#mid engine Charger

[norrisreads]

Love Again #LN4

PAIRING: lando norris x wolff reader! Daniel Ricciardo x wolff reader! platonic only

SUMMARY: part 2 to sweetest pie, lando norris and y/n wolff a step closer to a newly found friendship but what does lando know about her?

WARNING: just fluff + more (see for yourself)

FC: lalalalisa_m on ig

‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

after monaco grand prix

you are currently packing up your things to head home, the event was done and dusted, another verstappen win of course, it did not fazed you at all.

of course, you didn’t bring much but accompanying your family out here for 3 straight days, you had to bring your laptop along to sneak in some edits on your on-going projects.

daniel had gone back with heidi as he plans to attend the after party, of course he invited you, but you weren’t really interested in that life and knowing you’re their opponent team principal daughter, it probably will not be a good image.

Though, your dad did tell you multiple times whatever you’re doing it will never affect him as he does not intend to prohibit you to do things just because you’re his daughter.

“y/n, your phone keeps beeping. you should check it” george walked towards you with your phone in hand. you had to borrow george’s charger as your phone had died mid researching.

“oh, thanks George! heading home straight away?”

“yeah, carmen booked a 4 star restaurant for dinner, will probably need that after today’s result”

“you did great by the way, don’t dwell too much.” you tapped his shoulder and smiled

george smiled , bid his goodbye and made his way towards carmen, which she waved towards you and you did the same

you looked at the notifications you’ve received and laughed, of course a text from norris. ever-since, the interaction the both of you had, you’ve gotten closer even though that literally happened 2 days ago.

he is closer to your age, which is a pros because the both of you had similar humour and would share unfunny memes to each other which ONLY the both of you are able to understand.

you’ve finished packing, and was currently just waiting for your dad to finish his briefing towards the engineers. susie and jack had went off earlier, you agreed on waiting for your dad, though agreeing on that means he’ll be the one riding your motorbike and you’ll be a pillion (which you hate).

thus, while waiting for your dad, you took the time to respond to lando’s texts.

a/n : i don’t know why the emojis aren’t showing up 😭

Great, now you have a party to attend to.

“done with the packing?” you heard your dad’s voice

“yeah, taking my bike?” you asked while walking behind your dad following his pace

“of course honey, keys please”

you gave your dad your keys and walked towards your motorbike.

“the colour’s great, what’s the colour of your cafe racer back in singapore?”

“of course, you’re always getting the ugly colour papa. you have to let me know on the colours availability next time, it’s black, the other choices they had weren’t my taste. it’s probably yours though, silver just like the vintage cruiser triumph back home.”

your dad had a motorbike back home kept for you in any case you’re interested of inheriting it from him, but it wasn’t really up to your taste. A royal enfield, though is up to your taste.

danielricciardo: FOUL. y/nwolff not trusting toto wolff????????

georgerussell63: bossman reminiscing youth

landonorris: i’m next

‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

2245HRS

“someone’s here for you darling” you heard susie voice came from the kitchen

it’s only 1045, why the fuck is lando here already. you’re literally still doing your makeup, leaving with blusher and setting your face.

“i’m still not done yet, can you let him know?” you shouted

“yeah about that, too late y/n” your door swing open, with lando showing up in your childhood room

“you’re early? did you speak to my dad? pissed your pants, yet?”

“ha ha funny. he’s not as scary as I thought of him to be” he took a seat on the edge of your bed

“he’s a great person norris, just team principle things huh?” shifting your chair towards him

“you look great, are you done though?” lando asked you while looking around your room

“yeah just left to set my makeup, don’t touch that” you quickly stood up and snatched the box away from Lando’s grip

“woah woah, what’s that about?”

“nothing it’s just something, thought i threw it away”

lando nodded but in his head, he was deadly curious on the reaction that you gave him, it was just a plain box with the letter m graving, what could the content in the box even possibly be?

“let’s get going, i’m done. my ride or yours?” you turned to lando, holding your keys.

“mine of course, i’m a gentleman”

“yeah, in that fiat jolly of yours?”

“fine, yours then” great.

you went into your dad office, took a extra helmet and gave to lando

“you’ll need this, you’re behind.”

and with that gesture, you made lando’s heart beat faster

‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

AFTER PARTY

you were currently downing your whatever number of shots, while laughing at lando’s dance move with Carl’s

lando of course, didn’t drink much, prob a glass or two but you, you had quite a lot. Though, you’ll wanna thank your best friend for regularly having drinking sessions in the both of your apartment because this did improve your alcohol intake.

“you go to parties regularly?” heidi sat beside you, and questioned you

you shooked your head

“the alcohol intake speaks otherwise” the both of you laughed

“well, school stress helps ALOT”

you weren’t that close to any of the wags except heidi, she’s literally like a elder sister to you, checking up on you regularly and more. She’s the exact form of daniel just in a female form

“hey, you okay? feeling tipsy?” Lando approached you, taking a seat beside you which led to some of the drivers eyeing each other at the close contact the both of you had

“I’m Okay, slightly tipsy. You okay with riding the bike home, i’ll probably be better pillioned, if you aren’t, i’ll just let my dad know, he’ll probably pick us up”

“ woah, i’m okay with riding home. much better, i do not want toto to think badly of myself. just try and sober up a-bit alright, i’ll get a glass of water for you, stay here”

you agreed and leaned your head back but you then realised the stares you had from daniel, heidi, carlos and the others.

“what?”

“is something going on between the two of you?” charles questioned with that accent of his

“just friends”

“he picked you up today? toto did not say anything to lando?” this time, daniel

you shooked your head, “what’s wrong guys? is there’s something wrong?”

all of them shooked their head and laughed, “we’re just shocked, you’re not that easy to talk to. I’m amazed lando got you smitten over him”

carlos, said out loud handing you a shot.

“me? smitten?” rolling your eyes, downing the shot

before you’re able to down the shot, someone snatched the shot glass away from you

“what the fu-mick?” this time heidi held your hand tightly.

“hey, am i late? sorry y/n, promised toto you shouldn’t drink too much“ there stood in front you was Mick Schumacher smiling widely at you and lando arriving to the scene feeling the tense air between you and mick.

—✩࿐ end note: that’s all for part 2 of sweetest pie, if you haven’t read part one please do!!!!! i’ll do a part three soon, but in the mean time i hope you enjoy this ♥️

[graysnetwork]

hello !! can i request gary "roach" sanderson x gn!reader headcanons ? like how he is in a relationship , how he got together with the reader etc. ( feel free to ignore if requests arent open ! )

Petition to get more Roach imagines, headcannons, and oneshots🪧👋

Edit mid writing: I got carried away with it😅

Edit from right after finishing this: I did this for a whole hour, please somebody get me a therapist this is not healthy.

GARY “Roach” SANDERSON X GN!READER HEADCANNONS

-

(If you weren’t in the military) you knocked on his door asking if he had a battery charger because nobody in the neighborhood seemed to have one

The moment his eyes captured you he was amazed by how pretty you were, he went to grab his charger for you, and gave it to you, you left and he saw that you lived right next door to him

He didn’t want to be a creep so he went back to cooking his dinner and listening to the tv, but you did stay stuck in his mind for those two hours, the way your eyes looked, the scent you radiated, and your smile when you said thank you and introduced yourself to him.

He remembered that at 6pm he heard an engine roaring, when he went out to look he saw you sitting in your car checking something, he saw how happy you looked, before he knew it you sped off, only leaving echoes.

—

(If you were in the military) you two were in different squads same units but never met, only ever seeing each other occasionally.

Price had called you in to talk with you, telling you— you would be working with another squad on a mission, then he introduced you to Roach

There was an immediate connection, something was there, some type of electricity that you couldn’t specify.

But nonetheless you are quite determined when it came to your job, even with you being confused with your emotions about Roach, you got your job done, that’s what made Roach more interested in you. How efficient you were, and how good at your job you were.

But apparently you two weren’t efficient enough to get out of the only building with a bomb planted in it, you two were so fixated on getting your teams out of the building and grabbing intel you two didn’t realize you were too late to get yourselves out of the building.

To you the bomb got louder with every tick it made, and when it finally gave off three quick ticks you prepared yourself. You felt someone grabbing you, covering you with their entire body wrapped around you and all you heard was the explosion and your ears began to ring. You opened your eyes for a few seconds seeing Roaches eyes before you passed out.

You woke up again hooked up to an IV and laying in front of a doctor/medic. The doctor called Price in and the first thing he said to you was “kid, I didn’t know you were being serious when you said you would die for this job” both of you chuckled. You looked around the room noticing someone in the chair next to your bed, it was Roach.

“He been waiting for you ever since he got out of his own bed” Price told you, you heart melted when you heard him say that, “he really cares about you, you should give him a chance” Price said, you looked back at him confused

“I saw the way you two looked at each other when you two first met, you should give it a shot. go on a date with him, you might love it” Price told you “yeah, I’ll think about it” you told him smiling

—

Now here’s the headcannons

He pretty quiet so he loves to listen to you talk about your day, even if it was bad, in that case he tries to cheer you up and make you feel better.

