Source: https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/modern-challenge-32-2024-05-1612638652
Source: https://www.mtgo.com/decklist/modern-challenge-32-2024-05-1712638663

Winners

• Tubaba on BR Grief
  
• Filho_do_MOL on Amulet Titan
  

Decklists

65	Thursday Modern Challenge 1 (May 16 2024)
1.	BR Grief	(8-2) Tubaba
2.	Amulet Titan	(7-3) kanister	@kanister_mtg	[Twitch]	[YouTube]
3.	Amulet Titan	(7-2) DrakeHaven
4.	BG Yawgmoth	(6-3) Graciasportanto	@MauroSasso2
5.	4c Living End	(6-2) manohito
6.	BR Grief	(6-2) sokos13	@sokos13_
7.	Temur Prowess [Jegantha]	(6-2) _Falcon_
8.	Hardened Scales	(5-3) LordEgg
9.	BR Grief	(5-2) Martin_Dominguez	@RuloMTG
10.	UR Murktide	(5-2) Alico
11.	BG Yawgmoth	(5-2) lunaloveee
12.	GW Emeria Control	(5-2) levunga21	@levunga
13.	4c Goryo's Vengeance	(5-2) twister66
14.	BG Yawgmoth	(5-2) ARCll
15.	RW Burn	(5-2) rastaf	@MtgRastaf	[Twitch]
16.	4c Living End	(4-3) LucasG1ggs	@GiggsMtg
17.	Jeskai Urza	(4-3) gyyby297	@gyyby_mtg297
18.	UB Mill	(4-3) GingerGuy83
19.	4c Omnath	(4-3) TrueHero	@IsThatTrueHero
20.	Temur Prowess [Jegantha]	(4-3) Alan07	@AlanLB07
21.	BR Grief	(4-3) _Batutinha_	@_Batutinha_	[Twitch]
22.	UR Murktide	(4-3) O_danielakos
23.	UR Murktide	(4-3) Shiny_Beest
24.	RW Burn	(4-3) rasvd
25.	Domain Zoo [Jegantha]	(4-3) milikin
26.	RG Crimes [Jegantha]	(3-3) grinderA
27.	Mono B Rack	(4-3) medvedev	@m3dvedev
28.	Mono W Hammer	(4-3) Akeel
29.	4c Living End	(3-4) MeninoNey	@MeninooNey
30.	Amulet Titan	(3-4) Jumba
31.	BR Grief	(2-3) KatieKat
32.	BR Grief	(3-4) Capitano_CL
33.	4c Living End	(3-4) drVendigo
34.	RW Midrange	(3-4) DragonFodder	@BrindRobert
35.	4c Omnath	(3-4) alemilan19	@alemilan_19
36.	4c Living End	(3-4) Linden_43
37.	Mono W Hammer	(3-4) CARLONEE
38.	BR Grief	(2-4) JFoster
39.	Mono B Rack	(3-4) Selfeisek
40.	Jund Crimes [Jegantha]	(2-4) stefanocanclini
41.	Mono B Rack	(2-3) Makitren
42.	4c Goryo's Vengeance	(2-3) 2radMTG
43.	Affinity	(2-4) Dreddybajs	@PocketJacesCast	[Twitch]	[YouTube]
44.	Domain Zoo [Jegantha]	(2-3) pepeteam
45.	RG Tron	(2-4) AlpInco	@Alp_MTG	[Twitch]	[YouTube]
46.	RW Burn	(2-5) FranMtg
47.	4c Living End	(2-4) Sven745
48.	Bant Living End	(2-5) DevinShave	@Opt_gg	[Twitch]
49.	61-cards Mono G Stompy	(2-4) p00pInMyFacex3
50.	Jund Grief	(1-3) jeunejulio
51.	4c Omnath [Kaheera]	(1-2) McWinSauce	@McWinSauce
52.	BG Asmo	(1-3) Trollolas
53.	Domain Zoo [Jegantha]	(1-3) Venom1	@OowashiAkatsuki
54.	Esper Soulherder	(1-5) ChuckNoris43
55.	4c Rhinos	(1-2) Hatsunelol
56.	Glimpse	(0-3) Laranjinha-BR
57.	4c Living End	(0-2) magaramagara
58.	Temur Prowess [Jegantha]	(0-2) k00p4
59.	Jund Creativity	(0-2) avb
60.	Grixis Shadow	(0-2) Gernardi
61.	61-cards Amulet Titan	(0-2) Mistakenn	@Mistakenn1	[Twitch]
62.	4c Goryo's Vengeance	(0-2) ScoopDog
63.	RG Crimes [Jegantha]	(0-2) hugtheaquilifer
64.	Temur Prowess [Jegantha]	(0-1) Ale_Mtg	@Ale_mora_02
65.	BR Grief	(0-4) _ruda_
	Amulet Titan	gurig	@TaintedOpt
	BG Coffers [Umori]	Walri
	4c Living End	death_grips

50	Thursday Modern Challenge 2 (May 16 2024)
1.	Amulet Titan	(7-2) Filho_do_MOL
2.	RW Burn	(7-2) absoluteragez
3.	BG Yawgmoth	(6-2) Nammersquats	@Nammersquats	[Twitch]
4.	Temur Prowess [Jegantha]	(5-3) AnothaPlaya
5.	Amulet Titan	(6-1) HouseOfManaMTG	@HouseOfManaMTG	[Twitch]	[YouTube]
6.	RW Burn	(5-2) izzy-wilde
7.	RW Prowess	(5-2) Bosseidon	@BosseidonRed	[Twitch]	[YouTube]
8.	Affinity [Jegantha]	(5-2) jfariv
9.	Grixis Grief	(4-2) SinKarma
10.	BR Grief	(4-2) Capitano_CL
11.	Temur Prowess [Jegantha]	(4-2) mtgobazaar8
12.	Temur Prowess [Jegantha]	(4-2) Alan07	@AlanLB07
13.	Temur Prowess [Jegantha]	(4-2) k00p4
14.	Domain Zoo [Jegantha]	(4-2) The_Kingpin
15.	Amulet Titan	(4-2) Jumba
16.	Domain Zoo [Jegantha]	(4-2) jcubby02100
17.	4c Omnath [Kaheera]	(3-3) Viatt
18.	BR Grief	(3-3) AmadeusPro
19.	61-cards Amulet Titan	(3-3) _EzMud1
20.	BR Grief	(3-3) jben
21.	Amulet Titan	(3-3) Ivan_Draw_Go	@Ivan_Draw_Go	[Twitch]
22.	Abzan Amalia	(3-3) xerioc
23.	Affinity	(3-3) TheNectar
24.	BG Yawgmoth	(3-3) SleepingSnorunt
25.	Amulet Titan	(3-3) gurig	@TaintedOpt
26.	4c Living End	(3-3) death_grips
27.	UW Control [Kaheera]	(3-3) nahuel10	@Nahuel10Mtg
28.	UR Control	(3-3) Joryago
29.	BR Grief	(3-3) No_e_that_knows	@Noe_leal_jr
30.	BG Yawgmoth	(3-3) Zorro7x4
31.	BG Coffers [Jegantha]	(2-3) selesneal	@selesneal
32.	Domain Zoo [Jegantha]	(1-4) _and_one_
33.	UW Control [Kaheera]	(2-4) bless_von
34.	BR Grief	(2-4) jvidarte
35.	UR Murktide	(1-4) Toki_85
36.	UW Control [Kaheera]	(2-4) vSUPREME973
37.	4c Living End	(1-4) Oppa
38.	RW Burn	(1-4) _BOI_
39.	61-cards RG Ponza	(1-3) OrnatePuzzles	@Jaawls
40.	Temur Prowess [Jegantha]	(1-3) jessy_samek	@Jessy_samek
41.	Esper Control [Kaheera]	(1-3) 2805667
42.	RW Burn	(0-2) Cachorrowo
43.	BR Grief	(0-3) DannyStarchild
44.	BG Yawgmoth	(0-2) TheMeatMan	@MeatMTG	[Twitch]	[YouTube]
45.	BR Grief	(0-3) f1shmagic
46.	RG Crimes [Jegantha]	(0-2) bunnyfat
47.	UG Infect	(0-2) ItsMattox
48.	UR Breach	(0-2) YungDingo	@YungDingoMTG	[Twitch]	[YouTube]
49.	Bant Living End	(0-2) WingedHussar	@WingedHussarMTG	[Twitch]
50.	Dice Factory	(0-3) Spy_1

Full Metagame Breakdown

9 Bx Grief (8 BR, 1 Jund) 8 Living End (7 4c, 1 Bant) 4 Amulet Titan 4 Temur Prowess 3 BG Yawgmoth 3 UR Murktide 3 4c Goryo's Vengeance 3 RW Burn 3 4c Omnath 3 Domain Zoo 3 Crimes (2 RG, 1 Jund) 3 Mono B Rack 2 Mono W Hammer 1 Hardened Scales 1 GW Emeria Control 1 Jeskai Urza 1 UB Mill 1 RW Midrange 1 Affinity 1 RG Tron 1 Mono G Stompy 1 BG Asmo 1 Esper Soulherder 1 4c Rhinos 1 Glimpse 1 Jund Creativity 1 Grixis Shadow 

8 Bx Grief (7 BR, 1 Grixis) 6 Amulet Titan 6 Rx Prowess (5 Temur, 1 RW) 4 RW Burn 4 BG Yawgmoth 4 UWx Control (3 UW, 1 Esper) 3 Domain Zoo 3 Living End (2 4c, 1 Bant) 2 Affinity 1 4c Omnath 1 Abzan Amalia 1 UR Control 1 BG Coffers 1 UR Murktide 1 RG Ponza 1 RG Crimes 1 UG Infect 1 UR Breach 1 Dice Factory 

X-2 or better Archetype Breakdown

3 Bx Grief (3 BR) 3 BG Yawgmoth 2 Amulet Titan 1 Living End (1 4c) 1 Temur Prowess 1 UR Murktide 1 4c Goryo's Vengeance 1 RW Burn 1 Hardened Scales 1 GW Emeria Control 

5 Rx Prowess (4 Temur, 1 RW) 3 Amulet Titan 2 Bx Grief (1 Grixis, 1 BR) 2 RW Burn 2 Domain Zoo 1 BG Yawgmoth 1 Affinity 

New Cards (OTJ/BIG)

Caustic Bronco Roxanne, Starfall Savant Slickshot Show-Off Lavaspur Boots Honest Rutstein Magda, the Hoardmaster Freestrider Lookout Requisition Raid Satoru, the Infiltrator Assimilation Aegis Pillage the Bog Three Steps Ahead Fomori Vault Pest Control Simulacrum Synthesizer Lost Jitte 

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• @bamzing_mtg

Live Results
Live Stream
Unfortunately I’m stuck at NE Regionals today so observations won’t be quite as thorough as they were yesterday, but an exciting day of racing ahead! We’ve already had most of the small boat semi-finals as well as several of the lower finals. The regatta’s currently on a lunch break and will be resuming at 12:20 pm EDT with the Novice 4+ semis. For races I’ll try to be watching:

MN8+ A/B Semis (1:16-1:30)

Purdue again with an absolute walk-away. Keep an eye on these guys, just an absolute powerhouse of a boat. UC Davis and Minnesota with an absolute brawl behind them, Davis more or less held a minor edge all the way down the course but Minnesota sure made them work for it. Tough beat for UVA to narrowly miss out on that third qualifying spot, about half a boat length down on those two. UCLA and Ohio State round out the back of the field to race in the B Final tomorrow.
OCC looking strong in the N8+ once again, but to my eye Purdue is the boat to beat going into the A Final. Coast faced a hot challenge out of USC in Lane 5, and the fellow SoCal rival earned their spot in the A final as well. Overall the race for third is looking like it'll be an awesome one, with UC Davis, Minnesota, USC and Bucknell separated by a total of 1.5s across their two semis. Decent amount of familiarity between (separate halves) of this final so it should be an exciting one to watch tomorrow! Michigan, Washington State and UMass round out the B Final.

WV4+ A/B Semis (1:41-1:55)

First race was pretty fun! Lafayette grabbed an early lead and held it, with VaTech comfortably behind them but comfortably ahead of everyone else. The real drama came in the race for third though, with Penn State and Washington State fighting all the way down the line for that last A final qualifying spot. It was hard to see how that race was developing with the camera angles available but it was hard charge across the line, with Penn State narrowly claiming their A Final berth with a ~2 seat advantage.
Relatively low drama second semi, FIT continues to look extremely strong with a dominant performance over the field (and over the entire WV4+ semifinal field). Texas was 14 seconds off of them and looks primed to medal in the event, and Pittsburgh was able to stiffarm UGA to hold on to that last qualifying spot in the event. The race for 2nd/3rd between Lafayette and Texas looks like it'll be a fun one tomorrow!

MV4+ A/B Semis (2:17-2:30)

Bonus C/D Final thoughts, I haven’t watched this race yet but what a photo finish! This is why I love ACRA MV4+s so much
Washington State WashU St Louis jumped out to a massive lead early on (stream turned over a little late) and looked confident and smooth through the line, unchallenged. Florida kept the closest to them and were comfortably ahead of the rest of the field, but still about a boat length of open water behind WashU, while Michigan State was half a length of open behind them to round out the A Final qualifiers. A late race push by UCLA brought them into fourth, and Texas and URI round out this semi's B Final qualifiers.
Defending champ Bowdoin looked strong in their semi, comfortably leading and never quite challenged. They were trailed by Lafayette and Vermont, the latter of which made a nice charge into Lafayette in the last 250 to trim their deficit to ~2 seats across the line. WashU looks very strong in this event, but it's hard to count out the defending champs until the race is run, and Florida looks to be making strong arguments for a medal as well. We'll see how it all shakes out tomorrow!

M2V8+ A/B Semis (2:30-2:42)

UVA was the cream of the crop in this first semi, they had a six-seat lead on the field at the 1min mark, open water by the 2min mark, and comfortably held control of the race down the course. The qualifying race, on the other hand, was anything but comfortable for the crews involved. Notre Dame was off the pace at the start, and Delaware, Bucknell, GW and Minnesota were fighting tight for those last two A Final spots. Around the 1000m mark, Minnesota began to fade while ND surged, with Bucknell, GW and Delaware still jockeying for position. Around the 1250, the dogfight in lanes 1-3 between GW, ND and Delaware really began taking off and even started cutting into UVA's open water lead, while Bucknell started to fall off from the rest of the field. Crossing the 1500m, Delaware had 2 seats on ND who now had 4 seats on GW, and then GW began to take its signature (for this weekend anyway) late race surge. Absolutely tight margins to cross the line, but GW just ran out of track space--final results UVA (0.0) > Delaware (+4.1) > ND (+4.9) > GW (+5.0). Bucknell and Minnesota round out the B Finalists.
This looked to be a 2-boat race for first off the line with Michigan and UCLA fighting hard. Crossing the 1k, Michigan held a 3 seat lead on UCLA, who was bow-to-stern on Purdue with the rest of the field back open water on Purdue. UCLA uncorked a killer move around 1250m in to surge from 3 seats down to eventually reach a cox-to-bow lead on Michigan heading into that final 500m. Purdue remained comfortably behind the leaders but comfortably ahead of challenges from Washington State, UNC and OCC. Final finish order was UCLA (0.0) > Michigan (+2.5) > Purdue (+7.5), with WSU, UNC and OCC filling out the B Final in order. UVA v UCLA looks to be the race for gold, with Michigan v Delaware looking to be the race for bronze, though there is still plenty of room for any of these crews (and ND and Purdue) to assert themselves and throw the order into disarray.

MV8+ A/B Semis (2:42-2:54)

Camera angle made this a little tough to see the early action, but early results seemed to show ND with a ~6 seat lead on Michigan who had a 2 seat lead on OCC and then the rest of the field trailing closely behind them. Catching up with a better angle around 750m into the race, ND had clear water over the field with Purdue, OCC and Michigan in a dead heat for the last two A Final spots. Crossing the 1000m, ND maintained their assertive lead, with Purdue four seats ahead of OCC and Michigan 2 seats back of Coast. Michigan ripped off a massive move at the 1250 to close their gap with Coast but Coast managed to weather the storm and hold things even from there before unleashing a move of their own to retake their 2 seat lead to cross the 1500m. Michigan began falling off the pace in the last 500m and entering the red buoys saw Purdue and OCC trading haymakers while Michigan was a full length back of them. Notre Dame crossed the line looking comfortable while Purdue managed to hold off OCC's late charge to win by roughly one seat, finish order looking like ND (0.0) > Purdue (+4.8s) > OCC (+5.1s). Michigan, Delaware and WSU rounded out the B Final entrants.
Great race at the top in this semifinal though minimal drama for who would be the qualifiers. UVA and UCLA charged out to the lead the pack at the start of the race, and crossed the thousand roughly even, with Rutgers in third by ~6 seats over Minnesota and 6 seats behind the leaders. UVA called a great move at the 1000m mark to take a 4 seat lead, but UCLA countered to draw back even at the 1250m. From there, it was the UVA show, and UVA slowly walked their way through UCLA and ended up winning the race with their coxswain on UCLA's bow deck. Rutgers was open water behind UCLA, and Minnesota was bow-to-stern behind them. Final order was UVA (+0.0) > UCLA (+2.7) > Rutgers (+5.3) > Minnesota (+7.7), with GW and Bucknell joining Minnesota in the B Final. UVA and ND look to be the gold medal favorites this year with UCLA rounding out the podium, though I have my clear biases and hope that my fellas in the blue and gold can uncork a monster race to end their season and make those two sweat.

