#operation chokepoint

[choppedcowboydinosaur]

Please look into Operation Chokepoint if you can. It was the progenitor of this stuff. So, whenever you see payment processors screwing over artists because of what they draw you will know why.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Prime’s enshittified advertising

Prime's gonna add more ads. They brought in ads in January, and people didn't cancel their Prime subscriptions, so Amazon figures that they can make Prime even worse and make more money:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/10/amazon-prime-video-is-getting-more-ads-next-year/

The cruelty isn't the point. Money is the point. Every ad that Amazon shows you shifts value away from you – your time, your attention – to the company's shareholders.

That's the crux of enshittification. Companies don't enshittify – making their once-useful products monotonically worse – because it amuses them to erode the quality of their offerings. They enshittify them because their products are zero-sum: the things that make them valuable to you (watching videos without ads) make things less valuable to them (because they can't monetize your attention).

This isn't new. The internet has always been dominated by intermediaries – platforms – because there are lots more people who want to use the internet than are capable of building the internet. There's more people who want to write blogs than can make a blogging app. There's more people who want to play and listen to music than can host a music streaming service. There's more people who want to write and read ebooks than want to operate an ebook store or sell an ebooks reader.

Despite all the early internet rhetoric about the glories of disintermediation, intermediaries are good, actually:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/06/12/direct-the-problem-of-middlemen/

The problem isn't with intermediaries per se. The problem arises when intermediaries grow so powerful that they usurp the relationship between the parties they connect. The problem with Uber isn't the use of mobile phones to tell taxis that you're standing on a street somewhere and would like a cab, please. The problem is rampant worker misclassification, regulatory arbitrage, starvation wages, and price-gouging:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/29/geometry-hates-uber/#toronto-the-gullible

There's no problem with publishers, distributors, retailers, printers, and all the other parts of the bookselling ecosystem. While there are a few, rare authors who are capable of performing all of these functions – basically gnawing their books out of whole logs with their teeth – most writers can't, and even the ones who can, don't want to:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/19/crad-kilodney-was-an-outlier/#intermediation

When early internet boosters spoke of disintermediation, what they mostly meant was that it would be harder for intermediaries to capture those relationships – between sellers and buyers, creators and audiences, workers and customers. As Rebecca Giblin and I wrote in our 2022 book Chokepoint Capitalism, intermediaries in every sector rely on chokepoints, narrows where they can erect tollbooths:

https://chokepointcapitalism.com/

When chokepoints exist, they multiply up and down the supply chain. In the golden age of physical, recorded music, you had several chokepoints that reinforced one another. Limited radio airwaves gave radio stations power over record labels, who had to secretly, illegally bid for prime airspace ("payola"). Retail consolidation – the growth of big record chains – drove consolidation in the distributors who sold to the chains, and the more concentrated distributors became, the more they could squeeze retailers, which drove even more consolidation in record stores. The bigger a label was, the more power it had to shove back against the muscle of the stores and the distributors (and the pressing plants, etc). Consolidation in labels also drove consolidation in talent agencies, whose large client rosters gave them power to resist the squeeze from the labels. Consolidation in venues drives consolidation in ticketing and promotion – and vice-versa.

But there's two parties to this supply chain who can't consolidate: musicians and their fans. With limits on "sectoral bargaining" (where unions can represent workers against all the companies in a sector), musicians' unions were limited in their power against key parts of the supply chain, so the creative workers who made the music were easy pickings for labels, talent reps, promoters, ticketers, venues, retailers, etc. Music fans are diffused and dispersed, and organized fan clubs were usually run by the labels, who weren't about to allow those clubs to be used against the labels.

This is a perfect case-study in the problems of powerful intermediaries, who move from facilitator to parasite, paying workers less while degrading their products, and then charge customers more for those enshittified products.

The excitement about "disintermediation" wasn't so much about eliminating intermediaries as it was about disciplining them. If there were lots of ways to market a product or service, sell it, collect payment for it, and deliver it, then the natural inclination of intermediaries to turn predator would be curbed by the difficulty of corralling their prey into chokepoints.

Now that we're a quarter century on from the Napster Wars, we can see how that worked out. Decades of failure to enforce antitrust law allowed a few companies to effectively capture the internet, buying out rivals who were willing to sell, and bankrupting those who wouldn't with illegal tactics like predatory pricing (think of Uber losing $31 billion by subsidizing $0.41 out of every dollar they charged for taxi rides for more than a decade).

The market power that platforms gained through consolidation translated into political power. When a few companies dominate a sector, they're able to come to agreement on common strategies for dealing with their regulators, and they've got plenty of excess profits to spend on those strategies. First and foremost, platforms used their power to get more power, lobbying for even less antitrust enforcement. Additionally, platforms mobilized gigantic sums to secure the right to screw customers (for example, by making binding arbitration clauses in terms of service enforceable) and workers (think of the $225m Uber and Lyft spent on California's Prop 22, which formalized their worker misclassification swindle).

So big platforms were able to insulate themselves from the risk of competition ("five giant websites, filled with screenshots of the other four" – Tom Eastman), and from regulation. They were also able to expand and mobilize IP law to prevent anyone from breaking their chokepoints or undoing the abuses that these enabled. This is a good place to get specific about how Prime Video works.

There's two ways to get Prime videos: over an app, or in your browser. Both of these streams are encrypted, and that's really important here, because of a law – Section 1201 of the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act – which makes it really illegal to break this kind of encryption (commonly called "Digital Rights Management" or "DRM"). Practically speaking, that means that if a company encrypts its videos, no one is allowed to do anything to those videos, even things that are legal, without the company's permission, because doing all those legal things requires breaking the DRM, and breaking the DRM is a felony (five years in prison, $500k fine, for a first offense).

Copyright law actually gives subscribers to services like Prime a lot of rights, and it empowers businesses that offer tools to exercise those rights. Back in 1976, Sony rolled out the Betamax, the first major home video recorder. After an eight-year court battle, the Supreme Court weighed in on VCRs and ruled that it was legal for all of us to record videos at home, both to watch them later, and to build a library of our favorite shows. They also ruled that it was legal for Sony – and by that time, every other electronics company – to make VHS systems, even if those systems could be used in ways that violated copyright because they were "capable of sustaining a substantial non-infringing use" (letting you tape shows off your TV).

Now, this was more than a decade before the DMCA – and its prohibition on breaking DRM – passed, but even after the DMCA came into effect, there was a lot of media that didn't have DRM, so a new generation of tech companies were able to make tools that were "capable of sustaining a substantial non-infringing use" and that didn't have to break any DRM to do it.

Think of the Ipod and Itunes, which, together, were sold as a way to rip CDs (which weren't encrypted), and play them back from both your desktop computer and a wildly successful pocket-sized portable device. Itunes even let you stream from one computer to another. The record industry hated this, but they couldn't do anything about it, thanks to the Supreme Court's Betamax ruling.

Indeed, they eventually swallowed their bile and started selling their products through the Itunes Music Store. These tracks had DRM and were thus permanently locked to Apple's ecosystem, and Apple immediately used that power to squeeze the labels, who decided they didn't like DRM after all, and licensed all those same tracks to Amazon's DRM-free MP3 store, whose slogan was "DRM: Don't Restrict Me":

https://memex.craphound.com/2008/02/01/amazons-anti-drm-tee/

Apple played a funny double role here. In marketing Itunes/Ipods ("Rip, Mix, Burn"), they were the world's biggest cheerleaders for all the things you were allowed to do with copyrighted works, even when the copyright holder objected. But with the Itunes Music Store and its mandatory DRM, the company was also one of the world's biggest cheerleaders for wrapping copyrighted works in a thin skin of IP that would allow copyright holders to shut down products like the Ipod and Itunes.

Microsoft, predictably enough, focused on the "lock everything to our platform" strategy. Then-CEO Steve Ballmer went on record calling every Ipod owner a "thief" and arguing that every record company should wrap music in Microsoft's Zune DRM, which would allow them to restrict anything they didn't like, even if copyright allowed it (and would also give Microsoft the same abusive leverage over labels that they famously exercised over Windows software companies):

https://web.archive.org/web/20050113051129/http://management.silicon.com/itpro/0,39024675,39124642,00.htm

In the end, Amazon's approach won. Apple dropped DRM, and Microsoft retired the Zune and shut down its DRM servers, screwing anyone who'd ever bought a Zune track by rendering that music permanently unplayable.

Around the same time as all this was going on, another company was making history by making uses of copyrighted works that the law allowed, but which the copyright holders hated. That company was Tivo, who products did for personal video recorders (PVRs) what Apple's Ipod did for digital portable music players. With a Tivo, you could record any show over cable (which was too expensive and complicated to encrypt) and terrestrial broadcast (which is illegal to encrypt, since those are the public's airwaves, on loan to the TV stations).

That meant that you could record any show, and keep it forever. What's more, you could very easily skip through ads (and rival players quickly emerged that did automatic ad-skipping). All of this was legal, but of course the cable companies and broadcasters hated it. Like Ballmer, TV execs called Tivo owners "thieves."

But Tivo didn't usher in the ad-supported TV apocalypse that furious, spittle-flecked industry reps insisted it would. Rather, it disciplined the TV and cable operators. Tivo owners actually sought out ads that were funny and well-made enough to go viral. Meanwhile, every time the industry decided to increase the amount of advertising in a show, they also increased the likelihood that their viewers would seek out a Tivo, or worse, one of those auto-ad-skipping PVRs.

Given all the stink that TV execs raised over PVRs, you'd think that these represented a novel threat. But in fact, the TV industry's appetite for ads had been disciplined by viewers' access to new technology since 1956, when the first TV remotes appeared on the market (executives declared that anyone who changed the channel during an ad-break was a thief). Then came the mute button. Then the wireless remote. Meanwhile, a common VCR use-case – raised in the Supreme Court case – was fast-forwarding ads.

At each stage, TV adapted. Ads in TV shows represented a kind of offer: "Will you watch this many of these ads in return for a free TV show?" And the remote, the mute button, the wireless remote, the VCR, the PVR, and the ad-skipping PVR all represented a counter-offer. As economists would put it, the ability of viewers to make these counteroffers "shifted the equilibrium." If viewers had no defensive technology, they might tolerate more ads, but once they were able to enforce their preferences with technology, the industry couldn't enshittify its product to the liminal cusp of "so many ads that the viewer is right on the brink of turning off the TV (but not quite)."

This is the same equilibrium-shifting dynamic that we see on the open web, where more than 50% of users have installed an ad-blocker. The industry says, "Will you allow this many 'sign up to our mailing list' interrupters, pop ups, pop unders, autoplaying videos and other stuff that users hate but shareholders benefit from" and the ad-blocker makes a counteroffer: "How about 'nah?'":

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/07/adblocking-how-about-nah

TV remotes, PVRs and ad-blockers are all examples of "adversarial interoperability" – a new product that plugs into an existing one, extending or modifying its functions without permission from (or even over the objections of) the original manufacturer:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/10/adversarial-interoperability

Adversarial interop creates a powerful disciplining force on platform owners. Once a user grows so frustrated with a product's enshittification that they research, seek out, acquire and learn to use an adversarial interop tool, it's really game over. The printer owner who figures out where to get third-party ink is gone forever. Every time a company like HP raises its prices, they have to account for the number of customers who will finally figure out how to use generic ink and never, ever send another cent to HP.

