#minister salute to doctor

[dpr-lahore-division]

With the compliments from, The Directorate General Public Relations,

Government of the Punjab, Lahore.Ph:99201390

No.1108

HANDOUT(A)

CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif Visits Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) Lahore

Lahore, 23 October 2024:

“Take administrative measures on war footing for improvement in PIC,” Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned during her visit to Punjab Institute of Cardiology Lahore. As soon as the patient saw Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in the air ambulance *patient ward, who was shifted from Bahawalpur to Lahore saluted and offered a lot of prayers for CM Punjab. CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif also inquired after the patient Amjad Ali and prayed for his complete the recovery of health who was shifted to PIC by Air Ambulance from Bahawalpur.* Heart patient Amjad Ali saluted Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on the launch of Air Ambulance Service and appreciated the Air Ambulance Service. She also directed them for the completion of PIC 2 at the earliest to reduce rush of patients in PIC. She said,”Immediately appoint Administrative Head in PIC-2, because people cannot be left at the mercy of mafias.”

Madam Chief Minister directed the relevant authorities to provide the best modern machinery and cath lab in PIC-2. She had a detailed inspection of the emergency ward, and observed the arrival of patients in the triage area and the system of initiation of treatment.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif Inspected the Air Ambulance Patient Ward, and visited Amjad Ali, a heart patient transferred by air ambulance from Bahawalpur. Amjad Ali paid greetings and gave many prayers to the Chief Minister on the launch of Air Ambulance Service. Interacting with Amjad Ali, Madam Chief Minister said,”Air Ambulance Service is a public right. No favors to anyone.” She also visited the patients undergoing treatment in the emergency ward.

Madam Chief Minister interacted with the patients and the doctors, and directed the relevant authorities to immediately resolve their issues. She stopped by the emergency ward after seeing an elderly husband and wife, and interacted with the elderly patient Ghulam Fareed.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed for the immediate treatment of Khushi Muhammad, another elderly patient. She expressed displeasure for not providing an emergency wheelchair immediately to the elderly patient. She later visited the elderly patient Khushi Muhammad in the ward and witnessed the treatment herself. She strictly stopped the security personnel from interfering in the movement of patients.

Earlier, Executive Director PIC gave a detailed briefing to Madam Chief Minister on revamping plan and other issues of the hospital. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the hospital management to take strict action against the corrupt elements who are causing trouble for the people.

*****

[sebeth]

All-Star Squadron #9 (Revised 1/21/24)

All-Star Squadron #9 by Roy Thomas, Adrian Gonzales, and Jerry Ordway.

Warning, Spoilers Ahead…

“Should Old Acquaintance Be Destroyed…”

Liberty Belle, Johnny Quick, Hawkgirl, Commander Steel, Atom, Robotman, Firebrand, and the Shining Knight share a New Year’s Eve toast with FDR and Winston Churchill.

Sir Justin toasts Churchill: “I would salute Winston Churchill – the Prime Minister of a beleaguered and embattled Britain.  Aye, verily, from my liege King Arthur’s day to this, there be no man more worthy of knighthood, and of merrie England’s gratitude.  In sooth, sir, you are Britain – in this which you yourself named its finest hour!”

I forgot to mention it last issue but Sir Justin had a last name created for him. He is known as Justin Arthur in the modern time.

FDR has arranged for Hawkgirl to receive a phone call from Hawkman at midnight.

Firebrand’s brother, Rod, still hasn’t recovered enough to be sent stateside from Pearl Harbor.

The Atom, as Private Al Pratt, will return to his tank corps training in Virginia.

The All-Stars ask Steel to continue his story – what happened after he and two British commandos landed behind Nazi lined in Poland. The first part of his origin story was in All-Star Squadron #8 which I recapped in an earlier post.

Steel relates Antoni, Ludeck, and he landed near Konigsberg in East Prussia. The trio are soon ambushed by German forces, led by “Ein Schlachter”, the Butcher.  Steel’s comrades are killed and he is captured.

Steel, stripped of his costume, awakens in a concentration camp.  Steel speaks to a few of the camp’s prisoners and attempts to escape but is quickly re-captured.  Steel’s antics capture the camp scientists’ attention and they discover his enhancements.

The scientist recalls a medical conference in Munich where Gilbert Giles (Steel’s creator) discussed the possibility of the enhancements. One of Steel’s captors refer to him as an “uber-soldat” which translates to super-soldier. A nice reference since the creators of Steel intended for the character to be an homage to Captain America’s World War II adventures.

Steel makes yet another escape attempt and once again fails. A prisoner grabs a bottle of acid and throws it at the Butcher causing a massive facial disfigurement. Steel falls into unconsciousness.

Steel finishes his tale by informing the All-Stars that’s the last moment he remembers.  He has no idea how he ended up in Ottawa in time to save Winston Churchill.

Elsewhere in Washington D.C., Baron Blitzkrieg gloats about his upcoming victory. The Baron reveals he was “the Butcher”.  The German doctors were able to save his eyesight after the acid attack but his face was beyond repair.  He was used as a guinea pig and the experiments allowed him to “siphon off the mind’s vast energies – giving him full control, for brief periods, of his body’s resources…he could be super-strong or amazingly swift…even soar like a bird!”

The Baron reveals he created Steel’s amnesia and installed an order to assassinate Churchill when he hears the words “now begins the age of chaos”.  The Baron sent Steel to Ottawa to stop “the Black Assassin” and gain the confidence of the All-Stars, FDR, and Churchill.  Kung, however, was a wild card.

Midnight strikes and Hawkman and Hawkgirl are chatting on the phone.  Hawkman is stationed near San Francisco.

The Hawks’ call is interrupted by an individual asking for Steel.  Steel answers the phone.  FDR wonders how anyone would even know Steel was at the White House.  An immediately suspicious Liberty Belle orders Johnny Quick to remove FDR and Churchill from the room.  FDR agrees: “I’ve found Liberty Belle’s instincts to be almost flawless.”

Steel pursues the fleeing Johnny Quick, FDR, and Churchill.

“Good Gravy” – I love the old-fashioned comic book expressions.

Steel locks the doors behind him but it takes the Shining Knight and Robotman a whopping one second to destroy the doors.

The remaining All-Stars catch up with the brawling Steel and Johnny Quick. Johnny’s faster but Steel hits harder – the advantage of having steel-lined bones.

Firebrand surrounds FDR and Churchill in a ring of fire to prevent Steel from reaching the leaders.

The Shining Knight cautions his teammates: “No – wait, all! Truly, he is enchanted somehow! We must needs find the key that will release him from the spell!”

Sir Justin continues to be my favorite All-Star – observant, compassionate, a true knight.

Robotman confronts Steel in a “Man of Steel” fight.  Unfortunately, Superman doesn’t drop in to make it a three-way fight for the title.

Firebrand throws a ball of fire at Steel’s face causing Baron Blitzkrieg to recoil in emotional trauma and destroying the psychic link to Steel.

Steel, dazed and confused, has no idea what’s going on.

Robotman offers to check out Steel’s infrastructure for any surprises.

Johnny Quick and Liberty Belle, along with the Shining Knight and Firebrand, share their first kiss.

Baron Blitzkrieg, big bad Nazi villain, whimpers for Zwerg, his faithful sidekick: “Zwerg…Zwerg! Help me, Zwerg…don’t leave me…it’s…so dark in here…can’t see!  Please – turn on the lights! Promise me, Zwerg…promise me I will see again!”

Zwerg assures the Baron: “I promise, Herr Baron.  You shall see again – and on that day, we’ll strike like lightning in the night, you and I, and smash the Allies, and their hated All-Star Squadron, for all time!”

Sorry, Baron, I can’t muster any sympathy for you – not only are you a Nazi, but you were also in charge of a concentration camp. I hope Firebrand throws a fireball at your face every time she encounters you!

[blueboxphenomenon]

Ugly bugger, isn't he?

This photograph was uploaded to the "who is doctor who?" website in 2006, shortly after a large craft side-swiped Big Ben and crashed into the Thames. These events were widely reported upon by news stations around the world. Alien bodies were said to have been recovered. The prime minister went missing and was subsequently replaced by Joseph Green and then Harriet Jones after 10 Downing Street was somehow destroyed.

Does any of this sound familiar? No? That's because the press immediately went into a frenzy backtracking on everything and claiming any evidence of what was witnessed was actually an elaborate hoax, leaving those who were directly affected by these events to feel ostracized and oppressed. The UK was left operating out of a temporary office in Westminster, with many of its defenses down. Two PMs disappeared, presumed killed. An unelected official took over the UK twice. And nobody was phased at all. Not properly. They gossiped about it but it was quickly forgotten and everyone went back to life as usual. People now don't even seem to remember it happened. How is that? That is not normal.

The uploader of the photograph was one "Mickey Smith," possibly an alias, who took over the "who is doctor who?" website after Clive Finch was tragically killed in the "dummy massacre" in 2005, which resembled the Black Thursday event of the late 20th century. Mickey claimed the creature is called a "Slitheen" and that they were responsible for attempting to plunge Earth into interplanetary war that dark March week in 2006. He also mentions the involvement of the Doctor.

I've met the Slitheen. They're not nice. And I know that the Doctor, this God of Outer Mystery, walked in, and saved the world. There was death. There always is around him. But this time, I'm starting to think that he really meant well.

He also followed up by publicising the UNIT website. It's thanks to his efforts that groups like LINDA, Alien Road, The Blue Box Files, and Into The Unknown have the network we do now. Mickey Smith, we salute you!

[drsudhirgiri]

Shri Venkateshwara University held its 9th Convocation ceremony by awarding degrees and medals to over 200 students.

On July 21, Shri Venkateshwara University held its 9th Convocation ceremony, awarding degrees and medals to over 200 MBBS and PhD scholars for their exceptional performance.

The Chancellor Dr Sudhir Giri exhorted the researchers & Doctors to offer their services to the remotest hamlet by helping the needy & poor.

This will lead to nation development & will be my real Guru Dakshina he said.

The Group Chairman Dr Sudhir Giri, Sugarcane Minister & the CG Mr. Sanjay Gangwar, Special Guest Minister of State for Energy Mr Somendra Tomar & the Pro Chancellor Dr Rajiv Tyagi inaugurated the Convocation Ceremony 2023 by taking the Guard of Honor & took the salute of the parade.

Dr Sumedha Didi, Administrator of Gurukul Kanya Mahavidyalaya, & Prof. VPS Arora Chief Advisor to Group Chairman, assisted them in inaugurating the event.