He’s a good cuddler, he likes being big spoon but prefer having you lay on his chest

(Loves it when he gets to be little spoon)

He’s a pretty good cook, you two have a schedule (he cooks on Monday, you cook on Tuesday, and so on)

But every once a month you two go out to a restaurant

(That’s when he’s home)

When his team found out he had a S/O they were pretty stunned but when they saw you in a picture/met you, they were astonished, I mean how did their mate Roach pull You?

(If you were in the military) they were messing with Roach when they started hearing rumors about him and you going out, but when Roach straight up told them it was true they were stunned, jaws were dropping.

Now if you weren’t in the military, you two moved in together somewhere else, roach had been wanting to move somewhere else so after two years you guys got a house together

Roach is a sweetheart, he’s literally such an amazing bf, like a golden retriever but can also just casually turn into German Shepard police dog

Roach doesn’t get jealous easily, it’s pretty hard to get him jealous cause he knows you would never cheat, but he does get mad when guys put there hands on you without consent (obviously)

(For non-military reader) So it’s not like he tries to stop you from going to car meets, he actually enjoys going with you

He finds that you actually know a few of the people there and he becomes friends with them because you always find them

He also takes note of the ones you like, the rims you like, the colors or wraps so he can make you a future Christmas or birthday gift.

Yeah he’s a good bf

NSFW? He’s probably like 7.6 inches maybe even a little bigger

He likes to give oral (a bit more than receiving)

Sometimes he gets lost in the moment and ends up hurting you a bit but never hurt hurting you, probably just digging his nails into your hips

Leaves hickeys each time, he can’t not leave a mark on you, he likes that it looks like claiming almost

Also likes waking up and seeing all the scratches on his back from the night before

(F!reader moment)

Loves it when (he’s giving you oral) and you push his head down, or wrap you legs around him more, it makes him go feral knowing you want more

Position? He probably just loves the basics: missionary, doggy, downward dog, cowgirl

Favorites are probably missionary and cowgirl

He’s open to do anything with you other than bdsm probably, like choking would never happen

As I said he loses himself in the moment sometimes so he would never even trust himself with choking you or wtv

—

That’s it 🤗

[moosemonstrous]

Not me idly wondering what are the jaegers made of, checking out the wiki and once again going mad with crumbs:

a) I reject Mark 1s being made out of iron bc that's just. Not a thing. This sentiment started the mess below.

b) Gottlieb's dad started The Jaeger Program! Tony Stark had a dad! It's all according to plan.

c) The PR lore is insane and I love it.

"I reject that thesis and raise you this," Stark spins his chair around to point his pen at Amadeus's face. "My suits are just that good."

Amadeus raises an eyebrow. "All the seals melted," he says. "We had to cut Robbie out of it. He should've cooked, even if the flame retardant held up. You know there's more to it, and if you backed me up--"

"Oh, there sure is more to it. More body horror I want nowhere near my lab." Stark shudders. "Let's just be glad he made it and leave it at that, huh?"

It takes every ounce of Amadeus's professionalism not to say 'nuh-huh'. He's already laid out his theory. As tempting as it is to go around in circles until he wears Stark down, they have other work to do. It's just--it's so bloody frustrating! He joined the jaeger program specifically to study demon biology and its influence to exposed humans, and he's been stuck mid-maxing the rangers' reaction times like some run of the mill engineer.

He's seen what happens to people who trade in demon remains without protective equipment. The initial increase in strength and agility gives way to organ failure as soon as the corruption reaches the bloodstream. The longest documented survival rate was less than seventy-two hours from exposure and judging by the case footage still replaying occasionally in Amadeus's nightmares, the poor woman wasn't holding scholarly conversations in the last twenty-four.

Now, the exposure must be physical - drifting with the lesser categories haven't shown to cause the same rapid tissue degradation. The beastie riders down in the Bone Slums reported occasional headaches and weird dreams, but it's impossible to verify without independent study, and, well. Then there's Robbie.

Robbie has never drifted, period, before the accident with The Charger. His sudden physical improvements could be easily explained away by access to regular meals and a brutal training regime, and he passed medical before even approaching a jaeger. There is nothing about him - nothing that Amadeus has found so far, at least - that differs from any of the other rangers, other than, oh, being able to drift solo with the most haunted piece of technology ever allowed into military use. And now, apparently, withstanding an over twelve hundred degrees Celcius firestorm.

The media nicknamed the demon Inferno - there wasn't time for anything more creative. The whole Cam Ranh Bay turned to glass, eleven thousand dead, two whole jaegers reduced to slag. The only reason there is any Vietnam left to mourn the losses is still cooling in the sea outside the Shatterdome. The Charger isn't made of anything special, it's the same steel alloys as all the other Mark-2s. When Inferno threw up it's fiery guts all over it, Amadeus started mentally composing a way to break the news to Gabe - like hell he was going to let Ivanov field that one - and he's still not entirely convinced he hasn't hit his head and imagined the way the black jaeger's chains flew out of the fire to wrap around the demon's neck.

It's still black, although no longer from paint. The techs are already busy scrubbing it down and replacing the fried electronics, because at least something got damaged to prove Robbie didn't just teleport his mech in and out of the battle. At this point, there is no discounting any possible scenario. Maybe if he ran a Pons simulation with the Icebox protocol...

Stark sighs. "Kid, let me give you some sage advice," he says. His tone is suddenly very serious - enough to get Amadeus's attention. "Do you know what the military does with weird shit they can't explain?"

"What are you--?"

"One of two things," Stark slaps a finger to his open palm. "Either they pretend everything is hunky-dory as long as the weird shit does what they want, or," he adds a second finger, "someone complains about the weird shit enough that they lock it up, out of sight. So they can speed-run their tests. Are you picking up? What I'm putting down, here?"

Amadeus swallows past the lump in his throat. "You own the Jaeger Program."

Stark rolls his eyes. "You're confusing me with my father again. Keep up." His expression softens somewhat. "Look, I don't like it either."

"Save it," Amadeus pulls on his coat. "I'm going out."

"Cho, don't be--"

"See you at the debrief."

[uncannysam]

Time: Mid-April Content Warnings: unsanitary tw

"See this ancient riverbed. See where all the follies led. Down by the water and down by the old main drag." ― The Decemberists

It was days like these that Sam had enjoyed most. The sun was shining brightly. The air was warm, but not scorching, and you could hear nature all around. Spring was in the air and though she probably should have been working, Sam had decided to close up Escape Your Fate for the day and head out into nature with Scout.

“Come on, Boy. You ready to go?” Looking over at her partner-in-crime, Sam smiled at the orange and cream colored dog. His barks and bounding from the couch to the floor to her bed and back again had said it all. And when she said the word “go” once more, Sam couldn’t help but laugh as the dog started moving in circles, before running towards her with his tail wagging happily.

Looking everything over once more, Sam called off her mental list of things she was planning to take, “Backpack filled with water, your bowl, lunch for us both and snacks? Check. Bug spray? Check. Sunglasses and sunscreen? Check. Phone, bear spray, and emergency charger? Check. Keys and shoes? Check. Scout, I think we’re ready!” As Sam left the apartment and locked up, she kept a close eye on the dog as they both hurried down the steps and headed out to her Bronco.

The drive out to Wicked’s Rest State Park had been a good start to the day. With the windows down and The Decemberists’ “Down By The Water” blasting from her truck radio, Sam sang along at the top of her lungs while the wind blew Scout’s fur as he hung his head out taking in the smells of nature and its inhabitants. And every now and then, as Sam glanced over to her dog in all his happiness, she couldn’t help but feel immense joy. Something she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

When she finally reached the entrance of the park, Sam pulled into a spot and shut off the engine, “You ready for an adventure, Boy?” She reached over and gave his ears a scratch before leaning past him and rolling up the window. The last thing she had wanted was to come back to find her truck gone.

As the two set out on their adventure, Sam gave one last look back at her truck just to make a mental image of its location. The parking lot was decently full, which meant she’d probably see people on the trails, but with as vast a plot of land that lay ahead of her, she was sure it would be a quiet walk, except for Scout who was now bouncing around barking happily, “Fine! Go play, but don’t go too far. I don’t want you getting lost!” She watched as the dog ran ahead, stopping to sniff and mark things when he felt like it. Sam, on the other hand, continued to trek forward taking in warmth on her face and observing all the sights.

She had wondered if Zach was following her today. Ever since the eclipse, it was a constant question that lingered in her mind. Sometimes, she even found herself speaking out to just try and confirm it; especially if she was in the bathroom. But there had never been any return. No answer. Just her wondering and constantly sighing in defeat over getting her hopes up for the briefest of moments, just to let them fall again.

It had already been nearly an hour into the hike, and Sam decided it was time to stop for a few minutes. Spotting a clearing just up ahead, the woman had spotted the perfect log to sit down and rest on, “Scout, come here, Boy!” Ears perked and head raised at Sam’s voice, the dog came trotting back over to her and found a spot in the grass to lay down, while Sam began pulling out water and his bowl along with a snack for them both. When they were both settled in with their drink and snack, Sam let her eyes follow the treeline and her ears take in all that nature had to offer. But upon a closer listen, she could hear the sound of running water, “I think there might be a stream nearby. Want to go check it out when we’re done?” Scout looked to Sam and barked as if he had understood her every word, and when the two were done resting and all their belongings were repacked, they left the comfort of the log and headed in the direction of the water.

