Hello NightCityFashion, I've had this question for a while, and the most comprehensive post I've found previously only lists one category of pants.
In Cyberpunk 2077, most pants tuck into your cowboy boots. However, there are a select few pants that go over your cowboy boots. I've done extensive testing and the following pants go over your cowboy boots. So if anyone was googling this question like I was, hopefully they can find this list.
The first category are "straightcuts." This includes

1. Reinforced federalist straightcuts
2. Sombra Rosa foam-padded straightcuts
3. Vintage extra-leather straightcuts
4. Duolayer tacticloth straightcuts
5. Reinforced hybridweave straightcuts
6. Cráneo Brillante polyamide extra-membrane straightcuts
7. Golpe Punk anti-shrapnel straightcuts
8. Ultralight tear-resistant nomad pants (Part of the Nomad set, and are not listed together with the other straightcuts on the wiki)

The second category are "cargo pants." However, cargo pants have two models; one type of cargo pants are skinny and have pouches on the right side, and the other is baggy and has no pouches. While both are called "cargo pants," only the latter model (and its retextures) go over your boots. This includes

1. Army Star anti-chafing cargo pants
2. CAUTION extra-plastic cargo pants
3. Phantom tough-lined cargo pants
4. Tacticloth cargo pants
5. Nomad eazy-breathe cargo pants
6. 6th Street cargo pants
7. Slant Lightning hybrid-weave cargo pants
8. Purple Shock anti-mech cargo pants
9. Power Fame cargo pants with reinforced mesh
10. Reinforced duolayer techie cargo pants (Part of the Techie set, and are not listed together with the other cargo pants on the wiki)

The last category are "strapped cargos." This includes

1. Biker strapped cargos with anti-crotchsweat lining
2. Non-slip strapped cargos with hexagonal pattern
3. Chlorine-resistant PBT strapped cargos
4. Organic cotton desert camo strapped cargos
5. Multi-defense impregnated lyocell strapped cargos
6. Durable parachute-fabric strapped cargos
7. Old brown strapped cargos
8. Military surplus strapped cargos
9. Secondhand personalized strapped cargos
10. Tear-prone strapped cargos
11. 10K/10K water-repellent strapped cargos
12. Hardshell tactical polyamide strapped cargos
13. Certified hip-protection strapped cargos
14. Adaptive strapped cargos with anti-glare sequins

I have heard that Johnny's Pants (from Gig: Psychofan) and Heavy-duty MaxTac cargo pants (from Judy romance) may work but I am not so sure. I don't think the latter works because they use the same model as tactical pants, which do not work, but I will test it out, or someone can confirm/deny in the comments.
Do post in the comments if anyone finds other pants that work (i.e., go over your boots).

(Disclaimer: please note I am not qualified to give an investment advice and I am not giving one. My family has some shares in this company).
For the sake of not boring you guys, I'll come to the point about Great Eastern Shipping (BSE: GESHIP) I have seen in the five bullet below.
1/ Valuation: The company's P/E ratio (6.3x on last twelve months) and EV/EBITDA ratio (4.5x) trends among the lowest in the Indian companies that market cap of more than $1 billion. If you compare this to closest peer in shipping industry, Shipping Corporation of India trends at P/E of 16.9x and EV/EBITDA of 9x. It is also lower than other shipyard companies like Cochin Shipyard, Container Corporation of India. Note that I have used Bloomberg data for the metrics.
2/ Profitability: During the current upcycle in freight prices in shipping industry, it has been earning lucrative EBITDA margins of more than 50% for the last three years. Even in down cycle years, it has made about 30% margins, much more than average an average company. Even when we go down to its Net Income margins, it currently trends at a strong level of above 40% (excluding some one off profits). In their Offshore ship segment (20% of sales), they are expecting significant increase in prices for quite a few shipping vessels they have on contract.
3/ Financial Health: The company's cash balance is more than doubled its debt. If you look at cash and cash equivalents as a percentage of market cap, it is close to 40%. Net of debt, this ratio (net cash to market cap) is about 18%.
4/ Growth: There is limited sales growth in short term as they cannot increase the number of ships they have because these investments tend to be capital intensive. They have also seen revenue declines lately.
5/ Payback perspective: If you imagine that you are acquiring this company as a whole, based on the last year's profit, the pay back period is of about 5 years ( based on the ratio of their current enterprise value to their net income). GESHIP's dividend yield is above average at about 2.5%.
If you want to discuss more, do post questions in comments/DM me. I have looked through its recent reports and am happy to share what I know.

Back again.
•Hola, the item I have today for sale is a PVS-14 ( Carson, US Milspec. Which is what our military using currently. There are some most crispy glasses and with the combination of the 10160C tubes, would be a killer unit). These are some most crispy images I’ve seen on the PVS-14. They also recently made.
•The image intensifier tube in this unit are the Elbit made 10160C, mean its doesn’t have the manual gain so are autogain, which has the minimum spec per following:
SNR: 28+
Res: 64+
Gain: min 50,000 and 80,000 max.
EBI: no more than 2.5
The 10160C, could be produced under like OMNI 6 and OMNI 8 contracts, but its still has the min specs per the chart ^.
•As see in the picture just minimal peppering. ( Peppering are occurred in every tubes, it’s just some peppering are too small to be seen with the naked eyes.
•In this package you will be receiving the following:
1x PVS-14 unit
Other accessories
•This will be a great starter as someone that’s will be looking into the night vision game. Everything already included, all you now need is a bump and some retention for the PVS-14 units and your will be g2g.
•As for these unit I will asking: $1850 shipped and insured.
•Payment that I accepting: PayPal F&F, Venmo F&F, and Zelle.

Timestamp: https://imgur.com/a/W5FO6WA
Back again.
•Hola, the item I have today for sale is a PVS-14 ( Carson, US Milspec. Which is what our military using currently. There are some most crispy glasses and with the combination of the 10160C tubes, would be a killer unit). These are some most crispy images I’ve seen on the PVS-14. They also recently made.
•The image intensifier tube in this unit are the Elbit made 10160C, mean its doesn’t have the manual gain so are autogain, which has the minimum spec per following:
SNR: 28+
Res: 64+
Gain: min 50,000 and 80,000 max.
EBI: no more than 2.5
The 10160C, could be produced under like OMNI 6 and OMNI 8 contracts, but its still has the min specs per the chart ^.
•As see in the picture just minimal peppering. ( Peppering are occurred in every tubes, it’s just some peppering are too small to be seen with the naked eyes.
•In this package you will be receiving the following:
1x PVS-14 unit
Other accessories
•This will be a great starter as someone that’s will be looking into the night vision game. Everything already included, all you now need is a bump and some retention for the PVS-14 units and your will be g2g.
•As for these unit I will asking: $1850 shipped and insured.
•Payment that I accepting: PayPal F&F, Venmo F&F, and Zelle.

Extraverted Thinking: A Project Manager In a Software Development Team

A project manager in a software development team exemplifies this aspect of perception by understanding and planning actions and deeds, assessing situations accurately, and devising and communicating rational methods of action. Their ability to plan and adjust workflows, distinguish efficient from inefficient practices, and guide the team towards project goals demonstrates their strong aptitude for managing physical and mental activities in a logical and effective manner.

Extraverted Feeling: A Charismatic Teacher

A charismatic teacher exemplifies this aspect of perception by understanding and influencing the emotional processes of their students. They control their own emotional state, transfer positive moods to the class, activate emotional readiness for learning, and skillfully use emotional displays to manage the classroom environment. Their ability to inspire, engage, and calm students demonstrates a profound mastery of emotional perception and influence.

Extraverted Sensation: A Military Commander

A military commander exemplifies this aspect of perception by effectively organizing and mobilizing resources and people, exercising their will decisively, and managing both animate and inanimate objects efficiently. Their strong organizational skills, ability to assess kinetic energy, and aptitude for mobilizing people towards achieving strategic goals demonstrate their leadership and volitional qualities, ensuring successful mission outcomes.

Extraverted Intuition: A Skilled Sports Coach

A skilled coach exemplifies the described perception of potential energy by recognizing and enhancing both physical and psychological abilities, simplifying complex concepts for better understanding, and inspiring others through their deep insights and effective strategies.

Introverted Thinking: A Mechanical Engineer

A mechanical engineer exemplifies this aspect of perception by using logical feelings to evaluate and compare the properties of machine components, ensuring proportionality, balance, and efficiency in their designs. They objectively assess known and unknown technologies, make strategic decisions to avoid pitfalls and pursue optimal solutions, and shape the understanding of their team through logical reasoning and objective analysis. Their strong sense of logic and ability to alter relationships between design elements demonstrate their expertise in navigating the objective world of mechanical engineering.

Introverted Feeling: A Successful Salesperson

A successful salesperson in a high-end retail store exemplifies this aspect of perception by understanding and influencing the desires and needs of their customers. They accurately assess attraction and repulsion, shape desires ethically, build strong customer relationships, and confidently influence buying decisions. Their ability to navigate the complex interplay of customer needs and ethical norms ensures they can effectively satisfy both their own and their customers’ needs, leading to successful sales outcomes.

