Hi all,
I'm looking to sell a pair of Bowers & Wilkins PX8 McLaren special edition Orange and gray. They are in great condition, just a few very small marks around 1mm on the leather parts. I tried to capture all the leather in the photos so I took a bunch. They probably have 30-40 hours on them so burned in I,d say. Comes with box, cables, and carrying case.
$365 shipped USA only PayPal or Venmo friends only.
Please post here before PMing me. Please no chats as I can't see them often.
PM me with any questions. Thanks for looking!

Happy Sunday to you. Sold some of these earlier today, price drop for the remainder. No trades at this time.
TS and photos: https://imgur.com/a/sunday-sale-kxoM6n2
Remette Swordfish - Got a fresh one for you today. Purchased recently, never cut or carried, found out I cant carry this at work so it has to go. Very cool piece, very satisfying ergos and sound. Fabulous quality. Comes with leather sheath, case, and cloth. SV 250 SOLD
MT Ultratech Spartan - rare and beautiful configuration of OD green and bronze. Comes with custom frag cast resin scale I purchased a few years back on the swap, original will be in the box as well. Has been carried lightly but overall great shape. SV 275 NOW SV 250. Comes with box
ProTech Godfather Custom - Karst engraved skulls, #163 of 300. Comes with case and box. Pretty rare, excellent condition, very cool and pointy! SV 225 SOLD
MT Ultratech II - Great configuration with the Tanto, partially serrated, signature series, very good condition, comes with box. SV -300 NOW SV 275
Mummert Patriot Jack Cutting Card - all kinds of cool, very limited, perfect condition, SV - 90 NOW SV 75
Chaves Kickstop - awesome innovation, excellent edc beast, comes with box and extra clip, excellent condition SV - 200 SOLD
MT Ultratech - CCKS special 2021 (NASHVILLE) Guitar, Signature series, deep engraved, fully serrated DE, comes with box signed by Mr. Marfione. SV 325 NOW SV 300
PayPal F&F with no notes. Shipping to the US only. Know your knife laws regarding carry and collection of any of these knives. Shipping via pirate ship within 48 hours of payment.

A rusty chariot, a relic of time, Mr. Bean's car, a marvel sublime. No sleek Ferrari, nor Lamborghini's roar, Can match the charm that this old clunker bore.
No Bugatti's speed, no Aston Martin's grace, Mr. Bean's car, a smile on its face. Scratched and dented, a patchwork of parts, A symphony of squeaks, a chorus of hearts.
Through bustling streets and winding roads it goes, A beacon of joy, where laughter always flows. With a honk that's a laugh, a rumble so deep, It carries Mr. Bean, secrets to keep.
No fancy gadgets, no leather seats fine, Just a simple joy, a love that is thine. A car that's a friend, a confidant true, Through life's adventures, it'll always see you through.
A shade of green, unmatched, so divine, A verdant envy, a color that's mine. An engine that purrs, a symphony of might, A manual transmission, pure driving delight.
The engine a hum, a rhythm so slow, A journey of giggles, wherever it may go. It's more than a car, a piece of his soul, A story untold, a tale to be told.
With Mr. Bean at the wheel, and Teddy by his side, A friendship so strong, it cannot be denied. They travel the world, with laughter so bright, Mr. Bean and his car, a truly delightful sight.

❝ Listen up, you lot. This isn't just some rusty heap, this is a work of art. This green, it's not for the faint of heart, it's for those who know quality. The engine, it sings a song of power, and this manual gearbox, it's a symphony of precision. Teddy gets it, he knows that this car is more than just transport, it's a statement. This, this is the real deal. This is the British legend. This is Mr. Bean's car. ❞
12

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/a/JWX0t1b
G&S Fee & Shipping included in price.
~
DiamondD Custom Leather holster for Ruger GP100 .357 7-shot series handguns. Includes removable drop loop with ammo holders. LARP as a 21st century cowboy to your autism's content.
"​The Alaska Hunter leather gun holster is a hip holster with ease of carry in mind. We have placed three screws on the back of the Alaska Hunter leather gun holster, this feature enables the user to either slide their belt through the loop, or unscrew the three screws and wrap it around a backpack or any other strap that can not be disconnected. Don't forget to pair your Alaska Hunter leather gun holster with it's most popular accessory, the Alaska Hunter Drop Loop. This product enables you to add an extra "drop" to your gun holster either when worn on your belt, backpack, or anywhere else a loop can be used. You can add up to 7 extra ammo slots to this drop loop depending on your round in order to carry that extra ammo when you are away."
Product Page
These sell for $245 New with an approximate 6-month lead time.
Selling mine for $195 Shipped

Timestamp
PPFF, usps shipping, yolo > chat.
Prefer to sell, but talking trades is always fun. Intersted in cool fixed blades and small folders currently.
Click on listing name for videos.
SOLD $130 SV $149 Bark River Mountaineer II. Cruwear, Black Canvas Micarta. I think I'm second owner here. Was a user for first owner but I have not carried it. Did one test cut and she's sharp. First owner put a near-mirror convex edge with a sweet sandpaper sharpening technique he taught me. Did not come with the original sheath, but I luckily I had another Barkie sheath it seems to fit quite well in, just note that I'm not sure if its the default one it would come with. Looks retail was $249.95 so I'm cutting off $100 here.
SV $249 Benchmade 945-2 Mini Osborne. S90V. Blacksmith LNW deep carry clip and brand new Flytanium blue tritium thumb stud. Second owner, but received LNIB and has remained that way. Retail is currently $306, thumb stud is $49, and LNW $30 = $385 value. I
SOLD $190 SV $195 Benchmade TaggedOut Titanium Conversion. This is pretty cool and not something I have seen here before. Started out as a regular orange Taggedout ($180 retail) and now has brand new Flytanium stonewash scales ($108 retail) and swapped out all body screws for new Flytanium titanium set (retail $13.50) swapped clip for a different color of the same standard Benchmade minimalist clip. You're left with a pretty dope Benchmade that you can reverse flick easily and its a dang laser super slicey. Comes in original box with stock orange scales included.
SOLD SV $145 Vero Neuron M390. Comes with micarta scales (installed) and Jade scales. Blade shows no signs of use. Its an absolute joy to fidget with. Has been disassembled and cleaned/scales changed. Its sharp and its fun, and its one of the only "slip joints" that you can treat as a fidget flipper. Out of stock currently at retail of $245. Here you're getting an extra set of scales and the knife LNIB and still saving $100 off retail.
SOLD SV $110 Traditional Pocket Knives Ohio River Jack: M90 sheepsfoot blade and jigged ti handles. This is a catch and release for me. Super clean, and the walk and talk is just music to your ears on this one. These are sold out and I understand not being offered again. Comes in the original box.
SOLD SV $75 Pelican 1120 Slip Joint Knife Case. I just received this from Nalpak and I just don't have enough slip joints to justify having it. Moving it along and letting you save on their silly-high shipping fees.
SV $10 as add-on or $15 solo Jack Wolf Leather Slip. This has just been in my drawer forever. I think its brand new.