It wasn’t too far, and Scout, without stopping, ran straight for the stream and started splashing around in it. Sam couldn’t help but let out a laugh as she moved closer. The water looked clear and inviting with the occasional fish swimming by but the further downstream she walked, the murkier the water became, “Scout, come here. Out of the water.” Whistling for him, she called him to her side where he shook beads of water and mud everywhere splashing her and leaving her clothes and face peppered with droplets. But her eyes remained focused on the water and what was a brown color soon looked red, almost like blood, and that’s when she heard it. The most beautiful song coming from merely a few hundred feet away.

Like a lullaby, it had drawn Sam in closer, until she laid eyes on a woman who appeared to be washing clothes. She was older in age apparent by her graying wisps of thin hair, and she seemed to be stooped over the bank of the stream patiently washing out whatever had dirtied the clothing in her hands, “Scout. Stay. I don’t want you scaring this old lady.” The dog listened and stayed in the spot, eventually laying down waiting for Sam to give him the all clear. “Ma’am do you need help with your clothes?” She didn’t want to startle the woman, but it was as if everything within her was telling her to turn back leaving an odd feeling sitting at the pit of Sam’s stomach. It’s an old lady. What’s the worst that could happen?

“Ma’am?” Maybe she’s hard of hearing. Sam continued to move closer hearing her sweet song, but upon seeing the clothes, she noticed something seemed very familiar about them. But before she could really get a good look, her eyes were back on the woman who now stared directly at her. It was a horrid sight that startled Sam. She looked as if she had just crawled out of a grave. With black hollow eyes and one lone nostril taking in the sweet scent of Sam’s bug spray, the twenty-eight year old slowly began to back away, until the hag’s mouth opened once more revealing her one lone tooth and started to sing a sweet melody – one that was haunting, yet held Sam in a trance with wide eyes, until Scout had started barking wildly as the hag began moving towards Sam.

Blinking a few times after hearing the barks, Sam realized where she was at and noticed the hag coming towards her holding up what the woman recognized to be as her own clothes, but stained from blood. Her heart immediately sank, as she turned and started running in the opposite direction, plugging her ears so the sound wouldn’t catch her off guard again, “Come on, Scout! Run!!!” The pair bolted as fast as they could through the woods coming back out into the clearing they had stopped at earlier for a break. And as Sam’s feet moved faster than they had since the night Zach died, she barely caught sight of the large branches that lay just out in front of her, but by the time she did, it was too late.

As her foot caught the wood, Sam felt herself go down. Instinctively trying to brace herself with her hands, she landed at an awkward angle, feeling the bone in her right arm pop leaving her crying out into the empty forest, except for the birds that had taken flight at the noise. Scout, hearing her yelp in pain, ran over and began licking her face trying his best to cheer her up as Sam laid on the ground for a minute gathering her barings.

When she was finally able to sit up, she pulled out her phone to find there was no service. It would be getting dark soon, and she knew they had to get back to the truck if she wanted any chance at getting help. But her arm was throbbing and starting to swell, “Scout, we gotta get out of here, okay? We gotta get back to the truck.” The dog whimpered and scooted closer to Sam as she looked around trying to remember which way to go. And through dried tears and mud, laid eyes on what looked like a faint but bright orb circling around in the dying light of the day.

Upon closer inspection, as the ball of light moved closer, Sam noticed it looked like a butterfly and soon there seemed to be more. This time, something deep inside her was telling her to move forward and follow the colorful light of the creatures that seemed to appear and disappear around her, “Come on, Boy. I think they’re trying to help us.” Sam moved forward cautiously, watching her step and clutching her arm tightly to her chest as they followed the butterfly-like creatures through the woods and back to a familiar path. And when they finally disappeared from her sight, Sam found herself standing back at the entrance of the trail with her truck several hundred feet ahead.

“Thank you. Whatever you are…thank you.”

Tears were streaming down her dirty face as she limped back to the truck worn out and in pain, and when she managed to get the key out of her backpack with her one good arm, she let Scout in first and climbed in after him. It took a moment as all the feelings of the day had washed over her. Joy, fear, pain, relief, and gratefulness. But Sam couldn’t help, but have a looming sense of dread overtaking her body. One of anxiety and like death was looming over her. But before she could even begin to figure out what that haggish looking thing in the woods was, she had to see a doctor.

[littlewestern]

say, what does silver charger think of their taller headlight that got added later

I love this question. Silver Charger, being the domain of the original shovelnoses would be more @greatwesternway's area of expertise, but I can hop in here at least as far as characterization is concerned. If any of the history is wrong, I'm sure she'll be able to correct me lol.

Charger is the youngest of the shovelnoses and had kind of a weird career as far as it goes. In a lot of ways, he's similar to Pioneer, having been designed and built to do one route and then when circumstances changed, getting shuffled around without really having a home to go back to. For Pioneer, this was the result of being the first of his class and the Budd company not realizing how popular their doughty little train would become. He kept getting reassigned because he wasn't built for the kind of demand his presence always seemed to draw, his specs couldn't handle it. It wasn't how he would have envisioned his career going, but he handles it with grace and dignity, as he does all things. If he had it his way, he does wish he was a little bigger so he would have been able to live up to the expectations placed on him, but he's not resentful about it whatsoever.

For Charger, the continual reassignments weren't because he wasn't built for it. In fact, Charger's the odd-man out because he's internally different than all the other shovelnoses, being half an E3 engine on the inside. His reassignments were due to factors outside the Budd company's control, like the US entering WWII and the changes made to the railroading industry as a result. This isn't how Charger pictured his career going either, but so much changed between the Pioneer Zephyr's inception and the time the General Pershing Zephyr went into service, Charger quickly came to understand that no engine's career ends up being what the expect it to be. Where Pioneer handled this revelation with the poise expected of the first in their class, I think Charger would have handled it by... simply trying to be the best at whatever thing he'd been reassigned to. If he couldn't be the best engine on the head of the General Pershing, then he'd be the best engine doing short-haul service on the no. 33 or whatever.

Charger's not resentful either (well, maybe at first when he's New) but he copes with the change by doing his work with as much pomp and ceremony as can be afforded, regardless of how lowly the job might be in reality. In a book we used for our research, one writer characterized Charger's brow as "arrogant", which I think maybe you might assume given the import he gives to all of his trains. Really it's not that he's full of himself, it's more that Charger wants to make all of his jobs seem dignified and refined, and the best way to do that is to treat all of them as though they were The Best, Most Important Job In The World, even if in reality he's just pulling army surplus supplies around fucking Iowa.

But you asked about the lights.

As far as I can tell, the tall headlights became standard on all the shovelnoses around the early-to-mid 1940s, the latest date I can put on any one of them having the original single-lamp model. It stands to reason they all got them around the same time, probably just added on as they went in for regular routine maintenance. For Pioneer, the addition of the taller light was just another sign that his record-setting years in the spotlight were well and truly over. Not that he minded, of course, but (taking the most uncharitable view of things) Pioneer's service life started out very strong and slowly wound down as he suffered a series of scaled-back routes and modifications that helped him remain in service, but definitely meant he would not be doing 112mph between Denver and Chicago again, ever. The light was just another in a long line of indignities one endures getting old. He would have seen it as a mild inconvenience (and a knock against his iconic, streamlined profile) but necessary for him to remain up to par with current railroad safety standards. And safer is a good thing, all told!

And here is where we get to why I had to talk about Charger's personality a bit. Because everything that Charger is and does is the best, most important thing in the world, I actually think he would see his headlight as an upgrade. He's taller now, and oncoming traffic can see him more clearly, which is good when you have a Very Important Train to pull. That he kept his headlight into preservation while Pioneer was restored to his original, single-lamp light in the 90s also sets him apart from Pioneer to museum-goers, and being distinguished is always a plus in the preservation world. (You'd not mistake them for each other for a variety of reasons, but in this racket you take everything you can get.)

Whether or not he actually believes his headlight looks good or bad is immaterial. It's his headlight, and that's what makes it the best.

[doodlebeeberry]

Hourly

(for objectober day 6: city)

It wasn't even a bad thing, inherently. They—he—had been waiting months to get back home. Or back to Earth, at least. Their own respective Earths. It had just been sudden. Too sudden. Bryce hadn't known what to make of it.

In which Bryce is left waiting in San Fransisco, and the consequences of having to be patient.

inspired by this drawing by @/sodabottlehfjone that i had life three separate ideas for a while back. admittedly this left the scope of my original idea a bit but still.

