#Training and Competence Module

[that1emowitch]

here me out

AU where instead of doing the whole red hood thing, jason just stays with the all caste. he finally meets the batfam when the justice league is facing a threat and need the help of the all caste. could be pretty good angst, since it directly disproves every shitty thing bruce said about jay, and bruce realises that his son was alive like way later than in canon

also it's a crime that jayessence basically doesn't exist, there are 11 fics on ao3. i want jayessence and competent!jason pls

That'll be so interesting, ur right! I'm definitely gonna go read RHATO issues again so I refresh my memory (if there r any other issues with the all-caste story PLEASE lmk cuz i have a very tumultuous love/hate relationship with RHATO lol)

I think Jason would've been happier, with the All-Caste. Talia would've visited him when she could (let's make her a mom not a pedo), Ducra would've trained him in every single war form she knew, putting hum on a path to surpass even her

Essence and Jay would've been her top students (if u don't mind, could u pls give me a lil recap on what Essence's story is? I kinda got confused in that part. Was she banished? She's one of the Untitled, technically, is she not? I don't rmbr 😭)

But basically, Jayessence! I've never read a fic about it or written one, but I've always thought it was an interesting dynamic! It'd be fun to try writing it out. Maybe I'll make a happier AU, where Essence and Jason train together under Ducra, both of them named her heirs. That kinda makes them play-fight with each other which ends up with them kissing. Oh god Jason would be so smitten by her, he'd pretend to be annoyed but he knows she's a goddess, knows she could kill him in a blink, knows his blade could kill her—but they both choose to love. AAHHABSBSHS I'm dying

Then the Untitled attack.

I love Ducra so much, she's their BAMF Granny, so let's not kill her. Maybe instead, she is kidnapped, in hopes of getting Jason and Essence to surrender (They know these two could destroy them). And at the same time, the Untitled are also attacking JLA outposts, for a reason I'll come up with later. Bruce remembers, back when he trained under the League, Ra's mentioning evil beings of this type, immortal and unstoppable by all but the All-Caste. Hence they seek their help.

And with Ducra gone, Jason and Essence are in charge, and they have to meet with the JLA—with Batman, Superman, and WW, specifically.

Jason makes sure to cover himself completely. Puts white nose generators in his mask and chest plate to ward off Supes. Makes sure to double, triple check his voice modulator. He cannot risk them finding out his true identity.

Not when he's finally recovering from his past as Robin.

I'm imaging they work together for a while, with everyone noticing the Red Hood (would he still be called Red Hood, if he never returned to Gotham? Maybe? Maybe he was reclaiming it, as a way to heal himself instead of for getting revenge) basically everyone notices RH being antsy around Batman. The amount of effort he puts into concealing his identity, unlike the other members of All-Caste. His name being Joker’s old name, something deeply meaningful to Gothamites.

Batman thinks RH is a reformed Gotham villain, who he's dealt with before. He thinks that's why RH doesn't ever face him, doesn't look him in the eye. He feels bad for him, but is strangely proud (just feel like mentioning, the thing about Batman is, he cares SO MUCH. About everyone. He feels sorrow when they lose themselves to their insanity, feels guilt over it. And he feels pride when they bounce back, grow better, like Harley Quinn did.) Like, this man, this absolute machine, clearly well honed and trained, who seems more than capable of taking on the entire Justice League by himself. Clearly he has experience.

Essence helps Jason through it. Soothes him at night when he has panic attacks, because his Dad is two rooms away from him. Helps him cope. Helps him calm down.

Then one day in some battle, one of the Untitled fatally injures Jason, and Batman is the only one nearby. Batman takes a hasty decision, rips Jason's mask off to save him.

And freezes.

That... that's his son. He looks older, more scarred, but thats... that's his SON!

(ALSO another addition: when they find Ducra she's like "uncuff me, and I'll show you just who Essence and Jason learnt from" BAMF!DUCRA FOR LIFEE)

Sorry for the rambling I just kept getting ideas and I kept writing lol

I promise I'll write this as a proper story as soon as I can, thanks so much for the ask! As usual, lmk in the comments if you'd like me to tag u in updates, also feel free to share any ideas u have! I'm just writing what yall want to read that makes me happy hehe

[stevebattle]

Teeeni (1988) Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI), School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), Singapore. "Prof Goh said the institute's School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering first started experimenting with micromouse building in 1987, using a commercially available kit from Japan. The result, named Rattus-Rodee, was not only bulky and clumsy, but extremely slow. Undaunted by the poor performance, NTI rounded up a group of lecturers with expertise ranging from microprocessor hardware, computer software, motor control, sensor technology to artificial intelligence. At least 80 students at different levels of study were recruited for the programme. What helped most, Prof Goh recalled, was the in-house programme which required second-year students to undergo 10 weeks of intensive practical training during their long vacation. This exposed them to different training modules which included industrial talks, factory visits, mechanical workshop and workstation education. Having been taught the basics, the students were challenged to build micromouses and compete for prizes in campus contests. This resulted in successive generations of micromouses, each of which was an improvement of the previous one. "Ruth", which came after Rattus-Rodee, was reduced in size and weight and travelled more accurately, but was still slow. Though sleek, the third-generation model "Teeeni" was still heavy and slow. But both performed creditably in the National Micromouse Contest last year. Ruth was in fourth position and Teeeni was placed second." – Mightiest Mouse, by Nancy Koh, The Straits Times, 6 November 1989.

The video is an excerpt from "UK Micromouse 1989."

[theresattrpgforthat]

Hey happy to see your back, what might you have for living among dinosaurs?

Theme: Dinosaurs

Oh my gosh answering this request is going to be so much fun! I’ve been hoping to do a dinosaur request for a while!

24XX Predators, by Dice Ghosts.

DINOSAURS ROAM THE EARTH! A terrible earthquake has struck the biggest city in the world, releasing prehistoric creatures that were trapped beneath the earth. After quarantining the area, a team of experts has been assembled to enter the city and meet this ancient threat.

Play as a team of uniquely skilled individuals venturing into a ruined city that has become overrun by dinosaurs. Using your unique skills and training, you will need to work together to survive this metropolis of prehistoric predators and complete your mission.

An homage to Jurassic Park, 24XX Predators brings dinosaurs to the big city, in a post-apocalyptic kind of adventure that pits the player character specialists against roaming giant lizards while trying to help hapless bystanders as best as they can. Like many 24XX modules, Predators includes some special rules about being hunted by dinosaurs - are you prepared or ambushed for them? - as well as team mechanics that allow the group to do something called Scatter. When you Scatter, each player thinks of a number between 1-3. If all of the players are in sync, they’re able to help each-other. If one player disagrees, their action is hindered.

If you want a game that has your players feeling confident and you also like picking up small toolboxes with a few neat pieces in them, I recommend 24XX Predators.

Predation, by Monte Cook Games.

Welcome to the Cretaceous. Our ancestors won’t climb down from the trees for another 66 million years, but here we are now. Time travel seemed like a good idea. Exploring the ancient world. Building. Creating an entire society here in the jungles of our primordial Earth. Until those SATI guys messed it all up.

We’ve got gear. We’ve got guns. We’ve even bio-engineered a few dinos to our liking. And that’s good, because we’ll need it all to survive. History says there’s an asteroid headed our way, and there’s no one left alive who knows how to get back to the future.

Predation uses the Cypher System, which means that includes all of the typical neat tricks like spending points to increase chances of success, and one-time use items that are super powerful yet hyper-specific. It also has a really neat addition in the form of Dinosaur Companions - which are played by other people around the table.

That’s right, you’re making your own character and playing them, but you’re also responsible for portraying someone else’s dino pet - and someone else in turn is embodying yours. I find that this keeps everyone at the table more engaged as you play, because they have to keep track not just what their character is doing, but also what their dinosaur’s companion is doing, and it encourages players to interact with each-other whenever your dino decides to stick their nose where it doesn’t belong.

If you want adventure, a stunning setting, and friendship, then you want Predation.

Escape From Dino Island, by Sam Roberts and Sam Tung.

