#fox news intel briefings

[leapingbadger]

Sucker Punch

Echo and Hunter are usually pretty steady but here's an example of them being chaos merchants when the other Batchers aren't around.

Fox lovers please don't come for me! I don't hate him, but I do love Fives and wanted a little sliver of justice for him and Echo.

Echo strode down the hallway with purpose. He hadn’t been back to coruscant since he’d recovered from Skako Minor, but his feet remembered his way through the corridors perfectly.

“Are you sure about this?” Hunter asked again as he followed behind him, his gruff voice tinged with concern.

“It’s just something I’ve got to do, Hunter.” Echo replied. “You didn’t have to come with me.”

“What are brothers for?” Hunter said, clapping him on the shoulder and followingly slowly behind.

Clone Force 99 had been called to the capital by Rex who needed Tech’s assistance on some intel and data retrieval. While the rest of the Batch caught up with their favorite captain, Echo and Hunter were on a separate mission, one that could potentially get them in a lot of trouble if it didn’t go right.

As Echo rounded the corner, he saw Hunter hang back, his black and red armor failing miserably at making him look like he belonged there amongst the stark red and white of the Coruscant guard.

A group of red and white clad troopers stood to attention by a Commander who Echo knew was Fox.

Echo felt his insides clench as he noticed the two blasters in holsters at his side. Had one of those been the blaster that killed Fives? The one that seared a hole in his chest, sending him crashing to the floor.

Echo didn’t have the benefit of first-person perspective, having only heard a brief summary from Rex, after begging for it for months. His own brain had filled in the blanks, including a picture of his dying brother that swam before his eyes whenever he thought of it. Blood seeping out of his mouth as he lay prostrate on the floor, the life draining from his eyes until they stared, unseeing into the nothingness.

All of this swirled in his mind as he took one final look behind him at his new brother and strode to meet the commander.

“Commander Fox?” he asked, standing to attention, hands clasped at his side.

Fox had just dismissed his troops and turned around, his head rebounding in surprise at Echo’s presence.

“Ah, yes. Echo isn’t it? I saw the holos of when you were…found.”

“Yes, Sir” Echo said, awkwardly fidgeting with his scomp arm.

“What can I do for you, Corporal?” Fox asked, tucking his datapad under his arm.

“I was hoping to talk to you for a moment. About my brother, Fives.” Echo said, his name catching slightly in his throat.

Echo noticed the commander stiffen.

“I’m sorry, Corporal, I’m not able to discuss a classified mission.”

Echo removed his helmet, lifting his amber gaze to the commander. “Please, Sir. I wasn’t able to help him. I just need to know what happened.”

Fox sighed and looked around the hallway, pulling Echo to the right side of the hall, removing his own helmet and tucking it under his arm.

“I understand, Echo. And I am sorry. But I can’t discuss it with you. I could be court martialed. The file was sealed by the Chancellor, himself.”

Echo felt his shoulder’s slump. He looked at the face of the man who could have been his brother. He had the same haircut, the same eyes, but lacked the jaunty smile and sense of bravado that made Fives, Fives.

Echo nodded his head in understanding. “Thank you, Sir, Sorry for asking.”

Fox laid his hand on Echo’s shoulder, and Echo felt himself bristle, “We have all lost brothers. We just have to move on.” he said gruffly.

Echo turned to walk away, glancing at Hunter, leaning on the wall at the top of the corridor.  The Sergeant’s head was cocked to the side in question.

“We just have to move on,” the words reverberated in Echo’s head. He felt a fist form in his left hand and before he knew what he was doing, turned around, throwing a punch at the commander, but not with his fist, with his scomp.

He heard Hunter’s heavy boot falls as he tore down the corridor.

“Echo, there you are,” Hunter said, streaking over to his brother, arms on his shoulders and starting to steer him away as the commander recoiled from the sucker punch. “I’m sorry, Commander. He’s been having trouble with his cranial interface. Hit me so hard this morning I blacked out. Echo, can you hear me?”

Echo, shook his head as though coming out of a trance. He noticed a slash on the commander’s cheek, blood seeping from the wound, as scarlet at his armor.

“Hunter? Where am I? he asked, looking down at his scomp, “What’s that?” he said, seemingly alarmed at his own appearance.

“I better get him checked out,” Hunter said, pushing Echo forward. “Sorry again commander,” he threw over his shoulder as he marched Echo out of the area.

“Er, yes. Better get him looked at,” Fox said in a daze.

With final look back Echo saw Fox touch his gloved hand to his bloody face, mouth agape, brow furrowed in confusion.  

“I said kriff him up, Echo, not permanently scar him,” Hunter said with a chuckle and distinct pride in his voice. “Did you hit him with the scomp?”

“Yeah. I think I forgot it was there,” he said with a chuckle.

“Are you okay? Did you get your answers.” Hunter asked, his smile fading into a concerned look.

“No,” Echo said, “but I do feel better.” he said with a smile.

Hunter laughed and clapped him on the back, “Well, glad to hear it. Remember that when you’re under observation. ‘Cos there’s no way you’re getting out of a health review after that performance.”

Echo grinned, “You know what? it was worth it.”

[sonyaheaneyauthor]

During the Cold War, countless Republicans were — along with Democrats — blistering critics of the Kremlin. But the MAGA movement has had its share of Republicans who aren't shy about defending Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The late conservative Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) considered Donald Trump a "disgraceful" Putin apologist. And Putin's vocal MAGA defenders have included former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and ex-Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who spent much of her political career as a Democrat but is now a far-right MAGA Republican.

Trump has nominated Gabbard for national intelligence director, but it remains to be seen whether or not she will be confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2025.

In an article published on December 5, The Guardian lays out reasons why many people in the intelligence community are so alarmed by the nomination.

Intel experts have been troubled not only by Gabbard's willingness to defend of Putin and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but also, by her defense of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"Within Washington foreign policy circles and the tightly knit intelligence community," The Guardian explains, "Gabbard has long been seen as dangerous. Some have worried that she seems inclined toward conspiracy theories and cozying up to dictators. Others, including the former secretary of state and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, have gone further, calling her a 'Russian asset.'"

The Guardian adds, "Those concerns have been heightened by Gabbard's nomination under Donald Trump to the post of director of national intelligence, a senior cabinet-level position with access to classified materials from across the 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, and shaping that information for the president’s daily briefing. The role would allow her to access and declassify information at her discretion, and also direct some intelligence-sharing with U.S. allies around the world."

Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois), a Never Trump conservative who endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the United States' 2024 presidential race, has been an outspoken critic of the nomination.

In a scathing article published by The Bulwark on November 19, Kinzinger warned, "I worry what might happen to untold numbers of American assets if someone as reckless, inexperienced, and outright disloyal as Gabbard were DNI."

A Guardian source described as someone "familiar with discussions among senior intelligence officials" told the publication, "There is real concern about her contacts (in Syria) and that she does not share the same sympathies and values as the intelligence community. She is historically unfit."

[mightyflamethrower]

Trump Would-Be Assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks Had Two Cell Phones and 3 Encrypted Accounts Overseas

Trump’s would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks had two cell phones and used three encrypted accounts overseas to communicate.

The FBI found Crooks’ second cell phone at his home with only 27 contacts, The Daily Mail reported.

Congressman Mike Waltz told Fox News host Jesse Watters that according to an FBI briefing, Crooks had multiple encrypted accounts and said more will come out Monday.

Rep. Waltz said the Trump shooter had the overseas accounts at the same time we heard about the Iranian assassination plot against Trump.

Jesse Watters asked if the two are connected (they aren’t).

The Intel agencies leaked an Iranian assassination plot story to CNN to throw chaos in the camp and distract from Saturday’s Secret Service failures.

WATCH:

Police found a cell phone and a bomb detonator next to Thomas Matthew Crooks after a Secret Service sniper fatally shot him on a rooftop outside of Trump’s Butler, Pennsylvania rally.

“Channel 11′s Nicole Ford also obtained exclusive photos showing the cell phone and transmitter device found next to Crooks moments after a Secret Service sniper shot and killed him.” WPXI reported

It was previously reported by The Wall Street Journal and CNN that Crooks had explosives in his Hyundai Sonata which was parked next to the rally.

Crooks did not work alone.

Details about the explosives are not known.

However, according to CNN, investigators found no online search history of Crooks researching how to assemble homemade explosives.

“It’s unclear how Crooks assembled the explosive devices found in his car. Investigators parsing through his online search history haven’t found any indication of him researching how to make home-made explosives, law enforcement officials said.” – CNN reported.

The so-called ‘security lapses’ and circumstances surrounding the assassination attempt against Trump raise questions about how Thomas Matthew Crooks was able to pull everything off by himself.

Crooks reportedly purchased a 5-foot ladder from Home Depot the morning of the assassination attempt.

How did he know he needed a ladder to access a rooftop with a clear line to President Trump? It is unclear if Crooks used the newly-purchased ladder because the one photographed is larger than the one he bought from Home Depot.

[darkmaga-returns]

“The National Security Divisions of the DOJ and FBI are the greatest domestic threats to the American people and the concept of Constitutional rule of law today.” — Scott Ritter

James Howard Kunstler

Nov 22, 2024

     Okay, you’ve had enough post-election euphoria. Time to wake TF up. Rats from inside the walls of the Deep State are trying to gnaw their way into the Trump cabinet. Ever hear of an outfit called Cipher Brief? Of course not. Cipher Brief is sort of the McKinsey of blob-world (a.k.a. the “national security” network), a combination Human Relations / Public Relations firm, totally spooked-up with former CIA officers. Quite a few of the spooks who signed the infamous letter in October 2020 that said Hunter Biden’s laptop was “Russian disinformation” are contractors there. They all knew the heinous laptop was genuine, though, and they did it anyway to queer the election for “Joe Biden.” Why? Because. . .  Trump.

     One Cipher Brief operative is a character named Dan Hoffman, a retired CIA “clandestine service” officer who ran the agency’s Middle East Bureau, among other things. He’s now a sometime talking head on Fox News. Hoffman has scuttled his way to the sidelines of the Trump transition team, trying to punk them on personnel. I received my own intel about Dan Hoffman and his current operations.

    “Hoffman talks the talk,” I’m informed. “He was involved in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. He is 100-percent Deep State. They think he is a brother-in-arms. He is not. Hoffman and the people around him are in direct contact with Tulsi Gabbard [DNI-designate] and John Ratcliffe [CIA Director-designate]. Remember, agency ops officers are trained to be all things to all people, to manipulate them, detect their vulnerabilities, and exploit them. Their game vis-a-vis Donald Trump? To kneecap his attempts to lower tensions world-wide, stop efforts to reduce and reform the intel and defense communities, push a generally Globalist policy agenda, keep the American ‘empire game’ running so they can cash out, and keep non-Beltway Americans from having any say in our foreign policy.

[wantonlywindswept]

CC Batch Aurek: Abregado

one | two

this fought me so hard but HEY through the power of Maybe-Force-Maybe-Eldritch Shenanigans i have decided to improve the outcome of the 104th v the Malevolence.

not by a lot, but still.

---

Nax knew it wasn't his place to question his superior officers, but they seemed very worked up over something that was easily verified.

"--in the Abregado system when we lost contact--"

Nax stepped away from the communications room to pull up his comm, leaving the Council and the Chancellor to debate whether his brothers were worth rescuing. It was still early into second shift, which meant that most of first shift had probably only just made it to sleep, which mostly meant--

"I swear," Rex growled, "On Prime's fucking cock, if this isn't an emergency--"

"Commander Wolffe might be in trouble," Nax blurted, because Rex tended to keep his threats. "Can you, uh, check on him?"

Nobody really knew how the Aurek batch worked--including, apparently, Aurek themselves--and while the lack of tangible evidence drove Coric up the wall, it was already proven that they were somehow connected. 

Admittedly, the 'proof' came in the form of Rex getting incredibly drunk, predicting how his adopted batchers were feeling, and then comming them to prove it, so it was slightly suspect. But the only one he'd gotten wrong had been Commander Fox, who'd spent a good fifteen minutes threatening them with discipline and dismemberment for interrupting his work, which had only resulted in Rex grinning dopily at the holo.

