#fire protection engineering services

[omniiau]

Comprehensive Fire Protection Engineering Services | Omnii

Our fire protection engineering services are designed to ensure the highest level of safety for your property and assets. We specialize in providing expert solutions, including fire risk assessments, fire safety design, and the installation of advanced fire protection systems such as alarms, sprinklers, and suppression systems. Our engineers work closely with clients to create tailored fire protection strategies that meet regulatory requirements and address specific hazards. Whether for commercial, industrial, or residential properties, our fire protection engineering services help minimize risk, prevent fire damage, and ensure compliance with local safety codes. Trust our experts to deliver reliable and effective fire safety solutions.

[jjinno]

BIM Services in Pune, India: Revolutionizing Construction and Infrastructure

Introduction

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has emerged as a transformative technology in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. By enabling detailed 3D modeling and comprehensive data management, BIM facilitates efficient planning, design, construction, and management of projects. Pune, a rapidly growing city in India, is witnessing significant urban development and industrial expansion, making BIM services indispensable for its infrastructure projects.

This article explores the concept of BIM, its importance, applications, benefits, and why Pune is becoming a hub for BIM services in India.

What Is BIM?

Building Information Modeling is a digital representation of a building’s physical and functional characteristics. BIM goes beyond 3D modeling, integrating information on cost, scheduling, maintenance, and operations, making it a vital tool for all project stakeholders.

Key Features of BIM

3D Visualization: Provides realistic models of structures before construction.

Data Integration: Includes information on materials, energy efficiency, and lifecycle.

Collaboration Platform: Facilitates communication among architects, engineers, and contractors.

Clash Detection: Identifies and resolves design conflicts before construction.

Importance of BIM in Construction

BIM has revolutionized construction by addressing traditional inefficiencies and reducing errors. Its adoption leads to:

Accurate Planning: BIM models provide precise estimates of materials and costs.

Improved Collaboration: Centralized data enhances coordination between teams.

Sustainability: Enables energy-efficient designs and resource optimization.

Risk Mitigation: Identifies potential issues in the planning phase.

Applications of BIM Services

BIM services are versatile and find application across various sectors:

1. Architectural Design

Creates detailed 3D models to visualize and refine designs.

Facilitates innovative and sustainable architectural solutions.

2. Structural Engineering

Provides accurate analysis of load-bearing elements.

Ensures stability and safety of structures.

3. MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing)

Integrates MEP systems into the building model.

Optimizes energy efficiency and system performance.

4. Infrastructure Development

Supports large-scale projects like bridges, roads, and railways.

Improves lifecycle management and maintenance planning.

5. Facility Management

Offers data on maintenance schedules and operational costs.

Ensures efficient use of building resources post-construction.

Why BIM Services Are Crucial in Pune

Pune’s growth as a smart city and industrial hub has spurred the need for advanced construction practices. BIM services are pivotal for the city’s development due to:

1. Urban Expansion

Rapid urbanization demands precise planning and resource management.

BIM aids in designing sustainable housing, commercial complexes, and public infrastructure.

2. Industrial Growth

Manufacturing and IT sectors require modern facilities with integrated systems.

BIM ensures seamless construction and long-term operational efficiency.

3. Smart City Projects

Pune is a part of India’s Smart Cities Mission, emphasizing digitalization and sustainability.

BIM supports smart infrastructure, traffic management, and energy optimization.

4. Green Building Initiatives

The city’s focus on eco-friendly construction aligns with BIM’s capabilities.

BIM helps in achieving green building certifications and reducing carbon footprints.

Technologies Powering BIM Services

BIM leverages cutting-edge technologies to enhance its capabilities:

1. 3D, 4D, and 5D BIM

3D BIM: Visualizes designs in three dimensions.

4D BIM: Adds time-related data for construction scheduling.

5D BIM: Incorporates cost management information.

2. Cloud Computing

Enables real-time collaboration among stakeholders.

Ensures data accessibility from anywhere, anytime.

3. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

Allows immersive visualization of projects.

Facilitates better understanding and decision-making.

4. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Predicts project outcomes and optimizes designs.

Automates routine tasks, improving efficiency.

Benefits of BIM Services

1. Enhanced Collaboration

Centralized data ensures seamless communication among project teams.

2. Cost Efficiency

Accurate estimates and reduced errors lower construction costs.

3. Time Savings

Streamlined workflows accelerate project completion.

4. Improved Quality

Detailed models and simulations enhance design accuracy.

5. Sustainability

Enables energy-efficient designs and resource optimization.

BIM Workflow

The BIM process involves several stages:

Conceptualization: Initial designs and feasibility studies.

Detailed Modeling: Creating comprehensive 3D models with integrated data.

Analysis and Optimization: Simulating performance and refining designs.

Construction Execution: Using BIM data to guide on-site activities.

Facility Management: Leveraging BIM for maintenance and operations post-construction.

Challenges in BIM Implementation

Despite its benefits, BIM adoption faces challenges:

High Initial Costs: Investment in software and training can be expensive.

Skill Gap: Requires expertise in BIM tools and methodologies.

Data Management: Handling vast amounts of data can be complex.

Resistance to Change: Traditional practices often hinder adoption.

BIM Service Providers in Pune

Pune is home to several reputed firms offering BIM services. These companies specialize in various aspects such as:

Architectural modeling.

MEP design.

Structural analysis.

Infrastructure planning.

Their expertise ensures the successful execution of projects across residential, commercial, and industrial domains.

Case Studies: Successful BIM Projects in Pune

1. Residential Complex Development

A large housing project in Pune used BIM for:

Efficient space utilization.

Cost-effective material procurement.

Achieving green building certification.

2. IT Park Construction

BIM facilitated:

Integration of HVAC and electrical systems.

Real-time monitoring and clash detection.

Timely project delivery within budget.

Future of BIM Services in Pune

As Pune continues to evolve, the role of BIM will expand in areas such as:

Digital Twins: Creating virtual replicas of buildings for real-time monitoring.

Smart Infrastructure: Supporting IoT-enabled and AI-driven systems.

Sustainability Goals: Enhancing energy efficiency and environmental compliance.

Conclusion

BIM services are revolutionizing the construction landscape in Pune, aligning with the city’s growth and sustainability objectives. From detailed modeling to lifecycle management, BIM empowers stakeholders to execute projects efficiently and cost-effectively.

As technology advances and the demand for smart, sustainable infrastructure grows, BIM will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping Pune’s future. For businesses and developers seeking to stay ahead in this dynamic environment, adopting BIM is not just an option but a necessity.

[taknikinc]

The Purpose of Safety Protective Equipment in industries Facteries, Lab many more....

[evediamonte44]

What college major is best for you based on you 9th house.

Earth signs:

Capricorn 9th house: dentistry, investing, business, chiropractic studies, finance, engineering, cheif executive ( any major that deals with discipline & structure

Virgo 9th house: Performs well with majors involving acts of service(nursing, social work, psychology, teaching, accounting, dietitians, health care)

Taurus 9th house: Finance, Business, accounting, culinary arts, food science, real estate, agriculture business, investing, design (a calm and stable work environment with assured stability is best).

Air signs:

Gemini 9th house : communications, telecommunications,public administration,public relations, teaching, sales, advertising, art & design( any majors that encourages mental growth & really gets you to socialize & think)

Libra 9th house: law, politics, esthetician/ skin care specialists, real estate,

Aquarius 9th house: Computer science, engineering tech related, space related majors, mechanics.

Water signs:

Cancer 9th house: Real estate, nursing, pediatric care, child psychology, physical therapy, dermatology.

Scorpio 9th house: psychology, anthropology, mortuary services, accounting, finance,cognitive science, Forensics, casino management, banking, criminal studies (does well with deep & taboo majors).

Pisces 9th house: music, astronomy, journalism, film, literature,therapist, environmental science, earth science, biochemistry.

Fire signs:

Aries 9th house: militaristic studies, flight, fire studies(prevention, protection,investigation,) fire fighting, law, business, engineering, entrepreneurship, kinesiology.

Leo 9th house: Acting, Dance, design & applied arts, drama, Film, Art, Hairstyling, advertising, pediatric, teaching, social work, entertainment services.

Sagittarius 9th house: Aviation( flight degrees, philosophy, religious studies. Foreign languages, cultural studies, theology.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Conspiratorialism as a material phenomenon

I'll be in TUCSON, AZ from November 8-10: I'm the GUEST OF HONOR at the TUSCON SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION.

I think it behooves us to be a little skeptical of stories about AI driving people to believe wrong things and commit ugly actions. Not that I like the AI slop that is filling up our social media, but when we look at the ways that AI is harming us, slop is pretty low on the list.

