#go research the artemis missions

[holy-anxiety-batman]

West wing season two episode nine “Galileo” my fucking best friend. I love it when tww does space I love space I love how Sam Seaborn talks about space I love the stamp choosing plot I love the green bean plot I love the hope that space exploration instills in people I love the Galileo mission I love our space rovers I love space oh my god I need to look at more jwst pictures and have some water and watch west wing season two episode nine “Galileo”

[downthe-f4ndom-rabbith0le]

Always Been You (Dick Grayson x Reader) - Chapter 2

Always Been You (Dick Grayson x Reader) Reader Insert: she/her pronouns Word Count: 5030 Warnings: death, violence, fighting, bloody wounds, angst, infuriatingly oblivious love interest, slowburn Spoilers: Young Justice Seasons 1-3 plot partially, but it ended in 2022 so catch up.

Y/N Prince - miracle daughter of Wonder Woman and Steve Trevor - and Dick Grayson - first adoptive son of the Batman himself - have been best friends since day one. They went to school together, trained together, kept each other's alter ego secret from everyone else, and they founded the Young Justice alongside their friends together. 

But as time progressed, Y/N and Dick grew up and Y/N found herself wanting more than friendship with Dick. But he never seemed to indicate that he reciprocated her feelings. And when Wally died and Dick abandoned the team, Y/N realised he never would. So she heads to the one place she knows will help her become a stronger warrior so that one day she can take her mother's place: Themyscira.

Two years after his leave, Dick reaches out to his old friends to help him with a mission. But when he finds out Y/N left too, he chases after her in the hopes to bring her back.

However, when the two finally reunite, it isn't as warm as he hopes. Not to mention Themyscira becomes under siege as they go to war against Echidna, the Mother of Monsters in Greek Mythology, and her army of monstrous children.

Will Dick and Y/N be able to put their past behind them and save the Amazonians' homeland? Or will they fall, unable to tell one another their true feelings?

~~~

(6 Months Later)

Dick Grayson looked up at the Carr family home from his car, apprehensive to open the door just yet. It was a nice home, and from the research Dick did, a nice family lived there too.

His eyes trailed to the apartment situated above the garage, imagining the people who were inside. How were they going to react when he told them what he was there for? Scratch that, how were they going to react when they saw him?

'Should I go take a nap or are you going to man up and go inside at some point?' Oracle's sarcastic voice came through the car's bluetooth.

Dick clenched his hands around the steering wheel. Barbara - newly named Oracle - was right. It didn't matter what his friends were going to say. He needed their help, and he needed to man up.

Dick finally unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door. 'I'll call you when I'm done,' he said, then ended the call before Barbara could sneak in another witty remark.

He made haste running up the Carr's driveway, then up the stairs to the apartment above the garage. As he raised his hand to knock on the door, he heard laughter and lively chatter that made him pause. An overwhelming sense of guilt and shame and longing surged through him. Was he really going to break up the joy beyond the door? Once upon a time he would've been glad for a party, for a break from work and his vigilante duties.

His mind flashed back to that first party him and his friends had in Mount Justice. It was Wally's birthday and he had been lapping up all the attention, especially from M'gann, who had made him a cake and had in fact organised the whole party. This was before Wally realised him and Artemis were meant to be, same with Connor and M'gann.

But Y/N had known, had even pointed it out to Dick as they sat in the corner just the two of them, watching everything play out.

'They're all so thick,' Y/N said, taking a sip of her lemonade, trying to hide her knowing smile.

'How so?' Dick asked.

Y/N rolled her eyes. 'Can you not see?' She grabbed Dick's chin and guided him to look at Connor and M'gann interacting awkwardly but in a cute way, then Wally and Artemis "fighting", matching wit for wit with every snarky comment they threw at each other. 'Connor and M'gann are so into each other, and you could cut the emotional tension between Wally and Artemis it's so thick. They are all crushing hard.'

Dick watched the two couples interact a little longer and realised Y/N was right. 'Well would you look at that,' he said, turning back to Y/N. 'You're quite the observer, aren't you?'

Y/N chuckled. 'Dick, we've been best friends for three years now. If you're just figuring that out now, then you're just as thick as the rest of our friends.'

'Hey! I am not!'

'Are to.'

'Am. Not!'

'Are. To!'

The two fell into hysterical laughter, gripping onto one another so they didn't fall to the ground.

Y/N's smile came to him then, and the longing in his chest ached even more. She was more than likely beyond the door too, laughing and smiling without a care in the world. He suddenly had the thought that he couldn't go through with it. He couldn't possibly ask them - couldn't ask her - to help him. Not after what he'd done...

Before he could chicken out completely, he forced himself to knock lightly on the door.

'I'll get it,' M'gann's sweet voice called out to whoever she was with, and Dick prepared himself as he heard her walk to the door.

M'gann opened the door, and she was smiling, the remnants of laughter twinkling in her eyes. She was in her human form, but it had changed since the last time Dick saw her. Her ginger hair was now cropped just under her ears, and her features were sharper, more refined than that of a young adolescent. She wore a flattering white blouse and casual jeans, not bothering for shoes in her own home.

She was grown up. In just two years?

Her brown eyes locked with Dick's blue ones, and immediately her smile dropped as shock froze her face.

Dick offered her a small smile 'Hi, M'gann,' he said softly.

'Dick...' was all she could manage as she continued to look at him, eyes raking over him as if she were imagining things. 'What are you doing here?'

'Honey, who is it?'

Dick's guilt deepened at the sound of Connor's voice. The Superboy himself came to the door when M'gann didn't answer, and stopped in his tracks as soon as he laid eyes on Dick. But he didn't stay shocked for long.

Connor furrowed his eyebrows and stepped up behind M'gann, placing a protective hand on her shoulder. 'What are you doing here?' he asked icily, eyes solely focussed on Dick.

It hurt to see such distrust in his old friend's eyes, but Dick somewhat expected that. 'Nice to see you too, Connor,' he said, slipping into his casual, carefree persona easily. If there was one thing Dick was really good at, it was putting on a mask. 'I was in the neighbourhood and thought I'd swing by. It's been a while.'

'Why don't you answer my question first before you start acting like nothing is wrong,' Connor suggested, his voice taking a deep threatening tone.

'Connor, please,' M'gann said, seemingly getting over her initial shock. She placed her left hand over Connor's on her shoulder, and that's when Dick saw the shiny diamond ring on her finger. 'He's our friend.'

Dick didn't think his guilt could worsen at those three words.

M'gann opened the door wider and offered him a small smile. 'Come in, Dick. We'd love for you to join us.'

Dick flashed her a grateful smile. 'Thanks,' he said as he ducked through the doorway. He then looked from M'gann to Connor and back again. 'Congratulations, by the way.'

M'gann looked confused for a moment, then a joyful twinkle flashed in her eyes as she looked to her ring, a soft smile gracing her features. 'Thank you, Dick,' she said. 'That's what we're actually celebrating. Come on, there is food and drinks this way.'

M'gann walked back towards the party, but Connor and Dick remained in the entrance, staring at one another.

Dick took Connor in. Because of his clone genetics, Connor never actually aged. Not physically anyways. He'd changed ever so slightly from when Dick first broke him out of Cadmus, only growing a centimetre or two every year or so. His muscles had toned more having entered his theoretical twenties, and but his face still held onto those baby features he'd had since being replicated as a teenaged Superman.

Dick sized himself up against Connor and shockingly found that, for the first time, they were looking at each other eye to eye.

Connor seemed to scan Dick, too, coming to the same conclusion that Dick had changed too since they last saw each other. Dick waited for Connor to say something, but when Connor was done he gave Dick a stone cold grimace then turned to follow M'gann.

'What a warm reunion,' Dick mumbled under breath as he followed Connor down the hallway.

The hallway opened into an open-floor plan that held the kitchen, the dinning room and the lounge. Dick expected a few more people to be waiting for them, but he only spotted Kaldur lounging on the couch, drink in hand. Being the vigilant person he was, Kaldur immediately recognised Dick and placed his drink on the coffee table as he stood up.

'Dick,' he said, teal eyes wide with surprise.

'Hey, Kaldur,' Dick greeted awkwardly, ready for the same cold treatment as Connor.

Instead, Kaldur's face broke into a warm smile as he manoeuvred around the furniture to make his way to Dick. 'Old friend,' he said as he embraced Dick. 'It has been too long.'

'It sure has, buddy,' Dick responded, returning his friend's embrace.

Kaldur released him, but kept his hand on Dick's shoulder as he scanned over him. 'Look at you! You seem to be healthy and strong.'

It was true. Dick had noticed he'd muscled up a little more since leaving the team, though still keeping towards the leaner side of muscular. He certainly wasn't has bulk as Connor, or Kaldur for that fact, who Dick noted also had more muscles and toned features. Kaldur certainly filled out the black button-up he wore. But, as it was with Connor, Dick was happy to see him looking directly in Kaldur's eyes as they spoke, not from slightly below as it had been since they were children.

'Thanks man,' Dick said. 'Been working out. I see you've been doing the same, Aquaman.'

'My King left some large shoes to fill,' Kladur admitted humbly. 'But thank you.'

'So you know of Kaldur's promotion, but couldn't contact him to say congrats when it happened?' Connor interjected from his place in the kitchen.

M'gann scolded him as she placed some plates on the dining table, but the mood had already changed to tense and quiet.

'Connor's right,' Dick admitted, addressing his three friends. 'I'm sorry. These past two years... I should've stayed in contact. I wanted to. But every time I went to, I convinced myself that you didn't want to hear from me. That it would be better to leave you all be while I try to figure out myself again.'

'Oh Dick,' M'gann started, walking around the table to pull him into a hug. 'Of course we wanted to hear from you. You're our friend and we missed you. But we understand that after Wally died, you had to take a break from everything.'

M'gann pulled away and then pointed an accusatory finger at him, looking extremely cross with him. 'But if you ever do anything like that again, I swear I will hunt you down and kick your sorry ass into another universe. Understood?'

Dick nodded vigorously. 'U-Understood.'

M'gann's sweet demeanour returned and she walked back to the table to continue setting it. The three men looked at her quietly as she went about her work, until Dick turned to Connor and said, 'Your fiancée is scary.'

Dick expected another glare from the Superboy, but he was gladly surprised when the dark-haired boy nodded in agreement, face slightly pale. 'You got that right.' He then shook himself out of his frozen state of fear to help his fiancée dish out their meal.

'Give him time,' Kaldur said quietly to Dick. 'You know how Connor can be with expressing his emotions.'

'Well, he's not as emotionally constipated as he once was, I'll give him that,' Dick said. 'Unfortunately, I don't think I have time.'

'What do you mean?' Kaldur asked.

Dick went to explain but quickly decided against it. Kaldur was in the Justice League now. Dick couldn't really explain what he was planning to do. Not yet, anyway.

