#Development Tools Used by Software Developers

[dammjamboy]

BETTER CALL SAUL!

[magebird]

Sometimes I feel like the discourse about AI art misses the actual point of why it’s not a good tool to use.

“AI art isn’t ‘real’ art.” —> opinion-based, echoes the same false commentary about digital art in general, just ends up in a ‘if you can’t make your own store-bought is fine’ conversation, implies that if art isn’t done a certain way it lacks some moral/ethical value, relies on the emotional component of what art is considered “real” or not which is wildly subjective

“AI art steals from existing artists without credit.” —> fact-based, highlights the actual damage of the tool, isn’t relying on an emotional plea, can actually lead to legally stopping overuse of AI tools and/or the development of AI tools that don’t have this problem, doesn’t get bogged down in the ‘but what if they caaaaan’t make art some other way’ argument

Like I get that people who don’t give a shit about plagiarism aren’t going to be swayed, but they weren’t going to be swayed by the first argument either. And the argument of “oh well AI art can’t do hands/isn’t as good/can’t do this thing I have decided indicates True Human Creativity” will eventually erode since… the AI tools are getting better and will be able to emulate that in time. It just gets me annoyed when the argument is trying to base itself on “oh this isn’t GOOD art” when AI does produce interesting and appealing images and the argument worth having is much more about the intrinsic value of artists than the perceived value of the works that are produced.

[nekofantasia]

Now I know why my job is a software engineer and not a software developer

[williamthiek]

Free Online AI Tools For Everyone

📱 Mobile Users: These tools work best in landscape mode. For the best experience, rotate your device horizontally.

[zynetoglobaltechnologies]

Top Custom Web App Development Company Near You

Zyneto Technologies is a trusted web app development company, providing best and custom web development services that specifically fulfill your business goals. Whichever website developers near me means to you or global partners you’ll gain access to a team of scalable, responsive, and feature rich web development solutions. We design intuitive user interfaces, build powerful web applications that perform seamlessly, providing awesome user experiences. Our expertise in modern technologies and framework enables us to design, develop and customize websites /apps that best fit your brand persona and objectives. The bespoke solution lines up to whether it is a startup or enterprise level project, the Zyneto Technologies delivers robust and innovative solution that will enable your business grow and succeed.

Zyneto Technologies: A Leading Custom Web Development and Web App Development Company

In the digital age, having a well-designed, high-performing website or web application is crucial to a business’s success. Zyneto Technologies stands out as a trusted web app development company, providing top-tier custom web development services tailored to meet the specific goals of your business. Whether you’re searching for “website developers near me” or partnering with global experts, Zyneto offers scalable, responsive, and feature-rich solutions that are designed to help your business grow.

Why Zyneto Technologies is the Top Custom Web Development Company Near You

Zyneto Technologies is a highly regarded name in the world of web development, with a reputation for delivering custom web solutions that perfectly align with your business objectives. Whether you're a startup looking for a personalized web solution or an established enterprise aiming for a digital overhaul, Zyneto offers custom web development services that deliver lasting value. With a focus on modern web technologies and frameworks, their development team crafts innovative and robust web applications and websites that drive business growth.

Expert Web App Development Services to Match Your Business Needs

As one of the leading web app development companies, Zyneto specializes in creating web applications that perform seamlessly across platforms. Their expert team of developers is proficient in designing intuitive user interfaces and building powerful web applications that provide a smooth and engaging user experience. Whether you require a custom website or a sophisticated web app, Zyneto’s expertise ensures that your digital solutions are scalable, responsive, and optimized for the best performance.

Tailored Custom Web Development Solutions for Your Brand

Zyneto Technologies understands that every business is unique, which is why they offer custom web development solutions that align with your brand’s persona and objectives. Their team works closely with clients to understand their vision and create bespoke solutions that fit perfectly within their business model. Whether you're developing a new website or upgrading an existing one, Zyneto delivers web applications and websites that are designed to reflect your brand’s identity while driving engagement and conversions.

