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itsappleexpert · 2 months ago

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Apple Technicians Specializing in Drive Recovery

If your Mac suddenly stops booting, files go missing, or your drive becomes unreadable, you're likely facing a hard drive issue. In today’s digital world, that can feel like a disaster. But don’t worry Apple technicians specializing in drive recovery are here to help. With the right tools, training, and experience, they can restore your lost data and get your Mac back up and running.

Why Drive Recovery Requires Expertise

Drive recovery isn’t just about plugging in software and hoping for the best. It requires a deep understanding of:

Apple’s hardware architecture

File systems like APFS and HFS+

Encryption and security measures (like FileVault)

Mac-specific backup and recovery tools (Time Machine, iCloud, etc.)

This is why trusting your Mac with just any technician is a risk. Apple-certified professionals bring precision and care to the table, ensuring your valuable files are handled safely and effectively.

What Sets Apple Technicians Apart?

Apple technicians go through specialized training to achieve certifications such as Apple Certified Mac Technician (ACMT) or Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP). These certifications mean:

They know how to diagnose and repair both hardware and software issues.

They understand how to handle sensitive components like SSDs and logic boards.

They use Apple-approved tools and follow official repair guidelines.

More importantly, these experts know how to safely recover data from failing or corrupted drives without causing further damage.

Common Drive Issues They Handle

Apple technicians who specialize in drive recovery are well-equipped to handle a variety of problems, including:

Corrupted or unmounted drives

macOS that won’t boot

Files that won’t open or are missing

Drives with physical damage or failure

Encryption-related access issues

Accidentally formatted drives

Failed updates or system crashes

Whether you’re working with an older iMac with a traditional hard drive or a MacBook with an internal SSD, these pros can assess and recover your data safely.

The Professional Recovery Process

Here’s a breakdown of how Apple technicians approach drive recovery:

1. Diagnostic Evaluation

The technician uses tools like Apple Diagnostics, Disk Utility, and command-line checks to assess the condition of the drive and determine if the problem is physical or logical.

2. Data Preservation (Cloning)

If the drive is still somewhat functional, they often create a bit-level clone to preserve the existing data. This prevents further wear and tear on the original drive during the recovery process.

3. Recovery from Clone or Original Drive

Advanced recovery software (sometimes proprietary tools available only to Apple-certified professionals) is used to extract files. Apple techs know how to handle files from encrypted partitions or Time Machine backups as well.

4. Verification of Recovered Data

Once files are retrieved, they’re reviewed for integrity and usability. You’ll often receive a list of what was recovered before transfer.

5. Delivery and Post-Recovery Setup

Files are transferred to a new drive or a freshly repaired Mac. Apple technicians can also help set up Time Machine, restore macOS, and install updates to avoid future issues.

Why You Should Act Quickly

If you suspect your drive is failing, don’t delay. Here are some signs that should prompt immediate attention:

Your Mac is unusually slow or freezes often.

You hear clicking or grinding sounds (HDDs).

Disk Utility reports errors or can’t mount the drive.

The system boots into Recovery Mode or won’t start.

Apps or files won’t open properly.

macOS installs or updates are failing repeatedly.

Continuing to use a failing drive increases the risk of permanent data loss. The sooner a professional looks at it, the better your chances of full recovery.

The Security and Privacy Factor

Apple technicians understand that data privacy is non-negotiable. Whether you're recovering personal photos, financial records, or business files, they follow strict confidentiality protocols. Certified Apple repair centers typically operate under data privacy guidelines laid out by Apple itself, which means:

Your data is not accessed unless necessary for recovery.

Recovered files are handled securely.

Drives are returned or disposed of properly after service.

This peace of mind is something you won’t always get with a general tech shop or DIY attempt.

Prevention Tips from the Experts

Apple technicians don’t just fix problems—they help prevent them too. Here are a few best practices they often recommend:

Back up regularly with Time Machine and iCloud.

Avoid physical shock or heat exposure to your Mac.

Monitor disk health using Disk Utility.

Keep macOS updated to prevent system-level issues.

Shut down properly to avoid file system corruption.

They can also advise you on upgrading from older spinning HDDs to more reliable SSDs, or setting up redundant backup solutions for business-critical data.

Data loss is stressful, but you’re not alone. Apple technicians specializing in drive recovery offer the skills, tools, and professionalism needed to bring your Mac and your files back to life. From diagnosing mysterious errors to rescuing files from the brink, they’re your best bet when every byte counts.

If your Mac’s hard drive is showing signs of trouble, don’t risk it. Reach out to a certified Apple technician and give your data the expert attention it deserves.

#iPad Screen Repair #macbook battery replacement #iPhone Screen Repair #hard drive recovery

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phonerepairmore · 3 months ago

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How To Recover Data From A Corrupted Hard Drive

A corrupted hard drive can be a nightmare, especially if it contains important files, documents, or media. Whether your computer suddenly refuses to recognize the drive, crashes frequently, or displays error messages, you might worry that your data is lost forever. Fortunately, there are ways to recover files from a corrupted hard drive before considering a replacement. If you need professional assistance, Phone Repair & More specializes in computer hard drive repair in Palm Harbor, FL, ensuring your data is safely restored.

Step 1: Check For Physical Damage

Before attempting data recovery, inspect your hard drive for physical damage. Common signs of failure include:

Clicking or grinding noises when the drive is powered on

Frequent system crashes or blue screen errors

Failure to boot or recognize the drive in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac)

If your hard drive has physical damage, it's best to seek desktop hardware repair in Palm Harbor, Florida, as opening the drive yourself could cause further damage.

Step 2: Use Built-In Windows Tools To Repair The Drive

If your computer can still detect the corrupted drive, Windows has built-in tools that may repair it.

How To Use CHKDSK (Check Disk Utility):

Open the Command Prompt (Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter).

Type the following command and press Enter: bash chkdsk /f /r X:

(Replace X with your hard drive’s letter).

Wait for the process to scan and repair errors on the drive.

If this method fails, consider professional computer hard drive repair in Palm Harbor, FL, for more advanced troubleshooting.

Step 3: Recover Data Using Data Recovery Software

If the drive is still accessible but your files are missing, specialized recovery software can help retrieve them.

Recommended Recovery Software:

Recuva (Windows) – Free tool for recovering deleted or lost files.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard – Supports corrupted hard drive recovery.

Disk Drill (Mac & Windows) – Ideal for scanning and retrieving lost data.

Simply install the software, select your corrupted drive, and follow the recovery prompts. If recovery software fails, you may need gaming PC repair in Palm Harbor, FL, to recover files from an SSD or high-performance hard drive.

Step 4: Try Connecting The Hard Drive To Another Computer

If your computer fails to recognize the drive, try connecting it to another computer using:

A USB external hard drive enclosure

A SATA-to-USB adapter

This method helps determine whether the issue is with the hard drive itself or your computer’s internal connections. If the drive is still inaccessible, a desktop hardware repair in Palm Harbor, Florida, can diagnose the problem.

Step 5: Seek Professional Hard Drive Repair Services

If your hard drive is severely corrupted or physically damaged, professional repair services may be the best option. Phone Repair & More provides expert computer hard drive repair in Palm Harbor, FL, using advanced recovery techniques to retrieve lost data and restore drive functionality.

Computer Hard Drive Repair Services Near Me

Recovering data from a corrupted hard drive is possible using built-in repair tools, data recovery software, and external connections. However, if your hard drive is physically damaged or beyond repair, professional desktop hardware repair in Palm Harbor, Florida, and gaming PC repair in Palm Harbor, FL, services from Phone Repair & More can help recover your data and restore your system. Don’t risk losing important files—seek expert assistance today!

Computer Hard Drive Repair Services In Palm Harbor, FL

Phone Repair & More

32152 US Hwy 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684

727-309-1268

Get Directions

Hours: Mon – Sat 9am to 8pm & Sun 12pm to 6pm

#computerharddriverepair #computerharddrivefix

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computer8920 · 7 months ago

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How to Securely Erase Data from Your SSD?

In today’s digital world, ensuring the security of your data is more important than ever. Whether upgrading to a new SSD, repurposing an old one, or just wanting to ensure sensitive information is unrecoverable, securely erasing data from an SSD is critical. Unlike traditional hard drives, SSDs (Solid State Drives) require special methods for secure data deletion due to their unique storage techniques.

SSDs use NAND flash memory to store data organized into blocks and pages, unlike the spinning platters in traditional hard drives. This architecture introduces complexities like wear leveling and garbage collection. Wear leveling ensures even data distribution across memory cells to prevent premature wear, while garbage collection consolidates unused blocks, making old data scattered across the drive and difficult to erase.

When a file is deleted from an SSD, it is not physically erased but marked as available for new data. Until overwritten, the data can be recovered using data recovery software. This is why secure data erasure methods are essential for preventing unauthorized recovery of sensitive information.

Several methods exist for securely erasing data from an SSD:

Built-in SSD Secure Erase Utility: Many SSD manufacturers offer built-in secure erase utilities like Samsung Magician, Intel SSD Toolbox, or Crucial Storage Executive. These tools use the SSD's firmware to perform a thorough data wipe. To use these tools, users need to check the manufacturer's documentation, backup important data, create a bootable USB drive (if necessary), and follow prompts to run the secure erase utility.

Third-Party Software: If the manufacturer doesn’t provide a secure erase tool, third-party software like Parted Magic, HDDErase, or DBAN (Darik’s Boot and Nuke) can be used. Similar to the built-in utilities, these tools offer additional features and allow users to select their SSD and securely erase it.

ATA Secure Erase Command: This low-level command, built into most SSDs' firmware, resets the NAND cells to their factory state. It requires technical knowledge and involves using a bootable Linux distribution like Ubuntu or Parted Magic to execute the ATA Secure Erase command.

Encryption Method: Encrypting the SSD before erasing it adds an extra layer of security. Even if remnants of data remain after erasure, they will be indecipherable without the encryption key. This can be done using encryption software like BitLocker (Windows), FileVault (Mac), or VeraCrypt (cross-platform).

For maximum data security, it’s recommended to regularly update SSD firmware, use multiple erasure methods, and physically destroy the drive if it’s no longer needed. Additionally, proper disposal of the SSD through e-waste recycling ensures that the drive is handled responsibly.

In conclusion, securely erasing data from an SSD is crucial for protecting sensitive information. By understanding the storage mechanics of SSDs and using the appropriate erasure methods, users can ensure their data is irretrievable. Always back up data before proceeding with any erasure and verify the process to ensure complete data destruction.

Want to Buy SSDs in Bulk from VSTL?

If you're looking to purchase SSDs in bulk, VSTL offers a reliable option for businesses and individuals seeking quality storage solutions. With competitive pricing and a range of SSD models to suit various needs, VSTL ensures high-performance drives for both personal and professional use. Bulk buyers can benefit from wholesale rates, making it an efficient choice for large-scale projects or tech upgrades. Whether upgrading office systems or managing data storage for a business, VSTL provides dependable SSDs to meet diverse requirements.

#vstl #bulk #ssd #supplier #wholesler

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ethancral · 8 months ago

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How to Troubleshoot Common Issues in Windows 10 Home and Pro Editions

Windows 10 is one of the most popular operating systems used by millions of users worldwide. While it is known for its stability and performance, like any other software, it can also encounter issues that may hinder its functionality. In this article, we will discuss common issues that users may face in Windows 10 Home and Pro editions and provide step-by-step troubleshooting guides to resolve them.

Issue 1: Slow Performance

One of the most common issues faced by windows 10 home users is slow performance. If your computer is taking too long to start up, launch applications, or perform tasks, it may be due to various reasons such as malware, disk errors, or outdated drivers. To troubleshoot this issue, start by checking for any malware infections using an anti-virus software. Next, run the built-in Disk Cleanup tool to remove temporary files and system files that may be consuming disk space. Additionally, update your drivers to the latest version and consider upgrading your RAM if your computer is running low on memory.

Issue 2: Wi-Fi Connectivity Problems

Wi-Fi connectivity issues are another common problem faced by Windows 10 users. If you are unable to connect to a Wi-Fi network or are experiencing frequent disconnections, try restarting your router and modem. Next, check your Wi-Fi settings to ensure that you are connected to the correct network and that your Wi-Fi adapter is enabled. If the issue persists, try resetting your TCP/IP stack by running the command "netsh int ip reset" in the Command Prompt. You can also try updating your Wi-Fi drivers to the latest version.

Issue 3: Update Errors

Windows 10 is designed to automatically download and install updates to ensure that your system remains secure and up-to-date. However, sometimes updates may fail to install, resulting in error messages. To troubleshoot update errors, start by checking the Windows Update history to identify the specific error code. Next, try running the Windows Update Troubleshooter tool, which can automatically detect and fix common issues. If the issue persists, try resetting the Windows Update components by running the command "net stop wuauserv" and "net start wuauserv" in the Command Prompt.

Issue 4: Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)

The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is a critical error that occurs when Windows encounters a problem that it cannot recover from. If you are experiencing frequent BSODs, try running a System File Checker (SFC) scan to identify and replace corrupted system files. Next, check for any driver updates and install the latest version. You can also try running a memory test using the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic tool to identify any issues with your RAM.

Issue 5: Login Issues

Login issues are another common problem faced by Windows 10 users. If you are unable to log in to your account or are experiencing issues with your password, try restarting your computer in Safe Mode. Next, try running the built-in System Restore tool to restore your system to a previous point when you were able to log in successfully. If the issue persists, try resetting your password using the built-in Password Reset tool.

Issue 6: Audio Issues

Audio issues are common in Windows 10, particularly after installing updates. If you are experiencing issues with your audio, try running the built-in Audio Troubleshooter tool, which can automatically detect and fix common issues. Next, try updating your audio drivers to the latest version. You can also try disabling and re-enabling your audio device in the Device Manager.

