I heard through my recruiter that there’s some kind of cost to hiring me because I’m on F-1. As a result, I find myself having to accept a contract job instead of an FTE SWE position for eight months until I prove myself.
The reason I take issue with this approach is that I’ve just graduated with my masters and their offer is worse than what they’ve hired for historically for undergrads that just graduated.
Frankly, I’m not sure what to think and I don’t want to suggest the median salary as an hourly value in case that ends up upsetting them or something.
I get that the market isn’t great right now(then again when is it), but I’d still appreciate some insight on how to approach the salary negotiation process. Thanks.

Hey gals!
I wanted to share my success story with you. There are so many posts in saphic subreddits out there with gals losing hope around finding a partner. In the kink space, it's harder. But it's possible! It takes a bit of extroversion and effort, but IMO well worth it.
I'm a Domme. I've been kink my entire adult life. I'm also a trans girl. I didn't transition until mid-adulthood due to not knowing anything about gender dysphoria. But that's not really the story. I just want to give hope to trans girls out there as much hope as cis girls. My fiancee/submissive/pet/little is a cis girl.
I went through the hardest breakup of my life with my former partner. We had been together 8 years and she left me for another woman 6 months before our wedding. I was destroyed. I moved home to where I live now and decided I was going to change everything about myself to not feel that kind of pain again. I wanted to switch. I wanted to bottom. I wanted to just date and not fall in love again.
Fast forward about a year after my toxic breakup and I'm now living in my new city. I decided to go to a FemDom munch to give this whole sub thing a shot. Like in most cities, there are not sapphic kink groups where I live but there are PLENTY of kink groups with bisexual women. I wasn't sure I wanted an LTR but I WAS sure that any relationship I wanted to be in had to have some kink and possibly a kink dynamic.
I dressed in a super cute dress, wore a big pink collar, and ventured out into the world. The munch was held at a gay bar and I was one of the first ones there. As the folks began to fill in, there were 1 or 2 sapphic couples there out of about 20-30 people. That gave me hope that I might meet someone to connect with.
Eventually, this bombshell of a woman walks in. She dressed very straight and very vanilla - but as a sapphic friend once said - "Why do you assume everyone is straight? You'll never shoot your shot if you do!" I mean....we were in a gay bar after all! She was looking for a seat and all of the chairs at our table was taken. I stood up, grabbed her a chair and offered it to her. She replied with, "Thank you! Where are you sitting?" and had me put the chair next to me.
At this point, I had no idea what her deal was. Straight girl? Domme? Sub? Vanilla? Wrong internet meet up?
I complimented her beautiful Kate Spade purse and we sat and talked about fashion for the next 30 minutes. Eventually, she offered to buy me a drink. I politely declined thinking it was a friendly offer. Plus I had a stomach ulcer at the time so I wasn't going to make that worse by drinking alcohol.
When she came back to the table, we sat and talked for another hour before I had to go to a friends party at another bar in the same neighborhood. We traded fetlife accounts and I left thinking, "Damn, that girl was awesome! Too bad she's probably straight."
When I got home that night, I added her on FetLife and saw her sexuality listed....a Bisexual submissive! Before I was able to shoot her a message, she shot me one telling me how much fun she had talking to me and how she hopes to see me at more events.
I shot my shot ladies. I asked her out to dinner.
Fast forward a week and we're at a lovely little Mexican resataraunt by the beach. Now that I knew she was a submissive, my Domme side awakened. I skipped the cutsie dress and collar and instead wore a gorgeous, form fitting body-con dress with stilleto black PVC heels. I channeled my black cat lesbian. I curled my hair and did my makeup. I'm still not sure this is a date, and neither is she - but I'm hoping it is!
We talked for 3 hours and sipped on margaritas. We talked about everything. Work. Kink. Politics. You name it! As I walked her to her car in my stilletos struggled with the gravel parking lot but she was impressed I was able to handle it gracefully. She moved in closer to me by her car and we both asked as the same time for a goodnight kiss. I guess this WAS a date! That kiss...floored me.
Our second date was very different. We met up at a Spanish tapas place, again by the beach, and talked kink all night. Despite her looking like a preppy straight girl (I'm more of a big tiddy gothy queer girl), her kinks aligned with mine in every way. We negotiated our first play date. The chemistry was undeniable.
I won't go into the NSFW stuff but only to say that after 23 years in kink, I've never connected with someone is such a profound way.
It's now a few weeks past our 2 year anniversary. We're getting married. We have 3 playrooms in our house. Kink is part of our day to day language but the love and support is beyond great. We're getting officially married in October.
It can happen! Despite being queer. Despite being kinky. Despite gender stuff.
Your partner is out there.
Short version of how I found my person:

1. I skipped the Apps like HER and Tinder because they all suck.
2. I got on FetLife and found a local munch with my interests (Dominant women).
3. I went to a munch and met a girl.
4. We got to know each other and fell in love.

I know how hard it is to date as a queer woman, but the majority of successful kink relationships I've met have all met in real life.

Hello people from Boulder, CO! I am currently in Western NY and I have been looking for Full-time jobs. One of them came through with an offer of 26.50/hour or ~$55K/year (26.50 x 40 hours/week x 52 weeks). However, I am not sure what it is like to live with that in Boulder, hence, I ask you people whether it is a good salary/wage to live/sustain myself as I DO NOT have any student loans, car payments, credit card debt, etc. as all have been paid off. How is living in Boulder, CO? Housing, daily expenses, lifestyle hobbies, etc. I am very easygoing with hobbies like gaming on my PC, looking at the night sky through my telescope, detailing my car, and going out weekly for dinner, just to give a hint about my lifestyle! Any suggestions or advice you can give me will help me decide my steps moving forward. Thank you very much for your time.

Hi there!
I'd like to discuss the topic of personalized advertising and how consumers perceive it. Personalized ads are currently the hot topic, with everyone emphasizing their importance. But in which cases does it work, and when does it backfire? Let's separate the hype from the "hold my beer, I'm about to unsubscribe" reality.
From our focus group, we gathered insightful feedback on what annoys and delights consumers in personalized advertising:
What Annoys Consumers
Irrelevant Ads: Irrelevant ads can frustrate and feel intrusive.

• "I get love novels recommended on Facebook, which I’ve never searched for and definitely won't read."

Inappropriate Content: Poorly targeted suggestions involving sensitive products can be uncomfortable and off-putting.

• "I bought lingerie on Amazon, and now my screen is flooded with underwear ads, some quite explicit. It's uncomfortable, especially when sharing screen during company meetings."

Repetition Fatigue: Seeing the same types of ads repeatedly after a single search can be irritating and lead to ad fatigue.

• "I looked at one skirt on Instagram, and now every ad is about skirts from different stores. It’s overwhelming. Apparently, one skirt means I want to revamp my entire wardrobe."

Age-Specific Targeting: Consumers feel targeted based on their age, which can feel intrusive and discriminatory.

• "Ads for anti-aging serums, pension plans, and arthritis ointments started showing up after I turned 40. Feels like they’re rubbing my age in my face. They could just say, "Happy Birthday!"

Monotony in Ads: Lack of variety can make personalized ads feel stale and uninspired.

• "Seeing the same products repeatedly is boring. Offer something new once in a while!"

General Ad Aversion: Some consumers are inherently averse to ads, regardless of how personalized they are.

• "I hate ads in general, so I use ad blockers and pay for ad-free services wherever possible."

But not all is bad! What Consumers Appreciate:
Valuable and Informative Content: Providing useful, educational content can demonstrate that you care about helping the user, not just selling to them.

• "I was looking for hair loss treatments and got an email with research, explanations, tests, and recommendations. It felt genuinely helpful."

