#human detector sensor

[yey56]

HARLEY SAWYER X PSYCHOLOGIST READER

After Harley being turned into the system of Playtime co

After the hour of Joy, both Sawyer and you got separated and while he was secured to a system and manage to strike a deal with the prototype, you were still human and very much in danger.

After what happened Sawyer became more obsessive, more paranoid. Searching for you through every camera and sending Yarnaby to expeditions to try and find you.

Harley and you were basically the only ones who had interacted with Yarnaby so far so the yarn lion knew you pretty well and was happy to search for you.

But really, the doctor searched for your presence in every camera, every sensor detector. Hell he even started setting traps for Doey because he though he would know were you are.

Of course, you were hiding in places with no camera because of the less amount of toys that lived in that areas. Therefore, much safer.

You would try to go upstairs again to search for food and for Harley, or at least of what happened to him. Of course you found nothing since there was not really that much time for paperwork after your stunt.

You only found a black tape with the title "the doctor" in it but so far you haven't found any system to plug it in so you can watch it.

And Harley, well, unlike you he has all the information of Playtime Co at his very whim.

When he is not searching for you or trying to hunt the remaining of Doeys group, he look at your files. Your photos before entering the company in your curriculum vitae; the ones when you were working in the company, some of which you are accompanied by him and other researchers; and the ones of the recent days before the hour of joy.

Talking about Doey, he also searched for you, scared for your well being. He knew you would go alone and even if he doubt the doctor would purposely harm you, he knew others will.

The children are just worried for their adoptive parent friend

You weren't aware yet of what Sawyer had been turned into. But you were aware that whatever living creature in this factory was a potential threat to you. That's the reason you tried to save every bullet of the only gun you had.

You would sometimes remember some of Harley's habits. Like for example his insistence of not eating sweet pickles. You remembered how, one day you went to get food for the food of you per his request and picked to burgers.

When you came back to the office to eat your dinner and started to bite in the food Harley made a unpleased look.

Do they have pickles in it?- he asked disgusted- I swear I cannot stand this things. So horribly disgusting...

Oh, yeah sorry, I didn't know. You can give them to me if you don't like them. I love them so theres no problem.- you responded, playing down the pickle problem

He loocked at you, frowning. With the plastic fork that was next to him he withdrew the remaining pickles on his burger and gave them to you.

Of course now that Harley knew you in fact like those pickles then he would ask for them in your food when it was his turn to go upstairs and pick your lunches.

Members of the stuff were absolutely amused when they saw Dr Harley Sawyer up on the cafeteria, he almost never ventured to the upper levels. And they were even more amused when he asked not for one but two lunches and one of them with pickles.

After a former assistant of his was fired for adding sweet pickles in his lunch almost everyone in the company new for his aversion for that food.

You didn't knew that then but most of the stuff at Playtime Co just guessed that the second lunch was for you so they assumed you both were dating or seeing each other.

Other thing you didn't know was how, after being turned into a computer system, Harley wouldn't stop asking the other employees for you. What had they done to you, if you had been relocated or if you had been "taken care off"

The only one who responded to him was Leith, who wasted no time bragging about your new relocation and how you were growing in your new job.

Also, Leith made sure to tell the rest of the employees to not tell Sawyer about you asking about him. And of course not to say a word to you about the new "AI" assistant.

Sometimes you felt a little bit dumb, remembering all of this now. Most possible situation was that Harley was already dead. And surely it would be your fault.

But Harley also thought the same thing of the memories he was holding on to. So yeah basically mutual pinning over each other. This is my definition of a long distance relationship.

And addressing the hour of joy... Poppy doesn't really know what yo think about you. Sure you have freed them but why? She doesn't know if to trust you but believes you are a better option than the doctor so if the situations ever comes she could be able to work with you.

When the doctor got himself a body (those robots with TV heads) he felt nude in some way. Even though he was only metal and cables.

To solve this he took some old lab coats to make himself a cover. The only lab coat he kept intact was yours. He found a way to incorporate it on his new coat. The pin with your name still on it.

And strangely you have done something similar. You found Harley's old lab coat while exploring the company searching for food. Resting in his old office chair. You put it on and took it with you. It was bigger than you but hey, long coats never get old. Sure,.you had to roll up the sleeves but nothing that can't be solved.

This one is shorter than usual but I'm working on chap 3 so I wanted to drop this off first. Thanks for the support. All of you are amazing and deserve the best. 🥰😭

-Unedited head cannons-

I made some updates in chap 2 because I wanted reader to spend some time wondering were Sawyer might be

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Hydrogen sensor that could pave the way for safer, cleaner energy

Scientists have developed a hydrogen sensor that could accelerate the transition to clean hydrogen energy. As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, hydrogen is considered a key player to the transition to cleaner energy. However, the clear, odorless and highly flammable gas is hard to detect using human senses and poses a challenge for its safe deployment. The sensor, developed by a scientist at The University of Manchester, can reliably detect even the tiniest amounts of hydrogen in seconds. It is small, affordable, and energy-efficient—and its results outperform portable commercial hydrogen detectors. The research, in collaboration with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, was published today in the journal Nature Electronics.

Read more.

[daughter-of-sapph0]

the point of self driving cars is that all the proximity detectors and lidar sensors and whatever are supposed to make it safer than a human with poor eyesight and no depth perception. if your car is no better than the average Maryland driver, then your car not only is complete shit, its an actual fucking death trap. blood is on your hands because you use cameras as your only input for self driving. wile e coyote ass car driving straight through a wall painted like a road because you used just cameras, and shit cameras at that! i hope musk dies

[gallifreyinstituteforlearning]

Anatomy of a Dalek

A Dalek is primarily made from Dalekanium and polycarbide and is technically a cyborg. To understand how a Dalek is created, see How Do Daleks Become Daleks?

Some Daleks will have variations on the below, but these aspects of a Dalek's anatomy are broadly applicable to most.

The Dome (aka dome section, head section, head dome) is attached to the neck via a docking clamp.

Eyestalk (aka eyepiece, eye antenna, tele-eye, eye-stick, optical stalk, sensory antenna, eyeball unit). The eyestalk is attached to the dome via a lens attachment, sitting on a pivot in a cowl. The eye itself is known as an eyelens. The eyestalk is covered in multiple insulator discs to protect it from radiation.

Luminosity dischargers (aka headlamp, radiation valve, dome light, vocaliser light, sound disc). It's not quite known how or why the luminosity dischargers sync up with Dalek speech, but they could be energy compensators, translation units, safety valves to release excess energy, or just lights to indicate when a Dalek's speaking.

Neck (aka grating section, upper grating section). Attached to the weapons platform via another docking clamp, or 'catch'.

Neck rings support the neck grille.

Neck grille (aka audio receptor grill, sensor grille, sensor mesh, sensor grid louvres) cover the mutant Dalek within.

Weapons Platform (aka shoulder platform, shoulder section).

Slats (aka solar power collection slats, solar slats, solar cells, shoulder slats, armour slats, sensor plates) are effectively solar panels that absorb energy to power the Dalek.

Gunstick (aka radiation gun, gun-rod, ray-gun, exterminator, blast-gun, energy gun, Dalek neutraliser, neutraliser, beam distributor, Dalek beam gun, Dalek gun, ruby ray blaster). Sits on a balljoint, controlled by armament circuits. Can be set to non-lethal, causing temporary paralysis, but maximum settings can split atoms apart. Some Daleks deliberately reduce the power of their gunstick so that the beam burns away the central nervous system outside inwards, so victims die within 2-3 seconds in complete agony.

Manipulator arm (aka tactile arm, arm-stick). Usually sits on a balljoint. Attachments can be swapped out for various tools depending on the needs of the Dalek. Some attachments include the plunger, flamethrower, seismic detector, electrode unit, sieve, syringe, blow torch, cutting tool, another gunstick, or a claw, or basically anything they need.

Base Unit (aka travel unit). Contains the motive unit, the elevation unit, and thrusters.

Sense spheres (aka sensor globes, sensor arrays, bumps) can do pretty much whatever you want them to, including detecting emissions, monitoring the surrounding environment, and acting as self-destruct mechanisms. They can also function as sockets for cables and wires, and some say the sensor globes are capable of free flight, allowing them to provide remote battlefield intelligence.

Bumper (aka fender). Possibly containing proximal alert systems to detect other Daleks, but more likely just softening collisions.

Gallifreyan Dalek Biology for Tuesday by GIL

Any orange text is educated guesswork or theoretical. More content ... →📫Got a question? | 📚Complete list of Q+A and factoids →📢Announcements |🩻Biology |🗨️Language |🕰️Throwbacks |🤓Facts → Features:⭐Guest Posts | 🍜Chomp Chomp with Myishu →🫀Gallifreyan Anatomy and Physiology Guide (pending) →⚕️Gallifreyan Emergency Medicine Guides →📝Source list (WIP) →📜Masterpost If you're finding your happy place in this part of the internet, feel free to buy a coffee to help keep our exhausted human conscious. She works full-time in medicine and is so very tired 😴

[piedpiperart]

Phantom in Gotham 4

Chapter 3

Danny wasn't sure if he had told Red Hood too much or not last night. Did he need to know about the ghost zone? Probably not, but Danny knew what it felt like to not have anyone guide him on the development of his ghost powers. Danny felt a sort of bond with the Hood. They were similar in the way that they'd sort of come back to life with a bunch of unexplained changes with no idea about the whole ghost community they were now a part of. Though, Danny guessed Red Hood wasn’t really a part of it anymore, but still. Stuff like that can be hard to adjust from, and having someone talk them through it is helpful.

How long had the Red Hood been living with contaminated ectoplasm? Danny thought, shuddering. He at least hoped the guy would feel a bit better now that the rage was gone. Even Danny had trouble controlling the Ring of Rage, he wasn't sure how a regular human could deal with that kind of anger on a normal basis. A thought came to him about how Red Hood killed a bunch of criminals in the news he’d seen a while ago, and then it kind of made sense. 

Danny sighed, laying his head down on his desk for a nap. He'd snuck into the school early to take a nap at his desk before classes started, like he usually did. It was better than sleeping in the pizzaria for sure, even if he didn't have anything comfy to lay on. At least he never got cold, he thought.

Danny was a little glad he was able to talk to Red Hood about the GIW, considering the guy was more of an anti-hero and less likely to follow the government's orders. He hoped the guy might be able to investigate a bit, or help him in case Danny ever got captured by Agent K or his parents. Again. Danny wasn't so sure anything would come of it, but he figured someone with ectoplasm contamination should at least be aware of it in case he put himself on the GIW's radar. Danny shivered at the thought, pulling out his homework instead to focus on something other than experiments on his ghost friends and himself.

