#Land-Based Testing Facility

[defencecapital]

UK sign deal to propel India Landing Platform Dock fleet

By A Correspondent Bengaluru (Karnataka): The United Kingdom on Feb. 10, 2025, announced that it has signed a Statement of Intent with India to design and develop an Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) system for the Indian next-generation Landing Platform Dock (LPD) fleet. In a statement during AeroIndia 2025, the UK High Commission in India said GE Vernova and Bharat Heavy Electricals…

[sheepispink]

guess who’s back ;)

puppy hybrid! rookie reader x lt ghost, where you're considered a failure by your instructors and of course when one of them falls sick, the responsibility of training you lands on him

aka this is my apology for making so many of you cry.

cw: hurt/comfort, fluff, tf141 at the end :)

-----------

To be a hybrid handler was possibly one of the best qualifications a soldier could have, especially with the new rise in hybrid cross-breeds across the world’s military. Ghost had one, took the course when no one wanted to go near it, and now he was only one of the few fits on base to have one. So naturally, when one of the hybrids’ usual instructors had to take a sick leave, he was pressured to step in. The other hybrids had set schedules for their sessions but since you were from the facilities, you needed extra support; well, actually all your extra academic classes meant you didn't have the regular timetable. That’s where he stepped in, taking over the ill instructor’s sessions and training you privately.

That wasn't the issue though, no, it was your file; it was awful. Angry comments about being stubborn, large red crosses next to exercises and well, your behaviour report wasn’t exactly bright either—you just never seemed to get anything right. There weren't any specific notes as to why you failed, usually just a quick scribble mentioning the many mistakes you made. So, it was safe to say he was dreading having to train you himself. He was used to pre-trained hybrids, or at least ones with their head on their shoulders. In fact, he was surprised you’re even still here, but maybe they just thought they’d dump you on him to deal with for the few weeks.

“Um…. Stay back?” You question, your head tilted to the side and ears perking as you try your best to remember what field signal he just did. He stifles a sigh—another one wrong—but it’d only be worse to give up now, so instead he opts for a different approach. “What signals do you know?” 

You were terrified of him, that much was clear, but he felt a little reluctant to give you the same stern treatment as every other rookie. After all, you were bought from the facilities, and before that you would’ve been taken from your family at a relatively young age. That doesn't mean he’ll be lenient though, just a little more patient than most officers around here.

“Well.. Move forward, enemies ahead, don't move, and follow me. I know there’s more but not the signals..” Your ears flatten on your head, expecting some kind of blow, but his eyes just narrow behind the mask, looking back at the training mats in the corner of the room.

The next forty minutes he displays each sign back to you, making you repeat them back to him before ending that exercise. Only then does he gesture you to the training mats, seeing what you know in terms of defence and attack, but even that is weak, your form sloppy and reckless. There’s only ten minutes left of the session, so he seats you again, standing before you as he tests a signal.

“Uh…. Stay close?” He nods, affirming you’re correct and you perk up instantly, watching his signs intently as you continue to give a few more correct answers, only your ears drooping when you get a few more wrong. He corrects you each time, making sure you’re aware before testing you with another. At the end, he passes you a sheet from his bag, the signals printed on it. “Learn these by tomorrow.” And then he’s gone, disappeared out of the room while you’re left alone staring at the paper before you.

The next day you’re in the room early, like you had been yesterday as well; weirdly enough, you were surprisingly punctual, but he didn't have the time to question that. “Alright, ready for your test?”

He’s slightly sceptical when you actually get them all correct, save for a few, since it’s surprising progress with your track record. Plus, your form is improving too, especially when he corrects it as you go along; you manage to remember when he makes you do it again. He can’t even deny he likes the way your tail wags every single time he nods in approval.

So why was your file so bad? If you really were a failure, you would barely be improving but here you are at a steady pace. He supposes that compared to the others you’re probably at least two weeks behind in the exercises. Ideally he’d just catch you up to speed and call it a day. However, his current concern lies on why you haven't improved if you were brought here a month ago. Sure, maybe the future exercises were a lot more difficult than the basic hand signals, but something seems a little… off.

His next session with you is three days from now, so he can't just straight up ask you, especially with your current skittish behaviour regarding him. For now, he’d have to investigate himself. The best source of information is your other class and the easiest way to get that is via some cameras. It’s technically not a violation of privacy, considering there are plenty of cameras around base and the training rooms should have them anyway. The instructor can just consider it a surprise upgrade; if he even notices the change that is. 

Ghost watches as you walk in first, settling in the front corner—- perhaps the instructor does give you the extra help you need then? The other hybrids come a few moments later and then the instructor arrives right on time. “Alright, warm-ups.” He orders, and you all get to work, with you trying to copy what the other hybrids do to the best of your ability. They’re a lot stronger than you, that much is obvious, and most are some form of a dog or wolf hybrid as well—considering they’ve been proven to work well in military situations. They stretch their limbs out as you turn around and imitate the same, all of you strangely quiet, but Ghost supposes that’s just maintaining focus. The officer cuts the warm up after a few minutes, beginning his first session in ‘taking advantage’ of blind spots whilst also keeping an eye on your own. He gets one of the soldiers to come upfront and help demonstrate all while you watch, then he gestures towards the targets at the back of the room, offering you all to try it out before you go against each other.

Ghost is almost considering just turning off the cameras at this point, wondering if he should go grab lunch and then rewatch it in his spare time— or maybe he should just ditch this after all, you were just a hybrid anyway. 

You’ve gone up now, and he watches, but something’s not right as you get into position. Since you’re not that skilled in fighting just yet, your offensive posture isn’t the greatest and that’s visible to any eye, especially the instructor. He motions to the opposing hybrid to fix his, before walking around and motioning to begin. Of course, you fail, getting toppled over almost instantly if not for Ghost’s work on defensive moves. You’re pushed down against the mat, head turned forcefully against the floor, the hybrid’s hand’s on your throat almost a little too aggressively until a signal is given to stop.

The instructor only scoffs, pulling the other hybrid up and leaving you gasping for air. “I knew you’d fall over like that, your posture was awful.”

This becomes a pattern throughout the rest of the exercises, your wrong choices and how the instructor barely says a word until after the incident. But why? Ghost doesn't understand—if he knew it would happen, why wouldn’t he just at least correct you beforehand?

———

Your eyes flicker toward the others pouncing on a target, watching with intrigue how they position their feet and their arms. “Stop staring, creep!” One of the large hybrid taunts behind you, grabbing you by the neck of your shirt and shoving you back down to the floor. 

It’s becoming harder and harder to stay motivated at this point, especially with how much your back is hurting from being overpowered all week. At least the other hybrids didn't laugh this time, though you wonder if that’s really a good thing since it was only due to the fact everyone expects your incompetence now. Like a reused joke, you’re becoming a boring topic. That can only mean you’re closer to being returned to the facility again which is never a good thing. No one wants a used item.

The thought scares you into motivation; you stand, smoothening the ruffled fur of your tail with one hand before stepping up to one of the targets. You have to try; it’s the best thing you can do even if your feet are starting to ache terribly. Swallowing down your anxiety, you try to remember how their stance was. It was going well until you ended up banging your shoulder against the wood rather than pushing it down. You tumble down with a groan, landing right in front of your instructor. 

“Do you have two left feet or something? Your balance was completely off the entire time— anyone could see that.” He rolls his eyes up at you, watching as you rub your shoulder in clear pain. Your lips twist into a deep frown, confused to say the least, and you finally look up at him. “Why didn't you correct me beforehand?”

“Because I knew you wouldn’t listen anyway; you never do.” He scoffs in response, annoyed that you even tried to talk back, before stepping away to fix another hybrid's posture. You don't know why you even bothered to ask; it would always be the same response. They all saw you fail, and yet they never made an effort to even try to help, like you weren’t even worth spending energy on. From the first day you were marked as the runt, even if you really weren’t in the slightest.

_________

“You’re failing all the exercises.” Ghost drops the file before you, letting you see all the red crosses against each lesson. He reminds himself that this is for a good cause when your face instantly drops, used to his praise for good progress. It was the only thing you looked forward to anymore, having long given up on the dream that you’d prove your instructor wrong by doing an exercise perfectly. It’d never happen. The thing is, he can help you, but you won't catch up anywhere near to the others on your current schedule; he just needs to push you to want more, to need more, and he’ll fulfil that for you. 

“I- I'm trying, I promise. I just- it’s not my fault—” You fumble with your words, convinced he’s giving up on you. He can see the bandages littering your hands, the wince when you try to move suddenly.

“It’s not enough.” His voice is stern, yet still he knows it’s the calmest you’d get in this new life you’ve been forced into. You have no choice now but to move forward, and he’d be damned if his own student ended up a failure. “You need to train harder and—”

“I’ll do that! We can start now, actually whenever you want. Please, Ghost— I’ll work as hard as I possibly can!” 

Oh. 

He thought it’d be harder than that.

You’ve stepped so close he’s almost positive you were going to grab his shirt and beg him for a second. Your tail swishes from side to side too, ears perked high on your head and your hands clasped together. Is he going crazy or did you just give him puppy dog eyes?  

“I’m supposed to be convincing you, idiot.”

 “Huh?”

“.. Nevermind.” He rolls his eyes up at you and shakes his head; well at least he didn’t have to start pointing out the incentives of working harder to you. Though he doubts you’ll be able to handle his intensive training program; at least you’re trying to start.

“So will you train me then?” 

“Yeah, yeah Pup. But I don't think you realise how tough it’s gonna be.” His arms cross firmly over his chest, looking down at you with narrowed eyes. “I want you up early at five am and do warm ups straight after breakfast. None of these bandages either, that’ll ruin your performance. You think you can do that?” He leans in, almost threatening but despite your initial stance towards him, you don't even flinch. “Yes sir!” 

You’re just excited that someone’s finally taking a chance on you.

��-

So, for the next week, you get up early every day, wait for him in the gym before beginning your two-hour training session. He has his own priorities during that time so you’re left with “homework”, as he likes to describe it, which is usually a bunch of tactical knowledge you have to learn. Sometimes it’s what to do in certain situations, other times it’s medical knowledge, hell he even made you disassemble and reassemble a gun once. That last one didn't work out too well since you accidentally swept a few screws away with your tail. Oops

It wasn’t for nothing though. You steadily began to improve; just his corrections had you catching up quickly and putting up a fair fight against the rookie he set up to spar with you. In fact, your sessions with the other instructor have been going well, even managing to beat a few hybrids there when you only had hoped to put up enough of a fight. If he was being really honest, you had actually shocked him at how strong you held up the entire week of intense training. You may be seen as a failure to your officer, but to him, you were nothing short of a real soldier.

Finally, it’s Friday, marking the end of all this training that he’s had you doing. It’s almost dinner, though you ate plenty for lunch anyway, and you both stand in the empty room, a few props littering the room. He wanted to have a look at your pouncing technique, since those attacks worked best for a hybrid like you, and your strong teeth do have a good advantage. The methods are a little feral, but hey, you technically are part animal.

“And.. Go!” He signals, and you lunge forward, grabbing at the fake man and digging your teeth through the side of his neck. You rip through the first layer with ease, legs locked around the dummy’s middle and claws sharp into the arms. “That’s it!” He calls it off after he watches, the time slowly ticking towards seven pm. You climb off, and he nods in approval, walking forward to offer you a hand which you take with another tail wag. “Good work. That’s all for this week.” He helps you shrug off the gear, tucking it under his arm as you take a seat at the nearby bench.

 There are only a few minutes till dinner, and you’re usually starving by this time so he decides to clear up the equipment today, placing it down into the small storage cupboard and packing it in its respective spots. 7pm. Only took him about seven minutes to clear the room up which has to be a new record by now.

Closing the closet door behind him, he pulls out his phone, ready to lay back for the day. He’s about to open the door when he hears a quiet noise, then another, followed by a soft thud. Confused, he looks back, surprised to find you slumped on the bench as you snore quietly, your arms hanging off the side as your tail hangs limply off the edge. You’re completely knocked out.

“Pup?” His boots echo against the hardwood floor, but you still remain asleep, cheek smushed into the bench as he crouches before you. A small smile creases the edge of his mask, a fond sigh leaving his lips. “Alright, let’s get you to bed.” He scoops you up easily, carrying you through the quieter corridors to your room, and gently settling you to sleep comfortably for the remainder of the night. You deserved it.

——

Your other instructor returned that Monday, and Ghost was removed from his responsibility for you. Whilst he was glad you had improved, he was just relieved to have his old life back, ready to focus on the 141 as it should have always been. “Ghost! I did it! I did it!!” You squeal, running up to him whilst he’s mid-workout, showing him the sheet that confirms your status as a proper soldier now. You’re brimming with joy, and he’s happy for you, one hand ruffling your hair. “Knew you could do it.”

