#edge computing overview

[techtoio]

The Edge of Innovation: Why Edge Computing Is a Big Deal

Introduction

Staying updated with the ever-evolving world of technology is vital. At TechtoIO, we pride ourselves on being at the edge of innovation. Edge computing is one of the most revolutionary developments transforming the technology landscape today. But what exactly is edge computing, and why is it such a big deal? Let’s dive into this fascinating topic to understand its significance and potential impact on our digital future. Read to continue

[seungrem]

lee felix x m!reader

‘Work Husband’ ~*+

summary: Transitioning into a new department can be tough. Luckily, male!reader’s new boss pairs him and Felix together- the two almost immediately having great chemistry. Work-relationships almost always develop into something more, right?

( overview: office AU, soft-top!felix since u guys want it so bad, bottom!reader, smut obviously, protection and all of that, bj + anal, discreet/hidden but in office )

emoji theme:

🪐 ( office AU )

+❄️ ( +18, mdni )

🌱 ( short fic, oneshot - barely 1k words )

☁️ ( = y/n )

likes, comments, & reblogs appreciated ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

“Welcome. It’s a pleasure to have you join us here.. and I’m sorry about your former office.”

A large wooden desk with a few tan files sat inbetween ☁️ and his new boss. Shedding beams into the room, the sun’s golden rays illuminated the frosted glass surrounding the two. ☁️ shook his head lightly, him then smiling at the older woman.

“It’s no problem. As long as this department isn’t anything like the other, this’ll feel like a promotion.” ☁️ brushed his hand against his navy blue sweater and sighed. “Thank you for having me.”

“Like you said, this is kind of like a promotion. I expect great things from you.” The boss stood up as a soft knock erupted from outside of the office. A man with long-ish blonde hair walked in and smiled- first at the boss, and then to ☁️.

“This is who you’ll be assisting. Felix will give you written pieces and ask for revisions until he sees that it’s fit to be published. Unfortunately, we are short staffed by choice, so the work load will be a lot. Please keep up with the given tasks and their deadlines. Felix?”

☁️ turned his head back to the man.

“Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Lee Felix and I’ll be taking care of you. I look forward to working with you.”

☁️ simply smiled and spoke a shy “hello,” as he stood up. “I’m ☁️, it’s nice to meet you as well.” He then thanked the boss for her time and followed Felix out of the room.

“Behave, Felix!” The boss shouted as ☁️ stepped out of the room behind the man. He followed Felix down the left side of the large room, stopping at a set of cubicles that sat against a wall of windows. Started from the floor and touching the ceiling, the view displayed a bustling city. The cubicle was light gray and quite large, with a grey laptop located on the desk inside. Felix walked in and pulled out the large cushioned chair, and looked around awkwardly.

“So.. this is where you’ll be spending a majority of your day. Since it’s so spacious there’s only two cubicles located against the wall on this side of the room. My area is directly in front of yours.” He pointed over the cubicle wall. “If you ever need anything, please just walk over or.. just look over it. Sound good?” Felix explained, his voice soft yet sonorous.

☁️ nodded and smiled bashfully. Felix was remarkably good-looking, which was unusual for an office setting such as this one. The man was pretty much ☁️’s type, too, making him even more nervous than he already was.

“Yes. Thank you, Felix.”

Felix smiled and nodded to the man before leaning against the cubicle’s entrance. He dug his hands beside his white button-up and down into his black pant’s pockets, waiting for ☁️ to sit down before responding.

“Of course. I’ll let you get used to the office before I ask you to do work.”

☁️ acknowledged what he said by nodding and smiling.

After Felix left, ☁️ opened the new computer and typed in his passcode information. For some reason, the office wifi wouldn’t connect, though. After trying for another minute, he stood up and peered over the wall to see a sitting felix.

“Felix?” ☁️ asked, his nose just barely peaking over the wall. Felix smiled and stood up to look over the wall as well.

“What’s up, love?” He asked, placing a hand on the edge to support his weight. ☁️ was initially taken aback by the pet name, but ultimately didn’t mind.

“I can’t get onto the wifi for some reason. Is there a different one that you use?”

“Oh yeah, sorry about that. I guess our tech guy forgot to set that up for you. Jisung always forgets.”

☁️ watched a Felix closed his computer and then made his way back over to his cubicle. As a result, the man sat back down and perked his back up to fixed his posture. Felix strolled in after a few seconds and leaned into ☁️’s computer, his body softly brushing against the man’s shoulder. ☁️ couldn’t take his eyes off of Felix’s side profile as he typed into the computer.

“All right, you’re all set.” He cooed, brushing against ☁️ once again. As Felix was about to leave the cubicle, ☁️ shot up and grabbed his hand. Surprised, he stopped and turned around, still holding ☁️’s hand.

“Sorry if this is weird to ask, but..” ☁️ paused and tilted his head. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

“Oh, no.. not really my type if you know what I mean..”

“Oh okay.. then do you have a significant other- or something?” ☁️ asked.

“No,” Felix smiled and tightened his grip on ☁️’s hand. “but I think I kinda have a crush.”

☁️ knew exactly what he meant and mentally blushed. “Same here. Maybe we could go out sometime?”

“For sure. What’d you have in mind?”

“Would you wanna.. come to my place?”

Felix looked to the side, and then back to ☁️. “We don’t have to wait. Here, follow me.” He said, leading ☁️ into a storage room a few feet away from their work areas. Though the lights were extremely dim as the two hurried in, ☁️ could see the many drawers, bulletin boards, and spare furniture. Felix lightly closed the frosted door and somehow locked it from the inside, him then turning his attention to ☁️. He grabbed ☁️’s hands and held them in his own.

“Do you mind?” Felix asked as he raised one of the man’s hands to his mouth, kissing it. ☁️ shook his head and wrapped his arms around Felix’s neck, Felix reacting by guiding ☁️’s back into the wall behind him. ☁️ pushed Felix’s head forward, allowing the man’s lips to meet his own. Felix’s hands ran down ☁️’s torso, then settling on his hips as ☁️ began french kissing. Felix’s grip on the man’s waist tightened the deeper they kissed, with Felix’s bulge now rubbing against ☁️’s. A few seconds later, Felix pulled away from ☁️- strands of his blonde hair having fallen over his eyes.

“Come over here.” Felix instructed, using a hand to drag ☁️’s wrist over to a small table sitting against the wall. Felix gently pushed ☁️’s shoulder down as he leaned back on the table, leaving ☁️ to fall onto his knees. With a growing bulge right in front of his face, it was only natural for ☁️ to begin unbuttoning the man’s pants.

“Ah.. you’re excited, aren’t you?” Felix teased, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. He ran a finger through ☁️’s hair as the man exposed his dick print, ☁️ then pulling the pants down to Felix’s ankles. Felix began unbuttoning his white top as ☁️ stroked the man’s boner through his gray underwear.

“Can I take it out?” ☁️ asked, continuing to caress it. Felix finished unbuttoning his top, displaying sculpted abs much to ☁️’s liking.

“Go ahead.”

☁️ slowly pulled the man’s underwear down, not anticipating getting smacked by his length.

“Oh, sorry.” Felix laughed. ☁️ rolled his eyes and smiled, him then beginning to stroke Felix’s cock, the man softly whimpering as he did so. ☁️ grinned at the reaction, placing Felix’s dick inside of his mouth and slowly throating it. He leisurely bobbed his head up and down as Felix threw his head back, practically moaning out now.

After a few seconds of steady swallowing, Felix quickly grabbed ☁️’s head and yanked it back. His dick fell out of the man’s mouth dripping in saliva.

“Sorry, I didn’t want to finish yet.” Felix said, kneeling down to match ☁️’s eye level. “Can I get some of this too?” He whispered as he got closer to ☁️, him then reaching behind the man and squeezing his ass.

“Oh, do you have a condom?”

Felix reached behind him and magically pulled out a wrapped condom and a tiny bottle.

“Of course.”

☁️ furrowed his eyebrows and muttered an “alright.” as he followed Felix’s action of standing up. Felix’s skinny dick was still hard and poking out in front of him. Pulling his own pants and underwear off with quickness, ☁️ placed a hand on Felix’s chest.

“You can sit or lay on the table if you’d like, or you can-”

“You should let me do the work.” ☁️ murmured, softly pushing Felix back. Felix smiled and nodded, sliding back to sit on the table. He rolled the condom over his dick as ☁️ climbed on top of him, the man placing his knees beside each of Felix’s thighs. Waiting for him to pour the liquid onto his dick, ☁️ wrapped an arm around Felix’s neck- the man’s chest inches from Felix’s face.

“Alright, go ahead.” Felix muttered, placing his hands on ☁️’s waist and guiding the man down onto his cock. As his pink tip slipped in, ☁️ moaned out and tightened his grip around Felix’s neck.

☁️ now sat entirely on Felix’s dick, moaning softly as he took his time to undulate on it. The two huffed and whimpered as ☁️ began moving steadily on Felix’s dick, with ☁️’s chest still inches from the man’s mouth.

“That’s good.” Felix whispered, his eyebrows furrowed and his ajar lips producing silent moans. ☁️ felt Felix’s lips on his nipple a second later, him sucking and licking as the man bounced. ☁️ sped his undulating form up as Felix moved his hands down to ☁️‘s ass. Guiding him up and down even faster, ☁️ quickly became overstimulated. His knees buckled and he fell into Felix, who pulled away from the man’s nipple and placed his chin into ☁️’s neck.

“Can you keep going?” Felix hummed into ☁️’s ear, rubbing up and down his waist as he waited for an answer. After another few seconds, ☁️ pulled away from Felix and planted a kiss on his cheek.

“Yeah, you can keep going.”

Felix nodded, pulling ☁️ into him and wrapping both of his arms around ☁️’s waist. As Felix began thrusting softly into him, the man wrapped both arms around Felix’s neck. Felix grunted as his thrusts picked up in speed, filling the room with the sounds of clapping and ☁️’s whimpers. Both of their moans hummed in each other’s ears, pushing the two to the brink of finishing.

Felix continued shoving the man onto his dick despite feeling ☁️’s knees buckle for a second time. As ☁️ felt his leaking dick brush against Felix’s rough abs, he threw his head back and gasped. He ejaculated, painting Felix’s abs in a glistening white liquid. The man thrusting into him noticed, and became even more turned on, using all of his force to drill into ☁️.

“I-I’m cumming.” Felix gasped. After a few more seconds of harsh and sloppy thrusting, Felix forced ☁️ onto the entirety of his length, filling the boy up with his semen.

The two breathed heavily in front of each other before Felix fell back onto the table, pulling ☁️’s arm as he did so. ☁️ fell on top of him, his energy drained. The man pulled Felix’s dick out of him and slid the condom off, bringing it in front of him so that he could tie it and throw it aside.

“I would’ve lasted longer if you weren’t so cute.” Felix muttered, stroking ☁️’s arm as the two laid still.

“It’s okay, there’s always next time.”

“Yeah.. and I’ll be sure to take you out to dinner beforehand.”

☁️ chuckled at the comment, planting a kiss on Felix’s puckered lips. “I’d like that.”

“I would too, love.”

a/n: writing smut is saurrr boring but i hope u guys like this lil top felix moment. i still think he’s cuter as a bottom lolll :,)) alsoo lowkey im desperately waiting for someone to request an indie movie plot so i can write smth cute, request awayyy!

likes, comments, & reblogs appreciated ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

[fearfulfertility]

CONFIDENTIAL INCIDENT REPORT

DRC, Facility Operations Command, Compound Oversight Unit

Date: [REDACTED]

To: Director [REDACTED], DRC

From: Field Commander [REDACTED], FEMA Zone 7, Lincoln Unit

Subject: Incident Report: Uprising in Paternity Compound 112

Executive Summary

This report outlines the successful suppression of a surrogate rebellion within Paternity Compound 112 (formerly Nebraska [REDACTED] University). The uprising was swiftly contained despite heightened tensions. The surrogates, primarily late-term and carrying an above-average number of multiples, were incapacitated mainly by their own physical conditions, leading to minimal resistance and ensuring rapid restoration of order.

I. Incident Overview

Location: Paternity Compound 112, Nebraska, FEMA Zone 7

Timeframe: The uprising began at 6:30 AM and was fully contained within 4 hours.

Surrogates Involved: Approximately [REDACTED] surrogates were involved, with [REDACTED] individuals being the main instigators.

Primary Cause: Reports indicate the rebellion was sparked by grievances over the higher-than-usual embryo insemination quantity and perceived harm done to one "popular" surrogate.

II. Key Factors & Incident Resolution

Physical Limitations: While the initial outbreak of resistance was disorganized, the surrogates’ physical condition ultimately rendered them incapable of sustained movement. Most were too large, heavy, and immobile to participate effectively. This fact was critical in swiftly suppressing the uprising, as surrogates found coordinating or moving beyond their assigned areas challenging.

Containment Response: DRC enforcers deployed standard containment measures, utilizing non-lethal suppression tactics to control the situation. The surrogates were easily corralled back into their units. No fatalities or serious injuries (to surrogates or enforcers) were reported during the suppression phase. [REDACTED] surrogates did go into labor, gave birth, and expired since this report was compiled.

Immediate Discipline: The most vocal surrogates were sedated and isolated to prevent further agitation. The facility remains under increased security surveillance, with all surrogates under tighter control protocols.

III. Incident Timeline

05:45 AM: Overnight staff reported early signs of unrest. Several surrogates were observed agitated and exhibiting increased verbal defiance. Facility security was heightened as a precaution.

"They were on edge, becoming angry or shouting without much prodding. We figured it was just the usual complaints... nothing we couldn’t handle." - Officer [REDACTED], Night Watch

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06:30 AM: Tensions spiked when a new batch of surrogates arrived and mixed with existing residents. When it becomes apparent to the residents that most of the new arrivals are carrying 12-16 babies each, anxiety and agitation spike. Facility staff notified the Field Commander [REDACTED] of the concerned behavior.

"The mood shifted fast. When the new group arrived, you could feel the tension. I could tell some regulars were livid." - Sgt. [REDACTED], Surveillance Team

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07:15 AM: Tensions escalated when a popular surrogate went into active labor. Enforcers delayed removing him from the area (computer records failure), leading to visible distress and outcry from other surrogates. The situation was aggravated further when Enforcers made callous comments about the surrogate’s size, mocking how “large and fat” he had become. Approximately [REDACTED] surrogates began to converge, blocking the main entrance of Paternity Ward [REDACTED].

