Me and my borfriend have been together for over two years now and also moved in together recently. It has not been easy living together because I'm a clean freak and he likes to wait till it escalates and takes one whole day for cleaning.
This has lead to many arguments between us, which is normal I thought. After half a year of living together I realized that he started texting another female friend of his more frequently. I'm not much of a jealous person so I didn't care. I was just a bit pissed because whenever I ask him to text me he says he hates texting and also he answers super dry. I'm not proud that I started an argument over this and it got pretty ugly as well. I apologized for being so toxic over something like this and thought it was alright.
The next days he was super distant. Didn't wanna say I love u back. Hug me or talk to me at all. I thought everything between us was alright and he ensured me that it was. I lead to overthinking so when he was on his work trip the next week I logged into his account and saw the messages between him and his friends.
He was planning on breaking up with me for a while. He texted her the whole time when he told me that he was too busy. She is taken but they still tell each other I love u every day before going to bed and he also vents a lot about our relationship. He never tells me whenever he has a problem but wants me to be more open about my feelings. The things I saw led to a panic attack and I couldn't eat or sleep for the next three days.
They were also talking about her relationship but he never drops the words break up like she does or " your relationship is gonna end soon anyways how" or tells him how dependant, hypocritic and more I am. The worst part is that he didn't even say something against it.
I didn't want to Adress him because I did invade his privacy but when I asked him did u two talk about u being unhappy in this relationship or wanting to break up he said no. When I asked him if she ever had a crush on him because I don't want him to be so close with someone that might have feelings which she had he also lied to me.
In general he's being very disrespectful about me and our relationship. And he said he's just waiting for our lease to expire so he can move out by himself and let the relationship die.
I feel so stupid for staying with him because I am too emotional and don't know what to do. He still thinks I know nothing
Tl;dr My (20) borfriend (22) texts another girl about breaking up with me

We've been with our power company since October 2022, after moving house then quickly changed the meter to a smart meter. In November we applied for the export MAPAN so we could export power from our new solar panels.
Throughout this time the power company have had 2 meters on record so failed to bill us despite regular calls from us, then billed us for 5 months of energy in one go, which they agreed we could pay in 2 instalments (I say this fore completeness, I feel that was reasonable on their part). They also took till February and after several nudges to get the export MAPAN, we did lack some documents, but got sent them quickly upon request (again we're not blameless here, but we acted in a timely manner).
We've threatened the ombudsman and in their response letter they have stated them have fixed the issues and updated out account. They have also offered us a written apology and £100 to close out the complaint. This has all ended in more confusion and we are now being double changed for £45.88 and underpaid £7.50 for our export.
I guess the question is, what's my next steps? could I do a conditional acceptance of the £100 if they sort out the double charge and underpayment? and would I be hampering myself if there are further issues after this?
Thank you

Research Nester has released a reporttitled “Industry 4.0Market – Global Demand Analysis & OpportunityOutlook 2027” which also includes some of the prominent market analyzing parameters such as industry growth drivers, restraints, supply and demand risk, market attractiveness, year-on-year (Y-O-Y) growth comparisons, market share comparisons, BPS analysis, SWOT analysis and Porter’s five force model.
International Federation of Robotics (IFR), in one of its statistics stated that in the year 2018, value of robot installations in the world reached a value worth USD 16.5 billion and automotive industry held the largest share of around 30% of the total share of robot installations.
The statistics portray the rising deployment of robots worldwide on the back of growing need amongst industry owners for greater operational efficiency in the industries and for the deployment of industrial internet of things (IIoT), which is slated to reach a CAGR of around 15.12% during the forecast period (2019-2027). Growing need for automation of industrial processes along with favoring policies of the government for automation, all of these factors together are contributing towards the growth of the global industry 4.0 market.
The global industry 4.0 market is anticipated to record a CAGR of around 10.19%during the forecast period, i.e. 2019-2027. The market is segmented bytechnology into cyber security, internet of things (IoT), 3D printing, industrial robotics, advanced human-machine interface (HMI), big data, augmented reality & virtual reality, artificial intelligence and others. The industrial robotics segment is further sub-segmented into collaborative industrial robots, SCARA robots, parallel robots, cartesian robots, and others. Among all these sub-segments, SCARA robots sub-segment is anticipated to hold the largest market share on the back of growing need to leverage the production capacities of the end user industries, for instance, automotive, food and beverage, semiconductor and chemical & petrochemical among others.
Geographically, the global industry 4.0 market is segmented by five major regions into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa region, out of which,Asia-Pacific is anticipated to hold the largest market share on account of nations, for instance, China, Japan and India among others, who arepromoting with Industry 4.0 initiatives in their countries, such as Made in China 2025 (China), Make in India (India) and Industrial Value Chain Initiative (Japan).
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However, concerns for data security on the back of lack of standardization for transmission of data amongst all the interconnected devices in the industry 4.0 network is estimated to act as a barrier to the growth of the global industry 4.0 market.
This report also studies existing competitive scenario of some of the key players of the global industry 4.0 market, which includes profiling ofCisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), Arm Limited, Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC), Honeywell (NYSE: HON), IBM (NYSE: IBM), ABB (NYSE: ABB), Siemens (ETR: SIE), and Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
The profiling enfolds key information of the companies which comprises of business overview, products and services, key financials and recent news and developments. Conclusively, the reporttitled“Industry 4.0Market – Global Demand Analysis & OpportunityOutlook 2027”, analyses the overallglobal industry 4.0 industry to help new entrants to understand the details of the market. In addition to that, this report also guides existing players looking for expansion and major investors looking for investment in theglobal industry 4.0 market in the near future.
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Global Info Research announces the release of the report “Global Petrol Tank(FADEC) Market 2023 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2029” . The report is a detailed and comprehensive analysis presented by region and country, type and application. As the market is constantly changing, the report explores the competition, supply and demand trends, as well as key factors that contribute to its changing demands across many markets. Company profiles and product examples of selected competitors, along with market share estimates of some of the selected leaders for the year 2023, are provided. In addition, the report provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals, COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War Influence.
According to our (Global Info Research) latest study, the global Petrol Tank market size was valued at USD million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD million by 2029 with a CAGR of % during review period. The influence of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War were considered while estimating market sizes.
Key Features:
Global Petrol Tank(FADEC) market size and forecasts, in consumption value), sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Petrol Tank(FADEC) market size and forecasts by region and country, in consumption value, sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Petrol Tank(FADEC) market size and forecasts, by Type and by Application, in consumption value, sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Petrol Tank(FADEC) market shares of main players, shipments in revenue, sales quantity, and ASP, 2018-2023
The Primary Objectives in This Report Are:
To determine the size of the total market opportunity of global and key countries
To assess the growth potential for Petrol Tank(FADEC)
To forecast future growth in each product and end-use market
To assess competitive factors affecting the marketplace
This report profiles key players in the global Petrol Tank(FADEC) market based on the following parameters - company overview, production, value, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments.
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The Petrol Tank(FADEC) market is segmented as below:
Market segment by Type
Less Than 45L 45L-75L More Than 75L
Market segment by Application
Direct Selling Distribution
Major players covered
Fuel Total Systems YAPP Automotive Systems Textron Plastic Omnium TI Fluid Systems Yachiyo Magna International Continental AG Kautex Textron GmbH SMA Serbatoi S.P.A Martinrea International Unipres Corporation
The Main Contents of the Report, includes a total of 15 chapters:
Chapter 1, to describe Petrol Tank(FADEC) product scope, market overview, market estimation caveats and base year. Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Petrol Tank(FADEC), with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Petrol Tank(FADEC) from 2018 to 2023. Chapter 3, the Petrol Tank(FADEC) competitive situation, sales quantity, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast. Chapter 4, the Petrol Tank(FADEC) breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales quantity, consumption value and growth by regions, from 2018 to 2029. Chapter 5 and 6, to segment the sales by Type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2018 to 2029. Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales quantity, consumption value and market share for key countries in the world, from 2017 to 2022.and Petrol Tank(FADEC) market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2024 to 2029. Chapter 12, market dynamics, drivers, restraints, trends, Porters Five Forces analysis, and Influence of COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War. Chapter 13, the key raw materials and key suppliers, and industry chain of Petrol Tank(FADEC). Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Petrol Tank(FADEC) sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion.
The analyst presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. Our report on the Petrol Tank(FADEC) market covers the following areas:
Columnar Sediment Sampler market sizing
Columnar Sediment Sampler market forecast
Columnar Sediment Sampler market industry analysis
Analyze the needs of the global Petrol Tank(FADEC)business market
Answer the market level of global Petrol Tank(FADEC)
Statistics the annual growth of the global Petrol Tank(FADEC)production market
The main producers of the global Petrol Tank(FADEC)production market
Describe the growth factor that promotes market demand
Global Info Research is a company that digs deep into global industry information to support enterprises with market strategies and in-depth market development analysis reports. We provides market information consulting services in the global region to support enterprise strategic planning and official information reporting, and focuses on customized research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, database and top industry services. At the same time, Global Info Research is also a report publisher, a customer and an interest-based suppliers, and is trusted by more than 30,000 companies around the world. We will always carry out all aspects of our business with excellent expertise and experience.
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Third-party apps provide access moderation tools that the native app does not. The loss of these apps will result in slower response times to user reports and auto-filtered messages in particular in this subreddit.
Mass-coordinated blackouts have successfully forced concessions from reddit in the past; some of the largest subreddits have already committed to participating (you can see an incomplete list of participating subreddits here).
You can support this protest by boycotting reddit during the days that subreddits are going dark. You can also support by contacting reddit via the methods described in the text below, which is copied from Save3rdPartyApps.