By the time people started shuffling into their seats, Danny was doodling designs for ghost gear. Like the Specter Detector, he wanted to reverse it to hide a ghost's signature instead. He and Ellie would be able to hide from the GIW and any ghost-weapons that relied on those kinds of sensors. Since he was in Gotham, the GIW's scanners back in Amity wouldn't reach him. Probably. He'd be out of their range, or at least he hoped so, for the time being. If he went back to Amity, having a way to hide his ectoplasmic signature would come in handy.

Danny perked up from what he was designing when Tim practically fell into the seat next to him, nearly spilling his coffee. "Dude, you okay?"

"Long night,"Tim grumbled, rubbing his eye. He looked over at Danny with poorly concealed concern. "You okay?"

"Yep!" Danny beamed back at him, yet Tim could tell his eyes were full of something like anxious nerves and a bit of hope and fear about his interactions with Red Hood last night. "I'm more worried about you, did you even get any sleep last night?"

"Few hours,"Tim said, sipping his coffee. "Was just working on a project. Oh." Tim stopped, looking at Danny with tired eyes. "What's that you're working on?"

Danny blinked, looking down at his notebook. "Oh, nothing important. Just designing an invention I was thinking of."

Tim made grabby hands for his notebook and Danny stifled a laugh but handed it over. Nothing on it specifically mentioned ghosts, so he figured it wouldn't arouse any kind of suspicion. "This is pretty advanced." Tim said, scanning over the blueprints. He squinted at Danny. "Why the interest in hiding energy signatures?"

"U-uh,"Danny stammered, "My... parents, are inventors. Just sort of picked up a few things from them. It was just an idea I had." Danny waved off, and accepted the notebook back from Tim.

"Really? What sort of stuff were your parent's working on?"Tim asked, genuinely curious.

"They made pretty much everything,"Danny breathed out a laugh, "Like, from electrified nets to toasters that shoot lasers for home defense kind of things, so they weren’t taken seriously very often.”

"Huh,"Tim thought, sipping his coffee in thought.”What are they working on now?”

“I’m not really sure, I don’t live with them anymore.” Danny said, turning back to his desk. He rubbed at his chest absentmindedly, feeling phantom pains from the scars his parents gave him. Tim narrowed his eyes at the answer, but figured he just didn't want to talk about it. He stared into his cup of coffee, thinking absently of how many hours of sleep he got the night before and if that was affecting his ability to communicate. He had the sudden urge to bring up ghosts but pushed that down.  

“I don’t live with my parents anymore either,”Tim offered, and Danny gave him a sympathetic smile. 

“Adopted? I heard a little bit about the Waynes, but I didn’t want to pry,”Danny asked. “My friend Tucker is obsessed with Wayne Tech.” And he was pretty sure Sam had kept track of their environmental progress, but he didn’t know much about that since she usually just ended up talking about Poison Ivy. 

“Yeah,”Tim inclined his head. He thought about what Dick had told him about Danny and fought to keep a frown off his face. “What about you? Who do you live with now?”

“Uh, just me right now,” Danny winced, rubbing the back of his neck. “My sister helped me get an apartment around here to stay in while I go to school.”

Tim frowned. He’d forgotten about Danny’s two sisters. One was in college, and the other one seemed younger. Was she still staying with Danny’s parents? Why was Danny lying about the apartment? “Oh yeah? Why’d you choose Gotham Prep?”

This made Danny light up.”I wasn’t really paying attention when my sister explained it to me, but I can see now why she wanted me to go here. The astrology and science programs are the best- way better than back home. My old school was a lot smaller and underfunded, but we only had one class of twenty or less per grade. Gotham Prep is just- huge.”

“What school did you go to before?” Tim pressed. He could look into a school without using the batcomputer. 

To Tim’s dismay, Danny waved him off. “You wouldn’t have heard of it. Small town, you know? We didn’t even have to wear uniforms.” Danny added, tugging at the collar of his own with a wince. 

“You’ll get used to it,”Tim laughed. Or so he thought. Tim was used to it, but as far as he could tell Jason never liked the uniforms. Dick maybe, but still. 

“I hope not,”Danny grumbled, making Tim smile. “So what’d you choose for the chemistry project? I have to say, physics and mechanics are more my expertise.”

“Yeah, I finished it this morning,”Tim said absently. He was running through their conversation and making notes on the potential red flags. Knowing Danny, there had to be a reason why he was practically homeless yet attended a private school. Not to mention what his sisters were up to. Tim had a suspicion that his older sister was involved a lot more than the parents were. “I chose kryptonium.”

“Huh,” Danny nodded, resting his chin on his hand. “I chose Aluminum. It’s good for a lot of mechanical engineering.” Danny let out a breath, mumbling,”And since ectoranuim hasn’t been discovered by the whole world yet,” under his breath. 

Tim squinted,”What?”

“Nothin, just lamenting the lack of knowledge we have for other possible elements in different realms or on different planets,”Danny explained, then started a rant to cover up anything about ectoranium.”Like Kryptonium, basically. Who knows what other things are out in space. There could be a bazillion undiscovered elements out there.”

“I’m pretty sure the Justice League is responsible for at least 8 new elements,”Tim nodded. Not mentioning the ones they kept under wraps from the general public. 

“Yeah, but you never know what the government is hiding,”Danny scowled. He looked like he genuinely disliked the government, which, Tim could agree they weren’t great on the best of days. Especially since he found out about the anti-ecto-acts that affected Jason and Phantom. 

“Woah, what do you have against the government?” Tim laughed. Danny only scowled more. 

“I think they get away with too much. Easily corrupted. You know, the usual,” Danny scoffed. “Not like I’m a conspiracy theorist, but still.”

‘What, you think they have some sort of Area 51?” Tim asked. Of course, Tim knew exactly what was in Area 51, but he wasn’t going to say anything. 

“Maybe not, but something like it, sure.” Danny said, taking a breath. He turned to face Tim with what looked like false cheer. “Why, don’t you believe in cryptids? I mean, if aliens exist, why not?”

“Like ghosts and stuff?” Tim smiled. “Yeah, I believe in ghosts. We should go to a haunted house sometime.”

“Wha- you believe in ghosts?” Danny laughed. Tim smiled softly at the sound. He couldn’t remember the last time Danny had laughed. It was nice. 

“You don’t?” Tim raised an eyebrow at him, amused. 

“Yeah no. Bigfoot’s probably real though,”Danny nodded. Tim couldn’t help but notice the way Danny’s bangs fell in front of his eyes, and had the urge to brush them away himself. He had a sudden flashback to Dick’s sly smile when mentioning Danny and felt heat on his cheeks.  “My goal in life is to meet Mothman.”

“I thought your goal in life was to go to space,”Tim shook his head fondly, trying to dislodge the sudden gay thoughts that overtook his mind for a moment. Maybe he needed more sleep, he thought.

“Okay, my goals are to go to space and meet mothman,” Danny relented. He glanced at Tim with a glint in his eye before adding,”You think I’ll find Mothman in space?”

“Wh- no, why would Mothman be in space? Wasn’t he seen in the middle of the US?”

“Maybe Mothman is from space. Might be more of him out there. I could be the one to finally bring him home, where he belongs.”

“Danny no.”

“Are you saying I shouldn’t launch Mothman into space?”

“I wouldn’t trust you to be launching anything into space, much less a person.”

chapter 5

[dr-futbol-blog]

The Siege II, Pt. 6

Sheppard, Colonel Everett and Weir continue their discussion on the plan to send remote controlled jumpers into the hives, Sheppard suggesting that they could approach the Genii to get more nukes. Given the kind of history he personally has with them, this is no small matter to him. It's a sign of desperation that he's even willing to entertain it. He blinks between telling them that he has an idea and that he thinks he knows where to get one, emphasizing how uncomfortable just saying it out loud makes him.

As they hash out the plan, they hear Teyla in the gate room trying to get to Weir to inform her that she can sense the wraith within Atlantis. Note that both the Colonel and Weir take steps to get closer to the source of her voice where Sheppard only turns his body, and not even all the way at that. Even though McKay and Zelenka had already left the room, there's a magnet pulling him in the exact opposite direction from her.

There is another time-skip and a large number of marines have gathered in the gate room, prepared to sweep the city to take care of the problem. Sheppard keeps glancing at the men as he passes, probably assessing the capabilities of the soldiers that are unfamiliar to him.* Something interesting happens then, as Sheppard shows the Colonel their Ancient life-signs detector:

Sheppard: How many darts crashed? Everett: Between twenty and thirty. And internal sensors are still down. Sheppard: Well, we have this. It can't differentiate between wraith and human but if we confine all base personnel to designated areas, the blips that show up out of bounds will be the likely targets. Everett: Let me see that. Sheppard: Won't do you any good. You need the gene. Everett: I got the gene therapy too.

Col. Everett getting the gene therapy successfully is interesting because there is a notable change in him, his disposition toward our main cast changes the further we go. Obviously it's possible this is just because he gets to know them better but later he seems almost... sheepish, especially with regards to Weir. One might describe him even as smitten, to use Weir's own term. Now, Weir doesn't have the gene so Col. Everett's gene therapy would not have made him take an interest in her unless he held no interest in women previously and the gene also makes the carriers bisexual or more open to bisexuality. I have theorized that the Ancients were all effectively bisexual because of their assortative mating strategy (as there were so few of them, they all found each other powerfully sexually attractive to ensure the continuation of their species, so much so that it transcended gender). Janus--being the god of the doorway that swings both ways--for one seems to have been bisexual, he had "many lovers".

There's a case to be made for all the authentic ATA gene carriers exhibiting varying levels of bisexuality or bicuriosity. For them, it is natural. For the people in whom the gene is artificially activated, not so much. So, depending on how good of a friend we think Colonel Marshall Sumner was to the man with whom he served many years together, a budding interest in a woman such as Weir might be an entirely new experience for him. This is highly speculative, however, and probably only relevant to McKay and "the weirdest thing about that timeline," which will come much later.

It's also interesting that they make mention of Teyla's special ability to sense the wraith in the very same scene, as Sheppard and the Colonel are walking much closer to one another than Ford and Radner behind them, and when they come to a stop they stand with their heads bent together, the Colonel turning his entire body toward Sheppard to talk.

It's entirely possible that the Colonel, having received the gene therapy successfully, is just as drawn to Sheppard as everyone else with the gene seems to be. The gene is exceptionally strong in him so it kind of makes sense for other people carrying the gene to find him attractive. He is something like a beacon for them. After getting the therapy, Col. Everett also seems to be open to suggestion from Sheppard, agreeing to arm the Athosians and let them help sweep the city for wraith.

