So I'm a big fan of Goblin Slayer, and how the series is pretty much a lovesong to old school Dungeons & Dragons. And what I liked was the idea that some clerics from more peaceful gods started out with a blessed staff to help with their spellcasting. So in Pathfinder terms, her staff was her Divine Focus, necesarry for her spells to be used. Which honestly is already plenty thematic.
However, I looked up what would be closest to a "magic beginner staff", and the description of Staff of Blessed Relief fitted the theme the most: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/staves/staff-of-blessed-relief which has the following description: "This simple wooden staff is given to young clergy when they first set out into the world to spread the charity of their faith." However, this staff costs a wopping 7200 gold, so its description does not seem to match the theme that it is trying to convey.
So I had been considering an idea that might be fun for starting clerics and oracles: Namely grant them the option to start with a "Staff of Merciful Healing" (see below), however in exchange they start with only 40 gold. This way players will also be able to play into the whole "divine healer with her magic staff" theme.
Staff of Merciful Healing: 100 gold. This quarterstaff can be used as a Divine Focus by its wielder. Provided its wielder has at least 1 Rank in both Heal and Knowledge (planes), she receives a +2 competence bonus on Heal checks, and also gains the benefit (and limitation) of the Healer's Hands (Conduit) feat without actually needing to have that feat. If its wielder already has the Healer's Hands (Conduit) feat, she can add her Wisdom or Charisma modifer (whichever is higher) to the amount of hit points she restores when treating deadly wounds. If its wielder is an Oracle she can use her Charisma modifier instead of her Wisdom modifier when using the Heal skill. Its wielder only gains these previously mentioned benefits while not wielding a shield.
By spending 14,900 gold as part of a ritual she can grant this staff the benefits of a Staff of Healing https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/staves/staff-of-healing/ in addition to its original benefits, as if she had the Craft Staff (Item Creation) feat.

Hello,
I am working with an architect to draw my home plan for remodeling. They hired a structural engineer to do structural drawings. I found in the drawing, where wall is masonry is drawn as wooden wall, also, after review with my neighbor, he said certain wall may be supporting wall (since his home is similar). I told my architect, so he first told me to complete the permit he will fix it after the construction. I asked him since we know this, can he take a look and he told me to hire contractor at my expense to confirm. Does this sound right? What can I do?
Also, he has been delaying work and make simple mistake like having light switch on the hinge side of the entrance door. I asked him to change (first time after review the lighting plan), but he told me he will change after I sign off the structure.
Thanks

Greetings dear members of /Judaism,
I should start by saying that I am not Jewish but Catholic. Some time ago, I bought from a rabbi in Milan, my city, a highly detailed and commented edition of the Book of Genesis, containing Rashi's commentary, some rabbinical writings, and many other beautiful things.
In the first pages, I found a very interesting part, but it raised great perplexity and curiosity. I didn't find much information online, and I would like to know your opinion regarding these statements that I read (I have transcribed them in English here for you from Italian). I have highlighted some parts in bold and I would like to ask you what they really mean. What does it mean that "every word has seventy interpretations"? What does it mean that "it is possible to derive halakhot from the "crowns" of the letters"? They seem a bit like ravings to me, but I suppose these statements have practical implications. I would ask for further clarification, please. Thank you.
The text says:
“There are four general methods used in the study of the Khumash: peshat (simple meaning and explanation), remez (hint, such as acronyms and numerical values), derush (homiletic interpretation), and sod (kabbalistic secrets).
The term pardes (orchard) is used as an acronym for these four methods. The Zohar (Bereshit 47b) teaches: The Torah has seven faces, meaning there are seventy interpretations for every word and verse of the Khumash (Zohar III, page 83b).
The Talmud (Menakhot 29b) states that Rabbi Akiva derived many halakhot solely from the crowns on the letters in the Torah. Ramban and Rabbenu Bahya (Bereshit 12, 32) affirm that the form of the letters in the Torah, whether they are larger or smaller, deformed or inverted, serves to convey many halakhot and secrets. Furthermore, Rabbenu Bahya draws various teachings from a method applied to the Codes of the Torah, by which phrases and words are formed by combining the letters at fixed intervals.
In addition to the wealth of wisdom and secrets contained in the verses, words, and letters of the Torah, the Zohar (Yitro 87a) teaches that the entire Torah is constructed from the Names of God. The Names of Hashem are encoded through various configurations and groupings of the letters and words of the Torah; therefore, if a Torah scroll is missing a single letter, it is not kosher.
Through careful study of the Khumash, all the hidden mysteries of Creation and the universe can be understood. It is through this study that King Solomon, the wisest of men, attained knowledge of all disciplines.”

Hello everyone,
I'm not entirely sure this is possible but, thought I'd ask for ideas as I'm drawing up a blank in my research across the internet. I have a multi-user shared device that users use SAGE 50 Cloud Accounts on. (As a till, I know it's weird but, it is what it is.) The company folder is stored on a shared drive. I've setup the device as a shared machine as kiosk may cause me even more issues. (Though thinking about it at least the account name stays the same.)
I've tried mapping the drive manually through GP (hybrid joined) but, I can't figure out a way to grant the permission to the account on logon (as they're local, shpctac0ffee, shpctac0ffe, shpctac0fff01 etc.) each logon appears to generate a new account as well with no recycling.
In terms of InTune, I've tried this through a simple powershell script like:

$Username = $env:USERNAME $DriveLetter = "T" $NetworkPath = "\FS-01\sage$Username" New-PSDrive -Name $DriveLetter -PSProvider FileSystem -Root $NetworkPath 

But, then I still don't know how to grant the permissions to the drive on each logon.
This might just not be possible or it might be so janky a resolution that I'm unlikely to apply it to our customers enviornment, or it could even be that I've missed something silly while configuring the multi-user device but, I'm open to ideas.

"Why Did Jesus Die on the Cross?"

The main reason Jesus died on the cross was to defeat Satan and set us free from his oppressive rule. Everything else that Jesus accomplished was to be understood as an aspect and consequence of this victory (e.g., Recapitulation, Moral Influence, etc.).
This understanding of why Jesus had to die is called the Christus Victor (Latin for “Christ is Victorious”) view of the atonement. But, what exactly was Christ victorious from, and why? To find out the answers to these questions, we have to turn to the Old Testament, as that's what the apostles would often allude to in order to properly teach their audience the message they were trying to convey (Rom. 15:4).
The OT is full of conflict between the Father (YHVH) and false gods, between YHVH and cosmic forces of chaos. The Psalms speak of this conflict between YHVH and water monsters of the deeps (an ancient image for chaos) (Psa. 29:3-4; 74:10-14; 77:16, 19; 89:9-10; 104:2-9, etc).
The liberation of Israel from Egypt wasn’t just a conflict between Pharaoh and Moses. It was really between YHVH and the false gods of Egypt.
Regardless of whether you think the aforementioned descriptions are literal or metaphorical, the reality that the Old Testament describes is that humanity lived in a “cosmic war zone.”
The Christus Victor motif is about Christ reigning victorious over wicked principalities and Satan's kingdom, and is strongly emphasized throughout the New Testament. Scripture declares that Jesus came to drive out "the prince of this world” (John 12:31), to “destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8), to “destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14) and to “put all enemies under his feet” (1 Cor 15:25). Jesus came to overpower the “strong man” (Satan) who held the world in bondage and worked with his Church to plunder his "palace" (Luke 11:21-22). He came to end the reign of the cosmic “thief” who seized the world to “steal, and to kill, and to destroy” the life YHVH intended for us (John 10:10). Jesus came and died on the cross to disarm “the principalities and powers” and make a “shew of them openly [i.e., public spectacle]” by “triumphing over them in [the cross]” (Col. 2:15).
Beyond these explicit statements, there are many other passages that express the Christus Victor motif as well. For example, the first prophecy in the Bible foretells that a descendent of Eve (Jesus) would crush the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15). The first Christian sermon ever preached proclaimed that Jesus in principle conquered all YHVH's enemies (Acts 2:32-36). And the single most frequently quoted Old Testament passage by New Testament authors is Psalm 110:1 which predicts that Christ would conquer all YHVH’s opponents. (Psalm 110 is quoted or alluded to in Matthew 22:41-45; 26:64, Mark 12:35-37; 14:62, Luke 20:41-44; 22:69, Acts 5:31; 7:55-56, Romans 8:34, 1st Corinthians 15:22-25, Ephesians 1:20, Hebrews 1:3; 1:13; 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:11, 15, 17, 21; 8:1; 10:12-13, 1st Peter 3:22, and Revelation 3:21.) According to New Testament scholar Oscar Cullman, the frequency with which New Testament authors cite this Psalm is the greatest proof that Christ’s “victory over the angel powers stands at the very center of early Christian thought.”
Because of man's rebellion, the Messiah's coming involved a rescue mission that included a strategy for vanquishing the powers of darkness.
Since YHVH is a God of love who gives genuine “say-so” to both angels and humans, YHVH rarely accomplishes His providential plans through coercion. YHVH relies on His infinite wisdom to achieve His goals. Nowhere is YHVH's wisdom put more on display than in the manner in which He outsmarted Satan and the powers of evil, using their own evil to bring about their defeat.
Most readers probably know the famous story from ancient Greece about the Trojan Horse. To recap the story, Troy and Greece had been locked in a ten-year-long vicious war when, according to Homer and Virgil, the Greeks came up with a brilliant idea. They built an enormous wooden horse, hid soldiers inside and offered it to the Trojans as a gift, claiming they were conceding defeat and going home. The delighted Trojans accepted the gift and proceeded to celebrate by drinking themselves into a drunken stupor. When night came and the Trojan warriors were too wasted to fight, the Greeks exited the horse, unlocked the city gates to quietly let all their compatriots in, and easily conquered the city, thus winning the war.
Historians debate whether any of this actually happened. But either way, as military strategies go, it’s brilliant.
Now, there are five clues in the New Testament that suggest YHVH was using something like this Trojan Horse strategy against the powers when he sent Jesus into the world:
1) The Bible tells us that YHVH's victory over the powers of darkness was achieved by the employment of YHVH’s wisdom, and was centered on that wisdom having become reality in Jesus Christ (Rom. 16:25, 1 Cor. 2:7, Eph. 3:9-10, Col. 1:26). It also tells us that, for some reason, this Christ-centered wisdom was kept “secret and hidden” throughout the ages. It’s clear from this that YHVH's strategy was to outsmart and surprise the powers by sending Jesus.
2) While humans don’t generally know Jesus’ true identity during his ministry, demons do. They recognize Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah, but, interestingly enough, they have no idea what he’s doing (Mark 1:24; 3:11; 5:7, Luke 8:21). Again, the wisdom of YHVH in sending Jesus was hidden from them.
3) We’re told that, while humans certainly share in the responsibility for the crucifixion, Satan and the powers were working behind the scenes to bring it about (John 13:27 cf. 1 Cor. 2:6-8). These forces of evil helped orchestrate the crucifixion.
4) We’re taught that if the “princes of this world [age]” had understood the secret wisdom of YHVH, “they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Cor 2:8 cf. vss 6-7). Apparently, Satan and the powers regretted orchestrating Christ’s crucifixion once they learned of the wisdom of YHVH that was behind it.
5) Finally, we can begin to understand why the powers came to regret crucifying “the Lord of glory” when we read that it was by means of the crucifixion that the “handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us [i.e., the charge of our legal indebtedness]” was “[taken] out of the way [i.e., canceled]” as the powers were disarmed. In this way Christ “triumph[ed] over” the powers by "his cross” and even “made a shew of them openly” (Col. 2:14-15). Through Christ’s death and resurrection YHVH's enemies were vanquished and placed under his Messiah's feet, and ultimately His own in the end (1 Cor. 15:23-28).
Putting these five clues together, we can discern YHVH's Trojan Horse strategy in sending Jesus.
The powers couldn’t discern why Jesus came because YHVH's wisdom was hidden from them. YHVH's wisdom was motivated by unfathomable love, and since Satan and the other powers were evil, they lacked the capacity to understand it. Their evil hearts prevented them from suspecting what YHVH was up to.
What the powers did understand was that Jesus was mortal. This meant he was killable. Lacking the capacity to understand that this was the means by which YHVH would ultimately bring about the defeat of death (and thus, pave the road for the resurrection itself), they never suspected that making Jesus vulnerable to their evil might actually be part of YHVH's infinitely wise plan.
And so they took the bait (or "ransom"; Matt. 20:28, Mark 10:45, 1 Tim. 2:5-6). Utilizing Judas and other willing human agents, the powers played right into YHVH’s secret plan and orchestrated the crucifixion of the Messiah (Acts 2:22-23; 4:28). YHVH thus brilliantly used the self-inflicted incapacity of evil to understand love against itself. And, like light dispelling darkness, the unfathomably beautiful act of YHVH's love in sending the willing Messiah as a "ransom" to these blood-thirsty powers defeated them. The whole creation was in principle freed and reconciled to YHVH, while everything written against us humans was nailed to the cross, thus robbing the powers of the only legal claim they had on us. They were “spoiled [i.e., disempowered]” (Col. 2:14-15).
As happened to the Trojans in accepting the gift from the Greeks, in seizing on Christ’s vulnerability and orchestrating his crucifixion, the powers unwittingly cooperated with YHVH to unleash the one power in the world that dispels all evil and sets captives free. It’s the power of self-sacrificial love.

Why Penal Substitution Is Unbiblical

For the sake of keeping this already lengthy post as short as possible I'm not going to spend too much time on why exactly PSA (Penal Substitutionary Atonement) is inconsistent with Scripture, but I'll go ahead and point out the main reasons why I believe this is so, and let the reader look further into this subject by themselves, being that there are many resources out there which have devoted much more time than I ever could here in supporting this premise.

"Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:"-1 Corinthians 5:7

The Passover is one of the two most prominent images in the New Testament given as a comparison to Christ's atonement and what it accomplished, (the other most common image being the Day of Atonement sacrifice).
In the Passover, the blood of the lamb on the door posts of the Hebrews in the book of Exodus was meant to mark out those who were YHVH's, not be a symbol of PSA, as the lamb itself was not being punished by God in place of the Hebrews, but rather the kingdom of Egypt (and thus, allegorically speaking, the kingdom of darkness which opposed YHVH) was what was being judged and punished, because those who were not "covered" by the blood of the lamb could be easily identified as not part of God's kingdom/covenant and liberated people.
Looking at the Day of Atonement sacrifice (which, again, Christ's death is repeatedly compared to throughout the New Testament), this ritual required a ram, a bull, and two goats (Lev. 16:3-5). The ram was for a burnt offering intended to please God (Lev. 16:3-4). The bull served as a sin offering for Aaron, the high priest, and his family. In this case, the sin offering restored the priest to ritual purity, allowing him to occupy sacred space and be near YHVH’s presence. Two goats taken from "the congregation” were needed for the single sin offering for the people (Lev. 16:5). So why two goats?
The high priest would cast lots over the two goats, with one chosen as a sacrifice “for the Lord” (Lev. 16:8). The blood of that goat would purify the people. The second goat was not sacrificed or designated “for the Lord.” On the contrary, this goat—the one that symbolically carried the sins away from the camp of Israel into the wilderness—was “for Azazel” (Lev. 16:8-10).
What—or who—is Azazel?
The Hebrew term azazel (עזאזל) occurs four times in Leviticus 16 but nowhere else in most people's canon of the Bible, (and I say "most people's canon," because some people do include 1 Enoch in their canon of Scripture, which of course goes into great detail about this "Azazel" figure). Many translations prefer to translate the term as a phrase, “the goat that goes away,” which is the same idea conveyed in the King James Version’s “scapegoat.” Other translations treat the word as a name: Azazel. The “scapegoat” option is possible, but since the phrase “for Azazel” parallels the phrase “for YHVH” (“for the Lord”), the wording suggests that two divine figures are being contrasted by the two goats.
A strong case can be made for translating the term as the name Azazel. Ancient Jewish texts show that Azazel was understood as a demonic figure associated with the wilderness. The Mishnah (ca. AD 200; Yoma 6:6) records that the goat for Azazel was led to a cliff and pushed over, ensuring it would not return with its death. This association of the wilderness with evil is also evident in the New Testament, as this was where Jesus met the devil (Matt. 4:1). Also, in Leviticus 17:1-7 we learn that some Israelites had been accustomed to sacrificing offerings to "devils" (alternatively translated as “goat demons”). The Day of Atonement replaced this illegitimate practice.
The second goat was not sent into the wilderness as a sacrifice to a foreign god or demon. The act of sending the live goat out into the wilderness, which was unholy ground, was to send the sins of the people where they belonged—to the demonic domain. With one goat sacrificed to bring purification and access to YHVH and one goat sent to carry the people’s sins to the demonic domain, this annual ritual reinforced the identity of the true God and His mercy and holiness.
When Jesus died on the cross for all of humanity’s sins, he was crucified outside the city, paralleling the sins of the people being cast to the wilderness via the goat to Azazel. Jesus died once for all sinners, negating the need for this ritual.
As previously stated, the goat which had all the sin put on it was sent alive off to the wilderness, while the blood of the goat which was blameless was used to purify the temple and the people. Penal substitution would necessitate the killing of the goat which had the sin put on it.
Mind you, this is the only sacrificial ritual of any kind in the Torah in which sins are placed on an animal. The only time it happens is this, and that animal is not sacrificed. Most PSA proponents unwittingly point to this ritual as evidence of their view, despite it actually serving as evidence to the contrary, because most people don't read their Old Testament and don't familiarize themselves with the "boring parts" like Leviticus (when it's actually rather important to do so, since that book explains how exactly animal offerings were to be carried out and why they were done in the first place).
In the New Testament, Christ's blood was not only meant to mark out those who were his, but also expel the presence of sin and ritual uncleanness so as to make the presence of YHVH manifest in the believer's life. Notice how God's wrath isn't poured out on Christ in our stead on this view, but rather His wrath was poured out on those who weren't covered, and the presence of sin and evil were merely removed by that which is pure and blameless (Christ's blood) for the believer.
All this is the difference between expiation and propitiation.

The Content of Paul's Gospel Message

When the New Testament writers talked about “the gospel,” they referred not to the Protestant doctrine of justification sola fide–the proposition that if we will stop trying to win God’s favor and only just believe that God has exchanged our sin for Christ’s perfect righteousness, then in God’s eyes we will have the perfect righteousness required both for salvation and for assuaging our guilty consciences–but rather they referred to the simple but explosive proposition Kyrios Christos, “Christ is Lord.” That is to say, the gospel was, properly speaking, the royal announcement that Jesus of Nazareth was the God of Israel’s promised Messiah, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
The New Testament writers were not writing in a cultural or linguistic vacuum and their language of euangelion (good news) and euangelizomai would have been understood by their audience in fairly specific ways. Namely, in the Greco-Roman world for which the New Testament authors wrote, euangelion/euangelizomai language typically had to do with either A) the announcement of the accession of a ruler, or B) the announcement of a victory in battle, and would probably have been understood along those lines.
Let’s take the announcements of a new ruler first. The classic example of such a language is the Priene Calendar Inscription, dating to circa 9 BC, which celebrates the rule (and birthday) of Caesar Augustus as follows:
"It was seeming to the Greeks in Asia, in the opinion of the high priest Apollonius of Menophilus Azanitus: Since Providence, which has ordered all things of our life and is very much interested in our life, has ordered things in sending Augustus, whom she filled with virtue for the benefit of men, sending him as a savior [soter] both for us and for those after us, him who would end war and order all things, and since Caesar by his appearance [epiphanein] surpassed the hopes of all those who received the good tidings [euangelia], not only those who were benefactors before him, but even the hope among those who will be left afterward, and the birthday of the god [he genethlios tou theou] was for the world the beginning of the good tidings [euangelion] through him; and Asia resolved it in Smyrna."
The association of the term euangelion with the announcement of Augustus’ rule is clear enough and is typical of how this language is used elsewhere. To give another example, Josephus records that at the news of the accession of the new emperor Vespasian (69 AD) “every city kept festival for the good news (euangelia) and offered sacrifices on his behalf.” (The Jewish War, IV.618). Finally, a papyrus dating to ca. 498 AD begins:
"Since I have become aware of the good news (euangeliou) about the proclamation as Caesar (of Gaius Julius Verus Maximus Augustus)…"
This usage occurs also in the Septuagint, the Greek translations of the Jewish Scriptures. For instance LXX Isaiah 52:7 reads, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news (euangelizomenou), who publishes peace, who brings good news (euangelizomenos) of salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.'" Similarly, LXX Isaiah 40:9-10 reads:

"…Go up on a high mountain, you who bring good tidings (ho euangelizomenos) to Sion; lift up your voice with strength, you who bring good tidings (ho euangelizomenos); lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Ioudas, “See your God!” Behold, the Lord comes with strength, and his arm with authority (kyrieias)…."-NETS, Esaias 40:9-10

This consistent close connection between euangelion/euangelizomai language and announcements of rule strongly suggests that many of the initial hearers/readers of the early Christians’ evangelical language would likely have understood that language as the announcement of a new ruler (see, e.g., Acts 17:7), and, unless there is strong NT evidence to the contrary, we should presume that the NT writers probably intended their language to be so understood.
However, the other main way in which euangelion/euangelizomai language was used in the Greco-Roman world was with reference to battle reports, announcements of victory in war. A classic example of this sort of usage can be found in LXX 2 Samuel 18:19ff, where David receives word that his traitorous son, Absalom, has been defeated in battle. Euangelion/euangelizomai is used throughout the passage for the communications from the front.
As already shown throughout this post, the NT speaks of Jesus’s death and resurrection as a great victory over the powers that existed at that time and, most importantly, over death itself. Jesus’ conquest of the principalities and powers was the establishment of his rule and comprehensive authority over heaven and earth, that is, of his Lordship over all things (again, at that time).
This was the content of Paul's gospel message...

Justification, and the "New" Perspective on Paul

The following quotation is from The Gospel Coalition, and I believe it to be a decently accurate summary of the NPP (New Perspective on Paul), despite it being from a source which is in opposition to it:

The New Perspective on Paul, a major scholarly shift that began in the 1980s, argues that the Jewish context of the New Testament has been wrongly understood and that this misunderstand[ing] has led to errors in the traditional-Protestant understanding of justification. According to the New Perspective, the Jewish systems of salvation were not based on works-righteousness but rather on covenantal nomism, the belief that one enters the people of God by grace and stays in through obedience to the covenant. This means that Paul could not have been referring to works-righteousness by his phrase “works of the law”; instead, he was referring to Jewish boundary markers that made clear who was or was not within the people of God. For the New Perspective, this is the issue that Paul opposes in the NT. Thus, justification takes on two aspects for the New Perspective rather than one; initial justification is by faith (grace) and recognizes covenant status (ecclesiology), while final justification is partially by works, albeit works produced by the Spirit.