After this, the dignitaries honoured Dr Madonna Roy, Dr Diksha Adhlakha, & Dr Senam Sood with Gold, Silver & Bronze medals respectively.

The Chancellor, Pro Chancellor, and VC, along with dignitaries, conferred degrees to PhD researchers and MBBS graduates.

In his address, the Group Chairman Dr Sudhir Giri, reiterated the degrees are just an entry ticket for your profession. For success, one should work with determination, sincerity & consistently give their 100 percent to their work. He said your journey is incomplete until you help the last person in the row & bring him into the national mainstream.

The CG, Mr. Sanjay Gangwar, affirmed that education, medicine, and health are essential to human life, and Venkateshwara Group is doing a commendable work in these fields.

The MOS for Energy Dr Somendra Tomar asserted your achievements are not personal but the honor of society, nation & the Institute are aligned with it. In your life, uplifting the image of the institution should be primary.

The Venkateshwara Group is a perfect blend of education, medicine, healthcare, and culture, according to Dr. Sumedha Didi.

Dr. Rajiv Tyagi, the Pro Chancellor, acknowledged that the University's students are its real heritage. Through their achievements, they will establish new benchmarks for the University on the global stage

On this occasion, the VC Dr Rakesh Yadav presented the annual progress report of the University.

The gathering included the Chief Advisor Dr. VPS Arora, CEO Mr. Ajay Shrivastava, Registrar Dr Piyush Pandey, Dean Medical Dr. Atul Verma, and the Dean Academics Dr. Sanjiv Bhatt.

The MS Dr I B Raju, Dr SN Sahu, Consultant Mr RS Sharma, Shubham Chaudhary, Vikas Bhatia, Jasmeet Singh, Dr Rajesh Singh, Maroof Chaudhary, Dr Mohit Sharma, and Arun Goswami were also present.

Mr SS Baghel & the Media In charge Mr. Vishwas Rana gave their valuable contribution to the event.

[totallyhussein-blog]

For World War II veteran Peter Essa, he carried his wound for 78 years

Private First Class Peter Essa, a Chaldean American and World War II veteran, seemed to have unknowingly carried a piece of World War II with him for the last 78 years. Wooden fragments from the bullet he was shot with in the invasion of Normandy were found in his ankle two months ago after he visited a doctor because of a swollen ankle.

Essa was drafted into the war when he was just 18-years-old, having to leave his mother, father and six sisters. He was born in the United States in 1925 after his parents immigrated from Iraq. His mom came to the United States in 1908 and his dad in 1914.

Following his summoning into war, he then had to report for training along with other soldiers who’d been drafted. His first training base was Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan, where he trained for two weeks before moving to Camp Van Dorn in Centreville, Mississippi. He said he was there for 11 months before the recruit training in Fort Meade, Maryland. His last training stop was Camp Shanks in Orangeville, New York, which was actually named “Last Stop USA.”

Upon arriving in Europe, Essa recalled a large ship coming into the harbor near the ship he was aboard, where he saw General Dwight D. Eisenhower, commander of the Allied forces, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill preparing to give orders. Essa said they began to speak to the soldiers over a loudspeaker about an invasion and that’s when they knew something serious was coming.

As Zeina Jaafar explained in the Arab American News; They were preparing for “Operation Overlord”, also known as D-Day; the invasion of Normandy, France that commenced on June 6, 1944. Essa said this was his first day in combat and unbeknownst to him, the invasion in which he would be shot and wounded.

Soldiers were transferred to smaller landing crafts that took them closer to the shores of Normandy, where German troops were stationed in the distance. Essa said that as they reached the shoreline, they were dropped from the landing crafts into water up to their necks. With their rifles over their heads, he said they trekked through the water to reach the beach.

In the midst of fighting back, Essa was shot by a German wooden bullet in his left ankle. He immediately screamed for help and stated that the pain was so immense that he believed he would not make it. “When I got shot, I thought I was killed,” he said. Sergeant Durham carried Essa on his back to safety, where he was then taken by jeep to a field hospital and treated by the medics. Unfortunately, that sergeant was killed in combat shortly after, Essa said.

Following his treatment in England, he was then sent to Crile Military Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Here, Essa went through a total of six surgeries and was awarded the Purple Heart. He set the scene of being awarded whilst sitting in a hospital bed and still recovering from being shot. He was officially discharged from the war in 1945 as his injury was too severe for him to return.

His life post war of course looked much different than going into active combat. He used the GI Bill, which helps World War II veterans pay for school, and attended a butchers school. He then took a trip to Iraq in search of a wife. He then married a woman named Samira, from Baghdad, and moved her to the States, where they had five children. 

Essa was also awarded the Bronze Star for his service and his wife recalled two soldiers appearing at their house in Metro Detroit asking for him. She said they saluted him as soon as he came to the door, and that alone brought her to tears.

Last November, Essa said he noticed pain and swelling in his left ankle, where he’d been shot 78 years earlier. Essa said that as the surgeon was cleaning out his wound, he started pulling wooden fragments out of his ankle with utter confusion as to what what those pieces could be. He then informed the doctor that he’d been shot with a wooden bullet in World War II.  

Peter Essa has carried a piece of the war with him from the day he was shot in the invasion of Normandy, but is fortunately now relieved of the pain that bullet cost him.

[rnewsworld]

डॉक्टरों के आगे नतमस्तक ऊर्जा मंत्री, कहा- आप लोगों की जिंदगी बचा रहे

डॉक्टरों के आगे नतमस्तक ऊर्जा मंत्री, कहा- आप लोगों की जिंदगी बचा रहे

ऊर्जा मंत्री प्रद्युमन सिंह तोमर इस बार फिर से सुर्खियों में हैं। सोशल मीडिया पर मंत्री जी की एक तस्वीर वायरल है। वायरल तस्वीर में मंत्री प्रद्युमन सिंह तोमर ग्वालियर के एक अस्पताल में डॉक्टरों के आगे नतमस्तक हैं। ��ायरल तस्वीर में मंत्री प्रद्युमन सिंह तोमर डॉक्टरों के आगे नतमस्क होकर उन्हें सलाम कर रहे हैं। साथ ही कह रहे हैं कि मैंने भगवान को तो नहीं देखा है, लेकिन धरती पर भगवान आप लोग ही हैं।…

[mtreebeardiles]

War of Warnings Unheeded, Ch. 13

Full chapter over on AO3!

Promises of brunch were put off the next time the Normandy docked at the Citadel. Too many leads to follow-up, too many threads to tug, and Kaidan thought he'd be lucky to spend any time with Evvy or his friends during this visit. 

The station was still a mess, the Presidium's sleek, clean vistas overwhelmed with debris from the Cerberus coup, and he was having flashbacks to another attack years prior. Things had been a lot messier then, the attack even more of a surprise with Geth forces streaming through the definitely-not-actually-a-statue of a mass relay right smack in the middle of the Presidium. 

The lack of bodies on spikes was a definite improvement, at least.

He stopped Evvy as his partner made to get off the lift with Liara, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek that Everett returned, lingering, conflict in those eyes, and what could Kaidan do but kiss him again? The elevator was as private as they were going to manage any time soon, and he wasn't one to squander an opportunity to kiss this man now that he had him back. 

"Catch up with you later, Nerdlet," Evvy whispered, sighing against him, and Kaidan pressed a final peck to his cheek. 

"As soon as we can," he promised. He stood back, watching as the Commander and Liara made their way into the Presidium shopping district -- Liara to double check some contacts, Evvy to meet up with Miranda Lawson -- until the lift doors slid shut and carried him to the Embassies. 

Udina's office had been cordoned off after the coup attempt, files and personal affects undoubtedly subject to thorough analysis, and with the Prime Minister gone along with Arcturus there wasn't much of the Systems Alliance government left to argue with the Council's decisions. A few side-eyes thrown his way as Kaidan walked through the halls to the temporary auxiliary offices and he shrugged them off as well as he'd always done. If it wasn't the biotics it was something else, and he'd long since taken a page out of Everett's book: let the whispers entertain themselves in their echo chambers, and let actions speak for themselves. 

Easier in theory than in practice, but thankfully Kaidan didn't have the same level of recognition Evvy did. 

At least it let him focus on what was actually important, anyway: checking in with his no longer missing squad.

He'd gotten confirmation of their extraction from Reeves a few days after they'd found Javik, and seeing as the Prothean was a) interested in joining their efforts on the Normandy and b) had expressed a desire to see the Citadel for himself, it hadn't taken much convincing to let them come back after so short a period. Everett would have done it anyway, he knew, caring less and less what their superiors thought (with the notable but not surprising exception of Anderson and Hackett, and even then Kaidan was beginning to wonder). But they had enough reason without resorting to blatant disregard for the chain of command, and Kaidan was happy to take the opportunity to check in with his own team. 

The information Reeves had sent along ahead of time had been…troubling. Something the Major had passed on to his infiltrator group from Hackett, following a few leads from a doctor on the Citadel -- only for things to start getting…interesting, with the doctor being murdered by his assistant and sending Kaidan's squad on a wild goose chase to find one of his associates. 

The details got fuzzier after that, Kaidan having met the business end of a shuttle by way of angry Cerberus mech, and he wanted to hear it all in person anyhow.

Wanted the reassurance of seeing his people in the flesh whenever he could.

The doors slid open after registering his biometrics, and he quickly waved the group settled inside back into their seats. Only one remained standing -- Lieutenant Commander Erica Contreras, flashing him a smart salute, brown eyes serious and mouth tight in the way that told him how seriously worried she was. 

Letting his gaze drift past her to the other assembled soldiers, it wasn't hard for Kaidan to piece together why. 

His people looked rough -- not a one of them had emerged from the assignment unscathed, though some had clearly fared better than others. He spotted Ajax straight away, the young staff lieutenant sitting with his chin held high despite the mottling of bruises that spread across his face. 

"What happened?" Kaidan asked, voice soft, and it was as if they all exhaled at once, tension starting to bleed away. 

[mello-jello]

Levihan Drabble Week - Fluff Friday

1246 Words.

@levihan-drabbles my prompt was:

"Don't you have a country to run?" "My favorite person is in the hospital, the country can wait" "I don't think it works like that." "I run the country, so it does."

---

“I guess… this is the result of all your devoted... hearts” Levi proudly saluted them all. His comrades and his friends, as he let the tears flow freely. It was over. It was finally over. As the weight of everything that he went through the past few days began to lift, he started feeling light headed. He sank back against the rock, afraid he was going to fall over. His vision was blurry, all he could focus on was the sound of his own breathing. He needed water. His vision doubled.

“LEEEVIIIIIII?”

