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zebrabaker · 4 years

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Choosing Destiny; Part 1

TA-DA! I promised this to @sayuricorner like, two weeks ago, but it’s finally done! THis is a Twisted Wonderland/Ever After High crossover, and pretty salty. PLEASE COMMENT

Rook had been relaxing in a grove when he heard a rustling in the woods. His eyes snapped to the side when a branch snapped just beyond the tree line. Slowly, he stood, preparing to fight if necessary. Then, stumbling, no, limping, out of the woods, came a girl. Her skin was deathly pale, and her t-shirt and sleep pants were shredded in some places. Her left ankle was swollen and bruised, and she whimpered every time she put her weight on it. The girl’s eyes lit with hope and desperation when she saw him, and she froze, lifting her hands in the universal gesture of surrender.

“Please, I don’t know where I am, or what I’m doing here, or how I got here. I just need a doctor, I hurt my ankle at one point, running from a pack of wolves. I hid in a tree for a few hours, but I’m really lost and scared and I don’t know what to do.” Her voice was rising and her eyes starting to water.

“You can come here, Mademoiselle. I won’t hurt you. Come, there should be a doctor at the school.” He slowly walked towards her, keeping his hands up to show he was no threat. Still, the girl remained wary, her shoulders tense. He took her hand in his, and slipped an arm around her shoulder. She sagged into him, and he could feel how weak she was. Slowly, they made their way towards the main building. Almost halfway there, the girl let out a gentle yelp and collapsed, clinging tight to his arm in an attempt to stay upright. Thinking fast, he squatted and swept his free arm under her legs before standing. After taking a moment to adjust his hold on her, he continued up the path, moving slowly to not jostle the poor girl. How had she gotten lost in the woods? There wasn’t anything but trees for miles around.

They had just entered the main building when the girl spoke.

“My name is Raven. I really can’t thank you enough for helping me.” Her voice was lovely to hear, slightly raspy and sweet like a candy apple.

“There is no need to thank me, it’s what anyone would do. My name is Rook Hunt. We’re almost to the nurse’s office. How did you get lost in the woods? There’s nothing around for miles.” There were no students in the hallways, as it was technically time for classes. He had a free period, so he wouldn’t get in any trouble. Gently tapping his boots against the door to the nurse’s office, he waited for the school nurse, Nurse Isla, to open the door.

“Mister Rook? Who is this young lady?” The frail looking woman asked. She stepped back, making room for Rook to carry Raven over to a cot and set her down.

“My name is Raven, ma’am. I got lost in the woods. Where am I?” Isla and Rook shared a look. Everyone in Twisted Wonderland knew what NCR was.

“Well, you’re at Night Raven College, of course.” Raven’s brow furrowed.

“I have no idea where that is. Are we still in the White kingdom, or anywhere near Ever After High?” Something like realization dawned on Nurse Isla’s face.

“Mister Hunt, you need to go fetch the Headmaster.”

“What? Why? Is something wrong?” There was a note of panic in Raven’s voice.

“Nothing dangerous dear, now let’s see what we can do for that ankle of yours.” Rook waited no longer, and left for the head office.

X0X0X

Today had started well, considering that it was just three days since the disaster that was Legacy Day. Maddie was sick with some Wonderland virus, and had been in the school infirmary for a day and a half, leaving Raven alone. Most of the other Rebels had been supportive, but she wasn’t close with any of them. She had taken to hiding in the woods between classes, just to avoid the hateful words and glares of the Royals. Everything had gone wrong when she had tried practicing her magic. She centered herself, and slowly took deep breaths. She had just been trying a simple teleportation spell to take her back to her room when a twig snapped and she lost control. The next thing she knows, the woods look different, and she hears the baying of hungry wolves.

“Ah!” She snapped out of her remembrance when the nurse pressed on her ankle.

“Sorry, dear, but I need to check if anything is broken.” The nurse continued to poke and prod the throbbing area. After five minutes, the nurse spoke again. “Not broken, but seriously sprained. I’ll need you to drink a potion, and it should heal in a few minutes. For now, just stay here.” The nurse bustled away, rifling through a cabinet for a few moments. The door swung open, revealing a man in what looked like a plague mask. This must be the headmaster, she realized.

“Hello, young lady. I am Headmaster Crowley; might I know your name?”

“I’m Raven Queen, sir.” She greeted.

XOXOX

Crowley watched as the girl seemed to shrink as she introduced herself. Odd, she was a rather pretty girl, but she seemed scared to death of him.

“Queen? That’s a rather unusual last name.” Nurse Isla commented as she came back over, carrying a potion vial.

“It’s from my mother’s side.” Raven murmured, looking ashamed. “Next Evil Queen and all that…” Crowley sucked in a deep breath. Between her references to Ever After High and what she just said, this girl was a descendant of the Beautiful Queen, one of the seven founders.

“Drink up, Miss Queen.” Nurse Isla said, handing Raven a small vial. Raven wrinkled her nose and drank the potion like a shot, gagging on the foul taste. He winced in sympathy. Nurse Isla’s potions were terrible tasting, but they worked wonders.

“Miss Queen, if you would come with me, we can get you sorted out.” Raven nodded and swung her legs over the edge of the cot, testing her weight on her ankle as she slowly stood. With her arm wrapped around herself, the girl slowly padded after him down the hall. Classes were still in session, which was probably for the best, since Raven looked ready to jump out of her skin at the slightest hint of danger.

“Um, Sir, where am I? The nurse said something about a college?”

“This is Night Raven College; an elite boy’s school founded several hundred years ago by seven powerful people. I believe you are descended from one such person, the one we call the Beautiful Queen. However, I need to test this belief, before we decide what to do with you.”

“Really? But, why would you call her that? She was second fairest, that’s just…how the story always goes.” Raven asked, seeming to hesitate.

“Though Snow White was deemed fairer than the Queen, Snow’s beauty and kindness were a façade, hiding just as much vanity and cruelty as the so-called ‘Evil Queen’. Honestly, such a mean thing to call someone.” He sniffed. Miss Queen was looking at him like he was quite mad. They arrived at his office, and he pushed the door open, revealing the floating mirror. He heard Miss Queen suck in a deep breath.

“Is that…the first magic mirror? It went missing almost five hundred years ago!” She slowly walked forward, reaching out one hand towards the glowing mirror. Right before she set her hand against the gilded frame, the mirror lit up, making her recoil in shock.

“Who goes there?” It boomed, an eerily under-lit face appearing in the perfectly smooth glass. “You!” The face boomed. “You are of the blood of Queens! You are not to be here! Has the fool Grim truly let one slip from his grasp after so long?”

“If Headmaster Grimm knew where I was, he would have taken me back to Ever After High by now. He’s very strict on the whole ‘destiny-or-poof’ thing…” Raven seemed disgruntled. “So, what exactly is this place? Everyone keeps calling it a college, but what kind of college has the First Mirror?” Hmm. Miss Queen seemed to be rather bright.

“Well, simply put, Night Raven College is a prestigious boy’s high school for those with the potential to become a truly powerful magic user. We were founded almost five hundred years ago by seven powerful beings, each of whom has a house for their favored students. Your ancestor founded Pomefiore on her heavy efforts.” Crowley paused as an idea came to mind. “Say, Miss Queen, I have a most brilliant idea! Why do we not enroll you as a student?”

“What?” The girl spluttered. “I thought you said this was a boy��s school?”

“Only by tradition. There’s no official school rule or policy that says no girls can attend. Now, to begin, simply place your hand flat against the mirror. From there, the magic of the mirror will sort you into the proper house. I highly doubt you’ll be placed anywhere but Pomefiore, but formalities must be observed!”

X0X0X

Raven, feeling rather steamrolled, did as she was told, pressing her palm flat against the cool glass. She shuddered at the slight tingle that raced up her arm and down her spine from the overwhelming magic in the mirror. The image of a poison dipped apple appeared in the mirror, with the poison taking the shape of a skull.

“Just as I expected then! Now all you need is a uniform!”

“I can handle that aspect, my mother, despite being in the mirror prison, taught me whatever interested me magic wise. I wanted to be a fashion designer when I was a little girl…” Her voice trailed off, melancholy, as magic washed over her. “I can base it off the uniform I saw Rook in earlier.” Raven’s hair tumbled down her back, dark and smooth, missing the usual purple streaks, and reaching the small of her back. She wore a peasant collared, knee length black dress with sleeves reaching just beyond her elbows. Underneath were fishnet knee highs, and fingerless gloves of the same material. Around her waist was a lavender knot belt that matched the headband that materialized on her head, and the new shoes that appeared on her feet.

“Most impressive, Miss Queen!” Headmaster Crowley cheered. And it really was. In a swirl of lavender and lilac magic, her clothing had been completely transfigured from decidedly disheveled and torn pajamas to a fully functional, seemingly stable outfit.

“Ah, it’s nothing. I haven’t done it in a while, since I was maybe thirteen, I suppose. I just…lost interest.” She shrugged, seeming to shrink under his praise. There was a knock at the door, and Grim clapped his hands.

X0X0X

“Ah, there’s your new dorm-mate. Come in, Mister Felmier!” He called towards the door. It swung open to reveal a rather short boy with purple hair, who was almost as pale as she was.

“You called for me, headmaster?” The boy asked, seeming to be scared of his own shadow.

“Indeed! I’d like you to meet Miss Raven Queen! She’s just been sorted into Pomefiore, I was hoping you could show her to the dorms, as I have some business to deal with concerning her enrollment. Miss Queen, I leave you in capable hands!” And with that, the headmaster was gone.