This is where DMCA 1201 comes into play. Once a product is skinned with DRM, its manufacturers gain the right to prevent you from doing legal things, and can use the public's courts and law-enforcement apparatus to punish you for trying. Take HP: as soon as they started adding DRM to their cartridges, they gained the legal power to shut down companies that cloned, refilled or remanufactured their cartridges, and started raising the price of ink – which today sits at more than $10,000/gallon:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/09/30/life-finds-a-way/#ink-stained-wretches

Using third party ink in your printer isn't illegal (it's your printer, right?). But making third party ink for your printer becomes illegal once you have to break DRM to do so, and so HP gets to transform tinted water into literally the most expensive fluid on Earth. The ink you use to print your kid's homework costs more than vintage Veuve Cliquot or sperm from a Kentucky Derby-winning thoroughbred.

Adversarial interoperability is a powerful tool for shifting the equilibrium between producers, intermediaries and buyers. DRM is an even more powerful way of wrenching that equilibrium back towards the intermediary, reducing the share that buyers and sellers are able to eke out of the transaction.

Prime Video, of course, is delivered via an app, which means it has DRM. That means that subscribers don't get to exercise the rights afforded to them by copyright – only the rights that Amazon permits them to have. There's no Tivo for Prime, because it would have to break the DRM to record the shows you stream from Prime. That allows Prime to pull all kinds of shady shit. For example, every year around this time, Amazon pulls popular Christmas movies from its free-to-watch tier and moves them into pay-per-view, only restoring them in the spring:

https://www.reddit.com/r/vudu/comments/1bpzanx/looks_like_amazon_removed_the_free_titles_from/

And of course, Prime sticks ads in its videos. You can't skip these ads – not because it's technically challenging to make a 30-second advance button for a video stream, and doing so wouldn't violate anyone's copyright – but because Amazon doesn't permit you to do so, and the fact that the video is wrapped in DRM makes it a felony to even try.

This means that Amazon gets to seek a different equilibrium than TV companies have had to accept since 1956 and the invention of the TV remote. Amazon doesn't have to limit the quantity, volume, and invasiveness of its ads to "less the amount that would drive our subscribers to install and use an ad-skipping plugin." Instead, they can shoot for the much more lucrative equilibrium of "so obnoxious that the viewer is almost ready to cancel their subscription (but not quite)."

That's pretty much exactly how Kelly Day, the Amazon exec in charge of Prime Video, put it to the Financial Times: they're increasing the number of ads because "we haven’t really seen a groundswell of people churning out or cancelling":

https://www.ft.com/content/f8112991-820c-4e09-bcf4-23b5e0f190a5

At this point, attentive readers might be asking themselves, "Doesn't Amazon have to worry about Prime viewers who watch in their browsers?" After all browsers are built on open standards, and anyone can make one, so there should be browsers that can auto-skip Prime ads, right?

Wrong, alas. Back in 2017, the W3C – the organization that makes the most important browser standards – caved to pressure from the entertainment industry and the largest browser companies and created "Encrypted Media Extensions" (EME), a "standard" for video DRM that blocks all adversarial interoperability:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/09/open-letter-w3c-director-ceo-team-and-membership

This had the almost immediate effect of making it impossible to create an independent browser without licensing proprietary tech from Google – now a convicted monopolist! – who won't give you a license if you implement recording, ad-skipping, or any other legal (but dispreferred) feature:

https://blog.samuelmaddock.com/posts/the-end-of-indie-web-browsers/

This means that for Amazon, there's no way to shift value away from the platform to you. The company has locked you in, and has locked out anyone who might offer you a better deal. Companies that know you are technologically defenseless are endlessly inventive in finding ways to make things worse for you to make things better for them. Take Youtube, another DRM-video-serving platform that has jacked up the number of ads you have to sit through in order to watch a video – even as they slash payments to performers. They've got a new move: they're gonna start showing you ads while your video is paused:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/09/20/youtube-pause-ads-rollout/75306204007/

That is the kind of fuckery you only come up with when your victory condition is "a service that's almost so bad our customers quit (but not quite)."

In Amazon's case, the math is even worse. After all, Youtube may have near-total market dominance over a certain segment of the video market, but Prime Video is bundled with Prime Delivery, which the vast majority of US households subscribe to. You have to give up a lot to cancel your Prime subscription – especially since Amazon's predatory pricing devastated the rest of the retail sector:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/#relentless-payola

Amazon's founding principle was "customer obsession." Ex-Amazoners tell me that this was more than an empty platitude: arguments over product design were won or lost based on whether they could satisfy the "customer obsession" litmus test. Now, everyone falls short of their ideals, but sticking to your ideals isn't merely a matter of internal discipline, of willpower. Living up to your ideals is a matter of external discipline, too. When Amazon no longer had to contend with competitors or regulators, when it was able to use DRM to control its customers and use the law to prevent them from using its products in legal ways, it lost those external sources of discipline.

Amazon suppliers have long complained of the company's high-handed treatment of the vendors who supplied it with goods. Its workers have complained bitterly and loudly about the dangerous and oppressive conditions in its warehouses and delivery vans. But Amazon's customers have consistently given Amazon high marks on quality and trustworthiness.

The reason Amazon treated its workers and suppliers badly and its customers well wasn't that it liked customers and hated workers and suppliers. Amazon was engaged in a cold-blooded calculus: it understood that treating customers well would give it control over those customers, and that this would translate market power to retain suppliers even as it ripped them off and screwed them over.

But now, Amazon has clearly concluded that it no longer needs to keep customers happy in order to retain them. Instead, it's shooting for "keeping customers so angry that they're almost ready to take their business elsewhere (but not quite)." You see this in the steady decline of Amazon product search, which preferences the products that pay the biggest bribes for search placement over the best matches:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/06/attention-rents/#consumer-welfare-queens

And you see it in the steady enshittification of Prime Video. Amazon's character never changed. The company always had a predatory side. But now that monopoly and IP law have insulated it from consequences for its actions, there's no longer any reason to keep the predator in check.

Tor Books as just published two new, free LITTLE BROTHER stories: VIGILANT, about creepy surveillance in distance education; and SPILL, about oil pipelines and indigenous landback.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/10/03/mother-may-i/#minmax

[milfstalin]

A leader of a major faction in the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has warned that if Israel begins a war that involves the energy sector, the world will lose 12 million barrels per day, “and this is what we will make sure of.”

Abu Ali al-Askari, the head of the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades Security Bureau, stated: “This is what we will be taking care of, but only God knows what our brethren in Yemen will do in Bab al-Mandab and our brethren in Iran will do in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Israeli leaders have threatened to launch a massive attack against Iran, including against nuclear power and oil infrastructure.

Askari warned further that the resistance’s response “will not be limited to Israel, but will extend to Washington’s bases and interests in Iraq and the region.”

[...]

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital oil transit chokepoint situated between Iran and Oman. Oil tankers carry approximately 17 million barrels of oil each day through the Strait, or 20 percent of the world's total consumption.

Some analysts believe that oil prices, currently around $80 per barrel, could reach more than $300 per barrel in the case of a full blockade of the Gulf of Hormuz.

[...]

Al-Askari's statement also comes after right-wing Israeli Channel 14 aired a segment on Tuesday featuring Ayatollah al-Sistani's image on a list of potential assassination targets.

The image appeared alongside other regional figures, including Yemeni leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Hezbollah's deputy leader Naim Qassem, Hamas political chief Yahya Sinwar, Iranian Quds Force commander Ismail Qaani, and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

[...]

11 Oct 2024

[robininthelabyrinth]

Title: who will mend what falls apart (ao3 link)

Fandom: Star Wars - Clone Wars Pairing: CC-8826 Neyo/Darth Vader, Neyo & Bacara Summary:

…a growing suspicion that there may be something going on between Lord Vader and one of his subordinate commanders. While naturally no one would ever accuse Lord Vader of any personal impropriety, it does seem unusual that he take such a particularized and (may I say) uncharacteristically charitable interest in a single commander, much less an outdated, near-obsolete clone commander. Recommend opening an immediate investigation into CC-8826. (you might find love inside the Empire’s endless red tape, if you read between the lines)

Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…results of preliminary survey concluded. Recommendation: Advance via advised route. Send primary squad through the valley, while situating support squads on the surrounding hills to enable primary squad to avoid an ambush. Likelihood of enemy ambush rated at 56%.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…snow likely to create issues for the invasion force, particularly at chokepoints B and D (consult above illustration). Recommendation: Do not proceed with regular infantry. Advise waiting for reinforcement with specialized snowtroopers or, if unavailable, troopers capable of utilizing mechanized transport for easier progression over difficult terrain. Likelihood of mission failure if current force is ordered forward regardless rated at 89%.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…tactically significant presence of arable land. Given the overall structure of the planet and the extreme weather conditions observed in the mountainous areas, as well as the limited existence of easily traversable passes, it seems likely that the local population would be highly reluctant to start a fight at the present location, as it might risk damaging one of the few areas where they are able to grow crops. Risk of hostilities rated between 10-20%. Recommendation: Hold present position and initiate negotiations from a position of strength. If time allows, consider building a permanent base of operations nearby to ensure ongoing compliance.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial requisition form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…upgrades to the speeders currently in use will enable more efficient information gathering and reduce instances of mission failure attributable to lack of agility and mobility. Implementing and testing such upgrades may also result in an increase in unit cohesion, which is currently rated at between 45-60% below optimal, a figure likely attributable to the reduced training times of drafted troopers utilized in the current composition of the recon division.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…strongly recommend that a forward scouting operation be sent to conduct a preliminary survey prior to committing our forces. While the personal presence of Lord Vader to oversee the present mission has understandably increased urgency, the unavailability of reliable terrain maps raises significant risks of mission failure stemming from lack of adequate intelligence. It is likely that such a survey will constitute only a short delay, most likely under three days (rated at 54%) with a possible extension to five (33%) in the event the recon squad encounters unexpected obstacles.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…results of preliminary survey concluded. Recommendation: Advance via advised route. Primary squad should advance along the cliff side via the high ground trail, posting sentries at each bend to minimize the possibility of surprise attacks. Under no circumstances should the squadron divert to the shortcut through river valley, given the danger of a flash flood. Risk of incurring significant personnel losses in the event of an adverse weather event rated at 93%.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied – overridden on recommendation of superior officer on the ground. Note: The uphill route is three times as long as the valley path! We cannot afford such delays.

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…results of preliminary survey concluded. Recommendation: Advance via advised route. Primary squad (or what’s left of it) should proceed through the valley, since General [NAME REDACTED] is incapable of any maneuver more complex than a straight line and this one doesn’t have a deadly river in it. Likelihood of personnel loss on current route is rated at 22% (risk deemed acceptable). Overall mission success if leadership is not replaced rated at 14% and dropping.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: Personal commentary is unnecessary and unappreciated.

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Imperial personnel form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…see what he said in his report?! This is the sort of insubordinate behavior typical of a clone of his ilk: useless, obsolete, already being phased out and too stupid to realize it. He’s not even leading other clones anymore! The whole recon squad has been replaced with normal draftees, and if it wasn’t for his high level of experience and use as a trainer, I'm certain that this one would have been replaced long ago as well. Recommend immediate decommissioning or, at minimum, sending back to Kamino or wherever for reconditioning.

Submitted by: General [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied. Note: As the highest ranked officer on the ground, the responsibility for incorporating actionable intelligence into tactical decisions is yours. As far as I can determine, the reports and recommendations submitted by the recon division have been accurate. Do not disappoint me further. – V.

