#Singapore fire incidents

[toffee-and-tandoori]

i’ve been reflecting on that tweet/article about esteban’s switch to williams being blocked by alpine over the course of this hungarian gp weekend and i am truly disgusted and angered at what alpine has been trying to pull with esteban this year. let me explain. and buckle in because it’s gonna be a long one.

[disclaimer i will not be touching on the logan and james vowles of it all in this post but i will say this: i wish him the best in his career and personally i would just let him finish out the season without worrying about his seat being taken at any moment.]

[also i want to use this bit to sincerely thank @macaiv @promiscuousasexual @lafaerie @pinkcarsupremacy @oconist and @starlightiing for their help with source gathering and proofreading - i truly could not have done this without you <3]

first of all, i think it’s important to clear up the misconception that esteban was “fired” by alpine. as the original statement reads, alpine and esteban AGREED to part ways for 2025. let’s also remember there were claims even before alpine launched their 2024 livery that BOTH esteban and pierre were looking for alternatives. and of course, esteban was quick to point out his mercedes ties. i think it’s clear that esteban was not planning to stay with alpine after 2024. but don’t feel like you’re at fault for thinking that esteban was “fired” - that’s exactly what alpine wanted you to think. they have never corrected this assumption because it benefits them.

now let me be clear here and say that esteban was at fault for monaco 2024 - he absolutely shouldn’t have done what he did and accordingly he took responsibility for it. however, the magnitude of vitriol directed at esteban for a lap one error (which can and does happen to any driver) was excessive and disproportionate. first of all let’s remember that in that exact same race, kevin literally crashed out himself, his teammate, AND checo but was completely overlooked by the public. and far more importantly, no one deserves death threats, racism, and xenophobia. it got to the point that he published a statement on instagram asking for the hate to stop and if you know esteban, you know that he does not speak up for himself like that. ever. 

and how did alpine respond to the hate directed at their driver after monaco? three blue heart emojis. no statement condemning the hate. no statement extending their support for esteban. just three blue heart emojis. oh and the formal announcement of esteban leaving the team, propelling a new wave of hate. convenient timing for alpine, don’t you think?

to fully dissect how the false narrative about how “esteban is a horrible teammate” and is “always hyperfocused on beating and crashing into them” and how “no one on the grid likes him” is a product of racism (due to his algerian heritage), classism (due to his family’s working class status), and f1 media needing a “villain” to editorialize the spectacle of f1, i would need a whole other post. not to mention that esteban has been paired with very accomplished drivers throughout his whole career and has performed roughly equal to all of them; unfortunately for him almost all of esteban’s teammates are drivers who are the primary representative of their country and therefore have very large and very nationalistic fanbases, which has typically amplified the hate. but i’ll say this. of the clashes with his previous teammates, esteban was to blame for two of them in the past seven years [baku 2017 and monaco 2024]; checo was recognized to be responsible for three [belgium 2017, hungary 2017, and singapore 2018]; fernando was recognized to be responsible for one [brazil 2022] ; pierre was recognized to be responsible for one[australia 2023, a racing incident but esteban is known to have vouched for pierre in the stewards meeting so he could avoid a race ban]. individuals on the grid who are said to currently have a “strong dislike” for esteban have had kind words for him in recent years: fernando and max. esteban also is clearly friendly with a number of the drivers: lance, mick, jack, oscar, nico, kevin, lewis, fernando, max, charles, guanyu.

this narrative began in 2018 and has only grown with the explosion in f1’s popularity in large part due to “drive to survive”, a highly-editorialized show that has capitalized on this perception of esteban in their most recent season. and although esteban has been affiliated with lotus/renault/alpine since 2010 (literally since he was 14 years old - about half of his life), they have never once tried to publicly show support for their driver in response to hate. their social media pages have been filled pure hatred directed at esteban for years yet they have never said a thing. almost all of alpine’s team principals and executives have never truly given esteban the respect he deserves: rossi, szafnauer, famin. yet esteban has largely stayed silent through it all. 

but when esteban finally chose to prioritize himself over the team he has been loyal to for over a decade, alpine chose to weaponize the narrative they allowed to take root.

those may remember a claim that james vowles was not considering esteban for a williams seat because of his “history of aggressive behavior against his teammates”. there was never a direct quote from james saying this but we do have video of him defending esteban after monaco. 

but now this tweet/article suggests that both james vowles and esteban were interested in a move to williams that was blocked by alpine because they were concerned that esteban could help williams in the constructors. it was initially assumed that alpine wanted this move to happen because they wanted to get rid of esteban so badly. so why didn’t they correct this assumption? why did they release the formal announcement of esteban leaving the team when the hate reached heights not previously seen before? because they knew it would weaken esteban’s position in the driver’s market. and even still, esteban has been actively sought out by haas and audi in addition to williams. he has been praised by many team principals of past and present: james vowles, fred vasseur, toto wolff, eddie jordan. esteban remains a well-respected driver in the paddock...much to alpine’s chagrin. 

i truly believe that alpine tried to take advantage of esteban’s reputation (a reputation that they have never tried to mitigate) to try to fuck over his market value...and failed. they effectively attempted to sabotage esteban's future in f1. it is truly deplorable of them to do this, especially with the driver who’s been with the project for 14 years and is their first (and so far only) victor in their current iteration. and if you think that it would be truly horrendous of a team to do that to one of their drivers, remember that alpine has done this to fernando, to oscar, and to kevin. not to mention the disrespect they showed to jolyon and to alain.

the bwt alpine f1 team has truly lost all of my respect with what they’ve done this year. and they barely had any of it in the first place.

[leclercskiesahead]

can't say thank you in public

(smut under the cover)

The garage is loud tonight. There is an unmistakable buzz in the air. Spirits are high - Charles can't remember the last time they felt like this.

And it is all thanks to Carlos.

Carlos Sainz, winner of the Singapore Grand Prix. Carlos, who led every lap of the race and has been at the top of all the sessions, even back to Monza. Carlos, the reason why the mechanics and engineers and all the crew got to sing the Italian anthem with pride, under the red and neon lights.

Carlos, who returned from summer break rested and recharged and with a hot new fire in his belly. Not that he ever lacked motivation, but it was like he had unlocked a new part of himself, and his post-summer tan made it look like the fire was glowing within.

Carlos giving the scuderia its first taste of victory.

On paper, it has been a good weekend for the team. P1 and P4 is their best combined result of the season. Charles knows that he himself is feeling more at ease with the car, that he still posted good timings all weekend.

But finishing a position behind where he started is always going to be a let down.

Now that the race and the celebrations are all over, the adrenaline left his body, he can't stop thinking about the pit box, the feeling that he was just sitting there a moment too long. He has since seen the replays, of Hamilton driving past just as his own stop was complete. He can see that objectively, the team could not release him without receiving a penalty. It does not change the sense of helplessness and dread that comes from reliving that moment, nor the thoughts that follow as he tries to manage said emotions.

Maybe there was just enough space in front of Hamilton but they played it safe, maybe he could have followed Carlos more closely in the pit lane, maybe he could have managed their gap better, maybe he could have fought the Mercedes if he also changed his tyres under the virtual safety car, maybe, maybe...

He runs a hand through his damp hair as if it will pull those thoughts out of his head to be discarded. They are useless now. The team will enjoy tonight, bars and parties aplenty, then the focus turns to Suzuka.

24 hours ago, Charles had let himself entertain the thought of going to a party after the race, celebrating a podium. It feels a bit too much now. A nice bar will do, one with good ambience and a view. He is no longer up for a dance floor and flashing lights tonight.

A knock on his door interrupts his packing, and Carlos steps into the room without waiting for an answer. Charles is surprised to see him. Since leaving parc fermé, Carlos has been swept up by the crowd, trophy cradled in his arms. The people all want to see their race winner. Charles only got to see him again at the team photo-taking.

He figures Carlos would have been dragged off to a party by now. Half the garage has left and the rest are chatting about which bar to hit up once they're done.

But Carlos is still here. Changed out of his race suit, but still in team wear. Definitely not on his way to a party yet.

"Ah good, you're still here," Carlos says as he lets himself in and closes the door, muffling the chatter around the motorhome.

Charles stands in greeting. "You too, mate. You are not partying already?"

"Later," Carlos says, taking a step closer. His cap is on backwards. "I haven't got to talk to you yet."

"We talked in the debrief."

Carlos' lips curl into a smile. He is still coming closer.

The drivers' rooms are not that large. Charles hasn't moved, but he thinks if this continues he might be backed up against the wall.

"The strategy for the race," Carlos begins. "Everything we discussed after quali. Everything had to be perfect, and we were."

Perfect for you, Charles thinks. The pit incident with Hamilton is the only blot on the team's overall performance today, and it had not affected Carlos one bit.

(Well okay, it might have been easier for them to manage the race pace through the second stint with two cars in the front, but in the end, Carlos had coped on his own. Incredibly well, as the whole paddock cannot stop talking about his DRS strategy and working with Lando to defend against the Mercedes. It is a devilishly smart plan, Charles must admit, and it doesn't surprise him that it is Carlos of all drivers who came up with it instead of just slamming on the accelerator.)

The stray thought quickly evaporates as Carlos steps into his space. Charles takes a step back. He slides a hand behind him and grazes the wall with his fingertips.

"Thank you for executing everything perfectly," Carlos says. His eyes stare into Charles, large and deep and brown with something burning within.

"A good weekend for the team," Charles breathes. "It all paid off because you got the win"

"Because of you," Carlos insists. His voice sounds deeper than usual. "The plan relied on you, Charles. It would have been harder without you. You executed perfectly."

Carlos has stopped his advance, leaving Charles just a hair's breadth from leaning against the wall. His teammate is shorter and lighter but it feels like he's looming over Charles, wrapping around him and encompassing him from all sides. The feeling is not uncommon with Carlos.

"Are you going out tonight?" Carlos asks. Even in the Singapore heat, Charles can feel the heat of his words as they fan over Charles' skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

"No," he exhales. "Just for dinner, then I think I will rest before the flight tomorrow."

"No? Then I only have now to say thank you."

"You - what?" Charles blurts, because Carlos has already delivered all the lines and credit in front of the media. But he doesn't have much time to be confused.

Because Carlos is dropping to his knees in front of Charles and working at the buckle of his pants.

The clasp flies open under deft fingers and Carlos lunges forward as the zipper follows. Charles feels his hot breath through the fabric of his underwear and it might be enough to make him half hard.

Strong hands grip at Charles' waist before Carlos shoves both his pants and underwear down in one move. Charles' dick springs free, and both men groan.

"Carlos..." Charles warns, although his voice sounds more raspy and desperate than he would like.

"So good for me," Carlos coaxes, as he starts to stroke. "So good on track. And off it. So good, Charles."

His large hand wraps around the base Charles' shaft and starts to pump. Charles bites back a moan that threatens to echo around the whole garage. He is getting harder by the second and Carlos is kissing up his thighs, sucking at the juncture of his hip. Those large eyes bat upwards, thick lashes fluttering, watch Charles' reactions. Charles must look like a panting mess, struggling to keep quiet, to meet Carlos' gaze and not throw his head back like a depraved animal. His resolve only lasts so long.

The first wrap of those plush lips around the head of his cock does rip a moan out of Charles. Carlos pulls off, only to reattach his lips to the base, just above his balls, and mouth his way up to the tip, leaving a trail of hot spit along the underside of Charles' length, before taking Charles in his mouth again, going almost halfway down this time.

Carlos' mouth is hot and obscene, like the man himself when they find themselves like this. He is bobbing his head, taking more and more of Charles each time, pausing every now and then to hollow his cheeks and just suck. His tongue is as skilled as his hands on the wheel, steering Charles towards the edge with the way it slides along his slit and swirls around, pressing on the underside of his dick.

Charles rests his head against the wall and takes ragged breaths. His palms are pressed against the plaster, fingers scrabbling for purchase that isn't there. A distant corner of his mind conjures the thought of knocking Carlos' cap off and burying his fingers in his hair. Then he remembers his teammate had gotten it cut anyway. The curls that had been sticking up at Monza a tragic sacrifice for convenience in Singapore.

A chilling sensation hits his dick, and Charles' eyes snap open (he didn't even know when they had rolled back and closed.) He whines at the realisation that Carlos had pulled off his dick and blown on it.

"I want to see you," his teammate growls. He meets Charles' eyes with his own, those large eyes, so deep and dark that Charles feels like he is falling into his gaze, and maintains the eye contact as he slowly lowers his mouth over Charles' dick again.

This time, he bottoms out, and Charles almost cries out at the sight. All his nerves are on fire, and the sight of Carlos staring up at him from down there is nearly too much. The other starts moving again, drawing obscene sounds from Charles every time his lips meet the base of his shaft.

He feels his brows pinch as he fights to keep his eyes open, through all the moans and whines that wreck him. Carlos gags and grunts but does not look away. Sweat beads at Charles' hairline, not from the weather, and eventually drip into his eyes, stinging and blurring his vision. He can still see the depths of Carlos' pupils blown wide, keeping Charles magnetised. He cannot break away.

Charles' thighs are quivering from trying to keep himself still. He might collapse at any given moment. Carlos' hands rest at the top of his thighs, right over his underwear line, simply resting without any pressure. But they might as well be pinning Charles against the wall, because the sensation of them, large, hot hands, burning into his skin, is keeping Charles from bucking into Carlos' mouth. It is crazy how Carlos can hold him in place like this, without even holding him.

Then those hands slide around the back, fingers digging into the flesh of Charles' ass, pulling all of him closer to Carlos' face while simultaneously spreading his thighs further apart. Charles lurches at the sudden shift, sliding deep into Carlos' wanting mouth. He only just registers the clear feeling of his head hitting the back of Carlos' throat before he's gone.

