#Pre Action Protocol

[lexlawuk]

UK Visit Visa Refusals

Experiencing a refusal for a UK Visit Visa can be disheartening, especially after investing significant time and resources in the application process. However, understanding the reasons behind visit visa refusals can help applicants take appropriate steps moving forward. In such cases, it is highly advisable to instruct our expert immigration team at our specialist London law firm. We offer…

[aiolegalservices]

Pre-Action Protocols, Expert Evidence, and Alternative Dispute Resolution: A Guide to Efficient Legal Dispute Management

  Paragraph 6 of the Pre-action Conduct of all proceedings confirms that if a relevant pre-action protocol exists, parties are required to follow it before initiating legal action. This ensures that both sides take certain preliminary steps, such as sharing information and exploring potential settlements, to possibly resolve the dispute without court intervention. If no specific protocol applies,…

[unfortunately-obsessed]

In this silly little head of mine, Jason never saw Bruce and Dick fight. When he came into the manor and Dick felt like he has been replaced, he had the conscience to not scream at Bruce in front of the kid that has no fault on the matter. So screamed and cried because Robin, his mantle and his parents' legacy, was robbed and given to another person without his consent, he threw hands at Bruce for that. But never in front of Jason. Because Jason can't be blamed by Bruce's actions.

And as general rule, Bruce doesn't raise his voice when he's close to kids. Especially his kids, and especially kids that are traumatized, that are still raw from leaving a particularly difficult situation. He took this from Batman, from the very first year, and carried the habit to his sons

But after Jason dies? They're both drowning in blind grief

So when they fight, and they do fight, viciously, Tim is the one that is there to see it. He's the one the see all the ugly bits, the imperfections behind the mask– not only that, I don't think Jason as a kid ever saw his father cry. Bruce knew neither of his sons should ever carry his emotional baggage.

But Tim? Oh, Bruce's grief is a weight that presses upon his chest until he chokes, and the manor is so haunted by Jason's absence, emerged in such deafening silence, that Tim inevitably heard Bruce cry more than once. Until his own chest became so tight he needed to go and comfort Bruce too. This or he was going to go insane. He needed to fix it all, somehow

While Dick and Jason got to make play and silly tricks while in patrol, Tim, Cass, Steph and Damian got a Batman extremely paranoid with protocols, rules and safety measurements. Dealing with Gotham is a serious commitment and is not to be joked about.

So there's that. I'm not saying either Dick or Jason got a perfect version of Bruce. And I'm not saying that, in either case, Bruce is/was a bad father. On the contrary, Batman must always be a good father because of what he represent– what he is as a character

But, yes, being raised by Bruce pre and post Jason's death is a completely different experience

And it got me thinking about how Jason reacts to this after he comes back

[onelawchamber]

How to submit a Pre-Action Protocol Letter for Civil Litigation Disputes and Money Claims

It is important to ensure you submit a properly prepared and compliant Pre-Action Protocol Letter under the Practice Direction Pre-Action Conduct of the Civil Procedure Rules. If you fail to comply with the relevant Pre-Action Protocol for Civil Litigation Disputes and Money Claims, you could face costs sanctions even if you end up with a successful outcome at the civil trial.

[prokopetz]

I'm still thinking over the dice-rolling side of the Action Phase in Space Gerbils, but in terms of making the Action Phase more structured and establishing a bit of a player-facing minigame, I'm thinking of moving the process of totalling up a test's impact factors from the GM-facing side to the player-facing side and making a sort of ritual of it. Really lean on the game's Star Trek inspirations and ask players to engage in gratuitous exposition about what they're about to do, with standard prompts like:

Explain why a particular protocol counters this Obstacle's greatest strength

Explain how one of the mech suit's installed systems exploits this Obstacle's hidden weakness

Propose a theory about this Obstacle's true nature and explain how you plan to test it

... and so forth, like the bridge crew on the Enterprise deploying weaponised technobabble at a problem. Critically, this isn't a back-and-forth dialogue with the GM; the players are making assertions about the nature of the problem, which are totted up to determine the subsquent test's potential impact; the way tests are interpreted is then reframed less as success or failure and more as finding out whether those assumptions prove to be beneficial.

The trick is going to be coming up with a list of pre-defined exposition prompts that will give the players enough to work with without either encouraging repetition or overwhelming them with options!

[nahoney22]

Hello, Sunshine! Congrats on the 4000!! I'm honoured to count myself between those 🙌🏼

I would like to make a request, so I can join in the festivities. I've been thinking hard to give you something nice, and suddenly an idea struck me, so I humbly offer it to you:

Female reader/Tech (no surprise here, right?), pre-relationship, for some accidental reason (up to you) Tech touches her hair/skin gloveless, and he becomes fascinated by how soft it is (he is a soldier, but I'm sure he appreciates fine things), and I'm picturing him here with a slightly addictive personality, so he starts touching and petting her, kind of absent-mindedly while he is working, or she goes next to him (or at that same moment, tho, whatever fits you better). Reader starts getting flustered because those fingers, am I right. I can see a NSFW ending, but if it doesn't come to you, it's fine.

I would just love to see this idea played out in your style!

Thank you so much! And more than anything, have fun!

Just A Little More***

Tech X F!Reader

word count: 3k

Tech had never struck you as the touchy-feely type so why is it when he asks you to do repairs for him that he just can’t keep his hands to himself and how can you get his hands to move elsewhere?

warnings: NSFW 18+ only. Explicit sexual content and language, non established relationship, accidental caressing, slightly touchy-feely Tech but SFW, first kiss, skin kisses, Intercrural sex (thigh sex/thigh job), handjob, minor nipple play, friends to lovers. Not proofread.

authors note: Thank you for the request my beautiful @doublesunsets and apologies for the huge wait! Hope this is okay🤍

You're feeling perplexed.

Though, It's not necessarily an unusual sensation since joining The Bad Batch and adapting to their peculiar ways of living and combat. However, your current confusion reached a peak a few days back.

Tech had summoned you beneath the ship for repair assistance and out of nowhere, he began tracing his fingers along your forearm. You looked at him, then your arm, and then back at him as he remained absorbed in his task, and for some reason, you refrained from questioning his actions. You gathered that perhaps he was so engrossed in his task that he didn't realise he was touching you, and so you dismissed it as an accident.

Yet, it persisted. He continued seeking your help, tasks usually assigned to Echo, and despite assigning you a task, his hand consistently found its way to your arm, fingers casually brushing against your skin. It was peculiar but not entirely unwelcome.

This routine persisted for a week until the last occurrence compelled you to finally seek an explanation.

One evening in the confined space of your bunk, your face bathed in the dim glow of your datapad's screen when a message notification from Tech pops down. The request for assistance in the cockpit sparks a strange sensation in your chest – a mix of nerves and intrigue, perhaps. Without letting him wait for a response, you place the datapad down and traverse through the ship.

Upon entering the cockpit, the soft hum of the machinery surrounds you. But there in the pilot's seat is Tech, immersed in his own datapad, donned in his underarmour wear. The steady rhythm of his fingers tapping on the screen adds to the ship's ambient sounds and your footsteps echo softly as you approach.

