#Battery Ignition System

[noohyah]

2011 Grand Cherokee Won't Start But Has Power (Diagnosis Guide)!

If You Own A 2011 Grand Cherokee, You May Have Encountered A Frustrating Problem: Your Car Won’t Start But Has Power.  This Means That The Battery, Lights, Radio, And Other Electrical Components Are Working Fine, But The Engine Refuses To Turn Over.  What could be the cause of this issue, and how can you fix it?  In this article, we will guide you through the possible reasons why your 2011 Grand…

[toovaeloe]

bus stop 𝝑𝝔 “If I was your boyfriend, you sure as hell wouldn’t be waiting at a bus stop.”

suguru geto x genderneutral reader

no curse au

You’ve used the “I have a boyfriend” excuse and you may have just manifested one. Or a gorgeous man, at the very least

☁️🚏☁️

This was the worst, you think. Had to be punishment for something you did in a past life.

For starters, you were late for work. Was it your fault for staying up so late, giggling and doom-scrolling through mounds of mind numbing media? Yeah, maybe…

Let’s blame it on the weather. Your alarm didn’t wake you up after you silenced it. The neighbor’s dog wouldn’t stop barking through the night. But it’s not like you could tell your boss any off that.

So that’s why you raced out the door, haphazardly juggling your belongings in your arms. Wallet. Keys. Phone. Something else you couldn’t quite remember at the moment. Did you have everything? Probably; no time to check now. Only to find when you stomped on the brake and turned the key in the ignition…your car wouldn’t start.

Sputter…sputter…and then nothing.

Great.

There’s your late-to-work-excuse.

Maybe you shouldn’t have ignored the “maintenance needed” symbols that have been lighting up your dash like they want their own holiday. To be fair, time and money just weren’t things that came in abundance.

In any case, as you were sitting in that local garage enduring the mechanic babbling on about vehicle expertise junk you just couldn’t begin to understand, zoning out and nodding every few minutes with a halfhearted “hmm,” so it at least looked like you were absorbing information…you made note to at least revisit the idea of changing your smoke alarm’s batteries before it decided to turn on you, too.

But that was last week.

7-9 business days.

That’s how long until your car would be up and running again. Apparently, according to the mechanic, you were lucky it was even that. Apparently. Which meant you needed some other means of transportation to and from work and such.

Lucky you had the local bus service, right?

WRONG.

They were always late, but you still felt the need to get to the stops on time, lest you have a repeat of 5 days ago. (You showed up only 2 minutes late and were left behind at the store. Had to wait for an hour for your friend to get off her shift and come pick you up.) You highly doubted it, but what with the way the world was shitting on you right now, it wasn’t out of the question. And the city’s money obviously wasn’t going towards public transportation— they could qualify as garbage trucks if they really needed them with how trashed they were. Mystery sticky patches on the seat, gum underneath. The inconsolable children whining their heads off. That was kind of cute at first, but now it made you want to throw yourself out the window. The whole thing was just the experience that you could expect from a free public transportation system.

And why was it so rainy this month??? Ugh.

But what could you do but make do with what you had? Complaining definitely wasn’t making your shoes any less waterlogged. Be grateful, or some shit like that.

That evening, however, as you were waiting twenty minutes past the time the bus was supposed to arrive at the stop after an exhausting work day…you were just so fed up with everything. With the puddle water soaking through your shoes, with the way you had to stand because the benches were damp…with this rando-guy who had walked up next to you that you were half sure kept looking at you. To say the least, it only served to annoy you in your already sour mood.

You were willing to just ignore it. Until he stepped closer.

“Hey I’m uh…I’m pretty sure I’ve seen you around.”

Oooohh boy.

“Yeah, yeah, it is you. I’ been taking the bus sometimes. Usually I’m riding my motorcycle but uh, not today.”

Did you ask?

“Thought I’d drop by.”

The public bus stop. (???)

“What’s yer name, toots?”

Yeah no. Go back to the 1950’s and maybe that’d work there. You’d rather lick the mystery sticky shit off the bus seat. You could pick up a date 10x better without opposable thumbs.

All of the above is what you would’ve liked to say. Alas, you were tired. You didn’t want trouble that would take more energy than it was worth. So before he could go any further, you just coined the foolproof line.

“I have a boyfriend.”

Lie. You didn’t, but it was the first thing that came to mind. And if that didn’t make him lose interest, then he must really be a pathetic asswipe.

Sadly, he was. In terms of getting the hint to shut up, the guy looked barely deterred; offended even, as he prattled on.

“Well why were you acting so into me then, huh?” You definitely didn’t. You don’t even know this dude.

“I wasn’t even going for you.” He definitely was.

“You’re—“ X, Y, and Z. Just because his game is trifling?? You felt a headache coming on. And maybe a bout of anxiety. People are crazy, and the last thing you wanted was for this needless situation to escalate into something dangerous.

The entire mess was occurring just as Suguru was making the commute to work on the same street. But he found himself slowing nearly to a stop when he caught sight of you.

How could a person look so exhausted; hair extra frizzy, floccose from the humid rain, clothes soaked, droplets of the downpour dribbling onto your cheeks and blinked away from your lashes…and still so breathtaking? Or perhaps that was part of your beauty in this moment. You looked every bit done with the day, but who knew when- if— he’d ever see you again? He’d be stupid, a fool to not at least try to strike up a conversation with you. He’d be…

…Probably like that idiot.

A sulky moue twisted at his expression as he witnessed the disgraceful way this loser was fumbling. Oh dear. His approach lacked so much grace, so much respect…it was really just distasteful. You didn’t deserve that. And frankly, he didn’t think he deserved to watch you be treated like that when he knew he could do so much better.

“Sorry to keep you waiting!”

A merry sounding tone directed your way had your head sharply whipping to the source. A tall dark haired man you’ve never seen before; layered in a gray colored quarter zip and dark slacks, you think. His approach was casual and relaxed, a subtly jovial yet inherently guileful grin tugging at his lips. He even waved to you like an old friend. His entire facade was so convincing you considered for a moment if you had known him from somewhere and simply forgotten.

No, you really wouldn’t have forgotten a face like that. Eyes like those. A presence so contrasting of itself and yet so cohesive in its own way, if you had to try and describe it. Just a damn beautiful man. With eyebrows that were beginning to crease on his forehead.

Ooh, you were staring.

More than that, he was giving you a pointed look that you didn’t notice while drooling over the poor guy. Unfortunately for you, slo-mo’s only happened in movies, and in reality you just looked like an ogling dork. But you didn’t have time to dwell on your embarrassment when he was quite obviously urging you to play along with this illusion he was creating.

And so you did.

“Oh- hi! No worries,” You insisted in an awkward attempt to adapt to this new charade.

“‘Hasn’t been that long,” though your reaction to his presence wasn’t as well-articulated, it was convincing enough.

The other dude looked to be at least somewhat suspicious, and might’ve spoken on it if wasn’t for Geto’s scrutinizing gaze and a simple raise of his brow.

“Can I help you?” And just for good measure, he’d wrap his arm around you, sliding his hand into your coat pocket as if he’s done it a million times before to pull you closer against him. Whatever glare this ravenette man was glowering down the length of his nose at this guy with must’ve been scarring, because he murmured some half-assed excuse before scampering away.

You idly wondered how’d he get wherever he was going without the bus.

Or maybe you’d have more time to think about it if your brain wasn’t short-circuiting, acutely aware of the unworldly attractive man’s hand resting just over your hip.

“Sorry,” Geto spoke after a few beats, languidly retracting his arm from your coat and back to his side. “You looked like you were about to burst a blood vessel entertaining him. I hope I didn’t overstep. Y’know, with your boyfriend and all.” He had to have overheard you earlier.

But the way he spoke made it sound as if he doubted that fact, glancing to either side of you as if to say That is nowhere in sight..? without being so overtly rude. Or maybe he just wasn’t all that apologetic.

“That-! Yeah,” You pepped with a nervous pitter of laughter, “yeah…it’s not a problem, thanks.”

Your hand gravitated to the zipper of your jacket, absentmindedly fiddling with it as you frantically thought up an at least half decent explanation. One that wouldn’t make you sound more clumsy than you already felt.

“He’s not real, so he won’t mind.”

Yeah, real smooth. What was that you said; about being able to pick up a date without opposable thumbs? You’d need at least ten pairs of hands.

But Suguru didn’t seem to mind. In fact, his grin widened into something toothy and almost boyish, his eyes crinkling at the corners in a way that added an innocent charm to his otherwise elegant features. He found it endearing.

“Perfect,” His response was coupled with a discreet chuckle.

“Don’t feel obligated,” He’d continue as he reached to the side of you. So close to brushing your shoulder, it made your breath hitch. Though truly he was reaching around you, sharply tearing a flier from the side of the bus stop and pulling a pen from one of his pockets. If you were paying more attention you’d have noticed the glint of impish amusement in his umber eyes that led one to believe that action was more deliberate than he let on.

Still, he’d make quick work of jotting down a phone number and the address of a nice restaurant he’s been meaning to try with Satoru— but plans change. “but I’d like to take you out. I was on my way over to ask you, anyhow.”

He offered the page to you; his handwriting as sumptuous and calligraphic as you would’ve expected his penmanship to be; in the margins of some tacky ad for a lawn mowing service. As you went to accept the paper, however, he rescinded it from reach. All whilst drawing closer so that his piercing dark amber eyes held your gaze with an unwavering intensity. The kind that made your stomach do flips and stole your breath away.

“And for the record,” He spoke quietly but poised; a conspiratorial whisper for only you, him, and the rain to witness. “if I was your boyfriend, you sure as hell wouldn’t be waiting at a bus stop.”

There wasn’t time to react; he was already slipping the page into your pocket, withdrawing to a comfortable proximity all the while waving you off and wishing you well with a kind smile, disappearing someplace else.

You didn’t even catch his name.

At least your bus was here.

a/n: I had something to say but I totally forgot 😭

OH but I did add an upcoming section to my masterlist so you can see my works in the works if you’d like! 🤍 always open to ideas too

Dear god I crave geto with that loose low bun that’s barely a bun kind of hairstyle. Ykwim???

ty for reading 🤍🤍🤍 love you have a lovely lovely day or night

edit: OMG THATS WHAT I WAS GONNA SAY. I kept accidentally writing bust stop instead of bus stop as I wrote this. So, sorry if you bust

☁️☁️☁️

[reasonsforhope]

African poverty is partly a consequence of energy poverty. In every other continent the vast majority of people have access to electricity. In Africa 600m people, 43% of the total, cannot readily light their homes or charge their phones. And those who nominally have grid electricity find it as reliable as a Scottish summer. More than three-quarters of African firms experience outages; two-fifths say electricity is the main constraint on their business.