"It was supposed to be routine grab and go, but the poor guy was about to burst. Then, one of our own had to start cracking jokes. That’s when everything went south. The rest of them just snapped." - Enforcer [REDACTED], Central Wing Security

----------------

07:30 AM: First breach of control. Surrogates began throwing items, verbally abusing staff, dismantling barriers, and physically attacking medical staff. Security personnel responded, issuing warnings and moving to intercept.

"They were yelling, almost incoherently. It was just like raw emotion boiling over. Thankfully, most of them were so pregnant they could barely stand. We didn’t take them seriously until they started pushing past the barriers." - Sgt. [REDACTED], Response Unit

----------------

07:45 AM: Civil disorder spreads to Parternity Wards [REDACTED], [REDACTED], [REDACTED] and [REDACTED]. Reinforcements were dispatched to contain the situation and resort order. Due to the sheer physical size and immobility of most surrogates, their attempts to advance were limited, with several going into active labor as they struggled to move.

"It was almost pitiful. They were too big... too slow... almost all of them were winded before they could give us any real resistance. Most were so big they could only pass through doors one at a time, or they'd get themselves stuck. We just had to hold the line and watch them tire themselves out." - Officer [REDACTED], Reinforcement Squad

----------------

08:00 AM: More strenuous containment protocols activated. Enforcers deployed non-lethal suppression measures, including tranquilizers, crowd-control barriers, and exploiting prenatal nymphomania, to corral surrogates back into the paternity ward.

"We had the tools ready, but it was overkill. A few of them were so far along they could hardly walk, let alone fight. Still, we couldn’t risk letting them organize." - Lt. [REDACTED], Commanding Officer

----------------

08:20 AM: A significant group of surrogates attempted to barricade themselves inside the main mess hall, but due to the heavy physical burden of late-term pregnancies, they were unable to maintain an effective blockade. Security teams quickly cleared the obstruction.

"They tried to block us out, but you could see they were struggling just to stay upright. A few even dozed off from exhaustion, and two got distracted by hunger and started gorging on what was meant to be lunch. We cleared them out in less than ten minutes." - Enforcer [REDACTED], Central Wing Security

----------------

08:45 AM: Civil disorder declared under control. The majority of surrogates had been subdued and returned to their units. Several agitators were sedated and moved to isolated paternity wards for disciplinary action.

"Once we got the agitators out of the way, the rest just... gave up. They knew they didn’t have a chance. The best they could do was sit on us and hope their fat bellies smothered us." - Sgt. [REDACTED], Response Unit

----------------

09:15 AM: The facility lockdown was lifted. Enforcers conducted sweep inspections to ensure all surrogates were accounted for and secured. Reports confirmed no significant damage to the facility or escape attempts beyond the central access point.

"Routine sweeps confirmed it: they were back in their units, and everything was quiet... a lot of crying and whining for food. It was almost eerie like the whole thing had never happened." - Lt. [REDACTED], Facility Oversight

----------------

IV. Facility Status and Future Precautions

"The same issues that triggered the rebellion ironically were the same factor that ensured its swift failure, as the surrogates' own physical conditions rendered them ineffective rebels." - Field Commander [REDACTED]

Current Facility Status: Operations have fully resumed. The facility was not significantly damaged, and the surrogates have been returned to order.

Security Adjustments: Additional security personnel have been deployed, and increased monitoring of the surrogates’ psychological state has been mandated to identify signs of future unrest.

Policy Recommendations:

▪ Adjust Communication Channels: Control information flow among surrogates to limit rumors spread within the facility. Implement regular check-ins to provide controlled updates or propaganda to reduce panic and misinformation. ▪ Regular Evaluations: Increased oversight and potential isolation of late-term surrogates about to give birth. ▪ Evaluation of Insemination Practices: Review current insemination standards to prevent future overstrain. While higher embryo counts increase birth output, they may also elevate the risk of provoking resistance.

Conclusion

While the uprising in Lincoln was contained quickly, it underscores the potential dangers of pushing surrogates beyond their physical limits. The facility’s decision to increase embryo counts contributed to the unrest but inadvertently ensured the rebellion’s failure. The DRC must balance productivity with stability, ensuring that surrogates remain physically capable of compliance, even as we seek to maximize output. Additional surveillance and controlled information channels will be vital in maintaining order.

Report submitted by: Field Commander [REDACTED], Lincoln Unit, FEMA Zone 7

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Sending…

Sending...

Sending...

Read…

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To: Assistant Director [REDACTED], Lincoln Unit, FEMA Zone 7

From: Director [REDACTED], DRC

Subject: Response to Surrogate Uprising Report

Field Commander [REDACTED],

I have reviewed your report on the recent uprising within the Lincoln facility, and I must express my displeasure at the situation. Such incidents reflect poorly on the DRC’s capacity to maintain order, and it is imperative that all units operate without disruption to ensure the eventual survival of our nation.

The delay in removing the surrogate in active labor and the subsequent provocation by your personnel were avoidable missteps. In light of this, I am dispatching a special assessment team to Lincoln to thoroughly review the facility’s operations, security protocols, and staff conduct.

They will be empowered to make recommendations for disciplinary action where necessary and provide guidance on how to prevent similar disruptions in the future.

That said, your report has also highlighted an intriguing outcome.

The extreme size and weight of the surrogates, carrying 12-16 babies each, clearly played a significant role in ensuring that the situation remained manageable. Their physical incapacity, due to the high-multiples pregnancies, was evidently a decisive factor in keeping this incident from escalating further.

The assessment team will also examine the potential benefits of intentionally increasing embryo counts to control more rebellious compounds or cities elsewhere in the country. If surrogates carrying higher multiples can be rendered less mobile and more compliant, we may have a strategic advantage in maintaining order without excessive force.

While high-multiples pregnancies have their logistical challenges, their ability to limit resistance could prove invaluable to our overall mission.

I expect full cooperation from you and your staff during the assessment, and I trust you understand the importance of this review.

The DRC must remain vigilant, adaptable, and ready to implement whatever measures are necessary to ensure compliance and stability.

Regards, Director [REDACTED], DRC

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Click Here to return to DRC Report Archives

[hippie-headspace]

Hi I have a question since your asks are open What does your writing process look like when writing Edge of everything?

hi!

ok so i wont lie there’s not much of a process? i have an overview of each chapter with key points i want to hit and i usually start there, then i reread the previous chapter cause i have a horrible memory </3

from there it’s me figuring out the best place to pick the story up and word-vomiting the next 4,000 words, winging it as i go. thats the first “draft” and it usually takes a few hours.

after, i go back and read the chapter, ironing out details and trying to make it flow. the last step is me throwing it in grammarly and getting mad at the (clearly wrong) edits it wants to make.

bonus: i try and upload to ao3 three or four times because it never wants to work, and then once it DOES post i fight tumblr through the tagging process

i do all of this from my phone, which im sure is the source of most of my problems, but a small screen with large letters and dark mode is easier for me to handle staring at for long periods of time as compared to a computer screen, like why do the words scramble? :(

thanks for asking!

[sirfrogsworth]

Computer q. For otherwise identical monitors, is a 4000:1 contrast ratio noticeably better from 1000:1? I don't mean for fancy art but like if I'm watching a movie, could I see the difference in a dark scene? I looked into oled's, but those are expensive and I think the way I use my stuff would cause burn in.

I hope you don't mind, but I got carried away and answered pretty much every computer monitor question anyone has ever had. And since this turned into a whole thing, I thought I'd share it for everyone to benefit.

For a computer monitor I would say the most important aspect is actually the viewing angle. This is how far off-axis you can look at the monitor before the image degrades.

We sit very close to our displays and at that distance, even a change in height in your chair can affect the image. Move a little bit left or right and a cheap display could completely wash out and look terrible. And if you get a display that is 27" or above, even if you sit dead center, the edges of the screen will appear dark and washed out with a bad viewing angle.

The two best display technologies to get a good viewing angle are IPS (in-plane switching) and OLED. If you are interested in a display without these technologies, be sure it has a decent viewing angle. You can read more about viewing angles here and here.

IPS has very little concern for burn-in, but it is still a concern with OLED. In recent years OLED has greatly improved and image retention and burn-in can be avoided with regular maintenance. Displays will have pixel shift features and noise modes that work out all the pixels evenly. You can run these features every once in a while to prevent burn-in. You can also play special anti-burn-in videos on YouTube (full screen) to exercise the pixels to uniformity.

So if you don't mind the hassle, you can manage an OLED with low risk.

That said, OLED was almost exclusively for TVs and has only recently been introduced for computer displays. The current options are quite large and fairly expensive, as you alluded to. So if you are trying to stay within a budget, it might be best to seek out an IPS display.

Another consideration is resolution. Everyone is obsessed with everything being 4K now. But I think increasing the resolution brings diminishing returns with regard to increased detail you can actually notice. So if you don't mind going with a 1440p monitor (about 2.5K), you can save some money on resolution and get higher quality in more noticeable areas. Personally, I feel 1440p gives you a nice, noticeable bump in detail over 1080p. Whereas going from 1440p to 4K (2160p) is less noticeable unless you have very good vision.

Another benefit to 1440p is that video games are much easier to run on high quality settings with a reasonable GPU. And you can use technologies like super sampling (Nvidia calls this DLSS) to increase the detail you may lose from not going 4K.

The only concern I'd have with not going 4K is if you edit 4K video. It will be difficult to do a pixel level analysis of your footage otherwise. But other than that, you can still watch 4K content on a 1440p monitor and because it is being downsampled, you will still notice a nice bump in detail.

So if you don't have a reason to get a 4K display, I think 1440p is worth considering.

The next concern would be color. Or color gamut. This is how many colors the display can accurately reproduce. If you don't do any art or video color grading, you'll at least want something that does 95 to 100% of sRGB. That is the color space the entire internet uses. And if you are going to be watching HDR movies, you might want a display with a decent percentage of the P3 color space as well. Doesn't need to be 100%, but the higher the better. And for those who do art, a good percentage of Adobe RGB is recommended.

Also, many manufacturers offer displays that come pre-calibrated from the factory. If color accuracy is important, I would seek out one of these displays with a Delta E rating of 3 or less (lower is better).

A newer factor in displays is peak brightness. This is measured in "nits." In standard dynamic range (SDR), video only needed to reach 100 nits. Most HDR content is mastered to reach 1000 nits. In the future, that number will be 4000. And if micro LED technology ever becomes affordable, we may go up to 10,000 nits. But almost everything is around 1000 at the moment, so that is a good number to shoot for.

HOWEVER, because HDR is tone mapped (the brightness of your display is factored in and the content is adjusted accordingly), you can still get some benefits of HDR, even if you cannot do the full 1000 nits.

All monitors can do 100 nits for SDR content. But with more things being displayed in HDR, having more nits will give you a better experience. This does not mean your display will blind you. Usually bright stuff only takes up a small portion of the screen. But having more nits allows highlights to really pop and feel immersive. A lightsaber might actually feel hot and dangerous on a bright enough screen.

Computer displays are often rated as HDR400 or HDR600 or HDR1000 based on their nits. The HDR400 isn't great for HDR content. If you can do 600 or above within your budget, you'll get a better experience. If you are going to watch movies, this may be a feature you prioritize.

I know you mentioned contrast ratio, but I'm afraid that is a little complicated to answer. It can depend on other aspects of the monitor and the viewing environment. So I'll try to give you the info you need to figure out if the display you select will suit your needs.

Manufacturers can use tricks to fudge their contrast ratio in product descriptions, so it is best to go to an independent review website like RTINGS to see what they measured. (They do good TV and monitor reviews too.) You'll see that OLED displays are said to have "infinite" contrast ratio, due to being able to turn off pixels completely. Which means it is probably time to move to a new metric because that gives very little info on the dynamic range of the display (the difference between the darkest and brightest thing it can show).

You definitely want a decent contrast ratio for your display, but this can be subjective. If you have a nice bright screen, your brain may feel the contrast is fantastic, even if the actual darkest black point of the monitor isn't great. If something is really bright, then dark things will *seem* darker by comparison. And if you are viewing in a dark environment, the contrast will look even better. So this is where seeking out a professional reviewer's experience of the monitor can be helpful. One monitor's 4000:1 ratio might be a different experience than another with the same measurement.

Because TVs are generally larger and can have more backlighting zones, they can get decent black levels without OLED. But smaller computer displays have more difficulty in reasonable price ranges. So manage your black level expectations if you go with an affordable IPS display. They can get bright, but they aren't great at blacks like OLED. I'm afraid that is just a limitation of the tech. In fact, getting a brighter display might be preferable to a better contrast ratio. And it will be easier to see if you are in a bright environment.

Most IPS displays are going to be between 1000:1 and 5000:1 and while it does make a difference, if you sit it next to an old plasma or an OLED, you're going to be disappointed. So I would not make contrast ratio a super high priority with IPS, because non-OLED computer displays just aren't going to give you inky blacks. I would say 2000:1 or better is going to give you a decent experience. But, again, I would seek out reviews rather than trust the official product specs when it comes to the quality of the blacks.

And one final consideration you may want to factor in is the refresh rate. This is mostly for gaming. Most displays will give you at least 60 Hz or 60 "refreshes" per second. Gamers tend to like 120 Hz or higher. This won't affect movie watching very much as nearly everything except Gemini Man is 24 fps.

TLDR overview...

Get an IPS or OLED display for a good viewing angle. I personally feel this is the most important feature.

Choose a resolution. 1440p can allow you to increase quality in other areas to maximize your budget. Only get 4K if you have a legit reason or you have fighter pilot vision.

Color gamut or number of colors. Try to get 100% of sRGB for web content, 90% or above of Adobe RGB for art/photography, and 90% or above of P3 for HDR movies and video editing.

If color accuracy is important, look for pre-calibrated displays that have a Delta E of 3 or less. (Lower is better)

HDR brightness. If you want to experience good HDR, you'll want the brightest screen possible (measured in nits). HDR600 or HDR1000 are great. If you don't care about HDR, then don't worry about the rating.

Contrast ratio and black levels. It's going to be meh on pretty much anything but OLED. 2000:1 or better is a good goal to shoot for, but be sure to check independent reviews for the subjective experience of the black levels. Dark viewing environments help too.