Carlos drinks every bit that Charles gives, like a man at a fountain in the desert. He moves a hand between Charles' legs, behind his balls, and strokes him through the orgasm, milking every drop of come out of him. He slides off slowly once there is no more, holding Charles' by the hips and supporting him as he finally leans back and collapses against the wall, spent.

Charles lets his eyes flutter shut, having long abandoned Carlos' request when his orgasm hit. He feels one last kiss being pressed to his thigh, under the hip bone, before Carlos' hands and lips disappear from his skin.

There is a soft rustling as Carlos stands, a gentle thud as he steps once more into Charles' space, and the brush of his breath over the shell of Charles' ear.

"Good drive today," he says, voice low.

And then he gone, padding out of the room. Charles hears the door slide open and shut, but he can no longer hear the chatter of the engineers downstairs, if they have all left or are simply drowned out by his own desperate breaths and the pounding of his heart in his ears.

[universitypenguin]

Chapter XIII

The Princess & The Lawyer

Summary: A scare with her stalker causes Princess to take matters into her own hands. Meanwhile in Idaho, Lloyd finds himself between a rock and hard place.

Word Count: 8,058

Masterlist

Warnings: Description of a physical assault with a blunt weapon, stalking, harassment, dangerous encounter with a semi-wild animal, cowboy/ranch work, illegal drug trade, and corruption. Minor foul language. Only appropriate for 18+ readers. No minors. 

Author’s Note: I wish this installment hadn’t taken so long, but between going on interviews and then changing jobs, the past few months have been crazy. Thank you for waiting, encouraging me, and sticking with this story.

Chapter XIII 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

You were counting down the seconds until you could end this call but Weston Tafferty was in prime form tonight. Even though you’d clocked out thirty minutes ago, he seemed to think your personal time was fair game for work-related conversation. He continued to fire off questions as you struggled to fill in your eyebrows and carry your end of the conversation. If he didn’t wrap this up soon, you’d still be on the phone with him during your belated family birthday dinner.

“Why wasn’t I cc’d on your emails to Detective Roth?” Weston asked. 

“I’m not using my work account for those messages. Roth set me up on their encrypted server.” 

“And this prevents you from emailing me how?”

“Wes, that information is too sensitive to share.” 

“Hmmm. I’ll give you a pass for now, but next time, make sure I’m in the loop. I also noticed you haven’t been using my spreadsheet system. If you don’t comply with departmental requirements, I’ll have to write you up.” 

You rolled your eyes. “Okay. Listen, I’m already off work and I have plans. Email me the details and I’ll take it up with HR.” 

A while ago this sort of micromanagement would’ve sent you through the roof. Tonight, other stresses were taking up too much mental space for you to care. And thanks to Weston’s call, you were running ten minutes late. You tapped your phone to check the time and realized ten minutes had become fifteen. Great. Your Mom would kill you if you were late to your own party. 

Another icon on the home screen caught your eye. There was no little red number hoovering in the corner of your message app to announce new texts. 

There had been no new messages for a week. 

Aiden had just… stopped. It should feel good, but your nervous system was screaming. An impending sense of doom settled over you and kept you trapped in the house all week. Your gut said this ceasefire was temporary and Aiden was biding his time. 

You’d filed a complaint with the police and he'd gone no contact. It was disorienting. Just when you started taking Aiden’s threats seriously, he stopped making them. Filling out the paperwork at Metro had stripped away the delusion you’d maintained last week. Writing the incidents in black and white on police forms laid waste to your sense of security. As the silence had stretched from one day into two, and then into four, fear sank deeper into your consciousness. 

Staying locked in Lloyd’s house forever wasn’t an option. If it were, you’d do just that. But your parents had already delayed your birthday celebration because of the Singapore trip, and backing out now would demand an explanation you weren’t prepared to give. 

Checking your reflection in the full-length mirror, you frowned. Thanks to Aiden’s threats about your apartment, you’d avoided going home, so the only dinner outfit you had was the dress Lloyd gave you in Singapore. Unfortunately, the skirt didn’t cover your knees. Self-defense lessons with Landon and Jake had left them covered in ugly bruises. 

There was no way Vivan wouldn’t notice and then your mother would make a fuss. You tried covering the marks with concealer. As you were applying setting powder, your phone buzzed. Hands full of makeup, you glanced at the screen.

A message read: Here. 

You were expecting Jake and tapped ‘K’ in reply.

There was a noise from below as the front door opened, then the scuff of sneakers on tile. You tossed the concealer into your makeup bag and rinsed your hands before heading downstairs. 

“Hey, Jake! Guess what? No new messages today. He’s gone from obsessed to silent. It’s crazy…” 

You turned the corner and froze. The visitor wasn’t Jake.

“Zach!”

He removed his sunglasses, hooking them on the top button of his shirt. 

“Hey. Sorry, I didn’t know you were coming by,” you said. 

“I texted. Jake’s working late. He asked me to check in, said there’d been trouble with raccoons knocking over garbage cans.” 

“Yes… Racoons.” 

“Everything okay?” Zach asked. 

“Absolutely.”

He cocked his head. “Yeah? Who were you talking about before?”

“Uh… I was scheduling a follow up with a witness. A witness in another case. He was responsive at first, like, obnoxiously, but suddenly… you know. He’s ghosting me.” 

“You seem nervous.”

You needed to lie - convincingly. 

“I’m fighting with Vivian, and my birthday dinner is tonight. It’s going to be interesting.” 

“That’s all?”

“Yeah. Just family drama.” 

“Hmmm. Jake’s been cracking his knuckles all week, which is never a good sign. I checked the location history on our work phones and saw Landon and Jake have been stopping by regularly. What gives, Y/N?” 

“That sounds like an invasion of privacy,” you said.

“They’re my phones. Speaking of… give me yours.” 

He held out his hand. 

“No way.” 

“Suppose the racoons aren’t just racoons, Princess. Give me your phone. I won’t check the location without cause.” 

You hesitated.

Zach wiggled his fingers. “Give it.” 

You handed him the phone. Zach tapped in commands as you collected your purse. By the time you’d checked your wallet and keys, he’d installed the app. 

“When did you hear the racoons?”

“Ten-thirty.”

“Did the floodlights come on?” Zach asked.

“Ah… I don’t remember.” 

You wished Jake had given you a heads up about the cover story. Zach passed you the phone. 

“I’ll take a look. Don’t let me keep you, I’ve got my own keys.” 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

“Charlene, don’t be a bitch. Let’s talk about this before you do something crazy.”

Lloyd tried to make his tone as cajoling as possible. Facing down the bad-tempered female with death in her tawny eyes, he was willing to press any advantage he could, including charm.

The cow snorted and bobbed her head. He recognized that look and untethered his rope from the saddle horn in response. Through the act his eyes stayed locked on Charlene. She might be a Charolais heifer, but her temperament rivaled the most vicious Jersey bull. He uncoiled his rope and extended the loop to allow for her horns. While he understood his father had been sick, it was a crime not to have de-horned this monster when she was born. Her attitude was defense enough without having weapons attached to her head. 

He swung the lasso a few times, getting it into shape.

“Charlene” – so named because all Charolais heifers were Charlene in his book – pawed the ground. Getting her out of the pasture hadn’t been easy and herding her through the corrals was an event he’d rather forget. But he hadn’t expected the sight of the narrow alley into the loading chute would turn her into a psychotic demon. 

The rail-road tie fencing of the alley was six feet high and not much wider inside. Charlene had made up her mind about it in an instant, despite the fact she’d probably never seen such a thing before in her life. He’d found most of his father’s herd balked at the loading chute. Even in the pasture they acted half-wild, like they hadn’t seen a human in years. After that discovery he’d installed a series of gates in the alleyway for better control. The first was at the entrance and another positioned in the middle to prevent cows from backing up or creating a crowd-crush. The system worked, assuming the animal went in. 

Charlene bellowed and raised her head, puffing herself up. Jane, the quarter horse under him, shuffled back a step. He hoped she had nerves of steel because the last thing he wanted was to snap his neck getting bucked off and finding out what the business end of Charlene’s horns felt like was equally unappealing.

“Can you hurry it up? We’re behind schedule!”

The semi-truck driver called to him over the fence and Lloyd ignored him. He adjusted the rope and turned it so the loop’s bottom strand flipped over his wrist. When he raised his arm, muscle memory kicked in. Without a conscious thought his thumb clenched and his fingers curled, while his elbow and shoulder rolled in a familiar motion. He stood up and put most of his weight into the left stirrup, preparing for the throw. When Charlene’s muscles rippled, he angled the lasso down and threw the loop, relishing the speed as it flew over his hand. 

He was still focused on the mechanics of the action when Jane spooked. He’d leaned into the throw which placed his weight in the opposite direction of where she’d run. When she bucked again, he swore and lost a stirrup. Lloyd grabbed the saddle horn and fought to keep his seat. 

The lasso sailed over Charlene’s horns despite Jane’s fit. He drew it snug and anchored the rope to his saddle horn. When the little roan under him felt the rope pull, she spun around, leaning back on her haunches. Charlene tossed her head, fighting the restraint.

“Good girl, Jane. You’re a roping horse, aren't you?” 

The mare flicked her ears in appreciation. He laughed, surprised at his good fortune. His father hadn’t had many good traits but his taste in horses was impeccable. Lloyd twisted the rope back and forth. Charlene bellowed as it rubbed and moved forward. When he clicked his tongue, Jane backed into the narrow alleyway, dragging Charlene along. 

“Hey, kid!” Lloyd called to the driver’s assistant. 

“Yes, sir?”

“Shut that gate!” 

This was the farthest he’d gotten her. If he lost his grip on the rope, he’d rather chase her in the confinement of the alley than around the corral. When the gate clanged shut behind her, the heifer kicked at it and made contact, causing the panel to clang against the chain fastener.

Charlene lunged at Jane. 

The horse reared and Lloyd leaned into the movement just in time to avoid a tumble. Jane turned in mid-air and landed facing the gate that had just been shut. Lloyd yanked his rope over the saddle horn, and leapt off. He smacked Jane’s hind quarters, sending her galloping, and whistled at the heifer to keep her attention while the kid opened the gate for the horse. 

Whistling really pissed Charlene off. 

He turned and sprinted for the fence and felt her breath on his back pocket just as his foot hit the railing. He managed to climb halfway up before she slammed into his leg. Lloyd gasped at the burst of pain. When the pressure let up, he jumped down and rolled under the second gate. 

“Holy shit, you’ve got a death wish,” the driver said. “I’m not taking this one!” 

“She’ll calm down. She just doesn’t like trailers,” Lloyd said.

He had no idea if that was true, but he wasn’t about to keep her around to find out. 

Charlene paced back and forth, eyeing him on the other side of the gate, dragging the rope he’d dropped through the mud. Lloyd stood up. She shook her head and bellowed, making the rope whip around. By a stroke of good luck he caught the end and pulled it under the gate. 

As the alley narrowed, barricade posts set inside the high fence guided the cattle into the loading chute. He wound the rope around one and tugged, testing its strength. Charlene was big and this post wasn’t built to withstand that kind of weight. Lloyd wrapped the rope around again. 

“If this cow kills me, I’ll sue you,” the driver said from the other side of the fence.

“I don’t think you’re the one she’s looking to kill.”

The assistant climbed over from the corral and landed beside his boss. He looked at Lloyd. 

“You okay? Did she break anything?”

“No, I’m good. Do me a favor. Be ready to shut that trailer, fast.”

“What?” 

Lloyd unchained the gate and moved to the far side of the alley. He glanced at the kid.

“Ready?” 

The assistant ran to the trailer. Lloyd tightened the rope around the post, lashed it around his hand for good measure, and unlatched the second gate. He moved to the other side of the alley, parallel to the barrier post, and kicked the gate open, making it crash against the fence. This time the noise didn’t spook Charlene. She was too focused on Lloyd to care. 

He stood there and let her charge. The barrier post served as a pivot point, creating a zig-zag that shortened the rope. Charlene was just a few feet away when she ran out of length and was swung around by the force of her own momentum. She stumbled into the loading chute and Lloyd shoved the metal panel into place behind her. He climbed up the fence and pulled the rope off her horns. When it was off, he whistled. She bolted in the only direction she could, straight into the trailer. The kid slammed the door shut.

Jane was waiting by the gate, exactly where she’d run after he’d jumped off. Lloyd led her out of the corral around to the cattle truck. The assistant watched him secure his rope to the saddle with obvious interest. 

“Do you rodeo, sir?”

“Nope, never have.”

The kid’s expression was disbelieving. “Why?” 

“My father preferred to train and sell horses instead of competing with them.” 

“You could’ve made a killing at jackpot ropings!” 

Lloyd chuckled, amused by the kid’s enthusiasm. 

The driver scowled. “We’re behind schedule.”

“That’s the pleasure of working with animals,” Lloyd said.

“I’m charging you for the delay. You should’ve shot this one, she’s going to kill somebody.”  

“She’ll be fine once you unload her. Do you have everything you need?”

The kid answered. “We just need your signature.”

The driver fetched the paperwork while Lloyd fielded the kid’s roping questions. It surprised him to find he enjoyed giving the advice. 

When the livestock haulers were off, he walked Jane to the barn.

“You earned some oats for not breaking my neck,” Lloyd said.

Jane snorted and picked up her pace. 

In front of the barn, he noticed marks in the dirt. He looped Jane’s reins through a hitching ring without bothering to secure them and crouched to study the boot prints. The mixture of clay and loam soil held its shape well, and the sun had baked the dirt into a detailed cast. He’d found similar impressions on Tuesday morning which had motivated him to spend the next few days herding cattle on the outskirts of the ranch. 

The sneaky, unwanted visitor didn’t surprise him. 