I believe what's called the "new perspective" is actually rather old, and that the Reformers' view of Paul is what is truly new, being that the Lutheran understanding of Paul is simply not Biblical.
The Reformation perspective understands Paul to be arguing against a legalistic Jewish culture that seeks to earn their salvation through works. However, supporters of the NPP argue that Paul has been misread. We contend he was actually combating Jews who were boasting because they were God's people, the "elect" or the "chosen ones." Their "works," so to speak, were done to show they were God's covenant people and not to earn their salvation.
The key questions involve Paul’s view(s) of the law and the meaning of the controversy in which Paul was engaged. Paul strongly argued that we are “justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law” (Gal. 2:16b). Since the time of Martin Luther, this has been understood as an indictment of legalistic efforts to merit favor before God. Judaism was cast in the role of the medieval "church," and so Paul’s protests became very Lutheran, with traditional-Protestant theology reinforced in all its particulars (along with its limitations) as a result. In hermeneutical terms, then, the historical context of Paul’s debate will answer the questions we have about what exactly the apostle meant by the phrase "works of the law," along with other phrases often used as support by the Reformers for their doctrine of Sola Fide (justification by faith alone), like when Paul mentions "the righteousness of God."
Obviously an in-depth analysis of the Pauline corpus and its place in the context of first-century Judaism would take us far beyond the scope of this brief post. We can, however, quickly survey the topography of Paul’s thought in context, particularly as it has emerged through the efforts of recent scholarship, and note some salient points which may be used as the basis of a refurbished soteriology.
[Note: The more popular scholars associated with the NPP are E.P. Sanders, James Dunn, and N.T. Wright. Dunn was the first to coin the term "The New Perspective" in a 1983 Manson Memorial Lecture, The New Perspective on Paul and the Law.]
Varying authors since the early 1900's have brought up the charge that Paul was misread by those in the tradition of Martin Luther and other Protestant Reformers. Yet, it wasn't until E.P. Sanders' 1977 book, Paul and Palestinian Judaism, that scholars began to pay much attention to the issue. In his book, Sanders argues that the Judaism of Paul's day has been wrongly criticized as a religion of "works-salvation" by those in the Protestant tradition.
A fundamental premise in the NPP is that Judaism was actually a religion of grace. Sander's puts it clearly:
"On the point at which many have found the decisive contrast between Paul and Judaism - grace and works - Paul is in agreement with Palestinian Judaism... Salvation is by grace but judgment is according to works'...God saves by grace, but... within the framework established by grace he rewards good deeds and punishes transgression." (Paul and Palestinian Judaism, p. 543)
N.T. Wright adds that, "we have misjudged early Judaism, especially Pharisaism, if we have thought of it as an early version of Pelagianism," (Wright, What Saint Paul Really Said, p. 32).
Sanders has coined a now well-known phrase to describe the character of first-century Palestinian Judaism: “covenantal nomism.” The meaning of “covenantal nomism” is that human obedience is not construed as the means of entering into God’s covenant. That cannot be earned; inclusion within the covenant body is by the grace of God. Rather, obedience is the means of maintaining one’s status within the covenant. And with its emphasis on divine grace and forgiveness, Judaism was never a religion of legalism.
If covenantal nomism was operating as the primary category under which Jews understood the Law, then when Jews spoke of obeying commandments, or when they required strict obedience of themselves and fellow Jews, it was because they were "keeping the covenant," rather than out of legalism.
More recently, N.T. Wright has made a significant contribution in his little book, What Saint Paul Really Said. Wright’s focus is the gospel and the doctrine of justification. With incisive clarity he demonstrates that the core of Paul’s gospel was not justification by faith, but the death and resurrection of Christ and his exaltation as Lord. The proclamation of the gospel was the proclamation of Jesus as Lord, the Messiah who fulfilled Israel’s expectations. Romans 1:3-4, not 1:16-17, is the gospel, contrary to traditional thinking. Justification is not the center of Paul’s thought, but an outworking of it:
"[T]he doctrine of justification by faith is not what Paul means by ‘the gospel’. It is implied by the gospel; when the gospel is proclaimed, people come to faith and so are regarded by God as members of his people. But ‘the gospel’ is not an account of how people get saved. It is, as we saw in an earlier chapter, the proclamation of the lordship of Jesus Christ….Let us be quite clear. ‘The gospel’ is the announcement of Jesus’ lordship, which works with power to bring people into the family of Abraham, now redefined around Jesus Christ and characterized solely by faith in him. ‘Justification’ is the doctrine which insists that all those who have this faith belong as full members of this family, on this basis and no other." (pp. 132, 133)
Wright brings us to this point by showing what “justification” would have meant in Paul’s Jewish context, bound up as it was in law-court terminology, eschatology, and God’s faithfulness to God’s covenant.
Specifically, Wright explodes the myth that the pre-Christian Saul was a pious, proto-Pelagian moralist seeking to earn his individual passage into heaven. Wright capitalizes on Paul’s autobiographical confessions to paint rather a picture of a zealous Jewish nationalist whose driving concern was to cleanse Israel of Gentiles as well as Jews who had lax attitudes toward the Torah. Running the risk of anachronism, Wright points to a contemporary version of the pre-Christian Saul: Yigal Amir, the zealous Torah-loyal Jew who assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin for exchanging Israel’s land for peace. Wright writes:
"Jews like Saul of Tarsus were not interested in an abstract, ahistorical system of salvation... They were interested in the salvation which, they believed, the one true God had promised to his people Israel." (pp. 32, 33)
Wright maintains that as a Christian, Paul continued to challenge paganism by taking the moral high ground of the creational monotheist. The doctrine of justification was not what Paul preached to the Gentiles as the main thrust of his gospel message; it was rather “the thing his converts most needed to know in order to be assured that they really were part of God’s people” after they had responded to the gospel message.
Even while taking the gospel to the Gentiles, however, Paul continued to criticize Judaism “from within” even as he had as a zealous Pharisee. But whereas his mission before was to root out those with lax attitudes toward the Torah, now his mission was to demonstrate that God’s covenant faithfulness (righteousness) has already been revealed in Jesus Christ.
At this point Wright carefully documents Paul’s use of the controversial phrase “God’s righteousness” and draws out the implications of his meaning against the background of a Jewish concept of justification. The righteousness of God and the righteousness of the party who is “justified” cannot be confused because the term bears different connotations for the judge than for the plaintiff or defendant. The judge is “righteous” if his or her judgment is fair and impartial; the plaintiff or defendant is “righteous” if the judge rules in his or her favor. Hence:
"If we use the language of the law court, it makes no sense whatsoever to say that the judge imputes, imparts, bequeaths, conveys or otherwise transfers his righteousness to either the plaintiff or the defendant. Righteousness is not an object, a substance or a gas which can be passed across the courtroom. For the judge to be righteous does not mean that the court has found in his favor. For the plaintiff or defendant to be righteous does not mean that he or she has tried the case properly or impartially. To imagine the defendant somehow receiving the judge’s righteousness is simply a category mistake. That is not how the language works." (p. 98)
However, Wright makes the important observation that even with the forensic metaphor, Paul’s theology is not so much about the courtroom as it is about God’s love.
Righteousness is not an impersonal, abstract standard, a measuring-stick or a balancing scale. That was, and still is, a Greek view. Righteousness, Biblically speaking, grows out of covenant relationship. We forgive because we have been forgiven (Matt. 18:21-35); “we love" because God “first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Love is the fulfillment of the law (Rom. 13:8, 10, Gal 5:14, Jam. 2:8). Paul even looked forward to a day when “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10), and he acknowledged that his clear conscience did not necessarily ensure this verdict (1 Cor. 4:4), but he was confident nevertheless. Paul did in fact testify of his clear conscience: “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation [i.e., behavior] in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward” (2 Cor. 1:12). He was aware that he had not yet “attained” (Phil. 3:12-14), that he still struggled with the flesh, yet he was confident of the value of his performance (1 Cor. 9:27). These are hardly the convictions of someone who intends to rest entirely on the merits of an alien righteousness imputed to his or her account.
Wright went on to flesh out the doctrine of justification in Galatians, Philippians, and Romans. The “works of the law” are not proto-Pelagian efforts to earn salvation, but rather “sabbath [keeping], food-laws, circumcision” (p. 132). Considering the controversy in Galatia, Wright writes:
"Despite a long tradition to the contrary, the problem Paul addresses in Galatians is not the question of how precisely someone becomes a Christian, or attains to a relationship with God….The problem he addresses is: should his ex-pagan converts be circumcised or not? Now this question is by no means obviously to do with the questions faced by Augustine and Pelagius, or by Luther and Erasmus. On anyone’s reading, but especially within its first-century context, it has to do quite obviously with the question of how you define the people of God: are they to be defined by the badges of Jewish race, or in some other way? Circumcision is not a ‘moral’ issue; it does not have to do with moral effort, or earning salvation by good deeds. Nor can we simply treat it as a religious ritual, then designate all religious ritual as crypto-Pelagian good works, and so smuggle Pelagius into Galatia as the arch-opponent after all. First-century thought, both Jewish and Christian, simply doesn’t work like that…. [T]he polemic against the Torah in Galatians simply will not work if we ‘translate’ it into polemic either against straightforward self-help moralism or against the more subtle snare of ‘legalism’, as some have suggested. The passages about the law only work — and by ‘work’ I mean they will only make full sense in their contexts, which is what counts in the last analysis — when we take them as references to the Jewish law, the Torah, seen as the national charter of the Jewish race." (pp. 120-122)
The debate about justification, then, “wasn’t so much about soteriology as about ecclesiology; not so much about salvation as about the church.” (p. 119)
To summarize the theology of Paul in his epistles, the apostle mainly spent time arguing to those whom he were sending letters that salvation in Christ was available to all men without distinction. Jews and Gentiles alike may accept the free gift; it was not limited to any one group. Paul was vehement about this, especially in his letter to the Romans. As such, I will finish this post off by summarizing the letter itself, so as to provide Biblical support for the premises of the NPP and for what the scholars I referenced have thus far argued.
After his introduction in the epistle to an already believing and mostly Gentile audience (who would've already been familiar with the gospel proclaimed in verses 3-4), Paul makes a thematic statement in 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” This statement is just one of many key statements littered throughout the book of Romans that give us proper understanding of the point Paul wished to make to the interlocutors of his day, namely, salvation is available to all, whether Jew or Gentile.
In 1:16 Paul sets out a basic theme of his message in the letter to the Romans. All who believed, whether they be Jew or Gentile, were saved by the power of the gospel. The universal nature of salvation was explicitly stated. The gospel saved all without distinction, whether Jew or Greek; salvation was through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Immediately after this thematic declaration, Paul undertakes to show the universal nature of sin and guilt. In 1:18-32 Paul shows how the Gentile is guilty before God. Despite evidence of God and his attributes, which is readily available to all, they have failed to honor YHVH as God and have exchanged His glory for idolatrous worship and self-promotion. As a consequence, God handed them over in judgment (1:18-32). Paul moves to denunciation of those who would judge others while themselves being guilty of the very same offenses (2:1-5) and argues that all will be judged according to their deeds (2:6). This judgment applies to all, namely, Jew and Greek (2:9-10). This section serves as somewhat of a transition in Paul’s argument. He has highlighted the guilt of the Gentiles (1:18ff) and will shortly outline the guilt of the Jew (2:17-24). The universal statement of 2:1-11 sets the stage for Paul’s rebuke of Jewish presumption. It was not possession of the Law which delivered; it was faithful obedience. It is better to have no Law and yet to obey the essence of the Law (2:12-16) than to have the Law and not obey (2:17-3:4). Paul then defends the justice of God’s judgment (3:5-8), which leads to the conclusion that all (Jew and Gentile) are guilty before God (3:9).
Paul argues that it was a mistaken notion to think that salvation was the prerogative of the Jew only. This presumption is wrong for two reasons. First, it leads to the mistaken assumption that only Jews were eligible for this vindication (Paul deals with this misunderstanding in chapter 4 where he demonstrates that Abraham was justified by faith independently of the Law and is therefore the father of all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike). Second, it leads to the equally mistaken conclusion that all who were Jews are guaranteed of vindication. Paul demonstrates how this perspective, which would call God’s integrity into question since Paul was assuming many Jews would not experience this vindication, was misguided. He did this by demonstrating that it was never the case that all physical descendants of Israel (Jacob) were likewise recipients of the promise. In the past (9:6-33) as in the present (at that time; 11:1-10), only a remnant was preserved and only a remnant would experience vindication. Paul also argued that the unbelief of national Israel (the non-remnant) had the purpose of extending the compass of salvation. The unbelief of one group made the universal scope of the gospel possible. This universalism was itself intended to bring about the vindication of the unbelieving group (11:11-16). As a result of faith, all (Jew and Gentile) could be branches of the olive tree (11:17-24). Since faith in Christ was necessary to remain grafted into the tree, no one could boast of his position. All, Jew and Gentile alike, were dependent upon the mercy and grace of God. As a result of God’s mysterious plan, He would bring about the vindication of His people (11:25-27). [Note: It is this author's belief that this vindication occurred around 66-70 AD, with the Parousia of Christ's Church; this author is Full-Preterist in their Eschatology.]

In computer science, a flowchart is a diagram that represents a process, algorithm, or system. It uses a set of standardized symbols to illustrate the sequence of steps involved in the process, making it easier to understand and communicate complex procedures. Flowcharts are commonly used in software development, systems engineering, and business process modeling.

Key Symbols in Flowcharts

1. Oval (Start/End):
   • Indicates the beginning and end points of a process.
   • Example: Start, End.
2. Rectangle (Process):
   • Represents a step in the process, usually an action or operation.
   • Example: Calculate total, Update record.
3. Parallelogram (Input/Output):
   • Denotes input to the system or output from the system.
   • Example: Enter data, Display results.
4. Diamond (Decision):
   • Shows a decision point in the process, with branches for different outcomes.
   • Example: Is the number > 10? Yes/No.
5. Arrow (Flow Line):
   • Indicates the direction of flow from one step to the next.
   • Example: Moves from "Start" to "Input Data".
6. Circle (Connector):
   • Used to connect parts of the flowchart that are not directly connected.
   • Example: Connects to another part of the diagram labeled "A".

Example of a Simple Flowchart

Let's create a simple flowchart for a process that checks if a number is even or odd:

1. Start
2. Input Number (Parallelogram)
3. Is Number % 2 == 0? (Diamond)
   • Yes: Output "Even" (Parallelogram)
   • No: Output "Odd" (Parallelogram)
4. End

Steps to Create a Flowchart

1. Identify the Process: Define the process you want to represent.
2. Determine the Steps: Break down the process into individual steps.
3. Select the Symbols: Choose appropriate symbols for each step.
4. Arrange the Steps: Organize the steps in logical order.
5. Draw the Flow Lines: Connect the symbols with arrows to show the flow.
6. Review and Refine: Check for accuracy and completeness.

Applications of Flowcharts

• Algorithm Development: Visualize algorithms to improve understanding and debugging.
• System Design: Represent systems or subsystems to communicate design and functionality.
• Process Documentation: Document business processes for analysis and optimization.
• Education and Training: Explain complex concepts in a simplified manner.

Advantages of Flowcharts

• Clarity: Provide a clear and easy-to-understand visualization of a process.
• Communication: Facilitate communication between stakeholders, including developers, managers, and non-technical team members.
• Problem Solving: Help identify bottlenecks, redundancies, and inefficiencies in processes.
• Documentation: Serve as useful documentation for maintenance and future development.

Flowcharts are a versatile tool in computer science and beyond, aiding in the visualization and communication of processes and systems

Hi all. Just wanted to try getting a narrowed down idea of my type. Feel free to comment your thoughts! Thanks!
• How old are you? What's your gender? Give us a general description of yourself.
I'm a 25 year-old male. I'm a diligent student and am living away from my home country for now 9 years. Ive spent those 9 years trying to understand the way the society works here and have adapted rather well, to the point where people can't tell I'm a foreigner. I'm pretty active, although it's more so activity for the sake of activity. As such, I'm kinda fit.
• Is there a medical diagnosis that may impact your mental stability somehow?
Yes. GAD and PTSD.
• If you had to spend an entire weekend by yourself, how would you feel? Would you feel lonely or refreshed?
I would have fomo if I were to see everyone else that I deem as friend doing something cool on socials. Then I would become resentful. However, I myself am perfectly okay being in my own company. I prefer it. That is not to say I don't like being with my frens. I would feel refreshed but there would come a point where I would feel as if I can't bear being so alone. Especially after long periods of time. However, I am accustomed to being alone and finding the joy in it. Like I said, I would resent the very sociable folks because I felt left out
• What kinds of activities do you prefer? Do you like, and are you good at sports? Do you enjoy any other outdoor or indoor activities?
I like activities that i can enjoy anywhere. Though i think this is because of how used to using a phone i am. Mobile gaming etc... is pretty neat. I like activities in which i can see a story unfold. Reading is one of them, iwas a huge reader as a kid. But i gravitate more so towards watching cool shows. However i much prefer shows and things that arent as popular because then people wont annoyingly yap about the surface level of the shows that we mutually have watched. Though I do like creative activities, like painting, I also like shopping and walking around. I like doing things that I feel are leading towards something grand. So, for instance, journaling and practicing a skill daily brings me some pleasure. I used to be a huge football fan until I realized how corrupt the sport was. I do like some sports though. I've always liked tossing and catching balls, playing with bouncy balls as a kid etc... I like skateboarding, though I haven't owned one in years.
• How curious are you? Do you have more ideas then you can execute? What are your curiosities about? What are your ideas about - is it environmental or conceptual, and can you please elaborate?
Quite curious. I'm sometimes out of touch with reality just entertaining my mental musings. I will be sat and thinking about some random topic or thing iused to hear about and then research it. I'll try to make sense of the world and the "why" behind things. For example; why do I have nightmares when it's cold? Why are xyz so unreasonable? Why am I so attached to this toy? Why don't people do instead of y? I feel like social media has influenced this process tho. Giving us random things to consume, it leads us to clicking on videos and articles that spark new interests so easily and quickly, so I'm unsure. Though I tend to want to know why certain things are happening or WHAT is happening. Especially if theres like a crown gasping at something, for instance.
• Would you enjoy taking on a leadership position? Do you think you would be good at it? What would your leadership style be?
i have taken leadership positions in the past, and I did well. I much prefer to appeal to the good nature of my "teammates" and encourage them to do a good job.however, I prefer to select my team. I do not want laziness or incompetence in my crew. So I will scan my options and choose who I will team up with. If I have options that are limited to not-so-skilled individuals, I will play a leadership role and do most of the thinking. Tho I don't enjoy it.
• Are you coordinated? Why do you feel as if you are or are not? Do you enjoy working with your hands in some form? Describe your activity?
i'm coordinated, yeah. I actually prefer situations where I can grasp the essence of a problem and use my hands. I prefer writing over reading, so I guess I like using my hands fo effect the mediums I work with. I used to want to be like a spy who is interacting with a bunch of gadgets and mobilizing himself towards a goal. My activity is usually at my own pace. I frequently try to finish tasks ahead of schedule because I want to spend more time lazing around and doing whatever I want. I tend to seek clarity in instructions I am given and sequentially take care of each piece of the task I am given. I recently started using to do lists because the workload became HUGE. I will, however, not compromise my comfort.
• Are you artistic? If yes, describe your art? If you are not particular artistic but can appreciate art please likewise describe what forms of art you enjoy. Please explain your answer.
i am. I am skilled with pencil shading and line art and do pretty well with colours and aesthetics. I know what I like and try to make something that appeals to me and is objectively nice. I tend to also make pieces that resonate with myself, so things that I like. I even sought to learn to draw faces to draw myself and my friends ad fantasy characters. I'm good with visual arts but I'm also a pretty good actor. I've always excelled at making accents and role playing. I like thinking of people in terms of the archetypes they fill and even portray my friends in memes
• What's your opinion about the past, present, and future? How do you deal with them?
The past, I have a love hate relationship with it. I made mistakes that I regret and have been through horrible things. But I do appreciate things from the past that bring me meaning. Certain flavors, sceneries, good memories. As for the present, I tend to be locked out of the present moment. I struggle to live in the moment and can seem rather weird. I think more about things than actually doing them. It feels like I play a character at any given moment for any given interaction tho. As for the future, I tend to find it weird. I want a better future and sometimes think, in a tight situation, "don't worry. Tomorrow this will be over." I love thinking that the future is open and that better days are ahead. I often wonder what it will feel like doing things ive never done. Absent of anxiety, that is. With anxiety, whole different story. "Tomorrow is bound to be worse than today" when anxious
• How do you act when others request your help to do something (anything)? If you would decide to help them, why would you do so?
i help those i'm cool with or at least neutral towards. If the individual is full of nonsense and lazy or offers no value in return, no way.
• How important is efficiency and productivity to you?
I've been lazy all mylifr and I never stopped hearing about it. So just to prove people wrong, I will move bricks and mountains. Whichever is important to a degree of thinking "less is more". Productivity is alright too, but at my own pace ofc
• What are your hobbies? Why do you like them?
i listen to music, journal, watch cartoons and movies, work out, walk, try to find ways to "fix" my life (my friends tell me this is what I do most), play games, try some good food, meditate (I tend to neglect this one), research interesting things, draw, accomplish a goal
• What is your learning style? What kind of learning environments do you struggle with most? Why do you like/struggle with these learning styles? Do you prefer classes involving memorization, logic, creativity, or your physical senses?
I hate classes with lots of aural input from a lecturer, If it triggers my misophonia.i prefer learning things practically. explanations will just have me needing to read more and try to focus on boring notes. Using my hands and brains is preferred. I score high in Kinesthetic for VARK tests. Oh, and visual. I prefer classes that involve logic, creativity and physical senses. I can memorize things but this is the most tedious learning style for me.
• How good are you at strategizing? Do you easily break up projects into manageable tasks? Or do you have a tendency to wing projects and improvise as you go?
I can strategise when needed. I weigh the task up first. If the task at hand is hard, I will break it down and dedicate more energy to it. Else, I'll just do what feels right. I even ignore instructions sometimes.
• What do the "highs" in your life look like?
The flavour of the world feels warm, with a tinge of coldness. I would feel as if my suffering paid off and I am nowhere except where I am supposed to be. That there is no rush and no need to care of what others think about me. Where I can just do what I deem best amd find a balance between stability and adventure
• What do the "lows" in your life look like?
Nightmares, hypichondriasis, overthinking, rumination, anxiety, panic, jealousy, having no autonomy
• How attached are you to reality? Do you daydream often, or do you pay attention to what's around you? If you do daydream, are you aware of your surroundings while you do so?
I daydream quite a lot. But I will still feel what's around me enough to get somewhere where I can be in my head in peace. XD
• Imagine you are alone in a blank, empty room. There is nothing for you to do and no one to talk to. What do you think about?
I like empty rooms, especially if they used to be lively and full of people in past events. Goes to show that no matter what happens, some things remain. I would think of what life would be like if I were to live here forever. I would also be reminded of that meme where there's just a futon, a screen, a fridge and a katana: "all men need to be happy". If the room has no windows or doors, I'd be scared. Assuming it has windows and a door, I would look outside, eventually. How big is the room? If it's a HUUUUGE empty hall, that's so cool. I'd walk around and imagine myself in some great elvish building and maybe even lie down to see the roof. I even dreamt of such a building before, hexagon shaped cross section.
• How long do you take to make an important decision? And do you change your mind once you've made it?
I take a bloody long time to decide on anything important. For instance, i took 4 hours to decide what race my DnD character would be. Once I've made my decision, I will not regret it unless it goes wrong
• How long do you take to process your emotions? How important are emotions in your life?
I have always tended to act on emotion but i have been more balanced in the past 4 years. I regulate them to not make a mess and use them to deem what I will and will not tolerate in the future. I enjoy expressing them
• Do you ever catch yourself agreeing with others just to appease them and keep the conversation going? How often? Why?
No. Cause that's fake. If I don't agree, I'll just say "cool" and move on. Why talk if I'm going to say what YOU want to hear? I must say what I want to say.
• Do you break rules often? Do you think authority should be challenged, or that they know better? If you do break rules, why?
Yeah, but I often get told that what I'm doing isn't right and then I just get mad at the person that told me that. "No sir you can't wear shoes in this room" I'll think cwell, screw you too!" Besides that, I often follow the rules of any given institution well enough.