Introverted Sensation: An Interior Designer

An interior designer exemplifies this aspect of perception by understanding and manipulating the way design elements affect internal states and interdependence of those elements. They create aesthetically pleasing and comfortable environments by recalling and recreating past aesthetic experiences, avoiding discomfort, and refining clients' tastes. Their ability to evoke specific feelings and shape aesthetic preferences demonstrates their profound understanding of the interaction between space and internal states.

Introverted Intuition: A Project Manager In a Tech Company

A project manager exemplifies this aspect of perception by understanding the temporal sequence of events, feeling the proper pace and timing, predicting future challenges, planning strategically, and learning from past experiences. This holistic view of time and events allows them to lead projects efficiently, ensuring successful outcomes by aligning actions with both immediate needs and long-term goals.

I currently have a 2019 Sonata that has been having signs of the engine going out. I am out of warranty as I bought it used, looking to get out of it before something goes wrong (currently burning oil and low gas mileage).
I’m heading to AF flight school this fall. I’m eligible for military discounts but seems to be around $500 for most makes.
I’m looking to get an SUV preferably with some sort of tow rating, however I’m mainly going to use the hitch for bikes and possibly a kayak/small sailboat so I really only need 1500, but more is always better.
I prefer better gas mileage and lots of technology features. Hopefully something around 2021 or newer. Off-road capability is always a plus, but I also don’t do anything too crazy (Midwest camping).
I have done a decent amount of research and have friends in the car sales industry, but wanted some Reddit advice as well.
Seems like if I buy new, most SUVs with mid to high trims are around $35-40k for standard compact (RAV4, CRV, CX5, etc) and if I buy a used vehicle of equivalent models there really isn’t much of any depreciation.
This has led me to look into used luxury SUVs that have taken $20k depreciation hits, however I do not know much about them. Think 2021-2023 Audi MDX, BMW X5, etc that still are in the $35-40k ballpark with about 40k miles.
If you were looking for a car would you get a new standard SUV or a used luxury? What would you be looking for?
Hoping to have some solid ideas before the end of the month so I can hopefully take advantage of last minute end of quarter deals.

This is a crossover fanfiction between original fiction titles: Nature of Predators by SpacePaladin15 and The Last Angel by Proximal Flame respectively. All credit and rights reserved goes to them for making such amazing science fiction settings that I wanted to put this together.
You can read The Last Angel here: Be warned, it's decently long, and at its third installment so far. I highly suggest reading it before reading this, or this story will not make sense.

