#Solutions to Science {Test Subjects}

[reasonsforhope]

"A German bio-tech company has developed a naturally-occurring enzyme discovered in a cemetery into a near-market ready solution for recycling plastic without any loss of quality.

In 2022, GNN reported on a paper published by Leipzig-based scientists who first identified the enzyme. At the time, the enzyme was subject to a small side-by-side test, and caused the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic to decompose by a whopping 90%.

Pictured: Before and After: A container of PET after 24 hours of contact with the enzyme leaves only dye

Fast forward to the spring of 2025 and those same scientists have perfected the capabilities of that enzyme, called PHL7, and have founded ESTER Biotech to bring those capabilities to market.

Their initial plan to be finished next year is a bathtub-sized pilot project reactor. If successful, their 2030 plan will be four 350 cubic-meter reactors capable of processing 45,000 metric tons of PET plastic every year.

PHL7 and ESTER Biotech boast several advantages over chemical and thermal recycling methods. For starters, once the polymers of PET are broken by the enzyme into monomers, or single component parts, they have suffered no degradation of their material characteristics unlike some recycled plastic which is weaker or less stable.

Additionally, PHL7 is exceptionally stable from 32 to 203 degrees Fahrenheit (0-95°C), and per kilogram of plastic, a dose of only 0.02% to 0.06% of the enzyme is required—substantially less than existing alternatives. Their new version of the enzyme also recycles the plastic several hours faster.

“Our technology makes it possible to bring material flows that are currently burned back to the beginning of the cycle at the molecular level,” says Christian Sonnendecker, lead author on the paper of the enzyme’s discovery, and co-founder of ESTER Biotech at the University of Leipzig. “And with high energy efficiency and scalability.”

“We are only at the beginning. But we are convinced that when science, entrepreneurial spirit and social responsibility come together, a cemetery enzyme can become a beacon of hope for a better future.”

RECYCLING BREAKTHROUGHS: 

Scientists in Japan Develop Non-Toxic Plastic That Dissolves in Seawater Within Hours

Cornell Researchers Create First-of-its-Kind Durable and Recyclable Plastic

New Process ‘Vaporizes’ Plastic Bags and Bottles to Help Make Recycled Materials

Revolutionary New ‘Living Plastic’ That Could Slash Damage to the Environment Developed by California Researchers

ESTER Biotech’s enzyme is able to separate certain multilayer composites which are normally thought of as unrecyclable. In addition to the infrastructure of the pilot project, ESTER is currently working with two medium-sized partners to build a cost-efficient supply chain with an aim to reduce the enzyme price to between 100 and 200 euros per kilogram.

Though no currently-commercialized recycling method can compete with the cost of virgin plastic, a price between 100 and 200 euros will put it in line with existing competitors.

Fortunately for anyone in the space, the EU is not afraid to use heavy-handed regulation to guarantee plastic recycling rates. By 2040, under existing EU legislation, 65% of plastic production will be mandated to come from recycled sources. ESTER believes that with its potential to offer a higher quality “recyclate,” the incentive to pursue and expand enzymatic methods will increase."

-via Good News Network, June 13, 2025

[milkteabinniechan]

♡Breaking the Formula - Han Jisung

MINORS DNI 18+ ONLY MEMBERSHIP//M.LIST

pairing: scientist! Han Jisung x fem! reader

summary: Dr. Han Jisung takes his experiments very seriously. He's close to understanding the science behind human pheromones until one of the beakers breaks all over him and he soon finds himself consumed with an insatiable need...

warnings: pheromones! primal behavior, rough sex, breeding, toxic male

a/n: this is different from the usual stuff I write but now y'all get a glimpse into what a sci-fi nerd boy I am ^.^ I hope you enjoy!!

Dr. Jisung pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. He was exhausted. His entire body ached. He pushed his glasses up into his hair and sighed deeply.

“What am I missing?” He groaned into the palms of his hands.

He glanced over the papers scattered across his desk. His lips moved as he whispered the different formulas aloud. His finger trailed across each line of data.

Simultaneously, his phone lit up and showed your name. He squinted at the screen and positioned his glasses back onto his nose. You asked if you had left your notes in his lab. He sighed heavily and stood up to have a look around.

You had been assisting him in this pheromone experiment for months now. And while he would never admit it, you were a pretty decent assistant. He was never good at interacting with people, especially with people as physically attractive as you were, but conversing with you came easily to him. He genuinely enjoyed your company. You had invited him out for drinks one evening a few weeks ago. He remembered the night clearly in his mind. You had asked so casually. He knew he couldn't do it. Couldn't speak to you in a familial way. So he declined.

Dr. Jisung continued to search his lab until he finally came across your notebook, laying there next to his most recent test subject. An unassuming plant. The Orchidaceae. Or a common orchid plant. This plant was the perfect test subject for what he wanted to accomplish. The orchid had an uncanny ability, their flowers resemble female wasps, and they emit a potent chemical that mimics the sex pheromone of the female wasp. This draws in the male wasp and makes it almost powerless to the desire to procreate.

He wanted to test this pheromone’s power and ability on other creatures and see how the brain neurons respond. But so far, the pheromone hasn't worked on anything besides other plants. Dr. Jisung grabbed your notebook and made his way back to his phone to tell you the discovered news. But something caught his eye. A number in the formula he had designed. But the number was misplaced, or miswritten… he stared at the formula for a long while.

“It couldn't be…could it?” His mind felt like it was being supercharged.

He quickly ran over to the concentrated liquids that he had isolated earlier from the orchid. He followed the formula exactly like before but with one differential factor. And all of a sudden, the normal blue solution he had come to expect was suddenly purple now. His eyes widened as he stared long and hard at the beaker in his hand.

“...is this it?” He mumbled softly, almost entranced with the liquid inside. He couldn't take his eyes off of it…

Bzz! Bzzt!

His cellphone. The vibrator broke his concentration and in turn broke the beaker he was holding. He cursed as the beaker broke onto the table, causing the liquid inside to pour out into his lap. The thick, purple ooze dripped over the edge of the table and onto his stomach and groin area.

“Shit!” Dr. Jisung shouted. He was so busy mourning the loss of his possible discovery, he didn't think about the effect this purple ooze was having on his body, not until it was already too late.

Dr. Jisung stood up from his desk and attempted to wipe the liquid from his lap. He looked down and the floor began to twist and turn a bit beneath his feet. He blinked a few times to attempt to regain his composure. He glanced down at his lap to see the purple solution completely absorbed into his clothes, not a trace to be seen.

His head suddenly began to pound and pulsate at an alarming rate, causing him to yell out in pain. A strange heat was pooling in the core of his stomach. He felt extremely… euphoric. Even though he was dizzy and wobbling while he walked, Dr. Jisung knew he had done it. Well, he knew you had done it and he had to call you and tell you the good news. He clumsily dialed your number and waited for you to answer.

“Hello…?”

“W-we did it! You have…have to get here…now. Test. Brain…” Dr. Jisung tried with all his might to communicate what he needed to say. Thankfully you understood, or somewhat understood, and told him you'd be there as soon as you could.

Dr. Jisung sighed in relief. He held himself steady against his desk, waiting for you to arrive.

However, when you did arrive, an intoxicating aroma traveled with you. You opened the door to the lab swiftly and stood there for a moment. Dr. Jisung's eyes hastily glued to your body as you entered the room. His brain, still somewhat in charge, pleaded with him to stay in control. Pleaded and begged not to let these urges get the best of him.

But that voice was speaking softer and softer the closer you got to him. So close now that he could practically feel the heat coming off of your body now.

“Stay…stay back…” he moaned as you continued to step closer. His moral fiber was clearly breaking and fraying with each new step you took towards him.

You stopped dead in your tracks when you saw the pained look on Dr. Jisung's face.

“What happened? Are you okay?”

Dr. Jisung backed away from you slowly, even though all he wanted to do was throw you onto his desk and taste you. God, how he wanted to taste you. He always imagined you tasted sweet, with just a hint of salt. He could smell your shampoo when you two would work together. He would close his eyes and take a deep breath and hold you there in his lungs.

You watched as Dr. Jisung backed away from you. You looked his body up and down to try to assess if he was hurt or not. Your eyes roamed over his waist and the growing appendage that was laying underneath. Dr. Jisung followed your eyesight and quickly saw what you were looking at. His face immediately turned a dark shade of red from embarrassment and arousal.

“I think you figured it out…the formula.” Dr. Jisung spoke in a husky, low tone.

The sound of his voice sent shivers down your spine. You slowly started to step towards him again. Not only were the pheromones working on him, but they were starting to do something to you as well. You continued your movement towards him, slowly but surely.

Dr. Jisung tensed for a moment, worried you didn't quite understand what was happening to him, until you started to get closer. He could see the fire burning in your eyes that reflected his own. You looked so goddamn incredible. And that small shred of moral fiber he had left had finally broken apart the moment your hand reached out to touch his.

You leaned in first, pressing your lips softly against his. He lets out a soft gasp, his lips tingling at the slight touch of your own against them. He's impatient though, so he can't help but lean his head forward, trying to kiss you deeper, trying to feel more of your lips against his. He just wants to feel you however he can, and as much as he can.

He grabs your waist and easily picks you up on top of his desk. He presses his body into yours aggressively as he begins to climb on top of you. Never breaking the kiss, you buck your hips into his as he completely envelops you with his body. He whines into your mouth, his mind completely fuzzy with pleasure. He just wants as much of you as he can get, wants to feel the heat of your skin, the weight of his body as he continues to press into you.

Jisung grips your thigh and pulls it up around his waist, his other hand already undoing his belt as his eyes stay fixated on you. All he can think about is mating. Mating. Mating. Mating. He needs it. He needs to make you his. His eyes are dark and primal as he finally, slowly, slides his cock out of his pants and lines it up with your entrance. The rips your panties away as if they were tissue paper, a primal growl escaping his lips as he does.

He holds the base of his cock and slowly slides it inside of your wet hole. The instinctually whimpers that pour from his lips are almost animalistic as he hastily begins pumping his hips into you.

You gasp sharply at the initial speed, gripping the edge of the desk for stability. Jisung grabs your shirt and uses it to pull himself further and deeper inside of you. His mind completely consumed with thoughts of filling your womb until his seed pools out of you onto the desk.

Grunts and groans are the only thing that comes from his mouth as he concentrates on fulfilling his need as the fertile male. You continue to moan and writhe on ecstasy beneath him, your mind and body overwhelmed with the pheromones you both share now.

Jisung's pumping rhythm hits a climactic high and ultimately ends with an explosive finish. He holds you by your waist until he has pushed everything out of him and into you. His body, now empty, feels weak and pliant. He falls down onto the desk next to you, the two of you still trying to catch your breath. He turns his head toward you and you do the same, the two of you look at each other for a long while until Jisung finally speaks.

“Go again?”

taglist: @simply-trash5 @sugawhaaa @trixiekaulitz @chrizzztopherbang @cassidymb121 @roanns-posts @staysinbloom @yaorzu-blog @bubblebisk @cotton-candycloudz @beautyinhypnosis @domicaru @strawberry31 @slxtmeri @newhope8 @tinyelfperson @dandelions-143 @stayyyyyyyyyyyy21 @msauthor @fun-fanfics @ell0thebell @stephanieeeyang @juskz @kimahreummm @readr1221 @kayleefriedchicken @ovulatingrn @hwnglixho @darthmaddie25 @queen-in-the-shadows @itgirlalisaa @miinhoo @greyaia @chanchansgirly @skzleeknowcorecan @skz-smut-reader

[prushka92]

DFAOG AU (Don't forget about our goal) general info!