The real AI harms come from the actual things that AI companies sell AI to do. There's the AI gun-detector gadgets that the credulous Mayor Eric Adams put in NYC subways, which led to 2,749 invasive searches and turned up zero guns:

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nycs-subway-weapons-detector-pilot-program-ends/

Any time AI is used to predict crime – predictive policing, bail determinations, Child Protective Services red flags – they magnify the biases already present in these systems, and, even worse, they give this bias the veneer of scientific neutrality. This process is called "empiricism-washing," and you know you're experiencing it when you hear some variation on "it's just math, math can't be racist":

https://pluralistic.net/2020/06/23/cryptocidal-maniacs/#phrenology

When AI is used to replace customer service representatives, it systematically defrauds customers, while providing an "accountability sink" that allows the company to disclaim responsibility for the thefts:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/23/maximal-plausibility/#reverse-centaurs

When AI is used to perform high-velocity "decision support" that is supposed to inform a "human in the loop," it quickly overwhelms its human overseer, who takes on the role of "moral crumple zone," pressing the "OK" button as fast as they can. This is bad enough when the sacrificial victim is a human overseeing, say, proctoring software that accuses remote students of cheating on their tests:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/02/16/unauthorized-paper/#cheating-anticheat

But it's potentially lethal when the AI is a transcription engine that doctors have to use to feed notes to a data-hungry electronic health record system that is optimized to commit health insurance fraud by seeking out pretenses to "upcode" a patient's treatment. Those AIs are prone to inventing things the doctor never said, inserting them into the record that the doctor is supposed to review, but remember, the only reason the AI is there at all is that the doctor is being asked to do so much paperwork that they don't have time to treat their patients:

https://apnews.com/article/ai-artificial-intelligence-health-business-90020cdf5fa16c79ca2e5b6c4c9bbb14

My point is that "worrying about AI" is a zero-sum game. When we train our fire on the stuff that isn't important to the AI stock swindlers' business-plans (like creating AI slop), we should remember that the AI companies could halt all of that activity and not lose a dime in revenue. By contrast, when we focus on AI applications that do the most direct harm – policing, health, security, customer service – we also focus on the AI applications that make the most money and drive the most investment.

AI hasn't attracted hundreds of billions in investment capital because investors love AI slop. All the money pouring into the system – from investors, from customers, from easily gulled big-city mayors – is chasing things that AI is objectively very bad at and those things also cause much more harm than AI slop. If you want to be a good AI critic, you should devote the majority of your focus to these applications. Sure, they're not as visually arresting, but discrediting them is financially arresting, and that's what really matters.

All that said: AI slop is real, there is a lot of it, and just because it doesn't warrant priority over the stuff AI companies actually sell, it still has cultural significance and is worth considering.

AI slop has turned Facebook into an anaerobic lagoon of botshit, just the laziest, grossest engagement bait, much of it the product of rise-and-grind spammers who avidly consume get rich quick "courses" and then churn out a torrent of "shrimp Jesus" and fake chainsaw sculptures:

https://www.404media.co/email/1cdf7620-2e2f-4450-9cd9-e041f4f0c27f/

For poor engagement farmers in the global south chasing the fractional pennies that Facebook shells out for successful clickbait, the actual content of the slop is beside the point. These spammers aren't necessarily tuned into the psyche of the wealthy-world Facebook users who represent Meta's top monetization subjects. They're just trying everything and doubling down on anything that moves the needle, A/B splitting their way into weird, hyper-optimized, grotesque crap:

https://www.404media.co/facebook-is-being-overrun-with-stolen-ai-generated-images-that-people-think-are-real/

In other words, Facebook's AI spammers are laying out a banquet of arbitrary possibilities, like the letters on a Ouija board, and the Facebook users' clicks and engagement are a collective ideomotor response, moving the algorithm's planchette to the options that tug hardest at our collective delights (or, more often, disgusts).

So, rather than thinking of AI spammers as creating the ideological and aesthetic trends that drive millions of confused Facebook users into condemning, praising, and arguing about surreal botshit, it's more true to say that spammers are discovering these trends within their subjects' collective yearnings and terrors, and then refining them by exploring endlessly ramified variations in search of unsuspected niches.

(If you know anything about AI, this may remind you of something: a Generative Adversarial Network, in which one bot creates variations on a theme, and another bot ranks how closely the variations approach some ideal. In this case, the spammers are the generators and the Facebook users they evince reactions from are the discriminators)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generative_adversarial_network

I got to thinking about this today while reading User Mag, Taylor Lorenz's superb newsletter, and her reporting on a new AI slop trend, "My neighbor’s ridiculous reason for egging my car":

https://www.usermag.co/p/my-neighbors-ridiculous-reason-for

The "egging my car" slop consists of endless variations on a story in which the poster (generally a figure of sympathy, canonically a single mother of newborn twins) complains that her awful neighbor threw dozens of eggs at her car to punish her for parking in a way that blocked his elaborate Hallowe'en display. The text is accompanied by an AI-generated image showing a modest family car that has been absolutely plastered with broken eggs, dozens upon dozens of them.

According to Lorenz, variations on this slop are topping very large Facebook discussion forums totalling millions of users, like "Movie Character…,USA Story, Volleyball Women, Top Trends, Love Style, and God Bless." These posts link to SEO sites laden with programmatic advertising.

The funnel goes:

i. Create outrage and hence broad reach;

ii, A small percentage of those who see the post will click through to the SEO site;

iii. A small fraction of those users will click a low-quality ad;

iv. The ad will pay homeopathic sub-pennies to the spammer.

The revenue per user on this kind of scam is next to nothing, so it only works if it can get very broad reach, which is why the spam is so designed for engagement maximization. The more discussion a post generates, the more users Facebook recommends it to.

These are very effective engagement bait. Almost all AI slop gets some free engagement in the form of arguments between users who don't know they're commenting an AI scam and people hectoring them for falling for the scam. This is like the free square in the middle of a bingo card.

Beyond that, there's multivalent outrage: some users are furious about food wastage; others about the poor, victimized "mother" (some users are furious about both). Not only do users get to voice their fury at both of these imaginary sins, they can also argue with one another about whether, say, food wastage even matters when compared to the petty-minded aggression of the "perpetrator." These discussions also offer lots of opportunity for violent fantasies about the bad guy getting a comeuppance, offers to travel to the imaginary AI-generated suburb to dole out a beating, etc. All in all, the spammers behind this tedious fiction have really figured out how to rope in all kinds of users' attention.

Of course, the spammers don't get much from this. There isn't such a thing as an "attention economy." You can't use attention as a unit of account, a medium of exchange or a store of value. Attention – like everything else that you can't build an economy upon, such as cryptocurrency – must be converted to money before it has economic significance. Hence that tooth-achingly trite high-tech neologism, "monetization."

The monetization of attention is very poor, but AI is heavily subsidized or even free (for now), so the largest venture capital and private equity funds in the world are spending billions in public pension money and rich peoples' savings into CO2 plumes, GPUs, and botshit so that a bunch of hustle-culture weirdos in the Pacific Rim can make a few dollars by tricking people into clicking through engagement bait slop – twice.

The slop isn't the point of this, but the slop does have the useful function of making the collective ideomotor response visible and thus providing a peek into our hopes and fears. What does the "egging my car" slop say about the things that we're thinking about?

Lorenz cites Jamie Cohen, a media scholar at CUNY Queens, who points out that subtext of this slop is "fear and distrust in people about their neighbors." Cohen predicts that "the next trend, is going to be stranger and more violent.”

This feels right to me. The corollary of mistrusting your neighbors, of course, is trusting only yourself and your family. Or, as Margaret Thatcher liked to say, "There is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women and there are families."

We are living in the tail end of a 40 year experiment in structuring our world as though "there is no such thing as society." We've gutted our welfare net, shut down or privatized public services, all but abolished solidaristic institutions like unions.

This isn't mere aesthetics: an atomized society is far more hospitable to extreme wealth inequality than one in which we are all in it together. When your power comes from being a "wise consumer" who "votes with your wallet," then all you can do about the climate emergency is buy a different kind of car – you can't build the public transit system that will make cars obsolete.

When you "vote with your wallet" all you can do about animal cruelty and habitat loss is eat less meat. When you "vote with your wallet" all you can do about high drug prices is "shop around for a bargain." When you vote with your wallet, all you can do when your bank forecloses on your home is "choose your next lender more carefully."

Most importantly, when you vote with your wallet, you cast a ballot in an election that the people with the thickest wallets always win. No wonder those people have spent so long teaching us that we can't trust our neighbors, that there is no such thing as society, that we can't have nice things. That there is no alternative.

The commercial surveillance industry really wants you to believe that they're good at convincing people of things, because that's a good way to sell advertising. But claims of mind-control are pretty goddamned improbable – everyone who ever claimed to have managed the trick was lying, from Rasputin to MK-ULTRA:

https://pluralistic.net/HowToDestroySurveillanceCapitalism

Rather than seeing these platforms as convincing people of things, we should understand them as discovering and reinforcing the ideology that people have been driven to by material conditions. Platforms like Facebook show us to one another, let us form groups that can imperfectly fill in for the solidarity we're desperate for after 40 years of "no such thing as society."

The most interesting thing about "egging my car" slop is that it reveals that so many of us are convinced of two contradictory things: first, that everyone else is a monster who will turn on you for the pettiest of reasons; and second, that we're all the kind of people who would stick up for the victims of those monsters.

Tor Books as just published two new, free LITTLE BROTHER stories: VIGILANT, about creepy surveillance in distance education; and SPILL, about oil pipelines and indigenous landback.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/10/29/hobbesian-slop/#cui-bono

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

[threepandas]

Bad End: Actions Speak

"Be Silent."

Those were the first words commanded to me by the High Dragon Prince of the South. He did not want to hear me. Did not want to see me. To even be forced to endure, my obnoxious, insignificant, human presence. Any more then he absolutely had too. If it weren't for the fact that I had magic? He likely would have preferred to have me killed.

Just like the others.