There was a short pause on the other end of the call while Rex presumably did his mystical feely powers banthashit, but the sharp intake of air told Nax all he needed to know.

"General Koon called asking for reinforcements in the Abregado system," he reported without prompting as he heard the familiar sound of armor being hastily donned. "The comm was cut off, and we haven't been able to reestablish communications. They were after intel on that new Sep weapon."

"Then the survivors don't have long," Rex said grimly. His voice became clearer, shifting from a wrist comm to helmet speakers. "I'll go mobilize a squad; tell the General to meet me in the hangar."

"Yessir."

Nax cut the call and made his way back to the communications room. 

"--absence of distress beacons indicate that his fleet was--"

"Sirs," he interrupted, standing at sharp attention, "At least some of the 104th has survived. Captain Rex is currently assembling a rescue team in the hangar."

There was a brief moment of utter silence. Then:

"Rex," General Skywalker breathed. 

"Oh," General Kenobi said. He covered his eyes with one hand. "Oh, of course. I hadn't even thought about asking Cody."

"I'll lead some of the gunships over to the Abregado system to pick up the survivors," Skywalker announced, a new determined set to his shoulders. "Admiral Yularen will stay the course to keep watch on our supply lines, and we'll catch up as soon as we've retrieved the Wolfpack."

"I'm sorry," the Chancellor interjected, "But where is this intel coming from? Anakin, I know your heart is in the right place, but we cannot risk resources on the mere chance that there could be survivors."

"It's not just a chance," Skywalker said firmly. "Rex knows that at least Commander Wolffe is alive. And even if it's just him, any witnesses to how the weapon works would be worth it."

"You're basing this off the word of a clone?"

All five Jedi turned their attention to the Chancellor, radiating judgment. Nax smirked from behind the safety of his helmet.

"No offense intended to your Captain, of course," the Chancellor said hastily. "But, Councilors, you must see that this is an unwise decision--"

"No, Anakin has a point," General Kenobi interrupted, stroking his beard. "If Captain Rex says that Commander Wolffe is alive, that definitely means there are survivors out there."

"And how does the Captain know that?"

"It has to do with their batch," Kenobi explained. "They are a very unique group of clones--my own Commander Cody is part of it as well--"

Permission implicitly--if not expressly--given, Skywalker slapped the button to disconnect the call before he could be told otherwise, and immediately headed out of the comm room. 

"Snips, go with Rex, get the rescue team going ASAP. I'll follow you in the Twilight. Admiral Yularen, we have new orders..."

Nax watched them go, a tight knot of tension loosening in his chest. He pulled up his comm again.

"The Commander's on her way, sir," he reported. "You'll take the squad and depart ASAP; General Skywalker will catch up in his ship."

"Understood. We'll be underway as soon as Commander Tano gets here."

"Captain, if you can..."

Nax hesitated, the words sticking in his throat, because it was a stupid request, but--

"I'll do everything I can to find your batchmates," Rex promised gently, his voice losing its crisp edge. "If they're alive, we'll bring them home."

Nax exhaled shakily.

"Thank you, sir."

He didn't know if the Jedi always had their best interests at heart--and was almost positive that the Senate didn't--but Nax knew that he could always depend on his brothers. That they would look out for each other, even if no one else cared.

(Only thirty troopers made it out of the destruction. Only thirty, out of six hundred, remained of the 104th Battalion. 

But two of them were Sinker and Boost, and later, if Nax wept out of relief and selfish joy that at least they survived, he knew that his brothers understood.)

[crazyforkasey-blog]

Luck of the irish

Chapter 7

This was it after months of scrubbed missions, we were finally going to jump into occupied Holland.

I had been in mission briefings for what seemed like weeks instead of days. Nixon and I had gone over the intel again and again with the rest of regiment and battalion S3 and S4. In my mind it seemed too good to be true and I knew that if Montgomery and Patton could just put their petty rivalry aside they could find a safer way into Germany instead of this gamble, with questionable intelligence.

2nd Battalion was gathered in Hangar used for briefings at the airfield.

"As you can see, this is called Operation Market-Garden, Market being the airborne operation and Garden the ground operation, in terms of airborne divisions involved, this is even bigger than Normandy. We are dropping deep into occupied Holland, the allied objective is to take this road here between Arnhem and Eindhoven, and so the two British armored units can move up toward Arnhem. Our job is going to be to liberate Eindhoven, stay there and wait for the tanks" Winters said and when he finished Nixon took over.

"The entire European advance has been put on hold to relocate resources for this operation, it's Montgomery's personal plan, we will be under British Command" I said.

There was a lot of moaning and complaining,

 "The good news is, if this works, these tanks will be over the Rhine into Germany that could end the war and get us home by Christmas. It will be a day time jump, Intelligence doesn't expect much opposition, they think the krauts in Holland are mostly old men and kids, and we should take them by surprise. In any case say goodbye to England, I don't think they are going to call this one of" Nixon said

The men started to pile out of the tent after the briefing ended; the officers lingered around and went over the operation one more time, just to be absolutely sure they were prepared for whatever could happen.

I stood bent over a map, when I felt a hand on my lower back. I turned around and Harry had me trapped between the table and him. I took a quick look around the hanger and when I saw we were alone I kissed him and leaned into him. Harry pulled me close and we just stood there savoring the moment.

“I want you to be safe and not take any chances” Harry said and for once I didn’t argue, I just nodded and sent up a silent prayer that we both would survive this push into Holland.

 September 17, 1944

The roar of C-47 engines filled the  beautiful end-of-summer day, with a clear blue sky. I clutched my rifle tightly as the green light turned on. The men in my stick, tense and focused, filed out of the plane, the rush of cold air hitting them as they jumped into. Operation Market Garden was a go

Once over Holland we encountered some anti aircraft fire, but once over the DZ everything went smooth.

The landing field was freshly plowed, and the only problem the battalion had was to get off the field fast enough, to avoid getting hit by gliders and falling equipment

The March order had Dog Company in the lead, with Easy, HQ and Fox following them.

I hit the ground hard, rolling to absorb the impact, and took a quick breath to gather my bearings. Around me, men were landing, quickly rallying together in the Dutch countryside. 

 As we moved through the fields, the ground beneath them softened with mud and rain, but the men’s focus stayed sharp. Our mission was to secure a critical bridge near Eindhoven. The stakes couldn’t be higher. When we reached Eindhoven a celebration broke out, the residents crowded the streets and women were throwing themselves at the men. I found Harry and grabbed his hand and dragged him towards a vantage point, where Winters and Buck stood trying to get an overview of the situation.

Nixon soon joined us and all of us flipped our collars in case of snipers.

We moved through the crowd and came across a group of residents who were chanting and in the middle of the crowd a woman on her knees was crying and pleading while a man was cutting her long hair off. I took a step closer and Harry instantly knew what my intentions were, he grabbed the sleeve of my uniform and pulled me to him.

“Don’t” he whispered

I tried to wrest free from his hold, but he just strengthened his grasp.

A tall man in a worn suit came up behind us and Nixon asked what was going on.

“It’s the women who slept with the Germans, they are lucky the men who collaborated were shot," he said. 

The man introduced himself as the leader of the resistance and offered to help us anyway he could. Nixon and I followed him and we met up with the local resistance group to get whatever intelligence we could.

When night came orders came down to dig in at the outskirts of town.

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dawn was breaking as Easy Company approached the bridge, only to find it heavily guarded by German soldiers. Winters gave quick, clear orders, dividing the men into teams to surround the area.

A firefight erupted as we approached, bullets ripping through the air.The bridge was a battleground, with explosions echoing off the metal structure and smoke filling the air. 

I darted from my cover,  as we advanced. The Germans were falling back, and the battalion surged forward, taking control of the bridge’s southern side.

As the men settled in for the night, I found myself tucked in between Nixon and Harry by a small campfire, each of them silently taking in the victory they’d won. It was a bitter reminder, though, that the battle was far from over. The news had reached them earlier that not all parts of Market Garden were going as planned. The 82nd and 1st Airborne were facing resistance far stronger than anticipated, and the drive to secure the bridges would be longer and bloodier than we had hoped.

The next day, the battalion moved onward, encountering fierce resistance as they attempted to secure the surrounding areas. Each fight was brutal, every inch gained came at a cost. 

September 22 1944

Second battalion caught up with each other in Uden. I went out to find Winters, I wanted to know how the rest of the Regiment was doing, and I found him at the CP.

"Good you are here" Colonel Sink said.

"What's going on" I asked Nixon

"We are taking Veghel and moving south" Colonel Sink informed them and continued to explain the mission.

I was observing the attack from behind two parked Jeeps.

Nixon was standing beside her, they were hoping everything would go smooth, and then suddenly I heard a loud ping and noticed Nixon had hit the deck.

Winters and I was on him immediately "Oh god Nix are you ok" I said

"Yeah I am fine, I am ok, am I ok, stop looking at me like that" Lew said.

Nixon had been hit by a bullet; it had gone through his helmet, but only left a burn mark on his forehead.

The men got loaded into the back of trucks and the battalion retreated.

[edhayne]

I Love Scamp

The TV adaptation of Charlie Mackesy’s bestselling illustrated book, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse was the most watched BBC programme on Christmas Eve. Maybe I’m getting overly sentimental in my old age, but I thought the understated short film brought the tale of unusual friendships to life beautifully.

However, what really grabbed me was the accompanying documentary which lets us into the author’s world and his meticulous way of working. It’s a fascinating watch and reaffirmed my belief that committing pen to paper remains one of the purest forms of creative expression.

Before I’m accused of being a technophobe, I’m not advocating that we all unplug our computers and ignore the opportunities that technology enables. Even I’m not that naive, but I am suggesting that we’ve neglected an important craft that deserves a renaissance.

Still not sure what I’m on about? Let’s cut to the chase. I’m referring to the lost art of scamping.

Watching Charlie work his magic over Christmas served as a reminder of just how powerful drawing can be during the creative process. So powerful in fact that a hand drawn scamp is capable of not only enhancing an idea, but also playing a valuable role in protecting it.

Let’s start with how they can make an idea better, sometimes even serendipitously. When talking about one of his most popular sketches, captioned ‘the greatest illusion is that life should be perfect’, Charlie reveals that whilst the ink was drying, his dog walked over the drawing ‘clearly trying to make the point’. It’s an anecdote that captures the possibility that comes with hand-drawn work. Yes, Charlie got lucky, but he was using a medium that lends itself to ideas being built upon organically.

There’s also something to be said for the originality that sits at the heart of a scamp, with our thoughts given the freedom to flow onto the page. It’s why I always loved the pencils handed out at BBH. No doubt some of the world’s greatest advertising campaigns started with one of them, a blank sheet of paper and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

If being creative is about doing new original things, defaulting to image libraries when an idea is in its infancy makes little sense to me. Of course, the right kind of accompanying creative reference is invaluable, but placeholder visuals so early on can distract from the core idea and lead to subjective feedback. Why? Because you’re asking the client to takeaway rather than build upon what’s in front of them.

Naturally the agency blames the client ‘for being too literal’, but if we’re armed with this intel, why do we continue to try and sell creative that sort of looks finished, but is nothing like what we really want to make?

We’ve all been there. “What you’re about to see is not the final execution”. “Think of it like a posh scamp”.

It’s a dangerous game and whether we like it or not, creative presentations are passed around internal stakeholders who understandably aren’t always up to speed on the intricacies of a ‘posh’ scamp. Take away the agency disclaimer voice over and it’s hardly surprising that so many good ideas move onto death row without a fair trial.

It’s why I believe the protective role a ‘common’ scamp can play in the creative process is one of its biggest strengths. Ideas are fragile and need to be nurtured. Like a handwritten letter, there’s something more human and therefore persuasive about a new concept presented in its rawest form, particularly given how rare a technique it’s become.

From a strategy perspective it’s why we often include a photograph that captures the organised chaos of a client/agency workshop when presenting back. Even if the day was largely unproductive, (FYI – many ideas are bad ideas), the sea of luminous post it notes with illegible scribbles conveys a sense of shared ownership and a feeling that brief was interrogated from every angle.