I've made some lil concrpts for the AU! I hope you will enjoy it✨ I only made Shuanshuan, Yi and 2 ocs for this properly by now but i will fo more surely! Like i really wanna finish Kuafu (if you have ideas lemme know!). But talking about AU itself...

But talking about the plot or something i already have some things.

Yi returned to Penglai along with Shuanshuan, the apemen and Kuafu to keep on searching for the antidote to Tianhou. In this version, Shuanshuan has no clones (as some theories say), he is in the middle child in the normal ending. Despite his young age, he helps Yi in working with the medicine, as he had previously studied with him.

Yi also continues to kill apemen in order to maintain the functionality of the biological supercomputer for soulscapes. The apemen believe in the gods, in the 9 Sols, living a lie, being isolated from the outside world as well. Yi rarely selects the apemen kids he likes who are intelligent and inquisitive, and teaches them, becoming their mentor. When Shuanshuan grows up, it is he who is already engaged in teaching the "chosen ones."

Kuafu helps Yi in finding a cure for Tianhou, and also replaces him when he leaves for soulscape for 5 years. Yi and Kuafu sleep for 5 years, and then they work for the same amount, replacing each other in order to continue working and support the rest of lifes on the New Kunlun.

Goumang is also here, but her fate is not so bright tho. She survived after Yi's fight with her and when they returned to Penglai Yi offered fer team working, Goumang agreed. However after not so much time she became the Yi's test subject. They just were not meant working together because of events in the game. As a result, she became quite apathetic, considering Yi to be just a crazy maniac. In her eyes, he's just a madman, obsessed with the idea of healing and saving everyone, even though there's no hope of salvation anymore. Goumang can be said to be coming to Tao, as she has already accepted her fate, realizing the deplorability of the whole situation. Her small joy is Shuanshuan and a student Huanhe whom Goumang taught biology and agronomy for a while before turning out to be a lab rat. The children visit her periodically to feed and talk to her.

In addition to Shuanshuan's help Yi with his work, he continues to explore the completely new world of Penglai and the culture of solarians. Yi teaches him martial arts (Shuanshuan has no plans to use these skills for their intended purpose), science and history. Shuan's training is assisted by Abacus Ruyi, which Yi restored after arriving at Penglai. He devotes the boy more to art, and when Yi leaves for soulscape, he takes over almost entirely the training, as well as conducts the tests prescribed by Yi for the antidote and research, helping in the development of a cure for the virus. Kuafu spends most of his waking years maintaining the New Kunlun and looking after Shuanshuan, also giving him knowledge, but this time in the field of engineering.

Over time, Shuanshuan began to wonder: "Is there even a cure?"Are our efforts in finding a solution not in vain?" "How right is it to exploit my people in order to save them?" and many others. On the basis of these questions, he began to develop and take root a different worldview, and later learns from Abacus Ruyi about the philosophy of Tao and becomes imbued with it.

How many students does Yi have in total?

Four: two boys and two girls, including Shuanshuan himself, and he is the oldest of them. If we list them by seniority, it turns out like this: Shuanshuan, Huanhe, Heiluyan, Zhujin.

What happened to Shennong?

Unfortunately, he died in a fight with Eigong when she broke into the pavillon of the Seasons.

How does Yi relate to the rest of his students?

He basically values them as much as Shuanshuan, although it's a little difficult to say that he perceives them as his family. But he does get involved in their education and upbringing, given that these are orphaned children whose parents died in a slaughterhouse or for some other reason.

Will they find a cure?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Tianhou in this au. It would just ruin everything really, so no matter how cruel it sounds, the dozens of years they spend searching for it will be in vain.

Does the new Abacus Ruyi remember the events that took place in the game itself?

Yes and no. He'll just know what happened from the stories of Yi, Kuafu, and Shuanshuan, but the new Ruyi is just as sentimental as his predecessor.

In fact, in this universe, Yi also comes to the Tao, just like in the game, only much longer, which, in fact, I would like to see! I wish Yi had more interactions with Shuanshuan and Kuafu, because I didn't have enough of that in the game (not because the game couldn't handle it, but just because I love that kind of thing)

I will add more info by time! I really hope you all like it :]

[phoenixblaze1412]

Heyy may I request dottore with a very sleepy (Fem/gn)Reader who always struggles with nightmares and staying awake

(idk what to do against my sleepiness :<)

Dottore, being a man of science, a doctor himself, has seen people go through various things. Whether it be painful to the person physically, mentally, or emotionally- he has seen it all. Even done it to others.

But when it comes to you, he wouldn't dare put you through that pain nor stress. So when he noticed something weird about your behavior. He has to know why.

Observation is always the first step a researcher must do in order to gather data. With his clipboard in hand, he watched you move around his office.

Subject: Y/N

Observations:

- Subject shows signs of lack of sleep due to the bags under their eyes.

- Subject has a hard time doing their assigned tasks; lack of focus, sluggish movements, constant yawning.

- When the Theta segment recommended them to sleep, subject reacted anxiously before declining their suggestion and stating they don't need it. Subject seems to be scared. Possibility that the subject is afraid of sleeping or something related to sleep?

Comments:

- Subject does not want to sleep due to something that is giving them constant fear. Best to question them on why they do not wish to sleep for almost a week now. Another solution is to give them a sedative that could help them recover the rest they needed.

After reviewing his notes for a second time and making sure he got everything, Dottore went off to find you.

"Darling?"

You hummed in reply, your tired eyes looking up at your partner. Dottore could only sigh when he saw the bags under your eyes becoming more worse by the day.

"Is there a reason on why you do not wish to slumber? I have noticed how you're struggling to even move around or speak due to your lack of rest. I suggest you tell me why, I'm beginning to worry that you might hurt yourself due to your fatigued mind."

You didn't give any replies, embarrassed about your reason. Already knowing that avoiding sleep would be pointless and the fatigue would catch up to you sooner. Your state couldn't even go unnoticed by the doctor himself.

So... how would you tell Dottore that you can't sleep due to your nightmares? Childish as it may, the constant horrific dreams you've been getting each day was the reason why you didn't bother to go back to sleep. Not even a wink or shuteye.

Without further delay, you decided to tell Dottore. The harbinger himself listening to every word, processing, even coming up with various solutions to at least comfort you. It's not really in his nature to do the latter but for you, he would do anything.

"Nightmares? And what, pray tell, are you having nightmares about? Is it due to the screams of the test subjects in their cells? The 'grotesque' view that others would find whenever I am in the middle of an experiment?"

Though the words he used may sound cold and blunt, the hand rubbing your head gave enough warmth and comfort. Dottore prefers to say things whatever it is.

What's the point of sugar-coating the truth when it's already in front of you, afterall? That is what Dottore would think.

Nevertheless, his actions does speak more than his words. He led you to sit on the couch he has in his office, letting you lean onto him as he gently pulled you by the waist to be closer to him while he listened to you vent out your nightmarish dreams.

"Is that so? I have a few suggestions that can be of help to you, darling. You see, I have concocted a little sedative, one that can easily make you fall asleep for.. let's say maybe twenty-four to thirty-six hours. Just enough to recover the rest you needed. I also have melatonin that could help you fall asleep. Hm.. maybe we should use them as a last resort."

Dottore had to be reminded that you cannot sleep due to your nightmares. Which caused him to stop in his rambles before crossing out the ideas he suggested.

He may have gotten a bit carried away.

You couldn't be upset at him, he is trying his best. It's the littlest things that matters, after all. Besides, he's never been in a serious relationship with anyone until you came into his life and you're probably the only one insane enough to even date the second harbinger.

"How about.. you sleep with me? You could use the rest too and I need someone to cuddle with so I don't get any nightmares."

"Cuddle? Darling, I am a doctor, a scientist. I may know the benefits of physical contact, hugging to be exact, to a person but I am not one to do such a thing--"

Dottore could even finish his sentence when you were already clinging onto him. Like a newborn to their parent, your arms were wrapped around the doctor's neck as you cuddled up to him. Said doctor could only lay stiffly on the couch, he really doesn't know what to do, you even pinned him down to the furniture and got into a position where you both would be comfortable. His fingers were twitching to flip the positions, with you laying on the couch instead so he could return to his work.

But you felt so warm and soft and so vulnerable even--

No. Bad. Keep yourself in check, Dottore.

"If you don't want to cuddle then it's alright. I can go back to my room."

Before you could even move away, Dottore kept you in place. His arms circling around your waist to keep you from getting out of his hold as he leaned his chin on top of your head. Luckily he wasn't wearing his mask or else it could have poked your eye.

"If this will be of help to let you sleep easier without anymore nightmares then go on ahead. You do know that the brain could eat itself if it lacks sleep for a long time."

You could only laugh in amusement at the information. Dottore would always tell science facts here and there whenever he is doing something very affectionately. It's an easy way to hide how flustered he is.

Your eyes started to feel heavy as you nuzzled more into Dottore's warmth. You felt something soft pressed against your forehead along with a small hum from the man holding you, causing you to smile as you slowly entered a deep slumber. Dottore's words being the last thing that you hear before entering your dreamland, this time, no more nightmares.

"Go to sleep now, darling. I'll be here till you wake up. I won't leave you alone with your nightmares this time."

[baldieboi]

Primarch OC Introduction

Raladus

@ghrgrsfdesfrfg @w-40-k

your local war criminal with a PhD in making everyone uncomfortable

The basics

Name: Raladus (Rala/Ral if you're feeling suicidal)

Legion: "Dread Sentinels" (we're the ones you don't invite to parties)

Found: early (daddy's early mistake)

Home World: Carissa (conveniently destroyed, how mysterious)

Titles

Half-Insane Primarch

Mad Scientist

Dark Innovator

Lord Primarch of the Dread Sentinels

"That Brother We Don't Talk About" (family favorite)

"Please Stop Experimenting On The Serfs" (Imperial complaint)

The look™

Height: 8'7" of concentrated nightmare fuel

Build: Lean and slender (all that manic energy burns calories)

Aesthetic: Pale gothic scientist who hasn't seen sunlight in decades

Hair: Shoulder-length jet black mess (lab safety is for the weak)

Eyes: Sharp dark green that see you as a potential test subject

Skin: Pale, scarred, and rough (some scars are from personal experiments)

Face: Diamond-shaped and catlike (predator energy)

Voice: Cold, hostile, and dripping with sarcasm

Gear&Style

Dark green armor with grey accents (color-coordinated with his legion)

Various medical instruments (they're weapons, he's just creative)

Intimidating presence that makes even Space Marines nervous

Probably carries syringes filled with things you don't want to know about

Personality disaster

The Brilliant Monster:

✅ Analytical genius with innovative solutions

✅ Adaptable and resourceful

✅ Dedicated to his research

✅ Confident in his abilities

✅ Observant and perceptive

The Walking Red Flag:

❌ Amoral sociopath with zero empathy

❌ Cruel and sadistic (it's not a bug, it's a feature)

❌ Manipulative and deceptive

❌ Unstable and unpredictable

❌ Literally experiments on his own sons

❌ Bullies everyone including his brothers

❌ Cowardly when confronted with real consequences

He's the family member who gets uninvited from reunions and somehow still shows up

Backstory&Mystery

Found on Carissa (early discovery)

Plot twist: His home planet is now space dust

Refuses to share ANY details about his past (sus)

Early discovery means daddy had high hopes (oops)

The real tea: Whatever happened on Carissa was bad enough that he destroyed the evidence

Current goals&obsessions

Unlock the secrets of bio-engineering (rival daddy's work)

Create his own army of enhanced beings

Experiment on literally everyone (consent is a foreign concept)

Master gene-engineering to Emperor levels

Secret goal: Stay sane (failing spectacularly)

Terrorize his brothers for fun

Make everyone as uncomfortable as possible

Hidden agenda: Something darker than anyone realizes

Legion highlights

The Dread Sentinels are:

Masters of psychological warfare

Dark green and grey aesthetic (very goth)

Probably have trust issues with their primarch

Experts at making enemies surrender through sheer terror

Definitely have some modifications courtesy of dad

The legion other legions avoid at social gatherings

Abilities

Dark Experimentation (his specialty and hobby)

Brilliant strategic mind (when he's not distracted by science)

Terrible leader (his sons fear him more than the enemy)

Master of psychological warfare

Chaos and fear creation expert

Adept at making everyone regret meeting him

Some horrifying details

The Family Disappointment: Found early but turned out to be a complete disaster

Self-Experimenter: Literally uses himself as a test subject (explains a lot)

Brother Terrorizer: Actively tries to scare his fellow primarchs

The Mystery: His destroyed homeworld holds secrets he'll kill to keep

Daddy Issues: Desperately wants to rival the Emperor's bio-engineering skills

The Coward: For all his cruelty, he's actually afraid of real consequences

The Liar: Nothing he says can be trusted (including this introduction)

Why he's fascinating (and terrifying)

The primarch who chose to be the villain

Represents what happens when genius lacks morality

His own legion probably plots against him

The Primarch who probably would make even Chaos Marines uncomfortable

The real question: What happened on Carissa that was so bad he destroyed an entire planet?