Relevant Product Suggestions: When ads are closely aligned with user interests, they are more likely to be well-received.

• "If Instagram shows me products similar to what I’ve been searching for, I’m all for it."

Personalized Deals and Special Prices: Personalized promotions can enhance customer loyalty and satisfaction.

• "I love getting personalized offers from grocery stores based on my shopping history. It makes me feel valued as a customer."
• "My gym sends me news on fitness programs, discounts, and loyalty programs. This is useful."

Discounts and Promotions: Special offers and freebies can effectively engage and retain customers.

• "Discount emails from my favorite stores are a big draw for me. I also love getting free samples—it keeps me coming back."

Recommendations Based on History: Curated suggestions based on past behavior can enhance user experience and satisfaction.

• "Recommendations based on what I've previously watched or listened to are great—I often find new favorites this way."

Timing and Context Sensitivity: The timing of ads can significantly impact their reception.

• "Ads don’t bother me when I have money, but they do when I’m broke. Maybe timing them around payday would be better?"

Classic Examples:

• Starbucks: Using your name on the cup instead of a number. Because nothing feels quite as personal as your name scribbled on something. Toy Story vibe's turned on.
• Spotify Wrapped: Offering a personalized summary of your listening habits. A yearly reminder of just how eclectic your music taste really is.

It's clear that while personalized ads can be incredibly effective, they must be handled with care. The key is to balance relevance with sensitivity and avoid the pitfalls of over-targeting and repetition.
What are your thoughts on personalized advertising? What aspects do you find irritating, and which ones do you appreciate? Share your ideas—we're eager to hear from the pros!

I’ve been offered a position that would be a significant raise ($15K) over my current position. The issue is, I realized during the interview process that I do not want the job. The benefits are about the same (both have “unlimited” PTO, federal holidays off, both full time with healthcare, etc.). But my current job is much more in the field that I enjoy working in, and the new one is tangentially related, but not the same (I’m in government relations/public affairs, the new job would be marketing).
Is there a way to approach the current job about getting a raise to match this offer? I’ve been told that you should not do it if you’re unwilling to leave. But I’m wondering if I could approach this in some way that does not lose me all leverage in future negotiations, if I bring up the job offer and then decide to stay.

People communicate and cooperate for a variety of reasons, driven by both individual and collective needs and intentions. Understanding these motivations can shed light on the dynamics of human interaction and how engagement channels energy to others. Here’s an exploration of why people talk, the intentions behind cooperation, and how engagement can influence and energize those involved:

1. Reasons People Communicate

Social Connection

• Building Relationships: Communication helps build and maintain social bonds. People talk to create connections, share experiences, and foster a sense of belonging.
• Emotional Support: Talking provides a way to express emotions, seek comfort, and offer support to others.

Information Exchange

• Sharing Knowledge: People communicate to share information, ideas, and knowledge, facilitating learning and understanding.
• Coordination: Effective communication is essential for coordinating activities, tasks, and plans, ensuring that everyone involved is on the same page.

Self-Expression

• Identity and Values: Through conversation, individuals express their identity, values, beliefs, and opinions, helping others understand who they are.
• Creativity: Talking can be a form of creative expression, allowing individuals to articulate their thoughts and imaginations.

Problem Solving

• Collaborative Solutions: Communication allows people to discuss problems, brainstorm solutions, and make decisions collectively.
• Conflict Resolution: Talking is a key tool in resolving conflicts, negotiating differences, and finding common ground.

2. Intentions Behind Cooperation

Mutual Benefit

• Shared Goals: Cooperation often arises from a shared goal or common interest, where working together provides mutual benefits.
• Reciprocity: People cooperate with the expectation of reciprocal actions, fostering a system of mutual support and exchange.

Survival and Success

• Adaptation: From an evolutionary perspective, cooperation enhances survival by enabling individuals to pool resources and skills.
• Achievement: Cooperative efforts can lead to greater achievements than individual efforts, enhancing success and productivity.

Social and Cultural Norms

• Obligation and Duty: Social and cultural norms often dictate cooperative behavior as a moral or ethical obligation.
• Reputation: Cooperation can enhance an individual’s reputation within a community, leading to social rewards and status.

3. How Engagement Channels Energy to Others

Motivation and Inspiration

• Encouragement: Engaging with others can provide encouragement and motivation, boosting morale and energy.
• Role Modeling: Engaged individuals often serve as role models, inspiring others through their enthusiasm and commitment.

Emotional Energy

• Positive Emotions: Engaging interactions, especially those filled with positive emotions like joy, excitement, and empathy, can energize others and enhance their emotional well-being.
• Supportive Environment: A supportive and engaging environment can help reduce stress and anxiety, fostering a sense of security and belonging.

Focus and Attention

• Active Participation: Engagement requires focus and attention, which can help individuals feel more involved and committed to the task or conversation.
• Flow State: High levels of engagement can lead to a flow state, where individuals are fully immersed and energized by their activities.

Collective Synergy

• Amplified Effort: When people engage and cooperate, their collective effort often produces greater results than individual efforts, creating a sense of synergy.
• Shared Vision: Engagement in a shared vision or goal can align individuals’ energies, making their collective action more powerful and effective.

Conclusion

People talk and cooperate for a multitude of reasons, including social connection, information exchange, self-expression, and problem-solving. The intentions behind cooperation often revolve around mutual benefit, survival, success, and adherence to social norms. Engagement channels energy to others by providing motivation, emotional support, focus, and a sense of collective synergy. Understanding these dynamics can help foster more effective communication and cooperation, leading to more productive and harmonious interactions.
People communicate and cooperate for a variety of reasons, driven by both individual and collective needs and intentions. Understanding these motivations can shed light on the dynamics of human interaction and how engagement channels energy to others. Here’s an exploration of why people talk, the intentions behind cooperation, and how engagement can influence and energize those involved:

1. Reasons People Communicate

Social Connection

• Building Relationships: Communication helps build and maintain social bonds. People talk to create connections, share experiences, and foster a sense of belonging.
• Emotional Support: Talking provides a way to express emotions, seek comfort, and offer support to others.

Information Exchange

• Sharing Knowledge: People communicate to share information, ideas, and knowledge, facilitating learning and understanding.
• Coordination: Effective communication is essential for coordinating activities, tasks, and plans, ensuring that everyone involved is on the same page.

Self-Expression

• Identity and Values: Through conversation, individuals express their identity, values, beliefs, and opinions, helping others understand who they are.
• Creativity: Talking can be a form of creative expression, allowing individuals to articulate their thoughts and imaginations.

Problem Solving

• Collaborative Solutions: Communication allows people to discuss problems, brainstorm solutions, and make decisions collectively.
• Conflict Resolution: Talking is a key tool in resolving conflicts, negotiating differences, and finding common ground.

2. Intentions Behind Cooperation

Mutual Benefit

• Shared Goals: Cooperation often arises from a shared goal or common interest, where working together provides mutual benefits.
• Reciprocity: People cooperate with the expectation of reciprocal actions, fostering a system of mutual support and exchange.

Survival and Success

• Adaptation: From an evolutionary perspective, cooperation enhances survival by enabling individuals to pool resources and skills.
• Achievement: Cooperative efforts can lead to greater achievements than individual efforts, enhancing success and productivity.

Social and Cultural Norms

• Obligation and Duty: Social and cultural norms often dictate cooperative behavior as a moral or ethical obligation.
• Reputation: Cooperation can enhance an individual’s reputation within a community, leading to social rewards and status.

3. How Engagement Channels Energy to Others

Motivation and Inspiration

• Encouragement: Engaging with others can provide encouragement and motivation, boosting morale and energy.
• Role Modeling: Engaged individuals often serve as role models, inspiring others through their enthusiasm and commitment.