'Forget I said anything,' Dick said instead, flashing his charming smile and wrapping an arm around his old friend's shoulders. 'For now, why don't you tell me everything I've missed. How is it being Atlantis' new champion, first starters...'

For the next hour, it was like old times. The four of them ate and laughed and swapped stories about what Dick had missed in the last two years. They recalled some of the good times they all shared when they were on the team, and Dick convinced himself for a brief moment that they could all stay like this. Happy, carefree, young.

But Dick had come to Connor and M'gann for a reason.

Once they'd had enough of dessert, Connor offered to wash up and Dick saw his chance.

'I'll help wipe up,' Dick offered, taking his and Kaldur's plates to the sink while Connor filled the sink with soap and water. Dick waited until M'gann and Kaldur were in deep conversation over on the couch that Dick decided to broach his intended subject. 'So, how is the team going?'

'The team is doing okay,' Connor answered flatly, never lifting his eyes from his work with the plates in the sink. 'I just try to help M'gann as best as I can. We're down a few numbers since your old man decided to take half of the Justice League and our team with him in his little stunt.'

Dick winced. He recalled getting the call from Tim about it about five months ago. It had been an orchestrated walk out from over half the Justice League and their protégés, all of them wanting to go back to their vigilante ways as the League and the team had become somewhat irrelevant. Those that remained never saw it coming.

'I'm sorry about that,' he apologised, though he wasn't entirely sure why. Just felt appropriate.

Connor looked at him briefly, hands pausing in the sink as he did, and then released a sigh of defeat. 'Don't be sorry, Dick. It's not like you had anything to do with it.'

'No,' Dick agreed, 'but I should've been there at least. I should've reached out to see if you were okay. We started this team together, I shouldn't have just left it all to you.'

'Well, I know the rest of the team would really appreciate it if you came back now,' Connor said, his tone hopeful. 'That is, if you're ready to come back.'

Dick's heart lurched at the thought of going back to the team, both with want and terror. He liked Barbara, he really did. But, if he were being honest, he'd missed being a part of something bigger than himself and his own agendas.

'Connor,' Dick started softly, looking to see M'gann and Kaldur still locked in deep conversation before continuing, 'I would love to come back. Please know that. But you should know I haven't just been idly moving about the place the last two years. I've been conducting undercover missions of my own with Barbara in relation to the meta-human trafficking crisis.'

Connor's eyes widened and Dick saw he was about to raise his voice so leaned in close and hurriedly whispered, 'Keep your voice down, please.'

Connor took a second to register what Dick had said before whispering harshly, 'What do you mean you've been working on your own? You should've come to us if you were getting involved.'

'First of all, I just said I had Barbara helping me, and secondly because the team and the Justice League are full of public figures now. The missions wouldn't work if they got involved. But I've actually come here to ask you for your help on a mission, Connor.'

'Me?! Why would I-'

'Let me explain. First of all, it'll be you, me, Artemis-'

'You've pulled Artemis into this too?! Where the hell has she been, anyway?'

'Would you stop interrupting me for one second?' Dick hissed, wiping up a plate or two before returning to the conversation. 'As I was saying, from our intel, Markovia's Princess Tara has been found dead. Killed by a meta human supposedly, and I have a sneaky suspicion someone has been testing on people with the meta gene, turning them into extreme versions of their meta abilities. I need your help to find out who. As I said before, I've convinced Artemis to help already, and I was looking to you, Jefferson, and Y/N to make up the rest of the team.'

Dick looked around the room, looking at how empty the couches were around M'gann and Kaldur and sudden thought struck him. 'Speaking of which, where is Y/N?' he asked. 'I would've thought she'd be here celebrating the good news.'

He'd forgotten to keep quiet that time, and so Kaldur and M'gann looked at him alongside Connor, all looking as if Dick had sprouted three heads.

'What?' Dick asked, patting around his face. 'Do I have sauce on my face?'

'You don't know?' M'gann asked, sounding almost on the brink of tears.

That's when Dick realised something was majorly wrong, and his gut twisted with fear. 'Know what? Where's Y/N?'

'Y/N, she...' Kaldur started, then took a deep breath before continuing, 'Y/N left the team, Dick.'

'What?' Dick said, almost dropping the plate he held. 'What do you mean she left?'

'She left about six months ago,' Connor answered, washing up the last plate and emptying the sink. 'Before everyone else left. She felt like she wasn't doing enough with us anymore, so she just... left.'

'I've sent her plenty of messages,' M'gann said, 'but she hasn't answered any of them. And I can't sense her at all in the country. Even the Watchtower couldn't find her.'

Dick couldn't believe this. Y/N was gone? 'So Wonder Woman doesn't even know where she is?'

'Wonder Woman has been busy running the Justice League since Batman resigned,' Kaldur answered. 'Even if she did know where her daughter was, I don't think she'd like us to know, and I would have to agree.'

'Why?' Dick asked, suddenly very angry at Kaldur for not being as concerned as he was about Y/N. 'Do you know where she is?'

Kaldur shook his head. 'Regrettably, no. But when we last spoke, she sounded like she didn't want to be found. That she would come back to us when she was ready. I think we should respect that.'

Dick shook his head in disbelief. 'No, that's not like Y/N. She wouldn't just leave anywhere without telling anyone.'

'What, you mean like you?' Connor asked, and that cold stare was back.

'I mean she is loyal and empathetic. Surely she would know how her absence would affect the team,' Dick continued, ignoring the personal dig.

'She was loyal, Dick,' Connor countered. 'She was loyal, and stuck around with M'gann, Kaldur and I until the team got back on its feet. She held the team together when we were on the brink of falling apart. But you wouldn't know that because you weren't here.'

Dick wanted to argue but found that he couldn't. What he had thought was the best for the team turned out to be the complete opposite. He could sense it now; his relationships with his oldest friends were no longer as they were.

'You were gone for two years,' Connor continued. 'You'd be surprised as to how much a person can change in that time.'

The day Dick left flashed in his mind, and he recalled the pain in Y/N's eyes when he left her behind. He remembered how she'd held it together, but he knew she would probably cry about it later because she'd done it some many times before, always going to him to cry on his shoulder.

But he wasn't there that time. He'd left her all alone to dry her tears.

You're my best friend. Always have been. Always will be...

Dick looked to his friends again, but they could barely meet his eyes. Kaldur was disappointed, Connor was angry, and M'gann was just sad. An apology bubbled up in Dick's throat, but he didn't think it was sufficient enough for what he had done to them.

'I have to find her, then,' Dick said into the quiet room, and finally they all looked to him.

'Did you not just hear Kaldur?' Connor asked. 'We should leave her alone like she wants.'

'We don't necessarily know that,' Dick countered. 'Besides, this isn't about bringing her back. This is about me making things right with her.'

'But what if Kaldur is right?' M'gann argued. 'What if she doesn't want to be found. Maybe the right thing to do is leave her alone?'

Dick shook his head. 'She's my best friend, M'gann. I can't accept that she wouldn't want to see us ever again.'

'Maybe she doesn't want to see you, have you considered that?' Kaldur asked, his voice taking on a protective demeanour. 'The bottom line is, Dick, that you left her behind without a second thought. And she respected that, even if it killed her inside knowing that you would rather abandon her - abandon us - than face the pain of losing Wally together. She missed you every single day, and yet she still fought and trained and guided the team without faltering. And now, when she finally finds the courage to do what's best for her for once, you want to shame her for it?'

Anger surged through Dick, fiery and hot. 'I am not shaming her for anything. Do you not think I didn't think of you all every single day?'

'If you did, you didn't do anything about it, did you?' Connor mumbled, but Dick heard him just fine.

'Look, if you guys don't want to help me find her, fine,' Dick said, looking at all three friends pointedly. 'But I will find her. Because she needs to know that she was right. That I was wrong to leave and I am a terrible best friend.'

His expression softened as he looked down at his hands, imagining how long ago him and Y/N would link their pinkies. How simple friendships were back then.

'If she never comes back,' he continued, quieter this time, 'then I won't blame her. But best friends don't give up on each other.'

It was quiet for what felt like an eternity. Until Kaldur walked up to Dick and grabbed his shoulder comfortingly.

'You may be a terrible best friend,' Kaldur said, a small smile warming his face. 'But that doesn't mean your heart isn't in the right place.'

'Thanks, Kaldur,' Dick said, patting Kaldur's hand upon his shoulder.

Kaldur dropped his hand and the four of them sat down on the couches. 'Y/N didn't tell me where she was going,' Kaldur started, 'just that she needed to find out who she was again.'

'I don't follow,' Dick said.

Kaldur chuckled. 'Don't worry, I said the same thing to her when she told me. But she also said something along the lines of, "I need to find out where I've come from to find out where I will go.".'

'What the hell does that mean?' Connor asked.

'Again, not sure. But when I asked her the same question, she said she had to go back to her roots,' Kaldur elaborated. 'Something to do with where it all started. And her mother...'

Dick contemplated all of Kaldur's recollections, juggling each statement over one another to try and make sense. It was so vague, but Dick could sense there was a blatant truth staring right at them if they just looked hard enough.

Where it all began... Where she's been... Her mother...

The answer hit Dick like a brick wall.

'Themyscira,' he said softly, then more confidently. 'She's gone to Themyscira.'

'The Island of the Amazons?' M'gann asked. 'Are you sure?'

Dick nodded. 'It has to be. That's where Wonder Woman is from, and Y/N mentioned all the time when we were kids how much she wanted to go visit it one day.'

'But isn't it hidden?' Connor interjected. 'I mean, that's why they haven't gone back right? Anyone who leaves the island can never find it again.'

'Wonder Woman must've had something to help her remember,' Kaldur offered. 'Or at least guide her back home. I would suggest we go ask her, but again, I doubt she would tell us anything.'

It was like nothing had changed. The four of them had slipped back into theorising and planning and bantering as if no time had passed, as if no one had left or been promoted. It warmed Dick's heart at the thought that they all wanted to help find Y/N, even bring her home.

But Dick shook his head in dismissal. 'You guys don't have to worry yourselves over this. It sounds like I'm part of the reason she left in the first place, so it's my responsibility to find her and make this right on my own.'

'While I agree that this is partially your fault,' Connor said, earning a slight slap from M'gann beside him that he barely flinched at, 'Y/N's our friend too. The least we can do is help you find her.'

Dick smiled gratefully at his friend, who gave him a nod in return which was a start. 'Okay then...' Dick brought his watch up in front of his chest, clicked a few buttons before bringing up a large holographic screen with Barbara on it. 'Can you see us, Babs?'

'In quality HD, as well,' Barbara replied with a witty smile. 'Now, what can Oracle do for you?'

'We're trying to find Themyscira,' Dick explained. 'But it's not on any maps that we know of. Anything in any history records? Sailor sightings while out at sea?'

'You're asking me to find a mythical island from greek mythology that is meant to be hidden from Man's World and is forgotten by any who leave it?' Barbara asked incredulously, but then began typing ferociously on her end. 'Yeah, sure. No problem.'