If other sub-Saharan African countries had enjoyed power as reliable as South Africa’s from 1995 to 2007, then the continent’s rate of real GDP growth per person would have been two percentage points higher, more than doubling the actual rate, according to one academic paper. Since then South Africa has also had erratic electricity. So-called “load-shedding” is probably the main reason why the economy has shrunk in four of the past eight quarters.

Solar power is increasingly seen as the solution. Last year Africa installed a record amount of photovoltaic (PV) capacity (though this still made up just 1% of the total added worldwide), notes the African Solar Industry Association (AFSIA), a trade group. Globally most solar PV is built by utilities, but in Africa 65% of new capacity over the past two years has come from large firms contracting directly with developers. These deals are part of a decentralised revolution that could be of huge benefit to African economies.

Ground zero for the revolution is South Africa. Last year saw a record number of blackouts imposed by Eskom, the state-run utility, whose dysfunctional coal-fired power stations regularly break down or operate at far below capacity. Fortunately, as load-shedding was peaking, the costs of solar systems were plummeting.

Between 2019 and 2023 the cost of panels fell by 15%, having already declined by almost 90% in the 2010s. Meanwhile battery storage systems now cost about half as much as five years ago. Industrial users pay 20-40% less per unit when buying electricity from private project developers than on the cheapest Eskom tariff.

In the past two calendar years the amount of solar capacity in South Africa rose from 2.8GW to 7.8GW, notes AFSIA, excluding that installed on the roofs of suburban homes. All together South Africa’s solar capacity could now be almost a fifth of that of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations (albeit those still have a higher “capacity factor”, or ability to produce electricity around the clock). The growth of solar is a key reason why there has been less load-shedding in 2024...

Over the past decade the number of startups providing “distributed renewable energy” (DRE) has grown at a clip. Industry estimates suggest that more than 400m Africans get electricity from solar home systems and that more than ten times as many “mini-grids”, most of which use solar, were built in 2016-20 than in the preceding five years. In Kenya DRE firms employ more than six times as many people as the largest utility. In Nigeria they have created almost as many jobs as the oil and gas industry.

“The future is an extremely distributed system to an extent that people haven’t fully grasped,” argues Matthew Tilleard of CrossBoundary Group, a firm whose customers range from large businesses to hitherto unconnected consumers. “It’s going to happen here in Africa first and most consequentially.”

Ignite, which operates in nine African countries, has products that include a basic panel that powers three light bulbs and a phone charger, as well as solar-powered irrigation pumps, stoves and internet routers, and industrial systems. Customers use mobile money to “unlock” a pay-as-you-go meter.

Yariv Cohen, Ignite’s CEO, reckons that the typical $3 per month spent by consumers is less than what they previously paid for kerosene and at phone-charging kiosks. He describes how farmers are more productive because they do not have to get home before dark and children are getting better test scores because they study under bulbs. One family in Rwanda used to keep their two cows in their house because they feared rustlers might come in the dark; now the cattle snooze al fresco under an outside lamp and the family gets more sleep.

...That is one eye-catching aspect of Africa’s solar revolution. But most of the continent is undergoing a more subtle—and significant—experiment in decentralised, commercially driven solar power. It is a trend that could both transform African economies and offer lessons to the rest of the world."

-via The Economist, June 18, 2024. Paragraph breaks added.

[cherrari]

if i say idk what the turbo or crankshaft is will u laugh

don't worry i would never laugh at people asking questions because i rarely laugh in the first place

the current major components of the pu (and their allowable allocations per season) are:

the internal combustion engine (currently the v6) -> 4

the motor generator unit-kinetic (mgu-k) -> 4

the motor generator unit-heat (mgu-h) -> 4

the turbocharger (tc) -> 4

the energy store (es) (aka the battery) -> 2

the control electronics (ce) -> 2

the exhaust (ex) -> 8 per set

i will go through them one by one. i'm not going to list every single component connected to them because that would take way too long and honestly isn't necessary... i'm just listing the most relevant things, if you look up an actual f1 car there will be more going on than what i'm saying here.

the ice is the primary source of power. it turns fuel into kinetic energy. combustion engines are very common but can get quite complex, especially one that operates at such high efficiency like f1's... but the basic idea here is that it operates in a four-step cycle where air is taken in, compressed, mixed with fuel, then ignited. this creates a force which pushes a series of pistons, and finally this force travels through a few other components until it reaches the rear wheels to accelerate the car. the crankshaft is one of these; it takes the pressure from the pistons and uses it to drive a rotational force which is then used by the succeeding components.

the mgu-k is attached to the crankshaft and electronically to the es (battery). during braking, it harvests energy from the rear that would otherwise be released as heat to put into the battery. (it cannot harvest energy from the front) when accelerating, it can then redirect energy from either the battery or the mgu-h into the crankshaft to add extra torque. there is a strict limitation on how much power the mgu-k can contribute, but the 2026 regulations are increasing this massively (like 3x the amount). also the mgu-k is why f1 cars can self-start when stalled mid-race, as even if the engine is off it can still power the crankshaft so long as there is energy in the battery.

the turbocharger is attached to the ice's exhaust manifolds and is composed of a turbine and a compressor. the exhaust gas from the ice rotates the turbine which activates the compressor. the compressor compresses incoming air before it enters the engine for combustion, allowing for more air to be taken in overall. basically it makes the engine more efficient without it becoming too heavy or large.

the mgu-h is mechanically attached to the turbo's central shaft and electrically connected to the battery. it harvests otherwise unused heat from the exhaust gases and sends it to either the mgu-k or the battery. back in the old days before the mgu-h existed and turbos were far less efficient, drivers would need to sit on the throttle to keep the it running. nowadays the mgu-h is used for this, as it can use energy from the battery to control the turbo's speed, including when at low revs. the mgu-h is the component being ditched for 2026 and is the reason why the mgu-k's capacity is being beefed up (to compensate for its loss).

the energy store is the battery. energy harvested by the motors is stored here until deployment. the battery (and the ce) are comparatively small, flat, and very efficient because they need to rapidly charge and discharge energy according to the driver's inputs. when people refer to f1 pus as being hybrid, they're referring to the mixture of power from the ice and the electrical energy from the mgu units that is stored in the battery.

the control electronics that's being referred to here is what converts the energy from the motors into an energy format that can be stored in the battery and vice-versa. this is not the same as the ecu, which is a standardized controller for the electronics of the car (such as the braking system), despite the confusing names.

the exhausts are attached to the engine's exhaust ports. they are divided into sets, with three on either side of the engine and then a connection to the turbo.

as i said i didn't talk about every component that powers the car here because that would be effectively every single one... but let me know if you have any questions. i deleted like 1k words from this because i realised i was going off topic 😭

[sturnioz]

hey

wait

what about

mechanic!matt…………..he been told you to get rid of your car but you don’t have the money for it, the uni semester has already been off to a chaotic start, and PLUS it was a gift from your grandpa on your 18th :(

i lowkey kinda fucked up this req and changed it a bit cos i struggled to write it :| i wrote meeting mechanic!matt for the first time instead my bad my bad my bad. but welcome mechanic!matt <3

you're freaking out.

you're freaking out so bad you're teetering on the edge of a mental breakdown, overwhelmed by a storm of emotions as you stand in the middle of the auto repair shop.

you've been so stressed; your new semester had a chaotic start, your classes keeping you unbelievably busy. to make matters worse, you've also had a painful falling out with your best friend, the kind of rift that feels like a gaping wound. on top of that, you recent breakup still fucking stings and you feel like you're going to throw up every time you cross paths.

and now, as if the universe is conspiring against you, your car has betrayed you, refusing to start in the middle of the road when you were on your way home. (the embarrassment of having to call a tow truck had only made it worse).

the constant sounds of clanging metal and the low hum of machinery surrounds you, gnawing at your nerves, overstimulating you. you close your eyes and rub your temples, desperately trying to block out the flickering overhead lights that create disorientating flashes behind your eyelids.

the air was thick too, heavy with the scent of motor oil and burnt rubber, a pungent reminder of your current predicament that makes your stomach churn with nausea, and you feel an overwhelming urge to escape, to bolt out the fucking door and leave this place behind.

but you can't.

you can't abandon your car — your baby, a precious gift from your grandpa.

with a deep breath, you peel your eyes open, your teeth gnawing at your bottom lip as you scan the bustling shop for the beefy man who greeted you when you first arrived. you're desperate for answers, anxious to find out if your car is truly fucked.

oh god, you wanted to cry. the thought of the repair costs makes you stomach twist. how much money will you have to spend? money that you don't even have. panic instantly washes over you.

you're screwed. you're done. you're hopeless. you're—

"hey," a voice jolts you from your spiralling thoughts, and you snap around, bracing yourself to confront the man you were searching for, but instead, you're taken aback by someone completely different.

he stands before you, hair tousled, strands falling over his light blue eyes. he's wearing a snug black tank top and dark blue overalls, the sleeves casually wrapped around his slim waist, showcasing a patchwork tattooed arm. his hands are smeared with grease and oil, evidence of a long day spent working on cars, and he nonchalantly twirls a wrench around his finger while chewing gum, casualness radiating from him as he stares at you.

"how bad is she?" you dare to ask, your voice trembles slightly, a mix of fear and hope surfacing in your chest.

the corner of his lips twitches slightly at your words before he begins. "she's not doin' too good." your heart sinks, a lump forming in your throat as you brace yourself for what's coming. "for starters, your battery is dead, but there's some damage done to the ignition system too... s'likely that the stater's shot, and the alternator needs replacing too."

you swallow hard, the reality of the situation hits you like a punch in the gut, and the weight of his words settling over you like a heavy fog. "how... how much are we talking?"

"could be a couple hundred for the battery 'n starter, maybe more dependin' on what else i find when i dig deeper," his fingers rhythmically tap against the wrench in his hands, chewing his gum slowly as he admits, "not gonna lie t'you, sweetheart — s'not gonna be cheap."

"fuck," another wave of panic rises within you, tears prickling at the corners of your eyes. you feel so helpless. "i uh, i don't, i.. i can't, i—"

"hey," he says again, his voice steady and soothing as he gets your attention. your watery eyes snap to his when you feel his hand touch your shoulder gently. you don't even care about the grease and oil staining your shirt right now. "take a deep breathe, yeah? in and out. eeeeasy."

you nod quickly, following his instructions, inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling through your mouth, trying to regain control over the rapid beating of your heart. your skin feels clammy, and your head is fuzzy, but his calm demeanour seems to help anchor you.

"there we go.. that's it," he hums softly, squeezing your arm as he nods in approval. "now, talk t'me. slowly."