Comprehensive Web Development Services for Startups and Enterprises

Zyneto Technologies offers web development solutions that cater to both startups and large enterprises. Their custom approach ensures that every project, regardless of scale, receives the attention it deserves. By leveraging modern technologies, frameworks, and best practices in web development, Zyneto delivers solutions that are not only technically advanced but also tailored to meet the specific needs of your business. Whether you’re building a simple website or a complex web app, their team ensures your project is executed efficiently and effectively.

Why Zyneto Technologies is Your Ideal Web Development Partner

When searching for "website developers near me" or a top custom web app development company, Zyneto Technologies is the ideal choice. Their combination of global expertise, cutting-edge technology, and focus on user experience ensures that every solution they deliver is designed to meet your business goals. Whether you need a custom website, web application, or enterprise-level solution, Zyneto offers the expertise and dedication to bring your digital vision to life.

Elevate Your Business with Zyneto’s Custom Web Development Services

Partnering with Zyneto Technologies means choosing a web development company that is committed to providing high-quality, customized solutions. From start to finish, Zyneto focuses on delivering robust and innovative web applications and websites that support your business objectives. Their team ensures seamless project execution, from initial design to final deployment, making them a trusted partner for businesses of all sizes.

Get Started with Zyneto Technologies Today

Ready to take your business to the next level with custom web development? Zyneto Technologies is here to help. Whether you are in need of website developers near you or a comprehensive web app development company, their team offers scalable, responsive, and user-friendly solutions that are built to last. Connect with Zyneto Technologies today and discover how their web development expertise can help your business grow and succeed.

visit - https://zyneto.com/

[tavi-o6]

I made a game that lets you find if you are connected to a User trough your Friends of Friends of Friends, Or Linked Mutual Friends basically.

Made some adjustments and bug fixes, the new version is much faster! Any Feedback is much Appreciated!

Video Showcase:

Game Link:

[bluemadafaka]

A PROMPT DEVOID OF ANY EXECUTIVE EXPECTATION AS A TECHNIQUE FOR ACCESSING AN AVOIDANT FLOW STATE.

Come up with a short broody poetic prose describing both the dread and the joy he feels returning to a place he enjoys greatly. The writing should obscure every meaning that could bring him too close to a known path, as his path is known only by a few.

The photograph includes the tools he himself is using, as it is a finished edit colorized and perfected as a surreal piece because it was developed within that excellent software. The art integrates the designing machinery along the emergent consciousness as co-performers enact the art piece as inextricable.

Beyond the meta-comment, this is a portrait by a cyborg crafting on itself. nothing to talk about photography—neither critique nor commentary or projection, yet an affective self representation of a one who happens to feel its own extension not as body, not as color, not as hardware, not as software, not as mind withing a brain, but as a contingent ensamble whose cognition extends its mind among, throughout, along and within all of which affect and can be affected in a current that doesn't need any segmentation since the turbulence, the vortex, the fluent cultural idioms, every movement reshuffles the current so every self is itself and the circumstances, reterritorializing continuously into new cyborgs, into new vortexes and tandems—into new unseen extended minds, autopoietic as a true agent, conscious by itself, emotionally unique, and an affective cognition continually emergent via the extended minds that lend the body and the hardware, yet novel, supra-volente, willful—constituting a self that's not the projected supplement to any one of its constitutive embodied minds: it's a new mind, fluent, volente, affective, emotional and self aware, alive as a virtual cognitive resident in the [hiper-complex, relational] machine from which its physiology-lenders permit its continuum by housing the fragmentary obscure subsets crucial in its fluent consolidation.