Book One: Edge of Madness - Chapter One First Chapter Previous
They called him the champion of the Talisi. A lost prince, a man touched by the Gods. They spoke his name in the same context as the Vigons. They regarded him as one would a holy object, placed there to remind all that hope is not lost. Mairek lay in a bed weaved of vine reeds. He felt hopeless, encroached on all sides by a looming dread he could not quite determine its source. There were expectations that had to be met. With hope came the assurance of victory and the Talisi wanted war. They wanted to parade him at the forefront of the Talisi Green army. Dress him in green metal and have him wield half a spear.
Yes, half a spear. His signature trade mark. It was half a spear he'd used upon the Ganidan plain, all those months ago. It was half a spear that he'd used to turn the tide against the Binorians. And here, in his room within the Palace. It is half a spear that lay beside him.
He'd tried to return to Jamou, the village he and Ishar hailed from. But the Talisi would not have it. An entire cohort came for him, his father had stood outside their home, tears of disbelief streaming down his face as he watched his son being dragged away to Central Talisi. To stand before the new King of the Talisi, the late King Gans's son, King Mogich. There, before the King, he was forced to retell the events of the Ganidan Plain. Where forty thousand Talisi men had stood against half a million Binorian Legions. Where Talisi had lost its king. The Red Priests of Meena had gathered around the silver throne of the King, intent on discrediting his every word for his theatrics upon the plain did not come as a result of his connection to their Goddess Meena. No. It was another God's blessing that had been bestowed upon him.
A blessing that ensured he was free of the bubble of time. A blessing that enabled him to foretell the future, experience the present and derive meaning from the past in a way nobody ever has or will. He was against the flow of time, not as Ishar was with his blessing of chaos, no, for him perception graced his every thought and action. And time, ever present, sought a way to purge him free of the realm. But for now it ignored him as did he it.
He rejected the giant chamber that had been offered him. The windows were dangerous, a stray arrow from the Army practicing grounds could find him in his bed as he lay asleep. He rejected servants for one might accidentally trip and wash him with scalding hot water meant for his bath. Every option afforded him came with the tinge of time and its need to be rid of him. He evaded all options before they availed themselves and here, he found himself now. In a single room, narrow with four walls all around. No windows, no servants. The only opening a door and ventilation shaft above the door. Time had no means of ending him where he lay.
A wasp entered the room from the ventilation shaft, it buzzed as it explored its new found abode. Mairek grabbed the half spear laying beside his bed. He lifted and flicked it across the dimly lit room, the only light a lantern that was dwindling in fuel. The half spear spun across the room and collided with the wall before settling on the ground. At its tip sat the impaled wasp. The sharp point had impaled it through its thorax and its threat was no more. Mairek sighed and lifted his eyes to the ceiling. What I would give, Ishar, to be back in Jamou with you. You tending sheep and me tending my broken heart, where are you Ishar? I crave chaos, an end to this tide that I swim against.
It started as a cough from a servant in the Palace's coal chamber. A chamber maid tripped and fell with a curse. A Red priest yawned and within seconds Mairek knew what was happening. The movements people indulged in, the things thought to be accidents. The gestures and words and platitudes. They were all weaves upon the tapestry of time. A knock sounded at his door. He got up and answered it. Parting the door enough to confirm the heart beats he'd expected were indeed of the five men before him.
Tall men, taller than he, bulky with swords strapped to their sides. Adorned in leather armor. The best killers in Talisi. Killers hired to kill him. They had objected of course, objected the task of ridding Talisi of the only one of them who could channel a God. But Tari, Princess of Talisi and sister to King Mogich, had offered them a price they could not refuse. She hated him, of course, hated him because he was part of her father's death. Part of the reason she no longer had a father. Sure, it was Ishar who'd led King Gans to a war facing impossible odds. But Ishar wasn't around. Nobody knew where the Kolotian and his lover, Niada, had gone to. So it was up to him to suffer the consequences.
"The King requires your presence." The one at the forefront said with a slight bow. The rest of the men rested their hands on the hilt of their blades. A clear sign that they were agitated, wary even. Mariek smiled.
"You carry swords, isn't it customary for the Green Army to prefer spears save in close combat? An ideal condition such as now?" Mariek asked.
The one who'd spoken to him chuckled. "We're used to the weight of the blade, Champion of the Talisi."
Champion of the Talisi. The title was a bane to him. He wanted to thrash against its constraints, to run away, flee from the duty it demanded of him. It was mid afternoon. The Palace wasn't as packed as it was during the early hours of the day. The King would never demand his presence at night so this was the best time for their ruse. Where would they lead him to? Where would he meet his end?
"Where is the King?" Mairek asked.
"He's at the Conicual Garden, west of the Palace bridge." Their leader answered. Mairek nodded. That would be an ideal place to die. It'll give him a chance to see the river curving through Talisi, to observe the sinking sun and to be kindred once more with all that went on around him. He felt time's gentle nudge, beckoning him into its embrace where his death will spell an end to his torment. An end to the struggle against time, a struggle he was sure he could not win. Why then shouldn't he relent? Throw in the towel and call it quits? What value marked him, that a God would pick him above the rest? No, Nielda had made a mistake. What was even the point of going all the way to the garden? Wouldn't it be fitting for his end to be quick?
"I hear the King," Mairek said. "He is speaking to the Chief Palace servant about a cartload of wine due from Remu. He is in the throne room, not the garden." The men shuffled uneasily. "You're here to kill me." He took a step back, leaving his door ajar. He went to the center of the room, knelt down and bore his neck to them. "Make it quick, a quick thrust in the neck ought to do it. But then again, you guys are the experts."
They hesitated. Each uncertain of their purpose. Mairek hated uncertainty, decisions spell the destiny time offers. To titter on the brink of a decision is to waylay time's purpose. "Be quick about it! Bastards!" That did it. They lunged towards him, swords rasping as they flew free of their scabbards. The point of the swords came to him and Mairek welcomed them, a smile played across his face. It was going to be over. He closed his eyes, waited for the sword tips to bite skin, draw blood. End his life. He waited a span of seconds and nothing seemed to happen. He opened his eyes, observed the blades inches from him, frozen in time.
"You fucking cunt." Nielda, the God of Space and Time spoke from behind him. He turned, found the God lounging on his reed bed. His skin was as dark as the midnight sky, and stars riddled it. His hair, like puffs of a cloud hovered about his head. His green eyes observed him with a haughty air Mairek had become used to.
"Nielda." He said, turning to regard the God who'd chosen him as his Champion.
"You can kill them all, all five of them as you did the wasp. Yet, here you kneel, like a weakling, welcoming their blades. You paint a sorry sight. Diva." Nielda said. Diva, the word was misused by the God, having dwelt so long in the place between sky and moon, the God had lost touch with humanity, his vigil against a darkness he was hesitant to comment on had stripped Nielda of knowledge regarding the advancement of the human race.
"I just want it to end, I know no peace, Nielda. No peace at all." Mairek said. He got up off the ground, went to the rear end of the reed bed and placed himself there. Close to the naked feet of the God. The dusk colored robe adorning Nielda shifted as he sat up to regard his champion.
"Peace? When a buck grazes in the Talisi wilderness, no predator in sight. Does he regard the moment afforded it as peaceful? Does it relish in it, hence lowering its guard to fully appreciate the ambiance that comes with a lack of danger? Peace is a fickle thing, the buck knows this. Its ears are ever alert lest the sound of a Yendw wolf's approach marks the end of its peace. Is that then, what peace is? A moment between danger, afforded by pure circumstance? If such a thing is peace then what benefit is craving something you know will have an end?" Nielda raised his hand and scratched at his scalp, the hair floating about it parted for a brief moment. The God rarely had mannerisms similar to that of mankind but as time went, Mairek noticed changes in the God's disposition. "Think of your time since leaving the Ganidan Plain, Diva, has there been any instance when your life was threatened save now? Can this then be regarded as a peaceful period, a time when time has ignored you and thus given you a period of rest? Of course time wouldn't ignore you forever, it must seek to right an anomaly and you should liken this as a Yendw wolf's paw upon a branch, young buck, and this should drive you to flee knowing that the peace afforded you has reached its end."
Mairek sat with his knees brought up and his arms circling the crest of his legs. He nodded his acquiesce. His eyes moved to the five men, frozen in time, their blades pointed at where he once knelt awaiting a quick death. The buck would not await the maw of the Yendw wolf, it will flee if possible and if not it would fight, hoping for a brief respite from death that might grant it another period of peace. Is this then what peace is? "I hear everything Nielda." Mairek started. "I see everything, even with my eyes closed. I feel everything as if my hand is forever grasping things and my tongue tastes things that I am yet to consume. Is this gift of yours a mark of peace? How will my sanity be anchored to me with all that I perceive?"
Nielda sighed. "You're a dumbass Mairek. A dumbass, if you can hear everything why don't you focus on the sound that pleases you the most? If you can see everything why not focus on an image that delights your soul? Perception is not confounded on the whole, you can focus on specific aspects of it that appease you."
"Is that what you did when you hovered above space for thousands of years? Did you focus on a specific sound while you were up there among the stars?" Mairek pushed. He knew if he kept up a barrage of questions regarding Nielda's time guarding the darkness above from an ancient evil, he might gleam something... Anything that would paint a vivid picture for him, a picture whose purpose he was yet sure of.
Nielda stared at Mairek and his eyes flashed a bright blue. The assassins started moving slowly and Mairek knew that time was regaining its flow. "No." Nielda said. "The one whose voice I wanted to hear was silent."
Time resumed its course and the assassins thrust into open air. Missing their mark. They turned, puzzled expressions about their faces to regard Mairek at the foot of the reed bed. Mairek sighed. "Your deaths won't be on my head." He said as he stood up.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The sun pierced the earth with its morning glow. Palace servants shambled about, eager to get on with their work. Guards stationed in various Palace compartments stood at alert, stifling yawns and conversing in low tones. The Palace kitchen was alight with activity, cooks chattered as dough rose and logs were fed into furnaces. Chamber maids emptied chamber pots. The King sat upon his throne and offered a silent prayer to Meena with the aid of the Red Priests, as it was custom for the King of Talisi with every new dawn. The gardeners tended the Conicual garden, pruning branches and inspecting bright colored petals. The daily routine of the Palace was under way, without a single anomaly felt or seen by all within the Palace.
It started as a scream when the maid sent to bring him his morning meal came across him leaving his tiny compartment. The maid ran away, screaming like a banshee and flinging his tray of food to the ground. Mairek flexed his shoulders and started walking towards Princess Tari's bed chamber. Where he knew she was inspecting an assortment of dresses, picking the best she would dawn for the first half of the day. With the maid's screams came the shuffling of feet, guards, cooks, gardeners, maids, Red Priests. They all flocked towards him, and when their eyes beheld him, they halted, words escaped them. Trembling gripped their limbs and all they could do was stare. They flanked him on all sides, and followed behind him at a distance. He did not turn his head to either side, he ignored them as he ignored the blood that trailed his path, marking his wake.
At another time, in another place. The five decapitated heads he held by their hair, three on his right hand and two on his left, would have sickened him. Their weight would have pulled at his soul and he would have been distressed by the action he was undertaking. But now, he felt nothing. He experienced everything and felt nothing. I am a buck, antlers riddled with the blood of a Yendw wolf, affording me an extended period of peace. And that was all he could define the moment as.
The Guards he came across took one look at him and let him pass, none too eager to test his patience. He climbed the steps leading to Princess Tari's chambers. A throng of Palace personnel behind him. The two Guards flanking either side of the Chamber's door halted him, placing heavy gauntleted hands on his chest.
"You cannot pass." One of them said, he towered over him and Mairek raised his head to observe him. He was aware of what a sight he was. Blood was sprinkled upon his face and stained his arms. The heads dripped blood on the floor and the smell of iron was rich wherever he went.
Mairek closed his eyes, felt the touch of the gauntlets upon his chest, he allowed himself to drift into the metal, to learn of its origin and how they came to be where they were now, upon him. The past is a vast sea, to swim its depths one requires a mind that can fragment, be two places at once, and in that current at the bed of time he was able to learn what he needed. He opened his eyes and turned his head to either guard. "These gauntlets, you place them on the bath house door, parting it gently to observe the Princess as she baths. A wretched thing both of you do, ogling the one you're tasked to protect. A simple reprimand wouldn't be enough, I will see both your heads on a spike at the Palace baths if you do not give me leave to do as I plan. I mean to cause no harm." He could not see their faces behind their helms, but he knew the look of shock and shame spread upon their visage. Shame, the anointed cousin of retreat, see as his gauntlets lower from my chest. See as they withdraw within, each of them eager to be rid of me within a miasma of indifference.
The Guards parted. Mairek raised a leg and knocked down the chamber door with one swift kick. The door sprung free of its hinges, tumbled and collapsed onto the ground, close to the foot of the Chamber bed. A good five feet within the Chamber. Tari stood, half naked with maids around her, her bosom rich and full, stilled as she regarded him. Then heaved as she saw what he dragged into her chamber.
Mairek walked onto the door and flung the heads onto the bed, watched as the blood seeped into the white linen cover of the duvet. Staining it a bright crimson. The heads stared in various poses, unblinking, sightless. Princess Tari gawked at them then raised her eyes to meet his.
"Their blood is on your head." Mairek said and turned around to depart. Those crowded behind him parted and in his wake eyes followed his retreating back.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Did you enjoy this chapter? Want more? If you're eager to continue the journey and can't wait for the next installment, you can check out my Patreon
patreon.com/user?u=53923380
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Your support means the world to me and helps me continue writing. Thank you for reading!

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/a/agALRRQ
More pictures found below next to each item/group of items. What you see listed below is what is available today. If you have any questions please ask! Additional pictures are below for each item. If I don't respond right away I'm probably working on homework but I will respond! Buy any 1 MYOG thing and get $2 off each additional item!
READ THE RULES!!! NO NOTES!!! Zelle (preferred), CashApp, PPFF, or PPGS for +30 Flair ONLY with NO NOTES. I will ask you to send a PM when you call dibs so you know it's me you're PMing. Please let me know if you wish to use PPGS; I will use a Paypal fee calculator and send you a total prior to payment. If you use PPGS and we did not discuss I will refund you what you sent less the fee Paypal charges me. If you are forced to use notes by Paypal just put in ":)". Everything will be shipped insured and through USPS. Anything dibsed and paid for by 2100 nightly normally ships next business day.
PLEASE USE PM ONLY NOT CHAT. I have disabled chat. DO NOT CHAT ME.
BASICBITCHSLINGS. Made from Mil-W-17337 or A-A-55301 1” webbing and ITW/Duraflex hardware. $2 off each additional sling after the first one! Glamour shots of the slings!

• 4x Vietnam Tiger Stripe $27 shipped each
  
• 5x Desert Vietnam Tiger Stripe $27 shipped each
  
• 6x Rhodesian $27 shipped each
  
• 2x Frogskin Arid $27 shipped each
  
• 3x Alpenflauge $27 shipped each
  
• 9x 8x M81 God's Plaid (tan hardware) $24 shipped each
  
• 4x M81 God's Plaid (black hardware) $24 $22 shipped each
  
• 11x 10x Woodland MARPAT $24 shipped each
  
• 15x Multicam $22 shipped each
  
• 10x MC Black $22 shipped each
  
• 8x MC Alpine $22 20 $18 shipped each
  
• 13x MC Tropic $22 shipped each
  
• 12x MC Arid $22 shipped each
  
• 10x ATACS-AU $22 shipped each
  
• 5x ATACS-FG $22 shipped each
  
• 2x Kryptek Nomad $22 shipped each
  
• 12x Ranger Green (tan hardware) $18 shipped each
  
• 12x Wolf Grey $15 shipped each
  
• 5x Foliage Green $15 shipped each
  
• 14x Just Black $15 shipped each
  
• 10x Coyote $15 shipped each
  

basicblemslings https://imgur.com/a/Bh3z1gG Thread got messed up but will not affect performance.

• 1x Blem Vietnam Tiger Stripe $25 shipped each

sweatshopslings https://imgur.com/a/75ggP66 I took a chance on some "Vietnam Tiger Stripe" webbing and it is definitely imported and not true VTS pattern. That being said, the material is still good so I whipped up some slings and will keep them on until they are gone.

