#asr design

[scificrows]

The feed ID doesn’t need to say anything other than what everyone else’s says, just name, gender, and…” She trailed off. She was looking at me and I was looking at her. - Martha Wells, Fugitive Telemetry (The Murderbot art I used is the official cover art from the French edition of ASR)

[yourboijod]

Kanye West x the ASR-10

[crabs-brencil]

another asr reread means another mb design revision

[imitationgame77]

Barish-Estranza SecUnits and Their Fate

Since I have compiled the list of SecUnits and their fate from All Systems Red (https://www.tumblr.com/imitationgame77/781972975393128448/secunits-in-asr-and-their-fate?source=share), I thought I might as well make a list of Barish-Estranza units.

In Network Effect, we find that Barish-Estranza had sent two ships, an explorer and a supply transport. Having established contact with Barish-Estranza Supervisor Leonide, Murderbot tries to establish the presence or absence of SecUnits on her transport. It gets Amina to ask Eletra, a B-E human aboard ART, who says there are 3 SecUnits aboard the explorer but none on the supply transport.

Later, Murderbot finds one of them dead on the colony’s station dock, while 2.0 finds one whose head had been blown off, and another one who was standing motionless. The subsequent story reveals as follows:

B-E SecUnit1 and 2 disembarked at the dock with the humans. Unit1 returned to the explorer, but Unit 2 was ordered to stand down and left at the dock without its supervisor, resulting in its being killed by its governor module. B-E SecUnit1 aboard the explorer manages to send an emergency message to the supply transport’s SecSystem, allowing them to flee. Fight ensued on the explorer where B-E Unit1 was killed while Unit3 was ordered to stand down.

Murderbot 2.0 gives a code bundle to B-E SecUnit3 which uses it to free itself and offers assistance. Later it becomes a free unit, calling itself Three.

In System Collapse, we find that a new Barish-Estranza explorer had arrived shortly after the Preservation responder had. At first, they all knew that the explorer brought at least three SecUnits.

We get to see the first new B-E Unit (designated B-E Unit1 by MB) when it appears with Sub-Supervisor Dellcourt and shoots the ag-bot while it was mid-air, intending to land on MB. It was such a dangerous way to kill the bot, endangering MB that MB wonders if it had identified MB as a SecUnit. It was armed with a non-standard medium-distance projectile weapon that could take down ag-bots.

We don’t hear it mentioned again later, and while it’s possible that it reappears as another SecUnit later, I somehow don’t think that is the case. This Unit’s role was probably to protect Dellcourt and kills any bots infected with alien codes.

Later, in Chapter Five, when MB, ART-drone, Ratthi, Iris and Tarik are seeking contact with a separatist colonist hidden in the partially pre-CR structure in the signal blackout zone, they find that a group of Barish-Estranza had beaten them to it. They had come in a shuttle larger than ART’s shuttle, consisting of Supervisor Leonide and 6 armed humans that come into the structure, 3 guarding the shuttle and 2 SecUnits (later designated HostileSecUnit1 and HostileSecUnit2). One of the humans remaining in the shuttle has multiple interfaces, acting as an unusual augmented human HubSystem, controlling the SecUnits.

When Leonide’s plan to manipulate the separatists to sign the contract failed due to information provided by MB and ART’s team skilfully, her subordinates (Adelsen, Beatrix and Huang) suddenly turn against her. HostileSecUnit1 runs in after Leonide had been shot by her subordinates under that command of Adelsen.

I climbed off the B-E unit. Its helmet turned to track me. It didn’t have any drones, which was unfortunate. I really wanted more drones. “Iris, tell Adelsen to say, ‘Manual operation engage: shutdown delay restart’ and to add his command initiate. Leonide can tell us if he uses the wrong code.”

Adelsen reluctantly obeys and HostileSecUnit1 is shut down with delayed restart.

However, HostileSecUnit2 was already deployed and in hot pursuit, chasing MB, Iris, and Leonide into a small room and nearly gets inside. MB manages to shut the hatch and then shoots the SecUnits fingers off which were wrapped around the hatch lip.

With assistance from AdaCol2 and ART-drone, MB manages to hack the link between the B-E augmented human HubSystem and their SecUnits. MB sends “Stand down, cancel all current orders” command to HostileSecUnit2 via its governor module.

Then,

I could have destroyed HostileSecUnit2’s governor module. Also HostileSecUnit1’s governor module; it had restarted back in the meeting room and was stuck in standby mode waiting for new orders.

I took the file bundle 2.0 had given Three, and the code to hack the governor module, and buried it in both SecUnits’ archives.

With both HostileSecUnits from Leonide’s shuttle down, MB continues to try to get the humans back to ART’s shuttle. However, Barish-Estranza had sent yet another shuttle, bigger and armed, with 9 humans presumably as the backup. Whether or not they had brought additional SecUnits was unknown at first, but while MB was guiding Iris, Tarik and Leonide through the pitch-black hanger back to ART’s shuttle, it senses their presence.

MB gets the humans to run for a platform with an old pseudo-hopper atop. The invisible (new) HostileSecUnit1 tries to chase them, causing it make noise on the floor, giving MB its location. MB jumps on it and they fight, while a second Unit (new HostileSecUnit2) runs in to attack the humans. ART-drone drops through the gap in the overhead hatch before it could kill them.

I felt HostileSecUnit1 go into shutdown mode. It wasn’t dead, it was just catastrophically damaged. (I know, who isn’t?) Shutdown would conserve resources until it was retrieved. (If it was.) I wanted to shove it off me, but I had to pry what was left of my hand out of its neck first.

HostileSecUnit2 didn’t have a chance to shut down. When ART-drone let go, it fell into pieces.

Then, we get to see one of the HostileSecUnits from the first shuttle (Leonide’s).

There was another SecUnit ten meters away, just standing there.