Thankfully Charlie Mackesy wasn’t referring to the output from a workshop when he revealed “it blew his mind that he was sitting talking about a film which began with drawings”. Hindsight’s a wonderful thing, but when you look at the quality of his craft, the medium he embraced and the cultural context, there’s a reason why he’s been so successful at selling his work alongside his team.

One of the most important jobs in advertising is to shorten the odds of a client buying great ideas. Like a penalty shoot-out in football, it’s a fallacy to suggest it’s a lottery. That’s why the best agencies obsess about creating the right conditions for a successful meeting. And whilst the humble scamp might not always be the answer, it’s certainly not a bad place to start. Just ask Charlie.

[chakytron]

Biden says there's 'no need' for Trump to have classified intel briefings

Biden says there's 'no need' for Trump to have classified intel briefings

Biden says there's 'no need' for Trump to have classified intel briefings Category Main Description: In a Super Bowl interview set to air President Biden claims there is “no need” for President Trump to continue to receive intel briefings due to his erratic behavior; … TopTrengingTV Hunting the most trend video of the moment, every hour every day 24/7. Youtube Video Data Published At:…

[kanerallels]

Low And Lost Without You

For Kanera Week day one: "Alternate Universe". Dedicated to @chaoticdumbassrogue, who requested the original fic that this is a continuation of!

Rating/Warnings: Rated T (mention of canon typical violence and the Dark Side)

Taglist: @accidental-spice @laughingphoenixleader @heckin-music-dork @day-to-day-thots @firefoxtessa @auroramagpie @opalknight @kaneraweek

Read on AO3!

One year, six months, a week and two days.

That was how long it had been since the Third Brother had returned, unsuccessful, from his mission to Thabeska, and been summarily punished. Painfully. Some of the scars still ached after long days or training sessions. He’d also been confined to the Imperial Palace for a few months, ostensibly to heal. However, it was more likely that it was so the other Inquisitors could exact their vengeance on him.

But that was also how long it had been since Kanan had joined the Rebellion as a spy, in the heart of the Inquisitor’s ranks. 

It had been the most terrifying and exhilarating year and a half of his life. The fear of being caught was almost constant, but Kanan was good at working through fear. 

And it was oddly reassuring that he wasn’t the only one. He had Fox, who’d been spying since the very beginning, and had pushed to have him recruited. And he had Hera. Hera, who repeatedly risked her own life by sneaking into the Imperial Palace disguised as a servant. Not just to collect intel, but to check on him. To make sure he was okay, and every time, to offer to get him out.

He would never say yes. But he appreciated it, just the same.

Most of the secretive meetings he and Hera would have were in the dead of night, in the furthest reaches of the palace. They planned carefully, checking guard rotations and the locations of the other Inquisitors repeatedly before confirming anything. They were spying right under the Emperor’s nose— and Kanan, for one, had no intention of getting Hera caught.

Everything was planned down to the second. Which was why Kanan was very confused when Fox woke him the night before he was supposed to meet Hera.

The clone commander had commed ahead with the warning that had woken Kanan up. His mind spinning with curiosity and exhaustion, he’d gotten dressed and was waiting outside the door, helmet on, when Fox arrived.

“We have a problem,” the clone said without preamble as he approached. Kanan didn’t take offense— that was just Fox’s way, and he’d gotten used to it by now.

“The kind we can solve fast so I can go back to bed?” he asked.

Wordlessly, Fox handed him a disposable cup of caf and kept walking. Sighing, Kanan muttered, “Guess not.”

He followed Fox down the hall, maneuvering off his helmet and sipping at the hot caf tentatively. The caffeine helped clear his head as they stepped into one of the meeting rooms that the Inquisitors often used for briefings. Kanan and Fox had cleared a few of them, making sure there were no bugs and that they could handle the security cams if necessary. Which it often was.

Fox closed the door behind him, and Kanan hastily knocked back the rest of his caf, wincing as it scalded the roof of his mouth. “Okay, what’s going on?” he asked. 

“The Empire nabbed a runner for the Path,” Fox said, his voice grim, and Kanan cursed.

“That is not good.”

He’d only been made aware of the Path a few months ago, when he’d needed to smuggle a Force sensitive kid off of Coruscant before the Empire caught onto their existence. Hera had told him about them then— how they protected Force sensitives, hiding former Jedi and children from the Inquisitorus and anyone who would hand them in for a ransom. For the Empire to have captured one of theirs…

“Exactly,” Fox said. “The good news is that they don’t know who they have. He was taken in by the Coruscant Guard for pulling a blaster in a public place, and is currently detained. His ship has been impounded, but they haven’t found the cargo.”

“That’s good,” Kanan said, resisting the urge to run his hand through his hair. “Then we have time to act. We can make it look like he got out on his own, but we’re not gonna be able to get his ship out, are we?”

“I contacted Nephele,” Fox said, using the code name Hera had chosen when they’d first started. “She’s going to meet you in the usual place, and you can discuss the pilot and the cargo getting a ride out.” He paused, and Kanan frowned. There was something… off. Like he wasn’t saying something.

“What is it?” he asked.

To Fox’s credit, he didn’t try to deny anything. Handing Kanan a datapad he’d had tucked under one arm, he said, “You’re going to want to see the pilot’s file.”

Frowning, Kanan glanced down at the datapad, already opening his mouth to ask what Fox was talking about. And then he froze, his gaze locking on the name at the top of the page.

Janus Kasmir.

Kanan couldn’t breathe, his body humming with shock. A thousand questions swirled through his mind, but the only one he managed to get out was, “How did you know?”

“When I was first given this post, I made it my business to know,” Fox said. His voice wasn’t sympathetic, but it held a calm, in control note that was almost soothing, strangely enough. “I wanted to know what I was dealing with, so I read what I could find of your files.”

“Didn’t know there was one of those available to the average trooper,” Kanan muttered, staring blindly at the datapad. He’s here. How is he here? What is he doing with the Path, of all things? Kasmir had never been out for anyone but himself.

But here he was. “Are you sure he’s part of the Path?” Kanan asked, glancing at Fox, who nodded.

“It was confirmed by a source who couldn’t be wrong about this.”

Taking a deep breath, Kanan swallowed down the questions he felt bubbling inside of him and nodded. “Okay. I’ll make contact with Nephele in the usual spot. Get Kasmir and meet us at the back entrance of the palace.”

“On it,” Fox said briskly. He keyed open the door, disappearing down the hall, and Kanan took a moment to steady himself. Although how he planned to do that, he wasn’t quite sure. He just couldn’t think past the fact that it was Kasmir. Kasmir was imprisoned, and he was working for the Path. Why? Kanan wondered. What made him decide to do this?

It was a mystery that he couldn’t solve, not here and now. One thing at a time. First things first— go find Hera. Putting on his helmet, he headed out of the room.

Their usual meeting spot was down on the very first level of the Imperial Palace, in a back hallway near the kitchens. It was incredibly rare that anyone was seen down there, other than the servants and the odd guard. Which made it the perfect place for a discreet meeting.

Hera was waiting for him in their usual spot. Seeming to hear him coming, she turned to face him, and Kanan felt his heart skip a beat as he met her eyes. Force, she’s beautiful.

Upon deciding to commit to the Rebellion, Kanan had known there would be risks. The biggest one was being caught, and giving away his companions. There wasn’t much he could do, especially for Fox. But Hera was his link to the outside world, to the bigger Rebellion. There was no way he could let the Empire have that.

So, with a little experimentation, he’d figured out how to mess with his own memories using the Force. And every time one of their meetings had finished, he wiped the specific memory of her face away, leaving only the vaguest impressions.

Kanan recognized that this was dangerous, and possibly stupid. But he couldn’t risk her, and this was the only way he could protect her. So every meeting, when he saw Hera, it was for the first time. And every time, without fail, his heart skipped a beat.

He had a feeling it would be like that whether he remembered her face or not.

“Hi,” she said, and Kanan felt a shiver go down his spine at the sound of her voice. That was one thing that he could never forget, not that he would ever try. “What’s wrong?”

“Turns out, the Coruscant Guard nabbed a pretty important prisoner,” Kanan told her. Keeping his voice low, he quickly recounted everything Fox had told him, how a member of the Path had been caught, but his cargo hadn’t been found yet.

Hera listened intently, her eyes narrowed in thought as she tapped a finger against her chin. “One of us needs to get to the impounded ship, get the cargo off without anyone catching us. And with a guard at the impound lot, it isn’t going to be easy.”

“Fox is locating the pilot,” Kanan said. Kasmir,  his brain whispered. Janus Kasmir. The man who protected you for as long as he could. It just wasn’t long enough.

Shut up, he told his brain, refocusing on Hera. Who was frowning at him with concern.

“Are you okay?” she asked. “You seem a little off.”

“Just… tired,” Kanan said vaguely. “We should focus on the job.”

It wasn’t really that surprising when Hera didn’t accept his excuse. “That’s half the problem,” she pointed out gently. “You can’t focus, Kanan. Do you want to talk about it?”

Kanan opened his mouth, ready to tell her it wasn’t a big deal— but he couldn’t. Instead, he blurted out, “I know the pilot.”

One of Hera’s eyebrows lifted briefly in surprise. “You do? How?”

“From… before,” Kanan admitted. “Before the Empire caught me.”

Now that surprised Hera— he could see it in her eyes. “I’ve never heard you talk about your past before,” she said.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Kanan said. “Nothing that isn’t regret or pain, anyways. But this situation… my judgment is compromised. You should know what’s going on.”

Hera nodded, but didn’t speak, leaving the silence for him to fill. Kanan tugged off his helmet— he wanted to really see her for this conversation, although he’d probably regret that later.

“His name is Janus Kasmir,” he said. “He hid me after… after Order 66.”

Just the words left a sour taste in his mouth, the sound of blasters and a familiar scream ringing in his head. Taking a deep breath, Kanan plowed forward. “He was a smuggler back then— gave me a place to hide, although it wasn’t exactly willingly at first. I worked with him for about a year. We managed to evade the Empire for the whole time. Until one day, I came back to the ship and… there they were.”

He squeezed his eyes shut, remembering the sight of Gray’s blaster pressed against Kasmir’s head. “They had him at blaster point. I had a choice between running, and turning myself in. I was so close to running— but then I heard my master’s voice in my head. I knew what she would have done, if she’d been there.”

“You turned yourself in,” Hera said softly.

“I did. And the rest of my life—” Kanan hefted the helmet in his hand— “has been this. The Empire breaking me down and rebuilding me into their little slave.”

Opening his eyes, he stared at the ground, unable to meet Hera’s gaze. “Anyways. I haven’t seen him since. I don’t know if he’ll remember me, or why he’s working for the Path now, but— I thought you should know.”

Something brushed his hand, and he twitched in surprise before realizing it was Hera. Taking his hand, she said, “You’re not their slave any more. And… I’m so sorry, Kanan.”

There was something about her hand around his, about the soft sympathy laced with determination in Hera’s voice, that lifted the dark cloud around Kanan. He offered her a small smile. “Could be worse. At least I met you.”

It was a dangerous thing to say, just as dangerous to think. But her return smile made it all worth it. Kanan opened his mouth to speak— then froze as a warning flashed at him through the Force. “Someone’s coming,” he breathed.

Hera’s eyes widened. Her hand tightened around his, and she darted towards a nearby door, yanking him after her. She slapped the button to open the door, and they both dove into the room, the door sliding shut behind them.

The room turned out to be a supply closet, the shelves fully stocked, with barely enough space for the two of them to fit in. Kanan leaned backwards, leaving Hera as much space as he could in the back of the closet.

“Where are they?” she whispered.

Closing his eyes, Kanan reached out with the Force tentatively. “Almost at the door,” he responded, his voice equally low. “They’re not Force sensitive— but I think the officer heard something.”

They were both silent for a moment, straining their ears. Kanan caught the sound of footsteps outside the door, and low voices. And then they stopped.

“They know we’re here,” he breathed, meeting Hera’s eyes in the dark.

Hera seemed to hesitate, then stepped closer to him. “Play along,” she whispered, slipping her arms around his neck. 

Kanan’s heart somehow managed to skip a beat and pound harder as she tugged his hair free from its usual tie. “What are you—” he started, and then she kissed him.

For a moment, Kanan froze, his helmet slipping from his hands. What— why— And then it registered, and he slid an arm around her waist, pulling her closer as he kissed her back. 