And that was that. You got your job, he completed his temporary work. 

That’s what he assumed anyway..

“Ghost? Can you check my form?” He allowed it the first time, leaving his weights to correct you before continuing his workout again.

“Ghost— can you teach me how to play this?” It was a simple game of cards and your first pub outing after a long mission. Besides, the others were busy puking their guts out.

“Hi Ghost! Can I sit here?” Well, Soap and Gaz were on a mission anyway; it’s not like he would be having breakfast with anyone else. Maybe your friends were out of base too?

“Ghost..” Sleepy eyes stare up at him as you lazily stretch beside him, Soap on his right and Gaz on your left. The movie has only just started, and you’re already giving him that expectant look. “Fine, fine.” He clicks the recliner on the side of the couch, lifting his legs to lay flat and allow you to stretch yours too. 

“Ghost..” You mumble out again, and he chuckles, the movie not even halfway through, and he’s got you melting into the cushions just from his hands scratching the back of your fluffy ears. They twitch every now and then, reminding him that you’re still awake somehow.

“Pup down.” Soap whispers, and he nods in turn, looking at the bundle of fur laying over him, your thick tail trapping his legs like some sort of weighted blanket. His hand runs through the soft strands, content as the credits roll and your chest rises and falls slowly. Somehow, you had managed to manoeuvre yourself with your face squashed against his legs and your fingers clutching the fabric of his sweatpants, the 141’s symbol engraved in the cold metal hanging around your neck. Of course, they’d all tease you about it tomorrow during your outing down to the beach. That’s how it works, of course;  wherever your handler goes, you follow.

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COD MASTERLIST

a/n: thank you all so much for 1000 followers! just a little psa that i probably wont be too active in the next two weeks. tumblr used to be my safe space and i used to be so excited to come on and scroll thru my dash for some good fics but i just feel so empty with it :(. i havent lost my passion for writing dont get me wrong, and i'm still very happy to chat with moots, just the whole aspect of tumblr is so exhausting for me along with other things in my life atm

anyway rant over thanks for reading bye bye

@mortem-writes @pythonmoth

buy me a ko-fi :)

[comicarc]

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

⋆★⋆ masterlist ⋆★⋆

Hal and the reader confront their feelings after being trapped overnight in a dusty hangar.

wc: 1769

Hal Jordan paraded around the Ferris Aircraft facilities with an arrogant grin plastered across his face. He’d finished his test flight early today, meaning he’d be the first person to leave the base for the day and start his weekend early. Feeling chipper, he pranced into Carol’s office to say his goodbyes for the week, but to his surprise he found another presence.

y/n was digging through Carol’s drawer trying to find something when she heard Hal step inside of the room. As her eyes landed on him, she watched as his enormous smile dissipated into a straight face. Reciprocating his indifference, she asked in a monotone voice, “Need anything?”

He replied, “No, just saying bye to Carol. Do you know where I can find her?” His hands fidgeted as he spoke as if he would rather be doing anything else. 

She took it as a sign to succinctly end the conversation, directing, “She’s by the first hangar, dealing with some investors.” With that, y/n resumed her search for some documents Carol had failed to find. From the corner of her eye, she watched as Hal speeded away, stepping out the door as soon as she had finished speaking.

Hal, on the other hand, had hoped his nervousness wasn’t too obvious. Was he a little too loud, too annoying, maybe too cheery for y/n’s liking? He’d rehearsed how he’d act in front of her too many times to count, but on the rare occasion that he had finally seen her, all that practice had gone out the window. 

Embarrassment beginning to creep in the back of his mind, Hal managed to make it to Carol just as the investors were leaving. Approaching her he enthused, “See ya on Monday!”

She laughed at his excitement, questioning, “Done already? That was quick.” She thought for a moment, recalling a thought she had earlier in the day, as she held back Hal with a hand on his shoulder, “Since you're done early, could you help me out with something?”

Technically, he wasn’t supposed to leave for another few hours so doing one more task wouldn’t hurt. He’d be out of here soon enough to enjoy a stress-free weekend away from his Lantern duties and his work. 

Agreeing to help her, Carol elaborated, “I need you to clean out hangar D-16, y/n’s gonna help you too.” Chuckling, she fled the scene before Hal could protest. Head hung low, Hal complied as he headed toward the hangar anticipating that he’d be biting off way more than he could chew.

D-16 was more a storage unit than a hangar, with outdated parts lying around, a massive pile of trash that had accumulated over the years and dust lying in thick layers across every surface. The place had been all but abandoned for a few months now, with no one having the courage to enter the potential biohazard, nor anyone with the guts to take on cleaning it. 

The other source of his dread lay in y/n being his partner. She was as kind as could be, pretty talkative, and had such a lively personality. Of course, never with him. He’d stumble upon her laughing and joking around with Carol countless times or rambling about something she’d learned recently with some of her friends at the base. Never had she talked to him directly with such zeal, but he had longed for it to happen someday.

He was stubborn and he wanted to know her, for she possessed a certain optimism and will that he had never seen before. Her diligence in working, her passion for helping, and her knack for being curious, had all made her the object of his intrigue. She was the only girl who made him blush mess. The only girl who never quite spoke to him like she did everyone else. The only girl he couldn’t figure out. He always thought she hated him, and it was a reasonable conclusion seeing as how cocky and blabber-mouthed he could be.

“Hey,” There was no dread to her voice, no enthusiasm, simply a passiveness he took for hatred. Walking up to him as she entered D-16, y/n observed the mess that towered around her. “I’ll take this side.” She pointed to the right, strolling away just as quickly as she had come.

y/n could see the stern look on his face, a tinge of blush creeping in his face. It was either a product of the summer heat or his dislike for her, with y/n leaning toward the latter option. Was her voice too annoying, her words too nonsensical to comprehend, or maybe her mere presence simply irked him? Regardless, cleaning the hangar would be a time-consuming task, allowing her to put off the worries bubbling in her mind for just a little while longer.

Two hours had passed and the heat had started to turn up a notch. The pair toiling away in D-16 were starting to sweat profusely, their heads spinning and their bodies exhausted, but they’d managed to clean most of the hangar up, making some parts even look brand new. Done for now, Hal began heading out, but before he could exit the hangar doors, he collided with a preoccupied y/n.

In an attempt to gain some footing, his hand reached for the nearby wall, fingers grazing against the emergency lock which subsequently trapped the two inside. Stuck in his worst nightmare by his own doing, Hal was absolutely mortified. Before he could begin profusely apologizing, y/n remained calm as she proposed, “Let’s call Carol. She’d probably be somewhere nearby.”

Had she not wanted to hear him talk, was that why she cut him off before he could even begin? Regardless her idea, though noble, forgot to acknowledge one key detail, “There’s no reception here. Calls won’t go through. We’ve got to wait till tomorrow morning when they open all the hangars for inspection.”

Her eyebrows quirked at his statement, finally allowing her voice to express a hint of irritation, “You have to be joking.”

Shaking his head, Hal sighed. This was going to be a long night. 

· • —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– • ·

It had been well past Ferris Aircraft’s closing as the sun had already gone down. By now, Hal had contemplated using the Lantern ring to get out of this mess a million times. Maybe he’d make a giant baseball glove to smash off the hangar doors, or a train to ram through them. But, he couldn’t risk having people ask the questions that would naturally follow. Only Carol knew about his status as the Green Lantern, that too, a secret she had uncovered accidentally. He couldn’t risk his coworkers piecing it together, nor did he want to shock y/n so much so that she’d never break down the walls that were established between them.

Taking a leap he should have made a long time ago Hal stood from his seat on his side of the hangar to sit beside a huddled y/n, beginning, “Why don’t talk to me?”

The ring had taught Hal many things he’d never known about himself, for example, his discipline. He’d often thought of himself as an impulsive adrenaline junkie, given that his job did require a lot of dexterity. But he was always more than that, being diligent about his routines and commitments, having restraint for many endeavors he wanted to undertake in the sky, and knowing when to surrender. This was one of those times when he knew he couldn’t keep up the charade of acting normal around y/n. 

Turning her head to face Hal beside her, y/n answered, “What do you mean? It’s freezing cold and I’m just trying to conserve energy.” 

As her hands gripped onto her calves even tighter, Hal took off his signature aviator jacket and placed it on y/n explaining, “That’s not what I–ugh–I mean why don’t you ever talk to me? At Carol’s office, when we’re doing test runs, even when we go out to lunch.” 

He waited for her to say something, anything, as a long silence unfolded. “I didn’t know what to say,” She sighed knowing that lying would be pointless, “No–I have a lot to say, I’m just afraid of saying it, and being judged for every little word.”

“Why? You talk to Carol just fine.” He asked, his interest piqued and his apprehension fading.

“Carol’s the closest thing I have to a sister. Outside of her…” y/n paused. She didn’t really know why she was so awkward, silent, and walled off. She didn’t want to be invisible, a nobody. But outside of her physical body, she had nothing to show for herself. No personality that could uplift others, no words of encouragement to inspire them, no humor in her conversations, nothing but the endless thoughts and anxious emotions that crowded her mind. Who was she outside of simply being human?

Knowing she couldn’t answer his question, she instead diverted, “How about you? Why are you always so indifferent to me?” 

“Well that’s easy; you make me nervous. I’m hyper-aware of your presence at all times, and I thought that the best way not to scare you away would be by toning myself down a notch.” 

“Why? I like it when you’re cocky.” She chuckled as she spoke.

People crave what they can’t have, and she craved to hear Hal being himself with her. It was projection of sorts as she thought she’d be able to learn how to fill the hole in her mind that prevented her from expressing herself by learning from such an outgoing, confident man. But now, she had a feeling that he wouldn’t have fixed her, that was something she needed to do herself. He thought she was worth the effort, and maybe it was time she tried to do things differently. Put in the effort on herself rather than those around her. 

Taken aback by her statement, Hal found a new zeal in him as he enthusiastically announced, “To new beginnings!” His hand in the air holding an imaginary champagne glass. 

y/n followed clinking her imaginary glass with his. Turning away from him, she spoke, “Let’s start over.” Turning back to the man beside her, and holding a hand out she introduced, “Hi, I’m y/n.”

This time she’d be different and so would he. It’s never too late to begin anew, and though they weren’t perfect, they tried. Now, accepting themselves for who they really are, they both had the will to find happiness in a new way of living.

[anumberofhobbies]

The Kennedy Space Center-based research, test, and now space launch company Starfighters International, which has been flying F-104 Starfighters privately for decades is now, is in the process of acquiring a dozen F-4 Phantoms. The deal would see the iconic third-generation Cold War fighters fly primarily in service of the firm’s space launch operations, which aim to provide rapid and flexible access to low Earth orbit (LEO) for small satellites, as well as suborbital offerings. Starfighters International began as a company around three decades ago, and grew from doing air shows to becoming largely a research and development support firm with a very unique address. The company and its fleet of antique Mach 2-capable F-104 Starfighters, which includes seven airframes today, moved into Kennedy Space Center in 2007. There they would have access to arguably one of the most famous and largest runways on earth, the Shuttle Landing Facility. Now they are in the process of building a 150,000-square-foot facility in Midland, Texas, to support the firm’s more ambitious space launch aims. And this is precisely where the F-4 Phantoms come into play. While the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is capable of zooming up into the stratosphere at high speed, they cannot carry heavier, outsized launch vehicles at the required performance that will allow larger payloads to be inserted into low Earth orbit. The F-4s — at least in concept — can.

Starfighters Space Expands to Midland, Texas Spaceport October 7, 2024 CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Oct. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Starfighters Space Inc, headquartered at Kennedy Space Center, operating the world's only commercial fleet of aircraft capable of flying at sustained MACH 2+ and able to air-launch payloads at altitude, proudly announced the addition of its second launch facility at the Midland, Texas Spaceport.

Thank you to member GTX at Secret Projects Forum for bringing this to awareness.

[flyonthewallmedstudent]

Q Fever

Aka, Query fever. What a weird name for a disease. Imagine telling people that's what you got.

in the 30s-40s, an Australian pathologist in QLD/Brisbane, came across an outbreak of the same or similar illness among abbatoir or slaughterhouse workers.

At the time, he called the disease "Q" fever or query as a temporary name until the pathogen could be identified. Unfortunately it stuck.

decades later, now nobel prize winner and virologist, MacFarlane Burnett isolated and identified the microbe responsible. I think this discovery contributed to his prize. i forget already.

