#a Larger Private Sector

[ayeforscotland]

Hard to not write a novel on how utterly wrong this is.

The decline in the UK economy is due to a culture brought about by risk averse governments. They are so cautious that they never make a decision on anything.

We get puffed chests about being world leaders in ‘AI’, and barely any deeper thought is given to how we actually do that. It’s always played for the media, and it’s always accompanied with the publication of a white paper that suggests all the various things they could try to do.

But then nothing comes of it. They do not want to take any action. They instead hope that a private company gets lucky and ‘becomes a unicorn’.

Except, due to being so risk averse, they never offer government contracts to any company that isn’t a giant corporate. So the smaller private companies can’t grow. So they can’t be ‘unicorns’ because they can’t get the attention of larger companies in the private sector.

But they need to keep up the illusion that they care about these smaller businesses, so use a mixture of government quangos that get SMEs to compete for £25K grants.

[reasonsforhope]

"A first-of-its-kind report has discovered that altering the ingredients list or manufacturing methods of widely used medication can really cut back on carbon emissions.

They found a reduction of 26 million tons, enough to cancel out the whole carbon footprint of the city of Geneva for a decade. Best of all, it’s already happening, and in fact, is almost done—those emissions were already saved.

The lifesaving HIV treatment dolutegravir (DTG) is used by 24 million people worldwide.

Today, over 110 low and middle-income countries have adopted DTG as the preferred treatment option. Rapid voluntary licensing of the medicine, including its pediatric version, to over a dozen generic manufacturers, significantly drove down prices, and it’s estimated that 1.1 million lives will be saved from HIV/AIDS-related deaths by 2027.

Its predecessor, efavirenz, contained 1200 milligrams of active ingredient across the three active compounds present, while DTG contains 650 milligrams of just one compound. This small difference—literally measurable in single digits of paper clips by weight—was enough to change the carbon emissions footprint of the medication by a factor of 2.6.

The incredible discovery was made in a recent report by Unitaid, a global public-private partnership that invests in new health products and solutions for low and middle-income countries, called Milligrams to Megatons, and is the first published research to compare carbon footprints between commonly used medications.

“This magnitude of carbon footprint reduction surpasses many hard-won achievements of climate mitigation in health and other sectors,” the authors of the report write.

At the rate at which DTG is produced, since it entered into production and treatment regime in 2017, 2.6 million fewer tons of CO2 have entered the atmosphere every year than if efavirenz was still the standard treatment option.

Health Policy Watch reports that the global medical sector’s carbon emissions stand at roughly 5% of the global carbon emissions and are larger than the emissions of many big countries, and 2.5 times as much as aviation.

“This report demonstrates that we can achieve significant health improvements while also making strides in reducing carbon emissions. By adopting innovative practices and prioritizing sustainability, we can ensure that medicines like DTG are not only effective but also environmentally responsible,” Vincent Bretin, Director of Unitaid’s Results and Climate Team told Health Policy Watch."

-via Good News Network, July 17, 2024

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Truthout:

It takes approximately 700,000 megawatt hours of electricity to power Chicago’s more than 400 municipal buildings every year. As of January 1, every single one of them — including 98 fire stations, two international airports, and two of the largest water treatment plants on the planet — is running on renewable energy, thanks largely to Illinois’ newest and largest solar farm. The move is projected to cut the carbon footprint of the country’s third-largest city by approximately 290,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide each year — the equivalent of taking 62,000 cars off the road, according to the city. Local decarbonization efforts like Chicago’s are taking on increasing significance as President-elect Donald Trump promises to reduce federal support for climate action. With the outgoing Biden administration doubling down on an international pledge to get the U.S. to net-zero emissions by 2050, cities, states, and private-sector players across the country will have to pick up the slack.

Chicago is one of several U.S. cities that are taking advantage of their bulk-buying power to spur new carbon-free energy development.

Chicago’s switch to renewable energy has been almost a decade in the making. The goal of sourcing the city’s power purely from carbon-free sources was first established by then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2017. His successor, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, struck a 2022 deal with Constellation, an electricity supplier, to purchase the city’s energy from the developer Swift Current Energy beginning in 2025.

Swift Current began construction on the 3,800-acre, 593-megawatt solar farm in central Illinois as part of the same five-year, $422 million agreement. Straddling two counties in central Illinois, the Double Black Diamond Solar project is now the largest solar installation east of the Mississippi River. It can produce enough electricity to power more than 100,000 homes, according to Swift Current’s vice president of origination, Caroline Mann.

Chicago alone has agreed to purchase approximately half the installation’s total output, which will cover about 70 percent of its municipal buildings’ electricity needs. City officials plan to cover the remaining 30 percent through the purchase of renewable energy credits.

“That’s really a feature and not a bug of our plan,” said Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer Jared Policicchio. He added that he hopes the city’s demand for 100 percent renewable energy will encourage additional clean energy development locally, albeit on a much smaller scale, which will create new sources of power that the city can then purchase directly, in lieu of credits. “Our goal over the next several years is that we reach a point where we’re not buying renewable energy credits.”

More than 700 other U.S. cities and towns have signed similar purchasing agreements since 2015, according to a 2022 study from the World Resources Institute. Only one city, Houston, has a larger renewable energy deal than Chicago, according to Matthew Popkin, the cities and communities U.S. program manager at Rocky Mountain Institute, a nonprofit whose research focuses on decarbonization. However, he added, no other contract has added as much new renewable power to the grid as Chicago’s.

[ashadowofburnedoutstardust]

Random thoughts:

#notaneconomist (although I do thoroughly enjoy strategy) These are just my own personal observations and conclusions

For some reason my mind has wandered over to the state of the US economy, not hard to understand why given the times

It's the circular nature of the US military being the backbone of US financial stability that has for some reason taken the attention of my wandering mind

This is what has occurred to me:

The backbone of the United States economy is of course its military spending

The US military has a budget larger than the five following countries with the highest spends comparatively combined

We should find it unsurprising given that the majority of what is not internal spending is spent on development in terms of building military vehicles, weapons, firearms etc etc and that the majority of this is done within the private sector

For example: OshKosh builds trucks to transport tanks and also many different types of logistic vehicles, Pokémon Go helping to build a massive global spatial map, Angry Birds data being used to help build a surveillance network, Swarovski making riflescopes etc etc

Anyway, things get contracted out to be built right?

Given that most major corporations operate under much larger umbrellas it would make sense that these companies would have an invested interest and whether or not the US government actively keeps military funding high enough for everyone to get a piece of the pie

Given that internal spending on a product usually requires a profit markup I would imagine that the US government in terms of its military spending is not exactly getting bang for its buck.....(And lord knows they aren't spending it on their veterans).....so of course the business lobby wants to help ensure that they keep getting these high priced contracts to keep their profit margins high while having some sort of other, well I guess a front; like kids toys, or a gaming app, or jewelry to help disguise where it is they're getting a lot more of their companies earnings from

The other thing is that the US government needs to justify to the public the monstrosity of a budget for the military, and in order to do that you need to maintain a level of insecurity; not only in their own country by keeping weapons accessible but in other foreign nations by staging military coups, covertly funding terrorist organisations, staging a proxy war etc etc which of course we all know by now that the CIA helps ensure happens in order to "protect American interests"

So to summarise all of that the backbone of the US economy is basically a giant money laundering scheme run through its military in order to fund its business lobby and as long as the rest of the economy underperforms they were always be able to justify having an intensive military spend in order to prop it up

The worst thing that could happen to its economy is the US actually becoming a peaceful state; it seems to me that the recent events over the past couple of years have alerted the working class to the extent of which they are being squeezed in order to fund this business lobby

Unfortunately, this bubble that they have created around themselves will eventually burst

Even the Baby Boomers are starting to feel the pinch of the water in expense of living in this economy that the Millennials and Gen X have been living through; even the conservative working class are starting to turn on the system that they have been living in

The United Healthcare shooting is a prime example of it

It would seem that the ruling class has squeezed a little too hard and inadvertently started the class war they never wanted all under their own gusto

*slow clap*

[dullgecko]

Okay so this might be a little too niche, but having just seen "museum" as a prompt, it got me thinking about the bad kids if they worked at a museum. (This totally isn't based on my uni degree - shhh)

Gorgug would be doing conservation in the labs, probably specialising in metals (he's an artificer, he's obviously doing metals). I can also see him enjoying larger stone objects, and he would tolerate ceramics if he absolutely had to. Don't ask him to do textiles - he'll give advice about treating the metal fastenings but that's it. Conservators pretty much always get forgotten from thank you lists, but once the bad kids get involved, conservation gets a little spotlight on the museum social media courtesy of Fig. Gorgug definitely isn't the stereotypical conservator (most are middle-aged elven women) so Gorgug can sometimes feel a little out of place, but works with Riz and Kristen to address the problems in the sector and do some outreach to get more people into conservation.

Riz would be doing research for the objects and writing up the object interpretation labels. His favourite exhibition he was involved in was a community-curated exhibition about goblin culture. He was also a big advocate for the outreach programme that supports lower-income families/individuals. He loves his job, but there are definitely a lot of problems and he's constantly having to advocate for repatriation of objects, because no, that was clearly stolen, and that community is asking for it back, and you can't just say you want to keep it because you think it looks nice in that display. He constantly has to remind people that providing reasonable adjustments is a legal requirement (and really asking for an adjustable height desk and a wrist support is quite honestly the bare minimum for what Riz actually needs for his chronic pain). And don't even get him started on the diversity of the top end of the organisation - you can't say you're diverse if elves are in all of the management roles. It does slowly get better, but gods is it slow progress.