Settling the ranch’s affairs was his duty. Dealing with his father’s illegal side business wasn’t. He’d be insane to get involved in a drug running operation and risk a second strike on his record. 

Lloyd studied the print. He knew it wasn’t from him. The first thing he’d done when he’d arrived was dig out his cowboy boots and start cleaning the barn. His boots were leather soled, designed to slide easily in and out of stirrups. They left a distinct heel and triangular forefoot print. The visitor’s boots had a tread pattern that was usually found on rubber soles. Whoever wore these shoes spent his days on city streets, not on a ranch. A sinking feeling settled in his chest. He had a strong hunch about the visitor’s identity, but hoped he was wrong. Lloyd dusted off his jeans, and went to untack Jane. He placed the saddle and blanket over the door of an empty stall. 

He glanced toward the tack room and his stomach clenched. Inhaling sharply, he turned away. 

After Jane was settled with a bale of grass hay and a bucket of oats, he walked to the small pen where a sick calf was bedded down in the straw. His eyes and nose were running with thick green mucus that left no doubt infection had taken hold. Lloyd checked his water. It hadn’t been touched. 

“Whatever bug you’re fighting might not kill you, but dehydration sure will.” 

The calf wheezed. 

Lloyd shook his head. “You need a vet.”

His ears twitched at the words, but he didn’t raise his head. After changing the calf’s water Lloyd went to the house and used the landline to call Anderson’s Feed Store. 

Henry Anderson picked up on the first ring. Of course, he not only knew the local vet, but promised he’d have them swing by around six. Then he started firing off questions with the zeal of a Spanish Inquisitor. How was college? Did he like Harvard, or did he wish he’d gone to Notre Dame? What had he enjoyed about England? How much did it rain over there? Did he know Coach Olsen had hung a framed picture of him receiving the Bushnell Cup in the gym lobby?

Lloyd sat down at the kitchen table and answered the inquiries. He noticed when Mr. Anderson skipped over questions about his post-college years and fast forwarded to current events. The effortless way he sidestepped the uncomfortable subject squeezed Lloyd’s heart. His unseemly history didn’t warrant such a tactful maneuver and because of it, Henry’s easy grace hit him like a three hundred pound linebacker. 

“I knew that determination would take you places. I haven’t employed another highschool kid for four years straight since you.” 

At that time, he’d done his best to stay out of Joe’s way which meant the long hours at Henry’s store were a perk. Later, their fully stocked breakroom fridge had allowed him to avoid going home for days at a time.

“How’s April doing?” 

He finally asked about the topic he’d been expecting would come up, but hadn’t. 

“She’s doing well. Married a boy from Portland and now we’ve got four grandchildren. The oldest is a senior this fall, and the middle one starts seventh grade. The second youngest is in kindergarten and the baby turns two in a month.”  

“Wow… that’s a range of ages.” 

“The baby is her Mama’s spitting image. It took four tries, but her genes finally hit copy paste.” 

Henry laughed at his own joke while Lloyd tried to imagine it.

“I’m sure you’ll catch up with her, but I’ve got to let you go. A load of grain just pulled in. The vet says they’ll be by after 5:30, probably closer to 6.” 

“Thanks, Henry.” 

He hung up and tried to wrap his head around the bombshell that April Anderson was married with four kids. He wondered why Henry had suggested they catch up. It seemed to imply she still lived in the area. Lloyd shook off the curiosity and grabbed the truck keys. He didn’t have time for a social call. Already, it was mid-afternoon and his errands in town couldn’t be put off any longer. 

Lloyd paused at the door and reached into the side table drawer. As expected, his father’s loaded .22 Sig Sauer was inside, encased in a leather shoulder holster that held two extra magazines in a pocket on the right strap. Being a felon, he wasn’t legally allowed to carry a gun, let alone a concealed gun. He thought of the boot prints and his suspicions about the night-time visitor, then removed his denim shirt and slipped on the holster. He covered it with the shirt and checked his reflection. The loose garment and compact weapon rendered the bulge under his arm almost invisible. He put on his sunglasses and grabbed a baseball cap from the shelf. 

It was just a quick trip to town. He’d be in and out before anyone knew he was there. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

You tugged at your skirt, trying in vain to shield your bruised knees. Even with setting powder, the concealer hadn’t provided the coverage you’d hoped for. 

Vivian stirred her yogurt and watched you from the corner of her eye. Your birthday dinner had gone better than expected. For dessert you’d taken the family out for frozen yogurt and, at your Mom’s suggestion, walked down to the park so Alyssa could run around. She’d behaved well at the restaurant, but after two hours of sitting, she was getting antsy. 

With the efficiency of a general, Mom had taken charge of Sam and ordered Juan to mind Alyssa. She had sent you and Vivian off to ‘enjoy the peace and quiet,’ which was code for ‘go make up because I said so.’ From a shady bench you watched Mom encouraging Sam to walk through the splash pad spray. She was bent over, letting him hold both her hands for balance, uncaring of the mist soaking the lower half of her linen pants. Hector, Caleb, and Diego were kicking a soccer ball in the grass and Juan was hovering nearby, watching Alyssa play in the landscaping.

“What’s Alyssa doing?” you asked Vivian. 

“Playing with rocks. I don’t know why, but if you give her a rock, she’ll look at it for hours.” 

“Huh. Interesting.” 

“What happened to your knees?” Vivian asked. 

“I fell.”

“Were you drinking?”

“Vivian!” 

“What, you’re not uncoordinated. Were you drinking?”

“No!”

“Well, I have to ask. You’ve been acting super weird lately,” she said. 

That was true. You cringed under her scrutiny and decided to change the topic.

“I’m sorry, Vivian.” 

She blinked. “Excuse me?”

“My reaction to your pregnancy was uncalled for. I overstepped, and I’m sorry.”

“I dropped it on you like a ton of bricks, so there’s that. You don’t handle change well and I should’ve known to break the news gently.” 

“Hey! I’m great with change.” 

“Absolutely, you just roll with the punches.” Vivian snickered, and dissolved into giggles. Then her gaze shifted to your frozen yogurt. “Can I have a bite?”

You held out the cup. She sampled it and made a face.

“Yuck.”  

“First you insult my adaptability, then my taste buds.”

“Speaking of taste, congratulations on the break up.”

It took you a second to realize what she meant. “When did I tell you about that?”

“You told Caleb, which is like telling the whole family.”

“Right.”

“Does your boss live in the Historic District of Alexandria? By those swanky townhouses?” Vivian asked.

“Yeah. Why?”

Her eyes gleamed. “Last night I checked your location on Life360. Guess where you were?”

Oh, crap…

“Why were you at your boss’s house at three a.m?”

“I’m house sitting,” you said. 

“For three weeks? Bullshit.”

“Damn it, I’m going to delete that stupid app. I thought I already did-”

“I stole your phone and reinstalled it. Before you ask, yes, I check your location every night. Are you dating your boss?”

“He’s not my boss. Technically, Weston Tafferty is my supervisor.” 

“Lloyd’s last name is Hansen, right?”

You frowned. “Did you Google him?”

“I really should apply to the FBI someday,” Vivian said, grinning. 

“Listen, you can’t believe everything on the internet…”

She was already opening a website on her phone.

“Have you seen this?” 

You braced yourself to explain Lloyd’s escapades, but it was an article from the Boston Globe sports section dated 26 October 2001. The headline read “Harvard Beats Penn, Cinches Ivy Title” and the photo underneath showed a group of sweaty men in tight white pants and hulking shoulder pads. Lloyd was in the middle. He’d taken his helmet off, revealing a clean shaven jaw and hair three shades lighter than it was now, but there was no mistaking that bone structure. 

“Look at that man. He is fine,” Vivian drew the middle vowel of ‘fine’ into a throaty purr. 

“It’s not like that, I’m-”

“You’re sleeping with him, just spill.” 

You groaned and covered your face.

“Y/N, please? It’s just us. And unlike Caleb, I can keep a secret. I can keep all the secrets, so tell me everything.” 

Your sister was absolutely reliable as a confidant, but your relationship with Lloyd was so new and undefined. Then again, maybe you could use some outside perspective on the matter. It would probably go a long way toward repairing the rift between you. 

“Okay. So, Aiden ended things-”

“Shut up! He broke up with you?!”

Her outrage was a delight. “Unfortunately. Lloyd took me out for dinner and you’ll never guess what happened then…”

By the time you left the park, dusk was falling. Talking to Vivian had settled your mind about the crazy twist your relationship with Lloyd had taken and confirmed that you were enjoying the new status quo, as tenuous as it might be. 

There was a flier stuck under your windshield wiper. Assuming it was an advertisement, you grabbed it, slid behind the wheel and turned on the air conditioner, then unfolded the page. Breath froze in your lungs and your heart dropped like a stone as blood drained from your face so fast your vision blurred.

It was a photo of you and Vivian on the park bench. You scanned it for clues, trying to decipher the angle it had been taken from and realized the photographer must have been on the other side of the splash pad from where you’d been sitting. A shiver ran down your spine. You scanned the street, with its long shadows and fluorescent lamps. Aiden could be anywhere. Fragments of the messages he’d sent flashed through your mind, raising goosebumps on your arms. Your hands clenched into fists. This was no way to live. You couldn’t tolerate it.

Trying to calm your racing heart, you took several deep breaths. After the pressure eased in your chest and you felt clear-headed again, you evaluated your options. There was the obvious choice - contact Detective Diskant at metro and give him the photo. But hadn’t you already done that? Aiden had responded by stepping up his game. Not only had he followed you, he’d followed your family and been bold enough to leave behind photographic evidence of the act.

The message was clear: I’m watching, and you can’t stop me.

Reporting him had made things worse. You threw the car into reverse; it was time to show Aiden who he was dealing with. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

His errands took longer than expected. 

The health district office was slammed, and he’d waited more than an hour for copies of his father’s death certificate. Paying property taxes in person was a bureaucratic nightmare, and so was settling the funeral home bill. His last stop was the priest, and he’d cut that visit short. To make sure they wouldn’t cancel Joe’s service because of his rudeness, he’d added a zero to his donation. With one eye on the clock, he made the final turn towards home. The clock ticked off another minute. Not wanting to miss the vet, he sped up.

Sirens wailed.

Lloyd hissed. He hadn’t risked speeding on the interstate after spotting the black and white vehicle tailing him, but he’d thought he had shaken them miles ago. Red and blue flashing lights followed him to the edge of the road as he pulled over. 

Great. What a fantastic ending to an afternoon filled with unpleasant errands. He’d handed over a small fortune to the county and fucking donated to an organization that owned more land than Bill Gates. Like an ice cream sundae wouldn’t be complete without the cherry on top, this miserable day couldn’t be finished with anything less than a traffic stop. 

He parked a few meters from the ranch’s front gate. The police truck didn’t pull in behind him; instead, it maneuvered around and turned into his driveway. It swung to the right and reversed into a parallel park, blocking the road. 

The side decal on the pickup read ‘SHERIFF’ in bold print. 

Lloyd watched the driver climb out. Even at a distance, he recognized the well-built man thanks to the distinctive outline of his Montana crease cowboy hat. This one was pecan colored instead of gray. It matched the tan uniform better than his old one, Lloyd noted. 

He rolled down the window and propped his elbow on the ledge to hide the holster under his arm.

“Evening, Sheriff. Was I speeding?”

“License and registration.”

Lloyd took his time finding the papers and handed them over, one by one.

“You’re looking well, Holbrook. It’s like you haven’t aged a day.”

The jab made the Sheriff’s upper lip curl, but he didn’t bat an eye as he examined the papers. Charles Holbrook was his senior by twelve years, though the way he wore those years made it look like twenty. His bulky aviators didn’t cover the wrinkles around his eyes and what Lloyd could see of his hair had gone gray. 

Holbrook tilted his hat back. 

“Where were you headed in such a hurry, son?”

“I’ve got a sick calf and the vet’s due any minute.” 

The Sheriff looked to the passenger seat where the file of tax papers lay.

“What’s in the folder?”

“If you’ve got a warrant you can look, but if not…” 

“Where are you coming back from?”

“Town.”

Holbrook ran his tongue around his teeth. “You sure about that? Just town? Nowhere else?”

It seemed his instinct about being followed had been correct. He wished he hadn’t slipped their tail earlier, because it had given them the chance to set up this speed trap. 

Lloyd shrugged. “I’m just trying to get home and take care of my animals, Sheriff.”

Knowing who he was dealing with helped Lloyd keep his temper in check. Thirty years ago, when he’d been a young deputy, Charles Holbrook had joined Joe’s drug running operation. Harsher sentencing guidelines made his father cautious enough to find an insurance policy and Holbrook fit the bill. He proved himself effective and ambitious, which was why Lloyd hadn’t been surprised to hear they’d had a falling out after he’d left for college. Rumor was, the Sheriff and Joe had spent the past twenty years at war, fighting over control of the intermountain west drug trade.

Holbrook grasped the butt of his gun. Lloyd tensed, then a blur of action drew his attention. The passenger door of the police truck flew open. A young man in a deputy’s uniform burst out with a pump action rifle.

Shit. 

The .22 under his arm wouldn’t be any defense if the deputy was a good shot and given that Holbrook was nobody’s fool, especially in these matters… carrying illegally had been a colossal mistake. The tiniest infarction would be an excuse to throw him in jail. Lloyd’s jaw clenched as he appreciated that in this scenario, Holbrook’s definition of “jail” would mean “the bottom of Redfish Lake.” 

“Watch your back, Lloyd. You know the rules in these parts.” 

Rage bubbled in his chest at the threat. His nostrils flared as he took a sharp breath, struggling against the urge to fight. The Sheriff smirked. 