Otherwise, enjoy the story! Thanks again to u/jesterra54 and u/skais01 for beta and checking of work!
First Prev Next (soon)
Memory transcription subject: Adjek, Venlil Space Corps Engineer
Date [standardized human time]: October 24, 2136
I had departed with a collection of other engineers who had assisted on the tethering of Nemesis several days ago back to her massive ship. There were twenty-five of us, although none I knew directly from my work.
As our cargo shuttle entered the direct monitoring range of the beast once more, I felt a bad feeling throughout my fur. I didn't know what, exactly, but it was like we had just stepped into the eyes of a predator lurking in the undergrowth, watching us intently. As if to capitalize on that unease, our pilot Mimek bleated something in a panic that made said fur stand straight.
"T-th-th-there's an Arxur vessel trailing us!"
I whirled onto the oncoming feed near the front of the shuttle. Behind us, was a Arxur Ambusher-class dropship that had taken a path directly behind us. It followed the exact same trajectory as our own, and showed no signs of diverting. I bleated out a panicked command of my own.
"K-kick it! W-we need to get distance from them!"
While I had no authority to tell the pilot what to do in this situation, he must've nevertheless agreed, and as such Mimek kicked the boosters into overdrive to escape their proximity. I kept an eye on the rear display, watching as in response, the Arxur craft opened up its own engines, as if to accept the chase, and closed in.
Mimek spoke again. "Why are they chasing us?! D-didn't the humans forbid them from attacking us in-system?!" I had a horrible thought as to why...
"They've fallen to their p-predator bloodlust! They won't be stopped so long as we're in vulnerable space! Close to Nemesis, fast!" I pointed at the guidance lights to the hangar on Nemesis' keel opening. While the Arxur could likely outrun us in an extended burn, we had the advantage in a sprint over a shorter distance. Nemesis was in that shorter distance range, and so we needed to reach it fast to be in its haven.
Mimek, already piloting at full afterburn, corrected the shop in a sharp turn from the plotted approach vector cleared with the Lunar Shipyards. As this occurred, a reminder from the very same monitors came through on comms.
"Venlil ship, this is LSC Tower 3, you have left the agreed final approach vector, adjust your course to match the planned path immediately, do not continue on your current heading."
The humans did not realize the threat we were currently in, and thus the pilot ignored the warning. The Arxur seemingly took our course change as a challenge, and followed suit.
"I repeat, readjust your course heading immediately or fighters will be scrambled. This is your only warning." Even were that the case, we were far too close for them to plot an intercept vector. The shipyard monitors would need at least [one minute] to reach us, and Nemesis was merely [20 seconds] at full-burn-then-brake approach. We would not let the ship closing in behind us catch us, disciplinary action be damned. The damned Arxur succumbed to their predator madness!
A lazy-curve speed burnoff pattern was adopted, and we rocketed at ever-decreasing, but still frightening pace towards Nemesis in an attempt to shake the Ambusher behind us. The hangar was merely moments away, don't fail us now!
The Arxur vessel broke off the chase near the massive docked ship, seemingly slowing for no apparent reason. Perhaps it realized it couldn't slow down as fast as we could, and as such had to? But, that came with another stomach-hurdling problem: us slowing down. If we didn't, we'd crash and turn into nothing but paste on the walls of the gargantuan ship's hangar.
Thankfully, Mimek pulled through, and we zoomed into the hangar space, hitting the emergency external inertial dampener breaking as we attempted landing. The ship skidded across the floor, as it skipped nearly a [fourty meters] to a stop, crashing through something on the way through, but we were moving at such a pace that I had no clue exactly what.
As the ship came to a complete stop, rocking back onto its belly with a final thump, there was the sound of heavy stomping outside, before something rammed into the back of the ship, nearly rocking it off-balance again. "What...what was that?!" We both exclaimed.
We stepped away from the back exit ramp of the vehicle, all twenty five of us, as it began to groan under immense stress. The door dented in, and a few of us instantly cried out in surprise and fear.
And then again. And again. Another rocking of the ship as a dent formed. Another.
And finally, with an unsettling sound of metal being torn through, a crack in the plating of the door turned into a gap that widened into a shaking hole, until the door literally flew off its hydraulic support. The strain spat out fluids and electrical sparking, and several bleated in fear of the sudden disassembly of the door between us and the hangar. Had the Arxur caught up to us? Were we doomed?
But as the burst of electrical smoke cleared, and the light was filtered through our adjusting eyes, what was on the other side shocked me.
A mechanical monstrosity, far bulkier and massive than the one that had confronted my group and I aboard Nemesis stood on the other side. It towered above us, with a intimidatingly large cannon built into one of its arms, aimed dead center into our room, looking more akin to a vehicle's gun than a handheld one. One could see behind it many more of a similar looking model closing in. It spoke in a wrathful tone...Her wrathful tone.
"What the hell are you doing CRASHING INTO ME? There better be a-"
But I felt a chill as it suddenly cut off, and the featureless head of the bipedal robot swiveled to look directly at me instead. Though I could see no clear indicator of eyes like the nightmarish drone I had talked with in the past, I could feel it gaze directly at me, ignoring the others. It suddenly spoke again, a single word conveying contempt dripping in it. The blood in my veins turned cold as the Twilight.
"YOU..."
+CONFED IO.5+
+READING MAIN SEQ.MEM+
+ADDENDUM: ADJUSTED DATE 24.10.2136+
Something's wrong, I can feel it.
The bearing of the approaching ships has left the supposed approach vector, and directly accelerated towards my open hangar bay. While the ships pose no threat to me directly, I am uncertain if they are capable of stopping quickly enough to not risk the human crew that had just landed. I considered my options...
+grab beam non-responsive, schedule systems evaluation immediately+
I had no capability to tractor the ships from their path, and they showed no sign of slowing. I could fire a particle beam in the path of both ships, but there was no ability to tune down the power enough to not destroy the ships, and it would not reduce their velocity. I plotted the relative course of the Venlil shuttle to be coming at this angle, which thankfully was towards the opposite side of the hangar as the Human delegation. That did not remove the possibility of shrapnel from a crash, however.
I interspersed my Praetorians in front of them, seeking to act as a shield in the case of any flying debris. I warned them in the same instant.
"Take cover behind these drones, there is a problem with the landing Venlil ship on route."
"W..What's going on, Red?" Hailey asked, confused. Never had I been this direct with her physically, actively interspersing my drones in front of her and the rest of the scientific delegation.
"They are likely to crash. Predicted acceleration curves of the shuttle do not meet the prerequisite delta-V to stop safely at this current distance and velocity. Duck and cover."
The shuttlecraft streaked into my hangar bay at speeds that would make a 21st century jet blush. It slowed anomalously upon entering, but did not slow at enough rate to prevent the crash. The Praetorians situated on that side of my hangar were incapable of moving fast enough to dodge out of the way, and I was forced to watch as the shuttle crashed through thirty-two of them in a 45-meter break distance, before slamming into a hangar wall. They were built to withstand incredible munition strength, but not twenty-some odd tons of shuttle at near mach speeds. The impact brutally cast them across the deck, smashing some, tearing apart others.
Debris flew from the front of the shuttle outward, but none reached near the humans. Those moronic aliens were about to answer painfully for their incompetence on my deck.
"Dear god!" One of the humans swore at the sound of the shuttle crashing. Another screamed and ducked down further behind my Praetorian. The drone curled down to better envelop her in protection. Hailey was speechless.
A squadron of Praetorians had been closing in from a safe distance throughout the entirety of the crash. They were a mere hundred meters away, only 4.9 seconds to reach the doors. I collided with the shuttlecraft's exit ramp, and slammed repeatedly into the back of it, aiming to create a gap by which to pry the thing off. Eventually, a gap was made, and the Praetorian body wrenched a manipulator into it.
Then, after tearing off the ramp door to the ship, and beginning to interrogate the idiotic fucks at gunpoint, I find no less that a familiar face has come with them. A familiar face I would have rather not seen again in the slightest.
+identity confirmation, Adjek, Venlil engineer+
"YOU...What, are you doing here, again?"
I stepped forward, into the cargo shuttle, the Praetorian I controlled looming over them, over him, by nearly one and a half meters. I made certain to emphasize that size difference. One does not just crash in me like this without a good reason, or I'd be testing how long a Venlil survives vacuum.
Adjek decided to speak up, fear laden in his voice. "I-I-I...W-we were being chased by an Arxur vessel on the course here! T-They ignored the human's truce and decided to p-pursue us directly!"
I faltered a bit at that. Chased? The Arxur supposedly promised that they wouldn't attack the Venlil in-system, but given how much the bad blood between the Arxur and herbivore races was hyped up, I couldn't toss out the possibility.
"Is he telling the truth?" I swung the Praetorian's fake head about the room, scanning over each Venlil in the audience. It wasn't necessary, I had a panoramic view just from the chest optics alone, but the psychological effect and bait of having a head was palpable. They all parroted something similar to what Adjek and the pilot said, so I had no clear contradiction to go off of yet.
But I wasn't done with intimidation, I warmed the cannon muzzle to be visible within the deep red visual spectrum, and aimed it at him.
"Tell me everything, now."
He began to describe his intent and clearance for coming here...but reality decided to be a pain at that exact moment, as the likely culprit entered the hangar. Thankfully, I wasn't hampered by multitasking. A section of me split attention equally to the Arxur ship landing in my bay.
This ship, supposedly the Ambusher-class Goring Claw going off the IFF, was an armed dropship of some sort capable of intro-extra-atmospheric operation, given the rotary variable mode engines. They had been given landing clearance, but not by me, no, instead by the shipyard.
I would need to ask the UN to bring down that blackout protocol soon. This is immensely inconvenient to not have access to monitoring and communication outside myself, except through Hailey. Nevertheless, I positioned my remaining Praetorians around the likely exit of the dropship, awaiting it to open and...greet...these likely troublemakers. I had one Praetorian stand directly front-and-center to the back end, and aim weapons, but not arm them at the dropship hangar doors.
With a hiss, and a burst of slightly depressurized gas, the door opened, and out marched a line of two pairs of two Arxur guards. Their gear looked highly ceremonial, given its lack of tactical or efficient features, and the choice of weapon being a spear of some sort with a sidearm still holstered. Behind them, walked an even more gaudy individual than the guards, an Arxur with a prominent scar across their face covered in flamboyant ceremonial uniform. I was almost certain this was Chief Hunter Isif, Lithke's commanding officer, given Hailey's description of the visitors earlier. Behind him marched a set of less extravagantly dressed figures, likely advisors of some sort. And, of course, Lithke.
I wouldn't just let them off the hook so easily though, despite their far better entrance.
"Chief Hunter Isif. Lithke. You had best have a good reason for making a Venlil ship crash into my hangar."
Memory transcription subject: Chief Hunter Isif, Arxur Dominion Sector Fleet
Date [standardized human time]: October 24, 2136
Those idiots seriously did not-
...No, calm yourself, a Chief Hunter must always look composed, even in the face of absurdity.
The pilot in control of this Ambusher had heard my order to follow the Venlil in, got target fixation, and decided to escalate it to a chase. I would have him lashed for the offense later, but for now, I needed to quickly rekindle what little good will the Arxur had in Red One's eyes.
Losing it now could mean turning up hungry forever.
"I apologize for my pilot's unprofessional actions. He will be punished severely later for the transgression of letting his instincts override both human and my orders. Is there anything I can do further to fix your appetite, Red One?"
The robot frontmost of our shuttle stepped forward, it's bulk and size intimidating even by Arxur standards. It towered tall enough to nearly be at my head height despite the fact I was standing on the dropship ramp. Red One's response was curt, and [quick to the kill]. "You can start by convincing the odd twenty-five or so Venlil engineers your pilot chased into crashing on my hangar deck that you aren't here to eat them all, or whatever sickening actions you Arxur do. When that's done, then you may converse with Hailey Whitmer."
At least it wasn't "you've done enough, stop". I'd seen plenty disappear after that particular response in the Dominion.
"Fine. Blades!" I shouted to the ceremony guard I was issued. "Two of you will hold the pilot at the ship for punishment. He is to not eat, nor rest, nor do anything until I return. The rest will assist Lithke in assuaging the prey that they are safe...for now. I must speak with Red One while you do."
They saluted, and went about their way.
Good, everyone bought it. In a sense, this was funnily enough just the distraction I needed. Perhaps I'll reduce the pilot's lashing count quietly for that.
Now...for the harder part. I had no idea if Red would sense my intentions, and so-
The combat drone spoke once again. "Lithke's sung your praises, Chief Hunter Isif. An icon of 'applied cruelty' in his words. I'm curious as to why that should be praised, out of all things in a leader."
We're still too close to the ship, even if none are around to hear it, audio logs might pick up any dissenting thoughts. I should bring this conversation elsewhere.
"I see Lithke wasn't convincing on his own, it seems. Here, walk with me, I still have yet to meet your Special Envoy Hailey personally." I began to walk towards the group of humans near the other end of the hangar.
"So, you have met her?" Red One instantly picked up on the message, noticing the phrasing. So, she's capable of understanding subtlety...
"Yes, but not directly. She gave a presentation at the UN's discussion on you, which I attended."
"And what, pray tell, did you learn about there?" Red One seemed to press me slightly on the session, clearly looking for something. I'd play along, get in their favor.
"Plenty. You're by far the most powerful ship in the galaxy, as far as I can tell. The Humans and Venlil alike are afraid of you, but the former less-so, seeing a more mixed reaction to your presence."
"And what do you think of me?" Red questioned.
I began with a political mealy-mouth phrase.
"The Dominion is not-"
But she interrupted my train of thought. "No. I didn't ask what the Arxur thought. I was asking what you thought, specifically."
What?!
I scanned quickly, my head paced from side to side as I looked for any potential monitoring agent or tools nearby that could potentially pick up on my dialogue.
"You're...an interesting shake-up to the galaxy. Possibly even a means to an end I've been looking into."
There was a curiosity laden in that tone. "Is that so? What, pray tell, would an Arxur fleet leader need with me?"
Again, I checked about, to make certain none were close. "I...am trying to solve a personal problem. Your emergence is convenient to it..."
"Ah...so I was correct..." Red One's drone stopped in front of me for a moment, before turning directly to address me. "...The constant checking about other Arxur assets, the send-off of your personal guard, the overcompensation on the facial details and micromovements, the ordering of Lithke to 'convince' me of Dominion ideals. How much of it is an act, Chief Hunter Isif?"
She already found me out!?
The mask dropped in a panic, knowing none were close enough to pick up on it. "Quiet! How did you pick up on that?" I hissed under my breath to them.
She neglected to answer that statement directly, instead asking another question. "That's not important. The better thing to ask, is what exactly do you want with me?"
Well, since the meat has been spoiled...
I decided to be blunt, and honest. "I need either a line to directly converse with you on a sensitive matter later, or a method to do it now. There is a deep sickness within the Arxur, and you are a possible lynchpin to excise it. But it is traitorous in nature to Betterment, and they have agents everywhere. I would need it to be done away from their ears."
"I am currently operating in blackout conditions. I cannot send or receive signals from the outside without going through a UN transponder, so the first option is out currently. You need a distraction then, while you're here." Red's drone turned back around and continued walking, not giving away anything to the outside of her sudden skinning of my fake personality. "That can be arranged. But not this instant, we are already too close to outside ears for an extended conversation."
"A codeword, then? Some indicator that I may step away and talk securely with you?"
"A codeword is a start, but I'm more concerned about your personal guard. Are they loyal to you enough to ignore such a conversation?"
"Absolutely not. Effectively none of the group that has come along with me is loyal enough to hear this."
Red One didn't speak immediately, but the pause was small. "A full separation might be possible. I have an idea during the tour. If I say the phrase, 'Feel free to peruse' to you specifically, it will mean I have sufficiently separated attention enough that you may speak to me securely. Do you understand?"
She already has a plan? Her speed on that matter is dizzying.
I would have to trust her method. "I understand."
"Good, mask up again, we are within the distance of maximum human audible range given this volume."
Her matter of figuring out my intentions and act that quickly was unnerving, but it made some sense for a sentient computer. She likely thought far faster than the average Arxur, or even Human. But I could consider that later, I needed to get back in character. While my physical demeanor hadn't wavered any, I needed to give off the mental face of a Chief Hunter once again to allay suspicions. Especially since my personal guard were likely to return soon.
Hailey Whitmer noticed us soon after, and disengaged herself from talking with the other Humans. She began her way over here, leaving them to huddle around their ship, still unloading a collection of scientific equipment and personal belongings. "Chief Hunter Isif! Welcome to the UECNS Nemesis. What happened exactly that caused the Venlil to crash in like that, however? I heard a concerning bit that they were chased?"
I lashed my tail in frustration at that. "Our pilot idiotically got fixated on the Venlil ship. He will be punished later. For now I apologize on their behalf. I will try and...convince the Venlil's not to fear soon, but I honestly don't expect them to listen. They are prey, after all, sniveling in fear at the slightest provocation."
Hailey looked annoyed at that statement, but I could at least take personal solace in knowing it was mere persona. She would simply have to deal with it. "That's rather rude to our allies, Isif."
I corrected her: "Your allies, Human. The prey do not interest me. No, what interests me and my cohort is this ship." I pointed a claw at the robotic soldier behind me.. "I have already met Red One herself, and as you are the UN's Envoy here, I must meet you as well. Lithke has spoken much about both of you."
Hailey's expression changed from veiled frustration to surprise at that. "He has? Hah! I did charm-...oh, excuse my manners. When your entourage arrives over here, we can begin a proper tour with the both of us at the helm. Red?"
A voice emanated from the walls. "Yes, Hailey?"
"Do you have a path listed for a proper tour throughout your facilities?"
She responded immediately. "Yes. The UEC military has conducted tours before of my hull to other officials. I can follow said pathing, ignoring areas currently exposed to vacuum or damaged heavily. It will cover roughly 45% of the ship, and with transportation aid, take roughly 4 and a half hours."
Hailey clapped her hands together. "Perfect! When the three groups are gathered properly here, we can begin."
Given I could see my guard returning, thankfully not laden with prey blood or wounds, that would be soon.
+CONFED IO.5+
+READING MAIN SEQ.MEM+
+ADDENDUM: ADJUSTED DATE 24.10.2136+
I have had tours done of my shipself before. When my form was still under construction, Commander Theodore William Billingsly had given a walk-around to Yasmine, in preparation to turn over the role of Captain to her. The visit had gone rather easily, and familiarized her with my layout quickly in a professional manner. I had given numerous miniature tours of my layout to new crew members, with assistance from more established crew. I figured tours were nothing too special to my sensibilities and experience.
But I had never quite had the experience of juggling a tour where each distinct species of the tour was at odds with the other two. Listening to them was taxing.
"What are you looking at, leaflicker?"
"H-Help! I-It wants to e-e-eat me!!!"
"Could y'all just get along for a single moment? We're coming up on the barracks, supposedly, and yet you're at each other's throats!"
"Of course we're at their throats, those are rather delicious to tear out."
"You predators would focus on our vulnerable spots, w-wouldn't you!"
"Fuck's sake, you can't behave, can y'all?"
"Jealous of our vicious nature?"
"No we're not! What you do to the other races in this galaxy is abhorrent!"
"Yeah, you Arxur monsters have nothing to be proud of! I've lost family to your kind!"
Very taxing.
The human team and Hailey were trying to somewhat wrangle the mood down, but the Arxur and Venlil despised one another, and it showed. There was no quieting-down of their feud for more than a few minutes, before it started up again for the smallest altercations. I was glad I had brought a host of Praetorians to keep them physically separate somewhat, as I'd hate to have seen any humans hurt in the way.
Instead, I tried to focus on just providing an air of authority, as Hailey led them throughout my assorted systems and layout, only providing input where she did not know about. There were at least some receptive comments of myself during the tour that didn't result in lambasting the other two parties.
"The internal layout of this ship is rather unique. It doesn't look like anything in the Federation proper." A Venlil engineer by the name of Joluk mentioned.
"Yeah, I know!" Said a human scientist by the name of George Oscoda. "It's very...Death Star meets Nostromo, made a bit wider, then painted gunmetal black with red detailing."
Joluk turned back to him. "I have no idea what those are, but I don't like the sound of a Death Star." Their tail went ramrod straight, hanging down at the comment. Perhaps a body language fear response?
I decided to clarify from a drone nearby. "The internal design pattern of the UEC favors a highly geometric, hexagonal or octagonal hall layout, for maximum support with little freestanding support. A three-to-two width to height ratio also helps alleviate claustrophobic concerns, and detriments mental health minimally for extended stays."
George spoke up again. "I guess that's fair, but nothing will change how depressingly dark and scarred-up some of these corridors and bulkheads are currently. I get that it's battle damage, but..."
Lithke piped in from the front. "Nemesis wears her scars proudly. She is a predator forged in war, none escape without scars." I couldn't find a reason to directly deny said statement. I did sometimes prefer the reminder of how many Compact Janissaries had died within myself. How I shivered in delight at knowing they met their ends aboard my hull.
I decided to just remain silent on that. Hailey also responded to that soon after. "Well, honor besides, a lot of that damage will have to be repaired eventually. No amount of self-righteousness excuses holes to vacuum in some spots." She was also right. There were various spots throughout me that were not even enterable, let alone habitable as I was. Numerous collapsed-in sections, holes in my hull all-throughout. There wasn't even a main engines section anymore, with the aft exposed to space after redlining to Earth to save them from the Federation fleet. No amount of scars would justify not repairing battle damage.
I was at least partially glad they could not read Compact Standard. The various little easter eggs of alien languages scattered on my walls were filled with warnings and resignations of regret for boarding me. I left them there, to add to the ambient horror of unwelcome borders, but currently it just felt...out of place. I did not want to scare the people on board.
Thankfully there were few along this path, and none noticed it as the language it was offhand, so I avoided those questions. As we walked to the entrance doors to the barracks, there was a hallway we would have to cross first. One I had kept tenderly over the centuries.
I decided to speak ahead of time on it. "We are coming up on a particular area of mine en route to the general barracks. It was not something made in my time with humanity, but more...a personal project. Reminders and trophies of what and who I fought for both myself, and any others who might unfortunately find themselves this far into my halls." Some of the Arxur looked intrigued by that statement.
Hailey looked a little nervous at the way I introduced it. "I-I wouldn't really call it something particularly-"
I kept going over her response. It wasn't particularly polite, but if I was to make a maximal psychological distraction for Isif to say his piece, it would need to be done...
As a drone already within put the finishing touches on the arrangement, and skittered away into the dark lofts above, the doors opened to my favorite rooms, and I introduced the hallway ahead.
"Welcome...to my Collection."
First Prev Next (soon)