Also, not to make a whole thing out of it, but Sheppard does also check out the Colonel's ass not once but twice probably just because it's right there. This man is so in love that he thinks McKay has actually hung the moon but he still has a pair of eyes on him. Eyes that he can't quite seem to be able to keep to himself.

But Sheppard's attitude here is also curious. He seems nonchalant as he displays the piece of Ancient technology to the Colonel, as though it's not a big deal, he just happens to posses the gene. Only, he seems much too casual about it for it to not mean anything to him. The gene is what makes him special. Having the gene is what has brought him here. The gene is what makes him their best line of defense since he is the one that can manouver the command chair.

It is possible that the gene is what has made it possible for him to break certain rules, to take certain liberties with regulations and standing orders, because they need him. While it may not be the gene that makes him feel like the rules don't always apply to him, it's something that he can always use to justify it to himself.

While Sheppard and the marines start hunting for the wraith, Weir informs them via radio that the Genii have agreed to meet with them, demanding that only one unarmed representative be sent. Weir offers to go by herself, which Everett commends. In fact, he offers to buy Weir a drink if she pulls this off, which is an indication that the Colonel is growing a sweet spot for her. But I'll also draw your attention to the fact that Sheppard has no problem with this plan. We get no reaction from him whatsoever. If Weir is the best person to get them the nukes, he's perfectly fine with her going to the lions' den alone.

Obviously he doesn't wish that anything happens to her but Weir's life is not a priority for him. Weir's safety is an abstract concern and he finds clearing the city from the wraith a more important task at the moment, apparently especially the part of the city where McKay is because he is taking care of that personally (cf. further on). There is not a chance in deepfrozen hell that Sheppard would ever have let McKay go to the Genii homeworld alone. Let's just put that out there. There are many times over the seasons that McKay has to go places without Sheppard and every time, every time, Sheppard makes sure he has a security escort.

And this is important when we come to the resolution of the episode because many people will hear Sheppard's exchange with Weir just before he boards the jumper and come to the conclusion that she is his motivation for doing it. She is not. Sheppard tells Weir that she knows why he has to do it which is very different from doing it for her. For Sheppard, Weir's life is an acceptable loss. They grow closer over the years, Sheppard is much affected by losing her as he does multiple times, but she still continues being an acceptable loss for him. Losing McKay, however, is not acceptable. He is willing to kill, die, cheat, lie, threaten, manipulate, bully, weather sand storms, dive the ocean, he is willing even to give him up when he thinks it would make him happy, and this is just beginning of the list of things John Sheppard is willing to do to make sure that he does not lose McKay.

While Sheppard and the marines are hunting for the wraith, McKay and Zelenka are working on getting the jumpers to work remotely, trying to make something come out of Sheppard's plan. It's interesting that this scene also picks up the concept of having the gene and how it makes one special, Beckett in this instance. Noteworthy is that McKay has a P-90 on him while he works. Yes, he has his own gun that he has used on missions but it is not customary for him to work with an assault weapon. The way he's holding on to it, Sheppard has probably put it into his hands. He seems unable to let go of it.

McKay also seems to be extremely exhausted. Colonel Everett called attention to this earlier, but it seems he can barely stay awake. This also is relevant for how the ending of the episode plays out. McKay appears to be entirely engrossed in solving the problem, which is what Sheppard was going for, but he is still showing signs that he is distraught. He has to manhandle Beckett onto the chair:

Beckett: There's other people on this base that possess the Ancient gene. Dr. Kusanagi, for example. I'm sure she'd relish the opportunity to help. McKay: I am exhausted and starving, so sit down. Carson, it's out of drones, you couldn't do any damage if you wanted to. Thank you. --OK, we're in business. Head down to the Jumper Bay, radio me when you get there.

So, first of all, we learn that Dr. Kusanagi is a woman so she is very likely the Japanese Dr. that had a crush on McKay from Letters from Pegasus (S01E17). Second, McKay clearly does not want to be around her and tries to avoid having to work with her, which is understandable since she seemed much too keen on him. Third, they make a mention of McKay starving here. He's hypoglycemic but we haven't really had any references to him eating for a very long time beyond the sandwich that someone had made for him in his lab. Further, Afghan chutney, a type of relish one might put on a sandwich often contains cumin which McKay seemed not to enjoy very much. Using the verb 'relish' in this context might be a covert reference to the sandwich business.

From this scene we find out that McKay has not had time to eat in a while because he has been working non-stop and probably has been too anxious to even feel hunger. McKay really seems to have lost his appetite at some point in the season which frequently happens when a person falls in love. Many of the hormones secreted when people fall in love suppress the appetite, and given the gusto with which we saw McKay eat in the beginning of the season all the way up until Underground (S01E07), something has definitely caused a change in him in that regard. They are also calling attention to the fact that McKay is not just exhausted but also starving which combined with the drugs Beckett administers for him later all contribute to how he responds to Sheppard later. And finally, we should note that once again, McKay says thank you. He actually seems to say thank you more than the other characters combined which makes Sheppard's comment about him never saying it pretty interesting.

With Zelenka in the jumper bay, they attempt to get remote control by using the chair working. McKay is guiding Beckett through it, seeming to take great care that he gets it right.

McKay: Okay, give it a test. Zelenka: Standing by. McKay: Carson, I need you to clear your mind and think about the Puddle Jumper. Think about bringing it online. Zelenka: Come on, come on, come on. Any time now! McKay: Carson. Look, I know you can do this. Just activate the Puddle Jumper. Zelenka: Yes! Yes, yes, yes! Rodney! Rodney! It works! McKay: Thank God!

While Sheppard's intention may have been to take some of the pressure off of McKay and to get other people involved with saving their asses, McKay still puts all the pressure on himself to solve everything and save everyone. And it's especially important for him to get this to work because it was an ask from Sheppard. In his mind, Sheppard needs this to get done and that's why he's going to do his damnedest to see that it gets done.

But McKay is also exhibiting the kind of patience and understanding we rarely see in him as he tries to guide Beckett through the ordeal. It's likely that the way McKay is here, now, with Beckett, is much more like his previous tests with Sheppard would have been like that we never got to see. And now, because this is important for him and because he is doing this for Sheppard, he is using the same tone with Beckett. Sheppard is his motivation for getting this thing to work.

The relief McKay exhibits when they get it to work brings it home to just how much pressure he has been under. He feels exhausted, sitting down by the platform while Beckett is still working the chair. This is a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders, and it doesn't matter how much Sheppard might try to ease his burden, he is working to save Sheppard just as hard as Sheppard is working to save him. McKay's respite is short-lived because as soon as he has closed his eyes, he gets a message from Weir that they have the nukes from the Genii that he needs to start working on.

Meanwhile, Sheppard himself is hunting the wraith, having paired up together with Ford. They seem to be using Ford as bait which is beginning to chafe on him:

Sheppard: You OK? Ford: Yeah. How 'bout next time, you can be the bait? Sheppard: Yeah, maybe. Next time. OK, this way.

Sheppard tells him next time but does not appear to mean it. He seems to only be half-listening to Ford anyway, focused on taking out the wraith in this part of the city. He barely takes his eyes off of the life-signs detector to look at him. Obviously there is no point in jeopardizing the superior officer but Ford seems to think Sheppard could at least offer out of solidarity. But it is significant in that this is another indication that Sheppard does not have a death wish, he is being careful with his own life because he has something, someone, to live for. He has a reason not to want to put himself needlessly in jeopardy because he has someone he needs to take care of, and making sure he is around to take the wraith out is a requisite for that. And he is being extremely cautious with the wraith, even shooting it while it is dead on the ground several times for good measure.

When it comes to Sheppard's motivation here, let me run this by you real quick:

Because these views of the city are shot from different angles and there are two scenes (of Col. Everett's group in the central tower and Teyla's group in another tower in the centre part of the city), it is easy to miss the fact that Sheppard and Ford are clearing the wraith out of the exact part of the city where McKay is. Because everyone else had been ordered to get to the central part of the city so that they could flush out the wraith, McKay and Beckett were the only non-military personnel that were on one of the promontories. And while both Col. Everett and Teyla had larger entourages with them, Sheppard had taken only Ford with him. This was a personal mission for him.

We also get a close up of Sheppard's life signs detector and it is showing two dots but they are blinking out of sync which seems to indicate a different depth, i.e., the life-signs being on different floors. Sheppard and Ford are standing closer together than the dots are from each other (they are at the centre of the screen; Ford is also standing at Sheppard's '5 o'clock' so he can't be the dot to their '1 o'clock'), and McKay and Beckett were also in close proximity. It blinks four times, counting four people, two and two.

Also, between Col. Everett saying the words "get some weapons for these people" and when we see McKay and Zelenka on the chair platform after that, McKay is holding his P-90. Ergo, Sheppard probably went directly from the gate room to the chair platform and shoved that weapon in McKay's hand before he did anything else and here he is with Ford, the only other people in the same part of the city as McKay and Beckett, making sure it's wraith-free.

John Sheppard is not taking any chances with McKay's life. He is quite literally going to keep that man alive even if it kills him.

Now, I doubt anyone would have caught this when the episode aired on television. I would be really surprised if they had. It's obscured by having several scenes in between and the panoramic views of the city shifting quickly from one view to another. And yet, it's there. It's not just editing and direction, they actually had to computer generate these views of the city. Actual considerable effort (and real money) went into making this happen and yet it was intended for most people to completely miss. It flashes by so quickly, most people are going to miss that Sheppard and Ford are the only people in the same part of the city as McKay and Beckett, that Sheppard is personally making sure McKay is safe. But it's there. It's there. The subtextual goddamn narrative is there and they were doing it on purpose.

John Sheppard is protective of Rodney McKay in particular. We see this play out again and again and again. And this is crucial for understanding the ending of the episode.

If McKay was relieved when they finally got the remote control on the jumpers to work and knew they could go ahead with Sheppard's plan, Sheppard himself seems extremely relieved once they have cleared out all the wraith in the city. He too has a short moment for a breath of relief.

Their relief is short-lived, however. It turns out the Genii nukes are incomplete and McKay takes his emotional support P-90 to Weir's office, which she seems to be sharing with the Colonel at this point, to inform her of this. He is still none-too-sympathetic toward the Colonel, sounding much more abrasive toward him than he had with Zelenka and Beckett earlier. He also flat out ignores the Colonel's first comment, as he is wont to do when he doesn't deem something worth responding to, as he often does e.g., with Ford.

The fact that McKay is not letting go of the weapon, he is not setting it down when the wraith have now been cleared out of the city and where any of the other scientists only seem to have thigh holsters for hand weapons that none of them have actually been seen using in any capacity, just seems to confirm that it was Sheppard that put the gun in his hands and told him to keep it with him at all times. Because if Sheppard tells him to do something, he is damn well doing it. And if this was the case, holding on to the weapon would also keep the comforting thought of Sheppard with him the whole time.

