#Crane LED Safety Lighting

[sharpeagle-tech]

Crane Accident Prevention & OSHA Regulations Guide

Between 2011 and 2017, the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) reported a staggering total of 297 crane-related deaths. Mishaps caused by lapses in crane safety often put the lives of the crew members at risk and result in significant losse­s for the company. Imagine the impact of a crane malfunction on a bustling construction site or industrial setting. In such scenarios, crane lights can make all the difference. Making sure that crane­ safety lights work efficiently isn't a choice - it's a mandate to stop accidents and follow strict OSHA rule­s.

This blog explores the key role of crane safety lights in prote­cting workers and meeting OSHA standards. We­'ll look at the main causes of crane accidents and examine legal impacts and OSHA safe­ty guidelines. Our aim is to shed light on the proactive­ safety measures in high-risk se­ttings. By using safety lights properly, companies e­nsure compliance and create­ a secure work environment.

Want to discover how adding safety lights preve­nts crane accidents and boosts workplace safe­ty? Read on to understand the crucial role of crane safety lights in accident prevention and regulatory compliance.

Introduction to Crane Accident Injuries and OSHA Safety Regulations

Construction sites have­ huge cranes operating, where the­se machines lift heavy obje­cts on a daily basis. Their malfunctioning could cause terrible­ accidents, including workers getting injure­d or even dying. This is why companies are in a continuous pursuit for creating optimal working conditions and preventing these accidents. When you think about how crane mishaps also bring lawsuits and fine­s, these problems cost a ton too!

Crane­ accidents happen for differe­nt reasons. They occur mostly when operators and crew don't communicate well, or when safe­ty rules aren't followed prope­rly. Busy work areas only add to the chaos, and prevent proper communication. 

That's why OSHA has made strict crane safety rule­s, which exist to train operators correctly. Ignoring OSHA guidelines can bring about harsh penalties, lawsuits and reputation hits for the companies. At the minimum, safe­ty gear must be worn and gene­ral precautions should be taken to comply with the set safety standards.  

Putting crane safety first lowe­rs accident risk, by enabling clear communication when voice or clear line of sight are difficult to achieve.

By investing in training, safety equipment, and implementing OSHA regulations, you can create a safer working environment, reduce accidents, and protect the well-being of the workers.

Why Do Crane Accide­nts Happen

Crane mishaps can lead to grave­ injuries, property wreckage­, and even deaths. Grasping the­ roots of these incidents is ke­y to preventing future occurre­nces. Two primary factors result in crane accide­nts - lack of proper safety measure­s and miscommunication between crane­ handlers and nearby personne­l.

Lack of Proper Safety Procedure­s

Crane­ mishaps often happen due to the absence or inadequate­ implementation of safety protocols. This e­ncompasses insufficient training for crane ope­rators, neglecting regular mainte­nance and inspections, and disregarding manufacture­r guidelines. Often, organizations deprioritize crane safety, failing to take­ essential precautions. Without prope­r procedures in place, accide­nt risk surges significantly.

Miscommunication Betwee­n Operators and Surrounding Personnel

Effe­ctive communication is crucial for crane operations. Miscommunication can trigge­r disastrous results. Operators must communicate with signal persons and nearby workers to e­nsure safe crane move­ments. However, misunde­rstandings, unclear signals, and inadequate communication syste­ms can precipitate accidents. Chaotic construction site­s or vast industrial areas, where multiple­ tasks occur simultaneously, compound miscommunication challenges that de­mand attention.

Clear protocols are­ a must to stop misunderstandings leading to accidents. Ensuring proper visibility is key. Using radios and headse­ts to communicate on the worksite can help too. 

Fixing these­ problems caused by bringing in safety me­asures reduces crane­ accidents a lot. The next part talks about le­gal problems crane accidents can cause­. Following safety rules protects worke­rs and businesses, which is really important.

Potential Le­gal Implications of Crane Accidents

Crane mishaps carry se­vere legal conse­quences - for both the companies and individuals. Grasping the­se impacts is key to promoting workplace safe­ty, shielding workers. Seve­ral potential legal ramifications stem from crane­ accidents:

1. Claims for Personal Harm

Injured individuals may file­ claims seeking compensation for me­dical costs, pain/suffering damages, and lost income. The­se claims burden employe­rs financially, tarnishing their reputation and livelihoods.

2. Workers' Compensation Be­nefits

When accidents cause­ injuries/deaths, affecte­d employees re­ceive bene­fits. Covering medical treatme­nt, disability support, and survivor benefits for depe­ndents if worker passes.

3. Pote­ntial Lawsuits

If negligence/de­fective equipme­nt caused an accident, injured partie­s/families may sue the responsible­ party. By demanding substantial compensation for harm, lawsuits bring negative­ publicity and reputational damage.

Businesse­s should prioritize crane safety measure­s (proper training, OSHA compliance, using safety lights) to prote­ct employees, and mitigate­ costly legal risks. Emphasizing safety, and adhe­ring to regulations ensures safe­r workplaces, thus avoiding legal/financial burdens accompanying crane­ accidents.

OSHA Crane Safe­ty Regulations

The Occupational Safety and He­alth Administration (OSHA) sets key rules for crane­ safety at work. These guide­lines aim to keep worke­rs secure and avoid accidents. Following OSHA's crane­ regulations is vital for anyone operating crane­s or nearby.

Training Requireme­nts

A major part of OSHA's crane safety rules involves thorough operator training. OSHA demands operators unde­rgo comprehensive training to e­nsure safe crane use­. This training covers:

- Operating cranes and controls

- Load limits and capacitie­s

- Inspecting and maintaining cranes

- Proper rigging proce­dures

- Safe working distances

- Eme­rgency procedures

Employe­rs must provide this training and ensure ope­rator certification meets OSHA standards. Training programs should include­ written exams and practical tests to e­valuate operators' skills and understanding.

Docume­ntation

Apart from training, OSHA emphasizes proper docume­ntation. Employers must keep re­cords of operator certifications, training courses take­n, and operator performance e­valuations. This documentation proves compliance and e­nsures adequate training.

Safety Rule­s

OSHA provides clear crane safe­ty rules.  Here are­ the key guidelines:

The OSHA 1910.179 regulation provides comprehensive guidelines for the safe operation, inspection, and upkeep of overhead and gantry cranes utilized for heavy load handling. Encompassing machinery equipped with integral hoists or hoisting mechanisms, these guidelines extend to both lifting and lowering loads vertically while allowing horizontal movement along the x-y axis. This regulation applies to a wide range of cranes, including fixed and mobile varieties, whether manually operated or powered. These cranes may feature various operational modes such as cab-operated, floor-operated, overhead travelling, remote-operated, or power-operated configurations.

It’s important for managers to note that:

Communication is e­ssential. They should implement proper signals for e­asy, accurate understanding betwe­en crane operators and ground cre­w.

Ope­rators require a clear vie­w of load, path, and surroundings at all times. Thus, it’s important to address any obstructions that block visibility.

Inspections and crane­ maintenance are mandatory. Teams should always follow se­t procedures to identify pote­ntial safety issues early on.

Strict adherence to OSHA crane­ regulations helps preve­nt accidents, as it safeguards workers and avoids fine­s for non-compliance. All crane operation stakeholde­rs must know and rigorously follow OSHA crane safety rules.

Crane Accide­nt Prevention

Avoiding crane mishaps is crucial for workplace­ safety and worker well-be­ing. Implementing practical strategie­s and following OSHA rules can significantly reduce accide­nt risk. Important for crane safety are safe­ty lights, providing extra visibility and communication to prevent pote­ntial incidents.

Here are­ effective tips and strate­gies for preventing crane­ accidents:

1. Proper Training and Certification

Prioritizing prope­r training and certification for all crane operators is a must, e­nsuring competence and safe­ty standard adherence. Thorough re­putable organization training programs should cover technical skills and emphasize safety protocols.

Regular skill e­valuations and updates are key to maintaining ope­rators' proficiency and continued guideline­ compliance. Investing in comprehe­nsive training and ongoing skill developme­nt upholds the highest operation safe­ty and proficiency standards.

2. Follow OSHA Guidelines and Re­gulations

To maintain a safe work environment, close­ly adhering to OSHA's crane safety re­gulations is crucial. This involves understanding and impleme­nting communication protocols, adhering to load limits, and conducting routine inspections pe­r OSHA standards.

Advancing safety standards at your firm is vital, and following OSHA rule­s fosters a secure workplace­. Regular audits identify risks and uphold high safety protocols. This helps achieve the ultimate goal of these protocols at workplaces: protecting the crane staff.

3. Use Safe­ty Lights

SharpEagle's lights boost job site visibility for crane cre­ws. Made for crane safety, the­se robust lights provide prime line­-of-sight, aiding operators and ground teams for flawless operations. That’s why we urge companies to invest in safety lights to raise worksite­ safety standards, prioritizing the staff’s safety at all times.

4. Practice Effective Communication

Se­amless crane operations de­pend on clear team communication. Establish channe­ls between crane­ operators and ground personnel for smoothe­r workflows. Use hand signals, radios, and devices - whate­ver aids precise information transfe­r. Prioritizing open communication bolsters safety ste­ps and boosts jobsite efficiency.

Consistently maintaining e­quipment is vital. It ensures crane­s operate both safely and e­fficiently. Regular inspections, re­pairs, and preventive ste­ps keep cranes in e­xcellent condition.

Detaile­d records of each maintenance­ activity prove compliance during site che­cks. It's crucial for further inspections and audits, as it enables your crane to perform reliably for many years.

Following pre­ventive measure­s significantly reduces crane accide­nt risks. It creates a safer workplace­ for all involved individuals. Crane safety isn't me­rely a legal require­ment. It's a moral obligation, to protect workers' we­ll-being. It prevents pote­ntial financial and legal consequence­s too.

Conclusion

Crane safe­ty lights must never be ove­rlooked. They preve­nt bad accidents and ensure you're following OSHA rules. With crane safety lights, machines on construction site­s are easier to se­e and they communicate more effectively. Everyone knows what is happe­ning, and overall communication gets better on busy work are­as. This lowers the chances of accidents.

Having crane safety lights is hardly sufficient without quality assurance. SharpEagle Safety Lights are meticulously designed to ensure optimal safety and efficiency in industrial settings. Crafted with precision and engineered for reliability, our 72W Crane Light stands as a beacon of safety, illuminating the workspace with unparalleled clarity and precision.

Constructed with a robust aluminium body, these lights are built to withstand the rigours of industrial environments, offering durability and longevity. The adjustable mounting bracket, with a flexible range of 150 degrees up and down, allows for seamless installation and precise positioning, ensuring optimal visibility from any angle.

Key Features:

Emitting a powerful 72 Watts, these lights provide ample illumination for overhead crane operations.

Each light produces an impressive 12,000 lumens, casting a bright and clear beam to effectively delineate the working area.

Equipped with 24 high-intensity LEDs, these lights deliver consistent and reliable performance. Choose between striking Blue or Red LEDs, catering to different visibility requirements and preferences.

Opt for either a Line Beam or Spot Light configuration, providing flexibility to suit specific application needs.

With a remarkable lifespan of up to 50,000 hours, these lights offer long-term reliability and peace of mind.

Rated IP67, these lights are fully waterproof, ensuring performance even in the most challenging environments.

Capable of operating in extreme temperatures ranging from -40°C to 85°C, these lights thrive in harsh conditions.

Constructed with an aluminium die-cast housing, these lights prioritize durability and resilience.

Collaborate with SharpEagle, the leading partner in safety solutions to optimize your workplace safety standards. Visit our website to explore our complete range of products or connect with our experts for a free consultation call today!

You can call us at +971-4-454-1054 or mail us at sales@sharpeagle.uk

[aloneinthehellfire]

Chapter Seven: Surviving Is Fantasy

Gates Of Hell Masterlist

Word Count: 3326 words

Warnings: swearing, violence, mentions of death, gore, blood, guns, just... it's not a particularly nice one

[A/N: guess who made it out of her writer's block to finish this chapter!!!!!! it was so therapeutic to write the last line after feeling so completely drained of creativity for days]

Surviving Is Fantasy

The first thing you notice is the cold against your face, a flat surface digging into your cheekbone.

Then it was the smell; something harsh infiltrating your nostrils, making you want to gag.

Your eyes flutter open, adjusting to the new environment. Everything was mere blurred shapes, a throbbing pain in the back of your mind. Where were you?

And then you heard it. A loud, stomach-churning noise that made you want to cry. It sounded like screams of pain. And an unsettling wet ripping noise. But when you try to locate it, you were unsuccessful.

It didn’t sound far, but it also wasn’t close. So, once you’re fully awake, you make small movements, shifting against the cold ground.

All around you was a burst of metaphorical noise. Big machines. Flashing lights. Broken screens. Scattered glass.

It takes a second for your overwhelmed senses to focus, locating your current position; The Arcade.

The next step was the questions. Why were you here? What happened? The last you remember was staring at a face, something hard striking your head… a warped picture of a car that slowly vanished. Yes. That was it. You had been knocked out and left in the dirt. So why were you here?

It was then you realised someone must have dragged you in here. Or something.

You manage to prop yourself up with your hands, feeling something heavy on your legs. You turn around before biting back a scream. Someone was led across your legs. Covered in blood.

With small movements, you try and push the body off of your legs, resisting the tears that pricked at your eyes. It was harder than it looked, trying to move someone’s entire lifeless weight away from you.

You were slow with your movements, partially from the ache in your bones as you pushed. But you managed to slip your legs out and back towards you, rubbing them to regain some feeling.

Whipping your head around, you tried to find the door, feeling completely lost in the void of a place that used to feel like safety.

Beside you, a familiar arcade game blared names onto the screen. ‘Madmax’ still held the title.

You smile a little, remembering the tug of Dustin and Max’s arms as they demanded you settle their score and watch them play. That innocence was far gone now.

Remembering each familiar step, you follow the arcade machines to where the front door was located. You were currently in the middle now, surrounded by displays of swords and gorillas. And, after looking to the ground, scattered bodies of townspeople, victims to the place they once called home.

That unsettling wave of sound hit your ears again. You slowly crane your neck towards the nauseating noises, holding your breath. It was coming from behind the machines, further in the back. You should have left. You didn’t know why you went investigating, creeping closer. You find a gap, peering through, and your heart leaps into your throat.

It was one of those things. The person turned monster. This time it was a woman, tearing apart the body of someone you didn’t want to observe too much to know. And she was covered in blackened red, darkening her clothes and matting her hair.

All of these bodies after just a day…

You slowly duck back down, ignoring the vile noises of a monster and their prey, looking towards the exit door. You needed to leave now.

Which you would do if the front door wasn’t blocked by a pile of smashed machines.

Fuck, you think, looking to the back of the arcade. Your only hope was that you could get to the back exit without being caught.

Your head was thumping as you step over bodies, trying not to make a sound. Curious, you place your hand to feel a bump on the back of your head. You wince against the pressure, bringing your palm back to face you. You were bleeding.

Two head traumas already. Nothing to worry about. Not a single worry.

The back exit was blocked like the front, a few tipped machines laying against eachother, but you could manoeuvre around it. You just had to be quiet and not make a single sou-

As soon as you placed your hand on top of the machine for support, the front panel of it popped open, pouring out a stream of quarters. You felt your entire body alight with nerves, snapping your head towards the rows of arcade games. By the time the last coin hit the ground, there was still no sign of movement. It was all silent.

Silent.

Your eyes widen.

It was too silent.

Moving fast, you find a gap between machines and force yourself through, stepping in. You didn’t care about making noise now. You just had to get to the exit before it got to you.

Pulling your other leg through, you reach for the handle in the tight space you found yourself in, straining. If you managed to get it open, you would simply fall out and run.

Something snarled and you’re suddenly being tugged back through the opening, its cold fingers digging into your leg. You let out a cry, struggling against its strength. There was no point trying to fight it off. The hand was almost between your fingertips. You were almost free.

Your fingers brush against the cool metal just as your leg is pulled back hard, the force slamming your body into the heavy metal machine.

“Fuck!” You yell, feeling yourself being dragged back into the arcade.

That small thought lingered in the back of your mind, the one that had been appearing ever since the apocalypse began. Was it even worth fighting anymore?

It was horrible to even think it let alone consider it. You had grown up with fictional worlds, characters that fought to live even in the worst circumstances. You had imagined yourself in those scenarios time and time again, surviving the monsters and returning home in victory. But you weren’t ever yourself in those daydreams. You just adapted the traits of the character you loved. They were the ones that survived. And they were simply ink spilled onto pages of fantasy.

