#scorpion aircraft

[spockvarietyhour]

Scorpion Aircraft, Avatar (2009)

[stone-cold-groove]

First team.

[cursedalthoughts]

SHIPGIRL APPRECIATION DAY - Chkalov

Chkalov, a Priority Research aircraft carrier. The only PR from the Northern Parliament (at least so far), Chkalov is fairly unique. Her tactics involve deploying whole squadrons of aircraft to attack in unison, delivering devastating blows against single targets.

Created from the Project 71B blueprints, Chkalov is vaguely related to Volga - the other aircraft carrier of the Parliament, even if only teniously. I can not find information on what Volga is based of, but I assume she's inspired by this line of aircraft carrier projects the real-life Soviet Union developed.

Chkalov is not only unique because of her role as the only PR of the Parliament; she's also unique personality and design-wise. How many shipgirls have you seen who have normal, ordinary high heels in their rigging? You can probably name a bunch, but they're the exception to the rule. She's a scientist - if the large white lab coat wasn't an obvious giveaway already - and she specializes in data analysis. And she's good at it.

Her rigging is one of the last from the Northern Parliament to follow this hard edge scifi aesthetic, as practically all shipgirls post-Chkalov had had a more frostpunk aesthetic, while Chkalov herself has an "Ironblood but icy" vibe. The only thing that truly makes Chkalov's rigging unique from the rest is that it's a scorpion. Scorpions can't survive in northern latitudes, not for long; and the guy she's named after (Valeri Chkalov) wasn't a scorpion guy, he was an important test pilot for the Soviet Union (if my googling is correct lol)

Personality-wise, Chkalov is a bit... horny. Not Atago-style or Chapayev-style horny, however. She's less obvious, but potentially more than most other shipgirls that fall under this category. She likes her quid pro quos - you do a thing for me and I do a thing for you, and she doesn't care if what you ask in return is depraved. She'll do it. She enjoys that. This is simply because she sees that sort of intimacy as just one more form of spending time with you. Chkalov doesn't see sex as a tool to manipulate you, or a medium to an end other than to kill some time. To Chkalov, sex can be like two good friends deciding to go get some fast food late at night.

And no, while I do call her a whore (affectionate), I think her way of thinking is sound and logic. At least for a shipgirl.

Also she's bisexual. As 50/50 split as it can get.

PS: she has ADHD too.

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

My brainrot for Chkalov leans more on the lewd side, yes. that's what you get with her. i think she's an amazing character.

[captain-price-unofficially]

A "Family Photo" of the full compliment of USAF aircraft in operation in 1956 over Gulf Coast, FL.

From top to bottom of the pic, from left to right are: B-36 Peacemaker, B-47 Stratojet, KC-97 Stratofreighter, RC-121 Warning Star,

Second row: B-52 Stratofortress, C-131 Samaritan, C-119 Flying Boxcar, C-124 Globemaster II, B-57 Canberra, B-66 Destroyer, B-45 Tornado

Third Row: F-94 Starfire, F-89 Scorpion, F-86C Sabre, QF-80A Shooting Star Target, T-33 Shooting Star, F-84 Thunderjet, F-84 Thunderstreak, RF-84 Thunderflash, F-86H Sabre, F-102A Delta Dagger, F-100 Super Sabre.

[sturthepotofmadness]

Encounters (Shattered EarthSpark AU)

Long post ahead. Look at the #Shattered EarthSpark AU tag for previous entrees. A masterpost will be made in due time. I really should've added a Read More/Keep Reading to this series earlier, but oh well.

The sun finally disappeared beyond the horizon as two vehicles rolled into the train yard. The harvest gold and bright red SUV was in front, while the black and orange truck followed behind the other. They rolled up to one of the containers before transforming into their root modes.

"You sure this is the place, Roadbuster?" the black and orange mecha asked. Nervousness fizzled in his electromagnetic field, red optics staring at the other.

"I'm sure!" the harvest gold and green mecha replied before grabbing the container's door and opening it. The navy blue near black of energon stared back at them. "Bingo! See, Twintwist?" Roadbuster looked at the other with his bright red visor.

"Energon," Twintwist said, a happy tone filtering into his voice as the nervousness died away from his field. "That's amazing! I didn't expect that tip to lead to anything, but--"

Something landed harshly behind them, causing the duo to turn around, then immediately go into a defensive pose.

In front of them was a large mostly red mecha with dark blue highlights and a brilliant white visor. "Arms of Ruination: decepted," the mecha stated. From the kibble on them, their alt mode was a stealth aircraft of sorts, and their chest plate appeared to be able to shift and move out of the way of something.

"Soundwave?!" Twintwist squeaked.

"War: over. Peace and reform: offered," Soundwave stated as Roadbuster's plating rattled.

"Frag off!" Roadbuster roared, then bolted towards Soundwave. The former cassette master easily moved out of the way. Soundwave turned to face Roadbuster as he grabbed the ground to slow his momentum. Twintwist attempted to run, but froze up when a white and blue helicopter with two flight point flew down and transformed into its root mode, shining blue eyes looking towards Twintwist. The lower half of their face was covered by a face mask.

Roadbuster growled, whipping out a long, bladed scythe colored silver and black before he bolted towards Soundwave once more. He dodged out of the way again and took out a sound blaster. Soundwave pointed it at Roadbuster as slammed his scythe into one of the containers to quickly turn around. Roadbuster's optics widened before the gun activated and he was blasted back, scythe being throwing farther back compared to Roadbuster.

Twintwist bolted as the white and blue frame got on top of the fallen containers and took out a blaster, though a closer look at the device would show it was only meant for stunning and forcing into stasis, not for any serious harm. They aimed the blaster at Twintwist and fired. The bolt crashed into Twintwist and he collapsed onto the ground, electricity forcing them not to move.

Soundwave glanced towards the other as Roadbuster pushed himself up before a sudden screech caused all of them to look towards the source of the noise.