"i... i can't afford it," you whisper defeatedly. "i don't have a job right now, i can't. i don't know how i'm going to pay for all this."

he studies you quietly for a moment, his gaze shifting from concern to something more contemplative. "we can figure somethin' out... sellin' the parts might be—"

"no!" you blurt out, shaking your head sharply. the suddenness of your response catches him off guard, his eyebrows raising slightly in surprise at your defiance. "i'm sorry, i... i can't sell it."

he lifts his hand to scratch at his cheek, squinting his eyes as he processes your reaction. "you uh, y'not makin' this easy, sweetheart—"

"i know, but i can't sell it," you insist with a soft sigh. "it means a lot to me.. please? is there another way?"

he studies you again, standing in silence, and you hold his gaze, hoping he'll come up with a solution. you watch as he takes a step closer, lowering his voice as if he's sharing a secret.

"what if.. we work somethin' out?" he suggests. "i'll uh, i'll fix your car for cheap — maybe for nothin' if you do somethin' for me?"

"what are you suggesting?" you ask, curiosity piqued.

he grins, revealing his pearly whites as he chews his gum, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly as if he hadn't just proposed something so serious and sudden. he doesn't answer you, which makes you prompt the question again, and he keeps the grin on his face as he turns and walks further into the shop, casting a glance over his shoulder at you, a silent invitation to follow him.

[carionto]

We'll do it our way

Been reading a bunch of Humans are Space Orcs and the like, and got me thinking - what if when aliens found humanity and our level of technology and method of propulsion for space travel, they decided that since explosions are way too hazardous and risky, that they're just not gonna let us leave on our vessels (via BS alien magic space tech). As a sort of intergalactic rite of passing (and poor results in the past of elevating a species like that), we have to figure out on our own how to not blow ourselves up once in space. But humans can be spiteful. We "have" to go in a direction they want? Fuck that. Aliens put a dome around Earth so we can't leave? Okay, that's a clear and practical problem to solve. Let's fix that instead!

_____________________________________

It had been just over sixty local cycles since First Contact with Humanity, and exactly sixty since the Federation had unanimously deemed it necessary to position a Responsibility Barrier around Earth.

Through countless observation relays, mass field generators, warp inhibitors (and the less spoken of and even less used laser batteries), any vessel - outside of local communication satellites, unmanned research vessels, or suborbital test vehicles - were prevented from leaving the planet.

Upon discovering Humanity, the Exploratory Commission Fleet quickly discovered a very hardy, innovative, diverse, violent, and adaptable advanced civilization on the cusp of entering the interstellar stage. There was one problem. Humans used explosions. For. Everything.

Their orbital spaces were already littered with micro-debris from their regular ventures into the local system. Practically every type of propulsion utilized highly volatile solutions, and they didn't even pretend to hide or be embarrassed by their history of weaponizing, well, anything and everything to be frank.

Wars and violence were common among nearly all sentient species, but there was something… peculiar, about how nonchalant the Human diplomats were about their supposed "solutions" to "tragedies" of the past.

We explained to them the dangers of their methods, showed examples of what happens when such line of thinking, without discarding these explosive ways, leads to - impassable fields of junk around once well traveled planets, now isolated; hastily jettisoned parts causing mayhem and destruction years down the line; entire Habitation Stations and their occupants reduced to faint rings around their homeworld from an "unplanned ignition"

We explained why we could not simply give them our safe technology, as they have to on their own give up the irresponsible ways first, lest they turned what was once safe into yet another means to an end. They "said" they understood, but it was all too clear the Humans would not follow our advice just like that. Hence the Barrier. This really angered the Humans.

They said it was stifling, that it was barbaric to "imprison" them like that. We tried to explained again why, but they would not listen, but we knew better. This had happened before and we would not allow it to happen again. It was for the greater good of both the Humans and the rest of the Galaxy.

For nearly sixty of their cycles, Humanity continued to advance and develop and flourish. We watched them with excitement at every new avenue of research they steered towards, silently encouraged them to keep going with every failure. They were getting close in several fields, we could see that Humanity was on the precipice of the right track. Then, one day, with a slight shimmer enveloping the planet and an eerie silence on all frequencies, the Earth just… vanished.

The Humans kept their true activity a secret, only after careful analysis of seemingly unrelated and unremarkable records did we figure out they were investigating a long abandoned line of research by all others in the galaxy - interdimensional travel. But there were no other traversable dimensions. That had long been tested by everyone - you can twist and bend and cut through the ones we have, but you are always bound to at least one of them.

It remained a mystery as to what truly happened to Humanity. Officially it was called a tragic scientific accident on an unprecedented scale. Earth and Humanity were memorialized as a bright species with infinite potential, but a recklessness that would serve as one of the starkest examples in the annals of Galactic history.

Until, nearly a millennia later, Earth just… popped back in. Right where it would have been had it continued to orbit around their star, almost as if that's exactly what it had been doing.

There was only a memorial station close to its original orbit, and some small research outposts dotted around the local system - it was decided to not terraform or colonize any of Sol's planets or install major stations within the system, as both a sign of respect to the deceased and a warning to all about the dangers of foolish science.

By the time the scrambled and panicked messages reached the nearest Coalition world and a small squad sent to investigate, everything had changed. Not only did they find Earth and Humanity, they were met by dozens of the largest space worthy vessels anyone had ever conceived of let alone dared to construct; orbital shipyards that each would put the production capacity of whole planetary SYSTEMS to shame; and a defiant attitude unmatched even by the previously thought exaggerated tales of our brief history with Humanity before the Vanishing.

The message we received from the Humans was simple:

"Thanks for the advice, but we do things our way. Now, let's start over, from an equal footing, shall we?"

(more while we were gone)

[smilesatdawnmain]

Reverse Taken (Wukong's rage- After Math)

I like this Au. If I had the patience, I would make an official fanfic. I do not. My life would not allow that patience. SOOO- Imma give you small parts. Parts that are in my brain, that I will put together one post at a time.

Previous

Summary: The Spider Queen considers her next steps while soothing her little spiderling.

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

The silence of the dark was shattered by a sudden outburst of tears. In the background, water dripped and patters of movement could be heard. Sitting alone in this quiet space was the Spider Queen, her hair loose and knotted against her back. Her face and neck were marked with bruises, and her eyes glinted with a steely anger.

“Hush now,” her voice was like silk as she ran her fingers through the fur of the whimpering child that sobbed against her lap. Xiaozhizhu sniffled again, bawling into his Mother’s dress. “Shhh, spiderling,” she whispered, her voice laced with a tenderness that starkly contrasted with the shadows encroaching around them. She lifted a lock of his curly fur, twirling it around her finger as she stared ahead. She hadn’t expected that King to arrive so soon. She thought she’d have more time. Her plans would have to be pushed up.

In the midst of her thoughts, she glanced down at this boy. Practically a grown man now, no longer that little cub she found wandering the streets, barely able to breathe. It was her who took him in. It was she who put the clothes on his back and kept his weak little immune system stable. That King did nothing to make this boy who he was, yet he dared to show his face and act as if she were some villain in his upbringing.

... Was she?

This little cub was her ticket to great things. He was her pawn in making this world bow before her. He was her own personal battery. Her’s to do what she wanted with. She had saved his life, and thus to repay that debt, he would do as she needed. He was her insurance that the Monkey King stayed in line! He was-!

He looked up, his cheeks flushed and eyes puffy, leaning into her hand. As small as the day she found him in her eyes. Fragile and looking at her like she held the moon and the stars.

Xiaozhizhu hicupped, his tears slowly subsiding as he clung to the Spider Queen. "T-they destroyed everything," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "Our home..."

He was her's.

He was her cub.

The Spider Queen’s heart twisted, a flicker of, perhaps doubt igniting within the web of her ambitions. She grazed her thumb over Xiaozhizhu’s cheek, the soft warmth countering the chill that enveloped the cavernous lair. The echoes of his sobs faded slightly, and in that intimate silence, she realized that even though she had molded him into a tool for her plans, somehow… he too had molded her to fit right in his heart. A spot she hadn’t expected to be so warm.

All at once, the whispers of her ambition felt like poisonous tendrils curling around her throat, choking the breath from her lungs. She had tasted power before—rich and intoxicating—but this was different. This was a taste of something too sweet, too pure, like honey laced with venom. A part of her wanted to recoil, to sever the ties that bound her to this moment. But the other part—the one that had cradled the boy against her breast during long, dark nights—longed to protect him from the world’s harsh claws.

She has his Mother. He was her son.

Her son would stand by her side when they took over the world.

“Mother?” His voice was shaky but filled with a thread of trust that she could not bear to hear. She had not always been the kindest. Many days, she pushed the boy to his limit- to ensure he grew strong. She ignored his tears, and his fear, believing discipline was a crucible that would forge strength. Yet here he was, looking at her with those wide, innocent eyes, and in that gaze, she saw the reflection of her own monstrous nature flickering like a dying flame.

“Mother, are you okay?” He reached out, his hand trembling as it rested against her wrist, grounding her in that fragile moment. “Did he-” his lower lips trembled, knowing the Monkey King had hurt her. Had nearly killed her before he arrived to get her out of there. His eyes had glowed a sickening red and gold.

She inhaled sharply, the scent of damp earth mingling with her conflicting emotions, swirling like fog around her heart. “I am fine, sugar,” she whispered, but even to her own ears, the words felt hollow. Carefully she lifted his chin.

The accursed Monkey now knew of this little spiderling. If today was anything to go off of, he wasn’t going to relent either. Now that he knew Xiaozhizhu was his biological son- her leverage had crumbled like a fragile silk thread underfoot. She could no longer play the game as she once had; she was now exposed, vulnerable.

The Spider Queen's fingers trembled slightly as she stroked Xiaozhizhu's cheek. Her mind raced, calculating her next move, but her heart... her heart ached in a way she had never experienced before.

"Mother," Xiaozhizhu whispered, his voice hoarse from crying. "What they said... it's not true, is it? That the Monkey King is-"

The Queen's breath caught in her throat. This was her moment, her chance to cement her hold on the boy, to twist the truth and keep him bound to her forever.

The Spider Queen's fingers hesitated on Xiaozhizhu's cheek. For a fleeting moment, she considered spinning another web of lies - it would be so easy to further vilify the Monkey King, to paint herself as the victim and savior. But as she looked into those trusting eyes, something inside her crumbled.

"Sugar," she began softly, her voice wavering. “It is true that I found you alone in this city, with no one to care for you. It is also true, that the King’s blood runs through your veins. Your power- your gift, they come from the other end of that blood- the six-eared Macaque.”

Xiaozhizhu's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. "W-what?" he stammered, pulling back slightly from his mother's touch. "But... but you always said..."

