pjoneedstherapy

[cooperativelogisticsnetwork]

How Drones Will Shape the Next Generation of the Freight Forwarding Industry

Drones, once primarily associated with military or recreational use, are poised to revolutionize the freight forwarding industry. As technological advancements continue to push the boundaries of what drones can accomplish, these aerial vehicles are becoming a crucial tool in the logistics supply chain. From enhancing last-mile delivery to optimizing warehouse operations, drones are set to reshape the landscape of freight forwarding. In this blog, we will explore how drones are driving the next wave of innovation in the freight forwarding sector, focusing on their impact on efficiency, cost reduction, sustainability, and scalability.

[linkglobal1]

Boost Trade Efficiency, Reduce Risk: Partner with the Ideal Network for Flawless Shipments

In the bustling marketplace of global trade, where goods tap-dance across continents and borders, international logistics networks play the pivotal role of choreographer. They're the intricate tapestries woven from freight forwarders, orchestrating seamless deliveries like a high-kicking performance on the world stage. But with countless networks vying for your attention, choosing the perfect partner can feel like deciphering a complex shipping score. Fear not, intrepid entrepreneur! This guide will equip you with the knowledge to select the ideal network, ensuring your international commerce pirouettes with precision and grace.

First, understand your choreography. Are you shipping delicate artwork needing the velvet touch of specialized packaging, or robust machinery demanding the robust rhythm of a global network? Knowing your cargo's unique needs helps you find the right dancers.

Next, explore the diverse ensemble of logistics networks. From established giants with pirouettes in every corner of the globe to nimble, specialist troupes focused on specific routes, research their repertoire. Look for experience in your industry, their technological prowess (real-time tracking, online dashboards), and a proven track record in navigating international regulations. Remember, the most flamboyant network may not be the smoothest movers for your sensitive cargo.

Beyond the technical steps, prioritize communication. A responsive, proactive network can anticipate customs waltzes and regulatory fouettés, preventing logistical tumbles. Transparency in quotes and documentation builds trust, ensuring your performance stays in tune. Finally, value sustainability. Choose a network committed to green practices, ensuring your exports resonate with environmentally conscious audiences.

Remember, international trade is a long-term duet, not a one-act play. Cultivate relationships with networks that understand your evolving needs and adapt their services to your changing production schedules. By following these steps, you can find the perfect logistics network to flawlessly orchestrate your global trade performance, ensuring your goods tap-dance onto the world stage with precision and grace.

[pgs34]

Charting Your Trade Course: Demystifying the Labyrinth of International Freight Networks

In the bustling marketplace of global trade, where container ships pirouette across oceans and goods waltz across borders, international freight forwarders networks are the invisible maestros pulling the strings. They're the intricate spiderwebs connecting local shippers with distant ports, orchestrating seamless deliveries like a well-rehearsed symphony. But with countless networks vying for your trust, navigating the maze of freight agents can feel like deciphering a cryptic shipping manifest. Fear not, intrepid trader! This guide will equip you with the compass to choose the perfect network, ensuring your international trade voyages run smooth as silk.

First, chart your course. Are you shipping delicate electronics on a swift airliner or robust machinery on a steady freighter? Understanding your cargo's unique needs is paramount. Does it require the specialized touch of niche expertise or the global reach of a vast network? Knowing your destination and trade regulations is equally crucial.

Next, explore the diverse archipelago of freight forwarders networks. From established giants spanning continents to nimble specialists in niche regions, research their reach (global, regional), their services (air, sea, road, customs clearance), and their experience in your industry. Look for technological prowess (online dashboards, shipment tracking) and a proven track record of navigating diverse regulations. Remember, the flashiest network may not offer the smoothest passage for your specific cargo.

Beyond the technical specs, prioritize communication. A responsive, proactive network can anticipate customs detours and weather delays, preventing your shipment from getting stranded. Transparency in quotes and documentation builds trust, ensuring your journey is free from hidden reefs. Finally, value sustainability. Choose a network committed to green practices, ensuring your shipment sails in harmony with the environment.

Remember, international trade is a long-term voyage, not a day trip. Cultivate partnerships with networks that understand your evolving needs and adapt their services to your changing trade winds. By following these steps, you can find the perfect international freight forwarders network to navigate the global shipping seas with confidence, ensuring your cargo reaches its final destination as precious and intact as the day it set sail.

[globaltransportnetwork]

Network of freight forwarders

A network of freight forwarders is a collaborative and interconnected system that brings together independent freight forwarding companies to provide comprehensive logistics solutions on a global scale. These networks facilitate cooperation and coordination among members, allowing them to leverage each other's strengths, resources, and expertise to deliver efficient and reliable freight forwarding services.

The primary objective of a network of freight forwarders is to establish a global presence and expand the service capabilities of its members. By connecting with other independent forwarders, network members can tap into a vast network of agents, partners, and resources worldwide. This broad reach enables them to offer end-to-end logistics solutions that encompass various transportation modes, including air, ocean, road, and rail.

Collaboration within the network is a key element of its success. Regular meetings, conferences, and online platforms facilitate communication and knowledge-sharing among members. Through these channels, independent forwarders can exchange best practices, share market intelligence, and coordinate shipments seamlessly. By working together, they can combine their strengths and resources to compete with larger multinational logistics providers.