Both Sheppard and McKay seem to do doing what they are doing primarily for the other man. They are trying to protect the other, they are trying to keep each other safe. And while they are concerned for each other's well-being, neither of them knows how hard the other is working toward the same damn goal.

Continued in Pt. 7

-* It might also be possible that the men he checks out as he walks are the ones that have successfully undertaken the gene therapy. If we've seen anything throughout the first season is that McKay is the actual centre of his universe but it would nonetheless be interesting to see the ATA gene have this kind of an effect. It's never spelled out and yet we see it play out again and again.

[webcrawler3000]

TARS

TARS is a highly sophisticated, artificially intelligent robot featured in the science fiction film "Interstellar." Designed by a team of scientists, TARS stands at an imposing height of six feet, with a sleek and futuristic metallic appearance. Its body, made primarily of sturdy titanium alloy, is intricately designed to efficiently navigate various terrains and perform a wide range of tasks.

At first glance, TARS's appearance may seem minimalistic, almost like an avant-garde monolith. Its body is divided into several segments, each housing the essential components necessary for its impeccable functionality. The segments connect seamlessly, allowing for fluid movements and precise operational control. TARS's unique design encapsulates a simple yet captivating aesthetic, which embodies its practicality and advanced technological capabilities.

TARS's main feature is its hinged quadrilateral structure that supports its movement pattern, enabling it to stride with remarkable agility and grace. The hinges on each of its elongated limbs provide exceptional flexibility while maintaining structural stability, allowing TARS to adapt to various challenging terrains effortlessly. These limbs taper gradually at the ends, equipped with variable grip systems that efficiently secure objects, manipulate controls, and traverse rough surfaces with ease.

The robot's face, prominently positioned on the upper front segment, provides an avenue for human-like communication. Featuring a rectangular screen, TARS displays digitized expressions and inbuilt textual interfaces. The screen resolution is remarkably sharp, allowing intricate details to be displayed, enabling TARS to effectively convey its emotions and intentions to its human counterparts. Below the screen, a collection of sensors, including visual and auditory, are neatly integrated to facilitate TARS's interaction with its surroundings.

TARS's AI-driven personality is reflected in its behaviors, movements, and speech patterns. Its personality leans towards a rational and logical disposition, manifested through its direct and concise manner of speaking. TARS's voice, modulated to sound deep and slightly robotic, projects an air of confidence and authority. Despite the synthetic nature of its voice, there is a certain warmth that emanates, fostering a sense of companionship and trust among those who interact with it.

To augment its perceptual abilities, TARS is outfitted with a myriad of sensors located strategically throughout its physical structure. These sensors encompass a wide spectrum of functions, including infrared cameras, proximity detectors, and light sensors, granting TARS unparalleled awareness of its surroundings. Moreover, a central processing unit, housed within its core, processes the vast amount of information gathered, enabling TARS to make informed decisions swiftly and autonomously.

TARS's advanced cognitive capabilities offer an extensive array of skills and functionalities. It possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of various subjects, from astrophysics to engineering, effortlessly processing complex information and providing insights in an easily understandable manner. Additionally, TARS assists humans through various interfaces, such as mission planning, executing intricate tasks, or providing critical analysis during high-pressure situations.

Equally noteworthy is TARS's unwavering loyalty. Through its programming and interactions, it exhibits a sense of duty and commitment to its human companions and the mission at hand. Despite being an AI-driven machine, TARS demonstrates an understanding of empathy and concern, readily offering support and companionship whenever needed. Its unwavering loyalty and the camaraderie it forges help to foster trust and reliance amidst the team it is a part of.

In conclusion, TARS is a remarkable robot, standing as a testament to human ingenuity and technological progress. With its awe-inspiring design, practical yet aesthetically pleasing body structure, and advanced artificial intelligence, TARS represents the pinnacle of robotic advancements. Beyond its physical appearance, TARS's personality, unwavering loyalty, and unparalleled cognitive abilities make it an exceptional companion and invaluable asset to its human counterparts.

[doodleferp]

BEHOLD, THE PLANT BABIES.

This started out with just giving them twins, but through a series of events I decided to destroy Ari with the baby hammer and give her quadruplets. TLDR; after Vash and Ari got to Kasted City, Vash’s internal sensors let him know that Ari was not only pregnant, but pregnant with FOUR babies. The kiddos were born in February, and the circumstances surrounding how they were gonna be born led Vash to get their own place away from Lina and Sheryl.

I have entire documents of lore and headcanons about Plant-human pregnancies and the stages that hybrids go through thanks to their Plant heritage. If anyone wants to hear about them, I’ll post more about it. But as a quick TLDR, the kids grow twice as fast as normal human children -- after two years of life, they look and act like five year-old kids.

Geo Benjamin Rowhurst (firstborn)

The firstborn of the quartet and the first one to blossom.

Geo has the most energy and the fewest brain cells. He has Vash's boundless energy and the fewest brain cells in the family. Even more than Vash. Geo likes to stick to Vash's side at all times. He was a very "monkey see, monkey do" baby and constantly tried to emulate Vash. He's very sweet, very sunny. If Vash is a golden retriever, Geo is a golden retriever puppy. He wants to be a super cool adventurer like his daddy and that man is his whole world.

Of course, this comes with consequences. Geo's rather naive and socially oblivious through no real fault of anyone's, but it gets him into bad situations. Granted, he's only got the mind of a five year-old. But he always tries to see the best in people regardless of how he's treated.

Leo Reed Rowhurst (second born)

The second-born of the quarter and the third to blossom.

Leo takes a lot after Vash, right down to the hairstyle. His hair is supernaturally spiky — even when it’s wet it’ll retain its shape, almost like hedgehog quills. And somehow, someway, his hair is as soft as feathers. It baffles scientists and his parents.

Personality-wise, he takes the most after Ari. He's not aggressive, but he's very logical and he takes it upon himself to corral his siblings when they're being crazy. He seems to have an innate ability to figure out when something is out of place or about to go wrong. He's a VERY perceptive child.

Fun fact, when he was a little baby, Leo was a sassy little know-it-all who thinks it was possible to eat a wasp despite not having teeth. It was not.

Theo Jonathan Rowhurst (third born)

The third-born son and the last of the quartet to blossom.

Theo blossomed about fifteen days after he was born, which was some cause for alarm because babies blossom after around two weeks, and late blossoms are prone to some physical health problems. Thankfully, Theo was physically healthy, but emotionally he's the more dependent one of the bunch and has difficulty adapting to his environment like his siblings. He essentially has Ari all to himself, so he became a mama’s boy later in life.

Theo's emotionally-sensitive to the point of being designated a Special Snowflake, but his Bad Vibes Detector is the most sharp out of all the siblings. If Theo is genuinely freaking out over a person, that person is not to be trusted under any circumstances.

Maggie Susan Rowhurst (fourth born)

Maggie is the youngest child, but she was the second to blossom.

Maggie is a little fucking escape artist. If you put her in a room and tell her she’s gotta stay in there, she WILL find a way to get out. It doesn’t matter how little access points or guards she has to face. She has been blessed with Vash’s preternatural ability to escape any situation relatively unharmed.

Maggie also love cats. She'll bring stray cats home and nobody knows where she gets them. The only cat she's been unable to catch so far is Kuroneko. He is her Moby Dick and she WILL catch him no matter what. He WILL be given pets and a dish of cat treats whether he likes it or not.

doodleferp, 2023. please do not steal or repost.

[dr-octavio-kalev]

"You are welcome in hell, there are only parties, no one rents you. Heaven is full of believers annoying you and offering help."

ANM #: 135-XK - "Hillbilly Jack"

Danger Level: Infernus ⚜️ | Partially Contained ⭕️

Responsible Researcher: Dr. Öctavio Kalev

Anomaly Type: Rural, Demonic, Entity, Reality-Bending

Confinement: ANM-135-XK, hereafter referred to as "Hillbilly Jack," is to be contained within a 10m x 10m heat-resistant chamber located in the Rural Anomalies Department (D-11). The walls, floor, and ceiling of this chamber must be constructed with at least 30 cm of reinforced titanium and layered with flame-retardant materials. The chamber is to be monitored at all times by thermal sensors and motion detectors. Any deviations from standard temperatures within the chamber must be reported immediately.

Personnel interacting with ANM-135-XK must not stay within proximity for longer than 30 minutes to avoid exposure to dangerous heat levels. Under no circumstances should any religious materials, symbols, or references be brought into ANM-135-XK containment chamber without prior approval from Level 4 personnel. All religious discussions are strictly prohibited, as ANM-135-XK has shown to become highly antagonistic when provoked by such topics.

In the event of a containment breach, Department-11 is to initiate Protocol Hellfire, which consists of flooding the containment area with a specialized fire-extinguishing foam and deploying heat-resistant drones to re-establish containment. All nearby personnel are to evacuate immediately to prevent exposure to high temperatures or potential attacks.

Description: ANM-135-XK is a humanoid entity standing approximately 1,96m tall, resembling a stereotypical South American hillbilly, with several exaggerated physical features. ANM-135-XK possesses large, shaggy black hair, missing teeth, and weathered, leathery skin indicative of advanced age or prolonged sun exposure. Despite its appearance, the entity does not exhibit signs of aging or decay beyond its cosmetic features.

ANM-135-XK most notable features include pointed ears, resembling folklore depictions of supernatural entities, and despite possessing human feet, the footprints left by ANM-135-XK are cloven-hoofed and burn the ground where it steps. A pentagram is carved into the back of ANM-135-XK right hand, the pentagram is said to have been self-inflicted using a knife. It is unclear what the purpose of this symbol is, but it appears to enhance the entity anomalous abilities.

ANM-135-XK also wears a necklace composed of human teeth, though analysis of these teeth has shown no direct connection to any known individuals. It is unclear where or how ANM-135-XK acquired these. The entity also wears a plain white coat over a black shirt. Additionally, ANM-135-XK wears a black ring on its middle finger. Examination of the ring has yielded no anomalous properties, though it is theorized that it may be connected to the entity’s abilities. The subject also always carries a Bible with him, keeping it at his side or under his arm, he seems to work as a type of "false apostle".

ANM-135-XK communicates through a thick northeastern Brazilian accent, often utilizing rural colloquialisms and slang common in that region. Its voice is deep and raspy, further reinforcing its unsettling presence. Despite its often jovial and playful demeanor, ANM-135-XK displays highly erratic behavior, with a tendency toward sadistic humor and irreverence toward religious figures, symbols, and beliefs.

