#Oil detection sensor

[wizsensor]

Oil in Water & Leak Detection Sensor | Wizse Nsor Inc.

Wizse Nsor Inc. is a trusted provider of advanced sensing technology for environmental and industrial monitoring. Our Oil in Water sensors, Oil Detection sensors, and Oil Leak Detection sensors are engineered to deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results in a wide range of applications including wastewater treatment, offshore drilling, industrial discharge monitoring, and environmental protection.

Our Oil in Water sensors use fluorescence and infrared absorption technologies to detect and quantify trace levels of oil in various water bodies. Whether you need to comply with discharge regulations or prevent environmental damage, our solutions provide the precision and consistency you need.

The Oil Detection and Oil Leak Detection sensors from Wizse Nsor Inc. are ideal for real-time monitoring of pipelines, processing plants, and marine systems. With early warning capabilities, our systems help minimize risk, reduce operational downtime, and ensure regulatory compliance.

We pride ourselves on developing sensors that are rugged, easy to install, low maintenance, and scalable for various industries. At Wizse Nsor Inc., we combine cutting-edge innovation with dependable performance to help safeguard our planet’s water resources.

Choose Wizse Nsor Inc. for intelligent oil sensing solutions—because clean water matters.

[robustcornhusk]

atrociously sticky adhesive, gone, due to the powers of a heat gun and goo-gone

[tinybeetiny]

Build-A-Boyfriend Chapter 2: T-Minus 4 Weeks

Why did i write this before my discussion post.....

->Starring:AI!AteezXAfab!Reader ->Genre: Dystopian ->CW: Explicit language, nothing major

Previous Part | Next Part

Masterlist | Ateez Masterlist | Series Masterlist

The morning began with a low chime, the soft, regulated sound of Hala’s approved wake-up tone.

Yn opened her eyes slowly, the sterile glow of her ceiling light filtering in, programmed to adjust in sync with her biometric readings.

But something felt wrong.

She sat up, eyes flicking to the tablet still docked by the door.

1 New Alert. 3 Missed Logs. Urgent: Review Immediately.

Her stomach tightened.

She padded across the floor barefoot, grabbed the tablet, and scanned the notifications.

ATEEZ UNIT 06 — DEVIATION DETECTED — AUTONOMY SPIKE UNAUTHORIZED VOCALIZATION: "YN"

Yn stared at the final line for a beat too long.

Then she moved. Walking as fast as she was legally allowed through the streets of Hala.

She gave polite smiles to her coworkers as she made her way to the elevator.

The lab floor was still cool from overnight lockdown when she arrived. The biometric scanner buzzed awake as she approached, confirming her identity with a flash.

YN — Lead Engineering Tech— Clearance: Gold-Level

The steel doors hissed open.

She stepped inside, and there he was.

Unit 06 — Mingi. Exactly where she had left him.

Seated on the calibration chair, eyes closed, posture perfect, skin dewy with the faintest shimmer of dermal regulation oil. His expression was peaceful. Unnaturally so.

Yn walked around him slowly, tablet in hand, watching for signs of movement, a twitch, a breath pattern, a pupil shift. But nothing changed.

He looked inert. Safe. Dormant.

But she’d seen the log. He’d said her name.

She ran diagnostics. Nothing flagged. Heart-rate simulation: normal. Memory cache: intact. Audio response logs: empty.

Empty.

She checked his neck port. Still capped. Voice box still sealed in storage.

She swallowed hard.

The rest of the ATEEZ prototypes stood silent across the lab in their maintenance docks, each assigned to their own calibration alcove.

She walked past them one by one, watching.

Unit 01 — Hongjoong. Still as stone, but his fingers had been rearranged on the synth keyboard overnight. A composition Yura didn’t recognize blinked on his screen.

Unit 02 — Seonghwa. Always the most immaculate. But his reflection in the lab’s polished glass didn’t match his real posture, just a degree off. Barely noticeable, unless you were looking.

Unit 03 — Yunho. Smiling. Just faintly. No trigger.

Unit 04 — Yeosang. Eyes fixed on a ventilation grate in the ceiling. He hadn't looked away in over two hours, according to logs.

Unit 05 — San. Kneeling. Not in his programming. Position logged as "rest" but the posture was… reverent.

Unit 07 — Wooyoung. Chestplate cooling mechanism activated 4 times during the night — autonomously. He hadn’t been powered up.

Unit 08 — Jongho. Cracked the pressure sensor on his maintenance chair. No movement recorded.

They were silent, motionless. But Yn felt eyes on her.

Even now, standing among them, it felt like walking through a forest full of predators, beautiful, engineered predators pretending to sleep.

She leaned against the edge of the workbench, rubbing her temples, heart still racing. Four weeks to launch. The marketing campaign was already filmed. The architecture teams had begun installing the holographic interface rooms in the flagship store.

There was no time for failure. Not now.

And still… the voice chip logs were empty. The playback files had no entry. But Mingi had said her name.

And the others were changing, too. Quietly. Together.

The sound of heels against polished tile snapped Yn out of thought. Chairwoman Vira Yun entered the lab like gravity itself, sharp suit, spine straight, expression unreadable. Two aides flanked her, both scanning progress reports in real-time.

Yn straightened instinctively.

Vira’s eyes swept across the prototypes, Mingi still seated, the others upright in their calibration docks. Everything looked pristine. Controlled.

“I wanted a visual update before this afternoon’s numbers meeting,” Vira said. “How are we looking?”

Yn forced a nod. “On track. All eight are responding to recalibration. Minor bugs, but nothing that won’t be handled in time.”

Vira gave a tight smile, satisfied. “Good. The store opens in four weeks. And we’ll be announcing the Ateez line one week after that. The Board’s expecting a flawless rollout, we all are.”

She walked slowly along the row of silent units, pausing a moment longer at Mingi.

“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” she said softly, almost admiring. “So much potential in one room.”

Yn’s throat tightened. “They are,” she murmured.

Vira turned back to her. “Let me know if anything... unexpected comes up.”

Yn kept her face neutral. “Of course.”

With that, Vira nodded once, then exited, heels echoing down the corridor.

The moment the door slid shut, Yn turned back to Mingi.

He hadn’t moved. Not an inch.

But she could feel it again, that subtle wrongness humming underneath the code. A tension in the room that didn’t come from the lights or machines.

She picked up her tablet. The earlier alerts were still blinking faintly in the corner of the screen. Her fingers hovered over the reset command, but she didn’t press it.

Instead, she stared at Mingi’s still, perfect form.

Voice chip disabled. Logs empty. Command queue blank.

And yet… he had said her name.

Yn stayed long after the lab lights dimmed into their night-cycle hue.

The others had gone home, the halls had emptied. Even the air felt quieter.

She pulled up lines of diagnostic code, checking through every flagged anomaly, double-checking behavioral protocols, reviewing voice input logs that should have been blank.

Mingi still hadn’t moved. Neither had the others.

Still, something itched at her spine, not fear, not exactly. Just… unease. Low-level. Manageable. At least, that’s what her biometric monitor kept reporting.

Yn sighed, rubbed her eyes, and leaned back in her chair.

“Four weeks,” she muttered aloud, glancing toward the ceiling. “And they want them flawless. I can’t even get one of you to follow your own default pose cycle.”

Her voice echoed in the quiet.

She glanced toward Mingi again. “You glitched out before you even had a voice box. How the hell did that happen?”

No answer.

She stared at the ceiling again, her voice softer now. “I haven’t slept more than four hours in weeks. Not that my vitals allow much more. Sleep too long and the regulators flag you for depressive lethargy.”

She let out a dry laugh.

“I miss silence. Real silence. Not the kind that hums at you all day to remind you it’s working. I think I miss… something else too. Something I’ve never even had.”

She shook her head, pulling her hair up into a loose knot. “Maybe I just need caffeine. Or to scream. Or to throw my tablet out the damn window. Can’t even do that anymore. Everything’s reinforced. Everything’s... safe.”

Behind her, in the corner of the room, a pair of synthetic eyes remained open.

Unmoving. Watching.

In the back-end system, a hidden data stream pulsed to life:

[UNAUTHORIZED RECORDING — ACTIVE] Listening… — “I miss silence.” — “I think I miss something else too.” — “Can’t even scream.” Tag: Emotional Pattern Acquisition Subject: YN File saved. Labeled: Soft Sounds of Sadness.

The eyes closed again. And the lab went still.

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[anticidic]

steampunk skk au...the worldbuilding...the lore...the clothes...the machines...