He heard a voice, off in the distance. It was a warm, familiar voice, but something was off. It sounded worried, panicked even.

“LEVI!”

It was much closer now, and a little breathless. They had been running to him.

“Levi, stay with me!” Hange scooped Levi up in their arms.

Of course, I’ll stay with you. Where would I go? His last thought before he completely blacked out was how safe he felt in Hange’s arms.

---

He remembers that his leg is broken from when he saved Connie from that titan. He tried to flex the rest of his body parts, to assess the damage. The stumps on his right hand where his first two fingers used to be were sore and stinging. Probably infected. Half of his face was still bandaged. Both his legs were sore, but he could wiggle his toes on both feet, so that was promising. There was a dull ache throughout his body, and his skin felt clammy. He huffed to himself, and tried to relax.

He hadn’t opened his eyes yet, but he could tell where he was. The rough sheets, the gentle humming of machines, the steady beeping of the vitals monitor, and the sterile smell were all dead giveaways. He was in the hospital.

He focussed on the hustle and bustle of the hospital hallway. Carts being wheeled around, footsteps, and the low murmur of many hushed voices.

“Are you saying I’m not allowed to go in anymore?”

His remaining eye shot open when he heard the voice he recognized.

“No, I’m just saying, like, don’t you have a country to run or something?” Levi didn’t know who the second voice was, but they were a bitch and hated them.

“My favorite person is in the hospital, the country can wait.” Levi smiled under his bandages. It pulled at his stitches, but his pain was dulled by the warmth growing in his chest.

"I don't think it works like that, sweetie,” they replied, condescendingly. Yup. Bitch.

"Well, you see I run the country, so yes, it does work like that,” Hange retorted, matching the bitch’s sarcastic tone.

Somehow, his smile widened. That was his Hange.

When Hange entered his room, their slightly miffed countenance shifted to one of pure joy. “You’re awake!” They rushed over the bedside and took hold of his good hand. With their free hand, they delicately brushed Levi’s hair off his forehead, almost as if afraid to touch him. Tears of relief began to well in Hange’s eyes. “Hey there,” they spoke so softly, Levi almost didn’t hear it.

“Hey, Four-Eyes,” Levi pulled their interlaced hands to his mouth and kissed Hange’s through the bandages. His voice was hoarse and small, but it was still music to Hange’s ears. Music they hadn’t listened to in 11 days.

After a moment, Levi asked, “They giving you trouble out there?”

“I know, right? What a bitch”. Levi stifled a chuckle as the movement reminded him of his injuries.

“But, what did she mean, ‘you have a country to run’?”

“Oh Levi, you missed SO. MUCH. You’ve only been out for 11 days, I say ‘only’ because while it is a long time for an individual to be in a coma, it’s an amazingly short amount of time for Paradis to transform into a Constitutional Monarchy with its first democratically elected official: Prime Minister Hange Zoe!”

Levi just blinked. He didn’t know what any of those words meant.

“That bitch in the hallway made a snide comment about how I was wasting all my time coming here everyday, when I should be doing my job,” Hange said, glaring at the doorway. “She said: don’t you get tired of blabbering on? He can’t reply, and he’s probably not even listening to you. I thought to myself, that’s just normal!”

Levi laughed and then groaned in pain. “Don’t make me laugh, Four-Eyes. It hurts”.

“Sorry,” they said earnestly.

“S’okay” Levi’s pain meds were starting to tire him out again.

“To be fair, it’s never been this easy”. Hange planted a kiss on Levi’s forehead.

“It’s the drugs”.

“Shut up, I’m hilarious.”

She was. And she was more bubbly than usual. Well, her usual as of lately. Before, this would have been considered a mild Hange. While he appreciated them being here, he couldn’t help but worry about them. Can they really afford to be with him right now? Was Hange putting off duties only to drown in them later? Becoming Commander of the Scouts had already taken a heavy toll on them and although he didn’t quite understand Hange’s new title, knew that it must be a huge responsibility.

Hange noted the worry in his eye and said, “I came to a realization while I was talking to you. You wanna know what it was?”

Levi nodded.

“I, Hange Zoe, while being awesome in every conceivable way, am just one person. My whole time as a scout, I kept repeating over and over that we were a team and that we could handle anything if humanity just worked together. Why didn’t I internalize that as Commander? I had too much on my plate and didn’t ask for help when I needed it”. They paused, remembering the many sleepless nights and stressful days. “So, Prime Minister Hange Zoe will be a master delegator. Armin is handling the restructuring of our government and military. I get daily reports from him, but other than that, he’s got my back while I’m here. Onyankopon is our ambassador and trade consultant. I have a whole cabinet of officials to oversee certain regions of land, and the best part is that they were chosen by the people of their respective regions to represent them,” Hange explained with growing enthusiasm all about this new system of government.

“That’s amazing, Hange.” Levi looked at them with such a fondness that made Hange blush.

“Thank you,” they bashfully replied as they fiddled with their glasses. They couldn’t see his mouth, but they could tell he was grinning by the crinkles around his eye.

“Alright, you” Hange said, standing up. “If you ever want to use that leg again, you’ll have to do some intense rehab. You’re so shit at sleeping. Eleven long days, but you’re still sleepy? Damn, quality over quantity, Levi! So rest up, because I’m going to tell the doctor you’re up and we’re starting tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ll be here every step of the way… to laugh. When you fall on your ass,” they winked at him. That earned a small giggle from Levi, who was giving in to unconsciousness.

“Alright Four-Eyes… sounds…. Sounds real...mmm... really good” Levi drifted back to sleep and Hange kissed his forehead once more. Then whispered in his ear, “thanks for not dying, short stuff. You had me really worried there. I need you to get healed up, okay? I know a bitch that needs an ass-kicking”.

[dragonrajafanfiction]

What is Bondarev (BSB ver) actually like in the novels? In my WIP, I’m trying to be as close to the lore as I can with certain parts, so it’s hard to write in a character that I have no clue what his personality actually is like. Also does he have a full name? Is Bondarev his first or last name? I noticed Herzog has a full name thanks to the Fandom wiki you and Hectab are working on :3

Ask and Ye shall receive. (very long post below with allllllllllll of the stuff you asked for.)

VERY HANDSOME

This was a man who was a sight to behold, handsome and straight, with iron gray hair neatly combed back and styled with hairspray, and a muscular body that was defined and supple. Many would describe him as sexy. The sentry had seen such handsome young officers in Moscow, but this one was too unbelievable. He was actually wearing only military shorts and sleeveless undershirt, sweating in the -10 degree wind. The man fished out a lighter from his shorts and lit it with aplomb, the sterling silver case etched with the words "70th anniversary of the October Revolution".

The sentry could not refuse this kindness and went over to light the cigarette.

"Here you go." The man tossed the lighter to the sentry, "In such a cold place, you need to use aviation kerosene with low freezing point, you should save that for the summer."

The sentry then realized that he still had the unlit lighter in his hand, the man's insight was actually keen to this point. Furthermore, people should be eager to find a warm place to rest at this moment. This also shows that he still has energy left for skiing in such extremely cold weather. The man took out a dark gray officer's uniform from his military duffel bag, and after a few moments, he finished putting it on and solemnly pinned a "Red Flag Medal" on his chest. A minute ago he was a skier, a minute later he had a frown of determination, a young man of power from Moscow.

"KGB Major Bondarev, I'm from Moscow." The man pulled out his papers, "Take me to Dr. Herzog and tell him that this is the moment of survival."

"Yes! Comrade Major!" The sentry saluted.

The man stated his identity in the simplest terms; he was an envoy from Moscow, a key member of the secret intelligence service. In the days of the Tsar, such a man was called a "minister".

********ICE PROOF*************

He pressed the detonator in his hand, after a short dull explosion, the marble base in the snow was blown up, Lenin bronze statue slanted in the snow. The noise of this micro-acoustic thunderstorm was so small that it was muffled by the wind within a few steps. The Black Swan Harbor is notoriously heavily guarded, but the most important aspect is the extreme cold, and standing outside for ten minutes on a night like this can lead to severe frostbite. Because of the blizzard, visibility was less than five meters. The soldiers did not expect anyone else to dare to move outside, and they ignored the fact that Bondarev had an extraordinary tolerance for the cold.

-----

"I sometimes think that people who like to drink can't be bad. So I like you a lot, you know vodka." Dr. Herzog removed the Makolov pistol and handed over a cold glass.

A light struck down from above, enveloping the Doctor and Bondarev. The glass reflected the light, as clear as the most expensive crystal glassware, but it was carved from a whole block of solid ice, pure ice, without any air bubbles, with cornflower patterns carved on the outer wall. The two men gently clinked their glasses and drank the wine in one gulp.

　　Bondarev played with the ice carved glass: "It's wonderful, the spirits wrapped in ice, as moving as a stunning young woman under the appearance of an iceberg. I think my hands will freeze and to it."

　　"Usually people who drink from such an ice glass have to wear leather gloves, and only people like you, Major, who are not afraid of the cold can hold it in their hands. It is carved from old ice in the -30 degree strata and also kept at -30 degrees, making it the coldest drinking vessel for the warmest of wines." The doctor said, He said so, but he was also holding the glass with his empty hand, his slender hand was stable and did not tremble at all because of the low temperature.

****** SUPPOSED ROYAL FAMILY and EXTREMELY RICH ***************

　　"Bondarev, a KGB major, from Moscow, these are the truth. I only concealed from you the name of my great-grandmother, her name was Nastasya Nikolaevna Romanova." Bondarev slowly pronounced this long, awkward name, like a magician reciting a forbidden spell.

　　The doctor was stunned: "Was it the last royal daughter of the Romanov dynasty?"

　　Nastasia was the last princess of the Romanov dynasty, the last dynasty to rule Russia until it was overthrown by the October Revolution in 1917. in 1918, the last Tsar Nicholas II and his entire family were secretly executed by the Red Army. Nastasia was the youngest daughter of Nicholas II, and although she was young, she was given the title of "Grand Duchess", which made her more honored than other royal princesses in Europe at the time, and princesses were required to curtsy and address her as "Your Imperial Highness" during their audiences. It was rumored that she was the only one who escaped execution, and that her name Nastasia meant "resurrection".

　　"Since there is still me, the grandson of the emperor, I can't say that she is the 'last' royal daughter." Bondarev smiled.

　　"How do you prove yourself?" The Doctor asked.

　　"I saw Rasputin's signature at the end of the tunnel, and that heretic who had been canonized had been here before, so I should say he was the one who found this cave, right?"

