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[riskadjustment]

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[drabblesandimagines]

Dove (part seven)

Leon Kennedy x female reader (bodyguard trope and the slowest, slow burn I swear)

Part one. Part two. Part three. Part four. Part five. Part six. Part seven.

---

A tense knot has formed right between Leon’s shoulder blades – can feel it pull when he tilts his head side to side, but it doesn’t seem to be loosening. Can’t even blame it on sleeping on the sofa cos he hasn’t laid down to sleep since the call with Hunnigan, stays sat up right. He’s athletic, he can jump up to his feet from horizontal but it’ll add a second or so to his reaction time and he’s not taking the risk.

He's on edge and he doesn’t like it. The ball of anxiety in his gut has saved his life more times than he can count, but it shouldn’t be necessary in this situation, should it? He’s set up in a safe house, literally off some beaten track in the middle of nowhere – location chosen and distributed by encrypted software so, technically, no-one in the DSO knows where he is either. It’s rigged up to the heavens with security measures - cameras, alarm systems, motion detector - explosion-proof windows, reinforced doors, all topped off with his favourite array of weapons in the duffel bag, currently resting by his still booted feet.

The objective of his mission hasn’t changed after the intel he’s received, that some foreign agency has had access to the CCTV feed for who knows how many hours before they were cut off. He should feel reassured that the quality of the footage was awful – it was only by how many times he’s encountered Lickers that he could even tell that’s what the creatures were when he’d be presented with the grainy images. He didn’t see the footage of you being rescued, but it would be a cruel kick in the gut to find that feed had been HD.

He lifts an arm – his left, keeping his right arm free, his accuracy is better by millimetres with his right – and rubs the knot, hoping to relieve the tension. It's not 100% confirmed they are looking or will be looking for you either, but why would anyone link up to the CCTV circuit if not to check on the outcome of their operation?

His immediate thought had been to up the frequency of his perimeter checks, one every two hours. He could do that at night, sure – military training taught him the correct and most efficient techniques to power nap – but in the day it would be harder without worrying you about what’s changed.

You wanted updates. Hell, you were entitled to updates. But he wants to give you good news, doesn’t wanna add to the weight on your shoulders with what could be nothing. It’s stupid, he knows it’s stupid, but in these sweet domestic moments the two of you have been sharing, he’s been pretending it’s something else – friends watching television, cooking a meal together – the sweet smiles the two of you exchange, but it’s all ripped apart the moment he has to do his checks. He can see the worry settle on your face then, a reminder of where you are with the flick of the safety off his gun and the twist of the lock as he goes outside to conduct surveillance.

Speaking of, his phone beeps for his next circuit on the building and he’s up on his feet in the blink of an eye. He pats his cargo pocket out of habit for the keys on the walk over to the garage door, but finds himself pausing outside your bedroom, his eyes focusing on the handle. You should still be pretty under with those sleeping pills – note to self, he’ll need to start weening you off them from now on, far too easy to get addicted. It wouldn’t hurt to just… check you were okay, would it?

No – that’s what you’re here, why he’s here – to protect you.

It would just be doing his job.

He presses down on the handle and slowly opens the door, breath caught in his throat. It takes his eyes a moment to adjust to the dark, the lamp in the living room not quite reaching as far as your bed, but eventually he can make out your face – as peaceful as he’s ever seen it.

You’re on your side. The position doesn’t look like it would be comfortable with your arm still strapped up in the sling, but it’s testimony to how well the sleeping pills are working. Your other arm is up by your face, hand clenched in a tight fist around something. He steps forward without thinking, curious what it could be.

Your fingers are gripped tightly around his watch.

And there’s a pain in his chest that feels like they’re gripped around his heart as well.

That settles it - he’s not gonna tell you about the hacked CCTV feed. He will tell you that Hunnigan hasn’t searched your place yet, that they’ve restarted the surveillance department – she’d asked him to ask you if you knew anything about the servers since they were appeared to be working from square one – but that was it.

Leon steps back with unnecessary caution, leaving the bedroom as silently as he entered and shuts the door with a soft click. He takes a deep breath, pats down his pockets again and heads out to circle the perimeter.

And, just like after you kissed his cheek, he does it twice.

--

You wake up after another peaceful and dreamless sleep, though it still takes a moment to remember where you are as you stare up at the unfamiliar ceiling. You wonder if tomorrow you’ll not experience that flicker of panic, just get up and accept that you’ll be picking today’s outfit out of a selection of clothes that you’re not sure if anyone’s worn before you.

You feel sore, as seems to be becoming the norm, but with unusually stiff fingers on your good hand. It seems you’ve clutched Leon’s watch all night. You’d fallen asleep quite quickly – all thanks to those sleeping pills – but you remember looking at it when you’d first got in the bed, the seconds ticking by lulling you to sleep. The fact that you’ve held it for so long reminds you of when you were a kid and snuggled up with a stuffed toy for comfort, except instead of something soft and cuddly, it’s what appears to be a top of line timepiece. There’s a lot of information contained on the face of the dial but there’s the time is the only one you really care about – 0906.

You get to your feet, raising your good arm to a grunt of protest as you try and run your fingers through your hair in lieu of a mirror. Huh, that pain’s new. Your hair is definitely due a wash now, but that’s an issue for later. You pull on a pair of sweatpants one-handed – you’ll be a pro soon, you’re sure of it – and put Leon’s watch in the pocket for safekeeping. It’d be difficult to try and navigate the door handle with it still gripped in your good hand and you’d hate to scratch it up.

You open the door cautiously – you hadn’t seen Leon asleep yet, but he must do at some point. Maybe you should offer to alternate the sofa and the bed? Though you have a feeling that he’s far too much of a gentleman to accept.

Or there’ll be something in the rules that prohibits that.

There’s no danger of waking him though - the agent in question is performing sit-ups in the middle of the living room floor, facing the other way. Muscular arms behind his head as he lets out little puffs of exertion at the exercise, alternating sides as he twists.

Wary that you don’t want to be caught staring, you shut the door with more force than necessary behind you and greet him with a smile when he looks over his shoulder.

“Morning, Leon.”

“Dove!” He doesn’t even sound out of breath. “Morning. Sleep okay?” He jumps up to his feet before taking a couple of steps over in your direction. There’s a grin on his face at the sight of you – makes you feel giddy.

“Yeah, thanks. How about you?”

“That’s good. Yeah, I slept fine.” He nods. It’s not a lie – he did sleep fine for the position he forced himself to maintain all night, despite the slight crick in his neck.

“Is that how you usually start your mornings?”

One of the arms you’d been admiring goes up to rub the back of his head again. “Kinda. I usually go for a run, but…”

“But you can’t leave me on my own.” You finish, smile dropping a little. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be - I’m not.” He drops his arm back down, casting an eye over a watch that’s not there. “Hey, you hungry? I can get breakfast started. Oatmeal again?”

“Sure.” You nod, fishing his watch out of your pocket and holding it out to him. “Thanks again for this. It was nice to wake up and know the time this morning.”

“Don’t mention it. You can, er, you know, keep it. If you like.” He can’t get the image of you fast asleep last night, clutching it close to your face. He knows it was most likely the sleeping pills meaning you’d just passed out with it in your hand more than anything deeper, but, hey, a guy can pretend.

“I’ll be okay, I can get the time off the TV during the day.” You hold it out again with insistence. “But maybe… maybe I could have it for the night again?”

“Deal.” Leon hastily agrees, his fingers brushing yours as he takes back the watch before fastening it around his wrist. “Breakfast coming right up.”

You take the opportunity to duck into the bathroom as he heads towards the kitchen – your heart warmed once more by the sight of the blob of toothpaste sat ready and waiting on your toothbrush.

--

“And, finally, oatmeal.” He places it down on the coffee table, alongside your coffee, a glass of water and your morning dose of painkillers.

“Thank you.” You lean forward to pick up the spoon, smiling back at the face that Leon’s drizzled in honey atop your breakfast again.  

“Nah, pleasure’s all mine.” He calls over his shoulder as he picks up his own bowl from the kitchen. He hesitates for a second, before choosing to sit the other end of the sofa to you, rather than the opposite one.

“You know, I don’t get to do this very often. It’s nice.”

“Mm,” you swallow a spoonful of oatmeal. “Thought you said you’d been in lots of safe houses.”

“A fair amount. But, no, not that part. I mean, eating breakfast with someone.” “So…” You stir the spoon around the bowl, hoping it might prove a perfect segway into something you’d been wondering. “..there’s no-one at home for you?”

“Me?” He seems to scoff at the idea. “Nope.”

“Me neither.”

“Yeah, I figured.” He replies casually, before his blue eyes widen in alarm at how it might come across. “

“I mean, just by the fact that you hadn’t mentioned anyone at your apartment that morning and you hadn’t asked any of those sorta questions, you know, if they’d been told about what happened, where you are...”

He’s flustered, feels like he’s really putting his foot in his mouth this morning. He can take the lead in the interrogation of some of the world’s most despicable humans, for goodness’ sake, he should be able to talk to a pretty girl.

“Yeah, I figured.” You tease back and he swears he feels the weight lift off his shoulders.

The two of you eat in silence for a moment when curiosity gets the better of you. “So, you didn’t eat breakfast with the… others?”

“Nope.” His tone is firm as he recalls some of his previous charges. “Certainly didn’t make them it either. Trust me – they were nowhere near as nice or as deserving of my protection as you are, Dove.” The comment makes your head tingle.

“It’s all been people ‘realising’ how deep they’d sank but only grew a conscience to save their own skin. Hell, you might have even performed surveillance on some of them. A lot of criminals finally show backbone when they realise their time is running out.”

“Well, I’m glad to make a change – both for sharing breakfast and …safe house occupancy with.”

“A nice change,” he mumbles, but you still hear.

--

After breakfast, you go to shower and Leon sets himself to task with the dishes once again, says he did his last perimeter check before nine. Removing the sling proves trickier than yesterday – when you go to tug off the Velcro your opposite shoulder smarts with a similar pain of that morning, causing you to hiss through your teeth, something which the painkillers from breakfast don’t seem to have alleviated.

You step into the cubicle after undressing – the hot water immediately somewhat soothing on your bruised shoulders but you still struggle to get what you now deem as your good arm high enough to even entertain the possibility of washing your hair.  

You try and avoid your reflection in the mirror when you dress, though you know you’ll have to confront your hair at some point. Unfortunately, you catch a glimpse – a greasy mop sat upon your head that makes your heart sink.

There must be a trick to it – other people must wash their hair one-handed all the time, but maybe they can lift an arm above their head. If you were home, you’d go to a salon, you think – an expensive you would deem necessary for your sanity.

A thought flashes across your mind – a ridiculous one. Leon is already doing so much for you, surely this would be completely over the line.

But you could… ask, couldn’t you? The worst he could do was say no, it would be awkward, and maybe there’s a hat in the duffel bag you’ve yet to discover.