Then the SecUnit said, “They’re coming. You have to go.”

This is one of the two you gave the code to, ART-drone said. It’s disabled its governor module. The SecUnit’s voice was different from Three’s. A different tissue batch, maybe. It didn’t trust me enough for a feed connection. That was mutual. Then I surprised the shit out of myself and said, “Come with us.”

It stepped back. “They don’t know.”

They didn’t know about it. It was going to do what I had done, pretend to keep doing its job.

It added, “You need to go. They’re two minutes out.”

Since MB didn’t notice any missing fingers, it might have been HostileSecUnit1 that they left in the meeting place. Since MB was not in a state to notice details by this point, it could also have been HostileSecUnit2. We don’t know for sure, but we know that at least one more B-E SecUnit had managed to free itself of its governor module and then used its new free status to help MB and its humans!

To recap the fate of B-E SecUnits:

[Network Effect]

B-E SecUnit1 – killed on the explorer with its head blown off

B-E SecUnit2 – killed by its governor module by being left on the station dock

B-E SecUnit3 (aka Three) – given codes by 2.0 to free itself and becomes an ally

[System Collapse]

B-E Unit1 – probably still with DellCourt, busting ag-bots

HostileSecUnit1 – shutdown with delayed restart, given the codes to free itself

HostileSecUnit2 – loses 3 fingers but survives. Also receives the codes

[One of these two uses the codes to free itself and helps MB]

New HostileSecUnit1 – shutdown but no codes given

New HostileSecUnit2 – killed by ART-drone, taken apart into pieces

-----

A few additional observations:

Barish-Estranza uses their own proprietary SecUnits

B-E Units seem to be deployed in pairs/groups and the units are allowed to communicate among themselves to some extent

B-E uses augmented humans with special implants to control their SecUnits (at least sometimes?), acting like a weird human HubSystem

Murderbot still does not entirely trust other SecUnits with or without their governor module, but shows more sympathetic attitude towards them, trying to find the way not to kill them.

[asirensrequiem]

Long time no see! Here's a lovely little update post for you all!

Chapter 4 progress was on hiatus for about a month and a half to focus on school and event weeks... well, I am happy to say that has come to an end! I have finished up sketches for pages 1 and 2 of chapter 4. I am vigorously working to get that, and potentially the lineart as well, finished up in this next week.

The entirety of.. season? Arc? #1 is finished in writing, and has been for a while, but I have touched it up and made it so so good I am very excited.

I will be making official character sheets for my designs for Lucifer and Alastor in ASR as I have received a few requests for such! Given this information, I was to make it known that you are very welcome to make art of my AU and my designs! The only rule I have is that I BETTER BE TAGGED IN THIS ART!! I want to munch on it and then stick it on my fridge so I can see it everyday and smile.

Finally.... I have a big announcement coming soon regarding a certain very awesome charity project that I'll be taking part in with this little AU ;)

That's all of the announcements I have for now, I love you silly little radioapple gremlins, keep doing you because you are awesome <3

[murderbot-fanimation-project]

SPOTLIGHT ON:

Murderbot Fanimation Project Backgrounds!

(Part 1 of 3) (Jump to parts [2] [3])

They may be the literal background of the finished product, but the backgrounds done for the Murderbot Diaries Fanimation Project deserve their time in the spotlight!

Part of what makes the Fanimation stand out as much as it does is the love, care, and attention to detail that the artists poured into the backgrounds. The team stuck closely to the source texts when designing the spaces, producing some beautiful pieces of art that deserve appreciation on their own.

You can watch the Murderbot Diaries Fanimation Project here.

(IDs are in alt text)

Scanners - Initial sketch and layout by Jude, finalised and coloured by @chimaerakitten

"I had to hack an ID-screening system and some weapon-scanning drones on the level above..."

ASR Pit - by Lue

"This assessment zone was a barren stretch of coastal island, with low, flat hills rising and falling and thick greenish-black grass up to my ankles [...] The coast was dotted with big bare craters, one of which Bharadwaj and Volescu were taking samples in. The planet had a ring, which from our current position dominated the horizon when you looked out to sea."

AC Food Court - by Vanessa

"The location for the meeting was a food service place in the main mall area. [...] There were multiple open levels inside, with tables and chairs, and it was 40 percent full of humans and augmented humans."

Deltfall - by @chimaerakitten with bodies by @theash0

"There were eleven messily dead humans in the hub, sprawled on the floor, in chairs, the monitoring stations and projection surfaces behind them showing impact damage from projectile and energy weapon fire."

ASR Hopper - by @broken-risk-assessment-module

"It was a series of rocky hills in a thick tropical jungle, heavily occupied by a large range of fauna."

PresAux Hub - by Cephei

"There were mugs and empty meal packets on some of the consoles. I’m not cleaning that up unless I’m given a direct order."

AC Hotel - Layout and lineart by Vanessa, colour by Cephei

"The lobby was built on various platforms overlooking a holo sculpture of an open chasm filled with a giant crystalline structure growing out of the walls. [...] My clients were on the same platform as the check-in area, near the railing around the sculpture’s artificial chasm, sitting on a round backless couch thing that looked more like a decorative object than furniture."

Medbay - by @sometimesihaveideas

"I opened my security feed and found a camera for Medical. I was lying on the procedure table, my armor gone, just wearing what was left of my suit skin, the humans gathered around."

[featheredclover]

Orphic

Chapter Five

Read from the beginning

Also on Wattpad

Chapter Four < Chapter Six

The birds chirped along as they fluttered from branch to branch. But the day greeted the Gupta mansion with much less peace that morning.

Khushi bit into her toast, as Sumi poured juice into her glass.

“Shashi! I am getting nervous. Will Mr Raizada say something now?”

Her papa shook his head, his forehead scrunched in a frown.

“Rajiv has hinted at nothing. Even Shyam has not come up in our talks. I don’t know what to expect, Garima.”

