#Aerial Lift Equipment

[mtandtgroup-blog]

Aerial Lift Safety - 10 Essential Tips for Safe Equipment Use

Ensuring safety in the workplace, mainly when operating heavy equipment, is crucial to preventing worker injuries. Proper safety training is a critical component in achieving a safe work environment. By following these guidelines and investing in thorough safety training, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure a safer working environment when using aerial lift equipment. For more click here: https://bit.ly/4bbg21C

[aerialrentals]

Aerial Equipment Rental

Address: 121 W 36th Street. New York, NY 10018

Phone: 718-873-4310

Website: http://aerialequipmentrental.com

Business mail: rent@aerialequipmentrental.com

Hours: Mon - Fri: 7AM - 5PM | Sat - Sun: 8AM - 4PM

Payment: Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, Paypal

Year Establish: 2016

Social: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557249926609 https://youtube.com/@AerialEquipmentRental https://www.instagram.com/aerialequipmentrental https://www.yelp.com/biz/aerial-equipment-rental-new-york

Aerial Equipment Rental Inc., based in Manhattan, offers a wide range of high-quality aerial work platforms and earth-moving machinery for rental, including scissor lifts, boom lifts, and various heavy-duty equipment. Catering to construction, industrial, and maintenance projects throughout Manhattan, our company provides reliable, safe, and efficient machinery solutions to meet the diverse needs of our clients. With a focus on customer service and safety, we ensure that all equipment is well-maintained and compliant with industry standards.

[empowerrentalgroupsc]

Website: https://renterg.com/blue-eagle-rentals-inc-piedmont/

Address: 335 Oak Road, Piedmont, SC 29673

Phone: +1 864 905 5700

Blue Eagle Rentals, now part of Empower Rental Group, combines local service excellence with the expansive offerings of a national provider. Specializing in equipment rentals and used equipment sales, we offer a diverse array of machinery, including earth moving equipment, aerial lift equipment, mini-excavators, boom lifts, forklifts, scissor lifts, skidsteers, and telehandlers. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction ensures reliable equipment for every project. Benefit from our extensive network, providing seamless service and access to a comprehensive inventory, while enjoying the personalized touch of your local partner. Empower Rental Group is your go-to source for all equipment needs, blending local expertise with national resources.

[windwardequipment]

Windward Equipment Rentals offers a wide range of high-quality equipment rentals to meet your project needs. Whether you are working on a construction site, planning an event, or completing a home improvement project, Windward Equipment Rentals has you covered.

Windward Equipment Rentals 41–741 Mahailua St, Waimanalo, HI 96795 (808) 688–3714

Official Website: https://www.windwardequipmentrentals.com/ Google Plus Listing: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=9695121172512301418

Other Links

forklifts for sale : https://www.windwardequipmentrentals.com/equipment.asp?action=category&category=31 forklifts for rent : https://www.windwardequipmentrentals.com/equipment.asp?action=category&category=23 scissor lift for sale : https://www.windwardequipmentrentals.com/equipment.asp?action=category&category=27 forestry mulcher for rent : https://www.windwardequipmentrentals.com/equipment.asp?action=category&category=29 pressure washers for rent near me : https://www.windwardequipmentrentals.com/equipment.asp?action=category&category=16 floor buffer rental : https://www.windwardequipmentrentals.com/equipment.asp?action=category&category=9 aerial lifts for rent : https://www.windwardequipmentrentals.com/equipment.asp?action=category&category=6 electric trash pump : https://www.windwardequipmentrentals.com/equipment.asp?action=category&category=17&key=Trash+Pump+2%22 aerial lifts for sale : https://www.windwardequipmentrentals.com/equipment.asp?action=category&category=26 rear tine tiller for sale : https://www.windwardequipmentrentals.com/forsale.asp?action=category&category=12&key=Rear+Tine+Tiller construction equipment rental : https://www.windwardequipmentrentals.com/equipment-rentals.asp

Other Service We Provide:

Equipment Rental Used Equipment For Sale Equipment Sales

Follow Us On

Twitter: https://twitter.com/windwardequipme Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/windwardequipment/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/windward-equipment-rentals-waimanalo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Windward-Equipment-Rentals/100063737393087/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/windwardequipment/

[puckettrents]

The utilization of aerial lifts is now obligatory because of the growing number of construction projects that are being carried out in every region of the world. Aerial lifts make difficult jobs much simpler and safer, whether you need to paint the outside of a building, clean the gutters, or install windows on the top floor. However, renting an aerial lift can be a challenging undertaking, particularly if the renter is not familiar with the range of sizes that are available for the lift. In today's post, we will give you some advice on how to rent an aerial lift that is the ideal size for the work that you need to do. To know more visit https://puckettrents.com/ or call us at 601-939-5151.

[soft-mafia]

Ribbons [LA!Buggy x Reader]

warnings: fem reader, fem y/n, nsfw, grinding, dry humping, sexual tension, fingering, age gap, slight daddy kink, bdsm aspects

a/n: I had this idea of the reader being one of those aerial ribbon contortionists or whatever you call it, and Buggy being so enamored(horny) when he sees her perform that he asks her for a “private show”. Don’t get me wrong manga/anime Buggy is sexy, but LA!Buggy just had SOO much sex appeal he’s so dominant omg. #ovulating

“Does everybody know what they’re doing?!” Buggy shouted, 10 minutes till showtime, he ran by everyone and made sure they knew their shit so they didn’t make a fool out of him. He whipped his head around from left to right, “Where- where’s Y/n?!” He shouted.

Out from behind one of the curtains, Y/n scurried out in her outfit(that Buggy had personally picked out himself) it was a strappy bikini that barely covered anything. The outfit was more for his own entertainment rather than Y/n’s convenience, it wouldn’t affect her act too much anyway though.

“I’m here, Captain!” Y/n said, looking up at Buggy. She hopped out and had her ribbons wrapped all around her body, clearly tangled in her own equipment.

“What the hell happened to you?” Buggy grumbled, holding her by the hip and attempting to unravel her.

Y/n blushed when she watched Buggy’s hands maneuver her body and the ribbons, “I was practicing when you called.” He nodded in response, then spun her around a bit to check her out before patting her on the shoulder and shooing her off to her mark. The rest of the crew knew of Buggy’s infatuation with Y/n, and how he definitely had a soft spot for her(It’s why she’s always caught leaving his room in the dead of night).

It was showtime, Buggy watched anxiously, hoping nobody messed anything up. So far so good, but that’s when he saw Y/n drop from the ceiling hanging by ribbons wrapped around her legs. Buggy swallowed as he watched her intently, his jaw clenched as she spun around those ribbons, the way they hugged her waist as she effortlessly spun around them like a snake. Y/n moved her body in ways that looked like it was meant for Buggy’s eyes only. He couldn’t deny that he sometimes felt jealousy when he saw any of the men on his crew talk to her, Buggy had already determined in his own mind that she was his, a treasure of his that nobody should be touching or even being around.

In his most jealous self loathing fits he wishes he could just lock Y/n in a birdcage and keep her for himself. He would pour and hold his face in his hands whenever she would go back to her room after a night.