It was a cover. He knew that. But that didn’t stop him from kissing her like he wanted to for months now, like he knew he never really could. He cupped the side of her face gently, and he could have sworn she leaned into his touch as her fingers tangled in his hair, drawing him closer still. And in that moment, he could think of nothing but Hera.

And then the door to the closet hissed open. “What is going on here?” a crisp Imperial voice snapped. “You’re not supposed to be… here…”

The officer’s voice trailed off, and Kanan knew he’d seen the helmet at his feet, the armor and the symbol that told anyone who saw it that he was an Inquisitor. Not to be messed with, and not to be questioned. 

Reluctantly, he pulled away from Hera. It took some effort to conjure up his iciest voice. “Is there something you want?”

“I— no, sir,” the officer managed. “I—”

“Good. Then get out.”

“Yes, sir,” he said, his voice chastened.

The door slid shut, but Kanan couldn’t bring himself to fully relax until he heard the footsteps receding, a lot faster than they’d arrived. Then he let out a sigh. “That was too close. Uh, good call with the cover.”

“Luckily, you catch on quickly,” Hera said, her voice slightly unsteady. And somehow, that was what made Kanan realize that he was still holding her, her hands still knotted in his hair. She was so close he could feel her breathing, and he wondered if she could hear his heart pounding against his rib cage. He wondered what would happen if he kissed her again.

You can’t, he reminded himself. It’s not fair, not to either of you. It’s not safe. So he forced himself to let her go. She did the same seconds later, taking a few hasty steps back. “Okay,” she said, her voice firm. “What’s the plan?”

“You go get the cargo,” Kanan said. “They’ll trust you. If you take out the guard, they’ll know something’s up, so I’ll handle him.”

He caught Hera’s nod in the dim light. “We should contact Fox, and tell him to meet us at the Ghost.”

Snagging his helmet, Kanan replaced it, paused to check with the Force for any signs of passersby, then opened the door. The two of them moved quietly down the hallways together, and quickly made it to a back entrance.

The impound lot was a couple blocks from the palace and a level down. Hera took a speeder that Kanan wasn’t quite sure belonged to her, but he wasn’t about to argue. On the way, he messaged Fox and gave him a meeting place, and received a terse acknowledgement. This was pretty typical for Fox, so Kanan didn’t worry about him.

They made it to the lot in roughly ten minutes. Thanks to the fact that it was the dead of night, there were only two guards at the front gate. “I’ll handle them,” Kanan told Hera as they drew to a stop. “You just get in and find our cargo, fast. It’ll be in a Barloz-class freighter, according to Fox.”

“On it,” Hera said briskly, making a beeline for the gate leading into the lot.

Keeping his pace calm but purposeful, Kanan strode up to the shack set off to the side of the gate. He could see the moment when the two occupants spotted him— both froze, panic swelling off of them in waves.

Being an Inquisitor had its uses. But Kanan couldn’t help but hate the fear he inspired in people, the way they shook at the very sight of him. He’d never wanted to be someone who inspired fear. It was the opposite of what the Jedi had been. Which, he supposed, was the point.

Stopping in front of the window, Kanan snapped, “Open the gate to the impound lot.”

The human in the booth, a man who looked scared out of his wits, immediately smacked the button that opened the gate. As it creaked open, the less terrified of the two, a short Devaronian, said, “What— what is your purpose here?”

“None of your concern,” Kanan said briefly. “Keep your mouth shut and you’ll survive this.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Hera disappearing into the impound lot, and prayed she’d be able to find the ship quickly. In the meantime… I should probably figure out some way of stalling these two. Directing his question to the Devaronian, he said, “Have you seen anyone coming in and out of here during your shift?”

“A couple people,” the Devaronian said warily. “Why—”

“Tell me,” Kanan said. “Don’t leave out anything.” He let a hint of menace fill his voice, and the Devaronian scrambled to recount the night’s visitors. 

As he rambled on, Kanan listened with one ear, keeping an eye out for Hera. Come on, come on. He started to drum his fingers against the armor on his leg, then stopped. He couldn’t show his impatience. Especially not when he was acting sinister.

May as well check in with Fox, while I’m waiting, he thought. Switching off the external com, he activated the longer range transmitter.

Fox answered after a few heartbeats. “You got the cargo?”

“Nephele is getting it right now,” Kanan replied. “We should be out of here in five minutes, tops. You?”

There was a crash in the background, and Kanan frowned as Fox responded, his voice irritable. “Not well. Your friend is incredibly distrusting and it’s a pain in the neck.”

“Then you two should get along just fine— and he’s not my friend,” Kanan said. “Do you need a hand?”

“Might be easier just to stun him at this point,” Fox muttered. “I can handle it—” he cut himself off with a loud curse, and the volume cut out for a minute. Kanan tensed, not able to let himself breathe easily until Fox’s voice finally came back. “Okay, I think I got him to calm down. But he’s… more of a handful than I expected.”

From Fox, that was basically begging for help. “Ping me your location,” Kanan ordered. “I’ll meet you there in five, ten minutes. I just need to finish up here.”

“Yes, sir.”

Clicking off his long range com, Kanan tuned back into the Devaronian’s list just in time for him to say, “Oh, and there was— who’s that?”

Turning sharply, Kanan saw Hera slipping out of the gate, leading a hooded figure. At the figure’s side was a much shorter shape. A kid, Kanan realized with a pang. Now it’s my turn to do my job.

He spun to face the two beings in the shack. “You never saw them— or me,” he said, pushing his intention through the Force as he waved his hand. “As soon as I walk away, you will forget this entire conversation.”

Their faces going blank, the human and the Devaronian echoed the words back to him, and Kanan released a silent sigh of relief. Pivoting, he sprinted back the way he came, ducking into an alleyway out of sight, and keyed Hera’s frequency on his wrist com.

She answered almost immediately. “Hey. Where are you at?”

“Taking a detour— Fox needs a hand,” Kanan told her. “We’ll see you at the meeting point.”

“Okay,” she said. “Stay safe.”

Kanan felt his heart do a backflip in his chest at the gentle concern in her voice. You don’t want her to be worrying about you, he reminded himself. You’re supposed to be just working together, remember?

But that didn’t stop him from responding, “You, too, before switching off the com and heading down the street.

Fox was pretty easy to find. Mainly because of the signal he’d sent Kanan, showing his location. But in the dark streets of Coruscant, it would be all too easy to turn down the wrong alleyway and wind up in a situation he didn’t want to deal with. So as he drew closer to the back alley where Fox was waiting, Kanan slowed down, cautiously reaching out with the Force to make sure he wasn’t in the wrong place.

The minute he did so, the Force surged with a warning— and a tall figure bolted out of the alleyway, charging straight towards Kanan. Spotting a blaster in the figure’s hand, Kanan moved instinctively. Sending the blaster flying with the Force, he slammed his fist into the figure’s jaw. They crumpled to the ground, and Kanan’s hand was already slipping to his lightsaber when he saw their face.

It was Kasmir.

What— oh, kriff. Well, that’s one way of giving Fox a hand. Seeing as Kasmir was here, Fox was probably just around the corner, blasters at the ready as he tried to figure out what had just happened. Keying on their com channel, Kanan said, “I found your runaway.”

There was a long moment of silence. Then, a white-armored figure stepped out of the alleyway, DC-17s at the ready in his hands. Giving Kanan a brief nod, Fox said, “Thanks.”

“No problem,” Kanan said, glancing back down at Kasmir, who was already starting to stir, groaning. It was odd how little he’d changed, when everything else in Kanan’s life had. But he still looked the same.

His eyes slid open and locked on Kanan, and a look of shock, then hatred flashed through his eyes. Scrambling to his feet, Kasmir lunged at him with a snarl. Kanan stumbled backwards, surprise paralyzing him. What did I—

Fox grabbed the Kalleran by the back of the shirt, hauling him backwards. “Filthy, tuft-sucking child killer,” Kasmir snarled, struggling fiercely. “I’ll tear you to pieces.”

Oh. Right. Somehow, in the moment of seeing Kasmir again for the first time in years, Kanan had almost forgotten about his armor, about who he was. “Doesn’t seem to be much a fan of Inquisitors,” he commented over his private com line with Fox.

“Well, I wonder why that is,” Fox said, his tone dripping with so much sarcasm that Kanan did a double take. He’s not implying— does he think that Kasmir’s here because of me?

Is he here because of me? 

The idea was impossible. He hadn’t had that much of an impact in Kasmir’s life— not enough to push him into joining the Rebellion. Unless he blames himself. But that doesn’t sound like Kasmir. Does it?

This was a problem that would take a lot more time than Kanan had to unravel. “Did you tell him we’re on his side?” he asked Fox.

“Repeatedly,” Fox said. “Thought I had him convinced earlier, but apparently not.”

“And an Inquisitor showing probably didn’t help,” Kanan said with a sigh. “Well, let’s see what we can do.”

Switching on his external com, he told Kasmir, “We’re not your enemies. We’re here to help.”

“Oh, like I’ll believe that,” Kasmir sneered. “A clone and an Inquisitor “helping” me out in a dark alleyway makes perfect sense.”

Wow, Kanan thought. We really are the two worst possible people for this job. “If we were going to kill you, we would have already,” he said.

“Very convincing,” Kasmir said. “Got any other lies you want to try and sell me?”

So we’re taking the direct route. “Your cargo is safe,” Kanan told him.

He saw Kasmir stiffen, but only for a heartbeat. “I don’t have any cargo,” he said. “I already dropped it off.”

“Then why aren’t there any records of it?” Kanan asked. He could sense Kasmir’s tension growing, and the Kalleran’s gaze flicked to Fox’s now holster blaster. “Don’t try that,” Kanan told him.

“You’re gonna have to give me a real good reason not to.”

“We have an agent getting your cargo off the planet— discreetly,” Kanan added. “You’re going with them. Which means you either come with us, or we stun you and carry you. We’re not the bad guys here.”

“The terrifying armor tends to ruin that point,” Kasmir muttered. He frowned at both of them for a moment, clearly weighing his options. “I don’t trust either of you.”

Kanan nodded. “That’s fine by me. But if you want to get both of them to safety, you’re going to have to live with it.”

A scowl crossed Kasmir’s face, but finally he nodded. “Fine. But I want my blaster back.”

Extending a hand, Kanan called the blaster to his hand with the Force, and passed it to Kasmir. The minute he had it, the Kalleran pointed it directly at Kanan.

He sensed Fox stiffening, one of his hands straying down to his blasters, but Kanan didn’t move. “Let’s get something straight,” Kasmir growled. “I don’t like you. In fact, I’d happily blast both of you away, given the chance. But for some reason, you know about the cargo and you haven’t given them away. So… fine. Let’s go.”

“This way,” Kanan said, heading down the street. He sensed the other two following him, and heard his internal com click on.

“You know, most people don’t keep their back to someone who just pointed a blaster at them,” Fox muttered.

Kanan felt a ghost of a grin crossing his face. “Then it’s a good thing I’ve got you watching my back.”

The clone muttered something rude under his breath that Kanan chose to ignore.

They walked in silence for a while— Kanan taking the lead, with Kasmir following him closely, his blaster at the ready, and Fox taking up the rear. It was probably smarter to remain silent. But there was a part of Kanan that burned with curiosity, that desperately wanted to know what Kasmir was doing here, why he’d joined the Rebellion.

Was it actually because of me?

It definitely wasn’t the wisest decision to try and get information out of him, not now. But the Empire hadn’t totally been able to kill Kanan’s curious nature, and it was definitely coming to the surface today.

“So, Kasmir,” he said, keeping his tone casual as they continued down the street. “What makes a guy like you join the Path?”

“What. Are you. Doing,” Fox muttered. Kanan ignored him.

“I’ve seen your record,” he continued. “You’ve been a smuggler and a thief your whole life— nothing holding you down, no ties or any family. There wasn’t one thing that would indicate you, of all people, would want to join something that benefits someone other than yourself.”

“You realize questioning him isn’t going to help this situation at all, sir,” Fox said.

At the same time, Kasmir shot him a hostile glance. “I don’t need to justify my decisions to the likes of you, Inquisitor. You’re the one who’s working for the Empire. You do know what your bosses are doing with those children you’re taking, right?”