WV8+ A/B Semis (2:54-3:06)

Some excitement in these semis! Vanderbilt jumped out to an early lead that they never gave up, but Northwestern sure made them work for it every step of the way down the course. UCSB held a 2 seat lead on Bowdoin through the 1000, but Bowdoin took a hard charge into the third 500m to take a small lead over the Gauchos. Entering the red buoys, Bowdoin continued to maintain a small margin and crossed the line first by roughly one seat. Final finish was Vandy (0.0) > Northwestern (+1.6) > Bowdoin (+3.1) > UCSB (+3.7), with Middlebury and Grand Valley joining UCSB in tomorrow's B Final.
Slight drama here, OCC jumped out to an early lead and held that lead well into the third 500, with UC Irvine and Purdue fighting it out in lane 2 and 3 and URI staying in the picture a bit in lane 4 but well off those main 3. Crossing the 1500m, Purdue started a move to walk on OCC to draw things make it through OCC and take a 2 seat lead, with Irvine keeping contact with them but Purdue taking full control. Entering the red buoys, Purdue had its coxswain clear of both UCI and OCC's bow seats, with those two in a dead heat going into their final sprints. Coast found just a bit more across the line to defeat their Newport-based rival with a final margin of Purdue (0.0) > OCC (+1.9) > UCI (+3.1). URI, Florida and Vermont closed out the Semi in order to fill in the other three slots in the B Final. The three lead boats in the second semi posted such faster times than Semi 1 that I have to think conditions shifted things somewhat, but we'll have to see how the racing goes tomorrow.
There are also a few grand finals going off today (MAM1x, M4x, LMN4+, M2N8+, M3V8+) that’ll I’ll probably sneak some viewing time on as well. Best of luck to everyone racing today!

The bits:
-Not only does the flesh of Chaos marines fuse with their armor, but their minds also fuse with the machine spirits of their wargear. A Chaos Marine's armor will mutate and be reshaped by the Warp taint to reflect his obsessions and their affinity/allegiance to the gods of Chaos.
-Following the Scouring and the exile to the Eye of Terror, none of the Traitor Primarchs were interested in unifying the Traitor Legions. Mortarion and Lorgar mostly shunned Real Space. Mortarion busied himself in reshaping his Daemon world into an image of his destroyed homeworld Barbarus. Lorgar self-exiled himself to the Daemon world of Sicarus. Magnus focused his attention on curing his legion from their curse of mutation. Fulgrim lost himself in a spiral of excess and pleasure. Perturabo fixated on pursuing his vendetta with the Imperial Fists rather than the pursuit of grand conquest. And so with no unifying leader, the traitor legions were fragmented by infighting and the cruel whims of the Chaos Gods.
-When Abaddon rose as Warmaster, he resolved to learn from the mistakes of his genesire. He swore to never bend the knee to the gods of Chaos, and to never sell his soul to them no matter how tempting their offers of powers. Abaddon refused to surrender his morality for immortal power and guarded it well.
-The 13th Black Crusade hasn't ended. It's reaching its peak in the Indomintus Era. Though Cadia had fallen, the war for the Cadian Gate continues. Furthermore, Abaddon is expanding his warfront elsewhere such as the Nachmund Gauntlet. These are but a few of the schemes Abaddon seeks to enact to topple the Imperium. Should Abaddon succeed in them then the power of Chaos will be unleashed from the Warp toward Terra itself.
-With each conquest, Abaddon paved a path toward Terra. However, what was unknown for the rest of the galaxy was his plan to unpick the veil between the Materium and the Warp. For thousands of years under the cover of false objectives and even entire Black Crusades Abaddon sought out and destroyed the Pylons wherever he found them. Sometimes he did so personally, other times via his agents, or by using the Planet Killer and the Blackstone Fortresses.
-The Fall of Cadia was the culmination of Abaddon's millennia-spanning grand plan, a plan that tied together the events of Pandorax, the Siege of Fenris, and others. The Great Rift was born, flooding the galaxy with the stuff of the Warp. Acting as his vanguard the traitor legions and renegade warbands smashed their way through the Cadian Gate and emerged on the other side. The traitor forces brought destruction and bloodshed to world after world empowering the Warp and causing the daemonic legions to follow in their wake. Invasion after invasion, the Crimson Path expands toward Terra.
-The Chaos Gods and their legions believe that the fall of Terra and the destruction of the Emperor would be the ultimate prize, the conclusion of the war between the Materium and the Immaterium. Yet, Terra's fall is one part of Abaddon's plan for vengeance, not the end. Abaddon is aware that the ultimate victory of the Chaos Gods would be bad for his mortal self so he has no intention of depending on the Chaos Gods in achieving the victory he seeks. For now, Abaddon is all too content to have the forces of Chaos carve a path toward Terra.
-In the Age of the Great Rift, the forces of Chaos are prowling the stars in numbers not seen since the HH. Not even the Imperium Sanctus is safe from their wrath. However, it's in the Imperium Nihilus where they are at their strongest. Isolated from each other and shorn from the guiding light of Terra, the isolated bastions of the Imperium are being beset by the forces of Chaos from within and without. The overstretched defenders of the Imperium still valiantly attempt to stem the overwhelming tides of Chaos, chief among them are Dante and the returned Primarch the Lion who rage against the encircling darkness. Yet their efforts are nothing but futile gestures. Candles of hope set before a raging inferno of hate.
-Roboute launched the Indomintus Crusade to save the Imperium from collapse yet even this colossal assemblage of Imperial might cannot hope to repel every Chaos incursion. Conflicts are flaring up in every Segmentum of the Imperium and in each the influence of the Despoiler can be felt.
-Though Chaos is ascendant gutted on conquest and slaughter, Abaddon knows that he must maintain the momentum of his Black Crusade by feeding it constant conquests and victories or else risk his forces fragmenting before he could topple the Imperium.
-Abaddon and the Black Legion value value renegades from the Space Marine chapters who join their ranks. These turncoats bring them an abundance of information about the Imperium and its defenders allowing Abaddon's formidable intellect to fashion accurate and complex plans that inflict the maximum damage to the Imperium. In the past it allowed the Black Legion to deceive sector fleets, steal geneseed from loyalist chapter strongholds, and strike at key industrial zones.
-Lord Iordax Quan is one of the most singularly dedicated Black Legion commanders to the cause of destroying the Imperium. His focus on the Long War resulted in him rejecting the blessings of the Dark Gods and surrounding himself with fellow true veterans of the Long War whose thirst for vengeance remains undimmed. His focus, his dedication, has led to Abaddon deploying him to crucial warzones. He is currently serving in the Cadian system purging the last Imperial holdouts.
-Solomon Akurra the character from Mike Brooks' novel "Harrowmaster" is mentioned in the codex. Akurra had seized control of the Serpent Teeth's warband and now commands the mobile Star Fort the Unseen. He gathered around him a loose alliance of Alpha Legion warbands that he dubbed the Ghost Legion. In his burning desire to take the fight to the Imperium, he is exploiting the sorry state of the Imperium to add to its misery. Using his strategic mind and the sinister skills of the Alpha Legion, Akurra had deceived entire systems to swear allegiance to the Ghost Legion further destabilizing the Imperium. The majority of the Psyphos subsector is now under his rule. Yet this is merely the start of the seeds of anarchy he will plant in Segmentum Pacificus.
-When the Great Rift opened, the three stars of a system close to the galactic core and bordering the territories of the Greater Thurian League were swallowed up by the expanding Warpstorm known to the Kin as Orgvayr. The surging Warp energy resulted in the trio of stars going supernova at the same time creating a nebula of tainted clouds of astral debris riddled with Warp rifts which acted as refuge for many Chaos warbands including the Iron Warrior warband known as Abrial's Claw. The determined Iron Warriors took to besieging the mighty strongholds of the Kin and several fell before them.
-The short story "The Traitor's Tarot" from the 9th ED CSM codex is again here in the 10th Ed codex. They added four images to accompany the paragraphs that described the heretical artwork. I appreciate rereading the short, it's a good story but I would have very much liked a new story to come with the new codex. You get me?
-Traitor fleets have no fear of the raging tides of the Warp. They sail through and from even the hearts of Warpstorms. The remarkable ease with which the heretics are navigating the turbulent Warp makes it seem that the hands of the Chaos Gods protect them as they emerge over their prey worlds. Within the darkness of the Imperium Nihilus, the traitors have enacted butchery and atrocity of epic proportions on the isolated worlds of the Imperium. The luckiest of their victims are those who meet quick ends. Those who survive face a fate worse than death at the hands of the heretics.
-Worse still for humanity, within Nihilus many of the traitors' unnatural abilities and blessings are being empowered. Their wargear swell and blaze with the power of the Chaos Gods and their sorcery are reaching new levels of dark majesty and potency.
-The isolation of Imperial territories in the Imperium Nihilus made many Imperial worlds and systems believe that they are the last of humanity. Some broke off from Imperial rule and transformed into their own kingdoms and nations. The decline of Imperial faith soon saw these independent realms and worlds rot from the inside out as the insidious whispers of daemons spread to the populace and Chaos cults flourished.
-Traitor empires are rising in the Imperium Nihilus. Worlds that had once served the Imperium now fuel the warbands and legions of Chaos with their resources and industry. Abaddon has a hand in the creation and location of some of these heretical empires. It's unknown whether these empires are part of some scheme of his or are merely a vision of a galaxy under his rule.
-Vashhtorr's origins are unknown, forgotten by history. It's possible he was created by the technological and scientific advancements of the DAoT, spawned by the galaxy-shaping technology of the Old Ones, or came to being when primitives first mastered fire and created sharp tools.
-Vashtorr and Perturabo enjoy a beneficial but less than friendly relationship with each other. They cooperated in many nightmarish projects. The Daemon Primarch has regularly allied his Iron Warrior warbands with the Arkifane.
-Wyrmwood is a perversion of the tunneling devices used by the Old Ones to create the Webway. It's the Key for the Lock of a vault that contains a godly weapon capable of altering the fate of the galaxy. In search for the lock, Wyrmwood carves its way through the Webway and Real Space in an insane pattern known only to Vashtorr. Wyrmwood is unrestrained by the laws of time and space. The Imperial agents are struggling to catch up to Wyrmwood as it emerges into sectors across the breadth of the galaxy. The daemon world is crossing vast tracks of space in mere hours, that would have taken Imperial fleets months to sail through. By the time Imperial fleet heeded distress calls and arrived at Wyrmwood's reported location, the daemonic world engine would have long departed having left behind nothing but ruined worlds and tears in reality.
-Even the Asuryani, who are enraged at the corruption of the Webway technology and fearful of the damage Wyrmwood will inflict on the Webway tunnels, are struggling to track down Wyrmwood. Their seers are unable to crack the code of Vashtorr's insane search pattern. Only Craftworld Altansar, due to their bitter experience with the Warp and its mutilation of reality, are making progress in tracking Wyrmwood. However, thus far, the Asuryani's efforts to draw Vashtorr into battle were met with dismal failure.
-Reports hint that Wyrmwood is about to appear in the Pariah Nexus. Other reports hint that it will appear in the Ghoul Stars. What is certain is that nowhere is safe from Vashtorr's wrath.
-Vashtorr is a timeless being. Linear time is of no consequence to him. While the efforts of his foes might delay his search, he will have his prize sooner or later.
-Vashtorr has near limitless control over technology. The nature and origin of the technology do not matter to Vashtorr, his understanding is without limit. Vashtorr can unmake or take control of any device created by mortal hands with a mere gesture.
-Within the superstructures of the Soul Forges nests the daemon engines known as the Venomcrawlers. They hunt and down devour daemonic entities that get discarded by Warpsmith and Masters of Possessions. The raging essences of these consumed entities power the daemon engines' weapons. When daemonic prey becomes lacking Venomcrawlers start hunting the Soul Forges' heretic marine masters to keep themselves fed.
-The Dark Mech provides the hosts of Chaos with armor, weapons, daemon engines, and even battle fleets. Without the Dark Mech the armies of Chaos might grind to a halt.
-While the physical shells of captured Imperial war machines are desecrated and reshaped into horrific forms, their machine spirits are sent to the Soul Forges within the Warp to be driven to madness.
-Some Soul Forges are rumored to predate mankind, that they are eternal and ruled over by unknowable entities.
-The captive daemons are dragged screaming by ropes fashioned from the hair of murderers and chains of bones into the Soul Forges where Warpsmiths bind them into daemon engines and then bludgeon them to submission with runic wards and rituals.
-Abaddon is not only feared by the High Lords of Terra. Within the halls of the greatest Xenos Empires, the Warmaster's name invokes fear.
-So mighty has Abaddon become after 10K years that only the Daemon Primarchs could challenge his position. Yet these figures are too focused on their pursuits to risk war with the Despoiler and his vast legion.
-Only Abaddon can unite the forces of Chaos. To do so is a continuous fight for the Warmaster especially when marshaling allied forces whose allegiance belongs to their gods alone. Getting these opposing servants of the Chaos Gods to set aside their rivalries not only for a short period of time but for years is proof of his supreme willpower and the high regard and fear felt toward him by the traitors even by those who hate him and wish him to fail.
-Haarken was once a Night Lord. His ruthlessness saw him rise to the command of the Night Lord warband known as the Gloomtalons. Haarken would lead his warband into raids on the worlds of the Imperium. He would always proclaim his coming victory and a world's doom on the vox broadcasts before leading his formation of raptors through the night sky to butcher any who foolishly resists and make examples of them. Haarken would kidnap the leaders of Imperial worlds and give them the choice of swearing fealty to him or suffering a prolonged agonizing death. Through a network of spies, Haarken ensured the Imperial leaders who bowed before him were kept in line. Thus Haarken grew rich in wealth and plunder. However, despite his successes as a pirate and raider, he found no satisfaction. He felt empty. His black heart yearned to strike a lasting blow against the Imperium.
-Haarken prayers were answered when Abaddon's attention fell on him. During the muster for the fifth Black Crusade, Abaddon offered the Haarken the honor of fighting alongside his Black Legion. Abaddon was straightforward with Haarken. He did not promise Haarken riches and plunder but the chance to strike a telling blow against the hated Imperium. And if he served well Abaddon would grant him further chances to bleed the Imperium. It was as if Abaddon peered through Haarken's soul and fulfilled his deepest desires. Haarken then and there knew he was standing before greatness, a warlord with the strength, charisma, and vision to bring the Imperium crashing down.
-During the battle for the city of Kasyr Lutein, Haarken and his Gloomtalons flew ahead of Abaddon and his Black Legion. Haarken unleashed unspeakable acts of violence and terror on the defenders of the city. The demoralized Imperials were annihilated by the combined might of the Black Legion and the Night Lords.
-Ultimately, the Fifth Black Crusade came to an end and the traitors were forced back to the Eye of Terror. However, the Imperials paid a terrible price to do so and the Elysian sector was ravaged. Having witnessed firsthand the supreme might and leadership of Abaddon, Haarken bent the knee to the Despoiler and donned the black and gold of the Black Legion. Since then Haarken carved a place for himself among the vanguard of the Black Legion eventually earning himself the title of the Worldclaimer for the countless worlds he conquered in the name of Abaddon.
-Abaddon acknowledged the loyalty and good service of Haarken by bestowing upon him the title of the "Herald of the Apocalypse" and the Helspear, a weapon that befits his new position as Abaddon's mouthpiece.
-Haarken is wholly devoted to Abaddon and his cause. From the Nachmund Gauntlet, he is committed to tearing a path toward the Sol system. He yearns for the day when he would drive his spear into Terra's surface and proclaim the end of the rule of the False Emperor.
-The Iron Warriors honor the Chaos Gods as a pantheon, though few among their number are truly devoted. Their true loyalty belongs to their Daemon Primarch whom they believe saved them from being sacrificed by the Emperor.
-Many Chaos warlords look down on the methods of Alpha Legion, but Abaddon does not. Abaddon appreciates their skills and makes good use of them. More than once the Warmaster employed the Alpha Legion to sow discord and anarchy before his invading fleets. However, Abaddon knows that the Alpha Legion are dangerous allies for their goals and true motivations are closely guarded secrets.
-Despite the revulsion and mistrust Abaddon feels toward the Word Bearers for reminding him of the shameful depths Horus fell into in his worship of the Chaos Gods. he had made common cause with them on many occasions. The effectiveness of the Word Bearers as warriors, both possessed or not, is something the Warmaster cannot deny. It's a source of strength he cannot afford to discard. Lorgar for his part sees Abaddon as a tool to spread the Word of the Ruinous Powers to the very heart of the Imperium.
-Most Night Lords do not seem to worship the Chaos Gods in the same degree as the other traitor Legions. They fight only for material gain and personal pleasure. They look down on fanatical marines, be they worshipers of Dark Gods or the False Emperor. They place their respect not in faith but in strength, strength and terror.
-The Night Lords will fight for any cause as long as the plunder is good and they have ample opportunity to inflict as much bloodshed and anguish as they can. This made some Night Lords warbands pledge their service to alien warlords.
-After the birth of the Great Rift, the Red Corsairs have become experts in navigating the border regions between Warpstorms and Real Space. They established secret bases in the liminal zones. One of them is a significantly large base called the Tyrant's Gate in the Imperium Nihilus. Every sin and vice is indulged on that world. The world is orbited by weapon shops, docks, and defense platforms. Within the Warp, a sorcerous anchorage allows the battleships of Chaos to translate directly from and to the planet's orbit swiftly.
-Imperial reports that Huron Blackheart was spotted in two Segmentums at once seem to all but confirm that he struck some sort of bargain with the Chaos Gods.
-In exchange for his skill, Fabius had struck bargains with Chaos warlords, including the Daemon Primarch. He favours no client over the other, not even his gene-father.
-In recent years, Fabius has acquired samples from the Primaris marines and the Custodes. What he intends to do with them is unknown.
-The daemon Q'o'ak the Boundless is said to have drawn the ire of his master Tzeentch by meddling in his plans. To rid himself of Q'o'ak's ceaseless meddling, Tzeentch bound him to a weapon. Each time the weapon clashes with an enemy blade, the enemy falls victim to Q'o'ak temporal tampering. How Q'o'ak traverses time while imprisoned within the weapon remains unknown but with each soul he pulls from the web of fate a fresh plume manifests from the weapon's hilt.
Emeys Varran, the Apostle of Discordance, is unusually zealous in his devotion to Dark Gods for a trusted lieutenant of Abaddon. Despite his zealous faith in the Chaos Gods, Varran's true loyalty lies with Abaddon and the Black Legion. He is one of the Warhamer's few trusted confidants. Varran holds an intense and violent hatred toward the Sisters of Battle after losing his left eye to a neural wipe during the siege of the Chaos Knight World of Dharrovar. Abaddon dispatched Varran to aid Haarkin in seizing control of the Nachmund Gauntlet.
The Vashtorr and Black Legion vs T'au short story:
The world that Vashtorr manifested upon had a half-destroyed ancient city. Within the city was a temple whose structure was etched with daemonic scripture. This was Vashtorr's target. The T'au presence on the world was an unexpected complication. The T'au were giving the traitor and heretic forces stiff resistance and barring their way to the temple. The T'au in their determination to cling to the world had littered the battlefield with the Black Legion dead. Yet Vashtorr knew that the mortals' resistance was futile. Wyrmwood was entering into alignment over the world and it would seal their doom.
As Wyrmwood completed its alignment, the planet's surface quaked and monolithic structures erupted from the earth. This disordered the T'au lines and forced them into a fighting retreat. The Black Legion and Vashtorr's tech cultists pressed the attack.
Vashtorr could sense the call of the Warp-tainted relic, how it begged for release. He made his way to the temple but found T'au stubbornly standing between him and it. The Black Legionaries, daemonic engines empowered by Vashtorrr and his servants, and a horde of cultists fell on the T'au. Vashtorr himself joined the fray. With a gesture, he turned the energy of a force field that protected a squad of fire warriors against them. The fire warriors screamed as their armor melted and their skin was seared. The Black Legion marines finished off the reeling survivors with their chainaxes and bolter stocks.
T'au reinforcements sent from their orbiting fleet joined the battle. Battlesuits, tanks, hovering barricades, and aircraft plunged from the skies. The firepower of the T'au scythed through cultists and marines alike.
Vashtorr waded into the T'au lines with his hammer, pulping and smashing the Xenos aside. With a gesture, he unmade a T'au skimmer from within causing it to crash into a trio of battlesuits and explode. Through the flames, he strode toward the temple's entrance only to find his way barred again.
A T'au suit descended down in front of Vashtorr. Its pilot uttered a warcry before shooting Vashtorr. The shots impacted Vashtorr causing him to stagger back slightly. Vashtorr examined his form where the shots were hitting him. His daemon flesh was being burned away revealing the cogs beneath and his form was flickering.
Vashtorr extended his wings and was carried toward his Xenos foe by unholy energies. As he fell upon the battlesuit he projected his voice into its communication system telling the pilot that he was being so proud of the ingenuity of his technology, he was so reliant on the mechanical.
Vashttorr smashed down the battlesuit with his hammer and hit it again and again until he cracked its armor. Then pinned it down with his hoof. From his form tentacles emerged and wormed their way into the suit. Vashtorr poured a fragment of his power into the battlesuit and willed it to be unmade. Even though the pilot's soul was weak and small, he could still feel their fear.
Vashtorr stepped away from the battlesuit's wreckage and strode again toward the temple. As ever mortal resistance was nothing more than obstacles to be overcome by a being of infinite patience such as he. He will find the Lock and then reality itself will tremble before him.

