#shai fund

[autistic-shaiapouf]

Gonna try food delivery tonight and am nervous but thinking about the potential instant gratification of having money immediately

[starswallowingsea]

europe: purposefully prevents african and middle eastern countries from being able to establish their own local economies, fuels violence in these countries, and just in general treats them like garbage

also europe when the people in these countries try to move to europe to make a living and escape poverty and violence:

[bahja-blix]

😐💀Longish Post regarding Vivziepops Stans (POC Woman Speaks up)

TW: The following post mentions serious topics: S*icide, bullying, racism, and other topics, viewer discretion is advised (and No I do not know whom originally sat here and typed this post I don't want to know)

So I saw this image floating around and I as a Bisexual biracial Woman of color wanted to speak up about this because if y'all think it's hilarious or cool to say dumb shit on the Internet and not expect to get called out for your crap by reasonable people that you yourself put yourself out there for then your dead wrong.

Let's take a look amigos

Let's start from the beginning

This person who's an obvious biased boot licker who deliberately put themselves out there on the Internet ON PURPOSE said all of This!

Here's some things I completely disagree with because in their own words:

"You probably heard over and over again that Viv is a terrible person who's toxic that made all kinds of terrible things in the past but I assure you, (even if it's true) these stories are all "completely fake" and "made up" and that Viv is "flawed" and makes mistakes like all of us and that she "doesn't deserve" the "hate" and "bad faith" comments"

"I have decided to "fund" the "StopVivziepophate" train because poor ol Viv is sweet and innocent and we as fandom must stick it to these "critics" and express to vivziepop our eternal love and "actively convince" people (without any proof btw) that Vivziepop has done absolutely "nothing wrong" at all and we must defend her to the ends of the Earth because I said so and thats the Truth. You guys are liars and bigots and racist and are anti progressive"

Vivziepop has proved Time and Time again that she's a deliberately toxic shitty ass dumbass of person and has gotten much WORSE over the years! That is a FACT! She HAS made shitty, questionable, nasty things in her past artworks depicting minors, Nazi shit, racist shit and other stuff! This is a FACT and can be proven!

These Critical people on the Internet are All people who Used to LOOK UP to Viv because she was inspirational, saw right through her bullshit, and decided to call her out For said bullshit that she inflicted on herself especially nowadays seemingly on the daily. These Critical people who used to look up to Viv often back up their claims using pictures and evidence to Prove what they say! Vivziepop is a person who has proven that she is ass backwards on an absolute altitude of ways through thick and thin.

Viv refuses to back up her claims, do basic research on complicated topics regarding many things, weaponizes her fanbase to silence Anyone and Everyone regardless of who they are or what they identify as who speaks up or validly critiques her foolishness, never improves on herself as a person and chooses to carry herself in a negative way that affects her overall character and the people around her, bullies or judges anyone who chooses a different path, didn't call out her cult of a fanbase out for bullying Shay into suicide, and the list goes on.

What are you Stans going to prove huh? That we as a critical are right? There's an abundance of evidence against Viv yet your going to sit here and make a post like this?

Please tell me what you said is Bait!

Viv absolutely deserves EVERYTHING that people throw at her ESPECIALLY regarding the fact that Shay is no longer with us because Vivziepops cult of a fanbase brutally bullied Shay into s*icide over a fictional ship that these hypocritical Stans supported Before their new ship with Alastor came out with a different character

And Viv also absolutely deserves to be criticized for hiring a disgusting person with a r*pe fetish who's NOT a s*xual assault victim at All who also fetishizes r*pe and let this person illustrate and write their own sick fantasies into HER SHOW which she actively supported and still supports!

She's Shit All Around!

lastly...

"Most" of the "hate" comes from the "fact" that she's both *Checks notes* 🧐 "inserts identity politics here"

"Woman and Hispanic" ahh yes who Could've thought that poor ol Viv was being targeted simply because of her identity! Why as if I didn't hear that BS before as a fucking POC woman myself

People are "totally not" validly criticizing her for actual shit she does to herself on purpose

We critics are "totally" all just "making up" shit regardless of clear as day evidence, articles, or any picture evidence we have and are "totally jealous" over her success

We critics totally dunk on Viv because we're magically all racist, bigots, or istaphobes even though we're of varying backgrounds and identities and don't dunk on her for the bullshit you pulled out your ass because you decided to do what some far left thinking people would do. Blame the entire world for X, Y, Z using their identity as a shield even though vivziepop herself got caught! BY HER OWN POLITICAL PARTY which is the left.

Let me bring up a successful Black YouTuber who's indie for Black History Month whom I support and followed for years and bought his comics! Since you wanna blame the world for people criticizing Viv for her identity, I've decided to use an excellent example! He may not be a woman but he's Black so... :D let's begin

You wanna know who's Black and made millions of dollars because of his comics and is successful? Youngrippa59! Yes the Black Libertarian himself who made the Rippaverse, ISOM, and ALPHA CORE and made millions of dollars in short periods of time who also helped successfully dominated the comic book industry when it was dying! He's Not a conservative btw!

Heres one of his most recent successful projects ALPHACORE

Look at this! A Black person made this! He's successful! He didn't use his race as a shield. He ain't Viv but doesn't have to be! That's the beauty of him because he doesn't have to be the richest, or the most popular!

His message to everyone! Mr. Rippa also known as Eric July is one of my biggest inspirations to this day and this is why! People who were on the far left decided to attack him (it's been proven btw) but y'all say your for "diversity" and "inclusion" but when a black person becomes successful now it's an issue???

I Can't imagine what will fly outta your mouths when I become successful with my own shows behind the scenes... As diverse as I am as a biracial, bisexual, goth, God damn X, Y, Z, I Don't pander, I observe what everyone wants through multiple people!

Now,

Vivziepop is a woman who's a biracial Hispanic! I am ALSO a woman who's a biracial Hispanic

As a biracial Hispanic I'm more Puerto Rican looking IRL. Viv is a biracial Salvadoran Hispanic but looks more "white" because maybe she has more European family members. My family is made up of mainly Puerto Ricans on both sides of the family some European. I have dark eyes and dark naturally curly hair too. Few have said I can pass as "Indigenous" because of my features and tanned skin. Regardless my point still stands! I don't actively use my identity as a shield and neither should you!

I don't want to know who sat here and typed up that post! I as a woman of color of the brown community am still sick of this! Like who's saying they hate Viv because she's Hispanic? Huh? Who? Who's dunking on her for simply being a woman too???

Prove to me by providing solid concrete evidence by pictures or tweets or something else actually showing me people are dunking on Viv because she's both "Woman/Hispanic"! Well I tell you now that that shit Doesn't happen and if it does, it's a VERY SMALL minority that are saying shit for bait reasons or to be an asshole on purpose to get a reaction. The fact this person decided to say "Most hate comes from her race and being a woman" is BS because they cant even take the time to dig up evidence of this to prove it!

Show don't tell not TELL DONT SHOW goddamnit!

Legit you wanna play the race x woman card so badly then BACK IT UP with actual evidence or someone like me with more than two functioning brain cells will call you out.

I'm sorry but I agree with the critics on this one because they're not wrong for calling Viv out!

[matan4il]

Daily update post:

The IDF reported using a trap successfully against Hamas terrorists in Gaza, luring dozens of them into a building, which was known as a Hamas command center, and which was then hit. At the same time, terrorists have the option to stay alive, if they surrender. The IDF said in the past week, it has arrested and taken to Israel for investigation over 200 surrendered Hamas terrorists.

One of the arrested terrorists described how Hamas uses kids as human shields when transporting explosives.

I'm never going to stop saying this: the people who truly care about Palestinian kids should VERY MUCH care that this is how they're being used by Palestinian terrorist organizations. Using kids as terrorists is a war crime. Using kids as human shields is a war crime. If these war crimes perpetrated against Palestinian kids don't bother someone, they're not truly pro-Palestinian, they're just anti-Israel.

I mentioned in my daily update post yesterday, that the IDF can now point out the exact networks of tunnels that allowed them to transform an entire residential neighborhood, into a fighting zone. Today, the IDF shared a 3D model demonstrating the findings on the ground, in a visually clearer way, you can find it at this tweet.

If you've been following the news or my daily update posts, then you know that the Yemenite terrorist organization, funded by Iran, started by attacking "Israeli ships" (some of which had no connection to Israel), then laid a blockade to the entire Red Sea for all ships (claiming they're being attacked for sailing to Israel, even though ships headed for Egypt also sailed through this sea), prompting an international coalition of now over 20 countries, and led by the US. Today, a Liberian ship "with a connection to Israel" experienced a drones attack not too far from India. The attack caused a fire, but no person was harmed, and the Indian fleet responded to it. An Iranian official then announced that, "If the Israeli and American aggression will continue, they can expect the closure of even more maritime routes to take place."

The same Iran, which funds an international network of Islamist terrorism (Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis), and which is currently threatening the global economy, not to mention is responsible for every person dead due to the war started thanks to its funding, is holding an international summit today "to help Palestine" (as if there wouldn't have been way more Palestinians alive right now, if it weren't for Iran), and people from no less than 50 countries are participating. Iran should be a pariah internationally, but it's not. That should scare all of us.

The International Red Cross has been repeatedly criticized since the beginning of the war in Gaza, for practically doing nothing for the Israeli hostages, and for having covered up for Hamas' abuse of medical facilities in Gaza. Now, the IRC is proving how seriously it takes this criticism... by appointing as its next director general a controversial senior from UNRWA, the UN agency that helps exclusively the Palestinian refugees. Beyond the clear bias that he would bring to the position, he also is a disputed figure, who had to resign from his UNRWA position, following accusations of ethical abuses there.

I keep mentioning the many fronts on which Israel is being attacked. On our northern border, Hezbollah continues to fire at and destroy Jewish towns, and the only reason you don't hear more about it, is because most civilians have been evacuated, well over 100,000 people. But civilians have been killed there, and the soldiers who are there to protect the border, have been killed as well. Yesterday, a Hezbollah rocket killed 19 years old Amit Hod Ziv (on the left below):

And two other Israeli soldiers who were killed in Gaza yesterday are 31 years old Tal Shoa (center), and 21 years old Shay Ayali (right), who was a cadet in the officers course. They both served in unit 669, the IDF's search and rescue elite unit, which has operated in many countries around the world to save people when natural disasters strike. Unit 669 soldiers during the war risk their lives, when they go into the worst war zones, to get wounded soldiers out, give them emergency first aid, and get them to a hospital as soon as possible. Unit 669 soldiers do the same for surrendered wounded terrorists.