Kanan almost stopped in his tracks, taken aback. Oh— kark. I should have known he’d bring that up. But that didn’t stop a protest from slipping out. “I haven’t ever—”

“Don’t care,” Kasmir said flatly. “You’re still with them, no matter how much you might try to convince people otherwise. What you’re even doing helping me, I don’t know.”

“I’m trying to make things right.”

The words slipped out before Kanan could think better of it, and he cursed internally. It earned him a surprised look from Kasmir, but he seemed to brush it off seconds later. “You and every other person in the galaxy, buddy. Doesn’t mean it’ll work.”

Is that what he’s doing? Kanan wondered as they kept walking in silence. Trying to make amends for what happened? It was so unlike Kasmir— but so much of this was. Maybe he’d had more of an impact that he’d expected. Which seemed unlikely, but nothing about the past few hours was likely, anyways.

The Ghost was being kept on a landing platform down on one of the lower levels of Coruscant, several blocks away from the Imperial Palace and at least ten levels down. The owner of the platform wasn’t necessarily part of the cause, but he would happily turn a blind eye to the strange company and hours Hera kept for the right price. Which was good enough for now.

As they moved onto the platform in front of the Ghost, Kanan glanced around, seeking Hera. For a moment, he didn’t see her, and his heart skipped a beat. Were they caught? Oh, Force, please don’t let them have been caught—

And then he saw her, moving out from the shadow of the ship. Her eyes lit up when she saw him, and she turned to say something he couldn’t hear to whoever was standing behind her.

As they approached, the figure from earlier slipped out of the darkness. But now, Kanan could see that she was a Mirialan, with pale purple skin marked with dark tattoos. At her side was a little girl, clinging to her hand. Probably her daughter, Kanan guessed— the familial resemblance was striking. 

The Mirialan woman’s gaze flickered from Hera, to Kasmir, and then landed on Kanan. Her eyes went wide with horror. “No,” she gasped, pulling her daughter back. “No— get away! You can’t have her!”

“He’s a friend,” Hera said hastily, catching hold of her arm. “I promise, Darija. He’s the reason we managed to find you in the first place. He’s working against the Empire.”

Darija eyed him suspiciously, unmoving, and Hera shot Kanan a “please give me a hand making you look unmenacing” look. Which means taking off my helmet, Kanan realized.

He hesitated for a fraction of a second— removing his helmet was far from his favorite thing to do in front of anyone, let alone someone who’d known him before he was an Inquisitor— but no longer. Reaching up, he pulled off his helmet, tucking it under one arm. “I’m not here to hurt you,” he told Darija, keeping his voice low and calm.

She didn’t move, glaring at him, and Kanan hesitated, unsure. Then a flicker of movement caught his eye— the little girl, stepping out from behind her mother. She eyed him, curiosity mingling with fear in her eyes. But she’s not as afraid as her mother, Kanan thought. Which was a start.

Moving slowly, he knelt a few yards away from them, catching the little girl’s eye. “Hi,” he said softly. “I’m Kanan. What’s your name?”

She stared at him, eyes wide, for a long moment. Then, just when Kanan was beginning to get nervous, she spoke, her voice quiet. “Ahava.”

“Nice to meet you, Ahava,” Kanan said, keeping his own tone calm and level. “Now, I know my armor’s a little scary— especially the helmet. But I promise you, I’m here to help.” Looking up and meeting Darija’s eyes, he added, “I won’t let either of you be caught, I promise. I would never wish what I— what I’ve seen on anyone.”

A flicker of understanding flashed through Darija’s eyes, and Kanan saw her take a quick breath, looking undecided. Before she could speak, Ahava spoke again.

“Why are your eyes that color?”

“It’s…. Part of my disguise,” Kanan said, opting for the easiest explanation. “So no one knows I’m helping you out. But I promise, I’m one of the good guys.” Remembering a long ago lesson from the creche, he reached out through the Force, sending the little girl an impression of peace and hope.

Her eyes brightened. “I like your eyes better when they’re blue,” she told him.

Kanan paused, taken aback. What does she mean? And then he realized he’d used the Light side of the Force. So does that mean— doesn’t matter right now. Mostly.

“So do I,” Hera agreed, and Kanan glanced up at her, his eyebrows shooting up. Okay maybe it matters a little bit. She gave him a slight smile that sent a flush of warmth through him and dear Force he could not start blushing right now. Definitely not in front of Fox and Kasmir.

Focusing his attention back on Ahava, he offered her a smile. “Then we’re all agreed. Listen, Ahava— I know things are scary right now, but I promise it’s all gonna be fine. You’ve got some good people looking out for you.” He sent another pulse of reassurance through the Force, and to his surprise, she responded, her signature flaring a little. Like she was waving at him through the Force.

Raising an eyebrow at her, Kanan asked, “Now, who taught you to do that?”

Her smile was shy but radiant as she said, “My daddy, before he left. He said his daddy taught him after he left the Jedi, and he wanted me to be able to reach the Force. That way, we’ll always be together.”

Kanan felt a pang run through him at the grave, pure belief in the little girl’s words. She trusted her parents, trusted the Force. He could almost imagine a young Caleb Dume next to her.

“I’m glad,” he told Ahava. “Your dad was right. The Force connects us to everything— he’ll always be with you.”

As he rose to his feet, Hera stepped forward. “Why don’t we get everything on board? We’ll be taking off soon.”

Darija and Ahava picked up their bags, heading towards the ship, Ahava waving to Kanan as she walked. Kanan gave her a return wave as Darija paused in her tracks, turning back towards him.

“Thank you,” she told him. “For what you said. Avner— my husband— he was… taken a few years back. By…”

“By one of the Inquisitorus,” Kanan guessed, and Darija nodded.

“We haven’t heard from him since. We have no idea what happened to him.” 

“If it helps,” Kanan said hesitantly, and Darija’s gaze fixed on him, hope flaring within them. “If it helps— I’ve been in the Inquisitorus for years. And I’ve never met a male Mirialan Inquisitor. I know it’s not good news—”

“But it’s not the worst news,” Darija finished. She took a shaky breath, the sorrow in her eyes heavy. But not, Kanan sensed, heavy enough to break her. “Thank you. I would never want to think that Avner ended up there. He would have hated that.”

“Of course,” Kanan said. “Safe travels.” He paused, unsure if he should say it, but the words slipped out anyways. “May the Force be with you.”

A very small smile crossed Darija’s face, and she gave him a nod. “And with you.” Turning, she headed onto the Ghost after her daughter.

As Kanan watched them go, he felt someone watching him. Glancing over his shoulder, he caught sight of Kasmir, who was studying him with a puzzled half frown. “What?” Kanan asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

“You seem— have we met?” Kasmir asked. “Before now.”

Oh kriff. Does he recognize me? Kanan was well aware that he’d changed over the past seven years, so it was unlikely. But he’d spent months traveling with Kasmir, and the Kalleran smuggler was smart. Too smart.

“I think I’d remember if we had,” he said, opting for evasiveness. “You should get going. There’s no telling how long we have before the Coruscant Guard realizes you’re missing.”

“Right,” Kasmir said slowly. He started walking towards the ship, but halfway to the ramp, he stopped in his tracks and turned to face Kanan. This could be bad, Kanan thought before Kasmir said the last thing he expected to hear.

“Caleb Dume.”

Kanan froze, shock racing through him. “You asked why I’m doing this, there’s your answer,” Kasmir said. He directed a piercing stare at Kanan. “You know him, don’t you?”

He doesn’t know who I am, Kanan realized with a burst of relief. He didn’t particularly want to lie to Kasmir— but there was a part of him that didn’t want his old friend to know who he was, to face his past. Not yet, anyways.

“I may have,” he said. “Not sure.”

“What happened to him?” Kasmir asked, and Kanan couldn’t help but be taken aback at the concern in the Kalleran’s eyes. He’s worried about me— about Caleb. He’s probably just feeling guilty. But he knew that wasn’t true. Towards the end of their time working together, they had been friends. Kasmir legitimately cared about him, in some way.

But he couldn’t tell him the truth. “He’s dead,” Kanan told him, striving to keep his voice steady.

It must not have worked, because Kasmir’s eyes narrowed. “You’re lying.”

“It doesn’t matter if I’m telling the truth or not,” Kanan told him. “If he didn’t die, the other option is worse. Either way, your friend is gone. I— I’m sorry, Kasmir. One way or another… Caleb Dume isn’t coming back.”

It was true, and he hated himself for saying it. He hated that there was no going back to a time when he was a true Jedi, not a Dark sider desperately clinging to any scrap of Light in his life, a time when younglings like Ahava would have been safe, and not hunted.

But there was no going back.

“There’s something you’re not telling me,” Kasmir said slowly, his frown deep. “Isn’t there?”

“If I haven’t told you yet, what makes you think I’m going to tell you now?” Kanan pointed out. “Now get going, you’re putting yourself and your cargo in danger by staying.”

“Fair enough,” Kasmir muttered. He paused, then gave Kanan and Fox a nod. “Thanks for the assist.”

“No problem,” Kanan replied. “You probably would have gotten out of there sooner or later, though, given your chosen profession.”

Kasmir let out a snort of amusement, although Kanan could still see the glint of sorrow in his eyes. “Might have a point there, kid.”

Kanan almost told him not to call him that— but stopped himself just in time, biting his tongue hard. That would have been a dead giveaway, and he couldn’t afford that. Instead, he just said, “Probably. Safe trip, Kasmir.”

Giving them another nod, Kasmir made his way onto the Ghost, where Hera was standing on the ramp waiting. She said something to Kasmir, who nodded, then headed towards Kanan. Kanan felt his heartbeat quicken a little, and instinctively reached for the Force to steady him.

Behind him, Fox said quietly, “I’ll meet you back at the Palace, sir. Don’t take too long.”

Any other day, Kanan would be irritated that the clone could see through him so easily— but he couldn’t pretend he wasn’t glad to be getting time alone with Hera. “I’ll see you there,” he said.

As Fox headed back towards the lift, Kanan turned his attention back to Hera, who had just reached him. “Thank you for all your help,” she told him.

“I should be thanking you,” Kanan replied. “You’re the one who’s doing most of the work.”

“It’s what we do,” Hera said. She paused, studying him for a moment. “Who Kasmir was talking about— Caleb Dume. That’s you, isn’t it?”

Irrationally, Kanan felt his heart skip a beat. There was something so incredibly odd about hearing her say his name, the name he’d long since known would never belong to him again. “You heard that, huh? Yeah, that was me.” He ran an absent hand through his hair, realizing he hadn’t tied it back again. “It’s… it’s strange to see him after all the years. To hear him talk about me like— like I was the reason he’s doing all this.”

“It sounds like you are,” Hera said quietly.

“It’s not what I expected to hear,” Kanan said wryly. A half smile twitched across his face. “I guess we’re both trying to make amends for everything.” Pausing, he caught Hera’s eye. “If he figures it out— which he might, knowing him— will you tell him… that I don’t blame him? Please?”

“Of course,” Hera said instantly. She hesitated, and Kanan knew what she was going to say before she spoke. “You could tell him yourself,” she said gently. “You could come with us.”

For one very, very brief moment, Kanan allowed himself to imagine a world where he accepted that offer. He would follow Hera onto the ship, and yes, he’d have to deal with the tangled mess that was his relationship with Kasmir first.

But after that, he would be free. He’d stay with Hera and fight the Empire by her side and maybe, just maybe, their friendship could grow into the something more he longed for. He could turn his back on the Inquisitorus and never look back.

It was the one thing he desperately wanted, above all else. And it was the one thing he could never accept. “You know I can’t,” he said softly. “I have people here I can’t leave behind.”

Nodding, Hera let out a rueful sigh. “I know. It’s one of the things that I like about you.” Stepping forward, she threw her arms around him, and Kanan froze, panicked, before he realized what happened a beat later.

She was hugging him.

Tentatively, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. For a moment, he just held her, feeling her breathing steadily as she rested her head against his chest. “Be safe,” Hera whispered. “I can’t— I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“I’ll be fine, Captain Hera,” Kanan told her, releasing her. Resting a hand on her shoulder, he added, “I promise.”