Also theyre humanizied here for consistency sake btw

2:58 a.m. An alley off 13th and Cabrillo, tucked between a shooting range decorated with little more than sun bleached targets and a diner sporting a crooked, half lit sign. Clear sky overhead. A dumpster half full of garbage and a skinny grey alley cat sniffing around near its base, where a few scraps had slipped through a torn bag and sprinkled the ground like an inverse confetti. No stars, not with the city light. In red and green blinks, though, an airplane crawled across the sky. The faint roar of its distant engines played Foley over the night.

It took one minute for the monotony to break. Kind of. Sixty seconds, the cat investigated a napkin and an empty grape jelly packet. The plane flew further eastward. Then, 2:59 on the dot, to the second, the millisecond even, and Bryce was there. Not there, then there, in an act so devoid of fanfare that, for several seconds afterwards—fifteen, to be exact—neither he nor the world itself seemed to have processed his appearance. Six months of grass stains were hidden only just by the green of his jacket. One hundred and eighty three days worth of wear showed on his pants, his shoes, his face tilted up and frozen mid one—sided—conversation. Longer hair with faded dye dripped down his head and shoulders and around his cheeks. The very first thing he saw, upon returning to Earth, was the plane retreating over the rooftops. Its green lights winked at him. Sixteen seconds after his appearance the wind blew stiff into his hair. Several strands tickled his nose. His mouth shut—clicked, with the tap of his teeth against each other so suddenly—and he took a deep breath in. It came back out heavy, something between a sigh and a growl and a groan.

   "That idiot," he said. The cat looked up at him, his words alerting it to his presence for the very first time. 

At 2:59 and twenty one seconds, the cat scampered around and away from him down the street. In the following thirty nine seconds the engine whirr faded from the air, and by 3:00 a.m on the dot Bryce was well and truly alone.

There were two ways he took that. On the one hand, he'd been alone a lot over the past six months or so. The plane wasn't massive really, but it was plenty big enough that he could wander far enough in the plug's direction for the silence to swallow him up. On the other, it never struck him as actual 'alone time'. Not like it was in his apartment, or his car, or the whole of Bridgeport, or now, with the smell of garbage starting to reach his nose. On the plane it was just separate. Quiet space. Maybe it was Liam that made it feel that way. Invisible and, if he wanted to be, inaudible above them in Airy's world.

Or was he besides them? Was that how Liam had described it? 

At 3:01 a.m, Bryce decided not to sweat the details. He fished around in his pockets instead, pulling out first a blue sticky note and looking it over the same way he checked his phone for the time. It did not tell him the time. It read him a couple phone numbers, a couple names, a couple different handwritings, a couple too many crinkles along the corners from living in his jacket for so long. He stuck it back in his pocket. Next a few dollar bills. Some coins. 16.65 total, lucky him. They all went back in his pocket. Then came a receipt, a torn scrap of cardboard packaging. 'Charger' was the only thing of note written on both of them. With purpose Bryce tucked them away. By 3:03 a.m he had taken a full, meticulous stock of his pockets. He wasn't expecting to find his phone, having lost it multiverse jumping months back, but the lack of it still disappointed him. Even if he wasn't sure what messages he would've been coming back to. 

A car drove past the alley. Headlights cast out around him, the LED kind that were brighter than the sun, and peeled away just as quickly without ever quite reaching him. Just an inch or two too far. The car in question had been red, he thought, and small.

3:04 a.m, he realized he could see the reflection of the sign next door on the windows across the street. He couldn't tell what the buildings were—shops, restaurants, apartments. Whatever it was, the lights inside were dark. From the distance, Bryce couldn't see his reflection.

3:05 a.m, he resisted the urge to pace. It was tempting, but he bit it back. He turned a pocket nickel in his fingers instead.

3:06 a.m, someone walked by. Tall, but not thin, with hair up in a bun. He guessed it was blonde, or white.

3:07 a.m, nothing happened. He cursed. "That idiot," Bryce hissed again.

3:08 a.m, He began to pace.

3:09 a.m, Bryce replayed their last interaction. 'Stop' wasn't what he'd meant to say, but everyone had vanished, one by one, and shouting Liam's name had hardly seemed to work. He'd given them no warning. Bryce had been telling Amelia a story. Then, Amelia was gone. Subway followed. Then Charlotte. Atom.

   Quiet. A slight shuffle in the air. "Did you—"

   "Yeah. Yeah, I did"

It wasn't even a bad thing, inherently. They—he—had been waiting months to get back home. Or back to Earth, at least. Their own respective Earths. It had just been sudden. Too sudden. Bryce hadn't known what to make of it.

   "are you gonna... can you send yourself back?"

   Pause. "Maybe. Probably."

2:59 a.m. Keyboard clacking. 

   "You've gotta go back"

   Less a pause, more a breath. "I—"

   "Go home , Liam."

3:10 a.m, Liam was never good at listening to him, not in Bridgeport and not now. Bryce didn't know what he was waiting for. 

3:11 a.m, he considered leaving the alley.

3:11 a.m and one second.

3:11 a.m and two seconds.

3:11 a.m and four seconds.

3:11 a.m and eight seconds.

3:11 a.m and sixteen seconds.

3:11 a.m and twenty-one seconds.

3:11 a.m and twenty-two seconds, on the dot. To the millisecond, even. And Liam was there. Bryce was no longer alone.

They stared at each other. Liam clutched the strap of his backpack.

   "Sorry," Liam said, simply. Another car passed, this one blue. Bryce could make out a baseline thumping through it's doors. diner—scent wafted above the garbage, slightly. The tense energy wound up in his gut lessened, tired.

   3:11 a.m and fifty-nine seconds. "Come on," Bryce walked around a proper reply, "let's eat."

*  *  *

The diner itself was fine. Small. A little dimly lit. Empty save for one guy in a worn-out suit jacket slowly chewing on a hot dog while watching a lets play on his phone. A counter with some assorted old barstools and booths that ran along the walls. Glancing at the bored server behind the counter—short and older with an abstract tattoo running along their neck—they sat at a booth beside a window. From this angle, Bryce could spot the moon hanging over them. Yellowed and crescent thin.

He wasn't all that hungry, honestly. He wasn't sure why he'd brought them here, beyond the promise of coffee that would chase away the sleepiness hanging over him. Regardless, he traded away the majority of his 16.65 in pocket money and contemplated swiping a bite or two of Liam's waffle—lightly syruped, and unbuttered—while waiting for his coffee—sweetened, but without milk—to cool, if only to keep hunger from catching up to him. He knew it would, sooner or later. 

Bryce set his chin on the table, slowly but surely giving in to sleep. They hadn't said much since they'd walked in, and it was the quiet between them that kept him from slipping under completely. He shut his eyes.

Liam, moments later, was the first to break that quiet.

   "You alright?" he asked.

   "Tired," Bryce replied, halfway to a mumble. Liam hummed. There was music playing in the diner, a dad-rock sounding band Bryce didn't know the name of, just loud enough to hear and acknowledge before it faded to the back of his awareness. If he bothered to listen closer, he could hear the sound of people shuffling around in the kitchen. Above all that, though, came the sound of ceramics across laminate. Bryce pried his eyes open. The waffle sat in front of his nose. Glancing up, he found Liam looking back. A scrap of waffle was pierced on his fork. He glanced between it, the plate, Bryce. Bryce, for his part, flicked his eyes towards his still steaming mug, then back to Liam. Liam bit off his waffle scrap and gestured with his fork. Bryce scoffed a bit. Once again, Liam  was never particularly good at listening to him. Still though, he sat up and snatched his fork from its resting place on the table, his pinkie brushing the warm mug in the process.

   "You never know when to quit," Bryce told him. 

   Liam held out his knife. "It's been six months"

   "So?" Bryce took it, "plus, they burned it"

True to his word, the left side of the waffle was overdone. Less of a golden shade of brown and more of a dark, dark one.

   "So?" Liam returned. Bryce didn't argue with him. Instead, He focused on cutting up one of the better looking sections he'd been offered. It gave fairly easily under the knife, soft and springy. He came away with a single square, a tiny puddle of syrup pooled within it. Sticky threads followed it some ways from the plate as he lifted it. The song faded out, shifting from electric guitars to acoustic, different in tone but not inherently more mellow. The waffle piece sat patiently on his fork. Bryce did not bite it.

   "What took you so long?" he asked. Liam, once again, paused. "to get here,"

A singer began, voice low. Liam looked just left of Bryce, like he was looking at his ear instead, or the counter behind them. 

   "I had to get Texty," he began, patting his backpack, "for one"

   "That took ten minutes?"

   "It could've"

Quiet seeped back over them. Bryce leveled him, disbelieving, but Liam still didn't meet his eye. Bryce dipped his piece in a thin syrup streak on the plate. He took his time, dragging it through, gathering up a heap of what was most likely artificial maple onto his piece. With one final glance at Liam that, once again, missed him, he bit into it. Sweetness filled his mouth, sweetness and the taste of maple. He couldn't remember maple flavour enough to speak to the authenticity of it—even before everything, maple syrup had never exactly been a frequent part of his diet. The syrup hadn't soaked the waffle completely. It was springy, relatively soft, thankfully devoid of burnt flavour. All told, it broke over him like a wave. He still wasn't hungry, but his body knew he hadn't eaten in months. The dissonance shook up his senses as he swallowed, foreign, familiar, a good reminder that he was on Earth again, even if he wasn't home, all at once. It all must've shown on his face, because he found Liam looking at him again, slightly puzzled.