Self-aware about his madness but uses it as a weapon

The family member who makes everyone else look functional by comparison

This primarch is intentionally written as irredeemable. He's the villain of his own story and everyone else's.

[mettamorph]

C-Virus Development and what it means to be a "Chimera"

There are many, many types of C-Virus. The nature of this pathogen is that it mutates quickly and uncontrollably. It was why there were worries about the vaccine working long-term, because it's so virulent it would mutate around defenses.

PROTO-VIRUS - (THE LADDER) 2001

This T-Type virus was isolated from the ruins of the Umbrella Training Facility in Arklay, harvested from one of Dr. James Marcus's infected leeches.

This prototype strain was notable for its vast collection of generationally passed invertebrate-parasite-derived DNA. Leeches that were reproducing, that were also infected with the T-Virus, passed on this library of iDNA to their offspring by way of the T-Virus.

Due to the fact the original Progenitor strain was so virulent and specialized, it could infect both plants and animals. The Proto-Virus was coined "The Ladder" or "The Staircase", as it functioned as an way to cross genomic sequences.

PROTO-C (T-VERONICA/GOLGOTHA) 2002

Using the proto virus as a base, C-Virus was developed by splicing T-Veronica (t-02) and Golgotha (G-Virus) together using The Ladder to rapidly combine traits of both viruses.

This early version of C-Virus was very unstable and difficult to maintain, as it had a propensity to combust by itself. Using the G-Virus and the DNA instructions of Leeches, a cocoon structure was developed to contain the combustion step in the process, while also giving subjects an intermediary step between uninfected and infected. This solution to the problems presented by T-Veronica obliterated the stasis time necessary to acclimate to the virus. The cocoons produced by this prototype virus at this stage gave the virus its name, "Chrysalid".

Proto-C was tested on a variety of animal and plant subjects, adding more DNA into The Ladder from the variety of experiments. It was then moved to be tested on human subjects.

CHRYSALID VIRUS 2003

The stabilized C-Virus had the capacity to extract and replicate tissues, but also had the capacity to create legions of zombies. This was discovered during an unusual outbreak in the Tall Oaks facility, where contaminated groundwater had trickled into The Family's catacombs. The embalmed corpses of many long-deceased humans rose from the dead.

These were the first long-dead zombies on record. Corpses could be animated that had been dead and embalmed for a century or more. These corpses somehow had feeding responses to living organisms, were able to hold and utilize weapons, and were strangely fast.

While the value in animating the long dead was noticed, the virus was primarily used in efforts to store, replicate, and clone tissues from The Ladder. These stored DNA archives gave infected organisms the ability to express them later, in response to damage done or in response to prompting.

This strain was tested rigorously in several testing facilities. Lab animals were continuously exposed to the virus by way of leeches. Testing began on the long dead of the Family Catacombs, in an effort to produce cocoons from the deceased. When the failures mounted, C-Virus was tested on trafficked persons.

C-VIRUS (PROJECT ADA) 2004

Project Ada truly began with this strain developed by Carla Radames. She was given tissues of a woman to create a full clone out of. She began this process by incorporating this woman, "Ada" into The Ladder, by using leeches to harbor and propagate her genetic code to be expressed later through prompting. Perfect cloning was unsuccessful in initial trials. The science was still theoretical, and while achievable on small scales, was a colossal task on a large one.

This strain resulted in the first J'avo, as well as the first Complete Mutations (completely new organisms from a cocoon). This strain was one that Carla incorporated her own DNA into in order to further the research with more expedience. 2004 was the first time the C-Virus experiments began to experience "euphoria" akin to religious visions or powerful endorphin hits when injected.

Complete mutations were observed to have mild to moderate control over other base J'avo and C-infected.

C-VIRUS (RADAMES) 2007

This strain was Carla's individual one after she was infected with the stabilized "Project Ada" strain, and transformed into a Complete Mutation. This strain was the result of a successful perfect clone. The cloning process was a massive success due to specific health factors with Carla Radames, and those health factors further informed the nature of C-Virus.

Carla was indistinguishable from Ada Wong internally and externally. She was not shedding viral particles, and was determined to be not infectious, unlike many other Complete Mutations.

Unbeknownst to the research team that celebrated the success of this Ada clone, the clone did not maintain human internal structures, and was in fact, infectious.

This strain also produced the first animated chrysalid shell in existence, dubbed "Husk".

C-VIRUS (BLACK TEARS) 2009

After much research and many organisms incorporated into The Ladder, militant field testing began of the J'avo. These powerful and intelligent super soldiers were incredibly hard to kill, fast, and had the capacity to strategize. Furthermore, they were responsive and commandable by a "Commander" J'avo. This Commander was always a Perfect Mutation, and infected that were not Perfect Mutants responded to Commander J'avo without hesitation. The euphoria effect of C-Virus was exhibited in these creatures as a continuous byproduct of being in the presence of a Perfect Mutation. An endorphin release was also detected upon initial infection.

This strain was injected into recently deceased bodies off the coast of Daijoon, a little country around Laos that was embroiled in a civil war. Combat testing saw J'avo face off against a completely different, non-Progenitor based bioweapon, and from these combat encounters came the full codex of Partial Mutations that tended to happen on a human body.

Black tears indicated a strange jump in infectivity for this modern C-strain, though it was still considered a low spread virus. Before 2009, there were no reports of these creatures leaking black tears.

C-VIRUS (EROS) 2011

This strain was an injection developed for testing in combat field experience. Eros produced the highest measurable "euphoria" feeling out of any of the C-Virus strains to date. Power given by the virus was directly correlated to incredible jumps in endorphin levels.

Subjects were prone to spiritual experiences and religious manias. This was the strain used on Marhawa Academy. Nanan, a deceased student from Marhawa, was brought back to life with this virus, and transformed into a Proto-Lepotica Perfect Mutation. Nanan's ability to produce a gas form of "Eros" caused the zombie outbreak that destroyed the prestigious academy.

C-VIRUS (CHATTER) 2012-2013

This strain was an injection developed in 2012, and used on Edonia later that year to transform the Edonian Liberation Army into a sophisticated superhuman fighting force. Unlike in Marhawa, no zombies were produced by CHATTER. The strain instead produced quite a number of Perfect Mutations and masses of cocoons.

CHATTER was used as biological ammunition in several pneumatic weapons, and caused untold amounts of destruction. The fighting in Edonia continued into the new year, 2013, with the victory of this civil war being wrung by the Liberation party.

CHRYSALID (EUPHORIA) 2013

This slow acting strain was distributed as a test medication by the Da Vinci medical center. Testers were paid exceptionally for their time.

This slow acting infection produced a focus increasing high upon consumption of a pill, which also acted as a mild aphrodisiac and erectile dysfunction treatment due to its effect on the circulatory system.

Thousands of people in Waiyip were infected this way. Over time, it also produced Raslkapanje from humans infected with roundworms.

C-VIRUS (LEPOTICA) 2013

This strain was produced by the Lepotica Complete Mutation refined from the body of Nanan in Marhawa. Lepotica had the ability to infect and transform people into likewise infectious zombies through an aerosol form of C-Virus.

Zombies produced from Lepotica are more infectious than previous zombies created by C-strains, and mutate by way of the V-ACT process into several different types of unusual monsters. The Whopper and Shrieker and Bloodshot came into being from exposure to Lepotica.

C-VIRUS (C-SPRAY) 2013

The missiles that launched into Lanshiang carried C-SPRAY. This faster spreading aerosol produced zombies by the thousands. These zombies were very quick, and had the capacity to use weapons that they were familiar with prior to infection.

C-SPRAY also produced Complete Mutations at a lesser rate. C-SPRAY zombies were less likely to mutate further into Bloodshots, Shriekers, and Whoppers. Theoretically, if left to mutate, these variants could crop up again.

Subsequent missiles of C-SPRAY were sold to conflict ridden factions around the world, causing international havoc with C-Virus. There were 25 missiles in total that crossed international lines, and some were not sold- existing to this day.

C-VIRUS (CUPID) 2013

This strain was engineered to produce exclusively Complete Mutations . This was an injection used on Deborah Harper, as well as the woman that became Ubistvo. This strain was derived from the Eros strain drawn from Nanan's body.

Complete Mutations had the capacity to turn the tide of impossible battles. The Bio-Organic Weapons, or BOWs they produced were virtually impossible to kill by conventional firearms.

ENHANCED C-VIRUS (ADA) 2013

This injectable strain was meant for Ada Wong, and was spliced repeatedly to enhance its quick division as well as guarantee a perfect mutation out of Ada. It bypassed the need for a cocoon, binding The Ladder directly to a host's DNA.

Enhanced C was the result of using Jake Muller's blood to expedite research and increase its energy potential. Enhanced C had incredibly high energy output. Piers Nivans was infected with this designer strain.

ENHANCED C-VIRUS (SIMMONS) 2013

This strain was meant for Derek Simmons. It was designed to rip him apart without bodily autonomy, as well as perpetuate his existence until he burned himself out. The Ladder in this case was forcibly ripping the host's body apart while the host had to fight to remain in control.

Derek mutated from a selection of specific templates, including a tyrannosaur, a dog, a snake, and a fly. His body became less and less inside his control as he mutated further and reached for more control over his body.

Enhanced C was the result of using Jake Muller's blood to expedite research and increase the virus's energy potential.

ENHANCED C-VIRUS (NEMO) 2013

This strain was meant for Carla Radames, and was spliced repeatedly to snowball mutations out of control as well as write an out of control will into The Ladder itself.

This dose was meant to be a natural disaster, and was not meant to be survived with any intact consciousness.

Enhanced C was the result of using Jake Muller's blood to expedite research and increase the virus's energy potential.

C-VIRUS (LEVIATHAN) 2013

This strain was manufactured with the genome of heat-resistant microbes and man o' war colonies in a chrysalid amnion.

An infected embryo was then grown inside the chrysalid. This produced HAOS, a hyper infectious super spreader of its own strain. This strain remained untested, as the creature met its end against Piers Nivans.

