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8techlabs-blog · 4 months ago

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How to Balance Fixing Performance Issues and Adding New Features in Web Applications?

In today’s digital landscape, web applications are essential for business operations, marketing, and consumer involvement. As organizations expand and consumer expectations rise, development teams are frequently confronted with the difficult task of balancing two key priorities: addressing performance issues and introducing new features.

While boosting performance improves the user experience and increases efficiency, new features are required to remain competitive and meet market demands. Prioritizing one over the other, on the other hand, might have negative consequences—performance concerns can lead to a poor user experience while failing to innovate can result in a competitive disadvantage.

This blog delves into how to balance improving performance and introducing new features to web apps, allowing firms to satisfy technical and market demands efficiently.

Why Balancing Performance and New Features Is Crucial

A web application‘s success depends on both its performance and its features. However, relying entirely on one might result in imbalances that impair both user happiness and business progress.

Performance:Performance is an important component that directly influences user retention and happiness. Users can become frustrated and leave if the application has slow loading times, crashes, or problems. Ensuring that your web application runs smoothly is essential since 53% of mobile consumers would quit a site that takes more than three seconds to load.

New Features:On the other hand, constantly adding new features keeps users interested and promotes your company as innovative. New features generate growth by attracting new consumers and retaining existing ones who want to experience the most recent changes.

The dilemma is deciding when to prioritize bug fixes over new feature development. A poor balance can harm both performance and innovation, resulting in a subpar user experience and stagnation.

Common Performance Issues in Web Applications

Before balancing performance and features, it’s important to understand the common performance issues that web applications face:

Slow Load Times: Slow pages lead to higher bounce rates and lost revenue.

Server Downtime: Frequent server outages impact accessibility and trust.

Poor Mobile Optimization: A significant portion of web traffic comes from mobile devices and apps that aren’t optimized for mobile fail to reach their potential.

Security Vulnerabilities: Data breaches and security flaws harm credibility and user trust.

Bugs and Glitches: Software bugs lead to poor user experiences, especially if they cause the app to crash or become unresponsive.

Strategic Approaches to Fixing Performance Issues

When performance issues develop, they must be handled immediately to guarantee that the online application functions properly. Here are techniques for improving performance without delaying new feature development:

Prioritize Critical Issues:Tackle performance issues that have the most significant impact first, such as slow loading times or security vulnerabilities. Use analytics to identify bottlenecks and determine which areas require urgent attention.

Use a Continuous Improvement Process:Continuously monitor and optimize the application’s performance. With tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, you can track performance metrics and make incremental improvements without major overhauls.

Optimize Database Queries:Slow database queries are one of the leading causes of web app performance issues. Optimize queries and ensure that the database is indexed properly for faster access and retrieval of data.

Reduce HTTP Requests:The more requests a page makes to the server, the slower it loads. Minimize requests by reducing file sizes, combining CSS and JavaScript files, and utilizing caching.

5. Leverage Caching and CDNs: Use caching strategies and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to deliver content quickly to users by storing files in multiple locations globally.

Why Adding New Features is Essential for Growth

In the rapidly changing digital environment, businesses must continually innovate to stay relevant. Adding new features is key to maintaining a competitive edge and enhancing user engagement. Here’s why:

User Expectations:Today’s consumers expect personalized experiences and constant innovation. Failure to add new features can lead to customer churn, as users may feel your web application no longer meets their needs.

Market Differentiation:Introducing new features allows your application to stand out in the marketplace. Unique functionalities can set your app apart from competitors, attracting new users and increasing customer loyalty.

Increased Revenue Opportunities:New features can lead to additional revenue streams. For example, adding premium features or new integrations can boost the app’s value and lead to increased sales or subscription rates.

4. Feedback-Driven Innovation: New features are often driven by user feedback. By continuously developing and adding features, you create a feedback loop that improves the overall user experience and fosters customer satisfaction.

Read More: https://8techlabs.com/how-to-balance-fixing-performance-issues-and-adding-new-features-in-web-applications-to-meet-market-demands-and-enhance-user-experience/

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noisilyscreechingsong · 2 months ago

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I was thinking of those prompts where Danny is placed (most of the time by Clockwork) into the Batfam. Danny believes he’s been there the whole time and it’s after Bruce comes back from being trapped in time so they chalk it up to time shenanigans. Also, Danny is now Tim’s twin.

Warnings: some language

Danny skips down the stairs leisurely, headphones in to some rock song Damian would hate.

The Cave is damp and cold, as usual. The music blares out the sound of his sneakers tapping as he walks. He waves to B’s back as he continues on to the work bench. The project he had started the day before was still there.

One of the grapple hooks was lagging so he was fixing it up and added a few more safety measures on the device. His brothers were using this, he wanted it as safe as he can make it.

Behind him he hears a voice over the music, interrupting his work after only about half an hour. He turns and sees Bruce looking at him with a raised brow.

Danny pulls out an earbud.

“Huh?”

“I thought you were going to visit your friends?”

Danny thinks back to the last conversation he had with his dad. It had nothing to do with his friends actually, it was about his stupid English test and how he was going to call Jason if he could help tutor him since he was so hopeless.

“No, I’ll see them on Monday.”

“Monday?”

Danny pauses halfway to putting the earbud back in his ear.

“Yea? At school?”

“School?”

Bruce stands to step closer to him but still at a distance.

Danny rolls his eyes and chuckles.

“Are you just going to keep repeating what I say?”

His dad looks him over critically. Danny pauses his music and takes out the other earbud.

“Did you change your hair?”

Danny reaches up reflexively to pat down his bangs. If anything he probably needed a haircut soon.

“Um, no? Are you okay? When’s the last time you slept?”

He tosses his headphones on the workbench but keeps his phone in his hand in case he needs to call someone.

“I’ve recovered,” Bruce dismisses. Like his year long trip in the time stream could be easily forgotten after a few months.

“Sure,” Danny agrees anyway when they both know he doesn’t agree.

“Tim,” Bruce sighs.

Danny immediately presses the button on his ring three times to alert the others. The computer beeps and the man turns to look at the screen. Danny grabs the closest weapon — a screwdriver — and holds it behind him.

Only Alfred, Damian, and Duke were at the manor. Hopefully backup would arrive soon.

“What were you doing, Dad?”

Not-Bruce freezes and then relaxes. It was only a second but Danny noticed. Any of the Bats would have, they’re trained for it.

“Just going over reports,” Not-Bruce replies with a smile. A smile.

His grip on the tool tightens.

“Which reports?” He tests.

What was he doing? There’s no telling the kind of information this imposter got a hold of.

“The Bennet case.”

Danny moves. Casually, he takes a step to the left, where the more heavy duty weapons were stored. The man matches him threateningly. Danny stills.

“That was solved over a month ago.”

There was no reason to look at a case from a month ago that was solved and closed. Bruce would have no reason to look at something like that, especially since it was Tim who solved it and submitted the report.

“By you,” Not-Bruce says in an odd tone.

He was getting Tim and Danny mixed up. Nobody in the family gets them confused anymore. That only applies to outsiders.

Danny tenses, ready to bolt toward the weapons. Not-Bruce is fast to intercept, but Danny is smaller and more agile.

He dodges and goes to stab the man in the leg when there is a prick to his neck that makes him stumble. Not-Bruce uses that opportunity to disarm him and slam him into the floor. It’s jarring, but the sedative is already working its way through him.

He blinks twice before everything is forced to black.

He knows he’s tied to a chair before he’s even fully awake. There’s been numerous kidnappings and training exercises that had his hands and feet tied down to know exactly in what position he’s in and for how long depending on how numb his limbs are.

He’s still in the Cave because he can feel the damp chill and hear the faint chattering of the bats. There’s a barrier though. Along with how hard the chair was he knew exactly where he was.

The containment cell is tucked away in a separate cavern. It had thick microfiber see through walls and a single chair with restraints.

The imposter put him in their own cell.

Danny is positively livid with the disrespect.

“You’re awake.”

Danny jerks his head up.

Oh thank the Ancients, his twin is here.

“Tim,” he breathes. “Okay, I know this looks bad, but trust me. It’s Bruce. He couldn’t tell us apart. Something’s wrong. He’s not himself.”

Tim is silent for much too long, just staring at him. He’s in his uniform like he just got back from patrol when Danny knew he had been in California with his team.

“Just talk to me,” he demands. “What’s going on? Where’s B?”

Tim’s mask narrows.

“Why should I trust you?”

Danny blinks wide.

“Why should- okay, first of all, screw you. Second, now is so not the time to be petty with me. I already apologized for messing up your photo shoot. I even made up for it, so legally you can’t be mad at me anymore.”

“My photo shoot?”

Danny rolls his eyes. This seat was getting uncomfortable.

“Don’t pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about. Stop being such a jerk. This is serious. I’m telling you something is off with B. Did you guys check him? I hit the emergency button.”

Danny can tell his twin raises a brow at him.

“You hit the emergency button?”

“I literally just said that. Do you listen at all?”

“I was just confirming,” Tim shrugs it off.

“Whatever. Tim, I think there’s someone else here. I got hit with a tranq. Someone is in on this. And can someone please get me out of these? I’m not the problem here.”

Unfortunately, Tim does not get him out of his bonds. He just stands there watching him until he turns on his heel and leaves the cavern where Danny can’t see.

“What the- Tim! What the hell, dude?!”

Danny wiggles in his seat, but the more thrashing the more it hurt. Instead he sits there for a while, just tracing the rock and counting, until someone comes back in.

It’s Dick. The one big brother who he can always count on to at least be there.

“Hey there,” he smiles through the glass.

“Dick, what is happening? Tim isn’t listening. Did you find Bruce? Why am I in here?”

“Yea, Bruce is here. He’s safe. I saw the tapes. It looked like you were going to attack him,” he reasons gently.

“Yea because something is wrong with him. Maybe he’s compromised or mind controlled or something. You need to investigate. He needs to be cleared,” Danny insists.

“Okay,” Dick nods. He squats down to get comfortable outside the barrier instead of going to find Bruce though. “What made you think he’s compromised?”

“He kept confusing me with Tim!” He emphasizes because just the thought is outrageous. “He hasn’t done that in years. Yea maybe a mix up when he’s not paying attention but he was looking right at me and called me Tim. And he kept asking me these weird questions, like he had no idea who I was. Something is wrong.”

Dick puts a hand over his lips in thought, clearly going over something in his head.

“I’ll be right back,” Dick rushes out the door in a flash.

Danny’s jaw drops in protest but no words come out. He yells in frustration instead.

No one was listening to him! They were all freaking him out.

Maybe this was training. Like on their sixteenth birthday. It’s similar to what happened then. So what is his next course of action?

“You make it sound like we should know you.”

Danny finds his little brother in the shadows, lurking by the entrance. He’s also dressed in his vigilante attire, just like Tim and Dick.

“Damian, could you stop being a little gremlin for two seconds?” He glares at the younger boy.

“Answer the question.”

“It wasn’t a question,” he snarks back.

Damian grinds his teeth and Danny smirks nastily. He wasn’t in the mood for sibling rivalry right now.

“Who are you?”

Danny’s expression twists.

“That isn’t funny.”

“I’m not laughing.”

A cold dread settles in his chest. What if it wasn’t a training exercise?

“You know who I am. Stop playing games.”

“You say you’re not Tim. Claim you’ve known Father for years.”

“Damian.”

Bruce steps out followed closely by Dick and Tim.

There is a cold sweat on his brow now. Danny’s heart is beating loudly in his ears. He can feel the panic in his chest.

He wasn’t like the others. He didn’t go out to fight crime. He just trained with them because they all knew he needed to know those things to live in their life.

He wasn’t prepared for something like this.

“Guys, you’re really freaking me out.”

“Answer the question.”

No one defends him from Damian’s demand. They all look at him with caution, like he was the enemy. A stranger.

“You know me. What are you guys talking about?”

When no one answers he’s close to a damn panic attack.