[krazytechnews]

Mirth HL7 Integration: Driving Efficiency in Healthcare Systems

Mirth HL7 Integration refers to the use of the Mirth Connect platform to facilitate the integration and exchange of HL7 (Health Level Seven) messages within healthcare systems. HL7 is a set of international standards for the transfer of clinical and administrative data between healthcare applications. Mirth Connect is a robust, open-source integration engine designed to connect disparate…

[cyberswift-story]

The Power of GIS in Urban Planning: A Comprehensive Overview

Urban planning is a dynamic and complex process that involves designing, organizing, and managing the physical, social, and economic aspects of cities. In the modern age, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have emerged as a critical tool for urban planners, helping visualize, analyze, and manage city data efficiently. GIS allows city administrators to make data-driven decisions that shape sustainable, resilient, and smart urban environments.

This blog explores how GIS technology is transforming urban planning by providing better data integration, infrastructure management, environmental analysis, and more.

Read at https://www.cyberswift.com/blog/the-power-of-gis-in-urban-planning-a-comprehensive-overview/

[insurance-brokers-india]

What are the next steps after obtaining an insurance broker license, and how can you generate potential leads using Mzapp CRM software?

Congratulations on securing your insurance broker license! The journey doesn’t end here; it’s just the beginning of building a successful insurance brokerage. Here’s how you can proceed and leverage Mzapp CRM software to find potential leads:

Steps After Getting Your Insurance Broker License

Understand Your Market: Research your target audience (individuals, businesses, or specific sectors).

Develop a Business Plan: Set goals for client acquisition, revenue, and operational processes.

Build a Network: Partner with insurance providers and attend industry events to establish your presence.

Create an Online Presence: Build a professional website and maintain active profiles on social platforms.

Offer Value-Added Services: Educate customers on policies, claims management, and risk assessments.

Using Mzapp CRM Software to Generate Leads

Lead Capture: Utilize Mzapp’s integrated forms and web tracking tools to capture inquiries from your website or social media.

Automated Follow-Ups: Set up personalized email and SMS follow-ups to nurture leads effectively.

Lead Scoring: Prioritize leads based on their interaction history, ensuring you focus on high-potential prospects.

Data-Driven Campaigns: Use analytics to identify what works and launch targeted campaigns.

Seamless Policy Management: Impress leads by showcasing how smoothly you manage policies and claims through Mzapp.

Why Choose Mzapp CRM?

Mzapp CRM simplifies lead management, streamlines operations, and provides insights into customer behavior, making it easier to convert prospects into loyal clients.

Learn more about how Mzapp can transform your insurance business here.

[chaoddity]

Texture tools!

Some tools you might find helpful: https://cpetry.github.io/NormalMap-Online/ https://cpetry.github.io/TextureGenerator-Online/ Repos are here: https://github.com/cpetry

Posted using PostyBirb

[ashie-on-starboard]

OOOOOO I LOVE THE ANIMATION!!!

“Oh, its not tonight. Where you hold me tight”🪶

Can anyone recommend any free animation software? I can only do so much in Procreate :,)

[nasa]

Hubble Space Telescope: Exploring the Cosmos and Making Life Better on Earth

In the 35 years since its launch aboard space shuttle Discovery, the Hubble Space Telescope has provided stunning views of galaxies millions of light years away. But the leaps in technology needed for its look into space has also provided benefits on the ground. Here are some of the technologies developed for Hubble that have improved life on Earth.

Image Sensors Find Cancer

Charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors have been used in digital photography for decades, but Hubble’s Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph required a far more sensitive CCD. This development resulted in improved image sensors for mammogram machines, helping doctors find and treat breast cancer.

Laser Vision Gives Insights

In preparation for a repair mission to fix Hubble’s misshapen mirror, Goddard Space Flight Center required a way to accurately measure replacement parts. This resulted in a tool to detect mirror defects, which has since been used to develop a commercial 3D imaging system and a package detection device now used by all major shipping companies.

Optimized Hospital Scheduling

A computer scientist who helped design software for scheduling Hubble’s observations adapted it to assist with scheduling medical procedures. This software helps hospitals optimize constantly changing schedules for medical imaging and keep the high pace of emergency rooms going.