One of the significant advantages of a network of freight forwarders is the localized expertise it offers. Each member operates as an expert in their respective geographic area, possessing in-depth knowledge of the local regulations, customs procedures, and market dynamics. This local expertise allows the network to provide tailored solutions and navigate any logistical challenges that may arise in specific regions.

Quality assurance and standardization are also critical aspects of a network of freight forwarders. Members are carefully selected based on their experience, expertise, and commitment to meeting industry standards. By maintaining consistent quality across the network, clients can have confidence in the services provided by any member, regardless of the origin or destination of their shipments.

Furthermore, a network of freight forwarders offers cost efficiencies to its members and clients. By consolidating volumes and negotiating preferential rates with carriers, members can access competitive pricing and optimize their supply chain costs. This cost advantage is particularly beneficial for small and medium-sized forwarders who may lack the negotiating power of larger players in the industry.

In addition to traditional freight forwarding services, a network of freight forwarders often expands its service offerings to provide value-added solutions. These may include customs brokerage, warehousing, distribution, supply chain consulting, and specialized industry expertise. By diversifying their service portfolio, members can offer comprehensive logistics solutions to meet the diverse needs of their clients.

The growth of global trade and e-commerce has increased the importance of collaboration within networks of freight forwarders. As the volume and complexity of shipments rise, clients require reliable and efficient logistics partners that can handle their diverse supply chain requirements. Networks of freight forwarders, with their global reach and local expertise, are well-positioned to meet these demands and provide integrated end-to-end solutions.

Furthermore, networks of freight forwarders play a crucial role in fostering innovation and embracing technological advancements in the logistics industry. By sharing knowledge and experiences, members can stay updated on the latest trends and developments, including digitalization, automation, and advanced tracking systems. This enables them to enhance operational efficiency, improve visibility, and provide real-time updates to clients.

In conclusion, a network of freight forwarders is a collaborative and interconnected system that brings together independent freight forwarding companies. By facilitating collaboration, offering localized expertise, ensuring consistent quality, providing cost efficiencies, and embracing technology, these networks enable members to deliver comprehensive logistics solutions to clients worldwide. As international trade continues to evolve, networks of freight forwarders play a vital role in meeting the complex logistics needs of businesses and supporting the seamless flow of goods across the globe.

[conquerornetwork1]

First International freight logistics network

 International network brings us together in major cities to cooperate reciprocally , securely to expand their business. This business is independent and helps us to grow your business.

https://www.conquerornetwork.com/about-us.php

[padworks]

How ValuExim Resources Ensures Timely Delivery in Global Trade

ValuExim Resources stands out in global trade logistics due to its strong focus on timely deliveries, particularly for India's export industry. Our success is built on a highly efficient and well-coordinated logistics network that effectively handles the complexities of international trade. 

ValuExim Resources Logistics Network

ValuExim has constructed a global logistics network so that international trade is taken care of with an even higher level of accuracy. The company's ultimate goal would be logistic solutions offering the reduced turn-around time while facilitating the hassle-free movement of goods across borders. 

Our extensive network enables us to meet the tight deadlines often required by our customers. Shipping from India is facilitated by a real-time shipment tracking infrastructure, ensuring transparency throughout the entire supply chain. Our global reach combined with regional expertise allows them to swiftly address any disruptions, ensuring steady logistics services.

Effective global logistics and time delivery for exports into India

ValuExim is the trusted partner for millions of Indian exporters, ensuring their commodities are transported swiftly and securely.This is the most critical service for exporters as all these exporters are into trades wherein even a minute delay can cost them very dearly in terms of loss of money or reputation.

Detailed planning and smooth execution enable ValuExim to provide time-certain export solutions for Indian companies. Herein, they ensure cost efficiency along with their on-time delivery as they interface with the transportation providers, customs officials, and regional partners, thus avoiding any type of delay. ValuExim digital tools ensure enhanced inventory control accompanied by automated scheduling and tracking for a planned arrival of shipments.

Some of the trade environment challenges in India would be issues with regulation and infrastructural issues that may cause undue delays. ValuExim Resources would help overcome this through proper knowledge of the regulatory landscape. This will enable understanding of customs procedure and regulations on trade, making them a 'reliable partner' for Indian exporters.

Supply Chain Management and International Trade

ValuExim is a leading supply chain management company along with its high movement of international goods that stands for total management of the Indian supply chain. This comprises sourcing and transportation through warehousing with the principal aim of creating rapid product flow from suppliers through warehouses to customers thus visibly reducing the time it takes in delivery while keeping costs low.

ValuExim uses the latest supply chain technologies that help enhance visibility and control at each step in the logistical process. Tools sharing live real time data on the journey of every shipment allows the company not only timely delivery but also real time adjustment in case there were concerns during the unexpected occurrences. Such innovations are very vital for India since infrastructure challenges frequently often lead to risks in smooth logistics.