So far, 140 soldiers have been killed in the fighting in Gaza. In total, from Oct 7 on, 472 Israeli soldiers have been killed, including girls without combat training, who were slaughtered in their pyjamas.

This is 36 years old Lior Atias, and her 6 years old daughter Alma.

Lior was a veterinary nurse, and a volunteer for Elem, an NGO that helps youth at risk. She was at the Nova music festival as part of her volunteer work, together with a whole team from Elem. Lior is one of three Elem volunteers, who were among the 367 Israelis massacred by Hamas there.

May all their memories be a blessing.

(for all of my updates and ask replies regarding Israel, click here)

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by Dion J. Pierre

Columbia University professor Shai Davidai, a Jewish Israeli, defended his right to condemn Hamas’ atrocities on Thursday after learning that an anonymous group of graduate students has accused him of anti-Palestinian racism and demanded a professional association of which he is a member publicly censure him.

Anti-Zionist TikTok influencer Jessica Burbank first reported the accusations the graduate students lodged in a letter to the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP), an organization founded in 1974 to promote the social psychology field and its usefulness to society. Comprising over 7,500 student and faculty members, it provides invaluable funding and networking opportunities.

Accusing Davidai of “targeting individuals — especially Palestinians and students of color,” the students’ letter describes his efforts to hold pro-Hamas student groups accountable for harassing Jewish students and defending terror as “decolonization” as “blatant dereliction of duty with respect to his responsibilities and ethical standards as a professor and faculty member of SPSP.” The students additionally accused him of promoting “doxxing” and “misrepresenting” the views of pro-Hamas groups, all of whom have defended Hamas’ atrocities on Oct. 7 while calling for a ceasefire, a strategy they have employed to portray themselves as a pro-peace movement.

On Thursday, Professor Davidai told The Algemeiner that the man depicted in the letter is not someone his community, students, and peers would recognize, and he accepts that enduring assaults on his character is a consequence of defending the Jewish people wherever they are, be it Israel or New York City.

“Look, I’m speaking up against evil, and against the support of evil,” he said. “I’m willing to take the reputational hits because people that won’t like me for saying what I’m saying — I don’t need them to like me. This isn’t about the performative virtue signaling that is en vogue right now. This is about having a moral compass and standing up for what’s right.”

Davidai went on to express concern that his colleagues in the field have not defended him, a silence which suggests that incriminating pro-Israel activists with baseless accusations will not be denounced or resisted even by moderates holding nuanced views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Israel’s war against Hamas.

“If I have to pay the price, I’ll pay the price. Thousands and thousands of Jews and non-Jews contact me to say that calling out pro-Hamas support on US college campuses is the right thing to do,” he continued. “And the irony is that I won’t be silenced. They might take away my reputation. They might take away my job and my career. But I’m not the kind of person who will be quiet now that there’s a personal cost for telling the truth. They’re just proving my point.”

Davidai first achieved national notoriety after delivering a thunderous speech before a crowd of students and others gathered on campus in which he called the school’s president a “coward” for refusing to condemn Hamas apologists and anti-Zionist demonstrations on campus.

“I’m talking to you as a dad, and I want you to know we cannot protect your children from pro-terror student organizations, because the president of Columbia University will not speak out,” Davidai said to the students, whom he asked to film and send the remarks to their parents. “Citizens of the US are right now kidnapped in Gaza, and yet the president of the university is allowing — is giving — her support to pro-terror student organizations.”

In many ways, becoming a public figure has been a detriment, Davidai said. His email is flooded daily with notes from antisemites accusing him of being an “Elder of Zion” and a “genocidal baby killer.”

His colleagues, furious that his exposing antisemitism and left-wing radicalism at Columbia University has caused important donors to pull their support from the school, have never commented on the hate mail even though they are always copied as recipients of it, he alleged.

[bellaireland1981]

Stubborn Hearts | 1

Summary: Reader (Firecracker, Sunshine) has been in love with Bradley since she was a young girl. Growing up the two were inseparable, apart from short periods of time when she was on the West Coast with the Kazanskys. One faithful decision by her dad to block Bradley from going to the Naval Academy resulted in a huge rift between father and daughter and left her without Bradley in her life. Now all grown up, she’s called back to the west coast at the same time as her father and Bradley. Her mission, according to her dying godfather, is to mend fences with her dad and Bradley. Can stubborn hearts be healed? 

 (I suck at summaries for real). 

This will have multiple chapters... this is 1 of ?? 

Characters: Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Mitchell! Reader, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell x Daughter! Reader, The Dagger Squad, Shay (OC), Penny, Tom “Iceman” Kazansky

Word Count: 5861 

Warnings: Angst, Fluff, Death of character, TGM Spoilers, Smut (later on ), Turbulent relationship with parent, Friends to lovers, ...Please let me know if I’ve missed any! 

A/N- This is my first time writing for TGM. I do not own the characters or plot lines from the movie. I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION TO COPY OR REPRODUCE MY WORK ON THIS OR ANY OTHER PLATFORM! Reblogging is always welcome! Feedback is MUCH loved and appreciated. THANK YOU to @waywardodysseys​ for all support and bouncing ideas!! 

“Sweetheart, it’s time to come home.” Your Godfather and honorary uncle texted you. You knew his cancer was back, but had been living in that state of wishful thinking where you managed to convince yourself he’d beat it again. All that changed in one text.

That was two weeks ago. You’d called your boss and had filled him in, letting him know you were going back to San Diego and weren’t sure if you were coming back.  He’d been understanding, knowing your story and the circumstances that had landed you at his hanger eight years before. WIth an assurance you’d always have a job with him if you changed your mind, you got to work packing up your apartment in Virginia Beach and making arrangements to store what you didn’t need until you could find a new place. As luck would have it, your lease was up the next month anyway and you hadn’t gotten around to renewing it. Truth be told, you’d been thinking of a fresh start for awhile now.

One of the perks of owning your own little cessna was that you didn’t have to depend on commercial flights or timelines. Once you’d made the arrangements to come home, you’d texted your Uncle Tom and he’d found a small local airstrip and hangar for you to store your plane.

“That’s a beautiful little plane you have there.” A tall, lanky man in a worn Navy hat commented after you’d taxied in and shut down your plane.

“Thank you!” You beamed, taking pride in the plane you’d scraped the funds together to buy after college. “You must be Frank?”

“That’s me. Y/N, right?” He said, reaching his arm out to offer his hand. You placed your hand in his, firmly shaking his hand. “You have one hell of a Uncle, Miss Y/N”

“I do indeed.” You smiled sadly, very aware of the limited time left with him. “Is the plane ok tied down here or did you need me to move it somewhere else?”

“Right here is just fine. We don’t get a lot of planes coming through. The ones that are kept here, mostly belong to Naval aviators stationed in the area.” he replied. “The others are owned by myself or other retired aviators.”

“Perfect.” You said, reaching back up to grab your bag. “I’ll just call an uber to come get me. Haven’t had a chance to get a rental squared away.”

“You’re welcome to wait in the office if you’d like.” He offered, pointing towards another hangar that was wide open with various seating arranged throughout it. There was a desk nestled off to one side of the hangar with an ancient looking computer set up.

“Thank you, that’d be great.”  The two of you started in the direction of the hangar. Once inside you opened the uber app and quickly ordered a ride, which would arrive in fifteen minutes. While you waited, you decided to let your aunt know you were here.

Y/N: I’m home. Waiting on an Uber then I’ll be over. How’s Uncle Tommy today?

Aunt Sarah: I would have come to get you, sweet girl! We’re all looking forward to seeing you. He’s having a pretty good day.

Y/N: You’ve got enough on your plate Aunt Sarah, I can’t wait to see you all either. I do need to sort out a car though.

Aunt Sarah: You can drive the Jeep in the meantime. We’re not using it. See you soon! XX

You smiled, slipping your phone into your purse and taking the opportunity to stretch your legs after the long flight. You walked around the hangar, taking in the photos hanging up, and various aviation paraphernalia. You’d grown up around planes, obviously with Tom “Iceman” Kazansky as your uncle. It wasn’t just through him though. Aviation was in your blood. Tom wasn’t your biological uncle. He’d flown with your dad when they were in Top Gun. They hadn’t started out as friends, but had ended up closer than brothers. When you were born, your dad hadn't thought twice about naming Tom your Godfather and Sarah your godmother.  Thankfully he had as it had been Tom and Sarah that had helped to raise you after your mom had died.

“Ride’s here Miss Y/N” Frank called, pulling you from your thoughts.

You collected your bags and started for the car that would take you to the Kazansky home. Your home.

“I meant to ask, Miss Y/N,” Frank said before you got into the car, “I saw your last name on the paperwork, any relation to Pete Mitchell?”

You froze, the smile on your face slipping a bit, “He’s my father.”

The car pulled up outside of your aunt and uncle’s house. After finalizing the payment and tip on your app, you thanked the driver and climbed out of the car, grabbing your bags with you.

You stood looking at the house for a moment before taking a deep breath and walking up the walk to the front door. Before you reached the front step, the door was thrown open and your aunt came out, pulling you into a tight hug. You quickly dropped the bags and wrapped your arms around her, melting into her comfort.

“I’ve missed you so much, Aunt Sarah” You whispered, tears threatening to fall. “I’m so sorry for staying away.”

“Hush, sweetheart,” She said gently, “You’re home now, that’s what matters. We’ve missed you too, baby girl.”

She pulled back, smiling, “Come on inside. The kids are out with friends but will be home later. Let’s get you settled then you can go in and visit with Uncle Tom.”

You followed your aunt upstairs to the room you’d always stayed in when you were home. Truth was, this was just as much your childhood home as your actual one in Virginia. Whenever your dad was sent on longer deployments or stationed on bases you couldn’t join him, he’d send you back to San Diego to stay with your Godparents. On the shorter missions, you mostly just sayed with Carol Bradshaw. Life of a military kid… you were raised by a village.

After you dropped your stuff off in the room and took a minute to prepare yourself, you headed downstairs to your uncle’s office. Your aunt left you to spend time alone with him while she prepared a snack for you.

You knocked on the office door before opening it and peaking your head through. You smiled seeing your uncle hard at work at his desk. Leave it to Uncle Tom to still be directing the Navy, even as he fought a losing battle with cancer.