Emotional Energy

• Positive Emotions: Engaging interactions, especially those filled with positive emotions like joy, excitement, and empathy, can energize others and enhance their emotional well-being.
• Supportive Environment: A supportive and engaging environment can help reduce stress and anxiety, fostering a sense of security and belonging.

Focus and Attention

• Active Participation: Engagement requires focus and attention, which can help individuals feel more involved and committed to the task or conversation.
• Flow State: High levels of engagement can lead to a flow state, where individuals are fully immersed and energized by their activities.

Collective Synergy

• Amplified Effort: When people engage and cooperate, their collective effort often produces greater results than individual efforts, creating a sense of synergy.
• Shared Vision: Engagement in a shared vision or goal can align individuals’ energies, making their collective action more powerful and effective.

Conclusion

People talk and cooperate for a multitude of reasons, including social connection, information exchange, self-expression, and problem-solving. The intentions behind cooperation often revolve around mutual benefit, survival, success, and adherence to social norms. Engagement channels energy to others by providing motivation, emotional support, focus, and a sense of collective synergy. Understanding these dynamics can help foster more effective communication and cooperation, leading to more productive and harmonious interactions.

Just curious because I see so many different stories and I know there’s some chill bosses out there, has anyone maybe offered something along the lines of a smaller salary to allow a fully remote work agreement ?

Yes, I get it, for many of us, India isn't the best place in the world. Like any other country, we do have our own issues. However, India is just what I need right now for my mental and physical health.
I spent the last 10 years studying and working in the USA. While USA was great for my academic and professional career, it was not so good for my mental and physical health.
In the last 10 years in USA:

1. I went from 92 kg to 122 kg in weight (Gained 30 kg).
2. Diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes in 2020.
3. Diagnosed with Schizoaffective disorder (faced symptoms of Schizophrenia + Depression) in 2018. Went through terrible mental suffering for 8 months with hallucinations and delusions. The medicine for schizophrenia led to weight gain.
4. Diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder in 2021. Suffering from depression and mood swings as a result.

I returned to India permanently 3 months ago after my USA work visa expired.
In the last 3 months in Delhi:

1. I walked 10000+ steps every day in a garden near my home in Delhi.
2. I ate healthy, reduced the quantity of my food intake.
3. Cut down sugar and reduced processed foods.
4. Consulted a diabetologist who started me on a weight-loss medication.

In the last 3 months:

1. I have lost 13 kg of weight and now weight 109 kg.
2. My HB1-AC has reduced from 9.5 (January) to 7.2 (May).
3. My sugar levels are back to normal after 10 years.
4. My mental health conditions are much better with medication and therapy.
5. I am happy to be with family again after many long years.

I am also happy to share that I will be starting my new dream job next week which is a staff level data science role at a top US-based company. The job is in Hyderabad and I was able to negotiate a CTC of 48.32 LPA + relocation bonus of 3.5 LPA = 51.82 LPA CTC for 2024 - I have 8 years of work experience in data science & analytics.
I am writing this post to help those who are facing issues or suffering in life, As the Buddha said, there will always be suffering in life. But if we change our attitude towards life, we will suffer in the moment, but we won't suffer forever.
India isn't such a bad place. There are many positive things about this country which we miss out in the daily doom and gloom.
Some Pros of moving back to India from USA -

1. UPI - World’s most efficient contactless system for payments. Personally, I love using this great system.
   
2. Infrastructure in India 🇮🇳 is gradually improving. Examples are an improving road and rail network, Vande Bharat express (world class train), well developed airports, and excellent world class malls in cities!
   
3. You won’t have the stress and pressure of vacating the country in 60 days if you get laid off on H-1B.
   
4. As an Indian citizen, you can vote for whom you choose to (Unlike H-1B).
   
5. As an Indian citizen, you can work in any job role, regardless of your background (Unlike H-1B).
   
6. As an Indian citizen, you can start your own business venture/company! (Unlike H-1B)
   
7. The world’s best food available near you and very affordable!
   
8. Warm weather in most Indian cities.
   
9. Access to better and cheaper healthcare than the USA on average. You can communicate with your doctor through phone calls, which you cannot in USA - it’s an appointment only based system in USA.
   
10. Access to affordable house help for cooking, cleaning, washing and drying clothes.
    
11. Much better hospitality on average in restaurants and hotels.
    
12. Cost of living is much lower than in the USA 🇺🇸.
    
13. Salaries for senior level Tech roles in India 🇮🇳 are great, taking cost of living and Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) into consideration.
    
14. Being close to your culture and spirituality!
    
15. Common people are more welcoming and warmer in India than USA.
    
16. Cheaper higher education than the USA.
    
17. Last but not least, it’s a divine blessing to spend valuable time with our ageing parents who have been separated from us for many years as we were far away in America!
    

Let's take a moment and smell the flowers.
Best :)

The Smart Lock Market Report is a comprehensive analysis of the current state and future trends of the Smart Lock industry. This report provides valuable insights and data that can guide industry stakeholders in making informed decisions and strategies. By examining key market indicators and analyzing industry dynamics, the Smart Lock Market Report offers a holistic view of the industry landscape.
Request Free Sample Copy of this Report @ https://www.researchnester.com/sample-request-6020
With its in-depth research and expert analysis, the Smart Lock Market Report serves as a valuable resource for industry professionals, investors, and policymakers. By understanding the market trends and opportunities highlighted in this report, stakeholders can gain a competitive edge and navigate the ever-evolving Smart Lock industry with confidence.
Key Findings

• The Smart Lock market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 19.1% during the forecast period.
• The demand for Smart Lock products is expected to increase due to ….
• The Smart Lock market is highly competitive, with several key players dominating the market share.
• The report highlights the emerging trends and opportunities in the Smart Lock market.
• The Smart Lock market is witnessing a shift towards online sales channels, driven by the increasing penetration of smartphones and internet connectivity.

The competitive landscape and regulatory framework sections of the report further include the recent market developments and key strategy matrix. The report is a systematic guide for new market entrants as well as those looking for investment opportunities.

• Global Diversity: Smart Lock Market’s global reach, with its numerous types and uses, is motivating Unique trends and demands exist in various markets and regions.
• Product Innovation: The continued development and innovation of products can support market’s ability to expand. Products that are updated and improved can attract customers and expand market opportunities.
• Market segmentation: market’s division into different uses and product categories enables companies to concentrate on niche markets with potential grow their market share and profitability
• Long-Term Growth Perspective: long-term growth perspective emphasis on growth forecasts for considerable amount of time suggests long-term perspective that affects strategic choices and investments.