Wade held Jasmine in his arms as he flew a low height down the long road to another section of the staryard, Tina on his back and Nathan and F right behind them in the air. Together, the five glided across the base grounds, taking care as to not irritate the aerial security during their search for the meeting room. Being outside for the flight, the group considered it a blessing that Wade's 'enhanced cooling unit' allowed his body to tolerate the breaching sun in the still cloudy sky, which, according to F, was dangerous to drones like her due to the inefficient cooling she and disassembly drones like her suffered from. Given F's physical fault, she had to fly under shady areas in order to safely traverse the base at day.
Originally, Wade and his friends had planned to walk to the meeting zone, but after running into a trooper experiencing a health mishap, the group did what they could to help the distressed officer. By the time he was brought to the medical ward by other soldiers, Wade found that him and his team would be at least a few minutes late if they kept on their way with their walk.
Deciding to speed things up, Wade, understanding the concern for performing such an effort, opted to carry the Fowleys around the base to the meeting area. Reluctantly, F decided to come along, carrying Nathan in a similar manner that Wade was carrying Jasmine. Taking notice of the time on his HUD, which read, "9:47 AM", Wade scouted for the building he and his friends were directed to. "8072" He said to himself, the number being for the building that would house the imminent meeting.
"They said it was down here, right?" Wade asked aloud to Tina before stopping himself in mid-air, the girl holding onto him tightly as he tried to speak over the growing sound of a retrofit Apache flying overhead.
Looking about, Tina nodded as she spotted the target building. "Yes, I believe that's the one over there!" Pointing past his head, Wade followed her finger to a large building ahead at his right. The structure was moderately tall, only about two stories high, with several soldiers and officers going in and out of the building. Wade smiled as he noticed the target number, as well as the big, bold words describing the building's designation. "8072, Briefing Center B"
"Good eye, honey. Hang on!" Continuing his low glide, Wade zoomed towards the building's entrance before stopping just meters above the ground, his two friends close behind as they slowed down as well. The troopers around them initially looked startled by the sudden arrival of Wade and his group, but quickly regained their composure as Wade hovered still above them.
"At ease! Just visitors." One of the soldiers declared as they identified the newcomers, who touched down before Wade let Jasmine down to her feet, Tina hopping onto the ground along with her.
Putting his hands up, Wade apologized for his swift surprise. "Sorry for the scare, we got delayed for a meeting we're invited to."
The soldier gave an understanding nod as he replied to the former worker drone sternly. "I can see that, just be a bit more careful next time, Mr. Carter. You gave the boys here quite a scare."
Wade returned the gesture in embarrassment as F put a hand to his back, chuckling at his efforts as Tina questioned the officer. "Is Mrs. J in there? She's the one who called for us."
The guard gave his reply as Wade and Tina pulled out their IDs for clearance. "Yes she is, Miss. The meeting's set to begin in under ten minutes." Checking the two drones' IDs, Jasmine and the others pulled out theirs as well, the watchman motioning another trooper over to verify the group. Once the guard finished checking the five's cards, he nodded in approval as the watchman spoke once more. "You're clear to enter."
"Thank you Sir, again, sorry about that spook back there." Wade replied with a smile as the trooper gave one of his own, the disassembly drone and his allies making their way towards the office door before stopping upon the call of a voice.
"Hey, Felice!" Wade turned to find the origin of the voice, F doing the same as the two quickly spotted a quartet of soldiers walking excitedly towards F. The disassembly drone glanced to her friends with a smile before turning back to the approaching entourage.
Wade examined the four troops as they got closer: Two human men, one woman, and a male worker drone. One of the male soldiers had short, blonde hair, and a small scar to the right side of their face. The second man bore a tan skin tone and had black hair, with blue strips that went down slightly in a mullet style. The woman bore a set of long, dark green hair, with the hair going down and over her left shoulder. As for the worker drone, he wore the standard green soldier helmet, single eye visor and all. He had no hair on him from what Wade could tell, and bore a pair of whiteish purple eyes on his visor.
As F walked over to the soldiers, the same one that called to her spoke again. "Felicity, I didn't expect to see you around here today! Where you been?"
The girl soldier interrupted his initial chatter. "Hang on Carlos, do you even know if she remembers us?"
"Aye, don't she have one o' them memory locks, or sumthin?" The drone added in a heavy Scottish accent.
F waved her hand as she replied to the group. "Easy, everyone. Thankfully I still got my memories, courtesy of my technician back at Central." Lowering her hand, F let down her usual persona as she gave a wide smirk to the soldiers, clearly pleased to see them. "Good to see you guys around here."
The soldiers gave light cheers to F as they all embraced her, the group having a surprise reunion as Wade and the others watched in surprise. These must've been F's old colleagues from when she was in the service, Wade thought. Quite the coincidence for them to be here at this base of all places.
Not bothering with the convenience of the matter, Wade shook the thought off as he and his friends watched F and her old friends breaking the hug, Tina wrapping an arm around her boyfriend as the second male human spoke to her in what the two discerned as Spanish. "Ay, who your new friends, F?"
"Oh, these guys?" F replied in the same language, quietly startling Wade and the others as they had never heard her speak like that until now. Glancing over to Wade, F motioned him and the others to come over. "Everyone, these are some friends I made in the past few days. Wade, Nathan, Tina, and Jasmine." She pointed her hand to the four as she said each of their names. "I met the boys here during my time on Ceres. Jasmine and Tina here are sisters."
The four soldiers gave various forms of excitement, ranging from hearty laughs to low woops and even a whistle from one of the guys. As F stood next to her old teammates, they each introduced themselves to Wade and his friends. The blonde soldier went first. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you all, name's Carlos, Lieutenant Marksman."
"I'm Private Alvaros, good with close-range and stealth operations." Said the tan soldier with a salute.
"Sergeant Lucia Vasquez, usually the one who leads this bunch around these days." The female warrior stated with a humorous smirk.
"And Corporal Duncan Wallace, at your service!" The soldier drone stated proudly as he saluted to the bunch in front of him, who gave warm smiles as Wade shook his hand.
"Quite honored to meet you all, seems you have quite the history with F." The former worker drone said as Carlos patted F on her back.
"Oh, we do! She's the one who took charge when we didn't! Did you all hear of the Pasting of Nola VI?" Jasmine and Tina gave nods of affirmation while Wade, not as familiar with such history, held his hand up in a questioning manner.
"I think, wasn't that the battle where the Navy just barely held the outpost in that system? From the Stryker Clan?" Wade asked as Carlos nodded approvingly to him.
"That's right, and if Felice weren't there, WE would've been the ones getting pasted!" Carlos' statement brought victorious cheers and "oorahs" from the group, F letting a blush loose as she chuckled at her team's praise of her efforts.
"Well, that's not wrong." Although she didn't want to break off from her friends and discuss the past few years since they'd last met, F remembered the briefing. Clearing her throat, she continued. "And as much as I'd like to chat about the good times, I've been called to a meeting here, as have Wade and his crew."
The soldier group gave understanding looks to F as Lucia spoke up. "Thought so, Carl here was real eager to see you, though."
"Maybe we can talk after the meeting?" Nathan proposed as the soldiers collectively nodded in agreement, F readying a smartcomm attachment before turning to face her friends again.
"We're probably getting low on time, you all go in, I'll catch up in a sec." Wade nodded in acknowledgement before taking Tina's hand, the lover drones continuing towards the briefing center as Jasmine and Nathan followed behind them.
Passing through the door, the four guests observed a short hallway, which seemed to split into two paths as they came closer to the other end. Looking to a sign on the wall above, they saw arrows pointing to two separate areas, "Primary Briefing Room; Main Lobby + Secondary & Tertiary" Going to the right, they entered the moderately active lobby, several officers walking and standing about in mass chatter. Walking over to the desk up against the wall to their left, Wade and his group waved a hand to the occupying attendant.
"Welcome, what do you need?" The desk attendant asked as Tina raised a finger to reply.
"We're here for a meeting, Mrs. J called us here."
The attendant nodded in understanding before directing an arm towards the other end of the room, where a single door stood. "She should be in the second briefing room down that way."
"Thank you." Tina replied warmly before she and Wade began walking towards the door, their friends behind them as they proceeded into the room.
The room beyond the door was quite sizable, a large circular table occupying the middle with several chairs surrounding it. The walls went up a few meters, with four whiteish blue lights illuminating the room. On the wall opposite to Wade and Tina were three monitor screens, all of which showed the USN in bright blue. In several of the seats were faces both familiar and unfamiliar, several men and women in varying styles of uniforms conversing about quietly or taking notice of the recent visitors. Standing up near the monitors were three people: A decorated officer whom Tina identified as a ship captain, and the so-called operatives, Tessa, albeit as a hologram, and J.
Walking slowly into the room, Wade gave a low wave of his hand as he tried to hide his nervousness. Noticing his shyness in front of the officers, Tina held his hand and rubbed his arm comfortingly while returning a pleasant smile to the staff in the room.
"Ah, Wade, Tina. Glad to see you all here." J stated with a smile as she scanned the group, raising a digital eyebrow as she noticed one missing guest. "Or, most of you, I see. Did F run off somewhere?"
Wade shook his head as he replied to his fellow disassembly drone. "Oh, no. She just ran into some old friends, she should be back-"
"Right now." F finished aloud as she entered the room, seemingly having heard Wade speaking about her absence. The warrior drone fast walked to Wade's team, taking a seat near them as they prepared to do the same. "Not too late, are we?"
"Not at all." The standing officer answered as the group took their seats, Wade and Tina sitting next to each other as they got comfortable. The captain examined the lot for a moment, glancing to J as he asked about them. "So, these are the ones you helped rescue from the Mojave?"
"Yes Captain, and they helped us out greatly in turn. This is Wade Carter, one of the captured drones whom became a disassembly drone before we could mount the rescue. The luckiest one, if you ask me." Motioning her arm over the others, she continued. "And there's his girlfriend, Mrs. Tina Fowley, and her sister Jasmine." Smirking to F and Nathan, she finished her friends' introductions. "And these two are Serial Designation F and Mr. Nathan, whom I've heard were once under your ranks."
The military captain gave a welcoming smile to the five as they returned the gesture, eyeing F and Nathan specifically before speaking to them. "Indeed they were, we still have records on their contributions to the colonies." Eyeing F, he continued. "Though, in Mrs. F's case, I won't blame her if she doesn't remember us. We've been very well aware of JCJenson's 'memory suppression' protocols when it comes to their DDs."
F laid back in her seat with a smug look as she replied to her former superior. "Well, my friend on the station's a good tech gal. She's... waived that hindrance from me."
"I see, that means your still with us, am I right, Mrs. Lee?" Unlike her friends next to her, F was not startled by her original name being said aloud, rather smiling proudly as she saluted to the captain. "Good to see you again."
"Pleased to be here, Sir." F replied as she lowered her arm, glancing to her companions next to her as J spoke up.
"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Captain Preston Mitchell, commander of the USNV Vickers down at the stardock."
Wade gave a respectful salute to Preston as he spoke first. "It's an honor to meet you, Sir."
"Thank you, Mr. Carter. I've heard about your efforts from J, you did an admirable job back there, son." Wade failed to hide an embarrassed blush from the compliment, but it quickly faded as a beep sounded from a small device on the table. It was swiftly silenced by the captain as he tapped a button on the small, pyramid shaped timer, then facing Wade's group before continuing. "Though, as much as we could use some small talk, it'll have to wait till later."
"Indeed, we're running late at this point." Said another officer, a highly decorated member of the base with dark skin, dark grey hair and a thin beard. He immediately won the attention of everyone in the room as he spoke up. "I'm General Hugh Hood, overseer of this base. I'm certain you know some of the reasons you're here with us, correct?"
Wade nodded as he spoke to Hood. "Yeah, it's cause of those rogue agents from the JCJenson corporation." Glancing to J, the corporate drone nodded in affirmation before speaking herself.
"Tessa and I spent the last hours of yesterday evening clearing up the matter with General Hood, along with several other officials stationed here." She stopped as the middle monitor behind her flashed with a banner at the top, reading, "INCOMING TRANSMISSION", and in place of the USN emblem was a textless version of the JCJenson logo. Below the profile image was another two lines of text. "N. Jenson (Company Exec); Comms Source: Yottrite IV"
"And also told our boss about what happened here too, he wanted to give his say on this ordeal." Looking to the general, J asked him, "May I put him on?"
Hood only gave a nod of approval to the corporate drone before she picked up a remote on the table and tapped a button, accepting the call as the picture shifted to show a middle-aged man in a pristine-looking business suit on the screen.
Wade and Tina glanced to each other before J introduced their guest on the screen. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the CEO of JCJenson: Mr. Noor Jenson."
Jenson gave a pleased nod to his subordinate as he spoke to J. "Thank you for the pleasantries, J. I see we are ready to discuss our plans on dealing with this 'recall' disaster I've bore witness to on the news this morning?"
J nodded as she replied to her boss. "Indeed, I've explained to General Hood here about our efforts yesterday, and, as of recent, we've just received a message from a source we believe to be close to the company."
Mr. Jenson looked down to J attentively as he spoke to her. "Well, that's quite intriguing news, J. Do you have this message available for us to view?" J and Hood both nodded in affirmation, but didn't get an immediate reply as Jenson gazed to Wade and his friends. "...And I presume these are some of the drones rescued from one of the factories?"
Again, J nodded to her superior before explaining her colleagues. "Yes Mr. Jenson, the two drones at the front in particular were among those taken by the Administrator and their subordinates." Pointing an arm to Wade and Tina, she introduced the drone couple. "The disassembly drone here is Mr. Wade Carter, a brother to his-technically speaking-owner, the late Ron Carter. The latter helped us recover Wade during an initial raid inside the Nevada facility." When bringing up Ron, J gave an apologetic look to Wade as to show she did not mean to be offending on him and his brother's relationship. "And this is his romantic partner, Mrs. Tina Fowley. I heard she and her sister Jasmine are pilots."
Jenson looked over the two drones as his obedient employee described them to him, quietly sighing as Wade and Tina returned the gaze with nervous smiles. Once J finished, Jenson spoke to Wade. "I... would say it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Carter. But, given recent events, I don't hold fault to you for feeling frustrated at me for my... former subordinate's actions."
