#MS Access Project Help

[tofupixel]

⭐ So you want to learn pixel art? ⭐

🔹 Part 1 of ??? - The Basics!

Edit: Now available in Google Doc format if you don't have a Tumblr account 🥰

Hello, my name is Tofu and I'm a professional pixel artist. I have been supporting myself with freelance pixel art since 2020, when I was let go from my job during the pandemic.

My progress, from 2017 to 2024. IMO the only thing that really matters is time and effort, not some kind of natural talent for art.

This guide will not be comprehensive, as nobody should be expected to read allat. Instead I will lean heavily on my own experience, and share what worked for me, so take everything with a grain of salt. This is a guide, not a tutorial. Cheers!

🔹 Do I need money?

NO!!! Pixel art is one of the most accessible mediums out there.

I still use a mouse because I prefer it to a tablet! You won't be at any disadvantage here if you can't afford the best hardware or software.

Because our canvases are typically very small, you don't need a good PC to run a good brush engine or anything like that.

✨Did you know? One of the most skilled and beloved pixel artists uses MS PAINT! Wow!!

🔹 What software should I use?

Here are some of the most popular programs I see my friends and peers using. Stars show how much I recommend the software for beginners! ⭐

💰 Paid options:

⭐⭐⭐ Aseprite (for PC) - $19.99

This is what I and many other pixel artists use. You may find when applying to jobs that they require some knowledge of Aseprite. Since it has become so popular, companies like that you can swap raw files between artists.

Aseprite is amazingly customizable, with custom skins, scripts and extensions on Itch.io, both free and paid.

If you have ever used any art software before, it has most of the same features and should feel fairly familiar to use. It features a robust animation suite and a tilemap feature, which have saved me thousands of hours of labour in my work. The software is also being updated all the time, and the developers listen to the users. I really recommend Aseprite!

⭐ Photoshop (for PC) - Monthly $$

A decent option for those who already are used to the PS interface. Requires some setup to get it ready for pixel-perfect art, but there are plenty of tutorials for doing so.

Animation is also much more tedious on PS which you may want to consider before investing time!

⭐⭐ ProMotion NG (for PC) - $19.00

An advanced and powerful software which has many features Aseprite does not, including Colour Cycling and animated tiles.

⭐⭐⭐ Pixquare (for iOS) - $7.99 - $19.99 (30% off with code 'tofu'!!)

Probably the best app available for iPad users, in active development, with new features added all the time.

Look! My buddy Jon recommends it highly, and uses it often.

One cool thing about Pixquare is that it takes Aseprite raw files! Many of my friends use it to work on the same project, both in their office and on the go.

⭐ Procreate (for iOS) - $12.99

If you have access to Procreate already, it's a decent option to get used to doing pixel art. It does however require some setup. Artist Pixebo is famously using Procreate, and they have tutorials of their own if you want to learn.

⭐⭐ ReSprite iOS and Android. (free trial, but:) $19.99 premium or $$ monthly

ReSprite is VERY similar in terms of UI to Aseprite, so I can recommend it. They just launched their Android release!

🆓 Free options:

⭐⭐⭐ Libresprite (for PC)

Libresprite is an alternative to Aseprite. It is very, very similar, to the point where documentation for Aseprite will be helpful to Libresprite users.

⭐⭐ Pixilart (for PC and mobile)

A free in-browser app, and also a mobile app! It is tied to the website Pixilart, where artists upload and share their work. A good option for those also looking to get involved in a community.

⭐⭐ Dotpict (for mobile)

Dotpict is similar to Pixilart, with a mobile app tied to a website, but it's a Japanese service. Did you know that in Japanese, pixel art is called 'Dot Art'? Dotpict can be a great way to connect with a different community of pixel artists! They also have prompts and challenges often.

🔹 So I got my software, now what?

◽Nice! Now it's time for the basics of pixel art.

❗ WAIT ❗ Before this section, I want to add a little disclaimer. All of these rules/guidelines can be broken at will, and some 'no-nos' can look amazing when done intentionally.

The pixel-art fundamentals can be exceedingly helpful to new artists, who may feel lost or overwhelmed by choice. But if you feel they restrict you too harshly, don't force yourself! At the end of the day it's your art, and you shouldn't try to contort yourself into what people think a pixel artist 'should be'. What matters is your own artistic expression. 💕👍

◽Phew! With that out of the way...

🔸"The Rules"

There are few hard 'rules' of pixel art, mostly about scaling and exporting. Some of these things will frequently trip up newbies if they aren't aware, and are easy to overlook.

🔹Scaling method

There are a couple ways of scaling your art. The default in most art programs, and the entire internet, is Bi-linear scaling, which usually works out fine for most purposes. But as pixel artists, we need a different method.

Both are scaled up x10. See the difference?

On the left is scaled using Bilinear, and on the right is using Nearest-Neighbor. We love seeing those pixels stay crisp and clean, so we use nearest-neighbor. 

(Most pixel-art programs have nearest-neighbor enabled by default! So this may not apply to you, but it's important to know.)

🔹Mixels

Mixels are when there are different (mixed) pixel sizes in the same image.

Here I have scaled up my art- the left is 200%, and the right is 150%. Yuck!

As we can see, the "pixel" sizes end up different. We generally try to scale our work by multiples of 100 - 200%, 300% etc. rather than 150%. At larger scales however, the minute differences in pixel sizes are hardly noticeable!

Mixels are also sometimes seen when an artist scales up their work, then continues drawing on it with a 1 pixel brush.

Many would say that this is not great looking! This type of pixels can be indicative of a beginner artist. But there are plenty of creative pixel artists out there who mixels intentionally, making something modern and cool.

🔹Saving Your Files

We usually save our still images as .PNGs as they don’t create any JPEG artifacts or loss of quality. It's a little hard to see here, but there are some artifacts, and it looks a little blurry. It also makes the art very hard to work with if we are importing a JPEG.

For animations .GIF is good, but be careful of the 256 colour limit. Try to avoid using too many blending mode layers or gradients when working with animations. If you aren’t careful, your animation could flash afterwards, as the .GIF tries to reduce colours wherever it can. It doesn’t look great!

Here's an old piece from 2021 where I experienced .GIF lossiness, because I used gradients and transparency, resulting in way too many colours.

🔹Pixel Art Fundamentals - Techniques and Jargon

❗❗Confused about Jaggies? Anti-Aliasing? Banding? Dithering? THIS THREAD is for you❗❗ << it's a link, click it!!

As far as I'm concerned, this is THE tutorial of all time for understanding pixel art. These are techniques created and named by the community of people who actually put the list together, some of the best pixel artists alive currently. Please read it!!

🔸How To Learn

Okay, so you have your software, and you're all ready to start. But maybe you need some more guidance? Try these tutorials and resources! It can be helpful to work along with a tutorial until you build your confidence up.

⭐⭐ Pixel Logic (A Digital Book) - $10 A very comprehensive visual guide book by a very skilled and established artist in the industry. I own a copy myself.

⭐⭐⭐ StudioMiniBoss - free A collection of visual tutorials, by the artist that worked on Celeste! When starting out, if I got stuck, I would go and scour his tutorials and see how he did it.

⭐ Lospec Tutorials - free A very large collection of various tutorials from all over the internet. There is a lot to sift through here if you have the time.

⭐⭐⭐ Cyangmou's Tutorials - free (tipping optional) Cyangmou is one of the most respected and accomplished modern pixel artists, and he has amassed a HUGE collection of free and incredibly well-educated visual tutorials. He also hosts an educational stream every week on Twitch called 'pixelart for beginners'.

⭐⭐⭐ Youtube Tutorials - free There are hundreds, if not thousands of tutorials on YouTube, but it can be tricky to find the good ones. My personal recommendations are MortMort, Brandon, and AdamCYounis- these guys really know what they're talking about!

🔸 How to choose a canvas size

When looking at pixel art turorials, we may see people suggest things like 16x16, 32x32 and 64x64. These are standard sizes for pixel art games with tiles. However, if you're just making a drawing, you don't necessarily need to use a standard canvas size like that.

What I like to think about when choosing a canvas size for my illustrations is 'what features do I think it is important to represent?' And make my canvas as small as possible, while still leaving room for my most important elements.

Imagine I have characters in a scene like this:

I made my canvas as small as possible (232 x 314), but just big enough to represent the features and have them be recognizable (it's Good Omens fanart 😤)!! If I had made it any bigger, I would be working on it for ever, due to how much more foliage I would have to render.

If you want to do an illustration and you're not sure, just start at somewhere around 100x100 - 200x200 and go from there.

It's perfectly okay to crop your canvas, or scale it up, or crunch your art down at any point if you think you need a different size. I do it all the time! It only takes a bit of cleanup to get you back to where you were.

🔸Where To Post

Outside of just regular socials, Twitter, Tumblr, Deviantart, Instagram etc, there are a few places that lean more towards pixel art that you might not have heard of.

⭐ Lospec Lospec is a low-res focused art website. Some pieces get given a 'monthly masterpiece' award. Not incredibly active, but I believe there are more features being added often.

⭐⭐ Pixilart Pixilart is a very popular pixel art community, with an app tied to it. The community tends to lean on the young side, so this is a low-pressure place to post with an relaxed vibe.

⭐⭐ Pixeljoint Pixeljoint is one of the big, old-school pixel art websites. You can only upload your art unscaled (1x) because there is a built-in zoom viewer. It has a bit of a reputation for being elitist (back in the 00s it was), but in my experience it's not like that any more. This is a fine place for a pixel artist to post if they are really interested in learning, and the history. The Hall of Fame has some of the most famous / impressive pixel art pieces that paved the way for the work we are doing today.

⭐⭐⭐ Cafe Dot Cafe Dot is my art server so I'm a little biased here. 🍵 It was created during the recent social media turbulence. We wanted a place to post art with no algorithms, and no NFT or AI chuds. We have a heavy no-self-promotion rule, and are more interested in community than skill or exclusivity. The other thing is that we have some kind of verification system- you must apply to be a Creator before you can post in the Art feed, or use voice. This helps combat the people who just want to self-promo and dip, or cause trouble, as well as weed out AI/NFT people. Until then, you are still welcome to post in any of the threads or channels. There is a lot to do in Cafe Dot. I host events weekly, so check the threads!

⭐⭐/r/pixelart The pixel art subreddit is pretty active! I've also heard some of my friends found work through posting here, so it's worth a try if you're looking. However, it is still Reddit- so if you're sensitive to rude people, or criticism you didn't ask for, you may want to avoid this one. Lol

🔸 Where To Find Work

You need money? I got you! As someone who mostly gets scouted on social media, I can share a few tips with you:

Put your email / portfolio in your bio Recruiters don't have all that much time to find artists, make it as easy as possible for someone to find your important information!

Clean up your profile If your profile feed is all full of memes, most people will just tab out rather than sift through. Doesn't apply as much to Tumblr if you have an art tag people can look at.

Post regularly, and repost Activity beats everything in the social media game. It's like rolling the dice, and the more you post the more chances you have. You have to have no shame, it's all business baby

Outside of just posting regularly and hoping people reach out to you, it can be hard to know where to look. Here are a few places you can sign up to and post around on.

/r/INAT INAT (I Need A Team) is a subreddit for finding a team to work with. You can post your portfolio here, or browse for people who need artists.

/r/GameDevClassifieds Same as above, but specifically for game-related projects.

Remote Game Jobs / Work With Indies Like Indeed but for game jobs. Browse them often, or get email notifications.

VGen VGen is a website specifically for commissions. You need a code from another verified artist before you can upgrade your account and sell, so ask around on social media or ask your friends. Once your account is upgraded, you can make a 'menu' of services people can purchase, and they send you an offer which you are able to accept, decline, or counter.

The evil websites of doom: Fiverr and Upwork I don't recommend them!! They take a big cut of your profit, and the sites are teeming with NFT and AI people hoping to make a quick buck. The site is also extremely oversaturated and competitive, resulting in a race to the bottom (the cheapest, the fastest, doing the most for the least). Imagine the kind of clients who go to these websites, looking for the cheapest option. But if you're really desperate...

🔸 Community

I do really recommend getting involved in a community. Finding like-minded friends can help you stay motivated to keep drawing. One day, those friends you met when you were just starting out may become your peers in the industry. Making friends is a game changer!

Discord servers Nowadays, the forums of old are mostly abandoned, and people split off into many different servers. Cafe Dot, Pixel Art Discord (PAD), and if you can stomach scrolling past all the AI slop, you can browse Discord servers here.