Escape from Dino Island is a thrilling adventure game about intrepid heroes trapped on an island overrun with creatures from a lost age—dinosaurs!

Players take on the role of everyday people who are brave and competent, but also in over their head. The game is designed to help you create the kind of stories that are full of action and suspense, but in which fighting is rarely a good option.

Will you escape with your life? And what kind of person will you become in your quest to survive? There’s only one way to find out…

This game isn’t so much about living among dinosaurs as it is about escaping them, true to form for media like Jurassic Park. The game is a PbtA short-form game, designed for 1-2 sessions. Setup is quick and streamlined, providing you with a map and a number of roll-tables to help you make choices about what can be found here and what is known about the island. You also have character playbooks and basic moves, two more tried and true elements of PbtA design. There’s a some really good resources for GMs here, including GM principles and moves, and a number of rumours and reasons for NPCs to be on the island, both nefarious and helpful.

Overall what I really like about Escape from Dino Island is that it knows exactly what it wants to be and uses all of its tools to aim directly at that experience. It’s meant to be punchy, adventurous, and full of mystery, but concise enough to play once or twice before you call it a day.

Sauritopia!, by The Griffin’s Typewriter.

Inspired by half-remembered episodes of Dinotopia, that 2000 movie Dinosaur, the Lindworms from Walter Moer's Zamonia series, and a peculiar cultural osmosis of spacefaring dinosaurs, herein lies the Lost Sphere of SAURITOPIA! Explore the streets of the Meteoric City! Argue with lumbering professors at the Volcanic Colleges! Or just add these intelligent dinos to your vision of the multifarious Spheres, hung delicately across the hump-backed sky!

You’ll need the Troika rulebook in order to use this supplement, which is mostly a series of dinosaur characters that players can choose from and some neat items and skills to use in a dinosaur-centred game. If you want to mix dinosaurs into an acid-fantasy setting, you can allow the player characters to choose from Sauritopia alongside the standard backgrounds, but you could also create a party of dinosaurs and then send them on a mission in the Troika sphere to see how they fare. As a personal fan of the boardgames Dinosaur Tea Party, I think it might be fun (or funny) to combine the characters of Sauritopia with the Troika module An Invitation to Dinner.

Diesel and Dinosaurs, by BasiliskOnline.

Is a rogue tyrannosaurus inciting panic in a local settlement?  Have velociraptors wandered into a neighborhood causing a safety hazard? 

Did an earthquake spook a herd of triceratops which are stampeding towards a local settlement?

Ride into the Parazoic!

Diesel and Dinosaurs is a powered by Charge RPG combining dinosaurs and post apocalypse settings and inspired by the cartoon Cadillacs and Dinosaurs and the comic Xenozoic Tales. Humanity has spent the last 600+ years in bunkers while the planet recovers from a massive climate crisis. Those bunkers began to breakdown beyond the mechanist's abilities to keep them running and eventually humanity began to return to the surface. They found a world once again reclaimed by dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals, and began working to settle this untamed land.

Powered by Charge, Diesel and Dinosaurs contains plenty of nods to Forged in the Dark, including action ratings, dice pools, and the use of Stress. It’s designed for high action scenes in dangerous situations, flexible in tone from Saturday Morning Cartoon to high-adrenaline action film to gritty survival. The game comes with a series of roll-tables for the GM for a number of different kinds of dinosaurs that might be out there, as likely threats, pieces of backdrop, and maybe even new friends!

I’d probably pick up a game of Diesel and Dinosaurs if I’m in the mood for a high-action cheesy 80’s flick or something in that ballpark.

Preshistoric Portals, by Harper Jay.

The portals opened a few months ago. Nobody knows who to blame - scientists? The military? Dark wizards? But it doesn't matter now. What matters is the dinosaurs came through and destroyed life as you knew it. This city, built by a massive life-giving lake, was like a beacon for the prehistoric predators. Only the sturdiest skyscrapers remain fully intact, but even they threaten to fall to the might of the dinosaurs!

Built on Breathless, Prehistoric Portals drops you into a ruthless world of survival and small moments of reprieve. You’ll move between moments of action and danger, throwing everything you have and the kitchen sink into getting from point A to point B. Then you’ll take a break, refresh your resources, and the GM rolls for or creates a new complication - and then you’re on the run again. A great pacing mechanic for high energy games, while still demanding that you keep track of your resources.

Dinosaurs & Man, by Cilindro Cubico.

Humanity faces a crisis when dinosaurs escape from the Triassic Safari zoo due to a corporate espionage operation.  Now, humanity must survive in a world where it is no longer at the top of the food chain. 

Players take on the roles of brave men and women who must confront dangerous dinosaurs and unravel corporate intrigues to save humanity. 

Get ready for an exciting and epic odyssey of survival and adventure!

This is another game inspired by Jurassic Park, so once again, while the dinosaurs are living among you, they certainly aren’t friendly. Task resolution comes in the form of a percentile roll, using a percentage to determine how likely success is going to be, and the player rolling 2d10 with the hopes of rolling at or under the target number.

What I think the neatest thing is about this game is the way it determines your inventory. You have to take everything you have in your pockets out and place it on the table. Those items are your inventory. Your characters might be specialists, but that doesn’t mean they have specialist gear on them - they’ll have to use a combination of their skills and their wits in order to get them out of sticky situations like a rampaging pack of velociraptors, or a hungry t-Rex.

Rex Arcana, by Five Points Games.

The West is a Wild Place and it's about to get even more Wild. You are a band of Drifters out to make your claim on the open Plain, spell slinging outlaws on the run from the law with hearts of gold and teeth as sharp as kitchen knives. You and your fellow T-Rexes will travel the high plains and prairies, fighting corrupt oil tycoons, train-robbing bandits and devouring innocent townsfolk along the way.

This is a game where you play as the dinosaurs, rather than the people running from them. Not only that, you’re rootin’, tootin’ shootin’ defenders of the people, fighting off train robbers and the big fat cats profiting off of oil. If you want goofy, gonzo, and gigantic lizards, you want Rex Arcana.

You Might Also Want To Check Out….

This 2022 Dino Jam.

The Cavemaster RPG and it’s supplement, Dinosaurs of the Lost Valley, by UNIGames.

Camp Cretaceous, by Zozer Games.

Dinos and Lasers, by TassAllgood.

[selkieshark]

Hey people, so I was trying to find out a way of immersing myself in mecha even more and I settled on the idea of making funny little reviews about the gundam kits I've built on my blog so here it is tee hee

(Very minor spoilers for Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury season 1 episode 6 ahead)

I present to you:

Demi Trainer A.K.A baby's first gundam kit

This is what kickstarted my addiction to building these little guys and honestly it was such a blast as my first experience with it! I saw the HG (1/144) model of this mobile suit in a nerd shop I was in that I was told had these kits and I figured it was a good starting point. I liked the idea of the training mech from g-witch acting as training wheels for me building these kits.

Fun Facts About the Demi Trainer

the MSJ-121 Demi Trainer is a mobile suit seen in The Witch From Mercury series, and is primarily used by students in Asticassia as a mobile suit to train with (hence the name Demi Trainer)

The Demi Trainer is just one model in a series of other Demi mobile suits! Other Demi models we see throughout the series are the MSJ-OP122 Demi Garrison (seen early on when Suletta Mercury's Gundam Aerial is being detained after her first duel), the MSJ-R122 Demi Barding, which is a more advanced model of mobile suit, equipped with more armaments, while still maintaining the Demi model philosophy. There's also Chuchu's iconic MSJ-105CC Demi Trainer, which is an older model that has been heavily modified by Chuchu in order to compete with more modern iterations of Demi mobile suits.

Our primary experience with Demi Trainer in the show is when Suletta Mercury is tasked with piloting one as part of her spotting exam, where she has a particularly difficult time passing it. It honestly made me feel really sad when I watched it for the first time :(

The Design of Demi Trainer

I really love how this mobile suit looks! It's a very simple design but I feel it's so effective at conveying it's primary purpose: to be a baseline training model for mobile suits. It's a lightweight mobile suit with minimal modifications done to it so that it can achieve high mobility and it's easy to maintain. It also looks very much like something a company would mass-produce for an institution like Asticassia.