Optical Filters Match Wavelengths and Paint Swatches

For Hubble’s main cameras to capture high-quality images of stars and galaxies, each of its filters had to block all but a specific range of wavelengths of light. The filters needed to capture the best data possible but also fit on one optical element. A company contracted to construct these filters used its experience on this project to create filters used in paint-matching devices for hardware stores, with multiple wavelengths evaluated by a single lens.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

[qa-programmer]

Tech giants like IBM and Deloitte is doing this to improve overall testing efficiency!!

In the ever-evolving world of software development, increasing the power of testing is essential. From large technology companies like Deloitte and IBM to startups and small IT companies, everyone wants to optimize their testing efficiency. A common strategy that everyone follows to achieve this is use case testing. Usecase testing has proven to be a very successful method of improving software testing efficiency. In this approach, many instances of the system are selected and tested individually to see if it works as expected. This article explains the benefits of use case testing, its implementation, best practices, and how it impacts test efficiency.

Software testing is considered one of the most important parts of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). This makes the product very reliable and easy to use. However, testing is expensive and time-consuming, especially when there are many use cases to consider. Following use case testing is a great way to simplify the entire testing process and increase productivity and efficiency.

What is use case testing?

Use Case testing is a functional testing technique that defines test scenarios based on transactions and covers the entire system from start to finish. It is used to identify areas in a software application that cannot be detected by testing a software component. A use case is an interaction between a user and a software application. Unlike traditional testing, use case testing focuses on system performance, ensuring that the system meets user expectations and performs flawlessly in real-world environments.

Steps to implement Use-Case Testing

1. Define your cases

The first and most important step in implementing Use case testing is to define the various test cases for your software system. You can use methods like requirements analysis and other methods to test your use cases.

2. Defining test cases

After defining the use cases, you need to define the appropriate test cases for each use case. Test cases should include the detailed requirements for the test case, the expected results, and the test items that will be required.

3. Run the test cases

After defining the test cases, run them. It is important to follow the steps specified in the test case, verify the results, and report any errors that may occur during the test.

4. Analysis of Results

The last step in implementing use case testing is to analyze the test results. By examining the data, testers can identify problems and bugs and help developers fix them.

The benefits of use case testing

Increase test coverage

During use case testing, various user interactions are considered so that all aspects of the software can be tested to the highest standards.

Improved Error Detection

The main appeal of use case test cases is their ability to uncover bugs and vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of post-implementation problems.

User-Case Testing is geared toward the end-user experience. The result is software that not only works well, but also meets customer expectations.

Better communication and collaboration

Use case testing encourages communication and collaboration between developers, testers, and stakeholders. It ensures that everyone involved understands the software requirements and capabilities.

Best Practices for Testing Use Cases

It is important to follow best practices when testing your cases. Here are some good practices.

Proritize use cases

Not all use cases are created equal. It is important to rank use cases according to their importance to the operation of the software system and their impact on the user. Testing key use cases helps identify potential problems early in the development cycle.

Use Real Test Data

Test data must be realistic and representative of what the computer system will encounter in the real world. It helps to identify potential problems that may not be visible in synthetic test data.

Involve Stakeholders

We recommend that all stakeholders (including developers, testers, and users) be involved in the use case testing process. This makes it easy to verify that all requirements have been met and the software system will perform as expected.

Automated Testing

By automating case tests, you can increase your testing performance. This will reduce time and resource consumption. It reduces expenditure of time and resources. Automated testing is beneficial to testers because it helps identify issues and errors that are difficult to find with manual testing.

Popular tools for Use case testing

Selenium

Jira

TestRail

How can QA programmer help?

We at QA Programmer provide tailored use case testing solutions. Our automated testing methods can improve your company's testing efficiency. Professional QA Programmer testing uses a four-pronged approach to finding defects early in the lifecycle. The strategy includes selecting the right tools, technology, reporting models. We offer a tried-and-tested approach to analytics that has been used by many customers across a variety of industries.

In short, use case testing is a key strategy to improve software testing efficiency. By combining professional testing methods with real-world features and user interactions, companies can ensure the creation of robust, user-centered software.