What's going on?
A recent Reddit policy change threatens to kill many beloved third-party mobile apps, making a great many quality-of-life features not seen in the official mobile app permanently inaccessible to users.
On May 31, 2023, Reddit announced they were raising the price to make calls to their API from being free to a level that will kill every third party app on Reddit, from Apollo to Reddit is Fun to Narwhal to BaconReader.
Even if you're not a mobile user and don't use any of those apps, this is a step toward killing other ways of customizing Reddit, such as Reddit Enhancement Suite or the use of the old.reddit.com desktop interface .
This isn't only a problem on the user level: many subreddit moderators depend on tools only available outside the official app to keep their communities on-topic and spam-free.
What's the plan?
On June 12th, many subreddits will be going dark to protest this policy. Some will return after 48 hours: others will go away permanently unless the issue is adequately addressed, since many moderators aren't able to put in the work they do with the poor tools available through the official app. This isn't something any of us do lightly: we do what we do because we love Reddit, and we truly believe this change will make it impossible to keep doing what we love.
The two-day blackout isn't the goal, and it isn't the end. Should things reach the 14th with no sign of Reddit choosing to fix what they've broken, we'll use the community and buzz we've built between then and now as a tool for further action.
What can you do?
Complain. Message the mods of /reddit.com, who are the admins of the site: message reddit: submit a support request: comment in relevant threads on /reddit, such as this one, leave a negative review on their official iOS or Android app- and sign your username in support to this post.
Spread the word. Rabble-rouse on related subreddits. Meme it up, make it spicy. Bitch about it to your cat. Suggest anyone you know who moderates a subreddit join us at our sister sub at /ModCoord- but please don't pester mods you don't know by simply spamming their modmail.
Boycott and spread the word...to Reddit's competition! Stay off Reddit entirely on June 12th through the 13th- instead, take to your favorite non-Reddit platform of choice and make some noise in support!
Don't be a jerk. As upsetting this may be, threats, profanity and vandalism will be worse than useless in getting people on our side. Please make every effort to be as restrained, polite, reasonable and law-abiding as possible.

https://osintbrief.substack.com/
open source news and analysis of the war in Ukraine and U.S.-China relations. Free eBooks word of the day. No paywall.

1. Ukraine will win. Said so from Day One.
2. At what cost? I want the cost in Ukrainian lives as low as possible. Russia started its crazy stupid smash and grab rape rob and murder for washing machine war so make them pay in all senses.
3. This ends with ALL Ukraine liberated
4. It very likely will lead to Russia
   1. being stripped of security council veto
   2. reduced to Muscovy
   3. denuclearized
5. This ends with Putin dead or in the docket for war crimes

Encourage China to stab Russia in the back, often, and hard. The more often the Chinese backstab their so-called partner the better. The harder they stab Russia in the back the better.
I don't play for money, but I do play to win . . .
我认为新加坡的会议成功了。

Please be kind. I feel vulnerable and English isn't my first language.
For years I have know about rape not needing to be a stranger jumping out of a brush to assault you. I have been one of the commenters saying consent means actively checking in on your sexual partner and for some people it's natural to freeze during an assault instead of fighting or fleeing. That consenting to sex, doesn't mean consenting to all kinds of sex, ect. But apparently for a numbers of reasons I have never applied these to my own past.
I kinda need to know what this looks like from the outside, because I honestly don't know anymore.
When I was like 18-19 I was drinking a lot, partying a lot and had a lot of casual sex (I know now, and knew even back then, that it was an unhealthy coping mechanism but I didn't really know how to deal with things other than that). I live in a generally sex positive country and the environment I frequented included a lot of hook up culture.
One night a guy took interest in me and I was down. We left the bar we were at, but had no place to go to have sex. It obviously annoyed him, and I suggested we just did it in park nearby, that would be empty at night. A really secluded place. He agreed since there where no better option. Things got rough really fast and to boil it down he almost bit off one of my nipples (as in, it was almost not connected to my body anymore - it ended up healing though), he tore my butt cheeks apart so roughly that my skin split all the way from my anus to where the cheeks meet. It was a bloody mess. I was bleeding vaginally too. In the moment I reacted with doing whatever I felt like I could to make him cum fast thinking then it would be over. It included thrusting back and moaning at points. Then he choked me so hard I almost passed out. I thought I would die and wanted to call out for help, but obviously couldn't get a word out. In the moment I thought "this I why he really really wanted a room. He's going to kill me". Then it was over. I used the next week to get over my injuries and hide the marks around my neck and shoulders and breasts and try to make things heal. And telling myself I was a bad bitch for engaging in what I at that point accepted as just bdsm (I know better now).
It never really occurred to me how wrong it all felt. I even met him later as we were regulars in the same place, and he ignored me. It was at that point I realized that he probably didn't actually think I liked it. Yeah, I know, I was naive.
I just stored it as bad sex in my memory, but now, being in my 30s and looking back at it, I feel like it really wasn't okay. I don't care for him so much at this point in my life, but I think what I really need to know is, is it possible to react like I did during an assault? To just do whatever to make it be over as soon as possible, including sexually interacting? And isn't it wrong to act that violently during sex with a new person without discussing it beforehand? In the situation I never really felt like it was possible to say no or stop it, but maybe it was?
I don't know if I have just told myself this was bad sex, because I couldn't accept myself as a victim of assault, or if what I did was actually willfully participating. I just feel so confused and have so many feelings about something that didn't matter to me nearly as much back then - maybe exactly because I acted like it was okay and that I had a choice.
I feel like I'm rambling, but has anybody heard of or experienced something like this or have any thoughts that can help me deal with suddenly looking at myself and my experiences in a different way.
(therapy is not an option in my life right now)

I want to scream and never stop at this point. I don't know what to do, and I don't see any sort of escape to this issue. My husband and I make enough to money to simply pay our bills and live comfortably enough in our state. Unfortunately due to extremely poor luck, I ended up with a lengthy stay in the hospital last year with no insurance.
Medical bills keep appearing out of the woodwork, mostly after already being sent to collections. I owe over $200,000 in medical debt. I'm lucky to be alive, but I mean.. for what? So I can owe my whole life to the hospitals? I can barely pay my bills as is, I genuinely don't know what to do. I've been sued once already by one debt collector for a measly bill of $1,200 that I unfortunately just had to settle and ended up paying their lawyer fees.. but I just got a bill for $155k from a debt collector that the hospital had previously sent me a letter stating they had dropped.. I'm perplexed. I was already struggling with the other Misc. $50k I owed for medical expenses.
I'm not sure what to do as I know I'm going to be sued because it's legitimately impossible for me to pay these bills and I can't even consolidate them because no one is going to loan me $200k with my shoddy little job and lack of credit.
What's worse is the toll it's had on my marriage and my fear of these bills interfering with everything my husband has worked so hard for.
The American Health Care system sucks. I genuinely cannot understand how it is lawful to be sued and have your life ruined by an emergency event that you had no control over. It feels very much like a "kick you while your down" kind of party.

(TW for brief discussion of animal death at the end)
I moved out from my parent’s house in February of 2022 with my now fiancé. I finally got my car put in my name (it was originally in my Dad’s, even though I bought it from him years ago). I’m on my own phone plan and have my own insurance. Almost everything in my life is finally separated from my parents.
Except for my dog.
My apartment doesn’t allow dogs (I would be allowed to have a cat for an additional 50$ a month, and small pets are fine- but there’s no yard whatsoever) so my 12 year old dog has to continue living at my parents’ house. I guess an important detail about my dog is that her breed is known for being aloof. She herself just… doesn’t care about anything, it seems. She doesn’t particularly like people. She acts bored or possibly depressed all of the time. I don’t want to go into much detail in this post but I feel like she never got the chance to really BE a dog. Between school, college with a demanding major (consistent 18-22 credit hours for 4 1/2 years), a stressful job, and depression (along with many other mental health issues I have), I was never able to provide my dog with the enrichment she deserved. Then again, she was technically a family dog (she was only ever “mine” when someone had to pay for her vet bills and supplies) so I also don’t think her care should have been put solely on me. I still feel guilty though.
Through a lot of fights, my parents and I came to a compromise in which I come over to their house after work (I work 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM) Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, to feed my dog and take her outside so she can use the bathroom. (I also take care of my mom’s dog, but he’s definitely hers and not mine.) My Dad works 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM and takes care of the dogs every other day. My mom is upstairs sleeping when I come over in the morning. The only other alternative to this arrangement (that my mom would agree to) was me paying for all of my dog’s vet bills and supplies but I would never be allowed to come see her, which, if my parents are going to continue to insist that this dog is in fact mine and that I need to fork over money for her, I find unacceptable. A lot of people (especially my fiancé’s family, since they know most of the extent of the abuse my parents have put me through) are pretty disgusted when I tell them about this arrangement and feel that my parents are taking advantage of me and making me waste the gas in my car. My parents only live maybe five minutes away from my work and two minutes from my apartment, but the gas money still adds up eventually. However, if I want to see my dog at all, I have to give in to my mom’s demands. She can’t be bothered to wake up before 11:30 AM unless she has a doctor’s appointment.
As much as I do love my dog, I cannot wait for her to die. My dog’s death will be the end of my last tether to these terrible people. I would finally be able to cut them out of my life entirely without worrying about them taking it out on my dog.
I hate feeling like that. I hate thinking about it. I don’t want my dog to die, but at the same time I would finally be able to feel free.

I’d like to message one of you guys who wishes me ill but I believe it’s hard to point out what is without sounding cray-cray, so I will direct them here.
I am having difficulties because of these emotions that I don’t know how to cater openly. It’s hard and I’m in a rough spot. When you put those prejudice and ill wishes into the ether, you’re simply providing reasons to quit you and submit to the trials.
My situation isn’t getting better. I get that you’re tremendously burdened out as well. It’s not my intention that the most recent event panned out that way and I’ve navigated it poorly and communicated the parts that should have been expressed calmly. I was in a bad place and couldn’t talk to anyone.
A lot of these happened because of a big misunderstanding. I believe I was able to grow some balls and tell them the real score but I was struggling a lot because of the fact that I couldn’t control what happened after. The person who I was hoping to hear the most gave up on me. I thought my efforts would be appreciated or they’d be patient enough with me. But at end of the day they were the ones who shut their blinds and painted the walls with their judgment.
It was hard to process altogether and I felt deeply inadequate. My words, my means, my train of thought, my ability to stay positive.
They chose to cut themselves out of the picture because they believe it was leading into hopelessness. I also know there was exaggeration on my part. This, with my limited ability to cope and heal, affected the way I treated the other and in an attempt to exist harmoniously, I ended up affecting them in the same magnitude of hurt I was dealing with. It’s not an excuse either and I know I wasn’t ushering kindness to them even on the smallest things like doing chores and missing appointments. I’ve learned that I tend to micromanage the other and when the expectations weren’t met, I turned around and said things like I give up or this is not working for me which was partly true, the latter parts are discouraging and frustrating and there are no double rainbows and festive banquets to look forward to.
The worst part was that, every time my actions caused our endless fights, we’d sit down and try to talk through them all properly, address every little detail about the said shallow moments and try to come up with resolutions except that I couldn’t keep up. Eventually, it broke them and exhausted their ability to understand.
The cycle would repeat manically and the next thing they knew, it was me who’s pull the trigger on them. That’s why when they’ve declared their repulsion it felt like I am the world’s most stupid person. I was insensitive and mean towards them.
I admit that my efforts to change aren’t enough and I am at fault regardless. When They would accommodate my sleeplessness and demands for space, they would offer some help and things that might help. But theycouldn’t let me go, they’d rather stay and they’ve expressed their sadness even more. Although I was forcing them to leave me alone and I cried numerous times because I was losing myself and couldn’t be let go.
I thought by being honest some things would stride smoothly. However, this was not the case. I was impatient and mad that I cannot even have my own space to do the things I love. This was easier to express but impossible to pull off.
I talked to my sibling about it. It clarified a bunch of things and they offered some clarity on my struggles and overbearing misery. I was able to calm down for a moment but it was mostly too late as I muddied the pavement already where I could have made the situation better.
It is definitely my fault why I’m crumbling like this and as much as I’f like to say the same thing and give up, I can’t. It would only signal the weakest parts of me to obliterate further. I hope you’ll understand and I hope you will make room for a chance to talk.
It’s too much to ask I know, I’d give it a day to rest and take my mind away, be kinder to myself. I’d also prefer to leave you alone and respect your boundaries right now or maybe forever.
I don’t know why I am still curious about what you think of me. I don’t know why I still look for you. I don’t know why I’m waiting and I don’t know why I still care. The questions have been answered actually, but here I am hiding myself and avoiding responsibilities for the fucked up mess I caused.
I’m sorry for this, I really am. I was only hoping to try my best and right my wrongs. Anyway, I hope you’re alright and smiling.