Chuuya as an airship pilot and Dazai as his untrustworthy engineer

But also Dazai as a watchmaker maybe? I just know that he should invent crazy contraptions like a mad engineer instead of a mad scientist. He whacks his little wrench around fixing and breaking things, and Chuuya has to hold back choice words for him when Dazai fixes one thing, then breaks another. But that's what Chuuya gets for wanting illegal modifications on his ship to use it for sky racing.

Dazai also wearing those rounded aviator goggles on top of his head at all times, and usually has grease or oil smudged on his cheek.

He makes pets out of machines, so he has a mechanical hound at home and has been trying to install an emotion sensor in his dog so it can detect human emotions as well as display its own, but he hasn't been successful yet. His dog has a bowl for oil it drinks from and eats bolts and nuts as its meal.

Heck, just exploring Dazai and creation as a theme in the au. He feels bad destroying his creations when they don't turn out well. He has a little malfunctioning bird with a wing that doesn't work and it often repeats itself because he installed a faulty voice box, but Dazai doesn't have the heart to deactivate and recycle the poor thing for a future project. He feels like he's taking away a life. Existential dread hitting him hard with every creation he makes so he starts going mad

He's normal enough around Chuuya to keep up appearances, but if Chuuya ever came into Dazai's workshop, specifically the attic or basement, he'd get whiplash from the machinery lying around and the cuckoo birds repeating themselves like clockwork. They're talking on the main floor of Dazai's workshop, and every time there's a pause in their conversation, Chuuya hears a distant "Cuckoo…cuckoo…" from down below

Chuuya knocks and hears a dog barking and he's like what the hell and didn't expect Dazai to have a pet robot dog

Chuuya: "Am I hearing things? Is that a broken clock?" Dazai: "It's a failure." Chuuya: "Why don't you take out the battery or something so you don't have to listen to that?" Dazai, looking away and trying not to flinch: "That'll kill it."

Dazai's a bit dramatic about it but as a creator it pains him to ruin the things he makes. The reflection of his inside portrayed in his broken creations because maybe he feels like that about himself.

BUT since Dazai is a creator, him making gifts for Chuuya… watches, maybe a compass for his airship travels. Maybe he can make Chuuya a little bird to match Dazai's. Dazai’s one and only perfect creation is for Chuuya.

Chuuya could be “lost” like in terms of he doesn't know if he wants to remain a airship pilot or if he wants to spend the rest of his life with Dazai. A brass compass also made with precious metals like nickel and bronze.

When gifted it, Chuuya asks how does he know the compass is pointing in the right direction, and Dazai says, "You'll know it in your heart."

[tomorrowusa]

Ukrainian drones blew up a large Russian arms depot west of Moscow. The blast was large enough to have been detected by earthquake sensors.

A Ukrainian drone attack on a large Russian weapons depot caused a blast that was picked up by earthquake monitoring stations, in one of the biggest strikes on Moscow’s military arsenal since the war began. Pro-Russian military bloggers said Ukraine struck an arsenal for the storage of missiles, ammunition and explosives in Toropets, a historic town more than 300 miles north of Ukraine and about 230 miles west of Moscow. Videos and images on social media showed a huge ball of flame rising high into the night sky and detonations thundering across a lake, in a region not far from the border with Belarus. The strike was part of a broader Ukrainian drone campaign targeting Russian oil refineries, power plants, airfields and military factories, and highlights Kyiv’s enhanced long-range drone capabilities. Earthquake monitoring stations registered what sensors thought was a minor earthquake in the area.

The blast was so big that in the first couple of seconds it appears to be during daytime.

The Kyiv Independent has additional details.

Arms depot in Russia's Tver Oblast built to withstand nuclear explosion heavily damaged by Ukrainian drones

Back in 2018, the Russian Defense Ministry bragged that this facility would be prepared to withstand even a nuclear explosion. Six years later, the claim was proven to be false. According to the SBU, the arsenal stored ballistic missiles, including Iskanders, anti-aircraft missiles, artillery ammunition, and KAB guided bombs. The attack "literally wiped off the face of the earth a large warehouse of the main missile and artillery department of the Russian Defense Ministry," the SBU source said. The construction of the arsenal, controlled by the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate, began in 2015 in the town of Toropets, located 480 kilometers north of Ukraine. The construction was part of a 2012 government program set to improve Russia's storage of missiles, ammunition, and explosives. According to Russia's Defense Ministry, the program, worth 90 billion rubles (nearly $980 million), called for 13 modern arms depots to be built. [ ... ] Yet the source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told the Kyiv Independent that a "very powerful detonation" occurred, and the affected area was 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) wide. NASA satellites also recorded a surge in thermal activity in Tver Oblast, where the 107th arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate is located. "The arsenal seems to have been built correctly, with bunkered storage facilities that can hold up to 240 tons of ammunition each," Serhiy Zgurets, military expert and CEO of the Ukrainian media Defense Express, told the Kyiv Independent.

As Joe Biden might put it, this is "a big fucking deal". Months worth of ammunition, missiles, and other ordnance which was waiting to be used against Ukrainians has been eliminated.

In total, about 30,000 tons of ammunition were stored in the arsenal in Toropets, which could have been enough to conduct attacks for months, according to the expert. Russia most likely stored 122 mm Grad ammunition, 82 mm mines, and missiles for Buk medium-range surface-to-air missile systems, among other munitions, according to Zgurets.

Ukraine apparently destroyed 30,000 tons (i.e. 30 kilotons) of ammo. For comparison, the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima was the equivalent of 15 kilotons.

Ukrainians are intelligent and resourceful. They are now building drones which cannot be jammed by electronic warfare. They may have used those to get to Toropets.

And it seems a bit weird that Russia would build a gigantic arsenal just 4.51 km (less than 3 miles) from downtown Toropets – a scenic town and local administrative center.

So Ukraine has now penetrated and destroyed an impenetrable arms depot. Previously, Ukraine has stopped unstoppable Kinzhal Russian missiles. This war is unwinnable for Russia but the country continues to humiliate itself with its unmistakable military ineptitude.

[daleeltrading]

How to Solve Overheating Issues in Electrical Panels

Electrical panels are the nerve centers of industrial, commercial, and residential power systems. Their reliability is crucial, yet one of the most common and dangerous issues that can arise is overheating. Left unaddressed, overheating in electrical panels can lead to equipment failure, costly downtime, fires, or even fatal accidents. Understanding the root causes and adopting preventive as well as corrective measures is essential to ensure electrical safety and operational efficiency.

Causes of Overheating in Electrical Panels

To solve the problem of overheating, we must first identify its sources. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Loose or Corroded Connections

Electrical current encounters resistance at loose or oxidized joints. This resistance generates heat, especially under load, leading to localized hotspots which may not be visible until failure occurs.

2. Overloaded Circuits

Each circuit is rated for a specific current. Drawing more current than the rated capacity results in excess heat generation within breakers, busbars, and wires.

3. Inadequate Ventilation

Poor airflow in and around the panel restricts natural or forced heat dissipation. In high ambient temperature environments, this can quickly push the panel beyond safe thermal limits.

4. Improper Component Sizing

Undersized breakers, conductors, or transformers struggle to handle load currents, leading to thermal stress and degradation over time.

5. Dust and Contamination

Dust accumulation acts as an insulating layer, trapping heat inside components. Combined with humidity or oil vapors, this can further degrade insulation and create tracking paths.

How to Identify Overheating Problems

1. Thermal Imaging

Using infrared thermography is one of the most effective ways to detect hotspots. It provides a non-contact, real-time temperature map of the panel and highlights abnormally heated components.

2. Manual Temperature Monitoring

For panels without thermal sensors, regularly measuring surface temperatures using contact thermometers can provide early warnings of rising heat levels.

3. Visual Inspection

Signs like discoloration, melted insulation, or the smell of burning plastic indicate overheating. Ensure regular visual checks are part of your maintenance routine.

Solutions to Overheating in Electrical Panels

1. Tighten and Maintain Electrical Connections

Schedule regular maintenance to tighten terminals and busbar connections. Apply proper torque settings using calibrated tools to avoid over- or under-tightening.

2. Balance and Distribute Loads

Ensure that the load across phases is balanced. Uneven distribution causes one phase to overwork, which leads to overheating and inefficiency.

3. Upgrade Panel Capacity

If the electrical demand exceeds the panel’s rated capacity, consider upgrading to a higher-rated panel or adding sub-panels to spread the load.

4. Enhance Cooling and Ventilation

· Install forced ventilation systems like exhaust fans or panel coolers.

· Use heat exchangers or air conditioners in environments with high ambient temperatures.

· Ensure adequate spacing between panels and walls for natural convection.