Key Players in the Industry

The Smart Lock market is highly competitive, with several key players dominating the industry. The top players in the market include Avent Security, Cansec System ltd., and Hevenlock Inc. These companies have a strong presence in the market and are known for their innovative products and services.
Request for customization @ https://www.researchnester.com/customized-reports-6020

Regional Trends

The Smart Lock market is experiencing significant growth in several regions, including North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Key drivers of growth in these regions include increasing demand for Smart Lock products, favorable government policies, and rising disposable incomes.
Comprising an important part of the study, the keyword research report attempts to provide useful insights related to the revenue prospects of manufacturers and the sales of product. This valuable market information plays a crucial part to promote business among manufacturers across the value chain. Additionally, to comprehend into the competitive landscape, the keyword market report is inclusive of the number of key players along with their products offered in the market.
Contact for more Info:
AJ Daniel
Email: [info@researchnester.com](mailto:info@researchnester.com)
U.S. Phone: +1 646 586 9123
U.K. Phone: +44 203 608 5919

Hello everyone. I have joined about a year ago my current employer. Just trying to have some opinions on my current status as I would like to negotiate it. Thank you.
1. PERSONALIA

• Age: 29
• Education: Bachelor
• Work experience : 4,5
• Civil status: Legal cohabitant
• Dependent people/children: 0

2. EMPLOYER PROFILE

• SectoIndustry: IT Consultancy
• Amount of employees: >1000
• Multinational? Yes

3. CONTRACT & CONDITIONS

• Current job title: Java developer
• Seniority: 1 year (as of now)
• Official hours/week : 40
• Average real hours/week incl. overtime: 40
• Shiftwork or 9 to 5 (flexible?): 9 to 5 but very flexible
• On-call duty: No
• Vacation days/year: 20+12

4. SALARY

• Gross salary/month: 3300
• Net salary/month: 2230 (incl netto comp)
• Netto compensation: 145
• Mobility budget/cabike/...: Car + fuel card (Belgium)
• 13th month (full? partial?): Full
• Meal vouchers: 8/Day
• Ecocheques: 250/Year
• Group insurance: 4% employer
• Other insurances: Health insurance
• Other benefits (bonuses, stocks options, ... ): Laptop, phone + subscription, discounts for various things (electro, activities etc)

5. MOBILITY

• City/region of work: Brussels
• Distance home-work: 20min
• How do you commute? Car
• Telework days/week: no policies enforced at client. Usually 4/week telework.

6. OTHER

• How easily can you plan a day off: Easy
• Is your job stressful? Usually low stress
• Responsible for personnel (reports): None