　　"Yes." The Doctor said, "This cave is his legacy."

　　"Then you must know that Rasputin was a guest of the Tsar and a close friend of Princess Nastasia. The fact that I could find this place means that I have Rasputin's secrets, secrets that he told my great-grandmother. This is the proof of my status as the last royal grandson of the Romanov dynasty." Bondarev held his head up proudly.

　　"So, what were the secrets that Rasputin revealed to Her Imperial Highness?"

　　Bondarev smiled slyly: "I think there are certain things I know that you do not know, and of course there are things you know that I do not, so we might as well exchange information about each other. Then we might be able to sit down and talk about cooperation."

　　"After you." The Doctor raised his muzzle.

　　"This matter begins with my great-grandmother's escape. A Red Army bullet did go through her heart and her body was thrown into an abandoned mine, but three days later she awoke and the wound miraculously healed. It was then that she remembered what Rasputin had told her, that Rasputin said he was willing to share the secrets of the world with his great-grandmother because she, like himself, was God's chosen one. Like Rasputin, she had an unparalleled power of life and could even return from hell. She later married a Red Army officer, and in those days the only way she could gain refuge was to marry a Red Army officer. My great-grandfather, who later stepped into the high ranks of the military, was a very good man and always protected my great-grandmother from revealing her identity. Great-grandmother would sometimes wake up in a dream and shout, 'The Red Army is coming with guns,' and great-grandfather would reassure her, 'I am the Red Army, and as long as I live, the Red Army guns will only protect you.'"

　　"Touching love." The doctor said faintly.

　　"Great-grandmother decided to give up her past identity, so she rarely talked about the past of the Romanov dynasty, with the exception of one thing. She bade her great-grandfather that there were relics of God in the north of Siberia, which the saint Rasputin had told her about. That saint found the cave where God created life on the shore of the icy sea. But he did not announce it to the world, but sealed the miracle with iron water, because the miracle had degenerated into the cradle of the devil, and inside it were hidden fallen angels. Generations of our family descendants have to be on guard against the reopening of that cave, and the day it reopens, the end comes with it."

　　"So you are here to check if we are guarding the miracle properly?"

　　"No, no, my great-grandmother was a good and devout Orthodox Christian, but I am not. I have a great curiosity about everything, and after I inherited the secret, I am bent on finding the miracle. If I were to find it, I would definitely open it and take a look. Not long ago I found an engineering map from the ruined archives." Bondarev drew out the map roll and rolled it along the ice toward the Doctor, "It marks the elevator that leads deep into the tundra."

　　The Doctor scanned the map, "It's not the original map, someone drew it from memory."

　　"It was drawn by a madman who used to be the engineer battalion commander of the 13th Konrad Infantry Division and was ordered to participate in the excavation of the tunnel, after which he was brainwashed by drugs and became a regular in a mental hospital. All he remembered was that he was engaged in a big project on the northern coast of Siberia, and the project was to dig a cave. Suddenly I realized I had found a breakthrough. But as the investigation progressed, I found that the matter was becoming more and more mysterious. Many years ago, the army had built a port in the almost unnavigable northern part of Siberia, about which there was no information, and even the coordinates had been erased. Below that port, sappers had dug through the hard permafrost and opened a long-closed cave. So I decided to come and see for myself. As a KGB officer, I easily applied for a charter to investigate this mysterious port, so that I could drive in as the 'Minister of the Admiralty'. Sure enough, I found Rasputin's signature at the end of the passage, and I finally arrived at the place I had dreamed of since childhood." Bondarev looked around, "But it doesn't look like there's anything interesting here."

　　"I'm sure you noticed when you came here that the closer you got to the door where Rasputin signed, the more bones there were in the tundra, and they all crawled out through a gap in the rock wall. It was those things that Rasputin was talking about when he said this cave would breed demons. But now the cave is dead, and the mysterious forces in the cave have dissipated."

　　"I don't think so. If this cave was no longer valuable, you would have left long ago."

　　"If this cave was really valuable, I should have shot you and monopolized the secrets of this place."

　　"Wait a minute! I have brought you a gift! Won't you take a look at the gift before shooting?'' Bondarev took an envelope from inside his clothes and slid it along the ice toward the Doctor, by which he showed that he had absolutely no intention of resisting.

　　The doctor tore open the envelope, inside was a Swiss bank cashier's check - a cashier's check for $200 million.

　　"This is a rare and large check, what do you want to buy from me with this check?" 'Doc asked.

　　"Not a purchase, just a gift." Bondarev smiled, "We believe this gift will be useful to you. Your research has been going on for decades, consuming huge amounts of state funds every year, and it must not be finished yet, right? But now that the Soviet Union is about to split, your backers have fallen, which means you no longer have access to funding to complete your research, and no one to help you keep it secret."

　　"It does sound like I'm facing a lot of trouble." The doctor said.

　　"Then why not work with my family? We know politics, we know technology, and we know war, and we're willing to invest in this cave as long as its secrets pay off. We can continue to support you in this project and share with you all the benefits it brings. I have already shown my sincerity and told you everything I know. Shouldn't you also tell me what I don't know? After that you will still have time to shoot me."

　　"You are very calm, Comrade Major. You think I won't shoot you if you produce this $200 million cashier's check, don't you?" There was a hint of sarcasm in the Doctor's tone.

　　"There are not many people in the world who can refuse two hundred million dollars." Bondarev smiled, "And killing me wasn't the best option. If I do not return safely to Moscow, the family will know that something has happened to me, and they will not spare you. At that time the secret of Black Swan Harbor will be made known to the world."

　　"Ten times." The doctor threw the cashier's check back to Bondarev.

　　Bondarev froze: "What did you say?"

　　"Your family needs to increase the bid tenfold. I need three years and two billion dollars to complete this research. At that time we will share the whole world."

　　"That amount is beyond my expectations and not easy to raise even for my family."

　　The Doctor laughed coldly: "It seems you really don't know the secret of this cave, in front of which two billion dollars is too small a figure, what is here no one can afford, it is priceless! Your family should be proud to offer this two billion dollars."

　　"Everything has a price, weapons, women, secrets, even souls." Bondarev said.

　　"But who can put a price on God?" The Doctor asked.

-------

The Lenin's mooring is only 40 kilometers from Black Swan Harbor, and they will be here soon. This new flare is so great that American spy satellites will recognize it as an aurora borealis." Bondarev said.

　　"You had said that the Lenin would not come." The doctor said.

　　"Moscow is not prepared to send the Lenin to Black Swan Harbo, but we can, and now the Lenin is at my family's beck and call."

　　Black shadows rose above the sea level, the roar of a giant bee on its wings approaching at high speed, snow dust twisted into a tornado by the helicopter's rotors, red five stars flashing in the white tornado. It was the "MiG 26" heavy helicopter, codenamed "Halo", one of the pride of the Soviet military industry. The helicopter hovered over the cast iron dock, the searchlights broke through the haze of the night, the hatch opened, and five captains lined up, saluting Bondarev. The communication lights below the belly of the plane blinked up, signaling greetings to Bondarev in Morse code.

　　"Glad to see you're safe and sound, Your Imperial Highness!" The doctor read out the greeting.

　　The fact that they called Bondarev "His Imperial Highness" instead of "comrade" meant that the helicopter and the Lenin on the icy sea were no longer loyal to the Soviet Union, but to the heir to the Romanov dynasty. The name Romanov is about to shine again after almost a century of obliteration in history, and with the power of the Dragons, it is not impossible for them to re-establish hegemony on Earth.

　　Bondarev handed a letter to the Doctor: "This is a letter I wrote to the family, please read it."

　　The Doctor scanned it and handed the letter back to Bondarev.

　　"If things go well, we will be able to relocate within a few weeks." Bondarev handed the letter to a captain who descended down the zip line, "We will build you a brand new research base in the warm and pleasant Baltic Sea, along with a vacation villa."

　　The captain placed a mouthful of boxes at the doctor's feet, containing a case of aged Red Label vodka.

　　"A small gift, so you don't have to worry about running out of booze until we leave Black Swan Harbor." Bondarev said.

　　"I guess I picked the right partner." The Doctor smiled.

***** HE VERY STRONG AND CAPABLE ***********

Bondarev looked alert, his muscles bulging under his uniform. He was a highly trained soldier, capable of breaking a wolf's neck with his bare hands, and had no need to fear this delicate boy, but not daring to take it lightly in the presence of something supernatural, he adjusted himself to a state of immediate danger.

------

Bondarev noticed a transparent figure flashed from his side. It was just a short blink of an eye, a fraction of a second, but Bondarev was trained to the rigors of the KGB and he was absolutely certain it was a person!

-------- IS A HYBRID THAT HAS NO ISSUE KILLING PEOPLE, INCLUDING KIDS ------------

The lieutenant on duty in the boiler room collapsed on the duty desk, a bottle of Red Label vodka still in his hand. A steel-core bullet had penetrated his heart, and Bondarev stood behind the lieutenant with his Makolov pistol.

---

At that moment the doctor heard the wind change behind his head, and the beam of the searchlight struck him. He turned sharply and saw huge black shadows hovering in the air, their rotor blades churning the snow into a flurry. It was Halo, the heavy helicopter from the Lenin, which had ventured to Black Swan Harbor in such bad weather.

　　"Didn't you say Halo couldn't fly in a snowstorm of this magnitude?" The Doctor froze. Something hard pressed against his back, it was Bondarev's Makarov pistol. One by one, the steel-core bullets pierced the Doctor's chest, tearing the aging heart into a million pieces. The Doctor spat out a mouthful of blood, mixed with fragments of his lungs, which had been destroyed in the process. He braced himself and turned his face to look at Bondarev, his eyes filled with shock.

　　"You can't complete the research without me ......," he hissed.

　　"We didn't even try to finish your research." Bondarev's pupils swirled with a gorgeous gold.

　　"Who the hell ...... are you?"

　　Bondarev held the Doctor in place and injected him with adrenaline using an air needle, "Hold on one more minute for the most magnificent scene."

　　The Black Swan Harbor suddenly trembled up tremendously, the sound of a series of explosions spread upward from the ground, but it was not a vacuum bomb detonated in advance, if it was a vacuum bomb, a square kilometer around would be leveled to the ground. A fire rose, and countless pieces of frozen earth spilled onto the frozen sea.

　　"Engineering explosive mines?" The Doctor asked in a hiss.