Refresh rate. 60 Hz is fine for most things. Gamers prefer 120 Hz or faster. And if you are a competitive gamer, you may want to seek out more info on "variable refresh rate" and "pixel response time."

Pick the variables above that seem most important to you and then seek out a display that does those things decently within your budget.

[satoshi-mochida]

Lost Soul Aside launches May 30 - Gematsu

Action RPG Lost Soul Aside will launch for PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store on May 30, publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment and developer UltiZero Games announced. Digital pre-orders will begin on February 19.

Here is an overview of the game, via game director Yang Bing:

■ About

The wait is finally over. This is Yang Bing, as the creator of Lost Soul Aside, I couldn’t be more excited to share some big news—our action RPG will officially launch on PlayStation 5 and PC on May 30, 2025! What started as a one-person dream (me, a computer, and endless late nights) has evolved into a sprawling adventure full of breathtaking visuals and adrenaline-pumping combat. Let me take you behind the scenes to explore the heart, soul, and sweat poured into this game. Whether you’re here for the stylish combat or the gripping story, there’s plenty to dive into. Let’s get started!

A World That Lives and Breathes

Creating the world of Lost Soul Aside was like painting with imagination on a sci-fi fantasy canvas. You’ll traverse landscapes that feel alive: sunlit plains, mysterious ancient ruins, and alternate dimensions that buzz with energy. This world isn’t just eye candy—it’s filled with secrets, monsters, and unpredictable events that keep you interested. But let’s talk about what really defines the experience—combat.

Combat That Packs a Punch

My goal was simple: make combat so fluid, fast, and stylish that you never want to put the controller down. Kaser’s shape-shifting weapon adapts to your combat style. Are you a precise swordsman? A fan of devastating ranged attacks? Maybe you like high-speed mobility? Whatever your preference, the different type of weapons will serve you well. One standout moment during development was designing the boss battles. The fight with a towering dragon remains one of my personal favorites. It challenges you to juggle aerial dodges, perfectly timed counters, and relentless strikes. Not to mention, it’s a visual feast that feels like being part of your own epic action movie. Beneath the flashy moves, there’s depth for players who love to experiment. You can customize loadouts, chain synergistic combos, and strategize with Arena, Kaser’s dragon-like companion. His abilities aren’t just support—they’re game-changers, turning tough battles in your favor when used wisely. From moment-to-moment clashes with enemies to massive set-piece battles, combat in Lost Soul Aside is designed to keep you on the edge of your seat, pushing your skills to the limit while rewarding creativity and precision.

A Story Close to My Heart

While combat takes center stage, Lost Soul Aside also weaves in a narrative about Kaser’s journey of redemption and discovery. As he uncovers the truth about Arena and their shared power, players will encounter a mix of personal challenges and high-stakes conflicts. The story focuses on creating memorable moments and connections, offering surprises without overwhelming the gameplay experience. And yes, there’s plenty of drama, because who doesn’t love a good gasp-worthy moment?

Made for PlayStation

Lost Soul Aside was built with PlayStation in mind, and I’m thrilled about the enhancements we’ve implemented:

Lightning-fast load times – With the PS5 SSD, you’ll transition seamlessly between exploration and combat.

DualSense controller magic – Feel the tension of every blade swing with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback.

4K eye candy – The world comes alive in stunning detail with dynamic lighting and meticulously crafted environments.

PC players, don’t worry—the game is fully optimized to deliver smooth performance and retains all the core gameplay features.

■ Pre-Order Bonuses and Deluxe Edition

We’re excited to reveal the exclusive rewards for those who jump in early:

Pre-Order Bonuses

Kaser’s original outfit from the game’s earliest reveal, giving players a nostalgic look back at how it all began.

A starter pack of in-game currency to help you kick off your adventure.

A bundle of healing potions, perfect for those challenging early game battles.

Get your hands on the standard edition of Lost Soul Aside for $59.99 / £59.99/ €69.99/ ¥7,980 MSRP. There will also be a Digital Deluxe Edition of the game. The Digital Deluxe edition of Lost Soul Aside ($69.99 / £69.99/ €79.99/ ¥8,980 MSRP) will include the game, all the preorder incentives, as well as Arena’s exclusive golden outfit, three unique weapon fragment skins, two in-game accessories that provide useful boosts for your journey, a Digital Soundtrack and Artbook. Embark on an epic odyssey to save your sister and the whole of humankind from dimensional invaders in Lost Soul Aside—a stylish single player action adventure RPG. Chain lightning-fast combos, learn new abilities, and upgrade your weapons as you take on formidable enemies and colossal bosses in fast, dynamic combat.

Watch a new trailer below.

Release Date Trailer

[asdpawprint]

Service Dog at College: My Experience

It's been over a year now since I graduated, and I finally feel far enough removed to look back on the experience without instantly triggering a panic attack, so here's how my experience of going to college with my service dog went!

Max attended classes with me for 3 semesters in total. He was still "in training" for about half of his 1st semester, then considered "fully trained" the rest of the time. He did not live in the dorms with me because I didn't live in the dorms.

In preparation for taking him to class for the first time, we did a lot of training outings on campus over the summer. We primarily practiced 2 hour settles and leading me to exits. I also contacted my college's disability services to notify them that I would have my service dog with me. Luckily, they seemed to already understand the laws around service dogs, so it wasn't an issue.

Actually going to class usually went well. My professors and even fellow students were respectful. I only got asked to pet him a handful of times. He was only stepped on once by accident, even though it was sometimes hard to find a seat in class where he could lay out of the way. I preferred the computer lab classrooms because I could sit anywhere and always have enough room under the desk.

I had 1 class in a room where he had to lay in the way, and the only place he could fit at all was far from both exits. And the professor frequently went on tangents about triggering topics. So I was often stuck there during flashbacks or dissociative episodes. That sucked.

Sometimes professors would forget to give us the 15 minute break halfway through a 3 hour class. Technically, I could leave anyway, but I'd miss instruction. So Max got used to doing almost 3 hour settles. He'd get restless in the last 20 minutes or so, but never disruptive.

All the classrooms I was in had carpet, so I didn't bother bringing a mat for Max to lay on. If the floors had been hard, I would've brought one for his comfort. I offered him water and a potty break outside before and after every class, and during 15 minute breaks if we had them. I gave him treats throughout his work time, but we were never out long enough to feed a meal away from home.

The worst experience we had was graduation.

Before the ceremony was fine: security didn't seem to know what to do with us, so they just let us in without going through the metal detector. Someone from disability services guided me through the tables and forms I had to fill out. They let me sit off to the side for the beginning of the ceremony instead of walking through the miserable crowd of overstimulation (a line of previous graduates on either side) with my peers, and let me have a chair on the outside edge for the ceremony itself.

Then things started going wrong:

I didn't know ahead of time that the floor would be concrete, so I didn't have a mat for Max. He was very uncomfortable and shifted around a lot.

I couldn't wear a treat pouch or access my pockets under the gown, so Max had to work in an extremely overwhelming situation for hours with almost no rewards.

The people with cameras seemed to actively avoid me. I noticed several times that they'd do an overview of the crowd, then stop immediately before my row, then start again immediately past us. That was weird.

The guy telling each row when to start going towards the stage stepped on Max after staring at him multiple times. Then rushed us towards the stage before I could get any treats out of Max's vest pockets. That was very upsetting.

The stairs up to the stage were metal and creaky and had lots of gaps, but luckily Max is well socialized to weird stairs and walked up just fine.

The worst part of all was the end of the ceremony. They invited the whole entire audience to crowd into the arena we were sitting in to "collect their graduate." Luckily, Max perceived it as "So many new friends! How will I ever say hi to them all!" But I was completely out of it. By some miracle, my Dad was among the first into the arena and was able to lead me out. It took over a week for me to recover. I ended up sending an email to disability services suggesting that they should provide options to exit early because that situation easily could've been dangerous.

To summarize, my overall experience with bringing my service dog to college went well (everything else about college was horrible, but they did well with the service dog specifically), but graduation was a disaster.

[slashhinginghasher]

Into the Cricketverse - Audition Tape

Introduction: Marena POV Introduction: Cricket POV* Aftercare* Bread* Boundaries Movie Night Welcome to my Death Talk* Mess*

*asterisk denotes parts written by @thesightstoshowyou

(This is still part of the Spring Break series, I've just switched from part numbers to titles until Sights and I have worked out where everything fits in the timeline.)

~

Marena's back hit the wall hard enough to rattle the pictures in their frames, the blood in her hair leaving smudges of rust on the white paint. Jesse used the new leverage to thrust even harder, faster, deeper. Every part of his girl was clamped down on him like a vice: bare, blood-spattered legs wrapped around his waist; sharp little nails digging into his scalp and the nape of his neck; pussy gripping his cock like it never wanted him to leave.

About five more minutes, he figured, before the adrenaline rush began to die out and she became cognizant of the fact that he was fucking her out in the open when there were other people in the penthouse. He planned to make full use of that time.

From somewhere in the penthouse, the tinny recorded sounds of screaming and crunching bone looped again and again.

~ One hour earlier ~

Marena was reaching a breaking point much faster than Jesse had anticipated. Only a few days in, and he could already see the strain of Asa's presence taking a toll on her. He'd given Asa a brief overview of her history in the brothel as a way to justify his "hands mostly off" rule, and the clever bastard had quickly deduced that he could circumvent it by using Cricket's pain to torture Marena psychologically instead of physically. If she didn't get a way to work off some of that tension, she'd do something that would push Asa over the edge.

Which was why Jesse slapped down a little plastic baggie of pills in front of her.

Marena glanced at it and went very still. She knew what date rape drugs looked like, and she knew Jesse didn't use them on piggies. When she looked back up at his masked face, it was with the cold, dead eyes of a predator.

"He's in the basement."

Holding his gaze, she slowly rose to her feet, took a few steps backward. Then she took off for the master bedroom at a brisk pace. Jesse smiled behind the mask and fiddled with his camera while he waited for her. It was a digital model, the type he preferred for his personal projects when he didn't have to worry about the cops scraping metadata off a computer file. The sound and picture were crisper, the videos easier to edit after shooting.

And this one had broadcasting capabilities.

Marena emerged in a pair of heavy leather boots with metal plates embedded along the thick soles. With her asymmetric plaid skirt and haphazardly plaited hair, she looked ready to go to some punk show. It was hot. Even hotter was the way she plucked the meat tenderizer Cricket had used the previous night from the drying rack by the kitchen sink, weighing it in her hand and giving it a twirl before nodding at Jesse.

She was silent in the elevator on the way down, absentmindedly tapping the metal mallet against her thigh. Nearly a year ago, she had slaughtered a group of men in a Miami penthouse for drugging and raping girls from the shitty bar she'd worked at. Her subsequent flight from the police had placed her on a path that landed her directly in Jesse's bed - and the rest, as they said, was history.

Jesse mentally sent out a thank you to the four rotting corpses that had inadvertently sent him his Tiny Terror.

The college boy - bermuda shorts, boating shoes, and a button-down shirt that had ripped open in the acquisition scuffle - was tied to a chair, looking a little worse for wear. Various implements of pain were lined up along a metal table behind him and more were locked in a cage off to the side. The setup reminded Jesse of his first encounter with Marena, though she had maintained far more composure than this sniveling wreck. His red eyes and runny nose were shameful in comparison.

Boat Shoes' intended victim had been dosed with a heavier sedative and was snoring away the last peaceful moments of her life in a locked box in the adjoining room. Jesse and Asa would play with the little piggy later; right now her presence would just be a distraction to Marena.

Jesse checked that the camera was linked up to all the TVs in the penthouse, and Asa's phone for good measure. He had a feeling the other man would want to watch this, even if it meant pulling himself away from Cricket's pussy for a time.

Marena looked Boat Shoes up and down dispassionately, like something mildly disgusting viewed from a distance.

"W-what is this?" he whimpered, looking over her shoulder at Jesse. "Hey man! What the fuck is going on?!"

Jesse slowly circled the scene and Boat Shoes tried to follow, straining his neck as Jesse moved out of his line of sight. Marena kicked him in the shin hard enough that the chair scraped several inches across the floor. He yelped.

"OW, fuck!"

She hurled the baggie of pills at his face. He flinched when it smacked his cheek.

"If you're going to rape someone," she said, voice deceptively soft, "at least have the decency to take them down yourself."

"Oh fuck, is that what this is? Some kind of... feminazi intervention?"

Marena frowned slightly.

"I don't know that word."

"You're gonna stand there and act like I'm the bad guy when she's the one who was acting like a tease and giving me mixed signals all night?" His reedy voice rose until he was almost shouting. "If she didn't wanna fuck, then why was she up at my table with her tits out, y'know?"

It was almost comical, the way he tried to square his shoulders when he was still tied to a damn chair.

"It's not like I was gonna hurt her, I just wanted what she owed me without anymore fucking games. But you females gotta make such a huge deal out of everything now with your 'me too' or whatever the fuck."

Boat Shoes craned his head, looking for Jesse.

"How much's she paying you to do this, dude? Or did she just put out like a slut?"

He lost his nerve the second he made eye contact with the mask and quickly looked back to Marena, but his raised voice made it clear he was still trying to address Jesse.

"Fucking typical, females can't even do anything without men to do the dirty work for them, am I right? I wasn't even asking much from her, all she had to do was lie there and take it-"

Whip-quick, Marena backhanded him with the meat tenderizer. The meaty smack was immediately drowned out by his warbling shriek. Melodramatic. She hadn't even hit him hard enough to knock him over. He coughed up a mouthful of bloody spit, and Jesse heard the clink of at least one tooth hitting the ground.

While Boat Shoes whimpered, Marena set the meat tenderizer on the table and picked up a knife. It was a simple thing, less than six inches long with a smooth blade. When she circled back around to face the boy again, he started blubbering and hyperventilating.

"Oh fuck, oh fuck oh fuck." Blood sprayed off his quivering lips and dribbled down his chin. "Mel? Mel, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean it. I didn't mean- Oh, jesus fuck-"

He shut up the instant Marena touched the tip of the knife to his mouth. She trailed it downward, over his scrawny chest, until it hovered over his pubic bone.