#everafterhigh #ever after high salt #twisted wonderland crossover #salt #my writing

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antagonistchan · 3 years

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so, some basics on my Magical Girl story

in addition to being a Magical Girl story, it’s also. kinda an Isekai. but a kinda weird Isekai (i mean, Isekais aren’t usually also Magical Girl stories).

basically: one day, the entire population of Earth is transported into another reality. this reality’s kinda a sci-fi/fantasy deal. and when i say “sci-fi/fantasy”, i don’t just mean “really soft sci-fi with a spiritual edge” like Star Wars, i mean straight up “there are Elves and Dwarves and Orks and magic but also it’s in space and there’s hyper-advanced technology”.

anyways, there are also dragons. or at least, there were dragons. the dragons went extinct a long time ago. but also, they were really weird dragons. as in, the dragons in this setting were basically elder gods, just in dragon form. yeah, they were giant winged reptiles... but they were also a much higher form of existence that could comprehend so many more dimensions of reality than we can and warped reality just by their mere presence. and see, while the dragons are extinct.... death doesn’t really mean much to something on that level of existence. they’re all still aware, and all still have some level of ability to affect their surroundings. but the vast majority are content to just lie in their graves and not bother with the rest of the world.

but some aren’t.

one of the really notable ones is known as Skull. Skull might be dead, but he wants to continue living his life. and even in life, Skull was one of the more noble dragons, one of the dragons most willing to defend the “lesser” races like humans and elves and orks.

Skull is... also one of the more macabre parts of this story. he’s not particularly dark, just macabre, but come on, he’s basically a zombie elder god. he’s macabre by default.

anyways, his body, even as just a skeleton, still has lots of power. so he used that power to construct a starship around it. this starship is still vaguely dragon-shaped, and he has full control over it, so it’s kinda like just being a robot dragon. except now he’s kinda frozen solid and people can go inside him (and he’s really big, it’s practically like a city in there). but that’s just most of his body. he did set aside a few of his bones for another purpose.

the Magical Girls. we’re finally getting to that part.

he split up those bones into a bunch of small (like, about the size of a marble) pieces, and then built devices around and powered by them called Magites.

the normal inhabitants of this reality couldn’t really use them, so initially, he made a group of six genetically engineered people specifically designed to use the Magites. and they were.... kinda a success. but not quite. but he was also aware of the existence of other realities, and realized that our reality was A: perfect for his plans, as most of us were compatible with the Magites, and B: on the brink of collapse anyways. so he rescued the entire population of Earth.

and then, whenever an Earthling proved worthy, they’d receive a Magite.

and Magites are just Magical Girl transformation devices. like Intelligent Devices from Nanoha, or Relics from Symphogear, or the Moon Pen or whatever it’s called from Sailor Moon. their purpose is to transform the user into a state where they can draw from Skull’s power. and this state happens to wear frilly dresses.

our main cast is a group of five girls (initially just three) who are particularly close to Skull. like, Skull kinda considers them his personal strike force. the initial three are:

Stella Greenfield, who came to Skull’s attention before even becoming a Magical Girl for her keen analytical mind and the rapid pace at which she learned about this reality’s robotics tech (like, she’d only been here for a month before she was able to program a fully conscious and emotional AI, Eve, who she considers her assistant and daughter). she’s actually the last of the five (not even of the three, of all five) to become a Magical Girl, supporting the team from the sidelines at first with her robots and tactical advice. when she does become a Magical Girl, she uses strong gauntlets to punch good and special gear that lets her deploy robots more easily.

Madison (no last name), who was actually one of those initial six lab-grown Magite users, also making her one of the few non-human Magical Girls (she’s an Elf instead). she was just kinda pushed onto the group, and was initially the only actual Magical Girl of them, so the group was initially just kinda “Madison and her handlers”. she’s timid and skittish, but in a pinch she’s fiercely protective of anyone she considers family or anyone she sees as weaker than her. in Magical Girl form, she uses guns (particularly a sniper rifle) and stealth (particularly the ability to turn straight-up invisible).

Kyouko Tenjou, who initially just kinda tagged along with Stella out of coincidence but then was the second one to become a Magical Girl. she’s harsh and abrasive, and ultimately has serious self-confidence issues stemming from her internalized transphobia (because she’s trans), but she has a heart of gold deep down and she generally tries to be a good role model for Madison in particular. she’s also Stella’s love interest. as a Magical Girl, she uses swords and psychic powers. stuff like telepathy, limited precognition, pyrokinesis...

and then after a few adventures of Stella supporting Madison and later Kyouko from the sidelines, she actually gets separated from them for a period of time, during which she meets the remaining two, who aren’t initially Magical Girls but do become them soon enough, and the three agree to stick together for the time while they try to get back to society. these two are:

Venus Bhatia, a violent and boisterous delinquent who’s ultimately actually second only to Madison in terms of friendliness. sure she’s violent, but if you haven’t offended her, she’ll be friendly (though her brand of friendliness is a bit intense to some people). she’s also a bit theatrical. when she transform, her whole vibe changes. her personality stays exactly the same, sure, but it fits both vibes, and her appearance changing is what brings about the change in vibes. in Magical Girl form, she comes off as more of a Female Prince-type like Kaoru Seta. also, she uses explosives. it’s very weird and specific compared to fists, swords, and guns, but it’s still got a practical offensive use. which is why it’s good that she was the first of the two to become a Magical Girl, because the second is...

Luna Flowers, a smug memelord and actual trained doctor who’s also got a slightly-hidden bitter and misanthropic side. and by slightly-hidden, i mean she tries to keep it under wraps and is generally just the smug memelord, but it really doesn’t take much poking to break down those walls and get her to express her true feelings. she’s also an amputee; as a kid, she got into a horrible car accident and her right arm had to be amputated at the shoulder. so, she has a robotic right arm. and as a trained doctor? it’s fitting that in Magical Girl form, she’s the team healer. in her Magical Girl form, the main event is her robot arm, which suddenly has a bunch of support tech built into it. healing rays, buffing rays, diagnostic equipment, and even a forcefield generator.

anyways, after palling around with Venus and Luna for a bit and the two of them become Magical Girls, Stella is reunited with Kyouko and Madison, and Venus and Luna decide to stick around. and after that, Stella finally becomes a Magical Girl herself.

#antagonist originals #oc posting

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maskydoo · 5 years

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Gas Gas Gas

Way back when I was a wee little private in basic training, I had a few gripes. Ok. A lot of gripes.

Griping is just what soldiers do – it’s our favorite pastime. What else are we going to do, actually read the Army manuals? What for?

To learn the words the Army Song? Pssh! Like I’ll ever need to know that!

Training is hard. It’s supposed to be. So embrace the suck. If it was easy, everyone could do it.

It wasn’t all bad. I genuinely had a lot of good times in the army, even in basic training. Sometimes the training was fun, and found things I was surprisingly good at.

I knew it would be hard, but I was young and invincible and I could do anything.

So I was ready for the shouting, the challenges, the pushups – all that. Bring it on.

But the gas. The gas.

The recruiters never said anything about tear gas.

Just forgot to mention that one, did you SSG Nett. Left that one out of the recruitment brochure. Join the Army, set your lungs on fire.

The gas was the absolute worst experience, in basic, in the Army, and probably in my entire life.

Not so tough anymore when the gas hits.

I don’t care what a big, strong, stoic soldier you are. Doesn’t matter. You’re gunna cry, GI Joe.

Zero out of ten. Would not breathe CS gas again.

CS gas, that’s … this.

(text: orto-chlorobenzylidene-malononitrile / 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile )

The drill sergeants never called it by these names. They always just called it CS. Probably they assumed we wouldn’t be able to pronounce these words. Well HA! Jokes on them. I’ve been practicing, and-

They’re right.

CS gas is a riot control agent. A tear gas. And, according to the internet, it’s really an aerosolized powder.

The more you know.

Imma keep calling gas anyway.

If you’ve never been exposed to tear gas, maybe you think all it does is irritate people’s eyes a bit and make them cry, like someone managed to weaponize the feeling of chopping onions.

I mean yeah, the gas will do that, but it’s so, so much worse.

Day whatever of basic,

I don’t know, it all blurs together,

Aint like I kept a diary like some kind of pioneer on the Oregon trail, days away from dying of dysentery.

The drill sergeants issued us all these enormous green pouches. Inside, some ancient gas masks that look like they’re in even worse shape than my rifle, which by the way was held together with wire where a takedown pin should have been.

The upper and lower receivers were not on speaking terms. Rattled like a… well, a rattle.

And like my rifle, we were taught to take masks apart and put them back together. Some are missing pieces.

Like my rifle.

Drill Sergeant: “GAS! GAS! GAS!”

This is the command to put you mask on.

Drill Sergeant: “Gas! Gas! Gas!”

Pretty straight forward as far as commands go. Nothing left to interpretation there.

Also, there’s gesture signal. Shoulder touching. Like this. Looks goofy.

We drilled putting on those masks quick, because when their air is poison, you’d better be fast or you’re going to have a bad time.

Speaking of bad times, next we ran laps. You do a lot of running in basic, and it’s death. I hate running even on a good day. I can do pushups all day long, but cardio can pound sand. Running laps with a facehugger doesn’t improve the experience.

The purpose of this is to prove that yes, you can in fact breathe in these things, so just quit whinging and do it, Drill Sergeants have no time for your claustrophobia nonsense.