It was a subtle thing, the way the people looked up at me as I led my Sorcerers out.
Hushed whispers, voices echoing the same thought, the same idea, the same truth. "That's Ruuk Stingtail, he's the Bold who will lead Kurtulmak's Empire."
I pretended not to notice, it was too soon for people to just start calling out to me as their future ruler, yet when I spoke with authority, their eyes widened as it seemed it validated everything they believed.
The word 'Imperator' was whispered, so when I finished fixing one of our farmers' tools, and he said, "Thank you, Imperator." I simply looked at him and spoke.
"I am not worthy to rule."
It always worked, their eyes always grew wider as their respect for me grew.
The Clerics of both Temples were working together to spread the news of the vision, and what I had learned. This led to the understanding that if both of us were working together, the situation must be dangerous.
I passed by Tudru, he was wearing the enchanted armor our Emperor had made. "Imperator." He said, his caused gasps, a member of the Council had recognized my authority. I nonetheless said, "I've said before, if the people want someone to rule, it can't be me."
"The people want you." He said. "My Fighters are at the ready, Imperator."
I of course kept up my facade of refusal, always saying it loudly, publicly, but always visibly suppressing a smile, always making sure my serious expression brightened before I visibly pushed that brief moment of satisfaction away to remind them, "No, I am unworthy."
By the end of the first day, everyone in the city was aware of the danger, the people were busting their asses to get ready.
The second day, the people were more vocal, finding strength to say my title with more conviction, to bow their heads as I passed, dregs of uncertainty entered my voice as I repeated my refusal to lead.
A cadre of Sorcerers approached me, all of them relatively new.
"Imperator." They said clearly. "Seeing how you work to help our people, we wanted to help you any way we can, and... Well, we Awoke because of that. Direct us as you see fit."
There were fifteen of them, and when I directed them to seek our our God for guidance, they did so. As they walked away, as if in afterthought, I said, "And don't call me that!"
When I asked my Emperor about the Sorcerers, he said, "They asked about the collars, I told them that was only for those who endangered the Warren. As long as they serve their Imperator faithfully, they will not be bound so."
"Do you think I'll need a new outfit?" I asked jokingly.
"No." He said, smirking.
The third day, the Council gathered to address the Warren, the people were restless, many eyes were on me, rather than Tallyn.
"We have enough rations set aside for last us a week-" Tallyn started.
"Let the Imperator speak!" A voice yapped out.
Tallyn's eyes widened, he looked at me.
"I keep telling them, I'm not-"
That was when the riot broke out, voices clamored for me to take command, voices shouted that the Council was ineffectual, that a real leader was needed. The Paladins tried and failed to calm everyone down.
"SILENCE!" I roared, my voice amplified by the device Rekka had designed. All eyes were on me. "Release the Paladins." I said. The Paladins were released. "I have said time and time again, it is not my place to rule. Why do you insist on this?"
The voices blended together in a mass of sound, but I could hear things on occasion. "You are the only one who has the knowledge to lead!" "Even though you say that, we see you are honored, and want to rule!" "We all know you are the real power behind the Council!"
Now was the moment of truth. I raised my hand, and they quieted. "Only-" I said, my voice calm, yet commanding. "-if it is truly what the Warren wants, and my fellow Councilors agree." I looked at them, my allies knew what part they needed to play.
Kalith immediately stepped forward and knelt. "I have sworn time and time again, and yet you said not to, so I shall do it once more. I swear myself to you, Imperator, and the Empire of our God."
Kuvli walked forward next and knelt. "I owe my Barbarians this much, on their behalf, we swear to serve you, Imperator, and our Emperor, Kurtulmak."
Tudru approached and knelt. "I cannot ignore the will of the Warren." He said. "I swear my life to your Empire, Imperator."
Followed by Nakk, who simply said, "My Rogues are yours, Imperator."
Rekka appeared to hesitate before she approached and knelt. "It is the will of the Warren, Imperator Ruuk." She said.
Tatla was the first of the Temple of Bahamut's allies to defect. She gave Galax an apologetic look before she, took, approached and knelt. "There is no fighting against the people. I swear fealty, my Imperator."
This left Merti, Galax, and Tallyn. Galax approached first of the three. "And what, may I ask, will come of my Temple?" He asked.
The crowd roared, calling him disrespectful, some calling for his death, for the death of Bahamut's faithful.
"ENOUGH!" I snarled, before things could get out of hand. "Bahamut and my Master have had an agreement since before you were aware, this agreement was and still is the root of our alliance." I held my hand out. "I know you will not kneel before another God willingly, so I ask, as the alternative is losing our first and greatest Cleric, who is beholden to a God I still respect, will your Temple stand beside us as citizens of this inevitable Empire? Will you lend your wisdom, so we find the right path forward?"
"Answer me one thing, Ruuk Stingtail." He said. "Was there ever a moment you hesitated before claiming this title?"
"The title was thrust upon me." I replied honestly. "Refusal as this point would simply lead to unnecessary death. If I am to lead, let it be with peace."
He took my hand. "If I kneel, it is before Bahamut." He spoke.
"Then may Bahamut bless this day, that you do not need to."
I looked at Tallyn and Merti, they both approached, paused when they noticed the other moving, then approached together. Merti knelt.
"I swear, Imperator." She said.
Tallyn looked at Galax, then he drew his sword. I held my hand up before the crowd could begin screaming.
"If your desire is my death, brother, make it quick." I said.
Tallyn stabbed his sword into the stage and knelt. "Before Bahamut, my God, I swear fealty to your Empire so long as you follow the tenets of the Temple, for I swear to you, if you walk the path of a tyrant, I will slay you where you stand."
I smiled. "I will hold you to that, brother." I replied. "Very well, I accept the title of Imperator, and promised to lead everyone to the best of my ability."
The cheers were far more glorious than I could have anticipated, the Level I gained as a result only made it sweeter, as did the spell that I gained, that would allow me to transform anyone I chose into something else.
I wondered, briefly, how the enemies would react if I turned one of their own into a Kobold, and made him believe he was surrounded by enemies?
"As my first act as Imperator." I said, addressing the Warren. "The Council will remain in place." Everyone was surprised. "What? Why throw away skilled leaders? Their expertise will ensure the continued prosperity of our Empire. Tudru, as the one with the most military experience out of all of us, I am naming you my general. You will be in charge of establishing a formal military hierarchy, make sure any and all soldiers are willing volunteers. I expect nothing but the best."
"Yes, Imperator." He saluted by putting his fist to his heart.
"I like that, that will be our salute." I said. "Galax, as the High Priest of the God of Justice, I want you to codify our way of life into a formal list of laws. We may have already lived by them, but if there ever comes a time when we have visitors, they must have those laws easily accessible."
"I will do so under the guidance of Bahamut." He answered.
"To that effect, I am making this a formal order. Do whatever is necessary to achieve the level needed to bring back our dead." He nodded
"Tallyn, you will be in charge of locating any and all potential Paladins. I want all prospective servants of our Gods to be educated in both the teachings of Bahamut and Kurtulmak, If they are incapable of becoming either a Cleric or Paladin, ensure if they still wish to serve, that they have a place in the Temple of their choosing."
"I will do this." He said, saluting me. I smiled, he didn't even hesitate.
"Merti, Tatla, you both will continue your prior duties. I want sustainable industry to be the rule of law in this Empire, on which note, Nakk, if there comes a time that we are able to reach beyond our borders, I want you to ensure any trade or commerce that is necessary will be done correctly."
"Yes, Imperator." He replied, saluting.
"Kuvli, you will be Tudru's direct subordinate. I'm sorry, but I can't think of anything you can do that wouldn't be redundant."
"Absolutely no problem, Imperator. I prefer it that way." He replied, grinning.
"Rekka." She jumped startled by my addressing her. "I want your Artificers grouped based on their competences. Armor and weapons will be managed by armorers and weaponsmiths. Infrastructure will be managed by the appropriate people, magic items will be enchanted by any enchanters... Do what is necessary to ensure all of our bases are covered."
"Yes, Imperator." She saluted as well.
"Kalith, I still have no fucking idea how your magic works." I admitted.
He laughed. "If you have no command, I will defer to our Emperor." He said.
I nodded. "Sorcerer Goss. Approach the stage."
Goss approached, he looked terrified. "As our most competent Sorcerer, aside from myself, you will take my place on the Council."
"O-of course, Imperator!" He stammered.
I faced the crowd, all 70000 of them.
"Tomorrow." I said. "Each and every one of you will go into the mines, and you will enter the fortress our God and Emperor has built with his own two hands. I will remain behind with him, with Galax joining us. The day after, we may confront another God, one who might want us all dead. When we survive, those of us who can fight will ensure nobody ever dares to attack us again."
I paused, briefly considering how to finish before settling on simply saluting and saying, "For the glory of our God and Emperor!"
I smiled as my subjects cheered at my words.
I let my Council address them, made it clear that their word was second only to mine, and that they had my authority. The gathering proceeded as originally expected.
The rest of the day was spent getting things ready for the transition of power, we would need a flag, a symbol for our nation, names were thrown about- unsurprisingly Darastrixthurhi was tossed about, which I unilaterally decreed would be our name.
The next morning, my Emperor stepped out, the people were silent as he stood before them, with me stood beside him.
"My loyal subjects." He spoke. "Bathaldraynori di Darastrixthurhi. Ours is the Empire that was once promised, the Empire that was cruelly destroyed. Tomorrow, my ancient and hated foe is likely to come, and it is likely he will seek to recreate that cruel and tasteless prank of his- the genocide of our people."
His voice remained calm, even though his face twisted with hatred and malice. "Tomorrow, in honor of my Imperator, I shall meet him with compromise. I shall never forgive him, not for what he has done. Tomorrow, I will prove that a broken system cannot be salvaged by playing by its rules. Meditate on this, as you head below, to the safety I provide and promise. Today, I wield strength I did not on that day. Not one of you will die."
Our people, our subjects, walked into the mines carrying only what they needed, while Kurtulmak and Galax walked with me south, to the gates that separated us from the world.
I felt the high caliber bullet strike me, felt my bone break before Galax healed me. No other shots came, at least until they brought out the rocket launcher. The rocket launched and flew toward us, one magic missile later, and it was destroyed mid-flight.
"Bring forth your commander." My Emperor spoke. "So long as you do not fire upon us, they will not be harmed.
There was a loud ruckus on the other side, shortly before a man in military fatigues strode toward us, a shotgun in hand. He stopped five feet away from us, aimed his gun at us, and said, "One wrong move, and I'll shoot." His voice was the same as the gruff voice I had heard. A patch on his fatigues read 'Mendoza'.
"My name is Kurtulmak." My Emperor spoke. Mendoza tensed. "This is Ruuk, my Imperator, and first of my faithful." I saluted. "And this is Galax, first Cleric of Bahamut, King of the Metallic Dragons, Justicemaker, and so on."
"Why are you here?" Mendoza asked.
"To tell you that by the end of tomorrow, your entire garrison will be dead." My Emperor spoke. Mendoza pulled the trigger, my Emperor caught the blast with his hand and dropped the lead pellets onto the ground. "I am aware you seek to bring my nemesis here, that you intend for him to recreate the injustice he delivered unto my people. Understand, when I overcome him, my Empire will march upon your nation, those who do not kneel in recognition of our authority will be executed, and it will only be the leniency of Bahamut if they breathe again. Ruuk, our parting gift."
I nodded. "Slemon thirku rekisix bathaldraynor tairais."
The moment the words were uttered, he immediately shrank, his gear melding into his body, until he was just a Kobold like us. He let out a terrified screech.
"What did you do to me!?" He screeched.
"The only way you will survive is if you enter our town and accept this gift." Kurtulmak replied. "Otherwise, can you trust your soldiers to keep you alive?"
I could hear the horrified muttering above. We turned around and walked away.
"That was cruel and unnecessary." Galax said.
"Of course." I replied. "But it is deserved for the anguish we have been through."
I looked back, the gate had closed, and their commander was sealed inside, begging to be let out, "Don't leave me in here with these monsters!" He screeched.
I wondered what would happen first: Would they shoot him, or would they figure out what I did?
​
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Hello!
I really need some advice from others who have been in long term distance relationships.
My husband and I have not been fully getting along for the past two years. We have been together for 10 years, and married for four. We spend most of our time apart, which is why we havent been able to resolve anything. Our sex life is fine. We get along quite well when we are together. Covid lockdown was a blast: we spent forever in each other's company and loved it. The problem started two years ago when I shared my desire for having children. He was never interested in them, but had always known I wanted children, and agreed to it when we married. He turned me down when i was ready to start preparing for them. He told me to give him six months to think about it. After six months he said later, and after nearly a year of me keeping my hopes up and clinging to that "later," currently he is saying never. There wasn't really much of a conversation. Originally just said no, and when I was finally able to get a reason from him (it took months) there was still no conversation. He just stated why and left it at that. No room for comprimise. Ive been spiraling in and out of depression ever since. (For anyone who has been through this before, I still don't know how to get past this emotional betrayal. But I'm trying. I like him more than theoretical unborn babies, atm. But im still depressed. Advice would be appreciated.)
The added complication is that we are a service couple. We spend most of our time apart from each other. Like now. We have been separated for most of the year, which means bringing the baby conversation to its conclusion keeps getting put on hold as he work is his priority. His job is really dangerous. Mine is not. His is exhausting. Mine is quite easy. So I understand why he can't deal with my issues right away. The work separation thing is supposed to end in October, and after that we should be together far more often than not. However, I'm starting to feel like he legitimately just doesn't care.
Honestly, I feel so unsupported by him. I was bullied at work for months while i was away this year. These girls literally picked away at my self esteem to the point where i didnt even want to leave my room to go to the bathroom if they were around. I would tell him about it on the phone; he listened but there was never any comfort. When I finally came home, I was so defeated. I told him how betrayed and depressed I felt from his not wanting children, and how low my self esteem was from my experience away, and he said a few words, cautiously, but then refused to talk about it anymore. I told him I feel like my mental health is the worst it has ever been and he basically gave me a hug and never brought it up again wirhout me mentioning it first. I tried saying we needed to sort this out before he left again, or else I was going to have a terrible time and end up spiraling, and I ended up doing all the talking. Nothing was resolved.
Flash forward two months, we are apart right now. We talk for maybe 10-20 min a day, or every other day. Phone calls are fine, as long as we only talk about work. When I try to bring up my struggles, I'm legitimately afraid that he'll brush me off. Because 90% of the time, he will. For the last few years I've tried to bottle up my disappointment from the lack of intimacy when we are apart, and when I finally can't stand keeping it to myself, I explode in long text messages. Lately these explosions have been happening more often, because its the only way for me to say what i want without feeling ignored and like im talking to myself. I'm polite in text (i hope). I dont blame him. I don't want to hurt his feelings. I just state things as I see them because I want him to understand my point of view. They're basically the same thing as what im typing now. I know its annoying to get every few days, but i have no other way to communciare honestly with him anymore about things that matter to me, bevause im afraid to try and talk only to be met with silence. He is aware of why i do it. I know he reads them, but a lot of the time he doesn't respond.
Lately, im so on edge that any hint of rejection makes me spiral alone for hours. Im living in a new town, at a new position at work, alone. Last night I felt so fed up (I asked him to come to a work function with me when he gets back, because i didnt want to be alone while everyone else brought their family, and he ambivalently said no because it would be awkward for him) that i texted a long chat, reiterating that I need support, and for the first time i ended it by telling him exactly how id like him to respond (I watched a lot of videos on stonewalling and figured he was ignoring me because I was being overwhelming, resulting in him not know what to say). I was tired of getting nothing substantial back and needed to feel like he cared. I didnt ask him to say yes he'd come, i just wanted him to confirm that if i really needed him, he'd be there for me. I was at the point where I sucked up what little pride i had left and tried to hold his hand to get some emotional support.
Today he told me he was sorry and that he is desensitized to my long texts and can't use up his time reading it. He implied he would address my anxieties in two weeks when he gets back.
I never meant for my messages to so shocking that he could eventually become "desensitized". I wanted him to understand me. And in that situation, i really just wanted him to say he would be there for me. That wouldve been enough for me to get through the rest of our separstion. And what I really, really wish he would do is just acknowledge how badly the baby thing has impacted out marriage, and actually sit down and talk it through with me. I'm having a hard time trusting him to be there for me anymore.
And thats where i am at. I feel utterly alone. Honestly, I know it's not 100% his fault. He's busy, he's doing a dangerous job, I know for a fact he isn't cheating on me, he just sucks at communicating. And he has never told me to stop texting him, he just doesn't have time for it. Before he left i had even asked him how im supposed to communicate with him when I spiral, and he said to text like i always do. But at what point do I stop just letting this emotional rejection slide? I'm talking to nobody. I feel so broken and emotionally starved. Im chasing after him for morsels of sympathy. I signed us up for couples therapy for when he gets home, but I'm starting to wonder if he'll actually participate. Or if I'm just going to get hurt again trying to get my needs met? I understand that getting long, emotionally charged text messages from someone is not ideal, but I literally do not know how to communicate with him anymore. We are a service couple, and the military lifestyle isn't the most conducive to family life. Its hard to establish effective communication when youre always being pulled away. Am I the problem? I know I'm starting to get really exhausting. I'm tired. I keep trying to work on myself, but he never changes. Like, will he change once work calms down? Hes the only person ive ever been with. I grew up in a single parent household. I dont know how this works. :( Has anyone experienced something similar? I want our relationship to work so badly, but it's not right now. :(