“It’s me. Danny. You know? Tim’s twin. I’ve lived here since me and Tim moved in when we were twelve. Please tell me this is just training. You guys didn’t- didn’t forget me or something, right?”

Something in Dick’s expression looks unsure, but they all are withdrawn and completely in their roles. They weren’t acting like family.

“Prove it,” Tim commands.

Danny can’t believe his ears.

“AN-4729,” he recites the emergency code to prove authenticity they all know.

He can tell they recognize it, but wait for more.

“The sun shines in the east,” is the next security code to show safety.

Danny can tell it’s still not enough.

“There’s a file of me on the computer. Tim has pictures of us since childhood hidden under the floorboard under his dresser. My room is to the left of Tim’s. Inside the closet, in the ceiling, is a box. Inside the box is a medallion. It holds my entire life. You could also call Mr. Fox. I work with him often. I’m his favorite. I’m even on the payroll. Or you could just Google Daniel Drake-Wayne. I’m sure I’d pop up. Or call Gotham Academy since I’m enrolled there and everyone has seen Alfred pick me up and drop me off. I have a Christmas stocking with my name on it. My picture is literally all over the manor. I know the ins and outs of all your equipment and tech. The password to the Bat computer is 35G4s@2b-“

“Okay,” Dick gently interrupts. “I think that’s enough for now.”

Danny can feel how wet his eyes are. He stiffens his upper lip as Alfred would say so he doesn’t show how much of a disappointment he is to fail this test. Because this has to be a test. It has to be.

“Tim, you and I could always tell when we’re lying. We call ourselves our own personal lie detectors. So… am I lying?”

Tim studies him hard. His twin looks into his eyes for longer than it should take.

“I don’t know.”

And Danny breaks.

#dp x dc #dc x dp #danny fenton #dp x dc crossover #batman #tim drake #damian wayne #bruce wayne #dick grayson #danny phantom #Danny in a different dimension #they have no memory of him #clockwork shenanigans #they do some investigating #and find out Danny’s not lying

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market-insider · 2 years ago

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Automation Testing Insights: Transforming Testing

The global automation testing market size is expected to reach USD 92.45 billion by 2030. Prominent technological advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is propelling the demand for the market. Mobile application usage is growing across various end-user industries, and smartphone penetration is rising, opening an attractive potential for market expansion. Furthermore, there is a rising demand for automation testing as web-based applications have developed significantly and new software technologies have emerged. The market is growing rapidly due to the increasing usage of ML and AI for advanced analytics and continuous testing across DevOps and DevSecOps areas.

Automation Testing Market Report Highlights

The services segment dominated the market and accounted for over 56% of the global revenue owing to rapid advancements in implementation services, which make it easier to include automation into a functioning infrastructure for software testing

With the aid of this service, automation is integrated into an existing software automation testing setup

The large enterprises segment held the largest revenue share in 2022 as it helps improve efficiency, reduce manual effort, increase test coverage, and ensure the quality of software applications

The BFSI segment is estimated to have significant growth over the forecast period; adopting digitalization in the BFSI sector creates a significant demand for application software automation testing

Gain deeper insights on the market and receive your free copy with TOC now @: Automation Testing Market Report

The emerging use of RPA to automate time-consuming, error-prone manual processes are just a few instances of the usage of AI & ML in automation testing. Moreover, a bot uses the page’s numerous links and web forms to systematically explore through an online application when web crawling or spidering. This is a new use for AI and ML in automation testing. This approach is typically used for indexing online browsing. It may be improved further to perform reverse engineering on an application being tested and automatically find Test Cases. Emerging automation testing tools are significantly fueling market growth.

For instance, Testcraft, a codeless Selenium test automation platform for regression and continuous testing, as well as monitoring of web applications, is gaining traction among users. Their revolutionary AI tech removes maintenance time and cost, as it certainly affects changes in the app. Similarly, Applitools Eyes, Testim, and Test.ai are more automation testing tools propelling the market growth. Furthermore, mergers and acquisitions by other key players are propelling market growth. For instance, in 2022, to improve the user experience on 5G smartphones, Key sight introduced AI-driven and automated testing. Automation and AI enable mobile service providers and app developers to more swiftly evaluate how smartphone users engage with native apps in the real world.

#Automation Testing #Quality Assurance #Software Testing #Test Automation #Continuous Testing #Test Automation Framework #DevOps Testing #Selenium #Test Automation Tools #Performance Testing #Regression Testing #Agile Testing #UIAutomation #Test Scripting #Test Automation Engineer #Codeless Automation #Automation Strategy #CI/CDTesting #Test Automation Best Practices

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esthelle-wanders · 8 days ago

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Enemy vs Environment: Combat Approaches

One of my favorite aspects of Linked Universe is the different ways the boys react to their surroundings.

In this last update, something that really strikes me is the difference between Wars’ and Wild’s combat approaches, which are shaped by their respective game designs.

Lemme try and break it down real quick.

Hyrule Warriors is a hack-and-slash game that’s all about delegation and multitasking. You spend each campaign sprinting full-tilt across the map, evaluating which missions take priority, while dispatching as many opponents as you can. Enemies are more important than the environment 100% of the time.

Breath of the Wild is an open-world adventure game that’s all about adapting to various climates and landscapes, improvising with tools you find, climbing everything in sight, etc. The devs want you to explore and experiment.

In short: Hyrule Warriors rewards you for efficiency and bodycount, BotW rewards you for “fricking around and finding out.”

How does this play out in Linked Universe?

Our guys find themselves in an unfamiliar area, with unknown (to them) monsters. What do they do?

Warriors immediately zones in on the enemies, Wild’s attention goes to his environment.

A moment later, they’ve both advanced a little, but Warriors is still laser-focused on the monsters. Maybe he’s analyzing their patterns, but in any case, he’s observing them closely.

In contrast, Wild still hasn’t paid the Sparks much mind. He’s moving much faster, and appears much more interested in the water.

Notably, it doesn’t seem like he “tests” the water at all. He steps right in with both feet.

In BotW, that’s not a bad strategy. The game itself encourages you to wander anywhere and everywhere, including areas that might look “unavailable” or “off-limits.” Unless you talk to a local who knows something, or Zelda’s disembodied voice chips in, you don’t have a guide or companion— the best way to learn about something is to jump in.

Clearly, like Legend said, that kind of approach is less advisable in a dungeon.

Warriors reacts really fast here— faster than Wild, who actually triggered the trap, and who’s known to be incredibly agile and maneuverable.

A lot of that comes down to experience, a teamwork-vs.-lone-explorer mindset, and Wars’ ungodly speed in-game, but I think there’s also something to be said for combat approach.

Interestingly, Warriors doesn’t warn Wild not to touch the water or the tiles— not that he’d know lol. But since he’s already approaching their situation with more caution, it’s interesting that he doesn’t seem to register what Wild’s doing as “dangerous” until the trap actually triggers.

In other words, he doesn’t clock the environment as hostile— he reacts at the exact moment he notices a new, active threat.

Contrasts like these help to force a duo’s internal differences into action, and it’s one of the many reasons I love this pairing for this particular dungeon. I think their differing approaches could complement one another splendidly, if they learned to use them in tandem!

Source

#lu analysis #lu update #lu warriors #lu wild #linked universe #esthelle rambles

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yaut-jaknowit · 1 year ago

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Hear me out… the reader pegging Uihoy or Vic’tao 🤔

Tables Have Turned

Pairing: Vic'tao (male Yautja) x AFAB!Reader

Warnings: pegging (Duh), knots, anal, sub!Vic’tao, Dom!Reader, praise, pet name (Pretty boy, love, lover boy, etc…), talks about milking (like draining him of his sperm). Let me know if I miss any!

Word Count: 3580

Summary: Vic likes to act all dominate, like he's the top dog on the ship. If you know his hidden spots, you can turn the dominate male into a begging slut.

Author Note: So I’m choosing Vic for this. I looked at my master list for him and it’s looking a bit bare compared to Uie. Poor boy needs some love. And he’s not as much into pegging as Uihoy but he’ll indulge you. I also want him to be tied up some more at our expense.

Masterlist

Ao3

Like the position he’s place you into countless times, Vic’tao was stuck, tied, and restrained. These ropes, tested at their full strength, held up to peek male Yautja strength. A pair of cuffs held his hands behind his back, entwined in rope as well. Said material was soft against their scales. Though durable, it was wrapped beautiful to create a pattern that worked well to keep him trapped.

A few tools were laid out by his side. Everything needs to work a well endowed Yautja-like cock into his ass. It took a little convince and reassuring to make sure he was comfortable with this.

Once you got the go ahead, you were already planning everything you would do him. Anything to get him back on his knees, in this same position. Ass up, face down.

Between his slightly opened legs hung his long, bright green cock. It fit his stature. Tall, lean, agile. The green the same shade as the color of his blood. Perfect to reach all those spots deep inside of you and even further to reach your guts. You softly grasped the thicker base of his cock, his dormant knot slightly squeezy in your hold.

A large vein was popping out underneath his knot. You ran the soft pad of your finger against it and watched at the Yautja at your mercy squirmed and writhed at that touch alone. Despite loving the way the two of them pound you into the sheets or whatever surface was suitable for, seeing either of them like this did things to you.

“Look at you, so sensitive just from that,” you teased with a light tone and squeezed his knot again. He growled with clicks and pulled at his restraints. All it would take was one word to stop all of this, Vic knew this.

“Of course I am, touching my dick like that,” he snapped back you, hands flexing in the cuffs but unable to break the metal. You ran both your thumb and dull nail down the length of his twitching shaft. Vic’tao grunted and struggled more against his bonds but couldn’t get the material to snap like last time. Trial and error to get you here. “By Paya’s name, you’re going to be the death of me, little hunter.”

You couldn’t help the sly smirk on your face. “If all it takes is a single finger on the underside of your cock, you might need to toughen up, love.” Vic’tao growled again, lean muscles flexing still. Determined as he was, the rope would not bend to his will.

“I could say the same about my fingers filling that tight hole of yours. It’s dripping, isn’t it?” he snarked and still tried to act tough in a position he was at your will in. You giggled and pinched the cone shaped head of his cock. It jumped in your grasp and slapped against his belly. His hips rutted down into your hand and rubbed the precoat slick covering his cock onto your skin.

The Yautja gave an undignified cry. Small beads of precum drippled out to coat your fingers. You swiped what you could and licked it off in one fell swoop. Salty with a tang that just Vic’tao, Vic’tao. “You could easily beat me with how much your leaking yourself, lover boy. You need to save some for me though. Don’t you want to fill up my hole?” You leaned down to his ear while a hand ran up the length of his spine then back down. “Breed me? Full me with your seed? Watch as if leaks out only for you to fuck it back into me to make sure it takes?”

Vic’tao howled. His pulse shooting skyward. He pulled together every ounce of his strength together and strained once more against both the rope and cuff. They groaned and rattled under the peek male in his prime but thankfully held. True to Uihoy’s word, these ones would work for the occasion.

As his mate for the last two years, you knew what did it for him. Breeding for Uihoy and Vic’tao are extremely high. It comes down to their very DNA. Yet, for Vic’tao, its worse. Want to get him riled up? Talk about breeding you. His seed deep inside of you. Then, if you don’t have him in a position as of now, you would be bent over just the same and filled. Just like how you said. Bred.

Vic’tao doesn’t kid around when it comes to breeding.

Deep, lung filled breaths panted from the straining male. Yet, he realized he could not get out of ropes on his own. “Untie me, now. Tressure. Now.” Without the safe word in the mixture, you brushed him off with a grin. He snarled so loudly it vibrated the air itself, like a gator bellowing. “I’m going to pauk you until you can’t think, can’t walk, can’t pauk-de talk. All you’ll remember is my name. That’s all.”