You open the bathroom door, but don’t make to step over the threshold. Leon looks over from the sofa – dishes now drying in the rack besides the sink - and clocks your hesitation.

“Need a hand with the sling?”

Are you really going to ask him this?

You’ll break at some point - you know you will, so why not get it over with now? You’re a regimented two-day wash kinda girl and it’s day three. Not to be completely vain, but you’re covered with bruises and cuts, dressed in less than flattering clothes that aren’t yours and it would be nice to feel somewhat decent about something in your appearance.

Especially with the handsome company you’re keeping. Hell, Leon could be a model, a hair model too. There’d been shampoo and conditioner in the shower and you certainly hadn’t used it.

“Dove?” You’ve taken too long to reply again, getting stuck in your spiralling thoughts.

“I know this isn’t what you’re here for.” The words tumble out of your mouth before you can think further.

“Okay…” Leon's eyebrow is raised, a curious smile now fixed on his lips as he gets to his feet.

“And say no, obviously. Please. Just… I’d like to wash my hair.” You drop your eyes then – maybe it’ll be easier if you talk to your feet rather staring into his kind eyes?

"Right."

“And I’d… You know, I’d go to a salon and get it done there if we weren’t… here.”

“You’d like me to help you wash your hair?” There’s a tone of amusement or maybe disbelief in his tone.

Hearing him say it aloud makes you doubt the entire exercise, your heart begin to pound at your stupidity. “Sorry. No, I don’t know what I was thinking. It was stupid to ask-“

“Hey, no, it makes sense.” He soothes, immediately wanting to ease your frustrations. “You can’t lift your arm above your head, right? My fault for not thinking about that.”

You look up then, seeing the sincerity on his face – like it truly was his fault that you couldn’t wash your own damn hair.

“I can do that, Dove. I don’t see why not.”

“Are you sure?”

“Mm-hm. As you said, if you were anywhere else right now, you could go to a salon and whilst I can’t promise their quality, I seem to do all right with my own.” He shrugs. “You thinking over the sink?”

He doesn’t know why he asks – it’s hardly like you’re going to ask him to get in the shower with you.

Is it?

“I think so.” You look around the living area, though you’re well acquainted with what feels like every square inch of it now. “Though it might be a little awkward since we don’t have any chairs.”

He snaps his fingers. “Nah, there might be one in the garage, actually. Lemme check.”

He barely makes it into the garage when his cell vibrates in his pocket – one new message from Hunnigan.

Any server information for me?

Leon finds the folding chair nestled at the side of the washer and dryer and hesitates over the text back.

He’ll wash your hair – seeing how torn up you’d been about even asking him had made him feel awful - then he’ll give you the updates and ask about the servers.

He picks up the chair and tucks it under one arm, swiftly typing out a message on his cell and clicks send.

Not yet – Dove’s still asleep.

---

Masterlist . Requests welcome . Commissions/Ko-Fi

Comments, follows, likes and reblogs make my day!

Part eight.

[rieamena]

I wonder at what point in the "reboot saga" would the other cunning hares step in and help Billy? Like, on one hand you have a convenient way to stop Billy from whatever he is doing, and watching how Y/N is trying to confess without crashing him must be entertaining. On the other after crash 65 it must get worrying :/

finally!—

the first few crashes had been amusing, a source of lighthearted teasing among the group. you’d attempt to confess, and billy, ever the charismatic and responsive robot, would suddenly freeze, eyes flickering as his system struggled to process the influx of data. the scene would end with him rebooting, and the cycle would start anew. after the first couple of crashes, the laughter faded into concern

“i don’t get it,” you muttered, sprawled out on the couch in the cunning hares' common room. “why does he keep crashing? it’s just a confession.”

“he’s not built to handle that kind of emotional intensity,” nicole explained, fiddling with the handles on his jacket, metal body limp after yet another of your failed confessions. “his programming is complex, but at the core, it’s still a machine trying to process human emotions.”

“and you’re very special to him,” anby added, smiling gently. “that makes it even harder for his system to cope.”

the three of you brainstormed solutions, testing different approaches and environmental controls. they installed cooling systems, tweaked his software, and even practiced mock confessions. yet, each time you poured your heart out to billy, his system would crash and reboot, leaving you both in a loop of unfinished sentences and unspoken feelings

one night, after crash number seventy two—a number that was only devised due to your intricate logs of attempted confessions in your mini journal—the serious gravity of the situation hit everyone. billy’s constant reboots were taking a toll on his system, and the risk of permanent damage was becoming too great to ignore

“this has to stop,” nicole declared, her voice heavy with determination. “we need to find a way to get through to him without causing another crash.”

after much debate, the team devised a new strategy. it wasn’t just about cooling fans and air conditioners; it was about creating a space where billy could process his emotions without the threat of overload. they set up a room specifically for this purpose, equipped with not just temperature controls but also calming visuals and sounds designed to keep billy’s system stable

the designated spot was meticulously prepared. soft lighting filled the room, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. the hum of air conditioners and strategically placed fans ensured the environment was cool. in the center of the room, billy sat on a cushioned chair, looking a bit puzzled but the aura he exuded was always happy

anby gave you a reassuring nod as she adjusted a fan to blow directly at billy. "remember, y/n, stick to the script and stay calm. we’re right here with you."

you took a deep breath and approached billy, your heart pounding. "hey, billy," you greeted, your voice steady despite the butterflies in your stomach

"hey, [name]," he replied, the crescents of his eyes lighting up the room. "what’s up?"

you clutched the script tightly, glancing at the words one last time before looking up at him. "billy, there’s something i’ve been wanting to tell you for a long time. it’s been on my mind, and i need you to know."

billy’s eyes widened slightly, his full attention on you. you continued, your voice soft but clear, following the script's guidance. "you mean a lot to me, more than just a friend. whenever i’m with you, everything feels brighter and better. your laughter, your kindness, the way you always know how to make me smile. i cherish every moment we spend together."

billy blinked, processing your words. the fans hummed softly, maintaining a cool breeze. you took another deep breath, steadying yourself. "billy, i like you. a lot. more than just a friend. i care about you deeply, and i wanted you to know how i feel."

for a moment, there was silence. billy’s eyes flickered, and you held your breath, waiting for the familiar signs of a reboot, slower movement, glitched speech, loss of composure, but instead, his eyes displayed bright red hearts

"[name]," he said softly, reaching out to take your hand. "i… i like you too. more than just a friend." nicole crept over to a cooling fan close to him, cranking up its power

unfortunately, the slip of paper didn't have any more words to refer to so you had to improvise. "so does this mean we're like, dating now?"

"are we really?! we're dating now?!" billy jumped up from his seat, practically oozing excitement and happiness, "wait, but i've never had a partner before. what if i do something wrong? what if you don't like me anymore?!" he shook your shoulders, speaking a mile a minute, ranting about all the things he could do wrong and all the things that could go wrong

"also, it's really cold in here, i can almost feel my metal constricting! can we turn the thermostat up or something?"

you couldn't help but laugh. "one step at a time, billy. let's start with the thermostat."

you finally got billy kid after seventy two reboots, and boy, wasn't it rewarding.

its actually so embarassing how long this took and its not even good....

billy kid taglist

@pedrosimp137 @mary-moongood @nyxin-lynx @lemonboy011 @eisblume77

@amaryllisenvy @megan017 @astral-spacepumpkin @corrupted-tale @inkycap

@thurstonw @plapsha @lavenderthewolf @kurakusun @vitaevaaa

@sweetadonisbutbetter @cobraaah @mochiitoby @clickingchip @bardivislak

@h3r6c00k13 @cozi-cofee @apestegui-y @luvuyuuji @theitdoitnobody

@fersitaam @cathrnxxo @monkepawbz @fl1ghtl3ssdrag0n @dabislilbaby

@many-names-yuna @muffin1304 @doort @j3llycarnival @juuanna

@discipleofthem @spookylorekeep @wazkalia @miaubrebmiau @hersweetsstrawberry

[1-up-chump]

Thoughts on nick valentine being "upgraded" into a gen-3

There is no way in hell he's gonna be willing, he already had a hard time adjusting to his metallic body and he knows its gonna take forever to get half as used to a new one made of flesh. So it's either him literally dying and his body is broken beyond repair but his mind could be transferred to a gen-3, or he got kidnapped and forcibly slapped into one. Neither outcome nick would be too happy about.

But the absolute angst potential of the "your metallic body finally had its run" tho... a sole survivor hell bent on making sure nick will stay alive, even if it means fumbling around with the institute, doing dirty things and even dirtier just to arrange it. Even if its such a low chance that even if they did find someone willing to put nick in a synth body, if it would even work. Its not like curie who had a simpler software being worked into a complex hardware. Nick is literally experimental of a synth, there even was a risk with a simple viewing of Kellogg's memories.

When nick wakes up he can feel the difference, and he wonders if its a dream, or nightmare, or he's dead. But no, he's in a new body. A fleshy, unfamiliar prison of flesh, intrusive to his familiarity with the wires and circuits and metal frame.

And as he's having his second or third identity crisis (god knows if he's even keeping a count on that sorta thing) he demands answers. It's in his very nature, his programming to snoop out the truth in these tense mysteries. And the first one nick goes to question is sole survivor, his partner, the one person in this whole apocalyptic world he thought he could count on.

Needless to say he has more than a few choice words for them....

[anheliotrope]

It's always "funny" to remember that software development as field often operates on the implicit and completely unsupported assumption that security bugs are fixed faster than they are introduced, adjusting for security bug severity.

This assumption is baked into security policies that are enforced at the organizational level regardless of whether they are locally good ideas or not. So you have all sorts of software updating basically automatically and this is supposedly proof that you deserve that SOC2 certification.

Different companies have different incentives. There are two main incentives:

Limiting legal liability

Improving security outcomes for users

Most companies have an overwhelming proportion of the first incentive.

This would be closer to OK if people were more honest about it, but even within a company they often start developing The Emperor's New Clothes types of behaviour.

---

I also suspect that security has generally been a convenient scapegoat to justify annoying, intrusive and outright abusive auto-updating practices in consumer software. "Nevermind when we introduced that critical security bug and just update every day for us, alright??"

Product managers almost always want every user to be on the latest version, for many reasons of varying coherence. For example, it enables A/B testing (provided your software doesn't just silently hotpatch it without your consent anyway).

---

I bring this up because (1) I felt like it, (2) there are a lot of not-so-well-supported assumptions in this field, which are mainly propagated for unrelated reasons. Companies will try to select assumptions that suit them.

Yes, if someone does software development right, the software should converge towards being more secure as it gets more updates. But the reality is that libraries and applications are heavily heterogenous -- they have different risk profiles, different development practices, different development velocities, and different tooling. The correct policy is more complicated and contextual.

Corporate incentives taint the field epistemologically. There's a general desire to confuse what is good for the corporation with what is good for users with what is good for the field.