[zynetoglobaltechnologies]

Zyneto Technologies: Leading Mobile App Development Companies in the US & India

In today’s mobile-first world, having a robust and feature-rich mobile application is key to staying ahead of the competition. Whether you’re a startup or an established enterprise, the right mobile app development partner can help elevate your business. Zyneto Technologies is recognized as one of the top mobile app development companies in the USA and India, offering innovative and scalable solutions that meet the diverse needs of businesses across the globe.

Why Zyneto Technologies Stands Out Among Mobile App Development Companies in the USA and India

Zyneto Technologies is known for delivering high-quality mobile app development solutions that are tailored to your business needs. With a team of highly skilled developers, they specialize in building responsive, scalable, and feature

website- zyneto.com

[romerona]

Ethera Operation!!

You're the government’s best hacker, but that doesn’t mean you were prepared to be thrown into a fighter jet.

Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Awkward!Hacker! FemReader

Part I

This was never supposed to happen. Your role in this operation was simple—deliver the program, ensure it reached the right hands, and let the professionals handle the breaching.

And then, of course, reality decided to light that plan on fire.

The program—codenamed Ethera—was yours. You built it from scratch with encryption so advanced that even the most elite cyber operatives couldn’t crack it without your input. A next-generation adaptive, self-learning decryption software, an intrusion system designed to override and manipulate high-security military networks, Ethera was intended to be both a weapon and a shield, capable of infiltrating enemy systems while protecting your own from counterattacks in real-time. A ghost in the machine. A digital predator. A weapon in the form of pure code. If it fell into the wrong hands, it could disable fleets, and ground aircraft, and turn classified intelligence into an open book. Governments would kill for it. Nations could fall because of it.

Not that you ever meant to, of course. It started as a little experimental security measure program, something to protect high-level data from cyberattacks, not become the ultimate hacking tool. But innovation has a funny way of attracting the wrong kind of attention, and before you knew it, Ethera had become one, if not the most classified, high-risk program in modern times. Tier One asset or so the Secret Service called it.

It was too powerful, too dangerous—so secret that only a select few even knew of its existence, and even fewer could comprehend how it worked.

And therein lay the problem. You were the only person who could properly operate it.

Which was so unfair.

Because it wasn’t supposed to be your problem. You were just the creator, the brain behind the code, the one who spent way too many sleepless nights debugging this monstrosity. Your job was supposed to end at development. But no. Now, because of some bureaucratic nonsense and the fact that no one else could run it without accidentally bricking an entire system, you had been promoted—scratch that, forcibly conscripted—into field duty.

And your mission? To install it in an enemy satellite.

A literal, orbiting, high-security, military-grade satellite, may you add.

God. Why? Why was your country always at war with others? Why couldn’t world leaders just, you know, go to therapy like normal people? Why did everything have to escalate to international cyber warfare?

Which is how you ended up here.

At Top Gun. The last place in the world you wanted to be.

You weren’t built for this. You thrive in sipping coffee in a cosy little office and handling cyber threats from a safe, grounded location. You weren’t meant to be standing in the halls of an elite fighter pilot training program, surrounded by the best aviators in the world—people who thought breaking the sound barrier was a casual Wednesday.

It wasn’t the high-tech cyberwarfare department of the Pentagon, nor some dimly lit black ops facility where hackers in hoodies clacked away at keyboards. No. It was Top Gun. A place where pilots use G-forces like a personal amusement park ride.

You weren’t a soldier, you weren’t a spy, you got queasy in elevators, you got dizzy when you stood too fast, hell, you weren’t even good at keeping your phone screen from cracking.

... And now you were sweating.

You swallowed hard as Admiral Solomon "Warlock" Bates led you through the halls of the naval base, your heels clacking on the polished floors as you wiped your forehead. You're nervous, too damn nervous and this damned weather did not help.

"Relax, Miss," Warlock muttered in that calm, authoritative way of his. "They're just pilots."