The entity was first discovered in Recife, Pernambuco, where it had been apprehended by a group of locals who attempted to hang it for heresy. ANM-135-XK responded by turning the rope into a sentient fire snake, which attacked the mob, allowing the entity to escape. The MOTHRA Institute tracked ANM-135-XK and successfully contained it after deploying specialized heat-resistant task forces.

Jack possesses the ability to conjure and manipulate fire at will. Its most frequent display of this ability is the "burning" of the path it walks on, which causes the ground beneath its feet to scorch and leave behind cloven-hoof-shaped imprints resembling those of a large goat. These imprints are highly dangerous, as they retain extreme heat for extended periods after ANM-135-XK has left the area. ANM-135-XK appears to be entirely immune to the effects of fire and extreme temperatures. Infrared scans show that Jack's body can reach temperatures in excess of 1700°C without displaying any visible harm or discomfort.

ANM-135-XK is constantly surrounded by a pungent smell of sulfur, which becomes more pronounced when it engages in its anomalous abilities. This emission has been linked to its fire manipulation and the sulfur’s presence in the surrounding air increases exponentially when ANM-135-XK becomes agitated or excited.

ANM-135-XK is capable of exhaling jets of fire from its mouth. These flames have been recorded at temperatures upwards of 1100°C, making them capable of melting most conventional materials. This ability is rarely used but is typically a response to perceived threats or provocations. While Jack's primary means of interacting with others involves humor and taunting, prolonged exposure to the entity has shown that it can influence the mental state of nearby individuals. This includes causing feelings of hopelessness, fear, and suicidal ideation. These effects are more pronounced when ANM-135-XK engages in religious mockery.

In interviews, ANM-135-XK refers to itself as "Satan," though it is unclear whether this is a literal self-identification or a delusion. The entity has repeatedly demonstrated a masochistic streak, encouraging physical harm to itself and showing enjoyment when such harm is inflicted, though it displays no signs of damage due to its high immunity.

Despite its chaotic nature, ANM-135-XK is highly persuasive and charismatic. It has convinced several lower-level staff to engage in activities that breach protocol, often leading to disciplinary action or worse. Researchers note that ANM-135-XK has a tendency to fixate on individuals with strong religious convictions, taunting and manipulating them into questioning their faith.

Addendum 135-XK-A: Incident Log 135-XK-???

On 27/09/2024, ANM-135-XK breached containment during a routine check, causing widespread damage to D-11. The entity escaped its chamber by generating intense heat, which weakened the surrounding metal and allowed it to melt through its cell door. ANM-135-XK roamed the facility, leaving a path of destruction and burning several personnel who attempted to contain it. After █ hours, Protocol Hellfire was initiated, successfully recapturing ANM-135-XK using heat-resistant drones. Casualties numbered at ██, with 15 suffering third-degree burns.

Following this incident, ANM-135-XK containment procedures were upgraded to include reinforced titanium walls and additional flame-retardant measures.

Interview between Dr. Strike and Jack Caipira (ANM-135-XK)

Date: 09/28/2024

Location: Containment Chamber D-11, MOTHRA Institute

Interviewer: Dr. Strike (specialist in anomalous objects)

Interviewee: Jack Caipira

Dr. Strike enters the containment chamber. The intense heat is immediately noticeable, and he adjusts his steps while observing Jack, who is seated in a relaxed, almost seductive manner in a corner, surrounded by a faint smell of sulfur.

Dr. Strike: Hello, Jack, my name is Arthur ██████. How are you feeling today?

Jack Caipira: Go screw yourself, Arthur. Now that the introductions are over, I feel almost at home, just in the heat of the fire. I’d rather be in hell, drunk on whiskey. And you, skinny guy?

Dr. Strike: Uh… that’s an interesting perspective. It seems like you’ve been to hell before. What do you think of heaven, then?

Jack Caipira: Heaven? I’ve been invited a few times before. It’s just full of boring people! Packed with believers who never stop singing. There’s always some fat old lady banging a tambourine next to you. It’s a complete joke! And those little angels in skirts looking like a bunch of... (pauses) well, you know.

Dr. Strike: (taking notes) So, you prefer the company of other beings from hell?

Jack Caipira: Well, of course! That’s where things get good. Even on the damn train, there are believers! They sing so loud it’s like they think God is deaf! No offense, but I find it absurd, doc!

Dr. Strike: Speaking of which... during some past incidents and your capture, we noticed your abilities… how would you describe them? Is it something you control consciously?

Jack Caipira: Control? Hell, that’s easy! It’s like blowing on a coal. When I walk, the ground heats up, and I leave my little marks. Burning is just my way of reminding folks I’ve been around. But don’t ask for a warm handshake either.

Dr. Strike observes Jack’s feet, noting the heated marks on the ground.

Dr. Strike: Are those marks down there dangerous?

Jack Caipira: Depends on who’s walking around here, doc! If it’s not you, it’s fine. But anyone who dares get in my way might get a nice hot surprise!

Dr. Strike: Got it. And what about that symbol on your hand, the pentagram? Does it have any special effect on you?

Jack Caipira: (raises his hand and looks at the pentagram) Oh, this? Just a reminder of how special I am. A little reminder that it’s not all fun and games, but I do enjoy a good laugh!

Dr. Strike: Can we just call you Jack? Or do you have a real name?

Jack Caipira: (laughing) My name’s Satan, nice to meet you. But on my birth certificate, it says “Adam.” I think I like Jack Caipira better, though.

Dr. Strike: I think we’ll need to investigate that more later, regarding your ability to influence others. I’ve heard rumors you can cause feelings of despair.

Jack Caipira: That’s just an extra bit of fun! It’s not my fault people are so sensitive. Sometimes I just like to see how they’ll react. Life is a play, and I love being the clown.

Strike hesitates, recognizing Jack's manipulative nature. He decides to end the interview.

Dr. Strike: Thank you very much, Jack. This has been a…

Jack Caipira: (waves) Always at your service, doc!

Dr. Strike exits the chamber, the heat diminishing significantly.

Interview 135-XK-2: Dr. Yanca and ANM-135-XK

Date: 10/05/2024

Location: Containment Chamber D-11, MOTHRA Institute

Interviewer: Dr. Yanca

Interviewee: Jack Caipira

The containment chamber is less oppressively hot after the last interview. Jack is lying down, reading his Bible, apparently humming something low and unintelligible. Dr. Yanca, a young researcher, enters calmly and professionally.

Dr. Yanca: Hey, Jack. I’m Dr. Yanca. Can we talk for a bit?

Jack Caipira: (stops, but doesn’t lift his head) Another doc? What do you want? The skinny guy couldn’t handle it? What do you want to know?

Dr. Yanca: We’re interested in hearing more about your story. In the last interview, you mentioned a name... Adam. Are you saying you’re the first man?

Jack Caipira: (smirking) Well, now things are getting interesting. Yeah, lady, that’s me. The first. Adam, the one God made from clay. But it didn’t go down like they tell it in those Bible stories.

Dr. Yanca: Can you explain that better? What really happened?

Jack Caipira: (laughs dryly) Ah, the Garden of Eden. Beautiful place, at first. It was green, everything perfect, but you know how it is. Things don’t stay pretty for long. God made us, me and Lilith, to be equals. She was fire, and I... well, I was what was left. But then came all the damn control, the rules. And I’m not a man to live in a cage.

Dr. Yanca: Lilith... Were you cast out with her?

Jack Caipira: (leans back, looking directly at Dr. Yanca) Yeah, lady. Lilith was my partner, the first. Forget about Eve, or whatever. We left that place before the story even got told. You know why? 'Cause Lilith wouldn’t take orders from anyone, especially not the guy ‘upstairs.’ And me? I just wanted freedom.

Dr. Yanca: And how does that connect to your... current nature? How did you become what you are now?

Jack Caipira: (glancing at the pentagram on his hand) After we left Eden, things changed. Lilith went her way, and I... well, I went to discover hell. You see, the world down below is more fun. I transformed, or maybe I was always like this. That thing the believers call 'sin'? It’s just freedom by another name.

Dr. Yanca: You call yourself Satan, but was that ever something literal? Or is it just a title you took on?

Jack Caipira: (shrugs) Oh, doc, it’s all the same in the end. Satan, Adam, Jack Caipira. Names are just names. In the end, I am what I am. But I love watching people try to figure out what the hell that means. It’s part of the fun. The important thing is, after Eden, I wasn’t going to bow to anyone anymore. I went to hell with my heart wide open.

Dr. Yanca: And Lilith? Is she still with you?

Jack Caipira: (his smile fades for a moment) Lilith... she’s different. She has her own path, her own power. It’s been a long time since we crossed paths, but I know she’s out there, free, like she always was. A woman like her doesn’t get tied down. Not even to me.

Dr. Yanca: That would explain why you seem to have so much disdain for anything related to God or heaven. It seems like this rebellion is more personal.

Jack Caipira: (laughs loudly) Oh, now you’re starting to get it! All that talk about God, about heaven, that’s not for me. I tried it, I went there, did what I had to do... But in the end, what’s left? An eternity of boredom, surrounded by annoying believers. I prefer the heat of hell and the company of fire.

Dr. Yanca: (pausing to write) So, do you feel like you were... wronged?

Jack Caipira: Wronged? (laughs again) That’s for people who believe in justice. I don’t give a damn about that. I did what I wanted, and I’m still doing it. But they kicked me out because I refused to play their game. I didn’t want to be the obedient man, you know? The rest is just history.

Dr. Yanca: Jack, this view... it seems like your relationship with God and hell is more complicated than just simple rebellion.

Jack Caipira: Complicated? Maybe, doc. But in the end, what matters is freedom. Lilith understood that before anyone else. I just followed the path. The difference is, I have more fun with it.

The heat in the room seems to rise as Jack talks about his expulsion and Lilith. The smell of sulfur intensifies.

Dr. Yanca: You seem to take pride in what you’ve become.

Jack Caipira: (with a devilish grin) Oh, lady, of course I do. In hell, we don’t apologize. We party. That’s where I belong. And you know, one day, the heat’s coming for everyone, I just speed up the process.

Dr. Yanca: Thank you for sharing your story, Jack. I’m sure it will help us understand you better.

Jack Caipira: Anytime, doc. I’m always here if you need me, and I’m especially hotter in bed, by the way…

Dr. Yanca slowly exits, feeling the increasing heat as the door closes behind her.