“It would have been a milestone for us” she sighed, “ But what can we do except wait”

“Khushi, have some fruits,” Shashi said as he passed her a bowl.

————

Her thoughts were clouded with worry for her parents as she walked into Venus Designs.

She had never seen them so unsure, so worried. And she had never felt as helpless as she had today.

“Morning Leela”, she smiled at the receptionist.

“Khushi, some big client has come here asking for you!” Leela whispered.

“Me?!” She gasped.

“Yes! They are with Madhumati ma’am right now. You better go in. She told me to usher you into her office as soon as you came!”

And so Khushi found herself half-pushed inside her aunt’s magnanimous office.

“Good morning Khushi!”

She couldn’t believe her eyes. Madhumati bua was laughing! Her usually stern eyes were now soft as she looked fondly at the two men.

She looked at the well suited gentlemen, and wondered which of her previous works could have impressed them.

The men stood up.

She found herself stunned as the smirking visage of Arnav Singh Raizada greeted her.

“Meet Arnav and Aman! They are from the Raizada group of companies. Arnav wants his new office to be designed by you.” Her aunt continued jovially.

But her eyes couldn’t leave the devil’s, who had come to extract his pound of flesh!

“ But I-I have never designed professional spaces before.”

“I did mention that to Arnav, but he said he wanted his office to have a bit of domestic touch. Now, now go on. You have to work from the site.”

Rummaging through her mind to look for an excuse , Khushi looked at her aunt trying to signal her to refuse on her behalf.

“I’ll take Khushi with me Mrs. Madhumati. After all, I need the job done by next week.” 

She watched as he put on the best buttering act with her aunt. All sweet smiles and flattery.

“Hi, I’m Aman Mathur, ASR’s right hand man.”

The young man ,she hadn’t paid much attention to , shook her hand, offering her a glimmer of hope.

At least, someone is kind here.

“I think you’ll have a great time working with Arnav. He’s as clear and concise in his demands as it gets.”

“Yeah” she grumbled “Hitler pales in front of him”

Aman raised his eyebrows in amusement .

“ He is demanding, but not a dictator”

“Aman.”Arnav had already reached the door.

“Let’s get going, shall we?”

————

And that’s how Khushi Gupta found herself in a Bentley, heading towards the heart of the city.

“Why are you doing this?”

She couldn’t keep quiet anymore.

“I wanted to spend time with you “

Blushing pink, Khushi marvelled at this man’s shamelessness.

“I forgave you already-“

“That’s not enough for me”

Exasperated, she ignored him for the rest of the ride.

—————

Slouching over the desk Aman had provided her, Khushi scribbled into her notebook.

Designs, light source ideas, decor pieces and vendors all in one place.

With that out of the way,she began sketching. 

Her pencil flew across the page, as she thought of the space where he would work. 

The desk where his coffee machine would stay. The few photographs he took, that he wanted on the wall. The antique telephone he had bought from Paris.

“I have never seen a better portrait of me”

She jumped and twisted her neck, as Arnav grabbed her book from her in a split second.

Grinning, he squinted, pretending to judge her sketch of him.

“I must say Miss Gupta, you have observed me quite closely”

“Shut up! I was just sketching the office “

“And got distracted? Well since I am to be blamed for the distraction , it will only be fair of me to buy you lunch!”

He bent down and grabbed her purse, meeting her petulant face with a wink.

“Shall we?”

—————-

“And there he was, telling me to run for the damn election!”

She giggled as Arnav finished his story. She hadn’t expected to have a fun time with him. So far she had only experienced mad rage and mad lust for the man. And that had to say something!

“You left the states to come back here?”

“I wasn’t really sure about where I wanted to live. And dad really wanted to come back. After mom’s death-” he blinked.

“Are you okay?” Her hand found his.

“Yeah” he held her hand tighter “He took years to move on. The last time we were here was for Di’s wedding”

Khushi swallowed as she realised the topic was now down to his brother-in-law, Shyam. Can she ask him about the deal her parents were after?

“My papa really likes your father. Um…he invited him to brunch…”

“I know Khushi, I was there” he smiled in amusement at her sudden fluster.

“Yes, well they were wondering if Mr.Raizada had made up his mind about the deal.”

Gasping inwardly, she hated herself at that moment for blurting it out. 

She wanted to seal her big mouth forever.

Understanding that anything she said now will only push her further down the hole she had dug, Khushi held her silence.

To her dismay, even Arnav stayed quiet. No jokes, no witty remarks to erase her folly.

“Well, Khushi I can’t say much about that”

She nodded meekly.

“Let’s head back, shall we?”

And that’s how Aman found them in the office that afternoon. One deep in thought, and one mortified.

Tagging: @arshifiesta

—————-

Next chapter>>

@jalebi-weds-bluetooth @barshifan @andli @shiyaravi @muttonthings @hand-picked-star @msbhagirathi @phuljari @sankititaliya @thenainitaldisaster @thedupattaknowswhatsup @chutkiandchotte @laad-governess @laadgovernors @laadgovernorandsankadevi @leila1 @hi-this-is-permabanned @arshispyaar @minpdnim @thedustyshehnai @bigfatreader @arshiradio @simplycurlz @scorpio-smiles @bengudill @exosexosekai @0218fm

[benzgarfield]