Author’s Note:
Upvotes and comments go a long way in helping me reach a larger audience <3
First
Inside GB-2
“Huh, that wasn’t there before,” Ron said, pointing to a new hole in the wall – another passageway.
Henry turned to look where Ron pointed. Sure enough, there was a new doorway. It must’ve been a section that opened after they restored the power. “Huh, yeah. Let’s check it out.”
He went through, finding a short hallway past it and another room just beyond. Henry signaled for his team to form up, preparing to breach. As they stepped in, they found themselves in a brightly lit room filled with various types of furniture – empty pedestals, comfortable-looking single couches, and empty desks with opened cabinets.
Henry stepped further into the room, eyeing the oddly arranged furniture. The single couches were lined up in neat rows, all facing the same direction – towards the empty desks. It was like some sort of waiting room, but for what?
“Is it just me, or are these couches set up weird?” Isaac asked, voicing the question on everyone’s mind. “I mean, who lines up a bunch of single couches like this?”
“Strange, indeed,” Sera agreed. “They seem arranged as though for spectators, yet naught lies before them to behold.”
Like a movie theater, Henry thought. However, there weren’t any screens or holograms to watch. If there was a clue, it would probably be within the couches themselves.
Dr. Anderson approached one of the desks. “Perhaps this was some sort of office or workspace? The desks and cabinets certainly suggest that.”
Isaac then decided to touch one of the seats, eliciting no reaction. He pushed further, sitting down on one of them. At that point, the couch began to adjust its form to better suit Isaac’s envirosuit, as if able to optimize its comfort for the user. Then, a nozzle slowly stretched up from the seat’s headrest area, stopping just short of Isaac’s neck. “Woah!” Isaac bolted up as the nozzle bonked against his helmet.
“Neural interface, maybe?” Henry wondered. “I think we should leave this to the researchers… unless you wanna volunteer as a lab rat?”
“Hell nah,” Isaac vigorously declined the offer. “Hey, there isn’t anything on my helmet is there?”
Henry dusted off the back of Isaac’s helmet with his glove. “Nope, you’re clear. Just gotta hope it ain’t grey goo.”
He could see the dread and uncertainty through Isaac’s visor. Henry gave him a pat on the shoulder. “Well, think about it this way: if it really was grey goo, it would’ve gotten to us – or the Spiranids, for that matter – long ago. C’mon, let’s secure the next room.”
With a nod, Isaac fell in line behind Henry as they moved towards the doorway leading to the adjacent room. Peeking inside, it couldn’t be further from the rest of the room’s they had encountered so far; not at all what they could’ve possibly expected inside an ancient, high-tech alien facility. It was expansive, with a layout that reminded Henry of a high-end restaurant. Comfortable booths lined the walls, while tables of varying sizes filled the central space. The furniture looked almost human – perhaps even indistinguishably so.
The room was tinted with a soft, cozy yellow light. The warm and inviting ambiance felt soothing compared to the clinical feel of the previous areas. The lighting, combined with the plush booths and elegant tables, gave Henry a nostalgic impression.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Ryan remarked. “Think they got any cheesecakes?”
If it wasn’t for the alien decor and helping of sleek devices scattered around the room, Henry would’ve thought they were back home. Hell, there was even a bar, filled with exotic liquors that could probably fetch millions at an auction – or give them the trip of their lives. Beside it however was something unusual. Where he might’ve expected a path leading to the kitchen, he instead found a wall with a slight, rectangular-shaped recess that was just big enough for a tray.
He glanced at Isaac, who returned a knowing look. “Replicators,” Isaac said.
Henry smirked. “Personally, I’m partial to synthesizer, but to each their own.”
They gathered around the wall, which didn’t seem to respond to their presence. Taps on the wall didn’t seem to do anything, either. Henry considered probing further, but decided against it. “Alright, let’s not take any chances. We’ll make a note of this for the research teams to analyze later. Let’s keep looking around.”
Henry split apart from the others, pairing with Ron as they continued to walk around the room. They soon came across another doorway on the far side of the room, which opened up into a short corridor that led into multiple sets of doors. Each had a symbol on the wall beside the doors – one that depicted the basic figure of a person.
Ron pushed open one of the doors, taking a peek inside. “Looks like even the Gatebuilders needed restrooms.”
Finally! “Alright, let’s take a quick break here. Bring everyone else over.”
Thankfully, the amenities within were easily comparable to those of modern society. The toilet looked like a toilet, and the sink resembled a sink. Even in a space as mundane as this though, the Gatebuilder’s technology was evident: self-cleaning surfaces and enough technology to put a high-quality Japanese bidet toilet to shame. At least, that was just from the look of things. Henry didn’t think now would be the best time to check whether the restroom had ass-washing robots or not.
After a few minutes, Henry regrouped with the rest of the team around a central table in the ‘restaurant’. Dr. Anderson was already present, his archaeological kit opened and a spread of alien items organized on the table.
“Ah, Captain!” Dr. Anderson noticed him approaching. “We found cabinets that weren’t empty. Most of the artifacts appear to be personal effects.” He held up a necklace, emphasizing his point. “Jewelry, memorabilia, and some other artifacts that I – admittedly – can’t quite describe.”
Dr. Anderson pointed his pickup tool at a small disc laid out on a padded mat. “It hasn’t shown any active properties yet. It’s rather peculiar; it seems to be a solid disc. Lightweight, unblemished surface, no visible markings or etchings.”
“Have you tried touching it directly?” Henry asked.
Dr. Anderson frowned, manipulating the claws of his pickup tool. “Well, not directly.” Catching the implications in Henry’s query, he continued, “I’ve checked for radiation, toxins – all clear. While I’d advise against direct contact, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t the least bit curious.”
Henry nodded. Yeah, the Doc was probably right, but what was discovery without risk? He reached out and picked it up, rotating it in his hands. As his gloved fingers brushed against the surface, the disc suddenly emitted a soft glow.
Henry flinched slightly, almost dropping the disc in surprised. As he fumbled with it, the disc seemed to respond to his touch. Suddenly, a series of objects materialized on the table, appearing out of thin air.
“Oh, shit!” Ron exclaimed. “It just… spawned a bunch of stuff!”
Henry stared at the new items. Several containers, probably holding some kind of food, were still sealed tight and impossibly effective at insulating its contents. It was crazy to think that the food inside might still be hot after who knows how long.
Next to the containers was a bracelet. Possibly normal, possibly enchanted or integrated with technology they couldn’t hope to understand. There was also a bottle of some bright blue liquid – probably for drinking, but there was no way to be sure until Perdue tested it. And then there was the picture, showing a strikingly human couple, holding each other underneath a gorgeous alien sky. It reminded him of memorabilia people would sometimes keep in their wallets, though why humans were there was a mystery.
The last object the disc spat out was a thin, transparent sheet. Coincidentally, it was about the same size as a smartphone. If he had to guess, it probably had the same function as one, too.
“Incredible,” Dr. Anderson gawked at the items. “The disc must be the Gatebuilders’ version of a wallet, somehow using dimensional storage technology!”
“Akin to the Holding Bags,” Kelmithus noticed. He peered into his own Holding Bag, his expression indicating that he was connecting the dots. “Fascinating!”
Dr. Anderson then inspected the image, his face reflecting the same confusion Henry felt when he first saw it. While they continued to sort through the items, Henry explored the sheet further. The moment he tapped the screen, a holographic interface sprung into existence above it.
What he had initially thought was a simple hologram was something far more advanced, almost indistinguishable from reality itself. Almost instantly, they were surrounded by mountains and valleys, details springing up to form a realistic, three-dimensional map.
It was like a pocket holodeck. The only anchors the projection had were the various icons and pockets of text floating around – and the fact that the hologram was transparent enough for him to see his surroundings and his teammates.
Sera seemed to be the most shocked out of all of them. He couldn’t blame her. The sight was surprising enough for himself, who was even familiar with the concept through sci-fi; how much more alien would it seem to someone from – effectively – the past?
“I’ve not beheld such a spell… ever!” she exclaimed softly, pausing to gather her thoughts. “Hold on…” she continued, pointing to the distant peaks. “Why, yon mountain range! Does it not strike you as familiar?”
“Huh?” Ron squinted at it. “Does it?”
“No, yeah, it does!” Isaac said. “Shit, uh, is that the Ovinne Mountain Range?”
Henry brought up the file for the Ovinne Mountain Range on his visor, comparing it to the hologram. “Huh, yeah, it is. What’s a map of that doing in here, though?”
Dr. Anderson raised his hands in the air and spread them apart, mimicking a zoom. Lucky for them, the alien tech seemed to understand what they were going for. Now up close and in full detail, the Ovinne Mountain Range dominated the room. Somewhere in the mountains, an icon that looked like a pair of glasses sat right on top of a Gatebuilder tower, barely poking out of the mountainside.