Twitch Streams Twitch has kind of a bad reputation for being home to some of the more edgy gamers online, but the pixel art community is extremely welcoming and inclusive. Some of the people I met on Twitch are my friends to this day, and we've even worked together on different projects! Browse pixel art streams here, or follow some I recommend: NickWoz, JDZombi, CupOhJoe, GrayLure, LumpyTouch, FrankiePixelShow, MortMort, Sodor, NateyCakes, NyuraKim, ShinySeabass, I could go on for ever really... There are a lot of good eggs on Pixel Art Twitch.

🔸 Other Helpful Websites

Palettes Lospec has a huge collection of user-made palettes, for any artist who has trouble choosing their colours, or just wants to try something fun. Rejected Palettes is full of palettes that didn't quite make it onto Lospec, ran by people who believe there are no bad colours.

The Spriters Resource TSR is an incredible website where users can upload spritesheets and tilesets from games. You can browse for your favourite childhood game, and see how they made it! This website has helped me so much in understanding how game assets come together in a scene.

VGMaps Similar to the above, except there are entire maps laid out how they would be played. This is incredible if you have to do level design, or for mocking up a scene for fun.

Game UI Database Not pixel-art specific, but UI is a very challenging part of graphics, so this site can be a game-changer for finding good references!

Retronator A digital newspaper for pixel-art lovers! New game releases, tutorials, and artworks!

Itch.io A website where people can upload, games, assets, tools... An amazing hub for game devs and game fans alike. A few of my favourite tools: Tiled, PICO-8, Pixel Composer, Juice FX, Magic Pencil for Aseprite

🔸 The End?

This is just part 1 for now, so please drop me a follow to see any more guides I release in the future. I plan on doing some writeups on how I choose colours, how to practise, and more!

I'm not an expert by any means, but everything I did to get to where I am is outlined in this guide. Pixel art is my passion, my job and my hobby! I want pixel art to be recognized everywhere as an art-form, a medium of its own outside of game-art or computer graphics!

This guide took me a long time, and took a lot of research and experience. Consider following me or supporting me if you are feeling generous.

And good luck to all the fledgling pixel artists, I hope you'll continue and have fun. I hope my guide helped you, and don't hesitate to send me an ask if you have any questions! 💕

My other tutorials (so far): How to draw Simple Grass for a game Hue Shifting

[niqhtlord01]

Humans are weird: Prank Gone Wrong

( Please come see me on my new patreon and support me for early access to stories and personal story requests :D https://www.patreon.com/NiqhtLord Every bit helps)

“Filnar Go F%$@ Yourself!” was possibly the most disruptive software virus the universe had ever seen.

The program was designed to download itself to a computer, copy the functions of existing software before deleting said software and imitating it, then running its original programming all the while avoiding the various attempts to locate and remove it by security software.

What was strange about such a highly advanced virus was that it did not steal government secrets, nor siphon funds from banking institutions, it ignore critical infrastructure processes, and even bypassed trade markets that if altered could cause chaos on an unprecedented scale. The only thing the software seemed focused on was in locating any information regarding the “Hen’va” species, and deleting it.

First signs of the virus outbreak were recorded on the planet Yul’o IV, but once the virus began to migrate at an increasing rate and latched on to several subroutines for traveling merchant ships things rapidly spiraled out of control. Within a week the virus had infected every core world and consumed all information regarding the Hen’va. It still thankfully had not resulted in any deaths, but the sudden loss of information was beginning to cause other problems.

Hen’va citizens suddenly found that they were not listed as galactic citizens and were detained by security forces on numerous worlds. Trade routes became disrupted as Hen’va systems were now listed as uninhabited and barren leading to merchants seeking to trade elsewhere. Birth records and hospital information for millions of patients were wiped clean as they now pertained to individuals who did not exist.

Numerous software updates and purges were commenced in attempting to remove the virus. Even the galactic council’s cyber security bureau was mobilized for the effort, but if even a single strand of the virus’s code survived it was enough to rebuild itself and become even craftier with hiding itself while carrying out its programming. This was made worse by the high level of integration the various cyber systems of the galaxy had made it so the chance of systems being re-infected was always high.

After ten years every digital record of the Hen’va was erased from the wider universe. All attempts to upload copies were likewise deleted almost immediately leaving only physical records to remain untouched.

To combat this, the Hen’va for all official purposes adopted a new name; then “Ven’dari”. In the Hen’va tongue in means “The Forgotten”, which is rather ironic as the Hen’va have had to abandon everything about their previous culture to continue their existence. The virus had become a defacto component of every computer system in the galaxy and continued to erase all information related to the Hen’va. Even the translator units refused identify the Hen’va tongue and so the Ven’dari needed to create a brand new language.

It wasn’t until another fifty years had passed before the original creator of the virus stepped forward and admitted to their crime. A one “Penelope Wick”.

At the time of the programs creation Ms. Wick was a student studying on Yul’o IV to be a software designer. While attending the institution Ms. Wick stated that a fellow student, a Hen’va named “Filnar”, would hound her daily. He would denounce her presence within the school and repeatedly declared that “what are the scrapings of humans compared to the glory of the Hen’va?”

The virus was her creation as a way of getting back at the student for his constant spite. Ms. Wick was well aware of the dangers it could pose if released into the wild and so had emplaced the limitation that the virus would only infect computers on site with the campus. The schools network was setup that students could only work on their projects within the confines of the institution to ensure they did not cheat and have others make them instead. What she had not counted on was this rule only applied to students and not teachers. So when a teacher brought home several student projects to review and then sharing those infected files with their personal computer, the virus then gained free access to the wider planets networks.

When the Ven’dari learned of this there were several hundred calls for Ms. Wick to be held accountable for her actions, and nearly twice as many made to take her head by less patient individuals who had seen their entire culture erased. Much to their dismay Ms. Wick died shortly after her confession from a long term disease that had ravaged her body for several years.

Much to her delight, she had achieved her goals of removing the source of her mockery.

[deliciousangelfestival]

Cozy Secrets || Chp 3

Character: Spy!Bucky x Roommate!Reader

Summary: Y/N found herself at her high school reunion, accompanied by her unexpected fake boyfriend, who also happened to be a spy.

Chp 1 , Chp 2, Chp 3, -

Main Masterlist || buy me Ko-fi 🥹💓

Thank you to anyone who gave a like, reblog, and left a comment. It motivated me to write more. 

The days turned into weeks, and there was still no sign of Bucky returning home. Y/N continued with her life, focusing on her work as an interior designer. Today's agenda involved meeting a new client, Mr. Kensington, an eccentric aristocrat who had recently acquired a house in New York.

Y/N arrived at the grand mansion, its façade oozing opulence and mystery. The butler led her through the elaborate corridors adorned with priceless artifacts until she reached Mr. Kensington's study. The room was filled with antique furniture, rare paintings, and an air of sophistication.

"Ah, Ms. Y/N, delighted to meet you," Mr. Kensington greeted with a flourish. He was a distinguished man, dressed in impeccable attire that matched the grandeur of his surroundings.

"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Kensington," Y/N replied, taking a seat.

Mr. Kensington wasted no time in getting to the point. "I've heard of your extraordinary skills in interior design, particularly your ability to keep matters discreet. I have a rather unique project for you."

Y/N nodded, intrigued. "I'm all ears. What do you have in mind?"

Mr. Kensington leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a spark of excitement. "I need a secret vault hidden in my study. A concealed door, perhaps behind a bookshelf or a portrait. I trust you can handle such a task?"

A secret vault, Y/N thought, the intrigue deepening. She had designed various rooms and hidden spaces in the past, but this request added a layer of mystery she found intriguing.

"Of course, Mr. Kensington. Creating concealed spaces is my specialty. Do you have any specific preferences or themes for the hidden door?"

Mr. Kensington stroked his chin, contemplating. "I fancy the idea of a bookshelf that reveals the entrance when a particular book is pulled. As for the theme, surprise me. I enjoy the unexpected."

Y/N nodded, mentally noting down the details. "Very well. I'll start working on the design, and we can discuss any adjustments or additions as the project progresses."

"Excellent, Ms. Y/N. Money is no object, so spare no expense in ensuring the utmost secrecy and sophistication," Mr. Kensington declared with a sly smile.

As Y/N delved into the intricacies of the project, discussing potential materials, hidden mechanisms, and the overall aesthetic, she couldn't help but be drawn into Mr. Kensington's eccentric world.

Days turned into weeks as Y/N meticulously planned and executed the design for the hidden vault. Mr. Kensington, appreciating her dedication and creativity, granted her access to the entire mansion, including rooms filled with his vast collection of artifacts.

One day, while working in the study, Y/N felt a subtle change in the atmosphere. The workers seemed unfamiliar, and a hushed voice whispered, "Psst, it's me."

Startled, Y/N turned to see Bucky disguised as one of the workers. The realization dawned on her – Bucky had been undercover in Mr. Kensington's mansion all along.

"Y/N," Bucky greeted with a smirk, "Surprised to see me?"

A mixture of relief and curiosity washed over her. "Bucky, what on earth are you doing here?"

Bucky chuckled. "Let's just say, your client and I have a mutual interest in keeping things hidden."

Y/N's surprise at seeing Bucky in disguise quickly transformed into a mix of confusion and intrigue. As she absorbed the revelation that Bucky had been undercover, she couldn't help but wonder about the true nature of Mr. Kensington's secrets.

Bucky, maintaining his cover among the workers, approached Y/N with a conspiratorial glint in his eye. "Fancy meeting you here, Y/N. Turns out, our dear client has more than just a penchant for eccentric designs."

Y/N, still processing the information, replied with a subtle nod. She had become accustomed to the unexpected twists in her life, but this one took the cake.

Bucky leaned in, speaking in a low voice. "There's a nuclear code hidden within Mr. Kensington's vault. My mission is to retrieve it, but the security here is tighter than I anticipated."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, realizing the gravity of the situation. A nuclear code – a high-stakes game that transcended the realm of her usual discreet designs. She glanced at the intricately designed vault, wondering how it concealed such a dangerous secret.

"So, what's the plan?" Y/N asked, her words measured and composed.

Bucky explained the intricacies of the security systems and the need for Y/N's expertise. Her task was to create a diversion, something significant enough to draw attention away from the vault, while Bucky maneuvered through the mansion in pursuit of the elusive nuclear code.

As Y/N immersed herself in planning the diversion, she couldn't shake the feeling of being caught in a web of espionage and secrecy. The mansion, once a canvas for her creative designs, had transformed into a labyrinth of hidden agendas and dangerous secrets.

The night of the operation arrived, cloaked in shadows and suspense. Y/N, clad in dark attire, executed the diversion with precision. A well-timed malfunction in the mansion's power grid created chaos, diverting attention and leaving the security team scrambling to restore order.

In the midst of the commotion, Bucky, still disguised as a worker, stealthily navigated through the mansion. His every move calculated, blending seamlessly with the chaos Y/N had orchestrated.

As Bucky approached the vault, the tension escalated. The intricate mechanisms of Y/N's diversion worked their magic, creating a window of opportunity for Bucky to access the vault without raising suspicions.

However, just as Bucky reached for the vault's hidden entrance, an unexpected voice echoed through the study. "What's going on here?"

Y/N, stationed strategically to monitor the situation, recognized the voice – Mr. Kensington himself, drawn to the scene of the disturbance.

Bucky froze, his disguise momentarily at risk. Y/N, acting on instinct, stepped forward, her voice calm and authoritative. "Mr. Kensington, there's been a technical glitch. We're working to resolve it. Please return to a secure area."

Mr. Kensington scrutinized Y/N for a moment, his gaze piercing. Yet, something in her demeanor convinced him to heed her instructions. With a reluctant nod, he retreated from the study, leaving Y/N and Bucky in the tense aftermath.

As the seconds ticked away, Bucky resumed his mission. The hidden door creaked open, revealing the vault's mysterious contents. The nuclear code, concealed within a secure compartment, awaited extraction.

With the mission accomplished, Bucky discreetly exited the study, merging back into the chaos of the diversion. Y/N, maintaining her composed exterior, discreetly observed his retreat.

Once the mansion returned to a semblance of normalcy, Y/N and Bucky reconvened in a discreet location. The weight of the mission lingered between them, unspoken words echoing in the air.

"Thanks for the assist, Y/N," Bucky acknowledged, his gaze a mix of gratitude and an unspoken understanding.

As he prepared to depart, a sincere expression of gratitude painted his face. Bucky enveloped Y/N in a heartfelt hug.

"Y/N, you're a lifesaver," he whispered, the weight of unspoken appreciation hanging in the air. With a nod and a final glance, Bucky disappeared into the night, leaving Y/N to navigate the aftermath of espionage and the echoes of a world she had unexpectedly become a part of.