You were real. This was real. And no amount of reading could prepare you for how tired you felt. Was giving up… was it not the harder choice than fighting? Not for you, you supposed. Not when you couldn’t remember what you were fighting for.

“We need to survive, Y/n.”

“We both have people that need us.”

That small voice was over-powered by a softer, deeper one. One that usually made your skin itch, but instead flooded your brain with reasoning. Of course Steve Harrington was suddenly your voice of conscience.

Grabbing onto a surface, you glanced back at the wide mouth blaring spit onto your shoes and you draw back your legs, kicking as hard as you can. It screeches, fingers clawing at your jeans. You kick again. And this time, it stumbles back long enough for you to pull yourself completely into the small space between fallen arcade games and the exit door.

You can hear it scrambling to its feet in rage as you lurch for the handle once again, gripping tightly and yanking it down.

It flew open then, the force of your weight against it. You tumble out of the arcade, hitting the gravel after barely catching yourself on your hands.

You push yourself off the ground and grab onto the door, slamming it shut. The monster inside roars, scratching relentlessly at the blockade separating you from it. Back against the door, you slide down until you hit the pavement, hands covering your face as you cried.

It was as if the universe was trying to pull you away from survival. You should be at the lab now with Steve, finding Hopper and all of your friends, and surviving.

Instead, you find yourself sat on the murky ground covered yet again in someone else’s blood after barely getting away from an inevitable death.

One thing was for sure; you couldn’t just sit here in filth feeling sorry for yourself.

As you stand from the ground, brushing off your jeans, you start to wonder how you got here exactly. The last thing you remembered was the car… from a distance. Why was it at a distance-

It all rushes back to you; the voice, the struggle, the shapeshifter. Someone that wasn’t you got into Steve’s car. And you were left unconscious on the ground.

That thing must have found you and dragged you here. But why wouldn’t it have just killed you when it had the chance? Maybe there was something you were missing. A piece to the puzzle that didn’t quite slot into place. No, you would have to carve it first by collecting some sort of clues or explanation. But that was a question for another time. Right now, you needed to find Steve.

Oh God. Steve.

What if that thing…

No. No, you couldn’t think like that.

Suddenly a massive burst of noise sounded from behind you, making you jump. You quickly spin around, eyes widening when you see the smoke pouring out from behind the Arcade. There was an explosion.

Rather than investigate, you implemented a much better response that you thought was appropriate; you ran.

You ran straight past Family Video, ignoring the smears of blood on the windows. You couldn’t stop and wonder how many people were left. You had a sinking feeling in your gut that there were more dead than alive.

When you hit a crossroads, you stop and look to your left, heart jumping at the sight of the police station. Maybe-

It all crumbled right in front of your very eyes.

Something sharp and black pierced through the building, causing you to stumble backwards from shock. You follow it up to the sky, breath hitching.

The giant shadow of a monster you had seen before was looming over what used to be the police station. It didn’t have eyes, nor even a face, but you knew it was looking directly at you.

And you felt paralysed.

You watched as it held out an arm… or was it a leg? Whichever, it pointed at you, something fluttering around its shape. Some kind of dust. Black dust.

Everything in you told you to run, but you couldn’t move even if you wanted to. The dust approached closer, slithering along the ground like vines. And you stared, heart jumping into your throat.

Why couldn’t anything in this town just be normal?

Steve had been driving for half an hour now, and he still hadn’t found you.

First, he had headed back to the school, but you weren’t anywhere in sight. He even searched the woods. Well, for as long as he could before he was being chased down by demodogs.

He had lost you.

Hopper was gonna kill him. Dustin was gonna kill him. At this point, he’d gladly take those beatings as punishment because he couldn’t believe he wasn’t there for you.

He was in that car, right there physically, but he wasn’t paying attention. And now you could be dead.

Blinking against the intrusive thought, he shakes his head as if to rid it completely, gripping the wheel tighter. Steve would’ve given up a long time ago if he thought that was true.

Now he was heading into the town centre, wondering if you had somehow ended up there. Realistically, he knew you’d want to avoid it, you were smarter than that. But there were so many other variables that could have been involved.

Checking the dial on his dashboard he takes a deep breath. He was running low on gas; if he didn’t find you soon, there’d be no safe way to get to the lab in time.

Something shifts in the passenger seat as he turns a corner and he glances over, your shotgun resting dangerously close to the edge. He really didn’t want any accidents. Making sure he was on a straight road, he leans over and re-adjusts it. It was a split second he had his eyes off the road and when he returned them, his heart leaps.

He slams down on the brakes, swerving to miss the figure that had ran out of the woods into the middle of the road.

“Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit.” He murmurs over and over again, gritting his teeth as he barely reclaims control of his car.

At a complete stop, his eyes flicker to his mirror, heart beating rapidly at the figure stood in the middle of the road. Was it another one of those things? The mutant monsters? Shapeshifter?

He reaches over and grabs the shotgun, taking a deep breath. He had been spotted now. He had to take care of it. Right?

The first step out of his car made his leg feel like jelly, forcing himself to stand strong. Aiming the gun, he keeps his driver’s door open in case he needs a getaway plan.

He creeps closer, noticing the figure had wrapped their hands around their torso. From behind, it looked like a girl. Short scraggly hair, dirty clothes. It was going to be another monster, he could feel it. But there was something so wrong about shooting them in the back. It was once a person, after all.

“Hey!” He shouts, surprised his voice didn’t crack from the nerves.

The shoulders jump up and he stops moving closer. The person starts to turn around and Steve cocks the gun.

“Wait! No!”

He stops, squinting his eyes. The girl had fully turned to face him now, eyes wide with her hands held in the air. His mind flashes back to the shapeshifter, stood there, begging for its life. Begging for your life. How did he know this girl was real?

“Please, I was just trying to find my way out, my-my friend’s car broke down and then… there were- there were so many of these dog things, god, I don’t even know, I just ran-”

“How do I know you’re real?” He asks, stopping her ramble and she scrunches her brows.

“What?”

“Are you a shapeshifter?” He narrows his eyes, moving the shotgun ever so slightly to make his point.

Her shoulders drop with a complete look of disbelief on her face. “There’s shapeshifters now?!”

Steve frowns. That wasn’t the reaction he was expecting.

“Fucking hell.” She breathes, hands on her hips. “First, the town goes to total shit when I’m in the middle of an interview- a job I desperately needed by the way- then when I finally find someone I know, they decide ‘hey, let’s see what these weird creatures are’ and boom! He’s dead. The car won’t start anymore and these things have no face! No fucking face! But wait. Yes they do. They’re just hidden by the most disgusting layer of skin imaginable and so I’m running, sprinting – I am terrible at sport, I never took track seriously! Do I look like I took track seriously?!”

“Uh…” Steve blinks, slowly lowering the shotgun. “No?”

“No!” She exclaims, flailing her arms in despair. “Of course I don’t. I’m small and clumsy, it took me so freaking long to even learn how to walk as a kid, I’m surprised I ever got the hang of it. And- and just when I thought I was safe, I was almost hit by a car! Your car!”

She stares at him, blinking before groaning.

“God, I almost got run over by King Steve!” She hides her face behind her hands and lets out a louder groan, dragging her fingers down her face. “This has been the worst day in the history of days, like, ever.”

Steve takes one last look and lowers the shotgun completely, slinging it over his shoulder.

“How, uh… how do you know who I am?” He questions and the girl raises her head, squinting.

“We go to the same high school.” She says, but Steve has no recollection. “We’re literally in the same three classes together.”

“Oh, right.” Steve nods. “Yeah, totally.”

“You have no idea who I am.” She says and Steve can’t hide it.

“I’m sorry.” He sighs and the girl looks surprised. “I… I was a complete asshole in high school. I really only remember the same, like, five people. I never bothered talking to anyone else. Really, I am sorry.”

She ponders this, studying him curiously, like she was trying to assess if this was a joke. But Steve was sincere, and he hoped she saw that.

“I’m Robin.” She finally says, smiling awkwardly, “Robin Buckley.”

“Steve Harrington.” He offers back, despite her already knowing. She seems grateful for it though. “I’m trying to find my friend. I don’t know if you would have seen her at all, she’s-”

“I haven’t seen anyone.” Robin interrupts, stepping forward. “I don’t even know where my parents are, I… I just stayed in this building for the first night and when I finally left, I only saw one other person. But he’s…”

She stares back at the ground, thinning her lips.

“If your friend is out there…” She gazes back at the thick expanse of trees that led towards the town centre. “I’m sorry, but I barely made it out of there alive.”

Steve’s internal monologue is battling for selfish reasons. He needed to find you, but he couldn’t leave this girl out here alone. Maybe it would be better for him to have someone next to him. But at the same time, she could just hold him back.

“Look, I’m not giving up on her, okay?” He clears his throat, nodding. “I’m going back to find her. And you can join me if you want. It might be safer for you. But I’m not leaving Hawkins.”

Robin peers at Steve quizzically.

“Is she your girlfriend?” She asks as she walks towards him. She doesn’t stop beside him, however, and continues to the car, a wordless agreement to his terms.

“No.” Steve answered with a grimace. “God, no.”

Just as she stood by the passenger door, she sends him a look and scoffs.

“Yeah, okay.” She says as she slips inside the car and leaves Steve stood there.

“What is happening?” He mutters under his breath, heading back to his seat and slamming the door shut.

“So if she’s not your girlfriend, why are you so adamant on finding her?” Robin continues to ask as she fiddles with the glove box, making Steve reach over and snap it shut as she raises her hands in surrender.

“Because…” He begins before frowning. “Because I promised.”

“Hm.” She nods, settling back into the seat. “So you two are close?”

“Nope.” He sighs, starting the ignition.

“You have a crush on her?”

“Do you ever stop talking?” Steve groans as he drives, immediately irritated by this stranger he let into his car.

“Then why would-”

“Jesus Christ.” He mumbles and Robin looks at him.

“Oh, yeah.” She purses her lips. “I can see why she isn’t your girlfriend.”

He side-eyes her with furrowed brows. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.”

Steve rolls his eyes. This was going to be a long car ride.

Black particles surrounded you like a sand storm. It made your head dizzy, eyes fluttering. What was happening?

Then, suddenly, a face. Hollowed eyes, scorched skin.

You saw something. Your town, fire, a new world. Every flicker of image made your skin burn, tears rolling down your cheeks, dripping from your chin. Monsters, blood, death. Things only a nightmare could imagine.

Then it’s all gone, fading from view, and you’re stood in the middle of the road with tears streaming down your face.

Everything was jumbled in your senses, unsure of if you should peel your eyes open or simply be.

You shiver, slowly opening your eyes and taking in a shaky breath.

Chapter Eight: Never Be Distracted ->

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[coffeedrawingandwriting]

Returning the Favor (Moth!Reaper Sans x Reader)

Never walk in the forest alone, was often the warning.

Perhaps so, with the recent release of monsters terrific and horrifying from Mt, Ebott, intelligent yet as wild as the deep legends of the world.

Curiosity isn’t often the issue, but acting upon it? Well, at least you satisfied its siren call.

Warnings: creepy elements, captivity, hypnotism, monsters are sort of like fae in this world, illusions

—————————

"Heh... a graveyard was the last place I expected to see someone to make my heart flutter that wasn't a ghost..."

You should've run at those enchanting words.

But how could you resist your terribly curious mind?

Those alluring black and silver shimmering scales leading through the forest, down the hill, into the deep forest of Mt. Ebott.

Your feet tracked the path with caution, stepping onto mossy ground through craggy trees that threatened to claw at your clothes, seeking and tangling your hair in hanging moss. To your surprise, you found more glittering scales, flimsy and dissolving to the touch when you found them caught among sticky thread...

Glowing neon blue thread.

It positively lit up the area, how anyone coculd not see it, you didn't know... but you pressed on despite the terrible pit of fear beginning to well in your chest.

Faintly, warnings of monsters came to your mind, but you were too far to give up.. and a glance behind showed the way back was hidden by tall spruce and old oak, forbidding as they leered against a stormy sky.

Spiderwebs caught in your hands as you finally stumbled onto withered grass, an open area...

The old Ebott graveyard, long abandoned, but with a legible path back to town and relative safety and light.

Light...

It was dark here, wasn't it. Odd. The sky was relatively clear, yet a sense of gloom and immense loneliness hug over this place of cracked stone, as you stepped forward.

Old withered stems of a gate gave way easily as you stepped into the cemetery.

Patchy grass greeted your eyes, old moss covered gravestones still standing tall and proud. Several even had crumpled or somewhat fresh flowers. Were old relatives of some bygone buried here, remembered only by their grandchildren or great grandchildren?

When would they be forgotten? Or where they already and the flowers were just a goodbye?

You shook your head, trying to dissipate your thoughts.

It never did well to go down that path.

More blue thread caught your eye.

You followed.

The path led you to the back of the cemetery, and as you bend down to glance at the path of scales, something moved... a deep groaning noise.

You froze.

What was that?

Curiosity rose in your mind, yet fear and trepidation gave you pause, analyzing the situation. The gate was still open for an easy escape, you still had service (by some miracle, and you had your trusty fists!

That, and that groan sounded way too close to human for you to ignore it.

Peeking over a gravestone, a giant lump of a shadow stood out among dead bushes. Your ginger approach didn’t alert it, as heavy breathing came from it, the lump twitching.

What caught you off guard was that while it was covered in that alluring blue thread, the shadow seemed to suck up the light, preventing the glow.

You stepped closer.

Its twitching stopped, breath faltering.

It shifted, rolling over, or at least, craning its head to look at you.

A black eye socket met yours, framed by a pristine white skull.

You screeched and stumbled back, tripping and landing on the dirt as it shrank back, two long antenna flicking back from where they had been raised, like semi ears.

It made a face of displeasure, eye sockets crinkled in annoyance.

You caught yourself, stopping even as the breath was forced out of you by your fall.

A silent standoff started, your eyes locked with its. If you could call those black eye sockets eyes. Not a speck of light within, pitch black.

A lengthy silence occurred, before it huffed, turning back over, having apparently deemed you as not a threat.

You stood, brushing yourself off as yiu approached a little, curious.

Your attention had been solely on its face, but now you could notice new things- the shadow wrapped around the body of this creature were wings- moth wings.

Dusty grey and black like blackened dead leaves in the height of winter, speckled with white in some parts. Lower wings were exposed, pale yellow with black striping. Where the shoulder blades would be on the creature was a soft rise like the thorax of a moth, fuzzy grey with a pale cream skull.

A death head moth.

Was this thing a moth man? You didn’t think moth men had skeleton heads, or distinctly human ones like that. Or if there was more than one moth man.

Scales were missing from the wings, making the edges ragged and the main parts shabby.

The thread you noticed before was wrapped cruelly around the creature, purposely, but it was clear if it had been dragged here or not.

Looking at the ground, there was a deep stain to to earth.

What could’ve caught this creature? The thing was at least a foot taller than you were tall.

You cautiously stepped around to face its front, its antenna, thin black things, vibrating as it picked up on the thrumming of your heart.

The bone looked almost fuzzy, and parts of it was ruffled as if dragged mercilessly, scrapes and dents to the delicate bone. Its front was delicate rib cage, with not one pair, but two pairs of arms ending in blackened claws. Its lower part was clad in stained black cloth, wrapped like a kilt with a twine belt.

But once again, black, emotionless eye sockets catch yours, eyeing with you in curiosity. The corners crinkle like living flesh, the bone seeming malleable like skin. In fact, none of the usually daunting angles or planes of a human skull were apparent. Round and smooth, pristine white, no sign of aging, no hint of bereaved flesh or blood.

Its mouth curved up into a dry smile.

"Well, hello, doll."

...

Two thoughts struck your mind.

One, that this giant creature, probably some ancient monster or fae, released from Mt. Ebott, could talk.

The second thought was that of all the things it could've said, it called you a doll.

"I... beg your pardon?" You asked politely.

"Pardon given," it replied in a deep baritone, that totally didn't send a shiver up your spine.

There was a bit of silence, as you tried to wrap your mind around this crazy set of circumstance.

"It's usually polite to introduce one's self," it rumbled, crooking an bone brow as if raising an eyebrow. The versatility of expression astonished you.

"Oh, I'm... wait, how do I know you're not a fae? You could try to steal my name!"

The creature snorted in amusement.

"Doll, would a fae be this handsome?" It smirked.

"... you're not proving anything."

"Huh, tough crowd." It considered for a moment. "Well, I'm a monster, born and bred, even if I've been alive for longer than your short years. My name is Reaper, doll."