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Driven by the advancements in technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, internet of things and virtual healthcare, massive amount of data is generated on a daily basis worldwide. As a result, there is a rising demand for data centers, which is further anticipated to raise the adoption of power distribution units. Data centers are deployed in large spaces and for its functioning, these equipment are required to be provided with proper electrical supply.
Owing to the presence of numerous data centers around the world, there is also a growing focus of the nations to provide dedicated electrical connection support. These data centers are also known to consume around 1% of the global electricity demand, according to the statistics provided by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Such factors are anticipated to promote towards the growth of the global power distribution unit market.
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The global power distribution unit market is further estimated to record a significant CAGR over the forecast period, i.e., 2021-2028. The demand for power distribution unit during the COVID-19 pandemic increased significantly owing to the sudden boom in the demand for data centers. Although, due to the severe restrictions in trade of goods, the market observed a temporary halt, thereby affecting the sales of the product. Yet it is anticipated that in the coming years, there would be a sharp demand for PDUs, backed by the growing advancement in ICT technologies around the world.
The power distribution unit market is segmented by end user into telecommunication & IT, BFSI, transportation, healthcare, defense and others, out of these, the telecommunication & IT segment is estimated to account for the largest market share over the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the ongoing technological developments such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and internet of things (IoT) in telecommunication and IT industry. Moreover, the increasing number of data centers worldwide is anticipated to increase the demand for power distribution units over the coming years.
Regionally, the global power distribution unit market is segmented into five major regions including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa region. The market in North America is estimated to account for the largest market share over the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the advancements in IT sector, growing demand for data centers, and increasing research & development activities in the North America region.
Increasing Need Among Data Center Operators for Efficient Power Monitoring Solutions to Drive the Market Growth
Backed by the increasing number of internet users worldwide, the demand for data centers has increased significantly. Also, with the growing dependency on these data centers, there is a rising need for reliable power distribution technology for its efficient operation. The conventional rack power distribution units are more inclined towards increasing the power density, which can trigger an overload event, therefore resulting in the halt of operations or even lead to a technical fault. Utilization of PDUs minimizes the risk of such critical faults and therefore allows maximum data center uptime. Moreover, power distribution units allow the data centers to monitor power usage and provides reliability in case of a critical power load. Such factors are estimated to propel the growth of power distribution unit market over the forecast period.
However, the rising concern for the increasing complexity of servers in a data center, which makes it difficult to locate and change the cables during the maintenance of power distribution units is anticipated to hamper the growth of the global power distribution unit market.
This report also provides the existing competitive scenario of some of the key players of the global power distribution unit market which includes company profiling of Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc., Eaton (NYSE: ETN), ABB (NYSE: ABB), DPS Telecom, Cyber Power Systems, Inc. (TPE: 3617), Legrand SA (EPA: LR), Enlogic (CIS Global), Schneider Electric (EPA: SU), Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (NYSE: HPE), and Delta Power Solutions.
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One that would make you love me.
You are adamant that I don’t know what that means. It’s hard not to believe you. You’re a rhetorician of the highest order.
So I wanted to write you a letter. One that convinced you I liked you. But even that is too much. I don’t even like you.
So maybe I can convince you that you like me. The hours. The days we’ve spent. Never looking into each other’s eyes. Relegated to that and I still feel like I love you (I know… I fucking know already okay?). You like me. You used to say it—how good I make you feel. Now though, you feel at the best misguided there. So it’s more like some word some idiot psychologist made up to describe her own thingamajig.
Magic is what she wanted to say. It’s what we all want to say. The fucking Demiurge wants to make it his home.
I wish I could write a poem that was love. The best I came up with at the apex of all this was something about a night of long knives. It was bad by every metric a poem can be. I was fucked up when I wrote it. But there is a night of long knives coming. We both know it. And I still feel like I dreamed you into my life and if there is any truth to that, then I feel like you dreamed me alive. Even if there’s no truth to it…you dreamed me awake. So whatever that means, I am grateful, and if I can ever write you a poem that is worthy of you, you’ll be the first to hear it.