"You don't want to be hurt, do you?" she asked in that same quiet, even tone. He shook his head frantically.

Marena cocked her head, eyes wide, unblinking.

"Then why are you so soft?"

She pushed the knife in, slowly.

Boat Shoes' wail echoed off the walls of the basement. When Marena stepped back, the hilt of the knife jutted up from his pelvis like a macabre erection. Probably bigger than anything he'd ever achieved with his limp little dick, too.

Marena slipped behind him to pick at the knots binding his hands. As soon as the ropes fell away, he slid to his knees. The knife handle bobbed up and down comically with each of his pathetic whimpers.

And, surprisingly, he wrapped his quivering hands around it and pulled the knife out a cry and a gush of blood. A stupid move - everyone knew removing the knife would just make you bleed out faster - but Jesse had to admit the kid had some guts. They were just a bit too perforated to do him any good now.

When Marena returned, meat tenderizer once again in hand, Boat Shoes brandished the knife at her, flicking lines of sticky crimson across her scarred calves. She didn't hesitate to bring the mallet down on his face again. More teeth went flying, and his jaw now sat at a horrific angle. Planting a boot on his solar plexus, she shoved him onto his back before stomping hard on the puncture wound in his gut.

Boat Shoes' scream could have shattered glass.

Marena knelt down and straddled his chest, heedless of the pooling blood soaking into her skirt. Keening miserably, Boat Shoes flailed at her with the knife, but didn't even land a scratch before she ripped it from his hand. Another swing of the mallet, and sobbing turned to gurgling. Gore spattered and threads of blood arced through the air as she brought the meat tenderizer down again.

And again.

And again.

A very small part of Jesse flinched with every wet crunch of metal against bone and flesh; he remembered all too well the sensation of his skull giving way under a baseball bat. But most of him was focused on capturing the rictus of fury on Marena's face as she reduced Boat Shoes' head to paste. An inhuman growl had bubbled up behind her bared teeth, rising in pitch and volume until it was a vicious banshee shriek. Her eyes were at once zeroed in and a million miles away, and Jesse felt certain she was not seeing an American college boy beneath her fists.

The meat tenderizer was clotted with blood and skin and other squishy bits that were never intended to see the outside of a skull by the time Marena brought it down a final time. It bounced off the concrete floor hard enough to ricochet it out of her hand, and she didn't bother to retrieve it. Chest heaving, she pushed her hair out of her face with bloody hands. She stood, located the baggie of drugs, then searched for the broken teeth scattered across the ground.

Instead of a human head, Boat Shoes' neck now terminated in a pile of chunky red pulp. Having retrieved all of his wayward teeth, Marena gathered them and the pills in her palm and poured them onto the gory mess, approximately where the boy's mouth had been. She cocked her head, considering, and drove her heel into his groin hard enough that something crunched. Then she wiped her hands on her skirt and walked back to the elevator.

Jesse, by this point, was practically vibrating with need. He could have fucked through steel with how hard his cock was. He took one last, lingering shot of the body before ending the broadcast and switching off the camera. He placed it carefully on the table, removed his mask, and bore down on Marena like a tsunami.

She was waiting for him in the elevator car, and he immediately swept her into his arms, her toes dangling a full foot off the ground as he sucked in mouthfuls of her salty skin like a starving man in the desert. Her face was speckled with blood and flecks of bone and brain matter, which turned to ruddy streaks under his tongue.

Marena was grabbing at him with equal fervor, grinding down on his bulge and tossing her head back wantonly. As the elevator door slid shut, Jesse hiked up her skirt, tore her underwear completely free from her body, and slammed home.

Hopefully, Asa had enjoyed the show.

[elvenbeard]

Paranoia

Cyberpunk 2077 Fanfic

Summary: Something is off with V's medication, but there are many leads and the clock is ticking. What is Mr. Blue-Eyes planning and who is the rat that sold V out? With little expectations, Kerry begins an investigation on his own. (Post-Sun-Ending, mostly canon-compliant, Chapter 11/?, 6999 words, Kerry Eurodyne/V - notes at the end) >> Previous Chapter >> Read from the Beginning

“Vik told you to take it easy, Vince,” Kerry urged, placing his hands on V’s shoulders from behind. He had been lingering on his desk ever since they’d come home instead of finally joining Kerry on the couch downstairs. Watch a show, or just listen to music, just… exist and forget about all the existential dread at least for an hour or so, but no...

V’s half-empty martini glass stood close by the left edge of the table. Gently massaging V’s tense muscles, Kerry leaned down to give him a quick kiss on his flushed cheeks. He hadn’t made his drink that strong, as requested, but V just really didn’t react well to alcohol. In a way it was adorable. This seasoned merc, Night City’s bad boy number one, couldn’t hold his liquor.

“One sec,” V said, a little absentminded, eyes glued to the screen displaying a timelapse of various views of security cam footage of their penthouse. Kerry suppressed a sigh, and he opted now to loosely wrap his arms around V’s shoulders, trying to get his attention away from the computer like this. When he would not budge still, he rested his chin on V’s head and then reluctantly looked at the screen as well.

Selected in the security system’s overview was one of the cameras in the garage, the one in the elevator, one in the armory. Three more that overlooked the exterior of the house, including the entrance. Kerry knew of a couple more that V wasn’t monitoring at the moment. The timestamp in the corner of the footage was racing backwards, as was the video itself, and V had reached mid-August, briefly after they’d moved in here. The recordings eventually stopped at various still frames of him testing the setup on the day he’d had it installed.

“I wish I had footage of my old apartment,” V murmured, more to himself than to Kerry, “Was still spending a lot of time there when I got the first batch of pills from Vik.”

“Nothin’ suspicious here?” Kerry asked.

“No… at least, nothin’ apparent, as in…,” he gestured vaguely, “Masked intruders with blue glowing eyes.”

Kerry chuckled at his sarcastic undertone.

“That would be too easy.”

“I guess…” V shrugged, finally leaning back into Kerry’s embrace now, although with the backrest of his chair between them it was kinda awkward. Kerry shuffled and shifted slightly to better see V’s expression.

“How’s your head?” he almost didn’t dare to ask.

“Alright,” V said, eyes unfocused, but then he paused, “No actually it… was better earlier. Think Vik’s stuff’s startin’ to wear off. But I’ll manage.”

Kerry lowered his head and briefly closed his eyes. The heat of his own drink long worn off he basked in the warmth V was radiating. His warmth, his glow… how many more – or how few – setbacks would it take until it would all fade away forever?

“I gotta cross-reference this with my schedule,” V changed the topic back to the footage, “What date I got which batch of pills, and then see if there’s any weirdness here around those timeframes… Second prescription was around the time we moved in, but there were so many people in and out all the time… And if they got here before the security system was up and running the next best thing is the building’s surveillance outside, but that’s shitty quality and bad angles…”

V rubbed his face with his right hand and took a deep, heavy breath, as if an immense weight lay on his chest. Kerry clutched him a little tighter.

“Ooor, “he suggested in an attempt to ease the tension, “You could just chill until Nix does his job. ’Cause if this AJ chick lied to ya, you’re wastin’ a lot of energy on somethin’ pointless right now.”

“Don’t think she was lying…” V shook his head and finally moved to get up, Kerry letting him, “If she did, she should apply at some corp’s CI department. Better suited there instead of a dingy drug lab.”

He slipped out of his chair and picked up his leftover martini in one fluid motion, bringing the glass to his lips with some reluctance though.

“Y’know, I’ll happily finish it for ya,” Kerry offered with a wink, his forearms resting on the chair’s backrest now, fingers loosely interlocked as he played with one of his rings. V’s eyes met with his, a challenging glimmer in them, a cheeky smirk on his lips. He emptied the rest of his drink in one go. Letting out a long, deep breath V set the glass down and leaned back against the desk, healthy hand holding on to the edge for support.

“I’m so gonna regret this, but…” he still smiled at Kerry, “Not gonna lie, that was pretty good.”

“Despite the olive?” Kerry teased, then slowly pushed the chair aside, and stepped in front of him.

“Even that wasn’t so bad,” he said as Kerry’s hands trailed down V’s sides, then slipped under his t-shirt. Kerry grinned when goosebumps rose under his fingertips as they wandered around V’s waist, down to the small of his back.

“Picked a good one,” he said, trying to keep his mind from wandering as well, too fast, too far.

“Yeah, I did,” V smiled, and Kerry paused for a moment, noticing the slight tilt of V’s head, how he pursed his lips, amber eyes looking up at him through long dark eyelashes. Yeah… he wasn’t talking about the olive anymore.

“Gonk,” he muttered, but then he leaned in, no longer able to resist to kiss V’s cheeks and neck and chest, tongue and lips guided by the dark pink flushes speckled all across pale skin.

“What was that about takin’ it easy?” V whispered hoarsely, grabbing on to Kerry’s waist, leaning into his touch.

“Yeah… you lean back and relax,” Kerry breathed against his neck, “And lemme do what I’m good at…”

V giggled as Kerry slowly guided him over to their bed, accompanied by more kisses, little gasps, and fleeting touches.

Drunk sex usually guaranteed that V would be out cold (blissfully, of course) for at least a couple of hours afterwards. It had been one rollercoaster of a day and night… of a week, really, with both of them getting too little restful sleep. So, Kerry hoped this impromptu afternoon nap would do V good, or at the very least give him a little rest from everything. He seemed at peace at least, lips slightly parted, breathing slowly and deeply, huddled into their lightweight silk blanket the same way he’d been this morning. Kerry stayed by his side for a little while longer, just watching… but Lee and Vicki and a few other studio assholes kept messaging him, interrupting their domestic bliss once again.

They had been trying to get in touch all day, reminding him of deadlines, work that needed to be done, promo events, concerts, collabs… And Kerry had been patiently ignoring them while out and about with V. All he wanted was to stay in bed with him now, help him get the help he needed, force him to take it easy when he just wouldn’t listen to his doctors telling him to.

He lightly brushed his fingers over V’s cheek, the hint of patchy dark stubble along his jawline, eyes lingering on his pulse point for a moment. Kerry had sucked an almost purple bruise into his flesh, right where skin and cyberware met, as V had been flinching and whimpering under him…

Blip beep. Another message from Lee forced the steamy mental image out of Kerry’s head. He huffed and quickly checked his phone, with no intention to respond.

“The situation in regard to the video is somewhat under control now,” it read, and Kerry shuddered, “But N54 News’ showbiz representative sent in another exclusive interview request. They agreed to scratch the questions that had been bothering you in their previous e-mail, but in return they want a statement on the video and your relationship status. Same conditions as before. I think this is as great chance to clear things up and gain you some sympathy – also in light of already circulating rumors. I wrote up some possible responses (attached below) if you want to read them in advance! Maybe we can meet up some time later today, or tomorrow or… whenever fits best. To talk things through, discuss the next steps for the album and everything else. Please just quickly let me know if you’ve read this so I know you’re okay and onboard!”

Kerry suppressed an annoyed groan to not wake V. After a few more minutes of failing to doze off as well, he decided to get up. Drink some more maybe, have a smoke. Smash his phone with a hammer. In fact, what he really wanted was to get high out of his mind, knock himself out with vodka and pills, and sleep for 72 hours straight. Had he been alone, just lil’ old Kerry back at his villa in North Oak… he probably would’ve, and without hesitation.

Instead, now, he slipped into his bathrobe hanging over the gallery’s rail, and as he passed by V’s desk to get to the kitchen, his eyes got caught by the screens once more. A quick glance over his shoulder confirmed that V was still asleep. He had been so sure to find something suspicious on the security footage… but he’d also been high on Vik’s drug cocktail, dizzy from drinking Kerry’s actual cocktail, and pre-occupied with too much else. No surprise he hadn’t succeeded. If there even was anything to find at all.

Then again, Kerry barely knew what he was doing when it came to their house’s security system either. He had left these types of things to his management team for decades, and so far, that had worked out just fine. Mostly, at least. V had said himself, back when they had this installed here, that there simply was no system that was one hundred percent safe and impenetrable. There were always loopholes, exploits to use, and all that other fancy tech terminology Kerry only half understood but loved to hear V talk about.

“You can never fully rule out human error, either,” was what he liked to say.

Hence why Kerry felt a little silly when he pulled out the desk chair after standing, staring, and pondering it all for too long. All camera views were still selected in the review tool, V was visible in one of them, the 180 degrees view into the armory. He was looking up at the lens, at Kerry, pensive and serious. The timestamp read “August 3rd 2077 – 11.46 a.m.“. Just a little over a month ago, but he looked so much less tired than he did most days now. But also, at this point, he must’ve already been working for Blue-Eyes behind the scenes. Kerry realized that maybe that was exactly why he had been so keen on upgrading the security system before they’d even properly settled in.

Kerry sighed, leaned back in the chair, and then pulled up his own schedule. They’d just talked about it, the day Viktor had delivered more bad news to V regarding his initial treatment plan was the same day Kerry finally got out of the contract with Kovachek. The same day Blue-Eyes got in touch with his convenient help offer. He had to scroll past walls of texts and messages, but he finally found the invitation for the meeting with the studio bosses. July 22nd. Yeah, no footage for that. They had been talking about moving in together for a while at that time already though… early, really, given how they first met back in May only. But V had spent most of his nights at Kerry’s villa anyway, and Kerry sought refuge at V’s apartment all other days. Finding a place for them both together had simply felt like the right next logical step. It still did, more than ever. And with how little time they seemed to have left at the moment, there was no “too soon” for nothing, really…

Kerry held the thought and continued to scroll further up through his appointments on his planner’s interface. The scheduled meeting during which Lee had signed him on, a few days after the final conversation with Kovachek. The appointment with the realtor to view the penthouse. Moving in day, various important events at the recording studio, and with medias. A handful of parties, occasions, dinner dates with V sprinkled in-between, an invitation from River to come over some time… He hesitated for a moment at August 20th. It had been surprisingly hard again this year, but V made it easier, like so many other things...

After a few more studio-related appointments Kerry had reached present time.

He looked back at the computer screen in front of him, had to search for a play button. Then the recordings started moving again, at a quite high speed.