That wasn’t a problem for me. The heat was. Running laps in Missouri, in the summer heat, with my face covered material designed specifically NOT to let air flow.

Well the good news is you don’t have worry about breathing poison if you can drown yourself in your own sweat first.

All of this was in preparation for the gas chamber.

The gas chamber was a tiny one-room building full of that nasty CS gas that we would all have to spend some time in, as a required part of training in the US military. Why?

To instill confidence in your equipment to protect you, we’re told.

Yeah… about that…

(gas mask falls apart)

We get marched into the woods, to this run down looking shack, where we would get locked in.

This sounds like a setup for a horror movie.

The room is already filled with gas. They make sure it’s nice and thick before they send us in. When we were lined up outside, masks on, I could already smell pepper. Trying to clear my mask was not working.

Not feeling super confident in my equipment right now.

So we file in, and to prove to us that our masks can protect us from the gas, what do they do?

They have us take our masks off. Immediately.

What?! How are our masks supposed to protect us if we just take them off as soon as we’re inside? I don’t know. Training people to remove their masks and just stand around when exposed to gas doesn’t seem like a great idea…

You can’t hold it forever, eventually, you have to breathe. And holy heck that is some SPICY air!

I’ve been told that CS gas works by reacting to your mucous membranes, which I basically just took this to mean anything moist will burn.

This is when I became literally painfully aware of what it means to be a lifeform made mostly of water. I regretted every drop.

Just a scratching in your throat at first, makes you cough. Then it burns. Your throat. Your nostrils. Your eyes.

Now you’re crying. Not so tough now, are ya? The tears fall and the trail burns down your face.

All your exposed skin burns more as you sweat – and if you weren’t sweating before, you are now.

Your mouth burns. Down your lungs. It even reaches your stomach. You realize a lot more of your body was exposed to the outside environment than you’re comfortable thinking of that way. And it’s all on fire.

You hack, you cough, you gasp, you cry, you snot, you drool, you puke. You’re not pretty.

Did you know CS gas use in war is prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention? We literally wouldn’t use this stuff on our enemies.

The trick to making the gas chamber not so bad is to remain calm, but that’s difficult to do when you feel like you’re actually melting.

Your bodys like WTF?! Alert! Alert!

Your sympathetic nervous system kicks in – you freak out. Your heart races, your breathing quickens – or tries to, and you sweat more, all of it makes the reaction so much worse.

30 seconds in, I thought I was gunna die. A minute in, I wished I would.

I think we were there for at least five. It could have been ten. Felt like an eternity. Like a preview of hell.

We weren’t allowed to leave or put our masks back on. So there we are, just choking and coughing for as long as it amused the drill sergeant.

And he was in no hurry. He was in full MOP gear, and presumably his mask was one that actually worked.

The Drill Sergeant is completely indifferent to everyone’s suffering. He walked up and down the line holding a plate to shove at everyone, like a pusher church user with a collection plate. But you couldn’t pay this guy not to waft some fresh-ly made, concentrated CS directly at your face.

But we’re not left to our misery, no. The Drill Sergeant has tasks for us.

He was doing everything he could to make the reaction as bad as possible. He wanted us breathing hard, getting our heart rates up, and sweating. And Drill Sergeants know just how to do that.

Pushups, cardio, shouting. All things the Army loves. All things that require breathing.

But the worst was yet to come.

Y’all, I made a huge mistake not reading the entire Army manual. The task we had to complete, without making a mistake, in order to escape this horrible room was to scream-sing the Army Song.

I didn’t know the words. No one knew the full song. At most, a few of us knew some parts of it – but no one bothered to memorize the whole thing. And the Drill Sergenat was not about to help us at all.

It took us all soooo many agonizing tries to get it right. But enough of us knew enough bits and pieces to eventually piece it all together, after many, many tries.

All: “First to fight for the right… (trails off)

One Private: “And to build the nation’s might!”

Drill Sergeant: “Start again!”

All (wheeze) “March along sing our song *cough cough*

Drill Sergeant: “Louder! Start over!”

All: (Anguished wail)

This singing portion went on for a long time, and not because it was music to anyone’s ears. The patriotic tune as covered by the wails of the damned wasn’t going to make top 40, but there’s no accounting for schadenfreude for the drill sergeant. He seemed entertained.

And… as much as I hated his guts in that moment…. I get it. I totally get it.

If there was a version of American Idol, like, insane edition, where contestants had to sing their hearts out while Simon Cowell pepper sprayed them in the face…

I’d watch that.

I did not know the Army Song going in, but I sure as heck knew it by heart by the time we left.

It turns out you can learn pretty fast when it feels like your life depends on it. Still, doubt, gas chambers will catch on as a study aid.

Teacher: “What’s the quadratic equation?”

Students: “

Side note: The Army Song doesn’t hold a candle to the Marine Corps Song. Yeah, I’m a traitor and I don’t care. Don’t at me.

So remind me again, what was supposed to be the purpose this training? Between all this singing, exercising, and not mask wearing, I forgot.

“To instill confidence in our equipment.” You know, the equipment we were not using in the one exact situation it was designed for. What does screaming the Army Song and working out in a gas chamber, puking my lungs out, demonstrate about a mask that we are not even wearing?

----

(Cut to an airplane)

Skydiving instructor: “Alright everyone, I want you all to feel confident in your equipment to protect you. So today you’re all jumping… without your parachutes.”

Jumper: Uh… it’s Ok, I trust the parachute.

Skydiving instructor: (Tosses someone) “Out you go.”

I think the methodology of this experiment is flawed, the test doesn’t do anything to support your conclusion.

I think the real reason they didn’t let us wear the masks at all was just keep us from realizing these old things have been used for every basic training company to come through probably since Nam and really don’t work.

I’m sure the newer ones fielded to the real army work just fine, but no one is shelling out that kind of dough for a bunch of newbie kids in basic. We just get the hand-me-downs..

We take them off so we don’t get the change to lose confidence in our gear.

That, or it’s just plain hazing.

Probably both.

Finally it was time to leave. We were half blind but could see daylight enough to rush for it. And if we’re not careful, rush right into a drill sergeant waiting in ambush, just standing there evidently in hopes of a collision as an excuse to shout at us some more.

In other places, I’m told this drill sergeant is a replaced by a sturdy pole, there for no other reason than to be in the way.

By the time we finally leave, we’re a mess. We’re crying, we’ve got drool and snot hanging down our faces all the way to the ground, which we’re not allowed to wipe away. We have to keep our heads down while flapping our arms to air out our uniforms, while hacking and coughing and puking all the way out.

We looked like ostriches with a plague.

And you’ll get to have that look remembered forever. There was a sneaky photographer dude I’d sometimes see following the company around, taking shots for the class yearbook and… I guess Army publicity.

He won’t get that sweet action shot of you scaling a wall, or crawling under some razor wire on the night assault course, or when you stab a dummy right in the chest with your bayonette, looking like a total bad one.

But he’ll totally make sure to capture your ugly-crying gross booger face for your siblings to laugh at when your family buy your class yearbook on graduation you’re your grandma will frame the photo and hang it on the wall, telling proudly telling everyone in her book club “that’s my granddaughter.”

And your teachers will use it to threaten their students with “This is the face of someone who didn’t complete their homework on time. This could be you if you don’t get your grades up. Get a scholarship or you’re joining the military.”

Ah yes, this is the face I want to show the world. That dangling snot rope really brings out the agony in my eyes. Gunna put that right on my Tinder profile. Yep.

(If you can’t handle me at my worst, you don’t deserve me at my best.)

Wikipedia suggests several methods for treating victims of CS gas exposure. Our post exposure treatment was - nothing.

Yeah. We got nothing. Just sat around in a field and waited for the effects to wear off and for life to suck slightly less.

And that’s the funny thing about it. Just a short while before, I was having probably the worst 5 minutes of my life up that point, but as soon as it was done, it was done. I felt fine.

Actually, I felt a little better than I did that morning, and not just out of a new appreciation for fresh air.

Stick 60 people from all over the country in one sleeping bay, in an environment where no matter how hard you try hygiene is never great, and then there’s that donkeyface who stands behind me in formation coughing directly at the back of my head, and sicknesses tend to get around.

Me: “Cough in my hair one more time, and I will jam this patrol cap right down your throat to feed back you your own germs.“

I don’t think many people make it through the first weeks of basic without catching some kind of bug.

One lady in our platoon even managed to catch a staph infection, like, the first week. I dunno how. Eventually, she got sent home, and I got to take her rifle, which wasn’t much better than my original one, but at least was not held together by a bit of bent wire.

Anyway, if there’s anything good that can be said for CS, it really works wonders to clear the sinuses. I was breathing better after the gas chamber than before I went in. Everything that was stuffing me up was gone.

Gotta find that silver lining somewhere.

And in this case it’s a snot lining, and you’ll find it coating the gas chamber floor.

Me: (reading my own script.) “Ew.”

-Infomercial-

Sinus congestion got you feeling down? Don’t have time to wait around for normal medicine to kick in?

Not to worry, the US Military has the solution for you! Formally declare war on enemy boogies with CS gas! 9 out of 10 riot control teams agree, CS is the number 1 choice to make all your troubles panic and scatter in terror. Just pop one CS gas capsule and it works instantly, scientifically proven to make the sniffles the least of your problems.

Mission accomplished!”

Side-effects include:

Burning sensation in eyes, skin, mouth, and internal organs, coughing, wheezing, watery eyes, difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking, sweating, thoughts of revenge against your recruiter, elevated heartrate, snot rockets, drooling absolutely everywhere, vomiting, making this face, secondary gassing of yourself and others later when puff of CS come off your clothing, pain – like - lots of it, and regret.