Adaine would probably also be doing research, maybe in the science labs doing analysis (she has the identify spell and legend lore - it's perfect for analysis!). She's pretty high up so sometimes gets asked to lead private tours of the labs - she hates it, but she does get more confident the longer she's there. She works with Ayda and she loves it.

Kristen would probably be part of the education team. Teachers are always a little amazed when she can make even the most disruptive kids settle down enough to pay attention. Kristen doesn't think she's doing anything exceptional by listening to the kids and engaging with them and letting them move around if they want to, but apparently a lot of teachers hadn't considered that maybe their students just had unsupported disabilities and that if you accommodate them then they actually do care. For the students that really don't care, Kristen meets them where they're at and either relates the topic to something they do care about, or gives them a "secret task" to do instead that keeps them engaged.

Fig works mainly on the marketing team, and helps organise events like museum sleepovers and silent discos. She also runs all of the social media and somehow manages to keep up with various trends without making them terrible (a true marketing skill). The older museum staff were very reluctant to have her join, but the events brought in a large increase in engagement and they couldn't argue with the numbers. (It helps that Fig and the Sig Figs perform once a year as a fundraiser for the museum and always raise a lot of money).

I don't think Fabian would work there necessarily, but I can see him coming in to volunteer sometimes when he's not off doing pirate stuff. He'd never admit it, because he's not a nerd (he's not!), but he really loves hearing his friends talk about all of the cool things they're working on and he happily talks to them about possible interpretations of objects. He gets brought in to help out with an exhibition about pirates or something along those lines. I think he also probably has a large regular donation set up that he'll never admit is him. (Everyone definitely knows that it's him).

Gorgug likes doing all the quiet back-end work because people rarely bother him and he can sit with his music playing without getting interupted.

Riz got sick of having to climb on the furniture in his office once and threw it all out into the hallway (it involved a lot of dragging, disassembling and swearing) because it was all human sized. He didn't want to steal any furniture from his gnomish or halfling colleagues, half of them were ALSO having to use human sized desks, but he definitly got his point across by setting all his stuff up on the floor to work instead. He also advocated for at LEAST having steps and platforms short-folk could use to see the exibits, half of the more fancy display cases were above his head height.

If Adaine is asked to give a private tour to someone she knows is particularly snooty (or even a little racist, most high elves are after all) she'll kidnap Riz. The goblin will do the whole tour from on her shoulders (he memorised it after watching her do it once and can rattle it off word for word due to his stupid good memory recall) and she enjoys how the tour group ends up looking a little uncomfortable. Its especially funny because his Elven is perfect, he doesnt even have an accent, they dont expect it.

Kristen does the same sometimes but only because kids think it's hilarious, if she holds her arm out Riz can dangle from his knees and talk to the kids upside down without skipping a beat. Its good because sometimes kids have questions that come WAY out of left field about the goblin exibits and he can answer them in ways that they understand.

Fig also does all the fun posters and flyers for the museaum, she's a pretty good artist even outside of her music and she designed all her own album covers and merch. If she's not wearing a SigFig shirt she's wearing one of their promotional museam shirts from years ago.

Fabian does the reverse-pirating when no-one is looking. If he finds a museam that has stolen artifacts that a culture wants back they somehow find their way into Riz's hands. Riz is very good at sneaking things back to people without getting caught.

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by Rachel O'Donoghue

On March 6, the United Nations warned that a current conflict that has already killed and displaced millions of people risks triggering “the world’s worst hunger crisis.”

Some of the statement’s key points include:

“A staggering 14 million children are in desperate need of lifesaving assistance”

“Millions of lives and the peace and stability of an entire region are at stake”

“Across the war-torn country, 18 million people are acutely food insecure and five million now face starvation”

“Restricted in their movements by ongoing violence and interference from warring parties and severely underfunded, humanitarian aid workers can barely help those in need”

“Humanitarian assistance was further disrupted after the authorities revoked permits for cross-border truck convoys”

Less than 24 hours later on March 7, the United Nations issued another warning:

“The situation is appalling. Every minute, every hour, it is getting worse”

“In the north, one in six children under the age of two is acutely malnourished…”

“We need to flood the market… with humanitarian goods as well as re-energize the private sector so commercial goods can enter to meet the need of civilians…”

“At the same time, humanitarian supplies via air or sea are ‘not a substitute for what we need to see arrive on land…’”

The first statement was about Sudan, a country that has been racked by a conflict that erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023.

According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which placed Sudan at the top of its Emergency Watchlist last year, nearly 6 million people have been displaced, and more than half the population (24.8 million people) needs humanitarian aid, with 17.7 million people facing crisis-level or worse food insecurity.

The IRC has also stated that amid mass displacement and reports of mass killings, humanitarian access has been severely curtailed.

The second statement was about Gaza and the ongoing aid delivery problems that have affected the Strip as Israel battles Hamas to protect its citizens from harm.

As the United Nations makes clear in its statements, both Sudan and Gaza are facing a humanitarian catastrophe. However, the war in Sudan is impacting a much larger number of people and has gone on for much longer.

One might think that media organizations would think both crises were worthy of attention. After all, the UN statements were published mere hours apart and warned of similarly dire situations.

Alas, not so.

The Guardian and The New York Times, for example, both included details of the UN’s statement about Gaza in their coverage of what was variously described as a “humanitarian disaster” affecting millions of “besieged Palestinians.”

Likewise, both publications covered in depth the March 5 UN statement — signed by several UN rapporteurs — which, among other grotesque and unfounded allegations, accused Israel of “intentionally starving the Palestinian people in Gaza…”

Yet, neither outlet dedicated any coverage to the UN’s statement about Sudan — not a single paragraph was printed about an impending catastrophe that would amount to “the world’s worst hunger crisis.”

[mariacallous]

In December 2024, Ukrainian forces operating north of Kharkiv reportedly conducted their first ever attack on Russian positions using exclusively unmanned technologies. This landmark military operation, which featured a combination of machine gun-equipped ground drones and kamikaze aerial drones, underscored Ukraine’s increasingly sophisticated use of robotic systems, while also highlighting the evolving role being played by these technologies on the modern battlefield.

As Ukrainian commanders prepare for a fourth year of combat in Europe’s largest war since World War II, they are now hoping that their country’s growing arsenal of robotic systems can help counter Russia’s often overwhelming advantages in both manpower and firepower. “Ukrainian officials have repeatedly highlighted Ukraine’s efforts to utilize technological innovations and asymmetric strike capabilities to offset Ukraine’s manpower limitations in contrast with Russia’s willingness to accept unsustainable casualty rates for marginal territorial gains,” noted the Institute for the Study of War in late 2024.

Ukraine’s emphasis on unmanned robotic systems certainly makes good sense. While overall Ukrainian casualties during the first three years of the full-scale invasion are thought to be significantly lower than Russian losses, Russia’s far larger population means Ukraine has little prospect of success in a grinding war of attrition. Over the past year, reports of Ukrainian mobilization challenges and personnel shortages have become more and more frequent, with desertion rates also reaching record highs.

With the Ukrainian military outnumbered and outgunned, defense tech innovations have played an important part in Kyiv’s war effort since 2022. Many of Ukraine’s key advances have come via the country’s vibrant startup sector, much of which pivoted to military projects in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion. In July 2024, the Associated Press reported that Ukraine had developed an ecosystem of laboratories to create a robot army, with around 250 defense startups active in secret locations “that typically look like rural car repair shops.”

The Ukrainian government has sought to support these grassroots efforts with the creation of initiatives like the BRAVE1 defense tech cluster, which was established in spring 2023 to streamline cooperation between the private sector, the state, and the Ukrainian military. In a move hailed by officials in Kyiv as a unique development, Ukraine launched a dedicated drone warfare branch of the country’s military in summer 2024. The establishment of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces demonstrated that Kyiv was preparing for “the war of the future, not the war of the past,” commented USF commander Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi.

Robotic systems alone cannot solve the Ukrainian military’s manpower shortages. At present, the focus is on developing technologies capable of performing a range of specific combat and logistical tasks. For example, Ukraine plans to deploy tens of thousands of robotic ground vehicles along the one thousand kilometer front line of the war during 2024. These systems will handle functions including mine-laying and de-mining, the delivery of ammunition and other supplies to troops in trenches, and the evacuation of wounded soldiers to rear positions where they can receive medical treatment.

Unmanned ground vehicles are seen by Ukrainian military planners as a particularly effective response to the ubiquity of reconnaissance and attack drones above the battlefield. With the entire front line area now under more or less constant surveillance, it can be extremely difficult for soldiers to move about above ground, and virtually impossible to travel in vehicles without electronic jamming devices. Robotic systems capable of operating in dangerous environments can go some way to addressing this problem, and can help make sure front line units are resupplied in a timely fashion.

The Ukrainian army’s use of robotic systems is already attracting consideration international attention. With new models typically undergoing testing in combat conditions, the cycle from development to deployment is often exceptionally dynamic, creating unprecedented opportunities for defense tech companies. Maintaining Ukraine’s current rapid pace of innovation is recognized as vital in order to remain one step ahead of Russia, which is also investing heavily in robotic systems and drones.

With Ukrainian efforts to implement AI technologies expected to advance in 2025, there are concerns that the fledgling robot armies currently taking shape on the battlefields of Ukraine could reduce the barriers to killing and dramatically escalate the potential for future conflicts. However, with their country fighting for survival, Ukrainian defense tech developers are primarily concerned with saving the lives of their compatriots and defeating Russia’s invasion.