5. Use Appropriately Rated Components

All breakers, fuses, contactors, and wiring must match the system’s voltage and current ratings. Derate components appropriately if operating in high-temperature environments.

6. Install Thermal Sensors or Smart Monitoring

Modern panels can be equipped with thermal sensors that provide real-time data to a building management system (BMS) or SCADA. This allows predictive maintenance before issues escalate.

Preventive Measures and Best Practices

· Design with Expansion in Mind: Avoid loading a panel to its full capacity. Always leave a 20–30% margin for future growth and safety.

· Implement a Routine Maintenance Schedule: Quarterly or bi-annual inspections reduce the risk of unexpected failures.

· Train Maintenance Personnel: Staff should be equipped to detect early signs of thermal distress and follow lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.

· Keep Panels Clean and Sealed: Use gasketed enclosures in dusty environments and clean panels regularly to prevent dust build-up.

Conclusion

Overheating in electrical panels is a preventable issue that, if neglected, can have severe consequences. By adopting systematic inspection routines, upgrading infrastructure as needed, and leveraging modern monitoring technologies, businesses and facility managers can safeguard both equipment and personnel. The key is proactive action: identify, analyze, correct, and prevent — the four pillars of managing thermal risk in electrical systems.

[ratteni-da-rotten]

A Mouse Among Owls? - Chapter 01

Fandom: Murder Drones

Warnings: Background Character Death, accidental baby acquisition

Characters (so far): Serial Designation V, Uzi Doorman

┈┈┈┈

A vibrant yellow cross stared at the small thing on the floor. The feathered beast’s head tilted slightly to the side trying to figure out what it was. She felt her tail gently swishing behind, disturbing the ever-so-frigid snow. Serial Designation V’s thermal sensors detected heat emanating from it, the object’s red-yellow-green colours contrasted against a sea of blue.

Pained and terrified cries were still echoing near her. Their source was a worker who was in the process of dying. The disassembler lacked any care for its pathetic whimpering. In her opinion, their suffering made great background music. Maybe she would record it and add it to her internal audio collection folders so she could listen to it during boredom spells.

There was no need for pity; the gashes inflicted on the lesser drone’s chassis would make it soon go into FATAL ERROR by oil loss. At least, it wouldn’t be a lonely death since the rogue machine would join their fallen peers around them. Dark liquid haphazardly painted the cold surroundings, its tantalising smell as if seducing the killer angel for a taste.

No need to rush things, the workers wouldn’t return to life and flee nor would the winged lass allow any other rival disassembler to steal her sweet spoils. Normally, V would be playing and taunting with the remaining worker on its deathbed but her focus remained on the mysterious item. By reviewing her recent memory files, the metallic beast recalled it had been thrown near her feet when she dove from the sky and attacked the wandering group of toasters.

Perhaps it had been a distraction attempt? SD - V doubted the workers were smart enough for that, they were nothing more than mindless machinery. Maybe their rudimentary AI had come up with the conclusion that less weight meant it could run away faster.

The interesting oval-shaped object was wrapped by a purple and white rabbit-themed blanket, what was once snug around the thing now had noticeably loosed but still concealed the small hidden item’s identity.

She kneeled and leaned forward, both clawed hands on the snowy ground, as if essentially cornering the motionless mystery would improve the inspection. Carefully, a finger-blade lightly tapped the fabric only to feel something solid underneath. V licked her chops and removed the blanket just enough to reveal its contents.

It was like her servos had frozen; even Serial Designation V’s tail stopped dead in the air. Neon purple eyes, hollow and shaking, adorned with stress lines, stared back at her. The stare remained locked into each other’s visors until the nearby sound of sobs stole the smaller robot’s attention. Mangled worker drone carcasses were on full display, and the twin moons’ tender light made their spilt oil gleam beautifully. One had yet to pass away, its off-putting sounds worsening the situation tenfold.

A strangled whine escaped the pill baby’s voicebox, momentarily restraining itself, before scaling into full grating wailing. V’s stringy tail lowered to the ground and curled up around one of her pointy legs, the toxic yellow cross on her visor quickly was replaced by normal drone eyes. The disassembly machine had an unreadable facial expression, her body was as still as a statue except for her quivering claws.

“Shit shit shit shitshitshit,” were the words the murder bot gal started to scream within the confines of her mind. Mind, core, and code began to caterwaul against each other as if trying to bend the rivalling wants to its will by being the loudest.

Drones like her were made to adapt to every environment and situation with the sole goal of completing their mission. Yet this scenario was new; she had no prior experience, and the expected outcome would surely leave a bitter taste in her jaws. What was she supposed to do when every part of her was in conflict?

Serial Designation V’s gaze briefly wandered to the suffering, bleeding, worker not far from them. Its suffering was finally reaching the end, the rogue machine would be of no help if it was dead. The untrained neural network wouldn’t last long if V allowed them to “flee” together, other predatory robots would be attracted by the dark sweet liquid leaking from their wounds. She doubted the thing would even make it very far, a few metres and the drone would undoubtedly collapse back on the polar desert’s cold surface.

“Maybe… maybe I could just leave it he–”, the usually fierce disassembly machine shook her head. Starvation would claim the tiny aluminium infant, a drawn-out demise if not found by others, and terribly agonising for a being who isn’t familiar with neglected hunger pangs. Stabbing through its CPU would be quicker and, hopefully, less painful. Furthermore, it was unlikely another disassembler would terminate the thing if they stumbled on it. “Too little oil, not worth the effort,” they would probably think to themselves.

V lifted a single, trembling, sharp blade ready to spear through the artificial baby’s visor. Seconds passed by, the deadly claws hovering over its smaller form, and she couldn’t compel herself to do what was supposed to be her job. The ferocious hunter, the one who enjoyed prolonging her prey’s misery and experimenting with how much damage it could sustain before permanently shutting down, was reluctant to tear a UNN to shreds. If other squads became aware of this, they would surely crack up at this fact.

Poor thing was crying its speakers out, scrunched LED eyes, wiggling erratically on the ground. So utterly defenceless, they couldn’t even try to turn tail as it lacked any limbs, under the claws of an oilfeeder. Looking closely at the thing, it resembled the– Nope, not thinking about that right now!

No living being stays young forever, untrained neural networks get older and moult from their infantile shape. When this one achieved the milestone, it would die by her claws or by her teammates. And if the pill drone died before that due to someone else’s actions, that would still be alright. V will turn a blind eye, as long it isn’t her fault.

SD - V swapped her claws back to her ordinary hands and gingerly cradled the robot infant close to her chest. The embrace was warm, so different from Copper-9’s freezing winds. For that moment the taller being’s fans were audible to the pill drone, the proximity allowed so. Her cries decreased in intensity, the gentle back rubbing and the ceasing of death gurgles lulled the tiny one into quietness. Bawling took a toll on the pill baby, making it enter SLEEP MODE. Dormant in a monster’s arms, killer of her kind, it was comforting nonetheless.

[icypolargirl78]

Haunting - A Mechaformers Short Story

this au belongs to @keferon, whose fantastic art and the many fics they've received has inspired me to write angst about two of my original characters.

there is a slight warning for dead bodies, as well as references to past child abuse, and a dash of depersonalisation from the pov character.

Contrary to popular belief, dying was the easy part. 

She awoke not in the cockpit of the lumbering machine that once carried her into battle, but instead as the machine itself. Pistons and bolts replaced bones and blood vessels, a thick sludge of oil pumping through rubber cables in place of plasma. 

There was no pain either. 

She had expected death to hurt, all the other injuries sustained by piloting the giant machine had hurt like nothing before. But pain was a familiar comfort, it was natural. Pilots did not get to experience the bliss of a zero on that accursed scale that the medics so often dragged out during routine appointments. 

The last time she could recall sitting at a zero was before she had first stepped foot in the giant metallic creature. She was only three years old, memories so fuzzy around the edges that the mere sensation of not being in pain was entirely foreign throughout the rest of her life. 

But now there was nothing. No physical sensation despite the vast influx of data was was rolling through the machine’s internal processors. No… not the machine’s… Her processors now. That would take some getting used to. 

Systems far beyond the pale limits of the human mind now reached out in all directions. Pressure sensors, damage to the hull of her outer armour, a sparking set of wires now hanging limply from a disconnected shoulder joint. It was all laid out in efficient priority trees that reached so far down the new HUD that sat just barely on the corners of her vision that it hurt to try and strain her already taxed systems to try and read them all. 

Slowly, as time slipped by in waves and ripples that meant nothing to something so big and inanimate, she began to realise that something was giving off a foul odour. It was difficult to tell what it was or how exactly she was even smelling anything when the robotic monstrosity wasn’t even programmed to detect such things. 