He didn’t feel confident enough to ask her to stay with him, just for one night. He would only nod when she would give him a kiss on the cheek before putting her clothes back on. The rest of the night he would spend sulking, and the next day he would immediately fish her out of the crowd of his crew and wrap his arms around her, holding her tightly since he didn’t get to during the night.

After Buggy wrapped up the show, he gave them praise and thanked them for not screwing up. It was on rare occasions that everybody got their queues right and didn’t make mistakes. After that, he ran for Y/n, eagerly bounding towards her and once he did he scooped her up in his arms.

He lifted her up by the waist and kissed her on the lips, “You were amazing!” He purred, kissing all over her face, leaving red sloppy prints all over her. She didn’t care though, she laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, “Was I pretty?” She asked jokingly.

Buggy grinned and set her back down, leaning down slightly and lifting her chin up, “Gorgeous.” He answered, he then looked around for a moment, watching as his crew of freaks walked out of the tent to have dinner at their camp out. Looking back down at Y/n, he put his jacket over her.

“Help me get the audience out of here, I want a private show.”

Y/n helped Buggy cram all of the poor civilians in one of their empty trailers they would use for storage. “I feel bad.” Y/n said as they walked back to the tent, he had his arm around her waist.

“Don’t start nagging me about them again.” Buggy rolled his eyes, “How else am I supposed to get people to come and watch?”

“Anybody will come to a circus on their own free will, Buggy. You don’t have to force anybody.” Y/n looked up at him, with that little pout that would always bring him to his knees. He looked away and shook his head, “They won’t. Not for me.” They didn't say anything more about that, Y/n looked down at the ground as the slightly damp grass stained her ballerina slippers.

Once making it back to the tent, Buggy pulled his throne out and had it sit in front of one of the stands, he leaned back and watched Y/n get into place. Even the way she climbed up was sexy, and when she would tie the ribbons around her ankles— it's not like Buggy had a foot fetish or anything, but her body was perfect and every movement seemed so enchanting. Y/n was so beautiful, Buggy almost felt bad for her. Sometimes it felt like he was taking advantage of her even though she would swear up and down she was madly in love with him and wanted him more than anything. What if she was lying just to spare his feelings? Or lying because she was afraid that he would threaten her if she didn’t comply??

Those thoughts often made Buggy sick and he would push them to the very back of his mind so it wouldn’t bother him. But after every jerk session he would have to the thought of Y/n, they always found their way to resurface as he sat there alone in his bed or at his desk with a wet rag in his hand.

“Doin’ great baby.” Buggy called out with a soft chuckle as Y/n finally made her way back up to the top. She giggled in response, glancing at him for a moment before looking away. At this point she could move freely with those ribbons around her legs, she reached her hands back and began to untie her bikini top.

Buggy’s eyes widened, anticipation ate at him and he felt a fire shoot down to his crotch. Then her top dropped to the ground. It wasn’t something he hadn’t seen before by all means— but she was naked out in the open, tied up in ribbons. It was only then that he noticed that she had taken her bottoms off as well, how had he not noticed that?!

That added more fuel to the fire as he had a visible cock outline in his trousers now. He palmed at it subtly as he watched Y/n spin herself around and do other sensual movements, more seductive than what she had done in her act. She looked gorgeous, especially in the circus lighting, it casted shadows upon her that accentuated her silhouette. Y/n dropped upside down, hanging by one foot from the ribbons, Buggy bit his lip when he watched her breasts bounce from the sudden drop.

She was wrapped up in those ribbons completely, there was something so erotic about the red fabric twisting and gripping around her naked body. Buggy wondered what it would be like to have her tied up and at his mercy, her arms and legs restrained, one wrapped around her neck and him pulling at the ribbon like a leash as he fucked her hard. Buggy grit his teeth and tilted his head back, letting out a quiet grunt at the thought.

Buggy was so close, rubbing himself more intently— then the lights suddenly shut off. He immediately stood up and shouted in anger, “WHO THE FUCK TURNED OFF THE LIGHTS?!” He screeched. Y/n was taken aback, nearly falling before catching herself on the ribbons, looking around as her eyes adjusted to the dark.

“We’re just closing up for the night, Captain…” One of the backstage managers said nervously, standing in the opening of the tent. Y/n immediately covered herself up, Buggy’s cheeks were flushed a bright red, both from anger and embarrassment. “I’M IN HERE WITH Y/N!!!” He shouted, “YOU COULD CLEARLY SEE ME!!!”

“S-Sorry Captain!! We can turn the lights back on?”

“No!! No!! Forget it!!” Buggy huffed and detached his hand so he could float his coat up to Y/n so she could cover herself, “Come on, Y/n.”

Y/n slowly lowered herself, and once she was on the ground she picked up her discarded bikini and scurried towards Buggy. He put an arm around her and rushed out of the tent, grumbling and scowling under his breath as they rushed back to the ship. “Do you think they saw anything?” Y/n looked up at Buggy and laid his coat on a nearby chair once they got back to his cabin on the ship. “Probably not, you were really high up.” Buggy shrugged, pushing the coat on the floor so he could sit on the chair, his legs spread out.

He had taken his shirt off, once they got settled in, chest covered in thick hair with a happy trail that let up to his belly button. Buggy patted his lap, “C’mon, daddy’s still sexed up.” He said lowly, leaning back in his seat as he watched Y/n make her way over to him. She was still naked. Buggy began to hope that those crew members did see her like that, so they could know that she’s completely off limits and belongs to him and him only.

Slowly, she crawled on his lap, each thigh slowly making their way to straddle his lap. He immediately began rubbing up and down one of her thighs, groaning at the feeling of her skin beneath his fingertips, “Good girl.” He said in a gravelly tone. Y/n smiled softly as she rested her hands on his chest, slowly making their way up to rest on his shoulders, subtly ruffling up his chest hair in the process. Buggy leaned up to press a kiss onto her lips, his stubble always scraped her but she never complained.

The taste of booze was thick on his tongue, making Y/n whimper and make a face but it quickly passed as the kiss lengthened. Buggy leaned back and let out a nervous chuckle, “Sorry, I probably taste like shit.”

Y/n laughed and held his face, giving his lips another kiss, “It’s ok. Explains why you’re so horny.”

Buggy laughed too, his hands resting on Y/n’s hips, he gave them a firm squeeze, “Hey, even without the alcohol, you’re like a walking viagra for me.” He joked. As he gripped her hips, he slowly brought her down lower on his lap, letting her bare pussy rub against his bulge, his cock pulsed in his boxers and he let out a low groan. Y/n whimpered at the feeling of fabric rubbing against her wet clit, she leaned her head into the crook of his neck. Buggy placed one hand on the back of her head while guiding her hips with the other, he gently caressed her while humping himself into her.

He rolled his head back, letting out deep pleasured grunts, he then kissed the side of Y/n’s head. Even after he’s fucked her so many times, he still has a lingering anxiety; he didn’t want to be too rough and scare her off. She was quite young and that itself made Buggy feel a butt ton of guilt, so he peppers her with kisses and gives her gentle caresses and whispers praise into her ear while getting his rocks off with her. Buggy really cared for her even if he was shit at showing it, the last thing he would want to do was make Y/n scared.