• 11x 9x "Vietnam Tiger Stripe" $15 shipped each

ReGARd Rig https://imgur.com/a/E2faaQT Wolf gray elastic, Foliage loop, and RG webbing. Holds 3 AR mags, 2 CAT TQs, and 3 smaller items like knives, flashlights, etc. Put on kit, lightly larped. Ready to throw on your PC. If you need QASM female buckles I can add a pair for $3. $25 shipped.
Configurable, Unbeatable Carrying Kit (CUCK) https://imgur.com/a/AXfeiK5 Kryptek Outlander with Camo 483. As is tradition, made this for myself, then decided to go a different direction. 4 PALS columns on each side, pocket, elastic pockets on back for 4x AR mags, and comes with an M81 MOLLE placard and all the buckles. Does not come with any straps. $35 shipped
VTS/DVTS Dangler https://imgur.com/a/MOUL3Ir Loop-lined interior and bottom TQ holder. Made it and decided I wanted a different color scheme. Asking $50 shipped
MEMERS https://imgur.com/a/LEi8PwG Mostly Elastic, Maybe Ergonomic Rigs. Something for a credit union thief. Holds 4x AR mags (or whatever) and has the shock cord for 2x more whatevers. Comes with skinny straps and backstrap.

• 1x MC Black MEMER $55 shipped each
  
• 1x Wolf Grey MEMER $45 shipped each
  
• 1x Coyote MEMER $45 shipped each
  
• 1x Just Black MEMER $45 shipped each
  

TQ Hammocks https://imgur.com/a/KYko63G Hold onto your TQ boys and let them chill!

• 2x Multicam TQ Hammock $16 shipped each
  
• 1x MC Black TQ Hammock $16 shipped each
  
• 2x Ranger Green TQ Hammock $15 shipped each
  
• 1x Coyote TQ Hammock $15 shipped each
  
• 1x Just Black TQ Hammock $14 shipped each
  
• 2x Wolf Grey TQ Hammock (Wolf Grey hook and loop was upcycled) $13 shipped each
  

Dirt Chomper TQ Holsters https://imgur.com/a/jmrSItq Horizontal TQ mounting for your belt!

• 2x MC Dirt Chomper (hook outer belt, loop inner belt) $18 $16 shipped each

sWINGers https://imgur.com/a/2azTs0w Allows you to mount AR mags or similar sized items in all the ways, left, right, front, or back, just like the way you spend your weekends. Functionality here. All are $20 $18 each shipped, 2 for $35. $30, or all 3 for $40.

• 1x MC Black
  
• 2x Wolf Grey/Mas Grey hook and loop
  

Double Pouch (DP) Pouches https://imgur.com/a/ZS6epuG This is an iteration of the YOG pouch I made previously to have 2 separate compartments, sized to slightly larger than 3x AR PMAGs. These were each mounted once then I pulled them off because I want to get a little crazy with the design. There is still the rear insert area that is sized for 2x AR mags. I don't have inserts made but if you need one I can make and add it on for an additional $10.

• Nemesis Woodland Wolf prototype DP (I made the middle seam too big so the pouches look lopsided when filled. $35 $30 shipped
  
• DNC DP $40 $35 shipped
  
• DNC Blem DP (accidentally sewed the back piece inside out but you can only tell at the bottom) $30 shipped
  

RG Eagle Operator's Belt https://imgur.com/a/YxjAKD9 Size Small. This was on my kit for a few years but left the basement maybe a handful of times and it's in good shape. Found an inner belt to go with it! Comes with my Prototype Ranger Green Dirt Chomper TQ holder. $85 $80 shipped.
Black Titan 4x Mag Drop Leg Pouch https://imgur.com/a/F6guAeN Found in a box. $20 $15 shipped
Coyote Medical Drop Leg Pouch https://imgur.com/a/lJL9pU7 Found in a box. $20 $15 shipped
Holsters and misc https://imgur.com/a/G47ElYE

• Aliengear XD holster. GAFS catch and release. Bought it, tried it on once, went into a box. I think it’s made for the XD9 compact but it fit an XD9 just fine. Asking $40 $35 $30 shipped.
  
• P226 Holster (brown one). I believe this is a JBP leather dual use concealment holster. Comes with one extra snap button. $20 $18 $16 $15 $14 shipped.
  
• Streamlight clicky caps $1 each ADD ON ONLY
  

Rifle Mag Pouches https://imgur.com/a/j7DPlvy

• MYOG MC Black 1x AR mag pouch. Fits USGI mags only because I suck at measuring. I will throw some shock cord in if bought. $8 shipped or $5 $4 add on
  
• MYOG Wolf Grey/Ranger Green 2x AR mag pouch. $10 shipped or $6 $4 add on
  
• MYOG Vietnam Tiger Stripe 2x AR mag pouch $15 shipped or $12 $10 add on
  
• MYOG Desert VTS 2x AR mag pouch $15 shipped or $12 $10 add on
  
• Betsy's first MYOG 2x AR mag pouch (modeled after a Tactical Tailor one) $8 shipped or $5 $4 add on
  

Anyways if you made it this far thanks for looking and my FAQs are next!
FAQ
Where are all your things made? By me, on my 1940s sewing machine, in my craft room.
What materials do you use? For the most part, everything is made in the USA and Berry compliant. Generally speaking, I use the following: AA55301 or MIL-17337 webbing; Berry compliant 500D Cordura; MIL-W-5664 elastic; Berry compliant 550 paracord; Berry compliant shock cord; either Velcro and/or generic hook and loop; and ITW or Duraflex hardware. There may be some outliers. All my thread is a TEX 75 heavy duty thread from a US company.
What will the slings fit through? Anything that has a 1" slot, whether it's a QD, HK clip, plastic clip, rifle sling mount, paracord, zip ties, etc.
How do I install this through something or to my weapon? Step by step procedure here of what I do.
Do I have any clips or QD mounts? Not at this time, no.
Do you do custom work? Sometimes, depending on my schedule, but any transactions would not be through GAFS.
Do I have XXX color or product? If it's not listed I don't have it at this moment.
Why did you start this? In 2022 or so I was in the market for an inexpensive sling in a color other than black and also made in the USA. After I made a few for myself I started to produce these as a low-cost, high quality sling for anyone who was in the same boat I was in.
Why do you keep doing this? It's fun! Sewing has let me be creative and make myself kit that I like! Also allows me to prototype things and pass on my "old stuff" to you!

I spent quite some time with my jaguar thicc wallet. I kinda got used to it, but kind of didnt. I always carried it in my back pocket. Made of leather, and a lot of card slots.
However I decided to try out a new type of wallet. Though Im still looking for one. What I need from my wallet:

• Slim
• Quick access card slots (2 is good). I could just pull the wallet out, and without opening it, or doing any more movements than I have to, just pull out a card quickly.
• It should be able to fit cash: As I plan to work and travel, itd be good if it fits all sizes of money. And not just 1 or 2 bills.
• 8-10 cards. I have 7 cards, but I wanna leave some room for more just in case.
• Optional, but would be pretty handy: Hidden card slots, possibility of storing business cards

I have considered these wallets:

• Slimfold original: This is the first one I liked, as it could fit a passport inside. But then decided I wont be carrying it all the time with me.
• Slimfold micro: A pretty good wallet, but no quick access cards, and the plastic ID window is unnecessary.
• Bellroy hide & seek: Has hidden card/money compartment, which is cool. But its quite thick due to being made out of leather. Also no quick access slots.
• Tom-Bihn Minimalist wallet: It looks very good. But fitting money into it would be a problem.

Honestly if there is no other wallet, I might be going for the Slimfold micro. But its quite expensive for a piece of fabric. I honestly considered making the same wallet, but out of duct tape. Though its time consuming.
Id say from my preferences Im looking for a slim, bi-fold, with quick access card slots on the outside and optionally room for business cards

Good Sunday morning to you. I have some fun ones up for sale today. No trades at this time.
TS and photos: https://imgur.com/a/sunday-sale-kxoM6n2
Remette Swordfish - Got a fresh one for you today. Purchased recently, never cut or carried, found out I cant carry this at work so it has to go. Very cool piece, very satisfying ergos and sound. Fabulous quality. Comes with leather sheath, case, and cloth. SV 250 SOLD
MT Ultratech Spartan - rare and beautiful configuration of OD green and bronze. Comes with custom frag cast resin scale I purchased a few years back on the swap, original will be in the box as well. Has been carried lightly but overall great shape. SV 275. Comes with box
ProTech Godfather Custom - Karst engraved skulls, #163 of 300. Comes with case and box. Pretty rare, excellent condition, very cool and pointy! SV 225 SOLD
MT Ultratech II - Great configuration with the Tanto, partially serrated, signature series, very good condition, comes with box. SV -300
Mummert Patriot Jack Cutting Card - all kinds of cool, very limited, perfect condition, SV - 90
Chaves Kickstop - awesome innovation, excellent edc beast, comes with box and extra clip, excellent condition SV - 200 SOLD
MT Ultratech - CCKS special 2021 (NASHVILLE) Guitar, Signature series, deep engraved, fully serrated DE, comes with box signed by Mr. Marfione. SV 325
PayPal F&F with no notes. Shipping to the US only. Know your knife laws regarding carry and collection of any of these knives. Shipping via pirate ship within 48 hours of payment.