Timely Product Delivery at International Levels

Needless to say, all trading businesses that are involved in international trade require delivery times. All the more reason why ValuExim Resources has emerged as a body that ensures timely deliveries of the goods. From huge consignments for our international clients to relatively smaller orders for local companies, ValuExim has always ensured customized solutions for all its clients. It is supported with advanced tracking systems and full transparency at all phases of shipping with the world's best logistics operators in a way that shipment reaches any corner of the world within time. This is the reason why valuExim resources are considered to be the most reliable concerning occasions when companies look for fast efficient supply chains. Conclusion Leveraging its efficient logistics management experience and prompt and guaranteed delivery, ValuExim Resources has emerged as one of the biggest players in the global trade logistics business. Strict-deadline commitments with a vast logistics network and experience in supply chain management for Indian exports have helped the company to gain leadership in the industry. Its Indian export clients have shown reliance on the company without hassle to carry out smooth and timely delivery of their products from Indian shores to International markets.

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[krishnatradingcompany]

Top-Rated Air Freight Services in Gurgaon: Your Global Shipping Partner | Krishna Trading Co.| +91-9999313569

At Krishna Trading Co., we pride ourselves on delivering top-notch air freight services in Gurgaon, designed to meet the diverse needs of our clients. Our comprehensive solutions ensure fast, reliable, and secure transportation of your goods to any destination worldwide.

Air freight services in Gurgaon encompass a range of offerings tailored to businesses and individuals requiring efficient, timely, and secure transportation of goods via air carriers. Here are some key aspects to delve into:

1. Types of Services: Air freight services in Gurgaon typically include express air freight for urgent deliveries, standard air freight for regular shipments, door-to-door delivery options, and specialized services for specific cargo types like perishables, hazardous materials, or oversized items.

2. Network and Partnerships: Reliable air freight providers in Gurgaon have established partnerships with major airlines and freight forwarders to ensure a global network for seamless transportation across continents.

3. Customs Clearance: Efficient customs clearance processes are crucial for international air freight. Providers often offer customs brokerage services to handle documentation, duties, and taxes, facilitating smooth clearance at airports.

4. Technology Integration: Leading air freight companies leverage advanced technology for shipment tracking, real-time updates, online booking platforms, and digital documentation management, enhancing transparency and convenience for clients.

5. Cargo Handling and Storage: Air freight services include professional cargo handling, storage facilities at airports or warehouses, temperature-controlled storage for perishable goods, and specialized handling for fragile or sensitive items.

6. Insurance Options: Comprehensive cargo insurance coverage is available to protect shipments against loss, damage, theft, or other unforeseen events during transit, providing financial security and peace of mind.

7. Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to international aviation regulations, safety standards, and environmental sustainability practices is paramount for air freight services, ensuring compliance and responsible business operations.

8. Customer Support: Dedicated customer support teams assist clients with inquiries, booking assistance, shipment updates, and resolution of issues or concerns, offering personalized service and timely assistance throughout the shipping process.

Why Choose Krishna Trading Co.?

1. Speed and Efficiency: Our streamlined processes and strategic partnerships with leading airlines guarantee that your shipments reach their destinations on time, every time.

2. Global Reach: With an extensive network of international connections, we provide seamless logistics solutions, ensuring your cargo is handled with the utmost care from origin to destination.

3. Customized Solutions: Understanding that every shipment is unique, we offer tailored air freight services to meet your specific requirements, including express delivery, door-to-door service, and more.

4. Expertise and Experience: With years of industry experience, our team of professionals is dedicated to providing exceptional service, guiding you through the complexities of international shipping with ease.

5. Advanced Tracking: Stay informed with our state-of-the-art tracking system, which allows you to monitor your shipments in real-time, giving you peace of mind throughout the entire shipping process.

6. Cost-Effective Options: We offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality, ensuring that you receive the best value for your money.

Trust Krishna Trading Co. for all your air freight needs in Gurgaon. Our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction makes us your ideal partner in global logistics. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in reaching new heights in your business.

Contact Information:

Phone: 91–9999313569 Email: medantahousing_colony.ggr@fr.dtdc.com

[market-insider]

Docks Market: Tracing the Evolution and Uncovering Emerging Opportunities

The global docks market size is expected to reach USD 2.3 billion by 2030, as per a new report by Grand View Research Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 3.4% from 2022 to 2030. The rising structure demand as the governing bodies of various economies is conducting redevelopment of waterfronts to maximize their value for both business and community, which is expected to propel market growth. Additionally, the constantly rising global population is indirectly leading to the scarcity of space in the existing urban ports leading to market demand for increasing the space productivity within a port.

One of the Norway-based engineering firms has developed smart application software to reduce the risk of accidents using an IoT platform. The newly developed technology makes use of hi-tech sensors to real-time monitor the operating states of floating docks from virtually anywhere. This newly developed application software shows the water levels across different tanks and other operating parameters for the docks which will increase the market for docks.

The Governmental permits are needed on the size of the dock, type of dock, and the type of natural resources that might get affected such as mangroves, corals, hard bottoms, and seagrass. The prohibitions are enforced on the harmful chemicals used for docks which may disturb the marine ecosystem. Lastly, some other restrictions might be added to control the type of dock being placed on the property. 

The installation of docks is offered directly by the company-appointed contractors or distributors. However, the companies also offer a product suitable for DIY installations. In addition, the manufacturers also offer repair and maintenance services for the docks. The conventional port world is constantly changing, the technological, demographical, and sustainability drivers are affecting the daily business and are shaping several important trends which is also expected to drive the demand for docks market during the forecast period. 