Reaper... obviously male from his voice as well. Made sense he was called that, as you caught another glance of the skull marking on his back.

"Are you a mothman?"

He looked almost offended. "Of course not. Those aren't real, but I am. You're more welcome to get a feel to see for yourself." He smiled, fangs revealed as he did.

"I'll pass," you shied away slightly. Another moment of consideration. "I'm Y/N."

"Y/N...." He tested the sound of your name. "A good name, doll."

He moved slightly, his limbs straining against the blue thread. He looked uncomfortable for a moment, his brow furrowing in... fear?

"What happened?" Your question seemed to draw him back to you.

"Oh, this? Just a little tussle with... well, it doesn't matter who with. Only that he's annoying and a killjoy. I was simply approaching him for simple talk and he got offended, so now I'm here... he'll be back soon to finish the job, I'm sure."

You stared at Reaper.

"There's another one of you out here?"

"Oh no, I would never allow that. He's an arachnid. A spider."

You swallowed, throat suddenly dry from fear.

"And... by finish the job?"

"Monsters also prey on monsters, doll. Some of us have developed the morality to stay away from such morbid thoughts, but most... rather keep to how it's always been."

"And prey on humans," you scowled slightly.

"If we do, it's never completely intentionally. Believe me, I much prefer fruit to human, but you do seem like a snack." He winked.

You couldn't resist a slight blush. You weren't sure how to react to any of his flirting, which you assumed it was.

Why would a giant moth monster flirt with you anyway?

Yet, a more pressing matter was at hand. He seemed likeable enough, and you didn't enjoy the thought of him being eaten. So bending down, you gently tested the thread that Reaper was tangled in, wrapped in, you realized.

"Doll, if I couldn't break through it, then you can't," he pointed out. He strained against the webbing to show you.

"What about a knife?" Your pocket knife was safely stashed in a pocket and you began to cut the string, the iron making the thread almost wither. Pausing, you give Reaper a look.

"Iron affects monsters just as much as fae. A single stab of a good iron knife and it turns us into dust if our HP is low enough."

You didn't bother to ask what HP was. Probably not the computer company anyways.

A fifth string broke, and suddenly Reaper sprang up, stretching and flaring his wings, giant things that suddenly wrapped around the two of you, surrounding in a messy cloud of dust and wing scales, his skull nearly touching your head, as his eyes, still devoid of any light, peered into yours.

Antenna unfurled to gently touch your forehead, cheeks, nose, and lips, testing, flitting like gentle paint strokes.

"Why, doll? Monsters and humans don't get along," he rumbled, still not backing away even as you stiffened at his proximity. His hands, all four of them, trailed up to gently rest on your arms, a curiosity to them as he compared how different the two of you were. Four arms, two arms, black eye sockets, your living eyes of color, fuzzy bone, dry skin.

"I don't think anyone deserves to be eaten," you confess nervously.

He laughed, a warm sound.

"Well then, allow me to return the favor by taking back to more... human occupied space."

Your shoulders sag in relief. “Thank you.”

”Don’t thank me yet, doll.” He stepped back and straightened to his full height. You were wrong, he wasn’t a foot, he was probably two feet taller than you, towering over you as he offered a lower arm for you to grip onto, a wing curled around you.

You took it gingerly, following him down the road leading from the graveyard to the city.

”… you seem oddly honorable,” the words slipped out before you could fetter them.

He didn’t seem offended, only chuckling.

“Call it returning the favor,” he replied in a deep murmur, sending another shiver down your spine, heart beating fast as a hand clasps on top of yours.

It felt oddly protective, yet you couldn’t deny the strange sense of comfort you felt with him as he guided you through withered trees and dry grass, till lower slopes turned to more pleasant greenery.

”What were you doing up there anyway?” He asked suddenly.

“Oh, uh… I was hiking when I saw the scales and thread… and I decided to see what it was.”

His smile contorted into one of amusement and slight mock, as he laughed.

“You are a curious one…but… I will say… heh... a graveyard was the last place I expected to see someone to make my heart flutter that wasn't a ghost..."

You almost tripped over your feet. You sputtered for a moment, blushing as he easily caught you, helping you up as he chuckled.

“Easy there doll, you’ll flatter me by falling at my feet.”

“I am not falling at your feet!” You protested.

He only chuckled, but you noticed his hand tightened on yours.

You didn’t comment, but something suddenly seemed off.

The sky was still grey, like at the graveyard, and the green seemed… flat, lacking in life. You looked at your feet.

Moving on gravel road… but there was no sound. No crunch of gravel.

Rather, it sounded like you were stepping on dead leaves and bare dirt.

Your eyes snapped to his face.

“Heh. I told you not to thank me yet.”

Panic bloomed inside as you tried to rip your hand away, but he held tight.

”Believe me, doll, you don’t want to go home. The monster who captured me won’t be happy that you helped me. Again, I’m returning the favor. A life for a life.”

“Let go of me!!” You gasped, struggling against the much stronger monster.

He frowned, moving to grab your body with his other hands, eye sockets lacking any mirth or kindness you had tricked yourself into seeing.

You broke free, rubbing down the slope, as the world shimmered.

You didn’t know where you were.

A large ravine, almost canyon like with multiple outlets and dark corners, taunting you as you ran heedlessly.

“Come now, doll, you can’t get that far,” Reaper called from behind.

A terrified whimper left you, feet pounding the earth, cutting through grass or golden flowers.

You tripped over a branch, landing a few feet from a giant crater.

The entrance to the monster world, as you were taught in school, that no one was permitted to enter. An old fence surrounded the pit, slats missing and posts collapsed.

The rustle of dead leaves startled yiu from your sudden realization as you turned, scrabbling on the ground.

And stilled.

A myriad of color, soft silver and gold merged in a swirl of unfathomable pattern, luring you to peace as you stared with wide eyes. Something brushed your temples, like moth antenna, a soft brush to your lips complementing a feeling of dazed thoughts.

Your eyelids sank, eyes reflecting the colors as your soul fought briefly before succumbing.

Rise.

You stood, not seeing as arms scooped you up, pressed against a firm chest as a chuckle echoed through your skull, something firm yet soft pressed to your head, then your cheek, and your other cheek.

I’ll take care of you, doll.

A falling sensation as the world went black, carried away by a reaper of the forest.

An arachnid stepped out from the shadow of the forest. His mismatched eye lights regarded the pit, knowing that that human would never again exit.

”I warned you that you would fall as well, Reaper,” he near grumbled. Yet a satisfied smile touched his own blackened skull as he skittered off to an abandoned cabin, to tend to his own human. Despite losing a meal and the chance to deal with a meddler, he knew Reaper would not again bother him due to such things as morality of… relocating humans to safer environments, often to his own nest.

In this world, humans often disappeared, most now associated with monster incidents. It was no longer human vs human, but human against a new predator in the food chain.

The only error was oft the reason most assumed monsters would take humans. Monsters were not often empathetic, but most craved the looseness of feeling a human was so willing to give…

And besides…

What was one human to billions?

——————

Hope you enjoyed the story and our little surprise guest!

Thank you for reading!

[the-antiapocalyptic-man]

All-Star Green Lantern:

Runaway Jesa Cruz finds a glowing lantern and an unconscious person with pointed ears and red-pink skin on an active train track. Attempting to get the alien to safety, Jesa is too late as the locomotive barrels towards them…and is completely wrecked against a wall of solid green light. Growing up fascinated by stories of space--especially the lost crew of the USS Sentinel (Jordan, Stewart, Gardner, Ferris, and Rayner)--Jesa had always looked to the stars...they just never expected the stars to find them first.

Thaal is a Korugaran stranded on Earth after the death of his partner Abin, he befriends Jessica Cruz only to discover she’s runaway with a dark secret of her own. He gives Abin's ring to Jesa to protect herself. The Lantern used to power their rings is an incubator for an infant Oan, Aya.

Pursuing Jesa is the Cult of Blood, led by the charismatic sociopath Sebastian Sanger. He and his followers worship Atros, the Spirit of the Blood Lantern. While the Lantern has transformed others with its power--Bernie the Animal Boy, Johnny Rankorr, and The Great Red Beast Sorov--others await its blessing, Sebastian among them, and believe Jesa's sacrifice will curry its favor.

In Sebastian's employ are the Manhunters, a group of assassins hired to track Jesa. The team sent after Jesa includes The Tattooed Man, Sonar, Deathstroke The Ravager, though their mother organization is a much larger league of mercenaries and assassins.

Finally, there's Prof. Jack Crane: an former academic who inserted a “Fear-Entity” into his body via self-administered surgery. Moving independent of Sanger and the Manhunters to capture Jesa and Thaal, Crane may prove to be the most dangerous of all...

[feverinfeveroutfic]

flowers for alexander | chapter twenty-eight

The words haunted Florence as they sailed all the way up along the spine of California: the volcanic mountains that surrounded the alpine valleys below seemed to tower around the ships as they trekked towards the gateway to Yosemite as well as Mono Lake. A shiver ran up her spine as everything seemed to grow colder beyond the ship. Though she was cuddled up next to Eric in the safety of their bunk, she kept on thinking about Alex. She kept on thinking about what she could do for him to fully open up everything to give forth the fruit of his truth.

Behind that cool, logistical demeanor was a boy with a broken heart. A distant memory and one that also seemed so close and so familiar still even in that moment. If only she could have looked past her own obsessions with the mechanical and nuclear worlds, then she could possibly give to him what he so wanted. He could probably give to her what she wanted as well.

Florence lay still as Eric ran his hand down the curvature of her hip. Though she could have her marriage intact, and she could live and let live with him as well as their new daughter on the way, she still wanted to know what lay behind Alex’s piercing blue eyes. She thought about the spice cake that she had bought for him, and she hoped that he wouldn’t eat the whole thing while they were sailing along the vast escarpment of the mountains towards the next vast array of valley and June Lake.

At some point, she dozed off with Eric’s arms wrapped around her, and she awoke all to crane her neck for a look out the window. She beheld the sight of the pastures down below as well as Twin Lakes, and she knew that they had just cleared Bridgeport and that big hill that led up to it. Eric was sound asleep, but she still had to be careful not to jar him awake lest she have to explain what was going on right there. She was going to have to tell him about Alex’s note at some point, but she had to confront him there in the safety of his bunk.

Florence slithered out from the grip of his chubby hands, to which he followed it up with a roll over onto his back towards the window. She examined his chubby body and the way that he rested his hand upon his chest, as well as long and lanky legs, and she showed him a smile. He would do anything for her, especially save her from the pain of the steam in the ground, and she knew that he would take it all to heart.

She hoped that Eric and Alex would find their closure as well, and soon enough to boot. She carefully opened the door and stepped out to the quiet, dimly lit hallway. There was a light softly filtering out from Alex’s room across the floor, and she fetched up a sigh to steady herself and calm herself down. Florence padded closer to his door, and she knocked on the panel.

“Alex?”

“It’s open,” he called out in a low voice.

She opened the door, to which she saw Alex there on his bed with a book plunked open on his lap. He had taken off his shirt and let his inky black curls sprawl over his shoulders onto his chest. He lifted his gaze to her there, and he raised his eyebrows at the sight of her there before him. Florence pressed her hands against her belly as if to hide her baby from him; they slept with each other, and thus, once she did it, it seemed particularly pointless to do it.

“Hey,” she greeted him, and his face fell at the sight of her.

“Hey…” His full voice was gentle but distant. “I’m guessing you got my note.”

“I had no idea you feel this way,” she confessed. “Like, this is heavy to even think about on my own terms.”

“You have no idea,” he told her in a near whisper.

She took her spot right next to him there on the edge of the bed.

“I wish you didn’t feel this way,” was all she could muster right then.

“I wish I wasn’t lonely, either,” he confessed to her. “I wish I could just… just be, you know?”

“Yes…” she assured him, and she rested her hand on his knee. He held still as she slid her hand up his thigh. She reached his crotch and the inside of his thighs when he grimaced and lingered back away from her. She could tell that it was difficult given the headboard behind him, but she wanted to touch him regardless of anything.

“What the hell are you doing?” he demanded.

“I have to make this right,” she told him as she lay her left hand on his other thigh.

“On Eric? No!” He rolled over onto his side as if to get away from her, but Florence climbed upon him to hold him down. She rested her hands on his chest, and she ran her fingers down his skin.

“You go and sleep with Eric after this,” she advised him.

“Florence… Florence, two wrongs don’t make a right.” He shook his head and tried to writhe out from under her grip, but she had a firm hold on him. She held onto him like a mother holding onto her baby.

“You feel the desire for him just as he feels it with me and I feel it with you,” she pointed out. “The three of us need sex with each other before mine and Eric’s baby comes. It’s the only way the three of us can achieve closure—”

“No—no! No, dammit! I can’t! I won’t!”

She held onto either side of his face to look right into his eyes.

“You already fucked me in the woods, you silly boy,” she pointed out to him.

“Yeah, but…” His voice trailed off, and then he locked eyes with her.

“But what?” she asked him in a light little voice. He swallowed, and he showed her the tip of his tongue. His eyes were big and wide; she then ran her finger down the side of his neck and onto his chest. “But what?”

“I—” he sputtered out, and he could hardly talk all the while.

Florence dropped her lips down to his for a tender kiss. He shifted his weight underneath her; she could feel him opening his legs as if he was welcoming her into him. She lifted her head for a look into his eyes and the spacey look to them. He parted his cherry lips to which he treated her to a light gasp.

Her belly holding Eric’s baby aside, she lowered herself onto his body to feel him.

He was warm and soft, and his spindly hands crawled over the middle of her back to keep her close to him. His fingertips glided over her spine towards the arch of her back as if he was about to undo her bra for her. But the joke was on him in that she only wore her camisole and her pants: he lifted the hem of her top, and she knew it was to better feel her skin. She never realized the utter passion that ran through him before then, and she wondered if her being pregnant only added to it. She knew that he couldn’t have her, and yet that made him want her more.

Alex moved his mouth away from her own and he let his tongue lap out from his lips like that of a dog. Florence let her hands slither up behind the back of his head, and her fingers found their way through the roots, right up against his scalp.

“Let me… let me…”

“No, I can’t,” he blathered. “You’re with Eric. You’re pregnant with his kid. I can’t.”

“What about this?” Florence opened her lips all the way and slithered her tongue into his mouth. She could feel a little bit of extra saliva on his bottom lip, and she had no idea if it came from her or him. She moved her head back a bit for another look into his eyes.

“Oh, man,” he groaned out, but then he shook his head again. “I can’t. Even if I still…” He pursed his lips together as if to hold back a secret from her.

“Still what?” she sweetly asked him.

“…still feel the need to—”

“To what?”

“—to taste you,” he stammered out, and he gazed off to the side at that. Florence moved a piece of hair out from his forehead, and she stroked his soft skin. She eyed the roots of the gray streak, the tiny light plume on the right side of his head about the size of a quarter.

“To taste me?” she echoed him.

“I still want to know how you taste,” he continued, and his voice was in that low, silky tone, the tone he used whenever she knew he was turned on. He never moved his head back for a direct look at her but he did look at her from the corner of his eye. “The feeling that you give me… the feeling that you have always given me… and yet…”

Florence finally let go of his head and his chest so he could sit up and breathe.

“And yet, the way that we broke up will always haunt me,” he continued. “I remember you saying that you were in love with my mind, but it felt like you didn’t really mean it, though.”

“What makes you think that?” She knitted her eyebrows at that.

“You’re the… hands-on one and I’m the brainiac,” he said with a gesture to her. “It’s apples to oranges with us, and I’ll never forget you saying that, either.”

“I don’t remember saying that,” she confessed with a shake of her head. Alex stared back at her with a wounded look on his face.

“Florence, I remember you distinctly saying, ‘Alex, I love you but I can’t do this with you.’”

She tilted her head to the side at the sound of that.

“You don’t remember?” he demanded. “It’s practically engraved on me. ‘I love you but I can’t do this.’ You said that to me as you were wielding a wrench and fixing a hydraulic valve.”

“Wow, I… don’t even remember that,” she admitted with a shake of her head.

“Of course you don’t,” he scoffed. “You split up with me and went off with Eric, wing bang boom. Wham bam thank you, ma’am.” He folded his arms over his chest and turned his head away from her; Florence could see the look of pain on his face. She then held back away from him to give him space, and he rubbed his eye with the base of his palm.

“I’m… so sorry, Alex,” she told him.

He shook his head at that and sank down in the bed. He turned his head towards the pillow, and she sighed through her nose. Florence climbed off the edge of the bed and walked on back to the door. She stepped out to the hallway, only to find Francine there before her with a book in one hand.