Harness the power of chemical weapons today! Ask your doctor is CS gas is right for you and your entire neighborhood!

Not approved by the Geneva conventions.

#maskydoo #storytime #script #feedback welcome #army

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jasonosims34 · 4 years

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Best Gun Safe for Top Home Protection: In-Depth 2020 Buyers Guide and Product Recommendations

Gun safes are used to protect your firearms from theft, and to keep them out of the wrong hands. But how can you ensure you buy the best gun safe, one with a high security rating and a model that can provide the type of protection you need? Gun safes are available in a variety of styles, makes and models, which can make choosing the right model for you based on the type of firearms you have and the number guns you own, a real challenge. But if you know what to look for in terms of the gauge of steel the safe’s made out of, door design, lock options, and even weld quality, then finding the perfect model, one that works for you and your budget, will be a cinch.

I’ve created an in-depth buyer’s guide that will discuss all of the important features you need to look for in your next gun safe, what makes a safe secure, and the features that indicate quality and security. I’ve also included product recommendations for safes that earned a high user rating, so you can get a closer look at which models are currently crushing the market and why. Below, you’ll find a comparison chart that lists each of the products in my must-have list, in addition to important information regarding what features they have to offer and how they rated.

Gun Safe Comparison Chart

ProductLock StyleThicknessGun/Rifle CapacityRatingSteelwater Gun Safe Shop On Amazon!Electronic14 Gauge16Golval Rifle Safe Shop On Amazon!Electronic14 Gauge8Steelwater Gun Safe Shop On Amazon!Electronic12 Gauge22Kodiak Gun Safe Shop On Amazon! Electronic14 Gauge30Jolitac Smart Gun Safe Shop On Amazon! Biometric14 Gauge4Moutec Rifle Safe Shop On Amazon!Electronic14 Gauge5

Steelwater Gun Safes Standard Duty AMEGS592818 Gun Safe

Our Rating: (5/5)

This model is one of Steelwater’s best sellers for a number of reasons. It comes with an upgraded one-hour fireproof rating, locking bolts that measure in at one and a half inches, interior LED lighting, and EMP proof electronic lock system, complete with a double bypass key. The key will ensure you are still able to enter your safe, in the event you forget to change the battery or can’t remember the combination. In terms of capacity, this model can hold up to twenty long guns. The safe itself weighs in at three hundred and seventy-three pounds and features adjustable shelves and a carpeted interior.

Pros

Heat-activated expandable door seal

Interior LED lighting

Electronic lock

Master key

Cons

Shelves can be difficult to adjust

Conclusion

Built tough, this model is made out of fourteen gauge steel and features a door that’s five inches thick and made with two layers of fireboard. It also comes with a one-hour fireproof rating, which is the standard for most models in this price range. The included organizer and LED lighting is a huge plus for the buyer who wants to keep all of their guns, accessories, and valuables well-organized.

Shop Now On Amazon!

Golval RF4236 Large Quick Access Biometric Rifle Safe

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This safe features advanced biometric fingerprint technology and is able to store up to one hundred fingerprints. It also comes complete with a five-point deadbolt system, mounting holes that you can use to anchor the safe to the floor or wall, and two back up keys. The mounting hardware is included, as is the four AA batteries and one accessory shelf that’s adjustable. This model is fairly small and can only store up to eight rifles, so it’s not recommended for the serious collector or anyone who plans on expanding their rifle collection in the future.

Pros

Five-point deadbolt

Adjustable shelf

Lock can store up to one hundred fingerprints

Can be mounted to the wall or floor

Cons

Can only hold up to eight rifles

Conclusion

This model will be perfect for the moderate collector in need of a durable safe that can store several fingerprints, allowing users to easily access the safe, no combination needed. The safe does have a low capacity, which is why I don’t recommend it for a serious collector who plans on continuing to add to their collection.

Shop Now On Amazon!

Steelwater Heavy Duty AMLD593024-EMP Gun Safe

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This is another popular model by Steelwater that landed on my list, and it’s earned quite the reputation for its durable design, innovative features, and better than average capacity, and all for a price that’s affordable.

This model comes equipped with an E.M.P. proof digital keypad and a double-bitted bypass key. The interior features automatic LED lighting, which will make it easier for the user to quickly access the gun or rifle they’re looking for. The safe is designed to handle sixty minutes of fire exposure, which is common with higher-priced models. Also included are two USB ports, and an upgraded steel locking bolt system. This model is made out of twelve gauge steel, which further adds to the safe’s durability. The included twenty solid steel locking bolts are designed to last twenty-five percent longer and feature a more durable design compared to bolt systems produced by Steelwater in the past.

Pros

LED interior lighting

Two USB ports

Twelve gauge steel

M.P. proof digital keypad

Cons

Interior lighting does not consistently turn on whenever the door is opened

Conclusion

The twelve-gauge steel construction and twenty-two gun capacity makes this model a great choice for the serious collector. The upgraded bolting system and door that measures in at a little over five inches thick shows me that this is a manufacturer that goes above and beyond to design a safe that does exactly what it’s meant to and that’s keep your guns, rifles, and valuables, well-protected from would-be thieves.

Shop Now On Amazon!

Kodiak KB19ECX Gun Safe by Rhino Metals

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This safe can hold up to four handguns and thirty long guns. The included door organizer will allow you to keep all of your accessories in their place, making them easily accessible. The safe weighs in at three hundred and fifty pounds and has a thirty-minute fire rating at fourteen hundred degrees. This is a lower than average rating. Competing models will typically have a rating of one hour. This can be a big drawback for some potential buyers. Yet it does come with an expandable seal around the door, which will activate in a fire and seal up around the door in order to protect your guns and valuables from water and smoke damage. The two-millimeter thick steel composite door is also thinner than what you’ll find on competing models.

Pros

Heat-activated door seal

Adjustable shelves

Organizer

Electronic keypad

Cons

Low heat rating

Thin door

Conclusion

This model is a great buy for the gun owner on a budget in need of a model with a high storage capacity, solid construction, and electronic keypad. The short fire protection rating is going to be a drawback for some buyers, however, the expandable heat-activated seal is definitely a plus and one that can help to protect your valuables and gun collection from damage in the event of a fire. Well-built, heavy, and durable, this is one safe the gun owner on a budget doesn’t want to pass up.

Shop Now On Amazon!

Jolitac Smart Quick Gun Safe

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This is a biometric fingerprint access safe, which allows you to store up to thirty-two fingerprints. Accessing a safe using this method is fast and easy, and you won’t have to worry about forgetting the combination. The safe is made out of durable carbon steel and features anti-rust insulation coating that prevents corrosion and scratches. The motorized deadbolt locking system is designed to resist assaults from power or hand tools. The recessed door makes it essentially pry-proof and comes with a dual alarm system. If a user is not able to enter the safe after five attempts, or the sensors detect violent vibration, an alarm will activate.

Pros

Stores up to thirty-two fingerprints

Recessed door

Motorized deadbolt locking system

Dual alarm

Cons

Low storage capacity

Conclusion

This model comes with a couple of emergency keys, a foam-padded interior, anchor bolts that allow you to securely anchor this model onto a wall or the floor, and a top of the line biometric fingerprint system that allows you to easily access your safe, without the hassle that comes with a dial lock system. This model is a great buy for the beginner gun collector and those who need a safe they can use to store their valuables.

Shop Now On Amazon!

Moutec Large Electronic Rifle Safe

Our Rating: (4/5)

This is a large deep rife safe that can hold up to five rifles and some accessories. The safe is pry-proof and tamper-resistant and comes with an electronic keypad and a master key that you can use in the event you forget to change the battery or can’t remember the combination. The pre-punched anchor holes will allow you to secure the safe to the floor or a wall, making it impossible for a thief to take off with it.

Pros

Electronic keypad

Pry-proof design

Comes with one master key

Tamper-resistant

Cons

Low rifle capacity

Conclusion

This is another great buy for the gun owner on a budget. It comes with some great basic features and allows you to easily program and set up this safe in a matter of minutes. The durable design combined with a free secure lockbox makes this a great choice if you’re looking for a low capacity gun safe and one that allows you to secure and protect your other valuables such as cash, jewelry, and documents.

Shop Now On Amazon!

Gun Safe Buyer’s Guide

If you own firearms, then purchasing the best quality safe possible will be crucial. There are so many models, styles, and types of safes to choose from, that finding one that offers top of the line protection, and quality, can seem like a real challenge, especially if you’re on a budget. But it is possible to find an affordable model that comes loaded with all the features you need, a durable construction, and high-quality steel. If you’ve never purchased a safe before, then this guide will walk you through the different features you should look for, what to look for that can indicate the quality of the safe, and plenty of information that will teach you the dos and don’ts of buying a gun safe and gun safe use.

Before you get started shopping around, start by taking some inventory and list all of the guns you own. This will give you a better idea of the size of safe you need. After you’ve listed all your guns, then you can include accessories, such as bi-pods, grips, rings, scopes, and anything else you want to store in the safe including spare magazines. Some people prefer to use these safes to also store important valuables, cash, and jewelry, in which case you may want to look for a safe that comes with drawers.

Benefits of Owning a Gun Safe

If you own guns, then yes. There are many reasons why you should consider buying one. The most obvious is child safety. If you have children in the home, then a safe will prevent them from accessing your guns. Some states actually require this by law. But even if you live in a state that doesn’t, owning a safe can prevent a serious injury or even death.