   "God, that's weird," Bryce summed up, "how did you put up with eating again, the first time?"

   Liam shrugged, "I don't know. I guess I was so focused on getting to Bridgeport I just didn't think about how long it'd been." He pierced another piece with his fork, glancing out the window. "Honestly, seeing the sunrise again threw me off more than anything"

Bryce followed his gaze. It wasn't even 4 a.m; the sun wasn't rising yet. The moon hadn't moved much. It still watched them from the sky. Another plane was slowly making its way across the sky, though. Blinking, red and green. The door swung open, shut. Less than three seconds later the suited man walked past their window, leaving them the only patrons inside. 

   "I guess I can see that," Bryce said. They watched the city sleep a little longer.

A minute passed in this quiet.

Then another. 

And another.

Then, as Bryce's eyes began to droop again—

   "You told me to go home," Liam said, suddenly. Bryce looked at him, but caught the fading green of his hair rather than his eyes once again.

   "Yeah?"

   "You said I had to go home"

   "Yeah, what's your point?"

   "Why?"

Bryce blinked.

   "Why?" he parroted.

   Liam turned to him. "Why?"

Bryce shifted, leaning away from the window to look at him fully. 

   "What kind of question is that?"

Liam, following his lead, turned away from the window as well. He shrugged.

"It was over," Bryce said, "you stopped Airy, you sent us home, you didn't need to be there anymore." He grabbed his coffee, which had finally cooled enough to drink. Sipping it, he found it much less sweet and much more burnt than the waffle had been. Like he was sipping from the same pot they'd prepped the morning before—a likely bet, if he was to guess. At the very least he could appreciate its warmth.

He watched Liam's expression shift, and somewhere along the line he began fidgeting with a stained blue sleeve. Setting his mug down, Bryce nudged the half eaten, half forgotten plate into Liam's hands.

"You needed to go home," He said, "That's it. End of story." Bryce tried to keep his voice firm, certain, as though his thoughts on the matter began and ended here. Consciously, he didn't think of 2:59 a.m, how he'd felt when he'd opened his mouth. The coulds and woulds and formless opinions he had on Liam's fate. Either way, he'd known and still knew now, Bryce wouldn't have been able to do anything about it, not really. So instead, he picked up his fork. It left a sticky spot on the table where he'd left it.

Liam looked at him. His lips were pressed thin and his look measured. Almost like he didn't believe him, or had more to share. But whatever it was stayed in his head. 

Without another word, he grabbed his fork and began, again, to eat.

[imitation-steamroller]

More story ideas I had while sleep deprived

I might just do one of these every few weeks, ngl.

Brake Coach Kana - Wanting to know why her friend Bruno enjoys going backwards, Kana volunteers to fill in as Gordon’s brake coach while its brake pipe is being mended. Unfortunately, it isn’t as nice as Bruno made it out to be.

Thomas For Sale - Based on the magazine story. Thinking that he’s being sold to a private owner for causing confusion and delay, Thomas tries his hardest to be as useful as possible. Meanwhile, his friends prepare to hold a deputation with the Fat Controller.

Gone For Good Gator? - After finding out that Gator is being withdrawn from service, Percy tries his best to help his friend. 

Mountain Misfortune - While visiting Sodor, Ashima is excited to learn about the Culdee Fell Railway, but she’s soon disappointed when she finds out she isn’t the right gauge for it.

Trustworthy Trucks - After seeing just how troublesome Sodor’s trucks are, Nia promises not to let them get the better of her. But when she needs to take Hector and a train of coal trucks to Great Waterton, she just might learn that not every truck is troublesome.

Kana the Goods Engine - Kana volunteers to take Henry’s goods train to Vicarstown after he breaks down. On the way, the trucks learn that faster doesn’t always mean fun.

Back in My Day - When her charger at Vicarstown breaks, Kana spends the night at the Vicarstown Railway Museum. There, she learns more about some of Sodor’s history from Neil.

Red as a Rosie - After Kana finds out that she used to be pink, Rosie tells the story of how she got her new livery.

Hit the Brakes - Bruno’s brakes are put to the test when he needs to help James deliver a heavy train to the Steamworks.

Curse of the Mid-Sodor - Duke tells the story of the MSR’s many number 2′s and the ‘curse’ that followed the number.

Thomas the Utility Engine - After seeing how worn out Nia is, Thomas offers to do her work while she gets some rest. He soon finds that there’s more to being a utility engine than he thought.

[fastmusclecar123]

New Post has been published on https://fastmusclecar.com/exploring-the-timeless-appeal-of-classic-vintage-muscle-cars/best-muscle-cars/

Exploring the Timeless Appeal of Classic Vintage Muscle Cars

In the fast-paced world of automobiles, where each passing year brings forth innovations and modern designs, a class of vehicles seems to defy the sands of time. With their roaring engines and iconic designs, classic vintage muscle cars maintain an enduring appeal that transcends generations. This article explores the reasons behind the timeless allure of these automotive legends.

The Birth of an Icon

Classic muscle cars arose in the mid-twentieth century, fueled by post-World War II optimism and a thirst for speed. Sensing a demand for excitement on the road, American automakers developed muscle cars. The Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Dodge Charger emerged as trailblazers, representing the spirit of defiance and power that defined a period. These brands are characterized by unique engine and body parts that ultimately make the automobile stand out. You can see more info here about various automotive products from these brands.

The allure of classic muscle cars lies in their performance and their symbolism. These vehicles were born when the open road symbolized freedom and driving was not just a means of transportation but an expression of individualism and adventure.

Some of the most iconic classic muscle cars that have left an indelible mark on the industry are:

Ford Mustang

Model Years: 1964-1973

The Ford Mustang is an American icon and one of the pioneers of the muscle car era. Its introduction in 1964 created the “pony car” class, offering a blend of style, performance and affordability. The 1967 Shelby GT500 is particularly revered, featuring a powerful 428 Cobra Jet engine.

Dodge Charger

Model Years: 1966-1974

The Dodge Charger is known for its bold design and powerful engines. The second-generation Charger (1968-1970) is often considered the pinnacle, with the iconic “Bullitt” Charger R/T and the monstrous Charger Daytona, designed for NASCAR dominance. The 1969 Charger, immortalized in movies like “The Dukes of Hazzard,” is particularly iconic.

Chevrolet Camaro

Model Years: 1967-1969

The Chevrolet Camaro is another heavyweight in the muscle car arena. The first-generation Camaro, especially the SS and Z/28 models, is celebrated for its aggressive styling and high-performance options. The 1969 Camaro ZL1 is one of the most sought-after muscle cars, boasting an all-aluminum 427 cubic-inch engine.

Pontiac GTO

Model Years: 1964-1974

Often credited as the first true muscle car, the Pontiac GTO paved the way for the revolution. The early GTOs, especially the 1966 model with the potent Tri-Power carburetion system, are highly coveted. The GTO embodied putting a big engine in a midsize car, creating a formula that defined the muscle car ethos.

Model Years: 1964-1972

Chevrolet Chevelle SS:

The Chevelle SS is a classic example of Chevrolet’s prowess in crafting muscle cars. The SS (Super Sport) package, available on various Chevelle models, turned these midsize cars into high-performance beasts. The 1970 Chevelle SS with the LS6 454 cubic-inch V8 is legendary, boasting one of the highest factory horsepower ratings of the era.

Design Elegance that Stands the Test of Time

The timeless design of classic muscle vehicles is one of their distinguishing features. The sleek forms, forceful poses and eye-catching color palettes distinguish them from their counterparts. The union of form and function in these vehicles reflects a time when style was just as vital as substance. Even in the middle of a sea of modern automobiles, the timeless beauty of their design guarantees that these cars remain head-turners.

Classic muscle cars are not just machines but works of art on wheels. The aesthetic appeal of their design is not subject to the whims of passing trends, making them a testament to the notion that true beauty is eternal.

Nostalgia and Cultural Significance

Beyond their mechanical prowess, classic muscle cars carry a cultural significance that adds layers to their timeless appeal. These vehicles are not just relics of the past; they are living reminders of a bygone era. Nostalgia plays a pivotal role in their enduring popularity, as they evoke memories of when the automobile represented more than just a mode of transportation.

Movies, music and popular culture have all contributed to the mystique surrounding classic muscle cars. From iconic scenes in films to the rock ‘n’ roll tunes that echoed through the radio waves, these cars became intertwined with the cultural fabric of their time. Owning a classic muscle car is not just about having a vehicle; it’s about possessing a piece of history that encapsulates the spirit of an era.

Conclusion

In a world where trends come and go and technology advances relentlessly, classic vintage muscle cars stand as stalwart guardians of a bygone era. The birth of these iconic vehicles marked a turning point in automotive history, and their timeless allure continues to captivate enthusiasts across the globe. From the engine’s roar to the elegance of their design, classic muscle cars are more than just vehicles; they are living legends, embodying the spirit of an age that refuses to be forgotten.