Dick and the others waited in silence as Barbara worked her magic, files and maps and illustrations of the island popping up all over the screen around her face. After a minute or two, she spoke again.

'Okay,' she began, 'according to maps, you're right, the place doesn't exist. Even old sailors from Ancient Greece don't have any records of the place. However, I did find some similar tales being published in short stories of greek mythology and sailing journals. And all of them mention a couple of times sailing near what has now become the mouth of the modern Terme River in what we now know as Turkey, and having a strange sensation wash over them about danger. Each and every one of them have been convinced there is danger ahead and have turned away.'

'But they're just stories,' Kaldur argued. 'How can you be sure that what they speak of is the Island of the Amazons?'

'Ease up, Aquaman. I'm getting there.' A few more clicks and taps and Barbara brought up a picture of a very odd looking fish. 'Do you recognise that at all?'

Kaldur stared at the fish for a moment, contemplating its odd structure. 'I don't recognise it as a species,' Kaldur said. 'But I do recognise parts of it. It is like... different fish species have been spliced up and put back together to form this.'

'Exactly,' Barbara said, tap and clicking fervently again. 'This is a fish that has been found not near Turkey but close enough, and on multiple occasions. Now, if we isolate all these fish types... and then map out where each species usually resides... then find the crossover point for all of them...'

Dick watched diligently as Barbara isolated the fishes, highlight on the world map which species resided where, then drew lines horizontally and vertically, then zoomed in on the section the two lines crossed over.

'And there you have it,' Barbara offered proudly. 'The mouth to the Terme River in Turkey. You're welcome.'

'That makes sense,' M'gann said, looking up at the map, intrigued. 'If Themyscira is supposedly this pocket of space no human can find, then it makes sense that sea creatures of different genetic combinations would be able to breed there in peace, more than likely living there except for the stray pod or two that wander off into the open ocean.'

'I would have to agree,' Kaldur said, fascinated by it all as well. 'Who knows how many sea creatures live in harmony there.'

'Well, I'll be sure to find out when I get there,' Dick said as he stood up. 'Thanks Babs.'

'Any time,' she said, then the call ended.

'Wait, you're leaving now?' M'gann asked as Dick made his way to the front door.

'This cannot wait, M'gann,' Dick insisted, opening the front door. 'I have to speak with her as soon as possible.'

'Hey.' Dick was forced to stop when Connor grabbed him by his bicep, bringing the two of them close enough Dick could feel Connor's breath on his cheek.

'Are you really doing this for Y/N's sake, or for yours?' Connor asked in a hushed voice. 'Because whatever mission you think you need her for, I can assure you it cannot be more important than your friendship. Do you understand?'

Dick didn't quite understood what he meant, but he nodded anyways, and Connor let him go.

M'gann and Kaldur stepped up beside Connor as Dick made his way down the apartment stairs and back to the car. M'gann wrapped her arms around Connor's waist as he embraced her with one arm over her shoulder.

'Good luck, old friend,' Kaldur called out. 'May your journey be safe and successful.'

Dick chuckled as he waved farewell. 'I know you've always been well-spoken, but is it now a job requirement as Aquaman to sound like Gandalf?'

Kaldur pulled a face that Dick and M'gann laughed at, and Connor cracked a smile at the slight burn. Before he could psyche himself out of it, Dick hopped in the car and took off towards Wayne Manor.

'Call Alfred Pennyworth,' Dick spoke loud and clear, and the car immediately began ringing.

After a few rings, Alfred promptly answered the phone. 'Master Dick, what a pleasant surprise.'

'Hey, Alfred. Is the Batwing free at the moment?'

'I've just given it a deep clean now. Why?'

'Excellent. Could you please prepare it for take off by the time I reach the Manor? I have a little excursion I have to go on.'

'Will that excursion bring the Batwing back in one piece, Master Dick?'

'...I'll be there in twenty.'

Dick promptly ended the call, not waiting to hear a scolding from Alfred. Those were never fun.

Truth be told, he wasn't sure what to expect when he went to Themyscira. But Steve Trevor did it once, surely it could be done again.

Either way, it was a risk Dick was willing to take to get his best friend back.

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

Tag list:

@valiantbouquetcloud | @epicy0n | @tyrannosaurexrex1300 | @lunaizhere

[orangerosebush]

Artemis' quarter-life crisis shouldn't have been going on a research mission off planet.

Artemis should have been running for a Council position in Haven to annoy Holly.

Unfortunately, he primarily ends up annoying Nº1 (the voracious reader he is) due to the way Artemis' political career amongst the People spawns the fairy equivalent of Thomas Pynchon on the underground, underground literary scene.

[thordottir45]

The Outlaw's Spirit

After a reveal gone wrong, whether intentional or not, Danny books it. Sam and Tucker have to stay behind in Amity to prevent Maddie, Jack, and the GIW from following their best friend. The trio is 16~17 or so at this point.

Jazz, being the best big sis that she is, has been taking college classes online to protect Danny. She helps the two destroy the Drs. Fenton lab before grabbing her go bag and getting out of there. She plans to start anew in a different city so that Danny can eventually join her. She's thinking Gotham, with the ambient ectoplasm, and high crime rates, it'll feel more like home than Star City, or Metropolis.

Danny, meanwhile, keeps running. He comes across a high-tech jet and hides in it, pulling a stowaway.

This jet is a Batplane, but is currently being used by The Outlaws for a mission.

Danny's ghost sense has no idea about how to react to Jason, so it causes him to cough, revealing his location to the group.

"B." Artemis instructs Bizarro with his nickname.

Bizarro moves in slowly, while Jason pulls out his guns, and Artemis her sword. Bizarro opens wherever Danny is hiding, revealing his black hair and blue eyes of his human form. Seeing the shaking teen, B gently pulls him out and 'restrains' him via hug.

Danny is freaking out at the sight of these out-of-the-norm people, and his ghost sense is triggering a coughing fit, aggravating whatever wounds he may have.

"One of your brothers?" Artemis asks Jason, despite keeping her guard up.

"Not that I know. What are you doing in here, kid?" Jason lowes his guns, but doesn't holster them, wanting to keep them in hand in case this kid is an enemy.

Danny, coughing, takes a closer look at the three surrounding him.

"Red Hood? Artemis of the Bana-Mighdall? Bizarro? What? Huh?!"

"Worry, we hurt you." Bizarro says soothingly.

Tensing, Danny prepares to use his powers, but Artemis explains what Bizarro means before he does.

"What are you doing in here, kid? You're hurt." Jason reiterates before noticing just how the boy is breathing other than his coughing fits.

Feeling safer with these three than he had with his parents in a long time, and with them all not being entirely human themselves, Danny is willing to explain some things, but not everything.

"My parents, they're scientists, they found out that I'm not entirely human... I had to run. I saw this jet, and it was a chance for me to get further away from them before they track me down."

"They can track you?" Artemis asks while Bizarro releases Danny, setting the teen down on a bench. Jason pulls out a med kit and sets it down next to Danny.

Jason then gets the Batplane into the air while the other Outlaws get to know the stowaway more.

Jason's inner bat wants to do so much research that he resembles the Replacement more than himself, but more of him sees himself in the kid and, as much as he loathes to admit it, pull a Bruce to take care of the much-too-thin teen.

Setting the autopilot to Gotham, Jason re-joins the discussion, noting that the kid's coughs get worse the closer he gets. Odd.

Bizarro and the teen have bonded over video games and movies, even with Bizarro's speech mannerisms.

Artemis, on the other hand, is patching the boy up, not offering much to the conversation other than clearing some things up for B.

"Course's set for Gotham. Figure we'll want Alfie to get some proper food in ya. Now, can you explain all the coughing?" Jason plops down across from the teen, keeping some distance to not make the coughing worse if his hunch is right.

Danny explains in the broadest terms for his ghost sense, that it can tell when people have died, and that Red Hood didn't come back right.

Tense, Jason's vision bleeds into green as he questions, "How?"

"I can tell because I didn't come back right, either..." Danny then tries to explain ectoplasm as glowing green goo, causing Jason to tense even more.

"Lazarus Waters."

"What?"

Taking off his helmet, the lenses of Jason's domino are glowing, "Lazarus Waters. They threw me in mostly dead, and I came out mostly alive."

"That shouldn't..." Danny tilts his head, thinking of the lessons from Frostbite on the nature of ectoplasm and what happens when it gets corrupted. All part of his training for taking the throne. "Huh. Sounds like you got a batch of the more corrupted stuff. With pure ectoplasm, it would bring you back fully, with few side effects."

"Ectoplasm?" Bizarro asks from Danny's right.

Explaining in more detail, since Red Hood is some sort of subject of his and needs help, time passes and soon the autopilot is landing the jet.

"Come on, kid. Let's get some food in you, then we can see what to do about the Lazarus Waters." Jason puts a hand on the door to the Batplane, opening it to reveal the Batcave.

Just something that was floating around in my head. Not sure if I'll continue it, it's unlikely.

[im-making-an-effort]

“I just want to come home.” Said the Astronaut.

“So come home.” Said ground control.

“So come home.” Said a voice from the stars. -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

I’m admittedly not the best artist or penman, but here is my first humble contribution to the monumental project you’ve all started here. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

God I love space; every time I read one of these space orcs/humans are weird posts this is the only thing that comes to mind:

The innate human urge to just… go. To discover. To live. To seek out sights not made for mortal eyes, tread places no one’s ever dared dream possible, to defy our creators and say, “You made us to walk the Earth, but we humbly decline.” Then, when science and logic and the restrictions of our times told us we’d never so much as orbit our planet, our silly little species said “Watch us.” and we threw ourselves into the beyond. And by god it’s worked so far. The Artemis I, as of Dec. 4th 2022, is on its way home from a successful orbital mission around our moon. And in May, 2024? The Artemis II will launch with its manned crew to start work on a moon research base. The construction of an actual moon base is not even three years away. We’re throwing ourselves again, this time not just to visit our moon but to stay; and we have only ourselves to thank. People like the ones here, the ones fueling our collective curiosity, our love of the stars, our desire to know. All of this to say, perhaps the fantasies we’ve so carefully crafted here are one step closer to making that infamous leap from science fiction to reality.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Wednesday SpaceTime 20240918 Series 27 Episode 113

Recent volcanism on discovered on the Moon

Scientists have discovered evidence of volcanism on the lunar surface as recently as 125 million years ago.

The Strange phenomena people will see at Moon's south pole

When astronauts return to the Moon’s surface as part of the Artemis 3 mission to the Lunar south pole, they’ll experience a very different environment to that which the Apollo astronauts witnessed more than half a century ago.

A new crew arrives at the International Space Station

The Russian Soyuz MS-26 capsule has successfully docked with the International Space station just three hours after its launch aboard a Soyuz 2.1a rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in in the central Asian republic of Kazakhstan.