C (CHIMERA) - VIRUS (ABRAXAS) 2020

Chimera is the second generation of "C-Virus". Chrysalid was eschewed in favor of Chimera, as cocoons were not absolutely necessary for infected to mutate.

This strain was found inside an enormous infected whale that had swallowed the remnants of HAOS, as well as a black cocoon that contained the supposedly dead Carla Radames.

The infected produced by this strain were swathes of extremely aggressive and quick moving zombies.

This strain was hyper infectious and caused euphoric hallucinations before mutations. This strain seems to have reverted to Proto-C's instability, and infected are more prone to combustion.

C (CHIMERA) - VIRUS (SINDBAD) 2024

This strain was coined by Christine Yamata @yamata after study of empty black cocoons retrieved from an attack on a yacht were found to be endlessly mutating and animated even without processing centers.

Zombies produced by this strain have multiple sets of eyes, infectious bites and immolate upon deactivation.

This strain is the most infectious that any of the C-Virus strains have ever been. It is also the most prone to mutation that the virus has ever been. It produces fast, V-ACT process undead, and endless assortments of Complete Mutations.

[cookinary]

Pride month in the lab

Some lore about the Professor under the cut? Some lore about the Professor under the cut, let's go

Might as well include some lore about the world too because it's interconnected lol

First, you gotta know that both the Professor and 116 are over 100 years old (116 does not know that of course) thanks to the eternal youth formula the Professor invented

And the world came to an end a long, LONG time ago. And back then, when the apocalypse was upon them, a group of scientists decided to isolate themselves and pick a test subject among the survivors (they kidnapped the few survivors left, wiped their memories and sold them off through an auction) to try and find a way to save the human race by whatever means necessary

Except something went wrong with all the other labs and every scientist and test subject died, except the Prof and 116

So even if the Prof had come up with a solution, it would have been for nothing since he and 116 are literally the only people left on Earth So the only thing the Prof could do is keep testing until he'd run out of ideas of things to test, and mostly to pass the time

Despite the appearance, the Professor is not evil like a supervillain, he just wants to do science and he doesn't see 116 as a human being, only as a lab equipment requring certain needs to work properly But it was a very expensive lab equipment and the Prof would hate to see it breaking down, which is why he provides 116 with a limited (and controlled) comfort when not working

Over the years, he started developing feelings for 116 and eventually falling for them, despite 116 hating him with every fiber of their being The Prof is extremely delusional towards them, dismissing every single one of 116's comments about they hate him and how they'd beat him up as soon as they'd get out of the cuffs; and being utterly convinced that he and 116 have something going on

The Prof has this vision of 116 in his mind that completely clashes with the real one where he thinks 116 has been warming up to him over the years and that the two are friends, when in reality, 116 only acts complacent because of the cuffs

[erbiumspectrum]

How I survived pchem

So, the time has come: you have to take physical chemistry in uni. Hell's favorite, the most terrifying of nightmares, the source of emotional damage for hundreds of science students worldwide... Or so they tell you. There's no denying pchem is no field of flowers, but I managed to pass the numerical part with a 4/5 and the theoretical part with a 5/5, so let me just say - pchem is definitely passable. Here's some of my advice.

Go to class

Seriously. I know all of studyblr always tells you to go to class, but with pchem I mean it more than ever. Don't skip lectures. Go see the way your professor links the concepts and explains the necessary math. Please. It'll save you so much hassle!

Abuse office hours

And don't hesitate to ask questions in class. Lab partner and I would stay after lectures to ask our professor extra questions or go see him in his office several times during the semester and it always paid off. They won't be mad! They're here for you! Chances are, they'll be happy a student is invested in their subject.

Be consistent

I cannot stress this enough: consistency is everything. Do not leave studying for a test/exam until the last minute. If you can cram pchem at all, that's impressive. But I don't think you can cram it well. Go over your lecture notes the same day - with a textbook, so that you can fill in the gaps in your understanding of the given topic - it does wonders for comprehension and retention.

Do practice problems

And if you get mandatory exercise sets you need to complete for class, try to do more than that. Looking at somebody's solution and thinking "yeah I see what's going on here" isn't enough. If you aren't able to solve similar exercises by yourself, from scratch, you don't actually understand the topic.

Make friends with a good textbook

Ideally, your professor should be the one to recommend textbooks and exercise books. If they don't, ask! Personally, aside from some Polish textbooks, I read Atkins religiously. The textbook is great. The exercise book is a lifesaver - the answer key has complete, step-by-step solutions *cries in joy*

Understand the material thoroughly

Don't just skim through the chapters - see how every new concept is "stacked" on top of the previous ones and how it complements them (why do we need the second law of thermodynamics? Why is the first one not enough? Why is entropy defined as heat over temperature and not work over temperature if both heat and work are a way to transfer energy?). Similarly, don't just memorize formulas!! See where they come from. Derive them yourself, identify the steps that are unclear and try to understand what happens there.

Less fear, more curiosity

All right, pchem is hard, pchem is demanding, sure. But pchem is also fun. Pchem is fascinating, pchem is beautiful! The intersection of sciences! The chemistry you're already familiar with translated into the universal language of mathematics! Nature explained at a molecular level! Look. Everybody told me pchem would traumatize me, so I decided to prove them all wrong. I tried to approach it with as much enthusiasm as I could and it worked! Yes, I absolutely had to work my butt off in this class, but I enjoyed it! Please, try to do the same.

Additional resources

The organic chemistry tutor - physics (yt)

Professor Derricotte (yt)

Physical chemistry (yt)

The chemistry library - physical and theoretical chemistry

Have fun and good luck!! 🍀💖

[foolofatook001]

woooo hermit horrors week! excited for this one :D

Day One - Season 8/Game Mechanics

cw mind control, temporary character death

Zedaph has never really had a hard time talking anyone into doing something for him. He’s a very persuasive kind of guy, when it comes down to it, and of course the other hermits are always so very helpful, so it doesn’t take much to convince them into whatever scheme he’s cooked up lately. 

This really comes in helpful for this season, especially now that his chamber is ready for live hermit experimentation. His first subject is Tango, and it’s an easy job getting him into the chamber— just a little word in his ear, a mere suggestion, really (and a directive to sign the waiver, before they begin), and they’re ready to go. Tango is always so willing to help him out with these science experiments, it’s really very kind of him. It’s one of the reasons why they’re such good friends. 

He has to be careful when the subject is actually in the chamber, though— he doesn’t want to taint the experiment. Each solution to the task set before them has to come from the subject’s own pure brain, without any hints or nudges from him. But Zedaph has lots of experience, and the push-to-talk intercom system certainly helps him be a little more deliberate when he speaks. 

He gets lots of interesting results from Tango, and sends him on his way with a casual Go ahead and toss yourself in the lava there, sending him up to the bed to respawn and exit. 

It’s a few weeks before the chamber is properly reset and cleaned out, and by that time Zedaph has landed on Bdoubleo as the next subject. Bdubs is not as used to helping Zedaph in the lab as Tango is, but a few choice words set him on the right track, and by the end of the session, he is performing marvelously. The results are absolutely incomprehensible, but the process was so very fun that he sends Bdubs off with a suggestion planted in his mind— Just something to think about, but— come back to the lab sometime soon. For some follow-up tests, of course. 

Bdubs says he definitely will. Zedaph is very happy that Bdoubleo has discovered such an interest in science. He checks the “willing to return” box on the subject information sheet.

The next subject is Beef, and Beef is such a character in of himself that Zedaph doesn’t even really need to tell him what to do— he’s content to observe through the soundproof glass as Beef goes through the various tasks he’s set. Mumbo, too, is highly independent— though he looks awfully tired, Zedaph notices, marking it down as a note on his clipboard. There’s a certain sluggishness to Mumbo’s movements, and it’s dragging out the series of tests. Zedaph clicks on the mic. “Er, Mumbo? Go ahead and pick up the pace a little bit.” Mumbo speeds up, limbs moving jerkily as they try to keep up with his suddenly galvanized mind. The rest of the tests go by at a much faster tempo, and Zedaph is satisfied with the results. He also marks down a strange and only-just-suppressed urge toward violence from Mumbo, despite the man’s commitment to— what was it again?— right, “Peace, Love, and Plants.”

It’s been a while since the last hermit experiment now, though. For one thing, he hasn’t decided on a new subject. He’s been thinking of giving Xisuma a call and asking him to come over, out of pure curiosity, but it’s not urgent. For another thing, the seismograph has been going absolutely mad lately— there’s been tremors all over the server, with no discernible cause whatever. If this keeps up, Zedaph’s going to have to go out and do some actual field work. 

He shudders at the thought. 

A rapidly pulsing red light blinks on at the top left of the security monitor screen, just a moment before the proximity alarm goes off. Zedaph whirls around and gets a split-second look at Mumbo looming over him like a bespoke string bean before Bdubs tackles him at the waist and he hits his head on the tile floor. The next few moments come through in dizzy flashes: lab lights, far too bright for suddenly sensitive eyes—being picked up and carried, his head throbbing with each step—an uncomfortable heat radiating near his arm, but he can’t muster the words to tell it to go away. 

His stomach suddenly drops and for a moment he flails through empty air before landing with a sickening crunch on the dull white floor. He’s not in instant respawn territory yet, but he’s close, and his kidnappers seem to know this, because he hears shattering glass quite near him, and then comes the bubbly, prickly feeling on his skin that only happens with splash regen and healing potions. 

His headache clears after a moment, and he’s able to get to his feet. “Oh, goodness me,” he says, upon realizing where he is. 

Tango, Bdubs, Beef, and Mumbo all stand on the other side of the tinted glass, wearing lab coats and looking somewhat vindictive. Mumbo’s got a clipboard and pen. 

“This is highly unusual,” Zedaph says, crossing his arms over his chest. “There’s procedures for these things, you know. Standards and that.”

Tango steps over to the desk and keys the intercom. “Hey, Zed, ol’ buddy.  I know you’re probably a little confused, here. Let’s just say we didn’t, uh— didn’t appreciate being your little lab experiments very much, my friend.”

“Informed consent is a big part of the scientific process!” Mumbo says, looking up from the clipboard, clearly unaware of the hypocrisy of his statement. The bags under his eyes have grown even deeper since Zedaph last saw him. 

“You signed the waiver when I asked,” says Zedaph, but of course they can’t hear him. They take turns putting him through his paces, making him do— well, frankly, they’re quite silly things. He has much better things to be doing with his day. If he could just talk to them—

“Make a contraption that will blow something up,” says Bdubs, and Zedaph sees his chance. He intentionally builds it just a little too close to the glass— not so close that Tango and Mumbo will be able to realize what he’s doing right away, but close enough that the blast has a chance of damaging the barrier. 

The TNT, when it goes off, leaves his ears ringing and all his nerves buzzing. But as the smoke clears, Zedaph spots a block of glass up near the corner that has shattered, and he giggles. Perfect!

“Bdoubleo,” he calls, and Bdubs turns to look at him suddenly. “Come in the chamber!” Bdubs immediately pulls out his pick and smashes through the nearest two blocks of glass beside him. He steps through the jagged hole and then pauses, looking confused.

“What was that?”

“This is all really very funny,” Zedaph says to the other three “scientists,” and replaces the glass that Bdubs broke, leaving the hole up at the top. The alarm melts off their faces, and they begin to laugh at Bdubs’ predicament. 

“Mumbo,” says Zedaph, and now Mumbo snaps to attention, meeting his gaze through the glass. “I think for the next test, you should have me do something you’ve really, really wanted to do this season but can’t.”