[sugar-grigri]

I've read through your posts and deliberated some more, yet I still don't see the connection of a critique on capitalism. I see the critique of work, yes, but mostly because it reflects Denji's self value. I don't think it's the same.

Let's dive into capitalism...

You're not the first to ask, so I'll answer (I'll try to be succinct). I just want to make it clear that this is all my interpretation, if you still don't see a connection after this post. Then you're just interpreting this point differently, and that's completely ok. 

For more context I think it's interesting to point out who I am or rather what I do. I'm a lawyer, still in training but enough to call myself one. I specialize in a rather specific area of law in France: public economic law. Let's put it this way: it's a body of law that analyzes the relationship between the State and individuals, and focuses solely on the general interest. 

Let's agree on a definition of capitalism. Capitalism is an economic and social system in which capital (the source of income) and the means of production and exchange do not belong to those who use them through their own labor.

It's important to note that capitalism takes different forms in each state. 

In Japan, the origins of capitalism lie in vigorous state intervention. The period that best characterizes it is the Meiji era, the 19th century. Today, this is revealed by the significant intervention of the Ministry of the Economy. 

If all this sounds complicated, there is a first element of definition. If I don't just see a critique of the world of work in the public hunter system, it's also because one of Chainsaw Man's themes is the state. I'm not extrapolating, since it's a theme that recurs several times, whether through Makima and her confrontation with the gun demon, or through the choice of security structure: public. That is, controlled by the Japanese government. 

I think that, yes, CSM makes a more global criticism than a specific point of society, and speaks of the relationship between citizen and state. 

But let's continue. It's not insignificant either that the first images of the CSM season 1 trailer are of a dark alleyway overflowing with rats. Nor is it insignificant to set up a character, very young, and very poor as a main character. This doesn't shock us, as heroes tend to have tragic pasts, but it's not an empty choice.

When we think of neoliberalism, the example of the United States or the United Kingdom are the first that come to mind. Yet Japan is the OECD country that has seen the greatest rise in inequality, due to deregulation of the labor market and the rise in precarious employment (40% of the working population today) with the privatization of key sectors such as rail and postal services. 

Privatization movements ? That's been covered. 

But another feature of Japan's aggressive neoliberalism is the university. Whose entrance fees are increasing atrociously. 

University entrance fees ? Lack of education for the most precarious classes ? That's been covered. 

What I'm trying to prove once again is that Fujimoto applies himself to revealing the relationship between individuals and states. Makima, the antagonist, is even subjected to it, inscribed in a hierarchical relationship. She has also become an uncontrollable demon to the point of making the United States swoon, for she is nothing more than a chimera created by the Japanese government, which has hammered her with the doctrine of evil necessary for the greater common good. In other words, collectivism. 

The connection between capitalism and Denji's character is often made, but even Makima, the antagonist, was following a goal imposed by a larger structure, from which she didn't really benefit because she wasn't happy.

Nor is Chainsaw Man just about an extremely harsh working world. We're also talking about the extent to which Denji is satisfied with little things (which Fujimoto also sees in a positive light).

But Fujimoto's main point with Denji is not that the problem lies in his dreaming of toast per se (although that's a problem too), but that there's a disproportion between his sacrifices and his rewards. 

It's not insignificant that Denji suffers horribly when he turns into Chainsaw Man, that the system seems to work with him because he sees himself only as a tool. 

Capitalism is defined above all by the fact that the worker does not reap all the benefits of his work.

Denji literally produces the added value that will serve his structure without perceiving the benefits in the extreme. Since Makima is going to take all the benefits away from him. 

Is it fair, then, to speak of a simple critique of labor when we know that the antagonist is the product of the Japanese government? Don't think of the critique of the world of work as a separate, singular critique, but as part of a critique of a more global system: Japan and its current regime, capitalism. 

For it is the relationship between the economy and the state's conception of it that affects the world of work. The liberalization movement that began in the 1980s and accelerated in the 2000s and 2010s is a striking example of this. What is the clearest result of the relationship between globalization and Japan than manga ? 

If there's one thing that helped me understand Fujimoto's interest in these issues, it's his relationship with his own industry. His works culminate in themes relating to the community and the individual, and their relationship with art and culture. Just think of all those movie scenes. 

Fujimoto isn't delivering a critique of capitalism because it's fashionable to do so, he's following a lineage of his own.

Fujimoto isn't delivering a critique of capitalism because it's fashionable, he's following a lineage, also talking about the relationship between capitalism and his art. The mangakas themselves are trapped in a logic of commercialization and commodity production, to the detriment of creativity itself. I feel that Part 2 is a complete response to Chainsaw Man's worldwide success. The way Denji's daily life hasn't changed a bit, and also the parallel with Fujimoto. 

An ultra-popular author... but one who turns in a chapter once a week.

[antaxzantax]

Umbrella Pharmaceuticals - Chapter 62

Summary:

Albert Wesker becomes captain of the STARS. Alexia Ashford and William Birkin begin development of a new virus for Oswell E. Spencer.

1

Brian Irons cleared his throat as he entered the meeting room. Those present crowded in a circle around the chief of police.

“Gentlemen, meet Albert Wesker,” said Irons with a blond man at his back.

The blond man stood to his full height.

“Pleased to meet you,” he said succinctly.

“Wesker has been elected captain of the S.T.A.R.S. Alpha team. Wesker has a military background and has worked as security chief in the private sector. Behave and obey his orders as if he were your father.”

The assistants looked at him curiously. Albert looked at them with cautious indifference.

“Wesker, meet the members of Alpha team: Jill Valentine, Barry Burton, Chris Redfield, Joseph Frost and Brad Vickers. And the members of Bravo Team: Captain Enrico Marini, Richard Aiken, Kenneth J. Sullivan, Forest Speyer, Edward Deway, Kevin Dooley and Rebecca Chambers.”

Albert nodded to them all and shook their hands.

“With this, both teams are complete. We expect routine operations to begin next week. Until then, stay tuned.”

He was doing this as a personal favour to Spencer.

Spencer asked him frankly: the chaos unleashed by Alexia Ashford and William Birkin in Raccoon City had prompted heightened security in the county, and the arrival of a flood of curious onlookers roaming the city to uncover the perpetrators of the most horrific attack on American soil to date.

One of these reinforcements emerged by federal order at the Raccoon City police station: the STARS, a special operations SWAT team. The problem was not the RPD, but that this kind of special teams became fashionable and served as a precedent for the organisation of new ones. And the larger the police force in Raccoon City, the greater the likelihood that one of them, for whatever reason, would discover something they shouldn't have.

Umbrella concentrated its most successful projects in that city, and Spencer had invested a great deal of capital in making it that way; so, he was not happy about being undermined.

Albert agreed because Spencer, his target, had asked him in person. He saw him again: a sickly, badly aged old man, who had lost none of the fire in his mischievous gaze.

Spencer had a plan, but he wouldn't tell him. He probably hadn't told anyone.

In any case, he didn't care because he had accomplished his main objective.

Now he had to find out what that plan was.

2

“Alfred.” His fiancée called out to him in Dutch from the balcony. “Why aren't you coming? What are you doing?”

Alfred got up from the armchair where he had been talking on the phone. He went out onto the balcony, where he hugged his fiancée's hip.

“I'm sorry, darling. I was on the phone.” Alfred kissed Liv's neck.

The breeze off the Mediterranean Sea ruffled her hair so that Alfred ended up with a lock of it in his mouth. He slapped it away, a gesture that amused Liv, and for which she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Who was that?” Liv asked, leaning against Alfred's shoulder.

“My father.”

“And what did he want?”

“We have to push back our wedding date.”

Liv raised her eyebrows and looked at Alfred in simultaneous surprise and sympathy.

“Why? What's wrong?”

Alfred hugged Liv and kissed her on the head.

“He wants me to be by his side in Edonia to accomplish our mission,” Alfred whispered contentedly.

Liv increased the strength of her embrace.

“It's all right. Just come home, okay? I love you.”

Alfred stroked her back.

“Promise me you'll always be by my side,” Liv murmured.

“I never break a promise,” Alfred replied.

3

Simmons passed him a clipboard with the latest NATO report.

“We're in position, sir.”

Alexander handed the clipboard back. He had dressed in half a military uniform for the occasion.

His father's dream.

Alexander readjusted his flak jacket and walked over to the board with information on NATO troop positions and rebel army areas.

A Western-funded coup had provoked a civil war in the country to depose the government elected after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In exchange for its participation and Umbrella's involvement, it had been promised the privilege of enjoying a monopoly when its reconstruction began. However, that was a secondary benefit.

He had come in person to witness the realisation of his father's dream, and he wanted his son to accompany him to share in the realisation of that dream.

The biological weapons were ready to be deployed and to fulfil Alexander's defined objective: total annihilation.

The country would burn to the ground, and so the Ashfords, the Stuarts, would manifest their might: with death and fear, just as their ancestors had done.

And, of course, without the danger of mutually assured destruction.

4

He curled up on the mattress thrown on the floor that served as his bed. Packages of ready-made food clumped around him, and the television had long since ceased to broadcast anything that was static.

He had disappeared.

He had cancelled himself out after that.

The Incident, as he called it, had wiped him out inside, and he decided it was best to disappear for good.

He was a monster.

That was what he had never wanted to admit: that he was a monster. For this reason, he would never be reunited with his family.

He would never see Sherry again.

It became clear to him when he was with the twins in Scotland, after the Incident. The shrinks were honest with him: he was a sociopath. He was a dangerous individual, full of hatred and contempt for human life.

He believed he was a good, functioning citizen, but that was a lie.

You took the job, Alexia's voice sounded in the distance. No one forced you to do what you did.

