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A safe, welcoming community for all pregnant people!
2009.04.20 19:43 A safe, welcoming community for all pregnant people!
A safer space for all pregnant people.
2010.07.22 00:10 improbablywrong Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
A place to discuss Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and all that comes along with it. This sub is a safe space for LGBTQ2A+ folks.
2018.01.01 16:57 IJustWantComment Taking down the ship to kill the captain.
Taking down the ship to kill the captain. Pretty much when you insult yourself in order to insult someone else.
2024.05.15 03:48 Guilty-Agency-857 Devs testing weapons and stratagems on difficulties 7-9 for both Terminids and Automatons would help them better understand the discourse surrounding the 'nerfs'/counterintuitive gameplay mechanics
I saw a post a couple weeks back stating that testings were done through levels 1 (trivial) through to 5 (hard) only.
With the exception of brand new players and the very occasional lighter sessions, it can be said that the most of the players here, play on difficulties 7-9.
Would this be a viable 'solution' (if it can even be called that) going forward?
Just to note, although I generally enjoy playing (level 115...), it seems the cycle of weapons are changed from 'the top down' in that the most used weapons are usually first to get nerfed, ie Railgun, Slugger, Eruptor, etc. of which did leave a sour taste among the player base.
Railgun - almost back to it's pre-patch glory of the first month, both safe and unsafe modes can pen heavy armor but takes more shots
Slugger - Removal of stunlock, whereas the Punisher has AND has tremendous knockback in exchange for being light pen only.
Eruptor - Despite it's literal description of having Shrapnel, it was revoked in it's entirety.
Quasar Canon - increased cool off period after shooting, BUT it is not represented in the Weapons UI in the bottom left hand side.
Tenderizer - Described as being a 'High Calibre Assault Rifle with awesome stopping power', yet it has the same damage profile as the Liberator and only has light armor penetration.
Luckily I did also see another separate post, that the CEO is having major talks on how things like this would be amended and the possibility of a testserver.
I can only hope that it follows through, as it would certainly help rejuvenate the game.
submitted by Guilty-Agency-857 to Helldivers [link] [comments]
With the exception of brand new players and the very occasional lighter sessions, it can be said that the most of the players here, play on difficulties 7-9.
Would this be a viable 'solution' (if it can even be called that) going forward?
Just to note, although I generally enjoy playing (level 115...), it seems the cycle of weapons are changed from 'the top down' in that the most used weapons are usually first to get nerfed, ie Railgun, Slugger, Eruptor, etc. of which did leave a sour taste among the player base.
Railgun - almost back to it's pre-patch glory of the first month, both safe and unsafe modes can pen heavy armor but takes more shots
Slugger - Removal of stunlock, whereas the Punisher has AND has tremendous knockback in exchange for being light pen only.
Eruptor - Despite it's literal description of having Shrapnel, it was revoked in it's entirety.
Quasar Canon - increased cool off period after shooting, BUT it is not represented in the Weapons UI in the bottom left hand side.
Tenderizer - Described as being a 'High Calibre Assault Rifle with awesome stopping power', yet it has the same damage profile as the Liberator and only has light armor penetration.
Luckily I did also see another separate post, that the CEO is having major talks on how things like this would be amended and the possibility of a testserver.
I can only hope that it follows through, as it would certainly help rejuvenate the game.
2024.05.15 03:44 WiscoKitty Help Needed - HD Riding Academy, What Should I Do?
Hi all, today was my second day at Harley Davidson Riding Academy and I feel so defeated. I could really use some advice.
I used to ride a motorcycle 22 years ago, and have been wanting to get back into it, but since it's been so long I really wanted to take a class. I heard about the Riding Academy, signed up, and took the MSF e-course. The first day was watching lots of videos, quizzes, discussions, and a tour of the shop. All that was great, and I was looking forward to starting to ride today.
Until we got out to the training area, and I sat on the bike. I am a small woman, 5'1", 105 pounds. The motorcycles we are learning on are MUCH bigger than I anticipated - they are a sports style 350, which wouldn't be such a big deal, but I can't touch the ground. There were no smaller motorcycles for me to ride, so all day today I struggled with a bike I could barely maneuver on my tiptoes. I dropped it twice just in the first 20 minutes of walking it around in neutral. The instructor explained that HD forbids them from making any changes to the bikes, such as lowering them or changing the seats. I ended the class bruised, hurt, and in tears after falling so many times on a bike that is clearly way too big for me. I am dreading going back tomorrow to try to finish the class, and my confidence is completely shot.
Should I try to wear taller boots? Should I just give up? I wish I'd known more about the bike I'd be using before starting the class, because if I'd known the standover height I wouldn't have wasted the $375 and missed 3 days of work. I'm afraid after all this they're just going to fail me anyway. But maybe I can squeak by, get my license, and just practice more on my old Honda that's safe and comfortable.
submitted by WiscoKitty to Harley [link] [comments]
I used to ride a motorcycle 22 years ago, and have been wanting to get back into it, but since it's been so long I really wanted to take a class. I heard about the Riding Academy, signed up, and took the MSF e-course. The first day was watching lots of videos, quizzes, discussions, and a tour of the shop. All that was great, and I was looking forward to starting to ride today.
Until we got out to the training area, and I sat on the bike. I am a small woman, 5'1", 105 pounds. The motorcycles we are learning on are MUCH bigger than I anticipated - they are a sports style 350, which wouldn't be such a big deal, but I can't touch the ground. There were no smaller motorcycles for me to ride, so all day today I struggled with a bike I could barely maneuver on my tiptoes. I dropped it twice just in the first 20 minutes of walking it around in neutral. The instructor explained that HD forbids them from making any changes to the bikes, such as lowering them or changing the seats. I ended the class bruised, hurt, and in tears after falling so many times on a bike that is clearly way too big for me. I am dreading going back tomorrow to try to finish the class, and my confidence is completely shot.
Should I try to wear taller boots? Should I just give up? I wish I'd known more about the bike I'd be using before starting the class, because if I'd known the standover height I wouldn't have wasted the $375 and missed 3 days of work. I'm afraid after all this they're just going to fail me anyway. But maybe I can squeak by, get my license, and just practice more on my old Honda that's safe and comfortable.
2024.05.15 03:43 BignBIack My message to Blizzard: Let's have an honest discussion.
My apologies for the somewhat long read in advanced.
Ever since Overwatch 2 debuted, Blizzard has been dedicated to enhancing the gameplay experience by cracking down on disruptive behavior. These efforts have led to noticeable improvements in lobbies that were once pervaded the game, granting more players the chance to genuinely enjoy the game, even if they may not have played exceptionally well.
However, there's a lingering concern that deserves attention. Many players who face account penalties like warnings, squelches, or suspensions find themselves in the dark about what triggered these actions. While most can make an educated guess as to what behaviors caused the penalty to be incurred, Blizzard's reluctance to provide details beyond automated responses is frustrating. Not only when you log in, but when you attempt to appeal the decision and are granted by another automated response.
This lack of clarity is worrisome. I firmly believe in Blizzard's commitment to fostering a fun and safe environment for everyone in Overwatch 2. But improving player experience shouldn't focus solely on punishment; it should encompass helping offenders understand and rectify their behavior for the future. Simply having an auto generated response can feel counterintuitive to Blizzards mission.
So what could Blizzard do differently?
Transparency and Communication: It's no secret that Overwatch 2 is best enjoyed when players communicate with one another. However, the current lack of transparency leaves these players in a situation where they are often fearful of saying something wrong so they are now starting to avoid communicating completely which can take away from the competitive experience for the entire team. Blizzard should strive to be more transparent about the reasons behind account actions. Providing specific examples of unacceptable behavior can help players understand what is considered inappropriate and guide them towards better conduct in the future. It's irresponsible to think that a game where people are afraid to say anything is the solution to the toxic culture that Blizzard is attempting to combat.
Behavioral Feedback: Instead of just issuing punishments, Blizzard can provide constructive feedback to players who have received account actions. This could involve highlighting specific instances of unacceptable behavior and offering resources or guidance on how to improve. Encouraging players to reflect on their actions and understand the consequences can help facilitate long-term behavioral change. Something as simple as "Swearing isn't tolerated in Overwatch 2 and can make other players feel uncomfortable regardless of context. Moving forward remember that saying nothing is always better than saying something harmful". Short responses that provide solutions may help the player base understand how to improve their behavior.
Incentivizing Positive Behavior: Rewarding positive behavior can reinforce good habits and create a more welcoming atmosphere. This could involve implementing systems that recognize and reward players for being helpful, cooperative, and respectful towards others. The current endorsement system is a great start and could be further expanded to achieve this goal. Perhaps queue priority for higher endorsement ranks, or small discounts when spending various currencies in the shop. Meaningful incentives that motivate players to be their best selves.
At the end of the day, I genuinely want to see Blizzard succeed in claiming back the confidence of its player base, and I believe that starts with being willing to acknowledge that the current system needs some serious improvements. Could I ask the community to share their thoughts with me on this subject? And if we are lucky, Blizzard may communicate back with us to solve this issue.
submitted by BignBIack to Overwatch [link] [comments]
Ever since Overwatch 2 debuted, Blizzard has been dedicated to enhancing the gameplay experience by cracking down on disruptive behavior. These efforts have led to noticeable improvements in lobbies that were once pervaded the game, granting more players the chance to genuinely enjoy the game, even if they may not have played exceptionally well.
However, there's a lingering concern that deserves attention. Many players who face account penalties like warnings, squelches, or suspensions find themselves in the dark about what triggered these actions. While most can make an educated guess as to what behaviors caused the penalty to be incurred, Blizzard's reluctance to provide details beyond automated responses is frustrating. Not only when you log in, but when you attempt to appeal the decision and are granted by another automated response.
This lack of clarity is worrisome. I firmly believe in Blizzard's commitment to fostering a fun and safe environment for everyone in Overwatch 2. But improving player experience shouldn't focus solely on punishment; it should encompass helping offenders understand and rectify their behavior for the future. Simply having an auto generated response can feel counterintuitive to Blizzards mission.
So what could Blizzard do differently?
Transparency and Communication: It's no secret that Overwatch 2 is best enjoyed when players communicate with one another. However, the current lack of transparency leaves these players in a situation where they are often fearful of saying something wrong so they are now starting to avoid communicating completely which can take away from the competitive experience for the entire team. Blizzard should strive to be more transparent about the reasons behind account actions. Providing specific examples of unacceptable behavior can help players understand what is considered inappropriate and guide them towards better conduct in the future. It's irresponsible to think that a game where people are afraid to say anything is the solution to the toxic culture that Blizzard is attempting to combat.
Behavioral Feedback: Instead of just issuing punishments, Blizzard can provide constructive feedback to players who have received account actions. This could involve highlighting specific instances of unacceptable behavior and offering resources or guidance on how to improve. Encouraging players to reflect on their actions and understand the consequences can help facilitate long-term behavioral change. Something as simple as "Swearing isn't tolerated in Overwatch 2 and can make other players feel uncomfortable regardless of context. Moving forward remember that saying nothing is always better than saying something harmful". Short responses that provide solutions may help the player base understand how to improve their behavior.
Incentivizing Positive Behavior: Rewarding positive behavior can reinforce good habits and create a more welcoming atmosphere. This could involve implementing systems that recognize and reward players for being helpful, cooperative, and respectful towards others. The current endorsement system is a great start and could be further expanded to achieve this goal. Perhaps queue priority for higher endorsement ranks, or small discounts when spending various currencies in the shop. Meaningful incentives that motivate players to be their best selves.
At the end of the day, I genuinely want to see Blizzard succeed in claiming back the confidence of its player base, and I believe that starts with being willing to acknowledge that the current system needs some serious improvements. Could I ask the community to share their thoughts with me on this subject? And if we are lucky, Blizzard may communicate back with us to solve this issue.
2024.05.15 03:43 Freemasonsareevil Can I be an E6 but have the integration/disintegration lines opposite?
I relate most to E6’s core desire and fear. But the integration/disintegration lines are a bit tricky. In growth, I’d say I either go to a 3 or 8 (becoming more confident, sociable, assertive, more of a leader, even though I hate leading) and I’m stress, probably a 9 (avoidant, slothful, lazy, dissociating). Although I do have some traits of a 3 when in stress like becoming competitive, wanting to be the best at something, self-critical, and comparing myself to others. And same with 9. Maybe I should just stick with the core desires/fears and not look at the int/dis integration lines too much.
I currently type myself as a SP 6w5 INTJ. I used to think I was a 5w4 or 5w6 but saw a post on here about being unsure probably means you’re a 6 (not trusting yourself). My main core desire in life is to be safe and secure. Basically physically (from threats or criminals), emotionally (being take to handle bad things, having good supportive people around me), and financially (having a career which makes me good money and one I’m satisfied with). Now of course I desire more things, but I think with all 3 of these met, I’ll be happy.
Also I’ve looked into the head, heart, gut triads. 5,6,7 / 2,3,4 / 8,9,1. Of course everyone experiences those emotions (fear, shame, and anger) but I feel fear is strongest for me. This could be useful if I was torn between like 4 or 5 but I’m not lol. But I use it as an argument why I’m not a 9. As for anger, I don’t experience full blown anger often, more so irritability, it’s something that comes and goes quickly. As for shame, I have a couple insecurities, but don’t we all. Fear has held me back most in life, missed opportunities (like making friends)
Just some things about myself: 1. I don’t think I’m very assertive, but I’m kind of defiant to social norms 2. I’m protective and loyal to those I love and like 3. I hate being told what to do, manipulated, or given unsolicited advice 4. If I don’t like you, I won’t bluntly tell you. I might pretend to like you but if I’ve really had enough, my actions will show I don’t care lol. If I like you, I’m loyal but I often times question it (not expressing it to the person) 5. I highly value academic success which sounds 3-ish but it’s rooted in security. Good grades land me a successful career which makes money. But I could 3 in my tri type
submitted by Freemasonsareevil to Enneagram [link] [comments]
I currently type myself as a SP 6w5 INTJ. I used to think I was a 5w4 or 5w6 but saw a post on here about being unsure probably means you’re a 6 (not trusting yourself). My main core desire in life is to be safe and secure. Basically physically (from threats or criminals), emotionally (being take to handle bad things, having good supportive people around me), and financially (having a career which makes me good money and one I’m satisfied with). Now of course I desire more things, but I think with all 3 of these met, I’ll be happy.
Also I’ve looked into the head, heart, gut triads. 5,6,7 / 2,3,4 / 8,9,1. Of course everyone experiences those emotions (fear, shame, and anger) but I feel fear is strongest for me. This could be useful if I was torn between like 4 or 5 but I’m not lol. But I use it as an argument why I’m not a 9. As for anger, I don’t experience full blown anger often, more so irritability, it’s something that comes and goes quickly. As for shame, I have a couple insecurities, but don’t we all. Fear has held me back most in life, missed opportunities (like making friends)
Just some things about myself: 1. I don’t think I’m very assertive, but I’m kind of defiant to social norms 2. I’m protective and loyal to those I love and like 3. I hate being told what to do, manipulated, or given unsolicited advice 4. If I don’t like you, I won’t bluntly tell you. I might pretend to like you but if I’ve really had enough, my actions will show I don’t care lol. If I like you, I’m loyal but I often times question it (not expressing it to the person) 5. I highly value academic success which sounds 3-ish but it’s rooted in security. Good grades land me a successful career which makes money. But I could 3 in my tri type
2024.05.15 03:42 BitOfaPickle1AD The underrated Marine Magnum
 | I understand freedom group remingtons have their issues, but I must say the Marine Magnum might be the hidden gem. submitted by BitOfaPickle1AD to Shotguns [link] [comments] For those that don't know the Marine Magnum is an 870 Express or Police model that has been nickle plated inside and out. (From my amateur research) The benefits of this over the standard express are good corrosion resistance, smoother action and from my experience better extraction due to the chamber being polished for the nickle process. The express models can have unpolished chambers which can cause hiccups. Its fixable, but it is something you should know about. On top of that the nickle looks absolutely fantastic. Now this particular model was made around the mid 2010's give or take so it does have the mim extractor. Now, it may not be a Benelli or a 1301, but it is certainly no slouch. From Flite Control, S&B, to 24 pellet Super X, and even Activ plastic shotshells, this thing has ran it. The mount is a polymer Elzetta light mount with a Surefire 6P flashlight. The side of the receiver also has the velcro esstac card, which i believe is a fantastic thing to have. The light mount and shell card is very secure and affordable, and the sling is the magpul ms1 adjustable two point sling. Again it's not Gucci stuff but it is practical, and allows someone to safely practice and learn when time is available. |
2024.05.15 03:39 miamarsden NASCAR 2025 SILLY SEASON - Current thoughts after research
Hello everyone! I'm Mia, and I'm currently realizing how absurd this silly season is starting to look. We've heard so many rumors and so much speculation, so right now, I'm going to take any news I've heard and post who I think is most likely to be in what car. Here we go!
Note: Entries in bold are confirmed by Jayski/NASCAR.com/another source that I've forgotten to write down.
* - back unless team declines team option
CHARTERED TEAMS
Trackhouse Kaulig (1) Ross Chastain
Penske (2) Austin Cindric Reasoning: Tim Cindric is still involved with Penske, so why would Cindric leave? The only thing I could see possible is Cindric to the 21, but even that is unlikely, as Austin Cindric seems about 85% likely to come back next year.
RCR (3) Austin Dillon Reasoning: We don't know much about Austin Dillon. Supposedly, he was signed through 2025, but rumor has it that he may retire after this year to pursue the management side of RCR. If this happens, then Austin Hill would be the leading candidate to replace him, I'd assume, but otherwise, I think Austin Dillon will likely be back.
Stewart Front Row (4) Josh Berry Reasoning: Josh Berry could be in a number of rides next year. Let's start with the obvious: Stewart-Haas and Front Row have to be in talks for something. From what I've heard, SHR is either downsizing or merging with FRM. I'm going to go with the latter, as it makes sense with the timing of McDowell going to Spire. Meanwhile, if SHR downsizes, it sounds like Gragson and Preece would be the likely candidates for release, but the only driver safe is Briscoe, due to the team option (which actually means Briscoe may not be safe). That said, Berry could end up in the WBR #21 ride, or even in a ride like a third RFK car. Still, I'd bet on Berry staying in this car and FRM and SHR merging.
Hendrick (5) Kyle Larson
RFK (6) Brad Keselowski
Spire (7) Corey LaJoie
RCR (8) Kyle Busch
Hendrick (9) Chase Elliott
Stewart Front Row (10) Noah Gragson Reasoning: As much as Gragson may not be the best person on social media, Gragson has outperformed expectations by a lot this season. As such, it's interesting that Front Row and McDowell would part ways. We know that Gragson is in a study group with Berry and Briscoe (and now Preece, I suppose). That said, Gragson being part of the group is interesting, as is the fact that if Preece is dealt with, then FRM and SHR together have 4 drivers under contract. Interesting... Gragson could end up in the 34 if FRM doesn't merge with SHR, the 19 if Bass Pro Shops can recommend Gragson to JGR and if Truex, Jr. retires, and the 21 if that ride is open, and those are just a few possibities. Gragson's performance this year is making what happens here paramount to resolving Silly Season.
JGR (11) Denny Hamlin
Penske (12) Ryan Blaney
Stewart Front Row (14) Chase Briscoe\*
RWR (15) Riley Herbst Reasoning: Herbst is ready for Cup. Additionally, Herbst has sponsorship and has seemingly matured to where he could be a huge boon to a growing team. It's possible Herbst stays in Xfinity, but that wouldn't make sense. He could, though, go to a SFR car if SHR and FRM merge - I could see him replacing Berry or Gragson. RWR could continue to use multiple drivers, but they seem to be moving in the direction of being taken seriously, so I'd expect they'll name a full-time driver here. I could see Kaz Grala being the full-time driver, I could see Cody Ware being the full-time driver, and I could even see a small peephole where Hailey Deegan has a chance at some starts in this ride. It's definitely up in the air.
Trackhouse Kaulig (16) Shane van Gisbergen Reasoning: If Kaulig and Trackhouse merge, they would have, to our knowledge, 5 drivers under contract - Zilich, though, can wait. With that said, if Trackhouse/Kaulig keep van Gisbergen, Chastain, Suarez, and Zane Smith, then SVG is likely to go to this car since he's running the 16 part-time this year. Even on the off-chance that the two teams merge and chose to let a driver go, it's far more likely that Trackhouse would let Suarez go than it is that they let SVG, who won under the Trackhouse label in his first start, go.
RFK (17) Chris Buescher
JGR (19) Corey Heim Reasoning: Corey Heim is a top Toyota prospect, and Martin Truex, Jr. may be retiring. If Truex doesn't retire, I'd put Heim in the 50 - I think Heim is #1 and Chandler Smith is #2 in terms of Toyota prospects. Heim is ready based on his runs at Dover and Kansas. That said, there's a non-zero chance Gragson or some other prospect from Ford hemmoraghing their talent could end up here - last year, I was convinced that Harrison Burton could end up here (I wouldn't rule that out - Harrison Burton did races for JGR in the Xfinity series at one point).
JGR (20) Christopher Bell Reasoning: I haven't heard anything about any changes to this car, so I'm going to assume he stays.
WBR (21) Ryan Preece Reasoning: Harrison Burton is unlikely to come back, via multiple sources. The options I'd assume exist are probably something like this: Noah Gragson, Josh Berry, Ryan Preece, Todd Gilliland, Riley Herbst, Chase Briscoe, Austin Cindric, and in bizzaro-world, Justin Haley. One of those will pan out - in this Silly Season, I'm thinking Ryan Preece's blue-collar attitude would shine with the Wood Brothers. Plus, Preece is the odd man out, but has enough talent to avoid dropping out of Cup if Ford Motorcraft/Quick Lane is willing to take him on.
Penske (22) Joey Logano
23XI (23) Bubba Wallace Reasoning: I haven't heard anything about any changes to this car, so I'm going to assume he stays.
Hendrick (24) William Byron
Trackhouse Kaulig (31) Zane Smith Reasoning: Zane Smith will be in a Trackhouse car next year one way or another, per the planned contractual agreement. Really, it's whether Trackhosue gets a charter or not that's the question. If they do, Zane Smith is priority #1 for Trackhouse to get into their car. If Trackhouse and Kaulig don't merge, then I'd bet on Trackhouse putting Zane in Kaulig's car, but more likely is that Trackhouse will buy Zane Smith a charter from Kaulig or swallow Kaulig entirely.
Stewart Front Row (38) Todd Gilliland Reasoning: I haven't heard anything about any changes to this car, so I'm going to assume he stays, especially since he didn't leave after last year's "Zane Smith races". If he were to leave, he'd probably end up in the 21 for the Wood Brothers or end up at Legacy Motor Club or Joe Gibbs due to his Toyota connections (TRICON). Besides, his performance is continuing to go up, and McDowell is gone now, so it makes sense for Gilliland to stay here.
LMC (42) John Hunter Nemechek Reasoning: If Truex retires, Nemechek will either be in this car or in the #19 for JGR. Either way, nothing really to report here - Nemechek has performed well some weeks and I haven't heard anything about any changes to this car.
LMC (43) Erik Jones Reasoning: I haven't heard anything about any changes to this car, so I'm going to assume he stays.
23XI (45) Tyler Reddick Reasoning: I haven't heard anything about any changes to this car, so I'm going to assume he stays.
JTG (47) Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
Hendrick (48) Alex Bowman
RWR (51) Kaz Grala Reasoning: I haven't heard of Kaz Grala going anywhere else - he will likely be in either the #15 or the #51 for RWR next year at least part-time. I do think there's a sleeper chance, though, that he goes to RFK because he's a talented, young Ford driver and RFK wants to expand.
JGR (54) Ty Gibbs Reasoning: I haven't heard anything about any changes to this car, so I'm going to assume he stays. Plus, he's Joe Gibbs's grandson.
RFK (60) (was 34) Justin Haley Reasoning: Justin Haley to RFK sounds wild when you consider Haley is under contract with RWR through next year. That said, RFK and RWR are in an alliance, and if Keselowski expands before he retires, then the timeline could change drastically, especially after BK's win at Darlington in the spring of 2024. Haley clearly wouldn't move to RFK without some sort of reasoning - this could definitely be a sleeper move to happen. I'd also not rule out Gragson or Kaz Grala or Ryan Preece for this ride, though, if RWR keeps Haley.