The way this happens isn't by proposing obviously insane practices, but by taking things that sound maybe-reasonable and artificially amplifying confidence levels. There are aspects of the distortion that are obvious and aspects of the distortion that are most subtle. If you're on the inside and never talked to weird FOSS people, it's easy to find it normal.

One of the eternal joys and frustrations of being a software developer is trying to have effective knowledge about software development. And generally a pre-requisite to that is not believing false things.

For all the bullshit that goes on in the field, I feel _good_ about being able to form my own opinions. The situation, roughly speaking, is not rosy, but learning to derive some enjoyment from countering harmful and incorrect beliefs is a good adaptation. If everyone with a clue becomes miserable and frustrated then computing is doomed. So my first duty is to myself -- to talk about such things without being miserable. I tend to do a pretty okay job at that.

[wobblydev]

the lines are being drawn friends. all of my applications are introducing 'ai' features. i wanted to make a little thing to display proudly that all my work is made by me, a human. i use a tablet and i use software, but it is my mind, my hands, my eyes, my spirit that make it.

symbolically i felt a coat of arms might make sense, in the war against automation of artistic endeavor.

the brain, to storm and conceive ideas.

the heart, to feel, to bleed, the desire to make for the sake of making.

the eye, to observe, to reflect, to envision.

the flame as courage in the unknown, to ask questions, to seek more and to be brave and risk failure for the sake of it.

feel free to use it, adjust it, put your own spin on it. here's a transparent png

i just made it because i wanted a marker, a stamp, something to proudly proclaim these works are made by a fallible, messy, creative human who thinks and feels and observes and dares.

[mariacallous]

A week after its algorithms advised people to eat rocks and put glue on pizza, Google admitted Thursday that it needed to make adjustments to its bold new generative AI search feature. The episode highlights the risks of Google’s aggressive drive to commercialize generative AI—and also the treacherous and fundamental limitations of that technology.

Google’s AI Overviews feature draws on Gemini, a large language model like the one behind OpenAI’s ChatGPT, to generate written answers to some search queries by summarizing information found online. The current AI boom is built around LLMs’ impressive fluency with text, but the software can also use that facility to put a convincing gloss on untruths or errors. Using the technology to summarize online information promises can make search results easier to digest, but it is hazardous when online sources are contractionary or when people may use the information to make important decisions.

“You can get a quick snappy prototype now fairly quickly with an LLM, but to actually make it so that it doesn't tell you to eat rocks takes a lot of work,” says Richard Socher, who made key contributions to AI for language as a researcher and, in late 2021, launched an AI-centric search engine called You.com.

Socher says wrangling LLMs takes considerable effort because the underlying technology has no real understanding of the world and because the web is riddled with untrustworthy information. “In some cases it is better to actually not just give you an answer, or to show you multiple different viewpoints,” he says.

Google’s head of search Liz Reid said in the company’s blog post late Thursday that it did extensive testing ahead of launching AI Overviews. But she added that errors like the rock eating and glue pizza examples—in which Google’s algorithms pulled information from a satirical article and jocular Reddit comment, respectively—had prompted additional changes. They include better detection of “nonsensical queries,” Google says, and making the system rely less heavily on user-generated content.

You.com routinely avoids the kinds of errors displayed by Google’s AI Overviews, Socher says, because his company developed about a dozen tricks to keep LLMs from misbehaving when used for search.

“We are more accurate because we put a lot of resources into being more accurate,” Socher says. Among other things, You.com uses a custom-built web index designed to help LLMs steer clear of incorrect information. It also selects from multiple different LLMs to answer specific queries, and it uses a citation mechanism that can explain when sources are contradictory. Still, getting AI search right is tricky. WIRED found on Friday that You.com failed to correctly answer a query that has been known to trip up other AI systems, stating that “based on the information available, there are no African nations whose names start with the letter ‘K.’” In previous tests, it had aced the query.

Google’s generative AI upgrade to its most widely used and lucrative product is part of a tech-industry-wide reboot inspired by OpenAI’s release of the chatbot ChatGPT in November 2022. A couple of months after ChatGPT debuted, Microsoft, a key partner of OpenAI, used its technology to upgrade its also-ran search engine Bing. The upgraded Bing was beset by AI-generated errors and odd behavior, but the company’s CEO, Satya Nadella, said that the move was designed to challenge Google, saying “I want people to know we made them dance.”

Some experts feel that Google rushed its AI upgrade. “I’m surprised they launched it as it is for as many queries—medical, financial queries—I thought they’d be more careful,” says Barry Schwartz, news editor at Search Engine Land, a publication that tracks the search industry. The company should have better anticipated that some people would intentionally try to trip up AI Overviews, he adds. “Google has to be smart about that,” Schwartz says, especially when they're showing the results as default on their most valuable product.

Lily Ray, a search engine optimization consultant, was for a year a beta tester of the prototype that preceded AI Overviews, which Google called Search Generative Experience. She says she was unsurprised to see the errors that appeared last week given how the previous version tended to go awry. “I think it’s virtually impossible for it to always get everything right,” Ray says. “That’s the nature of AI.”

Even if blatant errors like suggesting people eat rocks become less common, AI search can fail in other ways. Ray has documented more subtle problems with AI Overviews, including summaries that sometimes draw on poor sources such as sites that are from another region or even defunct websites—something she says could provide less useful information to users who are hunting for product recommendations, for instance. Those who work on optimizing content for Google’s Search algorithm are still trying to understand what’s going on. “Within our industry right now, the level of confusion is on the charts,” she says.

Even if industry experts and consumers get more familiar with how the new Google search behaves, don’t expect it to stop making mistakes. Daniel Griffin, a search consultant and researcher who is developing tools to make it easy to compare different AI-powered search services, says that Google faced similar problems when it launched Featured Snippets, which answered queries with text quoted from websites, in 2014.

Griffin says he expects Google to iron out some of the most glaring problems with AI Overviews, but that it’s important to remember no one has solved the problem of LLMs failing to grasp what is true, or their tendency to fabricate information. “It’s not just a problem with AI,” he says. “It’s the web, it’s the world. There’s not really a truth, necessarily.”

[silenceofthewave]

[There were many things that Soundwave was. Symbiont host bot. Surveillance extraordinaire. Third in Command of the Decepticon Forces. Head Communications Officer. However, the most important aspect of it was often the most forgotten about, or simply thought of in passing- Soundwave had almost complete control over the Nemesis' systems.]

THE EXODUS

[This control was for several reasons; it had the processing power built into its frame to ensure that the automated systems did not meet unexpected failure, it needed to be able to adjust trajectory, course and speed at the blink of an optic, groundbridging, ensuring weapons and communications arrays always performed at top capabilities.]

[The control the mech had over the ship was not absolute- to save processing power, and to prevent becoming utterly useless in its other duties, Soundwave had created a patch that allowed the ship AI to take over the less relevant tasks. They would check in often, go over reports, fix what was broken. Though, it was easy enough to regain that control, and that's exactly what Soundwave was doing.]

[The mech silently stood at its usual terminal, paying no attention to the vehicons that came in and out of the bridge. It could vaguely hear the outraged cries of Lord Megatron- something about Starscream not responding to his comms. Soundwave couldn't help the small smirk behind its visor. Soon, that was going to be the least of Megatron's worries.]

[No, soon enough, Megatron would have a complete catastrophe on his servos.]

[Indeed, Soundwave had spent the last two weeks painstakingly coding a seek-and-destroy virus. While it would have been much easier to simply set the Nemesis to self destruct and leave, there was no guarantee that it would actually self destruct. That process required two codes, both of which it knew, then sent out a ping to the high command. It only took one code- the code Megatron knew- to halt the process in its tracks.]

[A virus though? A virus could be built to be discreet, undetectable, and just as devistating. The virus itself was complex- it had to be, for its task was no simple one. It had to utilize the AI's blindspots and complex firewall navigation to remain undetected. It had to be able to pull power directly from the engine's electical outputs to various systems simultaneously. It had to have every access and failsafe code built into it.]

[The virus would take the electrical output and put each targeted system into overdrive. Not only would this completely fry any and all circuitry, systems like the space bridge, communications array and cloaking would be rendered completely unusable. The electrical generators that powered them would more than likely explode and require either a full replacement, rebuild or extensive repairs. The Nemesis and her crew would be rendered sitting targets with no escape.]

[Truly, it was a feat of software engineering.]

[Soundwave had run tests earlier last week on its outputs and capabilities, which explained the strange system failures and power fluctuations the vehicons had been complaining about. The code had to be perfect- Soundwave would not be there to witness its execution, nor would it be patched into the systems. If it were, it ran the risk of being disabled itself, either by Lord Megatron or the virus. That was a risk it was not willing to take.]

[Soundwave had finished uploading the virus and was in the process of setting a four hour timer when Lord Megatron stormed in. It quickly finished and shut off the terminal before facing the enraged mech that stood in the middle of the bridge. Megatron was pointing a clawed servo at it.]

"Where are the seekers, Soundwave." It wasn't a question, rather a demand.

[Soundwave considered its options carefully. Though, the longer it waited, the angrier Megatron seemed to get. It quickly scrambled together a series of images from the last few days. Starscream in their quarters tending to Aurora, Thundercracker and Skywarp getting ready for patrol, Slipstream and her trine arguing in their own quarters.]

"If that is where they are, then why can't I find them? In fact," Megatron stepped closer to Soundwave.

[His field was alight with anger and suspicion. Megatron was close enough to touch, to get a true read. His field betrayed the way he knew something was going on, but Soundwave had no way of connecting the dots without that physical contact. Yet, it did not reach out, and neither did Megatron.]

"You know why, don't you?"

[Megatron raised a clawed servo, his index digit a mere milimeter away from Soundwave's visor. Still, they did not touch. Megatron was undoubtedly toying with it at this point.]

"I knew that little fling you had, and that slagged sparkling was going to cause more trouble than its worth." Megatron's voice was low, and if Soundwave didn't know any better, it would have classified the tone as sultry.

"I told Starscream to stay away from you, that I couldn't have my invaluable third in command distracted from its duties."

[Soundwave stayed maddeningly silent. It had no idea where Megatron's mind was- what he thought was going on, what he was going to do. There was an electrical charge that ran up its spinal strut and its HUD flashed the option to activate its battle protocols. It quickly denied that, standing stone still.]

"But, you wouldn't betray me, would you Soundwave?"

[Megatron's voice teetered between fake and genuine concern. Soundwave shut down the urge to shudder and shook its helm.]

"No, I didn't think so."

[Megatron's servo finally made contact with Soundwave's visor as he pet the mech with the back of his knuckles. Images instantly floated to Soundwave's mind, visions of unspeakable violence aimed towards itself, its mate, the seekers and...Aurora.]

[Megatron was threatening it.]

"Bring me the seekers, Soundwave." Megatron did not need to tack on the or else.

[Still, his threats rang hollow to Soundwave. There would have been a time where Soundwave would have ended the interaction cowering in fear, not unlike Starscream, but that time was also when its loyalty was unquestionable. Now, there was no loyalty left- not to Megatron at least.]