She was right.

No one forced him, and that's why he was a despicable being.

A monster.

He didn't want to go back to Umbrella.

He didn't want to exist anymore.

He was a parody, a shadow of his former self.

His parents would have forgotten him, if he really had parents.

Wood creaked.

Footsteps.

William didn't bother to raise his head or move. He didn't feel like doing anything.

Whoever it was, he hoped it would put him out of his misery.

“William.”

William shivered. That voice.

Alexia.

Alexia sat in a lone cheap chair she'd picked up from a corner. Alexia's neat, regal appearance contrasted with William's grimy decadence.

“William. I need you.”

William sank his head into the pillow, pretending not to hear her words.

“William. I promised Spencer that you and I would develop a virus just for him.”

“You can do it on your own...”

“No. I need you. It'll be the best virus ever developed with the Progenitor. We'll use Spencer as a test subject.”

William sank his head further into the pillow. He didn't answer.

“Our latest project at Umbrella,” Alexia continued.

William pushed himself off the pillow to breathe normally.

“I'm not going back,” William said.

“You want to,” Alexia said. “I know you do.”

“I don't...”

“Spencer is planning his departure from Umbrella. The virus in exchange for a mutually beneficial exit. My father would take over management of the corporation. Spencer would step down to stay on as owner. Both would step down as chairman and CEO. My father and Spencer have offered me to be the new CEO, but I have no desire to remain at Umbrella.”

William curled up on the mattress.

“I'm going to start my own company, and I want you to join me,” Alexia said.

William's hair stood up.

“No limits. No superiors. Just you and me in front of the world.”

William remembered the penthouse of the skyscraper. Alexia pressed the button without the slightest sign of disturbance or regret. He missed the shot on purpose.

“What do you want from me?”

“To possess you.”

William was unable to discern whether Alexia had actually said that or dreamt it. William sat up on the mattress.

“What does Spencer want...”

“To be a god.”

“God...”

“A biological weapon. A superman.”

“How do the X-Men...”

Alexia handed him a folded piece of paper.

“Monday at five o'clock at that address.”

Alexia got up from her chair and left. William unfolded the paper: Raccoon City Underground Laboratory.

5

“What will your company be called?” Alfred asked.

“I don't know.”

“Can I be the one to name it?”

Alexia shrugged.

“I'll see what I can come up with.” Alfred stroked his sister's thigh affectionately. “I'm so happy for you. After all you've been through, you're finally happy.”

Alexia stroked Alfred's hand.

“I'm not sure if it's happiness, but I don't feel so... so lost.”

“It is. I'm sure it is.”

“I've gone to get William. I'll see him at the lab next week.”

Alfred looked serious.

“Are you really going to do that favour for Oswell?”

“Yes. It'll be a first step.”

“And then what?”

“I don't know. I can't predict what will happen, Alfred.”

“I don't believe you.”

Alexia sighed.

“I don't know,” she repeated.

“Don't leave me.”

Alfred and Alexia looked at each other.

“I won't,” Alexia replied.

6

She felt like Gregory Samsa on the worst day of his life. In a handful of days, in a very few years, she had gone from being the heiress of a wealthy American rancher to the legitimate daughter of the world's first billionaire.

Alexandra Spencer.

Her British passport, obtained by Spencer as a personal favour to Anthony Campbell, made her giddy. She was unprepared, she told herself, but her actions said otherwise.

She had become her biological father's right-hand woman, and she felt unpleasantly overwhelmed and unstoppable. That was power, real power. Yet she couldn't help feeling strange, as if she herself was her own stranger.

She compensated for this inconsistency by fixating on her father, who had begun to be strangely friendly with his bastard daughter.

Oswell told her of his plan.

And she felt the power again, the real power.

But first, she had to plan her father's resignation and his agreement with Alexia. Alexander accepted Spencer's word without buts: the two men had tacitly agreed that this was the end of their long and individually fruitful partnership. What Spencer did with the virus developed by Alexia was none of his business; once the partnership was broken, it would be as if the two families had never worked together.

Oswell trusted his daughter, and it was that trust that she used as a guide.

But how long, and how long would she trust Oswell? And what about the virus? Would it be possible to use the Progenitor virus to become a god?

Would metamorphosis be possible?

7

Oswell signed the final memorandum detailing his plan for the last five years of the last decade of the 20th century.

The goal was clear: maximise Umbrella's profits to retire in style. His strategy: war, cost-cutting and exponentially increasing productivity.

He would retire as the greatest man on Earth before embarking on his new journey.

Alexander would not stand in the way. He owed it to him.

Spencer held up a photo: Edward Ashford, James Marcus and himself posing at the Ndipaya shrine.

“I'll see you in the Beyond.”

He tossed the photograph into the flames of the fireplace.

[luimnigh]

I've been checking up the elections in Ireland out of curiosity (and also because of taking into consideration the steadily worsening situation in regards to Democracy across the globe), but I find I don't really understand it very well. Who's currently considered the most likely candidate to lead Ireland, and is it necessarily a good, bad, or complicated thing? Irish politics seems to have a lot of nuances that I don't really have the context and understanding to "get".

So, we have a Parliamentary system. It's the leader of the largest party after that is usually the Taoiseach, the head of Government. Or, at the very least, the largest party in the coalition of parties who've come together to share power.

(We also have a directly elected President as our Head of State. His only real power is to send bills to the Supreme Court to check if they're constitutional before signing them into law.)

However, last term in the Dáil, none of the biggest parties got enough votes to secure a majority on their own, or even a coalition with a smaller party. The two biggest parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael had to go into coalition with each other, because they refused to go into coalition with the other biggest party, Sinn Féin.

Because these two parties have run the state since the begining, neither wanted to be the "Junior" partner in the coalition (which is usually a electoral death sentence the next election), so they decided to be equal partners. They devised a system where they would trade off the Taoiseach role so that both sides would have roughly equal time.

This is called a "Rotating Taoiseach". Or "Rotisserie Taoiseach", depending on how serious the political commentary is.

After this election, we have the same scenario: neither side has enough seats to make a government without the other (or Sinn Féin, who they refuse to talk to).

However, this time rather than the seat split being 38:35, it's now 48:38. Fianna Fáil is much bigger than Fine Gael.

In most circumstances this would mean that Fianna Fáil's leader, Micháel Martin (pronounced Me-Hawl) would be Taoiseach, no rotation.

But Fine Gael has their pride and dignity. Even with the larger seat gap, they likely wouldn't accept being a Junior Partner. They'll want the Equal Partner deal again, with it's Rotating Taoiseach.

On the one hand, they're not really in a position to demand it. On the other hand, they can just stonewall government formation until they get it. The only other option is Sinn Féin, and none of them want that.

I'd say it's likely we'll see another Rotating Taoiseach, between Martin and the Fine Gael leader, Simon Harris.

As for whether this situation is good or not? Well, it's... eh. It's eh.

Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are neoliberal. They're somewhat progressive socially, but are beholden to corporate interests financially. Under their leadership we've entered a housing crisis, a homelessness crisis, a refugee housing crisis, and a healthcare crisis. They say their solutions to each of these are working, but it won't be fixed overnight, despite the fact that most of these problems have been ongoing for a decade.

It's a combination of the austerity measures they imposed and their belief the private sector will fix the problems that's causing most issues in Ireland at the moment.

So things aren't going to suddenly go to shit here, but they aren't suddenly going to get better. Any movement in any direction will be a slow slide. Maybe things will get better, maybe things will get worse, whatever happens will happen slowly.

[justtrash202]

Young Adult! Hogarth Pennywhistle Gilligan Jr.

so, after I did the young adult version of Wally, I guess I should do the other sectors so here's Hoagie!

Apperance:Hoagie is 5'7" with a stocky and sturdy build, embracing his larger frame that gives him a comforting and approachable presence. His round face is accented with faint freckles across his nose and cheeks, adding a youthful charm. His short, slightly messy light brown hair peeks out from under a brown baseball cap, which he often wears backward or tilted casually. He still rocks his iconic blue offled, now slightly larger to fit his older self, often adorned with grease smudges or small tears from working on machines. Hoagie’s style reflects his practical, tech-savvy personality: a witty graphic tee under the offled, pocket-heavy cargo pants, and sturdy sneakers or work boots. Around his neck hang his signature aviation goggles, now sleeker, and a chunky, multifunctional wristwatch rests on his left wrist. His hands and clothes often bear grease marks from tinkering with gadgets, and his toolbelt is always packed with wrenches, screwdrivers, and small inventions. Despite his laid-back appearance, Hoagie’s bright eyes and wide, goofy grin exude his humor and warmth, making him both a dependable ally and a loyal friend.

Personality: Hoagie, now a young adult, has grown into a thoughtful, reliable, and confident individual while maintaining his signature quirky and inventive personality. His intelligence and technical skills have matured, making him a go-to problem solver who can quickly come up with creative solutions, whether on a mission or in everyday life. Though still deeply passionate about gadgets and aviation, Hoagie has learned to balance his nerdy side with a greater awareness of the world and people around him. His sense of humor remains intact, delivering sharp wit, goofy remarks, and puns that lighten even the heaviest situations. However, he’s developed a more empathetic and serious side, especially when it comes to his friends and their well-being. Hoagie’s loyalty remains one of his strongest traits, and he’s always ready to help—whether it’s repairing equipment, offering advice, or just being a calming presence when things go south. While he still prefers to avoid unnecessary confrontation, he’s become more assertive and confident when standing up for his beliefs or defending his friends. No longer the bumbling kid of Sector V, Hoagie has matured into a calm, dependable, and capable young adult who can be counted on to lead, support, or fix what’s broken—both literally and figuratively.

