I don't know what I can do anymore, as i get the bug whit raid not spawning really often without any error or clue, I is hard to test whit different mod list because i take a long time to tested. Maybe there are some more obvious problem on my mod list that someone better informed cloud spot? if something i deleted my user folder and content folder on steam and download everything again.
Here my log
Mono path[0] = 'D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Managed'
Mono config path = 'D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/MonoBleedingEdge/etc'
Initialize engine version: 2019.4.30f1 (e8c891080a1f)
[Subsystems] Discovering subsystems at path D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/UnitySubsystems
GfxDevice: creating device client; threaded=1
Direct3D:
Version: Direct3D 11.0 [level 11.1]
Renderer: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 (ID=0x1be1)
Vendor:
VRAM: 8060 MB
Driver: 31.0.15.5244
Begin MonoManager ReloadAssembly

• Completed reload, in 0.174 seconds

Initializing input.
Input initialized.
Initialized touch support.
UnloadTime: 0.933400 ms
RimWorld 1.5.4085 rev545
Mod ReGrowth: Wastelands Fishing Patch dependency (regrowth.botr.wastelands) needs to have and/or specified.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Mod ReGrowth: Wastelands Fishing Patch dependency (vanillaexpanded.vcef) needs to have and/or specified.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-0000020375D78110.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-00000203779C1250.dll
[Biomes! Islands v2.2.0.0] Initialized
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-000002037D17E940.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-000002037CF01010.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-000002037CB8D010.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-000002037C946010.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-000002037C808020.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-000002037C85E010.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-000002037C978820.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-0000020375C89530.dll
1.0.8864 ::
1.0.8865 ::
1.0.8864 ::
[Interaction Bubbles v3.0] Initialized
ReSplice: Charmweavers 1.1-Lurelings-rev5
ReGrowth: Core 3.6-Mundi-rev6
ReGrowth: ReTextures 1.2-Clapham-rev4
ReSplice: Core 1.0.1-Shelley-rev4
Parsed 0.125 as int.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Parsed 0.15 as int.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Parsed 2.5 as int.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Parsed 7.5 as int.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Could not resolve cross-reference: No Verse.SoundDef named Pawn_Melee_Punch_HitBuilding found to give to Verse.RaceProperties Verse.RaceProperties (using undefined sound instead)
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Could not resolve cross-reference: No Verse.SoundDef named Pawn_Melee_Punch_HitBuilding found to give to Verse.RaceProperties Verse.RaceProperties (using undefined sound instead)
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Knowledge data was missing key BMT_HungeringAnimalsConcept. Adding it...
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Knowledge data was missing key BuildersTryMine. Adding it...
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
[Pathfinding Framework v0.5.5.0] Mod initialized.
MovementDef count: 9
[Biomes! Core v2.6.2.0] Initialized
[Biomes! Caverns v1.6.3.0] Initialized
Texture LitterBox has dimensions of 256 x 256, but its mask has 64 x 64. This is not supported, texture will be excluded from atlas
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Texture LitterBox has dimensions of 256 x 256, but its mask has 64 x 64. This is not supported, texture will be excluded from atlas
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Translation data for language English has 27 errors. Generate translation report for more info.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
[Cherry Picker] The database was processed in 00.64949 seconds and the following defs were removed:

• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Mace,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Shiv,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Gladius,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Ikwa,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Knife,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Spear,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Club,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Axe,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Revolver,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Autopistol,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_BoltActionRifle,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_PumpShotgun,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_MachinePistol,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_SniperRifle,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_AssaultRifle,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_HeavySMG,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_LMG,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Minigun,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_ChainShotgun,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_ChargeRifle,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_ChargeLance,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Mace,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Gladius,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Knife,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Spear,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Sword
  

[KCSG] Vanilla Base Generation Expanded contains 8 missing symbols.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
[KCSG] Vanilla Factions Expanded - Ancients contains 4 missing symbols.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
MeditationFocusDef Void does not have a MeditationFocusExtension, which means it will not have an icon in the Psycasts UI.
Please ask Ludeon Studios to add one.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
[TrueTerrainColors v1.12.14] Extracted true colors from 1464 terrain defs in 493.71 seconds using a RenderTexture of size 4112x4112.
[XML Extensions] Initialized 1 SettingsMenuDef(s) and found 0 unused key(s) from 0 mod(s)
[XML Extensions] 5033 total patches run in 37945ms, 0 failed
Using DDS for Animals: False
33
Using DDS for Arsenal: False
22
Using DDS for Artistic: False
55
Using DDS for Basic: False
27
Using DDS for Biotech: False
33
Using DDS for Child-Care: False
22
Using DDS for Cuisine: False
47
Using DDS for Factions: False
68
Using DDS for Misc: False
40
Using DDS for Recreation: False
18
Using DDS for Scientific: False
29
Using DDS for Styles: False
133
Using DDS for Vanilla: False
12
Using DDS for Projector-Throne: False
Using DDS for Projector-Throne_grand: False
Setting ERN_Amaro trainability to Advanced
Setting ERN_BigCarbuncle trainability to Advanced
Setting ERN_Carbuncle trainability to Advanced
Setting ERN_Chocobo trainability to Intermediate
PickUpAndHaul v1.1.2¼ welcomes you to RimWorld with pointless logspam.
[Geological Landforms v1.6.10] Found 5 biome variants in mod Biomes! Islands.
[Geological Landforms v1.6.10] Found 6 biome variants in mod Biomes! Caverns.
[Geological Landforms v1.6.10] Found landform data in the following mods: Geological Landforms, Biomes! Caverns
[Geological Landforms v1.6.10] Loaded 40 landforms of which 0 are edited and 0 are custom.
MVCF successfully applied 56 patches
[ShowMeYourHands]: Defined hand definitions of 320 weapons
adding BorealForestto primary biomes
adding Tundrato primary biomes
adding ColdBogto primary biomes
adding IceSheetto primary biomes
adding TemperateForestto primary biomes
adding TemperateSwampto primary biomes
adding TropicalRainforestto primary biomes
adding TropicalSwampto primary biomes
adding AridShrublandto primary biomes
adding Desertto primary biomes
adding ExtremeDesertto primary biomes
adding RG_TemperateGrasslandto primary biomes
adding RG_AspenForestto primary biomes
adding RG_BoilingForestto primary biomes
adding TemperateGuldenForestto primary biomes
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
Unloading 5 Unused Serialized files (Serialized files now loaded: 7)
Unloading 1421 unused Assets to reduce memory usage. Loaded Objects now: 97345.
Total: 1887.802500 ms (FindLiveObjects: 13.610400 ms CreateObjectMapping: 17.643200 ms MarkObjects: 1845.528100 ms DeleteObjects: 11.020100 ms)
Unloading 3 Unused Serialized files (Serialized files now loaded: 7)
UnloadTime: 0.385100 ms
Unloading 1 unused Assets to reduce memory usage. Loaded Objects now: 97735.
Total: 1540.643400 ms (FindLiveObjects: 5.084100 ms CreateObjectMapping: 16.061600 ms MarkObjects: 1519.352600 ms DeleteObjects: 0.144800 ms)
Initializing new game with mods:

• brrainz.harmony
  
• Ludeon.RimWorld
  
• Ludeon.RimWorld.Royalty
  
• Ludeon.RimWorld.Ideology
  
• Ludeon.RimWorld.Biotech
  
• Ludeon.RimWorld.Anomaly
  
• tidal.morevanilla.textures
  
• vanillaexpanded.backgrounds
  
• Owlchemist.CherryPicker.tmpfix
  
• OskarPotocki.VanillaFactionsExpanded.Core
  
• ReSplice.XOTR.Charmweavers
  
• VanillaExpanded.VWENL
  
• loregret.veextra.nonlethal
  
• rimsenal.EVP
  
• VanillaExpanded.VanillaAnimalsExpanded
  
• VanillaExpanded.VAEEndAndExt
  
• VanillaExpanded.VAERoy
  
• VanillaExpanded.VAERoy.OmegaChickenPatch
  
• VanillaExpanded.VAEWaste
  
• VanillaExpanded.VAPPE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VAEAccessories
  
• VanillaExpanded.VARME
  
• VanillaExpanded.VanillaBackstoriesExpanded
  
• VanillaExpanded.BaseGenerationExpanded
  
• Neronix17.Retexture.VanillaBeards
  
• VanillaExpanded.VBrewE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VBrewECandT
  
• VanillaExpanded.VBrewESP
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEPower
  
• VanillaExpanded.VChemfuelE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VCookE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VCookEStews
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEA
  
• OskarPotocki.VFE.Empire
  
• OskarPotocki.VFE.Deserters
  
• VanillaExpanded.VWEL
  
• OskarPotocki.VFE.Pirates
  
• OskarPotocki.VanillaFactionsExpanded.SettlersModule
  
• OskarPotocki.VFE.Tribals
  
• VanillaExpanded.VCEF
  
• VanillaExpanded.VCEFAddon
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFECore
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEArchitect
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEArt
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEFarming
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEMedical
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEProduction
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEPropsandDecor
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFESecurity
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFESpacer
  
• VanillaExpanded.VWE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VTEXVariations
  
• VanillaExpanded.VPsycastsE
  
• pathfinding.framework
  
• BiomesTeam.BiomesCore
  
• BiomesTeam.BiomesIslands
  
• sarg.alphaanimals
  
• OskarPotocki.VFE.Mechanoid
  
• Dubwise.DubsBadHygiene
  
• Farxmai2.VanillaFurnitureExpandedPack
  
• VanillaExpanded.VGeneticsE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VGeneticsEMoreLabStuff
  
• VanillaExpanded.VHE
  
• Neronix17.Retexture.VanillaHair
  
• VanillaExpanded.HelixienGas
  
• VanillaExpanded.Ideo.Dryads
  
• VanillaExpanded.VIEHAR
  
• VanillaExpanded.Ideo.IconsandSymbols
  
• VanillaExpanded.VMemesE
  
• VanillaExpanded.Ideo.RelicsAndArtifacts
  
• VanillaExpanded.Ideo.SophianStyle
  
• VanillaExpanded.VIESAS
  
• VanillaExpanded.VNutrientE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VPersonaWeaponsE
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.android
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.Core
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.AspenForest
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.BoilingForest
  
• VanillaExpanded.VPlantsE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VPlantsEMore
  
• VanillaExpanded.VPlantsESucculents
  
• VanillaExpanded.VPE.Hemosage
  
• VanillaExpanded.VPE.Puppeteer
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.archon
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.customicons
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.fungoid
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.genie
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.highmate
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.hussar
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.lycanthrope
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.phytokin
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.pigskin
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.sanguophage
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.saurid
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.waster
  
• VanillaExpanded.Recycling
  
• VanillaExpanded.VanillaSocialInteractionsExpanded
  
• VanillaExpanded.Temperature
  
• VanillaExpanded.VTEXE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VanillaTradingExpanded
  
• VanillaExpanded.VWEC
  
• VanillaExpanded.VWEG
  
• VanillaExpanded.VWEHW
  
• VanillaExpanded.VWETB
  
• brrainz.cameraplus
  
• sarg.alphabiomes
  
• sarg.alphagenes
  
• sarg.alphamechs
  
• Sarg.AlphaMemes
  
• sarg.magicalmenagerie
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.DesertExpansion
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.BorealForestExpansion
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.ReTextures
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.SwampExpansion
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.TemperateForestExpansion
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.TropicalExpansion
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.TundraExpansion
  
• Mlie.ChooseWildAnimalSpawns
  
• Telkir.TMods.MoreFloors
  
• anthitei.athsstylegothic.style
  
• pphhyy.GuldenNew
  
• BiomesTeam.Oasis
  
• m00nl1ght.GeologicalLandforms
  
• BiomesTeam.BiomesCaverns
  
• pphhyy.LightlessEmpyrean
  
• imranfish.xmlextensions
  
• vat.epoeforked
  
• JGH.EPOE
  
• tarojun.epoeforked.AllowDirectCrafting
  
• vat.epoeforkedroyalty
  
• LimeTreeSnake.Systems
  
• Erin.Hairredux
  
• Erin.Hair2
  
• rimsenal.hair
  
• Neronix17.Retexture.RimsenalRimhair
  
• CM.Ideology.Upscaled (incompatible version)
  
• CM.Ideology.Upscaled2 (incompatible version)
  
• Rooboid.RoyalhairHD
  
• Rooboid.GlasseshairHD
  
• Rooboid.Hdhair
  
• TheVanityProject.GenderUnlockedHair
  
• won.hair
  
• won2.hair
  
• JintuziLamian.Hairstyle.AFUWomenshairstyles
  
• JintuziLamian.Hairstyle.AFUMenshairstyles
  
• BotchJob.HTHair
  
• Absolute.Legends.Hair
  
• Erin.AzaphraeBiotech
  
• cf.anomalyupscaled
  
• mosi.MoreMiniHorns
  
• Rimsenal.Spacer
  
• rimsenal.Sophian
  
• rimsenal.Techist
  
• rimsenal.Urb
  
• Rimsenal.Askbarn
  
• Rimsenal.Harana
  
• DBH.Upscaled
  
• Better.Plants
  
• cat2002.showhair
  
• VRES.BetterParts
  
• StyleRevised.Animalist (incompatible version)
  