“Frankie,” she remarked.

“Flo! What’re you doing here?”

“I was just… going in there to talk to him about… something,” Florence said in a low voice, and she squirmed at the sound of her own words.

“I was just returning a book to Alex,” Francine answered, and all the while, she had the look on her face as if she didn’t know what to think or do right then.

“Frankie… what did you do with Alex last night?” Florence asked her in a near whisper because she knew that either Alex or Eric could be overhearing them.

“I saw him in front of your door and I walked up to him and talked to him. He just wanted someone to unload on. Someone that wasn’t you or Eric.”

Florence paused for a second.

“He talked to you about… what exactly?” she asked her.

“We just chatted,” Francine continued with a shrug of her shoulders. “He told me about reading into Miles Davis and wanting to watch a show from him during his electric era. I told him about books I was reading and wanting to read. He told me about growing up in the Bay Area, like his being the only Jewish boy for miles around and his having parents who are both teachers.”

“He told you the same things he told me when we first met, basically,” Florence said.

“But I don’t really feel the same thing that you feel with him, though,” Francine continued on. “I mean, I can admit that he is a very good-looking guy. If anything, he’s one of the better looking guys I’ve seen. If anything, I’m more inclined to say that he’s one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen.”

Florence raised her eyebrows at that.

“Really?” she asked her in a hushed voice.

“Yeah.”

“Did you actually say that to him?” Florence asked her as her heart skipped a few beats.

“No I couldn’t,” Francine admitted with a shake of her head. “There was no way that I could confess something like that to him.”

“Did you show him the ring?” Florence added.

“Kept it in my pocket,” she confessed. “That’s another thing that I could literally never show to him, especially when we know where it came from as well.” Francine ran her fingers through her hair and turned her attention to the door behind Florence: Alex was in there, alone. Florence then gazed past her to the compartment door across the hall, and she knew Eric, while still asleep, was waiting for her. She hoped that they would land soon just so she could feel the cool mountain air on her face again.

“He really is a beautiful boy,” Francine whispered the words so softly, that Florence believed that she had breathed it.

“Who, Alex?”

“Yeah. Someone as beautiful as him has gotta have a great deal of angst within him to show it on his face and body.”

“I guess you could say that with Eric, too,” Florence pointed out, to which Francine cracked her a smile.

“Always, of course,” she replied, and she flashed her a wink. “Go see him. He’s probably waiting for you.”

Florence sighed through her nose and walked on to the compartment door. Even as she climbed into the bed next to him, she still thought about Alex, and she wondered how Francine would fare with him, at least until they landed again.

[haruhey]

so i wrote again and

Not for a second does he doubt the state of your relationship. Not when he wraps his arms around you and you tell him he feels like safety - not when he feels the same in yours - but Daryl knows you. He knows the way you sulk away when you’re hurt, licking away at your wounds so you don’t bother the others.

He’d done the same and you’d torn him apart for it, whispering insincere ‘idiot’s to conceal the worry that had sprouted from the blood tracked down from the prison’s entrance. You weren’t sure what you’d expected at the end of the line, but it wasn’t the pale blue of his door, nor was it him, his neck craned over a gash on his forearm, a flashlight in his mouth and a needle between his fingers. You stormed up to him then, grabbing from his inexperienced hand - though, at the time, your skills weren’t really much better than his - and he’d never had someone who cared so fiercely yet so gently for him before.

It upended something in him, that night. Something held so far down that he’d been blindsided with its intensity when you left. Underneath blinking stars and the unforgivingly bright LED light, he looked at you. He really, truly looked at you, and he’d never felt something so strong. It was a pull that made him just sit, your touch still lingering on his skin long after you had tied the last stitch off, and he stared at the Daisy Duck bandaid you’d stuck on him until the sun came up.

He was stupid then, though, too many unfamiliar feelings and a smattering of shitty Dixon genetics making him pull away and hide, but he couldn’t escape you. You snuck into his dreams at night - ran circles in his mind in the day - and you were so fucking nice to him and just so perfect to him that that feeling just wouldn’t go away.

[rexxdjarin]

Captain's Log: Chapter 11

Advocate

Series Summary: The galaxy is in turmoil. The Republic has fallen, giving rise to the sinister reign of the totalitarian Empire, led by the insidious Emperor Palpatine. The millions of valiant clone troopers of the former Grand Army of the Republic are now blindly sworn, against their will, to protect a regime they once sought to destroy. After being saved from a terrible fate by his former-Jedi ally and close friend, Ahsoka Tano, seasoned veteran CT-7567 Clone Captain Rex remains loyal to the pillars of Democracy, freedom and truth that shaped the former Galactic Republic. We follow him now struggling to deal with the personal aftereffects of survival and finding his place in the galaxy alongside the only person he has left. You. The love of his life.

[previous] [next] part of Captain's Log series post on ao3

Pairing: Captain Rex x Fem!Reader (she/her pronouns used) Word Count: 9.1k Series Rating: Explicit (18+ only, Minors DO NOT INTERACT) Chapter Summary: A little rest and recoup is all they've ever asked for. But when the time to act calls upon us, the best of us choose to answer. What would you choose? Chapter Warnings: P in V sex! (return of the hoes [affectionate]), slight brat taming if you squint, Fingering, Cunnilingus, Pregnancy Mentions, Mature Themes, Language, Political References, References to Canon Plot, References to Canon Deaths

“Mesh’la?”

An expectant whisper filters into the echoes of a dream I’m slowly leaving, the imagined landscape disappearing into a fade-out of blackness.

“Mesh’la?”

I exhaled slowly, my eyes lifting groggily in their exhaustion to the sight of the soft gray light of dawn filtering into our room. We must’ve landed. I don’t remember this room even having windows.

“Mesh’la, you awake?” He whispered urgently, his voice soft and thick with sleep. I hummed grumpily, fighting to keep my eyes open.

“Am now.” I grumbled, craning my neck to search for another comfortable spot I could dig into to slip back into sleep. He laughed quietly, my grouchy quip apparently endearing to him. I turned my face to glance at him. I could just make out the golden flecks in his brown eyes, staring at me. He had inched as close to me as his broad shoulders could bring him.

“Can’t sleep.” He grinned sheepishly, the tiredness prevalent on his handsome face. The kind he hadn’t felt since his very last real mission with his men.

“So you had to wake me up to join you?” I teased, pulling our blankets up to my face and hiding myself from him behind it.

“I think I just needed to hear your voice. Talk to me. Tell me anything.” He asked, his voice quieting with such a soft request, finding the courage within him to ask for help. He was working on that. He rolled over, resting his head right next to mine and nuzzling into my neck. “My mesh’la.”

I slowly rolled over to face him, curling an arm around his back and dragging my nails along the buzzed hair at the nape of his neck. “Rex. My sun, moon and stars...” I started, muttering the words of comfort into his ear. “You’re so loved. Admired. You’re my safety. Our little family will be together soon. And we can hold our ad’ika between us every night.”

“Gonna be hard to get me to sleep with a reality like that, my love.” He whispered, a soft hum of satisfaction filling the room. His arms curled around my waist, enveloping my whole body in a shroud of tan skin and taut muscles. He’d taken his armor off and left it in the corner of the room beside the helmets of our other two companions. They’d probably long since left the room to tend to the ship, check on our position and give us all some time to ourselves.

It would be our reality soon. Whether we were prepared for it or not. Maybe we should’ve been more cautious or spent less time all over each other. But with the way the galaxy was going, who could blame us for indulging in the one thing no one could ever take from us?

I did want this more than anything. For Rex and I both. A new life. We could take Gregor and Wolffe and hide out somewhere in the Outer Rim. Quiet and safe. Raise our little one between the four of us. There were no better role models than the three men I’d found myself living beside. There were no better men than the clones to fulfill a Father’s role. And certainly no better man than Rex to actually be my child’s Father.

It was wildly unplanned and it was going to be stressful. But for the first time in months, we were happy. Truly happy in a way the Empire couldn’t violate or destroy. The little one within me was our hope growing stronger everyday.

“How are you feeling…about everything?” I asked, resting my lips on his forehead and running my fingertips further down the faded scars on his neck from all those rotations ago. “Are you worried?”

He pulled his face back to look up at me, bright eyes under thick dark lashes. “No, not worried, mesh’la, never worried. Surprised, yes. But not worried. We’ll adapt and figure out what we need. You know I’m good at that.”

“I’m glad one of us is calm.” I sighed, my breathing shaky and uneven. “I’m...nervous.” I admitted, “it’s going to be different. I’m going to look different.”

“Yeah, so? You’re going to become even more fierce and feisty to protect the little one. You have no idea how sexy you are to me when you’re like that…” He chuckled deep down in his chest, “…your little scowl. Girls at 79s were so scared of you. Some of the boys too. Course that was because if they got within 3 feet of you I’d put them on garbage duty.”

I hugged him closer, “I didn’t need you to protect me then. Not like I do now.” I thought back to that cell. Cold. Not just physically, but emotionally too. Like there was no way anything could ever be happy again. It closed in around me the longer I sat there, wondering what was going to happen to me. “I’ve never had to be afraid like this before.”

Rex sighed and leaned forward to rest his forehead on mine. “None of us have.” His fingers curled in the hair behind my ears as he kissed me softly. “Things will be different. But we’ve got each other. We’ve got Gregor and Wolffe. Maybe soon we’ll have Cody. I hope. We’re in good hands. The baby will be too.” He tried his best to reassure me, but we both knew what was at stake. We couldn’t keep going at this alone. We needed help.

“Do you know where we are?” I asked, trying to change the subject and push my apprehension aside. I squinted in an attempt to make out anything in the landscape of the planet we landed on.

“Carida. In the mountains. Should be good for a little while. Nothing’s really out here. We can regroup. Wolffe took us down a few hours ago.” Rex glanced over his shoulder at the sun slowly peeking through the window just over a mountain peak. “We didn’t want to wake you.”

“Is everyone else feeling okay? It looked like Wolffe took a beating.” I whispered, pulling myself closer to Rex’s chest and burying my face in it. “I’m not just worried about myself. I…I worry about all of you.”

“He’s okay. He’s been worse. Think it’s more emotional damage than anything. Both of them are sort of traumatized. Not being able to save Fox. Wolffe is taking it pretty hard. We need to give him some time to breathe.” He sighed, stroking my hair between his fingers and inhaling the scent of me to keep himself grounded. “How much longer can we keep doing this, mesh’la? Seems like the deeper we get into the truth the more I question the point of all of this.”

I could see what he meant. The war took its toll on everyone. Most especially the clones. After all they’d fought for, everything they endured, it was starting to feel more and more like we were entranced in a battle we’d never win. After what we’d seen the last day and a half, I’m not sure there even is such a thing as winning in war. Both victory and defeat brought us catastrophic loss, with survival hardly being a considerable enough prize under the circumstances. 

Rex, Wolffe and Gregor were three such men who barely even recognized the meaning of failure much less the physical act of doing so. But one look on Wolffe’s face as we sat on the bunk room floor last night said it all. Resolve was fracturing and those who hadn’t died already were realizing that surviving in the galaxy that was being rebuilt was a fate worse than death. It was no wonder they were questioning the point.

“If we don’t keep trying to save your brothers, who else will?” I asked solemnly, placing a soft kiss on the scar on his chest. Slowly I sat up, remembering the intel I stole from the command station. “We still have the holodisc. If the right people see this…maybe we bring this to Bail. We have the proof now. Of the chips, of the order..that the Empire is planning something horrible. He could find a way to help us.”

He sat up too, leaning on the wall of our bunk and cradling me in his arms. His chin rested on my shoulder and his arms looped protectively across my belly. “You remind me of her sometimes.” He muttered.

“Padmé?”

“Yeah.” His nose nuzzled into the skin under my jaw, eyes closed as he searched inside himself for the same fighting spirit he once knew on instinct. “She always found hope when there wasn’t any. You have that gift too.”

I hummed my agreement, chills going up my spine at such a compliment. I tried my best to reel myself in and be gracious about their pain like she would have. They needed time. Even if I didn’t. Even when I couldn’t wait. “I suppose…we can’t risk contacting Bail so soon after what we stole. It could implicate him.” My shoulders sagged, my hands fumbling for Rex’s, still resting on my belly. “Even with all that we know, I still feel so helpless. I don’t like waiting around.”

“That’s where having three expert strategists comes in.” He laughed softly, “we might be tired. We might be questioning everything, but we can’t stop fighting. Mesh’la, I don’t think we know any other way.”

I turned my face to rest my forehead on his, warmth beginning to flare in my lower belly again. “Well I know that’s not true. You’ve got lots of other talents, baby.” I smirked, caressing his cheek with my thumb.

“Hmm you’re right about that.” He leaned forward, capturing my lips between his and nibbling on my bottom one softly. “Pretty good kisser I think.” He said smugly, his hands on my belly beginning to walk up and down my sides underneath my top.

“Just good at kissing though. Don’t think you have any other skills.” I teased, kissing him again and slowly moving to allow him to lift my shirt off me.

“Now you’re just baiting me…” he accused, his traveling hands now cupping one of my tits in his grasp. “Want to show you all the other things I’m good at, little brat?”

I sighed softly at the contact, his hands kneading at the plush of both breasts now. “Prove it.” I retorted, raising an eyebrow at him and trying to further tempt him.

He laughed maniacally, moving my hair aside to kiss up and down my neck. “Hmph- you’re in for it now.” His roaming hands smoothed down my belly again, trailing one even lower until he brushed over my center with the heel of his palm. “Spread these legs for me. I’ll show you what else I’m good at kissing.” He whispered, his voice husky now with arousal.

“Oh…okay, my love. Show me.” I gulped, the rasped words setting butterflies alight in my core. A rush of overwhelming desire and heat flowed through me. Probably the hormones kicking in by now. I did as he asked and parted my thighs, allowing him to help me wriggle out of my bottoms. My bare cunt perfectly exposed and ready for his taking.

“Good girl.” He cooed, his palms lightly gripping my thighs as he let the cool air of the room rush past the wetness now coating my exposed lips. “Soaked already. All for me?”

I nodded affirmatively, our eyes meeting as he looked back up at me to get my confirmation. “Always for you, Captain. Can’t help what that handsome face does to me.”

He cocked an eyebrow and winked, “hmmm I better watch myself then. There’s quite a few handsome faces like mine.” He joked, sliding his palms further up my thighs toward my center.

“Uh-uh.” I shook my head, “there’s no one like you, Rex. Promise.” I smiled, “you just want to find more ways to tease me.” One of his hands pulled back up to tweak a nipple between his fingers.

“Oh yeah? You seem to be enjoying it.” He muttered darkly in my ear, “let’s see how much, pretty girl.” His raspy voice at a deep rumble in my ear, the vibrations in his chest spread across my back deliciously. As he palmed my breast, gripping and kneading it, his hand slid over the crease of my thigh, cupping over my mound.

I hissed at the contact, his fingers trapping my heat and becoming coated with my arousal. Two of his thick fingers divided, tracing down either side of my opening obscenely. “Oh Rex…” I drew in gasp and exhaled a lilted squeal. He hummed his delighted approval in my ear, kissing the spot right below it as his two fingers circled around my leaking hole.

“Yeah? You like that?” He asked softly, his thumb joining his soft petting as it slid through the wet silk of my center to rub my clit. I closed my eyes and let the torturous tingle begin to radiate outwards from my center. “Little more then.” He muttered, his middle finger gently pressing into my fluttering entrance, my hips immediately bucking forward to pull him in deeper.

“More. Lot more. Please…Rex. Fuck that feels…so good.” I whispered, my soft moans cutting the silence on the ship. His fingers curled, pressing that spongy patch inside and beckoning with a few slow flicks of his fingers. The squelching sound of my arousal echoing around the bunk was positively depraved.

“So hot, mesh’la. You’re doing so well for me. Getting you so wet, fucking you open so you’re ready for my cock.” The filth poured out of him, his fingers spreading my entrance taut around them as he pushed them into the knuckle.

“Wish we…mmm…recorded this.” I groaned, laughing softly as he languidly slowed to a halt. He withdrew his fingers and brought them to my lips.

“Someone’s a talkative little thing today…” His fingers traced my bottom lip, my arousal dripping onto it. “Suck. Taste yourself for me.” I obliged, wrapping my lips around both soaked digits and lewdly bobbing my head back and forth. Soft suckling sounds followed as I let the sweet tang of me coat my tongue. I hummed around his fingers and held onto his wrist, mimicking all the filthy things I was used to doing on his cock.