The Science Report

Study shows up to 19% of dementia cases could be linked to vision problems.

Over 52 million tonnes of plastic dumped into the environment every year.

The growing amount of incorrect AI generated data being generated.

Alex on Tech: are the new iPhone 16s worth it? 

SpaceTime covers the latest news in astronomy & space sciences.

The show is available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through Apple Podcasts (itunes), Stitcher, Google Podcast, Pocketcasts, SoundCloud, Bitez.com, YouTube, your favourite podcast download provider, and from www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com

SpaceTime is also broadcast through the National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio and on both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

SpaceTime daily news blog: http://spacetimewithstuartgary.tumblr.com/

SpaceTime facebook: www.facebook.com/spacetimewithstuartgary

SpaceTime Instagram @spacetimewithstuartgary

SpaceTime twitter feed @stuartgary

SpaceTime YouTube: @SpaceTimewithStuartGary

SpaceTime -- A brief history

SpaceTime is Australia’s most popular and respected astronomy and space science news program – averaging over two million downloads every year. We’re also number five in the United States.  The show reports on the latest stories and discoveries making news in astronomy, space flight, and science.  SpaceTime features weekly interviews with leading Australian scientists about their research.  The show began life in 1995 as ‘StarStuff’ on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s (ABC) NewsRadio network.  Award winning investigative reporter Stuart Gary created the program during more than fifteen years as NewsRadio’s evening anchor and Science Editor.  Gary’s always loved science. He studied astronomy at university and was invited to undertake a PHD in astrophysics, but instead focused on his career in journalism and radio broadcasting. Gary’s radio career stretches back some 34 years including 26 at the ABC. He worked as an announcer and music DJ in commercial radio, before becoming a journalist and eventually joining ABC News and Current Affairs. He was part of the team that set up ABC NewsRadio and became one of its first on air presenters. When asked to put his science background to use, Gary developed StarStuff which he wrote, produced and hosted, consistently achieving 9 per cent of the national Australian radio audience based on the ABC’s Nielsen ratings survey figures for the five major Australian metro markets: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.  The StarStuff podcast was published on line by ABC Science -- achieving over 1.3 million downloads annually.  However, after some 20 years, the show finally wrapped up in December 2015 following ABC funding cuts, and a redirection of available finances to increase sports and horse racing coverage.  Rather than continue with the ABC, Gary resigned so that he could keep the show going independently.  StarStuff was rebranded as “SpaceTime”, with the first episode being broadcast in February 2016.  Over the years, SpaceTime has grown, more than doubling its former ABC audience numbers and expanding to include new segments such as the Science Report -- which provides a wrap of general science news, weekly skeptical science features, special reports looking at the latest computer and technology news, and Skywatch – which provides a monthly guide to the night skies. The show is published three times weekly (every Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and available from the United States National Science Foundation on Science Zone Radio, and through both i-heart Radio and Tune-In Radio.

[lazycats-stuff]

Hello, good day/afternoon or night.

I wanted to make a request if you don't mind. I would like it to be a jason todd x male reader, where the reader is of the same race as martian manhunter and that i worked with jason in the "outlaws"

I would like to see the reader a little unsure of himself because of his Martian appearance and a protective and loving Jason. And that he shows it by making love in a tender and affectionate way and those things.

I hope not to be a nuisance.

Don't worry, you are not a nuisance. However, I didn't read the outlaws, but I did hear about it. And I researched it, but you never know. Just a heads up.

Summary: (Y/N) is a Green Martian and he is often insecure of his appearance, but Jason won't let that happen.

Warnings: Violence, insecurities, Jason being protective, guns, Martian powers, fire, a stupid made up mission for the sake of the story, author sucks at flirting,

(Y/N) sighed as he changed into his human form. He didn't really like this form, but it was for the mission at hand. He had to get in the nightclub, get the boss' attention for the others to sneak in. The club was heavily guarded and the importance of not being caught was important tonight.

Jason gave his boyfriend a kiss before he left the group on the roof, watching the front of the club. They were connected telepathically so there won't be any problems when it comes to communication. (Y/N) stood in the front, waiting his turn.

" Just relax. You look way to stiff. "

" Easy for you to say, you aren't the one who is going to flirt with the bastard. "

(Y/N) could hear Jason's chuckle in his head. Maybe he shook his head in amusement too.

(Y/N) moved with line, finally entering the building. It was loud and (Y/N) could see the office above the club. Of course, there are armed guards too. But they weren't interested in what was above, but what is below. There were rumors of him working with the person that the Outlaws were interested in.

(Y/N) was chosen to entertain the boss. The boss had a specific type and nobody of the Outlaws were the said type. And that's how (Y/N) was stuck in this position. He preferred to drop in from the shadows so to speak. (Y/N) moved to the dance floor. He didn't like the taste of alcohol and he wants to be sober when shit goes down. He was about to step on the dance floor, but a big muscly guy stopped him.

" The boss wants to see you. "

" The boss? " (Y/N) asked, playing dumb.

" Yes. Follow me. "

(Y/N) followed the big guy.

" Guys, the boss noticed me, I'm going upstairs. " (Y/N) quickly said in over his telepathy.

" Okay. Keep him entertained. He tries to do something, let me know." Jason said over the telepathy.

" Will do. "

(Y/N) entered the office, seeing the bastard as he called him before. He was sitting on a couch, what seemed to be a whiskey in his hand. He smirked when he saw (Y/N). He patted the spot next to him. (Y/N) sat down next to the man, putting a bit of space between them.

" (Y/N), we need 15 minutes to gather the stuff. Keep him talking. " Jason reminded.

" So, what is a young man like you doing in this club? "

" I wanted to go out tonight. Wanted to have some fun. "

" All alone? "

" Yes. "

" Would you like a drink? " He asked, nodding towards the little bar he had behind him.

" Sure, why not? "

The man smiled, before standing up to get a drink for them both.

" Guys, the man is giving me the creeps. Hurry up. "

" We are going as quickly as possible. The security is a bitch. " Roy said, his voice straining. Are they in a middle of a fight?

" Are you guys fighting? "

" You could say so. " Artemis said.

(Y/N) shouldn't worry about them, they are more than capable to fight off the security, but it still made him worry. He forced a smile on his face when he got a glass from the man.

" So, anybody in the picture? "

" Not really. "

He swore he heard Jason growl, but it was in the back of his mind.

" Really? A beautiful boy like you, with no one in the picture? "

(Y/N) forced himself to smile, play nice. He batted his eyelashes, smiling sweetly.

" I didn't really find somebody who was worth it. "

The man hummed, taking a sip of his drink. He put a hand on (Y/N)'s thigh. The Martian tried not to squirm. His thighs, both human and Martian ones, are sensitive. Jason knew that very well and he always used it to his advantage when they were intimate.

" Really? And what is the type of a man you are looking for? "

" A type that can protect me, love me... " (Y/N) trailed off, not wanting to give anymore to the man.

" Well- "

A guard came in, out of breath. He whispered something in his ear and (Y/N) knew that his teammates were caught.

" Stay here sweetheart, there is an issue. "

(Y/N) smiled softly, nodding his head.

" Guys, the boss is aware that you are here. Hurry up. "

" We are done, get out of there now. "

(Y/N) didn't need to be told twice.

(Y/N) was back in his Martian form. He was watching from the side as the boss was being taken in. This is one of the rare times where they showed themselves to the public. Jason came to (Y/N), wrapping his arm around his shoulder.

" Ready to go home? " Jason asked his boyfriend, smiling beneath his mask. He gently rubbed the back of (Y/N)'s neck. He knew his boyfriend was always insecure about his appearance, his real appearance, but Jason loved his Martian form.

" Yeah. I hate this mission and I just want to sleep. "

Jason chuckled. He knew that no matter how simple mission is, he is always tired. Even if it's a stakeout. Just watching and observing. However, he turned his head when he heard somebody saying something in regards to (Y/N). Some not really good things. (Y/N) sighed as he watched Jason march up to them. Of course, the cameras followed.

(Y/N) was used to the whispers and the taunting's about his appearance. He knew he would never fit here on Earth, but Jason was different. He was really friendly with (Y/N) and the Martian soon developed a crush on the vigilante. He thought it would never happen, but once it did, (Y/N) couldn't have been happier. Jason was also (Y/N)'s first kiss.

" Jason- "

" Let me handle it. "

(Y/N) knew what that handle it means. It means insults and maybe violence. Well, not maybe, but surely.

" Wanna say that to my face? " Jason asked the guy, getting into his face.

The guy didn't say anything, clearly afraid of Jason.

" Didn't think so tough guy. "

Jason walked up to (Y/N) and then using his hook to propel them away from the prying eyes.

" I have to ask, why can't we fly? It would be way more fun. " (Y/N) said, looking at the big red mask.

" You dropped that time. I'm not taking any chances. "

" It was an accident! "

Jason huffed, clearly not believing him. (Y/N) sighed as he shook his head.

" Don't worry, one day I will let you fly with me. "

" When is that one day? " (Y/N) asked as he stood on his own feet on the roof of their safe house.

" In the near future. Now come on, lets go in and lets relax. I need to calm down from the flirting. "

" You were jealous? " (Y/N) asked, clearly teasing his boyfriend.

Jason took his helmet and domino mask off. He frowned at the words, clearly not amused.

" Okay, sorry. I'm going to take a shower and then go to bed. " (Y/N) apologized, leaving Jason in the hall.

Jason rubbed his face as (Y/N) left to take a shower. Jason was always protective of (Y/N) and from time to time, he could come off as harsh because of it. He took his jacket off, putting it on the chair.

He fell for (Y/N) after a few months of knowing the Martian. There was something about (Y/N) that made Jason swoon about him. He didn't mind some of (Y/N)'s unusual habits, instead he was curious about them.

He went to their bathroom, quickly taking his clothes off. (Y/N) was under the warm stream of water, relaxing. Jason stepped in, wrapping his arms around (Y/N). The Martian leaned back into Jason's arms. They stood in the shower for a while, not saying a word to one another.

And they didn't have to. They didn't need to use telepathy to read each minds. All they needed was a touch or a look. Nothing more.

[the-lady-writes-what]

A very long time ago, I received a lovely DM from @marziemoo when they asked about what are some recommendations for wlw/sapphic books about or written by authors of color. I apologize that it has taken me so long.

Allow me first to give some caveats:

I am very, very, very white. I am NOT a person of color. Please take my opinion with a grain of salt.

I take FOREVER to read books so, the ones I have read is small list but I have included ones that I researched and ones that have been on my To Read List for a while.

I tend to read mostly fantasy, so this list will comprise mostly of fantasy because that is what I read. I'll try to diversify with other genres. Everything except "The Jasmine Throne" I have not yet read.