Issue 7: Display Issues

Display issues are another common problem faced by Windows 10 users. If you are experiencing issues with your display, such as blurry text or incorrect resolution, try running the built-in Display Troubleshooter tool. Next, try updating your graphics drivers to the latest version. You can also try adjusting your display settings to ensure that they are set to the correct resolution and refresh rate.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting common issues in Windows 10 Home and Pro editions requires patience and a step-by-step approach. By following the troubleshooting guides outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve most issues and get your system up and running smoothly. Remember to always keep your system updated and run regular maintenance tasks to prevent issues from occurring in the first place. If you are still experiencing issues after trying the troubleshooting steps, consider seeking further assistance from Microsoft support or a professional technician.

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not-that-dillinger · 1 month ago

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Ed dreaded Wednesdays. He dreaded the evening board meetings that left him drained and in a depressive mental state where the safest thing he could do afterward was lock himself in his office, speak to nobody, and work on whatever project was most pressing until he passed out from exhaustion.

Getting called into Mackey's office was by default one of the easiest ways to ruin Ed's day, and one of the few things that made Ed want to get away from the tower as quickly as possible. The chairman's office had once been his father's, and though Ed had only been in it once before the man had been jailed for IP theft, Ed still remembered the AI with his father's voice coming from the large touch screen computer desk. He'd been four at the time, but had nightmares about it until he was in high school.

Getting called into Mackey's office after a board meeting was the absolute worst. Ed was already mentally drained from dealing with the board, and now had to deal with those memories and the urge to get out of the tower as fast as he could.

Of course, going home was out of the question, which was how he found himself wandering around the abandoned part of town where Flynn's arcade was located.

The sight of the arcade brought up a different memory, of a file on a floppy disk he'd found in the back of a storage closet in a box labelled 'FLYNN'.

It was in that moment, staring at the arcade that the puzzle pieces finally clicked into place. The angry rants from his father about the laser and his attempt to recreate it through the DataWraith program, of Flynn's near religious ravings shortly before he disappeared, and the file he'd found.

Here before Ed lay a twenty year old mystery, and it was just the distraction that Ed needed from everything else that had gone on at work.

Picking the lock on the arcade was trivial. It didn't take long after that for him to find the hidden basement lab. What he found inside was literally out of his nightmares.

Except, the MCP was gone, wasn't it? It had been deleted when Flynn recovered the evidence, or so his father had thought.

His father had been pissed about the MCP's disappearnace, and had worked tirelessly to rewrite it from backup, though last Ed had heard, it was nowhere near as powerful or dangerous as the original had been.

The file query for the MCP returned negative. Ed sighed with relief. Another query of the history of prompts showed that Flynn had activated the laser numerous times, and that had been the last command used before Ed found it. A diagnostic readout confirmed that the laser is working correctly.

Perhaps any other day, Ed would have thought to call for backup. Flynn had disappeared here, after all. It was very possible that Ed could as well.

But, who could Ed even call for backup? The only possible person Ed could think of was Alan Bradley since the former chairman had been Flynn's friend, but he didn't know what Alan knew, didn't want give the man false hopes, and certainly didn't want to have to explain to him what he was doing breaking into the arcade, as abandoned as it was.

Or, that's what Ed told himself. What he wouldn't admit is that he was out of social spoons and did not want to deal with the anxiety of facing Alan at the moment.

Ed typed in the command, and activated the laser.

Some time later--an instant, an eternity, both, Ed didn't know-- he blinked back into reality, a wave of vertigo momentarily overcoming him. Whether it was from overexertion on his walk, or from the transport itself, Ed wasn't sure, though it was only the fact that he was accustomed to the sensation that allowed him to stay on his feet.

In the time that it took Ed to come to his senses and reorient himself to his new environment, the doors to the arcade burst open, and the heavy clop of boots--multiple pairs-- echo through the building as three people--programs?--in what Ed could only describe as futuristic armor with bright orange glowing lines enter the room and quickly surround him.

"Identify," one of the soldiers snapped through a heavily modulated vocoder.

"What?"

The doors thundered open again, and a fourth figure, similarly armored but with blue lights on her suit, rushed toward them.

"Identify." The orange soldier repeated. She poked at him with a staff, and Ed flinched at the burst of electric current that coursed through his body.

"M-me?" he asked, flinching and stumbling backward into the terminal as the soldier pointed her staff at him again.

"Uh--Ed--Ed D-Dillin-J-Junior!"

Which, Ed should have guessed was the wrong answer, considering the Encom server auto-banned any username with 'Dillinger' in it, and Ed wouldn't have been surprised if that was a relic of Flynn's time as CEO.

The two other soldiers in orange each grabbed one of his arms to escort him... somewhere...

User Friendly - not-that-dillinger

(( @not-that-dillinger ))

The race was on. The bright beam of a User entering was the starting signal, and the finish line was none other than the Arcade entry point.

Ark had been traversing the City, keeping an eye out for Occupation trouble for her to handle, when the sky lit up burning bright white.

She froze in her tracks, taking what felt like too many moments to process the miracle that lay before her.

Ark changed directions to dash across buildings, jumping recklessly in order to keep as much speed as she could manage.

If the Occupation got there before her, it all would be lost.

With her energy racing through her circuits, it was hard to tell how much time she had taken to arrive at the front door.

But, despite the time crunch, she hesitated, pausing her hand right before touching the handle.

This was the most sacred of spots for the Users, to her knowledge, no program had ever entered, but she wouldn't be surprised if Flynn had convinced Tron to step foot inside.

She took a breath to steady herself, beg forgiveness from Flynn, and Alan-One, and whatever other Users were out there, and opened the door, quickly slipping inside and closing it behind her.

If she was lucky, the Occupation would be even more hesitant to enter, thus buying them precious time to try and find an escape. Her mine was already racing with potential exit routes.

Ark kept walking through the dark building, dodging strange consoles and other mysterious objects, as she tried to find where the incoming User would appear from.

#/* hope this is okay... lmk if you want me to change any of it but assuming Ark reaches them right as they grab for him */#/* also the idea of Ark being introduced to him as he somehow manages a crit fail on his own name is too funny to me */#rp #muse: ed dillinger jr #computerwarrior

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gyanpedia1234 · 5 years ago

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#how to recover deleted files using attrib command #how do you use cmd to recover lost or deleted files #how to recover deleted files using command prompt #q #how to recover files using command prompt #how to recover deleted files from hard drive #data recovery command prompt how to recover my file #recover deleted ACM file

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masterwords · 3 years ago

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Old Faithful

Summary: Hotch is recovering from an on-the-job injury and Morgan is being helpful. Feelings are explored. Kissing happens.

Warnings: none

Pairings: Hotch/Morgan

Words: 4.5k

Notes: This was written as a gift for the AO3 Bulletproof exchange using the freeform prompts: Wearing Love Interest's Clothes For Reasons And Having Feelings About It and sitting in his lap and shaving his face with a straight razor...it's a whole bunch of fluff.

Read on AO3:

“Derek,” Aaron called from the hallway as he hurried past Derek's office with a stack of files held precariously in one hand to be delivered to Chief Strauss. He paused only long enough to fire off his question without lingering for an answer. “Could you see me before you leave for the day, please?”

Instinct made Derek roll his eyes, but he agreed though Aaron was out of earshot by the time he did. There were a few times he thought he'd wander up to his office mid-day just to ease the suspense, find out what fresh hell Aaron had concocted for him. In the week since he'd been back from a much too short medical leave, he had relied heavily on Derek's help and for the most part was well within his professional boundaries to ask any number of these tasks of his second in command. In truth, Derek wasn't so much frustrated (which looked a lot of like pre-teen eye rolling at his desk) that Aaron was asking him to do anything, it was simply that he'd felt the need to come back too soon from an injury that was bad enough that he could still see it when he closed his eyes. Derek was haunted, paralyzed by the sight of Aaron lying unconscious on the ground, his arm twisted at an unnatural angle. Helping Aaron with such menial tasks reminded him daily of how much they all nearly lost...how much he'd nearly lost. Aaron was fortunate he ended up in the hands of surgeons who were competent enough to salvage what was broken, and the only visible reminder was an awkward sling tucked around the folds of his expensive suits. The grim look on his face, the one Derek could read as pain and sleepless nights, didn't seem to phase anyone outside of the BAU; no one questioned what was holding him together, what price he'd paid.

With his left shoulder completely immobilized, he was more or less rendered useless for paperwork as much as he was attempting to make his signature look passable with his right hand. He would be in the sling for long enough that JJ ordered him a small stamp of his signature to save him the trouble, and while Strauss wasn't crazy about the security issues that arose from having his signature easily reproduced, she turned a blind eye for the time being. It was the least she could do, all things considered.

“Keep it locked up,” she'd scolded, and from that point pretended not to know it existed. Aaron was stubborn enough to practice his signature in spite of the stamp but gave in after a few botched attempts and some questions as to the validity of the stacks of reports he'd processed. His frustration at his limitations was palpable when he entered a room. When Dave brought him refills on his coffee, when Emily showed up unannounced to drive him to and from work, when Penelope and Reid opened doors and turned pages and did things that he could do on his own...none of them were going down without a fight. If he was going to come back weeks too soon using bogus tricks to get his doctors to sign off on it, they would be there blocking his path to his normal spiral of self-destruction in the wake of injury. He was relegated to sitting at his desk, haunting his office walls, and even that proved difficult enough that he needed Derek.

Derek who didn't baby him. Steered clear of entering his space unbidden. He didn't hover, he kept his distance and trusted that it would bring Aaron to him instead. And it did...maybe a little more than he'd bargained for.

Aaron's office was dark, a stark contrast to the light flooding the bullpen from overhead. Everyone was working and talking quietly, and as he walked down the catwalk with his bag slung over his shoulder ready to spend the rest of the afternoon at the FBI Academy with the new recruits, he thought maybe he missed being down there in the mix. Prentiss and Reid were in the midst of what looked like a heated discussion, the rest of the room around them seemed not to matter. He rapped at Aaron's door with his knuckles, more an announcement of his arrival than a request to enter. What he found, to his chagrin, was Aaron in the dark struggling to fumble his way back into the cumbersome sling he was supposed to wear unless he was lying down. Derek had read all of the discharge paperwork as they sat and waited for the all-clear to head home post-op, knew everything about it front and back like it was his job. The fact that Aaron wasn't in his sling wasn't entirely surprising, but he could tell by the look on the other man's face that he hadn't expected to get caught.

“Hotch...” he groaned, dropping his bag on the couch and approaching the other man. With gentle hands he took charge, supporting Aaron's arm and slipping the sling first underneath and then threading it through and around thick bandages before clipping it securely in place. He double and triple checked that it was positioned correctly, feeling rather pleased with himself at how quickly he was able to perform this task.

“Thank you,” Aaron whispered, breathing through the screaming pain that flickered through his nerves, a sparking wire that ran from his neck all the way to his thumb. He felt his hand twitch against the fabric of the sling, fingers moving involuntarily for a moment before settling. “I can't do the exercises with it on.” He didn't owe Derek an explanation, but he also knew Derek deserved one.

“I get it.”

“Morgan,” he changed course, remembering why he'd asked the other man to come. “I have a meeting with the Director in the morning and...” He looked a little ashamed. “I need your help, if you have time. I've been using this electric razor that Jessica bought me, and it's...I'm not very good at using it with my right hand.” He was stalling. He reached up and reminded himself why, running his fingers along his jawline, feeling the smooth skin and the ragged scraps of hair the shaver missed. He could go to Rossi's barber in the morning, he knew he could, but he wasn't keen on having strangers near his neck with a blade. Not since Foyet; there were just some things that would never return to their prior state and that comfort was gone from him forever. Summoning his courage, he swallowed the lump in his throat and forged ahead. Derek was getting antsy, not used to Aaron's requests taking so long; he was usually so direct. “Would you mind helping me shave tonight? I can't show up to the Director's office like this.”

Derek's frustration was instantly relieved; he couldn't think of anything to do but laugh. Of all the things he'd envisioned, this wasn't it. “You...want me near your throat with a sharp object? After everything you've put me through the last couple of weeks?” He was smiling, though, and Aaron felt the tension in his jaw relaxing.

“You're the only person I know who can use a straight razor.”

Derek didn't mind giving up his afternoon of physical fitness training with the recruits, he could make it up later so he gave Emily the night off, opting to drive Aaron home rather than following her for no reason and possibly having her try to hang around causing a scene. As it was, she frowned at him menacingly while he walked her ticket to a half day out the door with him. He would hear about this later.

Aaron's apartment was so quiet, too still. Afternoon light filtered through cracks in the curtains, a gentle breeze rustling them at the bottom. It smelled like spring, and he watched as Aaron hurried around, kicking legos out of the path and apologizing for the state of things. “Jack and I were running late this morning,” he muttered, and Derek just shrugged, he didn't care. Maybe if he stepped on one he might, but this was a family home and family homes were supposed to look lived in and loved. They'd all worried, after Haley died, about how he and Jack would get on but it looked to Derek like things were okay...good even. Jack's toys brightened up the neutrals with pops of bright primary colors, his cartoon emblazoned blankets and cereal boxes were a welcome addition to the somber grays and browns. He stepped back and watched Aaron gather a glass and a cereal bowl up with his one good arm and hustle them over to the sink, and though he wanted to offer his help, he knew the other man had had just about enough of people trying to do his tasks for him.

“Can I get you anything?” Aaron asked, depositing the last of the renegade dishes into the sink. Derek shook his head no, he didn't need anything.

“Where's the blade?” Derek asked, itching to make himself useful without overstepping his boundaries. Aaron stopped what he was doing, set the dishes down in the sink a little more rough than he intended and guided Derek to the bathroom.

The bathroom, a short walk through Aaron's own bedroom, was cramped and on the smaller side, but lit bright by the spring sun filtering through the thick mottled glass. The dining chair Aaron had hauled in was nestled into the open space beside the sink, everything laid out on the small counter beside it. The razor and all of its accouterments were delicately placed on a leather mat and Derek smiled as he ran his hands over the pearl handle in reverence.

