chef had just set before him. "It's still moving."

"That means it's fresh."  Jax picked up a small oblong bar of tikit grain. It had a tiny sliver of purple coral worm arranged on it, which writhed slowly. He put it in his mouth and chewed, savoring the tang of sweet and tart.

Rostu gingerly picked up a grain ball with a nudibranch embedded in it. A tiny eye on a stalk opened and peered at him, and he put it down again hastily.

So, basically, it's alien live-insect/sea-creature sushi, and I love it.

I'm not going to fault Reaves for not killing off any characters in this book, but it does take away some of the suspense to know that Xizor, Vader, and Nick all have Plot Armor and Reaves is understandably uninterested in killing off any of his OCs, so... I don't know, plot is not really the point of this book, I guess, especially since I was primed for double-crosses and macguffins from the get-go (I mean, this IS noir we're talking about here).

The bonus material at the end is an excerpt from Book II, featuring Padme Amidala's captain of security plotting to kill Anakin Skywalker to avenge her death. Yeah, that will work out well.

[hcgdietinfodotcom]

The Hcg Diet Protocol

This precise summary of the HCG Diet protocol includes excerpts directly from Dr. Simeons manuscript, "Pounds and Inches" including the menu for the 500 calorie VLCD (Very Low Calorie Diet.)  It is important to note there are modern versions of the protocol that allow healthy food variations, increased calories and a more lenient approach to the diet. You can find these here on Hcg Diet Info as well.   The HCG Diet Protocol Summarized While there are a number of new protocol variations, the version described below is the unedited, original summary as outlined by Dr. Simeons himself.  The food list and menu description, are also unedited and taken directly from the manuscript. In addition to the these details, you will find notes attached by our expert editors for additional clarification.  If you are looking for additional protocol questions, or are simply curious, those can be found in our A to Z Guide to the Hcg diet. If you have questions regarding this protocol, feel free to join the  Hcg Diet Forums where we have coaches that are experts on the original diet protocol as well as in homeopathic protocols, and various "rogue" approaches.   The Original Hcg Diet Menu Breakfast:Tea or coffee in any quantity without sugar. Only one tablespoonful of milk allowed in 24 hours. Saccharin or Stevia may be used.Lunch: - 100 grams of protein, including veal, beef, chicken breast, fresh white fish, lobster, crab, or shrimp. All visible fat must be carefully removed before cooking, and the meat must be weighed raw. It must be boiled or grilled without additional fat. Salmon, eel, tuna, herring, dried or pickled fish are not allowed. The chicken breast must be removed from the bird - One type of vegetable only to be chosen from the following: spinach, chard, chicory, beet-greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, cabbage.   - One breadstick (grissino) or one Melba toast. - An apple, orange, or a handful of strawberries or one-half grapefruit. Dinner:The same four choices as lunch (shown above.) Please take the 100 grams weight seriously, but also take into consideration that you want 100 grams of PROTEIN, and not added salts and additives of your intake.   Free Printable: Hcg Diet Protocol Menu According to Nutrition.org, the average American portion size is 50% larger than needed, and is one of the largest contributing factors to the rise of obesity in America. We highly recommend buying a food scale and focusing on portion control as one strategy to train yourself for lifelong healthy eating.   These scales are extremely inexpensive (around $10 to $15 on (Amazon) and will immediately save you money on food, while proving to be an inexpensive investment for long term healthy eating.   Important Highlights from the Original HCG Diet Manuscript: - The 500 calorie limit must always be maintained. - 2 small apples are not an acceptable exchange for “1 apple.” - Very occasionally we allow egg - boiled, poached or raw - to patients who develop an aversion to meat, but in this case they must add the white of three eggs to the one they eat whole. - Cottage cheese made from skimmed milk is available. 100 grams may occasionally be used instead of the allowed meat option. Particularly for a vegetarian Hcg Dieter, these substitutes can be quite helpful. Here is an additional article on alternative proteins for the vegetarian Hcg Diet. This may be particularly useful for vegetarians or those with aversions to meat but still want to follow the plan. What kind of diet is this? The Hcg Diet is a whole food cleanse, a high protein, green carbohydrate, high vegetable approach to weight loss and healthy eating.  The Hcg protocol is NOT a ketosis diet, and if done correctly, ketosis is not necessary for rapid weight loss effects in obese patients, as intended. Benefits of the HCG Protocol The diet is widely known for rapid weight loss results, however there are additional benefits that have made the diet successful:  the plan also focuses on helping the individual to adapt to a whole food nutrition plan, understand portion control, and detoxifying the body as a whole. What can I eat on the Original Protocol? Drinks and Seasonings permitted on the HCG Diet based on Dr Simeons original Hcg weight loss protocol as written in Pounds and Inches: - The juice of one lemon daily is allowed for all purposes. - Salt, pepper, vinegar, mustard powder, garlic, sweet basil, parsley, thyme, marjoram, etc., may be used for seasoning - No oil, butter or dressing is permitted - Tea, coffee, plain water, or mineral water (2 liters of water per day is recommended) are the only drinks allowed, but they may be taken in any quantity and at all times. - The fruit or the breadstick may be eaten between meals instead of with lunch or dinner, but not more than than four items listed for lunch and dinner may be eaten at one meal. - No medicines or cosmetics other than lipstick, eyebrow pencil and powder may he used without special permission. Editor's note: Most hcg diet experts today, find there are no issues with cosmetics or similar products that affect weight loss results.  Personal care items are believed to be the same, however some individuals do proceed with caution in an effort to achieve the most efficient weight loss rates on the diet.  Read more about what to eat on the Hcg Diet here.   Original Protocol on Portions: specially prepared unsweetened, low calorie foods "In many countries specially prepared unsweetened and low Calorie foods are freely available, and some of these can be tentatively used... the total daily intake must not exceed 500 Calories if the best possible results are to be obtained, that the daily ration should contain 200 grams of fat-free protein and a very small amount of starch."  From Dr Simeon's own Manuscript, "Pounds and Inches." (available here as PDF, MP3 Audiobook, and by table of contents with editor's notes.) Editor's Note:  With modern research, we now know that the cleaner the diet, the more efficient the weight loss. We also know that clean-eating can help with transitioning into phase 3 and long term maintenance.   Low calorie foods in America tend to be prepackaged, highly processed and difficult for the body to process efficiently.  It is highly advised that only "whole foods" are eaten while on the diet plan.   Processed foods or prepackaged foods are NOT permitted on the protocol.  Please avoid all sweeteners and processed foods as much as possible for more efficient weight loss. In addition, the primary goal while on Phase 2 of the protocol, should always be to retrain the mind and body to follow healthier eating habits.   One opportunity with this part of the protocol, is to weed out unhealthy sweeteners completely, and learn to eat  whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible.   Personal Care and Beauty Products: Highlights from the Original Manuscript: We do permit the use of lipstick, powder and such lotions as are entirely free of fatty substances. We also allow brilliantine to be used on the hair but it must not be rubbed into the scalp. Obviously sun-tan oil is prohibited.  Aspirin and birth control are allowed on the Simeons hCG Diet.No massage of any kind.  Note: Modern Hcg Diet experts widely approve of massage and light to moderate exercise while on the Hcg Diet Plan.  In fact, anything that increases the body's circulation is considered to be a health benefit: before, during and after the Hcg Diet Plan. A short list of HCG-friendly health and beauty products are available here: Recommended HCG Diet-safe products. About Dr. Simeons HCG Injections: Based on the original protocol, Hcg Diet injections (complete guide) the dose for the Simeons protocol is 125 iu of Hcg injections, administered daily, for no more than 40 days.   As a modern day modification, Hcg diet drops and tablets (or pellets) are also acceptable in prescription or homeopathic form.  Modern acceptable dosages for Hcg injections range from 125ius to 200 ius. Hcg for injections MUST BE high quality, high potency Hcg to be effective and to avoid challenges. A list of sources providing these can be found on our "Buying Hcg injections online" and "Hcg drops online" pages. "Patients who need to lose 15 pounds or, 7 kilos or less require 26 days treatment with 23 daily injections. The VLCD is continued for 3 days following the end of the injections to avoid weight regain." Dr. Simeons Guidelines for hCG Injections: Hcg injections are administered daily. The dose for the Simeons protocol is 125iu administered daily, for no more than 40 days. "When treating only one or two cases simultaneously, vials containing a small number of units say 1000 I.U. should be used. The 10 cc. of solvent which is supplied by the manufacturer is injected into the rubber- capped bottle containing the hCG, and the powder must dissolve instantly. Of this solution 1 .25 cc. are withdrawn for each injection. One such bottle of 1000 I.U. therefore furnishes 8 injections. When more than one patient is being treated, they should not each have their own bottle but rather all be injected from the same vial and a fresh solution made when this is empty.Patients who need to lose 15 pounds or, 7 kilos or less require 26 days treatment with 23 daily injections." The VLCD is continued for 3 days following the end of the injections to avoid weight regain.   HCG Diet Injections and the Female Menstrual Cycle "Patients do not take their injections during menstruation, however the VLCD is continued during this time.  The individual must reinstate the daily Hcg injection once menstruation is over. Many women simply skip injections on the heaviest flow days." This is only a small amount of the information provided in Dr. Simeons manuscript.  Read the entire section on this topic in the manuscript:  HCG Diet and the female menstrual cycle Time and hCG Shots "When a patient has more than 15 pounds to lose the treatment takes longer but the maximum we give in a single course is 40 injections, nor do we as a rule allow patients to lose more than 34 lbs. (15 Kg.) at a time. The treatment is stopped when either 34 lbs. have been lost or 40 injections have been given. The only exception we make is in the case of grotesquely obese patients who may be allowed to lose an additional 5-6 lbs. if this occurs before the 40 injections are up."   How long do I take Hcg Injections on the Protocol? "When a patient has more than 15 pounds to lose the treatment takes longer but the maximum we give in a single course is 40 injections, nor do we as a rule allow patients to lose more than 34 lbs. (15 Kg.) at a time. The Treatment is stopped when either 34 lbs. have been lost or 40 injections have been given. The only exception we make is in the case of grotesquely obese patients who may be allowed to lose an additional 5-6 lbs. if this occurs before the 40 injections are up." Side Effects There are very few risks with the Hcg hormone and the weight loss protocol.  In the Hcg Diet forums on this site, we have seen very few side effects of the protocol. During the Phase 2, some individuals may experience headaches, hunger and cravings, which are typically found to disappear in a few days as the body adjusts to the lack of preservatives, chemicals and processed sugars and carbs. In the event that these do not subside, an Hcg dosage adjustment may be required and is relatively simple to do with the help of your doctor or the advice of our coaching experts in the forums. Read more about side effects of the diet. Modern Day Protocol Modifications While the original protocol continues to be one of the most popular, there are modifications that have become accepted by Hcg Diet experts.   These include Hcg drops being added as a legitimate option, the use of coconut oil in very small amounts, and the strong focus on a 4th Phase: long term weight loss maintenance plans and programs.  You can learn more about these in our Hcg Diet Guide: How to. Questions?  Hcg Diet expert moderators and coaches offer free advice in the Hcg Diet Forums. We are ready to help! Read the full article