He hoi me noi my buds. It is your baker man Pirate here. With Human Trauma book two coming to a close in the next week, I wanted to shre with you all the next planned novel I am working on. This time around we will have a stuborn human mercanary, a lizard princess, and one goal---escape Heavalun Mass city. all thats in thier way is corrupt cops, gangsters, the general populace and thier willingness to tolarate one another.
Lets get this Bread.
Shooting up from the blankets, Conor grabbed hold of the neck of whoever was jostling him awake, his cybernetic arm whirring while activating. Suddenly touching someone asleep was a stupid idea to do to anyone from Heavalun. Any sentient from this city was on edge most of the time and was usually particularly ornery when waking up.
He was especially prickly after years of contract killing and near-nonstop battles. While most people from Heavalun Mass City were used to fighting or having to keep an eye over their shoulder, watching for gangers, junkies, pickpockets, or the local police, his experience working and living here made him like a rubber band, ready to snap. Be that a neck, arm, leg, or whatever the poor sod he was fighting had.
“Who the fuck do you think you are,” Conor snarled, his natural and cybernetic eye narrowing and focusing in the wan light of his drab bedroom.
In an action built into him like an instinct, he willed his cybernetic eye to switch to see in infrared thermal sight, letting him get a good look at whoever this was while his natural eye adjusted to the lighting.
In bright orange, reds, and whites, Jurilra's face came into focus. She was a Jurintik, a werewolf like species; while he was human through and through. She had dull brown fur, long, dirty blonde hair, and a gaunt face and frame. The Jurintik was an alien species widespread throughout the galaxy, be it in the GU(galactic Union), Freespace, or here deep in the COS (concord of systems); you can’t swing a pipe without hitting at least two of them.
“Conor—let—-go,” Julitra gagged, clutching at Conor’s cybernetic forearm, her claws scratching roughly at the overlapping metal plates. “It’s me.”
Realizing who it was, Conor let her neck go, and she fell to the ground. He had only lifted her several centimeters off the floor, but doing that when half your torso, including your shoulders, one arm, and most of your organs were non-organic, or at least cybernetically enhanced, was a simple task, and he had done so out of sheer reflex.
“What were you thinking waking me up like that? You’re lucky I didn’t just dust you with my hand cannon,” Conor said, gesturing to the massive handgun sitting on the bedside table. “What in the stars are you doing here anyway?”
Taking a moment to rub at her neck and gag for a moment, Conor pieced together what likely happened. Considering that Julitra was naked, save for a thong, he must have hired her last night to blow off some steam—it wouldn’t be the first time he had done that when drunk.
“You didn’t pay me for last night,” Julitra said, standing up and nervously scratching her furry forearms and looking deeper into the shithole of an apartment toward the room where Conor stored all his weapons, money, and other precious items for barter or fencing purposes.
Conor sighed and scratched behind his still intact ear, the other having been halfway taken off by a frag grenade a few local years ago. After taking a moment to swing his legs out of bed, flexing his sore muscles, and rubbing his palms on his thighs, he looked up at her, having deactivated the thermal vision in his eye. “Fine; in the room top drawer on the right, you will find some bags of Murt and Syntrit. Take one of each.”
“Alright,” Julitra said, turning around and sashaying in that direction, clearly doing her best to move suavely and gracefully.
But Conor knew that was a load of Kret shit; She was little more than a strung-out junkie who just managed to keep herself on another fix fast enough by either guy like himself paying her for a quick lay or by managing not to get taken advantage of by one of the dealers on a street corner.
At least if she was selling herself for the night, she wasn’t going to end up in some slave market in the lower sections of the city or crammed into a skiff bound for a star on the far side of the galaxy. Julitra did have some kids to take care of, after all.
Not that it mattered to Conor if she went missing; there would be another skag he could bring in here. He just preferred her because she never tried to steal from him nor kill him in his sleep—finding another girl that he could trust would not be easy, especially in this shithole of a mass city. That well over a billion sentients were nestled in it did not matter; finding another piece of ass would be a pain.
“And only take one. I know how much product I have,” Conor grumbled, standing and heading toward the kitchenette. The dirty, blood-stained carpet was uncomfortable under bare feet.
God he hated going around with bare feet. It paid to have good boots to keep your feet safe from glass, nails, and other debris. That was especially important when operating in urban areas.
When he was out in the countryside or the house, he would forgo wearing them, and switch to sneekers, but being bare foot still sucked.
“I know,” Julitra replied from the room, “can I use your shower?”
“Whatever,” Conor replied flippantly, pulling down dried stulk leaves and tossing a pot of water on the stove.
So long as she didn't cause any issues with him getting started for the day, he honestly could not care less. All he needed to start the day was a pipping hot cup of stulk, and his stims. On that subject, the datapad built into his artificial arm chimed and reminded him of just that.
He frowned while retrieving the volatile cocktail of stimulants from the cupboard. He was almost out and only had enough for three days. Inside were six small autoinjectors about 20 centimeters long, marked with several warnings indicating that they should only be used in dire combat situations. But he was a particularly unique case and needed them just to survive.
After having a solid forty percent of his body replaced with cybernetics, from a metallic jaw, fake eye, a few replaced organs, torso, numerous enhanced joints, and even a few bits of wire running through his brain, the stims kept him working.
Without his friend Stich’s unique stimulant blend twice a day, Conor would start to fall apart. First would come the tremors, then body lockup, followed by seizures and eventually death. He had never made it that far in relapse; it was just easier to keep his organic parts cranked up to keep pace with his enhanced parts, and the video Stich showed him of sentients who relapsed was a good dissuasion.
Those poor sods were mangled wrecks, limbs at unnatural angles, blood, hydraulic fluid, and bone everywhere. And they were at most twenty percent wired up—what he could end up like was something he would rather not learn.
Dutifully and like clockwork, Conor ripped the cap off an auto-injector and shoved it into his thigh; a dull hiss sounded out as the brackish fluid flowed into his muscles. Just as he tossed the now empty injector into the trashcan, the sounds of Julitra starting the shower and humming flowed into the joint living and bedroom.
While Julitra was showering, Conor's friend and coworker Brakul sent him a message.
Brakul: Hey, conor, what are you doing tonight? I think I might have a contract for us to pick up.
Conor: No plans at this point. I just gotta get Julitra out of my safe house.
Brakul: Are you still fucking that scag? You know that won’t end well.
Conor: Yeah, gotta get my dick wet somehow. Besides, aren’t you still plowing that Kurilta we worked with a few months back—the one with the red hair?
Brakul: Yeah, I am. I like the crazy little woman. Plus, she is only a meter tall and makes me feel massive. But are you in or not?
Conor: Yeah, I'm in. When, where, and who is the client?
Brakul: Perfect, meet me at Zyntle’s around 2100. If all goes well, we got a contract for some new upstart to the north out of town. He is looking to hire some muscle for a few months. Don't worry about the contract's legitimacy; Norla sent this man my way to arrange half a dozen bodies. I just want you there in case something goes down.
Conor: So, bring a few extra solutions?
Brakul: if you would, and keep ‘em quiet, no shotguns. We will be in Zynie's place and need to keep things civil.
Conor: Afirm, see you then.
After switching off the arm-mounted datapad, Julitra stepped back into the room, redressed in her clothes from the previous night. They weren't anything fancy by any stretch of the imagination. Just a simple lowcut dress, showing off a shallow valley of furry cleavage, and cut to give ample view up her thighs and see the thong barely covering her womanhood.
For a hooker, it was good enough.
“Want to have some stulk?” Conor questioned, pouring himself a glass.
“Sure,” Julitra replied, going and lounging at the dingy table in the corner of the room.
They were quiet while eating their meager breakfast; neither had much in common or to talk about as is. The only things Julitra knew about Conor were: he killed people for money, sold stolen goods, and could give her a mean dick down. Whereas Conor knew damn near everything about her, acquired through basic profiling of her actions, attire, and mannerisms or from some of the intelligence brokers he dealt with regularly.
Some friends called him paranoid for keeping such tight tabs on anyone he dealt with; at least Brakul and Stich did. But Conor knew that knowledge was power and was needed if you wanted to always end up with your opponent dusted and not you. Conor knew better than anyone that you don’t survive like he has without a bit of paranoia. Hell, he was more persistent than a Hureclian beetle seeking water.
Once they had finished scarfing down crackers, canned meat, and the bitter, brackish brew, Julitra quickly took her leave, with Conor locking the door behind her. First, the deadbolts, then the chain, followed by a biometric scanner, and lastly, he kicked a metal wedge underneath the door—it would take a whole breaching team from the local government a solid hour to breach that reinforced metal monstrosity, and that was just how Conor liked it.
Unless you were invited into his home, it would behoove you to stay out and not try to get in.
Now that he was alone again, Conor trundled into the room Julitra had gotten her payment from and opened up one of the massive ceiling-high safes lining the walls. Inside was some of his equipment. This specific one contained most of his low-visibility equipment: body armor, weapons, knives, toolkits, and anything else he might need for more subtle operations.
In the other safes were other tools he might want, but those kits were built for more specific jobs: sniping, heavy assaults, aerial and maritime operations, along with anything else he could use in a warzone, but most of that was overkill for tonight.
So Conor pulled out a few items he thought could be useful and started his preparations in such meticulous detail that it would take him the rest of the day.
—-
The area outside of Zyntle’s nightclub was insanely crowded, even for Heavalun standards. Up and down the street, as far as the eye could see, were nightclubs, bars, and restaurants, catering to whatever vice once could possibly want.
Unlike some of the out portions of the city, areas in the inner and lower regions like here, you could not see the sky. Instead, if one looked up, they would be met with obnoxious neon signs and more buildings arching overhead, choking out any star or sunlight that might be visible.
Aiding in the choking and oppressive atmosphere, Aliens of all shapes and sizes bumped into one another with little grace, care, or concern. Most were decked out head to toe in bright neon colors that melded together in a caleidoscope of shifting brilliance.
At least that gave the usual drab greys, rust reds, and browns of the cityscape some color, even if Conor usually found it more annoying than not. Thankfully, neither Conor, Brakul, nor their strange contact could not hear the crowd outside from the second-floor window. Instead, they were being bombarded by something as if not more grating.
The happy tones and idle conversations of the crowd on the dancefloor below them, along with repetitive keyboards, synthetic snapping basslines, and ethereal vocals, filled the air to a near-deafening level. If not for the three of them having wired up to a local chatterbox that Conor brought along, they would not be able to hear one another.
The chatterbox was not fancy; it was just a tiny device Conor had whipped up. That lets them speak normally into microphones on their collars and be heard in earpieces. He had devised the idea for it after a few skiff airborne operations, where unless you were jacked into the aircraft comms, you could not talk without screaming.
Now, the chatterbox just doubled as the perfect tool for having conversations you would rather not have others around listen into. Hell, unless you were inches from them, you would not be able to hear them at all.
Brakul and whomever this Farun’se was, a two-meter tall feline-like alien, had been going over the finer details of the contract for the last half hour. Conor had been listening just enough to keep in the loop, but his focus was elsewhere. Namely in the crowds around them, watching for anything he did not want to see: other contractors, a gang war about to erupt, or anything else that caught his eye. People-watching was one of the things Conor enjoyed about setting up jobs; it gave him plenty of time to keep tabs on the ever-shifting city.
He had not spotted anything yet, in regular vision, Thermal, or through tracking, but something was off—he could feel it in his hackles. As such, One of Conor's hands was in his somewhat oversized brown leather jacket, wrapped tightly around the grip of his suppressed handgun. Neither Brakul nor the Client commented on him keeping watch; they both knew he was just filling the role of an enforcer and was backup for them.
“So, what do you think about the contract?” The Farun’se man questioned before taking a sip from his drink.
Whatever that glowing drink was, it was not ethanol-based; the smell was far too sweet. Conor could tell that much even through the skull-like mask covering his face. Not that the flat black ballistic bask he wore to cover his metallic jaw and mangled face covered scents much. It was built much like the other equipment he wore to enhance his senses, not diminish them.
“I think it is perfectly acceptable. But are you certain you only want a ten-man team to provide escort and transport for your client while within the city?” Brakul asked, flipping a palm up. “I am certain I can get more, considering your daily generous payment offer.”
Generous was one way to put it. The politician the Farun’se represented offered a whopping 15 thousand crit a day for well-experienced mercs. It was enough to get Conor's tail wagging; Most jobs barely pay that out, and this contract was supposed to be ten days long. You could almost buy a house outside the city for that kind of crit. If they were actually paid it out and not betrayed by their employer, at the end of the day, Conor likely would do just that; then, he would have a place to live without the threat of death around every corner.
Each of his jobs over the last few years was a means to that end—escaping this shithole. But getting out of the city was difficult, even for guys like him with opportunities to leave and a reasonably regular income.
“Well, we can work that out via messaging, but for now, I am just offering what I am allowed to,” The client said. “Anything more than that, and I won't be able to pay you half upfront.”
At least they are offering half the credits upfront. Conor must have missed that part during their long-winded discussion about what type of experience each mercenary needed, what weapons they would be allowed, and the specifics of the contract.
All they would have to do was finalize details of the team when Brakul had assembled another eight bodies, but they could do that in a few weeks.
“If that’s the case, then I think we should be good for now,” Brakul said, standing and extending a hand for the client.
“Perfect, expect to hear from me in a few days. Please have your team prepared by the end of the week,” The client replied, shaking Brakul’s hand.
After removing his earpiece and microphone, the client nodded to Conor and disappeared into the crowd looming around the stairs leading to the ground floor.
“So you like the sounds of that?” Brakul asked, sitting back down and sipping at his drink.
Keeping his sight on the crowd below, Conor tracked the client as he struggled to weave through the jostling dancers. The Feline was clearly out of his element in the crowds of the mass city. Based on how quickly he was recoiling from each touch by the intoxicated patrons, he was uncomfortable with all the physical contact forced onto him.
The sight was almost comedic, but Conor was used to dealing with people like the client's representative. If you had enough crit to hire ten mercs, you came from one of two walks of life: you were an influential underground leader who could afford the extra muscle, or you were a sheltered individual with no real business in Heavalun Mass City but decided you wanted to make some friends in low places and needed locals who would be loyal to the almighty crit.
But all of that was neither here nor there for the time being; Brakul would handle any issues with the contract. He was far better at being a politician than Conor was.
“So, any issues with what he wants?” Brakul smirked, knowing that it had been several months since Conor's last contract and that he needed the money.
Conor passively waved at his friend; he did not need to comment. Conor would take any contract that came his way so long as the pay was solid enough. In the past, he had taken contracts Brakul refused for moral reasons.
This contract of defending some high-born trader was in no way out of the ordinary and was relatively tame by Conor’s standards. His last contract was far more low-brow enough that he had almost said no. But for the low, low cost of 100 thousand crits and the fancy nanotech armor he was wearing under his tank top, he was more than willing to blow up the wing of a hospital with a firebomb—insurance paid to fix the building and burry anyone caught up when he killed a lowborn noble or some distant planet.
“I’m more interested in what's going on down below,” Conor said, pointing to a group gathering near the club's back entrance.
Below, barely visible through the flashing strobe lights and low haze of fog machines, seven Kyrail lingered at the back doors. One of the amphibian-like bipeds was giving instructions to the others. It was a shame the music was so loud; if not, Conor and Brakul could easily hear them, but even without sound, it was easy to see what they were doing. They were scouting a mark.
“What do you think, Voodals gang?” Conor posed, scanning the crowd for whomever the lead croaker was trying to target.
Voodal is a leader of one of the area's crime families and merc groups. They had been competitors of Conor and Brakul and their usual hiring groups for a long time. While Brakul and Conor did not have beef with them, one of their usual employers, the Farklut clan, had generations of bad blood.
That rivalry was nasty, to the point anyone who was a direct member of either family would dust the other on sight. Both had been caught up in that rivalry several times and had a negative opinion of the Voodal family and any of their ilk.
“Likely. This is part of a contested city, after all,” Brakul replied, sipping his drink.
“I wonder what they are doing here?” Conor said, still not having located whatever it was they were doing, but he had seen them pull out a particularly nasty drug, giving him an idea of precisely what they planned on doing—abduction.
The gaggle’s leader had passed out plastic bags with what looked like Visage clinging to the bags. That drug might as well be chloroform on the strongest combat stim out there. It would put you in a trance and make you forget the next several days until the effects wore off. The perfect drug for slave traffickers and abductors.
The only reason Conor could tell was that he had used the tactic several times to capture targets alive. It was great; you could fish information from them freely, and they wouldn't remember anything beyond where they had been picked up and whenever the drug wore off.
“I see their target,” Brakul muttered, “switch to IR. I will laze her for yah.”
As his friend and partner told him, Conor switched his false eye to IR and watched, and Brakul’s pistols laser pierced the crowd and danced on the back of a red scalled Kurlatra, dancing happily with some other repltilians of her species. All were woefully ignorant of the Kyrail weaving through the crowd toward them, hands tucked into jackets, likely clutching knives, pistols, and bags of drugs.
“Hmmm, odd, not a lot of Kurlatra on this side of the GU borders,” Conor commented.
“For sure,” Brakul agreed.
Kurlatra were a noble-esc species in the GU and tended to stay in the GU, as opposed ot the COS; most here only cared about their nobility for the sake of making money on ransom after all.
The GU was safe but was overbearing compared to the COS. It had far more laws, restrictions, and limitations on carving out a living. Conor’s chosen profession of being a Mercenary was outlawed in the GU unless you were on the Union congress's payroll, But he was not on that list, despite trying a few times.
“Wanna toss a wrench in their plans?” Brakul questioned.
“How so?” Conor replied, keeping a keen eye on the crimson scalled in the center.
Compared to those around her, she was different. Unlike the others who wore simple clothes, she wore a very revealing yellow dress that was low cut in the back and front, showing offer cleavage, but that's not what made her so different. It was all the glistening jewelry that made her smell of crit.
All those stones and precious metals were likely worth a few hundred thousand crits on their own. That was before you sold her pert ass to some slaver.
“We can go down, nab her after the entourage is dealt with, and be big damn heroes. Then we get an award from that payday of a ruby. If she is not feeling up to it, we could ransom her off to the Voodal; they want her for some reason,” Brakul explained, using his keen eye for diplomacy and deals to guide Conor’s mind to the potential payout.
Conor took a moment to take stock of the situation; he had enough ammo to carve through the Voodal family present and could carry such a Kurlatra if needed. Should this shit go sideways and end up in a firefight, they could just use the crowd and vanish.
“What about the contract we just took,” Conor posed
“We haven't taken one yet,” Brakul reminded, “that rep needs to get back to us with upfront payment. Until then, we are freelance.”
Conor could not deny he was right; no crit had changed hands yet, they were still unemployed, and this bitch might be worth some cash. Before Conor had a chance even to comment one way or the other, Brakul pressed on a nerve he knew would get Conor to act.
“Come on. I got fifty crit that says you can't extract that Kurlatra before the Voodal drug her,” the fellow Jurintik mocked.
The bastard knew how to get to Conor for sure. He was competitive and hated to have his abilities brought into question. Just out of professional pride, Conor could not let that lay.
“Two hundred,” Conor countered.
“One hundred,” Brakul retorted, “oh, look, they already nabbed one of the entourage.”
He was right. One of the Kurlatra heading toward the bathrooms near the back entrance just had a bag of Visage slammed into their mouth and had already gone glassy-eyed. Now, there were only five Kurlatra left, including the clear HVT(High-Value Target)
“One fifty,” Conor snapped, eager to have his friend stop messing with him.
“Deal, I will cover and feed you intel from her. Open channel one,” Brakul sneered.
Without missing a beat, Conor shot up from the table and descended the stairs into the crowd, drawing his suppressed pistol and activating his target tracker to keep sight of the HVT.
Conor did not know it yet, but that little bet, one that was not even worth as much ammo as he was about to expend, would send his life on a journey that would change him forever.
So what did you all think? was it a good time? a fun start at bare min? next chapter we will have connor dealing with the voodal, follwed by us meeting the little princess. It should be fun.
Please dont forget to updoot and comment. I will see you all in the comments.
Your Humble baker
-Pirate
Next
Buy my novels