The No 1 truth about humans: They are stupid.
Krill was waiting in the docking bay, watching as his new medical equipment was wheeled up the ramp. Sunny stood next to him, holding a data pad and checking off the shipping manifest as it was wheeled on.
Conn floated a few feet away from them, ribbons on his back billowing and churning slowly in the air currents.
He was currently occupied staring down at the screen of his handheld.
Ever since the captain had gotten him that game, he hadn't stopped playing.
It was a nice break from his usual acerbic, nosy nature.
The last line of medical equipment was being loaded up the ramp, when Conn suddenly looked up from his game. He stared into nothing for a second and then signed:
”Oh boi…”
He turned his head towards the interior doors and signed something again, which was quickly translated by his automated gloves,
"Prepare yourselves."
"Prepare ourselves? For what?"
The question didn't hang on the air for very long, before the sounds of human exuberance reached them from down the hall.
Sunny shook her head and Krill sighed, and the three of them braced themselves as the commander rolled onto deck with his heelies, skidding to a stop and running towards the line of boxes,
"Is it here!? Did you get it!?"
"Get what?"
Sunny muttered, he snatched the data pad from her hand, scrolling through the checked boxes.
"Hey! What are you-"
"Ah ha! There it is!"
He began laughing and giggling maniacally, running over to a line of already checked boxes, hopping up and down in place and rubbing his hands together.
The three aliens exchanged a worried glance. Sunny sighed,
"What did you do?”
The man waved a hand at her, as one of the cargo workers opened a box for him,
"What did I do? What did I do? I will tell you what I did! I just made this ship officially the most awesome ship in the fleet."
”Oh god I’m here long enough to know that can’t be good…”
Krill muttered, while Sunny asked:
"And how exactly did you do that?"
"I thought we were already the most awesome ship in the fleet?"
The commander was seconds from squealing with delight, as the man cracked open the crate and let the sides fall to the deck.
There were a few boxes in there, but the commander didn't seem to care about most of them, grabbing a single big box from the pile and hauling it onto the floor, where he could get a better look,
"Gah, its heavy, that's good."
Krill frowned,
"I'm not going to like this, am I?"
The commander continued to grin,
"Nope, you're gonna hate it, and that's how I know it's going to be great."
Krill sighed. Sunny stepped forward as the man frantically ripped open the box, like a man possessed.
The crate opened and the man was now laughing maniacally,
"Yes! Yes! Yes! MUHAHAHAHA!"
Krill and the others wandered over, glancing down into the box.
Conn sighed, a sound he had specifically programmed into his gloves.
Sunny tilted her head,
"What is it?”
The human reached inside, grabbed a thick, pamphlet with one hand and tossed it out of the way.
Krill was forced to duck to the side as the book went flying past his head and skidded across the floor.
He glanced over and saw the words.
JETPACK OPERATIONS MANUAL
**"NO! Oh no! no! No! No! ADAM NO!”
"ADAM YES! Yes in every way!"
The commander said, tearing into the foam packaging that held the unit inside.
When he finally pulled it out, he grunted with its weight and sat back on the cold metal floor, cradling it against his knees to get a better look,
"Ah, just look at it! Look at it! Ahhhhh! Best day ever!"
"No, you send that right back to where it came from!"
Krill was saying,
"I have a hard enough time getting you to keep your feet on the ground. I will not let you do this stupid, reckless-"
Sunny picked the manual off the ground with one of her smaller hands, while the main pair of hands was crossed in disdain in front of her torso.
"Adam don't you think you should read the instructions first?”
The human was standing now and had the jetpack propped on the side of a crate, threading his arms through the upper harness.
”What part of “I can fly anything” don't you get?”
"So you've flown one before?”
"No, of course not… but how hard can it be!?”
Krill shook his head,
"Commander you will not be flying that, not unless you have full body protection, and that means a HELMET as well."
Sunny crossed her other set of arms,
"I have to agree with the doctor this time."
He glanced over at them and wilted slightly,
"Ok, Ok yes mom let me go get my knee and elbow pads."
"Full body armor or no deal."
”Buut…”
”Adam!?”
"Fine!"
He groaned but sighed, whining under his breath the whole way while running quickly out of the room.
Sunny and Krill exchanged a look,
"Should we just hide it?"
Conn floated down to sit on one of the crates,
"I kind of want to see him break his neck."
Sunny glowered over at Conn, but the freaky alien just grinned at her, his large black eyes menacing against his milky white skin.
She flipped the manual open,
"Someone at least better read this before he gets himself hurt."
"You think he’d care to know how it worked before he tries it..."
"Adam may love science fiction, but that doesn't make him a scientist. I've seen him struggle to put a pen back together after taking it apart…"
Sunny muttered, walking over to the jetpack to set it up before the commander came back.
She almost thought about just not setting it up He wouldn't get off the ground without reading the manual, but he had been so excited that she hardly had the heart to ruin this for him.
He returned a good thirty minutes later, wearing a space suit helmet tucked under one arm.
"You know what, this was actually a good idea Krill."
"It was, so you finally saw the logic of-"
"Because I just realized, if we paint this rig up, I can look like buzz lightyear. Think about it a little green, purple and white and I can be a space ranger. It will be the most epic cosplay you have ever seen.”
”…”
”And I can order more of them with the rest of the company funds to turn the marines into a squad of kick-ass Mandalorians! It’s going to be great!”
"You wasted company funds on a jetpack!?"
"Nope my money. However, if I can find a reason to requisition some, you better bet that I will, Now hand it over."
"Helmet first."
Krill said sternly. The man rolled his eyes,
"Ok fine."
He slid the helmet on, and it locked into place,
"So many possibilities guys! I could be Iron man! Or also mandalorian!"
”…”
”Note to self: find some cool A.I. like Jarvis to get the full iron man feeling.
He mumbled to himself, while Sunny once again crossed her lower set of arms over her chest, while using the other two to read the manual,
"I seem to recall that the first time Iron man tried to use his, he ended up slamming into a wall…”
The commander folded the straps on the jetpack into their place, instead using a different mechanism to attach the jetpack to the back of the space suit.
A few of the marines walked into the room, along with Doctor Katie.
"Yo is that a jetpack!?"
Called one of the marines.
"You bet your ass it is."
He turned in a circle,
”Do you guys like it?"
"Damn!"
”Dope!”
”Fricking awesome!”
Someone whistled.
"Don't encourage him!!!?"
Krill snarled.
The marines stepped back.
"Yeah yeah, whatever, ok let's get this party started."
The commander marched towards the door, and the rest of the group struggled to keep up.
Dr Katie nervously fell into step beside Krill,
"He's going to get hurt isn't he…”
"Yeah... Bring a stretcher and a C-collar would you?"
He muttered, Dr. Katie nodded and ran off.
Commander Vir stepped out onto the ramp,
"Ok... now... Uh... how do I get it to work?"
Sunny raised an eyebrow form behind the manual,
"So now you need my help? I am not entirely sure I want to tell you how to use it."
"You don't tell me I will just look up a video."
She sighed,
"It should have connected when you attached it to your suit. You can choose to use the hand controls on your gloves. So first-"
"Oh, sweet."
He pressed one of the glove controls, and there was a sharp clicking sound as the jet pack wings clicked open locking into place,
"Oh HELL YEAH! Even better! Someone get me green and white paint asap!"
"Adam calm down."
"So what does this button do?"
"Adam-"
There was a sharp whir and whine as the engine started up.
"Oh yeah!"
"Ok we are done. If you can't slow down and listen to the instructions, then we are going to have to confiscate that…"
Sunny reached forward, intending to grab him, but he danced away.
"So, If that was open, and that was start, than this must be up…”
"ADAM!?”
Sunny lunged forward, just as the human's thumb triggered the throttle.
She dived right past where he had been standing, and the human rocketed up into the air, feet and arms flailing.
"Shit! Adam!"
Krill frantically turned on his comm,
"Katie, get the medical team down here NOW!!!”
The bright streak of light passed out of sight as the engine continued to steadily rocket upwards, and for a moment it seemed as if he would at least be fine.
That was until he figured out the controls and suddenly started to spin and turn wildly his body thrown back and forth like a ragdoll.
"Shit, shit, shit."
Conn was laughing behind her,
She turned on him,
"Shut up and help."
Conn waved a hand,
"He's fine. He's having the time of his life."
Sunny turned back to look up, watching as the bright spot turned, arched downwards and began plummeting towards the ground.
He was growing bigger and bigger in their vision.
"Any second now."
Conn said,
Sunny's eyes widened in horror.
”ANY SECOND WHAT!?”
"He'll figure out how to pull up, any moment now."
They could see individual limbs again.
"Yeeeep aaaaany moment now."
The assembled humans began to scream.
”Aaaaaaaany moment…”
They all watched as he came closer and closer to the ground…
At the last moment he flung himself sideways, going parallel to the ground. He shot past them, and for a second Sunny thought she could hear screaming, though the roaring sound of the engine was too loud.
He was heading straight towards a loading crane.
He was about to hit it, when he threw himself sideways, spinning in the air, his wing almost clipping an armored vehicle.
He was thrown up and sideways, his arms pinwheeling as he arched in a parabola over the landing field.
All the humans working in the docking bay had stopped to stare upwards at the spectacle, a few had their phones out.
Sunny ran out trying to see where he had gone.
Dr. Katie rushed out onto the ramp with the medical team close behind,
"What the ever loving fuck!?"
She exclaimed,
"Why did you let him do that!?”
"I didn't think he would be THAT stupid!"
Sunny yelled back.
The bright white spot did another arch and then spun and then did a loop.
Conn floated forward,
"He thinks he's got the hang of it... Though... I have some serious questions about his ability to slow down...”
The group of them stared skyward, as he continued to roll, tumble and do loops.
"I am going to kill him."
Sunny snarled,
"If he doesn’t kill himself."
Krill sighed. Sunny glowered at him,
"Because you seem so concerned!”
"Didn't you hear? I am in a constant state of panic, like the hulk is with anger, but... Lame."
The little white dot arched towards the ground.
"Oh shit, here it comes."
Conn said covering his face – not that it would help.
Sunny, tried to look away, watching as the light dimmed, slowed.
She glanced up, watching as commander Vir descended from the sky, his hands held out awkwardly to either side, like a tightrope walker, one foot down and one foot slightly up.
He was about ten feet above the ground, when the engine suddenly cut.
Sunny yelled in surprise, the rest of the group jumped forward.
He landed fine, at first, then he stumbled forward, arms flailing, tripped and plowed face first into the concrete.
Sunny and the group ran forward to where he was lying on the pavement.
"Adam, Adam are you ok!”
It was then –to Sunny's great annoyance– that she heard the human laughing.
He rolled over onto his side and pulled off his helmet, which had small scratches across the paint of the face.
He was sweaty, red in the face, but grinning like an idiot,
"Holy shit, did you see that? THAT was awesome!
"You could have died!"
"Yeah yeah, sure whatever, but also did you SEE that!”
Sunny felt a surge of anger flare up in her chest,
"THAT IS IT!"
She reached over and slammed her finger against the release button for the jetpack.
"Hey!?"
It fell away, and she shoved it into the arms of the closest marine, without even looking who it was.
"Hide this somewhere, or throw it away, I don't care."
"Wait, Sunny, but I..."
She grabbed him angrily by the hand and hauled him to his feet, marching across the tarmac with him stumbling behind her.
He turned back to look towards the jetpack, pulling against her.
”Noo but my jetpack… Jettie I love you, please don’t go! YOU CANT STOP OUR LOVE!”
In frustration she turned, bent down and tipped him over one shoulder, pinning his legs with her two right arms.
"Sunny!? Hey!? What are you doing!?"
"I am sick and tired of your shit, Adam!"
She marched up the ramp, as the rest of the humans looked on either bemused, or amused.
"Seriously Sunny!?"
He tried to struggle, but she only adjusted his weight.
"You aren't leaving your quarters for a week!"
"You're grounding ME!?"
"Literally!"
She snarled.
"You aren't my mother!”
"Oh yeah, but I can call her."
He suddenly got silent and his eyes narrowed,
”You wouldn't dare..."
"Don't think I won't."
His face went pale,
"Look Sunny, we can talk about this. You don't have to call her. Come on you know me. I knew exactly what I was doing. Remember. Pilot. I fly stuff all the time."
"You almost died."
"Almost being the key term."
She snarled, feet slamming against the deck and she pushed through the cargo bay and out the doors, her anger heard for minutes after they were out of sight.
The rest of the humans had a good laugh over the whole thing, though Krill was not impressed, and neither was Dr. Katie.
Humans were immensely stupid, stupid and reckless. They had no sense of self preservation, and some of them seemed hell bent on dying early though they never seemed to manage it.
Unfortunately for Sunny, she had handed the jetpack to Ramirez, who now definitely planned on buying one for himself, and, as Adam's human friend, planned on keeping it safe for him until he returned.
Maybe taking it out for a spin while he was away?
Because humans are stupid like that…
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Intro post by me
OC-whole collection
Patreon of the author