[musicgoonmail]

God Gives More Grace

In This Edition

In this week’s edition, I write about a video I made for FCBC Walnut, going LIVE on Instagram, and what I’ve been enjoying in entertainment. As always, I share what’s new with my book reviews and point you to the all of the new free eBooks around the web.

There was a 4.5-magnitude earthquake last Friday night and it was very close to home. This was the first time that Jess and I ran to get both kids out of their cribs. It was definitely an exciting way to start our weekend, and I’m hoping that this one starts a little bit better! Thanks for spending your weekend with me here.

God Gives More Grace

IG LIVE

Free eBooks

Extended Play

Lightning Links

Playlists

Coming Soon

Weekly Review

God Gives More Grace

One church ministry that is important to me is to make sure our various sermons get posted on our church YouTube channel. When I was uploading our youth sermon by Pastor Kevin Quan, I saw a segment that I wanted to highlight as a sermon excerpt. 

To try something new, I created a 3-minute sermon excerpt that also includes a video and music component. I did a quick arrangement of a new worship song I wrote (maybe more on that another time!) and paired it with a photo. We'll see if I can fit it into my workflow to make more sermon excerpts like this. You can watch it on YouTube or IGTV.

IG LIVE

I went LIVE on Instagram with my friend Kristen to talk about her art and our church. I appreciate her openness and honesty - and it was encouraging to hear her perspective and see her perseverance. You can watch our conversation on our church YouTube or IGTV.

My friend Isabel invited me to go LIVE, and we talked about reading, school, and Canada. It was super fun to share some of my new favorite books, including Crossway’s Unfolding Grace which I just received in the mail. I'm so happy we were able to connect! I hope we get to do it again sometime. You can watch our conversation on IGTV.

Book Reviews

I published a total of 7 book reviews this week. The first 4 were new editions of a gospel set by Alabaster that will be released soon. The other 3 were academic titles, including a theology on beauty and diversity, a biblical theology of the Exodus story, and a handbook and guide to tough texts and problem passages.

On Instagram, I started pulling quotes from Twitter to include in my carousel posts. It takes a little bit of work, but I think it’s worth it overall. It’s been fun to try different things, and I am excited to change it up a bit on my feed.

Gospel of Matthew - Alabaster Bible 2nd Ed.

Gospel of Mark - Alabaster Bible 2nd Ed.

Gospel of Luke - Alabaster Bible 2nd Ed.

Gospel of John - Alabaster Bible 2nd Ed.

The Beautiful Community by Irwyn L. Ince Jr.

Exodus Old and New by L. Michael Morales

Navigating Tough Texts by Murray J. Harris

Free eBooks

This week, the Gospel Coalition announced their series of 250 Theological Essays. There’s a lot to take in, but a good place to start would be checking out some favorites from Phil Thompson. He manages strategy and development for TGC’s digital properties. You can see them on his blog.

In case you missed it, Crossway and 9Marks released a free audiobook: How Can I Love Church Members with Different Politics? For more from Crossway and 9Marks, you can download a free eBook: Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church by John Onwuchekwa. I want you to read more, and there are so many great eBooks you can find for free. Check out the list below for more free recent reads.

The Gospel Coalition: 250 Theological Essays

Crossway and 9 Marks: How Can I Love Church Members with Different Politics?