Ryan crossed his arms as he scrutinized the hologram. “Is this what, Find My iPhone?”
“Hmm… rather likely,” Dr. Anderson agreed. “This device must be some sort of Locator.”
“Locator, huh?” Having this clue was an incredible breakthrough, but he noticed something else. “And right where the Ovinne Mountain Campaign’s supposedly taking place, at that.”
“Indeed, that you mention it, such alignment is surely noteworthy,” Kelmithus remarked. His voice took on a more excited note, “Be it fate, perhaps?”
Henry smirked. “Hah, you’re sounding a bit like Sera, now. Well, looks like fate’s telling us where to go next. Let’s pack this up and head back.”
They carefully stowed the various artifacts in their holding bags, Henry holding on to the Locator. They made their way back to the locker room where they first entered, everyone excited for the next step in their mission.
Henry stepped through the airlock first, emerging on the other side. As he did so, a faint sound caught his attention. It was distant, muffled, but definitely not a sound that belonged to this facility. He wanted to take off the envirosuit, but it seemed that had to wait.
Ron came through the airlock after him. “Bro, you think –”
Henry held up a hand, stopping him short. He raised his weapon, picking up on the ‘something’s not right’ vibe.
Activating his infrared vision and using the laser mounted on his M7, Henry searched for signs of thermal distortions, just like he’d done back at Duke Vancor’s mansion. Ron did the same. As the rest of the team emerged from the airlock, they quickly caught on to the situation. Without a word, they joined them in securing the room.
After clearing the locker room, Henry signaled to move on to the lab next door. It was just as empty as the locker room, but now the sounds were more audible, definitely coming from the hallway just outside. Instructing his team to hold still, he crept toward the doorway to investigate.
He peeked around the corner, and felt his stomach drop. There, in the main hallway, was a group of soldiers. They were decked out in distinctive black armor and cloaks. They had no identifiable markings or insignia on their armor, but it was obvious – these were Nobians.
Henry pulled back, returning to his team. “Contact outside. At least a dozen Nobians securing the hallway.”
Ron’s expression grew serious. “Shit. Any idea on their entry point?”
Henry positioned himself behind a desk, aiming his weapon at the doorway. “Probably the same way we came in.”
“Main corridor’s the only play, huh?” Ryan said.
The main hallway only had one line of sight, and it just happened to be the only way out. Well, the only one they could reasonably access. The facility probably had other exits or fancy teleporters, but they’d already scoured the area for the former and wouldn’t be able to figure out the latter.
“Dozen hostiles doesn’t seem like a lot,” Isaac pointed out, taking out another Black Hornet from his bag. “We’re still good on ammo, too.”
Ron shook his head. “Dozen? Yeah, a dozen that we can see.”
“Owens is right,” Henry agreed. “We can’t confirm their numbers outright. If I had to guess, it would probably be at least fifty. Manageable, but I’d prefer that to be our last resort.”
“How might we fare with a disturbance?” Sera offered.
Kelmithus gripped his staff. “I might conjure an echo of noise distant hence. It shan’t last, but it can afford us enough time for our escape.”
Kelmithus’ plan seemed like it could work, but only if the Nobians didn’t know they were here. “No,” Henry disagreed. “They’ve seen our MRAPs outside. We’d get surrounded.”
“How about negotiation?” Dr. Anderson suggested, a hopeful note in his voice.
“Negotiation? With the Nobians?” Kelmithus questioned.
They all knew what the Nobians were like. It really did come off as a ridiculous idea, but what if Dr. Anderson was right? The archaeologist defended himself, “I know, I know. However, we have yet to confirm their hostility, and it would not serve us well to initiate hostilities with the Nobians.”
Taking in the silence as contemplation, he continued, “If talks break down, we hold our ground here. It’s not ideal, but we’ll control the engagement area and prevent them from flanking us.”
Henry reviewed the situation again. 12 hostiles, but they should expect the worse, so at least 50 hostiles plus failed negotiations. Holding the only way out, they were likely spread out between the hallway, the cave system, and possibly even the forest outside. Dr. Anderson’s plan was solid, but he had a few minor qualms. In particular, holding the line meant possibly exhausting themselves in a battle of attrition.
“Alright. We’ll open with negotiations. I’m skeptical, but it's worth a shot. Should that fail, we can’t engage in a drawn-out conflict. We’ll disrupt their positions and quickly move to the cave outside.”
“Smoke grenades and flashbangs,” Ryan muttered.
“Affirmative,” Henry said, nodding in agreement. “If we can’t see them, we’ll level the playing field so they can’t see us.”
“Captain,” Kelmithus quickly interjected, “Bid me aid your efforts. I’ve insight enough to create fog. I’ve learned from our encounter with the Sentinel Lindwyrm.”
“You can replicate that heavy fog?” Ron asked.
Kelmithus held up his palm, producing an opaque puff of steam to prove his point. “Indeed so, Lieutenant. Adequately do these envirosuits shield us, that I might harness more extreme temperatures for more effective casting.”
Henry was impressed with how quickly the archmage grasped such a concept. “Good. Yen, get that drone into the cave. We’ll hold for updates.”
Yen nodded, carrying out Henry’s order silently. The drone’s feed directly streamed to their HUDs, and after a few minutes, Isaac looked up. “Done.”
Henry analyzed the data. They had visual confirmation of a dozen Nobians inside the facility itself and a staggering forty outside, both in the cave and around the cave entrance. It was an assumption, but there probably weren’t many cloaked soldiers past the hallway. He sighed; the worst-case scenario would have them facing a hundred men in total.
It was a challenge, but the drone’s intel granted them a critical tactical advantage. He analyzed his minimap, selecting and sharing a route with minimal enemy contact. “After clearing the facility’s entrance, we’ll proceed along the designated path. Upon exit, I’ll deploy a flare to signal our movement to the MRAPs for extraction. We will then rendezvous with Zulu-9 and coordinate with air support before re-engaging to secure the site.”
His team nodded, fully on board with the plan. He took a deep breath to steel himself before checking his watch – 16:24. “Alright, time to show ourselves.”
Letting his M7 sling over his chest, Henry prepared two flash grenades – one in each hand – before stepping out. With his team in tow, he moved to the center of the hallway, catching the attention of one of the Nobian patrols.
“Attention, Nobian forces! We request parley. I am Captain Donnager of Alpha Team, Tier 6 Adventurer. We are on an official quest sanctioned by the Adventurer’s Guild. We have no intention of hostilities and seek to discuss our presence and objectives to ensure mutual understanding.”
As Henry’s words echoed through the hallway, the Nobian soldiers snapped into action. He heard the sounds of bowstring being drawn taut and the rasp of metal as swords cleared their scabbards. His hands tightened around the flash grenades.
He kept his gaze steady, projecting a sense of calm; of confidence – enough to convince the Nobians that even outnumbered, he and his team were still no match for them. More soldiers joined the patrol, until all twelve of the previously identified Nobians were upon them. They kept their distance, but Henry could feel the tension boiling.
Just as the standoff seemed to reach a critical point, the air in front of them seemed to fold outward from itself, like watching the effects of gravitational lensing on light. A figure coalesced from the distortion – so this is what invisibility magic looked like.
The man was broad-shouldered and tall, seeing eye-to-eye with him, even despite the extra inches in height the envirosuit gave. As the last wisps of the cloaking magic faded away, Henry found himself staring into a pair of piercing gray eyes that seemed to bore into his very soul.
The newcomer had an angular face and was clad in black armor with a different sheen than the black armor of his comrades. Silver trimmings and an insignia emblazoned on his chestplate – a dagger through a swirl of mist – differentiated his status. A cloak of the same dark hue billowed behind him as he walked forward and drew his sword.
Keeping his sword to the side, he stopped a respectable ten meters away from Henry. “I am Carvus Alnect Virelius, Umber Vicearch of the Order of the Shadow.” He then pointed his sword at Henry, declaring, “Of desecrating sovereign Nobian territory, you stand accused.”
As Carvus spoke, more soldiers materialized alongside him, shimmering into existence as they dropped their cloaking spells. Henry had expected this to happen, but seeing it play out still sent a chill down his spine. How many more were still lying in wait?
The Vicearch kept his weapon on Henry, eyes narrowing. “Commander unto commander, I offer a choice: cede your Holding Bags, that secure passage may be granted unto you. Refuse, and you shall be declared as spies and enemies of the Nobian Empire, your lives forfeit to swift execution.”
READ 2 WEEKS AHEAD: Season Finale Chapter 17 is now available for Tier 2 Manifest Fantasy Patrons and higher!
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Hi! I am conducting a survey for my bachelor thesis on the topic that's in the title. Would really appreciate it if you could fill it out!
You fit my sample if you get an incentive compensation (so extra money on top of your salary) and work in the service sector in Europe.
Feel free to leave links to your own surveys! I would fill them out <3
Thank you!
https://vuamsterdam.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6LqAiZjz2DQiL7E