Y/N returned home, the events of the covert operation still playing in her mind like a suspenseful movie. The intricacies of espionage and the clandestine world were not something she had ever imagined becoming a part of, yet here she was, entangled in the mysteries that unfolded beyond her interior design projects.

The next day brought an unexpected visitor to her doorstep. A woman dressed in black, exuding an air of mystery, stood on her porch. She introduced herself as Natasha, a member of the same agency as Bucky.

"Y/N," Natasha began, her gaze sharp and assessing, "you handled the situation with Mr. Kensington admirably. You have a knack for navigating high-stakes scenarios. We could use someone like you."

Y/N, still processing the surreal turn of events, regarded Natasha with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty. The agency, with its covert operations and hidden agendas, seemed like a world far removed from her artistic endeavors.

Natasha continued, "You've proven yourself resourceful and discreet. We have a proposal for you – join our ranks. Work with us, and your skills won't be limited to interior design."

Y/N hesitated, the weight of the decision hanging in the air. The quiet life she had known, filled with designs and creative projects, now stood at a crossroads. The allure of the unknown, coupled with the desire to unravel the mysteries that had become intertwined with her life, tugged at her curiosity.

"What do you say, Y/N?" Natasha inquired, her expression unreadable.

Join taglist ? 💗💗💗

@vampire7595

@immortalfangirl

@sapphirebarnes

@unaxv

@buchi91

@opibarnes

@ordelixx

@pigeonmama

@mostlymarvelgirl

Chp 1 , Chp 2 , Chp 3 ,-

Main Masterlist || buy me Ko-fi 🥹💓

Thank you to anyone who gave a like, reblog, and left a comment. It motivated me to write more. 

[pedropascalunofficial]

STORY TIME

Why did Pedro Pascal go quiet on socials?

Well, let's hazard a guess. Maybe he saw what his shitty "fans" were getting up to.

If I've left anything out, please dm me. And if you'd like to threaten me, my receipts are all in order🖕

What have Pedro Pascal's shitty "fans" done in this fandom?

Stalked him and used it for clout in order to gather more information. (Ms Green and Ms Peacock)

Tracked his and his friends' activity. The person got blocked by the friend and used the news for clout. Mega lols all round on that one, not🙄. It gave them something to talk about on their trip, I guess🤷‍♀️ They were quiet after, though, right?! (Ms Green)

Created a private group chat and used it to gather information on his whereabouts. (Ms Peacock)

Moved in order to be closer to his house. When he mentioned he moved, they openly enquired about moving to a neighbourhood close to his new place. (Ms Wrestlemania)

Supported a friends project and made themselves the biggest donor yet publicly complained about their financial situation. Weird, right?! The friend was going through a really tough time. The fans used the access they gained to the friend to manipulate the friend into giving them access to him. The friend closed their project. (Ms Wrestlemania)

Made professional moves in order to work with another one of his friends in order to gain access to him. (Little Miss 23andme)

Bullied and harassed another fan for having limited access to him. They then doxxed the victims' family members' funeral. When they were called out and tried to defend themselves, they were caught owning an account that had supported the harassing messages. (Ms Wrestlemania and HideandSeek)

Stole photos from independent photographers and shared as their own, which he then shared so the photographer got paid. (Col Mustard)

Shared a stolen photo of him and another actor so he was forced to share his own so he owned the narrative. (Ms Peacock)

Had multiple genuine fan accounts deleted and suspended out of hate and jealousy. (Ms Green and Encarni)

Sent d**th threats to other fan accounts. (I'll just pretend not to know who did this because it's under federal investigation💚)

That would definitely put me off going online. No wonder he went quiet.

I'd like to add that I was a total scumbag too once. Checked his personal info, thinking it was ok to do so out of interest. I shared bits and pieces because I didn't realise the ripple effect. Then I realised his info was being traded for people's personal gain. People were being manipulated into providing more and more. People were being ripped off for someone selling pics without a licence (you know who). I stopped. I made amends. I know I made a difference, so thank you to everyone who has helped right the wrongs.

Thank you to the people who helped provide tips.

Thank you to the people who had their lives affected but still stuck around to keep the good in the fandom.

Thank you to the people who listened.

Thank you to the people who took action when required.

Thank you to Pedro💜

And a giant FUCK YOU to the ppl who are still doing that shit and negatively affecting people's lives, including Pedro's and his friends' and family's.

Why did Pedro Pascal go quiet on socials?

Deuxmoi

Clue

The Meandering Response

The Counter Perspective

The Old Ladies

Buying Followers Pt1

The Fandom Stain Pt2

His stylist's death threat

[sweetcheeksschemmenti]

Beyond The Classroom

Pt. 1

I don’t expect this one to be very popular, this is a self indulgent piece 🫡

Summary: Once a Little Eagle, always a Little Eagle. Melissa keeps that promise to you year after year as she shows up for you in every possible way.

Warnings: Child abuse, neglect, abandonment, over all sad stuff (Mel makes it better!)

WC: 3.9k

Notes: Wrote this because it’s the week before Mother’s Day and I just want my mama (she’s an awful human being and will never be a part of my life again, 6 years no contact). Melissa is a comfort character for me, so I’m using this as a hug from her. I know there are plenty of other people with bad relationships with their moms (gotta love mommy issues), so I thought I’d share in case someone else would also like this hug.

I see you, I love you.

P.s. This story is about 85% based on events I experienced as a child/young adult. I’m thankful every day for the teachers who stepped in to be the parents I didn’t have.

You grew up in a not-so-wonderful household with abusive parents and older siblings who wouldn’t have noticed if you had decided to run away one day. Melissa Schemmenti knew. She was the one person you felt you could confide in as a child. She called CPS on your parents a handful of times during the year she taught you, in hopes of keeping you safe. Unfortunately, with a broken system and a mother who could sweet talk The Devil himself, your parents got off scot-free, leaving you to deal with the aftermath each time.

You would go into school the next day with a new bruise and tears in your eyes. Melissa would hold you close and let you cry all you could before pulling a chair up next to her own so you could be near your safe person all day. When it came time for dismissal, she would hug you extra tight and send a silent prayer to God that you’d walk through the doors again in the morning. On Fridays, she would sneak a Tupperware container of homemade food and a handful of snacks into your bag with a note that said ‘love you, kid’, knowing that your parents restricted your access to food and that she was probably the only person you heard those words from most days. The world sat heavy on your second grader shoulders and Melissa did everything she knew how to make it a little lighter.

Even as you moved on past second grade, Ms. Schemmenti was there. She would check in with each of your teachers at the beginning on the school year and pop in to say hello at lunch from time to time. If you had a particularly rough night at home you would stop by her room and ask her to hold you for a minute before other students arrived. She always obliged.

The day you moved on to middle school, Melissa cried right along with you. Both of you knew she wouldn’t be able to hug the hurt away or keep tabs on you as often. Of course, she made sure you knew how much she loved you, she gave you her personal phone number and said, “No matter how old you get or how far you go, you’ll always be my favorite little eagle. I’ll always be here for you if you need me and I mean it. If things go south at home, you call me and I’ll be there in a heartbeat. You’re gonna be okay.”

As the years passed, Melissa made sure she remained a constant- the only constant, really- in your life. Through your middle school years she became your tutor, meeting you at your school’s library every Thursday after dismissal to help you with your homework. Of course, those sessions were always a little more than just help with homework; she would bring you food and make sure you had clean clothes and basic necessities. One time you let it slip that your mother had ‘forgotten’ to buy you toothpaste and she dropped off a small bag of Colgate tubes on your front porch that night.

When you entered high school, Melissa made an effort to show up for every one of your art shows and track meets. Your parents never even made it to one, but Schemmenti was there. She always was. Your high school teachers even began to think Melissa was your mother; you never corrected them. And when you started working at the hoagie stand your sophomore year, Ms. Schemmenti would stop by once a week to have dinner with you.

The physical abuse dwindled a little as you got older and were able to fight back, but the verbal abuse got worse as a result. At one point during you senior year, your mother kicked you out after throwing a fit about you not inviting her to see you try on prom dresses. You called Melissa and she drove forty-five minutes at three in the morning to get you. Your mother knocked you to the ground and pulled fistfuls of hair, creating a tangled mess. When you were finally able to get her off of you, she screamed at you the entire time you packed your bag.

“FUCK YOU Y/N, YOU SELFISH BITCH! Couldn’t even include YOUR OWN MOTHER! It hurts, it’s almost like not getting invited to your WEDDING!” You dodged books and trinkets she threw at you as you tossed whatever sentimental things you could think of into trash bags to take with you. Photos of your grandparents, your favorite stuffed animal, and some of your artworks made it in before you heard Melissa honking in the driveway.

“You’ve never been my mom,” you seethed with tears streaming down your face as you dragged your bags down the stairs.

She blocked you from leaving at the bottom of the stairs and backhanded you, her ring catching the tender skin beneath your eye. You yelped in pain and stumbled forward, she grabbed you by the throat and squeezed. “You walk out that door and NEVER come back, you hear me? You are worthless, a waste of space and air.” She dug her nails into your skin before she released you and practically pushed you through the front door.

“You’ll never have to deal with me again. You want me out? I’m out.”

Your father followed behind with his fists balled up, “If you ever come back, it’ll be the last time you see daylight!”

Melissa waited for you by the car with her baseball bat, ready to swing if need be. Once your bags were in the backseat, Melissa tossed her baseball bat into the trunk and drove off. Your mother chased the car all the way down the driveway calling you every derogatory thing she could come up with.

The drive to Melissa’s house was silent save for the occasional quiet aob from both parties. Once you arrived, Melissa took your bags inside and walked you up the stairs to her bathroom to nurse your wounds. You winced as she swabbed your cheek with isopropyl alcohol and she frowned. “I’m so sorry, hon. I’m sorry I wasn’t there sooner to stop her.”

“Don’t be, you still showed up when I needed you. It coulda been a lot worse. Thank you,” you cried as you leaned your head against her stomach just like when you were a second grader.

She held you until your tears dried then left the room to grab a change of clothes for you. Moments later, she handed you a pair of her sweatpants and an oversized Eagles t-shirt. “You can take the bed tonight, I’ll sleep on the couch. My spare room doesn’t have a bed right now, but we can fix that tomorrow after I call out of work. You need anything before I head down, kid?”

You looked at the ground, embarrassed to even ask, “Would you maybe… would it be okay if…. never mind, it’s stupid.” You shook your head and climbed under the comforter, it smelled like Melissa.

She somehow knew exactly what you were asking without hearing the words. She climbed into the bed and lifted an arm for you to scoot in. “Of course, sweet girl, it’s not stupid at all. I’ll keep you safe, promise. Try to get some sleep, I’ll be right here.” You settled into her embrace and took a deep breath.

You whispered, “I love you, thank you.”

“I love you too, baby girl. Sleep tight,” she whispered back before pressing a kiss to the top of your head. Sleep was the last thing on her mind as she held you, watching as the rise of your chest slowed. She stayed awake the whole night, guarding your peace.

Late the following morning, you woke up to an empty bed and the sound of people in the house. You popped your head out into the hallway to see Melissa directing three men where to go with the new bed set. She heard the door creak and looked over at you with an apologetic smile, “Hey, hon, sorry to wake you! They’ll be outta here shortly. I called your school and work to let them know you wouldn’t be in for a few days so you don’t have to worry about it. I washed the clothes that were in your backpack, they’re sitting by my bathroom. There’s also a clean towel for you and a new toothbrush on the counter. You’re welcome to use my hairbrush and whatever else you need.” You smiled back at her and closed the door.

You picked an outfit from the pile of folded clothes and shut the bathroom door to shower. Your body was sore from the adrenaline and you groaned in pain as you shed your pajamas. Standing naked in the mirror, you looked over the marks your mother left on you. The nail marks on your neck were already scabbed over, but the gash under your eye was bruised and definitely going to leave a scar. You traced your fingers along each mark, tears forming in your eyes. The shower was hot enough to leave your skin red, you wanted to burn away any remnants of what happened to you. You sobbed loudly as you tried to detangle the mess of hair your mother created, it hurt and you were so worried that you’s just have to cut it all off.

There was a soft knock at the door. “Ya decent?” You opened the door for her and she gently took the brush from your hands. She directed you to sit backwards on the toilet while she worked at the knots on your head. You nearly fell asleep sitting there as she hummed and massaged conditioner into your hair, working diligently to make sure you kept your beautiful hair.

“You sleep okay,” She asked as she rinsed your hair in the sink.

“That was the best sleep I’ve had in a very long time. I haven’t slept in a bed in months, it was so soft.” You said it like it was nothing.

She paused. “Whatduya mean you haven’t slept in a bed in months?”