I was a prisoner of war. One, which? I had no choice but to take part in. Had been drafted, by the humans. Only to be captured, by the dragons. All I had wanted? From my second chance at life? Was to live quietly. Study magic. Enjoy what I could not, before. Instead? I got warfare. Fear. The constant threat of death.

They needed me to open confidential human intelligence. Reverse engineer defenses and weapons. My safety and quality of life? Depended entirely on my compliance. And? If those reports and devices happened to be trapped to hell 'n back? By Mages FAR more skilled then myself?

Do it anyway. You are replaceable. Either you succeed... or you die.

You... hah... y-you really...

Really can say, I guess, n-now I know...? That...

That you really DO learn faster, under fire. Enduring pain curses. Fighting lethal curses, for your very life. Fire and drowning attacks. Lightning. Wind spells meant to choke the life of out of me, by sucking out all the air from my lungs. They... they really were creative, weren't they? My old colleagues.

Yes, sadistic, in ways I had never imagined. But also? Very, very creative.

I had the scars to prove it now.

All the while, as commanded, I did not talk. Did not DARE. Still do not. Even as I am shoved around. Dragged from tent to tent, building to building. Hurried along, like an inconvenience. A faulty, inefficient, piece of machinery, that dares eat their food and breathe their air. Slow and lagging, but sadly? Oh, sadly. They could not find better.

But I endure. Survive. I do not talk, so I can not offer. I give them nothing more then they demand. Malicious compliance. Nothing more, nothing less, then EXACTLY as you commanded, oh Wardens mine. My Keepers, foul and wretched. The holders of my chains. Someday... someday, this war will end. Or I will die, my luck running out, at long, long last.

And I?

I Will Be Free.

Once, long before this all, I had heard rumors. They say that talented humans, magically gifted humans, tended to be kept as glorified, pampered little pets, in the Vampiric lands. It... it sounds nice, now. To worry for nothing. To be protected. Adored and provided for, like some exquisite house cat, lounging in the sun. I could study again. Find someone nice.

....I worry.

You see, I... I think...

I may be breaking, around the edges of myself. Hairline fractures, born of stress. It's the isolation. Surrounded as I am. None of them are human, none of them will talk to me, at me. Anything at all. They follow the lead of their Prince. And he? Oh, he has made his distain for humanity clear.

Which begs the question. Why is he here?

Or rather, why am I? Dragged, from the ratty little cloth hovel they call "my tent", by the worn and patched to incoherence cloak I now wear, straight to the central command tent. Where the Prince is. The generals. The beating heart of the army itself. Dumped on the ground at his feet, I was fully expecting that to be it. That this would be the day.

They had found a better, less worn down, mage. A stronger one. A more obedient one. My services would no longer be... required.

I sat there. In the dirt. Eyes locked on his feet and waited. Palms splayed against the floor. Why bother fight? If I did THAT, they'd use me as "an example" for the NEXT mage. No. No, better to go quick. I had been reborn once. T-there was a possibility... however small... it... it might? Happen again?

Please, Gods. Please Gods, let it happen again.

But no. I was told, with judgment in his voice, by some general, to "get up". Ha! As though they were not directly responsible for my beaten down state. How dare. How DARE he judge me? I owed them nothing. Refused to die, in some short sighted tantrum of honor or pride.

I would LIVE, damn it. I MUST live. For how ever long I could. I wanted to be free again. To read and travel, do magic for magics sake. Never... NEVER see another dragon again.

Perhaps that was hateful. But damn it... I... I was so tired.

Nonetheless, I stood. Looked at no one and said nothing. Just an empty, ragged cloak with flesh inside. I am not here. I do not suffer. Unfocus your eyes and be far away. Yes, that's right, I tell myself, far... far away. It's like meditation. Just... ride the flow of magic. Do not call it. Merely observe. Let the colors drag you in. Be washed away. Far, far away.

I hear and do not hear, there. See and do not see. They can not touch me, can not hurt me, there is nothing and everything, in the Magics. It is... so... so BeAuTiFuL.

No wonder so many are lost. Drift and never come back.

I play a dangerous game, here.

But they can not hurt me.

No one can.

In here.

No answer comes then. But I am expected to work. Perhaps it is a show? Or they wish to verify, that I am indeed, doing what they keep me alive for. Nonetheless, I sit, in the corner, silent as I got to work. As old colleagues try to stop my heart, freeze my blood, rupture my organs. As burns roar over my skin and lightning crackles against canvas walls.

I do not scream. That would be too close to "speaking". I am not fool enough to give them an excuse. There is a belt I can bite. I use it often. Will have to salvage another, as this one is falling to pieces. That and a silencing spell? My screaming is muted.

Getting better at healing magic, I think. Either I have learned to numb the pain or I may have nerve damage. I doubt, now, that I will ever win awards. For my beauty. Too many scars. My arms are a wreck. My hands a travesty. It is nothing short of a miracle, that I have not LOST any fingers, to this.

Why am I here? Why? Why?

At least in my little hovel, I can curl up and weep. Emote. Can take breaks between bouts of pain and battles of magic. But here? Like a machine, stacks are dumped before me, and I am expected to perform. Do or die, human. We can always find another.

Through it all, haunting golden eyes watch. My pain, my exhaustion, all observed, giving away nothing, by that impassive royal face. I don't know what he WANTS.

Finally, after weeks of considering me, he decides to tell me. Comes to some conclusion, no input required. Why would it be? Of course. He is a High Prince. His power is great, his honor and name without equal. Why would he need MY input on anything.

"Did I know," he asked me, voice ponderous and musing, "That of all the mages his people have captured... I had lived the longest?"

I had not. But it did not suprise me.

He sat, considering me, splayed back in his chair like it was a throne, every bit the picture of a royal. A portrait of the man he was born to be. But the distain... the distain? Had... lessened. Not gone. Never gone. Gods, no. We peons were beneath him. Especially I, a mere human. But? Apparently I was not longer quite so wretched.

Our dear High Prince decided I should get a better tent. A new cloak. Actual medical supplies. What wonders.

It made me nervous. What cost, did these things come with? What expectation? Loyalty? I had offered none and never will. That would quickly become a problem. Still, I kept my head down. Always, always, keep your head down. Let the dragons die, for their stupid fucking war.

No longer replaceable. I discovered.

In the next big attack, as there was ALWAYS a next one, I wasn't evacuated last. As attacks fell. But FIRST, as the soilders were arriving. I was... was "essential personal". Shoved in an evac cart with the fancy strategists.

They started deliberately capturing mage supplies. Books and spell papers, chalks and high quality inks. Not just to disarm their opponents. Oh no. But to give to ME. I had... I had NEVER gotten supplies. The last time I had actually, truely, desperately, needed ink? I had been forced to use my own blood.

My hands actually shook. Touching such richs now. It overwhelmed, after so long, with nothing. I... I had healing books. Could actually look things up!

Curling up, before the piles of crates they dumped in front of my little tent, I didn't care, if they saw me cry. On my knees like an acolyte before the alter. Finally. FINALLY! Answers, armaments, and supplies. Relief, after so long? Was rain on desert sands. Burned skin left tender and screaming, to the cleansing mercy, of the softly weeping skies.

This, too, the High Prince saw.

No where to store them, of course. A gift given then taken away. Held just out of reach. Just long enough to give hope. All the better to torment you with it. Oh where we would we store, your useless little trinkets, human?

But I refuse to play the game. Fine. Take them. Take it all.

I need nothing.

Retreat into the Magics. They can not hurt me. I am not here. Far, far away. I am far, far away.

The High Prince, lounging and watchful, seems to have decided. No. The human things will go to him, actually, not to the fire. He watches with strange, considering eyes. In fact? I will make my self useful. Show my gratefulness. He is using valuable storage space on me, so I am to come before him and study. Prove it is worth it.

Is he not gracious? Now press your face to the dirt in thanks, human. Bow and scrape. Be glad, be honored, that your Liege is so kind.

He does not disagree, as they tell me these things. Why would he? They are his due. I think... I think I hate him. Hate them all. But the pull of books, of proper supplies, is simply too powerful. Back to that wretched tent I go. Under the staring eyes that dissect me so. Finally, I can heal my aching body.

He watchs me. As I study, improve, learn and grow. As old books are taken from me, shipped away somewhere, beyond my reaching, and new ones arrive. I desperately make notes. Hope those notes will be enough. Work and suffer and bleed. Somewhere, in the camp, I sense others.

The come and go. Bright lights that flare and then dim. Struggling and struggling, before finally going out. Some faster then others. The objects and messages they have me working on now? Are truely nasty. Again and again, I see the crests of Nobel houses and royal seals. How powerful, I wonder, have I become? Or is it simply... specialized?

A gift, for not dying.

Over the camp walls, I have begun to recognize the surroundings. The mountains and the valleys. The trees, in bloom. It seems wrong, that the world should be so beautiful, as everything is ending. The nation I grew up in, is falling. But... but we passed Heartriver two weeks back. And THAT? Was well within the border.

And from HERE... I can see the school.

The University of Magics. All I had ever wished, was to return. But... but not like this, never like this. I'm... gods. Oh Gods, I'm sorry. For my weakness. For not choosing to die. For not running at all, before it all began. I should have. But... but I was a coward. And now everyone else, must pay the price.

I stand outside my pathetic little tent and watch the horizon smoke. Burn.

Dragons are so very, very fond of fire.