He stroked the back of her head as he humped faster, his hand rubbing up and down her waist, softly squeezing her skin as they both let out soft breaths and moans. “You’re doing so good for me… just let me do all the work, baby.” He whispered in her ear, “Doing so good, your little cunt getting wet, all for me.” Buggy was getting so close, his pants and groans becoming more rough as his pelvis trembled.

It wouldn’t be the first time he’s came in his boxers, this time he’s made more of a mess than usual, but he really couldn’t help himself. He let out a groan as he relaxed into his seat, holding the back of Y/n’s neck as he breathed heavily. Y/n pulled away, it caught Buggy off guard for a moment but he let out a soft grunt when she adjusted herself on his lap. He held her shoulders as her back pressed against his chest, she spread her legs and let her thighs sit on each of the arm rests and yanked Buggy’s hand down between her legs.

“Needy are we?” Buggy chuckled, but he gave her what she wanted and dove his fingers into her pussy, amazed by how wet she was. He dragged his fingers up and down her slit, then circled them around her clit, he wrapped an arm around her torso to keep her in place as she trembled. Y/n held onto Buggy’s forearm, moaning and whimpering his name as he continued to play with her pussy. He continued to kiss her temple and the top of her head, praising her while giving her what she needed.

It wasn’t long before she had her own release, and they both sat there in each other’s arms, Y/n’s face nuzzled back into his neck as she laid sideways on his lap. Buggy held her close, lightly bouncing her in his lap.

“Are you ok?” He whispered to her after they finally caught their breath and came down from their high. Y/n laughed and looked up at him, tracing his jawline with her finger as she looked into his striking blue eyes, “You always ask me that.”

Buggy scoffed and looked away, “I have to.” He chuckled, “I still can’t help but think I’m forcing you to do this.”

Y/n sat up and softly smacked Buggy in his chest, “Buggy! I told you that you’re not!” She frowned, “I’m the one who came onto you first.”

“I know! I know… but,” Buggy sighed, “You never stay.” He whispered, he sounded so desperate and he honestly regretted opening his big mouth once the words left it. But Y/n gently turned his head back to face her, “I… I didn’t think you’d want me to stay.”

Buggy looked at her, “What? Why wouldn’t I?” He furrowed his brows. Y/n shrugged, “I dunno… I’m always sticky afterwards, I didn’t think you’d wanna sleep next to that.” Buggy couldn’t help but laugh at that, then kiss her on the lips.

“Hey, you’re always complaining about me being sweaty but you’re still all over me.” He grinned, holding her face and gently pressing his thumbs into her cheeks. His expression then slowly dropped as he glanced away again, “And um… Why do you always hide your face?” He asked, “In my neck, my chest, in the pillows, the blankets…” he swallowed, looking away. She never looked at him during sex, she was always hiding her face in something and Buggy couldn’t help but feel like it was because of him-

“I have an ugly o-face.” She answered quietly, looking down as she dragged her finger through his chest hair. Buggy furrowed his brows in confusion, then looked at her, “What the fuck does that mean?”

Y/n looked back up at him, “O-face… like, orgasm face.”

Buggy felt heat rise to his cheeks from embarrassment, “Oh… that makes sense— WAIT! NO, your face isn’t ugly!” He gently grabbed her by the chin, squeezing her cheeks between his fingers, “Now that you told me that, I’m not gonna let you hide anymore.” He chuckled.

Y/n groaned and wiggled her face out of his grip, “Don’t make me embarrass myself in front of you!” She pushed him in his chest once again. “You’re not gonna embarrass yourself, babe. You’re gonna make yourself look more hot and irresistible.” Buggy grinned.

“Screw you. I’m gonna take a bath.” Y/n stuck her tongue out at him before standing up, “You need one too, you stink.”

“I’ll take one tomorrow.” Buggy rolled his eyes as he detached his hand and reached for a stray bottle. Y/n quickly snatched his hand, then ripped the bottle out of it, “No. You’re gonna take one now.”

“HEY!!” Buggy growled and stood up, reaching out to grab his hand, but Y/n yanked it away and was already trotting off to the bathroom with it.

[transgenderer]

The Fulton surface-to-air recovery system (STARS), also known as Skyhook, is a system used by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), United States Air Force, and United States Navy for retrieving individuals on the ground using aircraft such as the MC-130E Combat Talon I and B-17 Flying Fortress. It involves using an overall-type harness and a self-inflating balloon with an attached lift line. An MC-130E engages the line with its V-shaped yoke and the person is reeled on board. Red flags on the lift line guide the pilot during daylight recoveries; lights on the lift line are used for night recoveries. Recovery kits were designed for one- and two-man retrievals.

Illustration of operating principle of the Fulton recovery system

After experiments with instrumented dummies, Fulton continued to experiment with live pigs, as pigs have a nervous system close to humans. Lifted off the ground, the pig began to spin as it flew through the air at 125 miles per hour (200 km/h). It arrived on board uninjured, but in a disoriented state. When it recovered, it attacked the crew.[3]

By 1958, the Fulton aerial retrieval system, or "Skyhook", was finished. The ground system could be dropped from an aircraft and contained the necessary equipment for a pickup, including a harness, for cargo or a person, attached to 500 feet (150 m) of high-strength, braided nylon line and a dirigible-shaped balloon inflated by a helium bottle.

The pickup aircraft was equipped with two tubular steel "horns", 30 feet (9 m) long and spread at a 70° angle from its nose. The aircraft flew into the line, aiming at a bright mylar marker placed at the 425 foot (130 m) level. As the line was caught between the forks on the nose of the aircraft, the balloon was released and a spring-loaded trigger mechanism (sky anchor) secured the line to the aircraft. After the initial pickup, the line was snared by the pickup crew using a J-hook and attached to a powered winch and the person or cargo pulled on board. To prevent the pickup line from interfering with the aircraft's propellers in the case of an unsuccessful catch, the aircraft had deflector cables strung from the nose to the wingtips.

The first human pickup using Fulton's STARS took place on 12 August 1958, when Staff Sergeant Levi W. Woods of the U.S. Marine Corps was winched on board the Neptune.[4] Because of the geometry involved, the person being picked up experienced less of a shock than during a parachute opening. After the initial contact, which was described by one individual as similar to "a kick in the pants",[5] the person rose vertically at a slow rate to about 100 ft (30 m), then began to streamline behind the aircraft. Extension of arms and legs prevented spinning as the individual was winched on board. The process took about six minutes.

[reblog-house]

When Villagers Fly

Written for Hermit-a-day-May, day 3: Zedaph!

Wc: 470

Ao3: Here!

Zedaph’s plan was genius. The execution… could’ve gone better to start with, but where’s the fun in that?

He wasted many hours just to get one baby zombie villager on a chicken and then had to reconstruct the mob farm some thousand blocks away to perfect the spawn rates, but now, he had two extra villagers at his disposal, sitting standing on their chickens, ready for an aerial service delivery right into his crack. 