“So I see you never actually retired, huh?” You teased, hoping your face didn’t show your heartbreak at seeing just how weakened your uncle looked. “Does Aunt Sarah know she threw you a bogus retirement party?”

Slowly standing  up from his computer, he turned to you and held his arms out. You quickly walked into his embrace, wrapping your own arms tightly around him. You breathed in his scent, comforted and grounded in the familiarity.

“Love you” He said softly, his voice weak and rough.

“I love you too” You replied quietly, “I’m sorry for not coming home sooner…or more often.”

He shook his head, stepping back and motioning to the chair next to his desk for you to sit. Once he was back in his seat, he turned to type a message, finding it easier than talking.

“You have nothing to apologize for, Sweetheart. I’m glad you’re here now.” He typed.

“I quit my job with the charter company before leaving.” You confided in him, “When I got your message, I realized that my family and everyone I love is here. There is nothing left for me in Virginia except ghosts and regrets. You’re right, Uncle Tommy. It’s time to come home.”

“It’s time to let go of the past. Life is too short.” He replied with a gentle smile.

“How do I do that?” You asked, “It feels like it’s too late. I waited too long.”

“It’s never too late my little bird. Have you talked to your dad? Rooster?”

“I talk to dad mostly on holidays and birthdays. Things haven’t been great since he royally screwed over Rooster. He’s my dad and I love him but I guess when everything went down it just reinforced all of the anger and resentment I harbored getting tossed around all the time as a kid. I know I landed with you and Aunt Sarah or with Carol, but it still always felt like he chose the Navy over me.  As for Rooster… he was so angry after he was denied the academy…I thought he’d eventually come around but he hasn’t and I stopped trying.” Truth was, even years later, the hurt was just as raw.

As kids you and Rooster were incredibly close. You were younger than him by a few years but that never mattered. You did everything together when you were home in Virginia and would spend hours on the phone when you were in California. Bradley Bradshaw had been your first love, which made it even more devastating when your dad had pulled his papers for the Academy. Bradley hadn’t just cut ties with your dad, he’d also left you behind.

“Talk to them both, Y/N. You may just be what they both need. They’ve both been called back to Top Gun. There’s no time like the present, Sweetheart. They’ve both been called back for a dangerous mission. Your dad is the instructor.”

“Does Brad know dad’s the instructor? I can’t imagine he’d be in a hurry to take a mission that had anything to do with dad. Do either know I’m here?” You asked, knowing your uncle had most likely been the one to pull strings.

“I don’t imagine Bradley knows your dad will be involved in the mission. Your dad texted when he arrived in North Island but he’s avoiding me. You should reach out to them both. Giving Bradley a heads up about your dad might go a long way to mend fences.”

“I wasn’t the one that burned the fences in the first place.” You said stubbornly, “Hell, Uncle Tommy, he nuked the damn fences. He should be trying to make things right with me. Same with my father.”

“You’re not wrong, my hard headed girl. Problem is, both of them are hard headed as well.” He looked at you while he continued to type, “Can you live with the way things were left if something were to happen to them?”

“I hate when you make sense.” You grumbled, “When did you become so level-headed?”

“Reaching the end of one’s life allows you to look back and see things you missed when you were busy living.”

“I’m scared to lose you too, Uncle Tommy.” you whispered, “You’ve been one of my only constants and my rock my entire life. I don’t know how to pick up the pieces without you.”

“I will always be your wingman, Y/N, watching over you and giving you a nudge. You’re stronger than you allow yourself to believe. Aunt Sarah will always be here, and this will always be your home. But like I said before, Sweetheart… it’s time to let your dad back in.”

You wiped the tears that had started to fall, looking out the window to try to regain your composure. Tom pushed back from the desk and slowly stood up, pulling you up as he did. He wrapped you in his arms, holding you tightly as you allowed the grief of what was to come  to wash over you. After a few moments when the tears slowed, he dropped a kiss on your head and pulled back enough to smile down at you.

“It’s going to be ok.” He rasped. You knew it hurt him tremendously to talk, but you loved to hear the reassurance anyway.

Your aunt walked into the room, smiling at the sight of the two of you together. She brought a fresh glass of water and some meds for your uncle.

“It’s time for the afternoon meds, my love.” She said, handing him the pills. Your uncle took the pills and grimaced as he tossed them back with the water. It looked like swallowing them hurt him as much as trying to talk did. It broke your heart to see him this way. Your uncle had always been one of the toughest and strongest men you knew.

“I’m going to go re-orientate myself with North Island, maybe go put my toes in the Pacific.” You said, needing time to get your head on straight and process your conversation with your uncle. “Is it still ok if I borrow your Jeep?”

“Of course, Sweetie.” Your aunt replied, “The keys are on the hook by the door. Call if you need anything ok?”

“I will. I love you both.”  You said, “Crappy circumstances aside, I’m happy to be home.”

“We’re happy you’re home too.” Your aunt replied. You quickly hugged them both before grabbing your purse from your room and making your way back downstairs.

You grabbed the keys to the Jeep and headed out to the garage, taking a deep breath to center yourself when you stepped outside.

The drive to the beach was soothing. There wasn’t a lot of traffic since it was the middle of a weekday. You had contemplated driving by the base, but decided that was a task for another time. The ocean was calling you. It’s a good thing you’d never been too far from an ocean growing up, as it was often what soothed your soul the most…apart from Bradley that was.  

You pulled into the parking lot of the Hard Deck, knowing it was still closed until later in the afternoon, but it had beach access. You would just have to pop in for a quick drink when it did open to make up for using their parking lot. You also knew that the owner, Penny Benjamin wouldn’t mind you parking in her bar’s lot.

The walk from the lot down to the beach was pleasant. You kicked your shoes off and left them by a group of chairs, walking closer to the water so you could dip your toes in. The water was cold, despite the warm weather. You looked out over the water past the horizon, breathing in the salty air. As you were turning to head back to the chairs you’d left your shoes at, you heard the familiar sound of F-18s. You looked up in time to see three jets fly overhead. They looked to be flying maneuvers judging by the formation of the jets. They passed quickly and were out of sight before too long. You smiled, welcoming the familiarity in being close to a naval aviation base again.

“Well, that answers the question of who’s Jeep is parked in my lot.” You heard a familiar voice from behind you, turning to see it was Penny.

“I hope you don’t mind. I just came from my uncle’s and needed to regroup a bit. I planned on coming in once you'd opened.” you replied.

“I don’t mind, Kiddo.” She replied, “It’s been awhile since I’ve seen you. Did you just fly in?”

“Yeah. I got here today.” You said, “Uncle Tom texted me a couple weeks ago and told me it was time to come home.”

“I saw your aunt at the Farmer’s Market and she filled me in. I’m sorry, Kiddo. I know how close you are.”

“Thank you” You replied, quietly, “It definitely fucking sucks.”

“Can’t argue that.” She agreed, “Wanna come up and have a drink? Keep my company while I open?”

“I’d love that.” You replied, smiling.

Once inside, Penny grabbed you a beer from the cooler and started getting the bar stocked, the two of you slipping into comfortable conversation. You’d spent time with Penny often growing up. Your dad had had an on again off again relationship with her. You’d hoped he’d eventually get smart and ask her to marry him. You really liked Penny and knew she was good for your dad. She didn’t put up with his bullshit, which was definitely your favorite quality.

“The bar will start to fill up with aviators in about an hour, they usually file in once their training has ended for the day. So depending on who you want to see…or to avoid… you have a timeframe to work with.” She said, giving you a knowing look.

“Thanks, Pen.” You replied, “Honestly, I know I can’t avoid him forever… I just don’t know that I’m quite ready yet.”

“Which ‘him’ are you not ready to face? Your dad or Bradshaw?” She asked, winking.

“Both?” You laughed, “Uncle Tommy told me to stop being stubborn and that the mission they’re back for is a dangerous one. Aren’t they all dangerous though?”

“Yes and no” She replied, having grown up as an admiral’s daughter, Penny knew the score. “I think your uncle is right though, Kiddo. I’d tell your dad and Bradshaw the same thing, but it would fall on deaf ears.”

“What makes you think I’m more willing to listen?” You asked

“You’re here.” She said, leveling with you a knowing stare. “You could have gone to any beach or any bar. Yet this is where you ended up.”

“Touche.” You laughed. “I miss them, Pen. I act tough and I give my dad a hard time… and I’ve got some definite intense emotions in regards to him but he’s my dad. I love him…even when he’s stupid.”

“And Bradley?” She asked gently, “Where do those feelings land in regards to him? I seem to remember a certain someone who thought that boy hung the moon and stars.”

“He left me behind.” You said, “I doubt I’ll ever stop loving the idiot, but he left me. He was mad at dad, rightfully so, but he cut ties with me too like I didn’t even matter.”

“Well, I say give them both hell, Kiddo.” She answered, “Don’t go easy on them by any means, but don’t shut them out if the opportunity arises for amends to be made. Let them know exactly what you think and feel, but be open to what they have to say too.”

She glanced up to the windows overlooking the parking lot, then looked back at you.

“Decision time, Kiddo.” She said, “Your dad just pulled up on his bike. He probably already saw the Jeep parked out there, but if you’re not ready yet, I can let you out the back and keep him distracted.”

You glance behind you, seeing your dad getting off his bike. You’re torn. The part of you that’s still daddy’s little girl, aches to run out to him and throw your arms around his neck. The hurt teenager and adult version isn’t ready for the interaction.

“Thanks, Pen.” You said, “I think I’ll take that as my cue to leave for now.”

“Sure thing, Kiddo.” She replied, leading you around to the office in the back that would lead to the exit. “Just don’t leave it too long. Maybe come back tonight… Shay will be here, you two can catch up. And maybe a certain other Aviator as well.”

“I’ll think about it.” You promised, “Thank you again, Pen…for everything.”

You carefully dashed out of the back, making sure not to slam the door, before heading to the Jeep and jumping in. You really hoped Penny was able to keep your dad distracted and that he didn’t recognize the Jeep. Knowing your uncle, you pretty much figured he’d already let your dad know you were here, but you needed a little more time.

You drove around a little more after leaving the Hard Deck, stopping at Starbucks to grab a coffee before heading back home.

As you were pulling in, your phone dinged with a notification. Once you parked and turned off the ignition, you pulled your phone out of your purse to check the incoming message.

Dad: I saw you high tailing it out of Penny’s, Firecracker. Planning on avoiding me forever?