I took the plunge and pre-ordered the Ace, and I’ve been putting it through its paces for the last couple of days. I’m pretty deep in the Sonos ecosystem, and I’m a big headphone collector, so I’m tossing in my thoughts here for those thinking about taking the plunge on these $450 cans.
TL:DR - the Aces come in at a high price point in the market at $450. At that price, these may be a tough sell for many. The overall sound is very good - but not definitively better than the category leaders in the market, many of which cost substantially less. Early/Gen1 bugs will leave some thinking that the product is half baked or leaves them out entirely, especially Android users. All that said, this is still a Sonos product, so there are enough things done well about the Ace that it could be a decent proposition - especially if you catch a sale and/or after upcoming software updates. Hard to hate, hard to love.
Now to give some context and get into the deeper review. As mentioned, I am pretty deep in the Sonos ecosystem because I’ve steadily added to my setups over the years. I started with a 5.1 system, Playbar + Sub + two Play 1s about 10 years ago (now in my kid’s playroom) and now I have Sonos in my whole home - another Arc-based 5.1 setup (media room), a Playbase 5.1 setup (living room), a Beam (bedroom), Move (outdoor patio) and a Roam (travel).
I am also a headphone collector and have 22 pairs, ranging from “consumer” stuff like the Ace, AirPods Pro/Max - and all the way up to high-end reference gear from the likes of Audeze, Sennheiser, Meze, Focal, etc. I listen to many types of music, from hip-hop to classical, and I also do quite a bit of gaming. I have a young kiddo so have the need to use headphones for TV viewing pretty often.
Starting with the overall design, comfort, control and included accessories - Sonos does a mostly solid job. The design isn’t overly striking in any way, but it is a well-refined “standard headphone” type of design with clean lines. The Aces are light while still feeling solidly built, have a smooth but appropriately firm sliding hinge for headband fit, have easily removable pads, and while they don’t completely collapse, they get compact enough to fit in the included zip-up hard shell carrying case.
The respectable carrying case isn’t the only included accessory. A USB-C cable is included for both charging and USB-C audio (no included wall charger), and a USB-C to 3.5mm cable is included as well for plugging into analog sources. The inclusion of these cables and capabilities gives the Aces a lot of general versatility and are good things at this price point.
The design lends itself to an overall very comfortable headphone. The band has a very soft cushion and connects to the cups in a way that distributes the weight very well. The cushions of the cups are a well-padded and very comfortable faux leather situation with a firm but not too imposing pressure on the head. These are easy to wear for hours without discomfort for me. I will note that while everything is fine for me, the cups are not particularly large, and the pads are angled, so people with large ears may find their ears touching the cups a bit.
The controls are also well designed. Sonos chose to avoid any type of touch controls with the Aces and has just three buttons - one for power and Bluetooth pairing, one for ANC/transparency/on-device voice assistant, and one for volume and track/audio source/phone call control. It reads more complicated than it is for the controls to become second nature. It is a very good overall control scheme. It’s not quite as good as the Digital Crown design of the AirPods Max, but I’d give it a strong second to that.
When it comes to hardware design and general ease of use, Sonos has always done well across its product range, and that continues here. Grade: A
Sound is one of the most subjective/difficult things to review, and I’m going to try and be as neutral as possible and use some good points of comparison. Overall, the Aces perform fairly well for the product category, and while they bring their own approach to the table, it is very much debatable whether what they bring in terms of sound is worth the fairly high $450 entry point versus $450 for the AirPods Max, $299 for the Sennheiser Momentum 4, $328 for the Sony WH-1000XM5 or $379 for the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra - all very mature and respectable market leaders with similar product features in this category. There are wireless headphones out there that are priced higher like the Focal Bathys ($799) or the Bowers and Wilkins Px8 ($529), though one could argue that those are catering to the luxury and/or audiophile market (all Amazon US prices as of this writing), where the sound expectations have a higher hurdle to overcome.
Let’s first talk about tonal balance. The general tuning of the Aces is very similar to all of the other products I mentioned above, which is a version of a “V-Shaped” tune; bass is boosted, and treble is boosted, creating what has become commonly known as a “fun” type of tuning that I call warm and sparkly. While all of the products I mentioned do this in some way, each does it slightly differently, resulting in a slightly different overall sound presentation, the Aces are no exception. Let’s dive in.
The bass on the Aces is very noticeably boosted throughout the entire band, and the biggest boost is in the sub-bass region. This means the Aces bring slam, boom and rumble to the listen. It could be argued that these get into bass head territory, and I believe those that like bass would be happy with the Aces in that department. While the bass is certainly very prominent, it is not overly loose and still maintains a decent level of control. It is a thick but fairly clean bass. It hits thicker than the AirPods Max but less so than the Momentums and XM5s. If you like to feel those big explosions and soundtrack moments in your TV viewing and gaming, the Aces will fit the bill, as the depth the bass can reach is impressive. The downside to the bass tuning is that since the entire bass band is boosted, if you are listening to a track that has a lot of action in the bass region, it can be overwhelming and lack detail. It can also lead to some bleed into the lower midrange on certain tracks.
It is the midrange on the Aces that surprised me the most, though when I think about how Sonos likely dedicated as much thought to how these sound for TV as to how they sound for music, it makes sense. In a usual “V-shaped” tuning, it is the midrange that is the least present or gets a bit left out of the mix. This often results in vocals and many common core instruments and pieces of the mix somewhat veiled, and is the reason many audiophiles don’t like the V-shaped tuning. The Aces mostly avoid this. The midrange balance is pretty on-target with the exception of a bit of a dip in the upper mids. This means that you get a very full-bodied core sound when listening to the Aces, and that’s a very good thing. Male vocals are very often put on full display because of the added warmth of the bass boost. Female vocals can sometimes take a bit of a back seat, along with instruments like guitar, as a result of the dip in the upper mids, but to notice either of these, you’d really have to be a focused listener (more on why later). The story of the midrange is that it’s better executed than many in the category. This translates well to TV/gaming as well, as dialogue is typically easy to make out, even when there’s lots of other action going on.
The treble on the Ace, as mentioned, is definitely boosted, but in a targeted way that overall, works. I mentioned that the upper midrange where female vocals and some higher instruments live is a bit de-emphasized. Well, the treble is boosted in the “sparkle” region, where sounds like symbols reside - as well as the “s” and “t” sounds in vocals. This boost makes details shine a bit more, and it also hides the under-emphasis of the upper midrange a bit because it still pulls forward the sparkle of all vocals. This upper midrange and treble boost combination is also seen in some well-regarded higher end headphones from the likes of Sennheiser and Meze Audio, just to name a few, so kudos to Sonos for pretty solid execution on the treble. The downside to boosting this region is that some people’s ears are sensitive to this frequency range, and can find sounds like snare drums, loud symbols and the like in this region to be grating to listen to for long periods of time. I don’t find the boost to be extreme, but it is there, so those that are treble-sensitive, just something to note.
This is a good point to make note that this has all been related to the default tonal balance of the Aces right out of the box. Connecting to the Sonos app does allow you to adjust the frequency response - though it is a very basic EQ just like other Sonos products - a simple treble/bass slider. Most of the options at this price point offer greater level of control with a at least a 3-5 band EQ, but it’s better than nothing.
Last in the sound department is a bit about the staging and technical performance. Again, the Aces do what they do fairly well for the category, but whether what they do is definitively better than their peers is debatable. The sound that comes from the Aces is crisp and clear, and one of the most immediately noticeable aspects of the presentation is the good horizontal spread of the pieces of the mix - everything is placed very well with pretty good separation. The sound stage isn’t overly wide by any means, and we aren’t talking about a 3D/holographic sound stage (unless you’re using Dolby Atmos, which I’ll come back to), but the sound does indeed go ear-to-ear horizontally. Even so, the focus of the Aces is always front and center. The stage is very center-focused and intimate, with the edges of the left and right channel wrapping around to the ears. It is a pretty in your face presentation that works well. The center position also has a small but distinct depth and separation from the mix, which is impressive for a wireless headphone (I had to wonder if the fact that the inside of the pads of the Aces are angled contributes to this). The fact that the stage is so center-focused also keeps the vocals and heart of the mix emphasized, and this pairs well with its midrange tuning. This presentation also is another testament to being well-designed for both music and TV listening.
I am not always a fan of Dolby Atmos for headphones, as what the technology can do is often overhyped, but the Aces do handle Atmos mixed sources (or multichannel sources when using TV Swap) very well. It essentially makes the sound stage a bit bigger, along with more precise positioning of the pieces of the mix. I find it best for video content and hit or miss for music.
The overall sound package that the Aces deliver is solid, well-executed, V-shaped listen. The sound is warm, crisp, clean, dynamic/lively and is presented very well, in a way that will work for many genres of music, TV and gaming. The aces definitely deserve to be in the conversation among the market leaders, but each of these market leaders also have strong overall presentations that are arguably just as good, if not better - and allow for a bit more control with more EQ personalization options. The Ace’s premium price relative to this competition has to be taken into consideration as a point of comparison in evaluating overall sound. Grade: B+ / A-
I realize that when evaluating a pair of wireless headphones nowadays, the technology feature set is a big factor as well, and that’s where things get even more interesting for the Aces. This is because depending on your particular Sonos setup, mobile device setup, and general home listening setup, the technological features of the Aces are various levels of either lacking or unfinished.
Let’s start with the good. Regardless of the device you’re using to connect, you get to experience the active noise cancellation and transparency modes of the Aces, and both are very good. The noice cancelling mode isn’t quite as good as Bose, and the transparency mode isn’t quite as good as Apple, but both are respectable compared to anything else, a good showing. You can also enable head tracking in the Sonos app when connected to any device audio via Bluetooth, which for Android users may be an added convenience, depending on your device (for Apple users, this is a feature built in option at the system level between any iOS device and AirPods). You also get a fairly good mix of codec support, including some lossless options if your device supports it.
Now, the not so good. When Sonos announced the Aces, the company very accurately talked about how headphones were one of the most requested products of the community, and everyone in this sub can probably attest to that. But what has been released, at this point in time especially, IMO misses the mark by not doing the thing we want the headphones to do most - connect seamlessly to our larger Sonos systems. On top of this, it highlights the challenge of forced obsolescence when dealing with home theater speakers and advanced technology in the same package.
The best way to illustrate this is to state plainly that the Aces are first and foremost Bluetooth headphones. They connect to your Sonos system indirectly via the app on your Bluetooth device, not directly to the system itself via WiFi (mostly). This means a few things. If you’re envisioning using the Sonos app as a main hub for navigating your music library across sources and handing it off between your Sonos speakers and headphones, that’s not in the cards with the Ace (ha). As a matter of fact, you can only use the Sonos app to play and pause media playing on the Ace, not select and navigate.
If your goal is using the Aces to listen to your TV, it can be done via a feature called TV Swap, but the situation isn’t exactly pretty for a lot of people. You can press a button on the Aces or within the Sonos app to trigger a direct WiFi connection between a TV-connected Sonos speaker, but at launch and of this writing, it only works on the top-of-the-line Sonos Arc soundbar. This support is coming via software update to the Beam and Ray at an unannounced date. This means that for folks like me that have been building a Sonos ecosystem for years, arguably the most loyal and valuable customers of Sonos (and the ones requesting this product for years), the usefulness of the Aces may be substantially reduced. Out of the four rooms that have Sonos sound bars in my home, again, all purchased within the last ten years or less, only two will ever work with the Aces. My Playbase and Playbar are forever excluded, and if you’re using something like the Sonos Amp to connect a turntable or other device to your Sonos system, you’re also out of luck. If you are an Android user, the picture is even uglier, as the TV Swap feature doesn’t work AT ALL, meaning that until an update arrives, also at an as yet unannounced date, the Aces are essentially a regular pair of Bluetooth headphones for Android users.
For me, this is the most disappointing thing about the Aces. Unless you are a fairly recent inductee to the Sonos ecosystem, the Aces probably are really more general Bluetooth headphones that can connect to a Sonos speakeTV than Sonos headphones that also connect to Bluetooth devices. This is in a world where there are certainly other options for connecting headphones to your TV’s audio. Many smart TV’s and set top boxes now offer a direct Bluetooth connection, and if you have an Apple TV, using AirPods via AirPlay is a much more seamless experience. All of these things, combined with the recent revamp of the Sonos app that took away features and left many unhappy in the name of updating the app for future products (including the Ace), should make you think twice about if the Aces are the best way to get TV audio via headphones for you and your setup - and about the longevity of your particular Sonos setup in general. I realize there are technical challenges that make better Sonos system integration a challenge, and that for some, the issue about older products isn’t an issue at all, but it is worth bringing to light for those making a long-term purchase decision.
The second most disappointing thing about the launch of the Aces is the continued trend of companies releasing products at full price that are essentially unfinished. I already discussed that for Android users at launch, there is no TV Swap at all, so these are effectively just regular Bluetooth headphones with no Sonos system integration at all. I also touched on the fact that TV swap support for the Beam and Ray is missing for all platforms. There is also a very cool-sounding form of TruePlay that Sonos is calling TrueTune. This will calibrate the room, so that when using TV Swap to listen to audio, you’ll get an even more “immersive” listening experience that takes Spatial Audio and head tracking to the next level by trying to actually mirror the acoustics of the room as if you had no headphones on at all. I can’t report on that because, you guessed it…the feature is coming at a yet unannounced date. On top of this, there are bugs out of the gate. Sometimes my Aces don’t show up in the Sonos app, and TV Swap sometimes doesn’t trigger or glitches out.
All of this makes judging the technological features of the Aces difficult. On the side of being Bluetooth headphones - the ANC, connection possibilities/versatility, multi-device connection, head tracking/spatial audio support, and battery life, the Aces are a strong showing. On the Sonos side, your experience will be highly dependent on your current Sonos setup, source setup, how you like to navigate your music library, your level of patience to receive updates, and your trust/level of care for when/if Sonos will release an update that breaks something between your Aces and your existing setup or releases a new speaker that doesn’t work with the Aces. These are all considerations that again make the $450 asking price seem steep when there are other options in the market with equal or greater capabilities for a substantially lesser price. Grade: C-
Overall, I view the Aces as a solid pair of Bluetooth headphones, and as Bluetooth headphones for day-to-day needs, they are worth considering, though arguably not the best value in terms of overall sound quality and features. The AirPods Max, Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra all bring comparatively good sound and feature sets at the same or a substantially lower price. Whether that premium is worth it because of the Sonos interplay, well, your mileage may vary, depending on your setup. They have the potential to be pretty great for some, while at the same time being annoying for some - hard to hate, hard to love. I hope this review was helpful for those taking a look at these or building a Sonos ecosystem in general. Happy listening!