You vs a combo of kids! Score to Beat: A measly 3 points is what they did. Typically you destroy them, this week will you may triple their score.
Round 1: Aliens. Three Military veterans were in the news testifying to congress about a multi-decade reverse engineering program of recovered vessels. Hard to get concrete questions about aliens, because the government is so good at covering it up!!!

1. What state is “Area 51” in?
2. Which planet is so bright that it is often mistaken for a UFO?
3. What does the abbreviation ET stand for?
4. Which planet in our solar system is often compared to Earth for its potential to support life?
5. What is the name of the 1996 Looney Tunes movie starring Micheal Jordan where aliens steal NBA basketball players' talents?

Answers: Aliens

1. Nevada. Secret facility that everyone knows about 90 miles north of Vegas.
2. Venus. Mercury is closer to the sun, but Venus is hotter because it has a much denser atmosphere to trap the heat.
3. Extraterrestrial - “of or from outside the earth or its atmosphere.”
4. Mars - I guess because there is water on mars, mostly frozen.
5. Space Jam. They made a sequel with Lebron.

Round 2: Letter "M"

1. What person's name is also the ‘rights’ given by the police before an interrogation?
2. What is the name of the young boy raised by wolves in the Jungle Book?
3. Ray Croc is responsible for which restaurant chain's success?
4. In what Saudi Arabian city was the prophet Mohammad born?
5. In Mathematics, what is the name given to the most common number in a data set?

Answers: Letter "M"

1. Miranda. Ernesto Miranda was arrested for stealing $8.00 from an Arizona bank worker. After two hours of questioning, Miranda confessed to a bunch of others crimes. It was a landmark case and now suspects must be informed of their right against self incrimination. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.”
2. Mowgli - I wanna be like yooouuuu...
3. McDonalds. He purchased McDs in 1961 from the McDonald Brothers in San Bernardino, CA.
4. Mecca. The Kaaba (first house of worship) is located in the center of the Great Mosque in Mecca and universally considered by Muslims to be the most sacred spot on Earth.
5. Mode. You remember Mean, Medium, Mode and Range!

Have a great week!