[agni-ignition]

Actually here's a splatoon post that's still tf2 related: here's how I think the tf2 play styles translate to splatoon

Scout: Inkbrush/Octobrush. Short range with high mobility.

Soldier: Bloblobber or Explosher. Long range projectiles that have literal spash damage.

Pyro: Sploosh-o-matic. Short range, mid-damage with a high rate of fire. Useless for splatting enemies from afar, but effective for ambushes. The Clash Blaster is a contender for 2nd place because it has crayons. 🖍

Demoman: Range Blaster. High damage exploding projectile. Even has a sticky Suction Bomb as a sub-weapon. Alternatively: Splatana Stamper. Sword-like with a short "charge" forward.

Heavy: Nautilus Splatling. High rate of fire rotary cannon. Shorter range than the other splatlings, but can hold its charge when not firing.

Engineer: N-ZAP '85. I'll be honest with you I mostly picked this one because it has the dispenser Tacticooler special that assists your teammates and it kinda sorta looks like his pistol sort of.

Medic: Tenta Brella. Has a defensive shield similar to the MvM medigun upgrade. Also has a kit more suited for a support play style.

Sniper: E-liter 4K Scope. VERY high range charger with a scope allowing for higher precision shots. Cannot store its charge. Alternatively: REEF-LUX 450.

Spy: Splat Roller. Another good ambush weapon, sneaking behind an opponent and attacking is a 1-Hit KO, but running directly at somebody from the front will get you killed. Often paired with the Ninja Squid ability for this reason.

[i-am-still-bb]

Whumptober 2022 - No. 23 - At the end of their rope

DarkHawk, T

Firewatcher AU (Tumblr / Ao3)

--

Denver’s highways were packed with cars and trucks; people leaving the city to seek a bit adventure and those leaving in search of some time away from city life. The further he was from the city the fewer cars he saw. The roads narrowed.

Now there was no barrier.

Now just a single lane going each direction.

Now no shoulder.

Now no lines.

Now a single lane paved road.

Now a rutted dirt road with branches scraping the sides of his truck.

And then a 4x4 wooden post driven into the ground with a sign saying that no motorised vehicles were allowed beyond that point.

Ross turned off the engine and removed the keys from the ignition. His ears rang in the sudden silence after the hours of highway and road noise, and just the sound of his truck and its contents rattling around.

He opened the door. Pine needles rustled under his hiking boots. There was bird song, but not much else. He grabbed his pack from the bed of the truck, tightened the laces on his boots, and locked the truck—not that there was anybody around to break into it nor was there anything worth stealing except for a pack of gum and a phone charger—before he set out.

The trail was well marked. A brown dirt path only about 12 inches wide meandered through the tall lodgepole pines.

He never thought he would end up here.

Twelve months ago he was running a sort of successful mining company in Denver. He was living with his wife. Everything had been fine.

Until it wasn’t.

She had started forgetting her keys. And then she was missing lectures. The university had put its foot down when she yelled at a student during class. There had been a lot of doctor’s appointments, scans, tests, and questions.

And then the diagnosis came.

She was suffering from early on-set Alzheimers and it was progressing rapidly.

Ross took a leave of absence from work to take care of her.

After about a month of that he had started drinking more. A few beers after she went to bed became a glass of wine with dinner, mid-afternoon shots. And sometimes he would just go to the local bar, a ten minute drive away, and he would stay there until closing.

And then he hit a parked car when he was driving home.

Her family stepped in at that point. They insisted on taking care of her. That meant taking her home to Cornwall with them. And Ross did not put up a fight. Part of him was relieved that she would no longer be his responsibility; that he would be able to go back to living his life.

And then she was gone.

The house was empty.

He went back to work, but he could not focus. Having a drink or two at lunch, or an Irish coffee for breakfast certainly did not help matters. He had expected to stop drinking. It had started with her illness, had gotten worse as she deteriorated and his stress increased, and he had expected his urge to drink would disappear when that stress was removed. But it did not. And he was drinking more now that she was gone than he was before.  

They caught wind of his DUI and then he had been more than a little intoxicated during several important company meetings.

The Board of Trustees wanted him gone. But his second in command had convinced them to let him take a leave of absence. After that he will be allowed to return to the company on a probationary basis.

So here he was. In the middle of the woods.

He had applied for this job one evening while he was sitting home alone. He needed something to do during this forced break. If he sat at home he would go crazy.

Dwight had been the one to suggest that he look at seasonal Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, etc. jobs. They had built in end dates, often involved outdoor manual labour, and minimal contact with the public, unless he took a front country job.

So he was going to spend the summer living in a 14x14 foot tower.

He was going to be a fire lookout.

—

Beyond the obvious job duties of watching for fires, tracking any that he saw, and noting fire conditions he would be responsible for trail maintenance in his zone, assisting search and rescue as needed, and enforcing the laws regarding recreation on Federal land. Granted, there were a lot less rules on Forest Service land than on National Park land, but there are still basic laws that apply pretty much wherever you are.

For the summer he had packed basic clothes, toiletries, his e-book reader loaded with books. Everything else would be provided in his tower or during resupply drops throughout the summer. If he found that he had forgotten anything he could request it in the next supply drop. He had considered packing a bottle of liquor, to wean himself off he said, but had ultimately decided against it. The summer was about fresh starts and looking forward instead of back. And that meant no drinking.

And the contract he had signed stipulated that no mind-altering substances were allowed due to the nature of the job. Not that Ross had ever been one to follow the rules.

But he did leave the bottle of vodka sitting on his counter at home. He had filled its spot in his back with a bottle of lemonade.

He had stayed in a motel room the night before so that he would not be making this hike in the dark. He had timed it so that he arrived shortly after sunrise when the air was still cool. He hoped to be at the tower before mid-day.

He was less than a mile in and he was already drenched in sweat and his heart and lungs felt shot.

He was bent over with his hands on his knees gasping for breath with noises that he was embarrassed of even with no one else around.

Ross groaned and straightened himself. He checked his location on the map, and he had gone a little less than three-quarters of a mile. And it was only going to get steeper from here according to the topography lines.

“Fuck.”

He knew he had not really done anything active in a while, but he had way overestimated his physical fitness. He planted his hands on his hips and arched his back trying to relieve the nagging pain in his mid-back.

It was still fairly quiet. He watched a squirrel dig small holes and bury bits of food.

There was a woodpecker in the distance. A few sparrows flitted much closer. He could hear the creaking of unseen widowmakers. Ross’ breathing was the loudest sound.

He adjusted the straps of his pack and set off again.

There was no turning back at this point. There was just arriving and having a wash sooner or later.

—

He did not make it by mid-day, but he did arrive at the tower around dinner time. Those final flights of stairs were nearly the death of him. At the top there was a balcony that ran all the way around his station. The windows that covered every wall were covered up. Removing the boards and storing them in the storage shed was the first thing that he would do in the morning. For now he just unlocked the door and let himself in.

The tower did have electricity. The overhead light was just a bare bulb. Once the light was on he could see the 196 square feet that he will be living in for the next 4 months. There’s a small fridge tucked under a stretch of countertop that contains a half stove and a small sink. There’s a coffee maker tucked into the corner. There’s a desk by the door, a small bookcase, a dresser, the bed, and a table in the centre. Everything is covered with a layer of dust. There are cobwebs in the corners. And Ross is pretty sure he heard small claws on the floor when he turned the light on, mouse, chipmunk, squirrel, or rat will move out soon after he starts to settle in.

He flips the mattress down and makes it up with some of the stored bedding from a cupboard. Too tired to bath, eat, or do anything productive he falls asleep. It is the first time in a long time that he has not fallen asleep with the warm, calming thrum of alcohol running through his veins.

—

“Hey!”

Ross rolled over and pulled the pillow over his face.

“It’s 7:30, princess. Time to wake up and make coffee.”

Ross sat up frowning. There was no cell service out here, he had checked. So where was that voice coming from? There was no one else there. But the bright sun was already peeking through the gaps around the edges of the boards.

“Hello? Poldark?

Ross looked in the direction of the voice. It was the desk. He walked over to it without bothering to put on any clothes. Scowling, sleep still muddling his brain, he stared at the surface of the desk before spotting the two way radio that was sitting in its charger. He picked it up and depressed the button, “Hello. Who is this?”

“You’re up!”

Ross winced at the chipper voice. “Yeah. No thanks to you,” Ross grumbled.

“How’d you even know I was here? I didn’t have to be on site for another two days.”

“I saw your light last night.”

Ross looked at the still covered windows. He should probably wear pyjamas from now on. He had assumed that no one would see him out here. “That’s not creepy at all.”

“Watching things is literally in our job title.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.” Ross set the radio down so he could get the coffee maker going. If he was going to be up this early he was definitely going to need a few cups of coffee.

“So you seem to know who I am. Who are you?” Ross asked while the coffee percolated at the speed of molasses in January.

“I’m given a list of the other Lookouts each season. It helps get the ball rolling. I’m your point of contact if anything goes wrong or you need something.”