Beef and Tango break out into another round of chuckles.

“Now hold on a minute,” says Bdubs, looking around, panicked. 

“Well,” says Mumbo slowly, lowering his clipboard and taking a step closer to the glass. Zedaph nods encouragingly. “I would like you to… describe… how you would go about killing Bdoubleo using only things in this chamber—”

“Hey!” Bdubs screams.

“—and then do it and tell me how good it feels,” Mumbo finishes, all in one breath. Tango lets out a surprised wheeze of laughter, and Beef is wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. 

“‘Course,” says Zedaph brightly. “Have to do what I’m told in here, don’t I?”

“No, no, no,” Bdubs says, backing away. 

“Come on, Bdubs,” Zedaph coaxes. “Hop up on this dirt block here and stay put.” Bdubs’s face goes slack and he does as Zedaph asks. “Great! Well, Mumbo, the first thing I would do is get him in prime killing position, like so.” He gestures up to where Bdubs is standing, now looking around wildly. Mumbo nods enthusiastically, taking notes down on his clipboard. “And then I would place— er—” He goes digging through the scattered chests in the chamber to find what he’s looking for. 

Oh, perfect. 

“I would place some obsidian,” he says, triumphantly, sticking the block down next to Bdubs.

“No, no— no, wait,” Bdubs says, desperation clear in his voice. 

“You’re killing me, man,” Tango says breathlessly, clutching his ribs. Zedaph tips an invisible hat in his direction and sends him off in gales of laughter again. 

“Yes, yes, go on,” Mumbo says impatiently, pen tapping against his clipboard. 

“And then I would place one of these,” Zedaph says, pulling the end crystal out of his inventory and setting it hovering over the obsidian base. He swears he sees Mumbo’s eyes light up.

“Go on, then,” Mumbo says, leaning forward eagerly. 

“If you say so,” Zedaph says, and detonates the crystal. 

It kills him as well as Bdubs, of course, but that only sends him back to his actual bed, and out of the range of the other would-be scientists. That had turned into rather a fun little tangent, actually. 

It probably went without saying that none of them would want to come back to the lab, though. 

Well. He’d just have to ask.

also on ao3 :D

[levi-venn]

Cross and Tech and Omega and Egg

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 (Final) Available also on AO3

When CT-9904, the clone that would one day become "Crosshair", was first pulled from his birthing tank, he did not cry.  

This was by design.

Engineered to become a “stealth soldier”, 04's vocal cords were shaped so that he could not raise his voice above a frustrated rasp. It was often muted by his incubator.

CT-9903, who would one day adopt the moniker "Tech", was also silent, but this was always a cause for concern. When 03 was quiet, he was most likely attempting his next escape. He had kicked the latch off his first incubator. He had poked the hinges off his second. By the third, Nala Se had nowhere to put the baby escape artist.

Putting 03 in 04's incubator was supposed to be a temporary solution.

A week later, when the new, reinforced incubator arrived, she picked up 03, and found his hand locked with 04's with an iron grip. 

CT-9903 cried. 

CT-9904 hissed.

And so, the ever patient Nala Se left 03 where he was there.  There were no more escape attempts after that.

One day, CT-9903 began to cry.

Nala Se was in the middle of calming 05 who was trying to wreck the changing table with tiny, but mighty fists.

"Omega, see to 03, please, he needs to be changed."

Omega slid off her stool and without looking up from her datapad she said. "It's 04 who needs changing."

"How do you know?" Nala Se asked.

"03 cries louder when 04 needs help."

***

Too bright. Too loud. Deafening silence. Sudden isolation. Stimuli deprived and overloaded. Nothing. Everything. Relentless. Overwhelming.

Even if Crosshair did have the capability to scream, he'd never give the science officers the satisfaction. Let them wonder the limits of his body and the sanity of his mind. 

He lost count of how many experiments they put him through, but one thing always remained the same: He gave them no data to work with.

Until today.

Omega didn't see him. The stormtroopers were moving her and Nala Se towards the lifts, and the glass chamber he was kept in was too far from the main hall, and there were too many other cells and test subjects between them. But there she was, shooting defiant looks at the troopers as they shoved her along.

It broke Crosshair in a way these scientists couldn't.

He tried to call out to her, but his throat was dry, his vocal chords ached, and his very DNA denied him. All he could do was let out a raspy growl.

The scientists took note of the sounds. It was the first reaction they had received from him. They congratulated themselves on their findings.

Omega disappeared into the elevator. She never looked back.

A science officer turned a dial. There was a lightning strike of agony. And Crosshair passed out.

***

It was dusk when Crosshair woke up in his cell. An obsidian eye gazed unblinkingly at him. Egg's caw was subdued. It usually was on lab days.

He shakily rose to the window with his plate to share his corn and bits of unidentifiable meat, when he saw something that wasn't there for him this morning: a travel biscuit.

Tech came by. Crosshair told him not to, but he still-

Suddenly, Tech popped up in the window. "You're back!"

Crosshair was mid-bite into the biscuit and choked, turning away to cough. "Tech, dank farrik!"

"A human cough,” Tech declared, “has the estimated speed of a hundred and sixty kilometers per hour. A wookiee cough averages two hundred kilometers an hour."

"I told you to stay away."

“You did,” Tech said simply, breaking his own biscuit in half to offer to Egg. “But I disregarded your request. Consider this revenge for ignoring my wish for solitude when my legs were being reset."

“You carry grudges that long?" Crosshair asked, his amusement outweighing his exhaustion. "I just wanted your dinner roll."

“I see…” Tech said, then reached into the cell to snatch the biscuit out of Crosshair’s, hand. He took a bite, then handed it back. “Now we’re even.”

"Tech…Omega is here,” Crosshair murmured.

Tech’s face fell for a fraction of a moment, before it gave way to an analytical frown. “How long has she been here?”

“I don’t know.”

“Were they experimenting on her?”

“Not that I could see.”

Tech was quiet for a moment. “When our brothers-”

Crosshair slammed his hand against the bars. Egg ruffled his feathers and let out a craah of protest. “I swear on the kriffing stars if you finish that sentence I’ll-” he stopped himself, not because he physically couldn’t do anything, but because the devastation in Tech’s eyes obliterated the empty threat. "If they do come, let it be for her. Let me rot here. I made my choice. I deserve-.”

"Give me your hand." Tech said, evenly.

“What? Why?”

Tech removed his glove and slipped his bare hand through the bars. “Because you need it.”

Crosshair stared at the hand, his memories drifting to the first record-shattering storm on Kamino he had ever experienced.

“When will it be over?” Crosshair had snarled, curling around his cadet rifle on his bunk while the storm raged outside.

“By my calculations," Tech said, laying in the bunk below him, "another three hours and then the winds will carry it Southward.”

“I hate your calculationsss,” Crosshair hissed, pressing his cheek against the cool metal surface of the rifle barrel.

“You can’t hate calculations,” Tech said, climbing onto Crosshair’s bunk. “They didn’t do anything wrong.”

Crosshair said nothing, hiding his face in his pillow.

“Give me your hand.” Tech said, laying down on the other side of the rifle. 

Crosshair wanted to say no, but just then thunder shattered the sky outside as if trying to get into their room and pull them all into the sea. Crosshair’s hand shot out and clasped his brothers.

“The fear of thunder and lightning," Tech said, "is called Astraphobia. It isn't an irrational fear as an ocean storm is the most vast and dangerous sort of storm. We, however, are in a structure designed to withstand a storm twice this size,” Tech said. "It is safe." 

It is safe…

Crosshair looked at his brother's hand extended to him through the bars. Scarred and callused like his, familiar and different, but always safe.

“We aren’t leaving without you both," Tech said, his hand suspended patiently. "I’m not leaving without you. You have my word."

Crosshair clutched Tech's hand and Tech pulled him forward slightly, giving Crosshair's hand a sturdy jerk as if to shake loose any resistance to his words. "Do you trust me?" Tech asked.

Crosshair tried to summon a biting reply, something to chase away the comforting relief this simple contact created. 

Instead he pressed his head against the cell bars and squeezed Tech’s hand tightly. “I trust you.”

***

A week later, when Tech woke up, he didn't know the Marauder was coming to Weyland the following morning.

Even if he did know, it wouldn't have changed his plans for the day. Egg still would still screech in his face, urging him to get up. He still would make the trek back to the facility. 

The last few days Crosshair seemed to be in better spirits all things considered. Today was lab day, Tech was determined to make it back to Crosshair's window before then, travel biscuits stocked on the window sill, hand ready to hold.

Until then, Tech and Egg were on a mission.

There were other windows to look into. Tech had looked into most of them searching for his sister without success. Today, he was down to his last four windows.

The first two were empty, the last one had a pair of Devronian hands clutching the bars. The third, however, a tuft of blonde hair could be seen and little else, as if a very small humanoid was gazing up at the cloudy blue sky.

It was then that Tech executed his three-phase mission:

Phase One: Establish that he is alive and well.

Phase Two: Inform Omega that Crosshair is also in the facility. 

Phase Three: An ongoing phase. Tech would do his best to split his time between Crosshair and Omega. This may prove difficult, both in travel times…and the length of time away from his brother. 

Even now, Tech found himself wishing he was at Crosshair's window, waiting for him to return. Waiting to be reassured his brother had survived whatever the science officers put him through that day. But Omega may need him, too. He would do whatever he could for his siblings, with his limited resources of travel biscuits and various informational tidbits.

Phase one began similarly to how he presented himself to Crosshair: A neatly carved message on a piece of wood light enough for Egg to carry. 

Egg made himself comfortable on Tech's shoulder, sometimes watching with keen interest and other times preening Tech's unruly hair.

The message read [Tech Lives]. 

Seemed direct enough.

Egg flew up to the window and Tech could hear his sister's startled gasp followed by an inquisitive voice. "Oh hello! Are you a crow? Where'd you come from? What do you have there?"

Tech used to ask questions like this to every single person and animal he met. He wondered if they both received this inquisitiveness from Jango Fett or perhaps Omega picked this up from Tech.

Oddly enough, he hoped for the latter.

"What?" Omega exclaimed, evidently reading the message. "Who gave you this?"

Tech raised a finger. "That would be me."

The whole point of this gently revealed plot twist was to avoid any loud outburst that may rouse a guard.

It didn't work.

"Tech!!!" Omega shouted.

Tech grimaced, but he waved. "We should keep our voices at a reasonable volume."

"I knew you were alive! I knew it! I kept saying 'we never saw a body. He's still out there!"

Tech touched the side of his temple, missing his goggles immensely. "The 'No Body, No Death' Theory is not an exact science, Omega."

"It is for us," Omega said, stubbornly.

Tech smiled. "Are you alright?"

Omega shrugged. "They brought me here to push Nala Se into working on a project. I've been assisting her. Don't know exactly what we're doing yet, but it involves clone science and advanced genetic manipulation."

"It may or may not have something to do with whatever they are doing to Crosshair here."

"Crosshair is here?!" Omega bounced up and down, presumably on a bed. "Is he okay?"

"No."

Omega's pained expression made Tech wish he could have presented that answer gently. "But he will be," he added.

"Is this crow a friend of yours?" Omega asked, stroking Egg's chest feathers.

"More precisely Crosshair's friend. His name is Egg."

"Because he likes eggs?"

"Evidently."

"I've missed you, Tech." Omega hoisted herself up to get a better look at him. "I'm glad you're okay."

"I'm also glad you're well. My advice is continuing your work with Nala Se. Don't raise a ruckus and-"

"And our brothers will find us! Soon!" Omega said with far more confidence than Tech felt at this point.