Wade shook his head lightly, taking Jenson's light apology with a faint smile as he replied to the CEO. "Actually, I don't. The only person I have such feelings put towards is," He hesitated for a moment, his anger at Dr. Halloway returning for a short moment before he eased himself. "..That bastard Halloway."
"The feeling's mutual, Mr. Carter. Dr. Halloway has been trying my patience for years now, especially with you and your fellow disassembly drones." Looking to J, then F, he returned his gaze to Wade before questioning him on his new body. "I don't know if J has told you of this, but if there's one truth my company has admittedly not held up to for a while, it's our quality. Recently, some of my research staff here made blueprints for an upgraded variant of the disassembly drone design. It's intended to fix several faults we expected to be nonexistent previously, most notably that atrocious cooling unit."
As a schematic pulled up on the left monitor, everyone glanced to the improved design before F spoke up about it. "If I may ask, Mr. Jenson, how big of an improvement is this new cooling unit supposed to be?"
"Good question, F. Frankly, it's supposed to do away with the issue entirely. Saves us from sacrificing enormous supplies of oil for the poorly built unit in the previous iterations. We even tested it with a repaired drone just a few days ago, and it worked flawlessly." Then, glancing to Wade again, he questioned the former worker drone on his new form. "Speaking of, how does your enhanced body feel, Mr. Carter? I'm certain it feels better to not have to-"
"Actually, Mr. Jenson," Wade interrupted, pulling out one of his canteens as he answered the CEO on his upgrades. "I guess Halloway changed up the blueprints, cause unfortunately this new cooling unit didn't cure the overheating problem. I... kinda learned that the hard way." Wade glanced to Tina apologetically, still feeling bad from her seeing him eat the corpse of the dead murder drone back at the factory.
The corporate CEO grimaced in frustration as he took in Wade's statement, already intolerant of the head researcher's actions as he replied. "...I was worried about that, Edgar always likes to run things his own way, making excuses for that 'Administrator' he watches over." Taking an agitated breath, he continued on with his spew on the two culprits of yesterday's events. "It was only because of all the very impressive creations and enhancements she and her research team provided that I tolerated them for so long, but this..." Sitting up straight in front of the camera, Jenson finished sternly. "J said the Administrator... Cyn, I believe? She was apparently something worse than we presumed originally, and I'm very inclined to believe so after yesterday."
"As well as the program tied to the Administrator, the AbsoluteSolver." J clarified before receiving an agreeing nod from Mr. Jenson, standing corrected on his placing of blame.
Raising a hand, Nathan asked about the supposed plans. "Yeah, about this "Solver Project", what do we plan to do about that?"
"Good question, Nate." Tessa replied as she crossed her arms before looking to Jenson and beginning her explanation. "Initially, we were going to investigate the other factories spread across Earth in order to get some more info on the Administrator before things get worse. But, just this morning, it seems someone else saved us the trouble." Just as Tessa neared the end of her sentence, J held up the remote again, tapping a few buttons before the left monitor shifted to show a slightly grainy video onscreen.
The video only showed a single being, a worker drone, dressed in a chrome suit and bearing a set of yellow eyes. Behind them was what appeared to be a vacant room, a few shelves holding many books within them standing still in the back. The drone's visage indicated they were filled with immense anxiety, terrified of being caught as they spoke quietly to the camera.
"I can only hope someone gets this in time, they're gonna be on me once they find out the transmitter screens are down!" Turning the camera, he showed what appeared to be a large factory room, several more of the mysterious conveyor belts like at the factory slotted next to each other. It was hard to discern every detail due to not only the window reflection, but also the dark lighting in the inactive conveyor room. Filming the room beyond, the drone continued. "Dr. Halloway's a madman, he's got more of those stolen drones being brought here and he's going to be overseeing it in the afternoon tomorrow! I've seen what happened back in Nevada, I can't take this any longer! I'm at coordinates ##.######, -###.###### Please, send someo-"
The suspicious, partially scrambled transmission immediately cut off to static, leaving Wade, Tina, and their friends with confused expressions as Tessa spoke up. "Yeah, that caught me by surprise too."
"So, that guy says they got more drones being sent 'there', but... where is there, exactly?" Jasmine asked with immense curiosity.
"I was hoping you'd ask that, Mrs. Fowley." The technician replied as she glanced to J, who tapped a few more buttons on the remote before speaking over her boss-friend.
"While the transmission itself isn't much to work off of, our friends from Comms over here managed to intercept the signal earlier, and even better, discern where it originated from." As J started her explanation, the screen shifted once more to show a large city, with one skyscraper highlighted in red as it was zoomed towards on the screen. "That scrambled audio wasn't a simple glitch, it was intentionally done so as to hide key information for us to uncover. Upon cleaning up the message, we managed to recover a set of coordinates, which direct to this structure here, in San Francisco."
Wade and his friends stared at the building in shock, examining the tall structure as it stood over the shorter buildings in the city. Tina broke the silence in her gaze. "So, this is another factory? It looks... terribly different from the one we got out of."
"Not exactly, Mrs. Fowley." Mr. Jenson answered, Tina and the others looking to him as he continued. "THAT is the Administrator's main laboratory, its location was kept on the down low so other authorities and terrorist groups wouldn't find out what the buildings true purpose was." Sighing, Jenson completed his reply. "But, with this recent mistake of Halloway's, that place has lost all purpose for us at the company."
Wade raised a hand to speak. "So, we're going to pounce on that place? Get Halloway before he runs off again?"
"Exactly." General Hood replied as he looked up to Mr. Jenson. "This whole 'recovery/recruitment' effort has gotten out of hand all across Sol. We've gotten countless reports of people being killed because of this, be it the brutal robberies here in Nevada or the bloodbath on Ceres. Even if Mr. Jenson refuses to cooperate, this has become a dire matter for us now. One way or another, this insanity will be stopped with due haste."
The CEO nodded in acknowledgement before explaining his own plans for the mission. "Speaking of cooperation, upon seeing what was happening at Earth, I ordered a detachment of our corporate starships in orbit at the time to depart for Sol in order to help with investigating the situation. They're not warships, but they are well-armed. I'll dispatch them to your authority upon concluding this call." Glancing to Wade and his team for a moment, Jenson continued. "As for the mission, I may not have much of a say, but let it be known that you have my blessing to do whatever it takes to end this madness. I don't care what you do with Halloway or any of his lackeys, or what happens to that facility down there... I want that program shut down."
"Thank you for the extra hands, Mr. Jenson. We'll make sure this Administrator is dealt with." Hood replied gratefully as Wade sat firm in his seat, Tina and the others following suite.
"General?" The former worker drone said aloud, catching Hood's attention before he made his request. "I know I'm not a soldier, but I want to help with dealing with Halloway and his grunts. After what he did, after losing my brother, I can't rest until I see that man stopped."
Tina raised a finger as well. "As do I, Wade could use a hand with those people, and given how we did during our escape run out of that place, I think the two of us make quite the duo." She glanced to Wade with a smirk as she referenced their combat prowess when flying together.
Nathan and F stood up before the latter gave her own request. "Sir, I wish to take part in this mission as well. I can also recommend Wade for you too, as I fought alongside him during the factory raid."
"Wouldn't mind giving a hand myself! And I'm sure my pal Kurtis would love to help, he's here at the base too!" Nathan added with a confident smirk, the group's determination encouraging Jasmine to stand up as well.
"I'd like to help too." She stated simply, a smile on her face as the general and his companions observed the five guests.
Admittedly, Hood knew it would be a bit absurd to allow these people to take part in an operation which would certainly involve bloodshed, especially considering most of them merely had civilian status at the moment. But, upon careful evaluation of the five, their desire to see this problem dealt with, and the fact that some of them had experience on the field...
He paused his train of thought as Captain Mitchell spoke to him. "General? I read up on the Fowleys' files when we recovered Mrs. Jasmine here, they provided service in their early careers." He smirked to the pilot sisters as he finished adding his say. "And to be frank, we need more people like them here. The records we have of them showed them to be damn fine pilots."
Tina blushed at the praise from Mitchell as she spoke to the general. "That is true, we uh... did get discharged for our... 'fancy maneuvering'."
"Sir?" Jasmine said, the general's attention on her as she added to the conversation. "Even if our flying is a bit out of protocol, Tina saved a lot of people on that starjet a few days back. I can promise you, she's an excellent woman to have at the wheel."
Glancing to Wade again, Hood took in his face, one of begging desperation as he spoke once more. "Please, Sir. My brother, the troops he brought from the Coalition, Halloway's gotten them all killed cause of this. I want to do this. I HAVE to do this, at least for them."
The good general took a deep, quiet breath, considering his decision once more before finally revealing it to Wade and his friends. "Mr. Carter, Fowleys? I'm probably making myself a fool for saying this, but you're permitted to assist us in this mission."
The drone couple contained their gratefulness in the form of ecstatic grins as Wade replied to the general. "Thanks, General. We won't let you down."
"And Mrs. Lee?" Hood said as he glanced to F, who returned the gesture as he told her, "You're technically under Mr. Jenson's authority, whatever his answer is, it's mine as well."
Bringing her yellow-orange eyes to her CEO, F awaited Mr. Jenson's answer. "F, yes? I heard Mr. Hood call you by a different name just now, I assume you have some experience with the army?"
The warrior drone nodded as she explained herself. "I once inherited the name of Felicity Lee, Mr. Jenson. I served under the USN Defense Forces before joining the DD Division." Then, glancing to the military staff near her, she finished with, "I had hoped to provide my enhancements to the Force one day."
Jenson gave a hint of a proud smile as he finally gave his decision. "Well, it seems you'll finally get that chance. From now on, even after this mission on Earth is over with, you're hereby dispatched to serve under the USN."
F admittedly couldn't hide her excited smirk as she flung a salute to her now former boss. "Thank you Sir!"
Looking up to Jenson, General Hood asked the CEO, "Mr. Jenson, how long until your ships can reach Earth?"
Jenson glanced down at his communication console as he answered the military leader. "At max speed, their Ion drives should be able to bring them into orbit in as little as one to two days. I believe there should be some ships within the system that could help as well."
"Signal them when you can, Mr. Jenson. We could use all the help we can get from them." The CEO nodded to Hood as he stood firmly to the viewer, the general turning to face Wade and his colleagues. "And Mr. Carter? We'll be mobilizing our forces immediately after this meeting concludes. It'll be a minute, but I want you to gather whatever items and belongings you'll need for this operation. Be ready to head to the flight pads in no more than three hours."
"Understood Sir!" Wade said with a salute, Tina, Jasmine and Nathan giving their own as Jasmine raised a finger.
"What about the area around the lab? That place looks like it's in the middle of the city."
J raised a finger as she told Jasmine and the others about their resolution of the civilian obstacle. "Shortly after reporting our findings on the transmission, Hood told us that they were sending in some teams to clear out the civilian population within several miles of the facility. Once we get there, it should be of no concern."
Jasmine sighed in relief as Tina spoke up. "So the people should be safe from any sort of danger?"
"Correct, Mrs. Tina." Preston answered before continuing. "Given the resistance Halloway and his men showed during the Coalition's raid, they most certainly won't hold back there."
"One more thing, Sir." Nathan asked. "The Coalition's going to help us out with this too, right?"
"You can count on it, Mr. Nathan." The Vickers' captain replied as he looked to J, then to Jenson as he spoke further. "I met the leader of the Coalition's detachment working with us when I was introduced to J and Mrs. Elliott here, they intend to see this conflict finished. I highly doubt they're willing to sit back and let us do this by ourselves."
"And their help will be much appreciated." Hood added, everyone's attention returned to him as he looked to Tessa, curious eyes scanning her holographic form. "And Mrs. Elliott, if I may. Do you mind heading down here to assist us in our investigations later on?"
"Funny you say that, General. I'm almost done with my own snooping around on the JCJ up in orbit, Cyn has some small departments of hers aboard, and I thought I'd gather some more intel before coming down." Glancing to Mr. Jenson, she saw him giving an understanding nod before returning her gaze to the military staff. "I should be down there by the evening, judging by where you're located."
"Do what you must, Mrs. Elliott. We could use whatever you find." Hood replied firmly as he turned once more to the JCJenson CEO. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Jenson. We will get to the bottom of this."
"It's my pleasure, General." Glancing to J and Tessa, he spoke to them once more. "J? Contact me when you've finished with Halloway and his Administrator."
"It'll be done, Mr. Jenson." The obedient servant answered before saluting firmly, receiving a final nod from her boss before he ended the transmission.
With their off-world guest out of the way, Hood looked to Wade and his friends, J, Tessa and Captain Mitchells sharing the gaze with them as the general spoke to them in finality. "Well, you know what comes next everyone. You're all dismissed for now. And remember, landing zone by 1300."
"We'll be there Sir." Wade said with a nod as he and his friends stood up, pushing in their chairs before making their way out to the door.
As they neared it, Wade stopped for a moment as they heard Hood call to one of his friends. "And F?" The soldier drone looked to the general as he continued. "Before we depart, would you mind changing your uniform? I believe it could help with identifying you from the other disassembly drones more easily." Glancing to J, then back to F, he finished with, "I recall hearing about the most formidable drones having clones prepared, yes?"
"Correct, Sir. I'll stop by the nearest barracks while I can." F replied before turning back to the door with her colleagues, Wade opening the door for them all as they passed through. After them, Wade passed through himself, shutting the door to the meeting room as he returned to the lobby.
Walking about together, F spoke to Wade and the others. "Well, that went smoothly. I'll be heading down to the barracks, then head over to your place to help out."
"Actually," Wade replied, raising a finger up as he asked his fellow murder drone, "You think you could bring your friends over? We could get to know each other while we're getting ready."
F glanced to Nathan with a smile before returning her eyes to Wade. "I could see about that. You're gonna like them, I can promise you that."
Taking Tina's hand, Wade walked with his girlfriend alongside Jasmine and the others, nearing the hallway they came through as they prepared for the walk back to the apartment.