Demi Trainers are used with a standard set of equipment, which includes a simple shield, a beam gun for ranged combat, a saber stick for melee combat, a combat knife, as well as the Daedalus multi-tool, which can be shaped and transformed into a variety of tools. This makes Demi Trainer a very versatile mobile suit, appropriate for use in many different situations. It doesn't seem to come with any sort of flight module, though that makes sense, as I imagine those are quite expensive to include on mobile suits, and this is meant as a simple trainer mech.

Of course, since it's heavily used in Asticassia, Demi Trainer also has an equipable antenna module for use in duels within the academy.

The Demi mobile suits are known for their extensive customisability, and the Demi Trainer is no different! You can even see these aspects within the design of this mobile suit. There are many little slots and places where you can modify Demi Trainer and potentially add modules or armaments, and you can see the extent of this modification in Chuchu's modified Demi Trainer, despite it being an older model. I'd really love to see what kind of modifications other student in the academy would apply to their Demi Trainers!

Building the Kit

My experience with building this gunpla kit was a blast! I was so excited to get started on this, and the kit did not disappoint! It wasn't too complex so that I was overwhelmed, but it also wasn't so simple that I was bored. Hearing all the clicks and feeling the pieces snap together as I built it was extremely satisfying, and I really like how the instruction booklet was structured.

You're not told to put individual parts of the mobile suit together until you've built a number of modules beforehand. For example, the instructions tell you to build the head, body and arms before telling you to put those parts together, and I think that makes the experience more satisfying. The same structure applies for the waist and legs of the kit, and being able to put all of the parts together at the end is such a good feeling! Of course, you can totally ignore the structure of the booklet and put parts together as you build them, which is also fine.

The kit also comes with a variety of stickers, and with the help of hindsight after having built 2 more kits after this one (which I also plan on reviewing), I can confidently say that the stickers for the Demi Trainer are probably the easiest to apply based on my limited experience! You get a small choice of stickers too, mainly a choice of what colour you want the middle torso portion to be. Of course, I picked purple because it's my favourite colour, but other choices also include red, blue, yellow and pink.

At one point while building this kit, I tried to take a part out so I could hear and feel the click of it again as I assembled it, but I accidentally applied too much force into it and the piece snapped, which make me panic but thankfully I had some glue to repair it, which was a huge relief. Not a fault of the kit itself, just my own excitement getting the better of me! Though I will recommend to be careful when assembling these kits if you're not experienced, and be gentle with them.

I was so so happy when the kit was finished and I could play around with it! Building it is half the fun, and the other half is posing it in all sorts of cool ways! You've seen some pictures of that already, but I also have some gifs of the kit spinning on a little turntable saved for the end.

The HG Demi Trainer kit comes with just the shield, saber stick and beam gun that I mentioned previously, which I personally don't mind too much but of course having more options for equipment is always a good thing. Thankfully you can buy an expansion set for Demi Trainer that includes a beam rifle, gatling gun, combat knife, 4-cell hand missile launcher and open hand parts, as well as some smaller extras. I personally don't have this expansion kit but I would love to get it at some point!

Overall, I think this is a fantastic kit to build, particularly if you are new to gunpla and are looking for a place to start. The Witch From Mercury kits are some of the best quality I think I've seen in gunpla (again, from my limited experience) and if you love the series and want to collect gunpla, you can't go wrong with getting this kit. The posable nature and movement of the kit itself is great, which I think is really cool and allows for some creative shots to be made with them!

This is a little series of posts that I hope to continue in the future! If you have any suggestions on things to add or change please let me know! I'm open to constructive criticism :)

[skyloftian-nutcase]

For the prompt game… Worcestershire!

"Woostsher."

"Warkestershyre!"

"Whoosh."

"How--that isn't remotely correct."

"The word makes no sense anyway!"

Wild laughed so hard he snorted milk out of his nose. Malon sighed, patting him on the back as the others continued to argue over how to pronounce Worcestershire sauce. Apparently they'd made a bet, and whoever could get the closest to the correct answer didn't have to do the yearly competency module.

"It's Worcestershire," came a voice from the doorway. Everyone looked over to see Time standing there with a cup of coffee in his hand, eyes half open and unfazed by the chaos.

"That can't be right," Warriors immediately denied.

"He's right," Malon said.

"You're biased!"

Malon raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying I'm wrong?"

Warriors' mouth snapped shut.

Wild snorted again. "She's definitely right."

Time smiled at Warriors. "You can do my training for me, then."

Legend, Wind, and Sky laughed at the army nurse's sour expression.

[sofoulandfairaday]

Please share all of your Sirius and Bellatrix thoughts ♥️

I have way too many, darling.

The TLDR is it is our choices that show us who we truly are, far more than our abilities. The long version is under the cut.

When reading about them I usually prefer stories where their original 8-9 year gap is preserved (it annoys me to no end when people write the Order and the Death Eaters as entirely made up of people in the same couple of years in Hogwarts —really? Was the conflict exclusively waged by child soldiers? Were Dumbledore and Voldemort just chilling before 1977, when they decided to start recruiting?). With that being said, I can also enjoy fics where - for shipping purposes - their ages are more compatible, to make them share time in Hogwarts or during the First Wizarding War.

I think they are very, very alike personality-wise. The narrative draws some delicious writing parallels between them, both physically and in their expressions, vices and virtues, and choices. Directly between them, might I add. The author underlines the difference between Bella and Narcissa more than once, we're meant to see it, and similarly we're meant to see the similarities between Bella & Sirius.

They are haughty, passionate, powerful, competent, arrogant, bright, much more intelligent than the fandom thinks they are. In general, they suffer from the stigmatization that many characters - but some people in real life do too - that someone who is intense and impulsive cannot possibly be as intelligent as people who are meek, soft-spoken, generally more controlled. Think what the fandom does to Sirius vs Remus and Bella vs her sisters, when every arrow points to the fact that they are actually the cleverest in these pairings.

They are both some shade of mentally ill, and not because of the curse of the Blacks - half the Blacks went mad didn't they? What's the saying? Every time a Black is born the gods flip a coin. god the Targaryen-Black parallels are gold - Sirius is very likely horribly depressed in OOTP, something no one around him seems to understand, infuriatingly. The only one that seems to get it is Harry, who has the literal Dark Lord living in his brain (= bigger problems to deal with). Bella is... I don't know what she is, ask me after my psychiatry module next year, but my money is on PTSD after Azkaban - after all, she didn't have the escape of an Animagus form behind bars. She would also very likely be victim-blamed for these different feelings, which would lend itself to a delicious nobody else in the world understands us but us type of post-Azkaban dark!fic which I would love to read.

They are both skilled at magic, and while they might despise each other for their respective political views, they respect each other because of this. Bella is probably above him in terms of magical power and skill, because she's 9 years older and because of Voldemort's training, but Sirius seemed to be keeping up quite well with her during their fight in the DoM.

Speaking of which, I am sure that Bellatrix's scream of triumph was due to her winning their duel, not because she thought she had killed him and that is probably the single thing I love the most about HBC's interpretation of her in the movies. That look. 10/10.

I am of the opinion that Bella is all bark and no bite when it comes to certain members of her family, especially her sisters. Sure, she might say that she wants to prune her family tree but 30 years later in the beginning of DH, she still calls Andromeda sister. I'm sure she would want nothing more than to put him under lock and key for the rest of his life and never let him escape, not kill him. And, to me, the way Sirius speaks of his family is very interesting. I'm sure he firmly believes that he hates them, but his actual feelings are more complex than that. You can hate someone and still desire their love, their respect. You can hate that they are the only people in the world who understand you - and hate yourself more in turn, for it.