Crashes after hitting play on the minecraft launcher during initialization
---- Minecraft Crash Report ----
// Daisy, daisy...
Time: 2024-05-18 03:39:56
Description: Initializing game
java.lang.RuntimeException: Could not execute entrypoint stage 'main' due to errors, provided by 'create'!

at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.FabricLoaderImpl.lambda$invokeEntrypoints$2(FabricLoaderImpl.java:388) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.util.ExceptionUtil.gatherExceptions(ExceptionUtil.java:33) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.FabricLoaderImpl.invokeEntrypoints(FabricLoaderImpl.java:386) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.game.minecraft.Hooks.startClient(Hooks.java:52) at net.minecraft.class\_310.(class\_310.java:458) at net.minecraft.client.main.Main.main(Main.java:211) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.game.minecraft.MinecraftGameProvider.launch(MinecraftGameProvider.java:470) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.launch.knot.Knot.launch(Knot.java:74) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.launch.knot.KnotClient.main(KnotClient.java:23) 

Caused by: java.lang.ExceptionInInitializerError

at com.simibubi.create.foundation.data.CreateRegistrate.registerBlockModel(CreateRegistrate.java:267) at com.simibubi.create.foundation.data.CreateRegistrate.lambda$blockModel$11(CreateRegistrate.java:233) at com.tterrag.registrate.fabric.EnvExecutor.runWhenOn(EnvExecutor.java:10) at com.simibubi.create.foundation.data.CreateRegistrate.onClient(CreateRegistrate.java:255) at com.simibubi.create.foundation.data.CreateRegistrate.lambda$blockModel$13(CreateRegistrate.java:233) at com.tterrag.registrate.AbstractRegistrate$Registration.lambda$register$0(AbstractRegistrate.java:124) at java.base/java.util.ArrayList.forEach(ArrayList.java:1511) at com.tterrag.registrate.AbstractRegistrate$Registration.register(AbstractRegistrate.java:124) at com.tterrag.registrate.AbstractRegistrate.onRegister(AbstractRegistrate.java:217) at com.tterrag.registrate.AbstractRegistrate.lambda$register$1(AbstractRegistrate.java:189) at com.tterrag.registrate.fabric.RegistryUtil.forAllRegistries(RegistryUtil.java:12) at com.tterrag.registrate.AbstractRegistrate.register(AbstractRegistrate.java:188) at com.simibubi.create.Create.onInitialize(Create.java:115) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.FabricLoaderImpl.invokeEntrypoints(FabricLoaderImpl.java:384) ... 6 more 

Caused by: java.lang.RuntimeException: Mixin transformation of com.simibubi.create.content.schematics.client.SchematicHotbarSlotOverlay failed

at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.launch.knot.KnotClassDelegate.getPostMixinClassByteArray(KnotClassDelegate.java:427) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.launch.knot.KnotClassDelegate.tryLoadClass(KnotClassDelegate.java:323) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.launch.knot.KnotClassDelegate.loadClass(KnotClassDelegate.java:218) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.launch.knot.KnotClassLoader.loadClass(KnotClassLoader.java:119) at java.base/java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(ClassLoader.java:525) at com.simibubi.create.content.schematics.client.SchematicHandler.(SchematicHandler.java:77) at com.simibubi.create.CreateClient.(CreateClient.java:70) ... 20 more 

Caused by: org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.throwables.MixinTransformerError: An unexpected critical error was encountered

at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinProcessor.applyMixins(MixinProcessor.java:392) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinTransformer.transformClass(MixinTransformer.java:234) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinTransformer.transformClassBytes(MixinTransformer.java:202) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.launch.knot.KnotClassDelegate.getPostMixinClassByteArray(KnotClassDelegate.java:422) ... 26 more 

Caused by: org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.throwables.MixinApplyError: Mixin [raised.mixins.json:mods.CreateMixin$SchematicHotbarSlotOverlayMixin from mod raised] from phase [DEFAULT] in config [raised.mixins.json] FAILED during APPLY

at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinProcessor.handleMixinError(MixinProcessor.java:638) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinProcessor.handleMixinApplyError(MixinProcessor.java:589) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinProcessor.applyMixins(MixinProcessor.java:379) ... 29 more 

Caused by: org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.injection.throwables.InvalidInjectionException: Critical injection failure: u/Redirect annotation on redirectRenderOn could not find any targets matching 'Lcom/simibubi/create/content/schematics/client/SchematicHotbarSlotOverlay;renderOn(Lnet/minecraft/class_4587;I)V' in com.simibubi.create.content.schematics.client.SchematicHotbarSlotOverlay. Using refmap raised.refmap.json [PREINJECT Applicator Phase -> raised.mixins.json:mods.CreateMixin$SchematicHotbarSlotOverlayMixin from mod raised -> Prepare Injections -> -> redirect$fnb000$raised$redirectRenderOn(Lnet/minecraft/class_1041;)I -> Parse]

at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.injection.struct.InjectionInfo.validateTargets(InjectionInfo.java:658) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.injection.struct.InjectionInfo.findTargets(InjectionInfo.java:589) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.injection.struct.InjectionInfo.readAnnotation(InjectionInfo.java:330) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.injection.struct.InjectionInfo.(InjectionInfo.java:316) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.injection.struct.InjectionInfo.(InjectionInfo.java:308) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.injection.struct.RedirectInjectionInfo.(RedirectInjectionInfo.java:44) at jdk.internal.reflect.GeneratedConstructorAccessor65.newInstance(Unknown Source) at java.base/jdk.internal.reflect.DelegatingConstructorAccessorImpl.newInstance(DelegatingConstructorAccessorImpl.java:45) at java.base/java.lang.reflect.Constructor.newInstanceWithCaller(Constructor.java:499) at java.base/java.lang.reflect.Constructor.newInstance(Constructor.java:480) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.injection.struct.InjectionInfo$InjectorEntry.create(InjectionInfo.java:149) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.injection.struct.InjectionInfo.parse(InjectionInfo.java:710) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinTargetContext.prepareInjections(MixinTargetContext.java:1329) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinApplicatorStandard.prepareInjections(MixinApplicatorStandard.java:1053) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinApplicatorStandard.applyMixin(MixinApplicatorStandard.java:395) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinApplicatorStandard.apply(MixinApplicatorStandard.java:327) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.TargetClassContext.apply(TargetClassContext.java:422) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.TargetClassContext.applyMixins(TargetClassContext.java:403) at org.spongepowered.asm.mixin.transformer.MixinProcessor.applyMixins(MixinProcessor.java:363) ... 29 more 

A detailed walkthrough of the error, its code path and all known details is as follows:
-- Head --
Thread: Render thread
Stacktrace:

at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.FabricLoaderImpl.lambda$invokeEntrypoints$2(FabricLoaderImpl.java:388) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.util.ExceptionUtil.gatherExceptions(ExceptionUtil.java:33) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.FabricLoaderImpl.invokeEntrypoints(FabricLoaderImpl.java:386) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.game.minecraft.Hooks.startClient(Hooks.java:52) at net.minecraft.class\_310.(class\_310.java:458) 

-- Initialization --
Details:

Modules: ADVAPI32.dll:Advanced Windows 32 Base API:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation COMCTL32.dll:User Experience Controls Library:6.10 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation CRYPT32.dll:Crypto API32:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation CRYPTBASE.dll:Base cryptographic API DLL:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation CRYPTSP.dll:Cryptographic Service Provider API:10.0.22621.2506 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation DBGHELP.DLL:Windows Image Helper:10.0.22621.3593 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation DNSAPI.dll:DNS Client API DLL:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation GDI32.dll:GDI Client DLL:10.0.22621.3085 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation IMM32.DLL:Multi-User Windows IMM32 API Client DLL:10.0.22621.3374 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation IPHLPAPI.DLL:IP Helper API:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation KERNEL32.DLL:Windows NT BASE API Client DLL:10.0.22621.3374 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation KERNELBASE.dll:Windows NT BASE API Client DLL:10.0.22621.3374 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation MpOav.dll:IOfficeAntiVirus Module:4.18.24040.4 (aa69a05caa955e1cebcc4d2dd249082d41b510c2):Microsoft Corporation NSI.dll:NSI User-mode interface DLL:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation NTASN1.dll:Microsoft ASN.1 API:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation OLEAUT32.dll:OLEAUT32.DLL:10.0.22621.3527 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation Ole32.dll:Microsoft OLE for Windows:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation POWRPROF.dll:Power Profile Helper DLL:10.0.22621.3374 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation PSAPI.DLL:Process Status Helper:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation Pdh.dll:Windows Performance Data Helper DLL:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation RPCRT4.dll:Remote Procedure Call Runtime:10.0.22621.2506 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation SHCORE.dll:SHCORE:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation SHELL32.dll:Windows Shell Common Dll:10.0.22621.2792 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation UMPDC.dll:User Mode Power Dependency Coordinator:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation USER32.dll:Multi-User Windows USER API Client DLL:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation USERENV.dll:Userenv:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation VCRUNTIME140.dll:Microsoft® C Runtime Library:14.29.30139.0 built by: vcwrkspc:Microsoft Corporation VERSION.dll:Version Checking and File Installation Libraries:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation WINHTTP.dll:Windows HTTP Services:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation WINMM.dll:MCI API DLL:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation WS2\_32.dll:Windows Socket 2.0 32-Bit DLL:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation WSOCK32.dll:Windows Socket 32-Bit DLL:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation amsi.dll:Anti-Malware Scan Interface:10.0.22621.3527 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation apphelp.dll:Application Compatibility Client Library:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation awt.dll:OpenJDK Platform binary:17.0.8.0:Microsoft bcrypt.dll:Windows Cryptographic Primitives Library:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation bcryptPrimitives.dll:Windows Cryptographic Primitives Library:10.0.22621.3374 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation clbcatq.dll:COM+ Configuration Catalog:2001.12.10941.16384 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation combase.dll:Microsoft COM for Windows:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation dbgcore.DLL:Windows Core Debugging Helpers:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation dhcpcsvc.DLL:DHCP Client Service:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation dhcpcsvc6.DLL:DHCPv6 Client:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation fwpuclnt.dll:FWP/IPsec User-Mode API:10.0.22621.2506 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation gdi32full.dll:GDI Client DLL:10.0.22621.3527 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation glfw.dll:GLFW 3.4.0 DLL:3.4.0:GLFW java.dll:OpenJDK Platform binary:17.0.8.0:Microsoft javaw.exe:OpenJDK Platform binary:17.0.8.0:Microsoft jemalloc.dll jimage.dll:OpenJDK Platform binary:17.0.8.0:Microsoft jli.dll:OpenJDK Platform binary:17.0.8.0:Microsoft jna4234201223904327453.dll:JNA native library:6.1.4:Java(TM) Native Access (JNA) jsvml.dll:OpenJDK Platform binary:17.0.8.0:Microsoft jvm.dll:OpenJDK 64-Bit server VM:17.0.8.0:Microsoft kernel.appcore.dll:AppModel API Host:10.0.22621.2715 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation lwjgl.dll management.dll:OpenJDK Platform binary:17.0.8.0:Microsoft management\_ext.dll:OpenJDK Platform binary:17.0.8.0:Microsoft msvcp140.dll:Microsoft® C Runtime Library:14.29.30139.0 built by: vcwrkspc:Microsoft Corporation msvcp\_win.dll:Microsoft® C Runtime Library:10.0.22621.3374 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation msvcrt.dll:Windows NT CRT DLL:7.0.22621.2506 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation mswsock.dll:Microsoft Windows Sockets 2.0 Service Provider:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation napinsp.dll:E-mail Naming Shim Provider:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation ncrypt.dll:Windows NCrypt Router:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation net.dll:OpenJDK Platform binary:17.0.8.0:Microsoft nio.dll:OpenJDK Platform binary:17.0.8.0:Microsoft nlansp\_c.dll:NLA Namespace Service Provider DLL:10.0.22621.3593 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation ntdll.dll:NT Layer DLL:10.0.22621.3374 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation perfos.dll:Windows System Performance Objects DLL:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation pfclient.dll:SysMain Client:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation pnrpnsp.dll:PNRP Name Space Provider:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation profapi.dll:User Profile Basic API:10.0.22621.3527 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation rasadhlp.dll:Remote Access AutoDial Helper:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation rsaenh.dll:Microsoft Enhanced Cryptographic Provider:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation sechost.dll:Host for SCM/SDDL/LSA Lookup APIs:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation shlwapi.dll:Shell Light-weight Utility Library:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation sunmscapi.dll:OpenJDK Platform binary:17.0.8.0:Microsoft ucrtbase.dll:Microsoft® C Runtime Library:10.0.22621.3593 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation vcruntime140\_1.dll:Microsoft® C Runtime Library:14.29.30139.0 built by: vcwrkspc:Microsoft Corporation verify.dll:OpenJDK Platform binary:17.0.8.0:Microsoft win32u.dll:Win32u:10.0.22621.3593 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation windows.storage.dll:Microsoft WinRT Storage API:10.0.22621.3527 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation winrnr.dll:LDAP RnR Provider DLL:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation wintypes.dll:Windows Base Types DLL:10.0.22621.1 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation wshbth.dll:Windows Sockets Helper DLL:10.0.22621.3374 (WinBuild.160101.0800):Microsoft Corporation zip.dll:OpenJDK Platform binary:17.0.8.0:Microsoft 