Yes, what a great way of phrasing that.

He was more than familiar with the concept. In fact, he pioneered the art with Tango five worlds back and then shaped it to perfection last season, catching the sheep as they were birthed, welcoming their adulthood flying, and keeping them in the air for the rest of their lives.

Wow, time had surely flown.

Just like he was about to right now.

He secured the leads on the chicken, making sure there was no way they could slip through and  fall. They wouldn’t die — thankfully, because he’d already lost one villager trying to retrieve them from their pits — but it would be inconvenient retrieving them.

A big advantage to villagers on chickens was that you could take them wherever you wanted without using minecarts or boats. Free range for all! Minus the mobs themselves, but who cared about that? The problem was — or would be, to anyone who wasn’t him — transporting them large distances since they couldn’t go through Nether portals. Something about riding stuff.

The tower of scaffolding next to him was much taller than any he’d ever needed before, and it probably wouldn’t be enough for getting the whole way home.

Good thing he brought extra scaffolding!

With the leads tied around his wrist and hand, he climbed.

It was clear when the villagers lifted off the floor. An immediate pull down. And then—

Bounce, bounce, bounce.

Good. 

He kept going, perfectly used to the weight of heavier mobs pulling down on his wrist. He had a lot of practice with his Mob Mobile Zedvancement of the last season. If only he’d thought of villagers on chickens…

He wasn’t particularly strong, the slime of the lead did all the work for him. All he had to do was to hold on. 

The world below him was so small from up there. He did a cursory check of everything before leaping.

The straps of his elytra were well equipped. He opened the wings and gave them a quick look. Mhm, yes, good. No wear and tear, and no way for it to break before he and the well-earned fruits of his labor got home.

He slipped his goggles on and looked down at the still-bouncing mobs.

“Are you four ready? Of course you are, you can’t understand me!”

And with a cheeky smile, he set off.

[girlactionfigure]

🔅Wed night - ISRAEL REALTIME - Connecting to Israel in Realtime

🔻AIR ATTACKS.. 

.. North - Hezbollah

DRONES at Dafna, HaGoshrim, Ghajar, Kibutz Dan, Shear Yeshuv, Snir 

ROCKETS at Kfar Giladi, Manara, Margaliot, Misgav Am, Kiryat Shmona, Tel Hai

DRONES at Beit Hillel, Kfar Giladi, Kfar Yuval, Metulla, Manara, Ma'ayan Baruch, Margaliot, Misgav Am, Kiryat Shmona, Tel Hai 

ROCKETS at Idmit, Eilon, Hanita, Ya'ara, Arab al-Aramshe

DRONES at Idmit, Eilon, Goren, Gornot HaGalil, Hanita, Ya'ara, Manot, Neveh Ziv, Avdon, Arab al-Aramshe 

.. South - Hamas

ROCKETS at Kissufim

🔸WHATSAPP IS HAVING PROBLEMS WORLDWIDE.. you can also read us on Telegram -> https://t.me/Israel_Realtime_Updates

▪️THE POLICE ARE PISSED.. Israeli Police release a long statement about riots last night in Jerusalem, where officers were injured as protestors attacked police and attempted to breach the Prime Minister’s home security.  “the behavior of the rioters who tried to get towards the building was serious and wild”, “freedom of expression and protest is not the freedom to point a burning torch at a police officer, to injure a police officer, to lie under a police car and thwart its activities while risking life”

“there are still those who continue to see last night's events as a "legitimate protest", and continue to attack police officers who are performing their duties”.

▪️RUSSIA SETS UP MILITARY POST IN THE SYRIAN GOLAN.. Russian military police forces deployed in the Syrian Golan Heights, in the areas of Kunitra and Daraa. According to the official announcement, a base and monitoring equipment was deployed to "monitor military provocations."

▪️GAZA - OLIVE GROVE ROCKET LAUNCHER.. IDF locates a rocket launcher station in an olive grove - that’s a new one.

▪️ISRAEL POLITICS.. MK Gantz pushes to declare elections for September.  MK Sa’ar pushed for January.  Likud, “elections now will inevitably lead to paralysis, division, damage to the fighting in Rafah and fatal damage to the chances of a hostage deal.”

▪️HAMAS ON A CEASEFIRE SAYS.. The head of Hamas' political bureau, Ismail Haniya, in a speech on the occasion of International Jerusalem Day: “Israel is still stubborn in negotiations and does not respond to our demands to stop the war. We stick to our demands for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza, the full return of the displaced to their homes in the north of the Gaza Strip, the introduction of aid, an exchange deal, the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip and the lifting of the blockade.” … (and then Israel might get hostages back, or parts of them.)

🔹🔹🔹WAR PREP - - increased war preparations are starting.  

🔹WISE PREPARATIONS, NOT PANIC.  Home Front - https://www.oref.org.il/12490-15903-en/pakar.aspx

▪️CITY OF BAT YAM PREP.. preparing underground parking lots for resident shelters (many old buildings do not have in-building shelter). They are also purchasing supplies and equipment, prior to any suggestions by Home Front Command.

▪️ORDER 8.. IDF spokesperson: As part of a situation assessment carried out by the IDF, it was decided to call up reservists for the air defense system.

▪️BANK OF ISRAEL TO BANKS.. ‘stock up the ATM’s because people will stock up on cash’.

▪️STRONG RUMOR: HOME FRONT COMMAND PREPARING “PREPARE CAMPAIGN”.. the strong rumor is that Home Front Command is preparing a ‘prep in case of full war’ education campaign (like before the Gulf War).

IDF INCREASES MANPOWER AND MOBILIZES RESERVES TO DEFEND AGAINST THREATS

IDF spokesperson stated, "Following an IDF situational assessment, it was decided to increase manpower and draft reserve soldiers to the IDF Aerial Defense Array."

According to a report, "Vacation for pilots and air defence units have all been cancelled, and called for duty in preparation to defend against a possible Iranian drone or ballistic missile attack on Israel."

Israeli officials assess the Iranians are threatening more seriously, and the attack on Damascus hurt them.

During a home front readiness drill in Haifa, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized, "Israel is increasing preparedness, and at the same time we are also expanding our operations against Hezbollah, against other bodies that threaten us, we strike our enemies all over the Middle East."

WALA NEWS: AMID SECURITY CONCERNS, OFFICIALS IN GUSH DAN ARE CONTEMPLATING THE POSSIBILITY OF OPENING PUBLIC SHELTERS.

[mtandtgroup-blog]

Self-propelled electric scissor lift with 10m working height and 8m platform height. Safe, efficient, and productive. Contact us for reliable solutions! Scissor aerial lifts are available for rent and sale across India. Get in touch now.

[incompleteth0ts]

When it's time to step up

Free day for Hadercy week

@hadesxpercy-events

Hades/Pluto are only mentioned a bunch. This is mostly focused on Percy's relationship with Nico and Hazel now that he's their "step dad"

Percy has never envisioned himself as a parent.