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…in line with current strategic priorities. Recommendation: Hold position. General [NAME REDACTED]’s newfound devotion to utilizing unnecessarily complicated mission maneuvers at every opportunity aside, advancing on uncertain terrain in the dark without adequate night vision technology will result in catastrophic mission failure. Likelihood rating not included as the numbers will not adequately convey the strength of the recommendation.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied – overridden on recommendation of superior officer on the ground. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…absolutely no reason for a massacre of the local indigenous population. The community is sufficiently isolated from neighboring groups that its demise would serve no strategic, tactical, or even propaganda purpose, resulting in little more than a waste of time and ammunition. Furthermore, trauma from such an event will increase trooper attrition rates by at least 4%. Recommendation: Simply go around.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied – overridden on recommendation of superior officer on the ground. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…blatant disregard of strategic priorities handed down from above and a disinclination to listen to or incorporate intel provided by the recon division has more to do with recent mission failures than any supposed “sabotage” by Rebellion forces. The likelihood of the existence of such a force in sufficient strength to implement such complex plots on current planet rated at only 3%. A massive increase in trooper presence for the purposes of policing the local population is thus likely to do nothing but cause further chaos, decreasing rather than increasing chances of ultimate mission success. Recommendation: Push General [NAME REDACTED] off a cliff during the next night attack instead.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied – overridden on recommendation of superior officer on the ground. Note: N/A

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Imperial personnel form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…recommend that we replace the entire command staff of this battalion following the tragic demise of General [NAME REDACTED] on [NAME OF PLANET REDACTED]. A preliminary investigation has revealed evidence of malfeasance and extensive corruption among the high levels of command.

Submitted by: V. Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: There was no reason to push him off a cliff. Next time just forward the results of the preliminary investigation to be handled by G.M. Tarkin’s office. – P

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…taking into consideration the replacement of General [NAME REDACTED] with General [NAME REDACTED] following the former's unfortunate accident, as well as the personal presence of Lord Vader providing an additional boost to trooper morale. Recommendation: Direct attack on the enemy base’s foundations utilizing a pincer maneuver. Likelihood of mission success: 78%, boosted to 85% if the attack commences before 0600 tomorrow morning (taking advantage of fog cover).

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…results of preliminary survey concluded. Recommendation: Advance via advised route. Proceed through marked paths along the mountain cliffs, utilizing rope tied between troopers in order to avoid unnecessary personnel loss. Risk of falling rated at 44% if ropes are not used. While Lord Vader may possess the ability to leap across gorges, the standard trooper does not.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…forested area presents difficulty in maneuverability, particularly on outdated speeders. Recommendation: send a small preliminary force of scouts to identify the target, then approach via air. Likelihood of ambush in the forest rated at 68%.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…a small (repeat: SMALL) advance force utilizing stealth would be able to achieve the mission objective more efficiently than a larger invasion force, as well as reducing resource attrition. Improved efficiency gain estimated to be as high as 34%. Recommendation: Hold position for the majority of our forces, operating as normal to confuse the enemy into thinking that a larger attack is imminent, while sending a small stealth team of spec ops to retrieve the identified target.

Note to command that someone should remind Lord Vader, should he insist on joining the advance team as usual, that contrary to his recent efforts, stealth is best achieved without waving a neon glow stick into every tree he passes.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: Commander Neyo, I know you know what a lightsaber is. – V.

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Imperial personnel form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…inappropriate use of a personalized moniker to imply an unasked-for and unappreciated level of intimacy. Recommendation: required retraining in sexual harassment and fraternization modules.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied. Note: Are you kidding me? – Ana- V.

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…results of preliminary survey concluded. Recommendation: Advance via advised route. An encircling maneuver will enable a swift end to the present uprising. Likelihood of enemy combatants escaping rated at 14% or under, provided no issues with the maneuver.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: No snappy commentary this time? – V.

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Imperial requisition form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…provision of additional entertainment media will reduce boredom among command staff and allow them to put greater focus on achieving the mission objective, rather than wasting time attempting (inadequately) to find entertainment in other areas.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied. Note: Has anyone ever told you that you can be a real asshole? – V.

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…recommend against the proposed maneuver in the strongest possible terms. The sheer idiocy of utilizing infantry as an attacking force in the present terrain cannot be overstated, particularly given that the local population is famous for defending its temples utilizing winged cavalry capable of emitting flames at temperatures that current infantry armor is not rated against. The only possible result of such an attack would be a complete unit loss, likelihood rated at 98%.

Recommendation: Hold position or retreat to regroup before advancing to the target’s last-known location. No matter how allergic Lord Vader may be to the concept of reasonable risk allocation, or indeed of common sense, even he should acknowledge that proceeding with such an approach would achieve no purpose beyond the inevitable destruction of both the entire squadron and the mission objective.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied. Note: N/A

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Imperial personnel form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…transfer CC-8826 and attached recon squad from General [NAME REDACTED]’s forces to serve under Admiral [NAME REDACTED] on [NAME REDACTED], to be implemented immediately.

Submitted by: V. Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial mission report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…the tragic loss of General [NAME REDACTED] and his entire unit in the process of obtaining the requested item. The item has been secured appropriately and is en route to the Imperial Palace.

Submitted by: V. Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: I trust that you have ensured that everyone who saw the item has been properly dealt with. - P

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Imperial personnel form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…tell me what exactly am I supposed to do with a reconnaissance squadron in the middle of space? Recommendation to reassign identified personnel to an army detachment as appropriate.

Submitted by: Admiral [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied. Note: Use your imagination. – V.

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…results of preliminary survey concluded. We’re in space. No recommendations.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…results of preliminary survey concluded. We’re in space. No recommendations.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…results of preliminary survey concluded. We’re in space. No recommendations, because we’re. in. karking. SPACE.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial requisition form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…updated speeders for the recon squad will enable more efficient information collection and reduce instances of mission failure, as well as improving unit cohesion. It will also reduce instances of unnecessary pouting by the relevant commanding officer.

Submitted by: V. Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: Assuming that the word ‘pouting’ was a typographical error. Not that it’s a problem or anything, just flagging for your attention, Lord Vader. – Procurement

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…results of preliminary survey concluded. We’re still in space. Time otherwise meant to be spent on recon has been spent conducting extensive testing on newly received upgraded mechanized speeder bike units, which have performed adequately in stress tests. 

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: I knew you’d like them. – V.

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Imperial personnel form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…an offensively oriented spec-ops team would dovetail well with our present recon squad, enabling us to achieve localized mission objectives through greater information collection followed by immediate operation implementation. We can therefore take full advantage of how unusual and highly unexpected it is to have such a team aboard a naval flagship.

I have selected a proposed team (see attached file) that can be transferred over immediately once you have given your approval. As you will see, this one is also led by a clone commander, which will enable easier cooperation between squads and allow us to reap increased benefits of team synergy.

Submitted by: Admiral [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: I am pleased to see that my recent encouragement has assisted you in thinking of something to do with them. Implement immediately. – V.

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…initial joint mission successful. Pleased to report that collaboration with CC-1138 and his new squad went smoothly and without flaw, despite his complaints regarding the quality of the imperial draftees he has been obligated to train as the new generation of Galactic Marines. Recommendation: issue approval for a permanent joint recon-spec op team unit for short-range missions stemming from the flagship. Likelihood of increased efficiency for future missions is rated at 98%.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…survey results, utilized to implement tactical maneuvers. Given on-the-ground authority, we were able to map out the terrain layout and send in the Marines to carry out the evacuation before any of the local residents (a pirate gang) were made aware of the situation. The kidnapped General is back in our custody.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…appropriate steps to ensure that the issue will not be repeated. The relevant structures and many of the available transportation options were eliminated with an appropriate application of force, utilizing relevant resources carried by individual Marines. The pirates in question have scattered in the remaining ships. Likelihood that they will kidnap another high-ranking officer within the next year has been reduced from 43% to 7%.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: As pleased as I am to see your enthusiasm, consider employing somewhat less enthusiasm next time. Or at least fewer grenades. – V.

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Imperial requisition report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…additional thermogrenades, as mine were all used up on the last mission.

Also, repeating my request for better soldiers. These ones flinch every time there’s an explosion. I can’t make bricks using dustballs.

Submitted by: CC-1138 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: Approval limited to new thermogrenades. Make do with the soldiers you have. - Procurement

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…results of preliminary survey concluded. Several potential leads have been identified, and progress is being made to narrow each down. Recommendation: Continue utilizing stealth and advance reconnaissance techniques to progress mission objectives. Avoiding the main population centers will allow for easier infiltration and detection, reducing likelihood of a clash by 17%. Identification of the location of requested item is in progress and results are expected within the tenday.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…several possible locations for the relevant item have been identified. It is highly likely that the information obtained through Lord Vader’s interrogation of the local planetary governor is unreliable (based on other markers, likelihood is as high as 75%). The present estimation is that this is not the result of a deliberate lie, but rather the not uncommon outcome of employing information-seeking techniques that utilize terror rather than logic, as the recipient will simply tell things they do not have reason to know in an attempt to escape their situation. Recommendation: Hold position. Item will be located through traditional means within 3 standard days.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…now that the item has been located at the tertiary location. Recommendation: A direct attack utilizing the attached Marines spec-op force with reconnaissance support will be sufficient to achieve the mission objective, without need for further assistance or diversion of other forces for back-up. Likelihood of independent mission success rated at 75%.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: Message received. Go have your fun. – V.

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Imperial personnel form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…a routine spot-check has identified that recon commander CC-8826 is in possession of an unauthorized item of contraband (an outdated DUM-series pit droid, likely modified). More troubling, the droid does not appear to have been wiped on the standard recommended schedule, representing a potential infosec weakness.

CC-8826 has refused several requests to turn over the item, citing regulations that are no longer in effect or which are inapplicable. An effort to reclaim and eliminate the contraband item was responded to with violence, resulting in the injury of several personnel staff. This accords with previous observations that CC-8826 has started displaying increased non-standard/non-regulation behavior, a process that seems to have accelerated with the presence of CC-1138 (head of attached Marines squad). Recommend sending both clone commanders for reconditioning as a precaution, and for the droid to be confiscated and disposed of in their absence.

Submitted by: Personnel Officer [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied. Note: Surely you have better things to focus your attention on. – V.

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…results of preliminary survey concluded. Recommendation: Advance via advised route. The suggested route, although longer, will result in lower casualties and reduced resource attrition than attempting to take shortcuts (damage reduction estimated at 18%). Note that despite certain suggestions made by unnamed collaborators, this proposal has nothing to do with anyone’s desire to avoid the personnel staff.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: You will tell me if they are still bothering you. – V.

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…results of preliminary survey concluded. Recommendation: Advance via advised route. The extreme environment of this planet makes it unlikely to host a Rebellion base, but the possibility nevertheless remains (rated at 13%). A completed survey will be submitted at the end of the operation. However, the previous recommendation regarding an exploration of a planet with more optimal conditions beneficial to human life remains intact.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: I am not signing off on a beach vacation. – V.

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Imperial requisition report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…replacements beams to shore up the weak parts of the flagship’s external frame (see attached chart, points labelled A-X).

New selection of astromech droids. At least 3 to replace the ones lost in the last sortie (which was apparently a gigantic shitshow. Tilly tells me that someone’s head is getting chopped off over it, they’re just not sure yet who it’s going to be.)

Additional new component parts for upgrading the TIE fighters. The last shipment was insufficient, and the pilots have been fighting over them. The bidding and bribes have been coming in hot and fast, though of course Lord Vader comes first in the requisition list. He took two for some reason, which hasn’t helped matters! (Raso says he saw Lord Vader and one of the squad commanders sitting in one of the mech bays, talking shop about the benefits of speeders vis-a-vis low-atmo fighters, but that’s clearly just rumormongering.)