The global temperature rise is expected to make the transpolar passage and the Northern Sea Route could become potential alternatives for maritime freight. The use of the Northern Sea Route for maritime freight between Asia and Northern Europe is expected to reduce the voyage distance when compared with the Suez Canal route. 

For More Details or Sample Copy please visit link @: Docks Market Report

Docks Market Report Highlights

The metal frame segment accounted for a market share of 52.0% in 2021, owing to the increasing demand for aluminum frame docks. Docks with aluminum frame are highly preferred by lakefront home or business owner as it offers strength as well as improve the aesthetic profile of the property where the dock is installed

The commercial application segment dominated the market in 2021 and is estimated to generate revenue of USD 1.1 billion by 2030, owing to the endless commercial applications for floating docks, however, they are commonly used at settings such as waterfront resorts and marinas

The market in North America is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 2.8% from 2022 to 2030 on account of increased users indulging in outdoor recreational activities that incorporate social distancing due to the pandemic. This will enhance the docks market within the region

The U.S. market is projected to witness strong growth over the forecast period and reach a market value of USD 0.68 billion in 2030 on account of the rise in the use of shipping for the movement of products and goods across regions. Additionally, space productivity is expected to lead to waterfront redevelopment activities thus positively influencing the docks market

The docks market is competitive in nature owing to the presence of several players that are primarily consolidated in the Asia Pacific and North America, whereas Europe exhibits a limited presence of established players. The changing lifestyle needs of the population, especially the younger section, towards activities such as adventure sports has also led to the rise in the use of boats and ships. This has also led to an increase in the use of floating docks across the globe 

[canadadtdc55]

Express Courier Delivery in Canada with DTDC: Swift, Secure, and Reliable

In this blog, we explore DTDC's exceptional express courier delivery services in Canada. Discover how DTDC's efficient logistics network ensures timely and secure deliveries across the country. From domestic shipments to international deliveries, learn why DTDC is the trusted choice for businesses and individuals alike. Follow the journey of your packages with their real-time tracking system, providing you with peace of mind and confidence in every delivery.

[panther-os]

@amikoroyaiart did this awesome commission of my OC Lennie and my version of Ghost! I've wanted to commission her since I first came across her art over a year ago but it took me a while to save and just ahhhhhhh so worth it

Fun fact! The pants are uniform accurate. 141 is an international task force, and while Ghost and many of the rest of the team are SAS and wear black or navy fatigues, Lennie is an tArm (Irish Army) and wears that specific camo pattern! Their neon pink hair is definitely out of regulation, but no one dares call them on it.

Lennie is nonbinary and their full name and rank is Lieutenant Lennie Lynch. They're from Carrick-on-Shannon in Leitrim County of Ireland, and they're the 141's Chief Logistics & Supply Officer. Anything from toilet paper to ammo to fresh fruit to video games, it all goes through them. They have a ton of smuggler contacts in order to get supplies out to remote areas, and they use this network for information as well.

Basically Laswell's job, but more focused on keeping people alive via food and bandages and etc than keeping people alive via intel on the enemy.

Price met Lennie at the same time he met Nikolai. It was a joint an tArm and SAS operation where the two squads wound up trapped in a snowstorm with dwindling supplies, including much-needed medical supplies. Lennie asked for an hour with the sat phone, spent that time making threats and promises and calling in favors, and then Nikolai (the only pilot good enough and crazy enough) dropped off the supplies not too much later, which is how he and Price met. Then, a few years later, Price pulled Lennie for the Taskforce knowing their skills would be needed.

Lennie drinks far too many cups of coffee a day, barely sleeps, and spends the majority of their time in their dark office staring at computer screens. Their first date with Ghost was a joint nap on their office couch. Their best frenemy is @atohii 's OC Niko, the Chief Medical Officer, friend because they've made him weep tears of gratitude over the supplies he needs to keep everyone healthy, enemy because they've cut him off from energy drinks (the hypocrite) and gotten the entire rest of the base involved in it.

It's best assumed that Lennie knows everything and could be anywhere. They walk very quietly and often surprise people by slurping their coffee from right behind them. If they were an animal, they'd be a wild hare - the kind that surely speaks a thousand tongues and knows exactly how you die.

Ghost is still with Soap, and Soap is also with Niko, and sometimes Ghost and Niko are together as well, but romantically, Lennie's just with Ghost. We love a poly141.

This Ghost is based on TikTok cosplayer Kuromi (his account is tagged MDNI, please respect that) and Irish actor Fra Fee (because Les Mis is an old SpIn and my Ghost is Irish, his ggparents immigrated to Manchester during the Great Hunger). I don't have any specific scar or tattoo headcanons for Ghost, but I like Amiko's usual spread so I asked her to just use those, and I'm thrilled with how it came out!