Bbenzalert IG update August 26, 2024

Good time becomes good memories 😊🍳🌿🌶 Family: Thank you, Mae Chod, and Paw S, for giving me a good opportunity, trusting and believing in me to play the role of Methas, a person who is honest to his heart and is very rich. 🙏🏻 Thank you for taking care of me and paying attention to the details, giving me encouragement in every scene during filming, staying until the set ended at 4 or 5 am like we were real family. 🙏🏻 Thank you very much 😊 Writer: Thank you, Mr. Pinta, for writing a novel with a strong but well-rounded flavor through the writing, which impressed everyone. Teacher Chell: Thank you, Teacher Chell, very much for helping to bring out my acting potential and helping to create the character of Methas, analyzing Methas from every angle until it came out as Methas, who everyone says is mischievous and irritating, but we can't help but fall in love with. Thank you, teacher. 🙏🏻 Director: Thank you, Phi Nui, my super cool director, and Phi Sim, the talented assistant director, who are very kind to this young man, helping to design each scene perfectly. No matter what you suggest, I listen to it all the time. It's so much fun. I hope we'll have the chance to work together again. Love you so much. The whole behind-the-scenes team: Hair and makeup team, clothes, props, lighting team, sound team, location team, welfare team, blocking team. Thank you for making Khun Methas handsome and rich in every scene. 😆 I really respect and honor all the teams in "Love Without Long Beans". The cast: I really can't leave anyone out, Phi Sai, Pon, Belle, Aon, Asre, Tiger, and KleKle. Everyone is so talented. With the rush, we may have little free time, but it's 100% fun. I love you so much, the Kaprao gang!! My Buddy: Thank you, Garfin, everyone's lovely cat. Thank you for being the best physical therapist for Methas. I'm glad we got to work together. It wasn't easy for us to have each other like this. Thank you so much for being ready to move forward together. I love youuuuuuu. Khun Methas: Thank you for making me realize that dedicating yourself to the people you love makes us happy. That is priceless 😊 and really makes us a better person. I am glad to convey the essence of Methas for everyone to hate, complain, cheer for, and love. Benzalert: Thank you for seizing the opportunity and doing your best to make Methas in everyone's hearts. I am very proud of you, Benzalert 🤍 The most important thing is the lovely FC & viewers for everything that you do, supporting, encouraging…making "Love Without Long Beans" go far. I receive every message that you send. It is the driving force that makes me want to do better. Thank you for helping to be "Alert's Battery" 🥰. Let's stay like this for a long time. 🦊

[popcornforone]

A Taste of What’s to Come

Part 4 of Agent Whiskey / Jack Daniels birthday Fan Fic Serise

MASTERLIST

Part 3

So looks like you enjoyed the storm yesterday. We’re edging closer to the finale. Time to see what happens before tomorrow’s ending & our man’s 50th.

Synopsis:- Now clean & dry it’s time to head out for the birthday meal.

Word Count:- 1200

Warnings:- implied shower & anal sex but nothing described, swearing, alcohol, letting inhibitions go.

Thanks for reading this so far peoples I really do appreciate it. See you for the big one tomorrow.

By the time you both got home, the rain has completely stopped, leaving behind the fresh scent of damp earth & the golden glow just before the evening descends. Jack stretches as he steps inside, rolling his shoulders like he’s shaking off the day’s chaos.

“Well,” he drawls, kicking off his boots, “that turned into a hell of an adventure.” He puts his fishing equipment in the cupboard in the hall way.

You smirk, slipping past him toward the bedroom. “Wasn’t all bad.”

Jack chuckles, following close behind. “Nope. Can’t say it was.” He smacks your asre as you step through the doorway, grinning when you shoot him a look. “But I’m still expectin’ that fancy dinner you promised me, darlin’.”

“Oh, don’t you worry,” you tease. “You’ll be wined & dined like a true gentleman.” You then slowly peel off your jumper & walk through the bedroom straight to the bathroom. “Does the birthday boy wanna join me for a shower?” You wink. Jacks moustache twitches. His trousers feeing tight.

“Thought you’d never ask darling”

You both get dirty & then cleaned up, the scent of soap & aftershave replacing rain & lake water. The shower was more than sensual as he finally did claim your arse against the tiles, steamy was an understatement.

You’re both looking rather pristine for dinner. Jack looks damn good in his fitted smart jeans & button-up, he’s even left his hat on the side, making sure to run a comb through his hair. You as always look like a dream to him. You catch his eyes lingering on you more than once as you slip into your dress, his gaze darkening with appreciation.

Before you head out, you grab the small wrapped box from the dresser & turn to him.

“Got one more thing for you,” you say, handing it over. Jack arches a brow but takes the package, unwrapping it carefully, especially the little red bow on top. His expression softens when he sees what’s inside, a brand-new, engraved hip flask. The silver gleams in the low light, his initials etched into the metal alongside a simple, elegant design. Jack turns it over in his hands, quiet for a moment. Then he looks up at you, something warm and unreadable in his eyes. “

“You really went & got me somethin’ nice, huh?”

You suddenly a little bit shy blushing crimson as you know he likes it. “Figured a man like you oughta have a flask that matches his style.” You feel like a teenager trying to chat up your high school crush, even though he’s been yours & only yours for a while now. Jack exhales a soft chuckle, shaking his head. He loves it when you go all sweetness & sugar on him.

“Darlin’…” He steps closer, reaching out to tug you against him. His lips brush your forehead, then your temple, lingering just long enough to make your heart stutter. “This might just be my best birthday yet,” he murmurs.

You grin, pressing a hand to his chest. “& it ain’t even over yet.”

Jack tilts his head, smirking. “Then what’re we waitin’ for?” With that, he grabs his hat, his flask, & your hand, leading you both out for whatever the night has in store.

Dinner is perfect. For the first time all day, nothing goes wrong. The steak is cooked just the way Jack likes it, medium rare, with just the right amount of char on the edges. The red wine is smooth, the candlelight flickers just enough to make everything feel warm & intimate, & Jack looks damn good sitting across from you, relaxed with a lazy smirk as he sips his whiskey.

“You finally managed to pull off somethin’ without a disaster,” he teases, twirling the glass between his fingers.

You roll your eyes. “Don’t jinx it.”

Jack chuckles, reaching across the table to take your hand. His thumb brushes over your knuckles, slow & deliberate. “Seriously, sweetheart. This was real nice. Thank you.” Your heart does that annoying little flip it always does when he gets soft on you.