Sirius seems to me like someone haunted by his own darkness. He, much like Harry, would be constantly worried that he's becoming like them. I'm sure it's a weak spot for him and I wish we had heard more bickering, or at least a full interaction between Bella and Sirius (I feel like she would claim him as hers, underline how much he cannot escape his own blood, even just to mock him/unsettle him in battle). But what Dumbledore says to Harry is true: it doesn't matter how alike they are, it's their choices that matter much more. And I feel like this is why the two of them would never reconcile in canon. They stand for different things.

I also think there might be some - and I know Freud is controversial nowadays, but bear with me - penis envy, on her part. Because Sirius was born the heir - something she would have given her left hand to be: to be born and die a Black instead of being expected to marry into another family - and he squandered it all away by consorting with werewolves and mudbloods. But no. He got everything and pissed on it, and it's just not fair. And by choosing not to come back, even in the two years after Regulus' death, he made sure that the Black Family name will die with him- and I think that is just something she can never ever forgive him.

Now. Everybody knows I don't like TCC and my preferred view of Bella is someone with fertility issues, even to the point of being sterile.

[I read an amazing fanfic once and a line from it stuck in my brain - "If I can't be life, then I'll be death"]

But. If we do see it as canon. This is also the reason why - despite being overjoyed at Delphi's birth - I am convinced that she wished for a boy when she was pregnant. If she had a boy with the Dark Lord, who couldn't possibly give them his name, the House of Black would have an heir. This is also the reason why I don't thing she was necessarily opposed to having children with Rodolphus - the "spare" would have been her heir.

Bellatrix would say that Regulus was her favourite cousin, but truth be told, it was really Sirius whom she respected more - at her core, in my opinion, Bellatrix is really only someone who respects power. Sirius is like her that way.

But Bellatrix is clearly a cruel person, which Sirius is not (or at least, he tries not to be: Kreacher and Snape are two very particular cases of people who are mean to him back). Also, Sirius' view of the world is much more egalitarian - If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals. Bellatrix is clearly someone who sees the world in terms of hierarchies, and lives within them (see: how she acts around Voldemort and what is implied of her treatment of house-elves who obey their masters: there is a scale and some serve others, and as long as they do so well they have certain rights; disobey, you get punished).

(Bellatrix is somewhat a feminist character but let's be real- she's not a revolutionary. She went to the Dark Lord and showed him just how powerful she was - aka my wand is bigger than all these male DEs' - and he said "okay, fair, I'll give you the Mark", thereby freeing herself. She is not a "equal representation for women inside terrorist organizations!!" type of girlie)

I also love how her death parallels Sirius'. It's thematically beautiful and it excuses her death coming at the hands of one Molly Weasley (who could never ever in a million years have beaten her on skill alone). She dies because she is arrogant. It's one of her traits. Overconfidence. She was always meant to die like that.

[coincidentally one of the reasons why she would not be a hufflepuff like some suggest: this woman is not humble]

I could go on, but I think I've rambled enough.

P.S. Let's not sleep on the fact that the two of them together would be hot.

[zenith--sims]

‼️ Please note I am only testing it in the Zenith Sims Discord Server for right now <3 ‼️

https://discord.gg/Z3NxX2AdzZ - > Click to Join

I’ve been spending a few hours on a little side-project called Z Simulations...basically a life-sim RPG stuffed into a chat bot. It’s very early testing. Mostly just working on this for fun while I complete my studies. Not sure if it will go anywhere, but if there is any interest, I'm happy to keep building it up with more features. Was feeling inspired by the Tatsu bot and obviously The Sims!

Overview of Current Features

Create custom households, characters, and pets

Give them traits, moods, jobs, vehicles, houses, pets, and work with an in-bot economy system

Watch stats tick down over time—yes, your custom pets will get hangry if you forget them, don't forget!

Earn cash, level skills, and unlock goodies by exploring funky biomes or clocking shifts at work

Example Future Modules

Random events – jury duty, phone scams, alien abductions, surprise tax refunds, bump into other users’ characters!

Buddy-up Adventures – team up or just hang out together

Education System – go to school, get a degree, influence your job potential

Social System – characters will form their own relationships with others through random events / activities

Health System & doctor visits – ignore wellness too long and it’s clinic time (or pricey energy drinks)

Marketplace & player trades/sales – create, buy, and share with the community

Seasonal events – festivals, holiday celebrations, etc.

Control-panel embed – one-click toggles for pings, setting management, random-event on/off, etc.

Horse & stable system – create, train, compete, and manage your stable

Achievements & badges – “First Million,” “Pet Hoarder,” etc., attachable to a profile card

Reputation System – what road will you go down?

Mini-games – card games, casino, trivia nights—quick ways to earn (or lose) cash and compete with others

Open to other ideas as well!

Extra Info

This is 100 % an experimental project as of now—done purely for fun while I'm bored sometimes

Bugs will happen (missing buttons, typos, exploding embeds) → please let me know though so I can fix it!

Balance/Stats will need work—prices and stat decay might change while I’m still tuning the bot

Feedback—bug reports, feature requests, or suggestions are welcome; feel free to message me!

If there’s something you’d really like to see with the bot or you’re interested in testing it in your own server, please reach out. My direct messages are open if it’s related to the project.

[covid-safer-hotties]

No Amount of Hand-Washing Can Make COVID-19 a Seasonal Virus - Published Aug 14, 2024

Needless to say, words have meaning. The selection of words modulates the message understood by the receiver. With regard to COVID, terms such as “seasonal”, “like a cold”, and “like the flu” can be selected by writers to paint a portrait that lulls the reader into a false sense of security, drawing comparisons between a virus that has been around for less than five years to other viruses or conditions with respect to which the audience has grown familiar with. Moreover, even stock photos selected for certain news articles can subtly influence your response to the content expressed in that piece. A selected photo of a person gently cradling a tissue paper over their nose, instead of a person waiting for treatment in the ER, may give off the impression that they are harmlessly recovering from a tear-jerking soap opera instead of from a viral illness. In fact, we want to believe that COVID-19 is as gentle as a cold, as this outcome is far more pleasing, so this skewed presentation of the risk is far more palatable than what is expressed in the scientific literature.

However, COVID-19 is not a cold or the flu. Understanding that this virus is not a seasonal nuisance like the common cold is crucial in the fight against it, as explained herein.

We emphasize that the purpose of this piece is to correct some of the language circulating in the media and to arm you with accurate information so that you can make reasoned decisions that are aligned with your health goals. As much as an athlete who is training for a triathlon may want to avoid regularly smoking or taking recreational drugs, COVID-19 should be factored into your day-to-day health decisions, especially if you are conscious about achieving a greater healthy lifespan.

But before delving into a comparison between COVID-19 and the flu, here is a primer on COVID-19.

A COVID-19 Primer Long Term Risk COVID-19 continues to present an important risk to your long-term health. This means that after you test negative, you can still develop medical conditions or disorders that can impact your quality of life as a result of that COVID infection. In other words, the cost of COVID on your life is not just the loss that you experience as you wait for your negative test. While individuals can remain infectious for an average of 10 days [1], the disease often takes a toll that can manifest months to even years after your acute-stage infection. COVID can take away the opportunity of a professional athlete to join a national team, or from competing in an Olympic event for which the athlete has been training for years [2]. COVID can rob a doctor, a nurse, a teacher, or a lawyer, of a successful career. COVID can disrupt the health of a family. And this can happen after every infection, not just after your first infection. The odds of developing long-term conditions add up after each infection. Despite reducing the risk to varying degrees ranging from 15% to 50%, vaccinations do not eliminate the problem. For these reasons, it is important for you to appreciate how, and when, COVID circulates and can infect you.

How Do You Catch COVID? COVID spreads principally through the air. This means that handwashing is not the key solution for keeping you safe from COVID. Now, handwashing is a good practice, but you need to become mindful of the air that you breathe in order to protect your health and future, as well as those of your loved ones, from this disease. Just like you would not drink stagnant water from a pond in the city, do not inhale unfiltered dirty air. You can filter your air by wearing N95 masks (respirators) or better. Favor outdoor air over indoor air. Clean the indoor air by using HEPA filters to remove the virus. Dilute contaminated indoor air by bringing in clean outdoor air through ventilation. The World Health Network has released numerous resources on this topic [3-5].