23XI (67) (was 41) Chandler Smith Reasoning: 23XI wants a third charter. Chandler Smith is probably the next ready driver in the Toyota pipeline unless 23XI wants Heim/JGR wants Heim. Either way, one of those two will likely run in the 67 next year if 23XI secures a charter. (In order, I'd say Trackhouse, 23XI, RFK, and Front Row are the most likely teams to expand)
Spire (71) Michael McDowell
Spire (77) Carson Hocevar
Kaulig Trackhouse (99) Daniel Suarez Reasoning: Kaulig and Trackhouse merging and Daniel Suarez's contract situations seem to be separate issues. Suarez could easily end up leaving this team - especially if JGR and Suarez make up and Suarez gets the 19 back. I doubt it, though. Suarez won Atlanta and has 2 wins in 3 years, which honestly isn't bad when you consider we're in a win-and-you're-in format. I do think Suarez's seat is warm, but all indications are that the contract talks are going well. I don't think anything will be signed, though, until the Kaulig/Trackhouse potential merger situation is resolved. That said, if Suarez goes, I'd watch for Gragson, Austin Hill, or
NON-CHARTERED TEAMS TMT (50) Conor Daly - Look at me like I'm dumb all you want, but on the TMT Racing website, it says they want to be full-time by 2025. Who knows, TMT could buy a charter, but based on TMT themselves, there's a chance they're full-time without a charter next year. That said, it definitely could be damn near anyone driving this #50 car next year - let me be clear, though, I only think this is a 50/50 shot.
OTHER TEAMS I'D NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE WITH CHARTERS RCR (33) - if this happened, they'd likely put Austin Hill in the car. FRM - if this happened, they'd probably just buy an SHR charter and renumber it 36. JRM - it's now or never, Dale Jr. Andretti - Andretti says they're more likely to buy into a team than to straight up buy a charter, but what if they decide to take their Gainbridge money elsewhere? What if Honda comes to Cup?
***
Thank you all for reading! If you enjoyed this, feel free to let me know! Agree? Disagree? That's what the comments section is for.
submitted by miamarsden to NASCAR [link] [comments]
Note: Entries in bold are confirmed by Jayski/NASCAR.com/another source that I've forgotten to write down.
* - back unless team declines team option
CHARTERED TEAMS
Trackhouse Kaulig (1) Ross Chastain
Penske (2) Austin Cindric Reasoning: Tim Cindric is still involved with Penske, so why would Cindric leave? The only thing I could see possible is Cindric to the 21, but even that is unlikely, as Austin Cindric seems about 85% likely to come back next year.
RCR (3) Austin Dillon Reasoning: We don't know much about Austin Dillon. Supposedly, he was signed through 2025, but rumor has it that he may retire after this year to pursue the management side of RCR. If this happens, then Austin Hill would be the leading candidate to replace him, I'd assume, but otherwise, I think Austin Dillon will likely be back.
Stewart Front Row (4) Josh Berry Reasoning: Josh Berry could be in a number of rides next year. Let's start with the obvious: Stewart-Haas and Front Row have to be in talks for something. From what I've heard, SHR is either downsizing or merging with FRM. I'm going to go with the latter, as it makes sense with the timing of McDowell going to Spire. Meanwhile, if SHR downsizes, it sounds like Gragson and Preece would be the likely candidates for release, but the only driver safe is Briscoe, due to the team option (which actually means Briscoe may not be safe). That said, Berry could end up in the WBR #21 ride, or even in a ride like a third RFK car. Still, I'd bet on Berry staying in this car and FRM and SHR merging.
Hendrick (5) Kyle Larson
RFK (6) Brad Keselowski
Spire (7) Corey LaJoie
RCR (8) Kyle Busch
Hendrick (9) Chase Elliott
Stewart Front Row (10) Noah Gragson Reasoning: As much as Gragson may not be the best person on social media, Gragson has outperformed expectations by a lot this season. As such, it's interesting that Front Row and McDowell would part ways. We know that Gragson is in a study group with Berry and Briscoe (and now Preece, I suppose). That said, Gragson being part of the group is interesting, as is the fact that if Preece is dealt with, then FRM and SHR together have 4 drivers under contract. Interesting... Gragson could end up in the 34 if FRM doesn't merge with SHR, the 19 if Bass Pro Shops can recommend Gragson to JGR and if Truex, Jr. retires, and the 21 if that ride is open, and those are just a few possibities. Gragson's performance this year is making what happens here paramount to resolving Silly Season.
JGR (11) Denny Hamlin
Penske (12) Ryan Blaney
Stewart Front Row (14) Chase Briscoe\*
RWR (15) Riley Herbst Reasoning: Herbst is ready for Cup. Additionally, Herbst has sponsorship and has seemingly matured to where he could be a huge boon to a growing team. It's possible Herbst stays in Xfinity, but that wouldn't make sense. He could, though, go to a SFR car if SHR and FRM merge - I could see him replacing Berry or Gragson. RWR could continue to use multiple drivers, but they seem to be moving in the direction of being taken seriously, so I'd expect they'll name a full-time driver here. I could see Kaz Grala being the full-time driver, I could see Cody Ware being the full-time driver, and I could even see a small peephole where Hailey Deegan has a chance at some starts in this ride. It's definitely up in the air.
Trackhouse Kaulig (16) Shane van Gisbergen Reasoning: If Kaulig and Trackhouse merge, they would have, to our knowledge, 5 drivers under contract - Zilich, though, can wait. With that said, if Trackhouse/Kaulig keep van Gisbergen, Chastain, Suarez, and Zane Smith, then SVG is likely to go to this car since he's running the 16 part-time this year. Even on the off-chance that the two teams merge and chose to let a driver go, it's far more likely that Trackhouse would let Suarez go than it is that they let SVG, who won under the Trackhouse label in his first start, go.
RFK (17) Chris Buescher
JGR (19) Corey Heim Reasoning: Corey Heim is a top Toyota prospect, and Martin Truex, Jr. may be retiring. If Truex doesn't retire, I'd put Heim in the 50 - I think Heim is #1 and Chandler Smith is #2 in terms of Toyota prospects. Heim is ready based on his runs at Dover and Kansas. That said, there's a non-zero chance Gragson or some other prospect from Ford hemmoraghing their talent could end up here - last year, I was convinced that Harrison Burton could end up here (I wouldn't rule that out - Harrison Burton did races for JGR in the Xfinity series at one point).
JGR (20) Christopher Bell Reasoning: I haven't heard anything about any changes to this car, so I'm going to assume he stays.
WBR (21) Ryan Preece Reasoning: Harrison Burton is unlikely to come back, via multiple sources. The options I'd assume exist are probably something like this: Noah Gragson, Josh Berry, Ryan Preece, Todd Gilliland, Riley Herbst, Chase Briscoe, Austin Cindric, and in bizzaro-world, Justin Haley. One of those will pan out - in this Silly Season, I'm thinking Ryan Preece's blue-collar attitude would shine with the Wood Brothers. Plus, Preece is the odd man out, but has enough talent to avoid dropping out of Cup if Ford Motorcraft/Quick Lane is willing to take him on.
Penske (22) Joey Logano
23XI (23) Bubba Wallace Reasoning: I haven't heard anything about any changes to this car, so I'm going to assume he stays.
Hendrick (24) William Byron
Trackhouse Kaulig (31) Zane Smith Reasoning: Zane Smith will be in a Trackhouse car next year one way or another, per the planned contractual agreement. Really, it's whether Trackhosue gets a charter or not that's the question. If they do, Zane Smith is priority #1 for Trackhouse to get into their car. If Trackhouse and Kaulig don't merge, then I'd bet on Trackhouse putting Zane in Kaulig's car, but more likely is that Trackhouse will buy Zane Smith a charter from Kaulig or swallow Kaulig entirely.
Stewart Front Row (38) Todd Gilliland Reasoning: I haven't heard anything about any changes to this car, so I'm going to assume he stays, especially since he didn't leave after last year's "Zane Smith races". If he were to leave, he'd probably end up in the 21 for the Wood Brothers or end up at Legacy Motor Club or Joe Gibbs due to his Toyota connections (TRICON). Besides, his performance is continuing to go up, and McDowell is gone now, so it makes sense for Gilliland to stay here.
LMC (42) John Hunter Nemechek Reasoning: If Truex retires, Nemechek will either be in this car or in the #19 for JGR. Either way, nothing really to report here - Nemechek has performed well some weeks and I haven't heard anything about any changes to this car.
LMC (43) Erik Jones Reasoning: I haven't heard anything about any changes to this car, so I'm going to assume he stays.
23XI (45) Tyler Reddick Reasoning: I haven't heard anything about any changes to this car, so I'm going to assume he stays.
JTG (47) Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
Hendrick (48) Alex Bowman
RWR (51) Kaz Grala Reasoning: I haven't heard of Kaz Grala going anywhere else - he will likely be in either the #15 or the #51 for RWR next year at least part-time. I do think there's a sleeper chance, though, that he goes to RFK because he's a talented, young Ford driver and RFK wants to expand.
JGR (54) Ty Gibbs Reasoning: I haven't heard anything about any changes to this car, so I'm going to assume he stays. Plus, he's Joe Gibbs's grandson.
RFK (60) (was 34) Justin Haley Reasoning: Justin Haley to RFK sounds wild when you consider Haley is under contract with RWR through next year. That said, RFK and RWR are in an alliance, and if Keselowski expands before he retires, then the timeline could change drastically, especially after BK's win at Darlington in the spring of 2024. Haley clearly wouldn't move to RFK without some sort of reasoning - this could definitely be a sleeper move to happen. I'd also not rule out Gragson or Kaz Grala or Ryan Preece for this ride, though, if RWR keeps Haley.
23XI (67) (was 41) Chandler Smith Reasoning: 23XI wants a third charter. Chandler Smith is probably the next ready driver in the Toyota pipeline unless 23XI wants Heim/JGR wants Heim. Either way, one of those two will likely run in the 67 next year if 23XI secures a charter. (In order, I'd say Trackhouse, 23XI, RFK, and Front Row are the most likely teams to expand)
Spire (71) Michael McDowell
Spire (77) Carson Hocevar
Kaulig Trackhouse (99) Daniel Suarez Reasoning: Kaulig and Trackhouse merging and Daniel Suarez's contract situations seem to be separate issues. Suarez could easily end up leaving this team - especially if JGR and Suarez make up and Suarez gets the 19 back. I doubt it, though. Suarez won Atlanta and has 2 wins in 3 years, which honestly isn't bad when you consider we're in a win-and-you're-in format. I do think Suarez's seat is warm, but all indications are that the contract talks are going well. I don't think anything will be signed, though, until the Kaulig/Trackhouse potential merger situation is resolved. That said, if Suarez goes, I'd watch for Gragson, Austin Hill, or
NON-CHARTERED TEAMS TMT (50) Conor Daly - Look at me like I'm dumb all you want, but on the TMT Racing website, it says they want to be full-time by 2025. Who knows, TMT could buy a charter, but based on TMT themselves, there's a chance they're full-time without a charter next year. That said, it definitely could be damn near anyone driving this #50 car next year - let me be clear, though, I only think this is a 50/50 shot.
OTHER TEAMS I'D NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE WITH CHARTERS RCR (33) - if this happened, they'd likely put Austin Hill in the car. FRM - if this happened, they'd probably just buy an SHR charter and renumber it 36. JRM - it's now or never, Dale Jr. Andretti - Andretti says they're more likely to buy into a team than to straight up buy a charter, but what if they decide to take their Gainbridge money elsewhere? What if Honda comes to Cup?
***
Thank you all for reading! If you enjoyed this, feel free to let me know! Agree? Disagree? That's what the comments section is for.
2024.05.15 03:37 ObjectiveAffect487 How safe is Leblon?
Visiting Leblon in two weeks with my fiancé. He is from São Paulo and I’m from the US (I’m Hispanic). I’ve been to São Paulo three times so I know how to “stay safe” and be “smart” for the “most part” as my fiancé has taught me well. 😇
Whenever I visit São Paulo, my fiancé and I always stay in Jardim Paulista which is considered an affluent neighborhood to my understanding. I don’t feel unsafe there but I always have my guard up. Eu sou esperta, pessoal. ☺️
Now we are visiting Leblon, which I think is relatively a “safer” choice for us since we’ve never been to Rio. But I’d still like some feedback from any native Cariocas. You guys know your city!
We are only going to be there two and half days because the rest of time, we will be back in São Paulo. We are planning to visit Christ the Redeemer and maybe Pão de Açúcar. Also intend on going to the beach and basically eat at restaurants in Leblon near our airbnb. We don’t drink and don’t plan on going out past 9pm. Sim, somos jovem idosos (we are in our mid 30’s).
Então…resumindo. Is there anything I should be concerned about?
Also, possibly a silly question, but is it really unsafe to be at the beach at sunset even in Leblon? I know crimes can happen anywhere and at ANY time, but I’d still like the feedback. I know not to have my cell phone out like a dummy taking videos and pictures. But I always dreamed of seeing the sunset with Dois Irmãos in the background. Que gringa tão brega, né? Do you all think I can at least experience that without it being a safety issue?
Thank you in advance for anyone responding to my post. I also apologize if anyone is offended. Please don’t think that I just assume I’m going to get robbed at all times in Brazil. It’s just that I know it’s a reality that exist in Brazil while at the same time, not every Brazilian is ill-intended. I just I’m a little nervous visiting Rio since it’s my first time. But know that I also can’t wait because Rio seems so beautiful to me!
Obrigada, pessoal! 🙏🏻❤️
submitted by ObjectiveAffect487 to Brazil [link] [comments]
Whenever I visit São Paulo, my fiancé and I always stay in Jardim Paulista which is considered an affluent neighborhood to my understanding. I don’t feel unsafe there but I always have my guard up. Eu sou esperta, pessoal. ☺️
Now we are visiting Leblon, which I think is relatively a “safer” choice for us since we’ve never been to Rio. But I’d still like some feedback from any native Cariocas. You guys know your city!
We are only going to be there two and half days because the rest of time, we will be back in São Paulo. We are planning to visit Christ the Redeemer and maybe Pão de Açúcar. Also intend on going to the beach and basically eat at restaurants in Leblon near our airbnb. We don’t drink and don’t plan on going out past 9pm. Sim, somos jovem idosos (we are in our mid 30’s).
Então…resumindo. Is there anything I should be concerned about?
Also, possibly a silly question, but is it really unsafe to be at the beach at sunset even in Leblon? I know crimes can happen anywhere and at ANY time, but I’d still like the feedback. I know not to have my cell phone out like a dummy taking videos and pictures. But I always dreamed of seeing the sunset with Dois Irmãos in the background. Que gringa tão brega, né? Do you all think I can at least experience that without it being a safety issue?
Thank you in advance for anyone responding to my post. I also apologize if anyone is offended. Please don’t think that I just assume I’m going to get robbed at all times in Brazil. It’s just that I know it’s a reality that exist in Brazil while at the same time, not every Brazilian is ill-intended. I just I’m a little nervous visiting Rio since it’s my first time. But know that I also can’t wait because Rio seems so beautiful to me!
Obrigada, pessoal! 🙏🏻❤️
2024.05.15 03:35 KorahRahtahmahh DRAUGR is weak.
Im an avid jet player since bf2 and have always loved to fly instead of walk, i was very excited for the new bomber we are getting only to find myself quite unsure on what their idea was. As of now everything that moves in the air will get a lock on sooner or later, It is IMPOSSIBLE to approach a battlefied with the bomber safely because of the lack of a valid countermeasure. The first one you get is locked behind getting almost 500 kills (the cloaking device) which makes the very style of the stealth bomber they wanted to get quite unreachable to most and only obtainable after a fair share of hours. Whats even worse is that the initial loadout that you need to farm with is atrocious. It consists of a 20mm dual cannons (the only true blessing of this vehicle as theres no other way youll get kills) and an emp bomb that doest around 7 dmg on a direct hit but completely disables the vehicle (kinda lika when you are hacked). Youll get really few chances to get close enough to infantry to safely shred them with the cannons and even if you manage to hit your bombs you still need someone else to finish the job quickly enough for you to get the assist. Ive also tried forgetting all i know about jets playstyle and behave as a bomber would high in the sky providing support from afar and dipping immediately after... i guess it could work if the enemy pilots dont take a grudge on you (all it takes is a jet with heatseekers) but again, the unlockable that would make this gameplan truly shine is the JDAM which is locked behind 420 kills. The second secondary weapon you get is an ATG missile which is allegedely "equipped with warheads to deliver devastating damage"... well that is a lie as it still takes 3 hits to fully destroy any ground vehicle that doesnt know how to use any defensive system. Lock on range is also standard so good luck with that pesky Anti air sitting at the edge of the map looking at you menacingly waiting for the second you step into their fuckyou range. I'm about to unlock napalm bombs and i'll update with some thoughts on that if anyone wants.
I really see no way for any casual player to ever experience the stealth bomber experience they hyped us so much about and a truly hellish grind even for experienced players to get all the unlockables.
submitted by KorahRahtahmahh to battlefield2042 [link] [comments]
I really see no way for any casual player to ever experience the stealth bomber experience they hyped us so much about and a truly hellish grind even for experienced players to get all the unlockables.
2024.05.15 03:28 HyacinthGirI I need some thoughts on how to handle potential family conflict when I work with a family member, please!
So, before I get into the detail of what I'm trying to ask, I want to kind of set my expectations. My post does kind of centre around me being a trans woman. And I realise that a lot of people here may not be super familiar with the ins and outs of trans people, but I don't think that matters super much. At the end of the day I'm just looking for some friendly advice from mature people on how to handle myself in a somewhat vulnerable situation - please don't let me being trans dissuade you from answering because you're not sure about trans stuff specifically!
Anyway. Long story short, I'm a 28 year old trans woman, and my parents *hate* it. I transitioned when I was younger for a few years, they treated me with a ton of hostility. Life got really bad and I detransitioned and went back in the closet, then a few years later I started transitioning again. Cut to today - I don't look great, but I've been on HRT roughly two years now. I don't look amazing, but strangers are gendering me as a woman pretty often, while I'm still not out at work, and haven't had any sort of conversation with my parents yet to let them know that I'm going to be transitioning again.
I think I'm at a cliff edge where it's becoming a bit frustrating, and a little bit precarious, not being out at work. I've been lightly SA'd on a night out by a man I work with, recently on a few nights out and at meals with work people I was being referred to as miss and she by strangers in front of my colleagues, and I'm very close with a lot of people I work with, so it's just.. odd. Besides that, I've been forcing myself to get comfortable with light makeup and less androgynous clothing recently, and I'm worried about meeting someone I work with in public or on a night out with friends. Besides that, I have to undress for work to go into clean rooms, and I have small, but kind of obvious, breasts - it's awkward being in the mens changing room, and I've noticed people looking, despite my best efforts. On top of that, I'm getting closer to a position where I might be able to take advantage of getting cosmetic facial surgery, and bottom surgery, so it'll be impossible *not* to be out, or for a difference to be noted.
The issue is that I work with my dad. And we work in departments where our work is fairly closely related, and since I got a bit of a promotion, I'm in even more contact with him than before.
Therefore: I need to come out, and probably somewhat soon, so I don't flashbang people with like "btw I'm trans and now I'll be out of office for a bit and going straight into surgery." But, I work with someone who I *know* will be actively hostile to me about it.
I've spoken with my manager, HR, and have a bunch of closer friends who know (either I've told them, or they've been part of a group who were there when work dude felt me up, and know through that). In Ireland I should be protected under our laws from discrimination based on gender. So I have some protection, and backing, at work. But I'm not sure when to pull the trigger on speaking to my parents. I feel like I'm pretty much as "ready" as I'm going to be, and I feel like the frustration at holding back on speaking to them is building. But I'm also terrified that it'll significantly affect my job, and impact my performance, my mental health, and/or my earning potential/ability to keep saving at the rate I currently am (if it got bad enough to necessitate a role change, I might be taken off my current shift role, which would result in me losing a ~20% shift bonus).
I guess the question boils down to whether it's a wiser choice to wait as long as possible, to protect myself for as long as possible, and just find a way to live with being curtailed in some behaviours outside of work (for fear of being seen by someone and word filtering back to work or my family) and with trying to maintain a distant-but-civil relationship with my parents where I see them and feel miserable once a week? Or whether it's probably safe to have that conversation with them now, and give myself time to understand how I'll be impacted by their reaction to the conversation, and give myself a little more freedom in terms of not having to feel so cloistered by the relationship with my parents, and just a little mental health relief overall.
It's probably a question I'd love to discuss with a parental figure, but obviously that option isn't available to me right now. If anyone has any advice or thoughts, I'd really reaaaally appreciate you taking the time to send them.
submitted by HyacinthGirI to AskWomenOver30 [link] [comments]
Anyway. Long story short, I'm a 28 year old trans woman, and my parents *hate* it. I transitioned when I was younger for a few years, they treated me with a ton of hostility. Life got really bad and I detransitioned and went back in the closet, then a few years later I started transitioning again. Cut to today - I don't look great, but I've been on HRT roughly two years now. I don't look amazing, but strangers are gendering me as a woman pretty often, while I'm still not out at work, and haven't had any sort of conversation with my parents yet to let them know that I'm going to be transitioning again.
I think I'm at a cliff edge where it's becoming a bit frustrating, and a little bit precarious, not being out at work. I've been lightly SA'd on a night out by a man I work with, recently on a few nights out and at meals with work people I was being referred to as miss and she by strangers in front of my colleagues, and I'm very close with a lot of people I work with, so it's just.. odd. Besides that, I've been forcing myself to get comfortable with light makeup and less androgynous clothing recently, and I'm worried about meeting someone I work with in public or on a night out with friends. Besides that, I have to undress for work to go into clean rooms, and I have small, but kind of obvious, breasts - it's awkward being in the mens changing room, and I've noticed people looking, despite my best efforts. On top of that, I'm getting closer to a position where I might be able to take advantage of getting cosmetic facial surgery, and bottom surgery, so it'll be impossible *not* to be out, or for a difference to be noted.
The issue is that I work with my dad. And we work in departments where our work is fairly closely related, and since I got a bit of a promotion, I'm in even more contact with him than before.
Therefore: I need to come out, and probably somewhat soon, so I don't flashbang people with like "btw I'm trans and now I'll be out of office for a bit and going straight into surgery." But, I work with someone who I *know* will be actively hostile to me about it.
I've spoken with my manager, HR, and have a bunch of closer friends who know (either I've told them, or they've been part of a group who were there when work dude felt me up, and know through that). In Ireland I should be protected under our laws from discrimination based on gender. So I have some protection, and backing, at work. But I'm not sure when to pull the trigger on speaking to my parents. I feel like I'm pretty much as "ready" as I'm going to be, and I feel like the frustration at holding back on speaking to them is building. But I'm also terrified that it'll significantly affect my job, and impact my performance, my mental health, and/or my earning potential/ability to keep saving at the rate I currently am (if it got bad enough to necessitate a role change, I might be taken off my current shift role, which would result in me losing a ~20% shift bonus).
I guess the question boils down to whether it's a wiser choice to wait as long as possible, to protect myself for as long as possible, and just find a way to live with being curtailed in some behaviours outside of work (for fear of being seen by someone and word filtering back to work or my family) and with trying to maintain a distant-but-civil relationship with my parents where I see them and feel miserable once a week? Or whether it's probably safe to have that conversation with them now, and give myself time to understand how I'll be impacted by their reaction to the conversation, and give myself a little more freedom in terms of not having to feel so cloistered by the relationship with my parents, and just a little mental health relief overall.
It's probably a question I'd love to discuss with a parental figure, but obviously that option isn't available to me right now. If anyone has any advice or thoughts, I'd really reaaaally appreciate you taking the time to send them.