Crossway and 9Marks: Prayer: How Praying Together Shapes the Church by John Onwuchekwa

The Gospel Coalition: 9 Free eBooks by D. A. Carson

The Good Book Company: Exodus For You by Tim Chester

Tabletalk Magazine: Time and the Christian Life by Ligonier Ministries

Extended Play

The article that impacted me the most this week was Adoption and the Integrity of the Family by Russell Moore. His boys are now 18, and he reflects what he has learned about becoming a family through adoption. I’m happy that he continues to share about their adoption journey. His book, Adopted for Life, literally changed my life as it planted the idea of adoption in my mind.

I was trying to decide what my favorite Mission: Impossible movie was last weekend. While not as epic as Rogue Nation and not as spectacular as Fallout, Ghost Protocol is fun, memorable, and has an amazing score. 

Throwback: 5 Ways To Lead Worship When You’re Not On Stage

Article: Adoption and the Integrity of the Family by Rusell Moore

Sermon: The Love of Human Praise as the Root of Unbelief by John Piper

Movie: Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

TV: Community

Book: Worship and the World to Come by Glenn Packiam

Music: My Anchor by NewStory Church

Lightning Links

These quick hits are exclusive to my newsletter readers. Some struck immediately before writing this newsletter. I don’t necessarily endorse the positions or lives of these authors. Some may contain sensitive language. I find them all extremely interesting.

Journalists Are Leaving the Noisy Internet for Your Email Inbox

TikTok has been saved. But for music, is that a good thing?

Brad Pitt is a master class in how to play the game as a celebrity. Case in point: his Fast Times at Ridgemont High table-read performance.

Kanye West’s War Against Record Contracts Could Actually Work — for Kanye, Anyway

Joe Rigney Is President-Elect of Bethlehem College & Seminary

Playlists

MUSICGOON: 7 songs I enjoyed this week.

SVRGNLA: Jess and I love these songs.

ETJ: Music that inspires my band.

DIDD: A crowd-sourced worship playlist.

TGIF: SOLA Network friends and faves.

This is FCBC Walnut: The songs we sing at church.

Coming Soon

I have several upcoming book reviews from a variety of publishers, and a lot of them have beautiful hardback covers which should make for some better photos. Be on the lookout for books from InterVarsity Press, Lexham Press, Banner of Truth, and Crossway.

We have our small group tonight with other married couples at our church, and we’ll be discussing A Famous and Forgotten Romance: Six Lessons for Marriage and Ministry by Marshall Segal at DesiringGod. And for the first time in 7 months, I'll be leading music at church on Sunday. I asked for prayer in our church newsletter by sharing a 2-minute video that you can watch on YouTube. Would you please pray for me, too?

Weekly Review

SOLA: What We Can Learn from John Chau / What 1 Corinthians 7 Says About Desertion and Divorce / Embodied Creativity: Delighting in God Through Diversity / From Killing Fields to Harvest Fields: Why Christianity Is Growing in Cambodia

TGIF: FCBC Walnut: God Gives More Grace / NewStory Church: The Blessing

Book Review: Navigating Tough Texts by Murray J. Harris

Book Review: Exodus Old and New by L. Michael Morales

Book Review: The Beautiful Community by Irwyn L. Ince Jr.

Book Review: Gospel of John - Alabaster Bible 2nd Ed.

Book Review: Gospel of Luke - Alabaster Bible 2nd Ed.

Book Review: Gospel of Mark - Alabaster Bible 2nd Ed.

Book Review: Gospel of Matthew - Alabaster Bible 2nd Ed.

Recommended Reading: 5 Stumbling Blocks to Pastoral Honesty / The Local Church Was Made To Serve The Christian, Not The Christian The Local Church / Our Job Is Not to Be Jesus: Battling Codependency in Ministry / Secondary Infertility: Awkward Sorrow, Useful Instructor

[marcuserrico]

'Rogue One': How 'Star Wars' Breakout K-2SO Evolved From Concept to Screen (Exclusive Clip and Art)

Of all the characters introduced into the Star Wars universe via Rogue One, the hands-down fan favorite is K-2SO, the rewired Imperial security droid adeptly portrayed by Alan Tudyk.

Providing the requisite comic relief (“because of the reprogramming, he’s a little honest, a little odd; he’s got no filter,” Tudyk explained to Yahoo Movies last year), the impolitic gangly robot is the subject of a character featurette on the upcoming Rogue One home release, which traces the development of K-2 literally from the drawing board onward. Yahoo Movies has an exclusive excerpt (watch it above) focusing on how Tudyk physically captured the droid on set using a specialized suit and stilts.

This GIF illustrates how the FX team transformed an actor on stilts into a K-2 unit (yes, that’s an RA-7 droid on the far right). (Lucasfilm)

Although not seen in the above clip, the K-2SO featurette includes concept art that shows his evolution, from the original designs of him as a slightly altered version of the RA-7 protocol droid (aka the Death Star droid) from Star Wars: A New Hope to the version in the film.

This early “full body-height reference” image features the droid with a more insectoid appearance, not unlike the original RA-7. (Image courtesy of The Art of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Abrams/Lucasfilm)

Ivan Manzella created this early study of the Imperial droid before his design was finalized. (Lucasfilm)

This K-2SO head study by Lucasfilm concept artist Luke Fisher is close to the final version. (Lucasfilm)

Fisher says he “referenced existing Imperial design” for his rendering of the droid; the breastplate is based on the AT-AT drivers and snowtroopers from Empire Strikes Back (Lucasfilm)

This striking image, titled ‘Prisoner Transport,’ is Lucasfilm artist’s Matt Allsopp’s design for the scene of K-2SO breaking Jyn out of an Imperial lockup (Lucasfilm)

In addition to the K-2SO material, the Rogue One home edition will include separate segments on the rest of the new crew, the origins of the story, the production design and challenges of matching the 1977 style, how the characters of Leia and Tarkin were digitally re-created, and a look at the various Easter eggs.

The standalone Star Wars story arrives Friday, March 24, on Digital HD and the Disney Movies Anywhere service, and will be available on Blu-ray, DVD, and on-demand on April 4.

‘Rogue One’ Star Alan Tudyk on ‘Conan’ Recalls Profane Comment from C-3PO Actor:

Read More from Yahoo Movies:

Rogue One Writer Gary Whitta Reveals Alternate Ending, Discarded Characters, and Origin of the Title

How Darth Vader Got His Groove Back in Rogue One Thanks to Last-Minute Tweak

Rogue One Sound Editors on How They Found Leia’s ‘Hope’ and More Production Secrets

[roguenewsdao]

Citizen Sophia, Blockchain, and the CFR Convo

"Technology has always been a double-edged sword."  -- Ray Kurzweil, November 3, 2017.

During the last few days, we've been witnessing a shift of power in Saudi Arabia as a young heir proceeds to clad his power base in iron. However, only two weeks prior to the recent political purge in the Kingdom, another shift in power took place in the same land. But this time the shift came from the animatronic mouth of a pale-skinned, multi-color-eyed female Android named Sophia. The robot became the first of its kind to be granted actual citizenship.

The women of Saudi Arabia were not amused.

Admittedly, the granting of citizenship to a robot is a bit of a public relations stunt. Prince MBS put on a good show to express his seemingly sincere desire to pull Saudi out of the 7th century and attract investment of new technology into the Kingdom. Let us not forget the multi-billion-dollar data surveillance center that was launched earlier this year when President Trump joined King Salman and other visiting dignitaries at the "glowing orb" ceremony [linked here]. Would Riyadh like to become the desert version of Silicon Valley?