“This is nice,” he mused, turning it over in his hands. His own was worn, all metal, engraved with his father's name and worn down through age and use. Its weight was familiar in his hand and he wondered if he could adapt easily to the difference, he was no professional.

“A graduation gift from Haley's father.”

Derek hummed, nodding. He found a towel hook and began honing the blade while Aaron settled himself in the chair silently. Not much of a talker under normal circumstances, now he'd just gone completely silent. Derek filled the gaping silence while he worked the lather over Aaron's cheeks and neck with little anecdotes, silly things people said and did while Aaron was on leave that made him soften and smile. He tugged at the skin, ran the razor gently over the curves and planes, letting the weight of the blade carry the momentum, do most of the work. His fingers were the guide, working in small fluid movements, trying to be as gentle as he could as he moved Aaron's jaw toward and away from his injured shoulder. The further in he got, the more involved his stories became until he had Aaron's jaw tilted upward, about ready to begin the descent to his neck.

“Derek,” Aaron said softly, his features pinched. Derek stopped what he was doing, his fingers beneath Aaron's chin, the razor hovering barely above his skin. “I...it hurts...” He sounded so fragile, admitting to something so vastly out of character that Derek nearly dropped the razor in his hurry to back up, not sure what he'd done. First he looked for blood, and when he found none he cocked his head to the side and watched the way Aaron shifted uncomfortably in his seat, moving his neck painfully slow. “I'm sorry, my neck...”

“Oh fuck, I'm sorry, I didn't realize...” He'd forgotten there was more to Aaron's injury than just his shoulder, he was so good at masking, hiding his discomfort. Change of plans. He couldn't tilt Aaron's head upward that long without causing pain, so he'd have to get lower in order to get under his jaw. “Well.”

“It's okay, I can...”

“No, no, I got this...get ready to be real up close and personal...” He almost called him baby, right then, and stopped himself in the moments before making a complete ass of himself.

Without asking, because he thought that would make it infinitely more awkward than it already was going to be, he straddled Aaron's lap and sat down chest to chest, careful not to bump into his arm. From this angle, he could get beneath Aaron's jaw and down onto his neck without making him hold an uncomfortable position. Unless, of course, Aaron found it uncomfortable to suddenly be Derek's chair. Aaron didn't make a sound, and Derek thought he could feel Aaron's heart hammering against his sternum. “This okay?”

Aaron made a humming noise deep in his throat, adam's apple bobbing dangerously close to the razor's edge. Derek smiled. His lips were so close to Aaron's skin as he spoke, still trying to fill the silence with stories, amused by the ways he could make Aaron smile and then tell him to be still in the same breath.

He glanced briefly up at the clock and realized with a start that he'd lost track of the hour, and now he had no time to go home and get dressed before the dinner date he'd already rescheduled twice due to work. He'd been flirting with one of the personal trainers at his gym for over a month, this was probably his last opportunity to make this work out and he was blowing it. If he stood Desmond up, he'd need to apologize profusely and probably find a new gym...but he liked his gym, and he liked Desmond.

“Shit,” he muttered, and Aaron froze, wondering if he'd been cut. He hadn't felt it. Derek chuckled at his reaction, the way all of his muscles tensed at the sound. “Sorry, not the razor, I just remembered I have a date in an hour and I don't have time to go home and change...”

“Oh. I'm sorry,” Aaron muttered.

“No, it's my fault, I got caught up. I coulda done this a lot faster but I was having a good time.”

Aaron's heart was beating like a butterfly against his ribs, the same feeling he'd had for too long when it came to Derek. Asking him to do this might have been a mistake, especially now with Derek still perched on his thighs, wiping down his neck with a warm towel. “You can go through my closet, take what you like. I have some nice cashmere sweaters that I'm sure would fit.”

“I can't...” Derek started, but he couldn't show up wearing a shaving cream drenched t-shirt and blue jeans. “Okay. I'll be extra careful.” The jeans would have to stay in spite of the fact that they were going to a nice restaurant; he could wipe them down, but he'd take Aaron up on the offer of a sweater.

“It isn't a big deal, I don't have much occasion to wear them these days.” He indicated his shoulder, the fact that he couldn't lift his arm meant his wardrobe was limited to only certain items. Derek nodded in understanding, admiring the job he'd done once the shaving cream was cleared and the aftershave was slicked on. It smelled like lavender and ylang ylang, so bright and calming. “You should start getting ready to go. I'll clean this up.”

He wiped down the counter and rinsed the razor, fumbling with the towel to dry it with one hand, wishing he at least had the luxury of his left hand being mobile enough to hold things within the sling. All in good time, they promised him, but he didn't much care for that answer. It didn't help him now. He smiled in spite of himself at the sound of Derek's humming while he flipped through the closet and wondered what he was thinking, whether he was borrowing one because he wanted to or if he felt obligated to take Aaron up on his offer...and he wondered about his date, at how fortunate he was.

“Thanks again,” Derek said, adjusting the lay of the deep gray sweater he'd chosen. Of all the sweaters in Aaron's closet, Derek managed to choose his favorite, one he'd been wearing since college. It was the first completely selfish thing he'd bought with his own money; thick deep gray wool flecked with tiny bits of pink and teal and gold so minuscule you wouldn't see them unless you were up close. It was worn just a little thin at the elbows with a chunky knotted collar, sleeves just a little too long for him but around the bulk of Derek's frame it fit...perfect. It was, as Jessica loved to point out, incredibly outdated, old-fashioned, belonged on someone with high waist polyester pants playing bridge in a retirement home. She'd told him that the day he bought it and she told him the same thing, down to the syllable, even now. His only response was that it was a classic and he would be buried in it just to spite her, a point she had more than once wondered if she'd find in his will someday. (She wouldn't. The sweater was willed to her.)

He loved to wear it with his one pair of worn out, baggy cargo pocket khakis, and even Jack told him how awful it was. Threatened to burn the whole outfit, maybe his entire closet. It was the little things in life that brought him joy.

The way he smiled reverently at Derek made him a little nervous. “What?”

“Nothing,” he whispered, unwilling to vocalize what it felt like seeing Derek in his most cherished sweater, the sweater that carried more stories and memories than he could ever hope to share and knowing that what he said earlier held true; if it was somehow ruined or never returned, he wouldn't mind. “It looks nice on you.”

The restaurant was nearly empty, they had the late reservations, the last available and he was still almost late. By the time he walked in, Desmond was seated with an open bottle of wine and a look on his face that told Derek he was on thin ice.

“Your excuse had better be good,” Desmond said, pouring some of the sharp white wine into Derek's waiting glass. He frowned, he would have ordered red, and it really wasn't a big deal...wine was wine, but for some reason it made him think of Aaron, how no matter what at team gatherings with wine, the two of them always wound up sharing a bottle of red. At least when Aaron drank, now he took so many medications he didn't often partake but his mind still went there.

“Thanks,” he said, lifting the glass and offering a small cheers to a hopeful date. “I was doing a favor for my boss.”

“The one you're also secretly in love with?”

Desmond wasn't a profiler, but clearly he'd caught on to something and it caught Derek so entirely off guard that he nearly choked on his wine. “Excuse me?”

“You talk about him all the time. Do you not even realize it?”

“I...” Derek stammered, clearly caught off guard. Desmond smiled wide pausing only to order the calamari and ask for another basket of the rye bread to go with when the waiter came by. Derek, through it all, remained speechless.

“Look,” Desmond said, leaning forward. “I initially didn't want to go out with you because I thought for sure you were stuck on this other guy, but I decided hey what the hell. You seem like a good time even if it doesn't go anywhere. I came here knowing what I was getting into, and maybe I hoped it'd last a little longer than appetizers but it's fine.”

“No, you...I was just helping him. He got hurt and he just...” No way he could say what he was doing. It was all over. He deflated visibly, sucking down his entire glass of very expensive wine in one gulp.

“Let's talk about something else, okay?”

Derek played with the sleeve of the sweater mindlessly while Desmond talked about celebrity clients he'd had when he was a trainer in Los Angeles, how he was hoping to move up to New York soon so this was a short term stop. He asked Derek for stories about his time as a cop, how he'd parlayed a legal degree into becoming an FBI Profiler, seemed genuinely interested in what he had to say. They smiled easily, spoke even easier (after finishing their bottle of wine).

During a lull in conversation while they ate, he tried to remember ever seeing Aaron in this sweater, and at a certain point he had so many separate memories he realized why he'd chosen it...it wasn't that he liked it best, the fabric was a little rough, it was still nice but definitely aged and very out of date; he had chosen it because it was Aaron. This sweater held years in its worn threads, team dinners and jet rides home. Playing pool and sharing a cab. It was so soft and pliable that he'd been able to stretch it over Aaron's head before taking him home from the hospital after Foyet; it was the only thing he'd worn the entire time. Penelope had to talk him out of it to wash it, and he'd put it right back on the minute it was dry. It was made of memories and as he looked at his date across the table from him he realized that what he was doing couldn't lead anywhere, none of these dates ever could because the person he wanted with his entire heart was at home right now. He debated his next move: finish the date and play it cool or cut and run now...he couldn't fathom what the right answer to this might be, so they ordered one more bottle of wine (also white) and he explained his predicament. Admitted to Desmond that he'd been right...he just hadn't realized it, and now it was so obvious that he couldn't think about anything else.

“Okay. So...what the hell are you still doing here with me, then?” he asked, quirking an eyebrow and Derek laughed nervously.

“I do like you,” he answered honestly. “I mean I really like you.”

“Oh, believe me, I know,” Desmond replied with a grin. “But I'm not him. And you'll never get over that.”

The truth of it stung, and without further consideration, he ordered a dessert to go and offered up his card to the waiter. He would pay for the entire dinner, leave the tab open a bit and let Desmond have some fun if he was so inclined...but he had to leave before his guilty conscience ruined the entire evening irreparably. At least they were still smiling.

“Thanks for the company and all of the wine, I'm going to run this tab sky high...”

“The card does have a limit, I ain't no millionaire but you're free to push it if you want. I feel awful, man...plus I really don't want to find another gym. I like this one and you. I figure if I butter you up maybe we can laugh about this later. We cool?”

“We're cool,” Desmond agreed, raising his full glass of wine in a toast. “You better have a good story for me in the morning or I'm making you do an extra hour on the treadmill. Long...and slow...uphill...and all of the tvs will be tuned to the home shopping network.” Desmond paused, his face turning serious briefly. “And hey, if this boss guy doesn't work out, I'm willing to let you pay for another meal or two.”

When he knocked on Aaron's door, he realized that he had no idea what time it was, only that it was surely too late to be pulling these antics. Still, the damage was done and he could hear rustling around from inside, the slow and steady movements of Aaron's gait across the carpet. It was too late to bail, pretend it had never happened. The door opening revealed Aaron with his hair a matted mess, bright red pillow creases streaking his cheek and a dazed, half-asleep look in his eyes.

“Is everything alright?” he asked, rubbing his eyes with his fists in a distinctly childlike way. Derek smiled and wavered in his determination.

“What? Oh...yeah...sorry I didn't think you'd be asleep...I didn't look at the clock...” Aaron barely listened to him, instead he opened the door and invited him inside, far too tired to decode whatever Derek was trying to say. He'd either be clear or not, his mind was in no condition to worry over it.

“I fell asleep reading on the couch.” His voice was strained, crackling with exhaustion and unable to hide the pain he was in. No amount of deflection and masking could cover up the truth that the moon brought with her. He'd said more than once, when Dave and JJ asked if he was sleeping, that it was worst at night and he was trying. Derek felt terrible for waking him, remembering that now. There was a book on the floor, sprawled out like it had been dumped from his lap, a crumpled Thomas the Train blanket discarded just beside it.

“Jack home?”

“He's in bed.”

Derek hummed, feeling the knot in his stomach twisting tighter. Courage, he needed courage. “I thought I'd bring you some dessert.” Not the most solid start, but he popped the box open and showed Aaron the slice of triple layer chocolate mousse cake. It was decadent. The look of soft, sweet confusion on Aaron's sleepy features told Derek that it was now or never.

“Your date didn't last very long...” He yawned wide, the kind of jaw-cracking motion that made you shiver as it coursed through you.

“Yeah, there was someone else on my mind.”

Aaron gulped, a flush rising, his heart thudding in its cage. He didn't dare let his thoughts wander too far into hope. Not now.

“Aaron,” he whispered, closing the gap between them, so close that they were nose to nose. When Aaron didn't back up, didn't pull away, he leaned in and pressed a warm, wine soaked kiss against the other man's lips. Pinot Grigio, sharp and astringent, flavored the air between them. He settled one hand against the curve of Aaron's hip, the other the back of his neck, and mindful of Aaron's injury, he pulled him close. Lightheaded, Aaron swayed a little but his fingers gripped the fabric of his own sweater tight, one fist balled in the wool and he smelled Derek in the fibers now. He was intoxicated by the newness of something that hadn't changed even a fraction in all the years he'd owned it.

Old faithful with a new life.

“I should go,” Derek breathed against warm lips, breaking the spell. The dark circles under Aaron's eyes were a distinct reminder of reality seeping into the cracks. “You need to sleep. Maybe we can continue this conversation tomorrow after work?”

Aaron hummed happily, perfectly content to stand there in the embrace until Derek let him go. “Probably a good idea, yes.”

#aaron hotchner #derek morgan #hotchgan #criminal minds #fanfiction

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stargildedskies · 4 years ago

Text

Tease (1/2)

Reader is fed up with the lack of attention from a certain Grand Admiral. To force his hand, she decides to send some pictures to tempt him while he's away, but things don't quite go as they were planned.