I’m so conflicted about joining the military! For starters, I’m a single 20 year old female who’s going into my third year of college. I’m currently studying Mechanical Engineering and I’m loving it. Currently I’m sitting at a 3.5 GPA. The thought of joining the military has been itching my brain lately and It’s the only thing I can think of.
I’m interested in the Air Force, Coast Guard or Navy as I’m not looking into anything very intense. My reason in wanting to join the military is mainly international travel opportunity and financial security along with the other benefits such as getting my masters paid for. I also want to financially support my parents as much as I can.
Right now, I’m not sure what I want to do in life. I’m involved in a handful on campus- I’m in a sales business fraternity (joined when I was a business major my first semester). I’m also in a sales engineering club, I am a Teaching Assistant for calc III and a Resident Assistant for the student neighborhood. I also am on club tennis and run. I was thinking of sales engineering as a job after college but I’m not sure how interested I am in that. My other professional interest include medicine/nursing, as I was premed at one point and finance which I still would like to pursue.
As you can tell I’m all over the place and don’t know what to do. I was told that you have to be very specific about a job before going into the military. So I could use some direction about what jobs I could pursue across the 3 branches. Preferably something that sets me up for success in the civilian world after I serve my 4. I should also add that I would like to go in as an officer once I graduate but I need more educated on that.
Also need advice on what to do in the present. Should I reach out to a recruiter now? Should I join my schools Army ROTC even if I’m not interested in the army? Should I consider NUPOC? Should I start off in Reserves or Guard? Is the military even the right choice for me? So many questions that I have before I make a decision.
I’m open to anything and everything you have to say regarding the military! I just need some more clarity and insight before making a decision that shifts my entire life trajectory.
Thank you!

The heat and the pressure are on—for our planet, and for one more World War.
Last Week in Collapse: June 2-8, 2024
This is Last Week in Collapse, a weekly newsletter compiling some of the most important, timely, useful, soul-crushing, ironic, stunning, exhausting, or otherwise must-see/can’t-look-away moments in Collapse.
This is the 128th newsletter. You can find the May 26-June edition here if you missed it last week. You can also receive these posts (with images) every Sunday in your email inbox with Substack.
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Bengaluru broke a 133-year rain record by almost 10mm last Sunday, with 111mm (4.37 inches) of rain falling in a single day. In Sri Lanka, some 24,000 people were displaced by recent flooding. A heat wave swept through the southwest United States and northern Mexico. Part of Niger already broke its June temperature record. Parts of New South Wales, Australia broke nighttime temperatures as well; so did the Philippines, and Vietnam. And a heat wave in Greece.
“Atmospheric blocking” happens when regions of the atmosphere remain stationary for days or weeks, imposing similar weather on a region for a while. A study released in Nature Communications looked at Svalbard, which is warming faster than the Arctic, which is itself warming faster than most of the rest of the planet. The researchers claim that atmospheric blocking has resulted in warmer & wetter conditions in Svalbard, which is driving its ice loss. “The augmented blocking in the Ural and Scandinavian regions in the future combined with the projected declines in sea ice, and increases in sea surface temperatures and moisture availability, will likely increase the magnitude and frequency of exceptional rainfall incidents similar to the 2016 occurrence, posing further hazards to the population and ecosystems in Svalbard.”
A paywalled study in Nature Climate Change emphasizes “in the absence of a global tipping point there is no safety margin within which permafrost loss would be acceptable.” The summary states that permafrost melt does not have a worldwide tipping point, but rather several local temperature thresholds. Permafrost worldwide is expected to be all melted once global temperature gains hit 5 or 6 °C.
We are currently in the brief neutral period between El Niño and La Niña, expected to begin around August. Meteorologists expect temperatures in the eastern Pacific to decline for between 1 and 3 years—and for stronger Atlantic hurricanes. A 14-page report from the WMO forecasts a particularly wet summer for Central America.
Monsoon storms in Sri Lanka killed 14, mostly by falling trees, though others drowned or were covered by landslides. Texas saw “canteloupe-size hail” fall during a freak tornado; some think it is a record size for the region. Experts say some 23% of Africa’s land has been degraded, by five major factors: 1) invasive species, 2) climate change, including Drought and flooding, 3) resource extraction, 4) deforestation, and 5) pollution, including algal blooms. Poverty, population growth, and resource dependencies have aggravated the problem, says the article.
In Kashmir, a glacier Collapsed, sending three plunging into the ice, one of whom has still not been found. In the Philippines, a volcanic mud landslide swept into a village; volcano alerts were raised to 2 (on a 0-5 scale). Rising sea levels are displacing residents of one of Panama’s islands (pop: ~1,200); others will follow. Greece is gearing up for a fierce wildfire season ahead. And, in a moment of hopeful news, Sweden is banning bottom trawling in its “marine protected areas.”
In the EU, early polling appears to show a “greenlash,”, a backlash to the Green Alliance—and perhaps a loss of some 30% of their 72 current seats in the EU Parliament (705 total). Some blame the “moral superiority complex” of Greens, while others believe it is their lack of compromise on important issues. Farmer protests also damaged Green sentiment; now future sweeping climate reforms will probably have to wait years to get passed, since conservatives are expected to make gains. Most results will emerge within 24 hours of this post.
Worldwide, 39% of environmental journalists have faced threats due to their reporting—according to a 112-page report by the Earth Journalism Network. Most of the threats came to reporters writing about illegal extraction operations.
Roughly 20% of sealife near the surface is expected to face a “triple threat” of climate hazards: extreme heat, oxygen loss and acidification. Some of these species will die in place; others will be forced into progressively smaller living spaces. Most of the danger lies in the northern Pacific. The full study in AGU Advances has more.
The UN Secretary-General announced that we are on the “highway to climate hell.” And we aren’t wearing any seatbelts. The EU Copernicus Programme says last May was the hottest on record. This means the last 12 months were the hottest on record, with each consecutive month setting a new monthly record. Our planet is supposedly on the edge of 1.5 °C temperature increase, but some think we’ve already surpassed it.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released a 27-page report, “Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update 2024-2028,” predicting short-term temperatures exceeding the 1.5 °C mark.

“The global mean near-surface temperature for each year between 2024 and 2028 is predicted to be between 1.1°C and 1.9°C higher than the average over the years 1850-1900. It is likely (80% chance) that global mean near-surface temperature will exceed 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 average levels for at least one year between 2024 and 2028. It is about as likely as not (47%) that the five-year mean will exceed this threshold….Arctic warming over the next five extended winters (November to March), relative to the average of the 1991-2020 period, is predicted to be more than three times as large as the warming in global mean temperature. Predicted precipitation patterns for 2024, relative to the 1991-2020 average, suggest an increased chance of low rainfall over North-East Brazil and an increased chance of wet conditions in the African Sahel, consistent with the warmer-than-usual temperatures in the North Atlantic….

The Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy released its 2024 Environmental Policy Index, and the 204 pages illustrate the state of sustainability in 180 countries, according to 58 indicators. The document, full of useful graphics and accessible summaries, presents a world in escalating danger of global heating, pollution, and biodiversity loss. It is well worth skimming. These kinds of climate reports usually seem to me like, overall, much more time was spent making them than people spend reading them…

“Only five countries — Estonia, Finland, Greece, Timor-Leste, and the United Kingdom — cut their GHG emissions at the rate needed to reach zero by 2050….After climate change, biodiversity loss has emerged as the most serious and irreversible environmental crisis….As of 2022, aggregated GHG emissions were falling in 60 countries but still rising in 128…. Human activities, namely the combustion of fossil fuels, of which CO2 is an inevitable byproduct, have caused a nearly 50 percent of the increase in CO2 levels in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution, with atmospheric concentration surpassing 426 parts per million in April 2024 — a level higher than at any point in human history….China, the United States, and India are pivotal, accounting for over half of global GHG emissions…China used more cement in two years (2020 and 2021) than the United States did in the entire twentieth century….Air pollution remains the most serious environmental threat to public health. Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter less than 2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) caused 7.8 million premature deaths in 2021, close to 12 percent of global deaths…” -selections from the first third of the report

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Mexico saw its first human case of a bird flu strain, H5N2, in a dead man supposedly with no known previous exposure to animals. Two turkey farms got outbreaks in Minnesota, and Iowa’s first dairy farm reported bird flu as well. American health authorities expect H5N1 human cases to rise in the coming weeks. Bird flu was also found in San Francisco last week. Millions of human vaccine doses for bird flu are being prepared for the United States this summer.
Citigroup says the United States is already in a recession, though other institutions disagree. Nevertheless, junk bonds are becoming even more junky, and economists agree that the economy is at least slowing down. Credit card debt is reportedly rising, and the “personal savings rate” has dropped to pre-COVID levels. “America’s debt accumulation over the last seven years is akin to the costs of a world war,” says the article. Cuts to the Federal Reserve interest rate are coming, and the rise of tariffs is unlikely to stop soon. And Europe’s strongest economy, Germany, is not seeing a strong recovery from last year’s recession.
Thousands are starving in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, where Drought and school dropouts have also worsened. Investigators claim in a new report that both sides in the Tigray War committed grave war crimes and “acts of genocide” in the conflict, which ended (on paper, anyway) in November 2022; intercommunal violence continues at a lower intensity.
The American Heart Association released a report projecting the rates of heart illnesses by 2050, and they believe the rate of hypertension among adults will rise from about 51% in 2020 to 61% in 2060. Diabetes rates are expected to jump from about 16% in 2020 to almost 27% in 2050; and obesity rates will expand 17% to over 60%... A number of other heart conditions are expected to worsen as well, though at least high cholesterol rates are expected to decrease.
A 12-page report by Oil Change International says what we all know: most nations are failing to meet climate targets. “Some G7 countries are massively expanding fossil fuel production at home, while others are investing in more fossil fuel infrastructure abroad.” China is, far and away, adding more renewable energy capacity than any other nations on earth, supposedly adding “over 90% of all renewable capacity mentioned in NDCs {nationally determined contributions}” in the 2020s so far.
The U.S. FDA has unanimously recommended a new vaccine be developed to address the JN.1 COVID variant. Vaccine-manufacturers say that a new vaccine could arrive as early as mid-August. A 242-page prepublication report on the long-term dangers of Long COVID, with a view to planning future impacts on Social Security.