“Ah fuck…” Kerry hissed and looked for a way to slow the footage down, clicking some random buttons, but without success. Before accidentally deleting something, Kerry decided to just keep his eyes peeled for anything out of the usual as best as he managed, but there was nothing too obvious… Them both or either of them leaving and coming back home every day around similar times, AVs or delivery drones landing outside. There was quite the commotion with the moving company in the beginning, lots of strangers all at once, but Kerry didn’t recall any of them behaving weirdly, or even getting near where V stored his pills at the time.

Since there was only about a month of footage sped up dramatically, Kerry opted to just restart it a handful of times whenever he reached the end. Lee showed up in person at the entrance quite often in the beginning, but rarely made it all the way into the penthouse… Kerry hadn’t been aware just how often he did it though, seeing it happen again and again now on loop. He assumed that during some occasions neither he nor V were home to let him in. Kerry in fact remembered only one time Lee had been here in the early days, and how pissed he’d gotten at him for showing up unannounced over something completely trivial. He’d told him to meet up at the studio for these types of convos in the future and he had assumed that was the end of the story of unannounced visits.

Apparently not. Because right now he saw Lee coming back day after day… then not anymore for a few weeks. Then again on two days in a row at the end of August, the 24th and 25th. Kerry was not there to invite him in for any of those visits either…

He paused the preview at Lee just getting out of the penthouse and into the elevator on August 25th. His heart was racing faster than the footage had been, raking his brains… Had V let him in? He doubted that…

He pulled up his holo screen again to read back through the endless wall of text messages Lee had sent him since. Finally, the 25th, on which there had been a little bit of back and forth between them actually, and Kerry’s tension dropped slightly.

“Lee, I’m fucking busy tonight. Shard with demos is still at my new place. If you really need it that desperately, you gotta go get it yourself,” had been Kerry’s final message that night, and it fit the timeframe Lee was at the penthouse.

 So, he’d let him in remotely to pick up that shard, just how he did the other day to feed the cat. Temporary access token, no big deal, right…

Kerry scrolled further back through his messages, but there was nothing in his texts, nor his e-mails, nor his appointments that would explain Lee’s visit on the day before though. Only a reminder to himself about “date night with V <;3”, the reason for his pre-occupation on the 25th and neither of them being at the penthouse.

He dismissed his schedule and stared back at the screen. At Lee with his ridiculous pompadour, bleach-blond still at the time, in his over-priced suit, stumbling into the elevator, frozen in time. Going by the timestamps, he’d been in the penthouse for 15 minutes to pick up the shard which seemed… long for a task that simple. Unless it wasn’t the only thing he’d done there while Kerry and V were out on a fancy date.

No, not him though. The thought alone was fucking insane. That man’s spine was a slinky toy. He almost shat his pants whenever he had to call or speak to Kerry. If all that was an act and he was secretly one of Blue-Eyes’ agents, he deserved a fucking Oscar. Kerry shook his head at his own paranoia, took a few moments to rationalize, think it through. Lee was notorious for his bad timing and inability to just leave him the fuck alone. There were a million possible explanations that made more sense than any deeper, darker purpose behind these numerous, persistent visits and incompetence of fulfilling easy tasks in a timely manner…

He scrolled back through the footage to the several days in a row Lee was there at the start of August, shortly after they moved in. Kerry had his messages to him from that timeframe at the ready.

The one time he actually remembered Lee coming to the penthouse to talk was a Sunday. He didn’t even have a proper reason, apart from “getting to know each other a bit better” and discussing future plans and whatnot. Nothing they couldn’t have done over the holo. Hence why Kerry had been so pissed off, apart from Lee invading his living room unannounced. V hadn’t been there, thankfully.

The day after this incident Lee was on the footage again… No messages in Kerry’s inbox, but a calendar appointment for booking a recording booth. Kerry wasn’t home, and going by the footage, Lee didn’t get into the house either. He lingered in front of the intercom by the entrance a long while though, and Kerry noticed that he was talking – to V maybe, home that day, but telling him that Kerry was at the studio? Lee left the entrance area of the building with reluctance. Then he came back the next day, and again, Kerry couldn’t make a connection to his visit with any of the entries in his schedule or his messages. And then, August 11th…

“Lee… got a problem, forgot to fill the cat feeder this morning. I’ll be at the studio for a while still. Sending you a temporary access token. Cat food in the shelf next to the fridge.”

“You can never fully rule out human error…” shot through Kerry’s mind again. But yes, of course he’d give him access to their house, repeatedly, for stupid little tasks like that. Why wouldn’t he? Lee was a fucking pathetic little loser. He could never harm them in any way apart from maybe, psychological damage, right?

Kerry continued to stare at the screen, the timestamps. Lee arrived on the 11th and then spent almost 45 minutes feeding the cat. Kerry jumped forward to near the end of the collection of recordings, to a couple of days ago. The day he’d been at the med center and instructed Lee to feed the cat as well. Lee arrived at the penthouse quickly and sent his photo of Nibbles eating 5 minutes later. He was out the front door again after just over ten minutes. What had he done for the more than 30 extra minutes during the first “feed the cat” visit? Even his incompetence wasn’t great enough to need that long to locate the cat food and put it in the feeder.

Kerry’s ears were ringing as he watched himself in front of the computer from above. He hadn’t had such an intense out-of-body experience in a while. Trying to come up with a more logical explanation than “he probably searched for and swapped the pills during that time”, he was unable to even lift a finger. The thought ate itself into his brain like acid.

“Lee swapped the pills…” he wasn’t even sure if he said it out loud, so insane the mere idea. For money, for power, for chrome? What could a Mr. Blue-Eyes offer a small light like Lee… Well, everything he wanted, probably, and more. And Lee was dumb enough to believe him, too, if even V could be lured in by someone like that with promises big and times desperate enough.

 When Kerry arrived back in his own body eventually, his paralysis was slowly but surely replaced by rage.

“I’m gonna fuckin’ kill that bastard…” he muttered to himself, got up from the chair, and instead of drinking more, maybe having a smoke, he went to grab his clothes from the wardrobe and then his gun from the armory. V was still fast asleep and none the wiser by the time the Aerondight left the garage.

Of course, Kerry wouldn’t kill Lee. Not really. Probably. But at the very least he wanted to scare the shit out of him and make him talk. Even if he had nothing to do with all of this in the way Kerry assumed, something was up with him, and Kerry needed to give him a piece of his mind before he imploded for good.

He arrived in front of the MSM recording studio in Charter Hill much faster than anticipated… so much so that his impromptu plan to get Lee to talk was still somewhat fuzzy around the edges. He was in the mood to storm in, guns blazing, but there was no guarantee Lee was even there. Maybe he should’ve checked that before coming here. Kerry cursed between his teeth, slightly clammy hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as he parked straight across from the building’s main entrance. Reluctantly he decided to simply call his manager, something he usually never did. It rang a handful of times, longer than he would’ve expected.

“Kerry?” asked the shaky voice on the other end of the line.

“Certainly not Lizzy Wizzy,” Kerry replied deadpan, “Where are ya?”

His heart was beating in his throat.

“I’m at the studio! I’ve been waiting to hear from you, been worried that –…”

“I’m outside the front door,” Kerry interrupted him, “Come down, let’s talk.”

He tried not to let his nerves show, and he was thankful for his AudioVox evening out the slight tremor in his words.

“Uh… why don’t you come upstairs to my office?” Lee evaded, “Vicki just dropped by with two new demos you can listen to, I think – …”

“No,” Kerry said sternly, but he was grasping at straws for a reason as to why they had to meet outside that wouldn’t leave Lee even more suspicious.

“Bring the demos with ya, we’ll listen to ‘em on the road,” was the best thing he could bullshit this quickly, “Been too stagnant lately, gotta move around a bit, get the creative juices flowing.”

Empty phrases he’d flung around a million times before, but they usually worked with types like Lee.

“Oh… okay?” Lee said, then there was silence for a couple of seconds, “Okay, I’ll be right there but… I need to be back at the studio at the latest in an hour, got an important appointment...”

Kerry didn’t reply and simply hung up. No promises.

Lee appeared at the building’s main entrance around ten endless minutes later. Maybe he was truly just very bad at fulfilling simple tasks quickly. Kerry’s doubts were loud in his head as his right leg bounced in a shaky rhythm, the gun in his jacket’s pocket, heavy as a brick, bruising his thigh. Lee jogged across the street, black and blue designer coat fluttering in the wind. When he approached the passenger side of the car, he tried to put on a smile, but it was slanted and forced. Kerry opened the door for him.

“Get in,” he ordered, demanded almost, and Lee slightly flinched, fumbling in his pockets and pulling out a handful of shard cases.

“Got everything with me, I thought maybe we could start with the song demos? But just in case I also brought the interview questions I mentioned, and some other things you can decide on for the upcoming promo events.”

“Wow, great. Now get in,” Kerry repeated himself with zero enthusiasm and finally Lee slipped into the seat. The same seat V had fucked Kerry in so gloriously yesterday… and now Lee desecrated the space with his presence.

Kerry closed the door again and sped off before Lee could say another word, headed towards the highway that would lead them out of the city.

Lee kept babbling without pause, played the demos for Kerry and recounted the producers’ notes on what needed to be changed still and what was good, as well as the opinions of the studio bosses Kerry didn’t give a fuck about. But he had to just nod and smile, because in the end they were the ones that determined his success to an essential degree.

About twenty minutes into their drive, with buildings left and right becoming scarce and nothing but the near-deserted Badlands ahead of them, Lee grew quieter. He stared blankly ahead at the CrystalDome screens.

“Uh, Kerry, at the latest at five I need to be back in Charter Hill,” he reminded him.

Kerry did not respond, only half heard him really, his thoughts racing, eyes scanning for a secluded place he could pull into, wary to not be tailed by gangers, or worse, paparazzi. His GPS navigation pointed out a little dead-end road not far ahead, leading to an old racing track. He remembered the place, knew where he was now. He’d been here with V, very early on in their relationship, blowing off steam after something V couldn’t talk about at the time. That was before Blue-Eyes even, Johnny was still around… In hindsight Kerry was sure it had had something to do with that whole Dogtown mess.

His Aerondight squealed and rumbled across the uneven dirt road, he physically couldn’t go much further than a couple of hundred yards away from the highway, so he pulled over to the side of the road behind a large rock and turned off the engine.

“Uh, Kerry, we still have a long drive back ahead of us, and I gotta – ,“ Lee wanted to protest and Kerry slipped his fingers around the grip of his gun. He tried to breathe away his shaking, but it was no use. They were here now, he had to seize the opportunity, because who knew when – or if – Lee would ever get into the same car with him again.

He pulled his gun and pointed it at Lee, who let out a brief but surprisingly controlled scream and immediately raised his hands.

“K-Kerry I mean… Let’s talk this through, I’m sure you don’t wanna –…”

“Shut your fucking second asshole, Lee, ‘cause there’s only shit comin’ from it anyway,” Kerry ordered sternly, somewhat surprised at his own bravado, “Turn off your phone and put it in the glovebox, and then get out. No tricks, no messing around.”

“Okay, okay!” Lee whimpered, pulled out his phone with a feverish expression and squashed it in the glovebox between condoms, unpaid parking tickets, and one or two satchels of colorful pills.

“Get out, hands on your head,” Kerry repeated, “And slowly start walkin’.”

“Okay!” Lee squealed, eyes big and teary, then Kerry unlocked and opened the door for him before getting out of the car himself.

He looked over his shoulder, listened into the distance, but the desert was quiet. No roaring engines, no gunshots, no yelling. Yet.

With his gun he gestured Lee towards the old racing track, and whimpering Lee obeyed and marched on, white syn-leather boots soon turned orange from the dust. They quietly walked on until Kerry felt there was enough of a distance to the road, and they were at least partially obscured by the tall coarse rock formations and sparse vegetation framing the location.

“That’s far enough. Turn around,” he ordered, gun still pointing at Lee, he gripped it tightly with both hands to keep it steady. His manager slowly did as he was told, turning on the spot, slightly hunched over and squinting against the sun and the barrel of the gun. Kerry just stared back at him, tried to make sense of it still… and wondered if he had maybe lost it for good now. In the end, he had only a vague suspicion, no proof, no nothing. The uncertainty began to gnaw on his to-begin-with shaky confidence in all of this.

“Kerry listen,” Lee then pleaded, “I’m sure this has got to be a misunderstanding of some sort! Let’s just… talk, okay? Without the gun, maybe?”

“Shut it,” Kerry ordered, “I’m makin’ the rules here.”

“Okay, okay,” Lee lowered his head slightly, whispering something under his breath Kerry didn’t quite catch. He never took Lee for a religious person, but a little prayer probably couldn’t hurt in a moment like this.

Kerry still didn’t have a plan of action in his mind on how to move forward. In a movie the hero would probably hold a dramatic speech now, confronting the villain about his crimes and all, but truthfully, Kerry wasn’t the hero here. Holding a whimpering mess like Lee at gunpoint at least had nothing heroic about it. So, he decided to just cut straight to the point.

“Did you swap V’s pills?” he asked, voice not nearly as firm as the grip around his gun. He didn’t even have his finger on the trigger, but the visual alone was intimidating enough, he hoped.

He expected confusion, more bargaining, or just downright denial from Lee. Not for his eyes to grow wide, the remaining color to fade from his face. And for once in his life, Lee was dead silent, stared at Kerry open-mouthed. He’d hit the nail on the head.

“You fuckin’ asshole!” Kerry hissed and took a step towards Lee, pointing his gun straight between the fucker’s eyes, near-blinded by anger at Lee’s reaction. Lee screamed and flinched back, stumbling almost. Now the bargaining began.

“Please, please, I had no choice, they threatened to ruin me!”

“Well, tough shit, guess I’ll do it for ‘em now!” Kerry barked, his chest tight and face hot, and Lee kept screaming, pleading.

“No, no, no! Please!”

“You fuckin’ son of a bitch! To save your own sorry ass you, you – …”

Suddenly Lee’s persistent fear of Kerry and V made even more sense. If he’d been behind this from the start, he’d probably been scared they’d figure it out somehow, sooner or later. Every time they were alone together the bastard was a shaking mess not because he was so bad at his job, but scared for his life. Well, a little bit of both maybe.

“Who told you to do this?” Kerry then asked, “And you better spit it out quickly and as detailed as possible, or I’ll leave your sorry ass to rot out here.”

Lee whimpered and now sank to his knees, hands still on his head, facing the ground and actually sobbing.