Microbe responsible: Coxiella burnetti. Named for Burnett and HR Cox, the American bacteriologist who found the genus Coxiella where C burnetti falls under.

Initially they felt it was related to Rickettsia, responsible for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, but as science progressed, this was disproven.

Now for a Case Report

A 55 yo Italian man with a history of aortic valve replacement was diagnosed with pyrexia of unknown origin twice. Further signs included myalgias/splenomegaly/night sweats. The 2nd time he was admitted for PUO he deteriorated rather dramatically and was put on meropenem and teicoplanin.

A host of organisms was tested for on serological testing based on the man's travel and epidemiological history, all negative. Even a rheumatological panel was done, also less revealing. He also had a history of MGUS (a haem disoder), which is kind of a red herring here.

Cultures were negative, no vegetations were seen on a TTE - so they did consider IE. Which is an important differential for PUO.

Eventually a PET-CT was done (often favoured when investigations do not yield much for a sick patient with fevers), finally revealing a focus of infectious on his ascending aorta, where he'd also had previous surgery done. And in a round about way, they also further identified Coxiella Burnetti. He was treated doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine. As it's so rare in Italy, it wasn't really considered even though he mentioned rural travel.

Bottomline: Q Fever is an important consideration in the work up for culture negative IE. Further to this, always consider IE in the differentials for PUO particularly if they're at increased risk for IE (prosthetic valves, damaged valves, select congenital heart issues, previous IE). IE can present with night sweats, fevers, weight loss and splenomegaly. It can be insidious and chronic in nature. other risk factors can be more suggestive as we'll get into below.

Causative organism

Coxiella burnetti, it's a zoonoses - i.e. transmissible from animals. Special powers: very tough/hardy, can survive extreme environments (high temps and UV light etc.) over prolonged periods and is resistant to many common disinfectants/surface cleaners.

It's an intracellular pathogen and gram negative coccobacilli (PINK!)

name coccobaccili reminds me of cocopuffs.

it's mainly associated with farm animals, which the CDC so wholesomely displays on its website on Q fever (wtf).

goats, sheep, cattle typically (but many other animals, even birds, dogs and horses can be reservoirs)

in particular bodily fluids - amniotic fluid, placenta, faeces/urine, milk etc.

you can get it through unpasteurized milk and through inhaling it if it lands on dust in the area

ever visit a farm or petting zoo lately? OMG WASH YOU HANDS.

That said, it's typically inhaled in inorganic dust. You inhale it, it goes to the lungs, and then the bloodstream.

Increased risk for Coxiella burnetti (What to take on history of exposures and when to strongly consider it)

live on a farm or near one

exposure to a farm

work as a vet on a farm

farm worker, dairy workers, researchers on these animals/facilities

slaughterhouse/abbatoir

Also from CDC:

Clinical presentation

Most won't get sick after exposure and remain asymptomatic, a very small minority does. even though it is highly infectious.

incubation time is 2-3 weeks (consider this time in your history of exposure, did they work on the farm 2-3 weeks ago as opposed to yesterday).

Nonspecific acute infectious symptoms:

nonspecific systemic fevers/malaise/arthralgias/myalgias--> key is high fevers though and can be associated with headache and photophobia.

non specific GI - N/V/diarrhoea

respiratory ones - SOB or cough, consider it as atypical cause of community acquired pneumonia.

rare: hepatitis and jaundice (granulomatous) or encephalitis with neurological complications such as demyelinating disease or CN palsies, also haemolytic anaemia and HLH (yikes)

really it's the history of exposure that will lead you down the garden path to Q fever.

Chronic Q fever is perhaps worse, and can present as culture negative IE/PUO. Months/years later, as B symptoms as above above + LOW/LOA, night sweats. More likely to occur if you are predisposed for IE as above, have a weakened immune system for any reason, including pregnancy.

Chronic Q fever has a mortality of 10% if left untreated. About <5% of those with acute Q fever develop this if left untreated. Speculation is that it's more of an autoimmune process or abnormal immunological response to the bacteria.

To be honest, most who walk in the door with community acquired pneumonia get treated empirically for atypicals anyway, (standard course of doxycycline), so we hardly really ponder the question of Q fever in every patient. But if they present chronically and did not have atypical cover at the onset of acute symptoms, then it's something important to consider.

Other important conditions - can cause complications in pregnant women and 20% will get post Q fever syndrome. like chronic fatigue.

investigations

Serology! nice and easy. Look for IgG antibodies in the chronic presentation. Or PCR. Down side to serology - can take 2-3 days for the body to make said antibodies to the bacteria for detection. PCR can be done on any fluids/tissue sent.

Cultures useless, hence it fall under the umbrella of culture negative (hard to grow outside a host cell, it is an obligate intracellular pathogen).

Other hints on bloods (as serology/PCR takes time to return) - elevated or low platelet's, transaminitis with normal bili, opacities in CXR with hilar lymphadenopathy, CSF will show raised protein levels if done when encephalitis is suspected.

imaging can also support the diagnosis.. as illustrated by the case report.

Treatment

Acute disease - as standard for atypical bugs, doxycycline 100 mg BD for 14 days. Alternatives - TMP SMX or Clarithromycin.

Chronic Q fever or IE:

native valves: doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine (200 TDS) for 18 months

prosthetic: same but 24 months

why hydroxy: enhances the action of doxycycline (increases the pH of the phagolysosome)

Follow-up: look for 4 fold decrease in IGG

Sources:

CDC

Stat Pearls

Wiki as linked above

[coupleofdays]

While I will always be disappointed that we never got to see what the Neo-Sweden space colony (or even Neo-Sweden on Earth) looked like in G Gundam, we did at least get a very brief look at "The Neo-Sweden base" launching rockets for the Gundams on Earth to reach space in one of the last episodes:

My headcanon is that this base is an extremely expanded version of the real rocket launch facility Esrange, in northern Sweden. Presumably, in the Future Century, it's expanded from a test facility for weather balloons and suborbital rockets into an actual "spaceport".

To get slightly more serious for a moment, it's worth noting that such an expansion would probably be made by exploiting land surrounding the current-day Esrange facility, land belonging to the Sámi people, destroying their traditional reindeer-herding grounds to build launchpads and whatnot. But hey, if Neo-Sweden are fine with turning a 17-year-old orphan girl into a mindless berserker, I wouldn't put it past them to have no problems with screwing over an indigenous population. It's not like current-day Sweden hasn't already done that in numerous ways.

[lonestarflight]

AU Space Shuttle Enterprise

Circa 1985 to 1987

From my Alternative History Post (link) this is how the Space Shuttle Enterprise evolved from the 4th operational orbiter in 1985 to the prototype unmanned shuttle.

More History on the Shuttle:

• April 1983: Enterprise is returned to Palmdale for her disassembled and rebuild.

• As a weight saving measure her mid-fuselage is returned to Convair for a complete rebuild to bring it inline with OV-103 and OV-104.

• to further lighten her frame, her aft-fuselage is rebuilt with similar materials as her sisters.

• Engineers at Rockwell suggests rebuilding or replacing her wings as well but NASA doesn't have room in the budget.

• May 1985: at long last, Enterprise is rolled out and joins the fleet. She weighs slightly less than Columbia. Her main issue is her wings are heavier and weaker than the other Orbiters.

• September 1985: STS-21 is Enterprise's first mission

• 1987: During the Shuttle hiatus following the Challenger Disaster, she went through a mini refit that saw her exterior markings change. (NASA in this timeline returned to the Meatball logo sooner than in the OTL)

Circa 1988 to 1993

• April 1988: STS-30 is Enterprise's first launch following the hiatus.

• December 1993: following STS-61, Enterprise is retired due to being the oldest in the fleet. Endeavour takes her place in the fleet.

• June 1994: Enterprise is flown to Dulles Airport, Washington DC, and is given to the Smithsonian for eventual display when the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is built. NASA retains the option recalled her if needed.

• 1998: NASA studies modifying the Shuttle-C software to work on the Space Shuttle and potentially using Enterprise as a reusable Shuttle-C. The reasoning behind this option this configuration would be a cheaper alternative to the X-33 program. However, while the shuttle could be retrofitted with the software, the shuttle would have less cargo capacity than the X-33 and still required use of expensive legacy launch facilities (ie VAB and LC-39). The study ends with only the software in a beta state.

• December 2003: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is opened with Enterprise being one of its major exhibits.

• November 2003: the Shuttle-C software is used to return STS-118 Columbia to Earth and with critical damage to her structure (mainly her port wing and some internal damage from a collapsed landing gear).

• May 2004: NASA recalls Enterprise to replace Columbia.

• August 2004: initial plans are to return her flight, unmodified. However, NASA develops the Shuttle-C software further and changes it's name to A.S.Tr.O.S (Autonomous Space Transport Operating System).

• New wings! Enterprise is fitted with new wings which are of a modified design and lighter and stronger than the wings of her sisters. With other upgrades and modifications, she is slightly lighter than her younger sisters.

• Some within NASA joking refer to her as Enterprise-A, as a reference to Star Trek.

• September 2006: to commemorate the 30th anniversary of her unveiling to the media, Lockheed-Rockwell rolls her out of their Palmdale facility to rechristen the Shuttle. In attendance, Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, Nichelle Nicholas, Walter Koenig, Christopher Doohan and Rod Roddenberry.

- when asked by the media, Leonard remarked she is still a sight to behold and is glad she will continue her mission of exploration.

Enterprise A (unmanned)

• July 2006: to test the A.S.Tr.O.S. during a return to earth and landing, a new series of Approach and Landing Tests (ALT) were conducted with NASA's 747 SCA (N905NA) at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base. 15 flights are flown to put the software in the real world, with two astronauts on board to step in when needed. Barring some higher than normal landing speeds, the software passes all of its objectives.

• It should be noted, while the rebuilt Enterprise is mainly used as an unmanned orbiter, this is a misnomer. It is more accurate to call her a hybrid shuttle. NASA has the option to convert her back into a manned shuttle if desired or needed.

- This nearly was used in 2015 during STS-154. Space Shuttle Atlantis was after conducting maintenance/upgrades on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the crew was unable to disconnect the shuttle from the telescope. CTS-48 Enterprise was already on LC-39B for a cargo mission to the International Space Station. All that was needed was to remove supplies from the payload bay and reinstall the seats in her crew space. Fortunately, this rescue wasn't needed as the Astronauts conducted an unscheduled EVA and manually disconnected the Shuttle from the HST.

• November 2008: first flight of Enterprise-A (CTS-11)

• When Columbia was given a cosmic restoration for her display, the first set of wings from Enterprise was used to replace her damaged one.

• 2019: Enterprise is retired for the final time following CTS-74.

• 2020: Enterprise is on display at Space Center Houston with the restored Star Trek Galileo Shuttlecraft prop.

Original artwork by bagera3005: link, link, link

[usafphantom2]

TAGBOARD SENIOR BOWL D-21

The pictures are a line of D-21 They are covered with spraylat to protect them from the elements. The D-21 is like a miniature SR 71, it had a camera, and it was very fast. These pictures were taken when the D-21s were looking for museums for their new homes 35 years ago.

It was developed before SR 71; the D stands for daughter. M stands for Mother It is a drone that sits on top of the M-21. When the drone is on top of the M 21 is called the MD 21.

The MD-21 is a Blackbird with two Cockpits that looks like an SR 71, but it carries no recon. cameras; the goal of Kelly Johnson’s MD-21 was to discover hidden information about China.

The USA was successful in finding that China was indeed producing nuclear bombs and testing them in 1963. I’m not sure how they found this out it could’ve been air sampling or A 12.

The reaction to finding out that China had nuclear weapons was so offensive that Presidents Kennedy and Johnson wanted to bomb the facility. it was as scary as it still is today

President Nixon canceled Tagboard after the Chinese asked them to stop flying SR 71 over their land. The Chinese wrongly identified the D 21 as the SR 71. after the MD-21 program was canceled. The quest for information from China was still needed so the D-21s were launched from a B-52.

Some of the B-52s armed with D-21s were launched from Beale Air Force Base when I lived there. My Dad Butch Sheffield writes about it in his unpublished book.

A little background for A-12 was developed by the Skunk Works for the CIA to replace the U2. In 1958, Kelly Johnson determined that eventually, the U2 would be shot down by the Soviets because they could track them. The reason the Soviets were so successful is that we, the Americans, shared tracking devices with them during World War II.

In the 1980s the Skunk Works leader Ben Rich was traveling in Europe when a former member of the Soviet Union KGB approached him with a piece of a D 21 The Soviet Union had been trying to reverse engineer that piece of titanium to make their drone, but the Soviets were unsuccessful.