Replacement parts for the hyperdrive. I think we all want to not have a repeat of that time that shall not be mentioned where it took three times the normal time to make the jump…

Submitted by: Engineering Corps Spec. [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: Please stop annotating all of these. I’m telling you, Procurement doesn’t “love them” no matter how many times you say that we do. - Procurement

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…what was identified of the layout of the so-called “Sith Temple”. All relevant identified items have been secured, but many of the unusual and dangerous creatures living within still remain. There is absolutely no benefit to keeping such a hideous and verminous structure intact. Recommendation: bomb the living daylights out of it.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…a very unfortunate accident involving an entire crate of grenades. Unfortunately, no one has been able to form a reasonable hypothesis as to how the crate managed to get unsecured from its berth, or why the board ramp was open for it to fall out of, or how all of the grenades managed to simultaneously lose their pins when they landed.

Luckily, the only thing they landed on was the hideous structure mentioned in my previous report, so nothing of value was lost.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: Come see me in my quarters this evening. I see it is necessary to revisit our previous discussion on the subject of insubordination. -V.

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Imperial requisition report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…additional thermogrenades. Mine keep getting requisitioned away.

Also a pair of earplugs. I don’t want to hear it.

Submitted by: CC-1138 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial medical record [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…standard examination of Lord Vader came in with the usual results. As expected, there is minimal improvement in his long-term injuries, although we have observed no degradation.

More generally, we have observed an overall improvement in Lord Vader’s comportment. This cannot be attributed to his physical shape, which remains much the same (see above). Regardless, for whatever reason, he seems less burdened as of late. He has been more patient in answering questions, and has devoted more of his time to tactical considerations…

Date: [REDACTED]

Note: Flagged by surveillance division. Forwarded to the Emperor’s office.

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Imperial security report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…an altercation near Lord Vader’s quarters. Normally this sort of first-time infraction would be met with minimal punishment, but Lord Vader was having a call with the Emperor at the time and the Chief decided a more intense punishment was called for in order to ensure that no future interruptions take place…

Submitted by: Security Officer Private [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial personnel form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…naturally I would never object to being redirected from my course as subject to the needs of the Empire. The Empire has no more loyal a servant than I! The implication that my statement, which was taken entirely out of context, suggests any level of disagreement with the imperial decree is entirely incorrect. At most, it was merely an expression of sadness that we would not be able to complete our present objective – all to better serve the greatness of our imperial ambitions – before carrying on to the next assignment. Whoever reported my statement so incorrectly must have it out for me personally, and, I suspect, may harbor disloyal intentions…

Submitted by: Admiral [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…results of preliminary survey concluded. Recommendation: Advance via advised route. Local maps have been acquired from the capital, and initial surveys seem to confirm their accuracy. We are implementing search patrols based on them. However, orders have been unusually unclear as to the target of the search. Requesting clarification.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…the main city has been encircled with a tight defense perimeter. We have initiated canvassing. Efficiency is currently rated at 63%. Repeat request for clarification of mission objectives, as it was not included in the last mission briefing update.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied. Note: Just do your job. – V.

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…recommendation to continue canvassing the area. It would be a little easier to figure out what risks we should be avoiding if we knew what we were looking for, but since that apparently isn’t in the cards, a straightforward approach is generally the best one.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…presence of Jedi traitors has been identified. Immediate action was taken to eradicate them, but they were able to escape. Requesting immediate back-up. Risk of serious injury in pursuit of traitors rated at 65% or more, particularly given the Jedi traitors’ tendency to focus their attacks on clones following the implementation of Order 66. Repeat, requesting immediate back-up.

Submitted by: CC-8826 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial mission report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…objective has been completed. Squad injuries were minimal.

It is unclear why CC-8826 reacted in such a negative fashion, but you may rest assured that it will not interrupt BAU operations. Out of precaution, requesting additional time shipside before redeployment to ensure no further behavioral aberrations.

Submitted by: CC-1138 Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial personnel form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

… a growing suspicion that there may be something going on between Lord Vader and one of his subordinate commanders. This is based on the receipt of testimony by several officers suggesting instances of what may be called inappropriate conduct between rank and at least one formally filed accusation of undue favoritism. To wit, several instances of behavior not in line with regulations have been pardoned and inexcusable insubordination overlooked, and the relevant squads were recently granted an entire three weeks of vacation time while on board.

While naturally no one would ever accuse Lord Vader of any personal impropriety, it does seem unusual that he take such a particularized and (may I say) uncharacteristically charitable interest in a single commander, much less an outdated, near-obsolete clone commander.

Recommend opening an immediate investigation into CC-8826.

Submitted by: Personnel Officer [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Forwarded to V. Note: Deal with this, or I will. – P

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Imperial medical record [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…CC-8826 was ordered to report to medical bay with immediate effect by his commanding officer. A preliminary examination did not reveal any apparent issues. This was verbally confirmed by the soldier in question, who indicated that he did not recall being injured in his last deployment and, moreover, evinced a lack of belief that he needed to be in medical bay at all. Indeed, he appeared highly offended by the notion.

However, Lord Vader’s orders were explicit, and we are not inclined to disobey. A high-grade scan will be performed as requested, and should the suspected tumor be found in the right front orbital lobe, it will be removed immediately…

Date: [REDACTED]

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Imperial requisition form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…unclear exactly what happened, but we suspect enemy sabotage. Although the notion that the Rebellion has grown strong enough to sneak a bomb onto one of our flagships is a terrifying one, I nevertheless hesitate to suggest the alternative option: that the bomb was placed not by the weak-willed traitors of the nascent Rebellion, but instead by one of my political rivals, seeking to discredit me. There is evidence in favor of this conclusion, including the fact that our military capacities were not notably impacted by the explosion: we incurred significant personnel losses, including the near-complete loss of our medical and personnel administration staff, but the ship’s armaments and fighter complement remain virtually untouched.

Given the conclusions I have drawn, I feel that a strong show of support in my leadership will be more valuable than merely replacing the relevant staff, although that will also be necessary (see related personnel form, submitted concurrently). I am given to understand that a new model Star Destroyer has recently come off the shipyards, equipped with the latest technological improvements and stocked with newest models of fighter ships, armaments, medical droids, etc. Assigning this ship to me as my new flagship, with the old ship absorbed into my fleet, is the surest solution to ensure we do not see a repetition of this problem…

Submitted by: Admiral [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial requisition form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…necessary to repair Lord Vader’s personal quarters. The damage appears to have been caused by the quarters’ temporary resident (a recuperating trooper of some variety, who was moved out of the medical bay before the unfortunate incident there – lucky for him!) upon emerging from the bacta tank. It is unclear whether it was the result of some medication imbalance or distress upon reviewing the results of his examination (he had a datapad in his hands when we came in). Fortunately, Lord Vader was not present at the time, and another trooper (a Marine, I believe) arrived to remove him before further damage could be done. As nothing structural was impacted, our current estimate is that repairs will take only three days, however we can speed it up if that would be pleasing to Lord Vader…

Submitted by: Engineering Corps Spec. [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: N/A

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Imperial security report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…appears to be a scuffle between two clone troopers (command level). CC-8826 appears to have been the aggressor, although this is somewhat unclear as the initial fight was started in hallway BT-46, outside of surveillance range. Note that that hallway’s camera appears to be broken (see requisition & repair request submitted concurrently).

At any rate, when we arrived, CC-1138 had just succeeded in pinning CC-8826 down, although unfortunately when both of them were confronted by security forces, CC-8826 took the opportunity to confiscate one of the security staffs’ shockers and utilized it to knock CC-1138 unconscious while he was distracted.

Recommendation: put both officers in the brig pending further investigation.

Submitted by: Security Officer Private [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied. Note: N/A

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Imperial security report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…identified a missing starfighter, one of the new editions that has been further modified with expanded armament and medical capacities. We believe this was taken by recon commander CC-8826 without permission, possibly with intention to desert. A preliminary investigation has revealed that his personal effects (seemingly consisting entirely of an old pit droid, likely of only sentimental value) are missing from his quarters.

We note that CC-1138 is also missing, but based on surveillance records it appears that CC-8826 took custody of CC-1138 (unconscious at the time) upon being released from security custody per instruction. Accordingly, our current belief is that he has not deserted but rather that CC-8826 may have kidnapped him for reasons unknown.

Requesting permission to launch ships in search of the missing starfighter immediately. Please note that any delay at all would be extremely inadvisable, as CC-8826 is an experienced and highly trained recon trooper who possesses the capabilities to reconfigure the ship’s identification tags and disable any attached trackers.

Submitted by: Security Officer Captain [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied. Note: Attached audio file, transcribed by request of the Emperor’s office:

“Sir, please reconsider! If we don’t go after them now, we may not have another chance!”

[audio crackle, faint sound of respirator]

“Are you questioning my orders, Captain?”

“No, sir, of course not. But…”

“Good. Do not make me repeat myself. The request is denied, Captain.”

[audio crackle, faint sound of respirator]

“Just…let him go.”

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Imperial personnel form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…additional casualties incurred during the mission, none of significance. No Jedi survived. However, I believe that this was merely a single stop on their smuggling trail, and there may be more out there. Requesting additional reconnaissance troopers to continue the search.

Submitted by: V. Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: You have done well to reject that which makes you weak, my apprentice, but you remain too indecisive in the execution. Once you have completed this hunt, return to my side. I will try once more to teach you what you must learn, if you are to truly embrace the Dark Side.  – P

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…have all been completely cowed by the overwhelming might of our glorious Empire. The people here all speak positively of our forces, with several children volunteering themselves as new recruits with great enthusiasm. It scarcely seems possible that the intelligence that suggests the presence of Rebellion sympathizers here has any merit…

Submitted by: Recon Comm. [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied. Note: Cease this pointless drivel and make an actual recommendation. - V.

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…suggest eradicating the entire compound. A suitable show of might will ensure that no one in the area shall ever think of rebelling against the Empire ever again!

Submitted by: Recon Comm. [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied. Note: No one will think of rebellion because they’ll all be dead, and also our base will be without food. Unless you expect stormtroopers to start farming? - V.

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Imperial recon report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…see no reason why we cannot proceed forward in standard march formation.

Submitted by: Recon Comm. [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Denied. Note: Through a forest full of armed hostiles?! - V.

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Imperial personnel form [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…already gone through five different recon commanders in as many months, only two of which lived to be reassigned to another location. With all due respect to Lord Vader, this level of attrition is far too high. I understand that he is having difficulty finding satisfactory assistance, but since this is the case, perhaps it is time for him to return to using the Force (or whatever) instead of relying upon our clearly inadequate reconnaissance corps...?

Submitted by: Admiral [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: I’ll have a word with Lord Vader. Perhaps a flight squadron would be a more suitable support unit for him. – G.M. Tarkin

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Imperial requisition report [IDENTIFICATION CODE AND DATE REDACTED]

…special-grade screws. Need these delivered ASAP so that we can complete the upgrades to Lord Vader’s meditation chamber during his absence.

One container of high-octane metal cleanser (gallium melt). Actually, this one is a question: while installing the upgrades, I noticed that some graffiti on one of the durasteel slabs that make up the inner portion of the chamber. There’s traces of residue on it that makes me think it was originally covered by a resin that would’ve rendered the graffiti invisible for a few months until the medicated inner atmo wore the resin off, which is presumably why no one noticed it during original install (since I can’t imagine anyone doing it after it got to Lord Vader’s quarters!) The marks are deep enough that only melting the metal will fix it, but there’s the risk that the cleanser will leave a smell and maybe an unsightly blotch. The text isn’t anything subversive or anything, just meaningless drivel, though why anyone would bother to scratch IT WAS REAL that hard into durasteel, I don’t know. Let me know what you think.