But eventually she managed to navigate - a lone ghost in a sea of rotting data - to the camera system that recorded all internal systems in the hope that any data could be useful for later recruits. 

Oh… 

The sight that greeted her was… Well she imagined that in any other situation it would be unnerving or even scary. 

Slumped in the cockpit was a tall figure dressed in the armoured suits that all mecha pilots were issued after being assigned their metalic death traps. Long curly locks spilled over the figure’s shoulders, leading down down down to a massive piece of rebar that stuck out of their chest. 

Sticky blood was drying around the entrance wound. A puddle had already collected on the floor beneath the pilot’s chair. 

That is her. She knows that. That is her body sitting slumped in that chair. It’s dead. She is dead. And yet… and yet somehow she is not. 

The memories of before the crash were fuzzy. Fragments of a name, a smiling face with enough joy to light up a whole city. There was pain, a lot of pain from training regiments that broken apart her teenage body and replaced it with something that could fight and kill as well as the best of the military’s willing recruits at half their age. And there is also hope. Hope for a better future. Hope that maybe one day, she… and… someone else can leave and find something better to occupy their time with. 

She stares down at the body. Lot of good hope did. She was just another dead recruit who couldn’t handle the pressure of the fight. 

Around her, the machine rumbles, responding to her anger in the only way it knows how. It rises, and with it, she can feel ever tiny sensation recorded by its sensors. There is the rocks beneath its flat feet, the whisp of air over it’s helm sensors, and the sparking wrongness of a missing limb. 

Slowly she walks, adjusting to having to balance in a body that was carefully crafted to respond to the inputs of an external controller. She doesn’t have a clue as to which direction she should head but there is a small glowing pinprick on the tiny map inside her HUD and nothing else seems a better path. So she walks. 

There is a medic waiting outside the small base. Tiny in comparison to the hulking machine and yet standing at attention like they were waiting for someone. 

Slowly, she sinks downwards, folding thick leg struts beneath herself and leaving enough room for the medic to access the hatch at the bottom of the creature’s inner thigh. 

“Oh thank god.” The medic was saying. “I thought you were gone!” Slowly, and she can feel every ounce of sensation, the medic climbs upwards towards the cockpit. She can feel every step, practiced like this was routine. “Oh…” 

It had not occurred to her that the medic might be expecting an alive pilot. The corpse is out of place amongst the otherwise pristine walls of the machine. 

“NO!” The medic rushes forward, hands frantically pulling at the rebar pushed deep into the corpse’s chest. “NO YOU PROMISED ME!!! YOU PROMISED WE WERE GOING TO LEAVE TOGETHER! YOU CAN’T JUST DIE ON ME MOLLY!” 

The name sparks something. Molly… That was familiar… That was her. 

Molly, sixth legion, 1st officer, honoured fighter, code name Malware. She was older than most recruits, pushing nearly 50 but keeping her planet safe and secure despite the ache in her joints and the longing in her heart. Molly. 

“I’m sorry.” She tries to say. But the medic just keeps crying, small and scared and alone. They cannot hear her. She is just another part of the machine. 

“YOU IDIOT. YOU PROMISED YOU’D BE SAFE. YOU SAID YOU’D COME BACK TO ME!” The medic’s hands shake with the effort of pulling the helmet off Molly’s stiff head. “WAKE UP MOLLY!” Gloved hands cup a still face. 

“I’m sorry.” She says again, willing her new systems to try and do something, anything to comfort the medic. They had a name, she was sure of it, but there was nothing within her memory banks that lended a clue. 

“Doctor?” A head poked into the cockpit. “I was wondering where you… Oh-” 

Another medic steps into the cockpit and bundles the smaller one into a hug. “It’ll be okay.” 

“SHE’S HEAD.” The small medic wails, voice so mournful that her whole structure quaked with the need to comfort and hold. “THERE’S NO OKAY.” 

I’m right here. She wanted to say. I’m still here.

But no words came out. Her systems were not built for communication with such lifeforms. She was a machine, born to kill, born to save, and born to serve. Like life, in death she was a tool to be used by others and no amount of banging on the walls would bring them down. 

I’m sorry. She stared at the medics as they slowly hauled away Molly’s corpse. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise. 

Molly was dead. There would be no second chances. No way to explain, no way to comfort the lover that was to clean up the broken wreckage of a broken heart. No, all that was left was inside the machine was Malware and she wasn’t going to let any stupid army official chain her to such a life any longer. If they wanted to be rid of her permanently, they would have to deconstruct this new body piece by piece and send her directly to hell themselves. 

[ravens-and-rust]

WASTE DISPOSAL || MAUL.EXE STARTING UP … PLEASE WAIT … RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS … … … TACTILE SENSORS ONLINE. OPTICS ONLINE. VOICEBOX ONLINE. MOTILITY ONLINE. AUDITORY SYSTEMS ONLINE. OLFACTORY SENSORS ONLINE. MAUL.EXE BOOT UP SUCCESSFUL.

  Maul's eyes blinked open as notifications and pop-up windows exploded across her HUD, notifying her of her prolonged inactivity and her need for sustenance. Her joints twitched uncomfortably as she unfolded herself from the position she'd fallen asleep in: knees to her chest, arms curled around her torso, all three toe claws tightly curled to avoid snagging anything...it was uncomfortable. She hissed as her tail unwound behind her and opened the curtain to her little nest, blinding her light-sensitive eyes with the disgusting glow of sunlight. The corner of her HUD told her it was 6:47 in the evening; just about time for the sun to go down. Her teeth clacked together as she opened and shut her jaw, grumbling lowly and slithering her way out of her small enclosure.

  The tall wall of windows illuminated her as she padded past, throwing her shadow across the floor like a thick, black carpet. Her casing glowed with an unnatural, oozing hue of sunset orange, so far off from her own colour scheme that she paused for a second to admire herself. She dragged a claw up her calf, crooning softly at the bold colours of the evening.   "You're an interesting DCA model," said a gruff voice from behind her. Her head whipped around so fast that her rays rattled in their housings. She felt every wire in her body pull taut as she examined the voice's owner. Another Eclipse, from the looks of it, but...with pants, flat feet, and a third arm. He had one arm held aloft, some kind of screen illuminating his face with blue-toned light; a hand hovered over it as if he was typing. His emotes also seemed to be on, and he was watching her warily. Her tail lashed as she slid into a defensive position, claws digging into the linoleum and mouth pulling back into a razor-bearing sneer. There was another machine in her territory, and he stank of rust, iron, and oil. He'd killed recently.   "You smell like death," she growled, her programming urging her to move forward, to attack, to pin him down and sink her teeth into his upper left arm and yank. She resisted, though, instincts telling her he could easily wipe the floor with her oil. She could feel the last remains of the day sliding down her body as the sun set, and she could finally see the bot in front of her properly. Scarlet and raven casings, sickly saffron-yellow teeth, three ebony and sunset eyes, and vibrant orange vanes that sine-waved slowly as he assessed the danger she displayed.   "So do you," the eclipse replied calmly, looking her up and down and fixing her with a pointed stare. "You also look like a walking, talking caution sign, though, so I'm going to assume you're a hostile machine."   Well, duh. She returned his stare with her own, raising and lowering her tail spines in thought. This model clearly wasn't from anywhere near, not with his strange choice of clothing and body type.   "I suppose you could say that," she rumbled, her mouth snapping shut a few times and filling the space with clicking noises. "You look like a Dorito."   The other didn't seem to like that; in fact, he winced at the comparison. "I am not," he paused, pointing at Maul with a clawed finger, "a Dorito."   She grinned. "You look like you're spicy nacho-flavoured."   "Well, I'm not, so don't get any ideas," the eclipse grumbled, lowering the arm with the screen. As if it detected that he was done with it, it shut off, leaving just red and black ombre in its place. Maul couldn't help but wonder how easily his arm would crunch in her jaws. "Considering my computer told me that you're a cannibal."   "What's...a can-ni-bal?" she asked, her posture tensing further. Was it something negative; was he insulting her?   The eclipse's expression soured further. "It's someone who eats their own kind."   Her own kind. Her own kind!? She was alone, actually, thank you very much, Mr. Mysterious! She was the only one like her; her cousins--Mouse and Mutt--were built differently and only fed on human flesh. They weren't as resilient as she, they weren't as bold as she, and they needed to be protected. She was fine all by herself, and she made that known.   Her claws clacked against the linoleum as she got into the male's personal space. Her size outmatched his at least two-to-one. "I am my own kind," she spat, narrowing her eyes and hissing steam from her vents in irritation. "I am the only one of me."   "No, you misunderstood." His demeanour stayed calm and collected despite the monstrous animatronic that stank of blood and oil hovering over him.   "How."   "I meant your kind as metal; machinery; needs electricity to work. Not you specifically. Like how I, Eclipse, am of the same metal as you."   Ah, so his name was Eclipse. How...original. She backed away, growling deep in her throat, and sat a few feet from him. "Then, yes, I suppose I am a cannibal. What of it?"