You sighed deeply. “They took my bed away because they said I was a whore and didn’t deserve one. I told them that I’m a virgin and they took the door off of my room, callin’ me a liar.” You hadn’t told her that detail when you saw her at one of your track meets a few months before. You figured you’d shared enough heartbreaking details with the woman, she didn’t need to be even more worried about you.

Hot tears silently flowed down her cheeks. She was angry. Not at you for not telling her, but at the low-lifes you called parents. “You gotta be fuckin’ kiddin’ me,” she spat. She was ready to call in one of her favors from The Tire Iron. “Well I’ll tell ya one thing, kiddo, you ain’t goin’ back there ever again. You’ll never be without ‘long as I’m around, ya got it? And you’re welcome to stay here for as long as you want, no strings attached.”

You choked back your own tears. “Thanks, Ms. Schemmenti. I truly appreciate you.” She wrapped your hair in a towel and you turned to hug her. “What would I do without you?”

“Starve, apparently,” she teased when your stomach growled loudly. She grabbed your chin to look at you, “And no more ‘Ms. Schemmenti’. You can call me Melissa, Mel, Aunt Mel, whatever you want, just not that. You’re family, kid. Now c’mon, I’ll make you something to eat before we head out for a shopping trip.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Her brow furrowed, “You tryin’ to make me feel old? None of that ma’am stuff either.” You giggled and followed her down to the kitchen.

She made French toast and sausage and you devoured the meal in just a few bites. Satisfied with you having eaten, she grabbed her purse, dragged you to the car and pulled out of the driveway. Along the way, she asked you to make a list of anything you might need or want. You took your phone out and looked at it for the first time that day. The screen was full of awful messages from both of your parents and extended family members. You chose to clear the screen and turn off notifications without reading them all and opened your notes app to jot down a few things you knew you missed when packing bags.

Melissa pulled into the mall parking lot and looked over at you, “You look like you’ve seen a ghost, what happened?”

You rubbed your eyes and tried to fake a smile, “Nothin’, I’m just tired.” She knew you well enough to know when you were lying, but she wasn’t going to push you on the subject.

“Mkay, kid. If you decide you wanna talk about it, you know I’ll always listen. And you know I’d kill for ya.” She gently nudged you with her elbow and the two of you made your way into the mall. You showed her your list and she took charge, guiding you around to every clearance rack and bargain bin in the vicinity. You paid for the majority of your new finds, but she insisted on helping with funds here and there. Many stores later Melissa stopped for a bathroom break and you found yourself in front of Auntie Anne’s. Remembering how much she loved soft pretzels- she’d get one every field trip- you decided to buy two, one for each of you. It was a very small token of gratitude, but you knew she’d be excited.

When she exited the bathroom, she scanned the food court for you and found you sitting at a table with all the bags. She sat down across from you and you pushed the soft pretzel her way with a little cup of honey mustard, “Thank you for today. Normally I hate shopping, but you made it fun.”

She gave you an upside down smile and took a bite. “I’m glad I could be a good distraction for ya, hon. And thank you for this!” She clinked her pretzel with yours to ‘cheers’ the day. As you finished your pretzels in silence while people watching, a dress shop on the upper level caught your eye. Despite trying on prom dresses, you never actually bought one.

Melissa‘s eyes followed your gaze and when she spotted the shop she knew what she was going to do. “Hey, I know you said you normally hate shopping, but since we’ve been having so much fun today… why don’t we keep the fun going and go pick out your prom dress? It’s what, two weeks out?”

You shook your head, “Nah, I can’t afford it now that I’ve spent half my savings on shit I needed today. Besides, I got to do prom last year, I’m alright missing out on this one.” You played with the straw in your drink absentmindedly and took the last bite of your pretzel.

Melissa thought back to the conversations she had with you about how excited you were for your senior prom. You buzzed about it every time the two of you spoke for months, it broke her heart to see you resign to not going. “My treat, hon. And I ain’t takin’ no for an answer, I know how bad you wanna go. C’mon,” she said as she prodded you up and dragged you to the dress shop.

You spent about an hour browsing and trying on different dresses, even somehow convinced Melissa to try one on with you for shits and giggles. You pretended not to see her sneak a picture in the mirror of the two of you in the matching dresses, a sweet moment she wanted to remember forever. Finally, you found the right one. The a-line strapless dress stopped mid calf, it was wine red and fit like a dream. When you emerged from the dressing room to show her, she gasped.

“Oh, beautiful girl! My favorite little eagle isn’t so little anymore.” She stuck her bottom lip out in an upside down smile as she reached to tuck your hair away from your eyes. She took a small step back and asked you to spin so she could see it all. The smile on your face told her you made your choice. With misty eyes she pulled you into a tight hug, limiting your ability to breathe.

“I can’t… breathe… help,” you choked out. The redhead lessened her squeeze and apologized but didn’t let go, she needed that moment to collect herself. You stood there embracing each other for a couple of minutes before Melissa finally released you. Once you changed back into your clothes, she took the dress to the register and paid.

You walked out together and stuffed all the bags in the trunk, laying the dress flat in the backseat. “Thank you. For everything, Aunt Mel. For a few hours, it didn’t feel like my world was crashing down around me. I’m lucky to have you.”

She kissed her fingers and then pressed them to your cheek before she started driving. “I’m pretty lucky to have you too, kid. And I’ll always be here to pick up the pieces when you need me.”

The drive back to Melissa’s house was quiet, aside from the classic rock station playing the weekly hits countdown. You checked your silenced notifications to see even more messages and missed calls from your family, Melissa glanced over and saw them too. “If you want, we can change your number this week, that way they can’t bother you anymore,” Melissa offered.

“They still pay for my phone, I can’t. They’d cancel my service the moment they found out.” You shoved your phone back into your pocket.

“Then I’ll just move you over to my cell plan. They don’t deserve the power they have over you, hon.” You opened your mouth to protest but stopped when she pointed at you. “Let me help, please. Because I can and I want to.”

“Thanks, Aunt Mel.”

A few minutes later you arrived back at the townhouse and dragged all of your new belongings up to your new room, hanging up the dress immediately. Melissa said she’d help you make the bed and get settled once she got dinner in the oven. While she was working in the kitchen, you curled up on the couch and flipped the TV on, settling on ‘Rick Steves’ Europe’ reruns. Rick’s comforting voice began to lull you to sleeping and you didn’t have the energy to fight it.

Melissa walked in to tell you she was ready and found you fast asleep. Her heart melted at the sight. She draped the couch blanket over you and lightly tucked it in so as to not disturb your slumber. ‘How could anyone hurt something so precious,’ she thought to herself. After she tucked you in, she made her way upstairs to gather your new sheets and comforter to wash them before starting on the rest of the room.

She grabbed the basket of your clothes from her own room and began to hang them up in your closet. Once she finished the task, she cleaned out the dresser and filled it with your socks, pants, and undergarments. One by one, she removed her family photos from the walls and replaced them with the handful of framed photos you brought with you. She recognized your grandparents’ photo from the one time she had met them at the beginning of your second grade year, right before they passed. They were your best friends, you were safe when they were around. Melissa decided to place the picture on your nightstand so that they’d be watching over you every night. Lastly, she organized your toiletries in the guest bathroom and set out a fresh set of towels and one of her robes.

Satisfied with her progress, she took a short break to check on you, change over the laundry, and take out the lasagna. You were still asleep and she didn’t want to disturb you so she ate alone in the dining room and texted her mother.

Mel: Hey, Ma. You mind setting an extra place at the table for family dinner on Sunday?

-Ma: Hot date?

-Mel: Nah. You remember me telling you about Y/N?

-Ma: You’ve talked about her for the last ten years, yeah I remember. Is the poor kid okay? Her parents treating her like shit again?

-Mel: They kicked her to the curb, said she wasn’t welcome back. She’s staying with me for as long as she needs to.

-Ma: Of course I’ll set an extra place for her, Amore. She need anything? You need anything?

-Mel: She needs all the love she can get, just make her feel like family. I’ve got everything else handled. Thanks, Ma.

-Ma: We can do that. Talk soon.

She finished her meal and gathered the clean bedding from the laundry room, making her way back upstairs to make your bed. Once the sheets were on, she fluffed the comforter and pillows before opening your backpack to retrieve your favorite stuffed animal, Mr. Bunz. Even at eighteen, you slept with him tucked in your arms every night. She hugged the well-loved bunny to her heart and thought back to the day she gave him to you. Right before holiday break your third grade year, she pulled you aside at dismissal and tucked him into your backpack. She told you to give him a hug whenever you needed to feel loved and she wasn’t around to give you a hug herself. Little did she know, that was the only gift you received that year.

Melissa placed him in the middle of the pillows, like the cherry on top, and went back downstairs to wake you for dinner. She sat on the arm of the couch and gently began to run her fingers through your hair. “You need to eat somethin’, sweetheart,” she whispered as your eyes fluttered open. You stretched and sat up, leaning your head against her leg.

“What time is it?”

“About 7:30. You’ve been through a lot the last 24 hours, figured you could use the rest. I got your room all set up for ya. I’ll heat up your plate and we can watch a movie before bed. How’s that sound?”

You rolled off the couch and rubbed your eyes. “Sounds good,” you yawned. You followed the redhead into the kitchen and sat at the counter. She warmed your plate in the microwave and placed it in front of you with a glass of water. You demolished your meal like you hadn’t eaten in days, complimenting her cooking after every other bite. You washed your dishes and then made your way back to the living room, joined by Melissa. She turned on one of your favorite comedy movies and watched the light return to your eyes a little more with each scene.

Sitting there, laughing at the stupid jokes on the screen with the closest thing you’ve ever had to a real mom, with a full stomach and a warm bed waiting for you upstairs, you realized something.

For the first time in your eighteen years of life, you were finally home.

[hermajestytak]

ms xeno why is zim the way that he is. watsonian style not doylist

Zim is the way he is because a lot of things, but the bottom line always comes down to his "defectiveness." Irkens are supposed to have access to ✨️the whole of irken knowledge✨️ in their heads at all times, but Zim got screwed over with schmillions of errors and was given no accommodation nor support, just thrown in with the command "Go on, be an irken soldier. Like you're supposed to."

It also doesn't help that Zim is short. VERY short. He never acknowledges it, but why would he want to?!

Everything Zim does is in search of validation to some degree, often through overcompensation. His ego is overcompensating for how much he screws up. He idolizes the Almighty Tallest because validation from their level of authority means everything to him. He wants to conquer earth and prove he's an invader because, at his height, a little colinizing spy is THE most respected thing he can be. But he also wants to rule Earth himself because humans worshipping him and viewing him as powerful would further validate him as a worthy irken soldier. Most humans aren't afraid of him, but Dib sees him as a threat, and their rivalry is everything to Zim because it's so validating. He's bad at a lot of things, but he's good at engineering, so he uses any petty challenge from Dib as an excuse to do some engineering pet project.

He also bonds with machines far more easily than organic beings, partially because machines are more predictable and easy to control than organic beings, partially because he imprinted on a robot arm at birth that he still remembers extremely fondly

TL;DR Zim's a neurodivergent bug who just wants society to approve of him despite it very much not wanting to

[themathomhouse]

Information Help

I'm looking to compile a list of UK charities and organisations which assist and/or represent people with disabilities/conditions/health issues/etc. I'm looking for as broad a range as possible of conditions to be represented - so everything from MS to chrohn's to wheelchair access organisations.

So, please reblog or reply or message me with any UK-BASED organisations you know of or have worked with. I currently have a list of a few, but I was hoping that the British and Northern Irish disabled community might have some recommendations and names that they have worked with.

I'm going to be looking at their websites for any data they have published, but I will also be contacting them hoping to galvanise them into assisting me with a project.

Reblogs for reach would be very helpful.

[malewife-overlord]

Six Cycles Later: Cybertron

Chapter 1: What It Means To Be Haunted

Chapter summary: she's alive, against all odds. But Puncture's situation is no better than it was on the Marshall Islands. The Autobots surely want something out of her.

Trigger warnings: death, gore, injury descriptions

You can find the start of Six Cycles Later here, as well as a description of what it is :] next chapter is here

Word count: 6382

chapter below cut!

Project MS: Log 1

WARNING

WARNING

AUTOBOT INTRUDERS DETECTED

The data he’d been reading disappeared as the screen suddenly turned into a camera view of the invaders. They had just slipped past the initial defenses of Headquarters, the outer walls, by cutting a hole clean through them. Shockwave’s single optic dimmed slightly in his own form of narrowing it. 