See? Just a mention about breeding has the male more than ready to stuff his cock into you, knotting deep. You giggled and patted the plush fat of his ass. “I love seeing you like this. Thinking you’re the one in charge. But when I’m milking you of your worth, it’ll be you who can’t even think. Nothing more than my cock plowing your ass into tomorrow,” you promised and ghosted your fingers over the tight ring of muscles. His lower back muscles tense and drew that part away from you touch.

“You won’t shy away from my touch much longer. I’ll have you bouncing back to each of my thrusts in a little bit, love.” The Yaujta growled again and strained against the ropes but with less strength this time. He must be finally coming to the realization he can’t win.

Watching as the male submit to your control was sweeter than candy. A grin was plastered to your face and nothing could wipe it off.

With one of your hands, you pulled his cock out from between his legs and leaned down. Soft, supple lips encased his pointed tip and sucked. Precum dripped into your waiting mouth. Your tongue ran a line on his slit.

A pitiful whine surpassed his lips. He wanted more. You smirked around his head and suckled like a calf on the head. His thigh muscles tensed and trembled. But even if he could close them despite the small bar keeping them open, you were just out of reach. You pulled back, saliva and precum connecting you to his hard cock. He released another weak noise. “Little hunter, please,” he pleaded, already.

The slit of the head of his cock was extremely sensitive. You knew to use this against him to get him begging in seconds.

Over to the side, you reached over and pick up a rubber zip tie of sorts. With their different anatomy, it took a little experimenting to see what works best. Then, you tied it around the very base of his cock, further down than his deflated knot and tightened it accordingly. He squirmed in your hold.

“Don’t-don’t use that. Please, anything but that,” he mewled and panted.

You laughed and patted his backside. “I can’t have you spilling so quickly. I want this to last. You know how the end is when you wait.” With their balls internal, this is the best you could to edge him with less worry of him coming before you wanted him to. You leaned down and gave a sucking kiss on his knot. He choked on a gasp, whole body shuddering.

Vic’tao knew this. Being edged and forced to wait for the inevitable to erupt from inside of me. He would never admit it but he loved it.

Along the sides of his cock were these small round bumps. They helped stimulate a spot inside of a female Yautja, different compared to a human. For you, they still felt good. You tilted your head and ran a stripe from your tongue up from the base back up to his tip. Your muscle running over each little nub then teasing his slit again. He jumped in your hold.

At this point, he looked painfully hard. His veins growing more prominent the long you teased him. Drool freely poured from his panting mouth. His eyes glazed over and dazed. A sight you were happily drinking.

Cool lube coated your fingers generously. You placed a clean hand on the plump flesh of one of his cheeks and rubbed the lubed digits around his puckered hole. The bright green cock between his legs slapped against the taunt muscles of his belly. You softly petted his butt. “Relax, I’m going to take good care of you, okay?” you cooed to the blissed male in your hands.

He whined and dazedly nodded his head, wiping more drool on the sheets below him. “Such a good boy,” you praised your lover. In return, he keened, head raising off of the bed. “There he is. You ready for my fingers?” Vic’tao rapidly nodded his head and pushed back on your hands.

Carefully, you slowly prodded his hole and pushed only a finger in. Instantly, you knew he could handle two but decided this time to go slow. It was rapture the way your digit disappeared inside of him. You slowly pulled out and began a soft rhythm that would loosen him up.

It didn’t take long for him to rut back on your single figure. You stopped him though and slickened up another digit before using it to stretch him all the same. He clenched down on your presence inside of him. That caused the muscles to flutter around your fingers, nearly forcing you further into him if it wasn’t for your knuckles.

Between his legs, you ghosted the tips of your fingers down the underside of his cock. Your lover jumped then tried to grind down on any part of you giving him friction. You decided to push him and added another finger. Three in total stretching hole for when you pull out the strap on that was the size of a Yautja, it would only give pleasure. As your good boy, he deserved it.

Once all four of your fingers fit comfortably inside of him, you withdrew them. His hole clenched down on nothing. “It’ll be okay. You’re ready to take my cock, love.” You stood up after grabbing the harness and slipped it on while putting on a show for him.

The thick shaft hung heavy from its own silicon weight between your legs. Lube was used to slick up the whole thing. You stroked it in front of Vic. The Yautja watched with hooded eyes, rapture clawing at his insides. His muscles again squeezing around the lack of fingers or this cock inside of him.

False concern passed over your features. “Oh, what’s wrong? Needing something to fill you? Need my thick cock to stretch you open?” you cooed and knelt in front of him to rub your thumb over the bridge of his brow. He whimpered again and leaned up.

With his long, forked tongue, he licked just the tip of the lubed silicon. If this thing was real, you would’ve probably be groaning and plowing into him immediately afterwards. Which, you were planning to do anyhow. You gave another stroke of the strap on before grabbing at his tresses and pulling them back. This forced him to keep his head more up. “Spit on it,” you growled out.

A dangerous look passing over your features. You shuffled a little closer to and forced more of the dildo into his awaiting, already drooling mouth. In his state, he did his best to slobbering over the material until it dripped with his saliva. You released his dreads and pulled back your hips. “Such a good boy. Getting the strap on all ready for yourself,” you praised him again. He purred choppily and attempted a grin up at you.

You ran your fingertips along his brow again before shuffling behind him again. Due to the height difference, you forced him to sit down on his knees more. This was a beautiful sight to behold. If you had a camera on you, you would happily snatch a photo of this for both you and Uihoy. It wasn’t one you see very often due to the fact he wasn’t very submissive. Uihoy, he likes when he can be lazy. He does get his moment is random energy and plow you until you can’t think. But, Uie’s an old man who wants to live out the rest of his life peacefully.

Slicked up digits prodded his hole again. The muscles around it fluttered in reaction. “Okay, pretty boy. I need you stay relaxed for me. Can you do that?” you cooed softly to him

Underneath you, Vic whined and wiggled his hips the best he could, enticing you. You sat up and grabbed the base of the strap on. It was hefty in your grasp as the pointed head was pressed to his hole. He flinched again. Your other hand came up and ran the length of his spine a couple of times. “Relax, love. I’m going to take great care of you. I’m going to milk your balls dry, take every last drop for my own. Then maybe, I’ll let you breed me before the end of the night.” You grinned as that got the reaction out of him. He tugged at the restraints even though he knows they won’t budge this time.

Both of your hands gripped his narrow waist. Then, you began to push the head into him. A combination of his slobber and the lube easily slid it in until you hit a thicker part of the shaft. Not even your fingers could stretch him that much. Your eyes were glued to the sight of him splitting open for this fake cock attached to your hips.

“I know you can do it, Vicy boy. You’ve done it with Uie before. And he’s got a bigger one than this dinky thing.” The Yautja grunted at the reminder of the stretch his other mate gave him. Uihoy’s size fits his stature as well.

It was the praise he need to allow the rest of it to sink further into him. Your hips pressed skin to skin against his rounded butt. In tandem, the two of you moaned out. Your nails dug into the flesh of his hips, forcing him stay. He wasn’t allowed to move, wasn’t allow to control anything about this. You were in control and he had to take it, take the entire cock yo his ass.

“Yeah, that’s it. Took so well. Got the entire thing inside of you, pretty boy. Such a pretty boy. Want me move?” you questioned and rubbed at his hips again.

“Please, move. Fuck me!” Vic pleaded and strained the metal of his cuffs as the groaned. The material stayed strong though still shook. You grinned and pulled back your hips until only the head stayed inside of his stretched hole. His fingers curled into fists and panted. With a single, strong thrust, the cock was buried deep into him again.

The Yautja howled his cry again. In this position, all he could do was take and take and take. There was no rutting back, no pushing into each thrust. He was strictly at your mercy. You wouldn’t have it any other way.

A grin was plastered to you features as you thrusted into him countless times. You aimed your hips down to ensure the length of shaft rubbed along that sensitive spot deep inside of him. You loved the fact males of both species had their similarities as such. When he groaned, you knew you found it and focused on that spot even more.

Every thrust in, flush with his butt, allowed his digits to touch your stomach. He attempted to grab at what flesh was within reach. Yet, there wasn’t enough for him to hold to. You knew he was scrambling for purchase before the inevitable hit him. Unless the cock ring did its job and kept him from disobeying you so soon.

Between his legs, you reached around his torso and grasped the painfully hard cock. Steel in your hand, you ghosted your fingertips up the underside. Vic twitch in your grasp, cock slapping against his chest again. All the while, you don’t stop moving your hips, driving the thick shaft into him.

You leaned back up and gazed down at the beautiful sight before you. Dulled nails dug into the plush flesh of his cheeks and held them, using them to pull you back into him.

The noises echoing back to you in the safety of your room were downright dirty. The slaps of your hips to his flesh were loud. Vic’tao himself was stentorian. About the loudest you’ve heard him before.

His muscles fluttered around the silicon again, trying to either push it out or swallow more of it. If you had to bet, it was the latter.

“Gonna… gonna come. Let me. Take-take off the damn ring, please. Let me. Wanna breed my little treasure. Let me fill that tight hole,” Vic mumbled and ranted to you in a voice you could barely understand. Even when he’s below you, taking a dildo up the ass, he tries to act like he’s in charge of the situation. Breeding with him is always a big thing for Vic’tao.

“Oh, sweetie. You want to breed me, don’t you?” you teased him and aimed your hips downward again. The muscles that lined his arms flexed with great strength. Your Yautja began to chitter in his language, losing himself to the pleasure. His brain turning to mush.

Once more, you encase his cock with your hand and slowly pumped at the throbbing muscle. He was on the edge; you could tell by the way his moans grew in pitch. More whinny than before, almost like a bat.

One handed, you undid the ziptie clamped down under the growing knot at the base of his cock. “Okay, pretty boy. You can come. Come all over my hand. Then, you’ll get a treat. Be a good boy and come for your mate,” you commanded of him. Your hand returned to stroke his cock, now trying to milk your love for all he’s worth.

His voice cut out as he pitched his head back with a cry. Loads of cum spilled onto the sheets below, staining the material and soaking your hand. You didn’t stop, both in stroking and thrusting. You were determine to take everything he could give.

The sight was beautiful. His muscles clenching around the dildo lodged into him, hitting that special spot that made him see stars.

At this point, his cum just leaked out of him onto the ground. You stopped moving and titled your head to glance at his face. His gorgeous eyes were hidden, closed as he gather whatever was left of him. “You okay, Vicy?” you asked in a softly, low voice. All he gave was a low groan but nothing else to supply he was in pain or discomfort.

A soft smile replaced your grin. You reached with your clean hand to rub your thumb along his cheek bone. “You did so well for me, Vic. Such a good boy. Look all the cum you produced. Imagine that inside of me next time. Don’t you want that.”

“Fuck, treasure. You’re gonna start something I know you can finish,” he grunted. One eye flicked open, still hooded over while he gazed at you. Instead, you shook your head in response.

Carefully, you withdrew your hips and pulled the shaft from him. “No. What we’re going to do is drag your sore ass to the bathroom. Then, I’ll wash you clean, change the sheets, and snuggle you,” you promised the yellow and blue Yautja now in your care. He rumbled deeply in his chest and slightly tugged on his restraint again.

Slowly, meticulously, you unwrapped the rope from his body. Each time a spot had been rubbed raw, you placed a kiss on the area and apologized.

After the last little bit fell, he stood up on his knees first and stretched his arms high above his head. Vic turned around then latched his arms around you and pulled you close to him. At first, you thought he was getting pay back for all the teasing you gave him. But, instead he just held you.

Well, until he rubbed his slick and sticky cock against your stomach, getting the clothing dirty. You scoffed and pushed him away, which he allowed for you to. “Vic! That’s gross,” you scolded and glared at the dark spot on your shirt. “That stuck is hard to wash out properly.” It takes a whole week of soaking in water and some sort of soap to get it out.

Vic chortled then stood, always towering over you. You got to your feet as well. “You know, I’m supposed to be bravely carrying you to the bathtub for a soak,” you mumbled with a teasing smirk. The yellow Yautja raised a brow at you.