Pairing: Grand Admiral Thrawn x f!reader

Rating: Explicit (18+ only)

Tags/warnings (for part 1): lingerie, m@sturbation, slight dom/sub undertones

AO3 link here

Author’s note: Here’s the smut I promised! I’ll either post the second chapter tonight, or a different smut prompt partially inspired by @pala-din-djarin ;)

Let me know if you enjoyed it <3

Ch’eo ch’itiseb- my sweet

In the beginning, the plan was to tease your lover ever-so-slightly. Grand Admiral Thrawn had been away from the Chimaera for a week, and you were in no mood to be the last person in line for attention upon his return. Sady, Thrawn had been so busy the week before his departure that he had very little time to spend with you.

As a Commander, you, of course, had your own duties to attend to in his absence, but there was no denying you missed his touch a little more than usual during the unrelentingly long week. It was more than understandable for Thrawn to be busy; he was a Grand Admiral, after all, but it couldn’t hurt for you to remind him exactly what he was missing……

You would never do anything to jeopardize his ongoing mission. Still, he was just on Coruscant visiting the Imperial Palace, and you weren’t exactly above sending some choice pictures to him through an encrypted communication line. Did you know exactly what you were doing by putting on the fine, lacy lingerie he had gifted you but never got the chance to see? Absolutely, but then again… that was the whole point. You wanted him to feel exactly as desperate for you as you did for him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

As you slipped the final stocking into place, you couldn’t help but smile at your reflection in the mirror.

Ah, this should do nicely.

Red, lacy lingerie, which perfectly matched the shade of your lover’s eyes, trailed across your skin like flames. The bralette was mostly sheer, but it offered the perfect amount of support and framed your décolletage in a way you knew Thrawn would find delectable. The matching panties hugged your hips and were partially hidden below a thin belt made from the same lace, which circled your waist and connected to the stockings in the front and back.

You laughed mischievously as you turned to see how the outfit looked from the side reflection in the large mirror, “Oh, this should definitely work well.”

The stockings themselves rested perfectly on the soft swell of your upper thighs, a place you knew Thrawn loved to kiss and mark as his, and they framed your ass beautifully. You were beyond resplendent, a piece of art that he couldn’t have, and you were going to use it to tease him as much as possible. However, if you were actually going to do some real damage, the pictures needed to be convincing.

“What better way to make this authentic than to do it in his bed,” you mused out loud. Fortunately, the datapad could both take and encrypt the pictures, so all you had to do was prop it up on the bedside table and set the photo timer.

The setup was fairly easy for the first few pictures, but all your ideas for poses were running out before long. Then, another exciting thought crossed your mind.

I’ll just set it to video! I can freeze and save sections of it as the pictures; that’ll be absolutely perfect.

You reached up and set the datapad to the necessary specifications before returning to the edge of Thrawn’s bed. Taking the pictures had been building sensual anticipation under your skin, and it went straight to your core as you imagined your lover’s reaction to them. Just the thought of Thrawn, breathless with want and worlds away from having his hands on you…. Well, it was more than enough encouragement for you to hit the record button on the datapad.

The silken black sheets on his bed caressed your soft skin and added another layer of sensation to your already stimulated mind as you lay back down among them. You took a deep, tentative breath in; Thrawn’s intensely masculine scent seemed to be everywhere. It completely surrounded you, drawing you further into the seductive depths of your mind and triggered vivid memories of all the ways he’d taken you on top of them.

One such memory was his powerful form pressing your back deep into the sheets, fucking you at a relentless pace, and worrying the tender skin of your neck with his teeth. Another was of Thrawn bending you over the edge of the bed, pinning you in place with his strong arms as he ravished you from behind, all while whispering filthy sentiments in Cheunh into your ear. Finally, your memory turned to his head dipping between your thighs to drink you in as he drew his true name from your lips like a prayer to some forgotten god….

You glanced to the side, and the mirror on the opposite wall showed a glimpse of just how beautiful you looked, displayed like a prized possession in the middle of his bed. No extra persuasion was needed for you to begin trailing your hands slowly and sensually over your curves. You lightly traced down the bothersome seams of the lingerie, following the path Thrawn’s own hands would’ve taken, before resting one hand at the apex of your thighs and placing the other on the ample swell of your breast.

By this point, the self-sufficient, capable Commander of the Chimaera was all but gone. Your breathing was ragged with desire and coming in short bursts; you would’ve willingly torn the world apart if it meant Thrawn could be in the room. It was all too much. Thought of him, his scent, his imaginary voice in your ear commanding your every move … Your cunt absolutely throbbed with desire. Arousal pooled between your legs, soaking through the lacy fabric and drawing a needy groan from your lips. With a gaze half-lidded and hazy from lust, your head lolled to stare directly into the camera, and you pleaded like it would bring him to bed, “ Thrawn….. please….”

You were so far gone that you hadn’t even noticed your hands were moving of their own volition. At the utterance of his name, two fingers pushed aside the interfering fabric and slipped deep inside your cunt; the other hand pinched down hard on a peaked nipple. Your back bowed off the bed, and stars danced behind your eyes as a broken moan fell from your mouth.

At this point, heady lust had completely taken over. Gasps and cries of pleasure rang out in the silent room as your fingers moved to circle your clit, driving you closer and closer to a shattering climax. You screamed Thrawn’s name when you came, digging your fingers deep into the sheets and searching desperately for stability as the intense orgasm rocked your body.

You stopped the recording on the datapad and laid still for what felt like an eternity as you tried to regain your senses. Finally, you were recovered enough to actually retrieve the datapad from the bedside table. The screen had gone dark, but when you brought the device back to life, something wasn’t quite right; the video was nowhere to be found.

As you checked through all of the possible places it could be, your stomach did a flip as you finally realized what had happened. The video was set to send automatically after it was filmed, so when you hit stop……

One quick glance at the message history confirmed your theory. However, you were so much more preoccupied with the flashing notification button. With a trembling finger, you clicked on it, and an audio file popped up. Thrawn’s voice, usually so soft and collected, was now heavily accented and barely concealing a feral tone, “Ch’eo ch’itiseb, you know you really shouldn’t tease me like this.” He sounded ready to eat you alive.

Sith hells, you were in trouble.

Tagging some friends: @handbaskethell @mittheresabosen @pala-din-djarin @pretty-with-andorian-shingles @bluecynadi

#grand admiral thrawn #thrawn #mitt'raw'nuruodo #chiss #thrawn x f!reader #thrawn x you #thrawn x reader #star wars rebels #star wars: rebels #star wars smut #star wars rebels fanfiction

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ellstersmash · 4 years ago

Text

Not to Keep

Fandom: Mass Effect (Original Trilogy) Pairing: Kaidan x f!Shepard Rating: T for Teen (cw for alcohol use) Words: 2.7k [Read on Ao3]

shep and kaidan go undercover, set early in me1. this was originally a prompt for "fake relationship" from Leather & Lace Romance Week, but then I waited 3.5 years to finish it 🥀

It all seemed so simple. Infiltrate a wedding, extract intel on Benezia, use that to find Saren.

Easy-peasy.

Until Shepard shows up in the shuttle bay looking like that. They've only been working together for a couple of months, and Kaidan has seen her covered in blood spatter, dripping sweat post-PT—hell, even bare naked in a hotel room. But it’s safe to say he never thought he'd see her like this. Full makeup, soft curls, a long red dress that shouldn't fit anyone that perfectly, and, dangling from two fingers, a pair of classy black heels.

Kaidan swallows hard and gives her a curt nod. “Ma’am.”

“Alenko.” He shifts on his feet as her eyes travel the length of his body and back up, her cool stare giving nothing away. “You clean up nice.”

“Ah, thanks. And you look—”

“Oh, I'm dressed to kill.” Lips the same shade as her dress curve into a grin. “Figuratively, for once.”

Kaidan chokes and laughs, caught off guard in a mixture of nerves and surprise. “Was that a joke, Commander?”

Her expression narrows into a pinched, self-deprecating smirk. “If you have to ask, then no. And I definitely haven't been thinking about it since Williams zipped this damn thing up.”

The thought of his CO, this formidable woman, giggling to herself over a stupid joke for an hour is... well, it’s uncharacteristically cute. Kaidan rolls it around in his head for an indulgent minute, trying on the fit before letting the image go.

Just one more thing to jam into that Never Gonna Happen file.

“Right,” she says, back to business. “Let’s get this over with.”

They board the shuttle for the short trip to the venue, and go over the mission brief one final time: intel extraction remains their highest priority—one of their hosts, Polona T’Shan, was rumored to have a close business connection with the matriarch; protecting their cover is important, but heavy security is not expected; their false identity profiles should be enough to get them in the door, and from there the two of them will be responsible for avoiding unwanted attention by appearing as a couple.

Kaidan knows his own limits. He’s a soldier, not an actor. This pretending to be someone else, this lie, it isn't part of his training and it sure as hell isn't part of who he is. But if Shepard’s as nervous as he is, she isn't showing it.

She’s looking at him again, in that intense all-in way she sometimes does. Before her, he had never met someone who was aware of—and pursued—what they wanted with such confidence, such dogged determination, and to have that kind of focus set on him even for just a moment is… terrifying. In a good way, he thinks. It makes him feel warm and cold at the same time. It also makes him want to stare right back, but that way lies only trouble, and none of them need another helping. Not right now.

Kaidan leans back and rests his head on the cool, if slightly unsteady, inner shuttle wall as Shepard drums a rhythmless pattern into the space between their seats.

---

Kyra drains her glass.

As it turns out, Asari weddings aren't all that different from the few human ones she’s attended. Though this reception is a far more extravagant affair than she’s used to: four days of mingling and games and dancing and drinking and food. Really not her cup of tea.

And apparently not Alenko’s, either.

He’d made a beeline for the bar as soon as they’d entered, and returned with an easier stride and a glass full of some bubbling neon sugary shit for her. She’d have preferred something stronger, of course, but they do have a mission to complete. If they can manage to get Polona alone for a moment.

She slips her hand into the crook of his elbow and feels him stiffen, then relax. Quick and conscious. He’s nervous, out of place, on edge, and then completely calm and collected.

No doubt in her mind he was the right pick for this one.

The thought settles her stomach, and just in time. Two asari approach, their hands extended in enthusiastic welcome.

“Greetings!” one of them says, with a voice smooth and sweet as wildflower honey. “Oh, what a lovely pair you two make. Right out of the vids, could be. This one’s even better looking up close, don’t you think so, Liria?” The asari takes Alenko’s hand, sensual and deliberate, then turns her attention to Kyra. “And goddess, that dress is stunning; really, sweetie, it fits you like a glove. You”—she drags one finger down Alenko’s lapel—“are a lucky man, I hope you know.”

Eyes wide, he clears his throat and coughs, then regains his composure with a brief glance in Kyra’s direction.

The second asari offers an apologetic look to each of them in turn. “Rialla, darling, slow down or you’ll scare them off.”

“They certainly look sturdy enough.”

“I am so sorry. She’s had quite a bit to drink, I’m afraid. Never could pace herself at a wedding.” She laughs. “My name is Liria, and my companion’s name is Rialla, and ever since we saw you walk in, we have just been itching to get to know you.”

Kyra plasters what she hopes is a warm smile on her face, mentally pulling up her cover identity as reference. “Emily, and I’m delighted to meet you both. This is John, my um—”

“Her very lucky partner.”

The two matriarchs titter and tease him, both in turn, and once again he’s in control. Kyra can’t help but be impressed by how effortlessly he charms them. And she’s far from immune. It’s her mission, yet she is all too prepared to be led around the room by that firm hand at the small of her back.

Staff Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko: respected Alliance Marine, powerful L2 biotic, all-around stand-up guy, and—apparently—a smooth son-of-a-bitch. It’s an unexpected feature for someone so soft-spoken and unpretentious. Like he has a hidden switch somewhere.

Or a button.

Press For Instant Charisma.

She briefly entertains the idea of hunting for it, then aborts the thought with a twist of her lips and tunes back in to the conversation.

---

The lie is getting easier. Shepard is tucked under Kaidan’s arm, and he’s almost comfortable.

Their new friends are exactly the right sort. Nosy, talkative, well into their cups, and connected. Old friends of their mark, both of them, and Liria has history with Benezia herself. Shepard spins her tale about a chance meeting with the missing matriarch at a charity benefit and their tapering correspondence, followed by a rumor igniting hope for reconnection. And they eat it right up.

All he has to do is act natural and help Shepard keep them talking.

“Well, you know Polona wasn’t only Benezia’s lawyer.” Liria leans in close, her voice not quite as hushed as she probably intended. “They were involved, some centuries back. Quite the scandal at the time, but then Benezia always had... selfish tendencies. Now, I’m not sure why they parted ways, or how serious it was, but—”

Not to be outdone, Rialla’s hands flutter for attention as she pipes in. “It must be more than a passing fling from two hundred years ago, though, because I heard that her Turian lover—or, well, husband now—almost called off this very wedding!”

“Really?” Shepard asks. What’s supposed to be idle curiosity is bordering on serious interest, her voice taking on a firm, interrogative quality to match her narrowed gaze, but a brush of his thumb on her shoulder and she reigns it in. Loosens up with a tilt of her head and a hand to his thigh that has him tensing up instead.

“Oh, yes,” Rialla says. “It was all very tenuous there for a while. And to think, then the four of us would never have met!”

Kaidan raises his glass with a smile as genuine as he can muster. “A tragic loss for us, to be sure.”

With a deep, warm smile, Rialla fans her face and leans in close to Shepard, but speaks for the whole table to hear. “Do let me know when you're finished with him, would you, dear? I think I may be quite in love.”

He's fine until Shepard smirks, then he's far too warm. Suffocating.

He tugs at his collar. “You think their, uh, conflict had something to do with Polona and Benezia’s involvement?”

“I seriously doubt it,” Liria says with a dismissive wave of her hand. “That was ages ago, not yesterday. Beni’s still pining after Aeth—”

Rialla laughs. “Oh, it’s Beni, now? I had no idea you were such intimate friends!”