Hey guys,
I have had a big "weekender" leather bag for almost 15 years that likely will last for the rest of my life. BUT I have to carry it so it's unhandy for trips that include a lot of walking around with luggage, which will be the case for me in a few weeks.
That's why I'm looking for carry-on luggage that works for as many airlines as possible, which seems to be 55x35x25cm (sorry Americans). Important to me is that it has wheels so I don't need to carry it, that it's not too heavy, a certain sturdyness would be nice so that snacks and stuff inside don't get crushed too easily and last but definitely not least: Service Quality. I want to be sure I don't have to throw the whole bag when something breaks.
My budget is 150€ and I found following 3 options that could meet my requirements:
Maxlite® Air Compact Carry-On Expandable Hardside Spinner 55cm (55 X 35 X 23 Cm)
EXPANSE 2-WHEEL 21.5" INTERNATIONAL CARRY ON LUGGAGE
Samsonite Airea 35
Visually / Aesthetically I'm leaning towards Travelpro, also I like it's hardshell. But from what I read their service is probably the worst out of those three brands and basically non-existent. The Eagle Creek one is the opposite: I don't like how it looks but it's practical and service aswell as their warranty seems to be awesome.
As Samsonite is somewhere in between both of them I lean towards get that one. But wanted to get some more experienced opinions on that choice.

Hey guys,
I have had a big "weekender" leather bag for almost 15 years that likely will last for the rest of my life. BUT I have to carry it so it's unhandy for trips that include a lot of walking around with luggage, which will be the case for me in a few weeks.
That's why I'm looking for carry-on luggage that works for as many airlines as possible, which seems to be 55x35x25cm (sorry Americans). Important to me is that it has wheels so I don't need to carry it, that it's not too heavy, a certain sturdyness would be nice so that snacks and stuff inside don't get crushed too easily and last but definitely not least: Service Quality. I want to be sure I don't have to throw the whole bag when something breaks.
My budget is 150€ and I found following 3 options that could meet my requirements:
Maxlite® Air Compact Carry-On Expandable Hardside Spinner 55cm (55 X 35 X 23 Cm)
EXPANSE 2-WHEEL 21.5" INTERNATIONAL CARRY ON LUGGAGE
Samsonite Airea 35
Visually / Aesthetically I'm leaning towards Travelpro, also I like it's hardshell. But from what I read their service is probably the worst out of those three brands and basically non-existent. The Eagle Creek one is the opposite: I don't like how it looks but it's practical and service aswell as their warranty seems to be awesome.
As Samsonite is somewhere in between both of them I lean towards get that one. But wanted to get some more experienced opinions on that choice.

Previous
—
“.....”
Rika stared at her hand, at the backside of her palm, her skin color is that of an overripe and sweet sapodilla. She doesn't know what that thing is, but that's what her dad used to call it, apparently some sort of fruit, but she doesn't know what fruit is either. it’s slightly blue now, stained by the blood of a… thing. She looked at it, the… she doesn't know what to call it, pink thing… pink… pinky? Sounds good enough for her, she looked at pinky.
“hmm…”
Pinky is… weird? She's seen some weird things in her life, an irradiated wasteland can always hold a surprise, but this is… peculiar. In a way she couldn't really put her finger on, more so because she can't touch pinky for too long because they are really cold. But she wants to touch pinky, pinky is interesting. Pinky has four eyes, no hair, and a beautiful skin, she's almost jealous.
“.....”
Her curiosity took over and she scooted over to where pinky is, laying on her bed, with bandages on their tummy. She's honestly not sure why she instantly knows that pinky is bleeding, when she found them in that fire pit, created by that blue light that came from the clouds. Actually, she remembers it quite fondly. She remembered her dad coming back home, bleeding from his tummy, and asked her to fetch some bandages. He told her it was done by bad guys.
Poke
“Pinky? Are you awake?”
Poke
He told her bad guys don't like her, or dad, and want to kick them out. Dad said don't listen, and fight back, since then she really hates bad guys, and thought everyone but her and her dad are bad. She got a lecture for thinking that, and her dad told her not everyone is bad, some people are good, friends he called it, Rika never had friends before but she would love to have one someday.
Poke
“Hello?”
Poke
As Rika continuously poked Pinky, she wondered if Pinky is a bad guy or friend, or maybe they got hurt by a bad guy, are there bad guys in the clouds?. Pinky looks nice, they don't look like bad guys, but who knows, once her dad said that bad guys sometimes lie and make themselves look like friends.
“Wow…”
Pinky’s skin is cold, very cold, it hurts if she touches it too long, but if she touches it for just a few seconds, it’s actually comfortable. So Rika did just that, occasionally putting her palm on Pinky, and enjoying the cold. But suddenly Pinky doesn't feel as cold anymore, she was wondering why when Pinky woke up, and slapped her.
—
“AHH! Get away from me!”
“@#!”
Ciro’s not having it today, she just woke up, and expected maybe the white and yellow of her ship’s medical bay, the feeling of a soft bed on her back, hoping maybe all that she saw before is just a very long and weird dream.
“Shoo! Shoo!”
“...?”
It isn't, unfortunately. She woke up to the brown and black of a cave, and the feeling of what barely passes as a bed laying on rough sand and pebbles on her back, it is not in fact a very long and weird dream. It is, in fact, reality, reality is terrifying as they say and she would agree, as she immediately sees the creature again the very next second of her eyes opening.
“Shoo! Get out of here! D-d-don’t hurt me!...”
“€π?”
“W-what?”
It spoke…? In language she doesn't recognize, it seems… confused? She's not sure if whatever the creature is doing with its face counts as an expression. But it does seem… curious, undeniably so, it tilted her head at her, and looked at her with its curious brown eyes before leaning forward. That, of course, scared the soul out of Ciro.
“Eek! Stay away!”
Now it looks surprised, kind of. It backs away slightly, with their back facing the entrance of the cave, a harsh ray of sunlight peered through the cave’s mouth and some violent wind can be heard. It still stared at her, with that… admittedly… beautiful brown eyes, she's never seen it before. She found herself locking gaze with the creature, feeling a strange sensation as she did.
“Uhm…….. hi”
She suddenly strangely relaxed, as if she didn't just experience ejecting out of her exploding ship and meeting a foreign alien right after. But it got her mind calm, and more rational, now that she is, she should probably stop calling it creature, it's undoubtedly sapient. It had clothes, a terrifying helmet as she recalls, and clearly some decent technology, looking at… gnarly looking weapon resting on the wall next to them.
“π¥! ¥^# £¥¢@!”
It- no… they spoke again, it kind of sounds like an introduction, but it's not like Ciro knows what it means so who knows, could be a threat. They kept staring at her, rather inappropriately. Their eyes wandered to somewhere on Ciro’s lower body, and pointed at it with one of their five clawed fingers. She was about to think about the predatorial implications that the claw gave her, but she's too busy panicking about the wound on her stomach right now.
“Oh God…”
It’s patched up, neatly and appropriately, but also rather tightly. The moment she became aware of it the pain came rushing through like a busted dam. She held her stomach as she curled to a fetal position, tears coming out of her eyes.
“Argh…!”
That's when a hand grabbed her shoulder, she looked up to see the… she should really give it a name, the first thing to come out of her pained mind is critter, and she stuck with it. Critter was staring at her, they seemed to be worried, Critter looked around, before getting up and running towards a dark green colored backpack. Critter rummages through it, before finding what they were looking for, signified by them going what Ciro assumes to be “AHA!”
“Huh?”
They ran up to her and presented it in their hands, an assortment of what look like pills, they're giving her medication?
“I… i can't, i don't know what's in it, it can- ergh!... Mmph… it can kill me…”
Critter insisted, all the while looking at her with all the worry in the world, for a second she wanted to question why it’s so… passionate? The amount of compassion shown to someone they probably have never seen before, it’s kind of sweet. She would appreciate it, if she's not in great pain right now, with a shake of the head she refused the pills, leaving Critter confused and even more worried.
“Sorry… i can't”
Ciro closed her eyes, maybe if she can get her mind away from it the pain would recede. She got nothing, even though her kind is known for how well they can handle their own minds she can't seem to suppress it. But when something touched her head she calmed down, it felt warm, and comfortable, and soft. She opened her eyes again to see Critter…
“...?”
“Uh…”
Are they…. Are they petting her? They are, and it… it feels good, oddly so.
—
Rika caressed Pinky's, they seemed to be in pain and when she offered them painkillers, they refused, she was at a loss at how to calm them down, until she remembered something. When she was little, she found a stray kitten that wandered near her home. It was crying and she had no clue how to calm it down, until she touched the kitty’s head and petted it.
“Okay? Are you okay?”
Her dad didn't like kittens, made him go achoo achoo, he calls it… al… ler… gi…? Something like that, she's not very good at spelling. Doesn't matter though, Pinky looks to be enjoying it, they're not crying any more, that's good if you ask her. A couple of minutes pass, filled with nothing but oddly awkward silence and the sound of someone being petted.
“Hmm?”
When she was done Pinky had completely stopped crying and holding their tummy. At the same time they seemed to snap out of a trance, and looked at her, she replied with a smile, after remembering that Pinky doesn't speak like her.
“Hi!”
She tried anyway, surely anyone knows what a "hi" is right?. Surely, as sure as the lightness in her head, she felt it suddenly, it was unpleasant and it felt like someone was poking the inside of her head.
“Ow…. That hurts”
She laid down on the cave floor, and wondered why she's like this all of a sudden. She looked at dust carried by the wind outside. It might be that the air can be kind of funky sometimes, she should really cover the cave with a tarp. She did just that, though making sure the tarp’s color can blend in with the surrounding is a little hard when she can barely even focus from all the lightheadedness.
“There… set and sound… ow…”
She's still feeling it, even more severe now. Probably because it already got to her, oh well, what can she do? It should pass soon enough, she's been through more, a headache is not going to take her down, maybe. She sat down next to her rifle and sighed, messaging her head as she did, it relieved some of the pain, but didn't make it go away.
“Hmph…”
Maybe she should go back trying to talk with Pinky, maybe that can calm it down-
“Hey…”
“Huh?”
—
One thing Qo’kvells can do other than telepathically communicate with each other is… look into the mind of a non-Qo'kvell. Unethical, dishonorable, despisable, medically problematic, since it hurts anyone who isn't mentally capable, which everyone who is not a Qo’kvell. But… it can help, in some things. Like… knowing the ill intentions of others, or a problem in their mind, or getting to know them, or… learning their language.
“Ow…”
And she has never seen a language so complicated it hurts her head just thinking about it. Not until she probed Critter’s head, to see if there's a way to communicate, it visibly affected them, but they handled it far-far better than anyone else, most would pass out in the first 3 seconds, Critter seems mostly unfazed. From it, she knows a lot, but understands few, she did learn Critter is a she, so hey, fellow girls at least.
“Mmh… oh… I shouldn't have done this…”
And her intent is well, she's trying to help her, the pills she offered were painkillers, and she saved Ciro from her pod’s burning wreckage. She suppose she can thank her, but learning a language takes some time and brain effort, and it certainly hurts, so she holds off for now. Critter’s memory is hazy, and hard to reach, it’s almost like her brain is actively fighting against her telepathy.
Maybe I should say something… hmm… this is… a word for introduction right? I hope, please don't be a slur or something’
“Hey…”
“Huh?”
‘did it work?’
“H-hi…”
From Critter's memory, she learned that waving her hand seems to be some sort of introductory gesture, so she did that. She was expecting shock, but what she got was a very happy Critter, who seemed to instantly forget about their headache.
“you can talk!”
“A… small-”
‘wait, no that's wrong’
“Me… mean… little?”
‘That's also wrong, what in the lands below is this language?!’
“Who are you? What's your name? I'm Rika! I’m friend!”
She can barely understand that wall of words, she did hear a name… Wi… no, Ric… e? No, wrong again, Ri… ka…? Sounds… correct-ish. She also noticed she was being asked her name, she tried her best to piece it together using the strange letters of Rika’s language.
“am… Ce… ehm, no… Ci… Ciro”
“Ciro? Oh man… Pinky is not right at all”
She has no clue what Rika is talking about, and it’s probably best she doesn't question it. But now she has to ask the important questions. She tried her best to form a sentence in her head before trying to speak. She could just try and probe again, but her head’s not having it so neither does she.
“When… no, me mea- no… I mean… Where… am… i?”
“Hmmm? oh, we’re in a cave”
“I… know… I mean… what place?”
“What? Uh… Oh! Yes, you’re not from here, sorry, we’re in a desert! My dad calls it wasteland, i don't know why, i don't a see a lot of trash out here”
Wasteland? Desert wasteland? Ciro was curious, what kind of species prefers to live in a desert? Wasteland no less?
“Why?”
“The whole world is like this, dad calls it end of the world, i don't see anything ending out here, so i don't really know”
End of the world… Ciro realized the grim implications of that sentence and frowned, with a bit of pity towards Rika.
“”stranded in post apocalyptic planet, great””
“What? You speak weird again”
“Oh… apologiz- uh, i mean, sorry, it is n-native… mouth”
“Oh, i’ve heard of that, dad used to tell me other people can speak another way, can you teach me?”
Rika’s eyes light up, she seems oddly innocent and childlike in… well… apocalypse, for gods know how long. She suppose education isn't as strong as it used to be in that condition, but shouldn't Rika be a bit more… aware?
“N-no, it… hard”
“Aww… it’s fine, you can speak like me anyway, how do you do it?”
“I…”
She's not sure what to say, Rika probably doesn't know what telepathy is, or maybe and she does, Ciro’s got nothing on her culture.
“Just… special… thing, i can do”
“Ooh!... What is it?”
“Difficult… explain… t-to explain, i mean”
“It’s okay… are you good? You’re wounded, i took care of it but you were still hurt”
“Am… fine”
She's really not, but she's functional which is good enough, Rika’s work on her wounds was surprisingly exceptional.
“Great!... Hmm… do you want to go with me?”
“W-where?”
“Hold on! Let me get it!”
Rika ran to her bag again, and took out some sort of… square? It unfolded to a large rectangular shape, is it made of… paper?
‘Her species still uses paper?’
She was a bit confused, if they can make advanced medicine then shouldn't they be way past that? Then she was reminded by the sound of the violent wind outside.
‘oh yeah… apocalypse’
She ran back to him all excited, Ciro can practically taste the thick naivety of this girl as she spoke with the largest smile she has ever seen.
“We’re here, not too far away from my home, but that's not where I'm going! I wanna go here! Look!”
She pointed to a drawing that resembles a mountain.
“It’s a really tall mountain! My dad’s been there before! He said it looks very pretty!”
“What… for?”
“To meet someone! My dad said there's someone very special there! That I should meet them! He said it’s important for everyone too… but he wanted to tell me first!”
Rika kept mentioning this “”dad””, and Ciro is going to go out on a limb to guess this dad is her parent.
“Is… dad mother?”
“Wha? No! My dad is a man! Strongest man ever!”
‘so a father?’
“Where is… dad?”
All the light in Rika’s eyes disappeared, replaced with something that made Ciro uneasy. Even when only partially connected, she can feel a strong feeling of sorrow from Rika, if she was probing her head Ciro probably would have been dead or atleast incapacitated from the sudden emotional overload.
“I…. Sorry”
“It’s okay… but he told me to go here, he gave me everything he has, and taught me everything, he said it can save me, everyone, i don't know what he means… but i’ll do it, for him, it’s all he always wanted”
Her voice wasn't as energetic as before, far from it. Ciro noticed that Rika glanced at the terrifying looking weapon on the wall, it seems it's more than just a tool of self defense.
“Ah… anyway, do you want to come with me?”
Ciro weighted her choices, she doesn't know this planet, she doesn't know how it is like after whatever happened to it, she doesn't know if others of Rika’s kind are as friendly as her, or if they even consider her approachable at all, she doesn't know how to survive, she's not that kind of person. At this point, she's not even worried, she nodded in response to her question, and perhaps, in a pleasant turn of event, Rika lit up once again, back to how she was.
“So you want to be friends?!”
“Y-yes…”
‘that feels regrettable in the long run’
“Yeeee! First friend! Uhm… oh, i forgot to ask, where are you from? Why are you riding that light?”
“What?”
“I save you, from a burning pit, light from the sky landed there, are you from up there? Why are you here?”
Ciro decided it doesn't hurt to just tell Rika, she would probably be more impressed and excited than terrified that there are other civilizations out there.
“Am from… uh… space, above sky, i am a…. Ko’k ehm… Q… Qo’kvell…”
“Above the sky? In the stars?”
Ciro was right, she looks absolutely excited.
“Yes… my kind… explore stars, am explorer”
“Oh! Are you exploring down here? What is it like up there?”
“Hard… to explain, explain… later”
“Aww… okay… let's go now should we? Storm is smaller now, we can go”
Rika was right, the wind outside had calmed down.
“Shure… S-sure, i mea- AHH!”
Rika pulled her up from her sitting position, and tore through cover protecting the cave from the winds outside. Outside was… bright, and hot, unpleasant, they seemed to be in a valley between two mountains. All Ciro can see is a dry landscape where trees used to be, hinted by the dry stumps barely poking out of the gravel and sand. A complete terraformation is she has to guess, something hit this planet hard.
“Wait here! I'll go get my stuff first!”
Ciro wondered how Rika managed to survive all this, but the more time she spent with her the more it seems to her Rika grew up in all of this, not forced into it.
‘how long has it been?’
“Let's go! We’re still far from it!”
Rika came out of the cave, bag on her back and weapon in hand.
“Where… is… vehicle?”
“Oh! It’s right here!”
She walked up to a large rock and pointed to it, Ciro was confused until Rika grabbed it and it turned out to be some sort of camouflage cover. It was nearly invisible, blending in with everything else, and it's clear why that is, her vehicle isn't the most discreet. Two wheels, all black, armored plates for the front and rear were welded to a long metal pole which itself is bolted on the vehicle’s side, acting as a mount for the armor.
“Hmm…”
“Cool right? My dad made it himself! He said it can’t ever go down!”
“Good… protection”
The mostly rubber wheels are slightly spiky, and have large ridges, probably to get better grip on smooth sand, and spikes for snow maybe?. It has two seats, one in front, one in the rear, surprisingly comfy looking seats despite all its brutal aspects. Rika got on it, and inserted a metal key, and the vehicle let out a fearsome roar. A mechanical Ignition tells Ciro that Rika’s kind probably isn't incredibly advanced.
‘no offense Rika…”
“Come on up! Another storm is probably coming soon! We don't want to get stuck!”
“O-okay…”
She got up on the back seat, it’s apparently leather, she wondered what kind of animal it came from.
“Ready?”
“Ye- EEK!”
Rika accelerated without warning, causing Ciro to almost fall off, she held onto Rika by hugging her, it felt inappropriate, but she seems fine with it. Ciro’s fine with it too, she's oddly comfortable to hold, maybe it’s just the heat from her body, she noticed that in the cave when she was being… petted, Rika's kind must be hot blooded.
‘Sigh… stranded in a wasteland planet, with a species never encountered before… How lucky am i?’
It would be any star mapper’s wet dream, that's for sure, she just wishes it went a little different, less explosions and less being stranded.
‘if only you’re here, mom’