“It’d be a shame if there were two Hansen funerals this week, Lloyd. Don’t do anything stupid. We need to have a serious chat about-”

Holbrook cut off at the sound of gravel crunching behind them. Lloyd saw another vehicle had pulled up behind his truck and scowled. He couldn’t decide if he should be amused or annoyed that he warranted backup. This was a run of the mill shake down, not… Damn it. His gaze swung to the rearview mirror. The white pickup had boxed him in. With the sheriff on his left, the deputy in front of him, and the newcomer behind, he was trapped. 

It was a straight shot through the windshield with the pump action rifle. Lloyd figured he could shoot Holbrook and take cover behind the engine block, but that left him vulnerable to the occupant of the white pickup. By the time he got off a shot he’d have six rounds in his back.

“Luke! Put that away!” 

Holbrook straightened up and faced the new arrival. 

Lloyd didn’t blink, eyes tracking the deputy’s every move, while he complied with the request. His attention stayed on the rifle until it was out of sight. Only then did his attention return to the Sheriff, who wore a welcoming smile for the approaching woman. She wore a navy baseball cap, plaid button down, and Levi’s tucked into cowboy boots. There was something familiar about her that tickled the edge of his memory. 

“Dr. Ward! Haven’t I told you it’s not wise to interrupt police business?” 

Holbrook’s tone was the same one used to discipline golden retrievers - exasperated, but indulgent. 

“Well, Sheriff, this time it’s you interrupting my business. I’ve got a sick calf to see and you’re blocking the road.” 

She nodded at the police truck, and when she turned her head, he spotted the auburn ponytail. Lloyd’s jaw dropped. 

“April? April Anderson?”

“It’s Ward now,” she said, grinning. “Dad mentioned you had an emergency, but this isn’t the kind of emergency I expected.”

“Nah, no emergency here. Sheriff Holbrook was letting me off with a warning.”

“That’s sweet of you, Sheriff. Do you mind clearing the road?” 

Holbrook’s lips twisted into a sour pucker, but he touched two fingers to the brim of his hat and nodded.

“Yes, ma’am.” 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

You sat in your car, gripping the steering wheel tight. 

Just being parked on this street felt dangerous. Despite the risk, anger was more powerful than logic in your current frame of mind. You hung onto that fury. If the past few days had taught you anything, it was that living in fear wasn’t sustainable. Rage felt like a suitable alternative - it was certainly more pleasant than terror. 

Thoughts of rage turned your mind to Lloyd. If he knew about your situation, he’d be apocalyptic. He’d protected you in Singapore with no consideration for himself and that recklessness worried you. If he flew off the handle there was a decent chance he’d end up facing a second round of felony charges. The prospect of Lloyd being sent to jail because of your mistakes was untenable. You needed to handle Aiden yourself. 

From the spot you’d parked, on the opposite side of the street to Aiden’s house, you had a perfect view into the living room. He was inside and based on what you’d seen in the last thirty minutes, he was alone. Taking a deep breath, you gathered your courage and imagined you were Lloyd. You thought of the irritable man who’d stormed into the paralegal office and invaded your life. The image filled your mind, thrilling and comforting in equal measure. You remembered the boisterous, almost wild energy that version of Lloyd had carried into a room.

Thinking of his confidence helped ease the tug of caution that insisted you’d be safer turning around and driving back to Virginia. You twisted your neck, warming up the muscles and taking deep, steady breaths. In less than a minute, your shoulders relaxed and your jaw unclenched as the last clouds of doubt rolled away. 

Moving with purpose, you stepped out of the car and stalked across the street toward the two-story brick colonial with an immaculate front lawn. Your heart was hammering, but the fear was buried under a thick fog of anger. You were going to demolish Aiden. 

You rang the bell and waited. The door opened and Aiden looked irritated to see you. The sight of him made your lip curl into a snarl.

“What the hell is wrong with you? Why can’t you leave me alone?” 

“What are you talking about?” he asked.

You shoved the photo in his face. 

“This, Aiden. I’m talking about this!”

“Huh?”

“I found it on the hood of my car an hour ago. You took this picture and left it to threaten me.” 

“I didn’t do anything!” 

“Don’t lie.”

Aiden scoffed. “You’re crazy. It’s just a picture.” 

“You’re harassing me. You’ve been texting me, stalking my building, and trying to make me uncomfortable. Well, guess what? I’ve already forwarded the texts to your father and filed a complaint with the police. Even with all that, you don’t seem to be getting the message, so here it is. Stop. Bothering. Me.”

He rolled his eyes.

“Trust me, Aiden. If you make my life hell, I’ll be happy to return the favor - in triplicate.” 

“You’re a drama queen, you know that, right? I’m not the one who came to your house. You should be glad I’m giving you the time of day - it’s not like you’d do the same.”

“I know you sent the texts. You’re taking your problems out on me, and if you keep doing it, you’ll find out that I punch back. Stay away from me. Stay away from my family. This is the last time I’ll say it - next time you find out I mean what I say.” 

He crossed his arms, straightening. “You should watch your mouth, bitch.” 

“And you should watch your back. You’re going to leave me alone. If you don't, I’ll put you in a world of hurt.”

“See if I care.” 

“You should. Because if you don’t, I’ll give you a reason to.” 

“Whatever.” 

You raised your chin.

“I don’t need you to believe me. Because whether or not you think I’m serious, I am. This is me giving you the chance to turn things around. Go very far away from me and stay there. If you don’t, you have no one to blame but yourself for what happens next.” 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

The calf ended up with a prescription for long-term antibiotics, and he persuaded April to have a beer with him. He couldn’t help but stare as they sat on opposite sides of the small kitchen table. She broke the silence first. 

“Nice mustache. It ages you, but somehow it suits you.”

“Thanks. I can’t believe you’re still here. I figured some city boy would sweep you off your feet and take you to Seattle or Boise.” 

“He did, but I took him home instead of the other way around.”

“I guess your taste in men improved after high school,” Lloyd teased. 

“Given my starting point, it couldn’t have gotten much worse.” 

He laughed. “After Tyler, I was a step up.” 

Tyler Claffey had been April’s first boyfriend. He played defensive tackle to Lloyd’s quarterback and they’d been on the same team since fifth grade. Their hatred of each other ran deeper than the traditional offense vs. defense rivalry every football team suffered. Tyler still held the distinction of being the most insecure person Lloyd had ever known. For his part, Tyler hated Lloyd’s sullen disposition, lack of regard for other people’s opinions, and most of all, for being a superior athlete. 

When he was caught cheating on her the week before junior prom, April had asked Lloyd to be her date. He knew the goal was to twist the knife in Tyler’s side and had accepted the invitation. They went to prom together and ended up dating until graduation. 

“Tell me about your husband,” Lloyd said. 

“Michael. We met in college, but didn’t date until after. He’s a lawyer.” 

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” 

“Is he tall, dark, and handsome… with a mustache?”

April snorted. “No, no, yes, and absolutely not. I know you aren’t married, because no woman would tolerate that facial hair. You should grow a beard.” 

“My girlfriend doesn’t mind it.”

Lloyd felt a ripple of concern at how naturally the word ‘girlfriend’ rolled off his tongue, but pushed it aside. He considered April - the first and last woman to hold that title - and shook his head. 

“I can’t believe you stuck around.” 

“I didn’t hate it here, you did.”

“I had to get away. You know why.” 

April nodded. She picked at the label on her drink and lowered her voice.

“How did you feel, when they told you he was dead?”

“Shocked, disbelieving. More of the latter, to be honest. The hospital called and explained but I just… I thought he couldn’t die.”

“Are you okay, being back? Like, here, in this house?” 

Lloyd shrugged. “It’s okay.”

“Have you been in touch with your family?”

“I’m pretty sure I’m it.”

April raised an eyebrow. “Your sisters?”

He looked away. 

“You never searched for them? After all these years? I…” she broke off. “Lloyd? Did something happen to them?” 

“I can’t say for sure. I didn’t look them up because I knew what I’d find.” 

“What do you mean?”

“My mother couldn’t take care of them. Even back then, I knew.” 

“She left the summer before fifth grade, right?”

“Yeah. My father was away, it was just me and the girls. The house was peaceful. That’s what I remember most about those last days.” 

April’s brow creased in confusion, so he explained.

“She didn’t have any of her normal outbursts, episodes, whatever you’d call them. Looking back, she must have started on some kind of antipsychotic meds. A few days before Dad returned I woke up to an empty house.” 

He looked out at the barnyard and saw it as it was thirty years ago. Almost exactly thirty years to the day, he realized with a jolt. 

“Her car was gone. Josephine’s closet was empty and so was Ingrid’s. Only some of my mother’s things had been taken, but when I saw the suitcases were missing, I knew they weren’t coming back.”

“I’m sorry,” April whispered. 

She reached across the table and covered his hand. Lloyd folded his fingers around hers.

“I hate remembering. I can’t go through the barn without thinking of Ingrid and that evil little Shetland who bit everyone. I taught her to saddle him, but I think I put on his bridle every time she wanted to ride.”

“Clever girl.”

Lloyd smiled. “She’d hunt for arrowheads with me. Josie used to go with us because if we didn’t take her, she’d cry and that would set Mom off. She liked to collect flowers and press them in parchment. The first night here, I went into her room and…” 

Emotion choked him. A piece of wax paper had fallen from the pages of one of her story books. It was a bright, cheerful Black-eyed Susan. He’d stood there staring at it, as if it were a rattlesnake. 

Lloyd shuddered. 

“My mother may as well have driven them off a cliff, instead of off the ranch. I never looked them up… not knowing is easier.” 

April squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry.”

“When I was in prison, the psychiatrist asked me if I’d ever felt love. The question made me furious. I couldn’t believe he’d think me incapable of such a basic emotion, but then I couldn’t remember a time when I’d felt love - no offense -”

“None taken.”

“I knew my reaction was genuine, but until Monday night when I saw the rocking chair, I couldn’t figure out where it had come from.” 

Their eyes drifted to the pine rocker by the front window.

“That’s where they let me hold Josie for the first time.”

April squeezed his hand. “Is your girlfriend coming for the funeral? I’d love to meet her.”

“No. I didn’t want her to see me like this.”

Lloyd turned his hand, bringing hers to rest on top, and studied the impressive diamond ring on her left finger. 

“Nice rock.”

“It spends most of its time on a chain around my neck. That’s what he gets for marrying a vet.” 

He used his thumb to turn the ring left and right, admiring the way it caught the light.

“I knew we wouldn’t last, but I loved you, April.”

“Not really. We were good friends, Lloyd. But it didn’t run deeper than that on either side and you were turning bitter.” 

She paused, eyeing him curiously as her tongue traced the edge of her upper teeth.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“What happened between you and Coach Olsen?”

Lloyd slipped his hand free at the naming of his former football coach. “You don’t want to know.”

“Yeah, I do. It’s been decades and I’m still curious.”

“Olsen took bribes. USC paid him to make sure I didn’t sign with Harvard.”

“But you liked Harvard the most.” 

“He was stringing them along, making it sound like I hadn’t decided so the money kept flowing. Obviously, that’s not kosher with the NCAA.” 

“He put your scholarship at risk. I understand why you cut ties.”

His lips twisted. 

“It was more than that. I got a call from USC in July, which was odd because I’d already committed to Harvard. Their rep let it slip about Olsen. I was livid. Mind meltingly furious, unlike anything I’d felt before.” 

The memory made his stomach pitch. Something visceral had come over him and he’d felt his mind loosen, allowing the monster to emerge. The dam holding back years of rage burst and nothing could stem the tide.

“I’d worried I was like Joe, but until that night I wasn’t sure. Whatever had held me in check snapped. I don’t remember the drive into town, just walking across the field and seeing lights on in the shed. Olsen was in the office, working. The football shed wasn’t air conditioned back then, so the garage door was open.” 

The scene played behind his eyes, undistorted by time. He saw the white cinder block shed and felt the thrill of finding his prey. Later, that feeling had become an addiction, better than cocaine and longer lasting than ecstasy. 

“I snuck under the garage door into the storage area. They’d brought in the baseball equipment and there was a rack of bats beside the door. On my way through, I grabbed one. He turned when I stepped into the office and started to speak. I swung for his head but he ducked, so I only clipped him. He rushed me, and I struck his right knee, got him on the ground, and then…”

He remembered it in flashes. The sound of bones crunching, screams, then agonized cries. 

When he’d snapped out of the trance there were blisters on his palms.

“I thought I’d killed him. That’s why I left for college a month early. When the team went to state a few years later, I read he was still their coach. You could’ve knocked me over with a feather.”

April stared at him. “That was you?! We thought there was a psychopath running around town!”

“There was.”

“I don’t agree with everything you did, but your reaction was understandable.” 

“The only thing I regret is not saying goodbye to you.”

“I figured you wanted a clean break. Once I accepted it was what you needed, I got over it. But I worried about you. I figured we’d stay in touch, you know?” 

He hadn’t wanted anyone too close to him, not after realizing what he was capable of. If he was a monster then the safest place for April was far away from him. Hence, why she remained his first and last girlfriend. 

“Speaking of the past…” April frowned. “Have you spoken to Elliot lately?”

Lloyd’s eyebrows rose. “Elliot? No.” 

The mention of his cousin surprised him. 

Elliot Hansen was the illegitimate son of his father’s sister and some drug dealer from Boise. The drug dealer had vanished upon learning of the pregnancy and two years later, his aunt committed suicide, orphaning her young son. Joe refused to acknowledge him and Elliot became a ward of the state. Like his parents, Elliot got hooked on drugs early and by the end of highschool, he’d been a certified junkie.

“He went to rehab and was working down in Nevada. When your father took a turn for the worse, he came back to help. For the past few months he’s been on Sheriff Holbrook’s list.” 

“Is he on drugs again?” 

“No. I knew Holbrook was shaking you down when I saw the traffic stop because he did the same thing to Elliot.”