There were four of them. A large one, blue in paint. An orange one, about average height. A female Autobot, white with red. And their leader, another female, small and gray with black accents. Too many to be a few desperate rogues, too few to be a serious raid.

The Autobots were desperate for Energon, but not desperate enough to send a fully fledged party. Four was enough to deal with any initial guards, but not an entirely populated facility. Four was just enough to ensure that they could split up without detection, but not enough that their discovery would hurt the cause. Four was enough that losses wouldn’t be extreme, but still felt. 

Four. This attack was planned, thought out, and executed with soldiers specific to the task. He tapped a few buttons on the keyboard, pulling up the controls for the base’s defenses.

As with any proper commanding officer of the Decepticon HQ on Cybertron, Shockwave was occupying the primary control room. It had a circular layout, with the main computers and their respective keyboards completely populating one side, an elevator in the middle, and two exits at the back, each leading deeper into the base. Sealed doors that each required codes stood opposite the elevator. On the ceiling, perfectly hidden panels concealed turrets. 

He was perfectly safe in this room; even the back doors, which always remained open, could not be breached by intruders, unless they somehow dismantled the entire security system. The only access to said security system was locked behind a passcode that changed every single day and was stored on only three computers, one being the device he was currently accessing. 

He was safe, but he could guess what the Autobots were after, and knew that if he did not act in some way, it would not be. After the majority of the Decepticon forces had left onboard the Nemesis, chasing the Autobot Ark, their numbers on Cybertron had dwindled. The result was that there were few beside himself to guard their main headquarters on Cybertron. 

The built-in security system helped, of course, but the Autobots were learning to work their way around it. And this, before him, was their most recent attempt. 

If each was handpicked to focus on infiltration, the base defenses would only be partially effective against them. Mostly the defenses consisted of turrets, moving walls, deadly lasers, and energon detectors that would sound alarms and release drones. Those who knew which signs to look for could evade them without much trouble; those who didn’t know what to look for had still proven to, on occasion, survive the traps laid before them. 

Really, he needed to invest some of his time into improving the defenses beyond just the hologram technology. But judging by the appearances of the invaders, he concluded quickly that only one of the group could be specialized in evasion of security tech. 

It was the black and gray one. She was comparatively tiny to the others, yet they still followed the orders she appeared to be giving. As he watched the camera feed, she clambered over one of the inner walls and felt along its length until she discovered its hidden panel. Then, she tapped her servos to it and began to hack it. 

Interesting. He couldn’t say he’d seen an Autobot who looked like that and bore such an ability. Shockwave jotted it down for later, to ensure he remembered her face and frame. Then he pulled up the map of the outer base and began activation of the external holograms. 

It was a kindness, a courtesy, really, that he wasn’t immediately summoning the turrets to shoot all of them dead. But the turrets consumed Energon, and Energon was not in good supply at the moment. The hoard he was protecting, hidden behind four locks and twice as many doors, was the primary source left for the Decepticons on Cybertron. They had no efficient method of producing more at the time, and he needed to make it last.

Who knew, exactly, when the Nemesis would return, after all?

The holograms which formed took the shape of Seekers. He’d programmed them as such: any ground-based Autobot knew to fear the sound of those jet engines. The holograms manifested in the air, as jets, and immediately shot towards the Autobots on the ground. 

They were in the open, standing just before the second wall. At the roar of Seeker engines, the biggest one yelled and dropped, the orange and white raised their rifles, and the gray female darted for cover. 

The Seeker holograms winged around them, discharging fake blasts, shooting just beside or above them to grant the illusion that they were barely missing. The three Autobots at the outer wall returned fire. 

One hit, and the Seeker hologram fuzzed for a moment before regaining its stability. The Autobot who had struck it looked confused for a moment, then fired and hit it again. 

The illusion was up. Shockwave frowned and turned it off. The Autobots quickly announced their discovery, and the female returned to her hacking. The panel sparked, then opened a door in the second wall. She waved her comrades through as they continued their invasion. 

So be it. He had no desire for mercy, only energy conservation. But if the Seeker holograms could not perform their function, he supposed he could regain the power lost by harvesting the Energon of what was left of the invaders. 

They headed for the front door of HQ, the small gray female immediately working to hack the touchpad. In the meantime, Shockwave pulled up the map for the front door, pausing for just a moment to determine which way he should kill them. 

Turrets consumed Energon. Drones consumed Energon. Lasers consumed Energon. What was the most effective way to instantly neutralize them while consuming the least amount of Energon? 

Ah, that way. Of course. One of his favorites, as well. There was something so satisfying about it all. 

Opening the controls for the walls and ceiling, he connected his servos to the keyboard, which pulled him slightly into itself. For just a moment, he became the very walls of the HQ, the very motherboard of the main computer. 

Then he was back in his body, watching the single eye of the front camera as he waited. 

The front hall was empty. It was just that, a front hall–nondescript, save for the keypad next to it and the large, open space that branched into four different paths. The camera he watched hung directly from the ceiling in the middle of all four. 

The double doors to the HQ suddenly slid open, revealing the four Autobot invaders. The gray female at the front still had her servos attached to the external keypad. Her dermas moved as she spoke to the other Autobots.

“Each a’ ya take a separate hall. Remember we’re dark in there. No words, no EM fields, nothin’, or he hears us. If you find it, one ping on my personal channel, and I’ll send it to everyone else. Move out.” 

They all nodded, and one by one, quickly filed in. The female herself did not. She stayed just at the entrance, holding it open. It was as if she suspected something was about to go wrong. 

Clever bot. Or perhaps just full of self-preservation. He would give her the single reward of letting her watch. 

For no sooner had her comrades entered their hallways than did walls suddenly slam down from the ceiling, blocking each. They all backed away, raising their rifles, looking for the cause. 

“Back up!” The female yelled. “Retreat! He knows–”

He ordered the ceiling to descend, and it did. The largest Autobot barely had time to turn before it smacked into his helm. He hit the ground as his two comrades immediately raised their arms to catch it, straining against the metal as it pressed harder with each second. 

“RETREAT!” The gray female yelled again, looking on helplessly. The largest Autobot, energon leaking from the side of his helm, seemed dazed, stuck trying to decide if he should flee or help. 

They would get no such thing. Shockwave pressed harder, ordering the ceiling to descend faster. It obeyed, lowering itself with enough force to snap the white Autobot’s leg. She cried out, but dropped to her knees, still resisting, still holding on. 

“Go!” She screamed. Her comrade, the orange colored construction vehicle, wheezed as the descending ceiling broke off a piece of his back. “HURRY!”

The largest Autobot quickly began to scrape himself along the floor, heading for the open door. As he did so the creaking and snapping of metal grew louder. The white Autobot’s knees had given out. She hit the floor and desperately grabbed at it, trying to slug herself along to the entrance. 

“Please, no, I don’t want to die,” the orange one whispered, his legs rattling like thunder. “Please, no, I don’t want to die. Please, no. Please–”

He went on and on as the pressure broke his leg, then snapped his knees, then knocked him to the floor. The gray female looked desperately at the control pad she was still connected to, then to her comrades. She extended one arm. The largest had just made it, grabbing onto her servos as the top of the ceiling pressed against his back. 

Shockwave reared back ever so slightly and then slammed down. The camera recorded three collective crunches and went black. 

And then it was silent.

He only pulled back when he heard the distant scraping of pedes on metal, quickly returning to silence. Separated from the main computer, his orders were retracted, and the security system reset itself. 

The camera he’d been watching through had retreated into its panelling for safety once the ceiling had slammed down. As it lifted, the device was able to exit its safe haven. Still, the lens was completely covered in bright pink. He couldn’t hope to make anything out from it. 

Tedious. He swapped to the outside cameras and just barely caught a flash of the gray female Autobot retreating through the very door she’d opened. 

A survivor was good. It meant that she would return with news of horrors, and her superiors would likely decide against sending another infiltration team. Autobots were soft–they valued life more than they did progress. It held them back. 

Only once confirming the female Autobot’s complete retreat did he then pull up his contacts.

The information of every Decepticon in the universe displayed before him in seconds on the main computer. He narrowed it from billions to millions, then thousands, then hundreds, then just three. The names of the Seekers he was searching for displayed: Acid Storm, Nova Storm, and Ion Storm. The Rainmakers. 

He pressed the button to call them. It took them a moment to answer, as it always did–Seekers were quite lazy when unsupervised. Megatron’s absence was being felt more every day. 

“Yes, Shockwave?” All three spoke at once, with the unity befitting a proper trine. They were nothing like the cacophonous Elite Trine, which prided themselves on their unique powers while neglecting to mention their horrendous teamwork. Why Megatron even bothered with such failure Seekers, Shockwave would never know. 

“There’s been a breach at headquarters,” he announced. “I have taken care of it. You are to return to clean up the bodies.”

“Understood, Shockwave,” they all said. 

“Throw the remains into the P1U70 lab compactor,” he ordered. “Under no circumstances are you to enter the rest of the lab.”

“Yes, Shockwave.”

“After you finish with those, you are to patrol the base until repairs complete. If you find any other invaders, eliminate them.”

“As you say, Shockwave.”

With that he hung up.

Present Day

Wake up, Breaker. 

Come on, you have to wake up. 

If you don’t wake up, he’ll get you. 

You know how he feels about laziness. 

You know what he’ll do to you if he finds you like this. 

You know you won’t survive this time, with no one to take the fall for you. 

You have to wake up, Breaker. 

You have to wake up. 

There’s someone else with her. Two of them. From her supine position on the floor they loom over her, even if one had only ever come up to her hip. One had a blast clean through his helm, red optic spitting out light into nothing. One had nothing where his optics should be, his own life cord wrapped around his neck, still connected to the broken, crunched brain in his mouth. 

Wake up, Puncture. 

Her optics online and the first sensation to greet her is pain. Puncture hissed instinctively at the pounding in her helm, unwilling to groan, for groaning would signal the pain had enough strength to weaken her, not inconvenience her. The moments when she felt weakest were the most crucial–if she could not power through them, could not prove that she was strong enough to overcome them, she would die. 

And that begged an important question: why wasn’t she dead? In fact, where was she? 

Just like in her dream, she was lying supine on something hard. When she attempted to raise her arm, she found it bound to the object she was laying upon. The same was true for her legs, though at least she still had both of those. Her neck was equally tied down, and a thick band was clasped around her waist. 

Wherever she was, they didn’t want her escaping. It hurt her to turn her head, but she did, slowly taking in her surroundings. 

The first thing apparent was that she was not where she had passed out. The last thing she remembered was bitterness, bitterness that Invert had gotten away with hurting her, siphoning her Energon, and abandoning her. She also remembered a roaring headache, brought on by the Autobot Channel, and that something skeletal and silver had fled the beach alongside Invert. 

Beyond that, she recalled nothing else. She’d clearly passed out and since been moved. But by who? 

Judging by the orange-yellow walls surrounding her, the gurney she was currently strapped down on, and the blue computer on the wall playing gentle scenes of scenery on Earth, she could take a guess. 

“Oh! You’re awake!” 

It was a masculine voice, though one she felt belonged to someone who had never thrown a punch in his life. She tilted her head in the direction of it and made out a red and white Autobot approaching her. He had a large blue visor and a squarish helm, and wore his Autobot insignia on his leg. 

“I’m probably one of the only ‘bots who will say this, but what a relief!” He spoke through a white mask. “For a moment we were concerned you wouldn’t make it.” 

“Who the frag are you?” She growled. “Where have you taken me?”

Despite the mask covering his face, she could make out how he frowned at her comment. “Language,” he chided. “I’m First Aid. You’re in the Ark after we found you on the brink of death at the Marshall Islands.” 

She threw her head back and let out an exasperated groan. The Ark?! They’d taken her to the fragging Ark!? How was she supposed to escape the Ark!? Her comrades certainly wouldn’t launch a full scale invasion of this place to get her out. How typical of the Autobots, to take her somewhere to “save” her life, only to then imprison her forever. 

“...so you aren’t going to tell me your name?” First Aid asked, arching an optical ridge. It was hard to do so with his visor covering his face, but he pulled it off, somehow. 

“What, you haven’t pulled it from my memory files already?” She huffed. 

“Of course not. That’s an incredible breach of your privacy–”

“You really carried me all the way here, repaired me, and didn’t even bother to review my memory files to learn about me first!?”

“Of course not,” First Aid repeated, his frown deepening. “As I said, that’s an incredible breach of your privacy. Plus, your brain was in such a damaged state, it would have likely killed you if we had.”

“Damaged?” Of course it was damaged, Channel had clearly fragged her up. But killed her? “Just how damaged?”

