#largest crane companies

[acecranesindia]

ACE, the Made In India construction equipment company, always deploys its machines at the forefront to head India's construction growth. Embracing the rapid development of infrastructure, ACE is committed to fortifying the nation and fostering its unity through robust growth and progress.

[wild-typo-turtle]

Threads - Part 4

Explicit (slow burn, 18+ only) - Rings of Power - Gil-galad x OFC (Elf)

Includes S2E8 of Rings of Power - spoilers ahoy!

Gil-galad had only taken a handful of steps when his gaze passed over yet another collapsed building. From the looks of things, it had once been an open, airy shop that had faced directly into the plaza. The roof had caved in, creating dusty shadows, and even his keen eyes might have missed the slumped figure had he not heard the tiny whimper from the darkness.

Eregion has been destroyed; Sauron is gone. And yet, the sun still shines, as the ruined city holds the last thing that High King Gil-galad had ever expected to find.

Themes: #Idiots in love, #love at first sight, #soulmates, #smut with feelings, #fix-it, #everybody lives

Content Warnings: Explicit content eventually (slow burn), canon-typical violence

Tag List: @morganas-pendragons, @stellar-solar-flare

Dreamcasting: Keri Russell as Linnea

Part 1 (includes A/N and credits)

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

It was late afternoon before they reached Lindon, and the trees shone brightly enough with the setting sun to take Linnea’s breath away.

The city’s beauty was enough all on its own. The approach was over a bridge, spanning the waterfalls that fed into the gulf of Lhûn, and if she craned her neck, she could see the great golden Tree reaching out over the water. White towers rose over the leafy canopies of the forest; Lindon had been built around it, for no Elf would fell a tree for so pitiful a reason as wanting to put something else in its place. Instead, the city was woven through the glades and natural clearings.

She could see the palace, too. Or at least what she assumed was the palace: the tallest and largest of the buildings, rising high.

Her new home.

“Have you never seen it before, my lady?”

The soldier driving the wagon that day was named Landir, and he had been the friendliest of the group to her. She wondered if he might be angling for a place as her permanent guard; she would not object if that were the case, given his amicable disposition. It would certainly be more prestigious for him than being a common soldier, and probably easier too. 

“No,” she replied, shaking her head. “My parents would come here to trade our weavings, sometimes. But I never joined them.”

They rolled through the main gate, Arondir in the lead on his horse, and then the other two mounted soldiers behind the wagon. As they passed, Linnea watched the guards on the ground carefully, wondering whether the news had spread - but there were no searching eyes, no one looking curiously for the lady that had captured their king’s heart. They might have been a small company of merchants, or something equally as anonymous. 

Perhaps she would have a few days’ respite. Time to settle in. But they would all know soon enough, and part of her wanted to hasten that along; she wanted to stand on the cart and shout it out across the entire city. 

I love him. I am his, and he is mine. 

But she stayed seated, and settled for smiling to herself. Her attention was caught, however, as the hoofbeats behind them suddenly increased, and a moment later, one of the soldiers from the rear guard passed them at a gallop. 

Linnea looked over at Landir, raising a brow, and he offered her a smile. “We have instructions to take you directly to the palace, my lady. Hellathas rides ahead to inform them that we have arrived.”

Of course they did. She had assumed so, more or less, but had not put exact thoughts to the vague notions. And she certainly didn’t know her own way around, at least not yet.        

And Gil-galad would want to know that they had made it to Lindon safely.

Her hands trembled, and she clasped them together in her lap to hide it.  

The ride to the palace was pleasant and easy - and what was more, it gave Linnea a chance to observe the citizens of Lindon going about their daily business. It was very clear that she'd need to do something about her clothes, sooner rather than later; she had found a few of her dresses, undamaged and still serviceable, but they were good sturdy wool and linen. Artisan’s clothes, in muted and simple colors, like those that most of the inhabitants of Eregion wore. The fabrics had been woven by her own hands; fine enough, certainly, but not the silks and satins and velvets that surrounded her now. And jewels everywhere. 

Yes, she would need to do something. Thankfully, one of the chests in the wagon contained almost all of the weavings from the shop that had been finished; the heavy, strong ironwood had protected the stored fabrics, and they had all survived intact. She would have plenty to trade for a new wardrobe, or at least the start of one.  

While she had been musing, the road they traveled had begun to ascend, gradually climbing as it wound its way through the forests. It was surprisingly narrow for a route to the palace, and she wondered if Arondir was taking them some sort of back way. If so, she was grateful; buying some more time to settle in before she had to face the entire court didn’t sound like a bad thing at all. She made a mental note to thank him if that had been his intent.

And then it became very, very difficult to think anything at all.

The path had taken them up a gently sloping hill, and as they reached the top, she found herself in a charming courtyard. It looked private, and as she’d wondered, it seemed to be somewhere in the back of the palace - she could see the bulk of the building off to the west and the north, as well as the high towers reaching above the trees. The section in front of her was comprised of several arched windows with small open balconies, and there was a set of stone stairs leading up to a pair of double doors with their own wide terrace.

Which was occupied by Gil-galad.

It felt, simultaneously, like her heart had stopped and like it was about to beat its way free of her chest, as Landir drew the wagon to a halt. The last time she’d seen him, he had been in armor, the warrior King, still beautiful but grim with purpose. But now he was dressed in all his finery: a wide-sleeved gold robe that fell to the ground and then some, a lapped gold girdle around his waist that was accented with jeweled stars, and a gold shirt beneath the robe, the fabric traced with a delicate pattern of leaves. And of course, his crown, shining atop his dark hair.

She really needed to do something about her clothes. 

But the moment that his eyes found hers, and he smiled, none of that mattered in the slightest.

He didn’t run. He walked at a slow, measured pace, descending the stairs with every ounce of the dignity of the High King of the Noldor. His robe trailed down the steps behind him, and his two guards followed him only a few feet back. She felt frozen on the wagon seat, her eyes fixed on him, watching as he crossed the courtyard. By some unspoken signal, the guards halted well before he did, allowing him to take the last steps alone.

Gil-galad stopped by the wagon, raising his eyes to her. Dark brown, liquid pools, and in them, she saw every word he had put to paper, and several more. Words that she’d never thought to hear from anyone, much less someone like him. But there they were, writ plain as day.

He lifted a hand, palm up, offering it to her. 

In a daze, she stood and took it, gathering her skirts and letting him support her as she stepped down. And once she was on the ground, he did not let go, but reached for her other hand as well, bringing them to his lips and kissing first one and then the other.  

“Maedol ni mâr dhín, melethel.”

Welcome home, beloved.

She couldn’t stop staring at him.

The sight of him was as intoxicating as the finest wines, and she doubted her eyes would ever drink their fill. They certainly hadn’t yet, as he led her into the palace with her hand tucked gently in the crook of his elbow - all she could do was stare at him, barely aware of the bridgeways and corridors that they walked through.

He noticed, and a corner of his mouth quirked up as he leaned in to whisper to her. “What draws your eye, my lady?”

Linnea laughed softly, caught out. Part of her felt too shy to speak, but the rest - if his thoughts had been even half as unsettled as her own, confronted with so much change, he deserved to hear any reassurance she could give.

“You,” she whispered back. “Just you.”

His smile widened, and his arm flexed, tightening around her hand.  

She hadn’t wanted to ask where they were going; Gil-galad obviously had a destination in mind, and she would deprive him of no joy in beginning to show her around. But it seemed that the walk was ending; they had reached a tower and had climbed many stairs, and at last had stopped at a door - and a nod from Gil-galad had the guards taking up positions along the landing outside. 

And so, when he pushed open the door, they stepped in alone. Entirely, gloriously, alone.  

The rooms they entered were lovely and open. Even in the faint light of dusk, it was easy to see that they would be wonderfully bright when the sun came up. As high as they were, the trees were higher; Linnea could see branches right outside the arched windows, glowing golden in the setting sun. The space was circular, and at a guess, it took up at least half of the level of the tower, with windows around the entire edge.

It was divided into several different areas. The door had opened into a sitting room, and beyond, she could see a sleeping alcove. Everything was beautiful; the rooms were furnished elegantly, the pieces few but exquisite. 

At some point, she had released Gil-galad’s arm, and her steps had carried her several feet into the room almost without her knowing. She stopped at the fireplace, turning back to Gil-galad where he had remained next to the door, feeling her lips parted in an expression of surprise and wonder. 

He smiled, guessing her question.    

“There were no queen’s chambers,” he murmurs. “But these rooms are directly beneath my own. I had them prepared for you.”

She noticed then, as she faced him, the discreet staircase tucked into a corner of the sitting room. A staircase that, from what he had just said, would take her up to his rooms without the need to exit her own. She could go to him - or he could come to her - as they pleased, without the need for guards to move and all of the production that went along with it. A precious sliver of privacy, in what was about to become a very public existence. 

“If anything is not to your liking,” he added, “you have only to say the word.” 

Her throat felt tight and hot. Her eyes, too. She felt too full, like her skin might split open in a failure to contain everything it was struggling to hold in. 

Linnea swallowed hard.

She retraced her steps, walking slowly back toward him. His eyes locked on her face, searching for a sign of approval, but she didn’t say a word until she was standing right in front of him.

“You think far too highly of me,” she choked out, “if you think I can speak now.”

He let out a breath, and she could hear the relief in it. She could only imagine how it had been for him over the last days, making sure she would have a home here, ensuring her comfort, all the while trying to wrap his head around the fact that she existed. That he had found her every bit as much as she had found him.

More words were not possible. But she could offer something else, something that she’d been longing for ever since they’d parted.

She reached up, taking his face in her hands, and pulled his head down to hers.  

When they finally climbed the staircase, Linnea discovered that Gil-galad’s rooms were shaped much like hers. He too had a sitting room, although much larger, and also a small private dining room. There was a study, with an angled writing desk and shelves full of scrolls and books, and his sleeping alcove held a large, wide bed.

Big enough for two.

Her cheeks tingled, imagining that part of marriage. Not just being intimate, but the simple act of sharing a bed - Ereinion’s tall body next to hers, warm and strong. Would she fall asleep in his arms; would he hold her through the hours of the night?

There was so much to discover.

But in the meantime, a delicious aroma was tickling her nose, and it was coming from that cozy dining room. 

Gil-galad had moved over to the fireplace, standing out of the way and watching her take all of it in. He looked apprehensive again, and she wondered how many others had ever seen his private rooms. True, the sitting area and the dining room were fitted out so that he could entertain if he wished, but perhaps he deliberately avoided doing so. Perhaps this was his sanctuary, and he only allowed a chosen few through its doors.

Now it would be theirs.

Linnea turned to him, offering him a gentle smile. “Something smells wonderful.”   

“I thought you might be hungry,” he murmured. “And the idea of sharing a quiet meal and hearing about your travels was…very pleasing.”

Indeed it was. 