Headcannons

Flight School Success: Hoagie attended flight school part-time, juggling work and studies, before finally earning his private pilot’s license. The achievement of this lifelong dream filled him with pride and reignited his passion for aviation. It motivated him to push for even greater goals in his flying career. Hoagie’s accomplishment not only reinforced his love for flying but also inspired those around him to chase their own ambitions.

Side Hustle as a Flight Instructor: Hoagie took on a part-time role as a flight instructor to share his passion for aviation with others. He enjoys teaching students the thrill of flying, often inspiring them to pursue their own dreams in aviation. The job allows him to spend more time in the skies he loves, while also gaining valuable experience and passing on his knowledge to the next generation of pilots.

Workshop Haven: Hoagie converted a spare room in his apartment into a workshop full of tools, blueprints, and unfinished gadgets. It became his creative haven, a space where he could tinker with ideas, invent, and repair things for friends and family. The workshop reflects Hoagie’s resourcefulness and tech-savvy nature, providing him the environment to channel his creativity and problem-solving skills while working on projects of all kinds.

Freelance Engineer: To support his hobbies and hone his skills, Hoagie took on freelance engineering jobs. He helps small businesses improve their tech or repairs complex machinery to earn extra income. The freelance work keeps him sharp and challenges him in new ways. It also provides opportunities to meet interesting people and solve unique problems, helping Hoagie develop his expertise and expand his network in engineering and technology.

Dual Major: Hoagie pursued a dual major in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, merging his passion for flying with his love for invention. The combination of fields allowed him to merge creativity with technical expertise, distinguishing him as a forward-thinking innovator. His studies became a platform to explore groundbreaking ideas, from building aircraft components to developing machinery, helping Hoagie realize his potential as a creator and problem solver.

College Clubs: At university, Hoagie joined both the robotics and aviation clubs, where he quickly became a standout member. Known for his innovative thinking and enthusiasm, he often took the lead in tackling difficult problems or rallying the team. These clubs offered him both intellectual challenges and a social community where he thrived, allowing him to connect with like-minded peers while expanding his skill set in robotics and aviation.

Closer to Family: After years of reflection, Hoagie worked hard to rebuild relationships with his parents and younger siblings. He now makes it a priority to spend quality time with them, whether by helping his mom with repairs or playing games with his siblings. These moments of connection have strengthened his family bonds, deepening their relationships in ways he never imagined and helping Hoagie rediscover the importance of family support and love.

Budget-Friendly Living: Hoagie’s frugal lifestyle, which includes building his own furniture and cooking meals at home, helps him save for larger projects and hobbies. He finds creative ways to live comfortably without breaking the bank, taking pride in his resourcefulness. His thrifty approach to life has even inspired his friends, who now follow his lead by adopting similar habits, proving that living within one’s means can still bring fulfillment and success.

Gamer at Heart: Despite his busy schedule, Hoagie always makes time for gaming nights with friends. Hosting friendly tournaments in his living room, complete with snacks and laughs, has become a cherished tradition. These gaming sessions let him unwind and reconnect with his playful side. It’s a time for Hoagie to relax and enjoy some light-hearted competition with his closest friends, giving him a break from his demanding career and responsibilities.

Tech Support for Friends: Hoagie is the go-to guy for friends needing gadget repairs or problem-solving advice. Whether it’s fixing a broken laptop or offering inventive solutions to personal challenges, he’s always ready to help. His reliability, resourcefulness, and creative mindset make him indispensable. Friends appreciate his technical knowledge and willingness to lend a hand, knowing they can rely on him to solve any issue, big or small.

Sector V Reunions: Hoagie ensures Sector V stays connected by organizing regular reunions, despite everyone’s busy schedules. Whether it’s a casual meetup or an elaborate game night, Hoagie is the glue that keeps their friendship strong. These gatherings allow the group to reminisce about their shared past and reinforce the bond they formed, providing much-needed moments of connection and joy in their evolving lives.

Breakup with Abby: Hoagie and Abby’s relationship, which started in 10th grade, ended when Abby moved to France for an internship. The long distance and her demanding schedule made it impossible to maintain the connection, leaving Hoagie heartbroken. Despite their love for each other, the separation proved too much. The breakup marked the end of a significant chapter in Hoagie’s life, forcing him to adjust to life without her.

The House That Wasn’t: Hoagie secretly purchased a cozy house, envisioning proposing to Abby and building a life together. After their breakup, he moved in alone, and the house became a bittersweet symbol of unfulfilled dreams. It turned into a sanctuary for Hoagie, a place to process emotions and heal. Though the house’s original purpose was no longer viable, it became a fresh start, helping him rebuild his life.

First Home Ownership: Owning his first home gave Hoagie a profound sense of accomplishment and independence. He threw himself into DIY projects, from custom shelves to landscaping, using his skills to personalize the space. Each renovation reflected his creativity and determination, transforming the house into a place that truly felt like his own. It became a space of self-expression and stability, marking a new chapter in his adult life.

Sentimental Keepsakes: Hoagie kept the engagement ring he had bought for Abby, not out of regret, but as a testament to his ability to love deeply. The ring served as a quiet reminder of the lessons he learned about vulnerability and resilience. Tucked away, it symbolized his growth as an individual. The keepsake was a part of his journey, a piece of his past that informed his future decisions.

Therapeutic Hobbies: After the breakup, Hoagie turned to woodworking and photography as ways to process his emotions. Crafting furniture and decorations allowed him to create something tangible, while photography offered a new perspective on the world. These hobbies became his therapeutic outlets, helping him navigate the pain and focus on healing. They gave him peace, offering a creative escape and helping him regain balance in his life.

Roommates to Romance: When Wally returned from the army, Hoagie offered him a temporary place to stay. Over time, their connection grew stronger, and they decided to live together permanently. Their bond evolved into a romantic relationship, built on mutual support and understanding. As roommates, they helped each other navigate challenges and deepened their emotional connection, eventually creating a loving partnership where both could grow and support one another.

Helping with Jace: When Hoagie moved in with Wally, he took on a significant role in caring for Wally’s son, Jace. From bedtime routines to fixing broken toys, Hoagie embraced his role with enthusiasm and care. His involvement in Jace’s life provided stability and support, strengthening their family dynamic. The bond between Hoagie and Jace grew, as did his connection with Wally, creating a nurturing environment for their shared future.

Father Figure Moments: While Jace viewed Wally as his father, Hoagie took on the role of the "cool uncle" or secondary father figure. He introduced Jace to flying, tinkering with gadgets, and encouraged his natural curiosity. These moments created lasting memories and strengthened their bond. Hoagie treasured these times, as they helped him shape his own ideas about fatherhood and the importance of nurturing young minds with love and support.

Lessons Learned: Through his time with Jace, Hoagie gained a deeper appreciation for the challenges of parenthood. Jace’s energy and curiosity helped Hoagie realize the importance of family. This experience shaped his desire to have children of his own one day, as it revealed the joys and responsibilities that come with raising a family. Hoagie’s connection with Jace became a cornerstone of his growth and future aspirations.

Rekindling with Abby: When Abby returned from France, Hoagie was hesitant at first, but he soon realized he still loved her. He amicably ended his romantic relationship with Wally, which strengthened their friendship. Hoagie and Abby worked through past struggles and began to pursue their shared dream of starting a family. Their relationship became more mature and grounded, marking a new beginning for both as they rebuilt their future together.

Best Man Bond: Despite their breakup, Wally remained one of Hoagie’s closest friends. He often joked that he’d be the best man at Hoagie and Abby’s wedding, demonstrating the strength of their bond. Their friendship stood the test of time and change. Wally’s ongoing support and humor showed that no matter what life threw their way, their connection remained unshakable, a friendship that transcended any romantic or personal challenges.

Cherished Traditions: Hoagie loved creating traditions with Jace, such as making pancakes on Sundays and building model planes together. These activities brought them closer and allowed Hoagie to foster a sense of stability and joy. He cherished these moments, hoping one day to pass on similar traditions to his own children. For Hoagie, these routines were more than just fun—they were a way of creating lasting memories and bonds.

Bridging the Gap: As Hoagie grew older, he noticed the growing distance between him and Tommy from their KND days. Aware of the changing dynamics, he made an effort to reconnect with his old friend. Hoagie initiated conversations and spent more time with Tommy, slowly rebuilding their sibling bond. This effort helped strengthen their relationship, and they began to rediscover their shared history, reestablishing the connection they once had.

Mending Bonds with Mom:  Hoagie recognized that his younger years had strained his relationship with his mom. Determined to repair it, he took action by helping her around the house and engaging in open, honest conversations. Over time, their relationship healed as they grew closer. Hoagie made a concerted effort to include her in his life, understanding the importance of family and working to nurture that bond for the future.

Creating a Legacy: Hoagie started to reflect on the legacy he wanted to leave behind, considering both his career and personal values. He began working on projects that promoted sustainability and helped underrepresented communities access education in engineering. Hoagie hoped to create a lasting impact on the world, no matter how big or small. This sense of purpose became a driving force in his life, motivating him to make a positive difference for future generations.

A Newfound Love for Cooking: During his time alone, Hoagie developed a love for cooking. He found it both relaxing and creative, often experimenting with new recipes and cuisines. Cooking became a way for Hoagie to express care and affection for others, especially when hosting friends or family. It also became an avenue for him to unwind after a long day. For Hoagie, cooking was not just about food; it was about connection.