First Aid in-vented and retrieved a datapad from the nearby computer. “Well, I’ve seen worse, but the ones I’ve seen worse in didn’t survive their experience. For starters, there were five holes burned into your brain, and your circuits were partially melted.” He tapped on the datapad, pulled up the report, and read it off. “‘Patient exhibits severe burn trauma directly to the brain. Wiring of patient’s helm is shot. Only essential wiring connecting to the life chord remains intact.’ And that, of course, doesn’t account for your facial trauma.”

Facial trauma? Oh right. She’d forgotten about that. 

“Speaking of, how is your new optic?” He asked, then produced his pen, moving it slowly across her vision. “Can you follow this pen?”

“Frag off,” she snarled. 

“Alright, I see you’re in a bad mood.” He lowered the pen and turned away from her. “Fine, you don’t have to be cooperative.” Moving to the computer, he began to type into it. “But just so you know, we did save your life, despite the fact that you’re a Decepticon. Regardless of your allegiance, I, and the other medics here, have a duty and obligation to try and help you. We aren’t doing this because we’re Autobots, we do it in spite of it.” He cast her a side look. “So think of that when Hoist comes to perform your physical, alright?” 

She narrowed her optics at him and said nothing. It was true, probably; medic bots were among the most prized on each side. Even warriors like herself knew that medics were to be left alone and respected. 

Still. Didn’t mean she had to be nice to him. She didn’t ask to be plucked off that island and brought into the heart of an enemy base. In fact, it likely would have been better if she’d died out there. She’d still be free, if so. 

“Hoist will be in in just a moment,” First Aid told her as he crossed the medical bay, tapping on his datapad. “You have the right to request a full copy of your medical information, as well as to deny medical care, even the life-saving stuff. Some Autobots might prefer that you do just that.” 

“So you do have some bite,” she sneered. 

“I’m just returning the favor. Anyways, if you need immediate medical assistance, there’s a controller by your remaining servos. Press the red button on it, and I’ll come running.” 

And with those final words, he left the medical bay. 

She laid alone on the gurney for only a moment before checking around for cameras. There were three, all hanging from the ceiling. Two were trained on her, with the third having a wide focus on the entire medical bay. 

So they hadn’t assigned a guard, but they were watching her. She tested the bindings keeping her tied to the gurney and found that they held. She felt for her claws, trying to transform her arm enough to flip her large sickles out. Though her T-cog spun, the bindings restricted her movement too much, and her arm locked up momentarily before quitting and reverting. 

Frag. They had her tied up properly. She felt along the inside of her masked maw, trying to stimulate her venom glands. 

They’d been drained. Her intake was drier than the Wastes. She cursed internally and ran over her options. 

In a few moments an Autobot doctor (Hoist?) would see her, check her over, and do whatever to her. After he was gone, if he provided her a clean bill of health, she would likely be thrown in a cell. Once in a cell, she would probably be interrogated and her brain picked clean. 

So her future was looking like being locked in a cell for the rest of her life, or, if she was lucky, locked up, taken to trial, and executed. 

Technically it was a better fate than anything her brethren would do. Pit knows what happened to those bots sent to Shockwave’s labs, though she could take a guess. But it was still a horrible fate for her–warriors were meant to die on the battlefield, not in an executioners chamber. 

She had to get out of here. She’d much sooner offline by her own claw than serve as an example of ‘Autobot justice’. 

Heavy pedesteps alerted her to the arrival of another Autobot, this one green. He also wore a visor as well, and when he spoke, his voice gave her the impression of a foreigner. She assumed he was “Hoist”.

“Ah, there you are, Miss Decepticon! I had heard you survived your wounds.” 

She gave him an irritated look. There was no time for pleasantries, not in her mind. 

“What are you going to do with me,” she asked flatly. “Tell me. And how long has it been since I was knocked out?”

“Ah, miss, well…” He paused, flubbed on his script a little. “It’s been approximately seven earth days since we found you. I assure you, we’ve treated you well in that time. Your memories have not been–”

“The nurse told me. You repaired me, but only partially. Why’s my arm still missing?”

“Well, we–”

“How’d you drain my venom glands?”

“I–”

“What are you going to do to me after this?”

“Miss, if you please! I’m just here to give you a check-up and ensure everything is functioning. Frankly, I have no idea what it is that will be done with you. As for your other questions, well, the obvious, of course! We drained your venom because it is dangerous, and we did not repair your arm for the same reason. Now, Miss Decepticon. Will you please consent to a full-body scan?”

She rolled her optics. Why give her those back, but not her arm? Primus, she must look awful right now. “Tell me, exactly, how I can say no in my present condition.”

Hoist shrugged. “I suppose you cannot. Alright, please hold still…”

—

Hoist released her with a clean bill of health. Despite her prior condition of almost having her brain melted and losing over 50% of the Energon in her frame, she’d made a full recovery, and would be in fighting form upon discharge. 

Once he’d declared her healthy enough to be removed from the medical bay, First Aid had arrived to do just that, carting her bound form to the Ark’s brig. She was wheeled down a hall, passing a few Autobots she didn’t recognize on the way. They cast her looks of disdain, which she returned. 

They paused before a cell. There was already an enforcer waiting at it, who placed stasis cuffs on her single good arm before First Aid had even begun to undo her bindings. From one slab to the next, Puncture was pulled off the gurney and dumped into an empty cell. Behind her, a wall of lasers formed the jail bars, threatening to electrocute her if she even brushed against them. 

The enforcer who’d thrown her into the cell gave her a contemptuous look and huffed, then turned away, standing at his post like the dutiful little soldier he was. She glared at him, picking herself off the ground with only a bit of struggle. 

“Hey,” she said, “what are you planning? You and all your buddies. You’re keeping me alive for a reason, aren’t you? You want me for something.”

“I don’t have to tell you anything,” he answered, not even looking back at her. “My job is to make sure you don’t escape, and telling you our plans isn’t a part of that.”

“So you are keeping me alive for something. Alright.” She grinned slyly. “You do know who I am though, don’t you?”

Silence. 

“My comrades will gladly raid this place for me, you know. I’m not just some useless foot soldier you scraped off the ground. If they realize I’m here–”

“You lost the war,” he said, hard. “And your comrades are dead. You, Decepticon, are the last of your kind on this planet.” She could just barely make out his optic as he cast her a side glare. “No one is coming for you, no matter who you think you are.”

“Liar.” She hissed the word, but already, Invert’s words were catching up with her: they’re all dead. 

“Argue all you want, you can’t deny facts.” And with that he stopped talking to her. 

Her grin faded, and instead she focused on trying to access her comms. They were open, but a signal was jamming them–of course the Ark would have a signal jammer. Perhaps Soundwave or his cassettes could get around it, but the average bot would easily be deafened. 

She still tried, anyways, casting out a line into the dark, emitting a few beeps, hoping anyone would answer. All that she was met with was silence. 

They’re all dead.

That couldn’t be. The Decepticons were too strong, there was no way they’d lose. She’d arrived late, but not late enough that the war was over. That wasn’t possible. For over four million years it had been going, with no end in sight. It couldn’t be over now. 

And yet all that spoke to her was silence. Grumbling, Puncture turned and lowered herself to the ground, taking in the empty box that was her cell. 

There was a single bench and a recharge slab. That was all. Already, there was someone curled up on the slab, looking over at her. Part of his head was missing, courtesy of Megatron’s fusion cannon, though his destroyed optic somehow still stared out at her. 

She tried not to focus on him. Sparkripper and Strutsnapper had haunted her for years before this all, but they were never so brazen. It had to be her brain nearly melting–the two of them were more active than ever now that her defenses had been damaged. Once her mind was properly, fully restored, they’d both vanish again. 

‘Clean bill of health my aft…’ she thought to herself. 

Something brushed up against her EM field. She jolted at the sudden sensation–no one dared mess with her field, be they Decepticon or Autobot. She kept hers held close, almost entirely cut off from everyone else. To access it would require another to be practically on top of her.

Yet as she checked around, she saw no one close enough for it. The enforcer was her most likely suspect, but the strange force dancing at the edge of her field didn’t feel nearly as big as him. 

‘Who’s there?’ she demanded, trying to reach through her field to feel back against whoever was bothering her. At first, nothing. 

Then…

‘You’re alive.’ 

It was a familiar hatred, and she felt her dermas stretching into a grin at the antagonization. The EM field, however, remained foreign. 

‘Yeah, I am. Wanna try to change that?’ She challenged, and was met with an immediate flare. 

‘Twelve mega-cycles. Twelve mega-cycles, and you’re–’ The other field suddenly pulled away. 

She waited for it to return, but it didn’t. Puncture huffed and rolled her optics. It was some Autobot hotshot thinking they were enough to take her down, probably. She’d give them the fight they wanted in time, but first…

First, she had to figure out how to get out of this damned cell. No venom, no claws, one arm, and stasis cuffs weighing her down. Her situation wasn’t looking the best, but she still had one trick she could utilize: her camouflage. It didn’t seem they’d disabled that. All she had to do was wait for a changing of the guard and use it. Then she could take her alt mode and wait for them to open the bars. Once those were gone, she’d creep out. 

It was a bare bones plan, but it was better than compliance. She focused her gaze on the guard and away from Sparkripper, who had cocked his draconian head and let his broken jaw hang open. 

A new figure appeared from the other side of the cells, approaching the guard. He was white, with a vehicle alt mode and a red crest. She recognized the style immediately: a Prowl. Another one. 

She’d seen a few in her time. Prowls were strategists and enforcers, and like how the Decepticons made Seekers by the hundreds, she assumed the Autobots made Prow’s by the hundreds as well.

Or maybe a dozen bots had just decided collectively to adopt the same stupid alt mode and share the same name. Who was she to assume?

Whatever the case, the Prowl at her cell bars wasn’t one she recognized. The differences were minor between this one and the two or three she’d seen in battle, but his star was in a different spot, the horns of his crest were a bit smaller, and his headlights had the wrong shape. 

No matter the differences, though, she could guess why he was here. 

Her guess was proven when, only moments later, the enforcer turned and deactivated the bars of her cage, turning and pointing his rifle at her. 

“Move, Decepticon. You’re wanted in the interrogation room.”

Prowl gave her a look of contempt as she flicked her antenna. 

“Color me surprised,” she grumbled.

—-

The interrogation room was a single empty chamber with a table in the middle of it. A screen was on one wall with a window opposite it. A camera hung in one of the corners, trained on the middle of the room. 

She was ‘gently persuaded’ into the room, and her single cuff was attached to the table. The Prowl sat opposite of her, retrieving a data pad from his chassis. The enforcer took his position in the corner, rifle at the ready. 

“Decepticon,” the Prowl began, tapping on his datapad, “it’s good to see that you’ve made a full recovery. I imagine you know why you’re here.” 

She flicked her antenna. 

“...As I’m sure you’ve been made aware, your memory was not examined upon your admission to our care. Such would be considered a violation of your rights as a mech. However, I would like to make you aware that we can skip this entire process if you would consent to a mnemosurgery exam. We only want a few things from you. This doesn’t have to take all day.” 

“You’re not sticking any needles in my brain, pigatron.”

His doorwing twitched. “So be it. With that said, there are a few things I’d like to ask you about. First things first: why are you here on Earth? This planet is entirely under Autobot control. Your final retreat was ordered six months ago. We gave you time to collect your dead. Why are you here now?”  

“Why? Because this planet isn’t yours, Autobot, and you’re a fool to think we’ve lost it.” 

“Hm. You’re not in any of our databases. Your preliminary scans revealed that you are an Insecticon. Are you a clone?”

“No. And don’t lump me in with those traitors.”

He raised an optical ridge. “Traitors?” 

“Yeah, traitors.”

“Care to elaborate?”

“No.” 

“Hm.�� He narrowed his optics slightly. “Alright. How did you hide for so long? We scanned the entire planet and picked up no Decepticon life signals.” 

“Wouldn’t you like to know, little Autobot?”

“...are there more like you, hiding beneath the Earth? We found your base, the Nemesis. We can use its tracking abilities to locate any others you have remaining on this planet. If you surrender the location of them, we can offer preliminary communication to avoid further conflict. For the safety of your fellow Decepticons–”

“I don’t care about my fellow Decepticons,” she challenged. “And even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you anything.” 

The Prowl tapped something down on his datapad. The enforcer in the corner gripped his rifle all the tighter. 

“Good to know then, Puncture,” the Prowl said. “If you’re really so keen on resistance, perhaps I can offer you some information that might change your mind.”

Her optics narrowed slightly, antenna pricking at the same time. This whole time, he’d known her name? No, of course he did, he was a Prowl. Prowl’s were strategists, they offered and withheld information as part of their wars. 