She moved into the dining room then, seeing a sideboard laid with covered platters, and the table set for two. All without her having to lift a finger. And the food was just as beautiful as everything else; she filled her plate with delicate white fish that swam in a silky, buttery sauce, along with sliced vegetables and a heap of fresh salad. There was wine, too - a red that burst forth with fruit the moment she filled her glass.

This, perhaps more than anything, felt like coming home. 

The way that Gil-galad settled down next to her with his own food felt like the most natural thing in the world. As if they’d done the same many times before, and this was just one more dinner in a string of them. No different than the night before, or the night that would come, or the next hundred years.

Before she took her first bite, she reached over, taking his hand and squeezing it. The touch made him smile, and he brought the hand to his lips, brushing a kiss across the back.

“Tell me of the journey,” he said softly, as he released her hand. “How did you find the roads?”

Linnea raised a brow at him as she picked up her fork. “Commander Arondir did not keep you informed?”

“He did indeed,” Gil-galad allowed. “But I thought to hear my lady’s opinions as well.”

Her cheeks heated, and she couldn’t keep a smile from curling her lips. “Then far be it from me to deny you,” she murmured. “The roads were in good order, and we were untroubled by orcs, for the most part. There was an encounter on the fifth day, but as they were only two, they were dispatched easily.”

He nodded; she wasn’t telling him anything he hadn’t learned from Arondir’s reports, that much was clear. “Now that Eregion is destroyed, we must consider how to maintain a watch over the eastern reaches,” he said, taking a bite from his plate. “Once Imladris is built, it will serve, but it may be wise to re-garrison the watchtowers at the Mitheithel Fords and the Baranduin in the meantime. Were the enemy to approach Lindon, that is the likeliest route. Unless you would suggest another, my lady.”

She stared at him for a moment, fork loose in her hand. “I - my lord, I am a weaver. I am no soldier, no commander.”

“Yet the eastern lands were your home,” he said gently. “You know them well. I welcome your input - in all things, lady. You have a seat on the council, if that is your wish.”

Linnea took a deep breath, reaching for her wine glass to buy herself a moment. She understood the honor he was giving her, but it was one more thing that was so different than the life she had known. Sitting on the council, her voice could determine great matters, could cost - or save - lives. 

It was a far cry from waking in the morning and deciding which loom she would sit at that day, which fabric she would make progress on.

But she was going to be queen. And the council would be a good place to begin to learn about those great matters. She had a responsibility to their subjects; they deserved a queen that was wise and well-informed.

“I - I think I would like that,” she murmured. “If it would not offend the other Elf lords.”

“If they are offended by the presence of their queen, they may choose to be elsewhere,” he said dryly.

She chuckled softly, raising a brow at him again. “My lord, that title is not mine to claim yet,” she reminded him.

He quirked an eyebrow at her, in seeming recognition of her point. And his hand briefly brushed his chest, just at the place where his robe overlapped - as if touching something beneath it.

“But it is mine to bestow,” he murmured. “If you are finished, there is something I would like to show you, melethel.”

Linnea looked down, and was surprised to find her plate empty. She looked back up, and nodded, and Gil-galad rose, extending a hand.

“Come.”

Not even her ears could hear what he said to the guards. But as they reached their destination, the soldiers stayed at the top of the path, remaining well distant from the great Tree.

She had never seen it before - only that one glimpse at a distance, as they had arrived. Up close it was infinitely more beautiful, the moon shining through the golden leaves and glimmering off Gil-galad’s golden robes.

He took her up onto the dais, right next to the Tree. The waterfall thundered next to them, making its way down to the gulf of Lhûn, and she was wide-eyed like a child at the sight. The symbol for Elvendom on earth - the very picture of their strength, their vitality.

“It's beautiful,” she murmured. “May I - ?”

He nodded, and she laid her palm against the thick trunk. Whispers, faint and distant, but nothing she could make out. But there was definitely a presence to the tree, unlike anything she’d ever felt.

She dropped her hand, turning back to face Gil-galad, and smiled. “Thank you for bringing me here,” she said softly. “I had always hoped to see the Tree - but whenever my parents came to Lindon, there were always things to occupy me in Eregion. It seemed so easy to think each time that next time I would come.”

“I often thought the same of Eregion,” he answered, equally softly. He had taken his crown off before they had left his rooms, and his dark hair shone with the moonlight and the starlight. “Lord Celebrimbor encouraged me to visit. Yet he seemed to always have matters in hand.”  He sighed. “Would that I had heeded his words. For many reasons. Not the least of which, that I might have met you sooner.”

Linnea reached down, gently taking his hands. “You visited once,” she murmured. “I saw you across the plaza. It was many years ago, and you were surrounded by your lords and soldiers. But I did see you, just a glimpse.”

Gil-galad nodded, giving her a small smile. “I recall it. I was occupied with matters of trade. Had I been paying more attention to my surroundings, perhaps I might have seen your shop.” His smile turned slightly teasing. “Perhaps I might have stopped to admire your work, and lost my heart in the process.”

“I would have made you a gift in its place,” she teased back. “A blanket for your bed, or a new cloak.” 

There were more words, hanging heavy on her tongue - but there was no reason to be shy, not at this stage. Not with all that had already been spoken between them; not when intents and futures had already been made clear. 

“Along with my own heart,” she said softly. “A gift in kind. Which you have, meleth nín.”

He breathed out, tugging on her hands to pull her closer. She went gladly, feeling him let go of her hands and slide his arms around her waist, and then his forehead came down to press against hers - much the same way as he had held her the first time in the survivors’ camp, standing next to her little fire. A moment so pure and perfect, so fated, that it still brought tears to her eyes to think about it.

“I will do my utmost to be worthy of it,” he whispered. “And so let me make a gift to you now.”

He stepped back from her, and his hand went back to that same place on his robes, but this time it slipped underneath the edge. And when he brought it back out, he was holding a small, pure white velvet pouch. It seemed to glow with a light of its own, shining beneath the stars, nearly sparkling as he opened it and tipped the contents into his palm.

A ring. A silver ring. 

Wordlessly, he extended it to her for her to see. 

Hands shaking, she took it. The center stone was a pearl, with strands of silver wrapping around it almost like a wave, cradling the pearl in their grasp. But there were also tiny diamonds, what had to be dozens of them - and the fashion of their setting changed the pearl, transformed it into the heart of a star, with the diamonds forming rays of starlight.

It was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. 

Ereinion’s hands closed gently over hers where they held the ring.

“I did not ask you properly before,” he murmured. “So allow me to ask now. Will you wed me, Linnea, daughter of Taucion and Lhénes? Will you have me as your husband, will you be my wife and my queen until Arda itself is remade?”

Out of everything he had just said, the thing that stunned her most was that he knew the names of her parents. She had no idea how - perhaps he had had the rest of the survivors questioned until he found someone who had known them - but he did, and it made the tears finally spill over and drip down her cheeks.

She knew that he knew her answer. But the fact that he would still ask, had taken the trouble to choose a ring for her - he deserved no less than to hear it. 

“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes. I will.”

Now his hands were trembling, as he took the ring with one and clasped hers with the other. She opened her hand to help, and he slid the shining star onto her finger. 

It fit perfectly, snugging down at the base of her hand, fashioned for just that spot and no other.

She didn’t have anything for him - and although she knew he would never expect it, she was not about to deny him any of the traditions. Not when he’d been waiting so much longer, when he must have thought it would never happen for him. It was uncommon at best for someone of her age to wed, much less him. No, he would have a ring; she would see to that as soon as possible.

But he did not seem to be thinking about anything of the sort at that moment; he brought her newly-adorned hand to his lips and kissed it, his mouth lingering in a way that made her toes curl.

It struck her then, as he lifted his head, why he’d taken the crown off. With the crown, he was the High King - and he still was without it, of course, but it wasn’t quite so there. It was easier to think of him as just Ereinion without it, and that was who he’d wanted to be as he asked.

He drew the hand he’d just kissed to his chest, holding it close against his heart. “I am yours to command in this, my lady,” he murmured. “And you need not answer now, but give thought as to your will. We need not wait a year if you do not desire it.”

Her eyes were still brimming, but she had to laugh at his easy discarding of the customary period between betrothal and wedding, even through the tears. “My lord is an eager bridegroom, I see.”

“Were you to ask, I would speak the blessings here upon this very spot, and you would be my wife by tomorrow’s sunrise,” he said softly - and yet, his voice was iron, leaving her no doubt as to his sincerity. “But we need not rush, melethel. We have time to become better acquainted, you and I.”

Part of her - that part that had felt her toes curling at the light brush of his mouth on her hand, that had eagerly returned each of his kisses - was sorely tempted. She could be in his bed, in his arms, in a matter of minutes. They could feed that fire together with the intimacy of marriage; she could know his touch on her, she could touch him.

But the last two weeks had been a great change. As he said, they did not need to rush. And perhaps it was good to remember that they barely knew one another yet. The cup of love was there and brimming full already, but all the rest - all that they had yet to discover about one another, their pasts and their likes and dislikes and routines -  would take time. 

“It is true,” she answered. “But…I do not think it a task that will last a year. Especially not when we have the rest of our days to do so.”

That pleased him; he smiled. “I am sure you wish to settle in to Lindon first. If there is anything you need, you have only to ask.”  

“Tomorrow I must seek out a clothier,” she said. “I was able to save a few of my own clothes, but it is clear that Lindon is very different than Eregion. But I was also able to save many of our finished works; they should be enough for trade. Is there someone that the ladies of the court often use, that I should visit? Or someone I might ask about it?”

He was looking at her with a strange expression, and it took her a moment to identify it - he was confused. He took her hands in his again, gently, making sure he met her eyes.

“Linnea, you need not concern yourself with such things,” he said slowly. “Whatever you may require, all you need do is summon the artisans of your choice. They will come to you - you are their future queen.”

Oh.

That did make sense as to why he was confused. It had probably been an age since he had gone browsing about a marketplace - her ring had likely been obtained just as he had said, a smith summoned to court and commissioned to the task. 

But that felt too different from her old life for it to feel like her. And it gave her the first hint of how she might blend old and new - neither one nor the other, but both, like an alloy of precious metals that was more than its individual parts.

“Meleth nín,” she said softly, “I do not think that is the queen I wish to be. I - I know I have barely begun to consider it, but I would like the city to know me. I wish to be a part of the life here, not to sit above it. At least, when that is possible. And so I must go out and be seen.”

He had listened, and the confusion had gradually faded from his face - and, she was relieved to see, it had been replaced with faint pride. Nothing could break their bond, she knew that, but that bond did not mean they would always be in accord. Marriage would mean compromises across the centuries; there would be things where they would not see eye-to-eye.

But thankfully, this did not appear to be one of them. 

“Then you shall,” he said. “Tomorrow at first light, we shall arrange your household and your guards. And then you may explore the city as you wish. But - “ and here his voice grew stern - “you need not trade for what you require. Lindon will provide for its queen. I will provide for my betrothed. I will not have you surrendering the work of your hands for a mere gown.”