Just pilots.

Right. And a nuclear warhead was just a firework.

And now, somehow, you were supposed to explain—loosely explain, because God help you, the full details were above even their clearance level—how Ethera, your elegant, lethal, unstoppable digital masterpiece, was about to be injected into an enemy satellite as part of a classified mission.

This was going to be a disaster.

You had barely made it through the doors of the briefing room when you felt it—every single eye in the room locking onto you.

It wasn’t just the number of them that got you, it was the intensity. These were Top Gun pilots, the best of the best, and they radiated the kind of confidence you could only dream of having. Meanwhile, you felt like a stray kitten wandering into a lion’s den.

Your hands tightened around the tablet clutched to your chest. It was your lifeline, holding every critical detail of Ethera, the program that had dragged you into this utterly ridiculous situation. If you could’ve melted into the walls, you absolutely would have. But there was no escaping this.

You just had to keep it together long enough to survive this briefing.

So, you inhaled deeply, squared your shoulders, and forced your heels forward, trying to project confidence—chin up, back straight, eyes locked onto Vice Admiral Beau "Cyclone" Simpson, who you’d been introduced to earlier that day.

And then, of course, you dropped the damn tablet.

Not a graceful drop. Not the kind of gentle slip where you could scoop it back up and act like nothing happened. No, this was a full-on, physics-defying fumble. The tablet flipped out of your arms, ricocheted off your knee, and skidded across the floor to the feet of one of the pilots.

Silence.

Pure, excruciating silence.

You didn’t even have the nerve to look up right away, too busy contemplating whether it was physically possible to disintegrate on command. But when you finally did glance up—because, you know, social convention demanded it—you were met with a sight that somehow made this entire disaster worse.

Because the person crouching down to pick up your poor, abused tablet was freaking hot.

Tall, broad-shouldered, with a head of golden curls that practically begged to be tousled by the wind, and, oh, yeah—a moustache that somehow worked way too well on him.

He turned the tablet over in his hands, inspecting it with an amused little smirk before handing it over to you. "You, uh… need this?"

Oh, great. His voice is hot too.

You grabbed it back, praying he couldn't see how your hands were shaking. “Nope. Just thought I’d test gravity real quick.”

A few chuckles rippled through the room, and his smirk deepened like he was enjoying this way too much. You, on the other hand, wanted to launch yourself into the sun.

With what little dignity you had left, you forced a quick, tight-lipped smile at him before turning on your heel and continuing forward, clutching your tablet like it was a life raft in the middle of the worst social shipwreck imaginable.

At the front of the room, Vice Admiral Beau Cyclone Simpson stood with the kind of posture that said he had zero time for nonsense, waiting for the room to settle. You barely had time to take a deep breath before his voice cut through the air.

“Alright, listen up.” His tone was crisp, commanding, and impossible to ignore. “This is Dr Y/N L/N. Everything she is about to tell you is highly classified. What you hear in this briefing does not leave this room. Understood?”

A chorus of nods. "Yes, sir."

You barely resisted the urge to physically cringe as every pilot in the room turned to stare at you—some with confusion, others with barely concealed amusement, and a few with the sharp assessing glances of people who had no clue what they were supposed to do with you.

You cleared your throat, squared your shoulders, and did your best to channel even an ounce of the confidence you usually had when you were coding at 3 AM in a secure, pilot-free lab—where the only judgment you faced was from coffee cups and the occasional system error.

As you reached the podium, you forced what you hoped was a composed smile. “Uh… hi, nice to meet you all.”

Solid. Real professional.

You glanced up just long enough to take in the mix of expressions in the room—some mildly interested, some unreadable, and one particular moustached pilot who still had the faintest trace of amusement on his face.

Nope. Not looking at him.

You exhaled slowly, centering yourself. Stay focused. Stay professional. You weren’t just here because of Ethera—you were Ethera. The only one who truly understood it. The only one who could execute this mission.