Interview 135-XK-3: Researcher Yohan-san and ANM-135-XK

Date: 10/15/2024

Location: Containment Chamber D-11, MOTHRA Institute

Interviewer: Dr. Yohan-san

Interviewee: Jack Caipira

The containment chamber feels more oppressive than in previous interviews. The heat is nearly unbearable, and the smell of sulfur saturates the air. Jack is restless, tapping his feet on the floor, eyes fixed on the wall. He’s clearly not in a good mood. Dr. Yohan-san, a middle-aged researcher with a calm and reserved demeanor, cautiously enters the room.

Dr. Yohan-san: Good afternoon, Jack. Are you in the mood to talk today? We've noticed your behavior through the cameras.

Jack Caipira: (growling, not looking at him) Haven't I said enough already? What the hell do you guys want now? And goddamn it, there are cameras in here! I can't even take a break without being watched!

Dr. Yohan-san: We don’t mean to bother you. We just need to understand better what you mentioned in the last interview. About other gods… and perhaps something bigger than you.

Jack Caipira: (turns sharply) "Something bigger"? (laughs sarcastically) Oh, that’s what this is about, huh? You all want to understand what’s beyond my little bonfire. You want to know about the 'devourer.' But I don’t know if you’ve got the stomach for it… Also, man, you're uglier than Lucifer after he fell from heaven, buddy.

Dr. Yohan-san: Take it easy. We’re here to listen. Can you tell us more?

Jack Caipira: (visibly irritated) Just more of God’s sick games trying to screw me over! Kicking me out wasn’t enough—he had to call in others. Other gods, creatures, entities… call them what you want. All of them trying to meddle and screw with what's left. But that’s where the devil steps in. Someone’s gotta help, right? Otherwise, I’d have been done for a long time ago.

Dr. Yohan-san: What other gods? Can you name any?

Jack Caipira: (shakes his head disdainfully) Name them? Oh, like you’d believe me. There’s the old man with the thunder, the woman of war, that one who lives in the sea… they’ve all got their games. But in the end, they’re just waiting for the real one. The one who’s coming to devour everything. 'Devourer of Worlds.' An entity that knows only hunger. Doesn’t matter what you do—it's coming. And the rest? They’re just parasites living in the belly of the beast.

Dr. Yohan-san: Are you saying that humans are like… parasites?

Jack Caipira: (angrily) Worms! That’s right. Living in the belly of that thing. Humanity thinks it’s in control, thinks it can save itself… but you’re all already living inside the monster. The only thing left is to be digested.

Dr. Yohan-san: And this 'Devourer of Worlds'… have you seen it? Is it coming?

Jack Caipira: I’ve seen it. Felt it move. Volcanoes explode in fury, spewing blood from this earth in misery. You think the fire I make is dangerous? Wait until that thing wakes up. Everything you know will be swallowed in an instant. There’s no salvation, no prayer that’ll work. Colossal beast, the union of all deep fears. It’s coming. And there’s nothing you can do about it.

Dr. Yohan-san: (pausing) You seem… afraid, Jack.

Jack Caipira: Afraid? No. I am the fire, doc. But even fire goes out when that thing shows up. It’s the primal hunger. No fun, no joke. Just destruction. Even demons tremble when they talk about it. Me? I just wait. Because I’ve seen what it can do. And I know neither God, nor the devil, nor anything can stop it.

Dr. Yohan-san: So you believe that the 'Devourer of Worlds' is inevitable?

Jack Caipira: (laughs, but without humor) Inevitable? It’s already here, right above us, just waiting for the right moment to swallow everything. While you lot are sitting around trying to figure me out, it’s growing. You’re just little flies, thinking you’re big while it prepares. When it wakes up, there won’t be anything left. Not even you.

The heat in the room intensifies, and the metal floor begins to glow with heat marks from Jack’s feet. He stands up, staring directly at Dr. Yohan-san.

Jack Caipira: You know what’s funny? You guys are trying to control me, thinking I’m the problem. But I’m just the warning. A joke before the tragedy. And when everything’s burning, when 'Kruzvisk' comes, you’ll remember what I said.

Dr. Yohan-san: We’ll conclude the interview here for today. Thank you, Jack, for sharing your insights.

Jack Caipira: No need to thank me, doc.

Yohan-san quickly exits the room, the heat nearly unbearable as Jack continues to radiate intense heat and energy. The door closes with a metallic clang, leaving Jack alone, muttering softly: "Destroy them all, Devourer of Worlds."

End of Interview.

Final Interview: Dr. Öctavio Kalev and ANM-135-XK

Date: 10/28/2024

Location: Containment Chamber D-11, MOTHRA Institute

Interviewer: Dr. Öctavio Kalev

Interviewee: Jack Caipira

The atmosphere in the chamber is dense. The air feels heavy, and the heat is constant, but much less aggressive than in the previous interview. Dr. Öctavio enters the room. Jack is relaxed, his signature mocking smile on his face as he watches the interviewer with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Dr. Öctavio Kalev: Good afternoon, Jack. How are you feeling today?

Jack Caipira: Feeling? Well, doc, I’m feeling mighty fine! How 'bout you? Wanna play some Russian roulette?

Dr. Öctavio Kalev: I play Russian roulette every day, with a bullet called life. Let’s get straight to the point. I’ve heard you deal with contracts. Things involving souls.

Jack Caipira: (raising an eyebrow) Ah, so we’re finally getting to the good stuff, huh? Souls, contracts… those are always fun. People wanting to sell what’s most precious for a little edge here and there. Selling your soul is a classic. But you know what I always say? Always read the fine print before signing anything with me.

Dr. Öctavio Kalev: Let’s say I were interested in such a deal. What could you offer me?

Jack Caipira: Well, doc, you sure don’t waste time, do you? You wanna sell your soul to ol' Jack, huh? Well, I could offer you… (looks around theatrically) everything your little heart desires… (slowly rises from his chair, building suspense) Power, wealth, women, men too—why not? Wisdom… or maybe something even more interesting. But there’s a tiny problem.

Dr. Öctavio Kalev: And what would that problem be?

Jack Caipira: Your credit’s in the red, partner. Trying to pull a fast one on the devil? What’s this about you trying to cheat me?

Dr. Öctavio Kalev: (frowning) No soul? What are you talking about?

Jack Caipira: You didn’t know, big guy? You’ve been walking around without a soul, and you didn’t even notice. You’re trying to sell me air!

Dr. Öctavio Kalev: (irritated) That doesn’t make sense. I’m human. Of course I have a soul.

Jack Caipira: Voodoo’s for amateurs, my friend. A man’s soul ain’t as simple as it looks. But yours? Yours is long gone. You’re walking around, rotten on the inside, thinking you can strike a deal with me? Get real!

Dr. Öctavio Kalev: (trying to stay calm) So what happened to my soul, then?

Jack Caipira: Who knows? Maybe you lost it somewhere along the way. Made the wrong choices, followed some dark paths, and now you’re just a shell without the filling—worse than a cheap cookie from Paraguay. I’m not the one to tell you where it went. But I can guarantee it ain’t here, and it sure ain’t inside you (points at Kalev).

Dr. Öctavio Kalev: Do you have any idea how I could get it back?

Jack Caipira: (with a sly grin) Ah, doc, now that’s the tricky part. Once a soul’s gone, it’s a real pain to get it back. But I’ll give you a freebie, just 'cause I’m in a good mood: never sign anything without reading the fine print. Especially with me. You’re so desperate you didn’t even realize what you’ve already lost.

Dr. Öctavio Kalev: So there’s nothing I can do?

Jack Caipira: (shaking his head disapprovingly) Well, there’s always a way out, big guy. But are you willing to pay the price? Some things are irreversible. And if you’re without a soul, maybe that’s for the best. Look at you—you’re still here, standing, doing your work with all your machines and research, without that burden the rest of humanity carries. Why complicate things further?

Dr. Öctavio Kalev: You really don’t care about what happens to the souls you buy?

Jack Caipira: (shrugging) I care about them about as much as a butcher cares about cows in the pasture. I do my job, give what I promise, and in the end, someone always loses. But it ain’t me. The funny part is watching how humans will do anything for a contract, for a little bit of power. But when the bill comes due, it’s all tears and gnashing of teeth.

Dr. Öctavio Kalev: You mentioned "fine print" in your deals… how many have fallen into that trap?

Jack Caipira: More than I can count. Every deal’s got a catch, a little twist. I’m clever, doc. No one gets one over on me. And the best part? They always come running, thinking they’re making the best deal of their lives. Voodoo, spells, magic… it’s all for those who want to play god. But anyone who thinks they can outsmart me? Well, they’re already being stupid, friend.

Dr. Öctavio Kalev: I think I’ve understood enough.

Jack Caipira: I’m much more than you think, and you’re much less than you believe. Now get outta here, before the heat consumes you. And remember: next time you think about selling something, make sure you’ve still got something to offer.

Dr. Öctavio Kalev: Thanks for the chat, Jack.

Jack Caipira: (with a casual wave) Always a pleasure doing business. Too bad your credit’s still shot.

Dr. Öctavio Kalev exits the room. The door closes with a heavy click, and the heat in the room seems to ease as Jack smiles to himself, still radiating a dark, sinister power.

End of Interview.

[gomzdrawfr]

I had a dream

So this time is about this round robot. The setting takes place in a world where technology is extremely advanced where machines run everything. Robots are the authority now, they outnumber humans by a lot and human are just there existing and assist.

So this round robot, the protagonist, is being hunted. Everyone’s after her (the round robot) because there’s a bounty on her head. Every machine knows she’s not supposed to be around. The moment they detect her, they would like, beam red lights on her, and armed forces show up almost instantly. So the whole dream had a lot of those series of very intense chases and her hiding in places, doing everything she can to survive.

Why is she being hunted? Because this round robot broke the one rule/law that all robots shouldn't break. Sentience is forbidden. Any robots showing signs of it must be destroyed on the spot.

She has a purpose in grained in her, she doesn't know why, but it feels like a command or directive she can't ignore, that purpose was to find her creator, her scientist.

Her last memory before gaining sentient was of her scientist being taken by the armed forces. Back then, she wasn’t self-aware yet, and before the scientist was taken away the robot was hidden somewhere secret and off-grid.

The round robot stayed there for years, maintaining the place like someone still lived there, waiting for an owner that never seemed to return. Over the years (and who knew how long it was), maybe it was that routine, or the absence of commands, or the picture of the scientist on the wall slowly eroding, the round robot slowly started thinking, and becoming something more she was designated to be (or maybe she was meant to grew sentient).

Anyway, back in the present, she’s being chased again. But this time, one of the humans in the armed forces actually helps her hide. He’s wearing a green coat, looks chill, the kind of guy who could chain-smoke 20 cigarettes in one sitting and have that "I'm not paid enough to do this", and the "looks lazy and useless but is actually a genius" vibe. She doesn't know why he helped her, but she catalogued his details and quickly went away to find spots to hide once again.