You sighed, knowing you were caught. It sucked that your relationship with your dad was so complicated. Why couldn’t it be as easy as the one you had with your Uncle?

Y/N: Not forever. Just … for now.

Dad: Fair enough. I love you, Y/N. I’m here when you’re ready.

Dad: Also, in case Uncle Ice didn’t tell you, Bradshaw is in town too…in case you want to avoid him too.

Y/N: Already know... Don’t treat him unfairly, Dad. The fact he was called back to Top Gun means something. He’s a good pilot. He’s not Goose and you can’t wash him out over a stupid promise you didn’t have the right to make.

Dad: Duly noted.

Well, at least you can say you tried. And honestly, that exchange was the longest you’d had in months. Uncle Tom should be proud.

_________

Later that night after dinner, your uncle went up to bed, worn out from the day. You helped your aunt with the dishes and putting away the leftovers. Your cousins were watching a movie, taking their minds off of everything. Your heart broke for them. You were really young when your mom had died, but you remember what the loss felt like. You didn’t wish that loss on anyone.

“You should go back to the Hard Deck, Sweetheart.” Your aunt said, drying her hands off on the towel once the dishes were complete. “If for no other reason than to catch up with Shay like Penny suggested. If you’re planning on staying, it will be nice to reconnect with friends.”

“Why do I get the feeling you saying ‘friends’ includes Bradley?” You gave her a side-eyed look but couldn’t get mad at her if you tried.

“Be careful, have fun.” She said, already knowing you’d give in. “If you need to leave the Jeep parked and uber home, I can take you to get it in the morning.”

“I definitely don’t plan on drinking more than one beer.” You replied, “Two tops if I decide to stay longer. I’ll be quiet when I come back in.”

“I love you, sweetheart.” She said, hugging you.

“Love you too.” You replied smiling.

You decided a change in clothes was needed before you left for the bar. Not that you were dressing to impress anyone… at all. You simply wanted to feel refreshed… besides, maybe there was another hot aviator you could meet.  

Pulling out what you’d already had a chance to unpack, you decided on a pair of distressed jeans and a lightweight gray racerback style loose tank, the front slightly tucked in. You slipped on your black sandals before heading into the bathroom to do something about your unruly wavy hair and to apply light makeup. In the end, the only way to tame your hair was to just pull it up into a loose messy bun, with a few front pieces left out  to frame your face. Finally satisfied, you grabbed your purse and headed out.

The bar was much livelier than it had been when you were there earlier. Several cars were parked in the lot and you could hear the music from the jukebox as you walked in from the parking lot. Once inside the door, you could see it was indeed full of Naval officers. Spotting Shay sitting at the bar talking to Penny as she poured drinks, you made your way over.  

“Twice in one day!” Penny teased, “Must be my lucky day.”

“Just couldn’t stay away, Penny” You replied, “The beer is too good here.”

“Y/N!” Shay exclaimed, after turning to see who her aunt was talking to. “When did you get back? How long are you here for?”

“I got back earlier today, actually.” You replied, smiling at her contagious excitement. “I’m here… indefinitely.”

“It’s so good to see you!” She beamed, “It’s been way too long. What have you been up to?”

You settled onto the barstool next to her, shoving your purse behind you so it was out of the way. Penny slid a Corona over to you, winking, before heading to the other side of the bar to fill orders.

“Up until a few days ago, I was flying charter flights for a company out of Virginia Beach.” You responded, taking a sip of your beer. “I haven’t really decided what my new plan is. I’m kinda playing it by ear I guess. What have you been up to? It’s literally been, what, since college since we’ve managed to be here at the same time?”

“Something like that!” She laughed, “Too long, regardless. I’ve been good though! I moved here to be closer to Aunt Penny once I graduated college. I’m working at a medical office by day and still writing at night and on weekends. I have a publisher who would prefer if I were only writing, but I’m not ready to give up the stability of the full time job yet.”

“That’s awesome, Shay! I’m glad you’re still writing.” you replied happily, “I can’t wait to read all of your New York Times Bestsellers one day soon!”

“That’s the dream!” She replied.

“Penny, my dear, another round of beers please!” A smooth, southern accent sounded next to you.

You glanced over to see a tall, blonde aviator, dripping in confidence, with a dimpled smile to match. You could acknowledge the fact that he was indeed hot, but knew instantly, he was far from your type.

“And another round for these beautiful ladies here as well, put it all on my tab.” He winked, openly checking you and Shay out.

You rolled your eyes, glancing at Shay, who just laughed and shrugged. You weren’t one to turn down free drinks, but you’d promised your aunt you wouldn’t be drinking a lot tonight.

Penny placed the drinks in front of you, passing the aviator’s whose callsign was apparently Hangman his own drinks. “None of your games with these two, Hangman, or you’ll be buying for the entire bar. These ladies are family.”

“Loud and clear ma’am!” He smiled, his dimples becoming more pronounced. “Can I get names to go with your gorgeous faces?”

“Does that normally work?” You asked, amused. He wasn’t your type, but you liked this guy. Cocky yes, but you could see yourself befriending him.

“It’s not a perfect record, but it’s not bad.” He shot back, shrugging. “I’m Hangman. Or Jake.”

“Thanks for the drink, Hangman.” You replied, “I’m Y/N.”

“You’re welcome, Darlin’” He said, unable to keep from flirting too long. “And this exquisite lady next to you?”

“You’re smooth.” Shay laughed, “A shameless first… not hard on the eyes. I’m Shay.”

“Shameless perhaps” He drawled, eyes clearly wandering over Shay as he replied, “But sincere.”

“I guess we’ll see about the serenity of it.” She teased, “But thanks for the drink.”

“Bagman, stop harassing them before your ass gets the bell rung on you.” A female voice said approaching behind Hangman. “I don’t mind drinking on your tab, but I feel it’s part of the girl code to protect unsuspecting females from you.”

“I was just being friendly, Phoenix.” He replied, feigning hurt. “I was making friends.”

“Sure… friends” she replied, rolling her eyes and grabbing one of the beers from him before glancing over at you. “I’m Natasha, or Phoenix.”

“Y/N” You replied, then introduced Shay as well. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too!” She replied, “I’m usually surrounded by pure testosterone, so happy to balance it out when I can.”

“I can only imagine.” You laughed, understanding the male dominated field she was in. “Feel free to come hang with us anytime.”

“I’ll take you up on that!” She said, “But for now, I have to deliver this one back to the group with everyone’s drinks.”

“I’m sure I’ll see you ladies around.” Hangman said, “Enjoy your night.”

As they walked back to a group in uniforms, you and Shay looked at one another laughing.

“Well that was entertaining.” You said, “He’s full of character.”

“He’s fucking HOT” Shay said, her eyes following where he’d walked off to. “If you’re not interested…”

“All yours” you replied, “Friends with that guy is probably all I could handle. And…to be honest, there’s really only one Naval aviator I would ever even consider dating but it’ll never happen. I have enough on my plate right now anyway.”

“Who’s the special one you would date?” Shay asked, intrigued. Before you could answer, the jukebox suddenly cut out and everyone around started to cheer and head to one side of the bar.

You could hear the piano above the cheering. The opening chords to Great Balls of Fire, distinct and burned into your memory. You look quickly at Penny, who, catching your startled look, nods before tipping her head towards the piano.

You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain

Too much love drives a man insane

You broke my will

But what a thrill

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!

The sound of Bradley singing took you back to when you were younger. Endless hours of karaoke together or him playing piano and singing just to entertain you. Your heart clenched hearing his voice again. You knew there was a Bradley sized hole in your life, but you hadn’t fully realized how large it was until the moment you heard him again. You zoned out listening to his smooth voice.

I chew my nails and I twiddle my thumbs

Real nervous, but it sure is fun

Come on, baby

You're driving me crazy

Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!

The bar erupted into cheers, everyone yelling his name. You were so lost in memories you didn’t register the jukebox being plugged back in and music starting, everyone returning to their drinks and conversations.

“From the look on your face, I think I know the answer to my previous question.” Shay said, her attention focused on you. “You ok, Y/N?”

“Yeah.” You quietly replied, pulled from your head. “I’m good.”

“Back door is always an option, Kiddo.” Penny said, gently, “Just say the word.”

“Thanks, Pen” You replied, “I can’t keep running forever though. I’ll be ok.”

“Ok, well, look alive then” She said looking over your shoulder, “It’s showtime.”

You gulped in air, anxiety rushing over you. You could feel every nerve ending firing in response to a surge of adrenaline flooding your system. Your whole body felt like it was on fire.

“Breathe, Y/N” Shay said quietly, her hand on your shoulder to steady and ground you.

“Hey, Penny!” Bradley called cheerfully as he reached the bar, “Can I get another beer please?”

“Coming right up, Rooster” She replied, reaching into the cooler for a bottle of his preferred beer.  

“Thanks!” He said, before taking a drink and glancing over your way.

You kept your head turned towards the bar and eyes firmly on your own drink, determined now to look over. You were frantically trying to keep from hyperventilating.

“Sunshine.” He said, using the nickname he’d given you long ago, the shock at seeing you evident in his voice and in his eyes when you finally glanced up at him. “It is you… you look…good.”

“Hi, Brad.” You replied, finally looking up. He was dressed in well worn, fitted jeans and his signature Hawaiian shirt open over a white tank. Aviator glasses perched on his nose. “So do you…the mustache suits you.”

“Thanks. I rather like it.” He said, awkwardly shifting from one foot to the next. You hated it. Things had always been so easy between the two of you, this new distance hurt almost worse than just not seeing him at all.  “What brings you back to North Island? Last I heard you were flying tourists and bigwigs around on the East Coast.”

“So you’ve kept tabs on me then?” You asked, curiously.

“Iceman would occasionally let it slip when I’d run into him.” He explained. So he hadn’t cared enough to actually ask about you. The realization stung.

“I’m back because Uncle Tom said it was time to come home.” You replied, turning your eyes back to the beer bottle in front of you. “The cancer is back and the docs said he wouldn’t beat it this time.”

“I’m sorry, Y/N.” He said sincerely, “I know how close you’ve always been to him.”

“He’s not the only one I was close to.” You said quietly. You glanced up to see guilt race across his face before he schooled his features. “Brad… you should know..”

“Look, Y/N,” He interrupted, “It was good to see you, but I need to get back to my friends. I’ll see you around maybe.”