"My thoughts exactly."

"There's something else you should know." Omega said, stroking Egg's feathered chest. "There's a scientist here. She's a clone, too…I don't think she was made on Kamino, though. She might have been born here."

"That's unsettling. Jango's genetic code has been depleted as far as I know. She would be a very distant relation to us."

"She's not one of us," Omega said, venomous. "If she was, she wouldn't be hurting our brother."

Tech wished he had his goggles, more importantly the camera attached to it. He could have provided Crosshair proof that his siblings care about him, indisputably.

"I'm inclined to agree."

"If Crosshair's not okay, Tech, you should go back to him."

"You don't need me to stay with you?" Tech asked.

"I'm with Nala Se. I'll be fine. Go back to Crosshair."

Tech nearly left immediately, but his concern for his sister lingered. "Are you sure, Omega?"

"He needs you," she said, with a knowing smile. "And you need him too. It's always been that way."

Tech frowned at the pointed statement…and frowned further at the truth of it. 

He didn't have time to ponder, he needed to get back to Crosshair. 

He needs me. My need to know he's alright is purely a coincidence. 

Tech climbed up to Crosshair's window, ducking out of sight just as the droids dumped his brother onto the metal floor of his cell. Tech wasn't prone to anger, his logic cooled his temper before it could boil, but he felt the light crunch in his hand before realizing he had crushed one of the travel biscuits in his trembling fist. 

He waited for the sound of marching droids to fade away, then he sat up and set the biscuit on the sill. Then he waited.

Egg cawed. Incessantly at first. Then mournfully. Then sat quietly and waited, too.

Dusk turned to night. 

Tech felt a knot in his gut as he gazed at the stars. There was a time when he and his brothers would lay out on the roof of Kaminoan science center, watching for the clouds to part just long enough to see stars. 

Tech would try to identify as many planets as he could before they disappeared again. 

Crosshair would make up planets to annoy Tech and they'd get into a slap fight. 

Wrecker insisted they were just dumb little lights. 

Hunter swore he'd visit every single planet before the war was done with him.

It wasn't so long ago, but it was several lifetimes ago. They were different. The galaxy was different. Tech knew it was useless to grieve for the past. Life is ever changing and evolving. He did wish he had spent more time cherishing those moments, however. 

They are over too quickly to quantify.

Egg flapped and let out a soft craah. 

"Tech…"

Tech's glove was already removed when he sat up, reaching into the cell to clutch Crosshair's hand. "I'm here."

"You're late," Crosshair sneered, tiredly. 

"So are you."

"Omega?"

"She's fine. They aren't hurting her. I believe she's leverage to press Nala Se into the Imperial service. She asked about you."

"Course she did," Crosshair said, dryly.

"Believe it or not, Crosshair, I'm not the only one who mourned your loss to the Empire."

Crosshair grunted in response. 

He fell quiet. His grip on Tech's hand was weakening. When he spoke again, his voice sounded hollow…distant… "I'm tired, Tech. I don't know how much more I can take."

Tech tightened his hold on Crosshair's hand. "Think of it as a sunk cost fallacy. You've come this far. You've endured this much. You might as well keep going until-"

Crosshair's hand slipped suddenly from his. 

"Crosshair?"

He heard Crosshair collapse on the bed. 

"Cross?!"

Tech pressed his face against the bars, but could only see a blurry darkness. 

Egg tapped the bars insistently, letting out a distressed chitter. 

Then they both fell quiet.

And listened.

Faintly…Tech heard a very light snore. 

Logic did nothing to soothe Tech's nerves at this moment. He was tired too. He was also hungry. Starving actually. Travel biscuits didn't have enough nutritional value for a full day's energy and he saved most of the biscuits for Crosshair.

They were both on borrowed time.

Tech leaned against the wall beside Crosshair's window, then slowly slumped over, curling up as best he could.

In addition to being uncomfortable sleeping on the concrete slab it was also dangerous to fall asleep on a high ledge. He didn't care. Tonight, just for tonight, he needed to be near his brother.

***

Crosshair awoke to what sounded like a sarcastic rooster mocking the morning sun.

It was Egg. Of course it was Egg. And it was most definitely sarcastic.

When Crosshair slowly rose from his cot, still sore from the previous days experiments, he didn't see Egg's scrutinizing gaze, however, he saw his tail feathers.

"Egg," he wheezed, holding his aching side as he struggled to stand on the cot. "What're you looking at?"

Tech was curled up on the ledge. His brother slept here all night. 

Crosshair didn't remember much when he came back to his cell, his mind foggy from the drugs and his body pushed to a limit he didn't expect. 

He must have passed out. And it must have scared the dank out of Tech.

He sighed and picked up the half eaten biscuit left on the sill. There were a few peck marks but it seemed Egg left most of it for him..He threw it at Tech, which bounced off his cheek.

Tech didn't move. Crosshair rolled his eyes. 

In their cadet days, Crosshair often had to  physically roll Tech off his bunk to get him up. Tech didn't just sleep, he'd pass out. There was no such thing as a steady sleep schedule for him and every few days his body would crash. 

Crosshair had been so wrapped up in his own situation it didn't occur to him that Tech was more alone than he. 

…and what else has he eaten besides travel biscuits? 

The droids had already dropped off his stale hash brown and eggs this morning. Crosshair took two bites, gave a little egg to his crow and set the rest aside for Tech to wake up. That would be their routine from now on, he decided. Crosshair could live on very little food, he'd give the rest to his brother. 

His brother who needed him.

Something distant in the cloudy sky caught Crosshair's gaze. At first he thought it was another crow, though he hadn't seen another since Egg showed up.

It wasn't a freighter either. Not an imperial one. And it was coming in at an odd, off-kilter angle, something Hunter often did when flying covertly under radar, though not nearly as gracefully as Tech.

Hunter…

"Tech!" Crosshair wheezed. "Tech, get up!"

Tech shot up, hair sticking up every which way, his cheek creased from laying on the rough ledge. "CT-9903 reporting for…duty…." 

He blinked and looked up at Crosshair. "What happened?"

Crosshair smirked. "G'morning, sunshine." He nodded to the horizon. "You were right."

Tech followed his gaze, shielding his eyes from the sun. "They found us?"

Crosshair couldn't stop smiling if he tried. It was a thin smile, almost a sneer, and it made his cheeks ache. It felt good. "You sound surprised."

Tech whipped his head back at Crosshair, squinting and smiling. "Not surprised, just…shocked…that it took so long."

"Uh huh…Hunter and Wrecker aren't exactly the brains of our operation. You and I were always the smarter ones."

"I would never say that."

"You always say that."

Tech adjusted his non-existent goggles. "Perhaps…occasionally." He stretched and winced. "I better go meet them and give them the intel."

Crosshair dryly. "I'll stay here and watch the place."

Tech smirked. "Rest. Eat. We'll be together again soon."

Crosshair's jaw tightened, trying to summon the pessimism that kept his sanity stable, but he was tired, and in pain, and full of kriffing hope.

"Fine," Crosshair said, quietly.

Tech started to leave, legs swung over the edge of the platform. He paused. "Cross…?"

Tech rarely called him that. Just as Crosshair rarely called him "Techie". The names were reserved only for the rare moments fear and rarer moments of sentimentality. The last time he was called Cross, Wrecker had blown himself up with his own damn grenade. 

When they left behind cadet training and dove head first into combat missions neither of them could afford childish fear or vulnerabilities. They left the nicknames behind with their childhoods.

"After you're free, Tech said, "we will drop you off wherever you want to go…" Tech's eyes seemed bigger even without the goggles magnifying them. "But I hope you stay with us."

Egg clicked indignantly at Tech.

"Egg, too?" Crosshair asked.

"Of course."

"I'll let Egg decide. He's the real brains of this operation."

"While I can't argue with that as he was the reason I found you, how do we know what he will-"

Egg flapped noisily with a shrill squawk and landed on top of Techs head, seating himself and screeching pointedly at Crosshair.

Tech grimaced, careful not to move. "Well….that seemed evident to me. Do you concur, Cross?"

"I concur…Techie," Crosshair smirked. "Now get me the hell out of here."

---

Thank you so much for reading. I’m grateful for the kind words, memes, and I loved the fanart of Egg!

If you enjoyed my writing, please consider checking out my book “Error: Detective Not Found (A Cake Pop Noir)”. You can find more info on it on my main tumblr account @blueberryhelper

[friedrichnapier]

-Stitched Harmony-

While I'm thinking about story plot for my ancient sun deity in depression, I caught a new hyperfixation thanks to @clown-sip. So yes, AU in "Frankenstein's Monster" aesthetics.

TW for grimdark themes

Where does it all start? During "The Cutie ReMark", Twilight gets lost in the time stream, and Spike and Starlight once again get to the moment when the Rainbow should make a Sonic Rainbow. Spike does not have time to stop her, however, during the ensuing fight, he manages to injure Starlight with his fiery breath, which causes her to fall from the clouds and, unable to teleport due to pain shock, presumably gets herself killed. So the poor dragon gets stuck in a modified timeline, not knowing what to expect.

However, being Twilight's assistant, he understands something about science. And with age, he develops this skill, becoming a real scientist, thereby making his way into the service of Princess Celestia, who urgently needs people who can help her deal with chaos that has reigned in Equestria with villains's arrival of villains.

And one day he comes up with an idea. If fate cannot bring his friends together, he actually can do it himself.

No matter what.

And so, there's our main characters!

When Spike was working on his scientific skills, he took on a pseudonym "Lichtstein". While serving under Canterlot, he greatly helped technological progress of Equestria, including military industry. He's not very talkative and doesn't let many ponies near him. It's quite difficult for him to make acquaintances, since he's not too friendly, and many are repelled by his general appearance. His social circle consists of his colleagues in laboratory, the Princess and some servants and guards of the castle, as well as... Test subjects.

Spike crossed the moral line a long time ago, and in an attempt to help Celestia and bring back his friends, he committed many immoral and unethical acts against other poniesans creatures. He's not proud of it, but doesn't regret what he did either. This doesn't mean that he doesn't feel sorry for some of his victims, but he believes that this is a necessary sacrifice in achieving his goal. Besides, he is not afraid to act as a "guinea pig" in many experiments himself, he considers it only fair.

During his many travels, Spike tried his best to reunite his friends. He really wanted to restore the connection between them and himself, but this new terrible world distorted his personality almost beyond recognition. This drove him into despair, which eventually pushed him into a radical solution to the problem. If he can't get them to be friends again, he will reunite them in a different way.

This is how Harmony Spark appeared: creature sewn from parts so dear to Spike ponies, and resurrected with help of magic and science. Despite the fact that Harmony's brain consists of parts of the brains of the Mane Six, she completely lacks any memories of their lives. She is mute and contacts few of her acquaintances only through notes. She has no idea what the world outside the lab looks like, and she learns about it only through the stories of those few ponies who are allowed to talk to her. However, her main source of communication is, of course, Spike.

Spike often tells Harmony about what his friends were like. Like, very often. He talks about the countless journeys they have gone through, about so many joys and hardships they have endured. She doesn't remember any of this, of course, but she likes his stories. This fuels her fire of curiosity and her desire to learn as much as possible about the outside

It can be noticed that in addition to the parts of the main six, dragon wings are present in Harmony. These are Spike's wings, which he decided to give up for her, as in course of some events preceding this, both RD and Fluttershy lost their wings. All for his dear friends. Or in this case just one friend? Spike really wants to believe that in the back of Harmony's mind there are still his girls alive somewhere…

[spinedotlazuli1120]

Key points for my Tale of the Fallen AU:

Basically, everything is the same in the world, monsters and humans once were peaceful until the war, which resulted in monsters being banished to the mountains, never to see the light of the sun in the most literal way possible. Asriel and Vahra meet an later on, die.