Linnea smiled.

A gown, no. She would concede that point; and, if she was honest, the thought of having to trade away the last fabrics that she and her parents had made had hurt. It was hard to object to any sort of plan that would allow her to avoid that pain.  

But a ring?

That was worth a few fabrics. Especially if it allowed her to keep it secret, until the perfect moment.

“So be it, my lord,” she agreed. “So be it.”

Continue to Part 5

[quinloki]

Kinktober 2023 - Day 13

Today's a tricky treat, and a little... Crowded.

Character: Killer, Heat, Wire (ft. Eustass Kid) Reader: cis!fem Warnings: (deep breath) Swearing, bondage, dirty talk, breeding, pet names, impact play, over-stimulation, cum play, group sex, forced voyeurism, oral received, oral given, fingering, foot fetish for a second, begging, cock-ring... I think that's it.

Summary: You're on your favorite breeding bench, the one Kid built just for you* (*for everyone, he asserts, but it was for you, let's be clear). However, Kid's been benched in a different way - he's not allowed to touch you right now.

That's Killer, Wire, and Heat's job. -:- 2809 words

Benched Pt. 1

You were on “the bench” that Kid had made for you, on your back, secured in place. You could crane your head a little and see Kid behind you, close enough you could almost set your head in his lap if the bench wasn’t supporting it already.

He’s not exactly happy right now. Leather straps and a very thick oak chair was keeping him, and his hand, exactly where Heat, Killer, and Wire wanted him. Which was just out of reach of you. Kid’s job tonight was to watch, but he was bad at watching, having stepped in the last time you and the big four had decided to have a night together.

Trying to define relationships on the Victoria was difficult. Everyone understood what was going on – who was with who, and how – but defining any of it was awkward at best, and no one’s business in the end. You and Kid were together in the sense of the word, but so were Kid and Killer.

You and Killer were known to keep each other company sometimes too, and Heat and Wire had helped you get cleaned up a few times. They were with each other and with Kid and Killer, and that wasn’t even touching on the rest of the crew and all the limbs that tangled together on any given night.

Sex felt good – or should feel good at least – and what constitutes “good” was up for debate too. In the end, consent was king on the crew, even more than Eustass Kid.

Heat, Wire and Killer were stripping while they ran their hands over your body. Thick, heavy, calloused hands slipped over your skin like silk sometimes, and like coarse hemp other times. There wasn’t much talking, Kid was gagged for starters, and everyone else was listening to you.

Soft, gasping moans escaped your lips, and your body writhed in its binds. They weren’t touching you anywhere overly sensitive, but the bench was built to breed you. Sure, Kid could say anyone could have a turn on it, and people had, it was very adjustable.

But it was built for you, and you certainly spent the most amount of time strapped to it. Face up or down, it was comfortable either way. Of course, once things started it probably could���ve been made out of spikes and you wouldn’t have given a shit.

Killer moved to be between your legs, Heat was at your side, and Wire was knelt down by your head. The largest of everyone in the room, he gave you a few small kisses, lips against your neck and cheek before he leaves a soft, lingering kiss on your lips. He’s looking down at you as you feel Killer’s hands against the insides of your thighs. You gasp a little, bucking against the immovable bench, and Wire grabs your hair, turning your head toward Eustass.

“We all know the Captain’s gonna wanna see your face, pet.” Wire says, and Kid’s amber gold gaze shifts from watching Killer to looking into your eyes.

“L-Look at me, please,” you beg even though he already is. “I love it when you watch me, Kid.”

“She’s certainly not lyin’,” Killer muses, and you can feel the heat of his words against your thighs. “She’s soaked, and we’ve barely touched her.” Killer looks to Heat and Wire. “You two ready?”

They mutter and nod, and Wire leans in and whispers into your ear. “Keep your eyes on the cap’n lil’ pet, and we’ll reward you well.”

“Yeah.” You keep your gaze turned up toward Kid. He returns your gaze for a moment, but then his eyes shift to the others. There’s a quiet tension and Kid looks back to you just before you’re overloaded.

Two of Killer’s fingers plunge into your pussy, and his tongue goes to work on your clit. Heat and Wire have a hold of your breasts and are licking and nipping at your nipples. They all moved at the same time, there was no gentle build up to it, just a flood of pleasure after a moment of nothing, and your face twists in surprise and pleasure as your body bucks against everything holding it in place.

Your wrists twist in the cuffs holding your arms down against the sides of the bench. Heat and Wire pin your elbows so you don’t twist anything, and Killer has your legs held open. There’s no escape from the rush of pleasure, and your eyes water as you gasp for air between cries of pleasure, trying to keep your gaze turned toward Kid.

Kid’s nostrils were flared, his face was tinged pink and you could swear that you could hear the leather straps groaning as his body flexed against what held him. He wasn’t saying anything, he wasn’t even growling or grumbling from behind the gag. You were suddenly certain he was bound to that chair because he’d accepted it, not because he was truly held.

“Kuh-Kid!” You manage to gasp, spurred on by his reaction. “L-Look, I’m gonna – fuck – I’m gonna cum, so wah-watch me! I’mma – they’re maaaa-aking me cum, Kid!” You gasp as your body tenses, opening your mouth and sticking your tongue out.

Your cunt clenches down on Killer’s fingers, and you feel him force a third inside you mid-orgasm. Your body bucks again and you throw your head back and practically growl. You don’t move much, with the three of them holding you against the bench, but without the help of the bench, the three of them might not have been enough to hold you in place.

The three of them slowly stop stimulating you, chuckling a little at the last few twitches as you come down from your high.

Three sets of hands start to wander over your body, massaging muscles, caressing your skin. They tease you a little, but nothing like the coordinated attack earlier. You shift, rolling your body and humming contentedly. Rough as things could get, these moments always happened.

“So, captain,” Killer begins, and you see Kid’s eyes shift from you to Killer. You keep your eyes on Kid – he’s rock hard, and even though you can’t reach him it’s still hot to see him in that state. No one’s touched him since they restrained him, and you’re glad that on some level he is enjoying the show.

“Was she good?”

Kid’s eyes shift and the heat you see there nearly sets your body on fire. He looks back over to Killer and nods once.

You start to say thank you to Kid, but you can hear Killer’s hand cutting through the air just before he slaps your pussy hard enough to fill the air with a loud CRACK! The impact shudders through your body, the initial pain catches your breath, and the sting that follows crackles like electricity against your clit. The combination nearly clenches your body into a second orgasm, whimpering as you shift under the hands on you, looking away from Kid to pout at Killer.

Heat caresses the side of your face before slapping your cheek softly. “Gonna try and say you don’t like that, brat?” He prompts and you feel the blood rush through you before you shake your head.

Killer begins to rub his thick cock against your stinging, soaking, twitching slit. “If you’d been bad you’da cum from getting your pretty pussy slapped,” he says, voice heavy and husky. You can just barely see his eyes shift, from his cock to your eyes, through the mess of bangs. “But since you were good, you can get bred properly, little one.”

Your hips rolled involuntarily, and you see Killer smile.

He lines himself up, pushing his rock-hard cock into your soaking cunt. “And if the Captain behaves himself, he can fuck you senseless once we’re done filling you up.” He muses, rolling his thumb against your clit as he pushes in slowly.

Your toes curl at the slow and steady stretch. Heat and Wire were peppering your skin with kisses, taking turns nipping at the more sensitive parts of your body as Killer settled into a steady pace. Sometimes they would kiss you sweetly, and other times they would nearly choke you on their tongues as they twisted your nipples or left bite marks somewhere.

Every now and then someone would ask you where you were and you’d mutter green, or safe, or something else similar in your hazy daze, and things would continue.

Killer’s pace began to pick up and Heat and Wire became more tender and consistent in their actions, causing your breath to come out in hot, desperate gasps, as the pleasure built up in you once more. You trembled as your body tightened again.

Killer hissed, gripping your hips a little roughly, and slammed his hips into your thighs a few times. You could feel him twitching as he filled you up, and the look on his face as he came was enough to push you over with him.

The way his eyes rolled back a little, and how his jaw went slack when he came was adorable. He swore as you came, nearly lurching forward as he tried to keep thrusting his sensitive member enough to ride you through your own pleasure. When he pulled out of you his fingers flexed against your thighs before he took a step back.

He traded places with Heat who was already stroking himself before he settled in between your thighs. Your breath was falling off your lips, heavy and full of heat, your sensitive body twitched when you felt Heat’s cock just barely touch you.

“Twitchy lil’ brat,” Heat muses, spreading your pussy open with his thumbs before pushing into you all the way in one smooth motion. You cry out in delight, and a sigh of pleasure leaves him as he starts to thrust into you. “Fuck you’re so wet, just twitching against me like that.”

You couldn’t say anything as Wire had turned you to face him, urging you to lick and suck his cock while he waited for his turn. As you worked you felt Killer’s wet length push against your palm. He’d worked himself back into a frenzy after making sure you got through your orgasm, and was letting you help him deal with it.

Bound to the bench you didn’t have to worry about twisting or turning to assist everyone in the group, the guys adjusted to your position first and foremost. All you had to do was oblige – or decide not to, if you really didn’t want to. Pleasure was to be shared, but it was pointless to run yourself ragged if you couldn’t keep up.

A good year on this ship, however, and most of it tangled up with these behemoths, had given you much better stamina and strength. Though you were starting to think it was making you more lewd? Needy? You weren’t sure what the right word was, but you felt hungrier every time you spent time on the bench.

“Ha, haaa, you’re not close brat.” Heat gasps, thrusting into you roughly and nearly pushing the air out of you. “But I am.” His face flushes as his rhythm gets erratic. “So take – hells  – what I give you.”

Flames licked Heat’s lips as he gasped and shuddered from pleasure, emptying himself inside you. He shifted a few more times, fingers flexing into your hips, nearly growling as though he wanted to go on a little longer before he finally pulled out.

“Listening to her earlier got me more worked up than I thought.” He huffs, stepping back and sitting on a chair for a minute to gather himself. You hear a muffled grunt, and realize Kid’s made his first sound.

Wire laughs curtly in response, and you hear Heat swear. “Stuff it, captain.” He says in aggravation as Wire takes up position between your legs. He adjusts the bench, raising your hips up. He doesn’t move the head rest, though it adjusts a little on it’s own, but it’s easier for you to look at Kid now than it is for you to watch Wire with your hips raised up like they are.

Kid’s face is flushed, but he’s not pulling against the leather straps as much as he was at the beginning.

Wire rubs the tip of his dick against your slit and you gasp a little.

“How’re you holding up, little one?” Killer asks, his voice breathy as he stroking himself now that you’re at a different angle.

You nod. “Good… I’m good.” You assure him just before Wire’s thick cock pushes into you. He easily bottom’s out, being almost too big. You rather him in your ass, if you have a choice, since he takes such care to prep and stretch you. You can feel the mix of your pleasure and Killer and Heat’s excess leak out as you’re over-filled by Wire.