Stacktrace:

at net.minecraft.client.main.Main.main(Main.java:211) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.game.minecraft.MinecraftGameProvider.launch(MinecraftGameProvider.java:470) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.launch.knot.Knot.launch(Knot.java:74) at net.fabricmc.loader.impl.launch.knot.KnotClient.main(KnotClient.java:23) 

-- System Details --
Details:

Minecraft Version: 1.20.1 Minecraft Version ID: 1.20.1 Operating System: Windows 11 (amd64) version 10.0 Java Version: 17.0.8, Microsoft Java VM Version: OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (mixed mode), Microsoft Memory: 224617272 bytes (214 MiB) / 687865856 bytes (656 MiB) up to 11744051200 bytes (11200 MiB) CPUs: 32 Processor Vendor: GenuineIntel Processor Name: 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-13900KF Identifier: Intel64 Family 6 Model 183 Stepping 1 Microarchitecture: unknown Frequency (GHz): 3.00 Number of physical packages: 1 Number of physical CPUs: 24 Number of logical CPUs: 32 Graphics card #0 name: Virtual Desktop Monitor Graphics card #0 vendor: Virtual Desktop, Inc. Graphics card #0 VRAM (MB): 0.00 Graphics card #0 deviceId: unknown Graphics card #0 versionInfo: DriverVersion=15.39.56.845 Graphics card #1 name: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Graphics card #1 vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de) Graphics card #1 VRAM (MB): 4095.00 Graphics card #1 deviceId: 0x2782 Graphics card #1 versionInfo: DriverVersion=31.0.15.5222 Memory slot #0 capacity (MB): 16384.00 Memory slot #0 clockSpeed (GHz): 4.80 Memory slot #0 type: Unknown Memory slot #1 capacity (MB): 16384.00 Memory slot #1 clockSpeed (GHz): 4.80 Memory slot #1 type: Unknown Virtual memory max (MB): 76441.78 Virtual memory used (MB): 21619.83 Swap memory total (MB): 43840.00 Swap memory used (MB): 148.09 JVM Flags: 4 total; -XX:HeapDumpPath=MojangTricksIntelDriversForPerformance\_javaw.exe\_minecraft.exe.heapdump -Xss1M -Xmx11200m -Xms256m Fabric Mods: advancementplaques: Advancement Plaques 1.4.11 ambientenvironment: Ambient Environment [11.0.0.1](http://11.0.0.1) animatica: Animatica 0.6+1.20 appleskin: AppleSkin 2.5.1+mc1.20 architectury: Architectury 9.1.12 balm-fabric: Balm 7.1.4 betteradvancements: Better Advancements [0.3.2.161](http://0.3.2.161) bettercombat: Better Combat 1.8.5+1.20.1 betterstats: Better Statistics Screen 3.0.0-alpha.2+fabric-1.20.1 tcdcommons: TCD Commons API 3.0.0-alpha.2+fabric-1.20.1 bettertaskbar: Better Taskbar 1.7.0 betterthirdperson: Better Third Person 1.9.0 bhmenu: BHMenu-Fabric 2.4.1 blur: Blur (Fabric) 3.1.0 midnightlib: MidnightLib 1.4.1 satin: Satin 1.13.0 bobby: Bobby 5.0.1 com\_typesafe\_config: config 1.4.2 io\_leangen\_geantyref\_geantyref: geantyref 1.3.13 org\_spongepowered\_configurate-core: configurate-core 4.1.2 org\_spongepowered\_configurate-hocon: configurate-hocon 4.1.2 bookshelf: Bookshelf 20.0.4 brandedlogs: Branded Logs Fabric 1.0.1 bsvsb: Better Sodium Video Settings Button 3.0.3 camerautils: Camera Utils 1.20.1-1.0.5 capes: Capes 1.5.2+1.20 chat\_heads: Chat Heads 0.10.20 cherishedworlds: Cherished Worlds 6.1.2+1.20.1 chunksfadein: Chunks Fade In 1.0.5-1.20.1 com\_moandjiezana\_toml\_toml4j: toml4j 0.7.2 crowdin-translate: CrowdinTranslate 1.4+1.19.3 citresewn: CIT Resewn 1.1.3+1.20 citresewn-defaults: CIT Resewn: Defaults 1.1.3+1.20 cleanview: CleanView 1.20.1-v1-fabric cleardespawn: Clear Despawn 1.1.13 clienttweaks: Client Tweaks 11.1.0 cloth-config: Cloth Config v11 11.1.106 cloth-basic-math: cloth-basic-math 0.6.1 collective: Collective 7.57 connectivity: Connectivity Mod 1.20.1-4.5 continuity: Continuity 3.0.0-beta.5+1.20.1 controlling: Controlling For Fabric 12.0.2 craterlib: CraterLib 1.0.2 create: Create 0.5.1-f-build.1417+mc1.20.1 com\_electronwill\_night-config\_core: core 3.6.6 com\_electronwill\_night-config\_toml: toml 3.6.6 com\_google\_code\_findbugs\_jsr305: jsr305 3.0.2 flywheel: Flywheel 0.6.10-2 milk: Milk Lib 1.2.60 

dripstone_fluid_lib: Dripstone Fluid Lib 3.0.2

 porting\_lib\_accessors: Porting Lib Accessors 2.3.2+1.20.1 porting\_lib\_base: Porting Lib Base 2.3.2+1.20.1 

porting_lib_attributes: Porting Lib Attributes 2.3.2+1.20.1
porting_lib_common: Porting Lib Common 2.3.2+1.20.1
porting_lib_config: Porting Lib Config 2.3.2+1.20.1
porting_lib_lazy_registration: Porting Lib Lazy Register 2.3.2+1.20.1
porting_lib_mixin_extensions: Porting Lib Mixin Extensions 2.3.2+1.20.1
porting_lib_utility: Porting Lib Utility 2.3.2+1.20.1

 porting\_lib\_brewing: Porting Lib Brewing 2.3.2+1.20.1 porting\_lib\_client\_events: Porting Lib Client Events 2.3.2+1.20.1 porting\_lib\_entity: Porting Lib Entity 2.3.2+1.20.1 porting\_lib\_extensions: Porting Lib Extensions 2.3.2+1.20.1 porting\_lib\_models: Porting Lib Models 2.3.2+1.20.1 

porting_lib_core: Porting Lib Core 2.3.2+1.20.1
porting_lib_fluids: Porting Lib Fluids 2.3.2+1.20.1
porting_lib_model_loader: Porting Lib Model Loader 2.3.2+1.20.1

 porting\_lib\_networking: Porting Lib Networking 2.3.2+1.20.1 porting\_lib\_obj\_loader: Porting Lib Obj Loader 2.3.2+1.20.1 porting\_lib\_tags: Porting Lib Tags 3.0 porting\_lib\_tool\_actions: Porting Lib Tool Actions 2.3.2+1.20.1 porting\_lib\_transfer: Porting Lib Transfer 2.3.2+1.20.1 reach-entity-attributes: Reach Entity Attributes 2.4.0 registrate-fabric: Registrate for Fabric 1.3.62-MC1.20.1 

porting_lib_data: Porting Lib Data 2.1.1090+1.20
porting_lib_model_generators: Porting Lib Model Generators 2.1.1090+1.20
porting_lib_gametest: Porting Lib GameTest 2.1.1090+1.20
porting_lib_model_materials: Porting Lib Model Materials 2.1.1090+1.20

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packet_tweaker: Packet Tweaker 0.4.0+1.19.4

 replanter: Replanter 1.3 roughlyenoughitems: Roughly Enough Items 12.0.652 error\_notifier: Error Notifier 1.0.9 roughlyenoughprofessions: Roughly Enough Professions 2.0.1 roughlyenoughresources: Roughly Enough Resources 2.9.0 searchables: Searchables 1.0.1 shulkerboxtooltip: Shulker Box Tooltip 4.0.4+1.20.1 simple-rpc: Simple RPC 3.2.2 me\_hypherionmc\_simplerpc\_simple-rpc-common: simple-rpc-common 5.0.0 skinlayers3d: 3d-Skin-Layers 1.6.4 smoothchunk: Smooth chunk save Mod 1.20.1-3.2 smoothswapping: Smooth Swapping [0.9.3.1](http://0.9.3.1) sodium: Sodium 0.5.8+mc1.20.1 starlight: Starlight 1.1.2+fabric.dbc156f status-effect-bars: Status Effect Bars 1.0.3 tectonic: Tectonic 2.3.4 terralith: Terralith 2.5.1 toms\_storage: Tom's Simple Storage Mod 1.6.6 toolstats: ToolStats 16.0.3 tweakeroo: Tweakeroo 0.17.1 villagernames: Villager Names 7.3 visuality: Visuality 0.7.1+1.20 visualworkbench: Visual Workbench 8.0.0 voicechat: Simple Voice Chat 1.20.1-2.4.24 waterdripsound: Drip Sounds 1.19-0.3.2 waveycapes: WaveyCapes 1.3.2 xaerominimapfair: Xaero's Minimap 23.6.3 xaeroworldmap: Xaero's World Map 1.34.1 yet\_another\_config\_lib\_v3: YetAnotherConfigLib 3.1.1+1.20 com\_twelvemonkeys\_common\_common-image: common-image 3.10.0-SNAPSHOT com\_twelvemonkeys\_common\_common-io: common-io 3.10.0-SNAPSHOT com\_twelvemonkeys\_common\_common-lang: common-lang 3.10.0-SNAPSHOT com\_twelvemonkeys\_imageio\_imageio-core: imageio-core 3.10.0-SNAPSHOT com\_twelvemonkeys\_imageio\_imageio-metadata: imageio-metadata 3.10.0-SNAPSHOT com\_twelvemonkeys\_imageio\_imageio-webp: imageio-webp 3.10.0-SNAPSHOT yosbr: YOSBR 0.1.2 zoomify: Zoomify 2.11.2 com\_akuleshov7\_ktoml-core-jvm: ktoml-core-jvm 0.4.1 dev\_isxander\_settxi\_settxi-core: settxi-core 2.10.6 dev\_isxander\_settxi\_settxi-kotlinx-serialization: settxi-kotlinx-serialization 2.10.6 Flywheel Backend: Uninitialized Launched Version: fabric-loader-0.15.10-1.20.1 Backend library: LWJGL version 3.3.1 SNAPSHOT Backend API: Unknown Window size:  GL Caps: Using framebuffer using OpenGL 3.2 GL debug messages:  Using VBOs: Yes Is Modded: Definitely; Client brand changed to 'fabric' Type: Client (map\_client.txt) CPU:  

May 13th
Europe
BH Telecom Premier League (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
Rijad Kobiljar (FK Tuzla City) Started at RCM and went the full 90’ in a 6-2 loss against Borac Banja Luka (-/-) Match Highlights
Betri-Delldin (Faroe Islands)
James Drye (NSI Runavik) Started at LCB and went the full 90’ in a 4-1 win against 07 Vestur. Assisted in the 4th’ (-/-)
South America
Liga de fútbol Profesional (Bolivia)
Paolo Alcócer (Universitario de Vinto) Started at RCB and went the full 90’ in a 2-1 win against Royal Pari (-/-) Match Highlights

Primera División (Chile)
Enzo Ferrario (Unión La Calera) Started at RCB and went the full 90’ in a 3-1 loss against Universidad de Chile.Picked up a yellow in the 26th‘ (6.5/-) 21/26 passing Match Highlights
Liga 1 (Peru)
Claudio Torrejón (Club Cienciano) Started at LCM and went the full 90’ in a 1-0 win at Alianza Atletico.Picked up a yellow in the 83rd‘ (-/-) Match Highlights
May 14th
Europe
Eerste Divisie - Playoff - 1st Round - Leg 1 (Dutch 2nd Division)
John Hilton (FC Dordrecht) Started at LB and went the full 90’ in a 2-2 draw at FC Emmen (7.2/-) 45/56 passing, 1 chance created Match Highlights
Korede Osundina (FC Dordrecht on loan from Feyenoord) Started at ST and played 83’ in a 2-2 draw at FC Emmen (7.0/-) 0/1 shot on target, 11/17 passing, 2 chances created
Superettan (Swedish 2nd Division)
Erik McCue (Örebro SK) Started at RCB and went the full 90’ in a 2-1 win against Degerfors.Picked up a yellow in the 78th‘ (-/-) Match Highlights
May 15th
Europe
Coppa Italia - Final (Italy)
Weston Mckennie (Juventus FC) Started at RCM and went the full 90’ in a 1-0 win at Atalanta (6.5/-) 0/1 shot on target, 13/18 passing, 1 chance created Match Highlights
Timothy Weah (Juventus FC) Subbed on in the 81st‘ in a 1-0 win at Atalanta (-/-) 1/1 pass
Premier League (Scotland)
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic FC) Started at RCB and went the full 90’ in a 5-0 win at Kilmarnock (7.6/7.71) 119/131 passing Match Highlights
Dante Polvara (Aberdeen FC) Started at RW and played 78‘ in a 5-1 win against Livingston FC. Scored in the 77th’ (8.5/8.25) 1/3 shots on target, 23/28 passing, 1 chance created Match Highlights
Scott Pittman (Livingston FC) Started at RCM and went the full 90’ in a 5-1 loss at Aberdeen FC (3.9/5.52) 14/15 passing, 1 chance created
Superliga (Denmark)
Jonathan Amon (Lyngby Boldklub) Started at LW and went the full 90’ in a 1-0 loss at Vejle Boldklub (6.0/-) 0/1 shot on target, 16/25 passing
Super League 1 (Greece)
Caleb Stanko (PAS Lamia) Subbed on in the 65th‘ in a 4-2 loss against Aris Thessaloniki.Picked up a yellow in the 66th‘ (5.9/-) 12/12 passing
South America
Copa Libertadores - Group Stage (International)
Michael Hoyos (Independiente del Valle;Ecuador) Started at ST and played 77‘ in a 2-1 loss at Palmeiras(Brazil) (6.2/-) 13/21 passing, 1 chance created Match Highlights
Copa Sudamericana - Group Stage (International)
Matias Fracchia (Danubio FC; Uruguay) Started at LCB and went the full 90’ in a 2-1 win at Atletico Paranaense(Brazil) (7.8/-) 2/2 shots on target, 6/25 passing Match Highlights
Copa Argentina - Round of 64
Diego Mastrángelo (San Martin on loan from Gimnasia) Started at LB and played 46‘ in a 3-1 penalty shootout loss at Almirante Brown (-/-) Match Highlights
May 16th
Europe
Championship - Semi-Finals - Leg-2 (English 2nd Division)
Josh Sargent (Norwich City) Started at ST and played 45‘ in a 4-0 loss at Leeds. Their eliminated from promotion (5.8/6.02) 1/1 shot on target,4/6 passing Match Highlights
La Liga (Spain)
Johnny (Real Betis) Subbed on in the 19th‘ in a 2-2 draw at Las Palmas (7.2/7.06) 18/21 passing, 1 chance created Match Highlights
Eliteserien (Norway)
Michael Lansing (Kristiansund BK) Started at GK and went the full 90’ in a 1-0 loss at FK Haugesund (7.1/-) 5/6 saving Match Highlights
1.Divisjon
Chris Hegardt (Stabaek) Subbed on in the 68th‘ in a 2-2 draw with Lyn (-/-) Match Highlights
Thomas Roberts (Stabaek) Started at RCM and played 68‘ in a 2-2 draw with Lyn
Ian Hoffmann (Moss FK) Started at LB and went the full 90’ in a 2-0 win at Raufoss (-/-)
Fortuna Liga (Czech Republic)
Laurent Kissiedou (FK Pardubice) Started at RCM and went the full 90’ in a 3-0 loss at Jablonec (-/-)
South America
Copa Sudamericana - Group Stage (International)
Enzo Ferrario (Unión La Calera;Chile) Started at RCB and went the full 90’ in a 1-0 loss at Cruzeiro(Brazil) (6.3/-) 29/36 passing Match Highlights
Copa Argentina - Round of 32
Matko Miljevic (Newell’s Old Boys) Started at LCM and played 62‘ in a 1-0 win at Deportivo Riestra (6.8/-) 0/2 shots on target, 12/15 passing Match Highlights
May 17th
Europe
Segunda Division (Spanish 2nd Division)
Jonathan Gómez (CD Mirandés on loan from Real Sociedad) Started at LWB and went the full 90’ in a 1-1 draw with Elche.Picked up a yellow in the 72nd‘ (6.6/-) 16/21 passing Match Highlights
Serie B - Promotion Play-offs - Preliminary Round (Italian 2nd Division)
Kristoffer Lund (Palermo FC) Started at LWB and went the full 90’ in a 2-0 win against Sampdoria. Assisted in the 47th‘ and picked up a yellow in the 86th’ (8.3/-) 19/25 passing, 2 chances created Match Highlights