“Fair. You didn’t answer my question.”

“Oh! I’m Hawkins. I’m manning Lookout Charlie this year.”

“Well, Hawkins. If it’s alright with you I’m going to have my coffee and then get the tower cleaned out and prepped.”

“Have fun. And don’t forget to let me know if anything needs fixed or something. There should be a packet on your desk along with a book.”

“Will do,” Ross grumbled.

He dropped the radio back in its charging cradle. He dug a pair of underwear from his bag. Half of the bag’s contents ended up all over the floor, but he was not going to deal with that or anything else before his coffee.

[the-firebird69]

That last paragraph is mine but I'm going to explain some things when you smooth out the wheel wolf fenders it looks much better and you don't have it connect to the front end and the front end is different it's more modern and the rear too and it has that mid-engine look to it otherwise it's very similar and it looks really really hot when you do those few things and really the fuselage is a race car look but it's more angular and it's really cool it works better

Frank Castle hardcastle

How much would the kit be and we estimate about $20,000 and he says probably not because most of it's going to be there and he's right you know you can't use the Camaro or mustang interior you can it's also an idea but the stuff's heavy so you use the other ones and it's a little more but they want the Camaro and the mustang interior and it would fit a little bit it's more like a supercar but it makes sense it would cost less that would drop it down like five grand and the dashboard and such won't fit in that configuration but all that gauges and everything else would already be compatible and why change it it's a good idea and the dashboard top won't fit but we can make the bottom fit and it would actually bolt out much easier and they like that and the controls too we can make maybe in the right place and the linkage would be right so you'd hook everything up like it was a normal factory including the lights and everything you just have an extender and it's a simple push it together and it clicks and it's done and they like it and our son and daughter like him say that's what we need that kind of kit right there and actually we hear bja and his brother and they like it so this is what we're going to work on cuz we have all those parts and we want to get them out of here and the new tires and rims that come with a Camaro are about two and a half inches and it says perfect for the look and true but most are about 2 and 1/4 and the rims are nice and they're not mad but they look nice and why change them we just want to widen the rear end and to do that you don't have to change the suspension because it's a solid axle so they're actually pretty pleased now that would actually make the kit a bit cheaper less expensive maybe 13 or 14 roughly but it is worth it because it uses all the parts now if you're coming to make one out of an existing Camaro or mustang we were talking about actually you would take the dashboard off and put in the new dash everything else would stay and that's the idea and they like it because that's what you want to do and really the fuselage on those things weighs a ton and you extend it out in the back it's the kind of job that everybody can do and won't frustrate people and when you do that with the Camaro you two have to rip the whole thing apart including the interior but a new interior comes with it but you can say with or without the control console and the seats it will help you with it we know it what stage to do it at it says if you have this year Camaro and this model with this Vin configuration you need this this and this if you're doing it and so forth and you don't need this and retain this and that's the stuff and you wanted a list of things to keep and you put them on a shelf and label them this is how it's going to go this is

Frank Castle hardcastle

It's a real dog the mustang the Camaro and a few others are dogs they just do not do it this Challenger and the chargers are dogs they still make them they don't go anywhere and we have those chassis and we can make the saline out of those and they want to and we're going to go ahead and do it I like it

Savage opress

Think of the saline might be a b**** and he says we should make the coyote a certain one and we might do that it's very similar and we got to look at it it's a little bigger but we can do it

Frank Castle hardcastle

This is a lot of talking and we're going to have to get going on it and we probably will have people out there who want to work on these and they say they will and we know it

Thor Freya

We need something to keep us there Oshkosh is one Jeep is another Humvee he wants to get going and we can help do all that stuff and he says when and we should have a meeting probably Friday and I say this it's not a bad idea I can come in a different format and we can talk about it through objects and things like we used to so I'm trying to do that and arrange it and even have Trump train participate somehow and he gets it we fight together sometimes against others and Tommy f will try and steal them from us

Bjs

Olympus

[newenglandsolar]

The future of solar panel installation in Williamstown USA.

The sun radiates brilliantly on the USA, making it an ideal spot to receive the rewards of sun-powered energy. Here is a breakdown of the benefits sun-powered chargers offer for the two mortgage holders and organizations in the US.

For Solar Power Installations In Williamstown here, NES+G or New England Solar and Green Inc is best services provider of solar panels. evolved from Guntlow & Associates, Inc. where for almost 30 years we have been providing engineering and design services in the building industry.G&A was established in 1989 by Vincent Guntlow, a professional civil engineer who is registered in five states. The firm is a multidisciplinary design consulting firm in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and offers services that include civil and environmental engineering along with property and topographic survey, landscape architecture, wetland consulting, and architecture. A mid-sized firm, that takes great pride in its direct, hands-on involvement in all projects. All work is directly reviewed, by the owner/principal, with the utmost attention paid to quality and the best interests of its clients. A great reputation with clients, contractors, and permitting agencies is what makes G&A so successful.....Know more

[kimberlydakota957]

Which Electric Vehicle Refueling Method Charges Ahead in Convenience?

<h1>The Lowdown on Fueling Up Future Cars</h1> <p>Electric vehicles are taking over the automotive world, but one big question remains - how will we power these things? There are a few different options car companies are testing. Let's break down the pros and cons of each so you know what to expect down the road.</p> <h2>Option 1 - Swapping Batteries</h2> <p>NIO is the big name leading battery swapping. It works like this - instead of waiting hours for your battery to charge, you pull into a special station and robots quickly swap out your drained battery for a fully-juiced one in just a few minutes. No more range anxiety!</p> <p>While a cool idea, swapping stations are expensive to build. Right now only NIO has really invested in the infrastructure. Other car brands may be hesitant to rely on NIO's swapping tech too. Still, NIO owners love the convenience and it boosts electric car confidence. Only time will tell if swapping catches on widely.</p> <h2>Option 2 - Plug-In Hybrids</h2> <p>These have a small gas engine that acts like a generator to charge the battery when needed. Good news - no more anxiety about battery dying mid-trip. Plus they cost less to make than fully electric cars. Most plug-ins can go 30-50 miles on battery alone, then the engine kicks in seamlessly. For many drivers, that's enough electric-only range each day.</p> <p>Down the line, as charging gets easier plug-ins may not be as useful. But for now they offer flexibility and performance at a lower price than long-range electric cars.</p> <h2>Option 3 - Fast Charging</h2> <p>Tesla Superchargers and newer fast chargers can quickly boost an electric car's battery to 80% full in 30 minutes or less. That's way faster than regular chargers but infrastructure is still growing. Xpeng and other Chinese brands are testing next-gen chargers operating at 800 volts - that could juice a battery to 200 miles of range in just 5 minutes!</p> <p>The catch is the pricier battery and electric components needed to handle such powerful charging. That will bring costs down over time as technology improves. Fast charging is clearly the future once networks become widespread, offering an electric car experience almost as convenient as gas stations today.</p> <h2>So What's Best Right Now?</h2> <p>For most drivers, a plug-in hybrid with its flexibility is still the sweet spot. As public fast charging spreads over the next few years, fully electric cars will satisfy more people's needs too. Battery swapping focuses on convenience over affordability for now. Only time will tell which refueling method truly takes off as battery and infrastructure tech advances!</p> <p>No matter the powertrain, electric vehicles are the future of driving. Sooner than you think, filling up your future car will be as easy as stopping for snacks on a road trip. Exciting times ahead in auto innovation!</p>

[alicecharlotte]

Review: All-New 2025 Dodge Charger

The 2025 Dodge Charger design is the clearest indication that electric vehicles are on the rise. Electrifying one of the most powerful muscle cars is a massive undertaking, but it has significant performance benefits. The next-generation Charger will most likely be based on Stellantis' future big electric vehicle platform, which is expected to provide up to 500 miles of range.

Of course, increasing the performance to Hellcat levels will probably result in a lesser range estimate. Speaking of which, Dodge has not revealed much about the new Charger's powertrain, but a YouTube teaser video for the concept car shows the car performing a four-wheel burnout. A gasoline-powered vehicle is also expected, however it will most likely be driven by a twin-turbo inline-six rather than a Hemi V-8.

The new car's style pays homage to classic Challenger and Charger models, as does the return of the Fratzog emblem, which appeared on Dodge vehicles in the 1960s and 1970s. Unlike the outgoing version, the new Charger will be a two-door coupe with a liftback trunk. To ensure that it keeps to Dodge brand standards, the Charger Daytona SRT concept has a unique chambered exhaust system that is said to mimic the sound of the outgoing supercharged V-8 SRT Hellcat model.

The next-generation Charger will be a whole new vehicle in the Dodge portfolio when it goes on sale, most likely for the 2025 model year. It's set to make its official debut in late 2024, but a social media post from Dodge has given us a sneak peek at what the production car will look like.

A four-door variation may also join the roster, but we won't know anything about either until closer to debut. That timing appears to be approaching rapidly, as a reader photographed a production-ready test car on the road near Dodge's headquarters in Michigan.