Hearing your approach, Tech glances up, pushing his goggles up his nose with a subtle yet distinct motion. "Ah, there you are.”

"Here I am," you respond with your hands on your hips, a hint of awkwardness in your voice as a sudden wave of shyness washes over you. But non-surprisingly, Tech doesn't seem to notice.

He goes ahead and explains the task at hand—helping with wiring under the control panel. Following the usual protocol, you swiftly retrieve the necessary tools and gloves. As you slide on your gloves, you notice Tech doing the opposite, peeling his off, a recurring behaviour over the last few days.

With your curiosity getting the better of you after the last few days, you inquire, "What are you doing?" His confusion is evident as he looks at you, brows furrowed. When you gesture to his now bare hands, your gloved ones drawing attention, he seems momentarily flustered.

"Oh... I am not too sure," he mumbles, hastily putting the gear back on before moving toward the control panel, ready to slide underneath.

His genuine confusion hints that it might be learned behavior—perhaps he grew accustomed to the contact, and the lack of questions made it a norm. So, setting aside these thoughts, you join him under the control panel, observing his nimble fingers at work with the wires. Although his explanations might be slipping past your ears, you find enjoyment in watching him in his element. As you assist with holding the wires and passing over tools, a subtle but palpable shift in the air suggests that something feels different.

A subtle warmth builds beneath your clothes, and you attribute it to the close proximity to Tech, though the unfamiliar mix of nerves and intrigue from before confuses you even more.

The absence of his gentle touches leaves you feeling somewhat adrift, and a part of you yearns for that contact once again. It's a peculiar sensation, considering he seemed unaware of it all.

Caught in your internal questioning, Tech, too, is in a trance of his own. His nimble fingers have paused in their task, and instead, he's captivated by the scent and touch of your hair brushing against his cheek. With your head tilted to the side, loose strands cascade down, lightly grazing over his cheek.

He knows the smell.

It’s the hair care product you had begged him to add to the list of resources once in a supply run because as you once said ‘if I’m gonna kick arse, I want my hair soft, shiny and smelling good in the process’. And for some reason, he said yes. Maybe he was soft on you or maybe it was because you constantly asked and he was getting a headache.

He wasn’t sure but what he did know was that it was soft.

And shiny.

And smelt beautiful.

The moment holds a certain intimacy, yet neither of you seemed to notice eachothers reactions; both of you lost in your own thoughts.

Tech swiftly resumes his task, jolting into action after a subtle shift from you beside him, and a focused silence envelops the cockpit. You exhale softly, attempting to steady your breathing and cool the warmth beneath your clothes. Blinking, you glance away from his hands, awkwardly holding the small screwdriver he had asked you to handle a few moments ago.

As he finishes, both of you slide out from under the control panel. Surprisingly, you find Tech standing there with his now ungloved hand outstretched towards you.

Pausing for a moment, you look at his hand and then to him, a curious desire to test his reaction arising. Deciding to slip your gloves off first, the motion seems to momentarily freeze him. His throat bobs as he swallows hard, and you seize the opportunity to slip your bare hand into his outstretched one.

His hand is warm, perhaps a bit sweaty, but the touch feels natural, fitting. With a gentle tug, he helps you onto your feet, but instead of releasing your hand, he continues to hold it. His gaze fixates on your intertwined hands, and his thumb lightly brushes over your skin, sending a subtle thrill through you.

As your heart quickens and the warmth intensifies, your eyes remain fixed on his face, searching for clues.

Unable to wonder any longer, you break the silence with a whispered yet firm question, "What's going on, Tech?" His trance is broken, and he shifts his gaze from your hand to your eyes. With a clearing of his throat, he attempts to conjure an excuse to leave the cockpit, but as he moves past you, you grab his arm, pulling him to a halt.

"I don't think so. Tell me what this is about.” The air is charged with anticipation as you await his response.

"Well, alright," he starts, turning back to face you but struggling to meet your gaze. "Would you believe me if I said I did not know?"

You blink at him but offer a small smile, "Tech, I'd believe you if you said this whole planet was made out of cheese."

Seeing him relax, you notice a slight smile as he moves to lean against the control panel, folding his arms over his chest. "I suppose my only reasoning behind it is that I am not used to such contact. Nor am I used to touching something… soft."

You raise a brow, slightly amused, but a small flutter stirs in your chest at his words. "You think my hands are soft?"

"Yes," he admits, a subtle raspiness in his tone, "immensely."

The heat of the blush intensifies as Tech's sweet compliments linger in the air, leaving you somewhat flustered. Your attraction to him, always present, takes on a new depth as you watch him work up close and feel his touch.

His words almost make you crumble, and you find yourself at a loss for a proper response, opting instead for a playful comment about the soap bar you use.

"Ah yes, I have seen it in the refresher," he notes, his hands now behind him, gripping the edge of the control panel. His fingers strum somewhat nervously, creating a subtle melody in the air.

Nervously chewing on your lip, the action doesn't escape Tech's notice as his skin grows warm as you both stand in an awkward silence, unsure of the next move. It's you who takes the initiative, closing the distance with a step closer.

"You know, you can carry on touching me if it makes you feel better," you suggest, and Tech's eyes slightly widen.

"It is not an action that makes me feel 'better,' so to speak," he explains, visibly relaxing, "but it is just a sensation that I have been enjoying. If it made you feel uncomfortable in any way, you should tell me."

A soft giggle escapes you, and this time, you come to a stop directly in front of him. Gently reaching for his hand, you bring it into your own. "If I had a problem with it, I would've said. I also wouldn't be doing this."

The touch carries a subtle yet intentional message, one that surprisingly resonates with Tech. Not known for his overt emotional responses, he acknowledges the unspoken connection between you two. "I suppose not," he nods, standing tall. His fingers trace over yours, a silent exploration mapping every scar and freckle.

“They are so soft.” He mumbles more to himself than he does to you, seemingly in a complete trance.

You watch him, like you had done for the last few days and you can’t help but feel like you’ve read the situation between you both correctly. So, summoning your courage just above a whisper you say, “I’m pretty soft in other places too.”

He halts for a moment, meeting your gaze with wonder. “I can not lie and say that that did not sound arousing… and inviting.”

You raise a brow, a cocky yet enticing smirk on your lips. “Maybe it was an invitation?”

Tech has no words, he doesn’t know what else to say but instead watches as you take a step back from him and start to pull your shirt away from your body.

You stand in front of him, shirtless.

He didn't need Hunter's senses for this; he could smell you, almost taste you. Your skin had a glow amidst the dim lights of the ship, and his nostrils filled with the faint mist of your soap.

The subtle aroma encapsulated the moment, heightening the sensory experience as his eyes continued to explore the intricate details of your body. The air in the cockpit seemed charged with a connection that was too intense to deny.

“You are beautiful.”