You hiss as he bottoms out a little too deep, and he pulls back a bit. “Sorry, lil’ pet.” He says absently, and you see him put something in place. It’s effectively a cock ring that Kid worked on, but it doesn’t really put any pressure on Wire, it just acts as a buffer, keeping him from going too deep too fast.

It’s squishy, so it doesn’t hurt either one of you.

You swear, every slow, long thrust just squishes more out of you, and it feels cold compared to everything else. Wire leans into you a little, reaching down and playing with your tits, his hands engulfing your chest.

Everyone on the crew, with a scant few exceptions, is bigger than you. Kid has the biggest presence of the whole crew, but Wire is certainly the tallest.

The steady pace makes pleasure coil inside you again, Wire’s tender teasing of your nipples is heating up your entire body. You can feel the blood rushing to your face but it might be because you’re tilted a little more head down than level.

Your breath comes out heavier as Wire takes his time. Your eyes fall easier onto Kid, whose body is tensing against the leather straps again, his fingers flexing and cock twitching. You want it in your mouth at the least, buried in your cunt at the most, but it’s not as though anyone else has been mistreating you so far. It’s not as though anyone else falls short of a delightful experience.

Kid just fits you a little better.

“Fuck, I know it’s all supposed to go in you, little one,” Killer huffs as you pull your eyes from Kid and watch the first mate. “But I’m not waiting for Wire at this rate.” He puts his thighs against the side of the bench. Wire snatches his hands back just in time before Killer cums all over your tits.

“That’s fuckin’ hot.” Wire muses, smearing Killer’s load around, teasing your nipples with the slippery fluid. It changes the way it feels, and you squeak in surprise before it turns into a pleasurable moan.

“Haa, I’m guh-gonna,” your words turn into an unintelligible moan, your body arcing against the binds and the bench. Wire grinds into you, keeping you in place and moving one hand to your clit, as Killer takes over teasing your nipple.

You feel something warm and wet against your foot, and look around enough to see Heat finishing himself off against your foot. Being used and teased and filled and desired swirled around in your body. It was all a turn on, and it was more than you could take right now, especially after everything that had led up to this.

Your fingers clench, and your toes curl, one foot forced back and flat as Heat finishes on your foot while you cum against Wire’s cock. Wire stops grinding against you, thrusting faster, pushing your orgasm into something almost painful it’s so over-stimulating, before he finally empties himself into your throbbing, over-stuffed cunt.

Wire pulls out, and with your body tilted the way it is, you don’t feel anything leak until he starts to lower the breeding bench. Killer looks into your eyes, mouthing to ask if you’re okay and you nod. You’re in a hazy state, but you don’t feel bad. He brushes sweaty hair away from your face before leaning down and kissing your forehead.

“Well, Captain, look at you.” Killer muses, as Heat and Wire check in on you a little more, kissing you softly and making sure they don’t need to release you just yet.

“Stayed right where you were suppose to the whole time.” Killer grins crossing his arms. It’s not often he gets to give Kid hell, so he savors the moments when they arrive. “There ain’t much sense left in her,” he starts, undoing the gag in Kid’s mouth. “But she’s all yours, Kid.”

[all-pacas]

nemesis fanfic project outtakes volume two: i think i had yesterday's talking about chase's sister on the mind. i actually like this and wanted to keep it, but it just… didn't fit.

-

She knows she won’t get a straight answer if she asks. Aside from one call from Foreman she’d listened in on — entirely business, concerning Chase’s ongoing leave of absence — he hasn’t received any calls in her company. She remembers again the single card in his hospital room, signed by coworkers and not friends.

“Have you heard from your sister?” she asks abruptly. Chase’s shoulders raise, and before he can answer: “Have you told your sister?”

“I didn’t tell you,” he counters.

“Would you have?” she’s suddenly curious, aware it’s a dangerous question; she is not surprised when Chase does not answer. She takes a deep, slow breath. All they know how to do anymore is talk in circles. At least she isn’t stuck in the past — in the same apartment, the same job, a haircut the only indicator that a decade has gone by. But then, she’d dropped everything to come back, hadn’t she?

They were supposed to start over. He was supposed to start over. And it all feels just too inevitable, that they’d be here now, like this: she has seen Chase change his bandage, the bruised mess of his chest, the shockingly small red line of stitches. This is the consequence of… everything.

“I spoke to her recently,” Chase says: it takes Cameron a moment to pick up the thread, realize what he’s talking about. “A few weeks ago.”

“Danielle?” She’s never met his sister, didn’t know she existed until months into their relationship: they had invited her to the wedding, but she hadn’t been able to afford the ticket. Cameron knew they were mostly estranged, had floated the idea of buying her airfare: when Danielle had refused a the favor, Chase at least had been unsurprised. But hurt, too. “Did something happen?”

“She asked me the same thing,” he says bitterly. He runs his hand through his hair, scratching his scalp. “No. I just… felt like calling her. She has a kid.”

“She’s married?” Cameron asks, surprised but confused: she does not know if this should be surprising, if there had been a wedding, if Chase had known.

“Nope,” he says dryly. “He’s almost two, apparently. His name’s Noah. No dad in the picture.”

There’s a judgmental note to his voice she doesn’t like much, his disapproval clear. “You do know women can be single parents?”

“You don’t know her. She’s never thought ahead for a second, never given a shit about consequences —“ Chase is grumbling, annoyed, but Cameron laughs, surprising him and herself both: he cranes his head around to look at her, indignant, which sets her to giggling more: Chase has been nothing but angry of late, it seems, but this is something entirely different.

“She’s a grown woman, big brother,” she teases.

“You don’t know what she’s like,” he says again, petulant, his cheeks coloring.

“I know what big brothers are like,” she says. “You think mine didn’t give me shit? I had a beer at a party one time, and and he told our parents! Like he didn’t sneak out with his friends?” She chuckles, feels the decades old outrage, but nostalgia as well: once, that had been the largest injustice she’d ever known.

“How… is your family?” he asks after a pause, awkwardly: he swallows, but he does not look away.

Her parents had adored Chase: when he first met them, he had been in peak ass-kissing mode, laughing at everything her father said, playing up his accent and foreignness, flirting with her mother. It had been exhausting — and irritating — to witness the way they had bought it hook, line, and sinker. “Good,” she hedges. “Dad’s finally retiring. They’re thinking of moving to Florida.” She doesn’t think they will: her mother is a homebody at heart, has never liked travel or change, had only come to Princeton once — for her wedding — in all the years Cameron had lived here. “Mike just recently had a kid, too.”

“That’s … what, five?” Chase asks, squinting: he clearly thinks that’s excessive, and Cameron sort of agrees.

“Another girl,“ she confirms: Cameron now has four nieces and only one nephew. “Sophia.”

Chase starts laughing, and she starts: she has no idea what’s so funny. Stares at him bemused as he laughs, then gasps, pressing his hand to his ribs: he starts coughing, and she grabs a half-full bottle of gatorade from the table to hand to him, getting up from her seat and sitting at the foot of his: her legs bump up against his feet, but he either is too distracted laughing or doesn’t mind. “Taub,” he wheezes, still chuckling.

He takes the drink and sips it, grinning: when he’s calmed down, he tells her the story of Sophie and Sophia, Taub’s two daughters, born a weeks apart to his ex-wife and his mistress. “You’re kidding me,” she says, aghast and amused: Chase grins up at her, his shoulders still trembling as he tries not to laugh.

Cameron had not known Taub well, but thought of him as good humored and… not the type of person to end up in this mess. “Do they at least… look different?” she asks, biting her lip.

“No,” Chase says, delighted. “Same hair color, same eye color.” Foreman had mentioned he and Taub were roommates, but she’s not sure if he ever mentioned Taub having children, let alone two daughters with the same name. She says as much to Chase, and he’s soon catching her up on all the hospital gossip: two of the OR doctors had been dating the same nurse, neither of them realizing for weeks; one of the nurses had been fired for rifling through patient’s purses and personal items while they were getting work done.

He tells her about House’s new fellows, as well: Adams, who she’d met, and Park, who she hasn’t. He is noncommittal about them both — Park is “weird” and Adams is “naive” — and she doesn’t know if he is trying to hide affection from her or from himself, or if he truly does not care. It is a relief, though, to talk, to chat normally about normal things. This is what they used to do, compare notes and trade gossip picked up over their shifts, venting and distracting one another after long days and hard shifts.

[mariacallous]

In the early hours of March 22, Russian forces launched what Ukraine’s energy minister called the “largest attack” on Ukrainian infrastructure in recent times. Numerous critical infrastructure facilities across the country, including the Dnipro Dam, have been hit, and many places are without power or are under rolling blackouts to reduce demand on damaged systems. Additionally, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was briefly disconnected from the grid during the strikes, posing a risk of shutdown. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attack a direct “war against ordinary people’s lives.”

Air raid sirens sounded throughout Ukraine early Friday as the Russian military launched massive missile strikes across the country. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko called the strikes “the most extensive attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent times,” saying they were aimed at “causing a large-scale breakdown of the nation’s energy system.” Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, the head of Ukraine’s high-voltage transmission operator Ukrenergo, concurred, saying the attack was the largest of its kind since the start of the full-scale war.

According to Halushchenko, power generation facilities as well as transmission and distribution systems in various regions were hit and damaged. Many places are without power.

The city of Kharkiv has been left almost entirely without electricity or running water following Russian strikes on over 15 energy infrastructure targets in the area, reported Governor Oleh Syniehubov.

Russia launched 12 missiles on Zaporizhzhia, said regional Governor Ivan Fedorov. According to preliminary information, at least one person was killed and eight people were injured. Fedorov later reported that two more people are missing. At least seven residential buildings in the area were destroyed and 35 were damaged.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control, was also on the verge of shutdown. During the attack, the overhead power line connecting the occupied plant to Ukraine’s power grid was disconnected.

Drone and missile strikes also damaged critical infrastructure in Kryvyi Rih, said Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul. The city is implementing emergency shutdown schedules and hospitals and other critical facilities are switching to generator power where possible.

Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels reported a strike on the Dnipro Dam, a hydroelectric power plant. Petro Andryushchenko, an aide to Mariupol’s legitimate mayor, said a Russian missile hit a trolley traveling along the dam. According to him, the vehicle was filled with civilians who were commuting to work.

The Ukrainian energy company Ukrhydroenergo wrote that a fire broke out at the station but that the situation is under control and there is “no threat of breach.”

Ukrhydroenergo’s CEO, Ihor Syrota, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the Russian military hit the station’s Hydroelectric Power Plant 1 and Hydroelectric Power Plant 2 (HPP-1 and HPP-2). According to him, HPP-2 was severely damaged and may be beyond repair. One of the station’s supports was also hit, and crane beams were broken. “We’ll have to completely restore the machine room and electrical equipment,” Syrota said. “We’ll assess the consequences within the day and take stock of what happened.”