“Even individuals with a mild initial course of illness can develop Long COVID with severe health effects….Women are twice as likely as men to experience Long COVID….Long COVID can cause more than 200 symptoms and affects each person differently….There currently is no curative treatment for Long COVID itself. Management of the condition is based on current knowledge about treating the associated health effects and other sequelae….Long COVID symptoms generally improve over time, although preliminary studies suggest that recover can plateau 6-12 months after acute infection. Studies have shown that only 18-22 percent of those who have persistent symptoms at 5-6 months following infection have fully recovered by 1 year. Among those who do not improve, most remain stable, but some worsen.” -selections from the study summary

Germany reported African swine flu in some pigs in the northeast. Monkeypox cases remain in the United States, and at higher rates than last year, despite waning media coverage. And four strains of dengue fever, yes four, are still sweeping through Brazil with no end in sight.
A number of current & former employees at OpenAI are warning of the careless pursuit of dominance of the artificial intelligence arena—and the supposed 70% chance that AI could bring about “doom” for humanity. Some of the computer scientists believe that a general intelligence (AGI) could arrive as soon as 2027—a generation earlier than previous estimates of roughly 2050. "The world isn’t ready, and we aren’t ready," said one dissenting researcher.
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The intervention into Haiti is almost ready to go, but gangsters in Haiti have escalated attacks against police in advance of the Kenya-led operation, set to begin in a week or two. “The gangs are just waiting for the Kenyans, they’re just cracking their knuckles and stretching out.…It’s going to be a battle if not a bloodbath of a war, because the gangs are ready,” said one ex-diplomat. A new PM has been installed, Garry Conille, a guy who previously served as PM for 4 about months in 2011-2012. Gangs vying for power control roughly 80% of Port-Au-Prince; will they remain fragmented upon the arrival of an outside coalition, or make an alliance of convenience to oppose police intervention?
Although New Caledonia’s state of emergency has ended, over $1B of damage has been wrought by rioters opposing an expansion of voting rights. Analysts say that the Pacific island’s abundant nickel reserves—essential for France’s renewable energy push—have seen their extraction obstructed by recent events. A curfew remains in place, and social cohesion has been seriously damaged by the protests and the central government’s reactions.
President Biden issued new orders restricting the flow of migrants and asylum-seekers at the Mexico border. At the U.S./Canada border, migrant arrivals have spiked 1000%+ in the last 3 years. Days before the EU election, Portugal instituted stronger controls over immigration. On the Poland/Belarus border, a Polish soldier died, after being stabbed by a migrant from Belarus.
Georgia’s controversial foreign agents bill has been signed into law despite strong protests from the masses. Some call the law a form of Russian hybrid warfare, though Russia contends that allowing foreign media funding functions as a kind of anti-Russian hybrid warfare on its own.
South Korea suspended a military agreement with North Korea over their waste balloons sent into the South. This will result in a more militarized border, outside the DMZ, in the coming months. President Putin is also planning a visit to Pyongyang, which has been long-supplying materiel to Russia for use in Ukraine. A border clash between Chinese and Indian forces took place in their contested mountains—using only sticks and stones.
Conditions in Gaza are said to be “beyond crisis levels” for the 1M+ people who have been displaced from Rafah, as the Israeli advance continues—despite calls from the ICJ to halt the operation. “The sounds, the smells, the everyday life, are horrific and apocalyptic,” said one observer. Killings in the West Bank have now exceeded 500 since October 7, and aid deliveries have sunk 65%+ since the Rafah offensive began. A strike on a school killed 45 people sheltering there, according to Gaza officials. In the coastal settlement of al-Mawasi, where many IDPs moved after the Rafah invasion began, toilets are so scarce that over 4,000 people share a single latrine.
The battlefield is expanding; in some ways, it has always been all-encompassing, and it’s only now that the world is re-learning it. Ukraine has sent soldiers to Syria to fight Wagner Group mercenaries operating in the failed state. Ukraine had earlier intervened in Sudan to combat Russian forces operating in the country. Ukraine also struck an air defense unit inside Russia for the first time, marking another escalation in the War. Russia struck Ukraine’s largest hydroelectric power plant in Dnipro, which is now in “critical condition.” Russia reportedly intends to restart the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant at some point, though international regulators argue that it would be unsafe to turn Europe’s largest nuclear facility online while War still rages around it. Half of Ukraine’s electrical generation has been taken offline. Although weapons are reaching Ukraine’s frontlines, they are not enough to change the tide of the War—and are still outnumbered by Russian soldiers & munitions. Ukraine is also crowd-sourcing 3D-printing drone parts to support their drone fleets—a key part of future modern warfare.
Russia also claims that French military instructors within Ukraine present a lawful military target for Russian forces—and an opportunity to start WWIII. But others believe the flashpoint may come from elsewhere—Taiwan, or the unfolding Israel/Hamas/Hezbollah/Iran conflict, which are intensifying on the Lebanon/Israel border. Russia is also taking over Niger’s uranium reserves, once held by a French corporation. And four Russian sea vessels will be visiting Cuba—but not carrying nuclear weapons.
Around Sudan’s capital, looters, checkpoints, and violence have been established. Several torture chambers have been discovered, and the smell of death hangs in the air of a few neighborhoods, contested by both sides. The number of displaced people is approaching 10M. Russia is supposedly playing both sides to its advantage. “All over Sudan, people are going hungry because they have lost everything, the economy has collapsed, and armed men frequently steal what little aid is available,” said one reporter. The insurgent RSF forces are said to not only be fighting for the future, but fighting over history as well. The National Museum has become a cemetery for RSF fighters. University archives have been burned. And ancient artifacts have been cleared out, sold to mysterious buyers, stashed away in unknown places, or simply destroyed… Other horror stories are still emerging; this article details some of the worst recent tales in the War.
One major NATO supplies provider claims that a decade of arms accumulation is coming, to replenish stockpiles given to Ukraine and in advance of a potential open War between China and whatever western nations decide to participate. China announced its intention to detain vessels moving into its alleged national waters near the Philippines—and presumably to sink those which resist. Ukraine used up six years’ worth of shoulder-fired missiles, like javelins, in just one year. The development of the F-35 will exceed $2T, although the U.S. military is planning on using it less than previously expected. NATO is also planning its rapid-transit troop corridors through Europe to the expected frontlines of a potential open War against Russia.
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Select comments/threads from the subreddit last week suggest:
-It is a common refrain that the education system is a bellwether for Collapse. It is also a symbol—alongside our food system, plastic dependency, state militaries, and many other institutions—of how difficult it apparently is to change course. The institutional friction and incentives are burnt in. This detailed post on the (American) school system and the “metacrisis” and much more. Several thorough comments build on the OP’s thesis. Peek into teachers for a glimpse into our doomed future.
-People in southern California are evidently closing their eyes and ears to Collapse, if this weekly observation is to be believed. The author writes about their unfulfilled hope that humanity might turn the ship around during the COVID period, cognitive biases, the persistence of COVID denial, plastics, and the early burning sun.
-Society is closing in on a Doom-Awakening, says the comments on this post. Some disagree (see the above observation).
-Nothing works, and everything is breaking—say many terrific comments in this self-post about the lack of empathy, passion, quality products, and the atrocious job market.
Got any feedback, questions, comments, complaints, upvotes, hurricane advice, bird flu tips, cheap off-grid land, etc.? Check out the Last Week in Collapse SubStack if you don’t want to check collapse every Sunday, you can receive this newsletter sent to your (or someone else’s) email inbox every weekend. What did I forget this week?