Your eyes shine at his words and you naturally move back towards him, his hands instinctively moving to your waist where you inhale a sharp gasp, your skin tingling at his touch alone. “Do you want me, Tech?”

His fingers trail along your skin and you see him dab his lips idly with his tongue. “More than I have ever wanted anything before.”

Grinning, you nod for him as a go ahead as you lean yourself against the console as his hold on you tightens, dexterous fingers dancing against your skin until they land at the buckle of your pants, a teasing tug suggesting he wanted to see all of you.

“Go ahead,” you rasp, mouth salivating as Tech hums in approval and helps you slide your pants down to your ankles.

Cool air hits your skin followed by the warmth of his hand moving down to the curve of your arse, muttering something quietly to himself which has you giggling under his touch.

“Something amusing?” He quips, hands moving from your arse to your breasts, fondling them gently.

“This is the quietest I’ve seen you is all.”

Chuckling he says, “When I am in deep thought, experiencing my desires, I tend to fall quiet.”

“Desire, hm?” You purr. Tech slowly begins circling you, letting his trained hands, so often equipped with his datapad, tools, blasters now caress every single inch of your nude skin. With a grasp at your hips, your back is dragged to his chest, his hands on the soft skin of your stomach.

“Desire…fascination…lust…” he grins as you gasp, his hands cupping both of your breasts, your head lolling back into his shoulder.

“Tech,” you whine, legs trembling as his fingers brush over your stiffening nipples, pinching them between his fingers.

“Yes, dear? Do you like this sensation?” He breathes down your ear, lips brushing against your lobe before they move to your shoulder, a sweet kiss planted.

“Mm, yeah- s’good.” You wriggle against him, your arse pressed to his solid cock.

He sighs against you in pleasure, playing with your tits as you move your hands behind you, cupping him between his legs, heart racing as you gather how big and ready he was for you.

“I can help with that.” He grunts as he moves one hand away from you, tugging himself out of his pants so you can get a firm hold and as your hand grips his heated length he lets out a beautiful whine of his own.

“Fuck,” Tech ruts agaisnt your soft hand, everything he had been wanting to feel around his cock becoming reality. He finally spins you to face him, nearly knocking you off your feet as his lips crash to yours, desperate and full of passion.

“You’re wonderful.” His groan is guttural, lips moving from yours down your neck, over your collar bones until they latch to one of your nipples, sucking and ever so gently biting at the peaks before he laves his tongue flat against your flesh.

You curse, his pace slow and tantalising as his hand strokes your other breast, feeling its weight in his hand and thumbing your plump nipple.

Clit throbbing with an unmet need for attention, you cry out his name and he removes his mouth with a small pop, he places a tender kiss to your lips.

“Can I try something?” You are flushed against him, cock pressing to your stomach and you nod eagerly.

“Of course.”

He grinds his hips against you softly for a moment, there was no set rhythm and was based entirely on instinct and desperation alone. His hands bite your hips as he kisses your neck and shoulder, earning quiet, content hums in response.

His hands dug between his and your stomach. “Just let me—“ he takes a hold of his cock, wet and leaking, before pressing it between your thighs.

“Ah, fuck, so soft.” He choked, pushing his goggles up his nose which had fallen slightly down.

His hips start to thrust, dragging his dick against your thighs and more noticeably against your folds. “Tech…” you whimper in satisfaction, heart pounding against your chest.

“Just a little more, darling.” The whines, pants and groans that leave his throat are pure filth to the ears, his movement so erratic that you had to hold onto his shoulders to keep you standing as your thighs swallow his throbbing tip entirely. His grip on your waist tightens at every increasing pace.. “J-Just… a little more.”

He fucks your thighs beautifully, tip prodding agaisnt your clit with every movement. You’re pent up. He is definitely pent up as you both dive into another kiss and you quietly beg him for more.

“You can fuck me, Tech… you can have all of me.” You bite against his lower lip, earning a low growl and a harsh thrust in return.

“I’ll fuck you properly, I promise.” His words held, like he said, a promise but you knew he just had to fuck your thighs just a little bit more, you knew he had to feel the softness of your skin he had been admiring for however many days now. “I’ll fuck you so good I just… I just need to cum all over your thighs. Just this once.”

Your sex burns in desire and although you knew you won’t get what you crave, you had to give in to Tech. You had to let him slap his cock on your soft skin, sliding in and out of your squeezed together legs until he was panting and swearing.

Lewd sounds fell from your lips, a sharp gasp as Tech repositioned your legs just a tad so his cock nuzzled against the right spot.

Your eyes fell closed, threatening to roll back into your skull. One hand frees your waist but makes it way into your hair, fingers entwined with the soft tassels and fingernails massaging your scalp. “Such a pretty girl.”

You bury your face in the crook of his neck, your orgasm building with every pressure added to your pussy and judging by Tech’s staggered movements, the shift of his weight on his feet you knew he was close too. “Ah- fuck, I’m going to-.”

His words fall flat as you feel a sudden warmth grow between your legs. A lewd squelching noise followed by his soft whines. “That’s it darling,” his words are slurred as he paints your legs with his seed but he doesn’t pull away. Instead, he holds you close and cradles you in his arms as he feels your body twitch and whispers for you to let it go.

Your hands fly to between your legs, your fingers coating in his cum as you begin to strum your clit with vigour until you were shouting his name aloud, letting it bounce off the walls of the ship as you tremble on his softening cock.

You stumble back, but Tech catches you swiftly, cooing soft words of assurance as stars briefly blur your vision. "I have you, do not fret. You will not fall."

You laugh lazily, a drunk-like smile gracing your lips. "I trust you, don't worry."

His warm smile reassures you, and he announces his intention to return with a flannel to help clean you up—a pleasant surprise. Once cleaned up, he pulls you into his lap as he sits down.

His lips trail down your spine, fingers delicately dragging across the canvas of your back. It's a blank slate, a myriad of possibilities for designs he could plan, but for now, he simply savors the feeling of your beautiful, warm skin. The quiet intimacy envelops the two of you and you look over your shoulder at him to gauge his reaction to what just happened.

"So, that was something," you laugh softly, cuddling into the warmth of his chest. "I never thought I'd see that side of you."

"And I never would have thought you would ever experience that side of me. It's different from how I usually conduct myself, but around you, I felt as though I could be open. Honest."

It's a rare glimpse of Tech being open with his feelings, and you're grateful that even after a moment of intimacy, he doesn't shut you out. There's something unspoken between you both, a desire to explore this newfound feeling for another.

For now, you say nothing, letting him hold you, allowing his mind to drift away from battle plans, ship repairs, and survival. It’s the least you could do.

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[caramellody]

I am not immune to Usha/ G13posting, actually. In fact, i have lots of thoughts. About it, and it's that @grovylelover brought up the dissonance between the G13 that is being portrayed and presented vs. How G13's actions and thoughts show him to truly be.