2024.05.15 03:25 Enali (Spoilers Extended) The Rogue Houses of Dorne
Seven ravens go with Arianne Martell to be Doran's eyes and ears to Aegon and the Golden Company in the Stormlands. And while Arianne's journey progresses she will likely need to make a choice... will she send the word 'dragon' home in a letter, the coded word asking for Dorne to call their spears and join Aegon's cause? Or will the word be 'war'? (...in this case 'war' means 'wait')... I'll let you decide - I assume most people's minds are pretty set on this point, and mine own is not really standard canon, so I will only say the last raven seems an ill omened thing as the seventh of a set is often linked to The Stranger, Westeros' god of death.
The topic I hoped to brainstorm today is not actually about what Arianne decides... but rather what happens next. Because I notice with a lot of theories the assumption is that the Dornish houses waiting on Arianne's response will march in lockstep with whatever her and Doran's order is... but... will they? Some of the Dornish houses seem pretty independent-minded and I feel there's been some fairly significant foreshadowing emerging that Doran's hold over the the kingdom is only tentative at best. That's worth discussing... In particular three houses seem to repeatedly stand out as possibilities to challenge the peace regardless of the Martells' wishes: Houses Yronwood, Fowler, and Uller....
Sign #1 - The Fowlers closeness with Lady Nym
Oberyn's death was a rallying cry for a lot of Dorne desiring vengeance against the Lannisters, and in particular the news greatly effected the Sand Snakes - Nymeria Sand is said to be 'famously' close with the Fowler twins, she was actually with them the moment she learned of Oberyn's death, and it follows they likely sympathize with her position. In fact when Lady Nym first pitches Doran her plan to assassinate key Lannisters in King's Landing she does so by pleading the Fowler house words to him: "You know the Fowler words? Let Me Soar! That is all I ask of you. Let me soar, Uncle. I need no mighty host, only one sweet sister." And Doran would later tell Arianne that Nym is 'too close to the Fowler twins' (and thus unable to keep secrets from them). I imagine the Fowlers did not take the news well when they learned of Nymeria's imprisonment afterwards...
Sign #2 - Arianne's plea to Lord Fowler
Then when Arianne Martell is imprisoned herself after her Queenmaker plot she attempts to send out a secret message with one of her attendants to plead for help to free her from her father's grasp. She considers different options to address this letter to, someone ideally receptive to the idea of rebelling against Doran (which is no small thing to ask!) but also powerful enough to do so. Her first thoughts drift to Yronwood, but decides against them only because they fostered Quentyn and she believes he and Anders are conspiring against her, then goes through a few of the houses of her friends before finally deciding "that she had but two real hopes: Harmen Uller, Lord of Hellholt, and Franklyn Fowler, Lord of Skyreach and Warden of the Prince's Pass."
She ultimately decides to pen the letter to Lord Fowler because she thinks the Ullers as half-mad to the point of having a dangerous response. After that the attendant Cedra is presumably caught by Doran's men as she never reappears and Areo tells us that she was sent to the Water Gardens. But even without the letter actually going out the fact that she chose Lord Fowler to send this plea to probably says a lot about their overall relationship with Doran.
Sign #3 - A Toast to Tommen
In the Watcher chapter during the presentation of The Mountain's skull a toast to Tommen is made, and those who choose to drink or to refuse it give us another indication of the sentiments around Dorne... this is not subtly implied as much as it is directly pointed out by Areo:
The Yronwoods weren't in attendance for the toast, however the Wyls were and refused it - I get the sense they are pretty close with the Yronwoods, both of which have their houses on the Boneway where they've joined forces. Another party that refused the toast, the Manwoodys, are stationed in the Prince's Pass and likely close allies with the Fowlers - lending more weight to the idea that this area is rebellious. House Gargelene is the one that's most difficult to place, being located in a fairly isolated spot in the south of Dorne at Salt Shore.
Sign #4 - The Troops in the Passes
By Arianne's TWOW excerpts we also hear that the troops in the Prince's Pass and the Boneway are becoming restless:
So how might the Fowlers act out? Outside of Arianne's raven being sent (and depending on the result), I think we should be keeping an eye on the Darkstar plot. Darkstar, per his own words and actions, seems to want to start a war against the crown and has presumably fled back to his home of High Hermitage in the Red Mountains where its implied he has support. He will probably pass by Starfall on the way up the Torrentine's rushing waters, but the Prince's Pass and Skyreach are both not that far from his location and in fitting with the prior indications of the Fowlers' intentions and Darkstar's overall goals he may try to incite the already anxious troops there to raid the Dornish Marches. These houses have a long history of animosity towards the Reach and Marcher Lords whose defenses will be exposed with Euron's attacks. Such an assault could parallel prior rogue leaders the Vulture Kings.
There is a saying in Dorne we are told: 'half the Ullers are 'half-mad and the other half are worse.' And as Ellaria Sand is Lord Harmen's natural daughter when she and her little ones (Elia, Obella, Dorea, and Loreza) were locked away with the rest of the Sand Snakes Arianne thinks this would 'have made Lord Harmen wroth, and the Ullers were dangerous when wroth.' Its worth noting that in Arianne's Queenmaker plot her end goal was to get to Hellholt to officially crown Myrcella and raise her banners there...
What's interesting about Uller is that while they have a lot of reason to rebel there is at least one pacifying force headed their way - Ellaria Sand (who is also bringing Loreza with her). Ellaria sand accepted the toast to Tommen and despite having been Oberyn's paramour and closer to him than anyone as well as being there for his death, she is actually one of the strongest voices arguing for peace.
Given the Hellholts relative isolation you might be thinking how this could factor further into the plot.... maybe some news of Ellaria's daughters? Or later on if there is an invading force (as Ellaria and Doran fear is coming)? But I've actually been thinking that before Areo Hotah shows up in the Red Mountains we may get to see a chapter with him and Obara and Balon Swann at the Hellholt with Ellaria and Lord Harmen Uller, it would be rewarding to catch up with these characters and see their clashing perspectives on vengeance and Areo on the trail of Darkstar. Per some recent analysis of GRRM's chapter hints we can also kind of conclude there may be a few Areo chapters in varying locations. Another interesting thing pointing me in that direction is the soon to be released 2025 calendar which will be featuring artwork of the Hellholt... that's a strange inclusion for a castle with few mentions (the most relevant of which being Rhaenys' mysterious death long ago), and a lot of the other locations on the calendar do suspiciously have relevant plots nearing them in Winds (so if we haven't seen them already we may do so soon).
The logistics work out pretty well as Hellholt is practically a necessary stop on the way westward to the Red Mountains by land. Even though Arianne herself knows the desert well....
Even though previously we've seen a few signs that the Yronwoods may rebel given their brief consideration for Arianne's letter for help, and the Wyls' refusal of Tommen's toast, the biggest reason for them to strike out on their own might be their uniquely fractious relationship with the Martells (they also have a long rivalry with the Fowlers). In fact, we were told Yronwood was only just recently on the verge of rebellion after Oberyn allegedly poisoned Lord Edgar Yronwood in a duel after he was found abed with Edgar's paramour, and it was only Doran's quick thinking that avoided it.
And the biggest thing that may reopen that wound is, not surprisingly, news of Quentyn's voyage. Anders Yronwood has lost two sons on what could be seen as a pretty foolish attempt to court Daenerys including his son and heir Cletus Yronwood, who was sent along on the voyage and died from a corsair attack off the coast of the Disputed Lands. The other son? Quentyn Martell himself.... despite him being a Martell, he is really more Yronwood at heart. He grew up in Yronwood with Anders, his best friend was Cletus, he became smitten with his eldest daughter Ynys (who is now heir to Yronwood), and then later fell in love with Gwyneth, the youngest daughter of Anders.... All of Quentyn's memories are with the Yronwood really and Arianne even notes he is somewhat a stranger to her and Sunspear. Doran himself is forced to admit that "Anders Yronwood has been more a father to him than I have".
Anders hasn't heard anything yet from Meereen, information moves slowly in Essos (which has no messenger ravens so it needs to be carried by hand) and most of the people who can pass on that message, like Arch and Drink, are still caught up in the Battle of Fire (and hoping that the Tattered Prince will be merciful to them for their previous desertion). Any news that might get back could end up with a distorted and unflattering picture of Daenerys too (and some of that fallout may carryover to Aegon who seeks to ally with her).
But even before it does the troops commanded by the Yronwoods in the Boneway are conveniently close to the events happening in the Stormlands with the Golden Company. And the Yronwoods have been suspiciously consistent partners of the Golden Company and Blackfyres in the past (which often drew in second houses with a lot to gain), which is all the more interesting given the rumors around Aegon ("Lords of Yronwood rode for the black dragon in no less than three of the five Blackfyre Rebellions.") So if Arianne seeks to side with Aegon and JonCon the Yronwoods might be the first to throw in with that cause... especially if its also a way to oppose Mace Tyrell given his hatred of all things Dorne. However, it might also be interesting if she takes after her father's advice to be cautious and tries to hold back her forces, leading to the Yronwoods ignorning her and Doran's commands and striking out on their own anyways. And it will be interesting how these events may combine with the x-factor of news of Quentyn and Cletus arriving at some point (whatever the timing of that might be in relation to the Battle of Steel).
So what do you think of Houses Fowler, Uller, and Yronwood... will we see them act out in Winds or play loyal bannermen to Doran?
~Thank you for Reading!~
TLDR This post explores the ample foreshadowing that Houses Fowler, Uller, and Yronwood may be unreliable allies of Doran when pressed, and their reaction may not follow what we'd expect when Arianne sends out her last raven either calling Dorne's spears to side with the Golden Company or holding off and keeping to the passes (taking after her father's more prudent advice). Could the Fowlers join with Darkstar and raid the Dornish Marches? Will we have a chapter at the Hellholt before Areo's party travels the deep sands where we see Lord Harmen Uller's rebellious nature collide with Ellaria Sand's attempts at peace? And will the Yronwood troops in the Boneway join their historic allies in the Golden Company, or have a divisive reaction to news of Quentyn and Cletus' deaths?
submitted by Enali to asoiaf [link] [comments]
The topic I hoped to brainstorm today is not actually about what Arianne decides... but rather what happens next. Because I notice with a lot of theories the assumption is that the Dornish houses waiting on Arianne's response will march in lockstep with whatever her and Doran's order is... but... will they? Some of the Dornish houses seem pretty independent-minded and I feel there's been some fairly significant foreshadowing emerging that Doran's hold over the the kingdom is only tentative at best. That's worth discussing... In particular three houses seem to repeatedly stand out as possibilities to challenge the peace regardless of the Martells' wishes: Houses Yronwood, Fowler, and Uller....
House Fowler 🪶
The Fowlers make their home at Skyreach, a castle with a lofty perch and soaring stone towers carved into the stone slopes of the Red Mountains overlooking the Prince's Pass, one of two major overland routes into Dorne, and the easier to traverse of the two (the other being the steep and treacherous Boneway). The House is led by Lord Franklyn Fowler 'the Old Hawk', who has two twin daughters - Jeyne and Jennelyn. What could cause House Fowler to rebel against the Martells?Sign #1 - The Fowlers closeness with Lady Nym
Oberyn's death was a rallying cry for a lot of Dorne desiring vengeance against the Lannisters, and in particular the news greatly effected the Sand Snakes - Nymeria Sand is said to be 'famously' close with the Fowler twins, she was actually with them the moment she learned of Oberyn's death, and it follows they likely sympathize with her position. In fact when Lady Nym first pitches Doran her plan to assassinate key Lannisters in King's Landing she does so by pleading the Fowler house words to him: "You know the Fowler words? Let Me Soar! That is all I ask of you. Let me soar, Uncle. I need no mighty host, only one sweet sister." And Doran would later tell Arianne that Nym is 'too close to the Fowler twins' (and thus unable to keep secrets from them). I imagine the Fowlers did not take the news well when they learned of Nymeria's imprisonment afterwards...
Sign #2 - Arianne's plea to Lord Fowler
Then when Arianne Martell is imprisoned herself after her Queenmaker plot she attempts to send out a secret message with one of her attendants to plead for help to free her from her father's grasp. She considers different options to address this letter to, someone ideally receptive to the idea of rebelling against Doran (which is no small thing to ask!) but also powerful enough to do so. Her first thoughts drift to Yronwood, but decides against them only because they fostered Quentyn and she believes he and Anders are conspiring against her, then goes through a few of the houses of her friends before finally deciding "that she had but two real hopes: Harmen Uller, Lord of Hellholt, and Franklyn Fowler, Lord of Skyreach and Warden of the Prince's Pass."
She ultimately decides to pen the letter to Lord Fowler because she thinks the Ullers as half-mad to the point of having a dangerous response. After that the attendant Cedra is presumably caught by Doran's men as she never reappears and Areo tells us that she was sent to the Water Gardens. But even without the letter actually going out the fact that she chose Lord Fowler to send this plea to probably says a lot about their overall relationship with Doran.
Sign #3 - A Toast to Tommen
In the Watcher chapter during the presentation of The Mountain's skull a toast to Tommen is made, and those who choose to drink or to refuse it give us another indication of the sentiments around Dorne... this is not subtly implied as much as it is directly pointed out by Areo:
The white knight did drink, as was only courteous. His companions likewise. So did the Princess Arianne, Lady Jordayne, the Lord of Godsgrace, the Knight of Lemonwood, the Lady of Ghost Hill … even Ellaria Sand, Prince Oberyn's beloved paramour, who had been with him in King's Landing when he died. Hotah paid more note to those who did not drink: Ser Daemon Sand, Lord Tremond Gargalen, the Fowler twins, Dagos Manwoody, the Ullers of the Hellholt, the Wyls of the Boneway. If there is trouble, it could start with one of them. Dorne was an angry and divided land, and Prince Doran's hold on it was not as firm as it might be. Many of his own lords thought him weak and would have welcomed open war with the Lannisters and the boy king on the Iron Throne.Again the Fowler twins and Ullers show us that they still hold a lot of resentment. Daemon Sand makes sense too - he was part of Oberyn's retinue in King's Landing (sometimes rumored to have had a relationship with him) and watched him die, and after the Sand Snakes were imprisoned he went to Sunspear to demand their release and was imprisoned himself for the trouble. I'd keep an eye on him in Arianne's plot.
The Yronwoods weren't in attendance for the toast, however the Wyls were and refused it - I get the sense they are pretty close with the Yronwoods, both of which have their houses on the Boneway where they've joined forces. Another party that refused the toast, the Manwoodys, are stationed in the Prince's Pass and likely close allies with the Fowlers - lending more weight to the idea that this area is rebellious. House Gargelene is the one that's most difficult to place, being located in a fairly isolated spot in the south of Dorne at Salt Shore.
Sign #4 - The Troops in the Passes
By Arianne's TWOW excerpts we also hear that the troops in the Prince's Pass and the Boneway are becoming restless:
In the Boneway and the Prince’s Pass, two Dornish hosts had massed, and there they sat, sharpening their spears, polishing their armor, dicing, drinking, quarreling, their numbers dwindling by the day, waiting, waiting, waiting for the Prince of Dorne to loose them on the enemies of House Martell.Darkstar's Plot
So how might the Fowlers act out? Outside of Arianne's raven being sent (and depending on the result), I think we should be keeping an eye on the Darkstar plot. Darkstar, per his own words and actions, seems to want to start a war against the crown and has presumably fled back to his home of High Hermitage in the Red Mountains where its implied he has support. He will probably pass by Starfall on the way up the Torrentine's rushing waters, but the Prince's Pass and Skyreach are both not that far from his location and in fitting with the prior indications of the Fowlers' intentions and Darkstar's overall goals he may try to incite the already anxious troops there to raid the Dornish Marches. These houses have a long history of animosity towards the Reach and Marcher Lords whose defenses will be exposed with Euron's attacks. Such an assault could parallel prior rogue leaders the Vulture Kings.
House Uller 🏜️
We've already seen that the Ullers play out somewhat similarly to the Fowlers - they were one of the major considerations for Arianne to send her plea for help to, and they were one of the parties notably refusing Tommen's toast. Lord Harmen Uller is the current Lord of the Hellholt, "a grim, stinking seat beside the sulfurous yellow waters of the Brimstone" located near the deep sands in the centesouth of Dorne.There is a saying in Dorne we are told: 'half the Ullers are 'half-mad and the other half are worse.' And as Ellaria Sand is Lord Harmen's natural daughter when she and her little ones (Elia, Obella, Dorea, and Loreza) were locked away with the rest of the Sand Snakes Arianne thinks this would 'have made Lord Harmen wroth, and the Ullers were dangerous when wroth.' Its worth noting that in Arianne's Queenmaker plot her end goal was to get to Hellholt to officially crown Myrcella and raise her banners there...
What's interesting about Uller is that while they have a lot of reason to rebel there is at least one pacifying force headed their way - Ellaria Sand (who is also bringing Loreza with her). Ellaria sand accepted the toast to Tommen and despite having been Oberyn's paramour and closer to him than anyone as well as being there for his death, she is actually one of the strongest voices arguing for peace.
"A start?" said Ellaria Sand, incredulous. "Gods forbid. I would it were a finish. Tywin Lannister is dead. So are Robert Baratheon, Amory Lorch, and now Gregor Clegane, all those who had a hand in murdering Elia and her children. Even Joffrey, who was not yet born when Elia died. I saw the boy perish with mine own eyes, clawing at his throat as he tried to draw a breath. Who else is there to kill? Do Myrcella and Tommen need to die so the shades of Rhaenys and Aegon can be at rest? Where does it end?"A Hidden Hellholt Chapter?
Given the Hellholts relative isolation you might be thinking how this could factor further into the plot.... maybe some news of Ellaria's daughters? Or later on if there is an invading force (as Ellaria and Doran fear is coming)? But I've actually been thinking that before Areo Hotah shows up in the Red Mountains we may get to see a chapter with him and Obara and Balon Swann at the Hellholt with Ellaria and Lord Harmen Uller, it would be rewarding to catch up with these characters and see their clashing perspectives on vengeance and Areo on the trail of Darkstar. Per some recent analysis of GRRM's chapter hints we can also kind of conclude there may be a few Areo chapters in varying locations. Another interesting thing pointing me in that direction is the soon to be released 2025 calendar which will be featuring artwork of the Hellholt... that's a strange inclusion for a castle with few mentions (the most relevant of which being Rhaenys' mysterious death long ago), and a lot of the other locations on the calendar do suspiciously have relevant plots nearing them in Winds (so if we haven't seen them already we may do so soon).
The logistics work out pretty well as Hellholt is practically a necessary stop on the way westward to the Red Mountains by land. Even though Arianne herself knows the desert well....
Beyond Vaith the deep sands waited. They would need help from Sandstone and the Hellholt to make that crossing, but she did not doubt that it would be forthcoming....Even she fears to tread the deep sands alone... and for Obara it may be the same despite her experience. You really should have a desert guide to locate water sources and navigate the terrain ("In the deep sands a man must hoard his water."). And one of the last safe stops for water and guides is the Hellholt making it invaluable for travelers crossing the sands. The sandstorms seem especially dangerous:
[...]beyond Vaith, western Dorne is naught but a vast sea of restless dunes where the sun beats down relentlessly, giving rise from time to time to savage sandstorms that can strip the flesh from a man's bones within minutes.
House Yronwood ⛓️
The Yronwoods are Dorne's second strongest house and their seat is located up in the high meadows of the Red Mountains near the Boneway where the air is always crisp and cool after dark, no matter how hot the day had been. Anders Yronwood, the Bloodroyal, is the leader here.Even though previously we've seen a few signs that the Yronwoods may rebel given their brief consideration for Arianne's letter for help, and the Wyls' refusal of Tommen's toast, the biggest reason for them to strike out on their own might be their uniquely fractious relationship with the Martells (they also have a long rivalry with the Fowlers). In fact, we were told Yronwood was only just recently on the verge of rebellion after Oberyn allegedly poisoned Lord Edgar Yronwood in a duel after he was found abed with Edgar's paramour, and it was only Doran's quick thinking that avoided it.
Blood feud and rebellion would surely have followed Lord Edgar's death, had not her father acted at once. The Red Viper went to Oldtown, thence across to the narrow sea to Lys, though none dared call it exile. And in due time, Quentyn was given to Lord Anders to foster as a sign of trust. That helped to heal the breach between Sunspear and the Yronwoods, but it had opened new ones between Quentyn and the Sand Snakes...Quentyn Aftermath & The Blackfyres
And the biggest thing that may reopen that wound is, not surprisingly, news of Quentyn's voyage. Anders Yronwood has lost two sons on what could be seen as a pretty foolish attempt to court Daenerys including his son and heir Cletus Yronwood, who was sent along on the voyage and died from a corsair attack off the coast of the Disputed Lands. The other son? Quentyn Martell himself.... despite him being a Martell, he is really more Yronwood at heart. He grew up in Yronwood with Anders, his best friend was Cletus, he became smitten with his eldest daughter Ynys (who is now heir to Yronwood), and then later fell in love with Gwyneth, the youngest daughter of Anders.... All of Quentyn's memories are with the Yronwood really and Arianne even notes he is somewhat a stranger to her and Sunspear. Doran himself is forced to admit that "Anders Yronwood has been more a father to him than I have".
Anders hasn't heard anything yet from Meereen, information moves slowly in Essos (which has no messenger ravens so it needs to be carried by hand) and most of the people who can pass on that message, like Arch and Drink, are still caught up in the Battle of Fire (and hoping that the Tattered Prince will be merciful to them for their previous desertion). Any news that might get back could end up with a distorted and unflattering picture of Daenerys too (and some of that fallout may carryover to Aegon who seeks to ally with her).
But even before it does the troops commanded by the Yronwoods in the Boneway are conveniently close to the events happening in the Stormlands with the Golden Company. And the Yronwoods have been suspiciously consistent partners of the Golden Company and Blackfyres in the past (which often drew in second houses with a lot to gain), which is all the more interesting given the rumors around Aegon ("Lords of Yronwood rode for the black dragon in no less than three of the five Blackfyre Rebellions.") So if Arianne seeks to side with Aegon and JonCon the Yronwoods might be the first to throw in with that cause... especially if its also a way to oppose Mace Tyrell given his hatred of all things Dorne. However, it might also be interesting if she takes after her father's advice to be cautious and tries to hold back her forces, leading to the Yronwoods ignorning her and Doran's commands and striking out on their own anyways. And it will be interesting how these events may combine with the x-factor of news of Quentyn and Cletus arriving at some point (whatever the timing of that might be in relation to the Battle of Steel).
So what do you think of Houses Fowler, Uller, and Yronwood... will we see them act out in Winds or play loyal bannermen to Doran?
~Thank you for Reading!~
TLDR This post explores the ample foreshadowing that Houses Fowler, Uller, and Yronwood may be unreliable allies of Doran when pressed, and their reaction may not follow what we'd expect when Arianne sends out her last raven either calling Dorne's spears to side with the Golden Company or holding off and keeping to the passes (taking after her father's more prudent advice). Could the Fowlers join with Darkstar and raid the Dornish Marches? Will we have a chapter at the Hellholt before Areo's party travels the deep sands where we see Lord Harmen Uller's rebellious nature collide with Ellaria Sand's attempts at peace? And will the Yronwood troops in the Boneway join their historic allies in the Golden Company, or have a divisive reaction to news of Quentyn and Cletus' deaths?