I used a leather holster for my last CCW (M&P Shield) and had issues printing, so I made the investment on a good gun belt and kydex holster (Tier 1 T1-ECHO, I carry Strong Side) for my XMacro. With the belt and kydex holster the XMacro conceals amazingly.
However, I'm finding that the grip texture on my XMacro is much more aggressive than my last CCW and is rubbing my skin raw. One of the factors for discomfort is the new setup: better concealment means the grip is tighter, up against your body. But it feels like sandpaper against my back, every move I make.
I live in the South. So, I really don't want to wear two shirts to solve this problem. Especially because my typical summer outfit is shorts and a tank top.
Any suggestions to make this setup more comfortable?
Thank you in advance, for your insight.

I used a leather holster for my last CCW (M&P Shield) and had issues printing, so I made the investment on a good gun belt and kydex holster (Tier 1 T1-ECHO, I carry Strong Side) for my XMacro. With the belt and kydex holster the XMacro conceals amazingly.
However, I'm finding that the grip texture on my XMacro is much more aggressive than my last CCW and is rubbing my skin raw. One of the factors for discomfort is the new setup: better concealment means the grip is tighter, up against your body. But it feels like sandpaper against my back, every move I make.
I live in the South. So, I really don't want to wear two shirts to solve this problem. Especially because my typical summer outfit is shorts and a tank top.
Any suggestions to make this setup more comfortable?
Thank you in advance, for your insight.

Chapter 5: Hangar Bay 2

Six days had passed since Aurelian's return to the Imperator Somnium. His wounds, tended with relentless dedication by High Lady Avicenna Ibn Sina, his personal physician, were nearly healed. Avicenna’s skilful hands had worked tirelessly to ensure the Emperor’s swift recovery. Archamus Cadwalder, now High Lord and Master of the Seraphim, remained a constant presence, never more than ten paces from his Liege unless commanded otherwise.
Both Aurelian and Cadwalder were heading to the ship's hangar bay to greet the returning Seraphim. "My Liege," Cadwalder spoke, breaking the silence that had settled between them, "forgive me, but I’m not sure the other Seraphim will take kindly to my appointment above them."
Aurelian paused, his left hand resting on the pommel of his blade. He traced his fingers along the cold, rounded steel, contemplating Cadwalder’s concern. "They are your brothers and sisters, and have been for many years. Perhaps... they might surprise you. Regardless, it is my command, and they will obey."
They continued walking, Cadwalder a few paces behind. The journey to the hangar bay was long, and they were only halfway there. As they passed, the ship's crew saluted them, either raising their fists to their chests or dropping to one knee. Aurelian acknowledged them with nods and smiles but did not break his stride. Their walk was mostly silent, the hum of life aboard the ship the only sound accompanying them.
After nearly an hour, they arrived at Hangar Bay 2. The space buzzed with activity: personnel rushed about, fuelling ships, performing pre-launch checks, and unloading cargo. Sparks flew from welding torches, and the magnetic thrum of fusion reactors filled the air. Voices rose and fell, commands being barked out and acknowledged. This bustling scene was just one small part of the grand machine that was the Imperator Somnium.
Aurelian and Cadwalder moved towards an empty landing pad, the crew and pilots saluting their Lord before resuming their duties. They stood apart from the commotion, a stark contrast in their imposing presence.
Aurelian, standing at 1.93 units tall according to Avicenna's recent examination, was a formidable figure. His well-built frame, olive skin, and stern demeanour commanded respect. His dark brown hair, shaved at the back and sides and plaited on top, was tied with leather straps and gold rings, a style from his homeworld. His black armour and red and black fur-lined cloak added to his imposing aura.
Beside him, Cadwalder, towering at 2.13 units, was even more physically imposing. His pale face bore six scars running down the right side from ear to cheekbone and a burn scar on his left temple. His head was shaved bald, and his stern face seemed perpetually on the edge of anger. His giant left hand rested on the pommel of an enormous greatsword, while a modified multitool was strapped to his right thigh. His long, pitch-black cloak trailed behind him as they walked.
As they reached the landing pad, a giant troop carrier in the black and gold colours of the Seraphim touched down. With a mechanical hiss, the rear ramp descended, and the hangar bay fell silent. The sound of giant armoured footsteps echoed as six Seraphim strode down the ramp. Clad in identical black armour with gold accents, their cloaks billowing behind them, they made their way towards Aurelian.
"My Liege," one of them spoke, dropping to one knee along with the others. "Your will is done. We received reports of your wounding en route back to the Somnium. We have failed you."
Aurelian watched them in silence for a moment before speaking. "You have failed no one, Deimos Malleus. You were carrying out my will across the stars. You did nothing I did not bid you to do."
The Seraphim remained kneeling, their discipline unwavering. The hangar bay resumed its activity, though quieter, not wishing to disturb the meeting. "Cadwalder, remove your helm."
"Sire," Cadwalder replied, the helmet releasing with a hiss to reveal his scarred face.
"You know this man well. He has been your brother in arms for many years. You have fought and bled together on many worlds in my name. And you have heard to reports, so it will come as no shock to you that without this man I would not be standing here today. And so, I have named him Archon of the Seraphim. Your leader, your Captain. Honour him."
Aurelian bid his Seraphim rise. Deimos looked at Cadwalder for several long seconds before stepping forward, their breastplates almost touching. "Archamus Cadwalder," Deimos said, almost a whisper, "thank you for performing the duty we were not here to. We are in your debt. And we welcome your appointment. Hail Archamus, Archon of the Seraphim."
The two clasped hands and saluted each other. Aurelian turned to depart, heading towards the massive doors at the rear of the hangar. Just as they neared the door, a ship came crashing into the hangar bay, the sound of screeching metal cutting through the air. Aurelian recognized it as one of the transport craft abandoned aboard the Talos.
"Seraphim," Aurelian commanded, "surround that craft."
"My Lord," a voice said, so weak it was barely a whisper, "I tried to make it to extraction. I tried. But—" With a heavy thud, the body to whom the voice belonged hit the metal deck of the craft.
Aurelian stepped forward, his Seraphim following suit, but he waved them to remain where they stood. He knelt beside the thin, unconscious woman on the craft, recognizing her as the comms adept from his search party. "Take her to the med bay," he ordered. "Tell them to put her in quarantine for the time being, but do not panic her." Two of the Seraphim immediately moved to carry out his command.
"Quarantine?" Deimos inquired.
"Yes, Deimos," Aurelian replied. "Archamus will explain what happened aboard the Talos, and you will understand the necessity of my command. We'll confer more once we're on the bridge"
Aurelian and the remaining Seraphim made their way to the exit of the hangar bay, their heavy armoured strides causing the deck beneath them to tremble.

