#China Ready Program

[maybe-boys-do-love]

It's wild that the whole global trend of gay-focused happy ending romance shows and movies has only been going on for *looks at calendar* a measly ten years!

Just ten years ago. 2014. That's when you get the discovery of a market for queer romance series and films with happy endings. That year the OG Love Sick in Thailand came out. Brazil puts out The Way He Looks, which deserves so much more credit than it receives for influencing the aeshtetics of the genre. Looking premieres on HBO, and although it had low ratings, it's an important touchstone. And, despite Nickelodeon’s censorship and shifting the program from tv to its website, the Legend of Korra confirms Korrasami in its season finale.

The next year, in 2015, we get Love Sick season 2, and China, pre-censorship laws has a few options: Happy Together (not the Wong Kar Wai one lol), Mr. X and I, and Falling In Love with a Rival. Canada, premieres Schitt's Creek. In the US, Steven Universe reveals Garnet as a romantic fusion between two female characters, and will proceed to just be so sapphic. Norwegian web series Skam premieres and sets up a gay protagonist for its third season, which will drop in 2016 and entirely change the global media landscape.

Then, 2016! This is the MOMENT. That aforementioned Skam season happens. Japan puts out the film version of Ossan's Love and anime series Yuri!!! on Ice. China has the impactful Addicted Heroine, which directly leads to increased censorship. The US has Moonlight come out and take home the Oscar. In Thailand, GMMTV enters the BL game and Thai BL explodes: Puppy Honey, SOTUS, Water Boyy, Make It Right, plus, the Thai Gay OK Bangkok, which, like its influence, Looking, is more in the queer tradition but introduces two dramatically important directors to the Thai BL industry, Aof and Jojo.

By 2017, Taiwan enters the game with its History series. Korea’s BL industry actually kicks off with Method and Long Time No See. Thailand’s got too many BLs to mention. Call Me By Your Name, though not a happy ending, makes a big splash that will send ripples through the whole genre, and God's Own Country offers a gruff counter-argument to problematic age differences and twink obsessions. This is also the year of Netflix reboot of One Day At a Time bringing some wlw to the screen, and the Disney Channel has a main character come out as ‘gay’ on Andi Mack ( I’m am ready to throw fists with anyone who thinks the Disney Channel aesthetic isn’t a part of current queer culture). And I'd be remiss not to mention the influential cult-following of chaotic web-series The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo: "Sometimes things that are expensive...are worse."

All this happened, and we hadn’t even gotten to Love, Simon, Elite, or ITSAY, yet.

Prior to all this there are some major precursors some of which signaled and primed a receptive market, others influenced the people who'd go on to create the QLs. Japan has a sputtering start in the 2010s with a few BL films (Takumi-Kun, Boys Love, and Jujoun Pure Heart). Most significantly in the American context, you have Glee, and its ending really makes way for the new era that can center gay young people in a world where queerness, due to easy access to digital information, is less novel to the characters. And the QL book and graphic novel landscape was way ahead of the television and film industries, directly creating many of the stories that the latter industries used.

There's plenty of the traditional queer media content (tragic melodramas and independent camp comedies) going on prior to and alongside QL, and there are some outlying queer romance films with happy endings that precede the era but feel very much akin to QL genre tropes and goals, many with a focus on postcolonial and multicultural perspectives (Saving Face, The Wedding Banquet, Big Eden, Maurice, My Beautiful Launderette, and Weekend). I don't mean to suggest that everything I’ve listed ought to be categorized as QL.

Rather, I want to point out how all of these new-era queer romance works are in a big queer global conversation together, in the creation of a new contemporary genre, a genre that has more capacity and thematic interest to include digital technology and normalize cross-cultural relationships than other genres (there's a reason fansubs and web platforms are so easily accepted and integrated to the proliferation of these series).

You're not too late to be part of the conversation. Imagine being alive in the 1960s and 70s and participating in the blossoming of the sci-fi genre. That flowering is where gay romance sits now. Join the party.

[lets-try-some-writing]

You know the book/movie The Martian? What if that happened in the Earth and Unicron Au? A NASA mission gone wrong gets an astronaut stranded on Mars' surface with no way home or even to communicate with Earth, at least those with NASA, not Earth herself. Would Mars want to help or hinder this poor lost soul that just wanted to go home? I'm pretty sure Earth wouldn't appreciate that one of her children died on Mars and he could have prevented it. Though if I'm being honest, with how Mars' citizens died, I doubt he would try to get the little fleshy killed.

A quick little fic was required for this ask.

━━━━━━ ⊙ ❖ ⊙ ━━━━━━━━━━━━

Being the first astronaut to be sent to Mars should have been an honor, an accomplishment just as great as the Moon landing. But Gabriel always knew deep down that something was bound to go wrong. Something  always went wrong. The Russians sent dogs into space first for a reason. NASA however didn’t seem to care as much for human life now that they supposedly had space travel down. They wanted someone on Mars before China could get a man up there, and they were willing to go to any lengths to do so.

Gabriel wasn’t the first pick for the Mars mission. There had been two others chosen before him, but Abigail Knight had dropped out of the running for unknown reasons. Her runner up, Horace Gail, had been removed from the mission after he was discovered drugged to high heavens in his apartment a few weeks before he was meant to get on the rocket. That left Gabriel, the only other astronaut who actually knew the controls and went through the year-long preparation program to get used to living on Mars via simulation. 

He wasn’t exactly thrilled to be given the mission. Sure, he always wanted to travel to other worlds, but going with a crew that hadn’t run the simulation just felt risky. Personally, he would have preferred to dog out of the mission entirely and let the honor of first landing go to another astronaut if it meant he’d have a fully trained crew with him.

But again, NASA really wanted their man on Mars. So despite the risks, Gabriel found himself suited up, strapped into the rocket, and thrown into space. It was surreal. And quite frankly, the trip went far faster than he expected. Supposedly the science guys on the ground had made some sort of breakthrough that allowed for short range ‘skips’ as they called them. The shuttle would have momentary bursts of speed that allowed it to skip over huge portions of space without burning excess fuel. There was a lot of science involved, and Gabriel liked to think he knew his tech, but looking at the engines, he didn’t know what the hell was going on.

Strange blue liquid powered the whole thing. He was told not to touch it, and he obeyed without question. None of the crew knew what it was, or what all the strange ‘skips’ were about. But of course, NASA’s mission came first. So Gabriel wasn’t given time to question. The moment they were within range of Mars, a message was sent back and Gabriel was loaded up with an American flag and the express mission of getting to the surface in one piece and plopping it down. The looks he got from the crew indicated they really didn’t care if he made it back or not.

Very comforting indeed. This was why he would have preferred a team who’d run the simulation.

“Ready Gabriel?” The woman in the control room spoke through Gabriel’s in-built communicator as he stood before the hatch leading to the void outside. He sighed before replying.

“Ready. Let’s get this show on the road.” The woman laughed over the link. Gabriel never bothered to learn her name. It would have been nice to know now that he thought about it.

No time for regrets. His grand mark on humanity’s history was before him.

“Good luck! Doors opening in 3, 2, 1-” The woman’s voice was cut off as the hatch opened. Gabriel expected the rapid pull into space as the hatch decompressed, but it was still startling to be dragged toward the surface of Mars by the drone NASA assigned. Once upon a time, Astronauts got to the surface in pods. But in an attempt to save resources or something along those lines, now drones were the way forward.

Gabriel patiently endured his descent to the planet’s surface, his suit absorbing the worst of the shock as he adjusted to the gravity. He made a show of his first few steps, knowing the crew was watching from above. He planted the flag, repeated his scripted words, and then looked back up to the ship. He activated the link, trying to signal for pickup. All he got in return was static.

“Hey, console lady, what the hell is going on up there? I’m ready for pickup already.” Gabriel hit his communicator again, but no matter how hard he tried to get the signal through, he got nothing back. He watched on in growing horror as the shuttle hovered above him, and then slowly, its thrusters activated.

“Wait! Hold on! I’m still down here!” He screamed, not caring if his oxygen levels were in peril or not as he tried to wave his arms. Something had to have gone wrong. System failure perhaps? They couldn’t be leaving him. That wasn’t part of the simulation or NASA’s plan.

No response. The shuttle sped off, ‘skipping’ into the distance. Gabriel felt cold dread settle in his very soul. He ran through a thousand reasons why something might have gone wrong or why they might have been leaving him, but in the end, after about an hour of warring with himself… he knew the reason.

He was the dog sent into space. He was NASA’s little test to see if travel was safe and possible. They were leaving him behind. 

Gabriel cursed, he screamed, uncaring of how much oxygen he had left. He was going to die. He’d been left to rot on a world so far from home that Earth was practically a blimp in the distance. After everything he’d done in his life, this was how it was all going to end.

Alone.

Abandoned.

Why did the world despise him so-

“Hello!” Gabriel froze in his lamentations. He stood up from where he was seated on the ground sorrowfully regretting everything and looked around. There wasn’t a person, but there was… a rover?

“You look rather lost! Dad sent me out to see if I can help! Aunty is quite upset about this whole mess!” The rover was green, a rather bright hue. Its light glowed red, highly unusual. Gabriel didn’t recognize it, at least not at first. But soon enough, he began to remember the design. The rover was an old model, one of the ones sent out in the early 2000s. The paint was different, and last he recalled, the rover didn’t have any pre-recorded voice lines. But he knew this model, and it was clearly the one and only Spirit.

“Sheesh, you are going to run out of air at this rate! Let’s get you inside until Aunty can get Uncle Moon to send someone out to get you!” The rover rolled closer, prompting Gabriel to step back instinctually. He didn’t have time to run before the rover changed. Its wheels compacted, its entire frame contorted in a series of swift and smooth motion. In an instant, he found himself dwarfed by some type of robot, one which smiled down at him with bright red eyes, eager perhaps.  Gabriel knew for a fact NASA would have never let something like this rot out on Mars. It had to be something new, something strange and potentially dangerous.

“Oh hell no-!” He attempts to run, but the former rover grabbed him before he could and held him gently, almost like a precious stone. Gabriel was too startled to fight as the thing he knew to be Spirit quickly began walking with him in hand.

“Don’t be scared little guy! Dad will get this all sorted out!” Spirit smiled gleefully, its voice ringing out deeply but strangely like a child. Gabriel couldn’t speak, not as he saw more of the robotic beings approaching. There were seven others, and one by one, he noted their designs.

Sojourner, Marie Curie, Curiosity, Opportunity, the chinese model, and a few others. Each walked on two legs, each smiled, and each and every one of them regarded Gabriel with childlike interest. 

“Dad! We got him!” The rover held Gabriel up, grinning ear to ear, not that it had ears. Gabriel for his part screamed as the ground shifted like some sort of hangar bay, revealing a passage down into the very ground. He floundered as all the rovers walked into the passage, not at all afraid. Spirit soothed Gabriel with a few hushed words.

“Shh… Uncle Moon will send a drone to get you soon. You can stay with him and his colony until Auntie figures out how to get you back without trouble! So don’t worry Cousin! Everything is going to be alright!” Gabriel gawked as he was carried into the passage. He had no words, all he could do was stare in awe as something straight out of a sci-fi film played out before him.

—

“Mars, is he well?”

“Yes Earth, your explorer is safe. My little ones are keeping him company.”

“Good. Take care of him for me. I will try to reach out to Primus’s chosen to see if he might aid me.”

“Of course.”

[grits-galraisedinthesouth]

Speaking of unfit: World Health Organization (W.H.O.) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

According to minutes of the meeting published by the Associated Press (AP) on Monday, Tedros “rebutted” Trump’s three stated reasons for pulling out of W.H.O. with an executive order on his very first day back in office: W.H.O.’s mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic, its failure to adopt reforms, and the “unfairly onerous payments” demanded from the United States.

Tedros went on to show his audience a presentation that made it clear American shoulders a wildly disproportionate share of the budget for W.H.O. – covering 80 percent of the cost of “readiness functions” even in W.H.O.’s European office, 95 percent of tuberculosis programs in Europe, and 60 percent of tuberculosis work in Africa – which would seem to rebut the director’s rebuttal of Trump’s complaint about onerous payments.

Tedros nevertheless insisted he was more concerned about the “void” in critical health information from the United States than the loss of American funding.

“Bringing the U.S. back will be very important, and on that, I think all of you can play a role,” he told the assembled diplomats.

“We continue to give them information because they need it. We would appreciate it if you continue to push and reach out to them to reconsider,” he said.

The AP report included no mention of any other nation stepping forward to make up for the loss of U.S. funding.

Trump said shortly after withdrawing from the W.H.O. that he would consider rejoining, but only if they “clean up” their operation and address his complaint about other nations, especially gigantic plague-spreading China, paying only a fraction of what the United States does.