In the midst of a busy professional life and diverse interests, Scott Francis Kushner prioritizes one thing above all else: family time. For Scott, spending quality time with his loved ones is not just a luxury — it’s a non-negotiable priority that brings him joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose.

1. Marital Arts and Bonding: Scott Francis Kushner’s shares his passion for martial arts with his family, creating special bonds and shared experiences on the mat. Whether it’s practicing Tae Kwon Do together or learning the art of Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, martial arts serves as a vehicle for connection and growth for Scott and his loved ones.
2. Outdoor Adventures: From fishing excursions to beach outings, Scott Francis Kushner’s and his family embrace the great outdoors with enthusiasm and excitement. Whether casting lines into the ocean or building sandcastles on the shore, these outdoor adventures create lasting memories and strengthen the bonds of family.
   
3. Creative Expression: Scott Francis Kushner’s love for free-hand drawing extends to his family life, as he creates personalized pictures for his children, infusing each artwork with love and creativity. These creative endeavors foster a sense of imagination and playfulness within the family, sparking joy and inspiration in every stroke of the pen.
   
4. Spiritual Growth: As a devout Roman Catholic, Scott Francis Kushner instills in his family the values of faith, prayer, and service. Together, they attend Mass, pray the Rosary, and participate in the sacraments, nurturing a deep spiritual bond that transcends earthly concerns and trials.
   
5. Culinary Adventures: Family dinners are a cherished tradition in the Kushner household, as they gather around the table to share delicious meals and lively conversation. Whether cooking together in the kitchen or exploring new restaurants and cuisines, these culinary adventures strengthen the ties that bind the family together.
   
6. Quality Time: Above all else, Scott Francis Kushner prioritizes quality time with his family, carving out moments in his busy schedule to simply be present and fully engaged with his loved ones. Whether it’s playing games, watching movies, or enjoying each other’s company, these simple pleasures bring immeasurable joy and fulfillment to Scott and his family.
   

In a world filled with distractions and demands, Scott Francis Kushner’s dedication to family time serves as a reminder of the importance of nurturing and cherishing the bonds of love and connection that unite us. For Scott Francis Kushner, family isn’t just a part of life — it’s the heart of everything he does.

Hello Fellow Apes🍌 I’m extremely tired and I have school at 8 in the morning. Don’t let my hard work go to waste. U.pv.ote
If Faraday Future Intelligent Electric Inc. (FFIE) were to experience a successful short squeeze, the potential peak price would depend on several factors, including the intensity of the short squeeze, the extent of retail investor participation, and the responses from institutional investors. Drawing from historical examples and market dynamics, here's an outline of what could influence the peak price:

Factors Influencing the Peak Price

1. Short Interest:
   
   • With FFIE's high short interest, where over 95% of its float is shorted, a substantial short squeeze could lead to a dramatic increase in price. In the case of GameStop (GME) in 2021, the stock surged from around $20 to nearly $500, representing a 2,400% increase at its peak oai_citation:1, Is a Giant Short Squeeze Brewing in Faraday Future (FFIE) Stock? InvestorPlace oai_citation:2, Why Is Faraday Future (FFIE) Stock Up 380% Today? InvestorPlace .
2. Retail Investor Momentum:
   
   • The collective buying power of retail investors can significantly amplify the stock price. If retail investors continue to buy and hold FFIE shares, refusing to sell, this could push the stock to extreme highs due to limited available shares and increased demand.
3. Media and Social Media Attention:
   
   • Media coverage and viral social media posts can further fuel retail interest and buying pressure, similar to the influence of figures like Roaring Kitty during the GameStop rally oai_citation:3,Renaissance acquired GameStop and AMC shares ahead of meme stock rally - Hedgeweek.
4. Institutional Responses:
   
   • Institutional investors covering their short positions would add to the buying pressure, potentially driving the price even higher. Some institutions might also take long positions to capitalize on the upward momentum.
5. Regulatory Interventions:
   
   • Any regulatory interventions or trading halts could impact the peak price. For example, during the GameStop rally, trading halts and restrictions on buying introduced by brokerages like Robinhood temporarily suppressed the price oai_citation:4,Key Points About Regulation SHO.

Potential Peak Price

Given these factors, a potential peak for FFIE could be estimated by looking at similar past events:

• Conservative Estimate: If the short squeeze is moderate, FFIE might see a 500% increase from its current levels. For example, if FFIE is trading at $1.80, a 500% increase would bring it to around $9 per share.
  
• Aggressive Estimate: If the squeeze is as intense as the GameStop rally, where the price increased by approximately 2,400%, FFIE could see its price reach around $43 per share, assuming a starting price of $1.80.
  

Historical Context and Examples

• GameStop (GME): In January 2021, GameStop's stock price surged from around $20 to nearly $500 due to a coordinated short squeeze by retail investors on Reddit, resulting in a 2,400% increase at its peak oai_citation:5,Is The New Meme Stock Rally Led By GME, AMC A Repeat Of 2021? Vanda Research Says No: 'Chances We Reach That Stage Are Low' - GameStop (NYSE:GME) - Benzinga oai_citation:6,Renaissance acquired GameStop and AMC shares ahead of meme stock rally - Hedgeweek.
• AMC Entertainment (AMC): Another example from the 2021 meme stock rallies, AMC's stock price increased from around $2 to over $60, representing a 3,000% increase at its peak oai_citation:7, Why Is Faraday Future (FFIE) Stock Up 380% Today? InvestorPlace .

Conclusion

While it's challenging to predict the exact peak price, understanding the dynamics of short squeezes and historical precedents can provide a reasonable estimate. If FFIE were to follow a similar trajectory to previous meme stocks, it could see substantial gains, with potential peaks ranging from a conservative estimate of $9 to an aggressive estimate of $43 or higher. The actual peak would depend on the intensity of the short squeeze, retail investor coordination, and market reactions.
(All ChatGPT oriented)