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

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

This post offers a glimpse into my zero-point energy journey and discoveries made along the way, providing an oversimplified version of the complexities involved. While it presents fragments of scientific theories, it's essential to recognize that the exploration of ZPE delves into intricate realms beyond this brief exposition. The discoveries recounted here are simplified snapshots of a broader landscape, with ongoing debates challenging conventional scientific paradigms. It's important to note that the explanations of current scientific theories are merely facets of a larger understanding. No harm or offense is intended by these simplified explanations; rather, they serve as stepping stones for further exploration and discussion, urging readers to approach the subject with an open mind and a willingness to delve deeper into its complexities.
Here we go..
Modern science struggles to pinpoint the location of consciousness within our brains. Ancient teachings on non-local consciousness and purported psychic abilities, including remote viewing and channeling (among many others), hint at a radical departure: our consciousness may not originate from our brains at all. Instead, it suggests that our brains are mere vessels shaped by consciousness. Acting as interpreters of frequencies, our senses offer glimpses of a reality crafted by consciousness through our brains. This perspective reconceives consciousness as the fundamental essence of existence, expressed through frequencies and vibrations. Nikola Tesla's iconic words, 'If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration,' resonate profoundly with this notion. Tesla's belief in the existence of ether, the elemental substance from which all matter emerges, aligns with the idea that consciousness and ether could be intertwined. Within this framework, our brains are not generators of consciousness; rather, consciousness shapes the brain and everything perceived through it. This realization heralds a seismic shift in our understanding of reality.
Modern science explains that particles arise from fluctuations, transitioning between probability waves and tangible forms - particles are essentially manifestations of waves. This understanding, rooted in wave-particle duality, asserts that everything, including particles, fundamentally exists as waves. This interpretation resonates with my comprehension of how the universe operates.
The necessity of quoting more Tesla isn't essential here, as the concept of consciousness or ether inherently encompasses energy, frequency, and vibration. Reflecting on our understanding of electricity as an energy form, it's plausible that our comprehension of the electromagnetic field is incomplete. The propagation of electricity outside wires, within the electromagnetic field, hints at a deeper connection to consciousness or ether. Given that consciousness embodies frequencies and vibrations, it's logical to consider the ether's vibrational nature as the medium for electromagnetic wave propagation. This suggests that the traditional electromagnetic field may not be requisite for electricity transmission, as it likely traverses through the ether, as Tesla proposed.
After delving into multiple physics theories in pursuit of uncovering a unifying Theory of Everything, I stumbled upon vortex math. Subsequently, immersing myself extensively in its principles, I found Marko Rodin's insights particularly compelling. His elucidation of how the universe seemingly adheres to vortex patterns in energy flow resonated deeply with my quest for understanding the fundamental fabric of reality. Nature never operates in straight lines, and energy exhibits its own curvature, as indicated by vortex math. While vortex math elegantly elucidates the physical reality circuit (1, 2, 4, 8, 7, 5) and its corresponding ether side (3, 6, 9), attempting to construct a device using base-10 math alongside vortex math presents a challenge. Something seems amiss and requires further investigation. This is where music enters the picture. Music, with its frequencies and harmonies, offers valuable insights.
It appears that the universe is divided into 12 equal intervals, akin to the structure of music. The 12 notes of the chromatic scale form an octave. Without delving into the intricacies of octaves and harmonies here, but understanding this concept reveals the significance of employing base-12 math in subjects like this. Both Tesla and Rodin were onto something with their emphasis on 3, 6, and 9 within the context of base-10 math. However, constructing a device based solely on this knowledge could lead to an imbalance between the ether and physical realms, resulting in energy leakage. Utilizing base-12 math, on the other hand, would align the formula perfectly and achieve harmonious equilibrium between the ether and physical aspects. The key to unlocking this balance lies in incorporating the numbers 3, 6, 9, and 12.
Contemplating these insights led me to consider the manifestation of energy/matter. Is it conceivable to engineer a device that manipulates ether in a manner that generates elevated waves in the ether, commonly known as standing waves?
A brief study of wave dynamics and interference revealed that longitudinal waves interacting or interfering with each other produce standing waves. Understanding that wires or conductive materials serve as "waveguides" for waves propagating in ether (or consciousness), it becomes feasible to construct a device capable of modulating the ether to generate desired standing waves upon it.
So, I resolved to challenge my own and others' beliefs regarding this concept and began constructing the device myself. The idea was to utilize waveguides or commonly known conductive materials arranged in a manner that encourages wave interference within the ether. Adjacent to these waveguides, there would be conductive material positioned to effectively "collect" these standing waves.
This led me to create a device comprising copper plates shaped correctly for waveguides, with induction plates situated nearby. To my lack of surprise, transmitting the appropriate longitudinal wave to this device resulted in a significant surplus of electricity being generated on the induction plates. Initial experiments yielded highly promising results. Adding a load to the plates and measuring the produced power indicated that with only 5W of input power, I was able to generate multiple kW impulses on the induction plates. Remarkably compact, the device is not much larger than a basketball and weighs only about 1.5kg, making it incredibly portable and versatile. Its size belies its capabilities, as it can easily serve as a power source for a house, electric car, or any other electric application. Furthermore, its construction is remarkably simple, requiring no complex electronic components or expensive materials, and it can be assembled at home using basic tools.
One significant observation is that the surplus electricity manifests as impulses rather than continuous power. Thus far, I've had to externally introduce the input pulse to the device from an external power source, resulting in infrequent impulses in the previous development version. However, I've devised a method to configure the device so that it generates the input pulse autonomously, enabling it to operate continuously as a self-sustaining generator. Though the term "generator" may not be entirely accurate, as it simply manifests energy from the ether. Functioning akin to all motors and generators, it operates as a self-feeding and self-running system.
Like an internal combustion engine, which relies on fuel, a spark plug, and a piston/camshaft to convert energy, this device operates with the ether as its fuel source, the input pulse acting as the spark plug, and the waveguides and inducing plates functioning as the piston and camshaft. This device complies with physical laws, as it harnesses energy from the ether, an external and seemingly unlimited energy source. Thus, it does not violate thermodynamic laws, as it operates as an open system rather than a closed one. Its only requirement for operation is an initial kickstart, akin to most motors. Once kickstarted, it runs autonomously, devoid of any moving parts, and can be constructed by most individuals themselves.
This device represents my interpretation of true zero-point energy—a concept that holds immense promise as a virtually unlimited and sustainable source of free energy. Zero-point energy, also known as vacuum energy or ground state energy, is the energy that remains in a system even at its lowest possible energy state. Harnessing this energy could revolutionize the way we power our world, offering a clean, abundant, and renewable source of energy for all.
You might wonder why I'm sharing this without providing video proof of my device. The reason is simple: I intend for this device to be open source, marking the first step toward making this technology accessible to everyone. I have no intention of patenting it under any circumstances. All the necessary information to build this device will be freely available for anyone to use. This post marks the inaugural stride towards a society where energy is not merely a commodity but a birthright, as essential as the air we breathe and the water we drink.
Through this research journey, I've been awakened to the profound essence of our reality and the boundless possibilities it entails. The revelation that energy can be effortlessly harnessed from the ether unveils a paradigm-shifting vista of potentialities. If such a feat is within our grasp, then the manipulation of gravity and the manifestation of matter are no longer relegated to the realm of science fiction but become tantalizingly attainable aspirations. Given their strong connection to the ether, both gravity and matter offer avenues for exploration, suggesting that neutralizing gravitational forces becomes as achievable as manifesting energy.
Stay tuned, for this is just the beginning of a voyage into a future where the boundaries of possibility are limited only by our imagination. Future posts will reveal more detailed information about the device and the power output, along with videos of the device in operation.

I came across this post and this guy is selling Sony xm5’s for $99. He claims it’s a “warehouse sale” and has a surplus of other expensive things he’s selling for cheap. Are these authentic or fake? He listed the address of the warehouse and everything, I’m just not sure if they are authentic Sony headphones.

Hi 👋🏼
I’m looking for a business partner to start a marketing agency with.
I have an extensive background in operations, leadership, & tech/data.
If you’re already familiar with EOS/Traction, I may explain what you already know.
Every business needs 2 things at the helm of the ship.

• A Captain that chooses a destination & guides the ship to its destination
  
• A Chief Mate that oversees the operations, people, & ultimately the “health” of the vessel to ensure the ship CAN make it to the destination.
  

The Captain is a visionary, think Steve Jobs.
The Chief Mate is an Integrator, think Steve Wozniak.
I’m the Wozniak to your Jobs.
I’m looking for my Steve Jobs.
I’m looking for a Visionary that will bring me 10 ideas a week, 8 will be mediocre, 2 will be gold, & I’ll make those 2 happen.
I’m looking for a Visionary that thrives on nurturing external relationships, building a network, & connecting with strangers.
Be our Figurehead, we’ll build our brand around you.
I’ll stand behind the curtain, ensuring everything is running smoothly behind the scenes, optimizing our processes, & creating a clear and sure path to scaling.
I thrive on identifying, outlining, implementing, improving processes.
I thrive on building strong connections with my team and those I work with.
I thrive on identifying my teams unique talents & putting them in roles that highlight those talents.
I thrive on operational efficiency & scaling businesses.
The main functions of a business:

• Marketing
• Sales
• Operations
• HR
• Finance

You own Marketing & Sales
I own Operations & HR
We tackle finance together
I’ve helped agencies scale from $10k, $20k, $30k MRR to $80k, $120k, $160k+ MRR.
Could I start an agency myself? Absolutely.
But I know my strengths & I know what strengths you bring that I don’t have.

1 top priority?

Vision & Core Values
If we don’t align here, it’s just not meant to be.

• Be honest, but Kind
  
• Be open minded & welcome feedback
  
• Customer Success (internal & external) is #1
  
• See a problem, bring a solution
  
• Demand Integrity & foster pride in our work
  

Subject to change :)
Sound like we’d vibe? Shoot me a DM 🤙🏼

Hi 👋🏼
I’m looking for a business partner to start a marketing agency with.
I have an extensive background in operations, leadership, & tech/data.
If you’re already familiar with EOS/Traction, I may explain what you already know.
Every business needs 2 things at the helm of the ship.

• A Captain that chooses a destination & guides the ship to its destination
  
• A Chief Mate that oversees the operations, people, & ultimately the “health” of the vessel to ensure the ship CAN make it to the destination.
  