2.Liga (Austrian 2nd Division)
Bryan Okoh (FC Liefering on loan from RB Salzburg) Started at LCB and went the full 90’ in a 1-1 draw at Amstetten (-/-)

Challenge League (Swiss 2nd Division)
Ilan Sauter (AC Bellinzona) Started at RCB and went the full 90’ in a 2-0 loss against FC Sion (6.8/-) 1/2 shots on target, 63/73 passing Match Highlights
NordicBet Liga (Danish 2nd Division)
José Gallegos (SønderjyskE FC) Started at RW and went the full 90’ in a 0-0 draw at Vendsyssel FF (7.3/-) 34/43 passing, 1 chance created
Superettan (Swedish 2nd Division)
Marcelo Palomino (GIF Sundsvall) Subbed on in the 76th‘ in a 1-0 loss at Gefle (-/-) Match Highlights
SSE Airtricity League Premier (Ireland)
Danny Rogers (St. Patrick's Athletic) Started at GK and went the full 90’ in a 1-0 loss against Derry City (5.9/-) 2/3 saving Match Highlights
Aboubacar Keita (Bohemians FC on loan from Colorado Rapids) Started at LCB and went the full 90’ in a 3-0 win at Sligo Rovers. Scored in the 35th’ (8.3/-) 1/1 shot on target, 9/18 passing Match Highlights
Zishim Bawa (Drogheda Utd) Subbed on in the 45th‘ in a 3-2 loss against Galway Utd. Scored in the 73rd’ (8.0/-) 1/2 shots on target, 8/12 passing Match Highlights
Patrick Hickey (Galway Utd) Started at RCM and played 46‘ in a 3-2 win at Drogheda Utd (6.7/-) 1/1 shot on target, 8/16 passing
First Division
Ethan Kos (Kerry FC) Started at LCB and went the full 90’ in a 2-0 loss at Wexford FC (-/-)
Veikkausliiga (Finland)
Justin Rennicks (AC Oulu) Started at LW and played 74‘ in a 1-1 draw with IFK Mariehamn (-/-) Match Highlights
Icelandic Cup - Round of 16
Aron Jóhannsson (Valur Reykjavik) Started at LCM and played 74‘ in a 3-1 win at Afturelding. Scored the game winner in the 63nd’ (-/-)
Kyle McLagan (Fram Reykjavik) Started at CB and played 76‘ in a 3-0 win against IH (-/-)
Past weekend's Post

Prologue
First
Previous / Next
Spanish Version (OG Version)
Credits to u/SpacePaladin15 for creating this universe.
And thanks to u/Signal-Chicken559 for proof-reading and the feedback, seriously, thank you.
Also available on Archive of Our Own
Note: There's a post on the Discord of this subreddit, so if you wanna discuss something about my story, that should be the place to go
\---------------------0
Memory Transcription Subject: Syra, Universal History Student at Brightspire and Member of the Human-Venlil Exchange Program
Date [standardized human date]: September 17, 2136
Maybe this "therapy" wouldn't be so bad after all. Perhaps they just wanted to make sure Daniel felt comfortable and supported during his stay here. I hoped that was the case, because otherwise, I wouldn't hesitate to bare my claws if necessary to protect him.
For now, I would let things flow naturally. But I would keep a close eye out, just in case. Daniel wasn't alone in this, I was here to look out for him.
[Time advancement: 10 minutes]
"...and that's more or less how I ended up here, details more, details less," Daniel finished recounting how he had arrived.
He seems satisfied with what Daniel has told so far. Good sign, I suppose. Although I still wonder what exactly this "therapy" is about.
At that, the "psychologist" gets up and walks to the back of the room. He takes some kind of portable whiteboard and places it in front of us. He then takes out a couple of markers and begins to draw a simple diagram.
"Well, Daniel, I think I have a general idea of who you are," he says as he scribbles on the whiteboard. "Now I'd like to explain my approach a bit in this session."
I frown slightly, intrigued. The Doctor draws a large circle in the center of the whiteboard and writes the word "Communication" inside it.
"You see, for me communication is the key to everything," he continues. "It's the medium through which we can express our needs and obtain what we need or desire."
I nod slowly, contemplating the diagram. It makes sense so far. The Doctor continues tracing more elements, listing some steps:

1. Describe observable facts
2. Emotions + Thoughts → Feelings
3. NEEDS
4. Expressed in the form of a request

Thank the stars I downloaded the new translation packages a while ago, otherwise I wouldn't be able to read this.
"The first thing is to describe the observable facts objectively," he explains while pointing to step 1. "Then, express the emotions and thoughts that arise in relation to those facts. But most importantly, identify the underlying need that those emotions and thoughts reflect."
He takes another color and draws an arrow that goes from the "Needs" circle to another where he writes "Finds the common ground with the other person."
"Once the needs are identified, we can express them in the form of a request to the other person," he says. "In this way, both parties can work together to satisfy those needs in a collaborative and empathetic way."
I nod again, beginning to understand his approach. It's... interesting, to be honest. Very different from the more authoritarian and repressive approach I experienced with my sister's case. The Doctor takes a moment to study our reactions.
"I know this may seem a bit foreign to your customs, Syra," he admits in an understanding tone. "But on Earth we have learned (or we're supposed to) that repressing or denying emotions only leads to more conflicts and suffering. It's better to express them in a healthy way and seek solutions that benefit everyone."
He turns back to the whiteboard and draws another more elaborate diagram. This time, there is a kind of circle, with elongated triangles inside, Daniel explained to me in my previous chats with him, that this was called a "compass" and was used for guidance at sea (By the stars, what's wrong with these humans? Don't they see that the sea is extremely dangerous?!). This compass seemed to be surrounded by several sectors, each with the name of an emotion: joy, sadness, fear, anger, boredom, disgust, surprise.
I look at the diagram with curiosity, it's an interesting concept, although very different from what I've learned on Venlil Prime.
The Doctor points to the central circle with the word "Communication."
"As you can see, for me everything revolves around effective communication," he continues calmly. "First, we must describe the facts objectively, without judging."
I nod slowly, following his explanation. So far it makes sense.
"Then, it is crucial to identify the emotions and thoughts that those facts generate in us. We should not repress or deny them," he continues, tracing more elements on the diagram. "Those emotions and thoughts lead us to identify an underlying need."
I frown a little when I hear that. Needs... my mind goes back to the situation with my sister. Could it be that she just needed to express herself better? No, I can't think about that now.
"Once the need is identified, we can express it as a request to the other person," the Doctor draws an arrow pointing to the words "Finds the common ground." "Thus, both parties can work together to satisfy those needs in an empathetic and collaborative way."
I open my eyes in surprise. Is he suggesting that we can simply... ask for what we need? Without fear, without reprisals. It's such a foreign idea from what I experienced... But at the same time, it makes a certain sense.
The Doctor turns towards us, studying our reactions.
"I know this approach may seem strange to you Venlil," he admits with understanding. "But on Earth we learned that repressing or denying emotions only brings more conflicts. It's better to express them in a healthy way."
I swallow hard with discomfort. It's true that on Venlil Prime we are taught to keep certain emotions under control. Especially those that could be seen as... "predatory."
"Um... Excuse me, Doctor," I interject cautiously. "I understand your point, but... What about those emotions or behaviors that are considered harmful or problematic?"
The Doctor looks at me intently before responding.
"It's a very valid question, Syra. But you see, no emotion is inherently 'good' or 'bad'," he explains patiently. "Even emotions like anger or fear have a purpose and meaning. The important thing is to learn to identify them, understand them and express them appropriately."
I frown thoughtfully. Is he suggesting that even the darkest emotions have a place? It's certainly... different from what I've been taught.
"But... What if those emotions endanger others?" I insist, unable to avoid thinking of my sister. "In my culture, certain behaviors, though emotional, are seen as a 'disease'."
A heavy silence settles in the room. I can sense Daniel's discomfort by my side, though he doesn't say a word. The Doctor remains silent for a moment, did I say something wrong?
"I understand your concern, and I'm sorry for that, Syra," he finally responds. "I understand that each culture may have its own norms and values. But at least on Earth, we have learned that pathologizing or repressing certain emotions only increases suffering."
He takes a breath before continuing.
"The important thing is to find healthy ways to express and channel those intense emotions. With support, understanding and appropriate tools, no one has to resort to harm or violence."
I ponder his words carefully. It's such a different perspective... But I can't help the doubts that assail me. If my sister had had that "support" and "understanding"... would she still be alive?
At that moment, I remember what Thomas mentioned about Daniel's "diagnosis." I glance sideways at my human companion sitting beside me, who remains silent.
"Um... Doctor, if you don't mind me asking," I begin cautiously. "What exactly does that 'diagnosis' you mentioned before mean? The 'Autism Spectrum Disorder'?"
Daniel tenses visibly by my side, as if he wants to avoid that conversation. But the Doctor simply nods calmly.
"Well it's not a bad question, Syra," he responds. "Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodivergent condition that primarily affects the development of social skills and communication. People on the spectrum can have difficulties interpreting social cues, maintaining eye contact or understanding figurative language."
I look at Daniel with renewed interest, trying to better understand his situation. Maybe that's why it's so hard for him to socialize...
"But that doesn't mean they are 'sick' or 'deficient' people," the Doctor is quick to clarify. "They simply have a neurodivergent processing of social information. With the right supports, they can develop fully."
My gaze softens as I observe Daniel. I feel a wave of understanding toward him. All this time he has been dealing with these challenges and yet he still strives to establish bonds and learn about my culture.
"There's no need to be alarmed. As I said, the intention is not to judge or label anyone. We simply want to understand and provide the appropriate support."
I nod slowly, feeling the tension dissipate a little. Then, the Doctor takes out a deck of cards from a small briefcase he had at his side.
"In fact, would you like to play a little game? It could help us get to know each other in a more relaxed way."
I glance sideways at Daniel, not quite sure what to expect. He shrugs indifferently, as if letting me decide. Well, why not? A game could be a more pleasant way to get through this "therapy."
"Sure, let's play," I respond, giving a slight smile and gesturing with my tail.
The Doctor nods and proceeds to explain the rules of the game called "Sussed?". It doesn't seem too complicated: basically, we have to read some cards with 3 questions and 3 answer options each, choose the one that best represents us and try to guess which answer to that question the player who asked it chose.
"Sounds good," I comment as the Doctor deals the cards to each of us. "Do you want to start?"
This was the kind of board games I liked the most.
"Sure, why not?" the Doctor replied as he takes the first card. "Let's see..."
After a few moments, he chooses the card, looks at it for another moment, and the psychologist says:
"This question says: 'If you could swap bodies with anyone for a day, who would you choose?'"
I frown thoughtfully. It's an interesting question, to be honest. Who would a human want to swap bodies with?
If I were human, who would I swap bodies with?
I glance sideways at Daniel and a mischievous idea crosses my mind. What if...? No, no, that would be too daring.
But I return to the objective, to guess who the therapist would become, and then he says the options:
"And the options are:

• A). Your ideal partner;
• B). Your idol or favorite celebrity; and
• C). Your game companion (if this option, who?)"

He paused.
"What do you say? Who do you think I would choose?"
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously and made a new gesture with my ears. My ideal partner? That option seemed too suggestive for a human like him. Or would it be too obvious? And what if he chose his idol to get to know them better? I didn't completely rule out the last option either.
"Hmm..." I murmured, scratching my chin. "I'd say... C? He'd swap with one of us for a day?"
Daniel shifted beside me, seeming just as intrigued by the question as I was. Doctor Calderón simply shook his head.
"Good theory, but no. My answer was B," he revealed calmly.
Well! It made sense, I suppose. Humans really do seem obsessed with their celebrities and public figures, Daniel told me they had many, many celebrations of the historical figures of each of their countries, so each "paw" or "whatever" of their year celebrated something or someone.
"I see," I nodded. "Interesting choice."
"Alright, I guess it's my turn now," Daniel cleared his throat through his mask. "Let's see... 'If you could travel through time, what era would you choose to visit?'"
That was a fairly typical question for a game like this, but it still made me think. What era would Daniel like to visit? So many possibilities...
The options Daniel mentioned were:

• A). The remote past;
• B). The future; and
• C). A golden age or key historical period.

What era would Daniel like to visit?
Honestly, I'm not too sure which one he might choose. Knowing his fascination with space exploration, he might choose the future to see how civilizations evolve. But he could also be interested in some golden age from his species' remote past.
Determined to guess his answer, I risk my hunch:
"Hmm, I think you'd say... option C? A golden age or key historical period?" I suggest, moving my tail inquisitively. "That's the impression I get considering your interest in history."
Daniel takes a few moments before responding with a slight nod.
"Good intuition, Syra. I chose option C, a golden age. More specifically, the European Renaissance I told you about before, don't you remember?" he reveals in a calm tone. "It was a period of great scientific and cultural advancement for my species."
I nod, pleased to have guessed right. It's interesting how Daniel seems to value the periods of intellectual and artistic progress of his civilization, despite its apparently violent background.
"Ah, yes, you told me it was a transcendental moment for humans in areas like philosophy, the arts and knowledge in general."
"Exactly. Figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo, Michelangelo and so many others laid the foundations of modern science and thought. Although there were shadows too, of course."
Doctor Calderón nods and takes notes in a small notebook he has by his side. I feel curious to learn more about this "golden age" that Daniel mentions, so I decide to ask:
"If it's okay with you, could you tell me a little more about that 'Renaissance'?" I inquire, my ears slightly raised. "I'm interested in knowing what made it so important for your species."
Daniel settles into his seat, as if preparing for a more extensive explanation. I notice how his hands, make some gestures as he speaks, something I've noticed humans often do.
"Well, the Renaissance was a cultural movement that emerged in the European region during the 15th and 16th centuries, mainly in cities like Florence, Rome and Venice," he begins to explain. "After a period known as the Middle Ages, where a somewhat more rigid and dogmatic thought predominated, the Renaissance brought a resurgence of interest in the classical ideals of ancient Greece and Rome."
I nod, trying to follow his line of thought. Humans seem to have a special fascination with those ancient cultures from their past.
"Renaissance artists and thinkers promoted a more humanistic and rational approach," Daniel continues. "Figures like Leonardo da Vinci embodied the idea of the 'Renaissance man', one who sought knowledge in various areas: art, science, engineering, philosophy, and blah, blah, blah."
"Wow, that sounds really interesting," I comment sincerely. "Could you give me some more concrete examples of the achievements of that period?"
Daniel nods and proceeds to mention some Renaissance milestones: Da Vinci's advances in anatomy and his studies on the human body, the astronomical discoveries of Galileo Galilei, artworks like the Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo's David, and the rediscovery of his species' literary classics.
"In summary, it was an era of great creative and intellectual effervescence," Daniel concludes. "Though of course there was still a long way to go."
I nod, fascinated by Daniel's description. It's admirable how his species managed to propel itself forward in those key periods, despite the difficulties and limitations they faced back then. I can't help but wonder if the Venlil will ever experience a similar awakening, at least, of thought...
At that moment, I remember we're playing "Sussed?", grab one of the cards and choose one of its questions, taking advantage of Daniel's enthusiasm for history and culture.
"Alright, my turn," I announce, taking a new card. "If you could choose one supernatural ability, what would it be?' And the options are:

• A). Flying,
• B). Mind reading or
• C). Time travel."

