#oilfield life

[adventuresinbiologysection]

"but once you destroy the habitat, and the oil's gone, what do you got: the moon?"

Rancher, farmer, fisherman. By miriam horn. Isbn: 9780393247343

[mattatouile]

here's why i can't support the o*lers: they essentially made me see leon draisaitl cosplaying as my own dad.

[canadianenergymuseum]

Artifact of the Month May

Willys Fire Jeep

A big favourite in the museum, this custom Jeep made for firefighting on the Esso Fort St. John Oilfield (British Columbia, Canada) is located in our lobby. It is equipt with a water pump on the front, a roof rack for holding hosing/piping, and an open back storage with wood paneling.

Vehicle Type: Jeep - 1/4 Ton Four Wheel Drive Vehicle Manufacturer: Willys Motors, Inc (Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A.) Fire Apparatus Manufacturer: Howe Fire Apparatus Company (Anderson, Indiana, U.S.A.) Model number: HJ 10008 Road Speed: Transmission High Range Low Range High 60 m.p.h. 24 m.p.h. Intermediate 38 m.p.h. 16 m.p.h. Low 21 m.p.h. 9 m.p.h. Reverse 16 m.p.h. 6 m.p.h.

[simianinternational]

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[sayruq]

[CONT] call, prompting aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to come to its aid, dispatching helicopters to deal with approaching Yemeni Navy vessels

If the US and the UK go through with this plan, the Yemenis will bomb oilfields across the Gulf. This is will increase global oil prices significantly and ultimately tanking the global economy. If you thought life is hard now, you're not ready for how bad things will get in 2024.

All Joe Biden has to do to stop the Red Sea blockade is lift the siege on Gaza.

[coffeeandspentbrass]

This town has a smell at night. Something after ten pm changes on the wind. It isn’t an unpleasant smell but it’s not like anywhere else I’ve lived before. Its an old smell. A dusty smell. Something that rolls in like a tumble weed and leaves in the morning with its boots.

It makes you feel alive and surrounded by ghosts. Those of the old west, the Mexicans that once owned this land, all of the oilfield workers that died making this town what it is. There is blood on this soil. Blood a hundred years old and then some.

You wouldn’t know it. The run down streets, empty buildings ignored while money men cruise by in their Lamborghinis and Ferraris. Their Raptors and Hallcats. Dusty city be damned - they have their mansion.

This city is a ghost town haunted by the living. They will bleed that black life from the ground or go bankrupt trying. This a town built on hopes and dreams, and ghosts. This is Midland, Texas

[thelensart]

venty post as fuck but I really don't think I can do this for much longer I'm sorry. I've been rejected from every single fucking job in existence. I am unemployable, that's it, that's all. Not even mcdonalds wants me. And if I got it what the shit would I do, just make Joe Bloodbath here ten trillions so he can send f35s to bomb a fox den overseas because they dug too close to the oilfields. I've stopped taking my meds and stopped caring about going clean from alcohol, I'll hoard them so I can have enough to end myself in some time because I still want to draw. By god do I want. The hotlines did jack shit. I hate this shit man I can't do it. I can't keep just trying and still getting nothing and being called a sir no matter where I go or how I dress. The world is there and has its rules and I can't for the life of me even tend to the basic ones. I love my family and love my situation but wish everything humans are meant to do wasn't such an uphill battle. Can't even go get groceries without feeling anxious. Sorry all and I wish I had something good to say ever cheers

[windflows]

have some booney baby lore.

boone was primarily raised by his grandparents in a double-wide down in ouachita county, arkansas. his mother was only a teenager when she had him; to her credit, she tried her best to raise him herself before realizing she was in over her head. she ended up handing him over to her parents to look after while she got her life in order. for the first couple of years, their contact was bare minimum until a little after boone’s 3rd birthday, when she got a stable office job down in magnolia. after that, she was still an infrequent presence throughout boone’s childhood at best but her visits were always a positive experience for him. inevitably, they did hit a rough patch during boone’s teenage years, however, that was over a decade ago; these days, they’ve worked out most of their issues and have a fairly healthy connection, even if their relationship is more like friends or siblings than mother-and-son. in contrast, boone’s grandfather still lives in camden and boone makes sure to always visit during the wranglers off seasons.