An odd scorpion-like drone slammed itself into the largest of the group, slapping itself onto their face and making them drop the stun blaster. They quickly grabbed it and threw it off as more of the drones appeared out from beyond the containers like a flood, rushing towards the Cybertronians.

"Ah scrap," Roadbuster commented as Soundwave turned towards the scorpions. Roadbuster turned, transformed, and promptly fled as Soundwave began blasting the approaching drones. The other managed to grab the blaster before of the drones did, quickly using it as a more blunt weapon to destroy the strange scorpions.

They failed to notice the large, somehow inconspicuous ant-like drone that approached the still stunned Twintwist. Its abdomen opened up to reveal an empty casing and wire-like tentacles coming out. The wires grabbed Twintwist and dragged him into the open abdomen before it closed up and the mechanical ant walked away, unnoticed by anyone.

By the time all the scorpion drones were destroyed, the duo finally noticed the disappearance of Twintwist and Roadbuster. The larger of the two was quiet before Soundwave put away his own blaster and came up to him. The former cassette master then promptly began to tap at the face mask, almost insistently as he stared into the others optics.

The mask finally slip back and Soundwave stopped, lowering his servo. "Better," Soundwave declared. "Megatron: has reason for deploying mask during the mission?"

The white and bright blue mech was quiet for a moment before he answered, "Forgive me. Things regarding the Autobots that haven't reformed are... becoming frustrating. We are still unable to find a good few of them."

"Soundwave: acknowledges," the stealth alt replied before going to one of the destroyed drones and picking it up.

"And you do know their names are Twintwist and Roadbuster, correct?"

"Whirl: only piece of Ruination that has Soundwave's respect."

Megatron hummed in response as Soundwave came back over with the drone. The Decepticon leader looked at the drone as Soundwave held it in view. "Is it Cybertronian?" Megatron asked.

"Negative. Composition: Earth-based. Energon: no sign. Faction signal: none," Soundwave responded.

"Odd," Megatron commented. "With how they were acting, I would've expected them to have some Cybertronian origins."

"Likely origins: AI machines gone rogue."

"I hope so."

An unbroken Scorpimech watched the duo walk away with Soundwave still holding its destroyed copy from where it hid.

[usafphantom2]

In 1966 the SR 71 disintegrating ! The pilot, and the RSO’s did not eject they were thrown out.. I wrote this article a few years ago in aviationgeek club. Here it is.

In 1966 test Pilot Bill Weaver bailed out after his SR-71 disintegrated while flying at Mach 3.18 at 78,800 feet and by some sort of miracle he made it down to New Mexico alive and well. The RSO Jim Zwayer was not so lucky.

On Jul. 28, 2021 the aviation community lost another of its icons, Lockheed test pilot Bill Weaver.

Weaver was born on Dec. 6, 1928 in the Hollywood Hospital in Los Angeles.

According to Roadrunners Internationale, he attended college at UCLA for a year before being accepted at Annapolis. Graduating June 1951, 25% of the graduates from Annapolis and West Point were offered the choice of joining the US Air Force formed in 1947. He chose the Air Force where he went through flight training at the Hondo Air Base near San Antonio, (South Texas Training Center & South Texas Regional Airport), built 4 months after the attack on Pearl Harbor in a record 90 days. Weaver graduated in class 52E and was sent to Williams AFB for advance training before deploying to Kaegu, Korea (T-2) in 1952 where he flew 89 missions in the F-89 Scorpion and F-86 Sabre. Leaving the USAF, he joined the Lockheed Skunk Works where his second cousin, Engineer Dorsey Kammerer worked for Kelly Johnson. During a span of 30 years at Lockheed, Bill flight tested all models of the Mach-2 F-104 Starfighter and the entire family of Mach 3+ Blackbirds–the A-12, YF-12 and SR-71. Weaver subsequently was assigned to Lockheed’s L-1011 project as an engineering test pilot, became the company’s chief pilot and retired as Division Manager of Commercial Flying Operations. He flew the Orbital Sciences Corp.’s L-1011, modified to carry a Pegasus satellite-launch vehicle. An FAA Designated Engineering Representative Flight Test Pilot, he was also involved in various aircraft-modification projects, conducting certification flight tests. According to Roadrunners Internationale Weaver once said,

“Among professional aviators, there’s a well-worn saying: Flying is simply hours of boredom punctuated by moments of stark terror.”

And yet, I don’t recall too many periods of boredom during my 30-year career with Lockheed, most of which was spent as a test pilot.”We lost a brave patriotic American Bill Weaver. Our sincere condolences go to his family. Bill flew in test flight every member of the Blackbird family.

In 1966 he also bailed out after his SR-71 disintegrated while flying at Mach 3.18 at 78,800 feet and by some sort of miracle he made it down to New Mexico alive and well. The RSO Jim Zwayer was not so lucky. He [Weaver] had a long successful career as a test flight pilot. I was told he was still flying into his 80s. We salute you,’

Linda Sheffield Miller (Col Richard (Butch) Sheffield’s daughter, Col. Sheffield was an SR-71 Reconnaissance Systems Officer) says on her Facebook Page Habubrats. Published by Dario Leone

@Habubrats71 via Twitter

[nocternalrandomness]

RAF English Electric Canberra B Mk.2,

The English Electric Canberra B.2 was the first production variant of a twin-engine, turbojet powered light bomber.

This particular Canberra, WK163, spent its entire career as a research test bed. Photographed here on  28 August 1957 it reached an altitude of 70,308 feet over southern England.  This set a new Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Record for altitude. The Canberra was being used to test Napier’s Double Scorpion NSc D1-2 rocket engine, which was used to drive the aircraft far beyond its normal service ceiling of 48,000 feet.

[julietstjohn]

So, I may or may not have put together the perfect soundtrack for our favorite star-crossed lovers: Hangman and Rooster.