Authorities in Ukraine’s Sumy region have introduced a schedule of emergency blackouts to cope with damage from strikes on energy infrastructure. Russia’s attacks also reportedly damaged critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine’s Vinnytsia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions.

Khmelnytskyi Mayor Oleksandr Symchyshyn wrote that there were dead and wounded after Russian strikes hit infrastructure facilities and homes in the city. Ukraine’s Internal Affairs Ministry confirmed the deaths of two people in Khmelnytskyi.

Missile debris fell on homes in Ukraine’s Poltava region, and rolling blackouts have been implemented in the area. Local authorities have also introduced blackouts in the Kirovohrad region to reduce the strain on the energy grid.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia launched over 60 drones and around 90 missiles in the attack. Commenting on the strikes, Zelensky wrote that they were clear evidence of Russia’s intent to harm Ukrainian civilians:

Russia is waging war against ordinary people’s lives. […] Russian missiles don’t have delays like aid packages to our nation do. Shahed [drones] have no indecision like some politicians. It’s important to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions. Patriot systems should be protecting Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia; we need air defense systems to protect people, infrastructure, homes, and dams. Our partners know exactly what’s needed. They can certainly provide support. These decisions are necessary. Life must be protected from these Moscow barbarians.

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[greywritesrandom]

Kethuvalam

A sudden presence filled the air, and I found myself in the company of a man whose simplicity radiated warmth and wisdom. He was in his sixties, I believe, his face clean-shaven, save for a dignified grey moustache that seemed to match his serene demeanour. The moment I saw him, I felt safe—like I’d known him forever. 

Oddly enough, I wasn’t the 21-year-old man I knew myself to be. Instead, I looked like a 10-year-old child, slightly chubby and smaller than most kids my age. Not particularly tall, and far from smart, at least that’s how I felt. Yet, in that moment, none of it mattered. We sat there, the two of us, as though there was an eternity of stories between us—stories filled with laughter, curiosity, and a profound connection.

I was sitting on his lap in a small house by a lonely harbour. It was cozy, humble, yet full of character. He sold little boats, handmade kettuvallams, crafted delicately from bamboo and paper. Each boat was a work of art, some adorned with houses, others with temples, and even some with modern buildings. They were mesmerizing, their craftsmanship flawless, as though each was its own tiny world. His shop was his home, and I found myself visiting him often, even though I never lived there permanently.  

Something about the place felt maternal, nurturing, like a warm embrace. As the days passed, I came to learn I was in Kerala. Time seemed to slip through my fingers there, but when it was time to leave, my heart ached. I fought with my dad, pleading to stay longer, but it was no use. The man, with a gentle smile, carried me and promised my dad that we’d visit again. Tears streamed down my face as I left the small house, the harbour slipping away as we rode off in a rickshaw. 

I had only spent ten days with this man—a stranger—and yet, I loved him more than anyone in my life. He had become the closest person to my heart, despite the brief time we’d shared.

Years passed, but home never quite felt like home after that. Then, the opportunity came—we were going back to Kerala. Though it wasn’t my hometown, nor did I have any relatives there, I was beyond excited. I was older now, maybe 15, thinner than I had been, but none of that mattered. All I could think about was seeing him again.

The train ride flew by as anticipation buzzed inside me. The moment we arrived at the station, I rushed to the rickshaw driver, eager to give him the address. My family had other plans, but my dad reassured them that we’d meet up later. Together, we headed to the harbour.

When we arrived, my heart raced. There were more shops now, but his—his was still the best. I could feel it. I ran toward the familiar doorway, bursting inside with a grin, only to be met by an unfamiliar face. A girl stood there, her long black hair slicked with oil, short and slightly chubby, but there was something about her presence—something that reminded me of him. I rushed past her, my eyes falling on the boats—the kettuvalams—each one beautifully crafted as I remembered.

One, in particular, caught my eye. It was the largest of them all, with the Padmanabhan Swamy temple’s gopuram majestically built onto the boat and a crane standing next to it. It was captivating, like nothing I’d ever seen before. I bent down, pulling out my phone, which seemed to have materialized out of nowhere, trying to capture the perfect angle of this stunning masterpiece.

As I fumbled with the phone, my dad finished explaining who we were to the girl. She told him the man had just stepped out and would be back in an hour. My dad left to explore the other shops, but I stayed behind, engrossed by the boats. A sudden gust of wind swept through the shop, and a massive wave crashed onto the harbour outside. I looked back at the kettuvalam just in time to see the temple’s structure rip apart from the boat, splintering all the way down to its base.

My heart dropped. I felt something inside me break at that very moment. The phone on the counter rang sharply, shattering the silence, but I couldn’t move. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision, and soon, I found myself crying uncontrollably. I wailed, overcome with an unbearable sense of loss. I didn’t even fully understand what I had lost, but it felt monumental. 

The girl behind the counter was trembling, holding back tears of her own. I looked at her, and seeing her struggle only made me cry harder. I felt like I had lost something—someone—someone precious, as if a piece of me had been torn away. My dad, hearing the commotion, rushed in and wrapped his arms around me, lifting me into a piggyback hold. He walked for what felt like hours, just holding me as I sobbed.

We returned to the hotel, but I couldn’t stop crying. Even though I didn’t fully grasp what had happened, I felt it deeply—like a void had opened in my chest, swallowing me whole. For days, I kept to myself, grieving something I couldn’t name.

Now, I’m 21, and I find myself returning to Kerala again, this time alone. Time has blurred the edges of my memory, but as I wandered aimlessly, I found myself in front of his shop once more. It was almost empty now. The girl, now in her thirties, recognized me instantly, though I hadn’t said a word. She quietly let me in, handing me a piece of paper before vanishing from the shop, leaving me alone in the familiar silence.

I looked around, breathing in the nostalgic scent of the place. I had only spent ten days with this man, but those ten days felt like a lifetime—more of a family than my real one. I missed him so much. Ten days was far too little, far too short. A hole remained in my heart, a wound that never healed.

I wiped my eyes with my sleeve, trying to stay strong, but my fists clenched, and I realized I was crushing the piece of paper in my hand. Slowly, I opened it, smoothing out the crumpled edges to read the last message he had left for me:

*"I don’t know where you came from, and I didn’t know who you were, but as soon as I bent down to hold your hand, I felt my lost son in you. You might not know this, but I lost my son when he was eight—two years before you visited. He drowned in the harbor right outside the shop, and I wasn’t there to save him. I missed him so much, and you were so much like him. I wished you could stay with me longer. I even wished you’d stay forever, knowing full well it was impossible. Thank you for those precious days. I thank Sree Ananta for the time I had with you. It might be selfish of me, and I’m guilty of that, but I wanted you to be my son. Thank you! I’ll be waiting for you to visit again and take over this place, so we can be together once more."*

Midway through the letter, tears began to stream down my face again, and by the time I finished, I was on my knees, sobbing louder than I had ever cried before. My chest heaved with regret, my heart aching with the weight of everything I never got to say.

I opened my eyes, and I was back in my bed. It was a dream. A dream of a man I had never met, of a place I had never been, and of things I never once knew existed. But the tears—the tears were real. The grief was real. My heart ached for someone I had never known, and yet, it felt as though I had lost everything.

Whoever he was, wherever he was from, I missed him. I missed him more than I could ever explain.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"TURNING OUT ONE COMPLETE TRAIN A DAY," Winnipeg Tribune. December 4, 1913. Page 13. ---- Shops at Angus Largest of Their Kind in the Dominion-C.P.R. Building Cars of Steel ---- The Canadian Pacific railway's shops at Angus, in the extreme northeast of Montreal, are the largest of their kind in the Dominion. Here pig iron is turned into monster locomotives with shiny fittings, and when roughhewn logs are not employed made into palace parlor cars. Angus shopmen boast that the plant is capable of turning out a complete train a day. When the entire force is working an army of 6.000 men are employed at the works.

From the boy who deftly catches bucket of red-hot bolts tossed to him from a forge twenty feet away, to the expert engaged in tuning and testing the bells and sirens which are to clangs and whistle in Saskatchewan or Austria, every person at Angus fits into his niche of the intricate organization and there is no confusion and no de-ay.

When the Pennsylvania railroad system completed its tunnel into New York, it made a regulation that no wooden cars were to make use of its lines. This led the railway companies of Canada to construct steel cars, for which the public had been agitating for some time, as they constituted less risk to the tray.... So that now wooden cars are gradually disappearing and will soon be 3 thing of the past.

The decision on the part of the Canadian Pacific to build its cars of steel instead of using wooden bodies, while not exactly a new step in Industrial activity, will probably be taken up on a larger scale than ever before on this continent. The capacity of the new steel shops which have just been completed is ten cars a day, and this department of the works is now running full blast.

Assembling a Steel Car. When the trucks are delivered from the trucks shop, steel girders, punched for bolts and rivets, are hoisted on cranes and held in position while a workman with a hydraulic drill drives the fasteners into place. The assembling of a steel car is much more speedy than the old method of building wooden coaches, using the trucks as foundation. A large amount of the old equipment which was used in the construction of the wooden cars 14 being reconverted and adapted for the making of the new carriers.

This department of the Angus shops is now in the course of transposition and will be much condensed, as wooden parts required will be much less numerous. The wooden box which forms the exterior of the freight car is fastened outside of the girders and can be replaced on the same car when it wears out.

Comfort and Luxury. Although the project of making all cars, passenger and freight alike, with steel frames, has been proposed, and is now under serious consideration by the C. P. R., no move has been made at Angus towards installing a steel plant for passenger coaches. The general plan of assembling a passenger car is that used in other train work, the component parts being added to the trucks, which are set in the erecting pits to be built upon.

The finished parlor car is in itself an achievement, for here not only safety and utility are to be considered but comfort and luxury for the passengers.

Coaling Up Real Test of Engine. Coaling up is the real test of an engine's worth. Parts may have been perfect and preliminary inspection may have found no defect in the whole, but engines are made to run, and if this one will not, back it goes through a long series of tests and examinations to discover where is its weak point. As with ships at their first launching, the constructing engineer who has planned the whole is never certain that his locomotive will run without mishap.

To the east of the Angus shop is a side track where the monster engines are first tried with coal in the bunkers and steam in the boiler.

A little group always gathers around the new engine. Fires have been laid, the smoke pours through the exhaust pipe and the fireman gives a preliminary tug at the bell rope Then the grisled engineer, who is the only one who does not appear excited. throws open a throttle, opens the siren into hideous shriek, and the leviathan chugs along the track, as if this were no new feat and it had been chugging along tracks for years.

The little group of foremen and inspectors give a weak hurrah, as they have done for hundreds of new locomotives since the first was turned out In a few minutes the big engine has steamed backwards into its place at the end of the erecting pits, and stands all ready to go on the "main line."