Three additional u-bend units…

Submitted by: Engineering Corps Spec. [NAME REDACTED] Date: [REDACTED]

Status: Approved. Note: That’s a no on the cleanser. Just consider the number of hoops we’d have to jump to get the medical OK to introduce any new chemicals into that inner atmo without getting accused of an assassination attempt. Anyway, it’s been a few years since original install. If Lord Vader hasn’t noticed it until now, it’s better to just leave it, right? – Procurement

[professionalranter31]

I think every season they should do map changes like what they did with Colosseo

With Colosseo it added more to the map, both gameplay wise but also just to the overall feel and enjoyment of the map (but they should still add the fountains back) and I’ve been having a lot of fun playing it now than before the rework

But I also think it should be done for maps where it doesn’t do anything gameplay wise such as on MEKA base on Busan I think they should make the rooms for the other pilots and not just D.Va since they were her teammates before she joined Overwatch and they are now the defenders of Korea down one member, I just feel like there should be more given to them. So map changes that serve only a lore purpose

Then with other maps like Chateau Guillard it could serve both lore expansion and also just map expansion. With this map (yes I think they should either add new Deathmatch/Elimination maps still but the others should be given some love) I got three ideas for additions they could do. We get Widowmaker’s room, getting an idea of how she sleeps and such, a dock area for when she has to leave via boat, and a helipad for when she has to leave via airship. The last two could have vehicles or they don’t but it would give more to what is essentially Widowmaker’s base of operations when she isn’t on missions

Same for Petra, give some stuff relating to Venture since it was revealed that the place is a Wayfinders site and Venture was working there when we got their gameplay trailer, such as maybe their tent that they sleep in and such

For Kanezaka I would love to see stuff for Kiriko there but also stuff for the rest of her Yokai gang as well as Hashimoto stuff, I also think Hashimoto stuff should be added to Hanamura (they need to do something to put Assault back into the regular circulation of game modes for quick and competitive because the maps are too beautiful to not be properly used) and Hanaoka alongside signs of Kiriko’s fight against them. These changes can be either be just Lore additions or they could be expansions for gameplay stuff as well

Gameplay wise I can think of three maps that for me personally I think would benefit a lot from and that is King’s Row, Route 66, and Numbani since the defenders only get two spawn rooms while only similar maps they get three, same as other maps. It would change up the flow of combat and could really help, hell with Numbani the new Defender’s spawn room could be Efi’s workshop or something like that

Also, I think with the weather and time of day variations of maps they should change up where certain things are placed that would be reasonably moved, such as at Blizzard World the gryphon ride near the first chokepoint might not be running at night or in the rain. Introducing that would make the variations more fun

Changes to maps that help better tell the story of the map and just make it more fun to play it becoming a more regular thing for the seasons I think could really help the game, you guys got any ideas for map additions or changes?

[choppedcowboydinosaur]

Once again Operation Chokepoint's consequences.

something that boils my piss about visa and mastercard and stripe and paypal unilaterally declaring themselves the final arbiters of what kind of legal business people are allowed to conduct is how much of their bullying is based on pure aesthetics. If you go through the retailer list of a certain specialty herb supplier, the stores that are dressed as legal highs and head shops have all got the banhammer but the stores dressed as wellness and lifestyle have the full suite of payment options available. THEY'RE THE SAME. FUCKING. BUSINESS.

It's the same with adult products, if you want a dildo from Horny Hank's Freaky Fuck Bazaar you gotta pay with crypto or bank transfer but if you want the exact same dildo from the Heterosexual Coupling Healthy Happiness Enhancement Emporium you can pay with paypal.

They don't even truly care what you're selling they only care how it looks. The image of respectable conformity matters more than the substance of the business and products. And actually I don't think anyone should have to meet arbitrary standards of what an acceptable storefront looks like to be able to draw a cartoon dick when drawing cartoon dicks is in fact perfectly fucking legal. You should be able to draw and distribute cartoon dicks in accordance with the law without being forced to dress your cartoon dick dispensary like a hot yoga studio, actually.

[rimeiii]

I feel like a lot of people seem to be struggling against a lot of the stages, most notably those before story segments. And as a chronic Arknights player who regularly plays high Surging/does ending 2 and ending 3 attempts regularly in IS3, I'd like to share some tips to potentially help with progression!

First and foremost, it does help to have a zone where you can concentrate all your damage at, then prepare blockers and DPS units at that specific area, along with potentially healers. Marbas is the go-to usually because his ult is a heal over time in a 3x3 area around him that lasts the entire stage, kinda like Bard Supporters in Arknights. This comes with enemy pathing and behaviour knowledge, however. Basically, identify a chokepoint to concentrate all your firepower at.

It's probably one of the things you have to get used to in Arknights ASAP if you want an easier time. Take a look at this early stage in IS3 - where you'll have to improvise on the fly based on the unit classes the game gives you.

In this stage (Precarious Defense - normal operation), I took the long straightway in front of Exusiai (the red-haired angel) as my main damage zone. It helps burst down the exploding spiders, as well as the enemies from the bottom spawn point. Gnosis and Steward, the other two ranged units near Exusiai (black and white hair respectively), help with DPS their own way. And I would plug the the leftmost lane as a chokepoint with Spot if I had a weaker sniper than Exusiai, like May or Kroos, but S3M3 Exusiai is more than enough to deal with the squishy units on left lane.

Other options I've used at other points for this stage include:

Using Mountain (S2), Thorns (S3), Lappland (S2), Mudrock (S2), or Saria (S1/S2) to solo lane the top left spawn point.

Using a combination of anything between Agent, Merchant, or Executor classes to deploy and redeploy for the leftmost lane.

If on Emergency (bottom lane spawns turn into Bonethrowers that inflict heavy physical ranged damage, but takes damage over time), focus down the leftmost spawn point with ranged units, and have a Defender/high defense melee unit with healer support near the blue base to tank the hits until the Bonethrowers die.

But there are times where you can't funnel everything into a single chokepoint. In situations like this, you're better off looking for several laneholding combinations while focusing your damage on the lane/area with the largest threats. And since I'm limited to one video on mobile, have this screenshot from one of my ending 3 clears on IS3 as an illustration!

It looks like there's a lot of things going on in this image, but I'll explain.

First of all, the concept. I want to spawn-kill the boss, Ishar'mla, who appears in the red box before making a loop around the map, and finally going to the top left blue base. In this run specifically I have a relic combination that allowed me to one-cycle this boss, which includes the ASPD boosting relics (increases attack speed based on the amount of ingots you have), the Old Fan (increases all Operators' attack by 10% based on the number of classes in your team, capping at 80%), and the chocolate sauce pasta (boosts attack by 100% one second after using a skill).

Two types of main zones to pay attention to: the spawn kill zone in blue and the laneholding zones in dark pink.

With the laneholding zones, you need units with DPS and blocking power - Mountain on S2 is a premiere laneholder on the rightmost area (2-block, attacks everyone he blocks, gives him an attack boost, and gives him HP regen), while a combination of Gnosis's damage (S3M3) and Spot's 3-block plus heal on skill takes care of the leftmost area.

As for the spawn kill zone, it uses both Mlynar and SilverAsh to deal damage. They deal immense physical damage, and considering their ranges somewhat overlap (yellow for Mlynar and light purple for SilverAsh), it helps burst down the boss ASAP.

Of course, to utilize these tips well, you need an understanding of enemy pathing and behaviour. Sadly enemy pathing really isn't exactly indicated by the game, and it's a QoL that I also want in WHB. It's the red line that appears before a wave of enemies spawns in Arknights. Here's some things I've noticed about enemy behaviours:

The enemies that look like fluffy angel doggos move faster than other enemy units.

Screamers/ranged attackers tend to attack the closest unit within their range, and stop moving when they're attacking until they or their targets die - like the Bonethrowers.

The blobs are your slugs. Squishy, easy to beat, weaker than most other units.

As for the other units (eyeballs, smiley faces, etc) I haven't managed to playtest enough, as skill cycling between my L cards (Bath Levi, Selfie Levi, and Selfie Bubs) is enough to kill most everything without issue.

If I have to split up my forces, I personally usually have Bubs and one Levi handle a weaker lane, then focus on the other lane with everything else. I get that moving units is a thing but if I can AFK...why not? Lol

Also, as an aside, I would love to see units with lower rarities gain viability in WHB. Believe it or not, some of the units I use in those Arknights examples aren't the top rarities. To wit:

In the video, I brought Exusiai (6* Marksman Sniper), Gnosis (6* Hexer Supporter), Mulberry (5* Wandering Medic), Cantabile (5* Agent Vanguard), Steward (3* Core Caster), Fang (3* Pioneer Vanguard), and Spot (3* Guardian Defender). Only Mulberry and the 3*s aren't at E2.

In the Ending 3 screenshot, I brought Mlynar (6* Liberator Guard), SilverAsh (6* Lord Guard), Mountain (6* Brawler Guard), Saria (6* Guardian Defender), Gnosis, Texas the Omertosa (6* Executioner Specialist), Mostima (6* Splash Caster), Guard Amiya (5* Arts Guard), Arene (4* Lord Guard), Myrtle (4* Flagbearer Vanguard), Ansel (3* Single-target Medic), and Spot. Only Saria and the 3*s aren't at Elite 2.

However, with how rare Solomon's Tears are and with how upgrade costs are the same across rarities, perhaps having only A+ ranks be viable is for the best. Sunk-cost fallacy and all that.

[mariacallous]

MUNICH—At the Munich Security Conference (MSC) this past weekend, it was nearly impossible to find a session or speech that did not mention energy security. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago triggered a major energy crisis on the continent. While the peak of the crisis, driven by Russian President Vladimir Putin, has subsided, Europe’s energy problems are far from resolved. In Munich, leaders and policymakers worried that the continuing energy crisis is weighing heavily on European defense capabilities, economic development, and geopolitical relations.  

Unlike in 2022, when Russia manufactured an abrupt gas supply shortage, today’s energy threats are more gradual in nature. For example, undersea electricity and energy cables are being cut, and the suspected vessels are often part of Russia’s shadow fleet. Such attacks should still be taken seriously by the European Union (EU) and its partners both for the real damage they cause and because Russia could ramp up such attacks on short notice. In addition, kinetic and cyberattacks on the electricity grid, remaining gas supply issues and chokepoints, and high energy prices compound the danger.  

However, it is possible for Europeans to address these threats to their energy security and mitigate potential damage to their societies and economies. It is reassuring, too, that the message that came out of Munich was one of unity and a desire to act. But now that leaders and policymakers have decamped from the Bavarian capital and returned home, what will happen next? Will Europeans sleep through these issues or take action? What should Europe do, and should member states or the EU take the reins?  

Brussels and beyond 

Over the past several decades, EU funding has enabled a massive build-out of grid and pipeline infrastructure on the continent. Considering the cross-border nature, risk, and scale of these projects, EU engagement was vital. It was also vital during the 2022 energy crisis, during which the EU increased its work on energy security. Today, too, current threats would be partially curtailed by the EU building additional infrastructure. However, as the European energy system goes through unprecedented transformation—electrification, digitalization, market interconnection, artificial intelligence integration, and further supply diversification—Brussels should not act alone. A multi-pronged approach is required to create and secure the energy system of tomorrow. 

One reason a multi-pronged approach is needed is because of because of budget constraints. The COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s intentional energy blackmail scheme, which cost Europe one trillion dollars, has left the EU coffers and many national budgets in a tight spot. There is still no vision around a shared borrowing scheme. European countries and other allies are rightfully prioritizing borrowing money to provide Ukraine with a significant influx of military support. This is especially the case following recent remarks from US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance that suggest the United States will decrease its support for Ukraine and, potentially, for Europe as a whole.  