Here the Spotify link if you want it (featuring Queen, Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses, Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, etc.)

—————

But let’s get down to business. Here’s my top 15

“When I’m Gone” by 3 Doors Down - it fits so well it hurts. It’s them.

“Let’s hurt tonight” by OneRepublic - again, it’s them. I am ready to fight to prove my point.

“Feels Like the First Time” by Foreigner - I mean.

“Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas - this is Rooster (this is also Dean Winchester, but we aren’t dealing with it right now).

“Listen to Your Heart” by Roxette - picture this: Bradley, heartbroken, because his stupid pride and inability to talk about his past and his feelings made Jake leave.

“Cowboys from Hell” by Pantera - perfect backtrack for some flight scene. Pilots walking on the tarmac getting their aircrafts ready.

“Modern Day Cowboy” by Tesla - this is Hangman.

“Kickstart My Heart” by Mötley Crüe - this one should have made it to the official soundtrack.

“Jolene” by Dolly Parton - this is Jake’s jam, I bet he sings his heart out on this one. You can’t change my mind.

“Rock You Like an Hurricane” by Scorpions - I think this one speaks for itself.

“Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks - again, this is Hangman’s jam.

“Heaven in Your Eyes” by Loverboy - this is from the first Top Gun movie.

“Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry - cooking and dancing.

“Runnin’ Wild” by Airbourne - let’s turn and burn.

“Renegade” by Styx - Hangman, again.

+ all the infamous ones: Slow Ride, Great Balls of Fire, etc.

[l2bbocsstuff]

HAVE LOVE WILL TRAVEL

Another drabble from prompts I get on a Discord server I belong to.

Asami answered her cell phone on its third ring.  Opal was on the other end of the call and she blurted out, “Where the hell are you right now?  I tried the mansion but no one answered.”

“I’m never home on Sundays…at least I haven’t been since Korra’s down south.  I thought you knew that.”

“I guess I didn’t put two and two together, sorry!!  How long has she been gone?” Opal questioned.

“She’s been gone for two months and I’m going crazy without her.  She tells me all the time how much she misses me and I miss her too.  I mean we talk every second day but I’m just not sleeping well without her.  I just need to feel her next to me.  Plus, our anniversary is coming up and I don’t know if she’ll be home or not.  I feel like I’m losing it Ope.”

Asami knew that the confession she had just made would have Opal’s problem-solving skills kick into overdrive.  It did not take long for Opal to respond.

“Aren’t you the CEO of a multi-billion yuan company?”

“Yes, I am and that’s why I’m in the office right now.”

“And you’re missing your wife?”

“More than the three years she was gone.”

Asami could picture Opal raising one of her eyebrows as they spoke on the phone.  “Oh My Raava.  You’re the boss.  You’re allowed to say, ‘Fuck it’ and just leave the city to go see your wife you know.  I mean if I was you, I would book a first-class ticket to Harbour City right now and screw the consequences.  You have great people who work for you and they can take up the slack.  You did train them.”

Asami couldn’t argue with that.  “I so hate it when you’re right.”

“No, you don’t.  You love me!!!”

“Yeah, I guess I do.  Thanks for the pep talk.  I’ll book right now and I’ll send some emails to my team while I wait for the flight.  Thanks, Ope.  See you in a week.”

With that Opal and Asami hung up and Asami opened a travel site on her computer.  It took about fifteen minutes to get her flight and car booked.  The flight was leaving in three hours.  Plenty of time to get everything done.

___

Four hours later and in the air above the Mo Ce Sea, Asami was very glad for the tasty food she was being served by the cabin crew.  She hadn’t eaten anything since the bagel she had before she left for the office.  She could hear Korra in her head saying that she shouldn’t skip meals.  Asami smiled to herself and began to read the in-flight magazine.  She blushed because it was the newest edition of “Life in RC” and she was on the cover.  The story was about the new 3D printing machines that Future Industries had designed for home use.  Asami continued to peruse the magazine until the aircraft's captain came on the speakers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are beginning our descent into Harbour City.  We are encountering some turbulent weather so it might get a bit bumpy.  We should be on the ground and at the terminal in a little under thirty minutes.”

Asami put the magazine back into its proper place and tightened her seatbelt.  Although the landing was a little choppy, she was relieved and grabbed her carry-on luggage from the overhead bin.  After thanking the crew, she stepped out of the aircraft and headed directly to the car rental place.  Asami knew that winters in the Southern Water Tribe could be wicked so a top-of-the-line Satomobile vehicle with all the bells and whistles was what she had booked.  As she got to the counter, the attendant was smiling.  He began, “Hi, I’m Kasen.  Are you here to pick up a vehicle?”

“Nice to meet you Kasen and yes, I’m here to pick up the SUV I booked.”

“Name?”

“Asami Sato.  I booked a new Scorpion XL this morning online.”

“Yes, ma’am.  I see the reservation right here.  I’m glad you picked this vehicle because the weather yesterday was pretty horrendous.  There were whiteout conditions in the town; subsequently, the roads were impassable.  With this machine, you will have no problems on the roads today.  May I please see your driver’s licence and credit card.”

Asami handed over what was asked for and was relieved that she wasn’t recognized this far south.  Once the transaction was complete, she walked out the front of the terminal and strode over to her ride.  She was very thankful for the heated seats and heated steering wheel.

As she drove through Harbour City along the waterfront she was amazed by the large chunks of ice washing up on the beach.  I guess it really was one helluva storm.

The trip to the Chief’s palace took about forty minutes and when she arrived, she was met at the door by the security staff.  Asami was escorted to the front door of the Chief’s living area.  She knocked.

She heard “Coming” from behind the door.  It was Korra’s voice.  Asami’s pulse began to race as she waited.  She was almost frantic.  The door was flung open and there stood the Avatar in all her glory.  Korra’s brow furrowed for a second and then a 1000-watt smile burst from her lips.