Without a safe there aren’t really many good places to hide a gun. Not locking up your gun can also put you at risk in the event that an intruder breaks into your home, finds your gun, and uses it against you.

Before you decide to purchase a gun, make sure you check with your state laws to see if owning a gun safe is a requirement. Some states, such as California, will have specific laws concerning gun safes, so it’s important that you follow them.

Guns and their accessories are expensive and the serious collector will spend a fortune purchasing new guns each year. Because of this, it’s important to buy a safe since it can protect your investment.

Most insurance companies will give you a deep discount on your insurance if you lock up your guns. Speak with your insurance company in order to learn what type of discount they offer. Any saved money can go toward purchasing a new gun, accessories, and ammunition.

You’re not always in control of what happens at home. You may fall victim to a fire, flood, or worse. Storing your guns in your safe can protect them against water damage, smoke damage, and from fire.

A safe will also allow you to keep your gun collection, accessories, and ammunition organized and readily accessible, which can be crucial, in the event of a break-in.

Other Features to Look for

One of the most important decisions you’ll make when you shop for this type of product is the size. Most manufacturers will list how many guns each model is able to store. But these claims aren’t always accurate. In fact, many will advertise a larger gun capacity, but in reality, these safes can only hold a fraction of the guns that the manufacturer claims they can.

Even if the model you end up with is able to hold all of your guns easily, the fact that you’ve filled it up already means that you won’t be able to use it to store any new guns you decide to purchase later down the road. If you want a model that can hold the number of guns and accessories you currently own, with room to spare so you can purchase more later down the line, the buy a model that’s rated to hold twice the number you currently own.

When you’re comparing models, make sure you look at the interior size dimensions. Most manufacturers will only list the external dimensions, which will not help you determine whether or not the safe has the capacity you need.

Weight

If you want to compare safe quality, then pay attention to what each model weighs. Obviously, a heavier model will be harder to break into. If you notice two models that are priced similarly but both have very different weights, take a closer look at the specs. Instead of a more durable model, you’re probably paying for cosmetic features such as a fancy interior and chrome plating. If you come across models and the prices are different for two very similar sizes, then check the weight. You want to pay more for more steel, not an enamel paint job. While a heavier gun safe can provide more protection, they can also be a real hassle if you have to move, which is definitely something you’ll want to consider before you buy.

Steel Thickness

The most expensive part of a safe is the steel and it’s often the first area the manufacturer skimps on. It’s important that the model you choose has a substantial thickness for both the walls and the door. A model with a thinner steel design will be much easier to crack into. Never purchase a new model without first learning about the thickness of the steel used.

Manufacturers will try to trick you into thinking you’re getting a thicker safe than you really are. Instead of the steel thickness, they’ll list the total door thickness. Many models will come equipped with a heavy, thick looking door. Unfortunately, many of these doors will have only a small portion of real steel, while the rest of it is made out of sheetrock that’s been wrapped in a thin sheet of steel. So, while the manufacturer may advertise a particular model as having a door that’s around five inches thick, this doesn’t indicate that five inches of steel have been used. This will often include the bolt workspace, drywall, some steel, and the dial. Basically, the door thickness spec will tell you absolutely nothing about how thick the steel really is.

Wall Thickness

While a model that’s advertised as having walls that are four inches thick may sound durable, the outer shell of the safe is made out of fourteen gauge steel, complete with drywall. Unfortunately, drywall is nowhere near as strong as steel.

Combined Thickness

On top of the line gun safes, you’ll come across the phrase combined steel thickness. This usually involves two sheets of steel with drywall sandwiched between them. The drywall doesn’t provide much structural support for the steel. In reality, the addition of the drywall will just make it much easier for someone to break into it. Look for a model that has a combined thickness using ten gauge steel, which is significantly thicker than fourteen gauge.

The walls and the top and bottom of a safe are the thinnest areas, which makes them the easiest to cut through. Because of this, you’ll only want to stick with models that are made out of ten gauge steel. In some cases, you’ll find lower-priced models that use twelve-gauge steel. This thickness and durability are enough to keep out an amateur, but a seasoned thief will know how to cut right through it.

Welds

Joints that are welded properly are much stronger compared to base metals. With low priced models you’ll find skip welds, which are welds that are not connected. This leaves the joints much weaker. Next, a type of filler made out of plastic is used between the skip welds in order to make the joints look continuous. Unfortunately, if that’s not bad enough, this plastic filler is usually flammable. On a safe, the outer seams are considered the most vulnerable and can open up in the event of a fire.

MIG Welds

A good safe should feature joints that are MIG welded. This welding technique comes with an additional step, requiring the welder to cut off the burned tip of feeder wire at the beginning of each new weld.

In many cases, lower-priced safes will have outside welds that are done only for cosmetic purposes. Some companies will grind down the corners in order to make the model look more appealing. Some of the joints may be polished and ground after they have been welded. However, when the metal is very thin, these extra steps can make the welds weaker.

Because the market for safes is so competitive, there are many manufacturers that try to save money and time every step of the way.

Weld Penetration

One of the ways they cut corners involves the penetration of a weld. Cold welds with less penetration will allow for longer, faster welds before the metal deforms. This results in saving plenty of time when it comes to stopping or starting a weld. But this also has a negative impact on the strength of a weld, making them vulnerable to failure if someone decides to take a hammer to it.

Because welding is expensive and time-consuming, many manufacturers use metal bending in order to eliminate joints. The body of a safe will have a single piece of metal wrapped around it with no vertical seams. Eliminating long vertical welds is definitely a great idea, especially for buyers who don’t have much faith in a safe’s welding quality.

Bottom line, a good weld on a safe should be full penetration and continuous. Joints that are robotic welded are preferred, as is minimized seams.

Anchor Hole

A safe isn’t going to help prevent theft if it’s not bolted down, which is why most models will come equipped with bolt holes. These holes are found on the base, on the outer corners, which will make it very difficult for someone to use a crowbar to get enough leverage under the safe. Some manufacturers will place these holes in the middle of the base, which is a huge no. These holes should be reinforced in order to make it even more challenging to remove the bolts. However, if the bolt is fastened to thin steel, it’s not going to help much. A safe that’s got some serious height on it will give someone more leverage when applying force to the bolts.

Frame and Plate Door

The frame is one of the weakest points, as is the door. A plate door will come equipped with a solid sheet of steel, with an outer door made out of composite material. When you’re checking out a new safe, make sure you pay close attention to the door jamb. Pay extra attention to the lip that the bolt will be secured behind. Look for any extra gussets or supports, which will improve the strength of the frame. Some models may have large door gaps, which can make them more vulnerable to a break in since this gives a thief plenty of room to use a pry bar. Top of the line models will have door gaps that are so thin you won’t be able to slide a piece of paper between the door jamb and outer plate.

A door that’s more recessed will be much harder to break into using a crowbar. This refers to the distance from the lip that the door closes against, to the front face of the door jamb. If you want a model that’s incredibly difficult to break into, then look for the smallest gap possible. This is why most gun owners prefer using a recessed door.

Hinges

Despite popular belief, the hinges on a safe’s door don’t have much to do with safe security. Any model you’re thinking of buying should have a welded tongue or locking bolts placed on the hinge side of the door. The bolts should be fixed since all they do is keep the door closed on the hinge side. Avoid a model that doesn’t come with bolts located on the hinge side.

Internal Hinges

A gun safe that has internal hinges will usually have part of the fire lining cut out, in order for the hinges to fit correctly once the door is closed. With lower-priced models, if you shut the door too hard you can risk bending the door jam or damaging the hinges. If this happens, you’ll need to purchase a new safe since internal hinges cannot be adjusted or replaced.

Most commercial safes will have external hinges because they allow the door to open wider, which will make it easier to store or remove guns. These hinges can also be repaired and can be adjusted in the event the door comes out of alignment. If you’re moving a safe, these hinges can be removed in order to get rid of some weight and make it easier to transport the safe. Additionally, an amateur thief will not want to deal with cutting off the hinges, only to realize that the door still can’t be opened. Because of this, I recommend purchasing a model that’s equipped with external hinges.

Door Seals

Low priced models will not come with any type of door sealing. A seal will help the desiccant or dehumidifier inside the safe to keep moisture off the guns. A door seal is necessary in the event of a fire since it can protect your guns by keeping water, hot gasses, fire and smoke out. Keep in mind that a fire can burn at around six hundred degrees in a matter of minutes. If the safe you purchase doesn’t have a seal or it has a weak one, then you’re putting your guns at risk of serious fire and smoke damage.

If the safe you buy doesn’t come with any type of fire protection, then it should come equipped with an intumescent door seal. These seals are designed to expand to seven times the size when it reaches a certain temperature. When the seal expands, it protects your guns from water, hot gasses, and smoke.

Combinations

If you have children in the home, then the number of possible combinations each model offers will also be important. Most dial combination locks will come in three or four wheel styles, which have three to four-digit combinations. Each of the wheels on a three-digit dial lock is marked from zero to ninety-nine, so there are countless combinations to choose from. Yet, there is a mechanical tolerance to these numbers, unlike with an electronic keypad lock. Because of the dial’s construction, these combination locks usually have dead zones. In some cases, the number of combinations can be restricted from zero to ninety, instead of up to ninety-nine. This is done in order to prevent any issues with the lock. A dead zone will reduce the number of combinations possible.