2024.05.15 03:24 TaranMatharu Fromland defence strategy - Attack on Titan airlocks
 | This is just a fun thought exercise, and is probably beyond the scope of what the traumatised, confused and dejected folks in the town could achieve. But if one takes a maximalist approach to safety, the below might be a good way to do it. submitted by TaranMatharu to FromTVEpix [link] [comments] There are 12 talismans in the town. Their options are colony house, the various town houses, the clinic, the bar, the barn, the diner, the church and probably a few more I'm missing. To maximise the usefulness of the Talismans, we can use them strategically instead of scattering them across town. To do this, one needs the largest seal, that can then be subdivided into layers of defence. That is Colony House. The first principle, would be to make several "air-locks" of access, much like the Attack on Titan city does. Of course they'd have to do construction to do this - deconstructing the walls inside and reconstructing them, as well as cannibalising the barn they rarely use for planks of wood and nails, and the rest of the town, one house at a time, for bricks, (bunk) beds, and most importantly, inner doors. The new Colony House would ultimately a place to go when the sun goes down, and sleep. It will also encourage everyone to sleep early and leave at first light, and return to the town, where the church and diner remain as gathering places, and most of the houses would remain relatively intact. If using all the talismans and maximal division of space, it would in an ideal world would be concentric segmented circles with a talisman sealing each, ideally with doors in every adjoining wall, except for the way out, which would have only one way into the building in one of the pink segments Fromland defence strategy - Attack on Titan airlocks
The above circular design is idealised and more illustrative - they would probably do their best to make use of existing structures and have realistic expectations for their abilities, so it would probably be more akin to boxes within boxes. Luckily, Jim is an engineer and seems to have some construction experience to help guide them. Let's also assume we keep two talismans back too, so having one central zone, and then three layers of defense subdivided by three rooms each - 10 rooms total. 1 spare for an observation point on the roof, made from the window frames in the township, disconnected from the rest of the house. This would come with a smaller version of Jim's radio, so they can communicate with the inside without endangering them. It would also require an escape route if compromised, taking the talisman and using Victor's rope ladder to climb down into a waiting tent, or the escape van if there's no talisman to be used. This is a necessary sacrifice, as with these new tactics, the monsters might also change their approach, like when they went from just screeching to talking their way in. It's good to keep an eye on their activities, and Boyd's binoculars are perfect for this - with his bell to ring to warn everyone to be on alert. The coach should be stripped of seats to make bedding and more room for everyone to pile in, and moved beside Colony House as a safe place to retreat to in case of emergency, taking talismans from the walls as they leave the building. Jim's trailer should also be pulled out using the van if possible. Other larger vehicles should be dragged nearer too, for the same purposes. The second is for emergencies, further exploration, and usually stays in the coach so any late arrivals have somewhere to go without risking letting them in. Colony House has a cellar, and this should be the final line of defense and ideally located inside or adjacent to the center. In the case of a full collapse and exits blocked, the occupants in the safe zone should have ample warning to retreat deeper underground with their talisman, this time with a door that locks and barricades in case of human traitors, and their weapons cache too. This is also where food would be stored. One could expand the living space even more here, should the need arise. There is one big problem with all this though. The last time anyone did anything like this, what with the radio tower and Tabitha's hole, Fromland did not take too kindly, definitely collapsing one and likely destroying the other with a storm. Would the above be taken in the spirit of the game? I kinda doubt it! But it's fun to think about. |
2024.05.15 03:24 Realistic_Ad_2365 How to Install Guppy
Hi guys, after losing brain cells trying to find information on how to install the Guppy screen, I wanted to show y'all how to do it on your own if you choose to. I may be wrong on some parts, but these are the things that worked for me. Thanks to wolfie_the_king_574 for telling me some of the steps on how to do it, but some of it didn't work for me. I also used Wiki for Creality Helper Script (guilouz.github.io) and ballaswag/guppyflo: GuppyFLO is a self-hosted service that enables local/remote management of multiple Klipper printers using Moonraker (github.com) and ballaswag/guppyscreen: A native Touch UI for 3D Printers running KlippeMoonraker. (github.com) on the steps for some of it and will be summarizing most of it. I will also be adding in the common downloads needed here for easy access as I was jumping all around to find it. [I'm not sure if you have to keep rebooting your printer during this process, but I'll take the safe way and do it anyways]
[Edit: I'm not sure why upon posting, that the numbers are all 1. but I can't change it so bare with me]
Let me know if I did anything wrong, but these are the steps that worked for me.
submitted by Realistic_Ad_2365 to Ender3V3SE [link] [comments]
[Edit: I'm not sure why upon posting, that the numbers are all 1. but I can't change it so bare with me]
- [1] Reset your entire Nebula Pad
- Download and unzip this file: Creality_K1_Reset_Utility.zip
- Open the file Creality_K1_Reset_Utility.html in your Internet browser.
- Make sure your printer is on, and put in your IP address and click reset.
- Reboot to make sure it has reset.
- Turn off your printer now.
- [2] Reinstall the firmware for the Nebula Pad
- Download this Ender 3 V3 SE Firmware.
- Add the Ender3V3SE_firmware.bin file into your SD card and plug it into the printer.
- Choose the Ender 3 V3 SE logo on the next page. Put in your settings and update to the latest version.
- Turn off your printer.
- [3] Now you want to root your Nebula Pad
- Click on this Destinal Root and download the first link in the description.
- There should be a white usb that came with the Nebula Pad. Plug that into your computer and format it in FAT32 with 4096 allocation size.
- Now copy the file into the usb and insert it into the side of the Nebula Pad.
- Turn on the printer and there should be a popup to upgrade.
- After it finishes upgrading, take the usb out or else it will keep having that popup.
- You can reboot if you want, I don't think you have to right now.
- [4] Install PuTTY and go into Helperscript
- Click on this PuTTY Download and download the right one for you and install it.
- Next, when you open up PuTTY, enter the IP address for your printer and press enter. The IP address can be found where your wifi settings are on the Nebula Pad.
- It's going to say login as: and type in root
- Now it'll ask for the password which is creality
- Next, type in ./installer.sh to enter Helperscript
- [5] Uninstall Moonraker, Fluid, Mainsail, and the Creality OS
- Type in 2 to get into the remove screen.
- Go one by one and type in 1 2 3 to remove each one respectively
- Type in b to go back to the main screen
- Type in 4 to enter the Customize screen and type in 3 to remove Creality OS
- Reboot
- [6] Update Helperscript
- ssh back into the Nebula Pad using PuTTY
- Type in git config --global http.sslVerify false to avoid encountering an issue, I'm not sure what.
- Type in git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/Guilouz/Creality-Helper-Script.git /usdata/helper-script to install the script in the usdate folder.
- Type in sh /usdata/helper-script/helper.sh to run the script.
- There's two different way to now update the Helper Script
- Go through the PuTTY, go through the user and password and enter ./installer.sh again and it should pop up with the update OR
- When you access Fluidd or Mainsail, update it directly there.
- You can access Fluidd by http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:4408/ (replacing xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx by your local IP address).
- Go in the Settings tab and go into Software Updates and click Update for Creality-Helper-Script.
- You can access Mainsail by http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:4409/(replacing xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx by your local IP address).
- Go in the Machine tab and it should be there as well.
- Reboot
- [7] Reinstall Moonraker, Fluid and/or Mainsail
- Go back into PuTTY, go back in the ./installer.sh, type in 1 to the installation screen and follow along for the installation of those. I don't think I have to baby steps that now.
- Reboot
- [8] Update Everything
- Depending on if you use Fluidd or Mainsail, go back into those websites and update everything in the update section if it's not already updated.
- [9] Install Anything Else + Guppy [FINALLY]
- Go back through PuTTY and into the Helper Script. Now you can also install anything you wanted to during. If you're unsure of what these mean, click on this Installer Definitions and look to the left side under "Install Menu" and look through whatever you want to.
- Some of these you won't have since this is meant for a different printer.
- You have to exit out of the Helper Script now by typing in q
- Now type in, to install GuppyFLO wget -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ballaswag/guppyflo/main/installer.sh sh
- Now type in, to install the Guppy Screen and it should change your Nebula Pad to horizontal format and have you calibrate it touching cursors.sh -c "$(wget --no-check-certificate -qO - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ballaswag/guppyscreen/main/installer.sh)"
- [10] How to Connect to it on the Internet (I copied this straight this)
- Create a Tailscale account: Create Tailscale Account
- Install Tailscale application depending device(s) you want to use for remote access: Download Tailscale App
- Search up http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:9873 (by replacing xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx by your printer's local IP address) to access the GuppyFLO Web interface
- Then, click on authenticate link to register GuppyFLO instance to Tailscale
- You will be redirected to the Tailscale website to connect device by clicking on Connect button
- Go to to your Tailscale Admin console here: Tailscale Admin Console
- There you will see the connected devices and their respective IP addresses:
- guppyflo → Your printer
- IP address assigned to your printer
- The devices you have connected to Tailscale (here my mobile phone)
- The IP addresses assigned to the devices you have connected
- Go to Tailscale DNS settings tab and enable MagicDNS feature
- Go back to GuppyFLO Web interface and click on Add Printer button
- Configure settings and click on Save button
- You can now connect to GuppyFlo Web interface remotely with http://guppyflo URL
Let me know if I did anything wrong, but these are the steps that worked for me.
2024.05.15 03:21 WolfoftheAurora Am I Wrong For Getting Angry at My Father?
I (39) am an aunt to two beautiful kids: Michelle (almost 3) and Matthew (2 mos). The only thing is that I live about 5 hours away from them by way of the Trans-Canada highway, one way, and I don't feel safe driving, due to medical reasons, so I've never gotten my license. I also am on disability income assistance due to my health and I'm not able to work right now, making any sort of travel very difficult due to very little money.
When my niece was born, it was the height of Covid. My dad knew just how important it was for me to meet and hold her as an infant, as there's nothing like holding a beautiful, new life, but he didn't care and went to meet her on a business trip. I had no idea he went to meet her until he showed me the picture and I was extremely upset. He told me to "get over it." I didn't get a chance to meet her until she was around 1.5 years old. While it was still nice to meet her, obviously, the joy of meeting her as a newborn was long since passed. I've never forgiven him for it, he never apologised, but I had no choice but to move on.
We were going to meet him together over the Mother's Day weekend but my dad got sick and things had to be postponed.
As I was getting picked up by my stepmom this morning for an appointment, she told me that she and my dad (why she goes with him is beyond me as there's literally nothing for her to do) will be going out that way, where my brother lives, for my dad's work. I immediately figured out that they were also going to be visiting my brother and meeting Matthew and I was extremely angry. I wasn't yelling and screaming or using any kind of language, but I was angry. First my stepmom, after telling my dad that I would be angry about this, tries to skirt around the issue saying, "Oh, we haven't really decided..." then says it makes no sense to not drop in as they'll be driving right past them. She then carries on to tell me to grow up and that anyone would tell me that I'm acting the fool especially when I said they could skip visiting this once and we could go again later.
I called my dad and told him how angry I was. He told me that I have no right to tell him how to live his life and that I'm being a bully and that he does not take kindly to how I'm reacting.
My dad said in a text that I could try calling my brother and ask if I could stay at his place for the time that they're there but I don't know if I want to put him out like that. I want to meet my nephew, not impose. He then added I could come back in the rental truck with them or take the bus back and he doesn't care.
For a bit of context: my dad's been like this all his life and never took my late mom's feelings into account, and always did whatever he wanted and it left my mom feeling like crap more than you can imagine. When she passed away, my aunt, her sister, told me that my mom was even considering an annulment because of how he so often never cared about her feelings.
I love my dad and stepmom very much, but but this has hurt me and I honestly don't know what to make of it. Why is it so important to me? The joy of meeting a newborn is as special as anything. That's why. Yes, I've been crying, too.
submitted by WolfoftheAurora to CharlotteDobreYouTube [link] [comments]
When my niece was born, it was the height of Covid. My dad knew just how important it was for me to meet and hold her as an infant, as there's nothing like holding a beautiful, new life, but he didn't care and went to meet her on a business trip. I had no idea he went to meet her until he showed me the picture and I was extremely upset. He told me to "get over it." I didn't get a chance to meet her until she was around 1.5 years old. While it was still nice to meet her, obviously, the joy of meeting her as a newborn was long since passed. I've never forgiven him for it, he never apologised, but I had no choice but to move on.
We were going to meet him together over the Mother's Day weekend but my dad got sick and things had to be postponed.
As I was getting picked up by my stepmom this morning for an appointment, she told me that she and my dad (why she goes with him is beyond me as there's literally nothing for her to do) will be going out that way, where my brother lives, for my dad's work. I immediately figured out that they were also going to be visiting my brother and meeting Matthew and I was extremely angry. I wasn't yelling and screaming or using any kind of language, but I was angry. First my stepmom, after telling my dad that I would be angry about this, tries to skirt around the issue saying, "Oh, we haven't really decided..." then says it makes no sense to not drop in as they'll be driving right past them. She then carries on to tell me to grow up and that anyone would tell me that I'm acting the fool especially when I said they could skip visiting this once and we could go again later.
I called my dad and told him how angry I was. He told me that I have no right to tell him how to live his life and that I'm being a bully and that he does not take kindly to how I'm reacting.
My dad said in a text that I could try calling my brother and ask if I could stay at his place for the time that they're there but I don't know if I want to put him out like that. I want to meet my nephew, not impose. He then added I could come back in the rental truck with them or take the bus back and he doesn't care.
For a bit of context: my dad's been like this all his life and never took my late mom's feelings into account, and always did whatever he wanted and it left my mom feeling like crap more than you can imagine. When she passed away, my aunt, her sister, told me that my mom was even considering an annulment because of how he so often never cared about her feelings.
I love my dad and stepmom very much, but but this has hurt me and I honestly don't know what to make of it. Why is it so important to me? The joy of meeting a newborn is as special as anything. That's why. Yes, I've been crying, too.
2024.05.15 03:20 GlassPanther How to completely DISABLE the IR LED Lights in a Tapo C100 / C110 Camera - No brains required.
I bought a whole shitload of these cameras and have them mounted to all the windows in my house, facing outwards, to keep them out of the elements and also safe from vandalism.
Unfortunately putting them behind a big pane of glass makes it pretty crappy at night because the infrared LEDs installed in these cameras reflect off of the glass and completely blow out the image.
The obvious solution is to just switch it from auto mode to day mode in the app, which would make it stay in the full color mode.. the only problem with this is of course at night it's pitch black outside and I can't just install a great big bright flood light in my subdivision ... but what I can do is install a great big bright infrared illuminator outside .... buuuuuut ... these cameras have a physical filter inside them - that's why you hear a click when it switches from day mode to night mode. That filter completely blocks out the infrared from an illuminator ...
So I decided to find a workaround.
Covering the LEDs with tape doesn't work because the LEDs themselves are set back from the plastic front of the camera and so that bright LED illumination still bleeds through. I needed a way to just disable them entirely... and here it is.
I made this video HERE to show you how insanely easy it is to actually disable these LED lights without damaging your unit or even so much as needing to turn a screwdriver.
Takes less than 2 minutes and is totally nondestructive and undoable.
Enjoy being able to window mount your cameras once again!!!
submitted by GlassPanther to TpLink [link] [comments]
Unfortunately putting them behind a big pane of glass makes it pretty crappy at night because the infrared LEDs installed in these cameras reflect off of the glass and completely blow out the image.
The obvious solution is to just switch it from auto mode to day mode in the app, which would make it stay in the full color mode.. the only problem with this is of course at night it's pitch black outside and I can't just install a great big bright flood light in my subdivision ... but what I can do is install a great big bright infrared illuminator outside .... buuuuuut ... these cameras have a physical filter inside them - that's why you hear a click when it switches from day mode to night mode. That filter completely blocks out the infrared from an illuminator ...
So I decided to find a workaround.
Covering the LEDs with tape doesn't work because the LEDs themselves are set back from the plastic front of the camera and so that bright LED illumination still bleeds through. I needed a way to just disable them entirely... and here it is.
I made this video HERE to show you how insanely easy it is to actually disable these LED lights without damaging your unit or even so much as needing to turn a screwdriver.
Takes less than 2 minutes and is totally nondestructive and undoable.
Enjoy being able to window mount your cameras once again!!!
2024.05.15 03:19 cadet311 HVAC Replacement Quotes - NJ
Hi all! We need to replace our AC system and we received the following quotes. I would appreciate any input on the equipment or scope of work provided by these companies. It is worth noting that Quote #3 is eligible for 0% financing for up to $15k through our utility company. The other quotes are eligible for financing but not at 0%. The third vendor did also include an option to remove the fiberboard ducts.
Quote #1 - $12,500
submitted by cadet311 to hvacadvice [link] [comments]
Quote #1 - $12,500
- Replacement Overhead A/C Agreement.
- Remove & Dispose of existing Bryant 3.5 -ton AC equipment.
- Furnish and install new Trane condensers Mod# 4TTR5042N 15 SEER Rating
- Furnish and install new Trane 2 piece air handler Mod# TAMXB0C42V
- New line set, slim duct to cover line set
- new condenser pad.
- New systems will be installed and transitioned to existing air duct system.
- New emergency drain pan with automatic shut off switch,
- New outside disconnect with whip.
- All wiring installed to code.
- One-year warranty on all workmanship
- Ten-year manufactures warranty on A/C compressor and all other a/c components.
- Customer is aware that we need a clear access and all work areas to be clear of articles to ensure a proper safe installation.
- This Installation will be installed by a COMPANY #1 Licensed Contractor.
- Optional Additional cost to install Trane Clean Effects $1,500
- **Note: Cost of permits will be billed separate over & above the agreement.
- Replacement Overhead A/C Agreement with Heat Pump
- Remove & Dispose of existing Bryant 3.5 -ton AC equipment.
- Furnish and install new Trane Heat Pump condensers Mod# 4TWR5042N 15 SEER Rating
- Furnish and install new Trane 2 piece air handler Mod# TAMXB0C42V
- new line set, slim duct to cover line set
- new condenser pad.
- New systems will be installed and transitioned to existing air duct system.
- New emergency drain pan with automatic shut off switch,
- New outside disconnect with whip.
- All wiring installed to code.
- Square D breaker to be changed from 30 to 40 amp.
- New heat pump thermostat and new thermostat wire to be installed.
- One-year warranty on all workmanship,
- Ten-year manufactures warranty on A/C compressor and all other a/c components.
- Customer is aware that we need a clear access and all work areas to be clear of articles to ensure a proper safe installation.
- This Installation will be installed by a COMPANY #1 Energy Approved Licensed Contractor.
- Optional - Additional cost to install Trane Clean Effects $1,500
- **Note: Cost of permits will be billed separate over & above the agreement.
- Scope of Work: Remove and recycle existing air handler and condensing unit.
- Equipment to be installed:
- BOSCH heat pump - BOVB-60HDN1-M20 - AHRI #: 207658523, 18.5 SEER2, 12.0 EER2, 9.5 HSPF2 One () BOSCH heat pump, up to 19 SEER, 5 ton, 208/230V, R410A
- BOSCH air handler - BVA-48WN1-M20 - 4 ton, 208/230V, R410A
- BOSCH electric heater - EHK-05B
- Install new air handler in the attic set in a new emergency drain pan.
- New drain pan will feature a float switch for worry free condensate drainage and vibration isolators for quiet system operation.
- Field fabricate transitional duct fittings to connect new equipment to existing duct system as needed.
- Alter and reconnect to existing condensate drain with new PVC trap and clean out.
- Alter and reconnect to existing line and low-voltage electric circuits
- Alter and reconnect existing refrigerant piping, low-voltage control wire, and emergency condensate drain as needed at new indoor equipment and new heat pump set in same location on a new vibration isolation/sow elevation pad.
- Install new main condensate drain from new air handler to exterior side of house new new heat pump.
- Install one new dedicated 220 volt, 30 amp circuit from existing electric panel to new electric strip heater in air handler in attic.
- Install one new HONEYWELL 8000 digital/programmable thermostat.
- Leak check, evacuate, and charge refrigerant system. Start up and test system operation.
- Optional Ductwork replacement ($5,500)
- Remove and recycle all fiberboard main supply duct trunks in attic.
- Install new galvanized metal main supply air trunk in same location of attic.
- Galvanized metal main supply trunk will be wrapped in REFLECTIX R.8 non-fiberglass duct insulation.
- Alter and reconnect to existing flexible supply air duct branches with new branch take-offs featuring manually adjustable volume dampers for efficient system balancing.
2024.05.15 03:19 cadet311 HVAC Replacement Quotes - NJ
Hi all! We need to replace our AC system and we received the following quotes. I would appreciate any input on the equipment or scope of work provided by these companies. It is worth noting that Quote #3 is eligible for 0% financing for up to $15k through our utility company. The other quotes are eligible for financing but not at 0%. The third vendor did also include an option to remove the fiberboard ducts.
Quote #1 - $12,500
submitted by cadet311 to HomeImprovement [link] [comments]
Quote #1 - $12,500
- Replacement Overhead A/C Agreement.
- Remove & Dispose of existing Bryant 3.5 -ton AC equipment.
- Furnish and install new Trane condensers Mod# 4TTR5042N 15 SEER Rating
- Furnish and install new Trane 2 piece air handler Mod# TAMXB0C42V
- New line set, slim duct to cover line set
- new condenser pad.
- New systems will be installed and transitioned to existing air duct system.
- New emergency drain pan with automatic shut off switch,
- New outside disconnect with whip.
- All wiring installed to code.
- One-year warranty on all workmanship
- Ten-year manufactures warranty on A/C compressor and all other a/c components.
- Customer is aware that we need a clear access and all work areas to be clear of articles to ensure a proper safe installation.
- This Installation will be installed by a COMPANY #1 Licensed Contractor.
- Optional Additional cost to install Trane Clean Effects $1,500
- **Note: Cost of permits will be billed separate over & above the agreement.
- Replacement Overhead A/C Agreement with Heat Pump
- Remove & Dispose of existing Bryant 3.5 -ton AC equipment.
- Furnish and install new Trane Heat Pump condensers Mod# 4TWR5042N 15 SEER Rating
- Furnish and install new Trane 2 piece air handler Mod# TAMXB0C42V
- new line set, slim duct to cover line set
- new condenser pad.
- New systems will be installed and transitioned to existing air duct system.
- New emergency drain pan with automatic shut off switch,
- New outside disconnect with whip.
- All wiring installed to code.
- Square D breaker to be changed from 30 to 40 amp.
- New heat pump thermostat and new thermostat wire to be installed.
- One-year warranty on all workmanship,
- Ten-year manufactures warranty on A/C compressor and all other a/c components.
- Customer is aware that we need a clear access and all work areas to be clear of articles to ensure a proper safe installation.
- This Installation will be installed by a COMPANY #1 Energy Approved Licensed Contractor.
- Optional - Additional cost to install Trane Clean Effects $1,500
- **Note: Cost of permits will be billed separate over & above the agreement.
- Scope of Work: Remove and recycle existing air handler and condensing unit.
- Equipment to be installed:
- BOSCH heat pump - BOVB-60HDN1-M20 - AHRI #: 207658523, 18.5 SEER2, 12.0 EER2, 9.5 HSPF2 One () BOSCH heat pump, up to 19 SEER, 5 ton, 208/230V, R410A
- BOSCH air handler - BVA-48WN1-M20 - 4 ton, 208/230V, R410A
- BOSCH electric heater - EHK-05B
- Install new air handler in the attic set in a new emergency drain pan.
- New drain pan will feature a float switch for worry free condensate drainage and vibration isolators for quiet system operation.
- Field fabricate transitional duct fittings to connect new equipment to existing duct system as needed.
- Alter and reconnect to existing condensate drain with new PVC trap and clean out.
- Alter and reconnect to existing line and low-voltage electric circuits
- Alter and reconnect existing refrigerant piping, low-voltage control wire, and emergency condensate drain as needed at new indoor equipment and new heat pump set in same location on a new vibration isolation/sow elevation pad.
- Install new main condensate drain from new air handler to exterior side of house new new heat pump.
- Install one new dedicated 220 volt, 30 amp circuit from existing electric panel to new electric strip heater in air handler in attic.
- Install one new HONEYWELL 8000 digital/programmable thermostat.
- Leak check, evacuate, and charge refrigerant system. Start up and test system operation.
- Optional Ductwork replacement ($5,500)
- Remove and recycle all fiberboard main supply duct trunks in attic.
- Install new galvanized metal main supply air trunk in same location of attic.
- Galvanized metal main supply trunk will be wrapped in REFLECTIX R.8 non-fiberglass duct insulation.
- Alter and reconnect to existing flexible supply air duct branches with new branch take-offs featuring manually adjustable volume dampers for efficient system balancing.
2024.05.15 03:14 Parking-Ad-2935 Pregnant with my 6th and high risk
Found out I’m pregnant with my 6th. Completely unplanned and accidental. We were using protection. Had my 5th at 37 weeks after I developed pre eclampsia. My blood pressure is still high even now, 3 years later. (Runs in my family; I take medication) but during my last, it got very uncontrolled even with a high dose of meds. What are the chances I’d develop it again, and earlier? I am not sure it’s safe to be pregnant again.
submitted by Parking-Ad-2935 to BabyBumps [link] [comments]
2024.05.15 03:13 howtokill4 Entire meet the spy script
Administrator: "Intruder alert! A RED Spy is in the base!"