“Asami!!  What are you doing here?  I mean I love that you’re here but why.”

Asami’s voice came out as a squeak.  She pleaded, “I needed to see you.  I needed to hug you.  I needed to kiss you.”  The CEO’s eyes filled with tears. 

Korra lifted her hand and wiped the droplets away from her wife’s cheek.  Asami leaned in, embraced Korra and kissed her fiercely.  The relief she felt was almost overwhelming.  The couple's weeklong vacation brought them both the comfort and support they each needed.

[pinturas-sgm-aviacion]

1944 11 06 P-47 Italy, Brenner pass P-47 Thunderbolt 57 FG, 66 FS - Steve Cox

66th Fighter Squadron “Exterminators” The squadron insignia was designed by one of the enlisted men, Howard Galipeau. A talented aircraft mechanic as well as an artist of talent. It was originally designed as a fighting duck in Windsor Locks in 1942 because it was thought the 57th would be going to Alaska. When instead it was sent to Africa he altered the design, which still resembled a penguin or duck but very pugnacious. Early in the African campaign a U.S. reporter visited the 57th and interviewed the squadron and group personnel. The "Black Scorpions" were the 64th, the "Fighting Cocks" were the 65th but no name was assigned to the 66th so he called it squadron "X". So the X was added to the insignia. Due to the excellent damage to the German forces in the desert war the "X" was changed to "Exterminators" which stuck to the squadron until the group was declassified. —

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/aircraft/42-28046

The Thunderbolts became a more formidable weapon than ever with the installation of rocket tubes. Each aircraft carried six rockets, three under each wing, and the tubes could be jettisoned in an emergency. In subsequent operations the rockets took a heavy toll of enemy installations and supplies.Now the work of the organization was clearly defined: unable to drive the German armies from their heavily fortified Gothic Line positions, the Allies called upon the Tactical Air Force to isolate the enemy battlefield by systematically cutting every rail line and motor truck artery north of his front lines. This was a repeat of the Operation Strangle tactics. The Thunderbolts were perfectly suited for this work, with their heavy armament and long range of flight. To begin the task, the Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force launched an operation called “Bingo” on November 6 to knock out electrified Brenner rail line transformer stations at several key points, putting the enemy to the inconvenience of converting to steam power. The Group participated in the attack, sending aircraft to Trento where the flak was the most intense ever encountered.

[transmechanicus]

I wonder if your going to sit down and do any thoughts about the inevitable space marine model reveals

I mean I've heard plenty of condensing rumors, I don't expect too many surprises. Assault Terminators, Jump Pack Intercessors, and a Terminator Chaplain have all been whispered about, along with Neophytes/Scouts being the autumn kill team fighting Striking Scorpions. The theme for Marines this edition seems to be 1st company/veteran stuff, so I expect we'll see new Vanguard Veterans, and possibly Tyrannic War veterans if GW decides to bless me with more chitin decorated marines. If the number of kits revealed is the same between nids and marines we can expect 6 if not more, which I think these predictions satisfy. Assault Terminators, Jump Packs, Terminator Chaplain, Scouts, Vanguard Veterans, and possibly a new aircraft or artillery.

[spockvarietyhour]

Gas Round, Incendiaries and Missiles, Avatar (2009)

[girlactionfigure]

Ezer Weizman's Black Spitfire is the oldest and most famous aircraft in the Israeli Air Force. The 'Black Spit' originally became part of the Royal Air Force on May 29th 1945. After the Second World War, it was transferred to the Czech Air Force and subsequently sold to Israel in October 1948, arriving in November of the following year, entering service in the 'First Fighter Squadron' and receiving the number 2057. It was then used as a training aircraft in both the 'Scorpion Squadron' and 'Third Spitfire Squadron' (known today as the 'Knights of the Orange Tail Squadron', who fly F16s) In 1954, when most of Israel's Spitfires were sold to Burma, a few remained in Israel at the request of (then) Major-General Ezer Weizman, commander of the Ramat David Airbase. One of those was 2057 (or 57, as it became known) which subsequently became Weizman's private plane, and was painted black to resemble the aircraft of the British Base Commander under whom Weizman served during WW2. Ezer Weizman Z"L passed away at his home in Caesarea on April 25th, 2005 at the age of 80. As a mark of respect at his funeral, 'Black Spit' flew overhead.

Likud Herut UK

[escorpionesblog]

Forging Pilots in the Ecuadorian Air Force

In the field of pilot training in the Ecuadorian Air Force, the 2412 ESCORPIONES Training Squadron plays a awesome role. In this blog, we will explore the aircraft used by this squa and its importance in training new pilots. Let's learn more about this aircraft and its contribution to the development of skills and competencies in the aeronautical field.

The Aircraft of the Training Squadron 2412 SCORPIONS:The plane used by the 2412 Training Squadron of the Ecuadorian Air Force is a recognized model in the field of flight instruction: The Diamond DA20 C-1 Eclipse. This single-engine, low-wing, conventional

landing gear aircraft is highly reliable and versatile, making it an ideal choice for initial pilot training.

Functions and features:

The Diamond DA20 C-1 Eclipse is known for its simplicity and stability, making it ideal for basic and advanced flight instruction. It is equipped with a 210 horsepower piston engine and has adequate payload capacity for two people (student pilot and instructor), the air forcé got to adapt to the few resources allocated and this plane does so, ir has check out whith many hours of flight, added to the fact that its operating costs are not pricey.

One of the notable features of this aircraft is its instrument panel, which is designed to provide trainee pilots with a familiarization with the instruments and systems found in more complex aircraft. This allows students to acquire fundamental skills in navigation, communication, instrument reading and aircraft control.

Importance in the Training of Pilots:

The 2412 SCORPIONES Training Squadron light aircraft plays a crucial role in the training of future pilots of the Ecuadorian Air Force. By using an aircraft with low operating and maintenance costs, it is possible to optimize resources and provide more accessible and efficient flight instruction.