When Does COVID Spread? The Myth Regarding Seasonality News outlets have been circulating the premise that COVID is a seasonal virus, with little-to-no transmission during the warmer days of the year. However, at the time of writing this piece, in Summer 2024, the U.S., the UK, and many countries around the world are currently experiencing a major COVID wave.

We have learned over the last few years that COVID-19 does not follow seasonal patterns. COVID waves are not merely a fall or winter phenomenon, nor do they follow any other predictable seasonal pattern.

This distinction from seasonal pathogens, such as influenza, is crucial for several reasons and highlights the unique challenges and dangers posed by this novel coronavirus. As seasonal viruses infect people predominantly in the cold winter months, this makes those colder months more dangerous and other months less dangerous for those viruses. Examples of such diseases include the flu, rhinovirus, RSV, parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, and human metapneumovirus.

Read the rest of the article and access the sources at either link!

[theironjanissary]

- In Anger Clad, how long will you need to train the crew, and how well armed are you expecting them to be on leave ?

- Please requisition as much as you need from the armoury, and the top deck firing range is yours until we dock.

- FORGE

>> If we had the appropriate subconscious training modules and equipment, ammunition reserves and equipment: One standard week to planetary militia status.

>> Lacking those resource: 6 standard weeks expected to full competency, with a +/- 10% assessment rate.

>> I can begin sidearm training and have safety and handling to 75% efficacy in 4 days, +/- 10%

>> [[ Combat-training-simple.omf ]]

>> A schedule and requisition document, for your review.

][ In Anger Clad ][

[aktechworld]

Integration of AI in Driver Testing and Evaluation

Introduction: As technology continues to shape the future of transportation, Canada has taken a major leap in modernizing its driver testing procedures by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the evaluation process. This transition aims to enhance the objectivity, fairness, and efficiency of driving assessments, marking a significant advancement in how new drivers are tested and trained across the country.

Key Points:

Automated Test Scoring for Objectivity: Traditional driving test evaluations often relied heavily on human judgment, which could lead to inconsistencies or perceived bias. With AI-driven systems now analysing road test performance, scoring is based on standardized metrics such as speed control, reaction time, lane discipline, and compliance with traffic rules. These AI systems use sensor data, GPS tracking, and in-car cameras to deliver highly accurate, impartial evaluations, removing potential examiner subjectivity.

Real-Time Feedback Enhances Learning: One of the key benefits of AI integration is the ability to deliver immediate feedback to drivers once the test concludes. Drivers can now receive a breakdown of their performance in real time—highlighting both strengths and areas needing improvement. This timely feedback accelerates the learning process and helps individuals better prepare for future driving scenarios or retests, if required.

Enhanced Test Consistency Across Canada: With AI systems deployed uniformly across various testing centres, all applicants are assessed using the same performance parameters and technology. This ensures that no matter where in Canada a person takes their road test, the evaluation process remains consistent and fair. It also eliminates regional discrepancies and contributes to national standardization in driver competency.

Data-Driven Improvements to Driver Education: AI doesn’t just assess drivers—it collects and analyses test data over time. These insights are then used to refine driver education programs by identifying common mistakes, adjusting training focus areas, and developing better instructional materials. Platforms like licenseprep.ca integrate this AI-powered intelligence to update practice tools and learning modules based on real-world testing patterns.

Robust Privacy and Data Protection Measures: As personal driving data is collected during AI-monitored tests, strict privacy policies have been established to protect individual information. All recorded data is encrypted, securely stored, and only used for training and evaluation purposes. Compliance with national data protection laws ensures that drivers’ privacy is respected throughout the testing and feedback process.

Explore More with Digital Resources: For a closer look at how AI is transforming driver testing in Canada and to access AI-informed preparation materials, visit licenseprep.ca. The platform stays current with tech-enabled changes and offers resources tailored to the evolving standards in driver education.

[gappeo]

Integrating Skill Assessments into Your Existing HR Systems

Introduction

As organizations strive to build a skilled and efficient workforce, integrating skill assessments into existing HR systems has become a crucial strategy. By embedding skill evaluations within HR workflows, companies can enhance hiring accuracy, streamline employee development, and make data-driven workforce decisions. This blog explores the benefits, challenges, and best practices of integrating skill assessments into HR systems, with insights on how platforms like Gappeo can facilitate the process.

Why Integrate Skill Assessments into HR Systems?

Integrating skill assessments within HR platforms offers numerous advantages, including:

Improved Hiring Accuracy: Objective skill evaluations help recruiters identify the most suitable candidates, reducing reliance on resumes alone.

Efficient Onboarding: Pre-assessed skills enable HR teams to tailor onboarding programs, ensuring new hires receive targeted training.

Employee Development & Training: Ongoing skill assessments allow HR teams to track employee growth and implement personalized training programs.

Workforce Planning: Insights from assessments help HR leaders identify skill gaps and plan for future workforce needs.

Key Considerations for Integration

Before incorporating skill assessments into your HR system, consider the following:

Compatibility: Ensure the assessment platform integrates seamlessly with your existing HR software (e.g., ATS, LMS, or HRIS).

Customization: Choose a system that allows tailored assessments aligned with job roles and industry needs.

Scalability: The platform should support growing workforce demands and adapt to evolving skill requirements.

User Experience: Both recruiters and candidates should find the system easy to navigate and engage with.

How Gappeo Simplifies Skill Assessment Integration

Gappeo, a leading talent and skill assessment platform, offers seamless integration with various HR systems. Key features include:

Pre-Built API Integrations: Easily connect with popular HR platforms.

Customizable Assessment Modules: Design skill tests specific to job roles.

Audio and Video Assessments: Enhance evaluation accuracy by analyzing verbal and non-verbal cues.

Comprehensive Reporting: Generate insights to support hiring and workforce development decisions.

Steps to Successfully Integrate Skill Assessments

Evaluate Your HR System: Assess your current HR software capabilities and identify integration points.

Select the Right Assessment Platform: Choose a solution like Gappeo that aligns with your HR objectives.

Customize Assessments: Develop skill tests that reflect the competencies required for different roles.

Pilot Test the Integration: Run a small-scale implementation to ensure seamless functionality.

Train HR Teams: Educate HR personnel on using the integrated system effectively.

Monitor and Optimize: Continuously track performance metrics and refine assessment processes.

Conclusion

Integrating skill assessments into HR systems is a game-changer for talent management, enabling data-backed hiring, employee development, and strategic workforce planning. With solutions like Gappeo, organizations can streamline skill evaluations while ensuring a seamless experience for both HR professionals and candidates.

Ready to enhance your HR processes? Discover how Gappeo can help you integrate skill assessments effortlessly!

[sarkariresultdude]

"Intelligence Bureau Result Declared: Here's How to Download Your Scorecard"

 Established in 1887 during British colonial rule, the IB has evolved extensively over the a long time to become certainly one of India’s most crucial contraptions within the combat against terrorism, espionage, and threats to national solidarity.

intelligence bureau exam result date

Historical Background

The origins of the Intelligence Bureau hint lower back to British India when it was founded as the Indian Political Intelligence Office in London, later referred to as the Indian Political Intelligence (IPI). Its primary reason changed into to screen and counter anti-British sports among Indian revolutionaries overseas. In 1887, under Lord Dufferin, the then Viceroy of India, the IB became officially established in India to consolidate and centralize intelligence amassing in the country.

After India received independence in 1947, the IB was reorganized to serve the sovereign Republic of India. Over time, because the usa’s intelligence wishes multiplied, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) was carved out of the IB in 1968 to handle external intelligence, whilst the IB continued to cognizance on domestic intelligence and inner safety.

Objectives and Functions

The Intelligence Bureau’s center capabilities center around collecting, processing, and analyzing intelligence related to national security. Its primary responsibilities encompass:

Security Clearance: The IB conducts historical past checks and safety verifications for appointments to touchy authorities positions, issuing protection clearances as needed.