“I don’t know them, I swear!” he sputtered, “Never saw their faces, never spoke to anyone in person. It all went over the holo. Directed me to pick up spots and gave me a certain timeframe to do… to do the swap. And if I hadn’t, they’d’ve ruined my life. Oh god… they’re not gonna just ruin my life, they’re really gonna kill me now that you know!”

He tumbled over forward, face-first into the sand and his sobbing intensified. Kerry couldn’t help but feel sorry for him now, a pathetic little loser in way over his head. And his story sadly sounded plausible with the little Kerry and V knew about Blue-Eyes and his associates.

“Fucking hell…” Kerry muttered and lowered his gun, then he closed the remaining distance between himself and Lee. He bent down and firmly grasped him by the back of his collar to pull him back up. Lee neither resisted nor made the feat easy for Kerry.

“Get it together, man,” Kerry hissed through gritted teeth and Lee fell backwards on his ass and just sat in the sand now, a picture of misery. His face and hair were encrusted with dirt, wet streaks running down his cheeks, his hands rested in his lap in resignation.

Kerry knelt down on one knee in front of him, gun still at the ready just in case, and tried to catch Lee’s gaze.

“Hope they at least fuckin’ paid you well,” Kerry said, trying his best to remain calm, scared that Lee would actually pass out if he intimidated him even more. Lee shook his head and Kerry frowned.

“They blackmailed me,” he explained sniffling, “I don’t know how but… They have so much information on me that I was sure no one knew about. How I never went to a prestigious school, the shit my parents did, how many of my credentials are… polished at best, how I… I never would’ve made it this far up at MSM if I hadn’t… improved my background here and there. I’m gonna lose everything if that information reaches the wrong kinda people...”

Kerry sighed deeply.

“Why am I not surprised,” he muttered, but knowing that Lee acted for purely selfish reasons made this somehow so much worse than if he’d just done it for a huge chunk of money. Not that it surprised him though, that was Night City in a nutshell. He got up again and started pacing in front of Lee.

“Lemme guess, you also didn’t know what you were even swapping there, right?” he asked, anger creeping back in, “Cause, surprise, you didn’t exchange some ibuprofen with sugar pills!”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a few deep breaths. They still didn’t even know exactly what these pills had been doing to V, but whatever it was, if they came from Mr. B, it couldn’t be good. Some kind of preparation to put V in that artificial body at best, mind control that was killing him even faster than his own body at worst. Everything in-between and beyond seemed possible and plausible, too.

“They said it was none of my concern and the less I knew, the better,” Lee admitted quietly, and Kerry couldn’t help but laugh out loud in frustration.

“You… pathetic shitstain!” he now yelled, so close to losing his temper again, “You’re the worst kind of scumbag, aren’t you? Messin’ with someone else’s life and health without asking any questions, just to save your own sorry ass. Believe me, you fit in just fuckin’ right with MSM and that whole fucking’ shitshow of a corporation. Such a brave obedient little corpo soldier, aren’t ya? Fuck!”

He kicked a small rock into the distance, swirling up orange dust, and its impact against one of the larger rock formations echoed across the desert. The sun was beginning to set over the city far behind them, and Kerry paced back and forth, back and forth, failing to find a solution. Lee held his head low and said nothing either, too shaken and guilty still, probably packing his bags in his mind already. Or shoveling his grave.

V would know what to do now, or at least be able to improvise something, but Kerry was at a loss. He eventually stopped in his tracks, still clutching his gun tightly, but despite his seething anger at Lee he still had no intentions of killing him. The guy had killed himself long ago already by weaseling his way into MSM through crooked schemes. Blue-Eyes was only serving him the bill for it now.

As if he could sense Kerry staring at him, Lee looked up and their eyes met.

“What now?” he asked shakily.

“Dunno, whaddaya suggest?” Kerry shrugged, “Wanna have me put ya outta your misery right away?”

“No no no!” Lee stammered and raised his hands again, hunching over in fear, “Please I… I know I fucked up, big time!”

“That’s the understatement of the century…”

After a moment of hesitation Lee looked back up at him again, carefully.

“I… if there is anything I can do to make up for this…”

Kerry couldn’t help himself but laugh.

“Well now I’m curious what in the fuck you’re gonna offer.”

“I… dunno…” Lee’s brief moment of confidence was blown out like a candle in a storm.

Kerry didn’t know either because, as usual, Lee was useless. Or at the very least he didn’t see a solution that could actually help them either. He needed to tell V about this. As soon as possible.

“Get back in the car,” Kerry then ordered, waving with his gun, “Takin’ ya to your stupid appointment.”

Lee’s eyes grew wider.

“What? Am I… I’m just supposed to continue as normal?”

Kerry frowned.

“What did you expect, that I’m gonna help you escape into a cozy exile somewhere nice and sunny while we clean up your mess and deal with the consequences?”

Lee just stared in response, but Kerry wouldn’t have let him answer anyway.

“You stay put and behave exactly how you always do, play the manager. And you sure as hell will not tell anyone anything about what we just talked about,” he ordered, “If your creep friends call you and ask you to run another errand, you will do exactly that, and don’t let show in any way that would suggest V and I caught on.”

“I… what?” Lee stammered.

“I’m not done yet,” Kerry interrupted him sternly, “Not done with you, either. You will make up for this shit you caused. And I promise you, if I get as much as a whiff of you tryin’ to rat us out or bail or whatnot… V knows people that will track you down to the dark side of the moon to blow your lights out, if necessary.”

The last one was a bluff, although he was sure, with some persuasive words and favors exchanged here and there, even that would be possible, should the need arise.

“Okay, okay!” Lee whimpered, “Understood. I… This meeting never happened?”

“Damn straight. Now back into the car, asshole.”

Kerry was elsewhere with his thoughts for the entirety of the ride back into the city. It wasn’t much, but if Lee managed to keep his mouth shut and not draw Blue-Eyes’ attention, they now actually were a step ahead. Kerry just didn’t know how to use this tiny edge yet, if they could use it at all… and all of course under the assumption that Blue-Eyes wasn’t listening in or watching them 24/7 through some fucked up means already anyway.

“Don’t forget your phone,” Kerry said when he stopped in front of the studio to let Lee get out. They were back early enough so he still had some time to clean himself up, get himself back together before his appointment.

“Yeah, right, thank you,” Lee stammered and stumbled out of the car and slowly started walking towards the building without further words.

The passenger door slid shut and the warm interior lights of the Aerondight engulfed him, but still, it was far from enough to soothe his nerves. Kerry rested his forehead on the steering wheel and let out a deep breath. Something in his guts told him that the studio would call him tomorrow morning to inform him of Lee’s mysterious disappearance or death, and that they already had the next replaceable guy lined up to take over…

“Fuck…” he muttered, smacked the steering wheel, and unlocked his own door. He jumped onto the street, a car passing by honking at him, but he ignored it. He turned to the main entrance of the studio building where Lee was just about to walk through the door.

“Lee!” he called, and Lee flinched and turned around with wide eyes, like a deer in headlights.

“Get back here,” Kerry waved, and hesitantly his manager returned to the side of the car.

“Yes?” he asked shakily, clutching his phone still. Sand was still dripping from his hair and the dirt on his face had dried.

“Get back in,” Kerry decided, and Lee gulped audibly, “Don’t think it’s a good idea to leave you alone right now. These guys that made you do this stuff…”

He didn’t have to say anything else, Lee nodded in strong agreement.

Edge or not, it was so small, so insignificant almost… And no matter how much he hated Lee’s guts sometimes, if Blue-Eyes snuffed him in his sleep tonight… Lee could know more than he let on, maybe even subconsciously. Him already being involved in this whole mess against his will also made him a better ally than any new manager that could be one of Blue-Eyes spies for real this time.

Lee got back in the passenger seat, and Kerry behind the wheel, turning on the engine. How the hell he was gonna break this to V he didn’t know yet. Right as he wanted to drive off, back home, he noted a dark van parked across the street, in good view of them. Kerry hesitated. This was nothing, probably, delivery guys, technicians. Although, no markings, names, or logos on the car.

Maybe this shit was getting to him more than he realized, seeing enemies where there were none. But it had ended with a black van with the Peralezes as well…

He tried to write the thought off as paranoia once again, but just in case, Kerry made extra sure they weren’t being followed before even getting into view of Watson.

*****************

>> Next Chapter

*****************

Notes:

It's been a hot minute, so much has happened since my last update, and I'm so happy I can finally share this ;__; I really had a lot of fun writing Kerry on his own little adventure for this chapter, and I think a few of you will be happy to see Lee back as well XD I've grown quite fond of him and had really been looking forward to this little reveal ever since I first introduced him xD I hope it came as a surprise but not entirely unexpected that he's involved in this mess a bit more deeply than he let on so far.

I hope the next chapter update won't take me as long as this one did, as with black vans showing up unannounced and Mr. B's schemes slowly becoming unravelled I can't wait to continue telling this story! :3

I put a little nod at Dogtown in this chapter, but to anyone who hasn't played Phantom Liberty and wants to continue reading: fret not! Since I started writing this story before the expansion and planned it out without any ties to it, the events of PL will not be majorly referenced here, not beyond what I did in this chapter.

Hope you enjoyed reading this, as always, and are looking forward to how it's all gonna continue (hopefully soon). I would say, we're about to reach the midway point of the story!

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[dekhocampus11]

National Institute of Fashion Technology - [NIFT], Patna

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Patna – An In-Depth Overview (800 Words)

Established in 2008, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Patna is one of the key centers of excellence under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Since its inception, NIFT Patna has been committed to nurturing creativity, innovation, and professionalism in the field of fashion and design. Strategically located in Bihar’s capital, this institute blends traditional cultural richness with cutting-edge design education.

Academic Programs

NIFT Patna offers various undergraduate and postgraduate programs designed to equip students with both creative and technical skills essential for the fashion and lifestyle industry.

Undergraduate Programs:

Bachelor of Design (B.Des) in:

Fashion Design

Fashion Communication

Textile Design

Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.FTech):

Specialization in Apparel Production

Postgraduate Programs:

Master of Design (M.Des) – Focused on advanced design methodology and design thinking.

Master of Fashion Management (MFM) – Concentrated on business strategies, retail, and fashion marketing.

The curriculum is structured to provide theoretical knowledge, hands-on training, and industry exposure. A blend of classroom learning, workshops, internships, and live projects ensures that students develop a deep understanding of design concepts and business dynamics.

Campus Infrastructure and Facilities

NIFT Patna’s campus offers a modern environment conducive to learning, innovation, and collaboration:

Design Studios and Labs are equipped with high-end machinery and tools that allow students to practice weaving, dyeing, garment construction, printing, pattern making, and digital design.

Computer Labs: Advanced software for CAD, 3D modeling, graphic design, and garment manufacturing systems are accessible to students for academic and project work.

Library: A vast collection of books, journals, and digital resources covering subjects like fashion, textiles, marketing, and management.

Workshops and Resource Centers: For practical training in accessory design, leather craft, and traditional Indian textiles.

Exhibition Spaces: Areas for displaying student projects and hosting fashion events and displays.

Hostel Facilities: Comfortable and safe accommodation options for both male and female students with necessary amenities like Wi-Fi, common rooms, mess, and laundry services.

Cafeteria and Recreation: Clean dining facilities with a variety of food options, along with indoor and outdoor sports infrastructure.

Placement and Industry Interface

NIFT Patna maintains strong ties with leading fashion houses, retail giants, and manufacturing units, facilitating career opportunities and internships for students.

Placement Cell Activities:

Organizes annual campus placements

Conducts workshops on resume writing and interview preparation

Hosts mock interviews and career counseling sessions

Arranges industry visits and interaction programs

Top Recruiters Include:

Adidas

Arvind Mills

H&M

Levi’s

FabIndia

Pantaloons

Raymond

Van Heusen

Future Group

Tommy Hilfiger

Placement Statistics:

Average Salary: ₹5 to ₹8 LPA

Highest Package: Up to ₹12 LPA

Sectors Covered: Fashion design, apparel manufacturing, brand management, fashion merchandising, retail strategy, and textile development

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

NIFT Patna offers financial aid through scholarships to ensure that deserving and meritorious students are not denied education due to economic constraints.

Sarthak Scheme: Provides fee waivers ranging from 50% to 100% based on the student’s family income and academic performance.

UDAAN Program: Supports students pursuing higher studies abroad under exchange or twinning programs.

These initiatives promote inclusivity and accessibility in fashion education, encouraging students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their passion.

Student Life and Activities

Student life at NIFT Patna is vibrant, collaborative, and filled with opportunities to express creativity beyond the classroom.

Cultural and Technical Fests: Events like Spectrum and Converge provide platforms for students to showcase their talent in fashion, performing arts, and innovation.

Clubs and Societies: Various student-led clubs cater to interests like photography, styling, film-making, design thinking, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

Guest Lectures and Workshops: Regular sessions by industry professionals and alumni offer practical insights into the global fashion ecosystem.

Internships: All students undergo compulsory internships with fashion brands, designers, or production houses to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. Many of these internships convert into pre-placement offers.

Conclusion

NIFT Patna is a center of excellence that offers a holistic fashion education combining design, technology, and management. With its modern infrastructure, committed faculty, industry-oriented curriculum, and strong placement support, it creates well-rounded professionals ready to meet the demands of the global fashion and lifestyle market. The campus environment encourages experimentation, innovation, and cultural exchange—making it an ideal place for aspiring fashion designers, technologists, and managers to grow and thrive.

[rainyducktiger]

Satellite IoT Market Key Players Growth Strategies and Business Models to 2033

Introduction

The Satellite Internet of Things (IoT) market has been experiencing rapid growth in recent years, driven by increasing demand for global connectivity, advancements in satellite technology, and expanding IoT applications across various industries. As businesses and governments seek to leverage IoT for remote monitoring, asset tracking, and environmental sensing, satellite-based solutions have emerged as a crucial component of the global IoT ecosystem. This article explores the key trends, growth drivers, challenges, and future outlook of the satellite IoT market through 2032.

Market Overview

The satellite IoT market encompasses a range of services and solutions that enable IoT devices to communicate via satellite networks, bypassing terrestrial infrastructure constraints. This market is poised to grow significantly due to the increasing number of IoT devices, estimated to exceed 30 billion by 2030. The adoption of satellite IoT solutions is particularly prominent in industries such as agriculture, maritime, transportation, energy, and defense, where traditional connectivity options are limited.