Sophia is the creation of Hanson Robotics, Inc., founded by Dr. David Hanson. She is futuristic in every sense of the word. Sophia is learning how to be human via her interactions with real people. This feature of AI is mentioned further down in this blog in the statements made by Ray Kurzweil. Robots are designed to somewhat mirror what they witness in real people, not unlike what a real child does as it matures to adulthood. Now, immediately, you can see what the dangers of that would be. Who gets to decide which humans the robot will study as its mentor? How will it know how to decide between Virtues and Vices? These are some of the challenges facing the AI engineers and topics that are regularly debated.

Another facet of Sophia's new life that should interest the regular readers of Rogue Money is that her artificial intelligence protocols were built on blockchain technology. According to Hanson's website:

Hanson Robotics is partnering with SingularityNET, a platform for the decentralized AI economy. SingularityNET is the first protocol for combining AI services with a global, blockchain-based market, and will soon be powering the minds of Hanson Robots. For more information please visit www.singularitynet.io.

SingularityNET bills itself as "a platform for the decentralized AI economy - the free and open market for AI technologies, built on smart contracts." The link between this coming transhumanist robot era and the nascent blockchain technology is very revealing.

As regular readers of Rogue Money know, our Mr. W. has been advising us that we are witnessing the systematic dismantling of the old Rockefeller PetroDollar Empire by that other great cabal, the Rothschild powers-that-be. Naturally, we all connect the Rothschilds to the international banking priesthood, and we connect banking with money and debt. This question has been rolling around in my mind, "What role is the Rothschild Empire playing in this coming cashless cyber age? Can it be that they are actually destroying money?"

The more I thought about it, the more it has occurred to me that what this banking priesthood is doing is what they and their predecessors have always done: create whatever tool is necessary in order to keep moving their transhumanist football down the field. For many centuries that tool has been monetized debt. But just as their forebears moved society from a system based on the exchange of precious metals by weight to a fiat, state-minted model, that priesthood of today can just as deftly move society from the fiat model to a cryptocurrency blockchain model.

In the excerpts of a recent conversation between Google engineer and "Singularity" dreamer, Ray Kurzweil, and members of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), we are already getting hints that the #BigData and #4IR vision of the future is actually one where our current concept of "money" has become obsolete. It does appear to me that mankind's dependence on debt for his means of daily living is now being moved to a dependence on an ethereal super-network of universal intelligence.

Here is Kurzweil's conversation and a few of his statements that stood out to me.

"We Are Going to Merge with This Technology"

On November 3, 2017, Ray Kurzweil participated in a dialog and Q&A with members of the Council on Foreign Relations. A transcript of the hour-long conversation is available [linked here]. Below is the full video of the conference. 

Near the beginning of the episode, Kurzweil mentions a conversation he had recently with Christine Lagarde of the IMF. Lagarde was pointing out that AI is fun and wacky and all, but you can't eat it, can you? Kurzweil retorted politely that such a thing is coming. Once again, Kurzweil repeated the year 2029 several times in this video (a year that has its own roots in an Esoteric Hitler belief that Super Humans would make themselves known in 2029 to save the world. See also my Bee In Eden video at the end of this page.)

Here are Kurzweil's words with hints that the price of this technology will eventually be reduced to nearly Zero (making money obsolete?) In other words, today you can buy a smartphone for $75. A few years ago, it might have cost $1,000. So, today, the cost of that information technology is practically nothing. The same thing will happen in all areas of information technology, like, 3-D printing.

I’ll mention just one implication of the law of accelerating returns, because it has many ripple effects and it’s really behind this remarkable digital revolution we see, is the 50 percent deflation rate in information technologies....   Coexistence of free, open-source products—which are a great leveler—and proprietary products. We’ll print—we’ll be able to create food very inexpensively using 3-D—vertical agriculture, using hydroponic plants for fruits and vegetables, in-vitro cloning of muscle tissue for meat. The first hamburger to be produced this way has already been consumed.... 

That’s been a key prediction of mine. I’ve been consistent in saying 2029. In 1989, in the age of intelligent machines, I bounded that between early 2020s and late 2030s. And in the age of spiritual machines, in ’99, I said 2029. 

As you might imagine, many audience members asked questions about the safety of such a technology. How are we to prevent The Terminator from becoming reality? Even Kurzweil, for all his ubiquitous optimism, betrayed just a hint of trepidation. It wasn't really a fear, but an acknowledgement that, yes, we must tread carefully. 

Here is my collection of Kurzweil's statements that I found noteworthy:

Technology has always been a double-edged sword. Fire kept us warm, cooked our food, and burned down our houses. These technologies are much more powerful. It’s also a long discussion, but I think we should go through three phases, at least I did, in contemplating this. First is delight at the opportunity to overcome age-old afflictions—poverty, disease, and so on. Then alarm, that these technologies can be destructive and cause even existential risks....

And finally, I think where we need to come out is an appreciation that we have a moral imperative to continue progress in these technologies, because despite the progress we’ve made—and that’s a whole other issue. People think things are getting worse, but they’re actually getting better and we can talk about that. But there’s still a lot of human suffering to be overcome. It’s only continued progress, particularly in AI, that’s going to enable us to continue overcoming poverty and disease and environmental degradation, while we attend to the peril. And there’s a good framework for doing that....

The number of people who have been harmed either accidentally or intentionally by abuse of biotechnology so far has been zero.... 

But when you have so much power, even with good intentions, there can be abuses. These technologies are very powerful. And so I do worry about that, even though I’m an optimist. And I’m optimistic that we’ll make it through. I’m not as optimistic that there won’t be difficult episodes. World War II, 50 million people died. And that was certainty exacerbated by the power of technology at that time.... 

This is the most peaceful time in human history....

My view is not that AI is going to displace us. It’s going to enhance us.

An audience member named Alana Ackerson asked how this new technology affects us as spiritual beings, how it affects our "lens" on what it means to be human. Kurzweil went on to say:

You can say that Evolution is a spiritual process, bringing us closer to God. 

And the other implication that spiritual—and really where that title, “Age of Spiritual Machines” comes from—is what is this—what is spiritual? It’s really a word for consciousness. Our whole moral system, our sense of values is that consciousness is the precious thing. That’s the sort of underlying debate in animal rights. Conscious entities are what’s important. Non-conscious entities are only important insofar as they affect the conscious experience of conscious entities. So who and what are conscious is a key question. And that’s the underlying question in animal rights. That’ll be the question when it comes to the AI.

Kurzweil then went on to express his beliefs that human beings have already left their biological nature behind:

So I alluded to earlier, we are going to merge with this technology. I’d say we already have done that to some extent. Medical nanorobots will go inside our brain, connect our neocortex to the cloud. So your smartphone, even though it is itself a billion times more powerful per dollar than the computer I used when I was an undergraduate at MIT, it multiplies itself again a millionfold by connecting to millions of computers in the cloud. We can’t do that directly from our neocortex. We do it indirectly through these devices. We’ll do it directly in the 2030s. And not just to do things like search and translation directly from our brains, although we’ll do that, but to actually connect to more neocortex.

So people say, oh, we’re going to lose our humanity. Well, if you define human as being necessarily purely biological, I think we’re already not purely human anymore, because we’re not purely biological anymore. And we’re going to become increasingly nonbiological. But that’s who we are. I mean, that is the definition of a human, the species that changes itself, it creates tools, it goes beyond our limitations.

Kurzweil then went on to mention the word "de-bias," as in, we will need to teach the robot to rid itself of bias and prejudice even as it's learning to create its own behavior by observing other humans.