Tasha Suri is a South Asian author whose work "The Jasmine Throne" depicts the story of an imprisoned princess and a priestess who hides from her past. It's passionate and powerful.

Warning: this book does depict or implicate harsher subjects and themes such as sexism, human sacrifice, and contains violence.

Kalynn Bayron, a black author. "Cinderella is Dead" tells the story of Sophia, who is forced with other girls to be forced into marriage two hundred years after Cinderella and her tale died. Sophia is joined with Constance, the last descendent of Cinderella and her step-sisters, to bring down the king. I haven't read this one yet, but it sits on my giant pile of To Read stack

This book by Leah Johnson tells the story of Liz Lighty, a midwest black girl. She's hoping to find financial aid so she can attend the college of her dreams. In order to do that, she has to become prom queen. Along comes Mack, the new girl, who is also vying for the prom queen crown. Sounds like rivals-to-lovers to me? I don't really read contemporary fiction, but the story premise is cute.

In Chinelo Okparanta's book, Ijeoma grows up as her nation gains independence and by the time she's 11, civil war breaks out. Ijeoma is sent away to safety where she comes across another displaced child. Friendship blooms and becomes a star-crossed romance. Again, I don't read a lot of contemporary fiction, but I might had this one to my reading list myself.

With the world's survival at stake, two teenagers are selected to journey to the Fairy Queen to fix it. Kaede and Taisin are drawn together during the mission. As members of their party succumb to unearthly attacks and fairy tricks, the two come to rely on each other and even begin to fall in love. This is a prequel to Malinda Lo's series, Ash.

Originally published in 1995, LarissaLai weaves a story in and out of medieval China to contemporary Vancouver. The book follows a thousand year old fox spirit, a 9th century Taoist poet and nun, and a young Asian-American named Artemis.

Makeda Hicks just lost her job and girlfriend in one fell swoop. She doesn't want to hear stories from her grandmother about her whirlwind affairs with royals and agents. So when Beznaria Chetchevaliere crashes into her life, Makeda can't resist. Only one bed and fake marriage hijinks insues!

Lei, in Natasha Ngan's book, Girls of Paper and Fire, lives with her father years after her mother is taken by the royal guards and disappeared. Now, they've come for Lei, whose rumored beauty has intrigued the king. Lei enters the opulent yet oppressive palace to train with eight other young women to please the king. A forbidden romance begins with Lei and she begins to question how far she would go for revenge.

In Tehlor Kay Mejia's premiere novel, 'We Set the Dark on Fire,' writes a compelling story that mirrors real world issues of immigration and equality. Daniela Vargas is the top student at Medio School for Girls. As a top student, upon graduation her paths are limited, run a husband's household or raise his children. Will Daniela chose the life of privilege her parents fought for or will she join the resistance to bring true freedom to Medio, and perhaps forbidden love?

Seventeen year old Lil and her twin sister, Kizzy are captured and taken away from their traveler community. Forced to work in the kitchens, Lil is drawn to another slave, Mira. Lil and the others discover and fight for a fate of their own making. (Through some research, I discovered that the author, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, is of Indian descent through her mother and lives in Oxford.)

Yetu remembers everything. She remembers the people who came before her, the pregnant African women thrown overboard by their enslavers. In order to escape this burden and the memories, Yetu travels to the surface to discover her past and a future for her people.

Manuela Azul lives a confined life in a small Florida apartment hiding from both her father's crime family in Argentina and ICE. On the run, she discovers a world within our own and one which Manuela discovers something about herself that could rock her world.

This Hugo award-winning novel by S.L. Huang, is a retelling of the Western fairy tale classic, Little Red Riding Hood. Only this time, Red Riding Hood is done with wolves and forests. Combing fairy tale nostalgia and Chinese folklore, the main characters, Rosa, Red Riding Hood, and Hou Yi the Archer join forces and set forth on a quest to stop the deadly sunbirds from destroying everything they hold dear.

[wildpeachfarm]

I had a previous research project trying to do experimental research on the simulated effects of high gravity on radish growth (ie: using a massive centrifuge the engineering department made for a grant) and comparisons in vegetative growth for how they might fare in space or other planets, that’s so crazy :o!

oooh very cool! Yeah I'm always down for simulated space conditions' affects on plant growth it's so interesting! Plus using earth analog sites for mars conditions is also super cool!

My school is like...insanely small so we have absolutely no money to get super fancy equipment BUT I get to see some pretty cool experiments going on where I intern!

Very excited to see what the Artemis missions will change in terms of extraterrestrial botany and stuff because that is going to be so fun

(if u ever publish that research pleaseeee send it to me I'd love to read it! :p)

[thefoulbeast]

PLEASE talk more about your roadside picnic pathologic au, that sounds like the most fascinating au ever

allow me to go off heeheehee >:) >:) (incoming wall of text of worldbuilding)

i talked abt this au a lot with my friend ksu and rilya so thanks for letting me bounce ideas to them.

Main things:

-it is set later than pathologic, around the 70ies or 80ies. But mind that the setting is eastern Russian steppe so the advancements haven’t quite reached so far.

-ToG and the surrounding steppe are a Zone (as well as a few small neighbouring villages and single-fence farmhouses). There are even some outcroppings of new-growth forests since the visitation. Theres all the weird physics fuckery going on – graviconcentrates, happy ghosts, thermal anomalies, hell slime etc. There are also various artefacts that human scientists struggle to make out the use of (basically u know the drill if u read roadside picnic). Since the old town and the abattoir are at the very epicentre of the visitation they have the highest concentration of loot and also danger.

- The new town – the place everyone settled after the Visitation is a couple of days by foot away, flush against the edges of the Zone.

-this is set some 25 years after the Visitation so the older generation stalkers have mostly died out and the new gen is taking over. There’s a lot less swag to be had in the outer parts of the zone, though stalkers still try.

Important bits:

-Daniil is a troubles scientist looking for a last hope to save his research. He hears of the zone and that people have been brought back to life in it and comes as fast as he can to the East. He’s still researching death and dying and how to prevent it, and there is a Thanatica in the capital.

-Artemy and Stakh (The Booha and The Mule, respectively) are stalkers. They’re lowkey famous in the new town for going on risky trips into the deeper parts of the zone where there’s still swag to be had.

-daniil comes to town with full intention to go to the zone to find Mother’s heart, a fabled artefact that can bring the dead back to life, which is located in the zone. Andrey suggests he go to the booha and mule for help with this dangerous mission.

-Artemy is the son of a first generation stalker, Isidor. Thus he has some non-human characteristics (again, par the course for- roadside picnic) and a very keen sense of the Zone. Almost supernatural, in fact. Which is mostly why he and Stakh can take on such dangerous jobs. They have a strict moral compass though so they refuse to bring back anything they know to be dangerous, like hell slime (looking at you, redrick. Smh).

-Isidor trained both artemy and stakh to be stalkers but artemy had a fallout with stakh somewhere along the line whereing stakh went on his own for a few years and lost a whole lot of companions (read: overconfident greenbeak stalkers) in that time which left him pretty jaded and wary of the zone. Hes sort of antithesis to artemy’s outlook – who loves the nature of the zone and the steppe and the zone-specific flora that grows there (twyre).

-artemy has a garden where he tries to cultivate twyre. He tends to it between trips and lara tends it when hes gone for more than a few days. He makes teas out of them that might or might not be slightly psychedelic.

-The Kin. Their settlement was a bit further from the epicentre of the visitation so more of them survived than the townspeople. There is still some struggle for the Kin to find work in town due to old attitudes and racism, so Kin are more likely to take up being stalkers because it might be high risk but its also high reward if you get swag (I am drawing certain parallels between being a stalker and being a butcher – a specific type of fear / reveration is reserved for them. And you can typically tell a stalker by their clothing, the smell of the Zone steppe clinging to them).

-clara is also the child of an older gen stalker, but she’s a lot less human than artemy. She’s chosen to give up on life in the new town and lives exclusively in the zone as a trickster, fucking around with any stalkers she comes across, either turning them all around ang getting them lost or helping them out to where theyre trying to get, depending on her mood.

-andrey owns the bar the stalkers favour in town and he also deals in selling off all the swag they’ve gathered off to the highest bidder, be they rich people, scientific institutes or anything shadier. Peter deals in turning stuff like black sparks and the little rings that spin forever into art and architecture. He’s very set on incorporating the alien tech into human lives. He and Andrey tinker a lot with engineering with the artefacts.

thats about what i have for now. more to follow... if u have any additional questions i would love to answer them <3

[the-technicolor-whiscash]

you seem like the type of person who'd know this so instead of doing the sane thing and looking it up i am asking a stranger on tumblr dot com.

how many people total have been to the moon? any animals been up there either?

I do indeed know this lol you have come to the right place because I am a big nerd. A total of 12 people have walked on the moon as part of the Apollo 11 through 17 missions from 1969-1972. One mission, Apollo 13, planned to land on the moon but didn't make it due to a failure in their spacecraft, though the astronauts did make it home safe. Yes there is a movie about it. It is pretty good.

No animals as far as I know have made it to the moon, but there have been quite a few animals to go to space ranging from the well-known monkeys and dogs to the animals used in microgravity experiments such as sea urchins and spiders. Initially animals sent to space such as Ham or Laika were sent to determine basic things such as if microgravity was even survivable or the physical and mental impact space flight makes on a living creature, while later animals were sent to garner a more detailed physiological understanding of the impacts of long-duration microgravity as well as other experiments. My assumption is they don't want to take animals to the moon because they don't want to potentially contaminate the moon or any recovered moon samples with microbes like bacteria and all that jazz.

All of the people to walk on the moon during the Apollo program were white American men, and all save for one were test pilots turned astronauts, with the only geologist astronaut to go to the moon being on Apollo 17, the final Apollo mission. However, with the currently in-progress Artemis program, NASA will be sending people back to the moon for the first time since the 70s and that will include the first woman and first person of color to go to the moon. And I think the first Canadian is also involved somewhere in there too if I'm not mistaken. Artemis 2, tentatively scheduled for 2025, will loop around the moon (not landing on it) in a similar mission to Apollo 8, which orbited the moon in 1968 in preparation for the moon landing. Here's a diagram about it:

And here is a link with more info about the people who have walked on the moon. It's a good jumping off point if you're interested in further research.

Thanks for the ask!

[undercoverpan]

Family reunion

Part 2, maybe obsessing over a grandma is unhealthy?

Fighting came easy.

Punch, duck, grab, punch again, pull hair, kick, spit, bite.

So easy. Routine, even.

Fighting has made up the better part of Dahlia Mels' life.

Dahlia is strong, cold, calculated. Dahlia Mel was one of the most skilled people with a gun, able to keep track of multiple moving targets, in the dark, in the cold, anywhere and in any condition. She was a merciless mercenary, given the name "Artemis" for her unmatched proficiency with a bow.