I pause, observing Daniel and Doctor Calderón's reactions. This question certainly lets the imagination fly.
"What do you say? What do you think I would choose?"
Now that I think about it, what would I choose?
I would definitely choose to be able to fly.
The idea of soaring through the skies with total freedom seems incredibly appealing to me. I imagine how exciting it would be to explore Venlil Prime's landscapes from the heights, without restrictions.
Daniel remains silent for a few moments, as if carefully analyzing the options. I can imagine the gears turning inside that peculiar human head of his. Finally, he responds:
"Time travel."
Time travel? I didn't expect that. I suppose it makes sense coming from a being so fascinated by the vast universe and its unsolved mysteries.
"Ohhh, interesting choice," I comment with curiosity. "May I ask why you think I would choose that ability?"
Daniel shrugs and responds in a casual tone:
"Well, I think time travel would open up infinite possibilities for knowledge and adventure," he explains. "Imagine being able to witness historical events firsthand or catch a glimpse of the future to guide us better. It would be amazing."
I nod slowly, surprised by his reasoning. Humans certainly have an overflowing imagination.
"Woah, I hadn't seen it that way," I admit. "Although it could also be risky, don't you think? Messing with the past or knowing too much about the future."
Daniel laughs through his mask, a metallic and distorted sound.
"Good point. I guess we'd have to be really careful with that," he concedes.
"Although it would just be a small glimpse, nothing major like changing history. What do you think, Dr. Calderón? What ability do you think Syra would choose?"
Dr. Calderón takes a moment to think about it.
"Hmm, I think you would choose to read minds," he finally responds. "It would be very useful for better understanding people in general."
My ears twitch strangely at his response.
"Wouldn't that be an invasion of privacy?"
"It depends on how the power works, I would set certain limits so it only activates in specific situations or places, for example."
I guess that makes sense, but I'm still not sure I'd want to read minds in general, knowing what people really think of you all the time doesn't seem like the best idea.
Anyway, it's time to reveal the answer I chose.
"Well, you're wrong, because I would choose to fly."
"But why?" Daniel asks me.
"Well, the idea of flying seems interesting to me, being able to move at full speed without ground traffic or gravity's obstacles seems appealing."
"That's an interesting answer," Calderón responds.
I guess I should take it well that he says it's an interesting answer.
"Alright, my turn again," I announced, taking a new card. "If you could have a supernatural ability, which would it be: flying, teleporting or mind control?"
And so we continued playing successively, for a good while.
[Time advancement: 50 minutes]
Dr. Calderón collects the game cards and carefully puts them away in his briefcase. Then, he turns towards us with a friendly smile.
"Well, I think that's it for today," he announces in a calm voice. "How was it? I hope it was a constructive experience and helped you get to know each other a little better."
I nod slowly, feeling a mix of emotions. On one hand, this "therapy" has been extremely revealing about how humans think. But on the other, I can't help but still feel some apprehension.
"It was... interesting, no doubt," I respond frankly. "I admit that some of your ideas seem quite foreign to what I'm used to. But I also recognize that it makes sense, at least from your perspective."
The Doctor nods in understanding.
"It's normal for them to seem strange at first, Syra," he says patiently. "Cultural differences run deep. But that doesn't mean they're incompatible, right? It simply requires effort from both sides to find common ground."
I ponder his words, turning to look at Daniel. He remains silent, but I notice how he watches me through the mask, as if evaluating my reaction. I can almost imagine the gears turning inside his head... peculiar, but endearing in a way.
"You're right," I finally admit. "It's just a matter of continuing to learn and understand. And for that, both sides have to keep an open mind."
I smile slightly and, in an impulsive gesture, bring my tail towards Daniel, gently coiling it around his arm. He tenses briefly but doesn't pull away.
"Don't worry," I tell him softly. "We'll get to understanding each other, you'll see."
Daniel nods stiffly, saying nothing. I can imagine his discomfort, but I hope that in time he'll understand that he doesn't have to be ashamed of his "peculiarity." At least, not with me.
At that moment, Dr. Calderón stands up from his seat.
"Well, I think that concludes today's session," he announces in an affable tone. "You can return to your rest area. And please, don't hesitate to request me if you need anything."
We nod and stand up to leave the therapy room. Once in the hallway, I give Daniel a friendly tail gesture.
We walk back to our little "suite", already familiar to us after the therapy session with Dr. Calderón. An awkward silence hangs between Daniel and me as we make our way through the station's hallways.
I feel relieved that therapy didn't turn out as terrifying as I initially feared. But at the same time, I can't help but dwell on some of the things the Doctor said. That about "letting emotions flow" and not repressing them... It's so alien to what I've experienced.
I glance sideways at Daniel, with his mask and that characteristically rigid body language. I wonder what he's thinking about it all. Does he feel comfortable with that idea of emotional and social "openness"? From what I could tell, he seems somewhat reluctant, although I suppose it's natural given his... peculiarity.
I shake my head, brushing those thoughts aside. I shouldn't judge so harshly. I'm just seeing things from my limited perspective. Maybe for humans that "openness" works better. Or maybe not. I still have a lot to learn, at least about them.
We finally reach our little "suite" and go inside. It's a cozy space, with a common living room and our two individual bedrooms on either side as always. Nothing luxurious, but at least it's private and comfortable.
I plop down heavily on the couch, letting out a slight sigh. Daniel sits at the other end, keeping his distance as usual.
"So... what do you think about all this?" I ask cautiously, moving my ears in his direction.
He shrugs, his body language denoting some discomfort.
"I don't know what to think, really," he responds frankly. "It's all so... different from what I'm used to."
I nod, fully understanding that feeling. It's like we're both exploring completely uncharted territory.
"Yeah, I get it. It's very foreign to me too," I admit. "But... do you think it could have some value? You know, that whole 'expressing emotions' thing and all that."
Daniel remains silent for a moment, as if meditating on his answer. I can almost picture the gears turning inside his human head.
"Maybe..." he finally mutters. "Although I don't know if I'm ready for something like that. It's... complicated for me, I've had therapies before, but they never really worked out, it makes me uncomfortable because it's more of a routine than anything else, a routine I thought I'd at least get a break from here, but it wasn't the case, although it makes sense, they have a neurodivergent among the program members, so I guess they wanted to make sure I'd behave."
My ears droop slightly as I sense his discomfort. I don't want to push him too much, especially on topics that seem sensitive to him.
"Hey, it's okay," I say in a softer tone. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to. We'll go at your own pace, alright?"
He nods stiffly, though I notice his shoulders relaxing a little. I'm glad I can convey some reassurance.
If someone had told me I'd be reassuring a predator about his own discomfort by being so close a few months ago, I would have laughed in their faces and told them they were crazy, but here I am, telling him everything will be okay.
After a few moments of awkward silence, I decide to break the ice again.
"Hey, Daniel..." I begin slowly. "Can I ask you a question about what the Doctor said?"
He nods stiffly, barely a slight movement of his masked head.
"Sure, what do you want to know?"
I hesitate for a moment, not quite sure how to approach this without seeming intrusive.
"Well, he mentioned something about that 'diagnosis' of yours...a disorder, I think he said. Could you explain a bit more about that?" I ask cautiously. "O-only if you're comfortable with it, of course."
Daniel tenses up even more, I can almost feel his discomfort radiating from his body language. For a moment I fear I've crossed a line, but then he responds in a muted voice:
"It's... complicated to explain. Basically, my brain processes certain information differently than most people's. That makes social interactions, non-verbal language, that kind of thing difficult for me."
I nod slowly, trying to better understand his condition.
"And is that... bad?" I ask with genuine curiosity. "I mean, does it cause you problems or anything?"
He siffly shrugs.
"Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on the situation. In academics and work it's usually an advantage, because I can focus really well on logical, repetitive tasks. But socially... well, let's just say it's not my strong suit."
I observe him closely, noticing how he averts his masked gaze. I can imagine the discomfort and vulnerability he must be feeling opening up like this.
"Hey, you don't have to be ashamed, okay?" I say softly. "I think it's admirable that you can be so honest about it. Most pred- I mean, humans, would probably do everything possible to hide it, right?"
Daniel lets out a slight huff through the mask, a metallic and distorted sound that could almost be mistaken for a bitter laugh.
"Now, I guess not, but it's ironic, don't you think?" he comments with a tinge of bitterness. "In prehistoric times, someone like me might have been abandoned or devoured for not fitting in with the tribe or group.
"But now... well, it seems I might not fit in anywhere at this rate, or maybe I'm exaggerating, but sometimes I don't know what to think. Because I don't want people to see me with pity or as someone who can't fend for themselves. It's messed up, because sometimes they see you in a condescending way, like you need help with everything all the time, when that's not always the case. I want to show the world, or the universe, that I can be myself without needing anyone's help to be me, that I can make it on my own without depending on anyone..."
After an awkward silence, I decide to break the ice again.
"Hey Daniel, I understand you don't like talking much about your... peculiarity," I say carefully. "But I want you to know you don't have to be ashamed of it with me, okay? I don't think any less of you for being... well, different."
Daniel shifts in his seat, his body language still slightly rigid and tense. I can imagine the discomfort he must be feeling, and I don't like it.
"It's not that I'm ashamed, exactly," he responds with apparent caution. "It's just that... sometimes I feel like people look at me with pity, you know? Like I need help with everything, when really most of the time I can fend for myself."
I nod slowly, trying to understand his perspective. I suppose for someone like him, who's probably used to dealing with prejudices and misunderstandings about his peculiarity, it must be frustrating to be treated in a condescending way.
But this time, he breaks the silence.
"Hey... there's something that's been on my mind," he admits hesitantly. "When you said you wouldn't let anyone hurt me, it sounded like you'd gone through a similar experience."
I swallow hard, feeling a lump in my throat. So he noticed. Well, I suppose it was inevitable he'd figure it out sooner or later, considering how perceptive he seems to be.
I guess it's time for me to tell my truth.
\---------------------0
Prologue
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Spanish Version (OG Version)

For those in Blacksburg, here's a rundown of some of this weekend's top events that you can enjoy:
Weekend Rundown of Fun: 1. Beer Tasting with Eastern Divide Vintage Cellar, Blacksburg Friday, May 17, 2024, 4:00 - 7:00 PM Admission: Free Vintage Cellar welcomes Brandon from Blacksburg's own Eastern Divide Brewing Company for a special beer tasting event. Must be ages 21 and older to participate. IDs are required. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777423
2. Pearisburg Community Market 2024 Kickoff with Music at the Market ft. Music from Ride'n Shotgun Band Pearisburg Community & Recreation Center, Pearisburg Friday, May 17, 2024, 5:30 - 7:30 PM Admission: Free The Pearisburg Community Market kicks off their 2024 Music at the Market series featuring the Ride'n Shotgun Band performing . Join them on the front lawn at the Community Center for live music, a variety of unique vendors, get a bite to eat from the Simple Fixins food truck, Hope Church NRV's Hamburger Camp Fundraiser and dessert from Dough Dees or Kimmies Kandy. In addition there will be a free art activity for kids. The Ride'n Shotgun Band is five-member band based in southwest Virginia playing popular country and rock music. Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777443
3. Friday Nights at the Farm with Music from Celie Holmes and Black Coffee Beliveau Farm Winery, Blacksburg Friday, May 17, 2024, 6:00 - 9:00 PM Admission: Free Join Beliveau in welcoming a special musical guest every Friday night with live music from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM and sing along to all of your favorite classics. Celie Holmes and Black Coffee perform a well-rounded repertoire of jazz standards, R&B, light rock and more and are based in Virginia. Enjoy food from Beliveau's full service kitchen until 8:30 PM and chat over a glass of wine during their extended bar hours until 9:00 PM. Get a $5 Beliveau Buck to use during your next visit for every $50.00 you spend on Friday nights from 6:00-9:00 PM. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777448
4. Dirt Road Breakdown in Concert Rising Silo Farm Brewery, Blacksburg Friday, May 17, 2024, 6:00 - 9:00 PM Admission: Free Lee Worley and Bob Chew bring you swamp rocking Americana and classic honky tonk plus originals and enough rock and rockabilly to keep your feet a jumping. This unique duet we'll have you thinking it is a full four-piece band. Drawing from North Mississippi Allstars, Tom Petty, CCR, Black Keys, Muddy Waters, Jack White, Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, Rolling Stones, and more. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777072
5. May Bluegrass & Old Time Jam Session Newport Community Center, Newport Friday, May 17, 2024, 7:00 - 9:00 PM Admission: Free The Newport Community Center presents the Third Friday May Bluegrass & Old Time Jam Session. Bring your instruments and join us for a night of bluegrass and old time music in the cafeteria at the Newport Community Center. This is a family friendly event. Hotdogs, chili, cornbread and BBQ will be available for purchase. The Bluegrass & Old Time Jam Sessions are a monthly event that occur on the first and third Fridays of each month from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777005
6. Indoor Movie Night featuring The Greatest Showman Chateau Morrisette, Floyd Friday, May 17, 2024, 7:00 - 8:45 PM Admission: Free Chateau Morrisette presents an Indoor Movie Night featuring "The Greatest Showman". Bring the kids and join us for a special evening at the winery with free popcorn. Wine and cheese boards will also be available for purchase. The 2017 biography and musical drama "The Greatest Showman" is rated PG and stars Hugh Jackman, Michelle Wiliams and Zac Efron. Film Synopsis: Celebrates the birth of show business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. Note: Due to the expected rain, the movie has been moved inside instead of the planned outdoor film. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777279
7. Sarai Sibeal and Alliens in Concert Dogtown Roadhouse, Floyd Friday, May 17, 2024, 8:00 - 11:00 PM Admission: $10.00 Join Dogtown for a fantastic night with two acts that will get you moving. Sarai Sibeal will open the show and will be accompanied by Cameron McLaughlin on bass, Willis Greenstreet on guitar, Janiah Allen on drums, John Pence on keys, and Vladimir Espinosa on percussion for this show. Sarah Bowles, also known as Sarai Sibeal, is a native Roanoker. Merging electro-soul with R&B and world music influences, Sarah crafts a mesmerizing fusion of sound that captivates and engages the audience. Alliens is a powerful Caribbean-funk, world groove sensation led by brothers Jamiel and Janiah Allen that merges diverse world rhythms into a magnetic musical tapestry. The band effortlessly blends rock, reggae, funk, ska, Caribbean soca, electronica, cumbia, and more, creating an infectious sound that defies borders. A cross-cultural blend of sound is rooted deep in their souls from growing and living in foreign lands. Top it off with conscious multi-lingual lyrics and sweet trio harmonies and you get an experience that moves mind, body and soul. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777458
8. 2024 Braveheart 5K Run / Walk Bisset Park, Radford Saturday, May 18, 2024, 7:00 - 11:00 AM Admission: $35.00 Run the the fastest 5k course in the New River Valley and support the American Heart Association in the process courtesy of Runabout Sports and Carilion Clinic. Race day registration is from 7:00-8:00 AM and the 5k starts at 8:30 AM. This race runs along the beautiful New River for its entirety. The course is flat, fast and perfect for setting a personal best or running your first 5k. Participants can register in person at Runabout Sports within the First & Main Shopping Center or online. Awards will be awarded to fastest runners by gender and age group. As part of the Runabout Sports 2024 Race series, you will accumulate points towards overall and age group series awards. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777394
9. 2024 Pearisburg Junior Woman’s Club Junior Jamboree Pearisburg Community & Recreation Center, Pearisburg Saturday, May 18, 2024, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Admission: Free Donut Dash: Ages 3 & Up: $5.00, Ages 2 & Under: Free The Pearisburg Junior Woman’s Club (PJWC) will be hosting its 2nd Annual Junior Jamboree featuring a wide variety of events. The fun starts off with the Donut Dash from 9:00-10:00 AM in front of the basketball courts and is open to all ages. Participants will stroll along the park trail with tasty donut stops along the half mile trail. They will make their way to the pavilion where gourmet donuts and coffee await. All proceeds from the Donut Dash will help fund the expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Giles County. At 10:00 AM, artists, crafters, local organizations and food trucks will be set up on the lawn of the Pearisburg Community Center. Additionally, enjoy live entertainment from the Giles County School of Dance at 11:00 AM, followed by Dance Motion performing at noon and closing out the entertainment at 1:00 PM is The Honey Drops. The Honey Drops are a young trio of singers (Aubrey Adkins, Ella Butler, and Ky Fury), ages 14, 15, and 16, based out of West Virginia. Their influences are broad, from Fleetwood Mac to the Killers and the Wailin’ Jennys to show tunes. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777273
10. The Little Event (Litter Clean Up) Iron Tree Brewing Company, Christiansburg Saturday, May 18, 2024, 9:00 - 10:00 AM First Beer is 50% Off After Turning In Full Bag of Trash from Little Clean Up Join Iron Tree, Community Pizza, The Grill, and Baking is for lovers for a litter clean up event. Stop by Baking is for Lovers or Iron Tree Brewing between 9:00-10:00 AM to grab an empty grain bag and gloves. Then drive to your favorite park, neighborhood or hang around the brewery and fill up the bag with trash. Then bring the grain bag full of trash back to Iron Tree or The Grill for disposal and grab some lunch and a beverage. Participants, who fill a trash bag and turn it in, will receive 50% off their first beer at Iron Tree. Baking is for Lovers offers 10% off any item, Gardner's Frozen Treats and Gardner’s Frozen Treats will offer 20% off one treat and Gardner's Grill will offer 20% off one entree and Community Pizza will be doing 20% off any pizza during dinner service. The event is rain or shine. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777489
11. 2024 Spring Repair Cafe Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Christiansburg Saturday, May 18, 2024, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Admission: Free The New River Valley Timebank and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore presents the 2024 Spring Repair Cafe. Stop by the ReStore for free repairs including sewing for clothes & more, small furniture & appliances, electronics, knife sharpening, plant repotting and more. A Repair Cafe is a free event that promotes repair as an alternative to tossing things out. Give new life to your cherished items. The New River Valley Master Gardener Association will hold a plant clinic in addition to providing assistance to repotting plants (bring your own pots & soil). The New River Valley TimeBank is a project of New River Valley Home, a non-profit that works to foster vibrant, lifespan-friendly communities by connecting people, resources and organizations. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777480
12. Fish Fry Fundraiser New Mount Olive United Methodist Church, Radford Saturday, May 18, 2024, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Fish Dinner: $13.00, Fish Sandwich: $6.00, One Piece of Whiting Fish: $3.50 Enjoy a fish fry including your choice of a Fish Dinner, Fish Sandwich or One Piece of Whiting Fish. The Fish Dinner includes two pieces of Whiting Fish, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Roll and Dessert for $13.00. The Fish Sandwich includes one piece of Whiting Fish on a bun and coleslaw for $6.00. One piece of Whiting Fish is $3.50. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Richie Delaney Memorial Fund to benefit his children. On January 16th, Richard Delaney of Delaney's Kitchen, a restaurant in Fairlawn, passed away unexpectedly. As this is a tough time emotionally on the whole family, it is especially a tragic situation for Richard's three young children. Orders can be called in as well. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777481
13. BrewRidge Music Festival 2024 Mountain Lake Lodge, Pembroke Saturday, May 18, 2024, 12:00 - 5:00 PM General Admission: $20.00, Beer Tasting Tickets: $35.00 Celebrate Virginia craft breweries on Top of the World at Mountain Lake Lodge's 2024 BrewRidge Music Festival. Join them for a day filled with great music, delicious brews, and beautiful views. They will have an array of Virginia microbreweries and musical performances by local old-time Appalachian and bluegrass artists Tennessee Hillbuddies from 12:00-2:00 PM and Jim and Val Gabehart from 2:30-4:30 PM. Concessions will be available for purchase cash only including BBQ, burgers and brats during event. Beer tasting tickets include five full beers. Lodging Packages are also available which includes one night's lodging. Note: This event is cash only for day of event purchases. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=776811
14. Blacksburg Mini Comic-Con B&B Theatres Blacksburg 11, Blacksburg Saturday, May 18, 2024, 12:00 - 5:00 PM Admission: Free Costumes are encouraged and prizes will be handed out throughout the day. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777442
15. Dungeons & Dragons One-Shot Adventure for Ages 8 & Up Blacksburg Library, Blacksburg Saturday, May 18, 2024, 1:00 - 4:00 PM Admission: Free Learn to play Dungeons & Dragons with a one-time adventure. All supplies provided. The time commitment will be about three hours. Children ages 8 and up are welcome with an accompanying adult. Admission is free though registration is required. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777474
16. The Art of Happiness: Bubble Prints Montgomery Museum of Art & History, Christiansburg Saturday, May 18, 2024, 2:00 - 3:30 PM Admission: Free The Montgomery Museum of Art & History presents the third program of The Art of Happiness 2024 series titled "Adopting Animal Characteristics through Clay". The Montgomery Museum of Art & History is bringing back "The Art of Happiness" during May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. The month long series of events offer self-help coping tactics and strategies by using art exhibits, materials, and spaces as helpful tools to address emotional well-being. On May 18th, the program is "Bubble Prints". Creating calming and fun watercolor-like prints from paint-filled bubbles. Admission is free and all materials will be provided by the museum though registration is required. For adults 18 and older only. No art experience is needed. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=775917
17. Documentary Fundraiser: Butterfly In The Sky Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg Saturday, May 18, 2024, 3:00 - 4:30 PM Admission: $5.00 Enjoy the award-winning documentary "Butterfly In The Sky" about the PBS children's show "Reading Rainbow". Inspiring and nostalgic, "Butterfly in the Sky" tells the tale of a revolutionary reading movement. Reliving the show’s legacy is a refreshing return to the written page. But you don’t have to take our word for it. It will be a fantastic afternoon celebrating books and the love of reading with representatives taking registrations for the Imagination Library program, along with Take and Make Craft bags and information on Summer Reading Programs from the Blacksburg Public Library, a Children's Books Pop-Up and gift card raffle from Blacksburg Books, and a special presentation from Storytime with Joelle. Ticket sale proceeds benefit Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Montgomery County for local children. Tickets will be available in-person before the film or in advance online. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=77748818. May Flashlight Tour St. Albans, Radford Saturday, May 18, 2024, 5:30 - 7:30 PM Admission: $20.00 St. Albans presents their May Flashlight Tour with registration at 5:30 PM and the tour from 6:00-7:30 PM. The Flashlight Tour is guided and includes a little history and paranormal in one. Hear all the chilling tales of what paranormal investigators, and the public, have encountered within these 120 year old walls. A little bit of history, a little bit of paranormal. Tickets are available online in advance and will be sold at the door provided tickets are still available. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight as there will be lots of walking and many dark areas. Dress accordingly as the building is not climate controlled. You must be 18 years of age (16 if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian). The monthly Public Paranormal Investigation will occur from 8:00 PM - 1:00 AM with registration at 7:30 PM and is $35.00 for those interested. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777483 19. Spring Fed Roots in Concert Rising Silo Farm Brewery, Blacksburg Saturday, May 18, 2024, 6:00 - 9:00 PM Admission: Free Spring Fed Roots performs music rooted in the mountains of Southwest Virginia, nourished by the waters and inspired by the beauty. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777073
20. Merchant Copy in Concert The Blue Hen - Family Style Restaurant, Christiansburg Saturday, May 18, 2024, 7:00 - 10:00 PM Admission: $10.00 Merchant Copy is a classic rock & roll and blues band based in Roanoke, VA playing hits from the 70s and 80s. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777441
21. Free Appraisal Day Cambria Station Antiques, Christiansburg Sunday, May 19, 2024, 1:00 - 4:00 PM Admission: Free Join Cambria Station Antiques for a free Appraisal Day to find out what your family heirloom, antiques or vintage items are worth. Valley Auctions, LLC will be on site providing feedback and written appraisals. Guests are limited to one item per person with only small antiques or collectibles. Larger items can be appraised from multiple high quality photos and item dimensions instead of in person. No jewelry at this time. The event is first come, first serve. Note: Some items may require additional research, so appraisals may be sent after the event. Link: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEventDetails.cfm?E=777457
For the live music line-up, visit: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEvents.cfm?ET=1
For all the rest of the big weekend events, visit: http://www.nextthreedays.com/FeaturedEvents.cfm
Thanks for reading, have a great weekend and don't let the rain stop your fun!