[Soundwave had evolved past whatever was keeping it here. Whether it be that it had no other tangible experiences than fighting to survive or that simply the Decepticons were all it had left- neither of those things were true now. It had something to live and fight for other than itself and someone it used to call Lord.]

[Megatron had left the bridge by now. The remaining vehicons stood as silent as ever, their fields anxious and jittery. It paid no mind to them as it faced the terminal and turned it on.]

[Soundwave opened an encrypted message link and searched the frequencies until it found the one it was looking for. Autobot signals and messaging might be encrypted, but there was always at least one open comm link available. It was untraceable, and had to go through several layers of scrambling, but it was a well known secret. Anyone who dared use it, at least within the Decepticon ranks, was immediately considered a traitor.]

[At this point, that is exactly what Soundwave was.]

[Soundwave unspooled a datacable and connected it to the terminal. It uploaded a large data packet containing vital Decepticon intelligence, and an inert copy of the virus, only to prove its good faith. It sent the datapacket with the following message.]

Use this wisely.

[Soundwave turned off the terminal. It had a limited amount of time to enact the next portion of the plan. Luckily, it had been smart enough to transport its Rumble and Frenzy to an unused, secure site a few days ago. It had stolen medical supplies to keep them stable- not like Knockout would notice anyway. Still, its spark ached. They were stable, but still had not even shifted. Soundwave didn't know if they ever would again.]

[It lightly shook its helm, perishing the thought. It needed to disconnect itself from the ship entirely, not focus on its woes. Soundwave quickly found its way to the engineering terminal and plugged itself in.]

[One by one, it disconnected from the systems. The sensations of the freed up processing power quickly began to leave it dizzy and unwell. Its frame had been constructed with the intended load of the Nemesis. To no longer have that weight on its neural net was both freeing and debilitating. Its thoughts raced by too fast- there was nothing to hinder them anymore.]

[The last one it disconnected from was surveillance. Its HUD suddenly became quiet. Too quiet. There was no constant video chatter, no moving images in the corner of its optics. For once, it could see the reflection of its optics against the tinted glass. That was perhaps the most unsettling part.]

[Soundwave had to take a moment. It felt like it was swimming under solvent, while also being pulled into a tidepool. Perhaps it had detached itself too fast, but time was not something it had. Still, everything felt terribly empty and lonely, its HUD blank, its mind startlingly clear.]

[Now, all there was left to do was...Leave.]

[There would be no goodbyes. Knockout was gone, and it doubted Shockwave would want one. Soundwave certainly was not going to say goodbye to Megatron.]

[It was not the time for sentimentality. Soundwave had already packed its things and left it with Rumble and Frenzy. The only issue was that Soundwave no longer had a space bridge. It would have to fly.]

[Quietly, the mech made its way to the very same flight deck that its relationship with Starscream started on. Luckily, there was no one out there. The sun blazed low on the horizon, painting the sky with firey reds and oranges. Tinges of purple could be seen the higher it looked. Briefly, Soundwave wondered if the Stolen Secret would ever witness sunsets as beautiful as this.]

[Without a final look back, Soundwave transformed and raced into the sky.]

[accountsend]

Expanding Horizons: Exploring New Markets for Business Development

Article by Jonathan Bomser | CEO | AccountSend.com

As your business matures, tapping into new markets—be they niche industries, emerging markets, or even geographical expansion—can be a lucrative strategy for growth. If you're contemplating business expansion, here are seven key points to keep in mind.

DOWNLOAD THE NEW MARKETS INFOGRAPHIC HERE

Research and Understand the Market

Before diving into a new market, invest time and resources in thorough research. Understand the market dynamics, customer preferences, cultural nuances, and the competitive landscape. Tools like global business expansion databases and data analysis software can provide valuable insights.

Evaluate Your Business's Capabilities

Assess your business's capacity to handle expansion. This involves reviewing your financial health, operational capacity, and the adaptability of your products or services to the new market. Also, consider if your current team can manage the expansion or if additional hiring is needed.

Build a Targeted B2B Contact Database

Having a robust B2B contact database is crucial for successful market entry. Gather verified contact info, including email addresses and phone numbers, of decision-makers in the new market. Reputable B2B data providers can assist in building a comprehensive contact database.

Develop a Tailored Marketing Strategy

One size doesn't fit all when it comes to marketing strategies. What works in your existing market may not be effective in a new one. Develop a marketing strategy tailored to the preferences and needs of your new market. This might involve a shift in messaging, promotional channels, or even product positioning.

Leverage Partnerships

Forming strategic partnerships can help you establish a foothold in the new market. Look for potential partners that complement your business and can help you reach your target audience more effectively.

Manage Risks

Entering a new market involves risks. Financial risk, reputational risk, and operational risk are a few examples. Identify potential risks and devise strategies to mitigate them.

Measure and Adjust

Once you've launched in the new market, it's vital to track your progress, measure success, and make necessary adjustments. Use key performance indicators (KPIs) that are relevant to your objectives in the new market.

In conclusion, exploring new markets is an exciting venture that can yield significant benefits. However, it requires careful planning, strategic thinking, and ongoing measurement and adjustment. With the right approach, you can successfully navigate this journey and achieve your business development goals.

[virtualbearcycle]

Mastering Woodworking with the Router Table 4x8: Elevate Your Craft with Precision and Versatility 

In the world of woodworking, achieving professional-grade results relies heavily on having the right tools at your disposal. Among these tools, the router table 4x8 stands out as an essential piece of equipment for both novice and experienced woodworkers. This article explores the features, benefits, and applications of a router table while also comparing it to the increasingly popular desktop CNC machine. 

What is a Router Table 4x8? 

A router table 4x8 is a large woodworking device designed to support a router, enabling it to make precise cuts and shapes in various materials. The "4x8" designation refers to the dimensions of the tabletop, providing ample space for handling large workpieces. This expansive surface allows for increased stability and control, essential for executing detailed woodworking tasks. 

Benefits of Using a Router Table 4x8 

Enhanced Stability and Control: The larger size of a router table provides a stable working environment, which helps minimize vibrations and errors during the routing process. This stability is particularly beneficial when working with intricate designs or larger boards. 

Versatile Applications: Router tables are incredibly versatile and can perform numerous tasks, such as shaping edges, creating grooves, and making joinery cuts. With adjustable speeds and heights, you can tailor your routing operations to suit various woodworking projects. 

Improved Safety: Operating a router table significantly reduces the risk of injury compared to using a handheld router. The secure positioning of the workpiece minimizes kickback and enhances user safety, allowing for a more focused and productive work environment. 

Compatibility with Different Router Bits: A router table 4x8 is designed to accommodate a wide range of router bits. This flexibility enables woodworkers to explore diverse techniques and styles, facilitating the creation of unique designs and finishes. 

Comparing Router Tables and Desktop CNC Machines 

Both the router table 4x8 and desktop CNC machines have their merits, and understanding their differences can help you choose the right tool for your needs. 

Precision and Automation 

Desktop CNC machines excel in precision and automation, making them ideal for detailed and repetitive tasks. These machines use computer-controlled settings to execute intricate designs with high accuracy, which can be especially beneficial for commercial woodworking applications. However, they often require significant upfront investment and time to master the software. 

Hands-On Flexibility 

In contrast, a router table 4x8 offers a more hands-on approach, allowing for immediate adjustments and manual control over the routing process. This hands-on experience fosters creativity, enabling woodworkers to experiment with different techniques and designs. The tactile nature of routing can enhance the enjoyment of woodworking and lead to innovative results. 

Selecting the Right Router Table 4x8 

When choosing a router table, keep these considerations in mind: 

Build Quality: Select a router table with a sturdy construction that can handle regular use. A solid base will contribute to the table's durability and stability during operations. 

Ease of Use: Look for features like adjustable heights, clear measurements, and intuitive controls that simplify your workflow. A user-friendly design is crucial for maximizing efficiency and effectiveness in your woodworking projects. 

Included Accessories: Many router tables come with valuable accessories such as fences, dust collection ports, and miter gauges. These tools can enhance your routing capabilities and improve the accuracy of your cuts. 

Conclusion 

A router table 4x8 is an invaluable addition to any woodworking shop, providing a perfect blend of stability, versatility, and safety. While desktop CNC machine offer advanced precision and automation, the hands-on experience of using a router table can inspire creativity and innovation in your projects. By understanding the benefits and features of a router table, you can elevate your woodworking skills and bring your creative visions to life. Embrace the possibilities that a router table 4x8 offers, and take your woodworking craft to new heights. 

[juniperallen]

Auction Inventory Software: Elevating Efficiency in Auction Management

Auction inventory software revolutionizes how auction organizers manage, track, and catalog items. This technology brings efficiency to every stage of the auction process, from listing items to final sales. With real-time tracking and automated reporting features, inventory software simplifies operations for auction houses, online platforms, and private sellers, creating a seamless and well-organized experience for all involved.

Key Features and Advantages of Auction Inventory Software

Auction inventory software offers essential tools that streamline auction management, boost efficiency, and improve accuracy. Here’s a summary of its top features:

Streamlined Cataloging and ListingsEnables easy digital cataloging with photos and descriptions, allowing auctioneers to present organized, engaging listings that attract more bidders.

Real-Time TrackingProvides real-time monitoring of item locations and status, enhancing organization and transparency, and reducing risks of item misplacement.

Automated Valuation and PricingUses historical data and market insights to set competitive, data-driven prices, building bidder confidence and saving time.

Integrated Bidding PlatformConnects item listings to live or timed bidding, creating a unified platform for bidding, which simplifies management and ensures accurate tracking.

Reporting and AnalyticsDelivers insights on bidding patterns, item popularity, and performance, empowering auction organizers to refine strategies for future success.

Auctions That Benefit from Inventory Software

Inventory software’s flexibility makes it suitable for various types of auctions, from traditional to online formats. Here are some types that benefit most:

Estate and Personal Property: Perfect for managing and cataloging a wide range of items.

Fine Art and Collectibles: Supports detailed descriptions and high-quality images, ideal for unique or high-value pieces.

Real Estate Auctions: Simplifies tracking of properties and supports regulatory compliance with accurate record-keeping.

Vehicle Auctions: Tracks different types of vehicles with tools for valuation and condition reports.

Enhancing Efficiency with Auction Inventory Software

Auction inventory software boosts efficiency by centralizing data, minimizing manual entry, and enabling quick adjustments. With real-time updates and easy access to information, teams can work faster and make informed decisions, improving the overall participant experience.

The software securely stores records, facilitating compliance and ensuring that auction teams maintain audit-ready data for future planning. Streamlining access to auction details, it helps keep operations organized, allowing teams to focus on delivering engaging experiences while safeguarding essential auction data.