Download a Free Sample Report:- https://tinyurl.com/5bx2u8ms

Key Market Drivers

Expanding IoT Applications

The proliferation of IoT devices across industries is fueling demand for satellite-based connectivity solutions. Sectors like agriculture, logistics, and environmental monitoring rely on satellite IoT for real-time data transmission from remote locations.

Advancements in Satellite Technology

The development of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations has significantly enhanced the capability and affordability of satellite IoT services. Companies like SpaceX (Starlink), OneWeb, and Amazon (Project Kuiper) are investing heavily in satellite networks to provide global coverage.

Rising Demand for Remote Connectivity

As industries expand operations into remote and rural areas, the need for uninterrupted IoT connectivity has increased. Satellite IoT solutions offer reliable alternatives to terrestrial networks, ensuring seamless data transmission.

Regulatory Support and Investments

Governments and space agencies worldwide are promoting satellite IoT initiatives through funding, policy frameworks, and public-private partnerships, further driving market growth.

Growing Need for Asset Tracking and Monitoring

Sectors such as logistics, oil and gas, and maritime heavily rely on satellite IoT for real-time asset tracking, predictive maintenance, and operational efficiency.

Market Challenges

High Initial Costs and Maintenance

Deploying and maintaining satellite IoT infrastructure involves significant investment, which may hinder adoption among small and medium enterprises.

Limited Bandwidth and Latency Issues

Despite advancements, satellite networks still face challenges related to bandwidth limitations and latency, which can impact real-time data transmission.

Cybersecurity Concerns

With the increasing number of connected devices, the risk of cyber threats and data breaches is a major concern for satellite IoT operators.

Industry Trends

Emergence of Hybrid Connectivity Solutions

Companies are integrating satellite IoT with terrestrial networks, including 5G and LPWAN, to provide seamless and cost-effective connectivity solutions.

Miniaturization of Satellites

The trend toward smaller, cost-efficient satellites (e.g., CubeSats) is making satellite IoT services more accessible and scalable.

AI and Edge Computing Integration

Artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing are being incorporated into satellite IoT systems to enhance data processing capabilities, reduce latency, and improve decision-making.

Proliferation of Low-Cost Satellite IoT Devices

With declining costs of satellite IoT modules and sensors, adoption rates are increasing across industries.

Sustainable Space Practices

Efforts to minimize space debris and implement eco-friendly satellite technology are gaining traction, influencing the future of satellite IoT deployments.

Market Segmentation

By Service Type

Satellite Connectivity Services

Satellite IoT Platforms

Data Analytics & Management

By End-User Industry

Agriculture

Transportation & Logistics

Energy & Utilities

Maritime

Defense & Government

Healthcare

By Geography

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

Future Outlook (2024-2032)

The satellite IoT market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 20% from 2024 to 2032. Key developments anticipated in the market include:

Expansion of LEO satellite constellations for enhanced global coverage.

Increased investment in space-based IoT startups and innovation hubs.

Strategic collaborations between telecom providers and satellite operators.

Adoption of AI-driven analytics for predictive monitoring and automation.

Conclusion

The satellite IoT market is on a trajectory of substantial growth, driven by technological advancements, increasing demand for remote connectivity, and expanding industrial applications. While challenges such as cost and security remain, innovations in satellite design, AI integration, and hybrid network solutions are expected to propel the industry forward. As we move toward 2032, satellite IoT will play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of global connectivity and digital transformation across various sectors.Read Full Report:-https://www.uniprismmarketresearch.com/verticals/information-communication-technology/satellite-iot.html

[careermantradotorg]

IIMs in India: A Comprehensive Guide to the Indian Institutes of Management

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) in India are world-renowned for producing some of the most successful business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals. These prestigious institutions offer top-tier management education and are considered the pinnacle of business schools in India. Whether you're an aspiring MBA candidate or curious about the legacy of IIMs, this guide will help you explore all the essential details about IIMs in India.

What are IIMs?

IIMs, or Indian Institutes of Management, are autonomous public institutions offering management education programs such as the Post Graduate Program (PGP) in Management (equivalent to an MBA) and doctoral-level Fellow Programs in Management (FPM). They were established by the Indian government to enhance the quality of management education in India. The first IIM was set up in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1961, and today, there are 20 IIMs spread across the country.

List of Top IIMs in India

While all IIMs provide excellent education, some are considered the cream of the crop due to their history, faculty, and placement records. Here's a list of the top IIMs in India:

IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) IIM Ahmedabad is arguably the most prestigious business school in India. It has consistently ranked as the top IIM due to its world-class faculty, rigorous curriculum, and excellent placement records. Its flagship program, the PGP, is highly sought after by students across the country.

IIM Bangalore (IIMB) Known for its lush green campus and innovative teaching methods, IIM Bangalore is another top-tier management institute. It has strong industry connections, and its focus on entrepreneurship and innovation makes it a standout choice for MBA aspirants.

IIM Calcutta (IIMC) The oldest of the IIMs, IIM Calcutta has maintained its leadership in management education for over six decades. It is known for its finance and consulting placements, making it a favorite among students who aim for careers in these sectors.

IIM Lucknow (IIML) IIM Lucknow offers a robust curriculum, and its programs in agribusiness management are unique in the IIM ecosystem. Its strategic location and strong alumni network make it a go-to institution for many MBA candidates.

IIM Indore (IIMI) Known for its integrated five-year management program (IPM) that caters to undergraduate students, IIM Indore has gained popularity among young aspirants. Its diverse course offerings and industry exposure make it one of the top choices for MBA programs in India.

IIM Kozhikode (IIMK) Situated in the scenic hills of Kerala, IIM Kozhikode combines a serene environment with cutting-edge management education. Its strong focus on technology and business analytics has made it a preferred choice for tech-savvy management students.

Admission Process for IIMs in India

The process of getting into IIMs in India is highly competitive, with the Common Admission Test (CAT) serving as the primary gateway. Here’s an overview of the admission process:

CAT Exam: Conducted annually, the CAT is a computer-based test that evaluates candidates on their quantitative aptitude, verbal ability, reading comprehension, data interpretation, and logical reasoning. Candidates must score exceptionally well to secure a spot at the top IIMs.

Shortlisting Process: After the CAT results are announced, IIMs shortlist candidates based on their CAT scores, academic performance, work experience, and diversity factors like gender and academic discipline.

Personal Interview (PI) & Written Ability Test (WAT): Shortlisted candidates are invited for the second round, which includes a personal interview (PI) and a written ability test (WAT). These rounds assess a candidate's communication skills, clarity of thought, and ability to handle business scenarios.

Final Selection: The final selection is based on a composite score that includes CAT scores, PI/WAT performance, academic background, work experience, and other criteria specific to each IIM.

Programs Offered by IIMs in India

The IIMs in India offer a variety of programs tailored to meet the needs of students, working professionals, and even international candidates. Some of the key programs are:

Post Graduate Program (PGP): The flagship two-year program, equivalent to an MBA, offered by all IIMs. It prepares students for leadership roles in the corporate world.

Executive MBA (PGPX, EPGP): A one-year full-time MBA program designed for professionals with significant work experience. It offers a fast-tracked route to career advancement.

Fellow Program in Management (FPM): This is a doctoral-level program designed for those interested in research and academics. It is equivalent to a Ph.D. in management.

Integrated Program in Management (IPM): A five-year program offered by select IIMs, such as IIM Indore, that allows students to pursue an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in management.

Career Opportunities and Placements

One of the major reasons why students aspire to join IIMs in India is the excellent placement opportunities they offer. Each year, top companies from diverse sectors like consulting, finance, marketing, operations, and technology recruit IIM graduates with lucrative salary packages.

For instance, the average salary package for IIM Ahmedabad graduates in 2023 was approximately ₹34.5 lakhs per annum, with international placements reaching even higher figures. Companies like McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, and the Boston Consulting Group are regular recruiters across various IIMs.

The Legacy of IIMs in India

The IIMs have played a crucial role in shaping India’s business landscape. Alumni from IIMs hold leadership positions in some of the largest corporations globally, and many have gone on to establish successful startups. The strong emphasis on analytical thinking, leadership development, and ethical business practices has helped IIM graduates stand out in the competitive global marketplace.

Conclusion

IIMs in India are much more than just business schools; they are institutions that mold the future leaders of the corporate world. With a rigorous admission process, a diverse range of programs, and excellent career opportunities, IIMs continue to be the dream destination for management aspirants across the country. If you're looking to make a mark in the world of business and management, IIMs offer the perfect platform to launch your career.

Whether you're just beginning your journey or already have years of work experience, there’s an IIM program designed to fit your needs. So, are you ready to take the first step toward an exciting future in management?

[eddyprince321]

Best of Web Development Courses: A Comprehensive Guide

Web development is a vital skill in today’s digital world. Whether you're aspiring to become a professional web developer or looking to enhance your skills, selecting the right web development course is crucial. With countless options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. This article provides a guide to the best web development courses available, helping you navigate through the top choices and find the one that suits your needs.

Why Take a Web Development Course?

Web development encompasses everything from creating basic websites to complex applications. The demand for skilled web developers is consistently high as businesses transition to digital platforms. By taking a web development course, you can:

Enhance your coding skills: Learn programming languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more.

Gain practical experience: Hands-on projects help you build a portfolio to showcase your skills.

Stay updated with industry trends: Modern courses keep you informed on the latest technologies and best practices.

Open career opportunities: Web development is a versatile field with various career paths such as front-end, back-end, or full-stack development.

Now, let’s dive into the top 10 web development courses that will give you the edge you need.

Top 10 Web Development Courses

The Web Developer Bootcamp – UdemyOverview: This course, created by Colt Steele, is one of the most popular web development bootcamps available. It covers everything from HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to more advanced topics like Node.js and Express.Why it stands out:

Over 63 hours of content.

Project-based learning with real-world applications.

Affordable pricing with regular discounts.

Ideal for: Beginners looking to get an in-depth introduction to web development.

Full-Stack Web Development with React – Coursera (offered by Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)Overview: This course focuses on the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express, React, Node). It's offered through Coursera by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, which gives it a reputable edge.Why it stands out:

Covers both front-end (React) and back-end development.

Offers a certificate from a prestigious institution.

Focuses on responsive web design.

Ideal for: Learners who want to focus on full-stack web development.

The Odin ProjectOverview: The Odin Project is a free, open-source curriculum that takes you through the entire web development process. It focuses on Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, and offers plenty of hands-on projects.Why it stands out:

Completely free with a community of learners.

Comprehensive learning paths from beginner to advanced.

Emphasizes practical projects.

Ideal for: Self-motivated learners looking for a free, community-driven option.

CS50’s Web Programming with Python and JavaScript – edX (Harvard University)Overview: CS50 is Harvard’s famous computer science course, and this specific track focuses on web programming. You’ll learn about Python, Django, JavaScript, and SQL through this rigorous program.Why it stands out:

Offered by Harvard University.

Covers complex web development topics such as Django and security.

Highly challenging, suitable for intermediate to advanced learners.

Ideal for: Developers with some background looking to dive deeper into web programming.

Complete Web Development Bootcamp – Udemy (Dr. Angela Yu)Overview: Dr. Angela Yu’s bootcamp is highly rated on Udemy for its engaging teaching style and comprehensive approach. You’ll learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Node.js, React, and even a little bit of web design.Why it stands out:

Over 55 hours of content.

Fun and engaging style with a focus on building projects.

Regularly updated to reflect the latest technologies.

Ideal for: Beginners who want to build a solid foundation in web development.

Responsive Web Design – freeCodeCampOverview: FreeCodeCamp is known for offering free, self-paced coding lessons, and its Responsive Web Design certification is one of the most popular. You’ll learn HTML5, CSS3, and responsive design principles.Why it stands out:

Free and self-paced.

300 hours of content including hands-on projects.

Community support and real-world project building.

Ideal for: Those looking for a free, structured way to learn responsive web design.

Zero to Mastery Complete Web Developer – Udemy (Andrei Neagoie)Overview: Andrei Neagoie’s course takes a hands-on approach to web development, covering everything from HTML and CSS to advanced topics like React and Node.js.Why it stands out:

Covers both front-end and back-end development.

Real-world projects like building a chat application.

Regularly updated to reflect industry changes.

Ideal for: Beginners to intermediate learners looking for comprehensive training.

Modern React with Redux – Udemy (Stephen Grider)Overview: React is one of the most in-demand front-end technologies today, and Stephen Grider’s course is perfect for those looking to specialize in it. This course covers React and Redux, focusing on building dynamic web applications.Why it stands out:

Specialized focus on React and Redux.

Project-based learning.

Great for intermediate learners.

Ideal for: Developers looking to specialize in React.

Learn Web Development – Mozilla Developer NetworkOverview: MDN’s web development course is a comprehensive, free resource that covers all aspects of web development. It’s created by the Mozilla Developer Network, known for its high-quality documentation.Why it stands out:

Free and constantly updated.

Covers the basics to advanced topics.

Reliable and well-documented resources.

Ideal for: Learners who prefer self-paced study with extensive documentation.

JavaScript, HTML, and CSS for Web Developers – Coursera (Johns Hopkins University)

Overview: This course, offered through Coursera by Johns Hopkins University, focuses on the fundamentals of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, which are essential building blocks for any web developer.

Why it stands out:

Covers core web technologies.

Earn a certificate from a well-known university.

Focus on building real-world projects.

Ideal for: Beginners looking to get certified in web development fundamentals.

What to Look for in a Web Development Course

When choosing the best web development course for your needs, consider the following:

Skill Level: Are you a beginner or do you have some coding experience? Courses like The Odin Project and freeCodeCamp are great for beginners, while more advanced developers might prefer CS50’s Web Programming or Modern React with Redux.

Specialization: Do you want to focus on front-end (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), back-end (Node.js, Django), or full-stack development? Choose a course based on your career goals.

Project-Based Learning: A good web development course should include hands-on projects to help you apply what you've learned. The more projects, the better your portfolio will look to potential employers.

Certification: If you’re looking for recognition, consider courses that offer certificates from reputable institutions, like those from Coursera or edX.