However, the lack of funding is not the only barrier. Another frequently mentioned concern at the MSC was the challenging regulatory environment in Europe, as some member states take a more stringent approach to interpreting EU regulations at the national level. This difficulty is further compounded by geopolitical uncertainty. Thousands of companies operating in Europe are impacted by the sweeping environmental and societal disclosure mandates from the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive,��the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, and methane regulations.  

All aboard the omnibus  

The new EU leadership should be commended for responding to these calls by focusing on the promising omnibus legislation and sending a strong message with its competitiveness compass—a roadmap for boosting European competitiveness. The European Commission is expected to unveil the omnibus, intended to streamline the EU’s sustainability reporting, in late February or March.  

There is plenty of irony in reducing regulations by rolling out another regulation, but the omnibus a tangible, timely, and thoughtful solution. If done right, it could provide needed certainty for investors and developers. The EU could accomplish this by outlining the scope of the existing and incoming regulations and by reducing costs for non-value-added certification, measurements, and verifications. Most important, the EU should make it easier for the private sector to reach common-sense objectives in a reasonable timeline, with eyes on the end goals rather than on processes and paperwork. This could also help create a more coordinated regulatory environment across the EU member states.  

By simplifying its rules, the EU could encourage member states to harmonize their implementation of the regulations. Differences in implementation can create confusion and additional expenses for companies looking to deploy projects across multiple EU countries.  

Reducing regulatory burdens by getting rid of non-value-added bureaucratic steps could also invite more US private sector partnerships, while transatlantic geopolitical and trade tensions settle. The European Commission’s new leadership does not need to sacrifice its carbon emissions reduction and environmental integrity efforts to address incoming energy sector threats. The omnibus could be the first step—and an impactful one.   

[choppedcowboydinosaur]

Once again Operation Chokepoint and its consequences have been a disaster for humanity.

while it might seem the case that being an independent artist frees you of having a boss you hate, this always ignores the fact that anyone doing art becomes intimately aware of how much room there is in your hollowed out skeleton to hate payment processors

[the-fluffiest-trainer]

[A video is attached, picking up just after the last. Fluttershy paces back and forth in front of the weapon control panel]

Hoopa... where did you send Lysandre and the others?

[The question seems to startle Hoopa slightly, and he stops staring into space to actually look at Fluttershy.]

On top of the Ultimate Weapon, of course! Right where all the energy comes out. It's their favorite new toy, I thought they might want to get a closer look.

...Right. That's not very far away, and they can probably get down with pokemon help... Can you keep portaling them away when they try to get back in here? To somewhere further?

Well I could, but...

But what?

Best not. I need to concentrate.

...On what?

[Hoopa gives Fluttershy a pointed look.]

On keeping track of exactly which Equestria our dear Twilight went off to, of course. There's infinitely many of them, you know. Most with Twilights of their own.

So I'm going to sit here, and just watch whatever you come up with to keep Team Flare from getting back into the labs we stole. Though maybe I can spare the attention for one little portal...

[Hoopa conjures a ring and sends one disconnected hand through it. The hand returns a moment later holding a large bag of fresh popcorn, no doubt stolen from some poor moviegoer elsewhere in Kalos.]

[Fluttershy sees this and sighs deeply. Then, she takes pokeballs from her saddlebags, one at a time, clicking them open until her entire team stands arrayed before her. She does the same for the pokeballs Twilight left behind, assembling a crowd of ten.]

I'm not really one for inspiring speeches, but we've got a situation on our hooves here, so I guess I'll give it a try. Like Olympia said...

We currently control these labs. No one can fire the Ultimate Weapon without first going through us. But Team Flare is coming back, and they will be at our doors any minute now.

Twilight is gone. Hoopa is occupied. Professor Sycamore... in this, his judgement may be compromised. There is no one else coming to save us.

This is our job alone, and we must not fail. In my previous world, in Equestria, there once came a time for me and all my friends when our principles became inconsistent with our survival. When friendship and harmony and peace were no longer a viable option, because the enemy we faced would not listen or respond in good faith, no matter what was said or given. We maintained our consciences, and we died.

We face a similar threat here today, a force capable of destroying all life in the region. And so I must ask you all for the unthinkable: to set aside your morals and all customs of battling, and to the best of your ability to ignore all pokemon that are sent here to defeat us and reclaim this place.

Do not let them distract you. Today, your most important targets... are the trainers.

[Hoopa's many hands around the room pair up and begin clapping.]

Oh, well done, Fluttershy! Maybe that little mean streak I gave you when we first met hasn't disappeared all the way after all!

[Fluttershy shoots him a glare, but otherwise ignores him.]

Everyone, spread out. Find a door, a window, any place a Team Flare member could slip into the complex. Find a chokepoint where they can only come at you one at a time, and hold them back.

And Derpy, you stay with me. This must be what Olympia's psychic visions showed her, this moment, because we are going to need these supplies she had me get. This place is too big for me to run around to every entrance, so you're my transport. Mail me around and I'll deliver healing as needed.

[Fluttershy unpacks the pile of hyper potions and revives and lays them out in a roughly organized manner on the floor in front of her.]

The packaging says not to use too many of these in a short time, but I'm sorry, the world needs you on your feet. We can see a pokecenter when it's all over.

Oh, and Osha, I have an idea for you as well. This place must have an intercom system, right? Find it. Talia, you go with her in case it needs hands to operate. Find the admin room with the intercom and the security cameras and all that, and when they start getting in – I am so sorry, team, but they will, there just aren't enough of us – when Team Flare breaks through all our defenses, I want you to sing.

That's all. Everyone else, find a position, and do your best.

[The pokemon split up and start toward every exit from this room. As they are leaving, one last voice calls out to the rest.]

I call dibs on the front door!

[Video ends.]

[mostlysignssomeportents]

To save the news, shatter ad-tech

I’m coming to the HowTheLightGetsIn festival in HAY-ON-WYE with my novel Red Team Blues:

Sun (May 28), 1130h: The AI Enigma

Mon (May 29), 12h: Danger and Desire at the Frontier

I’m at OXFORD’s Blackwell’s on May 29 at 7:30PM with Tim Harford.

Then it’s Nottingham, Manchester, London, Edinburgh, and Berlin!

Big Tech steals from news, but what it steals isn’t content. Talking about the news isn’t theft, and neither is linking to it, or excerpting it. But stealing money? That’s definitely theft.

Big Tech steals money from the news media. 51% of every ad-dollar is claimed by a tech intermediary, a middleman that squats on a chokepoint between advertisers and publishers. Two companies — Google and Meta — dominate this sector, and both of these companies are “full-stack” — which is cutesy techspeak for “vertical monopoly.”

Here’s what that means: when an advertiser wants to place an ad, it contracts with the “demand-side platform” (DSP) to seek out a chance to put an ad in front of a user based on nonconsensually gathered surveillance data about a potential customer.

The DSP contacts an ad-exchange — a marketplace where advertisers bid against each other to cram their ads into the eyeballs of a user based on surveillance data matches.

The ad-exchange receives a constant stream of chances to place ads. This stream is generated by the “supply-side platform” (SSP), a service that represents publishers who want to sell ads.

Meta/Facebook and Google both the “full stack” of ads: they represent buyers and sellers, and they operate the marketplace. When the sale closes, Googbook collects a commission from the advertiser, another from the publisher, and a fee for running the market. And of course, Google and Facebook are both publishers and advertisers.

This is like a stock exchange where one company operates the exchange, while serving as broker and underwriter for every stock bought or sold, while owning huge amounts of stock in many of the listed companies as well as owning the largest companies on the exchange outright.

It’s like a realtor representing the buyer and the seller, while buying and selling millions of homes for its own purposes, bidding against its buyers and also undercutting its sellers, in an opaque auction that only it can see.

It’s a single lawyer representing both parties in a divorce, while serving as judge in divorce court, while trying to match one of the divorcing parties on Tinder.

It’s incredibly dirty. These companies gobble up the majority of every ad dollar in commissions and other junk fees, and they say it’s because they’re just really danged good at buying and selling ads. Forgive me if I sound cynical, but I think it’s a lot more likely that they’re good at cheating.

We could try to make them stop cheating with a bunch of rules about how a company with this kind of gross conflict of interest should conduct itself. But enforcing those rules would be hard — merely detecting cheating would be hard. A simpler — and more effective — approach is to simply remove the conflict of interest.

Writing on EFF’s Deeplinks blog this week, I explain how the AMERICA Act — introduced by Senator Mike Lee, with bipartisan cosponsors from Elizabeth Warren to Ted Cruz (!) — can do just that:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/05/save-news-we-must-shatter-ad-tech

The AMERICA Act would require the largest ad-tech companies to sell off two of their three ad-tech divisions — they could be a buyer’s agent, a seller’s agent or a marketplace — but not all three (not even two!). This is in keeping with a well-established principle in antitrust law: “structural separation,” the idea that a company can be a platform owner, or a platform user, but not both.

In the heyday of structural separation, railroad companies were banned from running freight companies that competed with the firms that shipped freight on their rails. Likewise, banks were banned from owning companies that competed with the businesses they loaned money to. Basically, the rule said, “If you want to be the ref in this game, you can’t own one of the teams”:

https://www.eff.org/es/deeplinks/2021/02/what-att-breakup-teaches-us-about-big-tech-breakup

Structural separation acknowledges that some conflicts of interest are so consequential and so hard to police that they shouldn’t exist at all. A judge won’t hear a case if they know one of the litigants — and certainly not if they have a financial stake in the outcome of the case.

The ad-tech duopoly controls a massive slice of the ad market, and holds in its hands the destiny of much of the news and other media we enjoy and rely on. Under the AMERICA Act’s structural separation rule, the obvious, glaring conflicts of interest that dominate big ad-tech companies would be abolished.

The AMERICA Act also regulates smaller ad-tech platforms. Companies with $5–20b in turnover would have a duty to “act in the best interests of their customers, including by making the best execution for bids on ads,” and maintain transparent systems that are designed to facilitate third-party auditing. If a single company operated brokerages serving both buyers and sellers, it would need to create firewalls between both sides of the business, and would face stiff penalties for failures to uphold their customers’ interests.

EFF’s endorsement of the AMERICA Act is the first of four proposals we’re laying out in a series on saving news media from Big Tech. We introduced those proposals last week in a big “curtain raiser” post:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/04/saving-news-big-tech

Next week, we’ll publish our proposal for using privacy law to kill surveillance ads, replacing them with “context ads” that let publishers — not ad-tech — control the market.

Catch me on tour with Red Team Blues in Hay-on-Wye, Oxford, Manchester, Nottingham, London, and Berlin!

If you’d like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here’s a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/05/25/structural-separation/#america-act

EFF's banner for the save news series; the word 'NEWS' appears in pixelated, gothic script in the style of a newspaper masthead. Beneath it in four entwined circles are logos for breaking up ad-tech, ending surveillance ads, opening app stores, and end-to-end delivery. All the icons except for 'break-up ad-tech' are greyed out.

Image: EFF https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/05/save-news-we-must-shatter-ad-tech

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

[deliverred]

✧ craxis: the unease of knowing how quickly your circumstances could change on you.

Becoming used to things invited complacency, and complacency led to lazy mistakes.

Lukas had gotten used to fighting against similarly armed opponents. Soldiers with spears, pirates with axes -- physical threats that he could turn away with his own lance, shirk off with his shield and armor. Even archers, who thought they were safe at a distance, could not bring him down with their arrows before he marched his way up to end them.