Yes, a bow. Hard to maintain, even harder to maintain arrows. Hers was such a unique creation, given the name "Lillith", an homage to the young girl who decided to learn it in the first place, the girl she used to be. The entire bow, string included, was surdy. It wouldn't snap even if she tried to bash someone's skull in. The string itself was sharper than most knives, frequently cutting her fingers, arm and cheek whenever she got careless with it. The bow was made so it had two small slots at the top and bottom. It looked like tasteless decoration for a deadly weapon, but they were compartments for knives.

It was black in colour, and made little to no noise. The arrows were a matching black, made of an easily sourced material. Sometimes, should she be too careless, they'd make a whistling sound when they cut through the air.

She brought it with her to Pandora. There, she was just Artemis. Killer, sharp shooter, Goddess of the Hunt.

She didn't expect to be Lily. Or Lils. Or bumblebee. She didn't expect to be her again.

Tommy was a surprise. A pleasant one, all things considered. She thought she was the last Sully, the only survivor of the Sully Massacre. And she was, Jake was off-planet and Tommy died before it happened. But she had him now, as big and blue as he was. He's being taken away for testing, and probably some real clothes. That left her to try slipping back into Artemis alone in a hallway before she greeted the squad.

Metal doors slid open. The room beyond was decent, giant glass windows covering the wall opposite to her. There were benches and shelves built into the walls, the floor a cold concrete. Several heads turned to her as she entered. Off the top of her head, she could name all of them; Hummingbird, Loki, Flare, Obake.

5 people is kind of small for a squad; but whatever. Hummingbird is a small thing, all soft edges and dyed blue hair paired with equally blue eyes. Loki was a simple guy, blonde hair (with the roots going brown) and brown eyes, 5'7 ft. Flare, an astounding 5'11, was a woman with burns covering her body, with grey eyes and bouncy orange curls. Obake was teeny, maybe 5 ft if she's being generous, with poofy black locks of hair.

A decent team, save for one fact: they all work alone.

But like her, the offer was too enticing. More money than you'd ever need, a ready built house on humanity's new home. Security, certainty, 2 things you'd never have on earth.

She was just in it for the money. She'd never call this dumpheap home.

She nodded at them, they nodded at her. No one spoke for a while, until the soldiers walked in, accompanied by a woman, Ardmore. Their new boss for the next 10 years. "Mercs, welcome. This'll be home sweet home for a while, so get comfortable." She said, easily taking command of the room. She didn't flinch as 5 of the most dangerous people alive locked eyes on her, but then again, she is paying them. "You have 2 simple missions; keep the researchers alive. You'll be in hostile territory more often than not, so you'll have to be alert at all times. Your second is stamping out hostiles, keeping the Na'vi rebellion away from construction and supply lines."

It seemed like a big job for 5 people. But they're 5 of the most capable people out there.

"You're out on your first mission tomorrow, 0500 sharp. Dismissed." She says, before gesturing towards Dahlia, "You, with me." She dutifully followed the woman out of the room, soldiers making their way to their posts. When they're alone in some room overlooking the wild jungle called Pandora, they speak. "You've been assigned a personal mission: capture Jake Sully and his brood by any means." She nods. She knew this, going in. "We believe that, thanks to Sullys' obvious…paternal instincts, you'll have the best chance at capturing him." She explains as she approaches the window. She follows suit, placing a hand on the glass.

The view is vast and green. Endless, even. The sky is filled with over a million stars, like what they said the night sky looked like on earth, before the pollution. They said it was even dark blue rather than black, once. They said it's beauty was unmatched. Even the forests remind her of what her home once was, green and lively and living. Bustling with animals, with coarse dirt and smooth leaves. They said it's beauty was unmatched, also. But standing here, looking at Pandora…

…

She has to agree.

Her father is out there, somewhere. Her father and his wife and children and village and people. He risks his life daily for them by attacking supply lines and mines, he makes sure they all return home safely. He's doing well as Olo'eyktan. As a husband. As a father. He's doing so much better here than back home, where he lived in filth and poverty, with 2 children he was struggling to feed, with legs that didn't work and a society that didn't want nor need him. It's so much better here, she can see why he left. Nothing on earth worth sticking around for when you can have all this.

No, absolutely nothing worth staying for, or saying goodbye to, or trying to protect–

Her entire body is on fire. She can see her own intestines through the cut on her stomach. Her little hands are doing the best they can to keep it all inside, but she's 12 years old and burning and bleeding and broken and bruised and running scared. She didn't look behind her as her home burned, the squeezing lungs and aching pains kept her mind from straying. She hears nothing behind her, no one is following her, but she can't stop running. You never know, they could catch up, they could find her, they could finish the job–, she has to keep running, running, running, don't think, just keep running–

She swallows. "I'll deliver him when I can."

____

They share a living space, which is fine. They've been around each other before, they can do it for 10 years. Nevermind that they start pulling knives the second they're startled, and that most of them have pretty silent footsteps. She sighs as she leans on the wall of her own room. It's huge compared to back home. Her apartment could fit in here.

It's all grey, the only colour comes from the navy blue bed sheets. She runs a hand across the surface of the mattress, so much softer than anything she owned back home. She pushed down, the mattress barely gave way under her hand.

There was a knock at her door. She's reaching for a pen that was on the desk next to her bed and brandishing it as a weapon before she even registers it. Behind her, right at her door, Obake stands with their hands held up in surrender. 

"Oh." She says, putting her hand down but still clutching the pen, "You're quiet. What do you want?"

Obake keeps their face pretty blank. Now that they're in a one on one situation, I'll take the time to tell you what they look like. Their skin borders on translucent, eyes wide and glassy like they've been crying, coloured a weak, watery blue. They've got chewed fingernails and scratch marks on their arms–, she gets the feeling that they have some bad nervous habits. Their hair is black and messy, cut above the shoulders. They resemble an unruly child more than an experienced killer.

'We're going over target info,' they signed, 'We're supposed to get rid of all the clan leaders, so they're giving us more info on them.'

And that's how she ended up knee deep in a bunch of papers. High value targets, wanted dead or alive. Mo'at, tsahik of the Omaticaya clan, Ateyo, tsahik of the Tsawke Sreu clan, Olo'eyktans, tskarems, people who have any kind of authority. She keeps her eyes trained on Mo'ats papers.

Tsahik of the Omaticaya, mother of Neytiri, mate of Jake Suli. Not much is known about her, just her age, height and weight. Her mate was killed during the attack on hometree, a shame, really. She'd have loved to tear his heart out herself, but alas. 

Holding up the paper with her information to the others, she spoke; "I'm calling dibs." This was immediately met with retaliation. 

"Hey, no dibs!" Insisted Flare, who already called dibs on 3 of their targets. She gave her a flat look. "it wouldn't make sense to call dibs," Hummingbird reasoned, "It's not practical." This obviously didn't matter to them. They've got 10 years to do this.

___

Mo'at paused, her hands stilling while she was braiding Kiri's hair. She looked back at her grandmother curiously. "Grandmother?" She asked, "Is everything ok?"

Mo'at stayed silent for a moment. No, nothing felt okay. Strangely, she felt like she was being watched, not by any Na'vi or animal, not like she was tsahik. She was being watched as though she was prey, like a starving palulukan had caught her in its crosshairs. She bit back a shiver.

"I feel fine, do not worry." She says finally, resuming her braiding. The girl didn't look convinced in the slightest.

___

"--and why do you even want to call dibs on her?" Artemis asks sternly, but Flare isn't one to back down. "For the same reason you want to call dibs!" She insists, and Artemis has to resist scowling at her because there's no way she's after Mo'at for the same reason she is. No way.

The others are all sitting around, just looking at them. Obake is not confrontational, Loki enjoys chaos and Hummingbird has given up on trying to mediate this.

"You're most certainly not." She says, arms crossed. Loki chimes in, his voice carrying faux innocence, "But how do you know if you won't say why you want Mo'at?" She does nothing but glare at him.

"Because–,"

___

"Ma Jake," Neytiri says, looking over her shoulder at her mate as she coats her arrows in poison, "What is wrong?" She asks, almost insisting. Jake has been acting strange these past few hours, unsettled almost.

"Nothing, Ma Yawne." He says, walking over and pressing a kiss to her forehead. She looks up at him, not believing him. He grimaces. "Just…worried about this raid." He admits, shoulders relaxing. "Everything will be okay." She says, standing up and placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. He feels guilty as he wraps his large arms around her waist, digging his face into the crook of her neck and inhaling her earthy scent.

_____

"---Okay, no one's calling any dibs! Can we settle on that?" Hummingbird says as she stands between her and Flare. Artemis has her arms crossed over her chest as she and Flare glare at each other.

"Fine." They both agree. They're going over everything, places they're most often spotted, people close to them. Those with higher statuses are to be assassinated with the utmost discretion. 

Then they're all back in their rooms. She takes note of her weaponry in the same way she knows everyone else is. Her arrows were duplicated by the RDA almost perfectly, even the poison tipped ones. The RDA didn't know how Na'vi bodies would react to human poisons, so tomorrow will certainly be a field test.

There's a knock at her door.

She looks up, unsurprised to see Flare.  She's not really looking at her, eyes on the ground. She gestures for her to come in, placing her arrows on the table. Flare comes in, her hand on the others waist as she buries herself in the crook of Artemis' neck.

"What do you want?" She asked pointedly. The other barely groused. "Hnnhnnnhh." She slurred unintelligibly, making Artemis roll her eyes. "Use your words, Flare." The other pouted like a child. "Sleep with me?" She asked.

That's how they ended up under the covers together. It also just occurred to Artemis that she meant sleep next to her and not with her. It makes the fact that she's only in her underwear while Flare is in the RDA issued pyjamas a little awkward. Whoops.

_____

Kiri stood at the base of the spirit tree. She stood amongst its mighty roots, beneath the branches and leaves that stretched across the sky. Neteyam, ever the dutiful brother, accompanied her on this trip. She wasn't sure of why Lo'ak tagged along though. Perhaps fulfilling his duty of being annoying, she thought as he held Tuk up, spinning her around as fast as he could, getting them both dizzy, and falling flat on his face. Well, he is certainly entertaining.

"Why did we come here so late?" Lo'ak whined as he attempted to stand on his feet. Kiri turned to face him, arms crossed over her chest. "To speak with Eywa. Dad has been acting weird, and I know she will know why." She answers. She knows her siblings have noticed it too, the shuddering, the far off looks, reaching for someone and being surprised when he reaches them. 

Without another word, her siblings join her in connecting with Eywa.

The first thing she sees are blinding lights. Green, red, blue, pink, and a thousand different colours. They are not like the gentle glow of Pandora, no, these are harsh, burning her eyes so badly she has to squeeze them shut. She feels hands on her shoulders, warmer and realer than what Eywa gives her. She turns, opens her eyes and sees her brothers and sister. They look at each other, silently agreeing that this is strange and unusual. They've never heard of Eywa showing Na'vi the same thing at the same time, letting them share visions.