Accepted offer over the phone with the only conditions being a DBS check and references. Four hours later I got an email saying they could no longer continue with "my offer" (which I had already accepted). They re-advertised the job the next day. Is this something employers can do? Is it worth contacting ACAS?
I can give more info about their flawed reasoning if required, but in essence, they misunderstood a comment I made about the government threshold for spouse visas dramatically increasing next April to an unattainable amount. I was happy as I would now avoid that threshold increase, but the employer later took it to mean that I would need that salary, which I would not. Regardless, they never said anything and offered me the job. I accepted, and then they changed their minds without even calling me first. I have corresponded with them, but they are uninterested in recognising their error.
Any guidance appreciated.

I don't know how should I deal with this situation.
I am new at the company, and since day one I was terorized by the colleague who was supposed to train me.
After I finished training, she continued to bully me.
Doing 10 perfect things, yet she always found 1 little small mistake, she rolled her eyes on, made fun of me or completely embarass me in front of new girl.
There was a new girl and I was just explaining a simple things to her which you are supposed to know on day 1, you don't need 3 degrees or 5 years work history to show where is the lunch room
She came to us and yelled at me telling me I should focus on my job as I "suck terribly", and not training new people...completely embarrassing me in front of 15 coworkers. Yet, she was the one telling me to "show her around" as she was busy
Objectively, I am one of the most working and best new employees as I have the best results from this project so far.
After all, I had a meeting with two CEOs, telling me that they heard I was being too cocky, insulting, and they don't want to ruin the team working like the clockwork, transferring me to the other project which nobody cares for, is meaningless, I will scroll reddit 7 hours out of 8 hours.
Obviously I was friendly nice and hard working, but somehow I ended up as a worst guy, just because girl is working there for 5 plus years.
But hey, that's not all, they offered me 300 monthly increase salary bonus.
Like what is that? I ended up being bad guy, transfered me to meaningless project, ironically paying me more money for my "misbehaviour"...
I never felt more empty and less motivated to wake up for tomorrow work.
What should I do?
Can't afford to quit or change jobs in the next 2-3 months as I am taking benefits from government (around 600 monthly extra) for finding a job after being unemployed for more than 3 months, and this money is crucial now.
Thank you

I can send all the documents and proofs for verification in pm... Please help guys
(Already posted on few subs and got help of 14,000 rs)
Last year, during my late father's treatment for Terminal HCC disease, I borrowed a significant amount of money from various online apps.
Unfortunately, he passed away, but nearly a year later, I find myself still ensnared in this debt trap.l earn a monthly income of 12 thousand rupees from my job, supplemented by an additional 2 thousand rupees from home tuition. Despite this, it remains insufficient.
As the sole earner in my family, I am struggling to repay the debt, exacerbated by the fact that all the EMI dates from different apps coincide. The total amount I owe is 1 lakh 50 thousand rupees, a sum that seems insurmountable given my current salary and tuition fees. Over the past year, I've attempted various tactics to avoid defaulting on loans, including taking out new loans to repay older ones and considering selling assets, but I've now exhausted all options.
I feel mentally drained and hopeless.I am at a loss and see no light at the end of the tunnel. I implore you all to offer guidance on what steps I can take. Unfortunately, I cannot turn to relatives for further financial assistance, as many have already supported my family during my father's treatment, and they too have modest incomes like mine.
This is my fundraiser https://m-lp.co/anuragmi-4?utm _medium=native_message&utm_source=app
I can provide all the documents and proofs for verification in dm
PLEASE HELP DOSTO

I'm 44 with no retirement savings. I just completed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy 5-year repayment plan, so I have no debt either, and I make a decent income, so I think this is doable, just need to understand how much I need to save each check/month now.
Salary: $200k
Bonus: $30-$50k/yr is pretty normal
Other debts and bills I pay each month that persist:

• Mortgage - $1800
• Child support - $1800
• General expenses/utilities - $1200
• Car payment - $325

From here I don't know what needs to go into a savings? Just everything left minus some spending money?
Based on my post-tax income, after the above, I wind up with about $5k (which a large % of that was going to the bankruptcy plan previously). I was thinking if I could start with $3k/mo into some retirement vehicles and then a good % of any bonuses I receive, I should be OK.
Can anyone offer some direction on this? Thanks.