“I’m 800 years old, my dear.” Liria scoffs. “I have quite a few friends you don’t know about.”

“Is that supposed to make me jealous?”

“Of course not, don’t be silly!”

“Silly? Goddess, must you always be so patronizing?”

“Must you always twist my words?”

“Oh, here we go!”

The situation spirals into chaos before either he or Shepard can recover it, and she stands up from the table, pulling at his elbow.

“I love this song,” she mutters pointedly, and leads him to the dance floor. It’s a slow number, thank god. He’s not nearly drunk enough to dance to something with a beat.

They sway slowly, and she presses close, his neck prickling underneath her palm. His own hands settle on her waist, then more naturally to her hips.

“Damn,” she whispers. “Damn.”

“I know. But hey, we’ve got the rest of the night. And tomorrow night. And the next night. And—”

“The next night, I know.” She groans and drops her head to his shoulder.

Kaidan smiles into her hair.

---

The night is officially over. The band is still playing, but most of the guests are gone, and despite making a number of connections, they’ve learned nothing more about Benezia's whereabouts.

They have, however, made decent use of the open bar.

Kyra downs the last of her champagne and orders a cocktail, dealer's choice. It arrives glowing and smoking and she takes the skyward trajectory of Alenko’s brows as a personal challenge not to hesitate.

A potent combination of peppermint and blueberries and battery acid hits the back of her throat and makes her head swim on contact.

Next to her, Alenko is nursing his third.

“How’s your drink?” he asks.

“Surprising.”

“In a good way or a bad way?”

“Um… Yes.” She clinks her fingernail against his glass. “How’s your whiskey?”

He frowns and takes a sip. “This is not whiskey.”

“Didn’t realize you were such a connoisseur.”

“No, I mean it is literally not whiskey. Didn’t have it, I guess.” He drinks again. “It’s weird, right? Walk into any bar on Earth and they’ll have a dozen to pick from, but soon as you take off…”

“Yeah.” She sighs. “No burgers. No guac. No ice cream.”

The low chuckle he gives is a sound she’d like to hear again. And again, and again, and—

“When you put it like that, this spacer life is a real sorry existence.”

Kyra nods and wonders what he misses most from home. Or who. But that is none of her business, so she empties her glass and tips the bartender in preparation to leave.

“Sorry tonight was a bust, Shepard.”

“It wasn’t a total loss. Decent food, free booze.” She rests her chin on one closed fist. “Good company.”

“By that, I assume you mean our new asari friends.”

“Sure.”

Holding his gaze is harder than it should be. He cradles his nearly-empty glass and taps his fingers in sequence. Up and down, like a zipper.

At last, he looks away. “I was going to say ‘beautiful,’ by the way.”

“Hmm?”

“Earlier, before we left. I was going to tell you how incredible you looked, but then you interrupted me, and I never really got the chance to say it so I figured I might as well say it now.”

Warmth rises in her belly and she rides it like a wave, unscathed and unchanged on the other side. She turns to face him, wriggling in the seat in preparation like he’s about to try and upend her. “All right, Alenko. Hit me. I’m ready.”

He gives a huff of nervous laughter, one hand going straight to the back of his neck. “Well, uh... that was pretty much it.”

“That’s it? You waited all night to tell me that you were going to tell me I looked beautiful, but didn’t?”

His lips roll together, and he cedes the point with a tilt of his head, then meets her eyes again before his take a slow, uncertain wander around the rest of her features.

“Shepard,” he says when he makes it back, and it’s a name so overused it may as well be a title—but not spoken like that. Low and drawn out and a little bit reverent, it becomes almost intimate for the first time in years and she can't help but wonder how her first might sound.

“You look really beautiful tonight.”

Oh. Oh no. Kyra knows she should say thank you, and tell him to finish his drink so they can get out of here, but this next wave won’t subside and the air won’t reach her lungs and all she can do is stare at him.

“I mean, not just tonight, but especially—” he continues, visibly flustered by her silence. “You know, the dress and the lips—ah, make-up! And, and the hair and everything, it’s just very, um, tasteful, and… Um.” He clears his throat and pushes his drink away by inches, folding his hands tight together. "Feel free to stop me anytime.”

Ah. There. That’s the Alenko she knows and can handle.

“Now why would I do a thing like that?” she says, sending a silent prayer of thanks to whichever god kept her voice from breaking.

The smile they exchange is soft and charged and it smooths him over. His eyes are brown. Kyra knew that already, but clinically. On paper. Hair: black. Eyes: brown. Year of birth: 2151.

She didn’t know it like this, tangibly, all wrapped up and swept away in a simple fact.

This time she’s the one to give in. “You know, you should really keep that button pressed, Alenko.”

“What?”

“The charisma button.” She jerks her head toward the door, grabs his hand for the sake of anyone who might still be awake and sober enough to notice, and leads him out. “Push it. More.”

“I— what?”

Kyra chuckles to herself and steps into the elevator. “Forget it.”

The doors close once she chooses a floor and she regrets taking his hand because now she has to let go.

Kiss me. Come on, Alenko. Quick, before we go back. She can’t think it any louder, can’t make it any clearer without crossing a line. Be better if he does it, but he won’t. She knows he wants to just like she knows he never will, because he’s a good soldier and a good soldier doesn’t fuck with the chain of command. Not without a compelling reason, at least, and she can’t give him one.

Their floor lights up and reality pours in. He follows her across the dock, at a distance now that no one who would care might be watching.

Kyra takes a sharp, deep breath. Three more nights of this—unless they can get their intel sooner. Three more nights of flirting and dancing and soft touches all for show and not to keep. Maybe she should have brought Williams after all. Or Garrus. Or anyone else.

Distracted, she nearly trips getting into the shuttle, and somehow he’s right there, a broad hand on her waist to steady her.

A nod and he detaches. Steps back. “Ma’am.”

Ma’am. But he is a terrible liar, and she’s never been good at a long con.

#mass effect #mass effect trilogy #mass effect fic #kaidan alenko #shenko #alcohol #ellster writes #kyra x kaidan #be gentle this is a collaboration with past me #one of us is a much better writer #no i wont tell you which #oh my god wrangling all these rogue italic spaces from before i learned how to format for ao3 is going to send me into a fit of rage #s/o to the 5 story subscribers stubborn enough to hang on

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libermachinae · 4 years ago

Text

Cradle

Available on AO3 Summary: Post-battle roll call. Notes: For @soundwaveweek, prompt was ‘poetry.’

---

The MTOs were stressed. He could understand that, and in fact had little choice but to. Coming online in a crashing shuttle was a less than ideal way to begin life, and the hours of listening to gunfire and artillery going off just outside their prison-slash-shelter almost guaranteed the sorts of injuries no tool could fix. Soundwave had no idea whether the silence that followed the Decepticon victory would have been a welcome reprieve or the most hellish stretch of the experience, but his torch cutting through the crumpled hatch had broken its hold on them, and now they were frantic.

Their thoughts cut him like millions of grains of sand caught up in the exhaust of a shuttle launch. There were questions, the standard Who is that?, Am I going to die?, and Is that supposed to happen? Then the observations, It’s dark, It’s light, He’s blue, He has a gun, and I have a gun.

Mostly, though, they were giving off impressions that could not be condensed so neatly into words, not without at least a few days’ practice to understand the ebb and flow of language. Without it, Soundwave could feel the crush of the darkness, the burning slice of the light. When he announced himself on arrival, his voice came back to him thirteen different ways, shivering or sliding or in boxes, an impressive feat for a group whose sum total life experiences were the inside of a dead shuttle and each other.

The volume increased as he approached them, both due to proximity and their own increasing anxieties. Their thoughts were loud enough to be knocking against his helm, adding to the cacophony the echo of his own internals, but he soldiered on, approaching the first cradle, its occupant staring at him with a mouthless expression that nevertheless seemed to snarl.

“Designation,” Soundwave demanded.

“Megatron.”

Hisses and whispers and flares. Soundwave wished he could turn down his sensitivity, but with all the cassettes investigating other casualty reports, he couldn’t risk making himself that vulnerable, even if it meant he would be taking a splitting processor ache to berth with him that night instead of recharge.

“Your designation,” he said, with no patience to start with.

The MTO stared at Soundwave, optics glancing first over his face and then the length of his frame. He started to speak, aborted the effort, attention straying to his comrades before snapping back to the officer. His thoughts were bright, sour, and runny, becoming more disorganized the longer Soundwave stood waiting for an answer. Now he was tearing through his data packs, the disorganized folders spilling open with instructions on how to shoot, who to shoot, which way to run—

“No designation,” Soundwave concluded, feeling a part of his psyche slump with resignation. “Serial code.”

The uncomprehending stare slid again to the other MTOs, whose own thoughts echoed the globular confusion. A few of them were in the same process of upending their entire storage libraries, and although any one of them could have accurately pinpointed the coordinates where their plummeting ship had disappeared off the edge of the battle map, not one of them could provide him the very basic information he needed to complete this task and leave these soldiers for the recovery teams to salvage.

Soundwave made a quick visual inspection of the MTO, who tried to lean away—not far, given that he was still suspended in the cradle—now that his defensive bluster had dried up. No printed serial code, nor was there on the MTO beside him, a quiet mech who barely glanced at Soundwave as he came close. No serial codes, either printed or coded.

“Any identification markers?” Soundwave asked the room at large. A flicker of movement: Soundwave looked down to the mech at the end of the starboard row, the one installed opposite the sole casualty, aside from the ship itself. His thoughts had been quieter than the rest, colorless and inflexible in a way that had suggested a concussion, but Soundwave’s question had provoked a brief flare. He was looking up: on the ceiling above his squadmate was painted the number 2.

That, unfortunately, was something that could be plugged into a database, checked against the shuttle manifest and production logs, and be used to reverse engineer a serial number. Success, though, depended on this being a legitimate deployment, and certain signs were suggesting the opposite, though none so definitively as to trigger a full investigation. Soundwave put out a recall signal to Frenzy and Ravage, wary of how isolated the shuttle’s final resting place was, and tuned his sensors up higher…

Only to immediately turn them down again as the minutiae of the newbuilds’ thoughts flowed like acid rain through fresh gaps in a roof. He could read the rudimentary threat assessments they were running on him and taste the swell of emotions too new to differentiate yet; the bravest among them had started to free curiosity from the mass, and they plugged it into every observation they made, building questions on top of each other until the thoughts were heavy enough to bend under their own weight. Within the shuttle, everything felt compressed and heavy on top of him.

“Calm down,” he commanded, and winced at spikes of anxiety impaling him from multiple directions.

What a waste, he thought as he recovered from the burst, of his time and their lives. Nova Point was captured, the Autobot base overrun, and Starscream’s choice to put him on recovery meant vital logistics standards were being delayed. The already lengthy identification process would easily be doubled if this much of his processor remained dedicated to his hypersensitivity sensors, and he was vulnerable as long as the soldiers’ thoughts were filling his audio feed. Soldier was even a generous word for the mechs he’d been tasked with risking his life for. Their minimal data packs and emotional instability would make them ill-suited to the promotions occasionally offered to MTOs. They would be getting hauled out of one wreck only to be pressed into another, one that would more likely than not reach its intended destination.

Soundwave did not fault Megatron for leading a chunk of their forces off to the distant front lines on other worlds, but he did long for his leader at times. Megatron would know what was best, whether to forge ahead with the recovery efforts or leave them here to—

“A new row of unlit lanterns is marched in, And I can’t remember what my world looks like In the dark.”

The recording was poor quality, torn from a processor moments before it went offline. Soundwave kept hoping to find the rest of the poem, but bots who survived that time were few and far between, and they guarded their secrets fiercely. Because it was short, he let it play out, and when it finished the attention of the MTOs had narrowed.

“What was that?” the first one asked.

“Untitled,” Soundwave said, which wasn’t entirely accurate. He had a recording of a secondhand account that referred to the poem as ‘The Chain Runners,’ but had never been able to confirm it. He could have asked, but then he would have to tell Megatron he kept the old poem, and that wasn’t a conversation he was ready to have yet.

“But what was it?” The MTO jerked in his cradle; despite the clatter of plating, it did nothing to free him.

“Identification: a poem.”

The complete absence of understanding was a hole Soundwave could have fallen into. A couple accepted that as an answer—a poem must have been another form of marching order, the only communication style they had been brought online to understand—but the others prodded him with their curiosity, audials straining to catch another blip of that strange voice.

“That wasn’t you,” one of the others said.

“Negative,” Soundwave said. “Speaker…” He stopped, remembering how the first MTO, now gazing at him with useful curiosity, had snarled the poet’s name. Had that been out of a sense of pride? A desperation to answer the question, using the only scrap of information they had? Or had it been in worship, choosing his lord’s name to be his first word to the real world? The clashing, violent thoughts did not readily bear an answer to Soundwave, but they did give him pause as he considered his response, long enough that the MTOs’ anxiety rose up once more in a wave.

“What’s it mean?” one of them asked.

“Definition subjective,” Soundwave said. He still had so much work to do. “Silence requested.”

“It’s a code.”

“Negative.”

“Then it’s gotta mean something.”

Soundwave grasped uselessly for words, wishing Ravage were there already. He was better at this. Soundwave wasn’t good at conversation, but most of the time he could get out of it by virtue of the fact that the people he ran into were either his subordinates and afraid of him, or at about equal level and jealous of his proximity to Megatron. It was so rare for him to enter a room without his reputation having already made the rounds for him, he had no basis for navigating this.

He couldn’t come up with anything, and the longer he let the silence drag out the louder the background of thoughts grew to compensate. At a loss and desperate for relief, Soundwave dove into his archives and pulled a file at random, plugging it into his speakers without even scanning the contents.

“The revolution failed because the lords were unamused. The smoke that rose from the burning corpses of their clerks Soured their palmful drinks, And the chants which rose to their balconies, Calling for their heads, Were out of tune with the afternoon symphony.