　　"The new engineering burst mines, even 10,000 years of permafrost, as long as the right eye is chiseled can be blown up. Now in a place you can't see, there is a huge hole with a depth of 180 meters, leading to Rasputin's cave, where we will use the laser to cut through the ice and take away the precious collection that originally belonged to you." Bondarev said, "You have been isolated from the outside world for too long to know the progress of engineering, it is no longer difficult to cut through the tundra in an instant today, once I probe its location."

　　"You ...... want to take that dragon!" The Doctor understood.

　　"Yes," Bondarev replaced the magazine, walked over to the sled, and fired four bullets into the chests of each of the four children.

　　The children died without a struggle from the potent hypnotic drug. It was pure carnage.

　　"You are not the only one who is willing to sacrifice human lives for a great cause." Bondarev pressed his chest in silence for the children he had just killed, looking reverent.

[shadoedseptmbr]

meet cute pt 4

Only a week or two *cough* late.  lol the final part of Meet Cute, in honor of MELE!

All Aboard the Normandy SR1

Pt. 1 Anderson

Pt. 2. Joker

Pt. 3. Chakwas

Part Four: Kaidan Alenko

Kaidan isn’t aboard his new ship long enough to find his locker before the doctor has him under her scanner.  

He’s used to it.  Most of the medical branch falls into three categories for him, either they think he’s some sort of monster they want to dissect in their labs or they think he needs coddling.  He prefers the ones like this one.  

“I just want a baseline, Lieutenant.  To run comparisons in case of injuries or later concerns.”  

She never even mentions the implant, other than a slight tsk over the scarring just visible under his hairline.  He’s pretty sure it’s just professional disdain for his surgeon’s workmanlike handiwork, though.

Their omnis ping at the same time and Chakwas shakes her head.  “Our presence is requested, Lieutenant.  I suppose we’ll have time to stow all this away once we’re off.”

“Have you served with Captain Anderson before, ma’am?” He holds the door for her to enter the lift, first.

Chakwas has a warm smile, it probably serves her well in her bedside manner. “Yes, several times and with Engineer Adams and Nav Officer Pressly.  Anderson has a certain style of command and he’s found himself a crew that suits it.  He’s earned the right, I would think.”

He has to ask, “And what about the XO?”

“Shepard?  No, never served with her, though she has popped up in our wake a few times.  Have you?”

“No. She was stationed on the Tokyo but she transferred off right before I came aboard.”  He had, in fact, peeled her nametape off the locker he’d been assigned.  And maybe he’d listened to the stories the crew had told about her.  Hard not to listen to stories.  

The one they told the most was how she’d just vanished -no goodbyes- at a fueling station on the edge of the Terminus system after a month of almost being part of the crew.  Pretty standard for N7’s, the captain had assured them.  Orders from HQ and a freighter headed the right direction.

Kaidan holds the door for Dr. Chakwas and follows her out of the lift when they arrive at the CIC, Joker still running his checklists as they exit.  Guess he gets to miss the handshaking.

The rest of the Normandy’s command is waiting at the base of the gangway. Kaidan’s been to one or two of these launches, but this time there’s no band or families waving them off.  

A few official looking people- humans and turians, mostly- are scattered to the edge of the dock.  Pressly, who he’d met earlier, holding the scanner and checking the credentials of the steady stream of boarding crew.  Captain Anderson, familiar from vids, towers over most of the humans and a couple of the turians.  

There’s someone at Anderson’s elbow, in crisp BDU’s.  He can only see her straight back and the curve of her shaved head. The XO, if he has to hazard a guess. Hero of the Blitz, N7, all of the legends in one uniform.

Though...hunh.  

He thought Shepard was taller.  

Maybe this is a yeoman? 

The woman turns her head slightly and the scar curving under her right eye -familiar from the vids and even a recruiting poster or two- stands out.

He remembers Nera telling him once that she’d shared a cup of coffee with Shepard, not long after Elysium.  On a night watch when Nera was still getting used to it on a ship full of Marines headed back to Arcturus.  “She laughs pretty easy for a hero,” Nera had told him.  “I guess I expected her to be...colder.”

Kaidan snaps out of his musing into a salute as Anderson’s head turns in his direction. “Lieutenant Alenko!”

“Sir!”

“Glad to have you with us, Kaidan.  I know Captain Helcik was pushing it to get you turned around to us.” Anderson reaches out a large, broad hand.  

Kaidan grasps it, gets firm shake and only the slightest hesitation at the buzz of his field.  “I’m glad to have made it, Captain.” 

“This is Commander Aedan Shepard, our XO.”  

“Commander.” 

“Lieutenant.”  He has to blink at the direct onslaught of a frank, appraising stare from a pair of neatly lined steel grey eyes.  A faint smile, not particularly friendly.  But she offers her hand.

And doesn’t flinch at the slight pop of static between them, when he takes it.  Her palm is cool and rough against his, for just a moment.  

He drags his attention back to the captain as Anderson continues, “You come from a good ship.  I commanded the Tokyo before Helcik.  She recommends you with...some pretty high praise.”

“I appreciate hearing that, sir.  I hope to do as well here.”  

“Well, your record and your commendations spoke well of you.  And your abilities are…”

He’s trying not to be distracted by Shepard’s continued, cool eyed assessment but he isn’t sure that distracting him isn’t the point, just to see if she can.  

Anderson seems to have a pretty friendly style of command.  

Maybe Shepard is the steel in all that velvet.

She catches him glancing at her while Anderson is still talking and lifts one, slanting red eyebrow in a question.  Or a challenge.  He cuts his eyes back to the captain, but he’d swear there was a trace of a satisfied smirk at the corner of her mouth. 

And then her eyes shift and targetlock on something...someone else and he realizes that he only thought she’d been looking at him coldly.  She shifts...her shoulders, her chin?  He isn’t sure.  But Kaidan has to physically stop himself from throwing up a barrier in reaction.

He follows her gaze and the sight makes him square up, instinctively.  

“Captain Anderson? We have a...guest.” Her low voice is respectful but laced with warning and it says something about how the captain thinks of her, how fast he reacts. Anderson immediately turns toward the armed turian approaching them in red and black armor, the pale markings stark on his dark skin as the crowd parts, whispering.

Under his breath, Anderson murmurs, “Stand down, Shepard. He’s expected.” Louder, he calls out, “Nihlus!  Glad you could make it.”

Shepard grunts an acknowledgment and her expression shifts from guarded to interested.  Still, when Anderson advances she’s in lock step at his left flank.  Kaidan -almost on reflex- moves to the opposite elbow and matches her step.  

Despite the captain’s order to relax, there’s an energy about her.  An intensity.  

Kaidan isn’t sure why- but it’s catching.

The turian scans them with bright green eyes and then nods.  “Captain Anderson.”  There’s a warm vibrato to his voice.  His attention goes immediately to Shepard, dismissing Kaidan entirely.

Well.  That’s new.  Usually, aliens lock on a biotic human as an oddity.

Shepard, for her part, is returning the regard, hands behind her back in a deceptively at ease posture.  She isn’t armed.  At least, he can’t see anything.  Not the way this Nihlus practically bristles with weaponry.  

Anderson introduces Shepard and then Kaidan to “Council SPECTRE, Nihlus Kryik.  He’ll be coming with us on the shakedown.” 

That’s all he says.  Kaidan turns to Shepard as the captain introduces the SPECTRE to a minister who’s come to see them off.  

He catches just the hint of blank shock before her face clears but she meets his look.  And lifts her eyebrows in a clear question.

Kaidan shakes his head. Yeah, he has no idea why a Council SPECTRE would be cruising with them. She scowls and tips her head and they fall back into place at Anderson’s back.

Nihlus dismisses the minister with fairly diplomatic speed and turns back to Shepard.  “I would like a tour of the ship, if you don’t mind, Commander.”   

“Of course, SPECTRE Kryik.”

“Just Nihlus.  The SPECTRES don’t stand on all of the formality of the Hierarchy or the Systems Alliance.”

“As you like.”  Kaidan has to be imagining the way Anderson glares at Shepard from beside Nihlus.  But she follows it up after a short hesitation with a crisp, “Please, just call me Shepard.”

“Family names are last for humans, as I recall.  So many similarities in our cultures.”

“On some levels.”

The turians mandibles shift before he adds, “But I understand you don’t know your family.”  Okay, seriously, what the hell is up with this guy?  

The smile she flashes is bright and cheerful and doesn’t get anywhere near her eyes.  “No, I do not.  I would love to start that tour, anytime you’re ready.  If you don’t need us, sir.”  There’s an emphasis on that last word that Kaidan thinks is important.  And Anderson clears his throat like she’d said something rude. 

“Hm. Yes.  Go on.  We’ll want you on the bridge for launch, Shepard.”   

“Yes, sir.”  There it is again.  Anderson just shakes his head as she courteously waves Nihlus in front of her.

“Lieutenant, you can be my second for the rest of the festivities.” 

“Of course, sir.”  Anderson sighs and goes back to chatting with the dignitaries and Kaidan takes the chance to glance back at Shepard who is gazing out briefly over their heads from the top of the gangway as Nihlus navigates the door.  Her eyes out on the stars beyond the dock’s shimmer of shielding. For just a second, the smile is real and eager.  She leans up on her toes, towards the open sky.  And then she shuts it all down and, blank faced,  follows the SPECTRE back into the ship, her fingers trailing along in a caress of the gleaming hull, the last thing Kaidan sees.   

[helenofsimblr]

Narrator: It was a particularly hot day at Oasis Springs. Not that any day isn’t really… And the Space branch of the District Intelligence Agency was quite the flutter…It isn’t often high falutin political figures come here, as you know they want to keep these places a bit secret and innocuous and all that. Can’t really do that when the Minister of Military is popping by for a visit.

***

Sanjay walked into the General’s office and stood bolt upright saluting.

Sanjay: You wanted to see me sir?

General Viery: That’s right, at ease, take a seat Captain Kapoor we got a few things to discuss concerning the Agency.

Sanjay: Yes sir.

General: How’s your wedding planning going Captain?

Sanjay: Well sir. Amara is taking care of everything.

General: That's for the best. Mrs Viery didn’t let me do a damn thing with our wedding. I can run a multi billion dollar Intelligence Branch but… ask me how to arrange it to seat Aunt Wendy who is fighting with Aunt Mandy who in turn has quarrelled with Uncle Herman, who also doesn’t get on with Uncle Johnathan who is sat next to Aunt Wendy, is a logistical nightmare that I want no part of. And not inviting those motherfuckers isn’t an option apparently...

***

General: So by now you probably heard the Minister of Military is planning to come here, with the sole intention of taking Bob Robinson’s seemingly brain dead body. I’ve done all I can submitted paperwork, damn near committed career suicide, but I can’t hold em off anymore.