he’s fairly certain he has adhd but he’s never gotten an official diagnoses because, southern boy that he is, he doesn’t totally believe it’s a real thing. closest he’s gotten is when lily and dani made him take an online quiz and he got mad at the results for making it harder to ignore ( “whatever, man. they don’t know nothin'.” )

he’s never had any formal education past high school. he always struggled with school, not because he was stupid, mind you, or because the subjects weren’t interesting. he was never intentionally disruptive. it’s just his adhd made it hard and the public school system ( especially the small town public school systems of south-eastern arkansas ) wasn’t designed with kids like him in mind. he considered dropping out at one point ( during that aforementioned rough patch with his mother ) but luckily he stuck with it and he’s glad he did, even if his GPA wasn’t going to earn him any scholarships.

he began working in the ouachita county oilfields right out of high school as a transport driver but it didn’t take long for him to realize he fucking hated it. the money was good, sure, but the hours were torturous, the work backbreaking, and they didn’t appreciate his brand of ✨whimsy✨. he lasted a little less than a year before eventually leaving to find something else.

he drifted around a bit after that, doing odd jobs here and there for cash, until he eventually found steady work as a rodeo bullfighter ( or “rodeo clown” ). it was his job to draw the bulls away from downed contestants and provide comedic relief between shows. it was at one of these competitions that he met tyler owens. the two got along like a house on fire and remained friends long after tyler had to retire due to his injury. when tyler returned years later with a phd and an idea, boone wasted no time in joining his storm chasing crew.

boone will credit those shows for turning him into a bit of an adrenaline junkie, which made the transition into storm chasing way easier than it probably should have been for any sane person. he learned everything he knows about chasing from tyler and because of that, feels he can never quite repay him for helping him find something he’s good at. that boy is his ride or die.

[scotianostra]

On January 5th 1993 the Liberian registered oil tanker Braer hit rocks off the Shetland Islands.

At 05.19 hrs on Tuesday 5th January 1993, Lerwick coastguard were advised that a tanker, the Braer, en route from Mongstad, Norway to Quebec, laden with 85,000 tonnes of Norwegian Gullfaks crude oil, had lost engine power but was in no immediate danger. She had sailed from the Norwegian port on 3rd January intending to pass through the northerly Fair Isle Strait before heading into the open Atlantic towards her destination.

The journey up to this point had been fraught with problems as first four steel pipe sections which had been secured on the port side after deck broke loose and were dangerously rolling about on deck. Later on the 4th, after routine adjustments to the auxiliary boiler, difficulty was experienced in re-igniting it. This boiler was needed to pre-heat the heavy engine oil used to run the main engine and so the main engine was switched to lighter diesel fuel until the problem with the auxiliary boiler could be resolved. The final straw in this litany of problems occurred when seawater contamination in the diesel fuel stopped the engine and caused the main generator to fail at 4:40am on 5th January. It was later established that fuel lines had been damaged by the loose pipe sections allowing seawater to penetrate the fuel lines and contaminate the diesel fuel.

The ship was carrying twice as much oil as the official figure for what the infamous Exxon Valdez had spilled in Prince William Sound Alaska, just four years earlier and on the same latitude of 60 degrees north. Not surprisingly, reports about an iniment environmental disaster were extremely fearful, particularly when the ship became a total loss and the gale-driven fumes could be smelt as far away as Bressay.

By the following morning the bay was full of oil and the slick was spreading north and south from the bay along the Shetland coast. Critically however, the oil aboard, recently recovered from the North Sea oilfields, was not as heavy as crude oil from other oilfields and breakers that were smashing the Braer to pieces were, in fact, already helping to disperse the oil very quickly. The spillage was still enormous and very damaging but thankfully the final environmental impact was much less than was initially feared. The ship, in it’s very exposed position, finally broke on January 11th and most of it disappeared beneath the surface. Only the upturned bow was visible as a reminder of the loss of the ship and eventually, around seven years later, it too vanished beneath the waves.

Reports state only 1% of the oil washed up on the beaches, but there was still a large environmental impact. Over 7500 birds died from the spill and large amount of marine life was impacted as well.

Some 95 million USD were paid out in claims by those impacted by the spill.

[kp777]

By Tom Phillips

The Guardian

Aug. 8, 2023

The Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has vowed to haul the Amazon out of centuries of violence, economic “plundering” and environmental devastation and into “a new Amazon dream”, at the start of a major regional summit on the world’s largest rainforest.