With an electronic lock, there are no mechanical tolerances. The fact that it’s much easier and faster to enter a code using this type of lock can be a security issue, which is why most of these models will use a wrong code penalty lockout feature. This feature is designed to prevent someone from using several random codes in order to crack the safe. Without this important feature, a person could try over a hundred combinations.

Push-Button Combination Locks

Many push-button locks have around one to two thousand combinations since each of the buttons can only be used once. With one thousand combinations possible, if someone spends half an hour once a day for a period of two weeks, they would have a fifty percent chance of cracking the safe. Some of these locks do come with an advantage, allowing the user to program the code by pushing more than one button at once.

Warranty on Locks

The type of warranty that a manufacturer offers will reflect the quality of the locking mechanism. Most manufacturers will cover the lock for a period of five years, while others will cover the lock for the lifetime of the safe. When it comes to electronic keypads, these warranties are usually only offered for one to four years. Keep in mind that in some cases, the manufacturer will only honor the warranty based on the manufacturing date, not the date you purchased the safe. Many lock warranties can also come with several exclusions that a manufacturer will put in place in order to avoid paying for a new lock or repairs. Because these lock warranties have such limited coverage, make sure you purchase the best quality lock possible.

Combination Changes

For most safes that use a mechanical lock combination, the combination cannot be changed without the assistance of a safe technician. This can be a huge drawback for some safe owners. A high-end mechanical dial lock will allow the user to change the combination, but the process can be a tricky one.

In order to avoid giving away the combination, the mechanical dial lock cannot show any dirt patterns or wear. If you have a safe with a mechanical dial lock, you won’t really need to change the combination often. A big bonus with electronic keypad locks is how easy it is to change the combination. Some models will even allow you to do a factory reset. These will come in handy if you just purchased the safe or recently changed the combination and have forgotten it.

Safety Features

In some cases, an electronic keypad lock will have the option to use nine combinations. If the safe you own offers this option, then make sure you make a master combination. This will allow you to use a backup combination in the event that you forget your usual combination. Make sure you always change the combination with your safe door open. If you attempt to change the combination with the door closed then you can accidentally enter the wrong combination and need the assistance of a locksmith in order to drill the safe open for you.

Often, you’ll find detents that are used to keep the bolts from engaging when the door of the safe is open. This will prevent the user from closing the door accidentally with the bolts out. This means you’ll need to disable the detent in order to change the combination. If you look, you should find a lever, or release pin on the bottom, top, or the side of the door.

Gun Safe Styles

There are a couple of types of gun storage options available. The first is a gun locker and the second is an actual gun safe. Many manufacturers call gun lockers gun safes, which can make it really confusing for consumers. In most cases, a true safe will be a much better option than a locker.

Depending on the thickness and quality of the steel, lockers can be a great option for some gun owners. If you rent an apartment on the fifth floor, then a lightweight locker can be a better solution.

For the small gun collection, there are many rapid access and handgun safes, and hidden safes to choose from. Most of these models will not hold more than two or three guns and don’t provide much protection in the event of a fire. These safes are designed to offer faster access, which is why many owners will often store them next to their bed.

Security Ratings

The following ratings are the industry guidelines for the different levels of security a safe is able to provide. These values are often used for insurance purposes but they’re a great resource to use to compare the different levels of protection that a safe offers.

RSC

A safe with an RSC rating is perfect for securing a collection with up to five thousand dollar content value. Models with this rating are able to withstand five minutes of an attack with the use of simple tools. This type of rating can also apply to low-end models that can easily be pried open and to very secure safes that can pass a higher rating test, however, the manufacturer did not want to pay for additional testing.

B-Rated

A B-rated safe is recommended for a collection and valuables worth up to ten thousand dollars in value. This means the safe will have a quarter of an inch steel body and a half-inch plate door.

C-Rated

Models with a C rating are designed to protect up to thirty thousand dollars in valuables and guns and should consist of one inch of protection on the door and half an inch of protection on the body.

U.L. TL15

These safes are designed to protect up to two hundred thousand dollars worth of guns and valuables. This rating means that the safe’s door is able to resist entry from a serious assault for a period of fifteen minutes when hand tools, pressure devices, drills, grinders, and electric tools are used.

U.L. TL30

A safe with this rating is used to protect content up to three hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars in value. With this type of rating, a door can pass the same tests as the TL15 rating, but for a period of thirty minutes.

U.L. TL-30X6

Designed to protect up to five hundred thousand dollars of content value, these safes can withstand an assault for half an hour on every side of the safe.

U.L. TRTL-30X6

These pricey safes can protect a content value of up to one million dollars for a period of half an hour, against tools and torches. The safe should be able to withstand this type of attack on all sides of the safe and the top and bottom.

Fire Protection

There are currently no set standards when it comes to determining what exterior temperature a safe can handle and how long it will protect the contents of a safe when exposed to fire. Each manufacturer will hire their own third-party testing company, which will give each model a fire protection rating. So, what should you look for in terms of fire protection? What’s the standard?

Most companies will certify their products for exposure to temperatures up to three hundred and fifty degrees for a period of one hour.

Interior Design

Many higher-priced models will come loaded with a variety of nice extras for the safe’s interior. A standard safe will simply have soft interior lining. Other models will allow you to customize the interior setup and may even come with interior lighting since the inside of a safe is pitch black, making it difficult to grab what you’re looking for quickly. If you want to keep your guns and their accessories highly organized and easily accessible, then look for a model that has an interior with cubbies, shelves, drawers, and more.

Dehumidifier

If you live in a damp environment, then you need a dehumidifier. The inside of a safe can become very moist, which is obviously a huge no for steel. There are a couple of different types of dehumidifiers to choose from: desiccant and electric. The electric dehumidifier is a great option since they’re spill-free and nontoxic. However, if the power goes out, then your guns will be left in a damp environment for who knows how long. The desiccant dehumidifier will work with no power and consists of a canister or dry pack of silica gel.

Pistol Safes Versus Long Gun Safes

If you’re a big collector of shotguns or rifles, then there are obvious reasons behind why you’d want to go with this type of safe. However, even if you don’t own a long gun that doesn’t mean that this type of safe would be a bad choice for you.

Most pistol safes aren’t meant to hold more than a small stock of ammunition or a gun or two. While the rifle safe may seem like overkill, even if you only own a few handguns, you can still use it to store important documents, cash, and valuables.

A gun safe offers multipurpose use. Obviously, the main purpose of this type of safe is to protect your firearms against theft, water, and fire damage, but you can put your safe to work and use it to store any valuables in the home, your knife collection, or anything you don’t want small children or thieves to get ahold of.

Gun Safe Location

Many people tend to keep their safes in the garage or basement. A safe can be bolted to the floor in order to prevent them from being moved. If you decide to keep your safe in the garage, then make sure you use a dehumidifier.

Most gun pros recommend that you keep your safe out of sight. This means not placing it out in the open, so just anyone can catch a glimpse. The basement tends to be a great choice if you want to keep your safe away from prying eyes. However, if there’s a chance that your basement may flood, then I don’t recommend taking the risk and installing your safe in that location.

Moving a Safe

When you purchase a safe, the dealer will typically arrange for the safe to be delivered. This will be a must if you’re purchasing a model that weighs three hundred pounds or more. If you do want to move the safe at some point and it’s been installed, then make sure you use a dolly and have a couple of friends help you in order to avoid an accident or serious injury. If you’re planning on moving the safe up a flight of stairs, make sure your stairs are able to withstand this type of weight.

When you’re moving the safe from one location to another, make sure you remove as much weight as you can. This involves removing and disassembling the interior. The door on the safe makes up a significant portion of the weight. If the door is removable, then remove it. Use a heavy-duty appliance dolly and keep the ground pressure of the dolly’s wheels in mind. The small hard rubber wheels will be what is supporting the entire weight of the safe. This type of pressure can damage vinyl flooring, hardwood floors, and ceramic tiles. Make sure you lay down plywood or another type of material in order to protect the floor load and the door thresholds. If you have to move the safe upstairs you’ll need the help of experienced movers and special equipment. A safe needs to fit dimensionally through stairwells and doorways.

Live and Dead Loads

A structure is rated by a couple of types of weights, live loads and dead loads. A gun safe is considered a dead load. Live loads are much more restricted compared to dead loads. If you plan on installing a safe on an upper floor, make sure you keep it at one thousand pounds or less. While some floors can hold much more weight, this will require you to have your home inspected and rated by a pro to ensure you don’t end up doing some serious damage.

The floor surface will also be important. A concrete or hardwood floor is a better choice for security than carpet is, especially if you’re dealing with thick carpet padding. A harder surface will make it harder and more challenging to get a prying tool under the safe. While you can compress the carpet padding when you’re bolting the safe down, in order to improve the situation, the padding can always be scraped out using a prying tool.

Where Can I Install a Gun Safe Over A Two Thousand Pounds?

If you have floors that can support less weight than the safe you’ve purchased, then there are some other options in terms of where you can install the safe. If the floor of your home can only handle around sixteen hundred pounds, and the safe you purchase is over two thousand, then you’ll need to install it in the garage, or you can return the safe and purchase a smaller, lighter model. Most of the time, a model with a lower fire protection rating will be lighter and more affordable since it doesn’t have as much composite. So, with a lower fire rating you’ll save money and the hassle that comes with purchasing a safe that’s too heavy for your floors.