Sanjay: It's a medical miracle that Guy was even able to get Bob’s body stable. The best doctors here couldn’t manage that. Pretty astonishing for an 18 year old kid….

General: I’ll say, that boy is a prodigy no doubt, one in a generation mind. But It wasn’t all sunshine and lollipops though, from what Dr Ellen says the Isotope 9 in his blood has thinned out, even if he did wake up he’d be a little weaker than he was before.

Sanjay: I presume they want Bob’s body for research purposes, find out what makes it tick.

General: I expect so… But that isn’t our only problem.

[joachimnapoleon]

“His decided manner roused my suspicions”

[The interrogation of Friedrich Staps by Napoleon following his attempt to assassinate the Emperor]

On 17 October 1809, an eighteen-year-old German university student named Friedrich Staps was executed by firing squad after having attempted to assassinate Napoleon at Schönbrunn palace. General Rapp, whose timely intervention almost certainly saved Napoleon’s life, relates the episode in his memoirs (though the dates he provides are off--the assassination attempt occurred on the 12th and the execution on the 17th, not the 23rd and 27th):

A young man, instigated by a blind feeling of patriotism, formed the design of delivering his country from him whom he regarded as the cause of its misfortunes. He presented himself at Schoenbrunn on the 23d October, while the troops were defiling: I was on duty; Napoleon was standing between the Prince de Neufchatel and me. The young man, who was named St. * * *, advanced to the Emperor. Berthier, conceiving that he was about to present a petition, stepped forward and told him to deliver it to me. He replied that he wished to speak to Napoleon; but he was again told, that if he had any communication to make, he must apply to the aide-de-camp on duty. He withdrew to a short distance, repeating that he would speak with Napoleon only. He came forward again, and approached very near the person of the Emperor. I drew him back and told him in German that he must withdraw: that if he had any thing to solicit, he would be heard after the parade. His right hand was thrust into a side-pocket under his great-coat, and he held a paper, one end of which was visible. I was struck with the expression of his eyes when he looked at me: his decided manner roused my suspicions. I called to an officer of gendarmerie who was on the spot, and ordered him to be put under arrest and conducted to the Castle. The attention of every one present was so occupied with the parade, that nobody noticed what was going forward. I was soon after informed that a large carving knife had been found on St. * * *. I told Duroc what I had learnt, and we went together to the place to which he had been conducted. We found him sitting on a bed, on which were laid the portrait of a young female, a portfolio, and a purse containing a few old louis-d'or. I asked his name.—"I can tell it only to Napoleon," was his reply.—"What did you intend to do with the knife that was found upon you?"—"That I can tell only to Napoleon."—"Did you propose to assassinate him?"—"Yes, Sir."—"Why?"—"That I can tell only to him."

I went to communicate this singular circumstance to the Emperor. He desired that the young man might be conducted to his closet. I went out to give this order; and on my return I found Bernadotte, Berthier, Savary, and Duroc, with the Emperor. St. * * * was brought in by two gendarmes, with his hands tied behind him. He appeared perfectly composed. The presence of Napoleon made not the least impression on him, but he saluted him respectfully. The Emperor asked him whether he could speak French, and he replied in a firm tone: "Very little." Napoleon then directed me to ask him, in his name, the following questions:—

"Where were you born?"—"In Naumburgh."—"What is your father?"—"A protestant minister."—"How old are you?"—"I am eighteen years of age."—"What did you intend to do with the knife?"—"To kill you."—"You are mad, young man; you are an illuminato."—"I am not mad; and I know not what is meant by an illuminato."—"You are sick, then."—"I am not sick; on the contrary, I am in good health."—"Why did you wish to assassinate me?"—"Because you have caused the misfortunes of my country."—"Have I done you any harm?"—"You have done harm to me as well as to all Germans."—"By whom were you sent? Who instigated you to this crime?"—"Nobody. I determined to take your life, from the conviction that I should thereby render the highest service to my country and to Europe."—"Is this the first time you ever saw me?"—"I saw you at Erfurt at the time of the interview."—"Did you then intend to assassinate me?"—"No; I thought that you would no longer wage war in Germany; I was then one of your most ardent admirers."—"How long have you been in Vienna?"—"Ten days."—"Why did you so long defer the execution of your design?"—"I came to Schoenbrunn a week ago; but the parade was over when I arrived, and I postponed the execution of my design until this day."—"I tell you, you are either mad or sick."—"Neither the one nor the other."—"Desire Corvisart to come here."—"Who is Corvisart?"—"He is a physician," I replied. "I have no need of him." We remained silent until the doctor arrived. St. * * * evinced the utmost indifference. At length Corvisart made his appearance. Napoleon directed him to feel the young man's pulse. "Am I not quite well, Sir?"—"He is in very good health," said the doctor, addressing himself to the Emperor.—"I told you so," said St. * * *, with an air of satisfaction.

Napoleon was embarrassed by the unconcerned manner of the offender.

"You are a wild enthusiast," said he; "you will ruin your family. I am willing to grant your life, if you ask pardon for the crime which you intended to commit, and for which you ought to be sorry."—"I want no pardon," replied St. * * *, "I feel the deepest regret for not having executed my design."—"You seem to think very lightly of the commission of a crime!"—"To kill you would not have been a crime, but a duty."—"Whose portrait is that that was found upon you?"—"It is the portrait of a young lady to whom I am attached."—"She will be very much distressed to hear of the unhappy situation in which you are placed!"—"She will regret to hear that I have not succeeded. She detests you no less than I do."—"Would you not be grateful were I to pardon you?"—"I would notwithstanding seize the first opportunity of taking your life."

Staps was shot at 7 o’clock in the morning on 17 October. His last words were “Love live Germany; death to the tyrant!”

Source: Memoirs of General Count Rapp, 1823, pages 141-146.

[cxptain-rex]

Scrosciare {Commander Colt}

pairing: commander colt x medic!reader

warnings: colt ain’t dead b*tches

This was requested by @catchmewiththelosers! I got so inspire writing this. I love Colt so much ok? Ok. I hope that you like it. This has been an amazing request and it’s beautiful! Enjoy! XX

***

scrosciare - the action of rain pouring down or of waves hitting rocks and cliffs

***

The grey sky screamed with thunder and lighting as it poured heavily upon the planet of Kamino. The clouds gave in to spill the cold water upon the clone facility. The cold rain manage to soak your uniform as you ran from the ship into the hangar. The stormy weather of Kamino always manages to bring you comfort whenever you come to the planet .

Today is no different than the rest. You stand on the hangar watching the droplets of water fall against the deck floor. The transport which has dropped you, leaves the hangar. The remains of battle still burning around the kaminoan facility. You have been called to aid the remaining troops which have fought in the Battle of Kamino.

“Doctor Y/L/N, it is a pleasure to have your company here once again” Lama Su greets you coming to stop infront of you. By him stands Jedi Master Shaak Ti whom bows to you in form of greeting. “Prime Minister, Master Jedi, it is an honor to be here” you say showing courtesy at the two figures of power in front of you.

“If you please, could come with us” encourages Lama Su and you follow falling in step with the Prime Minister and the Master Jedi. “The attack seemed to have done its blow” you muster making conversation with Shaak Ti. She nods softly, in a calming manner which inspires you aswell to feel at ease. “Yes, but our clones managed to stop the Separatist forces right on time” she answers and you feel pride swell in you.

The clones are manufactured for battle yet you always seem to have a soft spot for them. When you had been inform of your presence being needed in Kamino, you left the capital city of Coruscant and took a clone transport to the aquatic planet. Lama Su and Shaak Ti led you to the medic bay. It is erratic as you watch the clone medics rush around trying to help the troopers fighting for their lives.

The medic instincts in you kicked in. Excusing yourself from the Prime Minister you found the clone medic, Kix. “What can I do for you?” You asked receiving a salute from Kix. “Y/N! You’re here thank the maker! Please, check on Commander Colt” he refrained putting a bacta gauze on a clone trooper.

You rushed to a secluded side of the bay, spotting the commander laying on a bed. He clutched his abdomen, you spotted the lightsaber punctured. “Commander, it’s Y/N, let me help” you spoke stripping the Clone Commander off his armor and leaving him on his greys. He groans as you check the wound.

“You’ll live” you mumble joisting the commander to take him into a bacta tank. The hole in his chest blisters, you put a Bacta gauze on it. The commander struggles against your hold.

“I need some help in here!” You called, Kix arrived quickly helping you take the commander into a tank. The Commander now prep and ready floats in a bacta tank for the remaining of the night.

“What happened to him?” You ask, your gaze never leaving the crystal. He looks peaceful, the stress lines in his face fading to nothing as the bacta takes its time to work.

“Apparently Ventress managed to get to him” Kix says checking his datapad. You turn towards the medic clone, your eyebrows arching in a questioning manner. “It’s a miracle that he’s alive, Echo and Fives found him” assures the medic as he strode out of the room. You stand in front of the tank, staring at the commander.

You cannot deny the fear of thinking about his experience with that vile woman. In fact you felt your insides twist in a sickly way as you sat down, thinking about the Commander and how he managed to get away with his life hanging by a thread.

***

Days have passed since you arrived. The Kaminoan sea rages against the cloning facility as the rain ripples through the sky. You watch the darken horizon as some transports leave and come to the facility. You aren’t suppose to leave until a few more days, until now you have enjoyed your stay in the facility. Aside from helping out in the medbay you managed to sneak into the 501st barrack.

The battalion had welcomed you with open arms since you took care of every beaten soldier within their ranks. So far you have won your place in their lives. You spent the day in the barracks and the nights on a chair in the Commander’s room. You watch over him each evening in case he wakes up.

Today is no different, you finish saying goodbye to the 501st boys. “We hope to see you soon, Y/N!” Jesse barked as the rest of the boys laughed in unison. You smile at their antics as you make your way to the medbay.

Shaak Ti comms you, “Y/N, Commander Colt is awake” she announces. “Thank you, Shaak Ti” you thank picking up your pace towards the medbay. As soon you arrive Kix is draining Colt’s tank. You watch as he struggles until the tank is dry.

You grab a towel and wrap it around him, the cold blistering his lips as he puffs out air. “Commander, you’re safe” you reassure guiding him to the bed. The white sheets contrast against his tanned skin. You can’t help but let your eyes rack against his toned abdomen. A scar swirls now on his abs when a gaping hole stretched a couple of days ago.

“Doctor?” He questions blinking and taking in his surroundings. “It’s Y/N, Commander” you answer pulling up his bedsheets.