LIKE. If we lay out EVERYTHING we know about him so far in as chronological of an order as It essentially goes:

- 8 months pre-canon something happens to the hive where G13 gets captured and taken in by the government

- At some points, G13 and Johnny are both 'hired' at the same time to work for the shadow falcons. Both having someone that is clear they care about being used as blackmail (Lucy for Johnny and Slicer for G13)

- biggest clue into his thoughts is in his comments on Slicer. The fact that. Usha, even as shes being erased catches onto the fact that theres a part of G13's thoguhts on Slicer that he isnt touching upon. Many thoughts.

I dont doubt that. G13's been some level of hardass bastard by nature of the world he lives in. But there's a clear level of empathy and care that he does have for his group. So imagine him when hes being forced to upload an extremely dangerous file, only for a 100 year old woman to come crashing into and taking over his body and he's helpless to do anything because what this means is 2 things:

1. This old woman fucking up the shadow falcon protocol is going to put slicer in danger

2. You've just realized that this world isn't even real to begin with.

Like. That's a LOT to handle on top of all the issues he's already having to deal with! A LOT of his agressive behavior comes off both as a front that hes always had by nature of his situation of being used by the government, coupled with him having to grapple with the fact that hes a fictional character in a fictional movie thats just going to rewind and force them do the same choices again and again and again. And if he remains aware of this fact, then that's torture, and that could make ANYONE bitter

[the-magnusinstitute]

Wait, Elias bouchard is enforcing the no drugs policy? Damn, I used to work with that guy and he was high about like 99% of the time he came in to work

Elias Bouchard here. This is libel. In three to five business days you will receive a copy of the Pre-Action Protocol for Media and Communication. Prepare accordingly.

[lexlawuk]

Comprehensive Guide on Judicial Review

A judicial review is a vital legal recourse available to challenge decisions made in asylum, immigration, or human rights applications, often involving decisions by the Home Office or other relevant authorities. Unlike typical appeals, judicial review focuses on assessing whether the law has been correctly applied and if the proper procedures have been followed. When to Consider Bringing a…

[zahri-melitor]

Okay, I just finished The Victim Syndicate in Detective Comics #943-947, and I was struck by a few things when reading this storyline.

I've heard people claim that Steph is not particularly well-written by James Tynion IV. I'm not actually sure that's the case. What I think the major complaint might actually be is "Steph's characterisation in Tynion's 'Tec does not match Batgirl 2009" in terms of what I've read so far.

Because what I saw on the page? That characterisation looked an awful lot like pre-War Games characterisation of Stephanie Brown. In fact, I'd take a gamble and say it's the most in-character writing for Steph I've read since 2004 where 'in-character' means in accord with what the Bat Bible under Dennis O'Neil had for Steph. (And whatever you want to say about Batgirl 2009, it is undoubtedly true that it departs from pre-2004 characterisation for a number of Doylist reasons, due to the multitude of out-of-book issues).

Steph's relationships with Harper and Cass from Batman Eternal and Batman & Robin Eternal and Batgirl 2011 are preserved.

She’s written as stubborn and determined and angry and raging at a wrong she sees. She IS very wrapped up in Tim but to her eye her BOYFRIEND JUST DIED, and Steph's always been fairly obsessive about Tim and measured herself against him, going all the way back to their first meeting. So many of her actions over the years have either been to spite her father, or to get a reaction from Tim.

And she gets her hands on Tim’s protocols from a program Tim wrote and then uses them on her allies, a classic Spoiler move where she's disrupting an authority-figure's plan (in this case Batman) as she doesn't feel she's being listened to, with a move that is reminiscent of you guessed it, the lead into War Games.

Like that SURE IS some Stephanie Brown like behaviour. Mad at Bruce and yelling at him. Feeling hurt and doing something inadvised with specialised information. Determined that SHE knows better than people with more training and experience than she has.

I dunno. It feels like pretty in-character Steph to me. And circular "Steph gets told she's not good enough, Steph tries to prove herself, Steph screws up, repeat" is a classic, CLASSIC storyline for her all the way back to her first appearance.

And here what is happening? Bruce is telling her to take a break due to her emotions over Tim, the situation goes wrong and Steph steps in to help anyway as she's there, Steph gets benched, Steph STILL gets called in after a villain shows up to talk to her, Steph thinks she knows better than everyone else and arrives with a threat in hand to try resolve the situation, including using PROTOCOLS on ALLIES, Steph gets people to stand down but ends up hurt and told off.

...That's a Steph story. That's always been the shape of a Steph story and the sort of actions she takes.

[kanansdume]

Here's the thing. We've seen two shows now that have chosen to take a character that was pre-established and switch them up a little bit so that they have an arc they can go on throughout the show.

In the Obi-Wan Kenobi show, they take a character who's generally been established as pretty solid, has a lot of confidence himself, is full of faith, etc. and just threw him down into a depression pit that he had to climb out of.

In Andor, they took a character who had been established as extremely passionate about the Rebellion, ruthless when necessary, but still entirely capable of making connections with people and then made him someone still clinging to his past and running from the fight.

The difference here is that both Ewan McGregor and Diego Luna clearly UNDERSTOOD those characters well enough and on a deep enough level that they could take these characters in the opposite direction of how they'd been previously shown and have it still MAKE SENSE for the characters. And we have to assume that the showrunners for their two respective shows also respected both the characters and these actors enough to take all of that into consideration.

Dave Filoni clearly does not understand who Sabine is as a character and so this spiral he has sent her on in order to give her a place to grow from in the Ahsoka show just... doesn't make any sense. There's no understanding of why Sabine worked as a character and what people LIKED about her, there's no understanding of where she was at emotionally at the end of Rebels in order to smoothly transition her into the mental place she's in for the Ahsoka show, and these two things together are making her actions on the show feel completely out of character.

Sabine would never train to be a Jedi, she's got no fucking interest in it and no motivation to try. Sabine would never blow off a ceremony that Lothal is having to honor Ezra. Sabine would never disrespect Huyang repeating reasonable protocols because she understands what protocols are and why they work. Sabine would NEVER disrespect Ezra's sacrifice to get Thrawn off the board by helping the villains trying to bring Thrawn back just because she wants Ezra back. Sabine was literally the person who made sure to distract all of their friends so that Ezra could go make that sacrifice IN THE FIRST PLACE. Sabine would NEVER disrespect this because they've already established that Sabine UNDERSTANDS why Ezra did it and respects that choice that he made.

And Natasha Liu Bordizzo, for all that I'm sure she's doing the best she can with Sabine, is new to this character. She does not have the experience of having been in this character's head for a while already in order to bring that knowledge to the show, even if we pretend Filoni would have listened to her if she'd fought back about it. Natasha cannot stand up for better writing for Sabine in the way that Ewan and Diego were presumably able to stand up for their characters and help bring their experiences as these characters to the stories being written about them.

So it's not that you can't take pre-established characters and undo them and make them act out of character in order to give them a place to grow to so they can get back IN character. I'm not against doing that. But there's a right and wrong way to do it so that undoing the character a little for the sake of the narrative doesn't feel like it's BUTCHERING the poor character and making them unrecognizable to the audience.