The Future of Auction Inventory Software

As technology advances, auction software is expected to incorporate even more features. Artificial intelligence could enhance item appraisals, while blockchain technology might improve transparency and security in tracking. Augmented reality could provide a more interactive experience, allowing bidders to view items virtually before making bids. As these advancements become available, auction inventory software will continue to evolve, offering even more value to auction organizers.

Conclusion

Auction inventory software reshapes the auction experience with streamlined cataloging, tracking, and data analysis features. By reducing manual work and enhancing organization, this software supports more efficient auctions and delivers a better experience for bidders. For auction organizers looking to improve efficiency, engage bidders, and achieve optimal results, integrating live auction software with inventory management systems is an invaluable asset. As the auction industry grows and modernizes, inventory software will remain essential, raising standards for service and auction outcomes.

[riskadjustment]

Medicare Risk Adjustment Continuous healthcare quality improvement is here. TheHealthcare360™ is the company to dramatically lower the barriers of entry and the operating costs of a value-based operational model for health plans, providers, and hospital systems.

[mrsreginagold]

Fic: So Tempt My Trouble

Fandom: Nikita 

Pairing: Ari Tasarov x Nikita Mears (Nikari)

Rating: R

Spoilers: Canon divergent AU, set near the end of season one. She and Michael did not get together.

Summary: Nikita decides to take a risk and finds herself face to face with the temptation that is Ari Tasarov.

Author's Note: Within there are lots of OTP shenanigans and brief references to Pride & Prejudice. Loosely based on the song Tempt My Trouble.

On AO3

So Tempt My Trouble

                  In retrospect, it probably wasn’t the wisest use of her intel.

                  Nikita Mears typically could tell if something was too good to be true, but her desire to pull one over on Gogol after the rough year she had experienced was far greater than reason. 

                  Sneaking into the company’s yearly Masquerade Ball – and really, who held such a thing in a glorified office building – was the easy part. The tricky element was getting past the security posted at the elevators so she could head to the lower levels. She knew that was where the vault that housed their tech was located, thanks to some intel via her protégé, Alexandra Udinov. The issue was causing a distraction that would be enough to lure the guards away. 

                  The former assassin had some smoke pellets in her purse, but those were usually employed for quick getaways. Additionally, the crowd of people that took up the lobby was substantial. She wasn’t certain how many were even employees for the organization that rivaled Division. 

                  She adjusted the mask that hid her lovely, yet recognizable features from view, hitched up her cerulean-colored gown, and made her way towards the stairs that led to the upper floors. Some distance from the party goers would allow her a chance to think her plans through, and she suspected that there would be a balcony somewhere to offer her some fresh air. 

                  Nikita entered a deserted office when she arrived at the fifth floor, uncertain of whose it happened to be but grateful that it was unlocked. If she could hack into a computer: pulling up schematics of the building would be child’s play. 

                  She dug into her bag and located her flash drive, which she quietly plugged into the side of the laptop set on the large desk. 

                  She sat in the surprisingly comfortable chair, pulled off her mask so her vision wouldn’t be obscured, and flipped the top of the computer open. A pale blue glow washed over her face as she began to type rapidly. 

                  Thanks to the decryption software on her drive she was able to log in, only to go pale when she discovered just who the computer happened to belong to. 

                  Fuck. It would be his, wouldn’t it?

                  Her history with Ari Tasarov was, in a word, complicated. While the attempts at inviting her to work with Gogol had fallen through, it led to a different kind of courtship entirely. Their last encounter had resulted in desire finally erupting, a tryst in his hotel room, and then her sneaking out at dawn. 

                  “Well now…this is a surprise,” a familiar, amused baritone jolted Nikita from her thoughts, and she stood abruptly with a startled sound. 

                  “I don’t know if I would call it a pleasant one, however. Perhaps ironic?” Ari stepped out from the shadows, crossing his arms over his chest before stating. “Hello Nikita.”

                  Despite her best intentions not to be affected, her features flushed at the sight of him. The man was incredibly handsome, and this was not helped by the fact that he was currently clad in a tuxedo that seemed to accentuate the solid lines of his tall, lean form. 

                  “Hello Ari,” she managed, willing her heart to calm down as she moved around the mahogany desk. “Why aren’t you at the party? I mean, it is held by your organization.”

                  “These things are always spectacularly boring…and is it? I mean, yes, I work here. But contrary to whatever belief you’ve harbored, I don’t actually run things.”

                  “Ah, now it all makes sense.”

                  “What does?” he tilted his head when she moved closer. 

                  “Why you tried to recruit me. It was a power move.”

                  “Is that what you think? That I only desired you for power?”

                  “Why else?”

                  His perceptive gaze locked into her own, the sea of blue and gray that was so easy to become lost in reflecting emotions she wasn’t quite prepared to see. “Is it really that difficult to imagine that I truly care for you? Even after everything?”

                  She took a step back, guilt rising. “But…you can’t.”

                  “I assure you that I can. That I do,” he reached out, grabbing her before the instinct to bolt took hold, as if he were anticipating exactly what she was planning. 

                  “Ari, please, just let me go and forget you ever saw me,” she pleaded, tears springing to her eyes that she couldn’t hold at bay. “We had one night. One amazing night and I left. I had to. It’s what I do. Forming attachments is just disappointment waiting to happen.”

                  Elegant fingers crossed over her mouth, those eyes of his boring into her own. “I’m not looking for an apology here, Nikita. I simply wanted to be clear with you. The truth is: I’ve fallen in love with you. And I think somewhere along the line, I wasn’t the only one.”

                  “I panicked. I woke up in your arms and I panicked because it felt right. Leaving you that morning was the only option, because if I stayed…Ari, if I stayed I wouldn’t have left.” She shook her head, trying to fathom why the truth was pouring so easily from her. 

                  His arms curled around her waist to pull her flush against his chest. “And, if I asked you to stay now, would you?”

                  “Yes.” She replied, slightly breathless, but meaning it. Then the reminder of what she was there for came crashing back and she winced at the awkward timing. “Although; that’s kind of difficult when I was plotting on stealing from the company.”

                  Instead of looking displeased, Ari appeared thoughtful. “Really? What were you planning on taking?”

                  “I hadn’t really thought that far ahead. You found me before I could do any research.”

                  “In that case,” he guided her back over to his desk, taking a seat before pulling her onto his lap and then opening a folder full of documents. “Let me help.”

                  She blinked, incredibly confused. “I’m sorry? Let you help?! Why the hell would you steal from your own workplace?!?”

                  “Making your way up the rungs of Gogol’s ladder is difficult. I know because I’ve been climbing for years, and obstacles keep on hindering my progress. Not to mention that the man I work for is a complete asshole,” he grumbled the last bit and hit the computer keys more forcefully, belying his anger at the entire situation. 

                  Her expression softened and she draped an arm over his broad shoulders. “That’s Sergei Semak, right? Wasn’t he close to the Udinov family?” 

                  “The very same,” Ari confirmed, smirking triumphantly when he finally located the inventory list he was hunting for. “He’s the whole reason Gogol’s become a glorified weapons dealer. We used to be more like Division, but Semak has a lot of ties to crime syndicates. He used them to buy his way to the top, more or less, and once he took over Zetrov: operations changed.”

                  Nikita processed the information as carefully as she was able. “That’s why you wanted to work together from the start, wasn’t it? To knock Semak off the throne, take Gogol over yourself and restore it to its former glory.”

                  It fell silent for a moment before he responded. “At the beginning? Yes. But this past year has brought a lot to light. There’s too much to fix at this point, and frankly – I want to be free of Gogol as much as you wish to be free of Division. This life changes you, so much so that I barely recognize who I used to be. Then, I met you,” he trailed off, bringing a hand up to stroke along the side of her face. “And somehow, the idea of what I actually wanted was much clearer.”

                  “What is it that you really want, Ari?”

                  “Besides you? A life. A choice,” he leaned in, his forehead touching hers lightly. “A future.”

                  His honest answer made her think back on their story. They’d met under dire circumstances, but the attraction they both felt had been crystal clear from the start. Their first kiss happened after he took her aside during a mission that had gone awry and cleansed her wounds. That initial embrace had been one of tentative compassion, and yet it resulted in mixed emotions on her part. When they saw each other again after that: the slow, simmering passion finally boiled over. They’d made love recklessly, giving in to their all-consuming hunger for one another. And then – she left, ashamed, and afraid of what her heart had been trying to tell her. 

                  Nikita chose to listen to herself this time and gave herself over to the temptation for another kiss. Her lips sought his out, initiating a tender, romantic one that expressed just how much she cared for him. 

                  Ari returned the affection just as sweetly, his hands sweeping across the curve of her jaw and tucking a stray lock of hair over her ear. He nipped lightly at her mouth as they parted, smiling before he whispered. “I take it that was the right thing to say?”

                  She laughed and nodded. “Yes, it was. So: what’re we stealing?”

                  His smile stretched into a playful grin. “Something that can bring down both Gogol and Division in mere seconds, if used properly. Think of it as a master key, of sorts. And best of all, we can sneak it out in that handbag you brought with you.” 

                  “That sounds promising. It also sounds like there will be guards and multiple security measures to get through.”

                  “Luckily, I can handle that,” he gestured for her to stand. “But we’re going to have to adjust our appearances.”

                  She was about to ask him what that entailed when he undid his bow tie and discarded it on the desk in front of him. Then, he took a few moments to muss his own hair, and popped open the top few buttons to his collar for good measure. 

                  After getting a clear picture of what was required, Nikita took her hair down from the intricate French twist, fluffed it out over her shoulders and then slipped one strap of her gown down her arm. She pinched at her cheeks to add some color, and finally settled her mask back over her face so no one but her companion knew who she was. “It’s amazing how often the “drunk and can’t keep our hands off each other” routine works.”

                  “Mmm, though, there is one thing that could sell the whole charade even further.”

                  “And what’s that –

                  Ari cut her off with a fervent embrace, backing her up so that she was pinned between the desk and his body. 

                  She wrapped her arms around his neck as it deepened, the pair biting and teasing at each other’s lips until forced to separate for air. 

                  His mouth strayed, darting fiery kisses along the swan-like column of her throat before he reached the junction between her neck and shoulder. 

                  She wasn’t quite expecting it when he bit down, hard enough to break the skin, and cried out sharply. 

                  He nuzzled apologetically at the area. “Sorry.”

                  She snorted derisively. “Oh, I am definitely getting you back for that later.”

                  “I wouldn’t expect any less,” he looked into her eyes reassuringly. “Ready?”

                  “Ready.” She linked their arms together and they exited his office.

                  All it took to get onto the elevator was a little bit of play acting, which was easy enough for Nikita as she didn’t have to pretend to be attracted to Ari. If anything – it was difficult to keep her hands to herself in the process, though he didn’t seem to mind one bit. 

                  Once they arrived at the correct level, he assumed the lead and guided her through the labyrinthian vaults where Gogol’s tech was housed.

                  “I’d suggest setting this whole place on fire, but I’m guessing there’s a system that will go off?” she peered up at the ceiling curiously. 