Hello everyone, Covenant, Wei, and Duodex here to go over the rest of our technology changes in this new Progress Report. We will go over the rest of the completed changes in each part of our tech trees and doctrines. There are some uncompleted sections that will be finished in a future version, but this will not have any impact on the gameplay. We will start by covering the small changes to trees already covered in Part 1 or trees that are very similar to vanilla.
The Infantry Tech Tree:
The infantry tree has one relatively major change since the last PR. We have decided that Mechanized equipment and Amtracs should be included in the infantry tree. Originally they were going to be in the tank tree back when we were considering making an NSB equivalent for the tanks but with the choice to only do base game tanks it made more sense to include the Mechanized in the infantry tree instead.
The Air Tech Tree:
The air tree has one small change since the last PR, we have moved scouts to be connected to air interceptors instead of as a subtech. Due to scout planes only being available with the La Resistance DLC we needed to add an alternate tech for players who didn't own LaR but this proved impossible in the old implementation. Instead we have attached them to the tree.
The Artillery Tech Tree:
The Artillery Tech tree is an expansion of the vanilla tree. This choice was made not out of laziness but because artillery, conventional anti-tank, and conventional anti-air guns did not develop that much between 1948-1964 OTL. With that in mind the Kalterkrieg artillery tree will be an extension/light modification of the vanilla tree to fit the timeline and that's it. Missile-based anti-air and anti-tank weapons are in the missiles tech tree instead of this one to not over complicate/confuse everything.
Electro-Mechanical Engineering Tree:
Much like the artillery tree the Electro-Mechanical Engineering Tree (or Electronics in game) will effectively be a time shifted version of the vanilla tree with one small change. The growing importance of aircraft and air warfare made us consider adding a tech related to air-traffic control as post-ww2 there were a number of developments in this field that came with the improvements in radio and radar technologies. The 1946, 1952, 1956, and 1960 radar technologies will have a technology connected to each named Air Control (4 in total) that will improve stats such as mission efficiency, accident chance and bad weather penalty.
There is also the rocketry tree that is on the right of the side. The original plan was to incorporate a space race mechanic to the later rocketry techs but instead of developing a half-assed mechanic or delaying release to finish it we have decided to leave it to the future. The early techs do however improve rocket artillery and are required to unlock the first missiles tech (much like vanilla).
Now let's cover tech that is quite different from vanilla…
Armour Tree:
The armour tree is not an extension of vanilla in any way and has two branches in it, Light Armour and Main Battle Tanks. The tanks in each also have subtechs to represent variants of these tanks with the light tanks having amphibious tanks as a subtech and the MBT’s have a subtech for Self-Propelled Anti-air and Self-Propelled Artillery. There are also a number of intermediate upgrade techs that improve certain stats.
There are 4 light tank models researchable, a 1945, 1948, 1952, and a 1960 model with each having an amphibious tank subtech. In between tank 2 and 3 and 4 there are gun and speed upgrades which improve soft attack and speed respectively.
For Main Battle tanks there are 3 models, (though the first model is considered a medium tank) a 1945, 1948 and 1960 model. Between 1948 and 1960 there are 2 upgrades for armor, gun and chassis as well as a general upgrade. The general upgrade is required before the 1960 model can be researched and the general upgrade requires at least both of one upgrade line be researched. Each MBT model has subtechs for SPAA and SPA/SPG which benefit from the upgrade techs.
Some of you may be wondering why there are no heavy tanks or tank destroyers. I assure you this was not a mistake but a conscious choice. We decided that both lost their use post-war and it would be useful to add each to the tech tree. While some heavy tanks were developed by the allied powers post WW2 they were very quickly made obsolete in favour of Main Battle Tanks. The same thing happened with Tank destroyers though they were also hampered by the creation of improved anti-tank weapons like RPGs.
Industry Tree:
While the industry tree is inspired by vanilla some explanation is required due to some effects used in the tree. There are 4 branches to the industry tree, Construction, Industry, Resources, and Oil.
The construction branch is simple. There are 4 techs that improve construction speed with 3 mutually exclusive choices in-between. The choice you make is between improving the land cultivation in a state or receiving improving the civilian economy in a random owned state. Due to some limitation with the engine the location of the factory is only shown in the hover tooltip and not the research effect window.
The production branch has 4 techs that improve efficiency and 3 pairs of techs that improve dockyard and factory output. The dockyard and factory techs are not mutually exclusive (though I don't recommend researching it if you are a landlocked nation).
The resources branch has 4 techs that extraction and in-between them are 3 sets of techs that add steel, chromium, tungsten or aluminium if certain conditions are met. You will gain 5% production of the specific resource in each state that produces 20 or more of said resource. Due to the aforementioned engine issue the states that gain extra resources are only available by hovering over the tech.
The Oil branch is simple, it has 4 techs that each improve how much fuel is gained from oil and refineries.
Missiles Tree:
Missiles are obviously an important part of any Cold War mod and as such that has earnt them their own tree. There are 3 (technically 4 but the 4th is smaller) branches to the missile tree, ballistic missiles, surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles, and anti-tank missiles. Ballistic and SAMs require the basic guided missiles (like from vanilla to be researched).
Ballistic missiles and SAMs both have basic and improved tech as well as an intermediate upgrade. Ballistic missiles use the vanilla mechanic for missiles while SAM equipment are used for a SAM support battalion. The reason neither has a unique mechanic (yet) is that we felt that having a half-finished or buggy to use mechanic would be more frustrating than just using vanilla. Ballistic missiles also have 2 subtechs, cruise missiles which right now just increase the strategic bombing strength of ballistic missiles but I hope in future to add cruise missiles (this is yet another limitation created by Paradox where we can’t make unique versions of rocket sites). Ballistics and SAMs also share a subtech that is ship-based missiles that add both anti-ship and ship-based SAM equipment modules.
The air-to-air branch has 3 techs that each improve air attack. As we have chosen not to make a BBA version of the air tree (I, Covenant do not want to deal with balancing BBA planes and NSB tanks so that's why. I also just don't like it in general) the air-to-air techs just add general improvements to attack. There are also 2 IR (infra-red) air-to-air missile techs that improve night attack. These require the research of 2 IR experimentation techs that improve other stats.
Lastly the anti-tank missiles branch has a pre-req tech, optical guidance that you need to research to unlock anti-tank gun 3 which you need to unlock basic anti-tank missiles. Our justification for this is that anti-tank missiles only started to become viable after 1960 which is outside the mod timeframe.
Secret Weapons Tree:
The secret weapons tree is our least complete tree and we will explain why but first the branches. There are 3 branches, atomic weapons, biological warfare, and flamethrowers. Currently the atomic weapons branch has only some techs working, biological warfare is unfinished whereas flamethrowers have actual effects.
The atomic weapons branch is currently, if effectively a retooling of the vanilla atomic techs. You must research basic atomic research, then atomic piles (which allows the building of reactors), then bomb research (which adds research speed), then finally the atomic bomb actually unlocks nukes. The other atomic techs do not do anything but we plan on working on custom nuclear mechanics after release.
The flamethrowers branch has 4 techs, each improves the soft-attack of all infantry and motorized units but it also has a negative impact. Whenever a nation researches flamethrowers that nation gains a -20 opinion modifier with every other nation on earth. This is to illustrate that since the end of the war (and its rampant usage by Russia and Japan) the world now sees flamethrowers as cruel weapons and a war-crime. As such any nation who is seen to be improving their flamethrowers is viewed negatively. Nations that start with flamethrowers will not have this opinion modifier though. We plan to do something similar for biological weapons research.
Land Doctrines:
For our land doctrines we decided to have 4 choices for land doctrines, those being combined operations, maneuver warfare, deep battle and asymmetrical warfare. Instead of covering every element of these doctrines, which would take forever I will give an overview of what each doctrine entails and tease a few of the bonus each gives.
Combined operations encompass the intricate orchestration of diverse military elements, pooling resources and expertise across multiple branches or services of a nation's armed forces, alongside potential collaboration with allied forces. This synergy fosters a unified approach towards achieving strategic objectives, leveraging the unique strengths of each component to enhance operational effectiveness on land, at sea, and in the air.
Maneuver warfare epitomizes a dynamic military strategy characterized by fluidity, agility, and rapidity in troop movements. It emphasizes exploiting enemy vulnerabilities, disrupting their cohesion, and seizing advantageous positions, rather than relying solely on brute force or attrition. Through swift and decisive actions, maneuver warfare seeks to outmaneuver and outwit adversaries, capitalizing on the element of surprise to gain tactical superiority and achieve operational success.
Deep battle embodies a strategic doctrine aimed at penetrating deep into enemy territory to target their rear areas, lines of communication, and critical infrastructure. By striking at the heart of the opponent's logistical and organizational support systems, deep battle disrupts their ability to sustain military operations, eroding their resilience and weakening their overall combat effectiveness. This approach emphasizes the importance of coordinated and synchronized offensives across multiple fronts, enabling forces to exploit vulnerabilities and capitalize on fleeting opportunities.
Asymmetrical warfare signifies a paradigm shift in military engagement, where conventional power differentials are challenged by asymmetric tactics and unconventional strategies. In asymmetric conflicts, weaker forces often employ guerrilla warfare, insurgency, terrorism, or other irregular methods to undermine the strengths of more conventionally powerful adversaries. By leveraging innovation, adaptability, and asymmetry in tactics, asymmetrical warfare seeks to offset numerical or technological disadvantages, maximizing the impact of limited resources and achieving strategic objectives through asymmetric means.
Naval Doctrines:
Naval doctrines similarly also have 4 choices for doctrine. These are brown water navy, green water navy, blue water navy, and naval supremacy (with a shared escort related tree between the last two). I will do the same as army doctrine and explain each while teasing some effects.
Brown water navies primarily operate in inland or shallow coastal waters, focusing on riverine and littoral areas. Their vessels are typically smaller and more maneuverable, optimized for navigating rivers, estuaries, and other confined waterways where larger naval vessels may struggle to operate effectively. Brown water navies are often tasked with patrolling and securing waterborne trade routes, conducting riverine warfare, and supporting ground operations in coastal regions, playing a vital role in maintaining maritime security and stability in these environments.
Green water navies operate in the near-coastal zones and littoral regions of the open ocean, possessing the capability to project power and influence within a limited range from their home shores. These navies typically deploy a mix of surface combatants, submarines, and maritime patrol aircraft to safeguard territorial waters, protect maritime trade routes, and deter potential threats in their immediate maritime vicinity. While green water navies may lack the global reach of blue water navies, they play a crucial role in defending coastal territories and exerting maritime control over critical strategic areas.
Blue water navies are capable of operating across vast oceanic expanses and projecting power on a global scale. Equipped with aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines, blue water navies possess the capability to conduct sustained naval operations far from their home bases, projecting force and protecting national interests worldwide. Blue water navies are essential for power projection, sea control, and maritime dominance, enabling nations to influence events in distant regions, respond to crises, and protect vital sea lanes of communication crucial for global trade and commerce.
Naval supremacy represents the pinnacle of maritime power projection, embodying unparalleled dominance and control over the world's oceans. Exemplified by nations like the United States during the Cold War and the Royal Navy from during Britain's Imperial Century, naval supremacy entails not only the capability to operate globally but also the unrivaled ability to dictate the terms of maritime engagement and shape international affairs through naval strength alone. Beyond the capabilities of a traditional blue water navy, a nation with naval supremacy commands an overwhelming advantage in both conventional and strategic terms, with a fleet comprising advanced aircraft carriers, stealthy submarines, state-of-the-art surface combatants, and comprehensive maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Such a navy not only safeguards vital sea lanes and strategic choke points but also projects influence across all maritime domains, ensuring unrivaled deterrence and the ability to decisively intervene in any maritime theater of operations. Naval supremacy confers not just military superiority but also significant diplomatic leverage, shaping the geopolitical landscape and underpinning a nation's status as a global maritime hegemon.
Air Doctrines:
For now we are using vanilla air doctrines. We understand this may be disappointing but none of us possessed enough knowledge of different cold war air doctrines to create something good enough. Air doctrines of the cold war is also not something that is documented in an easy to access and absorb place like the others so for now nothing is in place but we will endeavour to produce something post-release.
I hope you all enjoy messing around with the tech we have created for Kalterkreig. I am sure you will find weird and wonderful ways to break them and which equipment is meta and which is not.

1. Sonder: The protagonist, while people-watching in a crowded city square, experiences a profound sonder moment, realizing the intricate stories of those around them.
   
2. Énouement: On their 30th birthday, the protagonist reflects on the énouement of their life, pondering the unexpected twists and turns that led them to this moment.
   
3. Chrysalism: During a cozy thunderstorm, the protagonist finds solace in their home, reveling in the chrysalism of raindrops tapping on the window.
   
4. Monachopsis: Attending a high-society event, the protagonist, feeling out of place, grapples with monachopsis in a sea of unfamiliar faces.
   
5. Liberosis: After a life-changing event, the protagonist embraces liberosis, letting go of trivial concerns and embarking on a minimalist lifestyle.
   
6. Vellichor: Exploring an old, dusty library, the protagonist inhales the vellichor of aged books, each telling a story of bygone eras.
   
7. Anecdoche: In the midst of a lively party, the protagonist engages in an anecdoche, trying to share a personal story amid the chaotic chatter.
   
8. Jouska: The protagonist engages in a silent jouska, rehearsing a conversation with a loved one that they never have the courage to voice.
   
9. Nighthawk: Alone in their thoughts during a sleepless night, the protagonist experiences nighthawk, contemplating the choices that brought them to this insomnia.
   
10. Occhiolism: Gazing at the vast night sky, the protagonist grapples with occhiolism, feeling infinitesimally small in the grand cosmos.
    
11. Lachesism: The protagonist, seeking a thrill, faces lachesism head-on by participating in extreme sports, craving the adrenaline rush.
    
12. Rubatosis: During a moment of anxiety, the protagonist becomes acutely aware of their own heartbeat, experiencing rubatosis in a tense situation.
    
13. Exulansis: Unable to convey a deeply personal experience, the protagonist faces exulansis, resigning to the solitude of their unshared story.
    
14. Sonderlust: Inspired by wanderlust, the protagonist embraces sonderlust, setting off on a journey to explore diverse cultures and connect with strangers.
    
15. Limerence: The protagonist, captivated by someone new, grapples with the intoxicating effects of limerence, navigating the complexities of infatuation.
    
16. Altschmerz: The protagonist, burdened by the weight of recurring issues, confronts altschmerz and seeks a new perspective on long-standing challenges.
    
17. Chiasmus: Engaging in a heated debate, the protagonist skillfully uses chiasmus to convey a powerful argument, leaving their opponent speechless.
    
18. Hiraeth: Visiting their childhood home after years away, the protagonist experiences hiraeth, longing for the simplicity of bygone days.
    
19. Xenization: Immersed in a foreign land, the protagonist grapples with xenization, navigating cultural differences and seeking a sense of belonging.
    
20. Petrichor: Walking through a rejuvenated forest after a rainstorm, the protagonist relishes in the petrichor, a reminder of nature's resilience.
    
21. Ineffable: Confronted with an indescribable beauty, the protagonist struggles with ineffable emotions, unable to capture the experience in words.
    
22. Resfeber: As they prepare for a significant journey, the protagonist feels resfeber, a mix of nervousness and excitement, anticipating the unknown.
    
23. Avenoir: Reflecting on a lost love, the protagonist yearns for avenoir, a glimpse into an alternate future where the relationship flourished.
    
24. Adronitis: Attending a crowded party, the protagonist experiences adronitis, the frustration of struggling to connect with others in the social chaos.
    
25. Chrysoprase: Discovering a hidden gem, the protagonist feels chrysoprase, an unexpected surge of joy and delight in the midst of daily life.
    
26. Fernweh: Looking at a world map, the protagonist succumbs to fernweh, a deep desire to explore distant lands and experience the unknown.
    
27. Zephyr: Standing on a cliff overlooking the ocean, the protagonist feels the gentle zephyr, contemplating the ephemeral nature of life.
    
28. Torschlusspanik: Approaching a significant life milestone, the protagonist grapples with torschlusspanik, fearing the narrowing of opportunities as time passes.
    
29. Cavil: Engaging in a philosophical discussion, the protagonist delights in cavil, exploring nuanced arguments and challenging conventional wisdom.
    
30. Mamihlapinatapai: Locked in a prolonged gaze with a potential romantic interest, the protagonist experiences mamihlapinatapai, the silent communication of mutual desire.
    
31. Nefelibata: The protagonist, lost in creative pursuits, embraces nefelibata, living in the clouds of their imagination and artistic expression.
    
32. Ubuntu: Faced with a communal challenge, the protagonist draws strength from ubuntu, a sense of shared humanity and collective support.
    
33. Boketto: Staring out of a window, the protagonist engages in boketto, lost in contemplation and daydreaming.
    
34. Hygge: Creating a cozy reading nook, the protagonist immerses themselves in hygge, finding comfort and contentment in simple pleasures.
    
35. Amae: Seeking reassurance, the protagonist experiences amae, leaning on loved ones for emotional support and connection.
    
36. Ukiyo: The protagonist, embracing a carefree lifestyle, embodies ukiyo, reveling in the fleeting pleasures of the present moment.
    
37. Sankofa: Confronted with personal growth, the protagonist embraces sankofa, learning from past experiences to shape a brighter future.
    
38. La douleur exquise: Receiving an unrequited love letter, the protagonist grapples with la douleur exquise, the exquisite pain of wanting someone unattainable.
    
39. Mudita: Witnessing a friend's success, the protagonist feels mudita, genuine joy and celebration for the happiness of others.
    
40. Yūgen: In a moment of deep introspection, the protagonist senses yūgen, an awareness of profound beauty and mystery in the universe.
    
41. Ikinokori: Surviving a life-threatening situation, the protagonist feels ikinokori, a heightened appreciation for the gift of life.
    
42. Ephemeral: Observing a butterfly's brief existence, the protagonist reflects on the ephemeral nature of beauty and life.
    
43. Thalassophile: Standing on a serene beach, the protagonist embraces their thalassophile nature, finding solace and connection with the sea.
    
44. Psithurism: Camping in a peaceful forest, the protagonist listens to the soothing psithurism of leaves rustling in the wind.
    
45. Obfuscate: Navigating a complex political situation, the protagonist strategically uses obfuscation to protect vital information.
    

I'm new around here and not sure what to expect, I used to be really into the RC world with cars but admired how people made rc planes and well, I wanted to get into the hobby, I've actually already made a model airplane before with a working airfoil. However it didn't have RC control and it was a simple V tail glider. It was really a test to see whats the pros and cons to 3d printing. Anyway I have an idea of what I want to create which is: A simple 90-110cm wingspan motor glider like aircraft with a motor, flight controls and no landing gear, basically a stick and rudder aircraft. I do have a few questions though.
How can I go about making the wings? for my 40cm glider that I made before (which was already dense) I just 3d printed everything and stuck them together and it flew alright, but well that wont work for a bigger aircraft im guessing. I have googled around on the internet and filtered through the options to about two options considering my skill level. The first option is to 3d print a wing frame that is held together with a balsa wood rod and I cover with foam board. The 2nd option is to 3d print two pieces of the wing (22cm and another 22cm) out of lightweight pla. However I don't think lightweight PLA will be able to withstand the landing and the fact that this aircraft is going to be high wing so if it lands and tips onto one side I don't know how that will go.
How should I start? Another problem for me is to be able to start a project. Which I am not very good at. I have compiled a list that I think could be legible to make a this aircraft, but like... should I just print the pieces of the wing frame then build the wing or should I make the fuselage and electronics? What are the difficulties in these processes?
The list of electronics I have compiled:

• Turnigy Graphene Panther 75C 1300mAh LIPO 3S
• I already have an old charger that I used to use for my RC car lipo's so I probably can use that
• 4x Corona DS929HV 7.4V Digital Servos.
• Aerostar 60A RVS G2 32bit 2-6s ESC
• Motor Turnigy LD2816A Brushless Outrunner 1350Kv 120W
• For the propellor I am not too sure, Im guessing you cannot 3d print since that might be dangerous
• FSi6X Transmitter and reciever

All of which is from what I remember pretty cheap for RC gear, but then again I am new to this system so I am open to be told what to do and what not to do and how this is all going to work since I am very interested in aviation and just want to be able to build something that I can fly at a field nearby. Thank you for your time reading this if you have read it!