Thanks to its friendly design, stable handling and chilling out for to pilotage, the Diamond DA20 C-1 Eclipse allows students to become familiar with basic flight maneuvers such as takeoff, landing, turns, and straight and level flight. In addition, it is used to instruct future pilots in advanced techniques, such as basic instrument flight, visual navigation, and emergency procedures.

Conclusion:

The small plane of the Training Squadron 2412 SCORPIONS of the Ecuadorian Air Force, represented by the Diamond DA20 C-1 Eclipse, plays an essential role in the training of the country's military pilots. Through its reliable design and its ability to provide basic and advanced instruction, They have been hang out in traning that it contributes to the development of skills and competencies necessary to operate more complex aircraft.

[uzumaki-rebellion]

“Black Boys Bloom Thorns First: Volume 4, Chapter 54″

Masterlist HERE.

"Back to life, back to the present time Back from a fantasy, yes Tell me now, take the initiative I'll leave it in your hands, until you're ready

How ever do you want me How ever do you need me, how How ever do you want me How ever do you need me"

Soul II Soul – "Back To Life"

"Prince N'Jadaka! Prince N'Jadaka!"

Erik opened his eyes.

The sky was a different color… muted… and the sun had long passed beyond sunset. The bubbling gurgles of the creek dragged him back to the world of the living. He couldn't wipe the huge grin from his face. Unseen and in total harmony with the ancestral realm, his parents roamed freely together. Love united them even in death, and they were always available to him when he needed their guidance. He sniffed his skin. Their scent still clung to his flesh from the other side.

Noxolo knelt down next to him with raised eyebrows and fear in her eyes. He sat up and glanced around Black Creek. The tranquility enveloped his senses.

"I'm alright," he said, reaching for his clothes.

"Queen Mother Ramonda and King T'Challa have been calling for you. I told them you were still admiring the creek, but that was an hour ago. What happened to you?"

"I took a swim and rested. Fell asleep," he said.

Standing, Erik slipped the leather pouch around his neck with the pipe, then stretched his limbs.

"Let's go," he said.

He followed Noxolo through the dense foliage and across the wooden bridge that led to the clearing where the Scorpion Fighter floated low to the ground. They boarded the aircraft quickly. Erik tapped his kimoyo and sent T'Challa a quick text that he was on his way.

He lounged in the back of the aircraft, feeling like he was coming down from an intense high that he couldn't contain. It rippled through him and he was a kid again, reminding himself of all those times he was filled with too much candy and soda after an exciting day at Disneyland.

Erik had touched them. Kissed them. Held them in his arms and told them all the things he wished he had as a child before life ripped them away from him. By the time he joined his living family, Erik touched the center of his chest. All the broken and disheveled things inside of himself had been lovingly replaced and put back on their proper shelves. The psychic wounds of his traumatic life faded into something less daunting. The tyranny of the past couldn't hold him in its clutches anymore. He no longer felt abandoned, nor tethered to yesteryear.

"I will be king again," he told them.

"Rightfully so," Califia said with a saucy smile.

She held his hand as they meandered around the picturesque creek.

"You have made an incredible journey, N'Jadaka. I am sorry I could not complete the task of freeing the diaspora so you could live without all the hurt you carried for so long," N'Jobu said.

"It wasn't your fault, Baba. You did everything you could."

"I wish I had been strong enough to stay with you, baby," Califia said.

Erik nuzzled his face against his mother's cheek. She touched his chin.

"I can't get over how you can look down at me," she said.

It was odd. His perspective had always been looking up to her literally, and to suddenly see her as a grown man made him feel even more protective of her. She had always seemed like a giant like his father, but being just over six feet himself, her shorter inches didn't seem possible to Erik.

"I have children," he said proudly.

He instinctively reached to tap his beads to show them pictures, but his kimoyo was gone from his wrist. Califia wrapped an arm around his waist.

"We know what they look like, JaJa," she said.

N'Jobu clasped Erik's hand in his.

"We were there for you when they were born," N'Jobu said.

"Riki came out looking like he was ready to take on the world with his feisty self!" Califia said.

"He stole your mother's entire face!" N'Jobu joked.

"Looked me right in my eye and I just knew he had your personality, JaJa," Califia said.

Erik's lips parted with astonishment.

"N'Joba arrived with a quiet knowing… remember, Califia? Her eyes were so shiny and focused the moment she came through. Somehow, JaJa, you bequeathed to them the talents you struggled with for so long, before we even knew what it was," N'Jobu said softly.

"Their mothers raised beautiful babies," Califia said.

"So you both already know how… my situation with Yani and Disa," Erik said.

He glanced away from them both with shame, and his mother stroked his arm. His father pressed his forehead against Erik's.

"We watched you fall in love twice," N'Jobu said.

Califia sensed Erik's embarrassment and clucked her tongue. N'Jobu touched Erik's shoulder.

"In the ancestral realm, we can bear witness to your life at certain times. My son, in your darkest and brightest hours, we were there with you. You are never alone. If the barriers of the worlds were removed, my Bast, you would see a light so bright filled with the energy of your ancestors who surround you at all times. Its brilliance would blind you. They are all here, from both sides of the ocean," N'Jobu said.

N'Jobu directed Erik's attention to a gap in the trees where many other men and women dressed in traditional regalia watched them from afar with a respectful distance.

"There was so much we didn't know, Baba. So many lies about you… us. All this time I saw T'Challa as my enemy. He was just as lost as I was. I didn't know he loved you as much as I did," Erik said.

N'Jobu closed his eyes, and his lips trembled.

"I always made space for him like he was my son. You don't know how proud I am to see you both together. The way it was always supposed to be," N'Jobu said.

"Umama… she really showed out for me," Erik said, wiping his eyes. "Zinzi and so many other Wakandans stayed believing in you. Being here now, having children, living as a citizen… it changed me, Baba."