Far away... j-just go far away... the Magic will always take you. Is always kind. Towards the tent I go. I remind myself, as I force myself to move, one step in front of the other? That if the worst comes to worst? I can just... Let Go. Go DEEP. So deep that no one and nothing can ever find me again. So far away, my body forgets I ever lived at all.

Just... just a soul. Floating along like a jellyfish, in the beautiful Allthings. The light and void, the far away and gone. I-It wouldn't even hurt. Just be like... like letting go of a balloon. I could be that balloon. Disappear into endless starlight...

But... BUT! I wont.. I can't! Not yet. Not until every other path has burned. Last resort. Only, ONLY, as a last resort.

(I refuse to acknowledge... how comforting the knowledge is. That I have a plan at all. A way out.)

Entering the tent, I head for "my table". At the High Prince' feet like a dog. A lovely little carpet, comfortable little pillows, a low table to work on. It would... honestly? It would be a lovely place setting. A delightful workstation. If it were not the context. The obvious, blatant, demeaning context.

Sit at his feet and behave. Be good and you're rewarded, be bad and you're punished. Brought little treats at HIS command? Sit on a pillow, on the floor, as they talk over your head? Ha ha... I? I half expected to one day show up to find someone holding a fucking collar.

If they fucking tried? I was going to set everything on FIRE. Even I, had limits.

However, it was just the Prince and I. Uncomfortable, but I could ignore him. Walking for my humiliating little seat, I noticed him watching me. Slowed. Why... why was he watching me? Awkwardly I paused. Did NOT want to be kneeling in front of a man that was staring that intently at me. Especially not so closely to a man, staring like that. The vibes were... off.

"Did you know, pet, that we actually have several rather old alliances amoung the Vampiric Royal Houses?" He said, breaking the strange silence.

'Pet, huh? Good to know he's at least fucking AWARE. I did NOT consent to that!' I seethe, in my head.

"It's been bothering me, you see. Your wretched state." He continues, completely unbothered that he might as well be talking to a statue. I stare, seethe, would give a limb at this point, to set him on fire. "You've suffered unbearably and I've done nothing to correct it, even though I could. We needed you for the war effort, you see, but now? Now, pet, we're nearly done. And I can finally care for you properly."

"Reward you, properly." The bastard says, calm and oh so reasonable, as though I had anything to do with him willingly.

"Honestly, it's long over due. The second I realized I wanted you as Mine, I should have stepped up to care for you properly. Officially. But, sadly, it would have been a conflict of interest. An abuse of power. Now, however? Now I can finally call on our allies for their support. Get you the medical assistance you so badly require."

A pleased smile stole across his face as he considered me.

"You'll make a lovely vampire. It was selfish of me, to cheat you of the years turning you sooner would have given you, but I'm sure you'll forgive me with time. Our people needed us. I can swear to you now, pet, you will forever remain my favorite, even if I take a Queen."

Horror was like a gut punch, deliver by a fighter jet. I felt immediately and intensely sick. W-what? Frozen so completely I nearly forgot to breathe, I looked for ANY sign he may be joking. Exaggerating. But... but no. W-WHAT?? How. WHEN? At what point, in my torment? In my UTTER SILENCE? Did this man "fall in love"?!

H-How can you LOVE a women you've never-?! No. No, I KNEW how.

You decide you like the IDEA of them. The shape of their body. You project onto them your OWN narrative and decide it is a love story. Fuck. FUCK!! I was... this was... no no NO! I REFUSED. Like HELL was I could to live, trapped for DECADES if not CENTURIES, the pretty little war bride of a tyrant!

The High Prince gets up and walkes towards me. Sweeps me into terrifyingly powerful arms. When he smiles? There are fangs. Deadly and hardly the comfort he thinks they are. We are a laughable contrast. Richs and rags, power and prisoner, royal and the woman who might just burn the world to escape. Shit. SHIT. I was scared of him before.

And that's BEFORE he decided he loved me.

[scribbled-dream]

I’ve finished Elemental Council, the newest T’au book by Noah Van Nyugen—and I love the ending. Spoilers follow.

For those who aren’t familiar, the book follows a crack team of T’au specialists pulled together by Ethereal Yor’i, to create a council of specialists to deal with a Human rebellion on the newly conquered world of Cao Quo.

This revolt is led by the Space Marine Artamax, and complicated by further matters—A growing sect of T’au supremacists called the Syra, who consider humanity to be a blight upon the Empire.

Throughout the book, the question is asked: Are Humanity worthy of being in the T’au empire? Are they more than they seem, ignorant and brutal?

We see this through the viewpoints of several T’au, all of who come to slowly see their pity, indifference, hatred and guilt over humanity and the actions they’ve done in service to the Tau Empire against the Human rebels as flawed, and that they need to give Humanity the same chance they were given by Yor’i.

We see this clearly through Yor’i himself—he has a Gue’vesa bodyguard, one of exceedingly high status to be guarding the ranking Ethereal on the planet. Yor’i views his bodyguard, Jules, with gratitude, but acknowledges that he is not T’au. He will never be as close to them as the Ethereal is.

Jules, too, is a complicated man, serving the T’au as a former Scion, turned by another Ethereal who he formed a close friendship with. He knows his place in the Empire is distinct, and the other characters often look at his position with confusion or scorn—confused as to why an Ethereal would have a Human to guard his life.

They soon see why, as Jules dies against Artamax—giving his life for the Greater Good to save the Fireblade protagonist, who voices continual confusion at his devotion.

A Gue’vesa backtalking a Space Marine? An anomaly.

And yet, we see again. The Humans given a second chance by the T’au repeat this behavior, with the Gue’vesa Fleet Admiral Hillar, unsure of who to support between the rebels and the T’au. Hillar wants to support the rebels, and ideologically disagrees with Artamax’s methods, desiring peace.

Hillar defies Artamax, and dies for it. The young Earth Caste Engineer, Ke, initially confused by Human independence and defiance, and exceedingly desirous of peace, learns to empathize with the life she failed to save.

All of this leads us to the ending. The twist. The group takes a Kroot into their entourage, Ghodeh—who only wants to feast on the Marine, absorb his knowledge.

Through his scent, he finds that Yor’i is not who he seems, instead a Callidus Assasin in disguise. It is barely perceptible—unless one pays attention to Yor’i’s sharp twists in mood toward the Humans, and Jules in particular.

Yor’i is initially stoic and silent about his connection to Jules, but is found by the Fireblade Swordlight to be kind and understanding of Jules, vouching for him—after he dies, there is a stark shift in his behavior.

Yor’i goes from loyalty and kindness to Humanity, to hatred, indifference, and cold apathy.

And then, we learn the twist—it doesn’t make sense, because it’s not meant to. This is NOT Yor’i—rather, a foul thing wearing his skin, a Callidus skinwalker.

The real Yor’i is taken in by a Human family—and cared for, protected. This is the true nature of humanity—a kind one.

The Callidus is slain much like the Marine—by the lowest of the low—the Earth Caste engineer. And although Ghodeh does not get to taste the Marine’s sacred flesh, he learns to accept that he can control his hunger—out of respect.

Then, we come to the ending. The T’au garrison at Cao Quo is consumed by violence and fire, rioting fills the streets, falling into ignorance and fear just like the Imperium. This is where the average 40k fan would say it should end, because there can be no peace among the stars—

but the fic proves everyone wrong.

There can be peace. There can be unity, and empathy. It is hard to reach for, even harder to name—but it is THERE.

[meiliarotten]

What's your hcs abt every merc's kinks?

Kink Headcanons (All Mercs!)

🔞Minors DNI🔞

The Masterlist

👟 Scout 👟

Very stereotypical interests, I honestly see Sout as kinda the most vanilla of the mercs

Not completely vanilla though. Not by a long shot

He’s definitely adventurous, and would he willing to try almost anything once as long as he’s with someone he trusts

Plus he’s an addict when it comes to praise

Tell him how good he’s doing while he’s fucking you, and he’ll have a very hard time keeping himself from coming right then and there.

If you’re willing to explore with him, I feel like you would witness quite a few kink awakenings.

Some things I think he would grow to enjoy are pegging, pet play, and femdom, but those are just my opinions!

🦅 Soldier 🦅

America is this man’s kink.

Ok, I’m joking. Kind of.

Soldier likes discipline, and he’ll definitely use his riding crop on you if you let him

However, that discipline goes both ways

He’ll start out with you as the bottom, so prepare to be the receiver of many spankings and swats

Then one day, he comes up to you, uncharacteristically bashful, and hands you the riding crop with a pleading look

He’s too ashamed to say that he wants you to top him, but you get the message real quick.

Once you unlock his switch side, you might even convince him to try pegging. He’s a real “man’s man” though, so make sure you’re delicate about it

🔥 Pyro 🔥

Thankfully, while Pyro is more than eager to play with fire on the battlefield, that fire does not translate into the bedroom (at least, not literally)

While Pyro doesn’t have a mask kink, a partner with a mask kink would be ideal for them, as they don’t like to show their face

However, if you don’t have a mask kink, blindfolds are always an option, and Pyro happens to like those very much

They love watching the way you squirm as the lack of sight enhances all of your other senses

Pyro also has a huge praise kink as well. They like to be told they’re doing a good job.