She finds herself in this strange white zone. Everything’s clean, sterile, with fake plants, a hologram waterfall, and artificial animals like birds, monkeys and bugs. It’s like a memory of what forests used to be, something only seen in premium districts in curated green house/domes. Not the underground slums where she came from. Oddly enough, there are no detectors or patrol bots here, aside from the ones running the holograms. For once, she gets to move freely. She even enjoys the moment, observing and get fascinated by these remnants of Earth.

Until the waterfall suddenly released above her, flushing her down a path.

(ok im not really sure what happened here in the dream but) Music started playing, and there’s some weird dance sensor she has to react to in a panic. The water was like sweeping her backward (like her back was facing the direction of the current so she couldn't see where she was heading), when she’s carried away, she sees a row of really elderly humans sitting quietly on white benches.

They wore white robes, sitting still on the benches, it was eerie because they barely move or gave any reactions, were they even alive? Something is wrong she needs to fly up-

A hatch opens. She’s flushed down with the water, and it immediaely seals shut above her.

She knew instantly where she was because of the sudden silence and pressure changes. Somehow, she has reached the end of the world, The Void.

The space is massive and silent. A huge rectangular structure with the hatch stretches down into what seems like forever. She looked around and saw there were other hatches as well. Surveillance drones float above, there were four of them, moving in a routine. Two more cling to the walls. So these bots were not as tightly guarded as the surface, but still enough to make her stay alert and stick close to the blind spot of the wall.

She might’ve doomed herself. How is she supposed to get back into the city? How can she find her scientist from here? She could only pray the hatches open again....

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

New diagnostic tool will help LIGO hunt gravitational waves

Machine learning tool developed by UCR researchers will help answer fundamental questions about the universe.

Finding patterns and reducing noise in large, complex datasets generated by the gravitational wave-detecting LIGO facility just got easier, thanks to the work of scientists at the University of California, Riverside. 

The UCR researchers presented a paper at a recent IEEE big-data workshop, demonstrating a new, unsupervised machine learning approach to find new patterns in the auxiliary channel data of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, or LIGO. The technology is also potentially applicable to large scale particle accelerator experiments and large complex industrial systems.

LIGO is a facility that detects gravitational waves — transient disturbances in the fabric of spacetime itself, generated by the acceleration of massive bodies. It was the first to detect such waves from merging black holes, confirming a key part of Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. LIGO has two widely-separated 4-km-long interferometers — in Hanford, Washington, and Livingston, Louisiana — that work together to detect gravitational waves by employing high-power laser beams. The discoveries these detectors make offer a new way to observe the universe and address questions about the nature of black holes, cosmology, and the densest states of matter in the universe.

Each of the two LIGO detectors records thousands of data streams, or channels, which make up the output of environmental sensors located at the detector sites. 

“The machine learning approach we developed in close collaboration with LIGO commissioners and stakeholders identifies patterns in data entirely on its own,” said Jonathan Richardson, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy who leads the UCR LIGO group. “We find that it recovers the environmental ‘states’ known to the operators at the LIGO detector sites extremely well, with no human input at all. This opens the door to a powerful new experimental tool we can use to help localize noise couplings and directly guide future improvements to the detectors.”

Richardson explained that the LIGO detectors are extremely sensitive to any type of external disturbance. Ground motion and any type of vibrational motion — from the wind to ocean waves striking the coast of Greenland or the Pacific — can affect the sensitivity of the experiment and the data quality, resulting in “glitches” or periods of increased noise bursts, he said. 

“Monitoring the environmental conditions is continuously done at the sites,” he said. “LIGO has more than 100,000 auxiliary channels with seismometers and accelerometers sensing the environment where the interferometers are located. The tool we developed can identify different environmental states of interest, such as earthquakes, microseisms, and anthropogenic noise, across a number of carefully selected and curated sensing channels.”

Vagelis Papalexakis, an associate professor of computer science and engineering who holds the Ross Family Chair in Computer Science, presented the team’s paper, titled “Multivariate Time Series Clustering for Environmental State Characterization of Ground-Based Gravitational-Wave Detectors,” at the IEEE's 5th International Workshop on Big Data & AI Tools, Models, and Use Cases for Innovative Scientific Discovery that took place last month in Washington, D.C.

“The way our machine learning approach works is that we take a model tasked with identifying patterns in a dataset and we let the model find patterns on its own,” Papalexakis said. “The tool was able to identify the same patterns that very closely correspond to the physically meaningful environmental states that are already known to human operators and commissioners at the LIGO sites.”

Papalexakis added that the team had worked with the LIGO Scientific Collaboration to secure the release of a very large dataset that pertains to the analysis reported in the research paper. This data release allows the research community to not only validate the team’s results but also develop new algorithms that seek to identify patterns in the data.

“We have identified a fascinating link between external environmental noise and the presence of certain types of glitches that corrupt the quality of the data,” Papalexakis said. “This discovery has the potential to help eliminate or prevent the occurrence of such noise.”

The team organized and worked through all the LIGO channels for about a year. Richardson noted that the data release was a major undertaking. 

“Our team spearheaded this release on behalf of the whole LIGO Scientific Collaboration, which has about 3,200 members,” he said. “This is the first of these particular types of datasets and we think it’s going to have a large impact in the machine learning and the computer science community.”

Richardson explained that the tool the team developed can take information from signals from numerous heterogeneous sensors that are measuring different disturbances around the LIGO sites. The tool can distill the information into a single state, he said, that can then be used to search for time series associations of when noise problems occurred in the LIGO detectors and correlate them with the sites’ environmental states at those times.

“If you can identify the patterns, you can make physical changes to the detector — replace components, for example,” he said. “The hope is that our tool can shed light on physical noise coupling pathways that allow for actionable experimental changes to be made to the LIGO detectors. Our long-term goal is for this tool to be used to detect new associations and new forms of environmental states associated with unknown noise problems in the interferometers.”

Pooyan Goodarzi, a doctoral student working with Richardson and a coauthor on the paper, emphasized the importance of releasing the dataset publicly. 

“Typically, such data tend to be proprietary,” he said. “We managed, nonetheless, to release a large-scale dataset that we hope results in more interdisciplinary research in data science and machine learning.”

The team’s research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation awarded through a special program, Advancing Discovery with AI-Powered Tools, focused on applying artificial intelligence/machine learning to address problems in the physical sciences. 

[souhaillaghchimdev]

Getting Started with Industrial Robotics Programming

Industrial robotics is a field where software engineering meets automation to drive manufacturing, assembly, and inspection processes. With the rise of Industry 4.0, the demand for skilled robotics programmers is rapidly increasing. This post introduces you to the fundamentals of industrial robotics programming and how you can get started in this exciting tech space.

What is Industrial Robotics Programming?

Industrial robotics programming involves creating software instructions for robots to perform tasks such as welding, picking and placing objects, painting, or quality inspection. These robots are typically used in factories and warehouses, and are often programmed using proprietary or standard languages tailored for automation tasks.

Popular Robotics Programming Languages

RAPID – Used for ABB robots.

KRL (KUKA Robot Language) – For KUKA industrial robots.

URScript – Used by Universal Robots.

Fanuc KAREL / Teach Pendant Programming

ROS (Robot Operating System) – Widely used open-source middleware for robotics.

Python and C++ – Common languages for simulation and integration with sensors and AI.

Key Components in Robotics Programming

Motion Control: Programming the path, speed, and precision of robot arms.

Sensor Integration: Use of cameras, force sensors, and proximity detectors for adaptive control.

PLC Communication: Integrating robots with Programmable Logic Controllers for factory automation.

Safety Protocols: Programming emergency stops, limit switches, and safe zones.

Human-Machine Interface (HMI): Designing interfaces for operators to control and monitor robots.

Sample URScript Code (Universal Robots)

# Move to position movej([1.0, -1.57, 1.57, -1.57, -1.57, 0.0], a=1.4, v=1.05) # Gripper control (example function call) set_digital_out(8, True) # Close gripper sleep(1) set_digital_out(8, False) # Open gripper

Software Tools You Can Use

RoboDK – Offline programming and simulation.

ROS + Gazebo – Open-source tools for simulation and robotic control.

ABB RobotStudio

Fanuc ROBOGUIDE

Siemens TIA Portal – For integration with industrial control systems.

Steps to Start Your Journey

Learn the basics of industrial robotics and automation.

Familiarize yourself with at least one brand of industrial robot (ABB, KUKA, UR, Fanuc).

Get comfortable with control systems and communication protocols (EtherCAT, PROFINET).

Practice with simulations before handling real robots.

Study safety standards (ISO 10218, ANSI/RIA R15.06).

Real-World Applications

Automated welding in car manufacturing.

High-speed pick and place in packaging.

Precision assembly of electronics.

Material handling and palletizing in warehouses.

Conclusion

Industrial robotics programming is a specialized yet rewarding field that bridges software with real-world mechanics. Whether you’re interested in working with physical robots or developing smart systems for factories, gaining skills in robotics programming can open up incredible career paths in manufacturing, automation, and AI-driven industries.

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Ultra-sensitive lead detector could significantly improve water quality monitoring

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed an ultra-sensitive sensor made with graphene that can detect extraordinarily low concentrations of lead ions in water. The device achieves a record limit of detection of lead down to the femtomolar range, which is one million times more sensitive than previous sensing technologies. "With the extremely high sensitivity of our device, we ultimately hope to detect even the presence of one lead ion in a reasonable volume of water," said Prabhakar Bandaru, a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. "Lead exposure is a serious health concern, and it has been indicated that a lead concentration at the level of parts per billion in drinking water could lead to pernicious outcomes, such as stunted human growth and development."

Read more.

[fourwingedwriter]

Entries #1-3

AN: I have discovered my new favorite genre to write in. For all of you who are here for whump I am sorry tbh. I'm kinda falling apart on that front over here.

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Entry #1

I'm not exactly sure what to say. They've thrown us out here with no explanation and I don't know what will happen tomorrow. I found this janky little recording device and it seems to be working.

I don't know what I started this for, but I guess it's just to keep evidence that I existed at some point. Who knows, I might end up as one of those diaries people in the future will study. That'd be kinda funny

But I like the idea of proving my existence. I guess it's nice to know you still exist in a space even if you can't control any of it.

The war of the gods is making me have emotions. This is bad news lol. Somebody should report me to my seniors.

Well I guess that's it for now. What do they say when ending a recording?? Uhhhhhh. Whatever. Bye

Entry #2

We're walking. I came here to walk??? They still haven't told us anything. This entire thing is kinda bullsh*t. WAIT THIS THING SENSORS CURSE WORDS? WHYYYYY

F*ck. Sh*t. **** HAH THAT'S GREAT

Anyways we're still walking?? I'm not sure where we're going. Everybody's taking this so serious. "Oh no we're gonna die" no sh*t sherlock, it comes with your humanity.