Date: 05/17/2024

Reading time: 10 minutes, 2071 words

🏛️ Politics & Government

The government's housing security program for the people of Artsakh will not be effective. Hayk Khanumyan

Artsakh, under blockade since December 12, 2022, was exhausted for serious resistance. Mass deportation of Artsakh residents to the Republic of Armenia began on September 24. At the beginning of October, the number of forcibly displaced citizens who crossed the Hakari bridge to Armenia reached 100,617.

CivilNet

Armen Grigoryan denied Dmitry Peskov's statement about the border guards

Armenia proposed to Russia and Moscow accepted that only Armenian border guards should carry out service at Zvartnots airport. Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan denied the statement of the press secretary of the Russian President, Dmitry Peskov, that the Armenian side requested that the Russian border guards stay on the Armenia-Turkey and Armenia-Iran border. Peskov confirmed that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting on May 8.

CivilNet

Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s

Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan.

PanArmenian

Armenian, German Foreign Ministers discuss security situation in South Caucasus

The parties noted with satisfaction the active dynamics of the high-level political dialogue between the two countries. Issues of cooperation with international partners in this direction were discussed. There was also an exchange of views on regional economic programs.

Armenpress, Armenian, German FMs discuss security situation in the South Caucasus

Armenian, Austrian foreign ministers discuss the course of the Armenian-Azerbaijani negotiations

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg met with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in Strasbourg. He discussed bilateral and EU cooperation as well as the state of Armenia-Azerbaijan talks.

Armenpress, Armenian, German FMs discuss security situation in the South Caucasus

EU welcomes continuation of border delimitation process between Armenia, Azerbaijan

EU welcomes progress made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. The EU encourages parties to take further decisive steps to tackle other outstanding bilateral issues.

Armenpress, CoE Committee of Ministers welcomes border delimitation process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe welcomed the demarcation process, Georgia welcomes launch ofborder delimitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan - Kobakhidze, CoE Committee of Ministers expresses support to Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process

Delegation from the German Bundestag to visit Armenia

Members of the Social-Democratic faction of the German Bundestag will arrive in Armenia on May 20-22. The delegation from Germany will be received by the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Relations of the National Assembly.

Armenpress, Armenian, German FMs discuss security situation in the South Caucasus

India awaits clear proposals from Armenia on Chabahar Port use - Ambassador

India is waiting for details from the Armenian side regarding use of Chabahar port. Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha: "We will definitely take it into account when we receive clear proposals" Armenia needs more communication projects, ambassador says.

Armenpress

Ruben Vardanyan’s family call on the international community to demand for Vardanyan's unconditional release

The family of Ruben Vardanyan call on the international community to demand for his unconditional release. The family’s international legal counsel stated that the extension of pre-trial detention is a flagrant violation of his rights. Azerbaijan has proclaimed to be the "COP of peace"

Armenpress, Ruben Vardanyan's family calls on the international community to demand the release of Armenians held in Baku, Ruben Vardanyan’s family calls on international community to demand unconditional release forArmenian prisoners

Armenia reaffirms its commitment to the lasting, stable peace in the South Caucasus – Mirzoyan

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan said at the 133rd Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. He said Armenia reaffirms its commitment to the lasting, stable peace in the South Caucasus based on mutual recognition of territorial integrity.

Armenpress, Armenian, German FMs discuss security situation in the South Caucasus, Armenia reaffirms its commitment to lasting, stable peace in the South Caucasus – FM

Minister Zhanna Andreasyan departs for Turkmenistan

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport departs for Turkmenistan on three-day visit. Zhanna Andreasyan will participate in international conference dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the birth of the poet Magtymguly Fragi. Conference will be attended by high-ranking delegations from different countries, heads of international organizations, representatives of the scientific and creative community.

Armenpress

Tavush governor meets Kirants residents

Hayk Ghalumyan, governor of Tavush, visited the village of Kirants and met the residents of the village. The closed-door meeting was brief, and the governor left without providing any details to the journalists. Residents have been blocking the Kirants-Voskepar road to protest the agreements reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan regarding border demarcation.

Armenpress

Armenia to hold taxpayers liable for filing inaccurate tax returns

Armenia’s National Assembly committee on economic affairs adopted a bill that seeks to introduce administrative liability for filing inaccurate tax returns. The bill seeks to oblige taxpayers to provide full and accurate information when filing tax returns and to specify the list of violations subject to inspection by customs and tax authorities. Failing to provide correct data within the next 30 days will result in a 10,000 AMD fine.

ArkaAm

Armenian FM reminds Council of Europe about Karabakh refugees and Armenian prisoners of war, held in Azerbaijan

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan reminded the human rights organization about the Karabakh refugees and Armenian prisoners of war, but noted positives in negotiations with Azerbaijan. He said: 'With the help of the international community, the Armenian Government has taken necessary measures to meet the short-term needs of the refugees'

ArkaAm, Armenia reaffirms its commitment to lasting, stable peace in the South Caucasus – FM

Luxembourg parliament adopts motion supporting Armenia, peace, stability in South Caucasus

Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg unanimously adopted a motion expressing support for Armenia. Motion condemns the forced exodus of more than 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijan's unjustified military operation. Motion calls for the immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijan.

ArkaAm

Armenian Ambassador discusses regional processes with Rep. Mark Green

Armenia’s Ambassador to US Lilit Makunts met with Congressman Mark Green (R-Tennessee) on May 16. The interlocutors discussed the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the normalization of Armenia-Turkey relations.

ArmRadio

Henrikh Mkhitaryan draws international community's attention to the problem of captives held in Azerbaijan

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has taken his Instagram to share the news about the extension of the arrest period for the military-political leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh held in Azerbaijan. The former captain of the Armenian national football team and the Inter Milan midfielder took his Instagram photo to share.

Armenpress

Ambassador of Armenia to the Holy See presents credentials to His Holiness Pope Francis

The Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the Holy See Boris Sahakyan presented his credentials to His Holiness Pope Francis. Ambassador expressed gratitude for Pope Francis' support for Armenian Genocide. Pope Francis wished success to the newly appointed Ambassador in his mission.

Armenpress

Alen Simonyan addresses students' questions at the University of Geneva

Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, Alen Simonyan, met with the students of the University of Geneva. He answered the questions of students about domestic and foreign policy, inter-parliamentary and interstate negotiations.

Armenpress, Allen Simonyan and Sahiba Gafarova also in Geneva, The heads of the parliaments of Armenia and Azerbaijan met in Geneva, Armenian, Azerbaijani Parliament Speakers meet in Geneva, Armenian, Azerbaijani heads of parliament meet in Switzerland

Xi Jinping declared the need to create a new global security structure

President of China, Xi Jinping, believes that in order to settle the Ukrainian crisis, it is necessary to create a new effective structure for ensuring global security. The message says that the solution to any serious problem should be aimed at eliminating not only the symptoms, but also the root cause.

Armenpress

Reverend Bagrat met with ANC representatives

Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan met with representatives of Armenian National Congress (ANC) Four people from the ANC were present, including ANC vice-presidents Levon Zurabyan and Aram Manukyan. The first president of Armenia, ANC chairman Levon Ter-Petrosyan, was not present at the meeting.

CivilNet, Archbishop Galstanyan meets with Ter-Petrosyan’s ANC party, Archbishop Bagrat met with representatives of Levon Ter-Petrosyan's party

Renowned French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte presents two projects on Yerevan’s Cascade

Yerevan’s Mayor Tigran Avinyan visited the Paris office of Wilmotte & Associés Architectes and met with a renowned French architect. The mayor also presented a project seeking to renovate the Noragyugh quarter, located near the centre of the city.

ArkaAm

💵 Economy

Acba Bank to allocate 50 million euros for development of SMEs in Armenia

In cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Acba Bank will allocate a total of 50 million Euros for financing and development of small and medium-sized enterprises in Armenia. For the first time, the EBRD will share the risk of repayment of loans provided by a financial institution. This cooperation will further expand the financial support provided to SMEs.

ArkaAm, EBRD provides $10 million to Armeconombank toboost support for micro, small and medium-sized businesses in Armenia, EBRD assists Armenia to reduce energy dependence on third countries – President, Akba Bank will allocate 50 million euros to the development of SMEs in Armenia

The Armenian Diocese of Canada denies the financial abuses attributed to Bishop Bagrat

Presbytery of Armenian Diocese of Canada issued statement regarding financial abuses attributed to former leader of the Diocese, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan. Decision on administrative and financial matters of Diocese are made by Diocesan Council and not by the leader, so imputing misconduct to the leader is fabrication and slander.

CivilNet

🎭 Culture

Armenian, Turkish ministers emphasize cultural cooperation's role in the regulation of relations

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia Zhanna Andreasyan met the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. The ministers emphasized the importance of cultural cooperation between Armenia and Turkey.

Armenpress, Zhanna Andreasyan discussed the restoration of the Ani bridge with her Turkish counterpart

⚽ Sport

Armenian women's basketball player wins Kazakhstan club championship

Inga Manucharyan, a player of the national women's basketball team of Armenia, became the winner of the Kazakhstan club championship. The Armenian player scored 23 points, took possession of the rebounding ball 11 times and made 8 effective passes.

Armenpress

Armenian Chess Players Draw Matches in Sharjah Tournament

Chess players Shant Sargsyan, Manuel Petrosyan and Hayk Martirosyan continue their performances at the Sharjah Masters Masters tournament. Shant ended their matches in a draw in the 3rd round of the 7th tournament in the UAE.

Armenpress

Donations to Armenia:

Himnadram
ServicemenFund
Armenian Wounded Heroes
ArmeniaFund

Good afternoon everyone. I’m more or less posting this to obtain some advice and information regarding what to expect. I made the dumb decision to drive while I was clearly over the limit, which I fully accept responsibility for. This occurred early April. First thing I did was hire a lawyer, who is supposedly one of the best in the state based on numerous reviews. I blew a .17 and obviously failed the field sobriety tests. I was completely cooperative the entire time , didn’t cause an accident, no one in the car , haven’t had a violation or even a traffic ticket on my record for over almost 10 years. I was cited for reckless , and dui.
First thing my lawyer did was explain what is going on right now with dui cases drawing out for basically a year prior to an actual conviction, which I’m not sure if I’m happy about or makes me feel worse because we all obviously want to get back to our normal lives and are delaying the inevitable. He said all things considered he feels very confident that he may be able to work with the judge and get me to just recieve the interlock device for a number of months , obviously pay the fines and expenses and possibly minimal time in a course. That being said , I have read all the information about different tiers and what is the minimum to which he explained there are variables and each case is different , nothing is Guranteed and they can be worked around.
So my questions:
Do you think I have a good chance at beating a suspension and just receiving an interlock for maybe 7 months to a year?
How long can I expect to wait for a conviction ? Could it be sooner than a year?
Are you permitted to install the interlock voluntarily while your case is pending and have that count towards the time you would be convicted to have an interlock ? Or is that only for suspension credits?
Is there a potential for a low term interlock period like 3-6 months with a good enough lawyer?
How did that affect things such as dating or getting around from a to b with an interlock ? I’m sure it’s obviously embarrassing enough but what were your experiences? As dumb as it sounds I’m worried about the fact that this all said and done could be a 2 year process and I’m nervous to have to explain to someone if I get into a new relationship, “hey I know we just started dating but a year ago I got a dui and now I’m getting this lovely device in my car that I have to blow into every time to start it”
This is all still fresh for me so I’m still reeling with emotions from it so I apologize if some questions seem irrelevant.
Thanks for any advice and best wishes to you all whatever you’re going through!