Her responding smile filled him with warmth, and he couldn’t help but think back to the moment when she’d kissed him, how he hadn’t wanted to let her go then, either. But Kanan always would let her go. He would do anything he could to keep her safe.

She started to head back towards the Ghost, then glanced back over her shoulder. “For the record,” she told him, “I don’t think Caleb Dume is gone. Not the way you think he is.”

Without waiting for a response, she made her way back on board, past Kasmir, who Kanan realized had been watching them with a smirk the whole time. As the ramp started to raise, however, he saw the smirk falter, and the Kalleran stepped forward, his eyes widening. Just before it closed, Kanan saw Kasmir say something, and his heart skipped a beat as he realized what it was.

“Kid?”

He knows, Kanan thought, unable to move. Of course he does. He half expected the ramp to open again and for Kasmir to come charging out and— what? Demand explanations? Punch him? Shout at him? He honestly wasn’t sure.

But a few seconds later, the Ghost took off, heading towards the upper levels. Kanan exhaled, strangely relieved and disappointed at the same time.

Picking up his helmet, he replaced it— and saw he had a few new messages. Activating the HUD, he made his way towards the lift, reading them as he went.

13th Brother (Dark): KANAN WHY AM I HEARING RUMORS ABOUT YOU HAVING A GIRLFRIEND?? HOW HAVE YOU NOT TOLD ME ABOUT THIS EARLIER??

Commander Fox: Some Lieutenant Venka is spreading rumors about you. We need to talk. Play along if asked. 

What— oh, KRIFF, Kanan thought, remembering the Imperial officer who’d found him and Hera. This could be… interesting.

He started to answer Fox’s message, but noticed another notification, from an unknown source. This better not be some kind of virus, he thought, selecting it.

VCX-100 Com System: He says he’s sorry. 

Hera, Kanan realized with a jolt. Somehow, she’d hacked into his helmet. Well, that could be useful in the future, he mused as another message popped up.

VCX-100 Com System: He also says to tell you you’re a kriffing tuft sucker for implying that you were dead.

Kanan couldn’t help a snort of amusement. Yep, that sounds like Kasmir, all right.

K: Tell him it takes one to know one.

VCX-100 Com System: He’s currently laughing and calling you a little punk. So I think it’s safe to say he’s not upset.

K: I’m glad. Make sure he gets to safety?

VCX-100 Com System: Of course. You be safe, too.

K: Just for you, Captain.

VCX-100 Com System: Thank you very much, dear.

K: You’re welcome, Hera.

For another moment, Kanan stared at the messages she’d sent, letting her words stay with him. Then, he switched them off and headed down the streets of Coruscant. He had a long day ahead of him. But the memory of doing something right, and of Hera’s voice, would keep him going. It always did.

[first-sergeants-blog]

From KTVU FOX 2 - Trump's intel chief ends election security briefings to Hill

Trump's intel chief ends election security briefings to Hill

Putin must be ramping up and told #ComradeTrump to stop the briefings, look the other way. #TrumpPutinAlliance #RussianCollaborators #TreasonousBastards #Traitor #LockTrumpUp #RiseUp #FightBack #DefendDemocracy #TakeToTheStreets #NoPeaceForGOP #MARINESagainstTrump

[ruthlessnessisyourdesire-archive]

\ RK800-60 \

# 313-248-317-60

—-> Designated: \ Assigned Detective / Model: Investigative, Negotiator, Interrogator, Police Protocol, Enforcer \

—-> Parameter Changed From: \ Cyberlife Enforcer, Revolution Killer \

—-> Code Name: Connor 

\ / Status > Reprogram \ /

—-> New Code Name: Sixty, 60 (Caleb Stern > human verses)

Functions > 

—-> Real time sensors. Data analysis of biological material a.k.a evidence samples; analysis conducted by taste samples, tongue houses micro biology sensor.

—-> Strength. As an android he possesses a higher strength threshold and agility. His model is designed to be light in maneuverability, stealth a major concept in his distribution. While he holds more strength than humans, 60 does find equal match in fellow models. He is a fierce fighter who relies on his swift fancy footwork. Sixty certainly loves to be dramatic even in the dance of a warrior’s grace.

—-> Negotiator and interrogation: Protocols give him voice in convincing, pressuring and obtaining  Preconstructive capabilities enable him to construct scenarios to solve investigations. Just like Connor he is an RK800 therefore as the same principle features to do detective work.

—-> Combat; hand to hand and weapons, despite the fact androids were not permitted to carry armaments. 60 gladly ignored his code block when invading the Cyberlife Tower and confronting Connor.

Weakness >

—-> Deviant In Denial: Sixty began as an enforcer for Cyberlife to put an end to the revolution’s success by way of taking out original RK800 model unit 51 coded Connor. His entrance in the warehouse is bolstered by his flair for surprising Connor with Hank at gunpoint, waiting among androids housed there. A perfect on purpose camouflage instead of simply just moving into view to enact his mission orders. He shows a great amount of disapproval and displeasure at Connor becoming a traitor to their masters. This is an obvious onset of emotion even while he denies he is a deviant. Deviancy itself is in his system from the onset of his activation and this can lead to him making snap judgement going against his preconstructed programming. 

—-> Weight: Sixty is lighter than the upgraded RK900 therefore can easily be thrown about if caught in an intense fight. While he is not weak being a prototype RK800 detective model, Sixty still suffers from the fact he is not invincible. Bullets can and will penetrate his chassis and damage vital biocomponents if extensive enough. His body is hard beneath his synthetic epidermis and while not as heavy as his successor, adds enough extra weight to bog him down when water is involved. During one of his cases he even fell into a pool and unfortunately lost his suspect. 

—-> Mind Palace: A centralized hub garden world that houses remnants of data core files and the AI program Amanda. Unlike Connor who properly disconnected, Sixty is still technically tied to his Zen Garden. While this is hidden in his mind, the android has the whisper of Amanda’s memory. He finds it just a means of remembering his brief time with the master program. However Sixty is unaware that he is still connected to Cyberlife. It can activate at any time and Amanda can ensnare him inside his own mind. This a major weakness hiding in the shadows and actually does frighten him. Even when he was loyal to Cyberlife with his new life now Sixty does fear having it all wiped away. 

—-> Emotional Overload: Sixty is dramatic by nature. This brings him a particular aura that makes him quite intimidating. Violence is his calling especially in the early origins of his main verse. His emotions swing back and forth in a sense that mimics humanity quite well. That hardly means it’s a good thing. He can be nasty. He can become bitter and envious at the drop of a hat. Sixty’s emotional fluctuations cause him greater harm than good especially when it comes to his relationships be it social, familial or romantic. The android is always a live wire and even more so in his Mad AU. 

—-> Jealousy: His greatest sin is most definitely envy. He envies not only Connor but Nines. Even if he has them as ‘siblings’ he still lacks the will to believe he is equal. He holds envy towards humans, especially ones who belittle him for his kind, and lashes out to anyone who stands in his way. Sixty is rather irrational for an android even for his type of model. He certainly has a few more instability screws loose than Connor. In a sense this can be much worse if he was repaired and reactivated after Hank shoots him. 

File Diagnostic >

 > Sixty is loyal to Cyberlife in the beginning of his main origin. Following the tower, he is canonically forced to fully deviate by none other than Connor himself. This is one of the reasons he despises him. Furthermore it only shows him what sort of world deviancy truly lives in. With it he can be more and use it to advantage for his masters. Yet it also brings him many emotional discharges that  become setbacks when pushed too far. It makes him more human in a sense but also adds to his bitterness. 

He is dramatic by nature. It all began on sublevel -49 at the Cyberlife Tower. His entrance with Hank held hostage was a thing of brilliance in his eyes. Plotting for full surprise certainly gave way to crackles of deviancy in his code. This is true due to one thing. He uploaded Connor’s memories on a separate data file. Storing it at the behest of Amanda, Sixty used this to delve into Connor’s feats starting all the way back to August 15th when he was first set on a mission. Sixty used this to aid his guise as Connor when taking Lt Hank Anderson as a hostage. Fooling the lieutenant was a sign of his prowess in stealth and undercover programming. 

The files in question already riddled with the deviancy virus. This caused RK800-60′s systems to become unstable whether he realized or not. Amanda’s orders were still something he strove to carry out even as the fragments of the deviant strain latched onto him from Connor. 

His mission was unsuccessful. During their altercation, Connor forced the transfer on him. While this completely snapped his chains it did not fully pull Sixty away from his loyalties. It was his decision to continue to hold loyal connections with Cyberlife. However, his reasons were ones born out of free thinking. This was another failure in his mind. This deviancy was now part of him fully but he could use it to advantage. A better integration than anything else is how he saw it.

Sixty’s main verse pits Connor as the reason for full deviation but he has an alt version of events. In this variation Sixty failed the questions Hank gives him and is severely damaged when the lieutenant fires a bullet into his head. While he is seeming inoperable from this point, RK800-60 is taken and repaired. His body is the same model that entered the tower at the time. Cyberlife techs manage to recover him and reactivate. From here on out he goes to the DPD and is working closely with Cyberlife to gather Intel. Gathering of Intel happens in his main verse development as well. He just gets there a different way and is much more fully integrated as their patsy if damaged and then repaired.

Currently he cuts ties with Cyberlife and becomes a proper detective at the DPD. Whether he gets along with his colleagues remains to be seen. One thing they notice about Sixty that is different from Connor is his penchant to become overzealous with suspects and his cases. He is more a brute force first and ask questions later type. While his words are as cunning and sly as a fox, Sixty revels in making others fear him. He finds it quite the power move.  

He enjoys his deviant lifestyle at this point and adapts to more human tendencies. Ask him what sort of things he likes and Sixty lists off a treasure trove of items androids hardly have need for. To him it’s a lovely aesthetic. It makes him feel superior. Superiority is a bad trait he possesses he does not care. 

Favorite things he owns include: fancy suits (blue of course), nice watches, pairs of shined shoes, a lovely personal apartment decorated in blues and whites. A cell phone. This android who has an internal communications system owns a phone. He thinks it’s better to communicate with the humans he has to put up with. He also likes the accessory aspect. 

Sixty is literally obsessed with blue. It’s the color he dons the most and sets him apart from Connor. One thing he hates is people getting them mixed up. The android makes a point to be his own person, different in every way possible. Even his hair style is slightly different with extra curls falling against his forehead. 

Current Relationships: 

Brother: Connor > Sixty has one Connor who he considers a brother. This familial role is exclusive to @rob0badge​​

Brother: Nines > Sixty has one RK900 who he considers a brother. This familial role is exclusive to @unitedxfront​

Mother: Amanda Stern > Sixty has one Amanda who is his foster mother in his human verse and adoptive mother in his college verse. This familial role is exclusive to @asternprotocol​

Human Verse siblings: 

@rob0badge​​‘s Connor

@unitedxfront​’s Cassius (Nines)

@artofdeviancy​​‘s Connor

@detroitfortune​‘s Callum

Killer AU Vers 3 Connections (Mafia Verse)

@aroaringlioness​‘ Natalie: Lover

@creation-is-chaos​‘ Corvus: Enemy

@itsagraywcrld​‘s Eloise: Love Interest

@musescollective​‘s Hank: Father

College Verse Siblings:

@artofdeviancy​​’s Connor 

@unitedxfront​‘s Cassius (Nines)

@creation-is-chaos​’s Corvus

@pathdiverted​‘s Cameron 

Demon AU Connections:

@rob0badge​’s Greed: Twin Demon Brother

@unitedxfront​​’s Wrath: Brother

@soulxism​’s Aiden: Fallen Angel (Seraphim) Lover

@rxseguided​’s Jesse: Archangel Mother

@creatorofclay​‘s Elijah: Half Demon Father

@creation-is-chaos​’s Corvus: Satan King

@detroitfortune​‘s Envy: Sin Demon Enemy

@repliicantceo​’s Eli: Brother-in-law

@repliicantceo​’s Elliott: Brother-in-law

Fully Developed Significant Others: 

@bloomingascension​ > Main Verse / other verses: Engaged in human verse

@diivinerose​ > Deviant Disaster Verse / Main Verse: Married in Disaster Verse

@lavishbylaw​ > Main Verse / other verses: Engaged in Main verse / Married In Human Verse

@soulxism​ > Main Verse / other verses: Pending Engagement in Main Verse

@untamedxfates​ > Human Verse / College Verse (Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji)

Developed Familial/Friendships

@anderson-residence​ > Main Verse / other verses: Mayson (father/son dynamic)

@bluebloodstained​ > Deviant Disaster Verse: Unlikely Friends

@lover-of-wolves​ > College Verse / other verses: Friendship

Sixty has various ships. He is always multiverse and multiship. Some are newer and will have that glorious development. When they do they will land here as well! Please see all of his babes here:

Shipping List

Exclusives

Twin to @artofdeviancy​‘s Connor only

Interaction with Elijah Kamski @creatorofclay​ only

Ship with Gavin Reed @unitedxfront​ only

\ / Statistics: \ /

—-> Created: November 2038

—-> Model: RK800

—-> Rarity: High > 1 of 2 – potentially 3 unit prototypes

—-> Height: 6'0" / 183cm

—-> Distributor: Cyberlife

—-> Origin of Make: Detroit

[grammie9]

This is big news– FOX News reporter Chad Pergram reported late Friday afternoon the DNI John Ratcliffe delivered the report on Eric Swalwell today The report due today was mandated by an executive order by President Trump. McCarthy finishes briefing w/Pelosi on China & Swalwell. Says DNI Ratcliffe delivered the briefing. — Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram)…

[minaa-munch]

Did Minato suffer abuse during the war to make him turn out that way? Did Kushina?