As for reforms, W.H.O. is far better at talking about them than actually implementing them, as even some critics of Trump’s withdrawal concede. Those critics argue the United States should push for long-delayed and much-needed reforms instead of pulling out, but America’s gigantic financial contributions appear to have given it very little leverage over W.H.O.

[uwupaige]

the nanny [paige bueckers] part six

[chapters 9 & 10]

‘the nanny’ master list!

chapter nine: thanks china man!

warnings: dialogue heavy, straight men.

walking into the large children's gym for the third time this week, catherine appreciated the slight change in temperature, the november storrs breeze bothering her more than when she assumed this morning, the thin black zip up she sported doing almost nothing. she was just glad she bundled up the little girl currently holding her hand in a long sleeve and a jacket before they left the house.

madison was attending her third 'practice' for the sports program paige had signed her up for the week prior at catherine's request. catherine wondered what sport she wanted to play today. on monday, she opted for soccer, still not over the ball game her nanny showed her. however, that wednesday, paige convinced her to try out basketball. and she liked it way too much, relishing how she could be just like her mom.

the pair wandered about the building, looking for the sign in sheet, discussing which sport she decided on today. to no one's surprise, she wanted to play basketball again.

after signing both of their names on the near full stack of papers, catherine let go of madison's hand momentarily.

"can i write my name?" the small girl asks, hands coming to rest on the white folding table that was chest level with her.

catherine chuckled at the curly headed girl, handing her the black ball point pen. "have at it."

madison excitedly stole the pen from catherine's grasp, peering over the sheet on her tip toes as she wrote her name, having practiced it for nearly two months at school. "m.. a.. d.. d.. i.. e.." she sounded out the letters of her name, taking her time. catherine appreciated how spread out each letter was, taking up way too much space on the provided line.

laughing lightly at the girl, she took hold of her hand once more, leading her down the long hallway of small gyms, each full of sounds of sneakers squeaking, children laughing, and parents making small talk.

finding the basketball gym they had been in just a couple of days prior, madison excitedly tried to free her hand of catherine's stronger grip. the woman just held onto her small hand until she stopped trying to run away. "hey, wait up, mama."

huffing, madison found herself at eye level with a crouched catherine. the woman eyed the girl, madison already knowing what the look was for. "sorry for huffing." she muttered.

"that's okay." the brunette assures, "i just wanted to tell you that i'm gonna go sit on the bleachers and watch you until your mom gets here. she's picking you up, so don't go looking for me. okay?" she explained to the small girl as easily as she could.

madison nodded, excited to finally go play her sport. catherine stood up, releasing the girls hand, madison taking that as her sign to go.

the woman watched the excited girl run up to some friends she made on monday, saying hi to the older woman as she coached the group of children.

catherine made her way up the creaky bleachers of the small and simple basketball court, finding a seat off to the side from majority of the other parents and gaurdians there.

plopping down onto the uncomfortable metal seats, she reached into her purse, hand searching around for both her phone and earbuds. snapping the earbuds into her cellphone, the girl scrolled through it momentarily before she found her lesson notes for that week. placing the earbuds comfortably in her ears, catherine clicked the first part of the lesson, getting ready for a boring hour until paige arrived to relieve her.

a mere twenty minutes went by before catherine felt someone plop down on to the empty space beside her. looking up, she caught the side profile of the blonde she grew so comfortable with. she noticed she was trying to make conversation with her, maybe not realizing the earbuds blocking her words out. the pair barely had time to talk this past week, their last real conversation being that fateful halloween night.

paige began to worry that her slight forwardness that night had began to push catherine away. and she wanted to do all but that.

the pair fell asleep exactly how they initially wound up together: heads resting on shoulders and hands on exposed thighs, paige subconsciously drawing soft scratches to the tan skin, lulling catherine to sleep in her half drunken state. the blonde was soon aware of her friend sleepiness, unable to see her face, but not wanting to move and possibly wake her up. little did she realize, the sounds of catherine's gentle breathing were soon putting her to sleep, her eyes heavy until they were outweighed, falling asleep. somehow the most comfortable in an uncomfortable position.

she tried desperately not to overthink catherine's missing person next to her the morning after, having been woken up by a very hungry madison.

"whatchu listenin' to?" paige asked the brunette to the right of her, feet resting on the bleachers in front of her. catherine definitely didn't miss her appearance, her practice shirt with the letters 'uconn' written straight across wrinkled in various places. she had just gotten back from practice.

"the harmonic melodies of.. chapter eleven: the red badge." the woman joked in reference to her homework, paige giving her a polite chuckle at that.

"she's doing really well," the blonde commented out of nowhere, the first to break the short silence.

catherine yanked for her earbuds, the headphones falling swiftly from her ears as she paused the ongoing lecture on her phone. looking back up to catch paige watching intently at a small children running around, catherine let out a small laugh. "how can you tell?"

"she's really focused." paige explained, the brunette to the side of her just nodding. "wish i knew she was into basketball like that."

"to be fair, i'm sure she didn't know she was into it either." catherine spoke matter of factly, not immediately recognizing the sort of sad tone to paige's words.

"true.. i mean, she's never even been to one of my games."

the brunette just shrugged, unsure of why paige was acting the way she was. "then take her to one."

paige shakes her head slightly and catherine's brows furrowed. this was not how paige normally was. typically more confident in her words and how she felt about things. "i don't know, she's never asked."

"oh, my god." catherine rolled her eyes affectionately to the woman beside her, "wake up, paige. she's five. stop beating yourself up thinking she hates you or something."

paige appreciated her tough forwardness, knowing it was coming from a place of care. however, nothing would make her feel okay about the immense guilt that would overtake her sometimes. "i've just missed so much of her life, it's hard not to think like that."

catherine sighs, "do you know how much she talks about you?" she asks, her question rhetorical but her voice soft. before paige could answer, the woman continued. "she loves you, a lot. you're her mom."

paige lets her words hang, lingering in the air that's somehow become stuffy in a matter of seconds. after a few moments of silence, she speaks. "how'd you get her to call me mom?.. i mean, like, how did you get her to talk about it?"

catherine was stumped. she didn't know how to answer the question when it happened, and still didn't know now. "i-i don't know.. i just asked?" she shrugged, hoping it didn't come off as her not caring. she just truly didn't know. it all just happened. "well, she asked me why i called you her mom, and then she told me 'grandma' would tell her that she shouldn't call you mom 'because you didn't act like one.'"

paige scoffed, almost knowing that's what was going to leave the brunettes mouth. "course she did."

catherine cocked an eyebrow, "yeah? what's going on with that?"

paige just tilted her head like she was looking for the right words. "my mom, uh, was mad that my dad and stepmom took in maddie and let me go away to college.. she thinks i should've stayed."

"do you think that?"

"at the time, i was thinking more for the future. y'know, i could have a very successful career after going to uconn.. i dunno, i guess i was just thinking that if i just spent a few years getting my shit together, i could give her a really good life—one i never had."

"and that's all that matters right now." catherine spoke, confidently and wisely. "your intentions are nothing but good. there is nothing to feel guilty about." catherine comforts the woman beside her.

she could see paige wasn't much for agreeing with her. she felt there was everything to feel guilty about. catherine sighs, taking her eyes off of the saddened blonde, looking straight ahead. "look," she starts. "maddie loves you. okay? she loves having you here. don't harp on the old stuff. you're just gonna end up projecting your feelings and guilt onto her." catherine explains. "and that's not fair to her.. she needs you as your best version of yourself.. and she'll understand when she's older. why you did what you did." catherine pauses.

paige swoops in, almost wanting to end the conversation where it was at to avoid her going down an even deeper rabbit hole of emotions. "thanks, cat." paige said, genuinely.

catherine shrugs, a humble face giving paige a small smile. "anytime.." she trails off, watching as paige's smile replicated hers, now turning to look out into the crowd. "so.. do i get a raise for being your part time therapist?"

paige lets out a laugh at that, "you wish."

walking down the stands, paige and catherine mindlessly conversed, throwing around a random topic that peaked their interest when they were on the bleachers.

soon, an excited madison was running up to the pair, throwing her arms around paige. pulling away momentarily, a smile plastered on both of their faces as they spoke their greetings, madison turns to see catherine, another wave of excitement taking over, soon throwing her arms around the brunette.

"i thought you were going home!" her small voice spoke loud over the noise of the other children reuniting with their families.

"your mom kept me talking." catherine says, nudging paige with a smile.

paige rolled her eyes playfully, looking down at the curly head before her. "whatever." she sasses, "what do you wanna get for diners?"

"hmm.." the small girl thought out loud, a finger coming to rest on her lips as she contemplated. "oo, chinese!"

"mm, i'm down." paige agrees, a hand coming up to her rumbling stomach. she then bends down to whispers something into her daughters ear, hand coming up to hide her words, eyeing catherine in the process. all the brunette could do was chuckle.

madison jumps when paige is finished relaying her secret, agreeing enthusiastically before she turns to her nanny. "cat, do you wanna have dinner with us?" her small and excited voice asked, trying to seem like she had came up with the idea all on her own.

catherine's heart warmed immediately at her invite, a pout wanting desperately to play on her lips. looking between the two, she felt a rush of peace course through her. however, she also felt a rush of anxiety. she wasn't sure why. it had been that way since halloween. something about being in a casual friend setting with paige started to make her nervous. "uh.." she sighed, "i'm sorry, mama. i have to go." she spoke, hesitation in her words.

paige spoke before she thought, "what? why?"

"gotta get to the laundromat before they close. i desperately need my everyday clothes back."

"wash it at my place." paige said simply, almost always confident in her words. more confident than she was just moments prior. paige watched the woman's hesitation, her mind too trailing to the night of halloween. though nothing happened, things took a change. and neither of them could quite place it.

luckily, paige had the charm of her five year old daughter.

"please, cat?" madison pleaded, dragging out her words and pulling out her very convincing doe eyes on the taller woman.

how could catherine say no?

˚✧.*

the sound of practiced knocking at the buecker's front door immediately had madison perching up in her spot on paige's lap.

the three of them had been hanging out on the couch, a kid's show madison liked to call 'ladybug' playing. paige had either been starring off into space or trying to chat with catherine. however, catherine was finding herself seriously invested in the super hero show.

"is that it?" the small girl asked, in reference to their dinner being delivered. looking back at paige, she watched as her mom simply nodded.

catherine sits up from her spot on the dark grey couch, seated directly next to paige, their positions mimicking how they once sat on this very couch only a week ago. "i'll go get it."

"wait, wait, can i come too?" an excited madison asked, hopping off of paige's lap before either of the women could grant her wish.

both chuckling at the girl as she ran past catherine, desperate to make it to the door first, paige just looks past her shoulder at the brunette. "my wallets on the counter."

catherine walked past, grabbing the lavender leather smoothly and holding it up to show paige she retrieved said wallet, going to meet madison as she fumbled with the lock.

with the assistance of her nanny, she swung the front door open, quick to greet the young man before her. "hello!"

the man smiled, a small chuckle leaving his lips. "hey," he greeted back just as enthusiastically. he then looked up to find catherine's eyes, "hi." he greeted politely at the woman in front of him.

"hi, how are you?" catherine spoke in casualties.

"not too bad." the man responded, looking down at madison once again. "this for you?" he asks, slightly nudging the brown paper bag full of food towards the small girl.

madison simply nodded. "yeah." she spoke, grabbing the bag from him confidently. "thanks, china man!" the girl spoke before walking back inside.

the young man couldn't help but laugh at that, catherine's jaw dropping momentarily before a small laugh left her lips as well. "oh, god. sorry about her."

"nah, nah." he deflected her words, assuring her it was okay. "she yours?"

catherine shook her head, her hands finding paige's wallet that she had stuffed into her pockets not too long ago. "not exactly." she answered, pulling out the wallet. "sorry, how much did you say it was?"

though he had never told her, he decided to be polite and not correct her. "uh, $39." the man watched as catherine dug through the small light purple wallet, pulling out a few bills. "but, honestly, don't worry about it."

catherine looked up, money prepared in hand, confusion playing on her face. "oh, no—you don't have to do that. it's a lot of food." she explained, declining his generous offer.

reluctantly, the man accepts her money, digging in his own work pouch for her change. "keep the change." catherine says before he could pull anything out, considering the extra cash to be his tip. he began to protest, catherine picking up on these as casualties. "seriously, i insist."

the man nodded, still searching for the woman's change. "honestly, a better tip would be your number." he spoke, his words smooth, catching catherine off gaurd.

"my number?" catherine asked. not even flattered, just straight up confused.