The Captain is a visionary, think Steve Jobs.
The Chief Mate is an Integrator, think Steve Wozniak.
I’m the Wozniak to your Jobs.
I’m looking for my Steve Jobs.
I’m looking for a Visionary that will bring me 10 ideas a week, 8 will be mediocre, 2 will be gold, & I’ll make those 2 happen.
I’m looking for a Visionary that thrives on nurturing external relationships, building a network, & connecting with strangers.
Be our Figurehead, we’ll build our brand around you.
I’ll stand behind the curtain, ensuring everything is running smoothly behind the scenes, optimizing our processes, & creating a clear and sure path to scaling.
I thrive on identifying, outlining, implementing, improving processes.
I thrive on building strong connections with my team and those I work with.
I thrive on identifying my teams unique talents & putting them in roles that highlight those talents.
I thrive on operational efficiency & scaling businesses.
The main functions of a business:

• Marketing
• Sales
• Operations
• HR
• Finance

You own Marketing & Sales
I own Operations & HR
We tackle finance together
I’ve helped agencies scale from $10k, $20k, $30k MRR to $80k, $120k, $160k+ MRR.
Could I start an agency myself? Absolutely.
But I know my strengths & I know what strengths you bring that I don’t have.

1 top priority?

Vision & Core Values
If we don’t align here, it’s just not meant to be.

• Be honest, but Kind
  
• Be open minded & welcome feedback
  
• Customer Success (internal & external) is #1
  
• See a problem, bring a solution
  
• Demand Integrity & foster pride in our work
  

Subject to change :)
Sound like we’d vibe? Shoot me a DM 🤙🏼

Hi 👋🏼
I’m looking for a business partner to start a marketing agency with.
I have an extensive background in operations, leadership, & tech/data.
If you’re already familiar with EOS/Traction, I may explain what you already know.
Every business needs 2 things at the helm of the ship.

• A Captain that chooses a destination & guides the ship to its destination
  
• A Chief Mate that oversees the operations, people, & ultimately the “health” of the vessel to ensure the ship CAN make it to the destination.
  

The Captain is a visionary, think Steve Jobs.
The Chief Mate is an Integrator, think Steve Wozniak.
I’m the Wozniak to your Jobs.
I’m looking for my Steve Jobs.
I’m looking for a Visionary that will bring me 10 ideas a week, 8 will be mediocre, 2 will be gold, & I’ll make those 2 happen.
I’m looking for a Visionary that thrives on nurturing external relationships, building a network, & connecting with strangers.
Be our Figurehead, we’ll build our brand around you.
I’ll stand behind the curtain, ensuring everything is running smoothly behind the scenes, optimizing our processes, & creating a clear and sure path to scaling.
I thrive on identifying, outlining, implementing, improving processes.
I thrive on building strong connections with my team and those I work with.
I thrive on identifying my teams unique talents & putting them in roles that highlight those talents.
I thrive on operational efficiency & scaling businesses.
The main functions of a business:

• Marketing
• Sales
• Operations
• HR
• Finance

You own Marketing & Sales
I own Operations & HR
We tackle finance together
I’ve helped agencies scale from $10k, $20k, $30k MRR to $80k, $120k, $160k+ MRR.
Could I start an agency myself? Absolutely.
But I know my strengths & I know what strengths you bring that I don’t have.

1 top priority?

Vision & Core Values
If we don’t align here, it’s just not meant to be.

• Be honest, but Kind
  
• Be open minded & welcome feedback
  
• Customer Success (internal & external) is #1
  
• See a problem, bring a solution
  
• Demand Integrity & foster pride in our work
  

Subject to change :)
Sound like we’d vibe? Shoot me a DM 🤙🏼

Hi 👋🏼
I’m looking for a business partner to start a marketing agency with.
I have an extensive background in operations, leadership, & tech/data.
If you’re already familiar with EOS/Traction, I may explain what you already know.
Every business needs 2 things at the helm of the ship.

• A Captain that chooses a destination & guides the ship to its destination
  
• A Chief Mate that oversees the operations, people, & ultimately the “health” of the vessel to ensure the ship CAN make it to the destination.
  

The Captain is a visionary, think Steve Jobs.
The Chief Mate is an Integrator, think Steve Wozniak.
I’m the Wozniak to your Jobs.
I’m looking for my Steve Jobs.
I’m looking for a Visionary that will bring me 10 ideas a week, 8 will be mediocre, 2 will be gold, & I’ll make those 2 happen.
I’m looking for a Visionary that thrives on nurturing external relationships, building a network, & connecting with strangers.
Be our Figurehead, we’ll build our brand around you.
I’ll stand behind the curtain, ensuring everything is running smoothly behind the scenes, optimizing our processes, & creating a clear and sure path to scaling.
I thrive on identifying, outlining, implementing, improving processes.
I thrive on building strong connections with my team and those I work with.
I thrive on identifying my teams unique talents & putting them in roles that highlight those talents.
I thrive on operational efficiency & scaling businesses.
The main functions of a business:

• Marketing
• Sales
• Operations
• HR
• Finance

You own Marketing & Sales
I own Operations & HR
We tackle finance together
I’ve helped agencies scale from $10k, $20k, $30k MRR to $80k, $120k, $160k+ MRR.
Could I start an agency myself? Absolutely.
But I know my strengths & I know what strengths you bring that I don’t have.

1 top priority?

Vision & Core Values
If we don’t align here, it’s just not meant to be.

• Be honest, but Kind
  
• Be open minded & welcome feedback
  
• Customer Success (internal & external) is #1
  
• See a problem, bring a solution
  
• Demand Integrity & foster pride in our work
  

Subject to change :)
Sound like we’d vibe? Shoot me a DM 🤙🏼

blanket party is a term used in the military where fellow soldiers gang up on you to teach you a a lesson after you made a decision which may put the entire detachment in a bad place
Context: Cadia is blowing up after abadddon lobbed the blackstone fortress into it. Lord Castellan Creed predicted they might lose cadia so he developed a failsafe for survivors to evacuate the planet.
Hellskar is a colonel in charge of the unit which have received orders to evacuate the planet
Daverna is an that inquisitor didn’t allow evacuation n fear of demonic contamination
Are you Hellsker? Are you in charge here?’ ‘Yes, sir, Colonel Hel…’The needle pistol was big in her vision. A long, wicked barrel. ‘Call it off.’ ‘What? Call what off?’ ‘The embarkation. Get on your frekking vox and tell the pilots to come out. This is an illegal operation.’ ‘I’m working under the authority of the Lord Castell–’ ‘I know whose authority you’re working under.’ The woman grabbed her by the flak vest and pulled her close, the needle pistol jamming into her unprotected throat. Her captor was huge, with broad shoulders, and clad in a tailored officer’s coat. ‘Inquisitor Daverna of high command. And I know all about you, Major Hellsker. How Creed favoured you, how he bribed you into this illegal action with a rank elevation. Call the pilots out. Tell them no lift.’ ‘These troopers have fought hard, they deserve–’ ‘These troopers will start developing signs of mutation within a month. Two months, and they’ll be vessels for Neverborn or defecting to the Despoiler. Were you at Tyrok?
After daverna shot an injured soldier, Hellskar decided to pretend she was using her vox to call her men off after it seems they might shoot the inquisitor
“Daverna swung the pistol back to Hellsker. ‘If your people try anything…’ ‘Stay back!’ yelled Hellsker, her hands raised. ‘Inquisitor, I’m going to key my micro-bead and tell them to stay back, all right?’ She slowly, deliberately, changed frequencies to wide-band. ‘Everyone, stay back,’ she warned, then knelt in front of the pistol. ‘Even you, Zadoc, listen up.’ ‘Tell them to send the pilots out.’ ‘Yes, I will. But you should get low, inquisitor.’ ‘What?’“‘It’s dangerous here. Active combat. Archenemy snipers in the zone. You could get hurt. We’ve lost two officers already. It would be a very natural thing to occur.’ ‘What the hells are you talking about? Get the pilots and–’ Talia Daverna’s head exploded. A hotshot round at long range, flashing out from somewhere near the front line. She toppled between the corpses of Pesk and Arun Lek, her body unrecognisable. ‘Plyn?’ ‘Yes, colonel?’ ‘The inquisitor has been killed by a heretic sharpshooter.’ ‘Tragic. Should’ve kept low, sir, like you said.’ ‘Make a sweep for the assassin before you get on the transport, will you? He’s a good shot, might be dangerous.’”
I think this excerpt really shows that Rath did some research into some common things that happen off the books in the army.
Some other examples of this aside from this excerpt are the characters of glave and Selvar Ghent. in my country’s army, we do have characters like ghent especially when we are posted into foreign countries where you didn’t know the local language most times and the good shops that might serve foreign soldiers .I know I bought dental floss and a small listerine mouthwash for about $10 a few days into the forward base exercise to get rid of the sandy taste in my mouth after sleeping out in the field. Glaves story was also relatable as it shows the enthusiasm of every recruit when they first join up or enlist
All in all while the novel wasn’t perfect (might make a post on this to try to get some insights). I thought it was well written and as somebody who used to serve in the army I found the book relatable and can see how Rath tries to make the story as close to real life minus the Sci-fi and chaos parts to real life army parallels to make it more interesting and more human.