That is, until [REDACTED] managed to find a way back inside (their) reality. However, he only managed to collect bits of himself, as his remains are scattered all over the timeline.

As a way to find a solution to get himself back together literally, he went to search for the new Royal Scientist, Alphys.

He was impressed with not just her ability and knowledge in the world of science, but also in her skill in actually fooling the King and the entire underground that the "sentient" robot she made was an actual robot. He grew even more excited when he found out she was researching ways to create a vessel that can hold both human and monster souls at once.

I'm still working on the part of when Alphys and [REDACTED] meet, but it's basically [REDACTED] went up to Alphys, used his knowledge of her lie/s against her or something and made a deal with her.

The deal is that she helps him put his body back together while he helps her in the creation of the vessel. They find the DT extractor and use it on the souls to get DETERMINATION for their experiments. She starts by injecting a bit of it in sample experiments.

Over time, Alphys slowly goes insane thanks to [REDACTED]. She slowly stops thinking about the consequences of her actions as she injects the DT into the nearly fallen Monsters. Seeing how the monsters merged into one creature as they melt due to the excess determination, [REDACTED] had an idea.

He knew that in an alternate timeline, injecting DT into a living object with a monster's dust covering it will result in the monster being "revived" but only as that object in which their dust was once on. With their soul no longer a part of them.

And so, he ordered Alphys to find the flowers in which the Prince's dust was scattered onto.

Rather than returning the flower after being injected, [REDACTED] advised Alphys to be more patient with the experiment.

Her patience was rewarded with the Prince coming back to life as the golden flowers he once loved.

Asriel was confused and scared. Where was he? Why can the feel his limbs? Where's Chara?

...didn't they both die?

Instead of answering, Alphys shoved him in a metal box, fortunately with the pot where he was in still intact. They had a plan, he thought, but what?

For this experiment, they needed a human vessel, a human body, as well as the six souls to create the perfect and most powerful creature in their world.

The bodies of the humans never rotted despite being years since they died since the magic of the underground kept them from doing so, so they have that down.

All they need are the souls. A d the only way to do that is to... Defeat Asgore.

Alphys had the idea of creating a weapon that can attack a Monster's SOUL directly, without harming the body. And so, she and [REDACTED] spent months to create the machine.

...their first attempt was successful. And their test subject was King Asgore.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, the King wasn't dead despite the damage his SOUL took. The underground needed their King, and so they sent him to heal in the Ruins, where they know that the possible culprit of the attempted regicide will have no access to.

However, neither Alphys nor [REDACTED] cared about it as they gleefully took the six souls and the body of the first fallen human back to the lab to finally, finally, finish their experiment.

Asriel was too weak to move. The only thing keeping him alive was his magic, but it's nearly drained up.

He hears the box he's trapped in open, and as he falls into unconsciousness, he hears two voices, and hands grabbing the pot he's been forced in.

That's all I have right now.

[sarkariresultdude]

"Minimum Qualification and Age Limit for SSC CHSL Exam 2025"

 The Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) Examination is one of the most sought-after aggressive exams in India performed by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). It opens up possibilities for 12th-skip candidates to steady government jobs in diverse ministries, departments, and corporations of the Government of India.

Combined higher secondary level eligibility

With lakhs of candidates making use of each year, the SSC CHSL examination offers prestigious roles like Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Data Entry Operator (DEO), Postal Assistant/Sorting Assistant (PA/SA), and Court Clerk.

1. Overview of SSC CHSL

Tier I: Computer-Based Objective Test

Tier II: Descriptive Paper (Pen and Paper mode)

Tier III: Typing/Skill Test (Qualifying nature)

This exam is designed to check trendy flair, reasoning, language talent, and simple writing and pc talents.

2. Posts Offered Through CHSL

Lower Division Clerk (LDC)/Junior Secretariat Assistant (JSA)

Postal Assistant (PA)/Sorting Assistant (SA)

Data Entry Operator (DEO)

Data Entry Operator, Grade ‘A’

Court Clerk (in some cycles)

Each post comes with a decent pay scale, profession boom possibilities, and task protection, making CHSL a appropriate exam for aspirants seeking early employment after better secondary education.

Three. Eligibility Criteria

a. Nationality

Citizen of India, or

Subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or

Tibetan refugee (before January 1, 1962), or

Person of Indian foundation migrated from pick nations (e.G., Pakistan, Sri Lanka) intending permanent agreement in India.

B. Educational Qualification

Must have passed twelfth Standard or equivalent examination from a diagnosed board or university.

twelfth Standard in Science movement with Mathematics as a subject.

C. Age Limit

Minimum Age: 18 years

Maximum Age: 27 years

Age Relaxation:

SC/ST – 5 years

OBC – three years

PwD – 10 to fifteen years (relying on category)

Ex-Servicemen – 3 years (after deduction of army service)

four. Exam Pattern

Tier I: Computer-Based Test

Subject No. Of Questions Maximum Marks Duration

General Intelligence 25 50

English Language 25 50

Quantitative Aptitude 25 50

General Awareness 25 50 60 minutes

Negative Marking: 0.50 marks for every wrong solution.

Tier II: Descriptive Paper

Mode: Pen and Paper

Duration: 1 hour

Maximum Marks: one hundred

Format: Essay (two hundred-250 phrases) and Letter/Application (150-2 hundred words)

Language: English or Hindi

Tier III: Skill Test / Typing Test

For DEO: Data Entry Speed of 8000 key depressions/hour.

5. Syllabus

General Intelligence:

Analogies, Coding-Decoding, Series, Classification

Puzzle-solving, Matrix, Blood relations

Direction Sense, Logical Venn diagrams

English Language:

Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test

Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement

Synonyms & Antonyms, Idioms, Vocabulary

Quantitative Aptitude:

Number System, Simplification

Ratio & Proportion, Profit & Loss

Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry

Mensuration, Time & Work, Data Interpretation

General Awareness:

Current Affairs, History, Geography

Indian Polity, Economy, General Science

Static GK (Books, Awards, Sports)

6. Preparation Tips

a. Know the Syllabus & Pattern Thoroughly

Understanding the shape of each tier facilitates in prioritizing study time and resources.

B. Create a Timetable

Divide day by day time into sections—English, Reasoning, Quant, GK. Allocate time for revision and mocks.

C. Focus on Accuracy and Speed

Practicing with mock assessments facilitates reduce bad marking and boom pace, in particular for Tier I.

D. Improve Typing Skills

Regularly exercise typing in each English and Hindi if performing for typing-based totally roles.

E. Read Daily

Reading newspapers, present day affairs magazines, and on line updates boosts General Awareness and English vocabulary.

7. Career Growth & Pay Scale

Pay Level (Post-smart)

Post Pay Level Salary (Approx.)

LDC/JSA Level 2 ₹19,900 – ₹63,two hundred

PA/SA Level four ₹25,500 – ₹81,one hundred

DEO (Grade A) Level 4 ₹25,500 – ₹81,one hundred

DEO (C&AG) Level five ₹29,two hundred – ₹ninety two,three hundred

Perks and Allowances

DA (Dearness Allowance)

HRA (House Rent Allowance)

TA (Transport Allowance)

Medical centers, pension, paid leaves

eight. Advantages of SSC CHSL Jobs

Government Job Security

Early Entry Point after Class 12

Attractive Perks and Benefits

Opportunities for Internal Promotions

Fixed Working Hours

[sandeepuv]

Online M.Tech for Working Professionals: Advance Your Engineering Career

In today’s fast-paced and innovation-driven world, keeping your technical knowledge up to date is no longer optional—it’s essential. For those in the engineering sector, earning a master's degree can open doors to specialized roles, leadership positions, and research opportunities. But how do professionals with full-time jobs return to academics without hitting pause on their careers?

The answer lies in online M.Tech for working professionals, a flexible, recognized, and career-boosting solution that’s gaining widespread popularity. Whether you're eyeing career growth or aiming to pivot into a new tech domain, the M.Tech for working professionals path offers everything you need—convenience, credibility, and capability.

Let’s explore what makes the M.Tech program for working professionals so effective and how platforms like University Vidya are making the journey smoother for thousands of learners.

Why Choose an M.Tech for Working Professionals?

The primary goal of pursuing an M.Tech degree for working professionals is to upgrade your existing skills without interrupting your career. These programs are curated to cater to the unique needs of employed engineers—offering flexible schedules, online coursework, and subject specialization that directly connects with industry demands.

Be it in software development, civil infrastructure, electrical systems, or mechanical innovations, a postgraduate qualification can drastically improve your profile and performance.

Formats: Part-Time, Distance & Full-Time Options

Working engineers often wonder which format suits them best. Let’s break it down:

1. Part Time M.Tech for Working Professionals

This format is ideal for those who prefer weekend or evening classes. The part time M.Tech for working professionals allows you to continue working while studying, maintaining a steady balance between learning and earning.

2. Distance M.Tech for Working Professionals

The distance M.Tech for working professionals is perfect if you seek complete flexibility. You can learn at your own pace through self-guided modules, video lectures, and virtual labs—supported by minimal in-person requirements.

3. Full Time M.Tech for Working Professionals

Some professionals take a career break or opt for flexible job arrangements to enroll in full time M.Tech for working professionals. These programs are immersive, research-oriented, and suitable for those looking to dive deeper into academics.

No matter which format you choose, University Vidya helps you find verified, recognized institutions that align with your career goals and learning preferences.

M.Tech Program for Working Professionals: Course Design

The M.Tech program for working professionals is structured differently from traditional programs. Here's what sets it apart:

Tailored for mid-career engineers and tech leads

Industry-aligned curriculum

Project-based learning and case studies

Emphasis on real-world problem solving

Support from virtual mentors and faculty

Specializations range across Computer Science, Data Science, Structural Engineering, VLSI Design, Thermal Engineering, and more. University Vidya can assist you in comparing programs based on your desired domain.

M.Tech Admission for Working Professionals: What You Need to Know

The M.Tech admission for working professionals generally involves a streamlined process:

A relevant B.E. or B.Tech degree

Professional experience (1–3 years depending on the program)

Application form and document submission

Some institutes may conduct interviews or aptitude tests

With so many options, it can be overwhelming to pick the right program. That’s where University Vidya comes in—helping you with eligibility checks, program comparison, and admission support.

Career Scope After an M.Tech Degree for Working Professionals

Completing your M.Tech degree for working professionals unlocks a world of opportunities:

Team Lead & Management Roles

Subject Matter Expert Positions

Research & Development Openings

Teaching & Academic Careers

Government and PSU Engineering Posts

These programs are designed not just to enhance your resume, but also to transform your ability to solve complex engineering challenges in real-time.

Why University Vidya?

Navigating through various options for online M.Tech for working professionals can be confusing. University Vidya simplifies your search by offering: verified programs from accredited institutions, personalized counseling based on your career goals, up-to-date course details and guidance, and end-to-end support through the admission process. When it comes to choosing a trusted platform for education planning, University Vidya is a name professionals rely on. With a team of experienced academic advisors, a commitment to transparency, and a student-first approach, University Vidya ensures that every learner makes informed decisions aligned with their professional growth and future aspirations.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Ross Pomeroy

Published: Jan 4, 2023

Boys are under-performing girls across all ages, education levels, and in most countries — and the divide is worsening.