Where his armor offered him superior defenses against most of their foes, it didn't give him the benefit of quick movement. He was best utilized at chokepoints, to wear down enemies for the others to sweep in, or to protect their forces from any reinforcements seeking to flank them. He was a sturdy shield, and Lukas held no qualms with operating as such.

His error was not expecting their enemy to make use of witches in this battle.

They were a little understood factor of fighting against Rigel, but there was one thing Lukas recognized about them: the strange, distorted noise that heralded one warping nearby. It was a surprisingly subtle sound, if he were to think about it outside the scope of life and death, but there was something about it that just sounded wrong to the ears.

Foolish, to think that fighting for one's life was something to get used to, to wear like a cloak and not think beyond it.

Lukas takes note of where the main force is, how far away, turns away towards where he'd heard the witch warp in. To an outsider, perhaps it would look like a mismatched fight in his favor; a man in heavy armor against a young woman with no such armaments. Just a mask and glowing pits for eyes. He wonders, briefly, if the mask is required; would their emotions still show on their face despite being a soulless husk?

Does this poor woman see a mask on him, made of flesh that smiles but eyes dark pits all the same?

She moves, and Lukas brings up his shield.

Flames explode around his defenses like a wave crashing into a seaside cliff. And, just as water finds its way into all the cracks and crevices of sturdy rock, magic seeps passed his armor as if it were were nothing more than a slight delay. Armor that could turn away even Rigel's finest weapons did little to guard him against such tortured magics.

Heat builds up quickly, unbearable in its intensity, but Lukas does not feel the burn of it and ducks his head behind his shield as he charges toward his foe.

But he does not connect.

She is there and gone again, wisps of smoke between his fingers -- and then that intense heat erupts across his back again.

He staggers to a knee, gasps against the heat; feels the lick of flames catching on padding and clothing beneath armor, skin beneath that. Smoke and char and heat cling to his throat. He forces himself to breathe, shield digging into the ground with a crack of superheated metal as he leverages it to get himself back onto his feet. Twists to swing out with his lance -- it doesn't hurt, but it feels wrong and tight -- and it catches in the witches side with a warbled cry.

But they both stubbornly cling to their thread of life, and Lukas knows that he will not strike her down before her fire consumes him. He refuses to fall here, to this, even if he has to prop himself up by his lance to accomplish it.

His willpower would make it happen, but his body could not.

His vision was spotty, his legs were buckling, his breath rattled in his chest. Lukas stared down those glowing eyes all the same. Her mouth opened but if she made a sound, he did not hear it; fire bloomed in her open palms. The world warped like heat distortion, and he slipped just as the witch's head jerked forward -- an arrow buried deep before disappearing along with the body, a writhing, screaming thing before it blipped out of existence.

Someone was patting him down desperately, trying to put out the fire that was eating at clothes and skin. Lukas swallowed, dry and ineffective, coughed. Eventually gave up on his voice and physically waved the other away from touching his armor -- it would hurt them just the same as him, it was too late for him but he could at least keep them from suffering injury on his account.

A familiar voice he couldn't quite place in the moment asked what happened, shouted back towards the direction of the main group for a healer.

Lukas forced his eyes open, tried to curl his mouth into a smile.

"I grew complacent..."

[choppedcowboydinosaur]

Just to add to this the reason why credit card companies decided to be against the 1st and 2nd ammendments is because of Operation Chokepoint. If you want to look into it, it's the reason why we have this censorship hellscape with payment processors.

Anyone ever noticed how so many leftist memes lack…restraint?

The memer had to add the capitalist pig with a speech bubble, because apparently just mocking the “bad” decision wasn’t enough.

They had to also imply that any Yank who disagrees is nothing but a brainwashed sheep.

Seems a biiit like projection.

Also, what does this have to do with credit vs. Cash?

[raitrolling]

Where the Wolfsbane Blooms

[Easy reading version on Toyhou.se]

(This drabble is related to @cloudbattrolls' Harbinger plot, and takes place at the same time as Last Stand.)

Mikiel had been waiting for this moment.

Perigees had passed since Thrixe’s disappearance, but he had done nothing but wait. Biding his time, throwing himself into his work, keeping his skills sharp and his anger even sharper. Gone were the times that he would complain at the sight of some unexplainable abnormality, replaced now with a cold efficiency to destroy anything that crossed his path.

It was all he could do to stay sane, at least until Ginger gave him the call.

They told him to expect to be summoned a few nights after their first call, which gave him ample time to prepare. The head of Special Operations had taken his notice that he was summoned by the Mantle of Pestilence themself as a job of grave importance, making Mikiel Gaia’s representative in assisting with restoring the balance between the two realms. Many of Gaia’s agents, like all other entities on Alternia, had been barred entry from the realm after the fae closed the courts, meaning that they could not send in any back-up to assist him.

But, that did not mean they were unable to provide the blueblood with any assistance.

In his hand were three doses of psiionic stimulant, each contained within an auto-injector needle. Mind honey is a highly-controlled substance on Alternia, yet Gaia had something equally as potent on its side: Magic. Mikiel had been warned by the medical staff to not exceed more than one dose over twenty-four hours, as given his highly unstable psiionics they could not be certain that his body would be able to handle the strain they will put on his heart.

As he tucked two of the injectors into his pockets and stared down his present targets, the last thing on his mind were any safety concerns. Being safe will not bring his moirail back.

When he was teleported into the Summer Court, he was barely given any time to take in his surroundings before Ginger had informed him of his task: Keep the advancing fae at bay, and buy the two trolls they were assisting as much time as possible to catch up to their quarry. Supposedly they were seeking out one known as The Fireseer, the sole roadblock between this world and The Furthest Ring.

Their goals aligned with his, and that was all he cared about. The rest of these damned fae realms could burn to the ground, as far as he was concerned. 

Ginger had also provided him with some minor protective spells before they parted ways: One to shield his eyes from the Court’s endless daylight, and one to lessen the impact of any magic or wounds caused by the fae. Typically he did not enjoy the idea of being subjected to magic, but he had to respect their practicality. 

The battlefield in front of him was a coastal wasteland: A strategic location to provide himself with ample room to let his psiionics loose, and pools of boiling water behind him created a chokepoint to defend as the main group made their escape. The sun shining above him felt like it should have been burning his skin like that of Alternia’s brightest star, but his psiionics combined with Ginger’s spell protected him from any discomfort related to the unusual temperature. 

He could see swarms of disease-ridden amalgamations approaching from the horizon, and knew it was time. With a silent nod towards Ginger, he set out to fulfil his duty.

Ice began forming at his feet as he pulled off his gloves, holding the needle between his teeth while he clenched and unclenched his hands. The temperature of the Summer Court would ordinarily not be ideal for his psiionics, his frozen footsteps not spreading out as fast as he would like. He kept advancing until he was in the middle of the field, staring firmly ahead at the disgusting creatures in front of him. 

He could feel the many pairs of eyes on him, scrutinising him with suspicion. He is but a single troll, powerless against the fae’s sheer numbers in their forces and lacking in any natural defenses that their species was accustomed to. A mind fragile against supernatural interference, a body incapable of regenerating itself infinitely…

But they knew what just one troll could be capable of, after the intruder had destroyed so many kin, and they knew that there must be a reason if Pestilence had called upon him specifically.

That reason made itself clear when the blueblood bared his teeth and snarled, almost wolf-like in nature, then drove the needle into his own thigh.  

That snarl became a pained howl as Mikiel doubled over, clutching his head as the stimulant ignited his psiionics, sending shockwaves of power throughout his entire body. His vision tripled, his head felt like it was splitting apart while his heart threatened to tear out of his chest, and he felt like he was going to vomit. 

The landlocked fae did not stand a chance against the resulting blast of pure psiionic energy.

The ground within a twenty metre radius of Mikiel froze within an instant, consuming everything in its path. Pillars of ice spikes shot up metres in the air around him, and as he staggered backwards sent even more soaring up into the air. He could hear a cacophony of sounds as those capable of flight screeched at the sight of entire squadrons of fae swallowed up by the ice, their horrified expressions captured inside their frozen prisons. 

Breathing heavily, his hand moved to his chest to feel his heartbeat. Each breath felt like he was getting speared by icicles forming within his own lungs. His glasses cracked under the rapid drop in temperature, making the swarms of creatures ahead nothing but dark inhuman blurs. Ice stuck to his clothes and climbed up his legs, reminding him that he needed to get moving now lest he end up just like his foes.

He took a moment to attach his ice skate blades to his boots, and charged forward. 

Mikiel ducked and weaved amongst the ice spikes shooting up at all angles around him, baiting the fae to try and get within his reach. The one drawback of his cryokinesis was that he cannot freeze anything that is not directly touching either himself or the ground underneath him, but after dealing with abnormalities at Gaia, he had developed a new strategy. 

A mass of insectoid limbs with monarch wings dive bombed in from his left. Mikiel turned on his skates and swung out his arm, using his entire body to guide the fast-growing ice spikes into the same arc. The fae stopped in its tracks for just a second too long and was pierced by a spike directly through its central core.   

Another one down. God knows how many to go.  

Mikiel kept moving, keeping as many fae eyes on him as possible, leading them around the battlefield and spearing them with his spikes whenever the opportunity struck. To stop moving would be to die. Any moment spent standing still would allow the disgusting creatures to pile onto him, overwhelming him with their sheer numbers.

But, while quick and with the power of at least ten psiionics surging through his veins, he was not invincible. 

A nautilus-like disease fae, using its crystalline shell to camouflage against a pillar of ice, shot its tendrils out at the skating troll, and managed to get a grip on his arm. Mikiel stumbled, caught unaware, and was forced to grind his blades to a halt. With its prey ensnared, the fae sprouted more tendrils, this time tipped with sharp needle-like points, and aimed them at the blueblood’s neck. 

Mikiel disregarded those entirely, instead grabbing onto the tendrils that’d wrapped around his other arm. He yanked them towards himself with all his strength to dislodge the fae from its hiding place, and the needle-tipped tendrils missed their mark, one only managing to nick the side of his neck while the other flailed about uselessly. He felt the creature’s grip tighten around his arm, but quickly the tendrils stiffened and froze, ice consuming the rest of its body.

It may have wasted precious seconds, but Mikiel felt some satisfaction from stomping on the newly-formed ice sculpture until it was nothing but a pile of frozen chunks.

This back-and-forth continued, until it seemed that the fae’s numbers had drastically decreased. Mikiel did not feel as if he had thinned out their numbers that dramatically, and could only assume they had performed a strategic retreat. Good, as he could feel the effects of the stimulant start to wane. He was able to breathe for a moment, and slowed down, retrieving a second pair of glasses so he could survey his surroundings. However, the lens cracked quickly from the shift in temperature, and Mikiel swore under his breath.

His neck itched where the nautilus-fae’s tendrils had scratched him, the beginnings of a rash forming. 

This section of the Summer Court had also been transformed into a frozen wasteland, spires of ice haphazardly dotted around the area encasing many fae within. Those who had been speared by the spikes had already dissolved, leaving only traces of their melted remains glimmering in the realm’s abnormal sunlight. 

There were no other traces of fae in sight, meaning… 

Mikiel heard a distorted call, a chorus of synthesised war horns crying out at once, then felt the ground underneath him rumble. The spikes around him cracked with each tremor. When he turned around, his jaw almost dropped.