“Which earned you a warning to stay out of police business,” Lloyd said. 

“I pay my taxes, I have the right to be nosy.” 

“Damn it, April. I told you Holbrook was dangerous. Why would you put yourself in his line of fire for that lowlife?” 

Her glare was withering. “He kicked meth without anyone’s help and re-built his life from nothing. Don’t call him names.” 

“Fine.” Lloyd held up his hands. “No name calling. Please, continue.”

“I caught the end of their argument. There was something about the ranch and ‘mercury’ but I couldn’t hear anything more.” 

“Did you ask Elliot about it?” 

She shook her head. “No, because I haven’t seen Elliot in two weeks. I’m worried about him, Lloyd. I think something’s happened to him.” 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Next - Part XIV

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Masterlist

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[evidence-based-activism]

https://www.bustle.com/p/no-woman-on-woman-sexual-harassment-is-not-a-myth-46130

Okey-dokey let's have a look at this article :)

I'm assuming this is in response to my re-blog of this post, so I'd like to start off with pointing out that my ultimate conclusion to that post was that ~90% of the experienced by women is committed by men, which suggests that (complete) separatism would result in a 90% (unprecedented and unparalleled) reduction in the amount of violence experienced by women.

The article you have linked indicates that 10% of the women experiencing workplace sexual harassment had been harassed by a female co-worker ... indicating that 90% of women experiencing workplace sexual harassment had not been harassed by a women ... supporting the assertion that complete separatism would result in a 90% reduction in the amount of violence experienced by women.

So, even if I left everything else about the article alone (spoiler: I will not be doing that) and assumed these results are accurate ... this article would still be supporting my overall point.

But this article is annoying, so ... here's why:

The "study" they are referencing, is a online, convenience sample, poll, run by cosmopolitan magazine. I sincerely, hope it's obvious why this isn't a reliable source of information. If not, look up: study sample design and the importance or random sampling and problems with online polling.

In addition to that, they didn't even report the results of this "study" accurately. For example, they claim 75% of women have been harassed by men, but the poll actually indicated that ~33% of women had been harassed and of that 33%, 75% had been harassed by a male co-worker. That gives you ~25% of all women being harassed by a male co-worker.

Then they reference a study from Singapore, completely ignoring that the study says, explicitly, "[this study] is not an attempt to examine prevalence rates, neither is it intended to be a comprehensive, exhaustive look at [workplace sexual harassment] in Singapore."

Then they link to a dead link, which, when searched on archive.org, does not say anything about what they're claiming.

Later they link to another study which states, in the abstract, that "Results showed while Millennials are quick to speak about inclusion of men as targets of sexual harassment, they did so at the cost of frankly discussing that women are targeted more often than men."

Their next article is actually pretty interesting! It examines the less common cases of sexual harassment, while still acknowledging that they are looking at the minority of cases. It's not trying to determine prevalence/incidence rates though, it's more deep-diving into the formally reported cases of this nature.

Then they try and suggest female sexual harassment may be caused "queen bee syndrome" before almost immediately pointing out that people have (rightfully!) characterized this "syndrome" as sexist.

The next relevant link talks about male-on-male sexual harassment ... anyone who didn't/doesn't think that's a thing simply needs to look at the US military!

The next link includes references to a dead link ... but the summary is essentially the same info as above.

And then finally, they discuss an article about a woman who reported her female boss for sexual harassment. Suggesting that her comments about how she felt "scared and apologetic," and explained that "the aftermath made me feel exposed and helpless." after reporting the harassment were because her boss was female, instead of because of their similar personal histories (which she knew about as a result of the inappropriate relationship formed by her boss). The writer essentially seemed wish that the the law firm they both worked at had a step between "not reporting anything" and "firing her harasser". Whether or not you agree with her, I hope we can all agree that we shouldn't be telling people how to feel/not feel about their own personal victimizations. Not having empathy for someone who's harmed you is a reasonable response, but that doesn't mean that having empathy is wrong.

So, in summary:

I am not convinced the author of this article actually read any of the sources they linked to

The prevalence of female-on-female harassment (and female-on-male harassment) is currently unknown due to a lack of generalizable studies, but is likely no more than 10% of all sexual harassment (and most likely much less, based on rates for other similar crimes)

Men still commit the majority of harassment, and obfuscating this fact is bad!

Glad we cleared that up :)

[oceanjoker]

What's the story behind Terroriser's scars? Also, How does F1 work? I only know it's about racing but is there anything more to it?

I'm planning to do separate cards for each driver talking a bit on their story during the week, It depends on how much free time I'll have since again, sometimes this job drives me insane.

But answering your question about the scars:

It was a crash during one of his races, He was on a very fast and good lap, but after a failure on the brakes system, he crashed his car, and since the race started not long ago, there was a lot of fuel on his car, soon the car was on fire. He got trapped on the car so it took him a few seconds to leave, but thanks to the marshals (*volunteers that are the eyes and ears of race control, marshals are stationed trackside to monitor circuit conditions, respond swiftly to any incidents) He got out, and proceeded to walk towards to the nearby ambulance with second degree burns on some parts of his body, but other than that he was fine, like a terminator coming out of the flames.

And about F1, I will try to explain in the shortest way possible:

Formula One is a type of motorsport. Teams compete in a series of Grand Prix races, held in different countries around the world. Some of the most popular races are held in Monaco, Singapore, Italy and Britain. The Teams consists on 2 drivers, so that makes 10 Teams and 20 Drivers.

And it's kind of two competitions: the drivers' championship where drivers' points are counted individually and it's a bit of a free for all and the constructors' championship, where the two drivers' points are added together to decide which team built the most aerodynamic, fastest and most reliable car

An example for that, currently in the 2024 Formula one season, Red Bull's Max Verstappen is leading the drivers' championship. However, the McLaren team is leading the constructors' championship!

[sketalya]

psst! hey kid! I heard you like countryhumans!

I remember back when I was active in the fandom (it's still kind of a guilty pleasure fandom) I had a few things that happened to the Philippines and co:

-when Philippines is standing up right, he's Philippines, when he's upside down, he's Martial. there was this incorrect quote I wrote where he's doing cartwheels and shouting "I am Philippines! I am martial! I am Philippines! I am Martial!"

-America once injured his eye and had a cotton pad over it. Philippines wouldn't stop calling him "cotton eyed Joe"

nobody knows where he came from, or where he went.

-Indonesia has a giant fish tank at his house.

-there was this incident where the south east Asia gang showed up to the meeting building early to find a guy in a janitor's outfit and a box van trying to get into the building, they asked what he was doing, and the guy said that their boss had ordered some new chairs and he came to take the old chairs. so they decided to help him out by not only unlocking the doors for him, but also helped him load all of the chairs into his van.

Come to find out, ASEAN never ordered any new chairs, they just helped a guy steal all of their chairs.

-Cambodia lost both of her legs to a landmine and relies on the gang to carry her around.

-same year as the chair incident, at summer boot camp (which is just a glorified summer camp for Country humans) Indonesia and Vietnam got sick and tired of eating camp food and decided to go out and gather their own food.

it was a disaster, when they came back, Vietnam's arm was covered in bee stings and honey, and Indonesia somehow was able to catch a fish, but he had no way of cleaning it, or cooking it, so they just threw the fish back into the water and never complained about camp food ever again.

-same year, while discussing on how to get back on ASEAN's good graces after falling for the classic Bavarian fire drill routine with the chairs, Philippines flew off the swing set and accidentally took out ASEAN

-that was also the same year a squirrel broke into the male European countries' cabin, and sat on Italy's chest. and Italy freaked out thinking it was a rat resulting in every single country in that cabin to freak out because all European countries minus Poland and Iceland, are terrified of rats.

(Poland wasn't there because he and Hungary and Czech packed up their horses, and took an annual road trip that included horse back riding, and taking part in a medieval festival where Poland dresses up as a Winged Hussar, and Hungary goes as a Hungarian Hussar as well)

Yoo...That was a lot of headcanons and they all sounds interesting 👀✨✨✨

And the fact that you also made headcanons for countryhumans outside of ASEAN is very cool....So far I have only focused on Sea countries, especially Maphilvietindo TwT

Where in the AU I'm working on, their story focuses on their lives in a special school for nations (Which of course is not a regular school, it has a fantasy and mystery genre, and the school has some crazy things going on around it)...So yeah, it's like a school AU where the countries are the students while international organizations like ASEAN, UN, EU, NATO, and others are the teachers lol

And besides Maphilvietindo, I also made some headcanons for other Sea countries...Like Singapore who is secretly a gamer, Cambodia and Thailand who have a sibling rivalry, Brunei being the sanest person in the group, and other 😂

I made a little headcanon for other countries... Like Romania being a vampire and being friends with Bulgaria being a vampire hunter, and some other crazy headcanons

(I think this is my first time yapping about CH on my TTTE blog lol...But it's really nice talking about this TwT💖)

[usafphantom2]

B-52 bomber makes emergency landing after engine fire

The fire of the B-52H engine occurs at the moment when the fleet is preparing to be re-remotorized, an update that will allow the model to serve for more decades.

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 02/27/2024 - 21:27in Incidents, Military

A B-52H Stratofortress bomber at Minot Air Base, North Dakota, made an emergency landing due to an engine fire in early February 23.

All crew members left unharmed, said a spokesman for the base. Asked if the base lane remains open, the spokesman did not want to comment, but said that bomber operations at the base have continued normally since February 27.

A fire in a single engine led the pilot to land the bomber at approximately 12:52 p.m., and the base fire department arrived at the site and extinguished the fire of the aircraft, according to the base's host unit, the 5ª Bomber Wing. The bomber is powered by eight engines and was designed to fly and land safely in case of failures of up to two engines.

A B-52 Stratofortress taxis during an alert exercise at Minot Air Base, North Dakota. (Photo: U.S. Air Force / Staff Sgt. Jocelyn Rich)

“First of all, the 5ª Bomber Wing is extremely grateful to all our aviators who arrived home safely,” the wing commander, Colonel Daniel Hoadley, said in the statement. "I would like to recognize our excellent base firefighters for their quick response."

The popular unofficial Facebook page "amn/nco/snco" reported the incident for the first time, with an anonymous and unconfirmed post that "a CSD (constant speed unit that drives the generator) caught fire on landing and burned that engine and part of the wing." Subsequently, the page posted an alleged image of the engine, showing great damage.

It is currently not known what caused the fire and the incident is under investigation, following the standard protocol for accidents involving military operations.

The last major public accident with a B-52 occurred in 2017, when an engine crashed from the aircraft during a training flight in Minot. The pilot successfully landed the bomber without incident and all the aviators on board came out unharmed, but one of his Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofan engines fell into a depopulated area.

In May 2016, during a routine training mission at Andersen Air Base in Guam, an accident destroyed a B-52 bomber. The pilot of the 69º Expeditionary Bomber Squadron noticed problems during takeoff and began abortion procedures. However, the braking parachute failed, causing the aircraft to exceed the power limits of the brake system, overtake the runway and catch fire. All seven crew members escaped, with one receiving treatment for minor injuries. The total loss of the aircraft was valued at US$ 112 million.

The U.S. Air Force foresees the upgrade of the B-52 engines in the late 2020s or early 2030s with the Rolls Royce F130 engine, intended to be an individual replacement for its current TF33 engines in double nacelles.

We are thrilled to announce that we are on track to complete initial F130 engine testing for the @usairforce B-52J by the end of this year.

The F130 is a militarized version of the company's commercial BR725, which the U.S. Air Force already operates on its VIP C-37 and E-11 BACN (Battlefield Airborne Communications Node) transport aircraft. Rolls Royce will supply the engines, while Boeing, the original manufacturer of Stratofortress, will integrate them into the aircraft.

Conceptual image of the B-52 aircraft with the new F130 engines.

Four B-52s from Minot Air Base were sent to Guam in late January to support the Pacific Air Force mission. The bombers recently participated in several public missions, including the three-week Cope North multilateral exercise and a one-day exercise with Philippine fighters over the South China Sea this month. In addition, two of the bombers performed overfloats at the Singapore Airshow last week.

Tags: Military AviationBoeing B-52H StratofortressIncidentsUSAF - United States Air Force / U.S. Air Force

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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[greenzaku]

How I remember MH17

17 July marks the anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) in eastern Ukraine in 2014. All 298 on board, mostly Dutch, Malaysians, and Australians were killed. I had just finished up with a short term job interstate and was looking for further employment at the time, and had the time to follow the reporting of the incident online. In 2014, I would not have guessed that the event would shape my view of discourse and disinformation in eastern Europe for years to come. Ukraine was on the other side of the world and I had no real interest or understanding of the invasion by Russia back then, but people from my country were on that plane, so I paid attention. The blame game started in earnest.

‘Ukraine fired the missile.’

‘Russia fired the missile’

‘It was an accident.’

‘The Ukrainians are looting the crash site.’

‘The Russians are looting the crash site.’

‘Malaysian Airlines was at fault and shouldn’t have been flying over a warzone.’

‘The pilot was at fault.’

‘The investigation is biased towards Russia/Ukraine/Malaysia/Australia/Netherlands...’

‘Russia/Ukraine tampered with evidence...’

It even got ugly in some less reputable ‘news’ sites and far right conspiracy theories spread online, that it was the ‘missing’ MH370 that crashed into the sea months earlier, that the US did it because reasons, islamophobia, men in black, hijackers, crisis actors, aliens... As a queer person, I paid attention to the fact that several AIDS researchers were on board, and stigma surrounding AIDS was and is still very rife, which fed into the more extreme discourse. The world wanted answers.

Round and round it went. It did eventually emerge that Russia, or ‘separatists’ - really Russian proxies - fired the missile, from a Buk launcher that was later filmed being carted back to Russia carrying three missiles instead of its usual four. The billboard was used to geolocate the truck and Buk’s to the border.