“If you want, I can just collapse onto you and see how that words for you,” he jestered back. You set a unheated glare at your mate.

“You and your superhuman strength.” Vic laughed once more at your misfortune.

#yautja #predator #yautja x reader #yautja x you #alien vs predator #predator x reader #yautja x human #predator x you #predator x human #x reader

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bunji-enthusiast · 3 months ago

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Can I request Lancelot and Tristan with a gf who’s half human half giant and is like Uraraka Ochako? She’s also the adopted daughter of Gowther.

Skybird

Lancelot, Tristan [separate] x Uraraka!Reader

Summary || you, the adoptive daughter of Gowther share a deep bond with the prince.

Warnings. None

Tristan

The early morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm glow over the training grounds. The air was still, with only the sound of soft birdsong and the occasional rustle of leaves disturbed by the gentle breeze.

You stood at the center of the field, your bare feet firm against the earth, your breath steady as you prepared for your daily training. A quick glance at the sky told you the day would be another clear one—perfect for an intense workout. Your abilities were formidable, a blend of power and precision, honed over the years. Martial arts, enhanced strength, speed, and endurance—your body had become a finely tuned instrument of both grace and strength. But it wasn’t just your physical abilities that set you apart; it was the power that coursed through your fingertips. Zero Gravity.

The world around you could feel lighter than air—or heavier than the very earth itself—depending on your will. With a simple touch, anything could float, weightless in the air. It was a tool you had mastered and a gift that made you invaluable in times of need. Yet, it came with its limits. You could only handle so much weight before the nausea would overpower you, a reminder of how fragile the human form could be.

But this was no time to focus on limitations. Today was different. You were training for a reason. A new challenge loomed on the horizon, and you had a partner in your corner.

“Ready for today’s sparring session, [Name]?” came a voice from behind, calm but imbued with a quiet intensity.

Turning, you saw Tristan Liones approaching, his silver hair shining in the sun, his heterochromatic eyes glinting with determination. Despite the soft tone of his voice, you could see the warrior beneath, a prince who had inherited the powers of both his parents—godly grace from his mother, and the darker power of demons from his father.

“I’m always ready,” you said with a small, teasing smile, your gaze locking with his. The two of you had sparred countless times, each encounter a test of skill, speed, and reflexes. But today, there was something different in the air, something unspoken but understood between you both.

Tristan’s eyes softened as he nodded, stepping into position. “I don’t plan on holding back, [Name].”

“And neither will I,” you replied, already preparing yourself to face him. You had faced far worse in your life, but sparring with Tristan was always a thrill, a challenge that balanced perfectly between your two different fighting styles.

With a swift movement, you closed the distance, your speed rivaling that of any seasoned fighter. Tristan’s eyes flared, the triskelion marking his goddess power flickering into existence, his wings sprouting as he darted to the side, his sword glowing with divine light. You were quick, but his agility in the air gave him an edge.

But you had your own advantage.

With a subtle movement of your hand, you activated Zero Gravity. The earth around you seemed to shift as you made the ground beneath Tristan’s feet lighter. His stance faltered for a brief moment before he regained balance, though he didn’t miss a beat. The first strike came, his sword aiming for your chest.

You countered quickly, ducking under the blow, your hand reaching out to touch the ground beneath his feet. The air around you thickened with the weight of the moment as Tristan’s body began to float upwards, the gravity on him rendered null by your power.

“You’re not getting away that easily,” he muttered, trying to steady himself in mid-air. His wings flared out to stabilize him, but even that wasn’t enough to keep him fully grounded as you sent a quick jab to his side, sending him floating back further.

His laugh was soft, a mix of admiration and playful competitiveness. “I should’ve known you’d try that.”

You grinned. “It’s the most reliable trick in the book.”

As you watched him regain his composure, your heart raced—not from the fight, but from something else. Something you didn’t entirely understand. The two of you had trained together for so long, but lately, it felt like there was more than just a shared bond of comradeship. The quiet moments when his gaze lingered a little longer than usual, the soft smiles that weren’t just about victory… you knew you weren’t imagining it.

Before you could dwell on it, Tristan was back on the offensive. He surged forward, his goddess wings propelling him into the air with grace. His sword swung with precision, each movement a beautiful blend of strength and fluidity.

But you weren’t intimidated. You could feel the pulse of your own power, your body reacting before your mind could even think. Zero Gravity surged again, and with a swift motion, you sent him flying upward into the air. His sword slipped from his grip as he floated higher, his form drifting with the current of your abilities.

The sound of his laughter echoed through the air. “You’re relentless.”

“That’s the only way I know how to fight,” you said with a smirk, your fingers tingling from the exertion of keeping him aloft.

Finally, with a flick of your fingers, you released him, the gravity returning to normal. He landed lightly on his feet, his expression unreadable for a moment before his eyes softened.

“Your strength and your intellect… they’ve always amazed me,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically serious. The weight of his words hung in the air, heavier than anything your abilities could lift.

You felt your heart flutter, a warmth spreading through you at the sincerity in his eyes. For a moment, everything seemed to slow. You both stood there, mere feet apart, caught in a silence that seemed to speak volumes. It wasn’t just about the fight anymore.

“You’ve always been a good partner, Tristan,” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper.

His gaze softened, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I’m more than happy to be by your side, [Name].”

The world seemed to hold its breath as you stood there, the distance between you closing ever so slightly. There was a quiet understanding between you, something deeper than mere camaraderie, and for once, you allowed yourself to entertain the possibility that maybe, just maybe, there was something more.

And as you caught the glint of sunlight on his silver hair, you realized that despite the chaotic world around you, the pull between you and Tristan felt like a force all its own—a force that, unlike your gravity, could never be ignored.

Lancelot

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the serene landscape. The once desolate battlefield, now ravaged and scattered with debris, had quieted as the dust of war settled. You floated gracefully above the ground, your fingertips lightly touching a piece of wreckage as it floated alongside you. With your unique ability to manipulate gravity, you had turned this disaster zone into a temporary sanctuary, cleaning up the wreckage with ease and ensuring that no one else would be harmed by the chaos.

Your indomitable willpower had seen you through countless challenges, but in this moment, the one thing you couldn't deny was the rising tension in your chest. The air around you felt charged, as though something—or someone—was approaching.

It didn’t take long for the familiar figure of Lancelot to emerge from the shadows, his ever-confident stride carrying him effortlessly through the battlefield. His golden hair gleamed in the light of the setting sun, and his magenta-red eyes, usually so fierce and focused, softened as they met yours.

"Need a hand?" His voice was warm but laced with the undercurrent of his usual confidence, the Knight of War that had earned respect and fear in equal measure.

You couldn’t help but smile, lowering yourself gently to the ground, the floating debris around you returning to its place with a soft thud. “I’ve got it under control, Lancelot. But thanks for offering.”

He stopped a few paces in front of you, his eyes scanning the area before locking onto you. There was something different in his gaze today, something more than the playful teasing he often offered. As the wind blew gently through his hair, you noticed the way his expression softened, the tension in his shoulders unwinding just slightly.

"You're always so calm," he remarked, stepping closer. "It’s... impressive. But you don’t always have to do everything alone."

You tilted your head, eyes meeting his. "You know I’m used to it by now."

Lancelot chuckled softly, and in that moment, the hint of his usual carefree nature returned. "You’re stubborn," he said, his voice laced with fondness. "Just like my old man."

There it was again—his admiration for his father, the same hero-worship that had been so evident ever since you'd met him. You’d watched him grow from a young boy trying to find his place in the world into a knight who had earned his rightful title, a prince in his own right, and someone who had become far more than just Ban’s son.

You took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the air around you—your enhanced senses detecting the subtle shift in the atmosphere. The crackling tension between you both was palpable now.

"You know," you started, stepping a little closer, "I’ve always wondered how you balance it. The weight of being both a prince and a knight. How do you keep it all together?"

Lancelot’s eyes softened, the smile slipping into something more reflective. "I don’t always. But I have to. For my kingdom... for the people I care about. And for you."

The words hung in the air, their weight not lost on you. Your heart skipped a beat, your gaze softening. “For me?”

He nodded, his gaze steady, a flicker of vulnerability briefly showing in his eyes before he masked it with his usual confidence. "For you. You’ve been there for me since the beginning. I’ve never had someone I could rely on quite like you."

It was strange, hearing Lancelot speak with such sincerity. Most of the time, he was so wrapped up in his responsibilities, so determined to prove himself, that you never saw this side of him. It was raw, honest, and you found yourself drawn to it, to him.

"I didn’t do it for recognition," you said, your voice quieter now, your fingertips brushing his as you stepped even closer. "I did it because I care."

Lancelot’s gaze flickered down to your fingers, which were still lightly touching his, and the silence between you both thickened. His breath seemed to catch in his throat, and for the first time, you saw the subtle shift in his expression—this time, it wasn’t just admiration or affection. It was something deeper.

Without warning, he reached out, his hand gently cupping your cheek. His touch was soft, warm, and tender, a contrast to the fierce warrior he was known to be. "You always say that," he whispered, his voice low. "But I don’t think you realize just how much you mean to me."

Your heart fluttered in your chest, your mind racing to process the weight of his words. Your ability to control gravity had always made you feel grounded, but now, in this moment, with Lancelot’s gaze locked on you, it felt as though the world itself had shifted.

You closed your eyes, your breath a bit unsteady as you leaned into his touch. "Lancelot," you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper. "I..."

Before you could finish, his lips met yours in a gentle, yet powerful kiss. It was slow, lingering, as though he was savoring the moment, unsure of how long it would last. The chaos of the battlefield, the weight of responsibility, all of it melted away as the two of you were suspended in a moment of shared understanding and connection.

When he finally pulled away, his eyes searched yours with that same intensity. "You don’t have to say anything," he said, his voice soft but unwavering. "I’ve known for a long time."

And in that moment, as you stood before him, you both knew that no matter the trials ahead, you would face them together.

#tristan liones x y/n #tristan liones x reader #tristan 4kota #4kota tristan #tristan mokushiroku no yonkishi #tristan x you #tristan x reader #tristan liones #lancelot 4koa #lancelot mokushiroku no yonkishi #lancelot 4kota #lancelot x y/n #lancelot x you #lancelot x reader #lancelot #fluff

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usafphantom2 · 3 months ago

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The F-16 Will Be Equipped with the AGM-158C LRASM

NAVAIR is looking to award a contract for the integration of the AGM-158C-1 Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) on the F-16.

Stefano D'Urso

F-16 LRASM

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) released on Mar. 17, 2025, a presolicitation to negotiate a contract with Lockheed Martin for the integration and test support of the AGM-158C-1 Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) on the F-16. This development follows the recent news of a new contract to Lockheed Martin to increase the production of the JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) and LRASM.

NAVAIR is looking to award a contract for the integration of the AGM-158C-1 Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) on the F-16.The AGM-158 production increaseThe LRASM

The notice mentions that NAVAIR “intends to enter into sole source negotiations and subsequently award a Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) Delivery Order (DO) to Lockheed Martin Corporation-Missiles Fire Control.” Also, the notice mentions that the “requirement includes testing both the AGM-158C-1 Legacy and UAI interfaces.”

The UAI, or Universal Armament Interface, is the result of a U.S. Department of Defense program to develop standardized functional interfaces in both aircraft and weapons to support a rapid integration of new weapons independent of an aircraft’s Operational Flight Program (OFP) cycles. The F-16 and JASSM were already tested with the new interface.

NAVAIR has not released additional details about the integration of LRASM on the F-16 at this time, although we might have more info after the response day planned for Apr. 1. Earlier this month, Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Pax River Integrated Test Force (ITF) disclosed that the F-35B Lightning II started flight testing as part of the integration with LRASM.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Peter Giesige and Airman 1st Class Brian Bowser, both weapons specialists assigned to the Ohio National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing, and Staff Sgt. Katelyn Barrow, a munitions specialist also assigned to the 180FW, successfully load a JASSM AGM-158 on to a F-16 Fighting Falcon during an Agile Combat Employment stress test in Swanton, Ohio, Sept. 12, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Camren Ray)

The AGM-158 production increase

On Mar. 14, 2025, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has been awarded a $122,6 million contract modification to the original production increase’s contract awarded in 2018. As part of the contract, the company will “procure tooling and test equipment needed to increase production quantities of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile and Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile.”