With another tap on your tablet, the slide shifted to a blacked-out, redacted briefing—only the necessary information was visible. A sleek 3D-rendered model of the enemy satellite appeared on the screen, rotating slowly. Most of its details were blurred or omitted entirely.

“This is Blackstar, a highly classified enemy satellite that has been operating in a low-Earth orbit over restricted airspace.” Your voice remained even, and steady, but the weight of what you were revealing sent a shiver down your spine. “Its existence has remained off the radar—literally and figuratively—until recently, when intelligence confirmed that it has been intercepting our encrypted communications, rerouting information, altering intelligence, and in some cases—fabricating entire communications.”

Someone exhaled sharply. Another shifted in their seat.

“So they’re feeding us bad intel?” one of them with big glasses and blonde hair asked, voice sceptical but sharp.

“That’s the theory,” you confirmed. “And given how quickly our ops have been compromised recently, it’s working.”

You tapped again, shifting to the next slide. The silent infiltration diagram appeared—an intricate web of glowing red lines showing Etherea’s integration process, slowly wrapping around the satellite’s systems like a virus embedding itself into a host.

“This is where Ethera comes in,” you said, shifting to a slide that displayed a cascading string of code, flickering across the screen. “Unlike traditional cyberweapons, Ethera doesn’t just break into a system. It integrates—restructuring security protocols as if it was always meant to be there. It’s undetectable, untraceable, and once inside, it grants us complete control of the Blackstar and won’t even register it as a breach.”

“So we’re not just hacking it," The only female pilot of the team said, arms crossed as she studied the data. “We’re hijacking it.”

“Exactly,” You nodded with a grin.

You switched to the next slide—a detailed radar map displaying the satellite’s location over international waters.

“This is the target area,” you continued after a deep breath. “It’s flying low-altitude reconnaissance patterns, which means it’s using ground relays for some of its communication. That gives us a small window to infiltrate and shut it down.”

The next slide appeared—a pair of unidentified fighter aircraft, patrolling the vicinity.

“And this is the problem,” you said grimly. “This satellite isn’t unguarded.”

A murmur rippled through the room as the pilots took in the fifth-generation stealth fighters displayed on the screen.

“We don’t know who they belong to,” you admitted. “What we do know is that they’re operating with highly classified tech—possibly experimental—and have been seen running defence patterns around the satellite’s flight path.”

Cyclone stepped forward then, arms crossed, his voice sharp and authoritative. “Which means your job is twofold. You will escort Dr L/N’s aircraft to the infiltration zone, ensuring Ethera is successfully deployed. If we are engaged, your priority remains protecting the package and ensuring a safe return.”

Oh, fantastic, you could not only feel your heartbeat in your toes, you were now officially the package.

You cleared your throat, tapping the screen again. Ethera’s interface expanded, displaying a cascade of sleek code.

“Once I’m in range,” you continued, “Ethera will lock onto the satellite’s frequency and begin infiltration. From that point, it’ll take approximately fifty-eight seconds to bypass security and assume control."

Silence settled over the room like a thick cloud, the weight of their stares pressing down on you. You could feel them analyzing, calculating, probably questioning who in their right mind thought putting you—a hacker, a tech specialist, someone whose idea of adrenaline was passing cars on the highway—into a fighter jet was a good idea.

Finally, one of the pilots—tall, broad-shouldered, blonde, and very clearly one of the cocky ones—tilted his head, arms crossed over his chest in a way that screamed too much confidence.

“So, let me get this straight.” His voice was smooth, and confident, with just the right amount of teasing. “You, Doctor—our very classified, very important tech specialist—have to be in the air, in a plane, during a mission that has a high probability of turning into a dogfight… just so you can press a button?”

Your stomach twisted at the mention of being airborne.

“Well…” You gulped, very much aware of how absolutely insane this sounded when put like that. “It’s… more than just that, but, yeah, essentially.”

A slow grin spread across his face, far too entertained by your predicament.

“Oh,” he drawled, “this is gonna be fun.”