[Camera pans down to show a BLU Soldier reading the sign board.]
Soldier: "A RED Spy is in the base?"
[Soldier grabs his shotgun off a gun rack and runs down the stairs.]
Soldier: "Hut hut hut hut hut."
Administrator: "Protect the briefcase!"
Soldier: "We need to protect the briefcase!"
Scout: "Yo, a little help here?"
[Camera moves to BLU Scout pulling on a door handle. Soldier pushes him out of the way and enters numbers into the keypad.]
Soldier: "Alright, alright, I got it. Stand back son. One, one, one, uhh, one!"
Scout: "Let's go, let's go, let's go!"
[A BLU Heavy runs towards them and the door from behind.]
Heavy: "Incoming!"
[Heavy runs into the Scout and Soldier, breaking down the door with Sasha, his minigun. Heavy runs towards the briefcase, knocking Scout and Soldier over in the process. Scout crawls up from the floor, while Heavy lowers his gun.]
Scout: [Screams,]... "Hey, it's still here."
Heavy: [Yells,]... "Alright then."
[Camera pans to behind Heavy. There is a BLU Spy holding a BLU Sniper over his shoulder. The Sniper is dead.]
Spy: "Ahem, gentlemen."
["Meet the Spy" text appears.]
[Spy adjusts the corpse of Sniper and walks towards the briefcase.]
Spy: "I see the briefcase is safe."
Soldier: "Safe and sound!"
Scout: "Yeah, it is!"
[Scout and Soldier stand up.]
Spy: "Tell me, did anyone happen to kill a RED Spy on the way here?"
[Scout shrugs, Heavy and Soldier look at each other and then back to Spy.]
Spy: "No? Then we still have a problem."
[Spy tosses Sniper's corpse onto the desk, showing the Sniper still has a Spy's knife in his back. A sharp musical cue plays.]
Soldier: "And a knife!"
Scout: "Ooh, big problem. I kill plenty of Spies. They're dime-a-dozen back-stabbin' scumbags. Like you! Ow. No offense."
[Scout takes the butterfly knife out of Sniper's back, spinning it around before cutting his finger and dropping the knife. He puts the cut in his mouth.]
Spy: "If you manage to kill them, I assure you, they were not like me."
[Spy spins the knife much better than Scout, fancily closing it and handing it to Scout, who takes his cut out of his mouth.]
Spy: "And nothing, nothing, like the man loose inside this building."
Scout: "What are you? President of his fan club?"
[Soldier laughs behind Scout. Spy walks over to the windows next to the desk.]
Spy: "No.."
[Spy turns back to Scout.]
Spy: "That would be your mother!"
[Spy brings out a Manila folder. He slams it against the desk, and it has "TOP SECRET, SCOUT'S MOM" written on it. Multiple images of the RED Spy and BLU Scout's mother being intimate fly out of the folder and onto the desk. The camera shows us close ups of three of the images.]
Scout: [Stutters in shock.]
[Scout, Soldier and Heavy all look at the photos. Scout with confusion and anger, Soldier with interest and Heavy mostly uncaring, but a little shocked.]
Spy: "Indeed, and now he is here to [Censored] us! So listen up, boy, or pornography starring your mother will be the second worst thing that happens to you today."
[Spy grabs a cigarette from his case, Scout looks like he is ready to attack Spy, Heavy and Soldier are trading the images of Scout's Ma.]
Soldier: "Oh!"
Scout: "G-gimme that!"
[Scout begins to collect the images, taking them from Heavy and Soldier. Spy takes a drag from his cigarette and looks out the window at a map of the world.]
Spy: "The Spy has already breached our defenses..."
[The camera changes to show the RED Spy running along a hallway. He hides behind a rock quickly, before tossing a Sapper at a BLU Sentry, destroying it, and shooting the Engineer.]
Engineer: "Sentry down!"
[The Engineer falls through a door, dead, and the RED Spy shoots something off camera.]
[Cut back to the three BLU's in the intel room.]
Spy: "You've seen what he's done to our colleagues!"
[The camera pans down to the deceased BLU Sniper before fading into this Sniper's fight with the RED Spy. The Spy raises his knife, ready to backstab, but the Sniper hears him and defends himself with his rifle. The Spy kicks him into a wall, where Sniper grabs his Kukri, attempting to attack the Spy. The Spy dodges, but gets a slash on the Snipers left cheek. Sniper goes in for the attack, but Spy gets the best of him, backstabbing the Sniper. His body falls through the wall onto the ground below. Fight sounds are heard throughout the scene.]
[Cut back to the three BLU's.]
Spy: "And worst of all, he could be any one of us."
[Cut to the RED Spy fighting a BLU Medic. Spy gets a hold on him and disguises himself as the Medic. The disguised Spy hits the Medic, causing his glasses to fly into the air, and for the real Medic to fall to the ground, assumed dead. The Spy grabs Medic's glasses mid-air and puts them on.]
[Cut back to the three BLU's.]
Spy: "He could be in this very room! He could be you. He could be me! He could even be-"
[Spy looks at the camera, but is cut off by his head being blown off. Soldier reloads his shotgun after shooting his teammate. Scout and Heavy look on in surprise. The images and the folder Scout was holding flies into the air.]
Scout: "Woah, woah, woah!"
Heavy: "Oh..."
Soldier: "What? It was obvious! He was the RED Spy! Watch, he'll turn red any second now."
[The camera shows Spy's foot, and Soldier nudges it with his shotgun.]
Soldier: "Aaaany second now..."
[The camera changes to show Heavy and Soldier, who are crouching next to the Spy's body. They do not notice when the BLU Scout changes his demeanor to be much more unaffected by the murder of his teammate. The Scout looks around the room, to make sure no one is watching.]
Soldier: "See! Red! No wait, that's blood..."
[The camera changes again, to be following the BLU Scout as he un-flicks the knife, slowly approaching the unsuspecting BLU's.]
Heavy: "So... We still got problem."
Soldier: "Big problem..."
[Scout approaches them, knife ready.]
Soldier: "Alright, who's ready to go find this Spy?"
[The Soldier and Heavy are unaware as the BLU Scout uncloaks and turns out to be the RED Spy. The Spy lifts his knife, prepared to backstab both of them.]
RED Spy: "Right behind you."
[Both Heavy and Soldier gasp and turn to see the Spy.]
[Team Fortress 2 ending flourish music plays. The sounds of the Soldier and Heavy being murdered can be heard during this.]
[French music plays as we zoom out on a pile of the images seen earlier. The RED Spy, holding the briefcase, moves some out of the way, and grabs a specific one of him and BLU Scout's Ma standing together holding hands. He picks this one up very carefully. He smiles at the sight of it.]
RED Spy: "Ah.. Ma petit chou-fleur."
[The Spy stands up, and walks away.]
submitted by howtokill4 to tf2 [link] [comments]
[Camera pans down to show a BLU Soldier reading the sign board.]
Soldier: "A RED Spy is in the base?"
[Soldier grabs his shotgun off a gun rack and runs down the stairs.]
Soldier: "Hut hut hut hut hut."
Administrator: "Protect the briefcase!"
Soldier: "We need to protect the briefcase!"
Scout: "Yo, a little help here?"
[Camera moves to BLU Scout pulling on a door handle. Soldier pushes him out of the way and enters numbers into the keypad.]
Soldier: "Alright, alright, I got it. Stand back son. One, one, one, uhh, one!"
Scout: "Let's go, let's go, let's go!"
[A BLU Heavy runs towards them and the door from behind.]
Heavy: "Incoming!"
[Heavy runs into the Scout and Soldier, breaking down the door with Sasha, his minigun. Heavy runs towards the briefcase, knocking Scout and Soldier over in the process. Scout crawls up from the floor, while Heavy lowers his gun.]
Scout: [Screams,]... "Hey, it's still here."
Heavy: [Yells,]... "Alright then."
[Camera pans to behind Heavy. There is a BLU Spy holding a BLU Sniper over his shoulder. The Sniper is dead.]
Spy: "Ahem, gentlemen."
["Meet the Spy" text appears.]
[Spy adjusts the corpse of Sniper and walks towards the briefcase.]
Spy: "I see the briefcase is safe."
Soldier: "Safe and sound!"
Scout: "Yeah, it is!"
[Scout and Soldier stand up.]
Spy: "Tell me, did anyone happen to kill a RED Spy on the way here?"
[Scout shrugs, Heavy and Soldier look at each other and then back to Spy.]
Spy: "No? Then we still have a problem."
[Spy tosses Sniper's corpse onto the desk, showing the Sniper still has a Spy's knife in his back. A sharp musical cue plays.]
Soldier: "And a knife!"
Scout: "Ooh, big problem. I kill plenty of Spies. They're dime-a-dozen back-stabbin' scumbags. Like you! Ow. No offense."
[Scout takes the butterfly knife out of Sniper's back, spinning it around before cutting his finger and dropping the knife. He puts the cut in his mouth.]
Spy: "If you manage to kill them, I assure you, they were not like me."
[Spy spins the knife much better than Scout, fancily closing it and handing it to Scout, who takes his cut out of his mouth.]
Spy: "And nothing, nothing, like the man loose inside this building."
Scout: "What are you? President of his fan club?"
[Soldier laughs behind Scout. Spy walks over to the windows next to the desk.]
Spy: "No.."
[Spy turns back to Scout.]
Spy: "That would be your mother!"
[Spy brings out a Manila folder. He slams it against the desk, and it has "TOP SECRET, SCOUT'S MOM" written on it. Multiple images of the RED Spy and BLU Scout's mother being intimate fly out of the folder and onto the desk. The camera shows us close ups of three of the images.]
Scout: [Stutters in shock.]
[Scout, Soldier and Heavy all look at the photos. Scout with confusion and anger, Soldier with interest and Heavy mostly uncaring, but a little shocked.]
Spy: "Indeed, and now he is here to [Censored] us! So listen up, boy, or pornography starring your mother will be the second worst thing that happens to you today."
[Spy grabs a cigarette from his case, Scout looks like he is ready to attack Spy, Heavy and Soldier are trading the images of Scout's Ma.]
Soldier: "Oh!"
Scout: "G-gimme that!"
[Scout begins to collect the images, taking them from Heavy and Soldier. Spy takes a drag from his cigarette and looks out the window at a map of the world.]
Spy: "The Spy has already breached our defenses..."
[The camera changes to show the RED Spy running along a hallway. He hides behind a rock quickly, before tossing a Sapper at a BLU Sentry, destroying it, and shooting the Engineer.]
Engineer: "Sentry down!"
[The Engineer falls through a door, dead, and the RED Spy shoots something off camera.]
[Cut back to the three BLU's in the intel room.]
Spy: "You've seen what he's done to our colleagues!"
[The camera pans down to the deceased BLU Sniper before fading into this Sniper's fight with the RED Spy. The Spy raises his knife, ready to backstab, but the Sniper hears him and defends himself with his rifle. The Spy kicks him into a wall, where Sniper grabs his Kukri, attempting to attack the Spy. The Spy dodges, but gets a slash on the Snipers left cheek. Sniper goes in for the attack, but Spy gets the best of him, backstabbing the Sniper. His body falls through the wall onto the ground below. Fight sounds are heard throughout the scene.]
[Cut back to the three BLU's.]
Spy: "And worst of all, he could be any one of us."
[Cut to the RED Spy fighting a BLU Medic. Spy gets a hold on him and disguises himself as the Medic. The disguised Spy hits the Medic, causing his glasses to fly into the air, and for the real Medic to fall to the ground, assumed dead. The Spy grabs Medic's glasses mid-air and puts them on.]
[Cut back to the three BLU's.]
Spy: "He could be in this very room! He could be you. He could be me! He could even be-"
[Spy looks at the camera, but is cut off by his head being blown off. Soldier reloads his shotgun after shooting his teammate. Scout and Heavy look on in surprise. The images and the folder Scout was holding flies into the air.]
Scout: "Woah, woah, woah!"
Heavy: "Oh..."
Soldier: "What? It was obvious! He was the RED Spy! Watch, he'll turn red any second now."
[The camera shows Spy's foot, and Soldier nudges it with his shotgun.]
Soldier: "Aaaany second now..."
[The camera changes to show Heavy and Soldier, who are crouching next to the Spy's body. They do not notice when the BLU Scout changes his demeanor to be much more unaffected by the murder of his teammate. The Scout looks around the room, to make sure no one is watching.]
Soldier: "See! Red! No wait, that's blood..."
[The camera changes again, to be following the BLU Scout as he un-flicks the knife, slowly approaching the unsuspecting BLU's.]
Heavy: "So... We still got problem."
Soldier: "Big problem..."
[Scout approaches them, knife ready.]
Soldier: "Alright, who's ready to go find this Spy?"
[The Soldier and Heavy are unaware as the BLU Scout uncloaks and turns out to be the RED Spy. The Spy lifts his knife, prepared to backstab both of them.]
RED Spy: "Right behind you."
[Both Heavy and Soldier gasp and turn to see the Spy.]
[Team Fortress 2 ending flourish music plays. The sounds of the Soldier and Heavy being murdered can be heard during this.]
[French music plays as we zoom out on a pile of the images seen earlier. The RED Spy, holding the briefcase, moves some out of the way, and grabs a specific one of him and BLU Scout's Ma standing together holding hands. He picks this one up very carefully. He smiles at the sight of it.]
RED Spy: "Ah.. Ma petit chou-fleur."
[The Spy stands up, and walks away.]
2024.05.15 03:10 imskikilliah How to move computer abroad
In a few months I will be going abroad to live in another country for a year. Im wondering (if its even possible) if there are ways to send my computer abroad along with its peripherals safely. Im moving to the other side of the globe so im wondering if its even safe for me to consider bringing my setup. The weight of my system without monitor, mouse and keyboard is around 10kgs. Any advice would be appreciated.
Psa, taking it with me isnt an option as the weight is too much.
submitted by imskikilliah to pcmasterrace [link] [comments]
Psa, taking it with me isnt an option as the weight is too much.
2024.05.15 03:10 pumpkin_pie_10 Should I study in Moscow?
American here. I’m currently in my second to last year of school (11th grade here, 10th grade in Russia) and I am most likely going to go study in Russia. I am fluent in English and in Russian and I also have a Russian passport (international). There is a quota system that I qualify for going on where basically you are allowed to apply your American high school diploma and basically get accepted to any top university except МГК and МГИМО without taking the ЕГЭ or any other exams. I was looking at a few including ВШЕ, Бауман, etc. (Tech schools) I want to go study cybersecurity or computer science. My question is, first of all, is it worth studying in Moscow at all? Should I go study in a different city? And is it safe? I mean I was raised in basically a russian speaking household however most people who I interact with will obviously suspect that I am a foreigner. Also, are there any good schools besides the ones I have listed that I should look at? And lastly, is there anything I should watch out for if I choose study there? Also I forgot to mention that I’m not exactly alone as most of my family lives there anyway.
submitted by pumpkin_pie_10 to Moscow [link] [comments]
2024.05.15 03:08 ForestHasEyes Polish GROM has been fighting a secret war for decades, our enemies aren't human [Part 3]
Blachowicz here.
Kept yah’ waiting, huh? Heh, sorry about that one, but I can explain. As we all know… we lost a few good men the last few months.
That’s the brutal part of a hybrid war like ours: We’re fighting a foe unconventional, with half our arsenal tied down because those who grant us authorization are either in disbelief of the true facts, or scared… or already assimilated. That being said our momentum recently was a change not seen in years, and because of that… despite the losses we have garnered, we were close through a breakthrough. One last night Krol pulls myself and other two must trusted squad leads into the back of our COP. There is one of our equipment cages, surrounded by m-bitter radios, tripods, and several hundred thousand dollars of equipment he brought us around a simple worn table. Before us he laid a map of eastern poland… red markings indicating cells that seemed to dot the countryside like a pestilence, or used to… as deep gashes of advance from raids had trisected their lines, even if ones did pop up in the interior.
It was a back and forth; an outside virus infecting Polska at it’s heart, and we were the antibodies sent to drive them out. To which… Major Krol points to one of the largest symbol on the map: a dark red diamond, the NATO symbol for an enemy unit, deep inside of an untouched wooded area, adjacent to a mountain ridge. Several jagged lines indicated entrenchment, with red horizontal lines indicating possible enemy control… or our contested control, for over 20kms surrounding it. Letting us all look, the Major lit himself a cigarette.
“Sir, you sure it’s wise to smoke in here with the dive tanks just behind us” 1st Squad’s lead quipped. “Fuck off” Krol dryly said.
“Alright… this is it… this is the one we’ve been searching for for years, this is the nucleus my predecessor commander died trying to find” he says, pointing to it. Not far from Zamosc, it was almost touching the border with Belarus, the contested area indicating the Strigoi did operate over it… indicating one of the largest spill through points. “-It’s an old soviet bunker, made during their 1960s initiative it was designed to hold the munitions and manpower of several units in the event of a NATO first strike” Krol explained. “It’s gotta be massive then…” I said gazing at the map; “Didn’t the army demolish all of the old soviet hulks near Belarus to prevent any infiltrations?” 3rd Squad’s lead asked. “National Police took the effort over… and by extension, the Strigoi. It was halfway demo’ed before they burrowed into it and have been using it as a bridgehead ever since. This is it…” Krol said. He looked around at all of us, a sense of certainty I had never seen before as he blew smoke from his nostrils; “We’ve been fucking around in the dark for so long, it’s hard to believe we’ve made any progress, but this is it. With this gone, this will set them back over a decade and the momentum will finally shift into our favor… into Poland’s… -Europe’s”.
I swear there was almost a flash of joy, of pride in his eyes and a phantom of a smirk before reality set back in “That being said… we can’t leave this to chance, especially not something as important as this. We’re going to have to go there ourselves… clear through every inch of that place, and tear it all down, piece by piece. I will be straight with you all… when we go, there will be some of us that aren’t coming back. -but we are going… a whole generation is counting on us, and unborn billions rely on us to succeed”. We all nodded, a silent agreement washing over us as we took this upon ourselves. Echo-1 spoke up: “So… They’re authorizing a raid? How big?”. “We’re rolling in as a hard target, armor, explosives, and air support” Krol answered, taking a drag off his cigarette. “Aviation? How the hell did we get that approved, we’ve gotten attempts shot down four times due to those leeches” I said in disbelief. “There’s too much evidence here pointing to the human trafficking tied to their actions… We’ve finally got too much weight pinning them down, to keep the hammer from slamming into their necks” Krol chuckled. He looked around “Any questions?”. “When?” Echo-3 asked. “Three hours. We’re hitting them in the dead of night, only time we could get the birds authorized. Get your boys ready. We’re rolling out” Krol said, dying the cigarette bud out on the table. I can’t begin to tell you the euphoria we felt leaving that cage, as our men started arriving, they did so a lot quicker, and with their heads a lot higher than they had in weeks. As Second Squad’s lead we were going to be one of the main arms of attack into the bunker, thus I made sure we had a breacher loaded with enough thermite, charges, and tools to cut through anything. Our shield bearer we ready to go, as was our assaulters, grenadiers, and machine gunner. I double checked each and everyone of their weapons; ensuring the feeder paws of our squad’s belt fed were intact, making sure every breach charge we had was properly set and packed. There was going to be no mistakes, no slip ups. The margin of error needed to be the smallest it had ever been for us tonight if we were going to make the gore spilt worth it.
Finally… there on the outside of the building, the bright LED lights kept the darkness of the ensuing night at bay as the roar of our MRAPs could be heard. It was said once that war is 99% peace, and 1% chaos, they were right. The slow periods where the blood slowed and the doubt creeped in was the worst… yet we all kept it at bay. We needed to, there was going to be no backing down tonight. All three squads were up, all of us ready to go… we circled up… short stares and shaky nods telling us one things: We were in this together, till the end… the finish line so many before us had been searching for, we were being granted tonight.
A single set of footsteps could be heard as we turned, Major Krol stepping into the center. He took the last drag of a cigarette, throwing it down to the ground and stamping it out onto the damp concrete. He looked around… his chin strap blowing in the weak air as he met everyone of our gazes… then mine… then looked around. “I want you to remember every detail of tonight, as you have every other night… when you are situationally aware, scanning for the enemy, liberating the subjugated, I want you to remember the sting of anxiety, the shake of adrenaline, the chill of the bunker, the heat of your weapon as it cuts them down… because tonight we are going to write every fine detail of our victory, their defeat, in history…” Krol’s words echoed deep into our souls. He paused for a moment, staring around he looked down… a small pause before he said “When you are ruthless in combat, remember to be patient, and reserved in victory. This conflict is for our existence… a lot of innocents have bled due to the mistakes of those who failed to listen, a lot of our brothers are now laid under because we had to bridge the gap of uncertainty with their lives. We remember them now… but in an hour? We forget them… when we raise our barrels, when we cut into those foes, and we liberate Polska!! This does not end tonight, but history puts everything in it’s place, and patience is the companion of the victor… All of our hard work will be cemented, no matter the obstacles we face in that darkness… no matter the demons, the blood, no matter what incomprehensible horrors, we will make them comprehend that to invade our land, to bleed our people, the justice will be paid in full… Load up. It’s time*”*.
The purpose in our steps was heavy as we climbed the back ramps of the MRAPS; Four of the heavily armored vehicles, one for each squad with an additional for attached personnel including our JTAC, the term means Joint Terminal Attack Controllers. With air support requisitioned to us for this operations, there needs to be a definite liaison on the ground who can directly communicate to the birds, and coordinate their fire and progress. I’d worked with many of them in the past, resourceful guys, quick thinking though I guess that comes with the position they hold of needing to quickly figure out what bombs to drop, on which target, at what precise points, whilst taking contact. He loaded in the lead vehicle with Major Krol… and soon, our convoy kicked off.
The drive was several hours as myself and my squad sat in the back of that forty ton goliath, the rumbling of the engine keeping us awake as the crap heater fought to keep the cold from the outside frost from setting in. I looked around to each of them, some were catching some sleep because even with the circumstances… better to get all the energy you can, than to stay awake for nothing. Others were checking their weapons… My gunner locked eyes with me, the same one from the village extraction… many of these men I had trained with for a while now, fought with for months.
We may have met on unconventional circumstances but those in JW Grom thrive on austere chance and create opportunity from scratch. I was pulled from my thought by the sound of a transmission, my peltors were set up for dual comms so I could both receive information from the Major and other leads, whilst communicating with my team.
Krol himself sent out: [“Approximately 10 minutes from enemy AO…”]. As the rest of the squads acknowledged, I quickly sent out [“Echo-2 Copies”], before kicking the boots of any of them sleeping: “Look alive, we’re here”. Through the exterior net armor of the MRAPS, and the bars protecting the small reinforced windows, we could barely see jack shit. I reached up, turning off the overhead light as we all looked through our nods to scan the outside. A dark wall of dense trees was shown before us, making it difficult to see… in addition to night vision capabilities we had also requisitioned ourselves some thermals… when mounted onto rifles they were bulky, made it a pain to aim down quickly, but considering the supernatural capabilities of spotting our foes we needed every advantage necessary.
I flipped out one of my tubes… scanning the outside with my scope. I looked over to one of my assaulters who had been assigned to man the turret of the MRAP, seated near the view screen as he controlled the 50. Cal. Each of the vehicle turrets had been assigned a direction to cover… we took the 9 o’clock, the left flank. “See anything?” I asked. He shook his head; “Negative… wait… I’ve got two cold signatures, front left heading to our rear”.
I quickly scanned the far tree line, at approximately 60 meters off our left were two cold signatures… followed by a third heading to our front… then another. They were surrounding us, moving at speeds so fast I could barely keep my reticle on them. Is this what the National Police saw? What they faced at that lodge without the benefit of a foot of heavy armor protecting them on all sides. Then… suddenly. Something slammed into the side of our MRAP so hard, it caused it to shake. From over the leader comms, Echo-3 quickly shouted [“Contact right!! 4 hostiles!!”].