The Spider Queen sighed, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her deception. "I never thought it was important for you to know, sugar." The words tasted bitter on her tongue, but she forced herself to continue. "When I found you, I knew who you were. I knew of your heritage. But I still took you in.” she cupped his face, “You are mine. My cub.” her gaze narrowed, sharpening to a possessive affirmation. “I know not why that King casted you aside, but he did.”

Xiaozhizhu's mind reeled, struggling to process this new information. His whole world was crumbling around him, everything he thought he knew about himself and his origins suddenly cast into doubt.

“But... but why?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why didn’t you tell me this?”

“I never hid that you were not a spider, spiderling.” she says, fingers cleaning the smudges on his cheeks. “You were never mine by blood, and you knew that. To admit you are the blood of that Monkey King-” she scowled, “It would bring you endless danger. Not to mention… one is not allowed to claim something that they cast aside. I never told you that you were his, because you are not his. Not anymore.”

Xiaozhizhu's head spun as he tried to process his mother's words. He supposed that was… true. "But... but MK," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "He said we were... brothers. Twins."

The Spider Queen's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of the Monkey Kid, "Yes," she said, her voice tight. "It seems you do have a twin. The one the Monkey King chose to keep."

Xiaozhizhu flinched.

“I had never seen him before to really know you were twins.” she admits. “That Monkey King keeps his family safe guarded at his mountain. I cared not for what he did… You were my focus.”

Xiaozhizhu's breath caught in his throat, his mind reeling with this new information. Twins. He and MK were twins. The boy he'd befriended, the one who'd been trying so hard to pull him away from a life of crime... was his brother.

"But... but why?" he choked out, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why would they keep him and not me?"

The Spider Queen's eyes softened, a mixture of genuine sympathy and calculated manipulation swirling in their depths. "Oh, my sweet prince," she cooed, stroking his cheek tenderly. "I wish I had an answer for you. The ways of the powerful are often cruel and incomprehensible to those they deem... lesser."

Xiaozhizhu's eyes welled with fresh tears, his lower lip trembling. "Am I... am I lesser?" he whispered, voice cracking.

The Queen's eyes flashed dangerously. "Never," she hissed, cupping his face in both hands. "You are extraordinary, my little spider.” she drew him against her, patting his back as she had when he was so small. “I am your Mother,” she reminded him.

Xiaozhizhu clung tightly to the Spider Queen, his mind still reeling from the revelations. He buried his face against her shoulder, seeking comfort in her familiar embrace. "But why now?" he mumbled, his voice muffled. "Why did they come looking for me after all this time?"

The Spider Queen stroked his hair gently, her voice soft but tinged with bitterness. "Who can say what goes through the minds of such beings? Perhaps they finally realized what they had thrown away. Or perhaps," her eyes narrowed, "they simply want to use you for their own purposes now that you've grown into your powers."

Xiaozhizhu pulled back slightly, his brow furrowed in confusion and hurt. "Use me? But MK... he's always been kind to me. He's tried to help me..."

The Spider Queen's lips curled into a sad smile. "Oh, my sweet prince. Kindness can often be a mask for ulterior motives. Sugar, we must be careful. The King…” Her voice trailed off as a flicker of sorrow passed through the boy’s gaze. “He will come for you.”

Xiaozhizhu's eyes widened, a flicker of fear passing through them. "Come for me?" he whispered, his voice trembling.

The Spider Queen nodded solemnly. "Yes, my dear. Now that he knows of your existence, he will not rest until he has you in his grasp." She cupped his face gently, her eyes boring into his. "But I will not let that happen. You are mine to protect, to nurture. I will not let him take you from me."

Xiaozhizhu's eyes widened, a mix of fear and uncertainty swirling in their depths. He stammered, "But what if...” he licked his lips, glancing to the side- distant and wondering, “What if they really do want me?" he whispered, his voice barely audible. "What if they're sorry?"

The Spider Queen's grip on him tightened slightly, her eyes flashing with a possessive glint. "Oh sugar," she said, her voice silky smooth but with an edge of steel, "If they truly wanted you, they would have come for you years ago. They had their chance, and they chose to discard you." She stroked his cheek. To her, this was no lie. She truly did not know why that Monkey would leave this boy- truly. And a woman like her was not likely to believe it was not without intention. If that simian wanted this boy back after all this time- he would need to pry him from her cold dead hands.

Xiaozhizhu's eyes welled with fresh emotion, conflicting sensations warring within him. Part of him desperately wanted to believe that his newfound "family" truly cared, that there was some explanation for their absence all these years. But another part, the part that had been nurtured by the Spider Queen's love and guidance, recoiled at the thought of trusting those who had abandoned him. "I... I don't know what to think," he whispered, his voice cracking. "Everything's so confusing."

The Spider Queen pulled him close once more, cradling his head against chest. “Then let yourself be confused. Trust in me, for now.” The Spider Queen held Xiaozhizhu close, feeling his body tremble with confusion and fear. She stroked his hair gently, her voice soft but firm. "I know this is all overwhelming, my little prince. But remember, I have always been here for you. I have never abandoned you, never cast you aside."

Xiaozhizhu sniffled, clinging to her like a lifeline. "I know, Mother," he whispered. "But what do we do now?" he asked, his voice small and uncertain. "Our home is destroyed. The Monkey King knows about me. MK..." his voice caught on his friend's - his brother's - name.

The Spider Queen's eyes narrowed as she contemplated their next move. "We'll rebuild, my dear. We always do." She gently tilted Xiaozhizhu's chin up, meeting his gaze. "As for the Monkey King and his... son," she paused, carefully choosing her words, "we must be cautious. They may try to manipulate you, to lure you away from me."

Xiaozhizhu's brow furrowed, a flicker of uncertainty passing through his eyes. MK wasn’t to be trusted… so then… why did he feel so much pain coming from his other half. Desperation, fear- MK was looking for him. Had always been looking for him. Instead of voicing this, he nodded his head quietly.

“Okay, Mother.”

With that quiet affirmation, the Spider Queen began to weave her plans, her fingers moving like silk threads through the air, as if crafting a tapestry of strategy and resolve. “Tonight,” she said, her voice laced with purpose, “we will gather the remnants of our lost home. In the shadows, we will rebuild our strength.” her eyes gleamed in the shadows, “Then, we reveal what Syntax has been hard at work on.” she gripped her cub’s arms- where small unseen puncture marks lay below his fur. Years of collecting, gathering, all coming down to this single night.

Xiaozhizhu swallowed hard, quietly rubbing his arm. “Yes Mother,” he bowed his head.

[vecnuthy]

Steddie first kiss scenario

Accident: mistaken identity due to Steve being absolutely hammered | wc 893 |

Two hours into a Harrington house party, Eddie was getting near the end of his inventory and his social battery. The cup of punch-colored alcohol he'd been nursing had kept him nice and fuzzy for a while, but with the end in sight, he dumped the rest down the kitchen sink, tossed the cup in the trash, then turned, opting to walk out the back yard rather than navigate through the packed house.

But his progress was stopped in an empty hall by the man of the house himself, Steve Harrington.

A very drunk Steve Harrington, at that, considering the extra droop of his pretty eyes, lazy smile, overly loose movements, and the way he crashed into Eddie, pinning him against a small table, slurring loudly, "Nance! There'y'are."

He looked and smelled absolutely sloshed as he swayed further into Eddie's space.

"Steve, wha-"

"Been loogin for y' everywhere."

Before Eddie could even do anything, Steve's hands were buried in his curls and pulling him in until their lips met and - wow, that was definitely Steve Harrington's rum-soaked tongue in his mouth, making his stomach swoop, the heat from Steve's flushed face igniting a fire that tore across Eddie's skin, burning faster with every movement of Steve's lips. Lips that were soft, unlike the fingers curling, pulling Eddie's roots enough to make Eddie's hips press into Steve's, make him want to moa-

"You taste different. Like smoke and.....and peaches, hv'you been smoking?!" He frowned and shook his head. "S'not good for you."

He paused in thought as Eddie's heart hammered in his chest, mouth and scalp tingling from Steve's onslaught. His brain refused to make sense of anything happening. Were he not half propped up by the table against the wall and Steve's hold, Eddie would probably be on the floor.

"Wanna smoke now, achlly," Steve said as he put enough space between them to pat at his pockets before realizing with a laugh, "Oh wai', you've got 'em!"

He started patting at the pockets of a very shell-shocked Eddie as he continued to ramble, "And peashes. Where'd you ge' peashes? Y'llergic to the fuzz. You 'idn't eat that, d'you?"

Steve patted a little too far over the front of his jeans, making Eddie, honestly on the verge of blacking out, yelp. Steve giggled out, "Ticklish," then added, "You're taller," before pouting, "Ugh, your pockets 'r so full. When d'you put jeans on?" Steve let out a frustrated whine before huffing, "God, I can't find'em, just - "

Steve paused then smiled like he remembered the secret of life, and muttered, "You've got the smoke."

And just like that, Eddie's face was smooshed between Steve's hands, breath barely ghosting over Eddie's lips before he breathed Eddie in, eyes closed, probably imagining nicotine flooding his system.

Eddie would make a run for it if he were able to move, but he couldn't will his body to do anything but buzz from shock yet sing for Steve's touch.

Steve opened his eyes, and he took a long, glazed-over look at Eddie's face, settling on his lips.

"You kind of look different. Your lips....they're bigger." His eyes closed slowly then grew comically large. "D'you eat the fuzz, Nance?!" Steve panicked, then looked Eddie in the eyes again, and took a shuddering breath. "Your eyes, though, they....th' look, look kinda brown like -" Steve's face softened "- like his."

"Steve?"

To Eddie's immense horror, a very confused Barbara Holland had appeared behind Steve.

"Barrrb! Hey, guess what? Nance's been smoking!" he giggled.

"What?" Barb's eyes flicked back and forth between a very panicked, frozen Eddie.

"She tastes like smoke! Nancy Wheeler, smoking!" He cackled gleefully, but made it known that he was proud of her by turning back to Eddie and slurring, "You're so cool, 's like it's Halloween. Dressed up like Munson? Y' look so cool, baby." And he swooped in and kissed Eddie one more time.

"Okay, Steve!" Barb shrieked and pulled him away. "Let's get you some water!" She shot Eddie a wide-eyed questioning look and steered a stumbling Steve toward the kitchen.

"He's so wasted, he thought I was Nancy!" Eddie rushed out quietly, which made Barb snort.

Eddie's face burned, numb to everything except where Steve had touched him. Which was kind of everywhere, actually, so he felt on fire. "And it happened before I could even- I didn't know what to d-"

"Eddie!" She cut off his rambling, then sighed. "Don't worry, you're fine. You're fine. Understand?" She was waiting for a response.