You will find that in a free society like America People are NOT afraid to make mistakes while working in aviation. This leads to more creative ideas. 🇺🇸

The A-12 was successful and flew from 1962 to 1968. There was an overlap of just a few months when both Blackbirds were flying simultaneously. There was a contest called “Good Girl” between the two Blackbirds. The test was inconclusive, but it was decided to cancel the A-12 program and proceed with the SR-71 program. The A-12 had two variations; one was the YF 12, which was an interceptor that carried weapons. The other variation of the A-12 was the M-21. The MD 21 Blackbird carries the D-21 drone. All variations of the Blackbirds were canceled.

Ironically, the U2 was never canceled. It still flies today, although it has been upgraded many times, and it is not exactly like the original. * A recent update is that the U2 will be canceled, but I’ll believe it when it really happens. Hopefully, it won’t.

Written by Linda Sheffield @c

@Habubrats71 via X

[tummyisyummy]

Name:Ziya

Height: 5’0

Birthday: March 12th

Age: 18

Magic: Plant magic

Occupation: Magic Knight

Squad: Golden Dawn

Birth place : unknown foreign country

Background:

Ziya was born in a foreign land. When he was a baby he was forcefully taken away by invaders in his homeland and was taken to a testing facility owned by these attackers. Since childhood he was sadly treated poorly being used for cruel experiments to enhance magic power. At age 14, he managed to escape from the facility and with the help of his new modified power (and cute forest friends :D) he has been able to live free and experience what it’s like to be a clover citizen.

Personality:

Ziya is a kindhearted soul who cares for all creatures. He’s always there for his squad mates (even though they’re never there for him ). He tends to keep to himself and is usually in the garden area of the Golden Dawn. He’s sometimes a little forgetful so a simple reminder will help greatly! He also gives out great advice! Anyone with issues always goes to him for some wisdom! He rarely looses his temper like RARELY, in fact nobody’s ever seen him angry or even irritated. He’s the nicest guy around so make time to talk to him ☆(－ｏ⌒)

Relationships:

Family

Who?

Friends

Mimosa vermillion

Plant buddies! When mimosa saw the passion and care Ziya has for plants she instantly became his friend. When both of them have nothing to do, they usually are having a pleasant conversation in the Garden! If you manage to come across them during a conversation you’ll hear them info dumping about all kinds of plants. They even hang out outside of the base! They’re besties for life !!

William Vangeance

“Woah, someone becoming buddies with a captain?” Now that’s unusual.. not only that he’s a foreigner 🫢”-alecdora probably . Same thing with mimosa he also noticed his passion for plants! He found him tending to the garden when he first joined. Ever since then they seem to talk on the regular and William even goes to Ziya for plant advice! The grass has been greener ever since he joined.

Isabella Roselei (belongs to mamavino 🚶🏾‍♂️)

Ziya was late out walking when he met her. While he was walking, he kept seeing these weird illusions. At first Ziya thought he was tired but, it turns out it was just some girl pulling pranks on him 😑 Now why would he hangout with someone who pranks him every time they meet? Welll he admires her carefree; independent nature. He sometimes wishes to explore more of this kingdom and even more. They bond over the places they want to/wish to go. Someday they’ll finally explore the world (._.)

Others:

Levi Foudre

He’s a little strange, but he has a good heart. He’s seems concerned for Ziya being in the Golden Dawn. Well since Levi does have more experience with royals/nobles and how than can act(especially around foreigners) so it’s only natural for him to be worried. Don’t worry Levi, Ziya is strong!

Trivia (^o^)／

Ziya has serial numbers on his neck from when he confined in the laboratory.(something like avernturines or something like Emma’s from the promised neverland)

He remembers nothing from that time( even though he got out 4 years ago )(he’ll remember due to a certain somebody (alecdora (ー_ー))

When he uses his magic, his hair tips glows. When he achieves a certain special form, his hair will fully change :D

He didn’t even know grimores existed till he lived in the Clover Kingdom

He can summon multiple arms

His original country is definitely based off the Middle East cultures

Only oc that has a hooked nose(in the black clover verse)

Can speak Arabic and English

Can Dance really well(even on water;D)

[randomthefox]

Actually now that I think about it (something these movies really don't want you to be doing) even the opening scene of the movie doesn't make any sense at all.

The movie opens on Prison Island with Shadow stirring from his sleep in his capsule, which the guards watching him freak out about and hit an alarm button which summons a squadron of soldiers to arm themselves with rifles and run in and point their guns all at Shadow. Shadow then breaks out of his tube and beats them all up before escaping.

But. Why? To any of that?

Why would the guards react like that to Shadow twitching in his tube? They react with shock and fear. But why? What were they told about Shadow and his capabilities? What reason were they given to think him even so much as fidgeting in the capsule was a pants shittening worthy response?

Why was the emergency response to have a squad of soldiers run in with rifles to point at Shadow prepared to fire upon him the instant he starts moving? Why would that be their response to the alarm going off? Why would that be what they were drilled to do?

Why would Shadow's reaction upon waking up be to break out of his capsule and start putting the beat down on everybody he sees in front of him? Why would that be the instant and instinctive response to waking up from a dead sleep? Why would he assume everybody in the room was a hostile enemy to be dispatched? How would he even know HOW to dispatch them all?

Seriously. Think about it. Use your brain (something the movie doesn't want you to do) and remember how all the flashback scenes in the movie depicted Shadow, his life in the secret military base, and the ultimate result of his incarceration. Remember how they went? Think about it. And then I want a sincere answer. Why did anything in the opening scene happen?

Shadow was found and taken in by the secret military base the instant he landed on the planet, and by all appearances he was compliant and obedient. He went along with all the experiments done on him, from harnessing his chaos energy to putting little medical sensor stickies all over his body and analyzing his life signs. We NEVER see ANY scene depicting Shadow being put through any kind of combat training or tests. We never see Shadow resisting against the scientists or soldiers in the base. Even when they flee from the facility when Maria is killed, Shadow just runs away with Maria and Gerald and never engages with anyone or anything in combat. And after Maria is killed he's just shoved into a tube with a cattle prod and just sits there, not resisting at all. And then when he's put in the goop and put to sleep, he just glares angrily but doesn't bother trying to break out even though he obviously could considering he does.

How does Shadow even know how to fight at all? Why does he fight in the opening scene of the movie when he didn't fight anybody at any point including when he was being shoved into the goop in the tube?

Why did Commander Walters institute a response policy of immediate hostile aggression against Shadow if he is ever detected waking up from his coma? Walters knew Shadow personally from 50 years ago, knew Shadow was compliant and non-violent, and knew the reason Maria died was because of some trigger happy dipshit who he personally tried to restraint. Walters knows that Shadow was also cooperative when he was detained, and personally oversaw putting him in the sleep goop. He even says that he did so partially as a way of protecting Shadow. Shadow obviously wasn't happy about it since he glared at Walters as it was happening, but he still allowed it to happen without even trying to break out of the tube which he obviously could because he did. So why would Walters have his men trained to have such a hostile response to Shadow?

Walters was a lower rank back when he first threw Shadow in the goop sure. His hands were probably tied when it came to making that decision in the first place. But Walters rose the ranks and became the absolute unquestioned commander of GUN. (The movie wants us to forget that the 2nd movie established that GUN was only founded after the events in San Fransisco in the first movie, and now we're supposed to believe that GUN has been around since the 70s, because these movies are stupid and think you're stupid but for the sake of argument let's accept the change in the script that now says Walters was just some GUN lieutenant back in the 70s and rose in the ranks to become Commander). So now that he's in charge, why is he allowing the policy of Shadow Watch to be "if he moves fucking shoot him with a firing squad of a dozen men"? Walters knows that Shadow is harmless. Walters has no reason to think Shadow would be a danger to anybody, aside from knowing Shadow probably would still be very upset upon waking up.

Shouldn't the policy be that if Shadow so much as fidgets, he should be personally alerted to it immediately so he can roll on down there and deal with it personally? Why is the policy that Shadow should be surrounded with armed men prepared to fire? Why would Shadow wake up and bust out of the tube and start beating ass on everybody? How does Shadow even know how to fight at all? How does Shadow know how to teleport when he didn't or couldn't back in the 70s? If he could teleport the whole time then why did Maria even die in the first place when he could have simply teleported her and himself away? I'm getting off track.

It's crazy how literally from the VERY FIRST SCENE, this movie completely falls apart if you use your brain and actually think about it AT ALL. You literally have to be a drooling brain dead lobotomite to derive ANY enjoyment from this movie at all. Just shut up and watch the keys jingling. Look Shadow beat up the guys, isn't that so sick? Don't ask questions, don't think about how it doesn't make any sense why the character who is established as being sympathetic towards Shadow is also in charge and personally giving marching orders to all the soldiers who are trying to fight Shadow, and how based on Shadow's known history by that character him being treated as a dangerous hostile threat is completely nonsensical.

In Tokyo Shadow growls "why don't you just leave me alone?" at GUN. Hey, you know, that's a very good question. Why DON'T they just leave him alone? Why does GUN, as overseen by Commander Walters, view Shadow as such a dangerous entity that they feel compelled to roll down Shibuya with an entire squad including attack choppers and Humvees? Especially considering they consider Sonic to be a recruitable asset. Why would Walters of all people approve of this response to Shadow? Why would GUN consider Shadow dangerous and hostile whatsoever, when Walters knows first hand that Shadow has literally never been dangerous or hostile to anybody at any time ever?

Nothing in this movie makes any sense.

[rosexhart]

Waiting For Sunset

————————————————————

Gekko x Reader

Accidentally running into the agents of Omega Earth, you are taken hostage. Hostages aren’t common for them, but you seem to be the exception. So much for your first time in L.A.

Word Count: 4.5k

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

————————————————————

The landing was rough and bumpy. When we did plan everyone started to get off the ship except Sage and the purple smoke person.

“Omen, you will inform Brimstone of what happened?” Sage asked and the person glanced back before nodding.

“Yes,” The light coming from beneath their hood flicking brighter for just a moment.

“Thank you,” She said before coming over to me, “You have been very brave thus far.” She said softly as she unlocked the buckles.

“Follow me, you wouldn’t want to get lost here.” She said, and I swallowed my pride. If I wanted out, I was going to need to play along.

“Welcome to Valorant.” She mentioned as we stepped off the ship. It was a rather large facility, floating far above the earth. I assumed it was from one of the explosions that happened some time ago, perfectly suspended and untouched by time.

“We are keeping those from Omega Earth from killing more people with their explosions. The damage already done by kingdom however, is always a constant reminder.” Sage said as she entered a building and held the door for me. There was a large, portal like arch. She stepped through it and my breath caught. She was gone? I hesitated, sticking my hand through as if to test it but I could feel nothing. I pulled my hand back through and held my breath. I walked through much like she did and we were in some type of military styled base.

“There are several agents here. We currently have 23, however, we are expecting another agent within the next few days.” She stated as we walked past hallway after hallway.

“Wait hold on-“ I started but she stopped and turned sharply on her heel.

“You are here, you are not allowed to leave until we make sure you will not be used again or against us.” Sage stated sharply and my jaw was slack. “It is not your decision to make. You have become apart of our cause whether or not you wanted to.”

“What about my family,” I started, “or the people who care for me.” I mentioned to her and she turned to keep walking.

“We are working on that currently.” She stated as she kept forwards. The place opened up into a larger living space. A large talking pit built into the floor with a large tv, a fairly large kitchen with an island, a balcony that over looked the kitchen and living space with a large dining table and chairs.

“Brimstone will want to speak with you about today. He will have many questions about what happened and how you came in.” Sage stated as she kept walking, I jogged a bit to catch back up.

“Is he like the head of this whole thing?” I asked her and she nodded.

“Something along those lines.” She stated as we walked through another doorway. There were only a few doors, and she entered the last one. It opened up to a warm and welcoming office. There were file boxes stacked to one wall, a large monitor system, showing some areas that reminded me of paint ball ranges. Then a large desk, covered in paper work. Behind it all sat a man. He was gruff looking, his beard well trimmed and styled showing his grey hair.

“Sage I told you to knock.” His eyes did not glance up as he wrote feverishly.

“It is an emergency,” She said and he glanced up, he glanced back down but then immediately straightened when he saw me.

“Who the hell is this?” The man asked.

“She was used as a human shield by Omega Omen.” Sage said, and she stepped forwards. The man stood up and came around his desk.

“How do we know she’s not from Omega Earth?” The man asked looking at her.

“I had Cypher run a check on her.” Sage said and my eye brows furred.

“Shit, how much did she see?” The man asked her.