With a renewed sense of bravery, she moves forwards. The ground beneath her is hard and cold, littered with broken glass and cigarette butts that she can't feel hurting her. All around her, buildings of grey stone brushed against the sky. Mould had collected on the walls, the glass of the windows that didn't look like they could open was covered in smudges and red smears. It was quiet, still, unnaturally so. She could hear a needle drop on the opposite end of the path. Most unnerving was the sky. It was inky black as it hung over their heads, not a single star in sight. The moon looked so small and tiny here, covered by a sort of black fog.

One thing was apparent: this could not be Pandora. 

….

So this was earth? Their father's home planet? She felt a chill run down her spine. Her father grew up here? Here? Not even the darkest caves or the driest desert of Pandora was so desolate. Nothing could thrive here, absolutely nothing. How could you live without knowing the dirt beneath you? Without the stars above you? Without the music of Eywa to grace you?

She wanted to leave. Yes, yes; she has to get out of here. Here, where the shadows had swallowed up the light whole, where not even the howling wind made a sound. This place was wrong, so very wrong. Why did Eywa show her this? What was she supposed to See?

Her answer came in the shape of a little human girl. She couldn't quite make out her details as she walked past, but she could note down a few features. Dark hair, almost black, was tied into 2 little pigtails on either side of her head. Her skin was pink, like her fathers. She had a large black shirt with some kind of design on top, paired with baggy pants. She walked barefoot over the cigarettes and glass, leaving behind small stains of blood.

Without thinking, she calls out for her. The girl whips her head around, and she can see her face. All she could see was a pair of glasses on her face, a small scar running over her pink lips and a little nose. She turned away quickly, continuing down her path. Kiri, joined by her siblings, walked after her. The girl broke out into a sprint, running into the narrow walkway between 2 buildings. Kiri hesitated, which allowed Lo'ak to move in front of her, walking into the shadows and being swallowed up whole by them.

They followed after him quickly, Tuk taking hold of her hand and pressing into her side as they walked. Neteyam keeps close to her, eyeing the shadows suspiciously. She kept her eyes forwards, noting the grittiness of the ground and cracks in the stone. Turning her attention to her boneheaded brother, she noted he had switched to chasing after the girl. Eywa, help her.

They followed for what seemed like forever. The halls--alley, her mind supplied, twisted and turned, like they were actually travelling down a living path that intended to keep them, stretching and twisting its neck to form an incoherent path. Everywhere they turned, it was all the same, an endless sea of grey and shadows. The alley, despite their size, seemed to tower over them, squeezing them. It was like that animal that Norm told her about once, a boa constrictor. A creature winding itself around you so tightly until you inevitably popped. In the videos, it always looked like there was such little effort needed on the snakes part.

It was probably hours until Lo'ak caught the girl. She let out a loud yelp, as if she'd been hurt. Her brother immediately loosened his grip, but still kept firm as the little thing thrashed in his hold. "Mawey, Mawey,"  He says, bending down on his knee, "I won't hurt you, calm down." The child kept her head down, face obscured by the hair in front of her face. "Who are you? Where are we?" He asks, and she offers no answer.

"Maybe give her some space?" Neteyam offers from beside her. She can see Tuk watching her, fascinated by the creature before her. Tuk's never seen a human child, and their tiny stature surprises her. When she hears tales of demons, even when they tell her of how small they were, she always imagines big and imposing figures. This little thing in front of her wouldn't survive a day in the mountains.

"Are you hurting her?" She asks, and Lo'ak immediately denies. 

"Hey, hey, what's wrong? Why are you scared?" Neteyam asks gently, as though he was not a 7 feet tall blue alien. She hesitated, walking next to her brother and lowering herself too, offering her blue hand to the demon. The tawtute hesitated, placing her pink little hand in hers. She looked up at her and her siblings, and Kiri didn't manage to hold back her gasp. 

The demons' face was like no others she'd ever seen. Her features, her details, they were blurry and ever changing, like she was looking at a video from one of the broken cameras near Hells gate. She couldn't make out anything besides the blue colour of her eyes. 

They stayed there for a moment, before Eywa brought them back. They looked at each other, wondering what the hell and who the hell that was. Why did Eywa show them a human girl on earth? Where could she have…..

They all had the same thought at once: Dad.

[starset21]

Angel |Jake Seresin|

A/N: I've put a few blurbs from this fic out there but I think it's ready to be seen by the internet. This will be a multi-part fic. This is also my first time putting any of my works on tumblr so yeahhh trying to figure out all that goes with that. Standard disclaimer, I only own my original characters, I've done some research but there will likely be navy inaccuracies, and I do not consent to the posting, translating, or publishing of my work to any 3rd party site, the only place it may be found is tumblr and Wattpad under @.itswildflower

Summary: An nearly fatal incident left naval aviator Artemis out of the skies for 6 months but then she's given new orders. To return to Top Gun.

Warnings: flashbacks to accident, mentions of blood, cursing

word count: 880

Going Home

On March 3, 1969, the US Navy established a school for its best pilots, which accounted for 1% of the total. Its purpose is to teach the art of dogfighting, and air combat and to make men and women the best fighter pilots.

They have succeeded.

Today the Navy calls it Fighter Weapons School. Aviators call it TOP GUN.

The 28-year-old pilot Artemis was getting ready to leave and go pick her daughter up from daycare before heading back to her small navy-issued condo when her commanding officer stopped her. "Can I help you, sir?" she asked. "Artemis, you've been reassigned," he said. She took the papers from him, reading through them quickly. A special detachment? Recalling former top gun graduates? "I haven't been cleared to fly, sir," she tells him. "They'll re-evaluate you in California, you're going home," he told her before shaking her hand and walking off. Home meant San Diego, California. It had been 6 months since she'd flown in any sky after she had almost lost her life on a mission. It was supposed to have been a low-profile surveillance patrol composed of a few new F-35 Lightnings and two F-18s until a squadron of enemy aircraft intercepted them and it escalated quickly into a dogfight. The memory jumped to the forefront of her mind.

"Oh shit! They're 5th gen fighters! Smoke in the air!" Cheshire warned as she deployed flares to defend. "Requesting permission to return fire," Summit radioed command. "Permission granted Shadow one," the comms officer replied. "Tally! Seven o'clock! Artemis break right!" Pyro called out. "Copy!" She broke right and was able to flip around and get tone before firing her own missile at them. It made contact, making it splash 1. "Shit! Got one on our tail!" yelled Scout. "I'm coming," Artemis responded, inverting and spinning around to find them. She spotted them quickly and moved into range, getting tone. The enemy tried to evade it but it was no use, Artemis fired. "That's a splash 2!" Scout exclaimed. "They've got tone on me!" Summit called out as he continued evasive maneuvers. "Smoke in the air!" Pyro called out in warning. "Fuck, I'm out of flares!" Summit yelled. Artemis's eyes widened. "Smoke in the air, evade! Evade!" Cheshire yelled out. "Artemis defending." She deployed flares but she was too close. The controls were almost ripped out of her hand as her jet shuddered violently. Alarms blared. Artemis's eyes darted over her control panels quickly. Hydraulic failure, engine failures, fire on the left engine. She managed to level out some. "Artemis Eject!" Altitude warnings sounded. She could hardly make out the panicking voices of her squadron over the radio. "I can't get control! I'm going down! Ejecting now!" She yanked on the ejection handle but it wasn't working. "Shit! It's not-" She hit the trees, the impact slamming her head against the canopy, making her vision go dark momentarily. Her ears rang as her squadron tried to get her to answer them. Everything hurt, her right arm throbbed and when her vision cleared she could see red beginning to bloom on the left side of her flight suit pants when she shifted slightly, which wasn't good at all. She could feel the blood dripping down her face from the side of her head. She reached with her good arm for her instrument dash where the photo of her little girl was taped, a reminder of why she needed to get home. The jet creaked as it settled amongst broken trees. She noted that fire was creeping closer to the cockpit. She knew she needed to get out of the hunk of metal that remains of her jet so with a yell Artemis used the arm that wasn't throbbing to push herself up so she could get her other leg under her. She managed to hoist herself out and collapsed on the ground next to it. Black spotted her vision as she crawled as far from the burning jet as possible. She managed to switch on her emergency locating device but it was still half an hour before the rescue team found her amongst the wreckage.

She didn't remember much after that. She had been airlifted to the nearest hospital for treatment and suffered from a head laceration, a concussion, bruised ribs, an open left leg fracture, a sprain on her right wrist, and other minor cuts and bruises. Her father was able to pull some strings and fly in to be with her until she was sent back stateside, once she was stabilized enough to be moved long distances. She's been restationed in Key West, Florida ever since. Her mother and younger brother came to visit and brought her daughter to her. Her father had to return nearly immediately, her brother still had school but her mom didn't return to the west coast until she was settled and completely able to take care of the rambunctious 4-year-old on her own. While recovering she was given the opportunity to teach young pilots in the classrooms and even took a few shifts working in the towers. It allowed flexibility for her physical therapy, x-rays, and various doctor appointments to check her progress. So there she was, her belongings packed and sent ahead with her truck, on a commercial flight with her daughter from Florida to California. 

[mirazartsstuff]

It's nice to look back on how your old characters change. Visually and personality-wise. Eva is one of those examples

TW: Suicide mention, detailed death description

This was her first design in the very first campaign.

She was a successful and amazing forger, even with her illiteracy. The event she stopped that business was when one of her forgeries left a man dead by suicide. It was a letter she wrote to the man. Due to her illiteracy she didn't realize what she was writing in the first place.

This left her emotionally scarred. She trained herself with a bow and sword to try and take on missions as a mercenary (for monsters of course)

Then she met a gnome named Mae. She wasn't particularly interested in her at first but gradually they both formed a great bond only over a few days. Some scenes were of them killing an orc that almost one-shotted Eva, her carrying the slower gnome on her back to run away from a sandstorm and... we'll get to that in a minute.

They were sent through the desert by an old woman who spoke with cryptic speech for Eva and Mae to get as quickly as they could. They eventually got into a city in the desert. All of the people had wings and hexagon-shaped goggles (which both Eva and Mae also wore through the desert).

They were suprised that food and sleep-inns in this city was free of charge. The due spoke to the mayor aswell over a cup of tea with honey and honey-beer. It was a strange encounter but eventually both went to sleep in a more secure inn (this one they did ask for money which wasn't a big issue).

The next day they spoke at the tavern barista who mentions that their honey savings were plundered by a beast, making their food rations run out quickly. The girls get to the bottom of this and open a secret door to the food vault. They hear growling as they decended.

Eva hears a voice that tells her to go back upstairs and so they did, meeting the mayor again. Eva explained the situation and both got away scott-free.

They go to the tavern again and meet a peculiar woman named Honey Badger. She talked with the barista who introduces the duo to her. She tells them she was on a mission to figure where the orcs are and promptly kill them. To skip ahead a bit all three killed most of the orcs who noticeably had a lot of honey oozing from their wounds like blood. When both Eva and Mae hide away with their stealth and quick feet they witness a fight between Honey and the loyal guard of the mayor, Artemis. They were estranged lovers that led to tragedy and sadly, Honey was killed during the fight between the two.