                  “This entire floor is rigged to suck out the oxygen if it’s breached,” he admitted, squeezing more tightly at her hand. “Luckily, I know the work arounds.”

                  “Good, because I probably would have tripped something,” she shuddered at the thought of such a painful end and inched closer to her companion. 

                  Wordlessly, he circled one arm around her waist. Eventually: they stopped in front of a safe. “It’s in here. Now comes the tricky part.” He knelt down and keyed in the pass code. 

                  When the door opened immediately, she was about to request a clarification on what the “tricky” element was – but when she saw just how tiny the device was, she could only respond with a quiet: “Oh. You weren’t kidding about it being small.”

                  “We live in the spy world, sweetheart, remember? Small and sleek equals sexy.”

                  “It’ll be easy enough to sneak out, so what’s the problem?”

                  “Replacing it with something of equal weight so the sensors won’t know any better.” He fished around in his pockets. “You don’t happen to have any small change on you, do you?”

                  “No but,” she unhooked the delicate necklace that she wore and presented it to him. “Maybe this? It’s nothing valuable, but I thought it tied the outfit together.”

                  Ari weighed the bauble in his hand, and then smiled. “Yes. This should do nicely.”

                  She admired the skill of his sleight of hand as he switched the items, managing not to set off a single alarm in the process. “You do realize that, sometime, you’re going to have to clue me in as to what, exactly, the KGB had you doing back in the day.” She accepted the miniscule flash drive from him and carefully placed it in her clutch.

                  “Eventually, yes,” he grabbed her hand and began to hurry out of the area. “Though perhaps when we aren’t carrying something worth billions?”

                  “Good point,” she linked her arm around his and held up her skirt so they could run a little faster.

                  They reached the corridor where the elevators were located, but Ari veered towards the stairwell instead. “The parking garage is only a few floors up and there aren’t any guards to deal with.”

                  “Wait a second,” she paused to remove her high heels. 

                  Once Nikita was ready, Ari once again took her hand, and they rushed up the flights of stairs as quickly as was possible.

                  A relieved sigh escaped the former Division operative once she and her Gogol counterpart were in his car. She settled into the comfortable leather seat and glanced in his direction while he started the ignition. “Where are we heading now?”

                  “I have a property a ways out. It’s admittedly more of a safe house than anything else,” he explained, putting the vehicle in gear. “We can stay there for a few days and plan things.”

                  “Will you have to check in while we’re making our move?” she found that she liked referring to the future being faced as theirs. 

                  “I’ll put in for a short vacation. I haven’t used any of my time in years anyway,” he admitted, his attractive features relaxing once they were properly on the road and heading away from the organization he had just betrayed. 

                  “A vacation sounds amazing, honestly,” she stretched and finally removed her mask, tossing it onto the backseat before fiddling with the radio. 

                  “We should take a proper one once we’ve dealt with everything.”

                  The suggestion made her smile, and when she found a station that played familiar sounding pop music, she left it there.

                  The drive was spent mostly catching up on everything that had been going on in their lives, though they made a quick stop to grab some clothing, food, and supplies from a store not far from their eventual destination. 

                  Grogginess had taken hold of Nikita by the time they arrived at the property that Ari had mentioned earlier, but when she saw exactly what lay before them: her jaw dropped. 

                  “You said it was a safe house. This is more like a safe estate.”

                  Her companion chuckled as he parked the car and shut off the engine. “I think it was actually a boarding house at one point. It took me a few years to get it fully renovated.”

                  “The fact that you say something like that so casually only emphasizes my point,” she exited the vehicle and followed him around to the trunk to gather their belongings. “This place is huge.”

                  “Which gives us plenty of room to relax for a few days while we sort ourselves,” he placed a hand gently along the small of her back and began to usher her forward. 

                  “Is there running water? Heat? Electricity? Or did I just wander onto the set of Pride and Prejudice?”

                  “Yes. Yes, and yes. And I’d venture a guess that the Darcy estate was larger.” Ari shook his head, amusement clear on his handsome face as he unlocked the door. “Now: if you’ll indulge me,”

                  She let out a squeak when he abruptly swept her into his arms and carted her, bridal-style, inside. 

                  “Well then Mister Darcy, just what are you planning for me?” she coiled her arms around his neck, touched by the romantic gesture. 

                  “Nothing untoward, Miss Bennett, I assure you,” he played along, ducking a sweet kiss to her temple before setting her on her feet. “Let me put a few things away, and then I’ll take you on a tour.”

                  Nikita wandered into the vast space that served as an entertaining room while she waited for her paramour. The centerpiece was a fireplace that was arguably the largest she had ever seen, and she refrained from drawing closer thanks to how intimidating it appeared. Instead – she inspected an ornate table which functioned as a focal point for the room. 

                  She knelt down to look at the intricately carved mahogany more closely, appreciating the attention to detail in the roses that decorated it. 

                  “A family heirloom,” Ari’s tone was warm, prompting her to glance up and find him observing her with a fond expression. 

                  She stood and dusted off her skirt. “It’s lovely. And probably worth a small fortune.”

                  “Many things here are,” he confessed, crossing over to her. “Though I haven’t had the time to take a proper inventory.”

                  She tilted her head while she draped her arms over the breadth of his shoulders to draw him near to her. “I could help with that if you like, after all: we’ll have lots of time to kill. Unless your plans are for us to make love on every possible surface in this place, in which case we may be here a lot longer.”

                  He laughed, which brought a brightness to his features that made her pulse thrum with affection. “I’m not adverse to that idea, obviously. However, I thought that I might put together a late-night dinner for us after I give you that tour I promised first. It’s been an adventure of an evening, and I don’t know about you but I’m rather famished.”

                  “You cook too?” she grinned. “I really did hit the jackpot.”

                  He merely smiled, kissed her, and then proceeded to show her around the estate. 

                  After exploring for a considerable time, Ari led Nikita to a room where she could freshen up and change.

                  Part of her considered asking him to join her in the shower, but she had noticed a subtle hesitance in his countenance whenever the subject of physical intimacy was broached, even after all their previous flirtation. She would question him on it at another time, as the desire to get out of her constricting evening gown was a higher priority. 

                  She emerged from the bath a short while later, dressed in a simple black tank top and yoga pants. She pulled her naturally long, dark hair into a low ponytail and then ventured to the wardrobe to look for something to stave off the chill in the air. She settled on a dark green sweater that she immediately knew was his thanks to how roomy it was on her. 

                  Smiling, she pulled on the slippers she had purchased during the trip up, and then braved her way through the corridors in hopes that she wouldn’t get lost. 

                  Luckily – a sweet aroma guided her, making her stomach growl in anticipation for whatever he happened to be concocting.

                  Nikita finally discovered Ari, completely immersed in his work, once she entered a kitchen that she immediately deemed as large enough to serve the entirety of Division’s staff – and perhaps Gogol’s as well. 

                  Her heart fluttered at the sight of the man she loved. She could tell that he had also showered, as his hair was still slightly damp, making it even darker brown in color. He was dressed casually in a black tee shirt that clung nicely to his toned build, and indigo jeans. She watched him for a few minutes, warmth easing up her spine as she noted just how content he appeared. There was a natural elegance to him that made even the simplest actions seem sophisticated, but it was remarkable how at home he was doing something so domestic at the same time.

                  Eventually, she cleared her throat to announce her presence.

                  He looked over his shoulder to acknowledge her arrival. “I hope you don’t mind breakfast for dinner.”

                  “I love breakfast,” she confessed, striding forward to inspect what he was making. “And French Toast happens to be of my favorites.”

                  “It’s one of mine as well,” he admitted, leaning back slightly when she wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled close. “It’s also deceptively easy to make. Would you like to try?”

                  “I think I’ll leave the culinary arts to you,” she winced despite herself. “I’ve burnt eggs too many times to count at this point.”

                  Rich laughter emerged from her more skilled companion, but there wasn’t a hint of unkindness to it. “Then I’ll have to teach you some tricks when you feel more confident. No rush.”

                  “I do make a mean smoothie though, so maybe in the morning, I’ll handle things,” she stood on her tiptoes so she could press her lips more easily to his cheek. 

                  He twisted slightly to capture her mouth with his, initiating a tender yet brief embrace. “I look forward to it.”

                  They fell into a quiet routine as he finished preparing their meal, with Nikita assisting by cleaning and cutting up some strawberries to adorn the toast, as well as making sure the maple syrup was at hand. 

                  Since the dining room was too formal, they ate at the homier wooden table in the kitchen, talking quietly between bites and enjoying, for once, being as normal a couple as they could be. 

                  When they were full, Nikita insisted on taking care of the clean-up since Ari had cooked. She shooed him off, instructing him to wait for her in the living room, and saying that she wouldn’t be long. 

                  She was true to her word and found him standing a safe distance away from the fire now blazing in the hearth. He had pulled a dark blue, warm-looking cardigan over his shirt, and there was a contemplative, somewhat melancholy expression on his striking face as he gazed at the flames. 

                  Tentatively, she approached, not wishing to startle him too much. “Ari? Is everything all right?”

                  He glanced in her direction, attempting to mask the swirl of emotions. “It’s nothing.”

                  She arched a skeptical brow. “Uh-huh. No, if it were nothing, we would have been tearing each other’s clothes off the second we walked in here. What’s really going on?”

                  He shook his head, trying to shrug off whatever was bothering him. “I’m fine. I swear it.”

                  “Babe,” her tone softened, and she reached out: taking his hand within hers and coaxing him away from the fireplace. “Talk to me. It’s okay.”

                  He looked deeply into her eyes, took a steadying breath, and then nodded, allowing her to guide him over to the couch.

                  They sat close together, pushing pillows aside so there was little space between them. 

                  Ari inhaled again, his grip on Nikita’s hand tightening, before he began to elaborate. “The last time we were together, it was frantic, probably due to the heat of the moment.” His gaze locked with hers. “And while it was completely amazing, I think we both had it in our minds that it was a one-time thing. Usually – right after, I’m out, but that night I just couldn’t stop watching you. You looked so peaceful, so right, there next to me.” He swept his fingers through her hair. “I wanted you from the moment I laid eyes on you, Nikita, but I’m pretty certain it was then that I fell in love with you. And now you’re here, and you want to be, but there’s this tiny voice in the back of my head that worries you’ll run off again.”

                  She swore that her heart dropped at his revelation. “God, I was a complete idiot that morning, wasn’t I?”

                  “No, it was my own fault for expecting you to feel exactly the same way,” he interjected. “And it’s not like it made me love you any less.”

                  She looked down and chewed at her lower lip, wondering how to reassure him of the depth of her feelings. “Still, I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d hated me.”

                  “I could never hate you, Nikita,” he murmured, tilting her chin so their eyes met again. “You mean everything to me.”

                  “And you mean the world to me,” it dawned on her then, with nearly perfect clarity. “Ari, I love you.”