There’s a major effort in the field—it’s going on in all the major companies and in open-source research as well-to debias AI, because it’s going to pick up biases from people if it’s learning from people. And people have biases. And so to overcome gender bias and other types of—racial bias, that can actually be a goal. As humans, we pick up biases from all of the things we’ve seen, a lot of it’s subconscious. We then learn, as educated humans, to recognize bias and try to overcome it. 

Near the end of the conference, people were wondering how do robots fit into the world of nation-states. Perhaps the audience was already thinking about Sophia's newly granted citizenship status. Kurzweil dropped a big hint on where Transhumanism is taking mankind in that area. Now you can see how this fits into my idea that this revolution may be rendering money obsolete. That is, if individual national sovereignties no longer dominate mankind's social order, then certainly all authority structures under that level have also lost their importance.

People really are increasingly identifying as citizens of the world. And I think over time nation-states will becomes less influential. I mean, I think we’re on that path.

At the end of the Q&A session, Kurzweil left the audience with these closing remarks:

But intelligence is inherently uncontrollable. 

You know, if there’s some entity that’s more powerful than you and I and it’s out for our destruction, the best strategy is not to get in that situation in the first place. And failing that, the best next strategy would be to get some other AI that’s even more intelligent than the one that’s out for you on your side. 

[AI] is emerging from our civilization today. It’s going to be an enhancement of who we are. And so if we’re practicing the kind of values we cherish in our world today, that’s the best strategy to have for a world in the future that embodies those values.  

Ray Kurzweil certainly gives us a unique view of the future. "Unique" is an understatement. His statement like "today is the most peaceful time in human history" might cause some readers to do a double-take. However, observations like that tend to reinforce what we have already seen about these Elites who rule over us: they are simply not touched by the Matrix that is imposed on the rest of us. We've seen this over and over again with other areas of our accepted way of life: Banksters, Military Contractors, Big Pharma, and now, Big Data. These are the puppet masters not the puppets. Individuals within their ranks might come and go. But, overall, those sectors are not subject to the same Law and Government, nor are they effectively touched by the whims of economic highs and lows, as are the rest of us. The pitfalls that touch us never touches them because they exist on a plane above that daily din.

And yet, even above those four sectors flows those pervasive, ancient religious beliefs about attaining ultimate creative power and universal mastery. I had to smile that the citizen robot was named Sophia. I haven't really seen an official explanation of how she got that name. So, in conclusion, I will close with these thoughts from the article on "Gnostic Sophia" in Wikipedia. I'd like to think that this is the reason.

Gnostic Sophia

Per some very general statements on the tenets of Gnosticism, this article [linked here] says this about "Sophia":

Almost all Gnostic systems of the Syrian or Egyptian type taught that the universe began with an original, unknowable God, referred to as the Parent or Bythos. According to some Gnostic texts, the crisis occurs as a result of Sophia trying to emanate without her syzygy or, in another tradition, because she tries to breach the barrier between herself and the unknowable Bythos. 

After cataclysmically falling from the Pleroma, Sophia's fear and anguish of losing her life (just as she lost the light of the One) causes confusion and longing to return to it. Because of these longings, matter and soul accidentally come into existence. 

The creation of the Demiurge is also a mistake made during this exile. The Demiurge proceeds to create the physical world in which we live, ignorant of Sophia, who nevertheless manages to infuse some spiritual spark or pneuma into his creation.

It would appear that the Transhumanist movement is indeed trying to bring mankind back full circle to the ancient understandings of the source of Matter and Soul, all mixed in with this idea that mankind really has been his own creator from the beginning. Looking at AI from that vantage point, it makes sense that Citizen Sophia has returned to her roots in Saudi Arabia, midway between Egypt and Syria.

My contact information with link to my Karatbars portal are found at my billboard page of SlayTheBankster.com. Listen to my radio show, Bee In Eden, on Youtube via my show blog at SedonaDeb.wordpress.com.

[infinitehouseofbooksya]

REVEAL - Project Emerjence

Today Jamie Zakian and Month9Books are revealing the cover and first chapter for PROJECT EMERGENCE which releases March 14, 2017! Check out the gorgeous cover and enter to be one of the first readers to receive a eGalley!!

A quick note from the author:

I’ve always dreamed of writing an epic sci-fi thriller. I knew I wanted it to involve a group of teens leaving a dead Earth to start new lives on a terra formed Mars, but I didn’t have any ideas on how to make the plot exciting. Then, a song I never heard before played on my Pandora app. Escape by Rogue. As that song blasted through my headphones, the entire story that is Project Emergence streamed through my mind like a movie trailer. So, I went straight to work. It took months of frantic writing, almost a year of editing, and a mini rewrite, but that moment of inspiration became my first YA novel.

Project Emergence is a fast-paced thrill ride across the stars. It shows the extent people will go to uphold their beliefs, and that love can overcome any evil.

On to the reveal! 

Title: PROJECT EMERGENCE

Author: Jamie Zakian

Pub. Date: March 14, 2017

Publisher: Month9Books

Format: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 292

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | TBD

An ancient Hopi myth says people arrived on tiny silver pods that fell from the sky.

But the truth is far more terrifying.

Two-hundred fifty-eight teens are sent from a dying Earth to a terraformed Mars as part of the Emergence Program, mankind’s last hope before solar flares finish off their planet and species. Among the brave pioneers are sixteen-year-old Joey Westen and her twin brother, Jesse.

After only minutes in space, something triggers a total ship lock down.

With the help of their roommates, the Matsuda twins (notorious hackers and shady secret-keepers), Joey and Jesse stumble onto an extremist plot to sabotage the Emergence Program.

But Joey and Jesse didn’t travel to the deepest pits of space and leave their mother behind to be picked off in a high-tech tin can. They’ll lie, hack, and even kill to survive the voyage and make it to Mars.