“Too much Brim. He nearly planted the spike next to her.” Sage said and he huffed pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Great,” he turned back towards me and sighed. “We are going to set up accommodations for you. For now, welcome to the Valorant Protocol.” Brim said and I went to speak but was silenced.

“Sage, Brim, I have the results back.” A voice came through by the monitors.

“Thank you Cypher, we will be down shortly.” Sage answered.

“For now, Sage walk her back to the living room. Give her our welcome files to go over. She’s see too much she needs to know how we handle things.” Brim said straightening again, his heavy boots coming closer to me before passing me and opening the door.

“Understood,” Sage mentioned before also coming over with a tablet in her hands.

Four hours later, I set the tablet aside and rubbed at my eyes.

“It is a lot of information.” The voice made me jump as I looked up to see a man, wearing a white coat, a white hat, and some type of mask.

“Who are you?” I asked looking at him.

“You may call me Cypher,” He said tipping his hat towards me.

“Cypher, can you tell me how long I’m going to have to stay here?” I asked standing up from my place in the talking pit.

“Probably awhile. Omega Earth has a file on your presence and that can cause more issues and the solutions if you are caught again.” He said, flipping what looked like a coin between his fingers.

“Great,” I said sighing and rubbing at my eyes.

“Perhaps I can ease your mind.” He said standing up.

“How so?” I asked and he waved me to follow. I was getting tired of no one just saying what we were doing.

We entered what seemed like an office, covered in monitors, wires, gadgets, and tools. In the center was a table with a chess board. Set up as if two people stopped mid game. Black was in trouble.

“Here,” he pulled up a screen with my whole life practically written out. “As far as all data of you across our world and theirs, it doesn’t show you ever possessing abilities like the rest of us. So sooner or later they will forget about you, and you will be able to continue with your mundane life.” He stated

“Mundane?” I stated with a scoff

“I’m sorry, what else would you call your life? It is… without many lies and secrets.” He stated flipping the coin.

“Yo, Cypher! We need to talk about-“ the same neon haired male from before entered.

“Gekko, good timing.” Cypher said brushing things aside and picking up a spatter painted case. “I fixed your ear pieces. Try hard to not let your… dizzy. Get them all gunked up again.” He scolded handing them to Gekko.

“Thanks… so uh.. guess you really are staying huh?” He asked me and I sighed.

“Guess so,” I stated and he hesitated, scratching at the back of his neck.

“Cool, cool,” He looked back to Cypher clearing his throat, “thanks again,” He muttered before leaving the room, I felt a small tug at my pants and looked down. The same little yellow creature was pulling on my leg. Garbling out some noises.

“Aye , Wingman, they won’t go for that dude. Come on,” Gekko scooped up the little creature, setting him on his shoulder.

“Great,” Cypher said after he left. “I will provide you with your own ear pieces soon as a precaution. We all wear them typically in the field but it can be convenient here too, with how large our facility is.” Cypher said, tinkering on something.

“So I’m just stuck here?” I stated and he turned back.

“Stuck isn’t the term I would use. You are safer here than anywhere in the world.” He said turning back and I huffed, walking out of the space. He wasn’t wrong though, this place was a maze.

Wondering around, there were names on a lot of the doors. Phoenix , Neon, Gekko, Jett, Iso, Yoru, and so on. Then other rooms were labeled. Server room, locker room, baths, and it felt like it never ended.

“Learning the lay out?” I whipped around to see the blue haired girl.

“Trying… it’s really large.” I stated and she laughed a bit.

“Yeah, I guess if you aren’t running through it all the time it is.” She said glancing around. “Ever shot a gun before?” She asked suddenly, catching me off guard.

“No… well-“ I was cut off.

“There you are.” Sage said behind her, we both looked to her. “I was going to show you to your room, (Y/N).” She stated and the girl looked to me.

“She’s all yours, Sage.” She said throwing up her hands and walking off.

“Neon, she is one of the agents. She is a good person.” Sage said waving me forwards.

“Most of us here do not go by our birth names. We are under different aliases.” She said as we walked. “It is mostly for safety.” She turned down a hall way and stopped in front of an empty door.

“We are working on a name plate, but for now, these will be your quarters.” She said opening the door. Inside was plain grey, a bed, a desk, and a monitor with a large V displayed on it.

“I’m sure the others at some point will take you to get some decorations for you. For now, they are getting your things from the hotel you were in as we speak.” She said and turned towards me, interlocking her fingers in front of her.

“Sage,” I started running a hand through my hair, “look this has all been… incredibly in formative and… disturbing. But, you truly can’t expect me to stay here.” I mentioned.

“I mean…before sunset I was sitting outside of a boba shop happily planning out which college I wanted to pick and now… now I’m sitting here. In a super high level security base that acts more as a prison for me, with nothing familiar to me.” I stated, frustrated. She looked to the floor and I could see her swallow before she looked back up to me.

“I understand you do not wish to stay here. But you know more than the average person, and in the hands of the Omega Earth agents you would be good as dead for knowing what you know. It is in your best interest to remain here for the time. I will leave you alone to settle. I will send a few to check in on you later.” She mentioned going to the door and opening it.

“I hope you can come to like this arrangement at least for a little while.” She said before leaving me in silence.

Sometime later there was a knock at my door. It had a short rhythm to it. I got up from the grey bed and opened the door to see Gekko.

“Sup,” he said, he no longer had the little yellow creature on his shoulder like I’d seen earlier.

“Hi,” I said awkwardly leaning against the door.

“Sage sent me. She wanted me to help you get more comfortable with the place.” He said shrugging a bit. A garble came from his feet and I looked down. There was the little yellow guy.

“Oh right, this is Wingman,” he said picking up the little guy and setting him on his shoulder.

“Hi Wingman,” I said smiling and giving a little wave.

“I have a couple of other little critters running around, but don’t mind them. They are all super nice when they get to know you.” He said scratching wingman’s head. “Anyways, follow me. Everyone has heard about you and I promised I’d pull you out of your room to introduce you.” He said turning to walk. I stepped out and joined him.

“Are you always this persuasive?” I asked him and he shrugged.

“Depends on who you ask.” He stated, and we walked in a comforting silence. With Gekko, I didn’t feel like I needed to talk to be comfortable around him.

We walked into a small sitting room with monitors pulled up like in Brim’s office. The pictures were a lot clearer here. There were people in the area now, the blue haired girl, a guy I hadn’t seen yet with a fade into dreads and a short white jacket, then Yoru and a red haired girl I recognize from when I was first taken hostage.

“The blue haired girl there is Neon. Then Phoenix is the one wearing the white jacket. You met Yoru on the heli, and then Skye is the chica with red hair.” He pointed each of them out.

“I read some about them in their files.” I said crossing my arms, “So everyone here has like abilities and stuff?” I asked and nodded.

“Most of us yeah, I don’t know if Cypher actually does or if he’s just always been that smart.” Gekko said scratching at the back of his neck. He rested his arm back down, keeping his hand on his neck. “Looks like they are finishing up. Come on,” he pulled at my wrist and we walked into a room off the viewing room. It resembled a locker room but instead of clothes or shoes it had guns of all kinds.

“Woah,” I muttered glancing at the different weapons, their colors, and sizes.

“Cool right?” He said pulling a brightly colored gun off the wall. “This one is mine, I call it the Daydreams Phantom!” He said showing off its paint job.

“It’s really pretty,” I muttered, running my hand over the cool surface.

“Thanks, designed it myself.” He said hooking it back in its place.

“All of us have our own designs. Sometimes if we are lucky we can get the omega earth guns, which have these weird almost ethereal effects.” He said picking up another that look like it moving with smoke. “Like this one, Yoru calls it the Imperium.” He handed it to me, the smoke running across the metal like it had its own atmosphere.

“That’s insane,” I muttered and he laughed.

“I know, that’s what I said.” Gekko said placing it back on the hook.

“Oy! Gekko!” The sound of electricity crackled in the air and the lights flickered as Neon slid into the room.

“Did you see that score board,” she asked as she stood up. Shaking off some of the bolts. They would shoot off her skin and hit the lockers.

“Yeah, way to flame them!” Gekko said dabbing her up. Phoenix came in next straightening up the collar of his jacket.

“Never saw it comin’.” He said with a smirk, “And who’s our guest of honor.”

“Right, this is (Y/N).” He said giving a dramatic wave. Phoenix came over doing a small circle as if circling prey.

“They don’t look radiant,” he mentioned and Neon rolled her eyes.

“Nice observation genius. She’s not,” Neon said hanging up a pistol in what I assumed was her case.

“Woah, and they just let them in?” He said looking at her and Gekko.

“She got caught up by the Omega Earth versions when we were on our last mission.”

“I swear every mission you go on, you just cause more chaos.” Pheonix said, also dropping off a weapon.

“¡Ey! Whatchu mean by that!” Gekko asked as Yoru walked in.

“He’s not wrong,” Yoru said, slicking back his hair with a comb.

“Oy, I’ve gone on plenty of missions where nothing happened, just because I’ve had two go crazy ain’t my fault.” Gekko said tossing his hands about.

“Naw, what matters is that you’re the outlier.” The red haired girl said as she came in.

“Y’all always got a problem with me and the little guys.” He said crossing his arms.

“Don’t take it personal. We are always going to pick on you for somethin’ mate.” Phoenix said patting his shoulder before coming up to me.

“Welcome to the team.” He said before walking away.

“I’m not apart of this,” I argued and Neon slung a bag over her shoulder.

“Sure you’re not,” she said shaking her head and walking out.

“Don’t worry, everyone here’s like a family. You’ll get used to it in no time.” Skye said to me as she also left, leaving Gekko, Yoru, and myself.

“Honestly, the fact that Brimstone allowed you to stay is a joke. It won’t last.” Yoru said, “As soon as they can they will make sure you’re done.” He walked out as well.

“Well I think that went perfectly.” Gekko said with a smile. I looked back at him like he had grown a second head.

“That was perfect?” I asked and he smiled with a quiet giggle.

Sometime later I found myself alone again in my room. It was late, and most of the others had turned in for sleep some time ago. I found myself wide awake though. Clutching the things that were in my hotel room. There was an ever present drone in the whole facility that seemed like a siren now that all else was quiet. I threw my pillow up over my head and sighed. I did not do well in strange places and this was no exception. I got up, and stepped out into the hall. It was quiet, and most of the lights were on some sort of dimmed setting. I paced through the halls and sighed as my body continuously fought me trying to stay more and more awake. Garble garble. I looked down to see Wingman. He looked up at me from the door of Gekko’s room and I shook my head.

“What are you doing up little dude?” I asked as he closed the door behind him, leaving only a crack. He tilted his head at me. Garble.

“I can’t understand you, but you should go back to bed. I’m ok, just… everything is new and scary for me.” He put his hand up towards his face as if contemplating. Then he walked forwards and hugged my leg gently. I reached down and mimicked Gekko’s way of petting the creature. What I thought was hard armor like skin was more squishable like a baby turtle shell.

“Thanks little dude.” I said gently before he walked back into the room. I sighed, grateful for the little bit of comfort he provided before I continued walking. Moving down the all so similar corridors.

Eventually I had slept. Horribly, but I slept. My mind ever foggy as I got dressed and made my way out into the halls. I could hear conversation as soon as I exited my room. This place had impeccable sound proofing. I walked down the halls and made my way back into the living space where Neon, Yoru, and Phoenix were all talking. They all glanced at me as I came in.

“There’s our new Star,” Pheonix said as he shifted his feet. “Do you eat?” He asked me as he sipped on a drink.

“Yeah,” I muttered, unsure of what exactly they had cooked. Neon smiled and started working on something.

“I’m not nearly as good of a cook as some of the others here but I try.” She dished it out onto a plate and set it down on the island. I walked closer, of course it just had to be my favorite breakfast food.

“Um, thank you. I’ll have to make you food sometime.” I said gently smiling at her and she shrugged.

“Don’t worry about it. Most of the time the world class chefs won’t even let us cook.” Neon said shaking her head, a few bolts of electricity getting knocked around her hair, almost like static on a sweater in the winter.

“World class. Yeah right, if they are world class then I can’t aim.” Yoru said gingerly eating at his own food.

“Did someone call for a chef?” I heard a voice from the hall and turned to see Jett.

“Speak of the Devil and she shall appear.” Pheonix said crossing his arms.

“In a haze of smoke too if you let me.” She said approaching the kitchen.

“How did you sleep?” She asked me as she got up on her tip toes to reach in a cabinet for a mug.

“Uh. Not that great… I was up for awhile.”

“I get that. New places can be tough. I think it took me like three weeks to get used to it.” Jett said smiling back at me as she started to make herself a drink.