(The first chair would be tossed out at intermission, And the crowd would suck closed empty fuel lines While inside, the lords sipped in peace.)”

Even with his speakers playing at a high volume, the relative noise inside the shuttle dropped instantly. Their minds were still working, turning over each word like they could find the meaning hidden underneath, but without the fear of the unknown it was quieter and reflective.

“If you still say your knuckles ache, Lay them here, on my knee. I cannot take from you That pain, But I will map the seams of your palm. I will memorize you, Memorialize. I will chart your construction And between your seams find…”

Crunching data while listening to Megatron’s voice was second nature by now. Soundwave stood in the center of the wrecked shuttle, seeking out the identity of the MTOs, while around him they leaned and twisted in their cradles, hunting down the poems like the twinkle of an enemy across a battlefield.

#maccadam #transformers #soundwave #soundwave week #my writing #oneshot #cradle

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itsappleexpert · 7 months ago

Text

A Step-by-Step Guide to Hard Drive Recovery: How to Retrieve Your Lost Files

Losing important data due to hard drive failure can be a frustrating experience, whether it's due to accidental deletion, corruption, or mechanical failure. However, all is not lost data recovery is possible, and there are steps you can take to retrieve your lost files. This step-by-step guide will help you understand how to recover your files, from simple solutions to more advanced techniques that may require professional assistance.

Step 1: Stop Using the Affected Drive

The first and most important step in data recovery is to stop using the affected hard drive immediately. If the drive is still operational, continuing to use it could overwrite the lost data, making recovery much more difficult or even impossible. If you’re able to access the drive but are unable to see your files, turn off your computer or disconnect the drive from the system to prevent any further data loss.

Step 2: Identify the Type of Data Loss

Before you begin any recovery process, it’s crucial to determine the type of data loss you’re dealing with. There are different reasons why data might be lost, such as:

Accidental deletion: Files were deleted, but the data may still exist on the drive.

Corrupted file system: The drive’s file system is damaged, causing the files to be inaccessible.

Physical damage: The drive has experienced mechanical failure, such as a head crash or motor failure.

Identifying the cause will help you choose the most effective recovery method. If you’re unsure, it may be best to consult a professional data recovery service.

Step 3: Try to Recover Files Using Software Tools

For most data loss situations, using data recovery software can be the first line of defense. These tools can scan the hard drive for lost or deleted files and recover them if they haven’t been overwritten. There are several reputable data recovery programs available, many of which are user-friendly. Some popular options include:

Recuva: A free tool for recovering deleted files from hard drives, memory cards, and other storage devices.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard: A comprehensive tool that can recover data from formatted or corrupted drives.

Stellar Data Recovery: A powerful tool that supports recovery from both deleted and damaged partitions.

To use data recovery software:

Download and Install the Software: Download the recovery tool on a different drive or computer. Installing the software on the affected drive could overwrite the data you’re trying to recover.

Connect the Affected Drive: If you’re using an external drive, connect it to another working computer. For internal drives, you may need to install it as a secondary drive or use a USB-to-SATA adapter.

Scan the Drive: Open the recovery tool and select the affected drive to scan. The software will look for recoverable files and display a list of the files it can retrieve.

Preview and Recover Files: Most recovery tools allow you to preview files before recovery. Select the files you want to restore, and save them to a different location, such as another hard drive or an external storage device.

Step 4: Use System Tools for File System Corruption

If your hard drive’s file system is corrupted, you may not be able to access the data normally. Fortunately, there are built-in system tools that can sometimes repair a damaged file system:

Windows CHKDSK: The CHKDSK (Check Disk) tool can scan for and fix file system errors, including bad sectors and corruption.

To run CHKDSK: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type chkdsk X: /f (replace “X” with the letter of the drive you want to repair).

CHKDSK will attempt to fix the file system and recover data, but it’s not always successful if the damage is severe.

Mac Disk Utility: For Mac users, the Disk Utility tool can repair file system corruption.

Open Disk Utility, select the affected drive, and click “First Aid.” The tool will scan and repair the drive if possible.

These tools are useful for fixing minor file system corruption, but they won’t help if the problem is caused by physical damage or more severe issues.

Step 5: Recover from a Backup (If Available)

If you’ve been following best practices and regularly backing up your data, this step will be your best option for recovering lost files. Many users back up data using cloud services, external hard drives, or network-attached storage (NAS). If you have a backup available, you can restore your files without the need for specialized software or services.

To recover files from a backup:

Access the Backup: If you use cloud storage (such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud), log into your account to retrieve the files. If you use an external backup drive, connect it to your computer.

Restore Files: Follow the instructions specific to your backup service or software to restore your files. Be sure to only restore the lost or corrupted files to avoid overwriting new data.

Step 6: Seek Professional Data Recovery Services

If the above steps don’t work, or if your hard drive has experienced physical damage (such as a head crash or motor failure), it’s time to consult professional data recovery services. Data recovery experts specialize in retrieving data from severely damaged or failed hard drives.

Professional services offer various recovery options depending on the cause of failure:

Logical Recovery: For file system corruption, accidental deletion, or damaged partitions, data recovery specialists can use advanced software and techniques to retrieve files.

Physical Recovery: For hard drives with physical damage, specialists use specialized equipment in cleanroom environments to repair or retrieve data from damaged components.

While professional recovery services can be expensive, they are often the only option for recovering data from severely damaged drives. Additionally, many services offer a “no data, no fee” policy, meaning you only pay if they successfully recover your data.

Step 7: Prevent Future Data Loss

Once you’ve recovered your files, it’s time to take steps to protect your data from future loss. Here are a few tips to ensure you don’t face the same situation again:

Regular Backups: Use a reliable backup solution to regularly back up your important files. Consider using both physical backups (external hard drives) and cloud storage.

Use Surge Protectors: Power surges can damage your hard drive, so always use surge protectors or uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to protect your system.

Monitor Hard Drive Health: Keep an eye on your hard drive’s health using monitoring tools (such as CrystalDiskInfo for Windows or DriveDx for Mac). These tools can alert you to potential issues before they become critical.

Avoid Overloading the Drive: Keep the drive from being overfilled, as this can lead to performance issues and possible data corruption.

Recovering lost data from a hard drive can be a daunting task, but by following these steps, you increase the likelihood of successfully retrieving your important files. Start with software recovery tools for simpler issues and move to professional data recovery services for more severe problems. In the future, take steps to prevent data loss by implementing regular backups, using surge protectors, and monitoring your hard drive’s health. Remember, the sooner you act after data loss, the higher your chances of success.

#Calgary hard drive repair #external drive recovery #SSD recovery Calgary #hard disk recovery #Hard Drive Recovery

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guiltysecretpasttime · 4 years ago

Note

bumi + lin getting caught or how everyone found out about their relationship :-))))

Title: Discretion

Note: Here’s what I have for this particular Lin/Bumi II prompt. Hope you enjoy 😊

· Pairing: Lin/Bumi II

· One-shot, post-series AU

· Rating: Teen

-----

Bumi was whistling as the hustle and bustle around Air Temple Island continued in preparation for Varrick’s wedding. Why they allowed the wedding and the party on the island, he had no idea.

He watched the tired teenagers who were hovering excitedly around the affianced. He supposed they all deserved some sort of merrymaking after what he had dubbed in his mind as the Kuvira Incident. It also was not a bad idea to have them use this time to work out their romantic entanglements, he thought as he eyed the various couples gravitating toward each other.

It also gave him a lovely excuse to meet up with his ownromantic entanglement.

The former military man faced the city pensively.

He frowned as the water lapped against the shore. The sun continued to shine brightly even as the buildings at the island across showed devastation, some still slightly smoldering days after the attack.

The Kuvira Incident did put things into perspective.

Well, that went dark quickly.

He blinked away grim thoughts and focused instead on the fairy lights being hung around the courtyard.

As he decided earlier, they all deserve some merrymaking.

---

“What are you doing skulking around?” Bumi asked the lady in green, who was looking down at a kebab that had seemed to have displeased her.

Lin Beifong scoffed. “I am not.” And continued to examine the mystery meat on the stick.

Bumi sauntered closer to her, standing at her side, joining her quiet observation of the party. “What on earth did that kebab do to you?” He waved his free hand to said meat on a stick; his other hand occupied with helping him take a swig of whatever fruity punch Varrick was serving.

She bit it furiously while rolling her eyes. “It’s a bit tasteless, if you must know.”

Bumi bit back a laugh and just hummed.

While she could eat instant noodles as well as any cadet living off rations, Lin did have her snobby side to food when it comes to social events thrown by the upper-class.

“Then again, Varrick is tasteless when it comes to most things.” Lin added, her scowl scaring off a Nuktuk-attired waiter who had the misfortune of glancing their way to offer more refreshments.

This time, Bumi let out a laugh, earning him a smirk from the metalbender.

“Well, that’s true. Let me join you in disparaging the libation too – not a single touch of alcohol in this drink.”

They stood there, at the fringe of the party crowd for a while – he sipping the vile drink, she chewing the tough meat.

“They allowed you to wear that?”

It took Bumi a moment to understand she meant his uniform. “I am a retired commander after all.” That and because he did not want to be dressed in formal wear that was almost identical to what his brother was wearing.

Lin swallowed her food. “Hmm, I've been thinking of that too…”

“Me in a military uniform?” Bumi waggled his eyebrows and received a smack on his arm. “You in my uniform?” Another smack.

“Retiring.” She said it so quietly he thought he must have misunderstood her.

He briefly wondered what could have made her arrive at a such a life-changing decision. Then again, if that meant that she would be closer to safety than danger…

“I don’t see why not?” He tossed back with a grin, noting the veiled concern on Lin’s face, worried about his reaction. “As long as it’s what you truly want.”

Lin’s posture relaxed after that.

They continued to sip and eat in silence.

They saw Rohan running at the other side of the court, weaving through the people who were starting to go to the dance floor. Huan was noticeably dragged by Ikki to dance (“Kid takes after her mother, doesn’t she?” Bumi murmured in jest, only to get an elbow to his side as Lin shook her head.).

As people went over to the dance floor, it would not be long before someone noticed the lady beside him. Chief of Police or not, she always did strike quite a figure. Without all the armor (literally and figuratively), it could be easily argued the Lin could be approachable.

He stood closer at her side. He twitched his pinky finger to touch hers.

Her eyes darted to him.

The mood of the party was happy and hopeful. He knew this feeling. He had seen this before. The sigh of relief and desperation for something good after a long hard military campaign.

His face remained cheerful and proceeded to talk about everything and nothing.

Lin’s expression softened. “Want to leave the party?” Her pinky finger hooked around his.

“Thought you’d never ask.”

As always, Lin was the only one who saw through him.

---

Propping himself up on his elbow, Bumi watched her sleep.

Lin had always been a light-sleeper. He got that – living with a constant threat hanging at their back or having a long career that required alertness and rapid reaction time does that to you. That was why it never ceased to amaze him that the metalbender manages to have long uninterrupted sleep whenever they were together.

Spirits knew how much she deserved to sleep in.

He had sighed in relief when Lin said she had lied last night. She had not just been thinking of retiring from the police force – she had already filed her retirement to both President Raiko and headquarters. And, in true efficient Beifong fashion, she had secured approval within days. He did not think she had fully recovered and taking a break (albeit a permanent one) was more than needed.

His eyes traced the dark eye bags and pale complexion. The rebuilding efforts and the ton of work post-Kuvira Incident took a toll on her.

Her skin, already marred with various scars and marks throughout the years, was much too pale. Each imperfection was linked with a story. Each story building up to who Lin was now today.

Her ankle had a small scar, almost invisible unless you knew where to look, from her childhood escapades.

There was the jagged scar, stitches very much apparent on her calf from her earlier days as a beat officer.

A smattering of bruises at her lower back was still present, souvenir from being tossed off the colossus.

Her shoulder, while exhibiting any outer trauma, was still healing from being dislocated from the same scrimmage with death.

There were more across her body, but the most recent ones were those that hit Bumi the hardest.

He was the one who found the Beifong sisters unconscious in the arm of the mecha giant.

He had been beyond terrified until found their respective pulses.

He feared it would have been too late for him, for them. Then Lin fluttered her eyes open, and, despite her shallow breaths, managed to croak out in a less than acerbic tone to help her down.

He mused now in the pale daylight that he ought to have done something then, said something then. He decided to rectify that now.

Before he could even reach over to wake her up in that delicious manner he was planning, several loud knocks beat at his door. He subconsciously tightened his grip around Lin’s waist.

“Bumi? Bumi!” Tenzin.

“We know you’re in there.” Su. “Open up!”

Bumi threw a worried glance at Lin, but she was still asleep and simply buried her face closer to his chest, ensconced under his fluffy comforter and buried under his equally soft pillows. He leaned back and closed his eyes, willing their unwanted siblings away.

Maybe if I pretended to be asleep, they would leave us alone…

Knock-knock-knock! A pause. Knock-knock-knock-knock-knock-knock!

“Bumi!”

He closed his eyes tighter.

Knock-knock-knock!

“Wait a minute, maybe it’s unlocked anyway…”

What are they talking about?

Bumi found out soon enough when the sound of the door sliding open reached his ears.

“Bumi – I can’t find -!”

He sat up quickly, making sure Lin was comfortable and quite hidden from view.

His visitors stopped at the doorway, enough to trespass but not enough to take a full scan of the room.

“Ohhh, I’m – we’re – sorry –.” Tenzin stammered, quite apologetic for bursting in his brother’s room.

Su did not have the same misgivings. “Bumi has a lady friend!”

“He does?!” A new voice called out with shock.

Tenzin and Su, he can tolerate but having the kids over – Bumi decided he drew the line there.

Fight shock with shock.

He stood up quickly, unmindful of being seen in his birthday suit.