[liminalweirdo]

over 20,000 people in the United States died of Covid-19 since the beginning of 2024. Millions who avoided death are nonetheless still living with Long Covid, and this number grows each month. We are still in crisis.

Most importantly, though, implementing accessibility measures during an active pandemic is the right thing to do, as it makes events safer for everyone. Black communities, people of color, the disability community at large, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and low-income communities continue to be especially hard-hit by the pandemic and the abandonment of Covid-19 precautions. The pandemic reproduces the very forms of ableism, classism, and racism that existed before 2020. There are millions of already systemically marginalized people who are being further pushed out of public life. This is unjust, and we must do better. 

[However,] a blueprint for radical inclusion and living a full, safer life within the context of Covid-19 exists.

source

Install HEPA filters in your space. Installing a plug-in air purifier in your space is a great place to begin. Because almost all public spaces currently fall short of the ventilation needed for Covid-19 safety, it’s safe to assume that your space would also benefit from this efficient first step. Make sure it’s appropriately sized for your space and continuously running. If funds allow, upgrade your HVAC system to include HEPA filtration.

Practice mask requirements. Consider requiring and providing high-quality masks for everyone who will be in your space and attending your events. Contrary to popular belief, mask requirements do not deter guests in any meaningful numbers. Clean Air Club has been hosting Covid-safer events in Chicago for over a year, and a majority of the mask-required events sell out every time. If obtaining masks for your event is cost-prohibitive, check in with your local mask bloc for assistance.

Collect and share data on the safety of your space and region. Collect data on the ventilation in your space using a carbon dioxide (CO2) monitor. The higher the number, the more attention you need to pay to improving the ventilation and air purification in the space. Open windows and doors, crank up the HVAC, and plug in another purifier. You’ll know you’ve succeeded when the CO2 levels in your space are close to the levels expected outdoors in fresh air (around 400 ppm). As a bonus, this improved ventilation and purification will remediate poor air quality due to climate-change induced wildfires, improve concentration, and aid in accommodating disabling conditions such as asthma and allergies. Data collection should also include monitoring wastewater data, now our most accurate picture of the true prevalence of Covid-19 and other wastewater-monitored viruses in our population at any given time. We can use this data to increase the number of mitigation strategies adopted when wastewater levels are high. Consider creating an internal chart at your organization that lists protocols associated with different wastewater levels, reducing the burden of communication and oversight during higher periods.

Consider additional mitigation layers. Some of the other layers of protection from the swiss cheese model include: pre-event testing, far-UVC lights, providing options for virtual participation, and asking guests to stay home if they’re showing any symptoms of contagious or novel illness. Consider promoting individualized mitigation approaches within your organizations, such as the usage of nasal spray and CPC mouthwash. The key is to remain creative, flexible, and open to adding layers of protection in response to changing risk levels in the environment.

Open up lines of communication. As you implement mitigation layers, communicate them to your community. Ask them how they’ve been impacted by Covid-19 and give people space to share their access needs and ideas. This will provide a crucial why behind your actions and investments. Using the accessibility principle of designing for the highest possible need, your virus safety plan should accommodate the most vulnerable and impacted community members rather than those who have high risk thresholds or behave as though the pandemic is over. Part of effective pandemic communication includes providing accessibility and virus safety information in an Access Note or in an Accessibility Guide. This information should be repeated often in marketing and outreach materials.

Resources

[hallucinateonpaperspines]

are breakdown and KO a couple already or are they getting there ?

Breakdown and KO are not a current couple in Of Timelines and Trolleys at this time.

*BOOOOOOO*

Yes, yes, I hear y'all, but let me explain. I am aware these are some of the gayest bots present and are very obviously (and confirmed in a comic) to be Conjux Enduras/married.

They still have the hots for each other, are clearly connected, and are still partners, but they are not bonded in my fic currently for a few reasons.

Bonding is risky.

In OT&T, I do employ spark bonds and subsequently, the phenomena of spark connections. This may or may not be relevant to the main plot. Connections that can share emotions, memories, energy, and Conjux Endura's are included in the bond types that have that sharing effect. 'Caus you're literally bonding your souls. So, in wartime, just as the production of sparklings would be frowned upon (and later impossible due to the Allspark issue) creating that type of bond would also be looked down on. Don't want half your soldiers dying of sparkbreak, sergeant! It's a two-for-one hit!

Consequently, even as the war has dragged on for millennia, they are still at war with the same directives. Considering KO and Breakdown met as Decepticons during the conflict, they've never had a chance to become an exception via holding a predating bond.

2. Cultural effects of the war

So, yes, they aren't bonded but that doesn't mean they couldn't be a couple right? Just perpetually dating until the war ends, and they can make it official right? Yes! Kinda!

So, since the war has been so long-standing, to the point where Bumblebee and Smokescreen's generation don't remember a pre-conflict Cybertron and most other bots (as Airachnid's derision of Starscream's boasting he was a "Supreme Air Commander" before the war implies) see Golden Age Cybertron as a far off era. War protocol has become their culture to a very large extent. This means that to most except ye oldies, the concept of spark bonding also seems relatively archaic. But on top of that, the concept of bonds at all (specifically for a dog-eat-dog command like the Decepticons) is basically unheard of. Literal or emotional. Death is constant, loss is constant, and individual is expected to pick themselves up and keep going if someone they know is terminated. Sure, vengeance on behalf of that individual is acceptable, but it's not the standard. Even in the original show, Knockout had to wait until Cylas was no longer useful to Megatron before he could get his saw in there, and even then it was under the guise of "research" for the cause. Was it an act of vengeance? Yes. Did it have to be justified for the cause? Also yes. Dreadwing also had to deal with this but without the capacity of properly being able to give a reason for his actions beyond "He Killed My Twin." Murdering OP and Bee was okay, because they were already the enemy, murdering Starscream was not because Screamer was offering something to Megatron.

I think the Autobots in general are a bit better about this, but there's still a decent bit of emotional constipation; it's a war front, you keep fighting and surviving, or you join them in their grave. Arcee has to do this with the death of her partner, Wheeljack does this with the death of Seaspray, and later at Bulk's injury. There's time to grieve, yes, but that doesn't change the fact that missions still need to be completed, or that someone else is ready to kill you should your guard be low.

The Decepticons, at least in the version I'm writing, have none of that. They cannot afford to appear weak or have a weakness, or they could be killed/used by their own side. Starscream is the scrapping SIC and is technically Megatron's successor and he is a walking reminder that no one is immune to this pecking order. It's a cycle of abuse that is continually reinforced. So for that reason, Knockout and Breakdown's genuine friendship is almost unheard of in these later stages of the war. Once, it might have been normal, now they're the exception to the merciless rule. A romantic bond, something beyond quiet acts of kindness and subtle flirts is risky for both of them, especially in Knockout's temporary dabbling in politics.

It's a very sad Romeo and Juliet scenario, isn't it? Angsty, that unrequited love ending in tragedy and loss that can't even be acknowledged unless KO would want more than the occasional insults tossed at the memory of Breakdown. No wonder he was so sadistic with Cylas.