“I take it from the sudden increase in your spark spinning as well as the flick of your antennae that my offer is of interest to you. Good.” The Prowl crossed his legs. “First and foremost, seeing as you are in no Autobot database, I take it you aren’t nearly up to date with what’s occurred on Earth or Cybertron in the past four million years. You’re in the complete dark, and you’re all alone out here. There is no one coming to save you. Now that you’re in Autobot custody, you’ve lost any and all freedom you could have hoped to have on this planet. You will spend the rest of your days in a cell in a foreign prison until you eventually stand trial for your crimes, after which you will be executed.” He looked up from his datapad with sly eyes. “Just one Autobot fatality carries the death penalty, you know.”

She snarled behind her mask. “So I’ve heard.”

“But I can help alleviate that sentence, if you cooperate with me.” He returned his gaze to the datapad, scrolling through it casually. “Instead of an eternity in a jail cell, waiting for execution, you could become a public servant. Or maybe a prisoner working in the mines, extracting resources. It’s still slag, but better than waiting to die, no?”

She bristled. 

“So you have a choice, Puncture. You can resist, rot, and die alone, far from your comrades, your home, and whatever perceived notion of honor you have clouding that half melted helm of yours. Or you can give me a few small answers, and I can see to it that you at least spend the rest of your miserable existence in a yard that lets you see the sun.” He leaned forward. “Your choice.”

Die horribly, or live horribly. There was a bot with his brain in his mouth, staring at her from the corner. Solvent was streaking down his faceplate even as he made no sound. 

What a waste, he had been. 

“Frag you,” she spat. The honor she had fought so immensely for would not be squandered slaving under the eye of an Autobot. She would rather die. 

The Prowl’s optics flickered slightly as he sat back. “Alright then. Don’t cooperate. But that won’t get you out of that chair. Now tell me, Decepticon, what do you know about Sparkeaters?”

She blinked, surprised by the sudden topic change. 

“They don’t exist,” she answered. “Are you Autobots deluding yourselves with sparkling tales now?” 

“Hm. What of Project Spark Storm do you know, then?”

“What.” Her confusion was genuine.

He sighed and lowered his datapad. “Alright, that’s enough. Take her back to her cell. I’ll see to that mnemosurgery appeal.” 

With that he stood and headed for the door. The enforcer moved towards her, rifle trained on her helm. She bristled at him, trying to build up some venom in her dry glands. They ached and clenched, producing nothing.

The door suddenly opened. The Prowl froze, servos still reaching for its touchpad. A blue, red, and white bot was in the doorway–and he was massive. She recognized his double pronged helmet, large blue optics, and blocky shoulders. How couldn’t she? Every Decepticon who had ever lived through sudden Autobot reinforcements would. 

“Ultra Magnus!” The Prowl said, surprised. “I wasn’t aware you were on Earth, sir! What are you doing here?”

“Interrogations,” he answered, peering in at Puncture. “Is that the Decepticon you captured?”

“Yes, Puncture the Insecticon. If you’re looking for information, she isn’t particularly cooperative, sir. I would recommend a mnemosurgeon examine her memories.”

“Hm. Maybe. Bring her to the space bridge.”

Prowl’s door wings practically shot up. “What?! But she’s–”

“She’s needed on Cybertron. I’ll take over her interrogations from here. I expect to see you both at the space bridge in twenty kliks.” 

And with that he walked away. Another bot passed behind him, also in stasis cuffs. She recognized a familiar gray and black head, awkwardly clashing with the cheerful white, green, and blue palette of its body. 

It turned and their optics met. The sensation from before of another brushing against her EM field arose once more, vanishing as the Autobot passed, moved along by another enforcer.

So that was who it was. She rose from her seat without issue and almost took a step forward, but the enforcer stopped her, training his rifle on her helm. She gave him a look, then returned her gaze back to the doorframe where the Prowl stood, still in shock. 

Ultra Magnus was here on Earth? He was far too valuable to be reduced to such a base place, let alone be interrogating prisoners. Something didn’t feel right about the entire situation. 

And Channel was alive. She was, somehow, riding on the bot Puncture had killed—Uptick, was his name? Perhaps he’d survived too then?

Her dermas curled down. She didn’t like this. The prospect of a rematch was always exciting, but its context was leaving her wary.  

They said she was needed on Cybertron. Cybertron was under Decepticon control, it had been for millions of years. When had the Autobots formed a base on it? Invert’s words echoed in her mind again.

They’re all dead.

You lost the war.

No one is coming for you.

Strutsnapper lingered in the corner, the solvent running down his faceplate growing in volume.

[sometimes-men-need-help-too]

Helpline for male domestic abuse victims struggles to cope amid pandemic surge

This was back in 2021 but I wanted to share it anyway

A helpline for male victims of domestic violence is struggling to cope with the volume of calls because of a 35 per cent spike in the numbers seeking help during the pandemic.

Men’s Aid Ireland says it dealt with about 5,500 contacts during 2020, a figure it projects will grow again to 9,000 this year based on a further surge in January and February.

Kathrina Bentley, the organisation's chief executive, said calls are also getting "more worrying and concerning" and their "seriously stretched" three part-time helpline staff are struggling to cope with demand.

“During the last week of January and first week of February, within 10 days we had five very serious suicide situations at the end of the phone,” she said.

“ We had to get Garda assistance for two of them, ring ahead to a hospital for a third and we talked the other two men down.”

The common thread in calls is an abusive relationship, in 95 per cent of cases involving a wife or female partner.

“Hitting me, kicking me, spitting on me, telling me I’m a useless father, telling me I’m crap, telling me I don’t bring in enough income,” she recounted the calls.

“One man said he sleeps in the spare room and his wife soaks his mattress during the day with cold water and leaves the windows open before he comes home from work. So he sleeps on the floor.

“There are pure emotional and psychological games, men who have no access to funds, their partners controlling their finances.”

Funding

Ms Bentley said the organisation sought and was refused funding for a 24/7 helpline from the State’s child and family agency Tusla, which she criticises for allocating 1 per cent of its domestic, sexual and gender based violence (DSGBV) funding to the service.

Along with the Men’s Development Network, it is one of just two Tusla-funded services dedicated to male victims.

Men’s Aid Ireland has €244,000 funding for its six staff operation this year, an increase of €5,000 on last year.

In January, about 600 men contacted the service, and at least 80 calls were missed because the helpline – which runs from 9am to 5pm on weekdays – can only deal with two callers at any one time.

“It is really worrying,” said Ms Bentley. “Every phone call, we can save or change a life, that is the frontline day to day reality of it. Our small organisation took on the war that is the pandemic of Covid, and the war that is the pandemic of violence, but we are in the trenches with no ammunition.”

Ms Bentley said callers include accountants, gardaí, politicians, doctors, gardeners, postmen, the military, tradesmen and the unemployed.

Some are on the minimum wage while others “live in multi-million euro houses and behind the front door is domestic violence”.

Many are victims of coercive control – “a silent, invisible pattern of abusive behaviour over time” – which she says is “catastrophic for families, children as well as men’s lives and their careers”.

Ages range from 19 to 83 years old, but particularly between 40 to 55.

“It is incredible for a man to have the courage to pick up the phone in the first place,” she said.

“How disappointing and heartbreaking it is when no-one answers that phone.”

‘Bad patch’

Citing a report by Cosc – The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence – that shows one in seven men experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, and 95 per cent do not contact gardai, Ms Bentley suggested the numbers not seeking help could be as high as “a couple of hundred thousand”.

Ms Bentley said callers often don’t see themselves as victims of domestic abuse and hope it is a “bad patch” that will pass because they don’t want the family to break up. “When you ask them how long it has been going on for, and they say three to six years, well that’s not a bad patch in a relationship, that is an abusive relationship.”

In response to calls in a parliamentary question for a 24/7 national helpline, Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said the Government was currently carrying out an audit of DSGBV services.

There was no comment from Tusla.

[bismuth-209]

what i want to play in Solo But Not Alone 4

So, there's a charity bundle on itch.io right now, Solo But Not Alone 4 is a bundle of 125 solo ttrpg-type games.

By ttrpg-type I mean that they aren't played on the computer, they usually have pdfs to download and then you need to bring the things like playing cards, tarot cards, dice and something to write with yourself (and very occasionally a jenga tower). They're usually rather focused on journaling.

If you want to know which games need which supplies, or what genres the games are, there's a handy dandy spreadsheet you can get here.

now, I've not really played any of the games yet, but there's ones I really want to play, and maybe I can make some of you excited enough to buy the bundle and support the charity Take This too. Take This is a non-profit to benefit mental health in the gaming community, but a little look on their website gives me the idea that their resources are useful broader as well, for example they have links to mental health resources for particular ethnic groups. It does seem pretty English-speaking country centric, but still a worthy charity to support I think.

without further ado! the games

Project ECCO is a game you play in a PLANNER. I've scrounged up an old planner I barely used and I'll be using it to play this game. It's a time travel game and you write your answers to the prompts on the pages of the planner you've "travelled" to. There's different ways to "travel through time" in the game, so you use dice, playing cards, tarot cards and a coin to determine what day you're writing on and what prompt you're fulfilling. I like the variety in methods, and i like that i'll be having limited space to write (although it's VERY little on the weekends. we'll see what i can manage on 3 lines)

If you want to play just this game you should definitely buy the bundle, it's usually 15 USD, while the bundle is just 10.

Corporate Onboarding is here mostly because of the formatting, I'll admit. But the formatting is so cool! It's AVAILABLE AS A POWERPOINT FILE. Also pdf, handy if you don't have the ms office suite. It fits on just 19 slides, but it claims that the average session is about an hour, which sounds about right. It doesn't have a lot of introspection far as I can tell, you need to find all your bosses to report to them without going over 5 warnings, and you have some stats for your character and all that.

Fox Curio's Floating Bookshop is another game worth getting the whole bundle for, normally 16 USD and it does seem worth that.

The game has such cool worldbuilding, you've got different towns and seasons and events throughout the year. I can see myself dedicating a whole notebook to this. And it's got a beautiful pdf (that's kind of formatted for print, but the print book's sold out). Also a fishing mini game you play by dealing a deck of cards.

5 act play is a game that gives you some guidance for the plotting of a play. It uses tarot, but also gives an alternative using dice and playing cards. It really USES tarot, you are expected to have a guidebook or look one up for the meanings of the cards and use them to inform characters and themes, but it does have tables for what you do with some of the cards. It's Shakespeare inspired, using examples from Much Ado and Romeo and Juliet to help you, and you're expected to write a tragedy or a comedy.

The Peace Engine is a game you use a jenga tower to play, which I don't currently have access to, but it looks incredible and I'm considering asking around if I can borrow one. You have to pull bricks from the tower when your scientist gains "burnout" and if your tower falls you fail. It has a complex system and it seems very cool.

Again a game more expensive on its own, so get it in the bundle!

Glyph is a sort of guide where you make sigils, it has a beautiful pdf as well. I like the method it provides. It recommends to be used for enrichment of other games, or just as a fun creative exercise

This bundle runs until the 9th of March 2024!

[presidentkamala]

Ok more complaining abt work

More technically capable but genuinely sweet but also power hungry coworker keeps seeing other people (me) getting assigned to projects or working on things and then secretly tackles them herself IF she's interested and then makes no indication that she's working on it to the people assigned. So then we end up with these parallel solutions/reports and its like ????? I know you're "just trying to help" but the constant undercurrent is that we (I) am simply not to be trusted to be able to resolve anything and she needs to be the one to swoop in and save the day with her thing. It would be one thing if she was asked or if she was like hey can i join in? But no, us lesser mortals have to just be in a weird one-sided competition for things that just duplicate efforts!!!!!!!

Add to that the fact that she like WILLFULLY makes data architecture decisions that play specifically to HER strengths/certifications (she got our developers to provide the data UNSTRUCTURED so now we ALL need to get oracle drivers installed and need to learn SQL when she happily ALREADY has them installed and is used to SQL (none of us are data scientists or developers btw) so now she's the ONLY one w access to the data from the application) its like. Ok you clearly believe you are the ONLY one driving this unit or doing anything and unless anyone else is a coder we are basically useless. She keeps saying "i'll have to teach you SQL" like i haven't already gotten MEYE cert in it???? And then making off-hand remarks like "i need to build this so its easy for you to use it" like ms ma'am you are part of THIS team IM not your customer im your team member!!!!!!!!! OH AND WE HAVE ACTIAL DEVELOPERS FOR THE JOB YOU KEEP INSERTING YOURSELF INTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thatskindarough]

Oh it was only 3 actually, counting that one animatic on YouTube (that BTW i had no idea was yours! I was pleasantly surprised <3)

And I found it so funny that you have somewhat an idea of who I might be PFFF you can throw the guess, it would be funny if you get it right (don't have to say my name if you don't remember it, you can just go for something you remember NFKDSJ)

also time for an actual question since i'm already here, what program did you used for the animatic? I've always wanted to get into animating but most softwares cost money or are free but really bad so I could use some recommendations 👀

Good to hear there is no imposter lol. I should probably start using the false pfp so people know it’s me but I’m too lazy to change them all 💀 also my guess was right as to who you were but probably mainly because I put on my Aziraphale detective hat and you were the last notification before the ask inbox notification and your icon had a red beanie. We meet once again.