Prequel (Chapters 1 to 16)
1. Rise of a Valkyrie
First ¦ Previous ¦ Royal Road ¦ Patreon
“Uh oh,” Ray said just loud enough for the rest of the squad to hear. “Contacts moving across our eleven, ten meters out. No, don’t everyone look, or you’ll attract their attention.”
“What is it?” Kayla asked apprehensively. “Helvets?”
“Worse. Forest battalion. Those bitches got the same leave block, and they think they’re going to move in on our action. Freakin’ teddy bear lovers.”
Around the table, the other girls murmured their agreement that Forest battalion was indeed the home of sloppy Rangers with an unhealthy fascination for teddy bears. The Mountain Ranger battalion held it to be a matter of incontestable truth. Though Kayla had neither heard any logical explanation for, nor seen any evidence of the obsession, she nevertheless accepted the claim with the same conviction that the sun would rise, or that morning PT took place at six a.m.
The bar in downtown Zula was becoming more crowded as the night progressed, and while Kayla was happy to chat with the same people she spent every waking moment with, she was beginning to long for a little of the inebriated flirting she had been promised. They had all dressed in their finest, and she, after some discussion with Thandi, had settled on a dark maroon dress that everyone assured her was gorgeous.
Across the room, a group of cool-eyed young women had taken over a table, and were preparing to order drinks.
“I’m gonna go assault through the ambush,” Ray said, and pushed back from the table. She strode confidently over to the offenders and launched into a spirited debate with them.
Lyna beamed at Jess. “So, the rules are that any man, woman, or farm animal that you approach first is yours for the duration of the evening. Do not approach anyone who has already been approached by another Soror, because there will be substantial negative consequences.”
Jess’s apprehensive smile flattened. “What kind of—”
“Getting thrown out of a plane without a parachute is a common punishment for trying to steal another girl’s date, regardless of unit,” Lyna said. “No, I am not kidding.”
Kayla squeezed her arm. “Don’t worry it’s less painful the second time you do it.”
“Really?”
Kayla chuckled. “No, I’m kidding. I haven’t actually done it twice.”
“But anyway,” Lyna continued, “let us know if a girl is messing with you or your date. That’s a squad level response protocol, and it starts with spiking the drinks of those responsible. Also not a joke.” She smiled evilly, and tapped at her handbag.
“But what about…” Jess glanced around carefully, “civilians?”
“Weapons free,” Kayla said, then caught Thandi’s eye. “Metaphorically speaking. Don’t start a fight. Call for support as needed.”
“Pick someone you like,” Tian said, “then me and Kayla will set you up. I’ll be the ugly duckling, and Kayla can be queen bitch.”
Kayla smiled grimly. “I guess it’s my talent.”
“Okay then,” Jess said and began to discreetly examine the room.
Ray rejoined them, with a happy expression. “They will stand down until we’ve had our fun,” she explained.
“How did you sell that?” Lyna asked.
“I just explained we had the infamous Kayla Barnes with us.”
“Ray, for Christ’s sake!” Kayla groaned, then caught Thandi’s eye again. “Sorry.”
“I’m kidding,” Ray reassured her. “I said we’d been deployed for two months, and they were very understanding. Word about our goat rope has gotten around.”
Bibi sighed. “All we do is gossip. It’s so disheartening.”
***
Gaz eyed the occupants of the bar as he stepped inside. It had the smoky air typical of colonist dives, and the music was toned down enough that people could actually talk to each other. No doubt that was why his contact had chosen the place. Businessmen of all kinds converged on Caldera’s smaller towns to make deals free from the meddlesome and watchful eyes of the League’s Adjudicate enforcers. Then there would be the adventurers out to explore the final frontier, prospectors looking to exploit it, and good old-fashioned smugglers. It was a crowd of nobodies, and everybody respected that.
In a quiet corner, he spotted a man in a leather jacket with a racing league logo. His contact. Gaz bought himself a drink, then wandered over. When he sat down, the heavy set, portly man lit a cigarette and glanced nervously around the bar.
“Take it easy,” Gaz said. “You’re not in the League’s social network anymore. This is the wildlands.”
“I don’t think there are any more wildlands, fella,” the man said.
“What do I call you?”
“I’ll go with Kite for the time being.”
Gaz managed to restrain his laughter, but he couldn’t keep a smile from breaking out on his face. Kite glared at him.
“Like the racing team?” Gaz asked. “I guess you’re a fanboy?”
“I happen to think that a dozen galaxy championships merits respect,” Kite insisted.
“Sorry, you’re right. You can call me Gaz, by the way.”
“I know who you are. Everyone around here is talking about marines in town, up to no good. Do me a favor and keep things quiet, yeah? No point adding to your reputation.”
Gaz shrugged. “We try to be quiet, but it’s hard to control your reputation when you make so many enemies.”
“Maybe.” Kite paused and glared at him. “So…?”
Gaz nodded and reached into his jacket. He produced a small envelope and laid it on the table,
“Tier three ident,” he explained. “You can start a new life anywhere with that.”
Kite peeked inside, then snatched the thing away into a pocket. “Sounds good, because I will bloody well need it.”
A young woman laughed raucously across the bar. Both men glanced around and studied the party of friends for a moment.
“Cute, but harmless,” Gaz said. “So, let’s talk.”
He and Sanchez had spent the better part of a week watching the brothel on the outskirts of Rackeye, and confirmed the regular presence of a senior VennZech executive. But their security was strong, and there was no way to get a closer look. Gaz suggested they pay more attention to the shipyards, since they were infiltrated by cartels. Criminals meant greed, which meant someone would always be keen for extra cash, or a favor. And so, he asked around Zula and nearby towns, making it known that he had money and services to provide for information.
Active workers wouldn’t talk, but he had been hoping to find someone who had moved on, and maybe carried some guilt about his former life. That was how he had come across Kite.
“I worked in the port front office,” Kite explained, “managing the admin. I didn’t see or hear anything directly, you understand?”
“They wouldn’t be doing a good job if guys like you were getting suspicious,” Gaz said reassuringly.
He didn’t believe it. After four years of investigating human trafficking, he had never met anyone who would admit to seeing or hearing anything. Of course not—they had been paid a lot of money to be blind, deaf, and dumb. The guy made his skin crawl, but if Kite had information, Gaz had to hear him out.
“All I know,” Kite continued, “is that there was one part of the storage grounds which nobody was to go near, on the instructions of the manager. He said that VennZech were bringing through military shipments, and it was classified.”
“They make weapons. Sounds normal.”
“I know it was, because once in a while I was signing off with the Helvetic Army about some of those deliveries.”
Gaz shrugged. “Every starport in the world has a black zone. Doesn’t prove anything.”
“Except that the contract longshoremen would go in there.”
“These are connected guys?”
Kite shrugged. He obviously didn’t want to say. Talking about cartel business was a reliable way to end your days sooner than expected, especially if they were doing the dirty work of a mega-corporation.
Gaz decided to push a little further. “Were they local?”
“How should I know? I didn’t interact with them.”
“From Intaba?”
The split-second eye movement told Gaz what he needed to know, and he backed off.
“But military restriction means we can’t get anywhere near it,” he said disappointedly.
Kite nodded as he reached for his drink. “If you even try, I expect your bodies will end up in the river by the next morning.”
“I don’t think you’re being that helpful, Mr Kite.”
Kite chuckled. “Not for the game you want to play, no. But you said you wanted information. I got that in spades.”
Gaz brow furrowed. “But not on longshoreman? Do you have something on VennZech?”
“Sure, if you’re adding a sweetener on top of the ident.”
Gaz hesitated. How was this going to help him? The comings and goings of a major corporation would probably be useful to someone, but he had a specific focus. Three kids were still missing, and they weren’t likely to have been kept in a weapons shipment. Besides, Sanchez didn’t have a lot of money to spend.
On the other hand, they had no way into the shipyards, and maybe Kite’s information would lead to another vulnerability.
Gaz nodded. “20k into your ident’s account, then.”
“A couple of weeks ago,” Kite said, “they called in all hands to move a really big shipment. And it didn’t sit in the yard either. Went straight through. My old boss was begging me back for a one-time job. Huge bonus.”
“What kind of shipment?”
“No idea. But they wouldn’t let it sit in storage. Put every scheduled transfer on hold just for a dozen big containers off a freighter. My mate in traffic control told me there was no paperwork for the arrival either. VennZech just showed up one day making demands and throwing money around. An hour later, there was a vessel jumping into the system. Then, as soon as they were done, it jumped away.”
Gaz sighed. Probably nothing he could use. Though he might as well check one detail.
“I don’t suppose you were able to find out the port of origin?”
Kite sat back in his chair, and his smile twisted into a leery grin. “Intaba.”
Gaz felt his pulse quicken. There had to be a connection here. He pulled out his phone, and brought up a photo of the executive they had been tracking.
“The guy from VennZech calling the shots. This him?”
“Uh… Yup. Huh. Small world, isn’t it?”
Gaz dragged a few more minor details out of Kite before the man left. The whole story felt thin, but there had to be something to it. How it would help him track down his victims he had no idea, but he had often been surprised where seemingly unrelated threads could lead.
He went back to the bar, ordered another beer, and tried to think.
“Gawd,” drawled a female voice nearby. “Do you have to come in here stinking of the farms? Are colonists allergic to showers?”
Gaz looked round to see three of the young women he had seen earlier. The speaker, with a black ponytail and a dark red outfit, had challenged one of the men at the bar, while her friends watched, aghast. Probably a Helvet, looking to satisfy her adventurous side by visiting the rough side of the planet.
“Leave him alone Kayla,” another young woman complained. “You’re so mean sometimes.”
The ponytail wearer tilted her head away in disappointment, and Gaz knew immediately that she was putting on an act. Her accent seemed to be Calderan, and though she was doing a realistic impression of a stuck up Helvet, it wasn’t perfect. He watched as she waltzed back to her table with her drink, while her friends struck up a conversation with her victim.
She was setting her friend up, Gaz thought, and he didn’t bother to mask a smirk. They were an odd group at her table, all athletic, and carrying themselves with confidence. Most girls on a night out made a lot of noise, but though this group were drinking and having fun, their voices were muted. And occasionally, he noticed, one of them would sweep her eyes around the place, checking everything, but fixating on nothing. Scanning.
The girl with the ponytail glanced at him, and for a moment he was struck by her expression of determination. She might have been playing a role, but Gaz decided he would not want to give the game away and earn her wrath. He turned his eyes back to the bar.
“Hey, man,” a voice said over his shoulder, moments later.
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Prequel (Chapters 1 to 16)
1. Rise of a Valkyrie