Pardon my terrible MSPaint edit.

The still image is grabbed from a video that was posted by Ukraine’s Defense ministry, but forms part of a broader investigation by Bellingcat, an independent collective of open source researchers, that is too detailed to write here but tracked the movements of the Buk and the truck carrying it to and from the launch site. (link: https://www.bellingcat.com/tag/mh17/)

There was nothing wrong with the plane, the pilot, or the flight path. Passenger planes from Air France, Air India and Singapore Airlines were transiting nearby.

Now, it was obvious that MH17 wasn’t an intentional target. The commanders of the brigade that the Buk belonged to initially posted on social media that they had downed a Ukrainian fighter jet, and then rapidly deleted their celebratory comments when photos of the wreckage appeared online. In my mind, all Russia had to do was acknowledge it was a mistake, or a mistake by ‘separatists’, court martial the guy who pulled the trigger, apologise and fork out some form of compensation. Install a plaque at the site, send flowers, and the world would have eventually looked away from the not-really-civil-war in faraway eastern Europe and their brush with a southeast Asian airline.

Why the lies? Acknowledging the mistake would have been magnitudes cheaper and simpler than the overall war effort. Why was continuing to perpetuate a firehose of falsehoods more important than the truth and trying to repair relations? I couldn’t answer those questions then, but now realise that keeping the information space muddied and flooded with crap is now the norm for disinformation coming out of Russia. Its like they can’t help themselves.

Fast forward to today.

The ‘separatist’ commanders are still involved in the invasion of Ukraine, now unmasked as regular Russians. No commercial flights operate over the country for now. Disinformation, so heavily weaponised during the long months of pandemic lockdown and the former president of the US, runs rife. I posted my own little memorials to the tragedy on social media, year after year, and got bot farm and troll reactions downvoting or pushing them into invisibility. I’m not important enough in the big scheme of things to have a flesh and blood russian troll come to debate me, not that I have the time and energy for it. I’m also not the only person who refuses to forget it, even if the loss pales in significance to the atrocities perpetuated on Ukraine from last year. The lies meant that when the 2022 invasion started along with the inevitable discourse, we also remembered which side was more likely to be lying. The Netherlands and Australia are very supportive of Ukraine, Malaysia is officially neutral (mostly due to convoluted reasoning of America = bad imperialists, America supports Ukraine, so supporting Russia good etc) though many individuals still go against the grain to donate or volunteer. I can’t change what others think, but at least I can prevent them from forgetting.

[mariacallous]

BEIRUT (AP) — The U.S. military said Sunday that its forces opened fire on Houthi rebels after they attacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea, killing several of them in an escalation of the maritime conflict linked to the war in Gaza.

In a series of statements, the U.S. Central Command said the crew of the USS Gravely destroyer first shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired at the Singapore-flagged Maersk Hangzhou late Saturday, after the vessel reported getting hit by a missile earlier that evening as it sailed through the Southern Red Sea.

Four small boats then attacked the same cargo ship with small arms fire early Sunday and rebels tried to board the vessel, the U.S. Navy said.

Next, the USS Gravely and helicopters from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier responded to the Maersk Hangzhou’s distress call and issued verbal warnings to the attackers, who responded by firing on the helicopters.

“The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense,” sinking three of the four boats and killing the people on board while the fourth boat fled the area, the U.S. Central Command said. No damage to U.S. personnel or equipment was reported.

There was no immediate comment from the Houthis.

The events surrounding the Maersk Hangzhou represented the 23rd illegal attack by the Houthis on international shipping since Nov. 19, the Central Command said. It was the first time the U.S. Navy said its personnel had killed Houthi fighters since the Red Sea attacks started.

For over a month, Iran-backed Houthis have claimed attacks on ships in the Red Sea that they say are either linked to Israel or heading to Israeli ports. They say their attacks aim to end the Israeli air-and-ground offensive in the Gaza Strip that was triggered by the Palestinian militant group Hamas’ Oct.7 attack in southern Israel.

However, the links to the ships targeted in the rebel assaults have grown more tenuous as the attacks continue.

The Denmark-based shipping giant Maersk, owner of Maersk Hangzhou, said Sunday it would suspend shipping through the Red Sea again after the two attacks on its freighter.

“In light of the (most recent) incident — and to give time to investigate the details of the incident and assess the security situation further — it has been decided that all transits through the area will be postponed for the next 48 hours,” Maersk was quoted as saying by the Danish public broadcaster DR.

On Saturday, the top commander of U.S. naval forces in the Middle East said Houthi rebels have shown no signs of ending their “reckless” attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea even as more nations join the international maritime mission to protect vessels in the vital waterway and trade traffic begins to pick up.

Earlier this month, Washington announced the establishment of a new international coalition to protect vessels traveling through the waterway. The United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain are also part of the new maritime security mission.

Since the Pentagon announced Operation Prosperity Guardian to counter the attacks just over 10 days ago, 1,200 merchant ships have traveled through the Red Sea region, and none had been hit by drone or missile strikes, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper told The Associated Press in an interview on Saturday.

[racingliners]

F1 Re-Watch 2013: Round 14 - South Korea

It's Winter break and I am FINALLY picking back up my 2023 watch through (given how it's December, I probably won't finish this before 2024, but that's okay!).

This is another one I watched live at the time at my friend's house, and my main memory apart from Seb winning is Mark Webber's car having an alternator failure and then going on fire (right after his Singapore last lap DNF which, ouch) and Nico Rosberg having a very sparky front wing. iirc Jenson had an alright race and scored points, though I cannot recall how Lewis did, so let's jump in!

Once again saying how much of a core memory the old F1 intro is

and also asking why can't F1 provide alternate commentary options, why must Crofty and Brundle be forced upon us 😭

On a more practical note, I never knew why this race was officially called the Korean GP instead of the South Korean GP

But Yeongam was a fun track even if the layout looked a bit odd.

Alrighty: Starting grid whiplash time! SEWIS FRONT ROW!!!! (this is for meeeeee) Grosjean P3 and Rosberg P4 Jenson P11 and Jev down in P16

[Formation Lap]: Almost everyone on the super soft tyres apart from Ricciardo who's on the mediums

and immediately cut to the mad rush of mechanics and engineers running back to the garages

huh, so today I learned that no one is allowed to sit on the pitwall at the race start in case there's an on-track incident. I really feel like I should have known this before now 😅

[Start/Lap 1]: Seb has in Seb fashion just shot off into the distance

CARNAGE

One of the Ferrari's got tagged, someone else span round, turn 3 was like a dodgems rink

right before all that happened Grosjean overtook Lewis and is in P2

[Lap 2]: But Seb is already 2 seconds ahead of P2. Just GOAT things.

[Lap 3]: Now 2.6 seconds 👑 (When Seb dominates in a Red Bull it's sexy, when anyone else does the same it's not - hope that helps x)

The Top 5 after the lap 1 nonsense is Seb, Grosjean, Lewis, Nico R and Hulkenberg.

[Lap 4]: Jenson has minor front wing damage 😭

ooh cut to Raikkonen and Ricciardo scrapping over 7th

and now Jenson has to come in for a new front wing 😭😭😭

it's apparently affecting his brake temps, fml

Okay start replay: oh my days the field was five wide before the braking zone for turn 3 no wonder that there was dodgems.

[Lap 6]: I'm starting to wonder if I mis-remembered Nico's front wing failing and sparking along the track. I'm sure it was at this Korean GP bc I remember my friend being so upset over it

[Lap 7]: JENSON FASTEST LAP!!!!!!!

Though this was years before getting the fastest lap was worth a point, but it's worth a point in my heart

[Lap 8]: Cars starting to make their first pit stops

[Lap 9]: Back to Seb fastest lap, he's over three seconds ahead of P2

Meanwhile Lewis just got told to push before his first stop

[Lap 10]: And in he comes for stop number 1! Super softs off for Mediums, he comes out in P9

So according to Ted the two stop is actually quicker, but the cars that have stopped already are likely going to have to do the three stop. inch resting.

[Lap 11]: And saying that, Grosjean comes in to cover Lewis, and comes out juuuust ahead

[Lap 12]: And in comes Seb! Also putting on the mediums

but we need to cut back to the Lewis & Grosjean battle bc it was getting spicy

And a Lewis fastest lap for funsies 🥰

[Lap 13]: He's now 8 tenths behind Grosjean

[Lap 16]: Hmm, there is not much happening

I am enjoying watching the cars go round though, but then again that's just me 😅

Saying that, Hulkenberg is leading a train of Alonso, Raikkonen and Webber from 6th-9th.

oh it's a DRS train before we called it a DRS train

[Lap 18]: And Rosberg gets past Ricciardo for 4th

[Lap 20]: Jenson, who's in P9, is apparently not having a fun time with his tyres

Meanwhile Fernando is trying very hard to break through past Hulkenberg

sadly it's not happening

[Lap 22]: And *another* Seb fastest lap

I do love it when he collects them like pokemon

[Lap 23]: Jenson pits again :(

tbf it would be very on brand for me to deliberately forget if Jenson had a bad race

[Lap 24]: Breaking News: Fernando has still not gotten past Hulkenberg

I am starting to remember this part of the race and I'm pretty sure Hulkenberg does end up finishing in 5th

"Right front is destroyed" "I've been through the graining phase, and it's dead" the precursors to 'Bono my tyres are gone'. Lewis also sounds painfully done on the radio 😭😭😭

[Lap 26]: and there's a somewhat stranded Force India in the barriers.

oof Di Resta had a slow spin into the barriers after getting on the kerbs

[Lap 28]: Meanwhile Lewis is painfully slow compared to everyone else

Ah ha! There's Rosberg's front wing failure (not that I was wishing ill on him, more well done me for remembering correctly)

He was about to pass Lewis on the straight when the nose of the car just dropped down.

And it is now trailing on the ground putting sparks everywhere

[Lap 29]: So either by choice or circumstance Lewis wasn't able to get past Nico while he was driving slowly with his borked front wing.

"When are you gonna call me in man these tyres are fucked?" Lewis' very not fun Korean GP

[Lap 30]: and he FINALLY pits for another set of mediums

the race is 55 laps long so he should in theory make it to the end

[Lap 31]: FUCK Perez's tyre just failed

I do NOT want anymore Silverstone flashbacks, that was not fun

The whole tread of the tyre just ripped itself off the canvas while he was going down the straight, NOT GOOD

[Lap 32]: Very understandably we have a safety car

"And Pirelli are here to inspect the remnants of their tyre, not that there is much" Ted Kravitz committing murders live on air since 2013.

Well I have to say that certainly spiked up my blood pressure, it's the fact that Perez just happened to be in the camera shot when it happened.

[Lap 33]: So while we have the SC, the current top 5 is: Seb, Grosjean, Raikkonen, Lewis and Hulkenberg

[Lap 34]: Cut to a probably quite stressed Pirelli engineer in the Merc Garage looking over someone's shoulder

[Lap 35]: Shoutout to Webber, who had to pit again for running over the debris from Perez's car so dropped down to P11, and was given a set of super softs because Red Bull did not have any mediums left

You can see why he went over to WEC

[Lap 36]: And we're back racing!

[Lap 37]: Thankfully for my nerves all clean through turns 1 and 2

...

and then there was turn 3

Sutil divebombed into Webber, who's car is now on fire.

Don't cut to the depressed RBR mechanics 😭

also WHERE ARE THE FIRE MARSHALLS?!

okay there they are

oh now we have Lotus on Lotus violence

and.... there's a fire car on the track??????

aaaaand safety car again.

[Lap 38]: Well... Lap 37 chose far, far too much violence

That was certainly a sequence of events

right before all that happened, Hulkenberg overtook Lewis for P4

so I'm not having a fun time

[Lap 39]: Good news: they put out Webber's car, bad news: it looks like a wreck

iirc Japan was seven days after Korea so yeah, a very not fun time for the mechanics who needed to fix that

[Lap 41]: And we're racing again. Boys I beg of you NO NONSENSE

Turn 3 I am watching you like a hawk

Lewis and Fernando are scrapping over P5

Jenson sighting!!!! he's in P7

[Lap 42]: Meanwhile Seb is still leading out front, by almost 2 seconds this time

[Lap 43]: So the top 5 is: Seb, Raikkonen, Grosjean, Hulkenberg and Lewis

[Lap 44]: Grosjean's been given the all clear to race Raikkonen for P2 🍿

[Lap 45]: Breaking news: Lewis is still behind Hulkenberg

but in actual news we have FIVE cars fighting over 10th

Maldonado, Guiterrez, Massa, Perez and Bottas

and I legit cannot keep up with who is where they're chopping and chaning so fast

[Lap 46]: Okay it's Massa (P10), Gutierrez, Checo, Valtteri and Maldonado

Make that Perez now in P11

that was a great battle though!!!

[Lap 47]: Lewis is very close to Hulkenberg...

...but still doesn't get past through turn 3

[Lap 48]: LEWIS IS INTO P4!!!!

...nvm Hulkenberg got back past on the second straight

And Fernando was very briefly in P5 but Lewis managed to hold fim

[Lap 49]: Bless at least the Sauber team are having fun

[Lap 50]: Lotus telling Grosjean that he can overtake Kimi but Romain saying he can't???? Team Enstone doing Team Enstone things

Massa and Perez under investigation for causing a collision, fellas...

At least Seb has a 4 second lead

[Lap 51]: 5 laps remaining klaxon!!

[Lap 52]: slow-mo shot of Seb's tyres, his front right does not look pretty

which was the same tyre that went on Perez's car

[Lap 53]: Lewis asking on the radio if anyone has suggestions for how to get past Hulkenberg. idk if Merc can gaslight, gatekeep girlboss their way out of this one

And Rosberg takes P8 from Jenson

[Lap 54]: uh no not another yellow flag

oop, Ricciardo's car decided to stop working

[Lap 55]: FINAL LAP!!