And just ahhhhhhh I'm still screaming over Lennie 😍

[cooperativelogisticsnetwork]

Preparing for the One-to-One Meetings: Steps and Tips for Independent Freight Forwarders

To survive the ever-increasing competition in the logistics sector, small and mid-sized logistics companies need to focus on building lasting relationships with competent partners. Participating in a freight forwarders conference is one effective strategy that could help independent freight forwarders like you to strengthen the bottom line of your businesses. The Cooperative Logistics Network’s Annual Meeting is a three day event aimed to offer our members the opportunity to get up close and connect with their network partners for discussing future collaboration prospects and deepen the partnerships. In this article we will walk you through essential steps and tips to ensure you make the most of your one-on-one meetings.

[linkglobal1]

Charting Your Trade Course: Demystifying the Labyrinth of International Freight Networks

In the bustling marketplace of global trade, where container ships pirouette across oceans and goods waltz across borders, international freight forwarders networks are the invisible maestros pulling the strings. They're the intricate spiderwebs connecting local shippers with distant ports, orchestrating seamless deliveries like a well-rehearsed symphony. But with countless networks vying for your trust, navigating the maze of freight agents can feel like deciphering a cryptic shipping manifest. Fear not, intrepid trader! This guide will equip you with the compass to choose the perfect network, ensuring your international trade voyages run smooth as silk.

First, chart your course. Are you shipping delicate electronics on a swift airliner or robust machinery on a steady freighter? Understanding your cargo's unique needs is paramount. Does it require the specialized touch of niche expertise or the global reach of a vast network? Knowing your destination and trade regulations is equally crucial.

Next, explore the diverse archipelago of freight forwarders networks. From established giants spanning continents to nimble specialists in niche regions, research their reach (global, regional), their services (air, sea, road, customs clearance), and their experience in your industry. Look for technological prowess (online dashboards, shipment tracking) and a proven track record of navigating diverse regulations. Remember, the flashiest network may not offer the smoothest passage for your specific cargo.

Beyond the technical specs, prioritize communication. A responsive, proactive network can anticipate customs detours and weather delays, preventing your shipment from getting stranded. Transparency in quotes and documentation builds trust, ensuring your journey is free from hidden reefs. Finally, value sustainability. Choose a network committed to green practices, ensuring your shipment sails in harmony with the environment.

Remember, international trade is a long-term voyage, not a day trip. Cultivate partnerships with networks that understand your evolving needs and adapt their services to your changing trade winds. By following these steps, you can find the perfect international freight forwarders network to navigate the global shipping seas with confidence, ensuring your cargo reaches its final destination as precious and intact as the day it set sail.

[jbk405]

I think I've found one of the key reasons why I prefer the old Expanded Universe to the current Star Wars content: Unique types of villains.

More specifically, people who weren't just Evil Force Users With Long Robes And Red Lightsabers. While there were always a few Darth Vader-clones that popped up to fill up space, so many of the Arc Villains were distinct not just in personality, but also how they were dangerous.

Grand Admiral Thrawn was a military tactician, which wasn't the point of any of the main villains in the Original Trilogy. Grand Moff Tarkin was a "Build a bigger superweapon and bludgeon the galaxy into submission" kind of villain, and Vader and the Emperor were mystical dark wizards. This isn't a complaint or criticism, but just pointing out that military tactics were never on display in the films since that wasn't the type of story they were telling. But Thrawn didn't have prophetic powers or Destiny, he had to analyze and plan around what he could learn about his adversaries. It's a different type of fight than Literal Magic. In the original Thrawn Trilogy, Captain Pellaeon frequently internally narrates how different Thrawn's style of leadership was to either Vader or the Emperor (Even if his art-analysis did verge on magic by itself).

Ysanne Isard was a political and/or espionage manipulator, which was even less a point of the Original Trilogy than military tactics were. She took advantage of the realities of actually needing to build a nation out of an underground military movement. With all of the dirty gutter politics, self-serving agendas, and logistics that doom so many revolutionary movements. I'm not as big a fan of her arc as I was when I was younger (I re-read the Rogue Squadron novels a few years ago and the writing quality is not as good as I remember, and Isard's plans frankly don't hold a lot of water), but the concept is still fantastic.

Warlord Zsinj on the surface seems like a merger of Thrawn and Isard -- he's a military commander who specializes in espionage -- but he also has a big focus that neither of them demonstrated: Business. While he still blows stuff up with his giant space ships and is sowing dissent through brainwashing and spycraft, he's simultaneously establishing a galaxy-wide network of completely-legitimate commercial businesses that he owns through untraceable pseudonyms. They fund his campaigns, give him influence on planets outside of his direct control, and allow him to control resources without any of his adversaries even being aware of it.

Even one-shot enemies like the Ssi-ruuk were so unique: They're invading the galaxy because their technology is powered by living souls and they want to harvest all life in the galaxy. That's messed up, and so distinct from the general "Take over the world" motivation of the Empire.

But as time went on, more and more of the enemies were just "Darth Vader Again". Another Jedi who fell to the Dark Side, or another long-lost schism of the Sith who rediscovered mainstream galactic society, or some other thing that is eventually resolved by a one-on-one lightsaber duel and a personal grudge against the Skywalker or Solo families. It definitely felt like they were out of ideas and kept running through the same villains over and over again.

This kicked into high gear after the Prequels came out, and continued in the new continuity after the EU was rebranded as "Legends".