“Oh sweet Spirits Agni! Bumi! Cover yourself!”

“My eyesss!”

The Avatar and Bolin immediately shouted over gasps of shock.

Bumi stretched languidly, pretending that nothing was amiss. He will not be embarrassed. That was their problem, they were the ones who were invading his privacy.

To be fair, he had no issues about his nudity so it was not really a big issue. It was just that with Lin in his bed – well, the situation was a bit tricky. Fortunately, her face was still hidden under the comforter. He pulled it higher, never mind that part of her leg is still visible.

“To what do I owe this wake-up call?” Bumi scratched his beard, acting as though this was a normal occurrence. He did delight in making his brother uncomfortable. They became closer in the latter years. Old habits die hard though.

“Bumi, we apologize for barging in this morning.” Tenzin was looking over his shoulder. “But could you – at least -.” He waved at the general direction of the naked man.

Bumi took his sweet time going around the room to pull on some clean shorts.

Su took this opportunity to push out the kids out of the room, who he now saw included both pro-bending brothers, Asami, Opal, and the Avatar.

“Why is the entire cavalry here?” Bumi sauntered to the door, blocking everyone’s view of the room and angling his body to stand in the way of the bed. “What’s up?”

“It’s Lin.”

A beat.

“What about her?”

“She’s missing. I didn’t know when she went home last night.” Su wringed her hands in worry. “I called her house, no one answered. We went over and she wasn’t there.”

It annoyed Bumi how they were suddenly on Lin’s case when they barely said two words to her the night before. There was bound to be a hidden agenda to this sudden worry.

“Your sister is a grown woman and she's been taking care of herself without you lot for more than a decade now.

He scanned the faces around him.

Postures stiffened, Tenzin flinched, eyes avoided Bumi’s.

Yeah¸ that’s what I thought.

Su stomped lightly. “Regardless of that,” The woman was adamant and would not back down. “We intend to go to the station to report her missing, with or without your inputs.”

Mako looked downright uncomfortable, Bumi thought the boy genuinely cared for his mentor.

“Boy, anything you’d like to add, detective?” Bumi nodded at the firebender.

“We can’t file a missing person’s case unless the person has been missing for more than 24 hours.” Mako shifted his eyes.

“There you go. Drop the matter, Su. I’m sure Lin is fine.”

Su looked like she was about to argue and Tenzin was about to say something but Mako beat him to it.

Still not catching anyone’s eyes, Mako started. “And well, what if the Chief also had a lady friend like Bumi? Or a gentleman friend?”

Bumi almost snorted.

Gentleman friend, what?

The detective was looking ill now but props to the boy.

“Lin with a special friend is highly unlikely.” Lin’s sister said decidedly, waving off Mako’s theory.

Bumi snorted now. “Right, because you’d know, ain’t it right?”

“I don’t see why not?” Suyin frowned, crossing her arms.

Moments like this Bumi was reminded why Lin still held some form of dislike towards her sister.

Asami tried to mediate. “I don’t think Chief Beifong would appreciate her private life being discussed like this.”

Bumi knew he always liked the Sato girl, he nodded and added. “Please don’t do this to try to assuage your…guilt.”

As expected, there were reactions from Su and Tenzin.

“We are not -!”

“Nonetheless, Bumi, Lin is…” Tenzin’s words trailed off and color drained from his face as he continued to look over his brother’s shoulder.

Bumi knew the moment Tenzin realized who was in his bed. He quickly slid the door closed. He tried to meet his brother’s eye, but the man was resolutely looking away.

“Safe.” Tenzin managed to choke out. “Let’s go everyone, I’m sure Lin is very safe.”

Su turned on Tenzin, obviously shocked by his sudden change. “What are you talking about, Tenzin – we -.”

“If Bumi says Lin is okay, then she probably is.” Was the simple yet shifty response.

“But we need Lin to -!”

Opal elbowed her mother gently, asking her to drop the issue. It did not escape Bumi’s notice.

There was the hidden agenda – Su needs Lin for something.

The group scurried away as both Tenzin and Mako helped herding them away from the bedrooms.

---

Bumi figured it was too early to be dealing with anything.

He rejoined a sleeping Lin in bed, who in turn, burrowed into his side.

He will deal with the real world later. For now, he will enjoy this.

---

Ignoring Suyin who was still chattering about one thing or another (in all likelihood berating him for not supporting her call to search for her sister), Tenzin mulled over his earlier discovery.

Lin and Bumi are together.

Not just together but together – together.

He wringed with his hands as they walked to the dining hall.

How long have they been together?

He had thought that this knowledge would bother him – well, it did, he reconsidered, but not for the reasons he might have initially thought of.

It was bothering him the same way it would have bothered him to see any woman sleeping with his older brother.

He had reconciled with his siblings and the Beifongs in the recent years, but some things should have remained private between them.

Like Bumi’s sex life.

Like Lin’s sex life.

Like their sex life.

Oh, how he wished he gone back to the past few minutes when he was still blissfully unaware. Or he hoped he would have already forgotten the markings and scars on Lin’s legs in order to not have recognized her in his brother’s bed.

Ah well, Tenzin eyed Lin’s family, the Avatar, Bolin, Asami, and Mako walking beside him, here’s hoping they not find out soon.

He doubted greatly that Lin would enjoy her relationship being disclosed before she deemed it necessary.

He recalled Bumi’s stance earlier, how protective he was of an unknowing Lin.

End of the day, Tenzin just wanted both of them to find happiness. He had did them both wrong in their lifetime and was at a loss on how to rectify it. The airbender had been trying in the past years, but there was only so much he could do.

Too little, too late, he always thought.

Tenzin waved at the acolytes that were leaving the dining hall. Pema sat down beside him and smiled as she handed him the platter of food. He smiled back, thinking still how lucky he was to have her by his side.

And now, by some peculiar twist of fate, Bumi and Lin found each other.

And, if, they make each other happy and content, then, Tenzin decided then and there, he will support them in any way that he can.

---

“Bro, are you going to eat that last piece?”

Mako was shaken from his reverie. Bolin stabbed the food on his plate at his head shake.

“Are you alright, Mako?” Asami was always the sensitive and observant of the group.

The firebender tossed a look at the Avatar chatting with Bolin and Opal at the other side of the table. After making sure that they were preoccupied, he turned to Asami.

Asami raised her eyebrows at him. “Well?”

“I think I know where the chief is.” He could not help but dart a wary glance at the Beifongs. “But it’s not my place to say.” Mako quickly added.

Asami leaned back at her seat and looked at him quizzically. “How did you know where?”

Mako dropped his utensils on the plate and covered his face with his hands. He was not one of Lin’s proteges for nothing.

One of his strengths as a detective is his keen eye for detail.

And details did not evade him in that brief view of Bumi’s bedroom.

It was quite obvious to him that the strewn pieces of clothing belonged to someone he had seen in attendance in the wedding reception earlier.

And that someone is his commanding officer.

---

Said commanding officer made her presence known at the lunch table that noon, surprised at seeing everyone still on the island.

That Chief Beifong was not expecting that there were still other guests at the residential area of Air Temple Island was fairly obvious, as Bumi was walking beside her, whispering at her side with a smile.

The plan was, actually, for most of the guests to have already gone their own ways but that morning’s excursion to Republic City made everyone’s itinerary delayed and their breakfast turned into brunch.

She exchanged a look with Bumi who shrugged and tried to sit at one of the empty tables unnoticed.

Now, while Mako might have been blessed with a sense of discretion, the same cannot be expected of his brother.

This became much apparent when said brother had gaped and thoughtlessly exclaimed, “Lin! We’ve been looking for you all morning – at what corner of Air Temple Island did you sleep at? I doubt this is the walk of shame.”

This pronouncement drew the attention of everyone in the hall – attention at her (their) very late entry and at her clothes which were clearly too formal for the day.

No one dared speak up as the metalbender simply glared at the earthbender, not responding.

There was complete silence in the dining hall.

…until comprehension dawned on Suyin Beifong’s face.

Then all hell broke lose.

---end---

Note: That could have probably gone better but let me know what you think. Anon, hope that worked for you (feel free to leave a note/msg :) ) Hope everyone is doing good, at least.

#linumi #linumi fanfic #toccatina's fanfics #toccatina completed #lin x bumi ii #bumilin #bumi ii #lin beifong

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riversofmars · 4 years ago

Note

OMG Vastra and Jenny's wedding! Please write that! Maybe they 'never' got around to it because multiple Doctors and multiple Rivers showed up and therefore don't remember. Haha. Pretty please?

OMG I love this! Yes, of course I will! It's utter chaos, I hope you like it. I was having a good laugh while writing :D

Rating: G

Word Count: 2200

Read on AO3 or blow

The Big Day

“Strax!“ Madame Vastra’s voice carried through the corridors of 13 Paternoster Row.

“Yes, Ma’am?“ Strax stuck his head into Vastra’s study, and the lady of the house looked around.

“There you are. I need you to get Jenny as well,“ she instructed.

“Now, Ma’am?“ Strax frowned.

“Yes, Strax right now,“ she retorted with a sigh.

“You do realise what day it is?“ The butler prompted. It had taken him a while to find her as the study was not where she was supposed to be.

“Yes, Strax I am fully aware what day it is. But the fate of London, planet Earth and, frankly, Time itself makes no exceptions, not even for one’s wedding day,“ Vastra groaned in annoyance. She had been in her bed chambers getting ready for the big day when her advanced hearing had picked up on a series of alarms sounding from the study. She had considered ignoring them, this was meant to be the happiest day of her life after all, but her sense of duty had gotten the better of her.

“Very good, Ma’am…“ Strax nodded. “But perhaps we might try to… solve the problem by ourselves? I’m afraid Miss Jenny might be awfully disappointed if she were to see you before the ceremony,“ the commander pointed out. While he couldn’t pretend to understand the meaning behind all these seemingly random Earth traditions, he appreciated that they bore some significance to Jenny.

“Strax…“ Vastra sighed, she didn’t need him making her feel any more guilty than she already did. All she wanted was for this to be the perfect day for Jenny and already things were going wrong.

“Earlier she threw a shoe at me when I requested her help in serving tea,“ Strax explained.

“Do you think maybe that has something to do with the fact that you asked her to work on her wedding day?“ Vastra couldn’t help a smirk of amusement, she would have enjoyed seeing Strax trying to duck a shoe flying his way.

“I hadn’t considered it, Ma’am,“ the Sontaran mused. “I shall file that under human mating rituals: no work on the wedding day.“

“Right, okay, I suppose I should apply the same principle to fighting alien incursions. Let’s see if we can deal with this discreetly, without Jenny…“ Vastra decided, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

“Perhaps I might be of some assistance!“ Strax and Vastra whirled around to see Professor River Song flash a stunning smile at them. She shook out her hair that fizzed with the energy of vortex manipulator travel.

“Professor Song!“ Vastra took a moment to recover from the shock. She stared in surprise at the archaeologist who smoothed down a beautiful navy gown. Guests weren’t meant to arrive for another few hours. Vastra herself hadn’t even changed yet.

“Sorry, I am a bit early but I was in need of a quick getaway and set the coordinates in a hurry… but sounds like I might have been just in time?“ River grinned.

“Well, uh…“ the lady of the house struggled for words.

“So what seems to be the problem, I’m happy to help,“ the professor carried on pleasantly as she looked around the study. “I’m sure there are things you’d rather be doing right now.“

“How about some tea?“ Strax interjected.

“Champagne if you don’t mind. Or is it a bit early for that too?“ River retorted.“What time is it anyway?“

“You see, that seems to be the problem,“ Vastra said, pointing to a clock on the mantelpiece. It had stopped.

“I thought something didn’t feel quite right,“ River checked the time on her vortex manipulator as well.

“It’s not just the one clock, I have checked them all, they’ve just stopped,“ the Silurian carried on.

“Well then, there is nothing for it, we must locate the source of the time distortion so we can get on with this lovely day. You’re only meant to get married once. Getting caught in an alternate reality or a time loop or something to that effect would be awfully inconvenient,“ River clapped her hands together with enthusiasm. As someone with first-hand experience of weddings outside the fabric of time, she felt best equipped to deal with things.

“And how would you suggest we start?“ Vastra asked.

“Well, there really only is one question we need to ask ourselves… where is my plus one? I am fairly certain one of them is responsible for this,“ River put her hands on her hips. “He’s not arrived yet, has he?“

“Which one of them did you bring?“ Vastra questioned, and the professor ran her hand through her hair.

“Ah well, I thought I would see whichever one of them turns up…“

“Oh…“ Realisation dawned on Vastra what sort of temporal disturbance they might be dealing with.

“Was I supposed to bring one in particular?“ River asked, and the Silurian shook her head.

“Well, no. No, it’s just…“

“Ah…“ River came to the same conclusion as the detective. “Yes, I see what you mean…“

“It would make sense…“ Vastra crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“Could you please stop communicating telepathically?“ Strax intervened, and the two women looked around to him.

“More than one Doctor in the same place and time,“ Vastra explained while River produced a scanner from the small clutch bag she was holding.

“Dimensional engineering isn’t just useful for TARDISes, you know,“ she smirked in response to their confused expressions and started running a scan. “The disturbance isn’t far from here, in fact… just…“ She pointed to the ground beneath their feet. “Below us.“

“The Siluritum,“ Vastra sighed. Of course. The cavern below 13 Paternoster Row was where they would be having the ceremony and reception.

“Come on!“ River grinned, heading towards the door. “Or would you rather stay and continue getting ready…?“ She turned back to Vastra, looking her up and down.

“I would rather make sure my wedding does not equate to the end of the universe,“ the detective retorted as she followed.

“What should I do, Ma’am?“ Strax piped up.