• Cookie.RealRum
  
• yamazaki.animalhoods
  
• smartkar.athenaframework
  
• Anthitei.ATHsIdeoColorPalette.Colors
  
• Anthitei.ATHsStyleDraconic.Style
  
• Anthitei.ATHsStyleableFramework.Style
  
• telardo.BetterGeneGraphicsFramework
  
• kikohi.BetterGroundPenetratingScanner
  
• EL.BiotechMechRT
  
• marceline.cribretexture
  
• Farxmai2.DBH.Expanded
  
• Hartarok.Dresses
  
• Vesper.EGIHologramsandProjectors
  
• SirVan.EltexWeaponry
  
• det.epochsincense
  
• det.epochspottery
  
• detvisor.glitterweaponry
  
• detvisor.impactweaponry
  
• EL.IonWeaponry
  
• det.phaseweaponry
  
• detvisor.pulseweaponry
  
• com.yayo.yayoAni.continued
  
• Mlie.JinRohKerberosPanzerCopArmor
  
• Gerrymon.KinkyBodyStraps
  
• m00nl1ght.MapPreview
  
• Oken.UseEyesLayerMechanitor
  
• Kierannkkt.MechlordWarcasket
  
• Mo.MHScanner
  
• Taranchuk.ModErrorChecker
  
• Sov.WarcasketWeapons
  
• Mlie.RimworldSpartanFoundry
  
• Mlie.SpartanFoundryWarcraft
  
• Aoba.WarCasket
  
• Mlie.ShowMeYourHands
  
• Mlie.SpookyScarySkeletons
  
• Dra.StyleChangeAnytime
  
• Gerrymon.StylizedSlaveCollar
  
• Qux.Tattoos
  
• Shenanigans.TechTattoos
  
• Rooboid.RooTattoo
  
• oracle.erin.tattoos
  
• Shenanigans.TribalTattoos
  
• JintuziLamian.Gene.XenoCosmetic
  
• zylle.ChildrensDrawings
  
• Happycam.ChristmasTreesExpanded
  
• det.avaloi
  
• det.boglegs
  
• det.stoneborn
  
• det.venators
  
• neronix17.hd.pawns
  
• Erin.Body.Texture
  
• Erin.Cats
  
• Erin.Corvyia
  
• Erin.AuronyaBiotech
  
• Erin.Fenrisulfr
  
• Erin.FFAnimals
  
• Erin.Ferret
  
• Erin.JapaneseCuisine
  
• Erin.JapaneseFurniture
  
• Erin.LizzardDoggo
  
• Erin.Mountain
  
• Erin.Palamutes
  
• Erin.Shisune
  
• MasterLorian.EyeImplantsRetextured
  
• kathanon.FixStyledBlueprints
  
• Tials.Floordrawings
  
• BotchJob.GallatrossandFriendsRetextured
  
• GM.Nautian.Style
  
• Lusty.HelltakerGenes
  
• Hex.Retexture
  
• Rince.Ideo.WarframeSymbols
  
• kikohi.jewelry
  
• Jaxe.Bubbles
  
• Animal.BedsNew
  
• ObsidiaExpansion.Xenos.Mothoids
  
• ObsidiaExpansion.Xenos.Tortle
  
• ObsidiaExpansion.Xenos.Arachnas
  
• ObsidiaExpansion.Xenos.Ceratons
  
• ObsidiaExpansion.Ideology.Icons
  
• ObsidiaExpansion.Ideology.StylePack
  
• ObsidiaExpansion.HQ
  
• densevoid.onebedtosleepwithall
  
• Mehni.PickUpAndHaul
  
• pphhyy.SanguinaryAnimals
  
• pphhyy.ToxWeapons
  
• Mlie.PrisonersShouldFearTurrets
  
• Mlie.ProstheticNoMissingBodyParts
  
• Uuugggg.ReplaceStuff
  
• Garethp.ReplaceStuffCompatibility
  
• ReSplice.XOTR.Core
  
• telardo.RomanceOnTheRim
  
• Rooboid.BirthmarksandBlemishes
  
• Robotrowful.Apparel
  
• Mlie.RoyalThrumbos
  
• det.dwarvenstyle
  
• FluffyTowels.warcaskethaulpatch
  
• Mersid.WCE2Updated.Core
  
• alt4s.VisitSettlements
  
• TribalCrib.Mod
  
• Gunmar.TribalWarriorSet
  
• Trickity.WC.Rags
  
• zal.vfetmodpatches
  
• Shavius.Oreno.VFE.DubsBadHygiene
  
• SirVan.SteelRetexture
  
• LimeTreeSnake.Xenotech
  
• Koni.Misc.Toxlamps
  
• Trickity.Samurai.Faction.Styles
  
• Ushanka.BiologicalWarfare
  
• Ushanka.LuciferiumExpansion
  
• Ushanka.GlitterworldUprising
  
• det.spacerarsenal
  
• Bonible.vanillalaserretexture (incompatible version)
  
• GHOST.TribalIcons (incompatible version)
  

[Geological Landforms v1.6.10] Map added on tile - TileId: 27399, Landforms: , BiomeVariants: , Topology: Inland, TopologyValue: 0, TopologyDirection: South (F)
Unloading 0 Unused Serialized files (Serialized files now loaded: 7)
Unloading 1 unused Assets to reduce memory usage. Loaded Objects now: 103818.
Total: 1610.991700 ms (FindLiveObjects: 4.992200 ms CreateObjectMapping: 10.976600 ms MarkObjects: 1594.827700 ms DeleteObjects: 0.194800 ms)

I don't know what I can do anymore, as i get the bug whit raid not spawning really often without any error or clue, I is hard to test whit different mod list because i take a long time to tested. Maybe there are some more obvious problem on my mod list that someone better informed cloud spot? if something i deleted my user folder and content folder on steam and download everything again.
Here my log
Mono path[0] = 'D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Managed'
Mono config path = 'D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/MonoBleedingEdge/etc'
Initialize engine version: 2019.4.30f1 (e8c891080a1f)
[Subsystems] Discovering subsystems at path D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/UnitySubsystems
GfxDevice: creating device client; threaded=1
Direct3D:
Version: Direct3D 11.0 [level 11.1]
Renderer: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 (ID=0x1be1)
Vendor:
VRAM: 8060 MB
Driver: 31.0.15.5244
Begin MonoManager ReloadAssembly

• Completed reload, in 0.174 seconds

Initializing input.
Input initialized.
Initialized touch support.
UnloadTime: 0.933400 ms
RimWorld 1.5.4085 rev545
Mod ReGrowth: Wastelands Fishing Patch dependency (regrowth.botr.wastelands) needs to have and/or specified.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Mod ReGrowth: Wastelands Fishing Patch dependency (vanillaexpanded.vcef) needs to have and/or specified.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-0000020375D78110.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-00000203779C1250.dll
[Biomes! Islands v2.2.0.0] Initialized
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-000002037D17E940.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-000002037CF01010.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-000002037CB8D010.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-000002037C946010.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-000002037C808020.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-000002037C85E010.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-000002037C978820.dll
Fallback handler could not load library D:/Steam/steamapps/common/RimWorld/RimWorldWin64_Data/Mono/data-0000020375C89530.dll
1.0.8864 ::
1.0.8865 ::
1.0.8864 ::
[Interaction Bubbles v3.0] Initialized
ReSplice: Charmweavers 1.1-Lurelings-rev5
ReGrowth: Core 3.6-Mundi-rev6
ReGrowth: ReTextures 1.2-Clapham-rev4
ReSplice: Core 1.0.1-Shelley-rev4
Parsed 0.125 as int.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Parsed 0.15 as int.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Parsed 2.5 as int.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Parsed 7.5 as int.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Could not resolve cross-reference: No Verse.SoundDef named Pawn_Melee_Punch_HitBuilding found to give to Verse.RaceProperties Verse.RaceProperties (using undefined sound instead)
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Could not resolve cross-reference: No Verse.SoundDef named Pawn_Melee_Punch_HitBuilding found to give to Verse.RaceProperties Verse.RaceProperties (using undefined sound instead)
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Knowledge data was missing key BMT_HungeringAnimalsConcept. Adding it...
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Knowledge data was missing key BuildersTryMine. Adding it...
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
[Pathfinding Framework v0.5.5.0] Mod initialized.
MovementDef count: 9
[Biomes! Core v2.6.2.0] Initialized
[Biomes! Caverns v1.6.3.0] Initialized
Texture LitterBox has dimensions of 256 x 256, but its mask has 64 x 64. This is not supported, texture will be excluded from atlas
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Texture LitterBox has dimensions of 256 x 256, but its mask has 64 x 64. This is not supported, texture will be excluded from atlas
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
Translation data for language English has 27 errors. Generate translation report for more info.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
[Cherry Picker] The database was processed in 00.64949 seconds and the following defs were removed:

• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Mace,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Shiv,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Gladius,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Ikwa,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Knife,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Spear,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Club,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Animalist_Axe,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Revolver,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Autopistol,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_BoltActionRifle,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_PumpShotgun,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_MachinePistol,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_SniperRifle,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_AssaultRifle,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_HeavySMG,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_LMG,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Minigun,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_ChainShotgun,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_ChargeRifle,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_ChargeLance,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Mace,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Gladius,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Knife,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Spear,
  