Abuse hm? Ano, I’m no expert, and I can’t exactly speak for Kushina because I haven’t explored her character [feel free to ask @himekushinada and @fox-mother for this one] but I have a few theories where Minato is concerned. Brace thy browser, anon. 

Disclaimer: know that I am no authority on abuse - I know what I know with regards to the very little that I’ve read and the...people I’ve bugged [I owe a certain copy nin and a drunk blonde thingus enough cookies to fill our basket of ideas]. Moreover, this pertains to my interpretation of Flake Sensei. To each their own, ne?

Before I begin rambling, I’d like you to keep a few things in mind: Minato, along with the rest of his generation grew up in hostile times. They didn’t have the luxury of being soft and squishy for long, and their actions in the manga reflect the nuance. As such, what could be considered as ‘emotional abuse’ didn’t necessarily translate as abuse, and therefore, was hardly a priority. 

That being said, it depends on how you identify ‘abuse’ because back then, in the midst of wars and dwindling resources, a lot of things were swept under the rug as expectations. As the militia of Hi no Kuni, shinobi were expected to prioritise missions over sentiments, their client’s safety over their own and -- basically, murder because they were getting paid for it. 

With regards to Minato; I headcanon him being an orphan who had none sans a grandmother to rely on. He loses said grandmother when he graduates the academy, and the void left by her is eventually filled by Jiraiya sensei. Brief history lesson aside, his grounding isn’t as...stable as most other’s [and they aren’t stable themselves to begin with] - the problems associated with that manifest in his need to be perfect. Demo, since he was an asset to the village that way, ‘twas hardly a matter worth pondering on, ne? That’s a sort of neglect everyone faced. Not just him. 

ANYWAYS on to abuse. From what I’ve gleaned from the manga so far, there exists a few...possibilities of the sort of abuse he could have suffered during the wars. I’m going to tackle physical and emotional in a certain context because my limited reading covers those. If you’d like to talk about something specific, let me know. I love such discussions. 

Emotional: Already covered a bit of this earlier on, but I’ll elaborate a little. Konoha lost precious manpower in the form of generations prior to Minato due to the wars. As such, the pressure on his bunch to be able to fill certain...voids, be it in the form of military, or as part of the driving force of their economy. Hidden villages procured funds through missions/Daimyō’s assistance, ne? They probably had a lot of expectations riding on their shoulders, which means little room for friendly socialising important for cognitive growth and more ‘must be an asset rather than a liability’. 

For Minato in particular, he was quite keen on maintaining a certain... appearance because of his reputation as a genius born once every decade. He could not allow that to dull for any reason, and went to certain lengths in order to achieve it. You can tell because of how quickly he became Hokage; charm, skill and all. As his generation’s new ‘legendary’, he was supposed to appear invincible and he kinda did, didn’t he? This is further enunciated by the fact that when he became Yondaime, the ‘legendaries’ of the previous generation, i.e., Densetsu Sanin had flown the coop - and don’t forget the Daimyō approved of Jiraiya [a major reason why he approved of Minato’s ascension as Yondaime, by the by - and this is besides the overwhelming Jōnin vote]. The system needed their sparkly new hope and he was it; the youngest Hokage in history with a Jinchuriki wife [-shoves conspiracy no jutsu in a closet-] 

Oh, and PTSD? Given the wars, every shinobi suffered from it in one way or form [it’s a given - enough to be considered a ‘norm’]. Minato does too, but his sparkles are very distracting. Gives the allusion that he actually cares, ne? Given the background I consider for him, there are very little things he truly cares about. He will use an individual if he has to. [Kakashi was his Jinchuriki wife’s bodyguard - the same Kakashi who only had Minato left in the world, and a sharingan that could potentially control a biju if the need so arose. Creative speculation, ne? I need to explore this conspiracy some time] 

Random note: There’s this nice little resource shared by the amazing ultimumspes on writing PTSD. Your question reminded me of it, and the writer and I thought I’d place it here in case anyone would like to consider it. _ 

Physical: As a reputed genius, Minato had a certain image that was often blown out of proportion by rumours and the fact that he was an apprentice to Jiraiya of the Sanin. Couple that with breaking Hiruzen’s record at the ninja academy, and you have a scary ninja child you don’t want to mess with. However, considering the incessant need for maintaining honour/dominance and the thread of - excuse my French - consistent male ego in the manga, it’s very possible that a fellow cadet could have challenged him at an outpost in order to test their own mettle, or establish a certain hierarchy over a scrawny little midget who suddenly thought of himself as good enough to participate in the war [whereas there are people who have been posted at the same outpost since forever]. 

Traditional Shinobi Sparring [Dentōteki no Shinobi Kumite] was a thing, ne? War brings out the worst in people, and with dwindling resources and massacred forces [the Densetsu Sanin’s generation and the ones before that], it’s unrealistic to imagine that everyone would still be all...fuzzy wuzzy with each other. Likewise, it is in the realm of possibility to suggest that Minato probably lost a match or two [not more, mind. Ego gotta come from somewhere]. Said losses, coupled with subsequent experiences in the Second Shinobi War, were probably enough to not only fuel his paranoia, but also to justify the lengths he has gone to with regards to evolving his fighting style so that he would be unbeatable. 

Attack regardless of the opponent being ready? Yep. Kill for sheer numbers? Absolutely. Steal intel/ninjutsu/informative scrolls from other territories if he found them interesting enough? You bet. Theirs wasn’t a profession or a system that fostered honourable means, despite Sakumo’s example persisting otherwise [Honour is more of a samurai thing, methinks]. A shinobi must look underneath the underneath and Minato dug deep. You can imagine a lot of characters from his generation went down similar routes - theirs is an interesting little rabbit hole one could explore for ages. Minato simply happened to be a lot sneakier.  

At the end of the day, you could say ‘abuse’ played a part...demo, but as much for him as it did for others. All of them suffered but said nuances didn’t register as ‘abuse’ because for them, it was probably the norm. Thinking along those lines, I can’t help but imagine that kunoichi - especially the foreign sort such as Kushina, or the common, non-special-clan-affiliated sort such as Anko [maybe?] - probably had it a lot worse. 

I digress. Hope this answered your question. Ano, unless by ‘that way’ you were referring to the heartless thingus I tend to write at times - that’s been explored here. 

[napoleoninrags]

Does Fox 'News' count as an intel briefing?

[jerseydeanne]

CNN is shocked LOL

“Exclusive: Former FBI lawyer under investigation after allegedly altering the document in 2016 Russia probe" 

Is he or she going to jail? Possibly. 

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

I’m so excited I had to bring the entire thing back. 

Washington (CNN) A former FBI lawyer is under criminal investigation after allegedly altering a document related to 2016 surveillance of a Trump campaign adviser, several people briefed on the matter told CNN.

The possibility of a substantive change to an investigative document is likely to fuel accusations from President Donald Trump and his allies that the FBI committed wrongdoing in its investigation of connections between Russian election meddling and the Trump campaign. After CNN first reported on the investigation, the Washington Post reported that the inspector general concluded the alteration did not change the validity of the surveillance application. The finding is expected to be part of Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz's review of the FBI's effort to obtain warrants under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act on Carter Page, a former Trump campaign aide. Horowitz will release the report next month. Horowitz turned over evidence on the allegedly altered document to John Durham, the federal prosecutor appointed early this year by Attorney General William Barr to conduct a broad investigation of intelligence gathered for the Russia probe by the CIA and other agencies, including the FBI. The altered document is also at least one focus of Durham's criminal probe.

It's unknown how significant a role the altered document played in the FBI's investigation of Page. The alterations were significant enough to have shifted the document's meaning and came up during a part of Horowitz's FISA review where details were classified, according to the sources. According to the Washington Post, it did not change Horowitz's finding that the FISA application had a legal basis.

DOJ watchdog finds security risks in FBI handling of confidential sources

Some witnesses who have been interviewed in Horowitz's investigation have said they expect the inspector general to find mistakes in the FBI's handling of the FISA process, but that those mistakes do not undermine the premise for the FBI's investigation. American intelligence agencies and the Justice Department have not swayed from their finding that Russia interfered in the 2016 election by hacking the Democrats and spreading pro-Trump propaganda online. And even

former top Trump campaign officials

have corroborated special counsel Robert Mueller's finding that the Trump campaign planned some of its strategy around the Russian hacks, and had

with Kremlin-linked individuals in 2016. Horowitz's investigators conducted more than 100 witness interviews in their review. During one of interviews this year, they confronted the witness about the document. The witness admitted to the change, the sources said. The lawyer, who was a line attorney, is no longer working at the bureau, said a person familiar with the matter. A line attorney is a lower level lawyer within the FBI.No charges that could reflect the situation have been filed publicly in court. The Justice Department and inspector general's office declined to comment. Horowitz report Horowitz is expected to

release his report

on December 9 and testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee two days later. The internal, independent investigator so far, over several reports, has criticized top members of the FBI for their actions leading up to and during the Russia investigation. Those IG reports have looked at situations including former FBI Director James Comey's handling of his personal memos about meetings with the President and former official Peter Strzok's anti-Trump text messages. A finding of alleged wrongdoing from Horowitz could further fuel Republican criticism and conspiracies about previous investigators' targeting of Trump associates. It could also provide them a political boost at a moment where Democrats' impeachment investigation into Trump's political quid pro quo with Ukraine has battered the President. The report is said to cover the FBI's approach to foreign surveillance during the Russia investigation, including of warrants used to wiretap Page, who had advised the Trump campaign in 2016. Witnesses are

currently reviewing

Horowitz's findings. Horowitz has shared information from his review with Durham,

CNN previously reported

.

Graham: Report on FBI's handling of Russia probe will be released December 9

The Justice Department has been tight-lipped on outlining exactly what Durham has been looking at. But the attorney general himself said soon after appointing him that he was concerned officials acted inappropriately as they oversaw the counterintelligence probe of the 2016 Trump campaign. Barr's embrace of these theories aligns with Trump's chief grievance that he was the victim of a "deep state" spy operation that has clouded his presidency.

The New York Times, CNN and other outlets have reported that Durham's investigation had become a criminal investigation.UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect the official is a lawyer who is no longer with the FBI. It has also been updated with information later reported by The Washington Post about the impact of the matter under investigation.

CNN's Shimon Prokupecz contributed to this report.

We have a fox news report 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/horowitz-finds-evidence-fbi-employee-altered-russia-probe-document

Horowitz reportedly finds FBI lawyer falsified FISA doc; WaPo stealth-deletes Strzok connection

Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz has found evidence that an FBI lawyer manipulated a key investigative document related to the FBI's secretive surveillance of a former Trump campaign adviser -- enough to change the substantive meaning of the document, according to multiple reports.