Advisory Role: The bureau advises the significant and state governments on inner security matters and intelligence assessments.

Structure and Organization

The Intelligence Bureau operates beneath the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India. It is headed through a Director of Intelligence Bureau (DIB), a position generally held by a senior officer from the Indian Police Service (IPS), frequently with vast experience in protection and intelligence work.

The organizational shape of the IB is secretive and now not publicly disclosed in element because of national protection worries. However, it is regarded to have various specialized units focusing on unique domains, which includes:

Counter-Terrorism

Cyber Intelligence

Counter-Espionage

Communal Intelligence

Border Intelligence

Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) Monitoring

IB officers are published across the u . S . A ., which include in all most important towns and states, and they also liaise closely with nation police forces and vital paramilitary organizations. The corporation’s headquarters is located in New Delhi.

Recruitment and Training

Recruitment to the Intelligence Bureau happens through numerous channels:

Direct Recruitment: The Intelligence Bureau recruits Assistant Central Intelligence Officers (ACIOs) through aggressive tests carried out through the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Deputation: Senior officers from the Indian Police Service (IPS) and other central government offerings regularly be part of the IB on deputation.

Promotions: Internal promotions additionally play a giant role in staffing the organisation at better ranges.

Training for IB employees is rigorous and includes modules on surveillance, information analysis, interrogation strategies, language competencies, and cyber intelligence. Given the covert nature of the work, education also emphasizes discretion, psychological resilience, and adherence to the rule of law.

Operations and Achievements

Given the classified nature of the IB's paintings, many of its operations continue to be undisclosed. However, several excessive-profile instances have highlighted its effectiveness:

Terrorism Prevention: The IB has performed a key position in preempting several terror assaults, especially through early caution intelligence shared with safety forces.

Counter-Insurgency in Kashmir: The IB has been instrumental in intelligence gathering in Jammu and Kashmir, aiding in counter-insurgency operations and figuring out threats from throughout the border.

Neutralizing Maoist Insurgency: In states suffering from Left-Wing Extremism, such as Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, the IB works carefully with kingdom police and paramilitary forces to dismantle Maoist networks.

Monitoring Radicalization: The organisation monitors the activities of radical organizations and social media to detect early symptoms of radicalization, specifically among children.

Tracking Foreign Spies: The IB has historically uncovered undercover agent rings operated through antagonistic countries, preventing sensitive statistics from being compromised.

Challenges and Criticism

Despite its contributions, the IB has now not been resistant to criticism and demanding situations:

Lack of Accountability: As the IB operates outside the purview of public scrutiny and parliamentary oversight, there were calls for extra transparency and duty mechanisms.

Political Misuse: Critics allege that the IB has once in a while been used by ruling governments to spy on political warring parties, main to ethical and legal questions.

Coordination Issues: Inter-organisation contention and shortage of seamless coordination among IB, R&AW, and state police forces can every now and then abate effective intelligence sharing.

Technological Upgradation: In an age of cyber struggle and AI-pushed espionage, the IB faces the assignment of continuously upgrading its technological talents to live in advance of adversaries.

Comparison with Other Agencies

Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW): Deals with external intelligence and operates underneath the Cabinet Secretariat.

Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA): Handles army-related intelligence.

Among these, the IB remains the maximum full-size for domestic intelligence and is often the primary to reply to inner threats.

Reforms and the Way Forward

To decorate the effectiveness of the Intelligence Bureau, several reforms had been recommended by means of professionals:

Parliamentary Oversight: Establishing a parliamentary committee to supervise intelligence operations may want to decorate transparency without compromising national protection.

Inter-Agency Integration: Improved cooperation and data-sharing between distinct intelligence and law enforcement our bodies could boom responsiveness.

Technological Modernization: Investments in AI, large facts analytics, and cybersecurity infrastructure are crucial for preserving up with rising threats.

Public Engagement: While secrecy is critical, there need to be a broader public understanding of the IB’s role in national safety to foster believe and cooperation.

Internal Security Monitoring: The IB video display units and counters threats to inner stability, including terrorism, insurgency, communal violence, and political unrest.

Counterintelligence: The bureau identifies and neutralizes espionage sports by way of overseas retailers running inside India.

Surveillance Operations: It conducts surveillance on individuals, organizations, or agencies suspected of activities towards the country.

Political Intelligence: Though debatable, the IB also gathers intelligence on political moves and sports which could have implications for national security.

[dalishthunder]

A Game of Go

Chapter 6: The Gold that Shines

Read on AO3

Come together, talk together / Let our minds be in harmony.

Common be our prayer / Common be our end,

Common be our purpose / Common be our deliberations,

Common be our desires / United be our hearts,

United be our intentions / Perfect be the union among us.

-Rig Veda

You had walked next to Ramattra on the tarmak, fingers twitching; Your steps were quick to keep up with his as he made his way to the rendezvous point.

It was odd not being able to see your face behind the mask you wore. Simple, blank, white, two slits for your eyes being the only defining feature on the otherwise solid face. Save his cloak, you wore a simple black jacket and pants, gloves covering your fingers. No bit of your skin was left uncovered.

He may have had no qualms about publicly displaying his name and intentions with them, but Talon was a dangerous organization, there was no need to give them any additional information about you.

After a few moments, he slowed, allowing your legs a small reprieve.

Part of him was tempted to put a hand on your shoulder, reassure you that he was in this with you, just as you were in this with him, but he did not risk it with the amount of cameras around. One small display of weakness could be the downfall of both you and him.

But he would keep you safe.

So, he just stepped in front of you, opening the large, oaken door to the office he had been invited to. The room was warm, adorned with a few bookshelves, an antique globe, and a large desk with plush chairs occupied by three members.

“Ramattra,” Akande acknowledged, gesturing to an empty chair.

“Ogundimu,” He responded.

“I did not take you as one to make friends.” The human’s voice was light, conversational, as he peered behind Ramattra to look at you.

“That is because I do not.” He said, “This is my newest lieutenant, Cipher.”

The name for the mathematical symbol for zero.

Nonentity.

Names held weight. Even if this was a codename, it harmonized with Null Sector… a play on the idea that it would be a haven for those whom society did not recognize as a person.

You took a step forward so you were at his side and tipped your head respectfully. “Well met.”

Your voice was unrecognizable with the voice modulation.

Good.

They did not deserve to hear your voice.

“A pleasure, I’m sure.” Doomfist’s shrewd eyes studied you for a moment.

“Cipher will be handling certain correspondence moving forward.”

One of the others, Maximilian, leaned back in his chair, studying you. “Very well, shall we proceed then?”

Talon’s lone omnic chief and wayward financial officer…. His machinations ran deep.

Ramattra could respect that, but that did not change that he too, would one day join his cause of liberation.

To your immense credit, you handled the bulk of the conversation, just the way that the two of you had practiced it, with a trained confidence. Not that he had ever had any doubts about your competency. Voice monotone, steady, posture rigid as you did your best to mask your humanity.

Akande watched you, face impassive, leaning back comfortably in his chair as you and Maximilian discussed finances, and things that Ramattra had very little care for. You did it well though, measuring as you spoke, a strategic game of words, played just as you would play a game of Go.

And as you wrapped up the negotiations, the unwelcome affection blossoming in his processors refused to be ignored.

Would that he could feel your skin… lay you bare before him; To have all of you. Carve his name into your heart and show you that your trust was not wasted.

But this was not the time….

… And he was not the omnic.

When the door to the craft finally closed behind you, you visibly sagged, slumping against the wall with a shaky breath.

“Are you alright?”

“That was Akande Ogundimu. That was Doomfist.” You stared at your trembling hands, “How the hell am I alive…?”

“Because you are with me.”

You continued as though you had barely heard him, your voice still heavily modulated from the mask, “And those others? That omnic, Maximilian? And I’d heard stories about a shadowy figure called only Reaper, but I wasn’t sure that he actually existed. It’s mostly just been a source of speculation, a few blurry videos here and there like fucking… Bigfoot or something.”