As for the animatic I used procreate for drawing and capecut for composting. Not the most efficient method but I liked it. I ended up segmenting off each camera angle into a different canvas and making any animation for the shot that way. I love capecut because the free version has every editing function you need for an animatic and the watermark only appears as a black screen at the end so it’s so easy to crop out. It’s probably the best free editing software I’ve found. (I also used a screen recording device to record the audio cause even if you buy a song it sometimes doesn’t allow you to put it in the program.)

I honestly recommend procreate if you have a device that supports it. I think it’s still only a 10 dollar onetime purchase. But if you don’t have a device that supports it, I have used things like flip a clip which is free, and the paid version is pretty cheap. I have also dabbled in an app called rough animate, also free (you don’t have to pay for the onion skins) which was also okay. I got frustrated cause of the lack of brush choice but other than that it’s not bad at all. If you can’t pay anything at all I’d recommend this because, unlike flip a clip, you don’t have to pay to unlock the a lot of the really helpful features. Ibis paint also added an animation feature I think so that’s an option. Idk if you need the paid version for it, but I remember only having to watch ads for a minute to unlock all the brushes so maybe it’s the same for the animation feature lol.

If you have a computer set up, I’ve also heard nice things about Krita for animation. It’s free and from what I remember it had a really good timeline set up. I actually tried to use it, but my computer at the time was old and slow and it lagged to much, and then I had a shitty no screen tablet and my hand eye coordination when it came to drawing and writing is quite bad, so it just wasn’t a good set up for me personally. But I know people make it work. I mean, people make this kinda shit in MS paint, if you’re dedicated enough you can technically do it in almost any program (though you may not be able to make it as polished as you’d like.)

Then there is Clip Studio Paint, which does cost money but is way less expensive than like, harmony or adobe. The EX version which gives you a second of free animation per project is a $5 monthly subscription for once device, PC MaC IOS, and the Pro version (which is more expensive) gives you unlimited animation animation access for I believe around 10 -15 dollars a month (still less than most streaming services lol). There’s also a one time purchase version that is $50 dollars, but it goes on sale A LOT for $25! Although I don’t think it gives you more than a second of animation. CSP also has a very long free trial period, for EX it was legit like 3 months. so if you try it out and like it, I’d definitely suggest finding a way to pay for it. It’s actually used in some professional studios in Japan, so if you have any professional aims for your work it’s a good starting platform to get into industry software. However a lot of the nice things CSP offers for animation are not needed in the story boarding/animatic stage, so if that’s as far as you wanna take your animations it maaaaaaay not be worth it unless you love it.

If anyone else has other cheap or free recommendations feel free to add on. I have attempted to make animatics on procreate, rough animate, and flip a clip; all of which I have uncompleted projects on. It just so happens that procreate is what I was using when I finally made an animatic I liked enough to see until completion. Whatever software you do use, just make sure you learn how to use it before attempting a big project. Do some smaller stuff before you try anything big.

Edit to check the comments! We got other good recommendations for computers!

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Apps help prevent waste, fight hunger in Brazil

Applications assist in donating food that would be discarded although edible

A single mother of an 8-year-old child, housekeeper, and homemaker Ângela Marques da Silva has been receiving monthly food donations since she lost her job. This is food that was typically thrown away—not because they were spoiled, but because they were no longer being sold or consumed. Living in Paraisópolis, the second-largest favela in São Paulo, she is now aided by “Unidos pela Comida” (or “United by Food”), a project sponsored by Hellmann’s mayonnaise, a Unilever brand, which was created during the COVID-19 pandemic at the suggestion of company employees who mobilized to help vulnerable people amid the economic fallout of that time.

To ensure that the food reaches Ms. Silva, Unilever hired the startup Infineat, which presents itself as a “filantech” that primarily connects supermarkets and NGOs responsible for distributing food to those in need. In this Paraisópolis case, it is the “Ação Gueto” organization that accesses the app and finds those who have surplus food and do not want to waste it.

“It’s a perfect match. We joke that it’s the Tinder of food,” said Daniel Balaban, head of the World Food Program’s (WFP) center of excellence against hunger, part of the United Nations (UN). He cited another example, “Fome de Tudo” (or “Hungry for Everything”), an app run by the WFP in Brazil alongside the namesake NGO. Another app that is reasonably well-known in Brazil is “Comida Invisível” (or “Invisible Food”).

“All of this has existed for a long time in Europe, for instance, but it’s still somewhat new in Brazil. Living in a country that is a large food producer, Brazilians still have the peculiarity of wasting a lot of food,” Mr. Balaban said. “In places where hunger has massively affected the population or in countries with little self-produced food, we see a different culture.”

Continue reading.

[instructionsnotincluded]

State of Grace

Chapter XXXI

Excerpt:

Audrey finished tucking the remaining change into her wallet, fingers gliding over the rest of the money she had when she heard a slightly familiar voice call out somewhere behind them. “Mr. Heyward, Mr. Routledge, Mr. Maybank, Ms. Routledge,” Audrey zipped her wristlet closed, turning her head to see her former history teacher, Mr. Sunn, standing a few cars away, one hand resting on the trunk of the blue sedan he drove while the other gripped the handle of his grocery bag, “nice to see you all.”

“Mr. Sunn,” John B lifted his hand, “nice to see you.”

“Likewise,” Mr. Sun popped his trunk open before placing his grocery bag inside, “I’m actually happy I ran into you all out here—I was going to wait until school started up next week, but now that I have you here…”

The boys and Audrey exchanged glances after they placed their own bags inside the Twinkie, “Mr. Sun—it’s a little early for us to be getting into trouble already,” JJ grunted, moving to lean against the Twinkie beside Audrey.

“No trouble,” Mr. Sun’s dreadlocks bounced as he popped up over his trunk, “I actually have a question of a historical nature for you.”

“A question?” Pope asked, taking a step closer to their teacher and his car, “I’m not sure we’re who you need to help answer it.”

“I disagree wholeheartedly,” Mr. Sunn smiled at Pope, “I digitize documents down for the Maritime Museum in my freetime, and in return, I’ve been given access to the archives.”

“Congratulations?” JJ only shrugged, pulling down his black aviators to cover his eyes, moving to lean his elbow on Audrey’s shoulder.

“Thank you, Mr. Maybank,” Mr. Sunn ignored JJ’s sarcasm, rolling with the comments as he pulled out a large gray looking box from the trunk, “but while I was looking through the documents, I found something.”

“A box?”

“More than a box, Mr. Heyward,” Mr. Sunn walked around his car until he reached the hood, placing the box down on top of it. It was only a few seconds later that Mr. Sunn pulled the top off the box and motioned for Pope to take a closer look. “Careful now.”

Audrey, JJ, and John B crowded behind Pope, watching their friend pick up the covered object before tugging the protective sleeve off of it. Audrey felt her stomach sink at the sight of a very old looking diary, her lips pressing to a thin line at having yet another diary given to them. “The author is unknown,” Mr. Sunn explained, leaning on the opposite side of the hood as he watched Pope’s face closely. Pope untied the leather string before gently opening the old thing up, everyone freezing at the sight of the bundle of wheat on the first page.

“Holy shit,” John B exhaled quietly.

[reducersupply]

MS ERW B/Weld Reducer Eccentric at Best Price in India

In the dynamic world of industrial piping, efficiency and reliability are paramount. The MS ERW (Electric Resistance Welded) Butt Weld Eccentric Reducer plays a crucial role in connecting pipes of different diameters while ensuring optimal fluid flow. If you're in search of the best prices for MS ERW B/Weld Eccentric Reducers in India, look no further than Udhhyog, your trusted supplier.

What is an MS ERW B/Weld Eccentric Reducer?

An MS ERW B/Weld Eccentric Reducer is a specialized fitting designed to connect pipes of varying sizes. Unlike concentric reducers, which maintain a circular profile, eccentric reducers feature a flat edge on one side. This design is essential for preventing sedimentation in applications where solids may accumulate, making them ideal for use in wastewater systems and other similar setups. The robust construction and butt-welded design provide a secure, leak-proof connection suitable for high-pressure environments.

Key Features of MS ERW B/Weld Eccentric Reducers

Efficient Fluid Flow: The eccentric design minimizes turbulence and ensures a smooth transition between pipe sizes, facilitating better flow rates.

Durable Material: Crafted from high-quality mild steel, these reducers are built to withstand harsh operating conditions, including high pressures and temperatures.

Leak-Proof Connections: The butt weld design ensures a secure joint that significantly reduces the likelihood of leaks.

Versatile Applications: Suitable for a range of industries, including oil and gas, water treatment, and chemical processing.

Cost-Effective Solution: Offering exceptional quality at competitive prices, these reducers are an economical choice for industrial applications.

Applications of MS ERW B/Weld Eccentric Reducers

Wastewater Management: Eccentric reducers are particularly useful in wastewater applications, where preventing sediment buildup is crucial for maintaining system efficiency.

Oil and Gas Pipelines: These fittings provide seamless transitions in pipelines, ensuring pressure integrity and fluid management.

Chemical Processing: In chemical plants, they help maintain efficient fluid transitions, facilitating various processes with minimal disruption.

HVAC Systems: Eccentric reducers are often used in HVAC systems to ensure balanced airflow and effective pressure control.

Why Choose Udhhyog for MS ERW B/Weld Eccentric Reducers?

At Udhhyog, we pride ourselves on being a leading supplier of MS ERW B/Weld Eccentric Reducers at the best prices in India. Here’s why you should partner with us:

Quality Manufacturing: Our reducers are produced under strict quality control measures to meet industry standards, ensuring you receive top-tier products.

Affordable Pricing: We are committed to providing high-quality products without breaking your budget, making us the go-to supplier for industrial fittings.

Prompt Delivery: Located in Delhi, we offer timely delivery services across India, ensuring your projects remain on schedule.

Extensive Product Range: Beyond eccentric reducers, we offer a wide selection of industrial fittings, flanges, and valves to cater to all your piping needs.

Dedicated Customer Support: Our team is focused on understanding your specific requirements and delivering tailored solutions to enhance your operational efficiency.

Order Your MS ERW B/Weld Eccentric Reducers Today

Choosing Udhhyog as your supplier for MS ERW B/Weld Eccentric Reducers means gaining access to high-quality products at the best prices in India. Whether you're involved in large-scale industrial projects or specific applications, we are here to support your needs with reliable and effective solutions.

[udhhyog2]

Buy MS Flange from Distributors

Introduction

If you're looking to buy MS flanges from distributors, you've come to the right place. Mild Steel (MS) flanges are crucial components in various industrial applications, providing strong and reliable connections in piping systems. At Udhhyog, we specialize in offering high-quality MS flanges at competitive prices, ensuring you have access to the best products in the market.

Why Choose MS Flanges?

Affordability: MS flanges are one of the most economical options available, making them ideal for budget-sensitive projects.

Strength and Durability: Constructed from mild steel, these flanges are known for their robustness, capable of withstanding significant pressure and temperature variations.

Versatile Applications: MS flanges are widely used across various industries, including plumbing, manufacturing, and construction, making them a versatile choice for any project.

Easy Installation: Designed for straightforward installation, MS flanges can help save time and labor costs during your projects.

Wide Range of Sizes: We offer a diverse selection of MS flanges in different sizes and specifications, ensuring you find the perfect match for your requirements.

Why Buy from Udhhyog Distributors?

Quality Assurance: We source our MS flanges from reputable manufacturers who meet strict quality standards. Our products are designed to perform reliably in various applications.

Competitive Pricing: As a distributor, Udhhyog is dedicated to providing MS flanges at the best prices, helping you maximize your project's budget.

Expert Support: Our knowledgeable team is ready to assist you in selecting the right flanges for your specific needs. We understand the importance of finding the right product for your application.

Timely Delivery: We prioritize prompt delivery, ensuring you receive your MS flanges on schedule, so you can keep your projects on track.

Customer Satisfaction: Our focus on customer satisfaction means we strive to build long-lasting relationships with our clients by providing exceptional service and quality products.