“You’re welcome, birthday boy.”

Dinner stretches into easy conversation & stolen glances, the kind of slow, steady warmth that makes you forget the rest of the world exists. By the time you step outside the restaurant, the night air is crisp, the city streets quiet except for the occasional car rolling past. Jack checks his watch. You’d booked a taxi with the restaurant as you paid the bill. “Taxi should be here any minute.”

You nod, slipping your arm through his. “See? A perfect ending to the night.”

Jack hums, tilting his head like he knows something’s coming. “Mm. We’ll see about that.”

& sure enough…

Fifteen minutes pass.

Then twenty.

The taxi never shows.

Jack pulls out his phone, but there’s no signal. “Well, ain’t that just peachy.”

You sigh. “Guess we’re walking.”

“It ain’t that far,” Jack says, slipping his arm around you. “Reckon we’ll be home in no time.”

You nod, adjusting your dress, stepping forward, but the moment your heel hits the pavement, there’s a sickening snap. You stumble forward with a gasp, catching Jack’s arm just in time before you hit the ground.

Jack blinks, glancing down. “Darlin’…” he’s seen enough people get drugged or pass out on him in his life due to his job that he automatically becomes protective. You groan, lifting your foot to inspect the damage.

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me.” The heel of your shoe? Completely destroyed. The universe? Laughing at you. Jack, of course, is already grinning.

“Well, well. Guess your bad luck ain’t done yet.”

You glare at him. “Not funny.” Jack chuckles, then, before you can protest, he crouches slightly & tugs you up onto his back, hooking his arms under your thighs.

You squeal, arms wrapping around his shoulders. “Jack!”

“What?” He adjusts his grip, standing with ease. “Ain’t lettin’ my girl hobble all the way home, now, am I?”

You huff against his shoulder. “I could’ve figured something out. It’s not like I broke an ankle or am injured, it’s just a heel”

Jack smirks. “Yeah? What, hop the rest of the way?”

“Please” you tut “& anyhow it’s your birthday & your an old, can’t have you going back to work injured” he hummus before jumping slightly & you wrap your arms around him him.

“I carry everyone’s work load, carrying you will be a breeze…” he then turns his head to face you “& I ain’t out to pasture yet darling”

You groan. “Just walk.”

Jack laughs, his chest shaking beneath you. “Hold on tight, sweetheart.” & then he starts jogging. Bloody jogging!

You shriek, laughing as you tighten your arms around him. “Jack Daniels, I swear to fucking God…”

“You said to walk!” he calls over his shoulder. “Didn’t say nothin’ about the speed!”

The city streets blur past as Jack carries you, steady & unbothered, his warmth bleeding into you with every step. It’s ridiculous. It’s insane. & it’s perfect. Because even though everything went wrong today, Jack is still laughing & embracing all the mishaps & right now you’re also laughing as you approach home. You wouldn’t change a damn thing.

Part 5

[poyoofthestars]

The Day Dokukieran got pissed and flipped Uther off

“Hey, other peachy! What do you feel about the lemon limed loser?” Marx asks as he flies nearby Doku.

“Have you ever heard of shutting up?” The poison puppeteer shoots back at Marx, horns nearly grazing the jester.

“That was an innocent question! Seriously!” Marx looks ahead and sees Uther, “Oh, look. It’s the lemon limed loooooooser!” He then flies off leaving Dokukieran, who was relieved, behind, uttering one word:

“Finally.”

“Nope! Not leavin’ you behind buddy!” Marx says dragging an heavily protesting Uther.

“Who the **** is that peachhead?” Uther asked the jester, unfortunately for him,Dokukieran heard him.

“Marx. Leave. That. Piece. Of. Annoyance. Behind.” Dokukieran orders Marx, toxic chains starting to emerge

“Woah, woah, woah! No need for that buddy!” Marx tries to intervene, but Uther spoke up first saying,

“Wait a minute, FILTHY THAUMARTHURGIS! Or is it, prunus persica?”

At this point, Uther was just answered with a flip off.

Credits and dedication under the cut

Credits:

Dokukieran: @tealmaskmybeloved

Sir Uther: @quanblovk

ASR! Marx: Me

Happy anniversary to the Toxic Consequences AU! Or Happy blogversarry in general. Ari, you’ve gone so far with au (and especially Doku’s design, I froggin’ love it) looking forward to what may happen next! The ask blog, the art, and everything else is so fuckin good! Looking forward to everything, as we’re watching and dreaming!

- Stellar

[yourboijod]

Ensoniq ASR-10

[gamebird]

A post about my Murderbot Diaries fanfics

A lot of my TMBD fanfiction links together. Someone called it the 'Gamebird Cinematic Universe'. So you'll see events referenced across fics, backstory fleshed out, and missing scenes filled in, with the information spread out across a lot of stories. I also ship Murderbot and Gurathin, but not within the canon timeline. Thus, there are a lot of fics where that hasn't happened yet, or where they are not both present.

I've put them all together in a single series for convenience, and broken out the ones that are separate AUs or unrelated one-shots.

.

Gamebird Cinematic Universe stories in (mostly) chronological order:

After Hacking - This is pre-ASR, a series of stories that track Murderbot's growing personhood and abilities during the 4 years after it hacks its governor module to before the events of All Systems Red. Each installment is around 1,000 words and they are all designed as stand-alone stories.

It's Only a Cleaning Process - Murderbot enjoys a particularly thorough cleaning process that can definitely be interpreted sexually. Murderbot declines to interpret it that way.

Two Ships, Passing in the Night - ART shows off for another ship. Seth is not amused.

Ratthi's Proposition - At the start of the ASR survey, Ratthi propositions Gurathin. This is an event referred to in various other fics.