It was substantially larger than the others he had fought, and while slow and lumbering it emanates the pure power of a phantasmal beast. Four sturdy hooves cracked from centuries of warfare held up a body much more dinosaur-like in appearance, and atop of its long neck was a head resembling a chimera of horse and crocodile. Its head revealed flashes of exposed bone between shaggy strings of peeled skin, and similar needle-like bones lined down the creature’s back at odd angles, finishing at a leathery tail thin as a whip.

A lengthy maw filled with fangs smiled down upon Mikiel, and its tail cracked in intimidation. Blackened skin sloughed off its body in chunks like irradiated flesh, a twisted parody of death and rebirth as new sheets regrew in its place only to be scorched and discarded. The ice floor underneath its feet sizzled as it walked, but through shattered glasses the blueblood could not tell what was dripping off its rapidly-decaying body.

He knew nothing of the fae’s hierarchy or how to identify the diseases they represented, but he could tell by its size and its ornate headdress decorated with summer foliage that the seasonal Courts had summoned one of its strongest combatants. A Royal Knight. 

He reached into his pocket to pull out a second injector. He was told to not exceed the limit of one dosage per night, but this wasn’t the ordinary circumstances he would be facing on Alternia, this was a literal do-or-die scenario. And he needed all the power he could get.

Mikiel was prepared for the consequences as he jabbed the needle into his thigh, but that did not make its activation any less painful. Again he screamed and staggered, holding his head as the same affects struck him twofold. Ice stuck to his hair and lanced up the filed-down stumps where his horns once sat, and another wave of spikes shot out from the ground in a brilliant wave as his nerves fried. He felt the burning all the way down to the tips of his fingers and toes, and tasted blood in his mouth from the strain his body was being put under. 

He was hearing sounds and seeing colours that did not exist, but his target was large enough that he did not need to clearly envision his next move. Barely able to remain steady on his feet, he took off, the ice carving a path through all the spikes for him to gain enough speed.

Then, focusing his power, the path he had created lifted off the ground, becoming a perfect ramp for him to leap off - and onto the fae’s back. 

Fuck, this thing is hot. Even with his psiionics protecting him, he could still feel the beast’s skin sizzling against his boots… As betwixt the fleshy peels lay tumorous boils which continuously oozed searing-hot acid, covering the fae in a viscous layer of boiling corrosive tar. Bubbles burst and shot flecks of acid upwards, burning tiny holes into Mikiel’s clothing, while ice continuously creeped over his body, instantly melting then reforming to protect him from the heat.

He knew now that his original plan was a bust, there was simply no way his psiionics would be able to freeze this monster. Goddammit.

The fae howled a horrible draconic roar, lurching it’s body from side to side in an attempt to shake the blueblood off. Mikiel made a grab for the rows of exposed needle-like bones running down its spines. He attempted to spread his ice down them, but they too were too hot for his cryokinesis to affect them. The best he could manage was preventing his hands from blistering upon exposure. 

Reaching out from one spine to the next, he made his way up the creature’s back, gritting his teeth through the pain of his psiionics being pushed into overdrive. He had to make this work, he had to stop this thing no matter what. Perhaps if he could not freeze it from the outside, then - 

A sound of a whip crack caught his attention, and he spun around. The tail. A long, leathery-looking thing, far more flexible than the fae’s sauropod-like appearance made it seem. It curled up like a scorpion’s stinger, and lashed forward at Mikiel. He dodged, still clinging to one of the spines to maintain his balance, but the sludgy consistency of the acid at his feet made it difficult to move. 

But the fae was not aiming to spear the cryokinetic, and the tail’s position was in a perfect spot to coil itself around Mikiel’s throat.

Mikiel panicked, clawing madly at it as he felt its grip tighten, digging his nails into its leathery flesh. He managed to pull it off him, but it kept fighting back. With the intensity of a cornered animal, he grasped a length of the tail between his fists and bit down, hard.

There was a loud crack as rather than sinking his teeth into what appeared to be flesh, Mikiel found bone hard enough to shatter his fangs. He cried out in pain and lurched backwards, wiping his hand against his mouth and tasting bloodied gums. Damn beast, he should have known that he was not dealing with a creature made of anything remotely similar to Alternian animal biology.

Yet, despite the relative stupidity of his move, the fae’s agonised shriek proved it had some impact. It withdrew its tail from the blueblood, changing strategies.

He leaned forwards to cough up all the gunk inside his mouth: blood, ice crystals, and a few shards of shattered teeth. His jaw seized up with pain, sending another wave of dizziness to distract him from the beast’s next move.

The Patron’s Mark alerted him to a sudden surge of magical energy around him. Light crackled in the air, forming rings of magical circuits that entrapped Mikiel before he was able to react.

Shit.

He couldn’t move.

The damned beast had cast a binding spell. Goddamnit, he was warned that the fae were capable of casting magic, why didn’t he think-

Before he knew it, the fae struck again. As fast as lightning, its tail smacked against him and sent him flying. He was powerless against it, and unable to move his body to lessen the near-instantaneous impact with the ground.

He heard his elbow crack against the frozen floor, but he couldn’t feel it. He continued to slide across the ice, seeing stars and incomprehensible blurs, until his body finally ran out of any momentum.

The blueblood let out a groan. Ice crawled up his arm to hold it in place, not that he was able to move anything while the spell still had its hold on him. It was starting to wear off, however, as he was able to move his head and spit out all the remaining shards of broken teeth. He knew he’d have to get them all removed when he returned, so that new teeth could grow in their place. If he was able to return. He had no plan of even attempting to make it out of this battle alive, because if he’d faltered, that could have spelled the end of Thrixe’s return. Why now? Why worry about returning home?

When he heard the rumbling of the Knight lumbering towards him, he knew why. It was because he knew he was going to die. And as its jaws clamped around his body, piercing into his flesh, oozing blood and threatening to crunch his bones, he realised he did not actually want to die.

The beast shook its head from side to side, playing with its food, and then tossed Mikiel upwards. His body ragdolled as the force of the fae’s swing and gravity interacted with one another, and he gazed directly down its open maw.

Then, he recalled his previous idea. An idea that would only work if -

The jaws of the fae clamped back down on him, but this time he’d managed to move just enough to twist around and avoid getting swallowed whole. It was biding its time with play, single-minded as fae tend to be, awaiting the moment its binding spell wore off and its prey could truly feel his last torturous moments. His leg was trapped between its fangs, and he was hanging upside-down outside of its mouth. 

Blood was rapidly rushing to his head, if it wasn’t already pouring out the previous bite wound, but he’d been fighting the dizziness from the psiionic stimulants this entire fight. All he needed was one thing: For his foot to be touching the inside of the fae’s mouth.

He wriggled his leg, and then hit something solid.

There.

Mikiel activated his psiionics with a guttural roar, and the fae suddenly fell still. Ice consumed the inside of its mouth and spread throughout its internal structure, and then - 

It howled one last final, unholy scream before hundreds of icicles pierced through its flesh from the inside-out. Mikiel was unceremoniously dropped from its maw, and could only watch as the beast exploded in a flurry of acid and viscera.

It was finally over. He’d taken down one of the Summer Court’s Royal Knights, and any last fae remaining scattered.

The blueblood felt something drip onto his face, then another landed in his eye as the shattered lenses of his glasses were unable to catch it.

Ah. The ice spikes still looming above his head are starting to melt. His psiionics have stopped working. Is that… Is he dying?

He found he could move his body again, but was too tired to stand back up. Weakly, he attempted to move his arms. The left - useless. His elbow had shattered when he first hit the ground, as all he could feel was a dull pain shooting up his arm. The right, though - he moved his hand in front of his face. It was shaking, likely from blood loss, but through his blurry vision he could tell his fingers had blackened, frostbitten in appearance.

But it wasn’t frostbite, it was burnout. If he could see properly he would notice the scarring continuing down his arm, light blue lighting bolts patterning his skin. The same scarring also present on his face, barely visible amongst the frost covering his skin.

He dropped his arm back down, landing on his chest. Ice was spreading over his body in a feeble attempt to slow the bleeding from the fae’s jaws. His leg was similarly covered in a coating of ice. He didn’t know why his own body bothered to protect himself like this, when it was only sapping away the last of his strength.

He supposed he had Ginger to thank for the fact he was still breathing now, albeit weak and laboured. If it wasn’t for their protection, he likely would have already bled out and died. Or maybe the impact of the fae’s tail that sent him flying would have killed him. Or maybe it would have been the boiling acid that covered the monster when he landed on it.

Or maybe it would have simply been from the sun, still bearing down on him while he stared into the clear blue sky. So many things that would have ordinarily caused him to give up and accept death, but in what felt like his last moments, he knew he still wanted to live.

He thought of Thrixe. Jumbled, disconnected thoughts as his mind drifted between the realms of consciousness and unconsciousness... He hoped this was enough, to bring him home. He knew Thrixe wouldn’t be proud of him for pushing himself this far, but he hoped that he would understand why he did. He hoped to see him smile again, one last time…

…

…

By the time Ginger was able to return to find Mikiel, he was already near comatose.

[dysrope]

The Long 35th Century

[V v late addition to turn 15: 9-3-3-1=2]

The collapse of the centralized control over most of the underworld, and the outbreak of brutal war caused a disruption of all underworld trade, massive depopulation of central areas, and an overextension of the Royal armies. Internal and external enemies take notice

The Empire Is Struck Back

Sensing the weakness of Chivik, the long-suffering tribes closest to the see the time is right to retailiate for the many historic mistreatments andhumiliations. At first they simply participate on the side of rebels as mercenaries, or engage in banditry, but the charismatic brother of the Kilklak matriarch fosters personal relationships with the leaders of many other clans and tribes, and promotes a branch of the circadian cult that yearns for a return to the "good old days" when all tiktik lived in tribes, and there were no decadent city-dwellers. With a combination of traditional personalistic alliances and a formalized priesthood connecting the tribes, he manages to unite most of them in a grand confoederation. The Confoederation of Free Tribes raises a vast army, and manages to defeat what arnies Chivik can bring to bear, and capture the city of Tranos, which had long been a thorn in their side. The city is promptly renamed Kilklak, but it is mainly used as a garrison, with only little civilian activity; a base of operations for further attacks eastward. The confoederation is led by an agreed-upon Matriarch (often from the Kilklak clan) but her prime councillor is always the high priest, and a very conservative agenda tends to dominate the political programme.

The Second One True Empire

Tanmak also sees the scattered Royal armies and the long response times and mobilizes its population. A quick march takes them to the relatively undefended eastern edge of Retvik. The Retvikvik are convinced that their interests are better served by submitting to the Empress of Tanmak, and the fledgling empire gains control of this most vital chokepoint without a fight, securing the entirety of the east. The Empress declares herself the rightful sovereign of the entire world, though in practice that only means Tanmak is now truly independent. A variant of circadianism is established as state religion, centering on the empress dynasty as a manifestation of eternal renewal, and the holy land of Erjul, as a place where the sunlight spills into the underworld and many pilgrims go there to bathe in the waters that carry the light, though it is a very dangerous excursion to any that need to breathe.

Rebel rebel

In Fikset city, the successive escalating crises, and ineffective responses of the central government are met with joy. The city is hit hard by the loss of trade, and increased taxes, but the population is united in opposition to Chivik rule, and are now finally able to drive out the occupation forces. Since the former glory days of independent Neskot are fondly remebered, that name is reintroduced, but the original ruling clan was long ago driven into extinction. Instead, the Independent and Free City State of Neskot is ruled more or less democratically. The most important body is the assembly, where each of the citizen clans with more than 144 members sends their representatives, but each year they elect one amongst themselves to become a "Neskotkot". These are a "clan" only in name, but do form a government, usually with a dozen or so members