If they have an especially good day on the battlefield, you could offer to reward them later that night

💥 Demoman 💥

I’m gonna be honest, I was stumped on this one for a while

Eventually I finally settled on pegging

Allow me to explain

Watching the Meet the Demoman I just saw a man who, while he definitely enjoys his job, probably has a shit ton of stress

Add in the comic lore, and you’ve got all these familial expectations he’s gotta live up to as well

Basically, I think a night where he just gets to sit back and get ravished would be good for him

He would also probably have an affinity for oral, as he likes to eat you out in return

🥊 Heavy 🥊

This guy has a size kink. He likes smaller partners, and lucky for him, almost everyone is smaller than him, so he has quite the pool to pick from

There’s almost a kind of protective aspect in it for him. He likes to be able to protect his partner, to shelter them, and most importantly, pamper the absolute hell out of them

Seriously be ready to be waited on hand and foot by your own personal Russian bodyguard

I guess you could almost see it as a kind of service submission

Wow, service sub Heavy was not a take I was prepared to make but it does oddly make sense…

But as for his more dominant side, he doesn’t show it often, especially since he often worries about causing you pain during sex.

Usually you’ll be riding him

However, on the rare occasions when he’s willing, and you’re feeling especially comfortable and receptive, he will allow himself to be rough with you, teasing you about how small you are beneath him

🔧 Engineer 🔧

Toys. Specifically, ridiculously high tech toys.

Say what you will about a mercenary salary, it sure as hell lets you splurge sometimes.

And Engineer has definitely splurged, both on actual toys and on parts that he used to make his own

Yes, you heard (or rather, read) that right, this overachiever is out here making his own sex toys.

You and I both know that the Gunslinger probably has a vibrate function 😏

That said, I think Engie would have a particular kink for the classic “vibrating panties” scenario

Basically you are wearing the panties (or just a bullet vibe inside- it can really be anything that vibrates and stays put, it doesn’t have to be underwear) and Engie gets to press the buttons controlling the vibrations whenever he wants

He likes watching how you squirm and start to talk faster and louder, trying to cover up both the noise and your embarrassment.

He is the king of aftercare though, always letting you know how good you did.

🏥 Medic 🏥

Let’s get the obvious out of the way

I feel like Medic likes a lot of edgeplay. Possibly including blood, scalpels, and a few itty bitty surgeries here and there

Of course, it’s all consensual, but some people could still find it morbid.

On the more chill side, his kinks are actually pretty common.

These include impact play, edging, and sensory deprivation (for example, blindfolds). All of these go for both giving and receiving, btw

However one kink that I think is specific to him is how much he seems to love, and even prefer fucking you in the operating table.

Something about it just seems much more erotic than a normal bed

🦘 Sniper 🦘

Primal play, specifically being the predator in the scenario

Sniper is a pretty outdoorsy guy, so it figures that he would enjoy tracking you through a dense forest while you act as prey

Along with this comes outdoor sex as well

Something about taking you outside just seems so carnal and raw, it really gets him going

Plus, the chase just makes the final capture all the more satisfying, for both of you

Afterwards he’s immediately chill, carrying you back to the van for some much needed aftercare

And I just know someone out there is upset that I didn’t mention piss. I’m sorry. I’m still not gonna mention it.

🌹 Spy 🌹

A weirdly specific idea I’ve always held for Spy is that he likes waxplay

Something about the way the melted wax drips and solidifies in your body is very elegant and erotic to him (I have written a fic about this 👀)

Another big one is knife play. It definitely fits his theme

However, he never uses a sharp knife. The blade is always too dull to actually break the skin. But the way he builds up a scene is effective enough to make you feel as if you’re truly at his mercy

Basically Spy seems like a very formal dom to me, the kind that will lavish you with gifts while also making sure you never act spoiled. Brat tamer Spy, anyone?

Oh, and he likes to be called “sir.”

[monstersdownthepath]

Monster Spotlight: Akvan

CR 20

Neutral Evil Huge Outsider

Bestiary 3, pg. 84-85

Among the most powerful of all the Div (and the only Div above CR 15 we have so far!), the Akvan are almost always created directly by the Lord of All Divs, Ahriman, as agents in his direct service. While many Div work subtly to wear away at mortal creations and bonds, the Akvan are specifically created to be overt engines of destruction who target monuments, holy sites, sacred structures or artifacts, centers of culture and community, and any other grand creation mortalkind may consider irreplaceable, indestructible, or otherwise sacrosanct. The more important something is to the society which built it (or reveres it), the harder an Akvan will work to destroy it; ALL Div exist to oppose various acts of creation, and Akvan exist to swallow up the ideas of hope, community, and belief. Literally, in some cases.

To an Akvan, any subtlety is best left to the lesser Div. With no ability to turn invisible, disguise itself, or even just shrink down, these horrors are not going to be carefully twisting mortal minds and corrupting people into doing their dirty work, no, they're waltzing right into the Louvre and using the Mona Lisa to wipe their nose, daring anyone watching to stop them. They're flying (with a 120ft fly speed, or at-will Greater Teleport for fast travel) to the Statue of Liberty and taking out her ankles with their 3/day Disintegrate so she collapses into the sea. And the less said about their plans for the Great Pyramids, the better.

Greater than their hatred for mortal works, however, is their hatred of genies. ALL Div have a special place in their hateful hearts for genies and their kin, but Akvan are directly created with a flaw in their soul which causes them to despise the elemental beings with a depth and intensity approaching mania, their loathing so intense that it infects and twists all their victims into Ghuls 1d4 rounds after they're slain. This hate drives Akvan to go out of their way to torture, kill, and enslave any genie they encounter in a way that makes them painfully easy to predict... though no easier to stop.

The Akvan's biggest advantage in any battle is its Aura of Hopelessness, a powerful 30ft radius of despair that saps the will to fight and the will to resist in equal measure, forcing a DC 30 Will save to be made every round (no 24-hour immunity!) by everyone inside or the concentrated misery inflicts a -4 penalty to all d20 rolls (keep that in mind when looking at saving throws for its abilities!). 30ft is a pretty short distance that's unlikely to affect any ranged fighter or caster in the party, but consider that Akvan already have a 20ft space (and 20ft reach!), meaning the aura actually swaths a 50ft sphere of battlefield, typically enough to make half the playmat painful to stand in. It's worse if one drops right on top of you from above or teleports into the middle of the party; at that point most players in that position only have their own teleportation as a means to get out of the Pain Sphere.

They're unlikely to rush in that quickly unless genies are involved, though. They're not stupid, even if they ARE living battering rams! Wholly immune to Fire but with only a paltry 10 resistance to Acid and Electricity, an Akvan will likely take a short moment to slap on its 3/day Protection From Energy against the most common type of energy damage it thinks your party may have access to, while its DR 15/Cold iron and Good and towering 38 AC (a full 2 points higher than the average for the CR 20 'capstone' Outsiders!) protect it from most weapon attacks outright. Though the fiends have no immunity to most battle-ending cheese spells, they're protected by 31 Spell Resistance and a pile of balanced saving throws (+18/+22/+21), none of their saves impacted by their heavy armor thanks to their Armor Training.

Outside of their higher AC, Akvan have nothing truly eyebrow-raising defensively, especially when compared to other capstone Outsiders, lacking almost every important immunity one could possibly name. They have no in-combat healing or magical ability to heal themselves, so any wound that lands is going to stick until the thing retreats to Abaddon to heal.Thus, these destroyer-Div rely wholly on their crushing offense and hopeless aura to put their enemies on the back foot so they can't fight back as effectively, and credit where it's due, they excel at that... So long as they aren't staggered. Much like the Eremite, the Akvan's individual attacks aren't especially scary on their own, forcing it to rely on either Great Cleave to spread the damage out, or a Full-Attack to actually burst something down. And, y'know, Power Attack to give the attack roll -6 but the damage roll +12, something they will likely do at every opportunity because it would be stupid not to, its own base attack roll of +32 high enough to withstand the small loss without problem.

The Akvan possesses four attacks: A Claw-Claw-Bite (2d6+12 and 2d8+12, respective) plus a tail slap (2d6+6). Again, don't be fooled by the low base damage of their attacks, remember that these things not only have Power Attack for +12 damage, but they have a threat radius of 40ft! And an additional 2d8+18 damage on a Rend if they hit with both claws, making their damage output even higher than it appears at a glance! I compared it to the Eremite, but the Eremite's greatest weakness is that its frightening damage is stuck to a creature you can literally just walk away from, while it's unlikely a single round will pass without the gigantic Div being able to make a Full-Attack. Akvan don't have as many options to keep a victim still, but they don't really need one... and the option they DO have is a 3/day Forcecage, which may as well be a Time-Out Box for whoever gets trapped in it unless the rest of the party wastes time getting them out. Anyone who tries staying at a range will face whatever charges of Disintegrate the fiend still has, or more likely will simply be forcibly pulled into melee by its at-will Telekinesis, a spell that also allows it to disarm foes with weapons that can harm it before they're anywhere nearby, push and trip people from a distance, or simply hurl enormous amounts of debris at flying enemies.

In addition to their damage, Akvan are empowered when battling the divine. They can use Magic Circle Against Good at-will for defense and Blasphemy 3/day for offense, but they also have a unique ability called Shake Faith which affects any creature capable of casting divine spells. Being struck by an Akvan's attack forces such creatures to make a DC 30 Will save or become shaken for 1d4 rounds, or just 1 round if they succeed. Not especially bad... but remember that fear stacks, and since there's no way to AVOID being shaken and the fiend can make four attacks a round, that means any divine caster it gets ahold of who doesn't have immunity to fear will likely be sent into pure panic mode in a single Full-Attack, removing them from the fight for up to 4 rounds.