"mhm. i think you're gorgeous." the man spoke, his words as smooth as before. and now the small smile he was giving her allowed for hundreds of butterflies to infiltrate her stomach.

laughing nervously with an appreciative smile, the woman tries to respond. "oh, um, thank you—"

however, she wouldn't even be able to get all of her words out before she was interrupted by paige's overwhelming presence, feeling her friend behind her in a matter of seconds.

"sup," paige starts, looking like she's trying to shimmy her way in between the man and the woman. catherine wasn't one to stand down, never losing eye contact with the man as she stayed firm in her spot, paige having to opt to be next to her. "did we not give you enough?" the woman asks, in reference to how much they owed the man for their dinner.

it took the man a second to snap out of his flirting ways when he saw paige walking up, about to try and smooth talk her as well until he realized she probably wasn't the one to be doing all of that with. "uh, nah." he started, a nervous hand coming to rub and squeeze the back of his neck. "just tryna give her, her change back."

paige simply just shook her head, briefly stepping past catherine to grab the front door. "keep it. have a good night." the woman assured before closing the door on the man.

locking the door, she walks past catherine right back down the small hall she was once listening into their conversation in. "weirdo."

hearing those words leave paige's lips, catherine scoffed quietly, turning on her heel to follow the woman down the corridor. "i thought he was nice."

catherine watched the back of paige's shoulder go up and down, shrugging in disagreement, her blonde hair fanned across her back and shoulders. walking into the kitchen, they both continued their conversation.

"asking a girl for her number at her front door as a stranger is weird." paige said matter of factly, as she unloaded the large brown paper bag she just had to help madison bring in.

the brunette shrugs, walking up to the cabinet where paige kept all of her plates. grabbing three plastic ones, she walks them back to the island counter where paige began lining up each container of food. "to be fair, it's not my house."

paige barely had to think of her answer, a thumb coming up to her lips to wipe away whatever food she got on it. "might as well be the way you cook and clean."

"because no one else will," the woman spoke as confidently as paige did, a few head nods to follow. "plus, i get paid for it."

paige turns to face catherine completely, a hip leaning against the granite counter top, her arms crossing over her chest. she tried to read the woman, wondering what she had been trying to get at. was she seriously trying to get the man's number? "well, right now i'm paying you to eat dinner with us." paige spoke, dipping her head ever so slightly to the woman.

looking up from her not yet filled plate, catherine catches paige's eyes. "well, that sounds pathetic."

standing back up straight, paige shrugs, going back to filling her plate. "aight, go get his number. maybe he'll give you more free food since imma eat yours."

catherine laughs at that, a fake pout on her lip. "aww, scared i'll find a new best friend?"

it's paige's turn to laugh, watching as catherine fills the plastic plate with small portions of food. "oh, we're best friends now?"

placing the plate in front of madison, who was patiently waiting for her food since the women walked back into the kitchen moments prior, catherine shrugs. "might as well be, the way you be asking me to hang out all the time."

"ah, sorry. 'scuse me for saving your social life."

"fuck off." catherine joked back, madison looking up from her plate frantically at that.

"fuck is a bad word, cat."

it took everything for the two of them to not laugh at the girl.

"yes, you're right." catherine agreed, small laughs escaping through her words. "so, don't say it again."

catherine wanted to sit there and think about why paige was adamant enough to make sure she didn't talk to that guy. why she was so eager to have dinner together. why she kept having catherine around more than she needed her. was she just being a good friend? looking out for her?

"oh, i got you somethin'." paige spoke out of no where, finishing up a bite of her food.

catherine watched as she walked over to the high up cabinet that rested over her refrigerator, opening it. she heard the sounds of bottles clinking together, a curious smile on her face.

that was until paige pulled back—a tall, dark bottle in her hands. before the blonde could even speak, catherine was immediately laughing. "stop. you didn't."

the blonde smugly walked over to the woman, nodding and shrugging as nonchalant as possible. "i did."

rolling her eyes playfully at those words, catherine takes the bottle from paige's hands gently, turning it a few times in her hands to read the label. it was an aged wine, possibly one of catherine's favorites. one she normally only bought on special occasions. "why?"

paige shrugged again, not really knowing the answer to her question. she had just thought to do it. "dunno.. if you're staying here late, or overnight.. y'know."

once again that evening, the brunette's heart felt full, and she was warm throughout her body, a sense of comfort she only really felt when she was with paige and madison. "that's.. so sweet, thank you." catherine says, genuinely.

paige had already went back to eating her food, just giving catherine a simple nod. "for sure."

catherine too picked up her plate once again, though she wouldn't be able to focus on it. her eyes kept wandering over to the blonde, who had started to become more and more intriguing the more time she spent with her.

paige was unlike any friend she had ever had. and she loved everything about that.

"what is that?" a small voice interrupted catherine's thoughts, finding it to be madison's curious one.

"mom juice." paige answered quickly and casually, as to convince the girl as much as possible.

however, that's was nearly impossible now at the sounds of catherine laughing at that.

chapter ten: take my breath away.

catherine's feet ached as she quickly roamed the small but overwhelming florist section of the grocery store closest to vinyl. the woman picked up an early shift at the club, which was actually just a bar during the day, hoping to take home a few extra dollars in tips. what she didn't expect was a rush that kept her almost an hour past her scheduled time.

looking down at the time displayed on her phone screen, catherine's eyes bulged. the digital clock read 5:06, and she was definitely wasn't going to make it to paige's apartment by the time she had promised.

today was paige's first game of the season, and though she wouldn't admit it to many, catherine could tell she was extremely nervous. and, she wanted to get her flowers..

as a good luck charm! of course.

the woman's eyes wandered the selection of flowers, ranging from bright, red roses to soft, white lillie's. catherine wondered if she was overthinking the whole flower idea, but tried to silence her thoughts in the soft pink tulips she had been deciding on.

she loved the delicacy of them, feeling a sense of calm rush over her when she first laid eyes on them. she wanted paige to feel calm, she wanted something to ease her nerves. being friends and all, catherine and paige started to be able to read the other more than other people could.

looking down at the time on her phone once more, she made a rush decision and picked the tulips, her tired feet carrying her to the checkout stand as fast as they could.

˚✧.*

madison sat comfortably on the carpeted part of her living room floor, a toy truck in hand. the girl had spent the last few minutes ramming the truck relentlessly into the t.v. stand in front of her, which was also playing a show of her choice. the 'ladybug' superhero show, as she called it.

paige had been sat in her pregame outfit on the couch with her laptop seated comfortably with her as she clicked away at the homework on her screen. the woman spent the past twenty minutes telling her daughter to keep the noise down and to stop attacking her furniture, and though the girl would listen at first, she was right back at it only minutes later.

the blonde wondered how catherine did this everyday, already exhausted at the constant back and forth between her and the five year old. sometimes she wished she could just call her to come over. sometimes for madison, sometimes for herself. something about catherine's presence was, at times, eerily calming. how she could stay composed in a lot of situations paige would absolutely crumble under. how she somehow managed to hold the answer and solution to every worry or every problem the bueckers ever faced.

paige thought about her often, her mind wandering to the woman in any given situations. she'd wonder what catherine did with her spare time, normally assuming she was nose deep in an assignment or deep cleaning her apartment.

or maybe she was doing something new to her hair. the blonde could have sworn catherine wore a different hair style everyday. she thought it was cute, the styles always fitting her so well. the were simple, but cute and complimenting to her soft locks. oh, her hair looked so soft and so healthy. paige would imagine the day she could run her fingers through the chocolate brown strands, the feeling soothing her calloused finger tips.

or maybe she was doing her nails. paige always noticed the woman's seemingly fresh manicure, and how it would feel when catherine ran her hand down her arm whenever she tried to comfort her, the soft scratches leaving a trail of fire down her smooth skin. she liked the contrast of the dark red polish that made her seem mature to the light pink polish a week later that made her seem vibrant.

or maybe she was simply just relaxing, stretched out on her cream colored couch, history book in hand. paige always loved the small moments they had to relax together. the pair sat on the couch, a shared blanket sitting across their laps (mainly catherine's because she always stole it), madison curled up by her side with a show playing quietly in the background as they talked about their days, homework they were stressed about, or whatever else was on their minds. the woman always relished those moments, and she sort of missed them.

she felt like catherine had been away more in recent weeks, leaving shortly after the woman returned home instead of staying to have dinner with her, and dismissing her invitations to hang out, whether alone or with the team. she tried her best to avoid the thoughts, but they were frequent.

however, paige could always rely on her daughter to keep her from her own mind by her loud ass toys.

"ah!" the small girl screamed, whatever game she was playing in her mind clearly getting intense.

closing her eyes at the sound of madison, yet again, slamming her blue, toy truck into paige's nearly brand new t.v. stand, paige sighed. "madison.."

madison could hear the seriousness of her mothers tone, the blue truck coming to a complete halt in her hand. "yes?" she responded, hesitantly looking up to catch the scary blue eyes that said everything paige needed to.

"i'm not playin' witchu," paige started, madison sighing to herself before she backed away from the t.v. stand.

pouting, the girl eventually put her toys away, a habit catherine stowed upon her, eventually making her way towards her mom. climbing up the couch paige was still resting on, madison fell to the woman's side. wiggling beside the woman to get herself comfortable against her, madison watched as paige clicked random keys on her device. naturally, paige let an arm fall over her daughters body, hugging the girl into her side as her eyes stayed glued to the screen.

the girl opted to watch her cartoon quietly for a few minutes before, again, interrupting the silence.

"mom?" madison speaks out of nowhere, eyes looking down at the small uconn jersey she was sporting, matching paige's almost identically, as she picked relentlessly at the printed '5'.

paige looks down slightly at the small girl with curiosity. "wassup?"

"i'm bored." the girl dragged out, dramatizing her feelings greatly.

paige nodded, "i know, babe. just a little longer."

madison sighed again, the boredom absolutely overwhelming in her mind. "when're we leaving?"

the pair were waiting for catherine to arrive, eagerly awaiting paige's first game of the season. catherine insisted on bringing madison, which, in turn, meant she too was attending.

paige wouldn't lie and say she wasn't nervous about bringing madison. no one really knew paige had a kid, and she knew that after tonight, there was a big chance of it coming out. she wasn't embarrassed or shy about the fact by any means, she just wasn't sure what to do. how to respond to the overwhelming questions she expected would come, and the invading ones. madison's safety was one of her biggest priorities, and possibly jeopardizing that made her nervous.

"whenever cat gets here." the blonde answers. "which better be soon, because i need warm up."

"i can help you!" madison offers, nothing but the excitement from her amazing idea coating her words.

paige smiles down at the girl once again, a shocked expression on her face to appeal to the five year old. "you can?"

"mhm." madison hummed confidently, "i know how to play basketball like you now, too!"

paige let out a soft laugh before closing her laptop screen. she was studied out for the day, deciding maybe she should give it a break and hang with her daughter. "bet, aight." she spoke before getting up and trucking over to the basket madison had just 'neatly' put back together minutes prior.

digging around in the basket of toys that laid neatly in the corner of the living room, paige found a small, light, pink basketball, practically waiting for them. since madison has started playing sports, some of her stuffed animals were quickly replaced by a variety of balls that correlated with different sports, the small girl absolutely adoring each and every sport she tried out.

taking the pink ball in hand, paige quickly tossed it over to daughter as she nudged the small coffee table to the same corner the toy filled basket resided with her shin, allowing more space for their roughhousing.

the pair let the ball bounce between them. paige obviously went easy on the girl, letting her make shots into the basket of toys they declared would be the net. though, she did relish the few times she would block madison with ease. or how the girl would fume when paige would steal the ball, and all paige could imagine was steam leaving her red ears.

they were absolutely disturbing their neighbors below them.

"see, mom? now you are playing with me!" the girl spoke, paige laughing as the saying she spoke earlier completely went over madison's head.

it wasn't long into their small and crammed scrimmage that catherine arrived, the pair almost dismissing the sound of her keys jiggling out of the lock and the wrapped up pink flowers in her free hand.

"sorry, sorry, i got stuck at the club." the woman spoke before noticing the sight, absolutely adoring it. "that's all the jumping around i heard." catherine spoke, a small laugh in her words and she walked in further, not bothering to lock the door behind her.

looking up the second her words registered in her head, paige's brows furrowed, dismissing everything else. "the club?" in a quick move, madison was stealing the ball from paige's hands and 'dunking' the pink basketball into her net, a satisfied 'yes!' leaving her lips.

the brunette's face mimicked paige's confusion, brows furrowing as well. "yeah?"

"you still work there?"

a small laugh left her lips, the feeling of madison clinging harshly to her leg eliciting it out of her. her hand reached down to rub the girls back as she spoke, "yeah, i never quit." catherine responded before continuing with her explanation, "i just pick up a few shifts here and there."

guess that's what she does in her free time, the woman concluded to herself.

paige wondered as she turned off the t.v. before she walked around the room for her bags and car keys, ready to leave as soon as possible, not even noticing the flowers in catherine's hands.

after grabbing her necessities, the blonde turned to find catherine eyeing her expectantly. paige couldn't help but furrow her brows once again, wondering what catherine was trying to remind her of. taking a step back to take in her appearance, she caught the soft pink flowers that laid in the woman's arms.