So no, they're not a couple... but I wonder what might happen if tracks are switched and there are some ripples in the timeline...

Of Timelines and Trolleys is a cracky and angsty tale of a chaotic in-denial oc, but it's also a story of making choices and living with the consequences of how they impact others; the trolley problem if you will. And those decisions are not limited to Ashlyn Moore.

[fuck-customers]

I've worked at too-expensive grocery store for a couple years, my job involves serving food. Awhile ago the store manager decided I was shit at my job even though they've never given me any goal numbers or actual numerical feedback as to the results of my work despite numerous requests from me, and decided my "attitude" was awful (let's be real, my "attitude" is literally me using my normal voice, and asking on multiple occasions "how do we make ting you want me to do work? I have some questions about logistics" and "have the corporate covid restrictions been changed back to pre-covid protocol? If so I need to see the updated rules and be retrained in pre-covid protocol, before I start doing what you're telling me to do").

So I'm basically being demoted, they already had another person hired for most of my old job's assigned shifts before the manager even had his tantrum at me, and I'm being trained for a position I've done at other places for years and been good at.

The other day was a training shift and everything went great; my trainer gives good information and advice, and encourages asking questions, and complimented me on the questions I had for them. I outright asked them if there were specific things they wanted me to focus on getting better at, and they stated that I was already doing better on my first day than people who had been doing the job for months, which made me feel good. I received more praise and encouragement, and outright kindness from them the other day than I've received in the entire, total, rest of the time I've worked there.

Also, found out the corporate covid restrictions I was asked not to follow? Are STILL. IN. EFFECT. And not abiding by them leaves you subject to termination. And the manager either didn't bother checking to see if they were gone, or knew they were still in effect and wanted to ignore them. And while I was training the other day I got to watch the new person assigned to my job "in action". Lbr, the manager likes them BECAUSE they ignore covid protocol. And the extended period of time they're spending with customers? Much of that is them ignoring customers very obvious attempts to bow out of the "conversation" politely, while yapping at them about jesus, while they also ignore customers' constant contamination of the food they're serving (literal hands on food they don't take, uncovered sneezes and coughing) due to them ignoring the covid restrictions.

Posted by admin Rodney.

[prokopetz]

The third major revision of the increasingly overwrought tabletop RPG about what if Samus Aran was secretly three to five space gerbils operating a person-sized mech suit is now up.

This is primarily an "expansions and clarifications" type update, with few major structural changes, apart from splitting scenes into multiple types and providing simplified rules for the less critical ones. Those expansions and clarifications are substantial, however, so if you're updating from the previous playtest draft I'd definitely recommend giving the changelog a once-over.

My next steps, in no particular order:

Finish the mech suit upgrades table (there are currently a couple of unfilled slots, and I'd like to bump it up to a full 18 eventually)

Provide some examples of pre-generated space gerbil roles

Discussion of campaign play (including advancement)

Discussion of playing without a GM (possibly including solo play?)

Add a bunch of big stupid random mission tables (needed for both GMless play and hypothetical solo play module)

As always, comments, criticisms, and bizarre rants are welcome. Additionally, this is probably the first major revision of the game where a full end-to-end run is feasible (at least for a one-shot), so if anyone would like to volunteer to run an actual playtest, please drop me a line!

Illustrations by @pencilbrony

Full changelog under the cut:

Space Gerbils Changelog 2023-01-08

Note: all page numbers refer to the PDF version.

Print-and-play token sheet updated with twelve additional papercraft minifigs, courtesy of @pencilbrony

Added a brief inspirational media section (p. 8) and a not-so-brief glossary (pp. 9–14)

Two new full-page illustrations by @pencilbrony (pp. 16, 28)

Added procedures for randomly selecting starting mech suit upgrades and increased number of starting upgrades to 2 (p. 21)

Added two new mech suit upgrades ("Co-pilot Protocols" and "Copy Circuit") (pp. 21–22)

Re-worked "Hyperdrive" upgrade for compatibility with revised critical success rules (below) (p. 22)

Re-worked "Well Maintained" upgrade so that it doesn't require players to keep track of how many times it's been used in each scene; all upgrades are now either "once per scene" or "once per phase" (p. 23)

Added six new proficiencies ("Bodyguard", "Fringe Science", "Machine Empathy", "Motivational Speaker", "Observant" and "Psychic") (pp. 24–26)

Re-worked "Direct Neural Interface" proficiency so that it no longer benefits from cost discounts for pushing yourself (p. 24)

Re-worked "Special Operations" proficiency to be less complicated and (somewhat) less overpowered (p. 26)

Added a note about re-naming proficiencies (p. 27)

Made starting Stress Limit more explicit (p. 27)

Revised phase flowchart to reflect simpified workflow (see below) and made it available as a separate PDF (p. 29)

Re-worked Setup Phase to allow players to choose their initial positions (p. 30)

Clarified that Extravehicular Activity task may not be performed if doing so would result in no space gerbils crewing the mech suit (p. 32)

Revised protocol descriptions (p. 34)

Added rules for multitasking (p. 35)

Clarified handling of Fallout Phase when multiple tests were made in preceding Action Phase (p. 37)

Critical success now occurs on any success where the chosen result shows doubles or better, not just double 6s; critical success and complications may now occur on same test (p. 38)

"Lost" complication re-named "Scrambled", and now disallows Reassigning in following Operations Phase (pp. 39–40)

"Delayed" complication re-named "Time Loss" (pp. 39–40)

Subsection on complications and physical threats removed and replaced with more general discussion of interpreting mixed outcomes (p. 41)

Workflow for End Phase simplified; the End Phase now always follows the Fallout Phase, and its triggers no longer depend on what happened in phases prior to the Fallout Phase (p. 42)

Clarified and expanded End Phase triggers, and included a trigger for all space gerbils Stressing Out at the same time (p. 42)

Added explicit rules for recovering Stress and conditions between scenes (p. 42)

"Hazardous" condition re-named "Unsafe" to avoid potential confusion with scene Hazards (p. 44)

Brief discussion of mission structure added to "Running the Game" (p. 47)

Scenes now divided into two types: engagements and interludes (pp. 49–59)

Re-named Mission Clock to Threat Clock (p. 49)

Expanded discussion of Obstacle traits (p. 52)

Added eight new Obstacle traits ("Barrier", "Cryptic", "Hazardous", "High Risk", "Jinxed", "Small Target", "Stressful" and "Volatile") (pp. 52–54)

"Secure" Obstacle trait re-named "Big Target" (p. 52)

"Consequence" Obstacle trait re-named "Fixed Consequence" (p. 53)

Added rules for scene Hazards (p. 55)

Added discussion of handing the end of an engagement (p. 56)

Simplified rules for handling non-critical scenes and having adventures outside the mech suit (pp. 57–59)

[bratshaws]

through the hourglass 298.brb x oc

a/n: do yall like when i write action scenes or stuff like that? i m trying my best i swear.(comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!)