Excerpt

Chapter One Joey stared out the window of a large, airtight van. The nose of a spaceship peeked above maroon-crested hills, and her forehead thumped against the glass. A light crinkle drew her stare, right to the paper wrinkling in her grip. She loosened her stiff fingers, smoothing a crease from the official seal of the Unified Nations of Earth. The letter in her hand still mesmerized her. Selected, Terraformed Mars, New home, those words knocked the bottom from her stomach every time she read them. Things were getting way too real. No more tiny lead-lined home, school time at the kitchen table, mom. She turned to Jesse, her brother’s smirk brighter than an X1 flare. “You’re a crappy twin. I’m freaking out right now, you should be too.” Jesse rolled his stare her way. “Fraternal twins don’t work like that.” “That’s not true.” She read the letter again, making sure both their names were listed for the umpteenth time. “I can’t believe this is happening.” Jesse squirmed, frowning a moment before his perma-smile returned. “No one from G-Sector ever goes anywhere.” “Did you see the look on mom’s face when we left?” “I know. Buzzkill.” “What’s she gonna do without us?” “Finally be able to feed herself,” Jesse snickered. Joey shook her head, folding the letter. “Maybe she’ll win the next lottery, meet up with us on Mars.” “Yeah, I don’t think so.” “Why not?” Jesse leaned close, keeping his voice low. “Didn’t you hear what that kid behind us was saying?” “No. What?” “He said there are no random drawings.” Jesse eyed the soldier stationed at the front of the van, then the other two at the rear. “That everyone is selected for a specific purpose.” “But, that would mean the U.N.E. is lying to everyone,” Joey said, a bit too loud. Jesse’s eyes opened wide, and she shrugged. “You’re gonna get us booted from this ride before we even launch.” “Sorry,” she muttered. “It’s a stupid idea anyway ‘cause look, we’re here. What do we have to offer? All you can do is fix stuff, and me … well, I’m just good at being cute.” She batted her eyes, flaunting a sly smile. “Yeah you’re right, that’s real flippin cute.” Jesse slanted toward the aisle, glancing around the cab. “There aren’t any adults on this van.” “There’s the soldier guys.” “Geez R-tard, I mean the passengers.” Joey pinched her brother, who wriggled away. “R-tard,” she mimicked. With a failed attempt to appear casual, she popped her head up and scanned the many seats. Sparkly clothes and bright makeup captured her stare. “They look like A-Sectors.” So lavish but she could see beyond the illusion of glittering threads and flawless skin, to the same excited fear that dwelled in her own eyes. “Please remain seated while the vehicle’s in motion,” a soldier thundered. Jesse grabbed Joey’s arm, pulling her down into the seat. “Smooth sister, real smooth.” She shrank back, initiating her trusty get-out-of-messes frowny smile. “Oops. In trouble already, figures.” Grumbles erupted from her brother’s lips, and she turned back to the dusty earth outside her window. Crazy how one day, and a trip to the mailbox, could change her entire life. Yesterday, she was painting a mural of Mars on their bedroom wall. Today, she was going to Mars. The parched countryside vanished behind a tunnel’s wall. She sagged down in her seat. For sixteen years, she clung to Jesse. Every time dust storms pelted their windowless metal house, she curled under his arm. Mom worked late and her hand became glued to his. And now, when she actually needed the comfort of his touch, her brain decided it’s time to man-up. Her eyes narrowed. She zeroed in on his cozy looking hand, her fingers drumming a steady beat on her leg. *** Sabrina poked her head around a corner. Her fingers tightened around a rifle’s grip as she peered down a dim corridor. Shadows danced along the concrete wall and she backed up, pressing her comms button. “Stone to dispatch, come in dispatch.” Static crackled in her ear, a garbled voice cutting in and out. “Dispatch, do you read? Where the hell is my back-up?” This time, only the fizz of dead air replied. “Damn underground bright-out dens,” she mumbled. These missions twisted her gut every time. There were very few people left alive on Earth. Many couldn’t afford specially designed homes or the rising cost of oxygen, and it didn’t sit right to bust folks just for trying to survive the scorching sun. Although, as a captain of the Unified Nations of Earth, she had a duty to her planet. Neither a heavy conscience nor lack of back-up would hinder that. Sabrina held her weapon close, skulking down the stone passage. Two men strolled around the bend, stopping short and she popped off two rounds. No sound emitted from the gun’s muzzle, just a flash that lit the graffiti-stained walls in white. The men slumped to the floor. Tiny darts protruded from their chests, pamphlets spilling from their limp hands. “Earth-heads,” she muttered, glimpsing anti-Mars propaganda. A clink of metal echoed to her left and she headed toward it. Men and woman dropped as Sabrina skated through shadows. Their tranquilized bodies slapped concrete, leading a trail to a solid door at the end of the long hallway. She reached into her vest, extracting a small explosive charge. Just as the magnet clinked to the steel slab, a voice sputtered into her earpiece. “Captain Stone, we’ve breeched the airlock. En route to your position.” “Bout time,” she muttered. Her thumb glided overtop the button of a wireless detonator and spikes of fear burrowed into her gut. U.N.E protocol, the whirl in her stomach, her brain required to wait for back-up. Pride, however, was a persistent little sucker, one that set loose a torrent of electric shocks to course freely in her veins. She scurried back, covered her head, and pressed the button. An explosion rocked her chest, slamming her against the wall. Hunks of concrete crashed down, and the door slammed atop the rubble. Sabrina swung her rifle dead ahead. Adrenaline perked her lips into a smile as she charged through wisps of smoke, firing upon every body that lunged her way. “This is a raid of the U.N.E., get down on the ground.” Soldiers flooded the doorway behind her and she dropped her grin. A woman needed an iron-clad stare amid this troop of grunts. “Took you guys long enough.” She turned, stumbling back as the five-stars of a General gleamed in her eyes. “Sir,” she roared, standing up straight. “Captain Stone, I need you to come with me.” Sabrina glanced around, as much as one could without moving a single muscle in their neck. Her men cleared the room as a smaller group, with much larger guns, crowded around her. “Am I in trouble sir?” “Quite the contrary, Captain. You’ve been selected for an important mission. You’re going to Mars, soldier.” *** Joey grabbed her brother’s hand the instant he climbed off the van’s step. Her attempt to play the tough-guy had gone on long enough. People shuffled all around the wide-open room, probably watching her act like a baby, but she couldn’t let go. Fear stole her will. It could have been the towering room of glass walls and silver beams that encompassed her, the barrage of strange faces, or the fact that she’d never see her mother again, but gloom tainted this moment. A soft voice streamed from a kiosk of video screens, repeating the Space Center’s famed slogan–Three days on the state-of-the-art R23 shuttle, strolling through green