“I have always slept soundly,” Yoru stated

“Really I didn’t think vampires slept.” Pheonix said and Yoru glared at him.

“Yo what’s with all the racket? Way too early to be makin so much noise.” Gekko said as he came out.

“Morning to you too Gekko.” Neon said running a hand over her hair, “alright, I’m out of here. I need to run off some of this built up energy.” She stretched out her arm as she walked towards the hall.

Gekko sat down next to me, and Wingman hopped down from his shoulder and looked up at me. Garble.

“What are you talkin about dude?” Gekko asked rubbing his eyes as Jett leaned on the island counter. Garble garble.

“You were up late?” Gekko asked looking at me and I nodded. “I’m sorry, it does take time to adjust. Me and the little guys didn’t sleep super well for a while. You get used to it.” Gekko said setting his head on his hand.

“That’s what everyone keeps saying.” I said smiling, and Wingman laid up against Gekko’s arm.

“Well, training time rookies. I’m goin’ for that high score.” Pheonix said pressing the wrinkles from his shirt.

“Good luck with that,” Yoru said standing to rinse his mug and place it in the dishwasher.

“I’m nearly there. I can feel it.” Pheonix said snapping his fingers and letting a few sparks of flame come off them.

“I’ll join you guys but let me finish my coffee first.” Jett said as Yoru and Pheonix headed out. Gekko stood and went to grab himself some food.

“Feel free to explore a little, (Y/N). There’s a lot to do here. Took me forever to learn until Cypher told me.” Jett said finishing off her drink and doing the same as Yoru. She left and I was alone with Gekko.

“Alright guys,” he said, opening the small bag on his body. A small green ball creature came out, a floating blue creature, and a pink creature that reminded me a lot of a shark.

“(Y/N), this is Mosh, Dizzy, and Thrash.” He said pointing to them in order. “They are part of my crew.” He said as he threw them all something and then wingman a small bit to. Wingman plopped down and began to eat it? I couldn’t really tell.

“Nice to meet them all.” I mentioned as Dizzy floated over near me.

“They are all really chill. You’ll have to forgive Dizzy. She can’t help when she sneezes and gets goo everywhere.” He said shaking his head, “Can’t tell you how many lectures I’ve gotten from Cypher about it.” He said as he took a bite of food.

“Your file mentioned you’ve had them since you joined Valorant.” I stated and he nodded.

“Awhile before that too.” He mentioned but I didn’t want to push and figure out exactly how long.

“They are really cool. You take them on missions too right?” I asked poking at Dizzy’s small paw like appendage.

“Yeah, everywhere I am, they go. Most of the time anyways.” He said as he was eating.

“Means you’ve always got company which I’m sure is nice.” I mentioned and he nodded.

“I’d probably be pretty lonely without them. I’m too used to having them at this point.” He mentioned

“Good morning,” Sage said entering the room from where Brim’s office was.

“Mornin’ Sage.” Gekko said with a mouthful of food.

“Good morning,” I said as I walked over to the sink to wash the dish.

“This morning, Brim would like to talk with you, (Y/N).” Sage said as she prepared a coffee for herself.

“Probably just going over what he would like you to do while you’re here.” Gekko mentioned, “Don’t worry about it.” He finished waving it off. I nodded and placed the dish in the dishwasher, before walking towards Brim’s office. My heart racing in my ears. I knocked on the door.

“Come in,” he said from inside and I opened the door. Brim, much like yesterday, sat at his desk, his head in his hand as he looked over a sheet of paper. He looked up and sat up a little straighter.

“Good morning, you wanted to see me?” I asked as I closed the door behind me.

“Yes, we are going to have you trained, but after that I’d like to have you working with Cypher on recon for us.” He said standing up and I nodded. “Do you always just willingly agree?” He asked skeptically.

“No, but I’ve been told repeatedly I don’t have a choice in the matter so.” I shrugged and he nodded once.

“Right. I’ll have someone meet you down at the range. Go ahead to the armory and they will meet you there.” He said waving me off and I nodded. Walking back out of the office.

Sitting in the viewing room I watched on the screen as Pheonix and Yoru went head to head. They both had some type of flash mechanism, but other than that, their abilities were a stark contrast.

“They are pretty entertaining to watch once you really see them going.” Gekko said plopping down in a chair beside me.

“Yeah, they both do really well.”

“Two of the strongest.” Gekko said smiling, “Brim wanted me to take you out there once they were done.” His eyes glanced at me and I looked at him with a puzzled gaze.

“Not like- ok not like in a date way or nothin’ he just wants me to work on your training.” He said pulling his shirt off his chest and then smoothing it back out. I only laughed as he became flustered.

“I understood what you meant before Gekko.” I mentioned, laughing as my attention went back to the screen.

Once they were done, Gekko led me into the armory which ended up being what I thought was a locker room yesterday. He walked me over to a locket with an all black set of weapons.

“Ok, probably start you with a pistol or two, and then we will move onto the ones with more kick.” He said pulling a simple looking thing off the wall.

“Have you ever shot before?” He asked before we went into the basics. Hours later he was using Dizzy to blind max bots for me as I shot at each of them.

“Gekko, (Y/N), wrap it up.” Brim’s voice boomed out and I came out of my stance.

“Alright. Let’s get everything back where it was. You did good today for a rookie.” Gekko jested nudging my arm with his elbow.

“Thanks, I have a good teacher.” I mentioned and he smiled before we started back inside the main facility…. Unknowingly being watched by prying eyes.

[catfox1310]

Humanity's Hope Movieverse (Updated)

!WARNING: SEMI-SPOLERS TO THE THIRD SONIC FILM AHEAD!

So it's fnally here! The third Sonic film! And you know what that means? It means that I should update the Movieverse version since the previous one was outdated.

So without further ado, here is the brand new version of the plot.

The plot.

On Mobius, two species lived in harmony, the Owls and the Echidnas. The thing that they both had in common was that they both guarded the Master Emerald. They weren't the only species on the planet either, as it was also home to two hedgehogs, Sonic and Shadow. Nobody knew where they came from, or how they ended up on Mobius, but they we're apart of their group regardless.

Another thing that they had in common was that they we're all fascinated by a large murial of sorts known as the "Angel of Light", depicting a young blonde girl wearing a blue outfit and sporting angel wings. For years the inhabatants wondered what this murial meant, or why it was even here. Eventually, they would find out, but not in the way that they thought.

One day, Shadow was getting bored of Mobius, he wanted to see new things than just his planet, so he took one of Lionclaw's rings and created a portal to god knows where. It turns out that the planet he went to was Earth itself, and it wasn't a safe arrival in the slightest.

He had crash landed on the planet hard, knocking him out, and attracting the attention of GUN, who brought his unconsious body to a top-secret research facility.

When Shadow awoke, he saw that he was in a green tube. He soon learned that they were conducting tests on him, and that they feared him too. It was nothing painful, but he felt really depressed about it. Well, until he met her...

Shadow was back in his tube at usual, until he heard footsteps aproaching him. Turning around, he saw a new face.. one who looked exactly like one on the mural! The one and only Maria Robotnik of course. She drew a silly bunny face on him at first. But then placed her hand on the glass, Shadow slowly followed, placing his hand where her's was.

Shadow and Maria would then become good friends and hang out with each other. To Shadow, Maria was different from the rest. She clearly wasn't afraid of him unlike the others, and she truly valued him as a friend.

Pachacamac's daughter Tikal (Who is alive and well in this universe) suddenly came out of a ring, wondering where Shadow was since he was gone for a while. But her attention then shifted to Maria, causing her to have the same first thought that Shadow had about her.

If she really was the rumored "Angel of Light" that the mural portrayed, then it wouldn't hurt to see if it was true or not. So Tikal took them both back to Mobius.

Pachacamac would present Maria with a wand that had been located near the murial. (Powered by a light blue Chaos Emerald instead of an emerald shard here) To everyone's shock, the wand reacted to Maria and transformed her into a Magical Girl. The rumor was true after all!

Lionclaw offered to train the young girl and see what kind of powers she gained in her new form, they were all light-based, no suprise there.

All was well until mysterious robots appeared out of nowhere and tried to take the Master Emerald. The Owls and Echidnas would try to defend it, but they failed, as a last dich effort, the Owls would hide the Master Emerald in an underwater temple somewhere in Hawaii. Despite of this, the robots would wipe them out, before Lionclaw would meet her end however, she summoned a ring portal back to Earth, and gave Maria her bag of rings, instructing her to protect her planet, and never let the Master Emerald fall into the wrong hands.

What follows is Maria, Tikal, Sonic, and Shadow being sent to Earth a few years into the future, and similar events of the Sonic movies taking place in the future as well. (With a few differences of course)

Why did Lionclaw tell Maria to protect her planet? Because the inhabitants also sensed a great danger that would try to enslave the universe. Though, when this would happen was unknown, until now.

And thats the updated plot.

Obviously the other Magical Girls seen in the OG AU will be present in this one, with movie-inspired twists. (Like Sara being from another planet, and Elise being a normal teen rather than a princess.)

And Eggette will be present too, taking a simillar role to Knuckles in the AU's version of the second Sonic film (Though, she doesn't swich sides unlike Knuckles of course)

And the third film's events in this universe will feature a Movieverse version of Sage, who sides with Maria and the other Magical Girls to fight Eggman, as well as a strange girl who has a similar appearance to Maria, I wonder who she is?

And of course, if you want to ask me things about the AU, you can always do that.

[mariacallous]

A week after its algorithms advised people to eat rocks and put glue on pizza, Google admitted Thursday that it needed to make adjustments to its bold new generative AI search feature. The episode highlights the risks of Google’s aggressive drive to commercialize generative AI—and also the treacherous and fundamental limitations of that technology.

Google’s AI Overviews feature draws on Gemini, a large language model like the one behind OpenAI’s ChatGPT, to generate written answers to some search queries by summarizing information found online. The current AI boom is built around LLMs’ impressive fluency with text, but the software can also use that facility to put a convincing gloss on untruths or errors. Using the technology to summarize online information promises can make search results easier to digest, but it is hazardous when online sources are contractionary or when people may use the information to make important decisions.

“You can get a quick snappy prototype now fairly quickly with an LLM, but to actually make it so that it doesn't tell you to eat rocks takes a lot of work,” says Richard Socher, who made key contributions to AI for language as a researcher and, in late 2021, launched an AI-centric search engine called You.com.

Socher says wrangling LLMs takes considerable effort because the underlying technology has no real understanding of the world and because the web is riddled with untrustworthy information. “In some cases it is better to actually not just give you an answer, or to show you multiple different viewpoints,” he says.

Google’s head of search Liz Reid said in the company’s blog post late Thursday that it did extensive testing ahead of launching AI Overviews. But she added that errors like the rock eating and glue pizza examples—in which Google’s algorithms pulled information from a satirical article and jocular Reddit comment, respectively—had prompted additional changes. They include better detection of “nonsensical queries,” Google says, and making the system rely less heavily on user-generated content.

You.com routinely avoids the kinds of errors displayed by Google’s AI Overviews, Socher says, because his company developed about a dozen tricks to keep LLMs from misbehaving when used for search.

“We are more accurate because we put a lot of resources into being more accurate,” Socher says. Among other things, You.com uses a custom-built web index designed to help LLMs steer clear of incorrect information. It also selects from multiple different LLMs to answer specific queries, and it uses a citation mechanism that can explain when sources are contradictory. Still, getting AI search right is tricky. WIRED found on Friday that You.com failed to correctly answer a query that has been known to trip up other AI systems, stating that “based on the information available, there are no African nations whose names start with the letter ‘K.’” In previous tests, it had aced the query.

Google’s generative AI upgrade to its most widely used and lucrative product is part of a tech-industry-wide reboot inspired by OpenAI’s release of the chatbot ChatGPT in November 2022. A couple of months after ChatGPT debuted, Microsoft, a key partner of OpenAI, used its technology to upgrade its also-ran search engine Bing. The upgraded Bing was beset by AI-generated errors and odd behavior, but the company’s CEO, Satya Nadella, said that the move was designed to challenge Google, saying “I want people to know we made them dance.”

Some experts feel that Google rushed its AI upgrade. “I’m surprised they launched it as it is for as many queries—medical, financial queries—I thought they’d be more careful,” says Barry Schwartz, news editor at Search Engine Land, a publication that tracks the search industry. The company should have better anticipated that some people would intentionally try to trip up AI Overviews, he adds. “Google has to be smart about that,” Schwartz says, especially when they're showing the results as default on their most valuable product.