• ThingStyleDef/AM_Techist_Sword
  

[KCSG] Vanilla Base Generation Expanded contains 8 missing symbols.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
[KCSG] Vanilla Factions Expanded - Ancients contains 4 missing symbols.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
MeditationFocusDef Void does not have a MeditationFocusExtension, which means it will not have an icon in the Psycasts UI.
Please ask Ludeon Studios to add one.
(Filename: C:\buildslave\unity\build\Runtime/Export/Debug/Debug.bindings.h Line: 39)
[TrueTerrainColors v1.12.14] Extracted true colors from 1464 terrain defs in 493.71 seconds using a RenderTexture of size 4112x4112.
[XML Extensions] Initialized 1 SettingsMenuDef(s) and found 0 unused key(s) from 0 mod(s)
[XML Extensions] 5033 total patches run in 37945ms, 0 failed
Using DDS for Animals: False
33
Using DDS for Arsenal: False
22
Using DDS for Artistic: False
55
Using DDS for Basic: False
27
Using DDS for Biotech: False
33
Using DDS for Child-Care: False
22
Using DDS for Cuisine: False
47
Using DDS for Factions: False
68
Using DDS for Misc: False
40
Using DDS for Recreation: False
18
Using DDS for Scientific: False
29
Using DDS for Styles: False
133
Using DDS for Vanilla: False
12
Using DDS for Projector-Throne: False
Using DDS for Projector-Throne_grand: False
Setting ERN_Amaro trainability to Advanced
Setting ERN_BigCarbuncle trainability to Advanced
Setting ERN_Carbuncle trainability to Advanced
Setting ERN_Chocobo trainability to Intermediate
PickUpAndHaul v1.1.2¼ welcomes you to RimWorld with pointless logspam.
[Geological Landforms v1.6.10] Found 5 biome variants in mod Biomes! Islands.
[Geological Landforms v1.6.10] Found 6 biome variants in mod Biomes! Caverns.
[Geological Landforms v1.6.10] Found landform data in the following mods: Geological Landforms, Biomes! Caverns
[Geological Landforms v1.6.10] Loaded 40 landforms of which 0 are edited and 0 are custom.
MVCF successfully applied 56 patches
[ShowMeYourHands]: Defined hand definitions of 320 weapons
adding BorealForestto primary biomes
adding Tundrato primary biomes
adding ColdBogto primary biomes
adding IceSheetto primary biomes
adding TemperateForestto primary biomes
adding TemperateSwampto primary biomes
adding TropicalRainforestto primary biomes
adding TropicalSwampto primary biomes
adding AridShrublandto primary biomes
adding Desertto primary biomes
adding ExtremeDesertto primary biomes
adding RG_TemperateGrasslandto primary biomes
adding RG_AspenForestto primary biomes
adding RG_BoilingForestto primary biomes
adding TemperateGuldenForestto primary biomes
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
finished biome cycle
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Unloading 5 Unused Serialized files (Serialized files now loaded: 7)
Unloading 1421 unused Assets to reduce memory usage. Loaded Objects now: 97345.
Total: 1887.802500 ms (FindLiveObjects: 13.610400 ms CreateObjectMapping: 17.643200 ms MarkObjects: 1845.528100 ms DeleteObjects: 11.020100 ms)
Unloading 3 Unused Serialized files (Serialized files now loaded: 7)
UnloadTime: 0.385100 ms
Unloading 1 unused Assets to reduce memory usage. Loaded Objects now: 97735.
Total: 1540.643400 ms (FindLiveObjects: 5.084100 ms CreateObjectMapping: 16.061600 ms MarkObjects: 1519.352600 ms DeleteObjects: 0.144800 ms)
Initializing new game with mods:

• brrainz.harmony
  
• Ludeon.RimWorld
  
• Ludeon.RimWorld.Royalty
  
• Ludeon.RimWorld.Ideology
  
• Ludeon.RimWorld.Biotech
  
• Ludeon.RimWorld.Anomaly
  
• tidal.morevanilla.textures
  
• vanillaexpanded.backgrounds
  
• Owlchemist.CherryPicker.tmpfix
  
• OskarPotocki.VanillaFactionsExpanded.Core
  
• ReSplice.XOTR.Charmweavers
  
• VanillaExpanded.VWENL
  
• loregret.veextra.nonlethal
  
• rimsenal.EVP
  
• VanillaExpanded.VanillaAnimalsExpanded
  
• VanillaExpanded.VAEEndAndExt
  
• VanillaExpanded.VAERoy
  
• VanillaExpanded.VAERoy.OmegaChickenPatch
  
• VanillaExpanded.VAEWaste
  
• VanillaExpanded.VAPPE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VAEAccessories
  
• VanillaExpanded.VARME
  
• VanillaExpanded.VanillaBackstoriesExpanded
  
• VanillaExpanded.BaseGenerationExpanded
  
• Neronix17.Retexture.VanillaBeards
  
• VanillaExpanded.VBrewE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VBrewECandT
  
• VanillaExpanded.VBrewESP
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEPower
  
• VanillaExpanded.VChemfuelE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VCookE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VCookEStews
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEA
  
• OskarPotocki.VFE.Empire
  
• OskarPotocki.VFE.Deserters
  
• VanillaExpanded.VWEL
  
• OskarPotocki.VFE.Pirates
  
• OskarPotocki.VanillaFactionsExpanded.SettlersModule
  
• OskarPotocki.VFE.Tribals
  
• VanillaExpanded.VCEF
  
• VanillaExpanded.VCEFAddon
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFECore
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEArchitect
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEArt
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEFarming
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEMedical
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEProduction
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFEPropsandDecor
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFESecurity
  
• VanillaExpanded.VFESpacer
  
• VanillaExpanded.VWE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VTEXVariations
  
• VanillaExpanded.VPsycastsE
  
• pathfinding.framework
  
• BiomesTeam.BiomesCore
  
• BiomesTeam.BiomesIslands
  
• sarg.alphaanimals
  
• OskarPotocki.VFE.Mechanoid
  
• Dubwise.DubsBadHygiene
  
• Farxmai2.VanillaFurnitureExpandedPack
  
• VanillaExpanded.VGeneticsE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VGeneticsEMoreLabStuff
  
• VanillaExpanded.VHE
  
• Neronix17.Retexture.VanillaHair
  
• VanillaExpanded.HelixienGas
  
• VanillaExpanded.Ideo.Dryads
  
• VanillaExpanded.VIEHAR
  
• VanillaExpanded.Ideo.IconsandSymbols
  
• VanillaExpanded.VMemesE
  
• VanillaExpanded.Ideo.RelicsAndArtifacts
  
• VanillaExpanded.Ideo.SophianStyle
  
• VanillaExpanded.VIESAS
  
• VanillaExpanded.VNutrientE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VPersonaWeaponsE
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.android
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.Core
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.AspenForest
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.BoilingForest
  
• VanillaExpanded.VPlantsE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VPlantsEMore
  
• VanillaExpanded.VPlantsESucculents
  
• VanillaExpanded.VPE.Hemosage
  
• VanillaExpanded.VPE.Puppeteer
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.archon
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.customicons
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.fungoid
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.genie
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.highmate
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.hussar
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.lycanthrope
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.phytokin
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.pigskin
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.sanguophage
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.saurid
  