[frankendykes-monster]

I've been eyeballing this set for 20 years:

Dino Research Compound (5987].

The Dino Research Compound is the pinnacle set for the third sub-theme of Adventurers, a pastiche of Indiana Jones. Adventurers is singled out fairly common now for being an example of how, had LEGO always had the opportunity to do licensed sets, they would have, and it gets worse with this sub-theme, Dino Island, getting Jurassic Park (1993) in on the mix.

Dino Island comes immediately after the Egypt and Jungle sub-themes of 1998 and 1999, coming to us in 2000, and sets itself apart by not taking place in a real world location nor concerning itself with the two factions, led by Johnny Thunder and Sam Sinister respectively, fighting over treasure hunting. I'm not sure how most Adventurers fans felt about this shift, but it's fine by me given how much it dials back on the colonialist concepts present at the forefront of the theme.

Dino Island sees the two parties trying to capture dinosaurs, but most of the sets in this sub-theme are stretched a bit thin to try and meet the new concept, as the majority of sets are vehicles with either no dinosaurs or a single Pteranodon or baby T-Rex present. The big multi-piece dinosaurs are saved for the most expensive sets, which is kind of a shame; you'd have to fork over a lot of money to get a T-Rex, but it's a practice that wouldn't stick around forever (see: LEGO Vikings presenting a smaller set with Fafnir so you could get a compromise if you couldn't afford the giant fort with Nidhogg).

This set specifically: we get the main compound, a bridge, a side build with a tree and some machinery, a plane, a jallopy, and a boat! Let's take these one at a time.

The research compound is three stories tall and uses what I'd call "dollhouse" LEGO construction, wherein instead of building up the structure in its entirety, you instead build each story individually and they connect with little clutch power. The bridge doesn't use any clutch power, as it's connected by loosely fitting anti-clip poles, on both sides. The side platform doesn't have a main feature to speak of.

There isn't a "cohesive" quality to the entire build, it's mostly just littered with play features:

There's a dinosaur pen on the first story of the compound that can open up to house the baby T-Rex.

There's a net tosser on the second story.

There's a fall-away floor trap on the second story.

The top of the compound can unfold to reveal a satellite dish (which, may be a historical anachronism given this takes place in the 1920's?)

There's a zip line connecting both main areas that can have some supplies run down.

The tree can be toppled over.

The boat can connect to the crane or a docking point.

The plane can drop a net.

There's a litany of tools lying around, on top of the three vehicles and four dinosaurs, and it didn't hit me until after I had finished assembling it; this is a play set designed for *multiple* children to ideally share. The sheer volume of stuff going on can't mean anything else, and given the original MSRP of $80 (which, regardless of all other economic factors, is a high call for a LEGO set) further leads me to this conclusion.

Talking about more specific features, this set coming out in 2000 isn't a huge shock to the senses after I've purchased and built many 2020's LEGO sets, but it is a strong sign of how much things are different. For one, despite its size, the set only has a little over 600 pieces. An equivalent sized set now would feature two to three times as much. Dino Island was released in the middle of The Lego Group's identity crisis as a company that spawned a huge volume of experimental ideas that mostly did nothing except make builds worse and spawn the most reviled LEGO themes (Znap, Scala, Galidor, Jack Stone, etc.). I was braced for this to be a "juniorized" set but was actually surprised at how satisfying the build was overall. It doesn't feature a raised base plate like the previous two largest Adventurers set, which I might add did suffer from rather homely looking builds.

The low piece count however does mean two things. For one, there is a lot of hollow space in this build. Most rooms in the compound don't have anything going on. The build also doesn't use much any advanced building techniques, it's very much of that classic LEGO design where you aren't doing much more novel than stacking bricks on top of each other. LEGO sets now are kind of insane; you connect bricks to the sides, tops, and bottoms of other bricks, they're there for really intense structural support that gives them the feeling of being impossible to meaningfully break if you dropped them. The Dino Research Compound, on the other hand, is coming apart given any amount of gravitational force. The two vehicles are decent enough, but special mention should go to the plane both for its color scheme and how it isn't built on an obnoxiously large plate, though I'm not sure if I've seen any actual planes have two completely separate pilot compartments.

Also of note is the inclusion of the "old" brown color which has since then become replaced by a shade of brown slightly lighter and more reddish. The roofing pieces with the rust prints, the green base plate with the rounded edge, and the Stegosaurus with dark orange legs (another discontinued color) are all set exclusives. I kept my eyes out for pieces from the experimental era, large and highly situational parts. Probably my favorite thing about LEGO now is how pieces can be repurposed for any number of designs, and seeing late 1990's sets like those from Rock Raiders make me cringe because of how highly specialized parts they include. The boat caught my eye, considering it's all one piece and not brickbuilt, but much to my surprise it's a piece still in use now. There's an oddball mix of what's brickbuilt and what's not however, such as the sextant being all one piece but the microscope is built from scratch.

You get the entire cast from Dino Island minus Sam Sinister's sister (name is eluding me right now). For dinosaurs, you get everything from this line sans the Triceratops. The baby T-Rex has a single connection on the bottom, and can be held by a minifigure comfortably. The Pteranodon is an odd one. It's feet are clamps but there's not much use for them, but it can be put onto any 2x2 stud surface, and it has two studs on top. The Tyrannosaurus and Stegosaurus both have four studs on top (perfectly for a minifigure to ride on) along with a 4x6 foot print. Though they're the titular characters, the dinosaurs are rather tiny compared to their actual size and should be considered accessories rather than the stars. The Stegosaurus reuses the tail from a LEGO crocodile, and the Tyrannosaurus reuses the arms from a LEGO dragon, firmly placing them into the LEGO animal family, which makes it a shame that none of these molds lived past 2001.

If there's anything else of note, for one, the front of the box opens up to give a peak at the pieces inside. The right side of the box includes a plastic insert to show off all the dinosaurs, and there's a cardboard divider as well. This and the set's construction make it easy to just disassemble the big chunks and comfortably put them back in for storage. The instructions also include some brief steps for alternate builds, at a very rare period when LEGO actually did that, though the alternative builds aren't anything special. The instructions also end on a brief summary of the species included, though since LEGO instructions are supposed to be language independent, there's not much they can do. Interesting to see lumbering tail-dragging dinosaurs in 2000 however. What seals the overall set for me is this set includes the same 2001 catalog I originally saw this in, it all comes around full circle...

[plethoraworldatlas]

Climate action groups are vehemently rejecting the Biden administration's claim that the approval of a new offshore oil terminal—planned to be the largest in the U.S.—is in the "national interest," after the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the project had met several federal requirements and could begin operations by 2027.

The agency's Maritime Administration said last week that Enterprise Product Partners, a Houston-based pipeline company, had been granted a deepwater port license to build the Sea Port Oil Terminal (SPOT) near Freeport, Texas following a five-year federal review process.

The federal government determined the $1.8 billion terminal project had undergone sufficient environmental impact reviews and would overall benefit the country—even as it was projected by the Sierra Club, which has fought SPOT for several years, to emit greenhouse gases equivalent to those of nearly 90 coal-fired power plants.

"The evidence is clear that SPOT would be catastrophic to the climate, wildlife, and frontline communities of the Gulf," said Devorah Ancel, senior attorney with the Sierra Club. "It threatens the future existence of the endangered Rice's whale with a population of less than fifty, and its ozone pollution would compromise the health of thousands of Gulf residents who have endured decades of fossil fuel industry pollution. Make no mistake, SPOT is not in the national interest."

The project is expected to include two pipelines that would carry crude oil to the deepwater port each day, enabling the export of 2 million barrels of crude oil, loaded onto two supertankers at once, daily.

"Nothing about this project is in alignment with Biden's climate and environmental justice goals," said Kelsey Crane, senior policy advocate at Earthworks. "The communities that will be impacted by SPOT have once again been ignored and will be forced to live with the threat of more oil spills, explosions, and pollution. The best way to protect the public and the climate from the harms of oil is to keep it in the ground."

[flightlessribbons]

POKEVERSE SUMMIT PROLOGUE

Note: I'll write the entire summit pic (Have been working on and off on it between school) and will eventually post the whole thing on Ao3! For the time being now though, while it's still mostly a draft, I just wanted to post the prologue! I love making scenes with all the groups all under one roof and fleshing out relationships that may not have any reason to interact otherwise!

Prologue

The doors creaked to a close as the last name on the list entered the building, Silver's eyes wandering critically about the smaller than expected attendance. The elite four member scoffed at the high ceilings of the wide entrance room of the Opelucid city mansion that held the long awaited summit.

“Seems a bit overkill for a group with the same numbers as big as a school classroom.” 

Jabbing her elbow deep into his side, Kris ignored her friend’s hiss in favor of glaring at him. “You complained on the way here about the possibility that the venue was too small, and now it's too big? Get over yourself!” He muttered a passive aggressive apology, rubbing his sore side while taking stock of his surroundings again.

The small audience milled about in the large front room, the hum of conversation diluted among the large space. With everybody pushed as far into the corners as they could, it surely looked less like an exclusive invite only event and more like a reluctant workplace party.

Silver recognized some of them, of course- The Kanto attendants were next to their own little group. Gold has been animatedly retelling a story to Red and Blue- the dark haired man hanging on to the tale with unrivaled interest, while the lighter haired man nodded politely along. Leaf and Lyra had been giggling for the last ten minutes, pointing at the way the clock’s second hand moved funny. Kris offhandedly wondered aloud if a ghost pokemon had anything to do with it. 

Though the majority of guests he failed to recognize. A group from Sinnoh draped in clothes much too warm for the cooler Unova region in the spring, talked quietly, other than a blonde man and a bespectacled woman making jabs at each other about personal financial debt. 

While he took some grace at the fact they were across the room so he didn't have to crane his head to even glance at them- the group from Galar was too tall for Silver's liking. On top of their intimidating heights, one girl was dressed in an outfit ripped straight from a fairytale, laughing far too loudly, her arms waving wildly in her large sleeves. Silver shook his head at the noise.

The trio from Hoenn was alarmingly peaceful in the corner by the fireplace. The lanky professor took up less space than his shorter wife, though he seemed at ease at the fact. She commanded a strong presence even as she simply joked with her green haired friend who only clicked his tongue at her tone with an unserious grin.

The Unovans were the largest in size, though Silver would argue the most boring. Save perhaps the girl on the side who dressed in pastels and loud shapes and her companion with a scowl and a mess of hair on his head, Silver glazed over the group easily. 

He recognized one face in the rambunctious group from Alola, though he dared not greet his former student at the moment. Not while his company was the reason for most of the noise in the room as they cheered at a rotom phone for one reason or another. 

“Hello everyone! Welcome to PROJECT PRYGON! "PRYGON" being a stylized variant of PPR-GON: the "Pokemon Preservation and Restoration- Group Organized Network!”