grass, swimming in cool oceans. Everything she memorized from the letter in her backpack. “Look, there’s check-in,” Jesse said, tugging her from the display of white sand beaches. She inched through the crowd, close to his side. They filed into a rowdy line, her palm sweating against his skin. “The Westen twins, I presume,” a high-pitched voice trilled from behind them. In one swift move, she shook free from Jesse’s grasp and whirled around. An ultra-posh, Asian girl leered down and Joey stood tall. Her eyes wandered to the near identical boy at her side, bearing the same long jet-black hair. Another set of twins. “How did you know our name?” Jesse asked. Joey nudged his arm, pulling his gaze from the low cut of the girl’s sparkly shirt. “We know the names of all the twins on this ship,” she said, her hand hoisting to her hip. “First and last,” the boy added. Joey stifled a chuckle. Twins who finished each other’s sentences, this trip was going to be stellar. The line shuffled forward, and the small group edged up a few paces. “How many twins are on this flight?” Jesse asked, glancing between the pair. “Fourteen, including us,” she replied. “Well fourteen sets,” the boy corrected, turning to his sister. “That actually makes twenty-eight twins.” “But twins is plural, so it would be fourteen,” she argued, a hint of red flaring her cheeks. “Yeah, but, you knew who we were,” Joey said. “We didn’t even know there were other twins here. Is there like, a manual we didn’t get or something.” The girl laughed, slapping her brother’s chest. A stealthy glare clouded her delicate features as she leaned in. “We hacked the database.” “We hack everything,” the boy whispered. “Cool,” Joey drawled, glancing to Jesse. “So you must be Jesse,” the girl said, staring at Joey, “Short for Jessica, right?” “Ahh no,” Joey sputtered. “I’m Joey. Short for Josephine, which I hate so … just Joey.” “I’m Jesse, which … isn’t short for anything.” Jesse shoved his hands into his pockets, his gaze falling down. “Ahem, the line is moving,” a red headed girl groaned. They all crept forward again, and then Jesse spun back around. “So are we supposed to hack to find out your names?” The girl giggled, and Joey’s eyes rolled. Her stare landed on the boy’s annoyed face, and they both grinned. “Kami Matsuda.” A rainbow of colors reflected off the girl’s clothes as she slinked closer to Jesse, looking up into his eyes. “That’s Rai,” she said, nodding to her brother but keeping her deep gaze. Jesse gulped. His hands began to tremble, and it became painfully obvious at how fast his breath flowed. “Next in line.” “That’s us,” Joey chirped. She all but ripped Jesse from Kami’s leer. “We’ll catch up with ya.” It took quite a massive tug, but she finally got Jesse moving toward the registration table. “Now who’s smooth, dorkus,” she whispered. *** “Let me get this straight, Mr. Winslow,” Sabrina said, only able to mask a fraction of the edge in her tone, “you want me to be a glorified babysitter for a bunch of teens in space?” She turned from a wall of windows, which ran from floor to ceiling. Her boots sank into lush carpet as she strolled past stone statues, one of which lost its arm somewhere along the way. Such extravagance. If it were liquidated and spread out, every sector could afford a giant dome to protect its people from radioactive air; instead of just the A-Sectors. She tore her gaze from art-adorned walls, catching an impatient glare from the man behind a glossy wooden desk. “The situation on our hands goes far beyond babysitting, Captain Stone. We’re under attack. The commander of the U.N.E. herself assured me you were the best of the best.” “Commander Sun said that? Huh.” She stepped closer. The man before her strained to appear confident, but she glimpsed the beads of sweat that trickle between his dark wrinkled skin and white hair. “You’ve got my attention,” she said, cupping her hands behind her back. “Of course you understand, every word spoken within this room stays within this room.” “Yes sir.” “Ever since the inception of the Emergence program, a group of fanatics have targeted us. Are you familiar with the Earthisum Movement, Captain Stone?” “Yes sir. I took out an underground lair of them this morning. They seem to be, for the most part, harmless.” “Perhaps on the outside.” He pulled a brown folder from his drawer, placing it on his desk. “Have a look.” Sabrina flipped open the cover, scanning the pages. When she read a handwritten letter, which appeared to be scrawled in blood, her fingers actually shook. “The threats made in that manifesto were not empty.” Her head snapped up, and she gawked at the old man before regaining her composure. “Are you saying, the Earth-heads blew up your first flight to Mars?” His finely manicured fingers massaged his forehead, a ghostly shade of white claiming his cheeks. “Yes, after only hours in space.” He dropped his stare and muttered, “The second and third flights as well.” “What?” “Those maniacs sabotage every Spacebus we launch. None have successfully made the voyage to Mars.” “How could you hide this from the public? They think people are living, flourishing over there. You need to put a hold on this program. Now. I’ll need at least a week to investigate.” His head shook, and Sabrina slammed her hands on the desk. “That file says there are two-hundred and fifty-eight children walking onto that shuttle as we speak, Mr. Winslow. Two-hundred and fifty-eight lives you’re putting at risk.” “If we stop the program, they’ve won. No! The survival of the human race is too important. This mission has to succeed, Captain Stone.” “But why now, with kids? If what you’re telling me is true, Mars is empty. There are no doctors, scientists, or security of any kind in place. They’ll eat each other alive out there.” “It has to be them.” He rose from his seat, smoothed a crease on his pinstriped lapel, and strolled to the window. “Those young adults were born in the year of the massive solar flare.” While gazing out the lightly-tinted glass, he motioned for Sabrina to join him. “I don’t see why that matters.” As she approached, the doublewide spacecraft stole her focus. She allowed her stare to fuse with the gleam of curved metal, sharp points of thin wings, before shifting her eyes to the man beside her. “They’re genetically predisposed to elevated radiation, since … I handpicked each one of them—for their instincts, spark, and their odds of producing healthy offspring.” “Look, I get that. But, if you just postpone a few weeks I can—” “Earth only has a few weeks left, Captain Stone.” His voice quavered. He cleared his throat, lifting his chin high. “The sun is set to flare in, approximately, ten days. The space program predicts its intensity will surpass our classification scale. Moments, and everything left above the surface will be eradicated. Not even the UV-dome of A-Sector can deflect these waves.” Sabrina gasped. She began to stagger back, but Winslow grabbed her arm. “Captain Stone, Sabrina. Look down there, at those children.” Her legs wobbled for the first time in her memory, but she crept forward. People hurried along a glass-encased walkway, far below, like tiny ants marching into a trap. “That’s the future of mankind down there. If they don’t make it to Mars, our species will cease to exist. You have to get them to that planet safely. You’re the last hope of humanity, Captain Stone.”