• vanillaracesexpanded.waster
  
• VanillaExpanded.Recycling
  
• VanillaExpanded.VanillaSocialInteractionsExpanded
  
• VanillaExpanded.Temperature
  
• VanillaExpanded.VTEXE
  
• VanillaExpanded.VanillaTradingExpanded
  
• VanillaExpanded.VWEC
  
• VanillaExpanded.VWEG
  
• VanillaExpanded.VWEHW
  
• VanillaExpanded.VWETB
  
• brrainz.cameraplus
  
• sarg.alphabiomes
  
• sarg.alphagenes
  
• sarg.alphamechs
  
• Sarg.AlphaMemes
  
• sarg.magicalmenagerie
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.DesertExpansion
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.BorealForestExpansion
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.ReTextures
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.SwampExpansion
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.TemperateForestExpansion
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.TropicalExpansion
  
• ReGrowth.BOTR.TundraExpansion
  
• Mlie.ChooseWildAnimalSpawns
  
• Telkir.TMods.MoreFloors
  
• anthitei.athsstylegothic.style
  
• pphhyy.GuldenNew
  
• BiomesTeam.Oasis
  
• m00nl1ght.GeologicalLandforms
  
• BiomesTeam.BiomesCaverns
  
• pphhyy.LightlessEmpyrean
  
• imranfish.xmlextensions
  
• vat.epoeforked
  
• JGH.EPOE
  
• tarojun.epoeforked.AllowDirectCrafting
  
• vat.epoeforkedroyalty
  
• LimeTreeSnake.Systems
  
• Erin.Hairredux
  
• Erin.Hair2
  
• rimsenal.hair
  
• Neronix17.Retexture.RimsenalRimhair
  
• CM.Ideology.Upscaled (incompatible version)
  
• CM.Ideology.Upscaled2 (incompatible version)
  
• Rooboid.RoyalhairHD
  
• Rooboid.GlasseshairHD
  
• Rooboid.Hdhair
  
• TheVanityProject.GenderUnlockedHair
  
• won.hair
  
• won2.hair
  
• JintuziLamian.Hairstyle.AFUWomenshairstyles
  
• JintuziLamian.Hairstyle.AFUMenshairstyles
  
• BotchJob.HTHair
  
• Absolute.Legends.Hair
  
• Erin.AzaphraeBiotech
  
• cf.anomalyupscaled
  
• mosi.MoreMiniHorns
  
• Rimsenal.Spacer
  
• rimsenal.Sophian
  
• rimsenal.Techist
  
• rimsenal.Urb
  
• Rimsenal.Askbarn
  
• Rimsenal.Harana
  
• DBH.Upscaled
  
• Better.Plants
  
• cat2002.showhair
  
• VRES.BetterParts
  
• StyleRevised.Animalist (incompatible version)
  
• Cookie.RealRum
  
• yamazaki.animalhoods
  
• smartkar.athenaframework
  
• Anthitei.ATHsIdeoColorPalette.Colors
  
• Anthitei.ATHsStyleDraconic.Style
  
• Anthitei.ATHsStyleableFramework.Style
  
• telardo.BetterGeneGraphicsFramework
  
• kikohi.BetterGroundPenetratingScanner
  
• EL.BiotechMechRT
  
• marceline.cribretexture
  
• Farxmai2.DBH.Expanded
  
• Hartarok.Dresses
  
• Vesper.EGIHologramsandProjectors
  
• SirVan.EltexWeaponry
  
• det.epochsincense
  
• det.epochspottery
  
• detvisor.glitterweaponry
  
• detvisor.impactweaponry
  
• EL.IonWeaponry
  
• det.phaseweaponry
  
• detvisor.pulseweaponry
  
• com.yayo.yayoAni.continued
  
• Mlie.JinRohKerberosPanzerCopArmor
  
• Gerrymon.KinkyBodyStraps
  
• m00nl1ght.MapPreview
  
• Oken.UseEyesLayerMechanitor
  
• Kierannkkt.MechlordWarcasket
  
• Mo.MHScanner
  
• Taranchuk.ModErrorChecker
  
• Sov.WarcasketWeapons
  
• Mlie.RimworldSpartanFoundry
  
• Mlie.SpartanFoundryWarcraft
  
• Aoba.WarCasket
  
• Mlie.ShowMeYourHands
  
• Mlie.SpookyScarySkeletons
  
• Dra.StyleChangeAnytime
  
• Gerrymon.StylizedSlaveCollar
  
• Qux.Tattoos
  
• Shenanigans.TechTattoos
  
• Rooboid.RooTattoo
  
• oracle.erin.tattoos
  
• Shenanigans.TribalTattoos
  
• JintuziLamian.Gene.XenoCosmetic
  
• zylle.ChildrensDrawings
  
• Happycam.ChristmasTreesExpanded
  
• det.avaloi
  
• det.boglegs
  
• det.stoneborn
  
• det.venators
  
• neronix17.hd.pawns
  
• Erin.Body.Texture
  
• Erin.Cats
  
• Erin.Corvyia
  
• Erin.AuronyaBiotech
  
• Erin.Fenrisulfr
  
• Erin.FFAnimals
  
• Erin.Ferret
  
• Erin.JapaneseCuisine
  
• Erin.JapaneseFurniture
  
• Erin.LizzardDoggo
  
• Erin.Mountain
  
• Erin.Palamutes
  
• Erin.Shisune
  
• MasterLorian.EyeImplantsRetextured
  
• kathanon.FixStyledBlueprints
  
• Tials.Floordrawings
  
• BotchJob.GallatrossandFriendsRetextured
  
• GM.Nautian.Style
  
• Lusty.HelltakerGenes
  
• Hex.Retexture
  
• Rince.Ideo.WarframeSymbols
  
• kikohi.jewelry
  
• Jaxe.Bubbles
  
• Animal.BedsNew
  
• ObsidiaExpansion.Xenos.Mothoids
  
• ObsidiaExpansion.Xenos.Tortle
  
• ObsidiaExpansion.Xenos.Arachnas
  
• ObsidiaExpansion.Xenos.Ceratons
  
• ObsidiaExpansion.Ideology.Icons
  
• ObsidiaExpansion.Ideology.StylePack
  
• ObsidiaExpansion.HQ
  
• densevoid.onebedtosleepwithall
  
• Mehni.PickUpAndHaul
  
• pphhyy.SanguinaryAnimals
  
• pphhyy.ToxWeapons
  
• Mlie.PrisonersShouldFearTurrets
  
• Mlie.ProstheticNoMissingBodyParts
  
• Uuugggg.ReplaceStuff
  
• Garethp.ReplaceStuffCompatibility
  
• ReSplice.XOTR.Core
  
• telardo.RomanceOnTheRim
  
• Rooboid.BirthmarksandBlemishes
  
• Robotrowful.Apparel
  
• Mlie.RoyalThrumbos
  
• det.dwarvenstyle
  
• FluffyTowels.warcaskethaulpatch
  
• Mersid.WCE2Updated.Core
  
• alt4s.VisitSettlements
  
• TribalCrib.Mod
  
• Gunmar.TribalWarriorSet
  
• Trickity.WC.Rags
  
• zal.vfetmodpatches
  
• Shavius.Oreno.VFE.DubsBadHygiene
  
• SirVan.SteelRetexture
  
• LimeTreeSnake.Xenotech
  
• Koni.Misc.Toxlamps
  
• Trickity.Samurai.Faction.Styles
  
• Ushanka.BiologicalWarfare
  
• Ushanka.LuciferiumExpansion
  
• Ushanka.GlitterworldUprising
  
• det.spacerarsenal
  
• Bonible.vanillalaserretexture (incompatible version)
  