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: none uwu

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

1/

/253/254/255/256/257/258/259/260/261/262/263/264/265/266

/267/268/269/270/271/272/273/274/275/276/277/278/279/280/281/282/283/284/285/286/287/288/289/290/291/292/293/294/295/296/297

(pls let me know if you want to be added to the taglist! )

taglist: @mirandastuckinthe80s @roosterschanelslut @wiipes @lcahwriter @novastories @gretagerwigsmuse @frenchtoastix @lizzie-rdj @fanboyluvr @atarmychick007 @comebacktoearthpls

@peachiicherries @mak-32 @lizziespidiepridie @roosterswifey @ollyoxenfrees @piceous21 @sqrlgrl22 @hofficoffi @lexhalstead3 @lorilane33 @legendarydreamersharkparty @luckyladycreator2

@emilybradshaw @louisahale @leobabbyyy @booklover2sblog @ktjmac @graciereads @bigpoppajes @taytaylala12

@caitsymichelle13 @becks-things @caatheeriinee07 @fanboyswhore9 @jesfreedark @katiemcrae @lilmonstrjedi @hobiismyhopeu @teacupsandtopgun @insominac23 @gh0stsgoodgirl @mygyn @chavivaelisheva @kmc1989 @enchantingharmonyalpaca

-

They were finally going to leave the base after grueling days after dealing with the breach and making sure it was safe to. He was still suspicious, but he had to hold it in as he made his way to the jet. “McAllister.” he nods to the younger pilot, pointing to the large aircraft “How’s she lookin’?”

McAllister, standing by the jet, immediately saluted Rooster, trying to hide how startled he was. "Sir, she's prepped and ready to go. All systems are green, and the maintenance checks have been thorough. We've double-checked everything after the breach incident. Should be smooth sailing."

Rooster studied the jet, a mixture of trust and wariness in his eyes. The recent security breach had heightened his vigilance, and he wasn't about to take any chances, especially when it came to the safety of his team.

"Good work, McAllister," Rooster acknowledged, clapping a hand on the younger pilot's shoulder. "I appreciate it. Let's get everyone on board and take off as soon as possible. Anything else I should know before we take off?"

"Just the standard pre-flight briefings, sir. Weather conditions are optimal for the route. All necessary supplies are loaded, and the communication systems are in top shape. We've also received the latest intel updates, and everything seems clear."

Rooster acknowledged the information with a curt nod. "Keep an eye on the communication channels. I want to be informed of any anomalies or irregularities immediately. And McAllister, if anything feels off, even the slightest bit, you let me know, understand?"

McAllister’s blue eyes widened "U-Understood, sir. I'll keep you informed of any changes," McAllister affirmed, his gaze focused and determined…and one quick salute thrown his way,one that Rooster nodded off.

As Rooster turned to make his way towards the jet, he felt a presence approaching from behind. Phoenix walked up with a confident stride, helmet tucked against her waist. "Rooster, everything set for departure?"

Rooster met Phoenix's gaze,"Yeah, we're ready to go Nat. Keep an eye on the navigation systems and stay vigilant. I want everyone on high alert until we're clear of any potential risks."

Phoenix nodded, a serious expression settling on her features. "Got it. Me and Bob are ready…" she pauses, “Brad.”

First name basis.

Serious talk.

She lowers her voice, “...should we…” she flicks her gaze to the side once they were left alone, “Be aware of something else? On the way up?”

Rooster glanced around, ensuring that their conversation wouldn't be overheard. The wind whistled softly, carrying the distant sounds of the base and the hum of the jet's engines.

"You mean aside from the usual protocols and the security breach?" Rooster raised an eyebrow, signaling for Phoenix to proceed.

Phoenix hesitated for a moment, her gaze fixed on the jet. "Yeah, I mean, it's just... something doesn't sit right with me. After the breach, after the rumors, I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this mission than what we've been told."

Rooster sighed, his shoulders tense and high. "I've been feeling the same way, Nat. The breach, the rumors, it's all adding up to something I can't quite put my finger on. But we need to be cautious and discreet about how we handle this. We can't let paranoia compromise the mission." he looks back to the others, “Are the others–”

“They are fully aware too.”

“Good.” he looks back at McAllister who will be his co-pilot once again, “Let’s get ready, comms open,got it?”

The atmosphere inside the jet was of an anticipated readiness, like they were all ready to do this. Rooster took his seat in the cockpit, adjusting the controls with practiced precision. Beside him, McAllister focused on his tasks, running through the pre-flight checklist.

"Bob, Phoenix, make sure you've got a clear view of the navigation systems. We need to stay on course, and I want real-time updates on any changes," Rooster instructed over the intercom, his voice calm and authoritative.

"Copy that, Rooster," Bob's voice crackled through the communication system. 

He nods, even if they couldn’t hear, turning his head towards McAllister “All good?”

McAllister nodded, his hands steady on the controls. "All systems are green, sir. Ready for takeoff on your command."

Rooster acknowledged with a firm nod. "Good.You keep an eye on the sensors. I want to know if anything comes up, no matter how small. Guys, stay vigilant on communications. We need to know if there are any unusual activities."

The jet's engines roared to life, the sound echoing across the airstrip. Rooster guided the aircraft smoothly down the runway, the anticipation building with each passing second. The night sky stretched above them, a canvas of stars and darkness.

As they ascended into the sky, the tension inside the cockpit mirrored the uncertainty that hung over the mission. Rooster's mind raced with thoughts of the breach, the rumors circulating among the team, and the unshakable feeling that something was amiss.

Phoenix's voice broke through the cockpit's intercom. "Rooster, sensors are clear for now. No anomalies detected."

"Good. Maintain alertness," Rooster replied, his eyes scanning the instrument panel. The hum of the jet and the distant whir of the engines formed a rhythmic backdrop calmed him down immensely “Hangman?”

“All good here too.” Jake replies “Nothing weird going on.”

The jet sliced through the night sky, its powerful engines propelling it forward into the darkness. Rooster maintained a focused demeanor, his hands steady on the controls. 

Phoenix's voice echoed through the intercom. "Rooster, all systems are stable. We're on course, and sensors are still clear."

Rooster acknowledged with a terse nod, his gaze shifting between the instrument panel and the expanse of stars outside. 

As the minutes ticked by, the tension within the cockpit intensified. The team remained vigilant, each member fulfilling their assigned roles with precision. Rooster, acutely aware that one pilot hasn’t talked to him yet.

“Mark?” he asks “How are things on your end?” he tries to forget how Mark acted earlier, thinking it’d only be stress…nothing more

There was a brief pause, a moment where the only sound in the cockpit was the steady hum of the jet's engines. Rooster's gaze lingered on the communication panel, awaiting Mark's response.

"Mark, do you copy?"

Finally, Mark's voice crackled through the intercom, its tone guarded. "Yeah, I'm here, Rooster. Everything's fine on my end. Just focusing on the mission."

He glared down at the intercom,then inhaled. Something in his tone was…off. The air inside the cockpit seemed to thicken, an unspoken tension hanging in the space between them.