That's what he told Hazel a year after meeting him.

Percy grew up in a hell pit of a household. Trapped with an alcoholic for a stepfather and only being loved by a mother who worked early mornings and late nights to keep the lights on and food in the fridge.

‘I could never see myself having a child. I don’t think I’d know how to love it.’

Hazel wonders if Percy still feels the same way.

Percy has been dating her father for over six months. Six glorious months of Percy being weak in the knees, sweaty-palmed, anxiously in love with Pluto, God of the dead and wealth.

It was… strange at first. Hazel would be the first to admit it. She was angry, not at Percy- never at him, Percy who was kinder than any spirit, brighter than any bolt of lightning, and smarter than a crack of a whip, she was furious with her no good, manipulative father.

Percy was a good boy.

Hazel feared there was no other way to phrase it.

Percy was a good man.

Percy was a loving man.

Percy was folded over a tiny aerial font manual and elbows deep in hair dye.

“Percy you’re supposed to wash the bleach then add the color.”

“But it’s telling me to add the hair dye to the bowl. Do I mix it with the bleach or do I clean it out first?”

Nico rubbed his hands down his face like a defeated fly. They’ve been trying to dye her hair for the past three hours and have only reached the bleaching stage.

“We should have brought Frank, between the three of us he’d be the only one equipped to read the manual.”

“Not through his tears.” Hazel corrected. With all the yelling Nico was doing Frank wouldn't last an hour.

Nico snatched the instructions from Percy's hands flipping to the next page.

“If we add the dye to the bleach then we would just have to wash all the bleach out a second time.”

“But we need to wash the color out anyways, so what’s the point of getting a new bowl?”

Hazel watched as Percy and Nico passed the manual back and forth. They were over the correct way to handle Hazel’s hair.

Hazel felt a warmth blossom in her chest. These were her boys. Hazel could count on one hand how many people would be willing to put up with her lack of present-day knowledge. Picking up the handheld mirror she’d been using to watch Percy straighten and bleach her hair, she smiled at her reflection. She looked like a showgirl in the rain.

“Guys my head is starting to tingle.”

The arguing had quickly turned silent. Hazel watched through the mirror as Percy rushed to Hazel's side clutching the gallon bottle of water and Pantene shampoo they’d been using to wash her hair.

“Hazel why didn’t you say anything!”

“Look what you did, dingbat, all her hair will fall out!”

“Wait? What!”

Hazel dropped the mirror and grabbed onto Percy’s shoulders. “You told me my hair wasn’t going to fall out!”

Percy threw the empty jug at Nico’s head, glaring at him over Hazel’s shoulders.

“Shut up Nico! Hazel, your hair is not going to fall out. Nico is just worried.”

“We need to get her to a shower, Percy, your dollar store water bottle isn’t going to do it.”

Nico put his hands under Hazel’s armpits and lifted her to her feet. Over the years Nico has gotten taller and stronger. He looked even more like their father now- long hair caught in a braid and silver jewelry that complimented his features.

His skin was a healthy olive sheen, no longer making him a pathetic white boy.

She supposes Nico wasn’t the only one to change over the years.

Percy began to gather their late-night mess as Nico began to carry Hazel to the shower.

The on-suite bathroom was cliche beached themed. Ocean wave shower curtains, ceramic turtles, sea-scented incense, the whole nine yards. And all of it screamed Percy.

Nico sat Hazel down on the toilet bowl seat while he twisted and poked at the shower nozzle.

“I told Percy that it would just be easier to use the shower, but no, ‘Mother knows best’, and who am I to argue.”

Hazel tugged her shirt off and tossed it at the door to close it more followed by her jean shorts.

“Percy is so challenging-”

“Are you upset that he’s dating dad?”

Hazel tapped her toes on the linoleum floors of the bathroom.

In front of her, Nico sighed and ran a hand through his hair. She knew it was a question that’s been plaguing him too.

Percy was good. Like she said, he was also…forgiving at the worst times.

Pluto and Hades weren’t the same people but were equally rough around the edges.

Hazel couldn’t stomach the thought of her father being the one to break Percy’s fragile heart to dust.

“I’m upset that Dad is openly cheating on his wife. And I’m upset because I know Percy feels he doesn’t have a choice.”

Nico anxiously tapped his foot and looked at the closed door as if he could see Percy through it.

“Get in the shower, Hazel. Now isn’t the time to talk about this.”

Hazel watched as her shower water turned cloudy from the leftover bleach and hummed an ‘old’ song under her breath. It was awful to think that all her favorite songs were now considered oldies and classics.

Once her scalp no longer felt hot Hazel turned the shower off and stretched. Her arms had gotten tired from keeping them elevated.

Folded on the sink counter was one of Percy's old ‘AHS’ swim shirts and a pair of Dory pajama pants. Hazel ignored the water rolling down her back, knowing that Percy would handle it for her.

Back in the bedroom Percy and Nico had changed into their pajamas, shifting through the bottles of hair dye Nico had brought from the beauty salon.

“I was thinking we could do pink or blue, those colors would compliment her well don’t you think?”

“Yeah, like a pastel pink or a dark blue. What do you think, sis?”

Hazel yawned and fell by Percy’s feet like an old dog.

“I think it’s time for a nap. I’m pooped.”

Percy scratched the back of Hazel’s nape. Drying her off better than any towel could.

“I agree. I’m getting tired too, all this tiny print has killed my neurons.”

Nico looked disappointed to not be given to dye Hazel's hair and assortment of colors but didn’t argue.

“Fine. We can pick this up again tomorrow. Where’d you put your bonnet Haz?”

“I left it in my bag! Come on Percy, let's hog the bed before Nico gets back.”

Hazel jumped on the bed, bouncing the pillows off the sides. Percy hopped on with equal enthusiasm sending the remaining pillows and Hazel to the floor.

“What are you two doing?”

“Getting ready for bed, help pick those up.”

Hazel scooped an armful of pillows off the ground trading them for her leopard print bonnet. Pulling the blankets back Hazel curled into Percy’s arms sinking into his scent of ocean air and chocolate chips. On the other side of the bed, Nico curled up in a matching position, reaching over Percy’s torso to hold Hazel’s hands.

“Thank you for doing this with me you guys. I’m having so much fun.”

“Of course Hazel, you deserve a break after breaking your back all month.”

Percy squeezed Hazel's side and sank further into the sheets.

“Yeah, Hazel. You needed a break, I’m happy we were a part of it.”

Nico leaned over Percy to kiss Hazel’s silk-covered forehead.

“Goodnight, Haz. Night Percy.”

When Hazel looked up she was unsurprised to see that the Son of Poseidon had already been lost to Hypnos’ spell.

“Goodnight, Frère. Goodnight, Maman.”

[mariacallous]

On a Wednesday afternoon in August, Daniel Posada and his girlfriend were screaming at each other at a bus stop when someone called 911. From a rooftop a mile away, the Chula Vista Police Department started the rotors of a 13-pound drone.