Addressing South American leaders gathered in the Brazilian city of Belém, Lula offered a bold blueprint for the future of the Amazon, a 6.7m sq km region that is home to nearly 50 million people spread across eight countries and one territory.

The Brazilian leftist promised to repair his country’s environmental and international reputation after four “disastrous” years under his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, during which the rainforest and Indigenous communities came under growing attack. “Thankfully … we have managed to turn this sad page in our history,” said Lula, who took power in January after thwarting Bolsonaro’s re-election plans.

Lula pledged to promote an ambitious model for the rainforest region – 60% of which lies within Brazil – in which environmental protection was accompanied by desperately needed social inclusion, economic growth and technological innovation.

“The rainforest is neither a void that needs occupying nor a treasure trove to be looted. It is a flowerbed of possibilities that must be cultivated,” Lula told the audience, which included the presidents of fellow Amazon nations Bolivia, Colombia and Peru, as well as the prime minister of Guyana and Venezuela’s vice-president.

Pledging to achieve zero deforestation by 2030, Lula said: “The Amazon can be whatever we want it to be: an Amazon with greener cities, with cleaner air, with mercury-free rivers and forests that are left standing; an Amazon with food on the table, dignified jobs and public services that are available to all; an Amazon with healthier children, well-received migrants [and] Indigenous people who are respected … This is our Amazon dream.”

Indigenous communities demand greater change as Amazon rainforest summit begins – video

The comments came at the start of a rare two-day meeting of the eight-member Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (Acto), which Lula called as part of efforts to reposition Brazil on the world stage as a key player in the fight against the climate crisis.

Among the issues being discussed at Acto’s first such meeting in 14 years were a possible deal to halt deforestation by 2030 and joint efforts to fight rampant illegal mining and organised crime groups that are tightening their grip on the rainforest region. Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, has been pushing for an end to oil and gas exploration in the Amazon, although Brazilian moves to develop an oilfield near the mouth of the Amazon River complicate those efforts.

Petro used his intervention to call for the creation of “an Amazonian Nato” under which regional military would join forces to protect the jungle, about 6% of which lies within Colombia’s borders.

“You defend life with reason – but also with weapons,” he said, also proposing a “Marshall Plan” to pump resources into Amazon protection and a specialised Amazonian court to punish crimes against the biome.

Dina Boluarte, the president of Peru, home to about 11% of the Amazon, also urged action to preserve a rainforest that “isn’t just the lungs of the world – it’s the heart of the world”.

“We must act now. There is no time to lose,” said Boluarte, who was making her first trip abroad since Peru was gripped by protests after she took power last December.

After hours of talks, a joint Acto communique, called the Belém Declaration, was published, calling for increased police and intelligence collaboration to fight illegal activities and environmental crime as well as human rights violations against Indigenous people and activists. It said a law enforcement centre would be opened in the Brazilian city of Manaus to promote cooperation among regional police forces.

The 113-point text also urged greater efforts to slash deforestation and promote sustainable development in the region. However, the document fell short of many expectations for failing to include a common goal of zero deforestation by 2030.

Marcio Astrini, the executive secretary of the Climate Observatory group, said he had mixed feelings about a declaration that was weaker than many environmentalists had hoped for.

“It’s a first step. It was important for [these leaders] to come together but there isn’t much concrete in there. It’s a list of very generic promises. It was lacking something more forceful,” Astrini said.

“We’re living in a world which is melting. We are breaking temperature records all the time. How can it be that in a 22-page declaration the presidents of eight Amazon countries can’t clearly state that deforestation needs to stop?”

Read more.

[imperialchem]

Preserving Assets:  The Role of Corrosion Inhibitors in Industrial Maintenance

Corrosion is a persistent threat to industrial assets, causing billions of dollars in damages annually across various sectors.  From oil and gas facilities to manufacturing plants, the impact of corrosion can be devastating, leading to equipment failures, production downtime, and costly repairs.  However, with the right preventive measures in place, such as corrosion inhibitors, industrial facilities can effectively mitigate the risk of corrosion and prolong the lifespan of their assets.  As a leading chemical company in Vadodara, Imperial Oilfield Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. (ICPL) understands the critical role of corrosion inhibitors in industrial maintenance.  In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of corrosion inhibitors, their applications, and the expertise of ICPL as a corrosion inhibitor manufacturer and exporter in India.