As he walked away, it felt like you’d been kicked in the gut. The wind knocked out of you. The realization hitting you that Bradley didn’t even see you as a friend anymore. You swallowed the lump lodged in your throat, pushing the half full bottle of beer away. You needed air. It felt like the bar was closing in around you.

“I’m going to go ahead and go.” You said gathering your purse from behind you, “It was good to see you tonight, give me a call when you’re free and we can hang out again.”

“Y/N” Shay said, “Do you want me to give you a ride home?”

“I’ll be ok, but thank you.” You replied, “I just need air and to get out of here. Please let Penny know I’ll stop by again…maybe when the bar is closed.”

“I will.” She replied, “I’ll call you tomorrow. We can get some lunch.”

Nodding, you carefully got off the bar stool and headed quickly for the door, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone, just needing to escape. Once outside you took a deep breath, gulping in the much needed air to your lungs.  You could still hear the music from the bar playing and the loud voices of drunk sailors and aviators, but outside, it was easier to cue into the sounds of the waves and the breeze moving through the trees. The sound of the waves crashing helped to soothe you enough you no longer felt like you were hyperventilating. No longer in danger of passing out due to lack of oxygen, you decided it was safe to make your way home.

“Fuck you Bradley Bradshaw.” You said, the breeze carrying your words out to sea.

You walked to Jeep, ready to put this day behind you. With your back to the bar, you didn’t see Bradley had stepped out of the bar and was watching you walk away. He’d seen you leave, had watched you walk out of the bar looking like a kicked puppy. The remorse caused his stomach to churn. As your taillights faded away out of the parking lot, Bradley trudged to his Bronco, deciding to call it a night.

[booasaur]

thank god for Cruz & Aaliyah cause the rest of 1x07 was a mess … could not take Joe’s speeches to Cruz seriously at all like hello you’re in the U.S. military you have no room to criticize anyone for terrorism or for funding terrorism…like the way Aaliyah’s dad is supposed to be the sole funder for what every terrorist attack since 9/11…be so serious. Taylor Sheridan couldn’t come up with a more realistic boogeyman for his propaganda…and that line Joe had about Aaliyah being in a burqa pumping out babies in a compound??????????? And the way Joe told Cruz to basically get over it and dedicate herself to the mission cause she doesn’t have the luxury of having emotions only for like the next scene to be Joe at home with her daughter having a heartfelt emotional moment like come on…this part wasn’t racist but it was certainly egregious. I’m so shocked Cruz & Aaliyah have been handled as well as they have. Very nervous for the finale, they’re the saving grace & emotional core of this show and hopefully Sheridan can recognize that

What do you mean, anon? The sexism, xenophobia, jingoism, racism, misogyny, Islamaphobia, the bizarre bit of anti-choice that somehow sneaked in? I mean, if you put it like that, yeahhh. :P

I've seen some people say that it's meant to actually show how both sides aren't good, but I don't know if that's really what they're trying to get across or succeeding at getting across. There are maybe SOME shades of it, but on the US side, it's shown as necessary, to fight how bad and evil the other guys are. Never mind that, yes, exactly, not only has the US hurt so many innocent people in real life, but literally what they're proposing as a very possible option IN the show is to bomb the wedding, killing hundreds of innocent people! Like, how is that not terrorism?

That video at the end, I was like, I bet real life terrorists have exactly that kind of video except of US drones on innocent people. And ONE guy funding all that is, of course, childish, so I'm really not in a place to hear people justify anything this show does as Realistic.

I honestly am also bewildered at how Cruz and Aaliyah are being done so well on this show and the only answer I have is the very depressing "it's so it can be ruined in the finale". That line of argument Joe took was RIDICULOUS. She just made Aaliyah even MORE into someone Cruz wants to rescue?? It was hilarious that even in the show, Joe's like, don't worry, I spoke to the Marine in her, she's fine, and then Cruz promptly turns off the transmitter and tries to ruin the mission.

People might be like, well then, if you think the show sucks in all these ways, why are you watching, and actually, I watch a lot of shows that I think suck in various ways! I started because of Zoe Saldana and Nicole Kidman and it being female-centric and it never stopped being that. I just didn't realize we'd have this high stakes f/f ship in the middle and now I'm even more caught. :o

Cruz and Aaliyah are absoLUTELY the heart of the show but I guess we'll see what Tay Shay wants to say about this story.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Dion J. Pierre

Published: Feb 6, 2024

Columbia University professor Shai Davidai, a Jewish Israeli, defended his right to condemn Hamas’ atrocities on Thursday after learning that an anonymous group of graduate students has accused him of anti-Palestinian racism and demanded that a professional association of which he is a member publicly censure him.

Anti-Zionist TikTok influencer Jessica Burbank first reported the accusations the graduate students lodged in a letter to the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP), an organization founded in 1974 to promote the social psychology field and its usefulness to society. Comprising over 7,500 student and faculty members, it provides invaluable funding and networking opportunities.

Accusing Davidai of “targeting individuals — especially Palestinians and students of color,” the students’ letter describes his efforts to hold pro-Hamas student groups accountable for harassing Jewish students and defending terror as “decolonization” as “blatant dereliction of duty with respect to his responsibilities and ethical standards as a professor and faculty member of SPSP.” The students additionally accused him of promoting “doxxing” and “misrepresenting” the views of pro-Hamas groups, all of whom have defended Hamas’ atrocities on Oct. 7 while calling for a ceasefire, a strategy they have employed to portray themselves as a pro-peace movement.

On Thursday, Professor Davidai told The Algemeiner that the man depicted in the letter is not someone his community, students, and peers would recognize, and he accepts that enduring assaults on his character is a consequence of defending the Jewish people wherever they are, be it Israel or New York City.

“Look, I’m speaking up against evil, and against the support of evil,” he said. “I’m willing to take the reputational hits because people that won’t like me for saying what I’m saying — I don’t need them to like me. This isn’t about the performative virtue signaling that is en vogue right now. This is about having a moral compass and standing up for what’s right.”

Davidai went on to express concern that his colleagues in the field have not defended him, a silence which suggests that incriminating pro-Israel activists with baseless accusations will not be denounced or resisted even by moderates holding nuanced views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Israel’s war against Hamas.

“If I have to pay the price, I’ll pay the price. Thousands and thousands of Jews and non-Jews contact me to say that calling out pro-Hamas support on US college campuses is the right thing to do,” he continued. “And the irony is that I won’t be silenced. They might take away my reputation. They might take away my job and my career. But I’m not the kind of person who will be quiet now that there’s a personal cost for telling the truth. They’re just proving my point.”

Davidai first achieved national notoriety after delivering a thunderous speech before a crowd of students and others gathered on campus in which he called the school’s president a “coward” for refusing to condemn Hamas apologists and anti-Zionist demonstrations on campus.

“I’m talking to you as a dad, and I want you to know we cannot protect your children from pro-terror student organizations, because the president of Columbia University will not speak out,” Davidai said to the students, whom he asked to film and send the remarks to their parents. “Citizens of the US are right now kidnapped in Gaza, and yet the president of the university is allowing — is giving — her support to pro-terror student organizations.”

In many ways, becoming a public figure has been a detriment, Davidai said. His email is flooded daily with notes from antisemites accusing him of being an “Elder of Zion” and a “genocidal baby killer.”

His colleagues, furious that his exposing antisemitism and left-wing radicalism at Columbia University has caused important donors to pull their support from the school, have never commented on the hate mail even though they are always copied as recipients of it, he alleged.

==

"One of the things that is a classic trope of the religious bigot, is while they're denying people their rights, they claim that their rights are being denied. While they are persecuting people, they claim to be persecuted. While they are behaving colossally offensively, they claim to be the offended party. It's upside-down world." -- Salman Rushdie

The people chanting for the extermination of Jews and the destruction of Israel, supporting a Jihadist terrorist organization, and demanding Israel not be allowed to defend itself, are pretending they're the victims and filing spurious claims to silence dissenters.

This is how you tell who really holds the power. No matter what their stupid slogans and fraudulent scholarship say. You're not supposed to notice it because of the victimhood language they use, but they're aggressive authoritarians who have seized institutional power. The fact that Davidai's career is at risk for a completely reasonable position, while the students' enrolments are not, demonstrates this.

The sets of pro-Hamas people and pro-Palestine people are a single circle. They are not a peace movement; they are a violence movement. Like Islam itself, watch what happens when you don't submit to its demands.

[autistic-shaiapouf]

Met with my therapist and. What if I went into pharmacy, for funsies

[starswallowingsea]

Shirt that says "I ❤️ Taxes" on it

[thethistlegirlwrites]

Outed

Shay has to admit, this is an undercover job he probably shouldn’t be enjoying as much as he has been. 

It’s not their usual. Polaris tends to deal with vigilante hate crime most of the time, so the rare undercover jobs are usually Sierra’s area of expertise, with Pete running background chasing down the funding sources. The few times Shay’s been part of them, it’s been as ‘captured victim’, not a role any of them enjoy putting him in after the mess that was the trip back from the Silver Cells. It’s a risk, and they came uncomfortably close to a disaster in Reno two months ago, but sometimes, you do what you have to do for the job.

This case is a fight ring. Vamp-run, and sleazy as hell. Shay is well aware that most of the vamps he’s been asked to fight are here under coercion, either forced to fight for food, or under threat to someone they care about. He’s allowed more freedom since he ‘volunteered’  to participate, but he has no doubt that if he’d stayed in long enough, he’d eventually be twisted around under the thumb of the owners. 

Still, it’s oddly enjoyable to be using his old skill set again. He hasn’t fought this way, outside of hunter-training crash course demonstrations, in years, but his instincts are still sharp, and the familiar moves are muscle memory at this point. 

If they ask him to go into a death match, he won’t cross that line, but he won’t deny that it kind of feels good to for once be the one who has the status in the group they’re about to run into the ground.

What he likes a lot less is having Sierra here with him. Sure, at first it kind of seemed like a ‘turn about is fair play’, sending her in with him undercover as his personal host. After a run of jobs where he’s the one being hauled around in restraints, there seemed like a tiny bit of fairness in her needing to play the blissed out blood-source groupie.

Until they realized that this coven is hard-core and feedings from hosts are part of the entertainment.

He’s had to actually bite her.

He’d tried to get her to pull the plug on the operation right then, but she’d refused. The job is bigger than them, she’d insisted, and if they’ve had to put Shay in un-life threatening situations with vigilantes, she can handle being a host for a few days.