Lockheed Martin has been investing in the increase of the AGM-158’s production since 2022, when it added a new 225,000-square-foot factory to its existing production facilities. In 2024, another contract modification was awarded to “enable the ability to increase annual production quantities by providing additional resources for long-lead procurements and facilitating production line efficiencies.”

In the fiscal year 2025 budget the U.S. Air Force requested 550 JASSMs, after the same number was also requested in 2024 and 600 were requested in 2023. The Air Force budget requested for its own and the Navy’s stocks 115 LRASMs in FY2025, 27 in FY2024 and 57 in FY2023.

An F-35 Lightning II test pilot conducts flight test Sept. 9 to certify the carrier variant of the fighter aircraft for carrying the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). (Image credit: Dane Wiedmann).

The LRASM

The AGM-158C LRASM, based on the AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER), is the new low-observable anti-ship cruise missile developed by DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. NAVAIR describes the weapon as a defined near-term solution for the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) air-launch capability gap that will provide flexible, long-range, advanced, anti-surface capability against high-threat maritime targets.

NAVAIR says the weapon reduces dependency on Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, network links, and GPS navigation in electronic warfare environments. In fact, once launched, LRASM guides to an initial point using a GPS guidance system and employs onboard sensors to locate, identify, and provide terminal guidance to the target. Semi-autonomous guidance algorithms will allow it to use less-precise target cueing data to pinpoint specific targets in the contested domain.

There are currently three variants which comprise the OASuW Increment 1 program, designated LRASM 1.0, LRASM 1.1, and LRASM C-3. The LRASM 1.0 variant, which was fielded with early operational capability in 2019, has already been integrated on the B-1B Lancer and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

An F-35 Lightning II test pilot conducts the first flight test to certify the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing variant of the fighter aircraft for carrying the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). (Image credit: Kyra Helwick)

The newer LRASM 1.1 variant was fielded in 2023 and is undergoing Initial Operational Test & Evaluation, according to the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation’s report. The weapon is also being integrated on the P-8A Poseidon, with the activities expected to be completed by Summer 2024, although no updates about the status were released.

As for the future LRASM C-3, which adds extended range capability, the program planned a land strike capability was part of the LRASM C-3 upgrade but has since decided to remain focused on surface warfare capabilities. The missile concept of operations and system requirements were completed last year, focusing on anti-surface warfare employment range and updating the missile target threat library compared to LRASM 1.1.

The Navy has scheduled LRASM C-3 early operational capability (EOC) for 4QFY26. Meanwhile, the Department of Defense continues to plan for OASuW Increment 2 to be developed via full and open competition, with EOC anticipated in FY29 and initial operational capability anticipated in FY31. The Navy funded LRASM C-3 to bridge the gap until an OASuW Increment 2 program of record is established.

LRASM

File photo of an F/A-18F Super Hornet launching an AGM-158C LRASM during a test event in 2019. (Photo: NAVAIR)

In January 2025, NAVAIR disclosed that the U.S. Air Force’s F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle IIs are now set to be armed with the LRASM. Similarly to the F-16, the F-15E/EX has already been tested with the similar JASSM and the UAI.

In September 2024, an F-35C test aircraft from Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland, conducted the first test flights for the integration of the AGM-158, both in the JASSM and LRASM variants. In January 2025, the same testing was also conducted with the F-35B.

@TheAviationist.com

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torveiglyart · 11 months ago

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Part Two! Low-key hate how both Lances turned out but whateves.

Focus Drown: Lance can enforce a feeling of being underwater on himself and/or others. When used on himself it improves his focus, agility, dexterity, strength, aim, and his senses, except for hearing which is tremendously reduced. If he uses it on others, it replicates the feeling of losing consciousness while floating underwater (that is a terribly distorting feeling and I hope no one can relate to that). The drawbacks of using his quirk too much are excessive sweating, poor circulation (cold), and symptoms of depression (numbness, lethargy, derealization-dissociation).

Likes: the beach, garlic knots, and surfing

Dislikes: doing laundry, math, and Keith

Lance is one of the few lucky students in attendance of UALA (Yuuei Los Angeles) that was selected for a study abroad at UA Japan. While excited to travel and be selected for this once in a lifetime opportunity, he also worries about being so far away from his family. He’ll also need to practice his Japanese for the year-long study.

While Lance’s quirk by itself with his hand-to-hand combat skills would work just fine for hero business, there are always going to be scenarios where more is needed. After a long chat with his home room teacher, Adam West, they agreed that a lethal weapon (or two) would be licensed to him. After testing out a couple tools, Lance chose a long-range rifle and a retractable (concealable) sword. While Lance is still working on his swordsmanship, he took to the rifle like a fish to water. Adam will never tell him this, but he nominated Lance for the abroad program after hearing about another pro hero named Snipe over there who exclusively uses guns.

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shiorihyugawrites · 5 months ago

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The Legendary Black Cat

Selena de la Rosa, known across Marley as the Legendary Black Cat, is the world's deadliest assassin—a master of agility, precision, and deception. When Marley turns against her, she is shipped to Paradis as a living weapon, chained and drugged, with her survival all but assured to be short-lived. But Selena is no ordinary prisoner.

Bound by no one, loyal to none, Selena plots her next move, determined to seize her freedom by any means necessary. Yet, her plans are complicated by the Scouts who captured her, particularly Captain Levi Ackerman—the so-called Humanity's Strongest Soldier. Selena is intrigued by his strength and reputation, but her pride refuses to acknowledge him as her equal.

Caught between Levi’s unrelenting gaze, Selena plays a dangerous game of manipulation. She’s biding her time, but when the moment comes, will her calculated escape bring her freedom—or will her path collide violently with Levi’s unwavering resolve?

The Black Cat has always landed on her feet, but for the first time, she might meet her match. (Levi x OC)

Chapter Eleven

Selena perched herself high in the nearest tree, the familiar cradle of branches offering her a small semblance of safety and solace. She leaned back against the trunk, her knees drawn up as her mind swirled with memories she’d rather forget. Levi's probing questions lingered in her thoughts like an irritating itch she couldn’t scratch. She could tell that he wasn’t going to let this go—and that thought alone made her stomach twist.

But it wasn’t just Levi’s interrogation that bothered her; it was what he was prying into. Kwasi. Salamander. Her past.

Selena let out a sharp exhale, gripping the bark beneath her fingers. She didn’t need to close her eyes to summon the memories. They came on their own, flooding her mind like a relentless tide.

She had been just fourteen the first time Marley truly tested her. It was one of her earliest missions, one meant to strip away whatever innocence she had left. The target was an entire noble family of a country they wanted to conquer—parents, children, even the elderly grandmother who could barely walk. General Calvi had made the orders clear: no survivors. Selena had gone in alongside Power and Salamander. They were a bit older, more experienced, and had no hesitation.

But Selena… she had frozen.

She remembered the trembling old woman looking up at her with wide, tear-streaked eyes, begging for mercy. Her blade had hovered mid-air, her breath stuck in her throat. She couldn’t do it.

Kwasi had stepped in. His blade didn’t hesitate. It slashed through the air, taking out the target Selena couldn’t bring herself to harm. The aftermath had been a bloodbath, and though Selena made it out alive, the real punishment came later.

She shivered, her hand moving instinctively to her throat, as if feeling the cold water creeping up again. The tank.

The punishment tank was a tool Marley used to instill terror in their assassins. A confined space, barely large enough to move, filled with freezing water that slowly rose, threatening to drown whoever was unfortunate enough to be thrown in. There was only a small air hole at the top, and even reaching it required strength and endurance.

Selena had been shoved into the tank after the mission, her failure marked with grim finality. The lid clamped shut, and the sound of water trickling in haunted her ears. For twenty-four hours, she had fought to keep herself afloat, her muscles screaming as exhaustion set in. Her legs cramped, her throat burned from gasping for air, and the frigid water turned her skin icy.

Not all children made it out of the tank alive. She had almost drowned that day. But she didn’t. Somehow, through sheer willpower and the fear of what awaited her if she failed again, Selena survived.

When they dragged her out, shivering and barely conscious, it was Kwasi who sat by her side. He didn’t say much, but his presence had been enough. In that moment, he had been the only one who understood what she had endured. The only one who didn’t look at her like she was weak.

Selena rubbed her arms, trying to banish the chill creeping into her bones. "That stupid tank," she muttered under her breath, though the curse was directed more at the memory than the object itself. That day had changed her. It had forged her into what she was now—cold, efficient, and unyielding. It had also been the start of something… complicated.

Kwasi had been her ally, her rock in the storm of Marley’s hellish training. For a time, she had even trusted him. Their relationship started innocently enough, a friendship born from shared trauma and survival. But as the missions grew bloodier and the weight of their actions bore down on them, Kwasi changed. He became more aggressive, his anger bubbling over into violence.

Selena had always fought back. She wasn’t one to back down, even when Kwasi’s punches felt like fireballs slamming into her ribs. She was agile, quick, and determined never to let him have the last word—or the last strike. Their fights had become so brutal that one day they’d nearly killed each other, their battered bodies lying in the dirt as Calvi had his soldiers drag them apart like feral animals.

Selena let out a bitter laugh, her eyes scanning the forest floor below. She knew what Calvi had thought of her and Kwasi. He hadn’t liked Kwasi marring her body. The Black Cat was a prized asset, after all, and Calvi had always viewed her as something more than just a tool. His lecherous gaze, the way he lingered too close… Selena’s stomach churned at the thought.

The idea of Kwasi being sent after her wasn’t just a tactical concern—it was personal. She had survived him once, escaped his grasp more times than she cared to count. But she wasn’t naive. If Kwasi came for her again, it wouldn’t be like their old fights. It would be to the death.

Then there was Aoi. Hummingbird. Fast, lethal, and methodical, Aoi was the only one who surpassed Selena’s speed. The thought of facing her and Kwasi at the same time sent a chill down Selena’s spine.

"Two assassins," Selena murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Both of them will come for me."

She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. This wasn’t over. Marley wouldn’t stop until she was dead, and now the Survey Corps were caught in the crossfire.

Levi’s sharp eyes followed her as she shifted on the branch. He could tell she was lost in thought, but he had his suspicions about what—or who—was occupying her mind. He didn’t trust her, not yet. And her reaction when Salamander was mentioned… it told him everything he needed to know.

"She’s hiding something," Levi muttered to himself. "And I’ll figure out what it is."

His eyes narrowed as he watched Selena perched high above. Her posture was casual, one leg dangling over the branch and her head tilted as if she had all the time in the world. But he wasn’t blind—he could see the tension in her shoulders, the tight set of her jaw. He knew the questions about Salamander had struck a nerve. He hadn’t meant to dredge up bad memories, but this wasn’t about sparing feelings. It was about knowing what they were up against.

“Get down,” Levi ordered sharply, crossing his arms and glaring up at her.

Selena didn’t move. She leaned back against the trunk, crossing her arms in an almost mocking imitation of Levi’s stance. “No, gracias,” she replied coolly, her voice tinged with defiance.

Levi’s eyebrow twitched. “This isn’t optional. Get. Down.”

Selena lazily raised a hand and flipped him off, her smirk growing when she saw his jaw tighten. “Make me, Capitán.”

Hange, who had wandered over with Erwin, let out a stifled laugh. “Oh, she’s got some fight in her, doesn’t she?”

Erwin simply sighed, rubbing his temples.