Building a Community: Hoagie developed a strong sense of community in his neighborhood. He often organized barbecues and helped with local events, creating spaces for people to gather and connect. His friendly, approachable nature made him a beloved figure in the area. Hoagie thrived in these environments, valuing the bonds created through shared experiences. His efforts to bring people together contributed to building a stronger, more supportive community for everyone.

Traveling with Friends: Hoagie made it a point to plan occasional getaways with his closest friends. Whether it was a road trip, exploring new cities, or booking spontaneous weekend flights, these adventures helped him recharge. The shared experiences and adventures strengthened their friendships, allowing Hoagie to escape the stresses of daily life. These trips became cherished memories, reminding him of the importance of friendship and making time for fun in his busy life.

Environmental Responsibility:  As Hoagie advanced in his engineering career, he grew increasingly aware of the environment’s state. He dedicated himself to working on projects that promoted sustainability, including developing eco-friendly gadgets and supporting renewable energy initiatives. Hoagie’s goal was to leave a positive impact on the planet for future generations. His focus on environmental responsibility became a guiding principle in his work, ensuring that his contributions were both innovative and sustainable.

First Engagement in the Group:  Hoagie and Abby became the first couple in their friend group to get engaged after years of rekindling their romance. Their journey was full of challenges, but through patience and growth, their bond strengthened. Hoagie’s heartfelt, quiet proposal symbolized the depth of their love. It was a moment of hope for their friends, showing that love can endure and thrive, even after time apart, marking a new chapter for them.

Keeping in Touch with Classmates: Hoagie still keeps in touch with a few old classmates from flight school and college. They often meet for lunch or coffee to catch up on each other’s lives. These occasional reunions allow Hoagie to reminisce about their shared experiences, whether it’s about their careers, families, or life events. Maintaining these connections reminds him of the value of long-lasting friendships and the importance of keeping meaningful relationships alive.

Yipper Card Collection: Despite his busy life, Hoagie still keeps his cherished Yipper card collection in a well-organized binder. It’s a sentimental reminder of his childhood and simpler times. Every now and then, he takes the collection out to reminisce, adding new cards when he finds one. For Hoagie, the collection is more than a hobby—it’s a piece of his past that he keeps alive, honoring memories of his youthful enthusiasm and joy.

Video Game and Movie Enthusiast: Hoagie developed a deep love for video games and movies, especially those with intricate storylines and expansive worlds. He regularly hosts movie nights and gaming sessions with friends. Additionally, Hoagie started a blog to review and share his thoughts on his latest finds. Through these passions, he connected with others who shared his interests, creating a fun, engaging space where he could discuss his favorite films and games with friends.

Travel Bucket List: Hoagie’s passion for flying has expanded into a love for travel. He created a bucket list filled with destinations ranging from peaceful mountain retreats to lively cities. Hoagie enjoys planning trips with Abby and Jace, viewing these adventures as a way to explore the world together while creating unforgettable memories as a family. These shared experiences strengthen their bond and provide cherished moments of discovery.

Sustainable Living Advocate: Hoagie’s engineering background fuels his passion for sustainable living. He’s committed to reducing his carbon footprint by using eco-friendly products, installing solar panels, and driving a hybrid car. He enjoys researching new technologies that conserve resources and supports initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability. Hoagie’s dedication to eco-friendly living aligns with his desire to make a positive environmental impact and lead by example for future generations.

Vintage Toy Collector: Hoagie’s childhood fascination with toys, especially his collection of Yipper cards, has stayed with him into adulthood. He carefully preserves his cards in a binder, and occasionally attends toy conventions to add rare pieces to his collection. His love for vintage toys offers a nostalgic connection to simpler times, reminding him of his carefree youth. Hoagie treasures this hobby as one of the few remaining links to his past.

Photography as Art: Recently, Hoagie has taken up photography, capturing moments from his trips and everyday life. He enjoys experimenting with different styles and techniques, finding new ways to express himself through the lens. Over time, Hoagie has built a personal collection of photos that hold special meaning, preserving memories in a creative, artistic form. Photography has become a way for him to document his life and share his perspective with others.

Board Games and Tabletop RPGs: Hoagie has always enjoyed social gaming, particularly board games and tabletop RPGs. He’s well known for organizing epic Dungeons & Dragons campaigns and hosting competitive game nights with friends. Using his imagination and problem-solving skills, Hoagie keeps every session exciting and engaging. Whether it’s planning intricate game plots or strategizing with friends, he loves creating environments where everyone can enjoy the thrill of a shared adventure.

Classic Music Collector: Hoagie’s love for classic music was influenced by Abby’s appreciation for timeless tunes. His car is filled with a CD binder showcasing his growing collection of classic rock and jazz albums. Hoagie enjoys listening to these genres, particularly on long road trips, as they create a relaxing and nostalgic atmosphere. His music collection not only reflects his personality but also adds depth to the moments he shares with loved ones.

Hoagie's Relationships Sector V

Nigel (Numbuh 1): Hoagie and Nigel share a bond that goes beyond just friendship. Their connection is deeply rooted in the countless adventures they had together as kids, and that mutual respect has never wavered. Even though they’ve taken different paths in life, they continue to stay close, frequently checking in on each other and reminiscing about the good old days in the KND. Hoagie looks up to Nigel as a steady and reliable figure, someone who always has his back. Their friendship has grown into one of understanding and support, especially as they’ve both navigated adulthood. For Hoagie, Nigel remains not only his best friend but a brother figure who has influenced his life in countless positive ways. Despite the years that have passed, their bond remains unshakable, and Hoagie continues to value the deep, unwavering support Nigel offers, both as a mentor and a confidant.

Kuki (Numbuh 3): Kuki occupies a special place in Hoagie’s life as both a sister and a best friend. The two of them share a unique bond, formed through their shared history and the genuine love they have for each other. Hoagie has always been there for Kuki, and he continues to offer her his understanding and support as she faces the emotional dilemma of wanting to reconnect with Wally after his return from the army. Kuki’s situation is complicated, as she’s caught between her feelings for Wally and her commitment to her current relationship, and Hoagie, being the caring friend he is, tries to help her navigate these emotions without imposing too much. He’s always available to offer a listening ear or gentle advice when she needs it, and while it can be tough to see her in such a conflicted state, Hoagie cherishes being a source of stability and understanding in her life. He respects her decisions and values the bond they share, one built on years of friendship, laughter, and loyalty.

Wally (Numbuh 4): The relationship between Hoagie and Wally is one that has evolved over time, shaped by both their romantic past and their unwavering friendship. While the romantic feelings between them have faded, the deep bond they share still holds strong. Despite occasional awkwardness, the two of them have found a comfortable space where they can continue to be best friends, supporting one another through the ups and downs of life. Hoagie deeply appreciates the effort they’ve both made to preserve their connection and the fact that they can still be there for each other. Their shared history as childhood companions and later as romantic partners has left them with a unique understanding of each other, and though they no longer share the same level of physical closeness, the emotional bond remains intact. Their relationship now focuses on mutual respect, humor, and an unspoken understanding that, despite the past, they’ll always have each other’s backs. Hoagie knows that Wally will always be there for him, and that’s something he treasures, even if things aren’t quite as touchy-feely as they used to be.

Abby (Numbuh 5): Hoagie’s relationship with Abby is filled with both joy and lingering pain. Though they’ve rekindled their romance, the scars from their previous breakup are still present. Hoagie understands the difficult decision Abby had to make, and while there are moments where the pain resurfaces, he’s committed to rebuilding the trust and love they once had. Their relationship now is a slow process of healing, where Hoagie focuses on strengthening their bond and creating new memories together. He’s aware that both of them need time to fully heal from the past, but Hoagie is willing to be patient and work through the hurt. He cherishes the moments of happiness they share and finds solace in the fact that they’re taking it one day at a time. Hoagie’s love for Abby is undeniable, and despite the lingering sadness of their breakup, he’s determined to move forward with her, knowing that the past doesn’t define their future together.

His Family

Tommy: Hoagie’s relationship with his younger brother, Tommy, is complicated but growing. They share a deep love for one another, but their bond is tested by Hoagie’s occasional frustration with Tommy’s behavior and interests, which can often come across as annoying or hard to understand. Hoagie recognizes that his patience is crucial for building a stronger friendship with Tommy, especially as they grow older and their lives begin to take different paths. Despite their differences, Hoagie is committed to being a supportive older brother, knowing that their relationship is important. There are moments when Hoagie feels a sense of responsibility to help guide Tommy, even if it means having difficult conversations or offering advice that Tommy might not want to hear. Hoagie understands that it’s not always going to be easy, but he remains dedicated to being there for his brother, offering both love and guidance when needed.

Lydia: Hoagie’s relationship with his grandmother Lydia is a mixture of fear, respect, and love. He still harbors a sense of anxiety whenever she calls him out, especially when it comes to his tendency to exaggerate or tell tall tales. Though the level of fear he once felt has softened over time, there are still moments when Lydia’s sharp words can cut deep, causing Hoagie to feel small. He’s learned to navigate their interactions with a sense of caution, but deep down, he understands the importance of maintaining a relationship with her. Hoagie may not always agree with Lydia’s stern nature, but he knows she’s family, and that connection matters to him. Over the years, their relationship has evolved into one where, despite the tension, Hoagie is learning to appreciate Lydia for the role she plays in his life. There is still a sense of reverence for her, even if it’s sometimes difficult to fully connect on a personal level.