One of the Strigoi… so bold, had charged and slammed into the side of our MRAP. I quickly looked to see the figure, a dark blue mass of cold energy through my thermal, back away without so much as a stagger… as they tried to flee into the woods, the white hot justice of Echo-3’s gun fired at them, cutting them down. “Blachowicz I’ve got a few breaking for our vic” my man on the turret called out, I spun around, spotting out the window.
Just then, Major Krol announced [“weapons free, watch and shoot for targets of opportunity…”]. I turned to him… “take those fuckers out-”. Without hesitation my vic’s turret began to quickly target them, and through the darkness I saw a stream of outgoing fire bisect one of them, the ISR of the black blood freaking out the optic so badly it didn’t know what temperature to register it as… but it did register it. As another was cut down, one broke through the tree line and latched onto the side of our MRAP. The thing tore at one of the outer net armor panels, usually made to stop RPGs. It grabbed at the bars near the windows, tearing one off… I lowered my rifle as we locked eyes through the reinforced window.
The thing… the Strigoi looked at me, skin cracked as putrefied muscle fibers seemed to leak through dead flesh. It’s teeth were corroded and worn down to sharp fragments, alongside newly mutated fangs that messily protrude from the jaws. Even through the thick walls of the MRAP I could hear it’s roar, as it then tried to punch it’s way through… it cracked the outer coating of the vehicle… but it wasn’t getting anywhere near. My machine gunner, seated next to me, seemed to chuckle at the sight, quippily saying “Yeah… fuck you too”. It’s then our vehicle lurched upwards, as we began to climb the small incline of the bunker. I knew the layout, mapped it in our head, the main entrance was built into the rocky side of an old cliff meaning we could easily set up a defensive perimeter around it, a horseshoe. Krol’s vehicle was first, taking to the right as Echo-3’s MRAP followed. My vehicle, third, left the incline and took a left and… that’s where things got complicated.
We’re still trying to work out what happened but… from what Joakim says his drone captured. Right when the MRAP turned, several of the monsters quickly slammed into the side of the vehicle, as another more bulkier one, pushed at it’s undercarriage. The result.. Was the 40 ton armored vehicle tipped over. It wasn’t uncommon, hell in some cases a well placed IED, a good shot with a recoilless rifle, have been known to tip over Oshkoshs and Maxpros all the time. But this beast? Needless to say we barely had a second to comprehend it as it leaned to the left; “Grab on to something-” is all I had time to shout. A mess of gear and men spilled onto one side of the vehicle as it slammed into the old gravel and dirt.
Several of my assaulters, my grenadier planted right ontop of myself and the others as we came to a stop. Someone’s knee slammed directly into the side of my skull, causing me to dazily bob in and out of consciousness as my face was smushed against the glass of one of the windows.
Through my peltors, the other squads were erratic;
[“Echo-2’s vehicle is down!!”].
[“Echo-3 to Echo-2… Echo-3 to Echo-2…”].
Krol’s voice came through the comms;
[“Echo-Lead to Echo-2… Fuc-... Echo-1 secure Echo 2’s flank, Echo-3”].
[“Echo-3 to other units, they’re spilling through, I’ve got several enemy combatants converging on Echo-2’s vehicle”].
I pushed the legs of my grenadier off my head as I fought to my hands and knees, unfucking my nods as I looked around… “Fuck it… we’re going lights on, shield your eyes” I muttered as I reached for the overhead lights and flipped them on. The bright LEDs bathed the inside of the vehicle as we all gained our bearings, a mess of multicam, gear, and weapons as we quickly pushed each other off. My gunner caught as he fought to realign his promask, from what I gathered one of the assaulters had landed directly into his gun, pushing it directly into his jugular, as pulled back at the rubber and coughed, freeing up his esophagus. We didn’t have time to think however… the sound of bending metal caught our attention… as the back ramp door of the MRAP was ripped clean off. I could barely believe it but as the white light of the MRAP’s interior poured to the outside, a hulking mass leaned in, the dead flesh on it’s face nearly fallen off as the hideous Strigoi leaned inside.
Without hesitation I aimed took aim, yelling “Keep to the deck!!” to any of those inbetween myself and the invader as I opened fire. A burst of full auto fire tore through it’s collar and neck, my men quickly clung to either sides of the fallen MRAP as a few more fired out. As the thing backed up, a blast of .50 cal fire quickly tore it to shreds, along with several others as I realized they were fuckin swarming over the outside of our vehicle. Echo-3’s vehicle continued to carefully fire on the Strigoi on the outside, the sounds of .50 cal ricocheting off the outside of our armor was enough to make the pucker factor set in.
[“Echo-3 to Echo-2”].
[“This is Echo-2, we’re green on ammo, equipment, men”].
[“Roger, we’re shifting fire, exit the vehicle”].
“Hurry up let’s go!!” I barked to my men, leading the way as I staggered out. I turned on my peq, taking aim at silhouettes in the brush as I began to fire. The sounds of machine guns lighting up the brush, as a sea of growls, howls, and incomprehensible roars fired back at us was the ambient noise of the night. My men quickly exited, my gunner being the last as he and I pulled back to the rest of the defensive perimeter. I set in my men to take up the frontal security, as 3rd squad took the right flank, 1st squad to the left. Major Krol and the JTAC were bickering with each other; “How far out are the birds”. “They’re entering airspace now…” Joakim said, already scanning his smart book.
I asked “What’ve we got?”. He then flipped through… to the NATO combined arms segment, quippily saying; “Apaches…”. This caused me to pause as Echo-3 turned their head whilst directing their squad’s fire “The hell… where did we get apaches from?”. “The Americans… they volunteered” Krol said dismissively as he took aim at the darkness, firing off a controlled trio. “Volunteered? They’re aware of what’s going on?” I asked.
Krol seemed to stop, glancing back at me before returning his focus “There’s a lot more going on than you realize, Blachowicz… Prep the breach, you and 1st are going on”.
I quickly pulled my breacher off the line, securing some thermite as the reinforced bunker door wasn’t going to go as easily as a conventional door breach would. 1st Squad pulled back, stacking up and preparing themselves to be the first in. All the while… Joakim gave his firing solution; “Alpha Hotel Two Five Nine, This is Bravo-4…… Type 2….”.
I snapped to my right, watching as a Strigoi managed to dark across the clear gravel field, only to be cut down by my gunner, the peq’s laser marking the burst as it tore through the beasts’ hips, as it hit the ground and still continued to claw, another GROM operator took aim and fired into it’s skull. Joakim popped up to his feet…. “Marking laser, high power…”. He then pulled out a target marking laser… if you’ve watched night operations, you’ve probably seen them.
The green laser than as it says on the label, marks targets. The pattern of which can vary… if it’s a point target, it’ll usually lasso an area, or remain on target until the target is removed with extreme prejudice. If its close air support, then it’ll be a line of the general area… and Joakim damn near marked the entire perimeter around us. He quickly pocketed the tool, turning back to Krol; “Don’t go past 20 meters unless you want to be liquidated”.
With that… 2nd and 1st stacked up at the door as 3rd squad took up the perimeter security. As Major Krol went over to Echo-1… I saw them. A single blinking IR strobe from the beasts as they moved on the far off horizon, converging from several angles… and fired. The sound of the Apache’s main gun, the M230, truly sounds like the hammer of god… the 30mm cannon shot through the dark sky, lighting it up as we saw three incoming streams tear up the woods. Only then as the sound broke did we start to hear their rotors as they broke and began to circle, firing again… then… Joakim dipped his head and looked to Krol; [“Foxtrot Mike, hang onto your teeth…”]. One of the Apaches fired off a AGM-114… a Hellfire. I barely saw it out of the corner of my eye as the Apache from our right flank fired off at a target approximately 200 meters off. A fireball lit up the forest as the horrendous roar echoed throughout… then went silent.
Echo-3 scanned the horizon carefully;
[“Echo-3 to Echo-Lead, enemy contact is starting to die down”].
[“Maintain perimeter, Close Air is to maintain fire mission until we are boots up, Break…”].
[“Echo-Lead to Echo-1, condition white has been met. Proceeds”]. I saw Echo-1 and his men quickly stack up close to the wall and gesture to me; Breaching. I quickly pulled my stack back against the wall as his and mine breacher quickly hit their actuators. Now under normal circumstances, it doesn’t take much for thermite to melt the locks off of a metal surface, in fact it’s a more precise took as alternative means get real medieval like saws, pry bars… we weren’t in the mood for precision, we need to breach their little lair, and drag them out. The sound of several pounds of hellfire burning through the metal could be heard around the corner as a sea of white and red sparks flew out… after several seconds, two of our men tossed a fragmentation grenade and a nine-bang through the opening… a series of concussive blasts and a large explosion rang out.
Echo-1 and his men maneuvered. 1st Squad quickly converged as we followed them in.
Stepping through the black wall of smoke, the dark abyss of the interior was illuminated in a white light as entered barrels raised. Shots rang out as several of the beasts near the entrance were cut down, though not immediately, rounds disconnected the shoulder of one of them, leading to their arm hanging limply by a single tendon as they roared… another series of rounds putting them down. What greeted us was a messy concrete hell of rust and debris, fecal matter, trash, and all kinds of obstacles laid in our way, our boots sticking to the floor. I thank every god we had promasks that night. I called my shield bearer up, 2nd squad leapfrogging ahead to take the next corridor as 1st squad checked their weapons.
One of my men mule kicked the metal door ahead, twice, finally the latch gave away as we tossed in a grenade. A horrifying roar was cut off as an M67 shook the walls of the ancient soviet mausoleum, frag and spall kicked off the walls as I moved in right behind my shield man. The cramped russian design meant there was barely enough space for three people, and that’s three normal people, not in 50kgs of kit, moving slowly and maneuvering against creatures of the dark. Still… we moved forward, my shield bearer and I pushing the pace as two stacked of either squad formed on either wall.
As we passed doorways they flowed in… “Door Left!!”, “Door Right!!”. “Move!!”.
Two men entered each side, no gunshots, we moved up, a roar came.
“Door left!!-”. A series of gunshots came out as we continued to push forward.
“Two down!!”. “Confirm them” Krol commanded, as a series of gunshots run out in response. From one of the doorways, a Strigoi emerged… a female… clumps of hair had been ripped from her decaying skull, as her blooded eyes locked on myself and my shieldman. The skin on her hands had been tore down to the point where barely her bones and tendons remain… looking like huge talons as she roared and lunged at us. He fired off his pistol, though the rounds did little to stop her as she pushed against our stack.
“Fuck!!” he muttered, somehow her strength caused him to stagnate, holding up the advance… fuck that. I shoved the muzzle of my MK18 into her ribcage, flipping the weapon to auto as I fired of round after round. The 5.56 salvo disconnecting her spinal column, causing her to fall as I continued to fire, along with a man to our right and left as the stacks reformed as we pushed to the end of the hall. I fell back, dropping the magazine and loading a fresh one, like clockwork a GROM Operator from 1st squad took my place. Krol was beside me as we approached the end of the hall.
[“-Prep an entry”] I radioed to my breacher, a comrade handed him one of the charges from his back panel as he took to the door, quickly securing it. We all moved as far back as we could, look away, exhale. The blast knocked metal and wood in all directions, scrapping against our uniforms and kit as we made our way in and what laid before us was… it used to be the center atrium of one of these bunkers. Soviet’s loved their grandiose designs, the complex was supposed to be a circular room around a central planning table… instead. It had been turned into some sort of church. Runes and old eastern Romuva pagan symbols written in black ink and blood across the walls, old rotten filing cabinets, long receipt terminals. In the center… several of the Strigoi were kneeling before the table where someone had been tied down, flayed, and… shared amongst the group. They rose to their feet, we aimed our barrels…
The ladder amongst turned to us… his skin wasn’t cracked, or flayed, it was smooth… it still looked dead as the body on the table but it seemed more… accustomed to it. I don’t know… evolved? Under the surface however I could see it’s darkened veins pumping whatever cursed blood ran through them as it locked two blood red eyes onto each of us. It’s nose had long since been turn off, exposing boney nostrils to the open air as it seemed to smirk. All across it’s body were the same symbols on the walls, in every cell… markings of death, of rebirth, of assimilation… From behind this seemingly Alpha emerges another figure I had never seemed before… dressed in a white cloak with a deer head.
"So they've followed the trail... they're too late" the Deer headed individual spoke, definitely not from here, a dialect similar to an Americans but... aristocratic? Each word was drawn out, assurance as if they had everything mapped down to our actions. They didn’t sound like they were from Poland or the east.
“Doesn’t matter…” the Alpha growled… and then, it lunged at us. Quickly breaking from their ground it slammed into my shield man knocking both him and myself at the ground as it displayed an intense feat of strength. Around us I could see several of the Strigoi leap at our comrades… though to no fruitful endeavor as I could see one GROM operator cut two down, as another got into a hand to hand confrontation… my breacher, crafty as they were, reached back and slammed one of the prybars of his kit into the skull of the beast.
The Alpha however was not content as it threw away the 90lb shield, sending it flying across the room as it grabbed my comrade by the skull. I quickly kicked up at it, firing my MK18 into it’s body as the rounds pierced it’s gray and rune covered flesh. The thing simply seemed to chuckle… that was until Major Krol blasted away at the side of it’s head, the alpha turned… and it’s smirk turned to a scowl when face to face with the major. A knowing pause almost like they had done this dance before…
The creature lunged, locking up with Major Krol as it swung and slammed railing. Krol didn’t back down however as he pushed against the creature, hiptossing it to the ground even as it tore at his armor and gear. But the beast pulled, both of them rolled and the Major was on his back as the thing reached for his neck. I fought to a kneel, firing into the creature messily with my MK18, trying not to hit my commander… then…
Click. A sound sends a chill up the spine of every warfighter during a firefight.
My gun ran dry. I dropped the magazine, looking to load another, but the thing came up and with one of it’s claws, sliced deep into my cheek, through the pro mask. I could feel my own blood go flying through the air as I landed hard on my back plate, spitting out red iron as I quickly tried to adjust my mask. Through my fogged up, blood covered lense… I saw my shield man raise his pistol, firing into the skull of the thing staggering it with a roar. Krol came from behind, drawing his knife he sunk it deep into the neck of it…. I reached for my rifle, forcing a new magazine in and damn near punching the bold release. ““Sir, down!!” I shouted, Krol rolled away, back to his own rifle as I fired. So did my comrade as he continued to fire his pistol… so did the Major as he fired his rifle. All of us chewing through that apex predator of darkness, that beast… the leader that had been preying on our people for so long. Layer by layer, muscle group by bone… eventually… the alpha landed on whatever was left of his back.
The silence of the fight died down as all of us checked our surroundings, GROM Operators putting controlled pairs in the heads and nerve stems of any Strigoi laying around… I flicked my weapon onto safe, letting it hang as I pulled off my mask. I dared not touch the wound on my face… the pain nearly crippling me if it wasn’t sheer will pushing me through, and adrenaline doing all it could to subdue it. The sound of the apaches continuing to lay hate drew us from our moment of contemplation as the Major went back to work; [“Confiscate any info, burn the rest…”]. He turned back to me as I shoved my damaged M50 mask back into it’s bag, chuckling as he looked at the sight; “You need a medevac, Blachowicz?” he quipped.
I shook my head, barely able to speak as I muttered; “Negative sir…”. The two of us scanned the room as my shield bearer went to collect his defense implement turned 90lb projectile, we scanned the center of the room, checking and confirming bodies, until we got to the last one alive. His white gown was soaked in red crimson and black ooze, as his dear head was mangled from bullet fire and impact from falling on it. I swear… the way his blood poured out of it though made me wonder if it was a mask. I gave it no second thoughts as he looked to Krol; “You… you can’t stop this, they’ve already-”.
The Major was in no mood for communication as his rifle snapped up and fired off three rounds to the body, four the head. The violent yet quick salvo ending the cultists life, I looked down at it, then to him as he remarked; “Have your squad drag him out to the front, burn the rest”. I stood alongside him, looking down as the sight of it’s deer head was both captivating and horrifying… the curiosity in me wanting to look closer at it fighting the primal instinct I had to burn the thing to ash. “-Haven’t seen one of those before…” I muttered, thinking the Major had an answer.
He didn’t. Krol saying “Neither have I…” shortly before he walked away, was what truly shook my soul about that entire night. Victory stood firm in our hearts that night as we stood outside of the bunker. The night sky burning with fire and white phosphorus as we watched the ruin burn from the inside from the other side of the lot. In the distance, the Apaches continued to scan and circle the forests, no longer firing…. Which meant they had driven any or turned to glass any enemy combatants within a four miles, probably both, more than likely the latter. Echo-1 patted me on the shoulder as we stood there, soaking it all in, though Krol looked none to pleased. “In the time it took us to take this one down, they’ll be trying to set up three more cells… that being established…” he said, looking to either of us, then to Echo-3. “-Hell of a thing we did tonight, been waiting for this one for a decade, cleanly, maybe more… but no time to rest on our laurels… we’ll have another task for us as soon as we’re boots down back home” he said, to which his eyes followed mine, the body of whatever cultist that was zipped up in a black body bag beside the wheel of one of the MRAPs. The fire from the bunker casting an orange hue over it’s shiny jet black outside, something didn’t sit right with me… “That wasn’t a Strigoi…” I said to Krol.
“That’s very clear…” the Major said, shoving his mask under his arm and lighting a cigarette. “So… someone’s helping them?” I asked. The meer notion of it shook me to my core, sickened me. This parasite was already badly infecting Europa, Polska… if it was spread like this throughout the world. Krol settled my nerves: “We’ll be ready… It’s not just us anymore”. As he said that, I realized what he meant… my eyes looking to the Apaches as they started to form up, leaving the areas as their thunderous propellers melted into the night’s calm, unnerving ambience.
It’s been a couple of weeks since then, Echo Detachment has been busy. We’ve gained good ground against the enemy and honestly I think in a few years, we might see a much larger change. For now… we must keep going, that being said the Strigoi aren’t the only ones we’ve been combating. Recently we’ve made contact with of some sort of extermination coalition, they’ve known about the Strigoi, and others plaguing the world, the level of corruption and corrosion on society goes deep. Regardless a lot of the units we’ve been working with are apart of NATO, such as this “4th Special Forces Group” of the American Military. I don’t know where the road from here leads, but we’ve gotten momentum on our side, finally. Just remember… these things are out there, in every town, every city, every nation… preying and waiting for you to be alone, vulnerable, so they can take you and replace you.
Watch your back, and stay safe.
For now, Blachowicz signing out. Until next time
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Kept yah’ waiting, huh? Heh, sorry about that one, but I can explain. As we all know… we lost a few good men the last few months.
That’s the brutal part of a hybrid war like ours: We’re fighting a foe unconventional, with half our arsenal tied down because those who grant us authorization are either in disbelief of the true facts, or scared… or already assimilated. That being said our momentum recently was a change not seen in years, and because of that… despite the losses we have garnered, we were close through a breakthrough. One last night Krol pulls myself and other two must trusted squad leads into the back of our COP. There is one of our equipment cages, surrounded by m-bitter radios, tripods, and several hundred thousand dollars of equipment he brought us around a simple worn table. Before us he laid a map of eastern poland… red markings indicating cells that seemed to dot the countryside like a pestilence, or used to… as deep gashes of advance from raids had trisected their lines, even if ones did pop up in the interior.
It was a back and forth; an outside virus infecting Polska at it’s heart, and we were the antibodies sent to drive them out. To which… Major Krol points to one of the largest symbol on the map: a dark red diamond, the NATO symbol for an enemy unit, deep inside of an untouched wooded area, adjacent to a mountain ridge. Several jagged lines indicated entrenchment, with red horizontal lines indicating possible enemy control… or our contested control, for over 20kms surrounding it. Letting us all look, the Major lit himself a cigarette.
“Sir, you sure it’s wise to smoke in here with the dive tanks just behind us” 1st Squad’s lead quipped. “Fuck off” Krol dryly said.
“Alright… this is it… this is the one we’ve been searching for for years, this is the nucleus my predecessor commander died trying to find” he says, pointing to it. Not far from Zamosc, it was almost touching the border with Belarus, the contested area indicating the Strigoi did operate over it… indicating one of the largest spill through points. “-It’s an old soviet bunker, made during their 1960s initiative it was designed to hold the munitions and manpower of several units in the event of a NATO first strike” Krol explained. “It’s gotta be massive then…” I said gazing at the map; “Didn’t the army demolish all of the old soviet hulks near Belarus to prevent any infiltrations?” 3rd Squad’s lead asked. “National Police took the effort over… and by extension, the Strigoi. It was halfway demo’ed before they burrowed into it and have been using it as a bridgehead ever since. This is it…” Krol said. He looked around at all of us, a sense of certainty I had never seen before as he blew smoke from his nostrils; “We’ve been fucking around in the dark for so long, it’s hard to believe we’ve made any progress, but this is it. With this gone, this will set them back over a decade and the momentum will finally shift into our favor… into Poland’s… -Europe’s”.
I swear there was almost a flash of joy, of pride in his eyes and a phantom of a smirk before reality set back in “That being said… we can’t leave this to chance, especially not something as important as this. We’re going to have to go there ourselves… clear through every inch of that place, and tear it all down, piece by piece. I will be straight with you all… when we go, there will be some of us that aren’t coming back. -but we are going… a whole generation is counting on us, and unborn billions rely on us to succeed”. We all nodded, a silent agreement washing over us as we took this upon ourselves. Echo-1 spoke up: “So… They’re authorizing a raid? How big?”. “We’re rolling in as a hard target, armor, explosives, and air support” Krol answered, taking a drag off his cigarette. “Aviation? How the hell did we get that approved, we’ve gotten attempts shot down four times due to those leeches” I said in disbelief. “There’s too much evidence here pointing to the human trafficking tied to their actions… We’ve finally got too much weight pinning them down, to keep the hammer from slamming into their necks” Krol chuckled. He looked around “Any questions?”. “When?” Echo-3 asked. “Three hours. We’re hitting them in the dead of night, only time we could get the birds authorized. Get your boys ready. We’re rolling out” Krol said, dying the cigarette bud out on the table. I can’t begin to tell you the euphoria we felt leaving that cage, as our men started arriving, they did so a lot quicker, and with their heads a lot higher than they had in weeks. As Second Squad’s lead we were going to be one of the main arms of attack into the bunker, thus I made sure we had a breacher loaded with enough thermite, charges, and tools to cut through anything. Our shield bearer we ready to go, as was our assaulters, grenadiers, and machine gunner. I double checked each and everyone of their weapons; ensuring the feeder paws of our squad’s belt fed were intact, making sure every breach charge we had was properly set and packed. There was going to be no mistakes, no slip ups. The margin of error needed to be the smallest it had ever been for us tonight if we were going to make the gore spilt worth it.
Finally… there on the outside of the building, the bright LED lights kept the darkness of the ensuing night at bay as the roar of our MRAPs could be heard. It was said once that war is 99% peace, and 1% chaos, they were right. The slow periods where the blood slowed and the doubt creeped in was the worst… yet we all kept it at bay. We needed to, there was going to be no backing down tonight. All three squads were up, all of us ready to go… we circled up… short stares and shaky nods telling us one things: We were in this together, till the end… the finish line so many before us had been searching for, we were being granted tonight.
A single set of footsteps could be heard as we turned, Major Krol stepping into the center. He took the last drag of a cigarette, throwing it down to the ground and stamping it out onto the damp concrete. He looked around… his chin strap blowing in the weak air as he met everyone of our gazes… then mine… then looked around. “I want you to remember every detail of tonight, as you have every other night… when you are situationally aware, scanning for the enemy, liberating the subjugated, I want you to remember the sting of anxiety, the shake of adrenaline, the chill of the bunker, the heat of your weapon as it cuts them down… because tonight we are going to write every fine detail of our victory, their defeat, in history…” Krol’s words echoed deep into our souls. He paused for a moment, staring around he looked down… a small pause before he said “When you are ruthless in combat, remember to be patient, and reserved in victory. This conflict is for our existence… a lot of innocents have bled due to the mistakes of those who failed to listen, a lot of our brothers are now laid under because we had to bridge the gap of uncertainty with their lives. We remember them now… but in an hour? We forget them… when we raise our barrels, when we cut into those foes, and we liberate Polska!! This does not end tonight, but history puts everything in it’s place, and patience is the companion of the victor… All of our hard work will be cemented, no matter the obstacles we face in that darkness… no matter the demons, the blood, no matter what incomprehensible horrors, we will make them comprehend that to invade our land, to bleed our people, the justice will be paid in full… Load up. It’s time*”*.