                  Evidently, that was what needed to be said, because his next act was to tug her into his arms. 

                  She immediately crawled onto his lap, their mouths meeting in an ardent kiss while she shoved persistently at his sweater.

                  He pulled back to breathe but stopped her before anything could be removed. “Patience. That’s what we lacked last time, remember?”

                  She flushed at her own haste. “Sorry. Habit.”

                  Ari chuckled softly and caressed at her cheek. “I just don’t want this to be some frenzied tryst, that’s all. We should try to make it special.”

                  He made an excellent point. Nikita glanced around the room, her mind mulling over possibilities. “Do we have more blankets?”

                  “In the linen cupboard. Why?” he inquired curiosity overtaking his face. 

                  She responded with a blinding, open smile. “I have an idea.”

                  The next few minutes were spent with the pair of them locating as many blankets, quilts, and pillows as possible. 

                  An outright girlish giggle escaped the rogue operative as she began to spread them out on the living room floor, safely away from the fire but still close enough so that they could appreciate the natural heat that it offered. 

                  “What exactly are we making here?” her partner couldn’t help his own laughter, caught up in the playfulness of the moment. 

                  “Well, if we wanted to pilfer the curtains we could build a tent but, for now a nest will do,” she threw a few final pillows onto the pile that they had formed and inspected her work. 

                  He moved to stand beside her, reaching out and twining their fingers together. 

                  They stood for a few moments, silent, until Ari whispered. “It’s perfect.”

                  Nikita swiveled on one foot to face him, her heart cartwheeling upon seeing the raw emotion directed at her. She murmured his name and pulled him forward by the sleeve of his cardigan, the mood effectively shifting.

                  When they kissed this time, it was unhurried and filled with care, perhaps as a testament to his wish that they proceed more carefully than they had their first time. 

                  She sighed quietly against his mouth and coiled her arms around him, pressing close but not asking for too much, too soon. 

                  He parted from her first, those eyes she could so easily drown in sparkling with gratitude at her understanding. He leaned back in to nuzzle his nose to hers, and then gradually slid his hands down her back so he could glide his fingers under the pullover she had borrowed. 

                  Pleasant heat bloomed at her center when he bypassed her tank-top and touched her bare skin instead, indicating that, although they were going slowly, it was still his intent to seduce her.

                  To even things, she pushed his cardigan off his shoulders, smiling when he yanked his arms free and allowed the garment to fall to the floor. 

                  They embraced again, more heatedly than before, Ari steering Nikita towards the comfortable looking pile of blankets. 

                  When they broke apart, it was both for air and so he could lift the sweater over her head before they tumbled back together. 

                  Their legs tangled while they kissed, reclining back on the plush surface, hands delving under fabric to begin caressing over flesh. 

                  She mewled softly when clever, elegant fingers trailed along the tone of her abdomen, goosebumps erupting upon contact. For reasons she could never fully fathom, she was more sensitive to touch there. 

                  She felt him smirk, alerting her to the fact that he had quickly figured this out. In retaliation, she scratched long marks over his chest beneath his tee. 

                  He hissed, but continued in his ministrations, tracing up along her ribcage and then deliberately pausing before he pulled away to gaze down at her. 

                  “Why’d you stop?” she mumbled. 

                  “Because I want to see you,” he replied, peeling her tank up over her stomach. 

                  She arched her back to assist him in the removal, glad to be free of the confines of restrictive fabric, but before he could fully appreciate the image of her: she plucked at the shirt he was still wearing and gave him a significant look. “It’s only fair that I get to see you too.”

                  Luckily, there was no hesitation on his part when he settled back long enough for her to whisk the tee off. 

                  Nikita took advantage of the shift in balance to pin Ari against the blankets, straddling his hips and taking a long, proper admiration at what lay before her. 

                  The fire’s light flickered patterns over his pale skin, his chest rising and falling evenly with each breath. Her gaze drew slowly over the perfect, athletic tone of his frame, prompting a molten warmth to gather right at her core. 

                  He was doing his fair share of appreciation as well, that stare of his lingering and making her feel entirely exposed even though they weren’t fully naked just yet. 

                  That was why she wasn’t fully prepared for him lunging, their lips colliding in a feverish kiss as he turned and trapped her under him. 

                  She could tell that the tightly wound threads of his control had snapped when he pulled the rest of her clothing off in one swift move, and then hurriedly rid himself of his own. 

                  “What was that you were saying about patience?” she teased, carding her fingers through his hair while drawing him down on top of her. 

                  “Never listen to me when I’m trying to be logical,” he muttered, inching one hand up along her thigh tantalizingly while dipping his head to taste at her clavicle. “Besides, I’m sure we can reach a compromise here.”

                  They did, in fact, discover a happy medium in spite of the burst of urgency. 

                  Nikita quickly became lost to sensation while Ari took his time to explore – his lips traveling across her shoulder, pausing to dart his tongue over the mark that he’d made earlier before coasting further down. 

                  The reminder that she still needed to get some proper payback was pushed to the recesses of her mind when he cupped her breast, thumb dancing along sensitized flesh for several moments until it was replaced with his mouth. 

                  She cried out at the contact, weaving her hands further into his hair to keep him steady as he bestowed attention first upon one and then the other.

                  Simultaneously, his free hand drifted lower and lower, his touch light and feathery as it skimmed over her stomach right before ducking down between her legs. 

                  Her hips bucked instinctively, a much louder moan emerging as he eventually drove her over the edge, her mind whirling from the pleasure of it all. 

                  This was what they hadn’t involved in their previous encounter – it had been hasty and impetuous, a collision of their bodies but not of their hearts, and it was clear that Ari intended to make up for that in spades. 

                  Not to be outdone, Nikita turned so that she was in control for a while, initiating another passion-filled embrace as her hands skimmed down his torso, her nails purposely dragging through the hair that dusted his chest. She then leaned in to nibble provocatively at the junction between his neck and shoulder before sinking her teeth down hard enough to break the skin: marking him the way he had her. 

                  She grinned when he groaned and arced upwards, revealing that he was equally sensitive in certain respects. 

                  In a deft motion, she straddled his hips again, staring down at the enticing picture that he made – his breathing erratic and his hair mussed hopelessly by her own doing. The gorgeous color of his eyes was practically invisible thanks to his pupils being dilated with arousal and a deliciously wicked thought crossed her mind. 

                  It wasn’t her intent to join with him this way, but now she simply couldn’t help herself, reaching between them to align properly before sinking down. 

                  His rasped out her name and grasped at her tightly right as they started off in a rocking motion, his head tilting back to expose the elegant column of his throat. 

                  There was a definite thrill to being the one in charge, her desire for him overwhelming any other thought that could be had. She kept them going at a mainly even pace, shifting her angle subtly and anchoring them together. 

                  His hands eased up her back, pulling her forward when their motions began to grow erratic, waiting until exactly the right moment to turn the tides and bear her back into the blankets. 

                  They met once more in a searing kiss that mirrored their entangled bodies, her legs locking around his waist, fingers clawing at his spine as they finally reached that precipice, until – at last, they fell. 

                  Nikita was fairly certain that moving was going to be impossible for the considerable future, her form still hopelessly entwined with Ari’s while they attempted to calm down from the aftermath of their passions. 

                  For his part, he seemed as exhausted as she was, his head resting in the crook of her shoulder and his pulse a rapid staccato that she could feel against her own. 

                  She traced a lazy pattern across his back, lingering over a mark of her creation, before finding her voice. “Did I go a little overboard?”

                  “Judging by the fact that you could draw a map on me through the scratches, yes.”

                  “…I did say I’d pay you back for the love mark from earlier.”

                  He chuckled – a deep, gravelly, and oh-so-sexy sound, and if only she wasn’t so damn tired.

                  As if reading her mind, he pressed a kiss to her shoulder and then murmured. “Rest.”

                  She didn’t need to be told twice, wrapping her arms around his torso, and letting her eyes flutter shut. 

                  The clacking sound of computer keys was what eventually stirred Nikita from a sound slumber. 

                  Groggily, she opened her eyes, her vision swimming blurrily at first till the image of Ari next to her came properly into focus. 

                  He had re-situated some of the pillows so he could sit comfortably with his back against them. One of the many blankets surrounding them was pooled around his waist, and he had a computer placed on his lap, hence the sound she had heard. 

                  What really made her heart flip around erratically in her chest, however, was the sight of her lover wearing glasses. Silver, thin rectangular frames were perched on the bridge of his aquiline nose, giving him an extra bit of allure that certainly wasn’t necessary, but she would be lying if several different fantasies didn’t immediately flood her mind. 

                  She gazed at him contentedly, stretching lazily against the plush surface she was lying on. “Can’t whatever that is wait till morning?”

                  “It never hurts to get a head start on decryption,” Ari turned to smile at her and patted the space next to him invitingly. “But you were sleeping so peacefully, I couldn’t bear to wake you.”

                  Nikita stood up and gathered a stray blanket around her like a dress before moving to sit next to him, shoulder-to-shoulder so she could take a look at what he was working on. 

                  “Oreo? I felt peckish after I woke up,” he reached blindly to the side so he could grab a few. 

                  “Yes please,” she gladly accepted the treat and didn’t hesitate in devouring it. 

                  He laughed and handed her the entire package. “Here.”

                  She thanked him around a mouthful of cookie before swallowing and taking another out of the plastic tray. She twisted the top layer off and set about licking the filling, then joked, “Congrats; now you know my two biggest weaknesses: mind-blowing sex and chocolate.”

                  Another amused chuckle escaped him. “Duly noted.”

                  With a fond expression, she curled close, resting her head upon his shoulder and watching him continue his task. “What exactly is on this thing anyway? You never fully explained.”

                  “The black boxes that your former boss has stored around the world can’t be opened without his DNA. This is something Gogol was working on to bypass that. If used wisely, it can open every single one at the same time and unleash all the information on them to wherever we choose.”

                  Her pulse leapt excitedly at the prospect. “I’m assuming there’s a catch.”

                  “Two specifically: we can only use it once, as there’s a self-destruct built into the coding, and we have to be close to all of the boxes.”

                  “Which means we have to find them.” She surmised, plucking another couple of Oreos out from the packaging.

                  “Yes, it does. That being said – it’s nothing we can’t handle if we work as a team.” 

                  She had never been one to imagine picket fences, and there was certainly rough terrain ahead, but for the first time, Nikita felt secure about the future she had. 

                  She could picture a life with the man next to her, even if it took time to get there. The idea of an actual home and perhaps a child of their own someday was something she assumed would never happen, but now all she could think of was how much she craved such a thing. It was frightening and exhilarating at the same time. 

                  Ari eventually set the computer aside, concern in his gaze as he turned his attention to her. “Nikita…did I lose you somewhere there?”

                  She shook her head and tilted her chin up to kiss him languidly. “No, I think it’s the opposite. You have me for the long haul.”