Leveling a Gun Safe

The bolt and lock usually won’t work correctly if you’ve placed the safe on an unlevel surface. This can lead to reliability issues over time. If the safe isn’t level, the door can slam shut or can open on its own. The door can also get racked out of alignment if it’s not on a level surface. Avoid using the bolts in the anchoring holes as a way to level the flooring. Instead, try using shims, which is what most gun enthusiasts recommend. If you’re still not sure how to install your safe properly, contact a professional in your area. This way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your safe is basically unmovable. This will also deter any thieves from trying to take off with your safe, in the event of a break-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Will an Electronic Lock’s Battery Last?

If the model you purchase comes with an electronic lock, then you may be concerned about the battery life, how long the average battery lasts, and how you’ll know when the battery needs to be replaced. If you enter your safe one to two times a day, then the battery should last for at least twelve months. Once the battery begins to run low, you’ll be alerted, so you can change out the battery promptly before it loses all of its juice.

Why Does a Safe Need to Be Anchored?

Once you’ve purchased a new safe, you need to find the right location for it, then anchor it. When a safe is anchored it prevents the safe from falling over. It also prevents thieves from moving the safe out of your home, to another location where they will have all the time in the world to access the contents.

Is a Gun Safe Airtight?

Most manufacturers will claim that a safe is airtight once it reaches a certain temperature, causing the seal around the door to close. Aside from that, a safe is not airtight and shouldn’t be. Airflow is needed in order to get rid of humidity and moisture in the air in the safe, however, the use of a dehumidifier is needed for additional protection.

Final Thoughts

The best gun safe will have a high fire protection rating, a lock mechanism that allows you to choose from thousands of combinations, and should be made out of thick gauge steel, with a solid frame and excellent weld quality. This buyer’s guide, combined with the included product recommendations, is designed to put you on the right path toward purchasing a safe that offers top of the line protection, and much-needed peace of mind.

from https://readyandarmed.net/gun-safes/best-gun-safe/

from Ready & Armed - Blog https://readyandarmed.weebly.com/blog/best-gun-safe-for-top-home-protection-in-depth-2020-buyers-guide-and-product-recommendations

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aaronlrodgerstx · 4 years

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Best Gun Safe for Top Home Protection: In-Depth 2020 Buyer’s Guide and Product Recommendations

Gun Safe Comparison Chart

Steelwater Gun Safes Standard Duty AMEGS592818 Gun Safe

Our Rating: (5/5)

Pros

Heat-activated expandable door seal

Interior LED lighting

Electronic lock

Master key

Cons

Shelves can be difficult to adjust

Conclusion

Shop Now On Amazon!

Golval RF4236 Large Quick Access Biometric Rifle Safe

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Pros

Five-point deadbolt

Adjustable shelf

Lock can store up to one hundred fingerprints

Can be mounted to the wall or floor

Cons

Can only hold up to eight rifles

Conclusion

Shop Now On Amazon!

Steelwater Heavy Duty AMLD593024-EMP Gun Safe

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Pros

LED interior lighting

Two USB ports

Twelve gauge steel

M.P. proof digital keypad

Cons

Interior lighting does not consistently turn on whenever the door is opened

Conclusion

Shop Now On Amazon!

Kodiak KB19ECX Gun Safe by Rhino Metals

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Pros

Heat-activated door seal

Adjustable shelves

Organizer

Electronic keypad

Cons

Low heat rating

Thin door

Conclusion

Shop Now On Amazon!

Jolitac Smart Quick Gun Safe

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Pros

Stores up to thirty-two fingerprints

Recessed door

Motorized deadbolt locking system

Dual alarm

Cons

Low storage capacity

Conclusion

Shop Now On Amazon!

Moutec Large Electronic Rifle Safe

Our Rating: (4/5)

Pros

Electronic keypad

Pry-proof design

Comes with one master key

Tamper-resistant

Cons

Low rifle capacity

Conclusion

Shop Now On Amazon!

Gun Safe Buyer’s Guide

Benefits of Owning a Gun Safe

A safe will also allow you to keep your gun collection, accessories, and ammunition organized and readily accessible, which can be crucial, in the event of a break-in.

Other Features to Look for

Weight

Steel Thickness

Wall Thickness

Combined Thickness

Welds

MIG Welds

Because the market for safes is so competitive, there are many manufacturers that try to save money and time every step of the way.

Weld Penetration

Bottom line, a good weld on a safe should be full penetration and continuous. Joints that are robotic welded are preferred, as is minimized seams.

Anchor Hole

Frame and Plate Door

Hinges

Internal Hinges

Door Seals

Combinations

Push-Button Combination Locks

Warranty on Locks

Combination Changes

Safety Features

Gun Safe Styles

Security Ratings

RSC

B-Rated

A B-rated safe is recommended for a collection and valuables worth up to ten thousand dollars in value. This means the safe will have a quarter of an inch steel body and a half-inch plate door.

C-Rated

Models with a C rating are designed to protect up to thirty thousand dollars in valuables and guns and should consist of one inch of protection on the door and half an inch of protection on the body.

U.L. TL15

U.L. TL30

U.L. TL-30X6

Designed to protect up to five hundred thousand dollars of content value, these safes can withstand an assault for half an hour on every side of the safe.

U.L. TRTL-30X6

Fire Protection

Most companies will certify their products for exposure to temperatures up to three hundred and fifty degrees for a period of one hour.

Interior Design

Dehumidifier

Pistol Safes Versus Long Gun Safes

Gun Safe Location

Moving a Safe

Live and Dead Loads

Where Can I Install a Gun Safe Over A Two Thousand Pounds?

Leveling a Gun Safe

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Will an Electronic Lock’s Battery Last?

Why Does a Safe Need to Be Anchored?

Is a Gun Safe Airtight?

Final Thoughts

source https://readyandarmed.net/gun-safes/best-gun-safe/ from Ready & Armed https://readyandarmed.blogspot.com/2020/02/best-gun-safe-for-top-home-protection.html

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olympusintelligence · 5 years

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Part 3 Chapter 10

Sneak-peek 1

30/11/2018 11:59 (San Francisco Time) Palo Alto Hills, Palo Alto

What a fatal mistake!

Kyle regretted he recklessly entered Andrew’s house five minutes ago. The garden was tranquil, but only hostility was left in the house.

He thought he had prepared for everything, but he would not get anything. In fact, he did not know if he could survive this ‘lunch’.

There was no way he could have foreseen a gunfight in an African wilderness ensued right after he entered the house. He tried to escape, but the door had been automatically locked. He wanted to call for help, but his cell phone did not receive any signal. Immersed in such an authentic virtual environment, he could not find any windows or exits. He had only managed to avoid a bullet, and taken refuge behind a ‘tree’ with a gun in his hand.

“Seems like you haven’t got used to the VR battlefield,” the man behind the plot, Andrew smirked coyly. Wearing all black, he was hiding behind another tree. “I’m a fair opponent. At least the bullets and the gun I passed to you are real.” The specially designed VR hardware that projected this battlefield was still not yet on sale. Users did not have to rely on VR goggles and/or hard disk backpacks to experience its simulated environment.

‘You won’t find any help. Very few people stay in this area at noon. The house is noise-proof, so no one outside can hear what’s going on here.’

Kyle wanted to shoot Andrew down, but his opponent was faster. He fired back another round of shots and one of them almost hit his right hand.

You tried to kill me…..I sensed your enmity against me at that time!

‘Who the heck are you? Why are you doing this?’ questioned Kyle angrily. He never thought this harmless-looking young tycoon would have wanted to kill him with his own hand. Andrew’s public profile was too simple for a tech tycoon - After earning a bachelor's degree in computer sciences from Caltech in 2012, he became an intelligence analyst in the National Security Agency(NSA), but he resigned in less than a year. A reporter once asked what he did during the two-year gap after his resignation, he just explained that he travelled around the world and wrote the source code for VidChat. He only returned to the US and founded Vid in 2015. And at this age he still did not have any spouse or lover. Currently Kyle knew for sure that the two-year gap was not a gap at all.

He was Olympus’ operative, just like Helen.

‘Let me show you my gun.” An image of a remodeled silver blue CZ SP-01 Phantom appeared in the middle. Its slider had the pattern of a silver trident on it.

‘You’re…..’ A glimpse of this gun reminded Kyle of a Greek God. He unconsciously trembled with fear.

‘I’m Poseidon.’ Andrew confirmed his guess - his codename was Poseidon. Coldness seethed within his deep azure eyes.

In Greek mythology, after overthrowing their father Cronus’ tyrannic rule,Poseidon and his brothers Zeus and Hades divided the world by drawing lots. It made him the god of the Sea and other waters. He is as capricious as the ocean- Though he is often calm, when he is in rage he triggers storms, chaotic waves and tsunamis that flood the land, and even shakes the earth with earthquakes. He is also vindictive- According to Homer’s Odyssey, the hero Odysseus escaped from the cyclops Polyphemus’ capture by blinding him with a wooden stick, but the cyclops was Poseidon’s son. When he prayed for Poseidon to avenge for him, the god was angered and cursed the hero to wander around the sea for more than ten years. In the end, it took Odysseus eighteen years just to return to his home Ithaca, though he had the patronage of the other deities.

‘You’ve anticipated my visit to Palo Alto, so you’ve prepared all these!’

‘Yea, I leaked the intelligence on the virus to you.’

Kyle finally realized this man was a terrible schemer- a month ago he deliberately leaked the virus source via INTERPOL to lure him to his trap. Obviously he had plotted to murder him for a long time, but he still feigned hospitality before the hackathon. He only showed his true colors at this moment. Throughout their meeting he spotted nothing strange about him.