[ASR happens here]

Rogue Trends - This is a data analyst digging into the circumstances behind Murderbot going rogue, and what happened to the other SecUnits that were in Ganaka Pit. It was my first TMBD fic and is much acclaimed.

Gurathin's Side of the Story - A retelling of ASR, ES, and other portions from Gurathin's point of view, along with key elements of his backstory. There is a little MB/G in it (occasional badly-veiled one-sided yearning; Murderbot doesn't know or care, as per canon).

BATNA - This recounts Mensah's captivity in Exit Strategy.

Things SecUnit Will Never Know - Missing scene at the end of Exit Strategy, tells the story of how the group restored Murderbot's brain after the gunship collapse.

Trust Fall - Set in the flashback scene of Network Effect - Overse and Arada argue about being cut out of the need-to-know list regarding the assassination attempt on Dr. Mensah.

Resignation - This is an elaboration of this line from Network Effect: Since I'd decided to stay (temporarily) on Preservation Station, Dr. Mensah had asked me to go places with her seven times. Six of those times were just relatively short boring meetings on ships in orbit or in dock. The seventh was when she had asked me to go down to the local planet's surface with her., telling the story of Mensah's slow crumble after the events of BATNA.

The Skinny - Murderbot sends a letter to Bharadwaj about the ways SecUnits are misused on contract. This would be in Network Effect, after the festival and before the water planet survey. This was another of my very early TMBD fics.

A Funeral for Killware - At the end of Network Effect, before System Collapse, those in orbit over the Adamantine Colony have an observance for those who were lost.

Retrieval - Three retrieves one of its fallen fellows.

Tarrathi - Tarik and Ratthi get together in System Collapse, missing scene fic.

The Talk - Perihelion's crew talk to it about how it met Murderbot. Or try to.

[post System Collapse, nebulous undefined mission with ART; in other words: canon that hasn't been published yet]

Repeat Deletion Protocol - Back on Preservation, SecUnit confronts Ratthi about a suspicious situation with one of Ratthi's partners, only to discover this isn't the first time it's confronted Ratthi about this.

De-constructed Feelings - Ratthi realizes/discovers Gurathin's past with constructs, and his present feelings toward one construct in particular. Gurathin swears him to secrecy, because he intends to take this secret to his grave. After all, Murderbot has no interest in him whatsoever and that's fine.

Skulk - This consists of the origin story for a rogue Combat SecUnit named Skulk, and then an adventure with Murderbot, Ratthi, and Gurathin.

Murderathin - This follows immediately after the end of the Skulk series and is my attempt to separate the MB/Gurathin material from the non-MB/G stuff so those readers who want to avoid shippy stuff can do so. Upon leaving the planet Skulk was on, Murderbot confronts Gurathin about certain feelings it has unexpectedly detected from him. This is where Gurathin's Side of the Story is told, although the events of it (ASR, ES, etc.) happen earlier.

[Young Gurathin section not in chronological order]

What is Love? - A late-teens Gurathin explores his sexual interests with a standard ComfortUnit in the Corporation Rim. Even back then, he wonders if there is more behind those eyes, or if he's just seeing what he wishes was there.

To Like or Not to Like - This is Gurathin in his mid-20s (I headcanon him around 50 in ASR) with a ComfortUnit. Nothing sexual or romantic this time, just two beings trying to understand one another and themselves.

[Back to chronological order]

Depends on Viewpoint - Gurathin and Bharadwaj discuss differences between the Corporation Rim and Preservation.

.

Other series:

Last Client Standing - ASR, but GrayCris attacks PresAux first instead of DeltFall. This is disastrous. Murderbot is only able to save Gurathin. They escape, eventually, returning to Preservation where there is grieving and therapy, with a hopeful ending.

TMBD Metas and Headcanons - What it says on the tin. Most of these are analyses of canon, but a few are my headcanons for ComfortUnits, Combat SecUnits, and Preservation.

.

Other stuff (one-shots or nearly so):

Freeze Response - Murderbot tries to figure out where a little girl went. Few words, many kudos.

SexUnit - Two versions of the same outline, one with Murderbot, one with an OC SecUnit. Both are used for sex. This is rape.

Two Peas in a Pod - Murderbot and Gurathin work together to retrieve two gestational units that have been locked in cryofreeze pods. Although both MB and Gurathin are in this fic, it isn't shippy in any romantic way. Barely even platonic.

Imagine Dragons - Murderbot tries to guard Gurathin from hostile fauna. I don't think this is particularly shippy. I think Murderbot would act the same way with any of its clients.

Personalized Security Services - Murderbot and Mensah fuck. This is not rape.

If Hostile One Had Bit Ratthi Instead of Bharadwaj in ASR - Just what it says on the tin.

Just a Piece - A man and an obliging SecUnit fuck. This is not rape.

Preservation Alliance, Politics, and World-Building - This is included in the Meta series, but is important enough for me to call it out individually. It's the background for nearly everything I've written in TMBD that has a setting in Preservation. It tells about languages, planets, and cultures.

There are also some drabbles and a couple longer one-shots I didn't count. You can find them in my AO3 works list. I have participated in two collaborative writing events, one Counting Down (combined PresAux and Perihelion crew get contaminated by alien remnants while planetside and have to fight off a CR sanitation team) and the other is Enemies, Closer (MB/G/ART/Echo). The first is not shippy in the least; the second is all shipping all the time.

[characterdesignreferences]

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[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hi JWB!

Hope you’re doing well.

I had always had this question in mind. If at all there was a scenario if Arnav had to choose only one thing what would it be?

He is a self made man because he built AR on his own and that gives him lot of pride as that’s what made him what he his.

And Khushi is of course was the missing spark/ love in his life.

So if he had to give up one, whom would he give up. As both AR and Khushi are very very significant and primary parts of his life. Will be still be the ASR without AR designs? Or will be able to live without Khushi.?

Thanks!