Levi’s patience snapped. Without another word, he launched himself up the tree using his ODM gear, his blades glinting as he closed the distance between them in seconds. Selena’s eyes widened slightly, but her reflexes kicked in. By the time Levi reached her branch, she had already leapt down, landing silently and gracefully on the balls of her feet. She straightened, dusting herself off as if nothing had happened.

Levi gritted his teeth, gripping the branch tightly before dropping down to the ground with practiced ease. He landed a few feet from Selena, his gaze narrowing into a deadly glare. “I don’t tolerate insubordination.”

Selena shrugged, completely unbothered. “Maybe you shouldn’t give orders to people who don’t work for you yet, huh?” She gave him an exaggerated wink. “I’m still a free agent, technically.”

Levi stepped closer, his imposing presence cutting through her playful attitude. “Not for long. And when you’re on my team, you follow my orders. No exceptions.”

Selena met his glare with a mischievous grin, her green eyes gleaming with challenge. “Guess we’ll see about that.”

Hange couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer. “This is fascinating,” she declared, clapping her hands. “I mean, Levi, you’ve never had anyone talk back to you like this. And Selena, you’re so... fiery! This dynamic—”

“Shut up, Hange,” Levi snapped, not even glancing her way.

Erwin watched the scene unfold with a faint smile. He had seen enough battles to know that trust wasn’t built in a day, but something about the way Selena and Levi interacted intrigued him. They were more alike than either of them would admit, though he doubted Levi would ever acknowledge that observation willingly.

He glanced at Hange, lowering his voice. “With time, they could be an unstoppable duo.”

Hange grinned, leaning closer. “Oh, absolutely. Can you imagine them fighting side by side? Poetry in motion.”

Erwin hummed in agreement but didn’t say more. He had a feeling Levi would carve them both up if he heard them speculating about his compatibility with Selena.

Levi turned to Selena again, his tone sharper this time. “Enough games. You still have to meet the rest of the scouts.”

Selena rolled her eyes but pushed herself off the tree trunk. “Fine. Lead the way, Capitán.” Her lips curved into a sly smile. “But only because I’m curious to see how your bunch of amatuers will react to me.”

Levi glared at her one last time before walking off, muttering under his breath about insubordinate stray cats. Selena followed behind, her grin widening. Teasing Levi was becoming her favorite distraction. For now, it was keeping the thoughts of Kwasi and Marley at bay, and for that, she was grateful.

As they approached the main tent, the assembled scouts straightened, their attention immediately locking on the new arrival. Selena stepped in behind Levi and Erwin, her entrance casual yet striking. Gone was the wild, disheveled look she had sported during her capture and escape. Now, clad in clean Survey Corps-issued clothes that fit her like a glove, her sleek hair tied back to reveal sharp features and poison-green eyes, Selena looked every bit the deadly assassin she was reputed to be.

The reaction was immediate.

Jean and Connie, standing at the back, froze, their faces turning red as they exchanged wide-eyed looks. “She’s… uh…” Connie whispered, clearly at a loss for words.

“Kinda hot now that she cleaned up ,” Jean finished in a hushed tone, earning a sharp elbow in the ribs from Mikasa.

“Get a grip,” Mikasa snapped, her voice low and annoyed. “She attacked us. Did you forget that?”

Jean scratched the back of his neck awkwardly but couldn’t quite tear his eyes away. “I mean, yeah, but… she’s different now, right? Commander Erwin wouldn’t bring her here otherwise.”

Eren, standing near Armin, crossed his arms and frowned. His sharp green eyes studied Selena as she stood beside Levi, looking entirely at ease despite the wary stares directed at her. “I still don’t trust her,” he muttered. “She could be playing us.”

Armin, ever the diplomat, spoke more softly. “She did help Captain and the others fight off those Marleyan assassins. That has to count for something.”

Eren grumbled but didn’t argue further, though he couldn’t help the faint chill that ran down his spine when Selena’s gaze flickered to him, her lips curving into a knowing smirk. She was terrifying, and he hated how much she knew it.

Erwin stepped forward, his commanding voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. “Scouts, this is Selena De La Rosa. She will be joining us as a new member of the Survey Corps. Her skills and knowledge are invaluable to our cause, and she has agreed to assist us in the fight against Marley.”

The scouts exchanged uncertain glances. Sasha leaned toward Connie and whispered, “Do you think she’s really on our side?”

“I don’t know,” Connie replied, his voice barely audible. “But did you see how she landed on her feet earlier? Like a freakin’ cat.”

Erwin continued, his tone unwavering. “I understand there may be apprehension, but I expect you all to treat her as an ally. Trust will take time, but I have no doubt Selena will prove herself.”

Selena smirked, stepping forward to address the group. “Don’t worry, niños,” she said, her voice light but laced with sarcasm. “I promise I won’t bite. Unless, of course, you deserve it.”

The scouts visibly stiffened at her words, and Hange stifled a laugh. Levi, standing beside Selena, pinched the bridge of his nose. “Can you stop scaring them for five seconds?” he muttered.

Selena turned to him with a playful glint in her eye. “Where’s the fun in that, Capitán?”

Jean coughed, his face still flushed. “Uh, so, welcome, I guess,” he said awkwardly, earning another glare from Mikasa.

Eren folded his arms tighter, his expression guarded. “I’ll believe she’s on our side when I see it.”

Selena’s sharp eyes darted to Eren, and her smile widened. “I’ll make a believer out of you soon enough, chico,” she said with a wink, causing Eren to stiffen slightly, though he quickly masked his reaction with a scowl.

Erwin watched the interactions unfold with a calm expression, though inwardly, he was pleased. It would take time, but Selena’s introduction to the scouts was already laying the groundwork for the trust they needed to build.

Levi then spoke, his tone flat but commanding. “We’ve confirmed from Selena that Marley isn’t done with her. They’ll send others. The assassins Hummingbird and Salamander are the ones we need to watch out for.”

At the mention of the assassins’ codenames, the room stiffened. Mikasa’s brows furrowed, her distrust clear as she cut through the silence. “And why don’t we just let them take her out?”

The bluntness of the question hung in the air, and several heads turned toward Mikasa, her sharp gaze locked on Erwin. “Instead of risking our lives to protect her, why not let Marley deal with their own problem? If she’s so dangerous, wouldn’t it be better if she wasn’t here at all?”

Selena’s lips quirked into a smirk, though her green eyes narrowed slightly at Mikasa. “You’ve got guts, niña,” she remarked, her tone deceptively light. “But let me tell you something—if Marley sends Hummingbird and Salamander, they’re not just coming for me. They’ll kill anyone in their way, including you.”

“That’s exactly my point,” Mikasa countered, her voice calm but edged with steel. “Why put the rest of us at risk for her?”

Erwin stepped forward, his imposing presence silencing the murmurs that threatened to ripple through the group. “Because Selena is an asset of unparalleled skill,” he said, his tone firm and resolute. “She was Marley's best. She knows their tactics, their strategies, their weaknesses. She’s invaluable to us.”

Mikasa’s expression didn’t waver, but she remained silent, waiting for more.

Erwin continued, his voice unwavering. “But it’s not just about what she can offer. I asked Selena to join us, and she accepted. She is one of us now. Period.” He looked around the room, his piercing gaze meeting each scout’s eyes. “And we don’t leave our own behind.”

The words hit the room like a thunderclap. There was no room for argument in Erwin’s declaration, and the scouts exchanged uneasy glances. Even Eren, who had been leaning against a table with his arms crossed, straightened slightly at the conviction in Erwin’s voice.

Selena blinked, her smirk fading as she processed his words. For a moment, her sharp features softened, and an unfamiliar warmth flickered in her chest. She was used to being a tool—something to be wielded and discarded. Erwin’s intentions were clear: he saw her as an asset, but there was a respect in his tone that she hadn’t expected. He respected her as a person.

Her voice, when she finally spoke, was quieter than usual but no less firm. “You don’t have to sugarcoat it, Commander,” she said, meeting his gaze. “I know I’m a weapon to you. But… at least you’re honest about it. That’s more than I can say for most.”

Erwin gave her a small nod. “I respect your skills, Selena. But I also respect the person behind those skills. You made a choice to be here, and that choice means something.”

Levi watched the exchange closely, his sharp gray eyes flicking between Selena and Erwin. He could tell Selena was caught off guard by Erwin’s words. She hadn’t expected this level of straightforwardness or acknowledgment. It wasn’t just a calculated move on Erwin’s part—it was genuine, and Levi knew that was why it worked.

Levi shifted his stance, crossing his arms. “Don’t let it get to your head,” he said, his tone dry. “You might be one of us now, but that doesn’t mean everyone’s going to trust you right away.”

Selena’s smirk returned, her usual confidence sliding back into place like armor. “Oh, don’t worry, Capitán. I don’t need everyone to trust me.” She cast a playful glance at Levi. “Just you.”

Hange snorted, barely suppressing a laugh, while Levi’s expression darkened. “Don’t push your luck,” he muttered.

Eren leaned toward Armin and whispered, “She’s so… bold. I don’t even know how to deal with someone like that.”

“Bold is one way to put it,” Armin murmured back, his gaze flicking toward Selena with equal parts awe and unease.

Erwin, meanwhile, glanced at Hange. “We’ll need to coordinate a strategy. If Marley sends their assassins, we can’t afford to be unprepared.”

Hange nodded eagerly. “I’ve got a few ideas already. And Selena can help fill in the gaps. Right, Selena?”

Selena straightened, her smirk softening into something more serious. “I’ll give you everything you need. Trust me, you’re going to want to know exactly what you’re dealing with when it comes to Hummingbird and Salamander.”

The room was quiet for a moment, the tension lingering but not as heavy as before. Selena looked around at the scouts, meeting their gazes head-on. She could see the skepticism, the fear, but also a flicker of curiosity and grudging respect.

Maybe, just maybe, this could work.

As the scouts gathered around, Selena began recounting everything she knew about Salamander and Hummingbird. She stood at the center, her arms crossed, exuding confidence, but her tone was deadly serious.

“Hummingbird—real name Fujisaki Aoi,” Selena began, her piercing green eyes scanning the group. “She’s faster than anyone you’ve ever seen. Faster than me, even. If she gets close, she’s lethal. Her speed isn’t just physical; her reflexes and reaction time are on another level. She prefers lightweight weapons—daggers, short swords—but don’t let her size or choice of weapon fool you. She’s ruthless and has a knack for striking weak points.”

The younger scouts exchanged uneasy glances. Jean muttered under his breath, “Faster than her? That’s insane.”

Selena smirked but continued. “Then there’s Salamander. His real name is Kwasi Ngozi. He’s ranked second for a reason. The man is a tank. His strength is his greatest weapon, and he knows how to use it. His punches… they’re like fireballs. He’s trained to disarm and disable enemies with sheer brute force.”

She paused, her expression briefly hardening. “And he’s not just strong physically—he’s relentless. Once he sets his sights on a target, he doesn’t stop. Ever.”

Mikasa narrowed her eyes. “And what about their weaknesses?”

Selena tilted her head, feigning casualness. “Aoi’s speed is impressive, but it also means she relies on quick strikes and evasive maneuvers. If you can corner her and keep her from moving freely, she’s at a disadvantage. As for Kwasi…” Her voice faltered almost imperceptibly before she quickly recovered. “He relies on his strength, but that means he’s not as agile. If you’re faster or more strategic, you can outmaneuver him.”

Levi’s sharp eyes narrowed. He didn’t miss the slight hesitation in her voice when she spoke about Kwasi. She was hiding something.

Once Selena had finished, Erwin nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Good. That’s all we need for now. Scouts, you’re dismissed.”

The scouts filed out of the tent, though a few cast lingering glances at Selena. Mikasa, still wary, was the last to leave, her gaze cold and assessing.

Once they were alone, Erwin turned to Selena. “If anything else comes to mind about them—or anything else that might help us—tell me or Levi immediately.”

Selena nodded but didn’t respond verbally. She wasn’t planning on sharing her personal connection to Kwasi unless absolutely necessary.