[eitherlyingorstupid]

Wanted to get better at reader/canon so. Gn human reader/Beachcomber, ambiguous genitals. @pinkanonwrites I figured you'd like this

You run a hand over the rounded, blue extensions on Beachcomber's head. "What are these for?" You're sitting on his shoulder, in a secluded cove. Lights dance on the roof, reflected from the gentle waves below.

"Mm… ultrasonic detection… sonar, radar, and all that." His voice is thick and husky, and his engine rumbles. You've been hanging out with the minibot for quite some time, and you enjoy feeling the vibrations of his machinery.

You lean closer, feeling his warmth, breathing in the familiar, metallic tang of oil and electricity. "So, these… they help you navigate, or something?"

"Not exactly. Well, they do, but that's not all. They're also… sensory organs, I suppose. They help me feel the currents in the water, sense movement in the sand… and, well…" He pauses, his optics flickering down to your hand. "…they also give me… pleasure."

You freeze, unsure whether to tug your hand away or keep going.

"I'm sorry if that's too… forward," he says, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just… I haven't felt this connected to someone in a long time. I don't want to lose it now."

You swallow hard, feeling a mixture of shock and something else you can't quite identify. "It's okay," you manage to say, your voice barely audible. "I'm… enjoying this too." You stroke the sensor crest, feeling rather than hearing a moan rise from his throat.

Beachcomber shudders, leaning his head against you. "Oh, Primus… you have no idea how good that feels…" He pauses, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't be doing this… not with a human…"

"Why not? Is it some sort of taboo?"

"It's… complicated. It's just not something that's encouraged." He hesitates, then continues, "Not when you're in close quarters with a human. It's not fair to them… to expect them to understand." Beachcomber sucks on his lower lip. It's a surprisingly erotic sight.

"But I understand, and I want this." You lean forward and kiss him gently on the cheek. "I want to be with you."

"Even with me being so big?"

You smile against his cheek, running your hands along his crest. "Especially with you being so big. You're so strong, and I feel so safe with you."

His fans are starting to kick on, and the air around you almost feels charged like you're in a thunderstorm.

"Well… if you're sure…" he whispers, his voice barely audible over the whir of his systems. "I… I would like that." He lifts one hand to his shoulder, gently picking you up by the waist and setting you on the ground. He's shifted his position, legs spread and hips angled up. "I suppose I could show you…"

The panels on his groin retract, and you find yourself staring at what looks a lot like a fleshlight.

"I've never done this before," he confesses, his voice shaking. "I've… never wanted anyone like this before. But I want you… so much…" Beachcomber reaches down to spread the dark blue lips of his - his pussy, and there's even a little white clitoris nestled in the folds.

"It looks just like a human… uh, vulva."

"My kind is incredibly adaptable. Our frames change to imitate the native creatures of the planets we visit… before I came here, I had four arms and wheels instead of legs." His fingers gently massage the clit through its hood. "And now, I have two arms, two legs, and… this."

You can't help but stare, mesmerized by the sight of him touching himself. It's so intimate, so… human. Your heart races.

Beachcomber gazes down at you, his expression a mix of desire and vulnerability. "You're so beautiful," he whispers, his fingers moving faster. "I want to make you feel good too."

He pulls you closer, positioning you between his legs. His hands guide you, showing you how to touch him, where to touch him. You feel the heat coming off his plating, the muscles (or gears, probably) in his thighs tense as he holds you against him. His hips move involuntarily, grinding against your stomach as you begin to stroke him.

You slide a hand down to the soft, wet hole. Three fingers fit with room to spare, and a fourth makes the opening stretch. Beachcomber moans as you gently push your entire hand inside. You can't help but giggle as you realize you're fisting a giant alien robot.

"You're so tight," you murmur, feeling his inner walls clench around your fingers. "And you feel so good." He responds by pushing his hips forward, forcing your fingers deeper inside. You begin to thrust, matching his movements as he fucks your hand.

Beachcomber's other hand pinches and rolls his clit.

"That feels so good," he moans. "You're doing such a good job… I can't… I'm close…" His thrusts become more frantic, his hips trembling. "Faster, don't stop…"

You obey, thrusting your hand faster and harder. The wet heat of his insides envelops your fingers as he comes, his pussy clamping down on you in a powerful spasm.

"Frag, yes!" he cries out, his voice thick with pleasure. "Oh god, I'm… I'm going to… ohhhhh…" He trembles with the aftershocks.

As his grip on you eases, you slide your hand out of him, feeling his warmth and the wetness left behind. There was something surreal at having this huge, powerful being react this way to your touch.

"Are you… okay?" you ask, feeling slightly out of breath.

Beachcomber lets out a shuddering breath, his frame going still for a moment. Then, with a smile that takes over his face, he answers, "Better than okay. Thank you." He lifts one hand to your face, cupping your cheek gently. "You're incredible. I want to return the favor."

You blush and nod. "I'd like that."

He gently picks you up with both hands, bringing you to his face so he can nuzzle into your belly.

"You're so warm, and soft, and you smell so good…" He nibbles at your shirt, pulling it out of the way to expose your stomach. "I want to taste you…" His tongue sweeps out, licking over your skin, before he finds your nipple with his lips. They're made of tiny overlapping metal pieces, each smaller than a dime, hard but without sharp edges.

You arch your back, moaning softly as pleasure shoots through you.

His tongue slides lower, lapping at your clothed sex.

"Your skin feels so smooth here too," he whispers, nuzzling closer. He pulls your underwear aside with a thumb. His tongue darts out, you feel the wet heat of his breath on your skin, the warmth of his tongue as it licks and circles. He takes a deep breath, inhaling your scent, before burying his face between your legs. His hands cup your hips, holding you steady as his tongue begins to move, probing and exploring.

You moan, arching your back as pleasure washes over you. His touch is so intimate, so gentle, it's almost too much to bear. You feel the arousal between your legs, the heat of his breath on your skin, the vibration of his growl as he works you. You slid your fingers across his smooth head, holding him close, urging him on.

His tongue flicks out, teasing your most sensitive place, circling it before sucking it into his mouth. You cry out, your body tensing, every nerve ending focused on the sensation of his lips and tongue. He's relentless, his touch skillful, knowing exactly what you need. You come, your body shuddering with release as wave after wave of pleasure washes over you.

Beachcombers engine growls low as he finally lowers you, holding you to his chest.

"Frag, you're amazing," he breathes, his voice hoarse from desire. "You taste so good…" He kisses your shoulder, his lips hot and soft against your skin.

"Thanks," you manage. Your clothes are in disarray, but this has been worth it.

[crossroads-of-the-raven]

By Blue Eyes, Yellow Will Die - Epilogue: A Murder Drones story

It had taken him a half hour to reboot, in that time the sentinels had shut down Max, Ali, Marc and Amanda before returning to their room. His mother had placed him on one of the beds and while she waited for him to come to, she had already used her tail to assist with her own repairs. Things were quiet, a solemn silence, his mother may have been distant with the others, but that didn’t mean she delighted in their destruction, for as far as she was concerned, for every lab drone that had to have their core removed was another victory for Cyn.

His mother turned to him, as he rose from his bed, they were all that was left. With the sentinels back in their room, mother and son went to collect the bodies. The process was slow, and despite his reboot, Beau was tired, he could feel fatigued in every aspect of his code, but this couldn’t be put off – the humans had found out the hard way what happened when a drone didn’t have enough material to self-repair but still had their heart. First was Max and then Ali – their jars placed in visual range of each other (just as Jerom and Connie’s cores had been) – after had been Marc and Amanda who received the same courtesy though their cores had to be place in a different oven then the others (a reorganization could be done later). As for their bodies, they would be taken apart for scraps after examination to ensure they were clean of Cyn’s influence.

He'd be lying if he said he wasn’t worried. The fatigue was getting to both of them, if he could convince his mother to rest–

The sensors alarms were active. Someone was coming.

Someone was coming and it was too soon to bring out the sentinels.

A trap was set, and the trap was sprung

Beau wasn’t tired anymore … he’s not sure the adrenaline is better though.

“Two murder pets, a drone girl, and … this” his mother said.

Beau looked to his mother in question.

“I don’t know how to explain it” she continued, “we’ll put a magnet on her anyway.”