If you are looking to finance a new pickup truck, you should be able to show to have spent some years in this business and have an above-par credit score. However, things are not easy and straightforward when your credit history is not appreciated and you are a start-up.
A couple of asset finance companies are out there who will be willing to consider your application for pickup truck finance, but the deal might be so attractive. Here are the things that you look out for to get the best deal.

Supporting documents

Truck finance involves a huge lending amount, so asset finance companies will be a bit reluctant to give the green light. Derogatory marks on your credit report will certainly call your financial commitment into question. In order not to have been turned down, you should submit supplement documents to bolster your credit profile.
For instance, if you were late on a mortgage, you can get a letter in writing from a mortgage provider that you are back in the saddle. Likewise, if you had a CCJ, you can attach the document to show that it is satisfied now. It will work to your advantage if you do not owe a single penny at the time of applying for these loans. Whittle down your existing debt as much as possible.

Leveraging references and contracts

Asset finance providers are more likely to approve the application if you have work already lined up. It shows that your truck will immediately be used for your business. Showing references and contracts is important for start-up companies.
They want to see your business will start earning as soon as possible. This ensures that the risk involved is not much. You are likely to get a deal at the most affordable interest rates. If you are applying for truck finance through the agency of a broker, ask them to provide some sort of letter like this.

A reference to previous truck financing

Submitting a reference to previous truck financing will come in handy, especially if your credit history is not so stellar. However, the default on payments of your previous truck cannot account for a less-than-perfect credit rating.
The record of older defaults and late payments continues to show up on your credit report and affects your credit score even though your financial behaviour starts to look up later. You will need evidence of commercial financing. Apart from purchase, it can be repair financing but cannot be personal vehicle financing.

Compensating ways

You should find out ways to offset the impact of your bad credit rating. For instance, you can offer a larger down payment if you have a poor credit history. It depends on the finance company you are looking for and how much they will demand the upfront payment.
However, if you choose a broker, they will send your application to lenders who are more likely to accept you with your current financial situation. Additional collateral is also a good way to mitigate the risk of the finance provider, so you get money at better interest rates.
Your lender will let you know what they want as second collateral. The approach of securing your loan against the second collateral is becoming more popular nowadays. However, this brings in a lot of risk. You should go with the idea of additional security only when you are sure your business will take off sooner rather than later.

Cash flow

Cash flow is the most important factor that a finance company will look at. If you are able to show a good cash flow at the end of the month or year, you may get the best deal.
It shows the potential of your business. If a lender does not ask you for it, you can provide your bank statement with other documents. However, you do not need to do so if your cash flow is not that strong.

To wrap up

Pickup truck financing is expensive. You should have a decent credit file and strong business income to prove that you will manage payments without any problems.
Unfortunately, your weak credit file and cash flows sometimes make it harder to get the nod. You may have to jump through hoops to get approval. Consider offsetting your weaknesses. You may put down a larger deposit to reduce the loan-to-value ratio.
Try to submit additional documents that show you to some advantage. If you are about to replace your current truck, you can also show a reference for previous truck financing. Submit contracts and references so your finance companies can gain confidence in your business. This is helpful when you are new to your business. Consult a broker, as they have a large panel of asset finance providers. They will choose a company that completely fits your application.

So, I'm a fairly simple guy who usually stays away from anything casual/hookups. I met the person I'm seeing on an app, let's call her Pam. So, Pam is in one of the top B schools here in India, so she is smart, has a slender body, and is extremely good with her words. So, she was someone right from the outset I knew had a dozen other guys lining up for her and hence I did not want to waste my time much in wooing her. I would not text her at all after we exchanged numbers, I've thought of doing but knew she would have someone better looking or smarter with her. Eventually, she texted me from time to time with texts like "Hey, I really found you sweet when we talked and was just thinking about you". So, eventually, we moved to calls over texts, and the second time we were on call we talked for hours and that call eventually ended in phone sex. Then, we met each other in person, and for the first 2 dates, I did not make any moves at all even though I knew she was waiting for me to make one. I just wanted to be respectful and have some more comfort. Eventually, she asked me out for a 3rd date for a movie, she held my arms the entire movie with her head resting against them the entire movie and eventually we made out in the parking lot. Post this after every date, we made out and I was becoming more adventurous with her. We ended up having sex near the emergency exit of a mall and in the men's washroom once. I've never been this wild with someone before, we have a great chemistry.
She is now moving to a different city for her education. She told me that she would travel to meet me & that she genuinely likes me and would want to stay in touch.
I'm in a predicament because the reason why it has worked with her so far is that I never bothered asking her if she met someone else over the weekend because in my head I knew she must have because she would talk about her day but leave certain timelines out. I was fine with it too since we did not expect commitment from each other and there were no actual feelings attached. I just met her yesterday, she was a little tipsy and she told me that she feels attached to me and this was probably the last time we were meeting so I asked her what you want to do, and she just told she wanted to cuddle and sleep in my lap and that's what she did and I did not know what to say, She also started asking me if I would abandon her and whether I thought she was a good person. I like her and care for her but at the core, I want a relationship where two people are involved with each other and that's it. I feel if I say I want a fully committed relationship she might be thrown off by it(don't know) probably.
How can I respectfully ask her if she has been with anyone else and also want to understand if want she said if she really meant it.