I wish we could go back to the idea that there could be an enemy who wasn't super powerful in the force and consumed by Hatred Of The Jedi. With their own skills, their own methods, and something that makes them more than just another wannabe-Sauron. Pirates who are just pirates, marauding ex-Imperial Warlords who are just marauding ex-Imperial Warlords, and corrupt politicians who are just corrupt politicians, instead of revealing that Palpatine returned (somehow) all over again.

[shirubie]

Untitled WIP for Virgil's birthday

A little something I'm working on, featuring the soon-to-be Birthday Boy. Hope you enjoy!

---

"You're sure you've got everything?" Gordon asked as he passed Virgil his suitcase. "Got your toothbrush?"

"Yes, Gordon." Virgil replied, sliding the green suitcase into Tracy One's baggage compartment. Virgil was now ready to leave Tracy Island to attend the biggest Firefighter and First Responders gathering of the year.

"Deodorant?" Gordon continued.

"Yes."

"Extra underwear?"

"I have a sufficient amount to last the week, Gordon," Virgil replied while restraining himself from rolling his eyes. Logistics were one of his specialties for goodness' sake. You would think he knew how to pack a suitcase for a week-long trip.

A smirk appeared on Gordon's face. He leaned in closer and whispered in Virgil's ear. "Condoms?"

"GORDON!" While there were very few taboo discussion subjects between the brothers, the blond was very close to crossing a line here.

"What?" Gordon held up his hands trying to look innocent. "I've been to the Olympics, remember? I know what kind of funny business happens backstage at these events. The Olympic Village was not a kid-friendly place, let me tell you…"

Virgil sighed, trying not to think of Gordon's involvement in those backstage activities. He slammed the baggage hold door shut and he and Gordon walked toward the hangar entrance, where a few family members were waiting to see him off.

"All I'm saying is that you need to be prepared. You might meet someone and…"

"I'm not going there for a hookup, Gordon." Virgil defended.

"I know, I know. You're going to learn new firefighting techniques, to network with other first responders to allow better collaboration in the field and to improve IR public image." Gordon recited what he had heard Virgil say at least a hundred times in the past month.

"Exactly." Virgil smiled, happy that he hasn't been talking to thin air when explaining the purpose of this trip.

"And also…to fanboy all over Kip Harris for a week."

'Guilty as charged.' Virgil internally admitted. But how could you blame him? His childhood idol had asked him to be a Guest of Honor at one of the world's biggest firefighter conference. Anyone would be excited to spend a week socializing with the best in their field of work.

[honourablejester]

Some random pieces of Starfinder worldbuilding from the Pact Worlds setting book that bring me joy:

From the Burning Archipelago, a network of force bubbles holding a city inside the surface of a sun:

“Tethers of energy hold the bubbles in an unchanging formation, but they also serve as the backbone of interbubble transport. Ferries known as linecrawlers hug the tethers, using them to traverse the turbulent solar atmosphere between the bubbles. […] In practice, the senate operates more like a negotiating society than a legislative body, as major trade guilds, especially the powerful Linecrawler Operators Union, can speak freely at senate meetings.”

This little nugget about ferry ships hugging force tethers inside the surface of a sun and the powerful union that runs them. Like. When you imagine that? As if you were a tourist experiencing it for the first time, climbing onto this bus and watching as it heads out of the force bubble that is all that stands between you and immolation inside a star, hugging to a line of force that nobody knows how to repair, and the guy driving the thing knows your awe and your terror so well, because it’s what he and his union bank on to give them a voice in government. Just. Awesome.

From Aballon, the machine-world closest to the sun:

“Between millennia of robotic excavators crafting perfectly aligned subterranean tunnels and the organic “diggers” of the Ice Wells crafting their own networks, Aballon is rife with internal transit routes. Unleashed in the wake of the First Ones’ departure, the excavator robots began work constructing a series of pathways to connect the planet’s various settlements. Sometime during the Gap, these excavators completed their work, and the anacites installed complex, magnetically charged rail systems. The mag-rail network allows high-speed transit beneath the planet’s surface, freeing up the skies for city-sized bulk landers to collect goods from the anacite-run forges.”

I have a fascination for logistics and transport systems, okay, especially in sci-fi, and Aballon’s mag-rail system running underground between massive machine megaplexes, organic undercities hiding in the craters beneath them, and the jungles of the ‘Ice Wells’, deep impact craters that protect from the burning sunlight and allow the presence of water, is just … It’s just the imagery? This machine-dug traceries running beneath the surface of the world.

From the permanently frozen dark side of the tidally locked Verces comes the Fastness of the Ordered Mind:

“A cluster of linked fortress-temples, the Fastness houses the Ascetics of Nar, one of the oldest monastic societies in the Pact Worlds. Within its walls, the ice-obsessed scholars undergo bizarre rituals in order to further their mystical study of the cosmos, seeing in the crystalline structure of ice a blueprint for the inherent order of the multiverse. For some, this means using melting shards of ice to carve magical sigils into their flesh—thus supposedly taking the ice’s order into themselves— while others meditate unprotected on exposed glaciers, letting the cold ravage their bodies. The most aggressive of these allow frostbite to take all of their limbs, and these honored individuals, called the Clarified, are either wired permanently into starships or joined psychically into neural networks with their cenobites in the Fastness’s most secure heart, helping take the order’s research of the universe to new heights.”