"what're those for?" paige spoke softly, though her face didn't represent her words fairly. she already knew what and who they were for, and she could immediately feel herself falling.

"these—" catherine started, already tripping over her words as she pushed the bouquet to paige. "they're for you." she said simply, completely oblivious to paige's tender thoughts, her stomach sinking slightly at paige's lack of a reaction.

the blonde felt her heart swarm. she didn't normally receive flowers. the gesture was so sweet, something she wasn't expecting at all. she was soon lost, eyes fluttering between the woman and the rosy pink flowers in her hands. she saw catherine's genuine smile and eager face, her eyes lit. taking the bouquet out of the woman's hands, she spoke softly. "thank you."

she couldn't even smile, she was just so taken back. "i really appreciate it."

catherine wasn't expecting a big reaction or an overwhelming hug by any means. but she definitely was looking for a little more than paige's calm reaction. maybe she overthought the flowers, maybe they weren't a good idea. "if you—" the woman, started, cutting herself off by trying to correct her over-caring tone. "if you don't like them, i can take them." she spoke, her head shaking with her words.

paige looked up from the bouquet, "what?" she asked, confused once again, her voice soft and almost breathless. her breathing had stopped momentarily as she lost herself in thought. "no, no," she realized she must've looked like she didn't like them, shaking her head slightly. "i love them." she assured, her crystal eyes locking with catherine's unsure ones. "i promise. don't worry."

catherine nodded, her face softening with less stress than moments before. "just a.. good luck wish on your first game!" she explained, though it wasn't needed. "from me.. and maddie!"

paige finally let her smile show, nodding. though it was more of a smirk mixed with a grin, her face a mix of shyness and adoration. she wasn't sure how to feel. though they were all good things, she didn't know what to think.

"can we go now?" a small voice interrupted the pair, something that happened quite often between them.

looking down at madison, catherine nodded eagerly. "oh—yes! we need to go, like, now."

˚✧.*

paige took it upon herself to explain spectator ediquite to madison on their drive there—explaining when to clap, how to send good luck to free throwers, and when to throw up the number three with her fingers.

they arrived with only moments to spare before paige's head coach, geno, would have a heart attack at how late she was.

walking down the hall that lead to the court, paige explained to the brunette where she and madison were seated before crouching down to madison. "don't wander off, always stay with cat.. and send me lots of luck, aight?"

madison nodded enthusiastically, hands flying in the air to wiggle her fingers the way paige had showed her on their way over.

laughing, paige pulled the small girl into a tight hug. "m'kay, i love you." she spoke as she pulled away, madison's response almost identical to paige's.

eventually, they all go their separate ways on opposite sides of the hall, paige turning the corner that led to the locker rooms and catherine walking madison to the huge double doors that entered them into the court.

upon entering, the woman could immediately feel the good energy that radiated the stands. and it wasn't even fully packed yet. though, catherine was glad they got there when they did, wanting to sit as close to the floor as they possibly could.

definitely not court side, but still super close. and close to where paige and the team would be sat.

the pair sat comfortably as they stands filled quickly and the noise getting louder by the minute. catherine was already digging into her purse for snack number two for madison when the lights finally dimmed, listening to the commentators call out the names of the starting players for each team.

to say the stands went crazy when they called paige's name was an understatement. though, they had the buzzing energy of madison to thank for that, the girl never jumping and cheering so loudly in her life.

˚✧.*

the pair watched the ball game intently. and though uconn held a pretty good lead on the opposing team into their fourth and final quarter, they were still watching as if it was a neck-and-neck game.

catherine's eyes were fixed on paige, watching as she dribbled the orange basketball down the court slowly, dragging out their shot clock as much as she could. paige looked to the crowd, not even worried about the point guard hovering just feet away from her, searching for the faces she'd been playing for all night.

finally she caught madison's lit up face, smiling happily at the mere fact that her daughter was finally here, watching her play, cheering her on and loving her unconditionally.

then, she found catherine's face, shooting her a nod and a smile.

luckily, the blonde was so far away, because she would've instantly seen the sheer, red blush that instantly flooded catherine cheeks.

the woman sat back in her seat at this, flustered and confused at how such a simple gesture left her head spinning and her mind fuzzy.

she wasn't allowing her thoughts to travel where they so desperately wanted to go, and where she so desperately wanted to avoid. she didn't understand the things she was feeling, and she wasn't sure why. paige was just her friend, a great friend. why were things suddenly feeling so complicated? so uneasy? so.. intimidating?

unfortunately, though, her thoughts were just too loud. the small voice in the back of her mind asking the inevitable question she's been pondering on since that halloween night. did her feelings for paige run deeper than she originally thought? was paige feeling it too?

sighing at how fast her mind was moving, her face dropped. catherine was soon filled with regret. she regretted being as close to paige as she was. she regretted the flowers she bought her earlier. she regretted the innocent, lingering touches they shared.

she couldn't allow herself to feel the way she did, and she hoped desperately paige wasn't taking catherine's actions the way her subconscious had been praying for. the woman hoped, and she wished, and she prayed that things weren't the way they seemed.

but for some reason.. even she could not convince herself that what she was feeling wasn't true.

"cat, look at mom!" the small girl beside the flustered woman cheers, her clapping bringing catherine back down from her clouded mind.

the brunette simply smiles down at the girl, "she's amazing." she nodded and genuinely,  agreeing with madison beyond tonight.

paige simply and truly was amazing to her.

authors note!

i am SO happy to hear you're all enjoying this silly story as much as i enjoy writing it. of course, tell me all of your thoughts! reading your comments might be my favorite thing in the world. i'm sorry this chapter is so dialogue heavy, but i had so much dialogue inspo and i normally struggle with it so i'm trying to take it as a win haha.

and omg a little protective paige?? i'm already obsessed. AND cat lowk confessing her feelings abt paige to herself?? im so excited.

also, just noticed i hit 100 followers?? ugh you’re all so sweet. i promise, your support does not go unnoticed, and it really does help motivate me!! thank you thank you thank you!!!

as always, let me know your thoughts!!

(and don’t forget, there are more frequent updates on my wattpad @uwupaige)

thanks for reading!🩷

- mari 🫧

6.7k words.

[typewritingyip]

The Arcturus Missions

Part Nineteen - Radio Waves

Part Eighteen

———

Back on that September day in 1984, scientists were more concerned with making a better bomb than they were anticipating needing to drastically change direction. 

The first countries to have mech technology were, in order; Japan, the United States, the USSR, Ireland, and China. Japan had initially been working on the technology for deep sea exploration along with nuclear power plant maintenance and construction, effectively a way to use a human operator in environments non-conducive to human life. They had their first pilot ready and capable within six months of the first attack, Pilot 001, name Kantaro Tomiyama, died two years after the first attack. 

Another four months after their first launch, the United States had their first suit and pilot, no number was assigned initially, now recognized as Pilot 002, name William Witwicky, callsign Sparkplug. He died three months into the program, many of his immediate successors remain alive though no longer pilot mech suits, his son is a notable engineer along with several other family and family friends. 

People wondered initially where Ireland obtained the materials for their three launched mechs at the defense of the Isle of Man, then people began to see the similarities between the structural supports in the suits to oil rigging equipment in the North Sea. 

As the list grew larger and more countries were able to provide assistance in the battle, the compatibility technology began to advance, no longer were pilots being jury rigged into the technology but adapted into the brain of the machine. Yet side effects remain, as human biology struggles to adapt to the needs of advancing technology. Though scientists continue to try and adapt the systems to be more compatible with biology.

All modern pilots have extended lifespans thanks to the sacrifices of these pioneers of mech technology. 

—

It was still very bright in Iacon, even as it started to grow later in the day, Mirage was walking with Hound, smiling, “So, how do you find Iacon? Now that you’ve lived here for a bit.” Nodding a bit, Hound shrugged slightly, “It’s a beautiful city. Certainly bigger than any on Earth.” Of course it would be bigger, human cities were designed for significantly smaller beings but Mirage chuckled still, “It’s bigger than most on Cybertron to be fair and has been around for a very long time.” They go through the gate and back down to the road, Mirage walking with his hands folded behind his back, “But it’s home.” That brought Hound a bit of pause and he smiled some, “I almost forgot you said you were from here.” Mirage’s smile was bright, “Forged and educated, though north of here,” He gestures to some of the taller structures in the distance, “I don’t spend much time in that part of Iacon anymore, it’s lovely of course but to be out of the way from everything and work.” Hound tilted his head slightly, “Then do you live closer?” Mirage, nodding gesturing in the same direction as where he was staying, “Most of us live towards the markets, too much happens on that side of town to not have rapid responders.” Hound hummed, nodding a bit again.

The buildings blocked the sun some, much to Hound’s relief as his head still ached, his hand came up and held it for a second. Mirage was looking around absently before looking at Hound and resting a hand on his shoulder, “Hound, are you alright?” Nodding a bit, Hound sighed a bit painfully as the sun his his visual feed again, “Yes, I am alright, just trying to manage a migraine.” Frowning, Mirage glances around before taking his arm and starting to lead them, “Come on, I know a place where you can have a moment of peace. I understand you’ve been sharing a living space with your entire unit, that would hardly be restful.” Shaking his head a bit, Hound covers Mirage’s hand with his own, “Mirage—“ Who was already shaking his head, “No, meetings like the one today are taxing enough, you don’t need to return to a hab full of chaos with a migraine.” He nearly stumbled when Mirage dragged him around a corner and started down some stairs.

”Mirage, where are we going?” With a shake of his head, Mirage kept hold of Hound’s arm, “Someplace quiet at the very least.” He finally slowed down outside of a shorter building, Mirage sighed and started inside, “It’s still early enough in the cycle that most people won’t come in till later,” the inside was pleasantly dark, with only quiet music coming from the speakers nearby. There were booths and tables, but also some low slung chairs, the bar was in the center of the building with soft lightly and a mech behind it cleaning some cubes, “Afternoon Mirage,” Mirage raises a hand briefly before leading Hound to one of the areas with the low chairs, “Sit down and relax, I’m going to get something to eat and join you. Just, try to ease your migraine.” He smiled softly before heading back towards the bar.

Hound sighed and turned off his visual feed, turning down the lights in his suit for a moment, then disabling the assistance suit for a moment to grab his water pouch and some pain killers. They were starting to run low on the ones from Earth, he frowned at the ones in his hand for a moment. How could the smallest things make you homesick, shaking his head a bit he takes the pills quickly before turning the mobility back on and his visual feed on low just as Mirage came back over with a cube. 

After taking the other chair, Mirage sips from his cube, “Are migraines typical for you?” Shrugging a bit, Hound adjusts the setting on his visor, “It’s common to get them after the compatibility programming, it’s just a side-effect.” He sighs in a bit of relief once the worst of the glare was tuned out of his visual feed, “It was one of the many warnings we got during the testing process.” Mirage was frowning, leaning forward a bit, “The more I hear about this compatibility testing, the more concerned I grow.” Hound chuckled lightly, rubbing at his head, “It was necessary to be able to handle the upgrades, back in the beginning, they were just,” he pauses and sighs deeply, “They were just upgrading people, without the testing, and that got a lot of good people killed before they could become pilots.” Mirage winced, nodding slowly, “I’m sorry,” shaking his head, Hound held up a hand, “Don’t be, they didn’t know better. The technology was still so new at the time and everyone knew the risk.” Hound looked down for a moment before sitting back in the chair.

Mirage was staring and Hound shifted a bit, shaking his head a bit uncomfortably, “You know, the staring makes it feel like you’re trying to see my soul.” He chuckles a bit even as Mirage leans back slightly, Hound sighs, “I take it the word soul translated to spark, huh?” “How’d you know that?” Shrugging, Hound turned down his visor as he darkened his visual feed, “Jazz said it would.” They drifted easily into quiet togetherness, Mirage sipping from his cube as Hound turned off his visual feed and closed his eyes for a bit. 

—

To be fair, they got their inspiration from a TV show about a war, so it was only right that they do this now. Jazz was watching as Sunstreaker adjusted the hot plate, shifting the cube before sealing it again, finally sticking one of the copper tubes through, “Now we have a functioning, hopefully, gin still.” Sideswipe was grinning, scratching at his jaw lightly, Sunstreaker shakes his head, hands on hips, “This is the stupidest thing we could have done.” Jazz grins, “Which is why it’s great, come on. If this works we’ll be able to wind down when we have down time,” he moves over and leans down to watch the contents bubble in the cube, “Wow.” They all take a step back to watch with a grin. 