Lewis has properly closed up to Hulkenberg 👀

and Fernando has closed up to the back of Lewis

and SEB WINS THE SOUTH KOREAN GP!!!!! 🥳🍾

(gosh I've missed a driver sounding happy over the radio when they win)

The rest of the top 10: Raikkonen P2, Grosjean P3, Hulkenberg P4, Lewis P5, Fernando P6, Rosberg P7, Jenson P8, Massa P9 and Perez P10

lol at me saying Jenson has a nice race when he Did Not. But Lewis finish in the top 5 so that was positive bc I really had no recollection of how he did. Seb goated as per, and Lap 37 owes me financial compensation for all that nonsense.

Next race - Japan!

[whattheabcxyz]

2024-11-17

Singapore

China woman gets 3 weeks' jail for offering $65 bribe to Singapore auxiliary cop along Causeway - these idiots still think this is f***ing China

Shopper complains of massage parlour touts at People's Park Complex - guess he wasn't interested in the "China experience"!

Flash flood hits Bukit Timah Rd amid heavy downpour; warnings issued for several places

...while Ophir Road is latest to be hit with flooding amid heavy afternoon downpour today

MOM to open new dorm in early 2026 with privacy nooks & single beds for migrant workers

Environment

Pollution can cause snowfall to occur - but mankind doesn't care & will just keep on polluting anyway

Science

Brains can still do a lot with very little

Business

Noodle chain fires employee who repeatedly argued with customers - the customers were in the right too ...the employee who was fired should get tested as well for low IQ

Politics

Singapore to host Apec summit in 2030

Nature

^ Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupts - it's also caused flight cancellations

Society

China: After car-ramming incident that left 35 dead, now another 8 more have been killed after stabbing at school in eastern China

[minervaindustrialtradingpte]

Safeguard Your Facility with Minerva's Top-Quality Gas & Flame Detectors

Industrial safety is a priority that no facility can afford to overlook. In environments where combustible gases, toxic chemicals, or fire hazards are part of daily operations, having a reliable safety system is essential. Gas and flame detectors are crucial in such settings as the first defense against potential hazards. Minerva Industrial & Trading Pte Ltd, a leader in safety solutions based in Singapore, offers top-quality gas and flame detection systems that provide the reliability, precision, and rapid response industries need to safeguard their facilities.

Minerva's detectors are designed to detect threats early, allowing facilities to take swift action, prevent accidents, and protect valuable resources. Here's a closer look at how Minerva Industrial's cutting-edge technology is helping facilities across Singapore enhance their safety and operational resilience.

Why Gas & Flame Detectors Are Essential for Safety

Industrial settings, especially those involving volatile substances, are vulnerable to accidents like gas leaks, explosions, and fires. Gas leaks can quickly create toxic or flammable environments, and an uncontained flame can escalate into a large-scale fire. The consequences of such incidents are severe, affecting lives, property, and the environment.

Minerva's gas and flame detection systems offer continuous monitoring, giving facility managers the peace of mind that any increase in hazardous levels will be detected immediately. These detectors do more than meet safety standards—they help facilities proactively manage risks, maintain a safe working environment, and minimize downtime due to safety incidents.

Minerva's Key Features: Why Choose Their Gas & Flame Detectors?

Precision Detection for a Wide Range of Gases

Minerva's detectors are equipped to handle various gases, including flammable gases like methane, propane, and hydrogen, as well as toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and ammonia. These detectors use advanced sensor technology, ensuring that even low levels of gases are detected, giving facilities ample time to respond to potential hazards.

High-Speed Flame Detection with Low False Alarm Rate

False alarms disrupt operations and lead to "alarm fatigue," where operators may become less responsive to genuine alerts. Minerva's flame detectors feature sophisticated sensors that distinguish between actual flames and other light sources, minimizing false alarms. They employ dual-spectrum sensors (infrared and ultraviolet) to increase accuracy, ensuring only genuine risks trigger alerts.

Real-Time Alerts and Rapid Response Mechanism

Minerva's gas and flame detectors are built to provide real-time monitoring, and their alerts are instantaneous. When a threat is detected, the detectors can trigger alarms, notify safety personnel, and even activate other emergency systems like fire suppression. Alerts can be configured to notify teams through various channels, from control room alarms to mobile notifications, ensuring that key personnel are informed immediately.

Resilience in Harsh Environments

Many industrial settings subject equipment to high temperatures, humidity, or corrosive conditions. Minerva's detectors are designed to withstand these harsh environments without compromising performance. Built from durable materials and rigorously tested, they provide long-lasting, reliable monitoring that works effectively in the toughest settings.

Seamless Integration with Existing Safety Systems

Minerva's detectors can be integrated with other safety systems such as fire alarms, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, and emergency shutdown mechanisms. This integration ensures a comprehensive response during emergencies, allowing facilities to automate a synchronized response that includes alarms, ventilation adjustments, and evacuation procedures.

Applications: Minerva's Detectors in Key Industries

Oil and Gas

In the oil and gas sector, where flammable materials are part of day-to-day operations, Minerva's detectors play a vital role in safety. Whether on offshore rigs or in refineries, these detectors provide round-the-clock monitoring to detect gas leaks, preventing explosions and fires. The equipment is built to operate even in extreme offshore conditions, maintaining safety standards in high-risk environments.

Chemical and Petrochemical

Chemical processing plants handle substances that can be both toxic and volatile. Minerva's gas and flame detectors monitor these substances, ensuring any leak or ignition is detected before it escalates. The detectors can handle various chemicals, making them versatile for complex processing facilities.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing facilities often utilize flammable solvents and generate combustible dust, making gas and flame detection essential. Minerva's systems help identify gas buildup or fires, enabling manufacturers to operate safely and reduce the risk of costly disruptions. By alerting personnel to early risks, these detectors allow for timely responses that protect workers and machinery.

Pharmaceuticals

In the pharmaceutical industry, controlled environments are crucial for both product integrity and worker safety. Minerva's gas and flame detectors detect gas leaks in the production process immediately. They play a key role in maintaining the quality of products and the safety of the personnel in production facilities.

Marine and Shipping

In Singapore's bustling maritime industry, where ships and ports handle large quantities of fuel and chemicals, Minerva's detectors are indispensable. Their rugged construction and high sensitivity make them ideal for monitoring hazardous gases and flames on ships, at ports, and in shipyards.

Technology and Innovation in Minerva's Detection Systems

Minerva Industrial has a track record of delivering state-of-the-art technology in their detection systems. Their detectors incorporate advanced features that set them apart, ensuring both reliability and efficiency in high-stakes environments:

Dual-Spectrum Flame Detection: By combining infrared and ultraviolet sensors, Minerva's flame detectors accurately detect real flames while minimizing false alarms, critical for maintaining uninterrupted operations.

Wireless Connectivity for Remote Monitoring: Minerva's wireless-enabled systems allow facilities to monitor safety metrics remotely. This feature is ideal for large sites where real-time insights are needed for effective hazard management.

Smart Data Analytics and Trend Analysis: Minerva's detectors provide detailed data on gas and flame activity, which can be analyzed over time to identify patterns. This data helps safety managers refine protocols, reduce risks, and create a safer environment.

Efficient False Alarm Reduction: Minerva's advanced algorithms reduce false alarms by recognizing environmental factors that might otherwise trigger non-essential alerts. This reduction increases reliability and builds confidence in the detection system.

Ensuring Compliance with Singapore's Safety Standards

Singapore's regulatory bodies, including the Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), enforce strict industrial safety standards. Facilities handling hazardous materials must comply with these standards, and failure to do so can lead to severe penalties. Minerva's detectors meet and exceed these regulatory requirements, making business compliance straightforward.

By choosing Minerva, companies can rest assured that they are investing in compliant and certified safety systems. This proactive approach fulfills legal requirements and demonstrates a commitment to high safety standards, which benefits employees, stakeholders, and the surrounding community.

Minerva Industrial's Comprehensive Support: Training and Maintenance

Effective use of gas and flame detectors requires well-trained personnel. Minerva Industrial provides extensive training to ensure operators know how to use, monitor, and maintain their detection systems effectively. Their dedicated support team is always available, offering technical assistance and guidance to maximize the reliability and lifespan of each detector.

Through training sessions and on-demand support, Minerva empowers its clients to maintain their safety systems, troubleshoot issues, and conduct regular checks, ensuring their detection equipment remains in optimal condition.

Why Choose Minerva Industrial?

Minerva Industrial is more than a supplier; it's a partner in safety. With decades of expertise and a deep understanding of Singapore's industrial landscape, Minerva delivers innovative and dependable solutions. Here's why businesses across Singapore trust Minerva:

Proven Quality and Reliability: Minerva's detectors are rigorously tested for reliability, ensuring they perform consistently under challenging conditions.

Custom Solutions for Unique Needs: Minerva works closely with clients to understand their specific risks and tailors solutions to meet each facility's requirements.

Ongoing Support and Training: Minerva's commitment to customer support ensures that facilities are fully equipped to manage their safety systems effectively and respond confidently to hazards.

Commitment to Innovation: Minerva continuously integrates the latest technology to provide clients with advanced detection solutions that offer more control and flexibility in managing industrial safety.

Protect Your Facility Today

Safety is a non-negotiable aspect of industrial operations, and Minerva Industrial's gas and flame detectors provide facilities with the cutting-edge technology they need to operate safely. With real-time monitoring, accurate detection, and instant alerts, Minerva's detectors create a safer environment for employees, equipment, and the community.

Investing in Minerva's gas and flame detection solutions is about more than compliance. It is also about building a resilient, proactive safety culture that values people and resources. Choose Minerva Industrial to safeguard your facility and take the first step toward a future where safety is always a top priority.

[harshnews]

Electronic Safety System Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth and Competitive Analysis

"Electronic Safety System Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2028

Global Electronic Safety System Market, By Product Type (Video Surveillance Systems, Intrusion Alarm Systems, Fire Alarm Systems, Access Control Systems, IP and Analog CCTV, Electronic Article Surveillance and Detection Systems, Electrified Door Hardware, Hybrid Video Recorder, Network Video Recorder), End-Users (Manufacturing Industries, Government Institutions, Educational Institutions, Healthcare Institutions, Data Centers, Commercial Infrastructure), Application (Residential, Commercial), Service (Business Intelligence, Cloud Based, Software- as – a- Service, Sales and Installation, Remote Monitoring, Loss Prevention), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Germany, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Turkey, Russia, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2028.

Access Full 350 Pages PDF Report @

**Segments**

- **By System Type**: The electronic safety system market can be segmented based on system type into fire detection systems, access control systems, video surveillance systems, intrusion detection systems, communication systems, electronic article surveillance systems, and others. Each of these system types plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of various environments, including residential, commercial, industrial, and government sectors. Fire detection systems are essential for timely detection of fires and triggering necessary actions to mitigate the risks. Access control systems restrict unauthorized entry into secured areas, enhancing overall security measures. Video surveillance systems provide visual monitoring and recording capabilities to deter potential security threats and for post-incident forensics analysis. Intrusion detection systems alert authorities of unauthorized entry attempts, ensuring prompt response to security breaches. Communication systems facilitate real-time communication during emergencies, optimizing coordination and response efforts. Electronic article surveillance systems help prevent theft in retail stores by triggering alarms when protected items are taken beyond specified zones.

- **By Component**: The electronic safety system market can also be segmented based on components, including sensors, alarms, controllers, monitors, and others. Sensors are fundamental components that detect changes in the environment, such as smoke, heat, motion, or sound, to trigger appropriate responses. Alarms are crucial for alerting occupants and authorities of potential threats or emergencies, prompting quick actions to ensure safety. Controllers manage the operation of various system components and regulate responses based on predefined parameters. Monitors provide real-time feedback on system status and enable remote viewing of surveillance footage for monitoring purposes. Other components, such as power sources, connectivity devices, and backup systems, contribute to the overall functionality and reliability of electronic safety systems.

**Market Players**

- **Honeywell International Inc.**: Honeywell is a leading provider of electronic safety systems, offering a comprehensive range of products and solutions for fire detection, access control, video surveillance, and intrusion detection. The company's innovative technologies and deep industry expertise make it a trusted partner for enhancing safety and securityHoneywell International Inc. is a key player in the electronic safety system market, known for its innovative solutions and extensive product offerings across various system types. The company's strong market presence and reputation for quality have positioned it as a preferred choice for customers seeking advanced safety and security solutions. Honeywell's fire detection systems are designed to provide early and accurate detection of fires, helping to minimize damage and ensure prompt response actions. Their access control systems offer robust features for restricting unauthorized access to secured areas, including biometric identification and multi-factor authentication options for enhanced security measures.

In the realm of video surveillance systems, Honeywell provides a wide range of cameras, recording devices, and analytics tools that enable comprehensive monitoring and analysis of security footage. These solutions are essential for deterring potential threats, as well as aiding in investigations and evidence collection post-incident. Honeywell's intrusion detection systems are designed to detect and alert authorities of any unauthorized entry attempts, ensuring proactive measures can be taken to address security breaches promptly. The company's communication systems play a vital role in facilitating real-time communication during emergencies, enabling swift coordination and response efforts to mitigate risks effectively.

Moreover, Honeywell's electronic article surveillance systems are instrumental in preventing theft in retail environments by triggering alarms when protected items are moved beyond designated zones. The company's diverse product portfolio, coupled with its focus on innovation and technological advancements, positions it as a market leader in the electronic safety system sector. With a strong emphasis on reliability, performance, and customer satisfaction, Honeywell continues to drive advancements in safety and security solutions, catering to a wide range of industries and applications.