• GHOST.TribalIcons (incompatible version)
  

[Geological Landforms v1.6.10] Map added on tile - TileId: 27399, Landforms: , BiomeVariants: , Topology: Inland, TopologyValue: 0, TopologyDirection: South (F)
Unloading 0 Unused Serialized files (Serialized files now loaded: 7)
Unloading 1 unused Assets to reduce memory usage. Loaded Objects now: 103818.
Total: 1610.991700 ms (FindLiveObjects: 4.992200 ms CreateObjectMapping: 10.976600 ms MarkObjects: 1594.827700 ms DeleteObjects: 0.194800 ms)

Hi everyone,
By filtering out stocks on a magicformula similar way i found TTEC holdings. A very interesting Stock in my opinion. The company is growing im revenue and diped from 100$ a share to 7-8$ a share.
The reason for that is the lowest margin ever and recently making negativ net income.
I do not find find any good reasoning why Mr. Market stopped believing in this company and valued this stock 350 MM. in market cap. Better said I do think to know why, but this low is not fair, in my opinion.
By looking in the balance sheet and how they financed the latest acquisitions I do not think they will go broke and are going to make profit again.
The are up to 7 analyst making a opinion about the stock and I do not believe any of them. They were recommending the stock even at peak price and are changing the buy or neutral recommendations constantly. But I do have faith in the Management.
The CEO Ken Tuchman, is founder, chair man (almost 60% ownership) and has over 20 years experience in running this Business. The new CFO is experienced as welll in his Job, but I am conflicted about that.
This Stock is everything I taught myself in value investing. It is cheap, still growing, has good mangment, has good ROA and ROIC, (referring to the operating Income) is not out my circle of competence and has the management owning stocks. (Moat is in progress)
Some Key Numbers:
Marketcap: 363,000,000$
Enterprise Value: 1,341,000,000$
EV/EBIT: 12
Current Ratio: 1.61
I do belive this stock is in a temporarily bad situation but is going to make profit again. Do you guys think ohterwise? Or do you have experience in that stock? Let me know. Cheers and thank you.

Just curious why there the rosey filter is it a reference to looking at the past with rosey glasses? Or just to show it’s a flashback

I'm currently 19yo, a university student, and I have been chronically fatigued for probably the past 3+ years, with visible eyebags. I do play video games in the evening with friends, shooters usually, and I understand that that likely has an impact. Although the friends I talk with, seem energetic. Here's what I currently do which rule out some factors:

• Relatively good time management; I do not study into late hours, nor do I see myself as very stressed.
• Sleep an average of over 8 hours every day. Sleep schedule is quite irregular right now, but when I did briefly try to fix it about a year ago, doing everything doctors recommend (limit screens, be consistently over 8 hours, sleep around the same time) for a week, nothing changed, which made me inclined to think that my sleep wasn't the issue. However, chronic eyebags suggest otherwise. When I didn't game at night, nothing changed either.
• Have near perfect blood test results, with B12, sugar and iron levels are within normal range. Resting heart rate around 50-55 usually.
• Weightlift around 3-4 times a week.

What makes me confused, is that there only has been 1 day in the past 3+ years, where I felt amazing. I could think clearly, focus properly, practice piano efficiently, etc. Except I don't remember what I did prior to that day which made that one day so "normal". That day has become a reference as to how I want to feel in the future.
I don't drink coffee or alcohol; I drink lots of water. If I am at home, studying, I take frequent breaks to move around. I don't know whether I have sleep apnea, as I sleep in my own bedroom, and only exhibit one of the symptoms as far as I can tell - chronic fatigue. I don't think I snore according to my friends. I've always used the high end of the blue light filter on all of my screens, but that's trivial stuff.
What could I do to try to fix this? Should I go into an extremely strict schedule, 9h/day 11:30 - 8:30 sort of schedule? Reading, no screens 2h before bed? Maybe try a sleep study for sleep apnea?

Hello. Does any MDM provide user level web filtering for windows? For example, if a PC has two users: A and B and I want to block a website for only A and not for B, is that possible? I am trying to implement this in my own MDM that I am building and can't find any reference regarding it.

Hi everyone,
I'm currently in the process of sourcing obsolete Tyco Solarlok connectors for my solar panels, and I've hit a bit of a snag. I'm having trouble determining whether the DC cables on my panels are 4mm² or 6mm². I know that the measurement refers to the cross-sectional area, but unfortunately, there are no clear markings along the cable to help me identify the size.
The diameter of the cable, as measured with a caliper, is approximately 5.5mm. Given this measurement, is it reasonable to assume that the cables are either 4mm² or 6mm²?
Any insights or guidance from those with experience in this area would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help!

Just sharing a few free tools, resources etc. that might make your tech life a little easier. I have no known association with any of these unless stated otherwise.
But first, in the latest Security Swarm Podcast: "Microsoft’s SFI Expansion, UK’s New PSTI Law & Updates on Change Healthcare Attack,” we discuss the cybersecurity landscape based on data from the Monthly Threat Report for May 2024. We cover a range of news items, including Microsoft’s recent announcement to expand the Secure Future Initiative, the new PSTI (Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure) Act in the UK and a significant brand impersonation campaign targeting the German financial entity Commerzbank. Additionally, you'll hear updates on the Change Healthcare ransomware attack.
We're looking for your favorite tips and tools we can share with the community... those that help you do your job better and more easily. Please share your suggestions on the IT Pro Tuesday subreddit, and we'll be featuring them in the coming weeks.
Now on to this week's list!
A Free Tool
Iamroot DNS Lookup is an online tool for resolving domain names. Supports the most-common record types and performs secondary lookups on any references in the returned DNS records. Author flems77 explains, "MX Toolbox has a lot of excellent tools, but for basic DNS lookups, I had a really hard time finding any basic and simple tool with low-key results. So, I actually made my own."
A Tip
A solution-finding strategy suggested by Bleglord:
Adding site:Reddit.com to searches for odd issues with no documentation online.
A Podcast
Packet Protector is a new offering from Packet Pushers that covers the latest security headlines as well as delving into tech and strategic insights on a wide range of essential networking topics. SevaraB says, "[it] gets into good security day-to-day operational stuff without getting quite as ranty as Steve Gibson."
Another Free Tool
SoftPerfect Network Scanner is a universal IPv4/IPv6 scanner that can ping, scan ports, and discover shared folders. Includes flexible filter and display options. lpbale0 adds, "It is robust, extensible, and updated on a regular basis. You can also integrate NMAP for Windows into it. Yea, NMAP for Windows, I said it, flame me."
A Tutorial
Modifying XML, JSON, INI configuration files without sed is a detailed blog post explaining an alternative method for adjusting config files, including the relevant code. pdp10 favors this approach to using "sed, jq, xmlstarlet, augtool for elegantly modifying config files."
You can find this week's bonuses here or signup to get each week's list in your inbox here.