The door to the bedroom opened and Breakdown came out, wearing his helmet and visor, tinted as dark as it could be as he made his way to the table, “What are we all doing today?” Sideswipe grinned and leaned over to the ladder, offering the man a hand up as Breakdown climbed the steps, “Making alcohol.” Breakdown’s eyes shined, “You got the copper?” Sunstreaker looked over, “Wait, how do you know about this? Sides only told me a few days ago.” Waving it off, Breakdown goes over and looks over the still, “Who do you think told him to get the oversized cube? It will be easier to maintain than a typical copper still, that is for certain.” He was smiling, though clearly his own head still ached from the concussion. Glancing around at everyone and their suits resting across the room, Breakdown pauses, “Where’s Hound?” Jazz sighs a bit, “At a meeting with high command. We all were supposed to attend but the poor guy has a migraine.” Each pilot winced, Sunstreaker lightly brushing a hand over his own implants, Breakdown adjusted his helmet slightly, darkening his visor more.

Sideswipe lightly scratches at his implants, “Do you think it's a normal migraine or an overuse one?” Jazz sighed, “Overuse, I got them all the time when I first got out here, they started around this time for me.” Sunstreaker swore and sat down heavily on one of their makeshift chairs, “It can’t be overuse yet, right? I mean, we all disconnect at night.” With a slight shake of his head, Jazz gives a so-so hand gesture, “Hound also works more than the rest of us, as commander he has to stay up longer for more meetings and things, I just would debrief with Prowler but overuse systems are coming for us all, other than maybe Breakdown, Mr. I-have-concussion-and-get-two-weeks-off.” Breakdown snorts a bit and easily flips Jazz off, “Stuff it Jazz.” Sideswipe had the best reaction, hands going up, “Woah, watch out, the old man is angry!” They all get a laugh out of it, smiling and watching the still bubble and steam lightly, enjoying the moment of peace, trying to not think of the overuse side effects that would come for them all. 

—

When the lights came on Hound had to suppress the wince, Mirage had finished his first drink a while ago but had ordered a second in a significantly different color. They were sitting around, not really talking but being able to enjoy one another’s company without gunfire forcing them together. The music started to turn louder and Hound had to pause, frowning at the nearest speaker, “Wait, wait, has it been playing this the whole time?” Mirage frowned and leaned towards one of the speakers before pulling back and rubbing his audial as it increased in volume, “Yeah, the old mech picked up this frequency a few years ago and it brought in a load of new customers after the war. Nobody knows what it is but a bunch of mecha seem to like it.” Hound tilted his head slightly, “I know what this is.” He smiles a bit and starts to nod, “Yeah, yeah this is 102.7 out of California.” His foot tapped lightly.

”Wait, this is from Earth?” Nodding, Hound smiles, “Yeah, it’s from Earth. Yeah, this is Rick Dees, listen.” They both leaned in as a voice carried over the waves, “This is K-I-I-S F-M, Los Angeles. I’m Rick Dees and these are the hot hits.” Before a song started to pour from the speaker and Hound laughed, covering his mouth, “This is from the eighties. This is from home.” Mirage stared at him, smiling a bit, “I take it you liked this frequency?” Hound nodded and rubbed his jaw, “Yeah, I listen to it whenever I’m in Los Angeles, which is more than I would like.” Slowly, he pushes off the chair and moves closer to one of the speakers, starting at the odd connection to home, “I thought I’d be stuck listening to the twins mixtapes for the rest of my life.” Mirage gets up and moves over, resting a hand on his shoulder, “I don’t know what a mixtape is, but I am glad to see you happy.” Hound nodded some, smiling as the tones of Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper flowed. 

Mirage watched, shaking his head a bit, “I don’t know what’s being said.” It clicked for a moment and Hound turned to look at him, “Ah, well, the songs just starting and it starts with,” he clears his throat a bit, “Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you.” He wasn’t singing it, not even close, but Mirage looked ready to melt, “A lot of her music is like this and she’s an amazing artist.” Mirage nodded and smiled some, “Uh, you listened to a lot of music?” Nodding, Hound looked to the speaker again, “Whenever I could, if I could afford the tapes or CD’s, um, compact disks.” It clearly soured Mirage’s mood, “Afford?” Hound sighed deeply, “Yes, I don’t know how many times I have to bring up the cost of living to get it through your processors. Music and entertainment were luxuries that we couldn’t always afford.” He crosses his arms and stares at the speaker, sighing a bit, “Radio was free, if you could tune in,” his hand brushed over the speaker for a moment and he whispers, “Millions of miles and it’s still so clear.” Then his fist collided with the wall and Mirage took his arm, shaking his head some, “Come on, don’t be like that. Just enjoy the music. Don’t think about the mission for a klick or two.” Sighing slowly, Hound turned and looked at Mirage, nodding. Mirage smiled and offered a hand, “Come show me what this human music is about, huh?” Hound, shaking his head slightly, takes his hand, “You’re crazy.” Mirage smiled wider, “And you’re feeling better. Besides, we agreed to talk about your home the next time we were in Iacon." He spreads his free hand wide, “Welcome to Iacon.” Hound laughed and followed Mirage to the bar, leaning against it, though his visual feed was still turned down to the bare minimum and audio sensors only tuned for Mirage and now the music, a few more hours here wouldn’t kill him. 

———

A/N

Alright, sort of a short one today but I wanted to get a part up on Christmas for everyone to read when they need to avoid their family. Late on Christmas but still.

I swear I am going to write more for the twins, Breakdown, and Jazz next chapter I just have an easier time writing for Hound, even though he is a little OOC. I promise man’s love for nature and stuff is coming.

Tags!

@lunarlei68 @whirlywhirlygig @loop-hole-319 @pixillandjester @alek-the-witch @not-a-moose-in-disguise @goddessofwind8water @neurologicalglitch @dersereblogger @pixel-transformers @mrcrayonofdoom @wireplaces @twilightfreefaller @original-blog-name-2 @devilangel657 @robbin-u @childofprimus @miniartistme @starwold @tea-enthusiasm @valeexpris606 @celticdoggo @bird599 @agentsquirrelsgotrobots @aquaioart @dimencreasatlas @thatwandercat @artdagz @seisha974 @starscreamloverfr @halenhusky309 @leethepiper @cat-cassette @blue-wrens @sirassban @astridkolch @cosmique-oddity @garbageenthusiast @osqindaxend @xervias

And once again thank you to @keferon for this amazing AU!

[divinesyn]

hihi 🤗

ive been thinking abt jealous winter who fucks you when your asleep because she was upset you hung out with your friend without telling her, and waking up to her straddling your stomand, riding you with an anger face (but she looks so cute)

hi anon! so sorry this took so long, but your mind is... 😩

-x-

brief: After what you assumed to be a harmless night out it seems your girlfriend doesn't have the nerve to tell you otherwise... Not to your face at least. pairing: fem!reader x winter genre: smut with some plot i guess...

this was definitely not proofread.......... i kept writing chunks of this late at night before i slept so ill probably check back and proof it later :)

-x-

One could say that Minjeong was a woman of actions rather than words. Except that doesn't really apply to you since you have been completely oblivious to said actions.

The excessive pouting

The impatient tapping of fingers on the couch armrests

The constantly furrowed brows

Is she stupid?

Minjeong huffed as her eyes scanned you above the edge of her phone, lazily perched on the couch as you hurriedly adjusted your earrings as they tangled into your hair amidst the rush. The corporate wear that was on you roughly forty-five minutes ago was replaced with a black, sinfully - as Minjeong puts it briefly - tight dress that had your girlfriend sinking her teeth just slightly deeper into her bottom lip. As soon as you crossed into your shared apartment, phone held to your ear with an awkwardly shrugged shoulder as you excitedly conversed with whoever was on the line, Minjeong was not content with the barely there peck you gave before you rushed into the bedroom.

And she was definitely not happy with the way you looked when you exited.

Heavier, evening-ready makeup now adorning your features in the best way possible has your girlfriend pouting, still lost in what you were doing and who you were going out with to warrant your absolute best. Phone now nestled in the simple leather clutch in your hand you flash a smile to Minjeong, heels thudding against the floor as you approach her.

'Going out, home late. Talk to you about it later!'

Rosy lips press against Minjeong's as she simply hums in response.

Oblivious as always you step out of the door Minjeong finally decides to speak.

'Who are you going out wi-'

The door closes before she can finish her sentence eyes rolling as she sighs. Shoulders shrugging as she continues to idly scroll on her phone.

She'll figure it out, she guesses.

-x-

Eyes that were eagerly eating up the sight of you sitting cross-legged suddenly narrow at the sight of a familiar face that has their body posing dangerously close to yours.

Of course, in your eyes, it really was just a harmless photo, taken in the interior of a modern restaurant several blocks away from your apartment. Glass of wine in hand you're pressed into the side of none other than your high school best friend.

Ning Yizhou.

Having met during your international schooling days in China you two were practically inseparable, especially seeing as you two both ended up working in Seoul. However, seeing as Yizhou frequently worked abroad you two barely saw each other after you graduated from university seeing as you joined graduate programs within competitor companies no less.

Minjeong has heard countless stories even being indulged in your drunkenly recalled university stories where you and Yizhou may have hooked up before, but she never thought anything of it and has always enjoyed being in her company when you three - sometimes four, with the occasional visit of Yizhou's partner Aeri - were together if she was back in the city. A flicker of jealousy teased Minjeongs chest as she tapped through your Instagram story as you grinned happily beside Yizhou, looking so frustratingly good. As much as she would like to fight the envy she knew that beneath the surface the emotions that were swirling were unable to be suppressed as they brewed into something much, much more.

It wasn't until you came back slightly tipsy and undeniably too tired to do anything else, that when you blindly fumbled your way into the bedroom pressing against your girlfriend's body with a heaved sigh that Minjeong really did think you were completely oblivious to the storm that was was her.

-x-

You couldn't tell if it was the alcohol that was still buzzing in your system or the sleepy haze that clouded your eyes but as you wearily blinked up to what appeared to be your girlfriend straddling you your head can only cock to the side.

'Jeong..?'

The weight that was on your lap was undoubtedly real and you begin to push yourself up, only to be firmly pressed back down onto the sheets below.

'Stay.'

Brows furrowed you open your mouth to speak once more.

'What-'

A warm mouth encloses yours as you rouse from your weary state suddenly aware of the way the material of your dress has been hiked up to your waist, just above your belly button with an all too familiar heat pressed against your stomach.

Pulling away from the kiss you can't help but huff.

'Baby-' Feeling her subtly grind onto your skin your teeth grit 'Fuck, you're so wet'

Your eyes return to her face, barely illuminated by the ambient glow of the street lights several floors below. Minjeong's face was flushed a rosy hue that definitely contrasted the pissed look on her face.

'D-Did I do something wrong?'

Scoffing Minjeong stills herself, as her hands perch on your shoulders you feel the sting of nails pressing into your flesh.

'How come you didn't tell me you were going out with Yizhou?' Minjeong replies with a venomous husk. 'Dressed up all nice, wearing this of all things.'

Her words are accentuated by the trailing of her palms down your exposed shoulders to the sides of your waist as Minjeong's eyes shamelessly stare down your body, gripping at the offending material of your dress as she stretches it away from your skin with the playful intention to rip it.

'Don't even think about it.'

The black fabric snaps back to your body as her eyes flicker up to yours. You'd almost feel threatened save for the innocent - if you could even say that - pout that plastered her face.

'Didn't even pay attention to me when you came back from work...' Is mumbled under her breath and you quirked a brow. You resist the urge to chuckle and instead become hyper-aware of the heat that radiated between the thighs that were hovering above your stomach and those urges are quickly replaced with a different kind.

Planting your hands on her waist you press her down firmly, providing the friction she seemed to so desperately crave as her hips rut instinctively against you with a gasp.

'You're soaked through your panties, baby...' You can't help the salacious grin as you watch Minjeong's head jerk back.

'Y/N...'

'Sad that unnie had to rush off? Couldn't give Minjeongie any attention right?'

Reaching underneath the oversized t-shirt you hum at the feeling of warm skin, gripping at the soft flesh of Minjeong's chest as nimble fingers pinched and flicked at her nipples.

This won't do is what you think as you finally find yourself snapped out of the sleepy haze quickly retracting your hands - much to Minjeong's dismay - as you flip your positions, watching bleached blonde hair sprawling on the sheets and a flushed Minjeong gazing up in surprise.

You idly reach down to caress the pale skin of her outer thigh watching with restraint as she squirmed at your touch with a helpless whine.

'So whiny tonight baby,' You rasp 'C'mon tell unnie what you want.'