Silver's attention was caught at the wordy acronym, his head swiveling to his right. Just in front of the large door to the north wall, a blue haired woman stood excitedly, her hands clapped together. Her dark cheeks flushed with adrenaline as she continued with a wide smile, “Thank you for coming! I know almost all of you had traveled far at our invitation, and I wanna emphasize how much it means to us that you've managed to be here today!

“That said!” she grabbed a stack of papers from a service tray behind her, “Would you each please grab a form and fill it out before we proceed with today's activities?”

…

“Why do I need to have an opinion on the state of berries in my local ecosystem?” Silver mumbled to himself, paper gripped frustratingly in his crossed arms. He stood in the line to turn in his form, though a complication in the front caused him to stand stagnant for a moment. Separated from his friends who took longer to fill it out, the redhead jumped as a voice quipped behind him.

“Perhaps that question wasn't for you, then.”

Turning to see who spoke, a brown eyed young man peered straight at him. Silver felt uneasy under his gaze.

“Pardon?”

“Perhaps that question wasn't meant for you.” The brown haired man repeated, unwavering. He glanced at Silver's crumpled paper. “I'm guessing you didn't care much about naming your favorite pokémon historical event either?”

The redhead narrowed his eyes at the man, “Can't say that I did.”

“Questioning the theory of song in pokémon handling and evolution?”

“Not my expertise.”

A grin broke out on the man's face, like he'd made progress in a puzzle. “I see. You were able to answer the questions about pokemon battling, right? About using the right items and such?”

“Maybe I did- why do you care?”

The stranger's back straightened, a hand coming up to adjust the brim of his hat. He seemed to be calculating at a mile a minute, analyzing every spoken and unspoken word with an eerily keen eye. His smile returned to his face, smaller but more accomplished and content. 

It unnerved the older man.

“All to know which questions are right for each person. Everyone here's got their own favorites.”

His eyes flickered away for a second before returning, his voice lighthearted as he spoke. “You’re up.”

The redhead ripped himself away from the odd conversation, walking forward to hand his paper to the service attendant. Looping back to his friends, he didn't dare spare a glance to the weird stranger. His discontented frown only softened when Lyra sat next to him, her cheeks rosy. She squealed and patted at Silver’s leg, “I wasn't expecting that at all! What a fun questionnaire!”

He stared blankly at his girlfriend, “What about that was fun to you?”

The brunette scoffed at him, as if he'd told a bad joke, “Number 14 was about the importance of breeding patterns and egg groups! No one ever asks about that- and as one grandchild of a daycare couple, it means a lot to see it up there! Everything important is usually about battling- so you never have a problem being seen.” Lyra pouted a bit, and settled more into her chair, letting her words sink into the man beside her. 

“The questions…not for me.”

Sparing a look across the room, he found the odd young man in the Unova group, unseeming and relaxed in the way he carried himself. For someone so nonchalant, Silver couldn't picture him as the same person behind him in line.

At least not until Leaf had come up and pointed at the odd man minutes later with pride, “Y’know, that's my nephew! Isn't he so tall now?”

Looking at his brunette friend, so well known for her exuberant personality, and a little less well known for her scarily critical mind and instincts, Silver only sighed in full understanding.

“I can really see the family resemblance.”

[atplblog]

Price: [price_with_discount] (as of [price_update_date] - Details) [ad_1] Product Description Love Fresh Ideas. Love Liebherr Since 1949 Liebherr, a family-owned company, was founded in 1949 by Hans Liebherr with the invention of the world’s first mobile tower crane. Over 75 years, Liebherr has become synonymous with high-quality equipment for building homes and businesses, and premium appliances. Headquartered in Germany, Liebherr leads in premium refrigeration, offering the widest range of freezers, refrigerators, and wine cabinets in Europe. The company employs over 46,000 people across 130 companies in more than 50 countries. Liebherr produces over 2.1 million appliances annually, making it Europe’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of fridges and freezers for both consumer and professional use. Now in India Bringing its commitment to excellence and outstanding track record to the Indian marketplace is a key initiative for Liebherr. The company is introducing numerous innovative products, ideas, top-quality appliances. Liebherr Frost Free Refrigerator Industry First Hot to Cool NextGen 8 Step Inverter Compressor Bigger Vegetable basket with Humidity slider Adjustable shelves Heat Sensor Runs on Home Inverter Central Power Cooling Powered by accelerated air circulation, our uniquely designed central power cooling system provides fast and uniform cooling in all sections of the refrigerator. Vegetable Basket with Humidity slider You can be sure leafy vegetables or fruit are kept apart with our intelligently designed vegetable drawer. The unique design of the sorting system offers flexible spaces and separate compartments for herbs and smaller veg. Inverter Compressor Our refrigerators have NextGen 8 step inverter compressors, delivering outstanding refrigeration performance along with optimum energy efficiency and minimum noise. Extra Large Door Rack These extra-large and practical bottle shelves provide easy, convenient storage of bottles and various sized items. They can also be split into two compartments, creating even more flexibility.

Toughened Glass Super-strong and stylish shelves made with excellent quality glass that can hold up to 150 kgs of weight. Temperature Sensors Advanced temperature sensors in our product can detect temperature differences of up to 1 degree*, therefore helping maintain the right temperature throughout the refrigerator and allowing superior food preservation. Low voltage startability •The refrigerator can function with minor voltage fluctuation as well. (As per the specified range, the cooling performance may not be at its best). Our next gen compressor works at a wider voltage range of 100V* to 285V*. •*Specified operating voltage range is tested under lab conditions at 25⁰ C ambient temperature. Antibacterial Gasket The anti bacterial feature enhances the overall hygiene of the refrigerator by inhibiting the growth of bacteria on the gasket surface. It creates an airtight seal when the door is closed, helping to maintain the internal temperature and keep food fresh. Premium Door Finish Liebherr has been working with various finishes to give products a trendy and premium look. Which enhances appearance, Look and feel. LED Lighting Even lighting , optimum illumination for better visibility. Maintenance free, compact and energy efficient: our long-lasting LEDs provide perfect illumination for the interior. And, on account of their low heat emission, fresh food is always safely stored. Runs on Home Inverter Runs on home inverter feature ensures that the appliance can continue to function when the main power supply is interrupted. This is particularly useful to prevent food spoilage during extended power cuts. Pocket Handle Our

pocket handle is recessed into the door, contributing to a more sleek and integrated appearance. It aligns well with modern kitchen styles, contributing to a cohesive and stylish appearance. Frost free Refrigerator: NextGen 8-step Inverter Compressor | Hot to Cool | Central Power cooling | Tempreture Sensor | Energy Saving | Convenient height adjustment for Toughened glass shelves | Pocket Handle | Anti backterial Gasket Capacity Liters: 245L suitable for families with 3 to 4 members Energy Rating : 2 Star Energy Efficiency Interior Description : Refrigerator Capacity : 194 Ltr | Freezer Capacity : 51 Ltr | Total no. of compartments : 2 | Shelves : 4 | Vegetable Drawers : 1 | Shelf Type : Toughened Glass Shelves with 150 Kg weight carrying capacity Special Features : Hot to Cool | Adjustable shelves "Inch by Inch" | Pocket Handle | | | Stabilizer Free Operation (100v - 285v) | Runs on Home Inveter | Additional Features : Easy Clean Back | Bigger size Vegetable Basket with humidity Control| LED Light | Premium Door Finish | Flexible & Twist Ice Tray | Egg Tray | Adjustable Feet | Bigger vegetable basket pullout @ 90° door opening Item Dimensions : (WxHxD)(mm): 595x1495x676 mm | Net Weight 53 kg Included in the box : 1 Refrigerator unit | Warranty Card | Quick Reference Guide | Egg Tray | Flexible Twist Ice Tray & Accessories as per product features and category [ad_2]

[indef1]

A Look at the Best Chain Pulley Block Manufacturers in India: What Sets Them Apart

Chain pulley blocks are essential lifting devices used across various industries, from construction to manufacturing. In India, several manufacturers have distinguished themselves through quality, innovation, and customer service. This blog explores some of the best chain pulley block manufacturers in India and what sets them apart in a competitive market.

1. Konecranes India

Overview: Konecranes is a global leader in crane manufacturing, including chain pulley blocks. Their Indian subsidiary has made significant strides in providing high-quality lifting solutions.

What Sets Them Apart:

Advanced Technology: Konecranes incorporates state-of-the-art technology into their products, enhancing safety and efficiency.

Custom Solutions: They offer tailored solutions to meet specific customer requirements, ensuring optimal performance in diverse applications.

Robust Service Network: With a strong service presence across India, they provide excellent after-sales support, which is crucial for maintaining equipment reliability.

2. Ingersoll Rand India

Overview: Ingersoll Rand is well-known for its industrial equipment, including chain pulley blocks. They focus on innovation and sustainability in their manufacturing processes.

What Sets Them Apart:

Sustainability Initiatives: Ingersoll Rand prioritizes eco-friendly practices, from production to product lifecycle management.

Diverse Product Range: They offer a wide variety of chain pulley blocks designed for different load capacities and applications, catering to various industry needs.

Strong R&D: Continuous investment in research and development ensures their products remain at the forefront of technology.

3. Liftwell Industries

Overview: Liftwell Industries is a prominent Indian manufacturer specializing in lifting and hoisting equipment, including chain pulley blocks.

What Sets Them Apart:

Local Expertise: With a deep understanding of the Indian market, Liftwell provides solutions tailored to local industries.

Quality Assurance: Their products undergo rigorous quality checks to meet international standards, ensuring reliability and safety.

Customer-Centric Approach: Liftwell focuses on customer feedback to refine their products and services continually.

4. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)

Overview: BHEL is one of India's largest engineering and manufacturing companies, producing a wide range of equipment, including chain pulley blocks.

What Sets Them Apart:

Government Backing: Being a public sector enterprise, BHEL benefits from strong government support, enhancing their credibility and stability.

Extensive Experience: With decades of experience in the industry, BHEL has developed a reputation for quality and reliability.

Comprehensive Solutions: They provide complete lifting solutions, including design, manufacturing, and installation services.

5. Rajesh Industries

Overview: Rajesh Industries is a well-regarded manufacturer of lifting equipment, including chain pulley blocks, known for their focus on quality and customer satisfaction.

What Sets Them Apart:

Customization Options: They offer a range of customizable products, allowing clients to choose specifications that best fit their operational needs.

Competitive Pricing: Rajesh Industries provides high-quality products at competitive prices, making them accessible for various businesses.

Strong Local Presence: With a robust distribution network, they ensure timely delivery and support across the country.

Conclusion

India's chain pulley block manufacturing sector is marked by several key players who excel in quality, innovation, and customer service. Manufacturers like Konecranes, Ingersoll Rand, Liftwell Industries, BHEL, and Rajesh Industries each bring unique strengths to the table, ensuring that businesses have access to reliable and efficient lifting solutions. As industries continue to grow, these manufacturers are poised to meet increasing demands while prioritizing safety and sustainability. When choosing a chain pulley block, considering these manufacturers can help ensure you’re making a wise investment for your operations.