The purpose in our steps was heavy as we climbed the back ramps of the MRAPS; Four of the heavily armored vehicles, one for each squad with an additional for attached personnel including our JTAC, the term means Joint Terminal Attack Controllers. With air support requisitioned to us for this operations, there needs to be a definite liaison on the ground who can directly communicate to the birds, and coordinate their fire and progress. I’d worked with many of them in the past, resourceful guys, quick thinking though I guess that comes with the position they hold of needing to quickly figure out what bombs to drop, on which target, at what precise points, whilst taking contact. He loaded in the lead vehicle with Major Krol… and soon, our convoy kicked off.
The drive was several hours as myself and my squad sat in the back of that forty ton goliath, the rumbling of the engine keeping us awake as the crap heater fought to keep the cold from the outside frost from setting in. I looked around to each of them, some were catching some sleep because even with the circumstances… better to get all the energy you can, than to stay awake for nothing. Others were checking their weapons… My gunner locked eyes with me, the same one from the village extraction… many of these men I had trained with for a while now, fought with for months.
We may have met on unconventional circumstances but those in JW Grom thrive on austere chance and create opportunity from scratch. I was pulled from my thought by the sound of a transmission, my peltors were set up for dual comms so I could both receive information from the Major and other leads, whilst communicating with my team.
Krol himself sent out: [“Approximately 10 minutes from enemy AO…”]. As the rest of the squads acknowledged, I quickly sent out [“Echo-2 Copies”], before kicking the boots of any of them sleeping: “Look alive, we’re here”. Through the exterior net armor of the MRAPS, and the bars protecting the small reinforced windows, we could barely see jack shit. I reached up, turning off the overhead light as we all looked through our nods to scan the outside. A dark wall of dense trees was shown before us, making it difficult to see… in addition to night vision capabilities we had also requisitioned ourselves some thermals… when mounted onto rifles they were bulky, made it a pain to aim down quickly, but considering the supernatural capabilities of spotting our foes we needed every advantage necessary.
I flipped out one of my tubes… scanning the outside with my scope. I looked over to one of my assaulters who had been assigned to man the turret of the MRAP, seated near the view screen as he controlled the 50. Cal. Each of the vehicle turrets had been assigned a direction to cover… we took the 9 o’clock, the left flank. “See anything?” I asked. He shook his head; “Negative… wait… I’ve got two cold signatures, front left heading to our rear”.
I quickly scanned the far tree line, at approximately 60 meters off our left were two cold signatures… followed by a third heading to our front… then another. They were surrounding us, moving at speeds so fast I could barely keep my reticle on them. Is this what the National Police saw? What they faced at that lodge without the benefit of a foot of heavy armor protecting them on all sides. Then… suddenly. Something slammed into the side of our MRAP so hard, it caused it to shake. From over the leader comms, Echo-3 quickly shouted [“Contact right!! 4 hostiles!!”].
One of the Strigoi… so bold, had charged and slammed into the side of our MRAP. I quickly looked to see the figure, a dark blue mass of cold energy through my thermal, back away without so much as a stagger… as they tried to flee into the woods, the white hot justice of Echo-3’s gun fired at them, cutting them down. “Blachowicz I’ve got a few breaking for our vic” my man on the turret called out, I spun around, spotting out the window.
Just then, Major Krol announced [“weapons free, watch and shoot for targets of opportunity…”]. I turned to him… “take those fuckers out-”. Without hesitation my vic’s turret began to quickly target them, and through the darkness I saw a stream of outgoing fire bisect one of them, the ISR of the black blood freaking out the optic so badly it didn’t know what temperature to register it as… but it did register it. As another was cut down, one broke through the tree line and latched onto the side of our MRAP. The thing tore at one of the outer net armor panels, usually made to stop RPGs. It grabbed at the bars near the windows, tearing one off… I lowered my rifle as we locked eyes through the reinforced window.
The thing… the Strigoi looked at me, skin cracked as putrefied muscle fibers seemed to leak through dead flesh. It’s teeth were corroded and worn down to sharp fragments, alongside newly mutated fangs that messily protrude from the jaws. Even through the thick walls of the MRAP I could hear it’s roar, as it then tried to punch it’s way through… it cracked the outer coating of the vehicle… but it wasn’t getting anywhere near. My machine gunner, seated next to me, seemed to chuckle at the sight, quippily saying “Yeah… fuck you too”. It’s then our vehicle lurched upwards, as we began to climb the small incline of the bunker. I knew the layout, mapped it in our head, the main entrance was built into the rocky side of an old cliff meaning we could easily set up a defensive perimeter around it, a horseshoe. Krol’s vehicle was first, taking to the right as Echo-3’s MRAP followed. My vehicle, third, left the incline and took a left and… that’s where things got complicated.
We’re still trying to work out what happened but… from what Joakim says his drone captured. Right when the MRAP turned, several of the monsters quickly slammed into the side of the vehicle, as another more bulkier one, pushed at it’s undercarriage. The result.. Was the 40 ton armored vehicle tipped over. It wasn’t uncommon, hell in some cases a well placed IED, a good shot with a recoilless rifle, have been known to tip over Oshkoshs and Maxpros all the time. But this beast? Needless to say we barely had a second to comprehend it as it leaned to the left; “Grab on to something-” is all I had time to shout. A mess of gear and men spilled onto one side of the vehicle as it slammed into the old gravel and dirt.
Several of my assaulters, my grenadier planted right ontop of myself and the others as we came to a stop. Someone’s knee slammed directly into the side of my skull, causing me to dazily bob in and out of consciousness as my face was smushed against the glass of one of the windows.
Through my peltors, the other squads were erratic;
[“Echo-2’s vehicle is down!!”].
[“Echo-3 to Echo-2… Echo-3 to Echo-2…”].
Krol’s voice came through the comms;
[“Echo-Lead to Echo-2… Fuc-... Echo-1 secure Echo 2’s flank, Echo-3”].
[“Echo-3 to other units, they’re spilling through, I’ve got several enemy combatants converging on Echo-2’s vehicle”].
I pushed the legs of my grenadier off my head as I fought to my hands and knees, unfucking my nods as I looked around… “Fuck it… we’re going lights on, shield your eyes” I muttered as I reached for the overhead lights and flipped them on. The bright LEDs bathed the inside of the vehicle as we all gained our bearings, a mess of multicam, gear, and weapons as we quickly pushed each other off. My gunner caught as he fought to realign his promask, from what I gathered one of the assaulters had landed directly into his gun, pushing it directly into his jugular, as pulled back at the rubber and coughed, freeing up his esophagus. We didn’t have time to think however… the sound of bending metal caught our attention… as the back ramp door of the MRAP was ripped clean off. I could barely believe it but as the white light of the MRAP’s interior poured to the outside, a hulking mass leaned in, the dead flesh on it’s face nearly fallen off as the hideous Strigoi leaned inside.
Without hesitation I aimed took aim, yelling “Keep to the deck!!” to any of those inbetween myself and the invader as I opened fire. A burst of full auto fire tore through it’s collar and neck, my men quickly clung to either sides of the fallen MRAP as a few more fired out. As the thing backed up, a blast of .50 cal fire quickly tore it to shreds, along with several others as I realized they were fuckin swarming over the outside of our vehicle. Echo-3’s vehicle continued to carefully fire on the Strigoi on the outside, the sounds of .50 cal ricocheting off the outside of our armor was enough to make the pucker factor set in.
[“Echo-3 to Echo-2”].
[“This is Echo-2, we’re green on ammo, equipment, men”].
[“Roger, we’re shifting fire, exit the vehicle”].
“Hurry up let’s go!!” I barked to my men, leading the way as I staggered out. I turned on my peq, taking aim at silhouettes in the brush as I began to fire. The sounds of machine guns lighting up the brush, as a sea of growls, howls, and incomprehensible roars fired back at us was the ambient noise of the night. My men quickly exited, my gunner being the last as he and I pulled back to the rest of the defensive perimeter. I set in my men to take up the frontal security, as 3rd squad took the right flank, 1st squad to the left. Major Krol and the JTAC were bickering with each other; “How far out are the birds”. “They’re entering airspace now…” Joakim said, already scanning his smart book.
I asked “What’ve we got?”. He then flipped through… to the NATO combined arms segment, quippily saying; “Apaches…”. This caused me to pause as Echo-3 turned their head whilst directing their squad’s fire “The hell… where did we get apaches from?”. “The Americans… they volunteered” Krol said dismissively as he took aim at the darkness, firing off a controlled trio. “Volunteered? They’re aware of what’s going on?” I asked.
Krol seemed to stop, glancing back at me before returning his focus “There’s a lot more going on than you realize, Blachowicz… Prep the breach, you and 1st are going on”.
I quickly pulled my breacher off the line, securing some thermite as the reinforced bunker door wasn’t going to go as easily as a conventional door breach would. 1st Squad pulled back, stacking up and preparing themselves to be the first in. All the while… Joakim gave his firing solution; “Alpha Hotel Two Five Nine, This is Bravo-4…… Type 2….”.
I snapped to my right, watching as a Strigoi managed to dark across the clear gravel field, only to be cut down by my gunner, the peq’s laser marking the burst as it tore through the beasts’ hips, as it hit the ground and still continued to claw, another GROM operator took aim and fired into it’s skull. Joakim popped up to his feet…. “Marking laser, high power…”. He then pulled out a target marking laser… if you’ve watched night operations, you’ve probably seen them.
The green laser than as it says on the label, marks targets. The pattern of which can vary… if it’s a point target, it’ll usually lasso an area, or remain on target until the target is removed with extreme prejudice. If its close air support, then it’ll be a line of the general area… and Joakim damn near marked the entire perimeter around us. He quickly pocketed the tool, turning back to Krol; “Don’t go past 20 meters unless you want to be liquidated”.
With that… 2nd and 1st stacked up at the door as 3rd squad took up the perimeter security. As Major Krol went over to Echo-1… I saw them. A single blinking IR strobe from the beasts as they moved on the far off horizon, converging from several angles… and fired. The sound of the Apache’s main gun, the M230, truly sounds like the hammer of god… the 30mm cannon shot through the dark sky, lighting it up as we saw three incoming streams tear up the woods. Only then as the sound broke did we start to hear their rotors as they broke and began to circle, firing again… then… Joakim dipped his head and looked to Krol; [“Foxtrot Mike, hang onto your teeth…”]. One of the Apaches fired off a AGM-114… a Hellfire. I barely saw it out of the corner of my eye as the Apache from our right flank fired off at a target approximately 200 meters off. A fireball lit up the forest as the horrendous roar echoed throughout… then went silent.
Echo-3 scanned the horizon carefully;
[“Echo-3 to Echo-Lead, enemy contact is starting to die down”].
[“Maintain perimeter, Close Air is to maintain fire mission until we are boots up, Break…”].
[“Echo-Lead to Echo-1, condition white has been met. Proceeds”]. I saw Echo-1 and his men quickly stack up close to the wall and gesture to me; Breaching. I quickly pulled my stack back against the wall as his and mine breacher quickly hit their actuators. Now under normal circumstances, it doesn’t take much for thermite to melt the locks off of a metal surface, in fact it’s a more precise took as alternative means get real medieval like saws, pry bars… we weren’t in the mood for precision, we need to breach their little lair, and drag them out. The sound of several pounds of hellfire burning through the metal could be heard around the corner as a sea of white and red sparks flew out… after several seconds, two of our men tossed a fragmentation grenade and a nine-bang through the opening… a series of concussive blasts and a large explosion rang out.
Echo-1 and his men maneuvered. 1st Squad quickly converged as we followed them in.
Stepping through the black wall of smoke, the dark abyss of the interior was illuminated in a white light as entered barrels raised. Shots rang out as several of the beasts near the entrance were cut down, though not immediately, rounds disconnected the shoulder of one of them, leading to their arm hanging limply by a single tendon as they roared… another series of rounds putting them down. What greeted us was a messy concrete hell of rust and debris, fecal matter, trash, and all kinds of obstacles laid in our way, our boots sticking to the floor. I thank every god we had promasks that night. I called my shield bearer up, 2nd squad leapfrogging ahead to take the next corridor as 1st squad checked their weapons.
One of my men mule kicked the metal door ahead, twice, finally the latch gave away as we tossed in a grenade. A horrifying roar was cut off as an M67 shook the walls of the ancient soviet mausoleum, frag and spall kicked off the walls as I moved in right behind my shield man. The cramped russian design meant there was barely enough space for three people, and that’s three normal people, not in 50kgs of kit, moving slowly and maneuvering against creatures of the dark. Still… we moved forward, my shield bearer and I pushing the pace as two stacked of either squad formed on either wall.
As we passed doorways they flowed in… “Door Left!!”, “Door Right!!”. “Move!!”.
Two men entered each side, no gunshots, we moved up, a roar came.
“Door left!!-”. A series of gunshots came out as we continued to push forward.
“Two down!!”. “Confirm them” Krol commanded, as a series of gunshots run out in response. From one of the doorways, a Strigoi emerged… a female… clumps of hair had been ripped from her decaying skull, as her blooded eyes locked on myself and my shieldman. The skin on her hands had been tore down to the point where barely her bones and tendons remain… looking like huge talons as she roared and lunged at us. He fired off his pistol, though the rounds did little to stop her as she pushed against our stack.
“Fuck!!” he muttered, somehow her strength caused him to stagnate, holding up the advance… fuck that. I shoved the muzzle of my MK18 into her ribcage, flipping the weapon to auto as I fired of round after round. The 5.56 salvo disconnecting her spinal column, causing her to fall as I continued to fire, along with a man to our right and left as the stacks reformed as we pushed to the end of the hall. I fell back, dropping the magazine and loading a fresh one, like clockwork a GROM Operator from 1st squad took my place. Krol was beside me as we approached the end of the hall.
[“-Prep an entry”] I radioed to my breacher, a comrade handed him one of the charges from his back panel as he took to the door, quickly securing it. We all moved as far back as we could, look away, exhale. The blast knocked metal and wood in all directions, scrapping against our uniforms and kit as we made our way in and what laid before us was… it used to be the center atrium of one of these bunkers. Soviet’s loved their grandiose designs, the complex was supposed to be a circular room around a central planning table… instead. It had been turned into some sort of church. Runes and old eastern Romuva pagan symbols written in black ink and blood across the walls, old rotten filing cabinets, long receipt terminals. In the center… several of the Strigoi were kneeling before the table where someone had been tied down, flayed, and… shared amongst the group. They rose to their feet, we aimed our barrels…
The ladder amongst turned to us… his skin wasn’t cracked, or flayed, it was smooth… it still looked dead as the body on the table but it seemed more… accustomed to it. I don’t know… evolved? Under the surface however I could see it’s darkened veins pumping whatever cursed blood ran through them as it locked two blood red eyes onto each of us. It’s nose had long since been turn off, exposing boney nostrils to the open air as it seemed to smirk. All across it’s body were the same symbols on the walls, in every cell… markings of death, of rebirth, of assimilation… From behind this seemingly Alpha emerges another figure I had never seemed before… dressed in a white cloak with a deer head.
"So they've followed the trail... they're too late" the Deer headed individual spoke, definitely not from here, a dialect similar to an Americans but... aristocratic? Each word was drawn out, assurance as if they had everything mapped down to our actions. They didn’t sound like they were from Poland or the east.
“Doesn’t matter…” the Alpha growled… and then, it lunged at us. Quickly breaking from their ground it slammed into my shield man knocking both him and myself at the ground as it displayed an intense feat of strength. Around us I could see several of the Strigoi leap at our comrades… though to no fruitful endeavor as I could see one GROM operator cut two down, as another got into a hand to hand confrontation… my breacher, crafty as they were, reached back and slammed one of the prybars of his kit into the skull of the beast.
The Alpha however was not content as it threw away the 90lb shield, sending it flying across the room as it grabbed my comrade by the skull. I quickly kicked up at it, firing my MK18 into it’s body as the rounds pierced it’s gray and rune covered flesh. The thing simply seemed to chuckle… that was until Major Krol blasted away at the side of it’s head, the alpha turned… and it’s smirk turned to a scowl when face to face with the major. A knowing pause almost like they had done this dance before…
The creature lunged, locking up with Major Krol as it swung and slammed railing. Krol didn’t back down however as he pushed against the creature, hiptossing it to the ground even as it tore at his armor and gear. But the beast pulled, both of them rolled and the Major was on his back as the thing reached for his neck. I fought to a kneel, firing into the creature messily with my MK18, trying not to hit my commander… then…
Click. A sound sends a chill up the spine of every warfighter during a firefight.
My gun ran dry. I dropped the magazine, looking to load another, but the thing came up and with one of it’s claws, sliced deep into my cheek, through the pro mask. I could feel my own blood go flying through the air as I landed hard on my back plate, spitting out red iron as I quickly tried to adjust my mask. Through my fogged up, blood covered lense… I saw my shield man raise his pistol, firing into the skull of the thing staggering it with a roar. Krol came from behind, drawing his knife he sunk it deep into the neck of it…. I reached for my rifle, forcing a new magazine in and damn near punching the bold release. ““Sir, down!!” I shouted, Krol rolled away, back to his own rifle as I fired. So did my comrade as he continued to fire his pistol… so did the Major as he fired his rifle. All of us chewing through that apex predator of darkness, that beast… the leader that had been preying on our people for so long. Layer by layer, muscle group by bone… eventually… the alpha landed on whatever was left of his back.
The silence of the fight died down as all of us checked our surroundings, GROM Operators putting controlled pairs in the heads and nerve stems of any Strigoi laying around… I flicked my weapon onto safe, letting it hang as I pulled off my mask. I dared not touch the wound on my face… the pain nearly crippling me if it wasn’t sheer will pushing me through, and adrenaline doing all it could to subdue it. The sound of the apaches continuing to lay hate drew us from our moment of contemplation as the Major went back to work; [“Confiscate any info, burn the rest…”]. He turned back to me as I shoved my damaged M50 mask back into it’s bag, chuckling as he looked at the sight; “You need a medevac, Blachowicz?” he quipped.
I shook my head, barely able to speak as I muttered; “Negative sir…”. The two of us scanned the room as my shield bearer went to collect his defense implement turned 90lb projectile, we scanned the center of the room, checking and confirming bodies, until we got to the last one alive. His white gown was soaked in red crimson and black ooze, as his dear head was mangled from bullet fire and impact from falling on it. I swear… the way his blood poured out of it though made me wonder if it was a mask. I gave it no second thoughts as he looked to Krol; “You… you can’t stop this, they’ve already-”.
The Major was in no mood for communication as his rifle snapped up and fired off three rounds to the body, four the head. The violent yet quick salvo ending the cultists life, I looked down at it, then to him as he remarked; “Have your squad drag him out to the front, burn the rest”. I stood alongside him, looking down as the sight of it’s deer head was both captivating and horrifying… the curiosity in me wanting to look closer at it fighting the primal instinct I had to burn the thing to ash. “-Haven’t seen one of those before…” I muttered, thinking the Major had an answer.
He didn’t. Krol saying “Neither have I…” shortly before he walked away, was what truly shook my soul about that entire night. Victory stood firm in our hearts that night as we stood outside of the bunker. The night sky burning with fire and white phosphorus as we watched the ruin burn from the inside from the other side of the lot. In the distance, the Apaches continued to scan and circle the forests, no longer firing…. Which meant they had driven any or turned to glass any enemy combatants within a four miles, probably both, more than likely the latter. Echo-1 patted me on the shoulder as we stood there, soaking it all in, though Krol looked none to pleased. “In the time it took us to take this one down, they’ll be trying to set up three more cells… that being established…” he said, looking to either of us, then to Echo-3. “-Hell of a thing we did tonight, been waiting for this one for a decade, cleanly, maybe more… but no time to rest on our laurels… we’ll have another task for us as soon as we’re boots down back home” he said, to which his eyes followed mine, the body of whatever cultist that was zipped up in a black body bag beside the wheel of one of the MRAPs. The fire from the bunker casting an orange hue over it’s shiny jet black outside, something didn’t sit right with me… “That wasn’t a Strigoi…” I said to Krol.
“That’s very clear…” the Major said, shoving his mask under his arm and lighting a cigarette. “So… someone’s helping them?” I asked. The meer notion of it shook me to my core, sickened me. This parasite was already badly infecting Europa, Polska… if it was spread like this throughout the world. Krol settled my nerves: “We’ll be ready… It’s not just us anymore”. As he said that, I realized what he meant… my eyes looking to the Apaches as they started to form up, leaving the areas as their thunderous propellers melted into the night’s calm, unnerving ambience.
It’s been a couple of weeks since then, Echo Detachment has been busy. We’ve gained good ground against the enemy and honestly I think in a few years, we might see a much larger change. For now… we must keep going, that being said the Strigoi aren’t the only ones we’ve been combating. Recently we’ve made contact with of some sort of extermination coalition, they’ve known about the Strigoi, and others plaguing the world, the level of corruption and corrosion on society goes deep. Regardless a lot of the units we’ve been working with are apart of NATO, such as this “4th Special Forces Group” of the American Military. I don’t know where the road from here leads, but we’ve gotten momentum on our side, finally. Just remember… these things are out there, in every town, every city, every nation… preying and waiting for you to be alone, vulnerable, so they can take you and replace you.
Watch your back, and stay safe.
For now, Blachowicz signing out. Until next time
2024.05.15 03:05 Direct_Ad3287 Did ya'll see the Gideon's employee's go off with this demand list ?
Mr. Steve Lewis
Mr. Patrick McKinney
Mr. Bryan Freiermuth
c/o Gideons 1898 LLC et al
1600 East Buena Vista Drive
VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
May 10th, 2024
Final Demand
Gentlemen,
There is an odor most foul in the Bakehouse. It is the stench of the fish rotting from the head.
To our proprietor Steve, and our managers Bryan and Patrick:
There is dissension within the ranks, and if the following items are not resolved as we outline
below, we’re prepared to drag this house of cards to the ground.
Before we proceed with our grievances, numerous and shocking, and the demands to resolve
them; allow us a moment for introductions.
We, are the Ghosts of Gideons, the poor and unfortunate souls upon whom you have built your
cookie empire. We are the many, the unseen, and as of the disastrous meeting May 6th, 2024, the
decidedly unheard.
Many of us have approached management and ownership multiple times with helpful hints,
strong suggestions, and desperate pleas to rectify a myriad of health, safety and operational
concerns- with nearly all of them being dismissed or ignored entirely.
Now, we, the collective, have banded together to deliver this tome- not as a warning of what is to
come, but as a final demand to resolve the issues outlined herein. You may dismiss us
individually, but you cannot ignore all of us together.
Make no mistake, if the following solutions are not implemented with immediate effect, we will
do everything in our power to topple this cookie castle permanently.
We should start by informing you, that, yes- we are but lowly workers for Gideons, however, we
are supported by families who hold prominent positions in the community as lawyers, labor
1
representatives, publicists, and county government workers. Families who love us, and want to
see us remain safely and fairly employed.
Through our vast, and well connected network the following steps have already been
implemented:
1) A lawsuit for your numerous unfair and unsafe labor practices and work conditions has
been drafted.
2) A press release, along with a copy of this letter, have been sent to local and national
media.
3) We have created social channels to connect directly with customers and inform them of
the reprehensible work conditions we are enduring.
4) We have filed health and safety reports with local government bodies detailing the
extensive issues we are faced with at the Springs location.
5) We have informed Disney Springs leadership of our position relating to the above, and
below in this letter.
In all cases, these competent bodies are awaiting our word. If the demands listed herein are not
satisfied immediately, we will, in tandem with the above, begin a campaign to inform the world
of your numerous transgressions, filing lawsuits and media coverages exposing you and the
Company for the shill that it is, and we will not stop until the Bakehouse bakes no more.
We should also mention that should any attempt be made to retaliate against us, including
termination, reducing our hours, benefits, or taking other pervasive actions against any Gideons
employee, will promptly result in our bringing legal class-action.