Betty: The relationship between Hoagie and his mother, Betty, remains a source of emotional turmoil for him. The scars from his childhood, especially the way Betty treated him, continue to weigh heavily on Hoagie, leaving an emotional gap that feels difficult to cross. While he still loves her in his own way, the pain of their past lingers, making it hard for him to truly open up and connect with her on a deeper level. Hoagie often feels like he’s walking on eggshells around Betty, torn between the love he feels for her and the unresolved hurt she caused. He’s trying to make small steps toward mending their relationship, but progress has been slow. There are moments when he wishes for a closer bond, but he knows that trust needs to be rebuilt, and that process takes time. Hoagie is learning to be patient with himself, realizing that healing old wounds isn’t easy, and that some things may never be fully resolved.

Hoagie Gilligan Sr.: Hoagie has made a firm decision to cut ties with his father, a choice that has been both painful and liberating. The emotional damage caused by his father’s abandonment has left a permanent mark on Hoagie, and over time, he’s come to terms with the fact that he no longer wants anything to do with him. Hoagie has finally accepted that his father’s actions have irreparably damaged their relationship, and he has emotionally severed the connection entirely. The hurt runs deep, and no matter how much time passes, Hoagie feels that some wounds are too raw to heal. He sees his father as dead to him, both in an emotional and physical sense, and no longer holds out hope for reconciliation. Hoagie has found a sense of closure in this decision, realizing that sometimes it’s necessary to let go of toxic relationships in order to move forward with his own life.

[maaarine]

On Freedom (Timothy Snyder, 2024)

"Our subdevelopment was built after Supreme Court rulings and the 1964 Civil Rights Act made it illegal for cities to exclude African Americans from public swimming pools.

Around the country, municipalities then filled in their public pools with cement.

Public goods like swimming pools passed to the private sector, where membership rules could informally enforce prejudice.

This was a minor element of a larger political reaction to the Civil Rights Act.

When we choose not to recognize other bodies as human, we create specific social situations, which we then define as the state of nature.

Having been excluded from swimming pools, Black kids were less likely to learn to swim than white kids.

And so white kids were instructed that Black bodies were not buoyant. This was “common knowledge.” (…)

I was lucky in that I was challenged at home and saw African Americans in settings chosen by my family.

But I do not remember being challenged at school. What we learned about Jim Crow was that it had come to an end.

We should have known that Jim Crow inspired German racial laws, which made Jews (such as Edith Stein) second-class citizens.

Along with the laws came initiatives from below, such as banning Jews from swimming pools.

It might seem like a small thing, but no one ever taught me about the swimming pools."

[lxverrings]

Private Tutoring.

A Miguel O’hara fic.

Disclaimer: No smut (maybe if people like this enough, I will write more to it?), just a silly potential series, it’s just goofy. I saw a post about a frat boy Miguel and I was like “Wouldn’t it be funny if it was reversed?” and here it is!

Summary: Mean Nerd!Miguel x Nice Jock!Reader ; Gold retriever and Black Cat dynamics, Reader is hella short (in comparison to Miguel) and genuinely just goofy and distracted. (She’s doing her best...)

“AND SCORE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THAT IS IT, OUR FIRST 7 TO 1 GAME, DIDN’T THINK WE WOULD MAKE IT THIS FAR AND NOW-”

You could hear the speakers blaring as the last touchdown announcement roared through your ears, slipping off the helmet as you gasped for air. The star of the show. You never thought you would make it this far as you wiped your nose with a bright smile, shining in front of your sour mother and overly proud father. Testament of all the people you outshined and proved wrong in the brink of collapse.

The precipice of the show was here, and you held the trophy to your chest with a gleaming smile.

Jaws were open, and people were shocked- a woman playing football? More likely than you thought. And the best part was? It was genuinely fun!!!

Trudging your way to the locker room with your shiny trophy, as you washed yourself up... You couldn’t stop staring at it. The water trickled down your face as you massaged the shampoo on your hair... It was amazing. It felt amazing. Your recent new date, Kevin would probably smile and pat your head, and your best friend, Jess, would smile and hug you. Peter would laugh and ruffle your hair and Kevin would roll his eyes at him. You couldn’t wait as-

A sudden alarm glared into your ears- a jump scare warning would be nice...

“...Please come to the Principal’s Office as soon as possible.”

You quickly got dressed after washing off the sweat, picking up your trophy and mentally begging it wasn’t your misogynistic mother yelling at you to come to the office.

...

You jogged your way up to the office, “Hey Prez!” you chirped out with a smile- immediately paling at the sight.

The room was dour, a man, larger than the principal, larger than many bullies who picked on your friends and later on gained their respect, was sitting in the table, a dark look in his crimson red eyes, a dark, sharp glare as his glasses were lowered lightly.

The principal was a stubborn, sharp man, someone you befriended a bit back– befriended really isn’t the word, you twat. Thank goodness you were only thinking that.

“... Am I in trouble...?” you muttered as the principal gestured you to sit down.

...

“Not at all, miss.” he began, calmly, “I have called you here today to tutor Miguel here. Mr. O’hara is a college senior, a grade above you, and currently working hard for his business degree, however, it seems he lacks a social circle that benefits him... And you, madam, your grades are slipping quite a bit, so I have decided to offer you the private sector of the library to study together and for you– Mr. O’hara...” he paused, as Miguel grunted, “–Just socialize. That will be all.”

The two of you were shooed out, and Miguel immediately began to walk away.

“Hey! Where are you going?”

“Cállate, chiquita.” Miguel glared down from his demeaning eyes, and imposing stature, “You go right back to whatever hole you crawled out of, niñita.²”

... Rude.

You quickly jogged after him to keep up, “Hey, we’re not done here, mister– the principal sai–”

“I do not care what he said or what he wants. Go away you annoying fly.”

...Rude!

“Hey, c’mon, you heard him, please?” you spoke gently, still rushing after him, “I haven’t even told you my name!” you added, grabbing his wrist, the massive trunk was strange, your hand barely wrapped around his wrist, quietly gulping as he glared.

“Yo yá sé quién eres, muñequita.”

He then twisted his wrist away– or tried, but you just wouldn’t let up, as you grabbed on and clung with both hands.

“Hey! C’mon! Please! I– ... Give me a chance, will you? Just... Let me get to know you. You’ve never met me, yet you judge me based on only what you’ve heard... Not what you actually know.”

The silence was palpable as he stared at you.

He finally groaned and stopped.

“Fine. But not today, you can come along with me to the library.”

“Really?!”

“Sólo por hoy.”

You smiled brightly as you skittered after him, quickly chatting...

...

“–And with that, bam! You wouldn’t believe how simple it can be to convince people with just enough determination!” you were chatting up a storm, but... soon, you came to realize that what the principal said was true. He grunted and grumbled in response most of the times you spoke. You could feel your eyes soften a bit, looking up at him.

“Hey. You really don’t like talking, do you, big guy?” you asked gently, tugging on his sleeve to get him to look at you.

“Isn’t it obvious?” he grumbled, as he stared down at you.

“...it is but... Do you, want me to keep talking? Am I boring you?”

He paused, suddenly silent as he looked at you.

“... You’re annoying, yes. But... No, I’m not bored.”

“... That’s good.”

“What?”

“That’s good.” you repeated, with more certainty, suddenly bursting out laughing, a warm smile on your face as your cheeks turned red.

“Wha– What’s so funny?!” he suddenly yelled, confused, and maybe even angry, as you kept laughing, smiling brightly.

“Oh, god. I was starting to think I was boring you, and you felt nothing... And look! Look! I got you to speak!” you smiled brightly, your eyes twinkling like stars.

“... Yeah. You did.” he seemed a little irritated, and even a little defeated, but you smiled as the two of you arrived to the library.

...

“When is this nightmare over?” you groaned as you slumped on the desk, pouting as he suddenly quietly chuckled, holding the Calculus book.

“Sé vá acabar cuándo en serio intentes trabajar.”

You whined again as you gave him a pouty look, “Can’t we try later? Please? A break? I’m begging you, you can come over to my dorm– and– and– I’ll order pizza and then we can talk about it. Please? If it gets late, you can sleep over!” you kept complaining. Seriously, who thought calculus was a good idea?

Answer? Absolutely fucking nobody.

“...fine.” he sighed, closing the book, rolling his eyes as he took off his glasses... His face was so hot under the library lighting, and you couldn’t help but stare a little before shaking your head to snap out of it.

“Yay! Thank you, Miguel!” you smiled warmly, tightly hugging him for a moment, which left him stunned, as you left for the door, leaving your dorm room number behind.

...

‘What an enigma of a woman. És tan irritante, ésa tonta chamaca. Yet... No, no, snap out of it.’

...

Soon enough, he did arrive at your house, and the two of you set on ordering pizza and studying. Well, as much as you could.

Not that this made much sense to you whatsoever, so you just looked up at him with little lost eyes and a pout that made him grumble in irritation...

...

But eventually, after hours of being verbally abused in Spanish, the lesson was over, and you just laughed gently.

“Have you ever done this before?”

“Done what? Tutor? I have.”

“No, no... This.” you answered, as he raised an eyebrow in confusion, “I mean hang out. You know? Like with friends?”

“I don’t have friends.”

“What nonsense... I’m your friend.”

“What?”

“You heard me.” you smiled, and he, once again, rolled his eyes.

Divider by: @ across-the-art-verse

Translations:

1. “Shut up, little one.”

2. “–Little Girl.”

3. “I already know who you are, little doll.”

4. “Just for today.”

5. “It’ll be done when you seriously try to work on it.”

6. “–She is so irritating, that dumb girl.”