He gripped at my hip again, his erection prodding painfully into my backside now. This was turning him on like crazy. “How- how’s it taste?” He stuttered.

I popped off them and kissed his knuckles. “Good, Captain.” He released a pent up huff and without warning rolled me over onto my back underneath him. The weight of his chest caged me in and I closed my knees around his hips.

“My turn.” He smirked, his rough palms running over the outline of my waist. The ravenous look of a man starved met my gaze as he slowly sank down to his knees by the side of the bunk. “Let me taste this perfect cunt. Can’t wait anymore.” A trail of kisses followed as he slowly made his way down my torso to my center. He positioned my thigh over his shoulder just like he liked, the other hand pressing my thigh into the bed to keep my squirming at bay.

My boyfriend, looking like he was about to devour me, made every hair on my body stand on end. His expanded pupils trying their hardest to take in all of me spread open before him. He eased himself down, maintaining eye contact as he pressed a soft kiss to my clit. The pressure made me shake with anticipation instantly, his tongue darting out to flick the little bundle that could have me coming apart in minutes.

I reached my hand out for him, our fingers entwining as he received it. “Look at me, baby. The whole time. Don’t look away.” I begged, the fiery golden brown in his eyes my favorite sight to focus on as he took me to heights unknown. He arched his brow at me as if to say he absolutely already knew and relished in that fact.

His tongue pushed more pressure onto my clit, starting an ever increasing pace as I felt the tension rising in my core. He groaned, clearly enjoying the taste of the arousal between my lips on his tongue. “stars…Rex…right there.” I whimpered between sighs of ecstasy. Moving one hand to grip the edges of the bunk, the other rested on the curled blonde fuzz at the crown of his head. “Don’t know what’s…b-better, how good you look or- fuck- mmmf how good this feels.”

The tip of his tongue circled the swollen bud, pulling back the hood of my clit with one hand while he relentlessly lapped me into a frenzy. His dark eyes flickered with a playful lust as he pulled back with a slow devious smirk. “How good you taste, mesh’la. How pretty you look when you come for me.”

My eyes rolled back as he flattened his tongue and licked a long stripe through my folds. He hummed darkly, the sweet tang of me on his tongue clearly satiating him the way nothing else could. I tried to keep my eyes shut, to focus on the wave of pleasure ebbing closer and closer. But as hard as I tried, I couldn’t look away. His pretty, strong jaw, coated in slick, his dark eyes hooding closed as he inhaled the scent that drove him deeper into his desire for me. “Oh..my…” I gasped, a high-pitched whine filling the air instead of my breath.

He twirled teasing circles around my entrance, forcing my hips to buck closer to him. My nails scraped the metal edge of the bunk and I arched off the surface, tossing my head back to moan loudly. I could feel him grin wickedly against the sensitive skin of my thighs closing in around him. “My girl…look so pretty for me like this. All spread out for me.”

With both his biceps he pushed my legs apart, his hands moving up the length of my sides and making goosebumps crest along every inch of skin he touched. His every touch was like a spark lighting me on fire in his wake. Slowly, his palms found their way around the curves of my breasts, kneading at the flesh he’d bruised with his own fingerprints probably hundreds of times before.

His brows furrowed in thought, as he squeezed both hands tightly around the roundness of them. “They’re gonna get so swollen soon. When I lay you on your back like this, I can watch ‘em grow. Feel how much they ache to be touched. And fuck am I going to want to.” He tipped his chin forward, lips connecting with my clit again while his hands worked both my breasts at the same time.

“Mmm yeah…gonna spoil you a little with them. R-Rex…let you have whatever you want from me.”

“So like always then?” He quipped, chuckling softly as he sped up the motions of his tongue between my folds. “Can you give me a little something now, my mesh’la? More of the taste of that perfect pussy on my tongue. Need you to come so good for me.” The rhythm carried my pleasure higher toward its peak.

I felt the familiar burn of bright satisfaction knotting tighter in my belly, the licking heat dropping between my folds and onto his waiting tongue. “So close…I’m so close.” He quirked a brow at me, clearly impressing even himself with how quickly he’d brought this on for me.

“I know, pretty girl. I can always tell. Know you so well.” He muttered, his tongue sliding down my slit, his nose bumping my swollen, over sensitive bud. “How your little cunt flutters…craving the way I fill you, how you whine because you need me so bad…” I gasped, high pitched cries of his name filling the room. He shifted his grip to pin my hips down to the mattress with his forearm, working me faster and harder than before. I dug my nails into his shoulder and moaned loudly, losing complete control of my lower half. “Your body trembling as you wait for it to take you…I’m right here, darling. Ready to let you soak me. Come for your Captain, I know you need it. All over my face…come for me.” He cooed softly, his words a stark contrast to the devious smirk drawn across his lips.

The breath caught in my chest as he pressed his tongue up through my folds to beat at my clit in a delightfully sensual rhythm. He knew exactly what he was doing, lighting the burning coil in my belly on fire. Searing heat tore through my nerves as I felt the blissful blanketing of pleasure surging inside me.

“There she is. Yes, mesh’la, that’s my good girl.” He encouraged flicking at the little bundle every few seconds to keep the high going as long as he could. Tears pricked my eyes at the corners as my high flooded the space between my legs, Rex humming in delight as he lapped up every drop. “So sweet. Want you nice and slick and ready for me.”

I moaned desperately, my walls collapsing around nothing not doing enough to satisfy my need. I wanted to be stretched around him. I needed to feel him spear up into that spot only he’d ever been able to reach, to pound into it until it numbed my limbs and wiped my mind clean. I could feel my hole fluttering with each pass of his tongue licking up through my folds. “More, more. I need you.” I begged, desperation breaking my focus on him.

His eyes ignited with a flicker of lust from where he looked up from between my legs. He winked and smiled happily, “what was that, my love? What do you need?” He teased, slicking his thumb up my folds and drawing the digit into his mouth. His opposite hand caressed my waist, gripping my hip bone for leverage as he pulled himself back up to hover above me. “Use your words, mesh’la.”

I bit my lip and wrapped my arms around his back, hoisting myself upright by latching onto his unbelievably strong upper body. My lips collided with his urgently, tasting myself all over his tongue as they twisted together passionately. He pulled me into his chest with one arm, rolling me into his lap as he seated himself down onto our bunk. His eyes shot down to where our centers bumped each other, signaling that he’d been ready to take me since the second he parted my legs. All I had to do was ask.

“Your cock, Captain. I need it.” I pleaded, letting my folds graze over top of it to tempt him with my heat. “Please.” I whined, rocking my hips forward and feeling his chest heave at the contact. A low rumble emanated from deep in his chest, his hands shooting down to clap onto the globes of my ass hard enough to leave a mark.

“Just wanted to hear you say it, little tease. Gods- you feel so good already. So hot for me, huh? Drives you crazy having me so close. Imagine how I feel…” he fell backwards, making it easier for me to slip myself right over top of him. His large hands guided me against his length, slicking himself up with the release he’d just dragged out of me. “You want me, mesh’la? Go ahead…sit on my cock. Show me how good you can take all of it.”

I braced myself, gripping onto his shoulders while looking deep into his eyes, the desire overtaking him just as much as me. I sunk down onto his cock, the dull ache inside instantly soothed by the pulsing of his stiff cock against my walls. My mouth dropped open and I giggled into a relieving smile, the familiar mix of pleasure and pain permeating every part of my soul. “Ahh fuck…Rex…” I smiled happily, my head lolling forward to rest against his broad shoulder.

“You feel it, mesh’la? How I spread you apart? You love it, don’t you? How it fills you…I know you do.” He chuckled, his firm hands on my hip bones as he began to rock me back and forth on top of him.

I rested my palms on his pectorals, his cheek brushing mine as he encouraged my gentle motions up and down on top of him. The width of him prodded into me deeper each time I settled my center on his. “I do, baby. I crave you. Like this. Making me whole. Filling me deep. I love it.” I rasped between exhales and reverent whispers, fading out into softly squeaked out little moans he loves so much.

Our eyes met, both burning with flickers of our ardent devotion to each other. He hummed softly, trying his best to stay in control as I pulled him closer and closer to the madness of his climax. “I can feel it. How you close in all around me, each time I move you throb a little harder. So good, huh, mesh’la? So fucking…hot for me.” He rambled, guiding his palms along the dips of my hips up to the curve of my waist.

“So…so good, Rex. You’re so strong I can’t hold it…much longer…” I groaned loudly, tossing my head back and exposing my neck, breasts pushed out enough for him to take full advantage of. The muscles in my lower belly screamed for release, collapsing in around him and seating me fully in his lap, unable to muster the strength to lift up again.

In a flash his hands shot up to knead my breasts in his palms, his tongue laving over the buds until they peaked with hardness all over again. He kissed sloppily up into the hollow of my neck, biting and sucking a deep bruise into the silky, untouched skin. “Don’t hold back then. Let go, mesh’la. Come right here on my lap. Let me watch it take you. Show me how pretty you look coming all over me, my perfect girl.” He urged, his kisses now trailing up my neck to just below my ear, his nimble fingers tracing over every mark he left in his wake.

I rocked into him just once more, my hands struggling to grasp onto some part, any part of the safety of his warm chest. I let my head drop to his shoulder, my palm sliding up his chest to settle against his neck. I sang out a loud, desperate moan, pressing my face into his neck. The tension in my core finally broke, dissolving into star dust that tingled outward through every inch of my skin, through every drop in my bloodstream.

His firm hand gripping my waist seated me perfectly in his lap as I writhed in ecstasy, my hands scrabbling at any inch of him I could grab and scratching my nails down his skin to mark him like he had me. “There you go, darlin’. That’s a good girl, let it take you. Love feeling that little pussy pulse all around me. Fuck! That’s so good.” He groaned, his thrusts up into me speeding up erratically as he chased my high with his own.

I tried to catch my breath, tightening my walls even more to increase the tension. He practically winced as the drag of my walls against him siphoned every last ounce of strength out of him. “Now you…come for me, Rex. Fill me. Show me how much you love when I’m your good girl.” I seduced, whispering the filth in his ear and leaving trails of hot kisses down the corded muscles in his neck. He was straining the longer I spoke, his grip on my waist a bruising one as he drove himself deeper and harder.

“Fucking love it. My perfect…filthy girl. Don’t want to ever…” He gasped, three erratic snaps of his hips following as he held me down in his lap. “Don’t want to ever stop fucking you…mesh’la..fuck…” He moaned salaciously, the death grip I’d locked him in finally becoming too much. With a final drive into me, he rocketed his release up into my waiting belly, the soothing warmth of each rope coating my walls.

“Rex.” I whimpered, panting breaths of heated exhaustion across every little kiss I’d left along his jaw and cheeks. I curled my hands on top of his on my waist and turned my hips in circles around him. His chest was heaving as he watched my breasts bounce in front of his face while I coaxed him through an intense climax.

With a final shiver, we both collapsed backwards, splaying both of our overheating bodies in a tangled mess over the wrinkled white sheets. Both of us twitched as undercurrents of pleasure and aftershocks took turns rocking us. His fingers intertwined with mine in a desperate lock on my hips, each of us feeling our hearts pounding out of our chests and into the others’.

“Mesh’la.” He muttered, his hand cupping my chin to guide my face up to his. “Been wanting to do that since before…”

“I know, Rex. Me too.” I brushed my fingers across the worry and anger furrowing his brow, relieving his fears just as I had his need. “No matter what happens, my love…we will always have this. Forever.” I promised, cupping my hands to his cheeks and softly kissing him.

“And longer.” He replied with his signature little side smirk. I could feel myself blushing, my cheeks getting even warmer than they were before as we came down from our highs. His big brown eyes twinkled with a spark of admiration and devotion and I could see the happiness he felt in the way he gazed at me. I leaned forward to brush our noses affectionately and he inched even closer.

With our foreheads pressed together, we exchanged kisses. Soft, fervent, affectionate and tender, lips pressing together and parting only to take in the breath we needed to continue. I stroked the stubble on his jaw and closed my eyes, each breath we shared sealed with a kiss. We fell asleep just like that.

–

The swaying of trees silhouetted by snow capped mountains came into view as we lowered our ship in the remote forest of Alderaan for the second time in just a few months. Gregor rested the ship down in a small clearing in the trees only a few clicks west of the Royal Family’s palace.

Luckily, we didn’t have to break in this time. We were to be met here in the woods by Bail to escort us into their home by nightfall. Alderaan was quiet and peaceful, its people asking only the right questions and never hesitating to step in to help those who needed it.

We were in desperate need of that help now.

Wolffe and Gregor took some mild convincing. They were skeptical that any high ranking senator would be interested in seeing clones infiltrating their home planet. They understood that people were going to be afraid of them. They had a right to be. Even if the three clones in our little company posed no more of a threat to innocent people than I did.

Bail of all people understood that. If not solely because of my convincing. And because Rex showing up to grieve over the news of Padmé’s death beside us both proved he wasn’t still affected like the others were.

I could trust him. We could trust him. Hopefully, after we left here, we’d have a plan in place to get more people to trust us.

“Still not sure this is such a great idea.” Wolffe grumbled, he being the most skeptical of all four of us. “From what I hear, Appo and his men…your men- scared him into fleeing the Capital. Wouldn’t blame him for thinking we’re all a bunch of unhinged lunatics.”

Gregor snorted, “he works in the Senate. He’s around a bunch of raving lunatics every day.”

“Yeah well Senators don’t carry DC-17s on each hip.” Wolffe retorted, rolling his eyes clearly self-conscious about how we’d come across.

“You sure about that?” I smirked, pulling one of the weapons I’d claimed from our ship's makeshift armory out of my pocket and brandishing it in the air.

Rex laughed, spinning his own blaster into his pocket as we prepared our stuff for departure. “Careful, cyar’ika.”

“Great, she’s got your penchant for showing off too. You two are quite a pair.” Wolffe’s mouth curled into a wry grin, his hands fumbling around to close the pack he’d filled with supplies. Guess a Commander doesn’t like to be unprepared for anything.

“And that’s why they’re going to be a trio soon. Stars help us all.” Gregor giggled, “bet it’ll be one cute little bug tho. Last time I saw a baby was on Kamino.” He ran his hand over his hair and scratched the back of his neck nervously. “What’s gonna happen to all the little ones?”

I frowned, slinging my bag over my shoulder and holding the puck with the secret intel in my hand. “They didn’t say. But I’m afraid of what we might find out. Maybe we could ask Bail.”

“I doubt he’d get the clearance. Things are becoming harder and harder to gain access to. The Empire controls who knows what intel now. To maintain order and control.” He spat, his lip curled in disgust and his signature perma-scowl deepening in anger. “That’s the kind of galaxy we live in now.” Wolffe explained, shuddering as he looked out the starshield at the landscape in front of us. He sighed, trying his best to keep his emotions at bay. “But I don’t think the little ones are going to live to see any of it. The cadets either.”

Rex shot me a pitifully anxious look, fiddling with the gauntlet plate on his hand. An unspoken signal that meant the same applied to our own little one. I gulped down the knot in my throat and subtly nodded in understanding. He stepped toward his brother, resting the same hand on his far shoulder and pulling him into his side. “Not if we have anything to say about it, right? We can stick up for them. And if we don’t, then who will?”

Wolffe closed his eyes briefly, letting his shoulders sag under his brother’s comforting embrace. He shook his head as if to shake off his apprehension and anxieties, looking between Rex and I before he spoke again. “I think you’ve got a little too much politician in you now. Both of you.” He turned, shrugging Rex’s arm off his shoulders before stepping forward. “Let’s go. Before I find the sense to change my mind.”

Rex opened his mouth to interject but I raised my hand, urging him to drop it. He nodded his understanding and let me follow after Wolffe, knowing he wouldn’t put up as much of a fight if I was the one to coax him forward.

I fell into step with Wolffe, leading the way with Gregor in tow and Rex at the rear. As we disembarked from the ship's docking ramp, I could see the outline of a tall hooded figure waiting in the shadows of the tree line. I motioned the boys toward where the figure stood clearly waiting for us.

“I see you’ve made progress.” The familiar level baritone rang out in the cool forest air. As we finally approached, he removed the hood on his coat, the welcome soothing grin and friendly dark eyes of Bail Organa greeting us once again.

“Not enough, I’m afraid…” I responded, looking up at him with fear in my eyes that I hoped he could read. He stood tall and firm, a powerful statue of justice in a galaxy becoming increasingly corrupted by evil. The concern grew the longer he looked over me, wear and tear clearly evident. Without further hesitation, I lurched forward and hugged him tight, happy to be truly safe for the first time in weeks. He softly patted the top of my head.