'I-I don't know.' She responds, averting her gaze from yours.

Your free hand grips at her chin as you force her head to face yours.

'Look at me when I speak baby,' This time you can't help but chuckle as your girlfriend pouts once more 'What? You were so confident before, where did it all go?'

As you playfully snap the waistband of her panties Minjeong stays silent. Unamused to say the least, your body hinges forward as your breath fans across her ear.

'Don't start something you can't finish baby girl.'

Wordlessly you tug at the hem of her t-shirt urging her to remove it. Sitting upright you watch as a blur of white is strewn across the dark pit of your bedroom floor you smile in appreciation at newly exposed skin, head lowering back down once again.

Lips latching to the flawless expanse of her neck your tongue laps at the skin before teeth sink down enough to have Minjeong yelping. Soothing the reddening skin with a kiss, you continue to tease between her thighs away from where she needs you most.

'Now, are you going to tell me what you want?'

'Between my legs, please unnie...' Minjeong finally hushes out, the tiny breaths she was taking driving you closer to your intentions of ruining her.

'Between your legs? But I'm already here?' You respond, with a playful slap on the skin of her thighs. 'You need to be more specific than that.'

Fingers dip below the material of her panties before retreating up, only to rub at the clothed area of Minjeong's pussy teasing close to her aching clit.

'F-fuck... Need you there!' She gasps as your thumb swipes across the swollen nub 'Need your fingers in my pussy, or your mouth, just something unnie please!'

'Only because you said please'

One arm wrapped around her waist you pepper feathery light kisses across her chest, the other hand pulling the damp cotton to the side with two slender fingers plunging into tight, wet heat.

'Ah! Y/N please... more'

Setting a gradual pace, your lips inch towards a perky nipple enveloping it with the warmth of your mouth. You feel Minjeong's skin press further into yours with a whimper as her hips rocked gratefully into your fingers. Releasing her nipple with a pop you contently watch the blissed expression on Minjeong's face as her lips part with breathy moans, eyes fluttering shut. Feeling her clench around you has you groaning at the wetness that was forming between your own thighs but you ignore it for the sake of your girlfriend.

'Finally happy? Unnie is giving you the attention you wanted so bad.'

As she opens her eyes to your wicked grin you don't miss the glassy stare that is returned to you and the fucked out look drives your fingers to curl against a spot that has her biting her lip.

'Feels so good unnie'

Thumb rubbing at her precious clit, Minjeong's walls clench pathetically around your fingers as she moans your name at the relentless pace you filled her.

'God you're clenching. You know this pussy belongs to me don't you baby? Or were you trying to get me to fuck you so bad because you were getting jealous at the thought of Yizhou and I doing this instead?'

Minjeong knew you were only teasing but those words further fueled the fire that was raging in the pit of her stomach but she wouldn't dare to admit that. Though her body openly betrayed her as her hips jerked up in response, tongue cheekily poking out between gritted teeth.

'Only yours y/n. Yours only!'

'If you were mine baby you'd cum wouldn't you?' You continue to plant open-mouthed kisses along her collarbone, admiring the smattering of red and purple that contrasted against her pale skin. 'You'd cum all over unnies fingers like a good girl right?'

You can't even register what she responds with as it comes out as a choked, broken sob as her thighs tremble violently as her cunt clenches around your fingers. The jerking of her hips becomes stuttered as she rides the waves of her high, matching the rhythm you set. Fixated on the sight of her coming undone you slip out of her heat, lazily rubbing at her clit.

'Mmm... no more please...'

Heeding to her words you bring drenched digits up, tapping at her lips.

'Open.'

Minjeong's lips engulf your fingers with a warm tongue lapping languidly at the taste of herself with a content sigh. Releasing your hand with a lewd pop, she's quick to chase with your mouth. Indulging in the taste of her your tongues gently press against one another as you reluctantly pull away.

Feeling the curl of her lips just as your lips part Minjeong reverses your positions once more for the night with a giggle, it feels like deja vu though the only difference was the fact Minjeong's head was hovering above your core with a disgustingly smug grin.

'I'd say back to where I started... But I figured we can skip a few steps.'

-x-

[astrojulia]

Asteroid Fan (151590): Understanding Its Signs, Houses, and Planetary Aspects

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ About the Asteroid: Finding out about the astronomical part of this asteroid was not easy and to be honest, I can't say if the information is correct. What I can say is that it was discovered between 2004/2006 and that it was named after the late Chinese astronomer and physicist, Dr. Fan Zhaohui. doctor Fan was an expert in celestial mechanics and made significant contributions to the study of the orbits of asteroids and comets. He also played a crucial role in the development of China's space program.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Sources and inspirations: As it was already difficult to find astronomical information, it was more difficult to find astrological information, so much that you can see the heavy inspiration in this post here, which was the most complete that I found on the subject. However as the blog is deactivated and if you are a tumblr browser user like me you will have a hard time seeing the whole post. That's why there are parts that are references to the post as well as parts that are my own interpretation. Also, the image template in from minikyuns on deviantart.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Asteroid Fan Rx: Your fans are more withdrawn and hidden, having a more introspective and reflective relationship with you. You can also bring out more hidden or intense feelings in fans. They may become more obsessed or possessive of you, or they may feel a stronger connection to you. Your fans are the type to always question your actions and reconsider whether or not they should continue to admire you, each time you prove that yes, the harder it is for them to leave.

Asteroid Fan in Signs

✧. ┊ Aries: With Asteroid Fan in Aries, get ready for an enthusiastic and passionate supporter. They're drawn to your energy and may see you as a leader or trailblazer. They're spontaneous, expressive and quick to react to everything you do. You can expect lots of random compliments and affection, but they may also get defensive and impatient with people who don't like you.These fans may also be very demanding of you and want to have your content on a daily basis.

✧. ┊ Taurus: With an Asteroid Fan in Taurus, your beauty and sensuality are what they love about you. They may be supportive of your material goals and see you as a source of comfort. These fans are loyal, constant and trustworthy. They love letting you know how much you mean to them, but they can also be quite protective and jealous. Your fans also expect the best from your work, even if it takes time.

✧. ┊ Gemini: The Asteroid Fan in Gemini is all about communication skills and intellectual curiosity. They may follow you on social media and send you long messages, often with a playful and witty tone. They're fans one day and roasting you the next, but they're excited when you reply. They are the type that most reblog/share their content to others.

✧. ┊ Cancer: With Asteroid Fan in Cancer, it's all about emotional depth and sensitivity. They see you as a source of emotional support or a parental figure. They're very protective of you and always willing to listen when you need to vent. You are hardly the type to see your fans, as they appear more in fights and discussions to defend you than giving you likes, comments... they are more of the types that only observe the content, always following but not actively showing up.

✧. ┊ Leo: The Asteroid Fan in Leo is drawn to your charisma and creativity. They're supportive of your artistic endeavors and see you as a source of inspiration. These fans idolize you completely and are always looking for ways to keep you in a good mood. They're warm, playful, and very admiring of you.They see you as a kind leader.

✧. ┊ Virgo: With Asteroid Fan in Virgo, they're drawn to your work ethic and attention to detail. They may be helpful in your daily life and provide practical support. These fans are devoted, but can be a bit shy when interacting with you. They're intelligent, calm, and willing to do anything for you. These are the types of fans with whom the more you create a routine of posts and interaction, the more they help you to grow.

✧. ┊ Libra: With Asteroid Fan in Libra your fans are drawn to your sense of balance and harmony. They share your values and interests and admire your sense of style. These fans bring you peace and harmony, and they're emotional and loving. They trust you and may ask for your advice.

✧. ┊ Scorpio: The Asteroid Fan in Scorpio is drawn to your intensity and emotional depth. They see you as someone who understands their innermost feelings and desires, and they may be interested in spiritual or mystical topics. These fans are extremely intense and loyal, sometimes even obsessed. They're reserved, but feel a deep connection to you.You can also provoke difficult emotions in them with envy and anger.

✧. ┊ Sagittarius: Asteroid Fan in Sagittarius, they share your love of learning and exploring new ideas. They see you as a source of wisdom and guidance, and they're often drawn to your spiritual or philosophical beliefs. These fans are positive and fun, and love to interact with you. They're focused on you and may even idealize you a bit. You will probably attract a lot of fans younger than you, who really need more patience and care when transmitting information.

✧. ┊ Capricorn: The Asteroid Fan in Capricorn is drawn to your success and ambition. They see you as a role model or leader and may be supportive of your career or public image. These fans are consistent, productive and determined. They may feel a bit intimidated by you, but are willing to do a lot for you.This is the kind of fan that gets to see behind the scenes, the details that lead up to the result. So it's not just something you post that they see, but they can see the fonts you used, the design, etc.

✧. ┊ Aquarius: The Asteroid Fan in Aquarius indicates fans who share their idol's interests and values. Fans may be connected to their idol through social causes or activism. Your fans sincerely believe in you and will trust your words and ideas. These individuals are highly creative and often feel like they're not fully understood by others. However, when it comes to you, they feel like you get them on a deeper level. Your followers have the potential to become your close companions, and the bond between you is characterized by warmth, joy, and a distinct sense of individuality. Your ability to make them feel valued and important is a key aspect of this special connection.

✧. ┊ Pisces: The Asteroid Fan in Pisces indicates fans who are drawn to their idol's creativity and emotional depth. Fans may see their idol as a source of inspiration and be drawn to their artistic expression or spiritual beliefs. Your fans are very emotional and have an intense connection to you. They are very devoted to you and may see you as a source of comfort or escape from their own reality. They may express their feelings in a poetic or dreamy way. You may attract fans who are empathic or intuitive, who feel a deep spiritual connection with you.

Asteroid Fan in Houses

✧. ┊1st House: With Asteroid Fan in the 1st house, you have a natural charm that attracts fans and admirers. Your fans see you as a leader and may relate to you on a deep level. They want to be like you or be very similar to you. Your fans may even become your close friends, and you make them feel appreciated and special. You easily gain admiration, and some of your fans may be exclusively devoted to you.

✧. ┊2nd House:The Asteroid Fan in the 2nd house indicates that your fans may be very supportive of you financially. They share your values and interests and may admire your sense of style and taste. Your fans are consistent and detail-oriented. They may give you gifts, pictures, or small gestures, and they will always boost your self-esteem without being asked. You can always count on them for support and stability.

✧. ┊3rd House: With Asteroid Fan in the 3rd house, your fans appreciate your communication skills and intellectual abilities. They may follow you on social media or other forms of online communication. These types of fans are fun, chaotic, and always take the time to write you a beautiful message. They check up on you and ask about your day-to-day, and they can become very close to you. You may even have admirers from your school days, and you're a common topic of conversation in their lives.

✧. ┊4th House:The Asteroid Fan in the 4th house indicates that your fans see you as a source of emotional support or a parental figure. They may be connected to you through your shared cultural or familial background. Your fans find refuge in you, and they feel very close to you. You make them feel comfortable with themselves, and there is a strong and lovable connection between you and them. Your fans are intuitive and can quickly pick up on your mood, and they treasure you very much.

✧. ┊5th House: With the Asteroid Fan in the 5th house, your fans are drawn to your creativity, passion, and self-expression. They see you as a source of inspiration and may be very supportive of your artistic endeavors. Your fans are fun, spontaneous, and loving, and they may tease you playfully. You share many hobbies and personality traits with them, and they put you on a kind of pedestal. Many want to be like you and could even see you as a role model. Some may even find you attractive and appealing and develop a crush on you.

✧. ┊6th House: The Asteroid Fan in the 6th house indicates that your fans appreciate your work ethic and attention to detail. They may be helpful in your daily life and provide practical support and assistance. Your fans are helpful and deeply devoted to you, and they take away your stress, making you feel more relaxed. They support and appreciate everything you do, and their support is unconditional and constant. You become part of their routine, and they cherish you.

✧. ┊7th House: The Asteroid Fan in the 7th house signifies fans who are drawn to their idol's charisma and charm, seeing them as a potential partner or companion who shares their values and interests. These fans deeply adore you and are committed to your success. Although they may differ from you in personality, they become close to you and receive your affection. They may even see you as a crush.

✧. ┊8th House:The Asteroid Fan in the 8th house signifies fans who are attracted to their idol's intensity and emotional depth, seeing them as someone who understands their innermost feelings and desires. These fans feel a great interest in you and discover your most personal and profound aspects. They identify with you closely and feel intrigued by you. They respect you for your maturity, and there is a lot of intimacy and closeness between them and you.

✧. ┊9th House:The Asteroid Fan in the 9th house signifies fans who share their idol's love of learning and exploring new ideas, seeing them as a source of wisdom and guidance. These fans are friendly and curious, and they see you as superior on many levels. They are interested in your philosophy and thinking, and they appreciate not only your talent but also your personality.