"More changes are coming for you," Califia said.

N'Jobu glanced at her and his mother shirked off the warning expression he gave with his gentle eyes.

"Why did you look at Mom like that?" Erik asked with a chuckle.

"You know how your mother is, always jumping the gun," N'Jobu said.

The playful chiding tone held cautionary energy behind it.

N'Jobu turned to him.

"In this place, we can see that time is not linear. It is a curving, overlapping entity. We know the past, present, and even the future. We are allowed to observe when you call for us and intercede on your behalf if we can by the grace of Bast, but the future is the forbidden limit for us," N'Jobu said.

"He's been through enough. I think he should be given—"

"Califia, we cannot, my love. He is a grown man and must make this journey in his own steps," N'Jobu said.

Califia's fiery eyes squinted with annoyance.

"Your mother will still fight all the Gods for you, JaJa, just to make you happy," N'Jobu said, clasping Califia's hand with his and kissing it.

"I have missed you both so much and I used to think I would have so many more questions to ask you if we ever met again, but the only thing I can do now is to be grateful that I can see you. Hear your voices again. Let you see me as a man," Erik said.

A quiver in his voice elicited a hug from his father again.

"Why did he do it, Baba?"

N'Jobu hung his head, and Califia stared at N'Jobu with love.

"You know why he did it. Fear. Jealousy. He wasn't ready for the changes that were going to come despite his negation of it," N'Jobu said.

"He left me! He let Mom die!"

"JaJa, don't. It's not important anymore. We are past that now," Califia said.

"I'm not! He ruined my life. All of our lives. He lied to T'Challa, Umama, Baba Z, Ramonda, his people…"

Erik ticked off names and tapped his fingers as he did it.

"He lied to himself too," N'Jobu said, placing his hands on Erik's shoulders. "Let that go and look to your future with a clean heart."

"Have you forgiven him?" Erik demanded.

The air crackled with energy all around him. The effects of the herb were slowly wearing off.

"You are still on earth having a spiritual experience in human form and I understand it will take you a long time or maybe never to get past what my brother did to us. I have forgiven him," N'Jobu said.

"Why?" Erik's voice betrayed no pain in hearing N'Jobu's words.

"I love him, and the flow of time has detached and washed that betrayal away from me here. Among our ancestors, we have reconciled."

"What about you, Mom? I know you hold grudges hard like me," Erik said. "Even on the ancestral plane, I know you would whoop his ass for me."

Califia tossed back her head and laughed, and the sound thrilled Erik.

"Trust, I did, and he felt the sting of my rage, but once you arrive here and let go… things are different… long-sighted in the bodily transition and not easily digested by the living mind because you are always limited by the spiritual barrier to your vision. Listen to your father, baby. We are beyond that pain here. It doesn't mean we don't sympathize with your valid feelings. You just don't see what we see, and you don't know what we know."

"What do you know here?" Erik asked.

"Love," she said. "An overabundance of love and new life."

She cradled his face.

"You gave us beautiful grandbabies. Three! You have a long life ahead of you and many bumps along the road to come. Don't be afraid. We are surrounding you and yours. Every time you cried out for us, we heard you, baby. Each time you thought you wouldn't make it, we nudged you along. There are many with you who will do the same in the physical world. Hold on to them tight," Califia said.

N'Jobu patted his arm.

"The family is waiting for you. Your children want to see you, my son," N'Jobu said.

"Tell Grandpop to lie off the fatty foods tonight. He's eaten way more than his belly can handle since he's been here," Califia teased.

"I will," Erik said.

She hugged and kissed him. Her fingers ran across his scars. Erik watched the pain in her eyes come to the surface as the fleshy lumps told his wretched story all over again without her being in the world with him. N'Jobu gave another hug and kiss on the cheek before he threaded his fingers with Califia's and pulled her back. Her eyes were glossy with tears and she held her fingers to her lips as her eyes took Erik in as a man.

"Go be a father and a king," N'Jobu demanded. "The world is yours."

"Don't weep for us anymore, JaJa. Your father is with me forever, and we're filled with all of your love and prayers. Ogum was right to choose you, and so were your children," Califia said.

His mother touched her full lips, and a mischievous look crossed her facial expression. She blurted out fast words.

"JaJa… there's a child who is coming—"

"Califia! No… always hardheaded," N'Jobu said, smacking her backside with a gentle hand.

Califia blocked a second strike to her butt and playfully twisted her husband's arm to stop him from doing it again. N'Jobu tried to cover her mouth with his lips.

"She's going to be more like you than the other children you'll have—"

"Who are you talking about, Mom?" Erik asked, trying to help block his father from silencing her.

"You have a child coming in the future who will need your love and understanding later in life because she's going to stir up Wakanda. Stand by her side, baby. She will be the hardest one to raise with the biggest voice, too. Love her hard and fiercely, no matter what she goes through!"

"Enough Califia!" N'Jobu said. "You are telling him too much. Allow him to enjoy the journey with that one without spoiling it!"

"This is stuff I need to know, Baba!" Erik said.

"I didn't tell him which one it is," Califia pouted.

N'Jobu threw up his hands.

"I already have three. How many more am I having?" Erik begged to know.

Califia pursed her lips and N'Jobu held up a finger. She grabbed it, and N'Jobu threw his arms around her waist and lifted her up to his shoulder. Their laughter made Erik's eyes grow blurry. In an hour they had been a family unit and it was like old times, especially when his father kissed Califia on the lips.

"Y'all still doing that here?" Erik said, pretending to be grossed out like he was as a child.

"Forever!" Califia shouted.

The enhanced colors of Black Creek dulled faster. Erik rushed forward and threw his arms around his parent's necks. Their last moments together were just holding each other and N'Jobu sang Lullaby Little One to Erik the way he used to when he was little. The softness of his father's voice and the softness of his mother's hand on his back returned him to the temporal world as a spiritually whole human being.