Thank you for reading ♡

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Illegal logging in the Brazilian state of Pará rose by 22% in a year

The largest part of the activities is irregular and located on private rural properties

Illegal logging in Pará, northern Brazil, increased by 22% in one year, according to data from the Logging Monitoring System (Simex, in Portuguese) released on Friday (16). Between August 2022 and July 2023, wood was illegally extracted from 28,100 hectares of land in the state, an area larger than 23,000 soccer fields. In the previous period – from August 2021 to July 2022 – 17,800 hectares of forest were turned into illegal wood. 

The area of authorized exploitation of wood also increased, rising from 20,600 hectares between August 2021 and July 2022 to 30,200 hectares in the following period. “Legalized activity needs to be done sustainably, generate jobs and pay taxes,” explains Dalton Cardoso, a researcher at the Amazon Institute for Man and the Environment (Imazon, in Portuguese). He points out that two out of every five hectares of timber extracted in Pará are illegal, “which generates environmental damage, threatens traditional peoples and communities and weakens the wood trade sector”, he says. 

Most of the irregular activity takes place in areas registered in land registry systems, such as the Land Management System (Sigef, in Portuguese), the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR, in Portuguese), the National Property Certification System (SNCI, in Portuguese) or the Terra Legal Program. These rural properties are responsible for 72% of illegal logging in Pará.

When analyzing the data, the institute works with four categories of land occupation: protected areas; undesignated land and cartographic voids; registered properties; and settlements.

Continue reading.

[360degreesasthecrowflies]

London is a city that has always been deeply uneven, with plenty of cultural treasures to hide the poverty in the Tower Blocks and the underpasses. London is effectively the main of the UK economy, and everything is geared towards it. Hence it retains a degree of economic dynamism that allows a degree of optimism, after all there's always a new restaurant, new exhibition, new flagship store, new play. Sure most workers are dirt poor, living on mashed avocado, and hoping the landlord gets visited by 3 Ghosts at Christmas, but there's the dream of making it in the big city.

Outside the London bubble, large parts of the country are either in despair, or have totally given up. Roads, bridges, hospitals, and schools are crumbling. Police have almost disappeared outside traffic stops. Courts are backlogged, prisons overfilled & well past their designed lifespan. Companies face significant trade barriers with the EU. The water industry is essentially operating on leveraged debt and mostly owned by oversea's pension funds, whilst the infrastructure collapses and raw sewage is being pumped into the rivers/seas. Everyone is underpaid compared to the cost of living, but also compared to many comparable roles in other countries.

In the shires, the more well paid commuter class can still have a nice life, but they are feeling a sharp pinch. Holidays cut. Cars held on to much, much longer than before. Meals out being reduced. Optional extras like music or sports for the kids cancelled. Impulse purchases stopped. All of which sounds like "oh poor Emma can't get her daughter Lucinda piano lessons boo hoo" but think about the economic impact. That is money that would have gone to a piano teacher (usually self employed), to the coffee shop whilst Emma waits, to a music shop for music, perhaps a CD or concert tickets to something Lucinda played at a lesson. Then when Lucinda grows up instead of having a career in arts or entertainment, even at her local bar or church, she doesn't know how to play piano. So society as a whole has lost a musician, and Lucinda as a person flourishes slightly less. The UK arts sector is one of our biggest economic powerhouses, yet it is routinely ignored and hammered by the govt. Art & music are regarded as luxury items, despite contributing £1.6 billion to the annual economy (2021 at 5.6%). That's huge, bigger than the fishing industry which contributes £1.4 billion (2021 at 4%). Yet with rents sky rocketing, and school budgets in utter crisis, arts/music get dropped and creative talent has to switch to more routine jobs to survive. UK Musicians are dropped from EU events following the botched visa system, and international work is increasingly harder for them to get.

Outside the diminishing middle class, the real difficulty and poverty of the UK hits home. People are not sure whether the next rent payment or electricity will quite literally bankrupt them and leave them homeless. Wages are mostly static, with few rises outside a number of key sectors. Some areas have seen wage growth, but that has been concentrated in a small number of jobs (especially finance/management). The population is aging, and the care system is left almost entirely to private companies in a very disjointed, expensive manner. For most people the only credible hope of a financially better life is to inherit or to win the lottery or to commit crime. This is strikingly similar to the pattern seen in many developing world economies.

For example, I have worked in the public sector for 20 years. In that time I have trained, gained professional qualifications, led larger teams, upskilled on IT/project management and become more productive. Since my pay has been capped at a 0.5% rise, it is a real terms wage cut. So I've become more productive yet I'm paid less. Why should I 1) carry on trying to be more productive, & 2) stay in the job? Productivity increases from workers have to be linked to a personal reward, as well as a benefit to an employer or there's no point for the employee. Hence "quiet quitting".

So the UK is in the dire position of poor infrastructure, rampant poverty, and a population that no longer believes hard work or being productive will improve their own lives, only maintain their survival. This is not a recipe for a flourishing economy or nation. The worst thing is that the UK has started to lose hope that things can get better without a magical solution. Without at least some hope, we are doomed.

Saved via reddit from user 'AgeOfVictoriaPodcast' - as an excellent (if depressing!) summary of the UK's economy and society in 2023 / the 2020s / post Brexit

[autoacafiles]

Thank you for information on the Time Controller. I would like more data on the ranks of old and new Dalek empires?

In the current Dalek hierarchy, the Dalek Parliament utilised Dalek Squadron Leaders to command a single Assault Cruiser worth of Daleks. These would often be utilised for small scale attacks or operations, though would usually be part of a larger fleet. The Neo-Imperial would utilise Red Paradigm Drones in a similar command capacity. In combat situations, both units often command on the frontline, leading the charge alongside their fellow drones, though boasting a stronger force field and inbuilt enhanced transmitter-receivers.

Above the Assault Leaders/Paradigm drones would be Dalek Commanders. These would normally command small fleets of Daleks, normally consisting of half a dozen assault cruisers and a single command battle cruiser. The purpose of Dalek Commanders was to typically command the invasion and, if it’s resources were of value, occupation of a planet. By the time of the Parliament/Neo-Imperial Civil War, Commanders were specifically bred to replace the older battle computers, even possessing a private Dalek Pathweb with other Dalek Commanders.

The highest rank in the Dalek military hierarchy, Dalek Supremes have been known through history to be feared Dalek leaders, often reporting directly to an Emperor. In the current time, Dalek Supremes command vast warfleets, consisting of dozens battlecruisers and assault cruisers, and commanded from the feared Exterminator-class Dreadnoughts. These fleets could hold vast sectors of space, and would often be designated for direct warfare with other galactic powers. Dalek Supremes rarely ventured out into direct battle, instead commanding from their flagship or Dalek bases, surrounded by host of Dalek Strategists and Analysts as they dished out orders.

The Dalek Parliament, as the name would suggest, is commanded by the Parliament of the Dalek, a body consisting of nearly a hundred supreme Daleks. This would be commanded by the Dalek Prime Minister and the Supreme Overseer, a unique Supreme Dalek intended to fulfil the role of the now deceased original Dalek Supreme of the New Dalek Paradigm. The Parliament was established to avoid the potential poor decision making of a single leader, notably the descent into madness many Emperors have undergone.

The Dalek Parliament also incorporated several special advisors, including the Dalek Time Strategist, who would be charged with monitoring threats to the Dalek timeline, as well as any opportunity for the Dalek to regain temporal technology; the Dalek Prime Strategist, an ancient Dalek from the first generation of Daleks who had developed a keen strategist Mind from watching thousands of Dalek victories and defeats; and the Dalek Litigator, a Dalek strangely concentrated on law. Quite an odd position, given how little concern Daleks have for order outside their own command structure.

Meanwhile, the Neo-Imperial Faction are lead by the Supreme Council, a triumvirate consisting of the three surviving Daleks of the New Dalek Paradigm, saved by the Dalek Chief scientist after the Siege of the Arkheion Device by extracting their mind through the path web and placing them into new bodies. The Council consists of the Chief Strategist, in command of Military Operations; the Chief Scientist, who commanded all scientific and technological endeavours; and the Dalek Eternal, once simply charged with chartering the history of Dalek engagements, it now serves as the leader of the council, having absorbed the remnant memory engrams of the two deceased Paradigm Council members to command more efficiently. However, the Supreme Council is only a temporary position, as the trio seek to create a new Dalek Emperor to once more lead the Daleks.

At their earliest, the Daleks were led by the Dalek Prime, one of the very first Daleks created on Skaro. This Dalek would become the first Dalek Emperor, and after its death, would be inspire several other Emperors, including an alter ego of Davros himself. In the interims where the Daleks had no Emperor, they would often be led by a council of Supreme Daleks.

As well as the various Daleks, there were also a number of other specialised ranks such as Dalek Strategists, Scientists, Analysts and Executioners who would often be assigned a squad under their command. A unique squad consisting of the Dalek Time Commander, Dalek Time Scientist and Dalek Time Executioner commanded a specialised squad in tandem with the Dalek Time Strategist. Other roles included Pilot Daleks, who manned their saucers, gunships and other craft, Reconnaissance Daleks, who scouted out potential target worlds, and Special Weapon Dalek, formidable heavy weapons unit with immensely powerful primary cannon.

However, while the Neo-Imperials were content to stop there, the Dalek Parliament saw fit to experiment with Dalek models, down to their genetics. These produced curious variants including Spider Daleks, Glider Daleks and, perhaps the most formidable breed of Dalek created, the Dalek Berserker. These formidable creatures have been bred to the point of insanity, killing anything and everything in their way, even fellow Daleks. Adding to powerful weapons, they possess the ability reconstitute their casing, often incorporating nearby material into their bodies, including organic material and other Daleks. With such a force even they cannot control, Daleks only use their Berserkers when a planet is worth so little to them that there is only one option - total extermination.