The mayor eventually calls in Eva and Mae. She asks if they wanted to join them. Eva politely declines and Mae does the same. Before they know it, her trusty guard, attempts to shoot at Eva and Mae, both dodging in time and shooting back at her, her wounds oozed with honey coming out of them.

The girls leg it as everyone in the city is warned of the two girls in the hivemind. They eventually hid in the cave systems Honey used to get to the orcs, but this time went in the other direction to escape.

However while running away, Mae was hit by a rogue arrow from the darkness of the cave system. Her orifices pussed out with honey and her eyes turned slowly green. Her last words at that time? Eva. Her friend. The last words that came out of her were the words of her closest and possibly only friend in a long time. Eva shot into the darkness, killing whoever shot her friend.

Eva eventually got back to the surface, dodging every arrow that guards and city-folk threw at her. Every arrow missed except the last one. She was hit and collapsed to the ground, honey oozing from her body and becoming part of the hive.

Fast forward to around a month.

Mae is on a mission to get more orcs to the Hive so they can have a reliable army. She gets promptly captured and kinda used as a slave.

A small group made of researchers and adventurers was captured later aswell and are given different tasks. The taller "recruits" homing the stables for some fucked up horses, while the shorter ones scoot up coal for a furnace/ritual.

The now bee was really secretive about about a person named "Eva" who she doesn'twant to dissapoint. Explaining she is just an imaginary friend.

Of course, she is real and comes after the crew to make them join the bees too. However one of the researchers, wanting to remove the infection, tricked her into getting a brain surgery. Sadly, due to the cursed pinkie promise, the researcher herself disintegrated afterwards.

The only words she spoke after surgery was Mae's name and and hugging her friend. A perfect parallel to how Mae screamed out her friends name when she was getting assimilated.

Now, both girls sort of cured (not connected to the hivemind anymore at least) they hung out with the other two adventurers.

Her current design now is a combination of before she became a bee and after.

Eva is now enjoying her life with her close friend Mae. They have each other and the rest doesn't matter.

She wanted to be a loner, since she did dodgy work and due to trauma, yet grew to understand others, especially someone like Mae, a seemingly helpless gnome, who wants company.

Eva was my first dnd character and I am happy she got her happy ending in the end.

Credit for Bee Eva art belongs to our dm @viperdarkness 💙

[sciencespies]

NASA’s flagship Artemis I mission has flown past the moon

https://sciencespies.com/space/nasas-flagship-artemis-i-mission-has-flown-past-the-moon/

NASA’s flagship Artemis I mission has flown past the moon

After blasting off on the enormous Space Launch System rocket, NASA’s Orion capsule has flown within 130 kilometres of the lunar surface as it prepares to enter orbit

Space 21 November 2022

By Leah Crane

NASA’s Artemis I mission has made a close approach to the moon, flying within 130 kilometres above the farside of the lunar surface on 21 November.

The Orion capsule blasted off on top of the enormous Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the most powerful ever launched, on 16 November. After years of delays and several missed launch opportunities this year thwarted by hydrogen leaks, technical issues and, most recently, a hurricane that SLS weathered on the launchpad at Cape Canaveral in Florida, the lift-off went astonishingly smoothly.

“It was surprising to me that it went without a hitch,” says space analyst Laura Forczyk. “I mean, there were small hitches, but it didn’t explode!” The biggest of those hitches was a set of loose bolts that a team was sent out to the launchpad shortly before launch to tighten – it is extraordinarily rare to see anyone working on rocket hardware so close to lift-off.

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Orion is expected to enter orbit around the moon on 25 November. Then, after six days in orbit, it has got to come back – a part of the mission that is just as crucial as the launch itself. It is expected to return to Earth on 11 December.

“Bringing Orion back is going to be as big a challenge as getting off the Earth,” NASA associate administrator Thomas Zurbuchen told New Scientist. “The risks just add up… The mission is only over once Orion is down safely here.” Only then can it be considered safe enough to put humans aboard, which is the goal of the Artemis II mission, currently planned for 2024.

For that mission, NASA will have to be even more careful. “Humans are needy creatures,” says Emily Judd at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia. “We have to have the oxygen to breathe, we need food, all of the life-support systems that are required – part of Artemis I is testing out those systems, making sure that everything is ready for the crew when they go up on Artemis II.”

While Artemis I’s main purpose is to test the SLS and Orion spacecraft ahead of Artemis II, which will see a crewed Orion perform a lunar flyby, there are some other scientific goals as well. SLS carried 10 cubesats, which are small satellites weighing only about 11 kilograms each, and released them into space hours after the launch.

Four of the cubesats are designed to study the moon, including a Japanese experiment called Omotenashi, which is intended to perform a soft landing on the moon’s surface. This would make Japan only the fourth nation to do so, and with the smallest lunar lander ever. However, Omotenashi appears to be tumbling in space, which might prevent it from landing.

Artemis I approaching the moon

NASA

Three of the cubesats are intended to study radiation in space. Another, called NEA Scout, will fly via solar sail to a nearby asteroid, while the remaining two are technology demonstrations for improved methods of deep-space propulsion. According to a NASA press conference on 18 November, five of the 10 cubesats are currently functioning as expected, while the other five are experiencing either technical issues or are unable to communicate with their operators on Earth.

Artemis I is building to the Artemis III mission, which is intended to take astronauts to the moon’s surface for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972 – and inform future scientific study. “We have barely touched the surface of what we can learn – yes, about the moon, but also about Earth and about how we can survive on Mars,” says Forczyk. “The moon is the stepping stone to the solar system.”

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[fatehunted]

Bond Analysis: Dick Grayson

Dick and Artemis have developed a bond through the years that has resulted in unshakeable faith in blind loyalty between them. These two have developed a relationship within their own right that we only see grow throughout each season on the show.

In Season 1, Dick already knows everything about Artemis. The moment that Bruce let it slip that Artemis would be under the tutelage of Green Arrow, Dick did everything he could to research his new teammate. He saw her past and didn't thinking anything of it, choosing to judge her based on what she presented. Being how long he had worked with Batman, there is no doubt that he knows well that your family history does not define you unless you allow it. And considering she was choosing to step away from her family legacy, that was enough to begin.

Artemis genuinely just saw him as the annoying kid. Sure, they developed a friendship, but they weren't close. It wasn't until they were forced to work in close proximity upon the Cave being attacked by Red Torpedo and Red Inferno and took down their arguably stronger teammates that Artemis realised that there was more behind Robin's mask. Dick also made the decision to get to know her in her civilian identity as well, and he made sure to leave hints and tease her because she did not know for at least at least a year that Dick Grayson and Robin were the same person.

(Canonically, the two attend Gotham Academy together, but are in different year levels. He is surprisingly always hanging around her, so Artemis just kind of accepted him as a daily part of her life since she hangs out with Babs. He becomes her friend. The story of how she connects the dots and her reaction to it is hilarious (at least according to canon)).

The two bond easily, with slowly opening little tidbits without revealing too much until their ready. Being that both of them are from Gotham and do not have any sort of powers, it leaves them often working together to help the other. Artemis finds herself protective towards him because he is younger, and he somehow breaks down her walls for her to trust him.

He is an anchor in a way, not only for clearing her mind of doubts but being the team's centre. After she reveals her true parentage and says, "I knew. Hey, I'm a detective. But that never mattered. You're one of us," this solidified to Artemis that he truly had her back like she did his. The loyalty and friendship only continues from there.

By the time their first year on the team is concluded, this only continues.

Over the five years between Season 1 and Season 2, with how close they all become, a lot changes. They see each other as equals, Artemis even beginning to look up to him in a way. They have developed something entirely their own outside of their teammates, though a lot of this is attributed to their closeness with Wally. She casts her own opinions of him, and while she has expressed insecurity in his methods, she has never doubted his goals or his plans.

Dick clearly values and has faith in Artemis to work alongside Kaldur in his undercover mission during Season 2. Not only does she know the ins-and-outs of League of Shadows to help possibly connect the dots between the Light (Ra's al Ghūl being a member) and the silent partner before it is revealed to be The Reach. He has confidence in her abilities and listens to her when she puts forth conditions (Wally has to be informed of everything, her mother needing to be taken care of, her disguise being known to herself, Wally, Kaldur and Dick). They call consistently, as shown in the Invasion comics and they see each other often in their civilian identities. They try their best with each other and this constant support helps to keep them going.

By Season 3, everything has shifted again. They have lost a member of their little trio, their found family (the team) and so are often finding themselves seeking comfort in each other. They both understand what it is like to lose someone so important and they support the grief and healing of the other. He is still seeing her as a close confidante and she follows his requests without question. They're comfortable enough to pose undercover as a couple during the early episodes of S3, they share similar thoughts on their experiences as heroes. They tease each other, have their own inside jokes. They have become best friends in their own right.

When it is revealed that Bruce, Dick, Kaldur, Diana and M'gann had worked together to coordinate a plan to help stop metahuman trafficking, everyone in the fallout is angry. Conner and M'gann are shown to argue, Jeff yells at Bruce, Dick and Kaldur, and Babs and Tim are left guilty for not being able to tell anyone. Artemis' reaction is not shown, but it is telling that she doesn't yell or scold him for keeping secrets from everyone again (Conner in S2 after M'gann was taken to help fix Kaldur's mind, Artemis yelling at Kaldur for not telling them about the mole intel in S1, Wally yelling at Dick after Artemis blew up Mt. Justice in S2). Arguably, it could be said such a reaction was shown off-screen but there is evidence of Artemis having mellowed over the S1/S2 5 year gap, though she still has a sassy streak and still will provide bite if she loses her patience.

S4 only expands on this changed dynamic. They are able to communicate with only a look (something seemingly shared with all of the original nine members), she knows his thought process ("YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" - "I bet he's always wanted to say that." - "I've always wanted to say that."), following his lead without question when Dick and Zatanna begin to look into Conner's disappearance (just going along with it when they tell her, investigating Bart's disappearance at the Watchtower, telling Raquel about their theory).

During the final battle against the Kryptonians that were locked in the Phantom Zone (allies of Zod and Zod himself) ,Artemis and Dick are seen fighting alongside each other in perfect sync against one of their foes. They use the West Manoeuvre, a nod to a move Wally performed in S1 in which he tripped Blockbuster over following an attack from one his teammates, causing Blockbuster to fall.

The audience do not get to see everything that occurs between Artemis and Dick. However, from these snippets, three things are absolute:

Artemis and Dick share a level of blind loyalty with each other. He trusts her with difficult tasks and she follows without question. She does express doubt but will continue anyway because it's Dick who asks such things of her.

Their friendship has evolved from beyond that begrudging friendship. They actively view each other as close friends, if not best friends.

The Team is ridiculously close and are a family.