A recently published study of 39,000 Italian tenth graders found that for male and female students who have identical subject-specific competence, teachers give higher grades to girls.

A simple solution to grading-related bias is for students to write their names at the very end of any test or assignment, so the grader only knows their identity after scoring the wo

Across all ages and nearly all areas of education, boys are under-performing girls.

“Girls are about a year ahead of boys in terms of reading ability in OECD nations, in contrast to a wafer-thin and shrinking advantage for boys in maths. Boys are 50 percent more likely than girls to fail at all three key school subjects: maths, reading, and science,” Richard Reeves, a senior fellow in Economic Studies and the Director of the Future of the Middle Class Initiative, wrote in his recent book Why the Modern Male is Struggling,

According to a 2018 Brookings Institution report, about 88% of American girls graduated high school on time, compared with 82% of boys. In 2020, six out of ten college students were women. Once on campus, they graduate at higher rates, receiving more associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in the process. As evidenced by declining college enrollment in the U.S., a drop for which men account for 71%, the gender disparity is continuing to worsen.

The reasons for this expanding educational divide have been vociferously debated and discussed. A startling shortage of male K-12 teachers (just 24%), the hands-off, tedious structure of school, and poor parenting are a few of the explanations offered. Another, less frequently discussed, is starting to emerge from the scientific literature: Boys appear to be graded more harshly than girls.

Boys vs. girls

When researchers across the world — from Israel and Sweden to France and Czechia — explored teachers’ grading behaviors, either by having educators grade hypothetical students’ identical works while only changing the students’ gender, or comparing grades achieved by “similarly competent” male and female students, they found that girls consistently receive higher grades than boys.

Further cementing this pattern is a recently published study conducted on nearly 39,000 10th grade students in Italy.

Authors Ilaria Lievore and Moris Triventi, both in the department of sociology and social research at the University of Trento, found that for students with the same level of “subject-specific competence,” as measured by standardized test scores, girls are graded more generously than boys. In Italy, students are graded on a one to ten scale, with six being a passing score. In mathematics, girls are graded about 0.4 points higher than similarly competent boys. In language, the gender grading premium is 0.3 points in favor of girls.

Since the researchers also procured data on students’ teachers and classroom characteristics, they explored whether the teacher’s gender or the classroom size had any effect on the difference in grading. Alas, they didn’t see any sign that male teachers were kinder graders to boys. Moreover, fewer students in a classroom did not mitigate the effect.

The researchers were thus left to speculate about the cause of the grading imbalance.

Teacher bias?

“One related theoretical stream interprets gender grading mismatch as also being a function of students’ observed behaviours,” they wrote. “School and classroom environments might indeed be adapted to traditionally female behaviours. Female students might thus adopt such actual behaviours during class, including precision, order, modesty, and quietness, which go beyond the individuals’ academic performance, but which teachers may highly reward in terms of grades.”

The simple fact is that, despite their best intentions, teachers can be swayed by the same unconscious biases as the rest of us. As one anonymous teacher pointed out on Reddit, “Teacher’s mood plays into grades. How the student acts in class affects grading. How the students’ parents act plays into grades.”

Thus, a simple solution to grading-related bias is for students to write their names at the very end of any test or assignment, so the grader only knows their identity after scoring the work.

==

Teacher bias has been studied quite extensively.

Abstract

Schools and teachers are often said to be a source of stereotypes that harm girls. This paper tests for the existence of gender stereotyping and discrimination by public high-school teachers in Israel. It uses a natural experiment based on blind and non-blind scores that students receive on matriculation exams in their senior year. Using data on test results in several subjects in the humanities and sciences, I found, contrary to expectations, that male students face discrimination in each subject. These biases widen the female–male achievement difference because girls outperform boys in all subjects, except English, and at all levels of the curriculum. The bias is evident in all segments of the ability and performance distribution and is robust to various individual controls. Several explanations based on differential behavior between boys and girls are not supported empirically. However, the size of the difference is very sensitive to teachers' characteristics, suggesting that the bias against male students is the result of teachers', and not students', behavior.

Abstract

In this paper, we study the presence of systematic differences between teacher non-blind assessments and external blindly graded standardized tests as a measure of grading misalignment. Using a large administrative database covering two student cohorts (N = 31, 183 pupils) from publicly-funded schools in the Basque Country (Spain), we explore the grading gaps found between these two type of assessments for several student characteristics using fixed effects modeling. We find that, after controlling for standardized achievement, systematic teachers’ under-assessment exists for student groups that, on average, lag behind in school: boys, children from an immigrant background, and low SES students. The observed data patterns withstand several robustness checks, including the use of instrumental variables approach (IV) and other alternative regression specifications.

Abstract

The ‘boy crisis’ prompts the question of whether people interpret inequalities differently depending on whether males or females are lagging behind. We study this question in a novel large-scale distributive experiment involving more than 5,000 Americans. Our data provide strong evidence of a gender bias against low-performing males, particularly among female participants. A large set of additional treatments establishes that the gender bias reflects statistical fairness discrimination. The study provides novel evidence on the nature of discrimination and on how males falling behind are perceived by society.

Abstract

Teachers’ evaluations of students do not consider only academic competence, but are imbued with social considerations related to individual teacher and student characteristics, their interactions, and the surrounding context. The aim of this paper is understanding the extent to which teachers grade girls more generously than boys, and which characteristics of teachers and classrooms are likely to reduce this gender grading gap. We use Italian data from INVALSI-SNV, providing information on 10th-grade students linked with their teachers. The analysis relies on grade equation models in multilevel regression analysis, with students as first level, teachers/classrooms as second level, and schools as third level. Results show that, when comparing students who have identical subject-specific competence, teachers are more likely to give higher grades to girls. Furthermore, they demonstrate for the first time that this grading premium favouring girls is systemic, as teacher and classroom characteristics play a negligible role in reducing it.

ABSTRACT

We study if the Italian school system suffers from gender bias when judging students. To this aim, we use a differences-in-differences approach that compares the teachers' assessments and the standardized test scores that the students receive during the school year. We have census data for all Italian fifth and sixth graders in two different subjects, math and language, that include a rich set of additional controls. Our evidence reveals that, since primary school, boys are graded less favourably than girls in both math and language. This result is also confirmed for middle school students (sixth graders), and it holds even when (a) we separate the analysis between the most and least developed Italian regions, (b) we control for possible gender-specific attitude towards cheating and teachers' manipulation and (c) we introduce class and school fixed effects in the models. Comparing the results obtained across different levels of schooling and subjects, we cannot clearly identify the role of specific mechanisms in determining the gender bias. Overall the analysis suggests further study on the role of teachers' characteristics.

Abstract

I use a combination of blind and non-blind test scores to show that middle school teachers favor girls in their evaluations. This favoritism, estimated as individual teacher effects, has long-term consequences: as measured by their national evaluations three years later, male students make less progress than their female counterparts. On the other hand, girls who benefit from gender bias in math are more likely to select a science track in high school. Without teachers’ bias in favor of girls, the gender gap in choosing a science track would be 12.5% larger in favor of boys.

2.1 Grading bias and teacher assessments

The OECD found that girls are more likely to receive better marks from their teachers (in class tests), even when compared to boys who perform equally well in PISA (anonymous, surprise test), and they report similar attitudes and behaviors (amount of time spent reading and on homework, school enjoyment, etc.) [15]. Students’ expectations of their future and ambitions were shown to be linked to their grades. It is concluded that because of the grading bias, boys are more likely to not go to college and to end their education earlier than girls who perform equally well at PISA and display similar behaviors.

The OECD is not alone in their observation of the grading bias. Researcher Camille Terrier found that this favouritism towards girls has long-term negative consequences for boys’ progress. In particular, she notes that “without teachers’ bias in favour of girls, the gender gap in choosing a science track would be 12.5% larger in favour of boys” [16]. She also finds that, contradicting the OECD report’s speculation1, “girls’ better behaviour in class is not behind this nudge forwards”.

Another study analysed the grades of almost 30,000 pupilsfrom 300 Israeli schools, across multiple cohorts of high school seniors, and found a grading bias against males across nine subjects by comparing blind grades from external state exams with non-blind teacher grades [17]. These findings were consistent even in schools where boys outperformed girls on average. As this study is a natural experiment, the findings have a high degree of generalisability.

A very recent study from Italy reports that, among students with identical subject-specific competence, teachers tend to give higher marks to girls [18]. The study further reveals that this bonus in favour of girls is systemic, as teacher and classroom characteristics have minimal impact on reducing it. Thus, a holistic approach may be needed in order to solve the problem which may not be caused by any one particular failing. Notably, the authors conclude: “[…] the magnitude of the bias against male students in not negligible, and may have negative consequences. This is especially true regarding Mathematics, where a teacher penalty may translate into a failing grade, since the average teacher grade for boys falls right on the passing mark.” [emphasis added]

[yourgamemasterthewhiterabbit]

Okay, so it's about 3pm and I have continued snacking on the beans and just about the only thing that isn't better is some of the shoulder and lower back pain. My ability to move, reach and etc seems to be restored again.

My symptoms are always worse in the mornings, sometime regardless of when I sleep, but sometimes any time I first wake up, which had left me unsure whether it has a hormonal component...

But TPP is known to often be worst in the mornings.

The only hiccup about it being TPP is that TPP attacks tend to last either hours or days... Not recur almost daily for months at a time. If it IS TPP it is the worst case of it that didn't lead to total paralysis or suffocation that anyone has ever seen. Chronic low-grade tpp [from potassium deficiency and high thyroid function] could be a thing? Idk if it's well studied what happens to someone left with chronic untreated thyroid storms. Tpp is pretty fucking rare too.

But once again, my thyroid levels appear to be high, potassium seems to help the symptoms, and the main symptom it's helping is muscle weakness up to the inability to move at all.

And I am not sure what that would be other than something like TPP...

I guess the next thing I could try is not having ibuprofen at all, like I had planned today, and just eating a bunch of potassium when I first wake up to see if that helps instead. Rather than waiting till after noon.

To eliminate the possibility that the relief is a delayed reaction to ibuprofen or is because of the time of day. Or because of the mid-day nap I accidentally had both times.

It only seemed to get marginally better through the day before when I got myself moving around, I am not sure I have really tested whether its genuinely just not as bad by evening even if I do absolutely nothing all day.

Also just not taking anything for swelling might be hard, because right now my throat is swelling so bad that swallowing, even to clear my throat, is clicking cartilage over cartilage in my throat on every swallow unless I have had 800mg of ibuprofen.

I NEED answers, but idk if I want to do that much damage to my throat for science? I am not having iodine to calm down the goiter, I need to let my body run out of excess thyroid hormone as quickly as possible if I want this to stop.

Maybe tomorrow morning I just live with the discomfort and see if morning potassium makes the difference.

I want this to be the answer because I want to have found a working solution, and I have to be on guard for that impacting how I evaluate my symptoms, but like, getting out of this chair with no struggle doesn't seem subjective. Neither does suddenly being able to just reach across this chair to get my cup without dropping it. I was able to climb into my bed to sleep again last night for the first time in a couple days.

I had been getting better, and I don't know what was doing it, and then I got worse over night and I don't really know for sure what caused that either, but I did *happen* to have 5 liters of fluids [with salt] on the day just before I got worse, and that might have either over hydrated me OR depleted either my potassium or sodium levels [but again, I have been salting my tea].

I guess I could try also having more salt. More salt and fluids with the added potassium for now?

There's always plain rice for 3 days straight to see if I get worse or better T~T [that's already almost all I am eating except my chosen exceptions and herbs]