[sunaleisocial]

Controlled Propulsion for Gentle Landings  - NASA

New Post has been published on https://sunalei.org/news/controlled-propulsion-for-gentle-landings-nasa/

Controlled Propulsion for Gentle Landings  - NASA

A valve designed for NASA rover landings enables effective stage separations for commercial spaceflight

The Curiosity and Perseverance Mars rovers continue to provide a wealth of information about the Red Planet. This was made possible in part by the sky crane landing systems that safely lowered them to the planet’s surface. Their successful descent, managed by eight powerful engines, depended on one small part – a valve. 

The engines produced about 750 pounds of thrust each, so they required more fuel than a conventional valve could deliver, said Carl Guernsey, propulsion subsystem chief engineer for the Mars Sample Laboratory Mission. 

“With the engines pointing down, we throttle up and increase the thrust, so we slow down,” said Guernsey. “At a certain altitude above the surface, you hold at a constant velocity to collect more sensor data, and then proceed with the rest of the descent.”  

With only seconds for sensor data to identify the landing area and direct any last-minute diversion maneuvers, landing requires fuel available at the right time. To build the valve to help accomplish this task, NASA turned to a company that has provided the space program with reliable gas regulators since the 1950s. Through a series of mergers, by 2021, the original company, called Conax Florida, became part of Eaton based in Orchard Park, New York.  

Working under contract with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, the company developed a new one-time-use pyrovalve to sit between the hydrazine fuel tank and engines. The zero-leak valve was the largest ever made of its type at the time, at three-fourths of an inch. 

The Y-shaped pipe with a pair of leak-proof solid metal barriers prevented propellant from flowing. The valve contains a pyrotechnic charge that activates a piston called a flying ram, which shears off the barriers, allowing fuel to flow. But a problem arose during flight qualification testing. Sometimes the ram didn’t stay wedged in place at the bottom, posing a blockage risk. 

The solution the team came up with had never been tried before – magnets at the bottom of the valve. But the successful Perseverance landing in 2021 proved it works. The same valve is included in the Perseverance rover and now enables commercial rocket-stage separation in space. 

[livingstonbusinessbuzzchatter]

Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant to Power Microsoft's Data Centers

The Three Mile Island power plant in Middletown, Pennsylvania, site of the most significant nuclear accident in U.S. history, is set to reopen. The plant will now serve a new purpose—powering Microsoft’s data centers, which are crucial for the company’s cloud computing and artificial intelligence operations.

Constellation Energy, known as the largest producer of clean, carbon-free energy in America, has entered into its most substantial power purchase agreement yet with Microsoft. This partnership is set to provide reliable, carbon-free energy essential for powering industries that are crucial to the U.S.'s economic and technological competitiveness.

Joe Dominguez, president and CEO of Constellation Energy, emphasized the unique capacity of nuclear energy to deliver constant, carbon-free power, crucial for data centers that operate around the clock. The deal is expected to generate significant economic benefits, including the creation of approximately 3,400 jobs and an injection of more than $3 billion in taxes into state and federal coffers. Furthermore, it's projected to contribute $16 billion to Pennsylvania's GDP.

The power plant, which will be renamed the Crane Clean Energy Center in honor of the late Chris Crane, former CEO of Constellation's parent company, is scheduled to reopen in 2028 and will operate under a 20-year agreement.

While nuclear energy provides a carbon-free alternative to fossil fuels, it remains controversial. The reactor at Three Mile Island set to power Microsoft was not involved in the 1979 accident, and before its closure in 2019 due to economic reasons, it was considered one of the safest and most reliable in the grid. This reopening has sparked concerns among state activists about the potential financial burden on taxpayers.

This development marks a significant step in Pennsylvania's journey toward a sustainable energy future, contributing to both economic growth and environmental preservation.

Please reference the original article at NPR.org.

__________

Founded in 1994, Creative Programs and Systems delivers professional results for all your computer needs. We design, create, and code various custom software programs and websites. Additionally, we offer superior digital marketing services, including enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid advertising. We also repair and support commercial computer infrastructure, build custom systems and servers, and provide secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call (810)224-5252 or email info@cpsmi.com us!

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com

[divinejhonson]

Concrete Pumping Technology: Transforming Karachi’s Construction Landscape

 The construction industry in Karachi, one of Pakistan’s largest and most rapidly growing cities, is experiencing a revolution in terms of technology and efficiency. As urbanization accelerates, the need for modern construction techniques becomes more pressing. One such technological advancement that has significantly impacted Karachi’s construction landscape is concrete pumping technology. This innovation has streamlined building processes, enhanced efficiency, and contributed to the rise of high-quality infrastructure.

What is Concrete Pumping Technology?

Concrete pumping technology involves the use of pumps to transfer liquid concrete through hoses and pipelines to the desired location on a construction site. This system eliminates the need for manual labor in transporting concrete, which was the traditional method. There are two main types of concrete pumps: boom pumps and line pumps. Boom pumps are commonly used for large construction projects, allowing concrete to be delivered to hard-to-reach areas, while line pumps are better suited for smaller projects.

The introduction of concrete pumping technology in Karachi has drastically improved the speed and accuracy of concrete placement, making it an essential part of modern construction projects.

The Role of Concrete Pumps in Karachi’s Growing Infrastructure

Karachi’s construction industry is booming due to an increase in real estate projects, commercial developments, and government infrastructure initiatives. From skyscrapers to residential buildings and bridges, the demand for concrete is immense. Traditional concrete pouring methods have become outdated, as they are labor-intensive and time-consuming. Concrete pump Karachi technology is now the preferred choice for many construction companies, as it offers a more efficient and precise way to transport concrete to construction sites.

Advantages of Concrete Pumping in Karachi

Concrete pumping technology offers numerous benefits, particularly for a fast-growing city like Karachi. Below are some of the key advantages that are reshaping the construction landscape:

1. Increased Speed and Efficiency

One of the most significant benefits of concrete pumping is the ability to transport concrete quickly and efficiently. Instead of relying on wheelbarrows or cranes to move concrete, a pump can deliver it directly to the desired location. This dramatically reduces construction time, allowing contractors to complete projects faster and meet tight deadlines.

In a bustling city like Karachi, where time is money, the speed provided by concrete pump Karachi services is invaluable. Faster completion times also mean reduced labor costs and better allocation of resources.

2. Enhanced Precision and Flexibility

Concrete pumps offer exceptional precision, allowing contractors to pour concrete exactly where it’s needed. This is especially beneficial for large-scale projects or those that require concrete in difficult-to-access areas, such as high-rise buildings or narrow spaces.

The flexibility of concrete pumps also enables contractors to pour concrete at different angles and heights, which is crucial for Karachi’s modern skyscrapers and complex structures. The use of boom pumps, which can extend vertically and horizontally, allows for greater control and accuracy.

3. Reduced Labor Costs

The use of concrete pumps significantly reduces the amount of manual labor required on construction sites. In traditional methods, workers were needed to transport and pour concrete manually, which was time-consuming and required a larger workforce. With concrete pumps, fewer workers are needed, as the pump handles most of the work. This reduction in labor translates to lower operational costs for construction companies in Karachi.

4. Better Quality of Work

Concrete pumping ensures a continuous and consistent flow of concrete, which leads to a better-quality finish. Manual concrete pouring often results in uneven surfaces, air pockets, and other imperfections. Concrete pumps, however, allow for a smooth and uniform application, ensuring the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure projects.

Given Karachi’s extreme climate and rapid urbanization, high-quality construction is essential to ensure the longevity of structures. Concrete pump Karachi technology delivers better results in terms of durability and precision.

5. Safer Working Environment

Using a concrete pump reduces the risk of accidents on construction sites. Traditional concrete pouring methods often involve heavy lifting and transporting concrete across uneven terrain, which can be hazardous. Concrete pumps eliminate the need for workers to be in potentially dangerous areas, leading to fewer injuries and a safer working environment overall.

Safety is a top priority for construction companies in Karachi, and concrete pumping technology helps minimize risks.

Applications of Concrete Pumps in Karachi’s Construction Projects

Concrete pumps are versatile and can be used for a wide range of construction projects in Karachi. Some of the common applications include:

1. High-Rise Buildings

Karachi’s skyline is expanding rapidly, with numerous high-rise buildings and skyscrapers being developed. Concrete pumps, particularly boom pumps, are essential for these projects, as they allow for the precise placement of concrete at great heights. These pumps can reach upper floors with ease, making them indispensable for vertical construction.

2. Commercial and Residential Developments

Concrete pumps are widely used in the construction of commercial complexes and residential buildings throughout Karachi. Whether it’s a large shopping mall or a residential apartment complex, concrete pumps offer the speed and precision necessary for large-scale construction.

3. Infrastructure Projects

Karachi’s infrastructure is constantly evolving, with new roads, bridges, and flyovers being constructed to accommodate the city’s growing population. Concrete pumps play a crucial role in these infrastructure projects, enabling contractors to place concrete efficiently and precisely, especially in areas that are hard to reach using traditional methods.

4. Industrial Projects

Karachi’s industrial sector is also experiencing growth, with the construction of factories, warehouses, and industrial complexes on the rise. Concrete pumps are ideal for these projects due to their ability to handle large volumes of concrete in a short amount of time.

The Future of Concrete Pumping in Karachi

As Karachi continues to grow and modernize, the demand for innovative construction technologies like concrete pumping will only increase. The city’s development projects are becoming more complex, requiring faster, safer, and more efficient construction methods. Concrete pumping technology is well-positioned to meet these demands and will likely become an even more integral part of Karachi’s construction industry.

Construction companies that adopt concrete pumping technology will have a competitive edge, as they can complete projects faster and with better quality. The future of Karachi’s construction landscape is bright, and concrete pumps will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping the city’s infrastructure.

Your Trusted Partner for Concrete Pumping in Karachi

When it comes to reliable concrete pumping services in Karachi, Allied Materials stands out as a leader in the industry. We provide state-of-the-art concrete pump Karachi services that are tailored to meet the unique needs of every project, from residential buildings to large-scale infrastructure developments. Our advanced concrete pumping technology ensures that your construction projects are completed efficiently, safely, and with the highest quality standards.

At Allied Materials, we understand the importance of staying ahead in the rapidly evolving construction industry. That’s why we offer cutting-edge solutions that help you achieve success in your projects. Whether you’re working on a high-rise building, a commercial complex, or an industrial site, our concrete pumping services are designed to deliver the best results.

Conclusion

Concrete pumping technology is revolutionizing Karachi’s construction industry, offering faster, more efficient, and safer ways to transport and place concrete. As the city’s infrastructure and skyline continue to evolve, concrete pumps will play an increasingly vital role in shaping its future. By embracing this innovative technology, construction companies can improve their productivity, reduce costs, and deliver high-quality results.