Lily Ray, a search engine optimization consultant, was for a year a beta tester of the prototype that preceded AI Overviews, which Google called Search Generative Experience. She says she was unsurprised to see the errors that appeared last week given how the previous version tended to go awry. “I think it’s virtually impossible for it to always get everything right,” Ray says. “That’s the nature of AI.”

Even if blatant errors like suggesting people eat rocks become less common, AI search can fail in other ways. Ray has documented more subtle problems with AI Overviews, including summaries that sometimes draw on poor sources such as sites that are from another region or even defunct websites—something she says could provide less useful information to users who are hunting for product recommendations, for instance. Those who work on optimizing content for Google’s Search algorithm are still trying to understand what’s going on. “Within our industry right now, the level of confusion is on the charts,” she says.

Even if industry experts and consumers get more familiar with how the new Google search behaves, don’t expect it to stop making mistakes. Daniel Griffin, a search consultant and researcher who is developing tools to make it easy to compare different AI-powered search services, says that Google faced similar problems when it launched Featured Snippets, which answered queries with text quoted from websites, in 2014.

Griffin says he expects Google to iron out some of the most glaring problems with AI Overviews, but that it’s important to remember no one has solved the problem of LLMs failing to grasp what is true, or their tendency to fabricate information. “It’s not just a problem with AI,” he says. “It’s the web, it’s the world. There’s not really a truth, necessarily.”

[the-goldenbunny-diaries]

Espionage

⚢ Pairing - Jihyo x Reader

✎ Word Count - 1.7k

☆ Genre - Angst/Fluff? maybe?

♡ Description - Your life as a barista changes with one encounter (A/N: surprise i posted early because this is probably my favorite I’ve written thus far)

★・・・・・・★

In a bustling city, you lived an ordinary life, unaware of the secret world that existed beyond your everyday routines. Little did you know that your life was about to take an extraordinary turn. 

Amidst the ordinary hustle and bustle of the coffee shop you work at, your quick reflexes and keen observation skills set you apart. Effortlessly catching falling items and anticipating customers' needs, you impress everyone who witnesses your artistry. Unbeknownst to you, a mysterious observer is captivated by your graceful movements, secretly watching from afar. Your unassuming talents have sparked intrigue in this hidden admirer, leaving them yearning to uncover the person behind the mesmerizing coffee counter-performance.

That evening, as you were heading home, a mysterious figure approached you from the shadows.

Stranger: "Are you Y/N?"

You: "Yes, who are you?"

Stranger: "My name is Nayeon. We've been watching you. Meet me here tomorrow night."

Curiosity mingled with hesitation, but the idea of an adventure beyond the mundane enticed you. Nayeon handed you a sleek black card with the word "TWICE" embossed on it and instructed you to meet at a discreet location the next evening.

As you arrived at said discreet location, a sense of anticipation filled the air. You never suspected that this seemingly innocent spot would become the stage for a test of your fighting abilities. Suddenly, without warning, four people emerged from the shadows, surrounding you with unwavering determination in their eyes. Adrenaline surged through your veins as you prepared to defend yourself. Each move, every strike, and instinctual dodge showcased your honed skills while they pushed you to your limits. The clash of forces intensified, leaving you to rely on both adrenaline and wit to outmaneuver the relentless assailants. In this challenging encounter, you proved your mettle, displaying remarkable resilience and resourcefulness.

After the intense fight that put your fighting abilities to the test, you find yourself catching your breath, adrenaline still coursing through your veins. As the metaphorical dust settles, one of the strangers approaches and, with a cryptic smile, hands you another card. On it, you see an enigmatic location, hinting at a secret base shrouded in mystery. The encounter leaves you puzzled yet intrigued, wondering about the significance of the hidden base and the intentions behind this unexpected invitation. With a mix of curiosity and caution, you decide to venture again to yet another discreet location.

Upon arrival, you found yourself in a hidden underground facility. You walked through numerous hallways until you eventually found yourself in a great hall of sorts. As you walked in, nine pairs of eyes immediately landed on you, four sets on either side of a main walkway and one menacing set of eyes directly in front of you. You continued forward with a bit of hesitation as you made your way toward the woman in the center. Once you stood between the members in front of the leader, she held her hand up to stop you from coming further. This woman exuded an aura of confidence and competence that drew you in immediately. She commanded the room without having to say a word. 

"My name is Jihyo, and I am the leader of TWICE,” she started. She spoke with a confidence unlike any you’d ever seen before. You’ve seen your fair share of the ‘cocky’ type of confident people at the coffee shop, but nothing compared to the woman in front of you. She was powerful, and she knew it. 

”We are an elite group of spies who operate in the shadows, safeguarding the world from dangerous threats. We've been monitoring your skills and instincts, and given how you successfully handled yourself against 4 of our top agents, we believe you have the potential to be one of us."

The pieces of the puzzle fall into place as you understand that every move you made before and during the fight was closely observed and evaluated by the organization. You felt a mixture of excitement and uncertainty, but Jihyo's encouraging gaze reassured you. She offers you a choice: 

join TWICE and become a secret agent, but you can never go back to your regular life

or

be killed because no one can know about the organization and its member’s identities

★・・・・・・★

Over the next few weeks, you underwent rigorous training under Jihyo's watchful eye. She pushed you to your limits, challenging you to harness your innate talents and develop new ones. Despite the grueling sessions, you found yourself captivated by Jihyo's dedication and fierce determination.

Under the cloak of night, you and Jihyo infiltrate an opulent gala on a mission to retrieve a stolen set of encrypted documents that held the key to a dangerous international conspiracy. As you glided through the sea of elegantly dressed attendees, Jihyo's grace and charm were nothing short of mesmerizing. Her impeccable poise and magnetic charisma effortlessly drew people to her, making her the center of attention. You couldn't help but admire her ability to blend seamlessly into the high-society crowd, concealing her true intentions behind a captivating smile and eloquent conversation. In the midst of the glamorous event, it became evident that Jihyo's charm was not just a facade but an integral part of her spy arsenal, a tool that could disarm even the most guarded individuals.

As the night progressed, Jihyo's finesse in engaging with key targets proved invaluable. In the face of danger and high-stakes espionage, Jihyo's confidence never wavered. You knew that having her as a partner was not only an honor but also a reassurance that they would successfully complete this mission, no matter the odds. As you continued to navigate the sea of guests, you brought Jihyo aside where no one could hear your conversation.

"You're really good at this, Jihyo," you tell her, smiling as she blushes slightly. "It comes with experience. Just stay focused, and remember our mission objective." You know she’s being professional, but you can’t help but continue to admire her determination. 

★・・・・・・★

Your connection with Jihyo grew stronger with each passing day. She became your mentor, confidante, and, unexpectedly, your source of inspiration. Her passion for justice and unwavering commitment ignited a fire within you.

After a particularly intense training session, you found yourselves alone in the training room. Sweat glistened on your foreheads, and your muscles were pleasantly sore from the demanding drills you had just completed. As you took a moment to recover, Jihyo's eyes lit up with genuine admiration, and a warm smile graced her lips. "You're improving rapidly. I'm proud of you," she said, her voice carrying a blend of pride and encouragement.

Her words filled you with a sense of accomplishment. Jihyo's praise meant a lot to you, as she was not only an exceptional partner but also your fearsome leader with years of experience. "It's all thanks to your guidance, Jihyo,” you replied, feeling a mix of humility and gratitude. "You inspire me to be better."

A brief moment of silence filled the air before Jihyo stepped closer, her eyes locking onto yours. 

"You have something special, Y/N. I see potential in you, not just as a spy but as someone remarkable."

In that moment, the sparks between you were undeniable. The tension in the room was palpable as you both hesitated, unsure of what the other was feeling. You knew that, since the day you started training with Jihyo, you’ve had feelings for her. You didn’t know to what extent until this exact moment.

"Jihyo, can I tell you something?” you asked cautiously.

“Of course! You can tell me anything,” she smiles, putting a comforting hand on your shoulder.

“I... I think I've caught feelings for you," you whisper, but she hears you loud and clear. Jihyo's eyes softened, and a small smile played on her lips. After the confession, the air around you seemed charged with unspoken emotions, and you braced yourself for whatever response Jihyo might offer. As her smile widened, you could see a mix of surprise, gratitude, and perhaps even a hint of reciprocation in her eyes. The tension that had weighed heavily on your shoulders started to dissipate, replaced by a sense of hope and excitement.

Jihyo: "I feel the same way. I've tried to ignore it, but being with you, it's undeniable. It's just... I never imagined this would happen."

You nodded, feeling relieved that she didn't reject your feelings outright. "I know it's unexpected, but I couldn't keep it to myself any longer. Our bond has grown beyond what I thought was possible."

She smiled warmly, her voice softening, "It's mutual. I've admired you not only as a skilled spy but also as a person. The way you handle situations with grace and determination is something I find incredibly attractive.”

★・・・・・・★

However, as your journey together progressed, you couldn't help but wonder what the future held. The world of espionage was treacherous, and uncertainty loomed over every decision you made. Would your love be enough to withstand the perils that lay ahead? Could you continue to balance the intricacies of your relationship with the danger of your missions?

Despite the uncertainties, one thing was certain: the love you had found in the shadows was a force to be reckoned with. As you looked into Jihyo's eyes, you saw a reflection of your own determination and unwavering commitment to this thrilling life you had chosen. Together, you were an unstoppable force, catching villains and saving lives, but also cherishing the moments of tenderness amidst the chaos.

And so, with every mission, you embraced the unpredictability of the world you lived in, knowing that love had intertwined itself with your partnership, making you stronger both as operatives and as individuals. The future remained unknown, and the road ahead was filled with challenges and dangers, but you were ready to face it with Jihyo by your side, knowing that the connection you shared would be carried with you for a lifetime, through every twist and turn, in a love that transcended the boundaries of secrecy.

As spies, your story was far from over. What new adventures and trials lay ahead, only time would tell. But as long as you and Jihyo stood together, you were ready to embrace the mysteries that life and espionage had in store for you. The possibilities were endless, and your love story was still being written—one mission at a time.

[kachuuyaa]

BAY CITY ROMANCE 𖥻 002 𖥻 SECOND YR!

bcr masterlist ; prev ; next

synopsis: back in the main building, scrambling students await their results. what happens when you get lost in the sea of students?

warnings: chuuya hating on everyone, ranpo getting lost, u losing everyone (physically cuz its crowded as HELL)...

notes: UMMMM SORRY FOR BEING IA was broken up w IM SORY i’ll b more active now that school’s overr!!! n im graduating too soo ULL SEE MORE FROM ME…. DONT FORGET… I PROMSIED

Rushing along the hallways, you step down from the staircase to reach the exit. Seeing familiar faces, you waved at them in a rushed manner as your friends continued to make your phone vibrate with countless notifications, frustration bubbling in your head. Quietly setting your phone on “Do Not Disturb”, you maneuver yourself through the campus flawlessly. Although you have only been here for a year, you were meticulous enough to observe the layout of the campus, familiarizing yourself with the buildings and halls of the school. Truth be told, it can be confusing, with equally puzzling hallways, even if there were guides at the beginning of each structure. Rarely do students try and remember the school's architecture, knowing how time-consuming it can be. You find it amusing how students, as old as they are, wander around the building aimlessly in an attempt to reach their assigned facility. However, you can’t blame them, being a victim of the school’s complex walls, although rarely. You take pride in yourself for analyzing the school with such keen observation, landing yourself in front of the Inari hall (law-based strand hall), you take a sharp turn and see the faint silhouette of the Amaterasu hall (main building). Slowing down, you started walking, looking at the time, which relieved you as you arrived 10 minutes before the publishing. You kicked a rock while moving your feet, encoding the password in your phone before typing a quick ‘I’m here’ to the group chat.

Walking through the doors with newfound confidence, the students turned to look at you, with their eyes lingering on you briefly before resuming their tasks. You observed each student, some typing away on their laptops, some chatting with their friends, and some sleeping in the corners of the hall. A particular student came up to you, wrapping their arms around your neck from behind, and alerted you with their voice, “[Name]! Hi!” Slurring out the vowels of his greeting, Ranpo greeted you loudly, catching the attention of a few students before resuming their actions.

“Ranpo, don’t be so loud!” Yosano came from behind him, smacking the back of his head while ignoring his protests. “Yo, [Name]. We saw your texts.” She leaned to you, wrapping an arm around Ranpo in the process, making you laugh at his complaints. “Okay, and you came here for?” You asked, but cut yourself off, “Wait, right, for the tests.” Yosano gave you a look that could only be identified as ‘obviously’ written all over her face. “Just wanted to catch up with you. This fucker over here wanted to arrive first before you.” She turned to Ranpo, tightening her arm around his neck. “Hey! The cat on the sidewalk was just too cute not to notice!” He defended, jolting his head up towards the girl, “Not my fault he started meowing as soon as he saw me!” Yosano sighed, “We would’ve been there 10 minutes before [Name] was here,” She clicked her tongue, “Whatever.”