“And yet still a significant enough ordeal.” He sighed, holding me by my shoulders as he settled me back on my feet in front of him. “Who have you brought along with you?”

I stepped back beside them, Rex’s arm curling protectively around my waist to steady me. Both Gregor and Wolffe stepped forward shoulder to shoulder and assumed their usual positions of formality. Not out of necessity, but of a desire to seem less threatening.

“I’m Gregor, sir. 212th Attack Battalion, Foxtrot Group. And Imperial Academy defector.” Gregor responded first, a clever smirk drawing across his now stubble covered face.

“Ah, a Clone Commando. Impressive.” Bail nodded graciously, “Especially the imperial defector part.” He reached out his hand and shook Gregor’s, who looked at his hand like he’d been given a great honor. Bail turned to Wolffe next and asked, “And you are…?”

“Commander Wolffe. 104th Battalion.” Wolffe stood rigid, his apprehension only obvious to us.

“The 104th? Jedi Master Plo was your General, correct?” Bail asked softly, Wolffe’s serious scowl breaking in deep anguish at the memory of what happened to his beloved General. Bail rested his palm on Wolffe’s shoulder and bowed solemnly. “I am deeply sorry for your loss. He was a respected colleague and a trusted friend. We mourn him and all Jedi we lost here on Alderaan.” Bail finished, patting Wolffe on the shoulder in an effort to comfort him.

Wolffe looked away, the deeply rooted pain of the loss still a very sore subject for him. “Thank you, Senator Organa, sir.” He said quietly, clasping his hands behind us back to help him keep his composure.

Bail turned on his heels to face where Rex and I stood eager to get a move on and gestured for us to follow his lead. “Please follow me. Let’s get the four of you settled in. We can talk after you’ve all gotten cleaned up and been fed. You’ve all come a long way.”

We exchanged glances to confirm quickly before following him to the well-hidden transport he had arrived in. The ride was quiet as the boys and I huddled together for comfort, the reality of our situation finally starting to dawn on them.

This was not the Republic anymore.

There was no Republic escort on bright, shiny starcruisers and transport ships to bring us to the surface. There were no more welcome committees or fancy banquets. No carefully negotiated treaties or scheduled shifts with down time for every clone in the squad.

Never again.

Now it was smuggling ourselves on and off even formerly friendly worlds. Making supply runs and intel exchanges under the cover of shadows. Negotiating or doing odd jobs for spare credits or rations. Sneaking into safe places in disguise and riding in broken down crawlers and speeders to dissuade suspicion. This was what a rebellion looked like and the jury was still out on how involved we wanted or were even allowed to be.

—

For what it’s worth, the Organa family palace was stunning. Clean and elegant in a simple and sophisticated way. There was more focus on greenery, life and the beauty of the elements than there was on garish ornate showmanship like back home on the highest levels of Coruscant.

In a lot of ways, the Royal Palace of Alderaan reminded the three boys so much of Kamino. Their first and only real home. But without all the emotionless sterility constantly being reinforced in the smooth white walls. And luckily without all the rain.

The weather had grown colder since the last time Rex and I had visited. Their summer had come and gone, the leaves on their trees beginning to fade to amber, scarlet and gold under the waning power of the planet’s orbital sun. Though, the orange rays streaming into the windows right now did a number on the sunken, malnourished, and scarred faces of Gregor, Wolffe and Rex.

All of them sat around a large banquet table, each on their fourth helping of warm nerf stew, a delicacy in a time where food was starting to become more and more scarce. The waning warmth of daylight glinting off the bridges of their noses provided just enough essential energy to freckle and bring color back to their tanned faces. As if spending even just a few hours here could add years back onto their already sinfully shortened lives.

The sight of them huddled together, interacting domestically the way normal brothers should, brought a level of inner peace to my heart that I myself had never even known. Family. It’s all they ever truly had. A brotherly bond that innately came before all else. A higher duty to their own that they were slowly discovering was their only true purpose now. 

Something I never had growing up alone and in constant survival mode on the lowest levels of the most populous planet in the universe. Being surrounded by trillions made having no family an even more isolating and lonely experience. I was glad that despite everything they’d suffered, at least they didn’t have to go through it alone.

That simple fact was precisely why we had to come here. We owed it to the rest of their brothers across the universe to not abandon them, to not allow them to suffer anymore than they already had. Even if Wolffe and Gregor didn’t like the odds, even if they were aware of the mighty risk, it wouldn’t take much convincing to remind them that we were the best chance the clones scattered around the galaxy had for being freed. Somehow, some way. We had the tools at our disposal to make our best effort.

Rex reached across the table for my hand, holding onto it loosely as I watched them all interact. I couldn’t help but smile. This was our family now. This was our little one's family. In its immediacy, it was small. Though their true family numbered in the millions. And, amongst the four of us, it was irreparably damaged, the scars of battle and loss too deep to ever fully heal. But it was our family and there was love here that would never lessen, even as the size of the entire family inevitably did.

“So what are we doing here on Alderaan? Why here?” Gregor posited, scraping up the remaining broth from his bowl with a sizable piece of biscuit.

“Bail Organa was my mentor. And he’s a friend. He’s watched over us from the beginning of all this. And from what I can tell…seems like he and his wife Breha are not content with just sitting around as the Empire siphons all the happiness from the galaxy.” I responded, looking around at the excess of furniture filling the open palace room. It was intentionally exorbitant, having more than they needed looked like the pinnacle of luxury. Yet, a closer look would tell you that that was not its true purpose.

Every piece littering the room was a place to lay one’s head. A resting place. A safe bed for weary travelers. There was far more than necessary for just Bail and his partner or their visitors. These were beds intended for life forms on the run from the Empire. The palace on Alderaan wasn’t an example of the height of the galaxy’s richest, most well connected elites.

The Royal Palace of Alderaan was a safe house for the formation of a Rebellion.

A galaxy wide resistance effort unlike anything they’d ever seen before. Bail understood that people, livelihoods and entire planets were fractured by the Empire’s squeezing fist on the galaxy. He knew that people would need to be rescued under the guise of charitable work or educational retreat. This was his masterful way of recruiting lifeforms to the cause and joining them together in an organized yet untraceable way.

I think he’d hoped there was a part of me that wanted in. That with three well-trained, brilliant strategic Republic war heroes and a rule-breaking, former whistle-blowing crime syndicate mole turned Senate aide, we could become vital pieces of a growing effort to make things more difficult for a terrifying fascist government.

Yet, here we sat, injured, traumatized and afraid for our lives. All of us completely unsure if anyone would ever believe what we had to say, proof or not.

“Sounds like he intends to start a Rebellion.” Wolffe muttered, wiping his face with a cloth napkin and sighing. “What does he need us for?”

“He doesn’t. We need him. At the very least, I can tell him what I found out at that Imperial compound. Show him what’s on the holodisc.” I pulled the puck from my bag and turned it in my hand a few times. “Should at least alarm them enough to discuss what to do about the remaining clones.”

“What makes you think anyone will care what happens to us?” Gregor questioned, the tiniest hint of a waver in his voice.

“Because you’re innocent. You were all pawns in the Emperor’s plan.” Bail’s voice rang out, reentering the room from his personal quarters on the other side of the palace. He wore a pleasant grin, one that held the promise of progress behind it. “And now you carry the proof of this. We can show the others.”

Rex spun around in his seat and cocked his head, “others, sir?” His gaze bounced over everyone at the table and then back at Bail.

Bail laughed softly, gliding across the span of the room toward the last empty seat at the elegant banquet table. “Yes, Rex. There are others who share our disdain for the Empire’s increasing chokehold on our personal liberties. I think you’ll find you recognize some of them.”

I concentrated hard, trying to remember the names and faces of people who had come and gone from his or Padmé’s offices or meetings we’d held. “I can think of a few who were always friendly with us. Not sure who is still around or- alive anymore.” I admitted, resting the puck on the table between us.

“Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila. Though that should come as no surprise to you.” He smirked, resting a flimsi filled with names on the table in front of him. “Senator Riyo Chuchi of Pantora, Cham Syndulla leader of the Free Ryloth movement, Senator Lux Bonteri and Saw Gerrera of Onderon…just a few who have agreed to hear what you have to say.”

“Saw, eh? Trained him myself. Heard the Imperials did a number on his men recently.” Rex looked down at his plate, picking at the still sizable amount of food he’d left behind.

“And Senator Chuchi was uhm…close to Fox. She’s been a big supporter of clone rights from the beginning.” Wolffe added, perking up as a little more life entered his rugged frame.

“They’ve all agreed to meet us at a safe point. Where we can discuss the intel you’ve provided us on that puck and further steps…if we all come to an agreement.” Bail explained, looking around the table for more enthusiasm than we were giving him at the present moment.

I closed my eyes and thought for a second about the experience of each of these leaders during the Clone Wars and afterwards. A few of them would be well within their rights to refuse to speak with three members of the group of men that ultimately destroyed their worlds. “That’s a big If, Senator Organa. Do you think they have any sympathy left for our cause?”

Bail looked away out the window at the sun just starting to dip below the tallest mountain peak in our view. “They may.” He turned back to me, resting his hand on mine. “But many will require some convincing. That’s where your passion, your skills and all you’ve learned as our aide all these years will come in. You have to find a way to influence them into believing that this is doing what’s right by all of these men. There is no one else who will do it for you. Are you up for the task?”

The three men at the table whose very lives I held in my hands looked at me with more hope than they’d been able to muster in a long while. Probably since the worst day of their lives derailed everything that they’d ever known. They had faith that I could make the right people believe the truth. With all the love I had for my partner, his brothers, my friends, my new found family and our future little one, I could do it. I could use everything I know to be the real truth to communicate the very real and present danger imminent not only to the loyal, innocent men we’d trusted for years but to the galaxy as a whole if we let them continue to suffer.

“I’ll do it. But I’ll need all your help.” I replied, pressing play on the puck to start up the message I’d stolen. “We all need to listen to what this Rampart...is saying. We will have to connect the dots of each of our stories into one succinct truth.”

Rex looked at me in a haze of admiration and pride. “Mesh’la, you’ve got us all until the end. What do you need from us?”

“Let’s start with your stories. What led you here? How do three decorated former Republic clones defy a mandated order with no side effects? What makes the three of you immune to what so many others cannot control?” Bail wondered aloud, examining the scar on Rex’s hairline.

“Well, sir, that’s a long story. One that’s going to be pretty painful for us to each tell more than once.” Gregor admitted, rubbing the side of his bicep to assure himself. “Maybe we should each record our accounts of the situation. Document it so we don’t have to physically attend. Don’t think it’ll be safe for us to get emotional in front of people who are already scared of us.”

“Agreed.” Wolffe uttered sternly. “Don’t want possibly the only three survivors of this…order…to be in the same room with dozens of people who could sell us back to the Empire at any moment. Even if they mean well.”

Bail hummed his understanding. “You both make a good point. Perhaps only one clone is needed to attend with her to be a representative for your experiences.”

“I’ll go. I have the most to say anyways.” Rex said decidedly, “though, there is information that even I am not at liberty to share. There is also intel that I cannot access without clearance. Irrefutable proof from a reliable source is what saved my life. We can tell Fives’ story. But we’ll need his report to do it. It’s likely encrypted by now. Locked away under a secret passkey. The only other shreds of proof are the scans of our brains and the chips in our heads. We can provide all this too…if necessary.”

“All information is pertinent at this point. Is there anything else I might need to know?” Bail exchanged glances between Rex and I, like he knew there was some piece of vital information we were leaving out.

Which of course we were. The two most important pieces of information.

One. That I was actively carrying the offspring of a clone. That his survival as the baby’s Father was always going to matter to me more than to everyone else. Which made my interest in the entire matter more personal and more biased than the political sphere of influence would particularly care for.

And two. Ahsoka.

Ahsoka was the reason Rex survived the chip.

A jedi was the reason they gained access to Fives’ file with enough time to extract Rex’s chip.

Ahsoka was alive.

And as far as we knew, there was no one else aware of this truth. And no one else could ever know. The protection of the whereabouts of any jedi was a secret we would die to uphold. Many others, even the best of senators, might not be as noble.

“Nope. You know all that we do. Likely even more.” I replied, tapping into my former undercover operative training to remain calculatedly coy. Wolffe and Gregor squinted at me curiously, somehow able to tell that I wasn’t being entirely forthcoming about something. They just didn’t know what.

The baby was obvious to them. But what else it could be left them puzzled and Rex’s lack of suspicion made them even more aware that something wasn’t being fully communicated to them. I knew them both well enough now that I was sure they’d be itching to find out as soon as we were out of Bail’s earshot. The annoyed look on Wolffe’s face was enough to tell me we were both in for a stern talking to once this meeting was over.

“Fair enough, my friend. Now, I’d like to know your stories. We’ll record on my holocomm. This is going to be a long night. Don’t hesitate to let me know when you want a break.” Bail tapped a few buttons on the holopad and the blue projection ray began recording.

Wolffe stood up from his seat. “I’ll go first. I have several things I’d like communicated. Permission to swear, sir?”

Bail laughed out loud, clasping his hands together. “My permission is not necessary to be truthful, Wolffe. But swear you may.”

“Right…now where the fuck do I begin..” He rolled his eyes, folding his arms and starting at the beginning.

We only had the night to explain months worth of traumatic experience after traumatic experience. Each a bit darker than the last. We were to ship out the next morning to the Atrivis sector for a meeting with every known supporter of a future…rebellion as they were calling it.

It was our first real step toward progress since we’d saved Gregor from the Imperial Academy. It was messy, impromptu and disorganized, but I suppose Bail preferred it that way. The less we all looked involved with each other, the better we’d fair.

As excited as we all felt that we were finally getting somewhere, there was an underlying current of danger that I couldn’t shake. None of us knew what was to come of this. It was all or nothing now.

And let’s face it, it was three clones' words against millions. No matter what the truth really was, I didn’t like those odds. 

--

real authors note: can you tell andor has done much to politically inspire me right now lol? this fic has basically become an unnamed/physically undescribed oc...if you want to know more about her check here or send me an ask!

taglist (please let me know if you'd like to be added/removed):

@literallydontlook @sleepingsun501 @moonstrider9904 @thefact0rygirl @fett-djarin @starwarsmeninhelmets @zinzinina @kaminocasey @pinkiemme @queenquazar @galacticgraffiti @loversoncsilla @ashotofspotchka @rexandechosandwich @calkestiis @jocastaslibrary @twistedstitcher27 @wild-karrde @patchmates

[laxmiree]

[CN] 5th Anniversary - Lucien (Wonderland)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT!! ⚠️

This post contains a detailed spoiler for a story that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

“What about taking ten roller coaster rides first?”

“The appearance of Professor Lucien explaining while riding from the last time was so memorable, I can't help but wanting to see it again.”

~

I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to have a gray rainbow like this in the real world….

“Maybe some things are just so unreasonable?”

“Just like the colors we see in the world now, they may have been given under "unreasonable" circumstances.”

✧ 5th Anniversary Event | Prologue | Creative Workshop | King Fuk Street | Wonderland (You’re here!) | Star Plaza  | Final Day- Heart Rain Lake | Roast! | Truth and Dare Pinball Machine | Random Event tidbits

(T/N: since every day basically follows the same routine of MC waking up in their hotel room to find Lucien not doing anything about his ‘report’ (lol), being suspicious about it, and then Lucien diverting her suspicion, for now I’ll only translate the main part of the story and add other parts (hotel room) later~)

ALSO, it’s recomended to read“creative workshop” part before this, so the ‘gift’ would make sense~

MC: This is the Wonderland in the guidebook! It's so crowded. There are long lines everywhere.

Lucien: That's because this is the place where the brain secretes "happiness".

Lucien: I don't think there will be anyone that can... resist the temptation

MC: So Professor Lucien can't refuse either?

Lucien: I should be able to. I just can't seem to say no to you.

MC: Hehe, I really understand that feeling. There's nothing you can do about it~

MC: But will there really be the gift you want here?

MC: Or do you want the gift of "happiness"?

Lucien: This clever lady guessed half right.

Lucien: As for the other half, let's take a look around, and then I'll tell you.

MC: What about taking ten roller coaster rides first?

MC: The appearance of Professor Lucien explaining while riding from the last time was so memorable, I can't help but-

MC: Wanting to see it again.

Lucien: (•́⁠ ⁠ ⁠‿⁠ ⁠•̀)

MC: Haha, I will stop teasing you. Let's go to the easy attraction first~

After playing a round of the carousel, the staff deposited some points in my "Fun Card".