Eddie, head still swimming, nodded cautiously.

"Good," she said, letting some of her tension melt away, which Eddie tried to copy. "Doubt he'll remember any of it, anyway. I know I don't want to."

Eddie winced at that.

"No, it's not you, it's just-" she huffed then shook her head. "Don't worry about it. Drive safe, Eddie."

And just like that, she was gone.

Eddie followed suit with Steve's voice echoing in his head, an overlapping manic cacophony of

"Your lips....they're bigger."

"Your eyes, though, they....th' look, look kinda brown like...like his."

"Dressed up like Munson? Y' look so cool, baby."

Two kisses because Steve thought Eddie was his girl.

And her best friend had seen the second.

Actual fucking kisses because Steve thought he was his.

Thought Eddie was his.

Said he tasted like smoke and peaches.

Eddie drove home in a daze.

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

1958 Chevrolet Corvette

This 1958 Chevrolet Corvette underwent a pro-street-style metamorphosis between 2008 and 2011. It is endowed with a 383 cubic inch stroker V8 engine, harmonized with a TH350 three-speed automatic transmission, and a narrowed rear axle featuring a limited-slip differential. The rear suspension has been upgraded with a ladder-bar configuration, adjustable coilovers, and the addition of a lift-off hood. The body, painted a striking red with white coves, comes with a detachable hardtop. Inside, a roll cage has been installed along with a B&M Pro Stick shifter, a shift light, aftermarket gauges, and black Procar bucket seats. The enhancements also include dual Edelbrock carburetors, Hooker headers, side-exit exhaust pipes, 15” alloy wheels, and front disc brakes. Acquired by the current dealer in February 2024, this modified C1 Corvette is now part of the Coffee Walk Corvette Collection in Wylie, Texas, and is offered without reserve, complete with build records and a clean Pennsylvania title.

1958 Chevrolet Corvette

The fiberglass exterior is adorned in red with white coves and includes a removable hardtop and a lift-off hood with an integrated air scoop. A Stewart-Warner fuel-pressure gauge is mounted on the cowl, and the right-rear corner features a battery cutoff switch and external terminals. The gallery reveals cracks in the weatherstripping, pitted chrome, and paint imperfections.

1958 Chevrolet Corvette

Polished 15” alloy wheels are shod with 25.0×5.0” front and 29.5×11.5” rear Hoosier drag tires, installed in April 2024. A crossmember supports the rear suspension, which has been modified with ladder bars, a diagonal link, and adjustable coilovers. The braking system includes front disc brakes and rear drums.

1958 Chevrolet Corvette

The interior is equipped with a roll cage and Procar high-back bucket seats in black. Enhancements include a B&M Pro Stick shifter, an MSD shift light, rocker-switch controls, and fabricated metal door panels. The gallery displays flaking paint and wear on interior surfaces.

1958 Chevrolet Corvette

The three-spoke steering wheel is positioned in front of a 160-mph speedometer and auxiliary gauges. An AutoMeter pedestal tachometer is mounted atop the non-functional factory tachometer. Additional gauges for coolant temperature and oil pressure are located in the center console. The mechanical odometer is inoperative, and the total mileage remains unknown.

1958 Chevrolet Corvette

A Harwood plastic fuel cell is mounted in the trunk, which has been tubbed with fabricated aluminum panels to accommodate the rear wheels.

1958 Chevrolet Corvette

The 350ci V8 engine block, bored and stroked to 383ci, features four-bolt main bearings. The build includes forged pistons, ARP fasteners, a polished Edelbrock intake manifold, dual Edelbrock carburetors, an MSD ignition module, and Hooker long-tube headers that flow into side-exit exhaust pipes.

1958 Chevrolet Corvette

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a TH350 three-speed automatic transmission and a narrowed Dana 60 rear axle with a limited-slip differential.

1958 Chevrolet Corvette

[sadgi]

compiling information about the kineema, because I'm normal

hi. you may remember me from this post talking about how the kineema doesn't have a hood. I've decided to compile all the *other* info I can get on the kineema and comment on it. hopefully this is okay to read

---

let's start with what I could find on fayde

INTERFACING - With its air-cooled, rear-mounted twelve cylinder compression ignition engine driving the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox, the Kineema is able to reach 100 kilometres per hour in 13.5 seconds. And go on to a top speed of 180 kilometres an hour. YOU - Won't it roll over in the first sharp corner? INTERFACING - The high centre of balance is offset by a large battery bank mounted at the bottom of the cabin, feeding all the auxiliary systems and making the Kineema effectively a mobile power plant.

air-cooled: no radiator. I assume this is what those big heat-sink looking things on sides of the engine are for

compression ignition engine: diesel, no spark plugs (diesel engines are named after a guy, rudolph diesel, so I guess in elysium they didn't do that)

rear wheel drive: this is pretty obvious just looking at the thing

100 kilometres per hour in 13.5 seconds: not very fast acceleration compared to modern cars, but the history of cars in elysium is obviously very different to irl

battery bank: this is the only thing keeping the kineema from tipping backwards onto its ass as soon as you accelerate

YOU - "What's it packing there?" (Point to the engine.) KIM KITSURAGI - "Hundred-and-thirty." INTERFACING - I reckon that's a seven-litre V12 there. ENCYCLOPEDIA - Man, that's got to be a major advancement over the KR18GU engine on the old Coupris 40. YOU - "Wait, hundred-and-thirty what?" KIM KITSURAGI - "Kilowatts," the lieutenant replies laconically.

130 kilowatts: ~174 horsepower

YOU - "That's what..." (Rub your chin.) "... a seven-litre V12?" KIM KITSURAGI - "Seven-point-two. Supercharged." The lieutenant is trying to suppress a smug smile. Unsuccessfully. EMPATHY - Saying these words brings him immense joy.

7.2 litre engine: space inside the cylinders. 7.2L/12 = 600cc per cylinder

supercharged: has a supercharger. forces more air into the engine, powered by the crankshaft (as opposed to turbochargers which are powered by the exhaust)

YOU - Run your fingers over one of the steering levers. COUPRIS KINEEMA - The white suede feels luxurious under the touch and the metal clutch handle so very familiar in your palm... INTERFACING - Your fingers waste no time closing around the handle. Clutch disengaged. Release the handle -- clutch drops -- right foot yearns for the familiar touch of the accelerator pedal. You have synced with the machine's mechanical circulation.

YOU - "A *driver* would wear down their right shoe before the left -- the accelerator is on the right. And remember that abandoned lorry cabin we found?"

steering levers: instead of a steering wheel. not exactly sure how they'd work. I *really* don't want it to have differential steering like a zero-turn mower looking at this video of kim driving it looks like the front wheels are the ones steering

clutch handle: instead of a pedal, the clutch is a handle on one of the levers. seems that accelerator and (probably) brake are still pedals

accelerator is on the right: does everyone left-foot brake??? I guess if the clutch handle is standard then that would make sense

ABANDONED LORRY - The glass on the side windows is tinted and covered with dust. You can barely make out the shape of a seat and two steering levers. [...] YOU - Check the pedals. ABANDONED LORRY - You wedge yourself under the steering-wheel to get a better look. Seems like the few tools lying around here -- a hammer, a pair of pliers, a rusty wrench -- have been casually thrown there by the disorganized driver. ABANDONED LORRY - But one odd detail does catch your eye: A piece of sandpaper has been glued to the throttle.

STEERING WHEEL TYPO

---

alright, let's actually take a look at this thing

two door: the kineema has a single driver's seat and two seats in the back. looks like you'd need to move the front seat forward to let anyone else in

suspension: the back wheels look like they have some sort of spring (the axle is connected to it, so how are the wheels being driven??? same with the coupris 40). I assume the front arms also act as a spring

rear view mirror: looks like there's no rear view mirror, since you wouldn't see shit

aerodynamics: bad

seat belts:

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[realizations-inc-units]

TOUYA TODOROKI: User Guide and Manual

Congratulations! You have purchased your very own limited edition TOUYA TODOROKI unit.

Please see our care guide, user activation manual and your model’s unique specification pamphlet to become acquainted with your newest companion! It is highly advised that you read all materials to avoid any incidents.

Note: Realizations Inc. expressly disclaims any and all liability for damages, injuries, or death arising from the improper use, handling, or mismanagement of your unit following delivery and activation. Upon receipt and activation of your unit, the customer assumes full responsibility for their personal safety and well-being. Use of your unit constitutes acknowledgment and acceptance of these terms.

Technical Specifications:

Civilian Name: Touya Todoroki Villain Name: Dabi Place of Manufacture: Kyoto, Japan Height: 5’9” / 176cm Weight: 153lbs / 69kg Birthday: January 18th Hair Color: Black, Final War and Child edition have white hair Eye Color: Turquoise Unique Features: Intense decorative scarring on just under half of its body, Final War models feature more. Physical and Mental Age: 23 Language Options: Default Japanese, English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese

Character Profile:

TOUYA TODOROKI is one of the main villains from the My Hero Academia franchise and universe. He is the estranged son of ENJI TODOROKI and eldest brother to one of My Hero Academia’s main hero characters SHOUTO TODOROKI. He is a member of the League of Villains, led by TOMURA SHIGARAKI. Although his views of society line up with the League of Villains’ agenda, his ultimate goal is to defeat his father in battle, either killing him or die trying.

Despite its initial standoffish behavior, your new TOUYA TODOROKI unit will make for a wonderful platonic or romantic companion once you gain its trust and respect. Other options for your unit include taking it on as an employee. Given that your TOUYA TODOROKI unit can control the temperature output of its flames, TOUYA TODOROKI units make great blacksmiths, jewelers and glassblowers.

Making sure that your villain unit has productive hobbies and outlets is a fantastic way to manage its destructive tendencies, so don’t hesitate to sign it up for groups and classes as long as you know for sure that there won't be any rival units attending. Lucky for you, TOUYA TODOROKI unit’s don’t have many non-Todoroki family based triggers or outward anger issues.

TOUYA TODOROKI’S quirk, Blue Flame, allows the base unit to utilize its patented battery core to produce blue fire from integrated emission ports located in the palms of its hands using Realization Inc.’s exclusive Thermal Emission System, a high-output, directed-plasma combustion array. Flames produced by this system exceed 2,000 degrees celsius, capable of rapid material breakdown and ignition upon contact. Flame emission duration is capped at seven (7) continuous seconds before a mandatory cool down sequence will initiate.

Warning: Excessive Blue Flame generation can place extreme strain on the unit’s chassis. Owners are advised to monitor TOUYA TODOROKI’S extremities for signs of thermal warping, joint degradation, or hairline fractures near emission points.