The Scorpion Fighter banked left and descended. Noxolo landed the aircraft near a sparkling lake that captured the last colors of the sunset across its surface. T'Challa, Umama, Baba Z, and Dante waited for him at the entrance to a lovely villa compound. Music played inside the enclosure, and joyous laughter bounced over the walls. The secured interior had slate gray, bronze, and glass circular buildings with a central gathering area filled with round tables covered with wooden roofs matching the natural color scheme that blended well with all the trees surrounding the compound. Roomy, with eco-chic touches, Yani's new home suited her with a beautiful lake as an extra gift.

"Everything alright?" Umama asked.

Erik smiled and shook his head, despite the shedding of fat tears.

"Life is good," Erik assured them all. "I got to say goodbye the right way."

"He's here!" Dante shouted to the nearly one hundred people seated and ready to eat.

Yani, Leona, and Twyla led a small staff to help set up food they cooked themselves. Leona's old catering skills came into play and for a moment, it reminded Erik of being back at the island compound, where they used to feed large groups of dangerous men.

"Food is ready! Come and get it!" Leona shouted.

Famished family members lifted plates from their tables and lined up. Erik enjoyed watching Yani's St. Thomas family fuss with each other in heavy patois while overseeing the enjoyment everyone had eating their food.

Disa brought his children out from one of the guest houses. They changed out of their mourning clothes and dressed in new bright colors. Barefoot and happy, they shrieked with excitement when they saw Erik and raced to him. He lifted Riki up first because he was the fastest.

"You smell funny, Baba," Riki said, sniffing Erik's neck.

"Funny how?" Erik asked.

"Like smoke or something," Sydette said, tugging on his tunic.

Erik got down on one knee and gazed at each one of his children.

"I love all of you so much," Erik said, feeling his voice tremble.

"We know Baba," Sydette said.

She kissed his forehead, and Joba hugged his neck.

"I'm going to be the best Baba for all of you," he said.

"You're already the best Baba, Daddy," Joba said.

"You finally made it. We worried you got lost," Disa said.

Erik stood up, and Disa immediately noticed the change in him.

"I'm not lost anymore," he said.

He reached out and squeezed her arm.

"Let's go get some food!" Erik said.

He ushered the children toward the linked tables piled high with island food and a lot of Erik's favorite Wakandan dishes. Twyla and Disa assisted Erik in making sure his kids had full plates.

"Come sit with us," Sydette insisted.

Erik nodded and slowed down his steps when he faced Yani. She dished out more plantains and patties from an assistant onto one of the food tables.

"Mama, I wahn another patty," Riki whined.

"Eat the one on your plate first," Yani said.

She wiped the back of her gloved hand on her temple. Her gaze settled on Erik, and Disa moved the children over to a table by their grandparents and T'Challa. Shuri waved at him from their table and Erik gave her a head nod and turned back toward Yani.

"You not hungry?" Yani asked.

"I was making sure the kids had food first. Forget to fix my own plate," he said.

Her big eyes were animated inside her round face.

"Y'all should let the staff handle this so you can relax," Erik said.

"My family wants to serve. My mother and aunt are loving all the attention," she said.

"Move over, I got this!" Halston said.

Yani's father tied a full apron around himself and made his daughter move to the side. Her younger sisters' laughter distracted her for a second and her cousin Kendall held up a black power fist at Erik when he moved past with a plate of jerk chicken and vegetables. They flew in to be with Yani for the last week of the mourning period. Her face beamed at having more of her family around.

Yani wiped a piece of a leaf from her father's wrapped locs. They both wore bright island colors, and Yani's dress was a simple wrap-around that she tied in the front. His mother's prophetic words drummed in his head. She turned back to him with laughter on her lips from joking with her father.

"Want me to make you a plate?" she asked.

"Nah, I got that, I just…"

Her beauty mesmerized him. His parents had been with her when he couldn't be there because of his exploits. They knew Joba and Riki before he did. What child would he have in the future with her that had his mother breaking ancestral rules and defying God? Yani was the woman he wanted and needed. She had to be the mother of the one that was coming.

"What?" Yani said.

Yani caught sight of the blazing fire in his eyes. She had no inkling that she was the moon to the wolf inside of him that wanted to howl her praises to the heavens. Her love for him kept her going for all those lost years. She held him down even when she didn't know what happened to him. Erik wanted her to have his best, and that meant staying at the Temple of Bast. He would go up that great mountain and live among the priests until his coronation.

Leona stepped forward and handed Erik a plate of all the things he enjoyed with a glass of ginger beer.

"Thank you, auntie," Erik said.

He left the buffet line and walked over to his children. Great music played, and everyone indulged in the scrumptious meal and loving vibes. Erik sat down free from the burden of the past. He would cherish that old darkness as a gateway to his present state. Looking down at his plate, he watched Riki steal his beef patty with a fork and move it to his own plate. Erik laughed so loud with a hearty vigor that it made the entire table crack up.

"He's greedy like you," Dante said.

"Easy with all that fat meat on your plate," Erik said.

"I'll watch my plate, and you watch my belly get full!" Dante said.

Erik glanced over at T'Challa and he regarded the sense of peace that settled over his cousin too as he ate. N'Jobu wanted them together. He would make sure he abided by his father's wishes.

Eating, drinking, warm hugs, and laughter went on all night. Yani and her family provided after-dinner entertainment under the stars, with Wakandan drummers. Kendall beatboxed a familiar tune. Riki stood up on his chair to see better and began singing.

"Queen Mary, ah where you gon' go burn? Queen Mary, ah where you gon' go burn?" Riki sang out.

"Ooh!" Sydette squealed, jumping down from her seat. "Queen Mary… Queen Mary!"

Umama and Baba Z glanced around, confused, near Erik.

"What are they singing?" Umama asked, leaning her head in toward Riki.

Ramonda shook her head. "Queen Mary, I think."

"Who is that?" Shuri asked Riki.