The time has come for you, our leaders, to actually lead. This means spending money where
money must be spent, and making the following operational changes, so that we can all continue
to exist in harmony, and not feel like we’re trapped on an 1800’s plantation- working for the big
house.
1) Communication- How dare you drag the entire workforce to a 9AM meeting,
demanding our presence, and then talk directly at us with the most mundane drivel we’ve
ever heard. Everything dictated today could have been very well sent as an email-
especially when you did not allow for any discussion between us, the workers who
actually make your business run, and the disconnected upper-management who are hell
bent on implementing misguided and inefficient policies. Do not call us in for a
mandatory meeting again when the points can be covered in an email, unless you intend
to open the floor for actual conversation and listen to what we have to say.
2
To that end, since our voices were silenced this morning, we demand the following:
● Cold Brew- We will not adopt the ‘bartender’ shaking style of preparing the cold
brew drinks. When we have 10+ beverages queuing to be made, shaking each
drink 10 times will severely impact our ability to be efficient. This is but one
example of Steve’s desire to have ‘form over function’. We understand there may
be a ‘look’ you’re going for, but when it compromises our ability to efficiently
perform our function, we refuse. We demand to be allowed to resume our ‘stir
stick’ preparation immediately.
● Point System/ Order Accuracy- Under no circumstance should Management take
the side of the Guest over the word of the employee. Too often we see guests
complain that an order was incorrect, and Management issues a point to an
employee. This must stop immediately. We demand you implement a ‘please
check your screen for order accuracy’ procedure where the guest confirms their
order before they pay, and remove the ‘point’ system. If the guest confirms the
order, it reduces the possibility for an inaccurate order.
● Inconsistent/ Inaccurate menu boards and Social Postings- The inside Menu
Board has been outdated for nearly two years. It must be updated immediately to
remove items we no longer sell (IE Coke Products) and ingredient offerings (IE
Banana WALNUT). By correctly labeling the items, it reduces the stress on us in
having to confirm that certain items have nuts, or not being yelled at by guests
who are disgruntled that we no longer sell Coke products. Further, there are
multiple social media inaccuracies when describing new products (IE peanut
butter buttercream, VS the actual peanut butter cream cheese). These inaccurate
product descriptions hurt the brand, and cause confusion with the guests when
they come to order these products. Also the new umbrellas are not UV resistant;
therefore any mention of them ‘protecting you from the sun’ is false, and may
result in legal action from guests. We demand you only post accurate descriptions
to the website/ social media to avoid further guest/ employee confrontation.
● HR- Given the fact that Cynthia engaged in using racial slurs during the May 6th
meeting, referring to guests as gypsies and hoodlums, we demand her firing and
removal immediately. Multiple members of staff were deeply offended by the
hurtful stereotypes that Cynthia perpetuated, and we no longer have any trust in
her ability to lead this organization, especially from a HR perspective, when she
herself seems to harbor unfair and demeaning racial views.
● Management- We cannot express with limited words the level of dissatisfaction
we maintain for Drew. The staff, in our entirety, have never dealt with such
incompetent, slothful, and wasteful behavior. Drew consistently stays on his
phone, refusing to help the team accomplish any of their tasks, and barely exudes
a modicum of effort through his rare action of helping build cake boxes or taking
out trash before disembarking on a break (which none us other managers/leads are
3
cookie king, bringing in circa $40,000 per day, affording you a life of luxury, and not
fairly compensate the employees that are making Gideons everything that it is. The
cookies are good, but make no mistake, as was stated during the May 6th meeting, the
customers come for us. I can’t imagine what they’ll say when they learn about the
slave-like conditions in which we work, especially with Auntie Anne’s earning $18 per
hour + tips.
3) Hours- Part time is up to 30 hours per week, full time is 30 hours or more. We must have
a guaranteed number of hours per week, pending our availability. For example, if a
full-time employee has open availability, they must be scheduled for 40 hours. If a
part-time person has open availability, they must be scheduled for up to 30 hours per
week. This is to ensure we have a stable and uniform weekly income, guaranteed by our
base pay and consistent hours.
4) On Call- All shifts that are ‘on- call’ must be guaranteed a full 8 hour shift, regardless if
the employee is called into work or not. We clear our day and make ourselves available to
cover the Company, and we demand to be compensated a full 8 hours ($16 per hour) for
the flexibility to suit the Company’s needs.
5) Pay Protection- In the event that the store is closed for any reason, employees currently
scheduled to be working during the closure must receive all payment for the shifts they
were scheduled for. If the AC goes out again, and we’re down for several days, those of
us scheduled must receive full compensation for shifts as scheduled.
3) Health & Safety- While it seems that Gideon’s is based primarily on the ‘cool factor’ in how
our processes look from a customer perspective, we are still a fully functioning kitchen and retail
location with a haphazard health and safety process, at best.
To ensure a properly safe workplace and customer experience, we demand the following changes
immediately:
1) Shorts/ Heat Safety Prevention- We’ve been told time and time again that the ‘Disney
Contract’ we cannot wear shorts. After having multiple conversations with Disney
Springs leadership and the Unite Here 362 representatives, we have come to understand
that a change in uniform can be initiated by amendment. No longer can the ‘look’ of
something overpower the safety of us. In terms of being outside in the sunlight and heat,
we demand that the contract be amended immediately to account for a uniform change,
thus allowing us to wear shorts within the next five days. It is dangerous for us to be
outside in the heat and sunlight during high-heat (more than 70 degrees fahrenheit) days,
wearing all black and long pants. We are unwilling to compromise our personal health
and safety to appease your ‘style guide’ insisting on long pants, but we’re happy to
maintain a look via style guide for shorts. In addition, we have seen multiple large/
battery operated fans in use around Disney property, keeping other Cast cool during these
heat waves. We demand that large fans are procured and placed in strategic outside
5
locations within the next 5 days, so that we may have respite during high temp days. The
cooling towels and neck fans you have provided are ineffective.
2) Egress- We bakers are trapped. There is no second means of fire egress from the kitchen,
and should a fire or other disaster occur with the ovens, we would be trapped and unable
to escape. We demand you add in additional egress from the bakery, into the outside
alley. We understand this will require planning and stairs, however, planning must be
commenced immediately. We will not work in an unsafe environment, and with no place
to escape in the event of an emergency, we will be burned alive.
3) Handicap accessibility- Our retail location does not comply with ADA mobility
standards. The counters must be moved to allow an employee who utilizes a wheelchair
or other mobility device the proper space to move behind the counters and throughout the
kitchen. While yes, a wheelchair will ‘fit’, they will be unable to properly move. We are
discriminating against hiring ADA employees due to the way the store is currently
overcrowded and built. We demand proper spacing be added within the next 90 days.
4) Safety Training & Procedures- As of right now Operations have not developed any safety
or training procedures relating to fire, bomb threat, active shooter, lighting/ rain, accident
or other hazard. We are provided with no training in the event of any of these
emergencies, and we are all woefully unprepared with a common knowledge of how to
address emergency situations. We demand that a safety plan be developed and provided
to each of us in writing, and that we receive sufficient training of the new procedures
within 14 days.
5) Sanitation- Our baking sheets never get cleaned. We demand that you hire an outside
vendor to pick up used equipment nightly at close, and deliver a clean set at the same
time, so that we may rotate clean equipment daily. It is too large a task for us to wash in
house, and this needs to be automated for us. Our current sanitation procedure is
inadequate to ensure proper health and safety standards.
6) Bathroom breaks- Many of us suffer from various biological disabilities that force
frequent trips to the restroom. We simply cannot ‘hold it’ until we’re on break. IF we
need to go to the restroom, we must be immediately accommodated to do so without
repercussions. While this is not common, it does happen, and must be allowed.
6
Demand Timeline:
May 11th- Cold Brew BartendeShaking preparation is disbanded, stir stick preparation is
reimplemented.
May 11th- Cynthia is terminated immediately for using racial slurs during a company meeting.
May 11th- Drew is demoted as manager immediately for failure to act as a leader, and help his
team, undergoing an immense retraining before he is reinstated.
May 12th- All employees earn a base rate of $16 + tip share.
May 12th- An automatic/ mandatory 7.5% gratuity is placed on all guest orders.
May 12th- All ‘on call’ shifts will be guaranteed a full 8 hours ($16 p/h), regardless of working
or not.
May 12th- Lead/ Trainer pay to increase to at least $19 per hour when training, and $18 per hour
at all other times + tip share.
May 11th- Planning for additional egress to begin. Must be fully installed and operational no
later than June 20th, 2024.
May 17th- A $1,200 bonus is paid to all employees who worked during the last three pay
periods. This bonus covers the lower wages suffered from the ‘no tip’ asking policy.
May 13th- Schedules to be created, guaranteeing all ‘part-time’ employees up to 30 hours per
week based on employee availability, and ‘full-time’ employees at least 40 hours per week,
based on employee availability.
May 14th- Commercial grade fans outside submitted for approval to Disney, installed upon
approval.
May 15th- Shorts implemented for all workers, all shifts, when the outside temperature is more
than 70 degrees fahrenheit.
May 14th- Sanitation company must be contracted to pick up used baking sheets nightly, and a
second set of baking sheets to be procured to ensure sufficient sanitation of products in direct
contact with food.
May 24th- All health & safety procedures will be drafted and provided to all employees in
writing, with in-person training to occur with all employees. New hires shall receive the new
procedures and same in person training as a part of their onboarding.
August 4th- Handicap/ADA compliance. The store and kitchen must be rearranged/ decluttered
to allow for the hiring of mobility device users, including wheelchairs, to comply with ADA
layout requirements.
7
While the above demands only scratch a portion of the hazardous operational procedures, we are
confident that should they all be addressed and the solutions we have demanded are implemented
within the allotted timelines, we can avoid a disastrous fallout and continue to work together to
ensure Gideons remains a successful operation.
We understand that this will most likely come as a shock, not less because ownership and
operations seem to be blissfully unaware of the vast deterioration, but moreover, the inane
procedural overhauls implemented in today’s meeting simply reek of disconnection to the reality
of the process, and will only serve to further delay and complicate the already struggling
operation.
It is time to see beyond all of the narcissistic ‘it looks cool, so we’re going to do it my way’
absurdity, and recognize that the above demands come from your soldiers on the frontlines. A
tough pill to swallow, but it is medicine critical to survival, nevertheless. We further recommend
that all upper management leadership work at least one eight hour, front of house shift per six
months, to ensure they remain fully connected and relevant.
We must issue a final word of warning: should this letter be ignored, or any of the above
demands are not implemented, or any retaliatory action be taken, it will be met with the most
severe consequences.
We know that you are amassing a fortune, and all we Ghosts ask for is a fair wage, a safe and
comfortable working environment, and to be treated with dignity and respect.
We’d hate for the adoring public to learn of any other reality. This is your one, final, opportunity
to make it right.
We look forward to your prompt email reply confirming your plan of action to comply with our
demands herein.
In Solidarity,
The Ghosts of Gideons.
submitted by Direct_Ad3287 to disneysprings [link] [comments]
Mr. Patrick McKinney
Mr. Bryan Freiermuth
c/o Gideons 1898 LLC et al
1600 East Buena Vista Drive
A
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
May 10th, 2024
Final Demand
Gentlemen,
There is an odor most foul in the Bakehouse. It is the stench of the fish rotting from the head.
To our proprietor Steve, and our managers Bryan and Patrick:
There is dissension within the ranks, and if the following items are not resolved as we outline
below, we’re prepared to drag this house of cards to the ground.
Before we proceed with our grievances, numerous and shocking, and the demands to resolve
them; allow us a moment for introductions.
We, are the Ghosts of Gideons, the poor and unfortunate souls upon whom you have built your
cookie empire. We are the many, the unseen, and as of the disastrous meeting May 6th, 2024, the
decidedly unheard.
Many of us have approached management and ownership multiple times with helpful hints,
strong suggestions, and desperate pleas to rectify a myriad of health, safety and operational
concerns- with nearly all of them being dismissed or ignored entirely.
Now, we, the collective, have banded together to deliver this tome- not as a warning of what is to
come, but as a final demand to resolve the issues outlined herein. You may dismiss us
individually, but you cannot ignore all of us together.
Make no mistake, if the following solutions are not implemented with immediate effect, we will
do everything in our power to topple this cookie castle permanently.
We should start by informing you, that, yes- we are but lowly workers for Gideons, however, we
are supported by families who hold prominent positions in the community as lawyers, labor
1
representatives, publicists, and county government workers. Families who love us, and want to
see us remain safely and fairly employed.
Through our vast, and well connected network the following steps have already been
implemented:
1) A lawsuit for your numerous unfair and unsafe labor practices and work conditions has
been drafted.
2) A press release, along with a copy of this letter, have been sent to local and national
media.
3) We have created social channels to connect directly with customers and inform them of
the reprehensible work conditions we are enduring.
4) We have filed health and safety reports with local government bodies detailing the
extensive issues we are faced with at the Springs location.
5) We have informed Disney Springs leadership of our position relating to the above, and
below in this letter.
In all cases, these competent bodies are awaiting our word. If the demands listed herein are not
satisfied immediately, we will, in tandem with the above, begin a campaign to inform the world
of your numerous transgressions, filing lawsuits and media coverages exposing you and the
Company for the shill that it is, and we will not stop until the Bakehouse bakes no more.
We should also mention that should any attempt be made to retaliate against us, including
termination, reducing our hours, benefits, or taking other pervasive actions against any Gideons
employee, will promptly result in our bringing legal class-action.
The time has come for you, our leaders, to actually lead. This means spending money where
money must be spent, and making the following operational changes, so that we can all continue
to exist in harmony, and not feel like we’re trapped on an 1800’s plantation- working for the big
house.
1) Communication- How dare you drag the entire workforce to a 9AM meeting,
demanding our presence, and then talk directly at us with the most mundane drivel we’ve
ever heard. Everything dictated today could have been very well sent as an email-
especially when you did not allow for any discussion between us, the workers who
actually make your business run, and the disconnected upper-management who are hell
bent on implementing misguided and inefficient policies. Do not call us in for a
mandatory meeting again when the points can be covered in an email, unless you intend
to open the floor for actual conversation and listen to what we have to say.
2
To that end, since our voices were silenced this morning, we demand the following:
● Cold Brew- We will not adopt the ‘bartender’ shaking style of preparing the cold
brew drinks. When we have 10+ beverages queuing to be made, shaking each
drink 10 times will severely impact our ability to be efficient. This is but one
example of Steve’s desire to have ‘form over function’. We understand there may
be a ‘look’ you’re going for, but when it compromises our ability to efficiently
perform our function, we refuse. We demand to be allowed to resume our ‘stir
stick’ preparation immediately.
● Point System/ Order Accuracy- Under no circumstance should Management take
the side of the Guest over the word of the employee. Too often we see guests
complain that an order was incorrect, and Management issues a point to an
employee. This must stop immediately. We demand you implement a ‘please
check your screen for order accuracy’ procedure where the guest confirms their
order before they pay, and remove the ‘point’ system. If the guest confirms the
order, it reduces the possibility for an inaccurate order.
● Inconsistent/ Inaccurate menu boards and Social Postings- The inside Menu
Board has been outdated for nearly two years. It must be updated immediately to
remove items we no longer sell (IE Coke Products) and ingredient offerings (IE
Banana WALNUT). By correctly labeling the items, it reduces the stress on us in
having to confirm that certain items have nuts, or not being yelled at by guests
who are disgruntled that we no longer sell Coke products. Further, there are
multiple social media inaccuracies when describing new products (IE peanut
butter buttercream, VS the actual peanut butter cream cheese). These inaccurate
product descriptions hurt the brand, and cause confusion with the guests when
they come to order these products. Also the new umbrellas are not UV resistant;
therefore any mention of them ‘protecting you from the sun’ is false, and may
result in legal action from guests. We demand you only post accurate descriptions
to the website/ social media to avoid further guest/ employee confrontation.
● HR- Given the fact that Cynthia engaged in using racial slurs during the May 6th
meeting, referring to guests as gypsies and hoodlums, we demand her firing and
removal immediately. Multiple members of staff were deeply offended by the
hurtful stereotypes that Cynthia perpetuated, and we no longer have any trust in
her ability to lead this organization, especially from a HR perspective, when she
herself seems to harbor unfair and demeaning racial views.
● Management- We cannot express with limited words the level of dissatisfaction
we maintain for Drew. The staff, in our entirety, have never dealt with such
incompetent, slothful, and wasteful behavior. Drew consistently stays on his
phone, refusing to help the team accomplish any of their tasks, and barely exudes
a modicum of effort through his rare action of helping build cake boxes or taking
out trash before disembarking on a break (which none us other managers/leads are
3
cookie king, bringing in circa $40,000 per day, affording you a life of luxury, and not
fairly compensate the employees that are making Gideons everything that it is. The
cookies are good, but make no mistake, as was stated during the May 6th meeting, the
customers come for us. I can’t imagine what they’ll say when they learn about the
slave-like conditions in which we work, especially with Auntie Anne’s earning $18 per
hour + tips.
3) Hours- Part time is up to 30 hours per week, full time is 30 hours or more. We must have
a guaranteed number of hours per week, pending our availability. For example, if a
full-time employee has open availability, they must be scheduled for 40 hours. If a
part-time person has open availability, they must be scheduled for up to 30 hours per
week. This is to ensure we have a stable and uniform weekly income, guaranteed by our
base pay and consistent hours.
4) On Call- All shifts that are ‘on- call’ must be guaranteed a full 8 hour shift, regardless if
the employee is called into work or not. We clear our day and make ourselves available to
cover the Company, and we demand to be compensated a full 8 hours ($16 per hour) for
the flexibility to suit the Company’s needs.
5) Pay Protection- In the event that the store is closed for any reason, employees currently
scheduled to be working during the closure must receive all payment for the shifts they
were scheduled for. If the AC goes out again, and we’re down for several days, those of
us scheduled must receive full compensation for shifts as scheduled.
3) Health & Safety- While it seems that Gideon’s is based primarily on the ‘cool factor’ in how
our processes look from a customer perspective, we are still a fully functioning kitchen and retail
location with a haphazard health and safety process, at best.
To ensure a properly safe workplace and customer experience, we demand the following changes
immediately:
1) Shorts/ Heat Safety Prevention- We’ve been told time and time again that the ‘Disney
Contract’ we cannot wear shorts. After having multiple conversations with Disney
Springs leadership and the Unite Here 362 representatives, we have come to understand
that a change in uniform can be initiated by amendment. No longer can the ‘look’ of
something overpower the safety of us. In terms of being outside in the sunlight and heat,
we demand that the contract be amended immediately to account for a uniform change,
thus allowing us to wear shorts within the next five days. It is dangerous for us to be
outside in the heat and sunlight during high-heat (more than 70 degrees fahrenheit) days,
wearing all black and long pants. We are unwilling to compromise our personal health
and safety to appease your ‘style guide’ insisting on long pants, but we’re happy to
maintain a look via style guide for shorts. In addition, we have seen multiple large/
battery operated fans in use around Disney property, keeping other Cast cool during these
heat waves. We demand that large fans are procured and placed in strategic outside
5
locations within the next 5 days, so that we may have respite during high temp days. The
cooling towels and neck fans you have provided are ineffective.
2) Egress- We bakers are trapped. There is no second means of fire egress from the kitchen,
and should a fire or other disaster occur with the ovens, we would be trapped and unable
to escape. We demand you add in additional egress from the bakery, into the outside
alley. We understand this will require planning and stairs, however, planning must be
commenced immediately. We will not work in an unsafe environment, and with no place
to escape in the event of an emergency, we will be burned alive.
3) Handicap accessibility- Our retail location does not comply with ADA mobility
standards. The counters must be moved to allow an employee who utilizes a wheelchair
or other mobility device the proper space to move behind the counters and throughout the
kitchen. While yes, a wheelchair will ‘fit’, they will be unable to properly move. We are
discriminating against hiring ADA employees due to the way the store is currently
overcrowded and built. We demand proper spacing be added within the next 90 days.
4) Safety Training & Procedures- As of right now Operations have not developed any safety
or training procedures relating to fire, bomb threat, active shooter, lighting/ rain, accident
or other hazard. We are provided with no training in the event of any of these
emergencies, and we are all woefully unprepared with a common knowledge of how to
address emergency situations. We demand that a safety plan be developed and provided
to each of us in writing, and that we receive sufficient training of the new procedures
within 14 days.
5) Sanitation- Our baking sheets never get cleaned. We demand that you hire an outside
vendor to pick up used equipment nightly at close, and deliver a clean set at the same
time, so that we may rotate clean equipment daily. It is too large a task for us to wash in
house, and this needs to be automated for us. Our current sanitation procedure is
inadequate to ensure proper health and safety standards.
6) Bathroom breaks- Many of us suffer from various biological disabilities that force
frequent trips to the restroom. We simply cannot ‘hold it’ until we’re on break. IF we
need to go to the restroom, we must be immediately accommodated to do so without
repercussions. While this is not common, it does happen, and must be allowed.
6
Demand Timeline:
May 11th- Cold Brew BartendeShaking preparation is disbanded, stir stick preparation is
reimplemented.
May 11th- Cynthia is terminated immediately for using racial slurs during a company meeting.
May 11th- Drew is demoted as manager immediately for failure to act as a leader, and help his
team, undergoing an immense retraining before he is reinstated.
May 12th- All employees earn a base rate of $16 + tip share.
May 12th- An automatic/ mandatory 7.5% gratuity is placed on all guest orders.
May 12th- All ‘on call’ shifts will be guaranteed a full 8 hours ($16 p/h), regardless of working
or not.
May 12th- Lead/ Trainer pay to increase to at least $19 per hour when training, and $18 per hour
at all other times + tip share.
May 11th- Planning for additional egress to begin. Must be fully installed and operational no
later than June 20th, 2024.
May 17th- A $1,200 bonus is paid to all employees who worked during the last three pay
periods. This bonus covers the lower wages suffered from the ‘no tip’ asking policy.
May 13th- Schedules to be created, guaranteeing all ‘part-time’ employees up to 30 hours per
week based on employee availability, and ‘full-time’ employees at least 40 hours per week,
based on employee availability.
May 14th- Commercial grade fans outside submitted for approval to Disney, installed upon
approval.
May 15th- Shorts implemented for all workers, all shifts, when the outside temperature is more
than 70 degrees fahrenheit.
May 14th- Sanitation company must be contracted to pick up used baking sheets nightly, and a
second set of baking sheets to be procured to ensure sufficient sanitation of products in direct
contact with food.
May 24th- All health & safety procedures will be drafted and provided to all employees in
writing, with in-person training to occur with all employees. New hires shall receive the new
procedures and same in person training as a part of their onboarding.
August 4th- Handicap/ADA compliance. The store and kitchen must be rearranged/ decluttered
to allow for the hiring of mobility device users, including wheelchairs, to comply with ADA
layout requirements.
7
While the above demands only scratch a portion of the hazardous operational procedures, we are
confident that should they all be addressed and the solutions we have demanded are implemented
within the allotted timelines, we can avoid a disastrous fallout and continue to work together to
ensure Gideons remains a successful operation.
We understand that this will most likely come as a shock, not less because ownership and
operations seem to be blissfully unaware of the vast deterioration, but moreover, the inane
procedural overhauls implemented in today’s meeting simply reek of disconnection to the reality
of the process, and will only serve to further delay and complicate the already struggling
operation.
It is time to see beyond all of the narcissistic ‘it looks cool, so we’re going to do it my way’
absurdity, and recognize that the above demands come from your soldiers on the frontlines. A
tough pill to swallow, but it is medicine critical to survival, nevertheless. We further recommend
that all upper management leadership work at least one eight hour, front of house shift per six
months, to ensure they remain fully connected and relevant.
We must issue a final word of warning: should this letter be ignored, or any of the above
demands are not implemented, or any retaliatory action be taken, it will be met with the most
severe consequences.
We know that you are amassing a fortune, and all we Ghosts ask for is a fair wage, a safe and
comfortable working environment, and to be treated with dignity and respect.
We’d hate for the adoring public to learn of any other reality. This is your one, final, opportunity
to make it right.
We look forward to your prompt email reply confirming your plan of action to comply with our
demands herein.
In Solidarity,
The Ghosts of Gideons.