Welcome back to IT Pro Tuesday!
In the latest Security Swarm Podcast: "Microsoft’s SFI Expansion, UK’s New PSTI Law & Updates on Change Healthcare Attack,” we discuss the cybersecurity landscape based on data from the Monthly Threat Report for May 2024. We cover a range of news items, including Microsoft’s recent announcement to expand the Secure Future Initiative, the new PSTI (Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure) Act in the UK and a significant brand impersonation campaign targeting the German financial entity Commerzbank. Additionally, you'll hear updates on the Change Healthcare ransomware attack.
We're looking for your favorite tips and tools we can share with the community... those that help you do your job better and more easily. Please share your suggestions on the IT Pro Tuesday subreddit, and we'll be featuring them in the coming weeks.
Now on to this week's list!
A Free Tool
Iamroot DNS Lookup is an online tool for resolving domain names. Supports the most-common record types and performs secondary lookups on any references in the returned DNS records. Author flems77 explains, "MX Toolbox has a lot of excellent tools, but for basic DNS lookups, I had a really hard time finding any basic and simple tool with low-key results. So, I actually made my own."
A Tip
A solution-finding strategy suggested by Bleglord:
Adding site:Reddit.com to searches for odd issues with no documentation online.
A Podcast
Packet Protector is a new offering from Packet Pushers that covers the latest security headlines as well as delving into tech and strategic insights on a wide range of essential networking topics. SevaraB says, "[it] gets into good security day-to-day operational stuff without getting quite as ranty as Steve Gibson."
Another Free Tool
SoftPerfect Network Scanner is a universal IPv4/IPv6 scanner that can ping, scan ports, and discover shared folders. Includes flexible filter and display options. lpbale0 adds, "It is robust, extensible, and updated on a regular basis. You can also integrate NMAP for Windows into it. Yea, NMAP for Windows, I said it, flame me."
A Tutorial
Modifying XML, JSON, INI configuration files without sed is a detailed blog post explaining an alternative method for adjusting config files, including the relevant code. pdp10 favors this approach to using "sed, jq, xmlstarlet, augtool for elegantly modifying config files."
P.S. Bonus Free Tools
Get this week's bonus tools by visiting the IT Pro Tuesday blog, or sign up to get this in your inbox each week here.
Have a fantastic week and as usual, let us know any comments.

1. Misleading Advertisements by Food Business Operators (FBOs):
   
   • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) flagged 32 fresh cases where FBOs were found to be in violation of misleading advertisements and claims. These cases cover a range of products, including nutraceuticals, refined oils, pulses, flours, millet products, and ghee. FSSAI has referred the matter to licensing authorities to issue notices for withdrawing misleading claims or scientifically substantiating them. Violations of deceptive claims or advertisements are punishable offenses under the Food Safety and Standards Act⁵.
2. Counterfeit Food and Beverage Items:
   
   • Some of the most counterfeited food and beverage items in India include:
     • Cumin Seeds: Adulterated with stone powder and broom bits.
     • Mustard Cooking Oil: Often misrepresented.
     • Ghee: Also subject to fraud.
     • Illegally-Produced Liquor: A common issue.
   • The Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA) reported that overall counterfeit incidents in India rose by 24% year-on-year between 2018 and 2019, especially in the food and beverage sectors².
3. Grains Scam Involving Food Corporation of India (FCI):
   
   • The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids in January 2023 at 50 FCI locations as part of a covert probe code-named ‘Kanak.’ The case involved 74 accused, including 34 serving and three retired officials. Grain merchants allegedly paid bribes to FCI officials for the procurement of low-quality food grains and other malpractices⁴.
4. Alcohol Poisoning and Edible Oil Fraud:
   
   • India has been a hotspot for food and beverage adulteration cases. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit the region, alcohol emerged as the most vulnerable sector for counterfeits due to high demand and low enforcement. Cases of edible oil fraud have also increased³.

These incidents highlight the need for vigilance, stringent regulations, and consumer awareness to ensure food safety and authenticity. 🍽️🚫🤢
Source: (1) FSSAI finds 32 new cases of misleading ads, claims by food biz .... https://indianexpress.com/article/business/fssai-32-new-cases-misleading-ads-food-biz-operators-8581809/. (2) India food fraud alarm: Much more needs to be done if ‘Make in India .... https://www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Article/2020/08/24/India-food-fraud-alarm-Much-more-needs-to-be-done-if-Make-in-India-campaign-is-to-succeed. (3) CBI raids 50 Food Corporation of India locations over grains scam, two held. https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2023/jan/12/cbi-raids-50-food-corporation-of-india-locations-over-grains-scam-twoheld-2537113.html. (4) Alcohol poisoning and edible oil fraud cases soar in India. https://www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Article/2022/08/15/alcohol-poisoning-and-edible-oil-fraud-cases-soar-in-india. (5) 14 Phishing Statistics & Trends [2024] Online Scams: Facts .... https://bolster.ai/blog/2024-state-of-phishing-statistics-online-scams. (6) 32 fresh cases flagged for misleading claims by food companies: FSSAI. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/fssai-says-32-fresh-cases-flagged-for-misleading-claims-by-food-companies/article66789939.ece.

So Colby King is apparently the first person to dox Ebony who Ebony made a post about on the 19th of May, with photos attached

"To the members of The House of Ebony compiling info on all these bozo's, I thank you..." https://x.com/EbonyPrince2k24/status/1791881399168905686

He then made a post on the 21st of May

while it may not be easy to fight such well oiled machines, The tools are different these days. I commend those who have come forward, so that I no longer stand alone... https://x.com/EbonyPrince2k24/status/1792202880755372514

I suspected that the comment about "well oiled machines" was in reference to Colby and that this post was more personal than just being doxed.
He then tweets

In case you all didn't know, dixxing is a crime. I doxxed no one... I released no ones information publicly, that wasn't already released... You all on the other hand are simply stupid... https://x.com/EbonyPrince2k24/status/1792840198319153532

I think we can all fill in the blanks of dixxing (dicking)
He's now made another post screenshotting a text conversation with a suspected Colby

https://x.com/EbonyPrince2k24/status/1792841058067399147 https://x.com/EbonyPrince2k24/status/1792843780346814717

I do think Ebony may be paranoid at this point (and he has every right to be). I do think there's a large chance that his phone number was leaked through a data breach online which would give the text messages a lot less meaning given the vitriol he has been receiving on twitter. However, there is a non-insignificant chance that Drake and his goons (who this "Colby" could definitely be a part of) are using their network to find Ebonys phone number through personal sources.
When it all falls down it'll be interesting to see where Colby is placed however, Ebony seems to think he has a non-insignificant part to play in the situation (whether that be because Colby happened uppon Ebonys identity or whether he is a part of the scheme)
Personally, I think Colby has an arms length involvement which should be investigated further.

Let’s make it aware that there is a job offer scam that lies and take you to Scam Factories and you become a slave, and you may even die. Post here all cases of Disappearance of people who may be associated with this type of scam.

Know The Signs!

Have you been trafficked?

• Did you apply for the job via Social Media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram), WhatsApp, Telegram or an online platform?
• Did you have an online interview?
• Have you been promised a job with a company in Thailand?
• Were you promised a lucrative salary?
• Did you receive a letter of confirmation for your new role?
• Did you investigate the company you applied to and are they registered?
• Do you have an agent or consultant handling details for you?

How to prevent yourself or someone you know from being trafficked

• Never give anyone your passport!
• Research the company you are applying to join. For example, check their website, search for them on social media and LinkedIn, check the legal registration of the company.
• Ask for references (face to face or virtual) from current employees.
• Ensure you received an official letter of offer and check the email addresses match the companies contact information.
• Research the visa requirements for working in a foreign country.
• Notify your countries Immigration Office of your intention to travel or contact your countries Embassy once you arrive at your destination.
• If you are about to cross a river in north-west Thailand don’t, it is likely you are being trafficked into Myanmar.

Forced Scamming:

Trapped in secure compounds.