The machine lifted into the air with its high-resolution camera rolling. Equipped with thermal imaging capabilities and a powerful zoom lens, it transmitted a live feed of everything it captured to a sworn officer monitoring a screen at the precinct, to the department’s Real-Time Operations Center, and to the cell phone of the responding officer racing to the scene.

It flew northwest at 392 feet above the southwestern border town, a suburb of San Diego, passing near a preschool and a church, then near a financial services center used by Chula Vista’s immigrant communities to send money to their families. En route to Posada, the drone—a Matrice 300 RTK—would cross the airspace of 23 blocks, potentially exposing thousands of Chula Vista residents to the gaze of law enforcement over an incident that had nothing to do with them.

Posada was riding his bike down the street when he heard it—the distinct buzz of a police drone’s rotors over his head. Within seconds, a police car pulled up alongside him, and an officer was soon rummaging through his pockets, he would later tell WIRED. For Posada, who’s known as “Focal” in the homeless encampment where he stays, this was neither the first nor the last time he would feel singled out by the cops or their drones.

Police department records show that no one—neither the officer monitoring the drone feed nor the person who called 911—observed any kind of physical altercation between Posada and his girlfriend that day. He says the argument wasn’t serious and that it didn’t warrant such a high-tech police response. (His girlfriend could not be reached for comment.) The money would be better served feeding and clothing unsheltered people like himself, he says, whose lives are upended every time officials break down their encampments, tossing their worldly possessions into a dumpster.

“I could understand sending a drone for something serious,” he says, shaking his head. “I feel like a target.”

As police departments look to expand their use of unmanned aerial aircraft, no agency has embraced the technology quite like the CVPD. A model for police departments around the United States, “some police officers joke that visiting the Chula Vista Police Department is like visiting Mecca,” says Jay Stanley, author of a 2023 American Civil Liberties Union report on police use of drones.

In October 2018, the city became the first in the nation to start a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, where department teleoperators listening to live 911 calls decide when and where to dispatch the department's growing fleet of drones. Now those devices criss-cross the skies of Chula Vista daily—nearly 20,000 times since 2018—and are often first to appear above the sites of noise complaints, car accidents, overdoses, domestic disputes, and homicides.

The department says that its drones provide officers with critical intelligence about incidents they are responding to ahead of initiating in-person contact—which the CVPD says has reduced unnecessary police contacts, decreased response times, and saved lives. But a WIRED investigation paints a complicated picture of the trade-offs between public safety and privacy.

In Chula Vista, drone flight paths trace a map of the city’s inequality, with poorer residents experiencing far more exposure to the drones’ cameras and rotors than their wealthier counterparts, a WIRED analysis of nearly 10,000 drone flight records from July 2021 to September 2023 found. The drones, often dispatched for serious incidents like reports of armed individuals, are also routinely deployed for minor issues such as shoplifting, vandalism, and loud music. Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, the city even used drones to broadcast public service announcements to homeless encampments.

Despite the police promoting the benefits of the DFR program, residents who encounter the technology day-to-day report feeling constantly watched. Some say they are afraid to spend time in their backyards; they fear that the machines are following them down the street, spying on them while they use the public pool or change their clothes. One resident says that he was so worried that the drones were harassing him that he went to the emergency room for severe depression and exhaustion.

The police drones, equipped with cameras and zoom lenses powerful enough to capture faces clearly and constantly recording while in flight, have amassed hundreds of hours of video footage of the city’s residents. Their flight paths routinely take them over backyards and above public pools, high schools, hospitals, churches, mosques, immigration law firms, and even the city’s Planned Parenthood facility. Privacy advocates argue that the extensive footage captured by the drones makes it difficult to distinguish between flights responding to specific incidents and mass surveillance from the sky. Department secrecy around the recordings remains the subject of ongoing litigation.

The CVPD insists that its drones do not conduct random surveillance, do not go out in search of suspicious activity, and that the technology is deployed only in response to 911 calls or lawful searches. An analysis of Chula Vista’s dispatch logs supports this claim: The vast majority of drone flights could be linked to corresponding 911 calls. But not all of them.

At the time of our analysis, approximately one in 10 drone flights listed on the department’s transparency portal lacked a stated purpose and could not be connected to any relevant 911 call; for 498 flights, the department lists the reason as an “unknown problem.” For residents we spoke to, the discrepancy raises serious concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the department's transparency efforts—and experts say the use of the drones is a classic case of self-perpetuating mission creep, with their existence both justifying and necessitating their use.

[fictionalfantasist]

When two worlds collide

A Wanda x reader fanfic

Summary: Y/N is not a hero—just a stunt double, living in the shadows of others' spotlight. But when her path crosses with Wanda Maximoff’s, their worlds begin to collide in unexpected ways. Drawn together by fate, their bond deepens as they face forces neither of them fully understands. In the fight to protect what matters most, they’ll discover that when two worlds collide, the aftermath leaves nothing untouched—and everything at risk

Chapter 5

The sun was hanging low in the sky by the time Y/N and Wanda reached the soundstage where the next stunt was being set up. The once bustling lot had quieted down, an uneasy tension gripping the crew as they milled around, unsure of what to do. The harnesses and wires that Y/N was supposed to use in the next sequence dangled limply from the overhead rigging, but the crew members who had been adjusting them looked on edge, as if the equipment might come to life at any moment.

The AD had been right—there was something wrong with the rig. Even from a distance, Y/N could see the wires twitching, shifting in ways that defied the normal physics of a film set.

"Look at that," Wanda murmured beside them, her voice low but filled with an unmistakable edge. Her eyes glowed faintly with a familiar red hue, magic already simmering beneath the surface as she observed the scene.

Y/N's heart was racing now, adrenaline surging through them. This wasn't just a malfunction—it was something far more dangerous.

"So, how do we handle this?" Y/N asked, keeping their tone light despite the tension crackling in the air. "Because I'm not too keen on getting strangled by my own harness today."

Wanda's lips pressed into a thin line as she scanned the rigging, her mind clearly working through possible solutions. "We need to neutralize whatever's causing the interference," she said. "If I can get close enough, I can disrupt the magic."

Y/N raised an eyebrow. "Disrupt the magic? Sounds easy enough, right?"

Wanda shot them a look, but there was a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Just keep your head down, and let me handle the hard part."

Y/N chuckled, but their mind was already racing, calculating the risks. The rig was set up for an aerial stunt—wires crisscrossed over the set, designed to lift them high into the air for a sequence where they'd be thrown across the room by an explosion. Under normal circumstances, it was a high-risk, high-reward stunt. Now, it was a potential death trap.

"Alright," Y/N said, cracking their knuckles. "Let's do this."

Without another word, they stepped onto the set, moving toward the rigging with the easy confidence of someone who had spent years throwing themselves into danger. Wanda followed close behind, her gaze sharp and focused.

As they approached the wires, Y/N could feel the air growing heavier, thick with an unnatural energy. The harnesses swayed gently, but every so often, they would jerk sharply, as if something invisible was pulling them in random directions. It was unsettling, to say the least.