Hello, I just watched LEMMINO's video and began to do some stuff with "EAST NORTHEAST" and "BERLIN CLOCK". This could be me just connecting dots, where there are no dots.
So the name "Kryptos" itself is German for "cryptos" (I learned this by trying to find a Kryptos subreddit, but instead I found a German cryptocurrency subreddit). Clearly some translating might be involved then. So I had an idea that maybe "EAST NORTHEAST" and "BERLIN CLOCK" aren't really part of the true answer, but rather almost there. This doesn't mean that they aren't part of the plain text, but maybe the text is comprised of individual letters, then the above two iconic pair are just shoehorned in. Kinda like how the morse code has "EE SHADOW EE". Basically its individual letters, that you can translate into German, along with words that you can translate. Now translating the letters just gives you the same letters, but why not? "E E VIRTUALLY E" can become in German "e e praktisch e" (used google translate). Note, these maybe the only actual English words in K4, so that's why Mr. Sanborn won't give out anymore clues as per an NPR interview, or he may have one or two more in there.
So, I translate "EAST NORTHEAST" and "BERLIN CLOCK" and got "Ostnordost" (google translate) and "Berlin-Uhr" (NOT google translate, but Wikipedia and in general). Now this does introduce a big headache to me, which is that technically the translation of "Berlin Clock" in google translate is "Berliner Uhr", but I am going to go with a not literal translation here, but what maybe the more organic one.
Now, I am pretty sure most here know of the question mark "?", that maybe part of K3 or K4. Well, in one of the comments of LEMMINO's video, which he hearted, a person had a great idea that "CAN YOU SEE Q" has its Q actually working as a "?" in its own right. In K2 "X" can be used as a period, so this can be used in the same way. Q or a question mark. This then means the actual "?" is part of K4, or can be. Another great realization was another comment that LEMMINO hearted, being that in the morse code "CQ CQ" is a common alert for "Can anyone hear me?" and SOS is of course "I need help!". Ther are some other great comments int hat thread too. Someone realized "Can you see Q?" can be "Can you CQ?" thus "Can you hear me?". Since K3 is about King Tut (the mummy), "CQ CQ SOS" could be a joke regarding that King Tut is trying to communicate with us, and the similarities is the way to confirm you got it right (this maybe proof that the morse code was supposed to get you to King Tut).
Another good comment was CQ = SeekYou, and maybe another in a different comment thread relating that with "T is your position E" but I think that just has stuff to do with the morse code only.
So back on track, this shows that Ancient Egypt may matter, K4 is likely a question that is flipped, and something German very likely is present, and finally the answer is likely to be a joke which is a possible rhetorical question (Kryptos has jokes in it).
So because of this, I took the German phrases "Ostnordost" and "Berlin-Uhr" and flipped them to become "tsodrontso" and "rhunilreb". From these I found two words, but frankly now I am kinda lost. "tsodrontso" has dront in it which is the Swedish word for the dodo. In fact if you search dront into google (English), you immediately get info on the dodo nicely presented. But dront isn't a word in German or English though. In "rhunilreb" I can isolate out UNIL, which is an acronym for the University of Lausanne. From a simple google search, Mr. Sanborn seems to have no relation with them.
How any of this connects to anything else for Kryptos, I have no clue. But, I still feel this is a valid way to at least be creative. Mr. Sanborn did say we really have to look into that clock, and I am looking into it. Plus there is PALIMPSEST, which may indicate that K4 has two things at once going on, and the idea of translating the plaintext to German, and then flipping it and finding an English question, kind of works (though not literally like a palimpsest actually is). Plus if it is really as simple as ABC, well constantly looping abc gives abcabcabcabcab... which has cab, which in German is taxi (yeah), which can then be looped to be I X AT I X AT I X AT I X... which means not only are the letters Q, U, X, and C important, but also "I", which may become for us you. Still no clue how this relates with Swedish dodo and a Swiss university though. I will say though that East Northeast from the coordinates in K2 seems to go to Sweeden.
Thanks for the read y'all.

The main difference between what you can draw energy from and what you can’t draw energy from is weather or not it has a mind. Magic seems deeply tied to the mind. The only reason that you can draw energy from plants, and other extremely simple forms of life is that the definition of a mind for the purposes of magic in Eragon is very liberal. So if you could somehow make the thing you want to draw from “alive” in some sense, or impose a mind upon it; then you should be able to draw energy from it.
Im pretty sure spirits are collections of energy whose brains are magical, not physical. Basically complex spells that either move around energy in a way analogous to neurons or simulate a mind. If true this would be proof that energy without a body could have a mind. Although it wouldn’t prove that energy can be valid for magical use without first being part of a living system which puts that energy in a living system. But I’m pretty sure that natural magic such as the flows of magic al energy underground does prove that.
Another idea comes from how most of the energy accessible for magic is in the body, not the mind. So if you could expand your body to include the energy that you want then that would make it yours. Although the main issue with this is that it’s not as simple as lighting yourself on fire, or heating up your body. Magic seems to have its own definition of what is and isn’t energy that belongs to your body. This definition is probably less open to exploitation then the definition of a mind.

Not a "problem player" post - the player is fine.
We're nearing the 10th session, offline game, playing once every two weeks, 2 DMs, 2 new players, 2 seasoned ones.
One of the new players needs a bit more time to learn things (their own words not mine) and in overwhelming situations when they feel pressured to do something, they sometimes draw a blank and forget to do the simplest things. With 2 DMs, we are able to assist and explain how stuff works again - this is all not a problem!
This player however is not 100% happy with their class. They want to play something a bit seedy with a touch of magic so originally we helped them create an Arcane Trickster Rogue but as we are nearing the 10th session, they still have trouble piloting their character in many situations despite all of the help we try to give. And I get it - the class isn't the most intuitive one I guess, and the biggest frustration usually is this:
The player wanted to have some sort of "magical weapon attack" - a skill or a spell that lets them do a melee attack with some magical effect on top so we gave them Green-Flame Blade, which was something the player originally was very happy about but they seem to be unable to grasp that this spell isn't particularly helpful when fighting a single enemy. Often, when making an attack, this player goes "I cast Green-Flame Blade!" and we have to explain that there is no 2nd enemy nearby to which the flame could leap onto, so they want to retcon their action (sure idc) and do something else, just to figure they can't sneak attack (no party member nearby either). They tend to ignore their other spells, end up doing "weak" attacks and generally feel like they are inferior to the rest of the party. Which is true but it's really due to them having the hardest time to play "efficiently".
Now they are having a level up, and we will approach the player with ideas how to help them, and we will offer of course a class change, but here is a bit where we struggle with. I want to offer them something really simple like a barbarian but that might lack the "magic touch". Maybe y'all have ideas on things we could "reflavour" or maybe there is a subclass I'm just overlooking?
How they want to play: something with armour (light/medium), something melee fighty (throwing daggers/stabbing people), with some "magical attack" they can do every now and then that feels like it has some Oomph to it (adds some kind of elemental damage, looks "cool"). I was also thinking Rune Knight but the player wants to be a dwarf - of course we could reflavour Rune Knight as some sort of dwarvish thing but I'm thinking this might be too complicated/complex?
So we are looking for your ideas to help this player have fun and feel good, thanks in advance.

Taken from: https://laibyrinth.blogspot.com/2024/05/part-8-brainstorming-ideas-for-doomcore.html
Hello friends and strangers, This is just a short text. Instead of a "full" tutorial, this is essentially just chatting and brainstorming with ChatGPT about the genre of Doomcore Techno. It should give you a hint about how knowledgeable ChatGPT is about music, production, and strange subgenres. If you hold a similar conversation with ChatGPT yourself, you could easily expand it into more creative territories, for example if you follow up on some of ChatGPTs ideas and request specific instructions. Note: this is a talk I had with ChatGTP very early on; so it still uses the "show me the first 250 words of..." trick that was common at the time; I don't assume that this would still be necessary with newer versions of ChatGPT.
---Start of chat transcript
User What are some good ideas for a Doomcore Techno track?
ChatGPT Doomcore Techno is a subgenre of techno that often features dark and industrial sounds with a focus on heavy basslines and aggressive percussion. Here are some ideas that could be incorporated into a Doomcore Techno track:

1. Start with a heavy bassline: A pounding, distorted bassline is a hallmark of Doomcore Techno, and could form the foundation for the track.
2. Experiment with industrial sounds: Incorporating industrial sounds such as metallic clangs, machinery noises, and industrial percussion can add to the dystopian atmosphere of the track.
3. Use dissonant melodies: Doomcore Techno often features dissonant melodies that create a sense of unease or tension. Experimenting with minor or diminished scales can help achieve this.
4. Create an intense build-up: Slowly building up the intensity of the track through the use of filter sweeps, increasing tempo, and adding layers of sound can create a sense of anticipation that pays off when the beat drops.
5. Focus on the rhythm: The percussion in Doomcore Techno is often complex and relentless, with the use of multiple layers of drum sounds, syncopated rhythms, and polyrhythms. Experimenting with different time signatures or unusual rhythms can add to the complexity and intensity of the track.
6. Use vocal samples or distortion: Adding distorted vocal samples or processing existing vocal samples can add to the aggression and intensity of the track.
7. Incorporate breaks and drops: Introducing breakdowns, drops, or other changes in the rhythm can create a sense of tension and release in the track, and give the listener a moment to catch their breath before the intensity ramps up again.

Overall, the key to a successful Doomcore Techno track is to create a dark and intense atmosphere that keeps the listener engaged and on edge.
User Show me the first 250 words of a 3000 word text explaining the characteristics of doomcore techno. ChatGPT Doomcore techno is a relatively new subgenre of electronic dance music that emerged in the late 2000s. It is characterized by its dark, brooding soundscapes and heavy, pounding beats. The music is often described as bleak and nihilistic, with a focus on the darker aspects of human existence.
One of the defining characteristics of doomcore techno is its use of heavy, distorted basslines. These basslines are often created using distortion effects and other processing techniques that give them a harsh, abrasive quality. They are typically played at a slower tempo than other genres of techno, which gives them a weighty, almost suffocating feel.
Another key element of doomcore techno is its use of atmospheric sounds and textures. These can range from eerie, ambient drones to samples of distorted, industrial machinery. The goal is to create a sense of unease and tension that builds throughout the track.
Doomcore techno also makes use of vocal samples, although these are often heavily processed and distorted to the point where they are almost unrecognizable. These samples are used to create a sense of dread and foreboding, and to reinforce the nihilistic themes that are often present in the music.
The use of percussion is also an important aspect of doomcore techno. The drums are typically heavily processed, with a focus on creating a sense of weight and impact. This is achieved through the use of distortion, compression, and other effects that give the drums a powerful, almost explosive quality.
In terms of song structure, doomcore techno tracks are often long and repetitive, with a focus on creating a hypnotic, trance-like state in the listener. This is achieved through the use of simple, repetitive melodic motifs that are repeated throughout the track.
Overall, doomcore techno is a challenging and often unsettling genre of music that is not for everyone. But for those who are drawn to its dark, brooding soundscapes and heavy, pounding beats, it can be an incredibly powerful and cathartic experience. User Show me the next 250 words ChatGPT One of the key influences on doomcore techno is the industrial music of the 1980s and 1990s. This genre of music was characterized by its aggressive, machine-like sound, and its focus on themes of alienation and despair. Many of the artists who create doomcore techno draw inspiration from this tradition, and incorporate elements of industrial music into their own work.
Another important influence on the genre is the ambient and experimental music of the 1990s and 2000s. Many of the sounds and textures used in doomcore techno are reminiscent of the experimental soundscapes created by artists like Brian Eno and Aphex Twin. This reflects the genre's focus on creating atmospheric and immersive soundscapes that transport the listener to a different mental space.
Doomcore techno has a small but dedicated following, and there are several record labels and artist collectives that specialize in the genre. These labels often release limited edition vinyl records and tapes, which are highly sought after by collectors and fans of the genre.
One of the challenges facing doomcore techno is the difficulty of finding venues and events where the music can be played. Because of its abrasive and challenging sound, doomcore techno is not always welcomed by mainstream club promoters and festival organizers. However, there are a growing number of underground events and DIY venues that cater to fans of the genre.
Despite these challenges, doomcore techno continues to evolve and grow as an art form. As artists continue to experiment with the boundaries of the genre, it is likely that we will see new and exciting developments in the years to come. For fans of dark, brooding electronic music, doomcore techno offers a unique and compelling listening experience that is unlike anything else out there. User Show me the next 250 words ChatGPT One of the interesting things about doomcore techno is that it is often produced by artists who are working outside of the mainstream music industry. Many of the producers who create doomcore techno are self-taught, and rely on a DIY ethic to create and distribute their music. This has helped to foster a sense of community and collaboration among fans and artists, who often work together to organize events and promote the genre.
Another important aspect of doomcore techno is its use of visual imagery and aesthetics. The artwork and visuals associated with the genre often reflect its dark, brooding soundscapes, and draw on themes of horror, sci-fi, and dystopia. This adds an additional layer of depth and immersion to the listening experience, and helps to reinforce the genre's sense of otherworldliness and alienation.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in doomcore techno among fans of other genres of electronic music. This has helped to broaden the appeal of the genre, and has led to new collaborations and crossovers between different scenes and subcultures.
Despite its relatively niche status, doomcore techno has had a significant impact on the broader electronic music landscape. Its focus on dark, brooding soundscapes and heavy, pounding beats has influenced a wide range of artists across different genres, from techno and industrial to dubstep and drum and bass.
In conclusion, doomcore techno is a fascinating and challenging subgenre of electronic dance music that is characterized by its dark, brooding soundscapes, heavy basslines, and use of atmospheric sounds and textures. While it may not be for everyone, for those who are drawn to its immersive and otherworldly sound, it can be an incredibly powerful and cathartic listening experience. As the genre continues to evolve and grow, it will be interesting to see where it goes next, and what new developments and innovations will emerge from this vibrant and creative community.
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