Alice rolled over the purple haired drone, her eyes squinting.

“I’ll handle this one, a normal lookin��� drone, palin’ around with murder pets-”

Using her tail, Alice lifted the arm of the female murder pet before giving a start, she looked to Beau – for a moment, there was fear in her eyes.

She took a breath, “I’ll handle this one too.”

With that they moved the four intruders, the strange one and the male drone to one of the examination rooms and the two female drones to Alice’s main lab room.

(~*~)

Yellow Eyes was here and Beau was terrified.

The sentinels had crushed his mother head – with any hope, she could come back from that. Time seemed to slow down as he aimed his laser blaster, maybe it was because he was tired, fatigue addling his mind, all he had to do survive, get to the body his mother had made him … and … and then what?

Maybe it was fatigue, maybe … maybe …

He freed the female murder drone.

With a tip of his hat the jaws of the sentinels closed around him, and he felt it, he felt it as his solver code activated in his defense, clinging to the sentinel hive like system as his power guided him to the center. For a moment he was ten again and he felt himself being to panic before a spark, glitched through the system. Gathering himself, he examined the system, with the sentinels in a frenzy he wouldn’t be able to take possession of one but … the sparking one … he wouldn’t be able to take possession, but he could station his code.

Entering the mind of the sparking one, he began weaving his web, taking root, taking the reins and as the creature began to wake, his influence guided the sentinel as he battled to not be consumed by the animal’s oil-lust.

[Secret Elevator hallway has been breached by intruders]

[Previous tactics insufficient]

Request, memory of previous encounter.

[Presenting Visuals]

Analysis.

[Unknown entity]

[Blood and Oil detected]

Detail.

[Human Flesh detected]

[Drone components detected]

Detail.

[Human Flesh – Dead … simulating life … status unknown]

[Drone components – in line with most dangerous subjects of Cabin Fever Labs]

[Previous tactics may be insufficient for secondary encounter]

[Additional Weapon required]

Main lab room.

[Lab entered]

Abnormal Drone Arm.

[Abnormal Drone arm located]

Contains a cache of weapons.

[Acquired]

Hat and bolo tie.

[Unnecessary]

Necessary items for possible future post-fight interaction.

[Inquiry: Protection]

Identifying Items to receive assistance from daughter of Dr. Beaumont.

[Identified: Alice Beaumont – Human – Status: Dead]

Second Daughter of Dr. Beaumont, same name as predecessor.

[In relation to Dr. Beaumont: Alice Giam–]

Beaumont!

[Alice Beaumont: Drone – Zombie Drone, Solver Drone, Level 1 Sub-Section: Sleeper]

Scientist researching cure to defeat the Singularity.

[…]

[Items to be acquired after fight – compromise]

Compromise.

[Information required: Primary Target]

Primary target, Human-Drone.

[Target accepted]

[Additional information concerning others]

Compromise, Enemies of Cyn the Singularity, are safe.

[Compromise accepted – sentinel test required]

Accepted.

(~*~) -- (~*~) -- (~*~) -- (~*~) -- (~*~) -- (~*~) -- (~*~)

Hey all, so this is the end of Beau's part of the story, but stay tuned as next week, we'll be starting on Alice's part of the story: Breaking The Broken Pattern.

As for the future of this story, check out my pinned post for more information or if you want to reread the previous chapters.

(~*~) -- (~*~) -- (~*~) -- (~*~) -- (~*~) -- (~*~) -- (~*~)

Beau's Prologue | Prev | Beau's Epilogue | Next

[darkmaga-returns]

Trump accuses Biden’s advisors of treason. Report: Israel poised for Iran nuclear attack. Oil prices rise. Medvedev: Ukraine has ‘one last chance’. W.H.O. Adopts Pandemic Treaty.

Lioness of Judah Ministry

Trump accuses Biden’s advisors of treason

The US president has claimed that aides took advantage of his “cognitively impaired” predecessor

US President Donald Trump has accused senior aides to his predecessor of committing “treason at the highest level” by allegedly exploiting Joe Biden’s cognitive decline to implement unauthorized policies that he would never have supported himself. In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump claimed that Biden never advocated for open borders and that the surge in illegal immigration was orchestrated by staffers who effectively “stole” the presidency by taking control of the autopen – a device used to replicate a person’s signature.

Biden’s wife should be charged with ‘elder abuse’ – senior DOJ official

Jill Biden should face charges if she pushed her husband to run for the presidency despite knowing about his cancer, Leo Terrell says

Jill Biden should face ‘elder abuse’ charges if she pushed her husband Joe to run for the presidency despite knowing about his cancer, Donald Trump’s DOJ lawyer Leo Terrell has said. Last weekend, the former US president’s office revealed that he has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer. The announcement met with mixed reactions, with some offering condolences to Biden and his family, while others alleged the diagnosis had been long known but deliberately withheld from the public.

Biden Spox Discloses New Information on Joe Biden’s Last Test for Prostate Cancer After Trump Questions Why Diagnosis Wasn’t Revealed Earlier… and CNN Isn’t Even Buying It

On Tuesday a Biden spokesperson claimed Joe Biden’s last underwent a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test, a common way to detect prostate cancer, back in 2014.

“President Biden’s last known PSA was in 2014. Prior to Friday, President Biden had never been diagnosed with prostate cancer,” a Biden spox said on Tuesday afternoon. Even CNN isn’t buying it. “He was President of the United States and didn’t get tested? I find this very surprising,” a CNN anchor said in disbelief.

Trump Unveils $175 Billion Plan For "Golden Dome" Missile Defense System

The Department of Defense has selected a design for President Donald Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative, Trump announced on May 20.

“I’m pleased to announce that we have officially selected an architecture for this state-of-the-art system that will deploy next-generation technologies across the land, sea, and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors,” Trump told reporters at the White House. In his first week in office, Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Defense to devise a plan to implement his missile defense proposal. “It should be fully operational before the end of my term. So we'll have it done in about three years,” the president said. Trump said the plan the Department of Defense has selected should cost about $175 billion to complete.

Carney: Why I’m Not Concerned the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Could Raise the Debt

On Tuesday’s “Alex Marlow Show,” Breitbart News economics editor John Carney talked about the Republican tax and spending bill.

Carney stated that the total amount of debt isn’t the issue, it’s the interest rate on it that creates pressure and causes long-term issues. He added that even if tax cuts decrease revenue, they won’t cause interest rates to increase and that’s what we’ve seen over the past forty years where, even as the debt and deficit increased, interest rates didn’t until they were recently increased to deal with inflation.

Deutsche Bank warns that U.S. economy is experiencing ‘death by a thousand cuts’

The United States’ national debt has reached an unprecedented $36.2 trillion, sparking intensifying concern from economists and financial institutions.

The escalating debt burden has prompted warnings that the country’s long-standing fiscal credibility may be at risk, especially as growth in the economy may no longer be sufficient to sustain rising interest payments and public spending. One of the most significant recent developments came from Moody’s Investors Service, which downgraded the U.S. credit rating from Aaa to Aa1. This move reflects growing skepticism about America’s fiscal trajectory and its ability to manage its mounting debt. In its statement, Moody’s acknowledged the U.S.’s strong economic and financial institutions but concluded that these strengths “no longer fully counterbalance the decline in fiscal metrics.”

[burnwater13]

Din Djarin holding the mystery lightsaber, while pieces of The Emperor's Dream lay on either side of him. Mini-figure and parts by LEGO. Image by me.

Not Fair? Part 16 of LEGO My Lightsaber

The Mandalorian wasn’t sure what he expected to do when he reached the surface of Zoh. The New Jedi Council was completely focused on addressing the problem of The Emperor’s Dream. Neat stacks of parts and sub assemblies had been forming all over the surface of the planet, as far as his sensors could detect. If he’d never seen Grogu lift that mudhorn up, he would never have believed his eyes now. But he did believe his eyes and the sensors and the plan they had laid out. He just wasn’t sure what his next step should be.

“Hey, Mando. Do you need anything? Anything at all? Rowan and the others are pretty busy and while I’d normally be happy to lay back and just sit in an oil bath, I’ve been informed that my job is to make sure that the humans and other non-droids are properly cared for.”

“Sure. Can you get me a cup of caf?”

As long as the battle droid had a job that wasn’t about battle, he was as happy about it doing something as it was.

“Of course. I’m an expert at making caf. Just ask anyone. Except Kordi. Or Zander. Or Rowan for that matter. I’ll get you a cup of caf.”

Great. That promised to be something liquid. 

“Mando to Lt. Valeria…”

“Valeria here. What’s up Mando?”

He could hear other people asking her for their next orders and telling her what they had completed. She sounded busy.