"Good to hear. Stay sharp, everyone," Rooster instructed, his voice firm. The jet soared through the night, a silent arrow cutting through the darkness. He looks outside for a brief second and all he could see was the ocean. “McAllister?”

“Sir?”

“Hit me with the updates,what have you got?”

"Sir, we're approaching the designated coordinates. No signs of any unusual activity or potential threats so far. All systems are functioning within normal parameters."

Rooster nodded, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the navigation display. "Good work, McAllister. Keep a close eye on the sensors. We need to make sure we're not walking into anything unexpected."

"Understood, sir. Monitoring sensors closely," McAllister affirmed.

As the jet continued its steady course over the vast expanse of the ocean, Rooster couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that lingered. The tension within the cockpit, especially with Mark's guarded response, was palpable. Rooster's mind raced, considering the implications of the breach and the possibility of internal threats.

He decided to address the elephant in the room. "Listen up, everyone. We've had a breach, and I need to be certain that everyone on this team is committed to the success of this mission. If there's anything anyone needs to share or any concerns, now is the time to speak up. Our safety and the success of the mission depends on it."

The cockpit fell into a tense silence. Rooster could almost feel the weight of unspoken words, the hesitation that hung in the air. 

“Anything?”

More silence.

“Good.” he sighs,rolling his neck, “Remember, it’s mainly scouting right now, keep an eye out everyone.”

The jet continued its journey through the night, slicing through the air with a purpose that belied the tension within. The team, each member locked into their roles, navigated the dark expanse with a heightened sense of awareness.

Rooster's mind, however, remained fixated on the unspoken dynamics within the cockpit. The breach had cast a shadow over the mission, and the palpable unease among the team members only deepened his concerns.

“McAllister, talk to me.”

McAllister adjusted his headset, the blue glow from the control panel casting an otherworldly tint on his face. "All systems are running smoothly, sir. Sensors are clear, no anomalies detected so far. It's like a ghost town out here."

Rooster nodded, his eyes scanning the navigation display. The ocean stretched endlessly beneath them, the moon casting a silvery glow on the rippling waves. 

As the jet soared through the night sky, Rooster's mind remained alert, every sense attuned to the surroundings. "Keep an eye on the horizon, McAllister. We're entering the target area," Rooster instructed, his voice firm.

The tension within the cockpit heightened as they approached the designated scouting zone. The darkness below seemed impenetrable, a void that concealed both potential threats and vital information. 

Suddenly, McAllister's voice cut through the stillness. "Sir, picking up a faint signal on the radar. It's irregular, doesn't match any known patterns."

Rooster leaned forward, his eyes narrowing at the data on the screen. "Can you identify the source?"

McAllister furrowed his brow, fingers dancing across the console. "It's intermittent, sir. I can't pinpoint the origin. Could be interference or something else."

Rooster's instincts kicked in, his lips pursed. "Maintain course but be on high alert. We don't want any surprises. Let me know if anything changes."

The jet continued its path through the designated area, the tension within the cockpit rose. The intermittent signal added an extra layer of uncertainty to an already delicate situation. Rooster's mind calculated various scenarios, each one requiring a different response.

The minutes ticked by, the team on edge, their eyes scanning the darkness for any signs of movement or activity. The ocean below seemed vast and unyielding, the moonlight creating shifting patterns on the water's surface.

Suddenly, McAllister's voice broke the silence again. "Sir, I'm detecting an anomaly in the water. It's registering a disturbance, like a turbulence pattern, but there's no storm reported in this area."

Rooster's gaze snapped to the sensor readings. "Give me more details."

McAllister's fingers flew over the controls. "It's a localized disturbance, approximately two clicks ahead. The water temperature in that area is fluctuating rapidly. I can't explain it, sir."

Rooster's mind raced as he processed the information. A disturbance in the water, anomalies on the radar—something wasn't adding up. The team, now fully aware of the potential threat, intensified their focus.

"Prepare for a low pass, McAllister. We need visual confirmation," Rooster ordered, his voice cutting through the tension.

The jet descended, flying just above the water's surface. The moonlit ocean unfolded beneath them, revealing the mysterious disturbance. As they approached, the team strained their eyes to make sense of the anomaly.

"Sir, visual contact confirmed," McAllister reported. "There's something in the water. It looks like... wreckage."

Rooster's brow furrowed. Wreckage in the middle of the ocean raised more questions than answers. He instructed McAllister to zoom in on the visual feed, attempting to discern any identifiable markings or signs of recent activity. “What kind?”

"Looks like a ship," McAllister remarked, his voice quiet. "But there's no distress signal, and no lifeboats. It's as if it just... fell apart."

Rooster studied the wreckage intently, his mind calculating possibilities. "Check for any markings or identification. We need to figure out who this belongs to and what happened."

As McAllister manipulated the controls to enhance the visual feed, the jet circled the area, providing different angles of the scene. The team noted the absence of any discernible logos or flags on the wreckage, making it difficult to determine its origin.

"Sir, I can't find any identifying markers," McAllister reported, frustration evident in his tone. "It's like this ship came out of nowhere."

Rooster's gaze remained fixed on the debris below and before speaking, he paused, his mind snapping to one thing and one thing only.

Trap.

The jet continued to circle the wreckage, the team analyzing every detail they could discern from the visuals. Rooster's mind churned with possibilities. A sunken ship, devoid of markings, raised concerns. A lot of them.

"McAllister, check for any signs of recent activity," Rooster instructed, his gaze unwavering. "We need to know if this is recent or if it's been here for a while."

McAllister nodded, manipulating the controls to enhance the visuals even further. The jet's advanced sensors picked up traces of fuel residue and disrupted marine life around the wreckage, indicating that whatever happened had occurred relatively recently.

"Sir, it looks like this wasn't too long ago. There's still some residual heat and disrupted marine activity." McAllister reported.

Rooster contemplated the information, a frown creasing his forehead. The absence of distress signals meant either a catastrophic failure that prevented any communication or a deliberate effort to keep the incident under wraps. 

Both scenarios added layers of complexity to the situation.

"Keep scanning the area for any signs of life, survivors, or hostile presence," Rooster ordered, his tone decisive. "We need to gather as much intel as possible before making a decision."

As the jet continued its surveillance, the team remained vigilant, their eyes scanning the water for any signs of movement or unexpected activity. The moonlight played on the ripples of the ocean, casting an eerie glow on the scene below.

"Sir…no life forms.," McAllister announced, his fingers swiftly navigating the controls. “There’s…there’s no one down there."

The enhanced sensors revealed no signs of electronic interference or abnormal energy readings in the vicinity. The wreckage seemed to be a result of a conventional maritime incident, yet the absence of distress signals and life forms continued to puzzle the team.

"Sir, there's nothing unusual in the readings," McAllister reported, a hint of frustration in his voice. "It's a straightforward wreckage, but the lack of survivors or any communication is... unsettling."

Rooster nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Alright." he sighs, eyebrow twitching in anger, he knew something was off about this, “Everyone…return to base.”