Furthermore, Honeywell's commitment to research and development ensures that its electronic safety systems remain at the forefront of technology, incorporating the latest advancements to address evolving security challenges. The company's strategic partnerships and collaborations with industry stakeholders further enhance its market positioning and enable it to offer holistic solutions that align with customer needs and requirements. As a global leader in safety and security solutions, Honeywell International Inc.**Global Electronic Safety System Market**

- **Product Type** - Video Surveillance Systems - Intrusion Alarm Systems - Fire Alarm Systems - Access Control Systems - IP and Analog CCTV - Electronic Article Surveillance and Detection Systems - Electrified Door Hardware - Hybrid Video Recorder - Network Video Recorder

- **End-Users** - Manufacturing Industries - Government Institutions - Educational Institutions - Healthcare Institutions - Data Centers - Commercial Infrastructure

- **Application** - Residential - Commercial

- **Service** - Business Intelligence - Cloud Based - Software-as-a-Service - Sales and Installation - Remote Monitoring - Loss Prevention

- **Country** - U.S. - Canada - Mexico - Brazil - Argentina - Rest of South America - Germany - Italy - U.K. - France - Spain - Netherlands - Belgium - Switzerland - Turkey - Russia - Rest of Europe - Japan - China - India - South Korea - Australia - Singapore - Malaysia - Thailand - Indonesia - Philippines - Rest of Asia-Pacific - Saudi Arabia - U.A.E - South

Electronic Safety System Key Benefits over Global Competitors:

The report provides a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the Electronic Safety System Market trends, forecasts, and market size to determine new opportunities.

Porter’s Five Forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders to make strategic business decisions and determine the level of competition in the industry.

Top impacting factors & major investment pockets are highlighted in the research.

The major countries in each region are analyzed and their revenue contribution is mentioned.

The market player positioning segment provides an understanding of the current position of the market players active in the Personal Care Ingredients

Table of Contents: Electronic Safety System Market

1 Introduction

2 Global Electronic Safety System Market Segmentation

3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insight

5 Market Overview

6 Electronic Safety System Market, by Product Type

7 Electronic Safety System Market, by Modality

8 Electronic Safety System Market, by Type

9 Electronic Safety System Market, by Mode

10 Electronic Safety System Market, by End User

12 Electronic Safety System Market, by Geography

12 Electronic Safety System Market, Company Landscape

13 Swot Analysis

14 Company Profiles

Critical Insights Related to the Keyword Included in the Report:

Exclusive graphics and Illustrative Porter’s Five Forces analysis of some of the leading companies in this market

Value chain analysis of prominent players in the market

Current trends influencing the dynamics of this market across various geographies

Recent mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, and partnerships

Revenue growth of this industry over the forecast period

Marketing strategy study and growth trends

Growth-driven factor analysis

Emerging recess segments and region-wise market

An empirical evaluation of the curve of this market

Ancient, Present, and Probable scope of the market from both prospect value and volume

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About Data Bridge Market Research:

Data Bridge set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process.

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[brookstonalmanac]

Events 7.21 (after 1950)

1951 – Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 3505 disappears while flying from Vancouver to Tokyo. The aircraft and its 37 occupants are never found. 1952 – The 7.3 Mw  Kern County earthquake strikes Southern California with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), killing 12 and injuring hundreds. 1954 – First Indochina War: The Geneva Conference partitions Vietnam into North Vietnam and South Vietnam. 1959 – NS Savannah, the first nuclear-powered cargo-passenger ship, is launched as a showcase for Dwight D. Eisenhower's "Atoms for Peace" initiative. 1959 – Elijah Jerry "Pumpsie" Green becomes the first African-American to play for the Boston Red Sox, the last team to integrate. He came in as a pinch runner for Vic Wertz and stayed in as shortstop in a 2–1 loss to the Chicago White Sox. 1960 – Sirimavo Bandaranaike is elected Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, becoming the world's first female head of government 1961 – Mercury program: Mercury-Redstone 4 Mission: Gus Grissom piloting Liberty Bell 7 becomes the second American to go into space (in a suborbital mission). 1961 – Alaska Airlines Flight 779 crashes near Shemya Air Force Base in Shemya, Alaska killing six. 1964 – A series of racial riots break out in Singapore. In the next six weeks, 23 die with 454 others injured. 1969 – Apollo program: At 02:56 UTC, astronaut Neil Armstrong becomes the first person to walk on the Moon, followed 19 minutes later by Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin. 1970 – After 11 years of construction, the Aswan High Dam in Egypt is completed. 1972 – The Troubles: Bloody Friday: The Provisional IRA detonate 22 bombs in central Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom in the space of 80 minutes, killing nine and injuring 130. 1973 – In Lillehammer, Norway, Mossad agents kill a waiter whom they mistakenly thought was involved in the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre. 1976 – Christopher Ewart-Biggs, the British ambassador to the Republic of Ireland, is assassinated by the Provisional IRA. 1977 – The start of the four-day-long Libyan–Egyptian War. 1979 – Jay Silverheels, a Mohawk actor, becomes the first Native American to have a star commemorated in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 1983 – The world's lowest temperature in an inhabited location is recorded at Vostok Station, Antarctica at −89.2 °C (−128.6 °F). 1990 – Taiwan's military police forces mainland Chinese illegal immigrants into sealed holds of a fishing boat Min Ping Yu No. 5540 for repatriation to Fujian, causing 25 people to die from suffocation. 1995 – Third Taiwan Strait Crisis: The People's Liberation Army begins firing missiles into the waters north of Taiwan. 2001 – At the conclusion of a fireworks display on Okura Beach in Akashi, Hyōgo, Japan, 11 people are killed and more than 120 are injured when a pedestrian footbridge connecting the beach to JR Asagiri Station becomes overcrowded and people leaving the event fall down in a domino effect. 2005 – Four attempted bomb attacks by Islamist extremists disrupt part of London's public transport system. 2008 – Ram Baran Yadav is declared the first President of Nepal. 2010 – President Barack Obama signs the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. 2011 – NASA's Space Shuttle program ends with the landing of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-135 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. 2012 – Erden Eruç completes the first solo human-powered circumnavigation of the world. 2019 – Yuen Long attack or "721 incident" in Hong Kong. Triad members indiscriminately beat civilians returning from protests while police failed to take action. 2023 – The Barbenheimer phenomenon begins as two major motion pictures, Greta Gerwig's fantasy comedy Barbie and Christopher Nolan's epic biographical thriller Oppenheimer, are released in theaters on the same day and audiences, instead of creating a rivalry between the extremely dissimilar films, instead attend and praise both as an informal, surreal double feature.

[therealcrimediary]

A container ship crashed into a major bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse and vehicles to fall into the river below. Rescuers were searching for survivors, with two people rescued from the water, one in serious condition. Authorities believed there could be up to seven people missing. The cause of the crash was unclear, but it created a "developing mass casualty event" in the city just outside of Washington. The ship hit one of the bridge's supports, causing it to snap and buckle before tumbling into the water. The bridge collapse was captured on video and posted on social media, showing the shocking moment when the structure came down. Thick, black smoke billowed from the vessel, which caught fire after the crash. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott described it as "an unthinkable tragedy" and likened it to a scene from an action movie. Sonar indicated that there were vehicles in the water, with the temperature around 47 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of the incident. The collapse occurred during the night when traffic on the bridge would be lighter. The Baltimore Fire Department reported that several vehicles, including a tractor-trailer truck, were on the bridge at the time of the collapse. The bridge connects to a busy harbor and is a critical entry point for the Port of Baltimore, a major shipping hub on the East Coast. Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and sought federal resources to respond to the disaster. The FBI also arrived at the scene to investigate the incident. The ship involved in the crash was the Dali, owned and managed by Synergy Marine Group, headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Dali, flying under a Singapore flag, hit a pillar of the bridge at around 1:30 am while two pilots were in control. The crew members, including the pilots, were safe, with no reports of injuries. The container ship is nearly 1,000 feet long and 157 feet wide, according to data from Marine Traffic. This incident brings back memories of a similar disaster in 2001 when a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a downtown Baltimore tunnel, causing a fire and releasing black smoke into the surrounding neighborhoods. The city had to close all major roads temporarily in response to that incident. The impact of the bridge collapse in Baltimore has been significant, with authorities working to assess the full extent of the damage and potential casualties. The sudden nature of the disaster, occurring in the early hours of the morning, caught many by surprise and left rescuers scrambling to respond. The investigation into the cause of the crash and the actions taken by the ship's crew will be crucial in determining accountability for the incident. The community is mourning the loss of lives and property in this tragic event, with a sense of shock and sorrow gripping the city.

[usafphantom2]

US and allies warn Houthis of "consequences" if attacks on ships continue

Fernando Valduga

The U.S. and its allies issued a firm warning to the Houthi rebels in Yemen on January 3, telling the group to stop attacks on ships in the Red Sea or face "consequences".

“The Houthis will bear responsibility for the consequences if they continue to threaten lives, the global economy and the free flow of trade on the region's critical waterways,” said a joint statement from the U.S. and 12 other countries.

As of January 2, the Iranian-backed Houthis have carried out 24 attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea since November 19, according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The crew of 25 people on a ship has been held captive since November.

The U.S. wanted to "send a very clear warning to the Houthis," a senior administration official told reporters on January 3.

The Houthis began attacking Red Sea ships following the war between Israel and Hamas. The Houthis said they defend "our brothers in the Gaza Strip".

The Houthis attacked commercial ships with drones, small attacks on boats and missiles, including the "first time that anti-ship ballistic missiles were used anywhere, much less against commercial ships," according to the senior administration official.

The U.S. defended itself against Houthi attacks with Navy fighters and missile defense systems. British and French ships also shot down drones launched by the Houthis.

The U.S. military has prepared attack options against the Houthis if the Biden administration decides to use force against targets in Yemen, according to U.S. officials.

British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said the United Kingdom is “willing to take direct action” if the attacks continue.

“I would not expect another warning” before the U.S. could take more energetic measures, added the senior U.S. administration official.

The U.S. military recently used force against the Houthis in self-defense. On December 31, four small boats fired at U.S. Navy helicopters that came to the aid of a commercial ship under attack. The helicopters responded, killing members of the group and sinking three of the boats, according to the senior administration official and CENTCOM. The Houthis said that 10 of their members were killed in this incident. The senior government official said that the Houthis could be trying to kidnap the ship or damage it in a suicide bombing.

"The ongoing Houthi attacks on the Red Sea are illegal, unacceptable and deeply destabilizing," says the statement by the governments of the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, New Zealand and the United Kingdom warning about the case. "May our message now be clear: we call for an immediate end to these illegal attacks and the release of ships and crews detained illegally."

An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council was held on January 3 to discuss the Houthi threat. The president of the Joint General Staff of the Air Force, General Charles Q. Brown Jr., spoke with his UK counterpart, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, on January 3 and "discussed the illegal Houthi attacks underway," according to a reading of the Call of the Employees Set.

"I think this demonstrates that the U.S. and its partners are trying to operate responsibly, but that there is a limit to the behavior they are willing to accept," said retired Army General Joseph L. Votel, who led the 2016-2019 CENTCOM.

The Houthis have missile and drone launchers, coastal radars and weapons storage facilities that could be targeted if the U.S. or other nations decide to use force.

The U.S. launched a limited salvo of cruise missiles at three coastal radar sites in Yemen in 2016, in response to attacks on Houthis ships during Votel's time as commander of CENTCOM.

“The message is considered, as would be expected, but it clearly highlights that there are consequences associated with continuous attacks and that these nations will hold evil actors accountable,” said Votel, an illustrious senior member of the Middle East Institute. He added that the declaration “emphasises the importance of taking advantage of all forms of national power, in this diplomatic and informative case, to put pressure on the Houthis and their Iranian supporters”.

Iran and the so-called Axis of Resistance of groups aligned with it launched attacks in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. But some U.S. officials and regional security experts say that the Houthis are more unpredictable and hard-lined than other groups supported by Iran.

Ships run a particular risk near Yemen because they have to use the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to cross between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, a critical bottleneck.

“Almost 15% of global maritime trade passes through the Red Sea, including 8% of global grain trade, 12% of oil traded by sea and 8% of world trade in liquefied natural gas,” the joint statement noted.

The U.S. launched the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian in December to help defend against the Houthi attacks. American F/A-18 fighters from the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower slaughtered Houthi drones. Sometimes, U.S. Air Force fighters have been active in the Red Sea, said a senior U.S. defense official. The U.S. is also known to operate MQ-9 drones off the coast of Yemen, and the U.S. and the UK have operated P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft in the region in the past.

"Especially when it comes to awareness of the maritime domain, air power is always a significant contributor to this," said Pentagon press secretary, Major General of the Air Force, Patrick S. Ryder, on December 21.

The Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea are connected by the Suez Canal, but commercial cargo ships have been forced to redirect their ships around the Cape of Good Hope, off the southern coast of Africa, causing significant delays and costs for the global economy.

“These attacks threaten innocent lives around the world and constitute a significant international problem that requires collective action,” the joint statement states. "We remain committed to the rules-based international order and are determined to hold evil actors responsible for illegal seizures and attacks."

Source: Air & Space Forces Magazine

Tags: Military AviationNATO - North Atlantic Treaty OrganizationWar Zones - Middle East

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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BRAZILIAN AIR FORCE

FAB signs contract for logistical support of Armed Forces H225M aircraft

03/01/2024 - 08:07

B-2 over-volut at Rose Bowl 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Photo: Mark Holtzman / West Coast Aerial)

MILITARY

VIDEOS: How was the overfly of the B-2 bomber at the Rose Bowl on the first day of 2024

02/01/2024 - 20:01

MILITARY

South Korea selects ELTA Systems radar solutions for its new early warning aircraft

02/01/2024 - 16:00