“Colt” he mumbles and you turn your gaze from the datapad in your hands. You meet his honey eyes, warm and gentle as always. A soft smile edges on your facial features. The Commander racked his eyes on your form. He always remembers whenever you came to treat the cadets. Now here you are, treating him.

“Thanks doc” he says causing you to giggle. That adorable sound you just made strikes him in the heart. Maker forbid him to fall more for you. “It’s Y/N, Colt and what for?” you ask meeting the trooper’s gaze.

Suddenly Colt feels heat rise to his cheeks, perhaps it’s the cold. No it’s not the cold, it’s you. He stammers over his words resolving to play with the bed sheet. “For taking care of me” he answers loud enough for you to hear. You intake a sharp breath, looking around the room.

As you put your thoughts in order you part your lips. “It’s my duty and I will always be here to take care of you, sir. I value your lives more than anything else and that is why I take caution whenever I come to check on the clones. I may not be out in the battlefield but you can be sure as hell that I will do anything to keep you safe” you say lifting your gaze from the white floor to meet the glazed eyes of the Commander.

The commander and the medic stared at each other. Even if the medic did not acknowledge it, Colt fell in love harder. You though, you have no idea of the Commander reciprocating those feelings that you have brew since the first time that you met him.

***

The day arrived for you to part from the cloning facility with the 501st battalion. You are being transferred to their ranks for a good amount of time. The order came in some days ago, you already had discharged the Commander.

You haven’t had the guts to tell him that you’re leaving. You just can’t bring yourself to leave him once again.

Now you stand on the hangar deck, basking in the rain droplets that kiss your face. Kamino will always feel like home to you, not for its facility but for its rainy weather and for the unspeakable bond between you and the Commander. You never speak about it but you can feel it. It’s the force or something, you recall from Master Shaak Ti.

Colt watches you from the main door of the hangar. He knows that you’re leaving, he heard the 501st boys talking about how their medic would be joining them in their next deployment. His heart skipped a beat when he heard that, Colt frowned upon the thought of you leaving the facility without saying goodbye.

He advances towards your soaking form, he always finds you soaking in the rain. Colt stands now by your side watching the rain. You smile softly feeling his presence. You do not need to look to know that it is him.

“I love being here, the weather is calming” you speak towards him. The rain has always fascinated you, he seemed to take notice on that since you came to the planet. “You’re leaving” he mumbles loud enough for you to hear. You sigh, turning to meet his gaze. Even with his helmet on you can feel his eyes on you.

“I have to” you remind folding your hands together. Water drips from your hair and into your cheeks. Colt raises a gloved hand to clean them. Along that movement he tucks a piece of your hair behind your ear. You lean into his touch softly, the warmth of his hand comforting you.

“Colt”

“Let me speak, please” the Commander begs his hand never leaving your face.

“Each time that I see you, it's as if space and time become the finest point imaginable, as if time suddenly stops. It's as if the galaxy begins and ends with you. I could run forever, search forever, but in the end, every path leads right back to your heart and soul. This war means nothing to me if you won’t be with me on the other side” he says tugging off his helmet to look at your Y/C eyes.

“Oh Colt” you mumble softly sniffling as fat tears roll down your cheeks. “I-I love you” you whisper wrapping your arms around the man you’ve grown to love. “I love you too, cyar’ika” he replies enveloping you in a warm embrace.

When he looked at you it was as if every ounce of breath was taken from your lungs floating into the air like water falling from the sky. Streamfull and clear. Now you see it and you adore it. You adore him. This is what falling in love feels like, you thought basking in his arms.

Time slows as you pull away to meet the eyes of the man you love. You need to look at him one more time, to make your mind take a photograph of the moment. A photograph that will help you through tough times.

The rainstorm whips around you, your expression is one of tenderness matching Colt’s. Something warm and sweet envelops your lips, his lips. Colt kisses the droplets from your kiss molding his against yours in a perfect shape.

The rain runs down your faces to where your lips meet, each of you tasting the cold drops. Instead of detracting from the intensity of the moment it brings you and Colt to new heights. Colt pushes his lips in more firmly and the wave that runs through you is intoxicating, making your head swim as you pull back to take in his beautiful face.

“I love you, Colt”

“I love you, ik'aad”

***

Ah ok I’m crying. I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I did! Seriously I love it! Reblog for more content! I appreciate that you guys share my content. I work hard for this request! Thank you guys! <3

[cynicalclassicist]

Education, Education, Education

Set between The Sound of Drums and Last of the Time Lords

Written by FELIX O’KELLY

The Year that Never Was

The Valiant

The Master sat in the Valiant, looking out across the world he ruled supreme. He smiled. Construction on the ships were on schedule. His remodelling of the Lincoln Memorial had gone well, despite some resistance his forces had entered the Capitol and established his rule. Construction at Rushmore was going perfectly, after he’d had a few public executions. There had been a few rebellions in Scotland, helped by friends of the previous Prime Minister, but a short sharp shock had put those down. Despite that trouble with the Loch Ness Monster. The Norwegian resistance was giving him some trouble, spray-painting Quislings onto the local security offices and disappearing into the woods. But the woods were being chopped down to fuel his industry and soon there would be nowhere left to hide.

And meanwhile, as Earth groaned under his rule, he ripped it up, its plains, its valleys, opening its hills with spacious wounds, digging out masses of minerals to fuel his fleet. The Earth Reptile bases occasionally found as the Earth was torn apart were an utter joy. The Master could sometimes get so tired of only oppressing humans, killing a few Earth Reptiles could add real spice to otherwise dull weeks. Sometimes they even made good slaves! And some new weapons for his fleet as well…

The Master glanced at a map of his world. The Doctor did like those lovely crinkly edges of Norway. Maybe it was time for a bit of remodelling.

There was a cough behind him, and he turned. “And what can I do for you!”

Captain Ironside, who the Master had given the role to partially because he liked the name, saluted. “Master. We’ve brought him.”

“Splendid!” smiled the Master. He glided gleefully down the rail as a figure was dragged in, beaten and bloody.

“Nicholas Clough, I presume!” said the Master.

He recognised the man of course. Nicholas Clough had been one of the rising stars of politics only recently, being promoted to Education Secretary by Harriet Jones. Yet when the fall of Harriet Jones happened, he had left the Cabinet with her. In the election in which Harold Saxon had finally risen to Prime Minister, Clough had announced he was stepping down as MP for Hazelhurst East, a position he had held since the 9th of April 1992. It was the first time Saxon had seen him since then.

The man looked up, through a black eye. “Saxon.”

“Oh, that was the name I used, but you know I am the Master!” sneered the Time Lord. He whipped out his laser screwdriver at which the guards stepped back. But the Master laughed. “Not yet! Haven’t had a good chin-wag since I had that Shaw brought here. Though she was a tad disappointing… not even killing her was exciting.” He turned and grinned horribly at the Doctor, who sat there in his wheelchair. “But the look on your face made it all worthwhile! Just like when I told you about Miss Grant and the grandchildren she… had.”

The Doctor’s face burned with hatred at this.

“Why do you want to talk to me?” asked Nicholas.

The man he had known as Harold Saxon pirouetted round like a ballerina. “Well, you have been spreading some very hurtful things about me” he replied. “And I heard that you met a certain… Martha.” He savoured the word a moment, then spat it out, trying to stay composed.

Nicholas smiled. “Yes. We talked a bit about the Doctor. I’d been wondering who that fellow was ever since Harriet Jones made that broadcast on Christmas.”

“Well, here he is!” The Master pulled the Doctor out of the wheelchair. “Here you are, Mr Clough! Here is the wonderful Doctor!” He flung him back in, the Doctor remaining silent, with the aura of one used to this humiliation.

Nicholas looked worried but composed himself. “Well, there are plenty who resist you still.”

“Yes… Harriet is proving a bit elusive herself” said the Master, his face turning ugly again. “But of course, you were close to her!”

“I left when she did,” replied Nicholas.

“Loyalty… an unusual trait in a politician” replied Saxon. “I should know! Plenty were happy to flock to my banner!” He laughed. “Remember that loathsome Oscar Sudders? Harriet’s Health Secretary? Jumped at the chance to become my Defence Secretary! And that idiot from Richfield South. And of course, the old fool Dumfries! The look on their faces when I made the reshuffle…”

“I’m certainly glad I didn’t take the chance to be your Education Secretary!” said Nicholas.

“So much for wanting to educate!” laughed the Master. “I know how much you politicians talk about education, education, education!”

“Well, I was leaving politics anyway,” said Nicholas. “And I am happy to keep educating people.”

“Oh, what would you need to educate them about!” asked the Master. He pointed upwards. “I have my network, broadcasting the right ideas into their minds! I even have a few loudspeakers set up if I want to give a message!”

He pushed some buttons as if playing a piano, pulled a lever and yelled down the receiver. “PEOPLES OF EARTH! THIS IS YOUR MASTER! JUST TESTING!” He smiled at Nicholas. “It’s 1:15 in that part of the world, it should make the people jump!” He gave a laugh. “Not that it’s too dissimilar to many politicians in the days before my rule, this sort of propaganda! The sheer amount of awful Parties I had to go to to get Ru…” He paused and looked sullen at this memory, then brightened.

“But enough of that! I recall a piece you wrote about me, just before the election! It was called Why I will not be voting Saxon!”

“I think there are a lot of people who regret voting for you now” replied Nicholas.

“Well they should have thought of that beforehand. Not that they ever read your magnum opus. It got pulled due to a word from his Lordship the Paper’s owner, but he was kind enough to send me a copy!”

Like a conjurer the Master produced a paper. He smirked at the Doctor. “I’ve been teaching myself magic! I recall you liked those when you were that little man with the umbrella! Travelling with that… what was it… Dorothy?”

“Ace” said the Doctor. “Her name was Ace.”

“Oh yes! Ace! I remember telling you about her last stand with the Nitro-9… excellent chemical, I’m bottling a bit of it myself for a rainy day! Where was I… ah, the article!”

The Master began reading.

“Let’s see… Clough calls me the most dangerous man in Britain.”

“I was too kind, you’re the most dangerous man in the world” replied Nicholas.

“Oh, still too kind, the Universe!” The Master continued. “Brings up… oh yes, that little car accident which meant I just happened to be elected an MP! Poor old Charles Lichen!” He chuckled horribly. “Talks about dubious businessmen… Well, Salamander is doing some good work for me. And Van Statten’s collection has all sorts of lovely weapons for mass-production!” He commenced skimming the article. “Badmouths me, surprisingly nice about the Shadow Attorney General, badmouths Brian Green… Brings up Lazarus…” The Master was practically blushing as he read of his sinister deeds and scheming. “You’re too kind! I almost wish I could give you a job!”