Erwin continued, his tone shifting slightly. “If you’re truly going to be one of us, Selena, you’ll need to learn how to fight like a scout.”

Selena raised an eyebrow. “I think I’ve proven I can fight.”

“Not like this,” Erwin replied firmly. “You need to learn how to use ODM gear and our weapons. You may be skilled in your own techniques, but the battlefield demands adaptability.”

Levi’s expression darkened as he crossed his arms. He had a sinking feeling about where this was headed.

“Levi,” Erwin said, turning to his captain, “you’ll be her teacher.”

“What?” Levi’s voice was sharp, his irritation clear. “You want me to babysit her?”

Erwin met his gaze with unyielding calm. “I want you to train her. She’s joining us, Levi. She needs to be ready, and there’s no one better to teach her.”

Selena’s face lit up with an almost mischievous grin. “Well, well, Capitán,” she purred, “looks like we’re going to be spending a lot of time together.”

Levi pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath. “This is a waste of time.”

Selena ignored his annoyance and sauntered closer, her green eyes sparkling with playful intent. “Don’t worry, Capitán. I’ll be a very attentive student. Maybe you’ll even learn a thing or two from me.”

Hange, who had been lingering in the background, couldn’t help but laugh. “This is going to be fun to watch.”

Erwin’s lips twitched in the barest hint of a smile. “Levi, I trust you’ll handle this appropriately.”

Levi shot him a glare. “Appropriate would’ve been letting her figure it out on her own.”

Selena smirked, leaning slightly toward Levi. “Oh, don’t be so grumpy. You might even enjoy this.”

Levi stepped back, his expression deadpan. “Doubt it.”

Hange clapped her hands together. “All right, then! First lesson starts tomorrow, right? This is going to be fascinating!”

Levi muttered something unintelligible, but Selena just grinned wider. This was going to be interesting indeed.

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leportraitducadavre · 2 years ago

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Let's get something out of the way, the "Sasuke as a medic" AU has nothing to do with Tsunade being more "suited" to mentor him; there's nothing she can teach him that he'd find useful in his quest (why would he, who has an enormous amount of chakra at his disposal, need to learn to delicately control his energy as Sakura canonically needs to as her chakra pool is small?), nor helpful. Tsunade would never even consider taking him out of the front lines to use him as a medic either, as doing so would be a waste of his immense power and capabilities in the field.

No. This AU isn't about Sasuke, it's about Sakura and how her stans want to disguise their ultimate desire for her to have more jutsus at her disposal than what Tsunade taught her.

Hate to break it to you, but being the student of a powerful ninja doesn't mean copy-pasting the abilities of the mentor down to the disciple. What they learn has all to do with their personal capabilities, desires, and natural strength. Naruto, while he used mostly his teacher's jutsu, quickly outgrew his teachings by taking the Rasengan further than his father and Jiraiya, Sasuke surpassed both Orochimaru and Kakashi, as Kabuto did with the Sannin by the end of the series.

Orochimaru knowing kenjutsu doesn't translate to Sakura being able to be even remotely good at it. Her "agility" (which isn't even canon as there's no mention of medics being agile, rather them staying away from danger) has to do with her being a medic-nin, and I'll reiterate, Orochimaru isn't a medic in a similar manner Tsunade is, that one is Kabuto. Why would Orochimaru take Sakura with him when Kabuto, a 19-year-old, devised a technique like Tsunade's without even meeting her before fighting her?

Sakura copy-pasted the techniques taught to her, she improved them in no manner:

Do you see where I'm going with this? Kabuto even has a larger pool of chakra as he was able to learn Senjutsu mode which Sakura will never be able to do (Tsunade and Sakura having a small chakra pool is the whole reason why the Yin Seal -that actually uses Yang, as that's the only chakra nature Tsunade possesses even exists).

Kabuto knew medical ninjutsu outside of Orochimaru's teachings as those were the reasons Orochimaru sought him out, the Sannin even admitted to looking for extraordinarily talented people to take "under his wing", and at no moment he even looked in Sakura's direction (I implore you to read yourself the whole Orochimaru vs. Team 7 fight, from Chapter 46 to Chapter 49, and tell me how many times Orochimaru even glances at Sakura's direction. He knows both Naruto and Sasuke's names, yet never mentions Sakura's).

I don't even understand why "being an expert at Genjutsu" has her fandom in such a chokehold, normal genjutsu became almost obsolete when the Sharingan (Yin Release at its finest) was introduced and the more the story unfolded the fewer regular genjutsu experts, of the likes of Kurenai or Shee, were introduced, as the strongest characters either used kekkei genkai genjutsu (which can't be broken by a single person as the chakra needs to be disturbed by someone else) or ninjutsu/taijutsu skills. Regular genjutsu can be broken by the target if they realize a genjutsu has been casted, it's mostly used as a quick diversion for an attack or to escape, and most ninja have that tool at their disposal.

[And if you think Sakura would be able to pull off a Genjutsu like Shee does and attack with the speed at which A attacked Jügo you're out of your mind, she used not a single remarkable genjutsu in the whole manga, having Sasuke do that for her during FoD and dispersed a single basic one. She fell for Kakashi's genjutsu on the bell test, had to wait for Sasuke's reassurance that an illusion was in place in the chünin exams, fell for Orochimaru's own genjutsu in FoD, and was fooled by a henge twice in the same chapter and once by non-other than Naruto who pretended to be Sasuke. She had four encounters with the genjutsu technique, and three out of the four times she fell for it and still, some of you still hold Kakashi's words as "proof of her wasted potential" when he's the same man who couldn't care less if she dropped out of the exam.]

And as a quick addition, why is Mokuton!Sakura so insanely popular? Her having Earth and Water releases (Ino also has those nature releases, what's your point?) means nothing as she'll need a huge amount of chakra (which she doesn't possess) and few ninjas are even capable of mixing the two.

While any ninja can learn to transform their chakra’s nature, and even transform it into different natures consecutively (which Sakura was never even shown to do as she only used her medical skills to fight), it is impossible for them to transform two at the same time.

And he could perform such a special jutsu because he was of a kekkei genkai bearing clan

Only those with the genetic abilities of these kekkei genkai have a chakra system capable of double-nature transformation.

Canonically, no one but Hashirama could naturally have such nature release (for god's sake, Naruto and Sasuke both have water and earth nature and they can't even use Mokuton!). Let me remind you the reason why Hashirama having Mokuton is so important thematically:

Mokuton is the expression of Yang (Life) at its finest; Yang Release uses chakra that is two parts physical energy and one part spiritual energy. It governs vitality and manipulates the body, breathing life into form to animate that which lacks life of its own, which is in direct opposition to the Sharingan that expresses Yin (creating form from nothing); Yin Release uses chakra that is two parts spiritual energy and one part physical energy. It governs imagination and manipulates the spirit, creating form from nothingness to give shape to that which has none (which is why the Sharingan is the ultimate expression of Genjutsu).

[Used Sasuke's chart to exemplify, as Madara has both Yin and Yang Releases as he modified his body using Hashirama's cells].

Yamato was experimented on by Orochimaru by using Hashirama's cells, so the only way Sakura could have such power is if she is experimented on by Orochimaru, and why on earth would he do that? Furthermore, Hashirama's cells would eat her alive in seconds, she couldn't handle a scratch amount of Kyuubi's chakra, how would she handle Hashirama's? This is the same man whose chakra was so vast and potent he healed himself unconsciously!

Sakura having delicate chakra control isn't a wild card you can use as you see fit to fulfill your fantasies, it means nothing outside her medical work. This notion that "Sakura has precise control of her chakra! That means she can learn any jutsu she wants!" is completely false.

First of all, Kakashi outright claims this idea of "no Jutsu should ever be beyond you," is "in theory, anyway." At no point does he say you'll be capable of learning chakra-draining ninjutsu with this skill alone as not a page after he claims this:

If you think this looks hard, it's even more difficult to maintain your chakra when using ninjutsu

Delicate chakra control in a portion of one's body (like fists when using Sakura's Cherry Blossom Impact) used to enhance one's strength (chakra enhancement is a feat used by every shinobi ever, like Lee and Gai themselves, albeit with different levels of expertise) isn't as chakra depleting as using Ninjutsu, which is why Sakura and Tsunade use it as their main fighting technique since they don't have a vast chakra pool as Hashirama had.

#anti sakura #anti sakura haruno #anti sakura fandom #anti sakura stans #anti medic au #anti medic sasuke #orochimaru #kabuto yakushi

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gqattech · 16 hours ago

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andmaybegayer · 1 month ago

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Last Monday of the Week 2025-05-19

Captain, it's Monday

Listening: New Drumfish single, Mint! I'm not a huge fan of all of Drumfish but I do like this one and I'm looking forward to the upcoming album.

Drumfish is among the many weird little South African rock bands I have in my collection, they're from Johannesburg.

The paper is a little flawed in places and I would ignore it more if it weren't for the test subjects which were English Majors.

Reading: Read that mini-paper They Don't Read Very Well which I'm putting here because it's funny.

Look. Okay. It's really funny to hear about someone pursuing a literature degree who when faced with the sentence:

As much mud in the streets, as if the waters had but newly retired from the face of the earth, and it would not be wonderful to meet a Megalosaurus, forty feet long or so, waddling like an elephantine lizard up Holborn Hill.

imagines an actual dinosaur is in London for some reason.

Also started a sci-fi short story compendium that I also picked up because it sounded funny, which is Future Visions: Original Science Fiction Inspired By Microsoft.

There are some big names in here, who I even like! I do not denigrate getting that Microsoft bag. They got Seanan McGuire, they got Elizabeth Bear, they got Ann Leckie, they got David Brin. I have read like the first three and so far they are mostly pretty mid. Now of course the whole point of a short story compendium is that it's mostly mid and there's like one that gets you. Haven't found the one yet!

I feel like some of this might have been edited for like. Normie appeal? One of the things that sci-fi authors can do in short stories is not explain shit, and so far at least there's a lot more explaining than I like in my short stories. Simply put my ass in the situation I'll figure it out.

Watching: Not a whole lot! I saw a video on here and found the source, which was this Japanese TV show where people build elaborate suits and props to play out various objects and scenarios and fell down the rabbit hole of watching those. Here's an incredibly ridiculous one about playing pool:

youtube

Playing: Echo Point Nova which I picked up after listening to the new Austin Underscore Walker podcast Side Story. I have never listened to the previous Austin Underscore Walker video game podcasts but I figured I may as well get in before there's a backlog on this one and so far it is definitely giving me things to think about.

Echo Point Nova is a finicky high speed agility shooter in which you whip around on a bunch of floating islands on a hoverboard and grappling hook, shooting at a bunch of guys with a suite of projectile weapons. It is really nicely tuned to feel satisfying to play, landing a shot feels good at two meters or a hundred, and while I have glitched through the levels a couple times that's made up for by the levels allowing you to manouver in totally insane ways as you try to progress.

youtube

I am playing on the Hardest Difficulty which I think is good? I might drop down to normal if I keep getting owned by the fireball enemies. There is a main campaign which is what I am doing and there is also a sort of light randomizer where they drop you in a run at a random location with random guns and you try to build up a suite of powerups that will let you destroy everything in your path. It's neat.

Bangin' soundtrack, also

Making: Totally rearranging my whole entire desk which means I now have printing projects in the CAD pipeline. I put my whole monitor up on a big monitor stand to make some room and improve my ergonomics which means I now have a big wooden arch I can use to hang object from. Working on some printed designs for speaker mounts, an audio interface thing, card reader holders, some cable runs, and also finally getting this keyboard onto low profile switches, when those eventually arrive.

Tools and Equipment: You can just add sugar to food if it needs to be sweeter. This is an essential trick that a lot of people feel weird about. I made some mixed beans curry the other day and I put like a full tablespoon of sugar in there that's normal.

#Bandcamp #last monday of the week #Youtube

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dk-thrive · 1 year ago

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Writing is thinking, but it’s thinking slowed down — stilled —

... And that’s one of the arguments for writing well — for taking the time and summoning the focus to do so. Good writing burnishes your message. It burnishes the messenger, too.