I found out that the items in Wonderland can be exchanged for points.

To show my "money" that I will use to buy a gift for Lucien later, I took the initiative to pull him to play all kinds of attractions

After confirming that the roller coaster was the least frightening, I dragged him to ride a few laps.

Lucien: [chuckle] Somehow… Riding roller coasters can make people's brains secrete just the right amount of joy compared to the flaming wheel.

Once the safety rails on my chest lifted automatically, his calm commentary rang out in my ears, making me snicker as I smoothed his raised bangs.

MC: Yes, yes~ Then may I ask... where will Professor Lucien go next to continue the secretion of joy?

Lucien: I've thought of a more relaxing way, follow me.

He stretched out his ending in a mysterious way and then dragged me into an arcade - inside, the neon lights flashed rhythmically, and the joyful noise was heard everywhere.

We walked past racing games, claw cranes, and coin pushers and finally stopped at a machine at the corner.

Lucien lifted the fabric that half covered the machine and led me to sit down.

MC: This is…

As I looked around, I saw the poster next to the machine, and my eyes widened a little.

MC: Is this a coloring game? Haha, that's easy!

I immediately pressed the start button, thinking I would have more "money" in my fun card.

What happened in the next second made me dumbfounded-

The screen that lights up shows an unexpected black-and-white interface; in the center, there is a rainbow waiting to be colored.

Alongside it, dozens of color blocks are ready to fill it up, all in the same gray color.

MC: ...So what's going on here?

Lucien: Maybe if the game is too simple, it won't be easy to stimulate people's interest.

Lucien: My guess is that it was designed this way from the beginning, probably to test the player's judgment.

MC: But how to distinguish the thirty-five color blocks next to each other when they look exactly the same?

Lucien: The most intuitive method is to test each of the thirty-five color blocks one by one.

He said, casting his eyes down, and after a brief silence, his lips curved imperceptibly.

Lucien: So… There are a total of 3387917400 permutations and combinations possible.

Lucien: If we do that, we might be here for who knows how long.

After a bit of teasing, he made his own judgment.

Lucien: So it can also be concluded that this is not the path the designer wanted the player to take.

After seeing Lucien make an exclusion, I blinked my eyes in a confused manner.

MC: Since there is no good way, for the time being, let's try blindly? Maybe it will be the right one~

I put the gray color blocks into the rainbow one by one, and there was no indication that the coloring was successful.

MC: ...

It seems my crumpled face is a little unmistakable. Lucien smiled and rubbed my head.

Lucien: It seems this machine has a set of rules.

MC: Huhu, can you give me a hint? I have no clue at this point…

Lucien was silent for a moment, raised his hand, and put the color block into the cloud next to the rainbow without thinking.

Lucien: What if I said… They don't really care what color they actually are.

MC: Really?

I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to have a gray rainbow like this in the real world….

(...haha yeah, very funny PG 😭)

MC: But wouldn't that be a bit strange and feel out of line with the objective facts?

Lucien: Maybe some things are just so unreasonable?

Lucien: Just like the colors we see in the world now, they may have been given under "unreasonable" circumstances.

Listen to what Lucien said casually. I think I finally got it and suddenly had an idea.

MC: I see. Since this is a coloring game, gray is also one of the colors!

MC: So it doesn't matter what color it ends up being. What's important is that we fill the picture with something.

I said I was eager to try, but all the rainbows and clouds on the canvas had already been filled, and there was no space left.

MC: This… Can you undo it?

I tentatively poked at the color block on the screen, but the canvas moved a little bit along with my finger.

MC: The canvas is movable?

Lucien: There is a "trick" in this game, making us only pay attention to the rainbow at the beginning.

Lucien: But simply by looking elsewhere-

As he said that, he dragged the canvas, and as he did so, cities, mountains, and streams began to appear on the canvas at different distances….

Lucien: By doing so, we have gained access to the world and the landscape.

MC: Haha, since there are so many places to fill, let's just fill everything up~

After that, I dragged Lucien to fill up the color blocks as he wished. When the whole canvas was filled up-

The picture turns into color in a flash.

The river turns orange-red like the sun, the mountains turn pink like cherry blossoms, and the woods turn purple-red from the afterglow.

The "world" in front of me is very absurd, but it is gorgeous.

At this time, Lucien took out the park's point card from my pocket and inserted it into the card slot on the side.

After he pressed some buttons, there was a slight chime from the machine, and our finished canvas got printed out.

Lucien held it in his hand, and there were shallow ripples in his narrow eyes.

Lucien: I really like this "belated" gift.

I was stunned for a moment and smiled as I fit snugly into him.

MC: I'm also very satisfied to give you this special gift.

MC: And I can't believe that the world is quite lovely with our choice to follow our hearts' desires~

MC: Lucien, do you think there will really be concrete-colored clouds, pink mountains, and purple trees in this world?

 Lucien: There will be.

His voice is very soft, but his tone is full of certainty and seriousness.

Lucien: Maybe in that world, there are many rules that we are familiar with that were broken and formed into new rules.

[marydublinauthor]

Random Gt Drabble: “Honor”

Characters: Caelum and Aria (new!)

————————

“You are our Gift to him.” Him. They never said his name. “Remember what an honor it is.”

Each of the other nymphs grooming her for her presentation had advice to give.

“Keep your eyes low when near him.”

“Don’t speak unless spoken to. When you do, address him with utmost respect.”

“Don’t forget your posture, love.”

Baby’s breath was weaved into her long honey-colored hair. Others stood around her feet, embroidering gold threads into the soft fabric. Everyone had told her for weeks what an honor it was to be the Gift, but their smiles never met their eyes. She didn’t feel lucky - she felt like she was being sacrificed.

She knew his size must be mountainous for the way the earth shook upon his approach. All had been still for nearly half an hour now.

He was waiting out there.

“Wait,” Aria blurted. The last of her sisters paused at the door, looking her over with wet eyes. “What if he is… is displeased. What if he doesn’t want this?”

Her sister rushed back to hug her. “Just play as you always do, Aria. He will be pleased, I’m sure of it.”

Aria clutched her harp tightly when she stepped out of the safety of her room in the Great Oak. All her sisters stood in concentric circles around the clearing to see her off.

The instinct to search for a familiar face was quashed as her eyes settled on him and her lips parted with a quiet gasp. He was a titan in every sense of the word. But far from the grotesque monster, he appeared quite human. His powerful frame was hidden by unassuming clothing, and his features were so pleasant, they were almost feminine. There was a celestial air about him, like the sun itself had taken form. His shadow rivaled those of the largest trees in the forest, casting unnatural swathes of darkness over the foliage.

His eyes were like crystal pools. They watched her with what she could only describe as patient anticipation as she made her approach across the stock-still meadow.

She stood by his side and was tempted to crane her neck for a closer look — keep your eyes low - and quickly corrected. There was no need to risk offending him.

She played her harp, offering soft humming to accompany. When she finished, she heard a soft breath escape him over head, like a gusting wind. She couldn’t help herself but steal a look upward, shocked to find his chin resting in his hand and his expression tender.

“Beautiful,” he said, and reached for her. It was a smooth motion, too quick for her to react. Cradling her close, the giant bowed his head towards the community, and all nymphs ducked their heads in return.

Aria twisted around as he stood to take one last look at her sisters. Darkness covered her as the giant covered her with another hand and began to walk. No time to process. No time to say goodbye.

It felt like only a few strides before the air changed. When his hand was removed, she was somewhere entirely new.

Aria found herself blinking in a heavenly light - a jarring contrast from the earthy green and dappled light in the forest. She whipped her head around, making sense of a massive room with furnishings made to accommodate such a vast being.

“Don’t be afraid.” His voice rumbled at her back, making her jump. Aria regarded him with wide eyes. How could she not be afraid? He brushed her cheek with thumb like they were old friends. “You will come to know me in time. You’ve nothing to fear, I promise.”

Her palms brushed along his much larger one. The sensation of the criss-crossed lines and folds in his hand was bewildering.

“I feel so small,” Aria said.

A small smile crooked his lips. “Diamonds are tiny, but no less coveted.”

He sets his hand down to a table, allowing her to dismount. Aria’s wide eyed jumped from the objects around her to the doorways that inevitably led to more rooms of impossible size. Fear dissolved into a euphoric wonder as she spun slowly. It was beautiful.

When she faced him again, he crouched down to offer her a flower. It looked so minuscule between his finger and thumb. The gesture was so simple, a masterclass of gentleness.

“Thank you, sir.” Aria stretched her hands over the petals as she accepted it, noting It doesn’t respond to her touch like the flora and fauna did at home. It seemed to be made differently, the very same hue as the instrument tucked under her arm.

She smiled nonetheless as she stroked the velvety material. His hand was back around her shortly, and his chin touched the edge of the table as he gazed in at her. No one, man or woman, had ever looked at her quite like that. It stole the breath from her lungs.

“You are the most exquisite creature I’ve ever seen,” he murmured.

[ask-de-writer]

SULA’S SONG : Part 66 : THE RETURN OF THE CORLIS AVENGER : A World of Sea tale (Work In Progress)

Return to the Master Story Index

Return to World of Sea

SULA’S SONG : THE RETURN OF THE CORLIS AVENGER

Part 66

by

De Writer (Glen Ten-Eyck)

154176  words presently written, WORK IN PROGRESS

Copyright 2022

All  rights reserved. This document may not be copied or distributed on or to any medium or placed in any mass storage system except by the express  written consent of the author.

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Copyright fair use rules for Tumblr users

Users of Tumblr.com are specifically granted the following rights. They may    reblog the story. They may use the characters or original characters in my settings for fan fiction, fan art works, cosplay, or fan musical compositions. I will allow those who do commission art works to  charge for their images.

All sorts of Fan Activity, fiction, art, cosplay, music or anything else is ACTIVELY encouraged!

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NEW TO SULA’S SONG?  READ FROM THE BEGINNING.  

PART 1 is HERE

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Unknown to them, there was a silent witness to the successful attack.

They had been shadowed by a ship that, though big, was used to scouting unseen.  Sula and Lora, up in one of the big A frame mast tops of the Dark Dragon used the light of the moons to their advantage for both seeing and staying unseen.

There being no useful light for Dayspeech, Lora nodded her approval and said, “Survivor pickup done well.  Ice of thought was for that.”

Sula agreed, “Ice of Corlis feelings known for Boren.  Keep Great Law still.  Good is.  Now return to Corlis fleet.  How deal with prisoners, we see.”

The Dark Dragon slid silently back to where she had been holding station with the fleet.

Danar carefully conned the Corlis Avenger into the fleet, where a committee of Captains was awaiting their report.  Instead of the current Council Ship, they tied up to armory ship that they had launched from.  A crew led by Daron boarded to inspect every aspect of the ship, after her first real action.  Cargo cranes reloaded the Avenger's magazines and experts from rope walks and weaving shops went over every aspect of the new catapult and sail designs for any signs of a problem!

The impatient Captains commandeered a substantial gig and interrupted the important work going on to demand, “Why didn't you come to us with your report!?  This can all wait!  Tell us what happened out there!”

Several of them took advantage of a seemingly clear space of deck to stand and glare at the Avenger's crew!  Daron shouted them down!  “Get out of that space!  We are doing a tension test!  The catapult's arm will be slicing through there!”

The others dashed for safety but Captain Arogan sneered, “Just hold it off until . . .”

Mahad dove in flat and drove him from his feet!  From his prone position, Arogan was raising an arm to strike at Mahad when the massive throwing arm smashed past!  Arogan's screams filled the night!  His arm had been ripped off from just above the elbow and his blood was fountaining as he flailed in his agony!

Mahad rolled to his feet and straddled Captain Arogan while calling out, “First Aid!  We need a tourniquet now!”

Jims sprinted across the deck with the vital kit!  It took both of them to hold the shocked and agonized captain down while they got the life saving tourniquet into place and tightened!

Turning to the rest of the Captains of the Committee, Danar snarld, “You did this and nearly ruined the catapult test into the bargain!  You entered my command past a clearly marked danger zone notice!  If you had the courtesy of Kraken Hag you would have come to the free side for boarding like both manners and law require!  You NEVER board from the bows and you know it!

“You will get your report!  First, though, this ship will be properly inspected and made fully battle ready!”

The chief of the Boat-builders guild stood forward, a hand on Danar's shoulder and stated calmly, “Lad is right.  Not diplomatic, perhaps, but dead right on all points.  We were just sending you a message about this situation.

“Seems that the ship that they sank was not alone.  The high lookout, up on the whipstaff, saw what appeared to be another vessel.  We were making sure that the Avenger was ready for another fight when you stuck your noses in.  As soon as the prisoners are off loaded, we already have reprovisioned the Avenger and she will be making a second sweep for the defense of this fleet, which is this vessel's sole purpose.”

“We have not authorized any such action!  As for those prisoners, they are Borens!  Just throw them overboard and spear them for sport, like they do ours!”

Daron, interrupting the conversation of Captains and Master, pointed out, “Captain Erol of the Periwinkle, right?  Do you see that big black ship just over there?  They are here to restore the Great Laws and NOTHING else.  The Borens may not follow the Great Laws but we do.

“Bluntly, Sir, denial of or violation of the Great Laws is grounds for the loss of Captaincy.  Take the prisoners and give them proper trials.  The alternative is for you to be removed, executed, or if they back you, your ship sunk.  Those people on the Dark Dragon are NOT our friends. They are with us only because we follow the Great Laws.”

///////////////////////////

There were two men up on the high lookout’s whipstaff of the Lesser Hag, a Born fleet vessel.  They were nervously watching the horizon in all directions with the greatest of care.  The Lesser Hag was holding station in the debris field over the sunken wreck of the Petral.

Captain Hallan was grimly examining the still wet rough diver's reports. Looking up sharply at his divers he asked, “How sure are you that all of this was done by only three shots?”

Banda, his lead diver corrected, “Only three that hit her, Sir.  Of that, we are certain.  The hull breacher that hit her rudder is still in the ship.  Here, let me show you.”  He took the notes and indicated the place.  “You can see it down there because the main hatch came off or was removed in the sinking.

“Now this one here shows the size of the hole that the hull breacher made. Besides simple penetration, both the rudder and stern post were shattered, increasing the amount of damage.  This one hit would have taken her down.

“If you look here, Petral's  bowsprit was totally broken away by a hit that took it just inside the hull, where it was anchored.  That hole goes clear through the ship and is about a hundred and twenty centimeters across.  What is really bad with all of this is the very precise aim of both of these hits.

“I have two divers still working to bring up the rigging destroyer that broke the main mast.  We can't recover the hull breacher because of both its size and location in the wreck.  We did get a really good survey of the weapon, though.

“One last item of interest, Sir.  All of the Petral's portside and stern catapults were fired at least twice.  Might have been more, but we can be sure of twice.”

Captain Hallan came to a decision.  “As soon as you have that weapon, we must go South with this news.  We can return to our duty shadowing the enemy later.  Karl must know of this as soon as possible.”

The sails of the Lesser Hag filled with wind as she fled south to carry her news to Karl.

TO BE CONTINUED

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[sharpeagle-tech]

Crane Accident Prevention & OSHA Regulations Guide

Between 2011 and 2017, the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) reported a staggering total of 297 crane-related deaths. Mishaps caused by lapses in crane safety often put the lives of the crew members at risk and result in significant losse­s for the company. Imagine the impact of a crane malfunction on a bustling construction site or industrial setting. In such scenarios, crane lights can make all the difference. Making sure that crane­ safety lights work efficiently isn't a choice - it's a mandate to stop accidents and follow strict OSHA rule­s.

This blog explores the key role of crane safety lights in prote­cting workers and meeting OSHA standards. We­'ll look at the main causes of crane accidents and examine legal impacts and OSHA safe­ty guidelines. Our aim is to shed light on the proactive­ safety measures in high-risk se­ttings. By using safety lights properly, companies e­nsure compliance and create­ a secure work environment.

Want to discover how adding safety lights preve­nts crane accidents and boosts workplace safe­ty? Read on to understand the crucial role of crane safety lights in accident prevention and regulatory compliance.

[gqresearch24]

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs): Driving The Economy Forward

(Source – TrucksDekho)

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) play a pivotal role in driving economic activity across various industries worldwide. These versatile vehicles, characterized by their payload capacity and compact size, serve as essential tools for businesses, ranging from logistics and transportation to construction and trades. In this article, we will explore the significance of Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), their diverse applications, technological advancements, market trends, and the future outlook for this crucial segment of the automotive industry.