The next day finds the military part of the Bridger family waiting in one of the larger cargo bays. Paladin company and Shark Platoon are on hand, all in full power armor except for Makula, with the exception of Jaruna who's standing next to Jerry in a family uniform with her shotgun and sword slung over her back. Jerry had also elected for a dress uniform today, though he'd paired it with a 'ceremonial' curaiss that could still take a hit from a plasma cannon or two... and concealed a small shield generator. Mixed with his cloak and the Crimsonhewer war ax on his belt, Jerry thought he looked every bit the barbarian warlord... if a bit too clean cut for a Hollywood depiction of such.
The situation reminded Jerry of a similar reception back on Serbow... but this one was a bit less ceremonial and a bit more... dynamic. They didn't have any formal bonds with Clan Karchara, or their Khan, Komugai. So as a meeting of two new to each other factions, things could get... exciting. Which considering they were talking about Cannidor meant that things could potentially get very violent, very quickly.
They usually didn't. Not any more. Yet... it never helped to play it safe, even with a clan that had a decent reputation like the Karchara. More cut throat clans had been heard to disguise themselves for meetings like this for meetings so they could ambush their targets after all. Plus as always, there was tradition to observe and satisfy. Tradition which could be best summarized as 'Offer one hand, but arm the other.'. The Cannidor were ready to fight a war naked among any people but their own. They were beyond dangerous. So an armed society wasn't so much a polite society as the unarmed were likely mentally infirm, and to be politely left to their own devices.
A sharp whistle from the 1MC draws Jerry from his thoughts.
"Now hear this! The Clan Karchara envoy is arriving!"
The Karchara drop ship slides into view out of the black and makes it's way towards the docking day with all the leisurely grace of a terrestrial shark swimming towards a coral reef. Whoever's piloting it is clearly a hot hand on the stick because the ship moves as smooth as anything Jerry had ever seen out of Cruel Space, extending it's landing gear and coming to a halt with nary a hint of a bounce in it's suspension and shock absorbing gear.
"Hmmm. The Karchara..." Jaruna rumbles. "An interesting contact in Cannidor space to be sure. So to recap what we talked about, they're somewhat on and off again allies of my old clan. Decent types for the most part. No idea who the Khan is now, and a little searching online didn't turn anything up. Don't think the intelligence weasels had anything either. Save that they've been having some internal structural changes. Seized a new planet too, lighting raid, unconventional tactics, whatever that means. Gives them complete control of... ten decently populated and industrialized star systems I think. They're firmly in the middle of the power band for the Khans by that measurement, exact position depends on the number of warriors under arms they can bring to the Golden Khan's muster."
"Right. Well. Guess we'll have to see what Khan Karchara wants to chat about, and hear about this plan of hers."
The Karchara drop ship settles onto it's landing gear, and it's flight crew leaves the engines running. Tradition. You never knew if a reception was actually friendly after all, and it was also a mark of respect for the hosts. You might be asked to fuck off after all.
The forward assault ramp drops, and the honor guard warriors of the Khan march out, in power armor, but with their helmets off, fanning out to cover their leader. The lack of helmets was very much a declaration of intent, the human equivalent of open palms for a Cannidor in power armor.
Jaruna's brow instantly furrows as she scans the faces of the honor guard.
"...Wait. I know some of those girls. One of my aunts, Norkath is there on the left, and that's... but that."
Jerry can hear Jaruna's brain crunching that information.
"...Komugai. You said the Khan's name was Komugai? Not Jelvuna?"
"Definently Komugai."
"...Unless she changed her name... but then would Aunt Norkath join the Karchara proper without her...?"
Jaruna mutters to herself, clearly trying to puzzle whatever's eating at her out, when the sound of heavy boots on the assault ramp sound, and an utterly massive Cannidor woman starts to come into view. She cuts an imposing presence. Her uniform not too far off from Jerry's, a mix of barbarian warlord and modern dress uniform. The massive war ax over her shoulder tipping the scales on the barbarian - modern officer scale towards barbarian. It was easy to miss her other various weapons in the sheer scale of her. Her stark white fur, the three brutal scars across her muzzle, and another two over her left eye, which had a cybernetic replacement.
Khan Karchara stands for a moment, surveying the room silently... and before anyone can say anything, Jaruna breaks the silence;
"...Mom?"
Khan Karchara cuts loose with a booming laugh that reminds Jerry of Khan Isuras, and if this is indeed Jaruna's mother, he can immediately see exactly why the two women cut palms and swore sisterhood. He wouldn't be hard pressed to believe they were actual sisters.
"Heh. Glad to see all that time on Centris hasn't dulled your powers of observation! Always said you were a sharp one."
There's no sarcasm there, a little maternal teasing perhaps, but she's not mocking Jaruna. Anyone with eyes can tell Khan Karchara is damn proud of her child.
"And this'd be my son in law... bit small but hell just from your first date with my little girl I know you're a first class head kicker, plus you already gave me four grandbabies to spoil! Hahah. I suppose these bigguns here are the older girls? I... say. I thought there was three of you."
Karchara points at Makula.
"You're a bit old to be Hippolyta considering she was born a couple weeks ago. Who are you, girl?"
"Makula Sa'Bridger, I was adopted a few days ago. Honored Matron."
Karchara grins, her numerous teeth gleaming in the light of the hangar.
"Matron? Not Khan?"
"You are my mother's mother, standing in my family's clan hold. To refer to your title by right of blood is most appropriate."
Another bark of laughter.
"Well drilled and whip smart I see. You know the ways of our kind well, granddaughter." Karchara smirks, looking smug before turning to her honor guard.
"See girls? Five now! Haha! What a stud of a bull!"
Khan Karchara turns back to Jerry and Jaruna.
"Ah but I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's get the formal bit done so we can go jaw a bit and then hopefully I can visit with my eldest daughter, my son in law and these fine young ladies."
She quickly shifts her body a bit, drawing herself up to her full, imposing twelve foot height.
"I am Komugai, Khan of Karchara. I come to broker peace and fellowship between our clans, to join them in a bond of steel that will stand the sword storm for all time."
Jerry nods slowly. More than they'd expected actually. That was laying out intent to conduct some very, very serious negotiations.
"I, Jeremiah, Khan of Bridger, Admiral of this fleet, lord of these proud warriors before you, bid you welcome, Komugai of Karchara, bring your banner among ours, that they might rest together while we discuss the business of peace, and of wars yet to come."
"Well spoken indeed... and the steel in your eyes." Komugai nods slowly. "Yes, I see what you see in him, Jaruna, well past his considerable combat skills. All the better my dear son-in-law that you have already begun working on my grand design... but come, let us dismiss our warriors that they might go and eat, drink and enjoy themselves. We need only you, Jaruna, and perhaps my granddaughters for this business, so that they might learn the ways of leadership."
"I think we can accommodate that." Jerry says before turning and pulling the ax off of his belt and raising it high, an ancient Cannidor signal for attention from the leader of a warband to their warriors.
"Warriors, we walk with friends, show them to the promenade, that they might share our table while we discuss business."
Jerry and Jaruna guide Komugai to the conference room they'd prepared, while Joan and the girls quickly hustle to get their armor stowed and get their tails to the same spot. None of them wanted to miss a minute of this!
Still, the tension in the room's fairly heavy when the door closes, and Jaruna turns on her mother.
"Alright. We got a couple minutes till the girls get up here. What the hell, mom? You changed your name? Took over the Karchara? What the heck is going on?"
Komugai settles herself in a Cannidor scale chair, grinning all the while.
"You should be happier, daughter. This was inspired by you after all. When you left our band. Left the old clan... I knew you were right. We won't speak of that business, but we were obligated... and I should have been brave enough to refuse, but I lacked the standing... and perhaps the courage. So I did what any good Khan worth her blades would do and crammed it down their throats. Broke that clan, took them in, then subsumed the Karchara with my new band. They've got the older name, so I became Khan Karchara instead of remaining Khan Jormuntide. Your Aunt's got the title now. I'd offer it to you, but you've got your own clan now."
"So Jormuntide remains at least." Jaruna shuts her eyes for a second and lets out a slow breath. "You really did all this because of my idealistic and childish temper tantrum nearly a century ago?"
"Hardly childish. Idealistic? Absolutely. There's something to be said for actually trying to live up to our own ideals though. Especially as warriors. However, that is personal business, and we have business to discuss for the Undaunted first."
Komugai turns to face Jerry square on.
"Admiral Bridger, I'm prepared to offer two things to the Undaunted. One. I want to ally myself and my clan formally with the Undaunted. Second, I prepared to gift an entire star system to the same from my holdings. It is populated, but sparsely across three habitable worlds. Ripe for ongoing colonization and industrialization. To keep things fair, people within my clans will be given a chance to move to or from as they please if for some reason they don't wish for Undaunted citizenship. The Undaunted will then have the standing to select a Khan for your Cannidor population, both in Cannidor space, and Undaunted wide. A non voting position at first, but as the clan grows you will achieve that status quickly I believe."
Jerry stops dead. "...Did you just offer us a star system with three habitable worlds?"
"Yes."
"...Okay, I'm on board, but why?"
"Simply put, the worlds are marginal. They need investment. They need settlers. You need worlds. A strong alliance with humanity... and being the first Cannidor clan to extend that hand formally, even having your realm within my space... only benefits me. As I grow my own territory I might even cede another system to the Undaunted. If the Undaunted Khan helps me in those battles I damn sure will." Komugai chuckles. "We'll see how many Khans are stupid enough to try to fight me in the next few decades of course. The other thing I'm trading on is Undaunted naval power. As you just learned, we don't really do navies. I want a professional navy, the Undaunted have agreed to help me get it... and help secure my space once we secure them my end of the bargain, that, Admiral, is where you come in."
Jerry arches an eyebrow and gestures for Komugai to continue.
"Simply put, you need to do what you just did with that border bandit Khan Irgalas, but across Cannidor space. This isn't a done deal. It's up to the Grand Council and I'm but one vote. You already have an in with some of the other Khans, and the Undaunted are doing business with Cannid Solutions. That's an excellent start, and you just made a stellar formal introduction of yourself to Cannidor space. A flawless orbital and ground fight like that'll make sure word gets around that the Undaunted are here... and as dangerous as their rep says they are. I got a little list of the other movers and shakers you need to press the flesh with to win over key parts of the council. You make the rounds, and I'll be doing the same on my end. We meet on Canis Prime for the council meeting, and then we either have a huge brawl to make our point or toast victory with some top quality booze."
"You make it sound pretty simple." Jerry says, clearly not believing there's all there is to it.
Komugai shrugs. "It is simple in its concept. Pressing the flesh and winning the various Khans over won't be. They'll all have their little tests and challenges for you to get the measure of both humans and the Undaunted. We've seen a lot on the trivid as a species. A lot of us have heard stuff in the news or from kin. This is your chance to just straight up show people who you are and what you're about. Because now you're here, and therefore 'real'. If that makes any sense. Cannidor don't really care much about shit happening on the other half of the galactic disk. Undaunted, Humans, being here? Now? Now people will really start paying attention besides idly seeing if there's some interesting amateur porn or more combat footage available."
The Khan points over at Joan, Boudicca, Khutulun and Makula. "These four will likely be very critical to the warrior house's opinion of you... your next generation of warriors, your daughters. How are they treated? How are they trained? What's their mettle like? If they're strong, and worthy, you will impress the khans in a very good way. If my granddaughters are found wanting, they'd question a great many things... and could cause trouble when the Grand Council meets to discuss my little proposal, among other orders of business."
Jerry looks over at Joan and the girls, all four of them are suddenly looking very tense, especially Makula. "I have every confidence in all of my daughters to deal with anything the Khans can throw at them. Even Hippolyta if a trial suited for an infant is on hand."
That gets a chuckle from the girls, relaxing them a hair.
"Still. We'll burn that bridge when we get there. No sense borrowing trouble that hasn't come yet."
Komugai nods. "Wise words. Your diplomats have already approved this plan on their end, they'll send you the itinerary and all the fussy details shortly. Unless you have other questions for me?"
"I've heard there's a grand council of patriarchs too. Would getting in good with them help?"
That gets a full on shrug from the massive warrior woman. "Yes? I mean. Probably. No good way to arrange that though beyond asking my hubby, and I have. He said their council will handle things if it's deemed appropriate, and I don't need to fuss about it too much, and I know a polite way to be asked to fuck off when I hear one... so keep your head on a swivel on that one Jerry, I'm sure the patriarchs are well aware of the Undaunted... and are looking at a possible way to make warriors out of their sons without making their wives piss their frilly panties."
The khan's brilliant white teeth glitter in the room. "Back when we were the more traditional kind of savages back on our homeworld, the bulls did a lot of the leading and the fighting on an individual basis. Women however have always fought the wars. As we grew as a species, developed power armor, space travel, had our population bloom, a bull fighting another in single combat became less practical, and the other traditional male roles of shaman, guide, and brain trust came to the forefront. The council of patriarchs is an old body Jerry. Pre space flight. One of our first forms of international diplomacy between the khans. The matriarchs hold all the power... but when the council of patriarchs speaks, people know to shut up and pay attention."
Jerry nods slowly. Seemed like he'd just have to wait and see... and make sure he made a good impression when the opportunity presented itself.
"Well. I think that concludes everything we need to talk about professionally. Unless you have something else Khan Karchara?"
"Aww, just call me Mama like my big fuzz ball over here used to when we're not working! I've heard a bit about this little fortress of yours, could you all give me the tour? I'd like a chance to talk to all my new granddaughters after all."
Jerry shrugs. "Sure, we'll head up to the Den for a bit, then head down to the promenade to join the girls for some drinks and skewers. Our Cannidor eatery's got the best skewers in wild space whenever we're there."
"Don't I believe it, get to try some more Earth meats too! Bought a little sampler pack from a friend and good goddess, if you start exporting that bacon stuff in bulk, I'm going to invest in a chain of gyms, because there's going to be a lot of girls fighting to keep their girlish figures!"
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I can send all the documents and proofs for verification in pm... Please help guys
(Already posted on few subs and got help of 14000 rs)
Last year, during my late father's treatment for Terminal HCC disease, I borrowed a significant amount of money from various online apps.
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I feel mentally drained and hopeless.I am at a loss and see no light at the end of the tunnel. I implore you all to offer guidance on what steps I can take. Unfortunately, I cannot turn to relatives for further financial assistance, as many have already supported my family during my father's treatment, and they too have modest incomes like mine.
This is my fundraiser https://m-lp.co/anuragmi-4?utm _medium=native_message&utm_source=app
I can provide all the documents and proofs for verification in dm
PLEASE HELP DOSTO