Erik's son threw up his hands as if he couldn't believe no one had heard of his greatest grandmother.

"Queen Mary!" Riki shouted.

Kendell jumped around as the center of attention, and Sydette shook her little hips with him. Marisol stood up and danced with Sydette, moving her arms and legs in a samba that matched the rhythm of the Queen Mary song. Twyla and Yani's sisters joined her, singing the chorus and entertaining everyone. Riki clapped his hands and sang loud and off-key. Erik held the back of Riki's tunic to make sure his son didn't fall off of his seat. The boy dashed away from the table and jumped around Kendell and Sydette. Erik stood up and searched for Yani. She hung back near the food tables, watching and bobbing her head.

"Yani, tell them about Queen Mary," Erik encouraged.

Yani stared at him like she wanted to stay in the shadows, but he waved his hand for her to go to the center.

"Sing, Yani," Erik said.

She hesitated, and Erik tapped his kimoyo. He swiped files until he found the one he needed. He synched up his kimoyo with the compound sound system and Kendall's old song "Fiyahburn" surrounded the audience with aural power.

"Yani…" Erik said.

The pleading in his voice roused Yani to trudge over to her children and family. Erik tapped his kimoyo again to start the music from the beginning and lowered the volume so they could hear her voice.

"Listen to the words, Umama," Erik said, touching his grandmother's hand.

Riki and Sydette danced around their mother, and Kendell grinned at her. Yani glanced over at Erik, opened her mouth, and sang.

Chapter 55 HERE.

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[anxious-ace]

Who asked for EI phobias, no one? Here they are anyway:

Toast:

Thalassophobia- sea/ocean/open water

Cynophobia- dogs

Lupophobia- wolves

Claustrophobia- enclosed spaces/having no escape/being closed in

Astraphobia- thunder and lightning

Gavin:

Frigophobia- becoming too cold

Mycophobia- fungus

Chemophobia- chemicals

Ghost:

Orithophobia- birds

Acrophobia- heights

Older men- Androphobia or Gerontophobia

Aphenphosmphobia- being touched

Body dysmorphic disorder- obsession with real or imaginary body defect

Jimmy:

Older men (pretty much just toilet toucher)- Androphobia or Gerontophobia

Zymarikaphobia- pasta (canonically fears macaroni and has nightmares of it eating him)

Colon:

Trypophobia- holes/textures w/ pattern of holes

Chiroptophobia- bats

Emetophobia- vomiting

Spooker:

Hemophobia- blood

Panphobia- everything/constant fear of unknown cause

Cj:

Aphenphosmphobia- being touched

Atychiphobia- failure/negative evaluations of others

Enchlophobia- crowds

Gelotophobia- being laughed at

Musophobia- mice/rats

Alex:

Dendrophobia- trees

Lepidoterophobia- butterflies and moths

Submechanophobia- partially/fully submerged man-made objects

Suzannah:

Arachnophobia- spiders, scorpions, and other arachnids

Belonephobia- needles or pins

Equinophobia- horses

Toxiphobia- being poisoned

Zoé:

Apiphobia- bees

Coimetrophobia- cemeteries

Gephyrophobia- bridges

Lilasophobia- tornadoes or hurricanes

Tim:

Automatonophobia- lifelike robots/animatronics/wax figures etc

Cibophobia- aversion to food (synonymous with anorexia nervosa)

Frigophobia- becoming too cold

Ranidaphobia- frogs

Thanatophobia- dying

Toast Sr.:

Orithophobia- birds

Trypanophobia- needles/injections

Tomophobia- invasive medical procedures

Tiphaine:

Aerophobia- aircraft/flying

Emetophobia- vomiting

Myrmecophobia- ants

Bronson:

Ailurophobia- cats

Gelotophobia- being laughed at

Lilapsophobia- tornadoes/hurricanes

Johnson:

Coimetrophobia- cemeteries

Coulrophobia- clowns

Hippophobia- horses

Peewee:

Dentophobia- dentists

Entomophobia- insects

Masklophobia- people in masks/costumes/mascots

Ernie:

Alliumphobia- strongly scented allium genus (garlic, onions, chives, shallots)

Bacteriophobia- bacteria

Ophidiophobia- snakes

Spheksophobia- wasps

Ana:

Agoraphobia- open spaces

Astraphobia- thunder and lightning

Hypochondria- illness

Lepidopterophobia- butterflies and moths

Tom:

Eisoptrophobia- mirrors/seeing one's reflection in a mirror

Herpetophobia- reptiles/amphibians

Ichthyophobia- fish (includes eating fish and dead fish)

Angus:

Atychiphobia- failure/negative evaluations of others

Autophobia- isolation

Body dysmorphic disorder- obsession with real or imaginary body defect

Enchlophobia- crowds

Gelotophobia- being laughed at

Thanatophobia- dying

Jackie:

Achluophobia- darkness

Aerophobia- aircraft or flying

Coulrophobia- clowns

Globophobia- balloons

Chase:

Alektorophobia- chickens

Aichnmophobia- sharp/pointed objects like needles/knives

Masklophobia- people in masks/costumes/mascots

Phonophobia- loud sounds or voices

Henrik:

Frigophobia- becoming too cold

Helminthophobia- worms

Mysophobia- germs/contamination/dirt

Taphophobia- graves or being placed in one while still alive

Marvin:

Atelophobia- imperfection

Atychiphobia- failure/negative evaluations of others

Ecophobia- cataclysmic environmental change

Haphephobia- being touched

Eisoptrophobia- mirrors/seeing one's reflection in a mirror

Jameson:

Aichnmophobia- sharp/pointed objects like needles/knives

Melissophobia- bees

Necrophobia- death or the dead

Pupaphobia- puppets

Shawn:

Pyrophobia- fire

Enochlophobia- crowds

Scopophobia- being looked/stared at

(if you want me to explain certain ones, I'd be willing too)