Hopefully, after tonight, that will be over. It’s a huge match night, the attention is on the fight ring, and Sierra is planning to slip away in the chaos to access the main offices and plug in a drive Kira sent with them that contains a virus that will break down the firewalls from the inside and send this group’s financials to Pete, allowing them to rope in several other players as well as just this ring. 

His job is to make sure his fight, which turned out to be second on the program, is engaging enough that attention stays on the ring. He doesn’t think it’ll be a problem. The other vamp he’s slated to fight is another volunteer, a big, burly guy who’s been a vampire for the past twenty-five years. A skilled fighter who knows his own power and his own weak spots. 

He’s going to be a challenging opponent, and Shay isn’t at all sure he’s capable of winning against this guy. But he’s going to have to keep the fight going long enough to give Sierra the window she needs. He’s pretty sure he can manage at least a few rounds. 

When he steps into the ring, the lights shining down are nearly blinding. That’s odd, most of the audience is vampires and this place caters to their ability to see in the dark. Shay’s never seen the lights on this bright. Maybe it has something to do with the big match. Maybe more humans who know about the Nightlife are going to be attending.

That theory dies a sudden death when he sees the opposite corner of the ring. Because his ‘challenger’ isn’t the heavily tattooed, dreadlocks-sporting vamp Shay was slated to fight. 

It’s a much smaller figure, trapped between two of the ring’s enforcers.

Sierra is flung down, hard, to the ground in front of him. The shoulder of her shirt is torn, and through it he can see her marigold and stake tattoo.

That’s not good. Not good at all.

The marigold and the red ribbon with her dad’s name could be passed off as a normal memorial tattoo. The integration of the stake means only one thing. She’s familiar enough with the world of hunters and vamps to use it. 

He’d ask her why she’d decided that was a good idea, but he’s pretty sure the answer is going to be ‘didn’t think that far ahead’. Sierra isn’t much for long term plans. More of a spur of the moment improviser. 

To be fair, that tattoo is usually an asset when working with their normal investigations in vigilante circles. It automatically buys her some credit with people who might otherwise wonder what reason someone like her could have to be so vehemently interested in stamping out the undead. Avenging a dad who was killed by them is honestly a pretty solid and not-necessary-to-fake cover story. It’s much less easy to trip over than the covers that usually get handed out to Pete or any of the rest of the team who ends up in the belly of the beasts. 

The group’s leader (and default match commentator), a vampire who calls himself Arcturus, steps out behind her, taking his place in the center of the ring just like he does before a bout. He looks around at the assembled audience.

“Sorry for the change of program, but we’ve had a bit of a surprise.” He gestures to Sierra, who looks like she’s been pretty well winded in whatever fight she had with her captors, given she’s still on hands and knees on the floor of the ring, spitting blood and glaring at him.

“This one's a hunter, folks.” He points to her ink. “Or a vigilante. Not sure which one's worse.”

Shay really hopes Sierra doesn’t decide to tell him she’s been both. She’s just perversely snarky enough to try it. 

He’s watching her, not the still-bombastic Arc, so he notices when she holds up her hand, a subtle 8 sign. They have to buy eight more minutes for Kira's crawler virus to take over the mainframe and transmit the financials to Pete. Attention has to stay on them, not drift to why Sierra was wandering around a forbidden area of the compound. 

“Which does beg the question,” Arc continues, turning to Shay, “Why did he bring her here?”

“I know what she is. Or was.” It’s a desperate bid for saving them and he knows it. But he might be able to pull it off. “They’re the most fun to corrupt.”

He’s sure he’s going to pay for that remark later. He hopes they both live long enough for that. It’ll be worth it.

“True. Watching them betray everything they claim to stand for, for the sweetness of our bite, is a pleasure. But…it begs the question, why weren’t you honest about your host’s origins from the beginning?”

Shay hesitates a fraction of a second too long, and he knows it’s over. No matter what he says now, he and Sierra are both going to be considered traitors, spies, liabilities.

“It’s not quite the entertainment I was expecting for the evening, but I am nothing if not flexible,” Arc continues. “Let's make this interesting. You kill her, I’ll believe you. And even if I don’t, you can’t go back to them after that.”

Shay has to admit, that’s an effective strategy.

“What’s in it for me?” Sierra asks. Of course she’s not just going to let things go. “What if it turns out I’m the better one?”

The vampire laughs hollowly, as if he doesn’t expect to have to make good on this bargain but finds her optimism amusing. “You kill him, I’ll make sure your end is quick.”

“Huh. I’m not really a fan of this deal. Do I get to re-negotiate my contract?”

“So, turns out you have quite the mouth when you’re not playing the part of the docile little host, I see.” 

Sierra shrugs. “I had quite the mouth anyway. You just didn’t get the privilege of learning that.”

Shay feels a little bit like sinking into the floor. 

But he has to admit, she’s doing a great job keeping everyone interested.

Arc steps out of the ring, the gates closing behind him with a metallic click as he climbs to his catwalk-podium before the fight begins. The lights dim, but not as much as usual. Shay frowns. Maybe they really do want to see a fair fight.

The stake that lands on the ground at Sierra’s feet is just as much of a surprise as the lights. Clearly, these vampires don’t feel threatened enough by her to be concerned about giving her a weapon. And it probably raises the stakes (literally) for their viewers. After all, the deal was contingent on the possibility that Sierra could in fact win. 

Shay circles her as the lights focus in on the ring itself.

The mental clock counting down in his head says they have three minutes and forty-one seconds left to buy themselves. They can definitely manage that. He doesn’t really want to think too much about what comes after. He can see why Sierra’s strategy is ‘don’t plan ahead’. It makes life a lot more stressful when he’s actually trying to come up with a working plan, not kill his partner, and make a whole watching crowd of vampires who are very tuned in to the nuances of a cage fight believe that he is. 

No one who doesn’t know them well, hasn’t watched their sparring sessions, would know they aren’t trying to kill each other now. They circle each other with well practiced moves, landing blows that would be devastatingly final if the other didn’t know how to dodge them. 

In between the dramatic displays, though, are a series of clumsier, half-defended actions that will hopefully keep too many in the audience from noticing the practiced familiarity. If they realize that Shay hasn’t just been feeding on Sierra, but training with her and fighting alongside her, they’re both doomed.

Shay is pretty sure he knows what Sierra’s game is. Keep the ruse going at any price. She’s keeping his cover intact, whatever happens to her, making it look like there’s no way he knows her dangerous side, that all of this is luck and good fighting skills in play. 

But this has gone far enough. He’s already put her in enough danger here. This is where that ends.

If he could just figure out how to get them both out of this without them actually dying. 

Because the way this is going, that’s looking more and more unlikely.

Then the clock in his head ticks down to zero.

Clearly, Sierra’s does too. They both freeze at nearly the same moment, statues in the spotlights. 

And then the lights come on, in searing intensity. 

Apparently, what Kira neglected to tell them was that her virus was also going to infiltrate the internal control network for the building lighting systems and override any existing settings. The arena lights are apparently fully controlled electronically, because right now they’re at the approximate brightness setting of the literal sun.

Or at least that’s how it feels to Shay, and apparently to every other vamp in this place.

A hand, warm and human and small, slips into his own, and starts pulling him forward. Sierra, who can still actually see in this blinding glare, is going to get him out.

All around them, vamps are screeching and hissing, and several collide with either Shay or Sierra in their blinded flailing. He grabs Sierra’s hand a little tighter. He doesn’t want to lose his connection to her now. 

The flood of furious, blinded vampires surges in, and Shay feels Sierra turn so she’s covering his back. He pushes his way through the crowd blindly, guided by the pressure of her shoulders as she steers him to an exit. He can feel the jarring motions as she uses her stake on any vamp fool enough to come close.

At least if this is it, they go down fighting back to back. 

Then his hands hit cool metal, and he presses down on the door’s exit bar. It opens, spilling them into a mercifully dark hall, and he immediately spins to close it behind them and lean against it while Sierra drags something that sounds heavy to rest in front of it.

His eyes are adjusting, slowly, and he realizes Sierra’s choice of exits has spit them out near the underground garage where spectators arrive and park.

It feels like sheer dumb luck that there’s a jeep with keys tucked under the floor mat parked with easy access to the exit. 

Shay learned a long time ago not to question those kind of situations.

They pull out of the garage and the jeep hits cracked pavement just as two groups of vampires burst into the garage from two other doors. 

Which is just about the same time the trail of lit gasoline they left behind them reaches the fuel drums.

“Remind me again why our strike team is called Polaris and not Phoenix?” Shay asks, watching the tower of flame leap upward, silhouetting the surroundings and their jeep’s shadow in sharp relief against the night.

“Because then everyone is surprised when my favorite tactic is fire,” Sierra replies, curling a little deeper into the seat next to him. They’re both going to be hitting withdrawals soon, which means they need to find a place to hole up and wait for it to pass. Shay had left his own burner phone behind in the locker before the fight, and Sierra’s probably got taken when she was caught, so they’re not going to be able to call for a pickup.

The next couple days are going to suck.

But at least they’re alive(ish) for that to be a problem.

(You can read this story and more from this universe on my WorldAnvil here!)

@catwingsathena @nade2308 @the-one-and-only-valkyrie @telltaleclerk @ettawritesnstudies  @writeouswriter @whump-place @the-lovely-wren

[1americanconservative]

“From the river to the sea…”

Let’s talk about such a scenario in which Israel is erased.

7:00 AM: You wake up and try to unlock your iPhone to read email, but it won’t unlock. Why? Because Face ID is Israeli tech. It was invented by Primesense, acquired by Apple.

7:30 AM: Before heading to work, you go into your garden to make sure your grass is being watered. Nope, no drip irrigation. That’s an Israeli invention.

8:00 AM: You get into your car, and try to turn on Waze so you can know where there is traffic. It won’t open because Waze is Israeli.

8:30 AM. On the way to work, you almost lose control of the car because it didn’t notify you that you were swerving out of your lane. Why? Because Mobileye is based in Jerusalem.

9:00 AM: “Fine”, you say to yourself, “I don’t need Waze or Mobileye anyway. Soon my car will be autonomous.” Nope. Innoviz is Israeli.

9:30 AM. You get to work and have your first meeting on Microsoft Teams. It won’t work. All the AI on teams? Built in Herzliya.

10:00 AM. You try to use your USB thumb drive on your computer. No go. Invented by Dov Moran at Msystems, and acquired by Sandisk.