Price: While some courses are free, others may require a one-time fee or subscription. Many platforms like Udemy offer discounts, so be sure to check regularly.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're just starting your journey in web development or looking to advance your skills, there’s a course out there for you. The best web development courses offer a blend of hands-on projects, updated content, and engaging instruction. As you consider the top 10 web development courses, think about your current skill level, your career aspirations, and your learning preferences. With the right course, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a proficient web developer.

Remember, learning web development is a marathon, not a sprint. Choose a course that fits your pace, stay consistent, and you'll see significant improvement in no time!

[forexvpswithlowcost]

Forex VPS Hosting With Low Cost

In the fast-paced world of forex trading, where markets are constantly fluctuating and opportunities arise at any hour of the day or night, having a reliable Virtual Private Server (VPS) is no longer just an option—it's a necessity. As traders strive to gain an edge in this highly competitive arena, the role of technology, particularly VPS hosting, has become increasingly crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the importance of VPS solutions for forex traders and how Cheap Forex VPS can help you achieve your trading goals.

Understanding the Need for VPS Solutions in Forex Trading

Forex trading operates 24/7 across different time zones, making it essential for traders to have constant access to their trading platforms. However, relying on personal computers or traditional web hosting services may not provide the speed, reliability, and security required for optimal trading performance. This is where VPS solutions come into play.

A VPS is a virtualized server that mimics the functionality of a dedicated physical server, offering traders a dedicated space to host their trading platforms and applications. By leveraging the power of cloud computing, VPS hosting provides several advantages over traditional hosting methods, including:

Uninterrupted Trading: Unlike personal computers, which may experience downtime due to power outages, internet connectivity issues, or hardware failures, VPS solutions offer high uptime guarantees, ensuring that your trading operations remain unaffected.

Low Latency: In forex trading, speed is of the essence. Even a fraction of a second can make the difference between a winning and losing trade. With VPS hosting, traders can benefit from low latency connections to trading servers, resulting in faster execution times and reduced slippage.

Enhanced Security: Protecting sensitive trading data and transactions is paramount in forex trading. VPS solutions offer advanced security features such as DDoS protection, firewall configurations, and regular backups to safeguard against cyber threats and data loss.

Scalability: As your trading needs evolve, VPS solutions can easily scale to accommodate increased trading volumes, additional trading platforms, or specialized software requirements.

Introducing Cheap Forex VPS: Your Trusted Partner in Trading Success

At Cheap Forex VPS, we understand the unique challenges faced by forex traders, which is why we've developed a range of VPS hosting plans tailored to meet your specific needs. Whether you're a beginner trader looking to automate your trading strategies or a seasoned professional in need of high-performance hosting solutions, we have the perfect plan for you.

Our VPS hosting plans are designed to offer:

Flexible Configurations: Choose from a variety of RAM, disk space, CPU cores, and operating system options to customize your VPS according to your trading requirements.

Affordable Pricing: We believe that access to reliable VPS hosting should be accessible to traders of all levels, which is why we offer competitive pricing starting from as low as $4.99 per month.

Expert Support: Our team of experienced professionals is available 24/7 to provide technical assistance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure that your VPS operates seamlessly.

Uptime Guarantee: We guarantee 100% uptime for our VPS hosting services, ensuring that your trading operations remain uninterrupted, even during peak trading hours.

Choosing the Right VPS Plan for Your Trading Needs

With several VPS hosting plans available, selecting the right plan for your trading needs can seem daunting. However, our user-friendly website and knowledgeable support team are here to guide you every step of the way.

Here's a brief overview of our three main VPS hosting plans:

Regular Forex VPS: Ideal for traders looking to run automated trading systems, our Regular Forex VPS plan offers fast execution and reliable performance at an affordable price, starting from $4.99 per month.

Latency Optimized: For pro traders seeking the lowest latency connections and fastest execution times, our Latency Optimized plan is the perfect choice, starting from $8.99 per month.

Big RAM Server: Designed for businesses, brokers, and pro traders with demanding trading environments, our Big RAM Server plan offers ample resources and scalability options, starting from $29.95 per month.

Conclusion: Empower Your Trading with Cheap Forex VPS

In conclusion, VPS hosting has become an indispensable tool for forex traders looking to gain a competitive edge in the market. With Cheap Forex VPS, you can unlock the full potential of your trading strategies with reliable, high-performance hosting solutions that won't break the bank. Purchase your VPS plan today and take your trading to new heights with Cheap Forex VPS.

[govindhtech]

The Latest Wi-Fi 7 Lands Dimensity 9300 & 9200+ and 9200!

The latest Wi-Fi 7 accreditation has been delivered at the Broadcom Dimensity 9300 & 9200+ and 9200

MediaTek, a Dimensity 9300 & 9200+ and 9200 are the three first-wave smartphones manufacturers the fact that were recently acknowledged with Wi-Fi 7. These processing units are going to enable you to take advantage of into the possibilities of tomorrow. In order to get unrivaled connection and performance, you should investigate their breakthrough tri-band technology, MLO and MRU features, and Xtra Range 2.0.

Achieving Wi-Fi 7 certifications issued by the Bluetooth Alliance (WFA) is an enormous success for MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 and 9200 & 9200+ collection of products. Within additionally reiterating its commitment to delivering revolutionary connection capabilities that are complying with contemporary communication standards, the accreditation in addition highlights the Dimensity series’ stance as a technological leading in the mobile device chip sector.

Wi-Fi 7 Technology Overview for the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 & 9200+ and 9200

Marvel with Three Bands:

The smartphones Dimensity 9300 & 9200+ and 9200 have been provided with tri-band technology, which enables computers to keep working without hindrance throughout wavelengths of 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz. It additionally renders it practicable to send and receive data over several bands at the identical time, which strengthens connection as well as rendering the user experiences more seamless.

Increased Carrier Throughput: The Wi-Fi 7 technological advances than can be found in the Dimensity 9300 and 9200 is two times as wide as the previous Wi-Fi 6/6E protocol which had been previously in use. It can handle up to 320MHz of channel bandwidth. Consequently, this results in speeds that are up to 2.4 times quicker, so offering customers with connection that is both quick and dependable.

Wifi 7 adds further generational benefits, such as MLO (Medium Low) technology and Multi-User Resource Unit (MRU) capabilities. These advantages are referred to as generational advantages. Particularly in highly crowded networking situations, these characteristics jointly prevent connecting latency as well as improve the performance of The mesh networking purposes, while preventing signal degradation from occurring.

Introducing the exclusive MediaTek Xtra Range 2.0:

Xtra Range 2.0 technology, which is a distinctive feature, contributes greatly to the enhancement of interior coverage. Users are now able to comfortably penetrate interior barriers and enjoy connection that extends up to 4.5 meters longer. In-home and office coverage and performance are both improved as a result of this upgrade.

Real-world scenarios that highlight the benefits of the MediaTek Dimensity Wi-Fi 7

Uninterrupted Streaming and Multiplayer Gaming:

Streaming high-definition material and playing games that need a lot of graphics became more smooth experiences as a result of the improved channel capacity and the decreased latency. When it comes to entertainment on mobile devices, the Dimensity 9300 & 9200+ and 9200 set new benchmarks.

Your connection will stay strong even in the most remote areas of your house or workplace thanks to the Xtra Range 2.0 technology, which guarantees that your home or business will have improved connectivity. Through MediaTek’s dedication to improving interior coverage, there will be no more dead zones.

Efficient Mesh Networking: Mesh networking is made more efficient by the presence of MLO technology and MRU capability working together. In order to create a network that is flexible enough to accommodate a wide range of use situations, devices are able to connect with one another more efficiently.

In other words, frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What exactly is the Wi-Fi 7 certification, and why is it so important for mobile devices like smartphones?

Wi-Fi 7 certification verifies that a device satisfies the most recent and cutting-edge wireless standards. This certification is granted by the Wi-Fi Alliance. This certification assures that smartphones such as the Dimensity 9300 & 9200+ and 9200 are compatible with worldwide wireless rules, as well as providing cutting-edge connection and rapid speeds.

What are the advantages that users get from tri-band technology?

The Dimensity 9300 and 9200 products use tri-band technology, which enables simultaneous data transmission over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands. Because of this, connection is improved, congestion is significantly reduced, and the overall user experience is improved.

Could you provide more information on the Xtra Range 2.0 technology?

MediaTek’s Xtra Range 2.0 technology is an innovative feature that gives the company the ability to expand its interior coverage by up to 4.5 meters farther. Because it is able to penetrate interior walls, it allows for a huge improvement in connection in both homes and workplaces.

When it comes to practical applications, what are the benefits of a decreased connection latency?

Online activities such as gaming and video conferencing may benefit from a reduction in connection latency, which assures faster reaction times. Real-time apps are able to provide users of the Dimensity 9300 & 9200+ and 9200 with a lag-free experience.

In what ways does the functionality of MRU contribute to the networking of Mesh?

Mesh networking is improved by the features of Multi-User Resource Units (MRU), which allow for more effective resource management. It is possible for devices inside the network to interact more efficiently, which ultimately results in a connection that is both smooth and responsive.

Is the MediaTek Dimensity 9300& 9200+ and 9200 Wi-Fi 7 technology compatible with technology that was released in the past?

Users are able to connect to a broad variety of devices without any problems thanks to the fact that the Wi-Fi 7 technology that is included in the Dimensity 9300 & 9200+ and 9200 is backward compatible with earlier Wi-Fi standards.

An important turning point in the history of smartphone connection has occurred with the MediaTek Dimensity 9300& 9200+ and 9200 obtaining certification for Wi-Fi 7. These chips are already at the vanguard of innovation thanks to their tri-band technology, improved channel bandwidth, and special features such as Xtra Range 2.0. To further reinforce MediaTek’s position as a market leader, users can expect an unsurpassed connection experience, regardless of whether they are streaming content, playing games, or working.

Read more on Govindhtech.com

[voidutopian]

Major Nations of 3248

For as long as we have breached the confines of Sol, we have taken our myths of humanity united and everlasting to the stars. The First Interstellar War, nearly a millennium ago, put an end to that illusion. Now, in the wake of the worst cataclysm to ever be wrought on the cosmos, we grow no closer to that dream. Individual worlds finding their footing become the proxies for conflicts between interstellar powers, and even those powers are not as monolithic as one first assumes. What follows is an overview of each of them.

Aquila Pact

"Some on this council will claim that it was the Plutonian SSR that kept the revolution alive up until the creation of the Pact, but what worth does that revolution hold if that same world, and its earthbound predecessor, twice was willing to make a deal with those who would see us all eradicated?"

Inhabiting what were once the core worlds of humanity, the Aquila Pact is a loose coalition of worlds seeking to defend each other against external capitalistic influences. At least, that's the most that can be agreed upon. More than any other nation, the Pact is an eclectic group, ranging from Soviet remnants to hive-mind anarchists to anything in between. Disagreements on the direction of the Pact are frequent, and its often joked about that member worlds clash with each other more than they do with the other powers. The presence of external threats ensures they'll continue to work together, but even the smallest change in the current situation could set off the powder keg. They also hold control of the Sol System, save for Earth itself, which is administered by a completely independent organisation.

Broken Shield Union

"Of course we plan to restore the true democratic process as soon as possible! We just have to make sure that our fledgling nation is able to remain free of subversives who would tear down all we built!"

The newest of the interstellar nations, the Broken Shield Union inhabits the region of the same name and is centred around the world of Sanko. Much of the nation is still rebuilding from the aftermath of their civil war with the Commonwealth, and civilian authority has yet to be put in place. Nevertheless, they claim to be ready to stand firm against their neighbours in the Aquila Pact and forge their own identity as a free people. It also holds a considerable population of retroculturalists seeking to return the Spur to the lifestyle seen before the Collapse. It is this group in particular that desires the reclamation of the nearby Tau Ceti system, the most prosperous system of the long-gone Era Kosmopol.

Coreward Commonwealth

"Esteemed colleague, relinquish your blade or I will have you and your entire delegation sent back to Immergrun without hesitation. There, that wasn't too hard, was it? Keep up that cooperation, and there will be an Okorie-Novak computer in every household on that little planet of yours by 3160."

The Coreward Commonwealth is perhaps the wealthiest nation of the new era and, until the civil war, the largest. Its status as possessing some of the most well-established warp-lanes meant the Commonwealth was able to achieve a level of connection unseen over such a large area, rivalled only by the sheer diversity of worlds that make it up. No one world lords over all the others, for this is a nation of equals. Here, the masses attempt to make ends meet day by day as the wealthy play their own clandestine games, from the rugged deserts of Crosk to the towering cityscapes of windswept Stribog. All the excesses of humanity can be found here in all their glory, and some of the most cutting-edge technology of the new era as well, alongside piles of cheap imitators. The daring or the lucky can make it big here. You are not either of those.

Duchies of Moroz

"Goddess be saved"

The old Empire is gone, burned to ashes in the wake of the Tyrants' War. Over the course of the centuries since the Collapse, the Great Houses of the Empire have gone through many wars and religious revivals, distorting the faith of old into the Post-Tribunalism of the modern day. It is this faith's emphasis on biomodification as a means of salvation that has given them a society unlike many others, one quite off-putting to outsiders. Since recontact, they opt to show themselves as a unified entity, but few are fooled by this ruse as the Houses continue to point their guns at each other. Though the question of succession has been in dispute since the Collapse, rumours spread that one of the Houses has found themselves a truly worthy heir to the throne, just in time for the restoration of the homeworld.

Zaurghesian League

"In times past, our species' disunity has led to ruination again and again, and the descendants are forced to live in a more imperfect cosmos each time. Only when we are united can humanity survive this brave new universe."

It is often debated which worlds were able to recover the easiest, but none can deny the Zaurghesian League had an advantage when it came to interstellar travel. Originally a union of a few planetbound nations, the League sits at the nexus of a vast wormhole network, one they have used to its fullest extent. As they expanded outwards, they have made contact with other survivors. Those who are weaker by comparison are folded into the League and gradually fall in line with its culture. Some of these worlds, not particularly enthusiastic about being colonised by an outside power, are much more stubborn. The current flashpoint for these troubles is the frigid world of Arkhadra, where the original inhabitants are reeling from a violent invasion of their home and live under a government brutally trying to assert itself. Arkhadrans continue to plead for the rest of humanity to pay attention to their struggle, or they may become just like the other subjects of the ever-growing League.