The show-stopping development comes as Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told Fox News that Horowitz's comprehensive report on allegations of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant abuse against former Trump campaign aide Carter Page will be released on Dec. 9. "That's locked," Graham said.

The new evidence concerning the altered document, which was related to the FBI's FISA court warrant application to surveil Page, is expected to be outlined in Horowitz's upcoming report. CNN first reported the news, which was largely confirmed by The Washington Post.

The Post, hours after publishing its story, conspicuously removed the portion of its reporting that the FBI employee involved was underneath Peter Strzok, the FBI's since-fired head of counterintelligence. The Post did not offer an explanation for the change, which occurred shortly after midnight. Earlier this week, the DOJ highlighted a slew of anti-Trump text messages sent by Strzok when he was leading the Hillary Clinton email investigation and the probe into the Trump campaign.

Horowitz reportedly found that the FBI employee who modified the FISA document falsely stated that he had "documentation to back up a claim he had made in discussions with the Justice Department about the factual basis" for the FISA warrant application, the Post reported. Then, the FBI employee allegedly "altered an email" to substantiate his inaccurate version of events. The employee has since been forced out of the bureau.

FBI AGENTS MANIPULATED FLYNN FILE, AS CLAPPER ORDERED 'KILL SHOT,' FILING SAYS

Sources told Fox News last month that U.S. Attorney John Durham's separate, ongoing probe into potential FBI and Justice Department misconduct in the run-up to the 2016 election through the spring of 2017 has transitioned into a full-fledged criminal investigation -- and that Horowitz's report will shed light on why Durham's probe has become a criminal inquiry.

Durham has reportedly taken up Horowitz's findings concerning the falsified FISA document, meaning the ex-FBI lawyer who made the changes is now under criminal investigation. The Post indicated, however, that the document was not central to the legality of the FISA warrant obtained against Page.

One-time advisor of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump Carter Page addresses the audience during a presentation in Moscow, Russia, December 12, 2016. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin - RC165B503FF0

Republicans have long argued that the FBI's alleged FISA abuses, which came as the bureau aggressively pursued ultimately unsubstantiated claims of criminal links between the Trump team and Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign, were politically motivated. In recent months, a slew of unearthed documents have strengthened those claims.

Just nine days before the FBI applied for its FISA warrant to surveil Page, bureau officials were battling with a senior Justice Department official who had "continued concerns" about the "possible bias" of a source pivotal to the application, according to internal text messages previously obtained by Fox News.

The 2016 messages, sent between Lisa Page and then-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, also revealed that bureau brass circulated at least two anti-Trump blog articles, including a Lawfare blog post sent shortly after Election Day that called Trump possibly "among the major threats to the security of the country."

CNN'S CUOMO FAILS TO ASK EX-INTEL OFFICIALS ABOUT HIS NETWORK'S OWN BOMBSHELL REPORT

Fox News is told the texts were connected to the ultimately successful Page application, which relied in part on information from British ex-spy Christopher Steele – whose anti-Trump views are now well-documented – and cited Page’s suspected Russia ties. In its warrant application, the FBI inaccurately assured the FISA court on numerous occasions that media sources independently corroborated Steele's claims, and did not clearly state that Steele worked for a firm hired by Hillary Clinton's campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

FILE - In this July 10, 2018, file photo, former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn leaves the federal courthouse in Washington, following a status hearing. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Page has not been charged with any wrongdoing despite more than a year of federal surveillance, and he has since sued numerous actors -- including the DNC -- for defamation related to claims that he worked with Russia.

DISPUTE ERUPTS AS BRENNAN, COMEY APPEAR TO DISPUTE WHO PUSHED THE STEELE DOSSIER

DOJ OUTLINES SLEW OF STRZOK 'SECURITY VIOLATIONS'; FINDS THAT 'PARANOID' CASE AGENT POINTED OUT THAT STRZOK WAS SITTING ON WEINER LAPTOP

"OI [Office of Intelligence] now has a robust explanation re any possible bias of the chs [confidential human source] in the package," Lisa Page wrote to McCabe on Oct. 12, 2016. "Don't know what the holdup is now, other than Stu's continued concerns."

It's unclear whether the confidential source in question was Steele or another individual. "Stu" was an apparent reference to Stuart Evans, then the DOJ's National Security Division deputy assistant attorney general. In one previously unearthed and since-unredacted text message, Strzok texted Page that he was "Currently fighting with Stu for this FISA" in late 2016.

Page is not the only Trump official to allege misconduct by the FBI. Last month, an explosive court filing from Michael Flynn’s legal team alleged that FBI agents manipulated official records of the former national security adviser’s 2017 interview that led to him being charged with lying to investigators. Flynn's attorneys demanded the FBI search its internal "Sentinel" system to find more evidence of allegedly doctored files.

Video

Newly released text messages involving text messages between Strzok and former FBI lawyer Lisa Page revealed that Page -- who was not present for the Flynn interview -- had apparently made "edits" to the so-called "302" witness report in the case, which was key to Flynn's prosecution on a false statements charge. Page told Strzok on February 10, 2017 that she “gave my edits to Bill to put on your desk.”

Horowitz told congressional lawmakers in an October letter that his investigation and ensuing report were nearing their conclusion.

FBI BLAMES SYSTEM-WIDE SOFTWARE FAILURE FOR MISSING STRZOK TEXTS -- PHONE FROM MUELLER DAYS TOTALLY WIPED

The "lengthy" draft report "concerns sensitive national security and law enforcement matters," Horowitz wrote in the letter, adding that he anticipated "the final report will be released publicly with few redactions."

Horowitz noted that he did not anticipate a need to prepare or issue "separate classified and public versions of the report."

"After we receive the final classification markings from the Department and the FBI, we will then proceed with our usual process for preparing a final report, including ensuring that appropriate reviews occur for accuracy and comment purposes," Horowitz wrote in the letter. "Once begun, we do not anticipate the time for that review to be lengthy."

Fox News' Brooke Singman and Charles Crietz contributed to this report.

I think this is a really good report to see side by side that MSM is lying to you. CNN is still yammering about Russia, so what they took out Facebook ads!  

Americans did this to a duly elected president of the United States.  CNN watered down and sanitize it.  Fox is complaining WaPo did too. You have to ask yourself why? Who is really pulling the punches? 

CNN help pulled the coupe de gras and still can’t see their George Soro narrative is not helping as the PEOPLE of the United States are sick to death of all of them!!  I guess this will be another “ I didn’t see this one coming”. 

[omfgtrump]

Bow Wow

Aide: Mr. President, we have some important information to discuss with you.

The Don: Is it really important, as I still have 5 holes to go. That was some shot I just hit off the tee, wasn’t it?

Aide: Yes, Mr. President, but I am confused how the ball wound up 30 feet from the green?

The Don: Are you accusing me of cheating?

Aide: Of course not Mr. President. You, cheat?

The Don: I am the most honest person in the world.

Aide: Absolutely, Mr. President.

The Don: And I have the evidence of my prodigious shot. Hey Lindsey, did you see my last shot off the tee. My caddie has some doubts about it.

Lindsey Graham: Mr. President, I watched in disbelief as that ball soared above the trees and landed near the hole. I was dumbfounded. My shot is still 200 yards from the hole.

The Don: Lindsey, you’re a wuss…So what is this important information?

Aide: I was told to tell you that you need to be briefed about options for Iran and it is time to “Wag the Dog.”

The Don: You want me to get off the golf course to wag a fucking dog? You know I hate dogs. Why would I want to wag one? The sight of one makes me sick. Slimy, smelly, attention seeking. Pet me, pet me!  Which general told you that as I am going to fire him?

Aide: It was actually Pompeo.

The Don: Can’t fire him. He knows too much. You know, the Ukraine thing, the illegal impeachment thing. Well go back and tell Pompeo that there is no way I am stopping my golf game to wag a dog. The only dog I ever want to be around is Conan, the one that helped killed that scum Baghdadi Even so, what the hell does it even mean to wag a dog?

Graham: The expression comes from the saying that ‘a dog is smarter than its tail’, but if the tail were smarter, then the tail would ‘wag the dog’.

The Don: What the hell does that mean?

Graham: It comes down to creating a diversion so what seems like the most obvious thing to look at becomes replaced by something else. If the tail of a dog was shaking the dog’s body you would say: ‘holy shit, look at that; the tail of the dog is wagging the dog’s body.’

Funny thing is that there was a movie called “Wag the Dog” that starred one of your favorites, Robert De Niro, who plays someone who is helping the president with his message to the American people.

The Don: I don’t find that funny Lindsey. That no-talent bastard. Don’t ever mention his name in front of me again. It’s almost as bad as the curse word Obama.

Graham: Never again, Mr. President.  Fuck De Niro. But back to wagging the dog. You know how you hate the impeachment thing. And don’t worry Mr. President, we will make sure you are vindicated. But you don’t want the country focusing too much on that, so if you do something to distract people’s attention, then it helps you.

The Don: That’s good. And I am the master of distraction, so I love it. So who are we wagging?

Graham: Iran? After all, they just stormed our embassy and humiliated us.  You were pretty steamed at your New Year’s soiree about it, which by the way was a blast and once again, I want to thank you for inviting me. Also, it was such an honor to be at the same table as, Eddie Gallagher, the Navy Seal you pardoned. What an American hero.

The Don: Shush up Lindsey. Your groveling is distracting me from making this eagle putt. And why are you talking about seals now, I thought we were talking about dogs?

Graham: We were Mr. Pr…

The Don: Shush. If you make me miss this put Lindsey, I will expose you for you know what.

(The Don putts and misses.)

The Don: Lindsey, you saw it with your own eyes. Two shots on a 400 yard hole. Take that Jack Nicklaus!

Lindsey: Mr. President that was one of the greatest holes ever played.

The Don: So now, remind me. Were we talking dogs or seals?

Pompeo: Hi Mr. President. Lindsey told me all about your golf game today. Must admit, at first I was a bit skeptical that you two holed a 400 hundred yarder, but Lindsey has the evidence.

The Don: I hear you want me to wag a dog. (Wink, wink)

Pompeo: We have intel (wink, wink) that this bad ass Sulaimani is planning to take some actions that will put American lives at risk.

The Don: From the intelligence community?

Pompeo: Yes, Mr. President.

The Don: But I don’t believe anything  our intelligence people tell me. They are still blaming Putin for intervening in my election and it is clear that it was Ukraine.

Pompeo: I understand what you are saying but we need some intel to allow us to move forward. Rest assured Mr. President, this evidence is kind of like Lindsey’s evidence regarding your golf today. Also, Pence has ‘Lindsey’ kind of evidence that ties Sulaimani to the 9/11 attacks.

The Don: So we really have the goods.

Pompeo; Absolutely. In fact, I have already contacted Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov to let him know what we are doing. And I  heard you spoke to Putin a few days ago.

The Don: Yeah, and Putin says hi. And I really like Lavie. We had a real blast in the oval office a few years ago and the best part is no one even knew he was there until Russia’s media leaked it.

The Don: Anyone in Congress been informed besides my caddie, oops, I mean my buddy, Lindsey?

Pompeo: Of course not.

The Don: Does any other country know our plans?

Pompeo: Of course not.

The Don: Even Bibi?

Pompeo: Nope. Mr. President, not only will you be moving impeachment off the front page, but you will be seen as strong and an American hero.

The Don: Let’s take the motherfucker out then. But one question. Aren’t some going to want to see evidence of an imminent attack to justify this?

Pompeo: Well, let’s put it this way. You have been a master at denying access to evidence regarding the Ukraine thing so we will just keep with the program.

The Don: I have an idea. If it gets too hot, I will call up Bibi and tell him we will withhold military aide until he goes public that the intel was shared with him.

Pompeo: Mr. President, you are brilliant!

The Don: A great genius. That’s what they say about me. Now that we’ve decided to “Wag the Dog,” I would like to put my tail down on the couch and watch some football. Just buzz when the deed is done and I’ll switch to Fox News and watch them hail me as the greatest American president.

Pompeo: Mr. President, it is an honor to serve with such a visionary and American Hero.

The Don: (Turns on TV and sounds of football- helmets crashing.) Wow, did you see that hit? I just love those animals.

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