Understanding Corrosion Inhibitors

Corrosion inhibitors are chemical compounds designed to protect metal surfaces from the damaging effects of corrosion.  By forming a protective barrier on the metal surface or altering the corrosion process, inhibitors prevent or slow down the oxidation and deterioration of metals in corrosive environments.  Corrosion inhibitors are widely used in various industries, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, power generation, water treatment, and manufacturing, to safeguard critical assets and infrastructure from corrosion-related failures.

The Importance of Corrosion Inhibitors in Industrial Maintenance

1.   Asset Protection:  Industrial facilities rely heavily on equipment and infrastructure made of metal, such as pipelines, tanks, vessels, and machinery.  Corrosion inhibitors play a crucial role in protecting these assets from corrosion, extending their service life and reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements.

2.   Cost Savings:  Corrosion-related failures can result in significant financial losses due to equipment downtime, production disruptions, and repair expenses.  By incorporating corrosion inhibitors into maintenance programs, industries can minimize the risk of corrosion-related failures and realize substantial cost savings in the long run.

3.   Safety and Reliability:  Corrosion compromises the structural integrity of industrial assets, posing safety hazards to personnel and the surrounding environment.  Corrosion inhibitors help maintain the reliability and safety of critical infrastructure, reducing the likelihood of accidents, spills, and environmental contamination.

4.   Environmental Protection:  Corrosion-related leaks and spills can have detrimental environmental consequences, polluting soil, water bodies, and ecosystems.  By preventing corrosion and minimizing the risk of leaks and spills, corrosion inhibitors contribute to environmental protection and sustainability efforts.

Applications of Corrosion Inhibitors

Corrosion inhibitors find applications across various industrial sectors, where metal components are exposed to corrosive environments.  Some common applications of corrosion inhibitors include:

Oil and Gas Production:  In the oil and gas industry, corrosion inhibitors are used to protect pipelines, well casings, and production equipment from corrosion caused by corrosive fluids, gases, and environmental conditions.

Water Treatment:  Corrosion inhibitors are added to cooling water systems, boilers, and wastewater treatment facilities to prevent metal corrosion caused by dissolved oxygen, scale formation, and aggressive ions.

Manufacturing:  In manufacturing processes involving metal components, such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics manufacturing, corrosion inhibitors are used to protect parts, components, and machinery from corrosion during production, storage, and transportation.

Marine and Offshore Structures:  Corrosion inhibitors are applied to marine vessels, offshore platforms, and coastal structures to protect against corrosion in seawater environments.

ICPL:  Your Trusted Corrosion Inhibitor Manufacturer and Exporter in India

As the best chemical company in Vadodara, ICPL is dedicated to delivering high-quality corrosion inhibitors tailored to the specific needs of industrial clients.  Here's why ICPL is the preferred choice for corrosion inhibitors in India:

Expertise and Experience:  With decades of experience in the chemical industry, ICPL possesses the expertise and technical know-how to develop and manufacture corrosion inhibitors that meet the highest quality standards and regulatory requirements.

State-of-the-Art Facilities:  ICPL operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities equipped with advanced technologies and production processes to ensure the consistent quality and performance of its corrosion inhibitors.

Customized Solutions:  ICPL offers customized corrosion inhibitor formulations tailored to the unique requirements and operating conditions of industrial applications.  Our team of experts works closely with clients to develop solutions that address specific corrosion challenges and performance objectives.

Global Reach:  As a corrosion inhibitor exporter in India, ICPL serves clients worldwide, exporting its products to diverse markets across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.  With a strong global presence and distribution network, ICPL delivers reliable corrosion protection solutions to industries around the globe.

Conclusion

In conclusion, corrosion inhibitors play a crucial role in industrial maintenance by protecting metal assets from the damaging effects of corrosion.  As a leading corrosion inhibitor manufacturer and exporter in India, ICPL is committed to providing high-quality corrosion inhibitors that safeguard critical infrastructure, ensure operational reliability, and promote cost-effective maintenance practices.  With ICPL's expertise, customized solutions, and global reach, industries can effectively mitigate the risk of corrosion and preserve the integrity of their assets for years to come.  Contact ICPL today to learn more about our corrosion inhibitor products and solutions.