11:00 AM: You need to access some classified information but it’s behind a firewall. Sorry, you can’t do anything about that. Firewall technology? Invented in Israel.

12:00 PM: You look out your office window and the sky is so beautiful, you want to take a photo? Nope. Smartphone dual lens technology was invented by the Israeli company Corephotonics. 1:00 PM. You have a lot of work to do. You fire up your PC but it won’t boot up. Is it running an Intel processor? Oh, yeah, it was designed in Israel. 2:00 PM: You’re getting really frustrated. Nothing is working! So you turn to Google but even that won’t work. Google builds many of its products in Tel Aviv.

3:00 PM: After a frustrating hour trying to get things to work, you decide to FaceTime your wife to vent. Why won’t it work? Because voice over IP? Invented in Israel.

3:30 PM: You’re really losing patience so you go to your favorite instant messenger to speak to a friend. Nope, instant messaging was invented in Israel.

4:00 PM. You give up and decide to focus on work exclusively. Do you have to work on building a website? Sorry, Wix is Israeli. You can’t use it.

5:00 PM. You get a call from your doctor. He wants you to come in because he saw something troubling in your last check-up. He needs to use the PillCam. You have to inform him that’s a no-go. It’s Israeli tech.

6:00 PM: Since your car is unreliable, you decide to take public transportation. Your Moovit app won’t load for some reason. It’s Israeli.

6:30 PM: You decide to do some shopping for a new car because it’s time to go electric. Sorry, nope. Better Place CEO Shai Agassi pioneered the infrastructure for electric cars in 2012.

7:00 PM: You get a call with bad news, your relative was recently diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, you can’t help him because many of the leading cancer treatments were developed in Israel by companies like Novocure and Vascular Biogenics.

8:00 PM: You’ve had a hard day and you just want to chill out in front of your social media feeds but all of your feeds won’t load. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has many offices in Israel.

9:00 PM: A late dinner. You want to prepare alternative meats or dairy products. You can’t find them in the supermarket because Redefine Meat and Remilk are Israeli startups.

10:30 PM: You decide to read your book. You can’t find your glasses anywhere. That’s because you bought them on GlassesUSA, an Israeli company.

11:00 PM: Your last resort, watching some TV. Your Samsung TV won't turn on! Well, that’s because Samsung has many offices in Israel including Samsung

Next, a fund that invests in tech. You go to sleep and hope tomorrow will be a better day.

Here, try this new rhyme instead: “From the river to the sea, if Israel is gone, what will be with me?!”

[fromashesweriseuphiddenones]

Day Sixteen

                Haytham Kenway would forever come to hate the day before his son Desmond’s birthday. He had been in the area, attempting to perhaps work with William Miles, to give the modern assassins an edge over the modern templars. It is why Haytham did not come alone. His father Edward Kenway was present along with Charles Henry Lee, Jeremiah Scudder, Nicholas Biddle, Christopher Gist, Jack Weeks, Shay Cormac, Matthew Davenport, and Victor Wolcott. The nine had their orders to remain civil with the assassins despite the tension. Everyone of the nine, except Lee, liked Desmond who was very respectful to them despite them being Templars. It seemed as if the boy realized peace between their factions would be better than no peace. However, as much as they tried, William’s actions would prove to them that he was unworthy of their aid and cooperation.

                Adéwalé had been the first to alert them that evening that William had gone nuts over the fact that Desmond simply held a different view than him. Haytham, despite his growing anger, calmly asked.

“Come again?”

“Mentor Miles was telling Desmond that he should always be wry of his enemies and those he calls allies. There is always someone looking to stab you in the back. Desmond retorted ‘what we even can’t trust your friends?’ Mentor Miles replied ‘Assassins can not have friends. It is a weakness. Family is a weakness.’ He then procced to trash Altair in front of Desmond, who did not take it well and called him a conspiracy freak.”

                Haytham’s eye twitched. He knew William was very temperamental. Without another word the ten templars, along with Adéwalé dashed off to the barren dirt ring the assassins used as their training arena. Adéwalé grew up a slave, so he’d seen worse than poor when it came to conditions, and this was somehow worse than that even. Never mind the fact that the sight that had met them was degusting. William Miles was atop Desmond, who was bleeding from a deep gash on his face, pulling his non-dominant arm behind his back as a means of control, looking for an apology to the sleight of being called a conspiracy freak, and that Desmond dared to have any opinion. Let alone suggest that Assassins should have friends and family. He’d tare the arm from it’s socket if he had to. Yet he did not see a very angry Haytham charge at him.

                That fight had been decidedly one sided. However, Desmond was in severe pain. Half his body felt numb while the other half screamed in agony. The sharp, burning sensation was all he could focus on. Panic slowly took over as, for a moment, a way out of this pain began to seem more and more unrealistic. The road ahead was a tough one and right now he wasn’t sure whether he were willing to walk it, let alone whether he was able. He was shocked the moment when Edward Kenway picked him up and rallied the other eight around him saying.

“Jeremiah Scudder, Nicholas Biddle, Matthew Davenport, and Victor Wolcott with me. The rest of you assist Haytham.”

“Yes sir.”

                They had all said. Jeremiah Scudder was pretty much the order’s equivalent to a Rafiq or Dai in the assassin brotherhood. A spy master who used his business as a merchant as a front that often funded money into the order. He was German and proud of it, often getting along with Edward with their parchment for strong drink. He however detests infamous Germans like Adolf Hitler and their narrow views on the world. Nicholas Biddle, is a competent sailor who recently earned the honor to captain the restored Jackdaw. Something he takes very seriously because he knows from his own experience what it is like to own a formidable ship. American he also gets along with Edward, since the man entrusted his first baby to him. Matthew Davenport is cold and calculating, he serves in his role fiercely, and is extremely loyal to his men, fighting with equal skill to that of his fine strategizing. He stands firm and strong eyeing the son of the Grandmaster in the arms of his grandfather, twitching in pain, struggling to keep from crying out in pain. Matthew with a bit of fatherly instinct leaking in encouraged.

“Let it out lad. Pain is natural, so is the reaction and want to scream and cry. It feels good sometimes too.”

                Desmond looked at him and only whimpered. Adewale looked from the boy to Matthew and said.

“That maybe the best you get out of him. He’s broken spiritually.”

“Understood.”

Matthew said. That left Victor Wolcott, a man after Garnier de Naplouse’s own heart who like the mad French Crusader was infamous for his experiments. That being said though he did not do those things on his fellow templars. And he was gentle in quickly getting an idea of what needed to be done to help Desmond recover. They got to their vehicle, a van, and got in and drove off with Desmond being tended to in the back. It took them roughly three days to reach the Chateau that Haytham Kenway owned and used as both a home and the base of their Templar activities. Once they had arrived, Edward carried Desmond inside, where Tessa was waiting with medical supplies. She and Victor worked together to clean up and bandage any wounds on the poor now sixteen year old boy’s body. Edward sat up with his sleeping grandson to ensure someone was there should the boy wake. He’d done it when Haytham had been sick in the past and now he would again. He turned his head only when Haytham, accompanied by Connor, surprisingly, walked in. Haytham smiled softly, a bruise clear on his face from a lucky shot from William that, from the bruising on Connor’s nucleus, sent Connor into a fury that the goal mentor dared lay a hand on his father. Haytham spoke softly.

“Thank you, father, for staying with Desmond.”

“You are welcome son. He was in shock most of the way here. When he was stabilized, he passed out and has been out since.”

“For the best, I suppose. It will allow his body time to heal.”

                There was silent agreement as Haytham took over, Edward went to bed, but not before acknowledging his older grandson. Connor walked with Edward to ensure his grandfather didn’t hurt himself on the way to bed. Connor then set to stalk the halls to ensure no one dared bother these men whom he’d come to view as part of his strange family.

[evsstolenhearts]

Shayfer (Shay) Wyndam

This sweet dude is brought here by @puffin-smoke <3

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 16 afab he/they, bisexual

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 HAS TWO AWESOME PARENTS OMG (who totally havent adopted the other teenssss)

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 was adopted by a wolf shifter, Adria Wyndam, and electro elemental, Linds Wyndam.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 according to the adoption agency Shayfer was a wolf shifter...m but uh... he's a deer...

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 nearly gave Adria a fucking heart attack when they shifted and was a fucking deer in a pack of wolves

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 the adoption system sucks, obviously. (Shitty management, government funding, ect.)

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 his mums are very supportive of him being trans <3

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 parents are pretty doting ans involved in his life

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 ORIGINALLY, David contacted Linda to help set up the Shaw Pack security website. Then he met Adria, where he learned she was looking for a pack, you get the idea

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 little fucking pretty boy with fluffy brown Hair, freckles, and cute af

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 does not like thinking abt his future but does want to own an animal shelter that doubles as a place for a quick heal for shifters.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 at first, very very shy, pretty anxious. Not in the cute quirky way. Like doesn't know how to fucking exist and will stare at you till you leave. Will not shut up when you become a friend <3

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 worries a lot, got some anxiety, overthinking, ect.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 bc of intrusive thoughts, he also has impulsive thoughts.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 chose his name, Shayfer, after Shayfer James

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 if you call him deer, expect to get beat tf up

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 wants to practice healing, so he will fight you then heal you <3

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 convinced his favorite food, garlic bread, will kill Sam

[bullet-prooflove]

Partners!Joe: Part Two - Partners - Joe Velasco x Reader

Tagging: @plaidbooks​   @misscharlielulu​   @witches-unruly-heart​   @shay-o-fiction​   @kimm4710​   @ednastvincent​   @storiesofsvu​   @magic-multicolored-miracle​  @rosaliedepp​     @cycat4077​   @crazy4chickennuggets​   @cixrosie​   @themisunderstoodblackswan​   @im-just-a-mississippi-girl​   @mysoulisasunflower​

Part 1: Safe Haven

The construction site was just like any other you had been to but then again you were no expert on places like this. It was going to be a mall before the development funding ran out. There were chunks of concrete and rebar left in ruined piles, scattered around the location. It was a large site, once you got inside the development there wasn't anything for what seemed like miles, the perfect place for a clandestine meet up.

The road was awful, you could feel yourself bumping up and down in your seat as you sped down it in the undercover police car. Joe's headlights were still lingering in the distance as you tailed him.

You got it, you really did. The two of you had been woken up in the dead of night by a phone call from Benson informing you of the situation at Joe’s apartment building.