Of course, if the Akvan really wants to remove someone from the fight for several rounds--or even permanently--it's got something far simpler than magic and terror: its stomach. The Div can swallow any creature Grabbed by its bite into its Torturous Gullet, a nightmarish space where no creature is safe. Any creature starting its turn in the Torturous Gullet takes 6d6+18 crushing damage and 4d6 energy damage that the Div can change at a whim, shifting between Acid, Cold, Electricity, or Fire damage with a thought, assuring it can digest any elemental being it swallows and take advantage of most common forms of elemental vulnerability. Torturous Gullet also makes it harder to escape the gut, as it grants the inner walls of the Div's stomach 25 AC, cutting down on the grappled victims' ability to cut their way out.

And there's always the possibility of the thing just flying 120ft in the air to make escaping its stomach inadvisable, or using its 1/day Plane Shift to kidnap a swallowed (or even just grappled) victims, dragging unfortunate souls to Abaddon or the Plane of Fire, so even if they DO manage to escape its stomach, their pain is far from over.... well. It'll last another 12~18 seconds, at least. If they're lucky!

You can read more about them here.

[dungeonsdragonsandlawyers]

Andromeda watched Karlach’s chest rise and fall with slow, steady breaths. The quiet of the Underdark was only interrupted by the quiet sounds of her friends shifting in their sleep, but Andromeda had been unable to close her eyes the entire night. Karlach's engine was so hot. Too hot. Waves of steam were roiling off the other woman, even now. Andromeda felt a cold hand grip her heart as a familiar sensation settled over her - fear. 

What if they couldn't find Dammon? What if it took too long to get to the Gate?

She shifted back, silently rolling over on the mossy bed she had collapsed onto the night before. She shivered as she rose and stepped away from Karlach’s warmth, deeper into the clearing. The Underdark was freezing, which meant that the engine sustaining the titanic woman had been working even harder than normal, a fact that Karlach had tried her best to hide the night before. 

Andromeda stumbled over a root, quietly cursing as she collided with a rock, then righted herself against the frigid stone and continued on deeper through the clearing. 

“Withers?” She called as softly as she could, casting one glance over her shoulder to where the fire burned brightly. “Hey - Withers? Where are you?” 

“Fates spins on as it ever should,” Andromeda jumped, whirling back to where she could hear the undead’s shuffling footsteps moving closer to her through the dark. “What need do you have of me?” 

Withers was… well, he was Withers. Andromeda squinted through the darkness, taking in his sunken features and lifeless eyes. He towered over her, all bones and sinewy muscle peeking through the tattered robed he wore. His skull was encased in golden filigree, almost like a crown of sorts, and his arms were wrapped in thick cotton, crawling up and down the long limbs. Andromeda tried to suppress the shiver that threatened to wrack down her spine - this time not caused by the cold. Withers was... otherworldly - terrifyingly so. He had set her teeth on edge ever since their first meeting in the abandoned temple to Jergal near the Grove, where armed scribes protected the very tomb where Withers' had rested. 

“Its… its Karlach.” She murmured, stepping closer to the otherworldly being and tipping her head up to him. “She’s not doing well. I -” She hesitated, shifting her weight as she peered behind her once more before turning to face him again. “You said that you can provide services, right? Is there… is there anything you can do for her?”

[misfitwashere]

Musk’s dangerous bullying

ROBERT REICH

DEC 2

Friends,

No one better illustrates the sinister consequences of great wealth turned into unaccountable power than Elon Musk. 

Musk, the richest person in the world, is not only claiming presidential authority to fire federal workers, but he’s posting the identities of those whose jobs he wants to eliminate — with the clear intention that his followers harass and threaten them so they quit. 

Musk is utterly unaccountable. He has never been elected to anything, but he spent $120 million helping Trump become the president-elect and is now acting as if he’s Trump’s co-president, calling himself Trump’s “First Buddy.”

After buying Twitter for $44 billion, Musk turned it into a cesspool of disinformation and conspiracy theories and manipulated its algorithm to give himself 205 million followers, to whom he is now distributing treacherous lies. 

In recent days, Musk boosted posts on his website singling out the names and job titles of four federal employees working in climate policy and regulation who have done nothing other than hold titles Musk dislikes. All four targets are women. 

In one instance, Musk quote-tweeted a post highlighting the role of 37-year-old Ashley Thomas, a little-known director of climate diversification at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. 

Musk’s repost — “So many fake jobs” — garnered 32 million views, triggering a tsunami of taunts against Thomas, such as, “Sorry Ashley Thomas Gravy Train is Over” and “A tough way for Ashley Thomas to find out she’s losing her job.”

Musk apparently took the word “diversification” in Thomas’s title to mean the “D” in “DEI,” which Musk considers “woke.” 

Thomas (who holds degrees in engineering, business, and water science from Oxford and MIT) is focused on climate diversification to protect agriculture and infrastructure from extreme weather events.

Following Musk’s tweet, Thomas shut down several of her social media accounts. 

In another repost, Musk mocked Alexis Pelosi, a relative of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who works as a senior adviser to climate change at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“Nancy Pelosi’s niece should not be paid $181,648.00 by the U.S. Taxpayer to be the ‘Climate Advisor’ at HUD,” the original account wrote. “But maybe her advice is amazing 🤣🤣” Musk snarked. 

Musk also singled out the chief climate officer in the Department of Energy’s loan programs office and shared the name of an employee serving as senior adviser on environmental justice and climate change at the Department of Health and Human Services.

IMHO, Musk’s targets should sue him for defamation. 

This is hardly the first time Musk has targeted specific people, and he obviously knows how dangerous such targeting can be. 

After taking over Twitter in 2022, Musk targeted Yoel Roth, the platform’s former head of trust and safety, who had recently left the company. Musk tweeted, incorrectly, that it looked like Roth had argued “in favor of children being able to access adult Internet services.” Some platform users interpreted this as Musk calling Roth a pedophile, and they posted calls for Roth’s death. 

Roth moved out of his house because of the threats. 

Musk has also singled out specific civil servants. In 2021, he targeted Missy Cummings, a former fighter pilot and senior adviser at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, whom Musk claimed was “extremely biased against Tesla” because she questioned the safety of Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance system. 

Cummings said she received death threats and was forced to leave her home as a result of Musk’s posts.

Musk’s current targeting is even more dangerous because he has the apparent authority of the president-elect. Although the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” that Musk is co-heading (with Vivek Ramaswamy) isn’t a real department and has not been authorized by Congress, Musk is acting as if it’s real. 

Cummings says Musk’s personal intimidation is already leading some longtime federal employees to leave their jobs: “He intended for them, for people just like this, to be intimidated and just go ahead and quit so he didn’t have to fire them. So his plan, to some extent, is working.”

**

I worked in the federal government between 1974 and 1980, first at the Federal Trade Commission and then at the Justice Department, and from 1993 to 1997 I served as secretary of labor. 

Most of the federal employees I came to know cared deeply about the common good. The vast majority did their work carefully and thoughtfully. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. 

But ever since Richard Nixon attacked “unelected bureaucrats” as America’s enemy and Ronald Reagan blamed “liberal bureaucrats” for government’s failings, government employees have been scapegoated. And now Trump is preparing to attack the so-called “deep state.”

In fact, America spends less each year on the federal government’s civilian workforce (roughly $200 billion) than we spend annually on federal contractors ($750 billion). 

Much of the “fat” is found in these private, for-profit contractors, who aren’t accountable to anyone except the office that draws up the contracts. 

The biggest waste is in the Defense Department, where many contractors have avoided competitive bidding because they have a monopoly over critical technologies. 

Which brings me back to Musk, whose businesses are fast becoming among the government’s largest contract monopolists. According to USASpending.gov (the government database that tracks federal spending), Musk’s SpaceX and his Starlink satellite division have signed contracts totaling nearly $20 billion. 

I don’t know how much waste and inefficiency are to be found in Musk’s government contracts because I haven’t been able to find any reports on them — which is precisely the problem. 

While Musk seeks to intimidate federal civil servants whose job titles he dislikes, forcing some to leave government because his postings have elicited threats to their lives, Musk is distracting attention from himself and his own profitable dips into the taxpayer trough. 

I invite any of you with an inclination to root out waste and inefficiency to find out what you can about any likely abuses in Musk’s government contracts, and let us know what you come up with.

[omniiau]

Fire Protection Engineering Services Safeguarding Lives and Property

Fire protection engineering services are essential for ensuring the safety of buildings, their occupants, and surrounding environments. As urban areas expand and structures become more complex, the demand for expert fire protection solutions continues to grow. This article delves into the various aspects of fire protection engineering services, their significance, and how they contribute to effective fire safety management.

What is Fire Protection Engineering?

Fire protection engineering is a specialized discipline that focuses on the prevention, detection, and suppression of fires. It involves applying engineering principles to design and implement systems and strategies that reduce the risk of fire and enhance safety. Fire protection engineers work closely with architects, builders, and regulatory bodies to create environments that prioritize fire safety.

Key Components of Fire Protection Engineering Services

Fire Risk Assessment A fundamental element of fire protection engineering is conducting comprehensive fire risk assessments. These assessments identify potential hazards, evaluate risks, and determine the likelihood of fire incidents. By analyzing building layouts, materials, and usage patterns, fire protection engineers can recommend specific measures to mitigate risks effectively.