Programming:

Your TOUYA TODOROKI unit comes with the following base traits:

Aloof. This unit is cool as a cucumber. It retains a certain distance from the majority of people, although with a little effort and patience, this unit can and will form bonds. Confident. Assertive, if not potentially arrogant, this unit is sure in itself and its abilities. It will be more likely to act on choices its made without needing its owners approval or support. Cautious. Careful and aware of the risks of forming attachments, this unit will avoid trusting others. This trait can be overwritten with time and effort to allow trust to be built between owner and unit. Sarcastic. Don’t take this unit’s sass to heart. Most units with this trait use its sarcasm as a defense mechanism. It will soften up once you get to know it or show that you disapprove of how it speaks to you. Sadistic. This unit derives pleasure from inflicting pain, both emotional and physical. Some units with this trait express it more intensely than others. If you find that your unit is too sadistic for your comfort, please call our help line located at the back of the manual and we will refund your unit for full store credit.

WARNING: Villain units are not guaranteed to respond predictably to emotional stimuli. Realizations Inc. is not liable for any damages caused by your units behavior responses.

Care and Maintenance:

Hygiene: All Realizations Inc. units are self-reliant and prefer to clean and care for itself. Do not worry about bathing your unit because it will do so privately and effectively. All Realizations Inc units are as waterproof as the average human, meaning that unless submerged for an extended period of time, the internal electronics and battery core will remain unaffected.

Note: TOUYA TODOROKI does not require any special care for its scarring as even though it is programmed to feel the discomfort and pain related to those kinds of injuries, its scars are merely decorative.

Feeding: As units do not need to eat or drink, please do not try and feed it anything. Attempts to feed or water your unit will likely result in malfunctions requiring technician support. Your unit does have olfactory sensors of varied sensitivity allowing it to “smell” the scent of food. Some units have preferred scents so get to know it and discover its preferences!

Rest: Charging your unit is easy! Thanks to Realizations Inc.’s exclusive and state-of-the-art battery core, your unit rarely has to charge itself! Approximately once a month (more or less depending on quirk usage) your unit will tell you it needs to charge. It will often wait until your usual bedtime to request this, as to not disrupt its owner’s plans. Simply open the nape panel and insert a plugged in Cascade charging cable. Your unit will find a comfortable position and shut down until either fully charged, or its name is called by its owner. Time till full charge takes approximately eight (8) hours for base models and six (6) hours for more advanced models.

Emergency: If your unit is for any reason becoming unruly or dangerous, there is a code you can activate that will place it into an emergency shut down state. Simply state your name, the unit’s designation and then the words “emergency shut down”. This will immediately place your unit into a dormant state, using very little battery and completely unaware of what is going on around it.

Social: The social needs of your unit depend on the version and model of the character you purchased. Some can go days without interaction, others only hours.

Limited edition TOUYA TODOROKI is a loner, preferring to keep to itself for the most part. However, like all units, it requires socialization both as a basic psychological need and for proper owner/unit bonding. TOUYA TODOROKI likes to tease and taunt its fellow units and owner, enjoying handing out playful, and not so playful, insults. It likes being teased back, but won't tolerate direct offence or slander.

We at Realizations Inc. programmed our TOUYA TODOROKI units to be nearly identical to its fictional counterpart. Limited edition TOUYA TODOROKI is based on the canonical version of the character from between the “Meta Liberation Army” and the early “Paranormal Liberation” arcs. This TOUYA TODOROKI unit remains aloof and carefree, but holds a certain urgency to its actions. It has more intense rivalries with certain adult heroic units and the other Todoroki members, but not as bad as the Final War model, now available for preorder. Keep it away from rivals and building a partnership should be easier!

Accessories:

ONE (1) activation outfit TWO (2) civilian outfits, ONE (1) casual, ONE (1) semi-formal ONE (1) villain costume ONE (1) packet of replacement staples and piercings TWO (2) Realizations Inc. patented Cascade charging cables ONE (1) user manual

Relationships With Other Units:

The Todoroki’s: Only ENJI TODOROKI and SHOUTO TODOROKI at the time of this unit’s development have been created and distributed by Realizations Inc. When exposed to the sight, sound or presence of either unit, your TOUYA TODOROKI unit will react with brutal callousness, usually in the form of hurtful, taunting words. However, if for any reason the owner feels a real fight is about to break out, initiate emergency shut down protocols. As a reminder: Realizations Inc. is not liable for any damages, injuries or death as a result of mismanagement of your new unit.

The League of Villains: Your TOUYA TODOROKI unit gets along for the most part with any unit designated a member of The League of Villains. TOUYA TODOROKI doesn’t necessarily respect those units, nor would it consider the League a priority, but if asked it will go along with their requests and various shenanigans. TOMURA SHIGARAKI and TOUYA TODOROKI tolerate each other, despite the two unit’s mutual lack of respect. TOUYA TODOROKI doesn’t have a very high opinion of HIMIKO TOGA, but the two of them get along well enough due to their mutual respect and admiration of CHIZOME AKAGURO’S principles. More League of Villains members are to be developed in the future. Please check Realizations Inc.’s website for future information of the unit’s relationships as they are released.

Heroes: Your TOUYA TODOROKI unit will treat younger heroic units as nothing to concern itself with, as long as said units keep away from it. Adult heroic units are a different story. The usually cautious and stand-offish unit likes to taunt and antagonize adult heroes, sometimes even coming to fisticuffs or worse with them if not restrained by its owner. Prominent relationships between TOUYA TODOROKI and other adult heroes include but are not limited to: YAGI TOSHINORI, despite being born to overtake All Might as number one, TOUYA TODOROKI doesn’t seem to hold any interest in the hero, beyond a slight lingering resentment. KEIGO TAKAMI and TOUYA TODOROKI greatly distrust and dislike each other. Neither KEIGO TAKAMI nor TOUYA TODOROKI care if the other lives or dies, and will only tolerate each other’s presence if the two units share a trusted owner. More Heroes are to be developed in the future. Please check Realizations Inc.’s website for future information of the unit’s relationships as they are released.

First meetings between units can be a fun and exciting moment for your household or between owners, however, without taking precautions some meetings can end in disaster. Please note that Realization Inc.’s unit models are physically tough and not easily harmed, however if your unit ends up damaged, please call our help line and we will send replacement parts or take your unit in to be inspected by our in-house technicians.

Removal From Packaging:

Lay down the received box that your unit comes in, horizontal on the floor. Remove the lid of the box and any packing materials covering your new unit. At the base of the “skull”, you should feel a small etching just below the hairline. Using a coin, flat head screwdriver or a long finger nail, pry open the panel. Inside you will see three things: a large charging port, compatible with Realizations Inc.’s patented Cascade charging cable, a small pinhole for factory reset and a flat circular button, about the size of a dime.

Press and hold the button for 5 seconds before replacing the panel. It should snap back into place. Your new unit’s eyes should open. Do not be alarmed that the eyes are blank! Your unit’s pupils and irises will appear once you say the activation code and introduce yourself.

Once the blank eyes of your unit glow white, state your full name before reading out loud the fourteen digit code on the back of the manual. Be patient while your unit boots up, and stand back. Certain models of units wake up suddenly and violently.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: My TOUYA TODOROKI unit is trying to kill me! I didn’t do anything, what do I do? A: One of TOUYA TODOROKI’S primary traits is Sadistic, some models accidentally are programmed with a higher value than others. If nothing you are doing is calming it down, engage emergency shut down protocols and call our help line. Our on call technicians can walk you through troubleshooting steps or connect you with our reprocessing team.

Q: My TOUYA TODOROKI unit’s staples are falling out, how do I replace them? A: Your TOUYA TODOROKI unit should have arrived with extra replacement staples in its box. Please visit our website for replacement instructions. If the extras were not packed with your unit, or you have accidentally thrown them out or misplaced them, call our help line and we will send you replacements for a nominal fee.

Troubleshooting:

Problem: You have received a different TOUYA TODOROKI unit than the one you ordered. ex. Child TOUYA TODOROKI, Basic Model TOUYA TODOROKI or Final War TOUYA TODOROKI. Solution: Please contact our help line and we will replace your incorrect unit with a new, correct version. Store credit is also an available option.

Problem: Your TOUYA TODOROKI unit is acting significantly out of character. Solution: Looks like we might have accidentally sent you someone else’s order! For a certain price, Realizations Inc. offers a limited number of completely customizable OOC models per year. Some have only the slightest resemblance to the base model, while others are nearly identical minus one or two core differences. Please contact our help line and we will assist you in rectifying this error.

With proper care you will find a fine companion in your limited edition TOUYA TODOROKI unit. All units have a lifetime warranty, insurance of up to 10,000 USD or international equivalent and 24/7 on call employees ready to assist you and any of your concerns. Good luck and have fun!

If you ordered a variation of Basic TOUYA TODOROKI, please see your unit model’s distinct specifications on the insert included in this pamphlet.

This limited edition model includes the following exclusive features:

Quirk Adjacent Technology:

Limited edition TOUYA TODOROKI’S body is resistant to frigid temperatures. Its programming will not detect any discomfort when exposed to the cold. It will experience a normal amount of discomfort when exposed to exaggerated heat, including but not limited to usage of its quirk.

Advanced Blue Flame, limited edition TOUYA TODOROKI’S Quirk, allows full-body flame channeling through the unit’s micro-conductive mesh woven synthetic musculature. This upgrade enables spontaneous flame projection from any exposed surface of the unit’s body. Temperature thresholds for Advanced Blue Flame may potentially reach 2,500 celsius and higher, with unstable plasma arcs recorded during states of emotional distress. Limited edition flame emission duration is capped at twelve (12) continuous seconds before a mandatory cool down sequence will initiate.

Note: This advanced quirk may cause significant damage to the unit is used frequently and at high levels, including overheating, cortical lag, and long-term structural compromise. Please call Realizations Inc.’s help line for assistance ordering and assembling replacement parts. If damage is too advanced to fix at the owners home, we will collect your unit for technician repairs at one of our local licensed facilities.

Advanced Programming:

Your limited edition TOUYA TODOROKI unit comes with the advanced ability to unlock and adapt new programming traits as you interact with it! Unlocking each trait requires certain interactions with your unit.