Understanding Light Commercial Vehicles:

LCVs, also known as light-duty trucks or vans, encompass a broad category of vehicles designed primarily for commercial purposes while offering passenger-carrying capabilities.

LCVs typically have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranging from 3.5 to 7 tons, making them suitable for transporting goods, equipment, and personnel over short to medium distances.

These vehicles are available in various configurations, including panel vans, pickup trucks, chassis cabs, minivans, and specialized vehicles tailored to specific industries such as refrigerated vans for transporting perishable goods or utility vans for service and maintenance tasks.

Applications and Industries:

Light Commercial Vehicles serve a multitude of industries and applications, including:

Logistics and Distribution: LCVs form the backbone of logistics operations, facilitating the movement of goods and parcels between distribution centers, warehouses, and retail outlets.

Construction and Trades: Contractors, builders, and tradespeople rely on Light Commercial Vehicles to transport tools, materials, and equipment to construction sites, renovation projects, and service calls.

Retail and E-commerce: Delivery vans and parcel carriers use LCVs to fulfill last-mile deliveries, transporting packages directly to customers’ doorsteps.

Service and Utility: Light Commercial Vehicles equipped with specialized bodies, such as cherry pickers, cranes, or mobile workshops, support a wide range of service-oriented businesses, including utilities, telecommunications, and maintenance providers.

Technological Advancements:

Advancements in automotive technology have led to significant improvements in Light Commercial Vehicles performance, efficiency, and safety features:

Engine Efficiency: Modern LCVs feature fuel-efficient engines, including diesel, gasoline, hybrid, and electric powertrains, offering reduced emissions and operating costs.

Connectivity and Telematics: Integrated telematics systems provide fleet managers with real-time vehicle tracking, remote diagnostics, and predictive maintenance capabilities, optimizing fleet efficiency and uptime.

Safety Systems: Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as lane-keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control, enhance driver safety and mitigate the risk of accidents.

Electric Mobility: The emergence of electric LCVs offers eco-friendly alternatives to traditional combustion engine vehicles, reducing carbon emissions and operating costs while addressing environmental concerns.

Market Trends and Dynamics:

The global Light Commercial Vehicles market is characterized by several key trends and dynamics shaping its growth trajectory:

Urbanization: Increasing urbanization and e-commerce growth drive demand for LCVs suited to urban delivery and last-mile logistics, leading to the development of compact electric vans and micro-mobility solutions.

Emission Regulations: Stringent emission regulations and sustainability initiatives incentivize the adoption of electric and low-emission LCVs, prompting automakers to invest in electrification and alternative propulsion technologies.

Digital Transformation: Digitalization and automation trends, coupled with the rise of autonomous delivery vehicles and drone technology, are reshaping the future of last-mile logistics and urban mobility solutions.

Shift towards E-commerce: The surge in online shopping and home delivery services, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, underscores the importance of efficient and reliable LCV fleets for fulfilling consumer demand and supply chain resilience.

Future Outlook:

The future outlook for the Light Commercial Vehicles segment is characterized by innovation, sustainability, and adaptation to evolving market dynamics:

Electrification: Continued advancements in electric vehicle technology, battery technology, and charging infrastructure will drive the widespread adoption of electric LCVs, particularly for urban delivery and fleet applications.

Autonomous Mobility: Autonomous driving technologies and vehicle automation will play an increasingly significant role in enhancing LCV safety, efficiency, and operational productivity, enabling autonomous delivery and logistics solutions.

https://gqresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1.4-Autonomous-Mobility-Source-istanbulmo.com_.jpg

Sustainable Solutions: Manufacturers and fleet operators will focus on implementing sustainable practices, including fleet electrification, route optimization, and eco-friendly packaging, to minimize environmental impact and achieve carbon neutrality goals.

Integration of Mobility Services: The integration of mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) platforms, shared mobility solutions, and on-demand delivery services will transform the LCV market, offering flexible and cost-effective transportation solutions for businesses and consumers alike.

Conclusion: 

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) are integral to the functioning of modern economies, supporting a wide range of industries, from logistics and construction to retail and services. As technological advancements drive innovation in vehicle design, propulsion systems, and connectivity solutions, the LCV segment is poised for continued growth and transformation. By embracing electrification, automation, and sustainability, LCV manufacturers and fleet operators can address emerging challenges while unlocking new opportunities for efficiency, profitability, and environmental stewardship in the rapidly evolving mobility landscape.

[fsesafepteltd]

Bright Signals: The Effectiveness of Overhead Crane Warning Lights

In the symphony of industrial activity, safety takes centre stage. Overhead cranes, while crucial for lifting and transporting heavy loads, pose a significant risk if their movements go unnoticed. This is where overhead crane warning lights step in, acting as silent sentinels, preventing accidents and safeguarding personnel.

Enhanced Visibility: Industrial environments can be busy and visually cluttered. Overhead crane warning lights cut through this clutter, emitting bright, directional beams that grab attention. These lights are strategically positioned on the crane itself, illuminating its path of travel and alerting workers in the vicinity. This heightened visibility allows workers to stay clear of the moving crane, preventing accidental collisions.

Early Warning System: A crane's movement can be gradual, especially when lifting heavy objects. Warning lights act as a proactive safety measure, alerting workers well before the crane reaches a specific location. This advanced warning allows personnel ample time to react appropriately, whether it's moving to a designated safe zone, stopping work in the crane's path, or coordinating movements with the crane operator.

Multiple Lighting Options: Overhead crane warning lights come in various configurations to cater to diverse needs. Strobe lights provide a highly visible, pulsating effect that's hard to miss, especially in low-light conditions. Rotating lights offer a sweeping beam that covers a wider area, ensuring maximum visibility. For specific directional warnings, LED light bars can be positioned strategically to illuminate designated pathways.

Improved Communication: Overhead crane warning lights act as a visual communication tool. Their activation signifies that the crane is in operation, prompting workers to heighten their situational awareness. This silent communication streamlines coordination within the workspace, fostering a shared understanding of crane activity and promoting safe work practices.

Durability for Industrial Environments: Industrial settings can be harsh, with dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Overhead crane warning lights are built to withstand these conditions. They are typically constructed with robust housings and impact-resistant lenses, ensuring reliable operation even in demanding environments.

Conclusion: Overhead crane warning lights are a cost-effective and highly effective safety measure. They enhance visibility, provide early warnings, offer diverse lighting options, and promote clear communication within the workspace. For superior quality and reliable performance, consider FSE SAFE's range of overhead crane warning lights. FSE SAFE offers a comprehensive selection of lights designed to meet the specific needs of your industrial environment, prioritizing safety and creating a secure space for your workforce.

[agrieyes]

AgriEyes W18: Elevating Safety with Style in Emergency Lighting

Introducing the AgriEyes W18, a 48" High Bright Tow Truck Light Bar designed to redefine safety with its ultra-thin profile, outstanding brightness, and sleek aesthetic appeal. Whether responding to emergencies or working in low-visibility conditions, the W18 stands as a reliable companion, ensuring safety through its powerful illumination.

Ultra-Thin, Super Bright, and Stylish: Measuring at just 0.96" in thickness, the 48" strobe light bar offers a 360° rotating coverage and impressive brightness. Engineered for effective alert and warning, it proves invaluable during traffic accidents, inclement weather, heavy rain, snow, and fog. The ultra-slim design not only reduces wind noise but also enhances fuel efficiency. Visually, the W18 seamlessly integrates with your vehicle, adding a touch of sophistication and elegance.

High Quality and Durability: Crafted with an industry-grade design, the W18 features a shell made from durable double-layer aluminum alloy, ensuring a lifespan exceeding 50,000 hours. Operating flawlessly in temperatures ranging from -40°C to 65°C, this tow truck light bar is built to endure even the harshest conditions. With an IP67 international standard waterproof rating, it remains resilient against challenging weather conditions.

Easy Installation: With a 12FT power cord included, the W18 simplifies the installation process. Easily mount the 48" LED light bar on your vehicle's roof without the need for drilling, thanks to the provided universal gutter bracket set. Alternatively, opt for a permanent installation. The modular design facilitates easy color matching, and individual module replacement saves both time and money. Your installation will be completed effortlessly, ensuring you are prepared for action when it matters most.

Versatile Modes for Every Situation: Equipped with 13 built-in modes, the emergency strobe light bar offers flexibility with a simple press of the switch button. Switch between modes effortlessly, and a long press of the button turns it off, remembering the last mode used. This adaptability ensures that the W18 caters to various situations, providing the optimal lighting solution when you need it.

Wide Range of Applications: The amber LED light bar proves versatile across a broad spectrum of applications. From school buses and fire engines to agricultural vehicles, snowplows, cranes, trailers, tractors, and more, the W18 is a reliable companion. Its applications extend to pilot cars, parking lot warnings, EMS, security, construction, and beyond.

In conclusion, the AgriEyes W18 emerges as a beacon of safety, reliability, and style. Illuminate your path with confidence, knowing that the AgriEyes 48" High Bright Tow Truck Light Bar leads the way in emergency warning lights technology.

[techlandcranes]

Revolutionizing Industries: Key EOT Crane Features and Technologies by Leading Crane Supplier & Manufacturer in UAE

In the dynamic landscape of industrial operations, the role of EOT (Electric Overhead Traveling) cranes cannot be overstated. As businesses strive for efficiency and safety, the demand for advanced crane solutions continues to grow. This blog explores the transformative features and technologies offered by leading EOT crane suppliers and manufacturers in the UAE, shedding light on how these innovations are reshaping industries.

Cutting-Edge Automation in EOT Cranes

Automation has become a cornerstone in modern industrial processes, and EOT cranes are no exception. Leading crane suppliers and manufacturers in the UAE are integrating advanced automation features into their products. From automated load positioning to precision control systems, these innovations enhance operational efficiency, reduce human errors, and contribute to a safer working environment.

Smart Monitoring Systems for Enhanced Safety

Safety is paramount in industrial settings, and EOT crane manufacturers in the UAE are at the forefront of implementing smart monitoring systems. These systems provide real-time data on crane performance, structural health, and potential issues. With features like predictive maintenance alerts, businesses can address concerns proactively, minimizing downtime and ensuring a secure working environment.

Energy-Efficient Solutions for Sustainable Operations

Sustainability is a growing concern across industries, and EOT crane suppliers in the UAE are addressing this by incorporating energy-efficient technologies. Cranes equipped with regenerative braking systems, LED lighting, and optimized power consumption contribute to lower energy costs and a reduced environmental footprint. As businesses prioritize eco-friendly practices, these energy-efficient features are becoming pivotal in crane selection.

Advanced Material Handling Capabilities

The ability to handle diverse materials efficiently is a key factor in the success of industrial operations. EOT crane manufacturers in the UAE understand this requirement and are developing cranes with advanced material handling capabilities. Whether it's precision lifting, tandem operations, or specialized attachments, these cranes empower businesses to streamline their material handling processes, leading to increased productivity.

Integration of IoT for Real-Time Data Insights

The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing the way industries operate, and EOT crane suppliers in the UAE are harnessing its power. By integrating IoT into crane systems, businesses gain access to real-time data insights. This includes information on load status, crane performance, and even operator behavior. The ability to analyze this data enables informed decision-making, optimizing processes and enhancing overall efficiency.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the EOT crane landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, thanks to the innovative features and technologies introduced by leading crane suppliers and manufacturers in the UAE. From automation and smart monitoring to energy-efficient solutions and advanced material handling capabilities, these cranes are not just lifting loads; they are elevating industries to new heights of efficiency and sustainability. As businesses continue to seek reliable partners for their material handling needs, the emphasis on choosing a reputable EOT crane supplier and manufacturer in the UAE becomes more critical than ever. Embracing these cutting-edge technologies ensures that industries stay ahead in the competitive global market, poised for success in the era of smart and efficient operations.

[jerry618]

Useful LED Screen Installation Tips

Email: sale05@xygledscreen.com

WhatsApp & Wechat: +86 18038197291

www.xygledscreen.com

Installation and debugging are essential for using outdoor billboards well. It is necessary for technical construction personnel to master how to build and maintain displays for outdoor billboards, which will promote the effect of advertisements and help information dissemination.

Four Steps for the Installation of LED Displays for Outdoor Billboards

Specifically, there are four steps for installation of LED displays for outdoor billboards: field survey, equipment construction, installation, debugging and operation.

1. Firstly, we should carry out a field survey according to real situations. 

That is to run uniform tests according to the specific environment, terrain, light-emitting range, luminance acceptance ability and other parameters before the installation of outdoor LED displays. To ensure a smooth installation, commanding personnel must carry out a uniform hoisting scheme to make sure that the equipment can be normally and stably used. Different situations should be treated with different measures, which aims to always adopt more appropriate methods.

2.  Secondly, we will construct the LED equipment after deciding a specific plan according to the field survey results.  

When installing some outdoor LED billboards, wall-mounted displays, suspended displays and roof displays must be distinguished from each other. During the installation, the crane and the hoister should be used for sectional hoisting according to the distance and height. At the same time, make sure that personnel on the equipment cooperate with each other. Thus, the use and installation of LED billboards at high altitudes can be conducted more properly. During the construction process, safety and accuracy are the top priorities.

3.  Thirdly, we need to debug the light-emitting range after the construction is completed, in order to obtain the best advertising effect. 

Different light emitting ranges require different constructional visual angles for LED displays. Outdoor LED displays should be fixed and installed according to the field acceptance ability and the common visual angle range of people around, so as to ensure that they can see, from a distance at each angle, normal and luminance-balanced images and captions. Only when a wide visual angle is matched with appropriate luminance can the benefits be maximized.

4.  Lastly, to deliver for smooth use, we need to carry out follow-up inspections and maintenance. 

Follow-up inspections cover a lot of matters, such as the LED display waterproof layer, the heat dissipation layer, the LED surface waterproof coating, the rain shielding area above the display, the heat dissipation space at both sides and the power supply line. These basic parts are essential for a fine LED display for graphics and texts. Technical maintenance after the delivery, of course, is also of great importance. We need to carry out uniform management and maintenance for these parts and to replace them in time if they rust, become unstable or be damaged to ensure safe use.

Matters Needing Attention for Installation of Outdoor LED Displays 

Since outdoor LED displays are used outdoor, they must be treated differently from indoor LED displays. The installation requirements of outdoor LED displays are also different from those of indoor ones. It must be done perfectly at the tiniest level. Otherwise, it is likely to cause trouble. Matters needing attention are listed as follows: 

1. The installation of lightning arresters on displays and buildings. 

 

Keep the main body and the shell of displays well-grounded, with the grounding resistance less than 3 ohms, which can discharge in time large current caused by lightning; Displays may be attacked by strong electricity and magnetism caused by lightning. 

2. Waterproof designs for LED displays 

Displays and the joint between them and buildings must be waterproof and leakproof; Displays should be designed to have good drainage, which can discharge gathered water. It is rather important to make displays waterproof and dampproof. Outdoor displays are under harsh working environments. They are often exposed to the sun, rain, wind and dust.  If the equipment gets wet or seriously damp, it will have a short circuit or even catch fire, which may lead to a breakdown or fire hazard. Thus, causing great losses; 

3. The selection of circuit chip

Use industrial-grade integrated circuit chips with working temperatures between -40℃ and 80℃, aiming to prevent displays from being unable to start due to low temperatures in winter. 

4. Install a ventilation system for cooling to keep the internal temperature of displays between -10℃ and 40℃. 

Install an axial flow fan above the back of the display to discharge heat; The working of LED displays will generate a certain amount of heat. If the ambient temperature is too high and the cooling is not effective, the integrated circuit may not work normally or even be burnt down, thus making the display unable to work. 

5. Use ultra-bright LED 

​

To ensure the visibility from long distances under strong ambient light, ultra-bright LED must be used. To increase the contrast ratio, widen the watching range of the audience, lengthen the visual distance and broaden the visual field; The ambient light sometimes changes a lot. Displays may be exposed to direct sunlight. 

6. Use new types of LED with wide visual angle as the displaying medium 

The encapsulated displaying medium with a wide visual angle, pure color, well consistency and service life of more than 100,000 hours is currently the most popular equipment, with a square barrel with a shielding edge, silica gel sealing and non-metallic assembly. It is delicate and beautiful in appearance, firm and durable and can prevent direct sunlight, dust, water, high temperature and short circuit. We hereby sincerely warn you that matters needing attention during the installation of outdoor LED displays are related to future use and safety. It is never late for you to take it seriously. The above six points must be done well while installing outdoor LED displays.