Y/N reached up, grabbing hold of the harness they were supposed to use. It felt normal at first—just nylon straps and metal buckles. But as soon as their fingers closed around it, they felt a faint pulse, like a heartbeat thrumming beneath the surface. It sent a shiver down their spine.

"Yeah, this is definitely not right," Y/N muttered, glancing back at Wanda.

Wanda stepped forward, her eyes glowing brighter now as she raised her hands, red tendrils of magic swirling around her fingers. "Stay close," she said, her voice steady. "I'm going to isolate the source."

Y/N nodded, tightening their grip on the harness as they braced themselves. Wanda's magic flared to life, wrapping around the rigging like a cocoon of red light. The wires twitched violently in response, the unseen force pushing back against her magic, but Wanda held steady, her eyes narrowing in concentration.

For a moment, everything seemed to hold still. The wires stopped moving, the air grew thick with tension, and Y/N could feel the weight of the magic pressing in on them. It was as if the entire set was holding its breath, waiting for something to snap.

And then—everything exploded into chaos.

The wires suddenly shot to life, yanking themselves free of their restraints and lashing out in all directions. Y/N barely had time to react before one of the cables whipped toward them, moving with a speed that defied explanation. They ducked just in time, the wire slicing through the air above their head with a sharp crack.

"Wanda!" Y/N shouted, stumbling backward as another wire lashed out, narrowly missing them.

Wanda's magic flared brighter, but the force pushing against her was stronger now, more violent. The wires thrashed wildly, driven by whatever malevolent force was controlling them. Wanda gritted her teeth, her hands glowing with raw energy as she fought to contain the chaos.

Y/N scrambled to their feet, their mind racing. They couldn't just stand there while Wanda did all the work—if they didn't find a way to stop the rigging from tearing itself apart, someone was going to get hurt. Or worse.

Without hesitating, Y/N dashed toward one of the main supports of the rig, dodging another lashing cable as they went. They reached the base of the structure and quickly began climbing, their muscles burning with the effort. The rig shook violently beneath them, but Y/N kept moving, determination driving them upward.

"Y/N, what are you doing?" Wanda called out, her voice strained from the effort of holding back the magical onslaught.

"Improvising!" Y/N shouted back, a smirk tugging at the corner of their mouth despite the danger.

They reached the top of the rig and grabbed hold of the central pulley system that controlled the wires. If they could manually disengage the mechanisms, they might be able to cut off the force controlling the cables—or at least slow it down enough for Wanda to neutralize the magic.

As Y/N worked, sweat pouring down their face, the cables continued to whip around the set, but Wanda's magic was holding them at bay, preventing them from causing too much damage. Still, the pressure was building—the air crackling with magical energy, the rig groaning under the strain.

"Almost there," Y/N muttered to themselves, their fingers working quickly to release the tension on the wires.

Just as they pulled the final lever, a cable shot up toward them, moving like a snake striking its prey. Y/N barely had time to react—they swung out of the way just as the wire whipped past them, grazing their arm and leaving a burning line in its wake.

But the distraction had been enough. The rig shuddered, and the cables went slack, their wild movements slowing as Y/N's adjustments took effect. Wanda's magic surged forward, filling the gap and pushing the malevolent force out of the rigging entirely.

With a final flash of red light, the wires fell still, hanging limply from the overhead rigging once more. The air felt lighter, the oppressive magic dissipating into nothingness.

Y/N exhaled, relief flooding their system as they carefully climbed back down to the ground. Their arm ached where the cable had grazed them, but the injury wasn't serious—just another scar to add to the collection.

Wanda was already waiting for them when they reached the bottom, her expression a mix of concern and admiration.

"You're insane, you know that?" she said, though there was a hint of a smile on her lips.

Y/N grinned, wiping the sweat from their forehead. "Takes one to know one."

Wanda shook her head, her smile widening. "Thank you," she said, her tone sincere. "I couldn't have done it without you."

Y/N shrugged, trying to play it off. "Hey, what are partners for?"

But despite the humor in their voice, there was something different in the way Y/N looked at Wanda now. A shift in their dynamic—a recognition that they weren't just dealing with stunts and magic anymore. This was personal. This was dangerous. And they were in it together.

As the crew cautiously returned to the set, checking the rigging and making sure everything was secure, Y/N and Wanda stood side by side, the weight of what they had just faced hanging in the air between them.

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[flockrest]

ordinary monsters / accepting / @gloryseized ( Link )

     The stars-damned thing is, it'd been his idea.

     With his health improved to an extent where not even the flock's healer or apothecary could honestly say anything against him finally picking up his bow again, Revali returned to aerial archery with the alacrity of someone starved to near death of it. Working to realign his skill with his ken was fulfilling, if also frustrating — in no small part due to those same worrywarts. They couldn't convince him to allow his abilities to languish any longer, but they could certainly convince any willing warrior to decline his requests for bouts with the maddening supposition that he had anything left to recover from.

     Well, any willing Rito warrior.

     He dives at Link, anticipating the shield that rises to meet his talons and rebounding off it with a force that carries him back to the skies and shoves his rival into a stagger. Revali's behind him now, in prime position to strike when he's exposed and busy steadying himself. As he nocks a trio of arrows and aims, the thought flits into place with the lightness of a passing breeze, tinged with a satisfaction found only in the flow of battle — even with the stakes as low as a spar's: he can't miss.

     Then it lingers.

     He can't miss.

     He can't miss.

     A sudden desperation sprouts in his chest, in tandem with the burning that flares in his left side where lesions old-and-new lay. His breath snags somewhere in the depths of his lungs, his heart — already quickened by exertion — pounding a nigh agonised rhythm as the Windlines tear out from his grasp. Faced with the abrupt dread that he's stalled for too long; a certainty he feels in his bones that he's going to be shot down any second now; a memory his body, for all its age, can't forget despite his efforts in restoring it to this point, in building up the strength to simply draw his own bow again, despite everything—

     He doesn't miss — only because he doesn't fire.

     He has the wherewithal, at least, to ensure he doesn't fall flat on his tailfeathers ( or worse, his beak ). But the damage to his pride is done: as soon as he lands, hunched and left leg threatening to buckle completely as though still rent from wounds dealt a century ago, Link is approaching with an expression he wishes he couldn't see.

     "Unless," Revali grits out, remiges still clenched around a strung bow. He latches onto the indignation of being pitied, forcing words where his breaths continue to elude him, "you're coming to strike me down, step no closer."

     In another time, something like that might've been enough to have the Hylian withdrawing. Here, it merely keeps him at bay. It does not stop Link from sheathing his equipment or poising his hands to speak, and Revali — in a move he immediately feels a sharp sting of regret for — turns his head away with shut eyes. It's horrifyingly juvenile.

     He pushes through an inhale, then another, before he's blinking his eyes back open and slowly straightening. The weight of humiliation, coated with an additional layer of self-contempt, sits on his back like newly scored scars. Whatever Link said or didn't say, his saving grace is that he seems to understand just how poorly it'd be received; his hands have dropped into rest by his sides.

     That blasted expression hasn't left his face, though.