After trying Joe’s place and finding it empty, Hector Ruiz had decided to beat a location out of his neighbour Mr Gutierrez. He’d left the elderly gentleman with three broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder. Joe had been inconsolable. You had seen him shut down almost instantly as the doctor told them the true extent of Mr Gutierrez���s injuries. It had been harrowing to see the kindly old man so banged up.

You’d seen the look in Joe’s eyes as he sat beside Mr Gutierrez, and you knew that Joe was going to kill Ruiz. The other man had brutally murdered so many people over the years and now he had hurt his friend. Probably would have killed him if someone hadn’t called the police.

Joe was already leaning against the trunk of the car when you stepped outside of your own vehicle. Your hand was already on your service pistol, flicking open the black holster on your hip as you approached him. You were both already clad in Kevlar, Joe crossed his arms over his chest, the muscles in his jaw tight as he reviewed you.

"I thought I managed to lose you back there when the road forked." he told you.

“You’re not that good Velasco.” You responded, taking up residence alongside of Joe. You withdrew your gun from your holster, wrapping both hands around the grip. You were about to go up against a guy twice your size and body weight, a guy who had spent his entire prison stay building so much muscle he’d been able to take down three cops last time they tried to restrain him. This all came with the added bonus of CIP, a rare disorder that left him insensitive to pain. Most CIP sufferers didn’t live past their twenties because of the condition. Ruiz was now in his mid-thirties.

"Don't try and stop me." Joe warned you as the roar of a car in the distance invaded your ears. Joe already knew what had to be done. He dreaded the thought of how many other people would suffer at the hands of this monster it was that thought that had led him to make his decision.

"I didn't come to stop you, Joe." You muttered; your eyes fixated on the twin headlights in front of you as they drew even closer. "Whatever goes down tonight I've got your back."

There was a moment of understanding between the two of you.  Someone was going to die tonight, and you wanted to make damn sure it wasn't Joe. Maybe the two of you would be able to even the odds and give each other a better chance against this animal. You’d seen the files, what he had done to the bodies of the people he’d murdered, how he brutalised them.

"You ready?" Joe asked you as Ruiz's truck came to a halt alongside your car.

"As I'll ever be." you muttered, raising your weapon as Ruiz got out of his car.

Ruiz was huge, bigger than you had realised, you'd seen him in pictures, but they did not do him justice. His shoulders were wide set, and his gargantuan frame matched his height. it was clear from the glint in his eyes that he was a predator, he loved the smell of blood in the air, the violence. You knew pure evil when you saw it.

"Really like this place." Ruiz called out as he walked towards you step by antagonizing step. "A lot of fond memories here."

Joe said nothing, his lips pursed into a grim line as the words penetrated his ears. He knew that it was meant to rile him, and he liked to think that he was above it but damn it if that kid's broken body didn't flicker through his brain like a grotesque snapshot. It was what he had managed to put Ruiz away for back then, but then there’d been another trial and the son of a bitch had gotten out.

"You owe me five years." Ruiz rumbled, his voice sounding like thunder as he climbed back into the car.

There was moment, a very fleeting one where you thought that Ruiz was just going to get back into his car and drive away. That's what you would have wanted to happen. Instead, he did something much worse. He drove the car straight at you.

You weren’t sure who fired first you or Joe, but you could hear the echoes of your weapons as you both shot at the radiator and the windscreen. You dived out of the way in opposite directions as Ruiz fought for control of the car against the spiderwebbed glass. You hit the ground hard, your gun flipping out of your hand and landing in the dirt a foot away as you impacted with the concrete.

There was moment where you couldn't breathe, the air rushing out of your lungs and the only thing you could hear was a loud roaring in your ears as you lay on your stomach, struggling to draw breath through the agony that vibrated through your entire body.

"Jose." you croaked before sucking in a shaky breath, allowing the flow of oxygen into your lungs.

Your adrenaline began to kick in. You could feel it like a narcotic flooding through your veins as you struggled to your hands and knees.

Darkness fell over you, you could feel the apprehension sending a chill up the nape of your neck before Ruiz's large hand enclosed on the back of your Kevlar vest hurling you upwards like a rag doll.

"I see you bought a friend." Ruiz rumbled in an amused tone before his huge hand enclosed on the scruff of your neck. His fingers dug in, scratching across your skin as he applied just the smallest amount of pressure. You were under no illusions; this man could snap your neck in an instant if he wanted to. You reached up behind you, your nails scrapping flesh of his face as you clawed at his eyes.

His free hand grasped your left wrist, twisting it cruelly in one fluid movement.

The noise was sickening, you heard the bone in your left forearm snap before the excruciating pain erupted through every single one of your senses. Someone was screaming, you could hear the hoarse, violent noise carrying through the night air like a wounded fox and it took you a moment to realise that it was coming from you.

The second time you hit the ground, it was with a force that stunned you. The breath rushed out of your lungs, cutting your scream short as your head hit the ground with an audible crack. For a moment you saw nothing, there was only a darkness sweeping into your vision accompanied by that horrendous lance of hot pain. Ruiz cackled, his footsteps moving away from you as he sought out more worthy prey.

It took a few more moments for your sight to clear and when it did you could feel wetness streaking down your cheek. You could hear the grunts, the impact of flesh and curse words as Ruiz and Joe went at each other. You cradled your broken arm to your chest, the fingers of her your hand seeking out your service pistol.

Joe was in a bad way, each punch that Ruiz landed was another blow that Joe couldn't afford. His face was bloody, his nose and mouth bleeding as he panted. He grasped the lapels on Ruiz's jacket before driving his fist straight into the other man's nose. Ruiz reeled back for a second, only a second before he used the back of his hand to smash Joe across the face, knocking him to the ground with enough force to break a couple of ribs.

The palm of your hand enclosed around the Glock, it fit like an old friend as you gripped it tightly, your hand slick with blood and sweat. Ruiz was already on the move; picking up a largest slab of concrete he could find before lifting it high above his head as he approached Joe. Your right arm swung up; the gun nestled firmly in your grasp. You squinted against the blood in your eyes before squeezing the trigger.

The bullet hit home, striking him in the back. You saw Ruiz jerk suddenly before he turned around to face you. His expression was full of pure unadulterated rage as his beady eyes focused upon you once more. He took a step towards you, the slab of concrete still clasped between his meaty hands as he raised it high above his head.

"You are fucking kidding me..." You muttered, using your sleeve to wipe the blood from your face and aiming higher. You took a single breath, inhaling deeply and focusing on your target before pulling the trigger.

Ruiz’s head snapped back, his eyes bulging as he looked down at you in shock, his stocky body wavering from side to side. You didn't move, holding your breath instead as you waited to see which direction the giant concrete slab was going to fall. Ruiz toppled backwards, taking it with him.

Joe was already in motion, stumbling towards you. He lingered over Ruiz's corpse, his dark eyes staring down at it before he prodded it with his boot.

"Please tell me he's dead." your words came out like a sob. You could feel yourself going cold, a chill seeping into your bones as you clasped your arm tightly to your chest.

"He's dead." Joe confirmed.

Already he was stripping off his jacket and draping it around your shoulders. Your skin was clammy and cold under his touch as he pressed his palm to your cheek. You were starting to shake, and he could see that your gaze was becoming glassy and unfocused. He couldn't take any more risks, not tonight.

It took him a few seconds to locate his phone but when he did, he was surprised to find that although the screen was cracked the device was still functioning. The shivering was getting worse, he could see the tremors vibrating through your body as you clenched your jaw tightly against the chill. Joe wrapped his arm around your shoulders as gently as he could, sheltering you with the heat of his body. You nestled against him, tucking yourself into his side as Joe raised the phone to his ear and called for help.

Love Joe Velasco? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[docgold13]

365 Marvel Comics Paper Cut-Out SuperHeroes - One Hero, Every Day, All Year…

Back to School Supplemental - Geniuses In action Research Labs (G.I.R.L.)

Founded by Nadia Van Dyne, the young heroine known as the Unstoppable Wasp, the Geniuses In action Research Labs is an enterprise that endeavors to assess the Earth's greatest female scientific minds and provide them with the support and guidance needed to help them fulfill their potential.  

With the aide of Edwin Jarvis, Nadia recruited several young scientists and offered them funding and a research space to continue their studies and conduct their experiments.  Dr. Barbara Morese (Mockingbird) has acted as a mentor to these young scientists and the former villains, Poundcakes and Letha were later brought on to provide security.  

Thus far, there have been four principle researches working at the GIRL lab, each focusing on a different scientific discipline.  These young scientists include:

Priya Aggarwal

A true prodigy in the field of theoretical botany.  Priya developed a special formula that facilities communication with plant life.  An accident caused by a saboteur caused Priya to become exposed to a gaseous form of this formula and she ended up gaining the ability to telepathically control plant life.  

Priscilla LaShayla Smith

Shay, as she prefers to be called, is a young technological genius who was trying to build a functioning teleportation machine.   A malfunction in her device caused an explosion that caused Shay to be thrown from the window of the apartment she shared with her father.  Fortunately, The Wasp was there to save Shay and the young woman went on to accept Nadia’s invitation to join GIRL. Whist there, Shay worked alongside Tai in creating a pair of ‘Vision Gloves’ that utilized Horton Cells to make them temporarily intangible; thus allowing for entirely non-invasive surgical procedures.  

Ying Liu

Ying was an orphan raised in the notorious Red Room where she befriended Nadia.  During her training at the Red Room, Ying showed a affinity and tremendous skill for biochemistry.  It was with Ying’s help that Nadia had recreated the size-changing Pym particle thus facilitating her escape.  After this escape, Ying was dispatched to retrieve her.  This ultimately offered Ying the chance to escape herself, yet her Red Room handlers had implanted a miniature bomb at the base of her skull to dissuade defection.  Nadia and Shay were able to safely remove this bomb with the use of the Vision Gloves and Ying went on to join GIRL.  

Taina Miranda

Taina ‘Tai’ Miranda was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age.  She applied herself to the study of engineering, robots and cybernetics.  She used these skills to provide improved accommodations to her home, including a lift for her wheelchair and a exo-suit that enabled her to play goalie for her sister’s soccer club.  Hearing about these feats, Nadia recruited Tai to GIRL and the young woman jumped at the chance at having greater resources to pursue her experiments.      

Additional members of the Geniuses In action Research Labs include  Amber Silverstein, Jeanne Foucault, Justine, and Lexi Miranda.  The enterprise first appeared in the pages of The Unstoppable Wasp #2 (2017).