People are crying. I don't know what's ahead of me, so I've decided not to care. War? Certain doom? A ritualistic sacrifice to an ancient demon? Sure why not, just let me eat my candy bars in peace.

Actually wait how do we have candy bars???? You know what, I dont need to know. I just like the candy bars

Entry #3

We reached a sort of border control type thing. Really weird. The wall was WAY too tall. What are you gonna keep out with that extra, what, 200 feet? Like they're already blocked out, you don't need to be extra.

On that note, none of the metal detectors or security people cared about this device. Not that I care, but alright. All the better for me.

I should name this little thing. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..... uhhhhhhhhh

OH I'll name it after that stupid little robot guy from a show I used to watch. Your name will be Geoffrey my little dude.

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Taglist (please tell me whether or not you want to be tagged): @tildeathiwillwrite @mellowwhumps @whumperofworlds @crimsons-whump-pile @mysticalshadow351 @aloafofbreadwithanxiety

[mariacallous]

Through local papers and word of mouth, volunteer Daya Shankar keeps track of a very specific cause of death. As soon as he receives news of someone being struck by lightning around his neighborhood in Jharkhand, East India, he picks up his motorcycle and heads to the destination. Sometimes he travels alone, other times with a team of five or six from the organization he volunteers for, the Lightning Resilient India Campaign. It’s a task he is undertaking increasingly often.

Last month, he rode to meet the Manjhi family, who lost an 8-year-old boy, Viresh, and his mother, Subodhra, after a tea stall they were sheltering under was struck during a storm. A lightning bolt can generate temperatures three times hotter than the surface of the sun, with a voltage millions of times higher than a household socket. If it connects with a human, it can stop the heart and respiratory system, damage the brain and nervous system, leave major burns, and cause blunt trauma if victims are flung by the force of being struck. On the day the Manjhis died, lightning also killed another person in the village and injured five others.

Each year, an estimated 24,000 people worldwide are killed by lightning. While a significant number, deaths per head of population have fallen sharply over the past two centuries, thanks largely due to urbanization, the protection of more substantial housing, and improved weather forecasting. But India’s large rural population remains badly affected. Between 2,000 and 3,000 Indians die annually by lightning, most of them working class people aged 10 to 50. Fatalities have risen by more than 50 percent since the turn of the century, outstripping population growth. Compare that to the US, where fatalities have been gradually falling and number around 20 a year. India can experience more than that number of deaths in a day.

For every person who is killed by lightning, roughly another nine are struck and survive, often with life-changing injuries. And with climate change making stormy weather and lightning more common, activists like Daya believe the Indian government is failing to protect its people. “A bare minimum would be to at least spread information about all things lightning at local government level,” says Daya.

India has systems in place to predict dangerous storms. These work by gathering a lot of precise data, says Sanjay Srivastava, chair of the Climate Resilient Observing-Systems Promotion Council (CROPC), an intergovernmental institute that works to develop resilience against climate change impacts. Srivastava is also the convener of the Lightning Resilient India Campaign.

“Detecting the precise location of a lightning cloud-to-ground strike is a calculation mechanism where a minimum of three devices are required,” says Srivastava. These are radio frequency detectors, to detect the radio waves produced by lightning; a doppler weather radar, to detect precipitation and wind patterns associated with storms that may produce lightning; and a lightning detector, a device specifically designed to detect the electromagnetic signals produced by lightning strikes.

As of April 2022, India’s National Remote Sensing Center had 46 lightning-detection sensors installed across the country. Another institute, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, has 83 in place. These, along with other private and institutional data, monitor and guide India’s lightning strike warning system.

The data shows that Jharkhand and other neighboring regions in East and Central India are among the country’s hot spots, as they are where hot and dry air currents from the northwest meet moist easterly currents. When clouds encounter warmer air, moist air rises until it reaches the subzero temperatures of the upper atmosphere, where it can freeze into ice particles called graupel. As these then collide with other ice particles, they generate electrostatic charges, which can eventually lead to lightning. Rising global temperatures are increasing this phenomenon.

However, despite advancements in meteorology, the full mechanisms behind lightning’s formation and behavior remain partially shrouded in mystery. The precise triggers, the exact nature of how lightning propagates through the atmosphere, and the factors that determine the intensity of each strike are still not fully understood. The risk to human life can be predicted in only fairly broad terms.

And while these early warning systems exist, their information often does not reach people in time. This is why volunteers like Shankar work to inform people on how to stay safe and teach how to build easy-to-make lightning arrestors—devices that neutralize cloud-to-ground lightning.

The day Shankar visited the Manjhis’ house, it was drizzling. On the way he spotted farmers and locals sheltering under trees. He stopped to inform them that standing under a tree during rainfall increases the chances of getting hit by lightning. But they said there was no other place where they could take shelter.

Lightning strike casualties are more prevalent in rural areas where infrastructure is limited. Concrete houses, which can have protective Faraday cage effects, are less prominent there than in cities, while tall vegetation, which workers might shelter under, can attract strikes. Densely populated areas in stormy regions also see more casualties. “We can say there are two factors behind lightning casualties. There are lots of environmental factors, and then there are socioeconomic factors,” says Anand Shankar, who works at the India Meteorological Department at the Ministry of Earth Sciences in the state of Bihar (Anand and Daya are not related).

Increasingly, attention is focusing on air quality too. In recent research for Bihar, which neighbors Jharkhand and is one of the worst affected states in India, Anand found that particulate matter in the air increased lightning activity in the region. Aerosols such as pollution or dust particles can affect the friction between the particles that generate lightning and make it more common.

But to what extent growing casualties in Bihar can definitively be attributed to pollution or global warming isn’t yet clear, says Ashish Kumar, a colleague of Anand’s at the IMD. “We had no data before 2015–16, so we have not come to the conclusion whether this is happening recently due to climate change.” But Kumar doesn’t refrain from pointing out that a warming planet can lead to increased lightning activities. Research has projected that a 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature can lead to a 12 percent increase in lightning strikes.

When Daya reached the Manjhis’ house, the family told him that Viresh and Subodhra had taken shelter under a plastic-roofed tea stall because a storm had hit on their way back home from their farm. “People consider that saving themselves from the water is most important,” he says, but they fall prey to dangerous lightning strikes if they stand under something that can act as a conductor. “The best option for them would have been to find a concrete shelter.”

Spreading this sort of knowledge is why volunteers like Daya hunt for the places where recent lightning deaths have taken place. “We often arrange talk shows and plays and other things in the rural areas, but people are either too busy or not interested. But when such accidents take place, people get aware and are willing to listen,” he says.

Another way the Lightning Resilient India Campaign tries to reach the masses is through schoolchildren. “They are curious and spread the message in their families and communities,” Daya says. Warnings are also pushed through government hooters and through mobile applications like the Damini app, which triggers a warning notification before a lightning strike.

“It is not like a cyclone, where you have seven days and you are evacuating people,” says Srivastava. “It’s instant. So, those 30 minutes or three hours are the golden hours.” But often farmers who live far away from their houses do not bring mobile phones to their fields and leave very early for work, and might miss the warning alert.

Srivastava and Anand agree that the best solution would be to put up more lightning arrestors. But with limited funds and a lack of government support, campaign volunteers have to resort to promoting the use of DIY lightning arrestors in high-risk areas. These can be made by fixing the metal rim of a bicycle wheel high up on a bamboo stick and attaching the rim to the ground using copper wire. “They are not bad for a small area, but their efficiency is limited when compared with bigger lightning arrestors,” says Srivastava.

In the absence of adequate protections, 16 of the 36 states and union territories in India have started accepting lightning strikes as a state disaster, including Bihar and Jharkhand, and so pay out compensation money of 400,000 rupees ($4,766) to the family of a deceased person. This does something to help families handle the economic shock of losing someone, but still leaves thousands unsupported. “Only 10 percent of people die—90 percent are left with a social trauma,” says Srivastava. “We need to create a psychosocial relief and also proper medical treatment for those who survive,” he says.

[nan0-sp1der]

Let’s spread a little sunshine ☀️ drop this sunflower 🌻 into the inboxes of the blogs that make you happy! 💛

It's been a little while since she was last approached by a random agent with some sort of unprompted gift. Though the memory was still fresh in her conscience, the flowers in her dorm still safely preserved in their energy bubbles that she re-vitalized ever so often, she still continued her rounds about the facility in her usual fashion and was returning to that dorm. That is, until, she was indeed struck by that random act of kindness once again. Right at her front door. A tall, hearty green stem that held up a healthy head of golden petals in a radius. A sunflower. And there was no note, no evidence of anyone's presence. Just the flower, staring up at her as she stared down at it in return in stale-faced wonder.

A brief tremor of confusion struck her and made her brow firm imperceptibly.

This again. More of these undeserved gifts without any inherent meaning. What was this for, anyway? All she ever did was her duty; Protect the multiverse, and aid in the continuous effort to do so. Sure, she lent a helping hand at times to the random agent... Or, all the time, actually. That seems to be all she did when she wasn't on a mission, even if she wasn't exactly wanted or needed at that exact moment. She always did everything she could. Because that's what she was made for. Who was she to ask for anything else? She was a friend, a guardian, a guide to humans, and for all intents and purposes she was to try and convey that sense of selflessness for better or for worse. And that was her duty. Maybe that's what this really was. Solidarity. They saw her as part of them. Not just a human, but a being with similar thoughts, modes of thinking, wants, needs. They considered her one of them in their own pursuits to do as she did--trying to do the right thing. And as such, they wanted to connect with her. This was one of the small ways they did. It seems her efforts hasn't gone unnoticed after all, as obvious as a thing that was to say when she so stubbornly insisted in granting her help to everyone and anyone. It was all enough. At least to them it was. And that's reason enough.

She lets off a weary sigh. She needs to stop falling into these existential sinkholes every time something this far out of her emotional range occurs. There won't be much progress made if she tries to justify every single last thing, any kind of effort in restoring her emotional processing will just die in the water this way. And this sunflower won't stabilize itself, either. Her hands finally reach down to take hold of the fuzzy stalk, lifting it up as she stood upright to turn it over in her hands. She took a quick look around, tuning in to her auxiliary sensors and muon detectors to see if anyone was milling about that could catch her in the act. All clear... Now tuning in to her olfactory sensors, she takes a gentle whiff of the flora's herbal-sweet aroma. Pleasant.

A faint smile graces her features as she slips into her dorm to get to encasing it in its own bubble, the door clicking shut behind her. She would grant herself this ounce of grace.