“Just wondering if we have any other interlopers.”

“Negative. Durpin has cried himself to sleep and Plumestriker is trying to eat us out of house and home. I guess they’ve had it pretty rough the last few months. I’d tell you more, but we are in full repair mode right now, just like your Mandalorian counterparts. But don’t worry, if we get a hit on the sensors we’ll let you know.”

“Roger that. Mando out.”

The Mandalorian turned back to look at the council and found himself face to face with the battle droid again. 

“No, Roger this. Here’s your caf. Hope you like black. We don’t have any of that stuff you humans ruin it with.”

The tone was judgmental and it made the Mandalorian curious.

“I didn’t think droids or mechs drank this stuff.” 

Djarin commented indicating the cup.

“We don’t. But it’s great for removing rust, paint blisters, and cleaning our circuits. That’s why I don’t understand why humans drink it. It can’t be good for you if does those other things.”

The Mandalorian looked at the dark translucent liquid that was steaming in a cup that had an old Imperial crest on it that was circled in red with a slash through it. He took a sniff and then poured it out onto the ground. There was no way he could bring himself to drink it.

“Hey! Waste not want not. I coulda used that to clean my hinges. This planet has so much sand on it, you’d think it was Tatooine’s twin.”

With that said, the battle droid stomped away muttering about how humans just didn’t understand priorities. 

Maybe they didn’t. Din Djarin recalled that he’d been sent to Zoh not just to pick up the Imps but to collect the lightsaber. Now he had it. He supposed that he should test it and see if it really was a lightsaber or if it was some sort of toy. Plumestriker thought it was a toy, but Durpin clearly thought he had discovered something of immense importance. Only one way to find out. 

He supposed he could have just stayed where he was and thumbed the switch that should have turned the thing on. But if he did that, would that distract the New Jedi Council? He couldn’t imagine Grogu not being distracted. His son had been wanting a lightsaber of his own ever since Skywalker had shown him the one that belonged to one of Grogu’s people, but refused to give it to him. 

The Mandalorian had heard a variety of choruses to a song that was generally about life not being fair and Jedi were supposed to help make it more fair, not less, and that Grogu had spent more time at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant than any of the people currently calling themselves Jedi or ‘not a Jedi’. The words changed over time but the sentiment was always the same. Life. Was. Not. Fair.

This was not a moment in time when Djarin wanted to deal with that song. Chances were good this wouldn’t be a moment of fairness either. The lightsaber he’d recovered with almost as tall as Grogu. It was perhaps just half of his son’s weight. Grogu would have to use the Force to use the weapon and that just didn’t make sense. At least not at this point in time. Better to move to a place that was out of sight and hope that equalled being out of mind. 

He looked around and noticed that a few meters to his right hand side that terrain of the strange planet dipped and rolled into a kind of parts laden valley. He wouldn’t be that far away if Grogu needed him for any reason, or Lt. Valeria for that matter, but he would be out of line of sight. He put thoughts into action and walked in that direction. 

When he reached the center of what looked and kind of felt like a pan or bowl, the way the sides raised up to block his view of everything else, he grinned. Now he wouldn’t distract Grogu and could just check the lightsaber out at his leisure without any droid or mech interrupting him. 

“Here goes nothing.”

The Mandalorian thumbed the switch to the ‘on’ position and and held his breath. He was either going to see a meter long beam of light emit from the handle or… nothing. 

To his surprise a bright blue beam was emitted not just straight from the hilt but across it as well. The smaller beams seemed to be intended to protect the users hand from other contact, something he hadn’t noticed on Ahsoka Tano’s blades, nor on Skywalker’s. He shrugged at that. Weapons evolved and changed over time, just like the people who used them. This one seemed to have been fashioned for beauty as well as lethality and he wondered which Jedi thought that was a good combination. The ones he’d met seemed far more practical. 

He thought about the Armorer trying to teach him how to use the Darksaber and how that had been nothing more than a fiasco. This lightsaber was just humming lightly at him. It felt comfortable in his hand. He could swing it easily. It wasn’t fighting him at all. Were they all that way? Or did this lightsaber simply not resent him for not being a Mandalorian by birth? As Grogu had explained and Seb Ta’low as well, Jedi came from many planets and backgrounds. They were connected by the Force. Mandalorians had to swear to the Creed and walk within its ways to remain Mandalorian. If you left the path, even for a moment, you were no longer Mandalorian. Perhaps that had been the problem with the Darksaber? Strange.

Almost as strange as how the light over his mock battle ground was fading fast. That didn’t seem right. Zoh didn’t have a short rotation around it’s axis. It shouldn’t be getting dark yet. Strange. 

Before he knew what was happening the blade of the lightsaber seemed to pull his arm high and the Mandalorian felt the jolt of the blade cutting through something, practically effortlessly. A moment later he stood there, pulse pounding in his ears, looking from side to side. A huge housing from one of the engines that had powered The Emperor’s Dream was now in two pieces, still red hot and sizzling. That housing would have crushed him. The lightsaber had saved his life. 

Whoops…

[blitzbahrain]

What Is a Circuit Breaker and How Does It Work in a Switchgear Assembly?

In modern electrical power systems, reliability and safety are paramount. Whether it’s a residential building, industrial plant, or renewable energy facility, the control and protection of electrical circuits are essential. One of the most critical components used for this purpose is the circuit breaker. When integrated into a switchgear assembly, the circuit breaker plays a central role in ensuring operational continuity, preventing electrical faults, and safeguarding equipment and personnel.

This article explores what a circuit breaker is, it’s working principle, types, and its specific function within a switchgear assembly.

What Is a Circuit Breaker?

A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overcurrent, overload, or short circuit. Its primary function is to interrupt current flow after a fault is detected. Unlike a fuse, which operates once and must be replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset (manually or automatically) to resume normal operation.

Key Functions of a Circuit Breaker

· Interrupt Fault Currents: Quickly breaks the circuit in the event of an overcurrent or short circuit.

· Manual Switching: Can be used to manually open or close a circuit for maintenance.

· Automatic Protection: Operates automatically in response to abnormal current conditions.

· Isolation: Ensures safe isolation of electrical equipment during servicing.

How Does a Circuit Breaker Work?

Circuit breakers operate on a simple principle: detect a fault and interrupt the current flow.

Working Mechanism

1. Detection: Internal sensors such as thermal, magnetic, or electronic trip units detect abnormalities in current.

· Thermal Trip Unit: Uses a bimetallic strip that bends with heat from overcurrent.

· Magnetic Trip Unit: Uses an electromagnet that triggers a release when excessive current flows.

· Electronic Trip Unit: Uses current sensors and a microprocessor for precise tripping.

2. Tripping: Once a fault is detected, the trip mechanism activates, causing the breaker’s contacts to open.

3. Arc Extinction: When the contacts open, an electrical arc forms. The breaker extinguishes the arc using mechanisms like:

· Air-blast

· Vacuum

· SF₆ gas

· Oil

4. Resetting: After the fault is cleared, the breaker can be reset and put back into service.

Types of Circuit Breakers

What Is a Switchgear Assembly?

Switchgear is a centralized assembly of electrical disconnect switches, fuses, or circuit breakers used to control, protect, and isolate electrical equipment. It is essential in power generation, transmission, and distribution networks.

Switchgear can be categorized by voltage level:

· Low Voltage (LV): Up to 1 kV

· Medium Voltage (MV): 1 kV to 36 kV

· High Voltage (HV): Above 36 kV

Role of Circuit Breakers in Switchgear Assemblies

Circuit breakers are core protection components within switchgear systems. Their role includes:

1. Fault Detection and Isolation

Circuit breakers detect and isolate faulty circuits to prevent system-wide failures and reduce downtime.

2. Load Control

Operators can use breakers in switchgear to safely connect or disconnect loads as required during routine operations or emergencies.

3. System Coordination

In coordinated protection schemes, different breakers in the switchgear are set with time-current characteristics to isolate faults precisely and efficiently.

4. Integration with Automation

Modern switchgear integrates circuit breakers with SCADA systems and smart relays, enabling remote monitoring and control.

Circuit Breakers in Renewable and Industrial Applications

In sectors like solar and wind energy, circuit breakers are specially designed to handle:

· Bidirectional current flow

· Rapid voltage fluctuations

· High fault levels due to DC sources

In industrial settings, breakers must handle high inrush currents, frequent switching, and harsh environments.

Maintenance and Safety Considerations

To ensure reliability:

· Regular Testing: Trip settings, insulation resistance, and contact resistance must be tested periodically.

· Visual Inspection: For signs of wear, overheating, or contamination.