You were busy watching the two bicker when the doors opened, revealing a certain Philosophy major and business major, and entered the building, immediately locking their eyes on the three of you. Before they could do anything, though, the speaker vibrated with sound. “Results in 5 minutes, please proceed to the main hall.” As soon as it ended, students started clamoring around, trying to fix their things to make it into the hall in time. Some students started running, paying no mind to the papers falling to the floor. You’d understand, the year was about to end, anyway. Noticing the rush and excitement of the students, you locked eyes with Yosano, a plan brewing in both minds. Nodding, Yosano pried her arm off Ranpo.

You and Yosano ran, laughing loudly when Ranpo’s screams of protest echoed through the crowded hall, ceasing once he caught sight of Sigma and Fyodor. “Fuck, man!” You heaved out, “Don’t ever make me run a marathon like that ever fucking again,” Panting, Yosano laughed at your exasperated expression. “Get in shape, come on!” She encouraged you lightly, shoving your shoulder as you glared at her playfully. “Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.” Yosano reassured, however, face blanking as she remembered Ranpo; “Well, not really. Ranpo will scold us for God knows how long for leaving him.” You laughed breathlessly, awaiting the results excitedly as a pair of hands took hold of your shoulders. “Guess who,” The baritone voice was heard from your left ear, making you jump. “Fyo!” You greeted him, turning around almost instantly, and hugged him. “Hi,” He said softly. Next to him was Sigma, who waved at you gently. Yosano waved at them in response, “Fyodor, what happened to your other friends? I thought they’d be here.” She queried, crossing her arms on the railing. “I tried to get them to go, but they said they’d wait for the online posting.” Fyodor mimicked her actions, Yosano shaking her head, “Lazy asses.” She muttered, which earned a smirk from Fyodor in return. “Did you all just forget about me?!” Ranpo whined, pouting at the both of you. You chuckled at his behavior, “Yeah--”

The bell rang through the hall, catching the attention of all the students present. “Oh, shit!” Chuuya’s voice resounded through the room, as he landed on Ranpo while running. “I didn’t hear the fucking announcement!” Ranpo voiced out an ‘oof!’, lunging forward after feeling the impact of Chuuya’s body on him. “Chuuya!” He shouted, earning multiple protests from students around him. “You okay?” Fyodor asked both of them, handing out his arms for them to grab. “Thanks, I guess.” Chuuya shook off nonexistent dirt from his clothes and stretched out his arms, receiving only a smile from Fyodor in return. “Guys, shut the fuck up.” Yosano shushed them, the screen illuminating with the results. With all the different majors, it would be hard to identify where your results are.

Fortunately, there were different screens to look through, one for each major. It stretches out until the end of the hall, with various monitors assigned for each strand. “Oh, oh. Where is Business Management?” Sigma muttered, mostly to themselves, walking off as she stared off at the multiple screens. “Sigma, wait! Come here, it’s over here.” You stated, ushering her to your left while pointing at a certain screen. He followed your finger, walking with your hand on their lower back. “Thank you, [Name], I see it,” He looked at you, evident that he was grateful for your actions. “Thank you!” Sigma runs off, and your eyes quickly drift back to the screen, not before whispering a ‘you’re welcome’ that was left unheard. “Psychology, psychology…” You sauntered around the wide building, abandoning your friends to look for your major. “Oh, fuck! There you are.” Spotting your major gave you incredible whiplash, as you tried to spot your name following your major, indicated with bold letters, attracting many people after you.

[Name] [L. Name] - 4.0

Holy fuck.

You didn’t want to say you expected it, you would perceive that would be quite egotistical of you, but with the work you have done and the time you have sacrificed in order to get such a rank, you felt as if you deserved the position. Disregarding the feelings of others (especially the top 2, you muttered a quiet apology to them mentally) was never an option for you, but holding yourself in high regard is deserving for you, as hardworking as you are. Pride washed over you, but not arrogance, you would never allow that to happen, as a student striving for success. Pride would only be your downfall, that much you knew, and that was enough reason to avoid the emotion entirely. You excused yourself from the crowd, heading back to where you thought your friends were to share your results. However, as you expected, they were not present. The only person you saw was Ranpo, seemingly confused as the crowd made the layout too convoluted to navigate.

“Ranpo,” You voiced out, his head turning towards you, flashing you a bright smile. “Hey, have you seen your scores yet?” He asked, squishing his way through, earning groans from other people as he slipped past them. He didn’t bother muttering an apology, clicking his tongue as he tried to reach you. You stood still, albeit moving quite a bit from the numerous people moving from every side. “Yeah! I did-- shit,” Interrupted by the impact of another body, you stumbled towards Ranpo, catching him off guard. His eyes scrunched in annoyance-- not to you, of course, it would never be you. “What did you get, then?” His tone portrayed annoyance, evident to both of you, “You already know.” Sending a knowing wink to him, he responded with a smirk that showcases his pride.

Of course, he would not say it out loud, but he was incredibly proud of you, and he knew that you were aware, so he found no need to voice it out loud. Ranpo was observant, too observant for your own liking, it was unnerving to others but it was natural to you and the group. His observant nature was what made him rise in popularity as a student, anyway. He was talented, that much you knew, but he disliked trying new activities that would make his reputation grow. He didn’t mind, though. He was tranquil with what he had, despite the unruliness of the school. “Of course I do.” He responded, grabbing your wrists gently to guide you out of the crowded hall, before you could ask, however, he swiftly cut you off, “I don’t have to check my scores to know what rank I am!” He exclaimed proudly, a laugh bubbling from his throat, reverting back to his childish persona. You chuckled at this, raising your hand to cover the crinkle of your mouth. “A failing grade?” You joked, earning an expression of shock from the man. “No, no way!” He protested, putting his arms up in defense. “It’s a perfect score. I know it, I know it!” He said, balling up his fists in childish protest.

“We should go to the cafeteria, no? I heard there was a new cafe.” You suggested, averting the topic completely. You really wanted to go, seeing as the wave of students won’t cease anytime soon. “Yeah… yeah, we should.” His grip on your wrist didn’t falter, as he guided you outside. This action surprised you, as Ranpo was used to being led, not leading you. A few minutes pass and you are led to a secluded area, void of any students. You wish you knew how you got here, but Ranpo only bashfully smiled at his current position. “Um… at least there are no students, right?” He awkwardly commented, his voice filling the air and entering your ears, wincing at your annoyed expression. “Yeah.” You calmly responded, however, the coldness in your voice was enough to make him think that you were exasperated. “No, I’m not annoyed,” You waved him off, “I know what you’re thinking.” Standing up, you led him to the closest exit, which was to your right. Your footsteps resounded across the empty hallway, leading you back to the crowded area. Ranpo rushed to you to get hold of your clothes, gripping them tightly so as not to lose you. You lazily navigated the long building, pushing some students until you reached the long awaiting exit with Ranpo.

“[Name],” He drawled out, “Where are the others? I wanna go to the cafe with them too…” He mumbled, letting go of your shoulder. “Yeah, yeah. Let me text them,” You fished out your phone, rolling your eyes playfully. “You have your phone, right? Why don’t you go talk to them?” Ranpo huffed, “‘cause I don’t want to!”

“Fine, then.” You waved him off, walking without him by your side. Alarmed at this, he chased after you, “Yo, hey! [Name], wait!” You ran faster at this, snickering at his growing yells, hiding behind a tree when you’re sure he can’t see you, and you opened your message app.

trivia:

fyodor would have gone with your group even if his other friends showed up.

HALLS AND ESTABLISHMENTS

okuninushi hall — ABM strands (has a library, 3rd biggest)

omoikane hall— HUMSS (1st most extensive library)

jurojin library, separate from the HUMSS building but considered a parr of it

takeminakata hall — agriculture, nature strands, etc (2nd most extensive library)

benzaiten hall — general academics (art, sports, also includes the theater, mini theater, miscellaneous stuff)

theater is called ame-no-uzume

inari hall — law-based strands (small building, but has the 4th most extensive library)

sarutahiko hall — sports complex

amaterasu hall — main building, has awarding hall and award section

daikokuten/daikoku hall — math-centered majors hall (archi, statistics, etc)

izanagi hall — med/health building (close to the HUMSS hall)

ryujin hall — science/biology hall (mainly sci/physics strands) (connects to med/health)

tg: @iruc @celestair

2023 © kachuuyaa. do not steal or claim my work as your own.

[applythaivisa]

Thailand Visa Exemptions

1. Legislative Framework and Policy Evolution

1.1 Statutory Basis

Governed by Sections 12 and 35 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979)

Implemented through Ministerial Regulation No. 28 (B.E. 2544)

Modified by Cabinet Resolution (November 2022) extending 45-day stays until November 2025

1.2 Bilateral vs. Unilateral Agreements

Reciprocal Exemptions (12 countries including Brazil, South Korea, Peru)

90-day stays

Multiple-entry privileges

Unilateral Exemptions (56 countries)

Standard 30-day stays

45-day temporary extension for air arrivals

1.3 Historical Policy Shifts

2008: Introduction of 15-day land border restrictions

2016: Implementation of biometric tracking

2022: Temporary 45-day extension to boost tourism

2. Eligibility and Entry Protocols

2.1 Nationality-Based Classification

Passport TypeDurationEntry MethodExtension EligibilityG7 Nations45 days*Air onlyYes (30 days)ASEAN Members30 daysAir/LandNoDeveloping Economies15-30 daysConditionalVaries

*Until November 2025 per Cabinet Resolution

2.2 Document Verification Matrix

Mandatory Documents:

Passport (6+ months validity)

Onward ticket (confirmed within exemption period)

Proof of funds (THB 20,000/person)

Secondary Checks:

Previous Thai visa history (12-month lookback)

Accommodation verification

3. Immigration Assessment Algorithms

3.1 Risk-Based Screening System

Primary Inspection:

Machine-readable zone scan

Interpol database check

Facial recognition matching

Secondary Screening Triggers:

4+ visa exemptions in 12 months

Suspicious travel patterns

Incomplete documentation

3.2 Discretionary Denial Factors

Red Flags:

Previous overstays (even if paid)

Employment-seeking behavior

Frequent border runs

4. Border-Specific Implementation

4.1 Airport Processing

Dedicated Visa-Exempt Lanes at 6 international airports

Automated Immigration Gates (e-Gates) for eligible nationalities

Transit Without Visa (TWOV):

72-hour limit

Confirmed onward ticket required

4.2 Land Border Restrictions

15-Day Maximum Stay at 52 designated checkpoints

Entry Quotas:

2 land crossings per calendar year (2024 policy)

Exceptions for border pass holders

5. Extension and Conversion Mechanics

5.1 Extension of Stay

Single 30-Day Extension:

THB 1,900 fee

TM.7 form submission

Proof of address required

Exceptional Cases:

Medical treatment

Force majeure events

5.2 Visa Conversion Options

Non-Immigrant Pathways:

Business (B): Requires THB 25,000 application fee

Retirement (O): Age 50+ with financial proof

Education (ED): Enrollment in accredited institution

6. Compliance and Enforcement

6.1 Overstay Penalties

Fine Structure:

THB 500/day (maximum THB 20,000)

Automatic blacklisting after 90+ days

Voluntary Departure Program:

7-day grace period at airports

6.2 Visa-Run Monitoring

Automated Tracking System:

Flags frequent exempt entries

Calculates denial probability score

7. Special Case Analyses

7.1 Diplomatic/Official Passports

90-Day Exemption regardless of nationality

Exempt from:

Financial proof requirements

Onward ticket verification

7.2 Crew Member Privileges

72-Hour Shore Leave:

Valid with approved crew documentation

Separate from passenger exemptions

8. Emerging Policy Developments

9.1 Digital Integration

E-Arrival Card System (2024 rollout)

Blockchain Travel History (Phase 1 testing)

9.2 Security Enhancements

Biometric Exit System (Full implementation 2025)

API Integration with INTERPOL databases

9. Strategic Entry Planning

10.1 For Frequent Travelers

Alternative Solutions:

METV (6-month multiple entry)

Elite Visa (5-20 year options)

Entry Pattern Management:

Minimum 21-day intervals between exempt entries

Rotate entry points (BKK/DMK/HKT)

10.2 For Long-Term Stays

Conversion Timing:

Optimal window: Days 1-15 of entry

Avoid holiday periods

Document Preparation:

Pre-legalized paperwork

Financial trail establishment