Violent. This trait is more likely to activate if you, its owner, or the unit itself is in danger or feels disrespected. Statistically the most frequently unlocked advanced trait for limited edition TOUYA TODOROKI. Masochistic. There is a random chance when aggressively interacting with your unit that it will develop the Masochistic trait. With this trait unlocked, your unit will enjoy and, depending on the unit’s confidence, seek out physical and emotional pain slash punishment from you, its owner. Loyal. Your unit will become as loyal as a dog to you, its owner. When this trait unlocks, your unit will refuse to obey conflicting orders from anyone but you, even corporate overrides. This trait has a chance of developing naturally over time. Obsessive. When unlocked, your unit will become fixated on you, its owner. Be prepared to be followed around and stared at. The more unpredictable the unit, the more likely it is that it will manifest this trait as its sub-trait Possessive instead. This is the second rarest trait to unlock and the activation requirements are unknown. Note: If the Obsessive trait-line is active alongside Loyal, this trait may unlock in a yet to be patched form our technicians have designated Devoted, which has been shown to result in severe attachment issues. Remorseful. The rarest unlockable trait for any villain unit. Requires frequent and repeated attempts to achieve. TIP: Having one villain unit with the Remorseful trait in the same household as a villain unit without it will make the likeliness of it activating in the second unit higher.

Romance and Intercourse:

How exciting! Your limited edition TOUYA TODOROKI features our new and improved fourth generation Passion programming and Interfacing equipment.

Romance: TOUYA TODOROKI is outwardly a laid back and inattentive companion, not typically showing the level of care or affection one would expect from such a fiery and intense individual. This however, is mostly an act put on to protect itself emotionally from other’s judgment. When one on one, or if wanting to show off, TOUYA TODOROKI is a passionately licentious lover who doesn’t hold back from showing its appreciation in any way you allow it to…

Sex: This model of TOUYA TODOROKI allows you to either fully customize your personal preferences or allow the unit to naturally develop its taste in sexual matters over time.

This includes but is not limited to; its sexuality, dominance levels, kinks, preferred position(s) and more.

Limited edition TOUYA TODOROKI comes equipped with a water based, self lubricating five point nine (5.9) inch / fifteen (15) centimeter long silicon phallus with a three point five (3.5) inch / nine (9) centimeter girth when erect. Its testicles are twenty six (26) cubic centimeters large. All units ejaculate hypoallergenic, glycerin-free faux semen in quantities of five (5) milliliters per climax. Its refractory period is customizable, simply tell the unit how long it should take to “recover” between sessions of intimacy.

Like all Realizations Inc. units compatible with intercourse, your TOUYA TODOROKI unit is completely hairless downstairs unless special ordered. Additionally the phallus is by default hyper-realistic, but for those who wish otherwise, you can special order one with a more toy like design. The more experimental folks can special order a phallus with niobium piercings, the layout of which is customizable and exclusive to the adult limited edition TOUYA TODOROKI unit line!

Limited edition TOUYA TODOROKI is programmed with versatile oral knowledge with no gag reflex or necessity to breathe, although if asked it can pretend to. Its lips, tongue, oral cavity, throat and anus are made of a proprietary TPE blend that mimics a soft buccal mucosa-like membrane. Your TOUYA TODOROKI unit will clean itself after each completed sexual encounter, so feel free to get as messy as you want.

Thank you for ordering Realizations Inc. limited edition! Good luck and have fun!

This is the start of a series I'm working on for a separate fanfiction based off of the ancient FFN Hetalia fic trope "Units" created by user 0ptimuspenguin (Warning, their stories feature casual, juvenile, 2010 Hetalia fandom typical rape jokes that they have since kind of apologized for. Check out their profile at your own discretion). Oh yeah, 0ptimuspenguin has given everyone blanket permission to use their idea of Unit or Manualfics on their profile page.

I've dearly missed this trope and the subsequent fanfictions inspired by it, so after googling and Tumblr searching to see if it's been done before in this fandom, I decided to put pen to paper and write it myself. This time without the uhhhh rape jokes. In fact all sexual references in these manuals will be exceptionally anti-horny, clinical in nature and will only apply to adult units.

I'm planning on doing a lot more of these for my various favorite characters, and especially those that will be featured in my future story, but eventually want to do one for each major character oh the series (hoo boy!). If you want me to try to prioritize a certain MHA character's unit manual just shoot me an ask and the Realization Inc. technicians will get to working on it!

Edited: 4/28/25

[boxboxblog]

How Do F1 Cars Work?: Setup pt 1

Alright, so I wanted to explore car setups and how they effect F1 cars. Enjoy!

So, setting up an F1 car is a very complex process, They have to balance numerous elements in the car to suit things like weather, track type, driving styles, etc. But what do they actually alter on the car? And how does it effect the driving?

Altered Components:

Aerodynamics - The easiest and most obvious adjustments are to the aerodynamics, like the rear wings or front wings. These are usually the ones chosen for change in aerodynamics, but they might also change the side pods or diffusers to effect the downforce of the car. They most often change aerodynamics for circuit styles. A tight street circuit will require higher downforce set up, as it gives them more control around the corners. A classic circuit will often switch to a low downforce set up, which gives them speed on the straights. Most teams try to have a good balance, however.

Suspension - Suspension settings control how the car responds to bumps and turns. Whenever they discuss a car porpoising too much, it is usually because the suspension set up is wrong. They change variables including ride height (distance between lowest point of car and track surface), camber (angle of wheels relative to the vertical axel from the front), toe (angle of front wheel when viewed from above), stiffness of springs, and anti-roll bars (parts that connect left and right suspension systems, which help control body roll). For example, cars can have negative or positive camber, which really effect things like grip, tire wear, etc. These aspects of setup are usually altered to suit a drivers style and preferences.

Tire Setup - This essentially envelopes tire pressure and starting temperature, which impact grip and wear rates. For example, lower tire pressure increases the grip, but leads to faster degradation. Higher does the opposite. This is usually altered depending on track temperature and style, or even ti make up for their weak areas. If they do not have good tire management, for example, they may alter the tire setup to degrade slower.

Differential - This controls the relative speed of the rear wheels, a big part of traction control. It is adjusted to either open or lock more. An open differential allows the rear wheels to rotate at different speeds, helping with corner entry but leading to oversteer a lot of the time. A locked differential keeps the wheels rotating together, offering stability on exits but leading to a lot of understeer. This is an aspect that is often changed to suit driver preference. Some can handle the oversteer very well, but other find understeer easier to deal with.

Brake Balance - This is the balance between the front and rear brakes, and is used to prevent lockup (when too much force is applied to the brakes, causing the disc to stop or rotate slower than the car's motion) and improve stability. This is altered by changing the bias, or distribution of braking force, and is often discussed in terms of percentages. More rear brake bias improves rotation in corners, but increases chance of rear lockup. More front brake bias stabilized braking, but can make turn-in more challenging.

Engine Mapping- This refers to the software settings in the car that controls how the engine delivers power. Things like throttle response, fuel injection, ignition timing, and turbo settings are all altered. All of it changes how a car accelerates, responds to stimuli, and consumes fuel. The different types of maps include qualifying maps (max power for short time), race maps (balanced and conservative), fuel-saving maps (usually end of race), and wet maps (softer throttle response, less sensitive car). ERS Deployment is a big part of this, and refers to the management of the kinetic and heat generators. They choose different ERS deployment depending on what they plan to do. For example, if they are planning on trying to overtake they will charge their battery and then use a lot of power to give the car a boost.

Gear Ratios - These ratios determine the relationship between the RPM (engine speed) and the speed of the wheels. There are eight forward gears in F1, and each one changes this ratio to some degree. The ratios dictate how much the engine must rev for the wheels to turn at a certain speed. The two major types of gear ratios are long ratios and short ratios. Long ratios reduce the torque but allow for higher top speeds, suited for tracks with long straights. Short ratios provide more torque which allows for faster acceleration, better for twisty tracks.

Setup Types:

While there are so many different aspects to set up, there are a few main types that most teams follow. Between them, a variety of factors change, but the core of them remains the same.

High-Downforce - One of the most basic set ups, it prioritizes grip on corners by increased downforce. Usually used for twisty, slow-medium circuits like Monaco or Singapore.

Low-Downforce - The other more basic setup, it lowers generated downforce to minimize drag and optimize for straight-line speed. It does sacrifice corner grip, so is best suited for classic circuits like Silverstone or Monza.

Wet - In wet races DRS is disabled, and drag is at an all time high. So teams usually focus on getting a huge amount of downforce, making car less sensitive, and making sure their tire set up is as grippy as possible. The differential is also changed, as drivers should be able to keep traction, ride height is raised, and suspension is softened. This is kind of a subsection of the high-downforce set up, though for different reasons.

High/Low Temp - Both hot and cold temperatures have massive impacts on F1 cars. So if they know they will have a race with an extreme on either side, the set up must be altered to reflect that. In hot Singapore, for example, they must lower tire pressure, change the camber, and boost the cooling systems to avoid overheating engine and degrading tires fast. In cold Montreal, tire pressures are raised, brakes are placed in different settings to keep warm, and the camber is also changed.

Alright, I will continue my discussion on setups in next post, as this one is getting quite long.

Cheers,

-B

[argumate]

Even BMW—a company that literally has "motor" for a middle name—only deigns to reveal on its i3 product page that the motor is “AC synchronous.” Meanwhile, the engine in the base-model 3 Series a few clicks over is described as a “2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder, 16-valve 180-hp engine that combines a twin-scroll turbocharger with variable valve control (Double-VANOS and Valvetronic) and high-precision direct injection.” That's before the site goes on to describe the engine’s electronic throttle control, auto start-stop function, direct ignition system with knock control, electronically controlled engine cooling (map cooling), brake energy regeneration, and driving dynamics control with Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport settings.

But then, it's hard to blame people for not giving a damn. Most consumers—hell, even car geeks—don’t possess the knowledge or vocabulary to authoritatively converse about electric motors, and on the surface, there would seem to be precious little indication that there’s even anything meaningful to discuss about them. It’s a lot harder to get excited about, say, the difference between permanent magnets and AC induction than it is between V8s and twin-turbo sixes. The fact that carmakers and the media don’t billboard motor innovation naturally leads the public to assume that there’s nothing much going on there.

interesting the way marketing focuses on the battery, which obviously has been the major development in the tech overall

[sngl-led-auto-lights]

Why do car headlights work without the keys in the ignition? Why has it been designed that way? Most of the electronics don't, what purpose is there in allowing the headlights to work other than making it easy to get a flat battery?

Car headlights are designed to work ​​without the ignition on for critical safety, legal, and practical reasons​​—despite the risk of battery drain. Here’s why this design persists and how modern cars mitigate downsides:

🛠️ ​​Key Reasons for Ignition-Independent Headlights​​

​​Emergency & Safety Use Cases​​

​​Roadside Emergencies​​: Change a tire, inspect damage, or signal distress in the dark without draining the engine.

​​Parked Visibility​​: Warn oncoming traffic if stalled in a hazardous location (e.g., fog, curves, low-visibility areas).