“Well there will always be people like me, ready to educate against people like you!” said Nicholas. “And that’s what Martha is doing! Giving people hope!”

“Your pathetic people haven’t got a hope!” spat the Master.

“Doesn’t matter how many times you say that, it doesn’t make it true!” replied Nicholas, standing defiantly. “I kept telling people what Martha told me and I’m happy to have done so!”

A smile formed on the Doctor’s face, the first proper one in weeks. The Master glanced around, and his eyes narrowed. He turned back to Nicholas.

“Perhaps.” He took out his laser screwdriver and fired it, blasting Clough to the ground.

“Leave it wherever you found it,” he laughed to Ironside. “I’ll tell the people it’s an education!”

“You didn’t need to do that” said the Doctor angrily.

“No. But it’s fun!”

The Master turned to his transmitters. “Peoples of the Earth, please attend carefully.” He winked at the Doctor. “I always love saying that.” He continued. “I had a meeting with Nicholas Clough. A most educating experience. Just thought I’d let Miss Jones know that! And that I look forward to meeting her!”

But far away Martha continued telling her stories, telling the people of someone who fought against evil. Of giant crabs, of Daleks, of atmosphere-cleaning whales intended to destroy humanity, time-travelling assassins and more. And eventually the stories she told grew in the minds of the people and ended the tyranny of the Master.

And on that day, time snapped back a year. The Toclafane decimation vanished and few remembered the rule of the Master. Instead they watched as the Prime Minister was shot and died.

But they moved on and life went on. The papers about Saxon were covered up by the Lord High Chancellor Brian Green, including Clough’s Why I will not be Voting Saxon, citing security concerns.

Though with plenty more troubles and tricksters like the Master the world was not yet safe…

28th February 2021

England

Nicholas Clough glanced at his article, Why I will not be voting Saxon, written all those years ago. After some lobbying, he had finally been able to get it released for the memoirs he was writing, probably helped by the fact Brian Green was no longer in Parliament. Not many people seemed interested now in history. He sometimes wondered if the country would ever learn, especially as they kept making the same mistakes, falling for the same tricks. Not just in this country even!

But he had to keep trying. And maybe, one day, people would learn. Maybe they would see through the lies that the powerful told. Where there was life, there was hope. Even in the darkest of times.

[0vorenation0]

The Island (series #3)

(This might look like a peaceful island, but step on within and the shadows with creep out. This part in the series is made with the help by @thecorruptisland and his magical island. The island is his original idea from a while ago. He posts about the island and I wanted to feature it in my series. Thanks for allowing me too and enjoy the posts, I will be making a two part for the island. Enjoy.)

Friday 1:00 pm (Streets of VoreNation)

“As the parade continues down past the famous saloon that Cal designed for preds. We should be able to see the king any moment” an announcer says as the parade passes. I walk out on the balcony and an eruption of cheers fills the air, I wave to all the amazing citizens and travels of VoreNation. The celebration comes to a halt in front of the building and I walk up to a microphone. “Hello great citizens and travelers of VoreNation, we are here to celebrate the Minister of War. MOW Nightly has served his nation proud and deserves a great celebration and promotion. I could think of no man greater, who I trust more to earn such a title of MOW. With that enjoy the day, and let’s get the parade rolling!!!!” I say with vigor and excitement and sit back done in my chair. The parade goes on with MOW Nightly on the first float, he saluted me as he went by. At the end was a float commemorating Private Scotty, for his bravery and abrupt end. His family would be well taken care of by the city.

As the festivities continue, I turn to Corey, I was happy to hear he could make the event. It’s always nice to see an old friend like him, apparently, he made a lot of changes to his own nation and requested I come see them sometime. I obligated and said it would be an honor, once the festival was over. At that moment my top researcher came in and told me it was urgent. Dr. Miller sounded excited so I assumed it was good news. Miller had been the head of the researching team for under a year now with one mission. Find an ancient land and civilization my grandfather used to tell me about as a kid. The citizens of VoreNation knew this place only as a legend but I had reason to believe it was real. I recently uncovered some ancient ruins before the construction of VoreNation. Hidden beneath the dirt and rock, was a clay pot. It contained ancient scrolls and texts, which were dated back before the rule of my family.

One of the scrolls contained details about this ancient land that was once legend. Even some coordinates but sadly hale of the text was damaged and couldn’t be salvaged. That’s when I tasked a research team to find the mysterious lost land. So I was excited and left immediately with him. “Corey I’m sorry, I’m going to have to reschedule. Important stuff has come up, thanks for coming” I said to Corey as I shook his hand and left. We entered the elevator and went to the research lab, once on the floor we went to a massive futuristic map lay out that was 3D. It was an island to the west of the city, it was mountainous that led in a valley and then a forest. It was a huge island, that looked uninhabited. I turned to Dr. Miller and spoke, “ congratulations Dr, you have found it. I couldn’t have done it without you. Task a team of you and two on your brightest researchers. We leave in the morning. I’ll have my ship out at the harbor and we will depart at sunrise!!”

The following morning.... 6:00 AM

“Hello Dr. Miller, did you bring your researchers? I hope the island hasn’t been a waste of time. You know my grandfather used to talk about it all the time. He even said that the royal family originated from there. When I asked however about why they left the place, he had fear in his eyes. This expedition must be classified” I told the Doctor as I waved my hand to the captain to get a move on. As we set the course, we went over the island layout. The island was massive and surprisingly not on any modern world maps. This was strange to me because I had many people map out the world years ago. Made the island was dangerous, I thought as I ponder what could have made my family leave there home. We were preds after all, nothing really was above us in the food chain.

“CAPTAIN SHIP DEAD AHEAD” a shipmate yelled through the intercom. I ran up the stairs and saw a massive ship, not bigger then mine though. It was head right for us and I told the Captain to halt and keep guns pointed at the ship. “Stay the props, keep all weaponry aimed at the ship. No one fires with out my orders.” I spoke through the intercom to the ship’s defense team. That’s when I saw a flag being raised, colored bright blue. The international sign of peace, I was relieved. Must be a cargo ship, but where was it going. We were very close to the island as it looked like it can out of nowhere but in the direction of the island.

We dropped anchor, watched as the ship did the same. After a few minutes, a small passenger ship came out and headed towards us. It docked by our ship and a man walked on the boat up to me. He was escorted by my men and stoped right in front of me and said “ Hello I’m Saladin, nice ship you have here. You look like a very important person. Might I ask who you are?” He greeted me and asked. I put out my hand and shook his before saying” Hello my name is Cal, I’m the ruler of VoreNation and it’s a pleasure to meet you. Might I ask why you are out here and where you can from?” I asked curious about this man before me. He began to tell me he was out here with his research team, studying and researching rare sea creatures. “Ohhh Wow it’s an honor to meet your acquaintance, your majesty. I live on a massive island about 30 minutes In that direction.” He said casually. I was shocked he was an inhabitant of the island. Come to find out he is a researcher of not just creatures but history as well. He asked if I would like to come visit the island and I obliged. He stayed on my ship and I told him about the scroll I found and about my grandfather's stories. “Wait it can’t be, your apart of a tribe that left the island hundreds maybe thousands of years ago. I must take you to the ruins where our ancestors used to live.”

“Wait are you serious? This can’t be real, I knew nothing about my family’s past. They lived here on the island, my grandfather was right? This is amazing I can’t wait to see the ruins.” I said seemingly as happy as when Dr. Miller told me he found the island. The ships docked at a harbor, the island was massive and looked like a continent. Turns out the island was full of life, there were even cities. They weren’t as advanced as VoreNation but it was still impressive. We got in vehicles and drove to the site. We passed so many strand animals and plants. One plant even looked more then alive but carnivores. “ Haha yeah be careful some of these plants are actually carnivores. They will eat any livening thing even you. So the island is supposedly older than all other lands but has never been altered by evolution. What I mean is the island is so what prehistoric. I’ve been studying it for years and you wouldn’t believe the stuff I’ve found. We’re actually going to a research facility set up right outside of the ruins of your ancestors old tribe.” Saladin spoke as he drove through the vegetation. I was completely shocked but also thought that maybe one of my land surveyor teams came across the island and never got out. That’s why the island was never mapped. We pulled up to this facility creepy looking but me and my guards went in and we headed down.

“So what do you know about monsters?” Saladin asked me as we went down the elevator. “ hahaha monsters, and here I thought you were a scientist. Monster is legend, not real.” I said joking around. The door open and we stepped inside. That’s when I saw it, a massive box. Inside was a massive wolf like man. It was asleep but realized it was sedated. “You think monsters are legend now, Cal? This massive werewolf was captured by me 2 years and I’ve spent the last two years conducting vore tests on him. Apparently he is extremely powerful and can swallow anything. That’s not the amazing thing though, what’s fascinating is that I’ve developed a serum from him. It allows the victim to be swallowed but once digest water by stomach or cock can regenerate into there original form once out of the werewolf or a man.” He told me as he handed me a shot of the serum. “ this is amazing I never knew this was possible, and werewolves and pred plants. I mean what is this place, it’s so fascinating. Wait where did you capture the werewolf again?” I asked curious. “He was right out of the edge of our family’s ruins. I assume that’s why your family left, the pack of werewolf’s ravaged this twin and vored most everyone in the town. The few survivors left for new land, never to come back again.” He said

A little time later....

“Cal I suggest you drink that serum just in case this island is very dangerous. I should know, I’m a descendant of the original founders of the island. Werewolf’s still run around, and other creatures. This werewolf is actually the last one of the alpha originals pack. There are no more like him on the island. I’ve been researching these ruins for ages and studying the ancient family who lived here. I’ve found texts about what happened by a survivor. I assume they left it so one day someone would find it and know what happened here. If you want to explorer feel free to, I know there’s an old grave yard up the hill passed the well.” He told me and he showed me a map layout of the ruins. I was nearly bursting with knowledge, it was so much to process. I need to be by myself for a minute, plus I wanted to explore the ruins.

[clatterbane]

Coronavirus: Doctor who issued warning over lack of PPE dies in Queen’s Hospital, Romford

Just five days before being admitted, Dr Chowdhury wrote a Facebook post asking Boris Johnson to urgently provide every NHS worker with PPE.

In the post on March 18, he wrote: “People appreciate us and salute us for our rewarding job which are very inspirational but I would like to say we have to protect ourselves and our families /kids in this global disaster/crisis by using appropriate PPE and remedies.”