You were now almost hyperventilating, quaking like a leaf in the wind, and you clawed at the mask on your face, struggling to find the latches to pop it off.

Ramattra placed a hand on your shoulder, steadying you as the ship began its ascent.

The mask clattered to the floor as you finally managed to tear it from you. Your eyes were wild with fear, and you gulped down air as though it would run out any moment.

He… did not like this look on you.

When had you become such a weak spot for him?

Tell me… what do you see when you look at me?

My friend.

That… was the first thing that had come to your mind when you looked at him.

Not that he was an R-7000, not just a figure of war….

“Do they truly frighten you so much?”

“Yes!”

“Why?”

“Humanity has grown complacent in its peace with omnics; Weak and bloated. We have seen where this weakness leads, to crisis, to the brink of extinction. But from the ashes of conflict, we rise. Humanity grows stronger only through our strife, and only through the gauntlet of conflict can we forge our way forward. As the saying goes, the gold that shines must first pass through fire. Akande Ogundimu, Unpublished Manuscript 2, 2071.” Your words were measured again, breaths starting to slow. “There’s a lot more in there, but that was the passage that stood out to me most. He also implied that if he could start a new Crisis, he would. I know… Talon acts as though they’re helping you, but these are very, very dangerous allies.”

“How do you know all this?”

“I told you, I studied them back in college.” You sighed finally, your adrenaline turning to exhaustion, brows knit together with worry.

He tipped your chin up, delicate, feather-light, you were so fragile, so that he could look fully into your eyes, and your fingers wrapped around his wrist as though to ground yourself.

“You are safe with me,” He soothed, but that only seemed to agitate you further.

“I understand, and I’m not someone who goes back on my word; I will act as liaison however long I am needed and/or survive the role. But this isn’t about my safety, Ramattra. This is about principles, and theirs are anathema to ours. At some point you have to ask yourself… why are they choosing to help? What is it that they want from you in the long term? Who does this benefit?” You breathed deeply, meeting his optics. “And I think we both know there’s more to this arrangement than is written down.”

Your words left an uncomfortable sensation in his processor.

How dare you accuse him of carelessness! You were supposed to understand-

No… you were afraid.

But your words were not without merit.

Perhaps it was… beneficial to have someone to find any potential weaknesses he may have missed while dedicated to other things.

“And how do you propose we proceed?” His words were measured, though he was sure some annoyance managed to bleed through.

“For now, we proceed as we negotiated, but I suggest we exercise more caution than usual….” You swallowed, and he could feel your muscles working in the hollow of your chin. What an odd sensation… he wondered what it must have felt like for you. “I will do my best to try and get more information from them while we do.”

“But you have a… hunch already.” He could see it in your eyes, the same calculating look you got when you played Go.

You pursed your lips, eyes falling to look at the crest on his cowl. “I do. Given their recent attacks on the Anubis facility, and the growing crisis currently in Russia, I think they have three potential motives: First, launching us into a full-scale crisis once more. Second, release Anubis and attempt to gain control over it. Third, fuel both sides of the war to maintain high profit margins for those in their inner ring.”

He eyed you curiously.

Your logic was… sound.

It didn’t change what he had to do, but it was sound nonetheless.

“I know I must sound like a conspiracy theorist or something, but it isn’t far from their M.O.”

“I had once been under the impression that human greed was not their highest sin…. If you are correct I will admit that I was mistaken,” He murmured.

You let out a humorless snort, “And what is our greatest sin then?”

“Complacency.” Ramattra slid his fingers down your neck, wishing he could feel your pulse through your skin, but the collar of the body suit you wore was too thick for him to feel more than the faintest of vibrations. “Humanity’s greatest sin is complacency.”

Your tongue darted over your lips to moisten them, “You’re not wrong. They go hand in hand; Greed can only thrive because people are complacent…. But I’d say complacency comes from focus on the self, much like greed. So perhaps the greatest sin is selfishness.”

Life was short….

Parts wore down.

DNA Frayed.

And death… death was the only certainty.

Out of billions of people he could have met, you truly were a wondrous find.

Would that he could know all of you. Have all of you.

He pulled away, fingers lingering just a breath longer than necessary.

“Selfishness it is.”

Talon….

You’d mulled on your thoughts most of the trip back, sifting through the events of the day.

Apparently Akande Ogundimu had been the one to approach Ramattra after the failed uprising at King’s Row…. There was no way in hell that he wasn’t using your friend’s zeal to his own ends.

God… what had Ramattra gotten himself into….

What had you gotten yourself into?

But you were a person of principle if nothing else. You had agreed to help, and by all of the powers that be, you were going to help.

… You just wished Ramattra would make it a little easier….

Talon.

Akande Ogundimu.

Doomfist.

You weren’t one to casually throw around the word evil; Morality was, and always will be, relative, but you’d felt it in that room. It had taken everything in you not to shiver as his cold, calculating eyes had picked you apart and put you together again. And the wraith-like, ever shifting form of the one called Reaper…. What the hell even was that? Maximilian was shrewd and quick, but it was impossible not to see that the only thing in the world he cared about was profit. He would see you bleed to death if it meant his already vast wealth could increase by even a cent.

Maybe… maybe evil wasn’t quite the right word. You knew Ogundimu had goals focused on furthering humanity even at the vast cost of life…. And, perhaps that could even be considered noble if it didn’t involve fomenting a war where the genocide of either human or omnics was the goal.

Ramattra, despite some of his… more violent plans, at least wanted to get to a point of peace. Whether his methods could or not was another question entirely. The world saw him as a terrorist, and in the most basic sense, he was. You were.

But the word terrorist was thrown about for most who attempted to disrupt the status quo, no matter whether the goals were selfish or altruistic, and there was only so much one could do without resorting to violence. You’d remembered reading about a man who self-immolated and died on the steps of the United States Supreme Court in protest to climate rulings sixty years ago… rulings that were still hanging on by a thread today.

You let out a slow exhale, watching the back of Ramattra’s head as he meditated. You.. didn’t like wandering the ship without him. He’d assured you that the drones would not harm you, and you trusted him, but something about walking the long, lonely halls alone drove in the fact that outside of the members of Talon you’d met, you hadn’t seen anyone besides him, omnic or human, in a long while.

Not that you were unaccustomed to isolation, most of your formative years had been painfully lonely… you weren’t great at fitting in. You never had been. You’d been getting better at finding like-minded people, and you did your best at participating in the act of being human… but it had always felt like something was missing.

You wanted to reach out and run your fingers over the cabling coming from Ramattra’s head. You’d remembered it being smooth to the touch, but you dared not disturb his meditations. Besides, you were content to just admire the way he seemed to almost breathe… chest subtly expanding and contracting. It must have been the most efficient way of cooling if Anubis had designed it.

Your face fell… you wondered how much vitriol he had taken simply for being Ravager unit.

You understood the fear.

The anger.

The pain.

And yes, he was built for war, but you’d seen the way he’d fed ducks with you. The way he’d put his hand on your shoulder to stop you from accidentally stepping on a troup of ants as they crossed the sidewalk.

He wasn’t a cold-blooded killer.

He was protective of his people and passionate about his cause.

And you so wished he would make helping him easier.

You understood human societies. You understood collective memory… if he would just listen to you.

“You’re staring.”

Your heart skipped a beat. “What makes you say that?”

“I can see your reflection on my accelerator,” He stated as though it were normal to watch someone through a reflection.

You snorted, “Who’s staring at who then?”

“You still. I am simply staring at my accelerator.”

And you had to admit… when you were with him….

… You didn’t feel like something was missing anymore.

[conniephleb]

Open Your Future: Explore the Comprehensive DCH Phlebotomy Program

Unlock Your Future: ​Explore the Complete DCH Phlebotomy Programme

Are you ready too take ⁣the next step in your ⁣healthcare career? The DCH⁣ Phlebotomy program offers⁣ a comprehensive training experience designed to‍ equip you with essential skills and knowlege. ⁣In this​ article, we will⁢ explore⁣ the various⁢ aspects of the DCH Phlebotomy Program, from its curriculum to its numerous benefits, ensuring that ‌you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about your future.