“Reassure Jenny that everything is absolutely fine and that everything is going off without a hitch,“ Vastra decided it was best to keep her bride in the dark for as long as possible. Surely, the situation would be easy enough to rectify and with any luck, she would never need to know. “Do NOT let her venture downstairs.“

“But what if she…“ Strax carried on, and Vastra interrupted him:

“Use your initiative Strax: lie.“

“This way…“ Vastra indicated, and River followed. As they descended the stairs to what any ordinary visitor would have presumed the basement, the air was not only getting hot and moist as Silurians preferred it, it also seemed to be fizzing with energy. Reality was slightly out of whack, and the first TARDIS came into view at the bottom of the stairs.

“Now this is going to be fun,“ River commented as they stepped into the impressive cave - decorated for the occasion with the most luscious flowers - and they spotted another dozen TARDISes. There was room enough but evidently not time and reality enough to accommodate them or their numerous owners.

“Alright, can everyone just calm down so we can work this out?!“ One of the Doctors shouted in a thick Scottish accent. “As the oldest one here, I can assure you, none of you are meant to be here, I’d remember!“

“If our time streams are crossed, you wouldn’t remember, actually!“ Another Doctor shot back, who River liked to refer to as Pretty Boy.

“I think this is all some big misunderstanding,“ yet another Doctor - donning particularly well-grown celery for the occasion - pointed out.

“You’re gonna have to help me here…“ Vastra mumbled to River as they hovered in the doorway.

“Who are all these people?“ A young girl enquired of the Doctor next to her.

“Susan Foreman, Doctor’s granddaughter…“ River whispered to Vastra who looked back at her bemused.

“Does that make you a step-grandmother?“

“Shut up…“ River elbowed the Silurian who smirked but then she pointed out all the companions' names to her as they watched them bicker.

“Doctor, you didn’t mention you used to be so handsome…“ Amy Pond was currently in the process of eyeing up several of the Doctor’s previous incarnations while their Doctor just groaned in annoyance, and Rory Williams tried his best to keep her from making acquaintances.

“Handsome? Really?“ Donna Noble shot back, obviously disgusted at the very thought while Pretty Boy smugly straightened his tie.

“So they’re all you?“ Sarah Jane Smith asked, bewildered.

“It would appear so…“ her Doctor retorted, tangling his long scarf around him, while soothing down a suit. To their credit, everyone had dressed up for the occasion.

“Doctor, what are we doing here?“ Liv Chenka threw her hands up in the air, fed up with the bickering.

“We’ve been invited to a wedding,“ her Doctor replied with a wide grin.

“Who’s wedding?“ Ace McShane interjected.

“I don’t know but I love a good wedding, don’t you?“ her Doctor grinned, straightening his hat.

“You don’t even know Vastra and Jenny yet!“ The Doctor that River liked to nickname “Eyebrows“ shot back.

“Is that who’s getting married? Lovely, best put that on the card…“ Pretty Boy instructed Donna who rolled her eyes at him.

“Do you think perhaps it’s time to…“ Vastra looked at River.

“What?“ The professor had been engrossed in watching the spectacle in front of them but the detective certainly had a point. “Oh yeah, yes, let's!“

“Excuse me, everyone!“ Vastra called out and everyone looked around. Before the Silurian could carry on, however, there was an energy discharge, knocking everyone off their feet. Suddenly, another TARDIS appeared in their midst.

“Sorry, sorry! Are we late?“ Another Doctor, northern with blond bobbed hair, stuck her head out.

“Now, this is getting more interesting by the minute!“ River raised her eyebrows intrigued, as she clambered back to her feet.

“River!“ the blond Doctor exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across her face. The other Doctors - surprisingly even the ones that didn’t really know who she was - mirrored the expression upon lying eyes on their wife..

“Professor!“ Vastra elbowed River who took delight in the attention suddenly devoted to her. The air was humming with energy, if another TARDIS decided to pop up now, things would surely go very wrong indeed.

“Right, everyone, this is getting a tiny bit complicated…“ River announced, though somewhat half-heartedly as she made eyes at her numerous husbands and wife, so Vastra decided it best to take things in her own hands:

“And by tiny bit complicated the professor means to say you are disrupting the very fabric of time.“ She put her hands on her hips, her voice stern. “In my house. On my wedding day. And as I would like to actually get married later today, it would be nice if time could carry on and not break, not today.“

“Oh right.“ The Doctors exchanged concerned glances.

“Yeah, I suppose that wouldn’t be very good, would it…“

“So if you wouldn’t mind parking your TARDISes elsewhere,“ Vastra carried on and there were more nods from various Doctors:

“Right.“

“Sure.“

“Naturally.“

“But… which one of us gets to stay? We’re all invited,“ it was the oldest Doctor that spoke up. She was looking at River with stars in her eyes, and it melted the professor’s heart. She evidently hadn’t seen her in a long time and was keen to stay.

“Ah yes, that may have been an oversight on my part…“ River admitted sheepishly as she had sent a message on the psychic paper. One that had clearly reached all of them.

“Well, I think there’s only one thing for it,“ a voice sounded from the doorway, and everyone whirled around. Jenny crossed her arms in front of her chest in amusement as she watched the peculiar scene in front of her.

Everyone was at a loss for words but Vastra in particular. Jenny was wearing a stunning wedding dress of white lace, her hair was pinned up with white flowers and her bright smile was the most dazzling thing of all.

“Darling, it’s…“ Vastra was going to say that everything was alright and dealt with. She was going to say that it was far too early for her to be down here. She was going to say that they shouldn’t be seeing each other yet, but all she could manage was: “You look beautiful.“

“And you’re not changed yet,“ Jenny smirked. “You better, as soon as time carries on.“

“We will have this sorted in a minute, Jenny, I’m so sorry about this.“ River said but the bride just laughed.

“I should have expected today wouldn’t go off without a hitch,“ she commented. “Just as… extraordinary as the rest of our life.“ She smiled at Vastra who gave a soft chuckle as well.

“You said there was one thing for it? What solution did you have in mind, my love?“

“Well I suppose, to keep things fair, we will have to repeat the ceremony a few times, won’t we. So everyone can attend.“ Jenny grinned as Vastra’s face fell.

“Are you serious?“

“Well, it’s only fair. Don’t tell me it’s such a hardship to keep kissing me,“ Jenny winked to a chorus of cheers. She wrapped her arms around her wife-to-be who allowed herself to be pulled into a hug.

Suddenly there was another discharge of energy.

“Alright everyone, move your TARDISes!“ Vastra exclaimed, and the Doctors jumped into action. “It’s gonna be a long and beautiful day.“ She smiled at Jenny and pressed a loving kiss to her lips. The first of many they would share that day.

#Doctor who #fanfiction #prompt #river song #thirteenth doctor #madame vastra #jenny flint #fluff #crack #banter #space wives #yowzah #paternoster gang #dw fanfic #femslash #multiple doctor #strax

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oliviajames1122 · 3 years ago

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Three signals your hard drive is failing and what to do

After just three years, the average hard drive's failure probability skyrockets. When the drive is exposed to varying temperatures, humidity, or external shocks, it may occur sooner. In reality, the hard disc in your laptop starts to fail after three to five years, and SSDs are no different. Do you feel anxious yet?

In the best-case scenario, hard drives degrade gradually, giving you time to save your data and replace them before they completely fail. But how will you actually know if your hard drive is failing? Let's look at some tips:

1. Slow computer performance, frequent freezing, and Blue Screen of Death

One of the causes of this triple PC collapse is a failing hard disc, which is just one of a million possible causes. In Windows Safe Mode or after a fresh installation, these issues are almost probably the result of defective hardware, maybe a failing hard drive.

You can use a variety of diagnostic tools to rule out a hard disc problem, but you should start by reviewing the S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) data on your system. You should be aware that although while Windows is continuously gathering this data in the background, it is notoriously bad at forecasting hard drive failure, and you can encounter a serious problem before an S.M.A.R.T. warning appears many business listings.

You'll need a third-party programme like CrystalDiskInfo to manually check the S.M.A.R.T. state of your drive. Select the disc to scan under Disk and make a note of the health of your disc.

After using additional diagnostic tools to rule out hardware problems, you should move to resetting or reinstalling your operating system. Windows 10 offers the option to save all of your files, but you should still create a backup just in case. For more information on backups, scroll down.

2. Corrupted Data

Numerous different ways might corrupted data manifest themselves? If you notice one of these signs consistently, your hard disc is likely slowly degrading:

File or folder names that are scrambled

When opening transferring, or saving files, unexpected errors may appear.

Documents that won't open

Data corruption in your files

Vanishing folders or files

When data is created or stored, corruption can occur. Your files could be being affected by a virus, but they could possibly just have corrupted sectors on your hard disc.

Hard drive sectors with bad data integrity are these locations. Bad sectors are automatically hidden by Windows, so you won't see them unless you experience data corruption problems. Bad sectors on a failing hard disc can build up quickly, increasing the frequency of these problems business listings.

You can recover data from damaged sectors and block them from being used again with the use of a Windows command tool called CHKDSK. To quickly scan:

1 - Press Windows + E to launch File Explorer, pick This PC, click the failed disc or partition, and then select Properties from the context menu.

2 - Click Check on the Tools tab of the Properties window. You can still select Scan drive to launch the application even if Windows says that "You don't need to scan this drive." You can decide whether to correct any faults it identified after it's finished.

A reboot is necessary after a longer, more complete CHKDSK scan. When you have a day and a night free to use your computer:

1 - Right-click Start and choose Command Prompt to launch an Administrator Command Prompt (Admin)

2 - To restore data and correct errors, issue the following command: chkdsk / r c: (for your C: drive).

3 - When prompted, respond with Y to perform CHKDSK after restarting your computer.

3. Unusual Noises

You're in trouble if your hard disc starts making odd noises. The head attempts to write data, fails, returns to its home place, and tries again, producing a recurrent noise known as the "click of death." When the hardware makes grinding or screaming noises, it is likely that the bearings or spindle motor are failing.

If you can still recover data from your hard disc at this stage, you're lucky.

My hard drive appears to be malfunctioning. How Do I Proceed?

Here's what you can do if you believe that a hard drive failure is approaching.

Step one - Back up your data

The greatest thing you can do is to always have backup copies of your data on a second drive and to be prepared to buy a replacement free business listings.

Two drives failing simultaneously are unlikely to occur. Natural calamities like fires or floods would be an exception. In these scenarios, we advise storing a copy of your most crucial information in a different physical location, such as your workplace, a relative, or a friend.

Another option is to utilise an online backup service like OneDrive or Google Drive. If you use Microsoft Office, you might want to consider switching to a Microsoft 365 subscription, which provides you the most recent version of Office plus 1TB of OneDrive storage, which may be sufficient to back up your entire computer to the cloud.

Step two - Replace the Drive

When you're prepared to replace your SSD or HDD, consult our advice on how to choose and install the appropriate drive.

Step three - Properly Get Rid of Your Old Drive

Remember to delete your old drive before you discard it to stop someone from recovering your data.

Please refrain from throwing away your failing drive in any way. Electronics have dangerous parts and precious metals that shouldn't be disposed of in a landfill.

Avoid letting your hard drive crash!

You should not rely on software or signals to determine whether your hard disc is failing. It is more likely to fail suddenly and without any sort of indication beforehand. You should rely on backups rather than attempting to forecast something that is even less predictable than the weather.

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radpeachmoon · 4 years ago

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How Can You Earn Profit with Cryptotab Browser?

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To withdraw Bitcoins from your crypto tab account

Step 1:- Find the Crypto Tab icon on the toolbar.

Step 2;- Click on the Menu (three horizontal lines) and click on ‘Withdraw’.

Step 3:- Enter the Bitcoin wallet address and the amount of BTC you want to withdraw.

You can have a track of your withdrawal in the Payment Journal at the button of the Crypto Tab Browser page.

Crypto Tab process payments twice a day in manual mode. However, it has plans to switch to automatic mode soon in the coming days.

CryptoTab Features

The website advertises all of the following features:

Extensions: The platform supports Chrome extensions, allowing you to add all of the extensions such as, including an ad blocker, security tools, performance-boosting tools, themes, and more.

Mine Bitcoins: The website claims to constantly mine cryptocurrency through your browser, which means you’re automatically mining whenever you have browser tabs open. However, the mining speed is higher when the browser window is active.

Multi-Browser Support: CryptoTab is available as a free standalone download, but it allows data importing from Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Safari.

Invite Friends: CryptoTab offers referral awards. You can earn more money by referring friends. Moreover, it has a 10 level referral network.

Payouts: You can withdraw your earnings any time directly to a BTC wallet, although there is a minimum withdrawal amount of 0.00001 BTC.

Is Crypto Tab legit or Scam ?

It’s quite natural that, when cryptos are not treated so friendly in many parts of the world, the deals which involve cryptos are always doubted with their intentions. Crypto tab too was asked by many,-’ Is it a Ponzi scheme?’

As the crypto tab does not charge any amount to register. It’s 100% free of charge with no upgrades available. As long as your browser works, it generates some income for you. Confusing MLM is often mistaken by a Ponzi scheme which is not justified.

So earning money through Crypto Tab Browser is definitely not a scam, but a passive source of income which usually requires a little more time. On the other hand, it’s a better option to earn by referring to your contacts.

Crypto Tab Browser Pros and ConsPros

It has built-in mining features

The interface is user-friendly and customizable

The browser is lightning fast and lightweight

Crypto tab offers users accessibility over mobile phones.

Import data from another browser and sync across multiple devices.

The referral program is attractive

Cons

Overwrites google chrome after sync

Automatically becomes the default browser without permission.

It starts automatically every time you start your system.

The support is not up to the mark

It does not block advertisements and trackers

Concluding Thought

Crypto Tab browser could be proven a good source of income for the crypto lovers and followers. The real potential of Crypto Browser is for those who can recruit others. The more friends on social networking, the more chance of income.

Does it really sound interesting, I would recommend trying it out once.

#how to get bitcoin #how to earn bitcoin #cryptotab #bitcoin mining

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