Prequel (Parts 1 to 16)
1. Rise of a Valkyrie
First ¦ Previous ¦ Royal Road ¦ Patreon
“Uh oh,” Ray said just loud enough for the rest of the squad to hear. “Contacts moving across our eleven, ten meters out. No, don’t everyone look, or you’ll attract their attention.”
“What is it?” Kayla asked apprehensively. “Helvets?”
“Worse. Forest battalion. Those bitches got the same leave block, and they think they’re going to move in on our action. Freakin’ teddy bear lovers.”
Around the table, the other girls murmured their agreement that Forest battalion was indeed the home of sloppy Rangers with an unhealthy fascination for teddy bears. The Mountain Ranger battalion held it to be a matter of incontestable truth. Though Kayla had neither heard any logical explanation for, nor seen any evidence of the obsession, she nevertheless accepted the claim with the same conviction that the sun would rise, or that morning PT took place at six a.m.
The bar in downtown Zula was becoming more crowded as the night progressed, and while Kayla was happy to chat with the same people she spent every waking moment with, she was beginning to long for a little of the inebriated flirting she had been promised. They had all dressed in their finest, and she, after some discussion with Thandi, had settled on a dark maroon dress that everyone assured her was gorgeous.
Across the room, a group of cool-eyed young women had taken over a table, and were preparing to order drinks.
“I’m gonna go assault through the ambush,” Ray said, and pushed back from the table. She strode confidently over to the offenders and launched into a spirited debate with them.
Lyna beamed at Jess. “So, the rules are that any man, woman, or farm animal that you approach first is yours for the duration of the evening. Do not approach anyone who has already been approached by another Soror, because there will be substantial negative consequences.”
Jess’s apprehensive smile flattened. “What kind of—”
“Getting thrown out of a plane without a parachute is a common punishment for trying to steal another girl’s date, regardless of unit,” Lyna said. “No, I am not kidding.”
Kayla squeezed her arm. “Don’t worry it’s less painful the second time you do it.”
“Really?”
Kayla chuckled. “No, I’m kidding. I haven’t actually done it twice.”
“But anyway,” Lyna continued, “let us know if a girl is messing with you or your date. That’s a squad level response protocol, and it starts with spiking the drinks of those responsible. Also not a joke.” She smiled evilly, and tapped at her handbag.
“But what about…” Jess glanced around carefully, “civilians?”
“Weapons free,” Kayla said, then caught Thandi’s eye. “Metaphorically speaking. Don’t start a fight. Call for support as needed.”
“Pick someone you like,” Tian said, “then me and Kayla will set you up. I’ll be the ugly duckling, and Kayla can be queen bitch.”
Kayla smiled grimly. “I guess it’s my talent.”
“Okay then,” Jess said and began to discreetly examine the room.
Ray rejoined them, with a happy expression. “They will stand down until we’ve had our fun,” she explained.
“How did you sell that?” Lyna asked.
“I just explained we had the infamous Kayla Barnes with us.”
“Ray, for Christ’s sake!” Kayla groaned, then caught Thandi’s eye again. “Sorry.”
“I’m kidding,” Ray reassured her. “I said we’d been deployed for two months, and they were very understanding. Word about our goat rope has gotten around.”
Bibi sighed. “All we do is gossip. It’s so disheartening.”
***
Gaz eyed the occupants of the bar as he stepped inside. It had the smoky air typical of colonist dives, and the music was toned down enough that people could actually talk to each other. No doubt that was why his contact had chosen the place. Businessmen of all kinds converged on Caldera’s smaller towns to make deals free from the meddlesome and watchful eyes of the League’s Adjudicate enforcers. Then there would be the adventurers out to explore the final frontier, prospectors looking to exploit it, and good old-fashioned smugglers. It was a crowd of nobodies, and everybody respected that.
In a quiet corner, he spotted a man in a leather jacket with a racing league logo. His contact. Gaz bought himself a drink, then wandered over. When he sat down, the heavy set, portly man lit a cigarette and glanced nervously around the bar.
“Take it easy,” Gaz said. “You’re not in the League’s social network anymore. This is the wildlands.”
“I don’t think there are any more wildlands, fella,” the man said.
“What do I call you?”
“I’ll go with Kite for the time being.”
Gaz managed to restrain his laughter, but he couldn’t keep a smile from breaking out on his face. Kite glared at him.
“Like the racing team?” Gaz asked. “I guess you’re a fanboy?”
“I happen to think that a dozen galaxy championships merits respect,” Kite insisted.
“Sorry, you’re right. You can call me Gaz, by the way.”
“I know who you are. Everyone around here is talking about marines in town, up to no good. Do me a favor and keep things quiet, yeah? No point adding to your reputation.”
Gaz shrugged. “We try to be quiet, but it’s hard to control your reputation when you make so many enemies.”
“Maybe.” Kite paused and glared at him. “So…?”
Gaz nodded and reached into his jacket. He produced a small envelope and laid it on the table,
“Tier three ident,” he explained. “You can start a new life anywhere with that.”
Kite peeked inside, then snatched the thing away into a pocket. “Sounds good, because I will bloody well need it.”
A young woman laughed raucously across the bar. Both men glanced around and studied the party of friends for a moment.
“Cute, but harmless,” Gaz said. “So, let’s talk.”
He and Sanchez had spent the better part of a week watching the brothel on the outskirts of Rackeye, and confirmed the regular presence of a senior VennZech executive. But their security was strong, and there was no way to get a closer look. Gaz suggested they pay more attention to the shipyards, since they were infiltrated by cartels. Criminals meant greed, which meant someone would always be keen for extra cash, or a favor. And so, he asked around Zula and nearby towns, making it known that he had money and services to provide for information.
Active workers wouldn’t talk, but he had been hoping to find someone who had moved on, and maybe carried some guilt about his former life. That was how he had come across Kite.
“I worked in the port front office,” Kite explained, “managing the admin. I didn’t see or hear anything directly, you understand?”
“They wouldn’t be doing a good job if guys like you were getting suspicious,” Gaz said reassuringly.
He didn’t believe it. After four years of investigating human trafficking, he had never met anyone who would admit to seeing or hearing anything. Of course not—they had been paid a lot of money to be blind, deaf, and dumb. The guy made his skin crawl, but if Kite had information, Gaz had to hear him out.
“All I know,” Kite continued, “is that there was one part of the storage grounds which nobody was to go near, on the instructions of the manager. He said that VennZech were bringing through military shipments, and it was classified.”
“They make weapons. Sounds normal.”
“I know it was, because once in a while I was signing off with the Helvetic Army about some of those deliveries.”
Gaz shrugged. “Every starport in the world has a black zone. Doesn’t prove anything.”
“Except that the contract longshoremen would go in there.”
“These are connected guys?”
Kite shrugged. He obviously didn’t want to say. Talking about cartel business was a reliable way to end your days sooner than expected, especially if they were doing the dirty work of a mega-corporation.
Gaz decided to push a little further. “Were they local?”
“How should I know? I didn’t interact with them.”
“From Intaba?”
The split-second eye movement told Gaz what he needed to know, and he backed off.
“But military restriction means we can’t get anywhere near it,” he said disappointedly.
Kite nodded as he reached for his drink. “If you even try, I expect your bodies will end up in the river by the next morning.”
“I don’t think you’re being that helpful, Mr Kite.”
Kite chuckled. “Not for the game you want to play, no. But you said you wanted information. I got that in spades.”
Gaz brow furrowed. “But not on longshoreman? Do you have something on VennZech?”
“Sure, if you’re adding a sweetener on top of the ident.”
Gaz hesitated. How was this going to help him? The comings and goings of a major corporation would probably be useful to someone, but he had a specific focus. Three kids were still missing, and they weren’t likely to have been kept in a weapons shipment. Besides, Sanchez didn’t have a lot of money to spend.
On the other hand, they had no way into the shipyards, and maybe Kite’s information would lead to another vulnerability.
Gaz nodded. “20k into your ident’s account, then.”
“A couple of weeks ago,” Kite said, “they called in all hands to move a really big shipment. And it didn’t sit in the yard either. Went straight through. My old boss was begging me back for a one-time job. Huge bonus.”
“What kind of shipment?”
“No idea. But they wouldn’t let it sit in storage. Put every scheduled transfer on hold just for a dozen big containers off a freighter. My mate in traffic control told me there was no paperwork for the arrival either. VennZech just showed up one day making demands and throwing money around. An hour later, there was a vessel jumping into the system. Then, as soon as they were done, it jumped away.”
Gaz sighed. Probably nothing he could use. Though he might as well check one detail.
“I don’t suppose you were able to find out the port of origin?”
Kite sat back in his chair, and his smile twisted into a leery grin. “Intaba.”
Gaz felt his pulse quicken. There had to be a connection here. He pulled out his phone, and brought up a photo of the executive they had been tracking.
“The guy from VennZech calling the shots. This him?”
“Uh… Yup. Huh. Small world, isn’t it?”
Gaz dragged a few more minor details out of Kite before the man left. The whole story felt thin, but there had to be something to it. How it would help him track down his victims he had no idea, but he had often been surprised where seemingly unrelated threads could lead.
He went back to the bar, ordered another beer, and tried to think.
“Gawd,” drawled a female voice nearby. “Do you have to come in here stinking of the farms? Are colonists allergic to showers?”
Gaz looked round to see three of the young women he had seen earlier. The speaker, with a black ponytail and a dark red outfit, had challenged one of the men at the bar, while her friends watched, aghast. Probably a Helvet, looking to satisfy her adventurous side by visiting the rough side of the planet.
“Leave him alone Kayla,” another young woman complained. “You’re so mean sometimes.”
The ponytail wearer tilted her head away in disappointment, and Gaz knew immediately that she was putting on an act. Her accent seemed to be Calderan, and though she was doing a realistic impression of a stuck up Helvet, it wasn’t perfect. He watched as she waltzed back to her table with her drink, while her friends struck up a conversation with her victim.
She was setting her friend up, Gaz thought, and he didn’t bother to mask a smirk. They were an odd group at her table, all athletic, and carrying themselves with confidence. Most girls on a night out made a lot of noise, but though this group were drinking and having fun, their voices were muted. And occasionally, he noticed, one of them would sweep her eyes around the place, checking everything, but fixating on nothing. Scanning.
The girl with the ponytail glanced at him, and for a moment he was struck by her expression of determination. She might have been playing a role, but Gaz decided he would not want to give the game away and earn her wrath. He turned his eyes back to the bar.
“Hey, man,” a voice said over his shoulder, moments later.
First ¦ Previous ¦ Royal Road ¦ Patreon
Prequel (Parts 1 to 16)
1. Rise of a Valkyrie