What is Phlebotomy?

Phlebotomy‍ is the practice of drawing blood‌ from⁣ patients ⁣for diagnostic testing, blood donation, or transfusion purposes. It’s ⁢a vital part of the healthcare system, as blood tests play a crucial role in ⁤disease diagnosis ​and monitoring.Phlebotomists are trained medical professionals who ensure​ the procedure is performed ​safely and effectively.

the ​DCH Phlebotomy Program Overview

the ⁢ DCH Phlebotomy Program provides a robust curriculum that encompasses both theoretical and ‍practical training.​ Participants will gain hands-on‍ experience, learning to work with patients, handle equipment, and understand laboratory procedures. Here’s a closer look at what the program‌ offers:

Course Element

Description

Duration

Typically 4–6 months, depending on the schedule.

Modules

Fundamentals of Phlebotomy, Anatomy & Physiology, ⁤Blood Collection Techniques, and lab Safety.

Certification

Eligible for national certification exams ⁢upon completion.

Hands-On Training

Extensive practice in simulated environments and clinical settings.

Benefits of the‌ DCH Phlebotomy Program

Choosing the DCH Phlebotomy program comes with numerous benefits that can considerably ​enhance your career prospects‍ in the healthcare field:

High Demand: Phlebotomists are in high demand in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. Completing this program positions you ⁢for excellent job⁣ opportunities.

Skill Growth: You ⁣will acquire both technical skills and patient interaction techniques, ‌essential for success in this field.

Certification Planning: ‌The program prepares you for national certification exams, bolstering your‍ employability.

Flexible Scheduling: ​ With part-time‍ and full-time options, you can choose a⁣ schedule that fits your lifestyle.

Supportive Learning Habitat: ‍ Instructors provide personalized mentorship, helping you build confidence and competence.

Real-Life Case Studies

To underscore the ‌effectiveness of the DCH Phlebotomy Program, let’s look at a couple of success stories from graduates:

Case Study 1: Sarah ⁤Johnson

After completing the DCH Phlebotomy Program, sarah quickly landed a position at a local hospital. She credits her success to the comprehensive training, stating,⁤ “The​ hands-on experience and the instructors’ real-world advice gave me the confidence I needed to excel in my new job.” Sarah ⁤is now a lead phlebotomist, overseeing training for⁢ new hires.

Case Study 2: Mark Davis

Mark was a career changer​ who completed the⁣ DCH program while working full time. “I‍ never realized how rewarding a career in healthcare could be ​until I enrolled in this ⁢program.The flexible schedule allowed me to balance work⁢ and ‌study effectively,” ​he says.‌ Mark went on to ⁢pursue further studies​ in nursing by leveraging his phlebotomy skills.

First-Hand ⁤Experience: ‍What Students ⁢Say

Prospective students often want to hear directly from⁣ current participants. Here are a few testimonials ⁣from recent graduates:

Emily R: ⁣ “The DCH⁣ Phlebotomy⁣ Program was a transformative experience. I loved the blend ⁢of theory and practice!”

John S: ⁣ “The support⁤ from my instructors was invaluable. They ​truly cared about my success.”

Linda T: “I appreciated how ⁣the⁤ program prepared me for the ​certification exam, helping me feel ready and‌ confident.”

Practical Tips for Success in the DCH Phlebotomy Program

To maximize your ⁣success while enrolled in the DCH Phlebotomy Program, consider the​ following practical tips:

Stay Organized: Keep⁣ track of your​ assignments, deadlines, and practical‌ sessions.

Engage Actively: participate ⁤in class discussions and ask questions to clarify concepts.

Practice, Practice, Practice: Use lab time effectively to hone your blood collection ​techniques.

Network: connect with classmates ⁤and instructors for support and future job opportunities.

Study Consistently: Allocate time for reviewing course ⁢materials regularly⁢ to reinforce your learning.

Conclusion

The DCH Phlebotomy Program ‍ is⁣ more than just an educational prospect; it’s a gateway to‍ a fulfilling career in⁢ the healthcare ‌sector. With​ a comprehensive ⁢curriculum,hands-on training,and exemplary support ‌from seasoned instructors,this program positions you for success. By enrolling​ in the DCH Phlebotomy Program, you are not just unlocking your future;​ you⁣ are stepping ​into a ⁤vital role within ⁢the medical community.Take the first step today, and embrace a‍ rewarding career in phlebotomy!

https://phlebotomytrainingcenter.net/open-your-future-explore-the-comprehensive-dch-phlebotomy-program/

[usafphantom2]

U.S. Navy declares IOC for its new UAS reconnaissance MQ-4C Triton

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 09/15/2023 - 14:00 in Military, UAV - UAV

The U.S. Navy officially declared the initial operational capability (IOC) of Northrop Grumman Corporation's MQ-4C Triton multi-manned unmanned aircraft on September 14.

Since its Early Operational Capability (EOC) milestone in May 2020, the MQ-4C Triton has operated within the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet, conducting maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in the area of responsibility of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command as the Navy's only unmanned, high-altitude, long-lived aircraft.

The MQ-4C Triton, manufactured for use by the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), supports a wide range of missions. These include maritime patrol, signal intelligence, search and rescue operations, as well as communications relay tasks.

According to the producer, these aircraft offer persistent surveillance capabilities, assisting in predicting opposing actions and facilitating more effective joint military efforts and enterprises.

Operating at altitudes above 50,000 feet and boasting a 24-hour resistance, the Triton serves as a continuous communications retransmission center, ensuring connectivity between dispersed Navy units, while allowing commanders to operate with a shared operational overview.

“The Triton proved to be invaluable for the maritime patrol and reconnaissance mission in the Indo-Pacific. Now that the system has reached its initial operational capacity, commanders will be able to take full advantage of Triton's powerful set of sensors to detect and stop potential opponents around the world," said Rho Cauley Bruner, director of the Triton program at Northrop Grumman.

"The persistent global maritime awareness is fundamental to deter, or compete and win, our opponents. Triton ensures that we are making informed decisions and operating effectively anywhere in the world," added Captain Josh Guerre, manager of the U.S. Navy's persistent unmanned aircraft systems program.

Northrop Grumman provided the U.S. Navy with a total of five Triton aircraft equipped with multiple intelligence capabilities, with the most recent delivery occurring in June 2023.

Tags: Military AviationNorthrop Grumman MQ-4C TritonUASUSN - United States Navy/U.S. Navy

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Daytona Airshow and FIDAE. He has work published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. Uses Canon equipment during his photographic work throughout the world of aviation.

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[devintrinidad]

HOW HAS YOUR JOB BEEN GOING SO FAR DEVIN? I KNOW YOU SAID YOU START TRAINING ON THE ....12TH?

YES OH MY GOSH

CHLOE

CHLOE

CHLOE

IT'S BEEN

IT'S BEEN REALLY WEIRD AND FUN AND SO TIRING

Okay, here's the thing, the first day was really great! I got to meet some members of the team I'm instructed to work with! I got really sleepy after my eight hours (I'm currently training myself to not rely on naptime in the afternoons anymore lol). But yeah, I got to see and interact with some of the kids!

Currently, I'm in a training center now (good for two weeks) and then I'm back in my center to shadow my seniors and actually start working with my kids.

Today was my fourth day at the training center and let me tell you, it's like being in school. It's all notes on powerpoints, group roleplay, quizzes, oh gosh! I know it's all in preparation for the certification exam that I'm supposed to take as soon as I finish a competency assessment at my center, but it can be so mentally taxing!

I'm glad that I have a psych background since it's been helping me out, but I looked ahead into future modules and we'll be delving into territory I'm not so familiar with. Everyone there goes to different centers (I'm the only one of my kind lol), but they're all so nice and friendly!)

Side note: You're talking to the King of Kahoot :D

Won 3 kahoots over the past few days!

Anywhoozles, I'm getting my first paycheck on the first (yes, the training is paid for heheh) and I can't wait to celebrate! :D

Thank you so much for asking! I'm glad that you remembered!