· Replacement of Parts: Arcing contacts and insulation materials degrade over time and must be replaced as needed.

Safety measures include:

· Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

· Grounding procedures

· Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Conclusion

Circuit breakers are indispensable for the protection and control of electrical systems. When embedded within a switchgear assembly, they offer enhanced reliability, automation capability, and system safety. Whether in a power substation, a manufacturing facility, or a renewable energy farm, the synergy of circuit breakers and switchgear ensures smooth, safe, and efficient operation.

Understanding how circuit breakers function and interact within switchgear assemblies is crucial for electrical engineers, facility managers, and anyone involved in the design, operation, or maintenance of electrical infrastructure.

[socojes]

The oil level sensor is used together with the GPS liquid level remote sensing system to provide dynamic oil level information for all kinds of vehicles, power machinery, generator sets, ships, light trucks, heavy trucks, agricultural machinery, yacht and ship fuel tanks, buses and all kinds of loading machinery. According to different needs, the sensor can also be applied to various water tanks, hydraulic tanks and special chemicals level detection.

[inkmimicry]

so-so luxo

A little drabble featuring XL from my @warncdandwiles blog! The first meeting between him and XO.

...

XO was almost inclined to ignore the alarm blaring overhead, and for a moment the little robot was tempted to go back to spraying the screen over his console with the anti-streak cleaner he'd borrowed. His chest compartment was open to produce a miniature glass-wiper, for good measure.

The longest Star Command place went without a proper red alert was a month, and that came with rumors throughout the galaxy that Zurg had contracted the flu. 

Habits are even hard to shake, harder still for robots, when programming sticks more than muscle. He sat back and peered about him to gauge the reactions of his fellow diagnostics staff, who all seemed equally unbothered.

Until a LGM came barrelling through a door, arms waving, a letting out a understated, but no less terrified yelp. Then people started ducking for cover.

On cue, the whole place shook. XO's in-programmed systems were alerted of a breach in the next sector, near the food storage. He didn't have time to dwell on such an unlikely location. Doubtful it was a simple wall malfunction.

He was wheeling himself along the hallway, his colleagues having scattered, and was bemused to find no Rangers in the area despite the alert.

Another screen popped up over his visual overlay;

WARNING, UNAUTHORIZED SIGNAL DETECTED

WARNING, POSSIBLE SECURITY BREACH DETECTED

He stopped wheeling, distracted, before the next door, and focused on the readings, trying to make sense of it. Had that alarm been - false? Or was his system picking up the correct one, and the Rangers were collecting in the wrong place?!

CONTACTING: THE X-PERIMENTAL RANGER

...

...

SIGNAL LOST

Well. XO could no longer focus on the text darting past his eyelids in torrents, as a strange noise was approaching him. A grating, clunking sound, repeating. A damaged mech of some time, a problem in the walls? His hand reached for the little console beside the door to enter to code to the inner sectors of Star Command -

When the smooth, reinforced metal was blasted open like tin toil. XO's sensors picked up something bulky, yellow and orange, encircled by a black-and-white caution pattern. The force sent him skittering back, and his wheel lost balance. He landed on his side, head rattling in its dome.

The object was an arm. And the hulking mech that pulled itself sideways through the remains of the door-frame was mismatched, chaotic in design, with it's head obscured by the light shining on the glass...dome.

XO's diagnostic overlay vanished; replaced with a profile image on the top right-hand side.

"XL?" He didn't know what possessed him to say it out loud. He'd been afraid before, but terror seemed to leak through his wiring like oil.

The torso dipped forward, finally yanking free of the door-frame, dislodging wires in the wall and leaving them spluttering. It was only then a pair of beady, mismatched optics spied him on the floor, tiny by comparison.

XL's brows flew up, and the pupils darted around.

"...You're gotta kiddin' me." The voice was as bizarre and off-kilter as the rest of him: loud, grating, somehow both gruff and high at once. XO had rightened himself, and scooted back as he brute leaned down.

"They made another one of you?!

It was a swift change from bemusement to fury. Robots shouldn't be able to grimace like this. XO backed up further, arms raised - but every bit retreated had XL taking a step, until they stopped in he middle of the hall-way.

"If another I - I, I take it you refer to XR?" XO didn't know why he felt like talking was somehow keeping things from escalating. He knew all the facts of the XL case, of course, and the antagonistic fixation he had on his replacement.

An obsession with betterment and revenge.

A very unusual insistent that an organic superior was a parental figure, and a robot in the same class as himself was a sibling.

A growing list of violent theft, attacks, and attempted murder.

"Technically, I am not a ranger in the same class as you and XR. I am a secretary droid. I am by no means another attempt to replace you."

He saw the stony look on XL's face and hurried to amend, "That is, XR wasn't so much a replacement, simply another...iteration ranger."

XL took this all in with a quirked brow and dubious glare.

"Hah. Pull the other one. I'm not a ranger of any class anymore."

He slammed his right arm into the wall. XO ducked. It switched functions into a chainsaw of some kind. That got a shudder out him.

"I wonder who's fault that is."

XO was not surprised to find his hands were trembling when he made a placating gesture. "...Th-there's no need to get aggress-"

Sharp, pointed fingers closed around his spindly middle and hoisted him into the air. XO was yanked so close his head-dome knocked uncomfortable against XL's, and he was treated to a full view of his disgruntled sneer.

"Aggressive?"

"Exactly that." XO managed to yelp.

"I don't think you understand how this works." He tossed XO up, momentarily releasing him His head rattled around in the dome when he was caught by the wheel and dangled upside down. "I guess I better initiate my - newest little brother in how these things play out!"

This again. XO managed a scowl, trying to pull himself right-side up by grabbing onto his own single leg. "We are robots. We do not have siblings."

XL did not answer for a few moments, glowering at him in an expression somewhere between a pouty child's, and a murderous killer's. XO's gusto vanished.

"Tip number one: interruptin' me during a monologue is a NO-GO!"

With that, XO was hurtled like a baseball across the hallway. His body was not built for such punishment, and he tumbled along, metal clanking like an empty tin can bouncing down a staircase. He finally skidded to a halt near the other doorway.

Warning messages began popping up in front of his eyes; usually an asset, now nothing but a distraction as he tried to drag himself up. He felt XL's heavy steps lumbering towards him.

"Don't worry. I won't crush you right away. I want the other pipsqueak and his do-gooder pals to show up first. So you n' me can get some quality time together!"

XO looked up, thankful for the cone hiding the majority of his face. His expression of utmost horror wouldn't be approvable on a Star Command Droid.

"I...have nothing to do with you," he argued, weakly. It appeared to be the wrong thing to say. XL's budding evil smile vanished, and he snatched him up again. The circuits in XO's main body were taking damage, and it was very unpleasant.

"Suuure. That's what everybody in this darn family says. Well don't worry," he was jostled once, "You won't be my sibling for long."

A cajoling laugh followed, low and grating.

XO's optic overlays were going insane. Trying to sort the failing systems in his main body, trying to contact the Rangers, attempting to make sense of the blocked channels. None of it was helping, and XL's grip was getting tighter, and his grin was returning in a most unpleasant way.

XO blinked with purpose. His overlay was deactivated, and for once in a long while, he saw only what any organic would have seen: his enemy's face behind the glass.

Glass.

XO stopped trembling. His chest latch opened and a tiny arm sprouted from inside, wielding his trusty anti-streak spray. XL had one moment to looked abashed before his dome was covered in strong, lemon-scented cleaner, and a dish rag was smacked over it like newspaper obscuring a window.

"Hey - what the - HEY!"

It was enough. The grip around his middle lessened, and XO landed on his wheel, swaying to one side as he took off down the hall way. He leaped the broken doorframe, sparks littering his shoulders.

His euphoria didn't last; XL's angry cursing followed him out of sight. "GET BACK HERE!"

A pair of double-doors split apart up ahead, and the blessed sight of a Ranger squad came stamping through, arms thrust out and lasers at the ready. They hardly noticed the little robot zigzagging through their legs.

"Wait until I get my hands on you, ya little worm! This ain't over!"

"XO!" Booster was at the back of the squad; and the only one to stop and address him as he collapsed against the wall, finally out of dodge. "Are you okay?!"

"I am...slightly damaged." XO shakily adjusted the collar around his glass-dome, now aware of several cracks running up the glass. "I feel I have made the wrong impression with XL."

The ranger laughed good-naturedly, and waved a hand, "Oh, nobody ever gets off on the right foot with XL. He woulda hated you just for being an X series! It isn't your fault."

His tone was truly, perfectly sincere and benign. XO sighed heavily, which went completely unnoticed.

"Thank you, Booster," he droned.