• Victims are trafficked into secure compounds within Myanmar along the Thailand-Myanmar border with no way to escape. They are watched by armed security and their movements monitored 24/7 by CCTV.

Physically tortured, Sexually Assaulted & brutalised.

• Victims are punished if they refuse to work, until they comply. They are sexually assaulted and brutalised to keep them compliant and their torture used as a warning to others. All have scars, some visible and some hidden, that they will carry with them forever.

Forced to work 20 hour days, 6-7 days a week.

• Victims are forced to work 16-20 hours per day and often 6-7 days each week. They are locked into offices with rows and rows of computers forced to participate in illegal activities, including cyber scamming.

Passports confiscated & phones strictly monitored.

• Victims have their passports confiscated usually under false pretences. All phone activity is strictly monitored with random checks are conducted daily. Victims are forced to use company phones and can only access their personal phones in their rooms.

Could this be your situation? If you or someone you know has been trapped in forced criminality, contact your nearest embassy or email the Global Alms Counter Trafficking Unit at admin@globalalms.com with the details

This is a post for awareness. Let’s help each other. Only serious comments.
Below are more links to other related posts.
https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2023/12/asia/chinese-scam-operations-american-victims-intl-hnk-dst/ (Scam Factory location: 16°38'53.0"N 98°31'15.8"E https://maps.app.goo.gl/hjxFLTUJ1SK1aLMM8?g_st=ic)
http://chinascope.org/archives/32233
https://youtu.be/m6qFCdHvYuI?si=rs2J71V1XIeFF7we
https://www.globalantiscam.org/contact
https://www.reddit.com/Thailand/s/L8OTm9Lvye
https://www.globalalms.com/protection
Fill up the form https://www.globalantiscam.org/contact

(My account created recently for privacy/scam concerns)

"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.]

The Bull Goat wearing dual wielding Cross-Naginata seems to be the most popular of boring metas. Parry, when landed, seems to be a good hard counter to this build, but I find parrying spears to be difficult to make sense of. I've been practicing on spear wielding enemies but find the timing to be exceedingly strange. Any tips for parrying power stance Cross-Naginatas or spears in general? What animation should I be looking for? When is the timing to parry the double poke (or any poke)? Any particular spear wielding enemy you found good to practice on?
For reference, I'm using a small shield with Thop's Barrier ash of war.

Welcome to the book club New Voices! In this book club we want to highlight books by debut authors and open the stage for under-represented and under-appreciated writers from all walks of life. New voices refers to the authors as well as the protagonists, and the goal is to include viewpoints away from the standard and most common. For more information and a short description of how we plan to run this club and how you can participate, please have a look at the announcement post.
It's time for second chances! I've selected a few books from previous polls, that didn't quite make it and deserve a second chance:

Under Fortunate Stars by Ren Hutchings

Fleeing the final days of the generations-long war with the alien Felen, smuggler Jereth Keeven's freighter the Jonah breaks down in a strange rift in deep space, with little chance of rescue—until they encounter the research vessel Gallion, which claims to be from 152 years in the future. The Gallion's chief engineer Uma Ozakka has always been fascinated with the past, especially the tale of the Fortunate Five, who ended the war with the Felen. When the Gallion rescues a run-down junk freighter, Ozakka is shocked to recognize the Five's legendary ship—and the Five's famed leader, Eldric Leesongronski, among the crew. But nothing else about Leesongronski and his crewmates seems to match up with the historical record. With their ships running out of power in the rift, more than the lives of both crews may be at stake.

Bingo squares: book club

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

The book tells an intergenerational story of a mother and son struggling to relate to each other—the mother an immigrant to the United States who wants to make a home for her family in an unfamiliar country; the son trying to figure out the best way to come out to his parents. Through telling each other fairy tales, they're able to find common ground.

Bingo squares: bookclub

Bacchanal by Veronica Henry

Evil lives in a traveling carnival roaming the Depression-era South. But the carnival’s newest act, a peculiar young woman with latent magical powers, may hold the key to defeating it. Her time has come. Abandoned by her family, alone on the wrong side of the color line with little to call her own, Eliza Meeks is coming to terms with what she does have. It’s a gift for communicating with animals. To some, she’s a magical tender. To others, a she-devil. To a talent prospector, she’s a crowd-drawing oddity. And the Bacchanal Carnival is Eliza’s ticket out of the swamp trap of Baton Rouge. Among fortune-tellers, carnies, barkers, and folks even stranger than herself, Eliza finds a new home. But the Bacchanal is no ordinary carnival. An ancient demon has a home there too. She hides behind an iridescent disguise. She feeds on innocent souls. And she’s met her match in Eliza, who’s only beginning to understand the purpose of her own burgeoning powers. Only then can Eliza save her friends, find her family, and fight the sway of a primordial demon preying upon the human world. Rolling across a consuming dust bowl landscape, Eliza may have found her destiny.

Bingo squares: bookclub

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca in this debut supernatural suspense novel, set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, about a remote house, a sinister haunting, and the woman pulled into their clutches...
In the overthrow of the Mexican government, Beatriz’s father is executed and her home destroyed. When handsome Don Rodolfo Solórzano proposes, Beatriz ignores the rumors surrounding his first wife’s sudden demise, choosing instead to seize the security his estate in the countryside provides. She will have her own home again, no matter the cost.
But Hacienda San Isidro is not the sanctuary she imagined.
When Rodolfo returns to work in the capital, visions and voices invade Beatriz’s sleep. The weight of invisible eyes follows her every move. Rodolfo’s sister, Juana, scoffs at Beatriz’s fears—but why does she refuse to enter the house at night? Why does the cook burn copal incense at the edge of the kitchen and mark its doorway with strange symbols? What really happened to the first Doña Solórzano?
Beatriz only knows two things for certain: Something is wrong with the hacienda. And no one there will help her.
Desperate for help, she clings to the young priest, Padre Andrés, as an ally. No ordinary priest, Andrés will have to rely on his skills as a witch to fight off the malevolent presence haunting the hacienda and protect the woman for whom he feels a powerful, forbidden attraction. But even he might not be enough to battle the darkness.
Far from a refuge, San Isidro may be Beatriz’s doom.

Bingo squares: bookclub

The Heretic‘s Guide to Homecoming by Sienna Tristen

WINNER OF THE 2019 READERVIEWS AWARD FOR FANTASY! WINNER OF THE 2019 IPPY AWARD FOR FANTASY!
“Life is transformation. You change or you die.”
Ashamed of his past and overwhelmed by his future, Ronoah Genoveffa Elizzi-denna Pilanovani feels too small for his own name. After a graceless exit from his homeland in the Acharrioni desert, his anxiety has sabotaged every attempt at redemption. Asides from a fiery devotion to his godling, the one piece of home he brought with him, he has nothing.
That is, until he meets Reilin. Beguiling, bewildering Reilin, who whisks Ronoah up into a cross-continental pilgrimage to the most sacred place on the planet. The people they encounter on the way—children of the sea, a priestess and her band of storytellers, the lonely ghosts of monsters—are grim and whimsical in equal measure. Each has their part to play in rewriting Ronoah’s personal narrative.
One part fantasy travelogue, one part emotional underworld journey, The Heretic’s Guide to Homecoming is a sumptuous, slow-burning story about stories and the way they shape our lives.

Bingo squares: bookclub
Do you like the selection? Have you already read one of the books and want to recommend it to others? Do you know any additional Bingo squares for any of the books? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Voting will run until May 27 and the winner will be announced on May 28

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.