Design of Fire Protection Systems Fire protection engineers are responsible for designing various fire protection systems, including:

Fire Alarm Systems: Early detection of fire is critical. Engineers design alarm systems that alert occupants and emergency services quickly and efficiently.

Sprinkler Systems: Automatic sprinkler systems can significantly reduce fire damage. Engineers design these systems to ensure optimal coverage and effectiveness.

Smoke Control Systems: Proper smoke management is vital for safe evacuation. Engineers design systems that control smoke movement and maintain tenable conditions during a fire.

Compliance with Regulations Fire protection engineers ensure that buildings comply with local, state, and national fire safety codes and standards. They keep up with evolving regulations and provide guidance to ensure that all fire protection measures meet legal requirements, minimizing liabilities for property owners.

Fire Safety Management Plans Developing fire safety management plans is crucial for ongoing fire protection. These plans outline procedures for prevention, response, and recovery in the event of a fire. Engineers assist in creating and regularly updating these plans to ensure effectiveness and relevance.

Training and Drills Effective fire protection goes beyond systems and plans; it also involves preparing occupants for emergencies. Fire protection engineers develop training programs and conduct fire drills to familiarize occupants with evacuation procedures and emergency protocols.

Post-Incident Analysis In the aftermath of a fire, it’s essential to analyze what occurred. Fire protection engineers conduct investigations to identify the causes, evaluate the performance of fire safety measures, and provide recommendations for future improvements. This analysis is crucial for enhancing fire safety standards and preventing similar incidents.

Importance of Fire Protection Engineering Services

Life Safety The primary goal of fire protection engineering services is to protect lives. By implementing effective fire safety measures, these services help prevent injuries and fatalities during fire incidents. Early detection, efficient evacuation routes, and robust suppression systems are vital components.

Property Preservation Fires can cause catastrophic damage to properties and assets. Fire protection engineering services minimize the risk of fire, helping to preserve the integrity of buildings and reduce potential losses. This proactive approach can save property owners significant amounts in repairs and insurance costs.

Regulatory Compliance Navigating fire safety regulations can be complex. Fire protection engineers ensure that buildings adhere to all applicable codes and standards, reducing the risk of penalties and legal issues. This compliance is critical for both new constructions and renovations.

Sustainability Considerations Modern fire protection practices emphasize sustainability and environmentally friendly solutions. Fire protection engineers are increasingly incorporating sustainable materials and technologies into their designs, aligning fire safety with broader environmental goals.

Community Resilience Fire protection engineering services contribute not just to individual buildings but also to the resilience of entire communities. By enhancing fire protection measures across various structures, engineers help build safer communities capable of withstanding and recovering from fire incidents more effectively.

Conclusion

Fire protection engineering services are an indispensable component of modern safety management. By conducting risk assessments, designing effective fire protection systems, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing ongoing training, fire protection engineers play a vital role in protecting lives and property. As the complexity of buildings and urban environments continues to increase, the expertise of fire protection professionals will remain essential in creating safer spaces. Investing in fire protection engineering is not merely a regulatory requirement; it is a commitment to the safety and well-being of future generations.

[jjinno]

HVAC Consultants in Pune: Expertise in Optimizing Indoor Environments

In the era of rapid urbanization and industrial growth, the demand for comfortable, efficient, and sustainable indoor environments is at an all-time high. HVAC systems (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) play a crucial role in maintaining indoor air quality, temperature, and overall comfort in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Pune, a bustling hub of IT parks, industries, and residential complexes, is no exception. The need for professional HVAC consultants in Pune has grown exponentially to cater to diverse requirements ranging from energy-efficient cooling systems to sustainable ventilation solutions.

This article explores the importance of HVAC consultants, their key roles, benefits, and why Pune stands out as a prime market for these services.

Understanding HVAC Systems

An HVAC system is the backbone of modern infrastructure, providing essential climate control. These systems regulate:

Heating: Maintaining warmth in colder conditions.

Ventilation: Ensuring fresh air circulation and removing contaminants.

Air Conditioning: Cooling indoor spaces for comfort and operational efficiency.

Types of HVAC Systems

Split Systems: Ideal for homes and small offices, featuring separate indoor and outdoor units.

Centralized Systems: Suited for large buildings, offering uniform temperature control.

Hybrid Systems: Combine traditional HVAC with renewable energy sources for sustainability.

Duct-Free Systems: Flexible solutions for spaces where ductwork is impractical.

Role of HVAC Consultants

HVAC consultants are experts who analyze, design, and oversee the implementation of HVAC systems tailored to specific needs. Their responsibilities include:

System Design and Planning Consultants create efficient designs based on building architecture, usage patterns, and environmental factors.

Energy Optimization Ensuring systems are energy-efficient to reduce costs and environmental impact.

Regulatory Compliance Advising on local and national codes related to HVAC installations, emissions, and safety.

Project Management Overseeing installation and commissioning to ensure seamless integration.

Maintenance Planning Recommending periodic maintenance schedules to extend system longevity and performance.

Why Pune Needs HVAC Consultants

1. Rapid Urbanization

With the growth of IT hubs, shopping malls, and residential complexes, the demand for robust HVAC systems has surged. Pune's temperate climate requires systems that can adapt to varying conditions.

2. Industrial Growth

Manufacturing units, pharmaceutical plants, and other industries rely heavily on controlled environments for production. HVAC consultants design systems that ensure precise temperature and humidity levels.

3. Sustainability Initiatives

As a city leading in green building certifications, Pune emphasizes energy-efficient HVAC systems to align with its sustainability goals.

4. Climate Adaptation

Pune experiences diverse weather conditions, requiring HVAC solutions that can cater to both cooling and heating needs efficiently.

Services Offered by HVAC Consultants

1. Load Analysis and System Sizing

Proper load calculation ensures the HVAC system is neither underpowered nor overpowered, optimizing performance and cost.

2. Custom Design Solutions

Each building has unique requirements based on size, usage, and architecture. Consultants provide tailored designs for maximum efficiency.

3. Energy Audits

Identifying energy wastage and recommending upgrades to improve efficiency and lower operational costs.

4. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management

Ensuring proper filtration, humidity control, and air circulation for healthier indoor spaces.

5. Maintenance and Upgrades

Scheduling preventive maintenance and suggesting upgrades for aging systems to maintain performance and compliance.

Key Benefits of Hiring HVAC Consultants

Cost Savings Efficient designs and energy optimization reduce utility bills and maintenance expenses.

Enhanced Comfort Systems designed by consultants provide consistent and comfortable indoor conditions.

Sustainability Modern HVAC solutions minimize environmental impact and promote green building practices.

Improved Air Quality Advanced filtration and ventilation systems reduce pollutants and allergens indoors.

Regulatory Compliance Avoid fines and liabilities by adhering to safety and building codes.

Technologies Transforming HVAC Consulting

1. Building Information Modeling (BIM)

BIM software allows consultants to create 3D models of HVAC systems, improving accuracy and collaboration.

2. Smart Thermostats and Sensors

IoT-enabled devices provide real-time monitoring and control, enhancing system efficiency.

3. Renewable Integration

Incorporating solar panels and geothermal systems for sustainable heating and cooling solutions.

4. Predictive Maintenance Tools

AI-powered tools predict potential system failures, reducing downtime and repair costs.

Selecting the Right HVAC Consultant in Pune

When choosing an HVAC consultant, consider the following factors:

Experience and Expertise: Look for consultants with proven experience in handling projects similar to your requirements.

Certifications and Licenses: Ensure the consultant is certified by relevant authorities and complies with local regulations.

Client Testimonials: Reviews and recommendations from previous clients can provide insights into their reliability and quality.

Technology Adoption: Consultants leveraging the latest tools and technologies are better equipped to deliver optimal solutions.

After-Sales Support: Comprehensive maintenance and support services ensure long-term system performance.

Case Study: Successful HVAC Consulting in Pune

Background

A leading IT park in Pune faced high energy costs and inconsistent cooling, affecting employee productivity.

Solution

An HVAC consultant conducted an energy audit, redesigned the ductwork, and installed IoT-enabled sensors for real-time monitoring.

Results

30% reduction in energy consumption.

Enhanced air distribution and consistent cooling.

Significant improvement in employee comfort and satisfaction.

Future Trends in HVAC Consulting

1. Green HVAC Systems

With increasing focus on sustainability, consultants are incorporating renewable energy sources and eco-friendly refrigerants.

2. Smart HVAC Solutions

AI and IoT are making HVAC systems smarter, offering features like adaptive cooling and predictive maintenance.

3. Modular HVAC Systems

Scalable and flexible systems are gaining popularity for their ability to adapt to varying requirements.

4. Hybrid Systems

Combining traditional HVAC with renewable energy systems is becoming a standard in modern infrastructure.

Conclusion

HVAC consultants in Pune are essential for creating efficient, sustainable, and comfortable indoor environments. With their expertise in design, technology, and compliance, they cater to the diverse needs of residential, commercial, and industrial clients. As the city continues to grow, the role of HVAC consultants becomes increasingly critical in achieving energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and aligning with global trends, HVAC consulting in Pune is poised to shape the future of indoor environments, making them smarter, greener, and more comfortable. Whether for a residential complex, a corporate office, or an industrial facility, the expertise of an HVAC consultant is an invaluable asset.