Hi Anon,

Arnav wouldn't be able to give up AR. Khushi might sense the struggle and choose to step away - making the choice for him.

AR is more than a company for Arnav. It's his pride and his family depends on it. It

And tbh Arnav is far more likely to see the loophole in the options presented, take advantage of it and have both AR and Khushi.

Best,

Jalebi

[mariacallous]

Extremist groups have begun to experiment with artificial intelligence, and in particular generative AI, in order to create a flood of new propaganda. Experts now fear the growing use of generative AI tools by these groups will overturn the work Big Tech has done in recent years to keep their content off the internet.

“Our biggest concern is that if terrorists start using gen AI to manipulate imagery at scale, this could well destroy hash-sharing as a solution,” Adam Hadley, the executive director of Tech Against Terrorism, tells WIRED. “This is a massive risk.”

For years, Big Tech platforms have worked hard to create databases of known violent extremist content, known as hashing databases, which are shared across platforms to quickly and automatically remove such content from the internet. But according to Hadley, his colleagues are now picking up around 5,000 examples of AI-generated content each week. This includes images shared in recent weeks by groups linked to Hezbollah and Hamas that appear designed to influence the narrative around the Israel-Hamas war.

“Give it six months or so, the possibility that [they] are manipulating imagery to break hashing is really concerning,” Hadley says. “The tech sector has done so well to build automated technology, terrorists could well start using gen AI to evade what's already been done.”

Other examples that researchers at Tech Against Terrorism have uncovered in recent months have included a neo-Nazi messaging channel sharing AI-generated imagery created using racist and antisemitic prompts pasted into an app available on the Google Play store; far-right figures producing a “guide to memetic warfare” advising others on how to use AI-generated image tools to create extremist memes; the Islamic State publishing a tech support guide on how to securely use generative AI tools; a pro-IS user of an archiving service claiming to have used an AI-based automatic speech recognition (ASR) system to transcribe Arabic language IS propaganda; and a pro-al-Qaeda outlet publishing several posters with images highly likely to have been created using a generative AI platform.

Beyond detailing the threat posed by generative AI tools that can tweak images, Tech Against Terrorism has published a new report citing other ways in which gen AI tools can be used to help extremist groups. These include the use of autotranslation tools that can quickly and easily convert propaganda into multiple languages, or the ability to create personalized messages at scale to facilitate recruitment efforts online. But Hadley believes that AI also provides an opportunity to get ahead of extremist groups and use the technology to preempt what they will use it for.

“We're going to partner with Microsoft to figure out if there are ways using our archive of material to create a sort of gen AI detection system in order to counter the emerging threat that gen AI will be used for terrorist content at scale,” Hadley says. “We're confident that gen AI can be used to defend against hostile uses of gen AI.”

The partnership was announced today, on the eve of the Christchurch Call Leaders’ Summit, a movement designed to eradicate terrorism and extremist content from the internet, to be held in Paris.

“The use of digital platforms to spread violent extremist content is an urgent issue with real-world consequences,” Brad Smith, vice chair and president at Microsoft said in a statement. “By combining Tech Against Terrorism’s capabilities with AI, we hope to help create a safer world both online and off.”

While companies like Microsoft, Google, and Facebook all have their own AI research divisions and are likely already deploying their own resources to combat this issue, the new initiative will ultimately aid those companies that can’t combat these efforts on their own.

“This will be particularly important for smaller platforms that don't have their own AI research centers,” Hadley says. “Even now, with the hashing databases, smaller platforms can just become overwhelmed by this content.”

The threat of AI generative content is not limited to extremist groups. Last month, the Internet Watch Foundation, a UK-based nonprofit that works to eradicate child exploitation content from the internet, published a report that detailed the growing presence of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) created by AI tools on the dark web.

The researchers found over 20,000 AI-generated images posted to one dark web CSAM forum over the course of just one month, with 11,108 of these images judged most likely to be criminal by the IWF researchers. As the IWF researchers wrote in their report, “These AI images can be so convincing that they are indistinguishable from real images.”

[featheredclover]

Fanaa

11

Read from the beginning

10......12

Billionaire media mogul married!

She stared at the fine print, clenching her fists. He had done it. Her Arnav was married. 

Lifting her cigarette to her lips, she drew in a smoke before letting it all out into the air. Her frustrations, her grief, her love.

Love for a man who simply never loved her back. She knew that now.

Despite everything, she had dared to hope. 

He had made it clear to her. The terms of their relationship were clear to them from the moment they laid eyes on each other. 

——

The city of Mumbai was chaotic on the best days. But today? It was a bustling pot of press, models and designers. 

Chanel was finally doing a show in India. 2012 the year of fashion import.

Lavanya sat in front of her dresser, as Rodrigo lathered on rouge on her cheekbones.

At 23, she had achieved what most models wish to achieve in their lifetime. She was Chanel’s showstopper. She was on all billboards across the country. Her father was happy but she knew he waited for the day she joined him. 

She was ready to go. Out on the ramp, where she will make history.

“On 1 Lavanya! 3,2,1 go!”

The lights blinded her but she sashayed forward. All eyes on her. She felt it all. Awe, envy, desire. That’s the thing with beauty. It never fails to inspire emotions.

Lavanya Kashyap was truly the showstopper.

—-

“Darling”

She turned to see Mia, the Anna Wintour of the Bombay fashion scene.

“Lavanya! You look drop dead gorgeous! I told you ASR, no one could have done the Paris in Bombay theme better than her.”

Mia moved aside to reveal the man who would change her life forever.

Arnav Singh Raizada.

A man whose arrogance was the talk of the country. He was the same age as hers. And just like her, he had painted the town red. AR media was dominating every aspect of the press. She finally met the man responsible for it. All wrapped in six feet of Armani.

“Honoured to meet you, Miss Kashyap”, Arnav nodded. His eyes…they were the most gorgeous shade of brown. 