​​Personal Safety​​: Illuminate surroundings when entering/exiting the vehicle at night.

​​Legal Requirements​​

UNECE Regulation 48 (adopted globally) mandates independent exterior light controls for hazards and low beams.

In the EU/US, ​​parking lights​​ (which share circuits with headlights) must operate without ignition to comply with road safety laws.

​​Practical Functionality​​

​​Detachable Key Systems​​: Older cars with physical keys allowed drivers to remove the key but keep lights on for tasks (e.g., loading groceries).

​​Power Accessory Mode​​: Many modern cars support "ACC" mode (ignition off, lights/radio on).

​​Anti-Theft/Stealth Benefits​​

​​"Bulb Check"​​: Mechanics/testing facilities need to operate lights during inspections without starting the engine.

Leaving lights on briefly can deter break-ins in dimly lit areas.

🔋 ​​Why Other Electronics Don't Work​​

Most systems (radio, infotainment, power windows) drain the battery faster or aren’t safety-critical:

​​Higher Power Draw​​: Infotainment (10–30A) vs. LED headlights (2–8A).

​​Non-Essential​​: Entertainment systems aren’t needed in emergencies.

⚠️ ​​Mitigating Battery Drain: Modern Solutions​​

​​Automatic Headlight Shutoff​​: Most cars made after ~2005 turn off lights after 5–30 minutes (e.g., Toyota "Lights-Off," GM "Battery Saver").

​​Audible Alarms​​: Chimes if headlights are on when the driver’s door opens.

​​LED Upgrades​​: Draw ~75% less power than halogens (e.g., 20W vs. 55W).

​​Deep-Sleep Mode​​: Some vehicles (e.g., Tesla) disable non-critical loads if voltage drops below 11.8V.

🚗 ​​Notable Exceptions​​

​​Hybrids/EVs​​: Headlights run off the accessory battery (separate from the main drive battery), reducing stall risk.

​​Keyless-Entry Cars​​: Often require the key fob to be inside the car to power lights.

💡 Why Designers Accept This "Flaw"

The risk of occasional battery drain is outweighed by ​​life-saving utility​​—especially in emergencies where seconds count. As one engineer put it: "We design for the stalled car on a dark highway first, not the driver who forgets lights."

​​Pro Tip​​: If your car lacks auto-off:

Stick a note on your dash until muscle memory develops.

Use ​​parking lights​​ (if available) instead of headlights for short stops—they draw less power.

Modern designs prioritize safety, but battery protection has improved drastically—making this "legacy quirk" far less risky than it once was. 🔋🔧

[usafphantom2]

The SR-71 crew who training in anti-SAM tactics left a 5-mile-long contrail in the stratosphere after dumping fuel for 10 seconds to see if the afterburner would ignite the fuel trail

The Blackbird

The SR-71, unofficially known as the “Blackbird,” is a long-range, advanced, strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed from the Lockheed A-12 and YF-12A aircraft. The first flight of an SR-71 took place on Dec. 22, 1964, and the first SR-71 to enter service was delivered to the 4200th (later 9th) Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., in January 1966. The U.S. Air Force retired its fleet of SR-71s on Jan. 26, 1990.

CLICK HERE to see The Aviation Geek Club contributor Linda Sheffield’s T-shirt designs! Linda has a personal relationship with the SR-71 because her father Butch Sheffield flew the Blackbird from test flight in 1965 until 1973. Butch’s Granddaughter’s Lisa Burroughs and Susan Miller are graphic designers. They designed most of the merchandise that is for sale on Threadless. A percentage of the profits go to Flight Test Museum at Edwards Air Force Base. This nonprofit charity is personal to the Sheffield family because they are raising money to house SR-71, #955. This was the first Blackbird that Butch Sheffield flew on Oct. 4, 1965.

During its operational lifetime, the SR-71 provided intelligence about the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, the US raid on Libya in 1986 and the revelation of Iranian Silkworm missile batteries in 1987. The USAF ceased SR-71 operations in January 1990.

Throughout its nearly 24-year career, the SR-71 remained the world’s fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft. From 80,000 feet, it could survey 100,000 square miles of Earth’s surface per hour.

SR-71 crews anti-SAM tactics

In 1968 the SR-71 crewmembers spent most of their time in the crew lounge, discussing anti-SAM tactics.

As told by Paul Crickmore in his book SR-71 Blackbird (Combat Legends), as the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing approached the time when they would be flying out of the country at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa.

The SR-71 crew who training in anti-SAM tactics left a 5-mile-long contrail in the stratosphere after dumping fuel for 10 seconds to see if the afterburner would ignite the fuel trail

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. Dawn at 80.000ft – SR-71 Blackbird

The plan was to penetrate enemy airspace at Mach 3. If fired upon, the pilot would accelerate to Mach 3.2 and climb, thereby forcing the missile’s guiding system to re-calculate the intercept solution. One idea was also to dump fuel to become lighter, thereby increasing the climb rate.

A 5-mile-long contrail in the stratosphere

A crew ended that debate during a Sortie over Montana by dumping fuel for 10 seconds to see if the afterburner would ignite the fuel trail. Instead, this turned instantly into an ice cloud in the fridge -55° C stratosphere and left a 5-mile-long contrail finger pointing directly at the aircraft.

The pilot reported that he could see the trail for hundreds of miles after turning back towards the west. That plan was scratched. That was the opposite effect, but they wanted regardless, the SR-71 was the first attempt at stealth in an airplane.

Be sure to check out Linda Sheffield Miller (Col Richard (Butch) Sheffield’s daughter, Col. Sheffield was an SR-71 Reconnaissance Systems Officer) Twitter X Page Habubrats SR-71, Instagram Page SR71Habubrats and Facebook Page Born into the Wilde Blue Yonder Habubrats for awesome Blackbird’s photos and stories.

@Habubrats71 via X

[pearls-and-vignettes]

Spaceway 70 - Pablo

The Marlin heaves out of the darkened dock, whining with unwarmed engines. A simple objective:

- Assess damages, neutralize threats.

I've done it a million times before. Come to think of it,—

Red lights blare outside and the station's distress call is picked up by the radio. I fly around the cylindrical body—perform a systematic scan. How would the incident report be written?

- Upper hull damaged in a hit-and-run bombing; station status unknown.

- Soldier casualties: ...

Soldiers. They never chose to lay down their lives—to fight for an uncaring ruler—not them.

- Assailant(s): Unknown vessel, presumed solitary. Heat signature detected, actively pursuing.

Ambiguous language. Open to litigation. Sarge would be sad.

- Disregard previous entry. Chasing assailant via engine heat; infrared reading with 0.87 certainty. Monitoring radar.

- Radar confirms a small ship. Moving at 75% of own velocity. Distance 2000 mi.

-

-

- 1500.

-

-

- Approaching civilian zone

-

-

- 1000.

-

-

- 500.

-

- 250.

-

- 175.

-

- 100.

- 50.

- 25.

- Contact.

They pull up and to the left, attempting to get above and behind me, though it's too little, too late.

- Assailant neutralized with ballistics. Assumed to have hit engine.

- Upon visual examination, there appears to have been no pilot. Control is either automated or remote. No outstanding radio frequency detected.

Darn...

Out and ahead of me are markers indicating a commercial route. Safe for traders.

A transponder on one of the markers pings my ship. Something about remaining in place, a unit arriving soon. I don't make it a good hundred miles before a squad comes in with weapons hot.

I dodge a few shots and they graze me with a laser. I'm not about to make war with a whole task force.

The Marlin is a ship of esoteric construction. It has a hull constructed for incredibly heavy salvos—granted you have enough sealant [1] aboard. It comes with a cloak [2], more a scrambler than anything, which uses up insane amounts of power, and an EM pulse [3] which likewise drains my batteries. It's a perfect ship for an early retirement [4], as long as my encounters are few and far between.

With the push of a fader I turn my radio into a tool of war, creating a streak of white along their IR imager and making their radar unusable. Similarly, with a press of a button the magnetron pulses on, disabling their steering and warming up their cabins.

- Three combatants neutralized; nonlethal means

Two more pull down and in front, shooting and missing. I pull up and turn around, hoping to hit them with more microwaves.

< -#- VACDETEC V1.4 -#- >

< ALARM >

<HULL BREACH | d.0s>

<HULL BREACH | d.1s>

<HULL BREACH | d.2s>

I begin to sweat as the laser weapon dissipates as heat into my cockpit.

< HULL SEALED >

< SEALANT AT 25% >

I need to leave.

I reach up to grab a solar compass [5] and scribble my heading onto the cockpit glass.

- Taking extratactical measures: Magnetron shielding angle set to 175.8 degrees

< ## Are you sure? Use of EMP with current settings may cause systems to misbehave. ## >

[ YES ]

Navigation goes dark as two more ships behind me lose steering. I launch a wide-range RF jammer [6] and a hot net [7]. I cut my engines and seal the exhaust [8].

This is a special dance they taught us in Academy; " . . . each ship has its own precise limits, though with them come potential," they had us memorize old literature, "that is why you must know yours more intimately than the body of your lover . . . " I positioned one hand over the exhaust control and another over the ignition. Two seconds, three seconds, and

< -#- SHELL -#- >

< ALARM >

<ENGINE OVERHEAT>

The ship rattles as I rocket dead ahead in the direction of home. Another alarm blares on my monitor,

<CHECK ENGINE>

A few milliseconds too late. I hear a faint whisper—a hiss—join the chorus of the Marlin's song. I'm sorry. I'll fix it soon. It'll be ok.

" . . . for each time you take up the helm, you partake in a romance far more real than any other, for no other can see the terror

of a deprivation so terrible, or a death so swift."

[1]: A chemical formulation which undergoes an extremely exothermic reaction when exposed to the vacuum of space. Akin to tire sealant from when vulcanized rubber was used for land vehicles.

[2]: A system consisting of telescoping antennae and an ultra-high amplitude RF generator. Hides a ship's exact location within a much broader, irregular radio signature.

[3]: A high-powered magnetron capable of producing strong microwaves with multiple miles of range. Temporarily scrambles navigation systems, causing affected ships to veer off-course.

[4]: I can't keep doing this

[5]: An indicator which points in the direction of the closest star, when properly calibrated. Detects the unique products of nuclear fusion.

[6]: Akin to the cloak, a disposable projectile which blanks out vast swathes of a ship's radio imager.

[7]: A large, mechanized retroreflector which concentrates heat from all directions, and shoots it back at the viewer, making infrared imaging of a ship nearly impossible.

[8]: In reference to a mechanism which seals the exhaust vents of the Marlin. This turns the entirety of the engine tract into a bomb. A stupid idea if held closed for more than a few seconds.