Because Verces’ dark side is the setting of the Thing and Event Horizon and Hellraiser, and I love it so much. And the detail of the frostbitten Clarified being directly wired into the heart of starships as their pilots is just exactly the sort of gruesome horrifying science fiction detailing that I enjoy.

From the pirate-and-mystery laden asteroid belt of the Diaspora:

“The ysoki trade frigate Farabarrium is a salvaged ATech Immortal left adrift by the Knights of Golarion after a brutal confrontation with an Eoxian cruiser several years ago. A group of ysoki salvagers called the Shirsask Kaia laid claim to the damaged ship and were able to bring the vessel back online within 2 years’ time. With the significant firepower and space provided by the Farabarrium, the Shirsask Kaia decided to put down roots in the Diaspora and operate as a trade hub and salvage way station. The Shirsask Kaia were quick to negotiate a lucrative protection deal with the Free Captains in return for offering priority maintenance for all Free Captain vessels. Now the Farabarrium is a well-known hot spot of trade activity within the Diaspora and a noteworthy pit stop for travelers scouring the forgotten reaches of the asteroid belt.”

The Farabarrium is easily one of my favourite parts of the setting. There’s a lot of the old school Star Wars book EU in her. A salvaged warship that’s been converted by ratfolk to serve as a mobile salvage and repair station among the pirate asteroids of the Diaspora. She has that blue collar science fiction sensibility that I just delight in.

From Eox, the blasted undead world that destroyed itself in the process of shattering two worlds into what would become the Diaspora asteroid belt:

“The vast, flat, northern reaches of Eox are known as Lacustria Hollow, the basin of what was once the arctic Lacustria Sea. Though no major settlements exist here, the area is littered with the wrecked remains of airships, diving spheres, sailing vessels, submarines, and underwater cities from the time when it was a thriving ocean beneath an eternal ice pack. What appear to be centuries of experimental ships, shattered strongholds, submerged ports, and wrecks suggest that before the planet was devastated, the Lacustria Sea was extremely active and saw trade, naval battles, eldritch wars, and even attempts to settle the seafloor.”

From both an archaeological and also a cosmic horror point of view, Eox is fascinating. They wiped themselves out and literally turned their entire planet undead, but before that, they were apparently already having Cthulhu-esque exploration and wars and attempted submarine colonisation efforts in the icy seas beneath their polar ice caps. There’s a ghostly city mentioned later on called Grim Reach out here that appears to be a pre-cataclysm city at the bottom of this sea, but that isn’t built as an underwater city, but an open air one, so what the hell happened up here?

From the gas giant of Liavara, one of my favourite planets in this system … actually, there’s a couple of things from Liavara, I love this place, so a small sampling:

“The only true settlement on Liavara is the floating city of Roselight, a series of transparent aluminum and polycarbonate domes atop a mechanical thruster platform, built almost exclusively as a carefully managed gas-mining outpost. […] Although it exists solely for Liavara’s tightly controlled gas-mining industry, Roselight is a surprisingly beautiful city—a floating platform of steel and polycarbon capped with transparent aluminum domes of varying sizes that catch the light filtering through Liavara’s peach-colored clouds to shimmer like giant soap bubbles. The tight restrictions on the city result in an environment not dissimilar from a space station, as everything in the city, including air and water, must be recycled.”

“Deep Station. The depths of a gas giant are a fascinating subject for researchers, and this research facility, complete with a tiny shrine to Yaraesa, floats at a depth where the pressure is too intense for most structures to retain integrity. Deep Station was built with a sturdier infrastructure than most vessels transporting staff and supplies to and from the station, so while the station could go deeper into Liavara’s atmosphere, it would then be unable to receive support. The pressure and electromagnetic fields at such depths usually wreak havoc with standard communications systems, but recently transmissions from Deep Station have stopped altogether. Colleagues at Deep Station’s partner institutions would deeply love to find a starship crew with a ship hardy enough to brave the gas giant’s depths to investigate.”

“Old Hulk. Before Roselight was established, gas mining on Liavara was conducted from a scrappy mechanical platform built sometime during the Gap. It had already failed by the time history resumed, abandoned and left to deteriorate within the planet’s depths. Its buoyancy engines, however, retain at least some level of functionality, and the platform bobs between the upper and lower layers of the planet’s atmosphere. This erratic elevation means that sometimes the derelict structure “surfaces” from the clouds below, like the corpse of a mechanical whale, floating for a few hours or days before sinking back into the unbearable pressure of the planet’s depths.”

While the moons of Liavara are fascinating, it’s the installations and cities within the atmosphere of the gas giant itself that fascinate me. Possibly you can blame Lando Calrissian and Cloud City from Star Wars, but there’s just something about the imagery of a gas giant and the flying/floating cities within it. It’s a weird combination of sky and ocean, of clouds and storms and massive winds, but also crush depths, canned air, and resource management. Deep Station being lost to the depths, the ragged ghost of the Old Hulk rising periodically like a shipwreck, the Flying Dutchman, while Roselight shimmers like a soap bubble and bristles with port-slash-industrial city concerns. Liavara is such a fantastic picture of a planet.