[strigital]

real talk tho, i am immensely grateful to the poles for managing to bag good sir Keanu Reeves for Johnny's role.

besides the fact that he is a wonderful human creature and a bombastic actor, i just love LOVE his eyes on Johnny. because Keanu has the saddest and kindest eyes of any human out there, which is not surprising giving how much shit life threw at him and despite of it all he prevailed as an epitome of humility, kindness and just plain awesome (have you seen the interview where he just gushes out about bikes and his Arch business like an exited boy would about his collection of stamps? it's amazing and it has healing antidepressant powers, highly recommend). but our lord and savior the creator of CP77 Mike Pondsmith kinda made Johnny a giant dumbass asshole, right? but the the poles gave him a whiplash of a character arc (i weep whenever i remember the oilfields... oh the oilfields!!). so Keanu's beautiful eyes that saw plenty of life's tragedies yet are soulful and full of kindness and care just look so good on Johnny's tired-from-everything face. he may sass V all he wants, call them names, bitch, and whine, and talk shit, and make faces, but his eyes are always a spark of warmth against the backdrop of a dark uncaring city. it's fucken impossible to look Johnny in the eye and not feel some sorta way! and when the plot demands of Johnny to be vulnerable for a hot second and Keanu just does his VA magic and you look at that dirty old man it's like... your heart hurts, you know? you wanna give this sod at least a crumb of happiness - a kind word, a touch, something! or in other words: how good it is to live in a world where such a character is played by such an actor! i wholeheartedly believe had they chose some other guy i wouldn't adore Johnny nearly as much as i do right now. don't get me wrong, a Deadpool-esque Johnny played by Ryan Reynolds would be cathartic, and i'm sure that Johnny played by Johnny Depp would be beyond amazing but... i just utterly love Keanu's sad beautiful eyes on that "selfish" "terrorist's" face 😔💔

[wumblr]

hey you guys i don't know how much longer i can withstand the direct conversion of eight years of my life expectancy to GDP just so we can bankroll the carpet bombing of an ally's final solution concentration camp just so they can get access to marine oilfields. almost everyone i've ever met makes me sick. genocidal vampire country

[genocidalfetus]

Johnny's Bender, Rogue, Johnny's Grave

Drinking, tattoos, and chatting up a stripper. Johnny was supposed to talk to Rogue...none of those things are 'talking to Rogue'

Getting into a car accident is also not 'talking to Rogue', Johnny....

Vilem wakes up with a wicked hangover, and to Rogue staring him down. Seemed Johnny did end up talking to her after all and gave her a lead to follow. Grayson. She said she would give him a call when she finds something.

Vilem is pissed at Johnny, but even more pissed at the sun for being too bright. His head is throbbing something awful.

Days later, Rogue tracks down Grayson to some big boat called Ebunike in a Maelstrom-controlled dock.

Rogue gives Vilem a replica of Johnny's old jacket. The rockerboy is impressed.

They wait for nightfall and sneak onto the Ebunike. They find Grayson and get some intel out of him on Smasher, as well as the location of Johnny's body. Rogue isn't happy and storms off.

Grayson also gave Vilem something extra. Johnny's Porsche. Vilem drives to the location given and finds himself in an Oilfield.

Johnny, for the first time since he landed in Vilem's head, sees things clearly. He sees how much of an asshole he's been to everyone in his life. Vilem gives him a dose of tough love on top of that, reminding him that he fucked things up with him too.

Johnny wants to make amends with those in his life he hurt. He wants to fix things with Vilem, be given a chance to at least. Vilem tells Johnny that this is his only chance to make things right.

Johnny swears to make things right and do right by Vilem if he gets help with making things right with those he hurt during his life. Starting with Rogue.

[royhalls]

My Life Story

Hello Everyone I Hope this message finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to share a glimpse of my life's journey—a journey that began on an Alberta farm and has led me down a winding path filled with challenges, accomplishments, and change.

At the tender age of 4, my mother introduced me to the world of machinery, teaching me to shift gears in our trusty old five-ton grain truck as we chased cattle across the vast expanse of the Battle River pasture area. Those early lessons ignited a lifelong passion for farming, trucking, and a myriad of other skills that farming life demands.

After graduating from Paradise Valley High School, I embarked on a journey that took me from the farm to the world of drilling rigs. I split my time between working on the rigs and helping out on the farm whenever I could—a balancing act that taught me valuable lessons in time management and hard work.

However, life has a way of presenting unforeseen challenges. The world of drilling rigs was soon overshadowed by personal hardships. The passing of my beloved mother due to cancer was a heart-wrenching chapter in my life, and it was followed by the emotional toll of a divorce.