[moonsharky]

eddie unscripted

read from the beginning

rating: teen | current full word count: 22,866 | chapter 2 word count: 10,739

prelude part two: welcome to the show

The building towers above him, a silent sentinel in the glow of the late afternoon sun. He pauses, allowing himself a fleeting moment of tranquility as the golden warmth caresses his skin. His eyelashes drift shut, a delicate curtain against the sun's radiant glare. With a deep breath, he inhales the essence of the city, its symphony of sounds and scents enveloping him. In this brief interlude, he surrenders to the urban embrace, feeling the pulse of life around him, and for a moment, he is at peace. As he stands outside the fire station, waiting for Buck, his senses sharpen, attuned to the world around him. The murmur of distant conversations, the rhythmic hum of traffic, and the occasional laughter that dances on the breeze weave a tapestry of urban life. He feels the steady thrum of the city beneath his boots, a heartbeat that synchronises with his own. The distant wail of a siren blends with the chirping of birds settling in for the evening, creating an unexpected harmony. Above, the sky stretches out, a canvas painted with hues of orange, pink, and gold, as if the heavens themselves are bidding the day farewell. The shadows of the buildings grow longer, and the play of light and dark on the pavement creates a mosaic that shifts with each passing moment. He opens his eyes, and the world is a kaleidoscope of colours and shapes, vibrant and alive. Every detail, every nuance, feels amplified in this instant of stillness. It is as if time has slowed down, allowing him to savour the intricate beauty of the city he calls home. Here, amidst the towering edifices and the bustling streets, he finds a moment of solace, a reminder of the quiet magnificence that lies within the heart of the metropolis. The fire station, with its bold red doors and the faint smell of smoke and engine oil, stands as a testament to the bravery and service of those who protect the city. He watches as a firetruck rumbles past, its polished surface gleaming in the fading light, and he feels a sense of something he can't quite put his finger on. It isn't quite envy, but it's not quite selfless gratitude either. The day begins its gentle decent into evening, the sun dipping lower, casting long shadows that stretch across the streets. A cool breeze rustles the leaves of nearby trees, whispering secrets of the day to come. He takes another breath, feeling the air fill his lungs, invigorating and refreshing. The city, with its ceaseless energy and boundless spirit, feels like a living, breathing entity, its pulse intertwined with his own. He ignores the fact that his phone buzzed with a text in his pocket five minutes ago and instead pretends it doesn't exist, just for a moment. As the last rays of sunlight spill through the windows of the fire station, they cast a warm, golden glow across the interior, creating a serene, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Eddie's gaze wanders into the locker room, where the light dances between the cool metal surfaces and the simple, rugged concrete of the floor. There, amongst the orderly rows of the locker, Buck emerges, fresh from the shower. His pants are on, but he remains shirtless, the droplets of water glittering on his skin like tiny jewels. A towel hangs loosely over his shoulder, and he uses one end to scrub vigorously at his damp hair, causing it to fall in dishevelled curls across his forehead.

continue on ao3

[feralrabidcrow]

TF2 ATLA AU

Hey guys so I've been rewatching Avatar: The Last Airbender, and having thoughts in my brain...

Scout: Airbender

A freespirited air nomad, he left the temple claiming he was going on a 'spiritual journey of discovery', but in reality he was bored of being cooped up in the temple and wanted to see the world. He roams wherever his heart takes him, going on strange adventures and meeting fascinating people.

Soldier: Fire Nation Nonbender

A proud patriot of the fire nation, blindly following orders without questioning any of them as long as they come from someone wearing red. He utilizes fiery weapons of destruction to make up for his lack of bending. He can be a bit naïve, however, giving his more clever opponents an upper hand.

Pyro: Firebender

A mysterious masked Fire Nation soldier who never talks, yet wields extremely impressive firebending techniques. If it weren't for the fact that no one understands what their deal is or how to effectively communicate with them, they could easily climb the Fire Nation military ranks.

Demoman: Combustionbender

A man for hire in the Fire Nation who takes many odd jobs here and there to support his aging mother. Preferably if the odd jobs involve blowing something or someone up. A pretty nice guy, if he isn't here because someone hired him to kill you. He'll be glad to buy you a drink and tell you about his many adventures.

Heavy: Earthbender

A powerful earthbender devoted to protecting his family. They live in an isolated valley in the Earth Kingdom, but he often journeys into a larger nearby town to visit the markets. He has a past that he refuses to talk about, that weighs him down. No one can get the truth out of him.

Engineer: Earth Kingdom Nonbender

A brilliant inventor who comes up with all sorts of ingenious contraptions to aide him. He has a theory that metal could be bended by earthbenders, but no one wants to listen to him because he's not a bender. Often disregarded by his peers as a crazy man, except for one, a waterbender residing in his town who also happens to be his next-door neighbour.

Medic: Bloodbending and Healing Waterbender

Born and raised in the Northern Water Tribe, he was a promising student of combative waterbending, who also showed an affinity for healing waterbending. This was deemed highly unusual, as healing was left to the women of the tribe. However, he crossed a line when he became infatuated with the dark art of bloodbending, and was banished from the tribe. He now resides in the Earth Kingdom, offering his services as a healer to make money while he studies the different unique forms of bending and how they can be pushed further.

Sniper: Earth Kingdom (?) Nonbender

He lives in a southern coastal Earth Kingdom town with his parents, who are fishers. He enjoys climbing trees and practicing archery, as well as going out on the water with his parents to go fishing. He shows remarkable skill as a sailor. However, he can't help but feel out of place among the other people in his town, for some reason. Maybe it's connected to the fact that he looks nothing like his parents.

Spy: Ex-Air Nomad Nonbender

He abandoned the Air Nomads a great many years ago, cutting ties with the spiritual and pacifist ways of his former people to become an assassin roaming the map. He wears so many disguises that he has lost sight of who he is underneath. He has also lost his ability to airbend. He doesn't mind too much, as he is incredibly skilled with the weapons he wields.

[dailycharacteroption]

Class Feature Friday: Obliteration Faculty (Nanocyte Faculty)

(Render of the Service Weapon as it appears in its Grip form in the game Control by Remedy Studios)

There’s a lot of fun things about the nanocyte class, and there are just so many fun ways to use nanites in and out of combat.

Perhaps one of their most offensive abilities is the ability to create weapons from their symbiotic nanites, giving them powerful tools of destruction they can never truly be disarmed of.

For today’s entry, however, we’ll be looking at a variant of the nanocyte that specializes in destruction using such created weapons. They might provide advanced targeting to pinpoint the most lethal areas of a target’s body, or they might reshape the weapon on the micro-scale to be even more lethal , or even sacrifice droves of their components to enhance the damage in other ways.

No matter the exact method, not only do these nanocytes become especially lethal against their targets, but they can use their methodology to spread the harm to other targets as well, becoming nanomachine-enhanced engines of destruction.

The weapons these warriors create are built to let nothing stop them, penetrating hard materials and even altering to accept a little extra charge (or nanite surge) to become more damaging, the latter by imbuing nanites into the projectiles or striking area for extra damage.

The nanites can even sacrifice themselves to imbue the weapon with other types of damage, superheating themselves or chilling for fire or cold, or overloading for electricity.

Whether they are left behind by a melee weapon or are carried to the target at range, these nanocytes can discharge such nanites that they spray out from the wound, carrying the form of damage to a nearby target to spread destruction, though it is naturally lighter than the initial impact.

Additionally, the guidance of their nanites makes them more accurate when attacking repeatedly.

Later on, their sprays of nanites can spread further and with an expenditure of nanites can be used repeatedly in the same onslaught of attacks.

Naturally, a nanocyte with this faculty is going to primarily be using their gear array to create weapons, as all of their faculty abilities center around such weapons. They typically only would use their sheath array when out of combat for the protective benefits and the cloud when avoidance is more important than fighting. As such, their knacks are going to be mostly made up of those that enhance their weapons or otherwise make them more effective combatants, such as heavy armor edge, material alterations, split manifestation, eldritch upgrade, heavy weapon edge, and so on. In either case, you can build them as either melee or ranged attackers with ease, or perhaps split your focus.

With their destructive abilities, the nanites bonded to these nanocytes almost certainly had an origin in combat, meant to enhance the performance of both the host and their equipment. Of course, even if that is true, the character might not have been the intended recipient. In such a case, the nanites might simply be continuing their function, or they might have adapted such combat potential as a solution for keeping their host alive and safe in a hostile environment.

Seeking information about a former client, the party singles out a xulgath member of a mercenary company who is known for being a drunken partyer. Getting him to talk should be easy, but if he discovers the ruse he’ll prove to be a dangerous combatant, his intoxication doing nothing to hamper the nanites in his body.

Rumor has it that a magitech-focused corporation is developing a method of creating hybrid magitech nanites able to enhance the host with magically-empowered attacks. In order to do so, they’ve been studying stolen aeon stone network constructs to see how each component coordinates with the others. However, they don’t realize the risk when one collection gets free and attempts to merge with the others to create a powerful distress signal relay.

Valgoth the Arsenal is an infamous pirate, named for the vast array of heavy weapons his nanites can replicate and enhance. They say he was once a super soldier serving in some warlike nation’s military, but it appears that for some reason or another, he left, choosing to ply his skills in taking from merchant vessels.