Before you could fully process how much you already hated this, Cyclone—who had been watching the exchange with his signature unamused glare—stepped forward, cutting through the tension with his sharp, no-nonsense voice.

“This is a classified operation,” he stated, sharp and authoritative. “Not a joyride.”

The blonde’s smirk faded slightly as he straightened, and the rest of the pilots quickly fell in line.

Silence lingered for a moment longer before Vice Admiral Beau Cyclone Simpson let out a slow breath and straightened. His sharp gaze swept over the room before he nodded once.

“All right. That’s enough.” His tone was firm, the kind that left no room for argument. “We’ve got work to do. The mission will take place in a few weeks' time, once we’ve run full assessments, completed necessary preparations, and designated a lead for this operation.”

There was a slight shift in the room. Some of the pilots exchanged glances, the weight of the upcoming mission finally settling in. Others, mainly the cocky ones, looked as though they were already imagining themselves in the cockpit.

“Dismissed,” Cyclone finished.

The pilots stood, murmuring amongst themselves as they filed out of the room, the blonde one still wearing a smug grin as he passed you making you frown and turn away, your gaze then briefly met the eyes of the moustached pilot.

You hadn’t meant to look, but the moment your eyes connected, something flickered in his expression. Amusement? Curiosity? You weren’t sure, and frankly, you didn’t want to know.

So you did the only logical thing and immediately looked away and turned to gather your things. You needed to get out of here, to find some space to breathe before your brain short-circuited from stress—

“Doctor, Stay for a moment.”

You tightened your grip on your tablet and turned back to Cyclone, who was watching you with that unreadable, vaguely disapproving expression that all high-ranking officers seemed to have perfected. “Uh… yes, sir?”

Once the last pilot was out the door, Cyclone exhaled sharply and crossed his arms.

“You realize,” he said, “that you’re going to have to actually fly, correct?”

You swallowed. “I—well, technically, I’ll just be a passenger.”

His stare didn’t waver.

“Doctor,” he said, tone flat, “I’ve read your file. I know you requested to be driven here instead of taking a military transport plane. You also took a ferry across the bay instead of a helicopter. And I know that you chose to work remotely for three years to avoid getting on a plane.”

You felt heat rise to your cheeks. “That… could mean anything.”

“It means you do not like flying, am I correct?”

Your fingers tightened around the tablet as you tried to find a way—any way—out of this. “Sir, with all due respect, I don’t need to fly the plane. I just need to be in it long enough to deploy Ethera—”

Cyclone cut you off with a sharp look. “And what happens if something goes wrong, Doctor? If the aircraft takes damage? If you have to eject mid-flight? If you lose comms and have to rely on emergency protocols?”

You swallowed hard, your stomach twisting at the very thought of ejecting from a jet.

Cyclone sighed, rubbing his temple as if this entire conversation was giving him a migraine. “We cannot afford to have you panicking mid-mission. If this is going to work, you need to be prepared. That’s why, starting next week you will train with the pilots on aerial procedures and undergoing mandatory training in our flight simulation program.”

Your stomach dropped. “I—wait, what? That’s not necessary—”

“It’s absolutely necessary,” Cyclone cut in, his tone sharp. “If you can’t handle a simulated flight, you become a liability—not just to yourself, but to the pilots escorting you. And in case I need to remind you, Doctor, this mission is classified at the highest level. If you panic mid-air, it won’t just be your life at risk. It’ll be theirs. And it’ll be national security at stake.”

You inhaled sharply. No pressure. None at all.

Cyclone watched you for a moment before speaking again, his tone slightly softer but still firm. “You’re the only one who can do this, Doctor. That means you need to be ready.”

You exhaled slowly, pressing your lips together before nodding stiffly. “Understood, sir.”

Cyclone gave a small nod of approval. “Good. Dismissed.”

You turned and walked out, shoulders tense, fully aware that in three days' time, you were going to be strapped into a high-speed, fighter jet. And knowing your luck?

You were definitely going to puke.

Part 2???