FYI, this is a story COLLECTION. Lots of standalones technically. So, you can basically start to read at any chapter, no pre-read of the other chapters needed technically (other than maybe getting better descriptions of characters than: Adam Vir=human, Krill=antlike alien, Sunny=tall alien, Conn=telepathic alien). The numbers are (mostly) only for organization of posts and continuity.
OC Written by Charlie Stastarrfallknightrise,
Typed up and then posted here by me.
Proofreading and language check for some chapters by u/Finbar9800
Future Lore and fact check done by me.
The title of this chapter is awesome!
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Here is the link to the master-post.
The No 1 truth about humans: They are stupid.
Krill was waiting in the docking bay, watching as his new medical equipment was wheeled up the ramp. Sunny stood next to him, holding a data pad and checking off the shipping manifest as it was wheeled on.
Conn floated a few feet away from them, ribbons on his back billowing and churning slowly in the air currents.
He was currently occupied staring down at the screen of his handheld.
Ever since the captain had gotten him that game, he hadn't stopped playing.
It was a nice break from his usual acerbic, nosy nature.
The last line of medical equipment was being loaded up the ramp, when Conn suddenly looked up from his game. He stared into nothing for a second and then signed:
”Oh boi…”
He turned his head towards the interior doors and signed something again, which was quickly translated by his automated gloves,
"Prepare yourselves."
"Prepare ourselves? For what?"
The question didn't hang on the air for very long, before the sounds of human exuberance reached them from down the hall.
Sunny shook her head and Krill sighed, and the three of them braced themselves as the commander rolled onto deck with his heelies, skidding to a stop and running towards the line of boxes,
"Is it here!? Did you get it!?"
"Get what?"
Sunny muttered, he snatched the data pad from her hand, scrolling through the checked boxes.
"Hey! What are you-"
"Ah ha! There it is!"
He began laughing and giggling maniacally, running over to a line of already checked boxes, hopping up and down in place and rubbing his hands together.
The three aliens exchanged a worried glance. Sunny sighed,
"What did you do?”
The man waved a hand at her, as one of the cargo workers opened a box for him,
"What did I do? What did I do? I will tell you what I did! I just made this ship officially the most awesome ship in the fleet."
”Oh god I’m here long enough to know that can’t be good…”
Krill muttered, while Sunny asked:
"And how exactly did you do that?"
"I thought we were already the most awesome ship in the fleet?"
The commander was seconds from squealing with delight, as the man cracked open the crate and let the sides fall to the deck.
There were a few boxes in there, but the commander didn't seem to care about most of them, grabbing a single big box from the pile and hauling it onto the floor, where he could get a better look,
"Gah, its heavy, that's good."
Krill frowned,
"I'm not going to like this, am I?"
The commander continued to grin,
"Nope, you're gonna hate it, and that's how I know it's going to be great."
Krill sighed. Sunny stepped forward as the man frantically ripped open the box, like a man possessed.
The crate opened and the man was now laughing maniacally,
"Yes! Yes! Yes! MUHAHAHAHA!"
Krill and the others wandered over, glancing down into the box.
Conn sighed, a sound he had specifically programmed into his gloves.
Sunny tilted her head,
"What is it?”
The human reached inside, grabbed a thick, pamphlet with one hand and tossed it out of the way.
Krill was forced to duck to the side as the book went flying past his head and skidded across the floor.
He glanced over and saw the words.
JETPACK OPERATIONS MANUAL
"NO! Oh no! no! No! No! ADAM NO!”
"ADAM YES! Yes in every way!"
The commander said, tearing into the foam packaging that held the unit inside.
When he finally pulled it out, he grunted with its weight and sat back on the cold metal floor, cradling it against his knees to get a better look,
"Ah, just look at it! Look at it! Ahhhhh! Best day ever!"
"No, you send that right back to where it came from!"
Krill was saying,
"I have a hard enough time getting you to keep your feet on the ground. I will not let you do this stupid, reckless-"
Sunny picked the manual off the ground with one of her smaller hands, while the main pair of hands was crossed in disdain in front of her torso.
"Adam don't you think you should read the instructions first?”
The human was standing now and had the jetpack propped on the side of a crate, threading his arms through the upper harness.
”What part of “I can fly anything” don't you get?”
"So you've flown one before?”
"No, of course not… but how hard can it be!?”
Krill shook his head,
"Commander you will not be flying that, not unless you have full body protection, and that means a HELMET as well."
Sunny crossed her other set of arms,
"I have to agree with the doctor this time."
He glanced over at them and wilted slightly,
"Ok, Ok yes mom let me go get my knee and elbow pads."
"Full body armor or no deal."
”Buut…”
”Adam!?”
"Fine!"
He groaned but sighed, whining under his breath the whole way while running quickly out of the room.
Sunny and Krill exchanged a look,
"Should we just hide it?"
Conn floated down to sit on one of the crates,
"I kind of want to see him break his neck."
Sunny glowered over at Conn, but the freaky alien just grinned at her, his large black eyes menacing against his milky white skin.
She flipped the manual open,
"Someone at least better read this before he gets himself hurt."
"You think he’d care to know how it worked before he tries it..."
"Adam may love science fiction, but that doesn't make him a scientist. I've seen him struggle to put a pen back together after taking it apart…"
Sunny muttered, walking over to the jetpack to set it up before the commander came back.
She almost thought about just not setting it up He wouldn't get off the ground without reading the manual, but he had been so excited that she hardly had the heart to ruin this for him.
He returned a good thirty minutes later, wearing a space suit helmet tucked under one arm.
"You know what, this was actually a good idea Krill."
"It was, so you finally saw the logic of-"
"Because I just realized, if we paint this rig up, I can look like buzz lightyear. Think about it a little green, purple and white and I can be a space ranger. It will be the most epic cosplay you have ever seen.”
”…”
”And I can order more of them with the rest of the company funds to turn the marines into a squad of kick-ass Mandalorians! It’s going to be great!”
"You wasted company funds on a jetpack!?"
"Nope my money. However, if I can find a reason to requisition some, you better bet that I will, Now hand it over."
"Helmet first."
Krill said sternly. The man rolled his eyes,
"Ok fine."
He slid the helmet on, and it locked into place,
"So many possibilities guys! I could be Iron man! Or also mandalorian!"
”…”
”Note to self: find some cool A.I. like Jarvis to get the full iron man feeling.
He mumbled to himself, while Sunny once again crossed her lower set of arms over her chest, while using the other two to read the manual,
"I seem to recall that the first time Iron man tried to use his, he ended up slamming into a wall…”
The commander folded the straps on the jetpack into their place, instead using a different mechanism to attach the jetpack to the back of the space suit.
A few of the marines walked into the room, along with Doctor Katie.
"Yo is that a jetpack!?"
Called one of the marines.
"You bet your ass it is."
He turned in a circle,
”Do you guys like it?"
"Damn!"
”Dope!”
”Fricking awesome!”
Someone whistled.
"Don't encourage him!!!?"
Krill snarled.
The marines stepped back.
"Yeah yeah, whatever, ok let's get this party started."
The commander marched towards the door, and the rest of the group struggled to keep up.
Dr Katie nervously fell into step beside Krill,
"He's going to get hurt isn't he…”
"Yeah... Bring a stretcher and a C-collar would you?"
He muttered, Dr. Katie nodded and ran off.
Commander Vir stepped out onto the ramp,
"Ok... now... Uh... how do I get it to work?"
Sunny raised an eyebrow form behind the manual,
"So now you need my help? I am not entirely sure I want to tell you how to use it."
"You don't tell me I will just look up a video."
She sighed,
"It should have connected when you attached it to your suit. You can choose to use the hand controls on your gloves. So first-"
"Oh, sweet."
He pressed one of the glove controls, and there was a sharp clicking sound as the jet pack wings clicked open locking into place,
"Oh HELL YEAH! Even better! Someone get me green and white paint asap!"
"Adam calm down."
"So what does this button do?"
"Adam-"
There was a sharp whir and whine as the engine started up.
"Oh yeah!"
"Ok we are done. If you can't slow down and listen to the instructions, then we are going to have to confiscate that…"
Sunny reached forward, intending to grab him, but he danced away.
"So, If that was open, and that was start, than this must be up…”
"ADAM!?”
Sunny lunged forward, just as the human's thumb triggered the throttle.
She dived right past where he had been standing, and the human rocketed up into the air, feet and arms flailing.
"Shit! Adam!"
Krill frantically turned on his comm,
"Katie, get the medical team down here NOW!!!”
The bright streak of light passed out of sight as the engine continued to steadily rocket upwards, and for a moment it seemed as if he would at least be fine.
That was until he figured out the controls and suddenly started to spin and turn wildly his body thrown back and forth like a ragdoll.
"Shit, shit, shit."
Conn was laughing behind her,
She turned on him,
"Shut up and help."
Conn waved a hand,
"He's fine. He's having the time of his life."
Sunny turned back to look up, watching as the bright spot turned, arched downwards and began plummeting towards the ground.
He was growing bigger and bigger in their vision.
"Any second now."
Conn said,
Sunny's eyes widened in horror.
”ANY SECOND WHAT!?”
"He'll figure out how to pull up, any moment now."
They could see individual limbs again.
"Yeeeep aaaaany moment now."
The assembled humans began to scream.
”Aaaaaaaany moment…”
They all watched as he came closer and closer to the ground…
At the last moment he flung himself sideways, going parallel to the ground. He shot past them, and for a second Sunny thought she could hear screaming, though the roaring sound of the engine was too loud.
He was heading straight towards a loading crane.
He was about to hit it, when he threw himself sideways, spinning in the air, his wing almost clipping an armored vehicle.
He was thrown up and sideways, his arms pinwheeling as he arched in a parabola over the landing field.
All the humans working in the docking bay had stopped to stare upwards at the spectacle, a few had their phones out.
Sunny ran out trying to see where he had gone.
Dr. Katie rushed out onto the ramp with the medical team close behind,
"What the ever loving fuck!?"
She exclaimed,
"Why did you let him do that!?”
"I didn't think he would be THAT stupid!"
Sunny yelled back.
The bright white spot did another arch and then spun and then did a loop.
Conn floated forward,
"He thinks he's got the hang of it... Though... I have some serious questions about his ability to slow down...”
The group of them stared skyward, as he continued to roll, tumble and do loops.
"I am going to kill him."
Sunny snarled,
"If he doesn’t kill himself."
Krill sighed. Sunny glowered at him,
"Because you seem so concerned!”
"Didn't you hear? I am in a constant state of panic, like the hulk is with anger, but... Lame."
The little white dot arched towards the ground.
"Oh shit, here it comes."
Conn said covering his face – not that it would help.
Sunny, tried to look away, watching as the light dimmed, slowed.
She glanced up, watching as commander Vir descended from the sky, his hands held out awkwardly to either side, like a tightrope walker, one foot down and one foot slightly up.
He was about ten feet above the ground, when the engine suddenly cut.
Sunny yelled in surprise, the rest of the group jumped forward.
He landed fine, at first, then he stumbled forward, arms flailing, tripped and plowed face first into the concrete.
Sunny and the group ran forward to where he was lying on the pavement.
"Adam, Adam are you ok!”
It was then –to Sunny's great annoyance– that she heard the human laughing.
He rolled over onto his side and pulled off his helmet, which had small scratches across the paint of the face.
He was sweaty, red in the face, but grinning like an idiot,
"Holy shit, did you see that? THAT was awesome!
"You could have died!"
"Yeah yeah, sure whatever, but also did you SEE that!”
Sunny felt a surge of anger flare up in her chest,
"THAT IS IT!"
She reached over and slammed her finger against the release button for the jetpack.
"Hey!?"
It fell away, and she shoved it into the arms of the closest marine, without even looking who it was.
"Hide this somewhere, or throw it away, I don't care."
"Wait, Sunny, but I..."
She grabbed him angrily by the hand and hauled him to his feet, marching across the tarmac with him stumbling behind her.
He turned back to look towards the jetpack, pulling against her.
”Noo but my jetpack… Jettie I love you, please don’t go! YOU CANT STOP OUR LOVE!”
In frustration she turned, bent down and tipped him over one shoulder, pinning his legs with her two right arms.
"Sunny!? Hey!? What are you doing!?"
"I am sick and tired of your shit, Adam!"
She marched up the ramp, as the rest of the humans looked on either bemused, or amused.
"Seriously Sunny!?"
He tried to struggle, but she only adjusted his weight.
"You aren't leaving your quarters for a week!"
"You're grounding ME!?"
"Literally!"
She snarled.
"You aren't my mother!”
"Oh yeah, but I can call her."
He suddenly got silent and his eyes narrowed,
”You wouldn't dare..."
"Don't think I won't."
His face went pale,
"Look Sunny, we can talk about this. You don't have to call her. Come on you know me. I knew exactly what I was doing. Remember. Pilot. I fly stuff all the time."
"You almost died."
"Almost being the key term."
She snarled, feet slamming against the deck and she pushed through the cargo bay and out the doors, her anger heard for minutes after they were out of sight.
The rest of the humans had a good laugh over the whole thing, though Krill was not impressed, and neither was Dr. Katie.
Humans were immensely stupid, stupid and reckless. They had no sense of self preservation, and some of them seemed hell bent on dying early though they never seemed to manage it.
Unfortunately for Sunny, she had handed the jetpack to Ramirez, who now definitely planned on buying one for himself, and, as Adam's human friend, planned on keeping it safe for him until he returned.
Maybe taking it out for a spin while he was away?
Because humans are stupid like that…
Previous First [Next](link)
Want to find a specific one, see the whole list or check fanart?
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Intro post by me
OC-whole collection
Patreon of the author
Thanks for reading! As you saw in the title, this is a cross posted story written by starrfallknightrise and I'll just upload some of it here for you guys, if you are interested and want to read ahead, the original story-collection can be found on tumblr or wattpad to read for free. (link above this text under "OC:..." ) It is the Empyrean Iris story collection by starfallknightrise. Also, if you want to know more about the story collection i made an intro post about it, so feel free to check that out to see what other great characters to look forward to! (Link also above this text). I have no affiliations to the author; just thought I’d share some of the great stories you might enjoy a lot!
Obviously, I have Charlie’s permission to post this and for the people already knowing the stories, or starting to read them: If you follow the link and check out the story you will see some differences. I made some small (non-artistic) changes, mainly correcting writing mistakes, pronoun correction and some small additional info here and there of things which were not thought of/forgotten or even were added/changed in later stories (like the “USS->UNSC” prefix of Stabby, Chalar=/->Sunny etc). As well as some "biggemajor" changes in descriptions and info’s for the same stringency/continuity reason. That can be explained by the story collection being, well a story collection at the start with many standalone-stories just starring the same people, but later on it gets more to a stringent storyline with backstories and throwbacks. (For example Adam Vir has some HEAVY scars over his body, following his bones, which were not really talked about up till half the collection, where it says it covers his whole body and you find out via backflash that he had them the whole time and how he got them, they just weren't mentioned before. However, I would think a doctor would at least see these scars before that, especially since he gets analyzed, treated and goes shirtless/in T-shirts in some stories). So TLDR: Writing and some descriptions are slightly changed, with full OK from the author, since he himself did not bother to correct these things before.