✧. ┊10th House:The Asteroid Fan in the 10th house signifies fans who are drawn to their idol's success and ambition, seeing them as a role model or leader. These fans respect you and support your career and public image. They form a strong community, and they see you as a professional. They may be slightly intimidated by you, but they are loyal and supportive, always encouraging you to improve and trust your abilities.

✧. ┊11th House: The Asteroid Fan in the 11th house signifies fans who share their idol's interests and values, connected through social causes or activism. These fans see you as eccentric and inspiring, with a friendly and approachable personality. They feel motivated by you and empowered to pursue their goals. They are very diverse, and you have a large fanbase. You have great influence over them.

✧. ┊12th House: The Asteroid Fan in the 12th house signifies fans who are drawn to their idol's mystical or spiritual nature, seeing them as a source of inspiration or guidance in their own spiritual journey. These fans find solace and sanctuary in you, and they feel that you understand them. They are very dedicated, sentimental, and expressive, and they may become addicted to you. They idolize you and see you better than you see yourself.

Asteroid Fan Aspects Overview

✧. ┊Conjunction: A conjunction between the Asteroid Fan and a planet indicates that a person's fans may have a strong impact on their personality or life path. Fans may be very important to their idol's success or sense of self.

✧. ┊Trine or Sextile: A sextile or trine between the Asteroid Fan and a planet indicates that a person's fans may provide support or opportunities for growth and development. Fans may be helpful in their idol's personal or professional life.

✧. ┊Square or Opposition:A square or opposition between the Asteroid Fan and a planet indicates that a person's fans may cause conflict or tension in their life. Fans may have difficulty relating to their idol or may be a source of stress.

Asteroid Fan in Aspect to Planets

✧. ┊Sun: The Asteroid Fan in aspect to the Sun indicates that the person's fans may be drawn to their identity or sense of self. Fans may see their idol as a potential role model or leader.These people like their idol's creativity, enthusiasm and positivity.

✧. ┊Moon: The Asteroid Fan in aspect to the Moon indicates that the person's fans may be drawn to their emotional depth or sensitivity. Fans may see their idol as a source of comfort or support. These people like their idol in a more reserved and quiet way, almost as if it were that childhood thing that you like a lot but are ashamed to say you like.

✧. ┊Mercury: The Asteroid Fan in aspect to Mercury indicates that the person's fans may be drawn to their communication skills or intellectual curiosity. Fans may be connected to their idol through social media or other forms of online communication and talk about their idol to everyone so they can make a bigger fan-base.

✧. ┊Venus:The Asteroid Fan in aspect to Venus indicates that the person's fans may be drawn to their beauty or sensuality. Fans may appreciate their idol's style or taste. These people like the way their idol behaves in the world, being inspired by their behavior and style.

✧. ┊Mars: The Asteroid Fan in aspect to Mars indicates that the person's fans may be drawn to their energy or passion. Fans may see their idol as a leader or trailblazer and be inspired by their courage and enthusiasm.

✧. ┊Jupiter: The Asteroid Fan in aspect to Jupiter indicates that the person's fans may share their idol's love of learning and exploring new ideas. Fans may see their idol as a source of wisdom and guidance and may be drawn to their spiritual or philosophical beliefs. These fans try everything to support their idol, mainly in the form of money, but also by showing up at the events their idol is at.

✧. ┊Saturn: The Asteroid Fan in aspect to Saturn indicates that the person's fans may be drawn to their success and ambition. Fans may see their idol as a role model or leader and be supportive of their career or public image. These fans also support their idols, but because they believe in its worth and its work and want the person it idolizes to succeed.

✧. ┊Uranus: The Asteroid Fan in aspect to Uranus indicates that the person's fans may share their idol's interests and values. Fans may be connected to their idol through social causes or activism. It's also very connected to teenage and unconventional fans, who are very active on the internet.

✧. ┊Neptune: The Asteroid Fan in aspect to Neptune indicates that the person's fans may be drawn to their mystical or spiritual nature. Fans may see their idol as a source of inspiration or guidance in their own spiritual journey. These fans may also find their idol mind-boggling, yet utterly alluring.

✧. ┊Pluto: The Asteroid Fan in aspect to Pluto indicates that the person's fans may be drawn to their intensity or emotional depth. Fans may see their idol as someone who understands their innermost feelings and desires and may be interested in spiritual or mystical topics. These fans also see their idol as someone very reserved but powerful, who will take on important roles without making a fuss about it.

(CC) AstroJulia Some Rights Reserved

[usafphantom2]

Blackbird pilot recalls the mission where a Soviet MiG-25 Foxbat fired a missile at his SR-71

Soviet MiG-25 pilot tells why Foxbats were not able to fire a single missile at SR-71 Blackbird Mach 3 spy planes

The Soviet MiG-25

The “holy grail” of the soviet air defense system: shooting down a Blackbird

Missile fired at an SR-71

MiG-25 at risk of being shot down by its missile

What happened to the missile fired by the MiG-25 at the SR-71?

The Soviet MiG-25

The Soviet MiG-25 (NATO code-name “Foxbat”) was a high-speed interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft. The aircraft entered service in 1970 and has a top speed of Mach 2.83, powerful radar, and could carry up to four air-to-air missiles.

The MiG-25’s capabilities were not discovered until 1976 when Viktor Belenko, a Soviet MiG-25 pilot, defected to Japan. Subsequent analysis revealed a simple-yet-functional design with vacuum-tube electronics, two massive turbojet engines, and sparing use of advanced materials such as titanium.

CLICK HERE to see The Aviation Geek Club contributor Linda Sheffield’s T-shirt designs! Linda has a personal relationship with the SR-71 because her father Butch Sheffield flew the Blackbird from test flight in 1965 until 1973. Butch’s Granddaughter’s Lisa Burroughs and Susan Miller are graphic designers. They designed most of the merchandise that is for sale on Threadless. A percentage of the profits go to Flight Test Museum at Edwards Air Force Base. This nonprofit charity is personal to the Sheffield family because they are raising money to house SR-71, #955. This was the first Blackbird that Butch Sheffield flew on Oct. 4, 1965.

A capable interceptor, the MiG-25 was widely exported by the Soviet Union. This aircraft could outrun any fighter in the air, and indeed any military aircraft other than the SR-71 Blackbird.

Loaded with two R-40 missiles (NATO reporting name AA-6 ‘Acrid’), the Foxbat could reach 78,000 feet, but with its full complement of four missiles, it was limited to 68,900 feet. By contrast the Habu flew at cruise speeds above Mach 3 at over 80,000 feet.

The “holy grail” of the soviet air defense system: shooting down a Blackbird

Nevertheless, once an SR-71 Blackbird flown by Col. Darrel Cobb was fired on by a MiG-25, as Cobb himself recalls in this interview given to his son Chris;

Col. Cobb’s SR-71 Blackbird fired on by a MiG-25.

‘Operational missions.

‘First let me assure you; we never broke President Eisenhower’s promise to cease overflying the Soviet Union. We remained over international water – 12 mi offshore.

‘All of my operational flying was from Kadena, Okinawa. Area of interest was Vietnam; Korea; Vladivostok, USSR; China. Later, we flew transatlantic & return from Seymour Johnson, NC supporting the Israel Arab war. After I left the program, the SR flew from Mildenhall, England & Bodo, Norway.

‘We already touched on missions against Vietnam & the only night mission.

‘Today let’s cover “north missions.”

This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. Dawn at 80.000ft – SR-71 Blackbird

‘Take off, refuel & head into the Sea of Japan; between Japan & south Korea. Accelerated to operational speed – 3.20. Head directly at Vladivostok. headquarters of USSR air defense; and test/r & d of new radar & intercept development. 2200 mph guaranteed to light up all the radar & intercept systems they had.

‘A MiG-25 interceptor squadron was based just outside of Vladivostok. The “holy grail” of the soviet air defense system was to shoot down an SR-71.

‘Turn north up the Sea of Japan & make a U-turn back down the USSR coast (12 mi offshore) with ELINT & SIGINT recorders going full bore. Photo cameras looking oblique into the USSR, updating the interceptor air order of battle. Head south east till past Vladivostok then turn slightly left then right to cross Korea at the DMZ. Photo cameras updating N. Korea force readiness to resume hostilities against S. Korea.

Missile fired at an SR-71

‘Continue down the yellow sea coast of China. All sensors evaluating China’s threat to Taiwan. Turn left- decel & land at Kadena. I flew this profile several times during the 4 years I flew ops missions. One of these got very, very thrilling. Southbound, passing Vladivostok, Reg (my RSO) announced;

‘”We’ve got a fighter locked on – it’s gotta be a MiG-25″

‘”Our DEF [Defensive Electronic Gear, DEF. It Provided ground-to-air and air-to-air missile protection. Still Classified. Def systems were labeled DEF A,B,C,E and G. Later modifications to the DEF Systems resulted in DEF A2, C2, H and M systems. Nearing retirement of the SR-71, a programmable DEF labeled A2C could defeat all known threats to the Blackbirds] is blanketing all beautifully.”

‘”Oops – he just fired – – we’ve got a missile locked on”

‘”Our def has shifted to its missile magic”

‘”There – lock’s broken. Missile’s back in search”

‘”That’s weird – sounds like the missile’s locked on – but not locked on us”

‘”He’s gone – coming up on the “s” turn to the DMZ.”’

Fast forward to late 1976 Col. Cobb retired from the Air Force.

MiG-25 at risk of being shot down by its missile

Cobb continues;

‘I’m retired! Learning that retirement means no days off; no vacation; no holidays; big pay cut.

‘I find the aircraft TV channel & history channel. Lots & lots of SR-71 films. I avidly watch at every opportunity. In my den, glued to the TV & today’s SR-71 show, & who do I see comparing the MiG-25 with the SR-71??

‘You’re right – – Lt Victor Belenko!

‘He was totally gobsmacked; his MiG-25 burned up the engines getting to Mach 3 yet the SR’s cruise speed was greater than 3.0.

‘Belenko is the one who said that the Holy Grail of soviet air defense was to shoot down an SR.

‘He told of how they would pre-position ahead of the SR’s radar track and had to zoom up to get a lock on & fire their missile.

‘Belenko stressed how quickly & precisely they had to perform because the window of opportunity was so very short.

‘Their target was traveling at 3600 ft/sec. Faster than a speeding bullet.

‘He described in detail how precise the post firing breakaway had to be executed to avoid getting shot down by their own missile; talking as though they found this out the “hard way.”’

Cobb Concludes;

‘Man talk about intense attention – – I’m quickly mentally replaying that tape from the inter-phone – –

‘”We’ve got a fighter locked on – it’s gotta be a Mig-25″

‘”Our DEF is blanketing all beautifully.”

‘”Oops – he just fired – – we’ve got a missile locked on”

‘”Our def has shifted to its missile magic”

‘”There – lock’s broken. Missile’s back in search.

‘”That’s weird – sounds like the missile’s locked on – but not locked on us.”’

What happened to the missile fired by the MiG-25 at the SR-71?

What happened to the missile fired by the MiG-25? Could it have locked onto the Foxbat itself? Could the SR-71 DEF have deceived it? We’ll never know.

However, we can assume that given that SR-71 had a cruise speed faster than the top speed of the MiG-25’s Acrid missiles, the Blackbird simply outran the AA-6. There was no chance a Foxbat could conduct a tail-chase interception of an SR-71 (the MiG-25 couldn’t carry out a head-on intercept of a Blackbird too: in fact, the Foxbat’s radar and fire control system was not sophisticated enough to solve the problems of a head-on intercept at closing speeds that would exceed Mach 5).

Be sure to check out Linda Sheffield Miller (Col Richard (Butch) Sheffield’s daughter, Col. Sheffield was an SR-71 Reconnaissance Systems Officer) Twitter X Page Habubrats SR-71, Instagram Page SR71Habubrats and Facebook Page Born into the Wilde Blue Yonder Habubrats for awesome Blackbird’s photos and stories.

@Habubrats71 via X

[femme-objet]

honestly if i was China or any other country, really, id start getting ready some sort of attractive visa program for american scientists losing their funding over doge cuts. get all the biologists and so on whose work is deemed too wole because it involves hormones. get the climate scientists. america did it pretty successfully back in the day in the wake of the nuremberg laws

[dandelionsresilience]

Good News - August 8-14

Like these weekly* compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my new(ly repurposed) Patreon! (*sorry this one’s a day late, I had a family emergency)

1. Rio’s grassroots agroforestry sustains birds, bees & communities

“[Community-created and -maintained] agroforests have reshaped the urban landscape and now attract an array of fauna, from birds to bees and even fireflies, drawn by the diversity of plant life thriving on improved soils. Perhaps most importantly, the agroforests offer free food and medicines to residents in need, plus shade and educational opportunities for the whole community[….]”