You may be dazzling on your feet, an extemporaneous ace, thanks to the brilliant thoughts that pinball around your brain. There will nonetheless be times when you must pin them down and put them in a long email. Or a medium-length email. Or a memo. Or, hell, a Slack channel. The clarity, coherence, precision and even verve with which you do that — achieving a polish and personality distinct from most of what A.I. spits out — will have an impact on the recipients of that missive, coloring their estimation of you and advancing or impeding your goals.

If you’re honest with yourself, you know that, because you know your own skeptical reaction when people send you error-clouded dreck. You also know the way you perk up when they send its shining opposite. And while the epigrammatic cleverness or audiovisual genius of a viral TikTok or Instagram post has the potential to shape opinion and motivate behavior, there are organizations and institutions whose internal communications and decision-making aren’t conducted via social media. GIFs, memes and emojis don’t apply.

When my friend Molly Worthen, a history professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a frequent contributor to Times Opinion, took the measure of the influential diplomat Charles Hill for her 2006 book “The Man on Whom Nothing Was Lost,” she noted that a principal reason for his enormous behind-the-scenes influence was his dexterity with the written word. He took great notes. He produced great summaries. He made great arguments — on paper, not just on the fly.

Worthen noted in her book that “transmitting ideas into written words is hard, and people do not like to do it.” As a result, someone who performs that task gladly, quickly and nimbly “in most cases ends up the default author, the quarterback to whom others start to turn, out of habit, for the play.”

Good writing announces your seriousness, establishing you as someone capable of caring and discipline. But it’s not just a matter of show: The act of wrestling your thoughts into logical form, distilling them into comprehensible phrases and presenting them as persuasively and accessibly as possible is arguably the best test of those very thoughts. It either exposes them as flawed or affirms their merit and, in the process, sharpens them.

Writing is thinking, but it’s thinking slowed down — stilled — to a point where dimensions and nuances otherwise invisible to you appear....

I think you can take the “pen and paper” out of the equation — replace them with keystrokes in a Google Doc or Microsoft Word file — and the point largely holds. That kind of writing, too, forces you to concentrate or to elaborate. A tossed-off text message doesn’t. Neither do most social media posts. They have as much to do with spleen as with brain.

What place do the traditional rules of writing and the conventional standards for it have in all this? Does purposeful, ruminative or cathartic writing demand decent grammar, some sense of pace, some glimmer of grace?

Maybe not. You can write in a manner that’s comprehensible and compelling only or mostly to you. You can choose which dictums to follow and which to flout. You’re still writing.

But show me someone who writes correctly and ably — and who knows that — and I’ll show you someone who probably also writes more. Such people’s awareness of their agility and their confidence pave the way. Show me someone who has never been pressed to write well or given the tutelage and tools to do so and I’ll show you someone who more often than not avoids it and, in avoiding it, is deprived of not only its benefits but also its pleasures.

Yes, pleasures. I’ve lost count of the times when I’ve praised a paragraph, sentence or turn of phrase in a student’s paper and that student subsequently let me know that the passage had in fact been a great source of pride, delivering a jolt of excitement upon its creation. We shouldn’t devalue that feeling. We should encourage — and teach — more people to experience it.

— Frank Bruni, from "A.I. or no A.I., it pays to write — and to write well" (NY Times, December 21, 2023)

#write #writing #writer #frank bruni #emails #texts #messages #essay #prose #story

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edwinas · 1 month ago

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Lemon's training (part I)

This happens after @book-are-my-life-stuff fic Life Goes on and Lemon's relationship to magic

Kaldo offers to train Lemon himself, charmed by her courage and loyalty when protecting Mash.

The Dragon cane might be better suited for Lemon's magic but he would not be a match. Agito’s methods revolved around pain, sin and guilt (“grant us forgiveness for our sins for we cannot live without taking the lives of other creatures”) whereas Lemon believed in treating animals with kindness and love.

The current status quo was to use magical creatures as tools and/or to eradicate them. But a minority of wizards advocated for a more humane approach to better protect and promote biodiversity. The department of magic had a thriving and well-funded control unit to subdue magical creatures led by Agito. But it had a pitiful research division with little resources and wizards worn thin. The latter did not have the resources to better educate the masses and dispel false narratives about dangerous creatures. Kaldo foresaw Lemon being able to reach an entire generation with her kind and thoughtful approach.

As there are no imminent threats (e.g. Innocent Zero) and with graduation approaching, Kaldo focuses on about Lemon’s career prospects. She was aiming to do a degree related to magical creatures. While most students went into this field to neutralise perceived threats, she wanted to study them to better co-exist with and protect them.

Kaldo had little knowledge of magical creatures but knew this line of work required research & analytical skills, patience and perseverance. It required a strong steadfast heart in a society that viewed magical creatures as dispensable.

Kaldo pulled some strings to borrow a dummy dragon, a puppet magically animated to mimic a real one. It was meant for university students to practice subduing a dangerous creature. The instructions were simple: neutralise the threat. Kaldo modeled this exercise on a past university exam.

To help Lemon, Kaldo did not put a time limit on the assignment and provided the report of a student who passed the exam, as inspiration.

Reading it, Lemon turned cold. Her senior had tortured the dragon to death. She would never resort to such methods. She would complete the task her way.

Lemon meticulously observed the dummy dragon, its eating habits, sleep patterns, temperament etc. Visiting it any time she could and reading up on its species. Where did it live? Were there incidents of it coming into contact with humans? Based on her research, what was the likelihood of a casualty? Lemon would decide for herself if the dragon posed a threat.

After week of research, Lemon presented her findings to Kaldo concluding that this species and this dragon in particular were not a threat. It was a solitary creature that lived high in mountains. It was not inherently violent although it did not take kindly to her encroaching on its territory. The dragon was intelligent and food motivated. Lemon would lure it back home.

With a backpack full of food, Lemon soared towards the mountains. If there was one thing she excelled at, it was flying. As a child she often practiced flying on her family’s old weathered broom. It was one of the only times she felt free. Free from responsibilities. Free from reality. Free to be herself. Without judgement and rejection. To her senior Tom’s chagrin, she never joined his Vuelo team due to the sport’s inherent violent nature.

The dummy dragon was fast and agile but Lemon flew like the wind. With a flick of his wand, Kaldo deactivated the puppet. Eyes wide and confused, Lemon landed next to him. With a pleased smile, he congratulated her “you passed the test.”

“What do you mean? I haven’t led the dragon back home! You deactivated him mid flight! I haven’t-”

“Now now Miss Irvine, please breathe. despite my instructions my objective was to see how you completed this task. I even tried to rig it by giving you a past student’s report. Yet you stayed true to yourself.”

Hurt, Lemon hissed “you tricked me? To see if I was still the weak willed girl that could be swayed?”

“Not at all, I needed to see if you were ready to be a biologist. It is not seen as a… respectable profession, you may even be accused of endangering human civilisation. I did some research and your department will do little to protect you. It can be a lonely and thankless job. So I needed to test your resolve. You stood up against not one but two Divine Visionaries. The student report I gave you? It was the Dragon Cane’s. Safe to say, you passed with flying colors.”

“I-I I didn’t do anything. I didn’t use any spells. How did this help me improve? How am I stronger?”

“Your strength isn’t your magic, Miss Irvine. It’s your heart.”

#mashle magic and muscles #mashle #lemon irvine #kaldo gehenna #*lemon irvine #my/rambling #hopethis works with your fic aera!#part of lemon's growth will be understanding that she has something to offer that her overpowered friends can't #i wanted kaldo to be a bit sneaky like in canon #he's rarely upfront e.g. finn's training #i have some notes for what happens next #including a mashlemon idea

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dailycharacteroption · 1 month ago

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Pop Culture Builds 14: Cassandra Cain

Parents are… complicated. The act of parenting is one that most people go through with only the experiences of their parents to go off of, as well the advice of people that may or may not know what they’re talking about.

Most folks can rest assure though that they’re not going to fuck anything up quite as badly as David Cain and Sandra Wu-San (aka Lady Shiva). These two are among the most deadly assassins in the world, and the latter is widely regarded as the best martial artist in the entire DC universe.

Good parents, however, they ain’t.

Indeed, David Cain took is daughter, and began training her as an assassin before she could even speak, something he was banking on, in fact, as he essentially trained the language centers of her brain to react to body language first before the written and spoken word, with the intent to make her able to react to her foes before they had even finished formulating their plan of attack in their minds, making her a precise and efficient killer.

However, though he had trained her body and brain, David was unable to train her mind into that of a killer, and when he tested her in the field, making her carry out a hit when she was only 8 years old, she saw first hand what the “game” was for, reading every emotion in the man’s body language as he died. Seeing what he father was making her into, she fled.

Nine years of homeless desperation later, she was found by the Bat Family, where she was taken in and adopted, taking up the mantle of Batgirl for a time and currently taking the alias Black Bat with her variant bat-hero costume covering her whole body, including the mouth in a way that other Bat Family heroes did not.

There, she found a more benevolent purpose for her training, becoming a nonlethal defender in the night. However, she still has her struggles, particularly with language, her father’s abusive training essentially giving her an acute form of dyslexia that makes reading, writing, and speaking difficult for her, though she has made good progress.

Now, let’s see how we can realize her in Pathfinder, shall we?

Cass is human, though it’s not strictly necessary for the build aside from the flexibility of that extra feat.

For this build, I decided to go multiclass. You might assume that given who she’s the protégé of, that she would be a vigilante, but honestly, her secret identity is not that important to her, and she doesn’t have the social life to warrant it. As such, I’m recommending 10 levels in slayer instead, giving her a built in way to study foes and read their behavior.

The other class she should take is brawler, representing her martial arts mastery without the mysticism of the monk, plus the adaptability of the martial flexibility ability.

Slayer talents like Jaguar’s Grace, Jaguar’s Pounce, Trap Spotter, Agile Climber, Studied Ally, Unbalancing Trick, Knockout Blow, and the like, using appropriate talents that grant access to talents from other classes as need be. All of which emphasize her focus on agility and nonlethal combat.

While it defeats the purpose of her character arc to attribute any of her martial talent to her parents, Cassandra is certainly her mother’s daughter when it comes to martial arts, and combat feats focused on improving her unarmed combat, including those that give access to nonlethal hindering special attacks are a great boon. Additionally, don’t be afraid to use martial flexibility to temporarily gain various style feats, as well as taking more permanent style options. Also, it’s worth putting feats into bolstering her perception and sense motive to reflect her detective training with Bruce Wayne, and don’t forget Brilliant Planner to give her the cinematic ability to always have the right tool on her utility belt.

Speaking of which, Cassandra travels light, wearing only her lightweight armor, cape, and what can fit on her utility belt. Don’t think that leaves her with nothing though. That armor and cape should definitely have useful enchantments, particularly making the cape a cloak of the bat or perhaps a cloak of elvenkind. Meanwhile, her utility belt, which could be a reflavored handy haversack or similar item, should be loaded with all sorts of useful equipment for mobility and utility, everything from grappling hooks to alchemical tools and beyond. Finally, her supply of batarangs are best represented by shuriken, with several enchanted for shocking, nonlethal, and even reflavoring various alchemical splash weapons for the more explosive varieties is a good starting point.

Of course, there are other angles one could take with this archetype, with investigator being a good alternative to slayer if you want to play up her more detective side. If you build her for Second Edition, I’d probably recommend taking the monk class with the investigator multiclass archetype (or vice versa) plus the vigilante archetype.

This build is a fun way to play a nonlethal martial artist and sneak, though it can be equally adapted to other games. You can even drop the nonlethal choices if they’re not necessary to your character too.

In any case, that will do for today, but we’re only halfway through the week!

#pathfinder #pop culture #pop culture builds #pop culture characters #cassandra cain #Batman #dc comics

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