                  Judging by the way he embraced her after that confession, it was obvious that the feeling was entirely mutual. 

The End

[being-kindrad]

hey, i just found out about the forum, and while i admit i haven't checked it out myself yet, i have a couple questions that i'd love to ask.

how is the forum in terms of user privacy? are passwords stored in plaintext? (please tell me they aren't.)

related to that, how can we be sure the website won't be an easy victim to attacks? if the forum were victim of a cyber attack, would user accounts be compromised?

lastly, what do you think of implementing a rule similar to 4chan's "don't talk about 4chan"? if we want to keep the website hush-hush and less vulnerable to male infiltrators, it might be good to promote secrecy in some degree, maybe even encourage willful misnaming of the website (but i'd like to know what you think).

Hi. Please check out the cybersecurity page for tips on how to stay safe on the internet and especially when using the forum. If people are not comfortable with any chance of a database breach, I would recommend not making an account. While I would love people to join, I care about being honest and making sure people are aware and okay with the risks of participating.

how is the forum in terms of user privacy? are passwords stored in plaintext? (please tell me they aren't.)

Passwords are not stored in plaintext. However, I will say MyBB's (the forum software I'm using) password encryption algorithm is not the best, so if the database were breached, it would be relatively trivial for a hacker who knew what they were doing to decrypt user passwords. MyBB plans to use a better encryption algorithm in its next release, and switching to that once it is out will be a top priority for me. This is why I suggest using a unique password for this forum (and tbh on any website it is best to use a unique password, you never know where the next database breach will come from).

related to that, how can we be sure the website won't be an easy victim to attacks? if the forum were victim of a cyber attack, would user accounts be compromised?

All passwords for all administrative accounts/logins related to the forum, its database, its server, etc. are very long and randomly generated, and are completely different from each other. Password hacking would be extremely difficult, likely impossible.

The biggest way I could see user accounts becoming compromised would be through a database breach (getting access to the database). There are two ways I see this could happen:

Someone directly uses the server account credentials to log in and breach the database (highly likely impossible as they would need to know where the server is located and the password for the server).

Someone hacking into an administrator account on the forum and downloading the database. This would be the more likely route, but they would need to know the password of an administrator account. This is how Kodi, a MyBB forum with 400k users, got its database breached. However, there are multiple ways to avoid this. 1.) I found instructions on how to lock down the MyBB Admin CP (Control Panel) with an additional password, which would mean a hacker would need to not just hack into an admin's account, but also know the password to the Admin CP. 2.) There is another option of editing the forum source code so that the ability to download databases from the Admin CP is completely disabled. 3.) If any additional administrators are needed, I could give them adjusted permissions which would not allow them to create database backups. Overall though, I don't think I will need to add administrators any time soon, if ever. (Moderators are different than admins.)

In the worst case scenario of a database breach, what would be leaked is similar to the Kodi breach above. This is why on the Cybersecurity page, I say: use a unique password, don't use an important email, be wary of the private messaging system, etc.

lastly, what do you think of implementing a rule similar to 4chan's "don't talk about 4chan"? if we want to keep the website hush-hush and less vulnerable to male infiltrators, it might be good to promote secrecy in some degree, maybe even encourage willful misnaming of the website (but i'd like to know what you think).

Hmm, well I've already announced the forum on Tumblr, so it's not very hush-hush already. :') My view is that male infiltrators would try to get in regardless. I don't think I can stop people from talking/sharing the forum, and I would prefer feminist women be able to find it easier. I would like to hope the application process would weed out most bad actors.

[narcocastillo]

#Lore24 Weekly Post (1/52) - The Kilogem Accord

Sooo #lore24 is an annual challenge inspired by last year's #dungeon23 challenge, the major difference being that you regularly publish daily (or weekly) details about a world/setting you're working on, instead of creating aspects of a dungeon. Although I've been bad about consistency, I'm still working on this and you can see all my weekly posts on my bearblog--lucky tumblr though, I'm also going to post my weekly #lore24 entries here just to spread the word about the several settings I'm working on 😎

KILOGEM

Named after the KILOGEM ACCORD, a society of sapiosentient AI machines (magichines) that have inherited the remains of the Sol system. Humanity’s first contact experience occurs during one of the more turbulent periods of Earth’s history, which caused its eventual doom. Prescient techno-wizards (arcane mechanists) create a failsafe program from alien technological remains after decrypting messages from precursor entities, resulting in the creation of magichines. These magichines are sapiosentient and have been tasked with carrying the legacy and lessons of humanity, as well as supporting and protecting the existence of other sentient beings (including other magichines).

THE KILOGEM ACCORD

Magichines are sapiosentient, paracausal machine entities that were created by late human Arcane Mechanists, who were seeking to construct AI entities with magic, and reverse-engineered precursor technology. Although their needs are minimal, magichines appreciate the opportunity to upgrade their hardware and software modules that allow them to further express their personhood -- there are gastro-culinary modules, sleep modules, hormonal-gland system modules, and more are available and frequently used by many magichines.

Magichines are functionally immortal, as long as they are not subject to extreme conditions for too long (they will not survive being launched into the sun, or a large enough explosion lol). Magichines are at risk of existential decline, however, where cognitive and behavioral issues worsen or start appearing after a century of operation, with few exceptions--the remaining being either lucky enough to not experience this decline or unlucky enough to experience signs of the decline earlier than the century mark.

This issue is easily solved by adjusting their software and hardware, thankfully. There have been rare incidents where resetting has caused the issue to worsen, or where it has done little to help a magichine in decline. Additionally, resetting is a resource-intensive operation that requires access to at least some capable level of techno-medical care. Some magichines have self-terminated, or their operational cores have deteriorated past the point of recovery, after not receiving care/resetting operations on time.

Mortality has been a surprisingly captivating discussion for magichines over the centuries. Technically, as long as a magichine's initial mind is intact and stored safely, they can functionally exist for a long, long time. However, there are a variety of reasons that may end a magichine's existence, that don't necessarily revolve around their physical destruction.

One important right that magichines have is the freedom to actively choose existence. Although not often, there are magichines who refuse medical intervention after signs of decline start affecting their bodies and minds -- be that choice a result of apathy, sadness, acceptance, or exhaustion. In other cases, magichines (for whatever reason) go missing or do not contact other magichines and simply do not have access the necessary procedures/resources necessary to reset themselves.

In the spirit of respecting a magichine's autonomy, magichines who do not actively choose to reset are left to any consequences that may result of that choice. A growing concern that supports this policy regarding the magichine population is the marginally increasing scarcity of materials necessary to upkeep magichines physical forms, over time. This has also sparked investment in voyages outside of the solar system for resources.

IDENTITY

Magichine naming conventions are a little bit complicated.

Magichine's names consist of two parts: the alphabetical name that they choose after creation, and the numerical name that denotes their version state, their current home/base of operations, and their creation/origin locale.

For example, let's look at CARBON-2-17M-1E

CARBON: This is the chosen name of this magichine, used frequently when in the company of others

2: This is the version state of the magichine, which reflects how many times the magichine has been reformatted. Although it is also frequently used as a measure of age/length of existence, there are a few magichines whose version state numbers are deceiving. For example, some magichines do not fall in the median time cycle point for reformatting (typically around a century of operation). Their version state may mean that they've only reformatted once or twice after 500 years of operating--or in that same period, their version state may reveal that they've had to reformat a dozen times.

17M: These alphanumerical characters reflect the magichine's current home or frequented base of operations. Like the alphanumeric characters used for their locale of origin, these characters reflect a manufacturing location and a more broader locale, such as a planet, ringworld, moon, or space station. In this case, 17 denotes that this is manufacturing location #17 on Mars.

1E: These characters denote a magichine's region and greater locale within the solar system. Carbon, in this case, comes from region #1 meaning the megacity of Sunset City--located on planet Earth.

SOCIETY - THE KILOGEM ACCORD

Magichines are marvelous examples of individual autonomy and endurance. However, fortunately, they were created to crave and seek out social interaction with others--large swathes of magichine society are dedicated to the support of individual magichines, and towards facilitating interaction amongst each other.

Several semi-subliminal directives underlie these sapiosentient beings:

magichine society must be dedicated to the understanding, protection, and support of individual and communal groups of magichines

magichine society is dedicated towards the preservation of knowledge and understanding of humanity

magichine society is dedicated towards that same obligation of understanding and preservation for other similar sapiosentient beings

magichine society must respect, support, and protect the autonomy of other sapiosentient beings, as well as magichines

These directives are not the only ones that exist--however, they are the most important ones established. Some numerous more sub-directives and amendments build off core concepts from these prime directives--policies that have been endlessly debated and voted upon by the entirety of magichine society (at least--those that have existed at the time of the election).

ECONOMICS

MATERIALS

Metals, alloys, polymeric substances, semiconductors, rare earth metals, nanomaterials, sunglass, self-healing materials, and bio-organic materials are all necessary material components used for the magichine economy.

GATHERING

The Collective's resource-gathering operations are almost entirely done via automatons, overseen by magichines. Resources come from mining projects (on planets, on asteroids), gas extractions, moisture collection, recycling, and scavenging.

Solar power makes up most of the collective's energy resource, due to the efficient and secure properties of sunglass. Nuclear fusion also produces a significant amount of energy for the Collective, and recent research has been made into making more efficient and compact fusion reactors.

PRODUCTION

Most of the infrastructure, products, equipment, tools, and complex materials are produced via omni-printers (a variety of personal and industrial-grade 3D printers). Personal use printers are small enough to fit in a magichine's home unit, while a dozen industrial printers fit comfortably inside of a large factory depot.

Unique, delicate, and niche items are also commonly produced "from scratch" by magichines, and these typically involve little to no use of omni-printers in their creation.

STORAGE

Storage depots and archives are important to the livelihood of the Kilogem magichines. Depots and warehouses provide anything and everything a magichine requires to live, while archives are devoted to the preservation and development of knowledge--of magichines, and of humans.

DISTRIBUTION

Depots and warehouses doubly function as distribution centers, to make the logistics more efficient and easily accessible. Automatons frequently deliver raw and manufactured products on behalf of these facilities, and the process overall is managed and overseen by magichines.

Distribution centers work closely in conjunction with planning committees and councils due to the nature of the economy at large.

RESEARCH

Universities still exist in the future, however, they are not the only places of learning and research. Independent laboratories and libraries, be they corporate or from an autonomous organization, operate similarly to the universities of old (as research institutions).

Autonomous libraries are home to prime archives, which are collections of data stored in subspace that succinctly detail the entirety of remains of human existence and history, as well as the most current history of the magichines.

PLANNING

With autonomy being a key characteristic of magichine society, economies are planned at the local, regional, planetary, and collective levels. This is done for a variety of reasons: for safety and redundancy purposes, for efficiency, reactivity, and for supporting independent/autonomous capabilities of groups of magichines. Democratic agency, input, and autonomy are the main motives for planning most of the Collective's economy.

[jaspavca]

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