2. First giant pandas from China in decades make their public debut in San Diego

(image source) “Tensions between the U.S. and China had temporarily paused the program known as "panda diplomacy" in which China loans its native animals to zoos around the world […] as a show of goodwill[….] But the presence of [the two pandas in San Diego] appears to show a mending of the diplomatic relationship, which Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to work toward in a meeting with President Biden last year. [… Gov. Newsom] called the giant pandas an example of how strong worldly partnerships can protect wildlife and their habitats[….]”

3. Good news for Europe's top economies as disposable income rises

“Poland experienced the largest increase in disposable income per capita, rising by 10.2% compared with a decrease of 2.7% in the last quarter of 2023. According to the OECD, this growth was "mainly driven by increases in employee compensation, social benefits other than in-kind transfers, and property income". […] In Germany, [household income per capita] rose by 1.4%, compared to just 0.1% in the previous quarter, partly driven by an increase in employee compensation.”

4. FDA approves nasal spray as first needle-free treatment for anaphylaxis

“The spray, which will be sold under the brand name Neffy, is seen as an alternative to EpiPen and other autoinjectors. […] “Some people, particularly children, may delay or avoid treatment due to fear of injections,” said Kelly Stone, an associate director at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, adding that the availability of the nasal spray may reduce barriers to rapid treatment.”

5. [Colin Farrell] is launching a foundation to support adult[s] who have an intellectual disability

““We want to take a good look at residential potential for families with young adults who are ready to go out into the world and have a greater sense of community and connection,” says the actor. […] "It’s really important for James and for all of our kids to feel like they are wanted, to feel like they’re part of the community. Not just out of charitable endeavors or being nice and doing the right thing, but out of a sincere desire to engage and learn about each other."”

6. The Berlin Zoo is hoping for more German-born giant pandas as scans confirm a pregnancy

“Giant pandas have difficulty breeding and births are particularly welcomed. There are about 1,800 pandas living in the wild in China and a few hundred in captivity worldwide. […] The zoo noted that female pandas are only capable of reproducing for about 72 hours per year.”

7. Arizona school district highlights the benefits of free lunch

“A study by the University of Washington found free meals at school help reduce hunger, reduce the stigma tied to free lunch, and can help reduce childhood obesity. [… A cafeteria worker] said since the school district began offering free lunch, they have seen a positive shift in the cafeteria culture, and students seem happier. […] In September of 2023, the USDA […] loosened up its application threshold for applicants, allowing an estimated 3,000 more school districts in high-need areas to participate in the [CEP] program.”

8. Gigantic millipede lost to science for 126 years rediscovered in remote Madagascan jungle

“A further 20 species 'lost' to science were rediscovered during the expedition, including three iridescent species of fish and several species of ant-like flower beetles.”

9. The climate law’s $8.8B in home energy rebates are starting to roll out

“New York and Wisconsin are the first to launch their long-awaited Inflation Reduction Act programs meant to deploy everything from heat pumps to insulation. […] Once deployed, the DOE estimates, the home energy rebates will help save consumers up to $1 billion in annual energy costs and support an estimated 50,000 U.S. jobs in construction, manufacturing, and other sectors. They’ll also help clean up buildings, one of the biggest sources of carbon pollution in the country.”

10. Advance in stem cell therapy: New technique for manipulating stem cells opens door to novel treatments

“Recently, a team of McGill researchers discovered that by stretching, bending and flattening the nuclei of stem cells to differing degrees, they could generate precisely targeted cells that they could direct to become either bone or fat cells. […] The first applications of this discovery are likely to involve bone regeneration, possibly relating to dental or cranio-facial repair[….]”

August 1-7 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[girlactionfigure]

🚨 IDF DESIGNATES RADIO STATIONS FOR EMERGENCY BROADCASTS; ISRAELI HOSPITALS MOVE PATIENTS CLOSER TO BOMB SHELTERS; US ENGAGES IN TALKS WITH CHINA TO DISSUADE IRAN; IRAN THREATENS US BASES; PENTAGON REVIEWS MIDDLE EAST DEFENSE READINESS; GREECE HEIGHTENS ALERT 🚨

‼️The IDF has designated specific radio stations to broadcast emergency transmissions to the local population in the event of a breakdown of all communication systems (as reported previously). These stations will only run emergency broadcasts, with all normal programming suspended until further notice.

‼️Israeli hospitals are taking proactive measures by moving bedridden patients closer to bomb shelters in case they need to be shifted quickly during an emergency.

‼️In response to escalating tensions, the US is engaging in diplomatic talks with China to dissuade Iran from striking critical Israeli military infrastructure, which could trigger a regional war. 

‼️The commander of the Iranian army has warned, "If America intervenes this time, we will attack all its bases and military interests in the region."

‼️The Pentagon is currently working to verify the readiness of resources needed for defense in the Middle East and is reevaluating the status of US forces in the region, according to the White House.

‼️Greece has heightened its alert level and implemented additional security measures to protect Israeli interests.

‼️ Report that Key Hezbollah military outposts and headquarters in the southern suburbs of Beirut are reportedly undergoing a collapse?!

‼️New: France has decided to calls on it's citizens in Iran to leave and not travel to the country.

[lilfishiefigureskates]

Four Continents Championships Preview

Men - My Predicted Top 6 (in no particular order)

Daiwei Dai (China) - I think he’s going to be a dark horse not gonna lie. His 4T seems pretty solid and he did decent at Cup of China and just got 4th at the Asian Winter Games. I feel like he has a lot of positive momentum going for him.

Kao Miura (Japan) - I really thought he was going to withdraw but I feel like if he was going to withdraw he wouldn’t done it by now so I’m hoping that the fact that he hasn’t withdrawn means that his injury is better. If he’s skating while still injured I’m gonna be so upset. I cannot take a 3rd disaster skate in a row. If he does not do well here you may not hear from me for a long time because I will lose my mind. I remember how happy I was when Kao won this event with the iconic Beauty and the Beast program and I hope I will be that happy once again but I am scared.

Tatsuya Tsuboi (Japan) - He actually must do well because I really don’t love the idea of him bombing before Worlds. I’m really glad that he got assigned here so he can get some more international practice in, and hopefully it will go well so he can go into Worlds with some good momentum. If he bombs we panic.

Mikhail Shaidorov (Kazakhstan) - I’m very excited to see him. It’s cray cray that he’s turned into such a fav this season. If he does what he’s been doing all season I see no reason why he won’t be on the podium.

Junhwan Cha (South Korea) - This is his event to lose. He’s been on a podium streak since Korean Nationals and I’m not ready to see it end. He’s been killing it this second half of the season and I just want the good vibes to continue.

Camden Pulkinen (USA) - If he betrays me I will not forgive him. He was beautiful at US Nationals but consistency is not his speciality. If he does well here I really think he could get the Worlds spot over Jason.

Women - My Predicted Top 6 (in no particular order)

Mone Chiba (Japan) - I wish nothing but the best for my daughter. I love her so much and I believe she will soar. I actually need her to get on top of the podium because if she gets another 2nd place I will go feral.

Wakaba Higuchi (Japan) - I really need her on the podium as well. I better not see a popped 3S in the free :) I feel like this women’s competition is going to be a blood bath so if she makes a tiny mistake like popping the 3S I think that’ll be enough to keep her off the podium.

Rino Matsuike (Japan) - Need to see two clean program again just like JNats, because I don’t think she’ll be able to make a comeback in the free if she struggles in the short like she’s been doing all season. No matter what happens I’m excited to see her perform.

Chaeyeon Kim (South Korea) - My main girl just won Asian Winter Games and is gonna ride the wave of victory through this competition. I can’t decide who I want to win more - Mone or Chaeyeon. Mone keeps getting 2nd but I really want Chaeyeon to win at home. I just hope both of my daughters do their best.

Sarah Everhardt (USA) - The pressure is on her here because Isabeau is doing the Olympics test event this week as well. Idk what we’ll see from Isabeau, but if she doesn’t do well and Sarah does well here, we might be seeing Sarah at Worlds. She has a fire within her and she is hungry. I can sense it.

Alysa Liu (USA) - Still not over her short program from US Nationals. Once again I’m really happy that she’s getting some more international practice before Worlds.

I’m actually so excited for this competition!!!!!I’m a little worried about the men because the men will always men but I think the women’s competition is stacked and has excellent blood bath potential. With that being saidI hope we see a good fight from everyone. I have so many favorites at this competition that I wish there was room on the podium for everyone. I really feel like Four Continents snuck up on me but I am ready. Happy watching everyone!!!

[stele3]

https://www.reuters.com/business/trump-readies-order-steep-tariffs-goods-mexico-canada-china-2025-02-01/

[danshive]

I’ve started writing what could be a quite long Lower Decks fanfic. It’s supposed to take the basic idea I had a while back about a holdeck program of Boimler’s, only now he’s rediscovering it later instead of it being a between seasons one and two thing (mostly so T’Lyn can get involved). What I’ve written hasn’t even gotten to the actual premise yet. It’s just… Well, here’s just what it is so far:

——————

Though many who explored the depths of space wound insist the laws of physics were more polite suggestion than law, they nonetheless had a say in the lives of most of those who lived in the known universe.

Whether it had a say in the unknown universe, was, naturally, unknown. It was commonly assumed it did, of course, but that was a biased view put forth by those subject to physics.

One such subjected was Bradward Boimler, and today the laws of physics politely demanded he delete several holodeck programs.

In the quarters he shared with Rutherford, he looked with dismay at the list of holo programs he had stored in the ship’s computer, and the small pile of those on portable memory sticks. He had nowhere left to put anything new.

Not without breaking regulations and going over the amount he was allowed, at least, and that was not a Boimler thing to do.

“Ah, how’d I wind up with so many?!” This was easily answered. The majority of his programs were training simulations for improbable situations. Most of them had been authored by others, and he’d impulsively collected them over the years.

One might not expect to have to negotiate a truce with a time traveling Kahless during the Romance of The Three Kingdoms in Ancient China, but if that ever were to happen, Boimler could be ready!

The keyword being “could”.

Were the majority of these holo programs books, they would be coated in dust.

“That’s probably never going to happen, THAT’S probably never going to happen… Aw, man! That DID happen! I could’ve used this one! Augh!” He pouted in a manner unbefitting a future Captain. “Well, at least that’s one I can delete. Right, what’s…”

He paused as he looked at the next few listings. He didn’t use programs like them. Anymore.

“Well, I… Definitely don’t need THOSE anymore, right?” he chuckled nervously.

After a moments pause, Boimler moved on.

————

And that’s the rough draft of what I’ve got so far, though not as rough as when I first pasted it into Tumblr. Ye GODS did I find a lot of missing words. I think my most common typo is just taking for granted that necessary words showed up for work.

Anyway, next he finds the actual program the story is about, yadda yadda yadda, we’ll see when I feel like writing more.

[darkmaga-returns]

By Fabio Giuseppe Carlo Carisio

VERSIONE IN ITALIANO

«A primary objective of DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office (BTO) is to better ensure the health, and thereby the force readiness, of the country’s military service community. The COVID-19 pandemic, which rapidly spread worldwide from an initial outbreak in China at the end of 2019, highlights one of the most perilous vulnerabilities to deployed military personnel and civilians: lack of protection and medical countermeasures (MCMs) against endemic and emerging biothreats. DARPA’s investments in this space led. directly, with the biotechnology firm Moderna as a contracted performer on the program, to a first-ever human clinical trial with an RNA vaccine in 2019».

DARPA’s ADEPT Project on SARS Viruses

The project is called ADEPT (subtitle Advancing National Security Through Fundamental Research), it is signed by DARPA, that is, the very powerful military agency of the Pentagon: the Department of Defense of the United States of America.

DARPA is the acronym for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. It is one of the most powerful and secret military research centers in the world that controls various biological laboratories at Fort Detrick, the best-equipped bacteriological weapons development center in the world.

[elbiotipo]

I think SpaceX, engineering wise, is doing awesome work, but not under Musk and the demands of the US space program which are completely nonsensical. Having a gigantic Starship as a lunar lander to be "ready" in like 3 years is completely insane given that all Starships have done so far is blow up. I understand it's a very "physical" way of testing things, after all, car manufacturers do crash cars to test them they don't just test them virtually, but it does not generate confidedence that thing can carry humans.

Neither is NASA doing well as a whole, which is sucked dry by the military-industrial complex so they can only launch one absurdly powerful useless rocket every five years.

Neither of them are doing space exploration any favors lately (don't even ask about Roscosmos). SpaceX has a great engineering idea for it, but it's under the corporate rule of Musk and the mandates of the US goverment. It's not going to end too well if it keeps like that.

China is doing alright though.