In search of better opportunities and a fresh start, I made the pivotal decision to leave Alberta behind and venture to British Columbia. There, I delved into the world of logging, exploring the beautiful landscapes of Williams Lake, Quesnel, 100 Mile, Prince George, and Mackenzie, often navigating off the beaten path. Logging was physically demanding, but it brought a profound sense of accomplishment.

Yet, the call of the oilfields in Fort St. John beckoned me back. The allure of steady work and financial stability led me to return to the world of tanking. It was a decision that allowed me to regain my footing, secure my future, and thrive in the industry.

Throughout my life, I've worn many hats—trucker, equipment operator, mechanic, gardener, and more. I've spent countless nights sleeping in my truck and embraced the camaraderie of life in remote camps. These experiences have shaped me, but as time passes, I find myself ready for a change.

This is why I've decided to part ways with my tanker, side dump, and soon, my meticulously rebuilt 2003 378 Peterbilt Winch Tractor. Each of these vehicles represents a chapter in my life—a chapter of hard work and dedication.

In closing, I want to express my gratitude for being a part of my journey. The road has been long and filled with twists and turns, but it has also been a journey of growth and resilience. As I step into this new phase of life, I'm excited to see where the road leads next.

[merge-conflict]

anthem for the already defeated

Goro doesn’t regret telling V, exactly, as much as he regrets the entire burden of knowledge and the responsibility of sharing it. He regrets the conversation that has left them both in tense ceasefire, watching the harsh concrete of Northside give way to the equally unpleasant stench of the oilfields just outside the city. He regrets not giving Smasher the mercy he did not deserve.

V wields her silence like a knife, skillful and sharp as she works, always ensuring he is watching and understanding. He has seen her angry before, but this is different– now she peels back skin to expose bone and pulsing veins, like a master whose greatest work is on her own flesh. She goads him to speak and then smiles with contempt, an invitation for him to grasp at something she will not explain. He holds his tongue and loses her attention, her eyes on the horizon and her fingers picking at the seam of her left arm.

When they arrive she ignores him entirely, unloading the trunk of the car and heading for the coordinates that pulse serenely in the corner of his vision. He follows at a respectful distance, scanning the area for threats and finding none. Experience makes it easy for him to pack away his thoughts, both present and absent as she sets to work.

First, there are the sheets of scrap metal. He sets his eyes on the distant city, both watching and not watching as she painstakingly hauls it to the side, knowing his offer of assistance would be rejected. It takes all his fortitude to keep himself still, when he wants nothing more than join her and toss them aside. But he has been relegated to the sidelines, and he knows enough about her temper to know testing it will only make things worse. Given time she will come back to him, so long as he remains patient and allows her to excise this wound.

V sets down her surveyor, head tilting as she walks around the base of it, sifting through feedback until she pauses mid-step, frozen in place as she contemplates an image he cannot see. She stands like that for almost a full minute, heart rate spiking, breathing carefully controlled in a rhythm he recognizes.

The ground here is thick with clay, poisoned by industrial extraction and resistant to excavation but V sets to work with a vigor that belies her calm expression. Every centimeter she digs is as difficult as the last, the edge of her shovel gleaming dimmer and dimmer. She’s poorly dressed for manual labor, shedding her shirt and then her undershirt in the flat winter sun, the untrained muscles of her back straining with each repetitive motion. Gradually her energy flags as she hits half a meter deep, but the instant he moves into her peripheral she renews her pace, turning so he remains out of view.

She’s only a meter deep when she swaps the shovel for a trowel, dragging the surveyor around as she considers the best angle to work from. When she pauses he can see her right hand trembling from exhaustion, shoulders hunched. As she kneels in the ugly clay she wipes the back of her hand across her eyes and he averts his eyes.

The light is beginning to fade when V pulls herself up from the grave, exhausted and covered in dirt. She sits at the edge, pressed forehead to forehead with a filthy, jawless skull. He lays down his jacket next to the edge, and after several minutes she sets the skull down gently in the collar.

It’s a long night, with poor tools and poorer light, and for a long time after she lays in the emptied grave looking up at blinking satellites. She lets him help carry the bones back to the car, where they sit nestled in the remains of another life– a battered leather jacket, loose boxes of ammo, a half empty case of energy drinks. Small bones, some of them shattered and crumbling, sit cradled by a corroded silver arm.

They drive in silence, but V rests her hand on the outside of Goro’s wrist, and there is nothing left to regret.