From the incredibly turbulent skies of the gas giant Bretheda:

“Eyes of the Ancients. For ages, three cyclones of epic proportions have churned in a symbiotic maelstrom in the southern hemisphere of Bretheda’s turbulent atmosphere. Mentions of these storms appear in records dating long before the Gap, even among societies with only the most basic of telescopic technology, and the violence of each storm is enough to tear apart even the sturdiest of vessels. Yet satellite imagery shows an apparently calm center cradled between the three, with faint signals suggesting that there might be some kind of settlement or structure nestled within the clouds here. Worshipers of Triune, citing the trifold nature of both their deity and the storms, insist that the structure must be a shrine to their deity, while others point to the inscrutable nature of the signal as fitting for a site holy to Ibra. More skeptical voices dismiss both claims as far less likely than the structure being nothing more than a remnant of a starship caught in the storms and eventually swept to the central area— though for a ship to have survived the crushing power of the Eyes would require an extraordinary quality of construction, likely beyond that currently seen in the Pact Worlds. Regardless of which theory, if any, is correct, no pilots have yet managed to navigate the Eyes or succeed at a direct descent from orbit into the center.”

You know in Event Horizon, that ominous first shot of the ship herself hanging above the eye of a storm in the atmosphere of Neptune? I feel like this mysterious object very much has that vibe, to the point where I wonder if it was a direct inspiration. But man, I really want to discover a survivable way down to this thing so I can poke at its mysteries (and possibly die horribly to them).

The gas giants in this system are so fun. And, again, it is probably noticeable that I grew up on the likes of Alien and Event Horizon. And Star Trek, you’d think there’d be more influence from that, but I just … I like cosmic horror and I like blue collar science fiction. I like transport systems and unions and logistics and air recycling systems, and I also like mysterious objects hanging in impassible planetary storms and evidence of Lovecraftian wars beneath the vanished seas of a death world.

This is such a good setting. Such a good setting. I love the worldbuilding so much.

[thegildedbee]

Intuition/Manipulate: May 25 & 26 Prompts from @calaisreno

This latest chapter and the previous ones are here at ao3. ..............................................................................................................

John’s stress level has been steadily rising over the last fortnight, as he tries to keep tabs on Sherlock’s whereabouts and activities since he landed in the south of France, while he himself is at a distance, perched in the posh suburb of Neuilly-sur-Seine. Arrangements had been made for him to fill in for a doctor on short-term leave from the American Hospital in Paris, as a cover for the other work he’s doing at pulling together strategic resources and organizing logistics for the high-stakes events that will rapidly unfold as soon as Sherlock arrives.

The contrast between his leisurely strolls along the Seine and through the neighborhood’s wooded areas – and his visits to his favorite bakery on the Rue Voltaire – during the times he has neither a work shift or reconnaissance is one that troubles him, hearing as he has scattered fragments of intel that Sherlock had been badly injured after being caught out in drug trafficking circles in Marseilles. John is frustrated not to be in closer proximity to the immediate hazards facing Sherlock, but Mycroft had insisted that the international operatives he could tap were sufficient, while John would serve a much more important role as an invisible advance scout for Sherlock in Paris; John is less than impressed with Mycroft’s cross-collaborative alleged back-up so far. 

He is worried about what kind of shape Sherlock will be in by the time he makes it to Paris, and he’s desperate for better information about his status. The second year of laying waste to Moriarty’s network had been much more difficult than the first for Sherlock, and as John has shadowed him he’s seen the steep price he has been paying as the psychological and physical toll has become more intense. For some time now, the threat level Sherlock has been navigating is at a constant red alert, because he has been moving closer and closer to the center of Moriarty’s criminal empire.

As he nears  the hospital, John finishes the last bite of his coffee eclair with regret, reminding himself that if his shift in the emergency room is particularly onerous, he can always return to the bakery after work, since it has evening hours. The eclairs will likely have disappeared, but anything that remains can hardly be considered as second-best.

He places his belongings in his locker, thoroughly washes his hands, places his stethoscope around his neck, and makes his way to the center of the A&E, where the nurses are just finishing their change of shift handover. He stops to look over the whiteboard to get a quick overview of what is in store for him today, before getting his own staff updates.

He feels a light touch at his elbow, and turns to see who has joined him, and, yes, it’s who he expected – got it in one. For some reason his intuition about this member of the medical team sets off his spidey-sense, but he can’t find a reasonable explanation for why that might be. He’s somewhat embarrassed to think that it may be that, after all this time undercover, he’s beginning to get jumpy, likely overreacting for no good reason at all, on a hair-trigger. Perhaps it’s down to a sense that there is some form of manipulation going on, but again, how likely is it that it is anything more than the fact that her particularly determined flirtatiousness puts him on edge.

“Bonjour, Docteur Freeman,” the perky blonde nurse twinkles at him, looking up into his eyes, her smile somehow seductive and amused at the same time. “Comment allez-vous, aujourd'hui?”

John gives her a quick smile, saying “Tres bien, merci, Infirmière Morstan,” then forgets her an instant later, as he sees that the ambulance is pulling up to the entrance, and he moves quickly to assess whatever emergency has come their way.

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