Long story “short”: I thought I was in a rough spot in life, was getting paid $10/hr ($7) after taxes, working 84 hours a week at a security job in a high crime area. The drive home would be 40-50 minutes on clear roads. Well one night I decided to spark up a blunt on my way home, after I stopped at the gas station for something to eat. I was pulling out of the driveway a patrol unit passed in front of me and I came out the driveway behind him, but I didn’t notice my headlights were off. I made a U Turn and I seen him in my rear view mirror he made a UTurn as well, he ended up pulling me over and told me the reason he pulled me over was because of my headlights being off (it was about 1:50am) before he even asked I told him I had weed in the car with me it was about 1/4 of a blunt, also I was in full duty uniform, he took me out of the car and informed me what I was doing was a felony, I told him that I knew it was and continued on about my “sob” story, he placed me in the back of the unit where he ran my license and everything came out good, I had never even had one single ticket. He searched my vehicle and also I had my dads rifle in the back, he emptied both my pistol and rifle and placed them on the hood of my truck. After that he called the DA who decided not to press any charges on me. He opened the back door and informed me of the good news, I sighed in relief, he then put all my belongings in my truck and uncuffed me, told me that I was a man now and I needed to grow up and stop doing stupid shit. I told him I know and that it wouldn’t happen again. He didn’t give me a ticket or a warning. It has been about a 18 months since that happened and I haven’t touched any drugs, that moment was a real eye opener, since then I have been doing great things in the Private sector like doing Fugitive Recovery, private investigations, and even working Federal security jobs.
Now to my real question, how would this affect my employment with that PD, I definitely learned from it and moved on to better things, I have made friends with a lot of those department’s officers and have multiple references who are willing to put in a good word for me mostly regular Officers and even LTs and CPTs, I have spoke to them about my situation and doubts and they all tell me the same thing, I wasn’t charged nor arrested and I learned from it and came out a better man on the other side so it wouldn’t hurt to try.
I will not say what Department it was but it is a huge city in desperate need of officers.
I am bilingual, and that is a huge plus in my city, I help out the officers a lot when I they need it,also in great shape, also I am 21 years old looking for a lifetime career. I am dedicated and diligent and KNOW I can outperform 99% of any qualified police cadet/candidate. (My references would say the same)

Global Info Research announces the release of the report “Global Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC) Market 2023 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2029” . The report is a detailed and comprehensive analysis presented by region and country, type and application. As the market is constantly changing, the report explores the competition, supply and demand trends, as well as key factors that contribute to its changing demands across many markets. Company profiles and product examples of selected competitors, along with market share estimates of some of the selected leaders for the year 2023, are provided. In addition, the report provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals, COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War Influence.
According to our (Global Info Research) latest study, the global Mechnical Operating Table market size was valued at USD million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD million by 2029 with a CAGR of % during review period. The influence of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War were considered while estimating market sizes.
Key Features:
Global Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC) market size and forecasts, in consumption value), sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC) market size and forecasts by region and country, in consumption value, sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC) market size and forecasts, by Type and by Application, in consumption value, sales quantity, and average selling prices, 2018-2029
Global Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC) market shares of main players, shipments in revenue, sales quantity, and ASP, 2018-2023
The Primary Objectives in This Report Are:
To determine the size of the total market opportunity of global and key countries
To assess the growth potential for Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC)
To forecast future growth in each product and end-use market
To assess competitive factors affecting the marketplace
This report profiles key players in the global Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC) market based on the following parameters - company overview, production, value, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments.
Request Free Sample Copy Or buy this report at:
https://www.globalinforesearch.com/reports/1535315/mechnical-operating-table
The Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC) market is segmented as below:
Market segment by Type
General Surgical Beds Specialty Surgical Beds
Market segment by Application
Hospitals Ambulatory Surgical Centers Specialty Clinics & Trauma Centers
Major players covered
Torontech Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. Steris Plc. Stryker Corp. Getinge AB Mizuho Corporation (Mizuho OSI, Inc.) Skytron LLC Alvo Medical Allengers Medical Systems Ltd. NUOVA BN Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
The Main Contents of the Report, includes a total of 15 chapters:
Chapter 1, to describe Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC) product scope, market overview, market estimation caveats and base year. Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC), with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC) from 2018 to 2023. Chapter 3, the Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC) competitive situation, sales quantity, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast. Chapter 4, the Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC) breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales quantity, consumption value and growth by regions, from 2018 to 2029. Chapter 5 and 6, to segment the sales by Type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2018 to 2029. Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales quantity, consumption value and market share for key countries in the world, from 2017 to 2022.and Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC) market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2024 to 2029. Chapter 12, market dynamics, drivers, restraints, trends, Porters Five Forces analysis, and Influence of COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War. Chapter 13, the key raw materials and key suppliers, and industry chain of Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC). Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC) sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion.
The analyst presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. Our report on the Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC) market covers the following areas:
Columnar Sediment Sampler market sizing
Columnar Sediment Sampler market forecast
Columnar Sediment Sampler market industry analysis
Analyze the needs of the global Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC)business market
Answer the market level of global Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC)
Statistics the annual growth of the global Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC)production market
The main producers of the global Mechnical Operating Table(FADEC)production market
Describe the growth factor that promotes market demand
Global Info Research is a company that digs deep into global industry information to support enterprises with market strategies and in-depth market development analysis reports. We provides market information consulting services in the global region to support enterprise strategic planning and official information reporting, and focuses on customized research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, database and top industry services. At the same time, Global Info Research is also a report publisher, a customer and an interest-based suppliers, and is trusted by more than 30,000 companies around the world. We will always carry out all aspects of our business with excellent expertise and experience.
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Deep within the eerie realm of gaming legends, there whispered a tale that sent chills down the spines of the bravest players. It was a story woven around a cursed version of the beloved 2015 game, "Undertale." This version, known only as "Dry Bones," hid a sinister secret that would forever haunt the mind of those who dared to play it.
Julian, a young and enthusiastic gamer, had heard whispers of the infamous Dry Bones version. Fueling his curiosity, he scoured the dark corners of the internet until he finally obtained a copy. Despite the warnings and legends that surrounded it, Julian couldn't resist the temptation to unravel the mysteries hidden within the game.
With trepidation and excitement, Julian ventured into the pixelated world of Undertale. As he progressed through the game, the familiar characters and whimsical landscapes became twisted and distorted. The once vibrant colors now faded into shades of darkness, and the cheerful music morphed into a haunting melody that gnawed at Julian's sanity.
Finally, Julian reached the dreaded Sans fight, known for its notorious difficulty. He braced himself for the challenge, his heart pounding with anticipation. Blow after blow, Julian skillfully dodged Sans' attacks, determination etched on his face. Victory was within his grasp.
But as Julian struck the final blow, the screen abruptly went black. A shiver ran down his spine as the silence engulfed the room. Suddenly, Sans' decapitated head materialized on the screen, blood dripping from its severed neck. The horrifying words appeared in crimson letters: "This is the last face you will see, Julian."
Fear seized Julian's heart, and he instinctively scrambled to shut down the game. But before he could escape, he heard Sans' sinister laughter echoing from the speakers. The room plunged into darkness, and Julian found himself surrounded by an otherworldly silence.
As the lights flickered back on, Julian's eyes widened in terror. Sans stood before him, grinning maniacally. The room was transformed into a macabre scene of horror. Julian's body lay torn apart, scattered in pieces across the floor. His organs, spelling out the words "Dry bones," formed a grotesque message of his demise.
A blood-curdling scream escaped Julian's lips, echoing through the empty house. The walls seemed to close in on him, the air thick with malevolence. The curse of Dry Bones had claimed another victim, its insidious power forever etched into the fabric of Julian's existence.
And as the legend goes, those who hear Julian's anguished cries are forever warned to stay away from the cursed game, lest they too fall prey to the dark forces that reside within its code. The legend of Dry Bones serves as a haunting reminder that some games should remain locked away, their secrets left undisturbed, and the souls of the curious, unburdened by the horrors that lie within.
I made this creepy pasta right now