Jamie Zakian is a full-time writer who consumes the written word as equally as oxygen. Living in South Jersey with her husband and rowdy family, she enjoys farming, archery, and blazing new trails on her 4wd quad, when not writing of course. She aspires to one day write at least one novel in every genre of fiction.

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The Original Hcg Diet Protocol

This precise summary of the original HCG Diet protocol includes excerpts directly from Dr. Simeons manuscript, "Pounds and Inches" including the menu for the 500 calorie VLCD (Very Low Calorie Diet.)  It is important to note there are modern versions of the protocol that allow healthy food variations, increased calories and a more lenient approach to the diet. You can find these here on Hcg Diet Info as well.   The Original Protocol: Plan Summary While there are a number of new protocol variations, the version described below is the unedited, original summary as outlined by Dr. Simeons himself.  The food list and menu description, are also unedited and taken directly from the manuscript. In addition to the these details, you will find notes attached by our expert editors for additional clarification.  If you are looking for additional protocol questions, or are simply curious, those can be found in our A to Z Guide to the diet. If you have questions regarding this protocol, feel free to join the  Hcg Diet Forums where we have coaches that are experts on the original diet protocol as well as in homeopathic protocols, and various "rogue" approaches.   The Original Hcg Diet Menu Breakfast:Tea or coffee in any quantity without sugar. Only one tablespoonful of milk allowed in 24 hours. Saccharin or Stevia may be used.Lunch: - 100 grams of protein, including veal, beef, chicken breast, fresh white fish, lobster, crab, or shrimp. All visible fat must be carefully removed before cooking, and the meat must be weighed raw. It must be boiled or grilled without additional fat. Salmon, eel, tuna, herring, dried or pickled fish are not allowed. The chicken breast must be removed from the bird - One type of vegetable only to be chosen from the following: spinach, chard, chicory, beet-greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, cabbage.   - One breadstick (grissino) or one Melba toast. - An apple, orange, or a handful of strawberries or one-half grapefruit. Dinner:The same four choices as lunch (shown above.) Please take the 100 grams weight seriously, but also take into consideration that you want 100 grams of PROTEIN, and not added salts and additives of your intake.   According to Nutrition.org, the average American portion size is 50% larger than needed, and is one of the largest contributing factors to the rise of obesity in America. We highly recommend buying a food scale and focusing on portion control as one strategy to train yourself for lifelong healthy eating.   These scales are extremely inexpensive (around $10 to $15 on (Amazon) and will immediately save you money on food, while proving to be an inexpensive investment for long term healthy eating.   Important Highlights from the Original HCG Diet Manuscript: - The 500 calorie limit must always be maintained. - 2 small apples are not an acceptable exchange for “1 apple.” - Very occasionally we allow egg - boiled, poached or raw - to patients who develop an aversion to meat, but in this case they must add the white of three eggs to the one they eat whole. - Cottage cheese made from skimmed milk is available. 100 grams may occasionally be used instead of the allowed meat option. Particularly for a vegetarian Hcg Dieter, these substitutes can be quite helpful. Here is an additional article on alternative proteins for the vegetarian Hcg Diet. This may be particularly useful for vegetarians or those with aversions to meat but still want to follow the plan. What kind of diet is this? The Hcg Diet is a whole food cleanse, a high protein, green carbohydrate, high vegetable approach to weight loss and healthy eating.  The Hcg protocol is NOT a ketosis diet, and if done correctly, ketosis is not necessary for rapid weight loss effects in obese patients, as intended. Benefits of the HCG Protocol The diet is widely known for rapid weight loss results, however there are additional benefits that have made the diet successful:  the plan also focuses on helping the individual to adapt to a whole food nutrition plan, understand portion control, and detoxifying the body as a whole. What can I eat on the Original Protocol? Drinks and Seasonings permitted on the HCG Diet based on Dr Simeons original Hcg weight loss protocol as written in Pounds and Inches: - The juice of one lemon daily is allowed for all purposes. - Salt, pepper, vinegar, mustard powder, garlic, sweet basil, parsley, thyme, marjoram, etc., may be used for seasoning - No oil, butter or dressing is permitted - Tea, coffee, plain water, or mineral water (2 liters of water per day is recommended) are the only drinks allowed, but they may be taken in any quantity and at all times. - The fruit or the breadstick may be eaten between meals instead of with lunch or dinner, but not more than than four items listed for lunch and dinner may be eaten at one meal. - No medicines or cosmetics other than lipstick, eyebrow pencil and powder may he used without special permission. Editor's note: Most hcg diet experts today, find there are no issues with cosmetics or similar products that affect weight loss results.  Personal care items are believed to be the same, however some individuals do proceed with caution in an effort to achieve the most efficient weight loss rates on the diet.  Read more about what to eat on the Hcg Diet here.   Original Protocol on Portions: specially prepared unsweetened, low calorie foods "In many countries specially prepared unsweetened and low Calorie foods are freely available, and some of these can be tentatively used... the total daily intake must not exceed 500 Calories if the best possible results are to be obtained, that the daily ration should contain 200 grams of fat-free protein and a very small amount of starch."  From Dr Simeon's own Manuscript, "Pounds and Inches." (available here as PDF, MP3 Audiobook, and by table of contents with editor's notes.) Editor's Note:  With modern research, we now know that the cleaner the diet, the more efficient the weight loss. We also know that clean-eating can help with transitioning into phase 3 and long term maintenance.  Low calorie foods in America tend to be prepackaged, highly processed and difficult for the body to process efficiently.  It is highly advised that only "whole foods" are eaten while on the diet plan.  Processed foods or prepackaged foods are NOT permitted on the protocol.  Please avoid all sweeteners and processed foods as much as possible for more efficient weight loss. In addition, the primary goal while on Phase 2 of the protocol, should always be to retrain the mind and body to follow healthier eating habits.  One opportunity with this part of the protocol, is to weed out unhealthy sweeteners completely, and learn to eat  whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible.   Personal Care and Beauty Products on the HCG Diet Protocol: Highlights from the Original Manuscript: We do permit the use of lipstick, powder and such lotions as are entirely free of fatty substances. We also allow brilliantine to be used on the hair but it must not be rubbed into the scalp. Obviously sun-tan oil is prohibited.  Aspirin and birth control are allowed on the Simeons hCG Diet.No massage of any kind.  Note: Modern Hcg Diet experts widely approve of massage and light to moderate exercise while on the Hcg Diet Plan.  In fact, anything that increases the body's circulation is considered to be a health benefit: before, during and after the Hcg Diet Plan. A short list of HCG-friendly health and beauty products are available here: Recommended HCG Diet-safe products. About Dr. Simeons HCG Injections: Based on the original protocol, Hcg Diet injections (complete guide) the dose for the Simeons protocol is 125 iu of Hcg injections, administered daily, for no more than 40 days.  As a modern day modification, Hcg diet drops and tablets (or pellets) are also acceptable in prescription or homeopathic form.  Modern acceptable dosages for Hcg injections range from 125ius to 200 ius. Hcg for injections MUST BE high quality, high potency Hcg to be effective and to avoid challenges. A list of sources providing these can be found on our "Buying Hcg injections online" and "Hcg drops online" pages. "Patients who need to lose 15 pounds or, 7 kilos or less require 26 days treatment with 23 daily injections. The VLCD is continued for 3 days following the end of the injections to avoid weight regain." Dr. Simeons Guidelines for hCG Injections: Hcg injections are administered daily. The dose for the Simeons protocol is 125iu administered daily, for no more than 40 days. "When treating only one or two cases simultaneously, vials containing a small number of units say 1000 I.U. should be used. The 10 cc. of solvent which is supplied by the manufacturer is injected into the rubber- capped bottle containing the hCG, and the powder must dissolve instantly. Of this solution 1 .25 cc. are withdrawn for each injection. One such bottle of 1000 I.U. therefore furnishes 8 injections. When more than one patient is being treated, they should not each have their own bottle but rather all be injected from the same vial and a fresh solution made when this is empty.Patients who need to lose 15 pounds or, 7 kilos or less require 26 days treatment with 23 daily injections." The VLCD is continued for 3 days following the end of the injections to avoid weight regain.   HCG Diet Injections and the Female Menstrual Cycle "Patients do not take their injections during menstruation, however the VLCD is continued during this time.  The individual must reinstate the daily Hcg injection once menstruation is over. Many women simply skip injections on the heaviest flow days." This is only a small amount of the information provided in Dr. Simeons manuscript.  Read the entire section on this topic in the manuscript:  HCG Diet and the female menstrual cycle Time and hCG Shots "When a patient has more than 15 pounds to lose the treatment takes longer but the maximum we give in a single course is 40 injections, nor do we as a rule allow patients to lose more than 34 lbs. (15 Kg.) at a time. The treatment is stopped when either 34 lbs. have been lost or 40 injections have been given. The only exception we make is in the case of grotesquely obese patients who may be allowed to lose an additional 5-6 lbs. if this occurs before the 40 injections are up."   How long to take Hcg Injections on the Hcg Protocol "When a patient has more than 15 pounds to lose the treatment takes longer but the maximum we give in a single course is 40 injections, nor do we as a rule allow patients to lose more than 34 lbs. (15 Kg.) at a time. The Treatment is stopped when either 34 lbs. have been lost or 40 injections have been given. The only exception we make is in the case of grotesquely obese patients who may be allowed to lose an additional 5-6 lbs. if this occurs before the 40 injections are up." Side Effects There are very few risks with the Hcg hormone and the weight loss protocol.  In the Hcg Diet forums on this site, we have seen very few side effects of the protocol. During the Phase 2, some individuals may experience headaches, hunger and cravings, which are typically found to disappear in a few days as the body adjusts to the lack of preservatives, chemicals and processed sugars and carbs. In the event that these do not subside, an Hcg dosage adjustment may be required and is relatively simple to do with the help of your doctor or the advice of our coaching experts in the forums. Read more about side effects of the diet. Modern Day Protocol Modifications While the original protocol continues to be one of the most popular, there are modifications that have become accepted by Hcg Diet experts.  These include Hcg drops being added as a legitimate option, the use of coconut oil in very small amounts, and the strong focus on a 4th Phase: long term weight loss maintenance plans and programs.  You can learn more about these in our Hcg Diet Guide: How to. Questions?  Hcg Diet expert moderators and coaches offer free advice in the Hcg Diet Forums. We are ready to help! Read the full article