He was a strong, patient, calculating rival. No wonder he was chosen as a core member of Olympus and his codename was named after the great god of ocean.

Sneak-peek 2

Blood streams flowed out from their wounds and tainted their clothes. They really smelled bloody.

‘You’d better kill me now!’Poseidon had never experienced such a humiliating defeat. He lost the will to fight back, as he knew too well the fate of an agent captured by an enemy - torture and death.

‘I wanna kill you too, badass!’ Kyle punched his rival’s boyish face hard. His eyes burned with rage. He was very angry at the rival’s well-planned murder plot. ‘But I’m different from murderers like you! I never kill anyone!’ He slapped his face again and shouted, ‘I want you to tell me everything you know. If you don’t say anything, I’ll continue to punch you till you talk!’

Crack!

A bullet had just one through the window bear Kyle. He tried to dodge it when he heard the window crack, but his right arm still received the blow. It was too powerful that it caused him to lose his balance and fall on the ground. Poseidon was saved.

‘Can’t believe you’ve got a sniper on your side!’ complained Kyle loudly . Poseidon just looked at him with disdain and sneered. ‘Not my man, but you better run. Hades should be here now. Before becoming one of us, he was the best sniper in SWAT.’

Hades- the king of the underworld?

‘Bastards!’ Kyle was truly frightened. He hastily moved to escape from the backdoor near the open kitchen. He discovered there was a vast swimming pool outside. There was no place for a sniper to conceal himself, but Kyle decided not to stay there as he did not want to face an attack on two fronts. Therefore he rushed to the parking lot facing the forest and climbed the fence to leave the house, despite the risk of getting another hit by the sniper.

He raced downhill on the road, but he heard another noise on his left - a bullet had just hit his left shoulder. Its impact thrust him onto the ground. More blood spilled out.

I don’t want to die here!

He dared not to walk on the open road. With a strong will to survive, he crawled his way into the forest. Although he would have to climb down the slope, the densely grown trees may shelter him from the sniper’s eyesight. Shortly later he barely got back up and trudged into the forest.

Still it did not work out. The sniper had already arrived with a solid black Desert Eagle Mark 19 in his right hand. He had put his sniper rifle back into his backpack. With a lean and athletic figure, the tall Caucasian man had a flat top-cut black hair. He appeared to be in his early thirties. Like any assassin, he preferred black outfit. When his grey eagle eyes were fixated on his prey, he just pulled the trigger. The gunshot was aiming at Kyle’s heart…..

Kyle knew he was doomed. He could not escape from this close-distance gunfire. Narcissus, the symbol of Hades, was marked on the slider of the sniper’s handgun.

Full fiction blog under construction

@whataremetaphor @pilipalea @ill-write-when-im-dead @requiemesque @adie-dee @thingswaitingtobewritten

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newstfionline · 3 years

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Wednesday, April 7, 2021

End the hygiene theater, CDC says (Yahoo News) It’s time to unplug the sanitizing robots and put away the bottles of Clorox that seem to line the entrances to every school, restaurant and supermarket wanting to advertise its safety protocols. While such protocols may be reassuring to an anxious populace, they are not necessary, says a revised guidance issued on Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “It is possible for people to be infected through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects (fomites), but the risk is generally considered to be low,” the new CDC guidance says, estimating that the chance of contracting the coronavirus through surface transmission is lower than 1 in 10,000. The coronavirus is spread almost exclusively by airborne and aerosolized particles, as scientists have known for months.

Biden boosted by Senate rules as GOP bucks infrastructure (AP) With an appeal to think big, President Joe Biden is promoting his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan directly to Americans, summoning public support to push past the Republicans lining up against the massive effort they sum up as big taxes, big spending and big government. Republicans in Congress are making the politically brazen bet that it’s more advantageous to oppose the costly American Jobs Plan, saddling the Democrats with ownership of the sweeping proposal and the corporate tax hike Biden says is needed to pay for it. He wants the investments in roads, schools, broadband and clean energy approved by summer. On Monday, Biden received a boost from an unexpected source. The Senate parliamentarian greenlighted a strategy that would allow Democrats in the evenly split 50-50 chamber to rely on a 51-vote threshold to advance some bills, rather than the typical 60 votes typically needed. The so-called budget reconciliation rules can now be used more often than expected—giving Democrats a fresh new path around the GOP blockade.

Brazil’s COVID-19 death surge set to pass the worst of record U.S. wave (Reuters) Brazil’s brutal surge in COVID-19 deaths will soon surpass the worst of a record January wave in the United States, climbing well beyond an average 3,000 fatalities per day, scientists predict, as contagious new variants overwhelm hospitals. Brazil’s overall death toll trails only the U.S. outbreak, with nearly 333,000 killed, according to Health Ministry data, compared with more than 555,000 dead in the United States. But with Brazil’s healthcare system at the breaking point, the country could also exceed total U.S. deaths, despite having two-thirds the population, two experts told Reuters.

UK to ease lockdown next week, will test vaccine passports (AP) Britain’s slow but steady march out of a 3 1/2-month lockdown remains on track even as coronavirus cases surge elsewhere in Europe, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Monday, as he confirmed that businesses from barbers to bookstores will be allowed to reopen next week. Johnson said it’s too soon to decide, however, whether U.K. residents will be able to have summer trips abroad. He confirmed that the government will test out a contentious “vaccine passport” system—a way for people to offer proof they have protection from COVID-19—as a tool to help travel and large events return safely. Four weeks after England took its first step out of lockdown by reopening schools, Johnson said Britain’s vaccination program was proceeding well and infections were falling. He said the next step would come as planned on April 12, with the reopening of hairdressers, beauty salons, gyms, non-essential shops and bar and restaurant patios. A ban on overnight domestic stays away from home will also be lifted that day, and outdoor venues such as zoos and drive-in cinemas can operate again.

Myanmar’s online pop-up markets raise funds for protest (AP) With security forces in Myanmar having shot dead at least 570 protesters and bystanders in the past two months, many of the country’s residents see venturing out onto the street as a brave but foolhardy act. Online, many have found a safer, more substantive way to show their defiance against February’s military takeover—virtual rummage sales whose proceeds go to the protest movement’s shadow government and other related political causes. Everything from clothes and toys, to music lessons and outdoor adventures are on sale. Foreign friends are encouraged to donate, but fundraising inside Myanmar also serves the purpose of raising political consciousness for challenging the ousting of Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government. A quick check through Facebook notices turned up a seamstress offering to sew a traditional Myanmar dress for free to those who donate $25 [to the opposition], a musician offering lifetime guitar and ukulele lessons and an outdoor expedition leader offering to take five people on an adventure holiday.

China Creates its Own Digital Currency, a First for Major Economy (WSJ) A thousand years ago, when money meant coins, China invented paper currency. Now the Chinese government is minting cash digitally, in a re-imagination of money that could shake a pillar of American power. It might seem money is already virtual, as credit cards and payment apps such as Apple Pay in the U.S. and WeChat in China eliminate the need for bills or coins. But those are just ways to move money electronically. China is turning legal tender itself into computer code. China’s version of a digital currency is controlled by its central bank, which will issue the new electronic money. It is expected to give China’s government vast new tools to monitor both its economy and its people. By design, the digital yuan will negate one of bitcoin’s major draws: anonymity for the user. Beijing is also positioning the digital yuan for international use and designing it to be untethered to the global financial system, where the U.S. dollar has been king since World War II.

Rescuers hunt for survivors after cyclone kills 119 in Indonesia (Reuters) Rescuers searched for dozens missing in the remote islands of southeast Indonesia on Tuesday, as reinforcements arrived to help in the aftermath of a tropical cyclone that killed at least 119 people. Helicopters were deployed to aid the search, and ships carrying food, water, blankets and medicine reached ports previously blocked by high waves whipped up by tropical cyclone Seroja, which brought heavy rain and triggered deadly floods and landslides on Sunday. Indonesia’s disaster agency BNPB revised upwards the death toll from the cyclone in the East Nusa Tenggara islands, after earlier saying 86 had died. Seventy-six people were still missing.

Israeli president picks Netanyahu to try and form government (AP) Israel’s president has named Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the party leader to try to cobble together a governing majority. Reuven Rivlin’s announcement in Jerusalem on Tuesday nudged forward the twin dramas over the country’s future and Netanyahu’s fate as his corruption trial resumed across town. The charges facing Israel’s longest-serving premier posed an extraordinary choice for the country’s president over whether “morality” should be a factor in who should lead the government.

Gunmen free more than 1,800 inmates from Nigerian prison (Reuters) More than 1,800 inmates escaped from a Nigeria prison in the southeastern city of Owerri after an attack by gunmen carrying rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns, explosives and rifles, the prisons authority said. Nigerian police said it believed a banned separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was behind the attack, but a spokesman for the group denied involvement. The secessionist movement in the southeast is one of several serious security challenges facing President Muhammadu Buhari, including a decade-long Islamist insurgency in the northeast, a spate of school kidnappings in the northwest and piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.

Mars patrol (Space.com) A 4-pound solar-powered helicopter successfully endured its first nights on Mars, having been deposited by the Perseverance rover ahead of a first planned flight on April 11. The $85 million drone is the first helicopter to go to a non-Earth world, and carries two cameras to document the planned series of flights of ever-increasing lengths around the Jezero Crater over the next 31 Martian days. The drone has four rotor blades that can hit up to 2,537 RPM, and if it works out it will presumably become the hot stocking stuffer for Martians in short order.

#headlines #news

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