     "Enough," Revali snaps, with such venom that his shoulders heave. A grievous mistake: his wingtips, alarmingly, lose their hold on the arrows he failed to release. He twitches — and refuses to look at them as they clatter to the ground, as if ignoring a pathetic blunder of those proportions is possible. "I'm fine."

     Silence. Nothing. It's exactly what he hoped for and exactly what makes the feathers by his neck bristle. He opens his beak, another snarl swelling in his throat, but Link's hands suddenly lift.

<< Your wings are shaking. >>

     Revali pauses.

     His instinctive response is one of denial. It's also one that would only prove Link's point. He clacks his beak closed, gnashing on an inability to say otherwise, because the trembling — even as he tightens his grip on his bow and rolls the pinions of his other wing into something like a fist — doesn't stop.

     It doesn't stop.

     "—A miscalculation," he says, brushing the unwelcome observation, the entire debacle, aside with half of an unwanted truth. He pitches his voice louder, firmer, an attempt at distracting. "It's been, as you know, a while. You will have to bear with my recovery — or is that beneath you?"

     ( Still, it doesn't stop. )

[ranger-rai]

There's more to you pt.3

Two hostiles on both sides and one approaching from the front. Weapons were a possibility as well. One untrained in the vehicle.

Rai had made the mental assessment, and knew his next move, he was just waiting on the signal.

He glanced over at his fellow ranger, who gave a light “scratch-scratch” under her chin.

Rai turned his head towards the masked figure at his window.

“So…Ya like Shellfish?”Rai questioned with a smirk as he leaned his head back while Minnie released her trusty Cloyster “Archy” who slammed into the first figure, before bouncing off and performing a “Rapid Spin” ricocheting off of the remaining two.

Once the road was clear, Rai gunned the engine and took off down the road.

Tia had popped up once more, completely confused and a bit worried about what was happening, to which Rai and Minnie responded with a lack of information.

The three fleeing adults jumped in surprise as a loud “Thunk” was heard from the truck bed, but a sigh of relief was had as they simply saw Archy sitting on top of the equipment they were hauling.

Rai commented that he seemed a little too happy about knocking out those masked people.

As their vehicle blazed down the dirt road, they both knew that there was only an open field between them and the main road, and they would be able to reach for any backup if needed.

Tia could feel her heart racing as fast as the truck was going, she was used to free falling and aerial combat, but this was actual danger, something they experience on a regular basis, she thought.

Her eyes darted through the dense forest around them, she could have sworn she saw figures moving through the trees, and she prepared to warn the rangers, however the sunlight piercing through the opening caught her attention as they entered the large open field.

The truck was now pacing its way through the mostly untamed grass, a few wild Field pokemon scampered away from the sound of the engine, with Rai letting out a little cheer of victory.

“Looks like they weren't so tough.” He stared at his passengers with a grin, which quickly turned into a grimace as he slammed on the breaks.

A chill ran down their collective spines as the three masked figures were now in the dozens, some standing with pokeballs ready, some with devices that could be described as “gun looking.” 

Rai and minnie tried to formulate a plan, but they were severely under prepared, outgunned, and basically all alone.

Tia had many thoughts racing through her mind. She worried about the well-being of these two rangers, sure. But she was also worried about her own safety, wondering if she could call out her Noivern “Mercy” and get away quickly.

She quickly shook that idea out of her head. She's not that kind of person, but…

“Did they find me?” She muttered to herself, catching Minnie's attention for a moment.

The thought didn't last long as Rai opened his car door and proceeded to address the crowd.

He called out for a peaceful resolution and explained what they wanted, asking them to please lower their weapons.

Minnie poked her head out of the window and told him to get his ass back in the car. They had guns and numbers.

Rai shrugged as he believed it was worth a shot.

To their surprise, the masked figures did indeed lower their arms.

“See, you can catch more Cutieflies with hon-” Rai stated with a smirk right before he found himself tied up with a large Bolo made of glowing energy. 

One of the armed figures with the large weapons had fired it mid-sentence.

Rai found himself rolling around in the grass and dirt as a couple figures had approached and lifted him up.

As Minnie and even Tia were ready to rush out of the car in an attempt to rescue the ranger, all were halted in place as a high frequency humming began emitting through the air quickly followed by a large, circular wall of energy.

The wall was made of a pink and white energy, at the center of it, a young man with dark, scruffy hair and a lab coat emerged, pushing through the guards and making his way towards the ranger.

“Are you serious?! This is how you ask someone politely?!” He called out in frustration at the two masked guards.

“They hit us with a Cloyster.” A guard responded.

The scruffy haired man dismissed the claim and ordered for Rai to be released.

He apologized  profusely as he released the restraints from the ranger, told the guards to stand down and picked up his hat, handing it back to Rai.

“I'm sorry if this seems a bit…extreme. However I can assure you that we only have good intentions.” The young man explained with a rather sincere smile.

Rai turned his attention to Minnie who was making many gestures that all translated to “bad guys, do not trust.”.

He was still pretty weary of this strangeness, however there was something about him that he found familiar.

Rai stepped back, explaining that he's taken down many strange operations and they weren't coming off as very different.

“Raiko, please! A lot of people need YOUR help.” The young man pleaded.

The ranger was taken back, only a handful of people knew his real name, and somehow this stranger knew it. Rai was still incredibly on the fence, but this young man felt trustworthy.

Rai agreed to go, telling Minnie to take the car back and to let everyone know he'll be right behind them. He said as he released Bliss from her pokeball, saying he needed to fill her in.

Before they even took a step forward, Minnie stepped in front of the two, explaining that he is crazy to think that she would let him go alone. 

He knew that there would be no stopping her, and he felt kind of relieved that someone would be joining him.

Rai felt a tug at the back of his vest, as he and minnie turned in confusion to see the tall passenger they had been accompanied by was also insisting on coming.

They both began to protest this, saying that she wasn't trained, and that she could get hurt, and for the first time, her powerful glare actually seemed to affect the two rangers somewhat.

The young scientist found this interesting, and chimed in that the two women would be more than appreciated to come, as the more people willing to help, the better.

Minnie stepped forward, explaining that they were coming to help, but to keep Rai safe, she stated as she got right into the face of a masked guard, trying to intimidate whoever was in there, however should only see her own reflection as she huffed off toward the portal.

Tia made eye contact with the scientist, who simply smiled back.

“A pleasure to have you join us, M'lady” He stated with a slight bow, causing a slight internal panic as she strided past him toward the portal near Minnie.

Rai released Runt, instructing him to get Jo and Eddie and to bring them the truck keys, and to watch out for Rita and Kuriboh while he was gone.

Runt gave him a few good licks before charging off toward the base, a smile on Rai's face shrinking down to a serious tone as he looked at Bliss, his most trusted partner. The two shared an unspoken agreement to look out for one another and protect anyone they could.

“You definitely have a strong bond with pokemon. That's exactly what we need right now.” The young man stated as he guided the ranger to the portal with his colleagues.

Rai stood before a doorway to a big unknown, no knowledge, no experience and no plan, but since when was that going to stop him?

He looked at his friends before taking a deep breath and stepping forward, engulfed in an immense light.