She faltered. She was surrounded day and night by beauty. But never had she been left this struck. Arnav wasn’t a model, but there was something far more dangerous he possessed. An “it factor” so as to speak. 

“Likewise, Mr Raizada”

Arnav smiled then. And she knew what she felt.

——

Slipping off her mink coat, she prepared a glass of whiskey. Just like he used to like it.

Walking over to the window of Diego’s apartment, she looked at the twinkling lights of the city. Her slinky dress fluttered against the howling winds. The weather was echoing in her heart.

She glanced over at Diego who was sprawled over their bed. He was fun, gentle and just like her. She enjoyed him and herself with him. 

And yet….She hated that she had known Arnav once. It was like settling for a cheap bottle of wine after tasting the Cheval Blanc.

He was everything. Everything a girl wanted.

———

She stretched lazily. Her Egyptian cotton sheets brushed against her bare skin.

Arnav sat up, reaching for his cell on her bedside table.

She caught his wrist, “In a hurry, aren’t you, tiger?”

He rolled his eyes, letting out a chuckle.

“I have a meeting to attend. See you tonight”

He didn’t wait for a reply, just leaned over to kiss her. A kiss which left her deliciously warm.

—

“I painted this”, she declared as soon as the door swung open.

Arnav frowned, raising a quizzical brow.

“See these two birds! I saw them on my visit to New York.”

“Very nice”, he nodded, his cup of black coffee resting in his hand.

She walked in. 

“I was thinking of putting it here in the foyer-“

“Lavanya “

The cold composure of his which she had always found sexy now made her nervous.

“What are you doing? You know what this means. You know where we stand”

She looked away, “It’s just art, Arnav “

He sighed, “I don’t want anything to be misunderstood.”

She knew. She knew it when he had taken her to his place after the show. She knew it when he showed her stars on earth. She knew it when he had made it clear that it was a relationship where he didn’t want a future. He didn’t want a future with anyone, he had said.

But she didn’t want to give this up. The fireworks they shared were worth fighting for. Arnav was her Prince Charming. He was such a gentleman, it made her feel things she had never felt before. The intensity he brought to their intimacy made her dream things she hadn’t dared to.

But he drew the line. She knew he liked her company. But he was not a man in love.

And her? She had fallen ,and fallen how!

She wanted him. She wanted to be the mother to his children. She wanted to be the woman he came home to. To be the woman his eyes always seeked.

———

She lit another cigarette, the ashtray now resembling a crime scene. Tears streamed down her cheeks, as she struggled to look at the rising sun.

How could he?How could he do this to me?

———

Lavanya settled on the plush seats of Imran’s parlour. She needed this now more than ever. 

Arnav had not attended her show last night, choosing to go on a business trip to Dublin instead. She didn’t ask. Just smiled and kissed him goodbye.

“Lavanya?”

There under the bright lights stood Anjali Raizada. She walked up to her, resting on the seat beside her.

“Thought we would never meet”, Anjali smiled.

“So nice to meet you Anjali”

——

That’s how she felt hope beginning to grow in her heart. His sister liked her. How long till he resisted what he felt for her? She knew he did. 

Lavanya chuckled, drowning herself in whiskey. At least she thought he did. But did he ever really? Arnav didn’t really hide anything did he?

——

“I want marriage Arnav! Why can’t you see what we have! You are so scared of commitment you can’t even see me! You would be lucky to have me!”

She ran a hand through her hair.

Arnav sat there, his eyes enraged.

“Lavanya “ he blinked, “It’s clear we are not on the same page-“

“I met your family for god's sake!”

“No!”, he thundered, “My sister invited you to dinner. I was never asked. Lavanya, I have never acted in a way to hurt you, to mislead you”

“But can’t you see what we share? Why can’t you factor me in your life in any real way?”, her voice broke into a sob.

“I have never led you to believe that this was something which would lead to marriage. It was a relationship of mutual pleasure and company. And I had your consent from day one-“

“Screw that! You never care, Arnav! You never fucking care! You didn’t attend Toto’s funeral-“

“My mother was struggling from cancer”, his eyes now blank,” I apologise if I couldn’t prioritise your dog’s funeral over my mother’s life-“

“And that’s why Arnav”, Lavanya moved towards him, her eyes softening instantly, “You need me. I need you. You need a companion. You need a wife”

He stood up.

“Ratna aunty would have wanted us to be-“

“Enough!”, he snapped, his face etched in a snarl.

In a quick moment he was out the door.

Leaving her alone. Alone with her dreams. Alone with her love.

——-

“Lava?”

Diego’s concerned voice reached her. 

“Yes baby?” 

“How much did you drink? What happened baby?”

Lavanya leaned heavily on him, her eyes fluttering shut.

——-

“He is getting engaged. He is! Yes the ASR”

She stilled in the middle of her shoot, when an assistant spoke those words.

That evening, Anjali confirmed it.

Khushi Gupta. A journalism student. Twenty one. 

She had gripped her phone tight, denial twisting her into something ugly.

How? How can a man so averse to marriage now be ready to get married?

What had this girl done?

——

Nothing, Lavanya realised now.

Diego placed her on the bed, before slipping under the covers with her cuddled in his arms.

Khushi Gupta was nothing. An average girl. Someone who didn’t warrant the whiplash Lavanya lashed out on Anjali’s insistence.

“Oh she’s absolutely nothing. I feel sick just thinking about it. How could Arnav settle for someone like her? You must come to the engagement party. She needs to realise who’s shoes she’s trying to fill”

Lavanya hated it. Hated that Arnav now despised her more. 

She had never apologised for bringing his dead mother into their argument.

And now she needed to apologise for insulting his….wife.

Clutching her pillow, tears poured out. Her pain would dull with time. But she needed to ask him, why not her? Why couldn’t it be her?

-----

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