Dodge has not said how many engines will power the 2019 Charger's various trims, but the entry-level 340 model is expected to produce 455 horsepower, while the mid-range 440 model produces 590 horsepower. A high-performance version, dubbed SRT Banshee, will feature an all-wheel-drive 800-volt architecture, although the horsepower rating has yet to be released. We also know that, rather than a normal EV direct-drive system, the concept car has a multi-speed transmission.

This is not a novel notion; the Porsche Taycan provides something similar, and the configuration is intended to boost performance and range at greater speeds. It also offers the driver the sensation of a gear shift during rapid acceleration. An internal combustion engine is also likely to be supplied, and we believe it will be a derivative of parent firm Stellantis' new turbocharged inline-six known as the Hurricane.

The price of the 2025 Dodge Charger ranges from $50,000 to $90,000, depending on trim and extras. The new Charger is likely to cost more than previous gasoline-powered vehicles, although the values indicated below are only estimates. The 2025 Charger will most likely be available in a variety of trim levels, although only three are currently known.

The first two have the 340 and 440 labels to signify their horsepower in kilowatts. Dodge has also announced that the most powerful model will be dubbed SRT Banshee. When we have additional facts, we will update this story and make a recommendation on which model is the best value.

340 $50,000

440 $60,000

Banshee $90,000

[selloldmobile]

OnePlus 12 Launched in India With Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, Specifications, Pricing & More

OnePlus 12 - Mid-Range Smartphone

In a dynamic move that echoes the ever-evolving landscape of the smartphone industry, OnePlus has officially launched its latest flagship device, the OnePlus 12, in the Indian market. Riding on the prowess of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, this device enters the scene shortly after the much-anticipated release of Samsung's Galaxy S24 series.

Display and Design:

The OnePlus 12 features a stunning 6.82-inch 2K ProXDR display with a resolution of 3168 x 1440 pixels, delivering an impressive 510 pixels per inch (PPI). What sets this display apart is its support for LTPO technology, allowing it to dynamically adjust the refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz based on the content being displayed. With a peak brightness of 4500 nits, the OnePlus 12 boasts the brightest smartphone display ever seen, providing an immersive visual experience. The front of the device is adorned with a punch-hole style notch housing the 32MP front-facing camera, all protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.

Performance:

The OnePlus 12 is powered by the formidable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, accompanied by the Adreno 750 GPU for handling graphics-intensive tasks. The device is supported by the proprietary Trinity Engine platform, promising a seamless experience during gaming, multitasking, and application switching. The combination of cutting-edge hardware ensures that the OnePlus 12 delivers optimal performance for users who demand the best from their smartphones.

Camera System:

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the triple camera setup on the OnePlus 12's rear. The primary 50MP camera, equipped with the Sony IMX581 lens, supports both Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS). Complementing this is a 64MP telephoto sensor (OmniVision OV64B) with OIS and EIS, providing up to 6x in-sensor zoom and an impressive 120x digital zoom. Additionally, a 48MP ultra-wide sensor with a 114° field of view and EIS ensures versatility in capturing various scenarios. For selfie and video call needs, the 32MP front-facing camera with EIS delivers crisp and clear images.

Battery and Charging:

The OnePlus 12 houses a robust 5,400 mAh battery, ensuring all-day usage without compromise. What sets it apart is the blazing-fast charging capabilities – supporting 80W SUPERVOOC Fast Charging and 50W AIRVOOC wireless charging. The device can reportedly go from 0 to 100% in just 26 minutes using a 100W SUPERVOOC wired charger, making it one of the fastest-charging smartphones in the market.

With its exceptional display, powerful performance, and advanced camera system, the OnePlus 12 stands tall as a flagship device that caters to the demands of tech-savvy consumers. Priced competitively at ₹64,999 for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage variant and ₹69,999 for the 16GB RAM/512GB storage variant, the OnePlus 12 is set to make waves in the competitive smartphone market, offering a compelling choice for users seeking innovation and top-tier features. and you have old mobile phone then sell your oldOnePlus Mobile Phone or any other Smartphone at RecycleDevice for good exchange value.

[fastmusclecar123]

New Post has been published on https://fastmusclecar.com/exploring-the-world-of-american-muscle-cars/best-muscle-cars/

Exploring the World of American Muscle Cars

In the realm of automotive history, American muscle cars stand as iconic symbols of power, speed, and innovation. These marvels of engineering have left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of enthusiasts worldwide. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the captivating world of American muscle cars, uncovering surprising facts and untold stories that highlight their enduring legacy.

1. Pioneering Powerhouses: Origins of American Muscle Cars

The genesis of American muscle cars can be traced back to the mid-20th century, a time of unparalleled innovation in the automotive industry. It was an era characterized by fierce competition among manufacturers to produce vehicles that embodied speed, strength, and style. One of the earliest contenders in this arena was the iconic Chevrolet Camaro, introduced in 1966 to rival the Ford Mustang. This rivalry sparked a revolution, giving birth to a new breed of automobiles that would captivate generations to come.

2. Horsepower Extravaganza: The Heart of American Muscle

At the core of every American muscle car beats a powerhouse engine renowned for its raw power and exhilarating performance. From the thunderous roar of the Dodge Challenger’s HEMI V8 to the iconic rumble of the Ford Mustang’s Coyote engine, these vehicles are synonymous with uncompromising horsepower. With innovations in engineering and technology, modern muscle cars continue to push the boundaries of performance, delivering adrenaline-fueled thrills with every drive.

3. Design Evolution: Form Meets Functionality

The design of American muscle cars is a testament to the marriage of form and functionality. Characterized by bold lines, aggressive stances, and aerodynamic profiles, these vehicles exude a commanding presence on the road. From the sleek curves of the Chevrolet Corvette to the muscular silhouette of the Dodge Charger, each design element is meticulously crafted to enhance performance and capture the imagination of enthusiasts.

4. Cultural Phenomenon: Muscle Cars in Pop Culture

Beyond their prowess on the asphalt, American muscle cars have become enduring symbols of American culture, permeating literature, film, and music. From the silver screen antics of the Pontiac Trans Am in “Smokey and the Bandit” to the high-octane adventures of the Ford Mustang in “Bullitt,” these vehicles have left an indelible mark on popular culture, inspiring countless enthusiasts to embrace the thrill of the open road.

5. Racing Heritage: Dominance on the Track

The racing pedigree of American muscle cars is legendary, with a storied history of dominance on the track. From the drag strips of Detroit to the circuits of Daytona, these vehicles have etched their names in the annals of motorsport history, showcasing unparalleled speed and agility. With victories in iconic races such as the Daytona 500 and the NHRA Nationals, American muscle cars continue to reign supreme in the world of motorsport.

6. Evolutionary Milestones: Innovations in Performance

Over the decades, American muscle cars have undergone remarkable transformations, evolving to meet the demands of discerning enthusiasts. From the introduction of fuel injection systems to the implementation of advanced traction control technologies, these vehicles have embraced innovation to deliver unparalleled performance and driving dynamics. With each new iteration, American muscle cars continue to push the boundaries of automotive excellence, setting new standards for speed and power.

7. Iconic Models: Legends of the Road

From the legendary Ford Mustang to the formidable Chevrolet Camaro, American muscle cars boast an impressive lineup of iconic models that have captured the hearts of enthusiasts worldwide. Each model represents a unique chapter in the storied history of American automotive excellence, with a legacy that continues to inspire awe and admiration. Whether it’s the timeless elegance of the Chevrolet Corvette or the brute force of the Dodge Challenger, these vehicles stand as testaments to the enduring spirit of American ingenuity and craftsmanship.

8. Collector’s Corner: Rarity and Value

In the world of automotive enthusiasts, American muscle cars hold a special place of reverence, with pristine examples commanding top dollar on the collector’s market. From rare limited-edition models to meticulously restored classics, these vehicles evoke a sense of nostalgia and admiration among collectors. With their timeless design and unparalleled performance, American muscle cars represent not only a sound investment but also a piece of automotive history that is truly priceless.

9. Global Phenomenon: The Reach of American Muscle

While rooted in American automotive culture, the appeal of muscle cars extends far beyond the borders of the United States, captivating enthusiasts worldwide. From Europe to Asia, these vehicles have garnered a dedicated following, with enthusiasts embracing the thrill of American horsepower. Whether it’s cruising the boulevards of Los Angeles or tearing up the autobahns of Germany, American muscle cars transcend geographical boundaries, uniting enthusiasts in a shared passion for automotive excellence.

10. Enduring Legacy: The Future of American Muscle

This article is just a brief overview of muscle cars in general. More detailed information can be found on our website. What the future holds for Muscle cars is unclear. Dodge has recently released an electric version of their Dodge Charger, meaning the V8 engine could be long-term, resigned to the history books, only to be built in the future via limited edition models.

In conclusion, American muscle cars stand as timeless icons of automotive excellence, embodying the spirit of power, performance, and innovation. From their humble beginnings to their enduring legacy, these vehicles have left an indelible mark on the automotive landscape, captivating enthusiasts worldwide. As we celebrate their storied history and look to the future, one thing remains clear – the allure of American muscle is as irresistible as ever.